Learning strategies are associated with distinct neural signatures

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- The process of learning requires the sophisticated ability to constantly update our expectations of future rewards so we may make accurate predictions about those rewards in the face of a changing environment. Although exactly how the brain orchestrates this process remains unclear, a new study suggests that a combination of two distinct learning strategies guides our behavior.

Blocking tumor's 'death switch' paradoxically stops tumor growth

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Every cell contains machinery for self-destruction, used to induce death when damaged or sick. But according to a new research study, a receptor thought to mediate cell suicide in normal cells may actually be responsible for the unrestrained growth of cancerous tumors. Blocking the activity of this "death receptor" can stop and even reverse the growth of tumors in human tissue culture and mice, scientists report.

Hey Jude: Get that song out my head!

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Some 98-99 percent of the population has, at some point, been "infected" with a song they just can't seem to shake off. This common phenomenon has rarely been researched, until now.

Household detergents, shampoos may form harmful substance in wastewater

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Scientists are reporting evidence that certain ingredients in shampoo, detergents and other household cleaning agents may be a source of precursor materials for formation of a suspected cancer-causing contaminant in water supplies that receive water from sewage treatment plants. The study sheds new light on possible environmental sources of this poorly understood water contaminant, called NDMA, which is of ongoing concern to health officials.

Case study analyzes why, where and when of leading shark attack site

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Shark attacks are most likely to occur on Sunday, in less than 6 feet of water, during a new moon and involve surfers wearing black and white bathing suits, a first of its kind study suggests.

Young assault victims often involved in subsequent violence

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- When adolescents are treated in an emergency department (ED) after being assaulted, they have a significant chance of being involved in another violent encounter soon afterward.

Palaeontologists solve mystery of 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Researchers sheds new light on a previously unclassifiable 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore known as Nectocaris pteryx.

X-51 Waverider makes historic ramjet-powered hypersonic flight

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- An X-51A Waverider flight-test vehicle successfully made the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight May 26 off the southern California Pacific coast.

Indoor tanning to melanoma definitively linked in new study, researchers say

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- Researchers say a new study definitively links the use of indoor tanning devices to increased risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

Oil spill threatens toothy marine predator that is cultural and historic icon

ScienceDaily (2010-05-27) -- The BP oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico threatens the existence of a critically endangered sawfish and its relative that recently has been proposed to join it as the only two marine fish in United States waters to receive such federal protection.

Could humans be infected by 'computer viruses?'

ScienceDaily (2010-05-26) -- A scientist at the University of Reading has become the first person in the world to be infected by a computer virus. He contaminated a computer chip which had been inserted into his hand as part of research into human enhancement and the potential risks of implantable devices.

Copycat behavior in children is universal and may help promote human culture

ScienceDaily (2010-05-26) -- A new study of Australian preschoolers and Kalahari Bushman children finds that a particular kind of imitation -- overimitation, in which a child copies everything an adult shows them, not just the steps that lead to some outcome -- appears to be a universal human activity, rather than something the children of middle-class parents pick up. The work helps shed light on how humans develop and transmit culture.

Love it or hate it, PowerPoint shapes strategy-making, says new paper

ScienceDaily (2010-05-26) -- It's a staple presentation tool in most businesses. Its been banned as a productivity killer. Say what you like about PowerPoint, the computer software that presents business cases like a slide show, but one researcher at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management says that such critiques ignore the ways the technology is used to shape idea generation and build corporate strategies.

Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages may lower blood pressure

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages -- a leading source of added sugar in the US diet -- may lower blood pressure, according to new research.

Were dinosaurs warm- or cold-blooded? First method for directly measuring body temperatures of extinct vertebrates

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- Questions about when, why, and how vertebrates stopped relying on external factors to regulate their body temperatures and began heating themselves internally have long intrigued scientists. Now, a team of researchers has taken a critical step toward providing some answers. They have developed the first method for the direct measurement of the body temperatures of large extinct vertebrates -- through the analysis of rare isotopes in the animals' bones, teeth, and eggshells.

Scientists track plume of polluted groundwater to the sea

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- In the first study of its kind, researchers have tracked a plume of polluted groundwater from a septic system to one of Northern California's top recreational beaches. The researchers say their findings could be an important step toward improving waste water management in coastal communities throughout the United States.

