Science News – Newsletter for December 3, 2010

New protein analysis technique may help in early diagnosis of lung cancer

WASHINGTON – SomaLogic researchers have described a new approach that may help in early detection of lung cancer.

“Personalized medicine has to be more than prediction of risk for disease, it has to be actionable; what is the person’s state of health at this moment? To determine that you have to understand what proteins are being … Read more : New protein analysis technique may help in early diagnosis of lung cancer.

India deviating from its stand at Mexico climate talks: BJP

NEW DELHI – India is deviating from its national position to one in favour of developed countries by supporting international scrutiny of domestic climate change mitigation measures at the ongoing talks at Cancun, Mexico, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Friday.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley, in a statement, urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India deviating from its stand at Mexico climate talks: BJP.

Not genes, negative parenting fosters aggressiveness

SYNDEY – A new study has found that the role of positive and negative parenting practices are linked to children’s mental health problems, specifically depression and aggression.

The study, based on offsprings born through in-vitro fertilisation, challenges the theory that inherited genes govern depression and anti-social behaviour.
These results were obtained among a sample of …. Source article  : Not genes, negative parenting fosters aggressiveness.

Sub-sero conditions sweep Kashmir, Ladakh, freeze taps

SRINAGAR – Dry, cold weather with below zero minimum temperatures continued in the Kashmir Valley and the cold desert Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Weather conditions are likely to stay for another three to four days, an official said.

“The minimum temperature in Srinagar was again minus 2.2 degrees Celsius Friday while in Leh … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sub-sero conditions sweep Kashmir, Ladakh, freeze taps.

A genetically modified apple that won’t turn brown

LONDON – A Canadian biotech has come up with a genetically modified apple that does not turn brown after it is sliced.

The apple variety, which is being marketed as ‘Arctic,’ has had the genes responsible for producing the enzyme that induces browning switch-off.
Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, said: “They look … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : A genetically modified apple that won’t turn brown.

Mechanism that turns healthy cells into prostate cancer cells discovered

WASHINGTON – Researchers at the University of California have found a protein that is crucial for regulating the self-renewal of normal prostate stem cells, needed to repair injured cells or restore normal cells killed by hormone withdrawal therapy for cancer, also aids the transformation of healthy cells into prostate cancer cells.

The findings, by researchers with …. Read the original article  : Mechanism that turns healthy cells into prostate cancer cells discovered.

Earth running out of room to expand fisheries: Study

WASHINGTON – A University of British Columbia study has suggested that the Earth has run out of room to expand fisheries.

In collaboration with the National Geographic Society, the study is the first to measure the spatial expansion of global fisheries.

It has revealed that fisheries expanded at a rate of one million sq. kilometres per year …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Blood vessel dysfunction linked to heart disease also plays role in Alzheimer’s

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that a dysfunction in the lining of blood vessels that is linked to cardiovascular illness also plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Two distinct anomalies in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s: neurofibrillary tangles, twisted fibres composed primarily of a protein called tau that arise inside …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Blood vessel dysfunction linked to heart disease also plays role in Alzheimer’s.

Physicists create supernova in a jar

WASHINGTON – University of Toronto and Rutgers University physicists have mimicked the explosion of a supernova in miniature.

A supernova is an exploding star. In a certain type of supernova, the detonation starts with a flame ball buried deep inside a white dwarf. The flame ball is much lighter than its surroundings, so it rises rapidly …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New prostate cancer imaging technique can ’see’ tumors grow

WASHINGTON – With the help of a new imaging technique, scientists have found a way to measure aggressiveness and growth of prostate cancer tumors in real time.

Researchers say being able to watch the metabolic activity of tumors could revolutionize how prostate cancer is treated. The imaging technique can ’see’ tumors grow and how they respond …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Polluted air ‘ups obesity risk in young animals’

WASHINGTON – A new research showed that exposure to polluted air early in life led to an accumulation of abdominal fat and insulin resistance in mice even if they ate a normal diet.

Animals exposed to the fine-particulate air pollution had larger and more fat cells in their abdominal area and higher blood sugar levels than …. Read the original article  : Polluted air ‘ups obesity risk in young animals’.

Energy drinks work when consumed moderately

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that moderate consumption of energy drinks can improve people’s response time on a lab test measuring behavioral control, but those benefits disappear as people drink more of the beverage.

With the growing popularity of energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, Burn and RockStar, especially among high school and …. Original source  : Energy drinks work when consumed moderately.

Evolution on Earth was quickened by heat: Study

WASHINGTON – Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that the time required for evolution on a warm Earth is shorter than critics might expect.

Enzymes, proteins that jump-start chemical reactions, are essential to life within cells of the human body and throughout nature.

Richard Wolfenden and his group measured the speed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Evolution on Earth was quickened by heat: Study.

New process improves solar cell efficiency by 20pc

WASHINGTON – A new process that improves the efficiency of polymer solar cells by 20 percent by increasing light absorption is the latest feat in solar technology, achieved by researchers from Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory.

“Our technology efficiently utilizes the light trapping scheme. And so solar cell efficiency improved by 20 percent,” said …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New process improves solar cell efficiency by 20pc.

New discovery could shrink dengue-spreading mosquito population

WASHINGTON – University of California researchers have identified a microRNA in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that when deactivated disrupts the mosquito’s blood digestion and egg development.

The discovery could help control the spread of not only dengue and yellow fever but potentially all vector-borne diseases, according to researchers.

MicroRNAs do not code for protein products but play … Read more : New discovery could shrink dengue-spreading mosquito population.

Soya beans could be an effective treatment for fatal childhood disease

WASHINGTON – A naturally occurring chemical found in soy could prove to be an effective new treatment for a fatal genetic disease that affects children, according to University of Manchester scientists.

Brian Bigger, from the University’s MPS Stem Cell Research Laboratory, found that genistein – derived from soya beans and licensed in the US as an … Original article on : Soya beans could be an effective treatment for fatal childhood disease.

Mathematical techniques could help forecast earthquakes

WASHINGTON – Researchers have used mathematical techniques to find patterns when medium-large earthquakes happen, i.e. earthquakes greater than 4.4, on the Richter scale.

The research, conducted by Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) and the Universidad de Sevilla (US), is based on the data compiled by the Instituto Geogr???fico Nacional on 4,017 earthquakes between 3 and 7 …. Read the original article  : here.

How to remain calm and happy in the age of anxiety

WASHINGTON – In times where we face numerous pressures – of love, work, family and money, it has become increasingly important not to be held hostage by our anxiety and remain calm.

Now, a Northwestern Medicine psychologist Mark Reinecke’s book ‘Little Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On: Twenty Lessons for Managing Worry, Anxiety and Fear,’ … Read more >>>.

Now, super rubber that does things science says rubber never can do

WASHINGTON – Japanese scientists have created a new kind of carbon-based rubber that conducts electricity, could withstand extreme temperatures of space and even eventually power your iPod.

The new carbon nanotube rubber is part of a class of materials known as viscoelastic materials – which can be twisted, punched, rolled, kicked, stretched and bent-yet return …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Now, super rubber that does things science says rubber never can do.

Quitting smoking improves mood: Study

WASHINGTON – Conventional wisdom says many smokers use cigarettes to ease anxiety and depression. But a new study has shown that quitting makes people happier.

In the new study, researchers tracked the symptoms of depression in people who were trying to quit and found that they were never happier than when they were being successful, for …. Original source  : Quitting smoking improves mood: Study.