ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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• A new renewable energy source? Device captures energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space
• Poor sleep quality linked to reduced brain gray matter in Gulf War vets
• Brain differences linked to insomnia identified by researchers
• The space double-whammy: Less gravity, more radiation
• 'Shark's eye' view: Witnessing the life of a top predator
• Language of love: Matching conjunctions, pronouns could spell a match better than good looks and fast cars
• Candelabra found in Ibiza waters offers clues about medieval navigation routes
• Simple waiting room test can help diagnose depression, anxiety
• Beer is a rich source of silicon and may help prevent osteoporosis
• What Is Bipolar Depression?

A new renewable energy source? Device captures energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:40 PM PST When the sun sets on a remote desert outpost and solar panels shut down, what energy source will provide power through the night? A battery, perhaps, or an old diesel generator? Perhaps something strange and new. Scientists now envision a device that would harvest energy from Earth's infrared emissions into outer space. Heated by the sun, our planet is warm compared to the frigid vacuum beyond. Thanks to recent technological advances, the researchers say, that heat imbalance could soon be transformed into direct-current (DC) power, taking advantage of a vast and untapped energy source.

Poor sleep quality linked to reduced brain gray matter in Gulf War vets Posted: 28 Feb 2014 01:06 PM PST A new study of Gulf War veterans found an association between poor sleep quality and reduced gray matter volume in the brain's frontal lobe, which helps control important processes such as working memory and executive function. "This study emphasizes the importance of seeking medical help if you are troubled by the poor quality of your sleep," said American Academy of Sleep Medicine President. "A board certified sleep medicine physician can identify the cause of your sleep problem and develop an effective treatment plan for you."

Brain differences linked to insomnia identified by researchers Posted: 28 Feb 2014 12:57 PM PST Researchers report that people with chronic insomnia show more plasticity and activity than good sleepers in the part of the brain that controls movement. "Insomnia is not a nighttime disorder," says study leader. "It's a 24-hour brain condition, like a light switch that is always on. Our research adds information about differences in the brain associated with it." The researchers say they hope their study opens the door to better diagnosis and treatment of the most common and often intractable sleep disorder that affects an estimated 15 percent of the United States population.

The space double-whammy: Less gravity, more radiation Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:49 AM PST Astronauts floating weightlessly in the International Space Station may appear carefree, but years of research have shown that microgravity causes changes to the human body. Spaceflight also means exposure to more radiation. Together, microgravity and radiation exposure add up to pose serious health risks. But research is not only making space safer for astronauts, it's helping to improve health care for the Earth-bound as well.

'Shark's eye' view: Witnessing the life of a top predator Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:26 AM PST Instruments strapped onto and ingested by sharks are revealing novel insights into how one of the most feared and least understood ocean predators swims, eats and lives. Scientists are also piloting a project using instruments ingested by sharks and other top ocean predators, like tuna, to gain new awareness into these animals' feeding habits. The instruments, which use electrical measurements to track ingestion and digestion of prey, can help researchers understand where, when and how much sharks and other predators are eating, and what they are feasting on.

Language of love: Matching conjunctions, pronouns could spell a match better than good looks and fast cars Posted: 26 Feb 2014 08:06 AM PST People who use the same kinds of function words are more likely to find a match, a researcher suggests. After analyzing speed dating results, researchers discovered a positive correlation of function-word similarity with speed-daters' odds of going on a second date and long-term couples' odds of still being together three months after the study. Language similarity became an even better predictor of relationship stability when compared to other related variables, such as the perceived similarity with one's date, perceived relationship quality, and how many words people spoke to each other during each conversation.

Candelabra found in Ibiza waters offers clues about medieval navigation routes Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:49 AM PST The history of medieval navigation on the Iberian peninsula is a great mystery. In the 1970s, a recreational diver found a bronze candelabra in Ibiza. It is a unique piece from the 10th century which could provide clues on sea routes in the period.

Simple waiting room test can help diagnose depression, anxiety Posted: 25 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST Patients visiting the hospital for a variety of ailments can be easily screened for depression and anxiety as they wait for care, a new study shows. piloted an electronic questionnaire with patients in six specialty services in three London hospitals: rheumatology, limb reconstruction, hepatitis C, psoriasis, congenital heart disease and chronic pain. Patients were asked to complete questions on a wireless touch-screen device while in the waiting room. The test included questions about depression and anxiety, as well as physical health outcomes and health behaviors. Results were immediately transmitted to the health care provider, who could then discuss them with the patient during the visit. "This makes effective use of waiting room time, and provides useful, usable information in a format which is easy for non-mental health professionals to interpret and act upon," authors note.

Beer is a rich source of silicon and may help prevent osteoporosis Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:19 AM PST A new study suggests that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density. Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon.

What Is Bipolar Depression? Posted: 31 Aug 2008 08:47 AM PDT Bipolar disorder is one of the most important psychiatric diseases, often associated with considerable treatment needs and tremendous social and occupational burden for both the individual and family (Pini et al., 2005). Previously also labeled manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is typically referred to as an episodic, yet lifelong and clinically severe mood (or affective) disorder.

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