Science News – Newsletter for December 10, 2010

Brain wiring lets us differentiate our speech from that of others’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that we have a network of volume settings that can selectively silence and amplify the sounds we make and hear.

The study from the University of California, Berkeley, tracked the electrical signals emitted from the brains of hospitalized epilepsy patients. They discovered that neurons in one part of the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brain wiring lets us differentiate our speech from that of others’.

Blue light could be highly in potent platinum-based cancer treatment

WASHINGTON – A new study from the University of Warwick has found a way to use blue light to activate what could be a highly potent platinum-based cancer treatment.

The new light-activated platinum-based compound is up to 80 times more powerful than other platinum-based anti-cancer drugs and can use “light activation” to kill cancer cells in … Original article on : Blue light could be highly in potent platinum-based cancer treatment.

Targeting protein helps keep melanoma tumour growth in check

WASHINGTON – Targeting MIC-1 protein that promotes blood vessel development may help in checking melanoma tumour growth, say researchers.

“Preventing vessels from developing in tumours is one way to stop them from growing,” said lead author Gavin Robertson, of the Penn State College of Medicine.

“However, the identity of the proteins secreted by tumours cells enabling the … Read more >>.

ALS causing gene discovered

WASHINGTON – Using a new sequencing method, researchers have discovered a gene that appears to cause some instances of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

A team of researchers led by scientists from Johns Hopkins and the National Institutes of Health Using make the discovery, which may lead to novel ways to treat the more common form …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ALS causing gene discovered.

How to keep back pain away this winter

WASHINGTON – Holidays are indeed a time to have a lot of fun, but additional stress and busier schedule may end up giving you that intolerable back pain. Now, an expert tells you how you can keep that pain away and make the best of your off-time.

William J. Sonstein, neurosurgeon and spine specialist, has developed …. Original article  : How to keep back pain away this winter.

Light-weight bikes may not ‘necessarily’ reduce commuting time

LONDON – A research has found that a light-weight bike costing around 1000 pounds may not get you to work any quicker than a similar, yet heavier and cheaper model.

A keen cyclist since childhood, the author Dr Jeremy Groves, owns two bikes. One a second hand 13.5 kg steel framed bike bought for 50 pounds …. Read the original article  : here.

Soon, blast-resistant glass that can withstand force of explosion

WASHINGTON – To withstand the force of an explosion, earthquake, or hurricanes winds, a team of engineers from the University of Missouri and the University of Sydney in Australia are working to develop a blast-resistant glass that is lighter, thinner, and colorless.

But current blast-resistant glass technology is thicker than a 300-page novel-so thick it cannot …. Original source  : Soon, blast-resistant glass that can withstand force of explosion.

NASA’s Odyssey orbiter to pass Martian career longevity record

WASHINGTON – By the middle of next week, NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter, which entered orbit around Mars on Oct. 24, 2001, will have worked longer at Mars than any other spacecraft in history.

On Dec. 15, the 3,340th day since that arrival, it will pass the Martian career longevity record set by its predecessor, Mars Global [..] Read the original article: here.

Possible treatment for peanut allergy identified

MELBOURNE – Australian scientists have possibly identified world’s first treatment for the often-lethal peanut allergy- “fragments” of peanuts.

The research identified peanut proteins that lab tests showed were able to interact with immune cells from an allergic person, and so build tolerance, but they showed no sign of triggering anaphylaxis.

“These dominant fragments are the best candidates …. Read the original article  : Possible treatment for peanut allergy identified.

Just thinking about food can stop you from bingeing!

WASHINGTON – The next time you feel like grabbing that piece of pizza or chocolate cake, just stare at it for a few minutes, and you might end up eating a lot lesser of it, according to a new study.

A new study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, published in Science, shows that when you … Read more »»».

2000-yr-old computer recreated using Lego bricks!

LONDON – A designer has created the fully functional replica of the world’s oldest computer using the Lego bricks.

The oldest computer, which dates back to 2000 years and was discovered in the bottom of the ocean by divers in 1901, was brought back into life by Andrew carol, reports the New Scientist.

Making the device was … Original source on Gaea Times at : 2000-yr-old computer recreated using Lego bricks!.

Jailed Julian Assange to get limited Internet access

MELBOURNE – Julian Assange, the founder of whistleblowing website WikiLeaks, will be getting limited access to the Internet while in jail.

Assange, 39, who is accused of sex offences in Sweden, has been transferred to the segregation unit of London’s Wandsworth prison, and was refused bail at an extradition hearing earlier this wee.

According to the Guardian, … Read more : Jailed Julian Assange to get limited Internet access.

Now, Internet ‘hacktivists’ target Amazon for refusing trade with WikiLeaks

LONDON – WikiLeaks supporters have vowed to wreak havoc on companies that are deemed as enemies of the whistleblowing website, and UK’s biggest online retailer Amazon has been cited as the next target.

Operation Payback, the banner used by hackers who have vowed to take revenge on companies refusing to trade with WikiLeaks, could cost Amazon …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Scientists create the world’s tiniest battery

WASHINGTON – Scientists led by Sandia National Laboratories researcher Jianyu Huang have created the world’s tiniest battery.

Its anode a single nanowire one seven-thousandth the thickness of a human hair, the tiny rechargeable, lithium-based battery was formed inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM) at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), a Department of Energy research facility …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scientists create the world’s tiniest battery.

Scientists identify new ‘infection fighting officer’

WASHINGTON – Johns Hopkins scientists have identified a previously unrecognized step in the activation of infection-fighting white blood cells, the main immunity troops in the body’s war on bacteria, viruses and foreign proteins.

“It’s as if we knew many of the generals, colonels and majors and now we have discovered a new officer that helps the …. Source article  : Scientists identify new ‘infection fighting officer’.

Alcohol ups risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese men

WASHINGTON – A Chinese study has suggested that moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption increases angiographically significant coronary artery disease.

Among a large number of Chinese men presenting with chest pain or EKG changes, sequential subjects undergoing cardiac angiography were evaluated for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) lesions according to their reported recent alcohol intake.

The study population consisted of …. Original source  : Alcohol ups risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese men.

Gene-silencing that could prevent diabetes-related heart failure

WASHINGTON – A series of in vitro tests has helped scientists to discover that silencing the TLR4 gene can stop the process which may lead to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.

The study demonstrated that TLR4 plays a critical role in hyperglycaemic cardiac apoptosis, and that silencing the gene using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) can …. Original source  : Gene-silencing that could prevent diabetes-related heart failure.

Ants help scientists develop speedier computer networks

LONDON – An analysis of how ants trace the quickest route could help scientist speed up computer networks, suggests a new study.

The research has shown that Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), do not just retrace their steps when presented with a barrier – as might be expected Instead, the ants begin a localized search that seems … Read : Ants help scientists develop speedier computer networks.

Become a child again to erase bad memories forever

LONDON – Temporarily returning the brain to a child-like state could help people with post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias forget their fears forever.

A clue to permanent erasure comes from research in infant mice. With them, extinction therapy completely erases the fear memory, which cannot be retrieved, reports New Scientist.

Identifying the relevant brain changes in rodents …. Read the original article  : here.

New method to cleanse brain of Alzheimer’s plaques developed

WASHINGTON – University of Michigan scientists have developed new molecular tools that may help in “cleansing” the brain of amyloid plaques, implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.

A hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease-a neurodegenerative disease with no cure-is the aggregation of protein-like bits known as amyloid-beta peptides into clumps in the brain called plaques.

These plaques and their intermediate messes …. Original article  : New method to cleanse brain of Alzheimer’s plaques developed.