الخميس، 4 ديسمبر 2014

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News

Buckyballs enhance carbon capture

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 02:18 PM PST

Amines bound by buckyballs can absorb carbon dioxide from emissions at industrial plants and at natural gas wells, according to new research. Tests from one to 50 atmospheric pressures showed the newly developed compound captured a fifth of its weight in carbon dioxide but no measurable amount of methane.

Ever tried a 'laser delicious' apple? Laser biospeckle method to harvest fruits at precise peak in ripeness

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 02:18 PM PST

The ability to detect when to harvest "climacteric" fruits -- such as apples, bananas, pears and tomatoes -- at the precise moment to ensure "peak edibleness" in terms of both taste and texture may soon be within reach for farmers, thanks to new work.

Brain injury researchers find retrieval practice improves memory in youth with tbi

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 01:11 PM PST

Brain injury researchers have identified retrieval practice as a useful strategy for improving memory among children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury, researchers have found. Difficulties with memory and learning are common after TBI in childhood. To improve academic achievement and long-term outcomes such as employment, effective neurorehabilitative strategies need to be identified, they note.

How red wine prevents cancer

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 01:11 PM PST

'Alcohol damages cells and resveratrol kills damaged cells,' says a scientist who studied red wine and its relationship to preventing cancer. "Alcohol bombards your genes. Your body has ways to repair this damage, but with enough alcohol eventually some damage isn't fixed. That's why excessive alcohol use is a factor in head and neck cancer. Now, resveratrol challenges these cells -- the ones with unrepaired DNA damage are killed, so they can't go on to cause cancer. Alcohol damages cells and resveratrol kills damaged cells," he says.

Laser sniffs out toxic gases from afar: System can ID chemicals in atmosphere from a kilometer away

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 01:11 PM PST

Scientists have developed a way to sniff out tiny amounts of toxic gases -- a whiff of nerve gas, for example, or a hint of a chemical spill -- from up to one kilometer away. The new remote sensing technology can discriminate one type of gas from another with greater specificity than most -- even in complex mixtures of similar chemicals -- and under normal atmospheric pressure, something that wasn't thought possible before.

Toxin from tobacco smoke could increase pain in spinal cord injury

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 01:11 PM PST

A neurotoxin called acrolein found in tobacco smoke that is thought to increase pain in people with spinal cord injury has now been shown to accumulate in mice exposed to the equivalent of 12 cigarettes daily over a short time period.

Beer, beef and politics: Findings at viking archaeological site show power trumping practicality

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 01:10 PM PST

Vikings are known for raiding and trading, but those who settled in Iceland centuries ago spent more time producing and feasting on booze and beef — in part to gain political clout in a place very different from their homeland, says an archaeologist.

Arabian sea humpback whales isolated for 70,000 years

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 12:18 PM PST

Scientists have made a fascinating discovery in the northern Indian Ocean: humpback whales inhabiting the Arabian Sea are the most genetically distinct humpback whales in the world and may be the most isolated whale population on earth. The results suggest they have remained separate from other humpback whale populations for perhaps 70,000 years, extremely unusual in a species famed for long distance migrations.

Brain network detected that gives humans superior reasoning skills

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:26 AM PST

When it comes to getting out of a tricky situation, we humans have an evolutionary edge over other primates. Scientists have found mounting brain evidence that helps explain how humans have excelled at 'relational reasoning,' a cognitive skill in which we discern patterns and relationships to make sense of seemingly unrelated information.

Protect the world's deltas, experts urge

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:26 AM PST

Extensive areas of the world's deltas -- which accommodate some of the world's major cities -- will be drowned in the next century by rising sea levels, according to new work. A geologist calls for maintenance efforts to be started now to avert the loss of vast expanses of coastline, and the consequent losses of ecological services, economic and social crises, and large-scale migrations.

