ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Made-to-order materials: Engineers focus on the nano to create strong, lightweight materials
• Device to detect biodiesel contamination developed
• Pico-world of molecular bioscavengers, mops and sponges being designed
• Novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change
• New coating may reduce blood clot risk inside stents
• Nasal inhalation of oxytocin improves face blindness
• Mindfulness training improves attention in children
• Researchers pin down the genetics of going under
• Blue-green algae a five-tool player in converting waste to fuel
• Coldest brown dwarfs blur lines between stars and planets
• New form of irritable bowel syndrome occurs after patients suffer acute diverticulitis
• Relationship between landscape simplification and insecticide use explored
• Molecular beacons light path to cardiac muscle repair
• Interstellar winds buffeting our solar system have shifted direction
• Scientists confirm existence of largest single volcano on earth
• Beneath Earth's surface, scientists find long 'fingers' of heat
• Inner-ear disorders may cause hyperactivity
• Protecting 17 percent of Earth's land could save two-thirds of plant species
• Powerful jets discovered blowing material out of galaxy
• New system developed to better study behavior, cell function
• Deep-ocean carbon sinks: Basic research on dark ocean microorganisms
• Peering into genetic defects, scientists discover a new metabolic disease
• Overgrazing turning parts of Mongolian Steppe into desert
• Female tiger sharks migrate from Northwestern to Main Hawaiian Islands during fall pupping season
• Prion-like proteins drive several diseases of aging
• Body's 'safety procedure' could explain autoimmune disease
• Space around others perceived just as our own
• Clues in coral bleaching mystery
• Cell death protein could offer new anti-inflammatory drug target
• Some immune cells appear to aid cancer cell growth
• Molecular marker predicts patients most likely to benefit longest from two popular cancer drugs
• Terramechanics research aims to keep Mars rovers rolling
• Arresting model stops cars
• Authenticated brain waves improve driver security
• Study IDs trouble areas, aims to speed up construction projects
• Sleep deprivation increases food purchasing the next day
• Global warming has increased risk of record heat
• Back from the ice: Research team returns from Fram Strait
• Engineers make golden breakthrough to improve electronic devices
• Pest-eating birds mean money for coffee growers
• Wide range of differences, mostly unseen, among humans
• No evidence of planetary influence on solar activity
• New computational approaches speed up the exploration of the universe
• Telemedicine initiative allows remote hearing tests for newborns
• Smoking with asthma during pregnancy is particularly dangerous
• Robots could one day help surgeons remove hard to reach brain tumors
• Hydraulic fracturing in Michigan investigated
• Children with behavioral problems more at risk of inflammation, health problems later in life
• Human Urine Metabolome: What scientists can see in your urine
• Dishonest deeds lead to 'cheater's high,' as long as no one gets hurt, study finds
• Cheaper Chinese solar panels are not due to low-cost labor
• Rising reuse of wastewater in forecast but world lacks data on 'massive potential resource'
• Robotic therapy aids kids' handwriting skills
• Cause of cystic kidneys explained: Novel gene responsible for cystic kidney disease in children identified
• Splitting pollen to view internal wall
• What is the brain telling us about the diagnoses of schizophrenia?
• Religious leaders can be key to biological diversity
• The ship that waves won't rock
• New insight into how Cheetahs catch their prey
• Brown algae reveal antioxidant production secrets

Made-to-order materials: Engineers focus on the nano to create strong, lightweight materials Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:30 PM PDT Engineers have mimicked lightweight yet strong biological materials by creating nanostructured, hollow ceramic scaffolds, and have found that their small building blocks, or unit cells, display remarkable strength and resistance to failure despite being more than 85 percent air.

Device to detect biodiesel contamination developed Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:30 PM PDT A professor and student team has developed a quick and easy-to-use sensor that can detect trace amounts of biodiesel contamination in diesel.

Pico-world of molecular bioscavengers, mops and sponges being designed Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:30 PM PDT A new world of molecular bioscavengers, sponges and mops is now closer. A computer-design method has enabled scientists to build proteins that can recognize and interact with small molecules. The proteins can also be reprogrammed to detect and unite with related substances, such as different forms of steroids. The method might also become a way to give organisms new tools to perform biological tasks.

Novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:30 PM PDT Scientists have devised a novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change. Almost half of all bird and amphibian species are believed to be highly vulnerable to extinction from climate change.

New coating may reduce blood clot risk inside stents Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:30 PM PDT A new stent coating may someday eliminate a common side effect of the treatment.

Nasal inhalation of oxytocin improves face blindness Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:28 PM PDT Prosopagnosia (face blindness) may be temporarily improved following inhalation of the hormone oxytocin.

Mindfulness training improves attention in children Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:28 PM PDT A short training course in mindfulness improves children's ability to ignore distractions and concentrate better.

Researchers pin down the genetics of going under Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:28 PM PDT Researchers have explored the distinctions between anesthetic unconsciousness and sleep by manipulating the genetic pathways known to be involved in natural sleep, and studying the resulting effects on anesthetic states.

Blue-green algae a five-tool player in converting waste to fuel Posted: 05 Sep 2013 01:05 PM PDT Scientists are working with Synechocystis 6803 -- as well as other microbes and systems -- in the areas of synthetic biology, protein engineering and metabolic engineering, with special focus on synthetic control systems to make the organism reach its untapped prowess. They say the biotech world has to overcome several challenges to put the engineered microbes in the applications stage.

Coldest brown dwarfs blur lines between stars and planets Posted: 05 Sep 2013 01:05 PM PDT Astronomers are constantly on the hunt for ever-colder star-like bodies, and two years ago a new class of such objects was discovered. However, until now no one has known exactly how cool their surfaces really are -- some evidence suggested they could be room temperature. A new study shows that while these brown dwarfs, sometimes called failed stars, are warmer than previously thought with temperatures about 250-350 degrees Fahrenheit.

New form of irritable bowel syndrome occurs after patients suffer acute diverticulitis Posted: 05 Sep 2013 01:04 PM PDT Researchers have described a new form of irritable bowel syndrome that occurs after an acute bout of diverticulitis, a finding that may help lead to better management of symptoms and relief for patients.

Relationship between landscape simplification and insecticide use explored Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT A new study that analyzed US Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture data spanning two decades (1987-2007) shows that the statistical magnitude, existence, and direction of the relationship between landscape simplification -- a term used for the conversion of natural habitat to cropland -- and insecticide use varies enormously year to year.

Molecular beacons light path to cardiac muscle repair Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Having a pure population of cardiac muscle cells is essential for avoiding tumor formation after transplantation, but has been technically challenging. Researchers have developed a method for purifying cardiac muscle cells from stem cell cultures using molecular beacons.

Interstellar winds buffeting our solar system have shifted direction Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that the particles streaming into the solar system from interstellar space have likely changed direction over the last 40 years.

Scientists confirm existence of largest single volcano on earth Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered the largest single volcano yet documented on Earth. Covering an area roughly equivalent to the British Isles or the state of New Mexico, this volcano, dubbed the Tamu Massif, is nearly as big as the giant volcanoes of Mars, placing it among the largest in the Solar System.

Beneath Earth's surface, scientists find long 'fingers' of heat Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Scientists seeking to understand the forces at work beneath the surface of the Earth have used seismic waves to detect previously unknown "fingers" of heat, some of them thousands of miles long, in Earth's upper mantle. Their discovery helps explain the "hotspot volcanoes" that give birth to island chains such as Hawai'i and Tahiti.

Inner-ear disorders may cause hyperactivity Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Behavioral abnormalities are traditionally thought to originate in the brain. But a new study has found that inner-ear dysfunction can directly cause neurological changes that increase hyperactivity. The study, conducted in mice, also implicated two brain proteins in this process, providing potential targets for intervention.

Protecting 17 percent of Earth's land could save two-thirds of plant species Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:28 AM PDT Protecting key regions that comprise just 17 percent of Earth's land may help preserve more than two-thirds of its plant species, according to a scientists.

