ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• 3D scans map widespread fish disease
• First light for MUSE: Powerful 3-D spectrograph successfully installed on Very Large Telescope
• Copied from nature: Detecting software errors via genetic algorithms
• Climate change: Improving heat tolerance in trees
• Shipwrecks: Sulfur haunts the ghost wreck
• Higher status than one's partner makes both men, women vulnerable to intimate partner violence
• Computer reads text written in the air and other innovations
• Determination might be a very human expression
• Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered
• New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord
• Remote sensing moisture model could aid farmers
• Sea-level rise threatens UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Sea turtles 'lost years' mystery starts to unravel
• Passive smoking causes irreversible damage to children's arteries
• Mother's diet linked to premature birth: fruits, vegetables linked to reduced risk of preterm delivery
• Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects
• How sexual contacts with outsiders contribute to HIV infections within communities
• Study examines gap in federal oversight of clinical trials
• Opening a casino linked with lower rate of overweight children in that community
• Moving out of high poverty appears to affect the mental health of boys, girls differently
• What bat brains might tell us about human brains
• Cholesterol study suggests new diagnostic, treatment approach for prostate cancer
• Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors
• Young children form first impressions from faces
• 'Dimer molecules' aid study of exoplanet pressure, hunt for life
• Drug war violence in Mexico connected with desensitization in social media
• Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells
• First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections
• Female fertility: What's testosterone got to do with it? Research shows male hormones may enhance IVF therapy
• Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones
• 'Gaydar' revisited: New insight into how women perceive emotions, thoughts, personality, and sexual orientation
• New technique targets C code to spot, contain malware attacks
• Drinking buddies deny copying alcoholic drink orders
• Bright pulses of light could make space veggies more nutritious
• New markers for acute kidney injury reported
• Off with your glasses: Visual crowding linked to retina, brain processing
• Key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed
• Key structure in heart cells that helps regulate heart contractions illuminated by research
• New evidence confirms link between IQ, brain cortex
• Spiral galaxy spills blood and guts
• Prequel outshines the original: Exceptional fossils of 160-million-year-old doahugou biota
• Motion-sensing cells in eye let brain 'know' about directional changes
• Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research
• Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating
• New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment
• Novel quantum dot laser paves the way for lower-cost photonics
• Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty
• How social media shaped the 'drug war' in Mexico
• Tackling the tiniest technology to make gadgets smaller, faster and more efficient
• Research benefits surgeons making decisions on how to help their patients breathe easier
• Behavioral measures of product use didn't measure up in VOICE HIV prevention trial
• Combination ARV vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe in trial but 1 ARV carries the weight, study suggests
• New data confirms Arctic ice trends: Ice-free season getting longer by five days per decade
• How 19th century physics could change the future of nanotechnology
• Physics in 3-D? That's nothing: Try 0-D
• An environmentally friendly chemical reaction that does not waste any atoms
• Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful
• Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking
• IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project
• Boron, discovered in 1808, gets a nano refresh

3D scans map widespread fish disease Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:48 AM PST Seventy-five percent of antibiotics in Danish fish farms is used to treat fish with enteric redmouth disease. With the help of 3D scans, researchers have mapped how the fish are infected with the bacterium. The disease, which reduces fish well being and increases fish mortality in Danish fish farms, is harmless to humans.

First light for MUSE: Powerful 3-D spectrograph successfully installed on Very Large Telescope Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:48 AM PST A new innovative instrument called MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) has been successfully installed on ESO's Very Large Telescope at the Paranal Observatory in northern Chile. MUSE has observed distant galaxies, bright stars and other test targets during the first period of very successful observations.

Copied from nature: Detecting software errors via genetic algorithms Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:48 AM PST Software developers are spending about the half of their time detecting errors and resolving them. Projected onto the global software industry, this would amount to a bill of about 312 billion US dollars every year. Researchers are now automating the process.

Climate change: Improving heat tolerance in trees Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:47 AM PST Is it possible to improve tolerance of trees to high temperatures and other types of stress derived of climate change? Scientists are studying the tolerance of trees using molecular and biotechnological tools. Biologists succeeding in making popular trees significantly more tolerant to high temperatures, drought, and the presence of weed-killers.

