ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Speeding up accuracy of flood risk assessment
• Most eccentric planet ever known flashes astronomers with reflected light
• Pathologists identify new potential target in ovarian serous cancer
• New technique for imaging cells, tissues under the skin
• Why are women more prone to knee injuries than men?
• Building owners 'face risks' from chlorine-resistant bacteria
• Cryptographic system lets users control access to their data
• New compound is effective against drug-resistant leukemia, preclinical study finds
• Dissecting the animal diet, past and present
• Study sheds light on patterns behind brain, heart systems; circadian rhythms
• Homeless youth with pets have benefits, challenges
• The legacy of mercury in Lake Superior
• Out for blood: Fluid dynamics explain how quickly a vampire could drain your blood
• Astronomers found a star with a record variation period
• New gene identified as cause, early indicator of breast cancer
• Nano plates as catalysts for solar fuels
• Maths could help search and rescue ships sail more safely in heavy seas
• Chemists develop an ultra-sensitive test for cancers, HIV
• Mercury rising? Potential mercury methylation in two California rivers
• Women with impaired stress hormone before pregnancy have lower-birthweight babies
• 'Wild-ID' tracking technology highlights vulnerability of wildebeest migration
• Dabrafenib/trametinib: Considerable added benefit for men with advanced melanoma
• Spelling mutations and evolutionary advantages
• Capturing the acid-base reactions in alcohol
• Your brain might be hard-wired for altruism
• Natural resilience to major life stressors is not as common as thought
• New carbon capture membrane boasts carbon dioxide highways
• Expanding use of recycled water would benefit the environment, human health
• The science of watching paint dry; new nanotech research could improve everyday essentials, from paints to sunscreen
• Acceptability of alternative drugs and strategies to prevent malaria in pregnancy in Kenya
• New technology for land mine detection
• Hundreds of lives lost due to variations in common heart procedure
• Drastic decline of the flora biodiversity at the cultivated fields of Catalonia
• New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered: Extreme pain, bladder damage
• 'Climate responsibility': New methodology applied to China
• Super powerful light beams and the butterfly effect
• Saber-toothed cats hunted on the South American plains
• Antibiotics for appendicitis: Yes and no
• Discovery of the characteristics of subcortical regions in schizophrenia
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual Canadians report higher rates of mental health issues
• New research gathers more evidence for innovative stroke treatment
• Ocean acidification takes a toll on California's coastline at nighttime
• College can cultivate innovative entrepreneurial intentions
• Microbiome associated with severe caries in Canadian First Nations children
• Longevity of restorative treatments in pediatric patients: EBD in the era of EHR
• Rescue inhaler study: New approach increases mastery of life-saving technique
• Forgetting to learn: Neural mechanisms in mouse brains indicate that we actively forget as we learn
• Dentistry: Evidence-practice gap for sealant application
• Dentistry: New biotechnology to inhibit microRNA activity and novel applications
• New report reveals hundreds still dying in detention
• Scientists pinpoint molecular signal that drives and enables spinal cord repair
• New role of environment in multiple sclerosis revealed
• Bariatric surgery better than intensive lifestyle, drug interventions at reversing diabetes in mildly to moderately obese patients
• Highly specialized high school athletes more likely to have knee, hip injuries
• Social-behavioral readiness in kindergarteners impacts long-term success
• Plant-based alternative protein options emerge from the sea
• Conservative care may be a reasonable option for elderly kidney failure patients
• How rocks shaped the Civil War
• Biological field stations: Keeping a pulse on our planet
• Baby monkeys grow faster to avoid being killed by adult males

Speeding up accuracy of flood risk assessment Posted: 18 Mar 2016 03:17 PM PDT Researchers hope to provide advances in the planning for flood risk, thanks to a new, faster method of assessing the highly complex factors that cause floods in a specific location.

Most eccentric planet ever known flashes astronomers with reflected light Posted: 18 Mar 2016 03:16 PM PDT A team of astronomers has spotted an extrasolar planet that boasts the most eccentric orbit ever seen. The planet moves in a flattened ellipse, traveling a long path far from its star and then making a fast slingshot around the star at its closest approach. Researchers detected a 'flash' of starlight bouncing off the planet's atmosphere as it made its closest orbital approach to its star.

