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Researchers perform DNA computation in living cells

Chemists have performed a DNA-based logic-gate operation within a human cell. The research may pave the way to more complicated computations in live cells, as well as new methods of disease detection and treatment.

Jagged graphene edges can slice into cell membranes

Researchers have shown how tiny graphene sheets can be big trouble for cells. Sharp corners and jagged edges on the sheets puncture cell membranes, allowing the sheet to enter the cell and disrupt function. The new understanding of how graphene interacts with cells could lead to safer production of this important nanomaterial.

Trees use water more efficiently as atmospheric carbon dioxide rises

Though studies have long predicted that more efficient forest water use would result from increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, biologists, using data collected in the northeastern US, and elsewhere around the world, showed that forests were responding much more than the predictions of even the most state-of-the-art computer models.

Researchers create inner ear from stem cells, opening potential for new treatments

Scientists have transformed mouse embryonic stem cells into key structures of the inner ear. The discovery provides new insights into the sensory organ's developmental process and sets the stage for laboratory models of disease, drug discovery and potential treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders.

A new way to trap light: Phenomenon could lead to new types of lasers and sensors

There are several ways to "trap" a beam of light -- usually with mirrors, other reflective surfaces, or high-tech materials such as photonic crystals. But now researchers have discovered a new method to trap light that could find a wide variety of applications.

Typhoid's lethal secret revealed

Typhoid fever is one of the oldest documented diseases known to have afflicted mankind but what makes it so lethal has remained a mystery for centuries. In a new study, researchers offer an explanation of how the devastating disease marked by delirium and stupor still kills 200,000 people every year -- and also suggests the basis of a future vaccine.

Pandemic risk? Troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus

The emerging H7N9 avian influenza virus responsible for at least 37 deaths in China has qualities that could potentially spark a global outbreak of flu, according to a new study.

Wind power does not strongly affect greater prairie chickens, seven-year study finds

Wind power development does not ruffle the feathers of greater prairie chicken populations, according to a seven-year study by ecologists. They found that grassland birds are more affected by rangeland management practices and by the availability of native prairie and vegetation cover at nest sites.

The dark side of artificial sweeteners

More and more Americans are consuming artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar, but whether this translates into better health has been heavily debated. A new opinion article reviews surprising evidence on the negative impact of artificial sweeteners on health, raising red flags about all sweeteners -- even those that don't have any calories.

'Bath salts' stimulant could be more addictive than meth, study shows

Scientists have published one of the first laboratory studies of MDPV, an emerging recreational drug that has been sold as "bath salts." The researchers confirmed the drug's powerful stimulant effects in rats and found evidence that it could be more addictive than methamphetamine, one of the most addictive substances to date.

Glued to your cell phone? Research suggests it may reduce your physical activity and fitness

Today's smartphones allow for increased opportunities for activities traditionally defined as sedentary behaviors, such as surfing the internet, emailing and playing video games. However, researchers have linked high cell phone use to poor fitness in college students.

Supercooled water transforms into new form of liquid

Researchers have identified that water, when chilled to a very low temperature, transforms into a new form of liquid. Through a simulation performed in "supercooled" water, the research team confirmed a "liquid-liquid" phase transition at 207 Kelvins, or 87 degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale.

Assessing impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico

While numerous studies are under way to determine the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico, the extent and severity of these impacts and the value of the resulting losses cannot fully be measured without considering the goods and services provided by the Gulf, says a new report.

Researchers identify new source of powerful immunity protein

Researchers report the identification of a new cellular source for an important disease-fighting protein used in the body's earliest response to infection.

'Peak oil' concerns should ease, experts predict

Should concerns about "peak oil" focus on demand for oil rather than dwindling supplies of it? Yes, according to a new analysis. Limits to consumption by the wealthy, better fuel efficiency and lower priced alternative fuels should begin driving down demand for oil around 2035. That's good news overall, but policymakers should pay attention to the mix of substitutes that will replace conventional oil.

Nanoparticles, 'pH phoresis' could improve cancer drug delivery

Researchers have developed a concept to potentially improve delivery of drugs for cancer treatment using nanoparticles that concentrate and expand in the presence of higher acidity found in tumor cells.

Dingoes remain top predator despite control measures

The culling of dingoes in Australia to protect livestock does not open the way for other predators to take their place, new research finds. Dingoes and red foxes are temporarily suppressed, while feral cats and goannas are not affected, which suggests that careful planning of culls, around calving time to save livestock from attacks, should not in the long term harm dingo populations or other animals in the ecosystem.

