ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Magnetic 'force field' shields giant gas cloud during collision with Milky Way
• Former missile-tracking telescope helps reveal fate of baby pulsar
• First look at diverse life below rare tallgrass prairies
• Molecule that orients neurons for high definition sensing identified
• Is global heating hiding out in the oceans? Parts of Pacific warming 15 times faster than in past 10,000 years
• New techniques produce cleanest graphene yet
• Gene found to foster synapse formation in the brain
• Critical gene in retinal development and motion sensing identified
• Most detailed picture yet of key AIDS protein
• Stem cell scarring aids recovery from spinal cord injury
• Houston we have a problem: Microgravity accelerates biological aging
• Incomplete protein digestion is useful for some bacteria
• Underwater robots influence complex swimming behaviors of schooling fish
• Gaming technology unravels one of the most complex entities in nature: Computational research unveils secrets in the human carbohydrate bar-code
• Dogs know a left-sided wag from a right
• Butterflies show origin of species as an evolutionary process, not a single event
• Physicists take an atomic-level peek at unexpected behavior in multilayered structures
• Real-time, 3-D teleconferencing technology developed
• Could a Milky Way supernova be visible from Earth in next 50 years?
• Geoengineering the climate could reduce vital rains
• Patient in 'vegetative state' not just aware, but paying attention, study suggests
• New knowledge about the body's fight against HIV
• New recyclable building material, made partially from potatoes, could help solve waste problem
• Defective nanotubes turned into light emitters
• 'Witch Head' Brews Baby Stars
• Simple plants aren't always easy: Revision of the liverwort Radula buccinifera complex
• Pizza perfect! A nutritional overhaul of 'junk food,' ready-meals is possible
• Monster mash: Protein folding gone wrong
• Pronghorn warming to safe passages: Scientists observe as pronghorn use overpass without hesitation
• Animal personalities are more like humans than first thought
• Breakthrough research produces brighter, more efficiently produced lighting
• Seeing in the dark: Most people can see their body's movement in the absence of light
• Tagging aquatic animals can disrupt natural behavior
• Sex determiner gene of honey bee more complicated than thought
• Chickens to benefit from biofuels bonanza
• Giant atom eats quantum gas
• Exposure to cortisol-like medications before birth may contribute to emotional problems, brain changes
• High protein diet, meal replacements can reduce rebound weight gain
• Scent marking - the mammalian equivalent of showy plumage
• Fresher blood donations may be better for recipients
• Research shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers
• New experiments reveal the types of bacteria involved in human decomposition
• Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection
• Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors
• Early HIV antiviral treatment found to be cost-effective in South Africa, India
• How internet affects young people at risk of self-harm, suicide
• Scientists call for action to tackle cervical cancer in Kenya
• Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes
• Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation
• Listen up: Oysters may use sound to select a home
• Study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Research finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing

Magnetic 'force field' shields giant gas cloud during collision with Milky Way Posted: 31 Oct 2013 12:34 PM PDT Doom may be averted for the Smith Cloud, a gigantic streamer of hydrogen gas that is on a collision course with the Milky Way Galaxy. Astronomers have discovered a magnetic field deep in the cloud's interior, which may protect it during its meteoric plunge into the disk of our Galaxy.

Former missile-tracking telescope helps reveal fate of baby pulsar Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:29 AM PDT A radio telescope once used to track ballistic missiles has helped astronomers determine how the magnetic field structure and rotation of the young and rapidly rotating Crab pulsar evolves with time.

First look at diverse life below rare tallgrass prairies Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT For the first time, biologists have gotten a peek at a vitally important community that once called the tallgrass prairie home: The diverse assortment of microbes that thrived in the dark, rich soils beneath the grass.

Molecule that orients neurons for high definition sensing identified Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Many animals have highly developed senses, such as vision in carnivores, touch in mice, and hearing in bats. New research has uncovered a brain molecule that can explain the existence of such finely-tuned sensory capabilities, revealing how brain cells responsible for specific senses are positioned to receive incoming sensory information.

Is global heating hiding out in the oceans? Parts of Pacific warming 15 times faster than in past 10,000 years Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT In a reconstruction of Pacific Ocean temperatures in the last 10,000 years, researchers have found that its middle depths have warmed 15 times faster in the last 60 years than they did during apparent natural warming cycles in the previous 10,000.

