ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New diversity for lager beers
• 2-million-year-old fossils reveal hearing abilities of early humans
• Extreme Pacific sea level events to double in future
• Study adds to evidence that viruses are alive
• Plants with jobs
• Scientists discover new system for human genome editing
• Deep-diving whales could hold answer for synthetic blood
• What powers the pumping heart?
• Dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer, research shows
• Researchers' model helps predict consumer spending
• Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth
• Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions
• Developing new omics-based diagnostic tools to better manage yeast infections in humans
• A different type of 2-D semiconductor
• Road to supercapacitors for scrap tires
• Bravo to biomass
• Secrets of a cellular nanomachine revealed: Learning how any molecule passes through any membrane
• US political polarization linked to TV news deregulation
• Medicaid study uncovers rise in costly ER visits due to possible gaps in postpartum care
• When paired with coinfection, social isolation might fuel rather than foil epidemics
• Tumor necrosis factor in colitis: Bad actor or hero?
• Study comparing of crash risk of EU and US motor-vehicles indicates differences in performance
• Development of trust in B2B relationships calls for common goals
• The First World War: Fusion of man and machine
• Reproducible neuroscience with real tango Consonant results resonate in the brain
• Solar roof: New hybrid solar panel roof slashes energy bills
• Humans, monkeys affected by the same malaria parasite in the Amazon region
• Scientists stop and search malware hidden in shortened urls on Twitter
• Scientists publish first complete record of genetic mutations behind rare vascular disease
• Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source
• What will Volkswagen do? After an apology, companies often silence stakeholders and forget the scandal, study suggests
• 'Fossils' of galaxies reveal the formation and evolution of massive galaxies
• Simulation of chiral edge states in a quantum system
• Diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence
• Analysis of blood parameters helps to establish prognosis for patients with brain metastases
• A 'magic tent' for mountaineers
• Identification of a novel protein that protects against bowel inflammation
• Exploration of stable, crystalline, porous covalent organic frameworks
• Proposed standards for triboelectric nanogenerators could facilitate comparisons
• Mutated gene found in families with multiple tumors, including cardiac angiosarcoma
• I've got your back: Fish really do look after their mates
• Chip-based technology enables reliable direct detection of Ebola virus
• Having the 'right' connections only gets you so far
• Breaking the anxiety cycle
• Information handling by some health apps not as secure as it should be
• The rise of X-ray beam chemistry
• Lean and safe industry
• Facebook effect: Research shows comments about candidates have impact on potential voters
• Fungi may lead to cheaper cancer treatment, study suggests
• MS researchers correlate Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis, performance of everyday life activities
• 'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind
• Hope against disease targeting children
• Designed defects in liquid crystals can guide construction of nanomaterials
• Kenyan journalists covering life-threatening events at increased risk of psychological harm
• New treatment may help overcome common pregnancy-related complication
• How to achieve improved airline fuel savings to the possible Wall Street bonus of $10 million the first year
• Overweight health bloggers perceived as less reliable
• Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts
• Rapidly assessing the next influenza pandemic

New diversity for lager beers Posted: 25 Sep 2015 11:27 AM PDT Unlike ales, lager beers differ little in flavor. But now, by creating new crosses among the relevant yeasts, researchers have opened up new horizons of taste.

2-million-year-old fossils reveal hearing abilities of early humans Posted: 25 Sep 2015 11:27 AM PDT Research into human fossils dating back to approximately two million years ago reveals that the hearing pattern resembles chimpanzees, but with some slight differences in the direction of humans.

Extreme Pacific sea level events to double in future Posted: 25 Sep 2015 11:27 AM PDT Many tropical Pacific island nations are struggling to adapt to gradual sea level rise stemming from warming oceans and melting ice caps. Now they may also see much more frequent extreme sea level swings. The culprit is a projected behavioral change of the El Niño phenomenon and its characteristic Pacific wind response, according to recent computer modeling experiments and tide-gauge analysis.

