Back to the Dead Sea: Climate change study digs into half a million years of history

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- A new study is digging underneath the Dead Sea to reveal the historical health of the planet through the last 500,000 years -- and to learn more about what climate change may hold in store for our planet.

Wake up, Mom: Gender differences in accepting sleep interruptions

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- Working mothers are two-and-a-half times as likely as working fathers to interrupt their sleep to take care of others.

Indoor plant intervention: New answers for health care design?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- Could a plant "intervention" improve the well-being of patients in a difficult rehab process? Scientists have found that patients' overall physical and mental health improved during the program, but the presence of new plants did not increase the degree of improvement. However, pulmonary patients in the "plant intervention group" reported a larger increase in well-being during their rehabilitation program more often than lung patients from the "no-plant" control group.

Evolutionary arms race between smut fungi and maize plants

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- Fungi are a major cause of plant diseases and are responsible for large-scale harvest failure in crops like maize and other cereals all over the world. Scientists have now analyzed the genetic make-up of Sporisorium reilianum, an important maize parasite.

Your genome in minutes: New technology could slash sequencing time

ScienceDaily (2010-12-31) -- Scientists are developing technology that could ultimately sequence a person's genome in mere minutes, at a fraction of the cost of current commercial techniques.

George Clooney Effect? High-earning women want older, more attractive partners, research finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-10) -- Psychologists have found that George Clooney may be even luckier than previously thought. New research has discovered that as women become more financially independent, they want an older, more attractive male partner.

Risk for alcoholism linked to risk for obesity

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- Addiction researchers have found that a risk for alcoholism also may put individuals at risk for obesity, and the association between a family history of alcoholism and obesity risk has become more pronounced in recent years.

What makes a face look alive? Study says it's in the eyes

ScienceDaily (2010-12-31) -- The face of a doll is clearly not human; the face of a human clearly is. Telling the difference allows us to pay attention to living things, which are capable of interacting with us. But where is the line at which a face appears to be alive? A new study finds that a face has to be quite similar to a human face to appear alive, and that the cues are mainly in the eyes.

Mortality rates are an unreliable metric for assessing hospital quality, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- A comparative analysis found wide disparities in the results of four common measures of hospital-wide mortality rates, with competing methods yielding both higher- and lower-than-expected rates for the same Massachusetts hospitals during the same year.

Catching video pirates: Invisible DNA-like fingerprint on video assist law enforcement

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- Scientists are applying an invisible DNA-like fingerprint to film, turning the footage into a series of numbers. When the film is then bootlegged onto the Internet, the invisible fingerprint goes with it, so that it can be traced over the Web -- back to the original video pirate, who can then be tracked and arrested.

Coma and general anesthesia demonstrate important similarities

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- The brain under general anesthesia isn't "asleep" as surgery patients are often told -- it is placed into a state that is a reversible coma, according to three neuroscientists who have recently published an extensive review of general anesthesia, sleep and coma. This insight and others reported in their review article could eventually lead to new approaches to general anesthesia and improved diagnosis and treatment for sleep abnormalities and emergence from coma.

98.6 degrees Fahrenheit ideal temperature for keeping fungi away and food at bay

ScienceDaily (2010-12-30) -- Two researchers have found that our 98.6 F (37 C) body temperature strikes a perfect balance: warm enough to ward off fungal infection but not so hot that we need to eat nonstop to maintain our metabolism.

Sardine Run: Headlong race for survival of the species

ScienceDaily (2010-12-28) -- Every year between May and July, enormous shoals of the sardine Sardinops sagax give a splendid show as they migrate off the coasts of South Africa, performing their Sardine Run. They are subjected to relentless attack by predators of all kinds -- sharks, dolphins, sea lions, whales, birds, fishermen. Although well known to the general public, this wholesale migration is still not well understood scientifically. Researchers have now examined the different hypotheses put forward to explain the event.

Finest chocolate may get better: Cacao tree genome sequenced

ScienceDaily (2010-12-28) -- The production of high quality chocolate, and the farmers who grow it, will benefit from the recent sequencing and assembly of the chocolate tree genome.

Shouldering family demands and worries bumps up angina risk

ScienceDaily (2010-12-23) -- Shouldering family demands and worries seems to increase the risk of angina, the precursor to coronary artery disease, reveals new research.

Site in brain where leptin may trigger puberty identified

ScienceDaily (2010-12-24) -- Researchers have pinpointed a tiny site in the brain where the hormone leptin may help trigger the onset of puberty.

How to delay Christmas tree needle loss

ScienceDaily (2010-12-24) -- Researchers have discovered what causes Christmas tree needles to drop off, and how to double the lifespan of Christmas trees in homes.

Six years after the 2004 tsunami disaster, technical setup of the early warning sysem completed

ScienceDaily (2010-12-24) -- Six years after the tsunami disaster of Dec. 26, 2004, the set-up of the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean (GITEWS) has been completed.

Preplay: How past experiences subconsciously influence behavior

ScienceDaily (2010-12-24) -- Researchers report for the first time how animals' knowledge obtained through past experiences can subconsciously influence their behavior in new situations.

Researchers train software to help monitor climate change

ScienceDaily (2010-12-23) -- A computer program that automatically analyzes mounds of satellite images and other data could help climate scientists keep track of complex, constantly changing environmental conditions.

'Un-growth hormone' increases longevity, researchers find

ScienceDaily (2010-12-23) -- A compound which acts in the opposite way as growth hormone can reverse some of the signs of aging, a research team has shown. The finding may be counter-intuitive to some older adults who take growth hormone, thinking it will help revitalize them.

You are what your father ate, too: Paternal diet affects lipid metabolizing genes in offspring, research suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-24) -- We aren't just what we eat; we are what our parents ate, too. That's an emerging idea that is bolstered by a new study showing that mice sired by fathers fed on a low-protein diet show distinct and reproducible changes in the activity of key metabolic genes in their livers. Those changes occurred despite the fact that the fathers never saw their offspring.

Sea-level study brings good and bad news to Chesapeake Bay

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- A study of sea-level trends brings both good and bad news to localities concerned with coastal inundation and flooding along the shores of Chesapeake Bay. Dr. John Boon, the study's lead author, says the good news is that "absolute sea level in Chesapeake Bay is rising only about half as fast as the global average rise rate." The bad news, says Boon, is that "local subsidence more than makes up for it."

Singing fish: Choir of electric fish makes debut in interactive 'scale' exhibit at Netherlands festival

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- A neurobiologist, an artist, and a composer recently presented their collaborative "singing electric fish" installation to thousands of people attending the STRP Festival, one of the largest art and technology festival venues in Europe. Many visitors had the chance to grab a baton and direct the unusual choir.

Obesity increases risk of death in severe vehicle crashes, study shows

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- Moderately and morbidly obese persons face many health issues -- heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, gallbladder disease and others. Now, increased chances of dying while driving during a severe auto accident can be added to the list.

Eating healthier means living longer

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- The leading causes of death have shifted from infectious diseases to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. In a new study, researchers investigated empirical data regarding the associations of dietary patterns with mortality through analysis of the eating patterns of over 2500 adults between the ages of 70 and 79 over a ten-year period. They found that diets favoring certain foods were associated with reduced mortality.

Climbing Mount Everest: Noble adventure or selfish pursuit?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- Adventure seekers are plunking down more than $50,000 to climb Mount Everest, but a new study finds that people who pay for transformative experiences often lack the communitarian spirit that usually defines such activities.

New single-pixel photo camera developed

ScienceDaily (2010-12-22) -- Researchers have developed a new tool for the field of scientific imaging. A sensor of just one pixel can record high-quality images and distribute them securely, that is, without allowing unauthorized people access to information.

Psychologists show how accent shapes our perception of a person

ScienceDaily (2010-12-20) -- The accent someone talks in plays a crucial role in the way we judge this person, according to psychologists in Germany. "The accent is much more important than the way a person looks," Dr. Tamara Rakic sums up one of the key findings of the study.

Raindrops reveal how a wave of mountains moved south across the country

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- Analyzing the isotope ratios of ancient raindrops preserved in soils and lake sediments, researchers have shown that a wave of mountain building began in British Columbia, Canada about 49 million years ago and rolled south to Mexico. The finding helps put to rest the idea that there was once a Tibet-like plateau across the western US that collapsed and eroded into the mountains we see today.

Mexico quake studies uncover surprises for California

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- New technologies developed by NASA and other agencies are revealing surprising insights into a major earthquake that rocked parts of the American Southwest and Mexico in April, including increased potential for more large earthquakes in Southern California.

Beautiful people convey personality traits better during first impressions

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- A new study has found that people identify the personality traits of people who are physically attractive more accurately than others during short encounters.

Satellites give an eagle eye on thunderstorms

ScienceDaily (2010-12-20) -- It's one of the more frustrating parts of summer. You check the weather forecast, see nothing dramatic, and go hiking or biking. Then, four hours later, a thunderstorm appears out of nowhere and ruins your afternoon. Additional data, taken from a satellite, could greatly improve the accuracy of thunderstorm prediction a few hours out.

Water pathways from the deep sea to volcanoes

ScienceDaily (2010-12-20) -- Oceanic plates take up a lot of water when submerged into the Earths' interior at continental margins. This water plays a central role in plate boundary volcanism. Scientists have, for the first time, tracked the pathway of the water up to 120 kilometers in depth. This is an important piece in the puzzle to understand the highly active volcanoes in Pacific "ring of fire".

Urban planning: Better spaces for older people

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- Urban planning needs to consider how older people use walking routes as well as public areas, concludes a new study. Planning should include a smooth transition between walking, driving and using public transport and should take account of how older people navigate between these.

Nasal congestion can mean severe asthma

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- Nasal congestion can be a sign of severe asthma, which means that healthcare professionals should be extra vigilant when it comes to nasal complaints. Furthermore, more severe asthma appears to be more common than previously thought, reveals a new study.

Ocean acidification changes nitrogen cycling in world seas

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- Increasing acidity in the sea's waters may fundamentally change how nitrogen is cycled in them, say marine scientists. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients in the oceans. All organisms, from tiny microbes to blue whales, use nitrogen to make proteins and other important compounds.

Globalization burdens future generations with biological invasions, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-21) -- The consequences of the current high levels of socio-economic activity on the extent of biological invasions will probably not be completely realized until decades into the future, according to new research.

How plants counteract against the shade of larger neighbours

ScienceDaily (2010-12-19) -- Plants that "lose the battle" during competitiveness for light because they are shaded by larger neighbours, counteract. They adapt by rapid shoot elongation and stretch their leaves towards the sun. The molecular basis of this so-called shade avoidance syndrome had been unclarified to date. Research scientists from the Utrecht University in the Netherlands and the Ruhr University in Bochum have now been able to unravel a regulation pathway. A specific transport protein (PIN3) enables the accumulation of the plant hormone auxin, which plays an important role during this adaptation process, in the outer cell layers of the plants, thus enhancing the growth process. The international group of researchers, which includes the plant hormone specialist Prof. Stephan Pollmann from the RUB, has published its observations in the current edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science PNAS.

Virus-based gene therapy for metastatic kidney cancer developed

ScienceDaily (2010-12-19) -- Researchers have developed a novel virus-based gene therapy for renal cell carcinoma that has been shown to kill cancer cells not only at the primary tumor site but also in distant tumors not directly infected by the virus.

