ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Without humans, the whole world could look like Serengeti
• Breastfeeding may expose infants to toxic chemicals
• July 2015 was warmest month ever recorded for the globe
• Anxiety in the workplace can lead to lower job performance
• School vacations and humidity linked to multiple waves of influenza in Mexico during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
• A detector shines in search for dark matter
• The unique ecology of human predators
• Unique genes in Khoe-San people may lower risk of some pregnancy hazards
• Boreal forests challenged by global change
• Experiment attempts to snare a dark energy 'chameleon'
• Ecologists roll a century's work on food-webs into a single model
• Primates have been infected with viruses related to HIV for 16 million years
• Paradigm shift in multidrug resistance
• Architecture of aquifers: Chile's Atacama Desert
• Laser-burned graphene gains metallic powers
• E-cigarette use linked to cough reflex sensitivity
• Cellphone data can track infectious diseases
• 'Memory region' of brain also involved in conflict resolution
• Structure of tumor-suppressing protein identified
• Extracorporeal life support is 'bridge-to-life' for patients with sudden onset cardiogenic shock
• Life in 3D: How variations in our molecular make-up are controlled within our DNA
• Using sunlight to recharge the cooling system of trailer containers
• Europe hit by one of the worst droughts since 2003
• Afatinib: Added benefit in certain mutations confirmed
• Daycare doesn't lead to aggressive behavior in toddlers
• AGA proposes alternate pathway to recertification
• Multiple strains of C. difficile cause severe patient outcomes
• People with psychopathic traits are less likely to 'catch' a yawn than empathetic folks
• New data from Antarctic detector firms up cosmic neutrino sighting
• Study examines breast cancer mortality after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis
• Electrospray solves longstanding problem in Langmuir-Blodgett assembly
• Ramelteon may be useful for sleep problems after TBI
• Pliable plant virus, a major cause of crop damage, yields its secrets after 75+ years
• Potential biomarker for pre-diabetes discovered
• Causal connection found between genotypes, years of education achieved
• FIC proteins send bacteria into hibernation
• Uninsured Texans are twice as likely to delay seeking primary care, mental health care, report shows
• For trout fishermen, climate change will mean more driving time, less angling
• Brief postnatal blindness triggers long-lasting reorganization in the brain
• The human genome: A complex orchestra
• Study provides hope for some human stem cell therapies
• Bacteria evolve differences within the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis
• Altering daily light-dark cycles affects fertility in middle-aged female mice
• Scientists uncover surprising mechanism behind antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Brain waves behind indecisiveness discovered
• Lighting up cancer cells to identify low concentrations of diseased cells
• Study finds association between people who have had a traumatic brain injury, ADHD
• Home births save money, are safe, study suggests
• Sepsis therapeutic device improved by researchers
• New method of closing the incision during scoliosis surgery nearly eliminates infections
• Scientists warn of pharmaceutical peril for aquatic organisms in urban rivers
• Chameleons' swiveling eyes not as independent as once thought
• Scientist warns against shark culling
• Home-based treatment is cost-effective alternative for heart patients
• Small, inexpensive, and incredibly resilient: A new femtosecond laser for industry
• New, stable 2-D materials with revolutionary new properties
• Grape waste could make competitive biofuel
• Rare shark tagged near Cuba
• Molecular machine, not assembly line, assembles microtubules
• World should heed lessons from Hurricane Katrina, economist says

Without humans, the whole world could look like Serengeti Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:26 PM PDT The fact that the greatest diversity of large mammals is found in Africa reflects past human activities -- and not climatic or other environmental constraints. This is determined in a new study, which presents what the world map of mammals would look like if modern man (Homo sapiens) had never existed.

Breastfeeding may expose infants to toxic chemicals Posted: 20 Aug 2015 03:59 PM PDT A widely used class of industrial chemicals linked with cancer and interference with immune function -- perfluorinated alkylate substances, or PFASs -- appears to build up in infants by 20-30 percent for each month they're breastfed, according to a new study. It is the first study to show the extent to which PFASs are transferred to babies through breast milk, and to quantify their levels over time.