Pathologists identify new potential target in ovarian serous cancer Posted: 18 Mar 2016 10:16 AM PDT Patients with ovarian serous cancer and an overexpression of the HER4 protein are less likely to respond to chemotherapy and have a lower rate of survival, research shows.

New technique for imaging cells, tissues under the skin Posted: 18 Mar 2016 10:16 AM PDT A team of scientists has developed the first technique for viewing cells and tissues in three dimensions under the skin. The work could improve diagnosis and treatment for some forms of cancer and blindness.

Why are women more prone to knee injuries than men? Posted: 18 Mar 2016 10:16 AM PDT Women who take the birth control pill, which lessen and stabilize estrogen levels, were less likely to suffer serious knee injuries, new research indicates.

Building owners 'face risks' from chlorine-resistant bacteria Posted: 18 Mar 2016 10:16 AM PDT Buildings with storage tanks can face increased risks from chlorine-resistant bacteria in water, according to researchers. A study examining more than 50 tap water samples found water had very few bacteria in buildings without cisterns but there was noticeable contamination in buildings where storage tanks were present or plumbing had been altered or otherwise disrupted.

Cryptographic system lets users control access to their data Posted: 18 Mar 2016 10:16 AM PDT Generally, users have no idea which data items their apps are collecting, where they're stored, and whether they're stored securely. Researchers now hope to change that, with an application they're calling Sieve. This cryptographic system would allow users to decide which applications access which aspects of their data.

New compound is effective against drug-resistant leukemia, preclinical study finds Posted: 18 Mar 2016 09:36 AM PDT A novel compound MRX-2843 more than doubled the median days of survival in laboratory models with a drug-resistant form of the acute myeloid leukemia, scientists report in a new article.

Dissecting the animal diet, past and present Posted: 18 Mar 2016 09:31 AM PDT It's time to settle a very old food fight. In a new study, experts argue that scientists need to focus as much on 'when' animals eat as they do 'what' animals eat. Without the proper time context, they say, an animal's diet can tell very different stories.

Study sheds light on patterns behind brain, heart systems; circadian rhythms Posted: 18 Mar 2016 09:31 AM PDT An engineer has found a new way to control chemical oscillation that could help regulate biorhythms involving the heart, brain and circadian cycles.

Homeless youth with pets have benefits, challenges Posted: 18 Mar 2016 08:15 AM PDT Homeless youth with pets are less likely to engage in potentially harmful behavior, more likely to open up to veterinarians about their personal challenges and generally less depressed, a Canadian study has shown.

The legacy of mercury in Lake Superior Posted: 18 Mar 2016 08:15 AM PDT Old mercury may have new import. Researchers examined dozens of core samples and found more mercury from past mining is sticking around in local waterways than they thought. At its height, mercury deposition from mining was 1,000 times greater than the area's baseline. The findings could have implications for industrial sites around the Great Lakes.

Out for blood: Fluid dynamics explain how quickly a vampire could drain your blood Posted: 18 Mar 2016 08:15 AM PDT Throughout human history there have been tales of vampires -- bloodsucking creatures of folklore that prey on their victims by draining their life essence, usually via the blood. To coincide with the 85th anniversary of Tod Browning's 'Dracula' (1931), students have used fluid dynamics to examine how long it would take for the undead fiend to drain an average human's blood -- and have calculated that it would take only 6.4 minutes to drain 15 per cent of the blood from the external carotid artery in a human's neck.

Astronomers found a star with a record variation period Posted: 18 Mar 2016 08:14 AM PDT Astronomers who created a global network of robotelescopes MASTER detected that a bright star TYC 2505-672-1 has actually faded significantly. That finding led to new questions: so, the scientists assume that TYC 2505-672-1 is actually a double star system, though a nature of its companion remains unknown.

New gene identified as cause, early indicator of breast cancer Posted: 18 Mar 2016 08:14 AM PDT When mutated, a gene known for its ability to repair DNA, appears to instead cause breast cancer, scientists report. Mutations of the gene are known to be present in both early onset breast and ovarian cancer. Now scientists have shown that the stem, or progenitor cells, which should ultimately make healthy breast tissue, can also have GT198 mutations that prompt them to instead make a perfect bed for breast cancer.

