Science News – Newsletter for December 7, 2010

Facebook denies ‘paedophiles’ are behind cartoon profile campaign

WASHINGTON – Social networking site Facebook has denied rumours that paedophiles are behind the cartoon profile campaign.

The campaign, which has been actively gaining momentum in the past month, urges users to swap a cartoon character for their usual profile picture and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Facebook denies ‘paedophiles’ are behind cartoon profile campaign.

Starting dialysis early ‘ups risk of death’

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that patients who are starting dialysis too early are at an increased risk of death.

Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a test that describes the flow rate of fluid going through the kidneys and is associated with early dialysis initiation.

The …. Source  : Starting dialysis early ‘ups risk of death’.

Daily sunscreen prevents melanoma in adults

WASHINGTON – An Australian study has shown that using sunscreen daily can prevent melanoma in adults.

Applying sunscreen to prevent skin cancer has been common, but until now the effectiveness of sunscreen’s protection against melanoma has been highly controversial.

Researchers at the Queensland Institute …. Source  : Daily sunscreen prevents melanoma in adults.

Psychotic-like symptoms linked to poor outcomes in depression patients

WASHINGTON – The presence of many aspects of illness in patients with depression does not appear to be associated with treatment resistance-evidence against the common hypothesis that some cases of difficult-to-treat depression are actually unrecognised bipolar disorder, according to a new study.

“The distinction between … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Psychotic-like symptoms linked to poor outcomes in depression patients.

Lizard enzyme could let humans regrow organs, limbs

LONDON – Amputees could regenerate their limbs thanks to scientists on the verge of discovering how salamanders grow back lost legs and damaged organs.

Axolotl salamanders are now going under the knife, under anaesthesia, in experiments at the Hanover Medical School in Germany.
The hope is one day for their genes to be …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lizard enzyme could let humans regrow organs, limbs.

Scientists learn to mask ginseng bitterness

WASHINGTON – Do you find ginseng bitter? Well, you won’t anymore for University of Illinois scientists have learned to mask the bitterness of ginseng, a common ingredient of energy drinks.

“Consumers like to see ginseng on a product’s ingredient list because studies show that it improves memory, enhances libido and sexual performance, boosts immunity, and alleviates … Original article on : Scientists learn to mask ginseng bitterness.

Tool for predicting local recurrence in lung cancer patients identified

WASHINGTON – Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans have been identified as a potentially useful tool for predicting local recurrence in lung cancer patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

RFA, which uses localized thermal energy to kill cancer cells, is increasingly used as an alternative treatment for patients unable to undergo surgery or other therapies … Read : Tool for predicting local recurrence in lung cancer patients identified.

How to increase the life of your Christmas tree

WASHINGTON – Researchers have discovered what causes Christmas tree needles to drop off, and how to double the lifespan of Christmas trees in homes.

Universite Laval researchers in collaboration with Nova Scotia Agricultural College, have identified a plant hormone-ethylene-responsible for needle loss in balsam fir. They made the discovery by placing fir branches in containers of …. Original source  : How to increase the life of your Christmas tree.

Sex, race and where you live impact risk of developing high blood pressure

WASHINGTON – A new study claims that sex, race and the place of residence influences incidence of high blood pressure.

“Where you live, your race, and your gender strongly influence your risk of developing high blood pressure as you move from young adulthood into middle age – and hypertension is a major risk factor for heart … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sex, race and where you live impact risk of developing high blood pressure.

Exposure to death and dying can have positive effects

WASHINGTON – Professionals who are constantly surrounded by death or dying people have a better understanding of the meaning of life, says a new study.

“Participants reported that their work provided a unique opportunity for them to discover meaning in life through the lessons of their patients, and an opportunity to incorporate these teachings in their … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Exposure to death and dying can have positive effects.

It’s easier to understand others if you imitate their accents

WASHINGTON – The next time you imitate someone’s accent, do it well.

A new study has suggested that mimicking someone who speaks with a regional or foreign accent helps us understand him or her better.

“If people are talking to each other, they tend to sort of move their speech toward each other,” said Patti Adank, of … Read more >>>.

Experts call for ban on e-ciggies until safety concerns are addressed

WASHINGTON – Electronic cigarettes should be banned unless the safety concerns have been addressed, say researchers.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS are not tobacco products, but are designed to look and feel like regular cigarettes.

They are aimed at smokers for use in places where cigarette smoking is not permitted, as they don’t produce smoke.

The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mindfulness-based therapy ‘prevents depression relapse’

WASHINGTON – Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has the same effect as antidepressant medication for preventing relapse among patients treated for depression, say researchers.

The current standard for preventing relapse is maintenance therapy with a single antidepressant.

“Alternatives to long-term antidepressant monotherapy, especially those that address mood outcomes in a broader context of well-being, may appeal to patients wary … Original article on : Mindfulness-based therapy ‘prevents depression relapse’.

10th-century Peru site used for sacrificing children uncovered

LONDON – An anthropologist has discovered a site where inhabitants of 10th-century Peru brought sinister novelty to their rites by slaughtering children.

In the Lambayeque valley on the north coast of the country, the earliest definitive evidence of ritual child sacrifice has been uncovered. The bloodletting took place at a site called Cerro Cerrillos.

“The scale and … Read more >>>.

New microbe species found in Titanic ‘rusticles’

LONDON – A new species of microbe has been found in the wreck of RMS Titanic.

The Halomonas titanicae bacterium was found in “rusticles”, the porous and delicate icicle-like structures that form on rusting iron, reports the BBC.

Various bacteria and fungi live within the delicate structures – first identified on the Titanic – actually feeding …. Source article  : New microbe species found in Titanic ‘rusticles’.

How TB bacteria to survive in infected organs

WASHINGTON – Indian researchers at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi, have identified how tuberculosis bacteria thrive in infected organs.

Tuberculosis, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is known to evade the immune system by hiding inside compartments called granulomas in infected lung and spleen tissues.

Despite immune responses by the body, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : How TB bacteria to survive in infected organs.

Social networking could help ‘control HIV, other STDs’

WASHINGTON – A new research has indicated that online social networking sites could help control the rise in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in homeless youth in Los Angeles.

According to new research by Sean Young from UCLA and Eric Rice from USC in the US, online social networking – and the topics discussed on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Social networking could help ‘control HIV, other STDs’.

Hanging out with healthy friends ‘best way to keep fit’

WASHINGTON – Spending time with healthy peers might be the best way to keep fit, says a new study.

“The importance of social environmental influences on health-promoting behaviours such as physical activity and healthy eating has been increasingly recognized,” said Kylie Ball, from Deakin University, Australia.

Her worked with a team of researchers to survey the 18-46 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hanging out with healthy friends ‘best way to keep fit’.

Like humans, fish feel pain too

WASHINGTON – A new book by Penn State professor Victoria Braithwaite has suggested that fish, like most other organisms, are capable of experiencing pain and that humans can cause fish to suffer.

In her book “Do Fish Feel Pain?” Braithewaite said that fish have the same kinds of specialized nerve fibers that mammals and birds use …. Read the original article  : Like humans, fish feel pain too.

‘Calming drugs’ to prevent post-traumatic stress syndrome identified

WASHINGTON – In a new study, researchers have identified the molecular cause of severe depression condition and prevented it by injecting calming drugs into the brain with five hours of traumatic event.

The researchers discovered that brain becomes overly stimulated after a traumatic event causes an ongoing, frenzied interaction between two brain proteins long after they … Read more »».