ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Youngest students in class 30% more likely to die in suicide than older classmates, Japanese study shows
• Clues on how giraffe neck evolved
• High-arctic butterflies shrink with rising temperatures
• Chimpanzees shed light on origins of human walking
• Ancient rocks record first evidence for photosynthesis that made oxygen
• Extremely active rats become lazy when they artificially receive 'runners' high'
• Should women consume alcohol during pregnancy?
• Knee-deep in spider leg evolution
• Understanding others' thoughts enables young kids to lie
• Repeating aloud to another person boosts recall
• Tiny ancient fossil from Spain shows birds flew over the heads of dinosaurs
• American placebo: New analysis of chronic pain drug trials shows increasing placebo responses over time, in the US only
• Virus-drug combination shows improved effectiveness against brain tumor cells
• Treatment for heparin-induced blood disorder revealed in structure of antibody complex
• How, mathematically, to make something go viral on Facebook
• From trees to power: Engineers build better energy storage device
• How dominant parents affect kids' self-worth
• Vaginal microbes influence whether mucus can trap HIV
• Foot fossils of human relative illustrate evolutionary 'messiness' of bipedal walking
• Unlikely partners? Cell's waste disposal system regulates body clock proteins
• New artificial cells mimic nature's tiny reactors
• Marijuana extract doesn't reduce postoperative nausea, vomiting
• A large-area detector for fundamental neutron science
• The Majorana Demonstrator: First module of germanium detectors comes online
• Hog-nose rat discovered
• Research calls for stricter screening recommendations for family history of colon cancer
• Novel cybercatalog of flower-loving flies suggests the digital future of taxonomy
• New test predicts teens' future risk of heart disease
• Back to the future: Science fiction turns science fact
• Researchers uncover new genetic markers for wheat improvement
• Melatonin and mealtime: Common genetic difference could put some at greater risk of diabetes
• From molecular case studies: Genomics of exceptional responder to NOTCH inhibitor
• Mutation involved in neurodegeneration discovered
• Protein reactions identified with subatomic resolution
• Scientists identify how normally protective immune responses kill neurons
• Routine use of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer still to be established
• Study questions benefit of exercise program following immobilization of ankle fracture
• Simulation training saves precious minutes in speeding treatment of trauma patients
• Pushing boundaries in software analytics
• Double the (quantum) fun
• Even if imprisoned inside a crystal, molecules can still move
• Turning T cell immunology on its head
• The science of retweets
• New fossils intensify mystery of short-lived, toothy mammal found in ancient North Pacific
• New evidence for a strategy to identify patients nearing the end of life
• Male suicide on rise as result of austerity, report suggests
• Cell growth: Protein reactions identified with subatomic resolution
• Possible new treatment for bladder cancer using a mycobacterium
• Super yellow blends for light efficiency
• Bankers suppress their identities to survive, thrive at work, finds study
• Flu shot reduces risk of stroke, study suggests
• Simple detection of magnetic skyrmions
• Wheat choice has lasting effect on soil health and yield
• Sugar governs how antibodies work in the immune system
• The predator survives – but the ecosystem crashes
• Birth weight, poor childhood growth linked to hearing, vision problems in middle age
• Section speed control reduces the number of killed, severely injured by half
• Organic semiconductors get weird at the edge
• Restoring vision with stem cells
• Nutritional needs for skeletal health change as you age, says new scientific review

Youngest students in class 30% more likely to die in suicide than older classmates, Japanese study shows Posted: 07 Oct 2015 12:33 AM PDT Researchers found for the first time that those who were born right before the school cutoff day and thus youngest in their cohort have 30% higher mortality rates by suicide, compared to their peer who were born right after the cutoff date and thus older. They also found that those with relative age disadvantage tend to follow a different career path that those with relative age advantage, which may explain their higher suicide mortality rates.

Clues on how giraffe neck evolved Posted: 07 Oct 2015 12:32 AM PDT Researchers have discovered stages of cervical elongation in the giraffe family, revealing details about the evolutionary transformation of the neck within extinct species of the family.

