الجمعة، 30 سبتمبر 2016

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Yours or mine? How we handle objects depends on who owns them

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 07:20 PM PDT

From scissors and staplers to car keys and cell phones, we pass objects to other people every day. We often try to pass the objects so that the handle or other useful feature is facing the appropriate direction for the person receiving the item, but new research shows that we are less accommodating when it comes to handing over our own belongings.

NASA's Fermi finds record-breaking binary in galaxy next door

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 07:01 PM PDT

Scientists have found the first gamma-ray binary in another galaxy and the most luminous one ever seen. The dual-star system, dubbed LMC P3, contains a massive star and a crushed stellar core that interact to produce a cyclic flood of gamma rays, the highest-energy form of light.

Rosetta instrument provided first-ever ultraviolet observations of a comet

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 12:58 PM PDT

After a two-year orbital tour around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft -- carrying the Alice ultraviolet spectrograph -- will end its mission on Sept. 30. Rosetta is the first spacecraft to orbit and escort a comet, and Alice, developed and operated for NASA, is the first instrument to obtain far-ultraviolet observations at a comet.

Parents cite lack of need as reason for not getting kids flu shots

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT

Despite the fact that influenza leads to more hospitalizations and deaths among children than any other vaccine-preventable disease, parents frequently decline vaccinating their children against influenza because they don't perceive the need, according to a new case-control study.

Spiral arms in protoplanetary disk: They're not just for galaxies any more

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:53 AM PDT

Astronomers have found distinct spiral arms in the disk of gas and dust surrounding the young star Elias 2-27. While similar features have been observed on the surfaces of such disks before, this is the first time they have been identified within the disk, where planet formation takes place. Structures such as these could either indicate the presence of a newly formed planet, or else create the necessary conditions for a planet to form. As such, the results are a crucial step towards a better understanding how planetary systems like our Solar system came into being.

Wind turbines killing more than just local birds

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:38 AM PDT

Wind turbines are known to kill large birds, such as golden eagles, that live nearby. Now there is evidence that birds from up to hundreds of miles away make up a significant portion of the raptors that are killed at these wind energy fields.

Game theory research reveals fragility of common resources

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:36 AM PDT

People are naturally predisposed to over-use "common-pool resources" such as transportation systems and fisheries even if it risks failure of the system, to the detriment of society as a whole, new research in game theory shows.

Curiosity finds evidence of Mars crust contributing to atmosphere

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:34 AM PDT

NASA's Curiosity rover has found evidence that chemistry in the surface material on Mars contributed dynamically to the makeup of its atmosphere over time. It's another clue that the history of the Red Planet's atmosphere is more complex and interesting than a simple legacy of loss.

New technique for finding weakness in Earth's crust

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:27 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a method to estimate weakness in the Earth's outer layers which will help explain and predict volcanic activity and earthquakes.

New treatment strategy could cut Parkinson's disease off at the pass

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:27 AM PDT

Researchers report they have identified a protein that enables a toxic natural aggregate to spread from cell to cell in a mammal's brain -- and a way to block that protein's action. Their study in mice and cultured cells suggests that an immunotherapy already in clinical trials as a cancer therapy should also be tested as a way to slow the progress of Parkinson's disease, the researchers say.

Good food puts bees in good mood

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:23 AM PDT

After bumblebees drink a small droplet of really sweet sugar water, they behave like they are in a positive emotion-like state, scientists have discovered. 

Genetic switch for cancer cells' immortality revealed

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:23 AM PDT

Scientists have revealed how a genetic switch involved in the packaging of DNA may be key to a cancer cell's ability to keep growing.

Scientists track unexpected mechanisms of memory

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 11:05 AM PDT

Our brains hold on to memories via physical changes in synapses, the tiny connections between neurons. Unexpected molecular mechanisms by which these changes take place have now been revealed by new research.

Ancient reptile fossils claw for more attention

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:55 AM PDT

Newly recovered fossils confirm that Drepanosaurus, a prehistoric cross between a chameleon and an anteater, was a small reptile with a fearsome finger. The second digit of its forelimb sported a massive claw.

New devices emulate human biological synapses

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:54 AM PDT

A new type of nanodevice for computer microprocessors is being developed that can mimic the functioning of a biological synapse -- the place where a signal passes from one nerve cell to another in the body, report scientists.

New evidence shifts the timeline back for human arrival in the Americas

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:37 AM PDT

Humans occupied South America earlier than previously thought, according to the recent discovery of ancient artifacts found at an archeological site in Argentina.

Scientists discover how cells put the brakes on protein production

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:37 AM PDT

A new scientific study conducted by a team of geneticists has characterized how cells know when to stop translating DNA into proteins, a critical step in maintaining healthy protein levels and cell function.

Contrary to popular belief, coca not the driving force of deforestation, report reveals

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:36 AM PDT

Most of the world's coca—the plant source of cocaine—grows in the Amazon forests of the Andean countries of Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, where many think this illicit crop causes deforestation. However, a team of researchers shows that most deforestation isn't caused by coca cultivation. In fact, the study found that deforestation and coca both share a common origin in the implementation of an infrastructure plan from the 1960s to open the Amazon frontier through road construction and development projects.

