| Bush Blitz: The largest Australian nature discovery project finds four new bee species Posted: 16 Sep 2015 06:55 PM PDT Four new native bee species were recognized as part of the largest Australian nature discovery project 'Bush Blitz.' The South Australian bee specialists used molecular and morphological evidence to prove them as new. Three of them belonged to a group of bees with characteristic narrow heads and long mouth parts -- adaptations to the narrow constrictions at the base of the flowers of Emu-bushes (Eremophila). |
| A toddler with type 2 diabetes Posted: 16 Sep 2015 06:55 PM PDT New research details the case of a 3-year old girl with type 2 diabetes -- thought to be one of the youngest ever people to present with the condition. |
| Psychology research links distress to perceived internet pornography addiction Posted: 16 Sep 2015 03:51 PM PDT A study of Internet pornography users suggests a person's own feeling of being addicted to online pornography drives mental health distress, not the pornography itself. The research adds a fresh perspective to commonly held concerns that Internet pornography can be a threat to mental health. The research suggests that feeling addicted to Internet pornography is associated with depression, anger, and anxiety, but that actual use of pornography is not. |
| Antidepressant was misrepresented as safe for adolescents Posted: 16 Sep 2015 03:51 PM PDT A new study has found that a psychiatric drug claimed to be a safe and effective treatment for depression in adolescents is actually ineffective and associated with serious side effects. |
| Converging black holes in Virgo constellation Posted: 16 Sep 2015 01:21 PM PDT Astronomers have provided additional evidence that a pair of closely orbiting black holes deep in the Virgo constellation is causing the rhythmic flashes of light coming from quasar PG 1302-102. Based on calculations of the pair's mass -- together, and relative to each other -- the researchers go on to predict a smashup 100,000 years from now, far sooner than previously predicted. |
| Not all rhythmic skills are related, which may have implications for language ability Posted: 16 Sep 2015 01:18 PM PDT Tapping to a beat and remembering rhythms may not be related skills, which may also have implications for language ability. |
| Research team pinpoints immune changes in blood of melanoma patients on PD-1 drugs that put potential biomarker within reach Posted: 16 Sep 2015 11:54 AM PDT A simple blood test can detect early markers of "reinvigorated" T cells and track immune responses in metastatic melanoma patients after initial treatment with the anti-PD-1 drug pembrolizumab, scientists report. |
| Microbiome implicated in sickle cell disease; antibiotics can counter its effects Posted: 16 Sep 2015 11:34 AM PDT New research on sickle cell disease (SCD) has found that using antibiotics to deplete the body's microbiome may prevent acute sickle cell crisis and could offer the first effective strategy for warding off the disease's long-term complications, such as organ failure. The study could also lead to better treatment for other inflammatory blood-vessel disorders including septic shock. |
| Subtle variations in expression of imprinted genes to explain newborn health outcomes Posted: 16 Sep 2015 10:37 AM PDT In the first and largest studies to examine subtle variation of imprinted gene expression and control, investigators report on a subgroup of imprinted genes expressed in the placenta. |
| Impact of shift in testing guidelines for assessing HER2 status in breast cancer patients Posted: 16 Sep 2015 10:36 AM PDT Accurately determining HER2 status in patients with breast cancer is a critical prognostic and predictive factor and identifies patients who may benefit from treatment with anti-HER2 therapies. |
| Epidemiologist says suicide, death from intentional self-injury is greatly underestimated in U.S. Posted: 16 Sep 2015 10:36 AM PDT Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States -- greater even than traffic crashes. A professor of epidemiology says the problem is bigger and proposes a way to address it. |
| How your brain decides blame and punishment, and how it can be changed Posted: 16 Sep 2015 10:36 AM PDT Juries in criminal cases typically decide if someone is guilty, then a judge determines a suitable level of punishment. New research confirms that these two separate assessments of guilt and punishment -- though related -- are calculated in different parts of the brain. In fact, researchers have found that they can disrupt and change one decision without affecting the other. |
| Some evidence of link between stress, Alzheimer's disease discovered Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT More evidence of a link between the brain's stress response and a protein related to Alzheimer's disease has been uncovered by a team of researchers. The research, conducted on a mouse model and in human cells, found that a stress-coping hormone released by the brain boosts the production of protein fragments. |
| New catalyst yields more accurate PSA test Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT Chemists have developed a catalyst that improves the sensitivity of the standard PSA test over 100-fold. The catalyst is made of palladium nanocubes coated with iridium. |
| International team discovers natural defense against HIV Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT A new natural defense against HIV infection has been discovered by researchers. The team's discovery focuses on ERManI, a protein that prevents the HIV virus from replicating. |
