ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Cost gap for Western renewables could narrow by 2025
• Report proposes microbiology's grand challenge to help feed the world
• Investigational oral regimen for hepatitis C shows promise
• Size of personal space is affected by anxiety
• The extraordinary evolution of reticuloendotheliosis viruses
• New approach to celiac testing identifies more at risk
• Harmful particles in Icelandic volcanic ash fell first, says new research
• Conspiracy theories may put children's health at risk
• Three subtypes of gastric cancer suggest different treatment approaches
• Genetic variant associated with coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes
• Biomaterial, pharmacy researchers develop polymer to help oral medications reach bloodstream
• NASA tests limits of 3-D printing with powerful rocket engine check
• NASA'S Mars Curiosity debuts autonomous navigation
• Why are some cells more cancer prone?
• Submarine canyons a source of marine invertebrate diversity, abundance
• Fractions gain traction with real-life models
• Patent shows promise for improved method of carbon capture
• Winter depression not as common as many think
• Quantum inverted pendulum: Control scheme dynamically maintains unstable quantum system
• Study relies on twins and their parents to understand height-IQ connection
• No evidence of residential property value impacts near US wind turbines
• Snapping turtles finding refuge in urban areas while habitats are being polluted
• New 3-D Earth model more accurately pinpoints source of earthquakes, explosions
• Botox not just for wrinkles
• New surgical tool may help sleep apnea sufferers
• Mystery in blot clotting disorder solved
• Low inflammation may explain healthy metabolic status in some obese people
• Early diabetes interventions may also reduce heart disease risk
• Evaluating medical research: New treatments better than standard ones just over half the time
• Apoptosis triggers replication of common viruses
• Generational shift in attitudes among young soccer players towards gay teammates
• Illegal fires set in Indonesia cause smog problem: Fires clear land for palm oil companies
• Supervolcanic ash can turn to lava miles from eruption
• Molecular process behind form of non-syndromic deafness identified
• Tumor suppressor may actually fuel aggressive leukemia
• Scientists prevent preterm birth caused by gene-environment interactions in mice
• Promising therapeutic target for hard-to-treat brain tumor
• Researcher controls colleague's motions in first human brain-to-brain interface
• Hodgkin lymphoma treatment linked to possible risk of stomach cancer
• New energy model offers transparency to let others replicate findings
• How quickly can a bacterium grow? E. coli can replicate close to thermodynamic limits of efficiency
• European hunter-gatherers owned pigs as early as 4600 BC
• Genetic treasure hunting in sorghum may benefit crop improvement
• Humans experiencing increased exposure to aluminium and its predicted to get worse
• Earthquakes and tectonics: First direct observation of subducting continental crust during the collision of two continents
• Stem cells may do best with a little help from their friends
• How pufferfish meditate magnesium to survive
• Floe by floe, the ice surrenders its secrets
• Existence of new element confirmed
• Alga stressed by the light
• Long-term memory stored in the cortex
• Drug blocks light sensors in eye that may trigger migraine attacks
• Perception of marijuana as a 'safe drug' is scientifically inaccurate, finds review of teen brain studies
• Novel approach to gene regulation can activate multiple genes simultaneously
• Scientists detect magmatic water on moon's surface
• NASA continues preparation for new Space Launch System engine testing at Stennis

Cost gap for Western renewables could narrow by 2025 Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:45 PM PDT A new study indicates that by 2025 wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive without federal subsidies, if new renewable energy development occurs in the most productive locations.

Report proposes microbiology's grand challenge to help feed the world Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:45 PM PDT A greater focus on the role of microbiology in agriculture combined with new technologies can help mitigate potential food shortages associated with world population increases according to a new report.

Investigational oral regimen for hepatitis C shows promise Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:44 PM PDT In a study of an all-oral drug regimen, a majority of volunteers with liver damage due to hepatitis C virus infection were cured following a six-month course of therapy that combined an experimental drug, sofosbuvir, with the licensed antiviral drug ribavirin. The results showed that the regimen was highly effective in clearing the virus and well tolerated in a group of patients who historically have had unfavorable prognoses.

Size of personal space is affected by anxiety Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:43 PM PDT The space surrounding the body (known by scientists as 'peripersonal space'), which has previously been thought of as having a gradual boundary, has been given physical limits by new research into the relationship between anxiety and personal space.

The extraordinary evolution of reticuloendotheliosis viruses Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:43 PM PDT A new study reveals that reticuloendotheliosis viruses, which originated in mammals, spread to birds as a result of medical intervention.

New approach to celiac testing identifies more at risk Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:40 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new approach to detecting celiac disease, revealing this immune disorder is far more common than previously recognized.

