ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Witnesses confuse innocent and guilty suspects with 'unfair' lineups
• Cord blood outperforms matched, unrelated donor in bone marrow transplant
• Engineers discover highly conductive materials for more efficient electronics
• Real-time imaging of fish gut ties bacterial competition to gut movements
• Genetic factors are responsible for creating anatomical patterns in the brain cortex
• Research tracks interplay of genes and environment on physical, educational outcomes
• New evidence: How amino acid cysteine combats Huntington's disease
• Medicaid expansion increased Medicaid enrollment among liver transplant recipients
• New model is first to predict tree growth in earliest stages of tree life
• Genome-editing 'toolbox' targets multiple genes at once
• Fermenting carbon monoxide into biofuel
• Study in mice suggests stem cells could ward off glaucoma
• Health insurance coverage is associated with lower odds of alcohol use by pregnant women
• Nanoparticles used to break up plaque and prevent cavities
• Dirty to drinkable: Novel hybrid nanomaterials quickly transform water
• Repeated experiences of racism most damaging to mental health
• Rainforest greener during 'dry' season
• Protein insights to help find heart disease cure
• New genetics clues into motor neuron disease
• Morel mushroom abundance after wildfire
• Hospital data helps predict risk of pneumonia after heart surgery
• Pixel-array quantum cascade detector paves the way for portable thermal imaging devices
• NASA team begins testing of a 'new-fangled' optic
• Better defining the signals left by as-yet-undefined dark matter at the LHC
• New species of beaked whale confirmed by DNA
• Overlooked benefit of successful healthy lifestyle programs: Improved quality-of-life
• Improving Internet with mid-wavelength infrared
• Major new study provides important insights for effective treatment of heart failure with pEF
• Effective monitoring to evaluate ecological restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
• Biological explanation for wheat sensitivity found
• Decade-long cooling cycle: Middle atmosphere in sync with ocean
• Asymmetrical magnetic microbeads transform into micro-robots
• Cracking the mystery of Zika virus replication
• A famous supermassive black hole 'spied on' with the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS
• How animals keep their cells identical
• Researchers identify protein role in pathway required for Ebola replication
• Study links gymnastics equipment to exposure to flame-retardant chemicals
• Light shed on a superluminous supernova which appears to have exploded twice
• Novel state of matter: Observation of a quantum spin liquid
• Childhood illness not linked to higher adult mortality
• Can a brain scan early in a period of stress predict eventual memory loss?
• Elite cyclists are more resilient to mental fatigue
• Newly discovered virus a prime suspect in often-fatal beak disorder spreading among birds
• How to sound the alarm: As hazard warnings increase, experts urge better decisions on who and when to warn
• Making terahertz lasers more powerful
• Nottingham Dollies prove cloned sheep can live long and healthy lives
• Puzzling paucity of large craters on dwarf planet Ceres
• Sexual rivalry may drive frog reproductive behaviors
• Plasma technology can be tapped to kill biofilms on perishable fruit, foods
• Survival, surgical interventions for children with rare, genetic birth disorder
• Trends in late preterm, early term birth rates and association with clinician-initiated obstetric interventions
• Task force maybe too stringent in not yet recommending melanoma screening
• Study compares cognitive outcomes for treatments of brain lesions
• Evidence insufficient to make recommendation regarding visual skin examination by a clinician
• Americans worried about using gene editing, brain chip implants and synthetic blood
• Why baby boomers need a hepatitis C screening
• Silicon-air battery achieves running time of over 1,000 hours for the first time
• 'Gestational Sleep Apnea': Wake Up to a New Diagnosis
• Towards smarter crop plants to feed the world
• Postcards provide link to Edwardian social media

Witnesses confuse innocent and guilty suspects with 'unfair' lineups Posted: 26 Jul 2016 07:12 PM PDT Police lineups in which distinctive individual marks or features are not altered can impair witnesses' ability to distinguish between innocent and guilty suspects, according to new research.

Cord blood outperforms matched, unrelated donor in bone marrow transplant Posted: 26 Jul 2016 07:12 PM PDT A new study finds that three years post-bone marrow transplant, the incidence of severe chronic graft-versus-host disease was 44 percent in patients who had received transplants from matched, unrelated donors (MUD) and 8 percent in patients who had received umbilical cord blood transplants (CBT).

