الخميس، 17 يناير 2013

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

In the eastern U.S., spring flowers keep pace with warming climate, blooming up to a month earlier

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 04:53 PM PST

Using the meticulous phenological records of two iconic American naturalists, Henry David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, scientists have demonstrated that native plants in the eastern United States are flowering as much as a month earlier in response to a warming climate.

Malaria, typhoid -- not Ebola -- biggest health threat for travelers to tropics

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 04:53 PM PST

Feeling feverish after a visit to the tropics? It may not just be a bout with this year's flu. If you're a Western traveler, malaria and typhoid fever should top the list of diseases to discuss with your doctor when you return, especially following travel to Western Africa or India.

'Shell-shocked' crabs can feel pain

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 04:53 PM PST

The food and aquaculture industries should reconsider how they treat live crustaceans such as crabs, prawns and lobsters. That's according to a researcher who has found that crabs are likely to feel pain.

New robotic fish glides indefinitely

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:45 PM PST

A high-tech robotic fish has a new look. A new skill. And a new name. Scientists have made a number of improvements on their fish, including the ability to glide long distances, which is the most important change to date.

Slower growth of preterm infants linked to altered brain development

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:38 PM PST

Preterm infants who grow more slowly as they approached what would have been their due dates also have slower development in an area of the brain called the cerebral cortex, report researchers.

Tree and human health may be linked

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:38 PM PST

Evidence is increasing from multiple scientific fields that exposure to the natural environment can improve human health. In a new study, the presence of trees was associated with human health.

Immunology research sheds new light on cell function, response

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:36 PM PST

Researchers characterized a new protein that affects how cells in the innate immune system function and protect humans against invading bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Mindfulness meditation may relieve chronic inflammation

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:35 PM PST

People suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma — in which psychological stress plays a major role — may benefit from mindfulness meditation techniques, according to a new study.

Using snail teeth to improve solar cells and batteries

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST

A professor is using the teeth of a marine snail found of the coast of California to create less costly and more efficient nanoscale materials to improve solar cells and lithium-ion batteries.

Light exposure during pregnancy key to normal eye development

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST

New research concludes the eye -- which depends on light to see -- also needs light to develop normally during pregnancy. Scientists say the unexpected finding offers a new basic understanding of fetal eye development and ocular diseases caused by vascular disorders -- in particular one called retinopathy of prematurity that can blind premature infants.

New 'social' chromosome discovered in the red fire ant

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST

Researchers have discovered a social chromosome in the highly invasive fire ant that helps to explain why some colonies allow for more than one queen ant, and could offer new solutions for dealing with this pest. One of the researchers said, "Our discovery could help in developing novel pest control strategies. For example, a pesticide could artificially deactivate the genes in the social chromosome and induce social anarchy within the colony."

First way to make large amounts of promising anti-cancer substance

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 09:37 AM PST

Scientists are reporting development of the first practical way to make large amounts of a promising new anti-cancer substance that kills cancer cells differently than existing medicines. A new article is on the synthesis of the substance, and tests demonstrating its effectiveness in the laboratory.

PR professionals are not 'yes men' when pressured to be unethical, study finds

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 09:36 AM PST

Public relations professionals who have provided ethics counsel to senior management are at least as fervent about serving the public interest -- sometimes more so -- as they are about their duty to their organizations, a researcher has found.

New nanoscale coating won't get wet; Repels most liquids

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 09:35 AM PST

A nanoscale coating that's at least 95 percent air repels the broadest range of liquids of any material in its class, causing them to bounce off the treated surface, according to the engineering researchers who developed it.

Leopards and tigers in India: New genetics research underscores importance of protecting forest corridors

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 09:30 AM PST

As rapid economic expansion continues to shape the Asian landscape on which many species depend, time is running out for conservationists aiming to save wildlife such as tigers and leopards. Scientists have used genetic analysis to find that the natural forest corridors in India are essential to ensuring a future for these species. According to two recent studies, these corridors are successfully connecting populations of tigers and leopards to ensure genetic diversity and gene flow.

Mathematical breakthrough sets out rules for more effective teleportation

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 08:17 AM PST

Theoretical physicists have shown that quantum law of 'entanglement' may hold the key to eventual teleportation of quantum information. Now, for the first time, researchers have worked out how entanglement could be 'recycled' to increase the efficiency of these connections. The result could conceivably take us a step closer to sci-fi style teleportation in the future, although this research is purely theoretical in nature.

New Antarctic geological timeline aids future sea-level predictions

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 08:17 AM PST

Radiocarbon dates of tiny fossilized marine animals found in Antarctica's seabed sediments offer new clues about the recent rapid ice loss from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and help scientists make better predictions about future sea-level rise. This region of the icy continent is thought to be vulnerable to regional climate warming and changes in ocean circulation.

Robot allows 'remote presence' in programming brain and spine stimulators

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 08:16 AM PST

With the rapidly expanding use of brain and spinal cord stimulation therapy (neuromodulation), new "remote presence" technologies may help to meet the demand for experts to perform stimulator programming, reports a new study.

