Thursday, March 26, 2015

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Behind the dogmas of good old hydrodynamics

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:07 PM PDT

A new theory, which gives new insights into the transport of liquid flowing along the surface under applied electric field, has been developed. It may be used in the future in research in physics, chemistry and biology and in many applications including medicine and pharmaceutics.

Ancient Martian lake system records two water-related events

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:07 PM PDT

Researchers have completed a new analysis of an ancient Martian lake system in Jezero Crater, near the planet's equator. The study finds that the onslaught of water that filled the crater was one of at least two separate periods of water activity in the region surrounding Jezero.

Common bacteria on verge of becoming antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:05 PM PDT

Antibiotic resistance is poised to spread globally among bacteria frequently implicated in respiratory and urinary infections in hospital settings, according to new research. The study shows that two genes that confer resistance against a particularly strong class of antibiotics can be shared easily among a family of bacteria responsible for a significant portion of hospital-associated infections.

Just right: A spider's tale of finding the perfect sized hole for their nest

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:05 PM PDT

A new study shows that southern house spiders are making size-related choices about holes and cavities in which to build their nests.

New score predicts heart disease and stroke risk for anyone in world aged over 40

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:03 PM PDT

For the first time, scientists have developed a new risk score that can predict the 10-year risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke in persons aged 40 years or older in any world country.

Desalination with nanoporous graphene membrane

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:03 PM PDT

Desalination is an energy-intensive process, which concerns those wanting to expand its application. Now, a team of experimentalists has demonstrated an energy-efficient desalination technology that uses a porous membrane made of strong, slim graphene -- a carbon honeycomb one atom thick.

30 new species discovered in Los Angeles in first-ever intensive urban biodiversity survey

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:23 PM PDT

Thirty new insect species of the fly family Phoridae have been discovered in the LA region of California. Describing 30 species in a single paper is rare, but what's especially striking is that all these come from urban Los Angeles.

Coastal property values could erode if nourishment subsidies end

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:23 PM PDT

The value of many oceanfront properties on the East Coast could drop dramatically if Congress were to suddenly end federal beach nourishment subsidies. Values could fall by as much as 17 percent in towns with high property values and almost 34 percent in towns with low property values. A gradual reduction of the subsidies, in contrast, is more likely to smooth the transition to more climate-resilient coastal communities.

A mile deep, ocean fish facing health impacts from human pollution

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:23 PM PDT

Deep-water marine fish living on the continental slopes at depths from 2,000 feet to one mile have liver pathologies, tumors and other health problems that may be linked to human-caused pollution, one of the first studies of its type has found. Fish have been found with a blend of male and female sex organs including. The findings appear to reflect general ocean conditions.

A new spin on Saturn's peculiar rotation

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:23 PM PDT

The precise measurement of Saturn's rotation has presented a great challenge to scientists, as different parts of this sweltering ball of hydrogen and helium rotate at different speeds whereas its rotation axis and magnetic pole are aligned. A new method leads to a new determination of Saturn's rotation period and offers insight into the internal structure of the planet, its weather patterns, and the way it formed.

Climate refuges found where corals survive, grow

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:23 PM PDT

As rising ocean temperatures continue to fuel the disappearance of reef-building corals, a new study finds there may be some climate refuges where corals will survive in the future.

Thousands of atoms entangled with a single photon

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:19 PM PDT

Physicists have developed a new technique that can successfully entangle 3,000 atoms using only a single photon. The results represent the largest number of particles that have ever been mutually entangled experimentally.

Supermassive black hole clears star-making gas from galaxy's core

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:18 PM PDT

A new study provides the first observational evidence that a supermassive black hole at the center of a large galaxy can power huge, wide-angled outpourings of material from deep inside the galaxy's core. These outflows remove massive quantities of star-making gas, thus influencing the size, shape and overall fate of the host galaxy.

More big storms increase tropical rainfall totals

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:18 PM PDT

Increasing rainfall in certain parts of the tropics, colloquially described as the wet get wetter and warm get wetter, has long been a projection of climate change. Now observations have shown that an increase in large thunderstorms is the primary reason for this phenomenon.

Mitigating reptile road mortality

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:18 PM PDT

Ecopassages may be less effective reptile road mortality mitigation tools when fences fail to keep reptiles from accessing the road.

Study maps development one U. S. county at a time

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:17 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a county-by-county map of the United States' "lower 48" that tells a story of land cover and development across the nation, and could provide a framework for planners and policy makers as they consider future development.

Just slip out the back, Jack: Are humans hardwired to break-up and move on?

