ScienceDaily: Top Science News

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• Light-activated neurons from stem cells restore function to paralyzed muscles
• 'Like a giant elevator to the stratosphere:' Newly discovered atmospheric layer may impact earth's climate
• Watching for a black hole to gobble up a gas cloud: Gas cloud's fate illuminates growth of supermassive black holes
• Materials, electronics that dissolve when triggered being developed
• Oxytocin, 'love hormone,' promotes group lying, according to researchers

Light-activated neurons from stem cells restore function to paralyzed muscles Posted: 04 Apr 2014 11:03 AM PDT A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralyzed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists. The technique involves transplanting specially-designed motor neurons created from stem cells into injured nerve branches. These motor neurons are designed to react to pulses of blue light, allowing scientists to fine-tune muscle control by adjusting the intensity, duration and frequency of the light pulses.

'Like a giant elevator to the stratosphere:' Newly discovered atmospheric layer may impact earth's climate Posted: 04 Apr 2014 06:29 AM PDT An international team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown atmospheric phenomenon over the tropical West Pacific. Like in a giant elevator to the stratosphere, many chemical compounds emitted at the ground pass unfiltered through the so-called 'detergent layer' of the atmosphere, known as the 'OH shield.' The newly discovered phenomenon over the South Seas boosts ozone depletion in the polar regions and could have a significant influence on the future climate of the Earth.

Watching for a black hole to gobble up a gas cloud: Gas cloud's fate illuminates growth of supermassive black holes Posted: 04 Apr 2014 05:58 AM PDT G2, a doomed gas cloud, is edging closer to Sgr A*, the hungry supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center. The closest approach between the two is predicted to occur any day now. Astrophysicists have been watching closely, and the data do not show enhanced emission in the X-rays.

Materials, electronics that dissolve when triggered being developed Posted: 04 Apr 2014 05:54 AM PDT An research team is developing "transient materials" and "transient electronics" that can quickly and completely melt away when a trigger is activated. That could mean that one day you could send out a signal to destroy a lost credit card, or when soldiers are wounded, their electronic devices could be remotely triggered to melt away, securing sensitive military information. The field of study is very new, but progress is being made.

Oxytocin, 'love hormone,' promotes group lying, according to researchers Posted: 01 Apr 2014 11:22 AM PDT Oxytocin is a peptide of nine amino acids produced in the brain's hypothalamus, functioning as both a hormone and neurotransmitter. Research has shown that in addition to its bonding effect in couples and between mothers and babies, it also stimulates one's social approach. "Our results suggest people are willing to bend ethical rules to help the people close to us, like our team or family," says the lead researcher. "This raises an interesting, although perhaps more philosophical, question: Are all lies immoral?"

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