ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Rare disease of the inner ear: New insights
• Research reveals what your sleeping position says about your relationship
• Functional brain imaging reliably predicts which vegetative patients have potential to recover consciousness
• Antibiotics improve growth in children in developing countries
• Prolonged, heavy bleeding during menopause is common
• New study outlines 'water world' theory of life's origins
• Repeated self-healing now possible in composite materials
• The human food connection: Authentic Puerto Rican food in Connecticut
• New standards proposed for gauging muscle decline in older adults
• New technique will accelerate genetic characterization of photosynthesis
• Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned
• Mouse model would have predicted toxicity of drug that killed 5 in 1993 clinical trial
• Neuroscientists disprove important idea about brain-eye coordination
• Chrono, the last piece of the circadian clock puzzle?
• Brain changes associated with casual marijuana use in young adults: More 'joints' equal more damage
• Blacks with financial worries have lower health scores
• Long-term predictions for Miami sea level rise could be available relatively soon
• Potent, puzzling and (now less) toxic: Team discovers how antifungal drug works
• Changes in processing, handling could reduce commercial fishing injuries
• Astronomers: 'Tilt-a-worlds' could harbor life
• Pre-diabetes, diabetes nearly double over the past two decades
• SSRI use during pregnancy linked to autism and developmental delays in boys
• Real-time audio of corporal punishment shows kids misbehave within 10 minutes of spanking
• Breaking bad mitochondria: How hepatitis C survives for so long
• Kids' earliest memories might be earlier than they think
• Cultivating happiness often misunderstood
• Lifestyle determines gut microbes: Study with modern hunter-gatherers tells tale of bacteria co-evolution
• Earthquake simulation tops one petaflop mark
• How mothers help children explore right and wrong
• Lens turns any smartphone into a portable microscope
• Biologists develop nanosensors to visualize movements and distribution of plant stress hormone
• Gut capacity limits bird's ability to adapt to rapid climate change
• Wind tunnel tests support improved aerodynamic design of B61-12 bomb
• Tiger beetle's chase highlights mechanical law
• Osteoporosis risk heightened among sleep apnea patients
• Genetic pre-disposition toward exercise, mental development may be linked
• More should be done for female parolees, experts say
• New method of screening children for autism spectrum disorders works at 9 months old
• Targeting cancer with a triple threat: New nanoparticles can deliver three drugs at once
• Rethink education to fuel bioeconomy, says report
• New method isolates immune cells to study how they ward off oral diseases
• Bioarchaeologists link climate instability to human mobility in ancient Sahara
• Key to easy asthma diagnosis is in the blood
• Flaw in 'secure' cloud storage could put privacy at risk
• Researchers help Boston Marathon organizers plan for 2014 race
• In child custody disputes, LGBT parents face bias in the courts, review finds
• Regenerated esophagus transplanted in rats
• Charitable donation discrepancies: Why are some countries more generous than others?
• When identity marketing backfires: Consumers don't like to be told what they like
• Sibling cooperation in earwig families provides clues to the early evolution of social behavior
• Unexpected protein partnership has implications for cancer treatment
• New insight into SIDS deaths points to lack of oxygen
• Vitamin D deficiency, cognition appear to be linked in older adults
• Predicting bioavailable cadmium levels in soils
• Hair from infants gives clues about life in womb
• Sensitive detection method may help impede illicit nuclear trafficking
• Whooping cough bacterium evolving in Australia, research shows
• Engineers develop new materials for hydrogen storage
• New sensor improves the level of efficiency in detecting ozone
• Mobile robots support airplane manufacturers

Rare disease of the inner ear: New insights Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:38 PM PDT In the most comprehensive study of Ménière's Disease to date, researchers have been able to suggest what goes wrong in the body when people develop the disease, and provide an insight into factors that lead to its development. The analysis also showed that Ménière's patients were more likely to suffer falls and mental health problems, such as depression, than people without the condition.

Research reveals what your sleeping position says about your relationship Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:37 PM PDT Scientists have discovered what people's preferred sleeping position reveals about their relationships and personality. The research revealed the most popular sleep positions for couples, with 42% sleeping back to back, 31% sleeping facing the same direction and just 4% spending the night facing one another. In addition, 12% of couples spend the night less than an inch apart whilst 2% sleep over 30 inches apart.

