ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Study measures effects of congestion on access to jobs by car
• WMO rules on longest distance and longest duration lightning flashes
• A protein in mosquito spit can keep Dengue virus in check
• Examining mitochondrial DNA may help identify unknown ancestry that influences breast cancer risk
• Can nicotine protect the aging brain?
• Health benefits of evening classes revealed
• Trial offers hope of a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy
• First results from world’s biggest body scanning project
• Hurricanes, storm surges and icebergs: How warmer seas are changing our planet
• Fungus in humans identified for first time as key factor in Crohn's disease
• Research explores thermoelectric screen printing
• Making catalysts smarter
• Companies use instincts to elicit behavior from consumers, employees
• Newly discovered algal enzyme for more efficient photosynthesis, better crops
• Activity trackers are ineffective at sustaining weight loss
• Demystifying the resilience of water bears: Protein protects human cultured cells from radiation damage
• Scientists discover interplay of yin-yang antagonists vital for cell division
• Testosterone may explain sex difference in knee injury rates
• New explanation offered for symptoms of fragile X syndrome
• New therapeutic target for Crohn's disease
• Inherited parental methylation shifts over time, may have functional effects in the brain and other tissues
• Removing cellular bookmarks smooths the path to stem cells
• Chemical exposure linked to lower vitamin D levels
• Gut bacteria differ between obese, lean youth
• Soil management may help stabilize maize yield in the face of climate change
• Reconfigurable chaos-based microchips offer possible solution to Moore’s Law
• Inexpensive semiconducting organic polymers can harvest sunlight to split carbon dioxide into alcohol fuels
• Genetic 'switch' identified as potential target for Alzheimer’s disease
• Do these genes make me lonely? Study finds loneliness is a heritable trait
• New report examines how Medicare shared savings program can affect radiology practices
• How the brain separates relevant, irrelevant information
• Scientists demonstrate a novel physical cryptographic technique that may have applicability to future nuclear disarmament agreements
• Feeding babies egg and peanut may prevent food allergy, study suggests
• Using nonlinearity in understanding market forces
• Acoustic metamaterial panel absorbs low-frequency sound
• VW emissions cheat may lead to 50 premature deaths, $423 million in economic costs, study shows
• Shape-shifting protein behind Alzheimer's disease
• Chinese Elm trees linked to increased fall pollen counts in Atlanta
• Research finally reveals reason for perplexing red skin disease
• New treatment for depressed smokers trying to quit
• Video games can have lasting impact on learning
• Earthquakes, ‘Mars-quakes,’ and the possibility of life
• Acoustic resonator device paves the way for better communication
• Graphene nanoribbons show promise for healing spinal injuries
• Gene discovery in severe epilepsy may offer clues to unique personalized therapies
• Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy
• The difficulty of predicting an ice-free Arctic
• 'False' biosignatures may complicate search for ancient life on Earth, other planets
• Breakthrough in salt-tolerance in plants research
• Expanded genetic code is shown phototoxic to cells
• A low-cost sensor for cystic fibrosis diagnosis
• Researchers solve a mystery of early embryonic development
• Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis lung disease
• The call of the dung: How flies find their meal
• What causes mass panic in emergency situations?
• Body ornamentation among Neanderthals: Dig in France confirmed as Neaderthal remains
• Sea otter survey encouraging, but comes up short of the 'perfect story'
• Nanoscale tetrapods could provide early warning of a material's failure
• Better, cost-effective depression treatment for teens identified
• Researchers identify concussion treatment for persistent cases in children

Study measures effects of congestion on access to jobs by car Posted: 20 Sep 2016 02:33 PM PDT The impact of traffic congestion on access to jobs for the 50 largest (by population) metropolitan areas in the United States has now been estimated by new study.

WMO rules on longest distance and longest duration lightning flashes Posted: 20 Sep 2016 01:56 PM PDT Experts have established two new world records for the longest reported distance and the longest reported duration for a single lightning flash in, respectively, Oklahoma (United States of America) and southern France. The lightning flash over Oklahoma in 2007 covered a horizontal distance of 321 kilometers (199.5 miles). The lightning event over southern France in 2012 lasted continuously for 7.74 seconds.

