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Easy and effective therapy to restore sight

Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus has successfully restored sight to people with a rare inherited retinal degeneration, but current therapy requires injecting the virus directly into the retina. Researchers have now caused AAV to evolve so that it is able to penetrate the retina, allowing doctors to inject the virus and its gene load into the vitreous to reach all cells of the retina. This broadens AAV's potential application to more common types of vision loss.

Iron fertilization, process of putting iron into ocean to help capture carbon, could backfire

A study suggests that iron fertilization, the process of putting iron into the ocean to encourage the growth of C02 capturing alga blooms, could backfire.

Life underground: Microbes active far beneath seafloor

Genetic researchers have revealed active bacteria, fungi and other microbes living in 5 million-year-old ocean sediment.

NASA's Chandra turns up black hole bonanza in galaxy next door

Using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have discovered an unprecedented bonanza of black holes in the Andromeda Galaxy, one of the nearest galaxies to the Milky Way. Using more than 150 Chandra observations, spread over 13 years, researchers identified 26 black hole candidates, the largest number to date, in a galaxy outside our own. Many consider Andromeda to be a sister galaxy to the Milky Way. The two ultimately will collide, several billion years from now.

Brain's 'dark side' as key to cocaine addiction

Scientists have found evidence that an emotion-related brain region called the central amygdala —- whose activity promotes feelings of malaise and unhappiness —- plays a major role in sustaining cocaine addiction.

Alzheimer's brain change measured in humans

Scientists have measured a significant and potentially pivotal difference between the brains of patients with an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease and healthy family members who do not carry a mutation for the disease.

Big movies and other cultural products have evolutionary roots

Epic battles, whirlwind romances, family feuds, heroic attempts to save the lives of strangers: these are stories guaranteed to grace the silver screen. According to new research, that's not lazy scriptwriting, that's evolutionary consumerism.

Water in Earth's crust and upper mantle may not lubricate plate tectonics as much as previously assumed

Water in olivin mineral reveals less important role.

Deep biosphere harbors active, growing communities of microorganisms

The deep biosphere -- the realm of sediments far below the seafloor -- harbors a vast ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, and fungi that are actively metabolizing, proliferating, and moving, according a new study. The finding of so much activity in the deep biosphere has implications for our understanding of global biogeochemical cycles.

Laws help limit junk foods in schools

A US nationwide school survey shows availability of sugar- and fat-laden foods and drinks.

Mars water-ice clouds are key to odd thermal rhythm

Researchers using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have found that temperatures in the Martian atmosphere regularly rise and fall not just once each day, but twice.

'Spiritual' young people more likely to commit crimes than 'religious' ones

Young adults who deem themselves "spiritual but not religious" are more likely to commit property crimes — and to a lesser extent, violent ones — than those who identify themselves as either "religious and spiritual" or "religious but not spiritual," according to researchers.

Cocoa may help fight obesity-related inflammation

A few cups of hot cocoa may not only fight off the chill of a winter's day, but they could also help obese people better control inflammation-related diseases, such as diabetes, according to new research.

Saliva proteins may protect older people from influenza

Spit. Drool. Dribble. Saliva is not normally a topic of polite conversation, but it may be the key to explaining the age and sex bias exhibited by influenza and other diseases, according to a new study. Research, it provides new insights into why older people were better able to fight off the new strains of "bird" flu and "swine" flu than younger people.

Lab experiments question effectiveness of green coffee bean weight-loss supplements

A major ingredient in those green coffee bean dietary supplements -- often touted as "miracle" weight-loss products -- doesn't prevent weight gain in obese laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet when given at higher doses. A new study also linked the ingredient to an unhealthy build-up of fat in the liver.

Filmmaking magic with polymers

Self-assembled copolymer block film is now being fabricated with intricately organized nanostructures, giving them multiple functions and flexibility on a macroscale level never before seen.

