ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Is a 'buttery' molecule behind cystic fibrosis flare-ups?
• Revolutionary naming system for all life on Earth proposed
• Seed-filled buoys may help restore diverse sea meadows in San Francisco Bay
• New, inexpensive production materials boost promise of hydrogen fuel
• Baby food puree could be made even safer with new processing technique
• Studies show how traceability can work across entire food supply chain
• Selenium, vitamin E supplements can increase risk of prostate cancer in some men
• Antibody may be detectable in blood years before MS symptoms appear
• Saucesm marinades address consumers' desire for ethnic flavors
• Smart SPHERES are about to get a whole lot smarter
• Orion testing provides lessons and data for splashdown recovery operations
• NASA's IRIS spots its largest solar flare
• Fruit-loving lemurs score higher on spatial memory tests
• Promising cervical cancer study: Combining drugs, chemo to extend life
• Will plug-in cars crash the electric grid? Not with newly proposed system
• Chemical transport in plants likened to that of humans
• Reducing Hep C infections for injection drug users
• Tracking catalytic reactions in microreactors
• Air force aircraft returned from Vietnam identified as postwar source of agent orange contamination
• What has happened to the tsunami debris from Japan?
• Temperature and ecology: Rival Chilean barnacles keep competition cool
• Developmental gene influences sperm formation, fruit fly model demonstrates
• Drawing the map of West African Internet
• Jupiter will be at its highest point in the sky for many years to come
• Early warning system for epidemics: Risk map correlates environmental, health data
• Some employers find excuses to fire pregnant employees
• Physical therapy intervention reduces injury in custodial workers
• Immune cells regulate blood stem cells, research shows
• Microparticles show molecules their way: Three-dimensional structures using three chemically different patches
• Liquid metal pump a breakthrough for micro-fluidics
• Genetic screening can identify men with advanced prostate cancer
• Greece's deepening health crisis a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says study
• Biopsies before transplantation do not determine success of donated kidneys
• Many kidney disease patients experience hazardous events related to their medical care
• Peer pressured to 'sext:' Study shows that teens who sext are influenced by peer dynamics
• Developing countries face 'leading medical scourge of developed countries'
• Sequencing hundreds of nuclear genes in sunflower family now possible
• Gene therapy a promising tool for cardiac regeneration

Is a 'buttery' molecule behind cystic fibrosis flare-ups? Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:48 PM PST A lung-damaging molecule has been discovered in higher concentrations in cystic fibrosis patients during symptom flare-ups. This molecule, which has a buttery flavor and is the main ingredient in microwave popcorn flavoring, is toxic and has been implicated in damaging the lungs of popcorn factory workers. Results of the new research indicate that it might play an important role in microbial infections of the lung suffered by people with cystic fibrosis.

Revolutionary naming system for all life on Earth proposed Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:48 PM PST A new naming structure proposed by an American researcher moves beyond the Linnaeus system to one based on the genetic sequence of each individual organism. This creates a more robust, precise, and informative name for any organism, be it a bacterium, fungus, plant, or animal. Coded names could be permanent, as opposed to the shifting of names typical in the current biological classification system. Codes could also be assigned without the current lengthy process that is required by analyzing one organism's physical traits compared to another's. Lastly, the sequence could be assigned to viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and would provide a standardized naming system for all life on Earth.

Seed-filled buoys may help restore diverse sea meadows in San Francisco Bay Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:47 PM PST Placing seedpods in a pearl net, tethered by a rope but allowed to sway with the tides, may be an especially effective way of restoring eelgrass meadows. The resulting crop of eelgrass grown for this study was as genetically diverse as the beds from which the seeds were harvested, which researchers say can make restoration efforts more likely to succeed. The emphasis on genetic diversity is a relatively new concern in ecosystem restoration projects, where there has been an understandable urgency to move plants and animals back into an area as quickly as possible.

New, inexpensive production materials boost promise of hydrogen fuel Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Generating electricity is not the only way to turn sunlight into energy we can use on demand. The sun can also drive reactions to create chemical fuels, such as hydrogen, that can in turn power cars, trucks and trains. Scientists have now combined cheap, oxide-based materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using solar energy with a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 1.7 percent, the highest reported for any oxide-based photoelectrode system.

Baby food puree could be made even safer with new processing technique Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Although levels of furan—a carcinogen resulting from heat treatment techniques, such as canning and jarring—are far below of what would cause harmful effect as determined by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), a team of food scientists found that treatment of baby food puree with high pressure thermal sterilization (HPTS) instead of conventional thermal processing showed a reduction of furan.

