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Better robot vision: Neglected statistical tool could help robots better understand the objects in the world around them

A researcher finds that a neglected statistical tool could help robots better understand the objects in the world around them.

Some video games promote unhealthy foods for kids

Not only do some online video games promote a less-than-active lifestyle for children, the content of some of these games also may be contributing to unhealthy diets. A team of researchers took a closer look at what are called advergames and found they have a tendency to promote foods that are chock full of fat, sugar and sodium.

Cells prefer nanodiscs over nanorods

For years scientists have been working to fundamentally understand how nanoparticles move throughout the human body. One big unanswered question is how the shape of nanoparticles affects their entry into cells. Now researchers have discovered that under typical culture conditions, mammalian cells prefer disc-shaped nanoparticles over those shaped like rods.

Lance Armstrong failed social media, too, study suggests

Lance Armstrong used Twitter to employ image-repair strategies in a way that cultivated followers and countered media reports. However, he neglected to enact any image-repair tweets following his admission to using performance-enhancing drugs in a nationally staged interview with Oprah Winfrey, researchers say.

Infanticide linked to wet-nursing in meerkats

Mothers who lose their pups to infanticide by the dominant female in a meerkat group often then provide the dominant female with a wet-nurse service, say researchers who have carried out the most comprehensive study of wet-nursing in a single species to date.

Numerically identifying pollen grains improves on conventional ID method

Researchers have developed a new quantitative -- rather than qualitative -- method of identifying pollen grains that is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Plastic waste is a hazard for subalpine lakes, too

Many subalpine lakes may look beautiful and even pristine, but new evidence suggests they may also be contaminated with potentially hazardous plastics. Researchers say those tiny microplastics are likely finding their way into the food web through a wide range of freshwater invertebrates too. The findings, based on studies of Italy's Lake Garda and reported on October 7th in Current Biology, suggest that the problem of plastic pollution isn't limited to the ocean.

Hurricane Sandy's impact on New Jersey coastal wetlands, one year later

In a stroke of good luck, scientists captured detailed measurements of water level and salinity at a range of coastal wetland sites, even as they were overtaken by Hurricane Sandy. After the storm, she began working on an intensive year-long project to evaluate ecosystem processes in New Jersey's salt marshes before, during, and for a year following Hurricane Sandy.

What makes triathletes so tough?

Why do triathletes have such remarkable endurance and exceptional athletic abilities? Researchers have found they may feel less pain than casual exercisers -- and this finding may lead to new therapies for chronic pain in others.

Video game technology: Motion tracking technology is extremely precise, inexpensive with minimal lag

Researchers have devised a motion tracking technology that could eliminate much of the annoying lag that occurs in existing video game systems that use motion tracking, while also being extremely precise and highly affordable.

'White graphene' halts rust in high temps: Nano-thin films of hexagonal boron nitride protect materials from oxidizing

Films of hexagonal boron nitride a few nanometers thick protect materials from oxidizing at high temperatures.

For liberals and conservatives, 'belief superiority' is bipartisan: People with extreme views feel most superior about their beliefs

As the budget crisis drags on, at least conservatives and liberals have something in common: Both believe their views on certain issues are not only correct but all other views are inferior. A new study examined whether one end of the American political spectrum believes more strongly than the other in the superiority of its principles and positions. It found both sides have elements of "belief superiority," depending on the issue.

Vaccination campaign doubles HBV mutations

A universal infant vaccination campaign in China has led the hepatitis B virus to more than double its rate of "breakout" mutations. These mutations may enable the virus to elude the vaccine, necessitating new vaccination strategies.

Bile salts: Sea lampreys' newest scent of seduction

Bile salts scream seduction -- for sea lampreys, that is. New research shows that bile salts, secreted from the liver and traditionally associated with digestive functions, are being used as pheromones by sea lampreys. The interesting twist, though, is that this scent has evolved as the invasive species' cologne of choice.

UltraHaptics: It's magic in the air

A system that allows users to experience multi-point haptic feedback above an interactive surface without having to touch or hold any device will be unveiled at a conference for innovations in human-computer interfaces.

Dog's mood offers insight into owner's health

Researchers have demonstrated how remote-monitoring of a dog's behavior can be used to alert family and carers that an elderly relative is struggling to cope.

Minute traits and DNA link grass species from Old and New Worlds

It's not always the big and flashy traits that solve taxonomic puzzles. On the basis of minute and easily overlooked morphological characteristics and DNA analysis researchers link four grass species in a genus called Disakisperma for the first time.

