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• NASA Mars rover's next stop has sandstone variations
• Computer models solve geologic riddle millions of years in the making
• Low parking costs may encourage automobile use
• State-of-the-state on genetic-based testing, treatment for breast cancer revealed
• Y-90 provides new, safe treatment for metastatic breast cancer
• Keep calm and don your video glasses: Television shows keep patients calm during medical treatment
• New implant shows promise for painful osteoporotic spine fractures
• Prostate treatment lasts, preserves fertility
• No longer junk: Role of long noncoding RNAs in autism risk
• Light-activated antimicrobial surface that also works in the dark: World's first
• Researchers improve performance of III-V nanowire solar cells on graphene
• Rising awareness may explain spike in Autism diagnoses
• Girls protected from autism, study suggests
• Fast and reliable: New mechanism for speedy transmission in basket cells discovered
• Guarding grapes and other tales from papyri
• From mouse ears to human's? Gene therapy to address progressive hearing loss
• Gene implicated in progression, relapse of deadly breast cancer finding points to potential Achilles' heel in triple negative breast cancer
• 'RoboClam' replicates a clam's ability to burrow while using little energy
• Population of neutrophils in body found by researchers
• New insight into improved wave energy testing
• Statins could ease coughing in lung disease patients, study finds
• Hot nanoparticles for cancer treatments
• Lots of carbon dioxide equivalents from aquatic environments
• Microfluidic device with artificial arteries measures drugs' influence on blood clotting
• LVAC: Advancing the technology readiness of SLS adaptive controls
• The amazing anatomy of James Webb Space Telescope mirrors
• Leaders wired to be task-focused or team-builders, but can be both
• Unconscious mind can detect a liar -- even when the conscious mind fails
• Fair bosses pay the price of burnout
• Researchers grow carbon nanofibers using ambient air, without toxic ammonia
• Mice give ticks a free lunch
• A towel less: How psychologists harness sociability to cut waste
• New bodily illusion: Would you believe your hand could turn into marble?
• Detecting tumor markers easily
• How developing sperm stick to the right path
• Tumor suppressor p53 cuts off invading cancer cells
• Recovering valuable substances from wastewater
• Nasal spray delivers new type of depression treatment
• When mothers are active so are their children -- but many mothers are not
• Tackling multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant TB: New consensus reached
• Biased sex ratios predict more promiscuity, polygamy and 'divorce' in birds
• Climate change will improve survival rates of British bird -- the long-tailed tit
• Faster genetic testing method will likely transform care for many patients with breast cancer
• Unfolded proteins collapse when exposed to heat, crowded environments
• Mother-of-pearl inspires super-strong material
• DNA from fossils reveal origin of Norwegian lemmings
• Simulations to reduce emissions from road transport
• Like being inside a star: Simulating high pressures
• Scientists discover material that can be solar cell by day, light panel by night
• Women with gynecologic cancers may live longer when treated at high-volume medical centers
• Experiment opens the door to multi-party quantum communication
• Genetic cause of rare type of ovarian cancer discovered

NASA Mars rover's next stop has sandstone variations Posted: 24 Mar 2014 11:23 AM PDT Variations in the stuff that cements grains together in sandstone have shaped the landscape surrounding NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and could be a study topic at the mission's next science waypoint.

Computer models solve geologic riddle millions of years in the making Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:33 AM PDT An international team of scientists has used computer modeling to reveal, for the first time, how giant swirls form during the collision of tectonic plates -- with subduction zones stuttering and recovering after continental fragments slam into them.

Low parking costs may encourage automobile use Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT The low cost of parking in many American cities may contribute to urban development that relies on automobile use and undercuts planners' efforts to increase public transport, according to a new baseline study of comprehensive public parking costs. The article reports on downtown public parking costs after surveying public parking agencies in 107 U.S. cities.

State-of-the-state on genetic-based testing, treatment for breast cancer revealed Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT A review of the role that information gathered through genetic testing plays in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer has been conducted. The resulting paper discusses targeted therapies, new biomarkers, and the quality of commercially available testing methods.

Y-90 provides new, safe treatment for metastatic breast cancer Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT A minimally invasive treatment that delivers cancer-killing radiation directly to tumors shows promise in treating breast cancer that has spread to the liver when no other treatment options remain. The outpatient treatment, called yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization, was safe and provided disease stabilization in 98.5 percent of the women's treated liver tumors in a recent study.