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:17 PM PDT

When it comes to romantic relationships, a research review article suggests humans are wired to break-up and move on. Drawing largely upon the field of evolutionary psychology, they say men and women might break up for different reasons. For instance, a man is more likely to end a relationship because a woman has had a sexual relationship with another man. On the other hand, a woman may be more likely to break up if her partner has been emotionally unfaithful.

Two most destructive termite species forming superswarms in South Florida

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:17 PM PDT

Two of the most destructive termite species in the world are swarming together in South Florida. They might mate, forming a hybrid, and that worries the UF/IFAS scientists who found the superswarm.

Rare-earth innovation to improve nylon manufacturing

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 12:17 PM PDT

Scientists have created a new chemical process that makes use of the widely available rare-earth metal cerium to improve the manufacture of nylon.

Emergency medicine physicians urge colleagues to help prevent gun violence

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 11:02 AM PDT

Two practicing emergency medicine physicians -- both thought leaders at the forefront of finding solutions to the public health crisis of gun violence -- urge their colleagues to take direct action to protect the health and safety of patients and communities.

New form of ice: Square ice filling for a graphene sandwich

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 11:02 AM PDT

Water exists in myriad forms, and for poets and scientists alike this structurally simple yet at the same time behaviourally complex molecule never fails to fascinate. In our everyday lives we are familiar with water in its more common liquid, ice and vapour forms. Scientists also study water under more extreme conditions, including at high pressures, where it can exist in the solid state even at room temperature.

Sleep loss tied to emotional reactions

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 11:02 AM PDT

A new book summarizes research on the interplay of sleep and various components of emotion and affect that are related to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and depression.

Lemur teeth help take a bite out of Madagascar's mysteries

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:51 AM PDT

Research on lemurs' geographic mobility may help direct future conservation efforts on Madagascar. For centuries, scientists have marveled at Madagascar's lemur species, whose origins are unique to Madagascar. Unfortunately, all large-bodied species of lemur (as well as other native fauna larger in size than a small dog) have gone extinct in the past 2,000 years, most likely due to hunting pressure and deforestation. Researchers believe that gaining a better understanding of how animal mobility has been affected by the loss of species and habitat will be beneficial to current and future conservation efforts on the island.

Shell-shocked: Ocean acidification likely hampers tiny shell builders in Southern Ocean

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:51 AM PDT

A ubiquitous type of phytoplankton -- tiny organisms that are the base of the marine food web -- appears to be suffering from the effects of ocean acidification caused by climate change. According to authors of a new study, the single-celled organism under study is a type of "calcifying" plankton called a coccolithophore, which makes energy from sunlight and builds microscopic calcium carbonate shells, or plates, to produce a chalky suit of armor.

Hydrolyzed fish fertilizer tested in organic vegetable production

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:51 AM PDT

A two-year study evaluated an organic fish fertilizer in a squash/collard rotation, and compared its effectiveness to inorganic sources. Although yields were reduced in the crops grown with hydrolyzed fish fertilizer treatments, economic analyses showed that premium prices and potential profits associated with organic products were enough to offset reduced yield. The authors said that the use of hydrolyzed fish fertilizer could be an economically feasible option in organic vegetable production.

Link between lifestyles of indigenous communities, gut microbial ecologies discovered

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:26 AM PDT

A strong association between the lifestyles of indigenous communities and their gut microbial ecologies (gut microbiome) has been discovered by researchers. This study that may have implications for the health of all people, they say.

Does your password pass muster? Password strength meters not all created equal

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:26 AM PDT

New research exposes the weakness of password strength meters, and shows consumers should remain skeptical when the bar turns green in order to create strong passwords.

Position statement on non-invasive prenatal screening issued

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:26 AM PDT

Two professional societies of human geneticists have issued a position statement on the promise and challenges of non-invasive prenatal testing, a procedure to test blood drawn from pregnant mothers for Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders in the fetus. The document addresses the current scope of and future improvements in NIPT technology, ways it may fit with existing prenatal screening protocols, options and priorities in implementation, and associated social and ethical issues.

Carbon nanotube fibers make superior links to brain

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:25 AM PDT

Carbon nanotube fibers may provide the best way to communicate directly with the brain. The research could enable new strategies for treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's, investigators say.

Experience saves lives: Advanced life-support study reveals differences in survival rates

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:25 AM PDT

An advanced form of life support that takes over for the failing hearts and lungs of critically ill patients saves lives. But for adults, the odds of surviving depend on which hospital provides the life-supporting treatment -- with the best odds at ones that use the technique dozens of times a year, a new study finds.

