ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Fossils reveal ancient shrublands in fiery landscape
• Heart injury reduced after bariatric surgery but not lifestyle intervention
• Racial disparities found in major surgeries at quality-improvement hospitals
• First Puppies Born by in vitro fertilization
• Scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process
• Increase in alcohol tax appears to have decreased gonorrhea rates in Maryland
• US capability for treating ebola outbreak appears sufficient but limited
• Proliferation of pulmonary endothelial cells is controlled by small RNA fragments
• Inexpensive device for cookstoves shows promise for decreasing global warming, saving lives
• ABCSG 18: Monoclonal antibody increases disease-free survival in breast cancer
• Combining adult stem cells with hormone may speed bone fracture healing
• Long nights, lazy days could send you to an early grave
• Well-preserved skeleton reveals the ecology and evolution of early carnivorous mammals
• Less than half of US hospitals require flu shots for staff, despite risk to patients
• What computers won't tell you about ecological and evolutionary dynamics
• Vagus nerve stimulation shows progress in stroke patient recovery
• Eyewitness identification reforms not always supported by data
• Geometric study of brain cells could change strategies on Alzheimer's
• Detecting, identifying explosives with single test
• Latest proteome analysis helps reconstruct crimes
• Rising risk of obesity among China's 'left behind children'
• New advances in cancer diagnosis
• Stereotypes around aging can negatively impact memory and hearing
• Air pollutions control policies effective in improving downwind air quality
• Pilot study reveals storm response of offshore lighthouses
• Building foundations for cancer genomic analysis for research, clinical diagnostics
• Is chemical exposure in mothers, babies, linked to poor vaccine response?
• New method allows scientists to screen natural products for antibiotics
• Smoking in pregnancy 'affects boys' fitness in later life'
• After menopause, vulvovaginal troubles are common and linked with other pelvic problems
• Five out of six women at higher risk reject drugs to prevent breast cancer
• Overtesting for diabetes patients reaps negative rewards
• Flu vaccine unlikely to trigger reaction in children with egg allergy and asthma
• No treatment difference between some antidepressants and CBT for severe depression
• Cheetahs migrated from North America
• Toward powerful and compact terahertz spectrometers
• Playing 3-D video games can boost memory formation
• Fighting liver fibrosis, the wound that never heals
• New report finds 43 percent increase in ADHD diagnosis for US schoolchildren
• One-two punch of palbociclib, paclitaxel shows promise against advanced breast cancer
• Older Breast Cancer Patients Defy Survival Models
• Alternative stellar lifestyle: Common, curious, solved at last
• X-ray induced quasiparticles: New window on unconventional superconductivity
• Materials developed for tissue engineering, vaccines
• Aspirin use does not improve outcomes for cancer patients, but may lower breast tissue density, allowing for earlier detection
• New method to predict sea ice changes years in advance

Fossils reveal ancient shrublands in fiery landscape Posted: 10 Dec 2015 12:23 AM PST New fossil evidence shows that Australia's fire-prone shrubland open vegetation originated at least 70 million years ago – 40-50 million years earlier than previously thought.

Heart injury reduced after bariatric surgery but not lifestyle intervention Posted: 10 Dec 2015 12:12 AM PST Heart function in morbidly obese patients returns to normal after bariatric surgery but not after lifestyle intervention, reveals research. The results suggest that bariatric surgery may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in morbidly obese patients.

Racial disparities found in major surgeries at quality-improvement hospitals Posted: 09 Dec 2015 03:35 PM PST Considerable racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for black and Hispanic patients undergoing major cancer and non-cancer surgeries in US hospitals, even among institutions that have already enrolled in a national surgical quality improvement initiative.Those findings contrast with prior investigations that suggest there has been an easing of racial disparities in American health care.

First Puppies Born by in vitro fertilization Posted: 09 Dec 2015 03:35 PM PST For the first time, a litter of puppies was born by in vitro fertilization. The breakthrough opens the door for preserving endangered canid species using assisted reproduction techniques. It could also enable researchers to eradicate heritable diseases in dogs.

Scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process Posted: 09 Dec 2015 10:57 AM PST Scientists demonstrate that the protein kinase TAK1 (transforming growth factor-B-activated kinase 1) is vital in regulating the survival and proliferation of satellite stem cells, responsible for regenerating adult skeletal muscles.

Increase in alcohol tax appears to have decreased gonorrhea rates in Maryland Posted: 09 Dec 2015 10:57 AM PST Increasing state alcohol taxes could help prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, according to US researchers, who found that gonorrhea rates decreased by 24 percent in Maryland after the state increased its sales tax on alcohol in 2011.

US capability for treating ebola outbreak appears sufficient but limited Posted: 09 Dec 2015 10:57 AM PST The United States has sufficient capacity for treating another outbreak of the Ebola virus, but financial, staffing and resource challenges remain a hurdle for many hospitals and health systems attempting to maintain dedicated treatment centers for highly infectious diseases, according to new study.

Proliferation of pulmonary endothelial cells is controlled by small RNA fragments Posted: 09 Dec 2015 10:57 AM PST Uncontrolled proliferation of endothelial cells in small pulmonary arteries is a key feature in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. Now it has been shown that small RNA fragments (microRNAs) affect the expression of important cell cycle regulators and, as such, might control a proproliferative phenotype of vascular endothelial cells. The identified pathway appears to be cell type specific and offers novel insights in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

Inexpensive device for cookstoves shows promise for decreasing global warming, saving lives Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:56 AM PST A new metal grate will improve efficiency of primitive wood-burning cookstoves in developing countries.

ABCSG 18: Monoclonal antibody increases disease-free survival in breast cancer Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:54 AM PST Giving a monoclonal antibody (denosumab) as adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients reduces the relapse rate by 18%. This is the central finding of the ABCSG 18 breast cancer study regarding disease-free survival.

Combining adult stem cells with hormone may speed bone fracture healing Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:52 AM PST A combination of adult stem cells and parathyroid hormone significantly increased new bone formation in laboratory animals and may speed the healing process for human bone fractures caused by osteoporosis, a new study shows.

Long nights, lazy days could send you to an early grave Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:52 AM PST Sleeping more than nine hours a night, and sitting too much during the day could be a hazardous combination, particularly when added to a lack of exercise, according to new findings.

Well-preserved skeleton reveals the ecology and evolution of early carnivorous mammals Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:50 AM PST Prior to the rise of modern day mammalian carnivores, North America was dominated by a now extinct group of mammalian carnivores, hyaenodontids. Fossils of hyaenodontids are relatively common from the early Eocene, but most are specimens of teeth. A new find of a nearly complete skeleton has allowed for a more detailed study of the ecology and evolutionary relationships of these early carnivores.

Less than half of US hospitals require flu shots for staff, despite risk to patients Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:50 AM PST Within weeks, flu will start spreading. Multiple national recommendations urge all healthcare workers to get the influenza vaccination, to reduce the chances they will pass the virus on to their patients. But a new study finds that more than half of hospitals still don't require this.

What computers won't tell you about ecological and evolutionary dynamics Posted: 09 Dec 2015 07:39 AM PST Surprising connections between computer science and biology, two disciplines that study how information proliferates in time and space, have been revealed by a recent study.

Vagus nerve stimulation shows progress in stroke patient recovery Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:17 AM PST Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) technology could help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who suffer weakness and paralysis caused by strokes, new research suggests. The study marks the first time that VNS has been tested in individuals recovering from stroke.

Eyewitness identification reforms not always supported by data Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:17 AM PST Motivated by hundreds of false convictions, many states and law enforcement agencies have reformed eyewitness identification procedures. Reforms that California adopted were based on solid science while some it resisted were on shaky ground, say experts.

