ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Increasing threat of intense tropical cyclones hitting East Asia
• Why don't TV audiences care about suffering in other countries?
• Crittercam captures crocodilian foraging behaviors (videos)
• Coevolution between humans, bacteria reduces gastric cancer risk, research suggests
• 'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once
• Heart attack damage slashed with microparticle therapy
• Nanotechnology: A deeper look at interfaces
• Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates, study finds
• Acidification, predators pose double threat to oysters
• Arctic: Mercury deposition and ozone depletion, linked to sea-ice dynamics
• Oldest trees are growing faster, storing more carbon as they age
• Speech means using both sides of brain
• Later school start times improve sleep and daytime functioning in adolescents
• New strategy emerges for fighting drug-resistant malaria
• Self-control isn't in short supply (despite what it looks like)
• Quantum physics could make secure, single-use computer memories possible
• Layered security: Carbon nanotubes promise improved flame-resistant coating
• First comprehensive test to detect genetic modification in food
• Potential treatment for better heart health in hemodialysis patients
• Parental leave policies best promote gender equity, well-being in women's health
• Coral reefs in Palau surprisingly resistant to naturally acidified waters
• Discovery of an early predictor of increased diabetes risk
• Patients with spinal cord injuries should be assessed for sleep apnea
• Ants protect acacia plants against pathogens
• Don't fear the dawn of the drones; someday one might save your life
• New evidence of 'Nordic grog' discovered in Scandinavia
• Don’t just sit there! Prolonged sitting linked to early mortality in women
• Living in fantasyland? Luck is more important than fantasy sports players think
• Study provides guidance on drug holidays from popular osteoporosis treatments
• Vision and multitasking: Brain can perform more than one function without sacrificing time or accuracy
• International study allows better prediction of risk of hereditary cancer
• Copycats pave the way to problem-solving success
• Internal clock, feeding rhythm set pace of liver
• Some families would consider terminal sedation for brain injured relatives in permanent vegetative state, study shows
• Researchers find metabolic clues to diabetic kidney failure
• Exposures to some phthalates fall after federal ban
• Genetic sequence of 1,000 marine viruses published
• Large landmasses existed 2.7 billion years ago
• Virtual reality moral dilemmas show just how utilitarian we really are
• Microscopic fountain pen adds new functionality to AFM microscopy
• Gold nanoparticles help to develop a new method for tracking viruses
• First planet found around solar twin in star cluster
• Key species of algae shows effects of climate change over time
• Research advancements made in diabetes-induced blindness
• Technology uses micro-windmills to recharge cell phones
• Scientists discover new pathway for artificial photosynthesis
• Wild sparrow study traces social behaviors in the field to specific gene
• Researchers identify key components linking circadian rhythms, cell division cycles
• World's tiniest drug cabinets could be attached to cancerous cells for long term treatment
• Cervical, vaginal cancer higher in women previously treated for pre-cancerous cells on cervix, study finds
• Risk of transient breathing difficulties in newborns of mothers on antidepressants
• Patients with mild hyperglycemia, genetic mutation have low prevalence of vascular complications
• Follow-up tests improve colorectal cancer recurrence detection
• In dyslexia, less brain tissue not to blame for reading difficulties
• Alcohol consumption is a necessary cause of nearly 80,000 deaths per year in the Americas, study finds
• Muscle-strengthening, conditioning in women associated with reduced risk of diabetes
• Cervical screening up to age 69 may prevent cervical cancer in older women
• New analysis shows fewer years of life lost to cancer
• Universal diabetes testing at first prenatal visit recommended
• Rethinking massive iceberg shifts in North Atlantic

Increasing threat of intense tropical cyclones hitting East Asia Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:32 PM PST The intensity of tropical cyclones hitting East Asia has significantly increased over the past 30 years, according to a new study.

Why don't TV audiences care about suffering in other countries? Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:31 PM PST Television audiences care less about suffering experienced by people in other countries when they watch the news than when they watch a range of different programs, according to new research.

Crittercam captures crocodilian foraging behaviors (videos) Posted: 15 Jan 2014 02:28 PM PST Animal-borne camera reveals that alligators may attempt to capture prey most often at night, even though the calculated probability of catching prey is highest in the morning.

