ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term
• Claims that aging wind farms are a bad investment blown away by new research
• Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control, most Africans at high risk of contracting deadly malaria
• Multi-scale simulation software for chemistry research
• Ants build raft to escape flood, protect queen
• Nothing so sweet as a voice like your own, study finds
• Whole genome analysis speeds up: 240 full genomes in 50 hours
• Clutter cutter: Computer modeling used to understand how messy cells contribute to cancer
• The musical brain: Novel study of jazz players shows common brain circuitry processes both music, language
• Does more stress equal more headaches?
• Molecular aberration signals cancer: Role of small non-coding RNAs in protein production, cancer cells
• Seal evolution: Sexual dimorphism in pinnipeds arose around 27 million years ago as climate changed
• Statistics research could build consensus around climate predictions
• Real-time view of battery electrochemistry
• Brain signals move paralyzed limbs in new experiment
• Using holograms to improve electronic devices
• LGBT youth face greater cancer risks, study shows
• Cell therapy shows remarkable ability to eradicate cancer in clinical study
• Huntington's disease: Hot on the trail of misfolded proteins' toxic modus operandi
• Managing chronic bone, joint pain
• Managed honeybees linked to new diseases in wild bees, UK study shows
• Astronomers get first peek into core of supernova, using NuSTAR telescope
• The ups and downs of early atmospheric oxygen
• Impact of head movement on fMRI data shown in new study
• Infants with leukemia inherit susceptibility from parents, study indicates
• Future of computing? A step closer to a photonic future
• Switch That Says It's Time to Sleep Identified
• Dangers of ... sitting? Regardless of exercise, too much sedentary time is linked to major disability after 60
• Workings of working memory revealed
• Newly developed chemical restores light perception to blind mice
• Clouds seen circling supermassive black hole
• Potential solution for feeding, swallowing difficulties in children with digeorge syndrome, autism
• NASA satellites see Arctic surface darkening faster
• Fresh air: Special air filter blocks small particles called UFPs from getting inside cars
• Kinetic battery chargers get a boost
• Making nanoelectronics last longer for medical devices, 'cyborgs'
• Advance in energy storage could speed up development of next-gen electronics
• Better cache management could improve chip performance, cut energy use
• Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered
• Addicted to tanning? People keep tanning despite known risks
• Endangered black-footed ferret and its plague-impacted prey need new conservation approaches
• Protein's role in human memory and learning: Deficiency in SNX27 could explain the learning difficulties in Down's syndrome
• Stratification determines fate of fish stocks in Baltic Sea
• The nose knows in asthma: Nasal tissue samples may advance personalized medicine for asthma
• Most of us have made best memories by age 25
• Dreams, déjà vu and delusions caused by faulty 'reality testing,' research shows
• Could metabolism play a role in epilepsy?
• New study reveals communications potential of graphene
• How stick insects honed friction to grip without sticking
• 'Gravity'-style space debris threat from giant satellite explored
• Clear differences in flagship mobile phones' connection speed
• Gecko-inspired adhesion: Self-cleaning and reliable
• A forgotten model of the universe: Analysis of Einstein's 1931 paper featuring a dynamic model of the universe
• Switching with single photons: Switching effects caused by single photons is a step toward quantum computing
• Family problems experienced in childhood and adolescence affect brain development
• Diamonds in the tail of the scorpion: Star cluster Messier 7
• Understanding heart failure at the cellular level
• Deep freeze in the Great Lakes: Lakes nearly frozen completely for first time in 20 years
• Better way to make sense of 'Big Data?'
• Zebrafish neurons may lead to understanding of birth defects like spina bifida

Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:52 PM PST The synthetic chemicals used in the packaging, storage, and processing of foodstuffs might be harmful to human health over the long term, warn environmental scientists. This is because most of these substances are not inert and can leach into the foods we eat, they say. Despite the fact that some of these chemicals are regulated, people who eat packaged or processed foods are likely to be chronically exposed to low levels of these substances throughout their lives. And far too little is known about their long term impact.

Claims that aging wind farms are a bad investment blown away by new research Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:51 PM PST There has been some debate about whether wind turbines have a more limited shelf-life than other energy technologies. A previous study used a statistical model to estimate that electricity output from wind turbines declines by a third after only ten years of operation. Some opponents of wind power have argued that aging turbine technology could need replacing en masse after as little as ten years, which would make it an unattractive option in economic terms. In a new study, researchers carried out an analysis using local wind speed data from NASA, and showed that the turbines will last their full life of about 25 years before they need to be upgraded.

Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control, most Africans at high risk of contracting deadly malaria Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:51 PM PST Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control in Africa over the past decade, about 57% of the population still live in areas where risk of infection remains moderate to high, according to new research. However, new findings also show that substantial reductions in malaria transmission have been achieved across most of the malaria-endemic countries of Africa between 2000 and 2010, with more than a quarter of the population (around 218 million people) now living in areas with a much lower risk of infection.

Multi-scale simulation software for chemistry research Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:49 PM PST New software greatly expands the types of multi-scale QM/MM (mixed quantum and molecular mechanical) simulations of complex chemical systems that scientists can use to design new drugs, better chemicals, or improved enzymes for biofuels production.

Ants build raft to escape flood, protect queen Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:48 PM PST When facing a flood, ants build rafts and use both the buoyancy of the brood and the recovery ability of workers to minimize injury or death.

Nothing so sweet as a voice like your own, study finds Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:48 PM PST Have you ever noticed that your best friends speak the same way? A new study finds we prefer voices that are similar to our own because they convey a soothing sense of community and social belongingness.

Whole genome analysis speeds up: 240 full genomes in 50 hours Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST Although the time and cost of sequencing the human genome has plummeted, analyzing the 3 billion base pairs of genetic information can take months. Researchers working with Beagle —- one of the world's fastest supercomputers devoted to life sciences —- report they can analyze 240 full genomes in 50 hours.

Clutter cutter: Computer modeling used to understand how messy cells contribute to cancer Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST In a messy house, people use computers to manage paper and photo clutter; companies use computer systems to track their inventory. Researchers are taking a similar approach to cell-molecular inventory control for cancer. They have created computer models, using their programming framework (PySB), which enable them to explore the complex biochemical processes that drive cancer growth.

The musical brain: Novel study of jazz players shows common brain circuitry processes both music, language Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST The brains of jazz musicians engrossed in spontaneous, improvisational musical conversation showed robust activation of brain areas traditionally associated with spoken language and syntax, which are used to interpret the structure of phrases and sentences. But this musical conversation shut down brain areas linked to semantics -- those that process the meaning of spoken language, according to results of a novel study.

Does more stress equal more headaches? Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:27 PM PST A new study provides evidence for what many people who experience headache have long suspected—having more stress in your life leads to more headaches.

Molecular aberration signals cancer: Role of small non-coding RNAs in protein production, cancer cells Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:04 PM PST Scientists have made a discovery that strongly links a little understood molecule, which is similar to DNA, to cancer and cancer survival. While RNA is known to be key to our cells' successful creation of proteins, the role of small non-coding RNAs, a newly discovered cousin of the former, has eluded scientific understanding for the most part. Until now, it was only surmised that most of these molecules had nothing to do with protein production. However, scientists have discovered that many non-coding RNAs are perturbed in cancerous human cells, including breast and lung, in a specific way.

Seal evolution: Sexual dimorphism in pinnipeds arose around 27 million years ago as climate changed Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:04 PM PST Modern pinnipeds (the group that includes seals, sea lions and walruses) show a range of sexual dimorphism (large differences in size between males and females) and mating systems that span the extremes of modern mammals. A new study using the fossil record establishes that sexual dimorphism in pinnipeds, marked by harem-like behavior, arose around 27 million years ago in association with changing climatic conditions. Taken in the modern context of climate change, this research has major implications for the future of the species.

Statistics research could build consensus around climate predictions Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:04 PM PST Vast amounts of data related to climate change are being compiled by researchers worldwide with varying climate projections. This requires combining information across data sets to arrive at a consensus regarding future climate estimates. Scientists propose a statistical hierarchical Bayesian model that consolidates climate change information from observation-based data sets and climate models.

Real-time view of battery electrochemistry Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:03 PM PST Using a new microscopy method, researchers can image and measure electrochemical processes in batteries in real time and at nanoscale resolution. Scientists used a miniature electrochemical liquid cell that is placed in a transmission electron microscope to study an enigmatic phenomenon in lithium-ion batteries called the solid electrolyte interphase.

Brain signals move paralyzed limbs in new experiment Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:32 AM PST To help people suffering paralysis from injury, stroke or disease, scientists have invented brain-machine interfaces that record electrical signals of neurons in the brain and translate them to movement. Usually, that means the neural signals direct a device, like a robotic arm. Researchers are now bringing brain-machine interfaces to the next level: Instead of signals directing a device, they hope to help paralyzed people move their own limb, just by thinking about it.