Powerful jets discovered blowing material out of galaxy Posted: 05 Sep 2013 11:27 AM PDT Astronomers using a worldwide network of radio telescopes have found strong evidence that a powerful jet of material propelled to nearly light speed by a galaxy's central black hole is blowing massive amounts of gas out of the galaxy. This process, they said, is limiting the growth of the black hole and the rate of star formation in the galaxy, and thus is a key to understanding how galaxies develop.

New system developed to better study behavior, cell function Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:41 AM PDT A team of researchers has successfully translated a new technology to better study behaviors and cellular function of fruit flies. This powerful genetic tool allows scientists to selectively, rapidly, reversibly, and dose-dependently remotely control behaviors and physiological processes in the fly which shares a significant degree of similarity to humans.

Deep-ocean carbon sinks: Basic research on dark ocean microorganisms Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:41 AM PDT Although microbes that live in the so-called "dark ocean"-- below a depth of some 600 feet where light doesn't penetrate -- may not absorb enough carbon to curtail global warming, they do absorb considerable amounts of carbon and merit further study, according to a study.

Peering into genetic defects, scientists discover a new metabolic disease Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new disease related to an inability to process Vitamin B12. The disorder is rare but can be devastating.

Overgrazing turning parts of Mongolian Steppe into desert Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT Overgrazing by millions of sheep and goats is the primary cause of degraded land in the Mongolian Steppe, one of the largest remaining grassland ecosystems in the world, researchers say in a new report. The degraded land holds implications both for local food production and global climate.

Female tiger sharks migrate from Northwestern to Main Hawaiian Islands during fall pupping season Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT A quarter of the mature female tiger sharks plying the waters around the remote coral atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands decamp for the populated Main Hawaiian Islands in the late summer and fall, swimming as far as 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) according to new research.

Prion-like proteins drive several diseases of aging Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT Two leading neurology researchers have proposed a theory that could unify scientists' thinking about several neurodegenerative diseases and suggest therapeutic strategies to combat them.

Body's 'safety procedure' could explain autoimmune disease Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT Researchers have found an important safety mechanism in the immune system that may malfunction in people with autoimmune diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments.

Space around others perceived just as our own Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT A new study has shown that neurons in our brain 'mirror' the space near others, just as if this was the space near ourselves. The study sheds new light on a question that has long preoccupied psychologists and neuroscientists regarding the way in which the brain represents other people and the events that happens to those people.

Clues in coral bleaching mystery Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:40 AM PDT Coral reefs are tremendously important for ocean biodiversity. Unfortunately they have been in great decline in recent years, much of it due to the effects of global climate change. One such effect, called bleaching, occurs when the symbiotic algae that are essential for providing nutrients to the coral either lose their identifying photosynthetic pigmentation and their ability to perform photosynthesis or disappear entirely from the coral's tissue. Without a healthy population of these algae, the coral cannot survive.

Cell death protein could offer new anti-inflammatory drug target Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:39 AM PDT Scientists have revealed the structure of a protein that is essential for triggering a form of programmed cell death called necroptosis, making possible the development of new drugs to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Some immune cells appear to aid cancer cell growth Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:37 AM PDT A new study found that a subset of immune cells provide a niche where cancer stem cells survive.

Molecular marker predicts patients most likely to benefit longest from two popular cancer drugs Posted: 05 Sep 2013 10:37 AM PDT Scientists have identified a molecular marker called "Mig 6" that appears to accurately predict longer survival -- up to two years -- among patients prescribed two of the most widely used drugs in a class of anticancer agents called EGFR inhibitors.

Terramechanics research aims to keep Mars rovers rolling Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:40 AM PDT Researchers have developed a model that accurately simulates Mars rover mobility over various types of soil and terrain.

Arresting model stops cars Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:40 AM PDT Researchers in China have developed a mathematical model that could help engineers design a flexible vehicle-arrest system for stopping cars involved in criminal activity or terrorism, such as suspect car bombers attempting break through a check point, without wrecking the car or killing the occupants.