Suicide risk: Variety of dialectical behavior therapy interventions with therapists effective

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:25 AM PDT

A variety of dialectical behavior therapy interventions helped to reduce suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury acts in a randomized clinical trial of women with borderline personality disorder who were highly suicidal.

Autistic children more likely to have GI issues in early life

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:25 AM PDT

Children with autism spectrum disorder were two-and-a-half times more likely to have persistent gastrointestinal symptoms as infants and toddlers than children with typical development, researchers report.

Mental health disorders complicate standards used by ACA to penalize hospitals for readmission

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Co-existing psychiatric illness should be considered in assessing hospital readmissions for three common medical conditions used by Medicare and Medicaid to penalize hospitals with 'excessive' readmission rates. That was the conclusion of a newly published collaborative study by 11 major US healthcare providers affiliated with the nationwide Mental Health Research Network.

Studies of health information exchanges yet to show strong evidence of benefits, paper says

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Health information exchanges are supposed to improve the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care, but there is little evidence of that in existing health information exchange benefit studies, according to a research paper.

Pre-K children outpace normal expectations through kindergarten

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Students who were enrolled in the NC Pre-K Program are making significant gains across all areas of learning through the end of kindergarten, according to a new report.

Unexplained warm layer discovered in Venus' atmosphere

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Scientists have found a warm layer in Venus' atmosphere, the nature of which is still unknown. The researchers made the discovery when compiling a temperature map of the upper atmosphere on the planet's night side based on the data collected by the Venus Express probe.

Education may not improve our life chances of happiness

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Getting a good education may not improve your life chances of happiness, according to new mental health research.

Drinking raw milk dramatically increases risk for foodborne illness

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:15 AM PDT

The risks of drinking raw (unpasteurized) cow's milk are significant, research shows. Investigators have determined that raw milk was associated with over half of all milk-related foodborne illness.

Why drug for type II diabetes makes people fat

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:14 AM PDT

Medication used to treat patients with type II diabetes activates sensors on brain cells that increase hunger, causing people taking this drug to gain more body fat, according to researchers. The study describes a new way to affect hunger in the brain and helps to explain why people taking a class of drugs for type II diabetes gain more body fat.

Control switch that modulates cell stress response may be key to multiple diseases

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 10:14 AM PDT

A control switch has been discovered for the unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular stress relief mechanism drawing major scientific interest because of its role in cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders and several neural degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Promising new biomarkers for concussion identified

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:08 AM PDT

A panel of four readily detectable blood proteins can accurately indicate concussion, even helping distinguishing it from other injuries, according to a new study. Researchers found the panel by employing the unusual strategy of looking at the body's inflammatory response to trauma, which might also be a therapeutic target.

Hospitals, physicians should improve communication for better patient care

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:08 AM PDT

Coordinating patient care between hospital clinicians and primary-care physicians is a significant challenge due to poor communication and gaps in information-sharing strategies, according to a study. The inability to share timely information can increase the risk of missed test results and hospital readmissions, said the study's corresponding author.

Explosions of Jupiter's aurora linked to extraordinary planet-moon interaction

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:08 AM PDT

New observations of the planet's extreme ultraviolet emissions show that bright explosions of Jupiter's aurora likely also get kicked off by the planet-moon interaction, not by solar activity.

HBV exposure matures infants' immune systems

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:08 AM PDT

Hepatitis B Virus Infection exposure increases the immune system maturation of infants, which may give a better survival advantage to counteract bacterial infection during early life, a new study concludes. These findings radically modify the way that HBV vertical infection of neonates (mother-to-child) is portrayed, and present a paradigm shift in the approach to treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Phase 1 trial of first Ebola vaccine based on 2014 virus strain shows vaccine is safe and provokes an immune response

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:07 AM PDT

Medical researchers now have the results from the first phase 1 trial of an Ebola vaccine based on the current (2014) strain of the virus.  Until now, all tested Ebola virus vaccines have been based on the virus strain from the Zaire outbreak in 1976.  The results suggest that the new vaccine is safe, and provokes an immune response in recipients, although further long-term testing will be needed to establish whether it can protect against the Ebola virus.

Mobile battery life can be prolonged with system settings

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:07 AM PDT

By using crowdsourced measurements researchers explain the energy impact of smartphone system settings, and their results show how to improve a mobile device's battery lifetime by adjusting the settings. Researchers have studied how the impact of different settings on battery lifetime can be estimated using crowdsourced measurements from a large community of devices.

