ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Tiny birds ‘cry hawk’ to give offspring chance to escape predators
• Helping youth cope with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts
• Deepest high-temperature hydrothermal vents discovered in Pacific Ocean
• Social and sensory overstimulation drives autistic behaviors, animal study suggests
• Alice instrument's ultraviolet close-up provides a surprising discovery about comet's atmosphere
• How to weigh the Milky Way
• How past Native-American settlement modified Western New York forests
• No improvement in cognition with post-menopausal hormones
• Ultrasound is making new waves throughout medicine
• Why the 'cool factor' won’t lure college grads to your city
• Hidden costs: Emotion responses to command and control
• Microendoscope could eliminate unneeded biopsies
• Immunity enzyme defends against tuberculosis infection, study shows
• Global water-pricing practices suggest approaches to managing california water scarcity
• Natural variants in genetic system that affects aging identified
• Plasma for medical, biological uses: New electron density diagnostic method
• Chemists weigh intact virus mixture with mass spectrometer
• Saving money and the environment with 3-D printing
• Scientists discover a protein that silences the biological clock
• Does Agion silver technology work as an antimicrobial?
• Oral bacterium possibly associated with systemic disease found in Alabama schoolchildren
• Is our first line of defense sleeping on the job?
• Great Barrier Reef marine reserves combat coral disease
• Toothbrush contamination in communal bathrooms
• It takes a village: Why do consumers participate in wind energy programs?
• Black athletes stereotyped negatively in media compared to white athletes
• Eyes sealed shut: Seamless closure of surgical incisions
• Don't overthink it: Trusting first impressions increases sales
• Pocket change: When does corporate gratitude backfire?
• Greenhouse gas-caused warming felt in just months
• Academic struggles more common in children with epilepsy who have brain surgery
• Genome-editing proteins seek and find with a slide and a hop
• Are you taking too much NyQuil? The surprising futility of drug labeling
• Epicenter of brain's predictive ability pinpointed by scientists
• Why HIV's cloak has a long tail
• Major advance in mastering the extraordinary properties of an emerging semiconductor
• Intelligent bacteria for detecting disease
• Researchers simulate behavior of 'active matter'
• Schools failing to address biased student discipline
• Getting rid of pinholes in solar cells
• Scary TV's impact on kids is overstated, say psychologists
• High-temperature superconductivity in atomically thin films
• Use of computerized clinical decision support tools leads to small reduction in inappropriate advanced imaging studies
• Improving the delivery of chemotherapy with graphene
• Microbiology: Gut bacteria cooperate when life gets tough
• Researchers stimulate larynx muscles with light
• Earth organisms survive under low-pressure Martian conditions
• Single 30-day hospital readmission metric fails to reflect changing risk factors
• Measuring the mass of molecules on the nano-scale
• The invisible key to methane hydrates
• An inexpensive rival to graphene aerogels
• Study questions effectiveness of computerized clinical decision support systems
• Multifaceted intervention associated with modest decrease in surgical site infections
• Examination of antidepressant use in late pregnancy and newborn respiratory disorder
• When the color we see isn't the color we remember
• Key to maintaining muscle strength while we age
• Misperceptions about impact of double mastectomy
• FDA addresses concerns on approval of drugs to treat chronic hepatitis C
• New heterogeneous wavelength tunable laser diode for high-frequency efficiency
• Move over Arabidopsis, there's a new model plant in town

Tiny birds ‘cry hawk’ to give offspring chance to escape predators Posted: 02 Jun 2015 05:04 PM PDT New research has found that the 6 gram brown thornbill mimics the hawk alarm calls of neighboring species to scare a nest predator by convincing it that a much bigger and scarier predator -- the brown goshawk -- is on its way.

Helping youth cope with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts Posted: 02 Jun 2015 02:19 PM PDT A program is helping strengthen the mental health of public school students. The EMPATHY program, created and implemented in 2013, shows after just three months of use in schools, the program significantly decreased anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among the student population.

Deepest high-temperature hydrothermal vents discovered in Pacific Ocean Posted: 02 Jun 2015 02:19 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a large, previously unknown field of hydrothermal vents in the Gulf of California, about 150 kilometers (100 miles) east of La Paz, Mexico. Lying more than 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) below the surface, the Pescadero Basin vents are the deepest high-temperature hydrothermal vents ever observed in or around the Pacific Ocean.

