ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Taking stock of U. S. science literacy broadly
• Ecological collapse circumscribes traditional women's work in Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes
• Efficient methane C-H bond activation achieved for the first time
• Brazilian Zika outbreak followed upsurge in air travel
• Scientists part the clouds on how droplets form
• Malaria family tree has bird roots
• Microneedle patch delivers localized cancer immunotherapy to melanoma
• New view of the X-ray sky
• Researchers examine ways to break down, track synthetic compound in herbicides
• Insured Texans lack clear understanding of their health insurance plans
• What's the relational toll of living in a sexist, heterosexist context?
• 'Clogged-up' immune cells help explain smoking risk for TB
• Embryo development: Some cells are more equal than others even at four-cell stage
• Fighting high anxiety with fly anxiety
• You can thank diverse yeasts for that coffee and chocolate
• Graphene nanoribbons: It's all about the edges
• For the perfect eggs, roundworms use small RNAs
• Presence of hormone at key developmental period may point to origin of type 2 diabetes in kids
• Neuron type-specific gene loss linked to angelman syndrome seizures
• Genetic changes that cause autism are more diverse than previously thought
• Sleep tight, fruit fly: Scientists find gene responsible for sleep deprivation and metabolic disorders
• Ground-nesting bees on farms lack food, grow smaller
• Study adapts proven community health worker model for outpatient setting
• No increased heart failure with incretin-based drugs
• Damage-signalling protein shows parallels between plant, human immune systems
• Land bridges linking ancient India, Eurasia were 'freeways' for biodiversity exchange
• Sequence features accurately predict genome-wide MeCP2 binding in vivo
• New open source software for high resolution microscopy
• Data from 1800s can help researchers, forest managers maintain healthy forest ecosystems
• Losing weight with a high-protein diet can help adults sleep better
• Common plastics chemical BPA linked to preterm birth
• Voice-controlled nutrition tracker may aid weight loss
• Millennials admit to being narcissists, but don't you dare call them that
• Research proposes new test on prosthetic legs in competitive sports
• Air pollution increases risk of early death in Gothenburg
• Children with autism need intervention over a long period of time
• Too old to hire? Research confirms age discrimination in job markets
• Storing extra surface water boosts groundwater supply during droughts
• Newly discovered organic nanowires leave humanmade technologies in their dust
• Research shows potential for emergence of new Ebola virus that causes disease in humans
• Breakthrough made in cleft lip and palate research
• New computational method reveals significant degeneration of knee cartilage in overweight people
• Researchers uncover factors associated with hospital deaths in the oldest old
• Ancient super-eruptions in Yellowstone Hotspot track 'significantly larger' than expected
• Electronic counterpart to ecological models revealed
• Timeless thoughts on the definition of time
• Experts call for global drug policy reform as evidence shows 'war on drugs' has harmed public health, human rights
• Renewable energy investments: Major milestones reached, new world record set
• Developing better drugs for asthma, high blood pressure
• Killer fungus invades Europe
• New methods of enhancing efficiency of genetic engineering in mice, rats
• Magnetar could have boosted explosion of extremely bright supernova
• High serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Genetic cause found for loss of beta cells during diabetes development
• Deadly stars: Our sun could also be superflare star
• Australopithecus fossils found east of the Great Rift Valley
• Insurance for an uncertain climate
• New method for making invisible brushes that repel dirt
• Health experts call for improved TB care for refugees
• Working to save endangered species in Nicaragua

Taking stock of U. S. science literacy broadly Posted: 24 Mar 2016 12:01 PM PDT What does it mean to be science literate? How science literate is the American public? How do we stack up against other countries? What are the civic implications of a public with limited knowledge of science and how it works? How is science literacy measured? These and other questions are now under the microscope.

Ecological collapse circumscribes traditional women's work in Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:59 AM PDT As the land at the heart of the cradle of civilization dries out, an ancient culture is being lost with the unique ecosystem that sustains it, researchers report.

Efficient methane C-H bond activation achieved for the first time Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:59 AM PDT Using a new hybrid breed of computational and experimental chemistry, an international team of chemists was able to solve a puzzle that has been dubbed a 'Holy Grail reaction' and devise a method for catalyzing reactions with methane.