Koalas selective about eucalyptus leaves at mealtime: Koalas selected leaves with more nitrogen, fewer toxins

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:25 AM PST

Koala population distribution may be influenced by eucalyptus leaf toxin and nutrient content, especially in areas with low-quality food options.

Lethal control of wolves backfires on livestock

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:25 AM PST

Researchers have found that it is counter-productive to kill wolves to keep them from preying on livestock. Shooting and trapping lead to more dead sheep and cattle the following year, not fewer. Wildlife biologists say that, for each wolf killed, the odds of more livestock depredations increase significantly.

Atomic-level view provides new insight into translation of touch into nerve signals

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:25 AM PST

The sensation of touch starts as mechanical force that is transformed into an electrical signal. Tiny channels in neurons help formulate that signal, but scientists know little of the details of how these channels work. New research has revealed that one such channel in humans uses a never-before-seen mechanism.

Oldest ever engraving discovered on 500,000-year-old shell

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:24 AM PST

Homo erectus on Java was already using shells of freshwater mussels as tools half a million years ago, and as a 'canvas' for an engraving. The discovery of an engraved geometrical pattern on one of the shells came as a total surprise. The zig zag pattern, that can only be seen with oblique lighting, is clearly older than the weathering processes on the shell arising from fossilization.

World’s fastest 2-D camera, 100 billion frames per second, may enable new scientific discoveries

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 11:24 AM PST

A team of biomedical engineers has developed the world's fastest receive-only 2-D camera, a device that can capture events up to 100 billion frames per second.

Mapping human disease: 'Not all pathogens are everywhere'

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:53 AM PST

For the first time, researchers have mapped human disease-causing pathogens, dividing the world into a number of regions where similar diseases occur. The findings show that the world can be separated into seven regions for vectored human diseases -- diseases that are spread by pests, like mosquito-borne malaria -- and five regions for non-vectored diseases, like cholera.

Tinkering with the Tao of pandas

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:53 AM PST

Good news on the panda front: Turns out they're not quite as delicate -- and picky -- as thought. Up until now, information gleaned from 30 years worth of scientific literature suggested that pandas were inflexible about habitat. Those conclusions morphed into conventional wisdom and thus have guided policy in China. But a new researcher has led a deep dive into aggregate data and emerged with evidence that the endangered animal is more resilient and flexible than previously believed.

Low-grade waste heat regenerates ammonia battery

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:53 AM PST

An efficient method to harvest low-grade waste heat as electricity may be possible using reversible ammonia batteries, according to engineers. Low-grade waste heat is an artifact of many energy-generating methods. In automobiles, waste heat generated in winter is diverted to run the vehicle heating system, but in the summer, that same waste heat must be dissipated to the environment.

Geckos are sticky without effort: Death has no impact on strength geckos use to adhere to surfaces

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:53 AM PST

Scientists have studied a variety of features in geckos such as the adhesive toe pads on the underside of the feet with which geckos attach to surfaces with remarkable strength. Biologists have now conducted experiments in the lab on live and dead geckos that show, for the first time, that dead geckos can adhere to surfaces with the same strength as living geckos. The research could have applications in the field of robotics.

Clothes that can monitor, transmit biomedical info developed

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:51 AM PST

Smart textiles are able to monitor and transmit wearers' biomedical information via wireless or cellular networks, developers report. This technological breakthrough clears a path for a host of new developments for people suffering from chronic diseases, elderly people living alone, and even firemen and police officers.

Extraordinary throughput at supercomputing conference

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:48 AM PST

Computer scientists moved 65 terabytes of data in under just 100 minutes at a recent supercomputing conference.

'Mirage Earth' exoplanets may have burned away chances for life

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 09:48 AM PST

Planets orbiting close to low-mass stars — easily the most common stars in the universe — are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. But new research led by an astronomy graduate student indicates some such planets may have long since lost their chance at hosting life because of intense heat during their formative years.

Managing reefs to benefit coastal communities

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:12 AM PST

Coral reefs provide a range of benefits, such as food, opportunities for income and education, but not everyone has the same access to them, according to a new study.

