الأربعاء، 31 أغسطس 2016

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Environmental DNA uncovers biodiversity in rivers

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:33 AM PDT

Researchers have used 'environmental DNA' to determine the biodiversity of a river. Previously, this involved collecting and identifying all the organisms living in it. Using environmental DNA, however, not only is it possible to characterize the river's biodiversity, but also that of the surrounding landscape.

Quest to find the 'missing physics' at play in landslides

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:32 AM PDT

A recent discovery in the study of landslides, using annular shear cell measurements of granular flows, confirms that two flow regimes -- an 'elastic regime' and an 'inertial regime' exist.

Female fiddler crabs want protection not sex

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

New research has resolved a mystery over why female fiddler crabs visit and leave many males during mating season, and found the females aren't just being picky.

Increasing nursing mothers' vitamin D levels may benefit babies

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

New research has found that giving breastfeeding mothers monthly high-dose vitamin D supplements may be a possible way to improve their babies' vitamin D status. Vitamin D is essential for calcium and bone metabolism and is mainly obtained from exposure to sunlight, with only low levels found in food and breast milk. Risk factors for infant vitamin D deficiency -- which can lead to the bone disorder rickets -- include being exclusively breastfed.

'Animal Farm' immunity receptors only work in a crowd, researchers find

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered how human immune receptors become activated in the presence of harmful substances, paving the way for new technologies to fight against deadly diseases.

Flywheel technology could create new savings for light rail transit

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

Two engineering professors have examined the use of flywheel technology to store energy generated when light rail transit trains decelerate and stop. Trains such as the LRT used in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, are designed with so-called dynamic braking. The deceleration generates electrical energy, which needs to go somewhere.A flywheel system could store it as mechanical energy. This energy could be converted to electrical energy when the train is ready to leave the station.

Amputees' brains remember missing hands even years later

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

Our brains have a detailed picture of our hands and fingers, and that persists even decades after an amputation, researchers have found. The finding could have implications for the control of next generation prosthetics.

Two-photon imaging of Meissner's corpuscle mechanoreceptors in living tissue

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:12 AM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated that Meissner's corpuscle mechanoreceptors can be observed in living tissue using two-photon microscopy.

Emoticons in ancient Egypt

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:16 AM PDT

The advent of script has never managed to eliminate the use of symbols. This is the finding of research carried out on Ancient Egyptian identity marks.

Female mosquitoes can transmit Zika virus to their eggs, offspring

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can pass the Zika virus to their eggs and offspring, new research shows. The recent Zika virus outbreak in Florida has dramatically increased efforts to remove A. aegypti mosquitoes. The new findings highlight the importance of including larvicide in the efforts to curb the spread of the Zika virus.

Antipsychotic medications linked to increased risk of pneumonia in persons with Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

Antipsychotic medications are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in persons with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The risk of pneumonia was the highest at the beginning of antipsychotic treatment, remaining elevated also in long-term use. No major differences were observed between the most commonly used antipsychotics.

Mitosis study finds potential cancer target

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

By drilling down to the atomic level of how specific proteins interact during cell division, or mitosis, a team of scientists has found a unique new target for attacking cancer.

Swelling obesity rates may be tied to childhood antibiotic use

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:44 AM PDT

As the nation's obesity rate continues to skyrocket, scientists across the country are combing the health records of 1.6 million kids to determine if childhood antibiotic use causes weight gain later in life.

Colors from darkness: Alternative approach to quantum computing

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:43 AM PDT

Microwaves created at near absolute zero temperature provide uniquely correlated and controllable states.

Cows in glass tanks help to reduce methane emissions

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:43 AM PDT

In the future, the breeding of the climate-friendly cow can be sped up by using genetic information. A recent study identifies areas in the cow's genotype which are linked to the amount of methane it produces. Cows subjected to study did not unnecessarily chew their cuds when being placed in glass cases.

Planet Nine could spell doom for solar system

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:43 AM PDT

The solar system could be thrown into disaster when the sun dies if the mysterious 'Planet Nine' exists, according to new research.

