ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Diabetes drug found in freshwater is a potential cause of intersex fish
• World's first genetic modification of human embryos reported: Experts consider ethics
• Discovery may open door for treating fragile X carriers
• Generating broadband terahertz radiation from a microplasma in air
• We think better on our feet, literally
• Significant increase in major depression reported during recent recession
• Picture this: Graphene brings 3-D holograms clearer and closer
• Continental U. S: Map shows content and origins of the geologic basement
• Delayed diagnosis of celiac disease may put lives at risk: Is screening the solution?
• New light shed on brain's source of power
• Psychology of the appeal of being anti-GMO
• Risk perception: Social exchange can amplify subjective fears
• Bumblebee genomes create a buzz in the field of pollination
• New insight into how brain makes memories
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Steatohepatitis: NASH linked to 50% higher death rate compared with NAFLD
• Novel therapeutic candidate targets key driver of HCC in genomically defined subset of patients
• Cancer rates among patients with hepatitis C are increased compared to those not infected
• Beyond genes: Are centrioles carriers of biological information?
• Heat makes electrons' spin in magnetic superconductors
• Discovery of a protein capable of regulating DNA repair during sperm formation
• To flare or not to flare: The riddle of galactic thin to thick disk solved
• Ascent or no ascent? How hot material is stopped in Earth's mantle
• Giant cosmic tsunami wakes up comatose galaxies
• Understanding the body's response to worms and allergies
• Danger in using car seats, sitting and carrying devices for sleeping infants
• Inclusive classrooms don't necessarily increase friendships for children with disabilities
• Are hospitals doing all they can to prevent C. difficile infections? Not yet, new study suggests
• Scientists announce final trial results of the world’s most advanced malaria vaccine
• Heavy drinking and binge drinking rise sharply in US counties
• Strength vs. endurance: Does exercise type matter in the fight against obesity?
• Making the heart beat with ultrasonic waves
• Researchers add a new wrinkle to cell culture
• Finding new life for first-line antibiotics
• Expert panels successfully rate medical research proposals
• Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature: 'Clumped' isotopes used to trace biogeochemical processes
• Making waves with robotic ultrasound between New York and Chicago
• Human tape worm drug shows promise against MRSA in lab

Diabetes drug found in freshwater is a potential cause of intersex fish Posted: 24 Apr 2015 11:17 AM PDT A medication commonly taken for Type II diabetes, which is being found in freshwater systems worldwide, has been shown to cause intersex in fish – male fish that produce eggs. The medication is found to be widespread in freshwater.

World's first genetic modification of human embryos reported: Experts consider ethics Posted: 24 Apr 2015 09:23 AM PDT Chinese scientists say they've genetically modified human embryos for the very first time. The team attempted to modify the gene responsible for beta-thalassaemia, a potentially fatal blood disorder, using a gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/Cas9. Gene editing is a recently developed type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, replaced, or removed. Here, experts weigh-in with ethical questions and considerations.

Discovery may open door for treating fragile X carriers Posted: 24 Apr 2015 09:18 AM PDT Fragile X syndrome, an inherited cause of autism and intellectual disability, can have consequences even for carriers of the disorder who don't have full-blown symptoms.

Generating broadband terahertz radiation from a microplasma in air Posted: 24 Apr 2015 09:13 AM PDT Researchers have shown that a laser-generated microplasma in air can be used as a source of broadband terahertz radiation. They demonstrate that an approach for generating terahertz waves using intense laser pulses in air can be done with much lower power lasers, a major challenge until now. They have exploited the underlying physics to reduce the necessary laser power for plasma generation.

We think better on our feet, literally Posted: 24 Apr 2015 09:11 AM PDT A new study finds students with standing desks are more attentive than their seated counterparts. Preliminary results show 12 percent greater on-task engagement in classrooms with standing desks.

Significant increase in major depression reported during recent recession Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:54 AM PDT The recent Great Recession was accompanied by a significant and sustained increase in major depression in US adults, according to a new study.

Picture this: Graphene brings 3-D holograms clearer and closer Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:54 AM PDT From mobile phones and computers to television, cinema and wearable devices, the display of full-color, wide-angle, 3-D holographic images is moving ever closer to fruition.

Continental U. S: Map shows content and origins of the geologic basement Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:54 AM PDT This map provides a picture of the nation's geologic basement. More than 80 pieces of crust have been added to the nation's basement since the Earth began preserving crust about 3.6 billion years ago.