Overindulgence is not the green option

ScienceDaily (2010-12-20) -- At this time of year, indulgence is the buzzword. Luxury goods to buy, roaring fires to relax by, jetting off to sunnier climes, visiting distant friends and family. But, how does this festive spirit align with environmental obligations and our attitudes to going green? Researchers in Norway suggest we are deluding ourselves that overindulgence is the environmentally friendly option.

Sleep experts warn Santa Claus of health risks of flying all night

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Is red seaweed a viable future biofuel? Now that a metabolic engineer has developed a strain of yeast that can make short work of fermenting galactose, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Researchers have recently identified three genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the microbe most often used to ferment the sugars, whose overexpression increased galactose fermentation by 250 percent when compared to a control strain.

Seaweed as biofuel? Metabolic engineering makes it a viable option

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Is red seaweed a viable future biofuel? Now that a metabolic engineer has developed a strain of yeast that can make short work of fermenting galactose, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Researchers have recently identified three genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the microbe most often used to ferment the sugars, whose overexpression increased galactose fermentation by 250 percent when compared to a control strain.

Ancient forest emerges mummified from the Arctic: Clues to future warming impact

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- The northernmost mummified forest ever found in Canada is revealing how plants struggled to endure a long-ago global cooling. Researchers believe the trees -- buried by a landslide and exquisitely preserved 2 to 8 million years ago -- will help them predict how today's Arctic will respond to global warming.

The key to being attractive (and looking healthy)? A good night's sleep

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night's sleep, finds new research.

Rapid diagnostic test for common type of pneumonia developed

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Researchers have developed a technique that can diagnose a common type of pneumonia within minutes, potentially replacing existing tests that can take several days for results. The researchers detected Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes atypical or "walking pneumonia," in true clinical samples with over 97 percent accuracy using a recently-developed nanotechnology-based platform.

Garlic could protect against hip osteoarthritis

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Researchers have discovered that women who consume a diet high in allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions and leeks, have lower levels of hip osteoarthritis.

Loss of Arctic ice may promote hybrid marine mammals

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Scientists have expected for some time that the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free in summer by the end of this century. Researchers now say the seasonal loss of this ice sheet, a continent-sized natural barrier between species such as bears, whales and seals, could mean extinction of some rare marine mammals and the loss of many adaptive gene combinations.

Computer memory takes a spin: Physicists read data after storing them in atomic nuclei for 112 seconds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Physicists have stored information for 112 seconds in what may become the world's tiniest computer memory: magnetic "spins" in the centers or nuclei of atoms. Then the physicists retrieved and read the data electronically -- a big step toward using the new kind of memory for both faster conventional and superfast "quantum" computers.

Exploring how partners perceive each other’s emotion during a relationship fight

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Some of the most intense emotions people feel occur during a conflict in a romantic relationship. Now, psychologists show that how each person perceives the other partner's emotion during a conflict greatly influences different types of thoughts, feelings and reactions in themselves.

Mothers' diets have biggest influence on children eating healthy, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- As health professionals search for ways to combat the rise in obesity and promote healthy eating, new research reveals a mother's own eating habits -- and whether she views her child as a "picky eater" -- has a huge impact on whether her child consumes enough fruits and vegetables.

Microchip harvests its own energy

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- Microchips that ‘harvest’ the energy they need from their own surroundings, without depending on batteries or mains electricity. That will be possible now that researchers have for the first time succeeded in manufacturing a microchip with an efficient solar cell placed on top of the microelectronics.

Champion hydrogen-producing microbe

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- The cyanobacteria are famous for releasing the oxygen that made the Earth a hospitable planet but some strains also have a hidden talent for producing hydrogen gas, a potential biofuel. With the help of a few metabolic tricks, a lab has coaxed one such strain to produce champion levels of the gas.

Is Internet backbone vulnerable to cyber attack?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- While cyber attacks on the internet involving malware, hacking and distributed denial of service are featured in the headlines most often, researchers in Switzerland suggest that physical attack on internet backbones, servers and internet data hubs could be just as important a problem in sustaining network functions.

'Aha' effect: New hypothesis seeks to explain the pleasures of insight

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- The sudden appearance of a solution through insight -- the famous 'aha' effect -- is a peculiar phenomenal experience that people have when they solve a problem. Researchers have now put forward a new hypothesis that integrates the known features of insight experiences into a unitary framework.

Fabric softener sheets repel gnats: Scientists prove Bounce sheets fend off insect pests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- Gardeners often claim that putting Bounce fabric softener sheets in their pockets is an effective way to repel pests like mosquitoes and gnats. In a new study, researchers discussed a series experiments they conducted to ascertain whether Bounce dryer sheets (Outdoor Fresh Scent, Procter and Gamble) repel fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions. The research team also analyzed the volatile compounds in the dryer sheets using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Compound derived from curry spice is neuroprotective against stroke and traumatic brain injury

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- A synthetic derivative of the curry spice turmeric dramatically improves the behavioral and molecular deficits seen in animal models of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Two new studies suggest that the novel compound may have clinical promise for these conditions, which currently lack good therapies.

Compound derived from curry spice is neuroprotective against stroke and traumatic brain injury

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- A synthetic derivative of the curry spice turmeric dramatically improves the behavioral and molecular deficits seen in animal models of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Two new studies suggest that the novel compound may have clinical promise for these conditions, which currently lack good therapies.

How hard are we pushing the land? Plant consumption rising significantly as population grows and economies develop

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- Humans are consuming an increasing amount of Earth's total annual land plant production, new NASA research has found. As the human population continues to grow and more societies develop modern economies, this rate of consumption is increasing both as a whole and on a per capita basis globally.

Submerging your feet in alcohol will not get you drunk

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- New research explodes the Danish myth that it is possible to get drunk by submerging your feet in alcohol.

Dolphin by-catch includes genetic relatives

ScienceDaily (2010-12-16) -- A new study provides insight for the conservation of small cetaceans by demonstrating that Franciscana dolphins accidentally entangled in fishing nets include genetic relatives, or mother-offspring pairs.

Acupuncture may help some older children with lazy eye

ScienceDaily (2010-12-14) -- Acupuncture could potentially become an alternative to patching for treating amblyopia (lazy eye) in some older children, according to a new report.

Blooming jellyfish in northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean: Over-fishing, warming waters to blame

ScienceDaily (2010-12-14) -- A study examining over 50 years of jellyfish data confirmed an increase in the size and intensity of proliferations of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca. There are several complex reasons for this -- over-fishing and the current increase in sea water temperatures.

Power and corruption may be good for society

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- Much of the agriculture in the American West depends on underground water systems that need to be carefully monitored to avoid overuse. Traditional data about aquifers are sparse and expensive to obtain. Until now, crops growing above the aquifer prevented satellite-based radar from "seeing" under the surface. But researchers have found a way around the plant problem.

Satellite data provide a new way to monitor groundwater in agricultural regions

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- Much of the agriculture in the American West depends on underground water systems that need to be carefully monitored to avoid overuse. Traditional data about aquifers are sparse and expensive to obtain. Until now, crops growing above the aquifer prevented satellite-based radar from "seeing" under the surface. But researchers have found a way around the plant problem.

High levels of 'good' cholesterol may be associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

ScienceDaily (2010-12-15) -- High levels of high-density lipoprotein, also known as "good" cholesterol, appear to be associated with a reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease in older adults, according to a new report.

Emotional intelligence peaks as we enter our 60s, research suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-18) -- Older people have a hard time keeping a lid on their feelings, especially when viewing heartbreaking or disgusting scenes in movies and reality shows, psychologists have found. But they're better than their younger counterparts at seeing the positive side of a stressful situation and empathizing with the less fortunate, according to new research.

Drinking alcohol during a rich meal slows down digestion, but doesn't increase indigestion, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-18) -- People can be reassured that while alcohol may slow down digestion after a rich calorific meal, enjoyed by many during the Christmas season, it will not cause indigestion symptoms such as heartburn, belching and bloating, finds new research.

Using digitized books as 'cultural genome,' researchers unveil quantitative approach to humanities

ScienceDaily (2010-12-18) -- Researchers have created a powerful new approach to scholarship, using approximately 4 percent of all books ever published as a digital "fossil record" of human culture. By tracking the frequency with which words appear in books over time, scholars can now precisely quantify a wide variety of cultural and historical trends.

Wind turbines help crops by channelling beneficial breezes over nearby plants

ScienceDaily (2010-12-18) -- Researchers have found that wind turbines benefit nearby crops, keeping them cooler and drier and boosting the uptake of carbon dioxide.

More than 100 new species described by California Academy of Sciences in 2010

ScienceDaily (2010-12-17) -- In an effort to address the critical need for data about the diversity of life on Earth, scientists from the California Academy of Sciences have spent the past year exploring some of the planet's most diverse habitats, searching for new species and creating comprehensive biodiversity maps. In 2010, they have added 113 new relatives to our family tree: 83 arthropods, 20 fishes, four corals, two sea slugs, two plants, one reptile, and one fossil mammal.

Online access with a fingerprint

ScienceDaily (2010-12-17) -- A new service makes it possible for users to maintain multiple online accounts using a scan of their fingerprint as a password.

Mom's voice plays special role in activating newborn's brain

ScienceDaily (2010-12-17) -- A mother's voice will preferentially activate the parts of the brain responsible for language learning, say researchers. The research team made the discovery after performing electrical recordings on the infants within the 24 hours following their birth.

Small islands in the Pacific: Duel between freshwater and sea water

ScienceDaily (2010-12-17) -- It is said that the first refugees of climate change will come from the Pacific. In the midst of this ocean’s tropical regions are scattered 50,000 small islands, 8,000 of them inhabited. They are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. These effects include rising sea-water levels, drought and diminishing stocks of freshwater.

Pomegranate juice components could stop cancer from spreading, research suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-13) -- Researchers have identified components in pomegranate juice that both inhibit the movement of cancer cells and weaken their attraction to a chemical signal that promotes the metastasis of prostate cancer to the bone. The research could lead to new therapies for preventing cancer metastasis.

Right or left handling at birth: What impact does it have on development?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-13) -- Certain events experienced at the moment of birth have consequences on the emotional reactions of animals at an adult age. Researchers have tested the effects of unilateral tactile stimulation on newborn foals. Their results show that animals handled on their right side at birth avoid contact with humans more often than those stimulated on their left side or not at all. This work raises questions on the organization of neonatal care in animals and humans.

When it comes to selecting a mate, the eyes have it

ScienceDaily (2010-12-13) -- For the first time ever, scientists have found a difference in the way males and females of the same species of vertebrate see things -- and that sexes likely use that difference to select their mates. The research team also discovered that the fish have five different photoreceptor cones in their eyes, the most ever found in a vertebrate.

35,000 new species ‘sitting in cupboards’

ScienceDaily (2010-12-10) -- Of the estimated 70,000 species of flowering plants yet to be described by scientists, more than half may already have been collected but are lying unknown and unrecognized in collections around the world, a new study suggests.

'White-noise' therapy alone not enough to curb tinnitus

ScienceDaily (2010-12-12) -- Tinnitus -- what many think of as "ringing in the ears" -- is the perception of sound without any real acoustic stimulation. Sound masking therapy, a common component of tinnitus treatment, is of uncertain benefit when used on its own, a new evidence review finds.