Harmful particles in Icelandic volcanic ash fell first, says new research Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:40 PM PDT The type of particles which are most harmful to jet engines were the first to fall out of the Eyjafjallajökull ash plume following the volcano's eruption in 2010, experts say.

Conspiracy theories may put children's health at risk Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:40 PM PDT A belief in conspiracy theories may influence parents' intentions to have their children vaccinated against diseases such as measles.

Three subtypes of gastric cancer suggest different treatment approaches Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:40 PM PDT Stomach cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide, actually falls into three broad subtypes that respond differently to currently available therapies, according to researchers.

Genetic variant associated with coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:39 PM PDT Scientists have identified a previously unknown genetic variant associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetic patients. This discovery has the potential to lead to the development of new treatments for in diabetic patients.

Biomaterial, pharmacy researchers develop polymer to help oral medications reach bloodstream Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:39 PM PDT Research on new polymer additives that enhance the ability of orally administered drugs will result in greater effectiveness and fewer side effects, researchers say.

NASA tests limits of 3-D printing with powerful rocket engine check Posted: 27 Aug 2013 03:47 PM PDT The largest 3-D printed rocket engine component NASA ever has tested blazed to life Thursday, Aug. 22 during an engine firing that generated a record 20,000 pounds of thrust. This test is a milestone for one of many important advances the agency is making to reduce the cost of space hardware. Innovations like additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, foster new and more cost-effective capabilities in the U.S. space industry.

NASA'S Mars Curiosity debuts autonomous navigation Posted: 27 Aug 2013 03:40 PM PDT NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has used autonomous navigation for the first time, a capability that lets the rover decide for itself how to drive safely on Mars. This latest addition to Curiosity's array of capabilities will help the rover cover the remaining ground en route to Mount Sharp, where geological layers hold information about environmental changes on ancient Mars. The capability uses software that engineers adapted to this larger and more complex vehicle from a similar capability used by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, which is also currently active on Mars.

Why are some cells more cancer prone? Posted: 27 Aug 2013 01:05 PM PDT Cells in the body wear down over time and die. In many organs, like the small intestine, adult stem cells play a vital role in maintaining function by replacing old cells with new ones. Learning about the nature of tissue stem cells can help scientists understand exactly how our organs are built, and why some organs generate cancer frequently, but others only rarely.

Submarine canyons a source of marine invertebrate diversity, abundance Posted: 27 Aug 2013 01:05 PM PDT Submarine canyons play an important role in maintaining high levels of biodiversity of small invertebrates in the seafloor sediments of the main and northwestern Hawaiian Islands, according to new research. What's more, scientists have used this data to draw new connections between the levels of faunal diversity and the heterogeneity of submarine canyon landscapes at various spatial scales.

Fractions gain traction with real-life models Posted: 27 Aug 2013 01:05 PM PDT For children to understand math, teachers must constantly make the connection between abstract numbers and real world examples, new research shows.

Patent shows promise for improved method of carbon capture Posted: 27 Aug 2013 01:02 PM PDT New research shows a new method for capturing greenhouse gases is potentially cheaper and more energy efficient than current solvents.

Winter depression not as common as many think Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:50 AM PDT New research suggests that getting depressed when it's cold and dreary outside may not be as common as is often believed.

Quantum inverted pendulum: Control scheme dynamically maintains unstable quantum system Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:50 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated a way to maintain an unstable quantum system by applying bursts of microwave radiation. The technique is comparable to methods used for controlling an inverted pendulum in classical physics.

Study relies on twins and their parents to understand height-IQ connection Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:50 AM PDT The fact that taller people also tend to be slightly smarter is due in roughly equal parts to two phenomena -- the same genes affect both traits and taller people are more likely than average to mate with smarter people and vice versa -- according to a new study.

No evidence of residential property value impacts near US wind turbines Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:50 AM PDT After analyzing more than 50,000 home sales near 63 wind facilities in 27 counties across nine US states, researchers were unable to uncover any impacts to nearby home property values.

Snapping turtles finding refuge in urban areas while habitats are being polluted Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:50 AM PDT Snapping turtles are surviving in urban areas as their natural habitats are being polluted or developed for construction projects. One solution is for people to stop using so many chemicals that are eventually dumped into the waterways, a scientist said.

New 3-D Earth model more accurately pinpoints source of earthquakes, explosions Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT Scientists have developed a 3-D model of the Earth's mantle and crust called SALSA3D, or Sandia-Los Alamos 3D. The purpose of this model is more accurately locate all types of explosions.

Botox not just for wrinkles Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT Botox is best known as a cosmetic treatment for frown lines, but the drug also effectively treats the after effects of Bell's palsy and other serious facial nerve problems.