Authenticated brain waves improve driver security Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:40 AM PDT One-time entry authentication methods are suitable for to a protected building or a private web page. But, a continuous biometric system is needed for authenticating drivers of vehicles carrying valuable commodities and money, and even public transport vehicles and taxis. Now, such a system based on scanning the driver's brain waves could make hijacks of such vehicles a thing of the past.

Study IDs trouble areas, aims to speed up construction projects Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:37 AM PDT Researchers have identified factors that cause construction site managers to schedule more time than necessary for specific tasks. Understanding these factors and whether they can be reduced or eliminated could help the industry complete construction projects more quickly.

Sleep deprivation increases food purchasing the next day Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:37 AM PDT People who were deprived of one night's sleep purchased more calories and grams of food in a mock supermarket on the following day in a new study.

Global warming has increased risk of record heat Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:36 AM PDT Researchers calculate that intense heat like that in the summer of 2012 is up to four times more likely to occur now than in pre-industrial America, when there was much less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Back from the ice: Research team returns from Fram Strait Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:21 AM PDT They rammed through ice ridges, took 360-degree pictures of the ice, tracked the movement of icebergs and measured the underwater sounds of an icebreaker crunching through an ice ridge. Those were just a few of the many research objectives achieved by a multinational team of 33 researchers who have just completed a two-week cruise in the icy waters off northeast Greenland.

Engineers make golden breakthrough to improve electronic devices Posted: 05 Sep 2013 08:21 AM PDT Chemical engineering team has discovered that a new member of the ultrathin materials family has great potential to improve electronic and thermal devices. The researchers studied molybdenum disulfide and found that manipulating it with gold atoms improves its electrical characteristics.

Pest-eating birds mean money for coffee growers Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT This is the first time scientists have assigned a monetary value to the pest-control benefits rainforest birds can provide to agriculture. Their study could provide the framework for pest management that helps both farmers and biodiversity.

Wide range of differences, mostly unseen, among humans Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT Bioinformatics researchers have investigated how protein function is affected by changes at the DNA level. Their findings bring new clarity to the wide range of variants, many of which disturb protein function but have no discernible health effect, and highlight especially the role of rare variants in differentiating individuals from their neighbors.

No evidence of planetary influence on solar activity Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT In 2012, Astronomy & Astrophysics published a statistical study of the isotopic records of solar activity, in which scientists claimed that there is evidence of planetary influence on solar activity. A&A is publishing a new analysis of these isotopic data. It corrects technical errors in the statistical tests performed earlier. They find no evidence of any planetary effect on solar activity.

New computational approaches speed up the exploration of the universe Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:19 AM PDT Chemical analyzes can take a long time to complete. Now a potentially groundbreaking collaboration between a chemist and a computer scientist shows that time spent on chemical analyzes can be reduced considerably. Among other things this means, that researchers can now speed up the exploration of the chemistry behind the origin of life in our universe.

Telemedicine initiative allows remote hearing tests for newborns Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:17 AM PDT A telemedicine initiative is working to make follow-up hearing tests for newborns more accessible in rural areas of Tennessee, while teaching young pediatric audiology and pediatric speech language pathology students to treat patients remotely.

Smoking with asthma during pregnancy is particularly dangerous Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:17 AM PDT New research shows that pregnant women who smoke as well as having asthma are greatly increasing the risk of complications for themselves and their unborn children.

Robots could one day help surgeons remove hard to reach brain tumors Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:17 AM PDT Scientists and engineers are teaming up with neurosurgeons to develop technologies that enable less invasive, image-guided removal of hard-to-reach brain tumors. Their technologies combine novel imaging techniques that allow surgeons to see deep within the brain during surgery with robotic systems that enhance the precision of tissue removal.

Hydraulic fracturing in Michigan investigated Posted: 05 Sep 2013 07:17 AM PDT Researchers have just released seven technical reports that together form the most comprehensive Michigan-focused resource on hydraulic fracturing, the controversial natural gas and oil extraction process commonly known as fracking.

