ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Incidence of childhood tuberculosis could be 25 percent higher than previous estimates
• Huntington's disease protein helps wire young brain
• New approach to identify genes poised to respond in asthma patients
• Neighborhoods with healthy food options less likely to have overweight kids
• Minimally invasive surgery underused at many U.S. hospitals
• Carbon monoxide predicts 'red and dead' future of gas guzzler galaxy
• Ancient hedgehog and tapir once inhabited British Columbia
• Healthcare worker hand hygiene rates increase three-fold when auditors visible
• Study Examines Survival Following Repair of Failed Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves
• Removing gall bladder for suspected common duct stone shows benefit
• No increased risk of blood clot following HPV vaccination found by study
• Antibiotics after gall bladder surgery do not appear to reduce risk of infection
• Varenicline combined with nicotine patch improves smoking cessation rates
• Friction from tides could help distant Earth-sized planets survive, and thrive
• Early predictor for preeclampsia found by researchers
• Using sand to improve battery performance
• Planet Mercury a result of early hit-and-run collisions
• Extreme obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years
• Transgender algae reveal evolutionary origin of sexes
• Signs of severe maternal sepsis should be regarded as an obstetric emergency
• Health most common major stressful event in Americans' lives last year, poll finds
• NASA-JAXA's new precipitation satellite sees first Atlantic hurricane
• Solar energy gets a boost: 'Singlet fission' can increase solar cell efficiency by as much as 30 percent
• Astronomers bring the third dimension to a doomed star's outburst
• Harmful hookahs: Many young smokers aren't aware of danger
• Stretching forces shaped Jupiter moon's surface, laboratory model suggests
• Record levels of solar ultraviolet on Earth's surface measured in South America
• New compounds that could affect circadian rhythm uncovered in study
• Gene mutation findings may lead to treatment for liver cancer
• Sun sends more 'tsunami waves' to Voyager 1
• Link shown between inflammation in maternal blood, schizophrenia in offspring
• Logging and burning cause the loss of 54 million tons of carbon a year in Amazonia
• Something is amiss in the Universe: Cosmic accounting reveals missing light crisis
• Variations in key gene predict cancer patients' risk for radiation-induced toxicity
• No rest for the bleary: Interrupted sleep can be as physically detrimental as no sleep at all
• Same genes drive mathematics and reading ability
• Highly reactive gold carbene complex shines in emerald green
• Bacterial switches in human gut pave way for therapeutic manipulation
• Drowning remains a top cause of death for children with autism
• NASA's RapidScat to unveil hidden cycles of sea winds
• Transparent two-sided touchable display wall developed
• Possible pathway for inhibiting liver, colon cancer found
• When faced with some sugars, bacteria can be picky eaters
• Was da Vinci wrong? New research shows friction and fracture are interrelated, with implications for earthquakes
• Nanotechnology: Paving the way for electronic applications
• Solar cells: Powered by nanoholes
• Nano-optics: Getting the most out of tiny lasers
• More California gas stations can provide hydrogen than previously thought
• Wolf mother deaths threaten pack survival but not population
• Widespread oral health problems among Navajo, study shows
• Shining light on the 100-year mystery of birds sensing spring for offspring
• HIV study leads to insights into deadly infection
• Low doses of arsenic cause cancer in male mice
• NASA's Aquarius returns global maps of soil moisture
• Silicon sponge improves lithium-ion battery performance
• Fungus in yogurt outbreak poses threat to consumers
• Wet wraps cut need for drugs in kids with eczema
• A hotspot for powerful cosmic rays, most energetic particles in the universe
• Olfactory receptors in the skin: Sandalwood scent facilitates wound healing, skin regeneration
• Collisions with robots, without risk of injury

Incidence of childhood tuberculosis could be 25 percent higher than previous estimates Posted: 08 Jul 2014 03:57 PM PDT New estimates indicate that over 650,000 children develop tuberculosis (TB) every year in the 22 countries with a high burden of the disease -- almost 25 percent higher than the total number of new cases worldwide estimated by WHO in 2012. The research also suggests that about 15 million children are exposed to TB every year, and roughly 53 million are living with latent TB infection, which can progress to infectious active TB at any time.