Shipwrecks: Sulfur haunts the ghost wreck Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:47 AM PST Sulfur and iron accumulation has once again been found in wood samples from old shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea. This time the samples are from the merchant vessel Ghost wreck and the warships Sword and the Crown. Wood samples from the ships have been analyzed by a group of scientists.

Higher status than one's partner makes both men, women vulnerable to intimate partner violence Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:47 AM PST Having a higher income or education than your partner could be risky, as a higher socio-economic status than one's partner increases the chance of psychological violence and abuse. This applies to both men and women. "Whenever power is unevenly allocated in a relationship the chance of physical and psychological abuse increases. And the abused partner is the one with the highest status," says a sociologist.

Computer reads text written in the air and other innovations Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST In the future, computers and humans will cooperate more seamlessly: perhaps by easier access to data or by the intuitive control of programs and robots. Conference exhibits along this line include gesture-controlled communication, firewalls to data management and computer-supported surgery.

Determination might be a very human expression Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST Humans might be using facial expressions of determination as a call for help from others, according to new research. When children and chimpanzees were both given a task that was impossible to solve, children's faces expressed determination or frustration the more they tried to solve the task, but chimpanzees did not. The facial expressions shown by the children -- chin raised and lips pressed together -- could signal effort or frustration, according to a researcher who said it is possible humans have evolved to use these facial expressions to solicit help from others.

Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST In the bones supporting our bodies, calcium regulation occurs by balancing the activities of osteoclasts, which are groups of cells that increase the calcium concentration in blood by destroying bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which are another groups of cells that absorb calcium in blood to store in the bones. This process, called bone metabolism, is largely regulated by hormones, but more recently, the involvement of an intracellular protein named CNOT has been discovered. CNOTs are known for their role in mRNA degradation, in which CNOTs eliminate excess messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibit overproduction of proteins in cells. Various studies have been undertaken to investigate whether a deficiency of each CNOT can cause disease.

New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST The expression of the so called MYC gene is important and necessary for neurogenesis in the spinal cord, new research suggests. The MYC gene encodes the protein with the same name, and has an important role in many cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism, cell death and the potential of differentiation from immature stem cells to different types of specialized cells. Importantly it is also one of the most frequently activated genes in human cancer.

Remote sensing moisture model could aid farmers Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:44 AM PST Global farmers could get better decision-making help as refinements are made to North Alabama soil moisture modeling research being done by an atmospheric science doctoral student. The models, using satellite data, indicate how much added moisture would be needed in a given area versus historical data to achieve various crop yields, and they could aid in making expensive infrastructure investments by helping to determine their economic viability.

Sea-level rise threatens UNESCO World Heritage sites Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:56 PM PST Some of the world's most recognizable and important landmarks could be lost to rising sea-levels if current global warming trends are maintained over the next two millennia. This is according to a new study that has calculated the temperature increases at which the 720 sites currently on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites would be impacted by subsequent sea-level rises.

Sea turtles 'lost years' mystery starts to unravel Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:56 PM PST Small satellite-tracking devices attached to sea turtles swimming off Florida's coast have delivered first-of-its-kind data that could help unlock they mystery of what endangered turtles do during the 'lost years.'

Passive smoking causes irreversible damage to children's arteries Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:54 PM PST Exposure to passive smoking in childhood causes irreversible damage to the structure of children's arteries, according to a study. The study is the first to follow children through to adulthood in order to examine the association between exposure to parental smoking and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) -- a measurement of the thickness of the innermost two layers of the arterial wall -- in adulthood. It adds further strength to the arguments for banning smoking in areas where children may be present, such as cars.

Mother's diet linked to premature birth: fruits, vegetables linked to reduced risk of preterm delivery Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:01 PM PST Pregnant women who eat a 'prudent' diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and who drink water have a significantly reduced risk of preterm delivery, suggests a study. A "traditional" dietary pattern of boiled potatoes, fish and cooked vegetables was also linked to a significantly lower risk. Although these findings cannot establish causality, they support dietary advice to pregnant women to eat a balanced diet including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and fish and to drink water.

Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST Intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is linked to greater risk of mental and physical health symptoms, substance misuse, and sexually transmitted infections, according to a new research article.

