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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Researchers develop efficient method to produce nanoporous metals

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 12:47 PM PST

Nanoporous metals -- foam-like materials that have some degree of air vacuum in their structure -- have a wide range of applications because of their superior qualities.

Converting Human-Generated Waste Into Fuel in Space

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST

Who would've known human waste could be used to propel spacecraft from the moon back to Earth? Researchers responded to the call from NASA and came up with a process to convert waste to methane and propel spacecraft to Earth.

Endangered species success: Idaho salmon regaining fitness advantage

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 11:08 AM PST

Once on the brink of extinction with only a few fish remaining, Snake River sockeye salmon are regaining the fitness they need to rebuild wild populations. A new analysis shows that naturally spawned offspring of fish saved by a hatchery program are now surviving to return at increasing rate -- high enough to not only sustain the population but also to rebuild it.

Mere expectation of treatment can improve brain activity in Parkinson's patients

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 11:08 AM PST

Learning-related brain activity in Parkinson's patients improves as much in response to a placebo treatment as to real medication, according to a new study. "The findings highlight the power of expectations to drive changes in the brain," said a co-author of the study. "The research highlights important links between psychology and medicine."

Obstructive sleep apnea treatments may reduce depressive symptoms

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 11:08 AM PST

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure or mandibular advancement devices can lead to modest improvements in depressive symptoms, according to a study.

'Scary' centipede's genes reveal how life evolved on our planet

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 11:08 AM PST

Centipedes, those many-legged creatures that startle us in our homes and gardens, have been genetically sequenced for the first time. An international team of over 100 scientists today reveals how this humble arthropod's DNA gave them new insight into how life developed on our planet. 

Physicists bind single-atom sheets with the same force geckos use to climb walls

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 10:19 AM PST

The approach is to design synergistic materials by combining two single-atom thick sheets, for example, that act as a photovoltaic cell as well as a light-emitting diode, converting energy between electricity and radiation.

Long-term testosterone therapy does not increase risk of prostate cancer

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 09:49 AM PST

Testosterone (T) therapy is routinely used in men with hypogonadism, a condition in which diminished function of the gonads occurs. Although there is no evidence that T therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), there are still concerns and a paucity of long-term data. In a new study, investigators examined three parallel, prospective, ongoing, cumulative registry studies of over 1,000 men. Their analysis showed that long-term T therapy in hypogonadal men is safe and does not increase the risk of PCa.

Vegetable oil ingredient key to destroying gastric disease bacteria

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 09:48 AM PST

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with gastric ulcers and cancer. To combat the infection, researchers developed LipoLLA, a therapeutic nanoparticle that contains linolenic acid, a component in vegetable oils. In mice, LipoLLA was safe and more effective against H. pylori infection than standard antibiotic treatments.

Physicists predict fano resonance in lead-free relaxors: Discovery advances knowledge of poorly understood materials

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 09:48 AM PST

Scientists predicts that a phenomenon known in physics as Fano resonance can exist in materials that are used in electronic devices. The discovery advances the fundamental understanding of ferroelectric relaxors, which were discovered in the early 1960s but whose properties are still poorly understood.

Mining can damage fish habitats far downstream, study shows

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

Anglers across the nation wondering why luck at their favorite fishing spot seems to have dried up may have a surprising culprit: a mine miles away, even in a different state. Scientists have taken a first broad look at the impacts of mines across the country and found that mining can damage fish habitats miles downstream, and even in streams not directly connected to the mines.

Athletes' testosterone surges not tied to winning, study finds

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

A higher surge of testosterone in competition, the so-called 'winner effect,' is not actually related to winning, suggests a new study of intercollegiate cross country runners.

Pathology specialist contributes to debate on breast cancer gene screening

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

What are the risks and benefits of screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the general adult population? An expert has published an invited commentary on this issue.

E-health records used to search for hidden drug benefits

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

With research and development costs for many drugs reaching well into the billions, pharmaceutical companies want more than ever to determine whether their drugs already at market have any hidden therapeutic benefits that could warrant putting additional indications on the label and increase production.

Superbug in SE Michigan shows recent decline

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

A new study finds a decrease in an emergent strain of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) that is resistant to last line defense antibiotics. Researchers examined the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) infections in southeastern Michigan, where the majority of these infections have occurred in the US.

Trojan horse tactic gives parasites edge over immune systems

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

Parasites use Trojan horse subterfuge to suppress the immunity of their victims when causing infection, according to a study. Scientists have shown that parasites are able to secrete tiny sealed packages of genetic material into the cells of their victims, in order to suppress the immune response to infection.

Blu-ray disc can be used to improve solar cell performance

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

Who knew about Blu-ray discs? One of the best ways to store high-definition movies and television shows because of their high-density data storage, Blu-ray discs also improve the performance of solar cells, according to a new study. Researchers have discovered that the pattern of information written on a Blu-ray disc -- and it doesn't matter if it's Jackie Chan's 'Supercop' or the cartoon 'Family Guy' -- works very well for improving light absorption across the solar spectrum.