Social and sensory overstimulation drives autistic behaviors, animal study suggests Posted: 02 Jun 2015 01:40 PM PDT A new study shows that social and sensory overstimulation drives autistic behaviors. The study, conducted on rats exposed to a known risk factor in humans, supports the unconventional view of the autistic brain as hyper-functional, and offers new hope with therapeutic emphasis on paced and non-surprising environments tailored to the individual's sensitivity.

Alice instrument's ultraviolet close-up provides a surprising discovery about comet's atmosphere Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:35 PM PDT A close-up of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by NASA's ultraviolet instrument surprised scientists by revealing that electrons close to the comet's surface -- not photons from the sun as had been believed -- cause the rapid breakup of water and carbon dioxide molecules spewing from the surface.

How to weigh the Milky Way Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:34 PM PDT Scientists used streams produced by dissolving globular clusters to measure the weight of our galaxy and determine the location of the sun within the Milky Way.

How past Native-American settlement modified Western New York forests Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:34 PM PDT A new study by geographers explores how humans altered the arboreal make-up of Western New York forests before European settlers arrived in large numbers.

No improvement in cognition with post-menopausal hormones Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:34 PM PDT Menopausal hormone therapy given to recently postmenopausal women in the US for up to four years does not improve cognition, but may have some positive benefits for some mood symptoms, according to a new study.

Ultrasound is making new waves throughout medicine Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:33 PM PDT For decades, ultrasound was employed in only a handful of medical specialties. But today it is being used across the spectrum of disciplines, from anesthesiology to urology. Ultrasound, also called sonography, is now probably the most widely employed imaging tool in medicine today.

Why the 'cool factor' won’t lure college grads to your city Posted: 02 Jun 2015 12:33 PM PDT The kind of cities that attract college graduates has changed since the 1990s, a new nationwide study reveals. In the 1990s, grads were moving to cities with fast-growing "smart" industries in fields like high tech, the study found. But since 2000, with a less vibrant national economy, college graduates are flocking toward the biggest cities with the biggest labor markets and the best chances of landing a job, the study shows.

Hidden costs: Emotion responses to command and control Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:23 AM PDT Creating a conflict with the population that a policy targets can backfire. The most successful public policies are those that are framed positively and support choice, a new study concludes.

Microendoscope could eliminate unneeded biopsies Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:23 AM PDT In a clinical study of patients in the United States and China, researchers found that a portable, low-cost, battery-powered microendoscope could eventually eliminate the need for costly biopsies for many patients undergoing standard endoscopic screening for esophageal cancer.

Immunity enzyme defends against tuberculosis infection, study shows Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:23 AM PDT A study has identified how an enzyme involved in protecting the body from pathogens senses Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterial pathogen that infects millions of people worldwide and causes about 1.5 million deaths annually.

Global water-pricing practices suggest approaches to managing california water scarcity Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:22 AM PDT As water scarcity and quality issues grow in California and around the world, a new book examines the experience of 15 countries where conservation has been achieved through water-pricing incentive systems.

Natural variants in genetic system that affects aging identified Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:22 AM PDT A study of the rapid evolution of the insulin-signaling molecular network that regulates growth, reproduction, metabolism and aging lays important groundwork for future studies.

Plasma for medical, biological uses: New electron density diagnostic method Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT An electron density diagnostic method has been developed for atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma that is anticipated to be applicable for the fields of environmental protection and of medicine and biology. Diagnostics techniques for fusion plasma research are applied to this achievement and make it possible to diagnose electron density using an interferometer, which in the past had been difficult due to influences from the atmosphere.

Chemists weigh intact virus mixture with mass spectrometer Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT Chemists have separated and weighed virus particles using mass spectrometry. This is the first time that researchers successfully used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS to analyze a mixture of intact virus particles.

Saving money and the environment with 3-D printing Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT The environmental effects of 3-D printing metal aircraft parts has been examined by scientists. They found the method could reduce an airplane's weight by 4 to 7 percent. Conventional manufacturing methods tend to be inefficient and wasteful, the researchers noted.

