ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Scientists learn how to ramp up microbes' ability to make memories
• Eelgrass in Puget Sound is stable overall, but some local beaches suffering
• Living near major traffic linked to higher risk of dementia
• Increasing rainfall in a warmer world will likely intensify typhoons in western Pacific
• Potential instability in Atlantic Ocean water circulation system
• Green chemistry: Au naturel catalyst mimics nature to break tenacious carbon-hydrogen bond
• Liquid nicotine for electronic cigarettes is toxic for kids
• Cardiovascular benefits continue five years after weight loss program
• New mechanism for Type IV pili retraction in Vibrio cholerae
• Icy ridges found on Pluto
• Theory provides roadmap in quest for quark soup 'critical point'
• Immunotherapy, gene therapy combination shows promise against glioblastoma
• Role of supernovae in clocking the universe
• Nano-chimneys can cool circuits
• As neighborhood status falls, cardiovascular disease risk among black residents spikes
• Murky Amazon waters cloud fish vision
• More frequent hurricanes not necessarily stronger on Atlantic U.S. coast
• Scientists tissue-engineer functional part of human stomach in laboratory
• 280 million-year-old fossil reveals origins of chimaeroid fishes
• Fast radio burst tied to distant dwarf galaxy, and perhaps magnetar
• Most younger adults with high LDL-C levels do not take a statin
• 2016 Edges 1998 as Warmest Year on Record
• People aren't the only beneficiaries of power plant carbon standards
• New sensor integrates inflammatory bowel disease detection into colonoscopy procedure
• Turning your living room into a wireless charging station
• Women as decorative accessories: Keep silent or take a stance?
• The fire through the smoke: Working for transparency in climate projections
• Corporal punishment viewed as more acceptable and effective when referred to as spanking
• Increased reaction to stress linked to gastrointestinal issues in children with autism
• Factors responsible for chronic nature of autoimmune disease identified
• High fiber diets may alleviate inflammation caused by gout
• Where’s the center of North America? Geographer’s new method finds a new answer
• Domino effect: The loss of plant species triggers the extinction of animals
• Promising new drug stops spread of melanoma by 90 percent
• Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference facilitates more effective simulation
• Lack of joy from music linked to brain disconnection
• How we know Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and birth defects
• Feral cats now cover over 99.8 percent of Australia
• First look at new, extremely rare galaxy
• Hidden secrets of Orion's clouds
• Big data shows how what we buy affects endangered species
• Male pipefish pregnancy: It's complicated
• Scientists discover a molecular motor has a 'gear' for directional switching
• Artificial leaf goes more efficient for hydrogen generation
• Witnessing fear in others can physically change brain
• Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of chronic headache
• Who gets most distracted by cell phones?
• When the Arctic coast retreats, life in the shallow water areas drastically changes
• Antibiotic spider silk for drug delivery, regenerative medicine and wound healing
• Scientists develop new antibiotic for gonorrhea
• Out in the cold: Why are the oldest people the most excluded?
• Of mice and men: Unique electrical properties of human nerve cells make a difference
• Tenfold jump in green tech needed to meet global emissions targets
• Worries about food waste appear to vanish when diners know scraps go to compost

Scientists learn how to ramp up microbes' ability to make memories Posted: 04 Jan 2017 04:23 PM PST Researchers have identified a mutation that prompts bacterial cells to acquire genetic memories 100 times more frequently than they do naturally. This discovery provides a powerful research tool and could bring scientists one step closer to developing DNA-based data storage devices.

Eelgrass in Puget Sound is stable overall, but some local beaches suffering Posted: 04 Jan 2017 04:23 PM PST Eelgrass, a marine plant crucial to the success of migrating juvenile salmon and spawning Pacific herring, is stable and flourishing in Puget Sound, despite a doubling of the region's human population and significant shoreline development over the past several decades.

Living near major traffic linked to higher risk of dementia Posted: 04 Jan 2017 04:23 PM PST People who live close to high-traffic roadways face a higher risk of developing dementia than those who live further away, new research has found.

Increasing rainfall in a warmer world will likely intensify typhoons in western Pacific Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:44 PM PST An analysis of the strongest tropical storms over the last half-century reveals that higher global temperatures have intensified the storms via enhanced rainfall. Rain that falls on the ocean reduces salinity and allows typhoons to grow stronger.

Potential instability in Atlantic Ocean water circulation system Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST One of the world's largest ocean circulation systems may not be as stable as today's weather models predict, according to a new study. In fact, changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation -- the same deep-water ocean current featured in the movie 'The Day After Tomorrow' -- could occur quite abruptly, in geologic terms, the study says.

