SPAM: 2014

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

Many small exoplanets found to be covered in gas: New measurements of mass expand knowledge of exoplanets' compositions

NASA's Kepler space telescope discovered thousands of "planetary candidates," but what are the planets made of? To know this, each planet's mass first must be determined. An astronomer reports having measured the masses of approximately 60 exoplanets larger than Earth and smaller than Neptune. The measurements greatly expand scientists' knowledge of sub-Neptune exoplanets because once the mass and size of a planet are known, the density can be determined and the composition of the planet inferred.

Massive exoplanets may be more Earth-like than thought: 'Super-Earths' likely to have both oceans and continents

Massive terrestrial planets, called "super-Earths," are known to be common in our Milky Way galaxy. Now scientists report the odds of these planets having an Earth-like climate are much greater than previously thought. They conclude that most tectonically active super-Earths -- regardless of mass -- store most of their water in the mantle and will have both oceans and exposed continents, enabling a stable climate such as Earth's.

Infants show ability to tell friends from foes

Even before babies have language skills or much information about social structures, they can infer whether other people are likely to be friends by observing their likes and dislikes, a new study on infant cognition has found.

Elephant shark genome decoded

An international team of researchers has sequenced the genome of the elephant shark, a curious-looking fish with a snout that resembles the end of an elephant's trunk.

Beating poppy seed defense: New test can distinguish heroin use from seed ingestion

Heroin is one of the most widely used illegal drugs in the world, but drug testing has long been challenged by the difficulty in separating results of illicit heroin users from those who have innocently eaten poppy seeds containing a natural opiate. Research explores a new test which may present a solution to this so-called 'poppy seed defense.'

Mathematics for safer medicine

A research group analyzes large amounts of data and calculates uncertainties in technical systems. The group of mathematicians and computer scientists especially focuses on increasing the security of technology in operating rooms.

MRSA drug dosage calculations found to be inaccurate for children over 10

The emergence of MRSA, dubbed a 'superbug' due to its resistance to many antibiotic drugs, has resulted in the glycopeptide antibiotic Vancomycin being commonly prescribed for patients in hospital. However, MRSA's resistance to drugs has led to concerns of a 'creeping minimum' in the concentration of the dosage required to treat infection. In adults, nomograms are used to calculate the correct dosage of Vancomycin based on a patient's weight and creatinine levels. New research explores the accuracy of adult nomograms in children over ten.

Temperature most significant driver of world's tallest trees

Understanding forest biodiversity and how carbon dioxide is stored within trees is an important area of ecological research. The bigger the tree, the more carbon it stores and a study explores global variance in tree height, identifying temperature as the most important factor behind the tallest species.

Ear tubes vs. watchful waiting: Tubes do not improve long-term development

Study suggests tubes, adenoidectomy reduce fluid in the middle ear and improve hearing in the short term, but tubes did not improve speech or language for children with middle ear fluid.

Young children engage in physical activity in short spurts; preschoolers take 11 hours to attain daily exercise levels

Preschool-aged children require the majority of their waking day, approximately 11 hours, to achieve their recommended daily physical activity, a study has found.

Study shows 'readability' scores largely inaccurate

Teachers, parents and textbook companies use technical "readability" formulas to determine how difficult reading materials are and to set reading levels by age group. But new research shows that the readability formulas are usually inaccurate and offer little insight into which age groups will be able to read and understand a text.

Neuroscience study uncovers new player in obesity

A new neuroscience study sheds light on the biological underpinnings of obesity. The study reveals how a protein in the brain helps regulate food intake and body weight. The findings create a potential new avenue for the treatment of obesity and may help explain why medications that interfere with this protein, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, can cause weight gain.

By the numbers: Simple 10 step approach to reducing harms of alcohol

Much the same way individuals are encouraged to know their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a new article urges the European public to know and monitor their alcohol intake number using a simple 10 point plan.

New global stroke repository offers regional comparative statistics

In many countries, strokes are seen as a lower priority when compared to other diseases despite their public health impact. This is partly due to a lack of readily accessible data to make the case for the development of national stroke strategies. Efforts of a global team to launch a repository housing the latest published information on the impact of strokes worldwide.

New phone alerts for extreme weather may prevent casualties in India

When Cyclone Phailin hit India in late 2013, it became the largest storm to batter the subcontinent in over a decade. The storm affected more than 12 million people in India and neighboring countries, and required mass evacuations. These evacuations revealed an urgent need for an effective alert system which could forewarn the majority of the population. A new paper details how computer science undergraduates have created image based mobile phone alerts, connected to the Weather Research and Forecasting system.

