Fwd: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Half of premature colorectal cancer deaths due to socioeconomic inequality
• Explosive compound reduced blood pressure in female offspring of hypertensive rats
• Archaeologists discover remains of Ice Age infants in Alaska
• Marijuana's long-term effects on the brain demonstrated
• Cat genome reveals clues to domestication​​
• Playing action video games can boost learning
• Best evidence yet for galactic merger in distant protocluster
• Interstitial lung disease is significant risk factor for lung inflammation
• Baby photos of a scaled-up solar system
• Asteroid's size revealed for the first time
• Microbot muscles: Chains of particles assemble and flex
• Odor that smells like blood: Single component powerful trigger for large carnivores
• Sweet music or sour notes? Test will tell
• Opioid OD cause for over 100,000 ED visits in 2010
• Mothers' education significant to children's academic success
• New target for blood cancer treatment discovered
• Statins reverse learning disabilities caused by genetic disorder
• Thousands of never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered
• Re-learning how to read a genome
• A billion holes can make a battery
• Some neurons can multitask, raising questions about importance of specialization
• Iron fertilization less efficient for deep-sea carbon dioxide storage than previously thought?
• Lighter, cheaper radio wave device could transform telecommunications
• Birthweight charts tailored to specific ethnic groups may be better predictor of adverse outcomes
• Is your relationship moving toward marriage? If it isn't, you probably can't admit it
• Kīlauea, 1790 and today
• Noise in a microwave amplifier is limited by quantum particles of heat
• Good Vibrations Give Electrons Excitations That Rock an Insulator to Go Metallic
• Classification of gene mutations in a children's cancer may point to improved treatments
• A sea change for marine conservation
• 'Darting' mice may hold clues to ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder
• New materials yield record efficiency polymer solar cells
• Pre-symptomatic markers for hemorrhagic viruses like Ebola identified
• New state level data demonstrate geographical variation in 10-year cardiovascular risk
• On-demand conductivity for graphene nanoribbons
• Successful implant of next-generation heart device marks Canadian first
• New listing to protect 21 species of sharks and rays
• Combination therapy offers quicker, less toxic eradication of hepatitis C in liver transplant patients
• First steps in formation of pancreatic cancer identified
• How brown fat fuels up to combat type 2 diabetes and obesity
• Detroit's First Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory completed
• Moderate drinking is healthy only for some people, study finds
• Astronomers discover first 'lightning' from a black hole
• 'Big data' takes root in world of plant research
• Physicians play critical role in ensuring bladder cancer patients understand link between smoking, their disease
• True story behind galactic crash revealed
• Woodland bat species sweats it out in the tropics
• Unique Roman relief discovered: Depiction of unknown god in Turkey; Relics from 2,000 years of cult history excavated
• Recognizing emotions, and what happens when this is interrupted
• Climate variability has an opposing impact on marine life and tree growth
• New effective, safe and cheap treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis
• Crustaceans win battle against being feminized
• New technique for generating electricity
• Astronomers dissect the aftermath of a supernova
• So, you think you can clap to the beat? Beat-deafness better explained by research
• Project reduces 'alarm fatigue' in hospitals by 80 percent
• Laundry detergent pods a serious poisoning risk for children younger than 6 in U.S., study finds
• New natural supplement relieves canine arthritis

Half of premature colorectal cancer deaths due to socioeconomic inequality Posted: 10 Nov 2014 06:09 PM PST Half of all premature deaths from colorectal cancer -- described as deaths in people ages 25 to 64 -- in the United States are linked to ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic inequalities, and therefore could be prevented according to a new study.

Explosive compound reduced blood pressure in female offspring of hypertensive rats Posted: 10 Nov 2014 06:09 PM PST The explosive organic compound pentaerythritol tetranitrate helped lower blood pressure in the female offspring of hypertensive rats. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate had no effect on parent rats or their male offspring.

Archaeologists discover remains of Ice Age infants in Alaska Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:11 PM PST The remains of two Ice Age infants, buried more than 11,000 years ago at a site in Alaska, represent the youngest human remains ever found in northern North America, according to a new article.