Coevolution between humans, bacteria reduces gastric cancer risk, research suggests Posted: 15 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST Researchers studied two Colombian villages and discovered that the risk of gastric cancer (caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria) depends on both the ancestry of the person and the ancestry of the microbe they carry. All villagers had similar rates of H. pylori infection, but gastric cancer occurred 25 times more often in the mountain village; coevoluton between humans and bacteria had reduced gastric cancer rates in the coastal villagers.

'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once Posted: 15 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST A new technology allows simultaneous analysis of hundreds of cancer-related protein markers from miniscule patient samples gathered through minimally invasive methods.

Heart attack damage slashed with microparticle therapy Posted: 15 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST After a heart attack, much of the damage to the heart muscle is caused by inflammatory cells that rush to the scene. But that damage is slashed in half when microparticles are injected into the bloodstream within 24 hours of the attack, reports new research. The heart lesion was reduced by 50 percent and the heart could pump significantly more blood as a result of the microparticles. The new therapy has the potential to transform the way heart attacks are treated.

Nanotechnology: A deeper look at interfaces Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:27 AM PST A new technique makes it possible for the first time to selectively study the electronic structure of buried interfaces in multilayer nanodevices.

Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates, study finds Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:27 AM PST For several years, many have been quick to attribute rising fast-food consumption as the major factor causing rapid increases in childhood obesity. Now researchers report that fast-food consumption is simply a byproduct of a much bigger problem: poor all-day-long dietary habits that originate in children's homes.

Acidification, predators pose double threat to oysters Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:27 AM PST The once-booming, now struggling Olympia oyster native to the West Coast could face a double threat from ocean acidification and invasive predators, according to new research.

Arctic: Mercury deposition and ozone depletion, linked to sea-ice dynamics Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:27 AM PST Scientists have established, for the first time, a link between Arctic sea ice dynamics and the region's changing atmospheric chemistry potentially leading to increased amounts of mercury deposited to the Earth's northernmost and most fragile ecosystems.

Oldest trees are growing faster, storing more carbon as they age Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:27 AM PST In a finding that overturns the conventional view that large old trees are unproductive, scientists have determined that for most species, the biggest trees increase their growth rates and sequester more carbon as they age. An international research group reports that 97 percent of 403 tropical and temperate species grow more quickly the older they get.

Speech means using both sides of brain Posted: 15 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST We use both sides of our brain for speech, a finding by researchers that alters previous conceptions about neurological activity. The results also offer insights into addressing speech-related inhibitions caused by stroke or injury and lay the groundwork for better rehabilitation methods.

Later school start times improve sleep and daytime functioning in adolescents Posted: 15 Jan 2014 09:22 AM PST A psychologist and sleep expert recently led a study linking later school start times to improved sleep and mood in teens.

New strategy emerges for fighting drug-resistant malaria Posted: 15 Jan 2014 09:22 AM PST Malaria is one of the most deadly infectious diseases in the world today, claiming the lives of over half a million people every year, and the recent emergence of parasites resistant to current treatments threatens to undermine efforts to control the disease. Researchers are now onto a new strategy to defeat drug-resistant strains of the parasite.

Self-control isn't in short supply (despite what it looks like) Posted: 15 Jan 2014 09:22 AM PST It might be true that people have a harder time controlling themselves when they are tired at the end of the day, but that doesn't mean that self-control is a limited resource, say authors of a new study. The trick to fighting that couch potato urge is for you (or your kids) to find pleasure in productive activities.

Quantum physics could make secure, single-use computer memories possible Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST Computer security systems may one day get a boost from quantum physics as a result of recent research. Computer scientists have devised a way to make a security device that has proved notoriously difficult to build -- a "one-shot" memory unit, whose contents can be read only a single time.

Layered security: Carbon nanotubes promise improved flame-resistant coating Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST Using an approach akin to assembling a club sandwich at the nanoscale,researchers have succeeded in crafting a uniform, carbon-nanotube-based coating that greatly reduces the flammability of foam commonly used in furniture and other soft furnishings.

