ScienceDaily: Top News

---

• An inside look at carnivorous plants
• How a neurotransmitter acts to coordinate a compound movement through two different receptors in C. elegans
• Speaking a tonal language (such as Cantonese) primes the brain for musical training
• HIV self-testing: The key to controlling the global epidemic
• Telerobotic system designed to treat bladder cancer better
• Pedestrians at serious risk when drivers are 'permitted' to turn left
• Can synthetic biology save wildlife? From re-creating extinct species to the risk of genetically modified super-species
• Feeling hungry may protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease
• New genetic evidence suggests a continuum among neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders
• White blood cell enzyme contributes to inflammation and obesity
• Heart failure doesn't discriminate
• Rising temperature difference between hemispheres could dramatically shift rainfall patterns in tropics
• Decreased melatonin secretion associated with higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Research examines ancient Puebloans and the myth of maize
• Total buzz kill: Metals in flowers may play role in bumblebee decline
• Negative emotions in response to daily stress take a toll on long-term mental health
• Craters on the moon: Pre-existing mineralogy may survive lunar impacts
• Sensitive sites: Research examines preservation of Southwest archaeology in time of tight budgets
• Tiny grazers play key role in marine ecosystem health
• College athletes twice as likely to have depression than retired collegiate athletes
• Landmark study describes prostate cancer metastasis switch
• Ozone masks plants volatiles, plant eating insects confused
• BRAIN initiative launched to unlock mysteries of human mind
• Epileptic seizures can propagate using functional brain networks
• Seismic hazards: Seismic simulation code speeds up
• Fatty acid metabolite shows promise against cancer in mice
• How antibodies neutralize mosquito-borne virus
• Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies
• Survey shows many Republicans feel America should take steps to address climate change
• Stillbirth or pre-term birth outcomes linked to elevated risk of blood clots after pregnancy
• New insights on how spiral galaxies get their arms
• Switching to a power stroke enables a tiny but important marine crustacean to survive
• Mental illness linked to heavy cannabis use
• 3-D scaffolds a new tool to fight cancer
• Putting larval cobia to the acid test: Potential resistance to increasingly acidic oceans by certain species of fish
• Fast track to mouse modeling
• New light shed on common sexually transmitted infection
• Cholesterol buildup links atherosclerosis and macular degeneration
• Surprising findings in mitochondrial biology change long-standing ideas on the protein MTERF1
• Cartilage damaged from exercise may aid in early osteoarthritis detection
• Tonsillectomy in adults with severe recurrent sore throats may benefit some people
• Study reveals risk factors for blood clots in pregnant and postnatal women
• Cell reprogramming to cure leukemia and lymphoma?
• Second source of potentially disruptive Icelandic volcanoes found
• Fighting listeria and other food-borne illnesses with nanobiotechnology
• Hubble sees J 900 masquerading as a double star
• NASA sends unmanned aircraft to study volcanic plume
• Vitamin P as a potential approach for the treatment of damaged motor neurons
• Scientists test new formulation of novel, low-toxicity anticancer agent
• New instrument will quickly detect botulinum, ricin, other biothreat agents
• 'Sharps' injuries have major health and cost impact for surgeons
• 3-D stem cell culture technique developed to better understand Alzheimer's disease
• Dental bib clips can harbor oral and skin bacteria even after disinfection, study finds
• Symbiotic bacteria program circadian-like rhythms in squid using light and chemicals
• Diversification in ancient tadpole shrimps challenges the term 'living fossil'
• Coronary heart disease increases with body mass index, as well as with age: study
• Evolutionary consequences of infidelity in birds: Can extra-pair relationships give rise to sexual dimorphism?
• Promising stem cell therapy for leukemia patients
• A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries
• Regaining proper hearing at last

An inside look at carnivorous plants Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT A pitcher plant's work seems simple: Their tube-shaped leaves catch and hold rainwater, which drowns the ants, beetles, and flies that stumble in. But the rainwater inside a pitcher plant is not just a malevolent dunking pool. It also hosts a complex system of aquatic life, including wriggling mosquito, flesh fly, and midge larvae; mites; rotifers; copepods; nematodes; and multicellular algae.