A protein in mosquito spit can keep Dengue virus in check Posted: 20 Sep 2016 01:09 PM PDT Mosquito saliva influences transmission of viruses to a bitten mammalian host. For example, it contains factors that dampen the host immune response and so facilitate infection. A study reports on a saliva protein with the opposite effect: D7, a protein present in Aedes aegypti saliva, binds to Dengue virus (DENV) and inhibits its transmission to human cells and mice. Antibodies against D7, which are present in humans exposed to mosquito bites, might therefore facilitate virus transmission and enhance disease severity.

Examining mitochondrial DNA may help identify unknown ancestry that influences breast cancer risk Posted: 20 Sep 2016 01:06 PM PDT Genetic testing of mitochondrial DNA could reveal otherwise unknown ancestry that can influence a person's risk for certain types of breast cancer, a new study finds.

Can nicotine protect the aging brain? Posted: 20 Sep 2016 01:06 PM PDT Everyone knows that tobacco products are bad for your health. However, according to research, it turns out the nicotine itself--when given independently from tobacco--could help protect the brain as it ages, and even ward off Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.

Health benefits of evening classes revealed Posted: 20 Sep 2016 12:46 PM PDT Those with a taste for adult education classes have long known it, but now scientists have confirmed that taking part in the weekly sessions can boost wellbeing -- regardless of the subject studied.

Trial offers hope of a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy Posted: 20 Sep 2016 12:45 PM PDT Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of child death. Existing proposed treatments require injection direct into the spine, a barrier to widespread use. Pip6a-PMO can be injected into a vein – a simpler and safer method – report investigators. In SMA-affected mice, a single dose of Pip6a-PMO extended life from 12 to 167 days – fourteen times longer. A second dose increased that to 457 days.

First results from world’s biggest body scanning project Posted: 20 Sep 2016 12:37 PM PDT Data from the first 5,000 UK Biobank participants taking part in the world's largest health imaging study has been released for health researchers worldwide to use in their own research. Researchers unearthed some rather complicated patterns of correlation. For example, one pattern links brain imaging to intelligence, level of education, and a set of lifestyle factors that at first appear unrelated -- including amount of time spent outdoors and how much cheese people eat. It is plausible that, taken together, these factors create a profile of socio-economic-status and its relation to the brain.

Hurricanes, storm surges and icebergs: How warmer seas are changing our planet Posted: 20 Sep 2016 12:28 PM PDT Severe hurricanes, storm surges and an increase in the number of icebergs are just some of the changes planet Earth has experienced due to warming oceans over the last 20 years, according to a new report.

Fungus in humans identified for first time as key factor in Crohn's disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 12:14 PM PDT A fungus has been identified as a key factor in the development of Crohn's disease, an international team of researchers has identified for the first time.

Research explores thermoelectric screen printing Posted: 20 Sep 2016 11:18 AM PDT Flexible thermoelectric devices are especially attractive for waste heat recovery along contoured surfaces and for energy harvesting applications to power sensors, biomedical devices and wearable electronics – an area experiencing exponential growth. However, obtaining low-cost, flexible and efficient thermoelectric materials is extremely difficult due to many materials and manufacturing challenges.

Making catalysts smarter Posted: 20 Sep 2016 11:17 AM PDT The industrial catalysts of the future won't just speed up reactions, they'll control how chemical processes work and determine how much of a particular product is made.

Companies use instincts to elicit behavior from consumers, employees Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:58 AM PDT The obvious strategy for a clothing retailer is to have as much product on the sales floor as possible to yield high sales. The clothing needs to be available to be bought, right?

Newly discovered algal enzyme for more efficient photosynthesis, better crops Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:52 AM PDT For plants and algae that carry on photosynthesis, light can be too much of a good thing. On a bright, sunny day, a plant might only be able to utilize 20 percent or less of absorbed sunlight. The plant dissipates the excess light energy to prevent damage and oxidative stress, and a process called the xanthophyll cycle helps to flip the switch between energy dissipation and energy utilization.