New surgical tool may help sleep apnea sufferers Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT A researcher's innovative use of a new tool may make surgery a more viable option for sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Mystery in blot clotting disorder solved Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT Fifteen years ago, a hematologist came an expert with a puzzle: Multiple generations of an East Texas family suffered from a moderately severe bleeding disorder, but it wasn't hemophilia.

Low inflammation may explain healthy metabolic status in some obese people Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT Reduced levels of inflammation may explain how some obese people are able to remain metabolically healthy, according to a recent study.

Early diabetes interventions may also reduce heart disease risk Posted: 27 Aug 2013 10:47 AM PDT Two treatments that slow the development of diabetes also may protect people from heart disease, according to a recent study.

Evaluating medical research: New treatments better than standard ones just over half the time Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:29 AM PDT Scientists report that on average new treatments work better than existing ones just over half the time. And, from an ethical and scientific perspective, that's evidence that the randomized controlled trial system is working, they say.

Apoptosis triggers replication of common viruses Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:29 AM PDT Researchers have found that an alternate, "escape" replication process triggered by apoptosis -- the process of cell death or "cell suicide" -- appears to be common in human herpesviruses. The findings have implications for better understanding of viruses and of disease conditions and treatments, like chemotherapy, that stimulate apoptosis.

Generational shift in attitudes among young soccer players towards gay teammates Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:29 AM PDT Young soccer players on the verge of becoming professionals are now much more likely to be supportive of gay teammates than a decade ago, according to new research.

Illegal fires set in Indonesia cause smog problem: Fires clear land for palm oil companies Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:29 AM PDT Widespread wildfires are lighting up Indonesia, but these fires were not started accidentally. These fires were set deliberately to clear land for palm oil companies.

Supervolcanic ash can turn to lava miles from eruption Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:28 AM PDT Scientists have determined that ash can turn back into lava miles away from a supervolcano eruption due to reheating by a process called "viscous heating."

Molecular process behind form of non-syndromic deafness identified Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:28 AM PDT Researchers identify an underlying molecular process that causes a genetic form of non-syndromic deafness in a new study that also suggests affected families may be at risk of damage to other organs.

Tumor suppressor may actually fuel aggressive leukemia Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:28 AM PDT New research suggests that blocking a protein normally credited with suppressing leukemia may be a promising therapeutic strategy for an aggressive form of the disease called acute myeloid leukemia. The protein scientists targeted is a transcription factor known as RUNX1, which also plays an important role in helping regulate the normal development of blood cells.

Scientists prevent preterm birth caused by gene-environment interactions in mice Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:28 AM PDT New research provides evidence that gene-environment interactions are a major contributor to preterm birth and that using a combinatory treatment strategy can prevent preterm delivery in a mouse model. Scientists say their study provides important new insights into a major global health problem -- one that remains stubbornly persistent in the United States.

Promising therapeutic target for hard-to-treat brain tumor Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:27 AM PDT Researchers say they have found a specific protein in nearly 100 percent of high-grade meningiomas — the most common form of brain tumor — suggesting a new target for therapies for a cancer that does not respond to current chemotherapy.

Researcher controls colleague's motions in first human brain-to-brain interface Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:27 AM PDT Researchers have performed what they believe is the first noninvasive human-to-human brain interface, with one researcher able to send a brain signal via the Internet to control the hand motions of a fellow researcher.

Hodgkin lymphoma treatment linked to possible risk of stomach cancer Posted: 27 Aug 2013 09:27 AM PDT Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who received certain radiation and chemotherapy regimens were at increased risk of subsequently developing stomach cancer, according to a new study.

New energy model offers transparency to let others replicate findings Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:31 AM PDT Computer models are used to inform policy decisions about energy, but existing models are generally "black boxes" that don't show how they work, making it impossible for anyone to replicate their findings. Researchers have developed a new open-source model and are sharing the data they put into it, to allow anyone to check their work -- an important advance given the environmental and economic impact of energy policy decisions.

How quickly can a bacterium grow? E. coli can replicate close to thermodynamic limits of efficiency Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:30 AM PDT All living things must obey the laws of physics -- including the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the universe's disorder, or entropy, can only grow. Highly ordered cells and organisms appear to contradict this principle, but they actually do conform because they generate heat that increases the universe's overall entropy.

European hunter-gatherers owned pigs as early as 4600 BC Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:30 AM PDT European hunter-gatherers acquired domesticated pigs from nearby farmers as early as 4600 BC, according to new evidence. The international team of scientists showed there was interaction between the hunter-gatherer and farming communities and a 'sharing' of animals and knowledge. The interaction between the two groups eventually led to the hunter-gatherers incorporating farming and breeding of livestock into their culture, say the scientists.