Engineers discover highly conductive materials for more efficient electronics Posted: 26 Jul 2016 12:52 PM PDT Engineers have discovered that interfacing two particular oxide-based materials makes them highly conductive, a boon for future electronics that could result in much more power-efficient laptops, electric cars and home appliances that also don't need cumbersome power supplies.

Real-time imaging of fish gut ties bacterial competition to gut movements Posted: 26 Jul 2016 12:51 PM PDT In recent years, numerous diseases have been tied to variations in gut microbiota. The probiotics industry targets gut and intestinal health by developing products built mostly around enzyme cultures and bacteria. But a new study suggests that the underlying health and physical forces of the gut are as important as the bacteria inside in shaping communities of intestinal microbiota, and offers insights into the problems experienced by humans with a birth defect called Hirschsprung's disease.

Genetic factors are responsible for creating anatomical patterns in the brain cortex Posted: 26 Jul 2016 12:51 PM PDT The highly consistent anatomical patterning found in the brain's cortex is controlled by genetic factors.

Research tracks interplay of genes and environment on physical, educational outcomes Posted: 26 Jul 2016 11:23 AM PDT Over the course of the 20th century, genes began to play a greater role in the height and body mass index (BMI) of Americans, while their significance decreased in educational outcomes and occurrence of heart disease.

New evidence: How amino acid cysteine combats Huntington's disease Posted: 26 Jul 2016 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have reported they have identified a biochemical pathway linking oxidative stress and the amino acid cysteine in Huntington's disease.

Medicaid expansion increased Medicaid enrollment among liver transplant recipients Posted: 26 Jul 2016 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have found that Medicaid expansion increased Medicaid enrollment among people who received liver transplants funded by commercial insurance.

New model is first to predict tree growth in earliest stages of tree life Posted: 26 Jul 2016 11:22 AM PDT A new statistical model has been created that accurately predicts tree growth from when they are first planted until they reach crown closure.

Genome-editing 'toolbox' targets multiple genes at once Posted: 26 Jul 2016 11:22 AM PDT Scientists have designed a system to modify, or edit, multiple genes in the genome simultaneously, while also minimizing unintended effects. The gene-editing 'toolbox' provides a user-friendly solution that scientists can apply to research on cancer and other disciplines, the researchers said.

Fermenting carbon monoxide into biofuel Posted: 26 Jul 2016 10:17 AM PDT Biological engineers have deciphered the cellular strategy to make the biofuel ethanol, using an anaerobic microbe feeding on carbon monoxide -- a common industrial waste gas.

Study in mice suggests stem cells could ward off glaucoma Posted: 26 Jul 2016 10:17 AM PDT An infusion of stem cells could help restore proper drainage for fluid-clogged eyes at risk for glaucoma, suggests a new mouse study.

Health insurance coverage is associated with lower odds of alcohol use by pregnant women Posted: 26 Jul 2016 10:17 AM PDT Researchers have studied the relationship between health insurance coverage and tobacco and alcohol use among reproductive age women in the US, and whether there were differences according to pregnancy status. The findings showed that pregnant women with insurance coverage had lower odds of alcohol use in the past month; however the odds of tobacco use were not affected. For non-pregnant women, insurance coverage resulted in higher odds of alcohol use but lower odds of using tobacco.

Nanoparticles used to break up plaque and prevent cavities Posted: 26 Jul 2016 10:16 AM PDT The bacteria that live in dental plaque and contribute to tooth decay often resist traditional antimicrobial treatment, as they can 'hide' within a sticky biofilm matrix, a glue-like polymer scaffold. A new strategy took a more sophisticated approach.

Dirty to drinkable: Novel hybrid nanomaterials quickly transform water Posted: 26 Jul 2016 10:16 AM PDT A team of engineers has found a way to use graphene oxide sheets to transform dirty water into drinking water, and it could be a global game-changer.

Repeated experiences of racism most damaging to mental health Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:40 AM PDT For the first time, research reveals how harmful repeated racial discrimination can be on mental and physical health. The study looked at the accumulation of experiences of racial attacks over time including being shouted at, being physically attacked, avoiding a place, or feeling unsafe because of one's ethnicity.

