ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• The search for seeds of black holes
• Engineered bacteria produce biofuel alternative for high-energy rocket fuel
• Nitrogen source determined significant for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis
• Major increase in West Antarctic glacial loss
• Solar system has a new most-distant member
• Keeping secrets in a world of spies and mistrust
• Celebrities may be going bankrupt to avoid tax bills, warns British tax expert
• Coal plant closure in China led to improvements in children's health
• Preoperative PET cuts unnecessary lung surgeries in half
• Biological testing tool, ScanDrop, tests in fraction of time and cost of industry standard
• Tumor suppressor gene linked to stem cells, cancer biologists report
• Comprehensive 'roadmap' of blood cells revealed by researchers
• Don't shop for travel at work
• Resistance is not futile: Researchers engineer resistance to ionic liquids in biofuel microbes
• Gut metabolism changes -- not stomach size -- linked to success of vertical sleeve gastrectomy
• Ancient sea creatures filtered food like modern whales
• First ring system around asteroid: Chariklo found to have two rings
• Gout isn't always easy to prove: CT scans help catch cases traditional test misses
• New clue to autism found inside brain cells
• Untrained volunteers may do harm as well as good during disasters
• 3-D MRI scans may offer better way to predict survival after targeted chemo for liver tumors
• Should whole-genome sequencing become part of newborn screening?
• Significant progress toward creating 'benchtop human' reported
• Scientists track 3-D nanoscale changes in rechargeable battery material during operation
• Parental addictions associated with adult children's arthritis
• Cereal flake size influences calorie intake
• Dark energy hides behind phantom fields
• Anaerobic treatment of wastewater: A step towards sustainable energy
• Exercise training improves health outcomes of women with heart disease more than of men
• Secret to cutting sugary drink use by teens found by new study
• Mosquito season unpredictable; year-round heartworm prevention is best
• Two spine surgeons are three times safer than one
• Last drinks: Brain's mechanism knows when to stop
• Beer marinade could reduce levels of potentially harmful substances in grilled meats
• An answer to the perennial question: Is it safe to pee in the pool?
• Real-life CSI: What can investigators really tell from gunshot residue?
• Less invasive technique possible in vulvar cancer treatment
• Diabetes: Good self-management helps to reduce mortality
• Using PET scanning to evaluate therapies of Menkes disease
• Sugary drinks weigh heavily on teenage obesity
• Invasive species in waterways on rise due to climate change
• Protocol for stroke patients guided by landmark study
• Life expectancy gains allude overweight teens
• Counting calories in the fossil record: How the biology of our modern ocean evolved
• Advantages of entering workforce in a recession
• Goats are far more clever than previously thought, and have an excellent memory
• New septic shock biomarker test could boost better interventions
• Planning and building products, production plants simultaneously
• Scientists visualize new treatments for retinal blindness
• Altruistic side of aggressive greed
• Genetics can explain why infections can trigger onset of different types of rheumatoid arthritis
• Strong evidence for a new class of antidepressant drugs revealed by research
• ARCHER supercomputer targets research solutions on epic scale
• Precision drugs sought for anxiety disorders
• Contaminated white dwarfs: Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeology
• West Virginia chemical spill into Elk River contaminating air and water quality
• Landslide in Washington State: USGS is working with partners to provide up-to-date information
• Male Eurasian jays know that their female partners' desires can differ from their own
• Penicillin prescriptions risk under-dosing children, say experts
• Doctors raise blood pressure in patients

The search for seeds of black holes Posted: 26 Mar 2014 02:03 PM PDT How do you grow a supermassive black hole that is a million to a billion times the mass of our sun? Astronomers do not know the answer, but a new study using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has turned up what might be the cosmic seeds from which a black hole will sprout. The results are helping scientists piece together the evolution of supermassive black holes -- powerful objects that dominate the hearts of all galaxies.

Engineered bacteria produce biofuel alternative for high-energy rocket fuel Posted: 26 Mar 2014 01:09 PM PDT Researchers have engineered a bacterium to synthesize pinene, a hydrocarbon produced by trees that could potentially replace high-energy fuels, such as JP-10, in missiles and other aerospace applications. By inserting enzymes from trees into the bacterium scientists have boosted pinene production six-fold over earlier bioengineering efforts.