Using holograms to improve electronic devices Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:26 AM PST Scientists have demonstrated a new type of holographic memory device that could provide unprecedented data storage capacity and data processing capabilities in electronic devices.

LGBT youth face greater cancer risks, study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:26 AM PST A new study has found that youths of same-sex orientation are more likely to engage in behaviors associated with cancer risk than heterosexuals. 12 cancer-risk behaviors included tobacco use, drinking alcohol, early sex, multiple sexual partners, higher body mass index (BMI) and lack of exercise were all studied in a group of young people. The report found that for all 12, sexual minorities were more likely than heterosexuals to engage in the risky behavior.

Cell therapy shows remarkable ability to eradicate cancer in clinical study Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:25 AM PST The largest clinical study ever conducted to date of patients with advanced leukemia found that 88 percent achieved complete remissions after being treated with genetically modified versions of their own immune cells. "These extraordinary results demonstrate that cell therapy is a powerful treatment for patients who have exhausted all conventional therapies," said a senior author. "Our initial findings have held up in a larger cohort of patients, and we are already looking at new clinical studies to advance this novel therapeutic approach in fighting cancer."

Huntington's disease: Hot on the trail of misfolded proteins' toxic modus operandi Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:24 AM PST Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, and their correctly folded three-dimensional structures are critical to cellular functions. Misfolded structures often fail to properly perform these vital jobs, leading to cellular stress and devastating neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease. Researchers are now gaining a better understanding of the relationship between protein misfolding, aggregation and cell toxicity.

Managing chronic bone, joint pain Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST Musculoskeletal pain of the bone, joint and muscles is one of the most common reasons for primary care visits in the United States. Chronic pain, or pain that persists beyond an expected period of healing, is estimated to affect 100 million Americans. The majority of chronic pain complaints concern the musculoskeletal system, but they also include headaches and abdominal pain. A new article outlines some ways for people to manage this wide-spread problem.

Managed honeybees linked to new diseases in wild bees, UK study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST Diseases that are common in managed honeybee colonies are now widespread in the UK's wild bumblebees, according to new research. The study suggests that some diseases are being driven into wild bumblebee populations from managed honeybees.

Astronomers get first peek into core of supernova, using NuSTAR telescope Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST Astronomers have peered for the first time into the heart of an exploding star in the final minutes of its existence. The feat by the high-energy X-ray satellite NuSTAR provides details of the physics of the core explosion inaccessible until now, says team member Steven Boggs of UC Berkeley. NuSTAR mapped radioactive titanium in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, which has expanded outward and become visible from Earth since the central star exploded in 1671.

The ups and downs of early atmospheric oxygen Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST The period of extended low oxygen spanning from roughly two to less than one billion years ago was a time of remarkable chemical stability in the Earth's ocean and atmosphere. Biogeochemists report that oxygen was much lower than previously thought during this important middle chapter in Earth history, which likely explains the low abundances and diversity of eukaryotic organisms and the absence of animals.

Impact of head movement on fMRI data shown in new study Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Discarding data from subjects with multiple sclerosis who exhibit head movement during functional magnetic resonance imaging may bias sampling away from subjects with lower cognitive ability, new research has shown. Because head movement during fMRI degrades data quality, data associated with severe movement is frequently discarded as a source of random error, and these authors note that it is important for researchers to be aware of this potential bias.

Infants with leukemia inherit susceptibility from parents, study indicates Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Babies who develop leukemia during the first year of life appear to inherit an unfortunate combination of genetic variations that may make the infants highly susceptible to the disease, according to a new study. Doctors have long puzzled over why it is that babies just a few months old sometimes develop cancer. As infants, they have not lived long enough to accumulate a critical number of cancer-causing mutations. The babies appear to have inherited rare genetic variants from both parents that by themselves would not cause problems, but in combination put the infants at high risk of leukemia. These variants most often occurred in genes known to be linked to leukemia in children.

Future of computing? A step closer to a photonic future Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST The future of computing may lie not in electrons, but in photons -- in microprocessors that use light instead of electrical signals. But these photonic devices are typically built using customized methods that make them difficult and expensive to manufacture. Now, engineers have demonstrated that low power photonic devices can be fabricated using standard chip-making processes. The team dubs this a major milestone in photonic technology.