Survival protein a potential new target for many cancers

Researchers have discovered a promising strategy for treating cancers that are caused by one of the most common cancer-causing changes in cells. The discovery offers hope for treating many types of cancer that are driven to grow and spread through the actions of a cancer-causing protein called MYC. Up to 70 percent of human cancers, including many leukaemias and lymphomas, have unusually high levels of MYC.

Quasars illuminate swiftly swirling clouds around galaxies

A new study of light from quasars has provided astronomers with illuminating insights into the swirling clouds of gas that form stars and galaxies, proving that the clouds can shift and change much more quickly than previously thought.

universe measured to one-percent accuracy: Survey makes most precise calibration yet of the universe's 'standard ruler'

The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) is the largest component of the third Sloan Digital Sky Survey. BOSS has measured the clustering of nearly 1.3 million galaxies spectroscopically, determining the "standard ruler" of the universe's large-scale structure to within one percent. This is the most precise such measurement ever made and likely to be the standard for years to come.

Scientists find new mechanism underlying depression

Researchers have shown that changes in a type of brain cells called microglia underlie the depressive symptoms brought on by exposure to chronic stress. In animal experiments, the researchers were able to demonstrate that microglia-stimulating drugs served as effective and fast-acting antidepressants, producing complete recovery of the depressive-like behavioral symptoms and increasing neurogenesis to normal levels within days. This suggests new avenues for drug research, using microglia stimulators as antidepressants.

Microbe community changes may reduce Amazon's ability to lock up carbon dioxide

A new paper looks for the first time at the reaction of free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms called diazotrophs to the conversion of rainforests to pastureland in the Amazon. Researchers found big changes to the diazotroph communities that they say may reduce the region's ability to act as a reservoir for greenhouse gas.

Engineers make world's fastest organic transistor, herald new generation of see-through electronics

Researchers have produced the world's fastest thin-film organic transistors, proving that this experimental technology could achieve the performance needed for high-resolution television screens and similar electronic devices. For years engineers have been trying to use inexpensive, carbon-rich molecules and plastics to create organic semiconductors that can approximate the performance of costlier technologies based on silicon.

Organic mega flow battery promises breakthrough for renewable energy

Scientists and engineers have demonstrated a new type of battery that could fundamentally transform the way electricity is stored on the grid, making power from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar far more economical and reliable.

Fossil pigments reveal the colors of ancient sea monsters

During the Age of the dinosaurs, huge reptiles, such as mosasaurs and ichthyosaurs, ruled the seas. Previously, scientists could only guess what colors these spectacular animals had; however, pigment preserved in fossilized skin has now been analyzed. The unique soft tissue remains were obtained from a 55 million-year-old leatherback turtle, an 85 million-year-old mosasaur and a 196–190 million-year-old ichthyosaur. This is the first time that the color scheme of any extinct marine animal has been revealed.

Discovery of ancient Egyptian tomb of Khonsuemheb

Researchers have discovered a new private tomb in the el-Khokha area of Egypt's Theban necropolis, across the Nile from Luxor. The owner of the tomb was Khonsuemheb, who was called Chief of the Workshop for Mut and Chief Brewer of the Temple of Mut.

Nociceptin: Nature's balm for the stressed brain

Scientists have made new findings on a system in the brain that naturally moderates the effects of stress.

Symbiotic fungi inhabiting plant roots have major impact on atmospheric carbon, scientists say

Microscopic fungi that live in plants' roots play a major role in the storage and release of carbon from the soil into the atmosphere, according to new research. The role of these fungi is currently unaccounted for in global climate models.

The play-by-play of energy conversion: Catching catalysts in action

Before catalysis unfolds in a laboratory, scientists painstakingly assemble the materials and spark a reaction. But many experimental techniques only capture the static details before and after the reaction. Now researchers have demonstrated an unprecedented ability to peer into the dynamic, real-time reactions blazing along at scales spanning just billionths of a meter, producing a sort of play-by-play view of the chemistry in action.

Soap bubbles for predicting cyclone intensity?

Could soap bubbles be used to predict the strength of hurricanes and typhoons? However unexpected it may sound, this question prompted physicists to perform a highly novel experiment: they used soap bubbles to model atmospheric flow. A detailed study of the rotation rates of the bubble vortices enabled the scientists to obtain a relationship that accurately describes the evolution of their intensity, and propose a simple model to predict that of tropical cyclones.

