الأربعاء، 10 يونيو 2015

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Processing arrested juveniles as adults has small effect on their recidivism

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:34 PM PDT

Researchers have found a three to five percent reduction in the probability of criminal recidivism among a sample of juveniles arrested for felony drug offenses, some of whom were processed as adults due to their age at the time of their arrests.

Pre-lecture diagrams help students take better notes, learn more

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:34 PM PDT

Lecture-based learning can be challenging for students who have difficulties building mental models for the organization of new information, but providing them with diagrams and other supporting material in advance of the lecture can help them overcome these hurdles, suggests new research.

Body's response to spicy foods guides design of new pain relief drugs

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:34 PM PDT

The molecular interactions that allow capsaicin to activate the body's primary receptor for sensing heat and pain have been identified by scientists, paving the way for the design of more selective and effective drugs to relieve pain.

Longest ever tiger shark tracking reveals remarkable, bird-like migrations

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT

A new study has yielded the first ever continuous, two or more-year satellite tagging tracks for tiger sharks. This study reveals remarkable, and previously unknown, migration patterns more similar to birds, turtles and some marine mammals than other fishes.

Cellular mechanism for how the body regulates glucose transport discovered

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT

Scientists have gleaned a key cellular mechanism of how the body adjusts glucose levels, an important process that when abnormal can promote diabetes, cancer, and rare genetic diseases.

Many experiments for the price of one: Breakthrough in the study of gene regulation

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT

Inside every cell that makes up a diminutive fruit fly is a vast, dynamic network of information -- the genome whose 15,000 genes allow that cell to function. In a new study, computer scientists and molecular biologists demonstrated the utility of a novel approach to deciphering how networks of genes are regulated.

Study links brain inflammation triggered by chronic pain to anxiety and depression

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT

Brain inflammation caused by chronic nerve pain alters activity in regions that regulate mood and motivation, suggesting for the first time that a direct biophysical link exists between long-term pain and the depression, anxiety and substance abuse seen in more than half of these patients, researchers report.

Early intervention improves long-term outcomes for children with autism

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT

Early intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder helps improve their intellectual ability and reduces autism symptoms years after originally getting treatment, a new study shows.

First live birth after transplantation of ovarian tissue removed and frozen during childhood

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:29 PM PDT

A young woman has become the first in the world to give birth to a healthy child after doctors restored her fertility by transplanting ovarian tissue that had been removed and frozen while she was a child.

Two large trials provide further evidence that one dose of HPV vaccine could prevent the majority of cervical cancers

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:29 PM PDT

A single dose of the bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline group of companies) may offer a similar level of protection against HPV-16/18 infections, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers, as the current two- and three-dose schedules, according to new research combining data from two large phase 3 trials.

Predicting tree mortality

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

A combination of drought, heat and insects is responsible for the death of more than 12 million trees in California, according to a new study. Researchers studying environmental factors contributing to tree mortality expect this number to increase with climate change.

Scientists gain first glimpse of new concepts developing in the brain

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

Scientists have -- for the first time -- documented the formation of a newly learned concept inside the brain and show that it occurs in the same brain areas for everyone. The results from this study also indicate that it may be possible to use a similar approach to understand the 'loss' of knowledge in various brain disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or due to brain injuries. The loss of a concept in the brain may be the reverse of the process that the study observed.

Low glycemic index diet reduces symptoms of autism in mice

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

The number of people diagnosed with autism -- a spectrum of disorders characterized by social avoidance, repetitive behaviors and difficulty communicating -- has risen dramatically over the past two decades for reasons that are unclear. A diet recommended for diabetics ameliorated signs of autism in mice, researchers have found. Although preliminary and not yet tested in humans, the findings might offer clues to understanding one potential cause of autism.

Social media helps young adults quit smoking

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

Young adults who use social media to quit smoking are twice as successful in their efforts as those who use a more traditional method, according to new research. The study compared the success of the social media-based campaign Break It Off with Smokers' Helpline, a telephone hotline for young adults looking to quit smoking.

Chemo may be preferred option for some with advanced prostate cancer

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

In a small clinical trial, scientists found that men with advanced prostate cancer and detection of androgen receptor splice variant-7 respond to chemotherapy just as well as men who lack the variant.

