ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Geologic maps of Vesta from NASA's Dawn mission
• Salamanders a more abundant food source in forest ecosystems than previously thought
• Entitlement boosts creativity
• Were neanderthals a sub-species of modern humans? New research says no
• Two sensors in one: Nanoparticles that enable both MRI and fluorescent imaging could monitor cancer, other diseases
• Musicians show advantages in long-term memory
• Shift in gut bacteria observed in fiber supplement study may offer good news for weight loss
• A bird's-eye view of the protein universe: First global picture of the evolutionary origins of proteins
• Global surge in ADHD diagnosis has more to do with marketing than medicine, expert suggests
• Jurassic climate of large swath of western US was more complex than previously known: Unexpected abrupt change from arid to wet
• New treatment for marfan syndrome shows promise
• Mother's soothing presence makes pain go away, changes gene activity in infant brain
• As elephants go, so go the trees
• Age matters: Young larvae boost pollen foraging in honey bees
• Spice up your memory: Just one gram of turmeric a day could boost memory
• Biologists explore link between memory deficit and misfiring circadian clock in Siberian hamsters
• DNA methylation: The role it plays in aging cells
• Better micro-actuators to transport materials in liquids
• Soy spells fewer hot flashes for certain women
• Viking fortress discovery: Archaeological dating results
• Physicists suggest new way to detect dark matter
• Training can lead to synesthetic experiences: Does learning the 'color of' specific letters boost IQ?
• New clue in celiac disease puzzle: Cause of oat toxicity explained
• History's lesson reveals depth of fish catch decline
• Finding new ways to make drugs
• Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells from Werner syndrome fibroblasts
• Some flu viruses potentially more dangerous than others
• Pregnant women with congenital heart disease may have low complication risks during delivery
• Trans fat consumption linked to diminished memory in working-aged adults
• Moms' pre-pregnancy weight impacts risk of dying decades later
• Being poor is not the same everywhere
• Helping wheat defend itself against damaging viruses
• Testosterone replacement therapy does not increase cardiovascular risks in men with low testosterone levels
• Using sewage sludge to obtain bioenergy
• Cheap malaria drug could treat colorectal cancer effectively too, say experts
• Laboratory breakthrough offers promise for spinal cord injury patients to breathe on their own again
• Heart muscle inflammation, swelling peak twice after heart attack
• Cardiac stem cell therapy may heal heart damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• 'Probiotics' for plants boost detox abilities; untreated plants overdose and die
• Major brain pathway rediscovered after century-old confusion, controversy
• Premature infants benefit from early sodium supplementation according to new research
• Twenty-five year hunt uncovers heart defect responsible for cardiovascular diseases
• Fundamental constants are still constant: Atomic clocks prove stability of mass ratio of protons to electrons
• Gravity may have saved the universe after the Big Bang, say researchers
• Going against the flow: Targeting bacterial motility to combat disease
• Mechanisms behind 'Mexican waves' in brain revealed by scientists
• Viruses impaired if their targets have diverse genes
• Alcohol taxes can improve health, lead to more jobs
• Verbal abuse in the workplace: Are men or women most at risk?
• Geologic mapping of asteroid Vesta reveals history of large impacts
• Computer model provides a new portrait of carbon dioxide
• Nothing fishy about health benefits of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid
• How phthalate exposure impacts pregnancy
• Need to encourage patients to screen for colon cancer? Try a lottery
• Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease
• Investigational oral drug combo shows promise for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
• Virus devastating sea stars on Pacific Coast identified
• Finding 'lost' languages in the brain: Far-reaching implications for unconscious role of infant experiences
• Overhaul in tropical forest research needed
• Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members

Geologic maps of Vesta from NASA's Dawn mission Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:45 AM PST Images from NASA's Dawn Mission have been used to create a series of high-resolution geological maps of the large asteroid Vesta, revealing the variety of surface features in unprecedented detail.

Salamanders a more abundant food source in forest ecosystems than previously thought Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:18 AM PST In the 1970s, ecologists published results from one of the first whole-forest ecosystem studies ever conducted. Scientists reported that salamanders represent one of the largest sources of biomass, or food, of all vertebrates in the forest. Now, using new techniques, a study has estimated that the population of salamanders in forested regions may be on average 10 times higher than previously thought.

Entitlement boosts creativity Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:16 AM PST Generally considered a negative trait, entitlement, in small doses, can actually have the positive effect of boosting creativity.