Scientists discover a protein that silences the biological clock Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT A new study has found that a protein associated with cancer cells is a powerful suppressor of the biological clock that drives the daily ('circadian') rhythms of cells throughout the body. The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between cancer and disruption of circadian rhythms, while offering new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the biological clock.

Does Agion silver technology work as an antimicrobial? Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT The antibacterial effectiveness of Agion silver zeolite technology was tested on door handles across the Penn State Erie campus and after four years of sampling, a significant difference was observed between the bacterial populations isolated from silver versus control-coated door handles.

Oral bacterium possibly associated with systemic disease found in Alabama schoolchildren Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT Prevalence of a recently discovered serotype of oral bacterium, with a possible link to a number of systemic diseases, was found for the first time in a small cohort of African-American schoolchildren in a southwest Alabama town, according to research.

Is our first line of defense sleeping on the job? Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:07 AM PDT The skin microbiome is considered our first line of defense against pathogens. Across our bodies, we are covered with a diverse assemblage of bacteria. However, the skin can be a harsh environment for beneficial bacteria to live on due to UV exposure, high salinity, and desiccation stress. Research has found that these suboptimal conditions may cause some bacteria to enter a dormant state, while other bacteria may simply die.

Great Barrier Reef marine reserves combat coral disease Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT A new and significant role for marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef has been revealed, with researchers finding the reserves reduce the prevalence of coral diseases. It's been known for some time that marine reserves are important for maintaining and enhancing fish stocks, but this is the first time marine reserves have been shown to enhance coral health on the Great Barrier Reef.

Toothbrush contamination in communal bathrooms Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT Data confirms that there is transmission of fecal coliforms in communal bathrooms at a university, and that toothbrushes can serve as a vector for transmission of potentially pathogenic organisms.

It takes a village: Why do consumers participate in wind energy programs? Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT Why do people participate in programs that benefit the environment, even when there seems to be no direct personal benefit in taking part? More specifically, why would consumers pay good money for wind energy when it is not at all clear that they are benefiting from that energy? The answer may lie in a psychological sense of community with other wind-energy customers, according to a new study.

Black athletes stereotyped negatively in media compared to white athletes Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT New research has revealed racial stereotyping in the way media portray athletes. Researchers found that media stories on African-American athletes focus primarily on criminal actions while stories about white athletes are overwhelmingly positive.

Eyes sealed shut: Seamless closure of surgical incisions Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT A researcher has spent much of his career honing his pioneering technique called 'laser welding,' which heats incisions in a precisely controlled manner for optimal wound closure. His latest study explores a radical new application to seal transplants of the cornea -- which could dramatically advance eye surgery.

Don't overthink it: Trusting first impressions increases sales Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. When it comes to selling, that might be a good thing, suggests a new study.

Pocket change: When does corporate gratitude backfire? Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT Not too long ago, Microsoft mailed loyal Xbox customers an e-card encoded with twenty-five cents' worth of Microsoft points. The software behemoth might have thought it was showing appreciation. But recipients of the company's 'generosity' might have felt 'Is that all I'm worth?' According to a new study, companies that bestow monetary gifts in too small amounts can leave customers feeling, well, small.

Greenhouse gas-caused warming felt in just months Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT The heat generated by burning a fossil fuel is surpassed within a few months by the warming caused by the release of its carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a new study says. The release of CO2 into the atmosphere contributes to the trapping of heat that would otherwise be emitted into outer space.

Academic struggles more common in children with epilepsy who have brain surgery Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:06 AM PDT A new study has taken the first-ever look at the academic outcomes of children with epilepsy who have had brain surgery, and found that they have a higher chance of struggling in class following their surgery.

Genome-editing proteins seek and find with a slide and a hop Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT Searching a whole genome for one particular sequence is like trying to fish a specific piece from the box of a billion-piece puzzle. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers have observed how one set of genome-editing proteins finds its specific targets, which could help them design better gene therapies to treat disease.

Are you taking too much NyQuil? The surprising futility of drug labeling Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT Any box or bottle of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine lists its active ingredients prominently on the label. But are consumers using that information to make wise choices about taking two or more OTC drugs at the same time? Probably not, suggests a new study.

