ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New antiviral treatment could significantly reduce global burden of hepatitis C
• You are what (and where) you eat: Mercury pollution threatens Arctic foxes
• New fairyflies or mymarid wasp species named after university
• Landsat thermal sensor lights up from volcano's heat
• Traumatized moms avoid tough talks with kids
• Millions pass up free health subsidy
• Climate change, not human activity, led to megafauna extinction
• The Black Sea is a goldmine of ancient genetic data
• Boosting 'cellular garbage disposal' can delay the aging process
• Bats use blood to reshape tongue for feeding
• Hubble sees the remains of a star gone supernova
• NASA opens new era in measuring western U.S. snowpack
• Critical link in mammalian odor detection identified
• NASA's Spitzer puts planets in a petri dish
• New cause for common lung problem
• Wind, not water, formed mound on Mars, new analysis suggests
• Scientists build a living patch for damaged hearts
• New Canadian guidelines for treating fibromyalgia
• New device can extract human DNA with full genetic data in minutes
• Unique method for creating uniform nanoparticles developed
• Weight gain linked with personality trait changes
• More than a good eye: Robot uses arms, location and more to discover objects
• In vivo flexible large scale integrated circuits developed
• Do-it-yourself invisibility with 3-D printing
• Engineers manipulate a buckyball by inserting a single water molecule
• Ubiquitous engineered nanomaterials can cause lung inflammation: Substances are used in everything from paint to sporting equipment
• Commands from the matrix: Cellular environment controls formation and activity of neuronal connections
• Study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease
• Zeal to ensure clean leafy greens takes bite out of riverside habitat in California
• Nearly 20 percent of suicidal youths have guns in their home
• Foster care a sound choice for some maltreated children
• Many parents multi-task while driving kids
• Research supports laws that require bicyclists to wear helmets
• High school athletes say concussions won't sideline them
• Teen girls who exercise are less likely to be violent
• Flame retardants, used in everyday products, may be toxic to children: Lower intelligence, hyperactivity seen
• The nocebo effect: Media reports may trigger symptoms of a disease
• Possible treatment for serious blood cancer
• Endogenous antibiotic discovered in the brain
• Reversal of the Black Widow myth: Some male spiders prefer to eat old females rather than mate with them
• Invisible pattern can put a stop to counterfeit designer clothing
• Activity of cancer inducing genes can be controlled by the cell's skeleton
• Assembly of a protein degradation machine could lead to treatments in cancer, neurological diseases
• Some prostate cancer patients more likely to die after weekend ER visits
• Microwave oven cooks up solar cell material
• Oral drops can give kids needle-free relief from asthma, allergies
• Children living near toxic waste sites in developing countries may experience higher blood lead levels resulting in lower IQ

New antiviral treatment could significantly reduce global burden of hepatitis C Posted: 06 May 2013 04:11 PM PDT Around 150 million people globally are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) -- a major cause of liver disease and the fastest growing cause of liver transplantation and liver cancer. New prevention strategies are urgently required as people are continuing to be infected with HCV. New findings reveal the impact of a new antiviral treatment that could potentially reduce HCV rates in some cities affected by chronic HCV prevalence by half over 15 years.

You are what (and where) you eat: Mercury pollution threatens Arctic foxes Posted: 06 May 2013 04:10 PM PDT New scientific results show that arctic foxes accumulate dangerous levels of mercury if they live in coastal habitats and feed on prey which lives in the ocean.

New fairyflies or mymarid wasp species named after university Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT An entomologist discovered a new wasp species in Russia and named it after the university, commonly abbreviated as UCR. A museum researcher had been sorting wasps from the Russian Far East, when he discovered several tiny female fairyflies, or mymarid wasps, 1.1 to 1.2 millimeters in body length. He named the species Gonatocerus ucri.

Landsat thermal sensor lights up from volcano's heat Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT As the Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite flew over Indonesia's Flores Sea April 29, it captured an image of Paluweh volcano spewing ash into the air. The satellite's Operational Land Imager detected the white cloud of smoke and ash drifting northwest, over the green forests of the island and the blue waters of the tropical sea. The Thermal Infrared Sensor on LDCM picked up even more.

Traumatized moms avoid tough talks with kids Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT Mothers who have experienced childhood abuse, neglect or other traumatic experiences show an unwillingness to talk with their children about the child's emotional experiences, a new study shows.

