ScienceDaily: Top News

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• First demonstration of sexual selection in dinosaurs identified
• 'Green pea' galaxy provides insights to early universe evolution
• Protein patterns: New tool for studying sepsis
• New role for motor neurons discovered
• Couples' quality of life linked even when one partner dies
• Trauma experts study treatment of pregnant trauma patients to improve neonatal outcomes
• New microscopy may identify best sperm cells
• Shiny fish skin inspires nanoscale light reflectors
• Experts recommend immediate treatment for severe primary adrenal insufficiency symptoms
• Common gene mutation bad for liver values, good for blood lipids in children
• Is autism hiding in a fold of the brain?
• Modifying the structure of wood alters plant microbiome
• Religious decline does not equal moral decline, says researcher
• Physical activity may help keep overweight children fit
• New analyses method makes increasing rate of violent crime visible
• Major advance reveals how charge forms in key radiation-absorbing layer within solar cells
• Antisocial behavior: Understanding influence of genes and the environment
• First light for future black hole probe
• Screening technique to reinforce fight against ash dieback
• Microbots individually controlled using 'mini force fields'
• Why do some infections persist? Blame bacterial socialism
• Research finds reason advertising boosts stock prices for some companies and not others
• Teaching social justice to privileged students necessary for change
• Sunshine vitamin linked to improved fertility in wild animals
• Fires burning in Africa, Asia cause high ozone in tropical Pacific
• Experimental immunotherapy zaps two most lethal Ebola virus strains
• Immigrant kids' diet is different, less nutritious than mom's
• Lung cell found to act as sensor, regulator of immune response
• Ocean current in Gulf of Mexico linked to red tide
• Concerns over prescribed opioid use among pregnant women
• Common dementia drug found to improve Parkinson's symptoms
• Largest-ever study of cornea condition reveals hidden risk factors
• Researchers further illuminate pathway for treatment of cystic fibrosis
• Signaling from dysfunctional mitochondria induces cellular senescence with a distinct secretory phenotype

First demonstration of sexual selection in dinosaurs identified Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:12 PM PST Large ornamental structures in dinosaurs, such as horns and head crests are likely to have been used in sexual displays and to assert social dominance, according to a new analysis of Protoceratops. This is the first time scientists have linked the function of anatomy to sexual selection in dinosaurs.

'Green pea' galaxy provides insights to early universe evolution Posted: 13 Jan 2016 04:50 PM PST Astronomers gain a new understanding of the re-ionization of the universe by studying a nearby dwarf 'green pea' galaxy.

Protein patterns: New tool for studying sepsis Posted: 13 Jan 2016 11:45 AM PST Sepsis is a very complicated and precarious condition. Research groups have now developed a way to use mass spectrometry to measure hundreds of proteins in a single blood sample. With the help of protein patterns it is then possible to determine the severity of the condition and which organs have been damaged.

New role for motor neurons discovered Posted: 13 Jan 2016 11:45 AM PST The view of the role of motor neurons could be changing, thanks to new research. Motor neurons, which extend from the spinal cord to muscles and other organs, have always been considered passive recipients of signals from interneuronal circuits. Now, however, researchers have demonstrated a new, direct signalling pathway through which motor neurons influence the locomotor circuits that generate rhythmic movements.

Couples' quality of life linked even when one partner dies Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST When one spouse passes away, his or her characteristics continue to be linked with the surviving spouse's well-being, according to new research. The findings also indicate that this link between the deceased spouse and surviving spouse is as strong as that between partners who are both living.

Trauma experts study treatment of pregnant trauma patients to improve neonatal outcomes Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST Expectant mothers who sustain a traumatic injury and receive care at a hospital with a designated trauma center experience better outcomes than those treated at a non-trauma hospital, say researchers.

New microscopy may identify best sperm cells Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST New microscopic technology promises to be a game-changer in the field of reproductive assistance. A team of scientists has devised a new method of microscopy allowing scientists to perform clinical sperm analysis for in vitro fertilization without the use of staining, which can affect the viability of sperm samples.