| To be fragrant or not: Why do some male hairstreak butterflies lack scent organs? Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT Female butterflies generally choose among male suitors, but with hundreds of related species living in close proximity, how can they decide which are the right ones? A solution is that males have scent producing organs on their wings. Strangely, some lose theirs during evolution. Is this a disadvantage? |
| Twin study suggests genetic factors contribute to insomnia in adults Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT A new study of twins suggests that insomnia in adults is partially explained by genetic factors, and this heritability is higher in females than in males. According to the authors, this is the first study to examine the genetic and environmental influences on insomnia symptoms in adults in a longitudinal, representative twin sample. |
| Crime ties are relative in youth offenders' substance abuse Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT Having family or friends involved in crime was the best predictor of whether a youth offender would become a long-term marijuana user or heavy drinker, a new study has found. |
| Cancer remains leading cause of death in U.S. Hispanics, report shows Posted: 16 Sep 2015 09:54 AM PDT While cancer is the second leading cause of death overall in the United States, it remains the leading cause of death among US Hispanics, according to a new report. |
| Solar power study inspired by field of medicine Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:32 AM PDT Researchers will do an epidemiological, disease control?type study of more than 5 million solar panels at hundreds of power plants around the world to learn how photovoltaic modules degrade under varying conditions. The study's goal is to drive designs that make modules last longer and have more predictable power output, which can help reduce the cost of clean power and add certainty for renewable energy investors. |
| Antibacterial soap no more effective than plain soap at reducing bacterial contamination Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT Using antibacterial soap when hand-washing is no more effective than using plain soap, according to a new paper. The study examined the effect of triclosan (the most commonly used active antiseptic ingredient used in soap) on bacteria. |
| The art of deception: Why morphology matters in flowers' pulling power Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT Many orchids are masters of sexual deception, tricking male insects into pollinating their flowers by producing chemicals that precisely mimic female insects' sex pheromones. Now, ecologists have discovered that orchids dupe male insects by mimicking how female insects look, as well as how they smell. The study is the first to experimentally investigate the role of flower shape and size in sexually deceptive orchids. |
| Rejection increases emotional problems in foster children Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT A study carried out in Spain analyses the variables involved in behavioral problems of children in foster care. The study concludes that emotional relationships and educational style are key to reducing problems with children and the strain on foster families. |
| Robots help to map England’s only deep-water Marine Conservation Zone Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT The first true three-dimensional picture of submarine canyon habitats has been produced using a unique combination of marine robotics and ship-based measurements. The information captured in this new set of maps ranges in scale from the 200km canyon down to the size of an individual cold-water coral polyp, and will be used to inform the management of the only English Marine Conservation Zone in deep water. |
| Do American adolescents approve of marijuana? Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT Groundbreaking research suggests that adolescents have become less likely to approve of and use marijuana over the last decade when compared to young adults. This is coming during a time where a majority of Americans support the full legalization of marijuana, according to a 2013 poll. |
| 'Hot Jupiter' exoplanets may have formed very rapidly Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:30 AM PDT Twenty years after they were first discovered, 'hot Jupiters', gas giant planets that orbit very close to their star, are still enigmatic objects. Astronomers have now shown that such bodies may only take several million years to migrate close to their newly formed star. The discovery should shed light on how solar systems like - or unlike - our own Solar System form and evolve over the course of their existence. |
| Four new species of huntsman spiders have been discovered in southern Africa Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:29 AM PDT To discover a living huntsman spider in the South African deserts is a difficult feat; to study the spider in detail is almost impossible. The eight-legged animals are quick, nocturnal, and dwell in inconspicuous tunnels in the sand. However, four new species of huntsman spiders have been discovered in southern Africa, scientists report. |