Huntington's disease protein helps wire young brain Posted: 08 Jul 2014 03:57 PM PDT A surprising new role for the Huntington's disease protein has been uncovered: it helps wire connections in early brain development. Understanding more about how the protein works may help inform treatment for early stages of the disease. Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes a wide variety of symptoms, such as uncontrolled movements, inability to focus or remember, depression and aggression.

New approach to identify genes poised to respond in asthma patients Posted: 08 Jul 2014 03:56 PM PDT Researchers have identified new genes that likely contribute to asthma, a disease that currently affects over 200 million people world wide. The frequency of asthma is rising across the developed world as well as in several large developing countries. Treatment for asthma usually includes long-term nonspecific medication, as there is no cure at present.

Neighborhoods with healthy food options less likely to have overweight kids Posted: 08 Jul 2014 03:56 PM PDT Children with a greater number of healthy food outlets near their homes had a reduced likelihood of being overweight or obese, finds a study. Children who had access to at least one healthy food outlet within 800 meters (about half a mile) of their home had a 38 percent decreased risk of being overweight or obese compared to those who did not. Each additional outlet for healthy foods within that distance was associated with a 19 percent reduction in risk of being overweight or obese.

Minimally invasive surgery underused at many U.S. hospitals Posted: 08 Jul 2014 03:56 PM PDT Hospitals across the country vary substantially in their use of minimally invasive surgery, even when evidence shows that for most patients, minimally invasive surgery is superior to open surgery, a new study shows. The finding represents a major disparity in the surgical care delivered at various hospitals, the study's authors say, and identifies an area of medicine ripe for improvement.

Carbon monoxide predicts 'red and dead' future of gas guzzler galaxy Posted: 08 Jul 2014 02:32 PM PDT Astronomers have studied the carbon monoxide in a galaxy over 12 billion light years from Earth and discovered that it's running out of gas, quite literally, and headed for a 'red and dead' future. The galaxy, known as ALESS65, was observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in 2011 and is one of fewer than 20 known distant galaxies to contain carbon monoxide.

Ancient hedgehog and tapir once inhabited British Columbia Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:58 PM PDT A new study describes an ancient hedgehog and tapir that lived in what is now Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, British Columbia, approximately 52 million years ago. The ancient hedgehog is a species hitherto unknown to science.

Healthcare worker hand hygiene rates increase three-fold when auditors visible Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT Hand hygiene rates were found to be three times higher when auditors were visible to healthcare workers than when there were no auditors present, according to a study in a major Canadian acute care hospital. The study examined the Hawthorne effect, also known as observation bias -- the tendency of people to change their behavior when they are aware of an observer -- using an electronic monitoring hand hygiene system in real-time, eliminating many of the biases inherent to human observation.

Study Examines Survival Following Repair of Failed Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT In an analysis of about 460 patients with failed bioprosthetic aortic valves who underwent transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation, overall survival at one year was 83 percent, with survival associated with surgical valve size and mechanism of failure, according to a study. Surgical aortic valve replacements increasingly use bioprosthesis implants rather than mechanical valves. Owing to a considerable shift toward bioprosthesis implantation, it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of patients with degeneration of these types of valves.

Removing gall bladder for suspected common duct stone shows benefit Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT Among patients with possible common duct stones, removal of the gall bladder, compared with endoscopic assessment of the common duct followed by gall bladder removal, resulted in a shorter length of hospital stay without increased illness and fewer common duct examinations, according to a study.

No increased risk of blood clot following HPV vaccination found by study Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT Although some data has suggested a potential association between receipt of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and subsequent venous thromboembolism (VTE; blood clot), an analysis that included more than 500,000 women who received the vaccine did not find an increased risk of VTE.

Antibiotics after gall bladder surgery do not appear to reduce risk of infection Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT Among patients who underwent gall bladder removal for acute calculous cholecystitis, lack of postoperative antibiotic treatment did not result in a greater incidence of infections, according to a study. Acute calculous cholecystitis (inflamed and enlarged gall bladder along with abdominal pain) is the third most frequent cause of emergency admissions to surgical wards. In the United States, approximately 750,000 cholecystectomies (surgical removal of the gall bladder) are performed each year and about 20 percent of these operations are due to acute calculous cholecystitis.