Children with behavioral problems more at risk of inflammation, health problems later in life Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:59 AM PDT Children with behavioral problems may be at risk of many chronic diseases in adulthood including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, as well as inflammatory illnesses (conditions which are caused by cell damage). Researchers found that children with behavioral problems at the age of 8, had higher levels of two proteins (C-reactive protein -- CRP; and Interleukin 6 -- IL-6) in their blood when tested at the age of 10. Having raised levels of CRP and IL-6 can be an early warning sign that a person may be at risk of chronic or inflammatory conditions later in life.

Human Urine Metabolome: What scientists can see in your urine Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:59 AM PDT Researchers have determined the chemical composition of human urine. The study, which took more than seven years and involved a team of nearly 20 researchers, has revealed that more than 3,000 chemicals or "metabolites" can be detected in urine. The results are expected to have significant implications for medical, nutritional, drug and environmental testing.

Dishonest deeds lead to 'cheater's high,' as long as no one gets hurt, study finds Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:59 AM PDT People who get away with cheating when they believe no one is hurt by their dishonesty are more likely to feel upbeat than remorseful afterward, according to new research.

Cheaper Chinese solar panels are not due to low-cost labor Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:59 AM PDT A study of the photovoltaic industries in the US and China shows that China's dominance in solar panel manufacturing is not driven solely by cheaper labor and government support, but by larger-scale manufacturing and resulting supply-chain benefits.

Rising reuse of wastewater in forecast but world lacks data on 'massive potential resource' Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:59 AM PDT Amid growing competition for freshwater from industry and cities, coupled with a rising world shortage of potash, nitrogen and phosphorus, an international study predicts a rapid increase in the use of treated wastewater for farming and other purposes worldwide. However, research shows that treated wastewater -- comparable in North America alone to the volume of water flowing over Niagara Falls -- is mostly unused and, in many nations, not even quantified or data is badly outdated.

Robotic therapy aids kids' handwriting skills Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:57 AM PDT Researchers are working to develop an exciting new robotic device that helps children to practice and improve their hand coordination.

Cause of cystic kidneys explained: Novel gene responsible for cystic kidney disease in children identified Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:57 AM PDT Scientists have identified a new gene that causes cystic kidneys in children and young adults. The research group's results lead to the identification of novel insights into the molecular mechanism underlying NPH, which is a prerequisite for developing pharmacological targets and new therapies for children with nephronophthisis.

Splitting pollen to view internal wall Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:57 AM PDT Researchers have cut sections through pollen grains and make it possible to view a three dimensional image of the internal wall. This positions them to determine how the characteristics of the internal wall help to classify plants of particular interest.

What is the brain telling us about the diagnoses of schizophrenia? Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT We live in the most exciting and unsettling period in the history of psychiatry since Freud started talking about sex in public. On the one hand, the American Psychiatric Association has introduced the fifth iteration of the psychiatric diagnostic manual, DSM-V, representing the current best effort of the brightest clinical minds in psychiatry to categorize the enormously complex pattern of human emotional, cognitive, and behavioral problems. On the other hand, in new and profound ways, neuroscience and genetics research in psychiatry are yielding insights that challenge the traditional diagnostic schema that have long been at the core of the field.

Religious leaders can be key to biological diversity Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT Leaders of the major world religions can play a key role in preserving biological diversity. A new study indicates that if the world's religious leaders wished to bring about a change, they would be ideally positioned to do so.

The ship that waves won't rock Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT This ship makes it easier to find one's sea legs, thanks to opposing waves created in specially-designed tanks fitted in the hull. The ship will house personnel working on offshore installations, and is optimized to provide the best possible comfort when serving a platform.

New insight into how Cheetahs catch their prey Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT A new research study has revealed that the cheetah, the world's fastest land animal, matches and may even anticipate the escape tactics of different prey when hunting, rather than just relying on its speed and agility as previously thought.

Brown algae reveal antioxidant production secrets Posted: 05 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT Brown algae contain phlorotannins, aromatic (phenolic) compounds that are unique in the plant kingdom. As natural antioxidants, phlorotannins are of great interest for the treatment and prevention of cancer and inflammatory, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers have recently elucidated the key step in the production of these compounds in Ectocarpus siliculosus, a small brown alga model species. The study also revealed the specific mechanism of an enzyme that synthesizes phenolic compounds with commercial applications.

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