ScienceDaily: Top News

---

• Research is upgrading an element by stretching it
• Iron-deficiency anemia in ulcerative colitis: Many patients don't get testing, treatment
• How lying takes our brains down a 'slippery slope'
• Amazon rainstorms transport atmospheric particles for cloud formation
• Boosting levels of known antioxidant may help resist age-related decline
• Ice shelf vibrations cause unusual waves in Antarctic atmosphere
• Breakthrough in quantifying belief system dynamics
• Ancient burials suggestive of blood feuds
• The heterogeneous nature of depression
• 3D-printed organ-on-a-chip with integrated sensors
• Genetic hallmarks of acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype uncovered
• MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic
• Calcium induces chronic lung infections
• Maternal blood test may predict birth complications
• Globally Averaged CO2 Levels Reach 400 parts per million in 2015
• Creeping gel Photosensitive self-oscillating gel to model biological crawling motions
• Dinosaurs of a feather flock and die together?
• No differences noted over time for children of gay, lesbian, adoptive parents
• Don't believe your eyes
• Preferentially Earth-sized planets with lots of water
• 'Middle England' faces lowest psychosis risk
• New target identified to combat deadly allergic reactions
• New effort aims to prevent surgery-related opioid addiction across Michigan
• Flexible optical design method for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
• How hooded seals are transferring contaminants to their pups
• Precision medicine test helps guide breast cancer patients' chemotherapy decision
• New bacteria groups, and stunning diversity, discovered underground
• Expanding the role of hospitalist physician assistants achieves similar clinical outcomes, costs less
• Old blood is as good as new, international study shows
• Is energy storage via pumped hydro systems is possible on a very small scale?
• First steps towards the touch robot
• Stem cells also rust
• How sweet it is: Artificial sweeteners in blood
• High profile Facebook post provides insights into pro- and anti-vaccination beliefs
• Active agent from the Caribbean sea cucumber could improve treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma
• Climate change driving toad disease from fungus in Pyrenees
• Health of Europe revealed in new report
• Research shows physical activity does not improve after hip replacement
• U.S. Winter outlook predicts warmer, drier South and cooler, wetter North
• Many back pain patients get limited relief from opioids and worry about taking them, survey shows
• Heading a soccer ball causes instant changes to the brain

Research is upgrading an element by stretching it Posted: 24 Oct 2016 11:05 AM PDT A new family of self-assembled nanomaterials capable of storing large amounts of tensile strain, without damage to the crystalline structure, is currently being developed by scientists.

Iron-deficiency anemia in ulcerative colitis: Many patients don't get testing, treatment Posted: 24 Oct 2016 11:05 AM PDT Many patients with ulcerative colitis don't receive recommended testing and treatment for the common problem of iron deficiency anemia, reports a new study.

How lying takes our brains down a 'slippery slope' Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:40 AM PDT Telling small lies desensitizes our brains to the associated negative emotions and may encourage us to tell bigger lies in future, reveals new research.

Amazon rainstorms transport atmospheric particles for cloud formation Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:38 AM PDT Tracking atmospheric particles in a pristine environment will help scientists understand the impact of industrial aerosols on climate, say researchers at conclusion of a study on Amazonian rainstorms.

Boosting levels of known antioxidant may help resist age-related decline Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:28 AM PDT A specific detoxification compound, glutathione, helps resist the toxic stresses of everyday life – but its levels decline with age and this sets the stage for a wide range of age-related health problems, scientists have discovered.

Ice shelf vibrations cause unusual waves in Antarctic atmosphere Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:28 AM PDT Low-frequency vibrations of the Ross Ice Shelf are likely causing ripples and undulations in the air above Antarctica, a new study finds. Using mathematical models of the ice shelf, the study's authors show how vibrations in the ice match those seen in the atmosphere, and are likely causing these mysterious atmospheric waves.

Breakthrough in quantifying belief system dynamics Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:27 AM PDT It's no secret humans are social creatures with beliefs that are, literally, all over the map. What wasn't known was how those beliefs are influenced by our social interactions. Now sociologists have developed a mathematical model that describes the relationship between belief systems and interpersonal influence, and what happens when underlying beliefs change.

Ancient burials suggestive of blood feuds Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:18 AM PDT There is significant variation in how different cultures over time have dealt with the dead. Yet, at a very basic level, funerals in the Sonoran Desert thousands of years ago were similar to what they are today. Bodies of the deceased were buried respectfully, while families and mourners followed certain customs to honor lives lost. At least, most of the time.

The heterogeneous nature of depression Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:11 AM PDT Depression is generally considered to be a specific and consistent disorder characterized by a fixed set of symptoms and often treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. However, the standard rating scales used by healthcare professionals and researchers to diagnose this disease often differ in the symptoms they list, perhaps explaining why a one-size-fits-all treatment has to date been so ineffective, new research suggests.

