ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Climate change is affecting every region of the U.S. and key sectors of the economy, federal report finds
• Criminal records and the NFL draft: Who is the best pick?
• Dolphin whistle warnings: Remotely monitoring acoustical changes in dolphin whistles may be powerful new tool for conservation
• Linking vascular inflammation to obesity and atherosclerosis
• Graphene for real-world devices: New research in phonon scattering sheds more light on graphene as a replacement for silicon
• Staying on task is difficult in the automated cockpit
• Small birds capitalize on weather patterns during epic migrations
• Neutron star magnetic fields: Not so turbulent, after all?
• Ban cigarette filters to save environment, suggest researchers
• Concussion rate in high-school athletes more than doubled in 7-year period, U.S. study finds
• Two-lock box delivers cancer therapy: Nano-delivery system targets cancer cells
• Protein molecule may improve survival in deadly lung disease
• The Red Sea: An ocean like all others, after all
• Substantial improvements made in EPA's IRIS Program, report says
• Can you tell a person's gender by their video game avatar?
• One step closer to cell reprogramming
• Redescription of the oldest-known dolphin skull sheds light on their origins and evolution
• U.S. welfare spending up, but help for neediest down
• Tool for uncovering bot-controlled Twitter accounts: Research designed to counter misinformation campaigns
• Looking 'inside the box' for sustainable solution for intestinal parasites
• International team maps nearly 200,000 global glaciers in quest for sea rise answers
• Mechanisms that link brain alertness, increased heart rate discovered
• Magnetic fingerprint of our galaxy revealed
• As kids age, snacking quality appears to decline
• New expert guidelines aim to focus hospitals' infectious diarrhea prevention efforts
• Expert guidance strengthens strategies to prevent most common and costly infection
• Adults at higher risk of suicide attempt if parent abused alcohol, research finds
• How have changing sea-levels influenced evolution on the Galapagos Islands?
• $200 bird scaring line for trawlers can cut albatross deaths by over 90 percent
• Mobile health apps lack behavior-change techniques
• Scientists challenge FIFA: Save the 3-banded armadillo
• Snacking contributes to fatty liver, abdominal obesity
• State of the Nation's egotism: On the rise for a century, analysis finds
• Do we yawn to cool the brain? Yawning frequencies of people vary with temperature of the season
• Molecular switches for age-related memory decline? A genetic variant protects against brain aging
• Seeing 'Jesus in toast' phenomenon perfectly normal, professor says
• Chimpanzees Show Similar Personality Traits to Humans
• Predator-prey made simple: Simplifying studies of predator-prey interactions and other 'bistable' systems
• Working to cure 'dry eye' disease
• Novel antioxidant makes old arteries seem young again, study shows
• Combined hormone therapy clinical trial yields massive economic return
• 'Laughter Guy' dissects features of counterfeit chortling
• Exenatide has potential as disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease
• Hotspots of climate change impacts in Africa: Making sense of uncertainties
• New face of tofu: Quick, easy, keeps you trim
• Keeping abreast of Car2X technology developments
• Small investors often make poor investments
• Genetic risk factor for premature birth found
• Stop shouting at me: Why clear speech can sound angry
• Clean before you clean: What's on your toothbrush just might surprise you
• Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins
• Gender may contribute to recovery time after concussion
• Black, Hispanic children with autism more likely to regress than whites
• Mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may set stage for childhood obesity
• Study finds ADHD and trauma often go hand in hand
• Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?
• A bird's eye view of fish farms: Drones making major advance into aquaculture industry
• Design of new foods should focus particularly on healthy gastro-intestinal tract
• Nanocellulose sponges to combat oil spills
• Galaxy's biggest telescope harnesses most precise measurement of spinning star

Climate change is affecting every region of the U.S. and key sectors of the economy, federal report finds Posted: 06 May 2014 02:23 PM PDT The U.S. Global Change Research Program has released the Third National Climate Assessment, the most comprehensive, authoritative, transparent scientific report on U.S. climate change impacts ever generated. The report confirms that climate change is affecting every region of the country and key sectors of the U.S. economy and society, underscoring the need to combat the threats climate change presents and increase the preparedness and resilience of American communities.