| Using ultrasound to clean medical instruments Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:29 AM PDT A pioneering ultrasonic device can significantly improve the cleaning of medical instruments and reduce contamination and risk of infection, researchers have demonstrated. StarStream makes water more efficient for cleaning by creating tiny bubbles which automatically scrub surfaces. The device supplies a gentle stream of water through a nozzle that generates ultrasound and bubbles, which dramatically improve the cleaning power of water reducing the need for additives and heating. |
| A 'trans-moment': The case of Jenner and Dolezal Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:29 AM PDT Until quite recently, society has accepted the definition of a 'trans' person to be most closely associated with gender identity. This has been most notably encapsulated in the media by the extensive coverage of Caitlyn Jenner's gender transition. The interest in the Rachel Dolezal case (the originally fair-skinned, blond-haired daughter of white parents who came to identify and live as a black woman) has begun to question this definition, and has created something of a political storm. On this topic, a sociologist believes that we should treat the intertwined discussion of Caitlyn Jenner and Rachel Dolezal as an intellectual opportunity, rather than a political provocation, as it is key to understanding the micropolitics of identity. |
| Elite sporting success at national level positively impacts amateur participation Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:29 AM PDT The 'trickle-down effect' whereby national footballing success inspires increased personal involvement in the game from amateur footballers has been the focus of recent study. Past research has not completely corroborated that victory at national level triggers burgeoning amateur participation, but through longitudinally studying the relationship between German national wins and individual club memberships from 1950 – 2014, authors have proven a connection. |
| Savoring a bitter bite: Japanese monkeys drop their guard to survive Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:27 AM PDT Most poisons taste bitter: being able to tell typically leads to longer life. Species lacking an ability to taste bitterness are usually thought to be at a disadvantage -- that is until now. |
| The black box at the beginning of life Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:27 AM PDT Life begins with an egg and a sperm: that much is clear. But how do these 'germ cells' form, and how do they pass genetic traits from one generation to the next? Researchers have created a lab-based human germ cell development model that should shed light on these basic questions. |
| No such thing as ghosts? Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:27 AM PDT Crystallographers are always pushing boundaries when it comes to determining complex structures with less than optimal experimental data. |
| Synthetic biology needs robust safety mechanisms before real world application Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT Targeted cancer treatments, toxicity sensors and living factories: synthetic biology has the potential to revolutionize science and medicine. But before the technology is ready for real-world applications, more attention needs to be paid to its safety and stability, say experts in a review article. |
| Dominant strain of drug-resistant MRSA decreases in hospitals, but persists in community Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT The incidence of the most common strain of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has decreased in hospital-onset cases, but has failed to decline in the broader community, according to new research. |
| Analyzing the keys to environmental mobilization through social networks Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT Recognizing an opportunity, defining a clear message and reacting; these are the three keys to the success of environmental campaigns on social networks, according to new research. |
| Choice of college major influences lifetime earnings more than simply getting a degree Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT A new study based on longitudinal data confirms a college degree provides an advantage in lifetimes earnings, but a related decision once students make it to college could prove to be even more crucial as STEM majors earn roughly $700,000 more over 40 years than social science or humanities majors. |
| Gene responsible for metastasis of breast cancer to the bone identified Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT Physicians currently have no tools to help them detect which breast cancer patients will suffer metastasis to the bone, a process that occurs in 15-20 percent of cases. A new study has uncovered a gene that allows breast cancer cells to invade bones and create new tumors, or to metastasize. |
| A quantum lab for everyone Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT A virtual laboratory allows, for the first time, to actively engage with topical quantum physics. The novel learning environment was developed in time for the start of the new term, and the virtual quantum lab is freely available online, developers report. |
| Tiny silica particles could be used to repair damaged teeth, research shows Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT Researchers have shown how the development of coated silica nanoparticles could be used in restorative treatment of sensitive teeth and preventing the onset of tooth decay. |
| Platinum and iron oxide working together get the job done Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:26 AM PDT Using pictures with atomic resolution, the mechanism of an important chemical reaction has finally be explained: When platinum nanoparticles act as catalysts on an iron oxide surface, the surface plays a crucial role. |