Use of minimally invasive surgery could lower health care costs by hundreds of millions a year

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:06 AM PDT

A new analysis of surgical outcomes nationwide concludes that more use of minimally invasive surgery for certain common procedures can dramatically reduce post-operative complications and shave hundreds of millions of dollars off the nation's health care bill.

Prenatal exposure to common air pollution linked to cognitive, behavioral impairment

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 08:06 AM PDT

A powerful relationship between prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and disturbances in parts of the brain that support information processing and behavioral control have been identified by researchers. The study showed reductions in nearly the entire white matter surface of the brain's left hemisphere -- loss associated with slower processing of information during intelligence testing and more severe behavioral problems, including ADHD and aggression.

Researchers greatly increase precision of new genome editing tool

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:24 AM PDT

CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful new tool for editing the genome. For researchers around the world, the CRISPR-Cas9 technique is an exciting innovation because it is faster and cheaper than previous methods. Now researchers have found a solution to considerably increase the efficiency of precise genetic modifications by up to eightfold.

Nanorobotic agents open the blood-brain barrier, offering hope for new brain treatments

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:19 AM PDT

Magnetic nanoparticles can open the blood-brain barrier and deliver molecules directly to the brain, say researchers. This barrier runs inside almost all vessels in the brain and protects it from elements circulating in the blood that may be toxic to the brain. The research is important as currently 98% of therapeutic molecules are also unable to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Damselfly war games: Flying insects take note of opponents' strengths, abilities before entering into a fight

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:19 AM PDT

Before a male damselfly hot-headedly enters into a duel of aerial sparring, it first works out its strategy. It gives its opponent's wings a once-over to assess its strength, knowing that more transparent wings and larger red spots generally show a stronger rival. Those who then decide to engage in long fights either try to wear their opponent down, or dazzle them with brilliant aerial moves that are too hard to follow, scientists have found.

Protecting nerve tissue during bowel surgery

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:19 AM PDT

After bowel surgery, more than half of the patients suffer from irreparable nerve damage. Now scientists have developed an assistance system that warns surgeons about the risk of inflicting possible injury during operations in the pelvic area. The experts are currently working on a solution for minimally invasive surgery.

Management of peatlands has large climate impacts

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:19 AM PDT

Drainage and management of pristine peatlands increase greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. A recent study, based on a new, wide data set collected from northern peatlands indicates that particularly those peatlands which have been taken into agricultural use have significant warming impact on climate.

Mutations that may enable earlier diagnosis of colorectal cancer recurrence identified

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

A multi-disciplinary team of doctors and scientists has characterized the genetic changes associated with the spread of colorectal cancer to the liver. Most patients are initially diagnosed with an early stage disease. However, a proportion of these patients will develop a recurrence of the cancer (metastasis), typically in the liver, one to three years after their colon surgery. If identified early, the liver metastasis may be amenable to surgical removal, and cure may still be possible.

Pregnant women not getting enough omega-3, critical for infant development, research shows

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

A research team studied the first 600 women in a cohort during and after their pregnancy to see whether they were consuming enough omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3-LCPUFA) to meet current recommendations. They found that in fact, most of these women were not.

Perceived open-mindedness explains religion-based dating

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

Across a number of faiths and cultures, people tend to date and marry others who share their religious beliefs. Now, new psychology research suggests this phenomenon -- known as 'religious homogamy' -- is partially a result of inferences about religious people's personalities.

Promising drug a 'new paradigm' for treating leukemia

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

A compound that delays leukemia in mice and effectively kills leukemia cells in human tissue samples has been developed by researchers, raising hopes that the drug could lead to improved treatments in people. The researchers call it an exciting 'new paradigm' for treating leukemia, they say.

High prevalence of sleep disordered breathing in adults with sickle cell

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

Adults with sickle cell disease who report trouble with sleep could actually have a clinical diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing which could lower their oxygen levels at night. "Our study suggests that patients with sickle cell disorder should be screened using a questionnaire to identify problems with sleep. For further testing, an oxygen desaturation index is another low-cost screening tool that can identify sleep disordered breathing in this population," said the first author.

Business people prefer working in their cars instead of trains, planes and airports

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:35 AM PDT

Noisy and cramped conditions in trains, planes and airports are discouraging many commuters and business people from working while travelling, new research shows.

Zooming in on panoramas with your tablet

Posted: 25 Mar 2015 06:34 AM PDT

Most people are familiar with the fictional world of "Star Trek," in which the characters can use a holodeck to create and interact with virtual worlds. It is possible to recreate a similar (but milder) effect in the real world using 360-degree panoramic images. Researchers are bringing them now to our tablets -- including individual camera work and editing.