Improving children's diets using behavior change video games shows promise

ScienceDaily (2010-12-13) -- Obesity in youngsters has risen dramatically in recent decades. Fruit and vegetable consumption and increased water intake can lower the risk of obesity, as can increased physical activity, but it is not always easy to convince children to eat better and exercise more. In a new study, researchers found that video games designed to encourage these behaviors were effective.

Shoo, fly! Catnip oil repels bloodsucking flies

ScienceDaily (2010-12-13) -- Catnip, the plant that attracts domestic cats like an irresistible force, has proven 99 percent effective in repelling the blood-sucking flies that attack horses and cows, causing $2 billion in annual loses to the cattle industry.

Thought for food: Imagining food consumption reduces actual consumption

ScienceDaily (2010-12-11) -- A new study shows that when you imagine eating a certain food, it reduces your actual consumption of that food. This landmark discovery changes the decades-old assumption that thinking about something desirable increases cravings for it and its consumption.

Teens who perpetrate dating violence also likely to perpetrate violence involving siblings or peers

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- Dating violence among adolescents is common and those who physically assault dating partners are also likely to have perpetrated violence involving siblings and peers, according to a new study.

Fewer synapses, more efficient learning: Molecular glue wires the brain

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- Researchers have found that a single molecule not only connects brain cells but also changes how we learn. The findings may help researchers discover ways to improve memory and could lead to new therapies to correct neurological disorders.

'Secret ingredient' in religion makes people happier

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- While the positive correlation between religiosity and life satisfaction has long been known, a new study reveals religion's "secret ingredient" that makes people happier.

Redrawing the map of Great Britain based on human interaction

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- A group of researchers have used one of the world's largest databases of telecommunications records to redraw the map of Great Britain. The research is based on the analysis of 12 billion anonymized records representing more than 95% of Great Britain's residential and business landlines.

Astronomers discover, image new planet in planetary system very similar to our own

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- An international team of astronomers has discovered and imaged a fourth giant planet outside our solar system, whose discovery strengthens some remarkable resemblances between this planetary system and our own. The astronomers say the planetary system resembles a super-sized version of our solar system.

Politics and eye movement: Liberals focus their attention on 'gaze cues' much differently than conservatives do

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- It goes without saying that conservatives and liberals don't see the world in the same way. Now, research suggests that is exactly -- and quite literally -- the case. In a new study, researchers measured both liberals' and conservatives' reaction to "gaze cues" -- a person's tendency to shift attention in a direction consistent with another person's eye movements. Liberals responded strongly to the prompts, consistently moving their attention in the direction suggested to them by a face on a computer screen. Conservatives, on the other hand, did not.

Our brains are wired so we can better hear ourselves speak

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- Like the mute button on the TV remote control, our brains filter out unwanted noise so we can focus on what we're listening to. But when it comes to following our own speech, a new brain study shows that instead of one homogeneous mute button, we have a network of volume settings that can selectively silence and amplify the sounds we make and hear.

Teleworkers more satisfied than office-based employees

ScienceDaily (2010-12-10) -- Employees who telecommute the majority of the work week are more satisfied with their jobs compared to those working mostly in the office because working remotely alleviates more stress than it creates, according to a new study.

Nighttime sleep found beneficial to infants' skills

ScienceDaily (2010-12-10) -- Young children who get most of their sleep at night perform better in executive functioning than children who don't sleep as much at night, a new study finds. The study of 60 Canadian children aged 1, 1-1/2 and 2, examined the children's sleep habits and executive functioning skills, including impulse control and mental flexibility. The researchers found that children who sleep mostly at night did better on executive function tasks, especially those involving impulse control.

Seeing the invisible: New 'CSI tool' visualizes bloodstains and other substances

ScienceDaily (2010-12-10) -- Snap an image of friends in front of a window curtain and the camera captures the people -- and invisible blood stains splattered on the curtain during a murder. Sound unlikely? Chemists are reporting development of a camera with that ability to see the invisible, and more. Called multimode imaging in the thermal infrared, the new technology could find uses in crime scene investigations and elsewhere, they say.

Feeling chills in response to music

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- Most people feel chills and shivers in response to music that thrills them, but some people feel these chills often and others feel them hardly at all. People who are particularly open to new experiences are most likely to have chills in response to music, according to a study.

Feeling chills in response to music

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- Most people feel chills and shivers in response to music that thrills them, but some people feel these chills often and others feel them hardly at all. People who are particularly open to new experiences are most likely to have chills in response to music, according to a study.

Good grades in high school lead to better health, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- The "A" grades that high schoolers earn aren't just good for making the honor roll -- they also make them healthier as adults, too, researcher suggests.

Are depressed people too clean?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- Researchers say there is mounting evidence that disruptions in ancient relationships with microorganisms in soil, food and the gut may contribute to increasing rates of depression. According to a review article, the modern world has become so clean, we are deprived of the bacteria our immune systems came to rely on over long ages to keep inflammation at bay.

Lost civilization under Persian Gulf?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- A once fertile landmass now submerged beneath the Persian Gulf may have been home to some of the earliest human populations outside Africa, according to a new article.

Eutrophication makes toxic cyanobacteria more toxic

ScienceDaily (2010-12-09) -- Continued eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, combined with an ever thinner ozone layer, is favouing the toxic cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena, reveals new research.

Imagine your future self: Will it help you save money?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-26) -- Why do people choose present consumption over their long-term financial interests? A new study finds that consumers have trouble feeling connected to their future selves.

Drifting fish larvae allow marine reserves to rebuild fisheries

ScienceDaily (2010-12-26) -- Marine ecologists have shown for the first time that tiny fish larvae can drift with ocean currents and "re-seed" fish stocks significant distances away -- more than 100 miles in a new study from Hawaii.

Ever-sharp urchin teeth may yield tools that never need honing

ScienceDaily (2010-12-26) -- To survive in a tumultuous environment, sea urchins literally eat through stone, using their teeth to carve out nooks where the spiny creatures hide from predators and protect themselves from the crashing surf on the rocky shores and tide pools where they live. The rock-boring behavior is astonishing, scientists agree, but what is truly remarkable is that, despite constant grinding and scraping on stone, urchin teeth never, ever get dull. The secret of their ever-sharp qualities has puzzled scientists for decades, but now a new report by scientists has peeled back the toothy mystery.

New rule predicts risk of stroke, death from surgery that prevents it

ScienceDaily (2010-12-27) -- It's a medical Catch-22: carotid artery surgery can itself cause stroke, but so can asymptomatic carotid disease if left untreated. Researchers have now developed a clinical risk prediction rule using factors such as sex, race and health history to assess the danger the surgery poses, while a modified version will help patients make a more fully informed choice about whether to have the procedure.

Global rivers emit three times IPCC estimates of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide

ScienceDaily (2010-12-27) -- Biologists have demonstrated that streams and rivers receiving nitrogen from urban and agricultural land uses are a significant source of nitrous oxide to the atmosphere.

Adapting agriculture to climate change: New global search to save endangered crop wild relatives

ScienceDaily (2010-12-27) -- The Global Crop Diversity Trust has announced a major global search to systematically find, gather, catalog, use and save the wild relatives of wheat, rice, beans, potato, barley, lentils, chickpea and other essential food crops, in order to help protect global food supplies against the imminent threat of climate change, and strengthen future food security.

Decline of West Coast fog brought higher coastal temperatures last 60 years

ScienceDaily (2010-12-27) -- Summertime fog, a common feature along the West Coast, has decline since 1950 while coastal temperatures have increased slightly, new research shows.

Bonding with newborn baby: Once upon a time in the Intensive Care Unit ...

ScienceDaily (2010-12-28) -- The first few days after birth is an important time when babies learn to recognize the sound of their parents' voice and the parents in turn bond with their children. However, the separation between parents and newborns admitted to the NICU can disrupt the early development of this relationship. Innovative research suggests reading to newborns in the NICU allows parents to feel closer to their babies during this difficult period.

Choose a movie's plot -- while you watch it

ScienceDaily (2010-12-28) -- Turbulence, a new film, uses complicated video coding procedures that allow the viewer to change the course of a movie in mid-plot. In theory, that means each new theater audience can see its very own version of a film.

Why married men tend to behave better

ScienceDaily (2010-12-07) -- Researchers found that less antisocial men were more likely to get married. Once they were wed, however, the marriage itself appeared to further inhibit antisocial behavior.

Daily aspirin at low doses reduces cancer deaths, study finds -- but caution urged

ScienceDaily (2010-12-07) -- A daily low dose of aspirin significantly reduces the number of deaths from a whole range of common cancers, a new study has found. The 20 percent drop in all cancer deaths seen in the study adds new evidence to the debate about whether otherwise healthy people in their 40s and 50s should consider taking a low dose of aspirin each day.

Stroke damage reversed by jumpstarting nerve fibers

ScienceDaily (2010-12-07) -- A new technique that jumpstarts the growth of nerve fibers could reverse much of the damage caused by strokes, researchers report.

Pacific sperm whales exposed to PAHs, pesticides, other pollutants

ScienceDaily (2010-12-07) -- Whale researchers found evidence of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and persistent organic pollutants, including the pesticide DDT, in Pacific Ocean-dwelling sperm whales.

Doctor Who's trusty invention is anything but sci-fi: Sonic screwdriver to solve future DIY woes

ScienceDaily (2010-12-07) -- Ultrasonic engineers have uncovered how a real life version of the fictional screwdriver -- which uses sonic technology to open locks and undo screws -- could be created.

Creating 'Living' Buildings

ScienceDaily (2010-12-08) -- Researchers are poised to use ethical synthetic biology to create 'living' materials that could be used to clad buildings and help combat the effects of climate change.

Brain's architecture makes our view of the world unique

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Scientists have shown for the first time that exactly how we see our environment depends on the size of the visual part of our brain.

Medieval England twice as well off as today’s poorest nations

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Medieval England was not only far more prosperous than previously believed, it also actually boasted an average income that would be more than double the average per capita income of the world’s poorest nations today.

Imitating someone's accent makes it easier to understand them

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- In conversation, we often imitate each other's speech style and may even change our accent to fit that of the person we're talking to. A recent study suggests that imitating someone who speaks with a regional or foreign accent may actually help you understand them better.

Heart attack risk increases rapidly after rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- The risk of having a heart attack is 60% higher just a year after a patient has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and it is very important that they are monitored for heart issues. Swedish researchers followed 7,469 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), together with 37,024 matched controls without RA to determine the risk of ischaemic heart disease, with particular reference to myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Adolescents at risk for alcohol abuse show decreased brain activation

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Adolescence is a time of immense change in the brain, but unfortunately, it is also the time where many youths begin drinking. New research shows that individuals with a positive family history for alcohol abuse are at significantly higher risk to develop alcoholism in the future.

Oh deer: Protecting this year’s Christmas tree crop

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Hair clippings, cayenne pepper and raw eggs -- these are just a few of the odd ingredients recommended to keep those pesky deer away from your backyard garden. But what about farmers who have hundreds of acres of Christmas trees to protect? Specialists have now found an effective, inexpensive alternative to available commercial products to keep the deer at bay.

Pregnant mother's diet impacts infant's sense of smell, alters brain development

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- New study shows a pregnant mother's diet directly impacts an infant's food choices in the future.

A team with a shared lousy temper is better at mental tasks

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Managers who want their team to perform better should let employees express negative emotions. Teams who share bad feelings solve complicated problems better, share more information with each other and have a greater solidarity, concludes new research.

