ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Optical materials: Holey gold
• Microscopy: A glance from the nanoworld
• U.S. experienced second warmest May, warmest spring on record, NOAA reports
• Australia has two distinct white shark populations
• Food-trade network vulnerable to fast spread of contaminants
• Floating dock from Japan carries potential invasive species
• Groundbreaking new graphene-based MRI contrast agent
• Mapping genes: New risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases found
• Immune system 'circuitry' that kills malaria in mosquitoes identified
• Previously held beliefs about the role of genetic mutations in colon cancer development challenged
• NASA's Spitzer finds first objects burned furiously
• 'Nanocable' could be big boon for energy storage
• Slashing energy needs for next-generation memory
• Scientists discover huge phytoplankton bloom in ice-covered waters
• Quantum computers move closer to reality, thanks to highly enriched and highly purified silicon
• Molecular mechanism associated with human immune disorder, XLP disease, explained
• Second-hand smoke affects bladder function in children, study suggests
• HIV superinfection rate comparable to initial HIV infection
• Scientists identify first gene in programmed axon degeneration
• Highly contagious honey bee virus transmitted by mites
• Armored caterpillar could inspire new body armor
• Tabletop X-Ray to Image Nanoworld: All the colors of a high-energy rainbow, in a tightly focused beam
• How black holes change gear
• New twist on old chemical process could boost energy efficiency significantly
• Steel-strength plastics: Durable plastic may replace metals
• Newly identified protein function protects cells during injury
• Manipulating chromatin loops to regulate genes may offer future treatments for blood diseases
• Skin cells reprogrammed into brain cells
• Multi-target approach to treating tumors
• Driving without a blind spot may be closer than it appears
• New brain target for appetite control identified
• City kids more likely to have food allergies than rural ones: Population density is key factor, study finds
• Photovoltaic cells tap underwater solar energy
• Breaking the limits of classical physics: Light's quantum mechanical properties demonstrated
• Caribbean wins the seaweed Olympics
• Wider letter spacing helps dyslexic children
• Mystery to the origin of long-lived, skin-deep immune cells uncovered
• Predicting the oceans of the future with a mini-lab
• New role for p53 genetic mutation -- initiation of prostate cancer
• Meditation practice may decrease risk for cardiovascular disease in teens
• Vampire jumping spiders identify victims by their antennae
• Spin structure reveals key to new forms of digital storage, study shows
• Slime moulds work on computer games
• Alzheimer’s vaccine trial a success
• Understanding complex relationships: How global properties of networks become apparent locally
• Virgin male moths think they're hot when they're not

Optical materials: Holey gold Posted: 07 Jun 2012 04:07 PM PDT Imaging nanoporous metals with beams of electrons provides deep insights into the unusual optical properties of these materials.

Microscopy: A glance from the nanoworld Posted: 07 Jun 2012 04:07 PM PDT A new patterning technique produces a faithful reproduction of grayscale images down to the micrometer level.

U.S. experienced second warmest May, warmest spring on record, NOAA reports Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:57 PM PDT According to NOAA scientists, the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during May was 64.3°F, 3.3°F above the long-term average, making it the second warmest May on record. The month's high temperatures also contributed to the warmest spring, warmest year-to-date, and warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.

Australia has two distinct white shark populations Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:55 PM PDT A new scientific study has identified two distinct populations of white shark at the east and west of Bass Strait in Australian waters, prompting researchers to suggest the huge fish may need regional conservation plans.

Food-trade network vulnerable to fast spread of contaminants Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:02 PM PDT Physicists and food science experts have recently published a rigorous analysis of the international food-trade network that shows the network's vulnerability to the fast spread of contaminants as well as the correlation between known food poisoning outbreaks and the centrality of countries on the network.

Floating dock from Japan carries potential invasive species Posted: 07 Jun 2012 03:01 PM PDT When debris from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan began making its way toward the West Coast of the United States, there were fears of possible radiation and chemical contamination as well as costly cleanup. But a floating dock that unexpectedly washed ashore in Newport this week and has been traced back to the Japanese disaster has brought with it a completely different threat -- invasive species.