Studies show how traceability can work across entire food supply chain Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Recent developments across the globe have put an increasing focus on the traceability of foods. Complicated supply chains of hundreds of ingredients that are used to make a food product make food product tracing a daunting task. In an effort to better protect public health from foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls, governments across the world are in the process of implementing new regulations around food traceability.

Selenium, vitamin E supplements can increase risk of prostate cancer in some men Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST High-dose supplementation with both the trace element selenium and vitamin E increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. But importantly, this risk depends upon a man's selenium status before taking the supplements. "Men using these supplements should stop, period. Neither selenium nor vitamin E supplementation confers any known benefits -- only risks," the lead author stated. "While there appear to be no risks from taking a standard multivitamin, the effects of high-dose single supplements are unpredictable, complex and often harmful. There are optimal levels, and these are often the levels obtained from a healthful diet, but either below or above the levels there are risks."

Antibody may be detectable in blood years before MS symptoms appear Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST An antibody found in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis may be present long before the onset of the disease and its symptoms, according to a study. For the study, 16 healthy blood donors who were later diagnosed with MS were compared to 16 healthy blood donors of the same age and sex who did not develop MS. Scientists looked for a specific antibody to KIR4.1. Samples were collected between two and nine months before the first symptoms of MS appeared. KIR4.1 antibodies were found in the people with pre-clinical MS several years before the first clinical attack.

Saucesm marinades address consumers' desire for ethnic flavors Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Sauces and marinades are an easy way for consumers cooking at home to infuse distinctive flavors into all kinds of different foods. New consumer trends and a growing interest in international/ethnic flavor preferences regarding sauces and marinades are the subject of a new article.

Smart SPHERES are about to get a whole lot smarter Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:35 PM PST Smart devices -- such as tablets and phones -- increasingly are an essential part of everyday life on Earth. The same can be said for life off-planet aboard the International Space Station. Our reliance on these mobile and social technologies means equipment and software upgrades are an everyday occurrence -- like buying a new pair of shoes to replace a pair of well-worn ones. That's why the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. is working to upgrade the smartphones currently equipped on a trio of volleyball-sized free-flying satellites on the space station called Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES).

Orion testing provides lessons and data for splashdown recovery operations Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:33 PM PST The first full joint testing between NASA and the U.S. Navy of Orion recovery procedures off the coast of California was suspended after the team experienced issues with handling lines securing a test version of Orion inside the well deck of the USS San Diego.

NASA's IRIS spots its largest solar flare Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:31 PM PST On Jan. 28, 2014, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, witnessed its strongest solar flare since it launched in the summer of 2013. Solar flares are bursts of x-rays and light that stream out into space, but scientists don't yet know the fine details of what sets them off.

Fruit-loving lemurs score higher on spatial memory tests Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST Food-finding tests in five lemur species show fruit-eaters may have better spatial memory than lemurs with a more varied diet. The results support the idea that relying on foods that are seasonally available and far-flung gives a competitive edge to individuals with certain cognitive abilities -- such as remembering where the goodies are.

Promising cervical cancer study: Combining drugs, chemo to extend life Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST New research has revealed that women with advanced cervical cancer live about four months longer with the combined use of bevacizumab (Avastin®) and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. Women who combined bevacizumab with chemotherapy lived an average of 17 months after diagnosis, while those who received chemotherapy alone lived 13.3 months. The multi-site research project is expected to change the standard of care in advanced cervical cancer.

Will plug-in cars crash the electric grid? Not with newly proposed system Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST The world's growing fleet of plug-in cars will put strain on aging electrical distribution systems. Now research presents a solution: to prevent the electric grid from crashing, break-up requests for power from each car into packets. The new tool is efficient, fair, and protects drivers' privacy and freedom.

Chemical transport in plants likened to that of humans Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST Plant roots and certain human membrane systems resist chemical transport in much the same way, say researchers. This similarity could make it easier to assess chemical risks for both people and plants, and may even lead to a new approach to testing medications. "A plant's root is similar to the blood-brain barrier and intestine of humans," say the researchers. "It's amazing when you think about it -- plants and animals evolved separately but somehow developed comparable structures to control transport of water and dissolved chemicals."