LouseBuster: Head lice shrivel with chemical-free warm-air device

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Four years after the LouseBuster prototype made headlines when research showed the chemical-free, warm-air device wiped out head lice on children, a new study reveals that a revamped, government-cleared model is highly effective.

Threshold sea surface temperature for hurricanes and tropical thunderstorms is rising

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Scientists have long known that atmospheric convection in the form of hurricanes and tropical ocean thunderstorms occurs when sea surface temperature (SST) rises above a threshold. So how do rising ocean temperatures with global warming affect this threshold? If the threshold does not rise, it could mean more frequent hurricanes. A new study shows this threshold SST for convection is rising under global warming at the same rate as that of the tropical oceans.

Vitamins identified as key nutrient which may promote harmful algal blooms in coastal waters

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- Harmful algal blooms, which negatively affect coastal ecosystems, public health, economies and fisheries around the world, may be promoted by vitamins B-1 and B-12 according to new research.

Tooth decay to be a thing of the past? Enzyme responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth deciphered

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- Scientists have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries could be a thing of the past.

Method developed to simultaneously desalinate water, produce hydrogen and treat wastewater

ScienceDaily (2010-12-05) -- Fresh water and reusable energy. Humans are on a constant hunt for a sustainable supply of both. Water purification requires a lot of energy, while utility companies need large amounts of water for energy production. The goal is to find a low-energy-required treatment technology. Researchers may have discovered an answer.

Low-status leaders are ignored, researchers find; How a leader is picked impacts whether others will follow

ScienceDaily (2010-12-05) -- People who are deemed social misfits or "losers" aren't effective leaders, even if they are crusading for a cause that would benefit a larger group, according to new research.

Link between folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, DNA methylation and birth weight in newborn babies

ScienceDaily (2010-12-06) -- Groundbreaking work by a team of UK scientists has identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA of newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight.

Electrocution of birds and collision with power lines: Solutions to a global problem

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- Electrocution on power lines is a major threat to many bird species across the world, in particular endangered species such birds of prey, which show the greatest incidence of electrocution. A new study focuses on preventing bird electrocution through the identification and correction of high-risk pylons.

Novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases into liquid fuels

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- It sounds a bit like spinning straw into gold, but novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels without producing more carbon waste in the process.

Blame the environment: Why vaccines may be ineffective for some people

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- A new discovery may explain why a tuberculosis vaccine is not as effective for some people as anticipated, and potentially explains why other vaccines do not work as well for some as they do for others.

Global sea-level rise at the end of the last Ice Age interrupted by rapid 'jumps'

ScienceDaily (2010-12-04) -- Researchers have estimated that sea-level rose by an average of about 1 meter per century at the end of the last Ice Age, interrupted by rapid "jumps" during which it rose by up to 2.5 meters per century. The findings will help unravel the responses of ocean circulation and climate to large inputs of ice-sheet meltwater to the world ocean.

Many coastal wetlands likely to disappear this century, scientists say

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- Many coastal wetlands worldwide -- including several on the US Atlantic coast -- may be more sensitive than previously thought to climate change and sea-level rise projections for the 21st century, according to U.S. Geological Survey scientists.

Fear of being envied makes people behave well toward others

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- It's nice to have success -- but it can also make you worry that the jealous people will try to bring you down. New research has found that the fear of being the target of malicious envy makes people act more helpfully toward people who they think might be jealous of them.

Africa can feed itself in a generation, experts say

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- Experts prepare a blueprint for sub-Saharan Africa's transition from food importer to exporter, starting with expansion of mobile communications, transportation, energy, technical education and regional markets.

Do our bodies' bacteria play matchmaker?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- Could the bacteria that we carry in our bodies decide who we marry? According to a new study, the answer lies in the gut of a small fruit fly. Scientists recently demonstrated that the symbiotic bacteria inside a fruit fly greatly influence its choice of mates.

Water resources played important role in patterns of human settlement

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- Once lost in the mists of time, the colonial hydrology of the northeastern United States has been reconstructed by a team of geoscientists, biological scientists and social scientists.

New psychology theory enables computers to mimic human creativity

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- A mathematical model based on psychology theory allows computers to mimic human creative problem-solving, and provides a new roadmap to architects of artificial intelligence.

GPS not working? A shoe radar may help you find your way

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- The prevalence of global positioning system (GPS) devices in everything from cars to cell phones has almost made getting lost a thing of the past. But what do you do when your GPS isn't working? Researchers have developed a shoe-embedded radar system that may help you find your way.

Long-term exposure to pesticides may be linked to dementia

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- Long-term exposure to pesticides may be linked to the development of dementia, new research suggests.

Ideal body mass index identified in new study; Overweight and obesity associated with increased risk of death

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- A study looking at deaths from any cause found that a body mass index between 20.0 and 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoking adults. Investigators also provided precise estimates of the increased risk of death among people who are overweight and obese. Previous studies that examined the risks from being overweight were inconclusive, with some reporting only modestly increased risks of death and others showing a reduced risk.

Longevity breakthrough: Scientists 'activate' life extension in worm, discover mitochondria's metabolic state controls life span

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- If you think life's too short, then you're not alone. Scientists set out to find what it would take to live a very long life and they made important discoveries that bring longer life spans much closer to reality. A new study describes how scientists "activated" life extension in the roundworm C. elegans, and in the process, discovered a new metabolic state correlating with long life.

Propensity for one-night stands, uncommitted sex could be genetic, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- So, he or she has cheated on you for the umpteenth time and their only excuse is: "I just can't help it." According to researchers, they may be right. The propensity for infidelity could very well be in their DNA.

Governments worldwide censor web content: New study analyzes where, why and how access to the web is controlled

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- Where you live in the world largely determines how freely you can access the internet. The level of cyber censorship in different countries around the world is directly related to how authoritarian the governing regime is, according to a new comprehensive analysis of the geographical nature of Internet censorship.

Discovery could shrink dengue-spreading mosquito population

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- A team of entomologists has identified a microRNA in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that when deactivated disrupts the mosquito's blood digestion and egg development -- a discovery that could help control the spread of not only dengue and yellow fever but potentially all vector-borne diseases.

Online game drives genetic research

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- Playing online can mean more than killing time, thanks to a new game developed by a team of bioinformaticians. Now, players can contribute in a fun way to genetic research.

Breakthrough chip technology lights path to exascale computing: Optical signals connect chips together faster and with lower power

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- IBM scientists have unveiled a new chip technology that integrates electrical and optical devices on the same piece of silicon, enabling computer chips to communicate using pulses of light (instead of electrical signals), resulting in smaller, faster and more power-efficient chips than is possible with conventional technologies.

Researchers find mathematical patterns to forecast earthquakes

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- Researchers in Spain have found patterns of behavior that occur before an earthquake on the Iberian peninsula. The team used clustering techniques to forecast medium-large seismic movements when certain circumstances coincide.

'No fish left behind' approach leaves Earth with nowhere left to fish, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-03) -- Earth has run out of room to expand fisheries, according to a new study that charts the systematic expansion of industrialized fisheries.

How earthquakes can be predicted: Researchers reveal new means

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- Researchers in Israel who have been examining what happens in a "model earthquake" in their laboratory have discovered that basic assumptions about friction that have been accepted for hundreds of years are just wrong. Their findings provide a new means for replicating how earth ruptures develop and possibly enabling prediction of coming severe earthquakes.

Trust hormone associated with happiness: Human study suggests new role for oxytocin

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- The hormone oxytocin, which is known to be important in trust, may also be involved in a sense of well-being. According to new research, women who show large increases in oxytocin when they are trusted also report being more satisfied with life and less depressed.

Couch potato effect: Missing protein leaves mice unable to exercise

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- Researchers have unveiled a surprising new model for studying muscle function: the couch potato mouse. While these mice maintain normal activity and body weight, they do not have the energy to exercise.

Loss of species large and small threatens human health, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- The loss of biodiversity -- from beneficial bacteria to charismatic mammals -- threatens human health. That's the conclusion of a new study by scientists who study biodiversity and infectious diseases.

Primates are more resilient than other animals to environmental ups and downs

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- What sets mankind's closest relatives -- monkeys, apes, and other primates -- apart from other animals? According to a new study, one answer is that primates are less susceptible to the seasonal ups and downs -- particularly rainfall -- that take their toll on other animals. The findings may also help explain the evolutionary success of early humans, scientists say.

Fountain of youth in your muscles? Researchers uncover muscle-stem cell mechanism in aging

ScienceDaily (2010-12-02) -- Researchers have discovered how endurance exercise, like jogging or spinning classes, increases the number of muscle stem cells, enhancing their ability to rejuvenate old muscles. The finding could lead to a new drug to heal muscles faster.

Clarity in short-term memory shows no link with IQ

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- One person correctly remembers four of eight items just seen but is fuzzy on details. Another person recalls only two of the items but with amazingly precise clarity. So what ability translates to higher IQ? According to a new study the answer is very clear.

California's controlled fires boost biodiversity

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- In certain ecosystems, such as the mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada region of the western United States, fires are a natural and essential occurrence for maintaining forest health. However, for many decades, resource managers in California and other western states prevented or suppressed natural fires to limit the potential for catastrophic spread.

Moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of metabolic diseases, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- Young people who are overexposed to antibacterial soaps containing triclosan may suffer more allergies, and exposure to higher levels of Bisphenol A among adults may negatively influence the immune system, a new study suggests.

Antibacterial soaps: Being too clean can make people sick, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- Young people who are overexposed to antibacterial soaps containing triclosan may suffer more allergies, and exposure to higher levels of Bisphenol A among adults may negatively influence the immune system, a new study suggests.

Marsupial embryo jumps ahead in development

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- Long a staple of nature documentaries, the somewhat bizarre development of a grub-like pink marsupial embryo outside the mother's womb is curious in another way. Researchers have found that the developmental program executed by the marsupial embryo runs in a different order than the program executed by virtually every other vertebrate animal.

Caffeinated alcoholic beverages: A growing public health problem?

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- In the wake of multiple state bans on caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) and an FDA warning to four companies to remove their products from the marketplace, a new article delineates the scope of the public health problem and suggests areas of research that might help address it.

Ecological effects of biodiversity loss underestimated

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- More than half of all species are believed to change their dietary preferences -- sometimes several times -- between birth and adulthood. A new study finds that this pattern has major implications for the stability of natural ecosystems and survival of threatened species. The findings suggest that previous studies have systematically underestimated the negative consequences of biodiversity loss.

Snakes on a rope: Researchers take a unique look at the climbing abilities of boa constrictors

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- In the wild, how does a snake climb a vertical surface without slipping? To find out, researchers sent snakes climbing up varying widths and tensions of ropes as they explored snake movement in relation to their musculoskeletal design and variation in their environment.

Acupuncture changes brain's perception and processing of pain, researchers find

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have captured pictures of the brain while patients experienced a pain stimulus with and without acupuncture to determine acupuncture's effect on how the brain processes pain.

Worst case scenario: Can we adapt to a world 2 to 4 degrees warmer?

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- Potentially dangerous rates of global warming could outpace the ability of ecosystems and artificial infrastructure to adapt, experts warn.

Belly fat puts women at risk for osteoporosis, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- For years, it was believed that obese women were at lower risk for developing osteoporosis, and that excess body fat actually protected against bone loss. However, a new study found that having too much internal abdominal fat may, in fact, have a damaging effect on bone health.

