Thursday, June 11, 2015

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Nuts, peanuts, but not peanut butter, may protect against death from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and other major causes

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 04:09 PM PDT

A study confirms a link between peanut and nut intake and lower mortality rates, but finds no protective effect for peanut butter. Men and women who eat at least 10 grams of nuts or peanuts per day have a lower risk of dying from several major causes of death than people who don't consume nuts or peanuts.

Which artificial pancreas system is the best for children with type 1 diabetes?

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 02:58 PM PDT

A research team undertook the first pediatric outpatient study to compare three alternative treatments for type 1 diabetes. The results shows the dual-hormone artificial pancreas provides the most benefits by reducing the time spent in nocturnal hypoglycemia.

New tool better protects beachgoers from harmful bacteria levels

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 02:57 PM PDT

A new, timelier method to identify harmful bacteria levels on recreational beaches has been developed by researchers. The new model provides beach managers with a better prediction tool to identify when closures are required to protect beachgoers from harmful contaminates in the water.

Keeping mind, body active may not protect against underlying signs of Alzheimer's

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 02:57 PM PDT

While participating in physical activities such as bike riding, dancing, walking and gardening and mentally stimulating activities such as crosswords and reading may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, they may not do so by affecting the underlying markers for the disease, according to a study.

First functional, synthetic immune organ with controllable antibodies

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 02:56 PM PDT

Engineers have created a functional, synthetic immune organ that produces antibodies and can be controlled in the lab, completely separate from a living organism. The engineered organ has implications for everything from rapid production of immune therapies to new frontiers in cancer or infectious disease research.

Strategies needed for community health worker programs to solve healthcare challenges

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 02:56 PM PDT

Community health workers (CHW) are expected to be a growing and vital part of healthcare delivery in the United States as the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented. A slate of steps detailing how CHW programs can maximize their effectiveness and impact on patients and healthcare spending is provided in a new article.

Light-intensity exercise could prove beneficial to older adults, new research shows

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

An easy walk, slow dancing, leisurely sports such as table tennis, household chores and other light-intensity exercise may be nearly as effective as moderate or vigorous exercise for older adults -- if they get enough of that type of activity.

Researchers develop novel ketone supplements to enhance non-toxic cancer therapy

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

A team of researchers has doubled survival time in an aggressive metastatic cancer model using a novel combination of non-toxic dietary and hyperbaric oxygen therapies.

Songbirds find success nesting in introduced shrubs

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

Everyone likes things that are bad for them sometimes --including birds. When an animal makes choices that are harmful for it, by reducing their lifespan, reproductive success, etc., this is known as an 'evolutionary trap.' If birds prefer to build their nests in non-native plants but these nests are less successful, they've fallen into such a trap, and researchers recently set out to determine whether this is the case for Veeries nesting in invasive shrubs.

'Chromosome shattering' seen in plants, cancer

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

Plants can undergo the same extreme 'chromosome shattering' seen in some human cancers and developmental syndromes, researchers have found. Chromosome shattering, or 'chromothripsis,' has until now only been seen in animal cells.

Carotenoid levels in breast milk vary by country, diet

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

An analysis of breast milk concludes that levels of health-promoting compounds known as carotenoids differ by country, with the U.S. lagging behind China and Mexico, a reflection of regional dietary habits.

Ancient Roman aqueduct supply revealed

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

A study of limestone deposits within the Anio Novus aqueduct in Rome has allowed researchers to report an actual estimate for the aqueduct's flow rate. By studying limestone deposits that formed from the flowing water within the aqueduct, called travertine, researchers report an actual estimate for the aqueduct's flow rate of 1.4 m^3/s (± 0.4).

Researchers examine how to minimize drought impact on important food crops

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

Researchers provide information that could help agricultural planning and management to minimize drought-induced yield losses for legumes, one of the world's most important food crops.

Fragile X proteins involved in proper neuron development

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited intellectual disability and the greatest single genetic contributor to autism. Unlocking the mechanisms behind fragile X could make important revelations about the brain. In a new study, researchers show that two proteins implicated in fragile X play a crucial role in the proper development of neurons in mice.

