ScienceDaily: Top News

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• The sounds of science: Melting of iceberg creates surprising ocean din
• 3-D-printed splint saves infant's life
• Rare primate species needs habitat help to survive
• Protein targeted for cancer drug development is essential for normal heart function
• Dinosaurs, diets and ecological niches: Study shows recipe for success
• Link between omega-3 fatty acids and increased prostate cancer risk confirmed
• New virus discovered in stranded dolphin
• Location of body fat can elevate heart disease, cancer risk
• Mammals can 'choose' sex of offspring, study finds
• Brain's response to sweets may indicate risk for development of alcoholism
• 'Wasted' and 'hammered' versus 'buzzed' and 'tipsy' is more than just semantics
• Personality differences linked to later drinking have roots in early childhood
• Asian origins of native American dogs confirmed
• People with Alzheimer's disease may have lower risk of cancer and vice versa
• Vaccinated children: A powerful protection for older adults
• One More Homo Species? 3D-comparative analysis confirms status of Homo floresiensis as fossil human species
• Putting more science into the art of making nanocrystals
• 'Kangaroo care' offers developmental benefits for premature newborns
• Vitamin D deficiency linked to accelerated aging of bones
• Intestinal bacteria may fuel inflammation and worsen HIV disease
• Intelligence agents may be prone to irrational decision making
• Researchers perform DNA computation in living cells
• Jagged graphene edges can slice into cell membranes
• IBEX spacecraft images the heliotail, revealing an unexpected structure
• Scientists decode mystery sequences involved in gene regulation
• A new way to trap light: Phenomenon could lead to new types of lasers and sensors
• Researchers create inner ear from stem cells, opening potential for new treatments
• Trees use water more efficiently as atmospheric carbon dioxide rises
• Typhoid's lethal secret revealed
• Supercooled water transforms into new form of liquid
• Pandemic risk? Troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus
• New method rapidly identifies specific strains of illness
• Assessing impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
• Wind power does not strongly affect greater prairie chickens, seven-year study finds
• The dark side of artificial sweeteners: Expert reviews negative imact
• 'Bath salts' stimulant could be more addictive than meth, study shows
• Researchers identify new source of powerful immunity protein
• Coastal power plant records reveal decline in key southern California fishes
• Jealousy can drive us to view ourselves more like our rivals
• Toward a safer form of acetaminophen
• Cigarette smoke impacts genes linked to health of heart and lungs
• 'Peak oil' concerns should ease, experts predict
• Nanoparticles, 'pH phoresis' could improve cancer drug delivery
• Dingoes remain top predator despite control measures
• Acid reflux drug may cause heart disease, study suggests
• Fundamental problem for brain mapping
• Huge iceberg breaks away from the Pine Island glacier in the Antarctic
• Plain surfaces transformed into low-cost touch screens
• Contribution of Greenland ice sheet to sea-level rise will continue to increase
• Excessive cerebral spinal fluid and enlarged brain size in infancy are potential biomarkers for autism
• Cloud brightening to cool seas can protect coral reefs: Targeted cooling could offer a 50-year 'breathing space' for coral protection
• Where do astronauts go when they need 'to go?'
• Stroke recovery theories challenged by new studies looking at brain lesions, bionic arms
• Bat that sings like a bird is highly tuned to social circumstance
• Vascular link in Alzheimer's disease with cognition
• Mycobacteria get all the advantages of sex with none of the downsides
• Birds outpace climate change to avoid extinction
• Astronomers witness birth of Milky Way's most massive star
• Females respond better to stress because of estrogen in the brain, animal study finds

The sounds of science: Melting of iceberg creates surprising ocean din Posted: 10 Jul 2013 06:42 PM PDT There is growing concern about how much noise humans generate in marine environments through shipping, oil exploration and other developments, but a new study has found that naturally occurring phenomena could potentially affect some ocean dwellers. Nowhere is this concern greater than in the polar regions, where the effects of global warming often first manifest themselves. The breakup of ice sheets and the calving and grounding of icebergs can create enormous sound energy, scientists say. Now a new study has found that the mere drifting of an iceberg from near Antarctica to warmer ocean waters produces startling levels of noise.

