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For pundits, it's better to be confident than correct

Two economics graduate students have demonstrated that it simply doesn't pay as much for a pundit to be accurate as it does to be confident. It's one thing to be a good pundit, but another to be popular.

Increasing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth

Young people are increasingly turning to prescription drugs to get high. Research sheds new light on what could increase or lower that risk.

Saturated fats do not yield better bacon

Researchers have found that adding saturated fats to a pig's diet does not change pork firmness. Many pork producers have added saturated fats to counteract the effects of feeding distiller's dried grains with solubles.

Beer-pouring robot programmed to anticipate human actions

Understanding when and where to pour a beer or knowing when to offer assistance opening a refrigerator door can be difficult for a robot because of the many variables it encounters while assessing the situation. Researchers have created a solution - a robot that has learned to foresee human action in order to step in and offer a helping hand.

New ruthenium complexes target cancer cells without typical side effects, study suggests

Pre-clinical tests found two ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, or RPCs, yielded results comparable to cisplatin against human non-small cell lung cancer cells and were generally cleared from the body unchanged, without noticeable effects on metabolism or kidney function. Healthy cells could withstand almost 10 times as much exposure to the ruthenium complexes as the cancer cells and the RPCs seemed to target cells in hypoxic states.

Analysis of medical images improved to facilitate study of psychotic disorders

Scientists have developed new superresolution and segmentation methods for magnetic resonance images so that they can be applied to the structural study of psychosis. The aim is to be able to identify the differences that are produced in specific parts of the brain in psychotic patients with respect to their healthy relatives or other people.

Dealing with 'crap' to improve water quality

To better understand how bacteria impact the environment researchers spent nearly a year building a system that replicates a human colon, septic tank and groundwater and "fed" the colon three times a day during weeklong experiments to simulate human eating.

Art appreciation is measureable

Is it your own innate taste or what you have been taught that decides if you like a work of art? Both, according to new research.

Bees tell birds to buzz off: How bumblebees steal birds' nests

A new study reveals how bumblebees steal birds' nests. The study highlights the 'parasitism by theft' of bumblebees that invade birds' nests and claim them as their own. Their warning buzz helps bumblebees to "scare" the bird away from the nest.

Decoding the genome of the camel

By sequencing the genome of a Bactrian camel, researchers have made a significant contribution to population genetic research on camels. The study has laid the foundation for future scientific work on these enigmatic desert animals. A blood sample from a single Bactrian camel with the evocative name of "Mozart" provided the genetic raw material for the work.

Brittle material toughened: Tungsten-fiber-reinforced tungsten

Tungsten is particularly suitable as material for highly stressed parts of the vessel enclosing a hot fusion plasma, it being the metal with the highest melting point. A disadvantage, however, is its brittleness, which under stress makes it fragile and prone to damage. A novel, more resilient compound material has now been developed. It consists of homogeneous tungsten with coated tungsten wires embedded. A feasibility study has just shown the basic suitability of the new compound.

Changing gut bacteria through diet affects brain function

Researchers now have the first evidence that bacteria ingested in food can affect brain function in humans. In an early proof-of-concept study of healthy women, they found that women who regularly consumed beneficial bacteria known as probiotics through yogurt showed altered brain function, both while in a resting state and in response to an emotion-recognition task.

Sugar polymer on cell surface of multiple pathogens could be key to developing broad-spectrum vaccine

Researchers have discovered a sugar polymer that is common on the cell surface of several pathogens. This common sugar molecule makes it a promising target for the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine that can protect against numerous deadly microbes expressing this sugar on their cell surface.

When doctors and patients share in decisions, hospital costs go up, study shows

Doctors and patients are encouraged to share decision making. This enhances communication, satisfaction and outcomes, and may lower cost. Yet a new study found that patients who want to participate in their medical decisions end up spending more time in the hospital and raising costs of their stay.

Key to development of peripheral nervous system uncovered

Patients suffering from hereditary neuropathy may have hope for new treatment thanks to a new study that uncovered a key to the development of the peripheral nervous system.

Novel disease in songbirds demonstrates evolution in the blink of an eye

A novel disease in songbirds has rapidly evolved to become more harmful to its host on at least two separate occasions in just two decades, according to a new study. The research provides a real-life model to help understand how diseases that threaten humans can be expected to change in virulence as they emerge.