Were neanderthals a sub-species of modern humans? New research says no Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:16 AM PST Researchers have identified new evidence supporting the growing belief that Neanderthals were a distinct species separate from modern humans (Homo sapiens), and not a subspecies of modern humans.

Two sensors in one: Nanoparticles that enable both MRI and fluorescent imaging could monitor cancer, other diseases Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:56 AM PST Chemists have developed new nanoparticles that can simultaneously perform magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescent imaging in animals. Such particles could help scientists to track specific molecules produced in the body, monitor a tumor's environment, or determine whether drugs have successfully reached their targets.

Musicians show advantages in long-term memory Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:55 AM PST Psychologists have demonstrated a link between musical training and long-term memory advantages.

Shift in gut bacteria observed in fiber supplement study may offer good news for weight loss Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:55 AM PST Most Americans don't get the daily recommended amount of fiber in their diet, though research has shown that dietary fiber can cause a shift in the gut toward beneficial bacteria, reducing the risk of colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases. A new study shows that two specific functional fibers may also have the potential to assist in weight loss when made part of a long-term, daily diet.

A bird's-eye view of the protein universe: First global picture of the evolutionary origins of proteins Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:55 AM PST How exactly did proteins first come to be? Do they all share a single common ancestor, or did proteins evolve from many different origins? Forming a global picture of the protein universe is crucial to addressing these and other important questions. Now, new research is providing a first step toward piecing together a global picture of the protein universe that may answer these questions and suggest strategies for the design of new proteins.

Global surge in ADHD diagnosis has more to do with marketing than medicine, expert suggests Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:54 AM PST A new article attributes ADHD's global growth to five trends: expanded, overseas lobbying efforts by drug companies; the growth of biological psychiatry; the adaptation of the American-based Diagnostic and Statistical Manual standards, which are broader and have a lower threshold for diagnosing ADHD; promotion of pharmaceutical treatments by ADHD advocacy groups that work closely with drug companies; and the easy availability of ADHD information and self-diagnosis via the Internet.

Jurassic climate of large swath of western US was more complex than previously known: Unexpected abrupt change from arid to wet Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:54 AM PST Climate over a large swath of the western US was more complex during the Jurassic than previously known, according to new research. Instead of a gradual transition from dry to wetter, chemical analysis of ancient soils reveals an unexpected abrupt change, say paleontologists. Samples were from the Morrison Formation, a massive rock unit sprawling across 13 states and Canada that's produced significant dinosaur discoveries for over 100 years.

New treatment for marfan syndrome shows promise Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:54 AM PST An investigational treatment for Marfan syndrome is as effective as the standard therapy at slowing enlargement of the aorta, the large artery of the heart that delivers blood to the body, new research shows. The findings indicate a second treatment option for Marfan patients, who are at high risk of sudden death from tears in the aorta.

Mother's soothing presence makes pain go away, changes gene activity in infant brain Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:54 AM PST A mother's 'TLC' not only can help soothe pain in infants, but it may also impact early brain development by altering gene activity in a part of the brain involved in emotions, according to a new study.

As elephants go, so go the trees Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:45 AM PST Overhunting has been disastrous for elephants, but their forest habitats have also been caught in the crossfire. A first-of-its-kind study shows that the dramatic loss of elephants, which disperse seeds after eating vegetation, is leading to the local extinction of a dominant tree species, with likely cascading effects for other forest life.

Age matters: Young larvae boost pollen foraging in honey bees Posted: 18 Nov 2014 08:00 AM PST Adult bees foraging for food use the changing pheromone signals of the young to adjust what nutritional resources they collect. Honey bees return to the hive with one and one half times more protein-rich pollen, when exposed to young larvae as compared to old larvae. The researchers also discovered that significantly fewer foragers return home empty -- a finding that could have an impact in agricultural enterprises.

Spice up your memory: Just one gram of turmeric a day could boost memory Posted: 18 Nov 2014 08:00 AM PST Adding just one gram of turmeric to breakfast could help improve the memory of people who are in the very early stages of diabetes and at risk of cognitive impairment.

Biologists explore link between memory deficit and misfiring circadian clock in Siberian hamsters Posted: 18 Nov 2014 08:00 AM PST By disrupting Siberian hamsters' circadian rhythms, scientists have identified a part of the brain that, when misfiring, inhibits memory. The work could lead to therapies for neurodegenerative diseases in humans.

