ScienceDaily: Top News

---

• Arctic seafloor methane releases double previous estimates
• Sounding rocket to peek at atmosphere of Venus
• CSI-type study identifies snakehead
• Bad proteins branch out: Misfolded proteins are capable of forming tree-like aggregates
• Increasing cropping frequency offers opportunity to boost food supply
• Nanotubes can solder themselves, markedly improving device performance
• Mach 1000 shock wave lights supernova remnant
• Ancient minerals: Which gave rise to life?
• A touch of garlic helps kill contaminants in baby formula
• Flashes of brilliance: Roots of superfluorescent bursts from quantum wells discovered
• Search for habitable planets should be more conservative, experts say
• Swarming insect provides clues to how the brain processes smells
• Turning autism upside down: When symptoms are strengths
• Alzheimer's, vascular changes in the neck
• Researchers create compounds that boost antibiotics' effectiveness
• Broken cellular 'clock' linked to brain damage
• The collared treerunner is more than a single species
• Obesity associated with higher risk of hearing loss in women
• Graphic warnings labels on cigarette packs could lead to 8.6 million fewer smokers in US
• Super SQUID: Measuring device for superconductors breaks world records
• New kind of genetic switch can target activities of just one type of brain cell
• Chromosomes show off their shapes
• Breastfeeding provides babies with iodine
• Researchers use nanoscale 'patches' to sensitize targeted cell receptors
• Archaeological discoveries confirm early date of Buddha's life
• Step closer to composite-based electronics
• Pill-popping galaxy hooked on gas
• Your first hug: How early embryo changes shape
• Two new beautiful wasp species of the rare genus Abernessia
• Ultra-sensitive force sensing with levitating nanoparticle
• Scientists reveal the genomic enigma of desert poplar
• The reality behind Europe's response to climate change
• Steering electrons along chemical bonds
• Making sense of sensation in autism
• Computer models predict how patients respond to HIV drug therapy without HIV genotype
• Viruses are as simple as they are 'smart'
• Battle against bee blood eating Acari
• A plant which acclimatizes with no exterior influence
• PCBs still affecting health decades later
• Meat, egg, dairy nutrient essential for brain development
• EMRs provide method to discover new disease associations
• Steroid injections for premature babies linked to mental health risk

Arctic seafloor methane releases double previous estimates Posted: 25 Nov 2013 02:21 PM PST The seafloor off the coast of Northern Siberia is releasing more than twice the amount of methane as previously estimated, according to new research results.

Sounding rocket to peek at atmosphere of Venus Posted: 25 Nov 2013 02:21 PM PST A week after launching a new orbiter to investigate the upper atmosphere of Mars, NASA is sending a sounding rocket to probe the atmosphere of Venus.

CSI-type study identifies snakehead Posted: 25 Nov 2013 02:21 PM PST Biologists are breathing a collective sigh of relief after learning that a monstrous fish found in a Burnaby, B.C., pond is not a northern snakehead. But their identification of its correct identity is still a serious concern.

Bad proteins branch out: Misfolded proteins are capable of forming tree-like aggregates Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:48 PM PST Researchers find that misfolded proteins form branched structures, which may have implications for Alzheimer's and other aggregation diseases.

Increasing cropping frequency offers opportunity to boost food supply Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:48 PM PST Harvesting existing cropland more frequently could substantially increase global food production without clearing more land for agriculture, according to a new study.

Nanotubes can solder themselves, markedly improving device performance Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:48 PM PST Researchers have developed a way to heal gaps in wires too small for even the world's tiniest soldering iron. Junctions between nanotubes have high resistance, slowing down the current and creating hotspots. The researchers use these hot spots to trigger a local chemical reaction that deposits metal that nano-solders the junctions.

Mach 1000 shock wave lights supernova remnant Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:48 PM PST When a star explodes as a supernova, the material blasted outward from the explosion still glows hundreds or thousands of years later, forming a picturesque supernova remnant. What powers such long-lived brilliance? In the case of Tycho's supernova remnant, astronomers have discovered that a reverse shock wave racing inward at Mach 1000 (1,000 times the speed of sound) is heating the remnant and causing it to emit X-ray light.

Ancient minerals: Which gave rise to life? Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:48 PM PST Life originated as a result of natural processes that exploited early Earth's raw materials. Scientific models of life's origins almost always look to minerals for such essential tasks as the synthesis of life's molecular building blocks or the supply of metabolic energy. But this assumes that the mineral species found on Earth today are much the same as they were during Earth's first 550 million years -- the Hadean Eon -- when life emerged. A new analysis of Hadean mineralogy challenges that assumption.