Network and gene tools help quickly identify new, rare genetic disease

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:36 AM PDT

A new genetic disorder, which still has no name, has been identified using a national network and gene mapping tools. It shares similarities to two other rare genetic disorders arising from related genes, say researchers.

Omega-3 fatty acid stops known trigger of lupus

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:36 AM PDT

Consuming an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, can stop a known trigger of lupus and potentially other autoimmune disorders, researchers have discovered.

Research into fly development provides insights into blood vessel formation

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:25 AM PDT

Researchers working with flies describe that the concentration of some small intracellular organelles determines the branching capacity of tracheal cells. Tracheal cells are analogous to the cells that form blood vessels in the human body. The inhibition or stimulation of new blood vessels has implications in cancer and in tissue regeneration.

Structure of the BinAB toxin revealed

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:25 AM PDT

Could we get rid of mosquitoes without polluting the environment? Yes, we can, say researchers. The BinAB toxin, produced in crystal form by a bacterium, specifically kills the larvae of Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes, but it is inactive on tiger mosquitoes (or Aedes), the vectors for dengue fever and chikungunya. Knowledge of the molecular structure of BinAB is necessary if we are to broaden its spectrum of action.

Use of body-worn cameras sees complaints against police 'virtually vanish,' study finds

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:24 AM PDT

The introduction of wearable cameras led to a 93% drop in complaints made against police by the public – suggesting the cameras result in behavioral changes that 'cool down' potentially volatile encounters, a year-long study of almost 2,000 officers across UK and US forces shows.

Where you live shapes your immune system more than your genes

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:24 AM PDT

Like fingerprints, immune systems vary from person to person. And although we all inherit a unique set of genes that help us respond to infections, recent studies have found that our history and environment--like where and with whom we live--are responsible for 60% to 80% of the differences between individual immune systems, while genetics account for the rest.

Scientists reveal how signals from pathogenic bacteria reach danger sensors of cells

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 10:24 AM PDT

An essential protein induced by the signaling protein interferon is needed to activate danger-sensing proteins in the cytoplasm of cells, scientists describe in a new report.

Are suburban garden ponds spreading lethal frog disease?

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 08:31 AM PDT

Keen gardeners stocking their domestic ponds with exotic or wild aquatic species could be inadvertently fueling the rapid spread of the lethally infectious frog disease ranavirus in England, according to new research.

Identifying children and saving lives one thumbprint at a time

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 08:17 AM PDT

Digital scans of a young child's fingerprints can be correctly identified one year later, a first-of-its-kind study demonstrates. A child could be identified by a simple fingerprint scan at each medical visit, allowing them to get proper medical care such as life-saving vaccinations or food supplements, say authors of a new report.

Food additive key to environmentally friendly, efficient, plastic solar cells

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 08:17 AM PDT

An efficient, semi-printed plastic solar cell has now been created without the use of environmentally hazardous halogen solvents.

Pre-screening for young athletes at risk of sudden cardiac death

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 08:17 AM PDT

Although rare, sudden cardiac death in young athletes raises serious concerns, especially because most victims report no warning symptoms. Pre-participation screening aims to identify children, adolescents, and young adults at risk, but there is not yet consensus regarding the best way to accomplish this. A new report sheds light on this controversial topic by describing a new screening protocol that offers advantages over American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations and shows that the electrocardiogram (ECG) is the best single screening method.

Human and avian running on uneven ground

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 06:53 AM PDT

Humans and birds adapt their movement when running on uneven ground. "And even though their adaptation mechanisms and strategies developed completely independently, they do so in very similar ways", outlines a new report that analyzes human and avian locomotion on uneven ground. 

Genes underlying dogs' social ability revealed

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 06:26 AM PDT

The social ability of dogs is affected by genes that also seems to influence human behavior, according to a new study. The scientists have found a relationship between five different genes and the ability of dogs to interact with humans. Four of them also show similarities to certain conditions in humans.

Status drives men's reproductive success across non-industrial world

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:37 AM PDT

The reproductive success of men in non-industrialized societies is closely tied to their social status, finds a new meta-analysis.

Ovarian removal to prevent ovarian cancer should not be an option for premenopausal women, research finds

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:25 AM PDT

The controversial practice of ovary removal in premenopausal women to prevent ovarian cancer should be discontinued in women who are not at high risk of cancer, new evidence suggests.

Saving two adult eagles per year to save the population of this endangered species

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:23 AM PDT

Dying due to electrocution at the power lines is the most common death for Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), a threatened species in Europe. New work shows a statistic model to evaluate the impact of electrocution deaths in Bonelli's eagle in Catalonia, and quantifies which mitigation actions would be necessary to preserve the eagle population in different areas.

Ki67 may help avoid sentinel lymph node biopsy in some patients

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:23 AM PDT

Breast cancer patients over 50 years old could be spared invasive procedures by use of stratification based on tumor size and molecular characteristics, including Ki67. The cell proliferation index Ki67 is significantly associated with lymph node metastases in patients aged over 50 years and with smaller tumors, which may help reduce the need for sentinel lymph node biopsies in some women, researchers report.