Millions pass up free health subsidy Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT Low-income Medicare beneficiaries with poorer cognitive abilities are less likely to enroll in the Low Income Subsidy program, which provides nearly free prescription drug coverage for low-income adults. The findings suggest that even when presented with a single dominant option in the form of free additional drug coverage, many seniors fail to act in their own economic interests.

Climate change, not human activity, led to megafauna extinction Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT Most species of gigantic animals that once roamed Australia had disappeared by the time people arrived, a major review of the available evidence has concluded. The research challenges the claim that humans were primarily responsible for the demise of the megafauna in a proposed "extinction window" between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago, and points the finger instead at climate change.

The Black Sea is a goldmine of ancient genetic data Posted: 06 May 2013 03:17 PM PDT When one marine paleoecologist was mining through vast amounts of genetic data from the Black Sea sediment record, he was amazed about the variety of past plankton species that left behind their genetic makeup (i.e., the plankton paleome).

Boosting 'cellular garbage disposal' can delay the aging process Posted: 06 May 2013 03:16 PM PDT Biologists have identified a gene, previously implicated in Parkinson's disease, that can delay the onset of aging and extend the healthy life span of fruit flies. This research has important potential implications for aging and disease in humans. The gene, Parkin, serves at least two vital functions. By increasing Parkin activity, the scientists extended the lifespan of the flies by more than 25 percent.

Bats use blood to reshape tongue for feeding Posted: 06 May 2013 03:14 PM PDT Scientists have found that a species of bat uses blood flow to reshape its tongue while feeding. The quick dynamic action makes the tongue an effective "mop" for nectar and could even inspire new industrial designs.

Hubble sees the remains of a star gone supernova Posted: 06 May 2013 01:16 PM PDT A new image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows delicate wisps of gas that make up an object known as SNR B0519-69.0, or SNR 0519 for short. The thin, blood-red shells are actually the remnants from when an unstable progenitor star exploded violently as a supernova around 600 years ago. There are several types of supernovae, but for SNR 0519 the star that exploded is known to have been a white dwarf star -- a Sun-like star in the final stages of its life.

NASA opens new era in measuring western U.S. snowpack Posted: 06 May 2013 01:13 PM PDT A new NASA airborne mission has created the first maps of the entire snowpack of two major mountain watersheds in California and Colorado, producing the most accurate measurements to date of how much water they hold.

Critical link in mammalian odor detection identified Posted: 06 May 2013 01:12 PM PDT Researchers at the Monell Center have identified a protein that is critical to the ability of mammals to smell. Mice engineered to be lacking the Ggamma13 protein in their olfactory receptors were functionally anosmic – unable to smell. The findings may lend insight into the underlying causes of certain smell disorders in humans.

NASA's Spitzer puts planets in a petri dish Posted: 06 May 2013 01:10 PM PDT Our galaxy is teeming with a wild variety of planets. In addition to our solar system's eight near-and-dear planets, there are more than 800 so-called exoplanets known to circle stars beyond our sun. One of the first "species" of exoplanets to be discovered is the hot Jupiters, also known as roasters. These are gas giants like Jupiters, but they orbit closely to their stars, blistering under the heat. Thanks to NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, researchers are beginning to dissect this exotic class of planets, revealing raging winds and other aspects of their turbulent nature.

New cause for common lung problem Posted: 06 May 2013 10:24 AM PDT New research has found that in cases of lung edema, or fluid in the lungs, not only do the lungs fail to keep water out as previously believed, but they are also allowing water to pump in.

Wind, not water, formed mound on Mars, new analysis suggests Posted: 06 May 2013 10:24 AM PDT Researchers suggest that Mars' roughly 3.5-mile high Mount Sharp most likely emerged as strong winds carried dust and sand into Gale Crater where the mound sits. If correct, the research could dilute expectations that the mound is the remnant of a massive lake, which would have important implications for understanding Mars' past habitability.

Scientists build a living patch for damaged hearts Posted: 06 May 2013 10:24 AM PDT Biomedical engineers have grown three-dimensional human heart muscle that acts just like natural tissue. This advancement could be important in treating heart attack patients or in serving as a platform for testing new heart disease medicines.