Keep calm and don your video glasses: Television shows keep patients calm during medical treatment Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT Music may soothe the soul, but it takes video to calm a patient undergoing medical treatment, notes a study in which individuals watched television shows or movies through special video glasses while having a biopsy or other minimally invasive treatment. "Patients told us the video glasses really helped calm them down and took their mind off the treatment, and we now offer video glasses to help distract patients from medical treatment going on mere inches away," said a researcher. "It is really comforting for patients, especially the ones who tend to be more nervous," he said.

New implant shows promise for painful osteoporotic spine fractures Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT Individuals suffering from spinal fractures -- caused by osteoporosis or weakened bones -- now have another option to reduce pain, restore function and improve quality of life, according to a study of 300 patients treated with a new type of vertebral augmentation. Results of a randomized, controlled multicenter trial on a new implant treatment for vertebral compression fractures are now being reported for the first time.

Prostate treatment lasts, preserves fertility Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT Shrinking the prostate without surgery can provide long-term relief to men with this common condition that causes annoying symptoms, such as frequent trips to the bathroom, suggests a study of nearly 500 men. According to research, 72 percent of men experienced symptom improvement three years after having a new, minimally invasive, image-guided treatment performed by interventional radiologists called prostate artery embolization.

No longer junk: Role of long noncoding RNAs in autism risk Posted: 24 Mar 2014 10:31 AM PDT RNA acts as the intermediary between genes and proteins, but the function of pieces of RNA that do not code for protein has, historically, been less clear. Researchers have ignored these noncoding RNAs until recently for not complying with the central dogma of biology — that a straight line runs from gene to RNA (transcription) to protein (translation). However, noncoding RNAs are emerging as important regulators of diverse cellular processes with implications for numerous human disorders.

Light-activated antimicrobial surface that also works in the dark: World's first Posted: 24 Mar 2014 09:14 AM PDT A new antibacterial material that has potential for cutting hospital acquired infections has been developed by scientists. The combination of two simple dyes with nanoscopic particles of gold is deadly to bacteria when activated by light -- even under modest indoor lighting. And in a first for this type of substance, it also shows impressive antibacterial properties in total darkness.

Researchers improve performance of III-V nanowire solar cells on graphene Posted: 24 Mar 2014 09:14 AM PDT Researchers have achieved new levels of performance for seed-free and substrate-free arrays of nanowires from class of materials called III-V directly on graphene. These compound semiconductors hold particular promise for applications involving light, such as solar cells or lasers.

Rising awareness may explain spike in Autism diagnoses Posted: 24 Mar 2014 09:14 AM PDT Young boys continue to have the highest rate of autism diagnoses, but Danish doctors are diagnosing more girls, teenagers and adults with the disorder than they did in the mid-1990s. Many studies look at the prevalence of autism, akin to taking a snapshot of the number of diagnoses in a given population. The new study instead examined the disorder's incidence, or newly reported diagnoses, each year.

Girls protected from autism, study suggests Posted: 24 Mar 2014 09:14 AM PDT It takes more mutations to trigger autism in women than in men, which may explain why men are four times more likely to have the disorder, according to a study. The findings bolster those from previous studies, but don't explain what confers protection against autism in women. The fact that autism is difficult to diagnose in girls may mean that studies enroll only those girls who are severely affected and who may therefore have the most mutations, researchers note.

Fast and reliable: New mechanism for speedy transmission in basket cells discovered Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT A new subcellular mechanism for reliable, fast transmission in the so-called basket cells of the brain has been discovered by researchers. Basket cells play a key role in information processing in neuronal networks in the hippocampus. To fulfill their function, signal transmission has to be both fast and reliable: basket cells convert an incoming excitatory signal into an outgoing inhibitory signal within up to a millisecond, and this output signal needs to be distributed to a large number of target cells.

Guarding grapes and other tales from papyri Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT A new article throws light on the perils of produce patrol and more stories from ancient times. The researcher details what he deciphered from a roughly 3-by-5 inch shred of dark brown papyrus dating back to the fourth century. In large, cursive script, the hired guard outlines his labor contract, as well as details from a vineyard guard who was beaten by "violent and rapacious" criminals while attempting to chase them from the vineyard.