Change in the immune system can lead to success

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:43 AM PDT

The sequencing of the Atlantic cod genome in 2011 demonstrated that this species lacks a crucial part of its immune system. In a follow-up study, researchers have investigated a large number of additional fish species and found that this is a trait that Atlantic cod have in common with its close relatives – the codfishes. Further analyses show that the alternate immune system observed is associated with increased speciation rates, and a key to the success of this group of fishes.

New iPad game could help diagnose autism in children

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:41 AM PDT

Autism could be diagnosed by allowing children to play games on smart phones and tablets, a study has found. Researchers used fun iPad games to track players' hand movements – gathering information that can help identify autism.

Caution urged in the use of blood pressure lowering treatment for heart disease patients

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:41 AM PDT

Caution has been urged in the use of blood pressure lowering treatment for heart disease patients after a study in more than 22,000 patients with coronary artery disease found that too low blood pressure was associated with worse outcomes.

'Helix-to-tube' a simple strategy to synthesize covalent organic nanotubes

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:40 AM PDT

Organic nanotubes (ONTs) are tubular nanostructures composed of organic molecules that have unique properties and have found various applications, such as electro-conductive materials and organic photovoltaics. A group of scientists have now developed a simple and effective method for the formation of robust covalent ONTs from simple molecules. This method is expected to be useful in generating a range of nanotube-based materials with desirable properties.

Brain's internal compass also navigates during imagination

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:40 AM PDT

When you try to find your way in a new place, your brain creates a spatial map that represents that environment. Neuroscientists now show that the brain's 'navigation system' is not only active during actual or virtual movement, but also when imagining view directions. This suggests that the brain's spatial navigation system might also be important for cognitive functions such as imagination and memory.

Results of trial into anticoagulants for cardioversion in atrial fibrillation patients published

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:40 AM PDT

Clinical trial finds edoxaban to be equally effective as current use of warfarin.

More tomatoes, faster: Accelerating tomato engineering

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:38 AM PDT

While looking for ways to make tomatoes and other crop plants more productive, researchers developed a way to cut the time required to modify a tomato's genes by six weeks. The improvement will save on money and resources while accelerating tomato research.

Cell phone conversations hinder child pedestrian crossing abilities

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:38 AM PDT

A new study from one of the world's most sophisticated traffic research facilities enables researchers to measure pedestrian reactions to virtual reality scenarios. Researchers have determined that a child pedestrian's ability to safely cross the road is hindered more during a cell phone conversation than an adult's.

A new animal model to understand metastasis in sarcomas

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a modified version of an orthotopic model to recreate the metastatic steps in Ewing sarcoma, the second most common bone tumor in children and adolescents. This new model may become a valuable experimental tool to analyze metastatic potential in different kinds of sarcomas.

New species of pterosaur discovered in Patagonia

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

Scientists today announced the discovery of a new species of pterosaur from the Patagonia region of South America. The cranial remains were in an excellent state of preservation and belonged to a new species of pterosaur from the Early Jurassic. The researchers have named this new species 'Allkauren koi' from the native Tehuelche word 'all' for 'brain' and 'karuen' for 'ancient.'

People with alcohol dependency lack important enzyme

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

A research group has identified an enzyme whose production is turned off in nerve cells of the frontal lobe when alcohol dependence develops. The deficiency in this enzyme leads to continued use of alcohol despite adverse consequences.

System may help treat rare genetic disorder, reduce severe side effects

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a type of drug delivery system that may offer new hope for patients with a rare, ultimately fatal genetic disorder -- and make what might become a terrible choice a little easier.

Technique could assess historic changes to Antarctic sea ice, glaciers

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:36 AM PDT

Historic changes to Antarctic sea ice could be unraveled using a new technique, say scientists. The new method builds on an existing technique developed over the last 10 years, which identified a means by which scientists could measure changes to sea ice in the Arctic.

