ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Food policy: Cutting waste, broadening systems
• Drug protects fertility and may prolong life in chemo-treated mice
• Targeted treatment produces rapid shrinkage of recurrent, BRAF-mutant brain tumor
• New clues to how gatekeeper for the cell nucleus works
• Protein movement of hair bundles in the inner ear may preserve hearing for life
• Cellular stress process identified in cardiovascular disease
• Researchers develop a new tool to guide recovery from disasters
• What makes a leader? Clues from the animal kingdom
• Feeling feverish? It might be stress
• Rat fossils of largest rat that ever existed
• Essential component of antiviral defense identified by researchers
• Cancer survivors less likely to receive callbacks from potential employers
• Amplifying, or removing, visual variation
• From starving chicks come fat birds
• Marine invasive species benefiting from rising carbon dioxide levels
• Decline in dung beetle populations due to use of preventative medicine for livestock
• Complex skeletons evolved earlier than realized, fossils suggest
• Cougars likely to recolonize middle part of U.S. within the next 25 years
• Packaging and unpacking of the genome
• Effect of sit-to-stand workstations on sedentary behaviour outside of office hours
• Model of the Ebola epidemics in West Africa incorporating age of infection
• Unlocking the mysteries of 'little starlets'
• Ebola mobile suitcase laboratory successfully tested in Guinea
• Mucus: The first line of defense
• Gut microbiota regulates antioxidant metabolism
• Mixed martial arts bloodier but less dangerous than boxing: Study
• Iron supplementation: When less is really more
• Better options for people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
• Neurodermatitis genes influence other allergies
• Genetic modification shows promise for preventing hereditary hearing loss
• New way to find DNA damage
• Small molecule inhibitor shows promise in precision cancer targeting
• Scientists discover genetic mechanism essential to ovary development
• Immunologists unearth key piece of MRSA vaccine puzzle
• Monkeys in Asia harbor virus from humans, other species
• Competition between 'good bacteria' important for healthy gut
• Circadian clock controls insulin, blood sugar in pancreas
• Researchers urge lifting of NIH funding restrictions on chimeric research
• Scientists transfer genes from poppy to a different species to prevent self-pollination
• Gut microbiome drives success of immunotherapy
• Early warning found for chronic kidney disease
• Stem-cell scientists redefine how blood is made, toppling conventional 'textbook' view from 1960s
• Adults' happiness on the decline in U.S.
• New breast cancer stem cell clues may help develop therapeutics
• Global climate change
• Fly method is epilepsy's ray of light

Food policy: Cutting waste, broadening systems Posted: 06 Nov 2015 12:32 PM PST In two separate articles, researchers detail strategies aimed at cutting food waste and broadening approaches to food policy, moves that the researchers say would ultimately improve public health and food security.

Drug protects fertility and may prolong life in chemo-treated mice Posted: 06 Nov 2015 12:32 PM PST A physician and her research team have shown that a heart medication can prevent ovarian damage and improve survival in adolescent mice after chemotherapy. The treatment also increased the number of their healthy offspring.

Targeted treatment produces rapid shrinkage of recurrent, BRAF-mutant brain tumor Posted: 06 Nov 2015 12:31 PM PST Investigators report the first successful use of a targeted therapy to treat a patient with BRAF-mutant craniopharyngioma, a debilitating, recurrent brain tumor.

New clues to how gatekeeper for the cell nucleus works Posted: 06 Nov 2015 11:45 AM PST Scientists have uncovered new clues to how a molecular machine inside the cell acts as a gatekeeper, allowing some molecules to enter and exit the nucleus while keeping other molecules out.

Protein movement of hair bundles in the inner ear may preserve hearing for life Posted: 06 Nov 2015 10:29 AM PST The movement of protein within hair cells of the inner ear shows signs of a repair and renewal mechanism, new research shows.

Cellular stress process identified in cardiovascular disease Posted: 06 Nov 2015 10:29 AM PST Combining the investigative tools of genetics, transcriptomics, epigenetics and metabolomics, a research team has identified a new molecular pathway involved in heart attacks and death from heart disease.The researchers found that stress on a component of cells called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is associated with risk of future heart events, and it can be detected in bits of molecular detritus circulating in the blood.

