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ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

Computer scientists develop new approach to sort cells up to 38 times faster

A team of engineers led by computer scientists has developed a new approach that marries computer vision and hardware optimization to sort cells up to 38 times faster than is currently possible. The approach could be used for clinical diagnostics, stem cell characterization and other applications.

Newly identified biomarkers help predict outcome in deadly lung disease

A study has identified a gene expression profile that can predict outcomes and lead to better treatment for one of the most lethal lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Cost savings for those who need surgery as ACL injury treatment

To aid in the decision making process, a study offers new information for those considering or needing surgery. For the first time, researchers assessed the economic and societal impact of ACL surgery in relation to the cost of the procedure and confirmed a significant cost savings to society over time.

Longline fishery in Costa Rica kills thousands of sea turtles, sharks

The second-most-common catch on Costa Rica's longline fisheries in the last decade was not a commercial fish species. It was olive ridley sea turtles. These lines also caught more green turtles than most species of fish. These findings and more indicate that the Costa Rican longline fishery represents a major threat to the survival of eastern Pacific populations of sea turtles as well as sharks.

Researchers identify the neural circuits that modulate REM sleep

Researchers have identified, for the first time, a precise causal link between neuronal activity in the lateral hypothalamus and the state of REM sleep. Using optogenetics, they were able to induce REM sleep in mice and modulate the duration of this sleep phase by activating the neuronal network in this area of the brain.

New genetic discovery could reduce the guess work in drug dosing

The discovery of genetic differences affecting up to a third of the population could take the guess work out of prescribing the correct dose of 25 percent of drugs currently on the market, researchers say.

Over-the counter as effective as Rx at managing post-tonsillectomy pain

You may be able to eat all of the ice cream you want after having your tonsils removed, but researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit say you don't necessarily need a prescription to reduce post-operative pain – an over-the-counter pain-reliever is just as effective.

Freedom, choice key to restorative lunch breaks

Working through lunch might not be as bad as they say, suggests a new paper on work recovery, but only if employees choose that themselves, and don't feel pressured into it.

Insects modify mating behavior in anticipation of storms

Insects modify calling and courting mating behavior in response to changes in air pressure.

Protecting the weedy and wild kin of globally important crops

As more and more people recognize the importance of the wild relatives of crop plants to agriculture and food security, interest in cataloging and conserving these plants is building around the world. Agricultural researchers are working to identify and protect the wild relatives of domesticated crop plants both in the United States and abroad.

America is increasingly diverse, but challenges remain

America's communities are becoming increasingly diverse, but there are still important concerns about racial and ethnic integration in the future, according to researchers.

Bug vs. Bug: Benign C. Difficile strains keep fatal strains at bay

In a recent study, two different strains of non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile provided protection against both historic and epidemic C. difficile strains.

Out-of-pocket medical spending will drop for many under Affordable Care Act

Making health care insurance more affordable is one key goal of the Affordable Care Act. A new study finds that out-of-pocket medical expenses will decline for most consumers who become newly insured or change their source of health insurance under the program.

Lactation may be linked to aggressive cancer in Mexican women

Scientific data suggest that a woman reduces her risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding, having multiple children and giving birth at a younger age. A study recently published indicates that women of Mexican descent may not fit that profile. In fact, results suggest that women of Mexican descent with more children and those who breastfeed are more likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Surgery may be effective treatment option for older epilepsy patients

Surgery may be an effective treatment for epilepsy in older patients, a finding that runs counter to conventional treatment methods. Results showed that 74 percent of patients aged 50 years or older remained free of disabling seizures, compared with 58 percent of patients in a younger group. Among patients aged 60 years or older, 91 percent remained seizure-free.

High-dose statins reduce gum inflammation in heart disease patients

Statins, commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol, also reduced inflammation associated with gum disease. The study suggests that steps taken to reduce gum disease may also reduce inflammation in the arteries and vice versa.

New bio bank to resolve legal, ethical issues

When researchers collect human tissue in a so-called bio bank, the purpose is usually to learn about various diseases and improve curing of them. But a group of researchers are in the process of creating a bio bank, which will generate knowledge about the legal and ethical aspects of bio banking as well as contributing to medical research.

Civilization is defined by 'the others'

What does it mean to be a civilized person? A civilized nation? How are these notions changing over time? And from one country to another?

Hormone therapy for menopausal women should be restricted by dose, time

Hormone therapy should only be used for a short period of time near the time of menopause for women experiencing hot flashes, and not as therapy for chronic disease prevention, according to new research.

Increase in survival following bystander CPR for out-of-hospital heart attack

In Denmark between 2001 and 2010 there was an increase in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that was associated with an increase in survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, according to a study.

