ScienceDaily: Top News

---

• Researchers attach Lyme disease antibodies to nanotubes, paving way for diagnostic device
• Quitting marshmallow test can be a rational decision
• Mice show innate ability to vocalize: Deaf or not, courting male mice make same sounds
• Potential Chagas vaccine candidate shows unprecedented efficacy
• Researchers discover how model organism Tetrahymena plays roulette with seven sexes
• Why sticking around is sometimes the better choice for males
• Hate allergy shots? Oral allergy drops are a pretty good option for some allergy and allergic asthma sufferers, review suggests
• Superhero supercomputer helps battle autism
• Simulations uncover obstacle to harnessing laser-driven fusion: Under realistic conditions, hollow cones fail to guide energetic electrons to fuel
• Antibiotic may provide benefit for treatment of respiratory disorder
• Certified stroke centers more likely to give clot-busting drugs
• New process to make nanospheres
• Saliva testing predicts aggression in boys
• Backpack mapping system captures intelligence in tough-to-get-to places
• Functional ovarian tissue engineered in lab
• Researchers scoring a win-win with novel set of concussion diagnostic tools
• Protein-rich breakfasts prevent unhealthy snacking in the evening, study finds
• 2011 Oklahoma temblor: Wastewater injection spurred biggest earthquake yet, study says
• Commonly used cholesterol calculation underestimates the heart disease danger for many
• Mindfulness improves reading ability, working memory, and task-focus
• Astronomers discover new kind of supernova
• People with depression may not reap full benefits of physical activity or light alcohol consumption, study suggests
• Vitamin D may lower diabetes risk in obese children and adolescents
• Novel mechanism regulates replication of insulin-producing beta cells
• Major advance in understanding risky but effective multiple sclerosis treatment
• Fruit flies fed organic diets are healthier than flies fed nonorganic diets, study finds
• Violent video games are a risk factor for criminal behavior and aggression, new evidence shows
• Latest genomic studies of wheat sheds new light on crop adaptation and domestication
• Discovery may allow scientists to make fuel from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• Hope for Galapagos wildlife threatened by marine invaders
• Unique mechanisms of antibiotic resistance identified
• Novel way plants pass traits to next generation: Inheritance behavior in corn breaks accepted rules of genetics
• Trees used to create recyclable, efficient solar cell
• Gene therapy may aid failing hearts
• Women make better decisions than men, study suggests
• You don't 'own' your own genes: Researchers raise alarm about loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents
• Counting white blood cells at home
• Uncovering Africa's oldest known penguins
• Significant insights into common form of autism: Study identifies genetic connections in 15q duplication syndrome
• Lemur lookalikes are two new species, DNA says
• Human emotion: We report our feelings in 3-D
• Scientists form new nerve cells -- directly in the brain
• Obesity may be linked to microorganisms living in the gut
• 'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak
• Researchers discover the brain origins of variation in pathological anxiety
• Language acquisition: Nouns before verbs?
• Reducing work hours for medical interns increases patient 'handoff' risks
• Paradox for young docs: Work restrictions may increase errors, study suggests

Researchers attach Lyme disease antibodies to nanotubes, paving way for diagnostic device Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT Existing Lyme disease tests assess the presence of antibodies, which take weeks to form after the initial infection and persist after the infection is gone. Now, a nanotechnology-inspired technique may lead to diagnostics that can detect the organism itself.

Quitting marshmallow test can be a rational decision Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT A psychological experiment known as "the marshmallow test" has captured the public's imagination as a marker of self control. This test shows how well children can delay gratification, a trait that has been shown to be as important to scholastic performance as traditional IQ. New research suggests, however, that changing one's mind about delaying gratification can be a rational decision in situations when the timing of the payoff is uncertain.

Mice show innate ability to vocalize: Deaf or not, courting male mice make same sounds Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT While humans and birds must learn to vocalize, a neurophysiologist has found that deaf male mice will vocalize to females the same way as hearing mice. The finding points the way to a more finely focused, genetic tool for teasing out the mysteries of speech and its disorders.

Potential Chagas vaccine candidate shows unprecedented efficacy Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT Scientists are getting closer to a Chagas disease vaccine, something many believed impossible only 10 years ago. New research has resulted in a safe vaccine candidate that is simple to produce and shows a greater than 90 percent protection rate against chronic infection in mice.

Researchers discover how model organism Tetrahymena plays roulette with seven sexes Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT It's been more than fifty years since scientists discovered that the single-celled organism Tetrahymena thermophila has seven sexes. But in all that time, they've never known how each cell's sex, or "mating type," is determined; now they do.