Brazilian Zika outbreak followed upsurge in air travel Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:59 AM PDT The first genome analysis of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, which has been potentially linked to the birth condition microcephaly, offers new information on how and when the virus might have entered the Americas.

Scientists part the clouds on how droplets form Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:54 AM PDT A new study reveals that much more is happening at the microscopic level of cloud formation than previously thought. The findings could help improve the accuracy of climate change models.

Malaria family tree has bird roots Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:32 AM PDT Extensive testing of malarial DNA found in birds, bats and other small mammals from five East African countries revealed that malaria has its roots in bird hosts. It then spread from birds to bats and on to other mammals.

Microneedle patch delivers localized cancer immunotherapy to melanoma Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:32 AM PDT Biomedical engineering researchers have developed a technique that uses a patch embedded with microneedles to deliver cancer immunotherapy treatment directly to the site of melanoma skin cancer. In animal studies, the technique more effectively targeted melanoma than other immunotherapy treatments.

New view of the X-ray sky Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:32 AM PDT The 2RXS catalogue is the second publicly released ROSAT catalogue of point-like sources obtained from the ROSAT all-sky survey observations performed between June 1990 and August 1991, and is an extended and revised version of the 1RXS catalogue.

Researchers examine ways to break down, track synthetic compound in herbicides Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:32 AM PDT Scientists report on the use of manganese oxide, found in soil, to break down the herbicide glyphosate and to identify released phosphate and its byproducts. They are exploring using oxygen isotopes to discriminate and track the sources of phosphorus compounds.

Insured Texans lack clear understanding of their health insurance plans Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:32 AM PDT Texans who bought their own health insurance were less likely to understand basic terms and how to use their plans compared with those who have Medicare, Medicaid or employee-sponsored health insurance, finds a new study.

What's the relational toll of living in a sexist, heterosexist context? Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:29 AM PDT Relationships, and especially romantic relationships, are central aspects of our social lives and primary sources of support. For sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, and queer) women, relationship quality may be hindered by the multiple oppressions they experience, such as sexist and heterosexist discrimination, as well as internalized sexism and heterosexism (i.e., incorporation of negative dominant societal attitudes and beliefs about women and sexual minority persons).

'Clogged-up' immune cells help explain smoking risk for TB Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:29 AM PDT Smoking increases an individual's risk of developing tuberculosis -- and makes the infection worse -- because it causes vital immune cells to become clogged up, slowing their movement and impeding their ability to fight infection, according to new research.

Embryo development: Some cells are more equal than others even at four-cell stage Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:29 AM PDT Genetic 'signatures' of early stage embryos confirm that our development begins to take shape as early as the second day after conception, when we are a mere four cells in size, according to new research. Although they seem to be identical, the cells of the two day-old embryo are already beginning to display distinct differences.

Fighting high anxiety with fly anxiety Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:29 AM PDT Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of all brain disorders, and yet there's been little progress in drug treatments for anxiety in more than 50 years. Now, researchers suggest that studies in flies might help to elucidate fundamental mechanisms underlying anxiety and point the way to new anti-anxiety treatments.

You can thank diverse yeasts for that coffee and chocolate Posted: 24 Mar 2016 11:29 AM PDT Humans have put yeast to work for thousands of years to make bread, beer, and wine. Wild strains of yeast are also found in the natural fermentations that are essential for chocolate and coffee production. But, as new genetic evidence shows, the yeasts associated with coffee and cacao beans have had a rather unique history.

Graphene nanoribbons: It's all about the edges Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:43 AM PDT As electronic components are becoming ever smaller, the industry is gradually approaching the limits of what is achievable using the traditional approach with silicon as a semiconductor material. Graphene, the material with a number of "miraculous" properties, is considered a possible replacement. The one atom thin carbon film is ultra-light, extremely flexible and highly conductive.

For the perfect eggs, roundworms use small RNAs Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:38 AM PDT All multicellular organisms that reproduce sexually rely on eggs to support early life. Researchers used the tiny roundworm C. elegans as a model to better understand how eggs enable embryonic development, using only the materials already present in them. Their study uncovers the role small RNAs and helper proteins play in fine-tuning egg development.