Nitrogen source determined significant for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis Posted: 26 Mar 2014 01:09 PM PDT Researchers investigated the accumulation and use of fertilizer nitrogen (N) during the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of Phalaenopsis related to inflorescence development. Experiments showed that inflorescence is a major nitrogen sink during the reproductive stage of Phalaenopsis. Fertilizer applied during the reproductive stage was found to be a significant N source for inflorescence development of the orchid, while additional experiments indicated the importance of providing ample N fertilization at all growth stages.

Major increase in West Antarctic glacial loss Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:37 PM PDT Six massive glaciers in West Antarctica are moving faster than they did 40 years ago, causing more ice to discharge into the ocean and global sea level to rise, according to new research.

Solar system has a new most-distant member Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:37 PM PDT The Solar System has a new most-distant member, bringing its outer frontier into focus. New work reports the discovery of a distant dwarf planet, called 2012 VP113, which was found beyond the known edge of the Solar System. This is likely one of thousands of distant objects that are thought to form the so-called inner Oort cloud. The work indicates the potential presence of an enormous planet, not yet seen, but possibly influencing the orbit of inner Oort cloud objects.

Keeping secrets in a world of spies and mistrust Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:37 PM PDT A new article reviews developments in quantum cryptography and describes how we can keep our secrets secret even when faced with the double challenge of mistrust and manipulation.

Celebrities may be going bankrupt to avoid tax bills, warns British tax expert Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:36 PM PDT An insolvency expert has warned that celebrities may increasingly be abusing the bankruptcy system in order to maximize their earnings and reduce the amount of tax they pay. A large number of famous faces had recently been declared bankrupt after being unable to pay what they owed.

Coal plant closure in China led to improvements in children's health Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:23 AM PDT Decreased exposure to air pollution in utero is linked with improved childhood developmental and higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a key protein for brain development, according to a study of looking at the closure of coal-burning power plant in China.

Preoperative PET cuts unnecessary lung surgeries in half Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:23 AM PDT PET changed patient management in 50 percent of lung cancer cases, a comprehensive statistical analysis reveals. Few studies have been able to pin down exactly what impact preoperative PET has on clinical decision-making and resulting treatment. Preliminary review of the data from this long-term, observational study was inconclusive, but after a more thorough statistical analysis accounting for selection bias and other confounding factors, the researchers were able to conclude that PET imaging eliminated approximately half of unnecessary surgeries.

Biological testing tool, ScanDrop, tests in fraction of time and cost of industry standard Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:23 AM PDT A single instrument that can conduct a wide range of biological scans in a fraction of the time and cost of industry standard equipment has been developed. It uses considerably less material and ultra-sensitive detection methods to do the same thing. ScanDrop, is a portable instrument no bigger than a shoebox that has the capacity to detect a variety of biological specimen. For that reason it will benefit a wide range of users beyond the medical community, including environmental monitoring and basic scientific research.

Tumor suppressor gene linked to stem cells, cancer biologists report Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:23 AM PDT Just as archeologists try to decipher ancient tablets to discern their meaning, cancer biologists are working to decode the purpose of an ancient gene considered one of the most important in cancer research. The p53 gene appears to be involved in signaling other cells instrumental in stopping tumor development. But the p53 gene predates cancer, so scientists are, for now, uncertain what its original function is.

Comprehensive 'roadmap' of blood cells revealed by researchers Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:22 AM PDT An unprecedented look at five unique blood cells in the human body has been published in a new article, pinpointing the location of key genetic regulators in these cells and providing a new tool that may help scientists to identify how blood cells form and shed light on the etiology of blood diseases.

Don't shop for travel at work Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:22 AM PDT It is probably not a good idea to shop for leisure travel from the office during business hours, according to a new study. Using data from a major online hotel reservation site, the study examined the quality of the hotel that consumers chose for their vacations and subsequently how satisfied they were with their stay. They found that consumers who traveled farther and made reservations during business hours were more likely to select higher quality hotels but were less satisfied after their stay. More than 35 percent of those studied made purchases during business hours.

Resistance is not futile: Researchers engineer resistance to ionic liquids in biofuel microbes Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have identified the genetic origins of a microbial resistance to ionic liquids and successfully introduced this resistance into a strain of E. coli bacteria for the production of advanced biofuels.