July 2015 was warmest month ever recorded for the globe Posted: 20 Aug 2015 12:28 PM PDT The July average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.46°F (0.81°C) above the 20th century average. As July is climatologically the warmest month for the year, this was also the all-time highest monthly temperature in the 1880-2015 record, at 61.86°F (16.61°C), surpassing the previous record set in 1998 by 0.14°F (0.08°C).

Anxiety in the workplace can lead to lower job performance Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:48 AM PDT The effect of workplace anxiety on job performance is closely connected to the quality of relationships between employees, their bosses and their co-workers, according to a new study.

School vacations and humidity linked to multiple waves of influenza in Mexico during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:48 AM PDT Scientists studying the 2009 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic have found that the inconsistent regional timing of pandemic waves in Mexico was the result of interactions between school breaks and regional variations in humidity.

A detector shines in search for dark matter Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:48 AM PDT Results of the XENON100 experiment are a bright spot in the search for dark matter. The team of international scientists involved in the project demonstrated the sensitivity of their detector and recorded results that challenge several dark matter models and a longstanding claim of dark matter detection.

The unique ecology of human predators Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:48 AM PDT Research reveals new insight behind widespread wildlife extinctions, shrinking fish sizes, and disruptions to global food chains. 'Our wickedly efficient killing technology, global economic systems and resource management that prioritize short-term benefits to humanity have given rise to the human super predator,' says an expert.

Unique genes in Khoe-San people may lower risk of some pregnancy hazards Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:47 AM PDT An unusual mutation in an immune system gene switches a receptor from one target molecule to another in Khoe-San people. It's the first known example of such a change, say researchers, and likely leads to safer pregnancies. The Khoe-San -- known for the unusual clicking sounds in their language -- harbor unusually high genetic diversity, about 10 times more among their 100,000 people than among modern Europeans.

Boreal forests challenged by global change Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:47 AM PDT Forest management must adapt in order to ensure that forests stay healthy in a time of unprecedented environmental change, say experts. Boreal forests are one of the ecosystems most affected by climate change, with temperatures in the arctic and boreal domains recently warming at rates as high as 0.5°C per decade, and potential future warming of 6 to 11°C over vast northern regions by 2100.

Experiment attempts to snare a dark energy 'chameleon' Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:47 AM PDT Is dark energy hard to detect because it's hiding from us? According to a recent theory, hypothetical particles called chameleons vary in mass depending on nearby matter: in the vacuum of space, they have a small mass and large reach, pushing space apart. In the lab, surrounded by matter, they have a large mass and small reach, making them difficult to detect. A new experiment seeks to find chameleons by lessening the screening.

Ecologists roll a century's work on food-webs into a single model Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:47 AM PDT A new model presents a common mathematical structure that underlies the full range of feeding strategies of plants and animals: from familiar parasites, predators, and scavengers to more obscure parasitic castrators and decomposers. Now ecologists can view all food-web interactions through the same lens using a common language to understand the natural world.

Primates have been infected with viruses related to HIV for 16 million years Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:47 AM PDT Disease-causing viruses engage their hosts in ongoing arms races: positive selection for antiviral genes increases host fitness and survival, and viruses in turn select for mutations that counteract the antiviral host factors. Studying such adaptive mutations can provide insights into the distant history of host-virus interactions. A new study of antiviral gene sequences in African monkeys suggests that lentiviruses closely related to HIV have infected primates in Africa as far back as 16 million years.

Paradigm shift in multidrug resistance Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:17 AM PDT Using a Trojan horse strategy, bacteria that respond to antibiotics in lab tests can become highly resistant in the body. This strategy may explain why antibiotics are ineffective in some patients despite lab tests that predict otherwise.

Architecture of aquifers: Chile's Atacama Desert Posted: 20 Aug 2015 11:17 AM PDT The Loa River water system of northern Chile's Atacama Desert, in the Antofagasta region, exemplifies the high stakes involved in sustainable management of scarce water resources. The Loa surface and groundwater system supplies the great majority of water used in the region, and meets much of the municipal and agricultural demands. It is vital to regional copper mining, which constitutes ~50 percent of Chile's copper production.