GPS traffic maps for leatherback turtles show hotspots to prevent accidental fishing deaths

Pacific leatherback turtles, among the most endangered animal populations in the world, often die hooked or tangled in industrial longlines that set thousands of hooks in the ocean to catch fish. In a new study, researchers show the use-intensity distributions for 135 satellite-tracked adult turtles and distributions of longline fishing effort in the Pacific Ocean. The overlap of these distributions in space and time allows prediction of bycatch risk.

Avoiding demographic cliques builds stronger teams

Cliques make team player less altruistic. That is the finding from a study of teams in business and not-for-profit organizations. The study has implications for management of teams when measures of diversity including gender, ethnic origin and other demographic factors are considered.

Two-sizes-too-small 'Grinch' effect hampers heart transplantation success

Current protocols for matching donor hearts to recipients foster sex mismatching and heart size disparities, according to a first-of-its kind analysis by physicians. Matching by donor heart size may provide better outcomes for recipients.

Mental disorders in mid-life, older adulthood, more prevalent than previously reported

Common methods of assessing mental or physical disorders may consistently underestimate the prevalence of mental disorders among middle-aged and older adults, a new study has found. The analysis reveals substantial discrepancies among mid-life and late-life adults in reporting past mental health disorders, including depression, compared with physical disorders such as arthritis and hypertension.

Bio-inspired glue keeps hearts securely sealed

In the preclinical study, researchers developed a bio-inspired adhesive that could rapidly attach biodegradable patches inside a beating heart -- in the exact place where congenital holes in the heart occur, such as with ventricular heart defects.

Information as important as medication in reducing migraine pain

The information that doctors provide when prescribing drug therapies has long been thought to play a role in the way that patients respond to drug therapies. Now an innovative study of migraine headache confirms that a patient's expectations influence the effects of both medication and placebo pills.

Blood test to locate gene defects associated with cancer may not be far off

A simple blood test that can locate gene defects associated with cancer? New research suggests the technology may not be too far off.

Molecular engines star in new model of DNA repair

In a new study, researchers reveal how an enzyme called RNA polymerase patrols the genome for DNA damage and helps recruit partners to repair it. The result: fewer mutations and consequently less cancer and other kinds of disease.

Coral chemical warfare: Suppressing competitor enhances susceptibility to predator

Competition may have a high cost for at least one species of tropical seaweed. Researchers examining the chemical warfare taking place on Fijian coral reefs have found that one species of seaweed increases its production of noxious anti-coral compounds when placed into contact with reef-building corals, but at the same time becomes more attractive to herbivorous fish.

Researchers discover molecule behind the benefits of exercise

While it's clear that exercise can improve health and longevity, the changes that occur in the body to facilitate these benefits are less clear. Now researchers have discovered a molecule that is produced during exercise and contributes to the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism.

Updating air pollution measurement methods

Using advanced monitoring to assess health risk from air pollution, environmental health scientists hope to demonstrate for the first time in a real-world setting that air pollution can and should be regulated based on toxicology variables rather than simply on the volume of particles in the air.

New study finds extreme longevity in white sharks

Great white sharks -- top predators throughout the world's ocean -- grow much slower and live significantly longer than previously thought, according to a new study.

Neolithic mural may depict ancient eruption

Volcanic rock dating suggests the painting of a Çatalhöyük mural may have overlapped with an eruption in Turkey.

Two million years ago, human relative 'Nutcracker Man' lived on tiger nuts

A new study concludes that ancient ancestors who lived in East Africa between 2.4 million-1.4 million years ago mostly ate tiger nuts with additional nourishment from fruits and invertebrates, like worms and grasshoppers. The study examines the diet of Paranthropus boisei, nicknamed "Nutcracker Man," through studying modern-day baboons in Kenya to help to explain a puzzle that has vexed archaeologists for 50 years.

Kids have skewed view of gender segregation

Children believe the world is far more segregated by gender than it actually is, implies a new study.

Unfit, lean people are better protected against heart attacks than fit, obese people

A research team has shown that physical fitness in your teens can reduce the risk of heart attack later in life, while men who are fit and obese in their teens run a higher risk of having a heart attack than unfit, lean men.

Cancer drug protects against diabetes

New research shows that low doses of a cancer drug protect against the development of type 1 diabetes in mice. At the same time, the medicine protects the insulin-producing cells from being destroyed.