Rainforest greener during 'dry' season Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:40 AM PDT At 2.7 million square miles, the Amazon Jungle is the world's largest rainforest. Researchers now believe the rainforest has different levels of photosynthesis, with more during the dry season. They report that more extreme droughts due to climate change could negatively affect the rainforest's ability to sequester carbon through photosynthesis.

Protein insights to help find heart disease cure Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:39 AM PDT New insights into how the human genome gets through the daily grind with the help of RNA-binding proteins has been uncovered in a discovery that could ultimately lead to a cure for heart disease.

New genetics clues into motor neuron disease Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:38 AM PDT Researchers have contributed to the discovery of three new genes which increase the risk of motor neuron disease, opening the door for targeted treatments.

Morel mushroom abundance after wildfire Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:38 AM PDT Forest ecologists recently published research estimating the abundance of morel mushrooms after a wildfire in California's Sierra Nevada.

Hospital data helps predict risk of pneumonia after heart surgery Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:38 AM PDT A new risk model could help patients avoid a common post-surgical complication, reports a new article. The new preoperative risk model is designed to guide clinical decision-making and physician-patient conversations about regimens to pursue before an operation so patients can avoid pneumonia later.

Pixel-array quantum cascade detector paves the way for portable thermal imaging devices Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:38 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new 'cooler' sensing instrument thereby increasing energy, efficiency and enhancing mobility for diagnostic testing. The new portable, field-friendly, mid-infrared detector operates at room temperature.

NASA team begins testing of a 'new-fangled' optic Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:38 AM PDT t's an age-old astronomical truth: To resolve smaller and smaller physical details of distant celestial objects, scientists need larger and larger light-collecting mirrors. This challenge is not easily overcome given the high cost and impracticality of building and -- in the case of space observatories -- launching large-aperture telescopes.

Better defining the signals left by as-yet-undefined dark matter at the LHC Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:37 AM PDT Physicists still don't exactly know what dark matter is. Indeed, they can only see its effect in the form of gravity. Now, the high energy physics community has developed a set of simplified models which retain the elegance of the traditional Effective Field Theories-style models yet provide a better description of the signals of dark matter.

New species of beaked whale confirmed by DNA Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:37 AM PDT Biologists have identified a rare new species of beaked whale that ranges from northern Japan across the Pacific Ocean to Alaska's Aleutian Islands.

Overlooked benefit of successful healthy lifestyle programs: Improved quality-of-life Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:37 AM PDT The value of a healthy lifestyle isn't only reflected by the numbers on the scale or the blood pressure cuff. Researchers have demonstrated that it can also be measured through improved 'health-related quality-of-life.'

Improving Internet with mid-wavelength infrared Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:37 AM PDT A novel phototransistor device could make the Internet faster and cheaper by replacing near-infrared wavelengths with mid-wavelength infrared, say scientists.

Major new study provides important insights for effective treatment of heart failure with pEF Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:37 AM PDT The number of patients hospitalized with HFpEF is now comparable to those with traditional heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and is projected to exceed that of HFrEF within the next few years. Therefore, it has become even more important to characterize the typical HFpEF patient and uncover factors that influence poor outcomes. In a new report published in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers analyzed over five million hospitalizations for acute heart failure, which provided much needed insights.

Effective monitoring to evaluate ecological restoration in the Gulf of Mexico Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:36 AM PDT To improve and ensure the efficacy of restoration efforts in the Gulf of Mexico following Deepwater Horizon -- the largest oil spill in US history -- a new report recommends a set of best practices for monitoring and evaluating ecological restoration activities.

Biological explanation for wheat sensitivity found Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:36 AM PDT People with non-celiac wheat sensitivity have a weakened intestinal barrier, which leads to a systemic immune response after ingesting wheat and related cereals, new research confirms.

Decade-long cooling cycle: Middle atmosphere in sync with ocean Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:36 AM PDT In the late 20th century scientists observed a cooling at the transition between the troposphere and stratosphere at an altitude of about 15 kilometers. Climate scientists now show that the cooling could also be part of a natural decadal variation which is controlled by the water temperature of the Pacific.

Asymmetrical magnetic microbeads transform into micro-robots Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:36 AM PDT Janus particles are asymmetrical microscopic spheres with both a magnetic and a non-magnetic half. A new study reveals that the dynamics of such assemblies can be predicted by modelling the interaction of only two particles and simply taking into account their magnetic asymmetry.

