ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Glaciers cracking in the presence of carbon dioxide
• Suomi NPP satellite sees auroras over North America
• Analysis finds likely U.S. voters rank health care second most important issue in presidential choice
• Testosterone increases honesty, study suggests
• First whole genome sequencing of multiple pancreatic cancer patients has been outlined
• Singing mice show signs of learning
• Skin hair skims heat off elephants
• Single spider dads caring for eggs suffer no disadvantages despite parenting costs
• New fossils suggest ancient origins of modern-day deep-sea animals
• Negative news stories affect women's stress levels but not men's
• Nerve and muscle activity vary across menstrual cycle
• High Levels of Blood-Based Protein Specific to Mesothelioma
• Older adults tend not to stick with their meds following heart attacks
• Eliminating sagebrush may hurt rather than help wildlife
• Exercise could fortify immune system against future cancers
• Minutes of hard exercise can lead to all-day calorie burn
• Scientists pinpoint gene variations linked to higher risk of bipolar disorder
• Neuroimaging technique captures cocaine's devastating effect on brain blood flow
• Gene signature predicts prostate cancer survival
• Nanoparticles: Making gold economical for sensing
• Cold cases heat up through new approach to identifying remains
• Light might prompt graphene devices on demand
• Sweeping X-ray imaging survey of dying stars is 'uncharted territory'
• Improving nanometer-scale manufacturing with infrared spectroscopy
• Fly like an eagle: New launch and recovery system takes unmanned aerial vehicles into the future
• Human neural stem cells study offers new hope for children with fatal brain diseases
• Melanoma: The wolf in sheep’s clothing
• Best of both catalytic worlds: New technique for heterogenizing homogenous nano catalysts
• Squeezing ovarian cancer cells to predict metastatic potential: Cell stiffness as possible biomarker
• RNA-based therapy brings new hope for an incurable blood cancer
• Photonic gels are colorful sensors: Thin-film polymer metamaterial with potential for many uses created
• More about spatial memory problems associated with Alzheimer's revealed
• Applying information theory to linguistics
• Small fish can play a big role in coastal carbon cycle
• How the body uses vitamin B to recognize bacterial infection
• The graphene-paved roadmap: 'Wonder material' has potential to revolutionize our lives
• Detailed view of brain protein structure; Results may help improve drugs for neurological disorders
• Cambrian fossil pushes back evolution of complex brains
• Surprising spiral structure spotted by astronomers
• Zinc fingers: A new tool in the fight against Huntington's disease
• Living near livestock may increase risk of acquiring MRSA
• 3-D model for lung cancer mimics the real thing
• From lectures to explosives detection: Laser pointer identifies dangerous chemicals in real-time
• New mechanism for molecular interactions: 'Molecular sled' carries viral enzyme along DNA to find and interact with targets
• Sitting on top of the world: Mountain marvels of French Polynesia
• SpaceX's Dragon carrying NASA cargo resupplies space station
• New species: Looks like turtle weed, but it's not
• Halving food losses would feed an additional billion people, Finnish study finds
• Spanish researchers find the exact spot where Julius Caesar was stabbed
• Does immune dysfunction contribute to schizophrenia? Genetic findings from new study
• Satiation hormone could increase risk of diabetes, heart attack and breast cancer in women
• Extending Einstein's theory beyond light speed
• Tactile glove provides subtle guidance to objects in vicinity
• Diabetic foot ulcers linked with higher risk of death, heart attack and stroke
• HPV vaccination does not lead to an increase in sex, study suggests
• Climate change to lengthen growing season
• Drought, climate change impact salamander survival rates
• Secret to making cheap, high-density data storage discovered
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012: Smart receptors on cell surfaces
• HRT taken for 10 years significantly reduces risk of heart failure and heart attack, study suggests

Glaciers cracking in the presence of carbon dioxide Posted: 10 Oct 2012 04:17 PM PDT The well-documented presence of excessive levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is causing global temperatures to rise and glaciers and ice caps to melt. New research has shown that carbon dioxide molecules may be also having a more direct impact on the ice that covers our planet.

