ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Wetlands continue to reduce nitrates
• Kissing cousins, arranged marriages and genetic diversity
• Trigger identified that likely unleashes autoimmune disease
• Dedicated scientists and volunteers working to better understand rare abalone species
• A metal composite that will (literally) float your boat
• Male hormones help lemur females rule
• Smoking and angioplasty: Not a good combination
• Huntington's disease monkeys display progressive clinical changes and neurodegeneration
• A sobering thought: One billion smokers and 240 million people with alcohol use disorder, worldwide
• Using decisional bias as an implicit measure of moral judgment
• Breakthrough in tinnitus research could lead to testable model
• Artificial photosynthesis: New, stable photocathode with great potential
• Many fixed-dose drug combinations in India lack central regulatory approval
• Weather forecasts made for planets beyond our solar system
• College readiness declines when school's focus is improving test scores, study finds
• Detection of spin of atoms at room temperature theoretically demonstrated
• Discovery provides insight into development of autoimmunity
• Europa's mystery dark material could be sea salt, NASA research reveals
• Scientists regenerate bone tissue using only proteins secreted by stem cells
• Nerve cells in the fast lane
• Prenatal exercise lowers risks of C-sections, higher birth weights
• siRNA-toting nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis
• Plant breeder boosts soybean diversity, develops soybean rust-resistant plant
• How the brain balances hearing between our ears
• Shifting winds: An early warning for reduced energy
• Feds approve wider testing of spinach defenses against citrus greening disease
• Food dye, near infrared light can aid in breast resection
• Finding should enhance treatments that stop immune system attacks
• The weakest magnetic field in the solar system
• Cause of regression in individuals with down syndrome identified
• Seven in 10 take early pension payout
• Bacteria the newest tool in detecting environmental damage
• New device provides chikungunya test results in an hour
• New device to collect bed bugs developed
• Seasonal immunity: Activity of thousands of genes differs from winter to summer
• Novel computer intelligence system for acute stroke detection
• Sexual orientation, gender identity linked to eating disorders
• Training teachers for deaf children gets a robotic helping hand
• Survival from rare bone cancer remains low
• Psychotic hallucinations, delusions rarely precede violence
• Scientists unravel mystery of tubulin code
• Inconsistent Medicaid expansion would widen disparities in screenings for women's cancers
• Bragging: Researchers find self-promotion often backfires
• Rats will try to save other rats from drowning
• Significant progress made towards individualized cancer immunotherapy
• Alcohol treatment programs prove effective in cutting reoffending, study shows
• Six times more expensive to travel by car than by bicycle: Study
• Aclidinium bromide/formoterol in COPD: Added benefit for certain patient groups
• Family genetics study reveals new clues to autism risk
• Microscope created allowing deep brain exploration
• Political talk on Facebook mirrors political talk offline
• New research will help forecast bad ozone days over the Western US
• Focus on the regional impact of climate change
• Ants' movements hide mathematical patterns
• How the presence of conservation researchers affects wildlife
• New app puts the world's biodiversity in the palm of your hand
• Researchers take step toward bringing precision medicine to all cancer patients
• New study assesses risks of extreme weather to North Texas roads, runways
• The mighty seed: Best conservation practices consider both genetics, biology
• E-skin and pocket-sized diagnostic devices give patients the power back

Wetlands continue to reduce nitrates Posted: 12 May 2015 03:50 PM PDT Wetlands created 20 years ago between tile-drained agricultural fields and the Embarras River were recently revisited for a new two-year research project. Results show an overall 62 percent nitrate removal rate and little emission of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.

Kissing cousins, arranged marriages and genetic diversity Posted: 12 May 2015 03:50 PM PDT In the first study of its kind, a research team has examined the effects of arranged marriages on genetic diversity. From hemophilia and color blindness amongst British and Russian monarchies, people have long known the potential damaging genetic consequences of inbreeding. But until recently, no one could measure or understand the impact of marriage rules on genetic diversity.