Swarm robots can learn by simply observing

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:36 AM PDT

It is now possible for machines to learn how natural or artificial systems work by simply observing them, without being told what to look for, according to researchers.

Critical protein shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:36 AM PDT

In new research, researchers examine p62 -- a critical protein associated with tell-tale symptoms of Alzheimer's. The study demonstrates for the first time that p62 may have a role in reversing the effects of damaged plaques in the brain.

Progress in refining the genetic causes of schizophrenia

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 07:59 PM PDT

An international study has made advances in understanding the ways in which genetic risk factors alter gene function in schizophrenia. The study combined genetic sequence information with measures of gene regulation in schizophrenia patients and matched controls.

Dogs understand both vocabulary and intonation of human speech

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:27 PM PDT

Dogs have the ability to distinguish vocabulary words and the intonation of human speech through brain regions similar to those that humans use, a new study reports.

Super cement's secret

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

Mayenite is one smart cement -- it can be turned from an insulator to a transparent conductor and back. It is also suitable for use as semiconductors in flat panel displays. The secret behind mayenite's magic is a tiny change in its chemical composition. In new work, researchers show how components called electron anions help to transform crystalline mayenite, also called C12A7, into semiconducting glass.

Molecular switch may sensitize triple-negative breast cancers to immunotherapy

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

A new study offers compelling evidence that enzyme PRL-3 is 'switch' in TNF-R1 pathway, determining whether pathway helps cancer cells survive or die when challenged with immunotherapy.

Five-year study reveals patients operated on at night twice as likely to die as patients who have daytime operations

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

New research shows that patients who have surgery during the night are twice as likely to die as patients operated on during regular working hours.

Interactive map shows where animals will move under climate change

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:36 PM PDT

Researchers have created an animated map showing where mammals, birds and amphibians are projected to move in the Western Hemisphere in response to climate change.

Shark fins and meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:35 PM PDT

Scientists found high concentrations of toxins linked to neurodegenerative diseases in the fins and muscles of 10 species of sharks. The research team suggests that restricting consumption of sharks can have positive health benefits for consumers and for shark conservation, since several of the sharks analyzed in the study are threatened with extinction due to overfishing.

NASA team probes peculiar age-defying star

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:35 PM PDT

For years, astronomers have puzzled over a massive star lodged deep in the Milky Way that shows conflicting signs of being extremely old and extremely young. Researchers initially classified the star as elderly, perhaps a red supergiant. But a new study by a NASA-led team of researchers suggests that the object, labeled IRAS 19312+1950, might be something quite different -- a protostar, a star still in the making.

Cellular communication processes that make life possible

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:35 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a mechanism of intercellular communication that helps explain how biological systems and actions -- ranging from a beating heart to the ability to hit a home run -- function properly most of the time, and in some scenarios quite remarkably.

Ancient dental plaque sheds new light on the diet of Mesolithic foragers in the Balkans

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:33 PM PDT

Micro-fossils trapped in dental calculus reveal that Late Mesolithic foragers were consuming domesticated plant foods c. 6600 BC, almost 400 years earlier than previously thought.

Characteristic chemical signature for chronic fatigue syndrome identified

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:32 PM PDT

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a mysterious and maddening condition, with no cure or known cause. But researchers, using a variety of techniques to identify and assess targeted metabolites in blood plasma, have identified a characteristic chemical signature for the debilitating ailment and an unexpected underlying biology: It is similar to the state of dauer, and other hypometabolic syndromes like caloric restriction, diapause and hibernation.

Radiologists detect breast cancer in 'blink of an eye'

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:32 PM PDT

Visual attention researchers showed radiologists mammograms for half a second and found that they could identify abnormal mammograms at better than chance levels. They further tested this ability through a series of experiments to explore what signal may alert radiologists to the presence of a possible abnormality, in the hopes of using these insights to improve breast cancer screening and early detection.

Proxima b is in host star's habitable zone, but could it really be habitable?

