ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New explanation for star formation: Computer simulations to provide physical explanation for Larson’s Laws
• Hitchhiking virus confirms saga of ancient human migration
• Atomically thin device promises new class of electronics: Tunable electrical behavior not previously realized in conventional devices
• Researchers demonstrate efficient method for converting fat cells to liver cells
• Low vitamin D levels raise anemia risk in children
• Anthropologist studies the evolutionary benefit of human personality traits
• Grazers, pollinators shape plant evolution
• New drug reduces negative memory
• A natural boost for MRI scans
• Risk of Amazon rainforest dieback is higher than IPCC projects, study suggests
• No known hominin is common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans, study suggests
• Breast milk protein may be key to protecting babies from HIV
• Economic assessment of mountain pine beetle timber salvage
• Poorly camouflaged insects can kick off a cascade of ecological impacts
• Parental perceptions are preventing HPV vaccination success
• Nano-cone textures generate extremely 'robust' water-repellent surfaces
• Drug developed based on zebrafish studies passes Phase I clinical trial
• Cheap metals can be used to make products from petroleum
• Traffic-related air pollution substantial public health concern
• Tuberculosis and the social lives of badgers
• West African bats: No safe haven for malaria parasites
• New native shrubs show promise for landscape, nursery industries
• Controlling triggers of age-related inflammation could extend 'healthspan'
• 'Chimera' protein could lead to drug treatments for chronic pain
• 0.3% of GPD would protect East Asia from climate change
• Yangtze finless porpoise: Highly endangered mammal trying to cope with constant shipping, dredging and underwater construction
• Changing the common rule to increase minority voices in research
• Hair regeneration method is first to induce new human hair growth
• Rings, dark side of Saturn glow in new Cassini image
• Footwear recycling gets a kick-start
• Topological light: Living on the edge
• Managing the deluge of 'Big Data' from space
• Physical cues help mature cells revert into embryonic-like stem cells
• Cleaner and greener cities with integrated transparent solar cells
• In Nepal, villagers' land uses help people and tigers
• Nanodiamonds made under ambient conditions
• Learning new skills keeps an aging mind sharp
• Fatal cholesterol disease overlooked, untreated
• Scientists untangle nanotubes to release their potential in the electronics industry
• Do sunny climates reduce ADHD?
• Excessive alcohol consumption increases progression of atherosclerosis, risk of stroke
• Straw could supply energy to millions of households
• Getting ready for Generation-C: Creative consumers who modify electronics
• New insight in quest for single vaccine against multiple flus
• Clean living is a luxury wild animals can't afford
• Scientist uncovers internal clock able to measure age of most human tissues; Women's breast tissue ages faster than rest of body

New explanation for star formation: Computer simulations to provide physical explanation for Larson’s Laws Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:27 PM PDT Astrophysics researchers for the first time provides an explanation for the origin of three observed correlations between various properties of molecular clouds in the Milky Way galaxy known as Larson's Laws.

Hitchhiking virus confirms saga of ancient human migration Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:26 PM PDT A study of the full genetic code of a common human virus offers a dramatic confirmation of the "out-of-Africa" pattern of human migration, which had previously been documented by anthropologists and studies of the human genome.

Atomically thin device promises new class of electronics: Tunable electrical behavior not previously realized in conventional devices Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:26 PM PDT As electronics approach the atomic scale, researchers are increasingly successful at developing atomically thin, virtually two-dimensional materials that could usher in the next generation of computing. Integrating these materials to create necessary circuits, however, has remained a challenge. Researchers have now taken a significant step toward fabricating complex nanoscale electronics: the creation of a p-n heterojunction diode, a fundamental building block of modern electronics.

Researchers demonstrate efficient method for converting fat cells to liver cells Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:26 PM PDT In a feat of modern-day alchemy with huge potential for regenerative medicine, Sscientists have developed a fast, efficient way to turn cells extracted from routine liposuction into liver cells.

