ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Novel biomarker approach suggests new avenues to improve schizophrenia disease management
• Some motor proteins cooperate better than others
• War elephant myths debunked by DNA
• Innovative motion evaluation tool saves patients with back pain X-ray radiation exposure
• Study dispels theories of Y chromosome's demise: Stripped-down chromosome retains key genes for fertility
• Epigenetics: New link between nutrition, cancer
• New study shows promise for preventing therapy resistance in tumor cells
• Battery development may extend range of electric cars
• Discovery may aid vaccine design for common form of malaria
• Research demonstrates 'guided missile' strategy to kill hidden HIV
• Targeting certain kidney cells may help treat kidney failure
• Mood stabilizing drug may help treat acute kidney injury
• Spinal cord findings could help explain origins of limb control
• Marine tubeworms need nudge to transition from larvae state
• Ahoy! First ocean vesicles spotted
• Capturing a hard-wired variability: What makes some identical twins noticeably different?
• Loss of large carnivores poses global conservation problem
• New clues to how bacteria evade antibiotics
• Free code to help build better batteries
• Inappropriate antibiotic use in emergency rooms not decreasing in adults
• Unravelling the web of a cosmic creeply-crawly
• Iconic Australasian trees found as fossils in South America
• When charitable acts are 'tainted' by personal gain
• Acid mine drainage reduces radioactivity in fracking waste
• Astronomers discover new planet in Pisces constellation
• Study: Heavy viewers of 'Teen Mom', '16 and Pregnant' have unrealistic views of teen pregnancy
• Genetic testing to produce more offspring
• Improved regulations to protect human research subjects would better protecting study participants
• New pathway for neuron repair discovered
• Rewiring stem cells: New technique may revolutionize understanding of how genes function
• Fusion instabilities lessened by unexpected effect
• Hubble views stellar genesis in the Southern Pinwheel
• Surprising new class of 'hypervelocity stars' discovered escaping the galaxy
• Kids have skewed view of gender segregation
• Ultra-thin flexible transparent electronics can wrap around a hair
• Researchers discover tumor suppressor gene in very aggressive lung cancer
• Cancer drug protects against diabetes
• Successful test in humans of nasal vaccine against pertussis
• Unfit, lean people are better protected against heart attacks than fit, obese people
• Many men start testosterone therapy without clear medical need
• Want a better work-life balance? Exercise, study finds
• Maternal stress hormones, maternal smoking increase daughter's risk of nicotine dependence, study shows
• Marine bacteria to fight tough infections
• Bed bugs grow faster in groups
• Simple test can indicate cervical cancer
• Oceanographer examines pollutants in Antarctic seal milk
• Epilepsy drug taken in pregnancy found safe in preschool child development
• Magneto-optical nonreciprocal devices in silicon photonics

Novel biomarker approach suggests new avenues to improve schizophrenia disease management Posted: 09 Jan 2014 03:04 PM PST Environmental effects of events such as oxygen deprivation and infections may be preserved as markers in blood that are associated to schizophrenia, according to an international study.

Some motor proteins cooperate better than others Posted: 09 Jan 2014 03:03 PM PST A study analyzes how teams of molecular motor proteins cooperate as they move cargoes around living cells.

War elephant myths debunked by DNA Posted: 09 Jan 2014 03:03 PM PST Through DNA analysis, researchers have disproved decades of rumors and hearsay surrounding the ancient Battle of Raphia, the only known battle between Asian and African elephants.

Innovative motion evaluation tool saves patients with back pain X-ray radiation exposure Posted: 09 Jan 2014 03:03 PM PST Those who have undergone extensive back surgery and need repeated X-rays to monitor their progress may soon have access to a new technology that skips the X-rays and repeated radiation exposure, opting instead for an innovative, noninvasive, non-X-ray device that evaluates spinal movement, according to a paper.