A touch of garlic helps kill contaminants in baby formula Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:47 PM PST Garlic may be bad for your breath, but it's good for your baby, according to a new study. This study is the first to identify two compounds derived from garlic -- diallyl sulfide and ajoene -- that significantly reduce the contamination risk of Cronobacter sakazakii in the production of dry infant formula powder.

Flashes of brilliance: Roots of superfluorescent bursts from quantum wells discovered Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:47 PM PST Spontaneous bursts of coherent light from solid-state materials shed new light on how particles interact and may lead to ultrahigh-speed optoelectronic devices for telecommunications.

Search for habitable planets should be more conservative, experts say Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:46 PM PST Scientists should take the conservative approach when searching for habitable zones where life-sustaining planets might exist, according to experts.

Swarming insect provides clues to how the brain processes smells Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:42 PM PST Our sense of smell is often the first response to environmental stimuli. Odors trigger neurons in the brain that alert us to take action. However, there is often more than one odor in the environment, such as in coffee shops or grocery stores. How does our brain process multiple odors received simultaneously?

Turning autism upside down: When symptoms are strengths Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:55 AM PST A novel approach to treating children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder could help them navigate their world by teaching them to turn their symptoms into strengths. A researcher has developed a treatment method that teaches affected children how to control their psychophysiology and behavior using computerized biofeedback and clinical hypnosis.

Alzheimer's, vascular changes in the neck Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:55 AM PST An international research team studying Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment is reporting potentially significant findings on a vascular abnormality outside the brain.

Researchers create compounds that boost antibiotics' effectiveness Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:54 AM PST Inhibitor compounds developed by biologists and chemists have been shown to bolster the ability of antibiotics to treat deadly bacterial diseases such as MRSA and anthrax.

Broken cellular 'clock' linked to brain damage Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:53 AM PST A new discovery may help explain the surprisingly strong connections between sleep problems and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

The collared treerunner is more than a single species Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:19 AM PST The lowland tropics were once though filled with widespread species, while moderate and higher elevations were thought to contain species with more restricted distributions. That idea is turning out to be partially incorrect. A new study describes four species once considered to be the collared treerunner, a lizard known to the scientific community as Plica plica.

Obesity associated with higher risk of hearing loss in women Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:19 AM PST New research shows that a higher body mass index and larger waist circumference are each associated with higher risk of hearing loss, while a higher level of physical activity is associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women.

Graphic warnings labels on cigarette packs could lead to 8.6 million fewer smokers in US Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:19 AM PST A paper published shows that graphic warning labels on cigarette packs led to a decrease in smoking rates in Canada of 12 percent to 20 percent from 2000 to 2009. Researchers estimate that the introduction of graphic warnings in the United States could lead to a decrease of between 5.3 and 8.6 million smokers.

Super SQUID: Measuring device for superconductors breaks world records Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:18 AM PST The smallest, most sensitive measuring device for superconductors was just created.

New kind of genetic switch can target activities of just one type of brain cell Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:18 AM PST Mysterious brain cells called microglia are starting to reveal their secrets thanks to research conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Chromosomes show off their shapes Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:18 AM PST Researchers calculate the shape of a chromosome. The new view of our chromosomes reveals a complex picture.

Breastfeeding provides babies with iodine Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:17 AM PST WHO recommends that breastfeeding mothers without access to iodised salt should take an iodine supplement capsule to provide a year's worth of iodine for them and their infant. Researchers tested the effectiveness of this method for the first time.

Researchers use nanoscale 'patches' to sensitize targeted cell receptors Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:17 AM PST Researchers have developed nanoscale 'patches' that can be used to sensitize targeted cell receptors, making them more responsive to signals that control cell activity. The finding holds promise for promoting healing and facilitating tissue engineering research.

Archaeological discoveries confirm early date of Buddha's life Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:17 AM PST Archaeologists working in Nepal have uncovered evidence of a structure at the birthplace of the Buddha dating to the sixth century B.C. This is the first archaeological material linking the life of the Buddha -- and thus the first flowering of Buddhism -- to a specific century.

Step closer to composite-based electronics Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:14 AM PST A new study demonstrates that electrical resistivity obeys a staircase-like dependence on the conducting particle concentration in composite materials.

