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New variants at gene linked to kidney disease, sleeping sickness resistance

A new study involves a classic case of evolution's fickle nature: a genetic mutation that protects against a potentially fatal infectious disease also appears to increase the risk of developing a chronic, debilitating condition.

Sediment trapped behind dams makes them 'hot spots' for greenhouse gas emissions

With the "green" reputation of large hydroelectric dams already in question, scientists are reporting that millions of smaller dams on rivers around the world make an important contribution to the greenhouse gases linked to global climate change. Their study shows that more methane than previously believed bubbles out of the water behind small dams.

New therapy improves life span in melanoma patients with brain metastases

The treatment, given to patients with brain metastases, triggers the body's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Spitzer Discovers Young Stars with a 'Hula Hoop'

Astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have spotted a young stellar system that "blinks" every 93 days. Called YLW 16A, the system likely consists of three developing stars, two of which are surrounded by a disk of material left over from the star-formation process.

NASA's Cassini sees forces controlling Enceladus jets

The intensity of the jets of water ice and organic particles that shoot out from Saturn's moon Enceladus depends on the moon's proximity to the ringed planet, according to data obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.

3-D molecular syringes: Scientists solve structure of infection tool used by Yersinia bacterium

Abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea -- these symptoms could point to an infection with the bacterium Yersinia. Its pathogenic potential is based on a syringe-like injection apparatus called injectisome. Scientists have now unraveled this molecular syringe's spatial conformation. The researchers demonstrated that the length of Yersinia's injectisome's basal body, which crosses the bacterial cell wall, is adjustable -- very likely an adaptation to physical stress.

One in three U. S. youths report being victims of dating violence

About one in three American youths age 14-20 say they've been of victims of dating violence and almost one in three acknowledge they've committed violence toward a date, according to new study.

Nanomaterials: Sized-up for strength

Experiments and numerical simulations show that miniaturized ultra-small platinum cylinders weaken when their constituents are reduced in number.

Gene decoding obeys road traffic rules

Scientists show that a proper distance between "vehicles" along a gene "track" results in more efficient production of small RNA molecules.

Tiny, brightly shining silicon crystals could be safe for deep-tissue imaging

Tiny silicon crystals caused no health problems in monkeys three months after large doses were injected, marking a step forward in the quest to bring such materials into clinics as biomedical imaging agents, according to a new study.

By tracking maggots' food choices, scientists open significant new window into human learning

The larva of the fruit fly is helping scientists understand the way humans learn information from each other. Fruit flies have long served as models for studying behavior, but new findings show their larvae may be even more valuable. Researchers were able to demonstrate that the larvae, or maggots, are capable of social learning, which opens the door to many other experiments that could provide valuable insights into human behavior.

Understanding the effects of genes on human traits

Recent technological developments in genomics have revealed a large number of genetic influences on common complex diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, cancer or schizophrenia. However, discovering a genetic variant predisposing to a disease is only a first step. Scientists now propose a novel approach for scanning the entire genome that will help us understand the effect of genes on human traits.

Surprising result discovered when looking into effects of carbon nanotubes and soil sorption of toxicants

When it comes to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the soil, recent research shows that the new materials do not affect the sorption of the toxic part of oil called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Progress in using ethanol to make key raw material now produced from oil

Ethanol from corn and other plants could become the sustainable, raw material for a huge variety of products, from plastic packaging to detergents to synthetic rubber, that are currently petroleum-based.

Figuring out flow dynamics

Scientists have been building models of turbulent flow. Recently, they developed a new and improved way of looking at the composition of turbulence near walls, the type of flow that dominates our everyday life. Their research could lead to significant fuel savings, as a large amount of energy is consumed by ships and planes, for example, to counteract turbulence-induced drag.

Chanel, UCSB's corpse flower, blooms and causes a big stink

Chanel, UC Santa Barbara's corpse flower, has finally spread her odiferous wings, broadcasting a stench that smells like a cross between rotting flesh and Limburger cheese. "It's disgusting," said UCSB junior Connor Way, who visited Wednesday morning. "It's pretty nasty."

A glass of milk after eating sugary cereals may prevent cavities

Sugary cereals eaten dry could cause tooth decay, but when washed down with milk after eating, plaque acid levels are reduced, reducing damage to tooth enamel that leads to cavities, according to new research.

Anemia linked to increased risk of dementia

Anemia, or low levels of red blood cells, may increase the risk of dementia, according to a new study.

Fertility therapy not associated with long-term cardiovascular disease

Women who gave birth following fertility treatment had no long-term increased risk of death or major cardiovascular events compared to women who gave birth without fertility therapy, according to new research.