High-arctic butterflies shrink with rising temperatures Posted: 07 Oct 2015 12:32 AM PDT New research shows that butterflies in Greenland have become smaller in response to increasing temperatures due to climate change.

Chimpanzees shed light on origins of human walking Posted: 06 Oct 2015 04:28 PM PDT Scientists investigating human and chimpanzee locomotion have uncovered unexpected similarities in the way the two species use their upper body during two-legged walking.

Ancient rocks record first evidence for photosynthesis that made oxygen Posted: 06 Oct 2015 04:21 PM PDT A new study shows that iron-bearing rocks that formed at the ocean floor 3.2 billion years ago carry unmistakable evidence of oxygen. The only logical source for that oxygen is the earliest known example of photosynthesis by living organisms, say geoscientists.

Extremely active rats become lazy when they artificially receive 'runners' high' Posted: 06 Oct 2015 04:20 PM PDT Researchers have found that activating the pleasure and reward receptors in the brain could provide the 'reward' of dangerous drugs without having to consume those drugs.

Should women consume alcohol during pregnancy? Posted: 06 Oct 2015 04:20 PM PDT Experts discuss the evidence and current guidelines on the controversial topic of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Knee-deep in spider leg evolution Posted: 06 Oct 2015 04:20 PM PDT Biologists have identified the driving force behind the evolution of a leg novelty first found in spiders: knees.

Understanding others' thoughts enables young kids to lie Posted: 06 Oct 2015 12:03 PM PDT Kids who are taught to reason about the mental states of others are more likely to use deception to win a reward, according to new research.

Repeating aloud to another person boosts recall Posted: 06 Oct 2015 11:24 AM PDT Repeating aloud boosts verbal memory, especially when you do it while addressing another person.

Tiny ancient fossil from Spain shows birds flew over the heads of dinosaurs Posted: 06 Oct 2015 11:24 AM PDT A new discovery documents the intricate arrangement of the muscles and ligaments that controlled the main feathers of the wing of an ancient bird, supporting the notion that at least some of the most ancient birds performed aerodynamic feats in a fashion similar to those of many living birds.

American placebo: New analysis of chronic pain drug trials shows increasing placebo responses over time, in the US only Posted: 06 Oct 2015 11:24 AM PDT Rising placebo responses may play a part in the increasingly high failure rate for clinical trials of drugs designed to control chronic pain caused by nerve damage, suggests a new report. Surprisingly, however, the analysis of clinical trials conducted since 1990 found that the increase in placebo responses occurred only in trials conducted wholly in the US; trials conducted in Europe or Asia showed no changes in placebo responses over that period.

Virus-drug combination shows improved effectiveness against brain tumor cells Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:20 AM PDT A rabbit virus currently being developed for cancer therapy can be paired with one of several existing drugs to deliver a more potent punch to a deadly type of brain tumor cell, researchers have found.

Treatment for heparin-induced blood disorder revealed in structure of antibody complex Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:20 AM PDT A potential treatment for a serious clotting condition that can strike patients who receive heparin to treat or prevent blood clots may lie within reach by elucidating the structure of the protein complex at its root.

How, mathematically, to make something go viral on Facebook Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:20 AM PDT Researchers have proposed a strategic approach for information spreading via Facebook using cancer screenings as a health intervention. They use Facebook to identify social clusters and opinion leaders and mathematically determine the best way to spread information, using health information as the subject.

From trees to power: Engineers build better energy storage device Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:20 AM PDT New work demonstrates an improved three-dimensional energy storage device constructed by trapping functional nanoparticles within the walls of a foam-like structure made of nanocellulose. The foam is made in one step and can be used to produce more sustainable capacitor devices with higher power density and faster charging abilities compared to rechargeable batteries. This development paves the way towards the production of lightweight, flexible, and high-power electronics for application in wearable devices, portable power sources and hybrid vehicles.

How dominant parents affect kids' self-worth Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:19 AM PDT Children's self-esteem is linked to the behavior of who is considered the most powerful parent within the household, new research suggests.