Genetic treasure hunting in sorghum may benefit crop improvement Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:30 AM PDT Agricultural researchers have discovered that sorghum, a drought-tolerant African crop, holds vastly more genetic variation than previously reported. This study provides an invaluable resource for the genetic improvement of sorghum and other grass species.

Humans experiencing increased exposure to aluminium and its predicted to get worse Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:21 AM PDT Aluminium - the most abundant metal and third most abundant element of the Earth's crust - has no known biological function and is a recognized environmental toxin. Human exposure to aluminium is implicated in a number of chronic diseases, including bone disease, auto-immune conditions, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Earthquakes and tectonics: First direct observation of subducting continental crust during the collision of two continents Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:21 AM PDT Earthquake damage to buildings is mainly due to the existing shear waves which transfer their energy during an earthquake to the houses. These shear waves are significantly influenced by the underground and the topography of the surrounding area. Detailed knowledge of the landform and the near-surface underground structure is, therefore, an important prerequisite for a local seismic hazard assessment and for the evaluation of the ground-effect, which can strongly modify and increase local ground motion.

Stem cells may do best with a little help from their friends Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:19 AM PDT Like volunteers handing out cups of energy drinks to marathon runners, specially engineered "helper cells" transplanted along with stem cells can dole out growth factors to increase the stem cells' endurance, at least briefly, researchers report. Their study is believed to be the first to test the helper-cell tactic, which they hope will someday help to overcome a major barrier to successful stem cell transplants.

How pufferfish meditate magnesium to survive Posted: 27 Aug 2013 08:17 AM PDT The gene mechanism responsible for altering magnesium ion secretion in fish has been uncovered.

Floe by floe, the ice surrenders its secrets Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:16 AM PDT Bowhead and minke whale sightings, extensive ice floe measurements and the successful retrieval of important moored instruments are among the successes of a multinational team of ice engineering researchers and marine biologists.

Existence of new element confirmed Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:16 AM PDT An international team of researchers has confirmed the existence of what is considered a new element with atomic number 115. The experiment was conducted at the GSI research facility in Germany. The results confirm earlier measurements performed by research groups in Russia.

Alga stressed by the light Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:16 AM PDT During the summers of 2010 and 2011, biologists analyzed samples of algae populations from five zones and measured the amount of light present in and the temperature of each zone over the summer. The research group observed that the algae that displayed the most signs of stress were from the zones exposed to the most solar radiation.

Long-term memory stored in the cortex Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:16 AM PDT 'Where' and 'how' memories are encoded in a nervous system is one of the most challenging questions in biological research. The formation and recall of associative memories is essential for an independent life. The hippocampus has long been considered a centre in the brain for the long-term storage of spatial associations. Now, researchers have provided the first experimental evidence that a specific form of memory associations is encoded in the cerebral cortex and is not localized in the hippocampus as described in most neuroscience textbooks. The new study is a game changer since it strongly suggests that the motor cortical circuits itself, and not the hippocampus, is used as memory storage.

Drug blocks light sensors in eye that may trigger migraine attacks Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:14 AM PDT For many migraine sufferers, bright lights are a surefire way to exacerbate their headaches. And for some night-shift workers, just a stroll through a brightly lit parking lot during the morning commute home can be enough to throw off their body's daily rhythms and make daytime sleep nearly impossible. But a new molecule that selectively blocks specialized light-sensitive receptors in the eyes could help both these groups of people, without affecting normal vision.

Perception of marijuana as a 'safe drug' is scientifically inaccurate, finds review of teen brain studies Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:14 AM PDT The nature of the teenage brain makes users of cannabis amongst this population particularly at risk of developing addictive behaviors and suffering other long-term negative effects, according to researchers who reviewed over 120 studies.

Novel approach to gene regulation can activate multiple genes simultaneously Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:13 AM PDT By creating a powerful new gene regulation system called CRISPR-on, researchers now have the ability to increase the expression of multiple genes simultaneously and precisely manipulate each gene's expression level. The system is effective in both mouse and human cells as well as in mouse embryos.

Scientists detect magmatic water on moon's surface Posted: 27 Aug 2013 06:13 AM PDT Scientists have detected magmatic water — water that originates from deep within the Moon's interior — on the surface of the Moon. These findings represent the first such remote detection of this type of lunar water.

NASA continues preparation for new Space Launch System engine testing at Stennis Posted: 27 Aug 2013 05:29 AM PDT Think about negotiating an intricate maze, and you begin to appreciate the challenge of designing and fabricating test stand piping for NASA's RS-25 rocket engine. NASA is meeting that challenge at its Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., where liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid hydrogen and related piping is being produced for RS-25 engine testing on the A-1 test stand. Testing of the core-stage engine for NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to begin next spring. The SLS is being developed to carry humans deeper into space than ever before.

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