Reducing Hep C infections for injection drug users Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:57 AM PST Researchers are focusing on intervention strategies that highlight the lesser-known dangers of HCV transmission through the sharing of other injection equipment such as cookers, filters, drug-dilution water and water containers. Their research explores the feasibility and efficacy of their "Staying Safe Intervention," a strengths-based social/behavioral intervention conducted with small groups of people who inject drugs, designed to facilitate long-term prevention of HIV and HCV.

Tracking catalytic reactions in microreactors Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:41 AM PST Researchers have demonstrated a technique that for the first time allows the catalytic reactivity inside a microreactor to be mapped in high resolution from start to finish. This technique opens a more effective and efficient synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs and other flow reactor chemical products.

Air force aircraft returned from Vietnam identified as postwar source of agent orange contamination Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:40 AM PST From 1971-1982 Air Force reservists, who flew in about 34 dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange and returned to the US following discontinuation of the herbicide spraying operations in the Vietnam War, were exposed greater levels of dioxin than previously acknowledged, according to a study. The new evidence is contrary to current position held by Air Force and VA. "These findings are important because they describe a previously unrecognized source of exposure to dioxin that has health significance to those who engaged in the transport work using these aircraft," says the lead investigator, an environmental engineer with many years of experience evaluating environmental exposures in the Air Force.

What has happened to the tsunami debris from Japan? Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST The amount of debris in the ocean is growing exponentially, becoming more and more hazardous and harmful to marine life and therefore to our ocean food source. Measuring and tracking the movements of such debris are still in their infancy. The driftage generated by the tragic 2011 tsunami in Japan gave scientists a unique chance to learn about the effects of the ocean and wind on floating materials as they move across the North Pacific Ocean.

Temperature and ecology: Rival Chilean barnacles keep competition cool Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST A lot of research shows that temperature can strongly influence species interactions and sometimes shape the appearance and functioning of biological communities. That's why a newly published finding that changes in temperature did not alter the competitive balance of power between two rival species of Chilean barnacles is an ecological surprise.

Developmental gene influences sperm formation, fruit fly model demonstrates Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST The basic regulatory mechanisms of stem cell differentiation have been under investigation using the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly as a model organism. Researchers were able to show how a special developmental gene from the Hox family influences germline stem cells. These cells are responsible for sperm formation. The scientists found that impairment of Hox gene function resulted in prematurely aged sperms.

Drawing the map of West African Internet Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST Internet has nowadays become a booster of development. This knowledge sharing space allows people to communicate with ease anywhere and anytime, and it considerably reduces the prices of services while opening new horizons for progress: e-government, e-education, telemedicine, e-commerce, research, e-companies, remote assistance, e-tourism, etc. Its adoption and rapid expansion lower the rate of poverty in some developing countries, hence considered to be emergent.

Jupiter will be at its highest point in the sky for many years to come Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST In just over a week, Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, will be at its highest point in the sky for many years to come. Near their closest to Earth, Jupiter and its moons will appear obvious in the sky, offering fantastic opportunities to view the giant planet through a telescope.

Early warning system for epidemics: Risk map correlates environmental, health data Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST The environment has an impact on our health. Preventing epidemics relies on activating the right counter-measures, and scientists are now trying to find out how better use of forecasting can help. The EU's EO2HEAVEN project developed a risk map for correlating environmental and health data in order to identify where a disease may break out next.

Some employers find excuses to fire pregnant employees Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:37 AM PST The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 makes it illegal in the United States for a woman to be fired just because she is pregnant. But that doesn't stop it from happening, according to new research by two sociologists. What employers do to get around the law is vilify pregnant women as poor performers and tardy employees while also pointing to seemingly fair attendance policies and financial costs, their research shows. Pregnancy discrimination only compounds other gender-based employment inequalities women face in the workplace in areas such as hiring, wages and harassment, the authors argue.

Physical therapy intervention reduces injury in custodial workers Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:37 AM PST An intervention to help minimize workplace injury for custodial workers, and decrease the costs associated, has been developed by a doctoral student. Repetitive motion injuries are a growing problem in the US, resulting in an average of 23 days away from work – three times the number of days from other injuries. Shoulder injuries are the most common repetitive motion injury reported and the second most frequent injury experienced by janitors and custodial workers. The program, which includes employers, occupational health, physical therapy, and the employee, are expected to make an impact and save costs while reducing personal injury.

Immune cells regulate blood stem cells, research shows Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:38 AM PST During an infection, the blood stem cells must complete two tasks: they must first recognize that more blood cells have to be produced and, secondly, they must recognize what kind are required. Immune cells control the blood stem cells in the bone marrow and therefore also the body's own defenses, new research shows. The findings could lead the way to new forms of therapy, such as for bone marrow diseases like leukemia.