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 12:53 PM PDT

The world's attention is now on Proxima Centauri b, a possibly Earth-like planet orbiting the closest star, 4.22 light-years away. The planet's orbit is just right to allow liquid water on its surface, needed for life. But could it in fact be habitable? If so, the planet evolved very differently than Earth, say researchers say astronomers, geophysicists, climatologists, evolutionary biologists and others who study how distant planets might host life.

Poof! The weird case of the X-ray that came out blank

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:13 AM PDT

Imagine getting a medical X-ray that comes out blank – as if your bones had vanished. That's what happened when scientists cranked up the intensity of the world's first X-ray laser to get a better look at a sample they were studying: The X-rays seemed to go right through it as if it were not there.

First two weeks of football practice the most dangerous for heat-related illness

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:13 AM PDT

Football players are more likely to suffer from heat-related illness during the first two weeks of practice, especially those in the Southeastern U.S.

Use it or lose it: Stopping exercise decreases brain blood flow

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

Researchers examined cerebral blood flow in master athletes (ages 50-80 years) before and after a 10-day period during which they stopped all exercise. Using MRI brain imaging techniques, they found a significant decrease in blood flow to several brain regions important for cognitive health, including the hippocampus, after they stopped their exercise routines.

Blinding disease in canines and humans shares causative gene, pathology

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

Scientists report that they've directly compared the disease course of a blinding ciliopathy between humans and dogs and found remarkable similarities.

How aged wine gets its aroma

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered an enzyme that plays a leading role in the formation of compounds that give aged wines their sought-after aroma.

America's wars take uneven toll, study finds

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

In today's wars, Americans who die or are wounded in battle are disproportionately coming from poorer parts of the country, according to a new study released this week. By analyzing over 500,000 American combat casualties from World War II through Iraq and Afghanistan, researchers found growing socioeconomic inequality in military sacrifice.

Anti-friction solutions? Very thin layers of water can become ice-like at room temperature

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

New research shows that a nanometer-thin layer of water between two charged surfaces exhibits ice-like tendencies that allow it to withstand pressures of hundreds of atmospheres. The discovery could lead to better ways to minimize friction in a variety of settings.

Cracking the coldest case: How Lucy, the most famous human ancestor, died

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

Lucy, the most famous fossil of a human ancestor, probably died after falling from a tree, according to a new study. Researchers have found that the injury Lucy sustained was consistent with a four-part proximal humerus fracture, caused by a fall from considerable height when the conscious victim stretched out an arm in an attempt to break the fall.

Majority of older adults in jail have distressing health symptoms

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:31 AM PDT

According to the study, of the older inmates, 49 percent said they experience poor or fair health, 20 percent have chronic lung disease, and 54 percent have trouble performing daily activities such as bathing, eating, using the toilet, and walking around the house. The researchers said that these rates are similar to those reported by lower income older adults who are not incarcerated.

Alzheimer's: Nicotinic receptors as a new therapeutic target

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:31 AM PDT

Studies have indicated that nicotine may be beneficial for memory function. Scientists are set out to shed further light on the properties attributed to nicotine by determining the precise structure of the nicotinic receptors in the hippocampus region of the brain. Using mouse models for Alzheimer's disease, they identified the a subunit of the nicotinic receptor as a target that, if blocked, prevents the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's.

Outpatient bloodstream infections costly for pediatric transplant and cancer patients

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:31 AM PDT

Pediatric stem cell transplant and cancer patients often are discharged from the hospital with an external central venous line for medications that parents or other caregivers must clean and flush daily to avoid potentially life-threatening infections. If an outpatient develops a bloodstream infection associated with the central line, median charges to treat it total $37,000 for a six-day hospital stay for young patients whose disease treatments have weakened their immune systems and infection-fighting abilities.

New hope for Zika treatment found in large-scale screen of existing drugs

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:22 AM PDT

Scientists report that a specialized drug screen test using lab-grown human cells has revealed two classes of compounds already in the pharmaceutical arsenal that may work against mosquito-borne Zika virus infections.