Intelligence agents may be prone to irrational decision making

U.S. intelligence agents may be more prone to irrational inconsistencies in decision making compared to college students and post-college adults, according to a new study.

Stroke recovery theories challenged by new studies looking at brain lesions, bionic arms

Stroke is the country's leading cause of disability, leaving millions with residual arm and leg weakness. However, efforts have usually focused on stroke prevention and acute care. Now, two new studies suggest that stroke survivors left weakened or partially paralyzed may be able to regain more arm and hand movement even years after a stroke -- information that clinicians may not know or pass on to their patients.

'Kangaroo care' offers developmental benefits for premature newborns

Kangaroo Care delivers benefits beyond bonding and breastfeeding for a hospital's tiniest newborns.

Fundamental problem for brain mapping

Researchers show a foundational assumption used in brain mapping is flawed, leading them to challenge established works and theories.

Females respond better to stress because of estrogen in the brain, animal study finds

The idea that females are more resilient than males in responding to stress is a popular view, and now researchers have found a scientific explanation.

Sun's loops are displaying an optical illusion

To understand how the corona is heated, some astronomers study coronal loops. These structures are shaped like an upside-down U and show where magnetic field lines are funneling solar gases or plasma. Our best photos of the sun suggest that these loops are a constant width, like strands of rope. However, new work shows that this is an optical illusion; the loops are actually tapered, wider at the top and narrower at the ends. This finding has important implications for coronal heating.

Putting more science into the art of making nanocrystals

Chemists are making the process of synthesizing quantum dots much more systematic. They are detailing an effective new method for purifying CdSe nanocrystals with well-defined surface properties.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to accelerated aging of bones

Researchers have shown that deficiencies in vitamin D -- the sunshine vitamin -- accelerates the aging of bone, reducing the quality and making it more susceptible to fracturing.

Not so blue? Study suggests many Americans less depressed

Depression down among adults over 50, including elderly age 80-84; signs of increased depression in slice of late middle age population

New method rapidly identifies specific strains of illness

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly identify pathogenic species and strains causing illnesses, such as pneumonia, that could help lead to earlier detection of disease outbreaks and pinpoint effective treatments more quickly.

Intestinal bacteria may fuel inflammation and worsen HIV disease

A new study of HIV infection points to changes in intestinal bacteria as a possible explanation for why successfully treated HIV patients nonetheless prematurely experience life-shortening chronic diseases.

Coastal power plant records reveal decline in key southern California fishes

Recent research documents a dramatic, 40-year drop in a number of key fish species and a change in their community structure, according to a new study.

Toward a safer form of acetaminophen

Efforts to develop a safer form of acetaminophen -- the pain and fever-reducer that is one of the most widely used drugs -- have led to discovery of substances that may have less potentially toxic effects on the liver.

Cigarette smoke impacts genes linked to health of heart and lungs

New insights into why obese cigarette smokers experience a high risk of heart disease suggest that cigarette smoke affects the activity of hundreds of key genes that both protect the heart and lungs and expose them to damage. The study suggests that the effects may be especially profound in obese nonsmokers who inhale "sidesteam smoke" from cigarettes smoldering nearby.

Mycobacteria get all the advantages of sex with none of the downsides

Sexual reproduction is costly to organisms that depend on it, like humans. In contrast, bacteria reproduce by asexual reproduction, which is more efficient but doesn't allow genomic mixing, making them vulnerable to environmental change. A new report describes a process by which mycobacteria gain the best of both worlds, mixing their genomes as thoroughly as sexual organisms do, while retaining the advantages of asexual reproduction.

Birds outpace climate change to avoid extinction

A new study has shed light on the potential of birds to survive in the face of climate change. In the analysis, based on more than fifty years' detailed study of a population of great tits near Oxford, UK, scientists found that for these small, short-lived birds, evolution can work fast enough for genetic adaptation to keep pace with a changing environment. However, even for such fast-evolving species, evolution on its own is not enough.

Scientists decode mystery sequences involved in gene regulation

The mechanisms behind gene regulation are not well understood because the RNA sequences to which RNA binding proteins bind have been so difficult to decipher. Now, researchers have produced the first-ever compendium of RNA-binding sequences, which will be an important guide to understanding the root of many genetically-linked diseases, such as autism.