How a neurotransmitter acts to coordinate a compound movement through two different receptors in C. elegans Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT New research show at the single cell level how an external stimulus sets off a molecular chain reaction in the transparent roundworm C. elegans, a process in which a single neurotransmitter coordinates and times two separate actions.

Speaking a tonal language (such as Cantonese) primes the brain for musical training Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT Non-musicians who speak tonal languages may have a better ear for learning musical notes, according to researchers.

HIV self-testing: The key to controlling the global epidemic Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT A new international study has confirmed that self-testing for HIV is effective and could be the answer to controlling the global epidemic. This systematic review shows HIV self-testing removes much of the fear and stigma associated with being tested for the disease. This study could pave the way for early detection and treatment around the world, thereby reducing transmission.

Telerobotic system designed to treat bladder cancer better Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT Engineers and doctors have designed a robotic surgery system specifically designed to treat bladder cancer, the sixth most common form of cancer in the US and the most expensive to treat.

Pedestrians at serious risk when drivers are 'permitted' to turn left Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:26 PM PDT A study to examine driver behavior in permitted left turns has identified what researchers call an "alarming" level of risk to pedestrians crossing the street -- about 4-9 percent of the time, drivers don't even bother to look and see if there are people in the way. The danger to pedestrians, who have a false sense of security, is far higher than had been realized.

Can synthetic biology save wildlife? From re-creating extinct species to the risk of genetically modified super-species Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:25 PM PDT What effects will the rapidly growing field of synthetic biology have on the conservation of nature? The ecological and ethical challenges stemming from this question will require a new and continuing dialogue between members of the synthetic biology and biodiversity conservation communities, according to authors of a new paper.

Feeling hungry may protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:24 PM PDT A study in mice with genetic mutations seen in human Alzheimer's disease found that the feeling of hunger itself may protect against the disease.

New genetic evidence suggests a continuum among neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:24 PM PDT A broad spectrum of developmental and psychiatric disorders, ranging from autism and intellectual disability to schizophrenia, should be conceptualized as different manifestations of a common underlying denominator, "developmental brain dysfunction," rather than completely independent conditions with distinct causes, new research suggests.

White blood cell enzyme contributes to inflammation and obesity Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:32 PM PDT Researchers have discovered that an imbalance between the enzyme neutrophil elastase and its inhibitor, ±1-antitrypsin, causes inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.

Heart failure doesn't discriminate Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:32 PM PDT Lifetime risk for heart failure is similar for blacks and whites and higher than expected for both groups -- ranging from 20 to 45 percent -- according to a new study.

Rising temperature difference between hemispheres could dramatically shift rainfall patterns in tropics Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:25 PM PDT One often ignored consequence of global climate change is that the Northern Hemisphere is becoming warmer than the Southern Hemisphere, which could significantly alter tropical precipitation patterns, according to a new study by climatologists.

Decreased melatonin secretion associated with higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:24 PM PDT With previous evidence suggesting that melatonin may have a role in glucose metabolism, researchers have found an independent association between decreased secretion of melatonin and an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.

Research examines ancient Puebloans and the myth of maize Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT New research shows that perhaps the ancient Puebloans weren't as into the maize craze as once thought. Nikki Berkebile has been studying the subsistence habits of Puebloans, or Anasazi, who lived on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon in the late 11th century. Traditional ethnographic literature indicates these ancient American Indians were heavily dependent on maize as a food source, but Berkebile isn't so sure about that.

Total buzz kill: Metals in flowers may play role in bumblebee decline Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT Beekeepers and researchers nationally are reporting growing evidence that a powerful new class of pesticides may be killing off bumblebees. Now, research points toward another potential cause: metal pollution from aluminum and nickel. A new study finds that bumblebees are at risk of ingesting toxic amounts of metals like aluminum and nickel found in flowers growing in soil that has been contaminated by exhaust from vehicles, industrial machinery, and farming equipment.

Negative emotions in response to daily stress take a toll on long-term mental health Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT Our emotional responses to the stresses of daily life may predict our long-term mental health, according to a new study.