Chott el Jerid, Tunisia: Closest thing to Mars on Earth?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- Scientists are analyzing one of the most Mars-like places on Earth -- Chott el Jerid in South West Tunisia -- in preparation for future missions to the Red Planet.

Grin and bear it: Texas dentists to test students' portable suction device

ScienceDaily (2010-05-24) -- A group of university students has created a portable dental suction device, an inexpensive, battery-powered version of the vacuum system commonly used in dentists' offices to remove blood and saliva from a patient's mouth.

NASA develops enhanced search and rescue technologies

ScienceDaily (2010-05-24) -- NASA, which pioneered the technology used for the satellite-aided search and rescue capability that has saved more than 27,000 lives worldwide since its inception nearly three decades ago, has developed new technology that will more quickly identify the locations of people in distress and reduce the risk of rescuers.

Dangerous lung worms found in people who eat raw crayfish

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- If you're headed to a freshwater stream this summer and a friend dares you to eat a raw crayfish -- don't do it. You could end up in the hospital with a severe parasitic infection.

Can bacteria make you smarter?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- Exposure to specific bacteria in the environment, already believed to have antidepressant qualities, could increase learning behavior, according to new research.

Revealing China's ancient past

ScienceDaily (2010-05-25) -- A U.S. archeologist is helping to reveal for the first time a snapshot of rural life in China during the Han Dynasty. The rural farming village of Sanyangzhuang was flooded by silt-heavy water from the Yellow River around 2,000 year ago. T.R. Kidder, professor of anthropology, is working to excavate the site, which offers a exceptionally well-preserved view of daily life in Western China more than 2,000 years ago.

Anti-aging supplements may be best taken not too late in life

ScienceDaily (2010-05-24) -- Researchers investigated the potential anti-aging benefits of a commercially available mixture marketed for relieving chronic fatigue and protecting against muscle aging. The findings in rats suggest anti-aging supplements made up of mixtures might be better than single compounds at preventing decline in physical function.

Nine new species for Tasmania's disappearing handfish family

ScienceDaily (2010-05-23) -- Nine new species of handfish have been described by Australian scientists in research that highlights an urgent need to better understand and protect the diversity of life in Australia's oceans. The review brings the family to 14 known species -- six found only in Tasmania and one known from only one specimen possibly collected in Tasmania by early European explorers, yet not recorded since. It also deepens concerns about declining populations of some handfishes.

Alcohol consumption may protect against risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in female nonsmokers, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-24) -- Knowledge regarding environmental factors influencing the risk of Alzheimer's disease is surprisingly scarce, despite substantial research in this area. In particular, the roles of smoking and alcohol consumption still remain controversial. A new study suggests a protective effect of alcohol consumption on the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in women who do not smoke.

Using remote sensing to track invasive trees

ScienceDaily (2010-05-21) -- A team of agricultural scientists has refined remote sensing tools for identifying invasive Ashe juniper shrubs and trees in central Texas and nearby regions. These findings can help rangeland managers determine the extent and severity of Ashe juniper infestations and boost mitigation efforts.

Newly discovered: the 'Pinocchio' of frogs, a gargoyle-faced gecko, and the world's smallest wallaby

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- A scientific expedition to a pristine wilderness once dubbed "The Lost World" by Western media has revealed a stunning diversity of spectacular species, many of which are believed to be new to science. The array of new species -- which include several new mammals, a reptile, an amphibian, no fewer than twelve insects, and the remarkable discovery of a new bird -- was found by a collaborative team of international and Indonesian scientists.

Hammerhead shark study shows cascade of evolution affected size, head shape

ScienceDaily (2010-05-19) -- The ancestor of all hammerhead sharks probably in Earth's oceans about 20 million years ago and was as big as some contemporary hammerheads, according to a new study.

Ocean stored significant warming over last 16 years, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-22) -- The upper layer of the world's ocean has warmed since 1993, indicating a strong climate change signal, according to a new study. The energy stored is enough to power nearly 500 100-watt light bulbs per each of the roughly 6.7 billion people on the planet.

Poor children more vulnerable to effects of poor sleep

ScienceDaily (2010-05-20) -- Researchers studying 140 children in third to fifth grades found that elementary-school-age children from poor families are more vulnerable to the effects of poor sleep than their peers. Researchers gathered information using parents' and children's reports, as well as motion sensors worn by the children at night to examine their sleep.