Chimps can vary their smiles like humans

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:17 PM PDT

A new study has revealed that chimpanzees have the same types of smiles as humans when laughing, which suggests these smile types evolved from positive expressions of ancestral apes.

Newly discovered property could help beat the heat problem in computer chips

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:16 PM PDT

X-ray studies have for the first time observed an exotic property that could warp the electronic structure of a material in a way that reduces heat buildup and improves performance in ever-smaller computer components.

Survival benefit with 'fully human' EGFR antibody Necitumumab in squamous NSCLC

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 12:24 PM PDT

Results of a 1,093-person phase III clinical trial of the drug Necitumumab (IMC-11F8) combined with chemotherapies gemcitabine and cisplatin against stage IV squamous non-small cell lung cancer have been reported by researchers. With addition of necitumumab, median overall survival was 11.5 months compared with median survival of 9.9 months with the two chemotherapies alone.

Single protein causes Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 12:22 PM PDT

Several neurodegenerative disorders are caused by aggregates of a single protein known as alpha-synuclein. Neurobiologists have discovered that the shape of these aggregates -- 'cylinders' or 'ribbons' -- determines whether a patient develops Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy, respectively.

When modern Eurasia was born

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 12:20 PM PDT

Modern Eurasian peoples are genetically speaking not more than a couple of thousand years old. It was during the Bronze Age that the last major chapters were written in the story of the genetic past of Europe and central Asia. In a new study scientists have generated the largest ancient genomic study to date, and in doing so established how the foundation for modern Eurasia was laid.

Plants may run out of time to grow under ongoing climate change

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 12:20 PM PDT

The causes and consequences of global warming are still under debate, but what would actually happen to all the plants, essential to many aspects of our lives, if the climate in the planet does get warmer? A new study addresses just this question.

Return trips feel shorter in hindsight

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 12:20 PM PDT

People reflecting on a roundtrip walk estimated that the return trip took less time than the outward trip.

Five companies control more than half of academic publishing

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 11:36 AM PDT

The market share of the five largest research publishing houses reached 50% in 2006, rising, thanks to mergers and acquisitions, from 30% in 1996 and only 20% in 1973.

Heart attack risk increases 16-21% with use of common antacid

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 11:36 AM PDT

Adults who use proton pump inhibitors are between 16 and 21 percent more likely to experience a heart attack than people who don't use the commonly prescribed antacid drugs, according to a massive new study.

Risky outdoor play positively impacts children's health, study suggests

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:18 AM PDT

New research shows that risky outdoor play is not only good for children's health but also encourages creativity, social skills and resilience.

Ultracold molecules created

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:18 AM PDT

Experimental physicists have successfully cooled molecules in a gas of sodium potassium to a temperature of 500 nanokelvins -- just a hair above absolute zero, and over a million times colder than interstellar space. The researchers found that the ultracold molecules were relatively long-lived and stable, resisting reactive collisions with other molecules. The molecules also exhibited very strong dipole moments -- strong imbalances in electric charge within molecules that mediate magnet-like forces between molecules over large distances.

A stiff upper lip makes sense to baby

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:18 AM PDT

While you might think that a stoic reaction to a traumatic event would confuse toddlers, new research shows that they actually do understand that a stiff upper lip can be appropriate in certain situations.

Sleep duration, quality may impact cancer survival rate

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Pre-diagnostic short sleep duration and frequent snoring were associated with significantly poorer cancer-specific survival, particularly among women with breast cancer, new research confirms.

Public debate could be key to strong economy

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT

As it turns out, people who speak their minds loudly and often could be responsible for economic prosperity. The study is the first to measure the influence of public deliberation on economic performance.

Partial sleep deprivation linked to biological aging in older adults

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT

One night of partial sleep deprivation promotes biological aging in older adults, a new study suggests. One night of partial sleep deprivation activates gene expression patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) consistent with increasing accumulation of damage that initiates cell cycle arrest and increases susceptibility to senescence, the scientists report.

