Science News – Newsletter for November 18, 2010

Drug targets defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis

LONDON – A new small study has shown that an investigational drug targeting a defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis (CF) can improve lung function.

The investigational drug, VX-770, appeared to improve function of what is known as CFTR-the faulty protein responsible for CF and is among the first compounds being developed for CF that specifically …. Source article  : Drug targets defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis.

Study shows second sight is for real

LONDON – Far from being a parlour trick, many of us are blessed with the ability to look into the future or the gift of second sight.

Influencing events before they happen is also within our potential, suggests professor Daryl Bem, physicist and part-time magician-turned-psychologist, who set out to investigate the phenomenon.
Bem, of Cornell … Original article on : Study shows second sight is for real.

Hitler planned flying saucer-attacks on London, New York?

LONDON – As Hitler’s armies began to suffer a series of crushing reverses in Stalingrad and North Africa, he turned to his scientists to create a super-weapon — flying saucers to bomb London and New York.

Weapons like the V2 rockets and the first jet fighters saw action but came too late to halt defeat. … Read more »».

New discoveries offer hope for treatment of cocaine addiction

WASHINGTON – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scientists have come up with two new discoveries that offer potential for development of a first-ever pharmacological treatment for cocaine addiction.

In one study, a common beta-blocker, propranolol, currently used to treat hypertension and anxiety, has shown to be effective in preventing the brain from retrieving memories associated with cocaine [..] Read the original article: here.

Childhood sexual, physical abuse linked to alcoholism in women

WASHINGTON – A new research has revealed that women who suffered sexual or physical abuse as children are more likely to abuse alcohol than are others.

According to the study, women who had been sexually abused as children were more likely to have four or more drinks in a day, be alcohol dependent and report alcohol-related …. Read the original article  : Childhood sexual, physical abuse linked to alcoholism in women.

Founder says he made ‘every mistake’ he could make in creating Facebook

WELLINGTON – At the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg admitted that he made ‘every mistake’ he could make while creating the social networking site.

Zuckerberg was pressed on the social network’s past failings by moderator John Battelle.

“There’s something about Facebook … which is that it sort of doesn’t ask for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Founder says he made ‘every mistake’ he could make in creating Facebook.

New study ‘proves’ that we can see the future

LONDON – Events that haven’t taken place yet can influence our behaviour, reveals a new study.

Parapsychologists have made outlandish claims about precognition – knowledge of unpredictable future events – for years.

The study, set to appear in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, describes a series of experiments involving more than 1000 student volunteers, reports New … Read more >>>.

Why some mental disorders are more prevalent in males

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered differences in the development of the amygdala region of the brain, that controls emotion and social behaviour, in animal models that may explain why some mental health disorders are more prevalent among boys.

Experts at the University of Maryland School of Medicine also found a surprising variable – a difference … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Why some mental disorders are more prevalent in males.

‘Time warp room’ helps beat dementia

LONDON – A groundbreaking technique to treat dementia patients has been developed by a care home.

The technique, which includes a time warp room, has dramatically improved the health of dementia patients by reminding them of happier days.

Featuring a gramophone, wireless, Bakelite furniture and an old-fashioned typewriter, the room has a classic 1950s look.

Staffs …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Time warp room’ helps beat dementia.

Mysterious cells may play role in Lou Gehrig’s disease

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins researchers, who tracked the fate of a group of immature cells that persist in the adult brain and spinal cord, have discovered in mice that these cells undergo dramatic changes in ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Their study shows that these cells, called NG2, grow and expand rapidly during …. Source  : Mysterious cells may play role in Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Scientists announce new approach to target cancer

LONDON – An international team of academics have announced a new research that provides potential for exciting new approaches to targeting diseases such as cancer.

They have also announced the potential for more targeted treatments following their identification of proteins that play a vital role in the life of a human cell.

The teams are from the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Scientists announce new approach to target cancer.

Potential genetic target for heart disease discovered

WASHINGTON – A potential genetic target for heart disease has been identified by researchers at UC.

The study, led by WenFeng Cai, shows that a micro-RNA, known as miR765, which regulates gene expressions, can down-regulate the expression of protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor-1 (I-1) and reduce the contractility of cells that make up cardiac muscle.

Using a gene … Original source on Gaea Times at : Potential genetic target for heart disease discovered.

Chemicals in cigarettes, French fries ‘can increase Alzheimer’s risk’

WASHINGTON – A research has concluded that exposure to a group of chemicals known as type-2 alkenes – which are found in the smoke inhaled from cigarettes, the exhaust of automobiles and even in French fries – can increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

“The thought process …. Original article  : Chemicals in cigarettes, French fries ‘can increase Alzheimer’s risk’.

Smart plasters can tell if wound is not healing

LONDON – Scientists have created a high-tech dressing that changes colour if the wound it covers becomes infected — thanks to a dye that can monitor changes in the body’s acidity levels.

While our body’s defences can heal small injuries within a few days, a gaping wound takes longer to heal and an infection can … Read : Smart plasters can tell if wound is not healing.

Snowfall in Himachal

SHIMLA – Many places in Himachal Pradesh experienced light rainfall or snowfall early Thursday, the meteorological office here said.

Keylong, the district headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti, was the coldest place in the state with a low of 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Higher reaches in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts experienced snow early … Original article on : Snowfall in Himachal.

Cholesterol-lowering statins ‘kill bacteria’

WASHINGTON – A recent clinical research suggests that statins, widely prescribed for their cholesterol-lowering properties, can reduce the risk of severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, found that phagocytes (white blood cells that … Read : Cholesterol-lowering statins ‘kill bacteria’.

New insight into the cause of common dementia

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered a clue as to how some people develop a form of dementia that affects the brain areas associated with personality, behavior, and language.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida said they found a link between two proteins – progranulin and sortilin – which might open new avenues for … Read more : New insight into the cause of common dementia.

How video games can enhance our visual attention

WASHINGTON – Action packed video games, often accused of being distracting, can enhance visual attention, the ability that allows us to focus on relevant visual information, according to a new study.

This growing body of research, reviewed in WIREs Cognitive Science, suggests that action based games could be used to improve military training, educational approaches, and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How video games can enhance our visual attention.

Light at night ‘can put you in dark mood’

WASHINGTON – A new study has shown that exposure to even dim light at night is enough to cause physical changes in the brains of hamsters that may be linked to depression.

Scientists found that female Siberian hamsters exposed to dim light every night for eight weeks showed significant changes in a part of the brain …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

How oestrogen can make you smarter

WASHINGTON – Northwestern Medicine researchers have discovered how oestrogen physically works in brain cells to boost mental performance.

Oestrogen is an elixir for the brain, sharpening mental performance in humans and animals and showing promise as a treatment for disorders of the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.

Now, the team has found how … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : How oestrogen can make you smarter.