Study adds to evidence that viruses are alive Posted: 25 Sep 2015 11:26 AM PDT A new analysis supports the hypothesis that viruses are living entities that share a long evolutionary history with cells. A new study offers the first reliable method for tracing viral evolution back to a time when neither viruses nor cells existed in the forms recognized today, the researchers say.

Plants with jobs Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:47 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new research framework for the agricultural sector that offers evidence-based understanding of the relationship between short-term yields, long-term sustainability and biodiversity.

Scientists discover new system for human genome editing Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:15 AM PDT A team including the scientist who first harnessed the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 system for mammalian genome editing has now identified a different CRISPR system with the potential for even simpler and more precise genome engineering.

Deep-diving whales could hold answer for synthetic blood Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT The ultra-stable properties of the proteins that allow deep-diving whales to remain active while holding their breath for up to two hours could help biochemists and other researchers finish a 20-year quest to create lifesaving synthetic blood for human trauma patients.

What powers the pumping heart? Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT A treasure trove of proteins has been discovered, which researchers say hold answers about how our heart pumps -- a phenomenon known as contractility. These molecules haven't been studied in the heart and little is known about what they do in other tissues, the investigators say.

Dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer, research shows Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT A diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota, also referred to as gut bacteria, throughout the colon, helping reduce the risk of colon cancer, researchers report.

Researchers' model helps predict consumer spending Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT When a business wants to predict consumer expenditures at a competing firm, the task can be difficult. Now a new methodology is being used to predict consumer spending at competitors.

Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT Humans have been breeding crops until they're bigger and more nutritious since the early days of agriculture, but genetic manipulation isn't the only way to give plants a boost. Integrative biologists now present how it is possible to engineer the plant soil microbiome to improve plant growth. These artificially selected microbiomes, which can also be selected in animals, can then be passed on from parents to offspring.

Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions Posted: 25 Sep 2015 10:14 AM PDT Ticks have had millions of years to figure out how to bite without triggering their victims' immune response. Proteins in the arachnids' spit evolved to manipulate immune cells so that the bloodsuckers can suck blood and transmit pathogens in peace. But these measures may not always have the desired effect when ticks bite humans, leading to severe allergic reactions, argue infectious disease specialists.

Developing new omics-based diagnostic tools to better manage yeast infections in humans Posted: 25 Sep 2015 09:57 AM PDT Yeasts are unicellular microorganisms classified within the Fungi kingdom. They are well known for their use in baking, winemaking and beer brewing fermentation, but some species of yeast are opportunistic pathogens that can cause infections in humans. Yeast infections are poorly understood, difficult to diagnose, and are becoming increasingly frequent and serious, affecting over 300 million people worldwide, investigators say, adding that fungal infections kill as many people as Malaria does every year. New research is looking to resolve this problem.

A different type of 2-D semiconductor Posted: 25 Sep 2015 08:21 AM PDT Researchers have produced the first atomically thin 2-D sheets of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites. These ionic materials exhibit optical properties not found in 2-D covalent semiconductors such as graphene, making them promising alternatives to silicon for future electronic devices.

Road to supercapacitors for scrap tires Posted: 25 Sep 2015 08:21 AM PDT Some of the 300 million tires discarded each year in the United States alone could be used in supercapacitors for vehicles and the electric grid using a technology.

Bravo to biomass Posted: 25 Sep 2015 08:21 AM PDT Biomass burning has positive environmental and public-health effects, A new study documents. Co-firing oat hulls with coal reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and heavy metals, compared with burning coal alone.

Secrets of a cellular nanomachine revealed: Learning how any molecule passes through any membrane Posted: 25 Sep 2015 06:32 AM PDT Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of our cells, because they generate chemical energy similar to that obtained from a battery. Whether it's a brain, muscle or plant cell, nano-sized gateways control the activity of the mitochondrial battery, by carefully allowing certain proteins and other molecules to enter into our mitochondria. Some of these proteins are large and complex molecules, yet they are essentially "spirited" into from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria, while the mitochondrial membrane remains water-tight and intact. How this happens has confounded science for decades.