Gut metabolism changes -- not stomach size -- linked to success of vertical sleeve gastrectomy Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:22 AM PDT It's not the size of the stomach that causes weight loss after a specific type of bariatric surgery, but rather a change in the gut metabolism, say researchers. They have found that following vertical sleeve gastrectomy, there is a change in bile acids that bind to a nuclear receptor called FXR. In the absence of FXR, the researchers showed, weight-loss success and improvement in diabetes from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is reduced.

Ancient sea creatures filtered food like modern whales Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:22 AM PDT Ancient, giant marine animals used bizarre facial appendages to filter food from the ocean, according to new fossils discovered in northern Greenland. The new study describes how the strange species, called Tamisiocaris, used these huge, specialized appendages to filter plankton, similar to the way modern blue whales feed today.

First ring system around asteroid: Chariklo found to have two rings Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PDT Astronomers have made the surprise discovery that the remote asteroid Chariklo is surrounded by two dense and narrow rings. This is the smallest object by far found to have rings and only the fifth body in the Solar System — after the much larger planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — to have this feature. The origin of these rings remains a mystery, but they may be the result of a collision that created a disc of debris.

Gout isn't always easy to prove: CT scans help catch cases traditional test misses Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PDT Gout is on the rise among U.S. men and women, and this piercingly painful and most common form of inflammatory arthritis is turning out to be more complicated than had been thought. The standard way to check for gout is by drawing fluid or tissue from an affected joint and looking for uric acid crystals, a test known as a needle aspirate. That usually works, but not always: In a new study, X-rays known as dual-energy CT scans found gout in one-third of patients whose aspirates tested negative for the disease.

New clue to autism found inside brain cells Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:16 AM PDT The problems people with autism have with memory formation, higher-level thinking and social interactions may be partially attributable to the activity of receptors inside brain cells, researchers have learned. The receptor under study, known as the mGlu5 receptor, becomes activated when it binds to the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is associated with learning and memory. This leads to chain reactions that convert the glutamate's signal into messages traveling inside the cell.

Untrained volunteers may do harm as well as good during disasters Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:16 AM PDT In the immediate aftermath of hurricanes, floods and other disasters, it's not uncommon for people to turn out in large numbers to assist victims, clear debris and chip in on dozens of other tasks to get a community back on its feet. Their altruism is inspiring, but results of a study suggest these unsolicited or "spontaneous" volunteers may be putting themselves and others at risk for injury and, in rare cases, death as a result of their lack of training in safe and proper disaster response.

3-D MRI scans may offer better way to predict survival after targeted chemo for liver tumors Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:16 AM PDT Specialized 3-D MRI scans to precisely measure living and dying tumor tissue to quickly show whether highly toxic chemotherapy – delivered directly through a tumor's blood supply – is working, demonstrates a series of studies involving 140 American men and women with liver tumors. The findings are the first "proof of principle" that this technology can show tumors in three dimensions and accurately measure tumor viability and death, the researchers report.

Should whole-genome sequencing become part of newborn screening? Posted: 26 Mar 2014 11:16 AM PDT The possibility of making whole-genome sequencing part of routine screening programs for newborns raises ethical, legal and social issues that should be weighed carefully, according to researchers. The question is likely to stir debate in coming years in many of the more-than-60 countries that provide newborn screening, as whole-genome sequencing (WGS) becomes increasingly affordable and reliable.

Significant progress toward creating 'benchtop human' reported Posted: 26 Mar 2014 10:53 AM PDT Scientists are reporting significant progress toward creating "homo minutus" -- a benchtop human. Researchers have successfully developed and analyzed a liver human organ construct that responds to exposure to a toxic chemical much like a real liver.

Scientists track 3-D nanoscale changes in rechargeable battery material during operation Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:46 AM PDT Scientists have made the first 3-D observations of how the structure of a lithium-ion battery anode evolves at the nanoscale in a real battery cell as it discharges and recharges. The details of this research could point to new ways to engineer battery materials to increase the capacity and lifetime of rechargeable batteries.