Vultures evolved an extreme gut to cope with disgusting dietary habits

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:18 AM PST

How is it that vultures can live on a diet of carrion that would at least lead to severe food-poisoning, and more likely kill most other animals?

Patients at emergency departments regarded as 'symptoms,' researcher says

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:15 AM PST

The healthcare work of providing care at Emergency departments is medicalized and result-driven. As a consequence of this, patients are regarded as "symptoms", and are shunted around the department as "production units", new research suggests.

A 'hybrid vehicle' that delivers DNA

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 08:15 AM PST

A new hybrid vehicle is under development. Its performance isn't measured by the distance it travels, but rather the delivery of its cargo: vaccines that contain genetically engineered DNA to fight HIV, cancer, influenza and other maladies. The technology is a biomedical advancement that could help unleash the potential of DNA vaccines, which despite two decades of research, have yet to make a significant impact in the treatment of major illnesses.

Pain and itch in a dish: Scientists convert human skin cells into sensory neurons

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:43 AM PST

Scientists have found a simple method to convert human skin cells into the specialized neurons that detect pain, itch, touch and other bodily sensations. These neurons are also affected by spinal cord injury and involved in Friedreich's ataxia, a devastating and currently incurable neurodegenerative disease that largely strikes children.

Study maps how city neighborhoods affect diabetes risk

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:21 AM PST

Public health researchers in Philadelphia looked at how neighborhood and community-level factors -- not just individual factors like diet, exercise and education -- influence people's diabetes risk. Their new study adds insight into the role of the physical and social environment on diabetes risk, zip code by zip code throughout the city.

Barriers to public health data-sharing; life-saving solutions

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:21 AM PST

Barriers to the sharing of public health data hamper decision-making efforts on local, national and global levels, and stymie attempts to contain emerging global health threats, an international team of researchers has announced.

Body size requires hormones under control

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:19 AM PST

The proper regulation of body size is of fundamental importance, but the mechanisms that stop growth are still unclear. Scientists have shed new light on how animals regulate body size. The researchers uncovered important clues about the molecular mechanisms triggered by environmental conditions that ultimately affect final body size. They show that the timing of synthesis of a steroid hormone called ecdysone is sensitive to nutrition in the fruit fly and describe the key proteins involved in this regulatory mechanism. This study explains what causes hormones to become environmentally-sensitive and provides important clues on body size regulation.

Missing gene linked to autism

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:19 AM PST

Researchers have shed light on a gene mutation linked to autistic traits. The team already knew that some people with autism were deficient in a gene called neurexin-II. To investigate whether the gene was associated with autism symptoms, the Leeds team studied mice with the same defect. They found behavioral features that were similar to autism symptoms, including a lack of sociability or interest in other mice.

New plastic that disappears when you want it to

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

Plastic populates our world through everything from electronics to packaging and vehicles. Once discarded, it resides almost permanently in landfills and oceans. A new discovery holds scientific promise that could lead to a new type of plastic that can be broken down when exposed to a specific type of light and is reduced back to molecules, which could then be used to create new plastic.

Gene linked to tamoxifen-resistant breast cancers

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

After mining the genetic records of thousands of breast cancer patients, researchers have identified a gene whose presence may explain why some breast cancers are resistant to tamoxifen, a widely used hormone treatment generally used after surgery, radiation and other chemotherapy.

Alzheimer's in a dish model converts skin cells to induced neurons expressing amyloid-beta and tau

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

The search for a living laboratory model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) — the so-called "Alzheimer's in a dish" —has a new candidate. Researchers report success in creating induced neurons that model Alzheimer's by starting with fibroblasts taken from skin biopsies.

Circumstances are right for weed invasion to escalate, researchers say

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

What some farmers grow as pasture plants others view as weeds. But with the need to cheaply feed food animals rising, circumstances are right for the weed invasion to escalate.

How environment contributes to several human diseases

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

Using a new imaging technique, researchers have found that the biological machinery that builds DNA can insert molecules into the DNA strand that are damaged as a result of environmental exposures. These damaged molecules trigger cell death that produces some human diseases, according to the researchers. The work provides a possible explanation for how one type of DNA damage may lead to cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and lung disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers Identify Genetic Markers That May Predispose Individuals for Kidney Injury

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 07:17 AM PST

Researchers have identified genetic markers that may help to identify individuals at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in the hospital setting. The study offers new clues about the development of AKI and could lead to potential therapeutic interventions.

Scientists completed the first orchid whole genome sequencing

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:54 AM PST

As one of the most diverse plant family, orchid now has its first genome sequenced. All around the world, orchids are highly endangered species because of illegal collection and habitat loss. The complete genome sequence of P. equestris will provide an important resource to explore orchid diversity and evolution at the genome level.

