SPAM: October 2013

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

New multiple action intestinal hormone corrects diabetes

Scientists have developed a new therapeutic approach for treatment of Type 2 diabetes. A novel single molecule hormone, which acts equally on the receptors of the insulin-stimulating hormones GLP-1 and GIP, was observed to reduce weight and improve blood sugar.

Lava world baffles astronomers: Planet Kepler-78b 'shouldn't exist'

Kepler-78b is a planet that shouldn't exist. This scorching lava world circles its star every eight and a half hours at a distance of less than one million miles - one of the tightest known orbits. According to current theories of planet formation, it couldn't have formed so close to its star, nor could it have moved there.

Earth-like exoplanet in mass and size: While too hot to support life, Kepler 78b is roughly the size of Earth

In August, researchers identified an exoplanet with an extremely brief orbital period: The team found that Kepler 78b, a small, intensely hot planet 400 light-years from Earth, circles its star in just 8.5 hours — lightning-quick, compared with our own planet's leisurely 365-day orbit. From starlight data gathered by the Kepler Space Telescope, the scientists also determined that the exoplanet is about 1.2 times Earth's size — making Kepler 78b one of the smallest exoplanets ever measured.

Incurable brain cancer gene silenced

Glioblastoma multiforme, the brain cancer that killed Sen. Edward Kennedy, is aggressive and incurable. Researchers can now demonstrate delivery of a drug that turns off a critical gene in this complex cancer, increasing survival rates significantly in animals with the disease. The therapeutic, based on nanotechnology, is nimble enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and get to the brain tumor. Once there, it flips the switch of the oncogene to "off," silencing the gene.

Chinese bats likely source of SARS virus

Scientists say they've produced "the clearest evidence yet" the SARS virus originated in Chinese horseshoe bats and that direct bat-to-human transmission is "plausible." The 2002 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pandemic was one of the most significant public health events in recent history and researchers have been studying the virus to better understand how it is transmitted to prepare for future outbreaks.

A sauropod walks into a bar: 'Why the long neck?'

New research sheds light on the complex evolutionary cascade theory that made the unique gigantism of sauropod dinosaurs possible.

Improving earthquake early warning systems for California and Taiwan

Earthquake early warning systems may provide the public with crucial seconds to prepare for severe shaking. For California, a new study suggests upgrading current technology and relocating some seismic stations would improve the warning time, particularly in areas poorly served by the existing network -- south of San Francisco Bay Area to north Los Angeles and north of the San Francisco Bay Area.

First results from LUX dark matter detector: Searching for elusive dark matter

In its first three months of operation, the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment has proven itself to be the most sensitive dark matter detector in the world, scientists with the experiment have announced. Researchers are now preparing the detector, located a mile underground in an old South Dakota gold mine, for a 300-day run next year in hopes of detecting for the first time weakly interacting particles thought to account for most of the matter in the universe. Though dark matter has not yet been detected directly, scientists are fairly certain that it exists.

Scientists digitally reconstruct giant steps taken by dinosaurs for the first time

Scientists were able to laser scan a 40 meter-long skeleton of the vast Cretaceous Agentinosaurus dinosaur. Then using an advanced computer modeling technique involving the equivalent of 30,000 desktop computers they recreated its walking and running movements and tested its locomotion ability tested for the very first time.

Pain in infancy alters response to stress, anxiety later in life

Early life pain alters neural circuits in the brain that regulate stress, suggesting pain experienced by infants who often do not receive analgesics while undergoing tests and treatment in neonatal intensive care may permanently alter future responses to anxiety, stress and pain in adulthood, medical researchers have discovered.

Rare earths in bacteria: Methane-decomposing bacteria from hot springs need the valuable metals to produce energy

Rare earths are among the most precious raw materials of all. These metals are used in mobile telephones, display screens and computers. And they are apparently indispensable for some organisms as well. Scientists have discovered a bacterium which needs rare earths to grow -- in a hot spring.