From mouse ears to human's? Gene therapy to address progressive hearing loss Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT Using DNA as a drug -- commonly called gene therapy -- in laboratory mice may protect the inner ear nerve cells of humans suffering from certain types of progressive hearing loss, researchers have discovered. While the research is in its early stages, it has the potential to lead to a cure for some varieties of deafness.

Gene implicated in progression, relapse of deadly breast cancer finding points to potential Achilles' heel in triple negative breast cancer Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT A gene previously unassociated with breast cancer plays a pivotal role in the growth and progression of the triple negative form of the disease, a particularly deadly strain that often has few treatment options, scientists have found. Their research suggests that targeting the gene may be a new approach to treating the disease.

'RoboClam' replicates a clam's ability to burrow while using little energy Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT The Atlantic razor clam uses very little energy to burrow into undersea soil at high speed. Now a detailed insight into how the animal digs has led to the development of a robotic clam that can perform the same trick.

Population of neutrophils in body found by researchers Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT A novel population of neutrophils, which are the body's infection control workhorses, has been discovered by scientists. These cells have an enhanced microbial killing ability and are thereby better able to control infection. However, they may behave as a double-edged sword as they also have the potential to cause inflammation that results in tissue damage, and further studies are underway to regulate these activities.

New insight into improved wave energy testing Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:15 AM PDT Pioneering research could provide a significant boost in the vital quest to harness wave power as a viable renewable energy source for the future. Researchers deployed wave measurement buoys and used wave modelling to show how variations in wave size and strength could be resolved.

Statins could ease coughing in lung disease patients, study finds Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:15 AM PDT Common cholesterol-lowering drugs could provide relief to patients suffering from a chronic lung disease, a study has shown. The drugs -- known as statins -- were found to help alleviate the chronic coughing associated with the disease for some patients. Statins are commonly prescribed for people at risk of heart attack because they can reduce cholesterol levels, but scientists are increasingly finding that they also have anti-inflammatory effects.

Hot nanoparticles for cancer treatments Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:13 AM PDT Nanoparticles have a great deal of potential in medicine: for diagnostics, as a vehicle for active substances or a tool to kill off tumors using heat. Researchers have now developed particles that are relatively easy to produce and have a wide range of applications.

Lots of carbon dioxide equivalents from aquatic environments Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:13 AM PDT Large amounts of carbon dioxide equivalents taken up by plants on land are returned to the atmosphere from aquatic environments. The findings were that emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents (as methane and carbon dioxide) from lakes, running water, dams, ponds, and wells correspond to on an average 42% of the expected natural carbon sink in India. This carbon sink may therefore be smaller than expected, illustrating that we do not have full knowledge on the natural greenhouse gas balance.

Microfluidic device with artificial arteries measures drugs' influence on blood clotting Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:13 AM PDT A new microfluidic method for evaluating drugs commonly used for preventing heart attacks has found that while aspirin can prevent dangerous blood clots in some at-risk patients, it may not be effective in all patients with narrowed arteries. The study, which involved 14 human subjects, used a device that simulated blood flowing through narrowed coronary arteries to assess effects of anti-clotting drugs.

LVAC: Advancing the technology readiness of SLS adaptive controls Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:06 AM PDT Can a rocket maneuver like an airplane? And can an airplane act as a surrogate for a maneuvering rocket? NASA engineers demonstrated just that when they used a NASA F/A-18 aircraft recently to simulate a rocket in its early flight phase to test adaptive software for NASA's new rocket the Space Launch System (SLS), the largest, most powerful launch vehicle for deep space missions.

The amazing anatomy of James Webb Space Telescope mirrors Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:04 AM PDT When you think of a mirror, there really isn't that much needed to describe it, but when you look at a mirror that will fly aboard NASA's next-generation James Webb Space Telescope, there's a lot to the anatomy of a mirror.

Leaders wired to be task-focused or team-builders, but can be both Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:45 AM PDT Academics have written about distinctions between a task-oriented leader and a social-emotional leader for 50 years. But new research strongly suggests the distinction has a foundation in our brains -- which allows us to be either analytical or empathetic, but not both at the same time -- researchers report. Managers don't have to be one or the other, they say. The presence of both capabilities in a normal brain suggests the opposite is true.