Breakthrough in flexible electronics enabled by inorganic-based laser lift-off

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:54 AM PST

Engineers have developed an easier methodology to make high performance flexible electronics by using the Inorganic-based Laser Lift-off (ILLO), which enables nanoscale processes for high density flexible devices and high temperature processes that were previously difficult to achieve on plastic substrates.

One-two punch of drugs better than either alone against colorectal cancer

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:11 AM PST

Experimental anti-cancer agents PF-04691502 and PD-0325901 excel in lab tests against colorectal cancer models and enter phase 1 trial, scientists report. "This study demonstrates strong potential for this combination in treating laboratory models of colorectal cancer. We hope that if we can discover biomarkers that predict which tumors respond and which don't respond to the combination that we can optimize its use," one researcher says.

Sialic acid shields human cells from attack by immune system

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:11 AM PST

Biochemists have identified molecular structures that allow the immune system to tell friend from foe. The researchers identified and crystallized a complex that forms the contact point between the healthy human cell and the complement system. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis, they were able to solve the molecular structure of the complex. It is composed of a glycan containing sialic acid and two domains of the complement system regulator, factor H.

Researchers find way to turn sawdust into gasoline

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:11 AM PST

Researchers have successfully converted sawdust into building blocks for gasoline. Using a new chemical process, they were able to convert the cellulose in sawdust into hydrocarbon chains. These hydrocarbons can be used as an additive in gasoline, or as a component in plastics.

Does a yogurt a day keep diabetes away?

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

A high intake of yogurt has been found to be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research. This highlights the importance of having yogurt as part of a healthy diet.

El Niño stunts children's growth in Peru

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

Extreme weather events, such as El Niño, can have long-lasting effects on health, according to research. The study, in coastal Peru, shows that children born during and after the 1997-98 El Niño have a lower height-for-age than others born before the event.

Scientists could save thousands with student's DIY microscope

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

Expensive tests for measuring everything from sperm motility to cancer diagnosis have just been made hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper by a Ph.D. student from England who hacked his own microscope.

Why cancer cells grow despite a lack of oxygen

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

Healthy cells reduce their growth when there is a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). This makes it even more surprising that hypoxia is a characteristic feature of malignant tumors. In two publications, researchers report on how cancer cells succeed at circumventing the genetic program of growth inhibition.

Asymptomatic atherosclerosis linked to cognitive impairment

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

In a study of nearly 2,000 adults, researchers found that a buildup of plaque in the body's major arteries was associated with mild cognitive impairment. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fat, cholesterol and other substances collect in the arteries, forming a substance called plaque that can build up, limiting blood flow. It can occur in any artery of the body, including the carotid, which supplies blood to the brain, coronary arteries and the aorta, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart through the abdomen to the rest of body.

New device may ease mammography discomfort

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:48 AM PST

A new device that may result in more comfortable mammography for women has been created by researchers. According to a new study, standardizing the pressure applied in mammography would reduce pain associated with breast compression without sacrificing image quality.

Homosexuality may help us bond, experts say

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

Homosexual behavior may have evolved to promote social bonding in humans, according to new research. Researchers found that heterosexual women who have higher levels of progesterone are more likely to be open to the idea of engaging in sexual behaviour with other women. Similarly, when heterosexual men are subtly reminded of the importance of having male friends and allies, they report more positive attitudes toward engaging in sexual behaviour with other men. This pattern is particularly dramatic in men who have high levels of progesterone.

Gene discovered that reduces risk of stroke

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

A gene that protects people against one of the major causes of stroke in young and middle-aged adults has been discovered, and researchers say that it could hold the key to new treatments.

Problem gambling, personality disorders often go hand in hand

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

The treatment of people who cannot keep their gambling habits in check is often complicated because they also tend to suffer from personality disorders. Problem gambling creates a multitude of intrapersonal, interpersonal and social difficulties for the roughly 2.3 percent of the population internationally that suffers from this behavior.

Bitcoin, virtual money: User's identity can be revealed much easier than thought

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

Bitcoin is the new money: minted and exchanged on the Internet. Faster and cheaper than a bank, the service is attracting attention from all over the world. But a big question remains: are the transactions really anonymous? Several research groups worldwide have shown that it is possible to find out which transactions belong together, even if the client uses different pseudonyms. However it was not clear if it is also possible to reveal the IP address behind each transaction. This has changed: researchers have now demonstrated how this is feasible with only a few computers and about €1500.

New ways to drain cancer's 'fuel tank' discovered

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

A potential weakness in cancer's ability to return or become resistant to treatment has been discovered, targeting the 'fuel' part of stem cells which allows tumors to grow. By observing cancer stem cells in a lab setting, researchers discovered that mitochondria are especially important for the proliferative expansion and survival of cancer stem cells, also known as 'tumor initiating cells', which would then promote treatment resistance.