3D-printed organ-on-a-chip with integrated sensors Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:11 AM PDT The first entirely 3D-printed organ-on-a-chip has now been created with integrated sensing.  Built by a fully automated, digital manufacturing procedure, the 3D-printed heart-on-a-chip can be quickly fabricated in customized form factors allowing researchers to easily collect reliable data for short-term and long-term studies.

Genetic hallmarks of acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype uncovered Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:11 AM PDT Genetic changes underlying a type of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia have now been identified by a research team.

MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:11 AM PDT The superbug MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic, reveals new research. The findings suggest potential new ways of tackling the bacteria, such as interfering with the decoys.

Calcium induces chronic lung infections Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:11 AM PDT The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a life-threatening pathogen in hospitals. About ten percent of all nosocomial infections, in particular pneumonia, are caused by this pathogen. Researchers have now discovered that calcium induces the switch from acute to chronic infection. The researchers have also reported why antibiotics are less effective in fighting the pathogen in its chronic state.

Maternal blood test may predict birth complications Posted: 24 Oct 2016 10:10 AM PDT A protein found in the blood of pregnant women could be used to develop tests to determine the health of their babies and aid decisions on early elective deliveries, according to an early study.

Globally Averaged CO2 Levels Reach 400 parts per million in 2015 Posted: 24 Oct 2016 09:57 AM PDT Globally averaged concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached the symbolic and significant milestone of 400 parts per million for the first time in 2015 and surged again to new records in 2016 on the back of the very powerful El Niño event, according to the World Meteorological Organization's annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.

Creeping gel Photosensitive self-oscillating gel to model biological crawling motions Posted: 24 Oct 2016 08:15 AM PDT Directed motion seems simple to us, but the coordinated interplay of complex processes is needed, even for seemingly simple crawling motions of worms or snails. By using a gel that periodically swells and shrinks, researchers developed a model for the waves of muscular contraction and relaxation involved in crawling. They were able to produce two types of crawling motion by using inhomogeneous irradiation.

Dinosaurs of a feather flock and die together? Posted: 24 Oct 2016 08:13 AM PDT A new publication on the bird-like dinosaur Avimimus, from the late-Cretaceous suggests they were gregarious, social animals -- evidence that flies in the face of the long-held mysticism surrounding dinosaurs as solo creatures.

No differences noted over time for children of gay, lesbian, adoptive parents Posted: 24 Oct 2016 07:42 AM PDT One expert has focused her academic career on the effects and outcomes of children adopted by same-sex couples. It is believed hers is the first study that has followed children adopted by lesbian, gay and heterosexual parents from early to middle childhood.

Don't believe your eyes Posted: 24 Oct 2016 07:42 AM PDT Visual hallucinations ... everyone has heard of them, and many people have experienced the sensation of "seeing" something that isn't there. But studying the phenomenon of hallucinations is difficult: they are irregular, transitory, and highly personal -- only the person experiencing the hallucination knows what he or she is seeing, and representations of what's being seen are limited to verbal descriptions or drawings.

Preferentially Earth-sized planets with lots of water Posted: 24 Oct 2016 07:41 AM PDT Computer simulations by astrophysicists of the formation of planets orbiting in the habitable zone of low mass stars such as Proxima Centauri show that these planets are most likely to be roughly the size of the Earth and to contain large amounts of water.

'Middle England' faces lowest psychosis risk Posted: 24 Oct 2016 07:00 AM PDT The risk of developing a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia is highest for young people, men, ethnic minorities and people living in urban areas and poorer neighborhoods, an English study concludes.

New target identified to combat deadly allergic reactions Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:59 AM PDT A molecular motor that controls the release of inflammatory factors that cause severe and fatal allergic reactions has now been identified by researchers. The study suggests that targeting this motor may be a new way to treat patients undergoing anaphylactic shock.

New effort aims to prevent surgery-related opioid addiction across Michigan Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:59 AM PDT With 40 percent of opioid medications in Michigan prescribed by surgeons, a team has launched an effort to encourage safer prescribing across the state, and a map of drug takeback locations.

Flexible optical design method for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:51 AM PDT Experts have succeeded in the development of flexible optical design method for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SSPDs or SNSPDs). This technique enables SSPDs with a broadband high detection efficiency reject a specific wavelength, and is effective for multidisciplinary applications in fields such as the quantum cryptography, fluorescence spectroscopy, and remote sensing that require high efficiency over a precise spectral range and strong signal rejection at other wavelengths.

How hooded seals are transferring contaminants to their pups Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:51 AM PDT Environmental contaminants such as PFASs can be transferred from mother to offspring through the placenta and mother's milk, exposing the young mammal before and after birth. PFASs are a family of human-made chemicals, which have been used in a number of consumer products such as textiles, carpets, paper plates and food packaging because they repel grease, water and stains and are heat resistant. Since it was discovered that they pose a risk to wildlife and human health, some PFASs have been phased out of use, but they have not been universally banned.

Precision medicine test helps guide breast cancer patients' chemotherapy decision Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:06 AM PDT One of the earliest widespread applications of precision medicine in cancer care is helping patients and physicians decide whether chemotherapy is needed, a new study finds.

