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Involving patients in nurses' shift change reduces medical errors, satisfies patients

At shift change, incoming and outgoing nurses transfer accountability by exchanging information about the patients under their charge. Called bedside handover, this process empowers patients and allows them to become active partners in their own care.

What composes the human heart?

A foundational study by researchers has identified the optimal structure and cell ratio associated with heart function -- and the discovery has already led the team to another research first: the engineering of the first-ever living, 3-D human arrhythmic tissue.

Secrets of Mars' birth revealed from unique meteorite

As NASA prepares to launch a new Martian probe, a Florida State University scientist has uncovered what may be the first recognized example of ancient Martian crust. Using a powerful microprobe scientists dated special crystals within the meteorite -- called zircons -- at an astounding 4.4 billion years old.

How poor mental health, casual sex reinforce each other

A new study suggests that poor mental health and casual sex feed off each other in teens and young adults, with each one contributing to the other over time.

U.S. national survey finds frog abnormalities are rare

A 10-year study by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows some good news for frogs and toads on national wildlife refuges. The rate of abnormalities such as shortened or missing legs was less than 2 percent overall -- indicating that the malformations first reported in the mid-1990s were rarer than feared. But much higher rates were found in local "hotspots," suggesting that where these problems occur they have local causes.

Ancient Siberian genome reveals genetic origins of Native Americans

The genome sequence of a 24,000-year-old Siberian individual has provided a key piece of the puzzle in the quest for Native American origins. The ancient Siberian demonstrates genomic signatures that are basal to present-day western Eurasians and close to modern Native Americans.

Listen to this: New research upends understanding of how humans perceive sound

A key piece of the scientific model used for the past 30 years to help explain how humans perceive sound is wrong, according to a new study.

Scientists break a theoretical time barrier on bouncing droplets

Those who study hydrophobic materials -- water-shedding surfaces such as those found in nature and created in the laboratory -- are familiar with a theoretical limit on the time it takes for a water droplet to bounce away from such a surface. But researchers have now found a way to burst through that perceived barrier, reducing the contact time by at least 40 percent.

3-D printing hits fast lane: Engineers cut time to 3-D-print heterogeneous objects from hours to minutes

Three-dimensional printing has long had the potential to revolutionize manufacturing, but so far its application in the marketplace has been held back by slow fabrication, especially for heterogeneous objects. Many objects comprise more than one material, which allows for certain parts to be rigid while other parts remain flexible (e.g. tweezers; prosthetics). Scientists have now developed a 3-D printing process that fabricates such objects very time- and cost-efficiently.

New Habanero-type pepper introduced

Researchers have introduced "CaroTex-312," a new high-yielding, orange-fruited, Habanero-type, F1 hybrid pepper. The yield attributes of "CaroTex-312," particularly its potential for producing high early yields, should be especially appealing to growers trying to widen their marketing window. The report also suggested that the new cultivar has several potentially useful disease-resistance attributes.

Aging erodes genetic control, but that's flexible

In yeast at least, the aging process appears to reduce an organism's ability to silence certain genes that need to be silenced. Now researchers who study the biology of aging have shown that the loss of genetic control occurs in fruit flies as well.

Skeletal remains of 24,000-year-old boy raise new questions about first Americans

Results from a DNA study of a young boy's skeletal remains believed to be 24,000 years old could turn the archaeological world upside down – it's been proven that nearly 30 percent of modern Native American's ancestry came from this youngster's gene pool, suggesting First Americans came directly from Siberia.

Differences in brains of children with nonverbal learning disability

A researcher has discovered the first anatomical evidence that the brains of children with a nonverbal learning disability -- long considered a "pseudo" diagnosis -- may develop differently than the brains of other children.

Blood test accurately diagnoses concussion, predicts long term cognitive disability

A new blood biomarker correctly predicted which concussion victims went on to have white matter tract structural damage and persistent cognitive dysfunction following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). If validated in larger studies, this blood test could identify concussion patients at increased risk for persistent cognitive dysfunction or further brain damage and disability if returning to sports or military activities.

Odds of rehospitalization of cognitively impaired varies by discharge destination

Cognitively impaired older adults released from the hospital are less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they go to a nursing home than if they return to their own home.