Bottom-feeding behavior of humpback whales confirmed

Scientists have confirmed that humpback whales in the southern Gulf of Maine are spending more feeding time on the ocean floor than in any of their known feeding behaviors, putting them at risk for entanglement in bottom-set fishing gear like lobster traps.

Alarming increase of myopia; environmental factors influence development, progression of myopia

New research on myopia — how it develops, risk and protective factors, and potentially effective measures for prevention and treatment - is widely available to help address the illness.

Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy associated with preterm birth for non-white mothers

African-American and Puerto Rican women who have low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are more likely to go into labor early and give birth to preterm babies, research reveals. The study is the largest to date to look at the association between vitamin D and preterm birth.

Recycling valuable materials used in TVs, car batteries, cell phones

Many of today's technologies, from hybrid car batteries to flat-screen televisions, rely on materials known as rare earth elements (REEs) that are in short supply, but scientists are reporting development of a new method to recycle them from wastewater. The process could help alleviate economic and environmental pressures facing the REE industry.

Future Internet aims to sever links with servers

A prototype new IP layer for the internet has been designed. Called PURSUIT, it replaces a system in which we obtain information from servers with a model similar to p2p file-sharing, but on a massive, internet-wide scale. Content would be accessed not from servers, but in fragments from other people's computers.

'Good' cholesterol controls blood glucose

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), the so-called "good" cholesterol, improves blood glucose levels by enhancing skeletal muscle function and reducing adiposity, scientists report.

Weight loss not always beneficial for romantic relationships

Losing weight is beneficial for human health, but when one partner in a romantic relationship loses weight, it doesn't always have a positive effect on the relationship. According to new research, there can be a "dark side" to weight loss if both partners are not on board with enacting healthy changes.

Events coordination during embryogenesis

A new study reveals a mechanism through which the expression of genes is controlled -- a finding that highlights genetic mutations that can impair the timing of gene expression. Such mutations can affect the co-ordination of key events that are required for stepwise development of an organism, and can also give rise to cancer by turning on genes at the wrong time.

Biomarkers could lead to early diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Diagnosing colorectal cancer is complex; it relies on significant invasive tests and subjective evaluations. This process may soon become much easier thanks to a medical breakthrough. Researchers have identified genetic changes in the colon lining, or mucosa, in colorectal cancer patients that could be used as biomarkers of the disease. That will allow doctors to diagnose patients earlier, more accurately and less invasively.

New substance effectively combats multi-resistant bacteria

In Europe alone, more than 25,000 people die each year from infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. Researchers have now developed and characterized a substance that quickly and effectively kills the virulent bacteria. The substance employs a multifunctional mechanism that reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance.

New look at old test may provide earlier detection of meningitis

Researchers have found a more accurate method to screen for bacterial meningococcal infection in its early stages, when it's hardest to detect. The method for diagnosis could save lives by getting patients treatment earlier, when the infection is most treatable.

Is left-handedness higher among those suffering from psychosis?

Researchers have long studied the connections between hand dominance and different aspects of the human brain. A new study finds that among those with mental illnesses, left-handers are more likely to suffer from psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia than mood disorders.

Qigong can help fight fatigue in prostate cancer survivors

The flowing movements and meditative exercises of the mind-body activity Qigong may help survivors of prostate cancer to combat fatigue. These are the findings of a trial study that reviewed the severe fatigue that is the most common cancer-related symptom reported by cancer survivors, particularly prostate cancer survivors receiving androgen deprivation therapy.

Study: Corporate executives hugely overconfident

Corporate executives are astonishingly overconfident in their ability to forecast the stock market, a new study shows.

Scientist identify genetic link between language impairment, autism

In the first molecular genetic study of families with a history of both language impairment and autism, scientists may have uncovered a shared origin for the two conditions, an important step toward explaining why some cases of autism are accompanied by language difficulties and others are not. The study indicates that a disorder called specific language impairment — one of the most common developmental delays in children — may be caused by the same genetic variants that lead to language difficulties in some children with autism.