Neuroscience of instinct: How animals overcome fear to obtain food

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- When crossing a street, we look to the left and right for cars and stay put on the sidewalk if we see a car close enough and traveling fast enough to hit us before we're able to reach the other side. It's an almost automatic decision, as though we instinctively know how to keep ourselves safe. Now neuroscientists have found that other animals are capable of making similar instinctive safety decisions.

Narcissistic students don't mind cheating their way to the top, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- College students who exhibit narcissistic tendencies are more likely than fellow students to cheat on exams and assignments, a new study shows. The results suggested that narcissists were motivated to cheat because their academic performance functions as an opportunity to show off to others, and they didn't feel particularly guilty about their actions.

Are good-looking people more employable? Findings vary depending on whether it's a male or female applicant and who's doing the screening

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- In a new study by researchers in Israel, the resumes of "attractive" males received a 19.9 percent response rate, nearly 50 percent higher than the 13.7 percent response rate for "plain" males and more than twice the 9.2 percent response rate of no-picture males. Among women, the study indicates that, contrary to popular belief, "attractive" women are called back for a position LESS often than "plain women" (unattractive), as well as women who had no picture on their resume.

Could 135,000 laptops help solve the energy challenge?

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- Fifty-seven innovative research projects have been awarded time on supercomputers -- using computer simulations to perform virtual experiments that in most cases would be impossible or impractical in the natural world.

Internal body clock controls fat metabolism

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- Researchers have discovered that circadian rhythms -- the internal body clock -- regulate fat metabolism. This helps explain why people burn fat more efficiently at certain times of day and could lead to new pharmaceuticals for obesity, diabetes and energy-related illnesses.

Sugary lemonade may cool a hot temper

ScienceDaily (2010-12-01) -- A spoonful of sugar may be enough to cool a hot temper, at least for a short time, according to new research. A study found that people who drank a glass of lemonade sweetened with sugar acted less aggressively toward a stranger a few minutes later than did people who consumed lemonade with a sugar substitute.

Sensory stimulation protects against brain damage caused by stroke

ScienceDaily (2010-11-28) -- Mild sensory stimulation given soon after the first symptoms of a stroke can prevent a large area of the brain from becoming damaged, a new animal study shows. If applicable to humans, these findings could potentially help protect vulnerable brain tissue in patients with stroke.

Sensory stimulation protects against brain damage caused by stroke

ScienceDaily (2010-11-28) -- Mild sensory stimulation given soon after the first symptoms of a stroke can prevent a large area of the brain from becoming damaged, a new animal study shows. If applicable to humans, these findings could potentially help protect vulnerable brain tissue in patients with stroke.

Why are we getting fatter? Seeking a mysterious culprit

ScienceDaily (2010-11-28) -- Researchers suggest there are multiple, still undiscovered causes for obesity, based observations of weight gain in controlled groups of animals that has no single explanation, such as diet or activity level.

Scientists manage to adapt juvenile blue fin tuna to captivity in land installations

ScienceDaily (2010-11-29) -- Researchers have taken a new step towards achieving the domestication of bluefin tuna. A dozen juveniles have been adapted to captivity in land based facilities, something that had already been successfully achieved in Japan, Australia and the USA in other species of tuna.

Methane-powered laptops? Materials scientists unveil tiny, low-temperature methane fuel cells

ScienceDaily (2010-11-29) -- With advances in nanostructured devices, lower operating temperatures, and the use of an abundant fuel source and cheaper materials, researchers are increasingly optimistic about the commercial viability of methane-powered laptops.

New oyster farming technique increases productivity, offers entrepreneurial opportunities

ScienceDaily (2010-11-30) -- A new oyster farming initiative has launched in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The goal of this effort is industry adoption of off-bottom oyster culture to supplement the traditional harvest. Historically, oysters are grown on and harvested from reefs on the water bottom. In this new process, oysters are grown suspended in the water column.

Whale sharks use geometry to avoid sinking

ScienceDaily (2010-11-27) -- They are the largest fish species in the ocean, but the majestic gliding motion of the whale shark is, scientists argue, an astonishing feat of mathematics and energy conservation. Marine scientists now reveal how these massive sharks use geometry to enhance their natural negative buoyancy and stay afloat.

Weather affects children's injury rate: Each 5-degree temperature rise boosts kids' hospital admissions for serious injury by 10 percent

ScienceDaily (2010-11-26) -- Every 5 degree Celsius rise in maximum temperature pushes up the rate of hospital admissions for serious injuries among children, reveals one of the largest studies of its kind.

Size of mammals exploded after dinosaur extinction, researchers confirm

ScienceDaily (2010-11-26) -- Researchers have demonstrated that the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago made way for mammals to get bigger -- about a thousand times bigger than they had been, as well as confirming the dramatic growth in mammalian size after the dinosaurs. The study also showed that the ecosystem is able to reset itself relatively quickly.

Why do people behave badly? Maybe it's just too easy

ScienceDaily (2010-11-24) -- Many people say they wouldn't cheat on a test, lie on a job application or refuse to help a person in need. But what if the test answers fell into your lap and cheating didn't require any work on your part? If you didn't have to face the person who needed your help and refuse them? Would that change your behavior?

Optimizing large wind farms

ScienceDaily (2010-11-25) -- Researchers have developed a model to calculate the optimal spacing of wind turbines for the very large wind farms of the future.

New imaging technique accurately finds cancer cells, fast

ScienceDaily (2010-11-25) -- The long, anxious wait for biopsy results could soon be over, thanks to a new tissue-imaging technique. Researchers have demonstrated the novel microscopy technique, called nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging, on rat breast-cancer cells and tissues. It produced easy-to-read, color-coded images of tissue, outlining clear tumor boundaries, with more than 99 percent confidence -- in less than five minutes.

Aerobic exercise may reduce excessive cocaine use

ScienceDaily (2010-11-23) -- Aerobic exercise may protect against binge-like patterns of cocaine use, suggests a new study. Rats allowed access to running wheels self-administered less cocaine than did rats that were not.

Human creativity may have evolved as a way for parents to bond with their children

ScienceDaily (2010-11-23) -- Evidence from Disneyland suggests that human creativity may have evolved not in response to sexual selection as some scientists believe but as a way to help parents bond with their children and to pass on traditions and cultural knowledge, a new study suggests.

Cost effectiveness of ecological restoration demonstrated

ScienceDaily (2010-11-23) -- New research provides evidence that ecological restoration can provide a cost effective response to environmental degradation. The research focused on the dryland forests of Latin America, and examined the cost effectiveness of ecological restoration techniques such as tree planting and forest regeneration. This was achieved using a novel research approach, which involved mapping the value of different benefits provided by these forests.

Cloud study predicts more global warming

ScienceDaily (2010-11-23) -- Global climate models disagree widely in the magnitude of the warming we can expect with increasing carbon dioxide. This is mainly because the models represent clouds differently. A new modeling approach successfully simulates the observed cloud fields in a key region for climate. The study finds a greater tendency for clouds to thin with global warming than in any of the current climate models. This means the expected warming may be greater than currently anticipated.

Cement-like creation could help the environment

ScienceDaily (2010-11-21) -- Researchers have developed a cement-like substance that could help with stormwater management while potentially keeping millions of plastic bottles out of landfills.

Online undergrads learn well without strong class bond, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-21) -- No cohesion, community spirit, trust or interaction? No problem. Online college students said they felt less connected and had a smaller sense of classroom community than those who took the same classes in person, but that didn't keep them from performing just as well as their in-person counterparts.

Your view of personal goals can affect your relationships

ScienceDaily (2010-11-22) -- How you think about your goals -- whether it's to improve yourself or to do better than others -- can affect whether you reach those goals. Different kinds of goals can also have distinct effects on your relationships with people around you, according to new research.

Global carbon dioxide emissions may reach record levels in 2010

ScienceDaily (2010-11-22) -- Global carbon dioxide emissions -- the main contributor to global warming -- show no sign of abating and may reach record levels in 2010, according to a new study.

Social networking extends mobile battery life

ScienceDaily (2010-11-18) -- A new approach to social networking for mobile devices, such as tablet PCs and smart phones could improve the user experience and boost battery life by up to 70% by exploiting shared data between users in the same location.

Listeners' brains respond more to native accent speakers; Imaging study suggests accents are subtle 'insider' or 'outsider' signal to the brain

ScienceDaily (2010-11-18) -- The brains of Scots responded differently when they listened to speakers with Scottish accents than to speakers with American or British accents, a new study has found. Understanding how our brains respond to other accents may explain one way in which people have an unconscious bias against outsiders.

Earth's lower atmosphere is warming, review of four decades of scientific literature concludes

ScienceDaily (2010-11-16) -- The troposphere, the lower part of the atmosphere closest to the Earth, is warming and this warming is broadly consistent with both theoretical expectations and climate models, according to a new scientific study that reviews the history of understanding of temperature changes and their causes in this key atmospheric layer.

Heat stress to Caribbean corals in 2005 worst on record; Caribbean reef ecosystems may not survive repeated stress

ScienceDaily (2010-11-16) -- Coral reefs suffered record losses as a consequence of high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean in 2005 according to the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date. Collaborators from 22 countries report that more than 80 percent of surveyed corals bleached and over 40 percent of the total surveyed died, making this the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin.

Satellites provide up-to-date information on snow cover

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- The European Space Agency's GlobSnow project, led by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, uses satellites to produce up-to-date information on global snow cover. The new database gives fresh information on the snow situation right after a snowfall. Gathering this kind of information was not previously possible when only land-based observations were available.

How diving leatherback turtles regulate buoyancy

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- Virtually nothing has been known about leatherback turtle diving strategies, but now scientists have discovered that leatherbacks regulate their buoyancy by varying the amount of air they inhale before they dive. Fitting nesting leatherbacks with triaxial accelerometers, temperature and pressure gauges, the team was able to make the first detailed recordings of leatherback turtle diving behavior.

Less salt in teenagers' diet may improve heart health in adulthood

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- Small decreases in salt consumption among teens could reduce high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke in adulthood. Processed foods and fast foods, pose high salt hazards to families and teens. Researchers say food manufacturers should continue to reduce salt levels in their products.

Video game-based therapy helps stroke patients recover study

ScienceDaily (2010-11-16) -- Repeated exercise, even in a virtual environment, helped stroke patients improve arm and hand function, according to a new human study of an interactive video game-based therapy.

Light technology to combat hospital infections

ScienceDaily (2010-11-16) -- Researchers have developed a pioneering lighting system that can decontaminate air and exposed surfaces in hospitals and other clinical environments. The technology decontaminates the air and exposed surfaces by bathing them in a narrow spectrum of visible-light wavelengths, known as HINS-light.

Novel ocean-crust mechanism could affect world's carbon budget and climate

ScienceDaily (2010-11-16) -- Earth is constantly manufacturing new crust, spewing molten magma up along undersea ridges at the boundaries of tectonic plates. Now, scientists have observed ocean crust forming in an entirely unexpected way -- one that may influence those cycles of life and carbon and, in turn, affect the much-discussed future of the world's climate.

Overcoming the 'tragedy of the commons': Conditonal cooperation helps in forest preservation

ScienceDaily (2010-11-13) -- According to the standard prediction large-scale cooperation in the management of commons is impossible, mainly because of free-riders. Yet, extensive field evidence indicates that many communities are able to manage their commons. Now an analysis of a major forest commons management program in Ethiopia provides first-time evidence that conditional cooperation which has been identified in many laboratory experiments before plays a key role.