Functional brain imaging reliably predicts which vegetative patients have potential to recover consciousness Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:37 PM PDT A functional brain imaging technique known as positron emission tomography is a promising tool for determining which severely brain damaged individuals in vegetative states have the potential to recover consciousness, according to new research.

Antibiotics improve growth in children in developing countries Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:36 PM PDT Antibiotics improve growth in children at risk of undernourishment in low and middle income countries, according to researchers who have just conducted a research literature review on the subject. Their results suggest that the youngest children from the most vulnerable populations benefit most and show significant improvements toward expected growth for their age and sex, particularly for weight.

Prolonged, heavy bleeding during menopause is common Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:36 PM PDT Women going through menopause most likely think of it as the time for an end to predictable monthly periods. Researchers say it's normal, however, for the majority of them to experience an increase in the amount and duration of bleeding episodes, which may occur at various times throughout the menopausal transition.

New study outlines 'water world' theory of life's origins Posted: 15 Apr 2014 04:57 PM PDT Life took root more than four billion years ago on our nascent Earth, a wetter and harsher place than now, bathed in sizzling ultraviolet rays. What started out as simple cells ultimately transformed into slime molds, frogs, elephants, humans and the rest of our planet's living kingdoms. How did it all begin?

Repeated self-healing now possible in composite materials Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT Internal damage in fiber-reinforced composites, materials used in structures of modern airplanes and automobiles, is difficult to detect and nearly impossible to repair by conventional methods. A small, internal crack can quickly develop into irreversible damage from delamination, a process in which the layers separate. This remains one of the most significant factors limiting more widespread use of composite materials. Scientists have now created fiber-composite materials that can heal autonomously through a new self-healing system.

The human food connection: Authentic Puerto Rican food in Connecticut Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT Tucked away in Hartford, Conn., a Puerto Rican community is creating a tropical home away from home through cuisine that is so authentic it has caught the attention of scientists. Biologists took a close look at the fresh crops in the Puerto Rican markets of Hartford and uncovered evidence that gives new meaning to a phrase that food lovers have been using for years: home is in the kitchen.

New standards proposed for gauging muscle decline in older adults Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT Sarcopenia -- the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength -- may put up to 50 percent of seniors at greater risk for disability, yet there is no consensus within the medical community for how this condition should be measured. However, a new collection of articles lays out an empirically derived set of criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia.

New technique will accelerate genetic characterization of photosynthesis Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT Photosynthesis provides fixed carbon and energy for nearly all life on Earth, yet many aspects of this fascinating process remain mysterious. We do not know the full list of the parts of the molecular machines that perform photosynthesis in any organism. A team developed a highly sophisticated tool that will transform the work of plant geneticists on this subject.

Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT In the first known study of its kind, researchers have shown that the language we learn as children affects brain structure, as does hearing status. 'What we've learned to date about differences in brain anatomy in hearing and deaf populations hasn't taken into account the diverse language experiences among people who are deaf,' says one of the authors.

Mouse model would have predicted toxicity of drug that killed 5 in 1993 clinical trial Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT Over 20 years after the fatal fialuridine trial, a new study demonstrates that mice with humanized livers recapitulate the drug's toxicity. The work suggests that this mouse model should be added to the repertoire of tools used in preclinical screening of drugs for liver toxicity before they are given to human participants in clinical trials.

Neuroscientists disprove important idea about brain-eye coordination Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:12 PM PDT By predicting our eye movements, our brain creates a stable world for us. Researchers used to think that those predictions had so much influence that they could cause us to make errors in estimating the position of objects. Neuroscientists have now shown this to be incorrect. These new findings challenge fundamental knowledge regarding coordination between brain and eyes.

Chrono, the last piece of the circadian clock puzzle? Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT All organisms, from mammals to fungi, have daily cycles controlled by a tightly regulated internal clock, called the circadian clock. The whole-body circadian clock, influenced by the exposure to light, dictates the wake-sleep cycle. At the cellular level, the clock is controlled by a complex network of genes and proteins that switch each other on and off based on cues from their environment.

