Science Headlines for August 2, 2009

Nutritional Supplement, SAMe, Effective In Preventing Formation Of Primary Liver Cancer In Rats

A new study investigated the effectiveness of S-adenosylmethionine in the prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma or primary liver cancer. SAMe, a widely available nutritional supplement, with little known side effects, was found to be effective in preventing the formation of HCC in rats. However, high enough levels of SAMe were not attainable to successfully treat established HCC.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Genes Key To Staph Disease Severity, Drug Resistance Found Hitchhiking Together

Scientists studying Staphylococcus bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, have discovered a potent staph toxin responsible for disease severity. They also found the gene for the toxin traveling with a genetic component of Staphylococcus that controls resistance to antibiotics.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

New Hope For Migraine Sufferers: Forehead Lifts Can Erase Years And Headaches

Migraine headaches are a drain -- not only on the estimated 30 million Americans who suffer from them, but on the economy, too. But according to a new study there is hope for severe and frequent migraine sufferers who can't find relief in conventional remedies.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Integral Disproves Dark Matter Origin For Mystery Radiation

A team of researchers working with data from ESA's Integral gamma-ray observatory has disproved theories that some form of dark matter explains mysterious radiation in the Milky Way.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Small Fossils Provide Key Clues For Interpreting Environmental Changes

The concentrations of microfossils and the composition of their shells can provide much information about the conditions of life thousands or even millions of years ago.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Radio Telemetry Used To Track Movement And Habitat Of Roadrunners

Wile E. Coyote might not have been able to catch up with the roadrunner on the Saturday morning cartoons, but one scientist has had no problems. A wildlife ecologist has conducted a study of the roadrunner's ecology and habitat for the past four years. Using radio telemetry and studying more than 50 nests, he and his staff have researched home range, habitat use, nesting ecology and dispersal of young since 2006.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Epigenetic Signature Changes In Low Oxygen Levels May Contribute To Prostate Cancer Development

Researchers have characterized epigenetic signature changes in prostate cells under conditions of low oxygen levels that may lead to tumor development. The results of the study may provide important targets for the early detection and manipulation of prostate cancer.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 9:00 am

Common Diabetic Therapy Reduces Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer

Taking the most commonly-prescribed anti-diabetic drug, metformin, reduces an individual's risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 62 percent, according to new research.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 9:00 am

Robotics Insights Through Flies' Eyes

To understand how a fly's tiny brain processes visual information efficiently enough to guide its aerobatic feats -- and ultimately to build more capable robots -- researchers have set up a flight simulator for flies.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 9:00 am

Dementia Induced And Blocked In Parkinson's Fly Model

Researchers have modeled Parkinson's-associated dementia for the first time. Scientists showed that a single night of sleep loss in genetically altered fruit flies caused long-lasting disruptions in the flies' cognitive abilities comparable to aspects of Parkinson's-associated dementia. They then blocked this effect by feeding the flies large doses of the spice curcumin.
Source: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 9:00 am

Nissan rolls out electric car at new headquarters (AP)

AP - Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn drove quietly out of the Japanese automaker's soon-to-open headquarters Sunday in the first public viewing of its new zero-emission vehicle.

Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 1:42 am

Coal fires up India farmers against power plants (AFP)

AFP - Rajni Ramakan Patil has a message for the energy companies that want to build coal-based power stations on the land that she and two generations of her family have farmed for more than 50 years.

Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 12:19 am

China suspends 2 environment bosses for pollution (AP)

AP - Authorities in central China suspended two environment officials and detained a chemical plant boss after hundreds of residents protested, claiming the factory polluted a river and caused at least two deaths in the area, an official said Sunday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 2 Aug 2009 | 12:13 am

Fire risk 'super' ants discovered

Ants believed to have a "fatal attraction" to electricity are found at a National Trust property in Gloucestershire.
Source: BBC News | Science & Environment | UK Edition | 1 Aug 2009 | 11:32 am

Italy finds 4,500-year old skeleton of warrior

ROME (Reuters) - A roughly 4,500 year-old skeleton of a man, probably a warrior killed by an arrow to the chest, has been discovered on a beach south of Rome, Italian police said.

Source: Reuters: Science News | 1 Aug 2009 | 10:38 am

Obama: Key to Future Is Innovation (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - In another nod to the value of basic science and technology research, President Obama in his weekly radio address today said long-term investments in innovation are needed to ensure the country's long-term economic growth.
Source: Yahoo! News: Science News | 1 Aug 2009 | 10:07 am