A glimmer of hope for corals as baby reef builders cope with acidifying oceans

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:12 AM PST

While the threat of coral bleaching as a result of climate change poses a serious risk to the future of coral reefs worldwide, new research has found that some baby corals may be able to cope with the negative effects of ocean acidification.

New molecules to burst malaria's bubble

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:12 AM PST

Scientists have released details of a raft of new chemicals with potent anti-malarial properties which could open the way to new drugs to fight malaria. Over 200 million people contract malaria each year, and the parasite that causes the disease has become resistant to most of the drugs currently available. The papers show the malaria parasite has real Achilles heel, and we now have range of new ways to attack it.

Fractal geometry: Finding the simple patterns in a complex world

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:12 AM PST

A mathematician has developed a new way to uncover simple patterns that might underlie apparently complex systems, such as clouds, cracks in materials or the movement of the stockmarket. The method, named fractal Fourier analysis, is based on new branch of mathematics called fractal geometry. The method could help scientists better understand the complicated signals that the body gives out, such as nerve impulses or brain waves.

Toward a low-cost 'artificial leaf' that produces clean hydrogen fuel

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:11 AM PST

For years, scientists have been pursuing 'artificial leaf' technology, a green approach to making hydrogen fuel that copies plants' ability to convert sunlight into a form of energy they can use. Now, one team reports progress toward a stand-alone system that lends itself to large-scale, low-cost production. They created a nanowire mesh design.

Novel approach to treating asthma: Neutralize the trigger

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:11 AM PST

Current asthma treatments can alleviate wheezing, coughing and other symptoms felt by millions of Americans every year, but they don't get to the root cause of the condition. Now, for the first time, scientists are reporting a new approach to defeating asthma by targeting the trigger -- the allergen -- before it can spark an attack.

Gut bacteria from a worm can degrade plastic

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:11 AM PST

Plastic is well-known for sticking around in the environment for years without breaking down, contributing significantly to litter and landfills. But scientists have now discovered that bacteria from the guts of a worm known to munch on food packaging can degrade polyethylene, the most common plastic.The finding could lead to new ways to help get rid of the otherwise persistent waste, the scientists say.

Space travel is a bit safer than expected

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:11 AM PST

Analysis of data from the MATROSHKA experiment, the first comprehensive measurements of long-term exposure of astronauts to cosmic radiation, has now been completed. This experiment, carried out on board and outside of the International Space Station, showed that the cosmos may be less hostile to space travelers than expected.

People conceived during Dutch famine have altered regulation of growth genes

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:09 AM PST

Individuals conceived in the severe Dutch Famine may have adjusted to this horrendous period of World War II by making adaptations to how active their DNA is. Genes involved in growth and development were differentially regulated, according to researchers. Extensive research on the DNA of these children shows that the regulatory systems of their growth genes were altered, which may also explain why they may be at higher risk for metabolic disease in later life.

Human influence important factor in possible global and UK temperature records

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 08:08 AM PST

Early figures show 2014 is on course to be one of, if not the warmest year on record both globally and for the UK.

Taming neural excitations: Pulses might one day lead to controlling harmful signals such as those in strokes

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 07:01 AM PST

What do lasers, neural networks, and spreading epidemics have in common? They share a most basic feature whereby an initial pulse can propagate through a medium - be it physical, biological or socio-economic, respectively. The challenge is to gain a better understanding - and eventually control - of such systems, allowing them to be applied, for instance to real neural systems. This is the objective of a new theoretical study.

Chemo effect on brain cells pinpointed; potential link to autism

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

Scientists discovered how the chemo drug topotecan affects individual neurons to potentially cause "chemo fog." A similar long-term affect in the developing brain could trigger autism. "There's still a question in the cancer field about the degree to which some chemotherapies get into the brain," said a co-senior author of the paper. "But in our experiments, we show that if they do get in, they can have a dramatic effect on synaptic function. We think drug developers should be aware of this when testing their next generation of topoisomerase inhibitors."