Marijuana's long-term effects on the brain demonstrated Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:11 PM PST The effects of chronic marijuana use on the brain may depend on age of first use and duration of use, according to new research. Researchers for the first time comprehensively describe existing abnormalities in brain function and structure of long-term marijuana users with multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Cat genome reveals clues to domestication​​ Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:10 PM PST Cats and humans have shared the same households for at least 9,000 years, but we still know very little about how our feline friends became domesticated. An analysis of the cat genome reveals some surprising clues.

Playing action video games can boost learning Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:10 PM PST A new study shows for the first time that playing action video games improves not just the skills taught in the game, but learning capabilities more generally.

Best evidence yet for galactic merger in distant protocluster Posted: 10 Nov 2014 01:10 PM PST Nestled among a triplet of young galaxies more than 12.5 billion light-years away is a cosmic powerhouse: a galaxy that is producing stars nearly 1,000 times faster than our own Milky Way. This energetic starburst galaxy, known as AzTEC-3, together with its gang of calmer galaxies may represent the best evidence yet that large galaxies grow from the merger of smaller ones in the early Universe, a process known as hierarchical merging.

Interstitial lung disease is significant risk factor for lung inflammation Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:09 PM PST Pretreatment interstitial lung disease is a significant risk factor for developing symptomatic and severe radiation pneumonitis in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy alone, researchers say.

Baby photos of a scaled-up solar system Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:09 PM PST Astronomers have discovered two dust belts surrounded by a large dust halo around young star HD 95086. The findings provide a look back at what our solar system may have resembled in its infancy.

Asteroid's size revealed for the first time Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:09 PM PST When the double asteroid Patroclus-Menoetius passed directly in front of a star on the night of Oct. 20, a team of volunteer astronomers across the U.S. was waiting. Observing the event, known as an occultation, from multiple sites where each observer recorded the precise time the star was obscured, yielded the first accurate determination of the two objects' size and shape.

Microbot muscles: Chains of particles assemble and flex Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:09 PM PST In a step toward robots smaller than a grain of sand, researchers have shown how chains of self-assembling particles could serve as electrically activated muscles in the tiny machines.

Odor that smells like blood: Single component powerful trigger for large carnivores Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:09 PM PST People find the smell of blood unpleasant, but for predatory animals it means food. When behavioral researchers wanted to find out which substances of blood trigger behavioral reactions, they got some unexpected results.

Sweet music or sour notes? Test will tell Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:08 PM PST Most people rarely sing publically outside of "Happy Birthday." And since that particular song is usually offered as a group performance, even the reluctant join in, hoping their individual shortcomings will be cloaked by the chorus. One psychologist believes that most people are not as bad at singing as they might think and he is collaborating on the development of an online test that will evaluate participants' ability to match specific tones and melodies.

Opioid OD cause for over 100,000 ED visits in 2010 Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:43 AM PST Researchers from Rhode Island have found that prescription opioids, including methadone, were involved in 67.8 percent of -- or over 135,971 visits to -- nationwide emergency department visits in 2010, with the highest proportion of opioid overdoses occurring in the South.

Mothers' education significant to children's academic success Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:43 AM PST A mother knows best -- and the amount of education she attains can predict her children's success in reading and math. In fact, that success is greater if she had her child later in life, according to a new study.

New target for blood cancer treatment discovered Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:43 AM PST A therapeutic target that could lead to the development of new treatments for specific blood cancers has been identified by researchers. Using laboratory models, they found that 'switching off' half the gene in the Mpl receptor reduced its expression with the result that the disease did not develop.

Statins reverse learning disabilities caused by genetic disorder Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST Neuroscientists discovered that statins, a popular class of cholesterol drugs, reverse the learning deficits caused by a mutation linked to a common genetic cause of learning disabilities. The findings were studied in mice genetically engineered to develop the disease, called Noonan syndrome.

Thousands of never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST Thousands of never-before-seen genetic variants in the human genome have been uncovered using a new genome sequencing technology. These discoveries close many human genome mapping gaps that have long resisted sequencing. The technique, called single-molecule, real-time DNA sequencing, may now make it possible for researchers to identify potential genetic mutations behind many conditions whose genetic causes have long eluded scientists.

Re-learning how to read a genome Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST There are roughly 20,000 genes and thousands of other regulatory 'elements' stored within our DNA. Somehow all of this coded information needs to be read and transcribed into messages that can be used by cells. New research has revealed that the initial steps of the reading process are actually remarkably similar at both genes and regulatory elements. The main differences seem to occur after the initial step, in the length and stability of the messages.