Parental addictions associated with adult children's arthritis Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:46 AM PDT The adult offspring of parents who were addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to have arthritis, according to a new study. Investigators examined a group of 13,036 adults and found that 20.4 per cent of respondents had been diagnosed with arthritis by a medical professional. Investigators found that 14.5 per cent of all respondents reported having at least one parent whose drug or alcohol use caused problems while were under the age of 18 and still living at home.

Cereal flake size influences calorie intake Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:46 AM PDT People eat more breakfast cereal, by weight, when flake size is reduced, according to researchers, who showed that when flakes are reduced by crushing, people pour a smaller volume of cereal into their bowls, but still take a greater amount by weight and calories.

Dark energy hides behind phantom fields Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:45 AM PDT Quintessence and phantom fields, two hypotheses formulated using data from satellites are among the many theories that try to explain the nature of dark energy. Now researchers suggest that both possibilities are only a mirage in the observations and it is the quantum vacuum which could be behind this energy that moves our universe. Cosmologists believe that some three quarters of the universe are made up of a mysterious dark energy which would explain its accelerated expansion. The truth is that they do not know what it could be, therefore they put forward possible solutions.

Anaerobic treatment of wastewater: A step towards sustainable energy Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:45 AM PDT Until recently, most of the world's energy supplies have come from coal, oil and gas. Scarcity of natural resources, surging energy prices and global warming had focused attention on renewable energy, and consequently, alternative approaches to producing bio-energy. Over the last five years, one particular technology for the production of biocoal - Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) - has undergone significant development and has become a subject of major scientific interest.

Exercise training improves health outcomes of women with heart disease more than of men Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:43 AM PDT In the largest study to ever investigate the effects of exercise training in patients with heart failure, exercise training reduced the risk for subsequent all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization in women by 26 percent, compared with 10 percent in men. While a causal relationship has previously been observed in clinical practice between improved health outcomes and exercise, this trial is the first to link the effects of exercise training to health outcomes in women with cardiovascular disease.

Secret to cutting sugary drink use by teens found by new study Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:43 AM PDT A new study shows that teenagers can be persuaded to cut back on sugary soft drinks -- especially with a little help from their friends. A 30-day challenge encouraging teens to reduce sugar-sweetened drink use lowered their overall consumption substantially and increased by two-thirds the percentage of high-school students who shunned sugary drinks altogether.

Mosquito season unpredictable; year-round heartworm prevention is best Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:43 AM PDT Mosquito season is as unpredictable as Kansas's weather. A veterinarian warns that year-round heartworm prevention is only safe way to protect pets. It only takes one or two worms to cause significant harm to a cat and unlike dogs, there is no treatment for heartworm once cats are infected, the veterinarian states.

Two spine surgeons are three times safer than one Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:27 AM PDT A new team approach has improved safety -- reducing rates of major complications by two-thirds -- for complex spinal reconstructive surgery for spinal deformity in adult patients reviewed by a study. A new article gives a detailed description of the standardized protocol before, during, and after the surgery.

Last drinks: Brain's mechanism knows when to stop Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:27 AM PDT Our brains are hardwired to stop us drinking more water than is healthy, according to a new brain imaging study. The study found a 'stop mechanism' that determined brain signals telling the individual to stop drinking water when no longer thirsty, and the brain effects of drinking more water than required.

Beer marinade could reduce levels of potentially harmful substances in grilled meats Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:27 AM PDT The smells of summer -- the sweet fragrance of newly opened flowers, the scent of freshly cut grass and the aroma of meats cooking on the backyard grill -- will soon be upon us. Now, researchers are reporting that the very same beer that many people enjoy at backyard barbeques could, when used as a marinade, help reduce the formation of potentially harmful substances in grilled meats.

An answer to the perennial question: Is it safe to pee in the pool? Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:27 AM PDT Sanitary-minded pool-goers who preach 'no peeing in the pool,' despite ordinary and Olympic swimmers admitting to the practice, now have scientific evidence to back up their concern. Researchers are reporting that when mixed, urine and chlorine can form substances that can cause potential health problems.

Real-life CSI: What can investigators really tell from gunshot residue? Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT The popular TV series CSI is fiction, but every day, real-life investigators and forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence to determine what happened at crime scenes. Scientists say they have developed a more rapid and accurate method that could allow crime scene investigators to tell what kind of ammunition was shot from a gun based on the residue it left behind.

