ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems
• Surface of the sea is a sink for nitrogen oxides at night
• Increasing homogeneity of world food supplies warns of serious implications for farming and nutrition
• A new renewable energy source? Device captures energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space
• Electronics based on a two dimensional electron gas
• Think it’s safe to type a quick text while walking? Think again
• Sardis dig yields enigmatic trove: Ritual egg in a pot
• Century-old music mystery solved: Long-lost opera by Spanish composer Enrique Granados located
• In academia, men more likely to cooperate with lower-ranked colleagues
• People with sleep apnea may be at higher risk of pneumonia
• Gut microbes spur development of bowel cancer
• Alcohol may ease the nerves that cause atrial fibrillation
• Magnet for fast and cheap data storage invented
• Positive health technique for stressed nurses found
• Yosemite bears and human food: Study reveals changing diets over past century
• Ancient Chinese medicine put through its paces for pancreatic cancer
• Usain Bolt's superhuman speed would give him the power of flight on Saturn's moon Titan
• Humans responsible for 62% of cougar deaths in re-established populations
• How ancient Greek plays allow us to reconstruct Europe's climate
• Black hawks downed: Bird threat to U. S. military helicopters revealed
• Potent HIV antibody research has opened up possibilities for HIV prevention, treatment
• World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound
• Relativity shakes a magnet: New principle for magnetic recording
• Homing in on cancer with new imaging method
• Increased intake of fish can boost good cholesterol levels
• First highly sensitive, small molecule fluorescence probe to evaluate risk, monitor progression of Parkinson's disease
• Zoos, aquariums do teach us about biodiversity, largest international study proves
• Herbal cannabis not recommended for rheumatology patients
• College athletes often sidelined from healthy lifestyle later in life
• Food allergy nearly doubles among black children
• Got an itch? Allergy to moistened wipes rising, says dermatologist
• Plants convert energy at lightning speed
• Improved screening means new targets for pediatric neuroblastoma therapies
• Study of antibody evolution charts course toward HIV vaccine
• First glimpse of brain circuit that helps experience to shape perception
• Protective mutations for type 2 diabetes pinpointed
• Imaging dynamics of small biomolecules inside live cells
• In first moments of infection, a division and a decision

Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST Elephants, rhinoceroses and aurochs once roamed around freely in the forests of Europe, while hippopotamuses lived in rivers such as the Thames and the Rhine. New research shows how we can use knowledge about the past to restore a varied landscape with a high level of biodiversity.

Surface of the sea is a sink for nitrogen oxides at night Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST The surface of the sea takes up nitrogen oxides that build up in polluted air at night, new measurements on the coast of southern California have shown. The ocean removes about 15 percent of these chemicals overnight along the coast, a team of atmospheric chemists reports.

Increasing homogeneity of world food supplies warns of serious implications for farming and nutrition Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST A comprehensive new study of global food supplies confirms and thoroughly documents for the first time what experts have long suspected: over the last five decades, human diets around the world have grown ever more similar -- by a global average of 36 percent -- and the trend shows no signs of slowing, with major consequences for human nutrition and global food security.

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.

Electronics based on a two dimensional electron gas Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:40 PM PST Usually, microelectronic devices are made of silicon or similar semiconductors. Recently, the electronic properties of metal oxides have become quite interesting. These materials are more complex, yet offer a broader range of possibilities to tune their properties. An important breakthrough has now been achieved: a two dimensional electron gas was created in strontium titanate. In a thin layer just below the surface electrons can move freely and occupy different quantum states.

Think it’s safe to type a quick text while walking? Think again Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:33 AM PST Texting and walking is a known danger, but an emergency doctor says distracted walking results in more injuries per mile than distracted driving. Consequences include bumping into walls, falling down stairs, tripping over clutter or stepping into traffic. The issue is so common that in London, bumpers were placed onto light posts along a frequented avenue to prevent people from slamming into them. Though injuries from car accidents involving texting are often more severe, physical harm resulting from texting and walking occurs more frequently, research shows.

Sardis dig yields enigmatic trove: Ritual egg in a pot Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:32 AM PST The ruins of Sardis have been a rich source of knowledge about classical antiquity since the 7th century B.C., when the city was the capital of Lydia. Now, Sardis has given up another treasure in the form of two enigmatic ritual deposits, which are proving more difficult to fathom than the coins for which the city was famous.