First comprehensive test to detect genetic modification in food Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST As the abundance of genetically modified (GM) foods continues to grow, so does the demand for monitoring and labeling them. The genes of GM plants used for food are tweaked to make them more healthful or pest-resistant, but some consumers are wary of such changes. To help inform shoppers and enforce regulations, scientists are reporting the first comprehensive method to detect genetic modifications in one convenient, accurate test.

Potential treatment for better heart health in hemodialysis patients Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST Researchers have discovered a potential way to improve the lipid profiles in patients undergoing hemodialysis that may prevent cardiovascular disease common in these patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis for kidney failure are at a greater risk for atherosclerosis, a common disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems including heart attack, stroke or even death.

Parental leave policies best promote gender equity, well-being in women's health Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST Government policies that allow both parents to take time off after a child is born provide positive benefits for the physical and mental health of women, according to a literature review that looked at the influence of public policies on women's overall health.

Coral reefs in Palau surprisingly resistant to naturally acidified waters Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST Ocean researchers working on the coral reefs of Palau in 2011 and 2012 made two unexpected discoveries that could provide insight into corals' resistance and resilience to ocean acidification, and aid in the creation of a plan to protect them.

Discovery of an early predictor of increased diabetes risk Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST A research team has discovered that a protein found in muscle tissue may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes later in life. The study's results indicate that the protein could be a promising early predictor of increased diabetes risk.

Patients with spinal cord injuries should be assessed for sleep apnea Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:35 AM PST A new study suggests that patients with spinal cord injuries could benefit from careful assessment for sleep apnea.

Ants protect acacia plants against pathogens Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:32 AM PST The presence of mutualistic ants greatly reduces bacterial abundance on surfaces of acacia leaves and has a visibly positive effect on plant health. Study results indicate that symbiotic bacteria colonizing the ants inhibit pathogen growth on the leaves.

Don't fear the dawn of the drones; someday one might save your life Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:32 AM PST Engineering researchers are finding new and unique approaches to developing autopilots for unmanned aerial vehicles and getting them into the hands of firefighters and other first responders.

New evidence of 'Nordic grog' discovered in Scandinavia Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST A new discovery highlights innovative and complex fermented beverages of northern Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Don’t just sit there! Prolonged sitting linked to early mortality in women Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST A new study of 93,000 postmenopausal American women found those with the highest amounts of sedentary time – defined as sitting and resting, excluding sleeping – died earlier than their most active peers. The association remained even when controlling for physical mobility and function, chronic disease status, demographic factors and overall fitness – meaning that even habitual exercisers are at risk if they have high amounts of idle time.

Living in fantasyland? Luck is more important than fantasy sports players think Posted: 15 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST Fantasy sports players can spend thousands of dollars and certainly that many hours developing sophisticated leagues and playing strategies steeped in analysis and superstition —- all for teams that aren't real.

Study provides guidance on drug holidays from popular osteoporosis treatments Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST Doctors commonly recommend drug holidays, or breaks, from certain osteoporosis drugs due to the risks associated with these treatments. Yet little has been known about the ideal duration of the holidays and how best to manage patients during this time.

Vision and multitasking: Brain can perform more than one function without sacrificing time or accuracy Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST Most of the time your brain doesn't perform as well as it could when it has to multitask. But when it comes to visual sampling, researchers have found that multitasking is no problem.

International study allows better prediction of risk of hereditary cancer Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:01 AM PST An international study has developed a refined method to identify people at risk for certain inherited cancer as a result of Lynch syndrome. The study has carried out clinical and basic researchers who are part of the INSIGHT (International Society for Gastroeintestinal Hereditary Tumors).

Copycats pave the way to problem-solving success Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:01 AM PST It often is better to be surrounded by copycats than innovators, according to a new study. Imitators, say researchers, "often make their own improvements to the original solution, and these can, in turn, be adopted and improved upon by the originator and others." In such fields as medicine, software development or art, where there are a "huge number of ideas with unknown potential," having copycats around you can provide an edge.