Microparticles show molecules their way: Three-dimensional structures using three chemically different patches Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:38 AM PST Scientists produced novel microparticles, whose surface consists of three chemically different segments. These segments can be provided with different (bio-) molecules. Thanks to the specific spatial orientation of the attached molecules, the microparticles are suited for innovative applications in medicine, biochemistry, and engineering.

Liquid metal pump a breakthrough for micro-fluidics Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:38 AM PST Scientists have developed the world's first liquid metal enabled pump, a revolutionary new micro-scale device with no mechanical parts. The unique design will enable micro-fluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology to finally realize their potential, with applications ranging from biomedicine to biofuels.

Genetic screening can identify men with advanced prostate cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:35 PM PST Screening men with a family history of prostate cancer for a range of gene mutations can identify those who are at high risk of aggressive forms of the disease and in need of lifelong monitoring, a new study has shown. The findings are important because they demonstrate not only that some men have a genetic profile that puts them at higher risk of prostate cancer, but that particular genetic profiles match to a higher risk of advanced, invasive disease. A big challenge facing prostate cancer researchers is to find ways of predicting which men will have life-threatening forms of the disease, to allow treatment to be tailored more effectively.

Greece's deepening health crisis a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says study Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:34 PM PST Greece's health crisis is worsening as a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says a new study. Researchers say the harmful effects of austerity are linked to the increasing inability of patients to access the health system, large rises in the incidence of infectious disease, and a deterioration in the overall mental health of Greek people.

Biopsies before transplantation do not determine success of donated kidneys Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST Biopsy-detected injury in donated kidneys was modestly associated with a delay in organ function in the first week after transplantation, but only for donor kidneys already known to be at high risk. Donor kidney biopsies frequently underreported kidney injury with substantial variability. The study also showed that there was a large degree of overlap between the results of biopsies from kidneys that were deemed unsuitable for transplantation and kidneys that were approved for transplantation. The quality of biopsies used in acceptance decisions was low.

Many kidney disease patients experience hazardous events related to their medical care Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST In a study of 267 patients with chronic kidney disease, 69% of participants experienced at least one hazardous event related to their outpatient care. Hypoglycemia (in patients with diabetes) and falling or severe dizziness (in patients without diabetes) were most frequently paired with other complications of medical care. "Disease-specific adverse safety event events are strikingly common in CKD," concludes the lead author.

Peer pressured to 'sext:' Study shows that teens who sext are influenced by peer dynamics Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:56 PM PST Are adolescents today "sexting" for popularity? Mobile phones are fully integrated into the social lives of today's teenagers, and offer a sense of autonomy for those looking to hide from adult supervision. Concerns have risen over the use of the mobile phone as an instrument to download, produce, and distribute sexual imagery and a growing number of studies on adolescent mobile communication report that the consumption and distribution of pornographic imagery via mobile phones is common in adolescent peer groups. Though very few studies have asked "why" adolescents choose to participate in sexting or the use of mobile porn, those that have asked "why" continually point to the influence of peer group dynamics.

Developing countries face 'leading medical scourge of developed countries' Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:13 PM PST Chronic illness, already a major and expensive problem in developed countries, is rapidly increasing in developing countries, adding to the longstanding burden caused by high rates of infectious diseases. However, poor countries will not be able to afford the costly medical technologies that wealthy countries use to treat chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, pulmonary disease, and diabetes, while also .

Sequencing hundreds of nuclear genes in sunflower family now possible Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:13 PM PST An efficient approach for sequencing hundreds of nuclear genes across members of the Compositae (sunflower family) has now been developed, to better-resolve phylogenetic relationships within the family, as well as a bioinformatic workflow for processing and analyzing the resulting sequence data. This method can be applied to any taxonomic group of interest and could serve as a model for phylogenetic investigations of other major plant groups.

Gene therapy a promising tool for cardiac regeneration Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:12 PM PST After a heart attack, there is often permanent damage to a portion of the heart. This happens, in part, because cardiac muscle cells are terminally differentiated and cannot proliferate after blood flow is blocked off to the heart. This partial healing can be attributed to heart disease being one of the leading causes of death. What if the cells could be stimulated to divide and the heart could be induced to repair itself? Gene therapy, new research shows, can elicit a regenerative response in pig hearts and potentially do exactly that -- repair a heart.

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