Criminal records and the NFL draft: Who is the best pick? Posted: 06 May 2014 01:12 PM PDT Researchers analyzed five years of NFL draft data and discovered that the performance of NFL players who had an arrest record but no charges was better than those without an arrest and those arrested and charged performed as well as those with clean records -- but they cost less.

Dolphin whistle warnings: Remotely monitoring acoustical changes in dolphin whistles may be powerful new tool for conservation Posted: 06 May 2014 01:12 PM PDT A team of researchers has demonstrated that remotely monitoring the acoustical structures of dolphin vocalizations can effectively detect "evolutionarily significant units" of the mammal -- distinct populations that may be tracked for prioritizing and planning conservation efforts.

Linking vascular inflammation to obesity and atherosclerosis Posted: 06 May 2014 12:18 PM PDT Researchers show that IKKβ functions in smooth muscle cells to regulate vascular inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis development in mice. Surprisingly, the lack of IKKβ also protects the animals from diet-induced obesity. The use of IKKβ inhibitors may provide an innovative treatment for atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic disorders.

Graphene for real-world devices: New research in phonon scattering sheds more light on graphene as a replacement for silicon Posted: 06 May 2014 11:22 AM PDT Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, but a number of practical challenges must be overcome before it can emerge as a replacement for silicon. Scientists are exploring novel ways of supporting and connecting graphene using experimental and computational methods.

Staying on task is difficult in the automated cockpit Posted: 06 May 2014 11:21 AM PDT A new study indicates that pilots may have a hard time concentrating on the automated systems that now carry out many of the tasks once completed by humans. Pilots reported an increase in big-picture flight-related thoughts when using higher levels of automation, but when the flight was progressing according to plan and pilots were not interacting with the automation, their thoughts were more likely to wander.

Small birds capitalize on weather patterns during epic migrations Posted: 06 May 2014 10:55 AM PDT In one of the greatest feats of endurance in the biological world, millions of tiny songbirds -- many weighing less than an ounce -- migrate thousands of miles to Central and South America each year. Now scientists are finding out how these featherweights do it: using elliptical routes that take advantage of prevailing wind patterns to save calories.

Neutron star magnetic fields: Not so turbulent, after all? Posted: 06 May 2014 10:55 AM PDT Neutron stars, the extraordinarily dense stellar bodies created when massive stars collapse, are known to host the strongest magnetic fields in the universe -- as much as a billion times more powerful than any human-made electromagnet. But some neutron stars are much more strongly magnetized than others, and this disparity has long puzzled astrophysicists. Physicists have shed new light on the expected geometry of the magnetic field in neutron stars.

Ban cigarette filters to save environment, suggest researchers Posted: 06 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT Ban cigarette filters. Start a deposit-return scheme for used butts. Hold manufacturers responsible for clean-ups. Place warnings on packets about the impact of simply flicking one's used cigarettes away. These are among the policy measures that researchers advocate to curb the environmental harm done through the large-scale littering of cigarette butts, packaging and matches.

Concussion rate in high-school athletes more than doubled in 7-year period, U.S. study finds Posted: 06 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT Concussion rates in US high-school athletes more than doubled between 2005 and 2012, according to a new national study using data on nine team sports. Researchers suspect the upward trend in reported concussions reflects increased awareness. Overall, the rate increased from .23 to .51 concussions per 1,000 athlete exposures. An athlete exposure is defined as one athlete participating in one competition or practice.

Two-lock box delivers cancer therapy: Nano-delivery system targets cancer cells Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT A tunable virus that works like a safe deposit box has been developed by scientists. It takes two keys to open it and release its therapy for cancer and other diseases. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) developed by bioengineers unlocks only in the presence of two selected proteases, enzymes that cut up other proteins for disposal. Because certain proteases are elevated at tumor sites, the viruses can be designed to target and destroy the cancer cells.

Protein molecule may improve survival in deadly lung disease Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT A protein molecule that seems to slow the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that is often fatal three to five years after diagnosis, has been discovered by researchers. Nearly five million people worldwide are affected by pulmonary fibrosis, which causes the lungs to become covered in fibrous scar tissue and leads to shortness of breath that gets more severe as the disease progresses.

The Red Sea: An ocean like all others, after all Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT The Red Sea has turned out to be an ideal study object for marine geologists. There they can observe the formation of an ocean in its early phase. However, the Red Sea seemed to go through a different birthing process than the other oceans. Now, scientists have been able to show that salt glaciers have distorted the previous models.

