ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Graphene/nanotube hybrid benefits flexible solar cells
• Engineers efficiently 'mix' light at the nanoscale
• Hiding in plain sight: Elusive dark matter may be detected with GPS satellites
• Why lizards have bird breath: Iguanas evolved one-way lungs surprisingly like those of birds
• The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice
• Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses
• Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses
• Fruit flies learn from others: Researchers study how group interaction influences where female fruit flies lay their eggs
• Reprogramming cells, long term
• Businesses can help preserve endangered species with small landscape changes
• Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates
• Scientists X-ray tiny cell organelles responsible for carbon fixation
• Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice
• Revolutionary solar-friendly form of silicon shines
• Warmth, flowing water on early Mars were episodic
• New technique to help produce next generation photonic chips
• Extinction risk not the answer for reef futures
• Less sex plus more greens equals a longer life: Reptile study
• Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified
• Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered
• Adjusting Earth’s thermostat, with caution
• A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified
• The secret life of anti-cancer drugs
• Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet
• Americans sorting themselves into politically similar counties
• Where will big neuroscience take us?
• Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression
• Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified
• New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found
• Researchers create and control spin waves, lifting prospects for enhanced information processing
• Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery
• Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds
• Rosetta's OSIRIS camera spots Philae lander drifting across the comet
• Spiral laser beam creates quantum whirlpool
• Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission
• Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense
• Researchers discern the shapes of high-order Brownian motions
• Evolutionary constraints revealed in diversity of fish skulls
• Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation
• Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows
• Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse
• New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia
• Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control
• Turbulence in molten core helps amplify Earth's magnetic field
• Climate capers of the past 600,000 years
• On a safari through the genome: Genes offer new insights into the distribution of giraffes
• Engineers develop innovative process to print flexible electronic circuits
• EU's total responsibility for global emissions has increased
• Up to 80 million bacteria sealed with a kiss
• Magic tricks created using artificial intelligence for the first time
• 'Not just a flavoring: Menthol, Nicotine, Combined Desensitize Airway Receptors
• Half of STEMI heart attack patients may have additional clogged arteries
• High Mortality Associated with STEMI Heart Attacks That Occur in Hospitalized Patients
• What brain studies reveal about risk of adolescent alcohol use, abuse
• Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels as much as tobacco smoke
• Active asthma may significantly raise risk of heart attack
• Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don't mix
• Running does not lead to knee osteoarthritis, may protect people from developing disease, experts say
• Exercise, manual therapy improve pain, function in osteoarthritis

Graphene/nanotube hybrid benefits flexible solar cells Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:47 PM PST Scientists have created a graphene/nanotube cathode that may make cheap, flexible dye-sensitized solar cells more practical.

Engineers efficiently 'mix' light at the nanoscale Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:47 PM PST Researchers have engineered a nanowire system that could pave the way for photonic computing, combining two light waves to produce a third with a different frequency and using an optical cavity to amplify the intensity of the output to a usable level.

Hiding in plain sight: Elusive dark matter may be detected with GPS satellites Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:47 PM PST The everyday use of a GPS device might be to find your way around town or even navigate a hiking trail, but for two physicists, the Global Positioning System might be a tool in directly detecting and measuring dark matter, so far an elusive but ubiquitous form of matter responsible for the formation of galaxies.

Why lizards have bird breath: Iguanas evolved one-way lungs surprisingly like those of birds Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Biologists long assumed that one-way air flow was a special adaptation in birds driven by the intense energy demands of flight. But now scientists have shown that bird-like breathing also developed in green iguanas – reptiles not known for high-capacity aerobic fitness. The finding bolsters the case that unidirectional bird-like flow evolved long before the first birds.

The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Triclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical.

Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Scientists have identified weak spots on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, the experimental drug cocktail administered to several patients during the recent Ebola outbreak.

Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:24 AM PST Researchers are getting a new look at the workings of HIV and other viruses thanks to new techniques in electron microscopy. Making a vaccine against HIV has always been difficult, at least partly because the proteins on the surface of the virus change so rapidly. Better understanding the structure of the gp120/Env trimer could help in finding less-variable areas of these proteins, not usually exposed to the immune system, which might be targets for a vaccine.

Fruit flies learn from others: Researchers study how group interaction influences where female fruit flies lay their eggs Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:24 AM PST Fruit flies do not always conform to the norm. When female fruit flies have to decide where to lay their eggs, they take their lead from what they see most others in their group do. However, some do take their personal preferences into account.