Significantly improved survival rates for stem cell transplant recipients

Study of 38,000 blood stem cell transplant recipients shows that survival rates increased significantly over 12 years, and numbers of patients receiving transplants grew dramatically.

Childhood bullying increases the propensity to self-harm during adolescence, study finds

A new study has shown that being bullied during childhood directly increases the likelihood of self-harm in late adolescence.

Cold climate wind energy showing huge potential

Wind energy capacity is growing rapidly in the cold climates of the world. According to the latest forecasts, between 45 and 50 gigawatts of wind energy will be built in cold climates by 2017, which would mean an increase of as much as 72 per cent since the end of 2012 and investments amounting to approximately EUR 75 billion.

Self-assembled nanostructures for hostile environments

Scientists in Japan have developed a new self-assembled nanostructure that can survive very hot or saline environments.

New safety test predicts reactions to novel drugs and cosmetics

A simple lab-based skin test which eliminates the risk of adverse reactions to new drugs, cosmetics and household chemicals has been developed. It uses real human skin and immune cells to show any reaction such as a rash or blistering indicating a wider immune response within the body.

Charge your mobile phone with formic acid?

With the technology of today it is possible to use environmental friendly formic acid in fuel cell powering your mobile phone or laptop. A physicist in Sweden has developed new catalysts to improve the capacity of these fuel cells.

Ancient plants reawaken: Plants exposed by retreating glaciers regrowing after centuries entombed under ice

When Catherine La Farge threads her way through the recently exposed terrain left behind by retreating glaciers, she looks at the ancient plant remains a lot closer than most. Now, her careful scrutiny has revealed a startling reawakening of long-dormant plants known as bryophytes.

Women donate less to charity than men in some contexts

Given the chance, women are more likely than men to dodge an opportunity to donate to charity, a group of economists has found.

Diamonds, nanotubes find common ground in graphene

What may be the ultimate heat sink is only possible because of yet another astounding capability of graphene. The one-atom-thick form of carbon can act as a go-between that allows vertically aligned carbon nanotubes to grow on nearly anything, including diamonds.

Guatemala's jaguars: Capturing phantoms in photos

The Wildlife Conservation Society has released a photograph of a male jaguar taken by a remote camera trap in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve. Activated by motion or heat differentials, camera traps "capture" pictures of secretive and elusive animals in the wild. Because each jaguar's pattern of spots is unique, the photographs can be used to identify individuals and estimate abundance.

A basketball shot coach that does not require a coach

A group of business and engineering students at Brigham Young University have invented a sports technology to help improve basketball performance.

Study explores 100 year increase in forestry diseases

A new study places ash dieback disease into its historical context.

African-Americans experience longer delays between diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer

Among men with prostate cancer, African-Americans experience longer treatment delays after being diagnosed than Caucasians. That is the finding of an analysis that suggests that efforts are needed to reduce racial disparities in prostate cancer care in order to provide earlier treatment for African-Americans.

Tobacco companies are not public health stakeholders, experts conclude

When assessing information presented by the tobacco industry, the US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration and regulatory bodies in other countries, should be aware that they are dealing with companies with a long history of intentionally misleading the public. They therefore should actively protect their public-health policies on smoking from the commercial interests of the tobacco industry and not consider the industry as a stakeholder, concludes a study by experts from the U.S. and Germany.

Link between domestic violence and perinatal mental health disorders

Women who have mental health disorders around the time of birth are more likely to have previously experienced domestic violence, according to a study by UK researchers.

Different types of psychotherapy have similar benefits for depression

Treatments for depression that don't involve antidepressant drugs but rather focus on different forms of talking therapy (referred to as psychotherapeutic interventions) are all beneficial, with no one form of therapy being better than the others, according to a new study.

Good for the world, good for shareholders: Study finds social responsibility means less risky stock prices

Firms that make greater investments in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives see less risk in their stock prices during economic downturns, according to a new study.

Operative death rates higher at weekend, warn researchers

There is a higher risk of death for patients who have elective surgery later in the week and at the weekend, compared with those earlier in the week, new research suggests.

