ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Investigators create complex kidney structures from human stem cells derived from adults
• Research boosts optical fiber data speeds
• Scientists make advancements that may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's
• Better ways to manage urban stormwater runoff
• Is black phosphorus the next big thing in materials?
• A nap to recap: How reward, daytime sleep boost learning
• Hot Jupiter-like planet: Discovery of two close-in planet companions sheds new light on planet formation
• Huntington's disease protein controls movement of precious cargo inside cells, study finds
• Subtropical expedition will help forecast UK weather
• College students say prescription stimulants easy to find on campus
• App facilitates early detection, treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms
• Nicotine gives brain more codeine relief, risk of addiction
• Automating big-data analysis
• Anti-clumping strategy for nanoparticles
• Link discovered between rare form of anemia, cancer
• Scientists find evidence of how incurable cancer develops
• Researchers' cure of metastatic skin cancer revealed
• Zebrafish study sheds new light on human heart defects
• Racial bias in crosswalks? Study says yes
• Brief interventions in primary care clinics could curb patients' drug use
• Genes involved in schizophrenia and obesity highlighted
• Inflammation in the brain is linked to risk of schizophrenia, study finds
• 3D scans spot earliest signs of heart disease
• The end is in sight for reading glasses
• Large solar storms 'dodge' detection systems on Earth
• How plants turn into zombies
• DNA sun protection
• New opportunities for forests to tackle climate change
• Maternal influences: Contribution of mare genetics to gestation length and foal sex
• Scent is the route to the very best fruit
• Excessive alcohol use continues to be drain on American economy
• Study quantifies threat of rising antibiotic resistance on surgery, chemotherapy
• High cholesterol linked to heightened risk of tendon abnormalities and pain
• Catalyst combining reactivity, selectivity could speed drug development
• Young Latinos experience discrimination when obtaining health care, research shows
• COMPASS method points researchers to protein structures
• Rise and fall of agrarian states influenced by climate volatility
• Green public housing may reduce health risks from environmental pollutants
• Doctors call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture
• Analysis shows greenhouse gas emissions similar for shale, crude oil
• New crystal captures carbon from the air, even in the presence of water
• Introducing the mighty panoramix: Defender of genomes
• Ocean protection gaining momentum, but still lags progress made on land
• Describing the indescribable: Underlying features of reported mystical experiences

Investigators create complex kidney structures from human stem cells derived from adults Posted: 16 Oct 2015 11:26 AM PDT A highly efficient method has been developed for making kidney structures from stem cells that are derived from skin taken from patients. The kidney structures formed could be used to study abnormalities of kidney development, chronic kidney disease, the effects of toxic drugs, and be incorporated into bioengineered devices to treat patients with acute and chronic kidney injury, say scientists.

Research boosts optical fiber data speeds Posted: 16 Oct 2015 11:26 AM PDT In the latest advance to boost the speed of the Internet, a research team has demonstrated a way to increase the data speeds of optical fibers -- considered the Internet's backbone.

Scientists make advancements that may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's Posted: 16 Oct 2015 11:04 AM PDT A research team has made breakthrough advancements on a new molecular mechanism that may provide a means to "melt" pathological clumps known as Lewy clumps. These clumps are a hallmark sign of Parkinson's disease.

Better ways to manage urban stormwater runoff Posted: 16 Oct 2015 10:53 AM PDT As meteorologists monitor the El Nino condition currently gaining strength in the Pacific Ocean, Californians look with hope to the much-needed rain and snow it could yield. But if we're going to make the most of the precipitation, we need to put a LID on it.

Is black phosphorus the next big thing in materials? Posted: 16 Oct 2015 10:53 AM PDT Researchers have confirmed that single-crystal black phosphorous nanoribbons display a strong in-plane anisotropy in thermal conductivity, an experimental revelation that should facilitate the future application of this highly promising material to electronic, optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices.

A nap to recap: How reward, daytime sleep boost learning Posted: 16 Oct 2015 10:53 AM PDT Rewarding learning selectively enhances the consolidation of learned information during sleep, report scientists. This human study builds on what we know from Drosophila by showing how sleep and reward combine to boost memory.

Hot Jupiter-like planet: Discovery of two close-in planet companions sheds new light on planet formation Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:58 AM PDT For the past 20 years, astronomers peered into the night sky, puzzled about a type of planet called hot Jupiters.

Huntington's disease protein controls movement of precious cargo inside cells, study finds Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:58 AM PDT A new study marks a step toward understanding the Huntingtin protein (Htt) is responsible for Huntington's disease. The research shows that Htt controls the movement of precious cargo traveling up and down neurons, the cells that form the core of the nervous system in animals.

Subtropical expedition will help forecast UK weather Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:57 AM PDT To improve long-term understanding of weather and global environmental change, the Royal Research Ship Discovery is leaving Southampton tomorrow for a six week expedition to the Bahamas.

College students say prescription stimulants easy to find on campus Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:56 AM PDT Seven out of 10 college students say it is somewhat or very easy to obtain controlled stimulants without a prescription, according to a new survey conducted on eight US campuses.

