ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Breastfeeding linked to healthy infant gut: Bacterial colonization leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes
• Orangutans harbor ancient primate Alu
• Bioluminescent technology for easy tracking of GMO
• Pacific islands on equator may become refuge for corals in a warming climate due to changes in ocean currents
• Single nanomaterial yields many laser colors
• Mom's stress during pregnancy can affect baby's iron status
• Fight or flight: Violent teens may be following parents' lead
• Parents' poor math skills may lead to medication errors
• Fear of not having enough food may lead to obesity

Breastfeeding linked to healthy infant gut: Bacterial colonization leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes Posted: 29 Apr 2012 08:46 PM PDT Early colonization of the gut by microbes in infants is critical for development of their intestinal tract and in immune development. A new study shows that differences in bacterial colonization of formula-fed and breast-fed babies leads to changes in the infant's expression of genes involved in the immune system, and in defense against pathogens.

Orangutans harbor ancient primate Alu Posted: 29 Apr 2012 08:46 PM PDT Alu elements infiltrated the ancestral primate genome about 65 million years ago. Once gained an Alu element is rarely lost so comparison of Alu between species can be used to map primate evolution and diversity. New research has found a single Alu, which appears to be an ancestral great ape Alu, that has uniquely multiplied within the orangutan genome.

Bioluminescent technology for easy tracking of GMO Posted: 29 Apr 2012 08:46 PM PDT It is important to be able to monitor genetically modified (GM) crops, not only in the field but also during the food processing chain. New research shows that products from genetically modified crops can be identified at low concentration, using bioluminescent real time reporter (BART) technology and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The combination of these techniques was able to recognize 0.1% GM contamination of maize, far below the current EU limit of 0.9%.

Pacific islands on equator may become refuge for corals in a warming climate due to changes in ocean currents Posted: 29 Apr 2012 12:22 PM PDT Scientists have predicted that ocean temperatures will rise in the equatorial Pacific by the end of the century, wreaking havoc on coral reef ecosystems. But a new study shows that climate change could cause ocean currents to operate in a surprising way and mitigate the warming near a handful of islands right on the equator. As a result these Pacific islands may become isolated refuges for corals and fish.

Single nanomaterial yields many laser colors Posted: 29 Apr 2012 12:22 PM PDT Engineers have created nanoscale single crystals that can produce the red, green, or blue laser light needed in digital displays. The size determines color, but all the pyramid-shaped quantum dots are made the same way of the same elements. In experiments, light amplification required much less power than previous attempts at the technology. The team's prototypes are the first lasers of their kind.

Mom's stress during pregnancy can affect baby's iron status Posted: 29 Apr 2012 05:54 AM PDT Newborns whose mothers are under stress during the first trimester of pregnancy may be at risk for low iron status, which could lead to physical and mental delays down the road, according to a new study.

Fight or flight: Violent teens may be following parents' lead Posted: 29 Apr 2012 05:53 AM PDT While it may be cute when a 3-year-old imitates his parent's bad behavior, when adolescents do so, it's no longer a laughing matter. Teens who fight may be modeling what they see adult relatives do or have parents with pro-fighting attitudes, according to a new study.

Parents' poor math skills may lead to medication errors Posted: 29 Apr 2012 05:11 AM PDT Many parents cringe when their child asks for help with math homework. New research shows that poor math skills can cause another difficulty for caregivers -- measuring the right amount of medicine.

Fear of not having enough food may lead to obesity Posted: 29 Apr 2012 05:11 AM PDT While eating too much food can cause obesity, the fear of not having enough food may lead to the same result, according to a new study.

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