Presence of hormone at key developmental period may point to origin of type 2 diabetes in kids Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:38 AM PDT The presence of leptin -- a hormone secreted by fat cells that is critical to maintaining energy balance in the body -- inhibits the prenatal development of neuronal connections between the brain and pancreas, a new study reports. The findings could help explain the origin of type 2 diabetes, particularly in children of obese mothers.

Neuron type-specific gene loss linked to angelman syndrome seizures Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:38 AM PDT A new study has helped determine that UBE3A gene loss specifically from GABAergic neurons is what's critical for seizures in Angelman patients. But UBE3A loss from other neuron types may drive other phenotypes associated with the condition.

Genetic changes that cause autism are more diverse than previously thought Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:38 AM PDT The types of gene mutations that contribute to autism are more diverse than previously thought, report researchers. The findings, they say, represent a significant advance in efforts to unravel the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Sleep tight, fruit fly: Scientists find gene responsible for sleep deprivation and metabolic disorders Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:38 AM PDT Like humans, fruit flies sleep at night, caffeine affects their sleep, and if they get a lousy night's sleep it can affect their memory performance. But what can they tell us about the connection between sleep deprivation and metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity? A lot, according to a new study that is the first to identify that a conserved gene -- translin -- works as a modulator of sleep in response to metabolic changes.

Ground-nesting bees on farms lack food, grow smaller Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT The size of a common ground-nesting bee -- an important crop pollinator -- has grown smaller in heavily farmed landscapes, a new study has found. The study points out yet another potential threat to pollinators, along with mites, pesticides and loss of habitat.

Study adapts proven community health worker model for outpatient setting Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT A Community Health Worker model, shown to reduce admissions and lead to better health outcomes for hospitalized patients, can now be used in outpatient settings, according to a study.

No increased heart failure with incretin-based drugs Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT Incretin-based drugs, a type of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, do not increase the risk of being hospitalized for heart failure relative to commonly used combinations of oral anti-diabetic drugs, according to a new study.

Damage-signalling protein shows parallels between plant, human immune systems Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT A novel 'DAMP' molecule has been identified in plants that triggers an immune response after tissue damage. Knowledge of this protein and its human equivalent give us a cross-kingdom understanding of how humans and plants fight off infections.

Land bridges linking ancient India, Eurasia were 'freeways' for biodiversity exchange Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT Before the final collision of Eurasia and the Indian subcontinent, land bridges between the landmasses may have served as 'freeways' of biodiversity exchange that flowed in both directions, new information shows.

Sequence features accurately predict genome-wide MeCP2 binding in vivo Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:34 AM PDT Researchers are combining in vivo experimentation with computation for highly accurate prediction of the genome-wide binding pattern of a key protein involved in brain disorders.

New open source software for high resolution microscopy Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:30 AM PDT With their special microscopes, experimental physicists can already observe single molecules. However, unlike conventional light microscopes, the raw image data from some ultra-high resolution instruments first have to be processed for an image to appear. For the ultra-high resolution fluorescence microscopy that is also employed in biophysical research, scientists have developed a new open source software solution that can process such raw data quickly and efficiently.

Data from 1800s can help researchers, forest managers maintain healthy forest ecosystems Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:30 AM PDT When seeking clues to how well conservation efforts are working in the present, sometimes scientists look to the past -- and there may be no better historical record than the forest surveys conducted in Missouri by the Bureau of Land Management in the 1800s. Using these historical records, researchers were able to shed new light on how the interaction of natural disturbances, such as wildfires, and human actions shape forest conditions and the ecosystem services that forests provide today.

Losing weight with a high-protein diet can help adults sleep better Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:30 AM PDT Overweight and obese adults who are losing weight with a high-protein diet are more likely to sleep better, according to new research. The study also has studied how dietary protein quantity, sources and patterns affect appetite, body weight and body composition.

Common plastics chemical BPA linked to preterm birth Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:30 AM PDT Higher concentrations of the common plastics chemical and environmental pollutant Bisphenol A, or BPA, in a pregnant mother's blood may be a contributing factor in preterm births, according to a new study.