App facilitates early detection, treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:55 AM PDT A digital health application for reporting symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) facilitated early detection and treatment of COPD exacerbation symptoms, according to an analysis.

Nicotine gives brain more codeine relief, risk of addiction Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:55 AM PDT Nicotine use over time increases the speed that codeine is converted into morphine within the brain, by increasing the amount of a specific enzyme, according to new research in rat models. It appears smokers' brains are being primed for a bigger buzz from this common pain killer -- which could put them at a higher risk for addiction, and possibly even overdose. These findings are part a new way of seeing the brain's role when it comes to drugs and toxins.

Automating big-data analysis Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:55 AM PDT Researchers aim to take the human element out of big-data analysis, with a new system that not only searches for patterns but designs the feature set, too. To test the first prototype of their system, they enrolled it in three data science competitions, in which it competed against human teams to find predictive patterns in unfamiliar data sets. Of the 906 teams participating in the three competitions, the researchers' 'Data Science Machine' finished ahead of 615.

Anti-clumping strategy for nanoparticles Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:54 AM PDT Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in industrial applications ranging from drug delivery and biomedical diagnostics to developing hydrophobic surfaces, lubricant additives and enhanced oil recovery solutions in petroleum fields. For such nanoparticles to be effective, they need to remain well dispersed into the fluid surrounding them. Physicists have now identified the conditions that lead to instability of nanoparticles and producing aggregates.

Link discovered between rare form of anemia, cancer Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:54 AM PDT More than 20 percent of people affected by Diamond-Blackfan anemia, a rare disease, develop various types of tumors throughout their lives. Now researchers have created the first animal model with this type of anemia that also recapitulates the predisposition to cancer. The finding could potentially improve current treatments for this type of anemia, which, to date, are only effective in resolving the hematological disorders.

Scientists find evidence of how incurable cancer develops Posted: 16 Oct 2015 08:54 AM PDT Researchers have made a breakthrough in explaining how an incurable type of blood cancer develops from an often symptomless prior blood disorder. The findings could lead to more effective treatments and ways to identify those most at risk of developing the cancer.

Researchers' cure of metastatic skin cancer revealed Posted: 16 Oct 2015 06:42 AM PDT Metastatic Merkel-cell carcinoma is often fatal and there is no effective treatment. Now a researcher is reporting some positive results from treating this illness with a drug called idelalisib.

Zebrafish study sheds new light on human heart defects Posted: 16 Oct 2015 06:41 AM PDT Researchers working with zebrafish have published a study providing new insights into the causes of the congenital heart defects associated with a rare developmental disorder. The disorder, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), is estimated to occur in up to one in 10,000 births worldwide. CdLS causes a range of developmental anomalies, both physical and cognitive, and up to 70 percent of people with CdLS have congenital heart defects.

Racial bias in crosswalks? Study says yes Posted: 16 Oct 2015 06:41 AM PDT African-American pedestrians waited longer than whites before drivers yielded, concludes an American study. Now these researchers will turn their attention to gender to see if similar differences occur.

Brief interventions in primary care clinics could curb patients' drug use Posted: 16 Oct 2015 06:41 AM PDT A few minutes of counseling in a primary care setting could be an effective tool in steering people away from risky drug use, and possibly full-fledged addiction, a new report suggests. The researchers found that this sort of intervention helped patients reduce their risky drug use by one-third.

Genes involved in schizophrenia and obesity highlighted Posted: 16 Oct 2015 06:41 AM PDT Genes involved in schizophrenia and obesity have been highlighted in a new study, which could lead to a better understanding of the DNA variants which affect risk of these conditions and aid the development of improved strategies for prevention and treatment.

Inflammation in the brain is linked to risk of schizophrenia, study finds Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:49 AM PDT A new study is the first to find that immune cells are more active in the brains of people at risk of schizophrenia as well as those already diagnosed with the disease.

3D scans spot earliest signs of heart disease Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:49 AM PDT People with high blood pressure develop changes in their hearts even before symptoms appear, new research shows. These changes are known to put people at risk of dying early, and the new work suggests it is possible for doctors to recognize such signs of heart disease earlier than they can today -- by examining detailed images of the heart.

The end is in sight for reading glasses Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:49 AM PDT A researcher is developing a new eye lens, made from the same material found in smartphone and TV screens, which could restore long-sightedness in older people.

Large solar storms 'dodge' detection systems on Earth Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:49 AM PDT According to observations from the Tihany Magnetic Observatory in Hungary, the indices used by scientists to assess the Sun's geomagnetic perturbations to Earth are unable to detect some of these events, which could put both power supply and communication networks at risk. The Tihany Magnetic Observatory registered a solar storm similar to the largest one ever recorded while other observatories were completely unaware of the event.

How plants turn into zombies Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT Scientists shed light on the molecular reasons for a bacterial plant disease, explaining how phytoplasmas destroy the life cycle of plants and inflict a 'zombie' existence on them.

DNA sun protection Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT UV radiation often damages our DNA. Researchers have now seen for the first time what happens in DNA building blocks when they are stimulated by ultraviolet light, and what they do to prevent themselves from being destroyed. The results show the molecules use the absorbed energy to set off a completely harmless reaction which prevents the genes being altered.

