ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Curious cosmic collision
• Near zero friction from nanoscale lubricants
• Eco-friendly battery and solar cell all-in-one
• Rapid molecular assay may help diagnose sepsis
• Eliminating food deserts may not achieve improved dietary quality in the United States
• African sleeping sickness: Study suggests new way to help the immune system fight off parasite
• New risk score identifies link between lifestyle risk factors and mortality
• Call for police killings, police deaths to be reported as public health data
• Death Valley study helps determine evolution of western US landscapes
• Titan helps researchers explore explosive star scenarios
• Evaporation-powered motor and light
• Hot rock and ice: Volcanic chain underlies Antarctica
• Hip osteoarthritis may not appear on x-ray
• Portable device can quickly determine the extent of an eye injury
• Economically viable US renewable generation
• Telemedicine effective for patients, helps providers establish important relationships
• Scientists advance understanding of photoelectrodes
• What contributes to healthy living behaviors among children? It depends
• Researchers resolve structure of a key component of bacterial decision-making
• Plant-inspired power plants
• Human trials suggest 'rescued' drug could be safer treatment for bipolar disorder
• New North American pterosaur is a Texan, but flying reptile's closest cousin is English
• On-the-go ultrahigh vacuum storage systems
• Unique Mosasaur fossil discovered in Japan
• Cooperating bacteria isolate cheaters
• 'Quasiparticles' reveal incredibly minute distortions in light waves
• A new theory describes ice's slippery behavior
• One in four new doctors may be depressed, and their patients may suffer because of it
• Access to the Internet makes us less willing to say we know things
• SABCS15: 'Weeding the garden' with radiation while continuing breast cancer therapy
• Biomarkers outperform symptoms in parsing psychosis subgroups
• Text messages that end in a period seen as less sincere
• Coral reefs could be more vulnerable to coastal development than predicted
• Experimental 'urban garden' helps cancer survivors' lower risk for recurrence, chronic illness
• Origin of heavy elements in the universe uncovered
• Faster groundwater remediation with thermal storage
• Eating disorder prevention program reduces brain reward region response to supermodels
• Oral chemo still too expensive even after doughnut hole closes
• Study establishes biomarkers to help diagnose, treat psychosis
• Molecule that may lead to Chagas disease vaccine identified
• Producing cold electron beams to increase collision rates at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider
• How distracting is talking to your car? Researchers develop a new framework for measuring cognitive distraction
• World's first ibuprofen patch created
• New schizophrenia treatments may be effective for subgroup of patients
• Microplastics: Rhine one of the most polluted rivers worldwide
• Using atoms to turn optical nanofiber guided light on and off
• Research probes influence of gender, background on doctors' career paths
• Gene that protects breast cancer patients against 'chemobrain' discovered
• New clinical practice guidelines recommend use of arteries rather than veins in heart bypass surgery
• Getting the most from your stretching routine
• If you make impulsive choices you should blame your parents: It's genetic
• Anti-platelet therapy does not significantly reduce pain crises in sickle cell disease
• Alcohol aromatherapy eases nausea in the ER
• Link between polycystic ovarian syndrome in the mother and autism in the child
• Children with common allergies have twice heart disease risk
• Chemicals in e-cigarette flavors linked to respiratory disease
• Antidepressant with novel action appears safe, effective in clinical trial
• Multiple myeloma patient study shows promise for natural killer cells
• Blood thinner, antidiabetic drug mix increases hospitalizations
• New technology may standardize sickle cell disease screening for infants

Curious cosmic collision Posted: 09 Dec 2015 06:04 AM PST The spectacular aftermath of a 360 million year old cosmic collision is revealed in great detail in new images from ESO's Very Large Telescope at the Paranal Observatory. Among the debris is a rare and mysterious young dwarf galaxy. This galaxy is providing astronomers with an excellent opportunity to learn more about similar galaxies that are expected to be common in the early Universe, but are normally too faint and distant to be observed by current telescopes.

Near zero friction from nanoscale lubricants Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:09 PM PST Friction hampers the movement of all mechanical parts, including engines for transportation. Scientists built a system with virtually no friction. The system wraps graphene flakes around nanodiamonds that then roll between a diamond-like carbon-surface and graphene on silica.

