ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Answer to restoring lost island biodiversity found in fossils
• Infant solar system shows signs of windy weather
• Lego-like modular components make building 3-D 'labs-on-a-chip' a snap
• Engineers unlock potential for faster computing
• New chip promising for tumor-targeting research
• Mown grass smell sends SOS for help in resisting insect attacks
• Compound from hops aids cognitive function in young animals
• Engineers show light can play seesaw at the nanoscale: Step toward faster and more energy-efficient optical devices
• Variability in heart beat keeps the body in balance
• Obesity and stress pack a double hit for health
• Hold on, tiger mom: Punitive parenting may lead to mental health risks
• Common diabetes drug associated with risk of low levels of thyroid hormone
• Graphene imperfections key to creating hypersensitive 'electronic nose'
• Brainwave test could improve autism diagnosis, classification
• New bracelet strengthens computer security
• Blood test may help determine who is at risk for psychosis
• How gene expression affects facial expressions
• Lack of thyroid hormone blocks hearing development
• New RFID technology helps robots find household objects
• Environment plays bigger role than genetics in food allergic disease
• Influenza A potentiates pneumococcal co-infection: New details emerge
• Arctic sea ice helps remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere, study shows
• Food memory: Discovery shows how we remember taste experiences
• Evidence supports deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Don’t drink the (warm) water, study says
• Finding hints of gravitational waves in the stars
• One out of three severely injured patients undertriaged in the United States
• Brief intervention may prevent increased risk of depression in teens
• E-cigarettes unhelpful in smoking cessation among cancer patients, study shows
• Mothers of children with autism less likely to have taken iron supplements in pregnancy, study shows
• Nerve cells: Communication without detours
• Mechanism of Parkinson's spread demonstrated
• Gene that increases incidence of acute myelogenous leukaemia discovered
• NASA launches RapidScat wind watcher to space station
• NASA's Newest Mars Mission Spacecraft Enters Orbit around Red Planet
• SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lifts off with scientific cargo for International Space Station
• Dry roasting could help trigger peanut allergy
• Directed evolution: Bioengineered decoy protein may stop cancer from spreading
• Immune system of newborn babies stronger than previously thought
• Battling superbugs: Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria
• Program predicts placement of chemical tags that control gene activity
• Uncovering the forbidden side of molecules: Infrared spectrum of charged molecule seen for first time
• Cancer cells adapt energy needs to spread illness to other organs
• Fracking's environmental impacts scrutinized
• On/off switch for aging cells discovered by scientists
• Genetically driven 'gut feelings' help female flies choose a mate

Answer to restoring lost island biodiversity found in fossils Posted: 22 Sep 2014 12:29 PM PDT Many native species have vanished from tropical islands because of human impact, but scientists have discovered how fossils can be used to restore lost biodiversity. The key lies in organic materials found in fossil bones, which contain evidence for how ancient ecosystems functioned, according to a new study.

Infant solar system shows signs of windy weather Posted: 22 Sep 2014 12:29 PM PDT Astronomers have observed what may be the first-ever signs of windy weather around a T Tauri star, an infant analog of our own Sun. This may help explain why some T Tauri stars have disks that glow weirdly in infrared light while others shine in a more expected fashion.

Lego-like modular components make building 3-D 'labs-on-a-chip' a snap Posted: 22 Sep 2014 12:28 PM PDT Thanks to new Lego-like components, it is now possible to build a 3-D microfluidic system (or 'lab-on-a-chip') quickly and cheaply by simply snapping together small modules by hand.

Engineers unlock potential for faster computing Posted: 22 Sep 2014 12:28 PM PDT Engineers discovered a way to create a special material -- a metal layer on top of a silicon semiconductor -- that could lead to cost-effective, superfast computers that perform lightning-fast calculations but don't overheat. This new "topological insulator" behaves like an insulator on the inside but conducts electricity on the outside.

New chip promising for tumor-targeting research Posted: 22 Sep 2014 11:58 AM PDT Researchers have developed a chip capable of simulating a tumor's 'microenvironment' and plan to use the new system to test the effectiveness of nanoparticles and drugs that target cancer. The new system, called a tumor-microenvironment-on-chip (T-MOC) device, will allow researchers to study the complex environment surrounding tumors and the barriers that prevent the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.

Mown grass smell sends SOS for help in resisting insect attacks Posted: 22 Sep 2014 11:58 AM PDT The smell of cut grass in recent years has been identified as the plant's way of signalling distress, but new research says the aroma also summons beneficial insects to the rescue. Such findings may help plant breeders know how to develop new varieties that are more resistant to insects and drought.

