ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New sensor could prolong the lifespan of high-temperature engines
• Why parents think your partner isn't good enough
• Earth expected to be habitable for another 1.75 billion years
• Examining the source behind Sherpa mountain fitness
• New role for protein family could provide path to how crop traits are modified
• E-readers can make reading easier for those with dyslexia
• Toxoplasma infection permanently shifts balance in cat and mouse game
• Jupiter's moon: Long-stressed Europa likely off-kilter at one time
• True colors: Female squid have two ways to switch color
• The secret life of underground microbes: Plant root microbiomes rule the world
• Researchers demonstrate a new strategy to stop the TB bacterium
• African dust storms in our air: Dust storms in Africa affect U.S. and the Caribbean's air quality
• How old memories fade away
• National registry report shows increase in radial stenting, other CV trends
• Colonoscopy screening every ten years could prevent 40% of colorectal cancers
• Study suggests overfishing of sharks is harming coral reefs
• What's that smell? Ten basic odor categories sniffed out with math
• Hospital readmission rates linked with quality of surgical care
• Crystal quantum memories for quantum communication
• Coma: researchers observe never-before-detected brain activity
• Scientists help tame tidal wave of genomic data
• Tiny bottles and melting corks: Temperature regulates a new delivery system for drugs and fragrances
• Contaminants may cause birds to sing a different tune
• X-ray science taps bug biology to design better materials and reduce pollution
• Study helps deconstruct estrogen's role in memory
• New way to identify good fat
• New treatment for 'arthritis of the spine' prevents paralysis
• Genomic test accurately sorts viral vs bacterial infections
• Controlling wettability: 'Sticky tape' for water droplets mimics rose petal
• Smartphone app found to be valid tool in screening for cognitive dysfunction
• Novel gene discovery could lead to new HIV treatments
• Origins of genomic 'dark matter' discovered
• Beyond quantum simulation: Physicists create 'crystal' of spin-swapping ultracold molecules
• Undersea mountains provide crucial piece in climate prediction puzzle
• Stem cell reprogramming made easier
• Shared mechanisms in fragile X syndrome, autism and schizophrenia at neuronal synapses
• Motor control development continues longer than previously believed
• Today's worst watershed stresses may become the new normal
• Lifestyle, age linked to diabetes-related protein
• Inhaled corticosteroids raise pneumonia risk
• Drivers of financial boom and bust may be all in the mind, study finds
• Fluorescent compounds allow clinicians to visualize Alzheimer's disease as it progresses
• Photosynthesis mechanism: Tofu-like crystalline catalysts for producing clean energy
• New HIV-1 replication pathway discovered
• Scaling up personalized query results for next generation of search engines
• Algorithm finds missing phytoplankton in Southern Ocean
• Are nanodiamond-encrusted teeth the future of dental implants?
• 'Shy' male birds flock together -- and have fewer friends
• 'Live vaccine' for gonorrhea prevents reinfection
• Signal gradients in 3-D guide stem cell behavior
• Chronic inflammation of blood vessels connected to childhood mortality in malaria regions
• Breast conserving treatment with radiotherapy reduces risk of local recurrence
• Southern Ocean sampling reveals travels of marine microbes
• Four new species of 'legless lizards' discovered living on the edge
• Shining light on neurodegenerative pathway
• Hormone therapy formulations may pose varying risks for heart attack and stroke
• Nanocrystal catalyst transforms impure hydrogen into electricity
• Moderate exercising encourages a healthier lifestyle
• Subset of children considered to have autism may be misdiagnosed
• Green photon beams more agile than optical tweezers

New sensor could prolong the lifespan of high-temperature engines Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:16 PM PDT A new, highly-accurate temperature sensor could save manufacturers millions in maintenance costs, lower fuel consumption, and prolong the lifespan of jet engines, nuclear reactors and other types of large gas turbine engines.

Why parents think your partner isn't good enough Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:16 PM PDT It is common for parents to influence mate choice -- from arranged marriages to more subtle forms of persuasion -- but they often disagree with their children about what makes a suitable partner. A new study has found an evolutionary explanation for why some parents try to control who their children pair up with.