Brain changes associated with casual marijuana use in young adults: More 'joints' equal more damage Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT The size and shape of two brain regions involved in emotion and motivation may differ in young adults who smoke marijuana at least once a week, according to a new study. The findings suggest that recreational marijuana use may lead to previously unidentified brain changes, and highlight the importance of research aimed at understanding the long-term effects of low to moderate marijuana use on the brain.

Blacks with financial worries have lower health scores Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT Black adults who reported feeling more financial strain also rated their health more poorly than those with less financial strain, finds a new study. While lower income and education among minorities have been linked to poor health for decades, this study focused just on the connection between financial worries and poor health.

Long-term predictions for Miami sea level rise could be available relatively soon Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:38 PM PDT Miami could know as early as 2020 how high sea levels will rise into the next century, according to a team of researchers. Scientists conclude that sea level rise is one of the most certain consequences of climate change. But the speed and long-term height of that rise are unknown. Some researchers believe that sea level rise is accelerating, some suggest the rate is holding steady, while others say it's decelerating.

Potent, puzzling and (now less) toxic: Team discovers how antifungal drug works Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:38 PM PDT Scientists have solved a decades-old medical mystery -- and in the process have found a potentially less toxic way to fight invasive fungal infections, which kill about 1.5 million people a year. The researchers say they now understand the mechanism of action of amphotericin, an antifungal drug that has been in use for more than 50 years -- even though it is nearly as toxic to human cells as it is to the microbes it attacks.

Changes in processing, handling could reduce commercial fishing injuries Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:38 PM PDT Handling frozen fish caused nearly half of all injuries aboard commercial freezer-trawlers and about a quarter of the injuries on freezer-longliner vessels operating off the coast of Alaska. Many injuries could be prevented with the right interventions. Researchers are hoping to build from this research and explore other fishing-related injuries and prevention strategies. The Dungeness crab industry is one area that may be explored and another is land-based fish-processing, researchers said.

Astronomers: 'Tilt-a-worlds' could harbor life Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT A fluctuating tilt in a planet's orbit does not preclude the possibility of life, according to new research. In fact, sometimes it may help. That's because such "tilt-a-worlds," as astronomers sometimes call them -- turned from their orbital plane by the influence of companion planets -- are less likely than fixed-spin planets to freeze over, as heat from their host star is more evenly distributed.

Pre-diabetes, diabetes nearly double over the past two decades Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT Cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the United States have nearly doubled since 1988, suggests new research, with obesity apparently to blame for the surge. The researchers also found that the burden of the disease has not hit all groups equally, with alarming increases in diabetes in blacks, Hispanics and the elderly.

SSRI use during pregnancy linked to autism and developmental delays in boys Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT In a study of nearly 1,000 mother-child pairs, researchers found that prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a frequently prescribed treatment for depression, anxiety and other disorders, was associated with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays in boys.

Real-time audio of corporal punishment shows kids misbehave within 10 minutes of spanking Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:40 AM PDT Real-time audio recordings of children being spanked showed parents responded impulsively or emotionally, rather than being intentional with their discipline, says a psychologist and parenting expert. Researchers discovered that spanking was more common than parents admit, that children were hit for trivial misdeeds, and that children misbehaved within 10 minutes of punishment.

Breaking bad mitochondria: How hepatitis C survives for so long Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:39 AM PDT A mechanism has been discovered that explains why people with the hepatitis C virus get liver disease and why the virus is able to persist in the body for so long. The hard-to-kill pathogen, which infects an estimated 200 million people worldwide, attacks the liver cells' energy centers -- the mitochondria -- dismantling the cell's innate ability to fight infection. It does this by altering cells mitochondrial dynamics.

Kids' earliest memories might be earlier than they think Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:27 AM PDT The very earliest childhood memories might begin even earlier than anyone realized -- including the one remembering, his or her parents and memory researchers. Four- to 13-year-olds in upstate New York and Newfoundland, Canada, probed their memories when researchers asked: "You know, some kids can remember things that happened to them when they were very little. What is the first thing you can remember? How old were you at that time?" The researchers then returned a year or two later to ask again about earliest memories -- and at what age the children were when the events occurred.