US political polarization linked to TV news deregulation Posted: 25 Sep 2015 06:32 AM PDT Increasing American political polarization is linked to television news deregulation following the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, according to a new study.

Medicaid study uncovers rise in costly ER visits due to possible gaps in postpartum care Posted: 25 Sep 2015 06:00 AM PDT Citing an analysis of more than 26,000 Maryland Medicaid claims, researchers report evidence that poor women with recent complications during their pregnancies are using the emergency room (ER) at higher rates after delivery and may not be getting the postpartum care and follow-up they need to prevent further health problems.

When paired with coinfection, social isolation might fuel rather than foil epidemics Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:59 AM PDT When social isolation and coinfection occur together, diseases can spread faster and further than with either effect alone, new research shows. At the heart of the new study are two effects that have gained a lot of attention in recent years -- social clustering and coinfection -- but haven't been studied together. That, the authors say, turns out to be a major omission.

Tumor necrosis factor in colitis: Bad actor or hero? Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:59 AM PDT A common therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may actually protect against intestinal inflammation by inhibiting pathogenic T-cells, investigators report.

Study comparing of crash risk of EU and US motor-vehicles indicates differences in performance Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:58 AM PDT An international research study examined the hypotheses that vehicles meeting EU safety standards perform similarly to US-regulated vehicles in the US driving environment, and vice versa. The methodology is innovative and "first of its kind", and the study indicates differences in performance between EU and US motor-vehicles.

Development of trust in B2B relationships calls for common goals Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:58 AM PDT The development of trust in business-to-business relationships calls for goal congruence, according to a new study shedding new light on power symmetry in business-to-business relationships. However, power does not play as key a role in the development of trust as previously thought. The significance of power in business-to-business relationships is an essential yet also a controversial topic in marketing research, as diverging approaches have resulted in contradictory findings.

The First World War: Fusion of man and machine Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:58 AM PDT The First World War is widely regarded as having sparked technological innovations. The relationship man – machine changed drastically. Two PhD students have researched in what way those changes were reflected in literature.

Reproducible neuroscience with real tango Consonant results resonate in the brain Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:58 AM PDT Most neuroscientific studies rely on a single experiment and assume their findings to be reliable. However, the validity of this assumption needs to be tested before accepting the findings as the ground truth. Indeed, the lack of replication studies in addition to the inconsistency of neuroimaging findings severely limits the advancement of knowledge in the field of neuroscience, all of which has recently become a hot topic within the neuroscientific community.

Solar roof: New hybrid solar panel roof slashes energy bills Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:57 AM PDT Scientists have designed a new hybrid roofing system which could halve energy bills in new homes.

Humans, monkeys affected by the same malaria parasite in the Amazon region Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:57 AM PDT Two types of parasites are actually one with several host species, researchers have discovered. This finding has consequences for the global battle against the disease, the scientists say.

Scientists stop and search malware hidden in shortened urls on Twitter Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:57 AM PDT Cyber-criminals are taking advantage of real-world events with high volumes of traffic on Twitter in order to post links to websites which contain malware.

Scientists publish first complete record of genetic mutations behind rare vascular disease Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:57 AM PDT The genetic architecture of a debilitating and potentially fatal vascular disease has for the first time been detailed in its entirety, providing clinicians with the comprehensive data needed to improve diagnosis and deliver more personalized patient care.

Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT Fusion energy may soon be used in small-scale power stations. This means producing environmentally friendly heating and electricity at a low cost from fuel found in water. Both heating generators and generators for electricity could be developed within a few years, according to new research.

What will Volkswagen do? After an apology, companies often silence stakeholders and forget the scandal, study suggests Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT Researchers have found that large corporations often try to get over their corporate irresponsibility by first asking for forgiveness and then silencing their stakeholders. They also remove traces that may act as a reminder of the scandal. If Volkswagen does what many other corporations have previously done in similar cases, it may not learn to avoid its mistakes - and it may repeat the same mistake later on.