Voice-controlled nutrition tracker may aid weight loss Posted: 24 Mar 2016 10:30 AM PDT A few years ago, nutritionists who had been experimenting with mobile-phone apps for recording caloric intake approached computer scientists with the idea of a spoken-language application that would make meal logging even easier. This week, the researchers are presenting a Web-based prototype of their speech-controlled nutrition-logging system.

Millennials admit to being narcissists, but don't you dare call them that Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:50 AM PDT So-called millennials consider their generation the most narcissistic ever. Older generations agree—but think the narcissism goes even beyond what millennials admit.

Research proposes new test on prosthetic legs in competitive sports Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:50 AM PDT New guidelines proposed for prosthetic leg technology in international sporting events to prevent competitive advantage.

Air pollution increases risk of early death in Gothenburg Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:49 AM PDT People who live where there are high levels of air pollution have an increased risk of dying prematurely. Air pollution levels in Gothenburg have, however, decreased by half in the past few decades.

Children with autism need intervention over a long period of time Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:49 AM PDT Nine out of 10 preschool children with autism still have major difficulties within the autism field at school age, despite having received early intervention. A majority of the parents stated that the children do not receive sufficient support at school. New research has explored these issues in a study where children who had received an autism diagnosis between the ages of 2 and 4.5 years of age were followed up after 8 years.

Too old to hire? Research confirms age discrimination in job markets Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:49 AM PDT Age stereotypes can strongly affect people's choices about who to hire, new research has shown. If one of two equally well qualified job candidates is described as having stereotypically 'young' characteristics, and the other has stereotypically 'old' characteristics, the 'younger' candidate is more likely to be selected, a new report says.

Storing extra surface water boosts groundwater supply during droughts Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:48 AM PDT Although years of drought and over-pumping have significantly depleted groundwater in Arizona and California, a new study shows the situation has an upside: It has created underground reservoirs where extra surface water can be stored during wet times so it is available during drought.The study also found that regions that actively store surface water in underground aquifers have increased their groundwater supply over time, even as surrounding areas depleted theirs.

Newly discovered organic nanowires leave humanmade technologies in their dust Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:48 AM PDT A microbial protein fiber newly discovered transports charges at rates high enough to be applied in humanmade nanotechnologies. The discovery describes the high-speed protein fiber produced by uranium-reducing Geobacter bacteria. The fibers are hair-like protein filaments called 'pili' that have the unique property of transporting charges at speeds of 1 billion electrons per second.

Research shows potential for emergence of new Ebola virus that causes disease in humans Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:48 AM PDT New research has highlighted the potential for the emergence of a new form of Ebola virus. A team examined the differences between Ebolaviruses that cause severe disease in humans and the Reston virus that does not.

Breakthrough made in cleft lip and palate research Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:48 AM PDT Leading scientists have identified an important gene that is associated with cleft lip and palate. Experts say the discovery is a step closer to understanding how this birth defect arises, and will help in the development of medical approaches to prevent the disfiguring condition.

New computational method reveals significant degeneration of knee cartilage in overweight people Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:47 AM PDT Researchers have developed and validated a novel computational modelling method for the assessment of the patient-specific progression of osteoarthritis in the knee joint by using MRI data.

Researchers uncover factors associated with hospital deaths in the oldest old Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:47 AM PDT Despite the rates of hospital deaths in England declining, nearly two-thirds of people aged 85 and over, and more than half of people aged 95 and over still die in hospital, new research has found.

Ancient super-eruptions in Yellowstone Hotspot track 'significantly larger' than expected Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:47 AM PDT Researchers report 12 giant eruptions around the Snake River Plain in the United States between 8 and 12 million years ago.

Electronic counterpart to ecological models revealed Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:45 AM PDT Predicting the future from the present -- that's what logistic maps can do. Researchers have developed an electronic version of a logistic map that is capable of interacting with many other maps, making the model scalable. Their findings make it possible to more easily compare previous computer simulations with experimental results obtained using this state-of-the art electronic model.