Craters on the moon: Pre-existing mineralogy may survive lunar impacts Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT Large impacts on the Moon can form wide craters and turn surface rock liquid. Geophysicists once assumed that liquid rock would be homogenous when it cooled. Now researchers have found evidence that pre-existing mineralogy can survive impact melt.

Sensitive sites: Research examines preservation of Southwest archaeology in time of tight budgets Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT New research finds mixed results when it comes to protection and preservation efforts in portions of the Grand Canyon National Park and in the Kaibab National Forest just outside the park.

Tiny grazers play key role in marine ecosystem health Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT Tiny sea creatures no bigger than a thumbtack are being credited for playing a key role in helping provide healthy habitats for many kinds of seafood, according to a new study. The little crustacean "grazers," some resembling tiny shrimp, are critical in protecting seagrasses from overgrowth by algae, helping keep these aquatic havens healthy for native and economically important species. Crustaceans are tiny to very large shelled animals that include crab, shrimp, and lobster.

College athletes twice as likely to have depression than retired collegiate athletes Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT A survey of current and former college athletes finds depression levels significantly higher in current athletes, a result that upended the researchers' hypothesis.

Landmark study describes prostate cancer metastasis switch Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT SPDEF acts as a switch, regulating production of E-Cadherin, the loss of which is a prerequisite of metastasis in many cancers.

Ozone masks plants volatiles, plant eating insects confused Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT Increases in ground-level ozone, especially in rural areas, may interfere not only with predator insects finding host plants, but also with pollinators finding flowers, according to new research.

BRAIN initiative launched to unlock mysteries of human mind Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:58 AM PDT Today at the White House, President Barak Obama unveiled the "BRAIN" Initiative -- a bold new research effort to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and uncover new ways to treat, prevent, and cure brain disorders like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.

Epileptic seizures can propagate using functional brain networks Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:46 AM PDT The seizures that affect people with temporal-lobe epilepsy usually start in a region of the brain called the hippocampus. But they are often able to involve other areas outside the temporal lobe, propagating via anatomically and functionally connected networks in the brain. New research findings that link decreased brain cell concentration to altered functional connectivity in temporal-lobe epilepsy are reported in a new article.

Seismic hazards: Seismic simulation code speeds up Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:45 AM PDT Scientists have developed a highly scalable computer code that promises to dramatically cut both research times and energy costs in simulating seismic hazards throughout California and elsewhere.

Fatty acid metabolite shows promise against cancer in mice Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:39 AM PDT Scientists have found that a product resulting from a metabolized omega-3 fatty acid helps combat cancer by cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients that fuel tumor growth and spread of the disease.

How antibodies neutralize mosquito-borne virus Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:50 AM PDT Researchers have learned the precise structure of the mosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus pathogen while it is bound to antibodies, showing how the infection is likely neutralized.

Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:50 AM PDT The National Rifle Association has put forward a National Shield School Proposal which supports the placement of armed security in all schools. A new review attempts to find a balanced and unbiased view of the facts within this heated and emotional debate.

Survey shows many Republicans feel America should take steps to address climate change Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:50 AM PDT In a recent survey of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, a majority of respondents (62 percent) said they feel America should take steps to address climate change. More than three out of four survey respondents (77 percent) said the United States should use more renewable energy sources, and of those, most believe that this change should begin immediately.

Stillbirth or pre-term birth outcomes linked to elevated risk of blood clots after pregnancy Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT Newly identified pregnancy-related events, such as stillbirth or pre-term birth, may dramatically increase a woman's risk of developing a potentially deadly blood clot immediately after pregnancy, according to the results of a large, population-based study.

New insights on how spiral galaxies get their arms Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT Spiral galaxies are some of the most beautiful and photogenic residents of the universe. Our own Milky Way is a spiral. Our solar system and Earth reside somewhere near one of its filamentous arms. And nearly 70 percent of the galaxies closest to the Milky Way are spirals. But despite their common shape, how galaxies like ours get and maintain their characteristic arms has proved to be an enduring puzzle in astrophysics.

Switching to a power stroke enables a tiny but important marine crustacean to survive Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT To escape from the jaws and claws of predators in cold, viscous water, marine copepods switch from a wave-like swimming stroke to big power strokes, a behavior that has now been revealed thanks to 3-D high-speed digital holography.

