ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New tests to detect drug-resistant malaria
• Jurassic jaws: How ancient crocodiles flourished during the age of the dinosaurs
• Bad news for prey: New research shows that predators can learn to read camouflage
• Enhancing zoo elephant welfare
• Innovative 'pay for performance' program improves patient outcomes
• Comet discovered hiding in plain sight: Near-Earth asteroid is really a comet
• Organic molecules found in Sutter's Mill meteorite, not previously found in any meteorites
• Pay for performance encouraged physicians to follow blood pressure guidelines
• With horses and iPads, autistic children learn to communicate
• Edible coatings for ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables
• Why are some corals flourishing in a time of global warming?
• Scientists create new memories by directly changing the brain
• How the newest diesel engines emit very little greenhouse gas nitrous oxide
• Five-fold increase in ADHD medication use in children and adolescents
• Possibility of selectively erasing unwanted memories
• Panda poop microbes could make biofuels of the future
• Statins being overprescribed for kidney disease patients
• Irregular periods in young women can be cause for concern
• Four common genetic variants associated with blood pressure in African-Americans
• State e-waste disposal bans have been largely ineffective
• Micro-gels from tiny ice algae play an important role in polar ocean carbon budgets
• Life deep down: A new beautiful translucent snail from the deepest cave in Croatia
• New magnetic semiconductor material holds promise for 'spintronics'
• Extreme life forms: Life found in the sediments of an Antarctic subglacial lake for the first time
• Anti-counterfeiting ink for enhancing product authenticity and traceability
• Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions
• Oil industry and household stoves speed Arctic thaw
• Screening for minor memory changes will wrongly label many with dementia, warn experts
• Strain of MERS coronavirus engineered for use in a vaccine
• New evidence that orangutans and gorillas can match images based on biological categories
• Archaeologists have excavated well-preserved Roman soldier's chain mail
• Maya decapitated and dismembered their enemies
• Motorized microscopic matchsticks move in water with sense of direction
• Spectrometer will help astrobiologists hunt for traces of Martian life
• Cyborg astrobiologist uses phone-cam to search for signs of life
• Phaethon confirmed as rock comet by STEREO vision
• Water hidden in the Moon may have proto-Earth origin
• Kids get more exercise in smart growth neighborhoods
• Researchers find what’s missing in teen health programs
• Device gives scientists front-row seat to lightning strikes
• The real reason to worry about bees
• Changing part of central line could reduce hospital infections
• Commercial baby foods don't meet infants' weaning needs
• Changing breakfast habits may not affect weight
• Autoimmune disease strategy emerges from immune cell discovery
• Brain circuitry loss may be an early sign of cognitive decline
• Early-onset Parkinson's disease linked to genetic deletion
• Ants turn unwelcome lodgers into a useful standing army
• Effects of climate change on West Nile virus

New tests to detect drug-resistant malaria Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:55 PM PDT Researchers have developed two tests that can discern within three days whether the malaria parasites in a given patient will be resistant or susceptible to artemisinin, the key drug used to treat malaria.

Jurassic jaws: How ancient crocodiles flourished during the age of the dinosaurs Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:55 PM PDT New research has revealed the hidden past of crocodiles, showing for the first time how these fierce reptiles evolved and survived in a dinosaur dominated world.

Bad news for prey: New research shows that predators can learn to read camouflage Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:54 PM PDT Camouflaged creatures can perform remarkable disappearing acts but new research shows that predators can learn to read camouflage. The study, which used human subjects as predators searching for hidden moths in computer games, found that the subjects could learn to find some types of camouflaged prey faster than others.

Enhancing zoo elephant welfare Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:52 PM PDT A new study revealed that analyzing the daily lives of zoo elephants – ranging from when and how they are fed to how they spend their time both at night and during the day – provides new, scientifically based information that zoos can use to improve the welfare of their elephants.

Innovative 'pay for performance' program improves patient outcomes Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT Paying doctors for how they perform specific medical procedures and examinations yields better health outcomes than the traditional "fee for service" model, where everyone gets paid a set amount regardless of quality or patient outcomes, according to new research.