Network of cameras used to track people in complex indoor settings

Researchers have developed a method for tracking the locations of multiple individuals in complex, indoor settings using a network of video cameras, creating something similar to the fictional Marauder's Map used by Harry Potter to track comings and goings at the Hogwarts School. The method was able to automatically follow the movements of 13 people within a nursing home, even though individuals sometimes slipped out of view of the cameras.

Cameras five times more sensitive to light? An ultrasensitive molybdenum-based image sensor developed

Scientist have built a prototype for an image sensor based on the semi-conducting properties of molybdenite. It could one day result in cameras that are five times more light sensitive than current technology.

Heroin availability increasing across Washington state

New data indicates increases in heroin availability, abuse and deaths across the state, particularly among young adults ages 18-29. These increases are concerning because of the high risks of overdose and contracting infectious diseases associated with heroin use.

Low birth weight could be a risk factor for age-related vision loss

Medical researchers show that rats with restricted growth in the womb, causing low birth weights when born, were most susceptible to developing age-related vision loss, compared to their normal weight counterparts.

NYC-style cap on soda size would target the overweight, not the poor

Legislation to restrict consumption of large sugar-sweetened beverages in food service establishments would affect 7.5 percent of Americans on a given day, and a greater percentage among those who are overweight, including 13.6 percent of overweight teenagers, according to new research. Challenging criticism that the restriction is discriminatory against the poor, the study finds low-income individuals would not be disproportionately affected.

Recognising low blood sugars could help prevent brain damage in newborn babies

Researchers studying a rare and potentially lethal childhood disease – which is the clinical opposite of diabetes - have made an important discovery.

Nano-thermometer enables first atomic-scale heat transfer measurements

In findings that could help overcome a major technological hurdle in the road toward smaller and more powerful electronics, an international research team has shown the unique ways in which heat dissipates at the tiniest scales.

Wristband simplifies blood pressure measurement

The consequences of high blood pressure are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Despite this, according to the World Health Organization WHO, fewer than one in two of those affected measures their blood pressure regularly. The main reason for this is that regular measurements are costly or inconvenient. An innovative wrist sensor should now change that.

Rapid adaptation is purple sea urchins' weapon against ocean acidification

In the race against climate change and ocean acidification, some sea urchins may still have a few tricks up their spiny sleeves, suggesting that adaptation will likely play a large role for the sea creatures as the carbon content of the ocean increases.

Chemotherapy: Greater potential benefit in overall survival for eribulin compared with capecitabine

Subgroup analyses from a phase III clinical trial comparing a newer chemotherapy agent called eribulin mesylate, with capecitabine, a standard chemotherapy medication in women with previously treated metastatic breast cancer, showed increased benefit among women sharing certain traits. Specifically, these analyses demonstrated a greater potential benefit in certain subsets of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

New quantum dot technique combines best of optical and electron microscopy

Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique that uses a process similar to how an old tube television produces a picture to image nanoscale features. Combining the best features of optical and scanning electron microscopy, the fast, versatile, and high-resolution technique allows scientists to view surface and subsurface features potentially as small as 10 nanometers in size.

Jammed molecular motors may play a role in the development of ALS

Delays in the transport of nutrients, proteins and neurotransmitters along the nerve axon could be a major factor in the development of the neurodegenerative disease ALS.

Altitude may affect the way language is spoken

Until recently most linguists believed that the relationship between the structure of language and the natural world was mainly the influence of the environment on vocabulary. Now, a new study shows that there is a link between geographical elevation and the way language is spoken. Ejectives are sounds made, and incorporated into language, only at higher altitudes.

Turtles watch for, snack on gelatinous prey while swimming

Loggerhead turtles use visual cues to find gelatinous prey to snack on as they swim in open waters, according to new research.

BPA linked to obesity risk in puberty-age girls

Girls between nine and 12 years of age with higher-than-average levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) in their urine had double the risk of being obese than girls with lower levels of BPA, according to a new study.

Four-fold rise in children treated for obesity-related conditions

The number of children admitted to hospital for problems related to obesity in England and Wales quadrupled between 2000 and 2009, a study has found.