Nano plates as catalysts for solar fuels Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:22 AM PDT Solar fuels, clean fuels from sunlight, water and CO2, form an attractive way for storing solar energy in hydrogen or hydrocarbons, for example. The efficiency of this technology still needs a 'boost'. Researcher investigated special nanoplates with platinum particles on them, accelerating the chemical conversion.

Maths could help search and rescue ships sail more safely in heavy seas Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:22 AM PDT A unique new computer model built on highly complex mathematics could make it possible to design safer versions of the 'fast ships' widely used in search and rescue, anti-drugs, anti-piracy and many other vital offshore operations.

Chemists develop an ultra-sensitive test for cancers, HIV Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:22 AM PDT Catching a disease in its earliest stages can lead to more effective therapies. Chemists have increased the likelihood of detecting these diseases via a test that is thousands of times more sensitive than current diagnostics.

Mercury rising? Potential mercury methylation in two California rivers Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT Gold mining in California in the 19th century was a boon for the state's economy but not so much for the environment. Mining left a protracted legacy that impacts the natural landscape even today. Mercury, used in the gold extraction process, has been detected throughout the Lower Yuba/Feather River system in the state's Central Valley, and its presence could prove dangerous to local wildlife.

Women with impaired stress hormone before pregnancy have lower-birthweight babies Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT Before women even become pregnant, some may have a biological profile that predicts a lower birth-weight baby, a research team reports.

'Wild-ID' tracking technology highlights vulnerability of wildebeest migration Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT Recent efforts to combat habitat fragmentation and poaching have temporarily stabilized wildebeest populations in northern Tanzania, but this iconic migrating species of the African Savannah remains vulnerable, biologists have found using an unusual wildlife photo-identification tracking technology.

Dabrafenib/trametinib: Considerable added benefit for men with advanced melanoma Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT Based on the study data subsequently submitted, there is now an indication of considerable added benefit for men; there is still major added benefit for women.

Spelling mutations and evolutionary advantages Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT DNA codes carrying instructions for creating a protein can sometimes be 'spelt' differently, although they specify the exact same sequence information to create that protein. Scientists have now shown that such mutations, called 'synonymous' mutations can have large effects on the evolution of organisms.

Capturing the acid-base reactions in alcohol Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT New research offers a new framework for understanding reactions in organic chemistry. Scientists reported the basicity enhancement of an alcohol by hydrogen-bonded clustering.

Your brain might be hard-wired for altruism Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:21 AM PDT By temporarily inactivating a part of the brain involved in impulse-control, neuroscientists have discovered compelling evidence that we're hardwired for altruism. The discovery suggests possible avenues for treating the empathically challenged.

Natural resilience to major life stressors is not as common as thought Posted: 18 Mar 2016 07:20 AM PDT Natural resilience may not be as common as once thought, research shows, and that when confronted with a major life-altering event many people can struggle considerably and for longer periods of time. The research questions prior claims that resilience is the 'usual' response to major life stressors by looking at longitudinal data in a more nuanced way and making less generalization about the human response to such dramatic events.

New carbon capture membrane boasts carbon dioxide highways Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:10 AM PDT A new, highly permeable carbon capture membrane could lead to more efficient ways of separating carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust, preventing the greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

Expanding use of recycled water would benefit the environment, human health Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:10 AM PDT Expanding the use of recycled water would reduce water and energy use, cut greenhouse gas emissions and benefit public health in California — which is in the midst of a severe drought — and around the world. A new study found that recycled water has great potential for more efficient use in urban settings and to improve the overall resiliency of the water supply.

The science of watching paint dry; new nanotech research could improve everyday essentials, from paints to sunscreen Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:08 AM PDT New research has described a new physical mechanism that separates particles according to their size during the drying of wet coatings. The discovery could help improve the performance of a wide variety of everyday goods, from paint to sunscreen.

Acceptability of alternative drugs and strategies to prevent malaria in pregnancy in Kenya Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:08 AM PDT Researchers have completed a study to assess the acceptability among pregnant women and health providers in Kenya of a new drug as an alternative to the standard drug used to prevent malaria in pregnancy.

