|  Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability  | The thinning of Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is much more susceptible to climatic and ocean variability than at first thought, according to new research. | Read More » Methane hydrates and global warming  | Off the coast of Svalbard methane gas flares originating from gas hydrate deposits at depth of several hundred meters have been observed regularly. A new study shows that the observed outgassing is most likely caused by natural processes and can not be attributed to global warming. | Read More » Local factors cause dramatic spikes in coastal ocean acidity: Fluctuation 'adds insult to injury' for marine creatures  | Seawater samples collected from the marine estuary Beaufort Inlet, N.C., weekly for a year and on a daily and hourly basis for shorter periods were used to track changes in pH and dissolved inorganic carbon. Short-term variability in acidity over one year exceeds 100-year global predictions for the ocean as a whole and may already be exerting added pressure on some of the estuary's organisms, particularly shelled organisms. | Read More » Odor receptors discovered in lungs: Just like ones in your nose but instead of conjuring up a cup of coffee they might make you cough  | Your nose is not the only organ in your body that can sense cigarette smoke wafting through the air. Scientists have showed that your lungs have odor receptors as well. The odor receptors in your lungs are in the membranes of flask-shaped neuroendocrine cells that dump neurotransmitters and neuropeptides when the receptors are stimulated, perhaps triggering you to cough to rid your body of the offending substance. | Read More » Simulator recreates virtual taste online  | Online viewing and listening are now staples of those who live the digital life. But online tasting? This may be happening sooner than one expects, with a new taste simulator. | Read More » New technique enables patient with 'word blindness' to read again  | A novel technique has enabled a patient with "word blindness" to read again. Word blindness is a rare neurological condition. (The medical term is "alexia without agraphia.") Although a patient can write and understand the spoken word, the patient is unable to read. | Read More » Trauma center launches portable electronic trauma health record application  | Surgeons have developed a way for their peers at a Level I trauma center in South Africa to accurately collect and analyze trauma care data via an iPad app. | Read More » Patch outperforms Holter for prolonged heart rhythm tracking  | Researchers have discovered that a small adhesive wireless device worn on the chest for up to two weeks does a better job detecting abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms than the Holter monitor, which is typically used for 24 hours and has been the standard of care for more than 50 years. | Read More » Men's, women's soccer: Physical or technical?  | When the sports performance of elite men and women soccer players is compared using absolute criteria, the differences are significant. | Read More » No scrounging for scraps: Research uncovers diets of middle, lower class in Pompeii  | No fries, but how about a side of giraffe leg? Surprising discoveries result from an excavation site in the buried city of Pompeii. | Read More » Study supports causal role in narcolepsy for common genetic variant  | A new study conducted across Europe found an extraordinary association between narcolepsy and a specific gene variant related to the immune system. | Read More » Chinese herbal compound relieves inflammatory, neuropathic pain  | A compound derived from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been found effective at alleviating pain, pointing the way to a new nonaddictive analgesic for acute inflammatory and nerve pain, according to researchers. | Read More » Turning off 'aging genes'  | Restricting calorie consumption is one of the few proven ways to combat aging. Now researchers have developed a computer algorithm that predicts which genes can be "turned off" to create the same anti-aging effect as calorie restriction. The findings could lead to the development of new drugs to treat aging. | Read More » Minimizing power grid disruptions from wind power  | Researchers have found that an increase in the use of wind power generation can make the power grid more fragile and susceptible to disruptions. But the researchers didn't just identify the problem -- they have also devised a technique for coordinating wind power generation and energy storage in order to minimize the potential for such power disruptions. | Read More » Money talks when ancient Antioch meets Google Earth  | Research puts a high-tech spin on studying the ancient world in a project that could affect how historians analyze data. Researchers use Google Earth to zoom along the boundaries of ancient Antioch in 30 seconds. | Read More » Think you're an expert bettor? You're probably wrong  | If there's one thing you can bet on in horseracing, it's this: so-called successful bettors will always think that their little black books hold superior 'inside' knowledge that makes them experts. However, in the long run, the majority of horseracing punters will lose money at the track - and there will always be more losers than winners. | Read More » Cognitive-behavioural therapy not effective treatment for symptoms of schizophrenia  | Health organizations around the world recommend a form of psychotherapy, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT, for patients with schizophrenia. Now, however, the most extensive study ever undertaken into its effect on the symptoms of the disorder finds little impact, according to a team of international researchers. | Read More » Under pressure: Harness for guide dogs must suit both dog, owner  | Guide dogs require about four years of training and fully trained animals can cost over 30,000 Euro in Europe. It is thus important for financial reasons, as well as for animal welfare considerations, to ensure that guide dogs are comfortable in their work. A proper harness that enables good communication between the blind person and the dog is an important factor in the animal's well-being, while a poorly fitting harness may result in health problems and impaired communication between dog and owner. | Read More » Jumping DNA in brain may be cause of schizophrenia  | Stretches of DNA called retrotransposons, often dubbed "junk DNA", might play an important role in schizophrenia. In a study published, a Japanese