Green chemistry: Au naturel catalyst mimics nature to break tenacious carbon-hydrogen bond Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST A new catalyst for breaking the tough molecular bond between carbon and hydrogen holds the promise of a cleaner, easier, cheaper way to derive products from petroleum, say researchers. Simple, plentiful hydrocarbons are the starting block for complex chemical products such as plastics and pharmaceuticals. The first step, however, is very, very difficult -- breaking the carbon-hydrogen bond. A new au naturel catalyst mimics nature to break the tenacious C-H bond.

Liquid nicotine for electronic cigarettes is toxic for kids Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST A 6-year-old child who accidentally swallowed liquid nicotine intended for her parents' electronic cigarettes required immediate emergency medical treatment that included intubation and an overnight stay in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Cardiovascular benefits continue five years after weight loss program Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST Participants in the Why WAIT (Weight Achievement and Intensive Management) program lost substantial amounts of weight, and even those who maintained relatively little loss of weight after five years demonstrated reduced risks of cardiovascular disease.

New mechanism for Type IV pili retraction in Vibrio cholerae Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST Although pathogenic bacteria often rely on a specialized molecular motor to retract their pili, a new study reveals that a minor pilin protein elicits pilus retraction in the cholera bacterium, Vibrio cholerae.

Icy ridges found on Pluto Posted: 04 Jan 2017 12:43 PM PST Using a model similar to what meteorologists use to forecast weather on Earth and a computer simulation of the physics of evaporating ices, a new study has found evidence that snow and ice features previously only seen on Earth, have been spotted on Pluto.

Theory provides roadmap in quest for quark soup 'critical point' Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:57 AM PST Thanks to a new development in nuclear physics theory, scientists exploring expanding fireballs that mimic the early universe have new signs to look for as they map out the transition from primordial plasma to matter as we know it. The theoretical work identifies key patterns that would be proof of the existence of a so-called "critical point" in the transition among different phases of nuclear matter.

Immunotherapy, gene therapy combination shows promise against glioblastoma Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:36 AM PST In a new study, gene therapy deployed with immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrates potential benefit for devastating brain cancer.

Role of supernovae in clocking the universe Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:36 AM PST New research by cosmologists confirms the accuracy of Type Ia supernovae in measuring the pace at which the universe expands. The findings support a widely held theory that the expansion of the universe is accelerating and such acceleration is attributable to dark energy. The findings counter recent headlines that Type Ia supernova cannot be relied upon to measure the expansion of the universe.

Nano-chimneys can cool circuits Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:36 AM PST Researchers show that tweaking graphene to place cones between it and nanotubes grown from its surface would form 'nano-chimneys' that help heat escape. The discovery offers a strategy to channel heat away from nano-electronics.

As neighborhood status falls, cardiovascular disease risk among black residents spikes Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST A new study found that significant increases in cardiovascular disease was linked to black residents of neighborhood with lower socioeconomic status and higher levels of violence and disorder.

Murky Amazon waters cloud fish vision Posted: 04 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST African cichlid fish evolved in calm, clearwater lakes saturated with sunlight, and are known for their incredible visual system, which relies on a diverse array of visual pigment proteins called opsins. A new analysis is the first to examine related cichlids from the murky, silty water of South America's Amazon Basin. The researchers found that, in three select Amazonian species, several opsin genes had been switched off or lost entirely.

More frequent hurricanes not necessarily stronger on Atlantic U.S. coast Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:36 AM PST Active Atlantic hurricane periods, like the one we are in now, are not necessarily a harbinger of more, rapidly intensifying hurricanes along the US coast, according to new research.

Scientists tissue-engineer functional part of human stomach in laboratory Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:35 AM PST Scientists have used pluripotent stem cells to generate human stomach tissues in a Petri dish that produce acid and digestive enzymes. They grew tissues from the stomach's corpus/fundus region. The study comes two years after the same team generated the stomach's hormone-producing region (the antrum). The discovery means investigators now can grow both parts of the human stomach to study disease.

280 million-year-old fossil reveals origins of chimaeroid fishes Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:35 AM PST High-definition CT scans of the fossilized skull of a 280 million-year-old fish reveal the origin of chimaeras, a group of cartilaginous fish related to sharks. Analysis of the brain case of Dwykaselachus oosthuizeni, a shark-like fossil from South Africa, shows telltale structures of the brain, major cranial nerves, nostrils and inner ear belonging to modern-day chimaeras.