Cultivating happiness often misunderstood Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT The concept of maximizing happiness has been explored by researchers, who have found that pursuing concrete 'giving' goals rather than abstract ones leads to greater satisfaction. One path to happiness is through concrete, specific goals of benevolence -- like making someone smile or increasing recycling -- instead of following similar but more abstract goals -- like making someone happy or saving the environment.

Lifestyle determines gut microbes: Study with modern hunter-gatherers tells tale of bacteria co-evolution Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT The intestinal bacteria of present-day hunter-gatherers has for the first time been deciphered by an international team of researchers. Bacterial populations have co-evolved with humans over millions of years, and have the potential to help us adapt to new environments and foods. Studies of the Hadza offer an especially rare opportunity for scientists to learn how humans survive by hunting and gathering, in the same environment and using similar foods as our ancestors did.

Earthquake simulation tops one petaflop mark Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT Computer scientists, mathematicians and geophysicists have optimized the SeisSol earthquake simulation software on the SuperMUC high performance computer to push its performance beyond the 'magical' one petaflops mark -- one quadrillion floating point operations per second.

How mothers help children explore right and wrong Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT Moms want their kids to grow up to be good people -- but how do they actually help their offspring sort out different types of moral issues? A new study shows many moms talk to their kids in ways that help them understand moral missteps. The study also shows that the nature of the maternal role develops along with the children, as parents evolve from gentle teachers for youngsters to sounding boards for teenagers.

Lens turns any smartphone into a portable microscope Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT The Micro Phone Lens can turn any smartphone or tablet computer into a hand-held microscope. The soft, pliable lens sticks to a device's camera without any adhesive or glue and makes it possible to see things magnified dozens of times on the screen.

Biologists develop nanosensors to visualize movements and distribution of plant stress hormone Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT Biologists have succeeded in visualizing the movement within plants of a key hormone responsible for growth and resistance to drought. The achievement will allow researchers to conduct further studies to determine how the hormone helps plants respond to drought and other environmental stresses driven by the continuing increase in the atmosphere's carbon dioxide, or CO2, concentration.

Gut capacity limits bird's ability to adapt to rapid climate change Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT An ornithologist has found that the capacity of a bird's gut to change with environmental conditions is a primary limiting factor in their ability to adapt to the rapidly changing climate. And he believes that most other animals are also limited in a similar way.

Wind tunnel tests support improved aerodynamic design of B61-12 bomb Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT Sandia National Laboratories has finished eight days of testing a full-scale mock unit representing the aerodynamic characteristics of the B61-12 gravity bomb in a wind tunnel. The tests on the mock-up were done to establish the configuration that will deliver the necessary spin motion of the bomb during freefall and are an important milestone in the Life Extension Program to deliver a new version of the aging system, the B61-12.

Tiger beetle's chase highlights mechanical law Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT If an insect drew a line as it chased its next meal, the resulting pattern would be a tangled mess. But there's method to that mess: It turns out the tiger beetle, known for its speed and agility, does an optimal reorientation dance as it chases its prey at blinding speeds.

Osteoporosis risk heightened among sleep apnea patients Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea may raise the risk of osteoporosis, particularly among women or older individuals, according to a new study. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when a person's airway becomes blocked during sleep. If sleep apnea goes untreated, it can raise the risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

Genetic pre-disposition toward exercise, mental development may be linked Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:56 AM PDT A potential link between the genetic pre-disposition for high levels of exercise motivation and the speed at which mental maturation occurs has been found by researchers. These scientists studied the brains of the rats and found much higher levels of neural maturation in the brains of the active rats than in the brains of the lazy rats.

More should be done for female parolees, experts say Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT As the female prison population grows, a new study says more should be done to help women probationers and parolees in poor urban areas remain crime-free. Probation and parole officers, case managers and others should help the women find housing in safer areas and provide access to resources to help them stay clean, sober and stable. That could be something as simple as transportation to a mental health or substance abuse treatment meeting, said the lead author on the study.

New method of screening children for autism spectrum disorders works at 9 months old Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Researchers have identified head circumference and head tilting reflex as two reliable biomarkers in the identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children that are between 9 and 12 months of age. ASD is identifiable as early as two years old, although most children are not identified until after the age of four. While a number of studies have reported that parents of children with ASD notice developmental problems in children before their first birthday, there has yet to be a screening tool to identify those children.