Study dispels theories of Y chromosome's demise: Stripped-down chromosome retains key genes for fertility Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:57 PM PST Population geneticists compared the Y chromosomes of eight African and eight European men to understand why the chromosome is so puny. They attribute the size to strong natural selection to remove harmful genes -- so-called purifying selection -- but find essential roles for the remaining genes, dispelling the common notion that the Y's genes are mostly unimportant and that the chromosome is destined to dwindle and disappear.

Epigenetics: New link between nutrition, cancer Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST In a recent article, researchers explore the possible effects that diet can have on gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.  Explaining the impact of nutrition on epigenetic mechanisms may help to predict an individual's susceptibility to cancer, provide dietary recommendations, or provide therapeutic applications of natural compounds to fight against cancer.

New study shows promise for preventing therapy resistance in tumor cells Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST A new study suggests that activating the tumor suppressor p53 in normal cells causes them to secrete Par-4, another potent tumor suppressor protein that induces cell death in cancer cells. This finding may help researchers decipher how to inhibit the growth of tumors that have become resistant to other treatments.

Battery development may extend range of electric cars Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST Electric cars could travel farther on a single charge and more renewable energy could be saved for a rainy day if lithium-sulfur batteries can last longer. Scientists have now developed a novel anode that could quadruple the lifespan of these promising batteries.

Discovery may aid vaccine design for common form of malaria Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST A form of malaria common outside of Africa attacks red blood cells by clamping down on the cells with a pair of proteins, new research has revealed. The study provides details that will advance design of vaccines and drug treatments for the strain, Plasmodium vivax.

Research demonstrates 'guided missile' strategy to kill hidden HIV Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST Researchers have deployed a potential new weapon against HIV – a combination therapy that targets HIV-infected cells that standard therapies cannot kill.

Targeting certain kidney cells may help treat kidney failure Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST Putative kidney progenitor cells contribute to kidney function decline by causing kidney scarring. Targeting these cells may therefore help prevent or treat kidney failure. Researchers have identified an additional but limited reserve of kidney filtering cells that are present at birth and become mature and functional filter cells by adulthood.

Mood stabilizing drug may help treat acute kidney injury Posted: 09 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST A single low dose of lithium given to mice following acute kidney injury promotes kidney repair and accelerates the recovery of kidney function.

Spinal cord findings could help explain origins of limb control Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:38 AM PST Researchers have found that the spinal cord circuits that produce body bending in swimming fish are more complicated than previously thought. In a study of zebrafish, they report that differential control of an animal's musculature -- the basic template for controlling more complex limbs, such as in humans -- is already in place in the spinal networks of simple fish. The data could help clarify how vertebrates made the transition from water to land.

Marine tubeworms need nudge to transition from larvae state Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:38 AM PST Biofouling is the process by which barnacles, muscles, oysters, and tubeworms accumulate on the bottom of boats and other surfaces. Researchers have discovered a biological trigger behind the buildup. Biofouling begins when floating marine larvae come into contact with a biofilm formed by a microbe. Now researchers have isolated the genetic underpinnings of this novel form of bacterium-animal interaction.

Ahoy! First ocean vesicles spotted Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:38 AM PST Scientists discover extracellular vesicles produced by ocean microbes.

Capturing a hard-wired variability: What makes some identical twins noticeably different? Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST A new study has uncovered a phenomenon that alters prevailing views of how the genome is expressed to make and sustain the life of mammals. The article helps explain why genetically identical animals are sometimes so different in their biology and appearance, and why some inherited disorders caused by a shared set of aberrant genes can be of such variable severity in different people.

Loss of large carnivores poses global conservation problem Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST In ecosystems around the world, the decline of large predators such as lions, dingoes, wolves, otters, and bears is changing the face of landscapes from the tropics to the Arctic -- but an analysis of 31 carnivore species shows for the first time how threats such as habitat loss, persecution by humans and loss of prey combine to create global hotspots of carnivore decline.

New clues to how bacteria evade antibiotics Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST Scientists have made an important advance in understanding how a subset of bacterial cells escape being killed by many antibiotics.