Fast radio burst tied to distant dwarf galaxy, and perhaps magnetar Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:35 AM PST Since first detected 10 years ago, fast radio bursts have puzzled astronomers. Unlike pulsars, they flash irregularly, most only once, and only for milliseconds. And they seem to come from outside the galaxy, meaning they are very energetic. A team of astronomers has now localized the only repeating burst, to a distant dwarf galaxy. The researcher who created the rapid data collection and analysis software sees a connection to magnetars.

Most younger adults with high LDL-C levels do not take a statin Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:35 AM PST Despite recommendations, less than 45 percent of adults younger than 40 years with an elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of 190 mg/dL or greater receive a prescription for a statin, according to a new study.

2016 Edges 1998 as Warmest Year on Record Posted: 04 Jan 2017 10:02 AM PST Globally, 2016 edged out 1998 by +0.02 C to become the warmest year in the 38-year satellite temperature record, according to scientists. Because the margin of error is about 0.10 C, this would technically be a statistical tie, with a higher probability that 2016 was warmer than 1998. The main difference was the extra warmth in the Northern Hemisphere in 2016 compared to 1998.

People aren't the only beneficiaries of power plant carbon standards Posted: 04 Jan 2017 09:59 AM PST A research team has projected the potential affects of carbon emissions standards in the year 2020. Their work shows that key crops and tree species would benefit from policies that would limit the emission of pollutants from power plants.

New sensor integrates inflammatory bowel disease detection into colonoscopy procedure Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST Researchers have developed the first sensor capable of objectively identifying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and distinguishing between its two subtypes.

Turning your living room into a wireless charging station Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST Researchers demonstrate that the technology already exists to produce a wireless power transfer system similar to a flat-screen TV that could remotely charge any device within its line of sight.

Women as decorative accessories: Keep silent or take a stance? Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST How do Italian women react once they are made aware that using bikini-clad models draped over sports cars or scantily dressed actresses on television actually degrades and objectifies the female sex into mere sexual objects? Most become angry and want to support protests against such female sexual objectification, says.

The fire through the smoke: Working for transparency in climate projections Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST To help policymakers more confidently prepare for the effects of climate change, a group of preeminent climate scientists evaluated the scientific work and expert judgments behind the most recent projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regarding the potential ecological, social, economic and meteorological repercussions of climate change.

Corporal punishment viewed as more acceptable and effective when referred to as spanking Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST Corporal punishment is viewed as more acceptable and effective when called spanking, according to a new study. Parents and nonparents alike judged identical acts of a child's misbehavior and the subsequent corporal punishment more favorably when called 'spank' or 'swat' rather than 'slap,' 'hit' or 'beat.' The findings indicate that people buffer negative views of corporal punishment by calling it a more culturally acceptable, less violent label, the researchers said.

Increased reaction to stress linked to gastrointestinal issues in children with autism Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST One in 45 American children lives with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these children also have significant gastrointestinal issues, but the cause of these symptoms is unknown. Now, researchers suggest that the gastrointestinal issues in these individuals with autism may be related to an increased reaction to stress. The researchers hope the finding could lead to better treatments.

Factors responsible for chronic nature of autoimmune disease identified Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST Researchers have uncovered two factors responsible for the chronic, lifelong nature of autoimmune disorders, which tend to flare up intermittently in affected patients.

High fiber diets may alleviate inflammation caused by gout Posted: 04 Jan 2017 08:43 AM PST New research shows that a high-fiber diet likely inhibits gout-related inflammation caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals.

Where’s the center of North America? Geographer’s new method finds a new answer Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:42 AM PST Where is the geographic center of a state, country or a continent? It's a question fraught with uncertainty. Do you include water in your calculation? What happens when the shoreline shifts? But to one geologist, the challenge of finding a middle doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

Domino effect: The loss of plant species triggers the extinction of animals Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:39 AM PST When plant species disappear due to climate change, this may lead to the subsequent loss of various animal species. Insects which depend on interactions with specific plant partners are particularly threatened. Plants, in contrast, will be less sensitive to the disappearance of their animal partners, according to a new article.

Promising new drug stops spread of melanoma by 90 percent Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST Researchers have discovered that a chemical compound, and potential new drug, reduces the spread of melanoma cells by up to 90 percent.

Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference facilitates more effective simulation Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST The Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference is open to everyone, and it can help significantly reduce the number of simulator runs.

Lack of joy from music linked to brain disconnection Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST Have you ever met someone who just wasn't into music? They may have a condition called specific musical anhedonia, which affects three-to-five per cent of the population. Researchers have discovered that people with this condition showed reduced functional connectivity between cortical regions responsible for processing sound and subcortical regions related to reward.

