Science News – Newsletter for November 5, 2010

New way to peer at hidden distant galaxies

WASHINGTON – Using the world’s largest space telescope, ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory, a UK-led team has discovered a new way of locating a natural phenomenon that acts like a zoom lens, allowing astronomers to peer at galaxies in the distant and early Universe.

The magnification created … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : New way to peer at hidden distant galaxies.

Human mind uses syntax to interpret actions: Study

WASHINGTON – Just like the familiar concept that sentences have syntax, our actions have syntax, too; when we watch someone else do something, we assemble their actions to mean something, a new study has suggested.

“There are oceans and oceans of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Human mind uses syntax to interpret actions: Study.

Burning pain, itching linked to same nerve cells

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that itching and burning pain are governed by similar nerve cells.

In the study, performed on mice, the research team led by Klas Kullander at the Department of Neuroscience examined the nerve cells that transfer heat pain.

When these nerve cells had lost its …. Read the original article  : Burning pain, itching linked to same nerve cells.

Gene discovery supports handedness, language-related disorders link

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified a genetic variant, which influences whether a person with dyslexia is more skilled with either the left or right hand.

The finding identifies a novel gene for handedness and provides the first genetic evidence to support a much-speculated link between … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gene discovery supports handedness, language-related disorders link.

8 new plant species discovered in Boliva national parks

WASHINGTON – Missouri Botanical Garden botanists have discovered eight new plant species in northern Bolivia.

The new species collected in the Madidi National Park and surrounding areas located on the eastern slopes of the Andes are from several different genera and families.

Missouri Botanical …. Read the original article  : 8 new plant species discovered in Boliva national parks.

Genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve: Study

WASHINGTON – A genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve and a lot more important to evolution than previously thought, suggests a new study.

This battle, observed across many species and known as intralocus sexual conflict, happens when the genes for a trait which is good for the …. Source article  : Genetic ‘battle of the sexes’ could be much harder to resolve: Study.

Promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists in the UK have discovered a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancy.

In the western world, deaths from ectopic pregnancy are not common but in the developing world one in ten women who are admitted with an ectopic … Read more : Promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies identified.

Dangerous plastics chemical can pass through the skin

LONDON – The controversial plastics compound bisphenol A (BPA) is back into the limelight.

One study has revealed that the chemical is readily absorbed through the skin, while the second study has found that people who routinely touch BPA-laden till receipts have higher than average levels of the chemical in their bodies, reports Nature.

Animal studies … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dangerous plastics chemical can pass through the skin.

Women find men with yellow, red faces ‘more attractive’

WASHINGTON – Men, please pay attention: Women find a healthy glow more attractive than a strong, masculine face, says a new study.

Scientists say that in a recent experiment, women preferred men with yellower and redder skin tones, both of which can signal good health, a crucial factor in choosing a mate.

For instance, people of any … Read more : Women find men with yellow, red faces ‘more attractive’.

Benefits of testosterone treatment for frailty in older men are temporary

WASHINGTON – A new UK study found that the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment on muscle mass, strength and quality of life were not maintained at 6 months post-treatment in frail elderly men.

“Since the use of testosterone in elderly men raises concerns regarding adverse effects on the prostate and cardiovascular system, it’s important to determine …. Source  : Benefits of testosterone treatment for frailty in older men are temporary.

Volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over Asian region

WASHINGTON – Large volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over the Asian monsoon region where seasonal storms water crops for nearly half the population of the earth.

The eruptions are also believed to affect the weather by spewing particles that block solar energy and cool the air.
Tree-ring researchers from the Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory showed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Volcanic eruptions affect rainfall over Asian region.

Food-allergy fears lead to overly restrictive diets

WASHINGTON – National Jewish Health researchers have revealed that many children, especially those with eczema, are unnecessarily avoiding foods based on incomplete information about potential food-allergies.

The food avoidance poses a nutritional risk for these children, and is often based primarily on data from blood tests known as serum immunoassays.

Many factors, including patient and family history, … Original article on : Food-allergy fears lead to overly restrictive diets.

Gene linked to spread of eye melanoma identified

WASHINGTON – Researchers have identified a gene linked to the spread of eye melanoma.

Although more research is needed, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say the discovery is an important step in understanding why some tumors spread (metastasize) and others don’t. They believe the findings could lead to more effective treatments.

The … Read more >>>.

Common roadside plant could become new source of biofuel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) studies have revealed that a common roadside plant could have the right stuff to become a new source of biofuel.

Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency, have found that field pennycress yields impressive quantities of seeds whose oil could be used in … Read more »»».

How some people control HIV infection naturally

WASHINGTON – The rare ability of some individuals to control HIV infection without the need for medications may be explained by the tiny variants in a protein that alerts the immune system to the presence of infection.

An international research team led by investigators from the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT and …. Original source  : How some people control HIV infection naturally.

Hard work boosts the taste of food: Study

WASHINGTON – It is a common phenomenon that we appreciate something more if we have to work hard to get it, and a new study seems to have proved it, at least in the case of food.

The Johns Hopkins University study suggest that hard work can even enhance our appreciation for fare we might not …. Source article  : Hard work boosts the taste of food: Study.

Global pincer movement could wipe out malaria

LONDON – A scientist believes that malaria could be eradicated globally through a global pincer movement.

“It could take 50 or 60 years,” New Scientist quoted Richard Feachem of the University of California as saying.

At a press conference in London, Feachem, who is also the author of “Shrinking the malaria map”, said that malaria has been … Read more >>.

Housework makes fathers happy: Study

LONDON – This may come as good news to working mothers everywhere: Fathers are less stressed when sharing childcare and domestic chores, new research shows.

The study revealed that fathers are happier when they do more of the housework themselves, spend longer with their children and have working partners who are in the office just as … Read more >>.

Nuclear materials detector can pinpoint exact location of radiation sources

WASHINGTON – University of Michigan has created a table-top gamma-ray detector called Polaris, which can not only identify the presence of dangerous nuclear materials, but can pinpoint and show their exact location and type, unlike conventional detectors.

“Other gamma ray detectors can tell you perhaps that nuclear materials are near a building, but with our detector, …. Read the original article  : here.

Genetic deletion identified as major risk factor for autism, schizophrenia

WASHINGTON – An international team of scientists led by Emory University has identified the deletion of a genomic region on chromosome 17 as a significant risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia.

A mutation of one of the genes in the deleted interval already is a known cause of renal cysts and diabetes syndrome …. Source article  : Genetic deletion identified as major risk factor for autism, schizophrenia.