High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato

Researchers used crop enterprise budgets to provide baseline information and contrast the economic potential of growing lettuce and tomato under high tunnel and open-field production systems. Results showed it was 43% more profitable to grow lettuce in the open field than in the high tunnel, while growing tomato in high tunnels was three times more profitable than open-field production.

Children's cardiovascular fitness declining worldwide

Around the globe, children are about 15 percent less fit than their parents were when they were young. In the United States, kids' cardiovascular endurance performance declined about 6 percent per decade between 1970 and 2000.

Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes

Researchers developed a method to quantitatively classify urban residential landscapes in a desert environment in New Mexico. The team studied areas around 54 homes and classified 93 percent of all the landscapes into nine common types. Results also showed that landscape types are distributed differently in front- and backyard landscapes in the desert environment. They anticipate that the study will help landscape horticulturists to design water conservation plans that are landscape-specific.

Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality

Researchers calculated the response of apple fruit quality to sprays of zinc sulfate and sugar alcohol zinc to determine whether continuing to supply zinc to trees could increase the fruit quality of "Fuji" and "Gala" apples. Results showed that, although the apple trees showed no zinc deficiency symptoms and the leaf zinc nutrition was at a low level, continuing zinc sprays throughout the growing cycle was necessary to increase fruit quality.

Many sudden cardiac arrests preceded by warning signs

More than half of the men who had a sudden cardiac arrest had symptoms up to a month before.

Rediscovered Apollo data gives first measure of how fast moon dust piles up

Scientists used rediscovered Apollo data to make the first determination of how fast lunar dust accumulates. It builds up unbelievably slowly by the standards of any Earth-bound housekeeper -- just fast enough to form a layer about a millimeter (0.04 inches) thick every 1,000 years. Yet, that rate is 10 times previous estimates. It's also speedy enough to pose a serious problem for the solar cells that serve as critical power sources for space exploration missions.

Impacts of plant invasions become less robust over time: Invasive plants are more likely to be replaced by other 'invasives'

Among the most impressive ecological findings of the past 25 years is the ability of invasive plants to radically change ecosystem function. Yet few if any studies have examined whether ecosystem impacts of invasions persist over time, and what that means for plant communities and ecosystem restoration.

Let's just harvest invasive species -- problem solved?

According to a recent study , harvesting invasive plants for use as biofuels may sound like a great idea, but the reality poses numerous obstacles and is too expensive to consider, at least with the current ethanol pathways.

Virtual sailing simulator shows key role of recreation in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

Researchers conducted a study on the role of a hands on virtual sailing simulator for use in rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury.

Linking risk factors, disease origins in breast cancer

Researchers have found that epigenetic changes to DNA are associated with aging in disease-free breast tissues and are further altered in breast tumors. Epigenetic changes describe heritable alterations caused by mechanisms other than by changes in DNA sequence. The discovery illustrates how cancer and aging are tightly interconnected processes by identifying epigenetic alterations present in the normal aging breast that may increase disease risk in cancer-free individuals.

Advanced CT imaging proves as accurate as invasive tests for heart blockages

An ultrafast, 320-detector computed tomography (CT) scanner that shows both anatomy within coronary arteries and blood flowcan accurately sort out which people need – or don't need – an invasive procedure to identify coronary blockages, according to an international study. The researchers say their findings could potentially save millions of people worldwide from having an unnecessary cardiac catheterization.

Many pediatricians uncomfortable providing care to kids with genetic conditions, study concludes

A new study finds general physicians order few genetic tests, don't always discuss risks and benefits; take limited family histories.

Smaller bowls may help curb childhood obesity

Smaller bowl sizes may be the next weapon in the battle against childhood obesity, says a new study that found children not only ask for more food to fill larger bowls, but they also eat 52 percent more.

Demand for details on food labels includes the good – and the bad

It's no surprise that labels are becoming the "go to" place when people have questions about how food is produced. But new research finds that consumers crave more information, especially for the potentially harmful ingredients that aren't included in the product.

Box office success linked to blogging, study finds

Though it would seem that studios have little control over public reaction to their movies, a new study reveals some factors that studios can control to boost how their movies perform at the box office, particularly in local markets.

Evidence of jet in Milky Way's black hole

Astronomers have long sought strong evidence that Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, is producing a jet of high-energy particles. Finally they have found it.