Movements Help Measure Child Sleep Problems

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

Light has been shed on the complexities of child sleep, and could lead to improved diagnosis of children with sleep-related breathing problems. "Quality sleep is extremely important for children, especially at critical times of development. It can impact on the health of the brain and plays a key role in language development, for example. Poor quality sleep can result in reduced IQ, school performance and can impact overall quality of life," says the lead author.

Macho stereotypes put off men as well as women

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:43 AM PST

Some men are being driven away from macho occupations like surgery and the Royal Marines because they don't feel that they are 'man enough', according to new research.

Carbon dioxide warming effects felt just a decade after being emitted

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:43 AM PST

It takes just 10 years for a single emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) to have its maximum warming effects on the Earth. This is according to researchers who have dispelled a common misconception that the main warming effects from a CO2 emission will not be felt for several decades.

Overweight and obesity in pregnancy linked to greater risk of infant death

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:42 AM PST

Overweight and obesity in early pregnancy are associated with increased risks of infant mortality, with the greatest risks seen among severely obese mothers, finds a study.

Mediterranean diet linked to longer life

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:42 AM PST

Eating a Mediterranean diet might help extend your lifespan, suggests a study. The diet appears to be associated with longer telomere length -- an established marker of slower aging.

Study of deadly bat disease finds surprising seasonal pattern of infections

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:41 AM PST

The deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome has spread to bat colonies throughout eastern North America over the past seven years, causing bat populations to crash, with several species now at risk of extinction. The devastating impact of this disease is due in part to the seasonal dynamics of infection and transmission, according to a new study.

Brain study uncovers new clues on how cues may affect memory

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:40 AM PST

The brain activity prior to seeing an item is related to how well it is later remembered, a new study shows. Moreover, researchers also found that the activity in different areas of the brain was unexpectedly related to how the information was remembered.

Computer model enables design of complex DNA shapes

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:40 AM PST

Biological engineers have created a new computer model that allows them to design the most complex three-dimensional DNA shapes ever produced, including rings, bowls, and geometric structures such as icosahedrons that resemble viral particles.

Many chest X-rays in children are unnecessary

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:40 AM PST

Some children are receiving chest X-rays that may be unnecessary and offer no clinical benefit to the patient, according to a new study. "Chest X-rays can be a valuable exam when ordered for the correct indications," said a radiologist. "However, there are several indications where pediatric chest X-rays offer no benefit and likely should not be performed to decrease radiation dose and cost."

Substantial improvement in England, Wales cancer survival over 40 years overshadowed by low survival for brain, stomach, lung, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:39 AM PST

However, although some cancers have a good prognosis, the outlook for others remains extremely poor. For example, while 98% of men with testicular cancer survive from their cancer for at least a decade after diagnosis, up from 69% 40 years ago, just 1% of pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed today are expected to survive from their cancer 10 years.

Animal welfare could be improved by new understanding of their emotions

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:39 AM PST

New research looking at how goats express subtle positive emotions could lead to greater understanding of animal welfare. While there has been a great deal of research into negative emotions and stress in animals it is often hard for those who work with animals to know when they are in more subtle positive states.

Colorful nano-guides to the liver

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:39 AM PST

Highly specific nanoparticles have been produced by scientists. Depending on the bound dye the particles are guided to the liver or to the kidney and deliver their payload of active ingredients directly to the targeted tissue. Moreover, the dyes enable the tracking of the transport processes by intravital microscopy or, in a non-invasive way, by multi spectral optoacoustic tomography. The reduction of cholesterol production induced by siRNA served as the proof-of-principle for the developed method.

Astronomers detect atomic hydrogen emission in galaxies at record breaking distances

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:38 AM PST

Using the world's largest radio telescope, astronomers have detected the faint signal emitted by atomic hydrogen gas in galaxies three billion light years from Earth, breaking the previous record distance by 500 million light years.