New Canadian guidelines for treating fibromyalgia Posted: 06 May 2013 10:24 AM PDT Physicians have published a review article to help family doctors diagnose and treat fibromyalgia. The article represents the first time researchers have published Canadian guidelines to help manage the condition.

New device can extract human DNA with full genetic data in minutes Posted: 06 May 2013 10:21 AM PDT Engineers have created a device that can extract human DNA from fluid samples in a simpler, more efficient and environmentally friendly way than conventional methods.

Unique method for creating uniform nanoparticles developed Posted: 06 May 2013 08:40 AM PDT Researchers have developed unique approach for the synthesis of highly uniform icosahedral nanoparticles made of platinum. Results showed that the key factors for the shape control include fast nucleation, kinetically controlled growth, and protection from oxidation by air.

Weight gain linked with personality trait changes Posted: 06 May 2013 08:40 AM PDT People who gain weight are more likely to give in to temptations but also are more thoughtful about their actions, according to a new study.

More than a good eye: Robot uses arms, location and more to discover objects Posted: 06 May 2013 08:40 AM PDT A robot can struggle to discover objects in its surroundings when it relies on computer vision alone. But by taking advantage of all of the information available to it -- an object's location, size, shape and even whether it can be lifted -- a robot can continually discover and refine its understanding of objects, say researchers.

In vivo flexible large scale integrated circuits developed Posted: 06 May 2013 08:39 AM PDT A team of researchers in Korea has developed in vivo silicon-based flexible large scale integrated circuits for bio-medical wireless communication.

Do-it-yourself invisibility with 3-D printing Posted: 06 May 2013 07:33 AM PDT Seven years ago, Duke University engineers demonstrated the first working invisibility cloak in complex laboratory experiments. Now it appears creating a simple cloak has become a lot simpler.

Engineers manipulate a buckyball by inserting a single water molecule Posted: 06 May 2013 07:33 AM PDT Engineering researchers have developed a technique to isolate a single water molecule inside a buckyball and drive motion of the "big" nonpolar ball through the encapsulated "small" polar H2O molecule, a controlling transport mechanism in a nanochannel under an external electric field. This method could lead to new applications including effective ways to control drug delivery and to assemble C60-based functional 3D structures at the nanoscale level.

Ubiquitous engineered nanomaterials can cause lung inflammation: Substances are used in everything from paint to sporting equipment Posted: 06 May 2013 07:33 AM PDT Scientists have found that breathing ultrafine particles from a large family of materials that increasingly are found in a host of household and commercial products, from sunscreens to the ink in copy machines to super-strong but lightweight sporting equipment, can cause lung inflammation and damage.

Commands from the matrix: Cellular environment controls formation and activity of neuronal connections Posted: 06 May 2013 07:29 AM PDT Environment moulds behavior -- and not just that of people in society, but also at the microscopic level. This is because, for their function, neurons are dependent on the cell environment, the so-termed extracellular matrix. Researchers have found evidence that this complex network of molecules controls the formation and activity of the neuronal connections.

Study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease Posted: 06 May 2013 06:56 AM PDT Adding omega-3 fatty acids did not improve a combination of nutritional supplements commonly recommended for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss among older Americans, according to a new study. The plant-derived antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin also had no overall effect on AMD when added to the combination; however, they were safer than the related antioxidant beta-carotene.

Zeal to ensure clean leafy greens takes bite out of riverside habitat in California Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT As consumers, we like to hear that produce growers and distributors go above and beyond food safety mandates to ensure that healthy fresh fruits and vegetables do not carry bacteria or viruses that can make us sick. But in California's Salinas Valley, some more vigorous interventions are cutting into the last corners of wildlife habitat, without evidence of food safety benefits, creating tensions between wildlife preservation and food safety where none need exist.

Nearly 20 percent of suicidal youths have guns in their home Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Nearly one in five children and teens found to be at risk for suicide report that there are guns in their homes, and 15 percent of those at risk for suicide with guns in the home know how to access both the guns and the bullets, according to a new study.

Foster care a sound choice for some maltreated children Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Newspaper articles, TV shows and books are filled with horror stories of children placed in foster care. A new study bucks that trend by showing out-of-home placements can improve the emotional health of some youths who have been maltreated by a parent.

Many parents multi-task while driving kids Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Many parents are putting their precious cargo at risk while driving, according to survey results.

