EurekAlert! - Breaking NewsThe premier online source for science news since 1996. A service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.Geologists study China earthquake for glimpse into future- July 6, 2008 The May 12 earthquake that rocked Sichuan Province in China was the first there in recorded history and unexpected in its magnitude. Now a team of geoscientists is looking at the potential for future earthquakes due to earthquake-induced changes in stress.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/ps-gsc070308.php Couples with fertility problems where the man is over 35 have increased difficulty in conceiving- July 6, 2008 Pregnancy rates decrease and miscarriages increase when a father is over 35 years of age, a scientist will tell the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology tomorrow (Monday, July 7). Dr. Stphanie Belloc, of the Eylau Center for Assisted Reproduction, Paris, France, will say that this is the first time that such a strong paternal effect on reproductive outcomes has been shown.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/esfh-cwf070308.php Slow exercise (not fast) is better for menopausal women- July 6, 2008 As we get older, our muscles deteriorate and we become weaker, which has serious implications. We become clumsier and begin to have more falls, often resulting in broken bones or even more severe injuries. Dr. Alexandra Snger is examining the effects of different exercise regimes in menopausal women, with the aim of developing new strategies for delaying and reducing the initial onset of age related muscle deterioration.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/sfeb-se070308.php Special horseshoes measure acceleration in horses- July 6, 2008 A team of scientists from Wageningen University, led by Professor Johan van Leeuwen, has carried out studies both into the advantages of different rider techniques in reducing injury risk to horses, and into the benefits of a method of equine rehabilitation. By using computer modelling and specialist horseshoes to measure acceleration, these investigations suggest that aqua-training rehabilitation methods are beneficial whereas rising trot may not be as advantageous as previously thought.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/sfeb-shm070408.php Surrogacy still stigmatized, though attitudes changing among younger women- July 6, 2008 Although younger people are becoming more positive towards surrogate mothers, current day attitudes to surrogacy are still broadly negative, a scientist will tell the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology tomorrow. Professor Olga van den Akker, from the Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, Hendon, London, UK, will say that previous stigmatisation of surrogate mothers in the media had added to the reluctance to undertake this treatment...http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/esfh-sss070308.php A green solution to biofuel production- July 6, 2008 With the current drive towards production of alternative fuels from plant material, enzymes which can break down this material into useable compounds are required in industrial quantities and at a low cost. One group of scientists from Texas A&M University have come up with a solution: using plants to make the enzymes. Professor Zivko Nikolov will describe their research on Society for Experimental Biology's Annual Meeting in Marseille.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/sfeb-ags070408.php Aggressive treatment of childhood eczema could help prevent asthma, says new study- July 6, 2008 More aggressive treatment of childhood eczema may be an important step in preventing asthma, says a new Australian study.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/uom-ato070208.php Cancer therapies from the ocean- July 6, 2008 Scientists from Aberdeen, Luxembourg and the South Pacific have studied the properties of natural products derived from animals found in Fijian waters, and shown that not only may certain compounds have potential use in anti-cancer therapies, but others may also be useful for improving drug delivery, currently one of the most significant problems faced by medical researchers.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/sfeb-ctf070408.php Want to fly Don't copy the birds and the bees- July 5, 2008 There is little comparison between the appearance of any winged creatures and that of modern helicopters or jets, despite similar flight patterns. In an era in which engineers are increasingly exploiting designs from nature, understanding this paradox is becoming ever more important. Dr. Jim Usherwood has studied the reasons behind these differences in aerodynamics and concluded that scientists should, in this instance, be more hesitant before imitating nature.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/sfeb-wtf070308.php Topical oral syrup prevents early childhood caries- July 5, 2008 Dental researchers at the University of Washington have reported a significant reduction of toothdecay in toddlers who were treated with the topical syrup xylitol, a naturally occurring non-cavity-causing sweetener.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/iaa-tos062508.php |