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279,036 articles from PhysOrg
Pride, prejudice and the 'Darcin effect'
The pheromone that attracts female mice to the odour of a particular male has been identified. Named 'darcin' by researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology (after Darcy, the attractive hero in Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice"), this unusual protein in a male's urine attracts females and is responsible for learned preference for specific males.
Scientists move closer to pinpointing gene involved in bowel cancer spread
Scientists may be on the cusp of pinpointing a gene that is involved in the progression and spread of bowel cancer, indicates research published ahead of print in the Journal of Medical Genetics.
Deep brain stimulation at two different targets gives similar motor benefits in Parkinson's
In a major study, investigators have compared how individuals with Parkinson's disease respond to deep brain stimulation (DBS) at two different sites in the brain. Contrary to current belief, patients who received DBS at either site in the brain experienced comparable benefits for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's.
New culture dish could advance human embryonic stem cell research
A new synthetic Petri dish coating could overcome a major challenge to the advancement of human embryonic stem cell research, say University of Michigan researchers.
The Medical Minute: Natural remedies for people with diabetes
(PhysOrg.com) -- Disease remedies using plant products fill the market, but most have not been tested well enough to be able to assure patients that they really work or that they are safe. Here is what is known about a few products that are often of interest to patients with diabetes.
Applied nuclear physics for biomedicine, nuclear security and basic science
In 2008 the Nuclear Science Division (NSD) of the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory launched the Applied Nuclear Physics program, headed by NSD's Kai Vetter upon his return to Berkeley after six years with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. One of the goals of Applied Nuclear Physics is to take experimental principles and equipment created for basic research...
Arctic ice at low point compared to recent geologic history
Less ice covers the Arctic today than at any time in recent geologic history. That's the conclusion of an international group of researchers, who have compiled the first comprehensive history of Arctic ice.
Marmots can teach us about obesity
A nutrient that's common to all living things can make hibernating marmots hungry - a breakthrough that could help scientists understand human obesity and eating disorders, according to a new study by a Colorado State University biologist.
NASA Supercomputer Doubles Capability, Increases Efficiency
(PhysOrg.com) -- Pleiades, NASA`s supercomputing powerhouse, located at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., placed sixth on the Top500 list of the world's most powerful, high-performance computers. The announcement was made June 1, 2010 at the 25th International Supercomputing Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
Probiotic found in breast milk helps alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders
Here's another reason to breast feed your baby: Canadian researchers have discovered how a probiotic found in breastmilk reduces or eliminates painful cramping in the gut. In a new research report published online in the FASEB Journal, these scientists use mice to show that a specific strain of Lactobacillus reuteri decreases the force of muscle contractions in the gut within minutes of exposure....
Research makes lake and stream conservation more effective
Michigan State University scientists have developed a pioneering, comprehensive approach that makes conserving and managing freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands more integrated and effective.
Software developers tackle child grooming on the net
(PhysOrg.com) -- Four out of five children can't tell when they are talking to an adult posing as a child on the internet, according to researchers working on software to track paedophiles online.
Teen sex: More use rhythm method for birth control
(AP) -- A growing number of teen girls say they use the rhythm method for birth control, and more teens also think it's OK for an unmarried female to have a baby, according to a government survey released Wednesday.
Tobacco tax hike could curb smoking among those with alcohol, drug or mental disorders
A new study from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA suggests that increasing cigarette taxes could be an effective way to reduce smoking among individuals with alcohol, drug or mental disorders.
WEDNESDAY 2. JUNE 2010
Ecologists Link Early Malnutrition, Later Arthritis in Moose
(PhysOrg.com) -- As a 150-pound person ages, the aches and pains of osteoarthritis -- a degenerative and progressively crippling joint disease -- often become an unpleasant fact of life. Think how the same condition hurts a 1,000-pound moose.
Explained: Knightian uncertainty
The global economic crisis of the last two years has stemmed, in part, from the inability of financial institutions to effectively judge the riskiness of their investments. For this reason, the crisis has cast new attention on an idea about risk from decades past: "Knightian uncertainty."
More choline reduces Down syndrome dysfunction
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a mouse model of Down syndrome, pregnant and lactating mice that received additional choline had offspring that fared much better than those whose mothers did not receive choline, a new study finds.
Oncologists fight leukemia with two-pronged therapy, clinical trials to start within months
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new therapy mounts a double-barreled attack on leukemia, targeting not just the cancer cells but also the environment in which those cells live and grow, University of Florida researchers report.
Researcher's Robots Learn From Environment, Not Programming
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ian Fasel, a UA assistant research professor, recently received two grants to fund research and design projects toward creating highly intelligent robots.
Researchers Link Tooth Chipping in Fossils With Diets of Early Humans
(PhysOrg.com) -- George Washington University researchers have discovered a new method of linking tooth chips in fossils of early humans with their eating habits. Based on chip and tooth size, the research of anthropologists Paul Constantino and Peter Lucas suggests that early humans consumed large, hard foods such as seeds and nuts and occasionally used high bite forces to do so. Together with...
Researchers pursue plasmonics and photonics technology for optical improvements
Professors Mark L. Brongersma of Stanford University and Stefan A. Maier of Imperial College London are investigating new applications for terahertz sensors.
Spiral, barred, elliptical and irregular: Computers automatically classify galaxy shapes
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at University College London and the University of Cambridge have developed machine-learning codes modelled on the human brain that can be used to classify galaxies accurately and efficiently. Remarkably, the new method is so reliable that it agrees with human classifications more than 90% of the time. The research will appear in a paper in the journal Monthly Notices...
Sun-induced skin cancer: New discovery permits doctors to assess genetic risk
As people head to the beach this summer, very few if any, really know how likely they are to develop skin cancer from their outdoor fun. That's about to change, thanks to a new discovery by an international team of scientists that makes it possible for doctors to access people's personal risk for skin cancer.
A doctor's referral for better fitness
People visit physicians to get or stay healthy, but should questions about physical activity be a part of these visits, too -- every time? The American College of Sports Medicine and its Exercise is Medicine program think so. So does Indiana University physical activity expert NiCole Keith.
Ablation proved as effective as traditional surgery in treating kidney cancer
A minimally invasive technique used to destroy kidney tumors with an electrically controlled heating probe showed similar effectiveness as surgical removal of tumors in curbing cancer recurrence rates for up to five years after treatment.