NOAA extends fishing closed area to portion of loop current as precaution in wake of Gulf of Mexico oil spill

ScienceDaily (2010-05-19) -- NOAA has extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico into the northern portion of the loop current as a precautionary measure to ensure that seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers. Though the latest analysis shows that the bulk of the oil remains dozens of miles from the loop current, the new boundaries address the possibility that a tendril of light oil has entered or will enter the loop current.

Parent involvement continues to be important in elementary years

ScienceDaily (2010-05-20) -- Children whose parents were more involved across elementary school had fewer problem behaviors and better social skills, but that children's academics weren't affected. The study followed 1,300 children from 10 US cities from birth to fifth grade.

Scientists offer new take on selective fishing

ScienceDaily (2010-05-20) -- A new, less selective approach to commercial fishing is needed to ensure the ongoing productivity of marine ecosystems and to maintain biodiversity, according to new research.

Toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer kills harmful germs, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people's mouths, according to a new study.

Wild birds opt for conventional food over organic, study shows

ScienceDaily (2010-05-20) -- The nutritional benefits of organic food have been called into question by new research which shows wild garden birds prefer conventional seed to that which has been organically- grown. A three-year study by Newcastle University has found that wild birds are not swayed by the organic label, but instead prefer the more protein-rich, conventional food that will help them to survive the winter.

Newborn infants learn while asleep; Study may lead to later disability tests

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Sleeping newborns are better learners than thought, according to new research. The study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.

Warmest April Global Temperature on Record, NOAA says

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for both April and for the period from January-April, according to NOAA. Additionally, last month's average ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for any April, and the global land surface temperature was the third warmest on record.

Climate change played major role in mass extinction of mammals 50,000 years ago, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Scientists have discovered that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era, 50,000 years ago. Their study takes a new approach to this hotly debated topic by using global data modeling to build continental 'climate footprints.'

The psychology of food cravings

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Why do we get intense desires to eat certain foods? Food cravings are a common experience and recent studies have been examining the psychology underlying food cravings and how they may be controlled.

Volume and depth of the world's oceans calculated

ScienceDaily (2010-05-19) -- How high is the sky? Scientists have a pretty good handle on that one, what with their knowledge of the troposphere, stratosphere an the other "o-spheres." Now, thanks to new work, they are closing in on the other half of that age-old query: How deep is the ocean? The researchers report that the world's total ocean volume is less than the most recent estimates by a volume equivalent to about five times the Gulf of Mexico, or 500 times the Great Lakes. While that might seem a lot at first glance, it is only about 0.3% lower than the estimates of 30 years ago.

Birds and mammals share a common brain circuit for learning

ScienceDaily (2010-05-19) -- Bird song learning is a model system for studying the general principles of learning, but attempts to draw parallels between learning in birds and mammals have been difficult because of anatomical brain differences between the two species. A new study helps solve this problem, by identifying specific classes of neurons within the brains of songbirds and matching them to their mammalian counterparts.

Asking 'why' instead of 'how' helps consumers achieve goals of saving money or losing weight

ScienceDaily (2010-05-19) -- People who become focused on how to achieve a goal may have a harder time achieving their aims than people who think abstractly about why they want to do something, according to a new study.

The art of mindreading: Empathy or rational inference?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- The ability to infer what another person is thinking is an essential tool for social interaction and is known by neuroscientists as "Theory of Mind," but how does the brain actually allow us to do this?

Mum knows best? Research suggests pregnant women are more likely to follow their mothers’ wisdom than medical advice

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- Researchers have found pregnant women are more likely to adopt practices their mothers and grandmothers carried out during their pregnancies.

Geologists show unprecedented warming in Africa's Lake Tanganyika; Valuable fish stocks at risk

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- Geologists have documented that Lake Tanganyika in east Africa has experienced unprecedented warming in the last century. Using core samples obtained from the lake bed, the team determined the lake is currently the warmest it has been in the last 1,500 years. The warming likely is affecting the valuable fish stocks upon which millions of people depend.

Quality of child care linked to academic achievement: Behaviors persist into adolescence

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- Teens who were in high-quality child care settings as young children scored slightly higher on measures of academic and cognitive achievement and were slightly less likely to report acting-out behaviors than peers who were in lower-quality child care arrangements during their early years, according to the latest analysis of a long-running study.