Delayed diagnosis of celiac disease may put lives at risk: Is screening the solution? Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:53 AM PDT Celiac disease is one of the most common life-long conditions in Europe, yet many people remain undiagnosed and lengthy diagnostic delays may be putting lives at risk. Today, doctors are being urged to consider testing for celiac disease in anyone showing signs and symptoms of the condition and to consider screening everyone in high-risk groups.

New light shed on brain's source of power Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:53 AM PDT New research represents a potentially fundamental shift in our understanding of how nerve cells in the brain generate the energy needed to function. The study shows neurons are more independent than previously believed and this research has implications for a range of neurological disorders.

Psychology of the appeal of being anti-GMO Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:53 AM PDT A team of philosophers and plant biotechnologists have turned to cognitive science to explain why opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has become so widespread, despite positive contributions GM crops have made to sustainable agriculture. They argue that the human mind is highly susceptible to the negative and often emotional representations put out by certain environmental groups and other opponents of GMOs.

Risk perception: Social exchange can amplify subjective fears Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:53 AM PDT A 'pass the message' experiment investigates how people perceive and communicate the risks of a widely used chemical.

Bumblebee genomes create a buzz in the field of pollination Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:51 AM PDT Bees play a key role in our ecosystem and in the world's food supply. Thanks to a large collaborative effort, the genomes of two important pollinating bumblebees have been sequenced and compared with those of other bees, laying the foundations for the identification of biological factors essential for their conservation.

New insight into how brain makes memories Posted: 24 Apr 2015 07:50 AM PDT Researchers have identified the role that a key protein associated with autism and the co-occurrence of alcohol dependency and depression plays in forming the spines that create new connections in the brain.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Steatohepatitis: NASH linked to 50% higher death rate compared with NAFLD Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:57 AM PDT Results from a large population-based cohort of almost a million people in the UK found that the chances of dying from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, over a 14-year period, was approximately 50 percent higher than for those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Novel therapeutic candidate targets key driver of HCC in genomically defined subset of patients Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:57 AM PDT Findings on a novel therapeutic candidate for a genomically defined subset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with an aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) pathway have been presented. BLU-554, a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR4, has been identified as a potential treatment option for up to 30 percent of HCC patients.

Cancer rates among patients with hepatitis C are increased compared to those not infected Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:57 AM PDT New results show that cancer rates in patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) were significantly increased compared to the non-HCV cohort. The researchers suggest an extrahepatic manifestation of HCV may be an increased risk of cancer.

Beyond genes: Are centrioles carriers of biological information? Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:56 AM PDT Scientists have discover that certain cell structures, the centrioles, could act as information carriers throughout cell generations. The discovery raises the possibility that transmission of biological information could involve more than just genes. Centrioles may actually be carriers of information, which holds profound implications for biology and disease treatment.

Heat makes electrons' spin in magnetic superconductors Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Physicists have shown how heat can be exploited for controlling magnetic properties of matter. The finding helps in the development of more efficient mass memories.

Discovery of a protein capable of regulating DNA repair during sperm formation Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that the signalling route - a cascade activation of several molecules - triggered by the ATM protein regulates DNA repair during the production of spermatocytes by meiosis, the cell division process which yields spermatozoa.

To flare or not to flare: The riddle of galactic thin to thick disk solved Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT A long-standing puzzle regarding the nature of disk galaxies has finally been solved by a team of astronomers using state-of-the-art theoretical models. The new study shows that groups of stars with the same age always flare as the result of massive galactic collisions. When taken all together, these flares, nested like the petals of a blooming rose, puff up the disk and constitute what astronomers call the "thick" disk.

Ascent or no ascent? How hot material is stopped in Earth's mantle Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Gigantic volumes of hot material rising from the deep earth's mantle to the base of the lithosphere have shaped the face of our planet. Provided they have a sufficient volume, they can lead to break-up of continents or cause mass extinction events in certain periods of the Earth's history. So far it was assumed that because of their high temperatures those bodies -- called mantle plumes -- ascend directly from the bottom of the earth's mantle to the lithosphere. Scientists explain possible barriers for the ascent of these mantle plumes and under which conditions the hot material can still reach the surface. In addition, the researchers resolve major conflicts surrounding present model predictions.

