ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Vitamin D does not reduce colds in asthma patients
• Should pools ban certain risky dives? It may be pointless in curbing kids' injuries
• Landmark report exposes myths about surrogacy in the United Kingdom
• Computers can perceive image curves like artists
• Brains behind the wheel: Could virtual reality teach us to avoid real life accidents
• Early childhood bronchiolitis increases asthma risk in adulthood
• Bird poaching continues to result in victims
• Detecting cancer cells before they form metastases
• Fine dust: Separator helps observe limits
• Manipulating transistors at terahertz frequencies
• Ultrastable materials investigated in depth
• Platelets promote the liver's regeneration process following surgery
• The complex sneeze, caught on tape
• Impact of social-emotional learning on academic achievement
• Out of school and into debt? Calls for teens to better understad on money matters
• First systematic review of Ebola risks underway
• Evolution of severely immunosuppressed HIV patients depends on the immunologic and virologic response
• Pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma: Added benefit for certain patients
• Marine airgun noise could cause turtle trauma
• Food industry can help lower cardiovascular diseases by adding little seaweed to products
• Nanomagnets: Creating order out of chaos
• Combination of bevacizumab and lomustine with first recurrence of glioblastoma prolongs progression-free survival, but not overall survival
• Beavers restore dead wood in boreal forests
• Oily waste with natural radionuclides: Stimulates or inhibits soil bacterial community?
• Forecasting the path of breast cancer in a patient
• Clinical trial substantiates apnea prevention technology
• Potential treatment for life-threatening viral infections
• Electric fields remove nanoparticles from blood with ease
• Scientists discover the secret behind the power of bacterial sex
• Urgent attention needed to improve education for Syrian refugee children, report finds
• City-wide effort boosts NYC's colorectal cancer screening rates
• Hydra can modify its genetic program
• Hiding tobacco products at convenience stores reduces teens' risk of future tobacco use
• Breakthrough allows tracking of single molecules in 3-D with nanoscale accuracy
• Identification of barrier that prevents progression of benign kidney tumors to malignant disease
• Tumor-suppressor p53 regulates protein that stifles immune attack on cancer
• New light shed on mysterious fungus that has major health consequences
• Marked decline in retailer compliance after enactment of NYC's Tobacco 21 law
• New era of boutique chocolate

Vitamin D does not reduce colds in asthma patients Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:36 AM PST Vitamin D supplements do not reduce the number or severity of colds in asthma patients, according to a new study. The findings surprised the researchers who had previously published research showing a 40 percent reduction in asthma exacerbations in patients with a vitamin D deficiency who achieved normal levels of the vitamin with supplements. Because colds often trigger exacerbations, they hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation would reduce colds and cold severity.

Should pools ban certain risky dives? It may be pointless in curbing kids' injuries Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:36 AM PST Diving restrictions do not protect divers from injuries, new research suggests. Somersault and backward facing dives, for instance, may be safe, because divers generally self-regulate based on their skill levels and risk perceptions, according to new research that raises questions about the rarely studied issue.

Landmark report exposes myths about surrogacy in the United Kingdom Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:34 AM PST It is a myth that a high proportion of potential parents from the UK go overseas if they need to use surrogacy, a new report concludes. The landmark report is the first of its kind, and provides an unprecedented insight into how surrogacy is practised in the UK, dispelling a number of pervasive myths that have informed recent debate on the issue.

Computers can perceive image curves like artists Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:34 AM PST Imagine computers being able to understand paintings or paint abstract images much like humans. Now a researcher demonstrates a breakthrough concept in the field of computer vision using curves and lines to represent image shapes and furthermore to recognize objects.

Brains behind the wheel: Could virtual reality teach us to avoid real life accidents Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST Using their state-of-the-art simulation facility, scientists are exploring the use of car driving simulators as tools for training and testing drivers in order to reduce road traffic accidents and fatalities.

Early childhood bronchiolitis increases asthma risk in adulthood Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST People who have had bronchiolitis in early childhood have an increased risk of asthma at the age of 28-31 and a weaker health-related quality of life than their peers. In lung function tests, they also demonstrate changes indicative of irreversible airway obstruction, according to a new study. Bronchiolitis and pneumonia are common lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood. During their first year, around 30 per cent of children have bronchiolitis, leading to hospitalization in 1 to 3 per cent.

Bird poaching continues to result in victims Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST Illegal hunting continues to be a challenge for biodiversity conservation in addition to posing a serious threat to some migratory species. The province of Gipuzkoa in northern Spain, a transit area for birds migrating between Africa and Europe, is an example of just how this illegal activity can severely affect these animals. Over the course of the year, dozens of birds will arrive to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Gipuzkoa with firearm-inflicted wounds, evidence that there are still illegal activities taking place which threaten biodiversity conservation.

