ScienceDaily: Top News

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• The supernova that wasn't: A tale of three cosmic eruptions
• Gene mutations that lead to more aggressive colorectal cancer in African American patients discovered
• NASA's SDO witnesses a double eclipse
• New model could help improve prediction of outbreaks of Ebola and Lassa fever
• Placenta in females, muscle mass in males: Dual heritage of a virus
• 'Ghost snake' discovered in Madagascar
• 3-D graphene has promise for bio applications
• Crop domestication is a balancing act: Some ants are still trying to get it right
• A strange thing happened in the stratosphere
• First stars formed even later than previously thought
• Rural Nepal: Despite evidence that hospital births are safer, poverty keeps women home
• Babies chew on subtle social, cultural cues at mealtime
• New knowledge about the building blocks of life
• Jupiter's north pole unlike anything encountered in solar system
• No longer lost in the blink of an eye
• Wearable tracker keeps tabs on patients, soldiers
• Hereditary diseases are the price of protection against infections
• Living with dementia: Life story work proves successful
• New light on the complex nature of 'hot Jupiter' atmospheres
• One vent just isn't enough for some volcanoes: Curious case of Mount Etna's wandering craters
• Edible dormice: High food availability slows down cell aging
• Low-cost and defect-free graphene
• 'Tug of war' keeps scientists working on storm tracks
• A new tool for wetland management
• Decision-making tool may help doctors cut unnecessary antibiotic prescribing
• Longer survival of advanced cancer patients given methylnaltrexone for constipation suggests role for mu opiate receptor in cancer progression
• Climate, air travel maps identify countries in Africa, Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus
• Intensified, multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, known vascular damage extends life by around 8 years
• Implanted device successfully treats central sleep apnea, study finds
• Helping doctors manage certain pancreatic lesions more effectively
• Are promises made to living kidney donors being upheld?
• Genetic intersection of neurodevelopmental disorders, shared medical conditions
• Patient care can improve with technology in nursing homes
• Printed graphene treated with lasers to enable 'paper electronics'
• Politics affect views on healthcare quality, but not on personal experience with care
• Blood cancer treatment may age immune cells as much as 30 years
• Location, location, location: Cellular hotspots for tumors and regeneration

The supernova that wasn't: A tale of three cosmic eruptions Posted: 02 Sep 2016 02:53 PM PDT Long-term observations with the Hubble Space Telescope revealed that Eta Carinae, a very massive star system that has puzzled astronomers since it erupted in a supernova-like event in the mid 19th century, has a past that's much more violent than they thought. The findings help rewrite the story of how this iconic and mysterious star system came to be and present a critical piece of the puzzle of how very massive stars die.

Gene mutations that lead to more aggressive colorectal cancer in African American patients discovered Posted: 02 Sep 2016 01:18 PM PDT Scientists who last year identified new gene mutations unique to colon cancers in African Americans, have now found that tumors with these mutations are highly aggressive and more likely to recur and metastasize.

NASA's SDO witnesses a double eclipse Posted: 02 Sep 2016 12:20 PM PDT Early in the morning of Sept. 1, 2016, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, caught both Earth and the moon crossing in front of the sun. SDO keeps a constant eye on the sun, but during SDO's semiannual eclipse seasons, Earth briefly blocks SDO's line of sight each day -- a consequence of SDO's geosynchronous orbit.

New model could help improve prediction of outbreaks of Ebola and Lassa fever Posted: 02 Sep 2016 12:20 PM PDT Potential outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fever may be more accurately predicted thanks to a new mathematical model. This could in turn help inform public health messages to prevent outbreaks spreading more widely.

Placenta in females, muscle mass in males: Dual heritage of a virus Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:22 AM PDT It was already known that genes inherited from ancient retroviruses are essential to the placenta in mammals. Scientists have now revealed a new chapter in this astonishing story: these genes of viral origin may also be responsible for the more developed muscle mass seen in males.