Switch That Says It's Time to Sleep Identified Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST The switch in the brain that sends us off to sleep has been identified in a study in fruit flies. The switch works by regulating the activity of a handful of sleep-promoting nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. The neurons fire when we're tired and need sleep, and dampen down when we're fully rested. Although the research was carried out in fruit flies, or Drosophila, the scientists say the sleep mechanism is likely to be relevant to humans.

Dangers of ... sitting? Regardless of exercise, too much sedentary time is linked to major disability after 60 Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST If you're 60 and older, every additional hour a day you spend sitting is linked to doubling the risk of being disabled -- regardless of how much exercise you get, reports a new study. The study is the first to show sedentary behavior is its own risk factor for disability, separate from lack of moderate vigorous physical activity. In fact, sedentary behavior is almost as strong a risk factor for disability as lack of exercise.

Workings of working memory revealed Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Cognitive scientists have identified specific brain regions that work together to allow us to choose from among the options we store in working memory. Keep this in mind: Scientists say they've learned how your brain plucks information out of working memory when you decide to act. Say you're a busy mom trying to wrap up a work call now that you've arrived home. While you converse on your Bluetooth headset, one kid begs for an unspecified snack, another asks where his homework project has gone, and just then an urgent e-mail from your boss buzzes the phone in your purse. During the call's last few minutes these urgent requests -- snack, homework, boss -- wait in your working memory. When you hang up, you'll pick one and act.

Newly developed chemical restores light perception to blind mice Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Progressive degeneration of photoreceptors -- the rods and cones of the eyes -- causes blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. While there are currently no available treatments to reverse this degeneration, a newly developed compound allows other cells in the eye to act like photoreceptors. The compound may be a potential drug candidate for treating patients suffering from degenerative retinal disorders.

Clouds seen circling supermassive black hole Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:46 AM PST Astronomers see huge clouds of gas orbiting supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies. Once thought to be a relatively uniform, fog-like ring, the accreting matter instead forms clumps dense enough to intermittently dim the intense radiation blazing forth as these enormous objects condense and consume matter.

Potential solution for feeding, swallowing difficulties in children with digeorge syndrome, autism Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:45 AM PST Research reveals new information on the pathogenesis of feeding and swallowing difficulties often found in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and intellectual disability.

NASA satellites see Arctic surface darkening faster Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:51 AM PST The retreat of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is diminishing Earth's albedo, or reflectivity, by an amount considerably larger than previously estimated, according to a new study that uses data from instruments that fly aboard several NASA satellites.

Fresh air: Special air filter blocks small particles called UFPs from getting inside cars Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:34 AM PST While taking in the scenery during long road trips, passengers also may be taking in potentially harmful ultrafine particles that come into the car through outdoor air vents. Closing the vents reduces ultrafine particles, but causes exhaled carbon dioxide to build up. Now, scientists report that installing a newly developed high-efficiency cabin air filter could reduce ultrafine particle exposure by 93 percent and keep carbon dioxide levels low.

Kinetic battery chargers get a boost Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:34 AM PST New technology to capture the kinetic energy of our everyday movements, such as walking, and to convert it into electrical energy has come a step closer. Researchers have for many years attempted to harvest energy from our everyday movements to allow us to trickle charge electronic devices while we are walking without the need for expensive and cumbersome gadgets such as solar panels or hand-cranked chargers. Lightweight devices are limited in the voltage that they can produce from our low-frequency movements to a few millivolts. However, this is not sufficient to drive electrons through a semiconductor diode so that a direct current can be tapped off and used to charge a device, even a low-power medical implant, for instance. Now all that is about to change.

Making nanoelectronics last longer for medical devices, 'cyborgs' Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:54 AM PST The debut of cyborgs who are part human and part machine may be a long way off, but researchers say they now may be getting closer. Scientists have now developed a coating that makes nanoelectronics much more stable in conditions mimicking those in the human body. The advance could also aid in the development of very small implanted medical devices for monitoring health and disease.

Advance in energy storage could speed up development of next-gen electronics Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:54 AM PST Electronics are getting smaller all the time, but there's a limit to how tiny they can get with today's materials. Researchers now say, however, that they have developed a way to shrink capacitors -- key components that store energy -- even further, which could accelerate the development of more compact, high-performance next-gen devices.

Better cache management could improve chip performance, cut energy use Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:23 AM PST Cleverer management of the local memory banks known as 'caches' could improve computer chips' performance while reducing their energy consumption. Computer chips keep getting faster because transistors keep getting smaller. But the chips themselves are as big as ever, so data moving around the chip, and between chips and main memory, has to travel just as far. As transistors get faster, the cost of moving data becomes, proportionally, a more severe limitation.

Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:23 AM PST Researchers have developed a biologic drug that would prevent the production of a protein known to allow ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively while being resistant to chemotherapy. This would improve treatment and survival rates for some women. "This is a tremendous discovery and could mean the difference between life or death for some women with ovarian cancer. This research is ground-breaking in the area of ovarian cancer." says one chief of obstetrics and gynecology.

Addicted to tanning? People keep tanning despite known risks Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:22 AM PST Some people keep tanning, even after turning a deep brown and experiencing some of the negative consequences. Skin cancer is among the most common, preventable types of the disease, yet many continue to tan to excess. New research shows that some who engage in excessive tanning may also be suffering from obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorders (BDD). Researchers also looked at whether tanning should be classified as an addiction.

Endangered black-footed ferret and its plague-impacted prey need new conservation approaches Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:22 AM PST The black-footed ferret is one of the most endangered mammals in North America, but new research suggests that these charismatic critters can persist if conservationists think big enough.

Protein's role in human memory and learning: Deficiency in SNX27 could explain the learning difficulties in Down's syndrome Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST Scientists have identified the precise role of the protein, SNX27, in the pathway leading to memory and learning impairment. The study broadens the understanding of the brain's memory function and could be used to explain defects in the cognitive development of those with Down's syndrome. The newly established knowledge could potentially facilitate exploration of strategies to improve memory and learning abilities in Down's syndrome.

Stratification determines fate of fish stocks in Baltic Sea Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST In the Baltic Sea, two cod stocks evolve independently. The young fish of two economically important flatfish species, flounder and plaice, live within limited space, possibly due to the different salinity within this inland sea. Scientists explain how these hydrographic conditions affect the distribution of fish eggs and growth of economically important fish stocks. The findings are relevant for fisheries management since they show that the individual stocks of a species do not necessarily benefit from each other, and -- for example -- that one stock cannot recover from overfishing with the help of the other. Regulations must therefore take into account local specifics, and the monitoring of fish stocks in their various stages of life.

The nose knows in asthma: Nasal tissue samples may advance personalized medicine for asthma Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST It has become increasingly clear in recent years that asthma comes in several variations, with different causes, different pathologies and different responses to therapy. These subtypes of asthma can be identified by knowing which genes are expressed at higher and lower levels in patients' airways. That information can, in turn, help guide personalized treatment to more effectively manage asthma and inspire research to better understand, manage and possibly prevent asthma. Nasal tissue samples may make genetic profiles of asthmatic patients more a more common and valuable tool to personalize therapy and guide research.

Most of us have made best memories by age 25 Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:53 AM PST By the time most people are 25, they have made the most important memories of their lives, according to new research.

Dreams, déjà vu and delusions caused by faulty 'reality testing,' research shows Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:53 AM PST New research has delved into the reasons why some people are unable to break free of their delusions, despite overwhelming evidence explaining the delusion isn't real.

Could metabolism play a role in epilepsy? Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:53 AM PST Researchers are exploring a possible link between metabolic defects and seizures. They determined that diet could influence susceptibility to seizures, and they have identified a common diabetes drug that could be useful in treating disorders such as epilepsy. This connection was made in the lab by measuring fruit fly movement with inexpensive web-cams. While there is no known trigger behind seizures in people with epilepsy, the researchers are using their drug-screening technique to investigate potential metabolic causes—using genetically modified, seizure-prone flies.

New study reveals communications potential of graphene Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:57 AM PST Providing secure wireless connections and improving the efficiency of communication devices could be another application for graphene. Often touted as a wonder material, graphene is a one-atom thick layer of carbon with remarkable, record breaking properties. Until now its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation -- energy from across the radio frequency spectrum -- was not known.

How stick insects honed friction to grip without sticking Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:54 AM PST When they're not hanging upside down, stick insects don't need to stick. In fact, when moving upright, sticking would be a hindrance: so much extra effort required to 'unstick' again with every step.

'Gravity'-style space debris threat from giant satellite explored Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:54 AM PST Physics students have pointed out that the huge observational satellite Envisat -- which lost contact with Earth in 2012 -- could potentially pose a threat similar to the events which plague Sandra Bullock in the Oscar-nominated sci-fi thriller Gravity.