Low vitamin D levels raise anemia risk in children Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:56 PM PDT Low levels of the "sunshine" vitamin D appear to increase a child's risk of anemia, according to new research. The study is believed to be the first one to extensively explore the link between the two conditions in children.

Anthropologist studies the evolutionary benefit of human personality traits Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT Bold and outgoing or shy and retiring -- while many people can shift from one to the other as circumstances warrant, in general they lean toward one disposition or the other. And that inclination changes little over the course of their lives.

Grazers, pollinators shape plant evolution Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT It has long been known that the characteristics of many plants with wide ranges can vary geographically, depending on differences in climate. But changes in grazing pressure and pollination can also affect the genetic composition of natural plant populations, according to a new study.

New drug reduces negative memory Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT Through analysis of the human genome, scientists have identified molecules and compounds that are related to human memory. In a subsequent pharmacological study with one of the identified compounds, the scientists found a drug-induced reduction of aversive memory. This could have implications for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, which is characterized by intrusive traumatic memories.

A natural boost for MRI scans Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT Using an innocuous agent that is already naturally produced in the body, researchers have developed a breakthrough method that can make contrast-enhanced MRI safer and cheaper.

Risk of Amazon rainforest dieback is higher than IPCC projects, study suggests Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT A new study suggests the southern portion of the Amazon rainforest is at a much higher risk of dieback due to stronger seasonal drying than projections made by the climate models used in the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

No known hominin is common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans, study suggests Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT The search for a common ancestor linking modern humans with the Neanderthals who lived in Europe thousands of years ago has been a compelling subject for research. But a new study suggests the quest isn't nearly complete. The researchers, using quantitative methods focused on the shape of dental fossils, find that none of the usual suspects fits the expected profile of an ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans.

Breast milk protein may be key to protecting babies from HIV Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:32 PM PDT A substance in breast milk that neutralizes HIV and may protect babies from acquiring HIV from their infected mothers has been identified for the first time by researchers.

Economic assessment of mountain pine beetle timber salvage Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:33 AM PDT A recently published study shows that while positive net revenues could be produced in West Coast and Northern Rockies states with active timber markets, the central Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming -- which have the largest volume of standing dead timber -- would not generate positive net revenues by salvaging beetle-killed timber.

Poorly camouflaged insects can kick off a cascade of ecological impacts Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:33 AM PDT A California walking stick insect that has evolved to produce individuals with two distinct appearances -- an all-green form that camouflages well with broader leaves and a form with a white stripe running down its back that blends better with needle-like leaves -- can markedly affect its broader ecological community when the appearance of the bug is mismatched with the plant it's living on.

Parental perceptions are preventing HPV vaccination success Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:33 AM PDT Experts in pediatrics say that parental perceptions pose a major barrier to acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination — and that many of those perceptions are wrong.

Nano-cone textures generate extremely 'robust' water-repellent surfaces Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:11 AM PDT Scientists create surfaces with differently shaped nanoscale textures that may yield improved materials for applications in transportation, energy, and diagnostics.

Drug developed based on zebrafish studies passes Phase I clinical trial Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:10 AM PDT Zebrafish research achieved a significant milestone when the first drug developed through studies utilizing the tiny animal and then put into clinical trials passed a Phase 1 trial aimed at establishing its safety. The drug has already advanced to Phase II studies designed to determine its efficacy.

Cheap metals can be used to make products from petroleum Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:10 AM PDT A new process suggests that base metals may be worth more than their weight in gold -- as catalysts in the manufacture of countless products made from petroleum-based raw materials.

Traffic-related air pollution substantial public health concern Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:10 AM PDT Traffic-related air pollution is increasingly shown to have negative health effects according to a growing body of epidemiologic evidence and is a substantial public health concern in Canada.

Tuberculosis and the social lives of badgers Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:10 AM PDT Badgers are an important wildlife reservoir for tuberculosis infection, a disease that leads thousands of cattle to slaughter each year. Now, researchers have found that the spread of the disease is influenced in surprising ways by infected badgers, and especially by the details of their social lives.