Scan predicts whether therapy or meds will best lift depression

Pre-treatment scans of brain activity predicted whether depressed patients would best achieve remission with an antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, in a study that may help mental health treatment decision-making move beyond trial-and-error. The study sought to identify a biomarker that could predict which type of treatment a patient would benefit from based on the state of his or her brain.

Taking back the yard: Dealing with invasive plants

There's nothing more frustrating for gardeners than discovering that their well-planned plots or rolling lawns have been infiltrated by invasive plant species, the perennial marauders of the back yard set. While many people panic and immediately start yanking or mowing the intruders when they first make their appearance, a gardening expert advises that it's best to investigate the plant that's choking your columbines or blighting your lawn before complicating the problem with an errant course of action.

Men with restless legs syndrome may be at higher risk of early death

Men who experience restless legs syndrome (RLS) may have a higher risk of dying earlier, according to new research.

Public health's role in health care reform -- Lessons from Massachusetts

How will full implementation of the Affordable Care Act affect the work and goals of state and local public health departments -- and how can public health personnel contribute to the success of health care reform? The experience in Massachusetts has some important lessons, according to a new article.

Dad's life stress exposure can affect offspring brain development

Stress felt by dad —- whether as a preadolescent or adult —- leaves a lasting impression on his sperm that gives sons and daughters a blunted reaction to stress, according to a new preclinical study. The findings point to a never-before-seen epigenetic link to stress-related diseases such as anxiety and depression passed from father to child.

Commonly-prescribed drugs may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Multiple drug classes commonly prescribed for common medical conditions are capable of influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Fossil kangaroo teeth reveal mosaic of Pliocene ecosystems in Queensland

The teeth of a kangaroo and other extinct marsupials reveal that southeastern Queensland 2.5-5-million-years ago was a mosaic of tropical forests, wetlands and grasslands and much less arid than previously thought.

Infants express non-verbal sympathy for others in distress

Infants as young as ten months old express sympathy for others in distress in non-verbal ways, according to new research.

Harbor porpoises can thank their worst enemy, the killer whale, for their success

The harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a whale species that is doing quite well in coastal and busy waters. They are found in large numbers throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Mauritania to Alaska, and now researchers explain why these small toothed whales are doing so well: The harbor porpoise can thank their worst enemy, the killer whale, for their success.

A critically endangered beauty: The passion flower Passiflora kwangtungensis

The Chinese passion vine species Passiflora kwangtungensis strikes with the beauty of its clusters of white-greenish flowers and its small round fruit. Feared extinct for a long period of time, this engaging plant has been rediscovered in Hunan Province, but it remains highly endangered. A recent study discusses the conservation status of P. kwangtungensis, raising concerns about the future preservation of the species.

Luminous bacterial proteins detect chemicals in water

Scientists have developed a simple color sensor principle which facilitates the detection of residual medications, trace metals from industrial process waters, and many other substances. This is the concept: If the analyzed sample shines red, then the water is 'clean;' if its color turns green, however, then it contains the substances the scientists wish to detect.

Vitamin C may be beneficial against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Vitamin C may substantially reduce bronchoconstriction caused by exercise according to a meta-analysis. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction -- formerly called exercise-induced asthma -- means the transient narrowing of the airways that occurs during or after exercise, which can cause symptoms such as cough, wheezing and the shortness of breath.

High diversity of flying reptiles in England 110 million years ago

Pterosaurs are an extinct group of flying reptiles that are only abundant in very few deposits. One of these is situated in England, where hundreds of fossils of these animals, that covered the skies some 110 million years ago, have been unearthed. Paleontologists have re-analyzed these fossils and discovered that they had a much higher diversity of groups than previously thought.

Hearing loss clue uncovered

Researchers have discovered how hearing loss in humans is caused by a certain genetic mutation.

Hot flashes before menopause? It can happen

More than half of middle-aged women who still have regular cycles have hot flashes.