Substantial improvements made in EPA's IRIS Program, report says Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT Changes EPA has proposed and implemented into its Integrated Risk Information System process are 'substantial improvements', according to a new report. While acknowledging the progress made to date, the report offers further guidance and recommendations to improve the overall scientific and technical performance of the program, which is used to assess the hazards posed by environmental contaminants.

Can you tell a person's gender by their video game avatar? Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT According to a new study a male gamer who chooses to play as a female character will still display signs of his true gender. A sexy wood elf with pointy ears. A hulking ogre with blue skin. An intimidating heroine with a buxom breastplate. When it comes to computer games, players can choose to be anyone or anything. But gamers don't always mask their true identities with online avatars.

One step closer to cell reprogramming Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT Researchers have discovered the essential role played by the Wnt pathway in the cell reprogramming process. The work enables a better understanding of the reprogramming process, as well as how to efficiently induce the pluripotency of reprogrammed cells.

Redescription of the oldest-known dolphin skull sheds light on their origins and evolution Posted: 06 May 2014 10:04 AM PDT Dolphins are the most diverse family of living marine mammals and include species such as the bottlenose dolphin and the killer whale. However, their early evolution and fossil record has been steeped in mystery due to lack of good specimens. A new article re-describes the oldest species of dolphin with a new name: Eodelphis kabatensis.

U.S. welfare spending up, but help for neediest down Posted: 06 May 2014 10:02 AM PDT Although the nation is spending more on welfare than ever before, most of that money is going to better-off families rather than the very poorest, a researcher found. Researchers found that the United States has become more generous over time in supporting low-income families, spending 74 percent more in inflation-adjusted dollars on welfare programs in 2007 than in 1975. But for the 2.5 million single parent families with the absolute lowest levels of earnings, aid dropped 35 percent between 1983 and 2004. During that same period, aid rose 74 percent for those earning slightly more.

Tool for uncovering bot-controlled Twitter accounts: Research designed to counter misinformation campaigns Posted: 06 May 2014 10:02 AM PDT Complex networks researchers have developed a tool that helps anyone determine whether a Twitter account is operated by a human or an automated software application known as a social bot.

Looking 'inside the box' for sustainable solution for intestinal parasites Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT Finding sustainable solutions for controlling soil-transmitted helminths infections has been challenging to date. According to the World Health Organization, more than 450 million people worldwide, primarily children and pregnant women, suffer illness from soil-transmitted helminths (STH), intestinal parasites that live in humans and other animals. One expert proposes a new emphasis on sustainable, long-term investments in sanitation-based approaches. He promotes the use of improved latrines (the "box") to provide bottom-up, culturally appropriate, and economically desirable solutions to control STH in endemic areas.

International team maps nearly 200,000 global glaciers in quest for sea rise answers Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT Glaciologists have mapped virtually all of the world's glaciers -- including their locations and sizes -- allowing for calculations of their volumes and ongoing contributions to global sea rise as the world warms.

Mechanisms that link brain alertness, increased heart rate discovered Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT The way that your heart rate increases in response to alertness in the brain has been recently discovered by researchers. Specifically, this study looked at the interactions between neurons that fire upon increased attention and anxiety and neurons that control heart rate to discover the "why," "how," and "where to next" behind this phenomenon. The results may have important implications for how certain conditions are treated in the future, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic anxiety, or even stress, the researchers note.

Magnetic fingerprint of our galaxy revealed Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT Astrophysicists have released an unprecedented map of the entire sky that charts the magnetic field shaping our Milky Way Galaxy. The map reveals magnetic field lines running parallel to the plane of the Galaxy, as well as great loops and whorls associated with nearby clouds of gas and dust.

As kids age, snacking quality appears to decline Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT While snacks uniformly contribute to energy intake in both children and adolescents, the effect of snacking on diet quality differs by age group, researchers say. Findings suggest that snacks improve diet quality in elementary school-aged children, whereas they detract from diet quality in adolescents.

New expert guidelines aim to focus hospitals' infectious diarrhea prevention efforts Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT With rates of Clostridium difficile now rivaling drug-resistant Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as the most common bacteria to cause healthcare-associated infections, new expert guidance encourages healthcare institutions to implement and prioritize prevention efforts for this infectious diarrhea.

