ScienceDaily: Top News

---

• Zolushka, (the russian translation for Cinderella), the tiger, rescued and released back into the wild
• Optimizing optimization algorithms: Getting best results when approximating solutions to complex engineering problems
• Drillers help make new Antarctic discoveries
• Four in 10 American children live in low-income families, new report shows
• Neuroscientists lead global consortium to crack brain's genetic code
• Fatty acids in fish may shield brain from mercury damage
• Job seekers with 'learning' attitude have more success
• Biological safety lock for genetically modified organisms
• Synthetic amino acid enables safe, new biotechnology solutions to global problems
• Animal-to-human transmission of Ebola virus appears tied to increasing human population density in forested regions
• Two lakes beneath the ice in Greenland, gone within weeks
• Proteins likely to trigger psoriasis identified
• Study maps travel of H7 influenza genes
• Blood vessels in older brains break down, possibly leading to Alzheimer's
• Next-generation sequencing offers insight into how species adapt to climate change
• Graphene brings quantum effects to electronic circuits
• Death of a dynamo: A hard drive from space
• Closer than ever to a personalized treatment solution for intellectual disability
• Humorous complaining: Funny online reviews get lots of attention but do they get results?
• Transparent artificial nacre: A brick wall at the nanoscale
• Researchers introduce macrosystems approach to study stream ecology
• Weight Watchers: Shed pounds but lose your friends?
• Individual protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei do not behave according to predictions
• Twitter can predict rates of coronary heart disease, according to research
• Teen girls report less sexual victimization after virtual reality assertiveness training
• Pasture feeding may improve nutritional benefits of red meat
• Ultra-high pressure processing may increase salmon shelf-life
• Only about half of teenage girls receive HPV vaccine at CDC's recommended age
• Study examines NSAID use, risk of anastomotic failure following surgery
• Immune system may play a key role in viral therapy's effectiveness against tumors
• Astronomers to map the universe with largest radio telescope ever built
• New method to generate arbitrary optical pulses
• Editing the brain: How new epigenetic tools could rewrite our understanding of memory and more
• New fat-fighting tactics show promise for combatting global obesity epidemic
• Close monitoring of renal tumors may provide alternative to surgery
• When Parkisonism does not mean Parkinson's
• Toxic Ebola protein fragment identified
• Oranges versus orange juice: Which one might be better for your health?
• Toward a cocaine vaccine to help addicts kick the habit
• Task length linked with cognitive fatigue in MS
• Seeing is not remembering, it turns out
• Sequestration on shaky ground: Natural impediment to long-term sequestration of carbon dioxide
• Climate change threatens 30 years of sea turtle conservation success
• Smart keyboard cleans and powers itself, and can tell who you are
• Should arsenic in food be a concern?
• Eribulin effective in metastatic breast cancer, researchers find
• Drug targets identified through cell line to potentially treat rare pediatric cancer
• Study shows how ebola becomes lethal as it spreads
• Path to artificial photosynthesis? Manganese catalyst's electronic states characterized
• Classic psychedelic use protective with regard to psychological distress and suicidality
• New type of antibiotic resistance living in hiding
• Link found between pain during or after sexual intercourse and mode of delivery
• Electroluminescent light sheets: Printable luminous particles enable cost-effective, large and curved luminous surfaces
• Decorative and flexible solar panels become part of interior design and the appearance of objects
• A spoonful of sugar in silver nanoparticles to regulate their toxicity
• Watching protein crystal nucleation in real time
• New conductive coatings for flexible touchscreens
• In theory, the Milky Way could be a 'galactic transport system'
• Nano-beaker offers insight into the condensation of atoms
• New bacterial 'language' discovered: Previously unknown communication pathway

Zolushka, (the russian translation for Cinderella), the tiger, rescued and released back into the wild Posted: 21 Jan 2015 02:35 PM PST The Russian Far East is the setting for a Cinderella story. In this case, Cinderella is a tiger. An orphaned, starved, frost-bitten cub was rescued in the winter of 2012, rehabilitated, released, and now is possibly mating and re-colonizing former tiger territory, according to new research.