Researchers develop a new tool to guide recovery from disasters Posted: 06 Nov 2015 10:29 AM PST From cyclones that knocked out swaths of the Indian Railways Network to the winter storms that brought the MBTA system to its knees, an urgent need exists for systematic strategies that speed the recovery of critical lifelines in the wake of disasters. Thanks to Northeastern researchers, that need is being met.

What makes a leader? Clues from the animal kingdom Posted: 06 Nov 2015 10:29 AM PST As the American media continues to buzz over who is more or less likely to secure the Republican and Democratic nominations for US President, researchers review some interesting perspectives on the nature of leadership. The experts from a wide range of disciplines examined patterns of leadership in a set of small-scale mammalian societies, including humans and other social mammals such as elephants and meerkats.

Feeling feverish? It might be stress Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:39 AM PST Psychogenic fever is a stress-related, psychosomatic condition that manifests itself in a high body temperature. It is caused by exposure to emotional events or to chronic stress. A new review introduces recent findings from recent research and clinical experience regarding the disease.

Rat fossils of largest rat that ever existed Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:38 AM PST Archaeologists have discovered fossils of seven giant rat species on East Timor, with the largest up to 10 times the size of modern rats. The work is part of the From Sunda to Sahul project which is looking at the earliest human movement through Southeast Asia. Researchers are now trying to work out exactly what caused the rats to die out.

Essential component of antiviral defense identified by researchers Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:38 AM PST Infectious disease researchers have identified a signaling protein critical for host defense against influenza infection. The findings shed light on how a single component of the body's defense system promotes effective immunity against viral infections -- particularly respiratory viruses -- that affect mucosal sites.

Cancer survivors less likely to receive callbacks from potential employers Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:38 AM PST Job applicants who are cancer survivors are less likely to receive callbacks from potential retail employers than those who did not disclose their health history, according to a recent study.

Amplifying, or removing, visual variation Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:37 AM PST A new pair of papers describes techniques for either magnifying or smoothing out small variations in digital images. The techniques could be used to produce more polished images for graphic-design projects, or, applied in the opposite direction, they could disclose structural defects, camouflaged objects, or movements invisible to the naked eye that could be of scientific interest, say the investigators.

From starving chicks come fat birds Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:37 AM PST Baby birds that have a difficult start in life grow to be fatter and greedier than their more fortunate siblings, new research shows. The scientists discovered that stress and difficulties as a chick made a long lasting impression on a starling's relationship with food.

Marine invasive species benefiting from rising carbon dioxide levels Posted: 06 Nov 2015 08:37 AM PST Ocean acidification may well be helping invasive species of algae, jellyfish, crabs and shellfish to move to new areas of the planet with damaging consequences, according to the findings of a new report.

Decline in dung beetle populations due to use of preventative medicine for livestock Posted: 06 Nov 2015 06:38 AM PST Research shows the adverse effects of a drug commonly administered to livestock, ivermectin, on populations of a key dung beetle in Mediterranean ecosystems.

Complex skeletons evolved earlier than realized, fossils suggest Posted: 06 Nov 2015 06:11 AM PST The first animals to have complex skeletons existed about 550 million years ago, fossils of a tiny marine creature unearthed in Namibia suggest. The find is the first to suggest the earliest complex animals on Earth -- which may be related to many of today's animal species -- lived millions of years earlier than was previously known.

Cougars likely to recolonize middle part of U.S. within the next 25 years Posted: 06 Nov 2015 06:07 AM PST Cougars, also known as mountain lions and pumas, are likely to recolonize portions of habitat in the middle part of the United States within the next 25 years, a groundbreaking new study shows. It is the first study to show the potential "when and where" of the repopulation of this controversial large predator.

Packaging and unpacking of the genome Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:28 AM PST DNA represents a dynamic form of information, balancing efficient storage and access requirements. Packaging approximately 1.8m of DNA into something as small as a cell nucleus is no mean feat, but unpacking it again to access the required sections and genes? That requires organization.