Expert guidance strengthens strategies to prevent most common and costly infection Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT Surgical site infections are the most common and costly healthcare-associated infection in the United States. New evidence-based recommendations provide a framework for healthcare institutions to prioritize and implement strategies to reduce the number of infections. SSIs occur in as many as five percent of patients undergoing inpatient surgery, amounting to approximately 160,000-300,000 SSI cases each year in the U.S. However, as many as 60 percent of SSIs are preventable by using evidence-based guidelines.

Adults at higher risk of suicide attempt if parent abused alcohol, research finds Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT People who grew up with a parent who abused alcohol may be 85 percent more likely to attempt suicide than people whose parents did not abuse alcohol, according to research. Furthermore, having divorced parents increased by 14 percent the risk that a person would try to take his or her own life when compared to people whose parents did not divorce, the study found. But putting those two factors together -- parents who abuse alcohol and are divorced -- did not increase suicide attempts, according to the study.

How have changing sea-levels influenced evolution on the Galapagos Islands? Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT The Galapagos Islands have an iconic status in the history of evolutionary study, now new research shows that the islands' own geological past may have influenced the evolution of the chain's native species.

$200 bird scaring line for trawlers can cut albatross deaths by over 90 percent Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT The sight of seabirds following trawlers in order to feast from discarded fish is a common maritime sight, but each year many thousands of seabirds are killed by overhanging cables or in nets. New research assesses mortality figures from South Africa to show that a simple bird scaring line can reduce the mortality rate by over 90 percent.

Mobile health apps lack behavior-change techniques Posted: 06 May 2014 09:02 AM PDT Behavior-change techniques are not well represented in the marketing materials for top-rated physical-activity apps, according to a team of researchers. They also found that two types of physical-activity apps are available on the market -- those that focus on educating users on how to perform different exercises and those that focus on supporting users' motivation for physical activity.

Scientists challenge FIFA: Save the 3-banded armadillo Posted: 06 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT New research asks FIFA to follow through with its environmental claims. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be played in Brazil. In an article published in the upcoming issue, researchers challenge the role that FIFA and the Brazilian government play in protecting the environment, asking both to: protect 1,000 hectares of the critically endangered Caatinga ecosystem -- the natural habitat for its World Cup mascot, Fuelco -- for each goal scored in the World Cup.

Snacking contributes to fatty liver, abdominal obesity Posted: 06 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT Snacking on high-fat and high-sugar foods was independently associated with abdominal fat and fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) research has shown. According to the study, hypercaloric diet with frequent meals increases intrahepatic triglyceride content and fat around the waist, but increasing meal size did not.

State of the Nation's egotism: On the rise for a century, analysis finds Posted: 06 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT Forget the 'me' generation. A new analysis of long-term trends in egotism shows there's been a 'me' century in America. The analysis shows that characteristics related to self-interest, compared to interest in the lives and needs of other people, was low during the 19th century but rose steadily after the turn of the 20th century.

Do we yawn to cool the brain? Yawning frequencies of people vary with temperature of the season Posted: 06 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT Why do we yawn? We tend to yawn before sleep and after waking, when we are bored or under stimulated. We yawn in the anticipation of important events and when we are under stress. What do all of these have in common? Researchers highlight a link with thermoregulation, and in particular, brain cooling.

Molecular switches for age-related memory decline? A genetic variant protects against brain aging Posted: 06 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT Even among the healthiest individuals, memory and cognitive abilities decline with age. This aspect of normal aging can affect an individual's quality of life and capability to live independently, but the rate of decline is variable across individuals. There are many factors that can influence this trajectory, but perhaps none more importantly than genetics.

Seeing 'Jesus in toast' phenomenon perfectly normal, professor says Posted: 06 May 2014 08:56 AM PDT Researchers have found that the phenomenon of "face pareidolia" -- where onlookers report seeing images of Jesus, Virgin Mary, or Elvis in objects such as toasts, shrouds, and clouds -- is normal and based on physical causes.

Chimpanzees Show Similar Personality Traits to Humans Posted: 06 May 2014 08:56 AM PDT Chimpanzees have almost the same personality traits as humans, and they are structured almost identically, according to new work. The research also shows some of those traits have a neurobiological basis, and that those traits vary according to the biological sex of the individual chimpanzee.