DNA methylation: The role it plays in aging cells Posted: 18 Nov 2014 08:00 AM PST Although every person's DNA remains the same throughout their lives, scientists know that it functions differently at different ages. As people age, drastic changes occur in their DNA methylation patterns, which are thought to act as a "second code" on top of the DNA that can lock genes in the on or off position. However, what the consequences of these changes are remains a mystery.

Better micro-actuators to transport materials in liquids Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:59 AM PST Researchers have developed improved forms of tiny magnetic actuators thanks to new materials and a microscopic 3-D printing technology.

Soy spells fewer hot flashes for certain women Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:59 AM PST Does soy in the diet help with hot flashes? It does, but only for women whose bodies can produce the soy metabolite equol, reports a new study.

Viking fortress discovery: Archaeological dating results Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:56 AM PST In September 2014, archaeologists announced the discovery of a Viking fortress in a field belonging to Vallø Manor, located west of Køge on the east coast of Sealand. This was the first discovery of its kind in Denmark in over 60 years. Since then, archaeologists have been waiting impatiently for the results of the dating of the fortress. Now the first results are available.

Physicists suggest new way to detect dark matter Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:56 AM PST For years physicists have been looking for the universe's elusive dark matter, but so far no one has seen any trace of it. Maybe we are looking in the wrong place? Now physicists propose a new technique to detect dark matter.

Training can lead to synesthetic experiences: Does learning the 'color of' specific letters boost IQ? Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:55 AM PST A new study has shown for the first time how people can be trained to 'see' letters of the alphabet as colors in a way that simulates how those with synesthesia experience their world.

New clue in celiac disease puzzle: Cause of oat toxicity explained Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:55 AM PST Researchers have identified why some people with celiac disease show an immune response after eating oats. The researchers have identified the key components in oats that trigger an immune response in some people with celiac disease. The findings may lead to better tests for oat toxicity, and have implications for new treatments being developed for celiac disease.

History's lesson reveals depth of fish catch decline Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Scientists in Australia have used historic media to measure the decline in Queensland's pink snapper fishery, highlighting a drop of almost 90 percent in catch rates since the 19th century.

Finding new ways to make drugs Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Chemists have developed a revolutionary new way to manufacture natural chemicals by clipping smaller molecules together like Lego. They have used the new method to assemble a scarce anti-inflammatory drug with potential to treat cancer and malaria, pseudopterosin.

Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells from Werner syndrome fibroblasts Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from Werner Syndrome fibroblasts have been established, scientists report. The therapeutic methods for this disease are very limited. It is expected that patient-derived iPS cells can be used for the development of innovative therapies. Additionally, the mutated gene in patient-derived iPS cells can be corrected by genome editing. This advantage will be help in the development of new gene and cell therapies for Werner syndrome.

Some flu viruses potentially more dangerous than others Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Certain subtypes of avian influenza viruses have the potential to cause more severe disease in humans than other avian influenza subtypes and should be monitored carefully to prevent spread of disease, according to a study.

Pregnant women with congenital heart disease may have low complication risks during delivery Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Pregnant women with congenital heart disease had very low risks of irregular heart beat or other heart-related complications during labor and delivery, a study has shown. However, pregnant women with congenital heart disease were more likely to undergo cesarean section and remain in the hospital longer.

Trans fat consumption linked to diminished memory in working-aged adults Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST Trans fat consumption is adversely linked to memory sharpness in young to middle-aged men. Men under 45 years old who ate higher amounts of trans fats, which are found in processed foods, had significantly reduced ability to recall words. Further studies need to determine whether these effects extend to women under 45 years old.

Moms' pre-pregnancy weight impacts risk of dying decades later Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:54 AM PST People whose mothers were overweight before pregnancy may be at an elevated risk to die from cardiovascular disease. An overweight mother also contributes to her offspring's obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Being poor is not the same everywhere Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:48 AM PST Young people growing up in impoverished neighborhoods who perceive their poor communities in a positive light report better health and well-being than those with worse perceptions of where they live, new research suggests.

Helping wheat defend itself against damaging viruses Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:48 AM PST A patent-pending technology has built resistance to certain viruses in wheat plants. These viruses can be an economic drain to wheat farmers by costing them 5 to 10 percent or more in yield reductions per crop. Although the technology involves genetic engineering, which is not an option for wheat in today's market, the research has extended to building this resistance in non-genetically engineered wheat lines as well.