Continuous roll-process technology for transferring and packaging flexible LSI

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:22 AM PDT

A research team has developed a continuous roll-processing technology that transfers and packages flexible large-scale integrated circuits (LSI), the key element in constructing the computer's brain such as CPU, on plastics to realize flexible electronics.

Researchers unravel process for the formation of rainstorms

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:22 AM PDT

Violent thunderstorms can often cause torrential rain, which pose a threat for both humans and the infrastructure. Until now such extreme weather phenomena have been very poorly understood. However, using advanced simulations for cloud systems, researchers have determined how complex cloud systems build up in the atmosphere, which then interact with each other and strengthen the further build up of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms.

Amazon forests: Biodiversity can help mitigate climate risks

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:22 AM PDT

A forest with greater diversity of plants can better adjust to climatic stress. Now for the first time, a team of scientists can show this in computer simulations of the Amazon region by accounting for its amazing diversity of trees. Biodiversity can hence be an effective means to mitigate climate risks and should not only be seen in the context of nature conservation.

New window to understanding the brain

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:21 AM PDT

A team of researchers has demonstrated that syringe-injectable mesh electronics can stably record neural activity in mice for eight months or more, with none of the inflammation produced by traditional implanted probes.

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News


Ethical concerns tied to research on human-animal embryos

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 11:38 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new bioethical framework for addressing concerns surrounding potentially revolutionary research on human-animal embryos.

Written 'report card' decreases dentists' antibiotic prescriptions

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 11:38 AM PDT

Dentists are less likely to prescribe antibiotics after they receive a personalized report detailing their past prescription rates, according to a randomized controlled trial of UK dentists.

Understanding how the 'police' of the cell world deal with 'intruders' and the 'injured'

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 11:07 AM PDT

The job of policing the microenvironment around our cells is carried out by macrophages. Macrophages are the 'guards' that patrol most tissues of the body - poised to engulf infections or destroy and repair damaged tissue.

Bipolar adolescents continue to have elevated substance use disorder risk as young adults

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 11:07 AM PDT

A follow up to a previous study finding an association between adolescent bipolar disorder and the incidence of cigarette smoking and substance use disorder finds that risk was even greater five years later, particularly among those with persistent bipolar symptoms. The study also finds evidence that the presence of conduct disorder, in combination with bipolar disorder, may be the strongest influence on the risk of smoking and substance use disorder.

New drug for tropical disease Trypanosomiasis discovered

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:12 AM PDT

Researchers are working to find the fastest way possible to treat and cure human African trypanosomiasis, long referred to as sleeping sickness. Human African trypanosomiasis, or HAT, is a tropical disease endemic to some rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. A vector-borne parasitic disease, existing diagnosis and treatment regimens are complex, especially challenging in some of the world's most poverty-stricken regions.

Having children at home did not prompt parents to test for radon, secondhand smoke

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:12 AM PDT

New findings show the presence of children in the home did not motivate parents to test and mitigate for radon and secondhand tobacco smoke, both of which cause lung cancer.

Addiction cravings may get their start deep in the right side of the brain

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:12 AM PDT

If you really want a drink right now, the source of your craving may be a pea-sized structure deep inside the right side of your brain, according to scientists.

Children with asthma attacks triggered by colds less responsive to standard treatment

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:08 AM PDT

A study confirms that respiratory viral detection, not child's age, explains the high rate of hospitalization for asthma attacks in children under six.

Affordable Care Act has improved access to health care, but disparities persist

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:08 AM PDT

The Affordable Care Act has substantially decreased the number of uninsured Americans and improved access to health care, though insurance affordability and disparities by geography, race/ethnicity, and income persist. These are some of the findings revealed in nearly 100 studies, dating back to 2010, pertaining to the ACA in a new research paper.

Retinoic acid suppresses colorectal cancer development, study finds

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 10:08 AM PDT

Levels of retinoic acid, a vitamin A metabolite, are low in mice and humans with colorectal cancer, according to new research. People with high levels of an enzyme that degrades retinoic acid have a poor prognosis, report researchers.

