الجمعة، 14 فبراير 2014

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News

Traditional Medicine: Environment change threatens indigenous know-how

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:35 AM PST

Traditional medicine provides health care for more than half the world's population, but no one has really looked at how the environment affects traditional medicine. Studying 12 ethnic groups from Nepal biologists found that plant availability in the local environment has a stronger influence on the make-up of a culture's medicinal floras. This means that the environment plays a huge role in shaping traditional knowledge. This is very important, especially when you think of the risks that these cultures are already facing.

Fixing broken links the fast way: Data links quick-fix developed

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:35 AM PST

Software that can fix 90 percent of broken links in a web of data, assuming the resources are still on the site's server, has been developed.

Marriage's 'haves' and 'have nots'

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:35 AM PST

Today Americans are looking to their marriages to fulfill different goals than in the past -- and although the fulfillment of these goals requires especially large investments of time and energy in the marital relationship, on average Americans are actually making smaller investments in their marital relationship than in the past, according to new research.

Missing monsoon lead to 'years without a summer'

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 07:34 AM PST

Why do cold, rainy summers in Europe follow intense volcanic eruptions in the tropics? A research team may have found the answer: volcanic emissions in the atmosphere block sunlight and can thereby affect the amount of precipitation in other parts of the world.

We will fight them with mosquitoes: Historical evidence of biological weapons research in Nazi Germany

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 06:51 AM PST

Scientist finds historical evidence of biological weapons research in Nazi Germany. Researchers came to the conclusion that, although a major entomological institute was established to combat insect-borne diseases such as typhoid, it also carried out research into whether mosquitoes -- which host malaria -- could be used in biological warfare.

Why did the orangutan come down from the trees?

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 06:51 AM PST

Orangutans come down from the trees and spend more time on the ground than previously realized -- but this behavior may be partly influenced by humans, a new study has found.

Fossil teeth shows that environment, as well as diet, may impact dental wear

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 06:50 AM PST

Researchers have established that pits and scratches on the teeth of mammal fossils give important clues to the diet of creatures that lived millions of years ago. A new study of dental microwear on shrews suggests that environment may impact teeth, as well.

Love is good for the heart, cardiologist says

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 06:50 AM PST

With Valentine's Day just one day away, a cardiologist says being involved in a healthy, loving relationship is good for the heart.

Reindeer counteract certain effects of climate change

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 05:40 AM PST

One of the consequences of a warmer climate can be that lowland and southern plants migrate higher up in the mountains. Ecologists now show that reindeer, voles and hare can prevent these invasions.

Drastic chemical change occurring in birth of planetary system: Has the solar system also experienced it?

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 05:37 AM PST

A new star is formed by gravitational contraction of an interstellar molecular cloud consisting of gas and dust. In the course of this process, a gas disk (protoplanetary disk), whose size is on the order of 100 AU, forms around the protostar and evolves into a planetary system. The Solar System was also formed in this way about 4.6 billion years ago, and life was eventually born on the Earth. How unique in the Universe is the situation which happened for the Solar System? In order to answer this question, understanding the formation of protoplanetary disks as well as the associated chemical evolution in various star forming regions is essential.

When chemists invent new rattles

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 05:37 AM PST

Chemists have developed a one-pot synthesis process to encapsulate nanoparticles. This type of particle could improve the antimicrobial coating of implants.

Brain process takes paper shape

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 06:23 PM PST

A paper-based device that mimics the electrochemical signalling in the human brain has been created by a group of researchers from China. The thin-film transistor (TFT) has been designed to replicate the junction between two neurons, known as a biological synapse, and could become a key component in the development of artificial neural networks, which could be utilized in a range of fields from robotics to computer processing.

Geophysicist teams with mathematicians to describe how river rocks round

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST

For centuries, geologists have recognized that the rocks that line riverbeds tend to be smaller and rounder further downstream. But these experts have not agreed on the reason these patterns exist. Abrasion causes rocks to grind down and become rounder as they are transported down the river. Does this grinding reduce the size of rocks significantly, or is it that smaller rocks are simply more easily transported downstream? A new study has arrived at a resolution to this puzzle.

Ancient settlements and modern cities follow same rules of development

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST

Recently derived equations that describe development patterns in modern urban areas appear to work equally well to describe ancient cities settled thousands of years ago, according to a new study.

Whales viewed from space: Satellite technology can be used to count whales

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST

Scientists have demonstrated how new satellite technology can be used to count whales, and ultimately estimate their population size. Using Very High Resolution satellite imagery, alongside image processing software, they were able to automatically detect and count whales breeding in part of the Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes in Argentina.

Ancient reptile birth preserved in fossil: Ichthyosaur fossil may show oldest live reptilian birth

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST

Ichthyosaurs were giant marine reptiles that evolved from land reptiles and moved to the water. Scientists report a new fossil specimen that belongs to Chaohusaurus (Reptilia, Ichthyopterygia), the oldest of Mesozoic marine reptiles that lived approximately 248 million years ago. The partial skeleton was recovered in China and may show a live birth.