Free code to help build better batteries Posted: 09 Jan 2014 11:37 AM PST Lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles, are in high demand, with a global market value expected to reach $33.1 billion in 2019. But their high price and short life need to be addressed before they can be used in more consumer, energy and medical products. Scientists are working to solve this problem buy developing optimal charging profiles for the batteries.

Inappropriate antibiotic use in emergency rooms not decreasing in adults Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST An analysis of emergency room visits over a 10-year period finds that while inappropriate antibiotic use is decreasing in pediatric settings, it continues to remain a problem in adults, according to research.

Unravelling the web of a cosmic creeply-crawly Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST This new Hubble image is the best-ever view of a cosmic creepy-crawly known as the Tarantula Nebula, a region full of star clusters, glowing gas, and dark dust. Astronomers are exploring and mapping this nebula as part of the Hubble Tarantula Treasury Project, in a bid to try to understand its starry anatomy.

Iconic Australasian trees found as fossils in South America Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST Today in Australia they call it Kauri, in Asia they call it Dammar, and in South America it does not exist at all unless planted there. But 52 million years ago the giant coniferous evergreen tree known to botanists as Agathis thrived in the Patagonian region of Argentina, according to an international team of paleobotanists, who have found numerous fossilized remains there.

When charitable acts are 'tainted' by personal gain Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST We tend to perceive a person's charitable efforts as less moral if the do-gooder reaps a reward from the effort, according to new research.

Acid mine drainage reduces radioactivity in fracking waste Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:26 AM PST Blending fracking wastewater with acid mine drainage causes most of the naturally radioactive metals in the fracking water to precipitate into a solid for disposal. The practice also could help reduce the depletion of local freshwater resources by giving drillers a source of usable recycled water for the hydraulic fracturing process.

Astronomers discover new planet in Pisces constellation Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST Astronomers have discovered a new giant planet located in a star system within the Pisces constellation. The planet, perhaps twice the mass of Jupiter, could help researchers learn more about how extrasolar planets are formed.

Study: Heavy viewers of 'Teen Mom', '16 and Pregnant' have unrealistic views of teen pregnancy Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST The creator of MTV's "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" said the shows have been called "one of the best public service campaigns to prevent teen pregnancy." A new study finds the opposite to be true. This paper presents findings that such teen mom shows actually lead heavy viewers to believe that teen mothers have an enviable quality of life, a high income and involved fathers.

Genetic testing to produce more offspring Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:24 AM PST A small anomaly with massive consequences: Researchers have discovered a genetic defect that makes breeding bulls infertile. To verify the mutation, researchers used the very latest gene sequencing techniques. Tests can now determine whether an animal is suitable for breeding or not.

Improved regulations to protect human research subjects would better protecting study participants Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:24 AM PST Proposed updates to federal regulations that protect human research subjects need additional clarification when applied to the social and behavioral sciences, says a new report.

New pathway for neuron repair discovered Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:24 AM PST A brand-new pathway for neuron repair has been discovered that could have implications for faster and improved healing after nerve damage. The research demonstrates, for the first time, that dendrites, the component of nerve cells that receive information from the brain, have the capacity to regrow after an injury.

Rewiring stem cells: New technique may revolutionize understanding of how genes function Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:23 AM PST A new technique for determining what causes stem cells to convert into other cell types could revolutionize our understanding of how genes function.

Fusion instabilities lessened by unexpected effect Posted: 09 Jan 2014 10:21 AM PST Introduction of relatively weak magnetic fields into Sandia's Z machine unexpectedly lessened plasma instabilities that have sunk previous fusion efforts.

Hubble views stellar genesis in the Southern Pinwheel Posted: 09 Jan 2014 09:49 AM PST The vibrant magentas and blues in this Hubble image of the barred spiral galaxy M83 reveal that the galaxy is ablaze with star formation. The galactic panorama unveils a tapestry of the drama of stellar birth and death. The galaxy, also known as the Southern Pinwheel, lies 15 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra.