Activity trackers are ineffective at sustaining weight loss Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:19 AM PDT Wearable devices that monitor physical activity are not reliable tools for weight loss, says a new study. The study specifically investigated whether regular use of commercially available activity trackers is effective for producing and sustaining weight loss. Participants without physical activity trackers showed nearly twice the weight loss benefits at the end of the 24 months.

Demystifying the resilience of water bears: Protein protects human cultured cells from radiation damage Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:10 AM PDT A new water bear protein can protect the DNA of human cultured cells from otherwise lethal amounts of radiation damage, say a group of researchers, providing part of the answer to why tardigrades can live in deadly conditions.

Scientists discover interplay of yin-yang antagonists vital for cell division Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT A pair of large enzyme complexes attack each other in turn to form a molecular switch, which is essential for cell division, a new study has revealed.

Testosterone may explain sex difference in knee injury rates Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT The predominance of the hormone testosterone in males may explain why women are up to 10 times more likely than men to injure the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees, new research suggests following a mice study.

New explanation offered for symptoms of fragile X syndrome Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT A new explanation for some of the symptoms of fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, has been proposed by researchers. Their explanation suggests new targets for treatment.

New therapeutic target for Crohn's disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT A promising new target for future drugs to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been uncovered by researchers. The study also indicates that another protein, protein kinase C (PKC) ?/?, may serve as a biomarker of IBD severity.

Inherited parental methylation shifts over time, may have functional effects in the brain and other tissues Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT Inherited methylation—a form of epigenetic regulation passed down from parents to offspring—is far more dynamic than previously thought and may contribute to changes in the brain and other tissues over time. This finding challenges current understandings of gene regulation via methylation, from development through adulthood.

Removing cellular bookmarks smooths the path to stem cells Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT Cells use specific proteins that help the cell remember what collection of genes needs to be turned on again after cell division. Removing these transcriptional bookmarks may be a key to better reprogramming of human fibroblasts to create induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs.

Chemical exposure linked to lower vitamin D levels Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may reduce levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream, according to a new study.

Gut bacteria differ between obese, lean youth Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:08 AM PDT Children and teenagers who are obese have different microorganisms living in the digestive tract than their lean counterparts, according to a new study.

Soil management may help stabilize maize yield in the face of climate change Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:07 AM PDT How will we feed our growing population in the face of an increasingly extreme climate? Many experts suggest the answer lies in breeding novel crop varieties that can withstand the increases in drought, heat, and extreme rainfall events predicted in the not-too-distant future. But breeding is only part of the equation, according to new research.

Reconfigurable chaos-based microchips offer possible solution to Moore’s Law Posted: 20 Sep 2016 10:04 AM PDT Researchers have developed new, nonlinear, chaos-based integrated circuits that enable computer chips to perform multiple functions with fewer transistors. These integrated circuits can be manufactured with "off the shelf" fabrication processes and could lead to novel computer architectures that do more with less circuitry and fewer transistors.

Inexpensive semiconducting organic polymers can harvest sunlight to split carbon dioxide into alcohol fuels Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:57 AM PDT Chemists have been the first to demonstrate that an organic semiconductor polymer called polyaniline is a promising photocathode material for the conversion of carbon dioxide into alcohol fuels without the need for a co-catalyst.

Genetic 'switch' identified as potential target for Alzheimer’s disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:56 AM PDT An important part of the machinery that switches on a gene known to protect against Alzheimer's Disease has been discovered by a team of scientists.

Do these genes make me lonely? Study finds loneliness is a heritable trait Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:56 AM PDT Loneliness is linked to poor physical and mental health, and is an even more accurate predictor of early death than obesity. To better understand who is at risk, researchers conducted the first genome-wide association study for loneliness -- as a life-long trait, not a temporary state. They discovered that risk for feeling lonely is partially due to genetics, but environment plays a bigger role.

New report examines how Medicare shared savings program can affect radiology practices Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:26 AM PDT A new study examines how the incentives in an alternative payment model (APM) - the Accountable Care Organization Shared Savings Program (ACO SSP) - might influence cost, quality, utilization and technological investment for radiology practices.