Predator-prey made simple: Simplifying studies of predator-prey interactions and other 'bistable' systems Posted: 06 May 2014 08:56 AM PDT Scientists have developed a way to dramatically reduce the complexity of modeling "bistable" systems which involve the interaction of two evolving species where one changes faster than the other ("slow-fast systems"). The work paves the way for easier computational simulations and predictions involving such systems, which are found in fields as diverse as chemistry, biology and ecology.

Working to cure 'dry eye' disease Posted: 06 May 2014 08:56 AM PDT The eye is an exquisitely sensitive system with many aspects that remain somewhat of a mystery -- both in the laboratory and in the clinic. Mathematicians and optometrists are working to change this by gaining a better understanding of the inner workings of tear film distribution over the eye's surface. This, in turn, may lead to better treatments or a cure for the tear film disease known as "dry eye."

Novel antioxidant makes old arteries seem young again, study shows Posted: 06 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT An antioxidant that targets specific cell structures -- mitochondria -- may be able to reverse some of the negative effects of aging on arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease, according to a new study. When the research team gave old mice -- the equivalent of 70- to 80-year-old humans -- water containing an antioxidant known as MitoQ for four weeks, their arteries functioned as well as the arteries of mice with an equivalent human age of just 25 to 35 years.

Combined hormone therapy clinical trial yields massive economic return Posted: 06 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT The overall economic return from a combined hormone therapy clinical trial indicates that changes in practice stemming from the trial provided a net economic return of $37.1 billion over the 10-year period since the main findings were published. "The motivation for the first WHI trial was to see if we could prevent heart disease, the number one killer of women. That's why we did it -- the economics never occurred to me," said the lead investigator. What these findings underscore is the significant role clinical trials play in science and the importance of continuing to find ways to strategically invest public research funds to maximize value to society."

'Laughter Guy' dissects features of counterfeit chortling Posted: 06 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT Ever wonder how often you fool your boss or in-laws by pretending to laugh at their dumb jokes? The answer is probably around one-third of the time, according to new research by a communication expert who conducted research on fake laughs. When your fake laughs fall short of convincing, tiny subtleties of your breathing are probably giving you away, suggests one researcher.

Exenatide has potential as disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease Posted: 06 May 2014 06:48 AM PDT A follow-up study of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who participated in an earlier 'proof of concept' clinical trial using exenatide showed that improvements persisted 12 months after discontinuing exenatide therapy. These data provide strong encouragement for the further study of this drug in patients with PD, report researchers.

Hotspots of climate change impacts in Africa: Making sense of uncertainties Posted: 06 May 2014 06:48 AM PDT Overlapping impacts of climate change such as drought or flooding, declining crop yields or ecosystem damages create hotspots of risk in specific parts of Africa. These are for the first time identified in a new study. The uncertainties in assessing the impacts do not necessarily hamper but can inform development strategies, according to the scientists. Likelihood and potential severity of impacts can be weighed to decide on suitable adaptation measures.

New face of tofu: Quick, easy, keeps you trim Posted: 06 May 2014 06:48 AM PDT Many young American women prepare tofu because they want something that's quick, easy to cook and that can help keep them trim. These researchers also found that the best way to encourage others to try tofu is by showing them that it is low cost and easy to cook; as such, they may be up to 50 percent more likely to try cooking with tofu at home.

Keeping abreast of Car2X technology developments Posted: 06 May 2014 06:47 AM PDT Car2X technologies make vehicles "intelligent" and allow them to communicate with the objects around them. Encouraged by the numerous opportunities for developing new technologies and patents this brings with it, large and small technology companies alike are rushing to capture their share of this future market. A new patent index systematically shows companies where to find patent gaps and opportunities in the Car2X technology field.

Small investors often make poor investments Posted: 06 May 2014 06:47 AM PDT Inexperienced investors often fail to make wise investments because they are too influenced by psychological and sociological "biases" rather than economic fundamentals. So called "mum and dad investors" mistakenly think they are doing the right thing by selecting a wide range of shares from famous firms and by following media tips.

Genetic risk factor for premature birth found Posted: 06 May 2014 06:46 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a genetic risk factor for premature birth. The risk factor is related to a gene that codes for a protein that the scientists have found helps the body's immune cells recognize and fight Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria. These bacteria are found in the vagina or lower gastrointestinal tract of approximately 15 to 20 percent of healthy women, but may cause life-threatening infections, such as sepsis or meningitis in newborns, especially those born prematurely.