Global quantum networks based on optical fibers: Scientists quantum mechanically couple atoms to glass fiber cables

Researchers have quantum mechanically couple atoms to glass fiber cables. Now, they have shown that their technique enables storage of quantum information over a sufficiently long period of time to realize global quantum networks based on optical fibers.

Moderate-intensity walking timed just right might help protect against Type 2 diabetes

A 15-minute walk after each meal appears to help older people regulate blood sugar levels and could reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Producing cheaper and more flexible multiple thin crystalline silicon wafers

Scientists have found a way to make the manufacture of crystalline silicon materials faster and more affordable.

Sport at competitive level improves the academic performance of secondary education students

Academic performance is better if young people play sports competitively, new research suggests.

Fraternal singing in zebra finches: Young zebra finches are able to learn their fathers' song via their brothers

Social learning from peers is a widespread phenomenon in infants. Peer group size may influence the degree to which interactions within the group can influence their own behavior. This insight nowadays gains more importance as an increasing number of children get into contact with large group peers at an even earlier age, for example in day care.

Molecular 'sieves' harness ultraviolet irradiation for greener power generation

New research shows that exposing polymer molecular sieve membranes to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in the presence of oxygen produces highly permeable and selective membranes for more efficient molecular-level separation, an essential process in everything from water purification to controlling gas emissions.

Age-related smelling loss significantly worse in African-Americans

The ability to distinguish between odors declines steadily with age, but a new study shows that African-Americans have a much greater decrease in their sense of smell than Caucasians. This can have serious consequences. Olfactory loss often leads to impaired nutrition. It also may be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and can predict death.

Discovery of new material state counterintuitive to laws of physics

Dense materials made porous, doubling the number of nanotraps for use as water filters, chemical sensors, sequestration, hydrogen fuel cell storage, drug delivery, and catalysis.

Silicon-based nanoparticles could make LEDs cheaper, greener to produce

Researchers have created a material they say would make LED bulbs cheaper and greener to manufacture, driving down the price. Their silicon-based nanoparticles soften the blue light emitted by LEDs, creating white light that more closely resembles sunlight.

Sleep mechanism identified that plays role in emotional memory

Sleep researchers have identified the sleep mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate emotional memory and found that a popular prescription sleep aid heightens the recollection of and response to negative memories.

New mechanism of TB drug resistance identified

A recent study has identified a new mechanism for PZA-resistance, which provides new insight into the how this mysterious drug works.

Doubling of deaths among sick moms-to-be amid poor evidence on drug safety in pregnancy

The lack of hard data on the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of drugs in pregnancy has hindered the treatment of pregnant women, contributing to a doubling of deaths amongst mums-to-be with an underlying health problem over the past 20 years, argues a new editorial.

World population could be nearly 11 billion by 2100

A new United Nations analysis shows the world population could reach nearly 11 billion by the end of the century, about 800 million more people than the previous projection issued in 2011.

New molecular-level understanding of the brain's recovery after stroke

A specific MicroRNA, a short set of RNA (ribonuclease) sequences, naturally packaged into minute (50 nanometers) lipid containers called exosomes, are released by stem cells after a stroke and contribute to better neurological recovery according to a new animal study. The research provides fundamental new insight into how stem cells affect injured tissue and also offers hope for developing novel treatments for stroke and neurological diseases, the leading cause of long-term disability in adult humans.

DNA brings materials to life: DNA-coated colloids help create novel self-assembling materials

A colloid is a substance spread out evenly inside another substance. Everyday examples include milk, styrofoam, hair sprays, paints, shaving foam, gels and even dust, mud and fog. One of the most interesting properties of colloids is their ability to self-assemble -- to aggregate spontaneously into well-defined structures, driven by nothing but local interactions between the colloid's particles. Self-assembly has been of major interest in industry, since controlling it would open up a whole host of new technologies, such as smart drug-delivery patches or novel paints that change with light. Scientists have now discovered a technique to control and direct the self-assembly of two different colloids.