Internal clock, feeding rhythm set pace of liver Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:01 AM PST Living organisms have adapted to the day-night cycle and, in most cases, evolved a "circadian clock" -- that is: an actual cellular metronome -- whose effects are not completely known yet. A scientific team has found that in the case of the liver, the rhythm of protein production and release is dictated by both the organisms' feeding behaviors and their internal clock.

Some families would consider terminal sedation for brain injured relatives in permanent vegetative state, study shows Posted: 15 Jan 2014 06:59 AM PST The families of some very severely brain injured patients believe that once all treatment options are exhausted, allowing their relatives to die with the help of terminal sedation would be a humane and compassionate option, research has revealed.

Researchers find metabolic clues to diabetic kidney failure Posted: 15 Jan 2014 06:58 AM PST A new study that compares the metabolic fingerprints of patients who develop ESRD versus those who don't has furnished new clues to the disease.

Exposures to some phthalates fall after federal ban Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:57 AM PST Americans are being exposed to significantly lower levels of some phthalates that were banned from children's articles in 2008, but exposures to other forms of these chemicals are rising steeply, according to a study.

Genetic sequence of 1,000 marine viruses published Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST A research team has published an article with the genetic sequence of over 1,000 marine viruses. This is the largest contribution in one article to the knowledge of marine viruses, in this case, from the Mediterranean.

Large landmasses existed 2.7 billion years ago Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST Some 71 percent of Earth's surface is covered by oceans and 29 percent by land. The question of when large landmasses emerged from the oceans has always been hotly debated. New investigations by geoscientists have shown that large land masses did indeed exist on Earth 2.7 billion years ago.

Virtual reality moral dilemmas show just how utilitarian we really are Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST "Moral" psychology has traditionally been studied by subjecting individuals to moral dilemmas, that is, hypothetical choices regarding typically dangerous scenarios, but it has rarely been validated "in the field". This limitation may have led to systematic bias in hypotheses regarding the cognitive bases of moral judgements. A study relying on virtual reality has demonstrated that, in real situations, we might be far more "utilitarian" than believed so far.

Microscopic fountain pen adds new functionality to AFM microscopy Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), which uses a fine-tipped probe to scan surfaces at the atomic scale, will soon be augmented with a chemical sensor. This involves the use of a hollow AFM cantilever, through which a liquid - in this case mercury - is passed under pressure. The droplet of mercury at the tip acts as a sensor.

Gold nanoparticles help to develop a new method for tracking viruses Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST Researchers have developed a novel method to study enterovirus structures and their functions. The method will help to obtain new information on trafficking of viruses in cells and tissues as well as on the mechanisms of virus opening inside cells. This new information is important for example for developing new antiviral drugs and vaccines.

First planet found around solar twin in star cluster Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST Astronomers have discovered three planets orbiting stars in the cluster Messier 67. Although more than one thousand planets outside the Solar System are now confirmed, only a handful have been found in star clusters. Remarkably one of these new exoplanets is orbiting a star that is a rare solar twin -- a star that is almost identical to the Sun in all respects.

Key species of algae shows effects of climate change over time Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:51 AM PST A study of marine life in the temperate coastal waters of the northeast Pacific Ocean shows a reversal of competitive dominance among species of algae, suggesting that increased ocean acidification caused by global climate change is altering biodiversity.

Research advancements made in diabetes-induced blindness Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:51 AM PST Investigators have identified new molecular abnormalities in the diabetic cornea that could contribute to eye problems in affected patients. With this new knowledge, investigators aim to accelerate the process of healing and repair in damaged corneas to ultimately reverse the effects of diabetes-induced eye complications.

Technology uses micro-windmills to recharge cell phones Posted: 15 Jan 2014 04:43 AM PST Electrical engineers have designed a micro-windmill that generates wind energy and may become an innovative solution to cell phone batteries constantly in need of recharging and home energy generation where large windmills are not preferred.

Scientists discover new pathway for artificial photosynthesis Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:31 PM PST Currently, the most efficient methods that we have of making fuel -- principally hydrogen -- from sunlight and water involve rare and expensive metal catalysts, like platinum. In a new study, researchers have found a new, more efficient way to link a less expensive synthetic cobalt-containing catalyst to an organic light-sensitive molecule, called a chromophore.

