Science Headlines for April 29, 2008

Cell-based Therapy Shows Promise In Patients With Parkinson's Disease

A novel cell therapy using retinal pigment epithelial cells attached to tiny gelatin bead microcarriers implanted in the brain can improve the symptoms of patients with moderate to advanced Parkinson's disease.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

'Tiny Radio Antennas' Under Skin Could Act As Remote Sensors Of Humans' Emotional, Physiological State

Scientists have discovered a method for remote sensing of the physiological and emotional state of human beings. The researchers believe the discovery could theoretically help remotely monitor medical patients, evaluate athletic performance, diagnose disease and remotely sense the level of excitation -- which could have significant implications for technology in the biomedical engineering, anti-terror and security technology fields.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

How E. Coli Attaches To Host: One Catalyst Protein Greatly Accelerates Activity

For the first time ever, the thread-like adhesive attachment organs of the bacterium Escherichia coli have been copied in a test tube. Biologists did this using purified proteins extracted from the bacteria and from which the pili are composed. The most important discoveries include a catalyst protein that greatly accelerates the assembly of the modules of the pili.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

Endangered Right Whales Protected With New Warning Buoys In Shipping Lanes

Endangered North Atlantic right whales are safer along Massachusetts Bay's busy shipping lanes this spring, thanks to a new system of smart buoys. The buoys recognize whales' distinctive calls and route the information to a public Web site and a marine warning system, giving ships the chance to avoid deadly collisions.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

Cause And Affect: Emotions Can Be Unconsciously And Subliminally Evoked, Study Shows

Most people agree that emotions can be caused by a specific event and that the person experiencing it is aware of the cause, such as a child's excitement at the sound of an ice cream truck. But recent research suggests emotions also can be unconsciously evoked and manipulated.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

Researchers Light Up Lungs To Help Diagnose Disease

Researchers have developed innovative technology which illuminates a person's lungs and helps clinicians identify if they are functioning correctly. The new technology could result in earlier diagnosis of emphysema and smoking related damage, as well as other lung conditions and diseases.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 6:00 pm

Critically Endangered Seabirds Not Finding Mates

A study into one of the world's rarest seabirds provides knowledge that could help avoid extinction. Molecular analysis of the Critically Endangered Magenta Petrel Pterodroma magentae (also known as the Chatham Island Taiko) discovered that 95% of non-breeding adults were male. This suggests that critically low population levels may be causing male birds difficulty in attracting a mate. Their calls are too spread out to attract the infrequent females which pass by.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 3:00 pm

Human Protein May Offer Novel Target For Blocking HIV Infection: Successful In Lab

A research group has uncovered a new route for attacking the human immunodeficiency virus that may offer a way to circumvent problems with drug resistance. Researchers have blocked HIV infection in the test tube by inactivating a human protein expressed in key immune cells.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 3:00 pm

Diabetes Drugs May Be Related To Fracture Risk

A widely used class of diabetes medications appears to be associated with an increased risk for fractures, according to a new article. After adjusting for other risk factors, individuals who were currently taking rosiglitazone and pioglitazone had approximately double or triple the odds of hip and other non-spine fractures than those who did not take these drugs.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 3:00 pm

Intuitive Grammar Develops By Age Six, Say Researchers

Psychologists have discovered that children as young as six are as adept at recognizing possible verbs and their past tenses as adults. In a new study children aged between six and nine were given sentences containing made-up verbs such as 'the duck likes to spling' and were asked to judge the acceptability of possible past tense forms. The study focused on the process the children used to come to their conclusions rather than whether their answers were right or wrong.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 29 Apr 2008 | 3:00 pm