After an ACL tear: Research opens door to new treatments to improve recovery for athletes

Striking the likes of Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, L.A. Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez, tears in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are one of the most rampant and serious knee injuries among athletes. Now, researchers have identified a new drug target that may prevent one of the most dreaded consequences of an ACL tear -- the weakening or loss of muscle tissue (muscle atrophy) that can be a career-killer in sports and ultimately develop into osteoarthritis.

Light-carved 'nano-volcanoes' hold promise for drug delivery

Researchers have developed a method for creating "nano-volcanoes" by shining various colors of light through a nanoscale "crystal ball" made of a synthetic polymer. These nano-volcanoes can store precise amounts of other materials and hold promise for new drug-delivery technologies.

Gene variants may predict who will benefit from breast cancer prevention drugs

In women at high risk for breast cancer, a long-term drug treatment can cut the risk of developing the disease in half. Researchers have identified two gene variants that may predict which women are most likely to benefit from this therapy.

'Self-cleaning' pollution-control technology could do more harm than good, study suggests

Environmental scientists shows that air-pollution-removal technology used in "self-cleaning" paints and building surfaces may actually cause more problems than they solve. The study finds that titanium dioxide coatings, seen as promising for their role in breaking down airborne pollutants on contact, are likely in real-world conditions to convert abundant ammonia to nitrogen oxide, the key precursor of harmful ozone pollution.

A peptide to protect brain function

Medical researchers have developed a new peptide, called NAP or Davunetide, that has the capacity to both protect and restore critical cell functions in the brain. Her findings indicate that NAP could be an effective tool in combating effects of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's.

Genetics of dyslexia and language impairment unraveled

A new study of the genetic origins of dyslexia and other learning disabilities could allow for earlier diagnoses and more successful interventions, according to researchers. Many students now are not diagnosed until high school, at which point treatments are less effective.

Oysters could rebound more quickly with limited fishing and improved habitat

A new study shows that combining improved oyster restoration methods with limits on fishing in the upper Chesapeake could bring the oyster population back to the Bay in a much shorter period of time. The study assessed a range of management and restoration options to see which ones would have the most likelihood of success.

Culprit implicated in neurodegenerative diseases also critical for normal cells

The propensity of proteins to stick together in large clumps -- termed "protein aggregation" -- is the culprit behind a variety of conditions including Huntington's and Alzheimer's. With this notoriety, protein aggregation is considered to be a bad accident of nature. But new research shows that, when kept in balance, protein aggregation has beneficial functions that allow cells to organize themselves. The findings will be valuable as researchers design treatments for diseases that involve this process.

Helping to restore balance after inner ear disorder

A new study makes the first attempts to design and test a vestibular prosthesis to help restore balance for those with Meniere's disease. Many disorders of the inner hear which affect both hearing and balance can be hugely debilitating and are currently largely incurable. Cochlear implants have been used for many years to replace lost hearing resulting from inner ear damage. However, to date, there has not been an analogous treatment for balance disorders resulting from inner ear disease.

Programming blood forming stem cells

By transferring four genes into mouse fibroblast cells, researchers have produced cells that resemble hematopoietic stem cells, which produce millions of new blood cells in the human body every day. These findings provide a platform for future development of patient-specific stem/progenitor cells, and more differentiated blood products, for cell-replacement therapy.

Protein protects against breast cancer recurrence in animal model

Precisely what causes breast cancer recurrence has been poorly understood. But now a piece of the puzzle has fallen into place: Researchers have identified a key molecular player in recurrent breast cancer – a finding that suggests potential new therapeutic strategies.

New fluorescent protein from eel improves key clinical assay

Unagi, the sea-going Japanese freshwater eel, harbors a fluorescent protein that could serve as the basis for a new clinical test for bilirubin, a critical indicator of human liver function, hemolysis, and jaundice, according to researchers. The discovery also sheds light on the mysterious and endangered Unagi that could contribute to its conservation.