2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic in cells

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof for their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells.

Extrusive volcanism formed the Hawaiian Islands

A recent study changes the understanding of how the Hawaiian Islands formed. Scientists have determined that it is the eruptions of lava on the surface, extrusion, which grow Hawaiian volcanoes, rather than internal emplacement of magma, as was previously thought.

Stress a key factor in causing bee colonies to fail

Extended periods of stress can cause bee colony failures, according to new research.

Genetically modified sweet corn can reduce insecticide use

A new study suggests that genetically modified sweet corn is better for the environment because it requires fewer pesticide applications than conventional corn.

Air pollution and psychological distress during pregnancy

Maternal psychological distress combined with exposure to air pollution during pregnancy have an adverse impact on children's behavioral development. The study shows that maternal demoralization, a measure of psychological distress that can affect a mother's ability to cope with stressful situations, was linked with several behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression, and attention problems. Effects of demoralization were greatest among children with higher levels of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution.

Stroking could stress out your cat

Animal behavior specialists suggests that cats who reluctantly allow their owners to stroke them could be more stressed out than kitties who carefully avoid being petted.

Proof of human migration from Sweden to Poland during the Early Bronze Age

During the Early Bronze Age there was a very high level of territorial mobility of the Unetice culture in Silesia, a large community inhabiting the south western territories of Poland approximately 4,000 years ago. This research confirms the first case of human long-distance overseas journey to Silesia from Scandinavia, probably from southern Sweden.

Air pollution increases heart attacks

Air pollution increases heart attacks, according to research. Of particular note is that the study also found that older people (>65 years) and men were particularly susceptible to having arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation or acute coronary syndromes at increasing levels of air pollution.

Terahertz sensor aiming for Jupiter's moons

A high performance terahertz receiver aiming for space missions such as ESA's "Jupiter icy moons explorer" has now been developed.

Plant diversity may affect climate–vegetation interaction

Biologists have analyzed to what extent plant diversity influences the stability of climate–vegetation interaction.

New drug candidate found for deadly fungal lung infections

On a molecular level, you have more in common with shower curtain mold or the mushrooms on your pizza than you might think. Humans and fungi share similar proteins, a biological bond that makes curing fungal infections difficult and expensive. Now for the first time in 20 years, researchers have discovered a new compound that could be developed as an antifungal drug to treat histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, two types of fungal infections that are naturally drug-resistant.

6 new Sjögren's syndrome genes found by international team

Six new Sjögren's syndrome-related genes have been discovered by an international group of researchers in a genome-wide association study. Previously, only one Sjögren's gene was known.

Neuroscientists identify class of cortical inhibitory neurons specializing in disinhibition

New research reveals that one class of inhibitory neurons -- called VIP interneurons -- specializes in inhibiting other inhibitory neurons in multiple regions of cortex, and does so under specific behavioral conditions. The new research finds that VIP interneurons, when activated, release principal cells from inhibition, thus boosting their responses. This provides an additional layer of control over cortical processing, much like a dimmer switch can fine-tune light levels.

How detergent of the atmosphere is regenerated

It sounds unlikely: a washing machine recycles used detergent in order to use it again for the next load of dirty washing. But this is just what happens during the degradation of pollutants in the atmosphere.

Skin infection linked to exposure to aquariums is under-diagnosed

A skin infection linked to exposure to contaminated water in home aquariums is frequently under-diagnosed. Researchers say diagnosing and managing Mycobacterium marinum infection is difficult because skin lesions don't appear for two to four weeks after incubation, leading to delayed treatment and unnecessary and ineffective use of antifungal and antibacterial agents.

Study points to new heart drug targets with a key role for triglycerides

A global hunt for genes that influence heart disease risk has uncovered 157 changes in human DNA that alter the levels of cholesterol and other blood fats – a discovery that could lead to new medications.

Universal gown, glove use by employees in ICU reduces MRSA 40 percent

Health-care workers' use of disposable gowns and gloves upon entering all patient rooms on an ICU, versus only in rooms on standard isolation protocol, helped reduce patient acquisition of MRSA by approximately 40 percent. While the study did not show statistically significant results for preventing patient acquisition of VRE, use of gowns and gloves increased handwashing frequency among healthcare workers and did not result in any increase in adverse events for patients.

Biomarker, potential targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer discovered

Researchers have discovered a biomarker, known as phosphatidylserine, for pancreatic cancer that could be effectively targeted, creating a potential therapy for a condition that has a small survival rate.