Earth expected to be habitable for another 1.75 billion years Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:14 PM PDT Habitable conditions on Earth will be possible for at least another 1.75 billion years – according to astrobiologists. "If we ever needed to move to another planet, Mars is probably our best bet. It's very close and will remain in the habitable zone until the end of the Sun's lifetime -- six billion years from now," one of the researchers said.

Examining the source behind Sherpa mountain fitness Posted: 18 Sep 2013 05:51 PM PDT The Sherpa population in Tibet is world-renowned for their extraordinary high-altitude fitness, as most famously demonstrated by Tenzing Norgay's ability to conquer Mount Everest alongside Sir Edmund Hillary. The genetic adaptation behind this fitness has been a topic of hot debate in human evolution, with recent full genome sequencing efforts completed to look for candidate genes necessary for low oxygen adaptation. However, few have looked at the Sherpa population by sequencing their mitochondrial genomes -- the powerhouse of every cell that helps determine the degree of respiratory fitness by providing 90 percent of the human body's energy demand, as well as controlling the metabolic rate and use of oxygen.

New role for protein family could provide path to how crop traits are modified Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT Pioneering new research has shown for the first time that a protein which has been long known to be critical for the initiation of protein synthesis in all organisms can also play a role in the regulation of gene expression in some bacteria, and probably land plants as well.

E-readers can make reading easier for those with dyslexia Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT As e-readers grow in popularity as convenient alternatives to traditional books, researchers have found that convenience may not be their only benefit. The team discovered that when e-readers are set up to display only a few words per line, some people with dyslexia can read more easily, quickly and with greater comprehension.

Toxoplasma infection permanently shifts balance in cat and mouse game Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT Infection with the toxoplasma parasite makes mice fearless in the presence of cats -- to their regret. But how does the protozoan do that? Scientists looked at the effects of three common strains of toxoplasma and found that they remove the fear of cat urine for as long as four months, long after the mice have cleared the parasite from their brains. The parasite appears to make permanent changes in the brain's neurons.

Jupiter's moon: Long-stressed Europa likely off-kilter at one time Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT By analyzing the distinctive cracks lining the icy face of Europa, scientists found evidence that this moon of Jupiter likely spun around a tilted axis at some point.

True colors: Female squid have two ways to switch color Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT The female common market squid -- Doryteuthis opalescens -- may not be so common after all. Researchers have discovered that this glamorous cephalopod possesses a pair of stripes that can sparkle with rainbow iridescence. These flank a single stripe, which can go from complete transparency to bright white.

The secret life of underground microbes: Plant root microbiomes rule the world Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT We often ignore what we cannot see, and yet organisms below the soil's surface play a vital role in plant functions and ecosystem well-being. These microbes can influence a plant's genetic structure, its health, and its interactions with other plants.

Researchers demonstrate a new strategy to stop the TB bacterium Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:11 PM PDT Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, may have an Achilles' heel: it needs a particular enzyme to survive. Inhibiting that enzyme's function, researchers have shown, will kill the bacteria, pointing toward a design strategy for new TB drugs.

African dust storms in our air: Dust storms in Africa affect U.S. and the Caribbean's air quality Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:09 PM PDT Dust clouds from the African Sahara can travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean, every year and in large quantities. Scientists found that the average air concentrations of inhalable particles more than doubled during a major Saharan dust intrusion in Houston, Texas.

How old memories fade away Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:09 PM PDT The discovery of a gene essential for memory extinction could lead to new PTSD treatments.

National registry report shows increase in radial stenting, other CV trends Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:09 PM PDT Cardiologists are increasingly accessing coronary arteries by way of the wrist rather than the groin to insert life-saving stents into patients with blocked arteries.

Colonoscopy screening every ten years could prevent 40% of colorectal cancers Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:04 PM PDT According to a large, long-term study, 40% of all colorectal cancers might be prevented if people underwent regular colonoscopy screening. The new research also supports existing guidelines that recommend that people with an average risk of colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Study suggests overfishing of sharks is harming coral reefs Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:04 PM PDT A team of scientists from Canada and Australia have discovered that the decline in shark populations is detrimental to coral reefs. Where shark numbers are reduced due to commercial fishing, there is also a decrease in the herbivorous fishes which play a key role in promoting reef health.

What's that smell? Ten basic odor categories sniffed out with math Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:04 PM PDT Taste can be classified into five flavors that we sense, but how many odors can we smell? There are likely about 10 basic categories of odor.

