Wednesday, April 8, 2015

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


New hope for Alzheimer's: Meds already in use for stroke in some Asian countries

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:29 PM PDT

A drug discovery could hold promise in the fight against the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease. Scientists, using a animal model, have completed research to suggest that the drug Edaravone could alleviate the progressive cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's Disease, a major social and economic burden worldwide.

Discovery of communication link between brain areas implicated in schizophrenia

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:09 PM PDT

An inhibitory connection between two brain areas has been discovered in mice that can control the timing of information flow into PFC. This insight may help explain what goes wrong in schizophrenia and indicate a path to new treatments.

The hoo's hoo of gibbon communication

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:08 PM PDT

The secret communication of gibbons has been interpreted for the first time, researchers report. The research reveals the likely meaning of a number of distinct gibbon whispers, or 'hoo' calls, responding to particular events and types of predator, and could provide clues on the evolution of human speech.

Stereotypes make coming out trickier for bisexuals, experts say

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:08 PM PDT

A new study shows that cultural perceptions and stereotypes can make it challenging for bisexuals to reveal their sexual orientation to friends and family.

Rates of ADHD appear to decrease at higher altitudes

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:08 PM PDT

The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) decreases substantially as altitude increases.

Are current dietary guidelines for sodium and potassium reasonable?

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:16 PM PDT

A recent study looked at how well people in France, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States are meeting World Health Organization dietary goals for limiting sodium and increasing potassium intake. The data confirm that people in all these countries eat too much sodium and not enough potassium. But they also suggest that the daily amounts proposed by WHO and other health agencies are unfeasible because the targets are so out of reach.

Discovering another interoperability challenge in health information exchange

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:16 PM PDT

Researchers are proposing strategies for improving and standardizing facility identification in electronic health record transactions.

Common drug is re-engineered to improve surgery outcomes

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:16 PM PDT

A gas molecule has been attached to protamine sulfate by a research team, creating a new nitric oxide generator that could potentially reduce bleeding complications during surgery. During open-heart procedures, physicians administer large doses of a blood-thinning drug called heparin to prevent clot formation. When given too much heparin, patients can develop complications from excessive bleeding. A common antidote is the compound protamine sulfate, which binds to heparin to reverse its effects.

New report identifies possible next steps in US energy development

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:16 PM PDT

The social, political, technical and environmental components of a methane economy have just been identified. The new report also addresses how industry, government and the public might best work together to advance common energy goals.

Archaeologists Uncover Ancient ‘Spooning’ Couple in Greece

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:15 PM PDT

Almost 6,000 years ago, the man was placed behind the woman with his arms around her body, and their legs were intertwined. They were buried. Why they were interred in this manner is not yet determined, but the international team that discovered them in Greece is still searching for answers.

Mortality and blood pressure directly linked to relationship quality

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:33 PM PDT

While other studies have shown that stress and negative marital quality can influence mortality and blood pressure, there has not been research that discussed how it might affect married couples over time. Using systolic blood pressure as a gauge, researchers assessed whether an individual's blood pressure is influenced by their own as well as their partner's reports of chronic stress and whether there are gender differences in these patterns.

New model could help identify root cause of swallowing disorder

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:33 PM PDT

Nearly 40 percent of Americans 60 and older are living with dysphagia. Although it is a major health problem associated with aging, it is unknown whether the swallowing disorder is a natural part of healthy aging or if it is caused by an age-related disease. Researchers have established a model that identifies aging as a key factor in the development of dysphagia, which may lead to new therapeutic treatments.

Epidemiology of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:33 PM PDT

Only a limited number of surveillance drug-resistance mutations are responsible for most instances of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor- and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-associated resistance, and most strains of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa and south/southeast Asia arose independently, according to a new study.

Common birds bring economic vitality to cities

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:23 PM PDT

A new study tries to determine what economic value residents in two comparable cities place on having birds in their backyards and parks. Researchers compared two types of common birds -- finches and corvids -- in both cities, asking residents how much they would pay to conserve the species and what they spend, if anything, on bird food. In Seattle, that value of enjoying common birds is about $120 million annually and in Berlin, $70 million.

Small portions of fast food just as effective for recovery after work-out as sports supplements

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

A new study found there was no significant difference in glycogen recovery when cyclists ate fast food after a workout versus when they ingested traditional sports supplements such as Gatorade, Powerbar and Clif products.

'Phonon tunneling' explains heat flow across nanometer-wide gaps

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a model that explains how heat flows between objects separated by gaps of less than a nanometer. The team has developed a unified framework that calculates heat transport at finite gaps, and has shown that heat flow at sub-nanometer distances occurs not via radiation or conduction, but through 'phonon tunneling.'