Men with high genetic chance of bowel cancer could have lower risk with healthy lifestyles

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:23 AM PDT

Men with a high genetic risk of developing bowel cancer over the next 25 years could have a lower risk of developing the disease if they also have a healthy lifestyle, according to a study.

Encryption method takes authentication to a new level, improves privacy protection

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

New kinds of encryption methods have been developed for improving the privacy protection of consumers to enable safer, more reliable and easier-to-use user authentication than current systems allow. The method combines safety, usability and privacy protection, when, until now, implementing all three at the same time has been a challenge.

Consumption of a bioactive compound from Neem plant could significantly suppress development of prostate cancer

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

Oral administration of nimbolide, over 12 weeks shows reduction of prostate tumor size by up to 70 per cent and decrease in tumor metastasis by up to 50 per cent, report investigators.

Cells migrate collectively by intermittent bursts of activity

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

Cell migration is a central process in the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Researchers have now discovered that this motion occurs by intermittent bursts of activity. It can be described by universal scaling laws similar to the ones observed in other driven systems outside of biology.

Milk intake is objectively not linked to increased cardiovascular risk, study suggests

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:21 AM PDT

A new study has debunked the association between milk and dairy products and increased cardiovascular risk. The work included the computational analysis of the masses of data obtained in relation to an innovative new biomarker.

Beauty of standing out in a crowd: Attractiveness judged according to who we are with, research shows

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:21 AM PDT

Judgements of attractiveness vary depending on who is nearby, and how good-looking they are in comparison, research shows. A person will rank higher on a scale of attractiveness when compared alongside less attractive people, than they would when judged alone.

Correlated magnets made out of single atoms

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

Scientists have observed antiferromagnetic correlations in one-dimensional fermionic quantum many-body systems, outlines a new report.

Recycling approved drugs for cancer treatment

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

In recent years, it has become a medical trend to do research on well-known drugs, to discover unknown effects. This strategy is called repurposing. Now researchers have found that a drug against kidney cancer can possibly fight several types of cancer.

Why we prize authenticity, but buy something else

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

Being lauded is not the same as being liked. And marketers should take this into account, suggests a new report.

Cocaine accumulation in fish eyes

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

A study using a new imaging method has revealed that, surprisingly, cocaine accumulates in the eyes of zebrafish. The findings indicate that chemicals – especially psychoactive drugs – need to be assessed quite differently with waterborne exposure than, for example, when pharmaceutical substances are tested in mice. In particular, the uptake mechanisms and effects of cocaine in fish cannot simply be transferred to mammals or humans.

ALMA catches stellar cocoon with curious chemistry: First of its kind to be found outside the Milky Way

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

A hot and dense mass of complex molecules, cocooning a newborn star, has been discovered astronomers using ALMA. This unique hot molecular core is the first of its kind to have been detected outside the Milky Way galaxy. It has a very different molecular composition from similar objects in our own galaxy -- a tantalizing hint that the chemistry taking place across the Universe could be much more diverse than expected.

Marine snow fuels life on the sea-floor

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

City-sized maps of terrain and life on the sea-floor have revealed that drifts of 'marine snow' on submarine hillsides act as a source of food to fuel a higher biomass of marine life on the hills than on the flatter plains surrounding hills This finding comes from research that may help improve understanding of how features, like hillside slopes and plateaus, add complexity to seafloor habitats and help drive the distribution of marine life.

Childhood hypertension associated with cognitive issues

Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, has increased significantly in children, paralleling the current childhood obesity epidemic.  Although we know that adult hypertension can affect the brain, little research has been done on the cognitive effects of childhood hypertension. Researchers have now found that hypertension is associated with cognitive issues in children and adolescents.

Nuclear protein causes neuroblastoma to become more aggressive

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 07:16 PM PDT

Aggressive forms of neuroblastoma contain a specific protein in their cells' nuclei that is not found in the nuclei of more benign forms of the cancer, and the discovery could lead to new forms of targeted therapy, say researchers.

Platelet biomechanics sheds light on coronary disease

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 07:16 PM PDT

The answer to a 20-year-old physiology question may offer clues for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis and its related conditions, as well as heart attacks.

Rare flu-thwarting mutation discovered

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 07:13 PM PDT

A rare and improbable mutation in a protein encoded by an influenza virus renders the virus defenseless against the body's immune system. This discovery could provide a new strategy for live influenza vaccines in the future, say scientists

'Incomprehensible' birth of supercrystal explained

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 06:30 PM PDT

Two years ago, a research team published an article explaining how they had created a material with unique and extremely interesting electronic characteristics. In this 'supercrystal', the electrons move almost with the speed of photons, and the electric current can be switched on and off. This makes it ideal for ultra-fast electronics. But at the time, the researchers were at a loss to explain how this 'supercrystal' obtained its unique structure. Now they have unraveled the mystery, and it appears to involve a completely different mechanism for crystal formation.

It's delightful, it's dynamic, it's dewetting!

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 12:33 PM PDT

How would you like a kitchen surface that cleans itself? Technological advances such as this could be one step closer after a breakthrough by English scientists.

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