Epicenter of brain's predictive ability pinpointed by scientists Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT In recent years, scientists have discovered that the human brain works on predictions, contrary to the previously accepted theory that it reacts to outside sensations. Now, researchers have reported finding the epicenter of those predictions.

Why HIV's cloak has a long tail Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT A small section of the envelope protein, located on the 'tail' of the HIV virus is necessary for the protein to be sorted into viral particles. Figuring out how to manipulate the envelope protein could help researchers design more effective vaccines, experts say.

Major advance in mastering the extraordinary properties of an emerging semiconductor Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT A team of researchers is the first to succeed in preventing two-dimensional layers of black phosphorus from oxidating. In so doing, they have opened the doors to exploiting their striking properties in a number of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Intelligent bacteria for detecting disease Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT Research teams have transformed bacteria into 'secret agents' that can give warning of a disease based solely on the presence of characteristic molecules in the urine or blood. To perform this feat, the researchers inserted the equivalent of a computer program into the DNA of the bacterial cells. The bacteria thus programmed detect the abnormal presence of glucose in the urine of diabetic patients. This work is the first step in the use of programmable cells for medical diagnosis.

Researchers simulate behavior of 'active matter' Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:05 AM PDT From flocks of starlings to schools of fish, nature is full of intricate dynamics that emerge from the collective behavior of individuals. In recent years, interest has grown in trying to capture similar dynamics to make self-assembling materials from so-called 'active matter.' Researchers have shed new light on the dynamics of one type of active matter known as active colloids.

Schools failing to address biased student discipline Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:04 AM PDT School districts are failing to address the discipline gap between students of color and white students -- in some cases even blocking researchers from gathering data on the troubling trend, a scholar argues in a new paper.

Getting rid of pinholes in solar cells Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:04 AM PDT Researchers have learned how to eliminate pesky pinholes in perovskite solar cells. The pinholes in the top layer of the solar cell, known as the hole transport layer, were identified as a key cause for the quick degradation of perovskite solar cells. Researchers around the world are investigating the potential of perovskite, a humanmade organic-inorganic hybrid material, as an alternative to silicon-based solar cells.

Scary TV's impact on kids is overstated, say psychologists Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:04 AM PDT The impact of scary TV on children's well-being has been overstated, according to psychologists. While research has shown that a small minority of children can have extreme reactions to a scary program or film, the researchers found that, overall, children show very little sign of increased anxiety, fear, sadness or sleep problems.

High-temperature superconductivity in atomically thin films Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:04 AM PDT A research group has succeeded in fabricating an atomically thin, high-temperature superconductor film with a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of up to 60 K (-213°C). The team also established the method to control/tune the Tc.

Use of computerized clinical decision support tools leads to small reduction in inappropriate advanced imaging studies Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:03 AM PDT The increasing use of advanced medical imaging such as MRI and CT is often cited as a key driver of increasing medical costs. Beginning in 2017, federal rules will require that decision support tools must be used before ordering any advanced diagnostic imaging study paid for by Medicare. The tools, computer-based programs that match a patient's characteristics against treatment criteria and recommend a treatment, helped increase the proportion of tests for Medicare fee-for-service patients rated as appropriate.

Improving the delivery of chemotherapy with graphene Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:00 AM PDT A new study has proposed using graphene as an alternative coating for catheters to improve the delivery of chemotherapy drugs.

Microbiology: Gut bacteria cooperate when life gets tough Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered with the help of computer models how gut bacteria respond to changes in their environment -- such as a decrease in oxygen levels or nutrient availability. Microorganisms that normally compete or overthrow one another can switch to a cooperative lifestyle when their living conditions change: They even start producing substances to make life easier for the other species, helping them to survive. The entire microbial community then stabilizes -- and together adapts successfully to the new situation.

Researchers stimulate larynx muscles with light Posted: 02 Jun 2015 10:00 AM PDT Researchers have found a way to stimulate the larynx muscles of mice using light. In the long term, this method could be an option for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis, which causes difficulties in phonation and breathing, the authors say.