Varenicline combined with nicotine patch improves smoking cessation rates Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:57 PM PDT Combining the smoking cessation medication varenicline with nicotine replacement therapy was more effective than varenicline alone at achieving tobacco abstinence at 6 months, according to a study. The combination of behavioral approaches and pharmacotherapy are of proven benefit in assisting smokers to quit. Combining nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with varenicline has been a suggested treatment to improve smoking abstinence, but its effectiveness is uncertain.

Friction from tides could help distant Earth-sized planets survive, and thrive Posted: 08 Jul 2014 01:32 PM PDT As anybody who has started a campfire by rubbing sticks knows, friction generates heat. Now, computer modeling by NASA scientists shows that friction could be the key to survival for some distant Earth-sized planets traveling in dangerous orbits. The findings are consistent with observations that Earth-sized planets appear to be very common in other star systems. Although heat can be a destructive force for some planets, the right amount of friction, and therefore heat, can be helpful and perhaps create conditions for habitability.

Early predictor for preeclampsia found by researchers Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:39 PM PDT A biomarker has been discovered that could give expecting mothers and their doctors the first simple blood test to reliably predict that a pregnant woman may develop preeclampsia, at least as early as six weeks into the pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a cardiovascular disorder generally occurring late in pregnancy and often resulting in an early delivery, creating immediate and potentially lifelong risks to both mother and baby.

Using sand to improve battery performance Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:39 PM PDT Researchers have created a lithium ion battery that outperforms the current industry standard by three times. The key material: sand. Yes, sand. Researchers are now focused on using silicon at the nanoscale, or billionths of a meter, level as a replacement for graphite.

Planet Mercury a result of early hit-and-run collisions Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:39 PM PDT New simulations show that Mercury and other unusually metal-rich objects in the solar system may be relics left behind by hit-and-run collisions in the early solar system. The origin of planet Mercury has been a difficult question in planetary science because its composition is very different from that of the other terrestrial planets and the moon.

Extreme obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:39 PM PDT Adults with extreme obesity have increased risks of dying at a young age from cancer and many other causes including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to results of an analysis of data pooled from 20 large studies of people from three countries. "Given our findings, it appears that class III obesity is increasing and may soon emerge as a major cause of early death in this and other countries worldwide," said the senior author of the study.

Transgender algae reveal evolutionary origin of sexes Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:39 PM PDT Throughout evolution, living things have repeatedly developed physically distinct sexes, but how does this actually happen? A discovery in the multicellular green alga, Volvox carteri, has revealed the genetic origin of male and female sexes, showing how they evolved from a more primitive mating system in a single-celled relative. A team of scientists identified the master regulatory gene for sex determination in Volvox.

Signs of severe maternal sepsis should be regarded as an obstetric emergency Posted: 08 Jul 2014 12:38 PM PDT In the UK, about 50 pregnant and postnatal women develop life-threatening severe maternal sepsis (infection of the blood or 'blood poisoning') for every woman who dies from the condition, according to a new study. The study also suggests that signs of severe sepsis should be regarded as an obstetric emergency, and that doctors should be aware that prescribing antibiotics does not necessarily prevent progression of an infection to severe sepsis.

Health most common major stressful event in Americans' lives last year, poll finds Posted: 08 Jul 2014 11:09 AM PDT A new poll released today that examines the role of stress in Americans' lives finds that about half of the public (49 percent) reported that they had a major stressful event or experience in the past year. Nearly half (43 percent) reported that the most stressful experiences related to health.

NASA-JAXA's new precipitation satellite sees first Atlantic hurricane Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:23 AM PDT The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory flew over Hurricane Arthur five times between July 1 and July 5, 2014. Arthur is the first tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The Core Observatory was launched Feb. 27 from Japan and began its prime mission on May 29, just in time for the hurricane season.

Solar energy gets a boost: 'Singlet fission' can increase solar cell efficiency by as much as 30 percent Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:21 AM PDT Scientists have reviewed chemists' work on "singlet fission," a process in which a single photon generates a pair of excited states. This conversion process has the potential to boost solar cell efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Astronomers bring the third dimension to a doomed star's outburst Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:19 AM PDT In the middle of the 19th century, the massive binary system Eta Carinae underwent an eruption that ejected at least 10 times the sun's mass and made it the second-brightest star in the sky. Now, a team of astronomers has used extensive new observations to create the first high-resolution 3-D model of the expanding cloud produced by this outburst.