A billion holes can make a battery Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST Researchers have invented a single tiny structure that includes all the components of a battery that they say could bring about the ultimate miniaturization of energy storage components.

Some neurons can multitask, raising questions about importance of specialization Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST The brain is constantly processing sensory information while supporting a dizzying array of behaviors. For decades, biologists have assumed that specialized classes of neurons process all this information at once. But a team of scientists has found a population of neurons in the rat brain that support multiple behaviors at once. These neurons cannot be individually classified by specialization, challenging assumptions about how information is encoded in the brain.

Iron fertilization less efficient for deep-sea carbon dioxide storage than previously thought? Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:42 AM PST Scientists have discovered that iron fertilization promotes the growth of shelled organisms. In a naturally iron-fertilized system in the Southern Ocean the growth and sinking of these phytoplankton grazers reduces CO2 deep-ocean storage by up to 30 percent. Ignoring this response could result in overestimating the marine CO2 storage capacity resulting from iron fertilization.

Lighter, cheaper radio wave device could transform telecommunications Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:41 AM PST Researchers have achieved a milestone in modern wireless and cellular telecommunications, creating a radically smaller, more efficient radio wave circulator that could be used in cellphones and other wireless devices. The new circulator has the potential to double the useful bandwidth in wireless communications and transform the telecommunications industry, making communications faster and less expensive in a wide array of products.

Birthweight charts tailored to specific ethnic groups may be better predictor of adverse outcomes Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:41 AM PST Immigrant women give birth to about one-third of the babies born in Ontario. Yet clinicians still measure those babies before and after birth using the same scales that measure babies whose mothers were born in Canada, often of Western European ancestry.

Is your relationship moving toward marriage? If it isn't, you probably can't admit it Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:40 AM PST Dating couples who have moved toward marriage over the course of their relationship remember accurately what was going on at each stage of their deepening commitment. But couples whose commitment to each other has stagnated or regressed are far less accurate in their memories of their relationships, says a new study.

Kīlauea, 1790 and today Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:40 AM PST Scores of people were killed by an explosive eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i, in 1790. Research suggests that most of the fatalities were caused by hot, rapidly moving surges of volcanic debris and steam that engulfed the victims. Deposits of such surges occur on the surface on the west summit area and cover an ash bed indented with human footprints.

Noise in a microwave amplifier is limited by quantum particles of heat Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:40 AM PST Scientists have demonstrated how noise in a microwave amplifier is limited by self-heating at very low temperatures. The findings can be of importance for future discoveries in many areas of science such as quantum computers and radio astronomy. Many significant discoveries in physics and astronomy are dependent upon registering a barely detectable electrical signal in the microwave regime.

Good Vibrations Give Electrons Excitations That Rock an Insulator to Go Metallic Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:35 AM PST Scientists have made an important advancement in understanding a classic transition-metal oxide, vanadium dioxide, by quantifying the thermodynamic forces driving the transformation.

Classification of gene mutations in a children's cancer may point to improved treatments Posted: 10 Nov 2014 09:34 AM PST Oncology researchers studying gene mutations in the childhood cancer neuroblastoma are refining their diagnostic tools to predict which patients are more likely to respond to drugs called ALK inhibitors that target such mutations. Removing some of the guesswork in diagnosis and treatment may lead to more successful outcomes.

A sea change for marine conservation Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Harnessing 'people power' to manage fisheries in the developing world has significantly benefited local communities and coral reefs, according to new research.

'Darting' mice may hold clues to ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST A darting mouse may hold an important clue in the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism and bipolar disorder, according to a study. The transgenic mouse, into which was inserted a rare human genetic variation in the dopamine transporter (DAT), could lead to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of these all-too-common brain disorders, said the report's senior author.

New materials yield record efficiency polymer solar cells Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:04 AM PST Researchers have found that temperature-controlled aggregation in a family of new semi-conducting polymers is the key to creating highly efficient organic solar cells that can be mass produced more cheaply.

Pre-symptomatic markers for hemorrhagic viruses like Ebola identified Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:04 AM PST It is possible to distinguish between different hemorrhagic fevers, including Marburg (Ebola cousin) and Lassa before the person becomes symptomatic, new research has found. This study will allow for the development of better diagnostics, especially during the early stages of disease, when treatments have a greater chance of being effective.