Wild sparrow study traces social behaviors in the field to specific gene Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:31 PM PST A unique study of the white-throated sparrow has identified a biological pathway connecting variation in the birds' aggression and parenting behaviors in the wild to variation in their genome.

Researchers identify key components linking circadian rhythms, cell division cycles Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:31 PM PST Researchers have identified key molecular components linking circadian rhythms and cell division cycles in Neurospora crassa, providing insights that could lead to improved disease treatments and drug delivery.

World's tiniest drug cabinets could be attached to cancerous cells for long term treatment Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:31 PM PST As if being sick weren't bad enough, there's also the fear of frequent injections, side effects and overdosing on you medication. Now medical researchers have shown that reservoirs of anti-viral pharmaceuticals could be manufactured to bind specifically to infected tissue such as cancer cells for the slow concentrated delivery of drug treatments.

Cervical, vaginal cancer higher in women previously treated for pre-cancerous cells on cervix, study finds Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST Women previously treated for abnormal cells on the cervix (CIN3 or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3) are at an increased risk of developing and dying from cervical or vaginal cancer compared with the general female population and this risk accelerates above age 60, a paper published suggests.

Risk of transient breathing difficulties in newborns of mothers on antidepressants Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST Infants of expectant mothers who take antidepressant drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, during late pregnancy are at an increased risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) finds a study.

Patients with mild hyperglycemia, genetic mutation have low prevalence of vascular complications Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST Despite having mild hyperglycemia for approximately 50 years, patients in a new study with a mutation in the gene encoding the enzyme glucokinase had a low prevalence of clinically significant vascular complications, findings that provide insights into the risks associated with isolated mild hyperglycemia.

Follow-up tests improve colorectal cancer recurrence detection Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST Among patients who had undergone curative surgery for primary colorectal cancer, the screening methods of computed tomography and carcinoembryonic antigen each provided an improved rate of surgical treatment of cancer recurrence compared with minimal follow-up, although there was no advantage in combining these tests, according to a study.

In dyslexia, less brain tissue not to blame for reading difficulties Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST In people with dyslexia, less gray matter in the brain has been linked to reading disabilities, but now new evidence suggests this is a consequence of poorer reading experiences and not the root cause of the disorder.

Alcohol consumption is a necessary cause of nearly 80,000 deaths per year in the Americas, study finds Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST A new study has measured the number and pattern of deaths caused by alcohol consumption in 16 North and Latin American countries. The study reveals that between 2007 and 2009, alcohol was a 'necessary' cause of death (i.e., death would not have occurred in the absence of alcohol consumption) in an average of 79,456 cases per year. Liver disease was the main culprit in most countries.

Muscle-strengthening, conditioning in women associated with reduced risk of diabetes Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST Aerobic exercise is known to prevent type 2 diabetes, and muscle-strengthening alone or in combination with aerobic exercise improves diabetic control among those with diabetes. Although men who weight train have been found to have an associated reduced risk of developing diabetes, whether such an association exists for women has not been established.

Cervical screening up to age 69 may prevent cervical cancer in older women Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:29 PM PST A study published this week suggests that screening women for cervical cancer beyond age 50 clearly saves lives, and also that there are benefits for women with normal (negative) screening results to continue screening up to the age of 69 years.

New analysis shows fewer years of life lost to cancer Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:27 PM PST A new statistical approach to measuring the cancer burden in the United States reveals decades of progress in fighting cancer, progress previously masked by the falling death rates of other diseases.

Universal diabetes testing at first prenatal visit recommended Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:27 PM PST The Endocrine Society is encouraged by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force's (USPSTF) efforts to promote gestational diabetes screening and recommends going a step further to identify undiagnosed type 2 diabetes cases before harmful pregnancy complications can develop.

Rethinking massive iceberg shifts in North Atlantic Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:26 PM PST Some Heinrich events – massive iceberg surges into the North Atlantic that were thought to have weakened the global ocean conveyor belt circulation and sent Earth's climate into a deep freeze – may have been caused by changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, say researchers.

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