New technology for land mine detection Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:08 AM PDT In Colombia, large areas are teeming with mines that are almost impossible to detect with traditional methods. Researchers are now developing a new mine clearance technology, based on ground penetrating radar. In the long run, they are aiming at creating a handheld device that will detect different mine types on rough terrain without fail and which can be used in the same way as metal detectors.

Hundreds of lives lost due to variations in common heart procedure Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:08 AM PDT Despite the successful adoption of modern techniques, new research from the United Kingdom suggests more can be done to reduce fatalities following a non-surgical treatment for blocked arteries.

Drastic decline of the flora biodiversity at the cultivated fields of Catalonia Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT The flora of cereal crops has declined dramatically in Catalonia (Spain) from the 50s to today according to a new study.

New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered: Extreme pain, bladder damage Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Research has revealed how recreational ketamine abuse damages the bladder. In two studies, medical researchers show how ketamine present in urine causes damage to the epithelial lining of the bladder, allowing urine to penetrate into underlying tissues which causes inflammation and extreme pain. In some cases this pain can be so extreme that patients need to have their bladder removed (cystectomy).

'Climate responsibility': New methodology applied to China Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Using a new approach scientists have found that China's "climate responsibility", is not as significant as initially estimated. However, rather paradoxically, the latter country's "responsibility" may increase rapidly over the coming years, due to future policies designed to improve the country's air quality. Researchers obtained these results using a new methodology developed to determine the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, aerosols and compounds which are chemically active in the atmosphere on a country's climate.

Super powerful light beams and the butterfly effect Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Researchers have revealed the underlying order of chaos by observing very long and intense laser light beams and ionized matter in the so-called "light filaments".

Saber-toothed cats hunted on the South American plains Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Like the lion which today lives in the African savannah, the saber-tooth "tiger," Smilodon populator, inhabited the open, dry country found in South America during the ice age, according to new research.

Antibiotics for appendicitis: Yes and no Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Using antibiotics as the primary treatment for mild appendicitis does not increase the risk for complications at least in the first year. But other considerations must also be taken into account, say researchers.

Discovery of the characteristics of subcortical regions in schizophrenia Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:04 AM PDT Scientists found that patients with schizophrenia demonstrated a specific leftward volumetric asymmetry for the globus pallidus, one of the basal ganglia of the brain. The basal ganglia are involved in motivation and volition, the impairment of which may result in difficulties in social life. This finding is expected to help elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Moreover, it will be a step toward the development of therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual Canadians report higher rates of mental health issues Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:00 AM PDT Gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians experience more mood and anxiety disorders than other Canadians, and they are more likely to turn to heavy drinking, a new study concludes.

New research gathers more evidence for innovative stroke treatment Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:00 AM PDT New research has provided more evidence that an innovative treatment strategy may help prevent brain swelling and death in stroke patients. Researchers have found that Cirara, an investigational drug, powerfully reduced brain swelling and death in patients who had suffered a type of large stroke called malignant infarction, which normally carries a high mortality rate.

Ocean acidification takes a toll on California's coastline at nighttime Posted: 18 Mar 2016 06:00 AM PDT A new study, based on the most-extensive set of measurements ever made in tide pools, suggests that ocean acidification will increasingly put many marine organisms at risk by exacerbating normal changes in ocean chemistry that occur overnight. Conducted along California's rocky coastline, the study shows that the most-vulnerable organisms are likely to be those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.

College can cultivate innovative entrepreneurial intentions Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT Innovative entrepreneurial intentions -- or the aim to create new products and bring them to market, rather than replicating existing products -- are boosted by college experiences, according to research.

Microbiome associated with severe caries in Canadian First Nations children Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT Researchers aimed to determine the caries-associated microbiome among Canadian First Nations children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).

Longevity of restorative treatments in pediatric patients: EBD in the era of EHR Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the longevity of restorations in primary molars, based on dental claims data for children 0-14 years of age. Researchers identified specific factors (patient age at initial treatment, restoration size and restorative material) that significantly associated with restoration survival.

Rescue inhaler study: New approach increases mastery of life-saving technique Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT A rescue inhaler can be a lifesaver during an asthma or COPD flareup, but using a rescue inhaler is complicated and misuse is common, putting patients' lives at risk. An education strategy, called teach-to-goal, may help patients use their inhalers properly during these critical times, according to new research.