Compound from hops aids cognitive function in young animals Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Xanthohumol, a type of flavonoid found in hops and beer, has been shown in a new study to improve cognitive function in young mice, but not in older animals. The findings are another step toward understanding, and ultimately reducing the degradation of memory that happens with age in many mammalian species, including humans.

Engineers show light can play seesaw at the nanoscale: Step toward faster and more energy-efficient optical devices Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Electrical engineering researchers have developed a unique nanoscale device that for the first time demonstrates mechanical transportation of light. The discovery could have major implications for creating faster and more efficient optical devices for computation and communication.

Variability in heart beat keeps the body in balance Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Although the heart beats out a very familiar 'lub-dub' pattern that speeds up or slows down as our activity increases or decreases, the pattern itself isn't as regular as you might think. In fact, the amount of time between heartbeats can vary even at a 'constant' heart rate -- and that variability, doctors have found, is a good thing.

Obesity and stress pack a double hit for health Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT If you're overweight, you may be at greater risk for stress-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a new study. Researchers observed that overweight and obese individuals have higher levels of stress-induced inflammation than those within a healthy weight-range.

Hold on, tiger mom: Punitive parenting may lead to mental health risks Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Less supportive and punitive parenting techniques used by some Chinese parents might lead to the development of low self-esteem and school adjustment difficulties in their children and leave them vulnerable to depression and problem behaviors, according to a paper.

Common diabetes drug associated with risk of low levels of thyroid hormone Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Metformin, a commonly used drug for treating type 2 diabetes, is linked to an increased risk of low thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in patients with underactive thyroids, according to a study. Low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone can cause harm, such as cardiovascular conditions and fractures.

Graphene imperfections key to creating hypersensitive 'electronic nose' Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:05 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a way to create a highly sensitive chemical sensor based on the crystalline flaws in graphene sheets. The imperfections have unique electronic properties that the researchers were able to exploit to increase sensitivity to absorbed gas molecules by 300 times.

Brainwave test could improve autism diagnosis, classification Posted: 22 Sep 2014 10:05 AM PDT Measuring how fast the brain responds to sights and sounds could help in objectively classifying people on the autism spectrum and may help diagnose the condition earlier, research suggests. Statistics show that 1 in 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The signs and symptoms of ASD vary significantly from person to person, ranging from mild social and communication difficulties to profound cognitive impairments.

New bracelet strengthens computer security Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:30 AM PDT In a big step for securing critical information systems, such as medical records in clinical settings, researchers have created a new approach to computer security that authenticates users continuously while they are using a terminal and automatically logs them out when they leave or when someone else steps in to use their terminal.

Blood test may help determine who is at risk for psychosis Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:30 AM PDT A blood test, when used in psychiatric patients experiencing symptoms that are considered to be indicators of a high risk for psychosis, identifies those who later went on to develop psychosis, preliminary results of a new study show. "The blood test included a selection of 15 measures of immune and hormonal system imbalances as well as evidence of oxidative stress," explained a corresponding author of the study.

How gene expression affects facial expressions Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:06 AM PDT A person's face is the first thing that others see, and much remains unknown about how it forms -- or malforms -- during early development. Recently, researchers have begun to unwind these mysteries.

Lack of thyroid hormone blocks hearing development Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:06 AM PDT Fatigue, weight gain, chills, hair loss, anxiety, excessive perspiration -- these symptoms are a few of the signs that the thyroid gland has gone haywire. Harnessing electron microscopy to track the inner hair cells of the cochlea in two groups of mice, new research points to an additional complication caused by an imbalance in the thyroid gland: congenital deafness.

New RFID technology helps robots find household objects Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:05 AM PDT Researchers have created a new search algorithm that improves a robot's ability to find and navigate to tagged objects. The team has implemented their system on a PR2 robot, allowing it to travel through a home and correctly locate different types of tagged household objects, including a medication bottle, TV remote, phone and hair brush.

Environment plays bigger role than genetics in food allergic disease Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:04 AM PDT Environment has a much stronger role than genetics in eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe, often painful food allergy that renders children unable to eat a wide variety of foods, researchers have found. Eosinophils are normal cellular components of the blood, but when the body produces too many eosinophils they can cause a variety of eosinophilic disorders. These are disorders involving chronic inflammation and resulting tissue damage, often in the gastrointestinal system.