Harmful hookahs: Many young smokers aren't aware of danger Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:18 AM PDT Despite warnings that hookah smoking can be just as dangerous as cigarettes, many young adults believe that using the water pipes is not harmful to their health, according to a study. "With hookah smoking on the rise, particularly among young adults, our goal was to identify factors influencing perceptions, attitudes and preferences toward hookah smoking," said the lead researcher.

Stretching forces shaped Jupiter moon's surface, laboratory model suggests Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:18 AM PDT Processes that shaped the ridges and troughs on the surface of Jupiter's icy moon Ganymede are likely similar to tectonic processes seen on Earth, according to a team of researchers. To arrive at this conclusion, the team subjected physical models made of clay to stretching forces that simulate tectonic action.

Record levels of solar ultraviolet on Earth's surface measured in South America Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:18 AM PDT Researchers have measured the highest level of ultraviolet radiation ever recorded on Earth's surface. The extraordinary UV fluxes, observed in the Bolivian Andes only 1,500 miles from the equator, are far above those normally considered to be harmful to both terrestrial and aquatic life.

New compounds that could affect circadian rhythm uncovered in study Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:17 AM PDT A surprising new role has been found for a pair of compounds that have the potential to alter circadian rhythm, the complex physiological process, present in most living things, that responds to a 24-hour cycle of light and dark. At least one of these compounds could be developed as a chemical probe to uncover new therapeutic approaches to a range of disorders, including diabetes and obesity.

Gene mutation findings may lead to treatment for liver cancer Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:17 AM PDT Two genetic mutations in liver cells may drive tumor formation in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), the second most common form of liver cancer, researchers say. iCCA strikes bile ducts, tube-like structures in the liver that carry bile, which is required for the digestion of food. With so much still unknown about the disease, there is no first-line, standard of care and no successful therapies.

Sun sends more 'tsunami waves' to Voyager 1 Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:55 AM PDT NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has experienced a new "tsunami wave" from the sun as it sails through interstellar space. Such waves are what led scientists to the conclusion, in the fall of 2013, that Voyager had indeed left our sun's bubble, entering a new frontier.

Link shown between inflammation in maternal blood, schizophrenia in offspring Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT Maternal inflammation as indicated by the presence in maternal blood of early gestational C-reactive protein -- an established inflammatory biomarker -- appears to be associated with greater risk for schizophrenia in offspring. "Inflammation has been shown to alter brain development in previous studies, and schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Thus, this study provides an important link between inflammation and schizophrenia and may help us to better understand the biological mechanisms that lead to this disorder," one author explained.

Logging and burning cause the loss of 54 million tons of carbon a year in Amazonia Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT A study has quantified the impact that selective logging, partial destruction by burning, and fragmentation resulting from the development of pastures and plantations have had on the Amazon rainforest. In combination, these factors could be removing nearly 54 million tons of carbon from the forest each year, introduced into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases. This total represents up to 40 percent of the carbon loss caused by deforestation in the region.

Something is amiss in the Universe: Cosmic accounting reveals missing light crisis Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT Something is amiss in the Universe. There appears to be an enormous deficit of ultraviolet light in the cosmic budget. The vast reaches of empty space between galaxies are bridged by tendrils of hydrogen and helium, which can be used as a precise 'light meter.' In a recent study a team of scientists finds that the light from known populations of galaxies and quasars is not nearly enough to explain observations of intergalactic hydrogen. The difference is a stunning 400 percent.

Variations in key gene predict cancer patients' risk for radiation-induced toxicity Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT Key genetic variants may affect how cancer patients respond to radiation treatments, according to a study. The current results are based on a genome-wide association study, a type of study in which researchers examine numerous genetic variants to see if any of them are associated with a certain type of complication, which could sometimes emerge years after treatment was completed.

No rest for the bleary: Interrupted sleep can be as physically detrimental as no sleep at all Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT Interrupted sleep can be as physically detrimental as no sleep at all, researchers explain in a first of its kind study. In the study, the investigators establish a causal link between interrupted sleep patterns and compromised cognitive abilities, shortened attention spans, and negative moods. The researchers discovered that interrupted sleep is equivalent to no more than four consecutive hours of sleep.