Groundbreaking new graphene-based MRI contrast agent Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:58 PM PDT Scientists have developed a new, highly efficacious, potentially safer and more cost effective nanoparticle-based MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agent for improved disease diagnosis and detection.

Mapping genes: New risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases found Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:58 PM PDT Using a new and powerful approach to understand the origins of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, researchers are building the case that these diseases are primarily caused by genes that are too active or not active enough, rather than by harmful gene mutations.

Immune system 'circuitry' that kills malaria in mosquitoes identified Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:58 PM PDT For the first time, researchers have determined the function of a series proteins within the mosquito that transduce a signal that enables the mosquito to fight off infection from the parasite that causes malaria in humans. Together, these proteins are known as immune deficiency (Imd) pathway signal transducing factors, are analogous to an electrical circuit. As each factor is switched on or off it triggers or inhibits the next, finally leading to the launch of an immune response against the malaria parasite.

Previously held beliefs about the role of genetic mutations in colon cancer development challenged Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:58 PM PDT In exploring the genetics of mitochondria – the powerhouse of the cell – researchers have stumbled upon a finding that challenges previously held beliefs about the role of mutations in cancer development. For the first time, researchers have found that the number of new mutations are significantly lower in cancers than in normal cells.

NASA's Spitzer finds first objects burned furiously Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:13 PM PDT The faint, lumpy glow given off by the very first objects in the universe may have been detected with the best precision yet, using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. These faint objects might be wildly massive stars or voracious black holes. They are too far away to be seen individually, but Spitzer has captured new, convincing evidence of what appears to be the collective pattern of their infrared light. The observations help confirm the first objects were numerous in quantity and furiously burned cosmic fuel.

'Nanocable' could be big boon for energy storage Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Researchers have created a coaxial nanocable capacitor that outperforms previously reported microcapacitors. The three-layer, 100-nanometer-wide cable was produced with techniques pioneered in the nascent graphene field and could be used to build next-generation energy-storage systems.

Slashing energy needs for next-generation memory Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Researchers have unveiled a new data-encoding scheme that slashes more than 30 percent of the energy needed to write data onto memory cards that use "phase-change memory" -- a competitor to flash memory that has big backing from industry heavyweights.

Scientists discover huge phytoplankton bloom in ice-covered waters Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Scientists have discovered a massive bloom of phytoplankton beneath ice-covered Arctic waters. Until now, sea ice was thought to block sunlight and limit the growth of microscopic marine plants living under the ice.

Quantum computers move closer to reality, thanks to highly enriched and highly purified silicon Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Scientists have made the next step towards making quantum computing a reality -- through the unique properties of highly enriched and highly purified silicon.

Molecular mechanism associated with human immune disorder, XLP disease, explained Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the field of immunology. They have explained a poorly understood molecular mechanism associated with a human immune disorder known as XLP disease or Duncan's syndrome.

Second-hand smoke affects bladder function in children, study suggests Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT Children with mothers who smoke are at even higher-risk for developing health disorders.Medical researchers have shown that second-hand cigarette smoke was associated with moderate to severe irritative bladder symptoms in children.

HIV superinfection rate comparable to initial HIV infection Posted: 07 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT A new study finds superinfection may be as common as initial HIV infection and is not limited to high risk-populations.

Scientists identify first gene in programmed axon degeneration Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:23 AM PDT Researchers have described a gene – dSarm/Sarm1 – responsible for actively promoting axon destruction after injury. The research provides evidence of an exciting new therapeutic target that could be used to delay or even stop axon decay.

Highly contagious honey bee virus transmitted by mites Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:23 AM PDT Researchers report that the parasitic 'Varroa' mite has caused the deformed wing virus to proliferate in honey bee colonies. This association is now thought to contribute to the world-wide spread and probable death of millions of honey bee colonies. The current monetary value of honey bees as commercial pollinators in the United States alone is estimated at about $15-$20 billion annually.

Armored caterpillar could inspire new body armor Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:23 AM PDT Military body armor and vehicle and aircraft frames could be transformed by incorporating the unique structure of the club-like arm of a crustacean that looks like an armored caterpillar, according to new findings.