How we know Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and birth defects Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST A structured analysis of the evidence confirms that infection with mosquito-borne Zika virus is a cause of the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), in addition to microcephaly and other congenital brain abnormalities, according to a systematic review.

Feral cats now cover over 99.8 percent of Australia Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST Feral cats cover over 99.8 percent of Australia's land area, including almost 80 percent of the area of our islands. These are just some of the findings of new research which looks at the number of feral cats in Australia. The research was undertaken by over 40 of Australia's top environmental scientists and brings together evidence from nearly 100 separate studies across the country.

First look at new, extremely rare galaxy Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST Approximately 359 million light-years from Earth, there is a galaxy with an innocuous name (PGC 1000714) that doesn't look quite like anything astronomers have observed before. New research provides a first description of a well-defined elliptical-like core surrounded by two circular rings -- a galaxy that appears to belong to a class of rarely observed, Hoag-type galaxies.

Hidden secrets of Orion's clouds Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST This spectacular new image is one of the largest near-infrared high-resolution mosaics of the Orion A molecular cloud, the nearest known massive star factory, lying about 1350 light-years from Earth. It reveals many young stars and other objects normally buried deep inside the dusty clouds.

Big data shows how what we buy affects endangered species Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST We don't have to snuff out species when we eat a hamburger or buy a tee-shirt -- if we know how our consumption affects endangered and threatened species.

Male pipefish pregnancy: It's complicated Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST In the upside-down world of the pipefish, sexual selection appears to work in reverse, with flashy females battling for males who bear the pregnancy and carry their young to term in their brood pouch. But new research shows even more factors appear to play a role in determining mating success.

Scientists discover a molecular motor has a 'gear' for directional switching Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST A new study offers a new understanding of the complex cellular machinery that animal and fungi cells use to ensure normal cell division, and scientists say it could one day lead to new treatment approaches for certain types of cancers.

Artificial leaf goes more efficient for hydrogen generation Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST A new study has introduced a new artificial leaf that generates hydrogen, using the power of the Sun to mimic underwater photosynthesis.

Witnessing fear in others can physically change brain Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST Scientists have discovered that observing fear in others may change how information flows in the brain. The finding in a rodent model may have bearing on people who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of chronic headache Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of chronic headache, according to a new study.

Who gets most distracted by cell phones? Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST Researchers have verified that the mere presence of a cell phone or smartphone can adversely affect our cognitive performance, particularly among infrequent internet users.

When the Arctic coast retreats, life in the shallow water areas drastically changes Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST The thawing and erosion of Arctic permafrost coasts has dramatically increased in the past years and the sea is now consuming more than 20 meters of land per year at some locations.

Antibiotic spider silk for drug delivery, regenerative medicine and wound healing Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST A chance meeting between a spider expert and a chemist has led to the development of antibiotic synthetic spider silk.

Scientists develop new antibiotic for gonorrhea Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST Scientists have harnessed the therapeutic effects of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules to develop a new antibiotic which could be used to treat the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea.

Out in the cold: Why are the oldest people the most excluded? Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST People over the age of 85 are significantly more likely to suffer social exclusion than those in the 65 to 84-year-old bracket, according to new research. In a study of 10,000 people aged over 65, social policy researchers found the 'oldest old' -- those 85 and over -- have more trouble accessing services such as healthcare and food shops, with 16 percent reporting 'significant' problems, compared with only four percent of their younger counterparts.

Of mice and men: Unique electrical properties of human nerve cells make a difference Posted: 04 Jan 2017 07:35 AM PST Scientists have presented the first direct evidence that human neocortical neurons have unique membrane properties that enhance signal processing. The research implies that human cortical neurons are efficient electrical microchips that use low membrane capacitance to compensate for humans' larger brains and cells, and to process sensory information more effectively.

Tenfold jump in green tech needed to meet global emissions targets Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:24 PM PST The global spread of green technologies must quicken significantly to avoid future rebounds in climate-warming emissions, a new study shows. Based on the new calculations, the Paris Agreement's warming target of 2 degrees C won't be met unless clean technologies are developed and implemented at rates 10 times faster than in the past. Radically new strategies to implement technological advances are needed.

Worries about food waste appear to vanish when diners know scraps go to compost Posted: 03 Jan 2017 10:44 AM PST Diners waste far less food when they're schooled on the harm their leftovers can inflict on the environment. But if they know the food is going to be composted instead of dumped in a landfill, the educational benefit disappears.

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