New ocean acidification study shows added danger to already struggling coral reefs

ScienceDaily (2010-11-13) -- Over the next century recruitment of new corals could drop by 73 percent, as rising carbon dioxide levels turn the oceans more acidic. New research findings reveal a new danger to the already threatened Caribbean and Florida reef Elkhorn corals.

Mathematical equation calculates cost of walking for first time

ScienceDaily (2010-11-14) -- Why do tall people burn less energy per kilogram when walking than shorter ones do, and how much energy does walking require? These are basic questions that doctors, trainers, fitness buffs and weight-watchers would all like to have answered, and now researchers from Texas have derived a fundamental equation to calculate how much energy walkers use, based simply on height and weight, which has direct applications across all walks of life.

Seeing meat makes people significantly less aggressive

ScienceDaily (2010-11-14) -- Seeing meat appears to make human beings significantly less aggressive, contrary to what researchers expected.

Invasive species pose major threat to fish in Mediterranean basin, large-scale study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- An international team has carried out the first large-scale study of the threats facing freshwater fish in the Mediterranean basin. Invasive species, along with over-exploitation of water resources, are the most important pressures, and those that expose fish to the greatest risk of extinction.

Rare cold water coral ecosystem discovered off coast of Mauritania

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- A rare cold water coral reef with living animals has been discovered off the coast of Mauritania. In the middle of the enormous rock formation of the undersea canyon area, scientists also stumbled across the giant deep sea oyster, a Methuselah among sea creatures.

Poor sleep quality increases inflammation, community study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-15) -- People who sleep poorly or do not get enough sleep have higher levels of inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, researchers have found.

Fearless children show less empathy, more aggression, research finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-13) -- Preschool-aged children who demonstrate fearless behavior also reveal less empathy and more aggression towards their peers, new research shows.

Oceanography researchers discover toxic algae in open water

ScienceDaily (2010-11-13) -- Researchers have discovered toxic algae in vast, remote regions of the open ocean for the first time. Harmful algal blooms are reported as increasing both geographically and in frequency along populated coastlines. This latest research shows that the ubiquitous diatom Pseudo-nitzschia -- an alga that produces the neurotoxin, domoic acid, or DA, in coastal regions -- actually also produces DA at many locations in the open Pacific.

Campus-community interventions successful in reducing college drinking

ScienceDaily (2010-11-12) -- Heavy drinking among college students results in over 1800 deaths each year, as well as 590,000 unintentional injuries, almost 700,000 assaults and more than 97,000 victims of sexual assaults. In a new study, researchers report on the results of the Safer California Universities study, a successful community-wide prevention strategy targeted at off-campus settings.

Prescribed bed rest has down side for pregnant women, nursing researcher finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-11) -- Despite lack of evidence about bed rest's effectiveness, doctors annually prescribe it for roughly 1 million pregnant women to delay preterm births. In a new report, a nursing researcher says a comprehensive review of more than 70 evidence-based research articles challenges whether this is healthy for mothers -- or their babies.

Multiple fathers prevalent in Amazonian cultures, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-11) -- In modern culture, it is not considered socially acceptable for married people to have extramarital sexual partners. However, in some Amazonian cultures, extramarital sexual affairs were common, and people believed that when a woman became pregnant, each of her sexual partners would be considered part-biological father. Now, a new study has found that up to 70 percent of Amazonian cultures may have believed in the principle of multiple paternity.

Alcohol can damage much more than just the liver

ScienceDaily (2010-11-11) -- Alcohol can do much more harm to the body than just damaging the liver. Drinking also can weaken the immune system, slow healing, impair bone formation, increase the risk of HIV transmission and hinder recovery from burns, trauma, bleeding and surgery.

Tropical forest diversity increased during ancient global warming event

ScienceDaily (2010-11-11) -- Nearly 60 million years ago, rainforests prospered at temperatures that were 3-5 degrees higher and at atmospheric carbon dioxide levels 2.5 times today's levels, researchers report. Contrary to speculation that tropical forests could be devastated under these conditions, forest diversity increased rapidly during this warming event. New plant species evolved much faster than old species became extinct. Pollen from the passionflower plant family and the chocolate family, among others, were found for the first time.

Young, unsupervised children most at risk for dog bites, study shows; Dogs often target a child's face and eyes

ScienceDaily (2010-11-12) -- As dog bites become an increasingly major public health concern, a new study shows that unsupervised children are most at risk for bites, that the culprits are usually family pets and if they bite once, they will bite again with the second attack often more brutal than the first.

Sharks and wolves: Predator, prey interactions similar on land and in oceans

ScienceDaily (2010-11-10) -- There may be many similarities between the importance of large predators in marine and terrestrial environments, researchers concluded in a recent study, which examined the interactions between wolves and elk in the United States, as well as sharks and dugongs in Australia.

Climate change: Regional differences in water reservoir glaciers

ScienceDaily (2010-11-09) -- Glaciers of large mountain regions contribute, to some extent considerably, to the water supply of certain populated areas. However, a recent study has shown that there are important regional differences.

Overweight children have eating patterns different from those of normal weight children, Norwegian study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-11-09) -- Overweight children reported more frequent intake of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, brown bread and potatoes as well as low-energy cheese and yogurt compared with normal weight children, a Norwegian study has found.

Scientists develop device to enable improved global data transmission

ScienceDaily (2010-11-07) -- Researchers have developed a new data transmission system that could substantially improve the transmission capacity and energy efficiency of the world's optical communication networks.

Mathematical model may result in better environment measures for the Baltic

ScienceDaily (2010-11-08) -- Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea has clear negative effects, such as dead bottoms and massive blooms of cyanobacteria. But high plankton production can also have positive effects on acidification. Researchers in Sweden have shown that it is possible to work out the aggregate effects of various environmental measures.

'e-Learning' report shows online professional development aids teachers and students

ScienceDaily (2010-11-08) -- Teachers who completed extensive online professional development showed improvement in their knowledge and skills, which translated into modest learning gains for their students, according to a five-year study involving more than 300 teachers and 7,000 students in 13 states.

Study finds links between high schoolers' hopes, educational attainment

ScienceDaily (2010-11-04) -- It turns out that the high school guidance counselor was right. Students who have high aspirations and put thought into their futures during their high school years tend to reach higher levels of educational attainment, according to a recent study.

Grad student simulates 100 years of farming to measure agriculture's impact on land and water quality

ScienceDaily (2010-11-05) -- A graduate student has used a detailed computer model to simulate, year-by-year, the effects of 100 years of farming on claypan soils.

To punish or not to punish: Lessons from reef fish and saber-tooth blennies

ScienceDaily (2010-11-05) -- Researchers have experimentally shown that some species of reef fish will enact punishment on the parasitic saber-tooth blennies that stealthily attack them from behind and take a bite, even though their behavior offers no immediate gain. The study shows that punishment ultimately serves all members of the reef fish species well.

Bees reveal nature-nurture secrets: Extensive molecular differences in brains of workers and queen

ScienceDaily (2010-11-03) -- The nature-nurture debate is a "giant step" closer to being resolved after scientists studying bees documented how environmental inputs can modify our genetic hardware. The researchers uncovered extensive molecular differences in the brains of worker bees and queen bees which develop along very different paths when put on different diets.

Most river flows across the US are altered by land and water management

ScienceDaily (2010-11-03) -- The amount of water flowing in streams and rivers has been significantly altered in nearly 90 percent of waters that were assessed in a new US nationwide study. Flow alterations are a primary contributor to degraded river ecosystems and loss of native species.

Broadband coming wirelessly to Australia's bush

ScienceDaily (2010-11-03) -- A major breakthrough in wireless technology designed to bring broadband to people living beyond the optical fiber network has been unveiled in Australia.

Last 'tango' in space: Satellite duo to generate 3-D models of glaciers and low-lying coastal areas

ScienceDaily (2010-11-04) -- Adding to their unique information from previous tandem missions, the European Space Agency's ERS-2 and Envisat satellites have been paired up again – for the last time. Data from this final duet are generating 3-D models of glaciers and low-lying coastal areas.

Current global warming may reverse circulation in Atlantic Ocean, as it did 20,000 years ago

ScienceDaily (2010-11-04) -- Earth's climate change 20,000 years ago reversed the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. Global warming today could have similar effects on ocean currents and could accelerate climate change, suggests a new study by researchers in Spain and colleagues.

Collecting your thoughts: You can do it in your sleep!

ScienceDaily (2010-11-02) -- It is one thing to learn a new piece of information, such as a new phone number or a new word, but quite another to get your brain to file it away so it is available when you need it. A new study suggests that sleep may help to do both.

Speed installation of system to monitor vital signs of global ocean, scientists urge

ScienceDaily (2010-11-01) -- As oceans grow saltier, hotter, more acidic and less diverse biologically, world governments urgently need to help complete a full global ocean observing system, the value of which to society would dwarf the investment required, according to scientists.

New way of removing excess nitrogen from the environment

ScienceDaily (2010-11-02) -- Excess nitrogen from agricultural and urban lands is contaminating groundwater, streams, lakes and estuaries, where it causes harmful algal blooms and contributes to fish kills. Cost-effective approaches to removing this nitrogen from croplands and urban stormwater runoff before it reaches sensitive water bodies have been elusive. But simple and inexpensive technologies are on the horizon. A recent scientific workshop on denitrification brought together ecologists, engineers and policy experts to find answers.

Expanding croplands chipping away at world's carbon stocks

ScienceDaily (2010-11-02) -- Nature's capacity to store carbon, the element at the heart of global climate woes, is steadily eroding as the world's farmers expand croplands at the expense of native ecosystem such as forests. A group of universities is releasing a study on the topic.

Spice in curry could prevent liver damage

ScienceDaily (2010-10-30) -- The chemical in curry could prevent or treat liver fibrosis, according to new research.

Halloween safety tips for families: Precautions you should take to keep your children safe

ScienceDaily (2010-10-30) -- Monsters, goblins and super-heroes will soon be descending on homes everywhere and while Halloween is a time for fun and treats, certain dangers abound.

Getting the big picture quickly: Software edits huge images in seconds instead of hours

ScienceDaily (2010-10-28) -- Computer scientists developed software that quickly edits "extreme resolution imagery" -- huge photographs containing billions to hundreds of billions of pixels or dot-like picture elements. Until now, it took hours to process these "gigapixel" images. The new software needs only seconds to produce preview images useful to doctors, intelligence analysts, photographers, artists, engineers and others.

Getting older leads to emotional stability and happiness, study shows

ScienceDaily (2010-10-29) -- The fear that global temperature can change very quickly and cause dramatic climate changes is great around the world. But what causes climate change and is it possible to predict future climate change? New research shows that it may be due to an accumulation of different chaotic influences and as a result would be difficult to predict.

Dramatic climate change is unpredictable

ScienceDaily (2010-10-29) -- The fear that global temperature can change very quickly and cause dramatic climate changes is great around the world. But what causes climate change and is it possible to predict future climate change? New research shows that it may be due to an accumulation of different chaotic influences and as a result would be difficult to predict.

Poor school grades linked to increased suicide risk, Swedish study reveals

ScienceDaily (2010-10-27) -- Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of job performance, according to a new study that helps settle the ongoing debate in a much-disputed area of research.