Shiny fish skin inspires nanoscale light reflectors Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:35 AM PST A nature-inspired method to model the reflection of light may have applications for advanced optical coatings for glass, laser protection, infrared imaging systems, optical communication systems and photovoltaics, according to researchers.

Experts recommend immediate treatment for severe primary adrenal insufficiency symptoms Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:35 AM PST A Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) has been issued on the diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency, a condition commonly known as Addison's disease that occurs when the body produces too little of the hormone cortisol.

Common gene mutation bad for liver values, good for blood lipids in children Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:33 AM PST A common mutation in one gene raises liver values but at the same time improves blood lipid values in healthy children, according to a recent study. Children who carry the gene mutation had higher ALT values, indicative of changes in liver metabolism. At the same time, however, they also had lower blood triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. This finding is in line with earlier research in adults, showing that the gene mutation both predisposes for fatty liver disease and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Is autism hiding in a fold of the brain? Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST Scientists have identified a cerebral marker specific to autism that can be detected by MRI and is present as from the age of two years. The abnormality thus detected consists in a less deep fold in Broca's area, a region of the brain specialized in language and communication, functions that are impaired in autistic patients. This discovery may assist in the earlier diagnosis and management of these patients.

Modifying the structure of wood alters plant microbiome Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST Modifying the structure of poplar wood can also alter the endosphere microbiome, the bacteria that reside inside tree tissue, new research shows. In this study, the researchers looked into how trees with modified wood structure could be used as a basis for the production of, inter alia, bioethanol.

Religious decline does not equal moral decline, says researcher Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST Morality is not rooted in religion, and religion matters less for moral values now than it did thirty years ago, says a researcher. Based on the analysis of European survey data, researchers found that religious decline does not equal moral decline.

Physical activity may help keep overweight children fit Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST High body adiposity, low physical activity, and particularly their combination are related to poorer physical fitness among 6-8 year old children, research shows. These results suggest that physically active overweight children have better fitness compared to their inactive peers.

New analyses method makes increasing rate of violent crime visible Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST A new method of analyzing crime statistics finds that violent crime in England and Wales is increasing, not decreasing. They found the rate of domestic violence has been increasing since 2009. The rate of violence against women has also been increasing since 2009. But violent crime against men is still decreasing.

Major advance reveals how charge forms in key radiation-absorbing layer within solar cells Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST Researchers demonstrate in a new study the precise mechanism by which sunlight generates electrical charge within cutting-edge solar cell film, yielding potential benefits for solar power industry.

Antisocial behavior: Understanding influence of genes and the environment Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST A gene involved in the regulation of emotions and behavior could influence the long-term impact of violence experienced in childhood on antisocial behavior. This is the finding of a longitudinal study carried out by a team of researchers on 327 young men who live in Quebec (Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children), some of whom were exposed to violence as children.

First light for future black hole probe Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST Zooming in on black holes is the main mission for the newly installed instrument GRAVITY at ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile. During its first observations, GRAVITY successfully combined starlight using all four Auxiliary Telescopes. During its initial tests, the instrument has already achieved a number of notable firsts. This is the most powerful VLT Interferometer instrument yet installed.

Screening technique to reinforce fight against ash dieback Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST A pioneering study opens up a new front in the battle against a disease affecting ash trees across Europe. The research identified genetic markers to predict whether specific trees in populations of ash will succumb to the disease or are able to tolerate and survive a fungal pathogen that is causing ash dieback. The technology could help to maintain the ash tree as part of the UK landscape through pre-screening of individual tree seedlings to identify non disease-susceptible individuals before they are planted out, say scientists.

Microbots individually controlled using 'mini force fields' Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:08 AM PST Researchers are using a technology likened to 'mini force fields' to independently control individual microrobots operating within groups, an advance aimed at using the tiny machines in areas including manufacturing and medicine.

Why do some infections persist? Blame bacterial socialism Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:08 AM PST New research uses time lapse microscopy to show that bacteria use a hedging strategy to trade off varying degrees of antibiotic resistance even when they are not under threat. This new insight could explain why some infections persist in spite of antibiotic treatment and suggests that a different dosing strategy that would wait out trading off strategy could be effective.