Ultra-thin flexible transparent electronics can wrap around a hair

Researchers are developing electronic components that are thinner and more flexible than before. They can even be wrapped around a single hair without damaging the electronics. This opens up new possibilities for ultra-thin, transparent sensors that are literally easy on the eye.

Successful test in humans of nasal vaccine against pertussis

The CHILD-INNOVAC European research program has enabled the development of an innovative vaccine that can be administered intranasally, to combat pertussis, which has shown a resurgence in developed countries in recent years.

Amount, types of fat we eat affect health, risk of disease

Healthy adults should consume between 20 percent and 35 percent of their calories from dietary fat, increase their consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, and limit their intake of saturated and trans fats, according to an updated position paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Marine bacteria to fight tough infections

Aggressive infections are a growing health problem all over the world. The development of resistant bacteria is rampant and, in the United States, resistant staphylococci cause more deaths than AIDS on an annual basis. Researchers are studying a new form of treatment based on marine bacteria.

Simple test can indicate cervical cancer

Researchers have confirmed that using the heat profile from a person's blood, called a plasma thermogram, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of cervical cancer, including the stage of cancer.

Magneto-optical nonreciprocal devices in silicon photonics

In a paper published, researchers demonstrated the first optical isolator on silicon waveguide platforms.

How to keep that New Year resolution to get fit

Recording goals in a fitness diary, reflecting on the successes and failures and being held to account by others are some of the key strategies that have been found to maximize the achievement of goals to get fit.

Surprising new class of 'hypervelocity stars' discovered escaping the galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a surprising new class of "hypervelocity stars" – solitary stars moving fast enough to escape the gravitational grasp of the Milky Way galaxy.

Want a better work-life balance? Exercise, study finds

Researchers have found that exercise plays a role in how individuals feel they can manage their work-life balance.

Many men start testosterone therapy without clear medical need

Although testosterone use has sharply increased among older men in the past decade, many patients appear to have normal testosterone levels and do not meet the clinical guidelines for treatment, according to new research.

Maternal stress hormones, maternal smoking increase daughter's risk of nicotine dependence, study shows

Smoking during pregnancy is linked to numerous negative outcomes, including low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and increased risk for attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, and nicotine use in offspring. Despite this extensive literature, it is estimated that 13%-30% of women in the United States continue to smoke while pregnant. Now, a new 40-year longitudinal study provides strong evidence that prenatal exposure to maternal stress hormones predicts nicotine dependence later in life -- but only for daughters.

Epilepsy drug taken in pregnancy found safe in preschool child development

A new study finds that the epilepsy drug levetiracetam appears not to be associated with thinking, movement and language problems for preschool children born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy, although the drug valproate was associated with some difficulties in preschoolers.

Unravelling the web of a cosmic creeply-crawly

This new Hubble image is the best-ever view of a cosmic creepy-crawly known as the Tarantula Nebula, a region full of star clusters, glowing gas, and dark dust. Astronomers are exploring and mapping this nebula as part of the Hubble Tarantula Treasury Project, in a bid to try to understand its starry anatomy.

When charitable acts are 'tainted' by personal gain

We tend to perceive a person's charitable efforts as less moral if the do-gooder reaps a reward from the effort, according to new research.

Study: Heavy viewers of 'Teen Mom', '16 and Pregnant' have unrealistic views of teen pregnancy

The creator of MTV's "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" said the shows have been called "one of the best public service campaigns to prevent teen pregnancy." A new study finds the opposite to be true. This paper presents findings that such teen mom shows actually lead heavy viewers to believe that teen mothers have an enviable quality of life, a high income and involved fathers.

Genetic testing to produce more offspring

A small anomaly with massive consequences: Researchers have discovered a genetic defect that makes breeding bulls infertile. To verify the mutation, researchers used the very latest gene sequencing techniques. Tests can now determine whether an animal is suitable for breeding or not.

Hubble views stellar genesis in the Southern Pinwheel

The vibrant magentas and blues in this Hubble image of the barred spiral galaxy M83 reveal that the galaxy is ablaze with star formation. The galactic panorama unveils a tapestry of the drama of stellar birth and death. The galaxy, also known as the Southern Pinwheel, lies 15 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra.

(Sponsor this newsletter)

Delievered to you by Feedamail.
Unsubscribe

SPAM

Thursday, January 9, 2014

FeedaMail: ScienceDaily: Most Popular News