Why sticking around is sometimes the better choice for males Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:41 PM PDT Researchers have been able to provide one answer as to why males in many species still provide paternal care, even when their offspring may not belong to them. The study finds that, when the conditions are right, sticking around despite being "cuckolded" actually turns out to be the most successful evolutionary strategy.

Hate allergy shots? Oral allergy drops are a pretty good option for some allergy and allergic asthma sufferers, review suggests Posted: 26 Mar 2013 04:38 PM PDT A scientific review of 63 published studies affirms that putting small amounts of purified grasses, ragweed, dust mites, pollen and mold, in liquid drops under the tongue is a safe and effective alternative to weekly injections of those allergens or the use of other medications, in treating symptoms of allergies and allergic asthma in some people.

Superhero supercomputer helps battle autism Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:23 PM PDT When it officially came online at the San Diego Supercomputer Center in early January 2012, Gordon was instantly impressive. In one demonstration, it sustained more than 35 million input/output operations per second -- then, a world record.

Simulations uncover obstacle to harnessing laser-driven fusion: Under realistic conditions, hollow cones fail to guide energetic electrons to fuel Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:23 PM PDT Researchers have uncovered an obstacle to the cone-guided approach to fast-ignition fusion energy through computer simulations. Scientists found electric fields that build up on the cone's edge reduce the number of energetic electrons being directed by laser beams toward the targeted fuel.

Antibiotic may provide benefit for treatment of respiratory disorder Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:23 PM PDT Among patients with the lung disorder non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, treatment with the antibiotic erythromycin resulted in improvement in symptoms but also increased the risk of antibiotic resistance, according to a new study.

Certified stroke centers more likely to give clot-busting drugs Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:23 PM PDT Stroke patients are three times more likely to receive clot-busting medication if they're treated at a hospital certified as a primary stroke center. There is a limited window of opportunity for using the drugs, so getting to a hospital quickly for treatment is important. Call 9-1-1 at the first sign of stroke symptoms.

New process to make nanospheres Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:22 PM PDT Small, with power-packed potential. A patent-pending technology to produce nanospheres could enable advances across multiple industries, including electronics, manufacturing, and biomedical sectors.

Saliva testing predicts aggression in boys Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:21 PM PDT A new study indicates that a simple saliva test could be an effective tool in predicting violent behavior.

Backpack mapping system captures intelligence in tough-to-get-to places Posted: 26 Mar 2013 01:21 PM PDT Engineers have developed a portable device -- carried in a backpack -- that can be used to automatically create maps in tight spaces where GPS is not readily available – such as in underground areas and on ships.

Functional ovarian tissue engineered in lab Posted: 26 Mar 2013 12:11 PM PDT A proof-of-concept study suggests the possibility of engineering artificial ovaries in the lab to provide a more natural option for hormone replacement therapy for women.

Researchers scoring a win-win with novel set of concussion diagnostic tools Posted: 26 Mar 2013 12:11 PM PDT Scientists have developed a tablet-based testing system that captures the voice of an individual and analyzes the speech for signs of a potential concussion anytime, anywhere, in real-time.

Protein-rich breakfasts prevent unhealthy snacking in the evening, study finds Posted: 26 Mar 2013 12:11 PM PDT Eating a breakfast rich in protein significantly improves appetite control and reduces unhealthy snacking on high-fat or high-sugar foods in the evening, which could help improve the diets of more than 25 million overweight or obese young adults in the U.S., new research finds.

2011 Oklahoma temblor: Wastewater injection spurred biggest earthquake yet, study says Posted: 26 Mar 2013 12:11 PM PDT A new study is the latest to tie a string of unusual earthquakes, in this case, in central Oklahoma, to injection of wastewater underground. Researchers now say that the magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Prague, Okla., on Nov. 6, 2011, may also be the largest ever linked to wastewater injection. Felt more than 800 miles away, the quake -- the biggest ever recorded in Oklahoma -- destroyed 14 homes, buckled a highway and left two people injured. Earthquakes continue to be recorded in the area.

Commonly used cholesterol calculation underestimates the heart disease danger for many Posted: 26 Mar 2013 11:19 AM PDT In what promises to be an eye-opener for many doctors and patients who routinely depend on cholesterol testing, a new study has found that the standard formula used for decades to calculate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels is often inaccurate. Of most concern, the researchers say, is their finding that the widely used formula underestimates LDL where accuracy matters most — in the range considered desirable for high-risk patients.