New techniques produce cleanest graphene yet Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:27 AM PDT Researchers demonstrate for the first time that it's possible to electrically contact an atomically thin 2D material only along its 1D edge. With this new contact architecture, they've developed a new assembly technique for layered materials that prevents contamination at the interfaces, and, using graphene as the model 2D material, show that these two methods in combination result in the cleanest graphene yet realized.

Gene found to foster synapse formation in the brain Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Researchers say they have found that a gene already implicated in human speech disorders and epilepsy is also needed for vocalizations and synapse formation in mice. The finding, they say, adds to scientific understanding of how language develops, as well as the way synapses — the connections among brain cells that enable us to think — are formed.

Critical gene in retinal development and motion sensing identified Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Our vision depends on exquisitely organized layers of cells within the eye's retina, each with a distinct role in perception. Researchers say they have taken an important step toward understanding how those cells are organized to produce what the brain "sees." Specifically, they report identification of a gene that guides the separation of two types of motion-sensing cells, offering insight into how cellular layering develops in the retina, with possible implications for the brain's cerebral cortex.

Most detailed picture yet of key AIDS protein Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Scientists have determined the first atomic-level structure of the tripartite HIV envelope protein—long considered one of the most difficult targets in structural biology and of great value for medical science.

Stem cell scarring aids recovery from spinal cord injury Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:06 AM PDT The scar tissue formed by stem cells after a spinal cord injury does not impair recovery; in fact, stem cell scarring confines the damage,according to new research. The findings indicate that scar tissue prevents the lesion from expanding and helps injured nerve cells survive. Spinal cord injuries sever nerve fibers that conduct signals between the brain and the rest of the body, causing various degrees of paralysis depending on the site and extent of the injury. Functional impairment is often permanent, since the cut nerve fibers do not grow back. The lack of regeneration had previously been attributed to a blockage from scar tissue that forms at the lesion.

Houston we have a problem: Microgravity accelerates biological aging Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM PDT As nations strive to put humans farther into space for longer periods of time, the real loser in this new space race could be the astronauts themselves. That's because experiments conducted on the International Space Station show that microgravity accelerates cardiovascular disease and the biological aging of these cells.

Incomplete protein digestion is useful for some bacteria Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM PDT Protein degradation by energy-dependent proteases normally results in the complete destruction of target proteins. However, under particularly harsh artificial conditions in the test tube, these proteases can stall on certain targets. But until recent experiments, such an effect had never been seen inside a living bacterial cell.

Underwater robots influence complex swimming behaviors of schooling fish Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:52 AM PDT Scientists have demonstrated how underwater robots can be used to understand and influence the complex swimming behaviors of schooling fish. Robotic fish have an impact on collective animal behavior.

Gaming technology unravels one of the most complex entities in nature: Computational research unveils secrets in the human carbohydrate bar-code Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:52 AM PDT Scientists have used the power of off-the-shelf computer gaming technology to capture previously unobservable atomic movements. The research is helping to chart one of nature's most complex entities known as "glycomes" -- the entire complement of carbohydrates within a cell.

Dogs know a left-sided wag from a right Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:49 AM PDT You might think a wagging tail is a wagging tail, but for dogs there is more to it than that. Dogs recognize and respond differently when their fellow canines wag to the right than they do when they wag to the left. The findings show that dogs, like humans, have asymmetrically organized brains, with the left and right sides playing different roles.

Butterflies show origin of species as an evolutionary process, not a single event Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:49 AM PDT The evolution of new species might not be as hard as it seems, even when diverging populations remain in contact and continue to produce offspring. That's the conclusion of studies that examine the full genome sequences of 32 Heliconius butterflies from the Central American rain forest, representing five different species.

Physicists take an atomic-level peek at unexpected behavior in multilayered structures Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:47 AM PDT A new class of materials may influence the next generation of nano-devices, in which integrated circuits are composed of many layers of dissimilar materials.

Real-time, 3-D teleconferencing technology developed Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:47 AM PDT Engineers have developed 3-D teleconferencing technology that's live, real-time and streaming at 30 frames per second. They say the technology could be ready for smart phones in a few years.