Eco-friendly battery and solar cell all-in-one Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:09 PM PST In solar flow batteries, the proposed charging process links harvesting solar energy and storing it as chemical energy via the electrolyte. Scientists built a solar flow battery that uses an eco-friendly, compatible solvent and needs a lower applied voltage to recharge the battery.

Rapid molecular assay may help diagnose sepsis Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST Measuring the levels of RNA biomarkers in blood may help quickly differentiate sepsis from infection-negative systemic inflammation, according to new research. Scientists describe the discovery and validation of a molecular classifier consisting of 4 RNA transcripts (SeptiCyte Lab), which in several selected patient cohorts was able to diagnose sepsis more accurately than procalcitonin or clinical parameters, and more quickly than blood culture.

Eliminating food deserts may not achieve improved dietary quality in the United States Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST Initiatives to eliminate food deserts, low-income geographic areas that lack access to a supermarket or large grocery store, may not have an effect on improving dietary quality or reducing disparities in diet quality, according to a new article.

African sleeping sickness: Study suggests new way to help the immune system fight off parasite Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST African sleeping sickness, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is transmitted by the tsetse fly and is fatal if left untreated. New research reveals a method to manipulate trypanosomes in the mammalian bloodstream to acquire fly stage characteristics. The findings suggest that inhibiting specific proteins can 'trick' the parasite into differentiating to a different stage of its lifecycle.

New risk score identifies link between lifestyle risk factors and mortality Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST A new lifestyle risk score based on six health behaviors identified two new risk factors (sedentary behavior and sleep) that can be used in addition to traditional risk factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol use to predict risk of mortality.

Call for police killings, police deaths to be reported as public health data Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:06 PM PST Although no reliable official data currently exist on the number of law enforcement-related deaths each year in the U.S., counting these deaths can and should be done because the data constitute crucial public health information that could help prevent future deaths.

Death Valley study helps determine evolution of western US landscapes Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:05 PM PST The faulted alluvial fans near Badwater in Death Valley are amongst the most visited and classic landforms in the US. New mapping and dating of these landforms, help to determine the timing of past earthquakes and how tectonic deformation is distributed across the western US.

Titan helps researchers explore explosive star scenarios Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:05 PM PST Scientists used the Titan supercomputer to complete a three-dimensional, high-resolution investigation of the thermonuclear burning a double-detonation white dwarf undergoes before explosion. The study expands upon the team's initial 3-D simulation of this supernova scenario, which was carried out in 2013.

Evaporation-powered motor and light Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST Scientists designed shape-changing composites that used evaporation to power locomotion and generate electricity.

Hot rock and ice: Volcanic chain underlies Antarctica Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST Scientists were able to deploy ruggidized seismometers that could withstand intense cold in Antarctica only recently. A line of seismometers strung across the West Antarctic Rift Valley and the Marie Byrd Land have given geologists their first good look at the mantle beneath the ice and rocks, revealing areas of hot rock that might affect the behavior of the overlying ice sheet.

Hip osteoarthritis may not appear on x-ray Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST In the majority of cases, hip x-rays are not reliable for diagnosing hip osteoarthritis (OA), and can delay the treatment of this debilitating disease. These findings are the first to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an x-ray in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of classic OA.

Portable device can quickly determine the extent of an eye injury Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST An engineer and an ophthalmologist are developing a portable sensor that can quickly and inexpensively determine whether an eye injury is mild or severe. The device, called OcuCheck, measures levels of vitamin C in the fluids that coat or leak from the eye. The sensor could speed efforts to determine the extent of eye injuries at accident sites or on the battlefield, the researchers said.

Economically viable US renewable generation Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST Analysts are providing, for the first time, a method for measuring the economic potential of renewable energy across the United States. A study applying this new method found that renewable energy generation is economically viable in many parts of the United States largely due to rapidly declining technology costs.

Telemedicine effective for patients, helps providers establish important relationships Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST More than 50 million Americans live in rural areas, and many have limited access to health care. Now, a study shows that patients and providers alike are satisfied with video-based health care.

Scientists advance understanding of photoelectrodes Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST Scientists have developed a new probe that could lead to a better photoelectrochemical cell.