Effect of sit-to-stand workstations on sedentary behaviour outside of office hours Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:28 AM PST Introducing sit-to-stand workstations in the office significantly reduces sitting at work but can result in slight increases in sitting outside of working hours, new research reveals.

Model of the Ebola epidemics in West Africa incorporating age of infection Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:28 AM PST Sierra Leone is expected to soon be declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization. But what was key to eliminating the disease? A mathematical model describes the reasons as complex, but confirms that increased identification and isolation of infectious cases played the major role.

Unlocking the mysteries of 'little starlets' Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:28 AM PST For the first time, a powerful laser has been used to further our understanding of some of the most mysterious celestial objects just beyond the solar system - brown dwarfs.

Ebola mobile suitcase laboratory successfully tested in Guinea Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:27 AM PST A new method for rapid diagnosis of Ebola has been tested in a field trial in Guinea. The test procedure was carried out using a portable suitcase laboratory. The mobile suitcase lab is operated with solar power and enables simple on-site diagnostics in remote areas without the need of an equipped laboratory. The new detection method is based on the rapid identification of viral RNA in oral swabs of infected persons at 42 degrees. An Ebola infection case was detected after 30 minutes.

Mucus: The first line of defense Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:27 AM PST By licking a wound, it heals faster – this is not simply popular belief, but scientifically proven. Our saliva consists of water and mucus, among other things, and the mucus plays an important role. It stimulates white blood cells to build a good defense against invaders, according to a group of researchers.

Gut microbiota regulates antioxidant metabolism Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:27 AM PST Gut microbiota regulates the glutathione and amino acid metabolism of the host, a recently published study shows. Glutathione is a key antioxidant, found in every cell in our body. Deficiency of glutathione contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a major role in several lifestyle diseases.

Mixed martial arts bloodier but less dangerous than boxing: Study Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:24 AM PST Researchers evaluate a decade's worth of post-fight medical examinations to shed new light on injury risks of combative sports. The research offers a first-of-its-kind glimpse into the dangers of the two combative sports, and is the direct result of the author's quarter-century of experience as a ringside physician conducting post-fight exams, which are mandatory in both boxing and mixed martial arts.

Iron supplementation: When less is really more Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST Therapeutic iron supplements may be less effective when given in brief intervals: A peptide molecule blocks iron absorption in the intestine even 24 hours after the iron administation, say researchers.

Better options for people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST In real-world settings, patients with schizophrenia whose symptoms do not respond to standard antipsychotic medications have better outcomes if they are switched to clozapine instead of another standard antipsychotic.

Neurodermatitis genes influence other allergies Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST There's a typical 'career' for some allergic people, and it starts very early on the skin: babies develop atopic dermatitis, food allergies may follow, then comes asthma and later on hay fever. A group of scientists has now identified seven genetic risk loci for this course of disease.

Genetic modification shows promise for preventing hereditary hearing loss Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST A mitochondrial defect is responsible for a type of human hereditary deafness that worsens over time and can lead to profound hearing loss. Using a genetically modified mice model with a mitochondrial dysfunction that results in a similar premature hearing loss, researchers showed that precise genetic reduction of an enzyme, AMP kinase, can rescue the hearing loss.

New way to find DNA damage Posted: 06 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST Chemists have devised a new way to detect chemical damage to DNA that sometimes leads to genetic mutations responsible for many diseases, including various cancers and neurological disorders.

Small molecule inhibitor shows promise in precision cancer targeting Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST Cancer cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are key targets for cancer therapeutics. Yet, few agents can selectively eliminate cells deficient in BRCA, and none can do so without the risk of inducing drug resistance. Now scientists think they can help overcome that problem, thanks to their discovery of a molecule that selectively kills BRCA-deficient cancer cells by blocking the activity of an alternative DNA repair pathway.