Cannabinoid receptor activates spermatozoa

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 09:17 AM PDT

Biologists have detected a cannabinoid receptor in spermatozoa. Endogenous cannabinoids that occur in both the male and the female genital tract activate the spermatozoa: they trigger the so-called acrosome reaction, during which the spermatozoon releases digestive enzymes and loses the cap on the anterior half of its head. Without this reaction, spermatozoa cannot penetrate the ovum.

Variation in 'junk' DNA leads to trouble

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 09:17 AM PDT

Although genetic variants are scattered throughout the human genome, scientists have largely ignored the stretches of repetitive genetic code known as 'junk' DNA in their search for differences that influence human health and disease. Now, researchers have discovered that variation in these overlooked regions can affect the stability of the genome and the proper function of the chromosomes that package our genetic material, leading to an increased risk of birth defects, infertility, and cancer.

Operational mechanism of the 'acid-sensing ion channel' that recognizes internal body pain

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:51 AM PDT

A research team has identified the pain transmission mechanism at the molecular level and presented new solutions for the understanding of pain signals and the development of pain treatments.

Pets and children are a potential source of C. difficile in the community

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:39 AM PDT

Household transmission of Clostridium difficile to pets and children may be a source of community-associated C. difficile infections according to findings from a new study. The study found that patients with this bacteria can colonize or infect household contacts following or during treatment for an infection.

Caffeine and its analogues counteract memory deficits by normalizing stress responses in the brain

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:37 AM PDT

A new study describes the mechanism by which caffeine counteracts age-related cognitive deficits in animals. The study shows that the abnormal expression of a particular receptor -- adenosine A2A, a target for caffeine -- in the brain of rats induces an aging-like profile: namely, memory impairments linked to the loss of stress controlling mechanisms.

Psychopaths feel fear but see no danger

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:37 AM PDT

Researchers have found proof that psychopathic individuals can feel fear, but have trouble in the automatic detection and responsivity to threat.

Silver nanoparticles' protein 'corona' affects their toxicity

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:37 AM PDT

Scientists have succeeded in deciphering the mechanism of interaction of silver nanoparticles with the cells of the immune system.

Cancer: Molecularly shutting down cancer cachexia

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:37 AM PDT

Healthy fat tissue is essential for extended survival in the event of tumor-induced wasting syndrome (cachexia). Researchers have shown that selective manipulation of an enzyme can stop unwanted metabolic processes.

A rapid and effective antidote for anticoagulant bleeds

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:33 AM PDT

A specially designed antidote to reverse acute, potentially life-threatening anticoagulant-related bleeding worked quickly, and was well-tolerated according to interim results of the ongoing ANNEXA-4 study.

Researchers identify multidrug-resistant E. coli bacteria from New Jersey patient

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 08:32 AM PDT

New Jersey researchers have identified what is believed to be the first strain of Escherichia coli bacteria from a patient in the United States that harbored two mobile genes making it resistant to both broad spectrum carbapenem antibiotics as well as colistin, an older antibiotic increasingly used as a last resort for multidrug-resistant infections.

Researchers identify protein that delays type 1 diabetes onset in new mouse model

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:14 AM PDT

A new study reveals a counterintuitive cellular strategy that may protect insulin-producing cells from destruction during type 1 diabetes. Nearly one out of every 11 people is diagnosed with diabetes in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Although a person can develop type 1 diabetes at any time, it is usually diagnosed during childhood and there is no way to prevent or cure it.

Increasing nursing mothers' vitamin D levels may benefit babies

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

New research has found that giving breastfeeding mothers monthly high-dose vitamin D supplements may be a possible way to improve their babies' vitamin D status. Vitamin D is essential for calcium and bone metabolism and is mainly obtained from exposure to sunlight, with only low levels found in food and breast milk. Risk factors for infant vitamin D deficiency -- which can lead to the bone disorder rickets -- include being exclusively breastfed.