West African bats: No safe haven for malaria parasites Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:07 AM PDT In Europe, bats are normally discussed in the context of endangered species threatened by loss of their habitats. However, in recent years, bats have caught the eye of infection biologists. The animals are namely hosts to a surprising number of pathogens, many of which could be dangerous to humans. Scientists have been able to identify in West African bats four genera of parasites that are closely related to the malaria pathogen.

New native shrubs show promise for landscape, nursery industries Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:57 AM PDT Scientists studied softwood stem cutting propagation of four underused shrub species native to the northeastern United States. The results indicated that two of these could be propagated for consideration as commercial crops for wholesale nurseries looking for new native shrubs, and that all four of the species have the potential to be viable commercial crops for nurseries that specialize in native plants.

Controlling triggers of age-related inflammation could extend 'healthspan' Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:57 AM PDT Inflammation is the common denominator of many chronic age-related diseases such as arthritis, gout, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. But according to a study, even in the absence of a disease, inflammation can lead to serious loss of function throughout the body, reducing healthspan -- that portion of our lives spent relatively free of serious illness and disability.

'Chimera' protein could lead to drug treatments for chronic pain Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:55 AM PDT Scientists have manufactured a new bio-therapeutic molecule that could be used to treat neurological disorders such as chronic pain and epilepsy.

0.3% of GPD would protect East Asia from climate change Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:54 AM PDT About 12 million people in 23 East Asian cities are at risk from rising sea levels, severe storms, and more intense drought caused by climate change that could jeopardize $864 billion in assets, a new report warns.

Yangtze finless porpoise: Highly endangered mammal trying to cope with constant shipping, dredging and underwater construction Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:42 AM PDT The Yangtze finless porpoise, which inhabits the high-traffic waters near the Three Gorges Dam in China, is highly endangered, with only about 1,000 animals alive today. Scientists are using medical technology to shed new light on this species' critical sense of hearing in a waterway punctuated by constant shipping, dredging, and underwater construction.

Changing the common rule to increase minority voices in research Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:42 AM PDT Researchers recommend changing the U.S. federal regulations that govern oversight of human subjects research ("the Common Rule") to address continued underrepresentation of minorities in research studies.

Hair regeneration method is first to induce new human hair growth Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:42 AM PDT Researchers have devised a hair restoration method that can generate new human hair growth, rather than simply redistribute hair from one part of the scalp to another. The approach could significantly expand the use of hair transplantation to women with hair loss, who tend to have insufficient donor hair, as well as to men in early stages of baldness.

Rings, dark side of Saturn glow in new Cassini image Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:38 AM PDT The gauzy rings of Saturn and the dark side of the planet glow in newly released infrared images obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.

Footwear recycling gets a kick-start Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:37 AM PDT A newly developed recycling process could make landfill sites filled with old shoes a thing of the past.

Topological light: Living on the edge Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:37 AM PDT Scientists report the first observation of topological effects for light in two dimensions, analogous to the quantum Hall effect for electrons. To accomplish this, they built a structure to guide infrared light over the surface of a room temperature, silicon-on-insulator chip.

Managing the deluge of 'Big Data' from space Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:28 AM PDT For NASA and its dozens of missions, data pour in every day like rushing rivers. Spacecraft monitor everything from our home planet to faraway galaxies, beaming back images and information to Earth. All those digital records need to be stored, indexed and processed so that spacecraft engineers, scientists and people across the globe can use the data to understand Earth and the universe beyond.

Physical cues help mature cells revert into embryonic-like stem cells Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:52 AM PDT Bioengineers have shown that physical cues can help reprogram mature cells back into pluripotent stem cells. The study demonstrates for the first time that biomaterials can help regulate the memory of a cell's identity.

Cleaner and greener cities with integrated transparent solar cells Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:51 AM PDT Imagine buildings in which the windows allow the sun's light to enter, and at the same time capture the energy from the sun needed to meet all their energy needs. In this seemingly futuristic scenario, the windows become productive solar cells that help us decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and advance towards a greener and cleaner environment. Researchers have now fabricated an optimal organic solar cell with a high level of transparency and a high power conversion efficiency, a promising step forward towards affordable, clean, more widely utilized and urban integrated renewable energies.