Emotional intelligence predicts job performance

ScienceDaily (2010-10-27) -- Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of job performance, according to a new study that helps settle the ongoing debate in a much-disputed area of research.

Fire-Breathing Storm Systems

ScienceDaily (2010-10-26) -- Pyrocumulonimbus is the fire-breathing dragon of clouds. A cumulonimbus without the "pyre" part is imposing enough -- a massive, anvil-shaped tower of power reaching five miles (8 km) high, hurling thunderbolts, wind and rain. Add smoke and fire to the mix and you have pyrocumulonimbus, an explosive storm cloud actually created by the smoke and heat from fire, and which can ravage tens of thousands of acres. And in the process, "pyroCb" storms funnel their smoke like a chimney into Earth's stratosphere, with lingering ill effects. Researchers believe these intense storms may be the source of what previously was believed to have been volcanic particles in the stratosphere.

Robotic gripper runs on coffee ... and balloons

ScienceDaily (2010-10-26) -- Opting for simple elegance, researchers have bypassed traditional designs based around the human hand and fingers, and created a versatile gripper using everyday ground coffee and a latex party balloon.

Older people advised that taking an afternoon nap can lead to more active lives

ScienceDaily (2010-10-26) -- Older people should not feel guilty about napping during the day if it allows them to keep active and busy when they are feeling less tired, new research reveals.

Eggshells could help combat climate change, research suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-10-26) -- The food industry generates a lot of waste products, but one of these -- eggshells -- could help combat climate change, according to new research.

Nature's backbone at risk: World's vertebrates face an extinction crisis, assessment finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-26) -- The most comprehensive assessment of the world's vertebrates confirms an extinction crisis with one-fifth of species threatened. However, the situation would be worse were it not for current global conservation efforts, according to a study launched today at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD, in Nagoya, Japan.

Following lifestyle tips could prevent almost a quarter of bowel cancer cases, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-10-27) -- Almost a quarter of colorectal (bowel) cancer cases could be prevented if people followed healthy lifestyle advice in five areas including diet and exercise, says a new study.

Proteins regulating water retention in salt-sensitive hypertension identified

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Two proteins in the brain act as valves to turn the hormone that regulates water retention in the body on and off, researchers have discovered. Their findings may lead to advances in treatment for diseases like high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Falling in love only takes about a fifth of a second, research reveals

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Falling in love can elicit not only the same euphoric feeling as using cocaine, but also affects intellectual areas of the brain. Falling in love only takes about a fifth of a second. The findings raise the question: "Does the heart fall in love, or the brain?"

Daily vibration may help aging bones stay healthy

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- A daily dose of whole body vibration may help reduce the usual bone density loss that occurs with age, researchers report. Twelve weeks of daily, 30-minute sessions in 18-month old male mice -- which equate to 55- to 65-year-old humans -- appear to forestall the expected annual loss that can result in fractures, disability and death.

Exercising in the heat may improve athletic performance in cool and hot conditions, study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Turning up the heat might be the best thing for athletes competing in cool weather, according to a new study by human physiology researchers.

'Unplugged' experiment detaches students from the media

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Twenty-four hours without media. No internet, no mobiles, no TV... The biggest global media experiment. Ever. First year students at Bournemouth University in the UK have been sacrificing their TVs, mobile phones, the internet and all other gadgets for 24 hours as they take part in a groundbreaking global media experiment called 'Unplugged'.

Pre-Columbian societies in Amazon may have been much larger and more advanced than thought

ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2010) — The pre-Columbian Indian societies that once lived in the Amazon rainforests may have been much larger and more advanced than researchers previously realized. Together with Brazilian colleagues, archaeologists from the University of Gothenburg have found the remains of approximately 90 settlements in an area South of the city of Santarém, in the Brazilian part of the Amazon

Why does lack of sleep affect us differently? Study hints it may be in our genes

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Ever wonder why some people breeze along on four hours of sleep when others can barely function? It may be in our genes, according to new research.

Dad's weight and diet linked to offspring's risk of diabetes

ScienceDaily (2010-10-24) -- Medical researchers have for the first time shown a link between a father's weight and diet at the time of conception and an increased risk of diabetes in their offspring. The finding is the first in any species to show that paternal exposure to a high-fat diet initiates progression to metabolic disease in the next generation.

Mathematical model helps marathoners pace themselves to a strong finish

ScienceDaily (2010-10-24) -- Most marathon runners know they need to consume carbohydrates before and during a race, but many don't have a good fueling strategy. Now, one dedicated marathoner has taken a more rigorous approach to calculating just how much carbohydrate a runner needs to fuel him or herself through 26.2 miles, and what pace that runner can reasonably expect to sustain.

New vision correction options for baby boomers

ScienceDaily (2010-10-24) -- Researchers have reported results of clinical research on new presbyopia treatments now available in Europe, and possibly available soon in the United States.

Vitamin E in front line of prostate cancer fight

ScienceDaily (2010-10-24) -- Survival rates of men with prostate cancer might soon be increased with a new vitamin E treatment which could significantly reduce tumor regrowth.

Even turtles need recess: Many animals -- not just dogs, cats, and monkeys -- need a little play time

ScienceDaily (2010-10-24) -- Seeing a child or a dog play is not a foreign sight. But what about a turtle or even a wasp? Apparently, they play, too. New psychology research defines "play" in people and also in species not previously thought capable of play, such as fish, reptiles and invertebrates.

Everglades show improvement in water quality

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Researchers have published a report regarding the trends in water quality feeding into Everglades National Park showing that the overall levels of both nitrogen and phosphorus have declined since the 1970s. This indicates that the water quality is improving as a result of the restoration methods completed in the areas surrounding the park.

Discovery of taste receptors in the lungs could help people with asthma breathe easier

ScienceDaily (2010-10-25) -- Taste receptors in the lungs? Researchers have discovered that bitter taste receptors are not just located in the mouth but also in human lungs. What they learned about the role of the receptors could revolutionize the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.

Authoritarian behaviour leads to insecure people, Spanish study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-23) -- Researchers have identified the effects of the way parents bring up their children on social structure in Spain. Their conclusions show that punishment, deprivation and strict rules impact on a family's self esteem.

Plants play larger role than thought in cleaning up air pollution, research shows

ScienceDaily (2010-10-22) -- Vegetation plays an unexpectedly large role in cleansing the atmosphere, a new study finds. The research uses observations, gene expression studies, and computer modeling to show that deciduous plants absorb about a third more of a common class of air-polluting chemicals than previously thought.

Professional athletes should drink more water, Spanish research finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-21) -- Top athletes must always perform to their maximum capacity, making them the most vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. Now, a new study conducted by researchers in Spain reveals that 91 percent of professional basketball, volleyball, handball and football players are dehydrated when they begin their training sessions.

Black rice bran may help fight disease-related inflammation

ScienceDaily (2010-10-21) -- Scientists are reporting evidence that black rice -- a little-known variety of the grain that is the staple food for one-third of the world population -- may help soothe the inflammation involved in allergies, asthma, and other diseases.

Sea levels rising around South Atlantic's Falkland Islands, 19th-century benchmarks reveal

ScienceDaily (2010-10-21) -- Sea levels around the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic have risen since the mid-nineteenth century and the rate of sea-level rise has accelerated over recent decades, according to newly published research. The findings are as expected under global warming and consistent with observations elsewhere around the globe.

See no shape, touch no shape, hear a shape? New way of 'seeing' the world

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- Scientists have discovered that our brains have the ability to determine the shape of an object simply by processing specially-coded sounds, without any visual or tactile input.

To be good, sometimes leaders need to be a little bad; Study examines 'dark side' personality traits and leadership

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- A new study has found that when it comes to leading, some negative personality traits aren't such a bad thing.

Early pregnancy in spring linked to child's susceptibility to food allergies, Finnish study suggests

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- A child's likelihood of developing food allergies can be traced back to the season during which he or she completes their first three months of life in the womb, new research from Finland suggests.

Why the leopard got its spots

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- Why do leopards have rosette-shaped markings but tigers have stripes? Rudyard Kipling suggested that it was because the leopard moved to an environment "full of trees and bushes and stripy, speckly, patchy-blatchy shadows," but is there any truth in this just-so story?

Alcohol increases reaction time and errors during decision making

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- There has been an abundance of research on the effects of alcohol on the brain, but many questions regarding how alcohol impairs the built-in control systems are still unknown. A new study explores that subject in detail and found that certain brain regions involved in error processing are affected more by alcohol than others.

Biodegradable foam plastic substitute made from milk protein and clay

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- Amid ongoing concern about plastic waste accumulating in municipal landfills, and reliance on imported oil to make plastics, scientists are reporting development of a new ultra-light biodegradable foam plastic material made from two unlikely ingredients: The protein in milk and ordinary clay. The new substance could be used in furniture cushions, insulation, packaging, and other products, they report.

Small is beautiful in hydroelectric power plant design: Invention could enable renewable power generation at thousands of unused sites

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- Imagine a hydroelectric power plant barely visible above water that eases the passage of fish in both directions; so simple and cost-efficient that it makes economic sense in sites with a one- or two-meter drop in water height; that could therefore subsidize ecologically motivated dam modifications with local, renewable energy; and which could bring economical, ecological hydroelectric power to developing regions. Researchers at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen did, and developed it: the shaft power plant.

Eating mostly whole grains, few refined grains linked to lower body fat

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- People who consume several servings of whole grains per day while limiting daily intake of refined grains appear to have less of a type of fat tissue thought to play a key role in triggering cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.

Climate change tipping points for populations, not just species: Survival, reproduction of thousands of arctic and alpine plants measured

ScienceDaily (2010-10-21) -- As Earth's climate warms, species are expected to shift their geographical ranges away from the equator or to higher elevations. While scientists have documented such shifts for many plants and animals, the ranges of others seem stable. When species respond in different ways to the same amount of warming, it becomes more difficult for ecologists to predict future biological effects of climate change -- and to plan for these effects.

Eyetracker warns against momentary driver drowsiness

ScienceDaily (2010-10-19) -- Car drivers must be able to react quickly to hazards on the road at all times. Dashboard-mounted cameras help keep drivers alert.

'Drivel' on Facebook more valuable than we think

ScienceDaily (2010-10-19) -- Superficial contacts on Facebook, apparently unnecessary comments, and banal status updates may be more worthwhile than we think. A new report predicts the new social media will ultimately lead to more individual entrepreneurs.

Making the Internet faster

ScienceDaily (2010-10-19) -- Weaknesses in the architecture behind the Internet mean that surfing can sometimes lead to slow speeds and a tiresome wait for a video to load. Redeveloping the whole architecture of the Internet is an option recently discussed even by Internet pioneers. However, a group of European engineers decided to go the opposite way and to monitor traffic and tailor services to meet demand.

Video games can be highly effective training tools, study shows: Employees learn more, forget less, master more skills

ScienceDaily (2010-10-20) -- Long derided as mere entertainment, new research now shows that organizations using video games to train employees end up with smarter, more motivated workers who learn more and forget less.

Mice that 'smell' light could help scientist better understand olfaction

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- Neurobiologists have created mice that can "smell" light, providing a potent new tool that could help researchers better understand the neural basis of olfaction. The work has implications for the future study of smell and of complex perception systems that do not lend themselves to easy study with traditional methods.

Alternative fish feeds use less fishmeal and fish oils

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- As consumers eat more fish as part of a healthy diet, agriculture scientists are helping producers meet this demand by developing new feeds that support sustainable aquaculture production.