Less invasive technique possible in vulvar cancer treatment Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT The results of a study evaluating the use of sentinel lymph node dissection in women with vulvar malignancies have been presented to experts. "The object of this study was to examine the sentinel lymph node alone in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva and evaluate their recurrence in the groin and any complication rates," a researcher explains. "We discovered that removing just the sentinel node had decreased complication while maintaining a low rate of further occurrence of malignancy.

Diabetes: Good self-management helps to reduce mortality Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT People with type 2 diabetes who report good self-management behavior have a reduced mortality risk. This was the result of a population-based study emphasizing the great importance of patient behavior in the diabetes treatment process. "Patient-centered services, such as diabetes education, self-management training and information services therefore make a valuable contribution to good patient care and should continue to be expanded," stated the researchers.

Using PET scanning to evaluate therapies of Menkes disease Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT PET imaging to visualize the distribution in the body of copper, which is deregulated in Menkes disease, a genetic disorder, has been used by scientists in a mouse model. This study lays the groundwork for PET imaging studies on human Menkes disease patients to identify new therapy options.

Sugary drinks weigh heavily on teenage obesity Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT New research shows sugary drinks are the worst offenders in the fight against youth obesity, and recommends that B.C. schools fully implement healthy eating guidelines to reduce their consumption. "This study adds to the mounting literature that shows the high concentration of sugar in soft drinks contributes to obesity in adolescents," says the lead author.

Invasive species in waterways on rise due to climate change Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:15 AM PDT One of the most serious threats to global biodiversity and the leisure and tourism industries is set to increase with climate change according to new research. Researchers have found that certain invasive weeds, which have previously been killed off by low winter temperatures, are set to thrive as global temperatures increase.

Protocol for stroke patients guided by landmark study Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:15 AM PDT Neurologists have long debated how to help prevent certain stroke patients from suffering a second stroke. Now research provides the first evidence for which course of treatment is truly best for patients with poor collateral blood vessel formation near the site of stroke: they should have their blood pressure lowered to normal levels.

Life expectancy gains allude overweight teens Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:15 AM PDT Although people live longer today than they did 50 years ago, people who were overweight and obese as teenagers aren't experiencing the same gains as other segments of the population, according to a new study. The life expectancy of the average American born in 2011 was 78.7 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average lifespan has increased by more than a decade since 1950, but rising obesity rates threaten to take a toll on this progress.

Counting calories in the fossil record: How the biology of our modern ocean evolved Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT Why did the ancestors of clams and oysters flourish after one of the worst mass extinctions in Earth's history while another class of shelled creatures, the brachiopods, sharply decline? By using fossils to calculate the food intake of both groups, scientists are one step closer to solving one of paleontology's great mysteries and providing clues about how the biology of our modern ocean evolved.

Advantages of entering workforce in a recession Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT Despite the well-documented disadvantages of graduating from college during a recession, could graduates actually be happier with their jobs in the long run? A researcher examines whether earning a college or graduate degree in a recession or an economic boom has lasting effects on job satisfaction.

Goats are far more clever than previously thought, and have an excellent memory Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT Goats learn how to solve complicated tasks quickly and can recall how to perform them for at least 10 months, which might explain their remarkable ability to adapt to harsh environments, say researchers. The goats' ability to remember the task was tested after one month and again at 10 months. They learned the task within 12 trials and took less than two minutes to remember the challenge.

New septic shock biomarker test could boost better interventions Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT Septic shock is a severe systemic infection and major cause of death for old and young alike. Unfortunately, researchers say testing new drugs to stop the infection is confounded because clinical trials include patients who are either too sick to be saved by experimental therapies or not sick enough to warrant the treatments. A new study reports a new blood test helps solve the dilemma by identifying low-risk and high-risk patients.

Planning and building products, production plants simultaneously Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT Researchers have developed and built new production plants in record time for the specialty chemicals companies. Methods of digital engineering allow research and development for the planning of products and manufacturing to proceed simultaneously. Small and medium-sized companies that manufacture one off and small series especially profit from the advantages of digital engineering, namely far shorter development times, lower costs and more highly developed designs. Researchers have made it their mission to enable machinery manufacturers to use these methods in their companies.