Better assessment of decision-making capacity

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:47 AM PST

Physicians often find it hard to tell if a patient suffering from dementia or depression is capable of making sound judgements. Through a new study, researchers now aim to shed more light on this issue, developing a better way to assess a patient's decision-making capacity.

Proton pump inhibitors decrease diversity in gut microbiome, increase risk for complications

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

People who regularly take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have less diversity among their gut bacteria, putting them at increased risk for infections like clostridium difficile and pneumonia, in addition to vitamin deficiencies and bone fractures, a new study has shown.

Schistosomas: Tropical parasite uses swim stroke not shared by any other creature

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

For many bacteria and parasites looking to get a load of the fresh nutritional bounty inside your body, the skin is the first and most important gatekeeper. Schistosomas, however, and burrow right on through. These waterborne blood flukes, responsible for 200 million total worldwide cases of Schistosomiasis, are driven by the powerful thrusts of their unique forked tails and chewing enzymes. The parasite's swimming patterns are crucial for its human-seeking chemotactic activity - and are the focus of researchers who ultimately seek to break the chain of infection.

Fluid dynamics explain what happens when dogs drink water

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

If you've ever watched a dog drink water, you know that it can be a sloshy, spilly, splashy affair -- in other words, adorable. Behind all of the happy, wet messes, however, lies the mechanical logic of carnivorous compensation -- dogs splash when they drink because they have the cheeks of a predatory quadruped. By studying the drinking habits of various dog breeds and sizes, researchers have recently identified and modeled the fluid dynamics at play when dogs drink water.

Espresso in space: You knew it was only a matter of time before espresso made its way to the International Space Station, right?

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

Espresso-loving astronauts, rejoice! You may soon be able to enjoy your beloved beverage in space, thanks to a new cup designed specifically to defy the low-gravity environments encountered aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Small modifications to tractor-trailers could save billions of gallons of gasoline each year

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

Each year, the more than 2 million tractor-trailer trucks that cruise America's highways consume about 36 billion gallons of diesel fuel, representing more than 10 percent of the nation's entire petroleum use. That fuel consumption could be reduced by billions of gallons a year through the use of drag-reducing devices on trucks, according to new studies.

Climate control in termite mounds

Posted: 25 Nov 2014 04:46 AM PST

Researchers have found that fluctuations in outside temperature create convection currents within termite mounds to ventilate the living space.

Conserving soil, water in world's driest wheat region

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 03:01 PM PST

In the world's driest rainfed wheat region, researchers have identified summer fallow management practices that can make all the difference for farmers, water and soil conservation, and air quality. Wheat growers in the Horse Heaven Hills of south-central Washington farm with an average of 6-8 inches of rain a year. Wind erosion has caused blowing dust that exceeded federal air quality standards 20 times in the past 10 years.

CT scans of coral skeletons reveal ocean acidity increases reef erosion

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 03:01 PM PST

For coral reefs to persist, rates of reef construction must exceed reef breakdown. Prior research has largely focused on the negative impacts of ocean acidification on reef growth, but new research demonstrates that lower ocean pH also enhances reef breakdown: a double-whammy for coral reefs in a changing climate.

Boy moms more social in chimpanzees: Watching adult males in action may help youngsters prepare

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 03:01 PM PST

Four decades of chimpanzee observations reveals the mothers of sons are 25 percent more social than the mothers of daughters, spending about two hours more per day with other chimpanzees than the girl moms did. Researchers believe mothers are giving young males the opportunity to observe males in social situations to help them develop the social skills they'll need to thrive in adult male competition.

'Dramatic' early phase 1 results for AG-120 in IDH1 mutated AML

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 03:00 PM PST

A new study shows "extremely promising" early phase 1 clinical trial results for the investigational drug AG-120 against the subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring mutations in the gene IDH.

Biology trumps chemistry in open ocean: How phytoplankton assimilate limited concentrations of phosphorus

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 01:29 PM PST

Scientists laid out a new framework based on in situ observations that will allow them to describe and understand how phytoplankton assimilate limited concentrations of phosphorus, a key nutrient, in the ocean in ways that better reflect what is actually occurring in the marine environment. This is important because nutrient uptake is a property of ocean biogeochemistry, and in many regions controls carbon dioxide fixation, which ultimately can play a role in mitigating climate change.

How does the brain react to virtual reality? Completely different pattern of activity in brain

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 01:29 PM PST

Neurophysicists studying a key brain region where Alzheimer's disease begins have discovered how the brain processes virtual reality. 'The pattern of activity in a brain region involved in spatial learning in the virtual world is completely different than in the real world,' said the professor of physics, neurology, and neurobiology.

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