Scientists discover genes responsible for cornea blindness

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 07:36 AM PST

Scientists have succeeded in identifying genes for central corneal thickness that may cause potentially blinding eye conditions. These eye conditions include glaucoma, as well as the progressive thinning of the cornea, which may eventually lead to a need for corneal transplantation.

Engineer making rechargeable batteries with layered nanomaterials

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 07:20 AM PST

A researcher is developing more efficient ways to save costs, time and energy when creating nanomaterials and lithium-ion batteries.

NASA Mars rover preparing to drill into first Martian rock

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:23 AM PST

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity is driving toward a flat rock with pale veins that may hold clues to a wet history on the Red Planet. If the rock meets rover engineers' approval when Curiosity rolls up to it in coming days, it will become the first to be drilled for a sample during the Mars Science Laboratory mission.

Research reveals exactly how the human brain adapts to injury

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:21 AM PST

For the first time, scientists have used a new combination of neural imaging methods to discover exactly how the human brain adapts to injury. The research shows that when one brain area loses functionality, a "back-up" team of secondary brain areas immediately activates, replacing not only the unavailable area but also its confederates.

Light from darkness: Brilliant stars emerging from dusty stellar nursery

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:14 AM PST

An evocative new image from the European Southern Observatory shows a dark cloud where new stars are forming, along with a cluster of brilliant stars that have already emerged from their dusty stellar nursery.

Virtual heart sheds new light on heart defect

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:06 AM PST

A virtual heart is revealing new information about one of the world's most common heart conditions. Researchers used cutting edge technology to build an advanced computational model of an anatomically correct sheep's heart. It was made by taking a series of very thin slices of the heart, imaging them in 2-D and then using a computer program to render them into a 3-D model.

Iconic beach resorts may not survive sea level rises

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:06 AM PST

A leading coastal scientist has warned that some of the world's best known beach resorts may not survive projected sea level rises and that problems caused by changing sea levels are compounded by a lack of political will and short-term coastal management initiatives.

Computational methods reveal how hospital-acquired bacteria spread

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:06 AM PST

New methods are being used to develop models of the evolution of bacteria and viruses. "Essential for the evolution of the bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections is the horizontal gene transfer. It means that several different cell processes transfer genes between the lineages of the same and different species so that the bacterium becomes resistant to antibiotics and the virulence factor rapidly spreads in the population," explains a researcher.

Drugs for diabetes? Scientists test the power of plants

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:01 AM PST

Scientists believe they have identified potential sources of medicines derived from plants which may have fewer adverse side-effects for diabetes sufferers.

Choice of partner affects health

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:01 AM PST

Individuals tend to choose partners of equal socio-economic status. This factor may also be significant in terms of health.

COPD patients at risk of dangerous bacterial infections

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:01 AM PST

It is well known that COPD patients run a higher risk of contracting respiratory infections. However, a new thesis shows that they are also at higher risk of other bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) and pneumococcal and staphylococcal infections that can cause serious illness.

Scientists seek out cancer cells hiding from treatment

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 06:01 AM PST

Funding to improve leukemia treatment will investigate how cancer cells hide to avoid chemotherapy drugs.

Study examines link between incarceration and psychiatric disorders

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:59 AM PST

Psychiatric disorders are prevalent among current and former inmates of correctional institutions, but what has been less clear is whether incarceration causes these disorders or, alternatively, whether inmates have these problems before they enter prison. A new study provides answers.

Fast food diet linked to asthma and eczema severity in kids, large study finds

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:53 AM PST

Eating three or more weekly servings of fast food is linked to the severity of allergic asthma, eczema, and rhinitis among children in the developed world, indicates a large international study.

Blood clots and artery blockage more likely during IVF pregnancies, study suggests

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 04:02 PM PST

In vitro fertilization is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (blockage of the main artery of the lung) and venous thromboembolism (blood clots) during the first trimester of pregnancy, a new study suggests.

Cutting down on sugar has a small but significant effect on body weight, study finds

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 04:02 PM PST

Reducing sugar intake has a small but significant effect on body weight in adults, according to a new study. Although the effect is relatively small (an average reduction of 0.8 kg), the findings provide some support for international guidelines to cut sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy to help reduce the global obesity epidemic.

Migraine with aura may lead to heart attack, blood clots for women

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 04:01 PM PST

Women who have migraines with aura, which are often visual disturbances such as flashing lights, may be more likely to have problems with their heart and blood vessels, and those on newer contraceptives may be at higher risk for blood clots, according to two studies.

Parents' financial help linked to lower college GPAs, higher graduation rates

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 04:01 PM PST

A new study found that college students' GPAs decreased with increased financial support from their parents. The study also found that students with financial aid from their parents were more likely to complete college and earn a degree.

Ornamental fish industry faces increasing problems with antibiotic resistance

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 11:38 AM PST

The $15 billion ornamental fish industry faces a global problem with antibiotic resistance, a new study concludes, raising concern that treatments for fish diseases may not work when needed – and creating yet another mechanism for exposing humans to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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