Century-old music mystery solved: Long-lost opera by Spanish composer Enrique Granados located Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:32 AM PST A graduate student stumbled upon a mystery that would haunt him for more than two decades: What happened to an unpublished opera written by Enrique Granados, one of Spain's greatest composers, at the turn of the 20th century?

In academia, men more likely to cooperate with lower-ranked colleagues Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:01 AM PST Women of different social or professional 'ranks' cooperate less well with each other than men do, according to a new study. With those they see as equals, the study found no difference between the sexes. Cooperation among women was as frequent as cooperation among men.

People with sleep apnea may be at higher risk of pneumonia Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:01 AM PST People with sleep apnea appear to be at higher risk of pneumonia than people without, according to a study. Sleep apnea is characterized by disrupted sleep, caused when the upper airway becomes obstructed by soft tissue, cutting off oxygen. It has been linked to several types of heart disease and cognitive impairment. People with obstructive sleep apnea are at higher risk of aspiration while sleeping.

Gut microbes spur development of bowel cancer Posted: 03 Mar 2014 10:59 AM PST It is not only genetics that predispose to bowel cancer; microbes living in the gut help drive the development of intestinal tumors, according to new research in mice. Bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, results from a series of genetic changes (mutations) that cause healthy cells to become progressively cancerous, first forming early tumors called polyps that can eventually become malignant. New research focused on these polyps demonstrated that bacteria are essential for early tumor development.

Alcohol may ease the nerves that cause atrial fibrillation Posted: 03 Mar 2014 10:59 AM PST Doctors in the U.S. and Japan have devised a way to treat atrial fibrillation by adding a little alcohol to minimally invasive therapies that target a cluster of misbehaving nerves known to trigger arrhythmia, dulling or stopping the transmission of electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation. The addition of alcohol appeared to be far more effective at disrupting the nerves than the standard surgical therapy alone -- concentrated radio waves that cause tissues in a small area to burn and scar.

Magnet for fast and cheap data storage invented Posted: 03 Mar 2014 07:37 AM PST Physicists have come up with a new synthetic material for optical data storage.

Positive health technique for stressed nurses found Posted: 03 Mar 2014 07:37 AM PST Within the health care industry and beyond, daily exposure to stress can lead to negative consequences for employees both on and off the job – from apathy and burnout to physical illness or mental impairments. New research suggests the implementation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program can reduce employee stress and burnout. In the study, a sample of 41 female nurses from a large healthcare company participated in an 8 week scheduled course of guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices, facilitated group discussion, stretching and yoga, work and home assignments, and individually tailored instruction and support. Results showed statistical improvement in both overall health and wellness of the nurses at each point of intervention.

Yosemite bears and human food: Study reveals changing diets over past century Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:44 AM PST Black bears in Yosemite National Park and elsewhere are notorious for seeking out human food, even breaking into cars and cabins for it. A new study reveals just how much human food has contributed to the diets of Yosemite bears over the past century. Researchers estimated the proportion of human-derived food in bears' diets by analyzing chemical isotopes in hair and bone samples.

Ancient Chinese medicine put through its paces for pancreatic cancer Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:44 AM PST The bark of the Amur cork tree has traveled a centuries-long road with the healing arts. Now it is being put through its paces by science in the fight against pancreatic cancer, with the potential to make inroads against several more. Researchers were already exploring the cork tree extract's promise in treating prostate cancer when the team found that deadly pancreatic cancers share some similar development pathways with prostate tumors. The potential of natural substances to treat and cure disease has great appeal, but the advantage of cork tree extract, available as a dietary supplement in capsule form, is that it already has been established as safe for use in patients.

Usain Bolt's superhuman speed would give him the power of flight on Saturn's moon Titan Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:43 AM PST We all know Usain Bolt is one of the fastest people on Earth. Now, students have shown his superhuman speeds would actually allow him to fly like a bird on one of Saturn's moons while wearing a wingsuit. The world-record holding sprinter has reached top speeds of 12.27 meters per second, which would be fast enough for him to take off on Titan while wearing a regular wingsuit. Theoretically, the Olympic athlete would then be able to soar above the planet – without any need for propulsion.

Humans responsible for 62% of cougar deaths in re-established populations Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:42 AM PST The reintroduction of mountain lions across the mid-western United States has made species management an urgent area of research for conservationists. A new report explores the fatal cost of human interaction with cougars and asks what state agencies can do to protect both species.