Detecting cancer cells before they form metastases Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST A new method to detect cancer cells in the blood before they settle in the tissue and form a new tumor has been developed by a team of researchers. To date, it has been difficult to detect cancer cells in the blood at an early stage: about one malignant cell is encountered per billion of healthy cells.

Fine dust: Separator helps observe limits Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:33 AM PST Renewable fuels, such as wood chips, pellets, and firewood are popular. For wood-fired heating systems and furnaces to comply with the new stricter fine dust limits in Germany, particle separators are used to clean the flue gas. A long-term test of a newly created particle separator revealed that it works effectively and in an economically efficient manner.

Manipulating transistors at terahertz frequencies Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:30 AM PST An interdisciplinary team of researchers has found a way of accessing the interior of transistors. The researchers have manipulated the electron gas contained within by applying resonators to generate rhythmic oscillation in the terahertz range inside.

Ultrastable materials investigated in depth Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:30 AM PST Thermal expansion has now been measured at low temperatures for future space missions. The results of the project are of importance for further space missions that have already been planned, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), for which temperatures of use below - 220 °C are planned, or the Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA), for which even lower temperatures of use are envisaged.

Platelets promote the liver's regeneration process following surgery Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:29 AM PST Certain platelet-derived growth factors are of major significance for the liver's regeneration processes. It has been shown that platelets can encourage the regrowth of liver tissue in patients who have had parts of their liver removed surgically. This may also act as a starting point for the prediction of potential post-operative problems.

The complex sneeze, caught on tape Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:29 AM PST From the daintiest sleeve-stifled 'shoo to the mightiest head-whipping howl, a sneeze is as unique to an individual as a laugh -- we all do it, but everyone seems to do it differently. We know that sneezes can spread infectious diseases like measles, influenza or SARS, suspending viruses in droplets that may be inhaled or deposited onto surfaces and later picked up on the hands of some unsuspecting passerby. But we don't understand exactly how far a sneeze can spread or if and why some people spread sickness through sneezing more effectively than others.

Impact of social-emotional learning on academic achievement Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:28 AM PST Teaching social and emotional skills to inner-city students can contribute to their academic achievement, new evidence shows. The project involved all students enrolled in regular or bilingual education in an inner-city school system where 2 out of 3 students qualify for a free or reduced price lunch and 9 out of 10 students are African American or Hispanic/Latino American.

Out of school and into debt? Calls for teens to better understad on money matters Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:28 AM PST A new study has found school leavers and first-year university students don't know how to manage a car loan, repay credit cards or figure out mobile phone deals.

First systematic review of Ebola risks underway Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:21 AM PST Looking after people with late-stage Ebola at home puts people at greatest risk of catching it themselves, according to research. A new paper on risk factors for transmitting the deadly virus recommends better provision of health care facilities to ensure that people with the disease don't have to be cared for at home.

Evolution of severely immunosuppressed HIV patients depends on the immunologic and virologic response Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:20 AM PST Health authorities recommend HIV-infected patients starting treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis, regardless of the level of immunosuppression and viral load. Even in the worst scenario, if patients recover immunologic response recovers or decreases viral load the patient is able to control the disease, suggests a study with nearly 2,300 severely immunocompromised HIV patients.

Pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma: Added benefit for certain patients Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:20 AM PST Certain adults with pretreatment have fewer side effects under pembrolizumab. Treatment-naive patients without tumor mutation survive longer and have better social participation, report reviewers.

Marine airgun noise could cause turtle trauma Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:19 AM PST Scientists are warning of the risks that seismic surveys may pose to sea turtles. Widely used in marine oil and gas exploration, seismic surveys use airguns to produce sound waves that penetrate the sea floor to map oil and gas reserves.

Food industry can help lower cardiovascular diseases by adding little seaweed to products Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:19 AM PST Adding seaweed to processed foods such as frozen pizzas, hot dogs and dried pasta will reduce cardiovascular diseases, concludes a new scientific article. One suggestion is to replace 5 percent of the flour in pizza dough with dried and granulated seaweed.

Nanomagnets: Creating order out of chaos Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:19 AM PST Miniaturization is the magic word when it comes to nanomagnetic devices intended for use in new types of electronic components. Scientists have proposed the use of ion beams for their fabrication. An ultra-fine beam consisting of around 10 neon ions suffices to bring several hundred atoms of an iron-aluminum alloy into disarray and thereby generate a nanomagnet embedded directly in the material.

Combination of bevacizumab and lomustine with first recurrence of glioblastoma prolongs progression-free survival, but not overall survival Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:18 AM PST Bevacizumab treatment in patients with progressive glioblastoma, despite prolonged progression-free survival, does not confer a survival advantage, report scientists.