'Fossils' of galaxies reveal the formation and evolution of massive galaxies Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT Astronomers have observed massive dead galaxies in the universe 4 billion years after the Big Bang. They discovered that the stellar content of these galaxies is strikingly similar to that of massive elliptical galaxies seen locally. Furthermore, they identified progenitors of these dead galaxies when they were forming stars at an earlier cosmic epoch, unveiling the formation and evolution of massive galaxies across 11 billion years of cosmic time.

Simulation of chiral edge states in a quantum system Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT Researchers have simulated a physical phenomenon in an atomic quantum gas that can also be observed at the edge of some condensed matter systems: chiral currents. The scientists have published the experiment, which will open new doors for the study of exotic states in condensed matter.

Diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT A medication used for diabetes and obesity also could be a valuable tool for the treatment of alcohol dependence, a new study on mice and rats shows.

Analysis of blood parameters helps to establish prognosis for patients with brain metastases Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT Certain laboratory results, which have previously not been used specifically for this purpose, can help to predict survival in patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases and to decide on the most appropriate treatment strategy, new research suggests.

A 'magic tent' for mountaineers Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT An "all-in-one" shelter system has been developed for mountaineers. Inside the shelter conditions remain comfortable whatever the weather outdoors, thanks to a sophisticated dehumidifying system and a fine-tuned temperature control mechanism.

Identification of a novel protein that protects against bowel inflammation Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:55 AM PDT The role of stomach a cancer–associated protein has been revealed in the pathogenesis and prevention of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel disorders. These findings are expected to accelerate the development of targeted therapies for inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Exploration of stable, crystalline, porous covalent organic frameworks Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT Scientists have challenged for the design and synthesis of stable, crystalline, porous, covalent organic frameworks. By incorporating electron-donating groups to the phenyl rings of imine linkages, they found that the polarization of imine bonds were softened; this electronic effect reduces the repulsion between layers and strengthens the interlayer interactions to reinforce the stability of the resulting COFs.

Proposed standards for triboelectric nanogenerators could facilitate comparisons Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT To provide a means for both comparing and selecting energy-harvesting nanogenerators for specific applications, the research group that pioneered the triboelectric nanogenerator technology has now proposed a set of standards for quantifying device performance.

Mutated gene found in families with multiple tumors, including cardiac angiosarcoma Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT The mutation found in the POT1 gene causes a rare hereditary syndrome in which patients present multiple tumors, including cardiac angiosarcoma (CAS). It is now possible to identify carriers and intervene early. Currently, familial CAS patients have a poor chance of survival because the tumor is diagnosed when it is in an advanced phase.

I've got your back: Fish really do look after their mates Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT When it comes to helping each other out, it turns out that some fish are better at it than one might imagine. New research has found that pairs of rabbitfishes will cooperate and support each other while feeding.

Chip-based technology enables reliable direct detection of Ebola virus Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT Chip-based technology has been enhanced to provide reliable detection of Ebola virus and other viral pathogens. The system uses direct optical detection of viral molecules and can be integrated into a simple, portable instrument for use in field situations where rapid, accurate detection of Ebola infections is needed to control outbreaks.

Having the 'right' connections only gets you so far Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT Working with a highly reputable corporate leader helps managers get promoted to senior positions in the short term, but such a career boost is balanced in the longer-term as competitive job markets, including professional sports, punish those managers who initially benefited, research concludes.

Breaking the anxiety cycle Posted: 25 Sep 2015 05:53 AM PDT Children of anxious parents are at increased risk for developing the disorder. Yet that does not need to be the case, according to new research. Researchers tested a one-year therapy intervention in 136 families. The study found family-based intervention works.

Information handling by some health apps not as secure as it should be Posted: 24 Sep 2015 06:40 PM PDT Some health apps that have been clinically accredited may not have been complying with principles of data protection, according to research. In some instances health apps were found to be sending unencrypted personal and health information, which means users of these apps may have had their privacy put at risk.

The rise of X-ray beam chemistry Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:50 PM PDT By using powerful photon beams, researchers have shown that they can now control the chemical environment and provide nanoscale structural detail while simultaneously imaging the mineral calcite as it is pushed to its extremes.

