| Rats have a double view of the world  | Scientists, using miniaturized high-speed cameras and high-speed behavioral tracking, have discovered that rats move their eyes in opposite directions in both the horizontal and the vertical plane when running around. Each eye moves in a different direction, depending on the change in the animal's head position. An analysis of both eyes' field of view found that the eye movements exclude the possibility that rats fuse the visual information into a single image like humans do. Instead, the eyes move in such a way that enables the space above them to be permanently in view – presumably an adaptation to help them deal with the major threat from predatory birds that rodents face in their natural environment. | Read More »  Scientists find mechanism that causes noise-induced tinnitus and drug that can prevent it  | An epilepsy drug shows promise in an animal model at preventing tinnitus from developing after exposure to loud noise, according to a new study. The findings reveal for the first time the reason the chronic and sometimes debilitating condition occurs. | Read More » Bechstein's bat is more Mediterranean than originally thought  | Although the Bechstein's bat is regarded as a Euro-Siberian species, a new study has revealed that the historical transformation of part of its original habitat rather than bioclimatic reasons could be responsible for this distribution. | Read More » Stem cell injections improve spinal injuries in rats  | Scientists report that a single injection of human neural stem cells produced neuronal regeneration and improvement of function and mobility in rats impaired by an acute spinal cord injury. | Read More » Formula for turning cement into 'metal'  | In a move that would make the alchemists of King Arthur's time green with envy, scientists have unraveled the formula for turning liquid cement into liquid metal. This makes cement a semi-conductor and opens up its use in the profitable consumer electronics marketplace for thin films, protective coatings, and computer chips. | Read More » Down syndrome neurons grown from stem cells show signature problems  | Brain cells have been grown from skin cells of individuals with Down syndrome. | Read More » Surge in children accidentally eating marijuana-laced foods: Relaxed Colorado drug laws behind trend  | A new study shows the relaxation of marijuana laws in Colorado may have caused the spike in the number of young children treated for accidentally eating marijuana-laced cookies, candies, brownies and beverages. | Read More » Snail shell coiling programmed by protein patterning  | Snail shells coil in response to a lopsided protein gradient across their shell mantles, finds new research. In contrast the shell mantle of limpets, whose shells do not coil, have a symmetrical pattern of the protein Decapentaplegic (Dpp). | Read More » Meta-analysis: Bug and weed killers, solvents may increase risk of Parkinson's disease  | A large analysis of more than 100 studies from around the world shows that exposure to pesticides, or bug and weed killers, and solvents is likely associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. | Read More » Models from big molecules captured in a flash  | The structures of most of the two million proteins in the human body are still unknown, even at low resolution. A new algorithm solves the convoluted shapes of large molecules by using images of numerous individual samples, all caught simultaneously in a split-second flash of x-rays from a free-electron laser. The technique promises efficient information about the shapes of many more large biological molecules in their native, fluid state. | Read More » Hubble sees a swirl of star formation  | The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of an unusual galaxy -- a beautiful, glittering swirl named, rather un-poetically, J125013.50+073441.5. A glowing haze of material seems to engulf the galaxy, stretching out into space in different directions and forming a fuzzy streak in this image. It is a starburst galaxy -- a name given to galaxies that show unusually high rates of star formation. The regions where new stars are being born are highlighted by sparkling bright blue regions along the galactic arms. | Read More » Century-old ocean data provides further confirmation of global warming  | A new NASA and university analysis of ocean data collected more than 135 years ago by the crew of the HMS Challenger oceanographic expedition provides further confirmation that human activities have warmed our planet over the past century. | Read More » Crystal-clear method for distinguishing between glass and fluids  | Many solids are produced from melting. Depending on how quickly they cool off, invariably, internal tensile stresses begin to build up. However, until now, our understanding of the unique characteristics exhibited by the condition of the glass as compared with a tough molten mass was spotty at best. Now, scientists have offered a surprisingly simple model to explain the difference between glass and molten materials. | Read More » Study explores atmospheric impact of declining Arctic sea ice  | New research explores the impact of ice free seas on the planet's atmospheric circulation. | Read More » Family studies suggest rare genetic mutations team up to cause schizophrenia  | Using a novel method of analyzing genetic variations in families, researchers have found that individually harmless genetic variations affecting related biochemical processes may team up to increase the risk of schizophrenia. They say their findings bring some clarity to the murky relationship between genetics and schizophrenia, and may lead to a genetic test that can predict which medications will be effective for individual patients. | Read More » Finding a genetic cause for severe childhood epilepsies  | A large scientific study has discovered new genes causing severe seizure disorders that begin in babies and early childhood. The finding will lead to new tests to diagnose these conditions and promises to lead to improved outcomes. | Read More » How do plants grow toward the light? Scientists explain mechanism behind phototropism  | Plants have developed a number of strategies to capture the maximum amount of sunlight through their leaves. As we know from looking at plants on a windowsill, they grow toward the sunlight to be able to generate energy by photosynthesis. Now scientists have provided definitive insights into the driving force behind this movement -- the plant hormone auxin. | Read More » New 1-step process for designer bacteria  | A simpler and faster way of producing designer bacteria used in biotechnology processes has been developed. | Read More » White Mountains hikers often underprepared  | In a new study based on surveys of hikers in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, researchers find that many people hit the trails without essential equipment, often because they don't think it's needed for short hikes. Young, inexperienced hikers were most likely to lack essential gear. | Read More » New insights into protein disposal  | Cells have a sophisticated system to control and dispose of defective, superfluous proteins and thus to prevent damage to the body. Researchers have discovered a new function of an enzyme that is involved in this vital process. | Read More » Scientists narrow global warming range  | Australian scientists have narrowed the predicted range of global warming through groundbreaking new research. | Read More » Unique omega-3 supplement effective at reducing exercise-induced asthma symptoms  | A new study found that an omega-3 supplement derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel improved lung function and reduced airway inflammation in asthmatics with exercise-induced asthma. | Read More » Salmonella uses protective switch during infection  | For the first time, researchers have found a particular kind of molecular switch in the food poisoning bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium under infection-like conditions. This switch, using a process called S-thiolation, appears to be used by the bacteria to respond to changes in the environment during infection and might protect it from harm, researchers report. | Read More » Striking green-eyed butterfly discovered in the United States  | Striking olive-green eye colour allows scientists to distinguish a new butterfly species, which was confirmed using Smithsonian entomology collections. Previously unrecognized because of its similarity with the common Gray Ministreak, the newly described Vicroy's Ministreak was named after the wife of Jeffrey Glassberg, who discovered it. It may turn out to be the last distinctive butterfly species from the United States. | Read More » Fast-sinking jellyfish could boost the oceans' uptake of carbon dioxide  | Increasing numbers of gelatinous plankton might help in mitigating the carbon dioxide problem. In field and laboratory experiments scientists have shown that dead jellyfish and pelagic tunicates sink much faster than phytoplankton and marine snow remains. Jellies are especially important because they rapidly consume plankton and particles and quickly export biomass and carbon to the ocean interior. | Read More » Children of long-lived parents less likely to get cancer  | The offspring of parents who live to a ripe old age are more likely to live longer themselves, and less prone to cancer and other common diseases associated with aging, a study has revealed. | Read More » Soda and illegal drugs cause similar damage to teeth: Acids erode enamel  | Addicted to soda? You may be shocked to learn that drinking large quantities of your favorite carbonated soda could be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamine and crack cocaine use. The consumption of illegal drugs and abusive intake of soda can cause similar damage to your mouth through the process of tooth erosion, according to a case study. | Read More » Novel class of drugs for prostate cancers  | A new study on prostate cancer describes a novel class of drugs that interrupts critical signaling needed for prostate cancer cells to grow. | Read More » Findings may help overcome hurdle to successful bone marrow transplantation  | Blood diseases such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplasia can develop from abnormal bone marrow cells and a dysfunctional bone marrow microenvironment that surrounds these cells. Researchers have found that eliminating a gene in the cells found in this microenvironment causes them to die, enabling donor cells to replace them. The findings could help improve bone marrow transplant therapy for patients who need it. | Read More » Just how secure is quantum cryptography?  | Unlike classical encryption, quantum communication systems are known to offer the promise of virtually unbreakable encryption. Now, new research on this topic is shaking up the long-held notion that quantum communications are 100 percent secure. Researchers have recently demonstrated that quantum encryption may be susceptible to hacking. | Read More » Einstein's 'spooky action' common in large quantum systems  | Mathematician have shown that entanglement -- what Einstein termed "spooky action at a distance" -- is actually prevalent in large quantum systems and have identified the threshold at which it occurs. | Read More » Have health effects from the Chernobyl accident been overestimated?  | The impact of the Chernobyl nuclear accident has been seriously overestimated, while unfounded statements presented as scientific facts have been used to strangle the nuclear industry, according to Russian researchers. New research suggests that the health effects of food contamination in particular have been distorted in anti-industry propaganda. | Read More » Men, women lie about sex to match gender expectations  | People will lie about their sexual behavior to match cultural expectations about how men or women should act – even though they wouldn't distort other gender-related behaviors, new research suggests. | Read More » Ugly plants worse for allergy patients  | As allergy season continues for Middle Tennessee and much of the U.S., a largely unknown adage rings true: the uglier a flower or weed, the more allergy-inducing its pollen tends to be. Ragweed, mugwort, plantain and pigweed have more than just their unappealing appearance in common—they're some of the worst offenders to allergy sufferers. | Read More » Picking up a second language is predicted by ability to learn patterns  | Some people seem to pick up a second language with relative ease, while others have a much more difficult time. Now, a new study suggests that learning to understand and read a second language may be driven, at least in part, by our ability to pick up on statistical regularities. | Read More » Scientists develop CO2 sequestration technique  | Scientists have discovered and demonstrated a new technique to remove and store atmospheric carbon dioxide while generating carbon-negative hydrogen and producing alkalinity, which can be used to offset ocean acidification. | Read More » | |
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