Laser-burned graphene gains metallic powers Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:47 AM PDT Chemists embed metallic nanoparticles into laser-induced graphene, turning it into a useful catalyst for fuel cell and other applications.

E-cigarette use linked to cough reflex sensitivity Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:47 AM PDT The popularity of electronic cigarettes has steadily increased worldwide, but little is known about their effects on health. New research suggests that the single use of an electronic cigarette approximating the nicotine exposure of one tobacco cigarette reduces the sensitivity of the cough reflex.

Cellphone data can track infectious diseases Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:47 AM PDT Tracking mobile phone data is often associated with privacy issues, but these vast datasets could be the key to understanding how infectious diseases are spread seasonally, according to a study.

'Memory region' of brain also involved in conflict resolution Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:47 AM PDT The hippocampus in the brain's temporal lobe is responsible for more than just long-term memory. Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that it is also involved in quick and successful conflict resolution.

Structure of tumor-suppressing protein identified Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:47 AM PDT The structure of an important tumor suppressing protein, PTEN, has been identified by an international group of researchers. Their findings provide new insights into how the protein regulates cell growth and how mutations in the gene that encodes the protein can lead to cancer.

Extracorporeal life support is 'bridge-to-life' for patients with sudden onset cardiogenic shock Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:01 AM PDT The ideal management strategy for primary cardiogenic shock is a matter of debate. After some early discouraging experiences, the use of extracorporeal life support for patients with cardiogenic shock is having a resurgence. A report finds that patients who have an acute onset of cardiogenic shock, for example following a heart attack, and are placed on extracorporeal life support, fare better than those who have a chronic cardiac pathology.

Life in 3D: How variations in our molecular make-up are controlled within our DNA Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:01 AM PDT New light has been shed on how the variations in our molecular make-up, such as gene expression, are controlled within our DNA. The research leads to a greater understanding of how certain genetic variants can 'switch' on or off the regulatory elements which control the expression of genes and ultimately the manifestation of an individual's characteristics and disease predispositions.

Using sunlight to recharge the cooling system of trailer containers Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:01 AM PDT A group of scientists has replaced diesel with kinetic energy, saving up to 20 thousand liters of fuel annually, they say, adding that this includes a series of energetically self-sustained boxes for the transport of perishable goods, with a cooling system that replaced the use of diesel with sunlight and kinetic energy.

Europe hit by one of the worst droughts since 2003 Posted: 20 Aug 2015 10:01 AM PDT Much of the European continent has been affected by severe drought in June and July 2015, one of the worst since the drought and heat wave of summer of 2003, according to the latest reports.

Afatinib: Added benefit in certain mutations confirmed Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:58 AM PDT In advanced non-small cell lung cancer, the new tyrosine-kinase inhibitor is more effective than combination chemotherapy in patients with certain mutations, reviewers report.

Daycare doesn't lead to aggressive behavior in toddlers Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT Working parents often worry about sending their toddlers to daycare. But the results of a new study that tracked almost 1,000 Norwegian children enrolled in daycare indicate that working parents can breathe a sigh of relief: The amount of time children spent in daycare had little impact on aggressive behavior.

AGA proposes alternate pathway to recertification Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT Frustrated by a maintenance of certification process that doesn't improve patient care, the American Gastroenterological Association this week released a proposed alternate pathway to recertification that is based on established learning theory. It eliminates the high-stakes examination and replaces it with active, adaptive, self-directed learning modules that allow for continuous feedback.

Multiple strains of C. difficile cause severe patient outcomes Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT No single genetic strain of the widespread Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) bacteria appears to be any more harmful than other strains, according to new research.

People with psychopathic traits are less likely to 'catch' a yawn than empathetic folks Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT People with psychopathic characteristics are less likely to be affected by 'contagious yawning' than those who are empathetic, according to a psychology study.

New data from Antarctic detector firms up cosmic neutrino sighting Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT Researchers using the IceCube Neutrino Observatory have sorted through the billions of subatomic particles that zip through its frozen cubic-kilometer-sized detector each year to gather powerful new evidence in support of 2013 observations confirming the existence of cosmic neutrinos.