Mental illness linked to heavy cannabis use Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT People with mental illnesses are more than seven times more likely to use cannabis weekly compared to people without a mental illness, according to new research.

3-D scaffolds a new tool to fight cancer Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT Porous polymer scaffolds fabricated to support the growth of biological tissue for implantation may hold the potential to greatly accelerate the development of cancer therapeutics. Researchers report that three-dimensional scaffolds used to culture Ewing's sarcoma cells were effective at mimicking the environment in which such tumors develop.

Putting larval cobia to the acid test: Potential resistance to increasingly acidic oceans by certain species of fish Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT Marine biologists have studied the potential effects of ocean acidification on the larvae of cobia (Rachycentron canandum).

Fast track to mouse modeling Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:48 AM PDT What genes are responsible for the development of breast cancer? What are the brain cell mutations that lead to the onset of Alzheimer's? To find new therapies, scientists have to understand how diseases are triggered at cell level. Experiments on genetically modified mice are an indispensable part of basic medical research. Now a method has been found to help laboratories carry out their work with fewer test animals.

New light shed on common sexually transmitted infection Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT Medical researchers have found that a common sexually transmitted infection-causing parasite "cultivates" bacteria beneficial to it, changing thinking about which comes first -- infection or bacteria. The researchers also discovered a previously unknown species of these bacteria.

Cholesterol buildup links atherosclerosis and macular degeneration Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT A new study raises the intriguing possibility that drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol may be effective against macular degeneration, a blinding eye disease.

Surprising findings in mitochondrial biology change long-standing ideas on the protein MTERF1 Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT New findings in mitochondrial biology thoroughly change the idea scientists had for 20 years on the role and importance of the protein MTERF1. For the first time, scientists now have investigated in vivo what was up to now only explored in cell culture.

Cartilage damaged from exercise may aid in early osteoarthritis detection Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder and currently there is no cure. A new study reveals how the nanoscale biomechanical properties of cartilage at joints change at the earliest stages of osteoarthritis, making the tissue more prone to damage during fast physical activities. The findings could improve early detection of the disease as well as tissue engineering strategies to repair damaged cartilage in patients.

Tonsillectomy in adults with severe recurrent sore throats may benefit some people Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT Tonsillectomy may result in fewer severe sore throats and could benefit some adult patients, according to a randomized trial.

Study reveals risk factors for blood clots in pregnant and postnatal women Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:45 AM PDT Women who have suffered a still birth or have medical conditions including varicose veins, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or heart disease are at greater risk of developing dangerous blood clots after giving birth, a study has revealed.

Cell reprogramming to cure leukemia and lymphoma? Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:45 AM PDT Researchers have reprogrammed lymphoma and leukemia cells to halt their malignancy. Resulting cells remained benign even when no longer subjected to treatment and patients were less likely to develop new tumors.

Second source of potentially disruptive Icelandic volcanoes found Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:45 AM PDT New research has discovered another type of Icelandic volcanic eruption that could cause disruption. The team found magma that is twice as 'fizzy' as previously believed, which increases the likelihood of disruptive ash clouds from future eruptions.

Fighting listeria and other food-borne illnesses with nanobiotechnology Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:43 AM PDT Engineering researchers have developed a new method to kill deadly pathogenic bacteria, including listeria, in food handling and packaging. This innovation represents an alternative to the use of antibiotics or chemical decontamination in food supply systems.

Hubble sees J 900 masquerading as a double star Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:19 AM PDT A new image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows Jonckheere 900 or J 900, a planetary nebula -- glowing shells of ionized gas pushed out by a dying star. Discovered in the early 1900s by astronomer Robert Jonckheere, the dusty nebula is small but fairly bright, with a relatively evenly spread central region surrounded by soft wispy edges.

NASA sends unmanned aircraft to study volcanic plume Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:14 AM PDT Studying volcanos can be hazardous work, both for researchers and aircraft. To penetrate such dangerous airspace, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially those with electric engines that ingest little contaminated air, are an emerging and effective way to gather crucial data about volcanic ash and gases.