Optimizing optimization algorithms: Getting best results when approximating solutions to complex engineering problems Posted: 21 Jan 2015 12:55 PM PST Optimization algorithms, which try to find the minimum values of mathematical functions, are everywhere in engineering. Among other things, they're used to evaluate design tradeoffs, to assess control systems, and to find patterns in data. Scientists have come up with a way to generate a sequence of simplified functions that guarantees the best approximation that the method can offer.

Drillers help make new Antarctic discoveries Posted: 21 Jan 2015 11:48 AM PST An expedition to Antarctica yields new information about how climate change affects Antarctic glaciers. The study has discovered a new ecosystem, researchers report, including a unique ecosystem of fish and invertebrates living in an estuary deep beneath the Antarctic ice.

Four in 10 American children live in low-income families, new report shows Posted: 21 Jan 2015 11:48 AM PST Four out of ten American children live in low-income families, according to latest research from the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). This finding underscores the magnitude of the problem of family economic insecurity and child poverty in the United States. The NCCP researchers found that 44 percent of children under age 18 lived in low-income families in 2013, and 22 percent lived in poor families.

Neuroscientists lead global consortium to crack brain's genetic code Posted: 21 Jan 2015 11:48 AM PST About 300 scientists used more than 30,000 brain scans and DNA samples to find eight gene mutations that affect the size of specific parts of the brain. The study could help identify people who would most benefit from new drugs designed to save brain cells, but more research is necessary to determine if the genetic mutations are implicated in disease, the researchers say.

Fatty acids in fish may shield brain from mercury damage Posted: 21 Jan 2015 11:48 AM PST The benefits of fish consumption on prenatal development may offset the risks associated with mercury exposure, new findings from research in the Seychelles suggests. In fact, the new study suggests that the nutrients found in fish have properties that protect the brain from the potential toxic effects of the chemical.

Job seekers with 'learning' attitude have more success Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:56 AM PST Job seekers with attitudes focused on 'learning' from the job-seeking process will have more success finding their dream jobs, researchers have discovered.

Biological safety lock for genetically modified organisms Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:56 AM PST Scientists have genetically recoded a strain of E. coli to depend on a synthetic amino acid so the bacteria can't survive outside the lab. The E. coli were also made resistant to two viruses.

Synthetic amino acid enables safe, new biotechnology solutions to global problems Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:56 AM PST Scientists have devised a way to ensure genetically modified organisms can be safely confined in the environment, overcoming a major obstacle to widespread use of GMOs in agriculture, energy production, waste management, and medicine.

Animal-to-human transmission of Ebola virus appears tied to increasing human population density in forested regions Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:52 AM PST An apparent link between human population density and vegetation cover in Africa, and the spread of the Ebola virus from animal hosts to humans, has been identified by researchers. "These findings cannot be viewed as causal due to the observational nature of the data," one investigator says, "but they do suggest that the specific landscape configuration of interaction between human populations and forested land may facilitate transmission of the Ebola virus from animals to humans."

Two lakes beneath the ice in Greenland, gone within weeks Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:51 AM PST Researchers discovered craters left behind when two sub-glacial lakes in Greenland drained away -- an indication that the natural plumbing system beneath the ice sheet is overflowing with meltwater. One lake once held billions of gallons of water and emptied to form a mile-wide crater in just a few weeks. The other lake has filled and emptied twice in the last two years.

Proteins likely to trigger psoriasis identified Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:08 AM PST Scientists have taken a huge leap toward identifying root causes of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition affecting 125 million people around the world. Of the roughly 50,000 proteins in the human body, researchers have zeroed in on four that appear most likely to contribute this chronic disease. The findings dramatically advance efforts to understand how psoriasis develops -- and, in turn, how to stop it.

Study maps travel of H7 influenza genes Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:08 AM PST In a new bioinformatics analysis of the H7N9 influenza virus that has recently infected humans in China, researchers trace the separate phylogenetic histories of the virus's genes, giving a frightening new picture of viruses where the genes are traveling independently in the environment, across large geographic distances and between species, to form 'a new constellation of genes -- a new disease, based not only on H7, but other strains of influenza.'