Comet discovered hiding in plain sight: Near-Earth asteroid is really a comet Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT For 30 years, a large near-Earth asteroid wandered its lone, intrepid path, passing before the scrutinizing eyes of scientists while keeping something to itself: (3552) Don Quixote, whose journey stretches to the orbit of Jupiter, now appears to be a comet.

Organic molecules found in Sutter's Mill meteorite, not previously found in any meteorites Posted: 10 Sep 2013 02:14 PM PDT An important discovery has been made concerning the possible inventory of molecules available to the early Earth. Scientists found that the Sutter's Mill meteorite, which exploded in a blazing fireball over California last year, contains organic molecules not previously found in any meteorites. These findings suggest a far greater availability of extraterrestrial organic molecules than previously thought possible, an inventory that could indeed have been important in molecular evolution and life itself.

Pay for performance encouraged physicians to follow blood pressure guidelines Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:54 PM PDT In a multi-year study involving researchers found that modest monetary incentives to individual physicians resulted in a significant 8.36 percent increase in patients whose blood pressure was brought down to desired levels or who received an appropriate medical response when it was found that their blood pressure was uncontrolled.

With horses and iPads, autistic children learn to communicate Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:53 PM PDT Researches are helping autistic children communicate by combining equine therapy and assistive technology through a program called Strides©.

Edible coatings for ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:50 PM PDT The scientist who turned fresh-cut apple slices into a popular convenience food, available ready-to-eat in grocery stores, school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants, today described advances in keeping other foods fresh, flavorful, and safe for longer periods of time through the use of invisible, colorless, odorless, tasteless coatings.

Why are some corals flourishing in a time of global warming? Posted: 10 Sep 2013 01:50 PM PDT As Earth's temperature climbs, stony corals are in decline. Less discussed, however, is the plight of gorgonian corals — softer, flexible, tree-like species. Divers have noted that gorgonians seem to be proliferating in parts of the Caribbean, and a new study will look to quantify this phenomenon.

Scientists create new memories by directly changing the brain Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:23 AM PDT By studying how memories are made, neurobiologists created new, specific memories by direct manipulation of the brain, which could prove key to understanding and potentially resolving learning and memory disorders.

How the newest diesel engines emit very little greenhouse gas nitrous oxide Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:23 AM PDT The newest catalytic converters in diesel engines blast away a pollutant from combustion with the help of ammonia. Common in European cars, the engines exhaust harmless nitrogen and water. How they do this hasn't been entirely clear. Now, new research shows that the catalyst attacks its target pollutant in an unusual way, providing insight into how to make the best catalytic converters.

Five-fold increase in ADHD medication use in children and adolescents Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:15 AM PDT Use of stimulant medications to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past several years. This trend toward increased use of prescription stimulants extends beyond ADHD to other types of neuropsychiatric disorders in children and teens as well, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to a new study

Possibility of selectively erasing unwanted memories Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:09 AM PDT For the first time, scientists have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories. The surprising discovery points to a clear and workable method to disrupt unwanted memories while leaving the rest intact.

Panda poop microbes could make biofuels of the future Posted: 10 Sep 2013 11:09 AM PDT Unlikely as it may sound, giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le in the Memphis Zoo are making contributions toward shifting production of biofuels away from corn and other food crops and toward corn cobs, stalks and other non-food plant material.

Statins being overprescribed for kidney disease patients Posted: 10 Sep 2013 09:15 AM PDT A new analysis concludes that large numbers of patients in advanced stages of kidney disease are inappropriately being prescribed statins to lower their cholesterol -- drugs that offer them no benefit and may increase other health risks such as diabetes, dementia or muscle pain.

Irregular periods in young women can be cause for concern Posted: 10 Sep 2013 09:14 AM PDT While irregular periods are common among teenage girls, an underlying hormonal disorder may be to blame if this problem persists. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that is characterized by an excess of androgens or male hormones in the body. The imbalance of hormones interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries, which can prevent ovulation and menstruation.

Four common genetic variants associated with blood pressure in African-Americans Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:28 AM PDT A landmark study has discovered four novel gene variations associated with blood pressure in African Americans. Compared to Americans of European-ancestry, African-Americans' increased hypertension prevalence contributes to a greater risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and end-stage renal disease.

