ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Weighing particles at the attogram scale
• More to biofuel production than yield
• Discovery of new Tiktaalik roseae fossils reveals key link in evolution of hind limbs
• Key proteins identified responsible for electrical communication in heart
• NASA's Kepler provides insights on enigmatic planets
• Recently reactivated NASA spacecraft spots its first new asteroid
• 'Hand of God': Dead star and distant black holes dazzle in X-rays
• Understanding secondary light emission by plasmonic nanostructures may improve medical imaging
• Enforcement and anti-poaching measures set to fail
• New discovery could stimulate plant growth and increase crop yields, researchers say
• Multiple myeloma study uncovers genetic diversity within tumors
• Autism spectrum disorder: Guide for physicians to help families
• Scientists identify factors that trigger ALT-ernative cancer cell growth
• Researchers investigating how to make PET imaging even sweeter
• Heart attack survivors paint complex picture of adhering to medicine
• One question may gauge severity of unhealthy drug, alcohol use
• Two players produce destructive cascade of diabetic retinopathy
• Walden Pond trees leafing out far earlier than in Thoreau's time
• New hope for migraine sufferers
• Towards perfect control of light waves
• Building 'belt' offers cheap, quick repair of earthquake damage
• New horizons in radiotherapy?
• Shoulder replacement eases pain, improves motion in rheumatoid arthritis patients
• Postpartum depression improves with time -- but for many women, depressive symptoms linger
• Viewing macro behaviors of ultra-cold quantum gases through the micro-world
• Safe havens revealed for biodiversity in a changed climate
• Study: At-home test can spot early Alzheimer's
• Freshwater turtles from wetlands can transmit Salmonella to humans
• Research breakthrough in understanding hereditary emphysema
• Scientific study suggests an association between physical doping and brain doping
• Study discovers chromosome therapy to correct severe chromosome defect
• Solving a 40-year-old mystery, researchers find new route for better brain disorder treatments
• High levels of molecular chlorine found in arctic atmosphere
• More targeted form of radiation improves survival in patients with head, neck cancers
• Fear of being too skinny may put teen boys at risk for depression, steroid use
• Study identifies population of stem-like cells where HIV persists in spite of treatment
• Immune system development linked to leukaemia: Defences against infection can be weaknesses in causing cancer
• Research uncovers key difference between our bodies' fight against viruses and bacteria
• Mutation discovery may improve treatment for rare brain tumor type

Weighing particles at the attogram scale Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:42 PM PST A new device can measure masses as small as one millionth of a trillionth of a gram, in solution.

More to biofuel production than yield Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:42 PM PST When it comes to biofuels, corn leads the all-important category of biomass yield. However, focusing solely on yield comes at a high price. Researchers now show that looking at the big picture allows other biofuel crops, such as native perennial grasses, to score higher as viable alternatives.

Discovery of new Tiktaalik roseae fossils reveals key link in evolution of hind limbs Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:42 PM PST The discovery of well-preserved pelves and a partial pelvic fin from Tiktaalik roseae, a 375 million-year-old transitional species between fish and the first legged animals, reveals that the evolution of hind legs actually began as enhanced hind fins. This challenges existing theory that large, mobile hind appendages were developed only after vertebrates transitioned to land.

Key proteins identified responsible for electrical communication in heart Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:33 AM PST Researchers have found that six proteins – five more than previously thought – are responsible for cell-to-cell communication that regulates the heart and plays a role in limiting the size of heart attacks and strokes. The smallest of these proteins directs the largest in performing its role of coordinating billions of heart cells during each heartbeat. Together, the proteins synchronize the beating heart, the researchers determined.

NASA's Kepler provides insights on enigmatic planets Posted: 13 Jan 2014 10:07 AM PST More than three-quarters of the planet candidates discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft have sizes ranging from that of Earth to that of Neptune, which is nearly four times as big as Earth. Such planets dominate the galactic census but are not represented in our own solar system. Astronomers don't know how they form or if they are made of rock, water or gas.

Recently reactivated NASA spacecraft spots its first new asteroid Posted: 13 Jan 2014 10:01 AM PST NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft has spotted a never-before-seen asteroid -- its first such discovery since coming out of hibernation last year.

'Hand of God': Dead star and distant black holes dazzle in X-rays Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:58 AM PST Two new views from NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, showcase the telescope's talent for spying objects near and far. One image shows the energized remains of a dead star, a structure nicknamed the "Hand of God" after its resemblance to a hand. Another image shows distant black holes buried in blankets of dust.