3-D-printed splint saves infant's life Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:36 PM PDT Medical researchers printed a 3-D splint that saved the life of an infant born with severe tracheobronchomalacia, a birth defect that causes the airway to collapse. While similar surgeries have been preformed using tissue donations and windpipes created from stem cells, this is the first time 3D printing has been used to treat tracheobronchomalacia -- at least in a human.

Rare primate species needs habitat help to survive Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:36 PM PDT The population of the critically endangered large primate known as the drill has been largely reduced to a few critical habitat areas in Cameroon, according to a recent study. The study highlights the challenges faced by this species as its living area becomes ever more fragmented by human disturbance. In addition, the report directs conservation efforts towards key areas where the populations continue to survive and thrive.

Protein targeted for cancer drug development is essential for normal heart function Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:36 PM PDT Scientists have discovered that a protein used by cancer cells to evade death also plays a vital role in heart health.

Dinosaurs, diets and ecological niches: Study shows recipe for success Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:36 PM PDT A new scientific study answers a long-standing question in palaeontology -- how numerous species of large, plant-eating dinosaurs could co-exist successfully over geological time. Results from the largest study of dinosaurs recovered from Alberta's Dinosaur Park Formation suggest that niche partitioning was at play: adaptations in skulls and jaws allowed for distinct groups of herbivores to specialize in eating specific types of vegetation, thereby avoiding competition for valuable food sources.

Link between omega-3 fatty acids and increased prostate cancer risk confirmed Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:36 PM PDT A second large, prospective study has confirmed the link between high blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

New virus discovered in stranded dolphin Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT Researchers have identified a new virus associated with the death of a short-beaked dolphin found stranded on a beach in San Diego. It is the first time that a virus belonging to the polyomavirus family has been found in a dolphin.

Location of body fat can elevate heart disease, cancer risk Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT Individuals with excessive abdominal fat have a greater risk of heart disease and cancer than individuals with a similar body mass index who carry their fat in other areas of the body, according to a new study.

Mammals can 'choose' sex of offspring, study finds Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT A new study shows that mammalian species can "choose" the sex of their offspring in order to beat the odds and produce extra grandchildren. In analyzing 90 years of breeding records from the San Diego Zoo, researchers were able to prove for the first time what has been a fundamental theory of evolutionary biology: that mammals rely on some unknown physiologic mechanism to manipulate the sex ratios of their offspring as part of a highly adaptive evolutionary strategy.

Brain's response to sweets may indicate risk for development of alcoholism Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT Several human and animal studies have shown a relationship between a preference for highly sweet tastes and alcohol use disorders. Furthermore, the brain mechanisms of sweet-taste responses may share common neural pathways with responses to alcohol and other drugs. A new study using functional magnetic resonance imaging has found that recent drinking is related to the orbitofrontal-region brain response to an intensely sweet stimulus, a brain response that may serve as an important phenotype, or observable characteristic, of alcoholism risk.

'Wasted' and 'hammered' versus 'buzzed' and 'tipsy' is more than just semantics Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT Prior research found that women tended to use moderate self-referral terms for intoxication, whereas men used heavy terms. New findings confirm that men's drinking is generally described in terms indicative of excessive consumption while women tend to couch drinking in more moderate terms. These labels of intoxication may impact perceptions and subsequent behaviors, but also inform tailored measures for prevention and intervention.

Personality differences linked to later drinking have roots in early childhood Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:29 PM PDT An individual enters adolescence with personality characteristics and life experiences already accumulated. A new study evaluates the impact of childhood temperament on later alcohol use/problems. Results show that childhood temperament prior to age five predicts adolescent alcohol use and problems at age 15.5 years, even after controlling for socio-demographic factors and parental alcohol problems.

Asian origins of native American dogs confirmed Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:25 PM PDT Once thought to have been extinct, native American dogs are on the contrary thriving, according to a recent study that links these breeds to ancient Asia.

People with Alzheimer's disease may have lower risk of cancer and vice versa Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:24 PM PDT Older people with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to also have cancer, and older people with cancer are less likely to also have Alzheimer's disease, according to the largest study to date on the topic.