| What happens on the molecular level when smog gets into the lungs? Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:25 AM PDT Coughing. A sore throat. Maybe a pain in your chest as you take a deep breath. These are all common symptoms for many city-living people when smog levels are high. And while it is well understood that smog can cause such problems, new research has for the first time given us a glimpse as to what might be happening at the molecular level. |
| Unlocking secrets of how fossils form Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT Fossils tell amazing stories and inspire them, too -- just think of this summer's 'Jurassic World' blockbuster. But because some of the processes that preserve fossils are not well understood, there's still more information that they could reveal. Now scientists report a new way to probe fossils to find out how these ancient remains formed in greater detail than before. |
| New approach to mammograms could improve reliability Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT Detecting breast cancer in women with dense mammary tissues could become more reliable with a new mammogram procedure that researchers have now tested in pre-clinical studies of mice. Scientists describe injecting gold nanoparticles in mammary tissue to enhance the imaging of early signs of breast cancer. |
| No way? Charity's logo may influence perception of food in package Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT An organization's logo on a food product can trigger quick perceptions by consumers about an item's healthiness and influence their decision-making, new research suggests. |
| Researchers identify protein to help predict who will respond to PD-1 immunotherapy for melanoma Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT Researchers have identified a protein marker whose frequency may predict patient response to PD-1 blockade immunotherapy for melanoma. |
| No long term effects of antidepressant use during pregnancy Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has no long term neurodevelopmental or behavioral effects on the child, however they may be associated with an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage, suggests the findings from three new studies. |
| A shy galactic neighbor Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT The Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy is a close neighbor of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Despite their close proximity, both galaxies have very distinct histories and characters. This galaxy is much smaller and older than the Milky Way, making it a valuable subject for studying both star and galaxy formation in the early universe. |
| Fearless fowl grow and lay better Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT A reduced fear of humans can be the driving force behind the characteristics that have developed since wild animals became domesticated, according to research by ethologists. |
| Watching an exoplanet in motion around a distant star Posted: 16 Sep 2015 08:24 AM PDT A team of astronomers has given us our best view yet of an exoplanet moving in its orbit around a distant star. |
| New method could help nurses spot delirium quickly Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:15 PM PDT Asking just two questions may be able to help nurses and doctors quickly and easily identify delirium in hospitalized older adults, according to health researchers. Delirium is a reversible cognitive condition that can be resolved if caught and treated early. |
| Scientists discover how cells overpower cancer drug Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:15 PM PDT Scientists have found how cells adapt to overcome cancer drugs designed to interfere with their genetic controls, according to a new study. Researchers say that these findings could help develop future therapies that override the survival mechanism in tumor types that don't respond. |
| Having no garden access for young children linked to childhood obesity later in childhood, English study shows Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:13 PM PDT A study of 6,467 children from England shows that having no access to a garden at age 3-5 years is linked to an increased risk developing obesity by age 7 years. |
| Why middle class people are more likely to play music, paint and act revealed Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:13 PM PDT The reason why middle class people are more likely to play music, paint and act has been revealed in a major new study. Research involving 78,000 people found that it was not wealth or social status that were strongly linked to people taking part in arts activities as amateurs or professionals, but rather, the level of education that lay behind arts participation. |
| Large-scale treatment of parasitic-worm disease cost-effective Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:13 PM PDT Researchers are calling for an urgent re-evaluation of global guidelines for the treatment of parasitic-worm diseases in light of a new study showing that large-scale treatment programs are highly cost-effective. |
| Arctic mosquitoes thriving under climate change, study finds Posted: 15 Sep 2015 06:13 PM PDT Warming temperatures are causing Arctic mosquitoes to grow faster and emerge earlier, significantly boosting their population and threatening the caribou they feast on, a study finds. |
