ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Genetic blueprint for cancerous appendix tumors identified
• Mobilizing immune system against viruses: New way found
• Potential cure for captive amphibians with chytrid fungus
• Corn dwarfed by temperature dip suitable for growing in mines, caves
• Molecular motor for packaging virus DNA found, may lead to targeted antiviral drugs
• Alcohol and drugs: Not just for modern humans
• Alternative pathways let right and left communicate in early split brains
• Bullying may have long-term health consequences
• West Antarctic glacier loss appears unstoppable
• Climate negotiation as a bargaining game
• Immune therapy might be effective for multiple myeloma
• Having a sense of purpose may add years to your life
• Pregnancy significantly increases risk of serious traffic crashes
• Entering adulthood in a recession linked to lower narcissism later in life
• Scientists discover a natural molecule to treat type 2 diabetes: Molecule mimics some effect of physical exercise
• Dopamine turns worker ants into warrior queens
• Ultra-fast bionic arm can catch objects on the fly
• HADES searches for dark matter: Astrophysicists cross 'Dark Photon' off the list in top position
• Artificial magnetic bacteria 'turn' food into natural drugs
• A turbulent birth for stars in merging galaxies
• Mars canyons: Against the current with lava flows
• Endocrine disruptors impair human sperm function, research finds
• Scientists slow brain tumor growth in mice
• Understanding Aspirin's effect on wound healing offers hope for treating chronic wounds
• Ice-loss moves the Earth 250 miles down
• Fourfold increase in rate of diagnosed cases of celiac disease in the UK
• Galectins direct immunity against bacteria that employ camouflage
• Ocean winds keep Antarctica cold, Australia dry
• Patient stem cells used to make 'heart disease-on-a-chip'

Genetic blueprint for cancerous appendix tumors identified Posted: 12 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Using next generation DNA sequencing, scientists have identified potentially actionable mutations in cancers of the appendix. When specific mutations for a cancer type are identified, patients can be treated with chemotherapy or other targeted agents that work on those mutations. Little is known about the molecular biology of two types of appendix tumors, low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) and adenocarcinoma, but both can lead to pseudomyxoma peritonea (PMP), a critical condition in which cancerous cells grow uncontrollably along the wall of the abdomen and can crush digestive organs.

Mobilizing immune system against viruses: New way found Posted: 12 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT An intricate chain reaction in the body's immune system has been found by researchers who have used the knowledge to develop a new treatment against harmful viruses. Viral pandemics, such as the coronavirus that caused the deadly SARS outbreak in 2002, have caused hundreds of deaths, yet effective anti-viral drugs are rare.

Potential cure for captive amphibians with chytrid fungus Posted: 12 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Researchers have identified an alternative to a sometimes toxic therapy that protects frogs in zoos from a deadly fungal infection that has been destroying the amphibian populations worldwide.

Corn dwarfed by temperature dip suitable for growing in mines, caves Posted: 12 May 2014 12:50 PM PDT Lowering temperatures for two hours each day reduces the height of corn without affecting its seed yield, a study shows, a technique that could be used to grow crops in controlled-environment facilities in caves and former mines. Raising the crops in isolated and enclosed environments would help prevent genetically modified pollen and seed from escaping into the ecosystem and crossing with wild plants.

Molecular motor for packaging virus DNA found, may lead to targeted antiviral drugs Posted: 12 May 2014 12:50 PM PDT New light has been shed on a type of molecular motor used to package the DNA of a number of viruses, including herpes and the adenoviruses. Their findings could help in the development of more effective drugs and inspire the design of new and improved synthetic biomotors. Viruses are the enigma of the biological world -- despite having their own DNA and being able to adapt to their environment and evolve, they are not considered to be alive like cells. In order to reproduce and multiply -- a requirement of "life" -- a virus must invade a living cell, eject its DNA into that of the cell, and commandeer the cell's biological machinery.

Alcohol and drugs: Not just for modern humans Posted: 12 May 2014 12:50 PM PDT Unlike most modern humans, the prehistoric people of Europe did not use mind-altering substances simply for their hedonistic pleasure. Researchers contend that their use was an integral part of prehistoric beliefs, and that these substances were seen to aid in communication with the spiritual world.