Trigger identified that likely unleashes autoimmune disease Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT Researchers believe they have discovered a group of cells that trigger autoimmune disease, as well as the molecular 'trigger guard' that normally holds them in check. These previously undetected cells are renegade versions of the cells that make the 'high affinity' antibodies required for long-term immunity.

Dedicated scientists and volunteers working to better understand rare abalone species Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT Researchers are working with a Citizen Science Group to improve our understanding of southern California abalone populations.

A metal composite that will (literally) float your boat Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT Researchers have demonstrated a new metal matrix composite that is so light that it can float on water. A boat made of such composites will not sink despite damage to its structure. This first lightweight syntactic foam also holds promise for automotive fuel economy because of its heat resistance. The magnesium alloy matrix composite is reinforced with silicon carbide hollow particles and is strong enough to withstand rigorous conditions faced in the marine environment.

Male hormones help lemur females rule Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT Lemur girls behave more like the guys, thanks to a little testosterone, finds a new study. When it comes to conventional gender roles, lemurs -- distant primate cousins of ours -- buck the trend. Researchers say females have significantly lower testosterone levels than the males across the board. But when they compared six lemur species, they found that females of species where females dominate have higher testosterone than females of more egalitarian species.

Smoking and angioplasty: Not a good combination Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT Quitting smoking when you have angioplasty is associated with better quality of life and less chest pain. People who continued to smoke after angioplasty had much worse chest pain and quality of life compared to non-smokers, a study concludes. Researchers recommend that patients work with healthcare providers to break smoking habits to maximize angioplasty benefits.

Huntington's disease monkeys display progressive clinical changes and neurodegeneration Posted: 12 May 2015 12:27 PM PDT A preclinical, large animal model of Huntington's disease has been developed for assessing new therapeutics, which could ultimately provide better treatment options, possibly including altering the course of the disease.

A sobering thought: One billion smokers and 240 million people with alcohol use disorder, worldwide Posted: 12 May 2015 12:27 PM PDT A new study has compiled the best, most up-to-date evidence on addictive disorders globally. It shows that almost 5 percent of the world's adult population (240 million people) have an alcohol use disorder and more than 20 percent (1 billion people) smoke tobacco. Getting good data on other drugs such as heroin and cannabis is much more difficult but for comparison the number of people injecting drugs is estimated at around 15 million worldwide.

Using decisional bias as an implicit measure of moral judgment Posted: 12 May 2015 12:27 PM PDT The act of identifying a perpetrator does not just involve memory and thinking, but also constitutes a moral decision. This is because, by the act of identifying or not identifying someone, the eyewitness runs the risk of either convicting an innocent person or letting a guilty person go free. A recently published article explores moral development in terms of children's eyewitness identification.

Breakthrough in tinnitus research could lead to testable model Posted: 12 May 2015 12:26 PM PDT A major breakthrough has been made that provides new insights into how tinnitus, and the often co-occurring hyperacusis, might develop and be sustained. Tinnitus is largely a mystery, a phantom sound heard in the absence of actual sound. Tinnitus patients "hear" ringing, buzzing or hissing in their ears much like an amputee might "feel" pain in a missing limb. It is a symptom, not a disease, and though exposure to loud noise may cause it, some cases have no apparent trigger.

Artificial photosynthesis: New, stable photocathode with great potential Posted: 12 May 2015 12:00 PM PDT Scientists have developed a new composite photocathode for generating hydrogen using sunlight. The photocathode consists of a thin film of chalcopyrite coated with a newly developed thin film of titanium dioxide containing platinum nanoparticles. This layer protects the chalcopyrite thin film from corrosion, it acts as a catalyst to speed-up formation of hydrogen even shows photoelectric current density and voltage comparable to those of a chalcopyrite-based thin film solar cell.