Targeting cancer with a triple threat: New nanoparticles can deliver three drugs at once Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Chemists have designed nanoparticles that can deliver three cancer drugs at a time. Such particles could be designed to carry even more drugs, allowing researchers to develop new treatment regimens that could better kill cancer cells while avoiding the side effects of traditional chemotherapy. "We think it's the first example of a nanoparticle that carries a precise ratio of three drugs and can release those drugs in response to three distinct triggering mechanisms," says the lead researcher and author.

Rethink education to fuel bioeconomy, says report Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Microbes can be highly efficient, versatile and sophisticated manufacturing tools, and have the potential to form the basis of a vibrant economic sector. In order to take full advantage of the opportunity microbial-based industry can offer, though, educators need to rethink how future microbiologists are trained, according to a report.

New method isolates immune cells to study how they ward off oral diseases Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:53 AM PDT Dental researchers have found a less invasive way to extract single rare immune cells from the mouth to study how the mouth's natural defenses ward off infection and inflammation. By isolating some specialized immune cells (white blood cells known as "leukocytes") to study how they fight diseases in the mouth -- or reject foreign tissues, such as in failed organ transplants -- researchers hope to learn more about treating and preventing such health issues as oral cancers, cardiovascular disease, AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Bioarchaeologists link climate instability to human mobility in ancient Sahara Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:53 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered clues to how past peoples moved across their landscape as the once lush environment deteriorated. Scientists sampled bone and teeth enamel, and used their chemical signatures to determine individuals' origins, as well as where they resided during the course of their lives. The results suggest that individuals chose different mobility strategies but that near the end of the lake area's occupation, as their environment dried out, Saharan peoples became more mobile.

Key to easy asthma diagnosis is in the blood Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:53 AM PDT Using just a single drop of blood, a team of researchers has developed a faster, cheaper and more accurate tool for diagnosing even mild cases of asthma. This handheld technology — which takes advantage of a previously unknown correlation between asthmatic patients and the most abundant type of white blood cells in the body — means doctors could diagnose asthma even if their patients are not experiencing symptoms during their visit to the clinic.

Flaw in 'secure' cloud storage could put privacy at risk Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:52 AM PDT Computer scientists have found a flaw in the way that secure cloud storage companies protect their customers' data. The scientists say this weakness jeopardizes the privacy protection these digital warehouses claim to offer. Whenever customers share their confidential files with a trusted friend or colleague, the researchers say, the storage provider could exploit the security flaw to secretly view this private data.

Researchers help Boston Marathon organizers plan for 2014 race Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:24 AM PDT After experiencing a tragic and truncated end to the 2013 Boston Marathon, race organizers were faced not only with grief but with hundreds of administrative decisions, including plans for the 2014 race -- an event beloved by Bostonians and people around the world.

In child custody disputes, LGBT parents face bias in the courts, review finds Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:24 AM PDT Court decisions that favor a heterosexual parent over a gay or lesbian parent in a custody dispute often do not consider important social science research on parenting by gay and lesbian individuals, according to a new review. Previous research shows that gay and lesbian individuals are as effective in parenting as heterosexuals, and that children raised by gay or lesbian parents are as well-adjusted as their peers raised by heterosexual parents. This research could greatly impact how legislatures and courts make decisions regarding custody for gay and lesbian parents.

Regenerated esophagus transplanted in rats Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:23 AM PDT Tissue engineering has been used to construct natural esophagi, which in combination with bone marrow stem cells have been safely and effectively transplanted in rats. The study shows that the transplanted organs remain patent and display regeneration of nerves, muscles, epithelial cells and blood vessels.

Charitable donation discrepancies: Why are some countries more generous than others? Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:22 AM PDT When it comes to charitable giving, some countries open their collective wallets more than others. According to a new study, people who live in countries that promote equality in power and wealth are more likely to donate money than those who live in societies that expect and accept inequality.