Study examines breast cancer mortality after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT Researchers estimate the 20-year breast cancer-specific death rate for women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ to be 3.3 percent, although the death rate is higher for women diagnosed before age 35 and for black women, according to an article

Electrospray solves longstanding problem in Langmuir-Blodgett assembly Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:57 AM PDT By dispersing nanoparticles with an electrospray, scientists have found a more efficient and safer way to use water-soluble solvents to create monolayer nanoparticle films.

Ramelteon may be useful for sleep problems after TBI Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:54 AM PDT Researchers found preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of ramelteon for the treatment of sleep disturbances after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ramelteon is a melatonin-agonist without the risks for dependence or addiction. Although it is approved for long-term treatment of insomnia, ramelteon had not been studied in this population.

Pliable plant virus, a major cause of crop damage, yields its secrets after 75+ years Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:54 AM PDT A hugely destructive plant virus so flexible that it has resisted efforts to describe its form since before World War II has finally surrendered its secrets. The discovery of what makes the bendy bug so malleable will revolutionize the efforts to stop such flexible plant viruses - and the billions in crop loss they cause every year -- and may even lead to a new vehicle for delivering vaccines in humans.

Potential biomarker for pre-diabetes discovered Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:54 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a potential biomarker for pre-diabetes. They made the connection by analyzing blood samples taken from 40 participants enrolled in the diaBEAT-it program, a long-term study.

Causal connection found between genotypes, years of education achieved Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:54 AM PDT A first-of-its-kind, nationally representative study of siblings in the United States finds that, within families, an adolescent with a higher 'polygenic score' -- which summarizes previously identified genome-wide associations for educational attainment -- than her or his sibling tended to go on to complete more years of schooling.

FIC proteins send bacteria into hibernation Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT Bacteria do not cease to amaze us with their survival strategies. A research has now discovered how bacteria enter a sleep mode using a so-called FIC toxin. In a new article, the scientists describe the mechanism of action and also explain why their discovery provides new insights into the evolution of pathogens.

Uninsured Texans are twice as likely to delay seeking primary care, mental health care, report shows Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT Texans without health insurance are twice as likely to skip seeking primary and mental health care because of cost, find investigators.

For trout fishermen, climate change will mean more driving time, less angling Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT When trying to explain the potential effects of climate change on plants, fish and wildlife, scientists usually resort to language that fails to convey the impact of warming. Now, a study clearly explains the impact of projected warming waters on wild brook trout in the eastern US for fishermen.

Brief postnatal blindness triggers long-lasting reorganization in the brain Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT A brief period of postnatal visual deprivation, when early in life, drives a rewiring of the brain areas involved in visual processing, even if the visual restoration is completed well before the baby reaches one year of age, researchers reveal.

The human genome: A complex orchestra Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT A team of geneticists has discovered that genetic variation has the potential to affect the state of the genome at many, seemingly separated, positions and thus modulate gene activity, much like a conductor directing the performers of a musical ensemble to play in harmony.

Study provides hope for some human stem cell therapies Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT An international team of scientists has discovered that an important class of stem cells known as human 'induced pluripotent stem cells,' or iPSCs, which are derived from an individual's own cells, can be differentiated into various types of functional cells with different fates of immune rejection.

Bacteria evolve differences within the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT Treatments for the same opportunistic bacteria found in cystic fibrosis patients can work in one area in the lung and be less effective in others. The reason, researchers report, is that bacteria become isolated from one another and evolve region-specific traits. Researchers saw differences in bacterial nutritional requirements, host defenses, and antibiotic resistance. The findings suggest that other chronic infections may yield similar bacterial diversity.

Altering daily light-dark cycles affects fertility in middle-aged female mice Posted: 20 Aug 2015 09:36 AM PDT The fertility cycle in mammalian females becomes more irregular during the transition to menopause. The aging of the circadian clock may be a main driver of this change, argues a study that found that fertility in middle-aged mice could be improved or reduced according to differences in the light-dark cycle, whereas younger mice were unaffected.

Scientists uncover surprising mechanism behind antibiotic-resistant bacteria Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT The important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus develops resistance to the antibiotic arylomycin by "switching on" a previously uncharacterized set of genes, explaining why antibiotic resistance rates in some bacteria are higher than in others, scientists say.