Pill-popping galaxy hooked on gas Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:12 AM PST Our Galaxy may have been swallowing "pills" -- clouds of gas with a magnetic wrapper -- to keep making stars for the past eight billion years.

Your first hug: How early embryo changes shape Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:12 AM PST In research published, Australian scientists have revealed new insights into how cells organize and form an early mammalian embryo.

Two new beautiful wasp species of the rare genus Abernessia Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:12 AM PST Two new beautiful wasp species are added to the rare pompilid genus Abernessia. Both wasps are distinguished by the large size (almost 3cm in length) and the beautiful black coloration. This enigmatic genus is part of the spider wasp family Pompilidae, which takes its vernacular name from the preference of the representatives to parasitize spiders.

Ultra-sensitive force sensing with levitating nanoparticle Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:11 AM PST A recent study achieved the highest force sensitivity ever observed with a nano-mechanical resonator. The scientific results of this study have just been published.

Scientists reveal the genomic enigma of desert poplar Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:11 AM PST Scientists have succeeded in unraveling the whole genome sequence of desert poplar, Populus euphratica, and the genetic bases underlying poplar to against salt stress. This work provides new insights for understanding the genetic basis of tree adaptation to salt stress and facilitating the genetic breeding of cultivated poplars for saline fields.

The reality behind Europe's response to climate change Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:11 AM PST British cities – unlike their counterparts on the mainland - are taking the lead in making plans to curb and handle the impact of climate change. A new study analyzed the relevant strategic policies and planning documents of 200 urban areas in eleven European countries. They found that one in every three European cities has no plans on the table to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while seven in every ten urban areas have no formal adaptation plans in place.

Steering electrons along chemical bonds Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:11 AM PST Electron motions induced by a strong electric field are mapped in space and time with the help of femtosecond x-ray pulses. An x-ray movie of the crystal lithium hydride shows that the electric interaction between electrons has a decisive influence on the direction in which they move.

Making sense of sensation in autism Posted: 25 Nov 2013 07:10 AM PST Occupational therapy helps children with autism improve their ability to perform everyday better than standard behavioral therapy.

Computer models predict how patients respond to HIV drug therapy without HIV genotype Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:15 AM PST New computer models predict how patients whose HIV therapy is failing will respond to any new combination of drugs, without the need for an HIV genotype: a test used in wealthy countries to read the genetic code of the virus and help select drugs to which the virus is sensitive. In fact, the models were significantly more accurate predictors of treatment response than the genotype.

Viruses are as simple as they are 'smart' Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Viruses are as simple as they are "smart": too elementary to be able to reproduce by themselves, they exploit the reproductive "machinery" of cells, by inserting pieces of their own DNA so that it is transcribed by the host cell. To do this, they first have to inject their own genetic material into the cells they infect. An international team of researchers has studied how this occurs and how long it takes for this process to be completed.

Battle against bee blood eating Acari Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Mexico is one of the top five bee producing countries worldwide and the second in exportation. However, the beekeepers can see their production affected by the attack of a parasite, the Varroa acari, which feeds on hemolymph of the bees.

A plant which acclimatizes with no exterior influence Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Plants have a love-hate relationship with sunlight. While some wavelengths are indispensable to them for performing photosynthesis, others, such as UV-B, are deleterious. Therefore, plants are equipped to detect these highly toxic rays and mount their defenses. Biologists have now generated a transgenic plant which acclimatizes constitutively, regardless of the level of UV-B. This plant possesses a constantly active receptor, which endows it with a higher UV resistance, associated with increased flavonoid production, substances which function as a 'sunscreen' and as antioxidants.

PCBs still affecting health decades later Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:11 AM PST Although PCBs have been banned in the United States since 1979, a researcher has found that higher levels of the toxin was associated with lower cognitive performance in seniors.

Meat, egg, dairy nutrient essential for brain development Posted: 24 Nov 2013 08:18 PM PST Research indicates that brain cells depend on the local synthesis of asparagine to function properly. "The cells of the body can do without it because they use asparagine provided through diet. Asparagine, however, is not well transported to the brain via the blood-brain barrier," said senior co-author of the study.

EMRs provide method to discover new disease associations Posted: 24 Nov 2013 05:00 PM PST Researchers are repurposing genetic data and electronic medical records to perform the first large-scale phenome-wide association study.

Steroid injections for premature babies linked to mental health risk Posted: 23 Nov 2013 04:50 PM PST Steroid injections given to pregnant women before premature birth may increase the child's risk of later behavioural and emotional difficulties, a study has found.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Top News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610