Reprogramming cells, long term Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Researchers have demonstrated that adult cells, reprogrammed into another cell type in a living animal, can remain functional over a long period. The work is an important advance in the effort to develop cell-based therapies for tissue repair, and specifically in the effort to develop improved treatment for diabetes.

Businesses can help preserve endangered species with small landscape changes Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Businesses can contribute to raptor preservation efforts by engaging in less development of lawn areas and increased planting or preservation of native grasslands and woodlots. As more businesses are built on the edges of urban areas, land where raptors once lived becomes industrialized, which raises concerns about the consequences of habitat destruction on raptor populations, experts say.

Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Offering small financial incentives doubles smoking cessation rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, according to research. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scientists X-ray tiny cell organelles responsible for carbon fixation Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST Scientists have developed a high-throughput method of imaging biological particles using an X-ray laser. The images show projections of the carboxysome particle, a delicate and tiny cell compartment in photosynthetic bacteria.

Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST A gene abundant in the kidneys may actually play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and hypertension in experimental male mouse models, scientists have discovered. The gene, a kidney androgen-regulated protein (KAP) that is abundantly and exclusively found in the kidney proximal tubule, is stimulated by an androgen hormone such as testosterone.

Revolutionary solar-friendly form of silicon shines Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:06 AM PST Silicon is the second most-abundant element in the earth's crust. When purified, it takes on a diamond structure, which is essential to modern electronic devices -- carbon is to biology as silicon is to technology. Scientists have synthesized an entirely new form of silicon, one that promises even greater future applications.

Warmth, flowing water on early Mars were episodic Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:06 AM PST There is ample evidence that water once flowed on the surface of ancient Mars. But that evidence is difficult to reconcile with the latest generation of climate models that suggest Mars should have been eternally icy. A new study suggest that warming and water flow on Mars were probably episodic and related to ancient volcanic eruptions.

New technique to help produce next generation photonic chips Posted: 17 Nov 2014 09:58 AM PST Researchers have developed a new technique to help produce more reliable and robust next generation photonic chips. Photonic chips made from silicon will play a major role in future optical networks for worldwide data traffic. The high refractive index of silicon makes optical structures the size of a fraction of the diameter of a human hair possible. Squeezing more and more optical structures for light distribution, modulation, detection and routing into smaller chip areas allows for higher data rates at lower fabrication costs.

Extinction risk not the answer for reef futures Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:17 AM PST Leading coral reef scientists say there needs to be a new approach to protecting the future of marine ecosystems, with a shift away from the current focus on extinction threat.

Less sex plus more greens equals a longer life: Reptile study Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST While a life in the slow lane may be easier, will it be any longer? It will if you're a reptile. A new study finds that reduced reproductive rates and a plant-rich diet are responsible for the increased lifespan of reptiles.

Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST A protein that turns a person's immune system against itself in a form of kidney disease called membranous nephropathy has been identified by researchers. Membranous nephropathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the kidney that filter wastes from the blood are damaged by circulating autoantibodies. As a result, proteins leak from the damaged blood vessels into the urine.

Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST The Malt1 protein is one of the most important control centers in human immune cells and a real all-rounder. Genetic defects in it can lead to the development of lymphatic cancer (lymphoma). A possible therapeutic approach is therefore to specifically block certain functions of Malt1, thus destroying the cancer cells. Now, however, scientists have shown in a mouse model that such a blockade can cause serious side effects.

Adjusting Earth’s thermostat, with caution Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST A vast majority of scientists believe that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate and that human activity is almost certainly the dominant cause. But on the topics of response and mitigation, there is far less consensus.

A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST An international research consortium has discovered a new gene underlying progressive myoclonus epilepsy, one of the most devastating forms of epilepsy. The study showed that a single mutation in a potassium ion channel gene underlies a substantial proportion of unsolved cases. It is estimated that the mutation is carried by hundreds of patients worldwide. The study utilized modern DNA sequencing technologies, which have revolutionized genetic research of rare, severe diseases.

The secret life of anti-cancer drugs Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST The public is bombarded with news of exciting developments in cancer research every day, with new anti-cancer drugs greeted with excitement. But what happens to these drugs? When do they become accessible to cancer patients – if at all?

Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST For the first time, research has shown how much of a critical role the natural antioxidant selenium plays at the earliest stages of a woman's fertility. "Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood and nuts. It is important for many biological functions, such as immune response, thyroid hormone production, and acts as an antioxidant, helping to detoxify damaging chemicals in the body," one researcher says.