In Nepal, villagers' land uses help people and tigers Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:51 AM PDT Hopeful signs that humans and critically endangered tigers can coexist are emerging in rural Nepal, where a new study shows that when Nepalese villagers are empowered to make local land management decisions, the results benefit both people and tigers.

Nanodiamonds made under ambient conditions Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:50 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way to cheaply make nanodiamonds on a lab bench at atmospheric pressure and near room temperature. The nanodiamonds are formed directly from a gas and require no surface to grow on.

Learning new skills keeps an aging mind sharp Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:50 AM PDT Older adults are often encouraged to stay active and engaged to keep their minds sharp, that they have to "use it or lose it." But new research indicates that only certain activities -- learning a mentally demanding skill like photography, for instance -- are likely to improve cognitive functioning. These findings reveal that less demanding activities, such as listening to classical music or completing word puzzles, probably won't bring noticeable benefits to an aging mind.

Fatal cholesterol disease overlooked, untreated Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:50 AM PDT Hereditary high blood cholesterol leads to premature heart disease. It is overlooked and untreated virtually worldwide. This is a major problem as the disease is dangerous for health. However, this disease is easy to diagnose and treat, according to the conclusion of a consensus report.

Scientists untangle nanotubes to release their potential in the electronics industry Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:47 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated how to produce electronic inks for the development of new applications using the 'wonder material', carbon nanotubes.

Do sunny climates reduce ADHD? Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:46 AM PDT ADHD is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder. Scientists do not know what causes it, but genetics play a clear role. Other risk factors have also been identified, including premature birth, low birth weight, a mother's use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and environmental exposures to toxins like lead. Regions with high sunlight intensity have a lower prevalence of ADHD, suggesting that high sunlight intensity may exert a 'protective' effect for ADHD.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases progression of atherosclerosis, risk of stroke Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:46 AM PDT A Finnish population-based study showed that binge drinking was associated with increased atherosclerotic progression in an 11-year follow-up of middle-aged men. The progression of atherosclerosis was increased among men who consumed 6 drinks or more on one occasion. In addition, the risk of stroke increased among men who had at least one hangover per year. Hangovers increased the risk of stroke independent of the total amount of alcohol consumed.

Straw could supply energy to millions of households Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:46 AM PDT Straw from agriculture could play an important role in the future energy mix for Germany.  Up until now it has been underutilized as a biomass residue and waste material. Research shows that a total of 30 million tons of cereal straw is produced annually in Germany and between 8 and 13 million tons of it could be used sustainably for energy or fuel production. This potential could for example provide 1.7 to 2.8 million average households with electricity and at the same time 2.8 to 4.5 million households with heating.

Getting ready for Generation-C: Creative consumers who modify electronics Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:45 AM PDT A generational movement consisting of creative consumers who modify proprietary offerings, and of members of society who in turn use their developments, all without any moral and legal considerations. Think video and audio mashups, jailbreaks for game consoles, unlocked mobile phones, tuned cars, even 'hacked' vacuum cleaners that can now be controlled remotely, via mobile phone apps.

New insight in quest for single vaccine against multiple flus Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:41 AM PDT A study highlights a new approach for developing a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple flu strains, including deadly pandemic strains.

Clean living is a luxury wild animals can't afford Posted: 20 Oct 2013 05:30 PM PDT Domestic animals will choose to steer clear of dirt -- but their wild cousins can't be so picky and may be at increased risk of disease as a result.

Scientist uncovers internal clock able to measure age of most human tissues; Women's breast tissue ages faster than rest of body Posted: 20 Oct 2013 05:30 PM PDT A new study is the first to identify a biological clock able to gauge the age of most human tissues. Some parts of the anatomy, like a woman's breasts, age faster than the rest of the body.

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