How sexual contacts with outsiders contribute to HIV infections within communities Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST While a number of strategies can prevent and control HIV transmission and spread, their effective use depends on understanding the sexual networks within and between communities. A new article reports a detailed analysis with surprising results from the Rakai district in Uganda, one of the most studied areas of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Study examines gap in federal oversight of clinical trials Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST An analysis of nearly 24,000 active human research clinical trials found that between 5 percent and 16 percent fall into a regulatory gap and are not covered by two major federal regulations. These trials studied interventions other than drugs or devices (e.g., behavioral, surgical). The authors write that their analysis provides the first quantitative estimate of the size of the gap in regulatory coverage, and also documents a large number of studies that are subject to both sets of regulations.

Opening a casino linked with lower rate of overweight children in that community Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST The opening or expansion of a casino in a community is associated with increased family income, decreased poverty rates and a decreased risk of childhood overweight or obesity, according to a study. The authors speculate that the association found in this study between casinos and childhood overweight/obesity may be from both increased family/individual and community economic resources, but emphasize that further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association.

Moving out of high poverty appears to affect the mental health of boys, girls differently Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST For families who moved out of high-poverty neighborhoods, boys experienced an increase and girls a decrease in rates of depression and conduct disorder, according to a study. The authors speculate that the sex differences found in this study "were due to girls profiting more than boys from moving to better neighborhoods because of sex differences in both neighborhood experiences and in the social skills needed to capitalize on the new opportunities presented by their improved neighborhoods."

What bat brains might tell us about human brains Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST Could a new finding in bats help unlock a mystery about the human brain? Likely so, say researchers who have shown that a small region within the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure in the brains of all mammals, is responsible for producing emotional calls and sounds. They say this discovery might be key to locating a similar center in human brains.

Cholesterol study suggests new diagnostic, treatment approach for prostate cancer Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST A link between prostate cancer aggressiveness and the accumulation of a compound produced when cholesterol is metabolized in cells has been discovered, findings that could bring new diagnostic and treatment methods. Findings also suggest that a class of drugs previously developed to treat atherosclerosis might be repurposed for treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The research involved analysis of clinical samples harvested from prostate cancer patients, specialized cell lines and mice.

Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Chemotherapy can leave a long-lasting epigenetic imprint in the DNA of breast cancer patients' blood cells. That imprint is associated with biological signs of inflammation up to six months after the completion of treatment, and many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue and other debilitating symptoms that persist months to years after their course of treatment has ended. Now researchers have found clues that may explain how these symptoms can linger.

Young children form first impressions from faces Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Just like adults, children as young as 3 tend to judge an individual's character traits, such as trustworthiness and competence, simply by looking at the person's face, new research shows. And they show remarkable consensus in the judgments they make, the findings suggest. Overall, children seemed to be most consistent in judging trustworthiness. This suggests that children may tend to pay particular attention to the demeanor of a face -- that is, whether it is broadly positive or negative.

'Dimer molecules' aid study of exoplanet pressure, hunt for life Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST Astronomers have developed a new method of gauging the atmospheric pressure of exoplanets, or worlds beyond the solar system, by looking for a certain type of molecule. And if there is life out in space, scientists may one day use this same technique to detect its biosignature -- the telltale chemical signs of its presence -- in the atmosphere of an alien world.

Drug war violence in Mexico connected with desensitization in social media Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST Amid times of crisis, citizens often turn to social media as a method to share information, make observations and vent. But as a professor's research into social media use amid the Mexican drug war shows, posts can reveal growing numbness, or desensitization, during times of protracted violence and stress.

Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST A set of genes has been identified that appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by the body's immune system, a step that may enable them to eventually target only the patients most likely to respond best to a new class of treatment. A team says it has identified genes that have been repressed through so-called epigenetic changes — modifications that alter the way genes function without changing their DNA sequence — which help the cells to evade the immune system. The researchers were able to reverse these epigenetic changes with the use of an FDA-approved drug, forcing the cancer cells out of hiding and potentially making them better targets for the same immune therapy that in the past may have failed.