Giant cosmic tsunami wakes up comatose galaxies Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Galaxies are often found in clusters, which contain many 'red and dead' members that stopped forming stars in the distant past. Now an international team of astronomers have discovered that these comatose galaxies can sometimes come back to life. If clusters of galaxies merge, a huge shock wave can drive the birth of a new generation of stars -- the sleeping galaxies get a new lease of life.

Understanding the body's response to worms and allergies Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Scientists are a step closer to developing new therapies for controlling the body's response to allergies and parasitic worm infections.

Danger in using car seats, sitting and carrying devices for sleeping infants Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:49 AM PDT Sleep-related deaths are the most common cause of death for infants 1-12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their back on a firm mattress, without loose bedding. However, many parents use sitting or carrying devices, such as car seats, swings, or bouncers, as alternative sleeping environments, which could lead to potential injury or death. Researchers now describe how the improper use of these items can lead to infant deaths. The elapsed time from when the infants were last seen alive to when they were discovered ranged from as little as four minutes to up to 11 hours.

Inclusive classrooms don't necessarily increase friendships for children with disabilities Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT When parents of children with disabilities drop their child off at kindergarten they often worry about whether they will make friends – a key factor in reducing anxiety, depression and the likelihood of being bullied. The response from schools has been to create inclusive classrooms, where a significant number of students with disabilities receive their education. A new study, however, finds that inclusive classrooms with disability awareness curricula alone do not increase friendships for those students.

Are hospitals doing all they can to prevent C. difficile infections? Not yet, new study suggests Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT Nearly half of American hospitals aren't taking key steps to prevent C. difficile, a kind of gut infection that kills nearly 30,000 people annually and sickens hundreds of thousands more – despite strong evidence that such steps work, according to a new study.

Scientists announce final trial results of the world’s most advanced malaria vaccine Posted: 23 Apr 2015 06:13 PM PDT The first malaria vaccine candidate (RTS,S/AS01) to reach phase 3 clinical testing is partially effective against clinical disease in young African children up to 4 years after vaccination, according to final trial data. The results suggest that the vaccine could prevent a substantial number of cases of clinical malaria, especially in areas of high transmission.

Heavy drinking and binge drinking rise sharply in US counties Posted: 23 Apr 2015 03:25 PM PDT Today, Americans are more likely to be heavy drinkers and binge drinkers than in recent years due in large part to rising rates of drinking among women, according to a new analysis of county-level drinking patterns in the United States. By contrast, the percentage of people who drink any alcohol has remained relatively unchanged over time, according to the latest research.

Strength vs. endurance: Does exercise type matter in the fight against obesity? Posted: 23 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Researchers look at which form of exercise -- strength, endurance or a combination of both -- work best in tandem with diet to reduce weight and change body composition among obese study participants.

Making the heart beat with ultrasonic waves Posted: 23 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Researchers have demonstrated that ultrasound can increase the rate at which heart cells beat and describe the settings that can do so most effectively.

Researchers add a new wrinkle to cell culture Posted: 23 Apr 2015 11:32 AM PDT Using a technique that introduces tiny wrinkles into sheets of graphene, researchers have developed new textured surfaces for culturing cells in the lab that better mimic the complex surroundings in which cells grow in the body.

Finding new life for first-line antibiotics Posted: 23 Apr 2015 11:28 AM PDT Researchers have identified a single, simple measure -- recovery time -- to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring an entire arsenal of first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens.

Expert panels successfully rate medical research proposals Posted: 23 Apr 2015 11:28 AM PDT Economists have published an extensive analysis of NIH grants that shows a high correlation between how projects are rated by peer review and the quality of the resulting research.

Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature: 'Clumped' isotopes used to trace biogeochemical processes Posted: 23 Apr 2015 11:28 AM PDT Photosynthesis leaves behind a unique calling card, a chemical signature that is spelled out with stable oxygen isotopes, according to a new study. The findings suggest isotopic signatures could exist for many biological and geological processes, including some that are difficult to observe with current tools.

Making waves with robotic ultrasound between New York and Chicago Posted: 23 Apr 2015 11:27 AM PDT A new clinical trial is testing the feasibility and efficiency of a doctor in New York City remotely performing long-distance, tele-robotic ultrasound exams over the Internet on patients in Chicago.

Human tape worm drug shows promise against MRSA in lab Posted: 23 Apr 2015 10:02 AM PDT A drug already approved to fight tapeworms in people, effectively treated MRSA superbugs in lab cultures and in infected nematode worms. The scientists are pursuing further testing with hope that the findings will lead to new treatments for deadly MRSA infections.

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