What contributes to healthy living behaviors among children? It depends Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:41 AM PST Experts have participated in several peer-reviewed articles on the issue of healthy behaviors among children.

Researchers resolve structure of a key component of bacterial decision-making Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:41 AM PST For bacteria that swim, determining whether to stay the course or head in a new direction is vital to survival. A new study offers atomic-level details of the molecular machinery that allows swimming bacteria to sense their environment and change direction when needed.

Plant-inspired power plants Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:41 AM PST A team of chemical engineers recently identified the two main factors for determining the optimal catalyst for turning atmospheric CO2 into liquid fuel. The results will streamline the search for an inexpensive yet highly effective new catalyst.

Human trials suggest 'rescued' drug could be safer treatment for bipolar disorder Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:41 AM PST Ebselen, abandoned as a stroke treatment, has a successful first human trial as scientists aim to repurpose it as a treatment for bipolar disorder.

New North American pterosaur is a Texan, but flying reptile's closest cousin is English Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:36 AM PST A new species of toothy pterosaur is a native of Texas, but is strikingly similar to an English species. Named Cimoliopterus dunni, the new pterosaur's closest cousin is England's Cimoliopterus cuvieri. Identification of the 94-million-year-old flying marine reptile links prehistoric Texas to England, says paleontologist and suggests gene flow between the two populations was possible shortly before that date, despite progressive widening of the North Atlantic Ocean.

On-the-go ultrahigh vacuum storage systems Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:36 AM PST A special 'suitcase under ultrahigh vacuum conditions,' created by researchers in Japan, will enable researchers to securely transport air-sensitive scientific samples from one advanced laboratory facility to another.

Unique Mosasaur fossil discovered in Japan Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:34 AM PST The discovery also reveals the unique binocular vision of the first ancient marine reptile of its kind to be found in Japan.

Cooperating bacteria isolate cheaters Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:34 AM PST Bacteria, which reciprocally exchange amino acids, stabilize their partnership on two-dimensional surfaces and limit the access of non-cooperating bacteria to exchanged nutrients. Scientists have shown that bacteria that do not contribute to metabolite production are excluded from the cooperative benefits. The researchers demonstrated that cooperative cross-feeders that grow on two-dimensional surfaces are protected from being exploited by non-cooperating bacteria.

'Quasiparticles' reveal incredibly minute distortions in light waves Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST Researchers find new way to measure small distortions in light waves through 'quasiparticles.' This new technique advances applications in metrology and chemical sensing, and improves adaptive optics for microscopy and biomedicine.

A new theory describes ice's slippery behavior Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST A new theory describes how slippery ice gets when a hard material like a ski slides across it. The theory agrees well with experimental data and could help design better sliding systems, as well as contribute to a fundamental understanding of ice friction that could help explain the movement of glaciers and other natural processes.

One in four new doctors may be depressed, and their patients may suffer because of it Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST More than one in four doctors in the early stages of their careers has signs of depression, a comprehensive new study finds. And the grueling years of training for a medical career may deserve some of the blame. That's bad news not just for the young doctors themselves, but also for the patients they care for now and in the future.

Access to the Internet makes us less willing to say we know things Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST People are less willing to rely on their knowledge and say they know something when they have access to the Internet, suggesting that our connection to the web is affecting how we think.

SABCS15: 'Weeding the garden' with radiation while continuing breast cancer therapy Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST An ongoing phase IIR/III clinical trial seeks to answer an important question in the treatment of early metastatic breast cancer: Should surgery or stereotactic body radiation be used to 'weed the garden' of a few sites of metastasis while continuing treatment that may still be controlling the initial tumor?

Biomarkers outperform symptoms in parsing psychosis subgroups Posted: 08 Dec 2015 10:21 AM PST Three biomarker-based categories, called biotypes, outperformed traditional diagnoses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis, in sorting psychosis cases into distinct subgroups on the basis of brain biology. The biotypes were more biologically homogeneous than categories based on observable symptoms. Just as fever or infection can have many different causes, multiple psychosis-causing disease processes -- operating via different biological pathways -- can lead to similar symptoms and confound the search for improved treatments.