'Animal Farm' immunity receptors only work in a crowd, researchers find

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 07:13 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered how human immune receptors become activated in the presence of harmful substances, paving the way for new technologies to fight against deadly diseases.

Female mosquitoes can transmit Zika virus to their eggs, offspring

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can pass the Zika virus to their eggs and offspring, new research shows. The recent Zika virus outbreak in Florida has dramatically increased efforts to remove A. aegypti mosquitoes. The new findings highlight the importance of including larvicide in the efforts to curb the spread of the Zika virus.

Antipsychotic medications linked to increased risk of pneumonia in persons with Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

Antipsychotic medications are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in persons with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The risk of pneumonia was the highest at the beginning of antipsychotic treatment, remaining elevated also in long-term use. No major differences were observed between the most commonly used antipsychotics.

Mitosis study finds potential cancer target

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:15 AM PDT

By drilling down to the atomic level of how specific proteins interact during cell division, or mitosis, a team of scientists has found a unique new target for attacking cancer.

Swelling obesity rates may be tied to childhood antibiotic use

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:44 AM PDT

As the nation's obesity rate continues to skyrocket, scientists across the country are combing the health records of 1.6 million kids to determine if childhood antibiotic use causes weight gain later in life.

Change in the immune system can lead to success

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:43 AM PDT

The sequencing of the Atlantic cod genome in 2011 demonstrated that this species lacks a crucial part of its immune system. In a follow-up study, researchers have investigated a large number of additional fish species and found that this is a trait that Atlantic cod have in common with its close relatives – the codfishes. Further analyses show that the alternate immune system observed is associated with increased speciation rates, and a key to the success of this group of fishes.

New iPad game could help diagnose autism in children

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:41 AM PDT

Autism could be diagnosed by allowing children to play games on smart phones and tablets, a study has found. Researchers used fun iPad games to track players' hand movements – gathering information that can help identify autism.

Caution urged in the use of blood pressure lowering treatment for heart disease patients

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:41 AM PDT

Caution has been urged in the use of blood pressure lowering treatment for heart disease patients after a study in more than 22,000 patients with coronary artery disease found that too low blood pressure was associated with worse outcomes.

Results of trial into anticoagulants for cardioversion in atrial fibrillation patients published

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:40 AM PDT

Clinical trial finds edoxaban to be equally effective as current use of warfarin.

A new animal model to understand metastasis in sarcomas

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a modified version of an orthotopic model to recreate the metastatic steps in Ewing sarcoma, the second most common bone tumor in children and adolescents. This new model may become a valuable experimental tool to analyze metastatic potential in different kinds of sarcomas.

People with alcohol dependency lack important enzyme

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

A research group has identified an enzyme whose production is turned off in nerve cells of the frontal lobe when alcohol dependence develops. The deficiency in this enzyme leads to continued use of alcohol despite adverse consequences.

System may help treat rare genetic disorder, reduce severe side effects

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:37 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a type of drug delivery system that may offer new hope for patients with a rare, ultimately fatal genetic disorder -- and make what might become a terrible choice a little easier.

Critical protein shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 05:36 AM PDT

In new research, researchers examine p62 -- a critical protein associated with tell-tale symptoms of Alzheimer's. The study demonstrates for the first time that p62 may have a role in reversing the effects of damaged plaques in the brain.

Progress in refining the genetic causes of schizophrenia

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 07:59 PM PDT

An international study has made advances in understanding the ways in which genetic risk factors alter gene function in schizophrenia. The study combined genetic sequence information with measures of gene regulation in schizophrenia patients and matched controls.

Molecular switch may sensitize triple-negative breast cancers to immunotherapy

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

A new study offers compelling evidence that enzyme PRL-3 is 'switch' in TNF-R1 pathway, determining whether pathway helps cancer cells survive or die when challenged with immunotherapy.