Suomi NPP satellite sees auroras over North America Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:22 PM PDT Overnight on October 4-5, 2012, a mass of energetic particles from the atmosphere of the Sun were flung out into space, a phenomenon known as a coronal mass ejection. Three days later, the storm from the Sun stirred up the magnetic field around Earth and produced gorgeous displays of northern lights. NASA satellites track such storms from their origin to their crossing of interplanetary space to their arrival in the atmosphere of Earth.

Analysis finds likely U.S. voters rank health care second most important issue in presidential choice Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:22 PM PDT A new analysis of 37 national opinion polls conducted by 17 survey organizations finds that health care is the second most important issue for likely voters in deciding their 2012 presidential vote. This is the highest that health care has been ranked as a presidential election issue since 1992.

Testosterone increases honesty, study suggests Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:22 PM PDT Testosterone is considered the most important male hormone, associated with aggression and posturing. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate that this sex hormone surprisingly also fosters social behavior. In play situations, subjects who had received testosterone clearly lied less frequently than individuals who had only received a placebo.

First whole genome sequencing of multiple pancreatic cancer patients has been outlined Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Whole genome sequencing -- spelling all 3 billion letters in the human genome -- "is an obvious and powerful method for advancing our understanding of pancreatic cancer," according to a new study.

Singing mice show signs of learning Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Guys who imitate Luciano Pavarotti or Justin Bieber to get the girls aren't alone. Male mice may do a similar trick, matching the pitch of other males' ultrasonic serenades. The mice also have certain brain features, somewhat similar to humans and song-learning birds, which they may use to change their sounds, according to a new study.

Skin hair skims heat off elephants Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Body hair in mammals is typically thought to have evolved to keep us warm in colder prehistoric times, but a new study suggests that it may do the opposite, at least in elephants. Epidermal hair may have evolved to help the animals keep cool in the hot regions they live in, according to new research.

Single spider dads caring for eggs suffer no disadvantages despite parenting costs Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Exclusive paternal care associated with mating benefits and lower mortality risk in harvestman spiders.

New fossils suggest ancient origins of modern-day deep-sea animals Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Fossils discovered in North Atlantic Ocean reveal ancestry of sea urchins and related species.

Negative news stories affect women's stress levels but not men's Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:21 PM PDT Bad news articles in the media increase women's sensitivity to stressful situations, but do not have a similar effect on men, according to a new study.

Nerve and muscle activity vary across menstrual cycle Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT Nerve fibers, and the muscles they control, behave differently at different points along the menstrual cycle, potentially making women more vulnerable to knee injuries.

High Levels of Blood-Based Protein Specific to Mesothelioma Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT Researchers have discovered the protein product of a little-known gene may one day prove useful in identifying and monitoring the development of mesothelioma in early stages, when aggressive treatment can have an impact on the progression of disease and patient prognosis.

Older adults tend not to stick with their meds following heart attacks Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT A new study of Medicare patients after heart attacks revealed an overall low exposure to the four medication classes.

Eliminating sagebrush may hurt rather than help wildlife Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT Efforts to enhance wildlife habitat by controlling vegetation could actually cause more harm than good. Wyoming big sagebrush is often manipulated to decrease its density and encourage the growth of herbaceous plants. However, this may bring about declines in the population of birds, elk, and other animals.

Exercise could fortify immune system against future cancers Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT A small pilot study suggests that T cells become more responsive in exercising cancer survivors weeks after chemo ends.

Minutes of hard exercise can lead to all-day calorie burn Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT Time spent in the drudgery of strenuous exercise is a well-documented turn-off for many people who want to get in better shape. In a new study, researchers show that exercisers can burn as many as 200 extra calories in as little as 2.5 minutes of concentrated effort a day -- as long as they intersperse longer periods of easy recovery in a practice known as sprint interval training.

Scientists pinpoint gene variations linked to higher risk of bipolar disorder Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:14 PM PDT Scientists have identified small variations in a number of genes that are closely linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder, a mental illness that affects nearly six million Americans.

Neuroimaging technique captures cocaine's devastating effect on brain blood flow Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:12 PM PDT Researchers have developed a high-resolution, 3D optical Doppler imaging tomography technique that captures the effects of cocaine restricting the blood supply in vessels of the brain.