Influenza A potentiates pneumococcal co-infection: New details emerge Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:04 AM PDT Influenza infection can enhance the ability of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae to cause ear and throat infections, according to research. "As with most pneumococcal infections, it should be appreciated that localized nonlethal infections are much more common than the rapidly lethal presentations," says one expert. "For example, influenza is a contributing factor in otitis media (middle ear infections) in children."

Arctic sea ice helps remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere, study shows Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:04 AM PDT Climate change is a fact, and most of the warming is caused by human activity. The Arctic is now so warm that the extent of sea ice has decreased by about 30 percent in summer and in winter, sea ice is getting thinner. New research has shown that sea ice removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If Arctic sea ice is reduced, we may therefore be facing an increase of atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, researchers warn.

Food memory: Discovery shows how we remember taste experiences Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:01 AM PDT A functional link between the brain region responsible for taste memory and the area responsible for encoding the time and place we experienced the taste had been found. The findings expose the complexity and richness of the simple sensory experiences that are engraved in our brains and that in most cases we aren't even aware of. The study can also help explain behavioral results and the difficulty in producing memories when certain areas of the brain become dysfunctional following and illness or accident.

Evidence supports deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:01 AM PDT Available research evidence supports the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who don't respond to other treatments, concludes a review. Despite the limited evidence base, DBS therapy for OCD has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration under a humanitarian device exemption.

Don’t drink the (warm) water, study says Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:01 AM PDT There's an old saying: "Don't drink the water." But a scientist warns Americans not to drink water from plastic bottles if it's been sitting in a warm environment for a long time. A research team examined 16 bottled water brands at 158 degrees for four weeks. The study found that as bottles warmed over the four-week period, antimony and BPA levels increased.

Finding hints of gravitational waves in the stars Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:12 AM PDT Scientists have shown how gravitational waves -- invisible ripples in the fabric of space and time that propagate through the universe -- might be 'seen' by looking at the stars. The new model proposes that a star that oscillates at the same frequency as a gravitational wave will absorb energy from that wave and brighten, an overlooked prediction of Einstein's 1916 theory of general relativity. The study contradicts previous assumptions about the behavior of gravitational waves.

One out of three severely injured patients undertriaged in the United States Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:12 AM PDT Patients with severe injuries should be treated at level I or level II trauma centers, experts say. Those centers have the resources to provide the best care for those patients. But one out of three major trauma patients in 2010 actually received their treatment at lower-level trauma centers or nontrauma centers, according to a new study.

Brief intervention may prevent increased risk of depression in teens Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:12 AM PDT A low-cost, one-time intervention that educates teens about the changeable nature of personality traits may prevent an increase in depressive symptoms often seen during the transition to high school, according to new research.

E-cigarettes unhelpful in smoking cessation among cancer patients, study shows Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:12 AM PDT In a new study of cancer patients who smoke, those using e-cigarettes, in addition to traditional cigarettes, were more nicotine dependent and equally or less likely to have quit smoking traditional cigarettes than non-users.

Mothers of children with autism less likely to have taken iron supplements in pregnancy, study shows Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:12 AM PDT Mothers of children with autism are significantly less likely to report taking iron supplements before and during their pregnancies than the mothers of children who are developing normally, a study by researchers.

Nerve cells: Communication without detours Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:11 AM PDT Certain nerve cells take a shortcut for the transmission of information: signals are not conducted via the cell`s center, but around it like on a bypass road. This is a previously unknown nerve cell shape. Nerve cells communicate by using electrical signals.

Mechanism of Parkinson's spread demonstrated Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:10 AM PDT Through the use of a new antibody, an international team of researchers has demonstrated how Parkinson's disease spreads from cell to cell in the human brain. Until now, this mechanism has only been observed in experimental models, but has now been demonstrated for the first time in humans too.

Gene that increases incidence of acute myelogenous leukaemia discovered Posted: 22 Sep 2014 06:10 AM PDT Targeted therapy to treat acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) may be closer, thanks to recent research. The scientists discovered that inhibition of Leo1 and Leo1 downstream signalling pathways provide an avenue for targeted treatment of the disease. In addition, this is the first study to suggest that the protein PRL-3 plays a role in the regulation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) related processes, a finding which advances the understanding of how the protein contributes to cancer progression.

NASA launches RapidScat wind watcher to space station Posted: 20 Sep 2014 08:11 AM PDT A new NASA mission that will boost global monitoring of ocean winds for improved weather forecasting and climate studies is among about 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) of NASA science investigations and cargo now on their way to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The cargo ship launched on the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 10:52 p.m. PDT Saturday, Sept. 20 (1:52 a.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 21).