How ancient Greek plays allow us to reconstruct Europe's climate Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST The open air plays of the ancient Greeks may offer us a valuable insight into the Mediterranean climate of the time, reports new research. Using historical observations from artwork and plays, scientists identified 'halcyon days', of theater friendly weather in mid-winter.

Black hawks downed: Bird threat to U. S. military helicopters revealed Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST Rotary-wing aircraft, such as Apache and Chinook helicopters, play vital combat and logistical roles across the U.S. military services, but new research reveals how vulnerable these aircraft are to wildlife strikes. Many types of aircraft are vulnerable to strikes, estimated to cost the aviation industry $1.2 billion worldwide per year; however, to date no assessment of strikes to military rotary-wing aircraft has been conducted.

Potent HIV antibody research has opened up possibilities for HIV prevention, treatment Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST The discovery of how a KwaZulu-Natal woman's body responded to her HIV infection by making potent antibodies (called broadly neutralizing antibodies, because they are able to kill multiple strains of HIV from across the world), has been reported by an international team of scientists. All HIV infected people respond to HIV by making antibodies. In most patients, these antibodies are not able to kill a wide range of HIV -- this is described as a lack of neutralization breadth. However, in a few infected people, they naturally make antibodies that kill (neutralize) many different kinds of HIV. The identification and successful cloning of these special antibodies enables the researchers to make sufficiently large quantities for further testing, similar to the way a medicine used to prevent or treat HIV would be tested.

World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST World-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage of performances, but not through sound recordings, a new study has found.

Relativity shakes a magnet: New principle for magnetic recording Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST Scientists have predicted and discovered a new physical phenomenon that allows to manipulate the state of a magnet by electric signals. Current technologies for writing, storing, and reading information are either charge-based or spin-based. Semiconductor flash or random access memories are prime examples among the large variety of charge-based devices. They utilize the possibility offered by semiconductors to easily electrically manipulate and detect their electronic charge states representing the "zeros" and "ones". The downside is that weak perturbations such as impurities, temperature change, or radiation can lead to uncontrolled charge redistributions and, as a consequence, to data loss. Spin-based devices operate on an entirely distinct principle.

Homing in on cancer with new imaging method Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST There are many reasons why in the era of cutting-edge medicine it is still difficult to cure cancer. A tumor may, for instance, consist of different tumor cell subpopulations, each of which has its own profile and responds differently to therapy – or not. Furthermore, the cancer cells and the healthy cells in the body interact and communicate with one another. How a tumor then actually develops and whether metastases form depends on which signals a tumor cell receives from its environment. With the development of a new method a team of reserachers has succeeded in comprehensively profiling and visualizing tumor cells from patient samples.

Increased intake of fish can boost good cholesterol levels Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST The consumption of fish has long been known to be beneficial for health; however, the mechanisms by which fats and other useful nutrients found in fish work in the human body are not fully known. Now research confirms that increasing the intake of fatty fish increases the number of large HDL particles. People who increased their intake of fish to a minimum of 3-4 weekly meals had more large HDL particles in their blood than people who are less frequent eaters of fish. Large HDL particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

First highly sensitive, small molecule fluorescence probe to evaluate risk, monitor progression of Parkinson's disease Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST The first two-photon, small molecule fluorogenic probe that can serve as a useful tool for the rapid assessment of an individual's potential risk for Parkinson's disease has been developed by scientists. The probe can detect with high precision the activity of Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B), an enzyme that is found in elevated levels in patients with Parkinson's disease. This innovation paves the way for the development of less costly non-invasive technologies and devices to help monitor the risk and progression of Parkinson's disease.

Zoos, aquariums do teach us about biodiversity, largest international study proves Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST Zoos and aquariums do teach the public about the delicate balance between animal species and their habitats, a new international study shows. More than 6,000 visitors to over 30 zoos and aquariums across the world took part in this landmark study. Participants filled out pre- and post-visit surveys to evaluate their biodiversity understanding and knowledge of how to help protect biodiversity. The study found there was an increase from pre-visit (69.8%) to post-visit (75.1%) in respondents demonstrating some positive evidence of biodiversity understanding.