Hospital readmission rates linked with quality of surgical care Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:04 PM PDT Researchers have found strong evidence of a relationship between surgical readmission rates and quality of surgical care.

Crystal quantum memories for quantum communication Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:02 PM PDT Research into the strange phenomenon known as quantum entanglement - once described as 'spooky' by Albert Einstein - could revolutionise ICT over the coming years, enabling everything from ultra-fast computing to completely secure long-distance communications.

Coma: researchers observe never-before-detected brain activity Posted: 18 Sep 2013 03:02 PM PDT Researchers have found brain activity beyond a flat line EEG, which they have called Nu-complexes (from the Greek letter n). According to existing scientific data, researchers and doctors had established that beyond the so-called "flat line" (flat electroencephalogram or EEG), there is nothing at all, no brain activity, no possibility of life. This major discovery suggests that there is a whole new frontier in animal and human brain functioning.

Scientists help tame tidal wave of genomic data Posted: 18 Sep 2013 02:55 PM PDT Sequencing the DNA of an organism, whether human, plant, or jellyfish, has become a straightforward task, but assembling the information gathered into something coherent remains a massive data challenge. Researchers have now created a faster and more effective way to assemble genomic information, while increasing performance.

Tiny bottles and melting corks: Temperature regulates a new delivery system for drugs and fragrances Posted: 18 Sep 2013 02:55 PM PDT Microscopic, bottle-like structures with corks that melt at precisely-controlled temperatures could potentially release drugs inside the body or fragrances onto the skin, according to a recently published study.

Contaminants may cause birds to sing a different tune Posted: 18 Sep 2013 02:55 PM PDT In some environments songbirds exhibit inconsistency in their songs which may be caused by non-lethal levels of contaminants that persist in the sediments of the Hudson River region. Biologists studied songbirds that nest along the Hudson River valley, a region with legacy levels of PCBs as a result of decades of electronics manufacturing upriver. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemical pollutants with demonstrated detrimental toxic and developmental effects on humans and wildlife.

X-ray science taps bug biology to design better materials and reduce pollution Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:33 AM PDT Bug spray, citronella candles, mosquito netting -- most people will do anything they can to stay away from insects during the warmer months. But those creepy crawlers we try so hard to avoid may offer substantial solutions to some of life's problems.

Study helps deconstruct estrogen's role in memory Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:33 AM PDT Deciphering the exact mechanism of estrogen activation in the brain could lead to new targets for drug development that would provide middle-aged women the cognitive benefits of hormone replacement therapy without increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease or breast cancer.

New way to identify good fat Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:33 AM PDT When it comes to fat, you want the brown type and not so much of the white variety because brown fat burns energy to keep you warm and metabolically active, while white fat stores excess energy around your waist, causing health problems. Researchers are studying brown fat with a goal of fighting obesity.

New treatment for 'arthritis of the spine' prevents paralysis Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:33 AM PDT In a world-first, decompression surgery has been shown to be an effective procedure to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) – a common progressive, degenerative disease of the spine that can lead to paralysis – according to the results of a multi-centre clinical trial.

Genomic test accurately sorts viral vs bacterial infections Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:33 AM PDT A blood test developed has showed more than 90-percent accuracy in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections when tested in people with respiratory illnesses.

Controlling wettability: 'Sticky tape' for water droplets mimics rose petal Posted: 18 Sep 2013 11:25 AM PDT A new nanostructured material may lead to surfaces that stay dry forever, never need cleaning and are able to repel bacteria and even prevent mold and fungi growth.

Smartphone app found to be valid tool in screening for cognitive dysfunction Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT A smartphone app can quickly screen for cognitive dysfunction often found in patients with cirrhosis, known as minimal hepatic encephalopathy, has been difficult to diagnose.

Novel gene discovery could lead to new HIV treatments Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT Medical researchers have for the first time identified a new gene which may have the ability to prevent HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from spreading after it enters the body.

Origins of genomic 'dark matter' discovered Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT A major milestone has been achieved in understanding genomic "dark matter" -- called non-coding RNA. This "dark matter" is difficult to detect and no one knows exactly what it is doing or why it is there in our genome, but scientists suspect it may be the source of inherited diseases. This research achievement may help to pinpoint exactly where complex-disease traits reside in the human genome.