Cracking the mystery of Zika virus replication Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:36 AM PDT Zika virus, it is thought, can cause microcephaly, a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than usual. Additionally, it is associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder that could lead to paralysis and even death. However, how this microbe replicates in the infected cells remains a mystery. Now, an international team has unraveled the puzzle of how Zika virus replicates.

A famous supermassive black hole 'spied on' with the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:35 AM PDT Novel observations by an international group of researchers with the CanariCam instrument on the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS provide new information about magnetic fields around the active nucleus of the galaxy Cygnus A. This is the first time that polarimetric observations in the middle infrared region of the spectrum have been made of the nucleus of an active galaxy.

How animals keep their cells identical Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:35 AM PDT A regulatory protein named ERI-1 helps ensure that all cells in a tissue remain identical to one another, a research team has discovered for the first time. The work involved an unusual collaboration between developmental biologists and linguists, with the latter contributing their expertise with machine learning software. The finding could bring biologists one step closer to understanding some cancers and other age-related diseases.

Researchers identify protein role in pathway required for Ebola replication Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:35 AM PDT A newly identified requirement of a modified human protein in ebolavirus replication, may unlock the door for new approaches to treating Ebola.

Study links gymnastics equipment to exposure to flame-retardant chemicals Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:34 AM PDT As the summer Olympics get underway, a new study reports that popular gymnastics training equipment contains mixtures of flame-retardant chemicals that have been linked to increased risks of ADHD, cancer and brain development delays.

Light shed on a superluminous supernova which appears to have exploded twice Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:34 AM PDT An international group of researchers has used the GTC to observe a superluminous supernova almost from the moment it occurred. It has revealed surprising behaviour, because this supernova showed an initial increase in brightness which later declined for a few days, and later increased again much more strongly. The scientists have used the data observed at the GTC and has combined them with other observations to try to explain the origin of the phenomenon.

Novel state of matter: Observation of a quantum spin liquid Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:33 AM PDT A novel and rare state of matter known as a quantum spin liquid has been empirically demonstrated in a monocrystal of the compound calcium-chromium oxide. According to conventional understanding, a quantum spin liquid should not be possible in this material. A theoretical explanation for these observations has now also been developed.

Childhood illness not linked to higher adult mortality Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:33 AM PDT Exposure to infections in early life does not have long-lasting consequences for later-life survival and reproduction, a new biological study has found.

Can a brain scan early in a period of stress predict eventual memory loss? Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:32 AM PDT New research shows that even a brief period of stress -- as few as three days -- can cause the hippocampus to start shrinking. This shrinking of the hippocampus -- a change in the brain's structure -- actually precedes the onset of a change in behavior, namely, the loss of memory.

Elite cyclists are more resilient to mental fatigue Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:32 AM PDT As British cyclist Chris Froome celebrates his third Tour de France victory, research shows for the first time that elite endurance athletes have superior ability to resist mental fatigue. The new finding showed that while the recreational cyclists slowed down after performing a computerized cognitive task to induce mental fatigue, the professional cyclists' time trial performance was not affected.

Newly discovered virus a prime suspect in often-fatal beak disorder spreading among birds Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:31 AM PDT Scientists have identified a novel virus -- 'Poecivirus' -- that has been linked to avian keratin disorder (AKD), a disease responsible for debilitating beak overgrowth and whose cause has remained elusive despite more than a decade of research. This new virus is being investigated as a potential cause of AKD and represents a critical step in understanding the emergence of this disease in wild bird populations around the world.

How to sound the alarm: As hazard warnings increase, experts urge better decisions on who and when to warn Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:31 AM PDT A group of risk experts is proposing a new framework and research agenda that they believe will support the most effective public warnings when a hurricane, wildfire, toxic chemical spill or any other environmental hazard threatens safety. Effective warnings are a growing need as expanding global populations confront a wide range of hazards.

Making terahertz lasers more powerful Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:31 AM PDT Researchers have nearly doubled the continuous output power of a type of laser, called a terahertz quantum cascade laser, with potential applications in medical imaging, airport security and more. Increasing the continuous output power of these lasers is an important step toward increasing the range of practical applications.

Nottingham Dollies prove cloned sheep can live long and healthy lives Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:29 AM PDT Three weeks after the scientific world marked the 20th anniversary of the birth of Dolly the sheep, new research has shown that four clones derived from the same cell line -- genomic copies of Dolly -- reached their 8th birthdays in good health.