Less can be more when removing lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery

A conservative approach to removing lymph nodes is associated with less harm for breast cancer patients and often yields the same results as more radical procedures, researchers have found.

Exercise 'potentially as effective' as many drugs for common diseases

Physical activity is potentially as effective as many drug interventions for patients with existing coronary heart disease and stroke, suggests a review of evidence.

Decoding sound's source

Researchers have gained new insight into how localized hearing works in the brain.

Mom's weight gain during pregnancy tied to childhood obesity

Women who gain excessive weight in pregnancy are more likely to have overweight and obese children.

Three hours is enough to help prevent mental health issues in teens

The incidence of mental health issues amongst 509 British youth was reduced by 25 to 33% over the 24 months following two 90-minute group therapy sessions. Almost one-in-four American 8 to 15 year olds has experienced a mental health disorder over the past year. We know that these disorders are associated with a plethora of negative consequences. This study shows that teacher delivered interventions that target specific risk factors for mental health problems can be immensely effective at reducing the incidence of depression, anxiety and conduct disorders in the long term.

Accurate maps of streams could aid in more sustainable development of Potomac River watershed

Where a stream ends is clear, but where it begins can be more difficult to discern. Researchers have now developed a new method to solve this problem, resulting in a new map of the Potomac River watershed stream network that significantly improves the information needed for assessing the impact of urbanization on aquatic ecosystems.

Improving water security with blue, green, and gray water

With limited water and an increasing number of people depending on it, water security is tenuous. But integrated water management plans using "blue," "green," and "gray" water can increase water security.

Novel biomarker in spit linked to stress, resilience

Spit conjures a variety of sayings and images for most people, but for some researchers, spit is also serious business. In a recent study, scientists tracked the release of nerve growth factor in saliva (sNGF), finding for the first time that this protein typically linked to the survival, development or function of neurons may be an important player in understanding the body's response to stress.

Association between high BMI and cardiovascular disease is stronger among east Asians than south Asians

A study has found that the association between body fat and mortality due to cardiovascular disease differs between south and east Asians, a finding that has important implications for global health recommendations.

Two new enigmatic spider species with peculiar living habits from Uruguay

Scientists describe two new spider species from the Nemesiidae family. The representatives of this family live in silk lined burrows covered by a flap-like door that they build for their protection and as an ambush cover when hunting.

Nothin' to sneeze at

Researchers have successfully tested treatments for people with allergies to grasses and to dust mites. The treatments are from a new class of therapy, known as 'synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes', or SPIREs. Positive results, first with a cat allergy therapy and now with house dust mite and grass allergy treatments, suggest that this approach may be used for many common allergies.

The art of amplification: A desktop-size 10 terawatt laser

A compact new generation optical amplifier has been constructed. The apparatus is extremely efficient and small enough to fit on a desktop and is able to generate over 10 terawatt light pulses.

Progress in the prediction of epilepsy surgery

According to new research, personality style, intelligence quotient and hemisphere of seizure origin are factors that would help to predict success of surgeries as epilepsy treatment. Researchers reached these conclusions by using predictive models based on machine learning techniques.

Key mechanism behind herpes revealed by researchers

Researchers have for the first time managed to measure the internal pressure that enables the herpes virus to infect cells in the human body. The discovery paves the way for the development of new medicines to combat viral infections. The results indicate good chances to stop herpes infections in the future.

Great potential for faster diagnoses with new method

The more accurately we can diagnose a disease, the greater the chance that the patient will survive. That is why many researchers are working to improve the quality of the diagnostic process. Researchers have discovered a method that will make the process faster, cheaper and more accurate. This is possible, because they are combining advanced tools used in physics for research in biology at nanoscale, two scientific disciplines usually very distant from each other.

The order of words: Understanding differences in how children and adults learn

There are words that convey a meaning, like verbs, nouns or adjectives, and others, like articles or conjunctions that sustain them, providing a structure for the sentence. A few years ago some scientists showed that the order of the two categories of words within a sentence is important for language acquisition in infants already in their first year of life. Today new study shows that adults also have similar preferences. A phenomenon that may help understanding the differences between how children and adults learn.

Babies born at 37 and 38 weeks at higher risk for adverse health outcomes

Babies considered "early-term," born at 37 or 38 weeks after a mother's last menstrual period, may look as healthy as full-term babies born at 39-41 weeks, but a study has found that many of them are not.

Predictors of substance abuse identified in teens with bipolar disorder

A study has found that approximately one in three teens with bipolar disorder developed substance abuse, for the first time, during 4 years of follow-up. The study also identified several risk factors that predicted who among these teens was most likely to develop substance abuse.