Brain waves behind indecisiveness discovered Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT Some people find it difficult to make decisions. In a new study, neuroeconomists now reveal that the intensity of the communication between different regions of the brain dictates whether we are indecisive or not.

Lighting up cancer cells to identify low concentrations of diseased cells Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT Researchers have developed tiny nanocrystals that could be used in the next generation of medical imaging technologies to light up cancer cells.

Study finds association between people who have had a traumatic brain injury, ADHD Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT A new study has found a 'significant association' between adults who have suffered a traumatic brain injury at some point in their lives and who also have attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

Home births save money, are safe, study suggests Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT Having a baby at home can save thousands of dollars over a hospital birth and is just as safe for low-risk births, according to a new study. These findings follow earlier research that demonstrated that planned home births resulted in fewer interventions and similar rates of adverse newborn outcomes compared to planned hospital births among women who met the criteria for home births.

Sepsis therapeutic device improved by researchers Posted: 20 Aug 2015 07:52 AM PDT An improved spleen-mimicking device has been developed that synergizes with conventional antibiotic therapies and that has been streamlined for near-term translation to the clinic.

New method of closing the incision during scoliosis surgery nearly eliminates infections Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:55 AM PDT Patients with scoliosis who undergo surgery may be less likely to develop an infection or other complications after the procedure when a novel wound closure technique is utilized, according to new study.

Scientists warn of pharmaceutical peril for aquatic organisms in urban rivers Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:55 AM PDT Researchers studied areas along rural and urban parts of the Alafia River, in Hillsborough County, near Tampa, Florida. They found 17 pharmaceuticals. But they say these types of chemicals are not confined to the Alafia River or urban-area rivers in Florida.

Chameleons' swiveling eyes not as independent as once thought Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:55 AM PDT By creating a computer game for chameleons, a team of researchers has found that the creatures' eyes are not really independent, as long believed, but rather engage in some sort of "cross talk."

Scientist warns against shark culling Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:54 AM PDT A scientist has cautioned against culling sharks because the long term ecological impact cannot be predicted. This research into leopard sharks took place on the east coast of Queensland.

Home-based treatment is cost-effective alternative for heart patients Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:54 AM PDT Post-discharge disease management provided in their own homes could be a cost-effective alternative for recently-hospitalized elderly patients with chronic heart failure, suggest researchers after a recent economic evaluation using data from a randomized controlled trial.

Small, inexpensive, and incredibly resilient: A new femtosecond laser for industry Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:54 AM PDT Scientists have created a laser capable of generating ultrashort pulses of light even under extremely difficult external conditions. This unique combination of precision and resilience is due to the fact that the whole process of generating femtosecond laser pulses takes place within a specially-selected optical fiber.

New, stable 2-D materials with revolutionary new properties Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:54 AM PDT Newly developed 2-D crystals are capable of delivering designer materials with revolutionary new properties. By protecting the new reactive crystals with more stable 2D materials, such as graphene, via computer control in a specially designed inert gas chamber environments, these materials can be successfully isolated to a single atomic layer for the first time.

Grape waste could make competitive biofuel Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:09 AM PDT Global wine production leaves an estimated 13 million tonnes of grape marc waste each year. Now researchers are suggesting that this solid waste left over from wine-making could make a competitive biofuel.

Rare shark tagged near Cuba Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:09 AM PDT A rare longfin mako shark satellite-tagged near Cuba recently "phoned home" off the U.S. Atlantic coast, say scientists who tagged the mako during the first-ever expedition to satellite-tag sharks off Cuba.

Molecular machine, not assembly line, assembles microtubules Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:07 AM PDT When they think about how cells put together the molecules that make life work, biologists have tended to think of assembly lines: Add A to B, tack on C, and so on. But the reality might be more like a molecular version of a 3-D printer, where a single mechanism assembles the molecule in one go.

World should heed lessons from Hurricane Katrina, economist says Posted: 20 Aug 2015 06:07 AM PDT An environmental economist makes the case for coastal protection plans like those adopted by Louisiana for the world's most at-risk nations.

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