Autism symptoms not explained by impaired attention

Two aspects of attention -- reorienting focus and attending to social information -- do not seem to account for the diversity symptoms seen in autistic children, according to new research.

'Evolution will punish you if you're selfish and mean'

Evolutionary biologists offer new evidence that evolution doesn't favor the selfish, disproving a theory popularized in 2012. "We found evolution will punish you if you're selfish and mean," said the lead author, a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics. "For a short time and against a specific set of opponents, some selfish organisms may come out ahead. But selfishness isn't evolutionarily sustainable," he said.

New target identified for food allergy therapy

Researchers have identified an enzyme that is essential to the allergic reaction to peanuts. Blocking the enzyme's activity in sensitized mice prevented diarrhea and inflammation, and reduced levels of several proteins associated with allergies. The findings identify the enzyme, known as Cyp11a1, as a potential target for treatment of increasingly common and potentially deadly food allergy.

Breath analysis reliably indicates presence, level of infection in mice

Breath analysis may prove to be an accurate, noninvasive way to quickly determine the severity of bacterial and other infections, according to a new study.

New analysis sheds light on the links between chemicals in our body and income

A new study has found that the build-up of harmful chemicals in the body is affecting people of all social standings -- not just those from economically deprived backgrounds as previously thought.

Scientists discover a molecular 'switch' in cancers of the testis and ovary

Scientists have identified an 'on/off' switch in a type of cancer which typically occurs in the testes and ovaries called 'malignant germ cell tumors.'

Fatty acids could aid cancer prevention and treatment

Omega-3 fatty acids, contained in oily fish such as salmon and trout, selectively inhibit growth and induce cell death in early and late-stage oral and skin cancers, according to new research.

Aerial pictures reveal climate change

As a result of climate change, certain undesirable aquatic plants are starting to invade German water bodies. Even popular recreation areas like Lake Starnberg have been affected, leading to a growing need to monitor the spread of these plants. Up to now, regular monitoring has proven to be a costly process. But in a new approach, researchers have developed a quicker and less expensive method.

For lung transplant, researchers surprised to learn bigger appears to be better

Transplant teams have long tried to match the size of donor lungs to the size of the recipient as closely as possible, concerned that lungs of the wrong size could lead to poor lung function and poor outcomes. But new research suggests that oversized donor lungs may instead be the best option for patients, finding they are associated with a 30 percent increased chance of survival one year after the operation.

Research hope for bladder cancer

Researchers have for the first time identified the mechanism that causes a small, benign polyp to develop into severe invasive bladder cancer.

When galaxies switch off: Hubble's COSMOS survey solves 'quenched' galaxy mystery

Some galaxies hit a point in their lives when their star formation is snuffed out, and they become "quenched". Quenched galaxies in the distant past appear to be much smaller than the quenched galaxies in the Universe today. This has always puzzled astronomers -- how can these galaxies grow if they are no longer forming stars? A team of astronomers has now used a huge set of Hubble observations to give a surprisingly simple answer to this long-standing cosmic riddle.

Ultrasound patch heals venous ulcers in human trial

In a small clinical study, researchers administered a new method for treating chronic wounds using a novel ultrasound applicator that can be worn like a band-aid. The applicator delivers low-frequency, low-intensity ultrasound directly to wounds, and was found to significantly accelerate healing in five patients with venous ulcers.

Under leaden skies: Where heavy metal clouds the stars

Astronomers have discovered two unusual stars with extremely high concentrations of lead in their atmospheres.

Breast cancer cells' sugar craving is target for new type of treatment

A new way to target a breast cancer cells' appetite for over-indulging in sugar, that could provide an alternative treatment for chemotherapy resistant breast cancer is being developed.

Fly study finds two new drivers of RNA editing

A new study finds that RNA editing is not only regulated by sequences and structures near the editing sites but also by ones found much farther away. One newly discovered structure gives an editing enzyme an alternate docking site. The other appears to throttle competing splicing activity.

Novel molecules to target the cytoskeleton

The dysfunction of the cytoskeleton, a constituent element of the cell, is often associated with pathologies such as the onset of metastases. For this reason, it is a target of interest in numerous therapies. Scientists have now synthesized molecules capable of causing rapid growth of actin networks, one of the components of the cytoskeleton. This is a breakthrough because, until now, only molecules that stabilize or destroy the cytoskeleton of actin have been available.

Both parents experience highs and lows in sexuality after childbirth

Partners of new mothers often experience shifts in sexuality, and these shifts are often unrelated to biological or medical factors pertaining to childbirth. The findings expand current understanding of postpartum sexuality, and may help health professionals as they counsel new parents.

A new tool for brain research

Physicists and neuroscientists have unlocked one of the mysteries of the human brain, thanks to new research using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG).