Understanding secondary light emission by plasmonic nanostructures may improve medical imaging Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Applications in imaging and sensing typically involve the emission of light at a different wavelength than the excitation, or "secondary light emission." The interpretation of resonant secondary light emission in terms of fundamental processes has been controversial for 40 years. In new work, researchers found that resonant electronic Raman scattering and resonant fluorescence may both be useful descriptions of the secondary emission.

Enforcement and anti-poaching measures set to fail Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Enforcement and anti-poaching measures will fail because they don't address the real drivers of poaching and illegal trade, such as increasing demand, resulting in rising prices of illegal goods, including ivory, experts say.

New discovery could stimulate plant growth and increase crop yields, researchers say Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Scientists have discovered a natural mechanism in plants that could stimulate their growth even under stress and potentially lead to better crop yields.

Multiple myeloma study uncovers genetic diversity within tumors Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST The most comprehensive genetic study to date of the blood cancer multiple myeloma has revealed that the genetic landscape of the disease may be more complicated than previously thought. Through results published, a team of researchers has shown that an individual patient's tumor can harbor populations of cancer cells equipped with different mutations. These findings could have therapeutic implications for patients in the future.

Autism spectrum disorder: Guide for physicians to help families Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is placing huge demands on health care systems and health care professionals to help children and their families cope with the disorder. A comprehensive evidence-based review aims to help physicians provide appropriate medical support to families of children with ASD, from detection to treatment.

Scientists identify factors that trigger ALT-ernative cancer cell growth Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:50 AM PST Highly diverse cancers share one trait: the capacity for endless cell division. Unregulated growth is due in large part to the fact that tumor cells can rebuild protective ends of their chromosomes, which are made of repeated DNA sequences and proteins. Normally, cell division halts once these structures, called telomeres, wear down. But cancer cells keep on going by deploying one of two strategies to reconstruct telomeres.

Researchers investigating how to make PET imaging even sweeter Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST An international research team is testing its novel sugar-based tracer contrast agent to be used with positron emission tomography imaging to help in the hunt for dangerous inflammation and high-risk vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque inside vessel walls that causes acute heart attacks and strokes.

Heart attack survivors paint complex picture of adhering to medicine Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST A new study shows that heart attack survivors adhere to their preventative medications differently depending on their gender and race.

One question may gauge severity of unhealthy drug, alcohol use Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST Primary care physicians seeking to determine whether a patient's drug or alcohol use is problematic often have to rely on lengthy questionnaires containing dozens of items with multiple response options. But a new study suggests that a single screening question may not only identify unhealthy use, but can help to determine the level of alcohol and drug dependence just as well -- and sometimes better -- than longer screening tools.

Two players produce destructive cascade of diabetic retinopathy Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST The retina can be bombarded by reactive oxygen species in diabetes, prompting events that destroy healthy blood vessels, form leaky new ones and ruin vision.

Walden Pond trees leafing out far earlier than in Thoreau's time Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:47 AM PST Climate-change studies show leaf-out times of trees and shrubs at Walden Pond are an average of 18 days earlier than when Henry David Thoreau made his observations there in the 1850s.

New hope for migraine sufferers Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:48 AM PST A blood pressure drug offers hope to migraine sufferers who currently get no relief from existing treatments.

Towards perfect control of light waves Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:48 AM PST Scientists have constructed a detector, which provides a detailed picture of the waveforms of femtosecond laser pulses (1 fs = 10-15 seconds). Knowledge of the exact waveform of these pulses enables scientists to reproducibly generate light flashes that are a thousand times shorter -- lasting only for attoseconds -- and can be used to study ultrafast processes at the molecular and atomic levels.

Building 'belt' offers cheap, quick repair of earthquake damage Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:48 AM PST Four years after the January 2010 earthquake, 145,000 people still remain homeless in Haiti. A cheap and simple technology to repair earthquake damaged buildings could help to reduce these delays by quickly making buildings safe and habitable.

New horizons in radiotherapy? Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Targeted radiation therapy that is less harmful to healthy cells could see the light of day thanks to a team of researchers. Until now, radiotherapy treatments employed to combat cancer used a wide energy range when irradiating biological tissues. By studying at a fundamental level the behavior of molecules subjected to radiation with a carefully chosen energy, the researchers paved the way for tomorrow's radiotherapy treatments, which would not affect as much surrounding tissue and whose total radiation dose would be considerably reduced.

