| Improving accuracy in genomic mapping with time-series data Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:46 PM PST Researchers have improved a nanochannel-based form of mapping by using dynamic time-series data to measure the probability distribution, or how much genetic material separates two labels, based on whether the strands are stretched or compressed. |
| Clue to generate electric current without energy consumption at room temperature Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:46 PM PST Researchers have identified the requirements for the development of new types of extremely low power consumption electric devices by studying thin films made of Cr-doped (Sb, Bi)2Te3. At extremely low temperatures, an electric current flows around the edge of the film without energy loss owing to ferromagnetism. The research group proved that the atoms of non-magnetic elements such as Sb atoms and Te atoms are key to the material's ferromagnetism. |
| PRO as a sustainable energy production system is crippled by biofouling Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST Power generation by PRO produces little and next to nothing due to biofouling caused by bacteria that clog the membrane structure and the feed channel, say investigators. Prior to this study, researchers reported that this technology is thermodynamically challenging and is hardly viable. |
| Modeling Amazonian transitional forest micrometeorology Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST What can mathematical modeling teach us about the micrometeorology of the southern Amazonian 'transitional' forest? Quite a lot, it turns out. This particular forest is located between the rain forest of the Amazon Basin and the tropical Brazilian Savanna, so it plays a crucial role in both regional and global biogeochemical cycling. Researchers have delved into how the transitional forest ensures a connection between the rain forest and the savanna. |
| Physicists come up with a way to make cleaner fuel cells Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST An international group of scientists has developed ion-exchange synthetic membranes based on amphiphilic compounds that are able to convert the energy of chemical reactions into electrical current. The new development could potentially be used in fuel cells, and in separation and purification processes. |
| New breast cancer drug may be effective against other types of cancer Posted: 29 Dec 2015 05:42 PM PST Palbociclib, a new oral drug whose efficacy in combating breast cancer has been demonstrated alone and in combination with endocrine therapy, also has potential to combat other types of cancer, according to a literature review and additional original research. |
| Single molecule detection of contaminants, explosives or diseases now possible Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:15 PM PST A technique to combine the ultrasensitivity of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a slippery surface will make it feasible to detect single molecules of a number of chemical and biological species from gaseous, liquid or solid samples. |
| Body tightly controls inflammatory response to pathogens Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:13 PM PST The body can control inflammatory response triggered by invasions of microbial pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, a discovery that could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents for uncontrolled inflammation, according to researchers. |
| Psychotherapies have long-term benefit for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:13 PM PST The beneficial effects of using psychological therapy to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are not only short term but are also long lasting, a new meta-analysis has found. |
| Scientists prevent, reverse diabetes-related kidney destruction in animal model Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:12 PM PST Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, and scientists have found that infusing just a small dose of a cytokine, thought to help cause that failure, can instead prevent or reverse it. |
| Second contagious form of cancer found in Tasmanian devils Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:12 PM PST Transmissible cancers are believed to arise extremely rarely in nature. One of the few known transmissible cancers causes facial tumors in Tasmanian devils, and is threatening this species with extinction. Today, scientists report the discovery of a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. The discovery calls into question our current understanding of the processes that drive cancers to become transmissible. |
| Humans probably not alone in how we perceive melodic pitch Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:12 PM PST The specialized human ability to perceive the sound quality known as 'pitch' can no longer be listed as unique to humans. Researchers report new behavioral evidence that marmosets, ancient monkeys, appear to use auditory cues similar to humans to distinguish between low and high notes. The discovery infers that aspects of pitch perception may have evolved more than 40 million years ago to enable vocal communication and songlike vocalizations. |
| Scientists sequence first ancient Irish human genomes Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:12 PM PST Scientists have sequenced first ancient Irish human genomes, demonstrating that the genomes show unequivocal evidence for mass migrations into Ireland. These genetic influxes are likely to have brought cultural changes including the transition to agriculture, Bronze metalworking and may have been the origin of western Celtic language. |
| Tens of millions of trees in danger from California drought Posted: 28 Dec 2015 01:12 PM PST California's forests are home to the planet's oldest, tallest and most-massive trees. New research reveals that up to 58 million large trees in California experienced severe canopy water loss between 2011 and today due to the state's historic drought. |