New bacteria groups, and stunning diversity, discovered underground Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:06 AM PDT One of the most detailed genomic studies of any ecosystem to date has revealed an underground world of stunning microbial diversity, and added dozens of new branches to the tree of life. The bacterial bonanza comes from scientists who reconstructed the genomes of more than 2,500 microbes from sediment and groundwater samples collected at an aquifer in Colorado.

Expanding the role of hospitalist physician assistants achieves similar clinical outcomes, costs less Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:06 AM PDT More and more medical centers are relying on hospitalists -- hospital-based internal medicine specialists who coordinate the complex care of inpatients. Now, an 18-month study comparing two hospitalist groups -- one with a high physician assistant (PA)-to-physician ratio ("expanded PA") and one with a low PA-to-physician ratio ("conventional") -- has found no significant differences in key clinical outcomes achieved by both groups.

Old blood is as good as new, international study shows Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:06 AM PDT It's been long thought that when blood transfusions are needed, it may be best to use the freshest blood, but researchers have led a large international study proving that it is not so.

Is energy storage via pumped hydro systems is possible on a very small scale? Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:04 AM PDT Pumped-storage hydroelectricity systems are to be found throughout the world, but always on a large scale. Researchers investigated whether energy storage via pumped hydro systems is possible on a very small scale, in particular in buildings. They used the Goudemand apartment building in Arras in France as their case study.

First steps towards the touch robot Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:04 AM PDT A squeeze in the arm, a pat on the shoulder, or a slap in the face – touch is an important part of the social interaction between people. Social touch, however, is a relatively unknown field when it comes to robots, even though robots operate with increasing frequency in society at large, rather than just in the controlled environment of a factory. Using a relatively simple system – a mannequin's arm with pressure sensors, connected to a computer – researchers have succeeded in getting it to recognize sixty percent of all touches.

Stem cells also rust Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:03 AM PDT Oxygen in the air is well known to cause damaging rust on cars through a process known as oxidation. Similarly, a research group has now identified that certain cells during embryonic development also are negatively affected by oxidation. This oxidation is capable of leading to a block in cellular function.

How sweet it is: Artificial sweeteners in blood Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:03 AM PDT A recent study measured how much artificial sweetener is absorbed into the blood stream by children and adults after drinking a can of diet soda.

High profile Facebook post provides insights into pro- and anti-vaccination beliefs Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:03 AM PDT One of the challenges to understanding the concerns behind vaccine hesitancy is that very seldom are people with worries about vaccines and vaccine advocates brought together in the same space, especially online. In January 2016, however, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg posted a photo of himself holding his baby with the caption "Doctor's visit -- time for vaccines!" With his undeniable reach, the post represented a unique opportunity to analyze the language used to express pro- vaccination and anti-vaccination viewpoints and understand how people on both sides of the debate perceive the risks of vaccination.

Active agent from the Caribbean sea cucumber could improve treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma Posted: 24 Oct 2016 06:03 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new option for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma. For the first time in the world, they were able to show in a preclinical study, both in the cell culture and in the animal model, that trabectedin, a chemotherapy drug that is already successfully used for other types of cancer, is also effective against malignant pleural mesothelioma. The active agent originally occurs in the Caribbean sea cucumber, a marine-dwelling tunicate.

Climate change driving toad disease from fungus in Pyrenees Posted: 23 Oct 2016 04:05 PM PDT The effect of global warming on fungal disease in frogs and toads has been quantified by researchers for the first time, a new report outlines.

Health of Europe revealed in new report Posted: 23 Oct 2016 04:05 PM PDT A new report compares health attitudes across 21 European countries. Findings show that women are more likely to suffer from depression and headaches, and men are much more likely to smoke and view themselves as overweight. The UK and Portugal display highest binge drinking rates, and across Europe, men consume almost twice as much alcohol as women.

Research shows physical activity does not improve after hip replacement Posted: 23 Oct 2016 04:05 PM PDT Surprisingly, new research shows that patients' physical activity does not increase following hip replacement surgery.

U.S. Winter outlook predicts warmer, drier South and cooler, wetter North Posted: 23 Oct 2016 12:51 PM PDT Forecasters are saying that La Nina is expected to influence winter conditions this year. The Climate Prediction Center issued a La Nina watch this month, predicting the climate phenomenon is likely to develop in late fall or early winter. La Nina favors drier, warmer winters in the southern U.S and wetter, cooler conditions in the northern U.S. If La Nina conditions materialize, forecasters say it should be weak and potentially short-lived.

Many back pain patients get limited relief from opioids and worry about taking them, survey shows Posted: 23 Oct 2016 12:48 PM PDT Millions of people take opioids for chronic back pain, but many of them get limited relief while experiencing side effects and worrying about the stigma associated with taking them, suggests research.

Heading a soccer ball causes instant changes to the brain Posted: 23 Oct 2016 12:48 PM PDT Researchers have explored the true impact of heading a soccer ball, identifying small but significant changes in brain function immediately after routine heading practice.

You are subscribed to email updates from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States