Shoulder replacement eases pain, improves motion in rheumatoid arthritis patients Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Shoulder arthritis is a common problem for rheumatoid arthritis patients: pain and difficulty moving their arms can grow so severe that daily tasks and sleep become difficult. If medication and physical therapy aren't enough, shoulder replacement surgery is a common next step. Despite surgical challenges with some rheumatoid arthritis patients, the procedure improves range of motion and reduces pain in nearly all cases, especially for those with intact rotator cuffs, a study shows.

Postpartum depression improves with time -- but for many women, depressive symptoms linger Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Research evidence shows that symptoms of postpartum depression decrease over time -— but depression remains a long-term problem for 30 to 50 percent of affected women, according to a report.

Viewing macro behaviors of ultra-cold quantum gases through the micro-world Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:09 AM PST Scientists have been able to observed, for the first time, the collective spin dynamics of ultra-cold fermions with large spins.

Safe havens revealed for biodiversity in a changed climate Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:06 AM PST Researchers have found a way to project future habitat locations under climate change, identifying potential safe havens for threatened biodiversity.

Study: At-home test can spot early Alzheimer's Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:06 AM PST Researchers have developed an at-home test that can help doctors spot early symptoms of cognitive issues in their patients, like Alzheimer's disease. The test is cheap, self-administered, and a new study shows, can be just as effective as other costlier and more time-consuming tests. It's called the self-administered gerocognitive examination test.

Freshwater turtles from wetlands can transmit Salmonella to humans Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:05 AM PST Professors have studied 200 specimens of freshwater turtles from eleven Valencian wetland areas, to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter in these animals, because of their potential risk of transmitting gastrointestinal diseases to humans, especially children. According to the results, 11% of the analyzed specimens of freshwater turtles were found positive for Salmonella. However, Campylobacter was not detected in any of them. This is the first study to rule out terrapins as transmitters of campylobacteriosis to humans.

Research breakthrough in understanding hereditary emphysema Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:04 AM PST Researchers have made an important breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of hereditary emphysema. Their research bridges the research-to-treatment gap. The exciting findings show how the protein Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) plays an important role in controlling inflammation from white blood cells and its importance for good health.

Scientific study suggests an association between physical doping and brain doping Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:04 AM PST Physical doping and brain doping apparently often go hand in hand. A new study has revealed that people who engage in physical doping often also take drugs for brain doping. The study was the first of its kind to survey simultaneously the two categories of doping and brain doping.

Study discovers chromosome therapy to correct severe chromosome defect Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST A study used stem cells to correct a defective "ring chromosome" with a normal chromosome. Such therapy has the promise to correct chromosome abnormalities that give rise to birth defects and disabilities.

Solving a 40-year-old mystery, researchers find new route for better brain disorder treatments Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST Scientists have discovered how salt acts as a key regulator for drugs used to treat a variety of brain diseases including chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

High levels of molecular chlorine found in arctic atmosphere Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Scientists studying the atmosphere above Barrow, Alaska, have discovered unprecedented levels of molecular chlorine in the air, a new study reports.

More targeted form of radiation improves survival in patients with head, neck cancers Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Patients with cancers of the head and neck who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) - a technology designed to more precisely target cancer cells and spare nearby tissue - experienced improved outcomes, as well as reduced toxicities, compared to patients receiving conventional radiation therapy, according to new research.

Fear of being too skinny may put teen boys at risk for depression, steroid use Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Teenage boys who think they're too skinny when they are actually a healthy weight are at greater risk of being depressed as teens and as adults when compared to other boys, even those who think they are too heavy, according to findings published.

Study identifies population of stem-like cells where HIV persists in spite of treatment Posted: 12 Jan 2014 05:47 PM PST Now investigators may have found where HIV persists in the bodyin spite of antiviral treatment -- in a small group of recently identified T cells with stem-cell-like properties.

Immune system development linked to leukaemia: Defences against infection can be weaknesses in causing cancer Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:08 PM PST Researchers have discovered that a cellular mechanism that fights off infection is a driving force for a type of childhood leukaemia. In these patients a group of proteins that normally produce antibodies run amok, causing DNA rearrangements in genes involved in cancer development, leading to leukaemia.

Research uncovers key difference between our bodies' fight against viruses and bacteria Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:08 PM PST Scientists have discovered a key difference in the biological mechanisms by which the immune system responds to viral and bacterial pathogens.

Mutation discovery may improve treatment for rare brain tumor type Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:07 PM PST Scientists have identified a mutated gene that causes a type of tenacious, benign brain tumor that can have devastating lifelong effects. Currently, the tumor can only be treated with challenging repeated surgeries and radiation.

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