Vitamin P as a potential approach for the treatment of damaged motor neurons Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:11 AM PDT Biologists in Germany have explored how to protect neurons that control movements from dying off. In a new paper, they report that the molecule 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, also known as vitamin P, ensures the survival of motor neurons in culture. It sends the survival signal on another path than the molecule Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which was previously considered a candidate for the treatment of motoneuron diseases or after spinal cord damage.

Scientists test new formulation of novel, low-toxicity anticancer agent Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:11 AM PDT Researchers have found that a new formulation of a promising anticancer agent, the small chemical molecule FL118, is even more effective in controlling two types of cancer than a version reported six months earlier proved to be. Additional evidence also suggests that the agent may successfully treat other solid tumors as well.

New instrument will quickly detect botulinum, ricin, other biothreat agents Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:11 AM PDT Researchers are developing a medical instrument that will be able to quickly detect a suite of biothreat agents, including anthrax, ricin, botulinum, shiga and SEB toxin. The device, once developed, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and commercialized, would most likely be used in emergency rooms in the event of a bioterrorism incident.

'Sharps' injuries have major health and cost impact for surgeons Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:11 AM PDT Injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments are a major occupational hazard for surgeons -- with high costs related to the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases, according to a new article.

3-D stem cell culture technique developed to better understand Alzheimer's disease Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:16 AM PDT A team of researchers has developed a technique to produce three-dimensional cultures of induced pluripotent stem cells called embryoid bodies, amenable to live cell imaging and to electrical activity measurement.

Dental bib clips can harbor oral and skin bacteria even after disinfection, study finds Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:16 AM PDT Researchers have found that a significant proportion of dental bib clips harbored bacteria from the patient, dental clinician and the environment even after the clips had undergone standard disinfection procedures in a hygiene clinic.

Symbiotic bacteria program circadian-like rhythms in squid using light and chemicals Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:16 AM PDT Glowing bacteria inside squid use light and chemical signals to control circadian-like rhythms in the animals, according to a new study. The results of the study show that, in addition to acting as a built-in lamp, the bacteria also control when the squid expresses a gene that entrains, or synchronizes, circadian rhythms in animals.

Diversification in ancient tadpole shrimps challenges the term 'living fossil' Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:16 AM PDT The term 'living fossil' has a controversial history. For decades, scientists have argued about its usefulness as it appears to suggest that some organisms have stopped evolving. New research has now investigated the origin of tadpole shrimps, a group commonly regarded as 'living fossils' which includes the familiar Triops. The research reveals that living species of tadpole shrimp are much younger than the fossils they so much resemble, calling into question the term 'living fossil'.

Coronary heart disease increases with body mass index, as well as with age: study Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:13 AM PDT Coronary heart disease (CHD) increases with body mass index (BMI), as well as with age, new research finds. The research from the Million Women Study indicates that increased weight increases risk of CHD equivalent to that caused by getting older.

Evolutionary consequences of infidelity in birds: Can extra-pair relationships give rise to sexual dimorphism? Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:13 AM PDT Male and female blue tits are hard to distinguish for the human observer. However, in the UV-range, visible to birds, the male is much more colourful. A closer look at the monogamous mating system of these birds again reveals that all is not what it seems: in every second nest there are chicks that are not related to the care-giving father. An already mated male can increase the number of his offspring by siring extra-pair offspring in other nests than the one he cares for with his mate. Researchers investigated whether this could be the driving force behind the evolution of sexual dimorphism. However, effects of extra-pair paternity are limited, cuckoldry can even reduce the intensity of sexual selection.

Promising stem cell therapy for leukemia patients Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:12 AM PDT Leukemia patients receive a bone marrow transplant, which allows them to build a "new" immune system. However, this immune system not only attacks cancer cells but healthy tissue too. Special antibodies will be used to protect healthy tissue in future.

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:12 AM PDT Electric cars have still got it tough in the German marketplace. They are too expensive and their range is too short. This is an opportune time for a breakthrough in efficient and low-cost lithium-sulfur batteries.

Regaining proper hearing at last Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:12 AM PDT Around 17 million people in Germany suffer from impaired hearing. For many of them, their hearing is so damaged that a standard hearing aid is no longer enough. A new device will improve patients' hearing and can be implanted during outpatient surgery.

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