State e-waste disposal bans have been largely ineffective Posted: 10 Sep 2013 08:28 AM PDT One of the first analyses of laws banning disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) in landfills has found that state e-waste recycling bans have been mostly ineffective, although California's Cell Phone Recycling Act had a positive impact. However, e-waste recycling rates remain "dismally low," and many demographic groups remain unaware of their alternatives, according to a new study.

Micro-gels from tiny ice algae play an important role in polar ocean carbon budgets Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT Secretion of polysaccharides from the micro community living within the sea ice stick organism together and forms greater particles introducing a rapid transport of carbon to the seafloor. New research now makes it possible to forecast the importance for the global carbon budget of this transport.

Life deep down: A new beautiful translucent snail from the deepest cave in Croatia Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT An expedition in the deepest cave system in Croatia, Lukina Jama–Trojama, discovered a beautiful new species of a tiny translucent snail. The newly discovered species belongs to the evolutionary intriguing genus Zospeum, where representatives are exclusively known from the underground. The animal was found at the remarkable depth of 980 m.

New magnetic semiconductor material holds promise for 'spintronics' Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT Researchers have created a new compound that can be integrated into silicon chips and is a dilute magnetic semiconductor -- meaning that it could be used to make "spintronic" devices, which rely on magnetic force to operate, rather than electrical currents.

Extreme life forms: Life found in the sediments of an Antarctic subglacial lake for the first time Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:49 AM PDT Evidence of diverse life forms dating back nearly a hundred thousand years has been found in subglacial lake sediments by scientists. The possibility that extreme life forms might exist in the cold and dark lakes hidden kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet has fascinated scientists for decades.

Anti-counterfeiting ink for enhancing product authenticity and traceability Posted: 10 Sep 2013 07:45 AM PDT In a bid to enhance product authenticity and traceability, researchers have developed an innovative anti-erasing ink for use in various kinds of fast-moving consumer goods such as food, drink and drug packaging.

Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT Dingoes have been unjustly blamed for the extinctions on the Australian mainland of the Tasmanian tiger (or thylacine) and the Tasmanian devil, a study has found.

Oil industry and household stoves speed Arctic thaw Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT Gas flaring by the oil industry and smoke from residential burning contributes more black carbon pollution to Arctic than previously thought -- potentially speeding the melting of Arctic sea ice and contributing to the fast rate of warming in the region.

Screening for minor memory changes will wrongly label many with dementia, warn experts Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT A political drive, led by the UK and US, to screen older people for minor memory changes (often called mild cognitive impairment or pre-dementia) is leading to unnecessary investigation and potentially harmful treatment for what is arguably an inevitable consequence of aging, warn experts.

Strain of MERS coronavirus engineered for use in a vaccine Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:54 AM PDT Scientists have developed a strain of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus that could be used as a vaccine against the disease.

New evidence that orangutans and gorillas can match images based on biological categories Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:52 AM PDT The ability to form a general concept that connects what we know about the members of a category allows humans to respond appropriately when they encounter a novel member of that category. At an early age, children form categories to, for example, differentiate animals from inanimate objects and to differentiate dogs from cats. New research shows that other apes may form similar categories to represent different types of animals.

Archaeologists have excavated well-preserved Roman soldier's chain mail Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT Archaeologists made a spectacular discovery in their excavations of a Roman-Germanic battlefield at the Harzhorn in Lower Saxony. While exploring the area near Kalefeld in the Northeim district north of Göttingen, the researchers found the chain mail of a Roman soldier from the Third Century AD. It was the first time that such a well-preserved piece of body armor was excavated on a Roman-Germanic battlefield. This piece of equipment, worn on the body, made it possible to reconstruct an individual story in the battle.

Maya decapitated and dismembered their enemies Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a mass grave in an artificial cave in the historical Maya city of Uxul (Mexico). Marks on the bones indicate that the individuals buried in the cave were decapitated and dismembered around 1,400 years ago. The scientists assume that the victims were either prisoners of war or nobles from Uxul itself.

Motorized microscopic matchsticks move in water with sense of direction Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT Chemists, physicists and computer scientists have come together to devise a new powerful and very versatile way of controlling the speed and direction of motion of microscopic structures in water using what they have dubbed chemically 'motorized microscopic matchsticks'.