Gene signature predicts prostate cancer survival Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:12 PM PDT Researchers have identified a six-gene signature that can be used in a test to predict survival in men with aggressive prostate cancer.

Nanoparticles: Making gold economical for sensing Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:08 PM PDT Newly developed gold nanocluster arrays are well suited for commercial applications of a high-performance sensing technique.

Cold cases heat up through new approach to identifying remains Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT In an effort to identify the thousands of John/Jane Doe cold cases in the United States, scientists have found a multidisciplinary approach to identifying the remains of missing persons. Using "bomb pulse" radiocarbon analysis, combined with recently developed anthropological analysis and forensic DNA techniques, the researchers were able to identify the remains of a missing child 41 years after the discovery of the body.

Light might prompt graphene devices on demand Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT A breakthrough in plasmonics could allow the creation of on-demand electronic devices on graphene by hitting the material with light of a particular wavelength or at a certain angle.

Sweeping X-ray imaging survey of dying stars is 'uncharted territory' Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT The death throes of dying stars are the focus of a sweeping new survey using NASA's Chandra X-ray satellite observatory. More than two dozen astronomers have aligned their research goals to use Chandra to image a set of dying stars in the neighborhood of the Sun. The resulting X-ray images of these dying stars -- called planetary nebulae -- are shedding light on the violent "end game" of a Sun-like star's life.

Improving nanometer-scale manufacturing with infrared spectroscopy Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT While there have been significant breakthroughs in nano-manufacturing, there has been much less progress on measurement technologies that can provide information about nanostructures made from multiple integrated materials. Researchers now report new diagnostic tools that can support cutting-edge nano-manufacturing. Using atomic force microscope based infrared spectroscopy to characterize polymer nanostructures and systems of integrated polymer nanostructures, researchers were able to chemically analyze polymer lines as small as 100 nm.

Fly like an eagle: New launch and recovery system takes unmanned aerial vehicles into the future Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT A shipboard-capable system designed to support both the launch and recovery of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle, successfully completed final demonstration flight testing Sept. 27 at a testing range in eastern Oregon.

Human neural stem cells study offers new hope for children with fatal brain diseases Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:14 AM PDT Physician-scientists have demonstrated for the first time that banked human neural stem cells can survive and make functional myelin in mice with severe symptoms of myelin loss. Myelin is the critical fatty insulation, or sheath, surrounding new nerve fibers and is essential for normal brain function.

Melanoma: The wolf in sheep’s clothing Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:11 AM PDT Melanoma is so dangerous because it tends to metastasize early on. New treatment approaches utilize, among other things, the ability of the immune defense to search out and destroy malignant cells. Yet this strategy is often only temporarily effective. A research team has discovered why this is the case: In the inflammatory reaction caused by the treatment, the tumor cells temporarily alter their external characteristics and thus become invisible to defense cells. This knowledge forms an important foundation for the improvement of combination therapies.

Best of both catalytic worlds: New technique for heterogenizing homogenous nano catalysts Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Researchers have combined the best properties of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts by encapsulating metallic nanoclusters within the branched molecular arms of dendrimers. The results are heterogenized homogeneous nanocatalysts that are sustainable and feature high reactivity and selectivity.

Squeezing ovarian cancer cells to predict metastatic potential: Cell stiffness as possible biomarker Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT New research shows that cell stiffness could be a valuable clue for doctors as they search for and treat cancerous cells before they're able to spread. The findings found that highly metastatic ovarian cancer cells are several times softer than less metastatic ovarian cancer cells.

RNA-based therapy brings new hope for an incurable blood cancer Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT A new class of drugs that interfere with the aggressive over-production of a protein related to Mantle Cell Lymphoma is being developed. The drugs have the ability to kill off the mutated protein and stop the over-proliferation of cells.

Photonic gels are colorful sensors: Thin-film polymer metamaterial with potential for many uses created Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Tunable photonic gels show promise for sensors, security devices, computer components and display systems.

More about spatial memory problems associated with Alzheimer's revealed Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Researchers have created a mouse model that reproduces some of the chemical changes in the brain that occur with Alzheimer's, shedding new light on this devastating disease.