Vaginal microbes influence whether mucus can trap HIV Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:19 AM PDT HIV particles are effectively trapped by the cervicovaginal mucus from women who harbor a particular vaginal bacteria species, Lactobacillus crispatus. The findings could lead to new ways to reduce or block vaginal transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Foot fossils of human relative illustrate evolutionary 'messiness' of bipedal walking Posted: 06 Oct 2015 10:19 AM PDT A new study on Homo naledi, the extinct human relative whose remains were discovered in a South African cave and introduced to the world last month, suggests that although its feet were the most human-like part of its body, H. naledi didn't use them to walk in the same way we do. Analysis of 107 foot bones indicates that H. naledi was well adapted for standing and walking on two feet, but that it also was likely comfortable climbing trees.

Unlikely partners? Cell's waste disposal system regulates body clock proteins Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:40 AM PDT Researchers have a new genome screen that has identified partner molecules of cell-waste disposal proteins. They applied their new method to identify other clock partners that target a multipurpose cell nucleus receptor for disposal.

New artificial cells mimic nature's tiny reactors Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:40 AM PDT Pools of fatty molecules self-assemble around treated water droplets to create a cell-like bioreactor that could offer substantial advantages for carrying out complex synthesis processes, say scientists.

Marijuana extract doesn't reduce postoperative nausea, vomiting Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:40 AM PDT The marijuana extract tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isn't effective in preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery in patients at high risk of this common complication, reports a study.

A large-area detector for fundamental neutron science Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:39 AM PDT How long do neutrons live? The answer could change how we think everything from the cosmos to coffee cups. Yet, scientists don't agree on the neutron longevity. The disagreement is fanned by the limitations of today's instruments. Now, a highly efficient detector is helping to resolve the puzzle.

The Majorana Demonstrator: First module of germanium detectors comes online Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:39 AM PDT In 2014, the Majorana Demonstrator started its search for neutrinoless double beta decay. Observation of this decay would have profound implications for our understanding of physics, including providing hints as to how the Big Bang produced more matter than it did antimatter.

Hog-nose rat discovered Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:38 AM PDT A new genus and species has been discovered on a remote, mountainous island in Indonesia. This new discovery is the third new genus described by this group of scientists since 2012, and identifies a rodent with features never seen by the scientific community before.

Research calls for stricter screening recommendations for family history of colon cancer Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:38 AM PDT All relatives of individuals with colorectal cancer are at increased risk for this cancer, regardless of the age of diagnosis of the index patient in the family, according to a new study.

Novel cybercatalog of flower-loving flies suggests the digital future of taxonomy Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:38 AM PDT By providing a novel taxonomic 'cybercatalog' of the southern African flower-loving (apiocerid) flies, the authors demonstrate how the network of taxonomic knowledge can be made available through links to online data providers. The information is not only available to the reader, who follows the links, but also to machines making use of the growing number of digital online resources.

New test predicts teens' future risk of heart disease Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:38 AM PDT A new test can predict teenagers' future risk of heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women. By identifying those at risk early, the test enables doctors to encourage the healthy behaviors that could one day save the teens' lives.

Back to the future: Science fiction turns science fact Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT Do you remember the 3-D-display from 'Back to the Future 2'? On back to the future day (Oct. 21) these displays may not yet be seen in our streets as the movie predicted, but the basic science is there. Researchers are now presenting a prototype for 3-D displays that work without 3-D glasses.

Researchers uncover new genetic markers for wheat improvement Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT Wheat scientists have completed the first study of a chromosome in a tertiary gene pool and have called it a breakthrough in exploring wheat wild relatives for future crop improvement.

Melatonin and mealtime: Common genetic difference could put some at greater risk of diabetes Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT New light has been shed on why people who carry a common genetic mutation may be more at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. By carefully studying healthy subjects, researchers were able to chart the effect of melatonin supplements on blood sugar control. Their results suggest that taking melatonin close to mealtimes may put people with a common genetic variant more at risk.

From molecular case studies: Genomics of exceptional responder to NOTCH inhibitor Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT Normal T-cell development requires Notch signaling but hyperactivity can lead to cancer. Drugs that inhibit Notch, such as gamma-secretase inhibitors, are currently being tested in different cancer types but clinical remission has yet to be reported. In a new paper, researchers describe an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient in which GSI treatment resulted in complete remission, suggesting that GSIs may hold therapeutic promise in ALL and other cancers.