team revealed that LINE-1 retrotransposons are abnormally abundant in the schizophrenia brain, modify the expression of genes related to schizophrenia during brain development, and may be one of the causes of schizophrenia. | Read More » Drivers engaged in other tasks about 10 percent of the time  | Drivers eat, reach for the phone, text, or otherwise take their eyes off the road about 10 percent of the time they are behind the wheel, according to a study using video technology and in-vehicle sensors. | Read More » Novel non-invasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice  | A novel injectable therapy partially reverses cancer formation in cultured mammary-gland cells and prevents breast cancer development in mice, a team reports. The therapy silences a new cancer-causing gene that the scientists identified using a sophisticated systems biology approach. It could one day provide a new way to treat early stages of breast cancer without surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. | Read More » Study identifies factors associated with pain one year after breast cancer surgery  | In a study that included more than 800 women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer, the majority reported some level of pain 12 months after surgery, and factors associated with pain included chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, preoperative depression and pain in the area to be operated, according to a study. | Read More » Dogs sense the Earth's magnetic field  | Researchers analyzed the body orientation of 70 dogs of different breeds, while the dogs relieved themselves in the open country and without being on the leash. The statistical analyses of the more than 7,000 observations was initially frustrating. But then the researchers made a striking discovery. | Read More » Scientists explain age-related obesity: Brown fat fails  | As most people resolve themselves to lose weight this New Year, here's why it seems to get easier and easier to pack on unwanted pounds: New research shows that as we age, the thermogenic activity of brown fat is reduced. Brown fat is a "good" fat located in the backs of our necks that helps burn "bad" white fat around our bellies. | Read More » Fishing; More protection for big ones  | Many popular measures to combat overfishing help conserve mostly small juvenile fish. The results from a set of international studies may now revolutionize fishing regulations. | Read More » North Atlantic atmospheric oscillation affects quality of cava  | The quality of cava depends on technical factors such as fermentation, aging and bottling processes, which usually remain stable for years. Researchers have discovered that oscillations in the North Atlantic -- that affects European climate -- also have an effect on the attributes of this sparkling wine. The years in which there is presence of the Azores anticyclone, there is a drop in the quality of cava. | Read More » How 'slippers' can end mascara irritation  | An end to mascara testing on animals could be in sight thanks to tiny organisms nicknamed "slipper" and "eyelash." | Read More » Study finds patients give 'broad endorsement' to stem cell research  | In an early indication of lay opinions on research with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a new study by bioethicists indicates that despite some ethical concerns, patients give the research "broad endorsement". | Read More » When being called 'incredibly good' is bad for children  | Parents and other adults heap the highest praise on children who are most likely to be hurt by the compliments, a new study finds. | Read More » Alternative to yogurt  | Researchers have obtained new products fermented with probiotic bacteria from grains and nuts - what is known as plant-based or vegetable "milks" - which are an alternative to conventional yogurts. The products are specially designed for people with allergies to cow's milk, lactose or gluten intolerance, as well as children and pregnant women. | Read More » 25 years of DNA on computers  | DNA carries out its activities "diluted" in the cell nucleus. In this state, it synthesizes proteins and, even though it looks like a messy tangle of thread, in actual fact its structure is governed by precise rules that are important for it to carry out its functions. Biologists have studied DNA by observing it experimentally with a variety of techniques, which have only recently been supplemented by research in silico, that is to say, the study of DNA by means of computer simulations. | Read More » Shingles linked to increased risk of stroke in young adults  | Having shingles may increase the risk of having a stroke years later, according to research. | Read More » High blood pressure potentially more dangerous for women than men  | Doctors may need to treat high blood pressure in women earlier and more aggressively than they do in men, according to scientists. | Read More » Nordic study: few persons with metabolic syndrome adhere to nutrition recommendations  | Adherence to dietary recommendations is weak among people suffering from metabolic syndrome or having increased risk for metabolic syndrome, according to the Nordic SYSDIET study. In most cases, the diet is too high in salt and saturated fat, and too low in dietary fibre and unsaturated fat; many don't have enough vitamin D. Metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly widespread, and is associated increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Adherence to dietary recommendations is of vital importance for those belonging to this risk group. | Read More » Roses are red: Why some petunias are blue  | Researchers have uncovered the secret recipe to making some petunias such a rare shade of blue. The findings may help to explain and manipulate the color of other ornamental flowers, not to mention the taste of fruits and wine, say researchers. From the flowers' point of view, the findings also have important implications, since blue petals instead of red might spell disaster when it comes to attracting pollinators. | Read More » Berst ways to get seed money through crowdfunding  | Early on in our careers, many of us were tutored as to how to best write an effective and attention-getting curriculum vitae in looking for a job. But in today's world, many are looking not for just a job, but are engaged in wide, often Internet-based searches for seed money to launch entrepreneurial ventures of one sort of another. But what guidelines exist as to the best way to go about securing this kind of funding? | Read More » | |