The rise of deadly insect sting allergies: Is there a cure?

Insect sting allergy is increasing, affecting five percent of the population. But what much of the population may not understand is that there is something that can be done about it.

Target for drug development for chronic jaw pain disorder revealed

In a study in mice, researchers have identified a protein that is critical to temporomandibular joint disorder pain, and could be a promising target for developing treatments for the disorder.

NASA technologist makes traveling to hard-to-reach destinations easier

Traveling to remote locations sometimes involves navigating through stop-and-go traffic, traversing long stretches of highway and maneuvering sharp turns and steep hills. The same can be said for guiding spacecraft to far-flung destinations in space. It isn't always a straight shot.

Antibiotic resistance among hospital-acquired infections is much greater than prior CDC estimates

Hospital-acquired infections' antibiotic resistance is higher than prior CDC reports, and the FDA's reboot of its antibiotic development rules to combat these infections has fallen short.

New model for staph bone infections outlined

Microbiologists have identified a staph-killing compound that may be an effective treatment for osteomyelitis.

Scientists discover mineral-making secrets potentially useful for new materials

Proteins have gotten most of the attention in studies of how organic materials control the initial step of making the first tiny crystals that organisms use to build structures that help them move and protect themselves. Researchers have discovered that certain types of sugars, known as polysaccharides, may also control the timing and placement of minerals that animals use to produce hard structures.

New Explorer mission chooses the 'just-right' orbit

Principal investigator George Ricker likes to call it the "Goldilocks orbit" -- it's not too close to Earth and her Moon, and it's not too far. In fact, it's just right. And as a result of this never-before-used orbit — advanced and fine-tuned by NASA engineers and other members of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) team — the Explorer mission led by Ricker will be perfectly positioned to map the locations of more than 500 transiting exoplanets, extrasolar planets that periodically eclipse each one's host star.

A week's worth of camping synchs internal clock to sunrise and sunset

Spending just one week exposed only to natural light while camping in the Rocky Mountains was enough to synch the circadian clocks of eight people participating in a University of Colorado Boulder study with the timing of sunrise and sunset.

Potential nutritional therapy for childhood neurodegenerative disease

Researchers have identified the gene mutation responsible for a particularly severe form of pontocerebellar hyplasia, a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting children. Based on results in cultured cells, they are hopeful that a nutritional supplement may one day be able to prevent or reverse the condition.

Efficient model for generating human induced pluripotent stem cells

Researchers report a simple, easily reproducible RNA-based method of generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Their approach has broad applicability for the successful production of iPSCs for use in human stem cell studies and eventual cell therapies.

Extreme wildfires in Western U.S. likely fueled by climate change

Climate change is likely fueling the larger and more destructive wildfires that are scorching vast areas of the American West, according to new research.

Long-sought method to efficiently make complex anticancer compound developed

Scientists have achieved the first efficient chemical synthesis of ingenol, a highly complex, plant-derived compound that has long been of interest to drug developers for its anticancer potential. The achievement will enable scientists to synthesize a wide variety of ingenol derivatives and investigate their therapeutic properties. The achievement also sets the stage for the efficient commercial production of ingenol mebutate, a treatment for actinic keratosis (a common precursor to non-melanoma skin cancer), that at present must be extracted and refined inefficiently from plants.

Light that moves and molds gels

Researchers have demonstrated a biomimetic response using hydrogels -- a material that constitutes most contact lenses and microfluidic or fluid-controlled technologies. Their study is the first to show that these gels can be both reconfigured and controlled by light, undergoing self-sustained motion -- a uniquely biomimetic behavior.

Existing cropland could feed four billion more by dropping biofuels and animal feed

The world's croplands could feed 4 billion more people than they do now just by shifting from producing animal feed and biofuels to producing exclusively food for human consumption, according to new research.

Stray prenatal gene network suspected in schizophrenia

Researchers have reverse-engineered the outlines of a disrupted prenatal gene network in schizophrenia, by tracing spontaneous mutations to where and when they likely cause damage in the brain. Some people with the brain disorder may suffer from impaired birth of new neurons in the front of their brain during prenatal development, suggest the researchers, who compared spontaneous mutations in 105 affected and 84 unaffected siblings, in families without previous histories of the illness.

We each live in our own little world -- smellwise

There are some smells we all find revolting. But toward a handful of odors, different people display different sensitivities. A pair of studies identifies the genetic differences that underpin the differences in smell sensitivity. The researchers tested 200 people for their sensitivity to 10 different chemical compounds. They then searched through the subjects' genomes for areas of the DNA that differed between people who could smell a given compound and those who could not.

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

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