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Thursday, July 4, 2013

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News


New insights into how antibiotics damage human cells suggest novel strategies for making long-term antibiotic use safer

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 01:06 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered why long-term treatment with many common antibiotics can cause harmful side effects -- and they have uncovered two easy strategies that could help prevent these dangerous responses.

Exercise reorganizes the brain to be more resilient to stress

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 01:06 PM PDT

Physical activity reorganizes the brain so that its response to stress is reduced and anxiety is less likely to interfere with normal brain function.

Powerful animal tracking system helps research take flight

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 01:06 PM PDT

Call it a bird's eye view of migration. Scientists have created a new animal tracking system using a big data approach.

Discovered the role of noncoding 5S rRNA in protecting the p53 tumor suppressor gene

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:05 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a role for ribosomal 5S RNA in the formation of a complex that regulates the stability of p53. Normally, p53 prevents healthy cells from becoming tumorigenic.

Great ape genetic diversity catalog frames primate evolution and future conservation

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:05 AM PDT

A catalog of great ape genetic diversity, the most comprehensive ever, elucidates the evolution and population histories of great apes from Africa and Indonesia. The resource will aid in conservation efforts to preserve natural genetic diversity in populations. Scientists and wildlife conservationists from around the world assisted the genetic analysis of 79 wild and captive-born great apes. They represent all six great ape species: chimpanzee, bonobo, Sumatran orangutan, Bornean orangutan, eastern gorilla, and western lowland gorilla, and seven subspecies, as well as 9 humans.

Declines in ecosystem productivity fueled by nitrogen-induced species loss

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:05 AM PDT

Humans have been affecting their environment since the ancestors of Homo sapiens first walked upright, but never has their impact been more detrimental than in the 21st century. Human-driven environmental disturbances, such as increasing levels of reactive nitrogen and carbon dioxide, have multiple effects, including changes in biodiversity, species composition, and ecosystem functioning. Pieces of this puzzle have been widely examined but this new study puts it all together by examining multiple elements.

Molecular switch that kick starts formation of arteries identified

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:05 AM PDT

Scientists have identified the molecular signals that direct the formation of arteries during embryonic development. In so doing, they illustrate how even the most complex of biological systems can be directed by the most subtle shifts in molecular signaling.

MicroRNA drives both cancer onset and metastasis

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:02 AM PDT

A mere 25 years ago, noncoding RNAs were considered nothing more than "background noise" in the overall genomic landscape. Now, two new studies reveal that one of these tiny noncoding molecules -- microRNA-22 -- plays an outsized role in two types of cancer.

Development of hands and feet may help unlock evolution's toolkit

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:02 AM PDT

Thousands of sequences that control genes are active in the developing human limb and may have driven the evolution of the human hand and foot, a comparative genomics study has found.

Scientists identify genetic cause of 'spongy' skin condition

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:02 AM PDT

Scientists have identified the genetic cause of a rare skin condition that causes the hands and feet to turn white and spongy when exposed to water.

DNA markers in low-IQ autism suggest heredity

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:02 AM PDT

Researchers who compared the DNA of patients with autism and intellectual disability to that of their unaffected siblings found that the affected siblings had significantly more "runs of homozygosity," or blocks of DNA that are the same from both parents. The finding suggests a role for recessive inheritance in this autism subgroup and highlights homozygosity as a new approach to understanding genetic mechanisms in autism.

First supper is a life changer for lizards

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 11:02 AM PDT

For young lizards born into this unpredictable world, their very first meal can be a major life changer. So say researchers who report evidence that this early detail influences how the lizards disperse from their birthplaces, how they grow, and whether they survive. A quick or slow meal even influences the lizards' reproductive success two years later in a surprising way.

Military sonar can alter blue whale behavior: Human-made noises cause ocean giants to move away from feeding spots

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:06 AM PDT

Some blue whales off the coast of California change their behavior when exposed to the sort of underwater sounds used during US military exercises. The whales may alter diving behavior or temporarily avoid important feeding areas, according to new research.