Could a Milky Way supernova be visible from Earth in next 50 years? Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:46 AM PDT Astronomers have calculated the odds that, sometime during the next 50 years, a supernova occurring in our home galaxy will be visible from Earth. The good news: they've calculated the odds to be nearly 100 percent that such a supernova would be visible to telescopes in the form of infrared radiation. The bad news: the odds are much lower -- dipping to 20 percent or less -- that the shining stellar spectacle would be visible to the naked eye in the nighttime sky.

Geoengineering the climate could reduce vital rains Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:46 AM PDT Although a significant build-up in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would alter worldwide precipitation patterns, geoengineering would also interfere with rainfall and snowfall. An international study finds that "geoengineering" could result in monsoonal rains in North America, East Asia, and other regions dropping by 5-7 percent compared to preindustrial conditions because of less evaporation and reduced plant emissions of water.

Patient in 'vegetative state' not just aware, but paying attention, study suggests Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A patient in a seemingly vegetative state, unable to move or speak, showed signs of attentive awareness that had not been detected before, a new study reveals.

New knowledge about the body's fight against HIV Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A study of the body's reactions to the HIV virus has led to new understanding of the immune system's fight against HIV. The discovery is an important step on the road towards the future development of new methods for treating HIV.

New recyclable building material, made partially from potatoes, could help solve waste problem Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A new biodegradable and recyclable form of medium density fibreboard (MDF) has been created that could dramatically reduce the problem of future waste.

Defective nanotubes turned into light emitters Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT Researchers have developed and patented a new source of light emitter based on boron nitride nanotubes and suitable for developing high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

'Witch Head' Brews Baby Stars Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:02 AM PDT A witch appears to be screaming out into space in this new image from NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. The infrared portrait shows the Witch Head nebula, named after its resemblance to the profile of a wicked witch. Astronomers say the billowy clouds of the nebula, where baby stars are brewing, are being lit up by massive stars

Simple plants aren't always easy: Revision of the liverwort Radula buccinifera complex Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:33 AM PDT Simple plants aren't always easy, proves the Radula buccinifera complex, formed of "primitive," small, moss-like plants called liverwort. Molecular and morphological evidence show that what was thought to be one species of leafy liverwort from Australia and New Zealand is in fact eight different species, and five of these are new to science.

Pizza perfect! A nutritional overhaul of 'junk food,' ready-meals is possible Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:33 AM PDT Pizza is widely regarded as a fully-paid up member of the junk food gang -- maybe even the leader -- at least the versions found on supermarket shelves or delivered to your door by scooter.

Monster mash: Protein folding gone wrong Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:30 AM PDT Imagine a 1950s horror movie monster —- a creeping, gluey tangle of gunk that strangles everything around it. That's what amyloid plaques are like when they form in body tissues. These gooey protein clumps are associated with many chronic and debilitating disorders, and scientists have made enormous strides in understanding how these structures play roles in disease.

Pronghorn warming to safe passages: Scientists observe as pronghorn use overpass without hesitation Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:30 AM PDT Scientists observing the fall migration of pronghorn from Grand Teton National Park to the Upper Green River Basin announced that for the second year, the animals have successfully used the newly constructed overpasses that provide safe passage over U.S. Highway 191 in Trapper's Point, Wyoming. More telling, the scientists report that unlike the first year, the pronghorn showed no hesitation in using the overpass and have apparently adapted to the structure.

Animal personalities are more like humans than first thought Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:23 AM PDT A study has found for the first time that, just like humans, unpredictability is also a consistent behavioral trait in the animal world.

Breakthrough research produces brighter, more efficiently produced lighting Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:04 AM PDT By determining simple guidelines, researchers have made it possible to optimize phosphors -- a key component in white LED lighting -- allowing for brighter, more efficient lights.

Seeing in the dark: Most people can see their body's movement in the absence of light Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:04 AM PDT With the help of computerized eye trackers, a new cognitive science study finds that at least 50 percent of people can see the movement of their own hand even in the absence of all light.

Tagging aquatic animals can disrupt natural behavior Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:04 AM PDT American and Canadian researchers have for the first time quantified the energy cost to aquatic animals when they carry satellite tags, video cameras and other research instruments.

Sex determiner gene of honey bee more complicated than thought Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT Bee colonies consist of a queen bee, lots of female worker bees and some male drones. The gene that determines the sex of the bees is much more complex than has been assumed up until now and has developed over the course of evolution very quickly.