Malaria protection in chimpanzees

In malaria regions the parasite prevalence in the human body as well as malaria-related morbidity and mortality decrease with age. This reflects the progressive mounting of a protective immunity. Researchers now present a study which addresses the age distribution of malaria parasite infection in a group of wild chimpanzees.

Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices

Paper is known for its ability to absorb liquids. But by modifying the underlying network of cellulose fibers, etching off surface "fluff" and applying a thin chemical coating, researchers have created a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids.

Statistical model predicts number of goals for each soccer player

After analyzing football (aka soccer in US) league players over nine seasons, from 2000 to 2009, researchers have come up with a mathematical method for estimating the goal-scoring performance of each player. According to their ranking, the most able strikers are Messi, Ronaldo Nazário, Makkay, Villa and Etoo.

Walking or bicycling to work influenced by others

People who walk or bike to work are likely to influence their co-workers and partners to do the same, according to health researchers.

Flexible opals: 'Polymer opals' get color from internal structure alone

A synthetic material which mimics the brightest and most vivid colors in nature, and changes color when twisted or stretched, has been developed. It could have important applications in the security, textile and sensing industries.

Nordic diet lowers cholesterol, study finds

A healthy Nordic diet lowers cholesterol levels, and therefore the risk of cardiovascular disease, a pan-Nordic study has found. There was also decreased inflammation associated with pre-diabetes. The subjects who ate a Nordic diet had lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and higher levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.

New chemical approach to treat Alzheimer's

Scientists have developed a new chemical approach to help harness the natural ability of complex sugars to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Subfossil forest discovered at building site in Zurich

The fact that many finds have happened by chance was demonstrated again recently in Zurich. A dendrochronologist was just having a look at a building site when he noticed a few tree stumps on the edge of the loamy building pit that had been discarded by the construction workers as waste timber. Analysis showed the timber he discovered was dated between 12,846 BP** and 13,782 BP. With the support of the building-site management researchers have managed to salvage some 200 ancient pine-tree stumps.

Flirting with the satnav

Researchers have investigated how drivers are affected emotionally by the sounds in their car other than the noise of the engine and the road in particular the voice of their satellite navigation system (satnav).

Human scabs serve as inspiration for new bandage to speed healing

Human scabs have become the model for development of an advanced wound dressing material that shows promise for speeding the healing process, scientists are reporting.

Re-creating the original colors of treasured ivory carvings from the ancient past

The fabled ivory carvings from the ancient Phoenician city of Arslan Tash -- literally meaning "Stone Lion" -- may appear a dull monochrome in museums today, but they glittered with brilliant blue, red, gold and other colors 2,800 years ago, a new study has confirmed after decades of speculation.

Charred micro-bunny sculpture shows promise of new material for 3-D shaping

Researchers have used state-of-the-art micro-sculpting techniques on a new type of resin that can be molded into complex, highly conductive 3-D structures (in this case the famous "Stanford bunny") with features just a few micrometers across. The team says one of the most promising applications is 3-D microelectrodes that could interface with the brain.

Blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's in earliest stage?

Blood offers promise as a way to detect Alzheimer's disease at its earliest onset, researchers say. They envision a test that would detect distinct metabolic signatures in blood plasma that are synonymous with the disease -- years before patients begin showing cognitive decline.

Gene therapies for regenerative surgery are getting closer

Experimental genetic techniques may one day provide plastic and reconstructive surgeons with an invaluable tool—the ability to promote growth of the patient's own tissues for reconstructive surgery.

Geochemistry survey at Chatham Rise reveals absence of modern day greenhouse gas emissions

Geochemistry analysis of fossil sediment injection structures off the New Zealand coast in February and March reveal no presence of modern day expulsions of methane gas, a potential contributor to global 'greenhouse effect' warming.

The US shale-gas revolution and European renewables: Divergence and cooperation in alternative energy

That the United States and Europe have been following different energy policies over the past few decades won't come as a surprise. However, according to one researcher, their divergence – with the US leading 'the shale gas revolution' and Europe investing heavily in modern renewables – is a good thing for the development of both alternative-energy sources.