First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST A team of researchers has explored, for the first time, how individual Staphylococcus cells glom onto metallic nanostructures of various shapes and sizes that are not much bigger than the cells themselves. Their work could lead to a more nuanced understanding of what makes a surface less inviting to bacteria. A Staph infection can't start unless Staphylococcus cells first cling to a surface, which is why scientists are hard at work exploring bacteria-resistant materials as a line of defense.

Female fertility: What's testosterone got to do with it? Research shows male hormones may enhance IVF therapy Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST The use of testosterone to improve outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization is taking hold across the country, but data on its use is slim and mixed. A new study suggests that the male hormone might actually be doing something good by helping drive the development of follicles -- structures that contain and ultimately release an egg that can be fertilized by a man's sperm. The authors believe the study provides potential biological targets to enhance fertility in women with diminished ovarian reserve, who produce few or no follicles in response to IVF drugs designed to boost follicle development.

Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST Using pure silk protein derived from silkworm cocoons, investigators have developed surgical plates and screws that offer improved remodeling following injury and can be absorbed by the body over time. When a person suffers a broken bone, current treatment calls for the surgeon to insert screws and plates to help bond the broken sections and enable the fracture to heal. These "fixation devices" are usually made of metal alloys. But metal devices may have disadvantages: Because they are stiff and unyielding, they can cause stress to underlying bone, among other problems.

'Gaydar' revisited: New insight into how women perceive emotions, thoughts, personality, and sexual orientation Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST A recent study sheds new light on the phenomenon known as "gaydar," or the ability to determine another person's sexual orientation. The study found that women who identified as lesbians were better at detecting sexual orientation in other women, but that straight women were more attune to detecting emotion and personality in their peers.

New technique targets C code to spot, contain malware attacks Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Researchers have developed a new tool to detect and contain malware that attempts root exploits in Android devices. The tool improves on previous techniques by targeting code written in the C programming language -- which is often used to create root exploit malware, whereas the bulk of Android applications are written in Java.

Drinking buddies deny copying alcoholic drink orders Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST People who copy their friend's drinking behavior will deny that their decision has been influenced, researchers have shown. In a new study, conducted in a lab designed to imitate a bar, pairs of friends were brought together. One of the friends was made aware of the experimental aims and was told to drink alcoholic drinks throughout the session or to stick to soft drinks. While most people were strongly influenced by peers -- they mimicked their friend and drank more heavily when their friend did -- the majority of participants were unaware of this influence on their behavior and were adamant that their friend's choice did not have anything to do with their decision to drink.

Bright pulses of light could make space veggies more nutritious Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Exposing leafy vegetables grown during spaceflight to a few bright pulses of light daily could increase the amount of eye-protecting nutrients produced by the plants, according to a new study.

New markers for acute kidney injury reported Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Two new markers for acute kidney injury have been determined, thanks to new research. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been difficult to diagnose and treat early because current markers for it don't show up until several hours after it has begun. The research group, however, validated two new markers -- tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) -- in urine that, when assessed together, give clinicians the ability to detect and begin treating AKI much earlier than the current standards.

Off with your glasses: Visual crowding linked to retina, brain processing Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Middle-aged adults who suddenly need reading glasses, patients with traumatic brain injuries, and people with visual disorders such as "lazy eye" may have one thing in common -- "visual crowding," an inability to recognize individual items surrounded by multiple objects. Visual crowding makes it impossible to read, as single letters within words are rendered illegible. And basic cognitive functions such as facial recognition can also be significantly hampered. New evidence has been found that correlates visual crowding in a small part of the retina to the brain's processing speed. These findings could greatly alter earlier models of visual crowding, and for many adults lost without reading glasses, this could improve vision significantly.

Key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST A protein, Mcl-1, has been discovered that helps enable one of the most common and deadly types of cancer to survive radiation and drug treatments. In a new laboratory study, investigators found that the protein helps enable TWEAK-Fn14, which in turn helps protect NSCLC tumors from being destroyed by radiation and drugs.

Key structure in heart cells that helps regulate heart contractions illuminated by research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST The structure of potassium ion channels that regulate contractions in the heart has been illuminated by research. For years, scientists have debated how many KCNE1 proteins are required to build a potassium ion channel, theorizing anywhere between one and 14. Now, researchers found that these channels are built with two E1s. Understanding the construction of this channel is key to understanding life-threatening heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, and developing drugs to threat those conditions.