Those with Alzheimer's more likely to have heart disease , offered less treatment options

Persons with Alzheimer's disease suffer from ischaemic heart diseases more frequently than others, yet they undergo related procedures and surgery less frequently than persons with no diagnosed AD, according to a nation-wide register-based study. The study involved a total of 28,093 persons; that is every community-dwelling person with a diagnosed Alzheimer's disease living in Finland on 31 December 2005.

Face it: Twins who smoke look older

Twins who smoke show more premature facial aging, compared to their nonsmoking identical twins, reports a study.

'Gravity theory' may explain male pattern baldness

The effects of gravity may explain the apparently paradoxical effects of testosterone in male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, according to new research.

Bright eyes: Reindeers' eyes change from blue to gold with Arctic seasons

Researchers have discovered the eyes of Arctic reindeer change color through the seasons from gold to blue, adapting to extreme changes of light levels in their environment and helping detect predators. It is the first such color change observed in mammals.

Negative consequences of noise on overall health

The combined toll of occupational, recreational and environmental noise exposure poses a serious public health threat going far beyond hearing damage, according to an international team of researchers.

Teenagers, young adults diagnosed with cancer at increased risk of suicide

Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk of suicide after being diagnosed with cancer according to a study published. A study of nearly eight million Swedes aged 15 and over found that among the 12,669 young people diagnosed with cancer between the age of 15 and 30, there was a 60 percent increased risk of suicide or attempted suicide. The risk was highest (150 percent) in the first year after diagnosis.

Dinner rituals correlate with child, adult weight

Families that eat together without the television on and stay seated until everyone's finished have children with lower weights and body mass index (BMI), reports a study.

Mechanisms of wound healing clarified in zebrafish study

A crucial component of wound healing in many animals, including humans, is the migration of nearby skin cells toward the center of the wound. How do these neighboring skin cells know which way to migrate? A new paper from scientists clarifies the role of calcium signaling in wound healing.

Knowledge about incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse lower among women of color

Knowing what symptoms to look for may help women with pelvic floor disorders improve their chances of successful treatment. But knowledge of these disorders is lacking among most women, and especially among women of color, according to a new study.

Older children with HIV may need to start treatment sooner than thought

Although younger children with HIV are at high risk of disease progression if not treated, new research indicates that they have good potential for achieving high CD4 counts (a measure of a type of white blood cell that correlates with immune function) in later life provided antiretroviral therapy is initiated according to current treatment guidelines.

New molecular target for malaria control identified

A new study has shown that egg development in the mosquito species primarily responsible for spreading malaria depends on a switch in the female that is turned on by a male hormone delivered during sex. Blocking the activation of this switch could impair the ability of the species, Anopheles gambiae, to reproduce, and may be a viable future strategy for mosquito and malaria control.

Safer nuclear fuels: New uranium pellets with degradation-resistant cladding for enhanced safety

Exploratory research on revolutionary new types of nuclear fuel pellets that would be safer in the event of a nuclear disaster has yielded promising results, according to scientists.

The secret math of plants: Biologists uncover rules that govern leaf design

Biologists have discovered fundamental rules for leaf design that underlie the ability of plants to make leaves that vary enormously in size.

How the universe's violent youth seeded cosmos with iron

By detecting an even distribution of iron throughout a massive galaxy cluster, astrophysicists can tell the 10-billion-year-old story of how exploding stars and black holes sowed the early cosmos with heavy elements.

Warming will disturb balance of soil nutrients in drylands, make drylands less productive

An increase in aridity due to global warming will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil and reduce productivity of the world's drylands, which support millions of people, a landmark study predicts. The research was conducted by a global collaboration of scientists who studied sites in 16 countries. It shows that increasing aridity is associated with a reduction in carbon and nitrogen in the soil and an increase in phosphorus.