New state level data demonstrate geographical variation in 10-year cardiovascular risk Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:02 AM PST Public health researchers seeking to determine an individual's risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), or stroke have previously relied on national US data, such as that provided by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Now, new data compiled and evaluated by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide information at the state level for the first time, paving the way for targeted intervention programs.

On-demand conductivity for graphene nanoribbons Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:02 AM PST Physicists have devised a theoretical model to tune the conductivity of graphene zigzag nanoribbons using ultra-short pulses. Physicists have, for the first time, explored in detail the time evolution of the conductivity, as well as other quantum-level electron transport characteristics, of a graphene device subjected to periodic ultra-short pulses. To date, the majority of graphene studies have considered the dependency of transport properties on the characteristics of the external pulses, such as field strength, period or frequency.

Successful implant of next-generation heart device marks Canadian first Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:02 AM PST A surgical team in Toronto has successfully implanted a novel mechanical device, the HeartMate IIITM, into a patient with advanced heart failure. This is the first time this procedure has been conducted on Canadian soil.

New listing to protect 21 species of sharks and rays Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:02 AM PST Conservationists are rejoicing at the listing of 21 species of sharks and rays under the Appendices of the Convention on Migratory Species, made official today in the final plenary session of the Conference of Parties (CoP).

Combination therapy offers quicker, less toxic eradication of hepatitis C in liver transplant patients Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:01 AM PST All patients with hepatitis C who receive a liver transplant will eventually infect their new livers. These transplanted organs then require anti-viral treatment before they become severely damaged. But traditional post-transplant hepatitis C therapy can take up to a year, is potentially toxic and can lead to organ rejection. Now researchers report that use of two new oral medications post-transplant is safe and beneficial, and requires only 12 weeks of treatment.

First steps in formation of pancreatic cancer identified Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:01 AM PST The first steps in the origin of pancreatic cancer have been identified by researchers who say that their findings suggest preventive strategies to explore. The scientists described the molecular steps necessary for acinar cells in the pancreas -- the cells that release digestive enzymes -- to become precancerous lesions. Some of these lesions can then morph into cancer.

How brown fat fuels up to combat type 2 diabetes and obesity Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:01 AM PST A newly identified signaling pathway that stimulates glucose uptake in brown fat cells might be useful for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Detroit's First Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory completed Posted: 10 Nov 2014 08:01 AM PST Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly two-thirds of the greenhouse gas emissions generated in Detroit, while exhaust from cars, trucks and buses is responsible for about 30 percent of the total, according to a new citywide inventory compiled by student researchers.

Moderate drinking is healthy only for some people, study finds Posted: 10 Nov 2014 06:07 AM PST A new study confirms that moderate alcohol consumption can protect against coronary heart disease. But only for the 15% of the population that have a particular genotype.

Astronomers discover first 'lightning' from a black hole Posted: 10 Nov 2014 06:07 AM PST An international group of researchers has discovered the first 'lighting' from a black hole, with variations in brilliance more powerful than ever observed in an extragalactic object. The emission, the researchers suggest in their study, "is associated with pulsar-like particle acceleration by the electric field across a magnetospheric gap at the base of the radio jet."

'Big data' takes root in world of plant research Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:37 AM PST Botanists have compiled and shared 48 years' worth of global plant data to help answer some of the most pressing environmental and evolutionary questions facing modern society. People invested in living plant collections in botanic gardens through the centuries to bring economic, medicinal and agricultural advantages of plants to people all over the world. The botanists' database is moving this gift into the digital age of 'Big Data'.

Physicians play critical role in ensuring bladder cancer patients understand link between smoking, their disease Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:37 AM PST When bladder cancer patients are well-informed by their physicians, they acknowledge that tobacco use was likely the cause of their disease. At least half of bladder cancer cases diagnosed in the United States are the result of cigarette smoking. Bladder cancer is the second most common tobacco-related malignancy, a fact that is not well known even among bladder cancer surgeons, let alone the general public.

True story behind galactic crash revealed Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:36 AM PST The new MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope has provided researchers with the best view yet of a spectacular cosmic crash. The new observations reveal for the first time the motion of gas as it is ripped out of the galaxy ESO 137-001 as it ploughs at high speed into a vast galaxy cluster. The results are the key to the solution of a long-standing mystery — why star formation switches off in galaxy clusters.