Vitamin C may boost effectiveness of acute myeloid leukemia treatment

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

A simple adjustment to patients' therapeutic regimen may improve the effectiveness of the standard epigenetic treatment for myeloid dysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Five-year study reveals patients operated on at night twice as likely to die as patients who have daytime operations

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

New research shows that patients who have surgery during the night are twice as likely to die as patients operated on during regular working hours.

Folic acid fortified food linked to decline in congenital heart defects

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 04:26 PM PDT

Food fortified with folic acid helped lower overall rates of congenital heart defects in Canada. The effect was evident in some types of congenital heart defects but not all.

Shark fins and meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:35 PM PDT

Scientists found high concentrations of toxins linked to neurodegenerative diseases in the fins and muscles of 10 species of sharks. The research team suggests that restricting consumption of sharks can have positive health benefits for consumers and for shark conservation, since several of the sharks analyzed in the study are threatened with extinction due to overfishing.

Cellular communication processes that make life possible

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:35 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a mechanism of intercellular communication that helps explain how biological systems and actions -- ranging from a beating heart to the ability to hit a home run -- function properly most of the time, and in some scenarios quite remarkably.

Characteristic chemical signature for chronic fatigue syndrome identified

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:32 PM PDT

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a mysterious and maddening condition, with no cure or known cause. But researchers, using a variety of techniques to identify and assess targeted metabolites in blood plasma, have identified a characteristic chemical signature for the debilitating ailment and an unexpected underlying biology: It is similar to the state of dauer, and other hypometabolic syndromes like caloric restriction, diapause and hibernation.

Radiologists detect breast cancer in 'blink of an eye'

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 01:32 PM PDT

Visual attention researchers showed radiologists mammograms for half a second and found that they could identify abnormal mammograms at better than chance levels. They further tested this ability through a series of experiments to explore what signal may alert radiologists to the presence of a possible abnormality, in the hopes of using these insights to improve breast cancer screening and early detection.

Standing up for weight management

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 12:52 PM PDT

A new study examined the potential weight management benefits of sit-stand desks. Researchers found that regular use of a height-adjustable workstation, when combined with other low-intensity activities, is an effective measure for maintaining weight for most people.

How machine learning can help with voice disorders

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

A wearable device has been developed that can tell if a user is misusing their voice and potentially someday be used to help detect vocal disorders.

Tight focus on blood sugar narrows options for diabetes

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

The glucocentric focus on lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes may have short-circuited development of new diabetes therapies, according to a new paper. Overall, the authors suggest that the widespread consensus for tight glycemic control should be re-examined.

'Internal astigmatism' doesn't compensate for changes in the eye over time

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 11:04 AM PDT

For people with nearsightedness (myopia), the lens doesn't compensate for growth or other changes in the structure of the eye, according to a long-term follow-up study.

Vesicles that trap amyloid appear to also contribute to Alzheimer's

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:31 AM PDT

Vesicles, fluid-filled sacs that brain cells make to trap amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, appear to also contribute to the disease, scientists report. Reducing the production of these vesicles, called exosomes, could help reduce the amount of amyloid and lipid that accumulates, slow disease progression and help protect cognition, scientists say.

New window to understanding the brain

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:21 AM PDT

A team of researchers has demonstrated that syringe-injectable mesh electronics can stably record neural activity in mice for eight months or more, with none of the inflammation produced by traditional implanted probes.

Single gene mutation causes severely debilitating disease of brain blood vessels

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:21 AM PDT

The cause of a disease that targets blood vessels in the brain -- leading to multiple debilitating symptoms and, often, to early death -- has been tracked to a single mutated gene, opening up the immediate possibility of improved patient care through genetic testing, and of future treatments.

Special nerve cells cause goose bumps and nipple erection

Posted: 29 Aug 2016 09:21 AM PDT

The sympathetic nerve system has long been thought to respond the same regardless of the physical or emotional stimulus triggering it. However, in a new study, scientists show that the system comprises different neurons that regulate specific physiological functions, such as erectile muscle control.