When identity marketing backfires: Consumers don't like to be told what they like Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:22 AM PDT When choosy moms choose Jif peanut butter and sports fans who call themselves sports fans subscribe to DirecTV, identity marketing is hard at work. But what happens when this type of advertising misses the mark? According to a new study, when a person's sense of ownership and freedom is threatened they are less likely to respond positively to identity marketing campaigns.

Sibling cooperation in earwig families provides clues to the early evolution of social behavior Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:22 AM PDT Looking at the question of how social behavior has developed over the course of evolution, scientists have gained new insights from the study of earwigs. "Young earwig offspring don't simply compete for food. Rather the siblings share what is available amongst themselves, especially when the mother is absent," explained one of the researchers.

Unexpected protein partnership has implications for cancer treatment Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Two unlikely partners in a type of immune cell called a macrophage that work together in response to cancer drugs have been found by researchers. This partnership increases inflammation in a way that may alter tumor growth.

New insight into SIDS deaths points to lack of oxygen Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have shed new light onto the possible causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which could help to prevent future loss of children's lives. In a world-first study, researchers have found that telltale signs in the brains of babies that have died of SIDS are remarkably similar to those of children who died of accidental asphyxiation.

Vitamin D deficiency, cognition appear to be linked in older adults Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT A study that looks at Vitamin D deficiency and cognition relationship in older adults adds to the existing literature on the subject. "This study provides increasing evidence that suggests there is an association between low vitamin D levels and cognitive decline over time," said the lead author. "Although this study cannot establish a direct cause and effect relationship, it would have a huge public health implication if vitamin D supplementation could be shown to improve cognitive performance over time because deficiency is so common in the population."

Predicting bioavailable cadmium levels in soils Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Soil pH and iron levels predict cadmium bioavailability, and offers solutions to farmers and ranchers, a new study concludes. Many of the country's pasture soils have become enriched in cadmium. Grasses take up this toxic heavy metal, which is then eaten by the cattle and sheep that graze them. The concern is that if cadmium concentrations rise to unsafe levels in meat and dairy products, human health and New Zealand's agricultural economy could be jeopardized.

Hair from infants gives clues about life in womb Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Like rings of a tree, hair can reveal a lot of information about the past. And, as a team of researchers show in a study of rhesus monkeys, it can also reveal the womb environment in which an infant formed. It's the first time researchers have used infant hair to examine the hormonal environment to which the fetus was exposed during development and it promises to yield a wealth of new information. The findings have significant implications for several fields, from neonatology to psychology, social science to neurology.

Sensitive detection method may help impede illicit nuclear trafficking Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT According to a new study, coupling commercially available spectral X-ray detectors with a specialized algorithm can improve the detection of uranium and plutonium in small, layered objects such as baggage. This approach may provide a new tool to impede nuclear trafficking.

Whooping cough bacterium evolving in Australia, research shows Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:44 AM PDT The bacterium that causes whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, has changed in Australia -- most likely in response to the vaccine used to prevent the disease -- with a possible reduced effectiveness of the vaccine as a result. A team of researchers analyzed strains of Bordetella pertussis from across Australia and found that many strains no longer produce a key surface protein called pertactin.

Engineers develop new materials for hydrogen storage Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:44 AM PDT Engineers have created new ceramic materials that could be used to store hydrogen safely and efficiently. The researchers have created for the first time compounds made from mixtures of calcium hexaboride, strontium and barium hexaboride. They also have demonstrated that the compounds could be manufactured using a simple, low-cost manufacturing method known as combustion synthesis.

New sensor improves the level of efficiency in detecting ozone Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:41 AM PDT Researchers have developed a more effective ozone sensor than the ones used so far. The new sensor detects this gas faster and in lower amounts. Ozone is present in the atmosphere and it plays a significant role in the protection of living beings because it absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, the exposure to certain concentrations of this gas may cause health problems, such as headache, burning and irritation of the eyes and respiratory system problems; that is why it is relevant to detect its presence effectively.

Mobile robots support airplane manufacturers Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:41 AM PDT The robots move at walking speed along airplane components; in doing so, it applies a sealant against corrosion in equal measure. The mobile assistant is surrounded by technical workers who install, drill, and test. Admittedly this scenario is still a glimpse of the future – but in just a few years, it should be reality for the aerospace manufacturing industry.

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