Scientists discover genetic mechanism essential to ovary development Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST Scientists have announced a discovery that is expected to allow doctors to diagnose a disease causing infertility and lack of puberty in women, with implications for the development of future treatment options. The characterization of the Nup107 gene and discovering its function in ovarian development will provide a greater understanding of how signaling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus is uniquely involved in ovarian development.

Immunologists unearth key piece of MRSA vaccine puzzle Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST New research has pinpointed immune cells that could be targeted by an MRSA vaccine. These 'helper' cells alert other key players in the immune response which, in turn, eradicate the infection, say the researchers.

Monkeys in Asia harbor virus from humans, other species Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST When it comes to spreading viruses, bats are thought to be among the worst. Now a new study of nearly 900 nonhuman primates in Bangladesh and Cambodia shows that macaques harbor more diverse astroviruses, which can cause infectious gastroenteritis or diarrhea in humans.

Competition between 'good bacteria' important for healthy gut Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST The vital ecosystem of bacteria in the human gut operates like a jungle, with competition between microbes helping maintain the stability necessary to keep us healthy.

Circadian clock controls insulin, blood sugar in pancreas Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:21 PM PST A new has pinpointed thousands of genetic pathways an internal body clock takes to dictate how and when our pancreas must produce insulin and control blood sugar, findings that could eventually lead to new therapies for children and adults with diabetes. The study revealed thousands of genes in the pancreas that the clock's transcription factors control in rhythm with the planet's daily rotation from light to dark.

Researchers urge lifting of NIH funding restrictions on chimeric research Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:20 PM PST Citing the 'tremendous potential' of research on human stem cells in nonhuman embryos, scientists and a bioethicist have co-authored a letter urging the removal of funding restrictions imposed on such research last month by the National Institutes of Health.

Scientists transfer genes from poppy to a different species to prevent self-pollination Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:19 PM PST Scientists have created a plant that rejects its own pollen or pollen of close relatives, according to new research. Self-pollination or 'selfing' can be bad for a plant resulting in inbreeding and less healthy offspring. This breakthrough could be used to breed stronger more resilient crops faster and at lower cost; a new approach in the quest for a secure and plentiful food supply.

Gut microbiome drives success of immunotherapy Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:19 PM PST Why some patients respond well to immunotherapy and others do not is unclear, but new studies now provide evidence that the gut microbiome can play a role.

Early warning found for chronic kidney disease Posted: 05 Nov 2015 12:19 PM PST A simple blood test for the suPAR protein can predict a person's chances of developing chronic kidney disease five years before symptoms emerge, thus doing for kidney disease what cholesterol has done for cardiovascular disease, new research shows.

Stem-cell scientists redefine how blood is made, toppling conventional 'textbook' view from 1960s Posted: 05 Nov 2015 11:38 AM PST A completely new view of how human blood is made has been discovered by scientists, upending conventional dogma from the 1960s.

Adults' happiness on the decline in U.S. Posted: 05 Nov 2015 11:35 AM PST Are you less happy than your parents were at the same age? It may not be all in your head. Researchers have found that adults over age 30 are not as happy as they used to be, but teens and young adults are happier than ever.

New breast cancer stem cell clues may help develop therapeutics Posted: 05 Nov 2015 11:35 AM PST Researchers have identified a new regulatory pathway that may play an important role in basal-like breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer often referred to as 'triple negative.' This pathway may serve as a target for the development of an effective therapeutic.

Global climate change Posted: 05 Nov 2015 11:13 AM PST Anthropogenic warming in the west Pacific likely contributed to the 2014 drought in East Africa, say climate scientists. Researchers have pooled their station archives and expertise to produce a high-quality precipitation data set for East Africa. It shows that the region is drier than ever. The information was developed to support humanitarian relief agencies, East African climate adaptation efforts and the climate science community's need for high-quality up-to-date rainfall estimates.

Fly method is epilepsy's ray of light Posted: 05 Nov 2015 11:13 AM PST A revolutionary new research approach has for the first time shown that epilepsy could be preventable. However, the technique developed and tested over three-years will not benefit individuals who already have epilepsy, scientists say.

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