Americans sorting themselves into politically similar counties Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Researchers have analyzed almost 40 years of election data and relocation patterns around the United States and found that Americans are increasingly sorting themselves into politically homogeneous communities. But it hasn't happened in the way they expected.

Where will big neuroscience take us? Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST The U.S., Europe and Asia have launched big brain research projects. What impact will they have? Scientists integral to three projects share their insights ahead of a special session hosted by the Society for Neuroscience.

Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Altering members of the p53 gene family, known as tumor suppressor genes, causes rapid regression of tumors that are deficient in or totally missing p53, scientists have found. The investigation showed that, in vivo, the genes p63 and p73 can be manipulated to upregulate or increase levels of IAPP, a protein important for the body's ability to metabolize glucose. IAPP is found in some diabetes drugs already on the market.

Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Using next generation gene sequencing techniques, cancer researchers have identified more than 3,000 new mutations involved in certain kidney cancers, findings that help explain the diversity of cancer behaviors.

New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST The brain's reward and stress systems are actually linked, scientists have discovered. Their findings show that in the core of the brain's reward system specific neurons are active both with use of and withdrawal from nicotine.

Researchers create and control spin waves, lifting prospects for enhanced information processing Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Physicists have developed a method to control the movements occurring within magnetic materials, which are used to store and carry information. The breakthrough could simultaneously bolster information processing while reducing the energy necessary to do so.

Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Researchers have developed a way to chemically disguise RNAi drugs so that they are able to enter cells. Once inside, cellular machinery converts these disguised drug precursors — called siRNNs — into active RNAi drugs.

Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Neuroscientists have shown that calorie-reduced diets stop the normal rise and fall in activity levels of close to 900 different genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain.

Rosetta's OSIRIS camera spots Philae lander drifting across the comet Posted: 17 Nov 2014 07:12 AM PST Incredible new images show the breathtaking journey of Rosetta's Philae lander as it approached and then rebounded from its first touchdown on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 12 November 2014.

Spiral laser beam creates quantum whirlpool Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Physicists have engineered a spiral laser beam and used it to create a whirlpool of hybrid light-matter particles called polaritons, hybrid particles that have properties of both matter and light and could link electronics with photonics.

Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Total hip replacement is an excellent option for patients under age 35 when conservative treatments fail to provide pain relief, researchers have found. The implant lasted at least 10 years in 85 percent of patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were significantly underweight or overweight were the least likely to remain in remission in a recent study. This study presents evidence that BMI is among the modifiable risk factors for poor RA outcomes.

Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST By breaking down the cancer-suppressing protein p53, Chlamydia prevent programmed cell death and thereby favor the process of cancer development, scientists report.

Researchers discern the shapes of high-order Brownian motions Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST For the first time, scientists have vividly mapped the shapes and textures of high-order modes of Brownian motions -- in this case, the collective macroscopic movement of molecules in microdisk resonators.Engineers used a record-setting scanning optical interferometry technique.

Evolutionary constraints revealed in diversity of fish skulls Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST In the aquatic environment, suction feeding is far more common than biting as a way to capture prey. A new study shows that the evolution of biting behavior in eels led to a remarkable diversification of skull shapes, indicating that the skull shapes of most fish are limited by the structural requirements for suction feeding.

Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Organs can become significantly damaged during transplantation, but a new article offers a protective strategy that could keep them safe and allow them to function optimally after the procedure.

Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new research. The findings also suggest that those who frequently cooked at home -- six-to-seven nights a week -- also consumed fewer calories on the occasions when they ate out.

Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections.

New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by the hyperactivity of a mutated enzyme. Scientists have discovered an indirect way to regulate this enzyme that could prove more effective than current therapies.

Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who received automated reminders were more likely to refill their blood pressure and cholesterol medications, according to a study. According to a recent federal report, Americans with chronic conditions take their medications as prescribed about 50 to 60 percent of the time. The report estimates that this phenomenon, known as poor adherence, costs the health care system $100 billion to $300 billion each year, and results in about 125,000 deaths.

Turbulence in molten core helps amplify Earth's magnetic field Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST Researchers have shown that turbulence, random motion that takes place in the molten metal in the Earth's core, makes a contribution to our planet's magnetic field. To obtain this result, they modeled the Earth's outer core using liquid sodium enclosed between two rotating concentric metal spheres. Like many planets and most stars, the Earth produces its own magnetic field by dynamo action, i.e. because of the motion of an electrically conducting fluid-in this case, a mixture of molten iron and nickel.

