ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Mini-sensor measures magnetic activity in human brain
• New monitoring system clarifies murky atmospheric questions
• Cancer-fighting goodness found in cholesterol, study suggests
• TV as thin as a sheet of paper? Printable flexible electronics just became easier with stable electrodes
• Lizard moms may prepare their babies for a stressful world
• State of Himalayan glaciers less alarming than feared
• Strange cousins: Molecular alternatives to DNA, RNA offer new insight into life’s origins
• Atomic blockade: Technique efficiently creates single photons for quantum information processing
• Aspirin: New evidence is helping explain additional health benefits and open potential for new uses
• 19th century therapy for Parkinson's disease may help patients today
• Ravens remember relationships they had with others
• How social interaction and teamwork led to human intelligence
• Anti-tobacco TV ads help adults stop smoking, study finds
• Boundary between electronics and biology is blurring: First proof of ferroelectricity in simplest amino acid
• Defending against chemical acts of terrorism
• Deadly jellyfish weapons unraveled
• First gene linked to common form of psoriasis identified
• Black women leaders approved for assertiveness in the workplace, study suggests
• Solar cell that also shines: Luminescent 'LED-type' design breaks efficiency record
• Higher concentrations of heavy metals found in post-oil spill oysters from Gulf of Mexico, experts say
• New coating for hip implants could prevent premature failure
• Efficiency of multi-hop wireless networks boosted
• How thinking about death can lead to a good life
• Being beside the seaside is good for you
• World's first handmade cloned transgenic sheep born in China
• Meditation makes you more creative
• Surgeons complete rare successful forehead and scalp reattachment
• Chernobyl radiation fells female birds, making chirping more frequent from lonely males
• Metal oxides hold the key to cheap, green energy
• It's the network: Ever wonder why your friends have more friends than you or diamond is harder than graphite?
• Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, study shows
• Cells in normal tissue seem to have 'personal space' issues; Factor in maintaining healthy tissue
• Life expectancy and healthy life years in the European Union, 2008-2010
• DNA origami puts a smart lid on solid-state nanopore sensors
• Gut microbiota transplantation may prevent development of diabetes and fatty liver disease
• Evolution: Vangas beat Darwin’s finches in diversity
• Obesity and extreme slimness cause risks in pregnancy
• Possible new cancer treatment identified
• 96% of women in IVF preconception study faced multiple lifestyle issues and health risks
• Insomnia takes toll on tinnitus patients
• Kids get more active when given more toy choices, studies show
• New medication offers hope to patients with frequent, uncontrollable seizures
• Daily physical activity may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk at any age
• Breaking Point: When Does Head Trauma in Sports Lead to Memory Loss?
• Speed and ecstasy associated with depression in teenagers
• Reminders of secular authority reduce believers' distrust of atheists
• No proof found that gum disease causes heart disease or stroke
• Groundbreaking device improves laser accuracy in surgeries
• Scientists show lab-made heart cells ideal for disease research, drug testing

Mini-sensor measures magnetic activity in human brain Posted: 19 Apr 2012 01:35 PM PDT A miniature atom-based magnetic sensor has passed an important research milestone by successfully measuring human brain activity. The lightweight sensor potentially could be used for biomedical applications such as studying mental processes and advancing the understanding of neurological diseases.

New monitoring system clarifies murky atmospheric questions Posted: 19 Apr 2012 01:35 PM PDT Scientists have developed a new monitoring system to analyze and compare emissions from human-made fossil fuels and trace gases in the atmosphere, a technique that likely could be used to monitor the effectiveness of measures regulating greenhouse gases.

Cancer-fighting goodness found in cholesterol, study suggests Posted: 19 Apr 2012 01:35 PM PDT A team of four scientists is arguing that cholesterol may slow or stop cancer cell growth. They describe how cholesterol-binding proteins called ORPs may control cell growth.

TV as thin as a sheet of paper? Printable flexible electronics just became easier with stable electrodes Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Researchers have introduced what appears to be a universal technique to reduce the work function of a conductor. Their use in printable electronics can pave the way for lower cost and more flexible devices.

