ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Aging workforce requires new strategies for employee retention
• Fences cause ecological meltdown, study shows
• Researchers design trees that make it easier to produce paper
• Hot mantle drives elevation, volcanism along mid-ocean ridges
• Gravity measurements confirm subsurface ocean on Saturn's moon Enceladus
• Moonwalker flies backing up
• Monster 'El Gordo' galaxy cluster is bigger than thought
• Computer models soybean crop with 8. 5 percent more productivity, using 13 percent less water
• Energy breakthrough uses sun to create solar energy materials
• Sage grouse losing habitat to fire as endangered species decision looms
• Cave-dwelling fish examination finds possible genetic link to human disorders
• Quantum cryptography for mobile phones
• Patient stem cells help identify common problem in ALS
• Hummingbirds' 22-million-year-old history of remarkable change is far from complete
• New study casts doubt on heart regeneration in mammals
• 'Unbreakable' security codes inspired by nature
• Indigenous societies' 'first contact' typically brings collapse, but rebounds are possible
• Tiny wireless sensing device alerts users to telltale vapors remotely
• New approach to detecting changes in GM foods
• Tumor suppressor gene TP53 mutated in 90 percent of most common childhood bone tumor
• Unraveling tangled origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Fermi data tantalize with new clues to dark matter: Gamma rays from center of Milky Way galaxy
• Attracting wild bees to farms is good insurance policy
• Tiny power generator runs on spit
• Nanoparticles cause cancer cells to self-destruct
• Tiny biomolecular tweezers studying force effect of cells
• Brazil is site of the first regional ocean health index
• Chowing down on watermelon could lower blood pressure, study suggests
• Metabolites' role in understanding disease emphasized
• How electrodes charge and discharge: Analysis probes charge transfer in porous battery electrodes for first time
• 'Homo' is the only primate whose tooth size decreases as its brain size increases
• Ultrathin collagen matrix biomaterial tool for 3-D microtissue engineering
• Satellite view of volcanoes finds the link between ground deformation and eruption
• Caucasian Boys Show Highest Prevalence of Color Blindness Among Preschoolers
• Why Arctic ice is disappearing more rapidly than expected: River ice reveals new twist on Arctic melt
• Morning rays keep off pounds
• Large carnivores with large geographic ranges better-studied
• Dinosaur chase reconstructed 70 years after excavation
• Skipping meals may affect butterfly wing size, coloration
• Body odor changes following vaccination
• First blood test to predict risk of sudden cardiac death
• Cardiopulmonary arrest in premature infant after cyclomydril eyedrops
• Running, cardio activities in young adulthood may preserve thinking skills in middle age
• Mitosis and preparing for cell division
• Remotely operated aircraft successfully tested as tool for measuring changes in polar ice sheets
• Researchers open path to finding rare, polarized metals

Aging workforce requires new strategies for employee retention Posted: 03 Apr 2014 12:46 PM PDT As more baby boomers working in state governments reach retirement age, state governments face the likelihood of higher workforce turnover. Such large numbers of retirees could threaten the continuity, membership and institutional histories of the state government workforce. Researchers concluded that states may need to restructure deferred retirement incentives to encourage more employees to remain on the job longer and minimize the disruption to government operations.

Fences cause ecological meltdown, study shows Posted: 03 Apr 2014 12:45 PM PDT Scientists have reviewed the 'pros and cons' of large scale fencing and argue that fencing should only be used as a last resort. Wildlife fences are constructed for a variety of reasons including to prevent the spread of diseases, protect wildlife from poachers, and to help manage small populations of threatened species. Human-wildlife conflict is another common reason for building fences: Wildlife can damage valuable livestock, crops, or infrastructure, some species carry diseases of agricultural concern, and a few threaten human lives. At the same time, people kill wild animals for food, trade, or to defend lives or property, and human activities degrade wildlife habitat. Separating people and wildlife by fencing can appear to be a mutually beneficial way to avoid such detrimental effects.

Researchers design trees that make it easier to produce paper Posted: 03 Apr 2014 11:20 AM PDT Researchers have genetically engineered trees that will be easier to break down to produce paper and biofuel, a breakthrough that will mean using fewer chemicals, less energy and creating fewer environmental pollutants.