Scientists visualize new treatments for retinal blindness Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT A new report may lead the way toward new treatments or a cure for a common cause of blindness -- proliferative retinopathies. Specifically, scientists have discovered that the body's innate immune system does more than help ward off external pathogens. It also helps remove sight-robbing abnormal blood vessels, while leaving healthy cells and tissue intact.

Altruistic side of aggressive greed Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT In many group-living species, high-rank individuals bully their group-mates to get what they want, but their contribution is key to success in conflict with other groups, according to a study that sheds new light on the evolutionary roots of cooperation and group conflict. In a series of mathematical models, researchers uncovered a mechanism for explaining how between-group conflict influences within-group cooperation and how genes for this behavior might be maintained in the population by natural selection.

Genetics can explain why infections can trigger onset of different types of rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:23 AM PDT A new international study has revealed how genetics could explain why different environmental exposures can trigger the onset of different forms of rheumatoid arthritis. The findings could have important implications for the way that rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed and treated. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious inflammatory form of arthritis that causes painful, swollen joints, and in severe cases, considerable disability. It is known to have strong genetic and environmental components.

Strong evidence for a new class of antidepressant drugs revealed by research Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:23 AM PDT A chemical in the brain called galanin is involved in the risk of developing depression, scientists have shown for the first time. Galanin is a neuropeptide (a small protein) that was discovered and investigated over 30 years ago. This new research demonstrates that galanin is an important stress mechanism in the human brain that influences how sensitive or resilient people are to psychosocial stress.

ARCHER supercomputer targets research solutions on epic scale Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT A new generation supercomputer, capable of more than one million billion calculations a second, is to be inaugurated. ARCHER will help researchers carry out sophisticated, complex calculations in diverse areas such as simulating Earth's climate, calculating the airflow around aircraft, and designing novel materials.

Precision drugs sought for anxiety disorders Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT Researchers are striving to find out how cell communication regulating kainate receptors contribute to the susceptibility towards anxiety disorders. The intention is to also develop drugs that would be effective against prolonged anxiety.

Contaminated white dwarfs: Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeology Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT A decades old space mystery has been solved by an international team of astronomers. The team put forward a new theory for how collapsed stars become polluted -- that points to the ominous fate that awaits planet Earth. Scientists investigated hot, young, white dwarfs -- the super-dense remains of Sun-like stars that ran out of fuel and collapsed to about the size of the Earth.

West Virginia chemical spill into Elk River contaminating air and water quality Posted: 26 Mar 2014 06:20 AM PDT The complexities and implications of the chemical spill into West Virginia's Elk River keep growing, according to a new study. The lack of data motivated researchers to take on essential odor-related research that went beyond their National Science Foundation Rapid Response Research grant to better understand the properties of the chemical mixture called crude 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, the major component in the crude mix of the spilled chemicals into the Elk River. It is used in the separation and cleaning of coal products.

Landslide in Washington State: USGS is working with partners to provide up-to-date information Posted: 25 Mar 2014 10:26 PM PDT A large landslide occurred in northwest Washington at about 11:00 am PDT on Saturday, March 22, 2014. Recent rain conditions and soil saturation led to the onset of the landslide. Landslide debris covered about 30 houses and 0.8 miles of State Route 530. Flow also dammed and partially blocked the North Fork Stillaguamish River, creating a potential for flooding at the blockage.

Male Eurasian jays know that their female partners' desires can differ from their own Posted: 25 Mar 2014 06:06 PM PDT Researchers investigated the extent to which males could disengage from their own current desires to feed the female what she wants. The behavior suggests the potential for 'state-attribution' in these birds -- the ability to recognize and understand the internal life and psychological states of others.

Penicillin prescriptions risk under-dosing children, say experts Posted: 25 Mar 2014 06:06 PM PDT Millions of children in the UK are potentially receiving penicillin prescriptions below the recommended dose for common infections, according to new research. The authors are calling for an urgent review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children -- which at the time of study had not changed in over 50 years -- after discovering wide variation in current prescribing practice.

Doctors raise blood pressure in patients Posted: 25 Mar 2014 06:06 PM PDT Doctors routinely record blood pressure levels that are significantly higher than levels recorded by nurses, the first thorough analysis of scientific data has revealed. A systematic review has discovered that recordings taken by doctors are significantly higher than when the same patients are tested by nurses.

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