Many fixed-dose drug combinations in India lack central regulatory approval Posted: 12 May 2015 12:00 PM PDT Fixed-dose drug combinations which have not received central regulatory approval are sold in substantial numbers in India -- despite concerns over the safety and efficacy of these combinations -- according to new research.

Weather forecasts made for planets beyond our solar system Posted: 12 May 2015 11:08 AM PDT Using sensitive observations from the Kepler space telescope, astronomers have uncovered evidence of daily weather cycles on six extra-solar planets seen to exhibit different phases. Such phase variations occur as different portions of these planets reflect light from their stars, similar to the way our own moon cycles though different phases. Among the findings are indications of cloudy mornings on four of them and hot, clear afternoons on two others.

College readiness declines when school's focus is improving test scores, study finds Posted: 12 May 2015 11:08 AM PDT Standardized testing, school accountability measures negatively affect college readiness and learning at a Texas high school when teachers focus on improving mandated test scores.

Detection of spin of atoms at room temperature theoretically demonstrated Posted: 12 May 2015 11:08 AM PDT For the first time, a researcher has theoretically demonstrated that it is possible to detect a single nuclear spin at room temperature, which could pave the way for new approaches to medical diagnostics.

Discovery provides insight into development of autoimmunity Posted: 12 May 2015 11:08 AM PDT The action of a gene that regulates the education of T cells has been uncovered by researchers, providing insight into how and why the immune system begins mistaking the body's own tissues for targets.

Europa's mystery dark material could be sea salt, NASA research reveals Posted: 12 May 2015 10:16 AM PDT NASA laboratory experiments suggest the dark material coating some geological features of Jupiter's moon Europa is likely sea salt from a subsurface ocean, discolored by exposure to radiation. The presence of sea salt on Europa's surface suggests the ocean is interacting with its rocky seafloor -- an important consideration in determining whether the icy moon could support life.

Scientists regenerate bone tissue using only proteins secreted by stem cells Posted: 12 May 2015 09:42 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a way to regrow bone tissue using the protein signals produced by stem cells. This technology could help treat victims who have experienced major trauma to a limb, like soldiers wounded in combat or casualties of a natural disaster. The new method improves on older therapies by providing a sustainable source for fresh tissue and reducing the risk of tumor formation that can arise with stem cell transplants.

Nerve cells in the fast lane Posted: 12 May 2015 09:42 AM PDT Researchers have identified in what way a specific form of dopamine producing cells is generated and which networks it forms in the course of brain development. In the process, the researchers discovered a data highway of sorts: the nerve cells use not only dopamine for signal transmission, but also the much-faster glutamate.

Prenatal exercise lowers risks of C-sections, higher birth weights Posted: 12 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT Pregnant women who exercise can significantly lower the risk of undergoing cesarean sections and giving birth to large babies, a study has found. Prenatal exercise has been suggested to be a means to prevent childhood obesity through a "normalization" in birth weight (ie. reducing the risk of having a large baby at birth).

siRNA-toting nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis Posted: 12 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT Researchers combined finely crafted nanoparticles with one of nature's potent disrupters to prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in mouse models. The researchers are working toward clinical trials and exploring use of the technology for other cancers and diseases.

Plant breeder boosts soybean diversity, develops soybean rust-resistant plant Posted: 12 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT It took decades of painstaking work, but a research geneticist managed to cross a popular soybean variety with a related wild perennial plant that grows like a weed in Australia, producing the first fertile soybean plants that are resistant to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode and other pathogens of soy.

How the brain balances hearing between our ears Posted: 12 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT Researchers have answered the longstanding question of how the brain balances hearing between our ears, which is essential for localizing sound, hearing in noisy conditions and for protection from noise damage.

Shifting winds: An early warning for reduced energy Posted: 12 May 2015 09:39 AM PDT Chinook winds can precede large shifts in wind power output from wind farms -- a challenge for companies seeking to provide a constant stream of green energy to consumers. By establishing a connection between local meteorological events and power grid output, the researchers hope that they may ultimately help grid operators more accurately predict fluctuations in flow and manage the grid accordingly.