Lean and safe industry Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Lean manufacturing involves minimizing expenses by attempting to eradicate waste, waste of materials, energy, and human resources. But, if lean efforts are at the cost of safety then that is a bad thing for any company, research emphasizes.

Facebook effect: Research shows comments about candidates have impact on potential voters Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Social media comments shape potential voters' opinions on candidates, new research confirms. For instance, the study shows that when Facebook users see favorable comments on the social media site about a political candidate, those opinions positively influence their own views of the politician, while unfavorable comments have a negative effect.

Fungi may lead to cheaper cancer treatment, study suggests Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Cheaper anti-cancer drugs for humans might ultimately stem from a new study. Scientists have developed a kind of microbial 'bandage' that protects yew trees from disease-causing fungi. The researchers found that naturally occurring fungi in the yew's vascular system act like an immune system to swarm a wound site and protect against invading pathogens.

MS researchers correlate Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis, performance of everyday life activities Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Scientists found that the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis predicted performance of activities of daily living using Actual Reality. There are implications for clinicians in a broad range of settings, especially those with limited access to neuropsychological consultation.

'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Assigning schools failing grades increases affluent voter turnout in local elections, a researcher finds. Affluent, white citizens who were already more likely to vote do so in significantly greater numbers after their local schools are labeled "failing." Voters who were previously unlikely to vote are only slightly more likely to go to the polls after school grades are issued.

Hope against disease targeting children Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT A research team has uncovered molecular changes that explain, at least in part, why motor neurons rather than others are affected by the illness. Unlike ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, which tend to manifest later in life, SMA strikes infants. Unlike ALS, SMA is a genetic disorder that causes a range of outcomes, with the milder form leaving some children confined to wheelchairs, and the more severe form causing paralysis and death before the second birthday.

Designed defects in liquid crystals can guide construction of nanomaterials Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT Imperfections running through liquid crystals can be used as miniscule tubing, channeling molecules into specific positions to form new materials and nanoscale structures, according to engineers. The discovery could have applications in fields as diverse as electronics and medicine.

Kenyan journalists covering life-threatening events at increased risk of psychological harm Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT The first major study of the emotional well-being of journalists covering violent events in an African country replicates findings from Western media, namely that journalists who report on life-threatening events are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

New treatment may help overcome common pregnancy-related complication Posted: 24 Sep 2015 03:49 PM PDT In pregnant women with preeclampsia, a procedure used to remove a protein called sFlt-1 from the blood reduced the amount of protein excreted in the urine and stabilized blood pressure. Pregnancy continued an average of eight days and 15 days in women treated once and multiple times, respectively, compared with three days in untreated women with preeclampsia.

How to achieve improved airline fuel savings to the possible Wall Street bonus of $10 million the first year Posted: 24 Sep 2015 01:29 PM PDT A new study provides evidence for tactical recommendations on restricted cruise altitudes for aircraft crossing the North Atlantic oceanic airspace. The research is part of the Future Air Navigation System started in the 1990s that focused on communication between aircraft and air traffic control services.

Overweight health bloggers perceived as less reliable Posted: 24 Sep 2015 01:29 PM PDT A blogger's weight affects her or his credibility with readers seeking food advice, according to a study. The study revealed that when a blogger is overweight, as shown in the blogger's photo, readers are far more skeptical of the information that blogger provides when compared with a thin blogger's recommendations, even when the content is exactly the same.

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts Posted: 24 Sep 2015 01:29 PM PDT A sticky, protein-rich gel appears to help stem cells stay on or in rat hearts and restore their metabolism after transplantation, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks, according to results of a new study.

Rapidly assessing the next influenza pandemic Posted: 24 Sep 2015 12:15 PM PDT Influenza pandemics are potentially the most serious natural catastrophes that affect the human population. New findings suggest that with both timely and accurate data and sophisticated numerical models, the likely impact of a new pandemic can be assessed quickly, and key decisions made about potential mitigation strategies.

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