ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Kissing helps us find the right partner – and keep them
• Analysis of herbal products shows contamination is common
• Complex relationship between phosphorus levels, nitrogen removal in lakes
• New antiviral response discovered in mammals
• Newly discovered gene regulator could precisely target sickle cell disease
• Iron in Earth's core weakens before melting
• Innate virus-killing power discovered in mammals
• Water discovered in remnants of extrasolar rocky world orbiting white dwarf
• Hunter-gatherers and immigrant farmers lived together for 2,000 years in Central Europe
• Ancient DNA unravels Europe's genetic diversity
• Sticks and stones: Brain releases natural painkillers during social rejection
• How red crabs on Christmas Island speak for the tropics
• Hybrid cars are status symbol of sorts for seniors
• How microbes survive in freezing conditions
• Brain development differs in children who stutter
• Cancer genome atlas exposes more secrets of lethal brain tumor
• As sea level rises, Everglades' freshwater plants perish
• A silent epidemic: Minor traumatic brain injury
• Massive spruce beetle outbreak in Colorado tied to drought
• New model for neurotransmitter release, proposed by Nobel prize winner
• Previously unstudied gene is essential for normal nerve development
• How a ubiquitous herpesvirus sometimes leads to cancer
• Elephants know what it means to point to something, no training required
• Circadian rhythms in skin stem cells protect us against UV rays
• Molecule produced during exercise boosts brain health
• Genetic variant that increases testicular cancer risk in caucasians evolved to protect light skin
• Laser technique enables 3-D analysis and natural color images
• City of Providence is taking on big tobacco – and winning
• Stomach cells naturally revert to stem cells
• Eat more, weigh less: Worm study provides clues to better fat-loss therapies for humans
• Genes protect themselves against being silenced
• 'Ship in a bottle' detects dangerous vapors: Scientists trap metallic compounds to sniff out signs of hazardous solvents
• Gene movements observed in vivo
• Genes predispose some people to focus on the negative
• Is a constructive conservation the last chance for biodiversity? Pragmatic approach to saving what can be saved
• 'Stadium waves' could explain lull in global warming
• 'Peanut butter' test can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers find
• Wetland restoration in the northern Everglades: Watershed potential and nutrient legacies
• The tundra: A dark horse in planet Earth's greenhouse gas budget
• Soft shells and strange star clusters
• Direct 'writing' of artificial cell membranes on graphene
• Scientists find potential new targets for anti-inflammatory therapies
• Guardrail barrier made with Mediterranean tapeweed residues
• Several top websites use device fingerprinting to secretly track users
• 3D model reveals new information about iconic volcano
• Origin of MERS coronavirus identified
• Organ donor promotion brings increase in registrations
• Enigmatic neurons help flies get oriented
• Discovery should save wheat farmers millions of dollars
• New strategy lets cochlear implant users hear music

Kissing helps us find the right partner – and keep them Posted: 10 Oct 2013 05:51 PM PDT What's in a kiss? A new study suggests kissing helps us size up potential partners and, once in a relationship, may be a way of getting a partner to stick around. 'Kissing in human sexual relationships is incredibly prevalent in various forms across just about every society and culture,' says one of the researchers. 'Kissing is seen in our closest primate relatives, chimps and bonobos, but it is much less intense and less commonly used.

Analysis of herbal products shows contamination is common Posted: 10 Oct 2013 05:51 PM PDT Most herbal products, available to buy as alternative medicines, may be contaminated. Researchers demonstrate the presence of contamination and substitution of plant species in a selection of herbal products using DNA barcoding.

Complex relationship between phosphorus levels, nitrogen removal in lakes Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:29 AM PDT In the land of 10,000 lakes, one lake has been the starting place for research with implications for big lakes around the world. Building from studies of nitrogen levels in Lake Superior, the new research uncovered a good news/bad news scenario for lake health that has long-term, global implications for pollution control efforts.

New antiviral response discovered in mammals Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a part of the innate immune system in mice that had only been known in plants and invertebrates. This system seems more visible in stem and progenitor cells, which it protects from viral infection.

Newly discovered gene regulator could precisely target sickle cell disease Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT A research team has discovered a new genetic target for potential therapy of sickle cell disease. The target, called an enhancer, controls a molecular switch in red blood cells called BCL11A that, in turn, regulates hemoglobin production.