New evidence confirms link between IQ, brain cortex Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST Rate of change in the thickness of the brain's cortex is an important factor associated with a person's change in IQ, according to a collaborative study by scientists in five countries. The cortex is the thin, outermost layer of nerve cell tissue of the brain, typically measuring a few millimeters in thickness. The cortex contains nerve cell bodies and is critical for cognitive functions such as perception, language, memory and consciousness. The cortex begins to thin after the age of five or six as part of the normal aging process. This study is the first to show the association between cortical thickness and development in full scale IQ, and has potentially wide-ranging implications for the pedagogical world and for judicial cases in which the defendant's IQ score could play a role in determining the severity of the sentence.

Spiral galaxy spills blood and guts Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST A new Hubble image shows spiral galaxy ESO 137-001, framed against a bright background as it moves through the heart of galaxy cluster Abell 3627. This cluster is violently ripping the spiral's entrails out into space, leaving bright blue streaks as telltale clues to this cosmic crime.

Prequel outshines the original: Exceptional fossils of 160-million-year-old doahugou biota Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST A new article shows that several Jurassic sites are linked together by shared species and can be recognized as representing a single fossil fauna and flora, containing superbly preserved specimens of a diverse group of amphibian, mammal, and reptile species.

Motion-sensing cells in eye let brain 'know' about directional changes Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST How do we "know" from the movements of speeding car in our field of view if it's coming straight toward us or more likely to move to the right or left? In a detailed study of the neurons linking the eyes and brains of mice, biologists discovered that the ability of our brains and those of other mammals to figure out and process in our brains directional movements is a result of the activation in the cortex of signals that originate from the direction-sensing cells in the retina of our eyes.

Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Whether it is playing a piano sonata or acing a tennis serve, the brain needs to orchestrate precise, coordinated control over the body's many muscles. Moreover, there needs to be some kind of feedback from the senses should any of those movements go wrong. A team of researchers has now begun to unravel the decades-spanning paradox concerning how this feedback system works.

Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Two strains of rats, cans of vanilla frosting and a theory have brought science a step closer to finding the genetic causes of binge eating and eventually a treatment. Females are primarily effected by eating disorders with a ratio of only one male for every ten women. These disorders can last for years. During this timeframe, effective treatment is critical since eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And if it doesn't kill, the damage it wreaks can be irreversible. By using different types of female rats, the scientists have effectively reduced the high number of genes that could be implicated in a binge eating disorder, and dramatically narrowed the areas for further research.

New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST A new genetic syndrome has been identified, characterized by a constellation of health problems, including severe allergy, immune deficiency, autoimmunity and motor and neurocognitive impairment. The researchers observed that the syndrome's diverse symptoms are the result of mutations in a single gene associated with sugar metabolism.

Novel quantum dot laser paves the way for lower-cost photonics Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST With the explosive growth of bandwidth demand in telecommunications networks, experts are continually seeking new ways to transmit increasingly large amounts of data in the quickest and cheapest ways possible. Photonic devices -- which convert light to electricity and vice versa -- offer an energy-efficient alternative to traditional copper network links for information transmission. Unfortunately, these devices are also almost always prohibitively pricey.

Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Colorful, see-through solar cells could one day be used to make stained-glass windows, decorations and even shades that turn the sun's energy into electricity.

How social media shaped the 'drug war' in Mexico Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Over the past decade, increased access to the Internet, cellphones and other digital media has drastically changed the landscape of the so-called 'drug war' in Mexico. A new article examines how both sides of the drug war -- the cartel operatives as well as government and security forces -- have used and responded to digital and social media.

Tackling the tiniest technology to make gadgets smaller, faster and more efficient Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST Researchers are discovering how to manipulate light to one day better view the world's tiniest objects through a super-lens, as well as how to hide an object in plain sight. The research focuses on exciting collective oscillations of metal electrons called plasmons, and on directing light through nanometer-thin metal films, about a thousand times thinner than a human hair. The result could empower integrated circuits or facilitate a super-lens with seven times the strength of a standard microscope, opening further research into fields such as studying microorganisms and viruses.