Same genes drive mathematics and reading ability Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:17 AM PDT About half of the genes that influence how well a child can read also play a role in their mathematics ability, say scientists who led a study into the genetic basis of cognitive traits. While mathematics and reading ability are known to run in families, the complex system of genes affecting these traits is largely unknown. The finding deepens scientists' understanding of how nature and nurture interact, highlighting the important role that a child's learning environment may have on the development of reading and mathematics skills, and the complex, shared genetic basis of these cognitive traits.

Highly reactive gold carbene complex shines in emerald green Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:15 AM PDT With a chemical "trick," scientists have succeeded in isolating a stable gold carbene complex. Chemists have now created the basis for directly examining the otherwise unstable gold-carbon double bond. They explain that highly reactive gold carbene molecules play an important role in landmark catalyzing processes taking place at high speed.

Bacterial switches in human gut pave way for therapeutic manipulation Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:15 AM PDT The microbial ecosystem in the human gut can switch from one stable state into another, without staying for a long time in between. Key groups of bacteria tend to be either nearly absent, or relatively abundant in any given individual. This discovery highlights fundamental organizing principles of the intestinal ecosystem and they suggest novel strategies for diagnostic purposes and therapeutic manipulation to improve well-being and health.

Drowning remains a top cause of death for children with autism Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:15 AM PDT Many families beat the summer heat with trips to swimming pools, beaches, and water parks; but water safety concerns are particularly heightened for families of children with autism. In fact, drowning remains a leading cause of death in children with autism because they often become overstimulated with crowds and escape to unsafe environments.

NASA's RapidScat to unveil hidden cycles of sea winds Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:11 AM PDT Ocean waves, the hot sun, sea breezes -- the right combination makes a great day at the beach. A different combination makes a killer hurricane. The complex interactions of the ocean and the air above it that can create such different outcomes are not yet fully known. Scientists would especially like to understand the role that the daily heat of the sun plays in creating winds. In a few months, NASA will send an ocean wind-monitoring instrument to a berth on the International Space Station. That unique vantage point will give ISS-RapidScat, short for the International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer, the ability to observe daily (also called diurnal) cycles of wind created by solar heat.

Transparent two-sided touchable display wall developed Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:12 AM PDT Scientists have recently developed TransWall, a two-sided, touchable, and transparent display wall that greatly enhances users' interpersonal experiences. With an incorporated surface transducer, TransWall offers audio and vibrotactile feedback to the users. As a result, people can collaborate via a shared see-through display and communicate with one another by talking or even touching one another through the wall.

Possible pathway for inhibiting liver, colon cancer found Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:12 AM PDT The structure of a protein complex involved in liver and colon cancers has been revealed by an international team of researchers. This structural data discovery opens up additional research opportunities into drugs that can act on the binding of these proteins, thereby possibly inhibiting cancer cell growth.

When faced with some sugars, bacteria can be picky eaters Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:12 AM PDT Researchers have found for the first time that genetically identical strains of bacteria can respond very differently to the presence of sugars and other organic molecules in the environment, with some individual bacteria devouring the sugars and others ignoring it. "While this is the first time we've seen such divergent behavior from bacteria regarding sugars, it's consistent with 'bet-hedging' behaviors that have been reported for bacteria in other contexts," said one researcher. "Bet hedging means that at least some of the bacteria will survive when faced with new environments."

Was da Vinci wrong? New research shows friction and fracture are interrelated, with implications for earthquakes Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:11 AM PDT Overturning conventional wisdom stretching all the way to Leonardo da Vinci, new research shows that how things break (fracture) and how things slide (friction) are closely interrelated. The breakthrough study marks an important advance in understanding friction and fracture, with implications for describing the mechanics that drive earthquakes.

Nanotechnology: Paving the way for electronic applications Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:10 AM PDT Two-dimensional sheets of electronic materials, such as graphene, show promise for practical nanoelectronics applications, including transparent electronic circuits used in electronic displays. The formation of electrically conducting 'nanoroads' on atomically thin semiconductor nanosheets enables the integration of electronic components.

Solar cells: Powered by nanoholes Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:10 AM PDT Increasing the cost-effectiveness of photovoltaic devices is critical to making these renewable energy sources competitive with traditional fossil fuels. One possibility is to use hybrid solar cells that combine silicon nanowires with low-cost, photoresponsive polymers. A simple and inexpensive fabrication procedure boosts the light-capturing capabilities of tiny holes carved into silicon wafers.