Nomadic people's good health baffle scientists

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- The human body is a true miracle. Nadja Knoll recently found new proof of that statement in the nomadic Maasai people of Kenya in Eastern Africa. The German nutritionist analyzed the diet of a nomadic tribe in the Kajiado District. The surprising results of the field study show that the Maasai are in a good health status in spite of a limited diet.

Did the end of smallpox vaccination cause the explosive spread of HIV?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Vaccinia immunization, as given to prevent the spread of smallpox, produces a five-fold reduction in HIV replication in the laboratory. Researchers suggest that the end of smallpox vaccination in the mid-20th century may have caused a loss of protection that contributed to the rapid contemporary spread of HIV.

Kids understand the relationship between humans and other animals

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- Parents, educators and developmental psychologists have long been interested in how children understand the relationship between human and non-human animals. The consensus was that as children begin reasoning about the biological world, they adopt only one vantage point, favoring humans over non-human animals when it comes to learning about properties of animals. Researchers challenge this long-held assumption in a new study, examining the reasoning patterns of children as young as three years old.

Catalog details 1.25 million species of organisms across the world

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- A catalog detailing 1.25 million species of organisms across the world is releasing a special edition to mark the International Year of Biodiversity.

Newly discovered: the 'Pinocchio' of frogs, a gargoyle-faced gecko, and the world's smallest wallaby

ScienceDaily (2010-05-18) -- A scientific expedition to a pristine wilderness once dubbed "The Lost World" by Western media has revealed a stunning diversity of spectacular species, many of which are believed to be new to science. The array of new species -- which include several new mammals, a reptile, an amphibian, no fewer than twelve insects, and the remarkable discovery of a new bird -- was found by a collaborative team of international and Indonesian scientists.

Tibetans developed genes to help them adapt to life at high elevations

ScienceDaily (2010-05-15) -- Researchers have long wondered why the people of the Tibetan Highlands can live at elevations that cause some humans to become life-threateningly ill -- and a new study answers that mystery, in part, by showing that through thousands of years of natural selection, those hardy inhabitants of south-central Asia evolved 10 unique oxygen-processing genes that help them live in higher climes.

Virtual humans appear to influence ethical decisions in gender-specific ways

ScienceDaily (2010-05-15) -- Virtual humans are increasingly taking on roles that were once reserved for real humans. A study found that the decisions of men were strongly affected by presentational aspects of the simulated woman, while women's decisions were not.

New research reveals Hurricane Katrina's impact on ecological and human health

ScienceDaily (2010-05-15) -- Scientists studying the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans have revealed the ecological impact and human health risks from exposure to chemical contaminants. The findings demonstrate how Hurricane Katrina caused significant ecological damage by altering coastal chemistry and habitat.

Setting time limits for hunting and fishing may help maintain wildlife populations

ScienceDaily (2010-05-14) -- Hunting and fishing quotas limit the number of game animals or fish an individual may take based on harvests from the previous year. But according to a new study, this strategy may jeopardize wildlife populations.

Faster Salmonella detection now possible with new technique

ScienceDaily (2010-05-15) -- A professor of food science and human nutrition wants to replace the current system of Salmonella detection with a new approach that can provide DNA sequencing-like results in hours rather than days.

Baby corals dance their way home

ScienceDaily (2010-05-16) -- Baby corals find their way home in their first days as free-swimming larvae by listening to the noise of animals on the reef and actively swimming towards it, an international team of researchers working in the Caribbean has discovered. These findings raise new concerns for the future of coral reefs as increasing human noise pollution in the world's oceans is masking reef sounds.

Middle-aged men: Could dwindling testosterone levels decrease sleep?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-16) -- At 30 years old, male testosterone levels drop by one to two percent annually. By age 40, men's quality of sleep begins to diminish. Could there be a link between decreased testosterone and reduced sleep?

Ivy can protect old walls

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- The received wisdom that ivy destroys buildings has been overturned by a new study. Researchers analyzed the effects of ivy growing on buildings in five different parts of England and discovered that the plant plays a protective role. They found that an ivy canopy was like a thermal shield, combating the extremes of temperature which often cause walls to crack.

Talking seriously with children is good for their language proficiency

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- How adults approach children aged 3 to 6 years during conversations has a major influence on their language acquisition. Those who address children as fully-fledged conversation partners lay an early basis for the development of 'academic language', says a Dutch researcher.

Advanced geographical models bring new perspective to study of archaeology

ScienceDaily (2010-05-17) -- The use of computational modeling is providing new opportunities to the field of archaeology and can possibly enhance previous findings of how humans and the environment interact.

