السبت، 11 يناير 2014

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News

'Superlens' extends range of wireless power transfer

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 12:32 PM PST

Researchers have for the first time demonstrated the feasibility of wireless power transfer using low-frequency magnetic fields over distances much larger than the size of the transmitter and receiver.

Comprehensive, nonsurgical treatment improves pelvic floor dysfunction in women

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 10:10 AM PST

Researchers have demonstrated that a comprehensive, nonsurgical treatment significantly improves symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction, a range of symptoms which include bladder and bowel problems as well as pelvic pain.

Bacteria-invading virus yields new discoveries

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:36 AM PST

Innovative work shows the structural and DNA breakdown of a bacteria-invading virus.

One species, two outcomes: Team seeks source of body louse pathology

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:36 AM PST

A new study seeks to determine how one parasitic species can give rise to two drastically different outcomes in its host: The human body louse (Pediculus humanus) can transmit dangerous bacterial infections to humans, while the human head louse (also Pediculus humanus) does not.

Cilia use different motors for different tasks

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:36 AM PST

Cilia -- tiny, hair-like fibers -- are widely present in nature. Single-celled paramecia use one set of cilia for locomotion and another set to sweep nutrients into their oral grooves. Researchers have discovered that those two cilia sets operate at different speeds when the viscosity of the environment changes. That suggests different molecular motors driving them, which could help explain how cilia have come to be used for so many different tasks in nature.

Stem cell replacement for frequent age-related blindness

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness. Scientists have developed a method for using stem cells to replace cells in the eye destroyed by AMD. The implants survived in rabbit eyes for several weeks. Additional research is needed for clinical application.

Mechanism of genetic mutations known to cause familial Alzheimer's disease uncovered

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST

New research has solved one mystery in the development of Familial Alzheimer's Disease (FAD), a genetic variant of the disease that affects a small fraction of the Alzheimer's population. Researchers followed the trail of two genetic mutations – V44M and V44A – known to cause FAD, and have shown how the mutations lead to biochemical changes long linked to the disease.

Primary care practitioners hesitate to prescribe antidepressants for depressed teens

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST

Pediatric primary care practitioners (PCPs) are reluctant to prescribe antidepressant medications to adolescent patients -— even those with severe depression, reports a study.

Living on islands makes animals tamer

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:37 AM PST

Biologists have found that island lizards are "tame" compared to their mainland relatives, confirming Charles Darwin's observations of island tameness. Darwin had noted that island animals often acted tame, and presumed that they had evolved to be so after coming to inhabit islands that lacked most predators. The researchers found island lizards were more accessible the farther the islands were from the mainland.

Indigenous groups more vulnerable in fight against flu

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:37 AM PST

Researchers have discovered that some Indigenous groups will be more susceptible to the effects of the new strain of influenza currently found in China.

Scientists control cells following transplantation, from inside out

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:37 AM PST

Stem cells scientists can now engineer cells that are more easily controlled following transplantation, potentially making cell therapies, hundreds of which are currently in clinical trials across the United States, more functional and efficient.

Fresh faced: Looking younger for longer

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:35 AM PST

Researchers have identified an antioxidant Tiron, which offers total protection against some types of sun damage and may ultimately help our skin stay looking younger for longer.

Researchers pursuing arthritis protein

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:35 AM PST

Researchers have investigated a special protein that appears in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis.

Athlete's first reaction in victory is dominance, study finds

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:35 AM PST

After victory, an athlete's instinctive reaction is one that displays dominance over his or her vanquished opponent. The body language appears to be innate and stems from an evolutionary need to establish order in society. Researchers have also found that the intensity of the body language correlates with the importance the athlete's culture places on power and status.

The cyborg era has started

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:32 AM PST

Medical implants, complex interfaces between brain and machine or remotely controlled insects: Recent developments combining machines and organisms have great potentials, but also give rise to major ethical concerns.

Researchers develop artificial bone marrow; May be used to reproduce hematopoietic stem cells

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:26 AM PST

Artificial bone marrow may be used to reproduce hematopoietic stem cells. A prototype has now been developed. The porous structure possesses essential properties of natural bone marrow and can be used for the reproduction of stem cells at the laboratory. This might facilitate the treatment of leukemia in a few years.

Vibrations reveal state of bridge ropes

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:26 AM PST

The new ResoBridge method has been developed to check bridges during running traffic within one day. It measures the vibrations of the tensioning ropes of externally prestressed concrete bridges. In the future, it may also be used to check cable-stayed bridges and constructions as well as hybrid towers of wind power plants.

Ultra-low consumption chip developed

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:26 AM PST

Researchers have developed a chip incorporating a new design of ultra-low consumption, digital analogue converter; it consumes 50 million times less than a conventional light bulb.

Evidence of harmful effect of bisphenol A-based plastics

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:26 AM PST

Bisphenol A impairs the function of proteins that are vital for growth processes in cells. The substance, BPA for short, is contained in many plastic products and is suspected of being hazardous to health. To date, it had been assumed that bisphenol A produces a harmful effect by binding to hormone receptors. A chemist and biochemist team has discovered that the substance also affects the so-called small GTPases.

