ScienceDaily: Top Science News

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• Diversity aided mammals’ survival over deep time
• Scientists see solution to critical barrier to fusion
• Medical 'lightsabers': Laser scalpels get ultrafast, ultra-accurate, and ultra-compact makeover
• Birds cultivate decorative plants to attract mates
• Bacteria evolved way to safeguard crucial genetic material
• Compressed sensing allows imaging of live cell structures
• New technique may help severely damaged nerves regrow and restore function

Diversity aided mammals’ survival over deep time Posted: 23 Apr 2012 03:41 PM PDT The first study of how mammals in North America adapted to climate change in "deep time" found that families with greater diversity were more stable and maintained larger ranges than less diverse families.

Scientists see solution to critical barrier to fusion Posted: 23 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT Physicists have discovered a possible solution to a mystery that has long baffled researchers working to harness fusion. If confirmed by experiment, the finding could help scientists eliminate a major impediment to the development of fusion as a clean and abundant source of energy for producing electric power.

Medical 'lightsabers': Laser scalpels get ultrafast, ultra-accurate, and ultra-compact makeover Posted: 23 Apr 2012 10:18 AM PDT Researchers have developed a small, flexible endoscopic medical device fitted with a femtosecond laser "scalpel" that can remove diseased or damaged tissue while leaving healthy cells untouched.

Birds cultivate decorative plants to attract mates Posted: 23 Apr 2012 10:18 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered the first evidence of a non-human species cultivating plants for use other than as food. Instead, bowerbirds propagate fruits used as decorations in their sexual displays. The researchers discovered male bowerbirds had unusually high numbers of fruit-bearing plants growing around their bowers, and used these fruits in order to attract females.

Bacteria evolved way to safeguard crucial genetic material Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:45 AM PDT Just as banks store away only the most valuable possessions in the most secure safes, cells prioritize which genes they guard most closely, researchers have found. The study shows that bacteria have evolved a mechanism that protects important genes from random mutation, effectively reducing the risk of self-destruction. The findings answer a question that has been under debate for half a century and provide insights into how disease-causing mutations arise and pathogens evolve.

Compressed sensing allows imaging of live cell structures Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:40 AM PDT Researchers have advanced the ability to view a clear picture of a single cellular structure in motion. By identifying molecules using compressed sensing, this new method provides needed spatial resolution plus a faster temporal resolution.

New technique may help severely damaged nerves regrow and restore function Posted: 22 Apr 2012 08:24 PM PDT Engineers have developed a method of assisting nerves damaged by traumatic accidents to repair naturally, which could improve the chances of restoring sensation and movement in injured limbs.

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