Vaccinated children: A powerful protection for older adults Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:24 PM PDT Children who receive a vaccine to prevent blood and ear infections, appear to be reducing the spread of pneumonia to the rest of the population, especially their grandparents and other older adults.

One More Homo Species? 3D-comparative analysis confirms status of Homo floresiensis as fossil human species Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:24 PM PDT Based on the analysis of 3-D landmark data from skull surfaces of Homo floresiensis, scientists provide compelling support for the hypothesis that Homo floresiensis was a distinct Homo species.

Putting more science into the art of making nanocrystals Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:57 PM PDT Chemists are making the process of synthesizing quantum dots much more systematic. They are detailing an effective new method for purifying CdSe nanocrystals with well-defined surface properties.

'Kangaroo care' offers developmental benefits for premature newborns Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:57 PM PDT Kangaroo Care delivers benefits beyond bonding and breastfeeding for a hospital's tiniest newborns.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to accelerated aging of bones Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:57 PM PDT Researchers have shown that deficiencies in vitamin D -- the sunshine vitamin -- accelerates the aging of bone, reducing the quality and making it more susceptible to fracturing.

Intestinal bacteria may fuel inflammation and worsen HIV disease Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:57 PM PDT A new study of HIV infection points to changes in intestinal bacteria as a possible explanation for why successfully treated HIV patients nonetheless prematurely experience life-shortening chronic diseases.

Intelligence agents may be prone to irrational decision making Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:53 PM PDT U.S. intelligence agents may be more prone to irrational inconsistencies in decision making compared to college students and post-college adults, according to a new study.

Researchers perform DNA computation in living cells Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:20 AM PDT Chemists have performed a DNA-based logic-gate operation within a human cell. The research may pave the way to more complicated computations in live cells, as well as new methods of disease detection and treatment.

Jagged graphene edges can slice into cell membranes Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:20 AM PDT Researchers have shown how tiny graphene sheets can be big trouble for cells. Sharp corners and jagged edges on the sheets puncture cell membranes, allowing the sheet to enter the cell and disrupt function. The new understanding of how graphene interacts with cells could lead to safer production of this important nanomaterial.

IBEX spacecraft images the heliotail, revealing an unexpected structure Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:19 AM PDT NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer spacecraft recently provided the first complete pictures of the solar system's downwind region, revealing a unique and unexpected structure.

Scientists decode mystery sequences involved in gene regulation Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:18 AM PDT The mechanisms behind gene regulation are not well understood because the RNA sequences to which RNA binding proteins bind have been so difficult to decipher. Now, researchers have produced the first-ever compendium of RNA-binding sequences, which will be an important guide to understanding the root of many genetically-linked diseases, such as autism.

A new way to trap light: Phenomenon could lead to new types of lasers and sensors Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:18 AM PDT There are several ways to "trap" a beam of light -- usually with mirrors, other reflective surfaces, or high-tech materials such as photonic crystals. But now researchers have discovered a new method to trap light that could find a wide variety of applications.

Researchers create inner ear from stem cells, opening potential for new treatments Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:18 AM PDT Scientists have transformed mouse embryonic stem cells into key structures of the inner ear. The discovery provides new insights into the sensory organ's developmental process and sets the stage for laboratory models of disease, drug discovery and potential treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders.

Trees use water more efficiently as atmospheric carbon dioxide rises Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:18 AM PDT Though studies have long predicted that more efficient forest water use would result from increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, biologists, using data collected in the northeastern US, and elsewhere around the world, showed that forests were responding much more than the predictions of even the most state-of-the-art computer models.

Typhoid's lethal secret revealed Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:18 AM PDT Typhoid fever is one of the oldest documented diseases known to have afflicted mankind but what makes it so lethal has remained a mystery for centuries. In a new study, researchers offer an explanation of how the devastating disease marked by delirium and stupor still kills 200,000 people every year -- and also suggests the basis of a future vaccine.

Supercooled water transforms into new form of liquid Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:08 AM PDT Researchers have identified that water, when chilled to a very low temperature, transforms into a new form of liquid. Through a simulation performed in "supercooled" water, the research team confirmed a "liquid-liquid" phase transition at 207 Kelvins, or 87 degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale.

