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Friday, August 1, 2014

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Chemists create nanofibers using unprecedented new method, reminiscent of fibers found in living cells

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 12:00 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a novel method for creating self-assembled protein/polymer nanostructures that are reminiscent of fibers found in living cells. The work offers a promising new way to fabricate materials for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.

Asteroid attacks significantly altered ancient Earth

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 12:00 PM PDT

New research shows that more than four billion years ago, the surface of Earth was heavily reprocessed as a result of giant asteroid impacts. A new model based on existing lunar and terrestrial data sheds light on the role asteroid bombardments played in the geological evolution of the uppermost layers of the Hadean Earth.

'Rewired' mice show signs of longer lives with fewer age-related illnesses

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 11:58 AM PDT

While developing a new cancer drug, researchers discovered that mice lacking a specific protein live longer lives with fewer age-related illnesses. The mice, which lack the TRAP-1 protein, demonstrated less age related tissue degeneration, obesity, and spontaneous tumor formation when compared to normal mice. Their findings could change how scientists view the metabolic networks within cells.

Disease mutations in mosaicism, rare condition where cells within the same person have different genetic makeup

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 11:57 AM PDT

Scientists have long speculated that mosaicism -- a biological phenomenon, in which cells within the same person have a different genetic makeup -- plays a bigger role in the transmission of rare disease mutations than is currently known. A study sheds new light on the frequency of mosaicism in genomic disorders and its influence on recurrence risk.

Lead in teeth can tell a body's tale, study finds

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 08:09 AM PDT

Your teeth can tell stories about you, and not just that you always forget to floss. The discovery could help police solve cold cases, an investigator has said. For instance, if an unidentified decomposed body is found, testing the lead in the teeth could immediately help focus the investigation on a certain geographic area. That way, law enforcement can avoid wasting resources checking for missing persons in the wrong places.

Hubble shows farthest lensing galaxy yields clues to early universe

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 08:09 AM PDT

Astronomers have unexpectedly discovered the most distant galaxy that acts as a cosmic magnifying glass. Seen in a new image as it looked 9.6 billion years ago, this monster elliptical galaxy breaks the previous record holder by 200 million years.

Fossils could be discovered on the moon: Signs of ancient life may be littered across the moon

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 07:10 AM PDT

Physicists have tested what would happen if a piece of rock containing microscopic fossils from Earth was launched into space and hit the surface of the moon. The team turned fossil-filled rock into powder which was mixed with water and frozen to replicate a meteoroid.

Numerous unknown jets from young stars and planetary nebulae discovered

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 06:51 AM PDT

Preliminary research findings have identified hundreds of so far unknown jets from young stars, as well as numerous new planetary nebulae in the Galactic Plane.

Comfortable climate indoors with porous glass incorporated into plaster

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 06:47 AM PDT

Proper humidity and temperature play a key role in indoor climate. In the future, establishing a comfortable indoor environment may rely on porous glass incorporated into plaster, as this regulates moisture particularly well and keeps mold at bay.

Giving emotions to virtual characters

Posted: 31 Jul 2014 06:46 AM PDT

Researchers were able to simulate human facial expressions in virtual characters and use them in order to create better environments within a virtual communication.

How black truffles deal with jumpers in their genome

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 05:37 PM PDT

Black truffles, also known as PĂ©rigord truffles, have a syrupy sweet flavor and are highly prized in haute cuisine. They are fungi that grow on the roots of oak and hazelnut trees, and are the second most expensive truffle species. The black truffle uses reversible epigenetic processes to regulate its genes, and adapt to changes in its surroundings. The 'methylome' illustrates how the truffle deals with its complex genome's repeating elements and 'jumping genes.' The authors say this may shed light on how traits like aroma and color are controlled.

Classic Lewis Carroll character inspires new ecological model

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 01:16 PM PDT

Inspired by the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, researchers have improved a 35-year-old ecology model to better understand how species evolve over decades to millions of years. The new model, called a mean field model for competition, incorporates the "Red Queen Effect," an evolutionary hypothesis introduced by Lee Van Valen in the 1970s, which suggests that organisms must constantly increase their fitness (or ability to survive and reproduce) in order to compete with other ever-evolving organisms in an ever-changing environment.

Deep-sea octopus broods eggs for over four years -- longer than any known animal

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 11:09 AM PDT

Researchers have observed a deep-sea octopus brooding its eggs for four-and-a-half years -- longer than any other known animal. Throughout this time, the female kept the eggs clean and guarded them from predators.

Scientists reproduce evolutionary changes by manipulating embryonic development of mice

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 10:32 AM PDT

By modifying the embryonic development of mice, scientists have reproduced in the laboratory the changes in teeth shape which, in mammals, took millions of years of evolution to take place.

Superman's solar-powered feats break a fundamental law of physics

Posted: 30 Jul 2014 06:38 AM PDT

It goes without saying that Superman can accomplish some pretty spectacular feats. But according to students, the Man of Steel actually achieves the impossible--by breaking the fundamental physics law of conservation of energy.

Algae-eating native freshwater snails: 'Little janitor' merits attention in Florida springs health debate

Posted: 29 Jul 2014 08:51 AM PDT

For decades, crystal-clear water bubbling from the ground has driven Florida tourism, via scuba divers, canoeists, boaters and swimmers, but today, many of those springs aren't healthy. Although the blame for algae-choked springs is often pinned on excess nitrate, scientists say the absence of algae-eating native freshwater snails known as Elimia may be a key to restoring the springs' health.

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