How mice survive infection by virulent Toxoplasma parasites

One of the commonest parasites in the world is Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes significant damage to the unborn child if a woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy. The natural cycle of the organism depends on cats and on mice. Infection by Toxoplasma normally doesn't kill the animal, but there are some "virulent" strains that kill mice only a few days after infection.

Babies can learn their first lullabies in the womb

An infant can recognize a lullaby heard in the womb for several months after birth, potentially supporting later speech development.

A first step in learning by imitation, baby brains respond to another's actions

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery for adults, but for babies it's their foremost tool for learning. Now researchers have found the first evidence revealing a key aspect of the brain processing that occurs in babies to allow this learning by observation.

Staggering turbines improves performance 33%

Researchers have found staggering and spacing out turbines in an offshore wind farm can improve performance by as much as 33 percent.

Genetic rarity rules in wild guppy population

A new study demonstrates a female preference for rare males using an experiment in a wild population, rather than a laboratory setting.

Media Consumption To Average 15.5 Hours A Day By 2015

A new report looks at media consumption by individuals in and out of the home, excluding the workplace, between 2008 and 2015, breaking "media" down into 30 categories of media type and delivery (e.g. television, social media, computer gaming) and conclude that the average person will consume 15.5 hours per day by 2015.

Researchers study epigenetic mechanisms of tumor metastasis for improved cancer therapy

A review article by researchers suggests that epigenetics may be a useful target to stop the growth, spread and relapse of cancer.

Nerve stimulation in neck may reduce heart failure symptoms

A multidisciplinary team of experts in heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and neurosurgery are now testing nerve stimulation in the neck as a novel therapy for heart failure patients to potentially help relieve their debilitating symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart arrhythmias, while reducing their hospitalizations.

Prices, family interactions influence eating behaviors

Researchers looked at how prices, parents and peers affect fruit and vegetable consumption among African-American youths. Researchers say understanding these factors can help design more effective policy interventions.

Pore formation in cell membranes linked to triggers of rheumatoid arthritis

Experiments by scientists have unraveled two biological mechanisms as the major cause of protein citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis. Protein citrullination is suspected of sparking the immune system and driving the cascade of events leading to the disease.

MS study correlates negative effect of warmer weather on cognitive status

Scientists correlated fMRI findings with the negative impact of outdoor temperature on cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis. This study in Brain Imaging & Behavior corroborates the group's previous study that established that people with MS performed worse on cognitive tasks during warmer outdoor temperatures. This new study extends previous research by demonstrating a link between brain activity and outdoor temperature.

Breakthrough research produces brighter, more efficiently produced lighting

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

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

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.

Giant atom eats quantum gas

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.

Simple plants aren't always easy: Revision of the liverwort Radula buccinifera complex

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.

Study gives Catholic schools poor marks

A national study suggests Catholic schools are not superior to public schools after all.

Monster mash: Protein folding gone wrong

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 over highway

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

A study has found for the first time that, just like humans, unpredictability is also a consistent behavioral trait in the animal world.

Chickens to benefit from biofuels bonanza

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.

Monoclonal antibodies show promise as effective HIV therapy

A research team has demonstrated that a group of recently discovered antibodies may be a highly effective therapy for the treatment of HIV.

Staph infections & eczema: What's the connection?

For the millions of people suffering from the intensely red, horribly itchy skin condition known as eczema, the only thing more maddening than their disease is the lack of understanding of what causes it, or makes it flare up from time to time. Now, a new finding may bring that understanding closer – and could help lead to better treatments.

HPV vaccination rates alarmingly low among young women in Southern US

Initiation and completion rates for the human papillomavirus vaccine series are significantly lower in the Southern US than any other geographic region, according to a new study. The new findings are especially disconcerting because cervical cancer -- which is caused almost exclusively by HPV -- is more prevalent in the South than in any other region.