Clear differences in flagship mobile phones' connection speed Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:54 AM PST Flagship models of Apple, LG, Samsung and Nokia phones provide users with remarkably different mobile network connection speed compared to each other. According to Netradar, a free mobile application to measure mobile connections and devices, there are remarkable differences in the connection speed between different models.

Gecko-inspired adhesion: Self-cleaning and reliable Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST Geckos outclass adhesive tapes in one respect: Even after repeated contact with dirt and dust do their feet perfectly adhere to smooth surfaces. Researchers have now developed the first adhesive tape that does not only adhere to a surface as reliably as the toes of a gecko, but also possesses similar self-cleaning properties. Using such a tape, food packagings or bandages might be opened and closed several times.

A forgotten model of the universe: Analysis of Einstein's 1931 paper featuring a dynamic model of the universe Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST Researchers have provided the first English translation and an analysis of one of Albert Einstein's little-known papers, "On the cosmological problem of the general theory of relativity." Published in 1931, it features a forgotten model of the universe, while refuting Einstein's own earlier static model of 1917. In this paper, Einstein introduces a cosmic model in which the universe undergoes an expansion followed by a contraction. This interpretation contrasts with the monotonically expanding universe of the widely known Einstein-de Sitter model of 1932.

Switching with single photons: Switching effects caused by single photons is a step toward quantum computing Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST The idea to perform data processing with light, without relying on any electronic components, has been around for quite some time. In fact, necessary components such as optical transistors are available. However, up to now they have not gained a lot of attention from computer companies. This could change in the near future as packing densities of electronic devices as well as clock frequencies of electronic computers are about to reach their limits. Optical techniques promise a high bandwidth and low dissipation power, in particular, if only faint light pulses are needed to achieve the effect of switching. The ultimate limit is a gate-pulse that contains one photon only. A team of scientists has now managed to bring this almost utopian task into reality. The scientists succeeded in switching a medium -- a cloud of about 200 ultracold atoms -- from being transparent to being opaque for light pulses. This "single-photon-switch" could be the first step in the development of a quantum logic gate, an essential component in the field of quantum information processing.

Family problems experienced in childhood and adolescence affect brain development Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST New research has revealed that exposure to common family problems during childhood and early adolescence affects brain development, which could lead to mental health issues in later life. The study used brain imaging technology to scan teenagers aged 17-19. It found that those who experienced mild to moderate family difficulties between birth and 11 years of age had developed a smaller cerebellum, an area of the brain associated with skill learning, stress regulation and sensory-motor control. The researchers also suggest that a smaller cerebellum may be a risk indicator of psychiatric disease later in life, as it is consistently found to be smaller in virtually all psychiatric illnesses.

Diamonds in the tail of the scorpion: Star cluster Messier 7 Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST A new image shows the bright star cluster Messier 7. Easily spotted with the naked eye close to the tail of the constellation of Scorpius, it is one of the most prominent open clusters of stars in the sky, making it an important astronomical research target.

Understanding heart failure at the cellular level Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:51 AM PST Scientists have provided an unprecedented glimpse of what happens to the heart during an "infarction" -- a heart attack -- by looking at how the attack affects electrical activity and calcium release in heart cells.

Deep freeze in the Great Lakes: Lakes nearly frozen completely for first time in 20 years Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:51 AM PST Lake Superior is more than 90 percent iced over, and experts say it may be covered completely before winter's end. Someone has proposed a hike across Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron and Lake Erie are 95 percent frozen. But even without 100 percent ice cover, the icy lakes are having a major effect on the environment around them, from contributing to weather patterns and temperatures, to changing the fish stock within them.

Better way to make sense of 'Big Data?' Posted: 18 Feb 2014 03:51 PM PST Big data is everywhere, and we are constantly told that it holds the answers to almost any problem we want to solve. But simply having lots of data is not the same as understanding it. New mathematical tools are needed to extract meaning from enormous data sets. Researchers now challenge the most recent advances in this field, using a classic mathematical concept to tackle the outstanding problems in big data analysis.

Zebrafish neurons may lead to understanding of birth defects like spina bifida Posted: 18 Feb 2014 03:51 PM PST Using zebrafish, scientists can determine how individual neurons develop, mature and support basic functions like breathing, swallowing and jaw movement. Researchers say that learning about neuronal development and maturation in zebrafish could lead to a better understanding of birth defects such as spina bifida in humans. The zebrafish, a tropical freshwater fish similar to a minnow and native to the southeastern Himalayan region, is well established as a key tool for researchers studying human diseases, including brain disorders.

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