Acid reflux drug may cause heart disease, study suggests

Drugs that help millions of people cope with acid reflux may also cause cardiovascular disease, a new study suggests. It is the first time researchers have shown how proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, might cause cardiovascular problems.

Dinosaurs, diets and ecological niches: Study shows recipe for success

A new scientific study answers a long-standing question in palaeontology -- how numerous species of large, plant-eating dinosaurs could co-exist successfully over geological time. Results from the largest study of dinosaurs recovered from Alberta's Dinosaur Park Formation suggest that niche partitioning was at play: adaptations in skulls and jaws allowed for distinct groups of herbivores to specialize in eating specific types of vegetation, thereby avoiding competition for valuable food sources.

3-D-printed splint saves infant's life

Medical researchers printed a 3-D splint that saved the life of an infant born with severe tracheobronchomalacia, a birth defect that causes the airway to collapse. While similar surgeries have been preformed using tissue donations and windpipes created from stem cells, this is the first time 3D printing has been used to treat tracheobronchomalacia -- at least in a human.

Protein targeted for cancer drug development is essential for normal heart function

Scientists have discovered that a protein used by cancer cells to evade death also plays a vital role in heart health.

Link between omega-3 fatty acids and increased prostate cancer risk confirmed

A second large, prospective study has confirmed the link between high blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Rare primate species needs habitat help to survive

The population of the critically endangered large primate known as the drill has been largely reduced to a few critical habitat areas in Cameroon, according to a recent study. The study highlights the challenges faced by this species as its living area becomes ever more fragmented by human disturbance. In addition, the report directs conservation efforts towards key areas where the populations continue to survive and thrive.

New virus discovered in stranded dolphin

Researchers have identified a new virus associated with the death of a short-beaked dolphin found stranded on a beach in San Diego. It is the first time that a virus belonging to the polyomavirus family has been found in a dolphin.

Location of body fat can elevate heart disease, cancer risk

Individuals with excessive abdominal fat have a greater risk of heart disease and cancer than individuals with a similar body mass index who carry their fat in other areas of the body, according to a new study.

Mammals can 'choose' sex of offspring, study finds

A new study shows that mammalian species can "choose" the sex of their offspring in order to beat the odds and produce extra grandchildren.

Vaccinated children: A powerful protection for older adults

Children who receive a vaccine to prevent blood and ear infections, appear to be reducing the spread of pneumonia to the rest of the population, especially their grandparents and other older adults.

Asian origins of native American dogs confirmed

Once thought to have been extinct, native American dogs are on the contrary thriving, according to a recent study that links these breeds to ancient Asia.

One More Homo Species? Homo floresiensis was a distinct Homo species

Based on the analysis of 3-D landmark data from skull surfaces of Homo floresiensis, scientists provide compelling support for the hypothesis that Homo floresiensis was a distinct Homo species.

The sounds of science: Melting of iceberg creates surprising ocean din

There is growing concern about how much noise humans generate in marine environments through shipping, oil exploration and other developments, but a new study has found that naturally occurring phenomena could potentially affect some ocean dwellers. Nowhere is this concern greater than in the polar regions, where the effects of global warming often first manifest themselves. The breakup of ice sheets and the calving and grounding of icebergs can create enormous sound energy, scientists say. Now a new study has found that the mere drifting of an iceberg from near Antarctica to warmer ocean waters produces startling levels of noise.

Brain's response to sweets may indicate risk for development of alcoholism

Several human and animal studies have shown a relationship between a preference for highly sweet tastes and alcohol use disorders. Furthermore, the brain mechanisms of sweet-taste responses may share common neural pathways with responses to alcohol and other drugs. A new study using functional magnetic resonance imaging has found that recent drinking is related to the orbitofrontal-region brain response to an intensely sweet stimulus, a brain response that may serve as an important phenotype, or observable characteristic, of alcoholism risk.

Personality differences linked to later drinking have roots in early childhood

An individual enters adolescence with personality characteristics and life experiences already accumulated. A new study evaluates the impact of childhood temperament on later alcohol use/problems. Results show that childhood temperament prior to age five predicts adolescent alcohol use and problems at age 15.5 years, even after controlling for socio-demographic factors and parental alcohol problems.

'Wasted' and 'hammered' versus 'buzzed' and 'tipsy' is more than just semantics

Prior research found that women tended to use moderate self-referral terms for intoxication, whereas men used heavy terms. New findings confirm that men's drinking is generally described in terms indicative of excessive consumption while women tend to couch drinking in more moderate terms. These labels of intoxication may impact perceptions and subsequent behaviors, but also inform tailored measures for prevention and intervention.