Potential for investigational bioengineered vessel as dialysis graft

An investigational, human-made blood vessel used in vascular grafts for kidney dialysis patients may potentially show encouraging early results among study patients in Poland, according to preliminary data reported.

Women prescribed hormone therapy should use caution when taking apigenin supplement

In 2011, studies conducted found that a natural compound called apigenin, which is found in celery, parsley, and apples, could reduce the incidence of tumor growth in women receiving hormone replacement therapy. Now, based on subsequent studies, they are recommending that women not ingest pure apigenin as a supplement.

Scientists far from finish line in understanding anemia in female athletes

When Kaitlyn Patterson's fatigue progressed to hyperventilating even during slow runs, and then forced her to quit high school distance running for the season, she knew something was very wrong. Patterson had exercise-induced iron-deficiency anemia, a common, perplexing problem among elite female athletes, especially endurance runners.

Drug effective in preventing stroke, reducing bleeding, cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation

A late-breaking clinical trial demonstrates that high- and low-dose edoxaban were at least as effective in preventing stroke or systemic embolism (blood clot), while significantly reducing bleeding and cardiovascular death, compared to warfarin.

Screens in the bedroom may contribute to sleep problems in boys with autism

Having bedroom access to television, computers or video games is linked to less sleep in boys with autism spectrum disorder.

New research links smoking synthetic marijuana with stroke in healthy, young adults

Add stroke to the list of severe health hazards that may be associated with smoking synthetic marijuana, popularly known as spice or K2, a neurology team reports.

Sex of Speaker Affects Listener Language Processing

Grammar and syntax have been thought for decades to be automatic and untouchable by other brain processes and that everything else — the sex of the speaker, their dialect, etc. — is stripped away as our brains process the sound signal of a word and store it as an abstract form. A study now suggests that even higher-level processes – in this case, grammar - are affected by information about the speaker.

Youth prefer, benefit more from rapid point-of-care HIV testing

Youth prefer, accept and receive HIV results more often when offered rapid finger prick or saliva swab tests rather than traditional blood tests according to a study.

Playing computer games together makes brains feel and think alike

Scientists have discovered that playing computer games can bring players' emotional responses and brain activity into unison. By measuring the activity of facial muscles and imaging the brain while gaming, the group found out that people go through similar emotions and display matching brainwaves.

Amazon drones: The latest weapon in combatting climate change

A flying, insect-like robot will give an unprecedented look at Peru's tropical cloud forest, one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems and a key indicator of global climate change.

Breakthrough for biofuel production from tiny marine algae

Researchers have developed a method for greatly enhancing biofuel production in tiny marine algae.

Oral drug may improve survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer

An investigational prostate cancer treatment slows the disease's progression and may increase survival, especially among men whose cancer has spread to the bones, according an analysis.

Smoking increases risk of death for nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors

Survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who are former or current smokers are more likely to have their disease progress, relapse, or spread, and are more likely to die of their disease, compared with survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have never smoked, according to a study published.

Additive may make wine fine for longer

An additive may help curb a chemical reaction that causes wine to look, smell and taste funky, according to food scientists.

Captive breeding for thousands of years has impaired olfactory functions in silkmoths

Domesticated silkmoths Bombyx mori have a much more limited perception of environmental odors compared to their wild relatives. A new study on silkmoths revealed that the insects' ability to perceive environmental odours has been reduced after about 5000 years of domestication by humans. Scientists compared olfactory functions in Bombyx mori and in their wild ancestors. Perception of the pheromone bombykol, however, remained highly sensitive in domesticated males.

Infant galaxies merging near 'cosmic dawn'

Astronomers using the combined power of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a far-flung trio of primitive galaxies nestled inside an enormous blob of primordial gas nearly 13 billion light-years from Earth.

Ancient Roman glass inspires modern science

A 1700-year-old Roman glass cup is inspiring researchers in their search for new ways to exploit nanoparticles and their interactions with light.