Plankton disease epidemic this year? Check the lake's shape

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Biological differences between the sexes could be a significant predictor of responses to vaccines, according to researchers. They examined published data from numerous adult and child vaccine trials and found that sex is a fundamental, but often overlooked predictor of vaccine response that could help predict the efficacy of combating infectious disease.

What makes world's strongest animal -- the tiny copepod -- so successful?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- The world's strongest animal, the copepod, is barely one millimeter long. It is also the world's fastest animal and the most abundant multicellular animal on the planet. So what is it that makes the copepod so successful?

Response to vaccines could depend on your sex, researchers find

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Biological differences between the sexes could be a significant predictor of responses to vaccines, according to researchers. They examined published data from numerous adult and child vaccine trials and found that sex is a fundamental, but often overlooked predictor of vaccine response that could help predict the efficacy of combating infectious disease.

Violent teenage girls fail to spot anger or disgust in others’ faces

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Girls appear to be "protected" from showing antisocial behaviour until their teenage years, new research has found. The study sheds new light on antisocial behavior in girls compared with boys and suggests that rather than violence or antisocial behavior simply reflecting bad choices, the brains of people with antisocial behavior may work differently from those who behave normally.

Rare toxic algae identified

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Scientists have identified an unusual species of pathogenic algae that causes human skin infections. The finding should improve our understanding of how rare species of algae are sometimes able to cause serious disease in humans and animals.

Sum of digits of prime numbers is evenly distributed: New mathematical proof of hypothesis

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- On average, there are as many prime numbers for which the sum of decimal digits is even as prime numbers for which it is odd. This hypothesis, first made in 1968, has recently been proven by mathematics researchers in France.

New insights into how deadly amphibian disease spreads and kills

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Scientists have unraveled the dynamics of a deadly disease that is wiping out amphibian populations. New findings suggest that infection intensity determines whether frog populations will survive or succumb to an amphibian disease called Chytridiomycosis. The research identifies the tipping point in infection intensity, beyond which Chytrid causes death and extinction, and finds that continual re-infection causes the disease to reach this threshold.

As global temperatures rise, world's lizards are disappearing: 20 percent of all lizard species could be extinct by 2080

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- After decades of surveying Sceloporus lizard populations in Mexico, an international research team has found that rising temperatures have driven 12 percent of the country's lizard populations to extinction. An extinction model based on this discovery also forecasts a grim future for these ecologically important critters, predicting that a full 20 percent of all lizard species could be extinct by the year 2080.

Calcium in early life may prevent obesity later

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Not getting enough calcium in the earliest days of life could have a more profound, lifelong impact on bone health and perhaps even obesity than previously thought.

No-till farming improves soil stability, research finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-11) -- A new study across the central Great Plains on the effects of more than 19 years of various tillage practices shows that no-till makes soil much more stable than plowed soil.

Why a whiff of cats or rats is scary: Chemical signal from predators sparks fear in mice

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Scientists have found a specific chemical compound secreted by many predators that makes mice behave fearfully. The research helps scientists better understand animal behavior, and may eventually lead to new insights into how sensory information is processed in human brains.

Fossil find fills in picture of ancient marine life

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Paleontologists have discovered a rich array of exceptionally preserved fossils of marine animals that lived between 480 million and 472 million years ago, during the early part of a period known as the Ordovician. The specimens are the oldest yet discovered soft-bodied fossils from the Ordovician, a period marked by intense biodiversification, and greatly expand our understanding of the animal life that existed at a crucial point in evolutionary history.

Caffeine reduces mistakes made by shift workers, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- Caffeine can help those working shifts or nights to make fewer errors, according to a new study. The findings have implications for health workers and for any industry relying on shift or night work, such as transportation.

'Tsunami' video sheds light on struggling pupfish

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- For the first time, an earthquake was recorded live in Devils Hole, home to the critically endangered pupfish species. The footage is educating scientists on how struggling species react to disturbance.

Most high schoolers cheat -- but don't always see it as cheating, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- Most high-school students participating in a new study on academic honesty say they have cheated on tests and homework -- and, in some alarming cases, say they don't consider certain types of cheating out of line.