Feds approve wider testing of spinach defenses against citrus greening disease Posted: 12 May 2015 09:39 AM PDT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved an Experimental Use Permit under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

Food dye, near infrared light can aid in breast resection Posted: 12 May 2015 09:39 AM PDT Roughly 1 in 4 women having breast conserving surgery (BCS) return to the surgical suite for further resection because of cancerous tissue left behind due to unclear margins. A research team focuses on coming up with a practical solution that both preserves the surgical practice of inking the margins of breast cancer tumors, and allows quality imaging post-inking.

Finding should enhance treatments that stop immune system attacks Posted: 12 May 2015 09:39 AM PDT An important discovery has been made about an immune cell that is already being used in immunotherapy to treat diseases such as type I diabetes. The work details how regulatory T cells can cure inflammatory diseases, researchers say.

The weakest magnetic field in the solar system Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT Magnetic fields easily penetrate matter. Creating a space practically devoid of magnetic fields thus presents a great challenge. An international team of physicists has now developed a shielding that dampens low frequency magnetic fields more than a million-fold. Using this mechanism, they have created a space that boasts the weakest magnetic field of our solar system. The physicists now intend to carry out precision experiments there.

Cause of regression in individuals with down syndrome identified Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal disorder in America, can be complicated by significant deterioration in movement, speech and functioning in some adolescents and young adults. Physicians previously attributed this regression to depression or early-onset Alzheimer's, and it has not responded to treatments. Now, a researcher has found that Catatonia, a treatable disorder, may cause regression in patients with Down syndrome. Individuals with regressive Down syndrome who were treated for Catatonia showed improvement, the researcher found.

Seven in 10 take early pension payout Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT As governments and corporations around the world face pension shortfalls, a groundbreaking study in Croatia by a team of US researchers explores the likelihood and circumstances under which people will accept partial payouts.

Bacteria the newest tool in detecting environmental damage Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT A method of using bacteria to help test for the presence of a wide array of pollutants has been developed by researchers. The scientists say that their method may potentially be used for everything from well water testing to seaside construction purposes.

New device provides chikungunya test results in an hour Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT Health workers now have a quick way to detect the presence of the chikungunya (CHIKV) virus within an hour, rather than waiting for results of laboratory tests that take days, or even weeks, scientists report.

New device to collect bed bugs developed Posted: 12 May 2015 08:24 AM PDT A new tool for collecting bed bugs for research purposes has been developed. The device is powerful enough to collect the bed bugs, but gentle enough to not damage them, the scientists report.

Seasonal immunity: Activity of thousands of genes differs from winter to summer Posted: 12 May 2015 08:23 AM PDT Our immune systems vary with the seasons, according to a study that could help explain why certain conditions such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis are aggravated in winter whilst people tend to be healthier in the summer. The study shows that the activity of almost a quarter of our genes (5,136 out of 22,822 genes tested) differs according to the time of year, with some more active in winter and others more active in summer. This seasonality also affects our immune cells and the composition of our blood and adipose tissue (fat).

Novel computer intelligence system for acute stroke detection Posted: 12 May 2015 08:23 AM PDT Medical researchers have developed a novel computer-aided detection system for acute stroke using computer intelligence technology. The detection accuracy is 90%, which is as high as that conducted by specialists, but at a much reduced time from 10-15 minutes to 3 minutes.

Sexual orientation, gender identity linked to eating disorders Posted: 12 May 2015 08:22 AM PDT Transgender and non-transgender lesbian, gay and bisexual students are at greater risk for eating disorders, finds a new study. The study used data from the American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment, a survey of 289,024 students from 223 U.S. universities. Researchers found that the rates of self-reported eating disorders were highest in transgender people. Heterosexual men had the lowest rates.