Media coverage of HPV vaccine boosts reports of adverse effects

The number of adverse events reported for the HPV vaccine Gardasil® correlated with an increase in the number of media stories about the vaccine, finds a study.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria turns immune system against itself

Around 20 percent of all humans are persistently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a leading cause of skin infections and one of the major sources of hospital-acquired infections, including the antibiotic-resistant strain MRSA. Scientists have recently discovered one of the keys to the immense success of S. aureus — the ability to hijack a primary human immune defense mechanism and use it to destroy white blood cells.

Aid programs helped U.S. survive the great recession

The "social safety net" expanded to catch many Americans during the economic downturn and welfare programs "did their job and made a difference," an economist has found.

Unhealthiest stroke patients less likely to get optimal care

Among thousands of hospital patients treated for a "mini stroke," those who were at highest risk for suffering a full-blown ischemic attack were less likely to received optimal care, according to a study.

Obesity, nutrition keys to avoiding metabolic syndrome

Data reinforce the positive influence of lifestyle factors in mitigating risks that potentially increase the likelihood of heart disease and other health problems. Findings based on 1,059 people underscore the importance of obesity prevention and nutrition, specifically eating more fruits and vegetables, in addressing metabolic syndrome, a common precursor to cardiovascular disease.

Researchers gain fuller picture of cell protein reactions

Researchers have developed a new technique for analyzing complex enzyme activity within cells.

Insight on cell migration, movement of cancer cells

The migration of groups of cells in order to form tissues is common during the development of an organism. Discovering how these multiple movements are achieved is not only crucial to understand the basic principles of development, but provides new information and insights for further research into processes associated with the spread of cancer.

Treating alcohol dependence: Medication plus therapy leads to longer abstinence

Alcohol treatment incorporating a stepped-care rationale -- when services are escalated -- appears to increase efficacy of the treatment. However, in some countries, medication and individual psychotherapy are rarely used to treat alcohol dependence (AD). A recent study of AD patients who were given a stepped-care approach -- first medication, then additional psychotherapy -- found that patients willing to attend psychotherapy in addition to pharmacotherapy benefit from a reduced or delayed relapse to heavy drinking.

Frontal-lobe damage from alcohol may occur before general mental status challenges

Executive performance, such as attention and memory, is associated with the frontal lobes. Researchers found specific structural changes in the prefrontal area and left cerebellum can predict executive performance in alcoholics. These volumes may identify executive dysfunctions even when clinical signs of alcohol dependence are absent or mild and a more general mental status appears normal.

Individuals who flush after drinking at higher risk of hypertension

Excessive drinking is a known risk factor for hypertension. Drinking that results in facial flushing indicates high sensitivity or even intolerance to alcohol. A new study has found that drinking-related hypertension has a higher risk in flushers than in non-flushers, and the risk of hypertension was significantly increased when flushers consumed more than four drinks per week.

Recessionary woes lead to adverse alcohol outcomes for men and middle-aged Americans

Economic downturns can have adverse health-related consequences, including poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide. New research looks at different types of economic loss and associated alcohol consumption/problems. The most adverse effects of severe economic loss on drunkenness and alcohol problems were concentrated among men and the middle-aged.

Oldest large body of ancient seawater identified under Chesapeake Bay

USGS scientists have determined that high-salinity groundwater found more than 1,000 meters (0.6 mi.) deep under the Chesapeake Bay is actually remnant water from the Early Cretaceous North Atlantic Sea and is probably 100-145 million years old. This is the oldest sizeable body of seawater to be identified worldwide.

Stress, isolation take toll on those under 50 with HIV; older people fare better

Researchers were surprised to learn that people younger than 50 years old with HIV feel more isolated and stressed than older people with the disease. They expected their study to reveal just the opposite.

Ultrasound, nanoparticles may help diabetics avoid the needle

A new nanotechnology-based technique for regulating blood sugar in diabetics may give patients the ability to release insulin painlessly using a small ultrasound device, allowing them to go days between injections -- rather than using needles to give themselves multiple insulin injections each day.

DIY for the holidays: Why do consumers enjoy gifts that require work?

From gourmet cooking to assembling a flower bouquet, consumers thrive in a creative environment. A new study suggests a greater sense of appreciation and overall value is given to products that are customized during the design process.

See a Honda, buy a Mountain Dew? What happens when consumers fast-forward through commercials?

Consumers are bombarded with advertising throughout the course of any given day, often to the point where they rarely devote any conscious attention to processing the brand information. According to a new study, this is not necessarily bad news for companies.