New opportunities for forests to tackle climate change Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT There is great scope to enhance the role of EU forests and the forest sector in tackling climate change according to experts. Forests could compensate for up to another 10% of EU emissions, they say, if there are good incentives.

Maternal influences: Contribution of mare genetics to gestation length and foal sex Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT In horse breeding, stallions are usually used to establish a breeding line. In some cases, however, the maternal lineage plays a more important role. Researchers have looked at the gestation length of different mare families and discovered that the length of gestation varies significantly from lineage to lineage. Certain families also produce more female offspring than male foals.

Scent is the route to the very best fruit Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT Monkeys and other primates have a better sense of smell than is often claimed. Researchers have studied spider monkeys -- and found that they are experts at sniffing out optimally ripe fruit.

Excessive alcohol use continues to be drain on American economy Posted: 16 Oct 2015 05:48 AM PDT Excessive alcohol use continues to be a drain on the American economy, according to a study. Excessive drinking cost the U.S. $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink, a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink, in 2006. Most of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating people for health problems caused by excessive drinking.

Study quantifies threat of rising antibiotic resistance on surgery, chemotherapy Posted: 15 Oct 2015 06:18 PM PDT Researchers report the strongest evidence yet that rising antibiotic resistance could have disastrous consequences for patients undergoing surgery or cancer chemotherapy. New estimates suggest that up to half of infections after surgery and over a quarter of infections after chemotherapy are caused by organisms already resistant to standard prophylactic antibiotics in the USA.

High cholesterol linked to heightened risk of tendon abnormalities and pain Posted: 15 Oct 2015 06:18 PM PDT High levels of total cholesterol are linked to a heightened risk of tendon abnormalities and pain, reveals a pooled analysis of the available evidence.

Catalyst combining reactivity, selectivity could speed drug development Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:34 PM PDT Chemists have long believed that inserting nitrogen -- a beneficial ingredient for making many pharmaceuticals and other biologically active molecules -- into a carbon-hydrogen bond requires a trade-off between catalyst reactivity and selectivity. But a new manganese-based catalyst has given researchers both in one efficient, lower-cost package.

Young Latinos experience discrimination when obtaining health care, research shows Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT Young Latinos living in rural areas say they face discrimination when they obtain health care services -- a factor that could contribute to disparities in their rates for obtaining medical care and in their health outcomes, a new study has found

COMPASS method points researchers to protein structures Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT Searching for the precise, complexly folded three-dimensional structure of a protein can be like hacking through a jungle without a map: a long, intensive process with uncertain direction. Researchers developed a new approach, dubbed COMPASS, that points directly to a protein's likely structure using a combination of advanced molecular spectroscopy techniques, predictive protein-folding algorithms and image recognition software.

Rise and fall of agrarian states influenced by climate volatility Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT Climate variability is one of the major forces in the rise and fall of agrarian states in Mexico and Peru, according to a team of researchers looking at both climate and archaeological records.

Green public housing may reduce health risks from environmental pollutants Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT Low-income housing residents who live in 'green' buildings that are built with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features appear to have fewer 'sick building' symptoms than residents of traditionally constructed low-income housing, according to a new study. Asthma outcomes -- hospitalizations, attacks, and missed school days due to asthma -- were also significantly lower for children living in the green buildings.

Doctors call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT To help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, scientists are urging hospitals around the country to stop buying meat from animals that were given antibiotics for growth promotion.

Analysis shows greenhouse gas emissions similar for shale, crude oil Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:09 PM PDT A pair of studies on the efficiency of shale oil production excavation have been released by researchers. The reports show that shale oil production generates greenhouse gas emissions at levels similar to traditional crude oil production.

New crystal captures carbon from the air, even in the presence of water Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:48 AM PDT A new material with micropores might be a way to fight climate change. Scientists have created crystals that capture carbon dioxide much more efficiently than previously known materials, even in the presence of water.

Introducing the mighty panoramix: Defender of genomes Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:47 AM PDT To protect future generations against genomic havoc, defects in innate defense systems usually result in sterility. In animals, the main defense against troublemaking transposons is the Piwi-interacting RNA pathway. A team has identified a protein the Piwi system uses to guide a cell's gene-silencing machinery to the right spots in the genome, allowing it to keep transposons in check. They call the protein Panoramix, after a comic book character who endows others with great power.

Ocean protection gaining momentum, but still lags progress made on land Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:47 AM PDT Extraordinary progress in the past decade has brought 1.6 percent of the world's ocean to a category of 'strongly protected,' researchers say in a new analysis, but the accomplishments are still far behind those that have been achieved on land, and those that are urgently needed. International policy agreements call for protection of 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020, while some conservation organizations and most scientists say 20-50 percent of ocean protection is needed.

Describing the indescribable: Underlying features of reported mystical experiences Posted: 15 Oct 2015 11:15 AM PDT Mystical experiences are frequently labeled as indescribable or ineffable. However, new research suggests that when prompted, people who have had a mystical, spiritual or religious experience can describe the event.

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