'Ghost snake' discovered in Madagascar Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:22 AM PDT Researchers discovered a new snake species in Madagascar and named it 'ghost snake' for its pale grey coloration and elusiveness. The researchers named it Madagascarophis lolo, pronounced 'luu luu,' which means ghost in Malagasy.

3-D graphene has promise for bio applications Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:21 AM PDT Graphene oxide flakes can be welded together into solid materials that may be suitable for bone implants, according to an international study.

Crop domestication is a balancing act: Some ants are still trying to get it right Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:21 AM PDT The ancestors of leaf-cutter ants swapped a hunter-gatherer lifestyle for a bucolic existence on small-scale subsistence farms. A new study has revealed that living relatives of the earliest fungus-farming ants still have not domesticated their crop, a challenge also faced by early human farmers.

A strange thing happened in the stratosphere Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:21 AM PDT High above Earth's tropics, a pattern of winds changed recently in a way that scientists had never seen in more than 60 years of consistent measurements.

First stars formed even later than previously thought Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:58 AM PDT ESA's Planck satellite has revealed that the first stars in the Universe started forming later than previous observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background indicated. This new analysis also shows that these stars were the only sources needed to account for reionising atoms in the cosmos, having completed half of this process when the Universe had reached an age of 700 million years.

Rural Nepal: Despite evidence that hospital births are safer, poverty keeps women home Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT Encouraging hospital births are an important component of reducing maternal mortality in low-resource settings. Now, new research shows certain factors, including age and income, determine whether women living in rural Nepal have home births or hospital deliveries.

Babies chew on subtle social, cultural cues at mealtime Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT At the dinner table, babies do a lot more than play with their sippy cups, new research suggests.

New knowledge about the building blocks of life Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:52 AM PDT A study of an enzyme that helps build and repair DNA in living organisms increases our understanding of how these processes are controlled and how we can use this to combat infections.

Jupiter's north pole unlike anything encountered in solar system Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:49 AM PDT NASA's Juno spacecraft has sent back the first-ever images of Jupiter's north pole, taken during the spacecraft's first flyby of the planet with its instruments switched on. The images show storm systems and weather activity unlike anything previously seen on any of our solar system's gas-giant planets.

No longer lost in the blink of an eye Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT Researchers have re-invented the eye drop with technology that can deliver medicine much more efficiently, making life easier for patients. They have created microscopic packets of medicine that lodge themselves imperceptibly in the base of the tear film that makes up the wet surface of the eye.

Wearable tracker keeps tabs on patients, soldiers Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT Wearable sensing device tracks movements, ambient environment, bio-signals and more.

Hereditary diseases are the price of protection against infections Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT Balancing selection is responsible for helping us fend off pathogens, but also for the occurrence of mutations in our genome that predispose us to hereditary diseases.

Living with dementia: Life story work proves successful Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT Life story work has the potential to help people with dementia, a pioneering study has demonstrated. Life story work involves helping people to record aspects of their past and present lives along with future hopes and wishes, often in a book or folder or, increasingly, in music, film and multi-media formats.

New light on the complex nature of 'hot Jupiter' atmospheres Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT A team of international researchers used state-of-the-art modelling techniques to extensively study the atmosphere of a 'hot Jupiter' found 150 light-years from Earth. The scientists adapted the state-of-the art computer model used by the Met Office to study Earth's atmosphere to perform simulations of these exotic distant worlds that are the size of Jupiter, but orbiting more closely to their parent star than Mercury does to the Sun.

One vent just isn't enough for some volcanoes: Curious case of Mount Etna's wandering craters Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:12 AM PDT Volcanoes are geology at its most exciting. They seem so fiery, dangerous and thrillingly explosive. That may be true, but most old and mature volcanoes are surprisingly stuck in their ways and even if when they will blow is difficult to forecast, where they will blow from is often more predictable.

Edible dormice: High food availability slows down cell aging Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:12 AM PDT Hibernation has long been considered the secret behind the relatively long lifespan of the edible dormouse. However, a team of researchers has now shown for the first time that high food availability during the active season in summer contributes to a long life. Increased food availability during this time allows the animals to slow their cellular aging.

