ScienceDaily: Top News

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• NASA sees second biggest flare of the solar cycle
• Chimpanzees have police officers, too
• Genetic survey of endangered Antarctic blue whales shows surprising diversity
• Teaching fat cells to burn calories: New target against obesity involves brown fat
• Communication technologies including smartphones and laptops could now be 1,000 times faster, new study suggests
• Heart attacks rise following daylight saving time
• Eating berries benefits the brain
• Nasty people in the media prime the brain for aggression
• First spectroscopic measurement of an anti-atom
• New species of deep-sea catshark described from the Galapagos
• Researchers capture first-ever image of two atoms forming a molecule
• What have we got in common with a gorilla? Insight into human evolution from gorilla genome sequence
• Self-centered kids? Blame their immature brains
• Deafening affects vocal nerve cells within hours
• How repeated stress impairs memory
• Players get more pleasure from motion-based video games
• Nanomanufacturing using DNA origami
• 'Star comb' to aid quest for Earth-like planets
• Market exchange rules responsible for wealth concentration, physicists say
• New immune-system sensor may speed up, slash cost of detecting disease
• Oxide thin films to create new field of oxide electronics
• Nanotrees harvest the sun's energy to turn water into hydrogen fuel
• New depression treatment 'safe and effective', experts say
• A bird's song may teach us about human speech disorders
• Inside the cell nucleus: A foot in the door to genetic information
• Galaxies get up close and personal: Collisions in young galaxy cluster
• Sperm can do 'calculus' to calculate calcium dynamics and react accordingly
• Cloud computing: The trustworthy cloud
• Internet-based therapy relieves persistent tinnitus, study suggests
• Autism: Don't look now -- I'm trying to think
• Archaea: Crystal structure of archael chromatin clarified
• Newly approved drug for infant respiratory distress syndrome
• When it comes to creating wetlands, Mother Nature is in charge
• Elusive Higgs boson may nearly be cornered

NASA sees second biggest flare of the solar cycle Posted: 07 Mar 2012 03:51 PM PST The leading edge of the first of two major coronal mass ejections will reach Earth at about 1:25 AM EST on the morning of March 8 (plus or minus 7 hours). Such a CME could result in a severe geomagnetic storm, causing aurora at low latitudes, with possible disruption to high frequency radio communication, global positioning systems (GPS), and power grids.

Chimpanzees have police officers, too Posted: 07 Mar 2012 03:50 PM PST Chimpanzees are interested in social cohesion and have various strategies to guarantee the stability of their group. Anthropologists now reveal that chimpanzees mediate conflicts between other group members, not for their own direct benefit, but rather to preserve the peace within the group. Their impartial intervention in a conflict -- so-called "policing" -- can be regarded as an early evolutionary form of moral behavior.

Genetic survey of endangered Antarctic blue whales shows surprising diversity Posted: 07 Mar 2012 03:49 PM PST More than 99 percent of Antarctic blue whales were killed by commercial whalers during the 20th century, but the first circumpolar genetic study of these critically endangered whales has found a surprisingly high level of diversity among the surviving population of some 2,200 individuals. That may bode well for their future recovery.

Teaching fat cells to burn calories: New target against obesity involves brown fat Posted: 07 Mar 2012 03:46 PM PST In the war against obesity, one's own fat cells may seem an unlikely ally, but new research suggests ordinary fat cells can be reengineered to burn calories.

Communication technologies including smartphones and laptops could now be 1,000 times faster, new study suggests Posted: 07 Mar 2012 01:28 PM PST Many of the communication tools of today rely on the function of light or, more specifically, on applying information to a light wave. Thanks to research, a physical basis for terahertz bandwidth (THz, or 1 trillion cycles per second) -- the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared and microwave light -- has now been demonstrated.

Heart attacks rise following daylight saving time Posted: 07 Mar 2012 01:25 PM PST The Monday and Tuesday after moving the clocks ahead one hour in March is associated with a 10 percent increase in the risk of having a heart attack. Learn what you can do to mitigate your risk.

Eating berries benefits the brain Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:58 AM PST Strong scientific evidence exists that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.