Herbal cannabis not recommended for rheumatology patients Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST Patients with rheumatic conditions are in need of symptom relief and some are turning to herbal cannabis as a treatment option. However, the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana to treat symptoms of rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia is not supported by medical evidence. A new article explores the risks associated with using herbal cannabis for medicinal purposes and advises healthcare providers to discourage rheumatology patients from using this drug as therapy.

College athletes often sidelined from healthy lifestyle later in life Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:32 AM PST Elite college athletes often struggle to stay active in later years, facing limitations to their day-to-day activities in middle age that could be a result of injuries during their athletic career, new research shows. Researchers have long known that compared to non-athletes, college athletes experience more severe injuries -- and long-term effects of those injuries. However, surprising results from a recent study indicated that former elite athletes also scored worse on depression, fatigue and sleep scales.

Food allergy nearly doubles among black children Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:32 AM PST Children's food allergies are gradually increasing, but they may be as much as doubling among black children. According to a study, self-reported food allergy nearly doubled in black children over 23 years.

Got an itch? Allergy to moistened wipes rising, says dermatologist Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:32 AM PST Spring allergies aren't the only thing to worry about these days. More people are developing an itchy, painful rash in an effort to stay clean. A dermatologist says a preservative in many pre-moistened wipes is linked to a dramatic rise in allergic reactions. The allergen, a chemical preservative referred to as MI, is found in many water-based products like liquid soaps, hair products, sunscreen, cosmetics, laundry products and cleaners as well as pre-moistened personal hygiene products and baby wipes. The irritated skin can be red, raised, itchy and even blistery, appearing much like a reaction to poison ivy. The three most common areas affected by the allergic reaction include the face, from using soaps and shampoos, the fingers and hands, from handling the wipes, and the buttocks and genitals from using moistened flushable wipes. "Concentrations of the preservative have increased dramatically in some products in the last few years, as manufacturers stopped using other preservatives like paraben and formaldehyde," Zirwas said.

Plants convert energy at lightning speed Posted: 02 Mar 2014 04:54 PM PST A new way of measuring how much light a plant can tolerate could be useful in growing crops resilient to a changing climate, according to scientists.

Improved screening means new targets for pediatric neuroblastoma therapies Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:36 AM PST Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and lethal types of childhood cancers. In a paper recently published, a researcher unveils an improved screening technique that shows the important role of microRNAs in regulating neuroblastoma development, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities. Neuroblastomas, which account for 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths, happen when some cells do not differentiate and grow as they should. A promising type of therapy called differentiation therapy targets these malignant cells so that they can resume the process of differentiating into mature cells.

Study of antibody evolution charts course toward HIV vaccine Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:36 AM PST In an advance for HIV vaccine research, a scientific team has discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2. Many researchers believe that if a vaccine could elicit potent antibodies to a specific conserved site in the V1V2 region, one of a handful of sites that remains constant on the fast-mutating virus, then the vaccine could protect people from HIV infection.

First glimpse of brain circuit that helps experience to shape perception Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:36 AM PST How do our memories shape the way sensory information is collected? For the first time, scientists have demonstrated a way to observe how our experiences shape sensory information in awake animals. The team was able to measure the activity of a group of inhibitory neurons that links the odor-sensing area of the brain with brain areas responsible for thought and cognition. This connection provides feedback so that memories and experiences can alter the way smells are interpreted.

Protective mutations for type 2 diabetes pinpointed Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:36 AM PST Mutations in a gene that can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in people who have risk factors such as obesity and old age, has been found by an international team of researchers. The results focus the search for developing novel therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes; if a drug can be developed that mimics the protective effect of these mutations, it could open up new ways of preventing this devastating disease. Type 2 diabetes affects over 300 million people worldwide and is rising rapidly in prevalence. Lifestyle changes and existing medicines slow the progression of the disease, but many patients are inadequately served by current treatments.

Imaging dynamics of small biomolecules inside live cells Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:36 AM PST A significant step has been made toward visualizing small biomolecules inside living biological systems with minimum disturbance, a longstanding goal in the scientific community. In a study, a research team describes its development of a general method to image a broad spectrum of small biomolecules, such as small molecular drugs and nucleic acids, amino acids, lipids for determining where they are localized and how they function inside cells.

In first moments of infection, a division and a decision Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:35 AM PST Using technologies and computational modeling that trace the destiny of single cells, researchers describe for the first time the earliest stages of fate determination among white blood cells called T lymphocytes, providing new insights that may help drug developers create more effective, longer-lasting vaccines against microbial pathogens or cancer.

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