Mystery of Denim's Origins Solved by Art
An anonymous Italian artist is being dubbed the 'Master of Denim' for his portrayal of the peasant class in the now-famous fabric.
Scientists uncover process enabling toxoplasmosis parasite to survive homelessness
The parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis requires a stress response system that helps it survive the move to infect new cells, Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have reported, a discovery that could lead to new treatments to control the disease.
Swallowing disc batteries can cause severe injury in children
Severe injury to the esophagus can occur after a child swallows a disc battery, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
Compound boosts marijuana-like chemical in the body to relieve pain at injury site
American and Italian researchers have found that a novel drug allows anandamide -- a marijuana-like chemical in the body -- to effectively control pain at the site of an injury.
Arctic bugs may have the longest life-cycle on Earth
With a hibernation period of up to 100 million years, bacteria discovered on the Arctic sea floor may have the longest life cycle of any known organism
Genocide Wiped Out Native American Population
Physical traces of ethnic cleansing that took place in the early 800s suggest the massacre was an inside job.
The Martian Moon Phobos May Have Formed By Catastrophic Blast
Scientists now have firm indications that the Martian satellite Phobos formed relatively near its current location via re-accretion of material blasted into Mars’ orbit by some catastrophic event.
Cambridge firm hopeful, cautious on gene therapy
A Cambridge biotechnology company has developed a gene therapy that successfully treated a 21-year-old French man who suffers from an inherited blood disorder called beta thalassemia, allowing him to forgo monthly transfusions that he has depended on since childhood.
Can Caffeine Really Cause Insanity?
A Kentucky man is citing "temporarily insanity" brought on by "caffeine intoxication" as his legal strategy to claim that he is not responsible for allegedly murdering his wife.
Mars Methane Gets Even More Mysterious
The mystery of Mars' methane has just gotten a little more puzzling. The lifetime of methane in Mars atmosphere appears to be even shorter than scientists had originally thought. Using observations from the Mars Global Surveyor a group of scientists from Italy have determined the methane in the atmosphere of Mars lasts less than a year.
Hot Atmosphere of Venus Might Cool the Interior
The model reveals that the heat in the atmosphere induced from a strong greenhouse warming might actually have had a cooling effect on Venus’ interior.
Is there a Moore's law for science?
Can the rate of past discoveries be used to predict future ones? Researchers are testing the idea with exoplanets, and say the first habitable exo-Earth could be found in May
Vital Signs: Regimens: Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep
Researchers found that a single session of massage caused biological changes, like increases in oxytocin, a hormone associated with contentment.
Why thinking of nothing can be so tiring: Brain wolfs energy to stop thinking
Mathematicians have found that the brain uses a substantial amount of energy to halt the flow of information between neurons. Maybe that's part of the reason thinking of nothing can be so tiring.
Surgeon was 'arrogant caricature'
A top surgeon accidentally stabbed a colleague's head and sewed up a bulldog clip inside a patient's leg, a GMC panel hears.
Winds 'may have parted Red Sea'
New computer simulations have shown how the parting of the Red Sea, as described in the Bible, could have been a phenomenon caused by strong winds.
Prehistoric 'baby sling' claimed to have increased brain size
A recent research by a leading British prehistorian maintains that the most important aspect of human evolution was facilitated by a crucial technological device invented by early Stone Age women....
Children 'miss dog danger signs'
Young children are being taught to interpret dog body language in a bid to cut the number of attacks.
A scientific research study analyzes when to buy airline and theater tickets
Do you fancy watching a musical in London? Then, according to a research study at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) if you want to save money you should buy your airline ticket long in advance, but postpone the purchase of your theater ticket until the last minute.
Stroke gene discovered
Medical researchers have discovered that an enzyme is responsible for the death of nerve cells after a stroke. The enzyme NOX4 produces hydrogen peroxide, a caustic molecule also used in bleaching agents. Inhibition of NOX4 by an experimental new drug in mice with stroke dramatically reduces brain damage and preserves brain functions, even when given hours after the stroke.
Titanium foams replace injured bones
Flexible yet rigid like a human bone, and immediately capable of bearing loads: A new kind of implant, made of titanium foam, resembles the inside of a bone in terms of its structural configuration. Not only does this make it less stiff than conventional massive implants. It also promotes ingrowth into surrounding bones.
Ape dung reveals gorilla origin of malaria
An analysis of ape faeces suggests humans started out malaria-free – then caught it from gorillas
For sufferers of an early-onset dementia, career choice may determine location of disease in brain
In an international study of patients with a devastating type of dementia that often strikes in middle age, researchers have found intriguing evidence that career choice may influence where the disease takes root in the brain.
New drug could help stop the spread of disease from coughs, researchers believe
What if there was a drug that could completely eliminate airborne disease transmission that occurs when someone coughs? Researchers in Canada believe they have found a way to achieve this.
Imaging study provides new view of multiple sclerosis
Scientists have uncovered an alternative source for some of the damage associated with multiple sclerosis, an incurable neuroinflammatory disorder. The research, reveals a direct interaction between immune cells and neurons that plays a significant role in neuronal injury and may respond to therapeutic intervention.
City living helped humans evolve immunity to TB
New research has found that a genetic variant which reduces the chance of contracting diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy is more prevalent in populations with long histories of urban living.
Mimicking nature, water-based 'artificial leaf' produces electricity
Scientists have shown that water-gel-based solar devices -- "artificial leaves" -- can act like solar cells to produce electricity. The findings prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely mimic nature. They also have the potential to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the current standard-bearer: silicon-based solar cells.
Psychologist shows why we 'choke' and how to avoid it
A star golfer misses a critical putt; a brilliant student fails to ace a test; a savvy salesperson blows a key presentation. Each of these people has suffered the same bump in mental processing: They have just choked under pressure.
I yam what I yam--and what I yam is endangered and under-researched
Yams are an important food crop in Africa, where the tubers are eaten by 60 million people every day, as well as in other parts of the world. But despite the yam's importance as a food source, science doesn't really know that much about yams or exert much effort in conserving them.
Postoperative high blood sugar appears to be associated with surgical site infection
High blood glucose levels after surgery may be an important risk factor for infection at the surgical site in patients having general surgery, according to a new study.
Inhibiting cell signaling pathway may improve bone marrow transplant success rate
Identification of a molecular communications pathway that influences the mobilization of hematopoietic (blood) stem cells could lead to targeted therapies for improving bone marrow transplant success rates. Researchers report a scientific basis for enhancing the effectiveness of autologous bone marrow transplants, in which the recipient donates his or her own stem cells prior to the procedure.
Increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages reduces disease, injury, crime and death rates, study finds
Increasing the costs to consumers of beer, wine and hard liquor significantly reduces the rates of a wide range of alcohol-related deaths, diseases, injuries and other problems, according to a new study.
Swarm of 30,000 Earthquakes Reveals Volcanic Potential
A swarm of thousands of earthquakes that struck the corner of Saudi Arabia nearest to Egypt in 2009 helped reveal that the area is unexpectedly volcanically active, scientists now report.