Pandemic risk? Troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus Posted: 10 Jul 2013 11:08 AM PDT The emerging H7N9 avian influenza virus responsible for at least 37 deaths in China has qualities that could potentially spark a global outbreak of flu, according to a new study.

New method rapidly identifies specific strains of illness Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:20 AM PDT Researchers have developed a method to rapidly identify pathogenic species and strains causing illnesses, such as pneumonia, that could help lead to earlier detection of disease outbreaks and pinpoint effective treatments more quickly.

Assessing impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:20 AM PDT While numerous studies are under way to determine the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico, the extent and severity of these impacts and the value of the resulting losses cannot fully be measured without considering the goods and services provided by the Gulf, says a new report.

Wind power does not strongly affect greater prairie chickens, seven-year study finds Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:20 AM PDT Wind power development does not ruffle the feathers of greater prairie chicken populations, according to a seven-year study by ecologists. They found that grassland birds are more affected by rangeland management practices and by the availability of native prairie and vegetation cover at nest sites.

The dark side of artificial sweeteners: Expert reviews negative imact Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:20 AM PDT More and more Americans are consuming artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar, but whether this translates into better health has been heavily debated. A new opinion article reviews surprising evidence on the negative impact of artificial sweeteners on health, raising red flags about all sweeteners -- even those that don't have any calories.

'Bath salts' stimulant could be more addictive than meth, study shows Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:19 AM PDT Scientists have published one of the first laboratory studies of MDPV, an emerging recreational drug that has been sold as "bath salts." The researchers confirmed the drug's powerful stimulant effects in rats and found evidence that it could be more addictive than methamphetamine, one of the most addictive substances to date.

Researchers identify new source of powerful immunity protein Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:18 AM PDT Researchers report the identification of a new cellular source for an important disease-fighting protein used in the body's earliest response to infection.

Coastal power plant records reveal decline in key southern California fishes Posted: 10 Jul 2013 09:18 AM PDT Recent research documents a dramatic, 40-year drop in a number of key fish species and a change in their community structure, according to a new study.

Jealousy can drive us to view ourselves more like our rivals Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:45 AM PDT If you see your partner flirt with someone else, you may feel hurt, angry, and jealous. The last thing you might expect is to start thinking of yourself more like your rival. New research suggests just that: that jealousy can prompt people to change how they view themselves relative to competitors for their partners' attention.

Toward a safer form of acetaminophen Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:44 AM PDT Efforts to develop a safer form of acetaminophen -- the pain and fever-reducer that is one of the most widely used drugs -- have led to discovery of substances that may have less potentially toxic effects on the liver.

Cigarette smoke impacts genes linked to health of heart and lungs Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:44 AM PDT New insights into why obese cigarette smokers experience a high risk of heart disease suggest that cigarette smoke affects the activity of hundreds of key genes that both protect the heart and lungs and expose them to damage. The study suggests that the effects may be especially profound in obese nonsmokers who inhale "sidesteam smoke" from cigarettes smoldering nearby.

'Peak oil' concerns should ease, experts predict Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:44 AM PDT Should concerns about "peak oil" focus on demand for oil rather than dwindling supplies of it? Yes, according to a new analysis. Limits to consumption by the wealthy, better fuel efficiency and lower priced alternative fuels should begin driving down demand for oil around 2035. That's good news overall, but policymakers should pay attention to the mix of substitutes that will replace conventional oil.

Nanoparticles, 'pH phoresis' could improve cancer drug delivery Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:44 AM PDT Researchers have developed a concept to potentially improve delivery of drugs for cancer treatment using nanoparticles that concentrate and expand in the presence of higher acidity found in tumor cells.

Dingoes remain top predator despite control measures Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:43 AM PDT The culling of dingoes in Australia to protect livestock does not open the way for other predators to take their place, new research finds. Dingoes and red foxes are temporarily suppressed, while feral cats and goannas are not affected, which suggests that careful planning of culls, around calving time to save livestock from attacks, should not in the long term harm dingo populations or other animals in the ecosystem.