Winning at darts: Timing of dart release or hand position may improve dart throwing accuracy

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:36 PM PST

Two major strategies are attributed to accurate throwing: timing the object release, and the using hand positioning at release to compensate for releasing the object at variable times. To better understand these strategies, researchers investigated whether expert dart players utilize hand movement that can compensate for the variability in their release timing.

Mathematical beauty activates same brain region as great art or music

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:35 PM PST

People who appreciate the beauty of mathematics activate the same part of their brain when they look at aesthetically pleasing formula as others do when appreciating art or music, suggesting that there is a neurobiological basis to beauty.

Debilitating effects of disease on toy dog breeds uncovered

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:35 PM PST

A new study has identified the specific effect Chiari malformation has on the shape of a dog's skull and brain. This condition has become prevalent as a result of selective breeding and affects many toy dog breeds which have been bred to look more doll-like, including Griffon Bruxellois, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas and their crosses.

Many stroke patients on 'clot-busting' tPA may not need long stays in ICU

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:35 PM PST

A study of patients with ischemic stroke suggests that many of those who receive prompt hospital treatment with "clot-busting" tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy can avoid lengthy, restrictive monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU).

US Southwest irrigation system facing decline after four centuries

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:44 PM PST

Communal irrigation systems known as acequias that have sustained farming villages in the arid southwestern United States for centuries are struggling because of dwindling snowmelt runoff and social and economic factors that favor modernism over tradition, a new study finds.

Teledermatology app system offers efficiencies, reliably prioritizes inpatient consults

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:44 PM PST

A new study shows that remote consultations from dermatologists using a secure smart phone app are reliable at prioritizing care for hospitalized patients with skin conditions. Researchers report that this teledermatology process is reliable and can help deliver care more efficiently in busy academic hospitals and potentially in community hospital settings.

Relocating 'nuisance' animals often unhealthy for wildlife

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:43 PM PST

The long-distance relocation of nuisance animals may appear to benefit both people and wildlife, but often the animals end up dead. Research suggests such human/animal conflicts are best solved with short-distance relocations instead.

Foods and moods: Considering the future may help people make better food choices

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:43 PM PST

A new article finds that there's more to stress eating than simply emotion; in fact, thinking about the future may help people make better food choices.

Happy couples can get a big resolution to a big fight; mean talk aside

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 01:43 PM PST

Being critical, angry and defensive isn't always a bad thing for couples having a big disagreement — provided they are in a satisfying relationship. In that case, they likely will have a "big resolution" regardless of how negative they were during the discussion, according to a new study.

Rare bacteria outbreak in cancer clinic tied to lapse in infection control procedure

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 12:32 PM PST

Improper handling of intravenous saline at a West Virginia outpatient oncology clinic was linked with the first reported outbreak of Tsukamurella spp., gram-positive bacteria that rarely cause disease in humans.

Cancer researchers discover pre-leukemic stem cell at root of AML, relapse

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 11:45 AM PST

Cancer researchers have discovered a pre-leukemic stem cell that may be the first step in initiating disease and also the culprit that evades therapy and triggers relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Popular disinfectants do not kill HPV

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:29 AM PST

Commonly used disinfectants do not kill human papillomavirus (HPV) that makes possible non-sexual transmission of the virus, thus creating a need for hospital policy changes, according to researchers.

Obese Americans get less than one minute of vigorous activity per day, research shows

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:26 AM PST

Researchers have validated a new method for calculating physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the food energy requirements of Americans. The results suggest that as a nation, we spend more than 15 hours per day sleeping and sitting, and that obese men and women spend less than one minute per day in vigorous activity.

Genome of clonal raider ant provides promising model to study social evolution and behavior

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:28 AM PST

The genome of clonal raider ant provides a promising model to study social evolution and behavior.

Novel compound keeps Parkinson's symptoms at bay in mice

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:28 AM PST

Scientists report that they have developed a novel compound that appears to protect mice against developing movement problems associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The research could one day in the future translate into a therapy that could halt the progression of PD.

Mindfulness meditation may improve decision-making

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:27 AM PST

New findings suggest that mindfulness meditation, which cultivates awareness of the present moment and clears the mind of other thoughts, may help people make smarter choices.

New species of Oak hidden away in the greenery of Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:26 AM PST

Scientists describe a new species of Stone Oak uncovered amidst the astonishing biodiversity of the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand. The new species is distinguished by its uniquely shaped acorns and is endemic not only for Thailand but at the moment there are no other records known outside the heart of this wildlife sanctuary.

Weather changes may be linked with stroke hospitalization, death

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:25 AM PST

Stroke hospitalization and death rates may be associated with changes in environmental temperature and dew point. Large daily temperature changes and higher average dew points may be linked with higher stroke hospitalizations.

Why it's good to be lonely this Valentine's Day

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:23 AM PST

Whilst it may seem that there are no positives to draw from feeling lonely, several authors have shown that this is not the case.

Human earwax: Overlooked source of personal information?

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:21 AM PST

Scientists have used analytical organic chemistry to identify the presence of odor-producing chemical compounds in human earwax. Further, the amounts of these compounds differ between individuals of East Asian origin and Caucasians. The findings suggest that human earwax could be an overlooked source of personal information.
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