Text messages that end in a period seen as less sincere Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:42 AM PST Participants in a study read a series of exchanges that appeared either as text messages or as handwritten notes. Based on the participants' responses, text messages that ended with a period were rated as less sincere than text messages that did not end with a period, authors say.

Coral reefs could be more vulnerable to coastal development than predicted Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:42 AM PST For years, many scientists thought we had a secret weapon to protect coral reefs from nutrients flushed into the seas by human activity. Experiments suggested that herbivores such as fish, urchins and sea turtles could keep corals and their ecosystems healthy by eating up extra algae that grew in the presence of these nutrients. But a new study sheds doubt on that idea, underscoring the importance of sustainable growth in coastal areas.

Experimental 'urban garden' helps cancer survivors' lower risk for recurrence, chronic illness Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:42 AM PST While there is substantial evidence that diet and body weight can impact cancer development, recurrence, and progression – for the estimated 14.5 million cancer survivors in the US, there are few resources available to help them optimize their dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviors after active cancer treatment is over. Now, new research shows that cancer survivors who participated in a multifaceted urban garden intervention improved their health behaviors, significantly reduced their weight, and improved biomarkers of health – all major improvements related to a reduced risk for developing a secondary cancer or illnesses like diabetes or heart disease. The unique program is promising and could be used as an evidence-based blueprint for other chronic conditions.

Origin of heavy elements in the universe uncovered Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:40 AM PST A team of scientists suggests a solution to the Galactic radioactive plutonium puzzle. All the Plutonium used on Earth is artificially produced in nuclear reactors. Still, it turns out that it is also produced in nature. Plutonium is a radioactive element. Its longest-lived isotope is plutonium-244 with a lifetime of 120 million years.

Faster groundwater remediation with thermal storage Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:40 AM PST Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is more than a renewable energy source. The storage and extraction of heat and cold can remediate polluted groundwater ten times faster than existing technologies, a researcher says.

Eating disorder prevention program reduces brain reward region response to supermodels Posted: 08 Dec 2015 06:40 AM PST At baseline, when young women at risk for eating disorders viewed images of supermodels while undergoing fMRI, a reward valuation region of their brains was activated. After the intervention, this reward valuation was more activated by exposure to images of healthy, normal weight women than by exposure to thin models. Participants in the control condition did not show this change.

Oral chemo still too expensive even after doughnut hole closes Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST Oral chemotherapy drugs are so expensive that they will be out of the financial reach of most Medicare patients even when the Part D doughnut hole closes in 2020, according to new research.

Study establishes biomarkers to help diagnose, treat psychosis Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST A comprehensive set of empirical biomarkers has been established to aid in diagnosis and treatment of psychosis, a groundbreaking study has demonstrated.

Molecule that may lead to Chagas disease vaccine identified Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST A molecule expressed by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which may facilitate the parasite's evasion of the host's immune system, has been identified by researchers.

Producing cold electron beams to increase collision rates at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST Accelerated ion beams heat up. This causes a problem for physicists trying to get the particles to collide. So physicists are exploring ways to cool the beams and keep their particles tightly packed.

How distracting is talking to your car? Researchers develop a new framework for measuring cognitive distraction Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST Distractions while driving can come from visual, physical, and cognitive sources. A new framework for measuring cognitive distraction has now been outlined in a new article, followed by expert commentaries that suggest a way forward for reducing crash risk.

World's first ibuprofen patch created Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:18 AM PST The world's first ever ibuprofen patch has been produced and patented, delivering the drug directly through skin to exactly where it is needed at a consistent dose rate.

New schizophrenia treatments may be effective for subgroup of patients Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:18 AM PST Mounting evidence indicates that disturbances in the brain's glutamate pathway contribute to symptoms of schizophrenia. Thus, the glutamate pathway has become the target of a number of new drug therapies. Findings suggest that at least one of these drugs may be an effective treatment for individuals in the early course of the illness.

Microplastics: Rhine one of the most polluted rivers worldwide Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:18 AM PST Between Basel and Rotterdam, the Rhine has one of the highest microplastics pollution so far measured in rivers, with the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area showing peak numbers of up to four times the average. Among investigated rivers, the Rhine is thus among those most heavily polluted with microplastics, report researchers who evaluated, for the first time, the plastic concentration at the surface of one of the big European rivers.