Long-held assumption of gene expression in embryonic stem cells challenged

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:06 AM PDT

Researchers have determined that the transcription factor Nanog, which plays a critical role in maintaining the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, is expressed in a manner similar to other pluripotency markers. This finding contradicts the field's presumptions about this important gene and its role in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

Gene that controls aggressiveness in breast cancer cells identified

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:05 AM PDT

Researchers have determined that in basal breast cancer cells a transcription factor known as ZEB1 is held in a poised state, ready to increase the cells' aggressiveness and enable them to transform into cancer stem cells capable of seeding new tumors throughout the body. Intriguingly, luminal breast cancer cells, which are associated with a much better clinical prognosis, carry this gene in a state in which it seems to be permanently shut down.

New mechanism for human gene expression discovered

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:05 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered the first human "bifunctional" gene -- a single gene that creates a single mRNA transcript that codes for two different proteins, simultaneously. Their finding elucidates a previously unknown mechanism in our basic biology, and has potential to guide therapy for at least one neurological disease.

Shape-shifting disease proteins may explain neurodegenerative variation

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:05 AM PDT

Researchers have shown one disease protein can morph into different strains and promote misfolding of other disease proteins commonly found in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other related neurodegenerative diseases.

Remarkable 32 new wasp species from the distinctive Odontacolus and Cyphacolus genera

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:35 AM PDT

Scientists have described a remarkable 32 new Odontacolus and Cyphacolus wasp species, providing extensive morphological phylogenetic analysis of these previously understudied genera. The wasps from these groups are among the most distinctive species because of the peculiar hump-like formation on the rear part of their bodies.

Banned fountain of youth drug may be making a comeback

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:35 AM PDT

Despite it being more than 30 years since the "fountain of youth drug" Gerovital H3 was banned in the United States, it may be making a comeback.

Alternative energy: A cooler way to clean hydrogen

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:34 AM PDT

Converting bioethanol into hydrogen for fuel cells becomes significantly simpler with innovative metal catalysts.

Smart anticancer 'nanofiber mesh'

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:34 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new nanofiber mesh which is capable of simultaneously realizing thermotherapy (hyperthermia) and chemotherapy (treatment with anticancer drugs) of tumors. They succeeded in efficiently inducing natural death (apoptosis) of epithelial cancer cells.

Cell membranes: Synthetics save time and cut costs

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:34 AM PDT

An approach that directly inserts proteins into polymer-based cell membranes improves drug-screening platforms.

Computer programs improve fingerprint grading

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:55 AM PDT

Subjectivity is problematic when evaluating fingerprints, and quality is in the eye of the examiner. But three computer programs used together can give fingerprint grading unprecedented consistency and objectivity, according to new research.

Thin-film diamonds: Applying diamond coatings at lower temperatures expands options for electronic devices

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:55 AM PDT

Scientists report a new method for creating thin films of diamonds. This may allow manufacturers to enhance future electronics.

Knowing the end goal increases productivity

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:55 AM PDT

A new study provides insights about how science can help us to become more cooperative and productive -- in private life, administration, business and industrial production. The key is to set clear goals as well as knowing what to expect from one another.

New clue to cause of human narcolepsy

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:16 AM PDT

Researchers have found that an excess number of brain cells that produce the chemical histamine may cause the loss of other cells that produce hypocretin, the neuropeptide that keeps us awake, elevates mood and alertness, and, by their absence, explains the sleepiness of narcolepsy.

Happily married means a healthier ever after

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:16 AM PDT

New research finds that people in happy marriages live less "in sickness" but enjoy more of life "in health." In a 20-year longitudinal study tracking health and marriage quality, a family life researcher found that as the quality of marriage holds up over the years, physical health holds up too. "Happy marriages have a preventative component that keeps you in good health over the years," Miller said.

New evidence suggests impulsive adolescents more likely to drink heavily

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:16 AM PDT

Scientists have shown that young people who show impulsive tendencies are more prone to drinking heavily at an early age.

Older women who quit smoking can cut heart disease risk regardless of diabetes status

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:14 AM PDT

Postmenopausal women who quit smoking reduced their risk of heart disease, regardless of whether they had diabetes, according to a new study. Women without diabetes who gained more than five kilograms or 11 pounds after they quit smoking still saw their risk for cardiovascular disease drop. But their risk didn't drop as much as for those who gained less than 11 pounds, which was the majority of the women.