Tabletop X-Ray to Image Nanoworld: All the colors of a high-energy rainbow, in a tightly focused beam Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:23 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have produced a coherent, laser-like, directed beam of light that simultaneously streams ultraviolet light, X-rays, and all wavelengths in between. One of the few light sources to successfully produce a coherent beam that includes X-rays, this new technology is the first to do so using a setup that fits on a laboratory table.

How black holes change gear Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:22 AM PDT Black holes are extremely powerful and efficient engines that not only swallow up matter, but also return a lot of energy to the universe in exchange for the mass they eat. When black holes attract mass they also trigger the release of intense X-ray radiation and power strong jets. But not all black holes do this the same way. This has long baffled astronomers. By studying two active black holes researchers have now gathered evidence that suggests that each black hole can change between two different regimes, like changing the gears of an engine.

New twist on old chemical process could boost energy efficiency significantly Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:22 AM PDT An unappreciated aspect of chemical reactions on the surface of metal oxides could be key in developing more efficient energy systems, including more productive solar cells or hydrogen fuel cells efficient enough for automobiles.

Steel-strength plastics: Durable plastic may replace metals Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:16 AM PDT Chemists have been working hard to develop a more biodegradable plastic to reduce pollution and protect the environment. Now a researcher has taken a different approach -- creating plastics as strong and durable as steel.

Newly identified protein function protects cells during injury Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:16 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new function for a protein that protects cells during injury and could eventually translate into treatment for conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer's. Researchers report that a type of protein called thrombospondin activates a protective pathway that prevents heart cell damage in mice undergoing simulated extreme hypertension, cardiac pressure overload and heart attack.

Manipulating chromatin loops to regulate genes may offer future treatments for blood diseases Posted: 07 Jun 2012 11:16 AM PDT In exploring how proteins interact with crucial DNA sequences to regulate gene activity, researchers have shed light on chromatin looping, key biological events that may eventually be manipulated to provide new disease treatments.

Skin cells reprogrammed into brain cells Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:23 AM PDT Scientists have for the first time transformed skin cells -- with a single genetic factor -- into cells that develop on their own into an interconnected, functional network of brain cells. The research offers new hope in the fight against many neurological conditions because scientists expect that such a transformation -- or reprogramming -- of cells may lead to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Multi-target approach to treating tumors Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:22 AM PDT Researchers have developed a cancer model built in the fruit fly Drosophila, then used it to create a whole new approach to the discovery of cancer treatments. The result is an investigational compound AD80 that precisely targets multiple cancer genes. Tested in mouse models, the drug proved far more effective and less toxic than standard cancer drugs, which generally focus on a single target. This is the first time that whole-animal screening has been used in a rational, step-wise approach to polypharmacology.

Driving without a blind spot may be closer than it appears Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:22 AM PDT A side mirror that eliminates the dangerous "blind spot" for drivers has now received a U.S. patent. The subtly curved mirror, invented by a mathematics professor, dramatically increases the field of view with minimal distortion. designed his mirror using a mathematical algorithm that precisely controls the angle of light bouncing off of the curving mirror, similar to manipulating the direction of each tiny mirror face on a disco ball to make a smooth, nonuniform curve.

New brain target for appetite control identified Posted: 07 Jun 2012 09:22 AM PDT Researchers have identified a brain receptor that appears to play a central role in regulating appetite. The findings could lead to new drugs for preventing or treating obesity.

City kids more likely to have food allergies than rural ones: Population density is key factor, study finds Posted: 07 Jun 2012 07:58 AM PDT Children living in urban centers have a much higher prevalence of food allergies than those living in rural areas, according to a new study, which is the first to map children's food allergies by geographical location in the United States. In particular, kids in big cities are more than twice as likely to have peanut and shellfish allergies.

Photovoltaic cells tap underwater solar energy Posted: 07 Jun 2012 07:58 AM PDT Scientists have developed solar cells capable of producing sufficient power to operate electronic sensor systems underwater at depths of nine meters.