Program improves sun protection practices among children of melanoma survivors

A new article outlines the results of a project investigating how directed programing affects behavior. This study is the first to evaluate impact of tailored information on a group at high risk for melanoma.

Unreliable commercial lab kits may be hindering fight against cancer

A new study shows for the first time that low quality commercial lab kits may be one factor hampering the progress of cancer diagnostics.

New microfluidic approach for the directed assembly of functional materials

Researchers have developed a new approach with applications in materials development for energy capture and storage and for optoelectronic materials. The research shows that peptide precursor materials can be aligned and oriented during their assembly into polypeptides using tailored flows in microfluidic devices.

Building a better fish trap: Reducing fish bycatch with escape gaps in Africa

Scientists have achieved a milestone in Africa: they've helped build a better fish trap, one that keeps valuable fish in while letting undersized juvenile fish and non-target species out.

Methane seeps of the deep sea: A bacteria feast for lithodid crabs

Cold seeps are the basis for a surprising diversity in the desert-like deep sea. Off the coast of Costa Rica, an international team of scientists documented lithodid crabs of the genus Paralomis sp. grazing bacterial mats at a methane seep. The analysis show that not only sessile organisms benefit from the productivity around the cold seeps.

Making Martian clouds on Earth: Cloud-chamber experiments show that clouds on Mars form in much more humid conditions than clouds on Earth

Cloud-chamber experiments show that clouds on Mars form in much more humid conditions than clouds on Earth.

Delayed aging is better investment than cancer, heart disease

Research to delay aging and the infirmities of old age would have better population health and economic returns than advances in individual fatal diseases such as cancer or heart disease, reveals a new study.

Unlocking biology with math

Scientists have created a mathematical model that explains and predicts the biological process that creates antibody diversity -- the phenomenon that keeps us healthy by generating robust immune systems through hypermutation.

Wedded bliss or blues? Scientists link DNA to marital satisfaction

What makes some people more prone to wedded bliss or sorrow than others? Researchers have found a major clue in our DNA. A gene involved in the regulation of serotonin can predict how much our emotions affect our relationships, according to a new study that may be the first to link genetics, emotions, and marital satisfaction.

Study shows how neurons enable us to know smells we like and dislike, whether to approach or retreat

What underlying biological mechanisms account for our seemingly instant, almost unconscious ability to determine how attractive (or repulsive) a particular smell is? New research reveals a set of cells in the fruit fly brain that respond specifically to food odors. The degree to which these neurons respond when the fly is presented different food odors predicts "incredibly well how much the flies will 'like' a given odor."

2013 Nobel Prize in Physics: Higgs particle and the origin of mass

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2013 to François Englert and Peter W. Higgs "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider."

Explosive dynamic behavior on Twitter and in the financial market

By analysing data from the social networking service, Twitter, and stock trading in the financial market, researchers have shown that events in society bring rise to common behavior among large groups of people who do not otherwise know each other. The analysis shows that there are common features in user activity on Twitter and in stock market transactions in the financial market.

3-D printed microscopic cages confine bacteria in tiny zoos for the study of infections

Researchers have used a novel 3-D printing technology to build homes for bacteria at a microscopic level. Their method uses a laser to construct protein "cages" around bacteria in gelatin. The resulting structures can be of almost any shape or size, and can be moved around in relationship to other structures containing bacterial microcommunities.

Babies learn to anticipate touch in the womb

Babies learn how to anticipate touch while in the womb, according to new research.

'Brain training' may boost working memory, but not intelligence

Brain training games, apps, and websites are popular and it's not hard to see why -- who wouldn't want to give their mental abilities a boost? New research suggests that brain training programs might strengthen your ability to hold information in mind, but they won't bring any benefits to the kind of intelligence that helps you reason and solve problems.

More than 500 million people might face increasing water scarcity

Both freshwater availability for many millions of people and the stability of ecosystems such as the Siberian tundra or Indian grasslands are put at risk by climate change. Even if global warming is limited to two degrees above pre-industrial levels, 500 million people could be subject to increased water scarcity -- while this number would grow by a further 50 percent if greenhouse-gas emissions are not cut soon. At five degrees global warming almost all ice-free land might be affected by ecosystem change.

Terrestrial ecosystems at risk of major shifts as temperatures increase

Over 80% of the world's ice-free land is at risk of profound ecosystem transformation by 2100, a new study reveals. "Essentially, we would be leaving the world as we know it," says a researcher who studied the critical impacts of climate change on landscapes.