Smart anti-icing system for rotor blades

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:38 AM PST

In very cold climate zones, the wind can blow with tremendous force. But wind turbines have rarely been built in these regions up to now. The risk of ice formation on the rotor blades is just too high. But now, an energy-efficient heating system frees these turbines from the ice in a matter of seconds. It is only switched on when water freezes.

New study explains the role of oceans in 'global warming hiatus'

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:37 AM PST

New research shows that ocean heat uptake across three oceans is the likely cause of the 'warming hiatus' – the current decade-long slowdown in global surface warming. Using data from a range of state-of-the-art ocean and atmosphere models, the research shows that the increased oceanic heat drawdown in the equatorial Pacific, North Atlantic and Southern Ocean basins has played a significant role in the hiatus.

You can hear the coral reefs dying, experts say

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:37 AM PST

You can hear the sound of former bustling coral reefs dying due to the impact of human activity, according to new research. Scientists have found that coral reefs impacted by human activity, such as overfishing, are much quieter than protected reefs, which can have a big impact on the fish and invertebrates which rely on the reefs for survival.

Mapping the interactome: Proteomics reveals the E-cadherin interaction network

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:37 AM PST

Researchers have comprehensively described the network of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesions, or the cadherin interactome. Many biological processes depend on the ability of cells to stick to one another. The formation of multicellular organisms and precise embryonic development rely on this property, as does the maintenance of healthy tissue.

Better detection, prevention, and pre-clinical treatment: Three effective tools in the fight against Alzheimer's

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:36 AM PST

Detection, prevention, and preclinical treatment are three key areas that may make a difference in the battle to reduce the rapid rise of new Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases every year. These three topics are the focus of a new journal supplement.

Chemotherapy can complicate immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:36 AM PST

Immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy is becoming more prevalent. However, in breast cancer patients undergoing simultaneous chemotherapy, thrombotic complications can arise that can delay or significantly modify reconstructive plans. Outcomes of cases illustrating potential complications are published in a new article.

Not all induced pluripotent stem cells are made equal

Posted: 03 Dec 2014 05:36 AM PST

Human stem cells made from adult donor cells "remember" where they came from and that's what they prefer to become again. This means the type of cell obtained from an individual patient to make pluripotent stem cells, determines what can be best done with them.

West Antarctic melt rate has tripled in last decade

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 03:33 PM PST

A comprehensive, 21-year analysis of the fastest-melting region of Antarctica has found that the melt rate of glaciers there has tripled during the last decade.

Unlike people, monkeys aren't fooled by expensive brands

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 03:33 PM PST

In at least one respect, Capuchin monkeys are smarter than humans -- they don't assume a higher price tag means better quality, according to a new study.

New path of genetic research: Scientists uncover four-stranded elements of maize DNA

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 03:32 PM PST

Researchers have identified DNA elements in maize that could affect the expression of hundreds or thousands of genes. The general public thinks of DNA as two connected strands known as the double helix. But scientists also discovered over the years that those strands regularly separate so they can replicate the genetic material. That material can also twist into different shapes such as a G-quadruplex.

Powerful new technique simultaneously determines nanomaterials' chemical makeup, topography

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 03:32 PM PST

Researchers have devised a powerful technique that simultaneously resolves the chemical characterization and topography of nanoscale materials down to the height of a single atom.

Preference for gravid females makes rare iguana consumption unsustainable

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 01:15 PM PST

The Valle de Aguán spiny-tailed iguana is a critically endangered species found in Honduras. A recent survey of people living in the region shows that, although residents are aware of the endangered status of the species, the iguana continues to be hunted for food. Of particular concern is the preference for the consumption of female iguanas that are gravid (carrying eggs in their body).

Logging destabilizes forest soil carbon over time

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 01:15 PM PST

Logging doesn't immediately jettison carbon stored in a forest's mineral soils into the atmosphere but triggers a gradual release that may contribute to climate change over decades, a new study finds.
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