For safer care, simple steps yield substantial improvements in colorectal surgery

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT

Simple steps that include the consistent use of experienced medical teams for a single type of surgery, preemptive antibiotics before the procedure, less reliance on potent opioids during recovery and urging patients to get out of bed and move around sooner can not only prevent infections, blood clots and other serious complications in people undergoing colorectal operations, but can also accelerate recovery and reduce cost of care, according to results of an ongoing program.

Study redefines role of estrogen in cervical cancer

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:16 AM PDT

Scientists have prior evidence that the hormone estrogen is a major driver in the growth of cervical cancer, but a new study examining genetic profiles of 128 clinical cases reached a surprising conclusion: Estrogen receptors all but vanish in cervical cancer tumors.

Early support vital for success in breastfeeding

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:15 AM PDT

Most women understand the benefits of breastfeeding their infants, but there are physical and emotional roadblocks that can make it a challenge for moms. During the first weeks of a baby's life it is vital for mom to be able to focus on caring for herself and nursing her infant.

Discovering a new force driving cell contraction during development, organogenesis

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT

Scientists describe a new mechanism shaping cells and generating cell contractile forces during development and organogenesis. The new mechanism includes strategies shared with programmed cell death but which have not previously been directly associated with force generation.

Discovery in plant growth mechanisms opens new research path

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT

New findings by plant molecular biologists are deepening scientists' views of a cell surface regulator, FERONIA receptor kinase from the model plant Arabidopsis, once thought to be involved only in reproduction but in fact required throughout plant growth, development and in surviving environmental challenges.

Roadside bomb blasts may cause more brain damage than previously recognized

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT

Engineers seeking to improve helmet design for the nation's troops test how concussive explosions affect the brain's blood vessels. They discover that the interface between blood vessels and brain tissue contributes to significantly greater strain and shear for a soldier hit by an improvised explosive device IED.

Stem cell discovery paves way for targeted treatment for osteoarthritis

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT

Scientists have made a significant advance that could make cell-based treatments for arthritis less of a lottery. Researchers have identified individual stem cells that can regenerate tissue, cartilage and bone.

Juvenile incarceration yields less schooling, more crime

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

Teenagers who are incarcerated tend to have substantially worse outcomes later in life than those who avoid serving time for similar offenses, according to a distinctive new study.

Mean light timing may influence body mass index, body fat

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

The timing of exposure to moderate levels of light may influence body mass index and body fat, a new study suggests. Results show that people with more exposure to moderate or higher intensity light earlier in the day had lower body mass index and percent body fat than those with more of their moderate or higher intensity light exposure later in the day.

Insomnia leads to decreased empathy in health care workers

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

Insomnia decreases empathy in health care workers and may lead to adverse clinical outcomes and medical errors, a new study suggests. Results show that subjects with an Insomnia Severity Index ISI of greater than 8, scored significantly higher across all four subscales of empathy.

Keep calm and carry on, for the sake of your long-term health

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

Reacting positively to stressful situations may play a key role in long-term health, according to researchers. Adults who fail to maintain positive moods such as cheerfulness or calm when faced with the minor stressors of everyday life appear to have elevated levels of inflammation. Furthermore, women can be at heightened risk, the researchers say.

Tree root research confirms that different morphologies produce similar results

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

Despite markedly different root morphologies and resulting disparities in nutrient-uptake processes, forest trees of different lineages show comparable efficiency in acquiring soil nutrients, according to researchers.

New tool could predict large solar storms more than 24 hours in advance

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

Large magnetic storms from the Sun, which affect technologies such as GPS and utility grids, could soon be predicted more than 24 hours in advance.

How a gut feeling for infection programs our immune response

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT

An unexpected finding by an international team of scientists has shed new light on how immune cells are programmed to either repair or protect the body. It's hoped the discovery will inform the development of better treatments for a range of conditions from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to certain cancers.

Crop-rotation resistant rootworms have a lot going on in their guts

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT

After decades of effort, scientists are finally figuring out how insects develop resistance to environmentally friendly farming practices -- such as crop rotation-- that are designed to kill them. The researchers say their insights will help develop more sustainable agricultural practices.

Microsoft algorithm improves directions in large networks for Bing Maps

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT

Did the cross-country drive that you planned using online mapping take twice as long as expected? In a new study, Microsoft researchers working on a project for Bing Maps explain how they developed the first routing engine that satisfies a large number of algorithmic requirements that overcome barriers to generating directions on multi-stage trips like coast-to-coast drives.