Testosterone replacement therapy does not increase cardiovascular risks in men with low testosterone levels Posted: 18 Nov 2014 07:48 AM PST An important new study of men who have undergone testosterone replacement therapy has found that taking supplemental testosterone does not increase their risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Using sewage sludge to obtain bioenergy Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:16 AM PST Researchers have found a way to increase biomass production by using sewage sludge as energy crop fertilizers. The usage of sewage sludge to fertilize energy crops could be an opportunity to release residues since these plantations are not intended for food industry.

Cheap malaria drug could treat colorectal cancer effectively too, say experts Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:16 AM PST A common malaria drug could have a significant impact on colorectal cancer providing a cheap adjunct to current expensive chemotherapy, medical experts say. Colorectal cancer (CRC) makes up about 10 percent of the annual 746,000 global cancer cases in men and 614,000 cases in women.

Laboratory breakthrough offers promise for spinal cord injury patients to breathe on their own again Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST A procedure that restores function to muscles that control breathing – even when they have been paralyzed for more than a year -- has been developed by researchers. The breakthrough offers hope that patients with severe spinal cord injuries will be able to breathe again on their own.

Heart muscle inflammation, swelling peak twice after heart attack Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST Results of a new study challenge the current consensus in cardiology that peak myocardial edema, or heart muscle swelling, only occurs just after a myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Cardiac stem cell therapy may heal heart damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST Injections of cardiac stem cells might help reverse heart damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, potentially resulting in a longer life expectancy for patients with the chronic muscle-wasting disease, researchers report.

'Probiotics' for plants boost detox abilities; untreated plants overdose and die Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST Scientists using a microbe that occurs naturally in eastern cottonwood trees have boosted the ability of willow and lawn grass to withstand the withering effects of the nasty industrial pollutant phenanthrene.

Major brain pathway rediscovered after century-old confusion, controversy Posted: 18 Nov 2014 06:13 AM PST A scientist looking at MRI scans of human brains noticed a large fiber pathway that seemed to be part of the network that processes visual information. He just couldn't couldn't find it in any of the modern textbooks. In a new article, a research team describes the history and controversy of the elusive brain pathway, explains how modern MRI techniques rediscovered it, and gives analytical tools researchers can use to identify the brain structure -- now known as the vertical occipital fasciculus.

Premature infants benefit from early sodium supplementation according to new research Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:29 AM PST Early sodium supplementation for very premature infants can enhance weight gain according to a recent study. This study found significant differences between the infants who received sodium supplementation and those who received the placebo.

Twenty-five year hunt uncovers heart defect responsible for cardiovascular diseases Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:29 AM PST The landmark discovery of a tiny defect in a vital heart protein has for the first time enabled heart specialists to accurately pinpoint a therapeutic target for future efforts in developing a drug-based cure for cardiovascular diseases.

Fundamental constants are still constant: Atomic clocks prove stability of mass ratio of protons to electrons Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:27 AM PST Are the fundamental constants really constant? Recent investigations have shown that one essential fundamental constant -- namely the mass ratio of protons to electrons -- can have changed only by a maximum of one part in a million over the age of our solar system (i.e. extrapolated over approx. 5 billion years). Previously, scientists deemed the possible changes to be twice as high. To obtain this result, physicists from PTB compared caesium and ytterbium atomic clocks with each other for 7 years.

Gravity may have saved the universe after the Big Bang, say researchers Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:27 AM PST Physicists may now be able to explain why the universe did not collapse immediately after the Big Bang. Studies of the Higgs particle -- discovered at CERN in 2012 and responsible for giving mass to all particles -- have suggested that the production of Higgs particles during the accelerating expansion of the very early universe (inflation) should have led to instability and collapse.

Going against the flow: Targeting bacterial motility to combat disease Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:27 AM PST The ability to move enables many bacteria to reach a specific niche or to leave hostile environments. The bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a poultry pathogen that is capable of gliding over solid surfaces. Scientists have now identified the proteins responsible for this gliding mechanism. Interrupting the gliding mechanism could be a way to make the bacteria less virulent, but it could also help in the development of vaccines against the pathogen, experts say.

