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Saturday, November 16, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Nature pulls a fast one on astronomers: Two galaxies caught masquerading as one

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 05:18 PM PST

What might look like a colossal jet shooting away from a galaxy turns out to be an illusion. New data from the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) reveal that two galaxies, one lying behind the other, have been masquerading as one.

Overcoming brittleness: New insights into bulk metallic glass

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 12:45 PM PST

Researchers have found a bulk metallic glass based on palladium that's as strong as the best composite bulk metallic glasses and comparable to steel, aluminum and titanium.

What could possibly go wrong? A lot: Injuries from the Tough Mudder

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 12:45 PM PST

The Tough Mudder, an extreme sports event that bills itself as "probably the toughest event on the planet," resulted in injuries ranging from multiple electrical burns to seizure-induced Todd's paralysis. A case series of serious injuries sustained by participants in one such race was reported in a new article.

Algorithm identifies individual grains in planetary regolith

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:03 AM PST

Researchers have developed an image analysis and segmentation algorithm specifically to aid planetary scientists with the task of analyzing soil samples taken by Mars rovers.

Molecule critical to healing wounds identified

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:03 AM PST

Skin provides a first line of defense against viruses, bacteria and parasites that might otherwise make people ill. When an injury breaks that barrier, a systematic chain of molecular signaling launches to close the wound and re-establish the skin's layer of protection. A study now shows that the molecule FOX01 is critical to the wound-healing process.

HIV protein may impact neurocognitive impairment in infected patients

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:02 AM PST

A protein shed by HIV-infected brain cells alters synaptic connections between networks of nerve cells, according to new research. The findings could explain why nearly half of all patients infected with the AIDS virus experience some level of neurocognitive impairment.

Bait research focused on outsmarting destructive beetle

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:02 AM PST

Researchers are closing in on finding an effective bait to get ahead of the destructive spread of mountain pine beetle, which is now killing not only lodgepole pine forests, but jack pine.

Can certain herbs stave off Alzheimer's disease?

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:15 AM PST

Researchers have found that antioxidant extracts from spearmint and rosemary fight mild cognitive impairment in an animal model.

Whither the teakettle whistle

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:15 AM PST

The source and mechanism of a whistling kettle has never been fully described scientifically; acknowledging the vibrations made by the build-up of steam escaping through two metal spout plates is about as far as the explanation went. That wasn't enough for engineers who, through a series of experiments, have produced the world's first accurate model of the whistling mechanism inside the classic stovetop kettle.

Variation of halogens in Martian soil calls for an atmosphere-surface cycle

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:47 AM PST

Scientists have assessed the details of halogen variability and an unusual process that may influence it. The group investigated the potential for an existing halogen cycle on Mars, which would alter the current paradigm of halogens distributed mostly by water-related processes.

Ocean's carbon dioxide uptake can impair digestion in marine animal

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:47 AM PST

Ocean acidification impairs digestion in marine organisms, according to a new study. Researchers have studied the larval stage of green sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. The results show that the animals have problems digesting food in acidified water.

Success of climate talks vital for 2°C target

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:47 AM PST

Achieving a global climate agreement soon could be crucial for the objective to keep global mean temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. The challenges of meeting the long-term target will otherwise increase drastically both in terms of the required emissions reductions and economic impacts.

Tasmania home to first alpine sword-sedge

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:46 AM PST

Australian botanists have described a unique new species of sedge (family Cyperaceae, which includes Papyrus and Chinese Water Chestnut) from the mist-shrouded mountains of Tasmania. Lepidosperma monticola is a small plant that is only known from the south-west of the island.

The Gorgons of the Eastern Pacific: Scientists describe two new gorgonian soft coral species

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:49 AM PST

Gorgonians are a type of soft corals easily distinguishable by the complex branching shape, which has also probably inspired their name, coming from the Gorgon Medusa -- a creature from the Greek mythology that had hair made of venomous snakes. The existence of Medusa outside myth might be debatable, but gorgonian corals do exist and scientists describe two new beautiful species.

Vivax malaria may be evolving around natural defense

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:49 AM PST

Researchers have discovered recent genetic mutations in a parasite that causes over 100 million cases of malaria annually -- changes that may render tens of millions of Africans who had been considered resistant, susceptible to infection.

New hologram technology created with tiny nanoantennas

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:49 AM PST

Researchers have created tiny holograms using a "metasurface" capable of the ultra-efficient control of light, representing a potential new technology for advanced sensors, high-resolution displays and information processing.

Organic lights and solar cells straight from the printer

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:44 AM PST

Flickering façades, curved monitors, flashing clothing, fluorescent wallpaper, flexible solar cells – and all printable. This is no make-believe vision of the future; it will soon be possible using a new printing process for organic light-emitting diodes.