First ever evidence of a comet striking Earth

The first ever evidence of a comet entering Earth's atmosphere and exploding, raining down a shock wave of fire which obliterated every life form in its path, has been discovered by a team of South African scientists and international collaborators.

Unexpected genomic change through 400 years of French-Canadian history

Researchers have discovered that the genomic signature inherited by today's 6 million French Canadians from the first 8,500 French settlers who colonized New France some 400 years ago has gone through an unparalleled change in human history, in a remarkably short timescale. This unique signature could serve as an ideal model to study the effect of demographic processes on human genetic diversity, including the identification of possibly damaging mutations associated with population-specific diseases.

Iron melt network helped grow Earth's core, study suggests

Scientists recreated the intense pressures and temperatures found deep within the Earth, resulting in a discovery that complicates theories of how the planet and its core were formed.

Primate brains follow predictable developmental pattern

In a breakthrough for understanding brain evolution, neuroscientists have shown that differences between primate brains -- from the tiny marmoset to human -- can be largely explained as consequences of the same genetic program.

Evolutionary question answered: Ants more closely related to bees than to most wasps

Genome sequencing and bioinformatics resolves a long-standing, evolutionary issue, demonstrating that ants and bees are more closely related to each other than they are to certain wasps.

Sunscreen saves superhero gene

Next time your kids complain about putting on sunscreen, tell them this: Sunscreen shields a superhero gene that protects them from getting cancer. Researchers have found sunscreen provides 100 percent protection against all three forms of skin cancer.

Adherence to guidelines for severe traumatic brain injury saves lives

Researchers found a significant reduction in the number of deaths of patients hospitalized in New York State with severe traumatic brain injury between 2001 and 2009. Data from 22 trauma centers in New York State were studied. The reduction in deaths at these centers corresponded to increased adherence to tenets of the "Guidelines for Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury."

No viral cause for breast cancer and brain tumours

A major study has now disproved theories of a viral cause for breast cancer and the brain tumour, glioblastoma. The study, which was based on over seven billion DNA sequences, found no genetic traces of viruses in these forms of cancer. It has been scientifically proven that about 15 per cent of all cancer cases are the result of viral infection, but many researchers believe that even more cancers could be caused by viruses.

Malaria vaccine candidate reduces disease in children

Results from a large-scale Phase 3 trial show that the most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S, continued to protect young children and infants from clinical malaria up to 18 months after vaccination. Based on these data, scientists now intend to submit, in 2014, a regulatory application to the European Medicines Agency.

Printed electronics: A multi-touch sensor customizable with scissors

If a pair of long pants is too long, it is cut and hemmed. A board that does not fit into a bookcase is sawed to the right length. People often customize the size and shape of materials like textiles and wood without turning to specialists like tailors or carpenters. In the future this should be possible with electronics, according to the vision of computer scientists who have developed a printable multi-touch sensor whose shape and size everybody can alter. A new circuit layout makes it robust against cuts, damage, and removed areas.

Working together: Bacteria join forces to produce electricity

Scientists have explored the relationships of two important bacterial forms, demonstrating their ability to produce electricity by coordinating their metabolic activities.

Rural land use policies curb wildfire risks -- to a point

Using Montana's fast-growing Flathead County as a template, a Washington State University researcher has found that moderately restrictive land-use policies can significantly curb the potential damage of rural wildfires. However, highly restrictive planning laws will not do much more.

Evaluating mobile weight loss apps on use of evidence-based behavioral strategies

In a new study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, UMass Medical School behavioral psychologist and weight loss expert Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D., and colleagues find that mobile apps to help people lose weight are lacking when it comes to strategies for changing behaviors.

Part of brain that makes humans and primates social creatures may play similar role in carnivores

The part of the brain that makes humans and primates social creatures may play a similar role in carnivores, according to a growing body of research. In studying spotted hyenas, lions and, most recently, the raccoon family, biologists found a correlation between the size of the animals' frontal cortex and their social nature.

Non-specific, specific RNA binding proteins found to be fundamentally similar

Researchers have found unexpected similarities between proteins that were thought to be fundamentally different. The team published a new study showing that non-specific proteins actually have the ability to be specific about where they bind to RNA – seeking out and binding with particular sequences of nucleotides.

Liquorice alleviates troublesome symptoms following intubation

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, liquorice is regarded as a "panacea". A recent study has now, for the first time, scientifically confirmed the healing properties of this natural substance. Researchers investigated patients who require a particularly thick tube (known as a double-lumen tube) following lung surgery and who consequently suffer frequent sore throats, hoarseness and coughs. The prescription of liquorice markedly reduced the frequency of post-operative symptoms. Even more importantly, patients were extremely happy and had less medical complaints following surgery.