Acid reflux drug may cause heart disease, study suggests Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:42 AM PDT Drugs that help millions of people cope with acid reflux may also cause cardiovascular disease, a new study suggests. It is the first time researchers have shown how proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, might cause cardiovascular problems.

Fundamental problem for brain mapping Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:42 AM PDT Researchers show a foundational assumption used in brain mapping is flawed, leading them to challenge established works and theories.

Huge iceberg breaks away from the Pine Island glacier in the Antarctic Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:40 AM PDT On July 8, 2013, a huge area of the ice shelf broke away from the Pine Island glacier, the longest and fastest flowing glacier in the Antarctic, and is now floating in the Amundsen Sea in the form of a very large iceberg.

Plain surfaces transformed into low-cost touch screens Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:40 AM PDT A low cost system, based on the principles of vibration and imaging that is able to track the movements of multiple fingers and of objects, can turn almost any surface into a touch-screen.

Contribution of Greenland ice sheet to sea-level rise will continue to increase Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:40 AM PDT The contribution of the Greenland ice sheet to sea-level rise will continue to increase, experts say.

Excessive cerebral spinal fluid and enlarged brain size in infancy are potential biomarkers for autism Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:38 AM PDT Children who were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder had excessive cerebrospinal fluid and enlarged brains in infancy, a new study has found, raising the possibility that those brain anomalies may serve as potential biomarkers for the early identification of the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Cloud brightening to cool seas can protect coral reefs: Targeted cooling could offer a 50-year 'breathing space' for coral protection Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:34 AM PDT The seeding of marine clouds to cool sea surface temperatures could protect threatened coral reefs from being bleached by warming oceans. Recent research proposes that a targeted version of the geo-engineering technique could give coral a fifty year 'breathing space' to recover from acidification and warming.

Where do astronauts go when they need 'to go?' Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:31 AM PDT The first American man in space had no place "to go," and urinating in space was a tough problem for engineers to solve. A new article discusses the considerations necessary to accommodate this most basic physiological function.

Stroke recovery theories challenged by new studies looking at brain lesions, bionic arms Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:30 AM PDT Stroke is the country's leading cause of disability, leaving millions with residual arm and leg weakness. However, efforts have usually focused on stroke prevention and acute care. Now, two new studies suggest that stroke survivors left weakened or partially paralyzed may be able to regain more arm and hand movement even years after a stroke -- information that clinicians may not know or pass on to their patients.

Bat that sings like a bird is highly tuned to social circumstance Posted: 10 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT New research shows that Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) vary the way elements are combined in their songs (i.e. syntax) in response to different social contexts, which is exceedingly rare among non-human mammals.

Vascular link in Alzheimer's disease with cognition Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:25 AM PDT Researchers have found that, across a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular disease affecting circulation of blood in the brain was significantly associated with dementia. The researchers contend that people already exhibiting clinical features of Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairments may benefit from effective therapies currently available to reduce vascular problems.

Mycobacteria get all the advantages of sex with none of the downsides Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:24 AM PDT Sexual reproduction is costly to organisms that depend on it, like humans. In contrast, bacteria reproduce by asexual reproduction, which is more efficient but doesn't allow genomic mixing, making them vulnerable to environmental change. A new report describes a process by which mycobacteria gain the best of both worlds, mixing their genomes as thoroughly as sexual organisms do, while retaining the advantages of asexual reproduction.

Birds outpace climate change to avoid extinction Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:24 AM PDT A new study has shed light on the potential of birds to survive in the face of climate change. In the analysis, based on more than fifty years' detailed study of a population of great tits near Oxford, UK, scientists found that for these small, short-lived birds, evolution can work fast enough for genetic adaptation to keep pace with a changing environment. However, even for such fast-evolving species, evolution on its own is not enough.

Astronomers witness birth of Milky Way's most massive star Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:22 AM PDT Scientists have observed in unprecedented detail the birth of a massive star within a dark cloud core about 10,000 light years from Earth.

Females respond better to stress because of estrogen in the brain, animal study finds Posted: 10 Jul 2013 03:18 AM PDT The idea that females are more resilient than males in responding to stress is a popular view, and now researchers have found a scientific explanation.

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