Lizard moms may prepare their babies for a stressful world Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Stressed out lizard moms tend to give their developing embryos short shrift, but the hardship may ultimately be a good thing for the babies once they're born, according to a new study.

State of Himalayan glaciers less alarming than feared Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Several hundreds of millions of people in Southeast Asia depend, to varying degrees, on the freshwater reservoirs of the Himalayan glaciers. Consequently, it is important to detect the potential impact of climate changes on the Himalayan glaciers at an early stage. Glaciologists now reveal that the glaciers in the Himalayas are declining less rapidly than was previously thought. However, the scientists see major hazard potential from outbursts of glacial lakes.

Strange cousins: Molecular alternatives to DNA, RNA offer new insight into life’s origins Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Scientists have been investigating properties of so-called xenonucleic acids or XNAs. They have demonstrated for the first time that six of these unnatural nucleic acid polymers are capable of sharing information with DNA. One of these XNAs, a molecule referred to as anhydrohexitol nucleic acid or HNA, was capable of undergoing directed evolution and folding into biologically useful forms.

Atomic blockade: Technique efficiently creates single photons for quantum information processing Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Using lasers to excite just one atom from a cloud of ultra-cold rubidium gas, physicists have developed a new way to rapidly and efficiently create single photons for potential use in optical quantum information processing -- and in the study of dynamics and disorder in certain physical systems.

Aspirin: New evidence is helping explain additional health benefits and open potential for new uses Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:29 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin, directly increases the activity of the protein AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a key player in regulating cell growth and metabolism. Salicylate, which is derived from willow bark, and is the active ingredient in aspirin, is believed to be one of the oldest drugs in the world with first reports of its use dating back to an Egyptian papyrus in 1543 BC.

19th century therapy for Parkinson's disease may help patients today Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:26 AM PDT In the 19th century, Jean-Martin Charcot, the celebrated neurologist, developed a "vibration chair," to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Charcot reported improvements in his patients, but he died shortly thereafter and a more complete evaluation of the therapy was never conducted. Now, a group of neurological researchers have replicated his work in a study to see if Charcot's observation holds true against modern scientific testing.

Ravens remember relationships they had with others Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT In daily life we remember faces and voices of several known individuals. Similarly, mammals have been shown to remember calls and faces of known individuals after a number of years. Ravens have now been found to differentiate individuals based on familiarity. Additionally, scientists discovered that ravens can remember the closeness they had with others for three years.

How social interaction and teamwork led to human intelligence Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT Scientists have discovered proof that the evolution of intelligence and larger brain sizes can be driven by cooperation and teamwork, shedding new light on the origins of what it means to be human.

Anti-tobacco TV ads help adults stop smoking, study finds Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT Anti-tobacco television advertising helps reduce adult smoking, according to a new study -- but some ads may be more effective than others.

Boundary between electronics and biology is blurring: First proof of ferroelectricity in simplest amino acid Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:15 AM PDT The boundary between electronics and biology is blurring with the first detection of ferroelectric properties in an amino acid called glycine.

Defending against chemical acts of terrorism Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:15 AM PDT Researchers may have found a way to protect us against otherwise deadly chemical attacks, such as the subway sarin incident in Tokyo that left thirteen people dead and thousands more injured or with temporary vision problems. The method is based on a new and improved version of a detoxifying enzyme produced naturally by our livers, according to a new report

Deadly jellyfish weapons unraveled Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:14 AM PDT Researchers have analyzed proteins of stinging cells in the hydra freshwater polyp. The results of their research reveal a complex mixture of toxic and structural proteins that can explain the extraordinary toxicity and biophysical properties of these unique cells. They also show how the energy for discharging the toxin can be stored in the stinging cells and released at extraordinary speed.

First gene linked to common form of psoriasis identified Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:14 AM PDT Scientists have identified the first gene directly linked to the most common form of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition.

Black women leaders approved for assertiveness in the workplace, study suggests Posted: 19 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT While white men are expected to be assertive and aggressive leaders, black men and white women are often penalized for that kind of behavior in the workplace. A new study looks at another group: black women. They find that, rather than being viewed as a combination of black men and white women, black women also seem to be expected to act assertively.