Blood vessels in older brains break down, possibly leading to Alzheimer's Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:08 AM PST Researchers used high-resolution imaging of the living human brain to show for the first time that the brain's protective blood barrier becomes leaky with age, starting at the hippocampus, a critical learning and memory center that is damaged by Alzheimer's disease.

Next-generation sequencing offers insight into how species adapt to climate change Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:08 AM PST Next-generation sequencing allows for the creation and analysis of vast amounts of data about populations and their responses to shifting environmental conditions, including climate change. These data can provide fine-scale information at the genomic level into populations' adaptations to changing circumstances. Despite the potential usefulness of next-generation sequencing for environmental scientists, it is a costly tool, and funding has yet to equal the value that it may provide.

Graphene brings quantum effects to electronic circuits Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:07 AM PST Scientists have revealed a superfluid phase in ultra-low temperature 2D materials, creating the potential for electronic devices which dissipate very little energy.

Death of a dynamo: A hard drive from space Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:07 AM PST Hidden magnetic messages contained within ancient meteorites are providing a unique window into the processes that shaped our solar system, and may give a sneak preview of the fate of the Earth's core as it continues to freeze.

Closer than ever to a personalized treatment solution for intellectual disability Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:06 AM PST Scientists have developed an approach that completely protects animal models against a type of genetic disruption that causes intellectual disability, including serious memory impairments and altered anxiety levels.

Humorous complaining: Funny online reviews get lots of attention but do they get results? Posted: 21 Jan 2015 09:14 AM PST Unless you're just looking to entertain your fellow online shoppers, you may want to think twice about writing that funny Amazon or Yelp review. According to a new study, humorous complaints get a lot more attention from other consumers but may not be taken seriously by businesses.

Transparent artificial nacre: A brick wall at the nanoscale Posted: 21 Jan 2015 09:13 AM PST Natural materials have extraordinary mechanical properties, which are based on sophisticated arrangements and combinations of multiple building blocks. One key aspect of today's materials research therefore is to develop bio-inspired materials reaching to the properties of natural materials – or even exceeding those in certain functionalities. Scientists have now developed a nacre-inspired nanocomposite that combines exceptional mechanical properties with glass-like transparency and a high gas- and fire-barrier.

Researchers introduce macrosystems approach to study stream ecology Posted: 21 Jan 2015 09:13 AM PST The Stream Biome Gradient Concept is a way to compare streams in different climates and different continents. The concept can improve how researchers study streams worldwide. "This model will help us understand how to regulate and conserve streams and protect water quality," the concept's developer said. "It's important to think in broad terms and in the context that people, plants and animals interact with streams. Understanding biodiversity is crucial."

Weight Watchers: Shed pounds but lose your friends? Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:50 AM PST If you're trying to lose weight, Weight Watchers might seem like the ideal place to share advice and get support. While this may be true when you first join, a new study shows you'll bond less with the other members of a support group as you get closer to reaching your goals.

Individual protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei do not behave according to predictions Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:50 AM PST Individual protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei turn out not to behave according to the predictions made by existing theoretical models. This surprising conclusion, reached by an international team of physicists, forces us to reconsider how we have been describing large atomic nuclei for the past several decades.

Twitter can predict rates of coronary heart disease, according to research Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST Twitter has broken news stories, launched and ended careers, started social movements and toppled governments, all by being an easy, direct and immediate way for people to share what's on their minds. Researchers have now shown that the social media platform has another use: Twitter can serve as a dashboard indicator of a community's psychological well being and can predict rates of heart disease.

Teen girls report less sexual victimization after virtual reality assertiveness training Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST Teen girls were less likely to report being sexually victimized after learning to assertively resist unwanted sexual overtures and practicing resistance in a realistic virtual environment, a new study finds. 'My Voice, My Choice' teaches girls to stand up for themselves, and that coercive behavior is never okay. The findings suggest that learning resistance skills with virtual simulations can reduce risk of sexual victimization, said the lead researcher.

Pasture feeding may improve nutritional benefits of red meat Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST Pasture-fed lamb meat is high in polyunsaturated fat due to the specific plant species consumed, researcher say, indicating that it may be better for your health.