Research supports laws that require bicyclists to wear helmets Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Bicycle helmets save lives and their use should be required by law. That's the conclusion of a new study.

High school athletes say concussions won't sideline them Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Many high school football players say it's OK to play with a concussion even though they know they are at risk of serious injury, according to a new study.

Teen girls who exercise are less likely to be violent Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Regular exercise is touted as an antidote for many ills, including stress, depression and obesity. Physical activity also may help decrease violent behavior among adolescent girls, according to new research.

Flame retardants, used in everyday products, may be toxic to children: Lower intelligence, hyperactivity seen Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers have been used for decades to reduce fires in everyday products such as baby strollers, carpeting and electronics. A new study shows that prenatal exposure to the flame retardants is associated with lower intelligence and hyperactivity in early childhood.

The nocebo effect: Media reports may trigger symptoms of a disease Posted: 06 May 2013 06:53 AM PDT Expectation of negative effects can increase likelihood of experiencing symptoms, new research shows.

Possible treatment for serious blood cancer Posted: 06 May 2013 06:53 AM PDT A single antibody could be the key to treating multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood, currently without cure or long-term treatment. New tests have shown that the antibody is able to destroy myeloma cells.

Endogenous antibiotic discovered in the brain Posted: 06 May 2013 06:52 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that immune cells in the brain can produce a substance that prevents bacterial growth: namely itaconic acid. Until now, biologists had assumed that only certain fungi produced itaconic acid.Scientists have now shown that even so-called microglial cells in mammals are also capable of producing this acid.

Reversal of the Black Widow myth: Some male spiders prefer to eat old females rather than mate with them Posted: 06 May 2013 06:51 AM PDT The Black Widow spider gets its name from the popular belief that female spiders eat their male suitors after mating. However, a new study has shown that the tendency to consume a potential mate is also true of some types of male spider. The study finds that male spiders of the Micaria sociabilis species are more likely to eat the females than be eaten.

Invisible pattern can put a stop to counterfeit designer clothing Posted: 06 May 2013 06:51 AM PDT There is now a way to differentiate between designer clothing and knockoffs. Researchers have produced a thread with unique optical properties, which can be used to create invisible patterns in fabrics that are only visible under polarized light.

Activity of cancer inducing genes can be controlled by the cell's skeleton Posted: 06 May 2013 06:51 AM PDT Cancer is a complex disease, in which cells undergo a series of alterations, including changes in their architecture; an increase in their ability to divide, to survive and to invade new tissues or metastasis. A category of genes, called oncogenes, is critical during cancer progression, as they codify proteins whose activity favors the development of cancer. One of these molecules, Src, is implicated in a large number of human cancers. However, it is still not clear how healthy cells constrain its activity not to become tumorous. Researchers have now identified a novel mechanism by which the activity of Src is limited by the cell's skeleton (cytoskeleton) limiting the development of tumors.

Assembly of a protein degradation machine could lead to treatments in cancer, neurological diseases Posted: 06 May 2013 06:49 AM PDT Scientists have discovered new details about an assembly intricate process in cells and the proteins named chaperones that controls it. Their finding may advance treatments for cancer and neurological diseases.

Some prostate cancer patients more likely to die after weekend ER visits Posted: 06 May 2013 06:49 AM PDT Patients with prostate cancer that has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of the body face a significantly higher risk of dying when visiting a hospital emergency department on the weekend instead of on a weekday, according to researchers.

Microwave oven cooks up solar cell material Posted: 06 May 2013 06:49 AM PDT Metallurgists used an old microwave oven to produce a nanocrystal semiconductor rapidly using cheap, abundant and less toxic metals than other semiconductors. They hope it will be used for more efficient photovoltaic solar cells and LED lights, biological sensors and systems to convert waste heat to electricity.

Oral drops can give kids needle-free relief from asthma, allergies Posted: 06 May 2013 06:49 AM PDT Allergy shots are commonly used to treat children with severe environmental allergies and asthma, but under-the-tongue drops may offer yet another beneficial — and stick-free — option for pediatric allergy sufferers, according to a review of existing scientific evidence.

Children living near toxic waste sites in developing countries may experience higher blood lead levels resulting in lower IQ Posted: 06 May 2013 06:48 AM PDT Researcher estimates that lead exposure could cause mental retardation in 6 in 1,000 children living near toxic waste sites.

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