Surprising new class of 'hypervelocity stars' discovered escaping the galaxy Posted: 09 Jan 2014 09:49 AM PST Astronomers have discovered a surprising new class of "hypervelocity stars" – solitary stars moving fast enough to escape the gravitational grasp of the Milky Way galaxy.

Kids have skewed view of gender segregation Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:37 AM PST Children believe the world is far more segregated by gender than it actually is, implies a new study.

Ultra-thin flexible transparent electronics can wrap around a hair Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:36 AM PST Researchers are developing electronic components that are thinner and more flexible than before. They can even be wrapped around a single hair without damaging the electronics. This opens up new possibilities for ultra-thin, transparent sensors that are literally easy on the eye.

Researchers discover tumor suppressor gene in very aggressive lung cancer Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:36 AM PST Researchers have found that the MAX gene, which encodes a partner of the MYC oncogene, is genetically inactivated in small cell lung cancer. Reconstitution of MAX significantly reduced cell growth in the MAX-deficient cancer cell lines. These findings show that MAX acts as a tumor suppressor gene in one of the more aggressive types of lung cancer.

Cancer drug protects against diabetes Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:36 AM PST New research shows that low doses of a cancer drug protect against the development of type 1 diabetes in mice. At the same time, the medicine protects the insulin-producing cells from being destroyed.

Successful test in humans of nasal vaccine against pertussis Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:36 AM PST The CHILD-INNOVAC European research program has enabled the development of an innovative vaccine that can be administered intranasally, to combat pertussis, which has shown a resurgence in developed countries in recent years.

Unfit, lean people are better protected against heart attacks than fit, obese people Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:36 AM PST A research team has shown that physical fitness in your teens can reduce the risk of heart attack later in life, while men who are fit and obese in their teens run a higher risk of having a heart attack than unfit, lean men.

Many men start testosterone therapy without clear medical need Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:17 AM PST Although testosterone use has sharply increased among older men in the past decade, many patients appear to have normal testosterone levels and do not meet the clinical guidelines for treatment, according to new research.

Want a better work-life balance? Exercise, study finds Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:17 AM PST Researchers have found that exercise plays a role in how individuals feel they can manage their work-life balance.

Maternal stress hormones, maternal smoking increase daughter's risk of nicotine dependence, study shows Posted: 09 Jan 2014 06:19 AM PST Smoking during pregnancy is linked to numerous negative outcomes, including low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and increased risk for attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, and nicotine use in offspring. Despite this extensive literature, it is estimated that 13%-30% of women in the United States continue to smoke while pregnant. Now, a new 40-year longitudinal study provides strong evidence that prenatal exposure to maternal stress hormones predicts nicotine dependence later in life -- but only for daughters.

Marine bacteria to fight tough infections Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:43 PM PST Aggressive infections are a growing health problem all over the world. The development of resistant bacteria is rampant and, in the United States, resistant staphylococci cause more deaths than AIDS on an annual basis. Researchers are studying a new form of treatment based on marine bacteria.

Bed bugs grow faster in groups Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:41 PM PST Researchers found that bed bug nymphs developed 2.2 days faster than solitary nymphs -- a significant 7.3 percent difference. This study is the first ever to document the effects of aggregation on bed bug development.

Simple test can indicate cervical cancer Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:38 PM PST Researchers have confirmed that using the heat profile from a person's blood, called a plasma thermogram, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of cervical cancer, including the stage of cancer.

Oceanographer examines pollutants in Antarctic seal milk Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:05 PM PST An oceanographer is analyzing the milk from Antarctic fur seals to determine the type and quantity of pollutants the seals are accumulating and passing on to their pups.

Epilepsy drug taken in pregnancy found safe in preschool child development Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:05 PM PST A new study finds that the epilepsy drug levetiracetam appears not to be associated with thinking, movement and language problems for preschool children born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy, although the drug valproate was associated with some difficulties in preschoolers.

Magneto-optical nonreciprocal devices in silicon photonics Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:05 PM PST In a paper published, researchers demonstrated the first optical isolator on silicon waveguide platforms.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610