Applying information theory to linguistics Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Researchers believe that information theory -- the discipline that gave us digital communication -- can explain differences between human languages.

Small fish can play a big role in coastal carbon cycle Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Research shows that small forage fish like anchovies can transport carbon into the deep sea through their fecal pellets -- where it contributes nothing to current global warming.

How the body uses vitamin B to recognize bacterial infection Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:14 AM PDT An Australian research team has discovered how specialized immune cells recognize products of vitamin B synthesis that are unique to bacteria and yeast, triggering the body to fight infection.

The graphene-paved roadmap: 'Wonder material' has potential to revolutionize our lives Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:14 AM PDT Wonder material graphene could not only dominate the electronic market in the near future, it could also lead to a huge range of new markets and novel applications, a new paper claims. An international team of scientists has produced a 'Graphene Roadmap' which for the first time sets out what the world's thinnest, strongest and most conductive material can truly achieve.

Detailed view of brain protein structure; Results may help improve drugs for neurological disorders Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:14 AM PDT Researchers have published the first highly detailed description of how neurotensin, a neuropeptide hormone which modulates nerve cell activity in the brain, interacts with its receptor. Their results suggest that neuropeptide hormones use a novel binding mechanism to activate a class of receptors called G-protein coupled receptors.

Cambrian fossil pushes back evolution of complex brains Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:14 AM PDT Complex brains evolved much earlier than previously thought, as evidenced by a 520-million-year-old fossilized arthropod with remarkably well-preserved brain structures. Representing the earliest specimen to show a brain, the fossil provides a "missing link" that sheds light on the evolutionary history of arthropods, the taxonomic group that comprises crustaceans, arachnids and insects.

Surprising spiral structure spotted by astronomers Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:14 AM PDT Astronomers have discovered a surprising spiral structure in the gas around the red giant star R Sculptoris. This means that there is probably a previously unseen companion star orbiting the star. The astronomers were also surprised to find that far more material than expected had been ejected by the red giant.

Zinc fingers: A new tool in the fight against Huntington's disease Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:13 AM PDT Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited genetic disorder caused by the multiple repetition of a DNA sequence (the nucleotides CAG) in the gene encoding a protein called "Huntingtin". People who do not suffer from the disease have this sequence repeated 10 to 29 times. But in an affected person, the triplet is present more than 35 times. New research provides positive results reducing the chromosomal expression of the mutant gene, which would prevent the development of disease.

Living near livestock may increase risk of acquiring MRSA Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:13 AM PDT New study finds regional density of livestock is an important risk factor for nasal carriage of livestock-associated MRSA for persons with and without direct contact with livestock.

3-D model for lung cancer mimics the real thing Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:13 AM PDT A new technique that allows scientists to grow lung cancer cells in three dimensions could accelerate discoveries for a type of cancer that has benefited little from scientific research over the last several decades. The model uses biological matter to form miniature lungs.

From lectures to explosives detection: Laser pointer identifies dangerous chemicals in real-time Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:25 AM PDT By using an ordinary green laser pointer, the kind commonly found in lecture halls, an Israeli research team has developed a new and highly portable Raman spectrometer that can detect extremely minute traces of hazardous chemicals in real time. The new sensor's compact design makes it an excellent candidate for rapid field deployment to disaster zones and areas with security concerns.

New mechanism for molecular interactions: 'Molecular sled' carries viral enzyme along DNA to find and interact with targets Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:25 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that may alter principle understandings of molecular interactions within a cell's nucleus. Scientists describe the details of how particular proteins use a "molecular sled" to slide along DNA -- much like a train running along its tracks -- to find and interact with other proteins. The findings suggest this mechanism may be universal.

Sitting on top of the world: Mountain marvels of French Polynesia Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:25 AM PDT In two papers, an American entomologist has described 14 new species of predatory beetle, seven each from two isolated mountains in Moorea and Tahiti, Society Islands. Each of the species is restricted to a single mountain, demonstrating the importance of focusing conservation efforts on individual mountains for the preservation of tropical island biodiversity.