Hot mantle drives elevation, volcanism along mid-ocean ridges Posted: 03 Apr 2014 11:20 AM PDT Using data from seismic waves, scientists have shown that temperature deep in Earth's mantle controls the elevation and volcanic activity along mid-ocean ridges, colossal mountain ranges that line the ocean floor. The findings bolster the idea that warm mantle plumes are responsible for 'hot spot' volcanism, and shed new light on how temperature in the depths of the mantle influences the contours of the Earth's crust.

Gravity measurements confirm subsurface ocean on Saturn's moon Enceladus Posted: 03 Apr 2014 11:20 AM PDT In 2005, NASA's Cassini spacecraft sent pictures back to Earth depicting an icy Saturnian moon spewing water vapor and ice from fractures, known as "tiger stripes," in its frozen surface. It was big news that tiny Enceladus -- a mere 500 kilometers in diameter -- was such an active place. Since then, scientists have hypothesized that a large reservoir of water lies beneath that icy surface, possibly fueling the plumes. Now, using gravity measurements collected by Cassini, scientists have confirmed that Enceladus does in fact harbor a large subsurface ocean near its south pole, beneath those tiger stripes.

Moonwalker flies backing up Posted: 03 Apr 2014 11:18 AM PDT A team of researchers managed to isolate "moonwalker flies" in a high-throughput screen. Screening a large collection of fruit flies, the scientists found specimens that seemed locked in reverse gear. Researchers were able to trace these changes in walking direction back to the activity of specific neurons in the brain.

Monster 'El Gordo' galaxy cluster is bigger than thought Posted: 03 Apr 2014 11:18 AM PDT Astronomers have weighed the largest known galaxy cluster in the distant universe and found that it definitely lives up to its nickname: El Gordo (Spanish for "the fat one"). By precisely measuring how much the gravity from the cluster's mass warps images of far-more-distant background galaxies, a team of astronomers has calculated the cluster's mass to be as much as 3 million billion times the mass of our Sun. The Hubble data show that the cluster is roughly 43 percent more massive than earlier estimates based on X-ray and dynamical studies of the unusual cluster.

Computer models soybean crop with 8. 5 percent more productivity, using 13 percent less water Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:23 AM PDT Crops that produce more while using less water seem like a dream for a world with a burgeoning population and already strained resources. This dream is closer to reality for researchers who developed a new computer model to help plant scientists breed better soybean crops. The model predicts a soybean crop with 8.5 percent more productivity, but using 13 percent less water, by breeding for slightly different leaf distribution, angles and reflectivity.

Energy breakthrough uses sun to create solar energy materials Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:23 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a way to tap the sun not only as a source of power, but also to directly produce the solar energy materials that make this possible. This breakthrough could make the sun almost a 'one-stop shop' that produces both the materials for solar devices and the eternal energy to power them.

Sage grouse losing habitat to fire as endangered species decision looms Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:23 AM PDT Wildfire is the predominant cause of habitat loss in the Great Basin. Reseeding burned land to stabilize soils has not restored sagebrush habitat for the endangered greater sage grouse, according to a report. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering protecting the grouse under the Endangered Species act, which could affect the management of 250,000 square miles of land in the western US.

Cave-dwelling fish examination finds possible genetic link to human disorders Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:23 AM PDT Researchers have identified a genetic association with facial asymmetry in an ancient cavefish, a natural trait that may solve mysteries surrounding facial asymmetries in humans -- conditions such as cleft palate or hemifacial microsomia. "By understanding how genes are behaving differently on the right versus the left sides, we hope to discover why many craniofacial alterations are more severe or present on only one side of the face in humans," says Gross.

Quantum cryptography for mobile phones Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:23 AM PDT An ultra-high security scheme that could one day get quantum cryptography using Quantum Key Distribution into mobile devices has been developed and demonstrated. Secure mobile communications underpin our society and through mobile phones, tablets and laptops we have become online consumers. The security of mobile transactions is obscure to most people but is absolutely essential if we are to stay protected from malicious online attacks, fraud and theft.