Statewide quality improvement program helps lower rates of trauma complications

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT

A team of trauma surgeons has reported how data from a statewide quality collaborative helped them reduce the rate of a serious trauma complication by more than half. The researchers examined the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in trauma patients. VTEs include blood clots forming inside veins, also known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Coral reefs defy ocean acidification odds in Palau

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT

Will some coral reefs be able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions in Earth's oceans? If so, what will these reefs look like in the future? As the ocean absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels, its chemistry is changing. The carbon dioxide reacts with water molecules, lowering ocean pH in a process known as ocean acidification.

Energy efficiency upgrades ease strain of high energy bills in low-income families

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Low-income families bear the brunt of high-energy costs and poor thermal comfort from poorly maintained apartment buildings. To study how energy efficiency upgrades could help, researchers surveyed residents in a low-income community in New York City and found that while energy efficiency upgrades varied by ownership status, low-income single-family homeowners reaped the greatest benefits. Overall, respondents experienced improved thermal comfort, enhanced health and safety and reduced energy costs as a result of the upgrades.

Researchers make ultrasensitive conductivity measurements

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

A new way has been uncovered to measure the conductivity of electronic components at optical frequencies for high-speed, nanoscale device components ultimately as small as a single molecule.

New obesity treatment prevents bone loss during weight loss

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Using the intestinal hormone GLP-1 in obesity treatment prevents the loss of bone mass otherwise frequently associated with major weight loss. According to the researchers behind the study, the results may have a significant bearing on future obesity treatment.

Youth on the autism spectrum overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, a team of researchers has shown for the first time that children with autism spectrum disorder who are overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently.

Interest in learning about skin cancer appears to increase during summer

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Google searches for information on melanoma and skin cancer increased over the summer months during a five-year period, although the level of interest did not correlate with the melanoma mortality to incidence ratio, suggesting that increased search volumes may not be associated with early detection, according to research.

Genetically modified fish on the loose?

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT

Transgenic fish may soon enter commercial production, but little is known about their possible effects on ecosystems, should they escape containment. Further, risk-assessment efforts are often hampered by an inability to comprehensively model the fishes' fitness in the wild, experts say.

New drug can clear all psoriasis symptoms

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:15 AM PDT

A new psoriasis drug has resulted in 40 percent of people showing a complete clearance of psoriatic plaques after 12 weeks of treatment and over 90 percent showing improvement.

All change for bacterial outer membrane proteins

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:15 AM PDT

The discovery of how a group of bacteria rapidly adapts to changing growth conditions could have implications for future antibiotic development, according to research.

When trees aren't 'green'

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:15 AM PDT

Most of us don't consider forests a source of pollution. As natural bodies, they should be good for the environment. But a recent study in Japan shows that older cedar and cypress plantations are causing as much pollution as a poorly managed agricultural field or urban setting.

Robot eyes will benefit from insect vision

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:14 AM PDT

The way insects see and track their prey is being applied to a new robot under development, in the hopes of improving robot visual systems.

Common antibiotic may be the answer to many multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:14 AM PDT

The common antibiotic azithromycin kills many multidrug-resistant bacteria very effectively — when tested under conditions that closely resemble the human body and its natural antimicrobial factors. The researchers believe the finding could prompt an immediate review of the current standard of care for patients with certain so-called "superbug" infections.

Syllables that oscillate in neuronal circuits

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:14 AM PDT

Speech, emitted or received, produces an electrical activity in neurons that neuroscientists measure in the form of "cortical oscillations." To understand speech, as for other cognitive or sensory processes, the brain breaks down the information it receives to integrate it and give it a coherent meaning. But researchers could not confirm whether oscillations were signs of neuronal activity, or whether these oscillations played an active role in speech processing. Researchers reached such conclusions after having created a computerized model of neuronal microcircuits, which highlights the crucial role of neuronal oscillations to decode spoken language, independently of speakers' pace or accent.

Dramatic ice sheet collapse 135 thousand years ago triggered strong global climate change

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:14 AM PDT

The climatic events that ended the ice age before last are surprisingly different to those of the last ice age, an international team of scientists has found. These findings will help scientists understand the processes that control Earth's dramatic climate changes at the end of an ice age.