New catalyst replaces platinum for electric-automobiles

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:14 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a novel bio-inspired composite electrocatalyst outperforming platinum.

Tiny tweezers allow precision control of enzymes

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:14 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a pair of tweezers shrunk down to an astonishingly tiny scale. The group demonstrated that the nanotweezers, fabricated by means of the base-pairing properties of DNA, could be used to keep biological molecules spatially separated or to bring them together as chemical reactants, depending on the open or closed state of the tweezers.

New knowledge about early galaxies

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:14 AM PDT

The early galaxies of the universe were very different from today's galaxies. Using new detailed studies carried out with the ESO Very Large Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope, researchers have studied an early galaxy in unprecedented detail and determined a number of important properties such as size, mass, content of elements and have determined how quickly the galaxy forms new stars.

Moms often talk to children about the results of cancer genetic testing

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:14 AM PDT

Mothers commonly talk to their children about genetic test results even if they test positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which sharply increases a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. That is among the findings of a new study, which also suggests mothers who don't discuss their test results are dissatisfied with that decision.

Sulfur from yeast helps to track animal protein pathways

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:13 AM PDT

Researchers have labelled sulfur in brewer's yeast with a non-radioactive method so that when feeding it to laboratory rats the course taken by the element can be tracked and the amino acids and proteins analyzed at the point of incorporation. The technique could be very useful for studying the metabolism of this micro-nutrient in vivo and verifying how sulfur-based drugs behave in the organism.

World record in silicon integrated nanophotonics: More energy efficiency in the data communication

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:13 AM PDT

Researchers have achieved a new world record in the energy efficient integration in silicon. This is an important step to decrease the energy consumption of data transfer in internet and telecommunication. The researchers optimized aperiodic grating couplers in the nanometer range with a new developed backside metal mirror. Through this new method a record coupling efficiency of 87 percent between optical fibers and photonic integrated waveguides on silicon wafers has been achieved.

Gateway for metastases

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:13 AM PDT

Malignant tumours often spread to remote areas of the body. In the majority of cases, metastases formation develops via the blood vascular system. The blood platelets thereby provide invaluable help to the tumour cells in penetrating new organs. Scientists have now identified the receptor molecule on the cells of the blood platelet wall as the gateway that allows the cancer cells to enter the organs. They now aim to prevent the formation of metastases through the targeted blocking of this key molecule.

Epigenetic changes to fat cells following exercise

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:13 AM PDT

Exercise, even in small doses, changes the expression of our innate DNA. New research has described for the first time what happens on an epigenetic level in fat cells when we undertake physical activity.

Graphene provides efficient electronics cooling

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:10 AM PDT

A layer of graphene can reduce the working temperature in hotspots inside a processor by up to 25 percent – which can significantly extend the working life of computers and other electronics. Scientists have now shown that graphene has a heat dissipating effect on silicon based electronics.

New method to generate Laughlin states with atomic systems

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:10 AM PDT

In 1998, the Nobel Prize in Physics was conferred to the discovery of a new type of quantum fluid with fractional charge excitations, known as Laughlin state. The production of this quantum state, which explains the behaviour of electrons in two-dimensional metallic plaques when they are exposed to intense magnetic fields, has been one of the most popular research topics on ultracold and Bose-Einstein condensed atoms for one decade. Now, new theoretical research proposes a method to generate this kind of states in two-dimensional systems of ultracold atoms, with possible applications in quantum computer.

Novel chemistry for new class of antibiotic

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:09 AM PDT

Research out of Australia has produced a potential new antibiotic which could help in the battle against bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Single men, smokers at higher risk for oral human papillomavirus infection

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:09 AM PDT

Smokers and single men are more likely to acquire cancer-causing oral human papillomavirus (HPV), according to new results from the HPV Infection in Men (HIM) Study. Researchers also report that newly acquired oral HPV infections in healthy men are rare and when present, usually resolve within one year.

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