Iron in Earth's core weakens before melting Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT The iron in Earth's inner core weakens dramatically before it melts, explaining the unusual properties that exist in the moon-sized solid center of our planet that have, up until now, been difficult to understand.

Innate virus-killing power discovered in mammals Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Scientists have a promising new approach to combating deadly human viruses thanks to an educated hunch by a microbiology professor, and his 20 years of research on plants, fruit flies, nematodes and mice. Researchers have discovered that, like plants and invertebrate animals, mammals use the RNA interference process to destroy viruses within their own cells. Until now, scientists were unable to prove that mammals use RNAi for killing viruses. The findings could help create vaccines against deadly infections, including SARS, West Nile, dengue, Hepatitis C and influenza.

Water discovered in remnants of extrasolar rocky world orbiting white dwarf Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Astrophysicists have found the first evidence of a water-rich rocky planetary body outside our solar system in its shattered remains orbiting a white dwarf.

Hunter-gatherers and immigrant farmers lived together for 2,000 years in Central Europe Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Indigenous hunter-gatherers and immigrant farmers lived side-by-side for more than 2,000 years in Central Europe, before the hunter-gatherer communities died out or adopted the agricultural lifestyle.

Ancient DNA unravels Europe's genetic diversity Posted: 10 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Ancient DNA recovered from a time series of skeletons in Germany spanning 4,000 years of prehistory has been used to reconstruct the first detailed genetic history of modern-day Europeans.

Sticks and stones: Brain releases natural painkillers during social rejection Posted: 10 Oct 2013 10:22 AM PDT "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," goes the playground rhyme that's supposed to help children endure taunts. But a new study suggests that there's more going on inside our brains when someone snubs us -- and that the brain may have its own way of easing social pain.

How red crabs on Christmas Island speak for the tropics Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:48 AM PDT Research has found that erratic rainfall -- which could become more irregular as a result of climate change -- could be detrimental to animals that migrate with the dry-wet seasonal cycle. The researchers studied the annual mating migration of the land-dwelling Christmas Island red crab in order to help scientists understand the consequences of climate change for the millions of migratory animals in Earth's tropical zones.

Hybrid cars are status symbol of sorts for seniors Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:48 AM PDT Paying extra bucks to "go green" in a hybrid car may pay off in self-esteem and image for older drivers, as well as give a healthy boost to the environment.

How microbes survive in freezing conditions Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:48 AM PDT Most microbial researchers grow their cells in petri dishes to study how they respond to stress and damaging conditions. But researchers tried something almost unheard of: Studying microbial survival in ice to understand how microorganisms could survive in ancient permafrost, or perhaps even buried in ice on Mars.

Brain development differs in children who stutter Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:48 AM PDT Researchers say study results could increase understanding of brain and speech production, improving treatment.

Cancer genome atlas exposes more secrets of lethal brain tumor Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:48 AM PDT Scientists paint a more detailed picture of the genomic abnormalities that drive glioblastoma multiforme. Rich data set will underpin research and treatment advances.

As sea level rises, Everglades' freshwater plants perish Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:47 AM PDT Satellite imagery over the southeastern Everglades confirms long-term trends of mangrove expansion and sawgrass habitat loss near the shore.

A silent epidemic: Minor traumatic brain injury Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:47 AM PDT In the United States, approximately 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those injuries, three out of four are minor TBI (mTBI) -- a head injury that causes a temporary change in mental status including confusion, an altered level of consciousness, or perceptual or behavioral impairments.

Massive spruce beetle outbreak in Colorado tied to drought Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:47 AM PDT A new study indicates drought high in the northern Colorado mountains is the primary trigger of a massive spruce beetle outbreak that is tied to long-term changes in sea-surface temperatures from the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a trend that is expected to continue for decades.

New model for neurotransmitter release, proposed by Nobel prize winner Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:46 AM PDT New research challenges long-standing ideas on how neurotransmitter gets released at neuronal synapses.

Previously unstudied gene is essential for normal nerve development Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:46 AM PDT Our ability to detect heat, touch, tickling and other sensations depends on our sensory nerves. Now, for the first time, researchers have identified a gene that orchestrates the crucially important branching of nerve fibers that occurs during development.

How a ubiquitous herpesvirus sometimes leads to cancer Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:46 AM PDT Most of us are infected with the herpesvirus known as Epstein-Barr virus. For most of us, the virus will lead at worst to a case of infectious mononucleosis, but sometimes, and especially in some parts of the world, those viruses are found in association with cancer. Now, researchers have found that the difference between a relatively harmless infection and a cancer-causing one lies at least partly in the viral strain itself.