Geometric study of brain cells could change strategies on Alzheimer's Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:13 AM PST Applying mathematical models used for studying the galaxies or interactions between elementary particles, researchers have analysed the spatial distribution of astrocytes: brain cells that are essential for the correct functioning of neurons.

Detecting, identifying explosives with single test Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:13 AM PST A new test for detecting multiple explosives simultaneously has been developed by scientists. The proof-of-concept sensor is designed to quickly identify and quantify five commonly used explosives in solution to help track toxic contamination in waste water and improve the safety of public spaces.

Latest proteome analysis helps reconstruct crimes Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:13 AM PST Forensic medicine has long employed molecular biology to link, for instance, tiny amounts of organic material to a suspect. Yet such methods are less useful when it comes to finding out which shot or stab wound was the cause of death. Through new study, researchers match bullets to wounds using organ-specific protein signatures found on projectiles.

Rising risk of obesity among China's 'left behind children' Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:13 AM PST Some 61 million rural children left behind by parents moving to China's booming urban centers are at risk from increased fat and reduced protein in their diets, research suggests.

New advances in cancer diagnosis Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:12 AM PST New technology could revolutionize how some cancers are diagnosed, suggests a new article. A high-tech computer system is able to read samples of human tissue and aid pathologists in the identification of minute changes in cells that can indicate cancer is present.

Stereotypes around aging can negatively impact memory and hearing Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST A new study shows that when older adults feel negatively about aging, they may lack confidence in their abilities to hear and remember things, and perform poorly at both.

Air pollutions control policies effective in improving downwind air quality Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST Emissions controls on coal-fired power plants are making a difference in reducing exposure of mercury to people, especially in the western Maryland community. A study of air quality has found that levels of mercury in the air from power plant emissions dropped more than half over a 10-year period, coinciding with stricter pollution controls.

Pilot study reveals storm response of offshore lighthouses Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST The unseen responses of remote offshore lighthouse during severe storm conditions have been revealed in a new study. Researchers considered historical and contemporary observations of the wave impact loading on rock lighthouses during storm conditions.

Building foundations for cancer genomic analysis for research, clinical diagnostics Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST A high degree of heterogeneity has been revealed in how cancer genome sequencing is done at different institutions across the globe. This result lays the foundation for the coming era of cancer genomics by creating guidelines and providing new tools for achieving higher quality data, for better diagnosis and precision medicine.

Is chemical exposure in mothers, babies, linked to poor vaccine response? Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST Early life exposures to toxic chemicals such as PCBs and DDT dampen an infant's response to the tuberculosis vaccine, according to a new study. PCBs were used in manufacturing and in consumer products in the United States until their ban in 1979. Despite this, nearly all people have detectable concentrations in their blood, even those who live in unindustrialized areas around the globe. DDT, although banned in the U.S., is still used in some countries to control malaria spread by mosquitos.

New method allows scientists to screen natural products for antibiotics Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST Biologists have found that a method they developed to identify and characterize new antibiotics can be employed to screen natural products quickly for compounds capable of controlling antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Smoking in pregnancy 'affects boys' fitness in later life' Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:05 AM PST Mothers who smoke are putting more than their own health at risk, suggests a new study.

After menopause, vulvovaginal troubles are common and linked with other pelvic problems Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:04 AM PST After menopause, more than half of women may have vulvovaginal symptoms that have a big impact on their lifestyle, emotions, and sex life. What's more, the symptoms tend to travel with other pelvic troubles, such as prolapse and urinary and bowel problems. But many women aren't getting help, shows a study.

Five out of six women at higher risk reject drugs to prevent breast cancer Posted: 09 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Five in six women with increased risk of breast cancer turn down drugs likely to prevent the disease, according to research new research from the UK. Drugs to block cancer-causing hormones and surveillance with an annual mammogram may be offered to certain women with a family history of the disease when they have a moderate to high risk of breast cancer.