Research finds reason advertising boosts stock prices for some companies and not others Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:06 AM PST The reason that advertising boosts stock prices for some companies and not others has been uncovered by new research. While nearly every research study has found that advertising has a positive impact on sales, the results are mixed regarding its effectiveness on stock price, which can be seen as an indicator of future sales.

Teaching social justice to privileged students necessary for change Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:06 AM PST Social justice educational initiatives often focus on giving a voice to students of color and low-income students, but one expert says such efforts alone may not be enough to bring about real change.

Sunshine vitamin linked to improved fertility in wild animals Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:05 AM PST High levels of vitamin D are linked to improved fertility and reproductive success, a study of wild sheep has found. Experts hope that further studies will help to determine the relevance of the results for other mammals, including people.

Fires burning in Africa, Asia cause high ozone in tropical Pacific Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:05 AM PST The burning of forests and vegetation may play a larger role in climate change than previously realized, new research suggests. Based on aircraft observations, satellite data and models, the findings indicate 'biomass burning' may need to be addressed with future regulations. Following closely after COP21, the results could suggest a need to look at other sources of greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to industrial activities and fossil fuel combustion in industrialized nations.

Experimental immunotherapy zaps two most lethal Ebola virus strains Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:05 AM PST The first antibodies that can potently neutralize the two deadliest strains of the virus that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever has been engineered by scientists. The findings, made in mice, are a significant step toward immunotherapies that are effective against all strains of Ebola virus that cause human disease.

Immigrant kids' diet is different, less nutritious than mom's Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST The diet of Mexican immigrant children in the US is different from what their mothers eat, according to sociologists, and that may mean kids are trading in the generally healthy diet of their moms for less nutritious American fare.

Lung cell found to act as sensor, regulator of immune response Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST An uncommon and little-studied type of cell in the lungs has been found to act like a sensor, linking the pulmonary and central nervous systems to regulate immune response in reaction to environmental cues. Until now, their function in a live animal was unknown. A team reports that PNECs are effective sensors seeded in the airway of many animals, including humans.

Ocean current in Gulf of Mexico linked to red tide Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST A major ocean current in the Gulf of Mexico plays an important role in sustaining Florida red tide blooms, a new study indicates. The research team suggests that the position of the Loop Current can serve as an indicator of whether the algal bloom will be sustained, and provide warning of possible hazardous red tide conditions in coastal areas.

Concerns over prescribed opioid use among pregnant women Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST The increase in use of prescribed opioids among women during pregnancy has probably contributed to the rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome, argues an expert. In the US, estimates suggest that 14-22% of pregnant women receive an opioid prescription during their pregnancy, and there has been an increase in the prevalence of opioid use disorders among pregnant women.

Common dementia drug found to improve Parkinson's symptoms Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST A commonly prescribed dementia drug could hold the key to helping prevent debilitating falls for people with Parkinson's, scientists have discovered. Parkinson's affects approximately seven million worldwide. 70% of people with Parkinson's will fall at least once a year, with over a third experiencing falls repeatedly, resulting in fractures, broken bones and hospital admissions.

Largest-ever study of cornea condition reveals hidden risk factors Posted: 12 Jan 2016 11:46 AM PST A large new study reveals previously unknown risk factors associated with an eye condition that causes serious progressive nearsightedness at a relatively young age. The findings, made through the largest-ever clinical study of the condition called keratoconus, could help more people receive newer treatments that can slow the problem and protect their vision.

Researchers further illuminate pathway for treatment of cystic fibrosis Posted: 12 Jan 2016 11:46 AM PST New research findings add further clarity to a question that has polarized the cystic fibrosis (CF) research community. It is well established that people with cystic fibrosis have two faulty copies of the CFTR gene, but debate continues on the question of whether certain symptoms of the airway disease are caused by the mutation or if the genetic defect precedes, but does not directly lead to some of the worst symptoms patients face.

Signaling from dysfunctional mitochondria induces cellular senescence with a distinct secretory phenotype Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:57 AM PST A new finding provides alternative explanation for the free-radical theory of aging and suggests new role for mitochondria in affecting physiology.

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