Obesity linked to adrenal disorder in teens may increase risk for cardiovascular disease

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 10:14 AM PDT

Adolescents and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have significantly increased amounts of abdominal fat tissue, placing them at greater risk for harmful conditions linked to obesity, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), researchers note.

Breast milk shared to help babies via online and offline communities

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:15 AM PDT

Sharing breast milk is thriving today and it appears high income, highly educated white women are some of the people to most often use the Internet to facilitate the exchange, a new study suggests. Another surprise out of the study: Cross-nursing (directly breastfeeding someone else's baby, often incorrectly referred to as wet-nursing, a professional service) seems to be a modern-day reality as well.

Lonely galaxy 'lost in space'

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

Although the Universe may seem spacious most galaxies are clumped together in groups or clusters and a neighbor is never far away. But this galaxy, known as NGC 6503, has found itself in a lonely position, shown here at the edge of a strangely empty patch of space called the Local Void.

Social media should play greater role in disaster communication

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

When Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines in 2013, thousands of people were killed, in part because they didn't know it was coming or didn't know how to protect themselves. Would an increased use of social media have made a difference? While that question remains open, it is clear that social media should play a larger role in emergency preparedness, says an expert who studies the issue.

Fast-tracking precision medicine: Drug re-aimed to target diabetic kidney disease

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

It started out as a treatment for arthritis. But steered by science, it could become a first new approach in two decades for treating the damage that diabetes inflicts on the kidneys of millions of people, say researchers.

Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development of 6-year-old children

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

Researchers have provided new evidence of neurotoxicity in humans from pyrethroid insecticides, which are found in a wide variety of products and uses.

Night blindness: Finding hope in the dark

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

A gene that could be responsible for some cases of human night blindness has been discovered by researchers. Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a group of hereditary retinal diseases that result in severe loss of vision in early childhood and is estimated to affect around 1 in 80,000 of the population.

Teenagers should exercise like kids to achieve best health outcomes

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT

As little as two minutes of high-intensity exercise four times a day improves health outcomes in adolescents, but the same amount of moderate-intensity exercise does not reap the same rewards, according to a new study.

Engineer creates origami battery, for five cents

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:10 AM PDT

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, can be used to create beautiful birds, frogs and other small sculptures. Now an engineer says the technique can be applied to building batteries, too.

Little evidence to support skills gap claims

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 08:10 AM PDT

A shortage of skilled workers is often why many employers say they struggle to find qualified employees to fill vacancies. However, a new economic analysis finds that some of the evidence used to support the skills gap debate is weak.

Light pollution threatens the Balearic shearwater

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

Petrel fledglings leave the nest after dark, but these marine birds' maiden flights towards the sea are hampered by city lights. Many collide or fall to the ground where they are in danger of being run over and vulnerable to predators. Now, a study has evaluated the impact of light pollution on three species of petrels on the Balearic Islands, including the Balearic shearwater, and concludes that between 30 and 47 percent of colonies are exposed to high levels of light pollution.

Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms: Advantages for men, but not for women

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

Men benefit from one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms, a new review concludes. They live longer because a rupture of the abdominal aorta can be avoided. No such evidence is available for women, the researchers add.

New boron compounds for organic light-emitting diodes

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

A new class of organic luminescent materials have been developed through the targeted introduction of boron atoms into the molecular structures. The compounds feature an intensive blue fluorescence and are therefore of interest for use in organic light-emitting diodes.

Microbe-mediated adaptation to a novel diet

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

Acquiring a group of bacterial symbionts that are localized in the gut enabled firebugs to successfully exploit a food source that was previously inaccessible to them and led to the diversification within this new ecological niche, researchers have discovered.

Europe's most homophobic countries may be paving the way for a rise in HIV cases

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

Europe's most homophobic countries may be paving the way for a rise in HIV cases among gay and bisexual men, according to new research. The investigators found that in these countries, gay men knew less about HIV, were less likely to use condoms and are at greater potential risk of getting HIV when they do have sex.

Multimodality treatment for metastatic lung cancer with surgery may improve survival rates

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 07:11 AM PDT

Patients diagnosed with an advanced form of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer may benefit from surgical resection (removal of all or part of the lung) in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, according to a new article.