Mutation involved in neurodegeneration discovered Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:37 AM PDT A mutation that increases the level of a special class of sphingolipids -- molecules important to cell structure and signaling -- can lead to neurodegeneration due to problems with neuronal membranes, reports a research team.

Protein reactions identified with subatomic resolution Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:36 AM PDT Using subatomic resolution, researchers have gained insights into the dynamic modus operandi of two switch proteins which are responsible for the import of compounds into the nucleus and for cell growth. The team combined different methods in order to gain a resolution of one-hundredth of the atomic diameter.

Scientists identify how normally protective immune responses kill neurons Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:36 AM PDT Scientists have discovered why certain immune responses, which typically help cells recognize and fight viral and bacterial infections, can sometimes be harmful to the brain. Many brain disorders involve the death of neurons, or nerve cells, but how these neurons die is not well understood. A new study describes how the activation of normally protective immune responses causes nerve cells to die and identifies the protein responsible, providing a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Routine use of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer still to be established Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:36 AM PDT A comparison of the surgical removal of rectal tumors by a laparoscopically assisted procedure and open surgery reveals that the case for routine use of laparoscopic procedures has not yet been established, according to a randomized control-trial study.

Study questions benefit of exercise program following immobilization of ankle fracture Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:36 AM PDT A supervised exercise program and self-management advice, like those commonly given with physical therapy, did not improve activity limitation or quality of life compared with advice alone after removal of immobilization for patients with an uncomplicated ankle fracture, according to a study.

Simulation training saves precious minutes in speeding treatment of trauma patients Posted: 06 Oct 2015 09:36 AM PDT To help trauma teams optimize a limited window of time after an emergency, trauma surgeons have developed a simulation training program that cuts precious minutes off evaluation times and gets trauma patients to medical imaging tests faster, investigators report.

Pushing boundaries in software analytics Posted: 06 Oct 2015 08:20 AM PDT Researchers have developed an automated 'debugging' approach called Adaptive Multimodal Bug Localisation (AML). AML gleans debugging hints from both bug reports and test cases, and it performs a statistical analysis to pinpoint program elements that are likely to contain bugs.

Double the (quantum) fun Posted: 06 Oct 2015 08:16 AM PDT A single-electron transistor is an electrical device that takes advantage of a strange quantum phenomenon called tunneling to transport single electrons across a thin insulator. The device serves as an on/off switch on the tiniest scale and could play an important role in quantum computing.

Even if imprisoned inside a crystal, molecules can still move Posted: 06 Oct 2015 08:16 AM PDT X-ray crystallography reveals the three-dimensional structure of a molecule, especially for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. For the first time, a study has shown that residual movements continue to animate proteins inside a crystal and that this movement 'blurs' the structures obtained via crystallography. The study stresses that the more these residual movements are restricted, the better the crystalline order.

Turning T cell immunology on its head Posted: 06 Oct 2015 07:27 AM PDT New research challenges the assumption that the receptors on the T cells must bind to MHC in a specific orientation in order to trigger a signal to the immune system is not correct.

The science of retweets Posted: 06 Oct 2015 07:27 AM PDT What's the best time to tweet, to ensure maximum audience engagement? Researchers have demonstrated that an algorithm that takes into account the past activity of each of your followers -- and makes predictions about future tweeting -- can lead to more 'retweets' than other commonly used methods, such as posting at peak traffic times.

New fossils intensify mystery of short-lived, toothy mammal found in ancient North Pacific Posted: 06 Oct 2015 07:27 AM PDT New fossils from the Aleutian Islands intensify the mystery surrounding a toothy, hippopotamus-sized mammal unique to the North Pacific. The oddball creature suction-fed shoreline vegetation, say paleontologists. The Unalaska Island animal is a new genus and species of Desmostylia. The only major order of marine mammals to go wholly extinct, Desmostylia survived a geologic blink -- only 23 million years, from 33 million to 10 million years ago.