Alternative pathways let right and left communicate in early split brains Posted: 12 May 2014 12:50 PM PDT Humans who lack the corpus callosum, a bundle of 200 million fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain, have long fascinated physicians, neuroscientists and other curious minds. Now, a group of researchers puts an end to the Sperry's paradox, which describes major differences between individuals born with reduced or absent brain connections and those who acquire this condition later in life.

Bullying may have long-term health consequences Posted: 12 May 2014 12:48 PM PDT Bullied children may experience chronic, systemic inflammation that persists into adulthood, while bullies may actually reap health benefits of increasing their social status through bullying, according to researchers.

West Antarctic glacier loss appears unstoppable Posted: 12 May 2014 10:46 AM PDT A new study finds a rapidly melting section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet appears to be in an irreversible state of decline, with nothing to stop the glaciers in this area from melting into the sea. The study presents multiple lines of evidence, incorporating 40 years of observations that indicate the glaciers in the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica "have passed the point of no return," according to the lead author.

Climate negotiation as a bargaining game Posted: 12 May 2014 09:43 AM PDT For more than two decades, mem­bers of the United Nations have sought to forge an agree­ment to reduce global green­house gas emis­sions. But so far, these inter­na­tional cli­mate nego­ti­a­tions have had lim­ited success. International climate negotiations have failed for 25 years. New research uses game theory to find out why, and what we can do to win the climate game.

Immune therapy might be effective for multiple myeloma Posted: 12 May 2014 09:43 AM PDT Genetically modified immune cells might effectively treat multiple myeloma, a disease that remains incurable and will account for an estimated 24,000 new cases and 11,100 deaths in 2014, new research finds. The researchers modified T lymphocytes to target a molecule called CS1, which is found on myeloma cells, and to kill the cells. The findings support testing the potential therapy in a clinical trial.

Having a sense of purpose may add years to your life Posted: 12 May 2014 09:43 AM PDT Feeling that you have a sense of purpose in life may help you live longer, no matter what your age, according to new research. The research has clear implications for promoting positive aging and adult development, says the lead researcher.

Pregnancy significantly increases risk of serious traffic crashes Posted: 12 May 2014 09:43 AM PDT Pregnancy is associated with a significant risk of a serious car crash requiring emergency medical care during the second trimester, according to a new research. Traffic mishaps place mother and baby at risk of fetal death, chronic disability and complicated emergency medical care. Statistically, about 1 in 50 pregnant women will be involved in a motor vehicle crash at some point during pregnancy.

Entering adulthood in a recession linked to lower narcissism later in life Posted: 12 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT We often attribute the narcissistic tendencies of others to parenting practices or early social experiences. But new research reveals that economic conditions in the formative years of early adulthood may also play a role. The research shows that people who entered their adulthood during hard economic times are less narcissistic later in life than those who came of age during more prosperous times.

Scientists discover a natural molecule to treat type 2 diabetes: Molecule mimics some effect of physical exercise Posted: 12 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a natural molecule that could be used to treat insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The molecule, a derivative of omega-3 fatty acids, mimics some of the effects of physical exercise on blood glucose regulation.

Dopamine turns worker ants into warrior queens Posted: 12 May 2014 07:18 AM PDT The ritualized fighting behavior of one ant species is linked to increases in dopamine levels that trigger dramatic physical changes in the ants without affecting their DNA, according to research. The researchers studied Indian jumping ants (Harpegnathos saltator), which can undergo significant changes in physiology without any related changes to their DNA. Instead, the changes depend on which genes are turned on or off -- which in turn is determined by social and environmental factors. This has made them a model organism for epigenetics researchers.

Ultra-fast bionic arm can catch objects on the fly Posted: 12 May 2014 07:17 AM PDT With its palm open, the robot is completely motionless. A split second later, it suddenly unwinds and catches all sorts of flying objects thrown in its direction -- a tennis racket, a ball, a bottle. This arm measures about 1.5 meters long and keeps an upright position. It has three joints and a sophisticated hand with four fingers. It is unique, as it has the ability to catch projectiles of various irregular shapes in less than five hundredths of a second.

