Science News – Newsletter for November 15, 2010

Former heavy smokers are at an increased risk of heart failure: Study

WASHINGTON – A study from University of Alabama at Birmingham found that despite 15 years of smoking abstinence, former heavy smokers still face risk of heart failure.

The incidence of heart failure among never-smokers was 20 percent versus 29 percent among former smokers (who quit smoking 15 or …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Survey shows decreasing trend of smoking in last 30 yrs

WASHINGTON – A new research has shown that the trend of smoking has been steadily declining in the last 30 years.

The Minnesota Heart Survey, a population-based, serial cross-sectional study of trends in cardiovascular risk …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Survey shows decreasing trend of smoking in last 30 yrs.

New implant synchronizes and strengthens fading heart beat: Study

LONDON – A study led by University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) proves that a new therapeutic implant synchronizes and strengthens a fading heart beat while reducing risk of death by 24percent compared to the current treatment.

“This kind of device …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New implant synchronizes and strengthens fading heart beat: Study.

Poor sleep ups risk of heart disease, stroke: Study

WASHINGTON – People who sleep poorly or don’t get enough of it are a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, researchers have found.

Emory University School of Medicine researchers surveyed 525 middle-aged people on their sleep quality and sleep duration.

Acute sleep deprivation leads to an increased production of inflammatory hormones and changes in blood … Original source on Gaea Times at : Poor sleep ups risk of heart disease, stroke: Study.

Vit D deficiency ‘doubles stroke risk in whites, not in blacks’

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins researchers have found that low levels of vitamin D, the essential nutrient obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight, doubles the risk of stroke in whites, but not in blacks.

Researchers say their findings back up evidence from earlier work at Johns Hopkins linking vitamin D deficiency to higher rates … Read : Vit D deficiency ‘doubles stroke risk in whites, not in blacks’.

Scientists find extensive natural recovery after spinal cord injury

LONDON – New treatments for patients with spinal cord injuries may become possible one day, as scientists have shown unexpected and extensive natural recovery after spinal cord injury in primates.

Researchers at the University of California studied adult rhesus monkeys and found that that connections between circuits in the spinal cord re-grew spontaneously and extensively, restoring … Original article on : Scientists find extensive natural recovery after spinal cord injury.

Why hospitalized daytime cardiac arrest patients are likely to survive

WASHINGTON – A new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study has indicated that Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality is worse during in-hospital cardiac arrests occurring overnight than those that happen during the day.

The researchers found that chest compression rates varied more at night – often dipping well below the rate per minute that’s necessary to …. Original source  : Why hospitalized daytime cardiac arrest patients are likely to survive.

11pc Brits ‘have had sex with someone they met on Facebook’

LONDON – A survey has revealed that eleven percent of adults have had sex with someone they met on Facebook.

And nearly half have done illicit “sexting” – sending naughty messages or phone texts to someone other than their partner, and thirty-five per cent have included sleazy photos of themselves, reports The Sun.

The survey of 2,000 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 11pc Brits ‘have had sex with someone they met on Facebook’.

Only children happier than those with siblings: Study

LONDON – A new study has revealed that only children are happier than those forced to fight for their parents’ attention with their siblings.

One of the reasons single-children appear more confident and content is they do not have to deal with ’sibling bullying’, according to researchers, with almost a third of youngsters saying they are …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Only children happier than those with siblings: Study.

High job stress ‘ups risk of heart disease by 40 pc for women’

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that women who under high job strain have a 40 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the need for procedures to open blocked arteries, compared to those with low job strain.

In addition, job insecurity – fear of losing one’s job – was associated with risk factors for … Original source on Gaea Times at : High job stress ‘ups risk of heart disease by 40 pc for women’.

Tiny molecules that protect from dangers of sex identified

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a gene-silencing pathway that protects fungal genome from mutations imposed by a partner during mating.

Pathogenic fungi have been found to protect themselves against unwanted genetic mutations during sexual reproduction, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

This pathway was discovered in Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that commonly infects humans.

“This …. Original source  : Tiny molecules that protect from dangers of sex identified.

Prolonged cell use, body piercing, tattoos trigger allergic reaction

WASHINGTON – The next time you chat endlessly on your cell phone, better be careful, as it can lead to an allergic reaction, say allergists.

They also said that from cosmetics to jewellery, body piercing to tattoos, allergies could lurk in unlikely places.

“Increased use of cell phones with unlimited usage plans has led to more prolonged …. Read the original article  : Prolonged cell use, body piercing, tattoos trigger allergic reaction.

Chinese supercomputer ranked world’s fastest

NEW DELHI – A Chinese supercomputer has been ranked the world’s fastest machine in a list issued by US and European researchers.

The Tianhe-1A system at the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, is capable of sustaining computation at 2.57 petaflop/s, which equates to a mind-numbing 2.57 quadrillions of calculations per second.

As a result, the former number … Original article on : Chinese supercomputer ranked world’s fastest.

How mums can hear a baby cry even in a noisy party

WASHINGTON – Ever wondered how a mother hears the sound of a baby crying at the other end of the room in a noisy party, even if it’s not hers?

Neuroscientists have discovered the ability of the bat brains to know what sounds to focus on and which to ignore.

Bridget Queenan, a doctoral candidate in … Read more »»».

How giant dinos soared the high skies

LONDON – Scientists have revealed that the huge pterosaur dinosaurs were capable of flying and used the combined power of its legs and winged arms as ‘engines’ to push itself off the ground.

Once airborne, the 16ft beast – with a 32ft wingspan – could even cross-continents.

Previous theories suggested that the creature was too heavy … Original source on Gaea Times at : How giant dinos soared the high skies.

Native Aussies observed “supernova-impostor” event in 1800s

LONDON – A new study has supported the assertion that aboriginal Australians were active observers of the night sky and incorporated significant astronomical events into their oral traditions.

In their paper, astronomers Duane Hamacher and David Frew from the Macquarie University present strong evidence that the Boorong people near Lake Tyrell in northwestern Victoria observed a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Male sex hormones that mutate in prostate cancer identified

LONDON – Scientists have claimed that a major discovery of a cause of prostate cancer could pave the way for new treatments.

They have found that male hormones play a key role in promoting a specific genetic change that fuels the growth of tumours.

The study focused on male sex hormones called androgens, which have been found [..] Read the original article: here.

It really is possible to die of a broken heart

LONDON – Scientists have found that immense grief of losing a loved one means that many people die within three years of their husband or wife.

Researchers at St Andrews University have identified a “widowhood” effect which they claim does not just affect elderly couples, also occurs amongst those in their 30s and 40s.

They found that … Read : It really is possible to die of a broken heart.

Low salt intake in teens’ diets ‘cuts heart disease, stroke risk in adulthood’

WASHINGTON – A research has indicated that eating smaller amounts of salt each day as a teenager could reduce high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke in adulthood.

Conducting a sophisticated computer modeling analysis, researchers projected the nationwide health effects of a 3-gram reduction in dietary salt from processed foods consumed by adolescent boys and girls.

Teenagers … Original article on : Low salt intake in teens’ diets ‘cuts heart disease, stroke risk in adulthood’.

Bat brain offers clues into human hearing

WASHINGTON – How can a mother, in the middle of a noisy party, suddenly hear a child’s cry, even when it’s not her own baby? A scientist is studying bat brains to solve the puzzle.

Bridget Queenan, doctoral candidate in neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Centre in San Diego, US says neurons (brain cells) in …. Source  : Bat brain offers clues into human hearing.