Ultra-high pressure processing may increase salmon shelf-life Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST The researchers found that salmon flesh treated with UHP at levels greater than or equal to 400 MPa improved the color, hardness, and chewiness of the flesh, and inhibited microorganism proliferation, thus increasing shelf life.

Only about half of teenage girls receive HPV vaccine at CDC's recommended age Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST A virus is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, but a new study indicates that only about half of the girls receive the vaccine at the recommended age. The Human papilloma virus vaccine protects against 70 percent of cervical cancers. The CDC has recommended that girls get the vaccine when they are 11-12, because it is most effective when it is given before girls become sexually active.

Study examines NSAID use, risk of anastomotic failure following surgery Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leak at the surgical junction in patients undergoing nonelective colorectal procedures, according to a report.

Immune system may play a key role in viral therapy's effectiveness against tumors Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:49 AM PST Viral therapy for childhood cancer could possibly improve if treatments such as chemotherapy do not first suppress patients' immune systems, according to new research findings. Research on mouse tumors resembling rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, revealed that the immune system's T cells may be just as critical to fighting tumor cells as the viral therapy injections themselves.

Astronomers to map the universe with largest radio telescope ever built Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:47 AM PST An international team of scientists have joined forces to lay the foundations for an experiment of truly astronomical proportions: putting together the biggest map of the Universe ever made. The experiment will combine signals from hundreds of radio dishes to make cosmic atlas. The international team of researchers has now set out their plans for the mammoth survey.

New method to generate arbitrary optical pulses Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:47 AM PST Scientists have developed a new technique to generate more powerful, more energy efficient and low-cost pulsed lasers. The technique has potential applications in a number of fields that use pulsed lasers including telecommunications, metrology, sensing and material processing. Any application that requires optical pulses typically needs waveforms of a specific repetition rate, pulse duration, and pulse shape. It is often challenging to design and manufacture a laser with these parameters exactly as required. Even when a suitable solution exists, the size, the complexity and ease of operation of the laser are further critical considerations. he new method works on a fundamentally different principle to existing pulsed lasers.

Editing the brain: How new epigenetic tools could rewrite our understanding of memory and more Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:46 AM PST Epigenetic changes are implicated in a host of neural conditions, from Alzheimer's-related memory loss to depression. Now, a revolutionary set of molecular editing tools is allowing scientists to alter the epigenome like never before.

New fat-fighting tactics show promise for combatting global obesity epidemic Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:46 AM PST More than 2.1 billion people worldwide are now overweight or obese and at risk for major chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart problems. But new types of evidence-based interventions, such as targeted drug treatments and foods created to be more satiating, may be able to help reverse the upward trajectory of global obesity rates, according to experts.

Close monitoring of renal tumors may provide alternative to surgery Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:45 AM PST In patients likely to have surgery, close, active monitoring of small renal tumors confined to the kidneys is associated with low rates of tumor growth or death, scientists say. The incidence of kidney cancer in the United States has been increasing for two decades, with the trend partly attributed to the introduction of abdominal imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs in the 1980's. However, death rates due to renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) have not decreased, indicating that surgery may be of little or no benefit to some patients.

When Parkisonism does not mean Parkinson's Posted: 21 Jan 2015 08:45 AM PST Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease. Lewy body dementia refers to two related diagnoses: Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Both PDD and DLB are considered Lewy body dementias. The difference is in the presentation of symptoms based on the "one-year rule." With DLB, cognitive (thinking) symptoms that interfere with daily living appear before or within a year of movement problems resembling Parkinson's disease. With PDD, cognitive symptoms do not typically develop until more than a year after movement problems begin.

Toxic Ebola protein fragment identified Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:33 AM PST A fragment of an Ebola virus protein that is toxic to cells and may contribute to infection and illness, has been identified by researchers. The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa. Two imported cases, including one death, and two locally acquired cases in healthcare workers have been reported in the United States. As of January 16, 2015, the CDC and World Health Organization report 13,510 laboratory-confirmed cases and 8,483 deaths worldwide.

Oranges versus orange juice: Which one might be better for your health? Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:33 AM PST Many health advocates advise people to eat an orange and drink water rather than opt for a serving of sugary juice. But now scientists report that the picture is not clear-cut. Although juice is indeed high in sugar, the scientists found that certain nutrients in orange juice might be easier for the body to absorb than when a person consumes them from unprocessed fruit.