HADES searches for dark matter: Astrophysicists cross 'Dark Photon' off the list in top position Posted: 12 May 2014 07:17 AM PDT Recent results of HADES experiments have shown, that the dark photon or U boson is no longer a top candidate to explain the nature of dark matter. Researchers are now searching for the constituents of dark matter at HADES, the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer. These negative results -- recently published in Physics Letters B -- could even lead to challenges of the standard model of particle physics.

Artificial magnetic bacteria 'turn' food into natural drugs Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT Scientists have successfully created magnetic bacteria that could be added to foodstuffs and could, after ingestion, help diagnose diseases of the digestive system like stomach cancer. These important findings constitute the first use of a food as a natural drug and aid in diagnosing an illness, anywhere in the world.

A turbulent birth for stars in merging galaxies Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT Using state of the art computer simulations, a team of French astrophysicists have for the first time explained a long standing mystery: why surges of star formation (so called 'starbursts') take place when galaxies collide.

Mars canyons: Against the current with lava flows Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT An Italian astronomer in the 19th century first described them as 'canali' – on Mars' equatorial region, a conspicuous net-like system of deep gorges known as the Noctis Labyrinthus is clearly visible. The gorge system, in turn, leads into another massive canyon, the Valles Marineris, which is 4,000 km long, 200 km wide and 7 km deep. Both of these together would span the US completely from east to west.

Endocrine disruptors impair human sperm function, research finds Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT A plethora of endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with human sperm function in a way that may have a negative impact on fertilization, according to new research. The work suggests that endocrine disruptors may contribute to widespread fertility problems in the Western world in a way that hitherto has not been recognized.

Scientists slow brain tumor growth in mice Posted: 12 May 2014 07:13 AM PDT Much like using dimmer switches to brighten or darken rooms, biochemists have identified a protein that can be used to slow down or speed up the growth of brain tumors in mice. Brain and other nervous system cancers are expected to claim 14,320 lives in the United States this year.

Understanding Aspirin's effect on wound healing offers hope for treating chronic wounds Posted: 12 May 2014 07:12 AM PDT Researchers describe how aspirin acts on key skin cells called keratinocytes to delay skin repair at wound sites. A better understanding of this process offers hope for the development of drugs to encourage wounds to heal. The public health impact of chronic wounds is significant, affecting 6.5 million people in the US alone. Chronic wounds, a common complication of diabetes, are an increasing healthcare burden due to the rising incidence rates for obesity and diabetes.

Ice-loss moves the Earth 250 miles down Posted: 11 May 2014 06:48 PM PDT Scientists have revealed that Earth's mantle under Antarctica is at a lower viscosity and moving at such a rapid rate it is changing the shape of the land at a rate that can be recorded by GPS. They have explained for the first time why the upward motion of Earth's crust in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula is currently taking place so quickly.

Fourfold increase in rate of diagnosed cases of celiac disease in the UK Posted: 11 May 2014 06:48 PM PDT New research has found a fourfold increase in the rate of diagnosed cases of celiac disease in the United Kingdom over the past two decades, but, still it appears that three quarters of people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed.

Galectins direct immunity against bacteria that employ camouflage Posted: 11 May 2014 01:55 PM PDT Our bodies produce a family of proteins that recognize and kill bacteria whose carbohydrate coatings resemble those of our own cells too closely. Called galectins, these proteins recognize carbohydrates from a broad range of disease-causing bacteria, and could potentially be deployed as antibiotics to treat certain infections.

Ocean winds keep Antarctica cold, Australia dry Posted: 11 May 2014 01:55 PM PDT New research has explained why Antarctica is not warming as much as other continents, and why southern Australia is recording more droughts. Researchers have found rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are strengthening the stormy Southern Ocean winds which deliver rain to southern Australia, but pushing them further south towards Antarctica.

Patient stem cells used to make 'heart disease-on-a-chip' Posted: 11 May 2014 01:55 PM PDT Scientists have merged stem cell and 'organ-on-a-chip' technologies to grow, for the first time, functioning human heart tissue carrying an inherited cardiovascular disease. The research appears to be a big step forward for personalized medicine, as it is working proof that a chunk of tissue containing a patient's specific genetic disorder can be replicated in the laboratory.

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