Nano-optics: Getting the most out of tiny lasers Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:10 AM PDT Semiconductor optical devices are becoming increasingly commonplace. For example, light-emitting diodes, as they become more power efficient, are rapidly replacing conventional light bulbs. Lasers too are now found in every barcode scanner and compact-disc reader. An off-center waveguide enables light to be efficiently extracted from nanoscale lasers.

More California gas stations can provide hydrogen than previously thought Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:09 AM PDT A new study concludes that a number of existing gas stations in California can safely store and dispense hydrogen, suggesting a broader network of hydrogen fueling stations may be within reach.

Wolf mother deaths threaten pack survival but not population Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:31 AM PDT When a breeding wolf dies, its sex and the size of its pack can determine whether that pack continues, according to research. In 2012, biologists at Denali National Park and Preserve noted a drop in wolf sightings following the death of a breeding female from a pack that lived along the Denali Park Road.

Widespread oral health problems among Navajo, study shows Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:31 AM PDT Despite some modest improvements, poor oral health remains a major problem in the Navajo Nation and among American Indians overall, a new study shows. The study showed that 69.5 percent of Navajo children had untreated tooth decay. While that's better than the 82.9 percent in 1999, it's still unacceptably high.

Shining light on the 100-year mystery of birds sensing spring for offspring Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:31 AM PDT Biologists have identified for the first time, a key photoreceptor cell deep inside the brain of birds, which takes the role of eyes in humans by directly responding to light and regulates breeding activity according to seasonal changes.

HIV study leads to insights into deadly infection Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:15 AM PDT New insights into how the HIV virus greatly boosts its chances of spreading infection has been gained by research that also indicates why HIV is so hard to combat. "We now have a better understanding of the role of these protein enhancers in HIV infection. However, it's clear that much more research is needed in this area," one researcher says.

Low doses of arsenic cause cancer in male mice Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:15 AM PDT Mice exposed to low doses of arsenic in drinking water, similar to what some people might consume, developed lung cancer, researchers have found. Arsenic levels in public drinking water cannot exceed 10 parts per billion (ppb), which is the standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, there are no established standards for private wells, from which millions of people get their drinking water.

NASA's Aquarius returns global maps of soil moisture Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:30 AM PDT Scientists working with data from NASA's Aquarius instrument have released worldwide maps of soil moisture, showing how the wetness of the land fluctuates with the seasons and weather phenomena.

Silicon sponge improves lithium-ion battery performance Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:29 AM PDT A sponge-like silicon material could help lithium-ion batteries run longer on a single charge by giving the batteries' electrodes the space they need to expand without breaking.

Fungus in yogurt outbreak poses threat to consumers Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:29 AM PDT The fungus responsible for an outbreak of contaminated Greek yogurt last year is not harmless after all but a strain with the ability to cause disease, according to research. "When people think about food-borne pathogens, normally they list bacteria, viruses, and maybe parasites. Fungal pathogens are not considered as food-borne pathogens. However, this incidence indicates that we need to pay more attention to fungi. Fungal pathogens can threaten our health systems as food-borne pathogens" says the lead author.

Wet wraps cut need for drugs in kids with eczema Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:29 AM PDT One in five children in the US suffers from the painful, itchy skin condition known as eczema. To control their symptoms, many children are prescribed powerful medications like immunosuppressants or topical steroids. Researchers at National Jewish Health in Denver evaluated an approach known as wet wrap therapy to help find simpler, safer treatment options. The therapy has never been used as a standardized treatment for children with eczema. Hopefully, that's about to change.

A hotspot for powerful cosmic rays, most energetic particles in the universe Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:29 AM PDT An observatory found a 'hotspot' beneath the Big Dipper emitting a disproportionate number of the highest-energy cosmic rays. The discovery moves physics another step toward identifying the mysterious sources of the most energetic particles in the universe.

Olfactory receptors in the skin: Sandalwood scent facilitates wound healing, skin regeneration Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:25 AM PDT Skin cells possess an olfactory receptor for sandalwood scent, researchers have discovered. This data indicate that the cell proliferation increases and wound healing improves if those receptors are activated. This mechanism constitutes a possible starting point for new drugs and cosmetics.

Collisions with robots, without risk of injury Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:25 AM PDT Teamwork between humans and robots will be the motto of the future. But robots may not injure humans at all. When does contact cause an injury, though? Researchers are exploring this for the first time in a study.

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