Patient stem cells help identify common problem in ALS Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:22 AM PDT A recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder, new stem cell research has shown. The researchers are now designing an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

Hummingbirds' 22-million-year-old history of remarkable change is far from complete Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:22 AM PDT The first comprehensive map of hummingbirds' 22-million-year-old family tree -- reconstructed based on careful analysis of 284 of the world's 338 known species -- tells a story of rapid and ongoing diversification. The decade-long study also helps to explain how today's hummingbirds came to live where they do.

New study casts doubt on heart regeneration in mammals Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:22 AM PDT The mammalian heart has generally been considered to lack the ability to repair itself after injury, but a 2011 study in newborn mice challenged this view, providing evidence for complete regeneration after resection of 10 percent of the apex, the lowest part of the heart. In a new study researchers attempted to replicate these recent findings but failed to uncover any evidence of complete heart regeneration in newborn mice that underwent apex resection.

'Unbreakable' security codes inspired by nature Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:21 AM PDT A revolutionary new method of encrypting confidential information has been patented by scientists inspired by their discoveries from human biology, which model how the heart and lungs coordinate their rhythms by passing information between each other.

Indigenous societies' 'first contact' typically brings collapse, but rebounds are possible Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:19 AM PDT A new analysis paints a grim picture of the experiences of indigenous societies following contact with Western Europeans, but also offers hope to those seeking to preserve Brazil's remaining indigenous societies.

Tiny wireless sensing device alerts users to telltale vapors remotely Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:19 AM PDT Researchers have developed a small electronic sensing device that can alert users wirelessly to the presence of chemical vapors in the atmosphere. The technology, which could be manufactured using familiar aerosol-jet printing techniques, is aimed at myriad applications in military, commercial, environmental, healthcare and other areas.

New approach to detecting changes in GM foods Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:19 AM PDT Does genetic manipulation causes unintended changes in food quality and composition? Are genetically modified (GM) foods less nutritious than their non-GM counterparts, or different in unknown ways? Despite extensive cultivation and testing of GM foods, those questions still linger in the minds of many consumers. A new study demonstrates a potentially more powerful approach to answering them.

Tumor suppressor gene TP53 mutated in 90 percent of most common childhood bone tumor Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:19 AM PDT Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 have been found in 90 percent of osteosarcomas, suggesting the alteration plays a key role early in development of the bone cancer. The discovery that TP53 is altered in nearly every osteosarcoma also helps to explain a long-standing paradox in osteosarcoma treatment, which is why at standard doses radiation therapy is largely ineffective against the tumor.

Unraveling tangled origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Posted: 03 Apr 2014 10:17 AM PDT By studying nerve cells that originated in patients with a severe neurological disease, a researcher has pinpointed an error in protein formation that could be the root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes paralysis and death. According to the ALS Association, as many as 30,000 Americans are living with ALS.

Fermi data tantalize with new clues to dark matter: Gamma rays from center of Milky Way galaxy Posted: 03 Apr 2014 09:36 AM PDT A new study of gamma-ray light from the center of our galaxy makes the strongest case to date that some of this emission may arise from dark matter, an unknown substance making up most of the material universe. Using publicly available data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, independent scientists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Chicago have developed new maps showing that the galactic center produces more high-energy gamma rays than can be explained by known sources and that this excess emission is consistent with some forms of dark matter.

Attracting wild bees to farms is good insurance policy Posted: 03 Apr 2014 07:58 AM PDT Investing in habitat that attracts and supports wild bees in farms is not only an effective approach to helping enhance crop pollination, but it can also pay for itself in four years or less, according to research. The paper gives farmers of pollination-dependent crops tangible results to convert marginal acreage to fields of wildflowers.

Tiny power generator runs on spit Posted: 03 Apr 2014 07:58 AM PDT Saliva-powered micro-sized microbial fuel cells can produce minute amounts of energy sufficient to run on-chip applications, according to engineers. Biomedical devices using micro-sized microbial fuel cells would be portable and have their energy source available anywhere.

Nanoparticles cause cancer cells to self-destruct Posted: 03 Apr 2014 07:58 AM PDT Using magnetically controlled nanoparticles to force tumor cells to 'self-destruct' sounds like science fiction, but could be a future part of cancer treatment, according to research. "The clever thing about the technique is that we can target selected cells without harming surrounding tissue. There are many ways to kill cells, but this method is contained and remote-controlled," said one researcher.