New information is discovered about the ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews

Researchers have uncovered new information about how Ashkenazi Jewish men moved into Europe from the Middle East, and their marriage practices with European women.

Archaeology experts solve 200 year old mystery of Roman statue

Archaeologists have been able to identify a stone head that was found in a flowerbed in Chichester over 200 years ago, and remained a mystery ever since. Using the latest laser scanning technology, they have revealed that The Bosham Head, as it is known, is from a Roman statue of Emperor Trajan, dating back to AD 122, and one of the most significant Roman finds in Britain.

Reading is good for your health

People with poor reading skills are likely to be less healthy than those who read easily, according to recent research. Literacy skills are important for keeping in good shape.

Link between car crashes, adverse pregnancy outcomes

Motor vehicle crashes can be hazardous for pregnant women, especially if they are not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurs.

The negative results of concealing who you really are on the job

Most know that hiding something from others can cause internal angst. New research suggests the consequences can go far beyond emotional strife, and that being forced to keep information concealed, such as one's sexual orientation, disrupts the concealer's basic skills and abilities, including intellectual acuity, physical strength, and interpersonal grace—skills critical to workplace success.

Death rates higher among middle aged, elderly when economy is booming

Death rates among middle aged and older people are higher when the economy is growing than when it's heading for recession, reveals a long term analysis of the economic cycles of developed countries.

New therapeutic target that prevents cell division

Researchers have managed to decode a new mechanism that regulates cell division, in which the key molecule involved, Greatwall -- also known as Mastl -- could be a new therapeutic target for oncology treatments.

Excessive nerve cell pruning leads to disease

Scientists have made important discoveries about a cellular process that occurs during normal brain development and may play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases. The study's findings point to new pathways and targets for novel therapies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases that affect millions of people world-wide.

Something in the (expecting mother's) water: Contaminated water breeds low-weight babies, sometimes born prematurely

Pregnant women living in areas with contaminated drinking water may be more likely to have babies that are premature or with low birth weights (considered less than 5.5 pounds), according to a new study.

'Cyberchondria' from online health searches is worse for those who fear the unknown

Turning to the Internet to find out what ails you is common, but for folks who have trouble handling uncertainty, "cyberchondria" -- the online counterpart to hypochondria -- worsens as they seek answers.

Postpartum depression spans generations, animal study suggests

A recently published study suggests that exposure to social stress not only impairs a mother's ability to care for her children but can also negatively impact her daughter's ability to provide maternal care to future offspring.

A slow, loving, 'affective' touch may be key to a healthy sense of self

Researchers found that a loving touch, characterized by a slow caress or stroke -- often an instinctive mother/child gesture or between romantic partners -- may boost the brain's sense of body ownership and, in turn, play a part in creating and sustaining a healthy sense of self.

Weighed down by guilt: Research shows it's more than a metaphor

Ever feel the weight of guilt? Lots of people say they do. They're "carrying guilt" or "weighed down by guilt." Are these just expressions, or is there something more to these metaphors? Researchers have now found evidence that the emotional experience of guilt can be grounded in subjective bodily sensation.

Major leap towards graphene for solar cells

Scientists have shown that graphene retains its impressive set of properties when it is coated with a thin silicon film. These findings have paved the way for entirely new possibilities to use in thin-film photovoltaics.

Team uses a cellulosic biofuels byproduct to increase ethanol yield

Scientists have engineered yeast to consume acetic acid, a previously unwanted byproduct of the process of converting plant leaves, stems and other tissues into biofuels. The innovation increases ethanol yield from lignocellulosic sources by about 10 percent.

Juno slingshots past Earth on its way to Jupiter

NASA's Juno spacecraft will be passing within some 350 miles of Earth's surface Oct. 9 before it slingshots off into space on an historic exploration of Jupiter.

Innovative deep-sea manned submarine under construction

The University of Washington is working with Boeing and an Everett company to build a carbon-fiber submersible that will carry five passengers almost 2 miles deep.

Clues to foam formation could help find oil

Scientists have discovered two previously unknown ways bubbles form in foam as they investigated materials targeted for enhanced oil recovery.

First computer-designed superconductor created

Scientists report the successful synthesis of the first superconductor designed entirely on the computer.

Solving the Internet capacity crunch: First demonstration of a multicore fiber network

Scientists have demonstrated successfully for the first time a multicore fiber-based network, which will form the foundation for the future Internet infrastructure.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

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