Stroke classification system called TOAST is easy to use and effective

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

A stroke classification system called TOAST is easy to use and effective, neurologists report. TOAST is used to classify ischemic strokes, which are caused by blood clots and account for about 85 percent of all strokes. A wide range of diseases can cause blood clots in the brain. Establishing the most likely cause influences both short-term and long-term prognoses. It also affects treatment decisions, especially treatments to prevent recurrent strokes.

Subtle discrimination is easier to acknowledge when self-esteem is high

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

Identifying discrimination is a necessary first step toward confronting and ultimately eliminating the stain of prejudice, yet victims may be unlikely to recognize some types of discrimination unless they have higher self-esteem, according to the results of a new study.

Why daring to compare online prices pays off offline

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

The sudden closures of big-box stores like Future Shop and Target may make it seem like online shopping is killing real-world stores. But shoppers are actually engaging in 'web-to-store' shopping -- buying offline after comparing prices online.

Cost of cancer drugs varies widely based on who;s paying

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:13 AM PDT

Uninsured cancer patients are asked to pay anywhere from two to 43 times what Medicare would pay for chemotherapy drugs, according to a new study. Uninsured patients who did not negotiate billed amounts for chemo drugs could expect to pay $6,711 for an infusion of the colorectal cancer drug oxaliplatin. However, Medicare and private health plans only pay $3,090 and $3,616 for the same drug, respectively.

Scientist uses special fertilizer to keep palms, soil and water healthy

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:12 AM PDT

Palm trees need special nutrients to remain healthy and viable. But those same nutrients can harm the soil and nearby water. Now a scientist has come up with a special palm fertilizer that makes sure trees, soil and water are as healthy as possible.

A potential Rosetta Stone of high temperature superconductivity

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:11 AM PDT

Just as the Rosetta Stone has the same message in three different scripts giving scholars insights into ancient languages, so cerium-cobalt-indium5 is offering insights into the interplay between magnetism, superconductivity, and disorder in three classes of unconventional superconductors.

Team determines structure of toxin in respiratory infections

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:43 AM PDT

By determining the structure of a common respiratory bacterium's toxin, researchers have taken a step toward development of drugs and vaccines for reactive airway diseases. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is spread by sneezing, coughing, talking and touching hands to the nose. It is thought to be responsible for millions of cases of child and adult asthma.

Asthma rates among black youth are similarly high in urban, rural communities

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:42 AM PDT

Asthma rates among black youth living in urban Detroit and rural Georgia are essentially the same, researchers report, a finding that conflicts with the widely held theory that city life is a risk factor, and pointing instead toward poverty.

New mechanisms of 'social networking' in bacteria discovered

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:42 AM PDT

Bacteria have traditionally been viewed as solitary organisms that 'hang out on their own,' says a molecular biologist. However, scientists now realize that in fact, bacteria exhibit social behavior within groups. In a new paper, researchers describe how they deciphered this bacterial communication to reveal new mechanisms of regulating gene expression in the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

Anesthetic gases raise Earth's temperature (a little) while you sleep

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:42 AM PDT

The gases used to knock out surgery patients are accumulating in the Earth's atmosphere, where they make a small contribution to climate change, report scientists who have detected the compounds as far afield as Antarctica. Like the well-known climate warmer carbon dioxide, anesthesia gases allow the atmosphere to store more energy from the Sun. But unlike carbon dioxide, the medical gases are extra potent in their greenhouse-gas effects, scientists say.

Open-angle glaucoma: Poor data for the fixed combination tafluprost/timolol

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:42 AM PDT

Research that focused on open-angle glaucoma provided study results that are uncertain, claiming that information on important outcomes is lacking. As such, no added benefit can be determined for the fixed combination of tafluprost and timolol.

New tool to diagnose Ebola uncovers some surprises

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:41 AM PDT

Abdominal pain, fever and unexplained bleeding - which are commonly believed to indicate infection with the Ebola virus -- are not significantly predictive of the disease, according to the results of a study examining a new Ebola Prediction Score.

ACL surgery may significantly improve physical health and function for at least six years in younger patients

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:41 AM PDT

Most patients who underwent surgery to repair and rebuild an anterior cruciate ligament tear showed significant improvement in physical function at two years, which continued for at least six years following surgery.

Shifts in electricity generation spur net job growth, but coal jobs decline

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:41 AM PDT

In four years following the 2008 recession, the US coal industry lost more than 49,000 jobs, while the natural gas, solar, and wind industries together created nearly four times that amount, according to a new. Few of the new jobs were added in states hardest hit by coal's decline, particularly West Virginia and Kentucky.

Risk of breast and ovarian cancer may differ by type of BRCA1, BRCA2 mutation

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:40 AM PDT

Researchers have identified mutations that are associated with significantly different risks of breast and ovarian cancers. Authors say the results -- which show that some mutations confer higher risks of breast cancer, while other mutations show higher risks of ovarian cancer -- may lead to more effective cancer risk assessment, care and prevention strategies for health care providers and carriers.