SpaceX's Dragon carrying NASA cargo resupplies space station Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:38 AM PDT The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft was berthed to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. CDT Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2012), a key milestone in a new era of commercial spaceflight. The delivery flight is the first contracted resupply mission by the company under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

New species: Looks like turtle weed, but it's not Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:22 AM PDT Newly described species points to richer marine biodiversity in Guam waters than previously understood.

Halving food losses would feed an additional billion people, Finnish study finds Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:22 AM PDT More efficient use of the food production chain and a decrease in the amount of food losses will dramatically help maintaining the planet's natural resources and improve people's lives. Researchers in Finland have proved a valid estimation, for the first time, for how many people could be fed with reducing food losses. An additional one billion people can be fed, if the food losses could be halved.

Spanish researchers find the exact spot where Julius Caesar was stabbed Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:21 AM PDT Several ancient Roman texts describe the assassination of Julius Caesar in Rome, at the Curia of Pompey in 44 BC, which was the result of a plot among a group of senators to eliminate the General. This fact led to the formation of the second triumvirate and to the final outbreak of civil wars. Now, 2,056 years later, a team of researchers from the Spanish National Research Council has found the exact plot where the military man was stabbed.

Does immune dysfunction contribute to schizophrenia? Genetic findings from new study Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:20 AM PDT A new study reinforces the finding that a region of the genome involved in immune system function, called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), is involved in the genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Satiation hormone could increase risk of diabetes, heart attack and breast cancer in women Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:28 AM PDT One of the body's satiation hormones, neurotensin, could raise women's risk of suffering one of three common and serious conditions: diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. There is also a connection between the hormone and premature death in women, especially from cardiovascular disease.

Extending Einstein's theory beyond light speed Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:27 AM PDT Applied mathematicians have extended Einstein's theory of special relativity to work beyond the speed of light.

Tactile glove provides subtle guidance to objects in vicinity Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:45 AM PDT Researchers have shown how computer-vision based hand-tracking and vibration feedback on the user's hand can be used to steer the user's hand toward an object of interest. A study shows an almost three-fold advantage in finding objects from complex visual scenes, such as library or supermarket shelves. With the new glove the user and feels their hand being gently 'pulled' toward the target.

Diabetic foot ulcers linked with higher risk of death, heart attack and stroke Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:42 AM PDT People with diabetes who develop foot ulcers are at more risk of dying prematurely than those without the complication, finds a new large-scale study. The researchers say the findings highlight the potential need for improved detection and management of those with diabetes and foot ulcers.

HPV vaccination does not lead to an increase in sex, study suggests Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:42 AM PDT Contrary to recent discussions, the HPV vaccination does not increase sexual activity in adolescent girls, new research shows. There have been claims recently that the HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccination increases sexual activity in adolescent girls as it effectively gives them a 'green light' to have sex because of a perceived protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Climate change to lengthen growing season Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:41 AM PDT Across much of Norway, the agricultural growing season could become up to two months longer due to climate change. A research project has been studying the potential and challenges inherent in such a scenario.

Drought, climate change impact salamander survival rates Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:39 AM PDT On the heels of one the worst U.S. droughts in more than half a century, a new study raises questions about the future of one of the most integral members of stream ecosystems throughout the Southeast – the salamander. Research from Wake Forest University shows how salamanders react to drought, shedding light on the impact of climate change and increased urbanization.

Secret to making cheap, high-density data storage discovered Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:38 AM PDT Imagine being able to store thousands of songs and high-resolution images on data devices no bigger than a fingernail. Researchers have discovered that an ultra-smooth surface is the key factor for "self-assembly."

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012: Smart receptors on cell surfaces Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:19 AM PDT Your body is a fine-tuned system of interactions between billions of cells. Each cell has tiny receptors that enable it to sense its environment, so it can adapt to new situtations. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for groundbreaking discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family of such receptors: G-protein-coupled receptors.

HRT taken for 10 years significantly reduces risk of heart failure and heart attack, study suggests Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:26 PM PDT Women who take HRT for 10 years following menopause have a significantly reduced risk of mortality, heart failure and heart attack without any increased risk of cancer, DVT or stroke, a new study suggests.

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