Chickens to benefit from biofuels bonanza Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT Chickens could be the unexpected beneficiaries of the growing biofuels industry, feeding on proteins retrieved from the fermenters used to brew bioethanol, thanks to new research.

Giant atom eats quantum gas Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT A team of experimental and theoretical physicists has studied a single micrometer-sized atom. This atom contains tens of thousands of normal atoms in its electron orbital.

Exposure to cortisol-like medications before birth may contribute to emotional problems, brain changes Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT Neonatologists seem to perform miracles in the fight to support the survival of babies born prematurely. To promote their survival, cortisol-like drugs called glucocorticoids are administered frequently to women in preterm labor to accelerate their babies' lung maturation prior to birth, a substance naturally released by the body when stressed. But the levels of glucocorticoids administered to promote lung development are higher than that achieved with typical stress, similar to the body's reaction to extreme stresses.

High protein diet, meal replacements can reduce rebound weight gain Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT New research shows that there are several effective strategies available to people wanting to avoid regaining weight after a successful diet. Anti-obesity drugs, meal replacements and a high protein diet can help weight loss maintenance.

Scent marking - the mammalian equivalent of showy plumage Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT The smell of urine may not strike people as pleasant, but female mice find it as attractive as cologne. Researchers have confirmed that male house mice that excel at scent-marking their territory also have more offspring. This is likely because mouse females are able to infer mate quality from the males' scent mark deposits.

Fresher blood donations may be better for recipients Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT Although clinical evidence is lacking on the relationship between the storage time of red blood cells and outcomes in transfused patients, these authors are advocating for a modernized blood management system — similar to inventory management systems seen in the retail sector — to potentially reduce patient complications.

Research shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT A pilot study shows that, even for patients with advanced and rapidly transforming cancer, researchers can find potential therapeutic targets using the latest advances in genomic sequencing. Sequencing spells out, or decodes, the billions of letters of DNA and other genomic data so that clinicians can discover what genetic changes might lead to cancer.

New experiments reveal the types of bacteria involved in human decomposition Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT The type of bacteria involved in human decomposition can change over time, according to new research.

Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT Perhaps the single greatest barrier to curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS is the dormant, or "latent," reservoir of virus, which is out of reach of even the most potent medications. But now, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have uncovered new clues that may help researchers awaken HIV from its slumber -- laying the foundation for purging all trace of the virus, and for one day finding a cure for the more than 34 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.

Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT A position paper published gives guidance to clinicians about broaching potential medical mistakes made by co-workers. The authors attempt to reframe the meaning of "colleague."

Early HIV antiviral treatment found to be cost-effective in South Africa, India Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT "Treatment as prevention" -- early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected individuals with uninfected sexual partners to prevent viral transmission -- appears to make economic sense, along with meeting its clinical goals of helping infected patients stay healthy and reducing transmission.

How internet affects young people at risk of self-harm, suicide Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT Researchers have found internet forums provide a support network for socially isolated young people. However, they also conclude that the internet is linked to an increased risk of suicide and self-harm among vulnerable adolescents. Following what is thought to be the biggest review of existing studies into internet use and young people, the researchers suggest that in future, clinical assessments of such young people should include questions about the online content they have viewed.

Scientists call for action to tackle cervical cancer in Kenya Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:55 PM PDT Less than seven percent of cervical cancer patients in Kenya are getting the optimum treatment needed to eradicate the disease, leading to unnecessary deaths.

Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT A discovery could provide epilepsy patients invaluable advance guidance about their chances to improve symptoms through surgery.

Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT Using immortalized fat cells, researchers show that bacterial toxins trigger fat cells to produce pro-inflammatory molecules. The findings suggest that by promoting chronic inflammation through their effect on fat cells, bacterial toxins may play a role in the development of diabetes.

Listen up: Oysters may use sound to select a home Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT Oysters begin their lives as tiny drifters, but when they mature they settle on reefs. New research shows that the sounds of the reef may attract the young oysters, helping them locate their permanent home.

Study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT Early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do not improve overall survival in high-risk patients. But early transplantation does appear to benefit very high-risk patients.

Research finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing Posted: 30 Oct 2013 12:29 PM PDT Researchers have, for the first time, identified the enzymes that are detrimental to diabetic wound healing and those that are beneficial to repair the wound.

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