Research benefits surgeons making decisions on how to help their patients breathe easier Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST Computer simulations have been developed for aircraft design to improve treatment of human airways. Computational Fluid Dynamics, or CFD, uses computer algorithms to solve the flow of air or fluids for various applications. These algorithms are typically applied toward the design of aircraft. While designing an aircraft, CFD is often considered both an accurate and less expensive approach before investing in building models and testing in air tunnels. But over the past decade or so, the application of CFD to biological flows to study medically-related problems, including respiratory disorders has gained a great deal of interest. The computer simulations traditionally used for aircraft design found use in treating health conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, sleep apnea and snoring.

Behavioral measures of product use didn't measure up in VOICE HIV prevention trial Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST A new analysis from the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network confirms what they and others had already assumed: The behavioral measures used for assessing adherence in the VOICE study -- an HIV prevention trial involving more than 5,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa -- did not provide accurate information about women's use and nonuse of the products being tested. In fact, these tools were not much better than chance at being able to predict adherence to product use.

Combination ARV vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe in trial but 1 ARV carries the weight, study suggests Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST An early phase clinical trial of a vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs dapivirine and maraviroc found the ring was safe in women who wore it for 28 days and evidence of dapivirine in cervical tissue and blood. In addition, laboratory tests of tissue samples showed that dapivirine was able to block HIV infection, though levels of maraviroc were not sufficient to have a similar effect, report researchers.

New data confirms Arctic ice trends: Ice-free season getting longer by five days per decade Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST The ice-free season across the Arctic is getting longer by five days per decade, according to new research from a team including Prof Julienne Stroeve (UCL Earth Sciences). New analysis of satellite data shows the Arctic Ocean absorbing ever more of the sun's energy in summer, leading to a later appearance of sea ice in the autumn. In some regions, autumn freeze-up is occurring up to 11 days per decade later than it used to.

How 19th century physics could change the future of nanotechnology Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST A new twist on a very old physics technique could have a profound impact on one of the most buzzed-about aspects of nanoscience. Researchers have found that their unique method of light-matter interaction analysis appears to be a good way of helping make better semiconductor nanowires.

Physics in 3-D? That's nothing: Try 0-D Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST Zero-dimensional quantum dots could someday have a big effect on a variety of technologies, such as solar energy, lasers and medical diagnostics. This latest discovery is all about going small, but its significance is anything but. The research team's ability to control the confinement energy by varying the size of the quantum dot opens up a world of possibilities.

An environmentally friendly chemical reaction that does not waste any atoms Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST A new chemical synthesis for alpha-arylated Carbonyl derivatives was developed. Members of this class of substances typically possess interesting biological and pharmacological properties and often find applications as medicines. The new technique allows such carbonyl derivatives to be generated easily and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful, and offer fewer promotion opportunities than men's, a large international study has found. Researchers say that the results disprove the theory that women have voluntarily traded less high-powered jobs in order to have more flexibility for their responsibilities at home. The research "does not support the claim that women enjoy a more relaxed and convenient work environment to compensate for their lack of achievement," the authors conclude.

Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:56 AM PST A high-protein diet during middle age makes you nearly twice as likely to die and four times more likely to die of cancer, but moderate protein intake is good for you after 65. But how much protein we should eat has long been a controversial topic -- muddled by the popularity of protein-heavy diets such as Paleo and Atkins. Before this study, researchers had never shown a definitive correlation between high protein consumption and mortality risk.

IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:55 AM PST In the spring of 2013, a team of researchers and doctors performed the last of nine planned uterus transplants. The six-month follow up shows that live-donor uterus transplantation has a low risk despite extended surgery duration. In the next phase of the world-unique research project researchers will help seven of the women become pregnant through IVF treatment. The project is the world's first systematic and research-based attempt to find a treatment for women with uterine infertility. Several medical, psychological and quality of life-related parameters are monitored among the women, which will be of great help for further progress in the field.

Boron, discovered in 1808, gets a nano refresh Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:55 AM PST Nanotechnology -- the control of matter at the nanoscale, at dimensions of approximately 1 and 100 nanometers -- is revolutionizing the materials and devices used in many applications and products. A newly discovered two-dimensional boron structure possesses properties superior to those of graphene.

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