In our brains, where millions of signals move across a network of neurons like runners in a relay race, all the critical baton passes take place at synapses. These small gaps between nerve cell endings have to be just the right size for messages to transmit properly. Synapses that grow too large or too small are associated with motor and cognitive impairment, learning and memory difficulties, and other neurological disorders. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
For the first time, researchers have witnessed the spontaneous repair of damage to DNA molecules in real time. They observed this at the level of a single DNA molecule. Insight into this type of repair mechanism is essential as errors in this process can lead to the development of cancerous cells. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to their tendency to take many years to become sexually mature and have relatively few offspring. These findings are published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Children with autism and ADHD may soon get anxiety relief from a novel "deep-pressure" vest. The vest, which can also be used for adults with mental illness, delivers a "portable hug" called deep pressure touch stimulation (DPTS). "People with developmental disorders and mental illness are often overwhelmed in everyday environments such as school and the workplace, and solutions available to families and mental health professionals are limited," says the doctoral student of mechanical engineering who developed the product. He said, "This is an alternative therapy that can safely and discreetly provide the treatment they need to function in mainstream society." Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Patients with drug-coated stents are less apt to die, have heart attacks or require extra stents or bypass surgery in the two years following placement of the stent, compared to those who receive bare metal stents, according to new research. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
Video games that energize players and induce a positive mood could also enhance creativity, according to media researchers. However, the study also finds that players who were not highly energized and had a negative mood, registered the highest creativity. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 26 May 2008 | 12:00 am
A number of chronic diseases are in fact caused by one or more infectious agents. For example, stomach ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori, chronic lung disease in newborns and chronic asthma in adults are both caused by Mycoplasmas and Chlamydia pneumonia, while some other pathogens have been associated with atherosclerosis. The realization that pathogens can produce slowly progressive chronic diseases has opened new lines of research into Alzheimer's disease. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 25 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
Ozone, which is already used to sanitize drinking water and swimming pools, might help make hives cleaner and safer for America's beleaguered honey bees. Entomologist tested ozone's effects on two pesticides widely used by beekeepers to control varroa mites, a major enemy of bees. Studies elsewhere indicate that residues of these chemicals can accumulate in hives, including in the honeycomb. Beekeepers typically reuse the honeycomb after the honey has been extracted. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 25 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
New spray-on films will be the basis of portable devices that can quickly reveal trace amounts of nitrogen-based explosives. Contaminated fingerprints leave dark shadows on the films, which glow blue under ultraviolet light. One of the films can distinguish between different classes of explosive chemicals, a property that could provide evidence to help solve a crime, or prevent one. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 25 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
A Dutch researcher has investigated the influence of light on the behavior of small molecules, and has calculated the effect of light for several types of molecules. His theoretical research into light-induced processes in the hydroxyl radical (OH), the hydrogen molecule (H2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) has directly contributed to a better understanding of chemical processes taking place on Earth as well as in the universe. Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 25 May 2008 | 6:00 pm
Beavers are to be reintroduced into the wild in Scotland, the Scottish Government announces. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 25 May 2008 | 12:08 pm
Ex-world chess champion Boris Spassky takes on a scientist in Antarctica and 19 other challengers. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 25 May 2008 | 8:06 am
From over 130,000ft, the ultimate parachute jumper, Michel Fournier, will break the sound barrier while on his way down Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 24 May 2008 | 11:05 pm
Patients with hay fever who use antihistamines may be at particularly great risk, says research Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 24 May 2008 | 11:05 pm
Letters: As a long-time Brit expat, I read Mary Warnock's article 'Women, not the unborn, deserve our sympathy' (Comment, last week) with awe and nostalgia Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 24 May 2008 | 11:04 pm
Nasa's Phoenix lander is due to set down in the far north of Mars after a 423-million-mile journey from Earth. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 24 May 2008 | 3:08 pm