Toward a cocaine vaccine to help addicts kick the habit Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST In their decades-long search for vaccines against drugs of abuse, scientists have hit upon a new approach to annul cocaine's addictive buzz. They report that their strategy, which they tested on mice, harnesses a bacterial protein to trigger an immune system attack on the drug if it enters the body. This response could dull cocaine's psychotropic effects and potentially help users of the drug kick the habit.

Task length linked with cognitive fatigue in MS Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST Insight into factors contributing to cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis have been gained through a new study. Cognitive fatigue, which is common in MS, has subjective and objective manifestations. Treatment for fatigue is hindered by the lack of understanding of contributing factors. This study examined how the variables of processing speed, working memory, time on task and cognitive load influence cognitive fatigue in 32 individuals with MS and 24 controls.

Seeing is not remembering, it turns out Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST People may have to 'turn on' their memories in order to remember even the simplest details of an experience, according to psychologists. This finding, which has been named 'attribute amnesia,' indicates that memory is far more selective than previously thought.

Sequestration on shaky ground: Natural impediment to long-term sequestration of carbon dioxide Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST Carbon sequestration promises to address greenhouse-gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and injecting it deep below the Earth's surface, where it would permanently solidify into rock. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that current carbon-sequestration technologies may eliminate up to 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. While such technologies may successfully remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, researchers have now found that once injected into the ground, less carbon dioxide is converted to rock than previously imagined.

Climate change threatens 30 years of sea turtle conservation success Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST A new study is sounding the alarm about climate change and its potential impact on more than 30 years of conservation efforts to keep sea turtles around for the next generation. Climate change is causing sea-level rise, and how coastal communities react to that rise could have dire consequences for sea turtles and other wildlife that rely on an unobstructed beach for survival, researchers say.

Smart keyboard cleans and powers itself, and can tell who you are Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:32 AM PST In a novel twist in cybersecurity, scientists have developed a self-cleaning, self-powered smart keyboard that can identify computer users by the way they type. The device could help prevent unauthorized users from gaining direct access to computers.

Should arsenic in food be a concern? Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:29 AM PST The topic of arsenic in the U.S. diet has sparked considerable public interest following publication of an article analyzing arsenic findings from fruit juices and rice products. Researchers now write about how levels of consumer exposure to arsenic are still below levels of toxicological concern.

Eribulin effective in metastatic breast cancer, researchers find Posted: 21 Jan 2015 07:29 AM PST While not superior to capecitabine, eribulin is an active and well-tolerated therapy in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving this therapy as a first, second, or third line chemotherapy regimen, researchers say.

Drug targets identified through cell line to potentially treat rare pediatric cancer Posted: 21 Jan 2015 06:35 AM PST A team of investigators has made key new findings about an extremely rare childhood cancer called neurocutaneous melanocytosis. This malignant cancer is characterized by an excessive growth of melanin-producing cells in both the skin and the brain. The study's authors found potential drug targets for the disease by using a molecular analysis of patient tumor cells grown in animal models.

Study shows how ebola becomes lethal as it spreads Posted: 21 Jan 2015 06:35 AM PST Researchers have determined why Ebola virus becomes increasingly lethal as it jumps species. The research team looked at the Zaire Ebola strain in an animal system to understand how it gains strength. This virus is responsible for the current outbreak in West Africa.

Path to artificial photosynthesis? Manganese catalyst's electronic states characterized Posted: 21 Jan 2015 06:35 AM PST Scientists have precisely characterized a manganese catalyst's electronic states. The catalyst is capable of converting light to chemical energy. If sunlight could effortlessly be converted to chemical energy, our energy troubles would be a thing of the past.

Classic psychedelic use protective with regard to psychological distress and suicidality Posted: 21 Jan 2015 06:35 AM PST Classic psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms and mescaline, previously have been shown to occasion lasting improvements in mental health. But researchers, through a new study, wanted to advance the existing research and determine whether classic psychedelics might be protective with regard to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

New type of antibiotic resistance living in hiding Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:46 AM PST New research shows how MRSA bacterial strains under special circumstances can withstand higher concentration of antibiotics. The bacteria attain new multi-resistant properties, but fly under the doctors' radar, as their genetic profile remains intact.