Timeless thoughts on the definition of time Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:45 AM PDT The earliest definitions of time-interval quantities were based on observed astronomical phenomena. Today's definition of time uses a combination of atomic and astronomical time. However, their connection could be modified in the future to reconcile the divergence between the astronomic and atomic definitions. These observations provide unprecedented insights into the nature of time and its historical evolution.

Experts call for global drug policy reform as evidence shows 'war on drugs' has harmed public health, human rights Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:45 AM PDT Fifty years of drug policies aimed at restricting and criminalizing drug use and minor possession have had serious detrimental effects on the health, well-being and human rights of drug users and the wider public, according to a major new report.

Renewable energy investments: Major milestones reached, new world record set Posted: 24 Mar 2016 07:45 AM PDT Coal and gas-fired generation attracted less than half as much capacity investment as renewables last year; Renewables added more to global energy generation capacity than all other technologies combined; For first time, developing world investments in renewables (up 19 percent in 2015) topped developed nations' (down 8 percent); and world record total of $286 billion invested in renewables last year; makes $2.3 trillion over 12 years.

Developing better drugs for asthma, high blood pressure Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:30 AM PDT If a patient is ill and takes drugs for that illness, these drugs often lead to further illnesses and complications. This affects millions of people throughout the world. An international research team is studying how to prevent this problem.

Killer fungus invades Europe Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:30 AM PDT An invasive pathogenic fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) is a threat to European salamander and newt biodiversity. Bsal was originally discovered in the Netherlands because it caused mass mortality in salamanders and drove the infected populations to local extinction. Subsequent laboratory trials showed most European salamander and newt species die quickly after infection.

New methods of enhancing efficiency of genetic engineering in mice, rats Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:30 AM PDT Two new gene modification methods have been developed: lsODN (long single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide) and 2H2OP (two-hit two-oligo with plasmid). These methods use CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) -Cas systems and ssODN (single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide).

Magnetar could have boosted explosion of extremely bright supernova Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:30 AM PDT Calculations by scientists have found highly magnetized, rapidly spinning neutron stars called magnetars could explain the energy source behind two extremely unusual stellar explosions.

High serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:30 AM PDT High serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations are linked to a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The study found that high serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations were associated with a 46% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes during the follow-up.

Genetic cause found for loss of beta cells during diabetes development Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:28 AM PDT A common genetic defect in beta cells may underlie both known forms of diabetes, new research has found. Thanks to our genetic make-up, some of us have beta cells that are tough and robust, while others have beta cells that are fragile and can't handle stress. It is these people who develop diabetes, either type 1 or type 2.

Deadly stars: Our sun could also be superflare star Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:28 AM PDT Every now and then large sun storms strike the Earth where they cause aurora and in rare cases power cuts. These events are, however, nothing compared to the apocalyptic destruction we would experience if the Earth is struck by a superflare. An international research team has now shown that this is a scenario we may have to consider a real possibility.

Australopithecus fossils found east of the Great Rift Valley Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:28 AM PDT New fossils from the outskirts of Nairobi reveal that Australopithecus afarensis lived far eastward beyond the Great Rift Valley, demonstrating how adaptable the early hominid species were to new environments.

Insurance for an uncertain climate Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:28 AM PDT The application of insurance as a mechanism to help vulnerable people adapt to the impacts of climate change is gaining international support. Experts support the idea but warn of potential problems.

New method for making invisible brushes that repel dirt Posted: 24 Mar 2016 05:28 AM PDT Until recently, polymer brushes have been made in two main ways. One, called "grafting-from," is like sprinkling seeds on soil and waiting for grass to take root. The other, "grafting-to" is more like transplanting individual blades of grass. A new report outlines a method for making polymer nanobrushes that spring from two-dimensional sheets of polymer crystals.

Health experts call for improved TB care for refugees Posted: 23 Mar 2016 07:04 PM PDT Refugees traveling across countries in Europe must have better access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and treatments in order to prevent a rise in new cases of the disease, according to experts.

Working to save endangered species in Nicaragua Posted: 23 Mar 2016 06:42 PM PDT A proposed canal project in Nicaragua that would connect the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean could seriously deplete and disrupt the habitats of a number of animals, including some that are endangered, say scientists.

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