When bye bye becomes buy buy: How homophones affect consumer behavior

It is possible to affect how someone will think or act simply by priming that person with just a single word, according to a new study that examines the use of homophones in written advertising.

Semantics behind sale price: When does 'original' price matter?

Consumers love a sale. In fact, when asked what makes a sale appealing, most simply say, "The price was good." But this answer fails to acknowledge that subjective factors also contribute to the perceived value of a deal. According to new research, it's possible to increase the perception of a good deal.

Research sheds light on nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury

Researchers have discovered how the sea lamprey, an eel-like fish, regrows the neurons that comprise the long nerve "highways" that link the brain to the spinal cord. Findings may guide future efforts to promote recovery in humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

How are fear-related behaviors, anxiety disorders controlled?

A team of researchers has just shown that interneurons located in the forebrain at the level of the prefrontal cortex are heavily involved in the control of fear responses.

Two human proteins found to affect how 'jumping gene' gets around

Using a new method to catch elusive "jumping genes" in the act, researchers have found two human proteins that are used by one type of DNA to replicate itself and move from place to place. The discovery breaks new ground in understanding the arms race between a jumping gene driven to colonize new areas of the human genome and cells working to limit the risk posed by such volatile bits of DNA.

Newly identified brown fat stem cells hold possibilities for treating diabetes, obesity

The recent identification of brown fat stem cells in adult humans may lead to new treatments for heart and endocrine disorders, according to a new study.

Where in Europe will the next insect pest infestation occur?

Climate change means that Europe's insect pest invasion is going to get worse. Scientists have discovered factors that have an effect on the probability of insect pests taking hold in Europe.

Size, connectivity of brain region linked to anxiety level in young children

Researchers have shown that by measuring the size and connectivity of a part of the brain associated with processing emotion -- the amygdala -- they can predict the degree of anxiety a young child is experiencing in daily life.

Who are you looking at? Why women recognise more faces than men

Numerous studies have reported that women outperform men when it comes to face recognition faces, but most have focused on assessing innate biases in favor of race, gender, and age. Now a major literature review concludes that, in the majority of tests, women are better at face recognition than men, irrespective of all other factors.

Older people recovering from hip fracture experience barriers for mobility at home

About half of hip fracture patients reported barriers for mobility when entering the home or in the outdoor home environment. One year after the fracture, many people still experienced barriers, especially in the outdoor environment.

Infrared vision lets researchers see through -- and into -- multiple layers of graphene

Scientists have developed a technique for "seeing through" a stack of graphene sheets to identify and describe the electronic properties of each individual sheet -- even when the sheets are covering each other up.

Genomic variant associated with sun sensitivity, freckles identified

Researchers have identified a genomic variant strongly associated with sensitivity to the sun, brown hair, blue eyes -- and freckles.

Genetic defect keeps verbal cues from hitting the mark: Gene found in human speech problems affects singing, not learning in songbirds

A genetic defect that profoundly affects speech in humans also disrupts the ability of songbirds to sing effective courtship tunes. This defect in a gene called FoxP2 renders the brain circuitry insensitive to feel-good chemicals that serve as a reward for speaking the correct syllable or hitting the right note, a recent study shows.

The company you keep shapes what you learn, study in locusts suggests

A team of scientists has shown how the environment shapes learning and memory by training locusts like Pavlov's dog to associate different smells with reward or punishment.

Newborn babies have built-in body awareness ability

The ability to differentiate your own body from others is a fundamental skill, critical for humans' ability to interact with their environments and the people in them. Now, researchers provide some of the first evidence that newborn babies enter the world with the essential mechanisms for this kind of body awareness already in place.

Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies

Introducing solid food with breast milk after the 17th week of birth could reduce food allergies in babies, according to research. The research suggests that giving the baby solid food beside breast feeding helps it develop a better, stronger immune system to fight food allergies.

Cows chomping on fresh grass, red clover produce omega milk

Fat is an important ingredient that has a material impact on the nutritional value, texture, taste, shelf-life and producer price of milk. However, milk products are a significant source of saturated fatty acids in the Western diet. How should dairy cattle be fed for their milk to contain more unsaturated fatty acids?

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

FeedaMail: ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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