Climate capers of the past 600,000 years Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST If you want to see into the future, you have to understand the past. Researchers have drilled deposits on the bed of Lake Van (Eastern Turkey) which provide unique insights into the last 600,000 years. The samples reveal that the climate has done its fair share of mischief-making in the past. Furthermore, there have been numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The results of the drilling project also provide a basis for assessing the risk of how dangerous natural hazards are for today's population.

On a safari through the genome: Genes offer new insights into the distribution of giraffes Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST The Giraffe, a symbol of the African savanna and a fixed item on every safari's agenda, is a fascinating animal. However, contrary to many of the continent's other wild animals, these long-necked giants are still rather poorly studied. Based on their markings, distribution and genome, nine subspecies are recognized – including the two subspecies Angola Giraffe and South African Giraffe.

Engineers develop innovative process to print flexible electronic circuits Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST Engineers have successfully printed complex electronic circuits using a common t-shirt printer. The electronic circuits are printed using unique materials in layers on top of everyday flexible materials such as plastic, aluminum foil and even paper. Resistors, transistors and capacitors, the key components of a complex electronic circuit, are printed using non-toxic organic materials like silver nanoparticles, carbon and plastics.

EU's total responsibility for global emissions has increased Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST "The Kyoto Protocol has not met the expectations. Currently, global emissions are at a more than 50% higher level than during the Protocol's reference year, 1990. In the light of current trends and the annual increase in emissions being around 2.5% on average, global emissions have been assumed to double by 2030. Moreover, in 2030 the EU's share of global emissions will be around 4 %, whereas now it is around 9 %," one expert summarizes.

Up to 80 million bacteria sealed with a kiss Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:10 PM PST As many as 80 million bacteria are transferred during a 10 second kiss, according to new research. The study also found that partners who kiss each other at least nine times a day share similar communities of oral bacteria.

Magic tricks created using artificial intelligence for the first time Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:10 PM PST Researchers working on artificial intelligence have taught a computer to create magic tricks. The researchers gave a computer program the outline of how a magic jigsaw puzzle and a mind reading card trick work, as well the results of experiments into how humans understand magic tricks, and the system created completely new variants on those tricks which can be delivered by a magician.

'Not just a flavoring: Menthol, Nicotine, Combined Desensitize Airway Receptors Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:20 AM PST Menthol doesn't just act as a flavoring, but has a pharmacologic impact, a new study suggests. The researchers say menthol acts in combination with nicotine to desensitize receptors in lungs' airways that are responsible for nicotine's irritation. Though not a focus of the work, the findings are important as FDA is considering restrictions on menthol cigarettes.

Half of STEMI heart attack patients may have additional clogged arteries Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:19 AM PST A blocked artery causes a deadly kind of heart attack known as STEMI, and a rapid response to clear the blockage saves lives. But in more than half of cases studied, one or both of the patient's other arteries were also obstructed, raising questions about whether and when additional procedures might be undertaken.

High Mortality Associated with STEMI Heart Attacks That Occur in Hospitalized Patients Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:19 AM PST Researchers have confirmed their surprising earlier finding: Patients who suffer a STEMI heart attack while while in the hospital for something else are more likely to die than patients who have the same type of heart attack outside the hospital.

What brain studies reveal about risk of adolescent alcohol use, abuse Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST What are the brain factors and behaviors that put teens at risk of alcohol use and abuse before they start drinking? Researchers explore this question in four new abstracts. One provides new evidence that adolescents at higher risk of alcoholism have reduced connections in key brain networks; another links impaired brain connections to impulsivity; and two examine impulsivity in relation to intake of sugar and DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid.

Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels as much as tobacco smoke Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST Secondhand marijuana smoke may have similar cardiovascular effects as tobacco smoke. Lab rats exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke had a 70 percent drop in blood vessel function.

Active asthma may significantly raise risk of heart attack Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST People with asthma may be at significantly higher risk of heart attack, researchers report.

Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don't mix Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST More than 40 percent of reports to the National Poison Data System for 'energy drink exposure' in a three-year span involved children under age 6. The effects of energy drinks in the reported cases included abnormal heart rhythms and seizures. Researchers call for better labeling of energy drink's high caffeine content and subsequent health consequences.

Running does not lead to knee osteoarthritis, may protect people from developing disease, experts say Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:40 AM PST Running as a habitual exercise at any stage in life not only does not increase a person's risk of developing knee osteoarthritis and may even help protect a person from developing the painful disease, according to new research findings.

Exercise, manual therapy improve pain, function in osteoarthritis Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:40 AM PST Patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis may improve their pain, stiffness and physical function with sustained physical exercise, manual therapy or both, according to new research findings.

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