Tiny biomolecular tweezers studying force effect of cells Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:55 AM PDT A new type of biomolecular tweezers could help researchers study how mechanical forces affect the biochemical activity of cells and proteins. The devices -- too small to see without a microscope -- use opposing magnetic and electrophoretic forces to precisely stretch the cells and molecules, holding them in position so that the activity of receptors and other biochemical activity can be studied.

Brazil is site of the first regional ocean health index Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT Brazil was the site of the first Ocean Health Index regional assessment designed to evaluate the economic, social and ecological uses and benefits that people derive from the ocean. The index assesses ocean health with respect to the benefits and services it provides to people both now and in the future. Using a scale of 0-100, the index produces scores for each of 10 categories -- Artisanal Fishing Opportunities; Biodiversity; Carbon Storage; Clean Waters; Coastal Protection; Food Provision; Livelihoods & Economies; Natural Products; Sense of Place; and Tourism & Recreation -- referred to as goals.

Chowing down on watermelon could lower blood pressure, study suggests Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT Watermelon could significantly reduce blood pressure in overweight individuals both at rest and while under stress. "The pressure on the aorta and on the heart decreased after consuming watermelon extract," the small study concludes.

Metabolites' role in understanding disease emphasized Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT Over-reliance on genetic-centered approaches in predicting, diagnosing and treating disease will lead to few future scientific breakthroughs, cautioned a researcher who co-authored an article that advocates for a greater emphasis on the body's metabolites in understanding illnesses. "To augment the value of genetic data, the scientific community needs to add additional information from things like metabolomics -- the analysis of metabolites within an organism," said the lead author.

How electrodes charge and discharge: Analysis probes charge transfer in porous battery electrodes for first time Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT A new analysis probes charge transfer in porous battery electrodes for the first time. The electrochemical reactions inside the porous electrodes of batteries and fuel cells have been described by theorists, but never measured directly. Now, scientists have figured out a way to measure the fundamental charge transfer rate -- finding some significant surprises.

'Homo' is the only primate whose tooth size decreases as its brain size increases Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a curious characteristic of the members of the human lineage, classed as the genus Homo: they are the only primates where, throughout their 2.5-million year history, the size of their teeth has decreased in tandem with the increase in their brain size.

Ultrathin collagen matrix biomaterial tool for 3-D microtissue engineering Posted: 03 Apr 2014 06:54 AM PDT A novel ultrathin collagen matrix assembly allows for the unprecedented maintenance of liver cell morphology and function in a microscale 'organ-on-a-chip' device that is one example of 3D microtissue engineering. This technology allows researchers to provide cells with the precise extracellular matrix cues that they require to maintain their differentiated form and liverspecific functions, including albumin and urea production.

Satellite view of volcanoes finds the link between ground deformation and eruption Posted: 03 Apr 2014 05:44 AM PDT Using satellite imagery to monitor which volcanoes are deforming provides statistical evidence of their eruption potential, according to a new study. Volcano deformation and, in particular, uplift are often considered to be caused by magma moving or pressurizing underground. Magma rising towards the surface could be a sign of an imminent eruption. On the other hand, many other factors influence volcano deformation and, even if magma is rising, it may stop short, rather than erupting.

Caucasian Boys Show Highest Prevalence of Color Blindness Among Preschoolers Posted: 03 Apr 2014 05:42 AM PDT The first major study of color blindness in a multi-ethnic group of preschoolers has uncovered that Caucasian male children have the highest prevalence among four major ethnicities, with 1 in 20 testing color blind. Researchers also found that color blindness, or color vision deficiency, in boys is lowest in African-Americans, and confirmed that girls have a much lower prevalence of color blindness than boys.

Why Arctic ice is disappearing more rapidly than expected: River ice reveals new twist on Arctic melt Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:26 PM PDT A new study has discovered unexpected climate-driven changes in the mighty Mackenzie River's ice breakup. This discovery may help resolve the complex puzzle underlying why Arctic ice is disappearing more rapidly than expected.