Beavers restore dead wood in boreal forests Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:18 AM PST Beavers create significant amounts of dead wood into the lowland shore forests of boreal wetlands, research shows. Particularly snags and deciduous dead wood are formed through the beavers' actions.

Oily waste with natural radionuclides: Stimulates or inhibits soil bacterial community? Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:18 AM PST Researchers have revealed both structural and functional changes of the microbial community resistant to and able to decompose oily wastes in soil. The experiment was dedicated to measuring carbon dioxide efflux, microbial biomass, and community structure for 120 d after application of radioactive oily wastes to the soil at the ratio 1:4. Both waste and soil samples were collected in Tatarstan, Russia.

Forecasting the path of breast cancer in a patient Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:18 AM PST A mathematical model has been developed to forecast metastatic breast cancer survival rates using techniques usually reserved for weather prediction, financial forecasting and surfing the Web.

Clinical trial substantiates apnea prevention technology Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST Scientists, engineers and clinicians have shown in a clinical trial in the neonatal intensive care unit that a new prevention technology reduces apneic events and improves critical clinical parameters in preterm infants.

Potential treatment for life-threatening viral infections Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST For the first time, researchers have shown how a previously unknown process works to promote infection in a number of dangerous viruses, including dengue, West Nile and Ebola.

Electric fields remove nanoparticles from blood with ease Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST A new technology that uses an oscillating electric field to easily and quickly isolate drug-delivery nanoparticles from blood has been developed by a team of engineers. The technology could serve as a general tool to separate and recover nanoparticles from other complex fluids for medical, environmental, and industrial applications.

Scientists discover the secret behind the power of bacterial sex Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST Migration between different communities of bacteria is the key to the type of gene transfer that can lead to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance, according to researchers.

Urgent attention needed to improve education for Syrian refugee children, report finds Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST There is an urgent need to improve both short-term and long-term approaches to education for the large number of Syrian refugee children in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, a new report concludes. Nearly 700,000 Syrian children -- about half of the young refugees -- are not receiving any education, creating a crisis with far-reaching consequences.

City-wide effort boosts NYC's colorectal cancer screening rates Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST Work to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in New York City have resulted in a 40 percent increase in screening rates over four years.

Hydra can modify its genetic program Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST Champion of regeneration, Hydra is capable of reforming a complete individual from any fragment of its body. It is even able to remain alive when all its neurons have disappeared. Researchers have discovered how: cells of the epithelial type modify their genetic program by overexpressing a series of genes, among which some are involved in diverse nervous functions.

Hiding tobacco products at convenience stores reduces teens' risk of future tobacco use Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST A one-of-a-kind laboratory replica of a convenience store is the first to use a realistic setting to examine whether limiting displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products in retail outlets can reduce the intention of young people to begin smoking. Researchers found an 11 percent reduction in cigarette smoking susceptibility when the tobacco 'power wall' was hidden compared to when the display of tobacco products was visible behind the cashier.

Breakthrough allows tracking of single molecules in 3-D with nanoscale accuracy Posted: 23 Nov 2015 07:09 AM PST An innovative approach to calibrating high-tech microscopes enables researchers to track the movement of single molecules in 3-D at the nanoscale. Tracking how molecules move, form shapes and interact within the body's cells and neurons offers a powerful new view of key biological processes such as signaling, cell division and neuron communication, all of which impact people's health and susceptibility to disease.

Identification of barrier that prevents progression of benign kidney tumors to malignant disease Posted: 20 Nov 2015 03:31 PM PST The inner workings of a rare benign kidney tumor has been studied. Researchers have now revealed a mechanism to prevent this type of tumor from becoming malignant.

Tumor-suppressor p53 regulates protein that stifles immune attack on cancer Posted: 20 Nov 2015 03:28 PM PST A crucial tumor-thwarting gene protects an immune attack against lung cancer by blocking the key to an off switch on T cells, the customized warriors of the immune system, a team of researchers reports.

New light shed on mysterious fungus that has major health consequences Posted: 20 Nov 2015 03:28 PM PST Fungi in the mucus of patients with cystic fibrosis has been examined by researchers who have discovered how one particularly cunning fungal species has evolved to defend itself against neighboring bacteria.

Marked decline in retailer compliance after enactment of NYC's Tobacco 21 law Posted: 20 Nov 2015 03:26 PM PST In a study examining compliance with NYC's law increasing legal age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21, researchers found retailer compliance with ID checks significantly decreased since the law became effective. Prior to this change, 29 percent of retailers sampled were noncompliant; afterward, 38 percent of retailers sampled failed to ask for ID when selling cigarettes to young people. Researchers also examined new minimum price laws for cigarettes and discovered a similar pattern.

New era of boutique chocolate Posted: 20 Nov 2015 03:26 PM PST Yeasts used to ferment cocoa during chocolate production can modify the aroma of the resulting chocolate, researchers have discovered.

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