Woodland bat species sweats it out in the tropics Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:35 AM PST A bat species thought to be restricted to temperate forests has been found living thousands of miles from its known range in the sweltering heat of the southern Indian rainforest.

Unique Roman relief discovered: Depiction of unknown god in Turkey; Relics from 2,000 years of cult history excavated Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:35 AM PST A bearded deity has been discovered with astral symbols. Archaeologists excavated the unique Roman relief depicting an unknown god in an ancient sanctuary in Turkey. According to a first assessment, the one and a half meter (five foot) high basalt stele which was used as a buttress in the wall of a monastery shows a fertility or vegetation god, as classical scholar and excavation director said.

Recognizing emotions, and what happens when this is interrupted Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:35 AM PST Recognizing the emotions other people feel is crucial for establishing proper interpersonal relations. To do so, we look at (amongst other things) facial expressions and body posture. Unfortunately, in some neurological disorders this ability is heavily impaired. This happens, for example, in multiple sclerosis where scientific evidence shows that people affected by the disease often have trouble recognizing expressions that communicate emotions. A new study now demonstrates that the same difficulty may also be encountered with emotions conveyed by posture.

Climate variability has an opposing impact on marine life and tree growth Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:34 AM PST The same climatic drivers that enhance upwelling of nutrient-rich ocean waters and support of marine productivity can result in lower precipitation on land and slower tree-growth. Tree-ring chronologies helped to explain how upwelling was happening during the past 600 years.

New effective, safe and cheap treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:34 AM PST A new drug combination for rheumatoid arthritis treats the disease just as well as other intensive treatment strategies but with less medication and fewer side effects at a significantly lower cost.

Crustaceans win battle against being feminized Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:34 AM PST Male crustaceans can 'lock down' their maleness to avoid being completely feminized by seawater contaminated by feminizing pollutants, according to scientists.

New technique for generating electricity Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:34 AM PST Research scientists have demonstrated a new technique for generating electrical energy. The new method can be used in harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations of the environment and converting it into electricity. Energy harvesters are needed, for example, in wireless self-powered sensors and medical implants, where they could ultimately replace batteries. In the future, energy harvesters can open up new opportunities in many application areas such as wearable electronics.

Astronomers dissect the aftermath of a supernova Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:33 AM PST Astronomers have used radio telescopes in Australia and Chile to see inside the remains of a supernova. The supernova, known as SN1987A, was first seen by observers in the Southern Hemisphere in 1987 when a giant star suddenly exploded at the edge of a nearby dwarf galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. In the two and a half decades since then the remnant of Supernova 1987A has continued to be a focus for researchers the world over, providing a wealth of information about one of the Universe's most extreme events.

So, you think you can clap to the beat? Beat-deafness better explained by research Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:22 AM PST Bobbing your head, tapping your heel, or clapping along with the music is a natural response for most people, but what about those who can't keep a beat? Researchers have discovered that beat-deafness, though very rare, is a problem not simply of how people feel a pulse or move their bodies, but instead, how people synchronize with sounds they hear.

Project reduces 'alarm fatigue' in hospitals by 80 percent Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:22 AM PST The sound of monitor alarms in hospitals can save patients' lives, but the frequency with which the monitors go off can also lead to "alarm fatigue," in which caregivers become desensitized to the ubiquitous beeping, experts say.

Laundry detergent pods a serious poisoning risk for children younger than 6 in U.S., study finds Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:22 AM PST After releasing the results of a new study detailing the dangers of laundry detergent pods, researchers are calling for a national product safety standard in an effort to better protect children. The study showed that during a two year period, there were more than 17,000 children exposed to the highly concentrated chemicals in laundry detergent pods. That's a child every hour.

New natural supplement relieves canine arthritis Posted: 10 Nov 2014 05:22 AM PST Arthritis pain in dogs can be relieved, with no side effects, by a new product based on medicinal plants and dietary supplements. Two formulas were developed. The first formula, composed of curcumin, devil's claw, black current, Indian frankincense (Salai), willow bark, pineapple bromelaine and camomile, was developed to treat arthritis-induced inflammation. The second included the same ingredients, plus dietary supplements such as omega 3, chondroitin sulfate and glutamine, and was formulated in the hope that it would promote the regeneration of articulations.

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