Elephants know what it means to point to something, no training required Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:45 AM PDT When people want to direct the attention of others, they naturally do so by pointing, starting from a very young age. Now, researchers have shown that elephants spontaneously get the gist of human pointing and can use it as a cue for finding food. That's all the more impressive given that many great apes fail to understand pointing when it's done for them by human caretakers, the researchers say.

Circadian rhythms in skin stem cells protect us against UV rays Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:45 AM PDT Human skin must cope with the sun and other environmental factors that fluctuate in a circadian manner. A study reveals that human skin stem cells deal with these cyclical threats by carrying out different functions depending on the time of day. By activating genes involved in UV protection during the day, these cells protect themselves against radiation-induced DNA damage. The findings could pave the way for new strategies to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.

Molecule produced during exercise boosts brain health Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:45 AM PDT Research has shown that exercise is good for the brain. Now investigators have identified a molecule called irisin that is produced in the brain during endurance exercise and has neuroprotective effects. Researchers were able to artificially increase the levels of irisin in the blood to activate genes involved in learning and memory. The findings may be useful for designing drugs that utilize this exercise-induced molecule to guard against neurodegenerative diseases and improve cognition.

Genetic variant that increases testicular cancer risk in caucasians evolved to protect light skin Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:45 AM PDT One of the most important proteins implicated in cancer is p53. Researchers have identified a DNA sequence variation in a p53-binding site that is more prevalent in Caucasians than in Africans and is associated with a very large risk of testicular cancer but may protect light-skinned individuals against harmful ultraviolet rays. The study offers insights into the evolution of DNA sequence variations in p53-binding sites, and it could lead to improvements in personalized treatment strategies.

Laser technique enables 3-D analysis and natural color images Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:43 AM PDT A new technology invented to automate the laborious process of preparing plant roots for phenotyping has morphed into a powerful tool for exploring the three-dimensional structure of small objects.

City of Providence is taking on big tobacco – and winning Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:43 AM PDT The city of Providence, R.I., is taking the fight against Big Tobacco to a new level with innovative tobacco control policies in the retail environment. A new study details Providence's efforts and provides a road map for other municipalities to follow.

Stomach cells naturally revert to stem cells Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:43 AM PDT New research has shown that the stomach naturally produces more stem cells than previously realized, likely for repair of injuries from infections, digestive fluids and the foods we eat.

Eat more, weigh less: Worm study provides clues to better fat-loss therapies for humans Posted: 10 Oct 2013 09:43 AM PDT Scientists have discovered key details of a brain-to-body signaling circuit that enables roundworms to lose weight independently of food intake, and there are reasons to suspect the circuit exists in a similar form in humans and other mammals.

Genes protect themselves against being silenced Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:51 AM PDT Researchers have settled a century-old debate over whether occurrence of DNA methylation acts to silence gene expression, or if genes are turned off by other means before they are methylated.

'Ship in a bottle' detects dangerous vapors: Scientists trap metallic compounds to sniff out signs of hazardous solvents Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:50 AM PDT Scientists took a lesson from craftsmen of old to assemble microscopic compounds that warn of the presence of dangerous fumes from solvents.

Gene movements observed in vivo Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:50 AM PDT Certain parts of DNA are highly mobile and their dynamic motion participates in controlling gene expression. Scientists have just developed a method of observing the organization and movements of the genome in time and space. The researchers succeeded in marking then monitoring parent genes during cell division.

Genes predispose some people to focus on the negative Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:50 AM PDT Some people are genetically predisposed to see the world darkly, new research finds. According to researchers, a previously known gene variant can cause individuals to perceive emotional events -- especially negative ones -- more vividly than others.

Is a constructive conservation the last chance for biodiversity? Pragmatic approach to saving what can be saved Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:49 AM PDT How can biodiversity be preserved in a world in which traditional ecosystems are increasingly being displaced by "human-made nature"? Biologists have developed a new concept for conservation measures that incorporates current landscapes formerly considered ecologically "of little value". Numerous experiences from islands have shown that this concept has a positive effect on biodiversity. Now the authors are proposing applying these experiences to other landscape scenarios.