Stop shouting at me: Why clear speech can sound angry Posted: 06 May 2014 06:44 AM PDT When loved ones lose their hearing, audiologists often counsel spouses and family members to speak clearly so they are better understood. But hearing loss professionals say that this well-meaning advice can backfire: clear speech can make you sound angry. A new study supports the idea that clear speech can carry negative overtones even when the phrase itself is emotionally neutral.

Clean before you clean: What's on your toothbrush just might surprise you Posted: 06 May 2014 06:44 AM PDT Do you know Staphylococci, coliforms, pseudomonads, yeasts, intestinal bacteria and -- yes -- even fecal germs may be on your toothbrush? Appropriate toothbrush storage and care are important to achieving personal oral hygiene and optimally effective plaque removal. Appropriate toothbrush storage and care are important to achieving personal oral hygiene and optimally effective plaque removal

Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins Posted: 06 May 2014 04:47 AM PDT Researchers have, for the first time, identified an avian influenza virus in a group of Adelie penguins from Antarctica. The virus was found to be unlike any other circulating avian flu.

Gender may contribute to recovery time after concussion Posted: 06 May 2014 04:47 AM PDT A study of concussion patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) found that males took longer to recover after concussion than females did. Results of the study show that DTI can be used as a bias-free way to predict concussion outcome. Each year, more than 17 million Americans suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), more commonly known as a concussion, of which approximately 15 percent suffer persistent symptoms beyond three months.

Black, Hispanic children with autism more likely to regress than whites Posted: 06 May 2014 04:47 AM PDT Some children with autism appear to be developing normally when they are very young. They babble or even talk, make eye contact with their parents, and crawl and walk on schedule. Then suddenly, these skills seem to vanish. Described as developmental regression, this loss of language, motor or social skills occurs more often in black and Hispanic children compared to white children, according to a study.

Mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may set stage for childhood obesity Posted: 06 May 2014 04:47 AM PDT Turning the TV off during mealtimes to help prevent childhood obesity may need to start even before a child is born, according to a new study.

Study finds ADHD and trauma often go hand in hand Posted: 06 May 2014 04:47 AM PDT When children struggle with focusing on tasks, staying organized, controlling their behavior and sitting still, they may be evaluated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clinicians, however, shouldn't stop there, according to a new study.

Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence? Posted: 06 May 2014 04:46 AM PDT The SETI project scientists are known for tracking possible extraterrestrial signals, but now they are also considering sending messages from Earth telling of our position. A researcher questions this idea in view of the results from a survey taken by students, revealing the general level of ignorance about the cosmos and the influence of religion when tackling these matters.

A bird's eye view of fish farms: Drones making major advance into aquaculture industry Posted: 06 May 2014 04:46 AM PDT Is a facility adequately anchored? Are the wet-well vessels in the right place at the right time? Do the net pens have weaknesses which can result in escapes? It's now possible, with the help of a couple of key strokes and techno assistance from above, literally to obtain an overview of all these issues.

Design of new foods should focus particularly on healthy gastro-intestinal tract Posted: 06 May 2014 04:45 AM PDT New foods should be designed -– more than has been the case up to now -– with human health in mind, and especially the health of the gastro-intestinal tract. There is a need for a new generation of products known as functional foods, which are beneficial to bowel health and which are also regarded as such by consumers. A researcher believes his own scientific discipline should help to reduce the high percentage of failures involved in introducing new products.

Nanocellulose sponges to combat oil spills Posted: 06 May 2014 04:45 AM PDT A new, absorbent material could be of assistance in future oil spill accidents: a chemically modified nanocellulose sponge. The light material absorbs the oil spill, remains floating on the surface and can then be recovered. The absorbent can be produced in an environmentally-friendly manner from recycled paper, wood or agricultural by-products.

Galaxy's biggest telescope harnesses most precise measurement of spinning star Posted: 06 May 2014 04:44 AM PDT An international team of astronomers has made a measurement of a distant neutron star that is one million times more precise than the previous world's best. The researchers were able to use the interstellar medium, the 'empty' space between stars and galaxies that is made up of sparsely spread charged particles, as a giant lens to magnify and look closely at the radio wave emission from a small rotating neutron star.

You are subscribed to email updates from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610