NASA's Newest Mars Mission Spacecraft Enters Orbit around Red Planet Posted: 22 Sep 2014 08:11 AM PDT NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft successfully entered Mars' orbit at 7:24 p.m. PDT (10:24 p.m. EDT) Sunday, Sept. 21, where it now will prepare to study the Red Planet's upper atmosphere as never done before. MAVEN is the first spacecraft dedicated to exploring the tenuous upper atmosphere of Mars.

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lifts off with scientific cargo for International Space Station Posted: 21 Sep 2014 08:11 AM PDT An eruption of fire and smoke sent a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft skyward laden with 5,000 pounds of scientific equipment and supplies destined for use by the crew of the International Space Station.

Dry roasting could help trigger peanut allergy Posted: 21 Sep 2014 07:36 PM PDT Dry roasted peanuts are more likely to trigger an allergy to peanuts than raw peanuts, suggests a study involving mice. The researchers say that specific chemical changes caused by the high temperatures of the dry roasting process are recognized by the body's immune system, 'priming' the body to set off an allergic immune response the next time it sees any peanuts.

Directed evolution: Bioengineered decoy protein may stop cancer from spreading Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT A decoy protein has been designed by researcher to interrupt the signaling pathway that triggers the breakaway of cancerous cells; in other words the signal that initiates metastasis. Preliminary tests showed this strategy effective in mice models; infusion with this decoy protein greatly reduced metastasis in mice with aggressive breast and ovarian cancers when compared to a control group. Years of tests lie ahead, but it's a promising start for an alternative to chemotherapy.

Immune system of newborn babies stronger than previously thought Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT Contrary to what was previously thought, newborn immune T cells may have the ability to trigger an inflammatory response to bacteria, according to a new study. Although their immune system works very differently to that of adults, babies may still be able to mount a strong immune defense, finds the study.

Battling superbugs: Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria, scientists report. Most antibiotics work by interfering with crucial functions such as cell division or protein synthesis. However, some bacteria have evolved to become virtually untreatable with existing drugs. In the new study, researchers target specific genes that allow bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment. The CRISPR genome-editing system presented the perfect strategy to go after those genes, they report.

Program predicts placement of chemical tags that control gene activity Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT Biochemists have developed a program that predicts the placement of chemical marks that control the activity of genes based on sequences of DNA. By comparing sequences with and without epigenomic modification, they identified DNA motifs associated with the changes. They call this novel analysis pipeline Epigram and have made both the program and the DNA motifs they identified openly available to other scientists.

Uncovering the forbidden side of molecules: Infrared spectrum of charged molecule seen for first time Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT Researchers have succeeded in observing the "forbidden" infrared spectrum of a charged molecule for the first time. These extremely weak spectra offer perspectives for extremely precise measurements of molecular properties and may also contribute to the development of molecular clocks and quantum technology.

Cancer cells adapt energy needs to spread illness to other organs Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:49 AM PDT Cancer cells traveling to other sites have different energy needs from their "stay-at-home" siblings, which continue to proliferate at the original tumor site, researchers have discovered. Given that a cancer cell's unyielding ability to metastasize is the primary cause of cancer-related death, understanding how they successfully migrate can be lifesaving.

Fracking's environmental impacts scrutinized Posted: 21 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and use of shale gas would be comparable to conventional natural gas, but the controversial energy source actually fared better than renewables on some environmental impacts, according to new research.

On/off switch for aging cells discovered by scientists Posted: 20 Sep 2014 04:34 AM PDT An on-and-off "switch" has been discovered in cells that may hold the key to healthy aging. This switch points to a way to encourage healthy cells to keep dividing and generating, for example, new lung or liver tissue, even in old age. In our bodies, newly divided cells constantly. However, most human cells cannot divide indefinitely -– with each division, a cellular timekeeper at the ends of chromosomes shortens. When this timekeeper becomes too short, cells can no longer divide, causing organs and tissues to degenerate, as often happens in old age. But there is a way around this countdown, researchers have found.

Genetically driven 'gut feelings' help female flies choose a mate Posted: 19 Sep 2014 09:49 AM PDT Even among flies, mating is a complicated ritual. Their elaborate, and entirely innate, courtship dance combines multiple motor skills with advanced sensory cues. Now, researchers have determined that the Abdominal-B (Abd-B) gene, previously known as the gene that sculpts the posterior parts of the developing fly, is also important for this complex behavior, at least in the case of female flies.

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