Using atoms to turn optical nanofiber guided light on and off Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:17 AM PST A light-mediated on/off switch has been developed in optical nanofibers that could be used for transferring quantum information in the future.

Research probes influence of gender, background on doctors' career paths Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:15 AM PST Junior doctors who opt to become surgeons in the National Health Services in England are more likely to be male, white and from a better-off background according to new research.

Gene that protects breast cancer patients against 'chemobrain' discovered Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:15 AM PST Variation of a gene may have a role in protecting cancer patients from developing chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, commonly known as 'chemofog' or 'chemobrain,' a team of researchers has established.

New clinical practice guidelines recommend use of arteries rather than veins in heart bypass surgery Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST New clinical practice guidelines have been released that recommend expanding the use of arteries from the chest and forearm rather than using veins from the leg when performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in certain patients.

Getting the most from your stretching routine Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST The conclusions of a systematic review of hundreds of studies contradict the most common static stretching findings from the last 15 years. This research reviews hundreds of studies to determine best way to stretch to improve range of motion, prevent injury during sports and exercise.

If you make impulsive choices you should blame your parents: It's genetic Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST 'Delay discounting' is the tendency to take a smaller reward now rather than waiting for a larger one available later. According to a report, delay discounting is strongly influenced by genetics. Studying 602 twins, researchers found that genes accounted for about half of the individual differences in this trait, which can profoundly affect daily life and psychiatric well-being.

Anti-platelet therapy does not significantly reduce pain crises in sickle cell disease Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Treatment with the antiplatelet agent prasugrel does not significantly reduce the rate of pain crises or severe lung complications in children with sickle cell disease, according to a report describing one of the largest and most geographically diverse international clinical trials on sickle cell disease to date.

Alcohol aromatherapy eases nausea in the ER Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Nauseated patients in the emergency department who sniffed pads saturated with isopropyl alcohol were twice as likely to obtain relief from their symptoms as nauseated patients who sniffed pads saturated with saline solution, according to a study.

Link between polycystic ovarian syndrome in the mother and autism in the child Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Children born to mothers with polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS, are at an increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorders, according to a new epidemiological study from Sweden. The findings support the notion that exposure to sex hormones early in life may be important for the development of autism in both sexes.

Children with common allergies have twice heart disease risk Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Children with allergies, particularly asthma and hay fever, have about twice the rate of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, setting them on a course for heart disease at a surprisingly early age, reports a new study. Even when the study controlled for obesity, children with allergic disease had a much higher risk. The study suggests these children need to be screened more aggressively for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, so they can modify their lifestyles and reverse this risk.

Chemicals in e-cigarette flavors linked to respiratory disease Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST Diacetyl, a flavoring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease, was found in more than 75 percent of flavored electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by researchers. Two other potentially harmful related compounds were also found in many of the tested flavors, which included varieties with potential appeal to young people such as Cotton Candy, Fruit Squirts, and Cupcake.

Antidepressant with novel action appears safe, effective in clinical trial Posted: 08 Dec 2015 05:13 AM PST A small clinical trial of a novel antidepressant that stimulates neurogenesis -- the production of new brain cells -- shows that the compound appears to be safe and may be effective against depression.

Multiple myeloma patient study shows promise for natural killer cells Posted: 07 Dec 2015 06:47 PM PST A first-in-human Phase I study of multiple myeloma patients combined expanded cord blood-derived natural killer cells with transplantation of a patient's own stem cells and high-dose chemotherapy with little or none of the side effects seen with current treatments.

Blood thinner, antidiabetic drug mix increases hospitalizations Posted: 07 Dec 2015 06:47 PM PST A common blood thinner warfarin can have a potent interaction in patients treated for diabetes that may land them in the hospital, researchers have discovered.

New technology may standardize sickle cell disease screening for infants Posted: 07 Dec 2015 06:47 PM PST Researchers offer promising findings related to new technology aimed at facilitating early detection of sickle cell disease for infants in developing countries. Over half of babies born with sickle cell disease (SCD) in countries with limited resources die before age five. Over 6 million people in West and Central Africa suffer from the disease, which causes pain crises, widespread organ damage and early mortality.

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