Monday, May 11, 2015

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Parents' decision-making in HPV vaccination of daughters

Posted: 09 May 2015 07:26 AM PDT

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of sexually transmitted diseases, with more than 70% of sexually active people getting the virus at least once in their lifetimes. Persistent infection with some HPV strains can lead to cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women, as well as to head-and-neck and other types of cancer and anogenital warts in both men and women.

Chemists create new pathway to potential medicines

Posted: 08 May 2015 12:31 PM PDT

A new chemical reaction that has the potential to facilitate the search for pharmaceutical drugs has been uncovered by researchers. Organic synthesis is a scientific discipline central to the drug discovery process that is focused on building new carbon-based molecules that can affect biology -- for example, targeting and destroying cancer cells. In the study, the authors describe a new chemical reaction that converts simple starting materials into architecturally complex molecules (a collection of atoms bonded to one another) called "decalins" in a single step.

New index reveals unexpected leaders in water, sanitation progress

Posted: 08 May 2015 12:31 PM PDT

A new index shows which countries are leaders in improving access to water and sanitation for their citizens. Sub-Saharan Africa countries including Mali, South Africa, and Ethiopia are also among the top performers world-wide in spite of modest resources.

Food and fuel: model for bioenergy feedstock/vegetable double-cropping systems

Posted: 08 May 2015 12:31 PM PDT

Researchers realize that biomass feedstock will need to come from many different sources, in order to meet the revised Renewable Fuel Standard mandating the production of 36 billion gallons of biofuel by the year 2022. The concern remains over converting land from food crops to energy crops. Now a crop scientist, interested in a possible bioenergy feedstock/vegetable double-cropping system, has found promising results in such a system using pumpkin as the vegetable crop.

Researchers unearthing slave artifacts in South Carolina

Posted: 08 May 2015 12:30 PM PDT

Researchers are unearthing artifacts under former slave quarters, filling in historical gaps of slaves, including black Indians. The Hume Plantation is an artifact rich site with pre-historic and historic-period deposits from Native Americans, Europeans and Africans. Early in the plantation's history Native Americans were used as slaves and later mixed with Africans, whose descendants are referred to as black Indians.

Frequent users of emergency care more than twice as likely to die or be admitted

Posted: 07 May 2015 06:31 PM PDT

Frequent users of emergency care are more than twice as likely as infrequent users to die, be admitted to hospital, or require other outpatient treatment, concludes an analysis of the available evidence.

Baiting the hook: The science of attracting and keeping online grocery shoppers

Posted: 07 May 2015 01:54 PM PDT

A study of the multichannel UK grocery shopping environment recently yielded insights that will be useful for retailers with an online channel or considering adding one to their customers' options.

Alzheimer protein's structure may explain its toxicity

Posted: 07 May 2015 12:58 PM PDT

The molecular structure of one of the proteins in the fine fibers of the brain plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found. This molecule, called amyloid beta-42, is toxic to nerve cells and is believed to provoke the disease cascade.