People with Alzheimer's disease may have lower risk of cancer and vice versa

Older people with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to also have cancer, and older people with cancer are less likely to also have Alzheimer's disease, according to the largest study to date on the topic.

Kids' allergies may correlate with omega-3, omega-6 lipid levels in cord blood

Children with high proportions of poly-unsaturated fatty acids in cord blood at birth are more likely to develop respiratory and skin allergies in their early teens, according to new research.

Same beat set to different tunes changes walkers' pace

Personal tastes in music have little to do with how we keep time to a tune while walking, according to new research.

Sharks stun sardine prey with tail-slaps

Thresher sharks hunt schooling sardines in the waters off a small coral island in the Philippines by rapidly slapping their tails hard enough to stun or kill several of the smaller fish at once, according to new research.

Size matters for creatures of cold polar waters

Scientists have challenged the view that giant animals are found in polar seas because of a superabundance of oxygen in cold water.

What will the future hold for cyborgs, the fusion of humans and machines?

People composed of biotechnology are cyborgs, an amalgam of human being and technology. What direction are human beings, or should I say cyborgs, headed in?

Factors that may cause fluctuations in deep brain stimulation levels over time

Deep brain stimulation therapy blocks or modulates electrical signals in the brain to improve symptoms in patients suffering from movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia, but a new study suggests that several factors may cause electrical current to vary over time.

Stellar monsters do not collide: No hope for a spectacular catastrophe

One might expect that collisions between the remains of monstrous stars, with masses reaching 200-300 times that of our Sun, would be among the most spectacular phenomena in the Universe. Perhaps they are, but we will unfortunately probably never have the chance to find out. Astrophysicists have discovered that the first such collisions will not occur until billions of years from now.

Hubble finds a true blue planet: Giant Jupiter-sized planet located 63 light-years away

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have deduced the actual visible-light color of a planet orbiting another star 63 light-years away. If seen directly the planet, known as HD 189733b, would look like a "deep blue dot," reminiscent of Earth's color as seen from space.

Later cord clamping after birth increases iron levels in babies

Delaying clamping of the umbilical cord after birth benefits newborn babies, according to a systematic review. The authors found babies' blood and iron levels were healthier when the cord was clamped later.

Do antibiotics in animal feed pose a serious risk to human health?

As fears rise over antibiotic resistance, two experts debate whether adding antibiotics to animal feed poses a serious risk to human health.

Bioenergy with carbon capture: Scientists set out path for global warming reversal

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage can reverse the global warming trend and push temperatures back below the global target of 2°C above pre-industrial levels, even if current policies fail and we initially overshoot this target.

Cells in the early embryo battle each other to death for becoming part of the organism

Researchers have found that during the early stages of mammalian development, embryonic cells embark on a battle for survival. Through this battle, the less active of these cells are eliminated by their stronger sisters.

Hidden strains of HPV found in 'virus-negative' genital warts

Researchers assessed the DNA found in samples taken from 40 patients with 'virus-negative' genital warts. Through a general DNA sequencing approach, the researchers showed that several of the negative samples did in fact contain HPV DNA.

Earth's core affects length of day

Researchers have found that variations in the length of day over periods of between one and 10 years are caused by processes in the Earth's core.

Divorce can spell big boost to women's happiness, UK research shows

Women tend to become much more happy and satisfied with their lives after their divorces come through, according to new research from the United Kingdom.

ID got you, under the skin

Forget fingerprints or iris recognition, the next big thing in biometrics will be a thermal imaging scan that maps the blood vessels under the skin of your face for instantaneous face recognition that would be almost impossible to spoof.

New insight into the human genome through the lens of evolution

By comparing the human genome to the genomes of 34 other mammals, Australian scientists have described an unexpectedly high proportion of functional elements conserved through evolution. While other studies have shown that around 5-8 percent of the genome is conserved at the level of DNA sequence, indicating that it is functional, the new study shows that in addition much more, possibly up to 30 percent, is also conserved at the level of RNA structure.

Acceptance of what cannot be changed predicts satisfaction in later life

Accepting what cannot be changed is key to happiness in old age after loss of independence. When older adults lose control as they move into residential care, they adapt and accept what cannot be changed in order to stay happy. According to a new study, when it comes to satisfaction in later life the ability to accept what cannot be changed is as important as the feeling of being able to exert control.