Link found between pain during or after sexual intercourse and mode of delivery Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:46 AM PST Operative birth is associated with persisting pain during or after sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia, suggests a new study. The study aimed to investigate the contribution of obstetric risk factors, including mode of delivery and perineal trauma to postpartum dyspareunia. It also examined the influences of other risk factors, including breastfeeding, maternal fatigue, maternal depression and intimate partner abuse.

Electroluminescent light sheets: Printable luminous particles enable cost-effective, large and curved luminous surfaces Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:45 AM PST Researchers have now developed a new method that enables electroluminescence on large, curved surfaces in a cost-effective way: in this case, the light-emitting layer and all other components are produced by means of wet-chemical, printable methods.

Decorative and flexible solar panels become part of interior design and the appearance of objects Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:45 AM PST Scientists have developed and utilized a mass production method based on printing technologies allowing the manufacturing of decorative, organic solar panels. Design freedom improves the range of applications of the panels on the surfaces of interior and exterior building spaces. Researchers are also studying the feasibility of printing technology in the mass production of solar panels made from inorganic perovskite materials. The new mass production method enables to create interior design elements from organic solar panels (OPV, organic photovoltaics) harvesting energy from interior lighting or sunlight for various small devices and sensors that gather information from the environment. The panels can, for example, be placed on windows and walls and on machines, devices and advertisement billboards.

A spoonful of sugar in silver nanoparticles to regulate their toxicity Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:45 AM PST The use of colloidal silver to treat illnesses has become more popular in recent years, but its ingestion, prohibited in countries like the US, can be harmful to health. Scientists have now confirmed that silver nanoparticles are significantly toxic when they penetrate cells, although the number of toxic radicals they generate can vary by coating them with carbohydrates. Silver salts have been used externally for centuries for their antiseptic properties in the treatment of pains and as a surface disinfectant for materials. There are currently people who use silver nanoparticles to make homemade potions to combat infections and illnesses such as cancer and AIDS, although in some cases the only thing they achieve is argyria or blue-tinged skin.

Watching protein crystal nucleation in real time Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:45 AM PST A major hurdle in structural biology and pharmacology is growing crystals to determine the structure of the biomolecules and pharmaceuticals under study. Researchers have now observed a key step in the nucleation and growth of some protein crystals. For this, they exploited the power of in-situ real-time X-ray scattering techniques. Their study could help to gain a deeper understanding of protein crystallization and its kinetics on nanometer length scales. The researchers observed a multi-step crystallization mechanism.

New conductive coatings for flexible touchscreens Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:36 AM PST Mobile phones and smart phones still haven't been adapted to the carrying habits of their users. That much is clear to anyone who has tried sitting down with a mobile phone in their back pocket: the displays of the innumerable phones and pods are rigid and do not yield to the anatomical forms adopted by the people carrying them. By now it is no longer any secret that the big players in the industry are working on flexible displays.

In theory, the Milky Way could be a 'galactic transport system' Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:36 AM PST Based on the latest evidence and theories our galaxy could be a huge wormhole and, if that were true, it could be "stable and navigable." Astrophysicists combined the equations of general relativity with an extremely detailed map of the distribution of dark matter in the Milky Way when proposing this possibility.

Nano-beaker offers insight into the condensation of atoms Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:36 AM PST Physicists have succeeded in mapping the condensation of individual atoms, or rather their transition from a gaseous state to another state, using a new method.The team was able to monitor for the first time how xenon atoms condensate in microscopic measuring beakers, or quantum wells, thereby enabling key conclusions to be drawn as to the nature of atomic bonding.

New bacterial 'language' discovered: Previously unknown communication pathway Posted: 21 Jan 2015 05:36 AM PST Bacteria communicate by means of chemical signals and can develop common characteristics through this "agreement" and also develop their potential pathogenic effects in this way. Scientists have now described a hitherto unknown communication pathway that appears to be widely distributed.

You are subscribed to email updates from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States