Nasty people in the media prime the brain for aggression Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:54 AM PST Research over the past few decades has shown that viewing physical violence in the media can increase aggression in adults and children. But a new study has also found that onscreen relational aggression -- including social exclusion, gossip and emotional bullying -- may prime the brain for aggression.

First spectroscopic measurement of an anti-atom Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:54 AM PST Scientists have captured and held atoms of antihydrogen, a single antiproton orbited by a single positron. Now, by measuring antihydrogen's hyperfine structure, they have achieved another first in antimatter science with the very first measurements of the energy spectrum of an anti-atom.

New species of deep-sea catshark described from the Galapagos Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:54 AM PST Scientists conducting deep-sea research in the Galapagos have described a new species of catshark, Bythaelurus giddingsi. The new shark is approximately a foot long and has a chocolate-brown coloration with pale, irregularly distributed spots on its body. The spotted patterns appear to be unique to each individual.

Researchers capture first-ever image of two atoms forming a molecule Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST Using a new ultrafast camera, researchers have recorded the first real-time image of two atoms vibrating in a molecule. Key to the experiment is the researchers' use of the energy of a molecule's own electron as a kind of "flash bulb" to illuminate the molecular motion.

What have we got in common with a gorilla? Insight into human evolution from gorilla genome sequence Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST Scientists have sequenced the genome of the last great ape to have its genome decoded, the gorilla. This study provides a unique perspective on our own origins and is an important resource for research into human evolution and biology, as well as for gorilla biology and conservation.

Self-centered kids? Blame their immature brains Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST A new study suggests that age-associated improvements in the ability to consider the preferences of others are linked with maturation of a brain region involved in self control. The findings may help to explain why young children often struggle to control selfish impulses, even when they know better, and could impact educational strategies designed to promote successful social behavior.

Deafening affects vocal nerve cells within hours Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST Portions of a songbird's brain that control how it sings have been shown to decay within 24 hours of the animal losing its hearing.

How repeated stress impairs memory Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST Anyone who has ever been subject to chronic stress knows that it can take a toll on emotions and the ability to think clearly. Now, new research uncovers a neural mechanism that directly links repeated stress with impaired memory. The study also provides critical insight into why stress responses can act as a trigger for many mental illnesses.

Players get more pleasure from motion-based video games Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:20 AM PST The newest motion-based video games — which are more interactive than standard video game systems with gamepads — are more realistic, give a greater sense of "being there" and are more enjoyable, according to findings by communications studies researchers.

Nanomanufacturing using DNA origami Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:27 AM PST In recent years, scientists have begun to harness DNA's powerful molecular machinery to build artificial structures at the nanoscale using the natural ability of pairs of DNA molecules to assemble into complex structures. While most researchers of "DNA origami" are working to demonstrate what's possible, scientists are now seeking to determine what's practical.

'Star comb' to aid quest for Earth-like planets Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:27 AM PST If there is life on other planets, a laser frequency comb may help find it. Such a comb -- a tool for precisely measuring frequencies, or colors, of light -- has for the first time been used to calibrate measurements of starlight from stars other than the Sun. The good results suggest combs will eventually fulfill their potential to boost the search for Earth-like planets to a new level.

Market exchange rules responsible for wealth concentration, physicists say Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:26 AM PST Physicists have shown that wealth concentration invariably stems from a particular type of market exchange rules -- where agents cannot receive more income than their own capital. The authors concluded that maximum inequalities ensue from free markets, which are governed by such seemingly fair rules.

New immune-system sensor may speed up, slash cost of detecting disease Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:26 AM PST An inexpensive new medical sensor has the potential to simplify the diagnosis of diseases ranging from life-threatening immune deficiencies to the common cold, according to its inventors.

Oxide thin films to create new field of oxide electronics Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:24 AM PST Researchers have developed the first functional oxide thin films that can be used efficiently in electronics, making new high-power devices and sensors possible. This is the first time researchers have been able to produce positively-charged and negatively-charged conduction in a single oxide material, launching a new era in oxide electronics.

