| New substance overcomes treatment-restistance in leukemia Posted: 28 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST Haematologists have developed a new active substance that effectively combats the most aggressive forms of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia.  |
| Emergence of modern sea ice in Arctic Ocean, 2.6 million years ago Posted: 28 Nov 2014 05:06 AM PST The extent of sea ice cover in Arctic was much less than it is today between four and five million years ago. The maximum winter extent did not reaching its current location until around 2.6 million years ago. "We have not seen an ice free period in the Arctic Ocean for 2,6 million years. However, we may see it in our lifetime." says a marine geologist.  |
| New material makes water and oil roll off Posted: 28 Nov 2014 05:06 AM PST Car finish, to which no dirt particles adhere, house fronts, from which graffiti paints roll off, and shoes that remain clean on muddy paths – the material "fluoropore" might make all this possible. Both water and oil droplets roll off this new class of highly fluorinated super-repellent polymers.  |
| Love at first smell: Can birds choose mates by their odors? Posted: 28 Nov 2014 05:06 AM PST Mate choice is often the most important decision in the lives of humans and animals. Scientists have found the first evidence that birds may choose their mate through odor. The researchers compared the preen gland chemicals of black-legged kittiwakes with genes that play a role in immunity. Kittiwakes that smell similarly to each other also have similar genes for immunity. Since the birds prefer to mate with unrelated mates, the scientists have now found the likely mechanism by which they recognize relatedness.  |
| Single-atom gold catalysts may offer path to low-cost production of fuel and chemicals Posted: 27 Nov 2014 06:23 PM PST New catalysts designed and investigated by engineering researchers have potential to greatly reduce processing costs in future fuels like hydrogen. The catalysts are composed of a unique structure of single gold atoms bound by oxygen to sodium or potassium atoms, supported on non-reactive silica materials. They demonstrate comparable activity and stability with catalysts comprising precious metal nanoparticles on rare earth and other reducible oxide supports when used in producing highly purified hydrogen.  |
| Another human footprint in the ocean: Rising anthropogenic nitrate levels in North Pacific Ocean Posted: 27 Nov 2014 06:23 PM PST Human-induced changes to Earth's carbon cycle -- for example, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and ocean acidification -- have been observed for decades. However, a new study has shown that human activities, in particular industrial and agricultural processes, have also had significant impacts on the upper ocean nitrogen cycle.  |
| Genomes of malaria-carrying mosquitoes sequenced Posted: 27 Nov 2014 06:23 PM PST Scientists have sequenced the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquito species from around the world. Anopheles mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting human malaria parasites that cause an estimated 200 million cases and more than 600 thousand deaths each year. However, of the almost 500 different Anopheles species, only a few dozen can carry the parasite and only a handful of species are responsible for the vast majority of transmissions.  |
| Education is key to climate adaptation Posted: 27 Nov 2014 06:23 PM PST According to new research, education makes people less vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and storms that are expected to intensify with climate change.  |
| New electrolyte for construction of magnesium-sulfur batteries Posted: 27 Nov 2014 05:21 AM PST Scientists have now developed an electrolyte that may be used for the construction of magnesium-sulfur battery cells. With magnesium, higher storage densities could be achieved than with lithium. Moreover, magnesium is abundant in nature, it is non-toxic, and does not degrade in air.  |