Current BMI tests underestimate obesity in teens with disabilities

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT

New approaches, based on body mass index (BMI) or other simple measures, are needed to improve assessment of obesity in adolescents with physical disabilities, report experts. Obesity is a major problem in children and adolescents with mobility limitations, but standard assessments tend to underestimate it, according to the new research.

Molecular docking site of a bacterial toxin identified

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT

A team of pharmacologists and toxicologists have identified the molecular docking site that is responsible for the Clostridium difficile toxin's being able to bind to its receptor on the membrane of the intestinal epithelium. This docking site functions like an elevator, transporting the toxins into the cell's interior, they report.

Physicists develop ultrasensitive nanomechanical biosensor

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT

Two young researchers have developed an ultracompact highly sensitive nanomechanical sensor for analyzing the chemical composition of substances and detecting biological objects, such as viral disease markers, which appear when the immune system responds to incurable or hard-to-cure diseases, including HIV, hepatitis, herpes, and many others. The sensor will enable doctors to identify tumor markers, whose presence in the body signals the emergence and growth of cancerous tumors.

No waiting game: Immediate birth control implant more cost-effective

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT

Women who have just given birth are often motivated to prevent a rapid, repeat pregnancy. For those who prefer a contraceptive implant, getting the procedure in the hospital immediately after giving birth is more cost-effective than delaying insertion to a six-eight week postpartum visit, according to a new study.

'Alzheimer's protein' plays role in maintaining eye health, muscle strength

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT

Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a key protein implicated in the development Alzheimer's disease, may play an important role in eye and muscle health. In a new report, scientists say they have discovered that when proteins that bind to the APP, called FE65 and FE65L1, are deleted, they cause cataracts and muscle weakness in mice.

Are the data underlying the U.S. dietary guidelines flawed?

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:37 AM PDT

U.S. government-issued dietary recommendations continue to evolve over time. In a new article, an obesity theorist and cardiovascular health researchers claim that the main source of dietary information used by the U.S. Government's 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is scientifically flawed because the underlying data are primarily informed by memory-based dietary assessment methods (M-BMs) (eg, interviews and surveys).

Dinosaur fossil investigation unlocks possible soft tissue treasure trove

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:37 AM PDT

Scientists have found remnants that have some similarities to red blood cells and collagen fibres in fragments of dinosaur fossils.

Examination of gastroenteritis hospitalization rates following use of rotavirus vaccine

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT

Following implementation of rotavirus vaccination in 2006, all-cause acute gastroenteritis hospitalization rates among U.S. children younger than 5 years of age declined by 31 percent - 55 percent in each of the post-vaccine years from 2008 through 2012, according to a study.

MCAT predicts differently for students who test with extra time

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT

Among applicants to U.S. medical schools, those with disabilities who obtained extra test administration time for the Medical College Admission Test in use from 1991 to January 2015 had no significant difference in rate of medical school admission but had lower rates of passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step examinations and of medical school graduation, according to a study.

Control system shows potential for improving function of powered prosthetic leg

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT

A control system that incorporated electrical signals generated during muscle contractions and gait information resulted in improved real-time control of a powered prosthetic leg for different modes of walking (such as on level ground or descending stairs), according to a study.

Overall rate of traumatic spinal cord injury remains stable in U.S.

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT

Between 1993 and 2012, the incidence rate of acute traumatic spinal cord injury remained relatively stable in the U.S., although there was an increase among older adults, mostly associated with an increase in falls, according to a study.

Images reveal structure of heart cells that may hold heart attack clues

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

Newly released images revealing the 'bicycle spoke' structure of a heart cell may hold key clues to reducing damage from a heart attack. Using a novel type of electron microscopy, researchers produced 3D images of a healthy heart cell at nanoscopic scale which shows part of their structure is arranged like spokes on a wheel.

Earlier surgical intervention for mitral valve disease is better for most patients

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

A more aggressive approach to treating degenerative mitral valve disease, using earlier surgical intervention and less invasive techniques, is more beneficial to the patient than 'watchful waiting,' according to a new study.

Nasal filter more than halves symptoms of hay fever

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

The use of a mini filter prevents pollen inhalation and results in significantly fewer symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and drowsiness, clinical trials now show. In addition, nasal filters appeared to reduce drowsiness.

Gut hormone-based medications alter how the brain responds to food

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

Gut hormone-based medications used to treat diabetes, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have also been shown to reduce body weight. Researchers have been working to understand how. A new study sheds light on how GLP-1 receptor agonists alter the brain's response to food, possibly reducing cravings and increasing satisfaction while eating.