Tropics in decline as natural resources exhausted at alarming rate

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- New analysis shows populations of tropical species are plummeting and humanity's demands on natural resources are sky-rocketing to 50 per cent more than the earth can sustain.

Watching violent TV or video games desensitizes teenagers and may promote more aggressive behavior, new study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-19) -- Watching violent films, TV programs or video games desensitizes teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behavior, according to new research.

Planted, unplanted artificial wetlands are similar at year 15, and function as effective carbon sinks

ScienceDaily (2010-10-19) -- A 15-year experiment in an outdoor "laboratory" shows that naturally colonizing wetlands can offer just as many, if not more, ecological services as will wetlands planted by humans. Researchers have been comparing the behavior of two experimental marshes on the campus, one that was planted in 1994 with wetland vegetation and another that was left to colonize plant and animal life on its own.

Squid studies provide valuable insights into hearing mechanisms

ScienceDaily (2010-10-15) -- The ordinary squid, Loligo pealii -- best known until now as a kind of floating buffet for just about any fish in the sea -- may be on the verge of becoming a scientific superstar, providing clues about the origin and evolution of the sense of hearing.

Flexing their muscles helps kidney disease patients live longer, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Kidney disease patients are healthier and live longer if they've beefed up their muscles, according to a new study. The results suggest that patients may benefit from pumping iron or taking medications to boost their lean body mass.

Happier to give than receive?

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Is there a correlation between a nation's contributions to international aid programs and the happiness of its citizens? According to a study of nine European donor countries, there is a direct relationship between the level of foreign aid and level of happiness in the UK and France but for other European countries there seems to be no link. "

Studies of radiative forcing components: Reducing uncertainty about climate change

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Much is known about factors that have a warming effect on Earth's climate -- but only a limited amount is understood about factors that have a cooling effect. Researchers in Norway are working to fill the knowledge gap by studying as many radiative forcing components as possible simultaneously.

Low-cost weight loss program beats obesity, researchers find

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- In the battle against obesity, new research has found that it may not be necessary to spend a lot on a weight loss program when cheaper, nonprofit alternatives may work just as well.

New data on effects of alcohol during pregnancy

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Scientific data continue to indicate that higher intake of alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the fetus, and could lead to very severe developmental or other problems in the child. However, most recent publications show little or no effects of occasional or light drinking by the mother during pregnancy.

Right food effectively protects against risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- For the first time, researchers in Sweden have found out what effect multiple, rather than just single, foods with anti-inflammatory effects have on healthy individuals. The results of a diet study show that bad cholesterol was reduced by 33 per cent, blood lipids by 14 per cent, blood pressure by 8 per cent and a risk marker for blood clots by 26 per cent. A marker of inflammation in the body was also greatly reduced, while memory and cognitive function were improved.

Discovery has potential to boost anti-breast cancer drug tamoxifen's effectiveness

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- Scientists in the UK have found a potential new way of boosting the effectiveness of the anti-breast cancer drug, tamoxifen. The work could open the door to new treatments for those who have developed a resistance to tamoxifen, and has been described as an important new discovery.

Biodiversity goals fall short: What can be done to avert the tragedy of the commons?

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- While not an outright failure, a 2010 goal set by the Convention on Biological Diversity for staunching the loss of the world's species fell far short of expectations. In the journal Science, some of the world's foremost biodiversity experts from DIVERSITAS, offer a strategic approach to the 2020 goals currently being considered. There are lots of reasons, reasonable ones, for people making private decisions that lead to biodiversity loss, but they cost us all collectively, authors say.

Push and pull get eyes to work together

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- Researchers appear to have found a better way to correct sensory eye dominance, a condition in which an imbalance between the eyes compromises fine depth perception. The key is a push-pull training method in which the weak eye is made to work while vision in the strong eye is actively suppressed, according to a new study.

How humidity makes gecko feet stickier: Softens setae to tighten gecko's grip

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- Geckos have amazingly sticky feet. Their stickability comes from billions of dry microscopic hairs that coat the soles of their feet. However, when humidity increases, gecko feet stick even tighter to smooth surfaces, so how do they do it? Biologists have found that increased humidity softens the keratin that makes up the sticky foot-hairs, allowing them to deform and stick tighter to surfaces than hairs in dry conditions.

New treatment may protect against pneumonia

ScienceDaily (2010-10-17) -- Intranasal administration of the protein flagellin may activate innate immunity and protect against acute pneumonia, say researchers from France.

Got fish? Nutrition studies explore health benefits

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- Some of America's most popular fish -- salmon and albacore tuna, for example -- are rich in healthful natural compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids. Ongoing studies by researchers are helping uncover new details about how these fish-oil components help protect us from chronic diseases.

Climate change may alter natural climate cycles of Pacific

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- While it's still hotly debated among scientists whether climate change causes a shift from the traditional form of El Nino to one known as El Nino Modoki, scientists now say that El Nino Modoki affects long-term changes in currents in the North Pacific Ocean.

Genetic trigger of depression identified: Potential target for novel class of therapeutic agents

ScienceDaily (2010-10-18) -- Researchers have found a gene that seems to be a key contributor to the onset of depression and is a promising target for a new class of antidepressants.

Scientists discover new species in one of world’s deepest ocean trenches

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Scientists investigating in one of the world's deepest ocean trenches -- previously thought to be void of fish -- have discovered an entirely new species.

Happier to give than receive?

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Is there a correlation between a nation's contributions to international aid programs and the happiness of its citizens? According to a study of nine European donor countries, there is a direct relationship between the level of foreign aid and level of happiness in the UK and France but for other European countries there seems to be no link. "

Studies of radiative forcing components: Reducing uncertainty about climate change

ScienceDaily (2010-10-16) -- Much is known about factors that have a warming effect on Earth's climate -- but only a limited amount is understood about factors that have a cooling effect. Researchers in Norway are working to fill the knowledge gap by studying as many radiative forcing components as possible simultaneously.

Study confirms: Whatever doesn't kill us can make us stronger

ScienceDaily (2010-10-15) -- We've all heard the adage that whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger, but until now the preponderance of scientific evidence has offered little support for it. However, a new national multi-year longitudinal study of the effects of adverse life events on mental health has found that adverse experiences do, in fact, appear to foster subsequent adaptability and resilience, with resulting advantages for mental health and well being.

Walk much? It may protect your memory down the road

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- New research suggests that walking at least six miles per week may protect brain size and in turn, preserve memory in old age, according to a new study.

Young teens who play sports feel healthier and happier about life

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- Taking part in sports is good all round for young teens: physically, socially, and mentally, according to a new study. New research shows that middle-school teenagers who are physically active and play on sports teams are more satisfied with their life and feel healthier.

Watermelon lowers blood pressure, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- No matter how you slice it, watermelon has a lot going for it -- sweet, low calorie, high fiber, nutrient rich -- and now, there's more. Evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists suggests that watermelon can be an effective natural weapon against prehypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease.

Watermelon lowers blood pressure, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- No matter how you slice it, watermelon has a lot going for it -- sweet, low calorie, high fiber, nutrient rich -- and now, there's more. Evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists suggests that watermelon can be an effective natural weapon against prehypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease.

Waist circumference, not BMI, is best predictor of future cardiovascular risk in children, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- A new long-term study suggests that waist circumference, rather than the commonly used body mass index measure, is the best clinical measure to predict a child's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life.

The kids are all right: Few negative associations with moms' return to work after having children, review finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-15) -- Children whose mothers return to work before their offspring turn 3 are no more likely to have academic or behavioral problems than kids whose mothers stay at home, according to a review of 50 years of research.

Coniferous forests: New research changes understanding of atmospheric aerosol properties and climate effects

ScienceDaily (2010-10-15) -- Terrestrial vegetation and atmospheric photochemistry produce large amounts of fine particles in the atmosphere, thereby cooling Earth's climate. According to new research, the physical state of the fine particles produced by coniferous forests is solid, whereas previously scientists have assumed that these particles were liquid. The new findings have major implications for our understanding of particle formation processes, for the transformation of particles in the atmosphere and for their effects on climate.

Coral records show ocean thermocline rise with global warming

ScienceDaily (2010-10-13) -- Researchers looking at corals in the western tropical Pacific Ocean have found records linking a profound shift in the depth of the division between warm surface water and colder, deeper water traceable to recent global warming.

Brain responds more to close friends, imaging study shows

ScienceDaily (2010-10-13) -- People's brains are more responsive to friends than to strangers, even if the stranger has more in common, according to a new study. Researchers examined a brain region known to be involved in processing social information, and the results suggest that social alliances outweigh shared interests.

Consumers’ ‘herding instinct’ turns on and off, Facebook study shows

ScienceDaily (2010-10-13) -- A new study shows that consumers have a herding instinct to follow the crowd. However, this instinct appears to switch off if the product fails to achieve a certain popularity threshold. The new study is based on an analysis of how millions of Facebook users adopted software, known as apps, to personalize their Facebook pages.

Reservoirs: A neglected source of methane emissions

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- Substantial amounts of the greenhouse gas methane are released not only from large tropical reservoirs but also from run-of-the-river reservoirs in Switzerland, especially in the summer, when water temperatures are higher. Hydropower may therefore not be quite as climate-neutral a method of generating electricity as thought.

New sound recording device helps doctors study link between cough and reflux

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- Coughing episodes are closely related to gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients who experience chronic cough, irrespective of other diagnoses, according to a new study. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the acid contents of the stomach back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. This typically produces heartburn, a burning sensation below the sternum where your ribs come together.

Highly pathogenic bird flu virus can survive months on steel or glass at cooler temperatures

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- On the eve of the 2010-11 influenza flu season, scientists and engineers have identified the environmental conditions and surfaces that could enable a highly pathogenic bird flu virus to survive for prolonged periods of time -- at least two weeks and up to two months. Among them: the virus appears to thrive at cooler temperatures and low humidity. The study could lead to new strategies for preventing the flu virus from spreading.

Enzyme in saliva shapes how we sense food texture; Perception and digestion of starchy foods varies from person to person

ScienceDaily (2010-10-14) -- Creamy. Gritty. Crunchy. Slimy. Oral texture perception is a major factor contributing to each person's food preferences. Now, a new study finds that individuals' perception of starch texture is shaped by variability in the activity of an oral enzyme known as salivary amylase.

Dogs showing separation-related behavior exhibit a 'pessimistic mood'

ScienceDaily (2010-10-12) -- Many dogs become distressed when left home alone, and they show it by barking, destroying things, or toileting indoors. Now, a new study suggests that this kind of separation anxiety occurs most often in dogs that also show "pessimistic"-like behavior.

Too much light at night at night may lead to obesity, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-10-12) -- Persistent exposure to light at night may lead to weight gain, even without changing physical activity or eating more food, according to new research in mice. Researchers found that mice exposed to a relatively dim light at night over eight weeks had a body mass gain that was about 50 percent more than other mice that lived in a standard light-dark cycle.

Achilles' heel in aggressive breast tumors uncovered

ScienceDaily (2010-10-12) -- In an unexpected twist, researchers find that the loss of a single protein, Nedd9, initially slows cancer formation but then makes the tumors that do arise more aggressive. The good news, though, is that the lack of Nedd9 also makes the aggressive tumors more sensitive to a class of drugs that are already used in the clinic.