Food allergies can be transmitted from blood products to children in rare cases

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:40 AM PDT

In rare cases, children can develop anaphylactic allergies to previously tolerated foods after receiving blood products via transfusion, report the authors of a case study. Blood donors who have food allergies can transfer immunoglobulin E, an antibody that reacts against allergens, from blood products such as platelets, the researchers say, however they note that it is very rare.

Mummified bodies reveal how tuberculosis ravaged the heart of 18th century Europe

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:37 AM PDT

Bodies found in a 200 year-old Hungarian crypt have revealed the secrets of how tuberculosis (TB) took hold in 18th century Europe, according to a research team. "Microbiological analyses of samples from contemporary TB patients usually report a single strain of tuberculosis per patient. By contrast, five of the eight bodies in our study yielded more than one type of tuberculosis -- remarkably from one individual we obtained evidence of three distinct strains," one researcher said.

Physicians pioneer the use of stereotactic body radiation for deadly kidney cancer complication

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:35 AM PDT

Investigators have published what is believed to be the first reported successful use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for an often deadly complication of kidney cancer. The stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) was used to treat inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVC-TT) that reached the heart, a complication of kidney cancer in which the tumor extends into the venous system ? the system of veins that return blood to the heart. An estimated 4 to 36 percent of kidney tumors are associated with IVC-TT.

Carbon nanotube computing?

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:31 AM PDT

Scientists are using single-walled carbon nanotube composites (SWCNTs) as a material in "unconventional" computing. By studying the mechanical and electrical properties of the materials, they discovered a correlation between SWCNT concentration/viscosity/conductivity and the computational capability of the composite.

Future electronics based on carbon nanotubes

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:31 AM PDT

A big barrier to building useful electronics with carbon nanotubes has always been the fact that when they're arrayed into films, a certain portion of them will act more like metals than semiconductors. But now researchers have shown how to strip out the metallic carbon nanotubes from arrays using a relatively simple, scalable procedure that does not require expensive equipment.

Default surrogate consent statutes may differ with wishes of patients

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:31 AM PDT

Among a sample of veterans in Connecticut, a substantial number had individuals listed as next of kin who were not nuclear family members, according to a new study. State default consent statutes do not universally recognize such persons as decision makers for incapacitated patients.

Declining great apes of Central Africa get new action plan for conservation for the next decade

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:31 AM PDT

The number of gorillas and chimpanzees in Central Africa continues to decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and disease, combined with a widespread lack of law enforcement and corruption in the judicial process, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF, and partners in a new conservation plan.

Under-reported suicides: Hiding or compounding the tragedy

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:30 AM PDT

Suicide figures may not be as accurate as they are reported, with key Western countries having a higher suicide rate than that reported in official figures, a new study concludes. "The tragedy of suicide is double-edged, the loss of the person and the impact upon those around them. One problem is to determine the accuracy of suicide figures as even today stigma surrounding suicide remains. Through this study we wanted to get a more accurate picture of suicide rates in Western countries," states the lead author.

Gut immune system identified as a new and effective target in treating diabetes

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:30 AM PDT

A commonly-used drug to treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in obese mice, potentially identifying the gut immune system as a new and effective target in treating diabetes in humans.

Food for thought: Master protein enhances learning and memory

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 09:30 AM PDT

Just as some people seem built to run marathons and have an easier time going for miles without tiring, others are born with a knack for memorizing things, from times tables to trivia facts. These two skills -- running and memorizing -- are not so different as it turns out. Researchers have discovered a single protein that energizes muscles and the brain, which could point to potential treatments in regenerative and developmental medicine as well as ways to address defects in learning and memory, they say.

Multidrug-resistant shigellosis spreading in the United States

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 08:21 AM PDT

International travelers are bringing a multidrug-resistant intestinal illness to the United States and spreading it to others who have not traveled, according to a new report. Shigella sonnei bacteria resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin sickened 243 people in 32 states and Puerto Rico between May 2014 and February 2015. Research by the CDC found that the drug-resistant illness was being repeatedly introduced as ill travelers returned and was then infecting other people in a series of outbreaks around the country.

Turbo-charging hormone can regrow the heart, animal study suggests

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 07:25 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a way to stimulate muscle regrowth in the heart of a mouse, opening up prospects of new treatments for people who suffer heart attacks.

Launch a drone with a toss: New technology making drones safer and smarter

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 07:20 AM PDT

Researchers have unveiled new technology enabling drones to recover stable flight from any position and land autonomously in failure situations. It will even be possible to launch drones by simply tossing them into the air like a baseball or recover stable flight after a system failure. Drones will be safer and smarter, with the ability to identify safe landing sites and land automatically when necessary.

