Science Headlines for August 11, 2008

Pre-cancerous Condition Linked To Chronic Acid Reflux Faces Several Hurdles

UK researchers address challenges in treating Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition found in some sufferers of chronic acid reflux disease, and call for better disease models and diagnostic markers.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Better Bandage: Microscopic Scaffolding Offers 'Simple' Solution To Treating Skin Injuries

A revolutionary dissolvable scaffold for growing new areas of skin could provide a safer, more effective way of treating burns, diabetic ulcers and similar injuries. This ultra-fine, 3-dimensional scaffold, which is made from specially developed polymers, looks similar to tissue paper but has fibres 100 times finer. Before it is placed over a wound, the patient's skin cells (obtained via a biopsy) are introduced and attach themselves to the scaffold, multiplying until they eventually grow over it.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Health And Marriage: The Times They Are A Changin'

The health of people who never marry is improving, narrowing the gap with their wedded counterparts, according to new research that suggests the practice of encouraging marriage to promote health may be misguided.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Nanowires From DNA: Project Opens Up New Possibilities For Modified Chain Molecules

For millions of years nature has been optimizing DNA -- in all living creatures this biomolecule is responsible for storing genetic information. New research is putting the long chain molecule into a new context. Detached from its biological origin, artificial DNA double helices were modified in such a way that the evolutionarily optimized biomolecule can also be used as a key structural element for the arrangement of metal ions. There are numerous potential applications of this basic research. With this method, for example, molecular wires or the smallest magnets could be developed to be used in nanotechnology. Moreover, the scientists think about using it as catalysts, in medicine or as sensors.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Are Pronghorns Smarter Than Classical European Royalty?

Over the past two decades, one research has proven that female pronghorns are smarter than many humans when it comes to mate selection. Rather than going for the male with the biggest body or most impressive horns, female pronghorns expend a ton of energy searching for the most vigor and best stamina; traits that will give their offspring the greatest chance of success.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Colorful Star Birth Region Near Tarantula Nebula Unveiled On Hubble's 100,000th Orbit Milestone

During Hubble's 100,000th orbit around the Earth, it peered into a small portion of the nebula near the star cluster NGC 2074. The region is a firestorm of raw stellar creation, perhaps triggered by a nearby supernova explosion. It lies about 170,000 light-years away near the Tarantula nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in our Local Group of galaxies.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 12 Aug 2008 | 12:00 am

Positive-feedback System Ensures That Cells Divide

In the life of every cell, there's a point of no return. Once it enters the cell cycle and passes a checkpoint known as "Start," a cell will follow the steps it needs to divide -- no matter what changes might occur in its environment. Now scientists have shown that a positive-feedback system ensures that a cell that has made the decision to divide finishes what it has started.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 11 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

'Edible Optics' Could Make Food Safer

Scientists have demonstrated that it is possible to design biologically active, biodegradable optical devices -- made from silk and requiring no refrigeration -- with many applications in medicine, health, the environment and communications. For example, edible optical sensors could detect harmful bacteria in a bag of produce, and be consumed right along with the food if it were safe.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 11 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

Roman Temple Uncovered In Ancient Jewish Capital Of Galilee

Ruins of a Roman temple from the second century CE have recently been unearthed in the Zippori National Park. Above the temple are foundations of a church from the Byzantine period. The excavations shed light on the multi-cultural society of ancient Zippori (Sepphoris).
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 11 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

More PSA Screening Awareness Needed Among High-risk Groups, Study Suggests

In one of the first examinations of PSA screening in younger men, a new study finds that one-fifth of men under age 50 reported undergoing a prostate specific antigen test to detect prostate cancer in the previous year, yet only one in three young black men reported ever having a PSA test in the previous year.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 11 Aug 2008 | 9:00 pm

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