Are offspring of obese moms pre-programmed for obesity and metabolic disease?

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

The evidence is clear that the children of obese parents are prone to obesity themselves, placing them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, but how and why this occurs remains under investigation. A study has found evidence suggesting that the in utero environment in obese mothers may program a child's cells to accumulate extra fat or develop differences in metabolism that could lead to insulin resistance.

Can not having enough to eat lead to poor diabetes management?

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT

Latinos who worry about having enough food to eat -- so-called food insecurity -- report having a poorer diet and exhibit worse glycemic control than those who aren't worried about having sufficient food to survive, according to a study. The findings suggest that food insecurity should be a factor considered in overall diabetes management.

Improvements for 'care transitions' in hospitals suggested

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:24 AM PDT

Shift changes and movements of patients between different parts of a hospital are vulnerable times when mistakes are made, and a new study offers suggestions to offset the risk.

Small molecules change biological clock rhythm

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

Our biological clock regulates various daily rhythms, such as sleep/wake rhythm, body temperature, and metabolism. Disruption of the circadian rhythm may lead to sleep disorders, cancer and other diseases. Chemists and biologists have come together to discover for the first time, a rhythm-changing molecule with period-shortening activities that targets the clock protein, CRY, which open doors to molecule-based solutions for circadian-related diseases and improving food production in animals.

fMRI memory detectors can be easily fooled, scientists show

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

Real-time brain scans coupled with a machine-learning algorithm can reveal whether a person has memory of a particular subject. Now, scientists have shown that, with a little bit of concentration, people can easily hide their memories from the computer.

How to convert US to 100 percent renewable energy

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

It's technically possible for each state to replace fossil fuel energy with entirely clean, renewable energy, experts say. A new report is the first to outline how each of the 50 states can achieve such a transition by 2050. The 50 individual state plans call for aggressive changes to both infrastructure and the ways we currently consume energy, but indicate that the conversion is technically and economically possible through the wide-scale implementation of existing technologies.

Just add water: Engineers develop computer that operates on water droplets

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

A synchronous computer has been developed that operates using the unique physics of moving water droplets. Their goal is to design a new class of computers that can precisely control and manipulate physical matter.

Land management practices to become important as biofuels use grows

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

The handling of agricultural crop residues appears to have a large impact on soil's ability to retain carbon, making land management practices increasingly important, especially under a scenario where cellulosic materials become more heavily used as a feedstock for ethanol production, according to a recent study.

Researchers identify unique marker on mom's chromosomes in early embryo

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

Researchers are visually capturing the first process of chromosome alignment and separation at the beginning of mouse development. The findings could lead to answers to questions concerning the mechanisms leading to birth defects and chromosome instability in cancer cells.

Physician waivers to prescribe buprenorphine increases potential access to treatment

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

In the past, many people living in rural counties have had no practical way to get treatment for opioid addiction. This study shows that the increased number and geographic distribution of physicians obtaining waivers to prescribe buprenorphine has widened potential access to effective treatment for those with addiction to heroin or prescription painkillers.

Researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

Scientists have grown a tiny group of brain cells that can be induced to fall asleep, wake up and even show rebound sleep after 'staying up late.' The study -- the first to document that sleep originates in small neural networks -- opens the door to deeper understanding of the genetic, molecular and electrical aspects underlying sleep disorders.

Clinicians reluctant to prescribe medication that counteracts effects of opioid overdose

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

A variety of factors including questions about risk and reluctance to offend patients limits clinician willingness to prescribe a potentially life-saving medication that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose, according to a study.

Largest-ever scientific camera trapping survey reveals 'secret lives of the Serengeti'

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

A report on the effort of more than 28,000 volunteers has been released, reviewing 1.2 million images collected using 225 cameras traps over 1,000 square miles of the Serengeti. Of the 1.2 million collected images, 322,653 contained animals, with 40 separate species identified, including rare animals such as the aardwolf, zorilla and honey badger.

Floods as war weapons

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT

From 1500 until 2000, about a third of floods in southwestern Netherlands were deliberately caused by humans during wartimes, new research shows. Some of these inundations resulted in significant changes to the landscape, being as damaging as floods caused by heavy rainfall or storm surges.

ليست هناك تعليقات:

إرسال تعليق