A woman's touch: Physical contact increases financial risk taking

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- A woman's touch is all it takes for people to throw caution to the wind, according to a new study. If a female experimenter patted a participant on the back, they'd risk more money than if she just talked to them, or if a man did the patting. The researchers think this comes from the way that mothers use touch to make their babies feel secure.

Safer alternative to laser eye surgery?

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- A new type of procedure for correcting short-sightedness could be safer than laser eye surgery, according to a new review. The study also shows that patients prefer the new procedure, despite there being little difference between the two in terms of improving vision.

For comfort, mom's voice works as well as a hug

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers.

Killer seaweed: First proof that chemicals from seaweeds damage coral on contact

ScienceDaily (2010-05-13) -- Field studies have shown for the first time that several common species of seaweeds in both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals upon contact using chemical means.

Doctors interrupted at work give shorter and poorer care to patients, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- Hospital doctors who are frequently interrupted while working in a clinical environment spend less time on tasks and fail to return to almost a fifth of their jobs in hand, reveals new research.

Cages and emetics rescue wading birds: Decoy eggs injected with a drug to induce vomiting in predators

ScienceDaily (2010-05-09) -- The number of waders (shorebirds) in Sweden is falling rapidly. Scientists have tested drastic new methods to protect species such as the Northern lapwing and redshank from predators, including protective cages over their nests and decoy eggs injected with a drug to induce vomiting.

Study overturns decade-old findings in neurobiology: Research suggests potential target for drugs to combat alcohol addiction

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- In findings that should finally put to rest a decade of controversy in the field of neurobiology, researchers have found decisive evidence that a specific neurotransmitter system -- the endocannabinoid system -- is active in a brain region known to play a key role in the processing of memory, emotional reactions and addiction formation.

Why is breast milk best? It's all in the genes

ScienceDaily (2010-05-12) -- The ability to track which genes are operating in an infant's intestine has allowed scientists to compare the early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies. For the first time, researchers can see that breast milk induces genetic pathways that are quite different from those in formula-fed infants.

U.S. Air Force investigates using laser light to heal war injuries

The process is called “photochemical tissue bonding,” and it can replace the stitches, staples and glues normally used to repair skin wounds. It can reconnect nerves, tendons, blood vessels and even corneal incisions.
http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/us-air-force-investigates-using-laser-light-to-heal-war-injuries/6745/

Molecular data and images from space used to study imperiled coastal dolphins

ScienceDaily (2010-05-10) -- Using DNA samples and images from Earth-orbiting satellites, conservationists are gathering new insights about the franciscana -- a poorly known coastal dolphin species of eastern South America -- in an effort to understand populations and conserve them.

Lensless imaging of whole biological cells with soft X-rays

ScienceDaily (2010-05-08) -- Scientists have used X-ray diffraction microscopy to make images of whole yeast cells, achieving the highest resolution -- 11 to 13 nanometers (billionths of a meter) -- ever obtained with this method for biological specimens. Their success indicates that full 3-D tomography of whole cells at equivalent resolution should soon be possible.

Words to the wise: Experts define wisdom

ScienceDaily (2010-05-07) -- Could sagacity might have a neurobiological basis? In a new article, psychiatry experts attempt to identify the central, unifying elements that define wisdom.

Coffee and soft drinks have little or no association with colon cancer risk, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-07) -- Drinking even large amounts of coffee and sugar-sweetened, carbonated soft drinks is not associated with the risk of colon cancer, according to a large study.

New protein involved in longevity identified

ScienceDaily (2010-05-07) -- Researchers have found that the level of a single protein in the tiny roundworm C. elegans determines how long it lives. Worms born without this protein, called arrestin, lived about one-third longer than normal, while worms that had triple the amount of arrestin lived one-third less.

Consumer remorse: Difficult choices can lead to second-guessing

ScienceDaily (2010-05-08) -- Consumers who choose between two good product options build a "positivity bubble" to justify their choices. But according to a new study, that bubble is easy to burst.

Climate change and mountain building led to mammal diversity patterns

ScienceDaily (2010-05-08) -- Travel from the tropics to the poles, and you'll notice that the diversity of mammals declines with distance from the equator. Move from lowland to mountains, and you'll see diversity increase as the landscape becomes more varied. Ecologists have proposed various explanations for these well-known "biodiversity gradients," invoking ecological, evolutionary and historical processes. New findings suggest that the elevational patterns of diversity we see today have appeared, disappeared and reappeared over Earth's history and that these patterns arise from interactions between climate change and mountain building.