Overtesting for diabetes patients reaps negative rewards Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST A national trend toward overtesting glycated hemoglobin levels in adult patients with type 2 diabetes has been uncovered by a recent study. Overtesting causes redundancy and waste says the study team, adding unnecessary costs and time burden for patients and providers. In addition, excessive testing can result in overtreatment with hypoglycemic drugs, adding additional cost and potential health complications.

Flu vaccine unlikely to trigger reaction in children with egg allergy and asthma Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST The children's flu vaccine is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction in those with egg allergy, finds a study. The vaccine is also appropriate for young people with well-controlled asthma or recurrent wheeze, the findings show.

No treatment difference between some antidepressants and CBT for severe depression Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST Available evidence suggests no difference in treatment effects of second generation antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy either alone or in combination, for patients with major depressive disorder, finds a new study.

Cheetahs migrated from North America Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is now at home on the African plains, but it started a migration 100,000 years ago from North America towards its current habitat. The research found that the migration from North America was costly for the species, triggering the first major reduction in their gene pool.

Toward powerful and compact terahertz spectrometers Posted: 08 Dec 2015 03:45 PM PST Researchers fabricated high-performance quantum cascade lasers (and integrated them into a device to demonstrate new, high-power broadband terahertz frequency combs, which are powerful tools for high-precision measurements and spectroscopy.

Playing 3-D video games can boost memory formation Posted: 08 Dec 2015 03:43 PM PST Playing three-dimensional video games -- besides being lots of fun -- can boost the formation of memories, according to neurobiologists. Along with adding to the trove of research that shows these games can improve eye-hand coordination and reaction time, this finding shows the potential for novel virtual approaches to helping people who lose memory as they age or suffer from dementia.

Fighting liver fibrosis, the wound that never heals Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST Salk team develops drug that prevents and reverses deadly liver damage in mice.

New report finds 43 percent increase in ADHD diagnosis for US schoolchildren Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST Twelve percent of US children and teens had a diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2011, a number that has jumped by 43 percent since 2003, according to a large national study based on parental reports of an ADHD diagnosis.

One-two punch of palbociclib, paclitaxel shows promise against advanced breast cancer Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:05 PM PST Combining the new breast cancer drug palbociclib with paclitaxel (Taxol) shrank tumors in nearly half of patient with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, according to new research. A second study provides new clues to how breast cancer develops resistance to the palbociclib, a common occurrence among many patients who take the drug.

Older Breast Cancer Patients Defy Survival Models Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST Older women with early-stage, invasive breast cancer had better survival rates than what was estimated by a popular online tool for predicting survival, according to researchers.

Alternative stellar lifestyle: Common, curious, solved at last Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST Half of all stars are in binaries -- pairs of stars that orbit each other. Half of binary stars orbit so close that gravitational interaction significantly affects their evolution and demise. Today, scientists have confirmed one of the possible explanations for a common group of exceptions: the blue stragglers.

X-ray induced quasiparticles: New window on unconventional superconductivity Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST A new type of particle has been created that can help explain the electron interactions responsible for high-temperature superconductivity.

Materials developed for tissue engineering, vaccines Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST Engineers are developing materials with a variety of medical applications, including delivering suicide genes to cancer cells, providing sustained delivery of vaccines, reducing the wear of hip implants and helping nerves regenerate.

Aspirin use does not improve outcomes for cancer patients, but may lower breast tissue density, allowing for earlier detection Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST Whether aspirin may help prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer remains a hotly debated research question. While past studies have indicated a potential benefit, most recently in hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, one new study suggests otherwise. Aspirin does not appear to be protective or associated with improved clinical outcomes or survival among breast cancer patients with aggressive disease, the researchers of one study report. However, another study suggests aspirin may in fact help reduce breast tissue density, which could lead to earlier detection of some breast cancers.

New method to predict sea ice changes years in advance Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST Climate scientists present evidence in a new study that they can predict whether the Arctic sea ice that forms in the winter will grow, shrink, or hold its own over the next several years.

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