Spectrometer will help astrobiologists hunt for traces of Martian life Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT An instrument similar to those used on Earth by art detectives and to sense explosives at airports will be taken into space for the first time by ExoMars, the European Space Agency's mission to Mars in 2018. This Raman spectrometer will help space scientists hunt for traces of Martian life.

Cyborg astrobiologist uses phone-cam to search for signs of life Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:49 AM PDT A novel, hybrid part-human, part-machine visual system that uses a simple mobile phone camera has been developed to search for evidence of past or present life in planetary analogue sites on Earth.

Phaethon confirmed as rock comet by STEREO vision Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT The Sun-grazing asteroid, Phaethon, has betrayed its true nature by showing a comet-like tail of dust particles blown backwards by radiation pressure from the Sun. Unlike a comet, however, Phaethon's tail doesn't arise through the vaporization of an icy nucleus. During its closest approach to the Sun, researchers believe that Phaethon becomes so hot that rocks on the surface crack and crumble to dust under the extreme heat.

Water hidden in the Moon may have proto-Earth origin Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT Water found in ancient Moon rocks might have actually originated from the proto-Earth and even survived the Moon-forming event. Scientists have studied the amount of water within lunar rocks returned during the Apollo missions.

Kids get more exercise in smart growth neighborhoods Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:34 AM PDT Children who live in smart growth neighborhoods, designed to improve walkability, get 46 percent more moderate or vigorous physical activity than those who live in conventional neighborhoods, finds a new study.

Researchers find what’s missing in teen health programs Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:34 AM PDT Adding a mental health component to school-based lifestyle programs for teens could be key to lowering obesity, improving grades, alleviating severe depression and reducing substance use, a new study suggests.

Device gives scientists front-row seat to lightning strikes Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT Scientists have developed a valuable tool to help determine how lightning is spawned, to map strikes and to better predict severe weather.

The real reason to worry about bees Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT Honey bees should be on everyone's worry list, and not because of the risk of a nasty sting, an expert on the health of those beneficial insects. Despite years of intensive research, scientists do not understand the cause, nor can they provide remedies, for what is killing honey bees.

Changing part of central line could reduce hospital infections Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT Simply replacing the connector in the IV system in patients with central lines could help reduce deadly bloodstream infections, researchers have found.

Commercial baby foods don't meet infants' weaning needs Posted: 09 Sep 2013 05:13 PM PDT UK commercial baby foods don't meet infants' dietary weaning needs, because they are predominantly sweet foods that provide little extra nutritional goodness over breast milk, indicates new research.

Changing breakfast habits may not affect weight Posted: 09 Sep 2013 05:10 PM PDT New research shows while there's an association between breakfast habits and obesity, some practices by scientists have led the evidence for a causal claim to be exaggerated.

Autoimmune disease strategy emerges from immune cell discovery Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT Scientists have identified a new way to manipulate the immune system that may keep it from attacking the body's own molecules in autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Brain circuitry loss may be an early sign of cognitive decline Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT The degeneration of a small, wishbone-shaped structure deep inside the brain may provide the earliest clues to future cognitive decline, long before healthy older people exhibit clinical symptoms of memory loss or dementia.

Early-onset Parkinson's disease linked to genetic deletion Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT Scientists have found a new link between early-onset Parkinson's disease and a piece of DNA missing from chromosome 22. The findings help shed new light on the molecular changes that lead to Parkinson's disease.

Ants turn unwelcome lodgers into a useful standing army Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:22 PM PDT Mercenary soldiers are notoriously unreliable because their loyalty is as thin as the banknotes they get paid, and they may turn against their employers before moving on to the next dirty job. Not so in fungus-farming ants, where a new study reports that permanent parasites that are normally a chronic social burden protect their hosts against a greater evil.

Effects of climate change on West Nile virus Posted: 09 Sep 2013 02:21 PM PDT Projections of how climate change may affect the populations of West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes across the southern United States over the coming 40 years have been recently developed. While changes are expected to vary strongly with region, the southern states should expect a general trend toward longer seasons of activity and smaller midsummer populations.

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