Trapping T-rays for better security scanners

Medical diagnostic and security scanners with higher sensitivity could result from new research into detecting T-rays (terahertz waves).

Solar tsunami used to measure Sun's magnetic field

A solar tsunami observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Japanese Hinode spacecraft has been used to provide the first accurate estimates of the Sun's magnetic field.

Molecular discovery puts cancer treatment in a new perspective

Researchers have obtained ground-breaking new knowledge about proteases - important enzymes which, among other things, play a role in the development of cancer cells. The findings may be significant for the development of cancer drugs.

Delayed puberty: First estrogen receptor mutation found in a young woman

A receptor mutation that essentially blocks estrogen's action has been identified for the first time in a female, researchers report.

Race for new temperature definition: Most accurate measurement yet of Boltzmann constant

Scientists have performed the most accurate measurement yet of the Boltzmann constant. While the impact of such an achievement is not immediately obvious, the measurement could revolutionize the way we define temperature, replacing the standard method that has been used for over 50 years.

Combination of smoking and heavy drinking 'speeds up cognitive decline'

The combination of smoking and heavy drinking speeds up cognitive decline, according to new research.

Dye-sensitized solar cells rival conventional cell efficiency

Dye-sensitized solar cells rival conventional photovoltaic devices by getting an efficiency boost up to 15 percent thanks to a new solid-state version of the perovskite light harvester device and a two-step fabrication process developed by scientists in Switzerland.

Discovery of a strange new snow scorpionfly species in Alaska helped by Facebook

Researchers have discovered a strange new insect on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. It belongs to an enigmatic group that might help scientists understand the evolutionary origin of the Fleas.

Bioluminescence reveals deep-water motion in the Mediterranean

In 2009 and 2010, the underwater neutrino telescope ANTARES detected an unusual phenomenon: the bioluminescence of deep-sea organisms suddenly increased, revealing an unexpected connection between biological activity -- bioluminescence -- and the motion of water masses in the deep ocean. Convective motion in the Gulf of Lion provides deep waters with oxygen and nutrients that boost biological activity.

Buying behavior can be swayed by cultural mindset

People with collectivist mindsets tend to value the relationships between items more than the particular items themselves. Those with individualistic mindsets seem to do just the opposite.

As ice cover disappears, life in frigid Antarctic moves fast

It might be cold in the Antarctic, but that doesn't mean that life there necessarily moves slowly. A new article reveals the discovery of a surprisingly fast-growing community of glass sponges in an area formerly covered by permanent ice. With the ice at the surface disappearing, those little-known sponges are launching a seafloor takeover.

Critical pathway in cell cycle may lead to cancer development

Researchers' findings on chromosome shortening suggest a potential target to arrest cancer cell growth.

Scientists cast doubt on theory of what triggered Antarctic glaciation

Scientists have found geologic evidence that casts doubt on one of the conventional explanations for how Antarctica's ice sheet began forming. They report finding an ancient volcanic arc in the Scotia Sea that might have prevented the Antarctic Circumpolar Current from forming until millions of years after Antarctic glaciation began.

Gene therapy using lentivirus to treat Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome promising

Researchers have developed a new gene therapy approach to treatment of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a fatal inherited form of immunodeficiency.

Obese dads pass on predisposition to obesity and metabolic disorders to their kids

If you are obese and hope to be a father, here's another reason to lose weight: your children and grandchildren may inherit your waistline or metabolic disorders. Scientists have discovered in mice that obese fathers, even those with no symptoms of diabetes, passed this negative trait on most frequently to their daughters. Sons don't dodge this genetic bullet either -- both sons and daughters of obese fathers have increased risks of developing metabolic diseases.

Cells make costume changes for cardiac regeneration

If the heart following a heart attack is not sufficiently supplied with blood, heart tissue dies. In adult humans, the ability to heal itself is hardly developed. Scientists have now observed in the embryo of the zebrafish that muscle cells migrate from the undamaged atrium into the ventricle and thus significantly contribute to regeneration. This could serve as the basis for novel therapeutic approaches.

Surprising detail about skin cancer uncovered

An international team of melanoma researchers confirmed that the chances of dying from skin cancer depend strongly upon how thick the primary tumor is. But -- unexpectedly -- the team also found that those having more than one primary tumor have better survival odds.

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Thursday, July 11, 2013

FeedaMail: ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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