Breaking the limits of classical physics: Light's quantum mechanical properties demonstrated Posted: 07 Jun 2012 07:58 AM PDT With simple arguments, researchers show that nature is complicated! Researchers have made a simple experiment that demonstrates that nature violates common sense. The experiment illustrates that light does not behave according to the principles of classical physics, but that light has quantum mechanical properties. The new method could be used to study whether other systems behave quantum mechanically.

Caribbean wins the seaweed Olympics Posted: 07 Jun 2012 07:58 AM PDT Coral reefs might seem to be tranquil environments but in fact a battle is constantly waged between corals and seaweeds fighting over space. Scientists have known for some time that seaweeds can gain the upper hand if corals are damaged by hurricanes or excessively warm sea temperatures that cause coral bleaching. But a new study reveals that Caribbean seaweeds are the equivalent of Olympian athletes compared those found on coral reefs elsewhere.

Wider letter spacing helps dyslexic children Posted: 07 Jun 2012 07:57 AM PDT Increasing the spacing between characters and words in a text improves the speed and quality of dyslexic children's reading, without prior training. They read 20% faster on average and make half as many errors.

Mystery to the origin of long-lived, skin-deep immune cells uncovered Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:28 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered the origin of a group of skin-deep immune cells called the Langerhans cells, that act as the first line of defense against harmful germs and skin infections. Identifying the source of these sentry cells of the skin may hold exciting possibilities to novel strategies for vaccination and treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory skin disorders.

Predicting the oceans of the future with a mini-lab Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:28 AM PDT Scientists from the Stanford and elsewhere joined to create a mini-lab in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The device can simulate predicted future ocean conditions – such as rising carbon dioxide levels – and their effects on ecosystems such as coral.

New role for p53 genetic mutation -- initiation of prostate cancer Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:28 AM PDT Researchers have found that a genetic mutation may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. The mutation of the so-called p53 (or Tp53) gene was previously implicated in late disease progression, but until now has never been shown to act as an initiating factor. The findings may open new avenues for diagnosing and treating the disease.

Meditation practice may decrease risk for cardiovascular disease in teens Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:28 AM PDT Regular meditation could decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in teens who are most at risk, according to new research.

Vampire jumping spiders identify victims by their antennae Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:27 AM PDT Ravenous Evarcha culicivora jumping spiders -- vampire spiders -- have very specific tastes: they prefer to dine on blood-engorged female Anopheles mosquitoes. So how do they pick out female Anopheles from all other insects? Biologists have discovered that the spiders identify their victims by their antennae alone, even though the details of the antennae are too tiny to be seen by humans.

Spin structure reveals key to new forms of digital storage, study shows Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:27 AM PDT A synthetic compound long known to exhibit interesting transition properties may hold the key to new, non-magnetic forms of information storage, say researchers. The latest findings shed light on the complex relationship between a compound's electron spin arrangement and its transport properties, an area researchers have long struggled to understand.

Slime moulds work on computer games Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:26 AM PDT British computer scientists are taking inspiration from slime to help them find ways to calculate the shape of a polygon linking points on a surface. Such calculations are fundamental to creating realistic computer graphics for gaming and animated movies. The quicker the calculations can be done, the smoother and more realistic the graphics.

Alzheimer’s vaccine trial a success Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:26 AM PDT Medical researchers report, for the first time, the positive effects of an active vaccine against Alzheimer's disease. The new vaccine, CAD106, can prove a breakthrough in the search for a cure for this seriously debilitating dementia disease.

Understanding complex relationships: How global properties of networks become apparent locally Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:26 AM PDT Scientists have shown how global properties of networks become apparent in local characteristics. From infections spreading around the globe to the onset of an epileptic seizure in the brain: Many phenomena can be seen as the effects of network activity. Often it is vitally important to understand the properties of these networks. However, they are often too complex to be described completely. Scientists have now been able to show how global features of complex networks can be discovered in local statistical properties – which are much more accessible for scientific investigation.

Virgin male moths think they're hot when they're not Posted: 07 Jun 2012 06:24 AM PDT When a virgin male moth gets a whiff of female sex attractant, he's quicker to start shivering to warm up his flight muscles, and then takes off prematurely when he's still too cool for powerful flight. So his headlong rush to reach the female first may cost him the race.

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