Mindfulness improves reading ability, working memory, and task-focus Posted: 26 Mar 2013 10:33 AM PDT If you think your inability to concentrate is a hopeless condition, think again -- and breathe, and focus. According to a new study, as little as two weeks of mindfulness training can significantly improve one's reading comprehension, working memory capacity, and ability to focus.

Astronomers discover new kind of supernova Posted: 26 Mar 2013 10:33 AM PDT Supernovae were always thought to occur in two main varieties. But a team of astronomers is reporting the discovery of a new type of supernova called Type Iax. Previously, supernovae were divided into either core-collapse or Type Ia categories. Core-collapse supernovae are the explosion of a star about 10 to 100 times as massive as our sun. Type Ia supernovae are the complete disruption of a tiny white dwarf.

People with depression may not reap full benefits of physical activity or light alcohol consumption, study suggests Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:17 AM PDT Depression may inhibit the anti-inflammatory effects typically associated with physical activity and light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, according to researchers.

Vitamin D may lower diabetes risk in obese children and adolescents Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:17 AM PDT Being obese puts individuals at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a disease in which individuals have too much sugar in their blood. Now researchers found vitamin D supplements can help obese children and teens control their blood-sugar levels, which may help them stave off the disease.

Novel mechanism regulates replication of insulin-producing beta cells Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:17 AM PDT Bringing scientists a step closer to new treatments for diabetes, researchers have discovered a novel mechanism that regulates the replication of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Major advance in understanding risky but effective multiple sclerosis treatment Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:17 AM PDT A new study by multiple sclerosis researchers addresses why bone marrow transplantation has positive results in patients with particularly aggressive forms of MS.

Fruit flies fed organic diets are healthier than flies fed nonorganic diets, study finds Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:17 AM PDT Fruit flies fed an organic diet recorded better health outcomes than flies fed a nonorganic diet, according to a new study. Researchers found that fruit flies raised on organic foods performed better on various health tests. Flies on organic diets showed improvements on the most significant measures of health, namely fertility and longevity, according to new research.

Violent video games are a risk factor for criminal behavior and aggression, new evidence shows Posted: 26 Mar 2013 09:16 AM PDT New evidence demonstrates a link between video games and youth violence and delinquency. The research shows a strong connection even when controlling for a history of violence and psychopathic traits among juvenile offenders.

Latest genomic studies of wheat sheds new light on crop adaptation and domestication Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:23 AM PDT The latest genomic studies of wheat sheds new light on crop adaptation and domestication. The two projects sequenced and analyzed two ancestral wheat genomes of Triticum urartu and Aegilops tauschii, respectively, throwing light on the biology of the world's primary staple crop and providing valuable new resource for the genetic improvement of wheat.

Discovery may allow scientists to make fuel from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:23 AM PDT Excess carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere created by the widespread burning of fossil fuels is the major driving force of global climate change, and researchers the world over are looking for new ways to generate power that leaves a smaller carbon footprint. A new process is made possible by a unique microorganism called Pyrococcus furiosus, or "rushing fireball," which thrives by feeding on carbohydrates in the super-heated ocean waters near geothermal vents. By manipulating the organism's genetic material, scientists have created a kind of P. furiosus that is capable of feeding at much lower temperatures on carbon dioxide.

Hope for Galapagos wildlife threatened by marine invaders Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:20 AM PDT Increasing tourism and the spread of marine invasive non-native species is threatening the unique plant and marine life around the Galapagos Islands.

Unique mechanisms of antibiotic resistance identified Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:20 AM PDT Microbiologists have identified mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in a clinical isolate of E. coli resistant to carbapenems, a class of "last resort" antibiotics. The new study found the E. coli genetically mutated four times to resist the antibiotic, showing the lengths to which bacteria will go to survive.

Novel way plants pass traits to next generation: Inheritance behavior in corn breaks accepted rules of genetics Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:20 AM PDT New research explains how certain traits can pass down from one generation to the next – at least in plants – without following the accepted rules of genetics.

Trees used to create recyclable, efficient solar cell Posted: 26 Mar 2013 08:19 AM PDT Researchers have developed efficient solar cells using natural substrates derived from plants such as trees. Just as importantly, by fabricating them on cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) substrates, the solar cells can be quickly recycled in water at the end of their lifecycle.

Gene therapy may aid failing hearts Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:16 AM PDT In an animal study, researchers show that it was possible to use gene therapy to boost heart muscle function. The finding suggests that it might be possible to use this approach to treat patients whose hearts have been weakened by heart attacks and other heart conditions.