Low-cost and defect-free graphene Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:12 AM PDT Graphene is one of the most promising new materials. However, researchers across the globe are still looking for a way to produce defect-free graphene at low costs. Chemists have now succeeded in producing defect-free graphene directly from graphite for the first time.

'Tug of war' keeps scientists working on storm tracks Posted: 02 Sep 2016 07:58 AM PDT A new analysis finds that human-induced climate change complicates projecting the future position of storms.

A new tool for wetland management Posted: 02 Sep 2016 07:58 AM PDT A team of environmental engineers and a wetland ecologist have created a computer model that can help wetland managers increase the size of migratory bird habitat and combat invasive vegetation using existing resources.

Decision-making tool may help doctors cut unnecessary antibiotic prescribing Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Respiratory tract infections (RTI) with cough are the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics by their doctors, but up to a third of prescriptions may be unnecessary. A new study of over 8,000 children has identified seven key predictors which could help general practitioners (GPs) and nurses in primary care identify low risk children who are less likely to need antibiotics, according to new research.

Longer survival of advanced cancer patients given methylnaltrexone for constipation suggests role for mu opiate receptor in cancer progression Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Opioid painkillers and their receptor in cells -- the mu opiate receptor -- could be involved in cancer progression, and could thus be a target for treatments, a study of advanced cancer patients suggests.

Climate, air travel maps identify countries in Africa, Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Many countries across Africa and Asia-Pacific may be vulnerable to Zika virus outbreaks, with India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh expected to be at greatest risk of Zika virus transmission due to a combination of high travel volumes from Zika affected areas in the Americas, local presence of mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika virus, according to a new modelling study.

Intensified, multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, known vascular damage extends life by around 8 years Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Intensified and multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and a common complication microalbuminuria extends median lifetime by eight years, a long-term Danish follow-up study shows.

Implanted device successfully treats central sleep apnea, study finds Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:40 PM PDT An implanted nerve stimulator significantly improves symptoms in those with central sleep apnea, without causing serious side effects, results from an international, randomized study show.

Helping doctors manage certain pancreatic lesions more effectively Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:37 PM PDT An endoscopic procedure can improve the outlook for patients with a fairly common type of pancreatic lesion that is challenging to manage and that, if left untreated, can progress to cancer, according to a study.

Are promises made to living kidney donors being upheld? Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:37 PM PDT Most prior living kidney donors in the United States who later need a transplant receive one quickly, but some are not readily given the priority they were promised when they donated.

Genetic intersection of neurodevelopmental disorders, shared medical conditions Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Researchers have analyzed current gene-disease findings to understand why people with neurodevelopmental and mental illness often have physical disorders.

Patient care can improve with technology in nursing homes Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Increases in information technology sophistication can lead to potential improvements in health care quality measures, researchers report in a new article.

Printed graphene treated with lasers to enable 'paper electronics' Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Engineers have led development of a laser-treatment process that allows them to use printed graphene for electric circuits and electrodes -- even on paper and other fragile surfaces. The technology could lead to many real-world, low-cost applications for printed graphene electronics, including sensors, fuel cells and medical devices.

Politics affect views on healthcare quality, but not on personal experience with care Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT What do you think about the quality of healthcare in the United States? Your opinion may depend on your politics, with Democrats perceiving more problems in the healthcare system compared to Republicans, reports a new study.

Blood cancer treatment may age immune cells as much as 30 years Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Researchers, by tracking a molecular marker that has been shown to increase in white blood cells as people age, have uncovered clues that suggest that stem cell transplant is linked to a marked increase in the 'molecular age' of these immune cells in a group of patients with blood cancer.

Location, location, location: Cellular hotspots for tumors and regeneration Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT Two recent studies identify Drosophila larva cells with unique properties. In one case, the cells are resistant to irradiation or drug-induced cell death and can move to damaged tissue and initiate regeneration. The second study reports that, upon inactivation of a tumor suppressor gene, these cells take a first step towards becoming aggressive tumors. Both sets of authors discuss potential implications for human tumors.

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