Mechanisms behind 'Mexican waves' in brain revealed by scientists Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:26 AM PST Scientists have revealed the mechanisms that enable certain brain cells to persuade others to create 'Mexican waves' linked with cognitive function. Inhibitory neurons can vibrate and they are equipped with mechanisms that enable them to persuade networks of other neurons into imitating their vibrations -- setting off 'Mexican waves' in the brain. The scientists believe these collective, oscillating vibrations play a key role in cognitive function. Their research sheds light on how inhibitory neurons use different communication processes to excitatory neurons, which share information via an internal pulsing mechanism.

Viruses impaired if their targets have diverse genes Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:25 AM PST When a viral infection spread through five genetically identical mice in a row, the virus replicated faster and became more virulent or severe. But when the infection spread one-by-one through five genetically diverse mice, the virus had trouble adapting and became less virulent. A new study suggests that increased genetic diversity should be promoted in livestock and in captive-bred endangered species so as to limit their risk of getting deadly infections.

Alcohol taxes can improve health, lead to more jobs Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:25 AM PST Alcohol tax increases reduce the harms resulting from excessive alcohol consumption, and may lead to a small net increase in the number of jobs, according to new research.

Verbal abuse in the workplace: Are men or women most at risk? Posted: 18 Nov 2014 04:25 AM PST There is no significant difference in the prevalence of verbal abuse in the workplace between men and women, according to a systematic review of the literature. Verbal abuse is the most common form of workplace violence. It can lead to many consequences, particularly at the psychological and organizational levels.

Geologic mapping of asteroid Vesta reveals history of large impacts Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:45 PM PST A project to map the impact sequence on the asteroid Vesta is helping scientists compare its history to other solar system objects.

Computer model provides a new portrait of carbon dioxide Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:45 PM PST An ultra-high-resolution computer model has given scientists a stunning new look at how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere travels around the globe. Plumes of carbon dioxide in the simulation swirl and shift as winds disperse the greenhouse gas away from its sources. The simulation also illustrates differences in carbon dioxide levels in the northern and southern hemispheres and distinct swings in global carbon dioxide concentrations as the growth cycle of plants and trees changes with the seasons.

Nothing fishy about health benefits of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:45 PM PST Increasing the amount of omega-3s in your diet, whether from fish or flax, will likely decrease your risk of getting heart disease, according to nutritionists. A substantial amount of evidence exists supporting the heart-health benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA), marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids. However, much less evidence exists to demonstrate the positive effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.

How phthalate exposure impacts pregnancy Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST In recent years, scientists have linked chemicals known as phthalates with complications of pregnancy and fetal development. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic materials more flexible and can also be found in personal care products such as perfumes, deodorants and lotions. They can enter the human body by being ingested, inhaled or through the skin. Most often phthalates are metabolized and excreted quickly, but constant contact with them means that nearly everyone in the United States is exposed, some more than others.

Need to encourage patients to screen for colon cancer? Try a lottery Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Convincing patients to do an often dreaded colon cancer screening test could just take a little extra nudge – like a chance to win $50. Patients who were told they had a 1-in-10 chance of winning $50 were more likely to complete home stool blood tests that help screen for colon cancer, according to a new study.

Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Bed bugs, like the triatomines, can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas, research has confirmed.

Investigational oral drug combo shows promise for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:44 PM PST The investigational drug ixazomib taken orally in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone shows promise in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, according to the results of a phase 1/2 study. "The all-oral combination of weekly ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone was generally well tolerated and appeared active in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma," the lead author says. "Our results support the development of a phase 3 trial studying this combination for multiple myeloma."

Virus devastating sea stars on Pacific Coast identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:44 PM PST Scientists have now explained the mysteriously sudden appearance of a disease that has decimated sea stars on the North American Pacific Coast.

Finding 'lost' languages in the brain: Far-reaching implications for unconscious role of infant experiences Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST An infant's mother tongue creates neural patterns that the unconscious brain retains years later even if the child totally stops using the language, as can happen in cases of international adoption, according to a new joint study. The study offers the first neural evidence that traces of the "lost" language remain in the brain.

Overhaul in tropical forest research needed Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST New work shows the limitations of long-used research methods in tropical rainforest ecology and points to new technological approaches for understanding forest structures and systems on large geographic scales.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST A clinical trial testing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on persistent postconcussion symptoms in US military service members showed no benefits over a sham procedure in an air-filled chamber, but symptoms did improve in both the HBO and sham treatment groups compared with a group of patients who received no supplemental air chamber treatment, according to a report.

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