Training teachers for deaf children gets a robotic helping hand Posted: 12 May 2015 08:22 AM PDT Deaf education lecturers are using the Swivl robot in school classrooms in a UK first for teacher training. Swivl is a robotic turntable onto which is placed an iPad or other tablet. It is positioned in the classroom and turns to follow people talking. It then uploads video to a secure cloud for streaming or later viewing.

Survival from rare bone cancer remains low Posted: 12 May 2015 08:22 AM PDT Ten-year survival of a rare malignancy called mesenchymal chondrosarcoma has been reported to be as low as 20 percent. But a new study has found survival is not as dismal as prior reports. More than half (51 percent) of patients survived at least five years, and 43 percent survived at least 10 years.

Psychotic hallucinations, delusions rarely precede violence Posted: 12 May 2015 07:41 AM PDT Mass shootings at the hands of unhinged loners - such as those in Aurora, Colo.; Santa Barbara, Calif., and Newtown, Conn. -- perpetuate a commonly held belief that mental illness triggers violent crimes. But a new study shows that hallucinations and delusions associated with psychiatric disorders seldom foreshadow acts of aggression.

Scientists unravel mystery of tubulin code Posted: 12 May 2015 07:41 AM PDT Driving down the highway, you encounter ever-changing signs -- speed limits, exits, food and gas options. Seeing these roadside markers may cause you to slow down, change lanes or start thinking about lunch. In a similar way, cellular structures called microtubules are tagged with a variety of chemical markers that can influence cell functions. The pattern of these markers makes up the 'tubulin code' and scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind one of the main writers of this code.

Inconsistent Medicaid expansion would widen disparities in screenings for women's cancers Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Researchers recently conducted a study that found low-income and uninsured women in states that are not expanding their Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid coverage are less likely to receive breast and cervical cancer screenings compared to states that are implementing expansions.

Bragging: Researchers find self-promotion often backfires Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Bragging to coworkers about a recent promotion, or posting a photo of your brand new car on Facebook, may seem like harmless ways to share good news. However, a new study shows that self-promotion or a 'humblebrag' often backfires.

Rats will try to save other rats from drowning Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Rats have more heart than you might think. When one is drowning, another will put out a helping paw to rescue its mate. This is especially true for rats that previously had a watery near-death experience, say researchers.

Significant progress made towards individualized cancer immunotherapy Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Significant advances have been made with regard to the development of individualized immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer. They have managed to identify the relevant genetic changes or mutations associated with various types of cancer and have determined their individual blueprints. This makes it possible for the scientists to readily produce customized cancer vaccines of the kind that have already been demonstrated to be effective in animal models.

Alcohol treatment programs prove effective in cutting reoffending, study shows Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT Offenders enrolled in alcohol treatment programs as part of their sentence are significantly less likely to be charged or reconvicted in the 12 months following their program, a study has shown. Alcohol misuse is associated with about 50 per cent of all violent crimes and 73 per cent of all domestic violence incidents in the United Kingdom and the United States, with nearly 1million violent attacks every year in the United Kingdom alone.

Six times more expensive to travel by car than by bicycle: Study Posted: 12 May 2015 07:40 AM PDT It is six times more expensive for society -- and for you individually -- if you travel by car instead of cycling. This has been shown in a study from Copenhagen, a city of cyclists. It is the first time a price has been put on car use as compared to cycling.

Aclidinium bromide/formoterol in COPD: Added benefit for certain patient groups Posted: 12 May 2015 07:38 AM PDT Patients with COPD grade III with no more than one flare-up per year and grade II patients benefit from the new aclidinium Bromide/formoterol drug combination, researchers note.

Family genetics study reveals new clues to autism risk Posted: 12 May 2015 07:38 AM PDT A study of almost 2,400 children with autism, their parents and unaffected siblings has provided new insights into the genetics of the condition. Researchers found that certain inherited mutations that truncate the formation of proteins were more common in children with autism, compared to their unaffected brothers and sisters. These gene variations were more likely to be passed from mothers with no signs of the disorder to sons, who then developed the condition.