'Stadium waves' could explain lull in global warming Posted: 10 Oct 2013 07:48 AM PDT A new article suggests that 'unpredictable climate variability' behaves in a more predictable way than previously assumed. The scientists point to the so-called 'stadium-wave' signal that propagates like the cheer at sporting events whereby sections of sports fans seated in a stadium stand and sit as a 'wave' propagates through the audience.

'Peanut butter' test can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers find Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:24 AM PDT A dollop of peanut butter and a ruler can be used to confirm a diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found.

Wetland restoration in the northern Everglades: Watershed potential and nutrient legacies Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT To most people, restoration of Florida's Everglades means recovering and protecting the wetlands of south Florida. What many don't realize is how intimately the fortunes of the southern Everglades are tied to central Florida's Lake Okeechobee and lands even further north.

The tundra: A dark horse in planet Earth's greenhouse gas budget Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT There are huge amounts of organic carbon in the soil beneath the tundra that covers the northernmost woodless areas of the planet. New research findings show that the tundra may become a source of CO2 as the climate becomes warmer.

Soft shells and strange star clusters Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:16 AM PDT The beautiful, petal-like shells of galaxy PGC 6240 are captured here in intricate detail by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, set against a sky full of distant background galaxies. This cosmic bloom is of great interest to astronomers due to both its uneven structure, and the unusual clusters of stars that orbit around it -- two strong indications of a galactic merger in the recent past.

Direct 'writing' of artificial cell membranes on graphene Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:16 AM PDT Graphene emerges as a versatile new surface to assemble model cell membranes mimicking those in the human body, with potential for applications in sensors for understanding biological processes, disease detection and drug screening.

Scientists find potential new targets for anti-inflammatory therapies Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:15 AM PDT A team has identified key signaling proteins in the inflammation process that contribute to the development of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, sepsis and inflammatory bowel diseases. The finding highlights possible new ways of treating these inflammation disorders, which sicken or kill millions of people around the world each year.

Guardrail barrier made with Mediterranean tapeweed residues Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT Researchers have developed a guardrail barrier from seagrass residues in order to minimize the risk of injuries on roads.

Several top websites use device fingerprinting to secretly track users Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT A new study has uncovered that 145 of the Internet's 10,000 top websites track users without their knowledge or consent. The websites use hidden scripts to extract a device fingerprint from users' browsers. Device fingerprinting circumvents legal restrictions imposed on the use of cookies and ignores the Do Not Track HTTP header. The findings suggest that secret tracking is more widespread than previously thought.

3D model reveals new information about iconic volcano Posted: 10 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT The volcano on the Scottish peninsula Ardnamurchan is a popular place for the study of rocks and structures in the core of a volcano. Geology students read about it in text books and geologists have been certain that the Ardnamurchan volcano have three successive magma chambers. However, an international group of researchers has now shown that the volcano only has one single magma chamber.

Origin of MERS coronavirus identified Posted: 09 Oct 2013 06:56 PM PDT The newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has circulated in bats for a substantial time, before making the species leap to humans, according to research. By analyzing the genome of various bat species, scientists show that bat DPP4 genes have adapted significantly as they evolved, suggesting a long-term arms race between the bat and the virus.

Organ donor promotion brings increase in registrations Posted: 09 Oct 2013 06:39 PM PDT More than 90 percent of the public supports organ donation, yet less than half the population registers as donors, surveys show. What if registration was better promoted to those who had previously turned it down?

Enigmatic neurons help flies get oriented Posted: 09 Oct 2013 05:11 PM PDT Neurons deep in the fly's brain tune in to some of the same basic visual features that neurons in bigger animals such as humans pick out in their surroundings. The new research is an important milestone toward understanding how the fly brain extracts relevant information about a visual scene to guide behavior.

Discovery should save wheat farmers millions of dollars Posted: 09 Oct 2013 05:10 PM PDT The global wheat industry sometimes loses as much as $1 billion a year because prolonged rainfall and high humidity contribute to grains germinating before they are fully mature. This phenomenon, known as pre-harvest sprouting or PHS, has such important economic repercussions for farmers around the world that scientists have been working on finding a solution to the problem for at least a couple of decades. Findings now suggest that the solution may lie not with genetics alone, but rather with a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors.

New strategy lets cochlear implant users hear music Posted: 09 Oct 2013 10:32 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new way of processing the signals in cochlear implants to help users hear music better. The technique lets users perceive differences between musical instruments, a significant improvement from what standard cochlear implants can offer.

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