Greater convenience and safety for wheelchair users

With modern communication aids, users of electric powered wheelchairs can operate a PC and cellphone without human assistance. A new module is set to transform electric powered wheelchairs into communication hubs.

Study points to role of nervous system in arthritis

Reducing levels of nerve-growth factor may be a key to developing better pain treatments.

Brain-imaging technique can help diagnose movement disorders

A new study suggests a promising brain-imaging technique has the potential to improve diagnoses for the millions of people with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Repairing turbines with the help of robots

Compressor and turbine blades are important components in aircraft engines and gas turbines. When they become damaged, it is often cheaper to repair them than to buy replacements. Now there is a new robotassisted technique that is boosting efficiency.

Gene offers an athlete's heart without the exercise

Researchers have found that a single gene poses a double threat to disease: Not only does it inhibit the growth and spread of breast tumors, but it also makes hearts healthier.

Helmet crash tests: Don't hit the road without one

A new laboratory study shows bicycle helmets significantly reduce the causes of head, skull and brain injury -- linear and angular head accelerations, and the impact force of a crash. The biomechanical research with crash test dummies found that crashing without a helmet exposes the head to loads up to 9.5 times greater than with a helmet.

'Tailing' spiny lobster larvae to protect them

In a new study of spiny lobsters scientists studied the larval dispersal of this species in the Caribbean. The goal of the study was to describe the sources, sinks, and routes connecting the Caribbean spiny lobster metapopulation. The results led the team to propose marine resource management strategies that incorporate larval connectivity and "larval lobster credits" to sustain and rebuild exploited marine populations.

Evidence for extrasolar planet under construction

The keen vision of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected a mysterious gap in a vast protoplanetary disk of gas and dust swirling around the nearby star TW Hydrae, located 176 light-years away in the constellation Hydra (the Sea Serpent). The gap's presence is best explained as due to the effects of a growing, unseen planet that is gravitationally sweeping up material and carving out a lane in the disk, like a snow plow.

Stacking up a clearer picture of the universe

Researchers have proven a new technique that will provide a clearer picture of the Universe's history and be used with the next generation of radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometer Array.

Volunteering reduces risk of hypertension in older adults

It turns out that helping others can also help you protect yourself from high blood pressure. New shows that older adults who volunteer for at least 200 hours per year decrease their risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure, by 40 percent. The study suggests that volunteer work may be an effective non-pharmaceutical option to help prevent the condition. Hypertension affects an estimated 65 million Americans and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease.

Austerity cuts to Spanish healthcare system are 'putting lives at risk', experts say

A series of austerity reforms made by the Spanish government could lead to the effective dismantling of large parts of the country's healthcare system, with potentially detrimental effects on the health of the Spanish people, according to new research.

Spot-welding graphene nanoribbons atom by atom

Scientists have created single atom contacts between gold and graphene nanoribbons.

Dangerous strains of E. coli may linger longer in water than benign counterparts, study finds

A toxin dangerous to humans may help E. coli fend off aquatic predators, enabling strains of E. coli that produce the toxin to survive longer in lake water than benign counterparts, a new study finds. The research may help explain why water quality tests don't always accurately capture health risks for swimmers.

Black locust tree shows promise for biomass potential

Researchers evaluating the biomass potential of woody crops, are taking a closer look at the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), which showed a higher yield and a faster harvest time than other woody plant species that they evaluated, said a crop scientist.

50 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients discontinue medication within the first two years

Up to one-third of rheumatoid arthritis patients discontinue or change therapy within the first year of treatment.

New catalyst neutralizes gases responsible for climate change

New technology prevents nitrous oxide decomposing it into nontoxic products. The catalytic system is active, efficient and stable over time and can purify gases emitted by industries related to the production of fertilizers, plastics and coal burning plants to produce electricity or vehicles.

New imaging technique holds promise for speeding MS research

Researchers have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging technique that detects the telltale signs of multiple sclerosis in finer detail than ever before -- providing a more powerful tool for evaluating new treatments.

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

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