Microscope created allowing deep brain exploration Posted: 12 May 2015 07:38 AM PDT A team of neuroscientists and bioengineers has created a miniature, fiber-optic microscope designed to peer deeply inside a living brain. The laser-scanning microscope, a prototype which will be further refined, uses fiber-optics and a tiny electrowetting lens. Compared to other small, focusing lenses, it's fast and not sensitive to motion. This allows it to reliably focus on living tissue.

Political talk on Facebook mirrors political talk offline Posted: 12 May 2015 07:38 AM PDT Researchers found political discussions conducted on social networking sites like Facebook mirror traditional offline discussions and don't provide a window into previously untapped participants in the political process. The study also revealed two kinds of behaviors people exhibit in discussing politics on Facebook.

New research will help forecast bad ozone days over the Western US Posted: 12 May 2015 07:38 AM PDT A strong connection between high ozone days in the western US during late spring and La Nina, an ocean-atmosphere phenomena that affects global weather patterns, has been identified by researchers. Recognizing this link offers insight for public health and air quality managers.

Focus on the regional impact of climate change Posted: 12 May 2015 07:35 AM PDT The recently published Second Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin makes an important contribution to understanding variations in the climate. The report also captures the most important changes to the regional climate in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea areas, home to 90 million people.

Ants' movements hide mathematical patterns Posted: 12 May 2015 07:35 AM PDT When ants go exploring in search of food they end up choosing collective routes that fit statistical distributions of probability. This has been demonstrated by a team of mathematicians after analyzing the trails of a species of Argentine ant. Studies like this could be applied to coordinate the movement of micro-robots in cleaning contaminated areas for example.

How the presence of conservation researchers affects wildlife Posted: 12 May 2015 07:35 AM PDT In a study that compared three sites within the Dja Conservation Complex in Cameroon, Africa, investigators found that the presence of a conservation research project acts as a deterrent to chimpanzee and gorilla poachers, and community awareness and involvement in research lead to an increased value of apes and intact forests to local people, thus limiting hunting practices. The results provide evidence that the mere existence of research programs exerts a positive impact on the conservation of wildlife in their natural habitats.

New app puts the world's biodiversity in the palm of your hand Posted: 12 May 2015 07:35 AM PDT People can check out local wildlife wherever they are in the world with a new app that says what species of animals and plants might be nearby.

Researchers take step toward bringing precision medicine to all cancer patients Posted: 12 May 2015 07:33 AM PDT Researchers have developed and tested a new tool that searches for the most common genetic anomalies seen in cancer. The assay demonstrates the ability to make gene sequencing easier over a large volume of samples.

New study assesses risks of extreme weather to North Texas roads, runways Posted: 12 May 2015 06:08 AM PDT A new study explains how climate change and extreme weather will significantly disrupt infrastructure across the Dallas-Fort Worth region by the end of the 21st century. The assessment found the risks to transportation infrastructure from storms are more likely to happen during the spring season. Researchers found a higher likelihood of heat-related risks for infrastructure, particularly during the summer season.

The mighty seed: Best conservation practices consider both genetics, biology Posted: 12 May 2015 06:08 AM PDT Restoring diverse vegetation along the Atlantic seaboard after devastating hurricanes or replanting forests after destructive wildfires rests mightily upon one tiny but important ingredient: the seed.

E-skin and pocket-sized diagnostic devices give patients the power back Posted: 12 May 2015 06:07 AM PDT Wearable E-skin that can measure heart rate and blood pressure, and paper diagnostic machines the size of a credit card that can give instant readings on blood and saliva samples are two new bio-sensing technologies. Bio-sensors can detect and analyze data to give patients information on their heart rate and blood pressure, blood sugar and hormone levels, and even test whether they are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This detection technology is a step forward in personal medicine, giving patients real-time information about how their bodies are functioning and suggesting suitable treatments.

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