Topography of mountains could complicate rates of global warming

ScienceDaily (2010-04-25) -- The future effects of global warming could be significantly changed over very small distances by local air movements in complex or mountainous terrain -- perhaps doubling or even tripling the temperature increases in some situations.

Safer swiping while voting and globetrotting: Security expert finds security holes in passports and 'smart cards'

ScienceDaily (2010-04-25) -- A new study finds serious security drawbacks in chips embedded in credit, debit and "smart" cards.

Car steered with eyes, computer scientists demonstrate

ScienceDaily (2010-04-24) -- "Keep your eyes on the road!" Scientists in Germany have given a completely new meaning to this standard rule for drivers: Using software they developed, they can steer a car with their eyes.

Martial arts training for elderly patients gets the green light

ScienceDaily (2010-04-22) -- Martial arts could be the key to helping osteoporosis sufferers fall more safely. A study has found that martial arts training can likely be carried out safely.

Do pressures to publish increase scientists' bias?

ScienceDaily (2010-04-22) -- The quality of scientific research may be suffering because academics are being increasingly pressured to produce 'publishable' results, a new study suggests. A large analysis of papers in all disciplines shows that researchers report more "positive" results for their experiments in US states where academics publish more frequently.

Katrina storm surge led to over 200 onshore releases of petroleum and hazardous materials, rivaling Exxon Valdez oil spill

ScienceDaily (2010-04-22) -- Scientists call for more risk-based facility design and improved prevention, response planning Hurricane Katrina was the cause of more than 200 onshore releases of petroleum and other hazardous materials, a new study has found.

Concern over hearing loss from personal music players

ScienceDaily (2010-04-22) -- Young people who listen to personal music players for several hours a day at high volume could be putting their hearing at risk, warns an expert in a new editorial.

Global temperatures push March 2010 to hottest March on record

ScienceDaily (2010-04-21) -- The world's combined global land and ocean surface temperature made last month the warmest March on record. Taken separately, average ocean temperatures were the warmest for any March and the global land surface was the fourth warmest for any March on record. Additionally, the planet has seen the fourth warmest January -- March period on record.

How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage: Researchers discover pathway in mice for resveratrol's apparent protective effect

ScienceDaily (2010-04-21) -- Researchers say they have discovered the way in which red wine consumption may protect the brain from damage following a stroke.

Simple, low-cost steps enhance adolescents' health

ScienceDaily (2010-04-21) -- Simple, low-cost measures such as wearing a pedometer to inspire walking and spending a few minutes a day meditating can put adolescents on the track toward better health, researchers report.

Roots meshed in waste materials could clean dirty water

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- Plant roots enmeshed in layers of discarded materials inside upright pipes can purify dirty water from a washing machine, making it fit for growing vegetables and flushing toilets, according to horticulturists.

New study ranks countries on environmental impact

ScienceDaily (2010-05-04) -- A new study led by researchers in Australia has ranked most of the world's countries for their environmental impact. The world's 10 worst environmental performers according to the proportional environmental impact index (relative to resource availability) are: Singapore, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, Thailand, Bahrain, Malaysia, Philippines and Netherlands. In absolute global terms, the 10 countries with the worst environmental impact were found to be (in order, worst first): Brazil, USA, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, India, Russia, Australia and Peru.

Fishing fleet working 17 times harder than in 1880s to make same catch

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- The UK trawl fishing fleet has to work 17 times harder to catch the same amount of fish today as it did when most of its boats were powered by sail, according to new research. Researchers used UK Government data on the amount of fish caught and the size and number of boats involved -- the fleet's fishing power -- to analyse the change in fish stocks since 1889.

Maya plumbing: First pressurized water feature found in New World

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- A water feature found in the Maya city of Palenque, Mexico, is the earliest known example of engineered water pressure in the New World, according to a collaboration between an archaeologist and a hydrologist. However, how the Maya used the pressurized water is still unknown.

Broccoli component limits breast cancer stem cells, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- A compound derived from broccoli could help prevent or treat breast cancer by targeting cancer stem cells -- the small number of cells that fuel a tumor's growth -- according to a new study.

Short sleep increases risk of death and over-long sleep can indicate serious illness

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- New reserach has found that people who sleep for less than six hours each night were 12 percent more likely to die prematurely than those who get the recommended 6-8 hours.