Free head, neck cancer screenings have positive impact in urban areas

Offering free head and neck cancer screenings annually to the community not only has the possibility of early detection, but also the opportunity -- particularly in an urban city -- to increase a person's understanding of risk factors that cause cancer, according to a new study.

Skin of patients with psoriasis protects itself from virus infections

Researchers have discovered why patients with psoriasis are less susceptible to viral infections than patients suffering from atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema). The reason for this is the larger quantity of special proteins present in psoriatic skin, which inhibit viral replication.

Early spring warming has greatest effect on breaking bud

A statistical analysis of how plants are responding to climate change has found that unseasonal warming during the late-winter/early-spring period has more effect on the plant's timing than at any other time of the year.

Imaging system can help diagnose disease, monitor hazardous substances

To meet demands for ever smaller imaging systems, researchers are working to create entirely unconventional ways of focusing light. In pursuit of this vision, engineers have built a novel type of imaging system inspired by the elegance and relative mechanical simplicity of the human eye.

Genetic anti-inflammatory defect predisposes children to lymphoma

New research shows that children with an inherited genetic defect in a critical anti-inflammatory pathway have a genetic predisposition to lymphoma.

Researchers regenerate a fully functional bioengineered lacrimal gland

Organ replacement regenerative therapy has been proposed as having the potential to enable the replacement of organs that have been damaged by disease, injury or aging. A research group signals a substantial advancement in the development of next-generation organ replacement regenerative therapies for dry eye disorders.

3-D printing: The greener choice

A life cycle impact analyses on three products, an orange juicer, a children's building block and a water spout, showed that making the items on a basic 3-D printer took from 41 percent to 64 percent less energy than making them in an overseas factory and shipping them to the US.

3-D dynamic imaging of soft materials

Through a combination of transmission electron microscopy and ta unique graphene liquid cell, researchers have recorded the three-dimensional motion of DNA connected to gold nanocrystals, the first reported use of TEM for 3D dynamic imaging of soft materials.

New small-molecule catalyst does the work of many enzymes

Researchers report that they have created a human-made catalyst that is an "enzyme mimic." Unlike most enzymes, which act on a single target, the new catalyst can alter the chemical profiles of numerous types of small molecules. The catalyst -- and others like it -- will greatly speed the process of drug discovery, the researchers say. Their findings appear in the Journal of the American Chemistry Society.

Long-term cognitive impairment too common after critical illness

Patients treated in intensive care units across the globe are entering their medical care with no evidence of cognitive impairment but oftentimes leaving with deficits similar to those seen in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) that persists for at least a year.

Incident rates rising for post-partum depression among women, risk factor for suicide

The annual incidence rates for diagnoses of post-partum depression during the 12-months post-delivery period among active component service women who gave birth for the first time increased from 2007 to 2012, according to a new study.

New advances in the study of human mitochondrial DNA

A study concerning the evolution of mitochondrial DNA has allowed researchers to determine the frequency and pattern of heteroplasmy in the complete mitochondrial genome using a representative sample of the European population. This phenomenon, which indicates the presence of different mitochondrial DNA types in a cell or an individual, can be found in more than half of the population. The data indicates that many of the newly arising mutations found never reach fixation at the population level due to the effect of evolutionary mechanisms such as genetic drift or selection. The study may open a new perspective on medical, evolutionary and forensic research.

New MRI technique detects genetic condition that attacks the heart, brain, nerves

A genetic condition that attacks multiple organs and usually results in fatal heart problems can be detected using a new MRI technique. The discovery of this new diagnostic tool has resulted in updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease in Canada.

Human skin wound dressings to treat cutaneous ulcers

Researchers have shown that it is possible to treat venous ulcers unresponsive to conventional treatment with wound dressings made from human skin grown in vitro. A study demonstrates how this approach was successfully used to treat venous lower-extremity ulcers in patients who had been chronically suffering from such wounds.

Death of a spruce tree

Examining a long-lived forest, researchers have measured mortality of Black Spruce trees in the northern forests of North America, and have found the dead trees aren't being replaced by new ones. The result suggests trees might be storing more carbon than currently estimated.

Certain type of fat could help humans lose weight

After studying genetically modified mice, the discovery of a fat that could help people lose weight could lead to supplements and a diet regime that will increase metabolism and decrease muscle fatigue in humans.

'Cupcake bans' rare, but policies may reduce overexposure to sugary treats

School district policies and state laws discouraging sugary foods and beverages at classroom parties can affect school practices.

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Thursday, October 3, 2013

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