Beyond quantum simulation: Physicists create 'crystal' of spin-swapping ultracold molecules Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT Physicists have created a crystal-like arrangement of ultracold gas molecules that swap quantum "spin" properties with nearby and distant partners. The novel structure might be used to simulate or even invent new materials that derive exotic properties from quantum spin behavior, for electronics or other practical applications.

Undersea mountains provide crucial piece in climate prediction puzzle Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT A mystery in the ocean near Antarctica has been solved by researchers who have long puzzled over how deep and mid-depth ocean waters are mixed. They found that sea water mixes dramatically as it rushes over undersea mountains in Drake Passage -- the channel between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic continent. Mixing of water layers in the oceans is crucial in regulating the Earth's climate and ocean currents.

Stem cell reprogramming made easier Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT Embryonic stem cells have the enormous potential to treat and cure many medical problems. That is why the discovery that induced embryonic-like stem cells can be created from skin cells (iPS cells) was rewarded with a Nobel Prize in 2012. But the process has remained frustratingly slow and inefficient, and the resulting stem cells are not yet ready for medical use. New research dramatically changes that: Scientists have revealed the "brake" that holds back the production of stem cells, and found that releasing this brake can both synchronize the process and increase its efficiency from around 1% or less today to 100%. These findings may help facilitate the production of stem cells for medical use, as well as advancing our understanding of the mysterious process by which adult cells can revert back into their original, embryonic state.

Shared mechanisms in fragile X syndrome, autism and schizophrenia at neuronal synapses Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:24 AM PDT Several psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, autism and intellectual disabilities share the same brain cell abnormalities: the contacts (synapses) between brain cells are poorly developed and not functional. Researchers have unraveled how a single protein orchestrates two biological processes to form proper contacts between brain cells. Importantly, the researchers identified various proteins that are important for the balance of the two processes and associated with several neurological disorders.

Motor control development continues longer than previously believed Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:08 AM PDT Research into fine motor control in children shows that developmental improvements continue much later than previously believed, and aren't isolated to the brain.

Today's worst watershed stresses may become the new normal Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:08 AM PDT Nearly one in 10 US watersheds is "stressed," with demand for water exceeding natural supply, according to a new analysis of surface water in the United States.

Lifestyle, age linked to diabetes-related protein Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:06 AM PDT A large, newly published study that includes more than 13,500 postmenopausal women has yielded the most definitive associations yet between certain lifestyle and demographic factors and levels of a promising early biomarker of type 2 diabetes risk.

Inhaled corticosteroids raise pneumonia risk Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:06 AM PDT Use of inhaled corticosteroids leads to twofold risk of repeat pneumonia among older populations, according to results of a new study.

Drivers of financial boom and bust may be all in the mind, study finds Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:06 AM PDT Market bubbles that lead to financial crashes may be self-made because of instinctive biological mechanisms in traders' brains that lead them to try and predict how others behave, according to a new study.

Fluorescent compounds allow clinicians to visualize Alzheimer's disease as it progresses Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:06 AM PDT What if doctors could visualize all of the processes that take place in the brain during the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease? Such a window would provide a powerful aid for diagnosing the condition. Now, researchers have developed a new class of imaging agents that enables them to visualize tau protein aggregates, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, directly in the brains of living patients.

Photosynthesis mechanism: Tofu-like crystalline catalysts for producing clean energy Posted: 18 Sep 2013 10:02 AM PDT New research demystifies the reaction mechanisms of photosynthesis. The findings may lead to the development of methods for producing an unlimited source of clean energy.

New HIV-1 replication pathway discovered Posted: 18 Sep 2013 08:17 AM PDT A team of researchers has discovered a new way that HIV-1 reproduces itself, which could advance the search for new ways to combat infection.

Scaling up personalized query results for next generation of search engines Posted: 18 Sep 2013 08:17 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way for search engines to provide users with more accurate, personalized search results. The challenge in the past has been how to scale this approach up so that it doesn't consume massive computer resources. Now the researchers have devised a technique for implementing personalized searches that is more than 100 times more efficient than previous approaches.

Algorithm finds missing phytoplankton in Southern Ocean Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:20 AM PDT NASA satellites may have missed more than 50 percent of the phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean. But now, new research has led to the development of an algorithm that produces substantially more accurate estimates of Southern Ocean phytoplankton populations.