How the brain separates relevant, irrelevant information Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:26 AM PDT A new theory, based on a computational model, has been revealed by researchers on how the brain separates relevant from irrelevant information in these and other circumstances.

Scientists demonstrate a novel physical cryptographic technique that may have applicability to future nuclear disarmament agreements Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:26 AM PDT A new article describes successful demonstration of cryptographic technique that may have applicability to future nuclear disarmament agreements.

Feeding babies egg and peanut may prevent food allergy, study suggests Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:23 AM PDT Feeding babies egg and peanut may reduce their risk of developing an allergy to the foods, finds a new study.

Using nonlinearity in understanding market forces Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:23 AM PDT There are certain markets within the U.S. and global economies in which two major corporations dominate. For example, Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. are the two major firms that compete with each other in the soft drink market. These situations are called duopolies and they create an interesting set of dynamics within the market.

Acoustic metamaterial panel absorbs low-frequency sound Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:23 AM PDT When it comes to low-frequency sound waves, traditional sound-absorbing materials tend to be undesirably bulky, heavy or thick. Now, researchers have designed subwavelength absorbers specifically for low-frequency sound waves.

VW emissions cheat may lead to 50 premature deaths, $423 million in economic costs, study shows Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:06 AM PDT Beginning in 2008, Volkswagen installed software to circumvent emissions testing by turning off the nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions control system in real-world driving in nearly half a million cars. A new analysis using a tool developed and used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess the health and economic impacts related to air quality calculates that a single year of elevated emissions from the affected VW vehicles could lead to as many as 50 premature deaths, 3,000 lost workdays, and $423 million in economic costs.

Shape-shifting protein behind Alzheimer's disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 08:06 AM PDT The protein behind Alzheimer's disease shape-shifts, changing its internal structure in order to infiltrate brain cells and become toxic, new research indicates.

Chinese Elm trees linked to increased fall pollen counts in Atlanta Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:51 AM PDT An increasing pollen count during the fall pollen bloom may correspond with a growing presence of Ulmus parvifolia or Chinese Elm trees, according to a study focused on changing pollen trends in Atlanta.

Research finally reveals reason for perplexing red skin disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:48 AM PDT There aren't any effective treatments for the disease with the hard-to-pronounce-name, ichthyosis. The rare and perplexing genetic disease causes skin to be disfigured by redness and dark scales across one's entire body. Now, for the first time, new research has found the reason that the disease causes the red skin and has a promising biologic drug to begin testing soon in clinical trials.

New treatment for depressed smokers trying to quit Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:47 AM PDT Why is quitting smoking particularly difficult for depressed people? Researchers are now testing a new smoking cessation treatment combining medication and behavioral activation therapy targeted at this population.

Video games can have lasting impact on learning Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:42 AM PDT A computer-based brain training program helps improve student performance in reading and math — in some cases even more than individualized tutoring, according to a new study.

Earthquakes, ‘Mars-quakes,’ and the possibility of life Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:36 AM PDT A new study shows that rocks formed by the grinding together of other rocks during earthquakes are rich in trapped hydrogen -- a finding that suggests similar seismic activity on Mars may produce enough hydrogen to support life.

Acoustic resonator device paves the way for better communication Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:34 AM PDT A high-frequency version of a device known as an acoustic resonator has now been developed that could advance the field of quantum computing and information processing, say scientists.

Graphene nanoribbons show promise for healing spinal injuries Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:16 AM PDT The combination of graphene nanoribbons made with a newly developed process and a common polymer could someday be of critical importance to healing damaged spinal cords in people, according to scientists.

Gene discovery in severe epilepsy may offer clues to unique personalized therapies Posted: 20 Sep 2016 07:09 AM PDT An international team of researchers who discovered a new gene disorder that causes severe childhood epilepsy leveraged that finding to reduce seizures in two children. The collaborators' case report reflects the potential of precision medicine -- applying basic science knowledge to individualize treatment to a patient's unique genetic profile.

Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:56 AM PDT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided to grant accelerated approval for eteplirsen, the first disease-modifying drug to treat the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy.

The difficulty of predicting an ice-free Arctic Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:43 AM PDT The Arctic is nearing its seasonal sea ice minimum this month, but predicting exactly when the region will see its first ice-free summer may be more difficult than previously believed, according to the results of new research.

'False' biosignatures may complicate search for ancient life on Earth, other planets Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:41 AM PDT Self-assembling carbon microstructures could provide new clues -- and new cautions -- in efforts to identify microbial life preserved in the fossil record, both on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system, report scientists.

Breakthrough in salt-tolerance in plants research Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:37 AM PDT A breakthrough has been made in investigating salt tolerance in plants which could lead to new salt tolerant varieties of crops, and also answer unresolved questions in plant biology.

Expanded genetic code is shown phototoxic to cells Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:37 AM PDT Scientists found that the synthetic bases used to increase the number of DNA bases from the four that occur naturally in all organisms to six, also makes cells so sensitive to near-visible ultraviolet light that the light becomes toxic to cells.

A low-cost sensor for cystic fibrosis diagnosis Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:37 AM PDT A new, inexpensive method for detecting salt concentrations in sweat or other bodily fluids has been developed by biomaterials scientists. The fluorescent sensor, derived from citric acid molecules, is highly sensitive and highly selective for chloride, the key diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis.

Researchers solve a mystery of early embryonic development Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:37 AM PDT A novel technique has been created to map specific chemical (or "epigenetic") modifications made to the protein packaging of DNA using a small population of cells. Such epigenetic marks play a central role in the regulation of the genome's expression.

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis lung disease Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:37 AM PDT Gene therapy may be a viable approach for treating or preventing lung disease caused by cystic fibrosis (CF), suggests new research. Working with CF pigs, the researchers have shown that two different virus-based vectors can restore a working version of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is faulty in CF to the pigs' airway cells. Moreover, this gene replacement normalized important aspects of the lung biology and improved the ability of airway secretions to kill bacteria.

The call of the dung: How flies find their meal Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:29 AM PDT Like many other insects, vinegar flies produce pheromones to call their conspecifics to an interesting food source. A research team has demonstrated in a new study that the flies' frass also contains these pheromones. Fruits that have been covered by the insects' fecal excretions seem to be especially attractive to other flies. These fruits are probably a more easily digestible food after many flies have been feeding on them. The new results are a first step toward understanding the importance of feces in the communication of vinegar flies.

What causes mass panic in emergency situations? Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:25 AM PDT

Body ornamentation among Neanderthals: Dig in France confirmed as Neaderthal remains Posted: 20 Sep 2016 06:04 AM PDT Researchers have helped to solve an archaeological dispute -- confirming that Neanderthals were responsible for producing tools and artifacts previously argued by some to be exclusively in the realm of modern human cognitive abilities.

Sea otter survey encouraging, but comes up short of the 'perfect story' Posted: 20 Sep 2016 05:55 AM PDT The southern sea otter,Enhydra lutris nereis, continues its climb toward recovery, according to the annual count. For the first time, southern sea otters' numbers have exceeded the threshold required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider de-listing the species as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.

Nanoscale tetrapods could provide early warning of a material's failure Posted: 20 Sep 2016 05:39 AM PDT Light-emitting, four-armed nanocrystals could someday form the basis of an early warning system in structural materials by revealing microscopic cracks that portend failure, thanks to recent research by scientists.

Better, cost-effective depression treatment for teens identified Posted: 20 Sep 2016 05:39 AM PDT Depression can create a huge cost burden on patients and institutions, and for teenagers that includes issues like missed school and the costs of healthcare for families. A new study identifies a cost-effective treatment that yields promising results for depressed teens.

Researchers identify concussion treatment for persistent cases in children Posted: 20 Sep 2016 05:35 AM PDT A new intervention for adolescents with persistent post-concussive symptoms has improved health and wellness outcomes significantly, report investigators. The approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy and coordinated care among providers, schools, patients and families.

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