Solar cell that also shines: Luminescent 'LED-type' design breaks efficiency record Posted: 19 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT To produce the maximum amount of energy, solar cells are designed to absorb as much light from the sun as possible. Now researchers have suggested -- and demonstrated -- a counter-intuitive concept: solar cells should be designed to be more like LEDs, able to emit light as well as absorb it.

Higher concentrations of heavy metals found in post-oil spill oysters from Gulf of Mexico, experts say Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT Scientists have detected evidence that pollutants from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have entered the ecosystem's food chain. Preliminary results demonstrate that oysters collected post-spill contain higher concentrations of heavy metals in their shells, gills, and muscle tissue than those collected before the spill.

New coating for hip implants could prevent premature failure Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT Nanoscale films promote bone growth, creating a stronger seal between implants and patients' own bone.

Efficiency of multi-hop wireless networks boosted Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT Multi-hop wireless networks can provide data access for large and unconventional spaces, but they have long faced significant limits on the amount of data they can transmit. Now researchers have developed a more efficient data transmission approach that can boost the amount of data the networks can transmit by 20 to 80 percent.

How thinking about death can lead to a good life Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT Thinking about death can actually be a good thing. An awareness of mortality can improve physical health and help us re-prioritize our goals and values, according to a new analysis of recent scientific studies. Even non-conscious thinking about death -- say walking by a cemetery -- could prompt positive changes and promote helping others.

Being beside the seaside is good for you Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:24 AM PDT Exercise in the open air is good for you, but if you want to reap the full benefits you should head for the coast or the countryside rather than an urban park.

World's first handmade cloned transgenic sheep born in China Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:24 AM PDT Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in animal cloning. The world's first transgenic sheep produced with a simplified technique, handmade cloning, was successfully born on March 26, 2012.

Meditation makes you more creative Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:23 AM PDT Certain meditation techniques can promote creative thinking. This is the outcome of a study by cognitive psychologists.

Surgeons complete rare successful forehead and scalp reattachment Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:20 AM PDT Forehead and scalp of victim of workplace injury successfully reattached through rare microsurgery procedure.

Chernobyl radiation fells female birds, making chirping more frequent from lonely males Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:20 AM PDT Birdsong is one of the joys of nature, but higher percentages of birds chirping near Chernobyl are a perverse indication of radiation contamination, according to a new study.

Metal oxides hold the key to cheap, green energy Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:20 AM PDT Harnessing the energy of sunlight can be as simple as tuning the optical and electronic properties of metal oxides at the atomic level to make an artificial crystal or super-lattice 'sandwich,' says a scientist.

It's the network: Ever wonder why your friends have more friends than you or diamond is harder than graphite? Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:12 AM PDT Networks governing processes in nature and society are becoming increasingly amenable to modeling, forecast and control. A new article establishes relationships between seemingly disparate topics such as the friendship paradox -- by which our friends have on average more friends than we do -- and why carbon can result in a hard diamond or the softer material graphite.

Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, study shows Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:12 AM PDT Scientists have speculated that the human brain features a "God spot," one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality. Now, researchers have completed research that indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.

Cells in normal tissue seem to have 'personal space' issues; Factor in maintaining healthy tissue Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:12 AM PDT Cells in normal tissue seem to have "personal space" issues. They know how much space they like, and if things get too tight, some cells are forced to leave. Researchers have found that normal epithelium tissue ejects living cells to maintain a steady population and ease overcrowding, a discovery has the potential to reveal what goes awry in cancer when cells do not turnover, but instead pile up.

Life expectancy and healthy life years in the European Union, 2008-2010 Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT Swedish men had the highest healthy life years of European men in 2010, while Maltese women had the highest values for European women. "Healthy Life Years" indicates how long people can expect to live without disability. It has been computed annually for each Member State of the European Union since 2005.

DNA origami puts a smart lid on solid-state nanopore sensors Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT The latest advance in solid-state nanopore sensors -- devices that are made with standard tools of the semiconductor industry yet can offer single-molecule sensitivity for label-free protein screening -- expands their bag of tricks through bionanotechnology. Researchers have enhanced the capabilities of solid-state nanopores by fitting them with cover plates made of DNA. These nanoscale cover plates, with central apertures tailored to various "gatekeeper" functions, are formed by so-called DNA origami techniques.