New evidence for a strategy to identify patients nearing the end of life Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:55 AM PDT A new study provides compelling evidence that a simple tool can help predict which patients with cancer may be in their final year of life. The tool, known as the Surprise Question, was found to predict the risk of cancer death within one year better than factors such as cancer type or stage alone.

Male suicide on rise as result of austerity, report suggests Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:54 AM PDT Young males between the ages of 10 and 24 have committed suicide in growing numbers as a direct result of austerity measures brought in across Europe following the 2009 recession, a new report suggests.

Cell growth: Protein reactions identified with subatomic resolution Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:54 AM PDT Using subatomic resolution, researchers have gained insights into the dynamic modus operandi of two switch proteins which are responsible for the import of compounds into the nucleus and for cell growth. The team combined different methods in order to gain a resolution of one-hundredth of the atomic diameter.

Possible new treatment for bladder cancer using a mycobacterium Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:54 AM PDT Researchers have found a mycobacterium that is more effective in treating superficial bladder cancer and does not cause infections, unlike those used up to now. Mycobacteria are the only bacteria used in cancer treatment. The administration of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), is the current treatment for superficial bladder cancer.

Super yellow blends for light efficiency Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:54 AM PDT A new study details ultrahigh efficiency, low voltage polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) to maximize light output from devices. A blend of two polymers can be used to boost the efficiency of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), according to a research study.

Bankers suppress their identities to survive, thrive at work, finds study Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:54 AM PDT Senior investment bankers don't care what others think of them and don't see their work as part of their identities, according to a study.

Flu shot reduces risk of stroke, study suggests Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:53 AM PDT The risk of suffering a stroke is significantly reduced for up to two months after receiving a flu vaccine, a major new study has shown.

Simple detection of magnetic skyrmions Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:53 AM PDT A new physical effect has been discovered: Researchers have found a change of electrical resistance in magnetic whirls. Tiny magnetic whirls – so called skyrmions – are being considered as promising candidates for bits in future robust and compact data storage devices. These exotic magnetic structures were recently found to exist in ultrathin magnetic layers and multilayers, similar to the ones used in current hard-disk drives and magnetic sensors. However, up to now an additional magnet was necessary for a read-out of skyrmions.

Wheat choice has lasting effect on soil health and yield Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:53 AM PDT Scientists investigating how to control take-all, a fungus that lives in soil and infects wheat roots to cause disease, have discovered that different varieties of wheat have distinct and lasting impacts on the health of the soil in which they are grown.

Sugar governs how antibodies work in the immune system Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT Antibodies protect the body against diseases – but can also harm their own organism if the reactions are misdirected. Researchers have now discovered that a particular sugar in the antibodies determines whether one of the body's own cells is destroyed or not. This result could lead to new treatment possibilities for patients with autoimmune diseases.

The predator survives – but the ecosystem crashes Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT What do killer whales, polar bears and humans have in common? They are adaptable predators with the ability to select new prey when their favourite food is in low supply. But this change can disrupt entire ecosystems.

Birth weight, poor childhood growth linked to hearing, vision problems in middle age Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT A study of up to 433,390 UK adults has linked being under and overweight at birth with poorer hearing, vision and cognition in middle age.

Section speed control reduces the number of killed, severely injured by half Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT Section control reduces injury crashes and, even more, the number of killed or severely injured. The results of this study refer to the section of road between the two cameras.

Organic semiconductors get weird at the edge Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT As the push for thinner and faster electronics continues, a new finding could help inform the design of the next generation of cheaper, more efficient devices.

Restoring vision with stem cells Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:52 AM PDT Age-related macular degeneration could be treated by transplanting photoreceptors produced by the directed differentiation of stem cells, new research suggests. ARMD is a common eye problem caused by the loss of cones. Medical researchers have now developed a highly effective in vitro technique for producing light sensitive retina cells from human embryonic stem cells.

Nutritional needs for skeletal health change as you age, says new scientific review Posted: 06 Oct 2015 05:39 AM PDT Whether you're young or old, the right nutrition can make a difference to your bone health and influence your ability to live an independent, mobile, fracture-free life into your more senior years. That's the key message of a new scientific review by bone and nutrition experts.

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