Revisiting quantum effects in micro- and nano-electromechanical devices

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:43 AM PST

New calculations shows that the influence of quantum effects on the operating conditions of nanodevices has, until now, been overestimated. Micro- and nano-electromechanical devices, referred to as MEMS and NEMS, are ubiquitous. These nanoscale machines with movable parts are used, for example, to trigger cars' airbags following a shock. They can also be found in smartphones, allowing them to detect how to adequately display the screen for the viewer. The trouble is that, as their size decreases, forces typically experienced at the quantum level start to matter in these nanodevices.

Rising concerns over tree pests and diseases

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:43 AM PST

New research has found that the number of pests and disease outbreaks in trees and forests across the world has been increasing. There is growing concern that aspects of globalization - in particular, high volumes and new forms of trade - may increase the risk of disease spreading and provide opportunities for genetic reassortment which can enhance pathogenicity (the ability of an organism to cause disease).

The ash dieback fungus, Chalara fraxinea, might have a mechanism to define territory and to combat viruses

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:43 AM PST

The fungus which causes Chalara dieback of ash trees has the potential to defend itself against virus attacks, research has shown.

Study shows bariatric surgery may turn back the effects of aging

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 06:37 AM PST

Researchers say surgical weight loss may turn back the effects of aging at a genetic level, in the first study of its kind.

Researchers home in on roots of Caribbean populations using new DNA analysis method

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:33 PM PST

Those of us who want to learn about our ancestors -- who they were, where they came from and how they mingled (or didn't) with others around them -- often turn to historical records or elderly family members for answers. But a new study indicates that the answers can also be found within our own genes.

Key links between consumption, climate change

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:32 PM PST

Models of future climate scenarios have taken insufficient account of population patterns and trends, according to a review. The review examines the interconnections between population growth and climate change, from the perspective of global health.

New technique for developing drugs to treat serious illnesses

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:32 PM PST

Researchers exploit the power of evolution to create designer proteins to build drugs for the treatment of serious illnesses.

Alberta plan fails to protect headwater havens for vulnerable wildlife

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:31 PM PST

Scientists said today that the draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan released recently by the Alberta government falls far short of protecting vulnerable fish and wildlife populations and headwater sources of precious water that are cherished by southern Albertans.

Starting dialysis after conception may improve birth rates

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 04:31 PM PST

Compared with women with advanced kidney disease who conceived after starting dialysis, women who conceived and then started dialysis during the pregnancy had a much better live birth rate (91% vs 63%), and their infants were of similar birth weight and gestational age. In both groups of women with kidney disease, babies were likely to be premature and of low birth-weight, which reflects the high-risk nature of these pregnancies.

Pediatric ICU nurses with more experience, education cut inpatient mortality

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 12:58 PM PST

Nursing leaders from 38 children's hospitals demonstrated that nursing education and experience significantly impact outcomes for patients who underwent cardiac surgery. The researchers recommend that there be no more than 20 percent of nurses with less than two years of clinical experience in pediatric ICUs to decrease mortality rates.

Social media brings academic journals to general readers

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 12:58 PM PST

A study recently published shows that a handful of academic journals have successfully leveraged social media to reach many times the readers of the journals themselves. But the majority of journals have yet to embrace social media and so lag behind professional organizations and patient advocacy groups in their ability to disseminate information in a culturally relevant way.

Smartphone apps to help smokers quit come up short

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 12:57 PM PST

Most popular smartphone apps do not include evidence-based practices known to help smokers quit, finds a new study.

Immune-modulating drug unexpectedly benefits mice with fatal mitochondrial defect

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 11:21 AM PST

In a lab devoted to increasing healthy lifespans, the transplant anti-rejection drug rapamycin showed unexpected health benefits and increased survival in a mouse model of a fatal mitochondrial defect. Children with the untreatable condition suffer from brain damage and muscle weakness, and rarely live beyond 6 or 7 years. The drug enables the body to bypass the mitochondrial defect by switching its metabolism to burn fats and amino acids instead of glucose, and thereby reduces toxic byproducts.

Has the idea of 'zero deforestation' lost its meaning

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 11:21 AM PST

What exactly does "zero deforestation" mean? Experts say that, while the idea seems simple and compelling, ambiguity surrounding global definitions and metrics actually creates risks for forest conservation and accountability.

Wireless power transfer for electric vehicles

Posted: 14 Nov 2013 09:22 AM PST

Engineering researchers have developed new technology and techniques for transmitting power wirelessly from a stationary source to a mobile receiver -- moving engineers closer to their goal of creating highway "stations" that can recharge electric vehicles wirelessly as the vehicles drive by.

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