Unconscious mind can detect a liar -- even when the conscious mind fails Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:45 AM PDT When it comes to detecting deceit, your automatic associations may be more accurate than conscious thought in pegging truth-tellers and liars, according to research. The findings suggest that conscious awareness may hinder our ability to detect whether someone is lying, perhaps because we tend to seek out behaviors that are supposedly stereotypical of liars, like averted eyes or fidgeting. But those behaviors may not be all that indicative of an untrustworthy person.

Fair bosses pay the price of burnout Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:45 AM PDT Bosses who are fair make their workers happier and their companies more productive, but in the end may be burning themselves out. The study found that the act of carefully monitoring the fairness of workplace decisions wears down supervisors mentally and emotionally. "Managers who are mentally fatigued are more prone to making mistakes and it is more difficult for them to control deviant or counterproductive impulses," the lead author said.

Researchers grow carbon nanofibers using ambient air, without toxic ammonia Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:45 AM PDT Materials science researchers have demonstrated that vertically aligned carbon nanofibers can be manufactured using ambient air, making the manufacturing process safer and less expensive. Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers hold promise for use in gene-delivery tools, sensors, batteries and other technologies.

Mice give ticks a free lunch Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:45 AM PDT Mice are effective at transferring disease-causing pathogens to feeding ticks. And, according to a new paper, these 'super hosts' appear indifferent to larval tick infestations. Drawing on 16 years of field research performed at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York, the paper found that white-footed mice with hundreds of larval ticks survived just as long as those with only a few ticks. Even more surprising, male mice with large tick loads were more likely to survive during a given season.

A towel less: How psychologists harness sociability to cut waste Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:44 AM PDT Hotel guests can be gently persuaded to reduce the number of towels they use each day, psychology researchers have found. With fewer towels to wash, this reduces the waste of water, energy and detergent. This is good news for the environment and it cuts costs, so enabling hotels to reduce prices.

New bodily illusion: Would you believe your hand could turn into marble? Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:44 AM PDT Our bodies are made of flesh and bones. We all know this, and throughout our daily lives, all our senses constantly provide converging information about this simple, factual truth. But is this always the case? A new study reports a surprising bodily illusion demonstrating how we can rapidly update our assumptions about the material qualities of our bodies based on recent multisensory perceptual experience.

Detecting tumor markers easily Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:44 AM PDT Blood is just teeming with proteins. However, it's not easy to identify specialized tumor markers indicating the presence of cancer. A new method now enables diagnostics to be carried out in a single step, using a blood test. Tumor markers in the blood help determine whether the patient is afflicted with a malign tumor and whether it is excreting markers more vigorously -- involving highly specific proteins. An increased concentration in the blood provides one indication of the disease for physicians.

How developing sperm stick to the right path Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:43 AM PDT The process of producing high-quality, fertile sperm requires many steps. Researchers show the transcription factor p73 promotes this process by regulating the adhesions between developing sperm and their support cells. The p53 family of transcription factors has an ancient and well-conserved function in protecting reproductive cells.

Tumor suppressor p53 cuts off invading cancer cells Posted: 24 Mar 2014 07:43 AM PDT The tumor suppressor p53 does all it can to prevent oncogenes from transforming normal cells into tumor cells. Sometimes oncogenes manage to initiate tumor development in the presence of p53, which focuses its efforts instead on limiting the tumor's ability to invade and metastasize. Researchers uncover one way that p53 acts to prevent cancer cell invasion.

Recovering valuable substances from wastewater Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:04 AM PDT Phosphorus can be found in fertilizers, drinks and detergents. It accumulates in waterways and pollutes them. For this reason the German Phosphorus Platform has the goal to recover this valuable, but at the same time, harmful element from water. How this can be done will be shown by researchers at the Hannover Trade Fair.

Nasal spray delivers new type of depression treatment Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:04 AM PDT A nasal spray that delivers a peptide to treat depression holds promise as a potential alternative therapeutic approach, research shows. This peptide treatment interferes with the binding of two dopamine receptors -- the D1 and D2 receptor complex. The research team had found that this binding was higher in the brains of people with major depression. Disrupting the binding led to the anti-depressant effects.

When mothers are active so are their children -- but many mothers are not Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:04 AM PDT A study of physical activity patterns of women and their four-year-olds reveals a strong association between the two. It also shows that only 53 percent of mothers achieved the recommended guideline for moderate-to-vigorous activity. Taken together, these results provide valuable pointers for policy makers.