Nanotrees harvest the sun's energy to turn water into hydrogen fuel Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:23 AM PST Electrical engineers are building a forest of tiny nanowire trees in order to cleanly capture solar energy without using fossil fuels and harvest it for hydrogen fuel generation. The team said nanowires, which are made from abundant natural materials like silicon and zinc oxide, also offer a cheap way to deliver hydrogen fuel on a mass scale.

New depression treatment 'safe and effective', experts say Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:46 AM PST Stimulating the brain with a weak electrical current is a safe and effective treatment for depression and could have other surprise benefits for the body and mind, a major Australian study of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation has found.

A bird's song may teach us about human speech disorders Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:46 AM PST The song of a small bird is providing valuable insights into human speech and speech disorders. Scientists have now discovered that some 2,000 genes in a brain region of a male bird called the zebra finch are significantly linked to singing. More than 1,500 of these genes in a critical part of the bird's song circuitry are reported for the first time.

Inside the cell nucleus: A foot in the door to genetic information Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:46 AM PST In the cell nucleus, DNA wraps around what are called histone proteins, forming regularly spaced spherical bodies called nucleosomes. Thus, large portions of the genetic material are inaccessible to the gene reading machinery. Scientists have now simulated at high time resolution how short DNA segments repeatedly detach spontaneously from the nucleosome. The group has been the first to demonstrate that the spool-shaped histone proteins have an active role in opening access to the genetic information.

Galaxies get up close and personal: Collisions in young galaxy cluster Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:44 AM PST The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at the European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory in Chile has imaged a fascinating collection of interacting galaxies in the Hercules galaxy cluster. The sharpness of the new picture, and the hundreds of galaxies captured in great detail in less than three hours of observations, attest to the great power of the VST and its huge camera OmegaCAM to explore the nearby Universe.

Sperm can do 'calculus' to calculate calcium dynamics and react accordingly Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:44 AM PST Sperm have only one aim: to find the egg. The egg supports the sperm in their quest by emitting attractants. Calcium ions determine the beating pattern of the sperm tail which enables the sperm to move. Scientists have discovered that sperm only react to changes in calcium concentration but not to the calcium concentration itself. Probably sperm make this calculation so that they remain capable of maneuvering even in the presence of high calcium concentrations.

Cloud computing: The trustworthy cloud Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:43 AM PST Not a week goes by without reports on security gaps, data theft or hacker attacks. Both businesses and private users are becoming increasingly uneasy. However, when it comes to technologies like cloud computing, trust and security are essential if we intend to use data and applications that are flexible, cost-effective and above all, mobile.

Internet-based therapy relieves persistent tinnitus, study suggests Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:43 AM PST Those suffering from nagging tinnitus can benefit from internet-based therapy just as much as patients who take part in group therapy sessions. These are the findings of a German-Swedish study in which patients with moderate to severe tinnitus tried out various forms of therapy over a ten-week period. The outcome of both the internet-based therapy and group therapy sessions was significantly better than that of a control group that only participated in an online discussion forum and thus demonstrated both the former to be effective methods of managing the symptoms of irritating ringing in the ears.

Autism: Don't look now -- I'm trying to think Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PST Children with autism look away from faces when thinking, especially about challenging material, according to new research.

Archaea: Crystal structure of archael chromatin clarified Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PST Researchers have clarified for the first time how chromatin in archaea, one of the three evolutionary branches of organisms in nature, binds to DNA. The results offer valuable clues into the evolution of chromatin structure in multi-cellular organisms and promise insights into how abnormalities in such structure can contribute to cancers and gene disorders.

Newly approved drug for infant respiratory distress syndrome Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PST Scientific advances have led to a new drug Surfaxin® (lucinactant), just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome.

When it comes to creating wetlands, Mother Nature is in charge Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:38 AM PST Fifteen years of studying two experimental wetlands has convinced experts that turning the reins over to Mother Nature makes the most sense when it comes to this area of ecological restoration.

Elusive Higgs boson may nearly be cornered Posted: 07 Mar 2012 05:36 AM PST New measurements announced by scientists from the CDF and DZero collaborations at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory indicate that the elusive Higgs boson may nearly be cornered. After analyzing the full data set from the Tevatron accelerator, which completed its last run in September 2011, the two independent experiments see hints of a Higgs boson.

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