Are nanodiamond-encrusted teeth the future of dental implants? Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:20 AM PDT Osteonecrosis, or bone cell death, can result in debilitating damage to prosthetic joint and tooth implants, among others. Failures with these implants often require painful follow-on surgeries and increased medical costs. Nanodiamonds have been developed for the sustained and simultaneous delivery of two proteins that promote bone growth. While conventional approaches require the surgical implantation of a sponge to deliver these proteins, administering the nanodiamonds via injection or as a rinse is non-invasive.

'Shy' male birds flock together -- and have fewer friends Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:20 AM PDT Male birds that exhibit "shy" social behavior are much more likely to join flocks of birds with a similar personality than their "bold" male counterparts, a new study has found. But shy birds also have fewer social partners than bold birds.

'Live vaccine' for gonorrhea prevents reinfection Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT A new gonorrhea treatment, based on an anti-cancer therapy, has successfully eliminated gonococcal infection from female mice and prevented reinfection, according to research published today.

Signal gradients in 3-D guide stem cell behavior Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT Researchers have developed an easy and versatile way of forming physical and biochemical gradients in three dimensions -- a step toward identifying the recipes that induce stem cells to generate specific tissues, including multiple tissues, such as a bone-cartilage interface. Ultimately, one of their goals is to engineer systems to manipulate stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs.

Chronic inflammation of blood vessels connected to childhood mortality in malaria regions Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT Recurrent episodes of malaria cause chronic inflammation in blood vessels that might predispose to future infections and may increase susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, a study in Malawian children finds.

Breast conserving treatment with radiotherapy reduces risk of local recurrence Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT Results of a study shows that breast conserving treatment combined with radiotherapy reduces the risk of local recurrence in women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Southern Ocean sampling reveals travels of marine microbes Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:18 AM PDT By collecting water samples up to six kilometers below the surface of the Southern Ocean, researchers have shown for the first time the impact of ocean currents on the distribution and abundance of marine micro-organisms. Twenty-five samples were collected across a 3,000 kilometer stretch of ocean and genetic sequencing of the microbial DNA in each sample was carried out. The research shows that microbial communities that are connected by ocean currents are more similar to each other.

Four new species of 'legless lizards' discovered living on the edge Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:18 AM PDT Legless lizards evolved on five continents to burrow in loose soil and sand, but are rarely seen because they live underground. Hence the surprise when biologists found four new species in California, living in marginal areas like downtown Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley oil fields and west of the runways at the airport. The discovery, which brings the number of species in the state to five, illustrates the undiscovered biodiversity around us.

Shining light on neurodegenerative pathway Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:14 AM PDT Researchers have identified a likely molecular pathway that causes a group of untreatable neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease.

Hormone therapy formulations may pose varying risks for heart attack and stroke Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:14 AM PDT Post-menopausal women whose doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy for severe hot flashes and other menopause symptoms may want to consider taking low doses of bioidentical forms of estrogen or getting their hormones via a transdermal patch. A new observational study shows bioidentical hormones in transdermal patches may be associated with a lower risk of heart attack may be associated with a slightly lower risk of stroke compared to synthetic hormones in pill form.

Nanocrystal catalyst transforms impure hydrogen into electricity Posted: 18 Sep 2013 07:14 AM PDT Scientists have used a simple, 'green' process to create a novel core-shell catalyst that tolerates carbon monoxide in fuel cells and opens new, inexpensive pathways for zero-emission vehicles.

Moderate exercising encourages a healthier lifestyle Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:08 AM PDT An interdisciplinary research study explains why moderate exercising is more motivating than hard training.

Subset of children considered to have autism may be misdiagnosed Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:08 AM PDT Children with a genetic disorder called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, who frequently are believed to also have autism, often may be misidentified because the social impairments associated with their developmental delay may mimic the features of autism, a study suggests.

Green photon beams more agile than optical tweezers Posted: 18 Sep 2013 06:08 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a novel approach for the optical manipulation of macromolecules and biological cells. Their findings stem from challenging the idea that visible light would induce no physical effect on them since it is not absorbed. Instead they used green photon beams. With them, it is possible to perform optical manipulation of macrostructures, such as biological proteins, with greater precision than with optical tweezers made from focused laser beams.

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