Women make better decisions than men, study suggests Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:16 AM PDT Women's abilities to make fair decisions when competing interests are at stake make them better corporate leaders, researchers have found. The study showed that women are more likely to consider the rights of others and to take a cooperative approach to decision-making. This approach translates into better performance for their companies.

You don't 'own' your own genes: Researchers raise alarm about loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:16 AM PDT Humans don't "own" their own genes, the cellular chemicals that define who they are and what diseases they might be at risk for. Through more than 40,000 patents on DNA molecules, companies have essentially claimed the entire human genome for profit, report two researchers who analyzed the patents on human DNA. Their study raises an alarm about the loss of individual "genomic liberty."

Counting white blood cells at home Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:16 AM PDT Engineers have developed a portable device to count white blood cells that needs less than a pinprick's worth of blood and takes just minutes to run. The device can provide accurate differential counts of the major white blood cell subtypes.

Uncovering Africa's oldest known penguins Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:16 AM PDT Africa isn't the kind of place you might expect to find penguins. But one species lives in Africa today, and new fossils confirm that as many as four penguin species coexisted on the continent in the past. Exactly why African penguin diversity plummeted is still a mystery, but changing sea levels may be to blame. The fossils represent the oldest evidence of penguins in Africa, predating previously described fossils by 5 to 7 million years.

Significant insights into common form of autism: Study identifies genetic connections in 15q duplication syndrome Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:15 AM PDT Results from a new study are providing significant insights into autism through the study of a specific form of the disorder caused by a duplication on chromosome 15.

Lemur lookalikes are two new species, DNA says Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:15 AM PDT Scientists have identified two new species of mouse lemur, the saucer-eyed, teacup-sized primates native to the African island of Madagascar.

Human emotion: We report our feelings in 3-D Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:10 AM PDT Like it or not and despite the surrounding debate of its merits, 3-D is the technology du jour for movie-making in Hollywood. It now turns out that even our brains use three dimensions to communicate emotions. According to a new study, the human report of emotion relies on three distinct systems: one system that directs attention to affective states ("I feel"), a second system that categorizes these states into words ("good", "bad", etc.); and a third system that relates the intensity of affective responses ("bad" or "awful"?).

Scientists form new nerve cells -- directly in the brain Posted: 26 Mar 2013 07:08 AM PDT The field of cell therapy, which aims to form new cells in the body in order to cure disease, has taken another important step in the development towards new treatments. A new report shows that it is possible to re-program other cells to become nerve cells, directly in the brain.

Obesity may be linked to microorganisms living in the gut Posted: 26 Mar 2013 06:50 AM PDT How much a person eats may be only one of many factors that determines weight gain. A recent study suggests that a breath test profile of microorganisms inhabiting the gut may be able to tell doctors how susceptible a person is to developing obesity.

'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak Posted: 25 Mar 2013 05:25 PM PDT Up until now, the invisibility cloaks put forward by scientists have been fairly bulky contraptions -- an obvious flaw for those interested in Harry Potter-style applications.

Researchers discover the brain origins of variation in pathological anxiety Posted: 25 Mar 2013 03:40 PM PDT New findings from nonhuman primates suggest that an overactive core circuit in the brain, and its interaction with other specialized circuits, accounts for the variability in symptoms shown by patients with severe anxiety. In a brain-imaging study researchers have described the work that for the first time provides an understanding of the root causes of clinical variability in anxiety disorders.

Language acquisition: Nouns before verbs? Posted: 25 Mar 2013 03:40 PM PDT Researchers are digging deeper into whether infants' ability to learn new words is shaped by the language being acquired. A new study cites a promising new research agenda aimed at bringing researchers closer to discovering the impact of different languages on early language and cognitive development. Researchers have asked why infants learn new nouns more rapidly than new verbs, with many researchers asserting that the early noun-advantage is a universal feature of human language.

Reducing work hours for medical interns increases patient 'handoff' risks Posted: 25 Mar 2013 03:38 PM PDT Limiting the number of continuous hours worked by medical trainees failed to increase the amount of sleep each intern got per week, but dramatically increased the number of potentially dangerous handoffs of patients from one trainee to another, new research suggests. The reductions in work hours also decreased training time, the researchers found.

Paradox for young docs: Work restrictions may increase errors, study suggests Posted: 25 Mar 2013 03:38 PM PDT At hospitals around the U.S., young doctors work long hours as part of their residency training. But a new study in more than 2,300 residents raises questions about how well recent rule changes about their work hours are fulfilling their goal of protecting both patients and new doctors.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Top News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610