Earth organisms survive under low-pressure Martian conditions Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:58 AM PDT Methanogens -- among the simplest and oldest organisms on Earth -- could survive on Mars, new research suggests. Methanogens, microorganisms in the domain Archaea, use hydrogen as their energy source and carbon dioxide as their carbon source, to metabolize and produce methane, also known as natural gas. Methanogens live in swamps and marshes, but can also be found in the gut of cattle, termites and other herbivores as well as in dead and decaying matter.

Single 30-day hospital readmission metric fails to reflect changing risk factors Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:58 AM PDT A new study suggests that risk factors for readmission change significantly over the course of the 30 days following hospital discharge. Thirty-day hospital readmission rates have become a federal quality metric intended to reflect inpatient quality of care and unnecessary health care utilization.

Measuring the mass of molecules on the nano-scale Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:58 AM PDT Working with a device that slightly resembles a microscopically tiny tuning fork, researchers have recently developed coupled microcantilevers that can make mass measurements on the order of nanograms with only a 1 percent margin of error -- potentially enabling the weighing of individual molecules in liquid environments.

The invisible key to methane hydrates Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:58 AM PDT Researchers are studying the role that methane nanobubbles might play in the formation and dissociation of natural gas hydrates, a currently untapped source of natural gas and a chief energy source in the United States. Gaining a better understanding of how nanobubbles impact their formation and dissociation could help design procedures to more efficiently and safely harvest hydrates for natural gas capture.

An inexpensive rival to graphene aerogels Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT A team of researchers set out to design a cheaper material with properties similar to a graphene aerogel--in terms of its conductivity, as well as a lightweight, anticorrosive, porous structure. The researchers have describe the new material they created and its performance.

Study questions effectiveness of computerized clinical decision support systems Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT An analysis of the use of computerized clinical decision support systems regarding orders for advanced diagnostic imaging found that the systems failed to identify relevant appropriateness criteria for the majority of orders.

Multifaceted intervention associated with modest decrease in surgical site infections Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT Implementation of a pre-surgical intervention that included screening for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, treating patients who were positive for this bacteria, and the administration of antibiotics based on these culture results was associated with a modest reduction in S aureus surgical site infections, according to a study.

Examination of antidepressant use in late pregnancy and newborn respiratory disorder Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT An analysis of approximately 3.8 million pregnancies finds that use of antidepressants late in pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). However, the absolute risk was small and the risk increase appears more modest than suggested in previous studies. PPHN is a rare but life-threatening condition that occurs when a newborn's circulation system doesn't adapt to breathing outside the womb.

When the color we see isn't the color we remember Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT Though people can distinguish among millions of colors, we have trouble remembering specific shades because our brains tend to store what we've seen as one of just a few basic hues.

Key to maintaining muscle strength while we age Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT By knowing that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is vital for maintaining muscle mass with aging, researchers can now try to adapt exercise regimes and existing drugs to switch on AMPK in muscle more effectively. The development of new selective activators of the AMPK pathway in muscle may also be effective to prevent muscle loss with aging.

Misperceptions about impact of double mastectomy Posted: 02 Jun 2015 09:57 AM PDT A survey of women with breast cancer found that nearly half considered having a double mastectomy. But of those who considered it, only 37 percent knew that the more aggressive procedure does not improve survival for women with breast cancer.

FDA addresses concerns on approval of drugs to treat chronic hepatitis C Posted: 02 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Treatment options for chronic hepatitis C, a serious and life-threatening infection, have improved substantially and several new regimens with shorter durations and improved efficacy and safety profiles are now available.

New heterogeneous wavelength tunable laser diode for high-frequency efficiency Posted: 02 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT A novel ultra-compact heterogeneous wavelength tunable laser diode has been developed by scientists. The heterogeneous laser diode was realized through a combination of silicon photonics and quantum-dot technology, and demonstrates a wide-range tuning-operation.

Move over Arabidopsis, there's a new model plant in town Posted: 02 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Biological nitrogen fixation provides a free way for plants to alter and absorb the nutrient. Legumes like soybeans fix nitrogen due to the symbiosis with bacteria in the soil through development of nodules on their roots, but since grasses like corn and rice don't form this specialized structures that relationship has been trickier to explore. Researchers have now shown the grass Setaria viridis received 100 percent of its nitrogen from the bacteria Azospirillum brasilense.

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