Gut microbiota transplantation may prevent development of diabetes and fatty liver disease Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT New data shows the gut microbiota's causal role in the development of diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, independent of obesity.

Evolution: Vangas beat Darwin’s finches in diversity Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:08 AM PDT The diversity of the Madagascan vangas is unique. The bird family only consists of 22 species, but these cover the whole range of body size of the passerines, the bird group vangas belong to (6,000 species). Whereas smaller species use their comparatively small bill to feed by picking up insects, the largest among the vanga species may even catch amphibians with its very large bill. Thus vangas are much more diverse than Darwin's finches, known to be a model for rapid evolution. Vangidae are the only known birds which experienced two peaks of rapid diversification, new research suggests. For birds, only one such peak is common.

Obesity and extreme slimness cause risks in pregnancy Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT Obese women run the risk of problems during pregnancy, labor and complications for the baby's health. A new study of more than 3000 expectant mothers confirms this, and also reveals that being underweight also has specific complications. Researchers have identified the risks in pregnancy related specifically to obesity and have compared them to underweight women to confirm that extreme slimness also carries a risk.

Possible new cancer treatment identified Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT New research findings show how it may be possible to render cancer tumors harmless without affecting the other cells and tissues in the body. The findings apply to cancers including breast, lung and bowel cancer. Many of the most common chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer have serious side effects because they not only affect the cells in the cancer tumor, but also the cells in the rest of the body.

96% of women in IVF preconception study faced multiple lifestyle issues and health risks Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT Ninety-six per cent of women who attended a preconception clinic before undergoing IVF had three or more lifestyle problems and risk factors, according to a new study.

Insomnia takes toll on tinnitus patients Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:05 AM PDT Insomnia can have a negative effect on tinnitus, worsening the functional and emotional toll of chronic ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking in the head and ears, according to a new study.

Kids get more active when given more toy choices, studies show Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:36 PM PDT In an age when even preschoolers have electronic toys and devices, many parents wonder how to get their children to be more physically active. Now, two studies provide some answers.

New medication offers hope to patients with frequent, uncontrollable seizures Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT A new type of anti-epilepsy medication that selectively targets proteins in the brain that control excitability may significantly reduce seizure frequency in people whose recurrent seizures have been resistant to even the latest medications, new research suggests.

Daily physical activity may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk at any age Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT Daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, even in people over the age of 80, according to a new study.

Breaking Point: When Does Head Trauma in Sports Lead to Memory Loss? Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT A new study suggests there may be a starting point at which blows to the head or other head trauma suffered in combat sports start to affect memory and thinking abilities and can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in the brain.

Speed and ecstasy associated with depression in teenagers Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT A five year study conducted with thousands of teenagers reveals that those who used speed (meth/ampthetamine) or ecstasy (MDMA) at fifteen or sixteen years of age were significantly more likely to suffer elevated depressive symptoms the following year.

Reminders of secular authority reduce believers' distrust of atheists Posted: 18 Apr 2012 01:23 PM PDT What's the group that least agrees with Americans' vision of their country? According to many sociological surveys, it's atheists. Previous research suggests that the dislike of atheists mostly comes from distrust, driven by the belief that people act better when they feel like they're being watched by God. But new research shows that reminding people of various sources of secular authority -- like government -- may have the same effect.

No proof found that gum disease causes heart disease or stroke Posted: 18 Apr 2012 01:22 PM PDT There is no convincing evidence that proves gum disease causes heart disease or stroke, or treating gum disease reduces the risk of those diseases, according to new research. Gum and heart disease share common risk factors, including smoking, age and diabetes, which is possibly why the diseases often occur in the same person.

Groundbreaking device improves laser accuracy in surgeries Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT Physicists have developed a groundbreaking device that controls the depth of a laser cut, laying groundwork to provide pinpoint accuracy during surgeries.

Scientists show lab-made heart cells ideal for disease research, drug testing Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:37 AM PDT Heart-like cells made in the laboratory from the skin of patients with a common cardiac condition contract less strongly than similarly created cells from unaffected family members, according to researchers. The cells also exhibit abnormal structure and respond only dully to the wave of calcium signals that initiate each heartbeat.

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