Simplified solutions to deforestation ineffective in long run

Deforestation is the second largest source of CO2 emissions after consumption of fossil fuels. So-called PES programs, where landowners are paid to replant or protect forests, have been promoted as a way to reduce deforestation. However, the effectiveness of the programs has been questioned, and new research points to potential negative long-term effects and a need for broader guidelines and policies.

Hybrid carbon nanotube yarn muscle

Scientists have created a high capacity yarn muscle that does not require electrolytes or special packaging. It will have a big impact in the motor, biological and robot industry.

Pigeons peck for computerized treat

New research show pigeons can make informed choices, and use a computerized touch-screen as well.

People can 'beat' guilt detection tests by suppressing incriminating memories

Psychologists have shown that people can suppress incriminating memories and thereby avoid detection in brain activity guilt detection tests.

'Junk DNA' plays active role in cancer progression, researchers find

Scientists have found that a genetic rogue element produced by sequences until recently considered 'junk DNA' could promote cancer progression.

New flu strains prompt review of current research, call to redouble flu fight

New flu strains prompt review of current research and a call to redouble the flu fight.

Discovery by physicists furthers understanding of superconductivity: Experiments show Zhang-Rice singlet state in different class of materials

Physicists have discovered that a crucial ingredient of high-temperature superconductivity could be found in an entirely different class of materials.

People lie about their health related behaviors: Truth in barcodes

People lie about their health related behaviors. It's a problem that has long bedeviled health research on issues ranging from diet to exercise to smoking. And it's not just that we have faulty memories. Many of us stretch the truth to make ourselves seem more virtuous in the eyes of the person in the white coat. That makes drawing conclusions about behaviors that affect health from self-reported records tricky.

Molecular chain reaction in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind the transformation of one of the components in Alzheimer's disease. They identified the crucial step leading to formations that kill brain cells.

Cosmic glitch: Astronomers discover new phenomenon in neutron star

The physics behind some of the most extraordinary stellar objects in the universe just became even more puzzling. A group of astronomers has discovered a new kind of glitch in the cosmos, specifically in the rotation of a neutron star.

NASA's HS3 mission aircraft to double team 2013 hurricane season

During this year's hurricane season NASA will "double-team" on research with two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft winging their way over storms that develop during the peak of the season. NASA's Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel, or HS3 airborne mission, will revisit the Atlantic Ocean to investigate storms using additional instruments and for the first time two Global Hawks.

NASA IRIS: Improving our view of the sun

In late June 2013, NASA will launch a new set of eyes to offer the most detailed look ever of the sun's lower atmosphere, called the interface region. This region is believed to play a crucial role in powering the sun's dynamic million-degree atmosphere, the corona. The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph or IRIS mission will provide the best resolution so far of the widest range of temperatures for of the interface region, an area that has historically been difficult to study.

Scientists advance understanding of brain receptor; May help fight neurological disorders

Researchers have discovered important new properties in a common brain receptor that has been implicated in a wide range of neurological disorders. The discovery may help in the development of drugs to combat the disorders.

Wit, grit and a supercomputer yield chemical structure of HIV capsid

Researchers report that they have determined the precise chemical structure of the HIV capsid, a protein shell that protects the virus's genetic material and is a key to its virulence. The capsid has become an attractive target for the development of new antiretroviral drugs.

Weightlessness of space used to design better materials for Earth

Scientists are using the weightlessness of space to design stronger materials here on Earth.

'Low sodium diet' key to old age for stars: New observations create major headache for stellar theories

Astronomers expect that stars like the Sun will blow off much of their atmospheres into space near the ends of their lives. But new observations of a huge star cluster made using ESO's Very Large Telescope have shown — against all expectations — that a majority of the stars studied simply did not get to this stage in their lives at all. The international team found that the amount of sodium in the stars was a very strong predictor of how they ended their lives.

Big brothers and sisters pay off for nature's social spiders

The behavior of social spiders may settle debates over the benefits of older siblings. Researchers studying Australian social huntsman spiders discovered that younger siblings thrive when raised in nests with older siblings. Bigger brothers and sisters capture bigger, juicier prey, which they share with their younger siblings.

Cholesterol sets off chaotic blood vessel growth

A new study has identified a protein that is responsible for regulating blood vessel growth by mediating the efficient removal of cholesterol from the cells. Unregulated development of blood vessels can feed the growth of tumors.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

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