Test to predict early onset of heart attacks

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:25 AM PST

A new "fluid biopsy" technique that could identify patients at high risk of a heart attack by identifying specific cells as markers in the bloodstream has been developed by a group of researchers.

Prediction of future flu virus

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:57 PM PST

The differences in the seasonal flu usually result from point mutations in the influenza virus genes, while major pandemics are often connected to profound genetic shifts known as reassortments. The link between these two phenomena has now been studied for the first time.

Teen concussions increase risk for depression

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST

Teens with a history of concussions are more than three times as likely to suffer from depression as teens who have never had a concussion, finds a new study.

Antibacterial agent boosts toothpaste effectiveness

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST

Regular use of fluoride toothpaste containing triclosan, an antibacterial agent, reduces plaque, gingivitis and slightly reduces tooth decay compared to regular fluoride toothpaste, finds a new review.

Researchers invent 'sideways' approach to 2-D hybrid materials

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST

Researchers have pioneered a new technique for forming a two-dimensional, single-atom sheet of two different materials with a seamless boundary.

Research reveals structure of master regulator, new drug target for autism, cervical cancer

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:38 AM PST

A team of scientists has discovered the structure of the active form of E6-associated protein (E6AP), an enzyme that acts as a master regulator, controlling functions like the ability of nerve cells to "rewire" themselves in response to external stimuli and HPV hijacking cells leading to cervical cancer. They report, for the first time, that the active form of E6AP is composed of three distinct protein molecules.

Theory for metamaterials that act as an analog computer

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST

A new study shows that metamaterials can be designed to do "photonic calculus" as a light wave goes through them. A light wave, when described in terms of space and time, has a profile that can be thought of as a curve on a Cartesian plane. This theoretical material can perform a specific mathematical operation on that wave's profile, such as finding its derivative, as the light wave passes through the material.

Antipsychotic drug exhibits cancer-fighting properties

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST

In a prime example of finding new uses for older drugs, studies in zebrafish show that a 50-year-old antipsychotic medication called perphenazine can actively combat the cells of a difficult-to-treat form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The drug works by turning on a cancer-suppressing enzyme called PP2A and causing malignant tumor cells to self-destruct.

New study: US power plant emissions down

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST

Power plants that use natural gas and a new technology to squeeze more energy from the fuel release far less of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than coal-fired power plants do, according to a new analysis.

Extraordinary sensors pushed to their boundaries: New step is being taken in development of ultra-stable sensors of small forces

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST

A new step is being taken in the development of ultra-stable sensors of small forces. EPFL researchers have found a way to eradicate external perturbations from interfering with their state-of-the art optomechanical measurement systems.

Lions are critically endangered in West Africa

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST

The African lion is facing extinction across the entire West African region, according to new research. The West African lion once ranged continuously from Senegal to Nigeria, but the new article reveals there are now only an estimated 250 adult lions restricted to four isolated and severely imperiled populations. Only one of those populations contains more than 50 lions.

Newly published survey shows drug shortages still have major impact on patient care

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST

According to newly published results from a survey of pharmacy directors, drug shortages remain a serious problem for patient safety. Nearly half of the responding directors reported adverse events at their facilities due to drug shortages, including patient deaths. The survey asked pharmacy directors from a variety of health care settings to supply information on drug shortage related patient complaints, adverse events, medication errors, patient outcomes, demographics and institutional costs.

Big data: A method for obtaining large, phylogenomic data sets

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST

Scientists have developed a new method to obtain large, phylogenomic data sets utilizing long-range PCR to strategically generate DNA templates for next-generation sequencing. The method allows researchers to target specific genomic regions of interest. The method was tested by amplifying chloroplast genomes for 30 species across flowering plants, but can be used for any organism, and can be expanded to the mitochondrial and nuclear regions.

Minimalistic raiding parties of a slave-hunting ant crack castles

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:24 AM PST

A group of scientists recently described a new slave-making ant species from the eastern USA. They baptized the new ant Temnothorax pilagens -- from pilere (Latin): to pluck, plunder or pillage.

Researchers discover how vascular disease activates autoimmune disorders

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:23 AM PST

The hardening of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, that can lead to heart attack. It has also been linked to autoimmune disorders, but to date it has not been clear why these diseases are related. A new study reveals that a molecule that causes atherosclerosis also activates T cells, causing clinical symptoms of autoimmune disease to worsen in mice. The findings shed light on the link between autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, opening new avenues for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Tiny technology enables improved detection of circulating tumor cells

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:21 AM PST

Detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood can play an important role in early diagnosis, characterization of cancer subtypes, treatment monitoring and metastasis. Researchers have developed a microfluidic system that isolates CTCs more efficiently than current technologies.

Pivotal cellular protein underlying eczema identified

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:21 AM PST

Researchers have revealed a critical player in the cellular interactions leading to eczema – a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting more than 14 million U.S. children and adults.
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