Tackling multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant TB: New consensus reached Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:03 AM PDT New consensus statements have been developed to help tackle the growing threat of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The statements mark the first time that physicians who treat patients with multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB have reached a consensus on important areas of patient management where scientific evidence is inconclusive.

Biased sex ratios predict more promiscuity, polygamy and 'divorce' in birds Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:03 AM PDT More birds break pair bonds or 'divorce' in populations where there are more females, according to new research. Researchers also found that short-term infidelity increases in male-dominated environments. The research has some striking parallels in human societies.

Climate change will improve survival rates of British bird -- the long-tailed tit Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:03 AM PDT Climate change may be bad news for billions, but scientists have discovered one unlikely winner -- a tiny British bird, the long-tailed tit. Like other small animals that live for only two or three years, these birds had until now been thought to die in large numbers during cold winters. But new research suggests that warm weather during spring instead holds the key to their survival.

Faster genetic testing method will likely transform care for many patients with breast cancer Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:03 AM PDT Faster and cheaper DNA sequencing techniques will likely improve care for patients with breast cancer but also create challenges for clinicians as they counsel patients on their treatment options. Those are among the conclusions of a new study. The findings provide insights into how genetic advances will soon be affecting patient care.

Unfolded proteins collapse when exposed to heat, crowded environments Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT Not only folded proteins fulfill important functions in the human body; unfolded or intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) likewise assume major tasks. Researchers have observed how molecular forces influence protein structure. The unfolded proteins become smaller when exposed to elevated temperatures and density stress.

Mother-of-pearl inspires super-strong material Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT Whether traditional or derived from high technology, ceramics all have the same flaw: they are fragile. Yet this characteristic may soon be a thing of the past: a team of researchers has recently presented a new ceramic material inspired by mother-of-pearl from the small single-shelled marine mollusk abalone.

DNA from fossils reveal origin of Norwegian lemmings Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT A new ancient DNA study shows that the Norwegian lemming has a unique history. In contrast to other mammals in Fennoscandia, the Norwegian lemming may have survived the last Ice Age in the far north, sealed off from the rest of the world by gigantic ice sheets.

Simulations to reduce emissions from road transport Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT Researchers are developing a methodology to estimate atmospheric emissions from road transport that will help guide environmental decisions.

Like being inside a star: Simulating high pressures Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT Some experiments are really difficult to perform in practice. To gain a detailed understanding of the behaviour of molecular hydrogen, for example, we would have to produce such high pressures as those occurring within the core of gaseous planets like Jupiter and Saturn or inside stars. If such conditions cannot be created, an alternative method is to simulate them on the computer, but the model has to be accurate. A group of research scientists used a simulation model that is far more accurate than previously used, and carried out an experiment to test a hypothesis about the behavior of hydrogen that is splitting the scientific community.

Scientists discover material that can be solar cell by day, light panel by night Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:02 AM PDT Scientists have developed a next-generation solar cell material which can also emit light, in addition to converting light to electricity. This solar cell is developed from Perovskite, a promising material that could hold the key to creating high-efficiency, inexpensive solar cells. The new cells not only glow when electricity passes through them, but they can also be customised to emit different colors.

Women with gynecologic cancers may live longer when treated at high-volume medical centers Posted: 24 Mar 2014 06:01 AM PDT Women with ovarian and other gynecologic cancers live significantly longer when they receive care at hospitals that treat a large number of patients with these conditions, according to research on more than 850,000 women. Women with cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancer who were cared for at high-volume centers lived about a year longer than those cared for at low-volume centers, the study found. The number of women treated at high-volume centers steadily increased during the course of the 13-year study.

Experiment opens the door to multi-party quantum communication Posted: 23 Mar 2014 03:44 PM PDT In the world of quantum science, Alice and Bob have been talking to one another for years. Charlie joined the conversation a few years ago, but now with spacelike separation, scientists have measured that their communication occurs faster than the speed of light. For the first time, physicists have demonstrated the distribution of three entangled photons at three different locations (Alice, Bob and Charlie) several hundreds of meters apart, proving quantum nonlocality for more than two entangled photons.

Genetic cause of rare type of ovarian cancer discovered Posted: 23 Mar 2014 12:21 PM PDT The cause of a rare type of ovarian cancer that most often strikes girls and young women has been uncovered by an international research team, according to a study. The findings revealed a 'genetic superhighway' mutation in a gene found in the overwhelming majority of patients with small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type, or SCCOHT.

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