Testosterone production study challenges 25-year-old scientific dogma

New research refutes the scientific community's long-held belief that the body needs a specific protein to produce steroid hormones like testosterone.

Testing technique could lengthen lifespan of dialysis patients

A new testing method can better detect potentially fatal hormone imbalances in patients with end-stage kidney disease, according to a recent study.

Low thyroid levels may signal heightened risk of death in hospitalized patients

Older individuals hospitalized with a serious condition may face a slimmer risk of surviving if their thyroid hormone levels are low, according to a recent study.

Better use of lighting in hospital rooms may improve patients' health

A new study suggests that changing the lighting patterns in hospital rooms so that they're more aligned with normal sleep-wake cycles could help patients feel better with less fatigue and pain. The findings point to a simple and inexpensive way to potentially improve patient care.

'Culture of resistance' for self-reporting concussions in youth sports

Young athletes in the US face a "culture of resistance" to reporting when they might have a concussion and to complying with treatment plans, which could endanger their well-being, says a new report. The report provides a broad examination of concussions in a variety of youth sports with athletes aged five to 21.

Rise of medical tourism shows impact on cosmetic surgery market

Would you consider traveling to Mexico or India for a less-expensive rhinoplasty or breast augmentation procedure? Many Americans are doing just that -- and the trend is having an impact on the market for cosmetic plastic surgery.

Patient in 'vegetative state' not just aware, but paying attention, study suggests

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

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

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

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

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

Research finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing

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.

Public insurance fills health coverage gap

In the years leading up to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of Californians who received their health insurance through public programs continued to rise, likely in direct response to the loss of job-based coverage in the state.

Half of prostate cancer patients in NC do not receive multidisciplinary care

Only half of the men who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in North Carolina consult with more than one type of physician before deciding on a course of treatment, according to research.

Compact delivery system for microbeam radiation therapy developed using nanotechnology

Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) provides tremendous promise for cancer patients through its ability to destroy tumor cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. Yet research into its clinical use has been limited by the sheer size of the technology required to generate the beams. Now, a new microbeam emitter has been developed that scales down the technology, opening the doors for clinical research.

Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation

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

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

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.

Pizza perfect! A nutritional overhaul of 'junk food,' ready-meals is possible

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.

Medical students taught meditation techniques to prevent burnout, improve care

Doctors commonly tell patients that stress can be harmful to their health. Yet when it comes to reducing their own stress levels, physicians don't always heed their own advice.

Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes

A discovery could provide epilepsy patients invaluable advance guidance about their chances to improve symptoms through surgery.

Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection

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.

How internet affects young people at risk of self-harm, suicide

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.

Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors

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

"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.

Scientists call for action to tackle cervical cancer in Kenya

Less than seven percent of cervical cancer patients in Kenya are getting the optimum treatment needed to eradicate the disease, leading to unnecessary deaths.

Dogs know a left-sided wag from a right

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

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.

Could a Milky Way supernova be visible from Earth in next 50 years?

Astronomers have calculated the odds that, sometime during the next 50 years, a supernova occurring in our home galaxy will be visible from Earth.

Geoengineering the climate could reduce vital rains

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.

Research shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers

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

The type of bacteria involved in human decomposition can change over time, according to new research.

One of the oldest cases of tuberculosis discovered

Scientists verify the presence of tuberculosis from 7,000 years ago.

Houston we have a problem: Microgravity accelerates biological aging

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.

High protein diet, meal replacements can reduce rebound weight gain

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.

Stem cell scarring aids recovery from spinal cord injury

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.

Incomplete protein digestion is useful for some bacteria

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.

Gaming technology unravels one of the most complex entities in nature: Computational research unveils secrets in the human carbohydrate bar-code

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.

Underwater robots influence complex swimming behaviors of schooling fish

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.

Real-time, 3-D teleconferencing technology developed

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.

Physicists take an atomic-level peek at unexpected behavior in multilayered structures

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.

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Thursday, October 31, 2013

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