Puzzling paucity of large craters on dwarf planet Ceres Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:29 AM PDT A team of scientists has made a puzzling observation while studying the size and distribution of craters on the dwarf planet Ceres -- the largest object in the tumultuous Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists think Ceres' missing large craters may have been erased over time, as a result of its peculiar composition and internal evolution.

Sexual rivalry may drive frog reproductive behaviors Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:29 AM PDT Biologists have long thought that some frogs evolved to mate on land instead of in water to better guard eggs and tadpoles from predation. New research now suggests that mating on land in many species might be a strategy male frogs use to ensure that their own DNA gets passed on, instead of their rivals'. Sexual selection may trump natural selection in the evolution of these reproductive behaviors.

Plasma technology can be tapped to kill biofilms on perishable fruit, foods Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:29 AM PDT Seeing fruit 'turn bad and going to waste' inspired a team of researchers in China to explore using atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasma as a novel solution to extend the shelf life of fruit and other perishable foods. Now their computational study of how air plasma interacts with bacterial biofilms on an apple's surface suggests that plasma technology could be used to decontaminate food in the future.

Survival, surgical interventions for children with rare, genetic birth disorder Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:29 AM PDT Among children born with the chromosome disorders trisomy 13 or 18 in Ontario, Canada, early death was the most common outcome, but 10 percent to 13 percent survived for 10 years, according to a study. Among children who underwent surgical interventions, one-year survival was high.

Trends in late preterm, early term birth rates and association with clinician-initiated obstetric interventions Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:28 AM PDT Between 2006 and 2014, late preterm and early term birth rates decreased in the United States and an association was observed between early term birth rates and decreasing clinician-initiated obstetric interventions, according to a study.

Task force maybe too stringent in not yet recommending melanoma screening Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:28 AM PDT Two clinical experts question a USPSTF determination that there isn't enough evidence to recommend that clinicians visual screen for skin cancer, such as melanoma.

Study compares cognitive outcomes for treatments of brain lesions Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:28 AM PDT Among patients with one to three brain metastases, the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone, compared with SRS combined with whole brain radiotherapy, resulted in less cognitive deterioration at three months, according to a study.

Evidence insufficient to make recommendation regarding visual skin examination by a clinician Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:28 AM PDT The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of visual skin examination by a clinician to screen for skin cancer in asymptomatic adults.

Americans worried about using gene editing, brain chip implants and synthetic blood Posted: 26 Jul 2016 09:28 AM PDT Many in the general public think scientific and technological innovations bring helpful change to society, but they are more concerned than excited when it comes to the potential use of emerging technologies to make people's minds sharper, their bodies stronger and healthier than ever before, according to a new survey. A majority of Americans would be 'very' or 'somewhat' worried about gene editing (68%); brain chips (69%); and synthetic blood (63%), while no more than half say they would be enthusiastic about each of these developments. While some people say they would be both enthusiastic and worried, overall, concern outpaces excitement.

Why baby boomers need a hepatitis C screening Posted: 26 Jul 2016 06:50 AM PDT Hepatitis C affects a disproportionate amount of older Americans, born between 1945-1965. A new strategy is helping them get tested.

Silicon-air battery achieves running time of over 1,000 hours for the first time Posted: 26 Jul 2016 06:48 AM PDT Silicon-air batteries are viewed as a promising and cost-effective alternative to current energy storage technology. However, they have thus far only achieved relatively short running times. Researchers have now discovered why.

'Gestational Sleep Apnea': Wake Up to a New Diagnosis Posted: 26 Jul 2016 06:48 AM PDT Approximately one quarter of pregnant women may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the recurrent cessation or limitation of normal breathing during sleep, new research suggests. In addition to being the cause of daytime fatigue, the consequences of untreated OSA include but are not limited to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and heart disease.

Towards smarter crop plants to feed the world Posted: 26 Jul 2016 06:48 AM PDT Plant scientists have made an important advance in understanding the natural diversity of a key plant enzyme which could help us address the looming threat of global food security.

Postcards provide link to Edwardian social media Posted: 26 Jul 2016 06:48 AM PDT A new public searchable database provides access to a unique and inspirational treasure trove of amazing stories and pictures through what researchers term the 'social media' of the Edwardian era.

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