Salad spinner useful to separate blood without electricity in developing countries

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- A simple salad spinner will save lives this summer, if everything goes as planned by two undergraduates. The spinner has been turned, so to speak, into a rudimentary centrifuge that medical clinics in developing countries can use to separate blood without electricity.

Study shows trend of increasing obesity in pregnant moms contributing to higher body fat in newborns

ScienceDaily (2010-05-04) -- A new study has found for the first time that as Americans are gaining more body fat, so are their babies. The research, which reviewed data from more than 74,000 births, found that a key measure of body fat composition in newborns increased significantly over a 15-year period, mirroring similar increases among pregnant mothers.

Real-world proof of hand washing's effectiveness

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- Scientists are reporting dramatic new real-world evidence supporting the idea that hand washing can prevent the spread of water-borne disease. It appears in a new study showing a connection between fecal bacteria contamination on hands, fecal contamination of stored drinking water, and health in households in a developing country in Africa.

Envisat monitors oil spill proximity to Loop Current

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- As fears grow that the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico could soon catch the oil slick and drag it south towards coral reefs in the Florida Keys, scientists are monitoring the situation closely with ESA's Envisat radar data.

One sleepless night can induce insulin resistance in healthy people

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- According to a new study, just one night of short sleep duration can induce insulin resistance, a component of type 2 diabetes.

Gymnastic training improves bone health in girls, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- According to a new study, long-term elite rhythmic gymnastics exerts positive effects on volumetric bone density and bone geometry in adolescent girls.

How world's smallest 'coffee ring' may help biosensors detect disease

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- Researchers have found the definitive microscopic minimal threshold of coffee ring formation, which now can set standards for biosensor devices for multiple disease detection, as well as other uses.

Parental involvement key to preventing child bullying

ScienceDaily (2010-05-03) -- Communities across the United States are developing programs to address child bullying. New research shows that parents can play an important role in preventing their children from becoming bullies in the first place.

New detection technology identifies bacteria, viruses, other organisms within 24 hours

ScienceDaily (2010-05-06) -- Law enforcement authorities seeking to detect bioterrorism attacks, doctors diagnosing diseases and regulatory agencies checking product safety may find a new ally in a new detection technology.

Extended hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients

ScienceDaily (2010-05-06) -- Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current standards results in high clearance rates of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, and a low relapse rate, according to a new study.

How dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke

ScienceDaily (2010-05-05) -- Researchers have discovered that a compound in dark chocolate may protect the brain after a stroke by increasing cellular signals already known to shield nerve cells from damage.

Production fish need a tranquil start to avoid malformation

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- For production fish, a serene start to life raises their chances for normal development. This is the main conclusion of a major research project on malformations in cod and salmon. Scientist area working to expand the overall understanding of an issue of great concern within the aquaculture industry: malformation.

Fragmented forests result in more snakes, fewer birds

ScienceDaily (2010-05-04) -- Monitoring both prey and predator, researchers learned that rat snakes accounted for a high percentage of cases of nest predation. Because snakes spend so much more time on the edges of the forest, that's where bird nests should be most vulnerable, but the opposite was true. They go into the forest to feed, then return to the edges. This knowledge of habitat preferences of rat snakes is starting to explain why forest fragmentation usually results in increased nest predation for forest birds.

Kiss of death: Research targets lethal Chagas' disease spread by insect that bites lips

ScienceDaily (2010-04-29) -- It makes your skin crawl -- a bug that crawls onto your lips while you sleep, drawn by the exhaled carbon dioxide, numbs your skin, bites, then gorges on your blood. And if that's not insult enough, it promptly defecates on the wound -- and passes on the potentially deadly Chagas' disease.

Roller coasters linked to common ear injury, study finds

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- The high speeds of today's roller coasters bring a lot of thrills, but if you're not careful, the ride could also cause damage to your ears, say physicians. Their case study offers the first reported link between the force of acceleration in roller coasters and a common ear injury that can cause temporary hearing loss and ear pain.

Scientists uncover transfer of genetic material between blood-sucking insect and mammals

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- Researchers have found the first solid evidence of horizontal DNA transfer, the movement of genetic material among non-mating species, between parasitic invertebrates and some of their vertebrate hosts.

NASA satellite imagery keeping eye on the Gulf oil spill

ScienceDaily (2010-04-30) -- NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites are helping keep tabs on the extent of the recent Gulf oil spill with satellite images from time to time.