Forgetting to learn: Neural mechanisms in mouse brains indicate that we actively forget as we learn Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT They say that once you've learned to ride a bicycle, you never forget how to do it. But new research suggests that while learning, the brain is actively trying to forget.

Dentistry: Evidence-practice gap for sealant application Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT In this study, the researchers aimed to examine dentist practice patterns regarding treatment recommendation of dental sealants and identify characteristics associated with this recommendation. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in Japan.

Dentistry: New biotechnology to inhibit microRNA activity and novel applications Posted: 18 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT A new plasmid-based microRNA inhibitor system (PMIS) effectively inhibits microRNA (miR) activity in cells and mice. In this study, researchers generated a novel RNA-based hairpin molecule carrying an anti-sense miR seed sequence that effectively knocks down endogenous miRs and mitigates their effects on messenger RNA in the cell. By using a native RNA-based molecule for miR knockdown, the PMIS platform avoids many of the traditional pitfalls associated with miR inhibition using synthetic oligonucleotides.

New report reveals hundreds still dying in detention Posted: 17 Mar 2016 08:35 PM PDT An ongoing culture of secrecy, poor access to specialist mental health services and a lack of high quality independent investigations has contributed to hundreds of non-natural deaths in detention, according to a new report.

Scientists pinpoint molecular signal that drives and enables spinal cord repair Posted: 17 Mar 2016 08:35 PM PDT Researchers have identified a molecular signal, known as 'neuregulin-1,' which drives and enables the spinal cord's natural capacity for repair after injury.

New role of environment in multiple sclerosis revealed Posted: 17 Mar 2016 08:35 PM PDT Environmental factors may be playing a greater role in the onset of multiple sclerosis than previously realized, according to early research. The theory is based on findings showing that Black people and South Asians in east London have a higher prevalence of MS compared to those groups in ancestral countries, indicating a strong environmental influence that could be driving higher MS rates in London.

Bariatric surgery better than intensive lifestyle, drug interventions at reversing diabetes in mildly to moderately obese patients Posted: 17 Mar 2016 08:35 PM PDT Bariatric surgery (also known as obesity surgery) is much more effective than an intensive lifestyle/medication intervention at reversing type 2 diabetes in patients with only mild-to-moderate obesity, new research shows.

Highly specialized high school athletes more likely to have knee, hip injuries Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:03 PM PDT There is a sense among those who pay attention to youth and high school athletics that more and more young athletes today are focusing on excelling at a single sport instead of playing a variety. Perhaps surprisingly, though, little research has been conducted on the prevalence of sports specialization in high school athletes -- and what that might mean for these competitors' health.

Social-behavioral readiness in kindergarteners impacts long-term success Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:03 PM PDT Children who enter kindergarten behind in social-behavioral development are more likely to be held back, need more individualized supports and services, and be suspended or expelled, according to new research.

Plant-based alternative protein options emerge from the sea Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:00 PM PDT When one hears the term "alternative protein source" tofu, tempeh and seitan are what typically come to mind. Researchers discuss three lesser known, but just as nutritious and palatable alternative protein sources.

Conservative care may be a reasonable option for elderly kidney failure patients Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:00 PM PDT Among kidney failure patients aged 80 years or older, there was no statistically significant survival advantage for those who chose dialysis over conservative management.

How rocks shaped the Civil War Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:52 PM PDT The most studied battleground from the American Civil War, from a geological perspective, is the rolling terrain surrounding Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Here, the mixture of harder igneous and softer sedimentary rocks produced famous landform features such as Cemetery Hill and Little Round Top that provided strong defensive positions for the Union Army.

Biological field stations: Keeping a pulse on our planet Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:52 PM PDT A recent article provides the first comprehensive inventory of the world's biological field stations. Its authors report 1,268 stations are operating in 120 countries -- from the tropics to the tundra, monitoring terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Long-term data collected by biological field stations are essential for underpinning environmental research, assessing environmental policies, and advancing conservation goals.

Baby monkeys grow faster to avoid being killed by adult males Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:50 PM PDT Natural selection has shaped the ways in which babies grow in different species, including the rate or speed with which they develop. A new study by Canadian researchers suggests that some baby monkeys develop faster than others in the same population, and that this is best explained by the threat of infanticide they face.

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