Morning rays keep off pounds Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:25 PM PDT A surprising new strategy for managing your weight? Bright morning light. People who had most of their daily exposure to bright light in the morning had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those who had most of their light exposure later in the day, reports a new study. The earlier light exposure occurred, the lower the BMI. The influence of morning light on weight was independent of physical activity, caloric intake, sleep timing, age or season.

Large carnivores with large geographic ranges better-studied Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:25 PM PDT Scientists tend to study larger carnivores with larger geographic ranges than those with greater adaptability and broader diets. Scientists need to evaluate research efforts and their effectiveness in order to meet the conservation needs of a wider range of species which may be threatened due to habitat loss, exploitation, and climate change. The characteristics of the species themselves may influence how much we study them, possibly creating a bias in our understanding of this diverse group of animals.

Dinosaur chase reconstructed 70 years after excavation Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:25 PM PDT Scientists digitally reconstructed a model of a dinosaur chase using photos of theropod and sauropod footprints excavated 70 years ago. As one of the most famous set of dinosaur tracks in the world, the Paluxy River tracks contain both theropod and sauropod footprints. American paleontologist Roland Bird originally excavated the extensive and well preserved footprints in 1940 in Texas, but post-excavation, paleontologists removed the tracks from their original location, divided them into blocks, and transported them to various locations around the world.

Skipping meals may affect butterfly wing size, coloration Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:25 PM PDT High food stress may impact wing size and coloration -- both indicators of migratory success -- in monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies migrate long distances according to the seasons every year. Because this requires so much energy, they rely on access to food during early stages of growth so that they can develop the necessary characteristics to safely complete the trek, including appropriate wing shape and coloration.

Body odor changes following vaccination Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:19 PM PDT New research reveals that immunization can trigger a distinct change in body odor. This is the first demonstration of a bodily odor change due to immune activation. "This work provides further evidence that it is possible to use odors to 'eavesdrop' on the immune system, suggesting that non-invasive disease detection may be possible even before the onset of observable symptoms," one of the researchers said.

First blood test to predict risk of sudden cardiac death Posted: 02 Apr 2014 01:24 PM PDT A simple blood test can predict a person's risk for sudden cardiac death, enabling physicians to more quickly and accurately assess a patient's need for an implantable cardiac defibrillator, new research shows. "This is the first test of its kind; never before have clinicians been able to accurately assess a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death by performing a blood test," the lead researcher said.

Cardiopulmonary arrest in premature infant after cyclomydril eyedrops Posted: 02 Apr 2014 01:23 PM PDT Ophthalmologists should be prepared for life-threatening reactions during retinopathy of prematurity screening, new research suggests. "Cardiopulmonary arrest can occur from just instillation of eyedrops in a premature infant seen for ROP in an outpatient setting, and pediatric ophthalmologists should be prepared to handle such an emergency in their office," warns the main author.

Running, cardio activities in young adulthood may preserve thinking skills in middle age Posted: 02 Apr 2014 01:23 PM PDT Young adults who run or participate in other cardio fitness activities may preserve their memory and thinking skills in middle age, according to a new study. Middle age was defined as ages 43 to 55 in this study. "These findings are likely to help us earlier identify and consequently prevent or treat those at high risk of developing dementia," researchers said.

Mitosis and preparing for cell division Posted: 02 Apr 2014 11:04 AM PDT In textbooks, the grand-finale of cell division is the tug-of-war fought inside dividing cells as duplicated pairs of chromosomes get dragged in opposite directions into daughter cells. This process, called mitosis, is visually stunning to observe under a microscope. Equally stunning to cell biologists are the preparatory steps cells take to ensure that the process occurs safely.

Remotely operated aircraft successfully tested as tool for measuring changes in polar ice sheets Posted: 02 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT Scientists studying the behavior of the world's ice sheets -- and the future implications of ice sheet behavior for global sea-level rise -- may soon have a new airborne tool that will allow radar measurements that previously would have been prohibitively expensive or difficult to carry out with manned aircraft.

Researchers open path to finding rare, polarized metals Posted: 02 Apr 2014 09:15 AM PDT Researchers are turning some of the basic tenets of chemistry and physics upside down to cut a trail toward the discovery of a new set of materials. They're called 'polar metals' and, according to many of the scientific principles that govern the behavior of atoms, they probably shouldn't exist.

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