Bumblebees differentiate flower types when arranged horizontally but not vertically

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 07:20 AM PDT

It is well known that bumblebees and other pollinators can tell the difference between plants that will provide them with nectar and pollen and those that won't. However, until now little has been known about how the arrangement of flowers affects their decision making.

Gene variant, environment can boost severity of respiratory syncytial virus

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 07:20 AM PDT

A particular genetic mutation combined with an urban environment increases the risk of severe disease in children infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an international team of investigators has found.

Recognizing the signs of child abuse and how to help prevent it

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 07:20 AM PDT

Every 10 seconds a report is made concerning a child being abused. Child abuse can lead to life-long physical, emotional and psychological conditions. Each year in the U.S., more than 1,600 children die from abuse or neglect. April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month and experts are working to help bring awareness to this preventable childhood danger.

Sleep problems prevalent for military members

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:56 AM PDT

Improving the quality and quantity of US military members' sleep following deployment could help reduce other health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a new study.

New study hints at spontaneous appearance of primordial DNA

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:56 AM PDT

The self-organization properties of DNA-like molecular fragments four billion years ago may have guided their own growth into repeating chemical chains long enough to act as a basis for primitive life, says a new study.

X-raying the past: New insights into the life of extinct marine creatures

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:54 AM PDT

Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, palaeontologists have been examining extinct marine creatures. Quantitative analyses provide new evidence that ammonites were able to swim using their shell – very much like the recent nautilus. For the purpose of the study, the researchers, together with partners from the industry, developed an evaluation process for high-res CT images.

Study suggests ways to simplify U. S. health insurance enrollment

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:54 AM PDT

The federal health-care law has reduced the number of uninsured people by about 10 million. But challenges remain, including how to educate new enrollees about their coverage options. New research shows that communicating new, sometimes confusing information about the Affordable Care Act can be as simple as using plain language, providing comparisons to familiar contexts and using stories about how people might make health insurance decisions.

Tiny hair follicle holds big clues about the life and death of stem cells

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:54 AM PDT

Inside the microscopic world of the mouse hair follicle, researchers have discovered big clues about how stem cells regenerate and die. These findings could lead to a better understanding of how the stem cell pool is maintained or altered in tissues throughout the body.

Just hit 'print': Office inkjet printer could produce simple tool to identify infectious disease, food contaminants

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

Consumers are one step closer to benefiting from packaging that could give simple text warnings when food is contaminated with deadly pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, and patients could soon receive real-time diagnoses of infections such as C. difficile right in their doctors' offices, saving critical time and trips to the lab. Researchers have developed a new way to print paper biosensors, simplifying the diagnosis of many bacterial and respiratory infections.

Too much of a bad thing can be good in brain tumors

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

DNA mutations can cause cancer but in some cases, more mutations may mean a better prognosis for patients. A comprehensive genomic analysis of more than 700 brain tumors has revealed one such subtype of the most malignant brain tumor, called glioblastoma, or GBM. This subtype possesses thousands of tumor-specific DNA errors or mutations instead of dozens observed in most glioblastoma cases. It is also associated with longer survival.

Cerebral curiosity leads to discovery

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

One researcher's curiosity led to the detection of a baseball-sized brain tumor and sparked an interest into the potential of open health data to help himself and others.

More anti-inflammatory genes mean longer lifespans for mammals

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

We age in part thanks to "friendly fire" from the immune system — inflammation and chemically active molecules called reactive oxygen species that help fight infection, but also wreak molecular havoc, contributing to frailty, disability and disease. The CD33rSiglec family of proteins are known to help protect our cells from becoming inflammatory collateral damage, prompting researchers to ask whether CD33rSiglecs might help mammals live longer, too.

Asteroid Juno seen traveling through space

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

A series of images made with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) provides an unprecedented view of the surface of Juno, one of the largest members of our solar system's main asteroid belt.

Einstein Ring seen in stunning image of lensed galaxy

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 06:53 AM PDT

Astronomers have discovered that a distant galaxy -- seen from Earth with the aid of a gravitational lens -- appears like a cosmic ring, thanks to the highest resolution images ever taken with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

Purging a virus from organ transplants

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 05:53 AM PDT

The switch that can awake a dormant cytomegalovirus, a dreadful pathogen in immuno-compromised patients, has been identified by scientists. The switch can be controlled with common drugs, opening a new strategy for purging the virus from organ transplants.

Cigarette warning labels may be more effective with imagery

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 05:53 AM PDT

Young adults are more likely to appreciate the dangers of smoking when warnings are presented in images as well as text, according to a new study. The labels used in the study emphasized negative consequences of smoking associated with lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, impotence, eye disease, neck, throat and mouth cancers, and vascular disease.