ScienceDaily: Top News

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• NASA's Deep Space comet hunter mission comes to an end
• Researchers identify switch that controls growth of most aggressive brain tumor cells
• Three new species of tiny frogs from the remarkable region of Papua New Guinea
• Microfluidic platform gives clear look at a crucial step in cancer metastasis
• Blood pressure cuff may save lives in patients with acute heart attack
• Densest array of carbon nanotubes grown to date
• Proteins identified that may help brain tumors spread
• Promising new alloy for resistive switching memory: Tiny nanoscale filaments could be breakthrough for smaller, denser memory devices
• Tiger genome sequenced: Tiger, lion and leopard genomes compared
• Digoxin use associated with higher risk of death for heart failure patients
• Final piece found in puzzle of brain circuitry controlling fertility
• Mine metals at Maine Superfund site causing widespread contamination
• Songbirds may have 'borrowed' DNA to fuel migration
• Climate change: Polar bears change to diet with higher contaminant loads
• Imaging technique detects pediatric liver disease without needle biopsy
• New rat genus discovered in the birthplace of the theory of evolution
• Building bridges between nanowires
• Lifestyle Influences Metabolism via DNA Methylation
• Gap closed in the genetic map of fungi: Research team sequences genome of Pyronema confluens
• Getting rid of unwanted visitors
• Higher calorie diets increase weight gain, shorten hospital stays for teens with anorexia
• Why traumatized trees don't 'bleed' to death
• Barriers to HIV vaccine response explored
• Building the best brain: How brain cell connections get cemented early in life
• Transmitting future asthma by smoking today
• MERS Co-V genomes reveal complex transmission patterns
• Cancer cells supported by normal cells in and near tumors
• Placebo effect and lessons for the physician-patient relationship
• Researchers identify biomarker for smoker's lung cancer
• Antibacterial products fuel resistant bacteria in streams and rivers
• Study could help improve nuclear waste repositories

NASA's Deep Space comet hunter mission comes to an end Posted: 20 Sep 2013 11:42 AM PDT After almost 9 years in space that included an unprecedented July 4th impact and subsequent flyby of a comet, an additional comet flyby, and the return of approximately 500,000 images of celestial objects, NASA's Deep Impact mission has ended.

Researchers identify switch that controls growth of most aggressive brain tumor cells Posted: 20 Sep 2013 11:37 AM PDT Researchers have identified a cellular switch that potentially can be turned off and on to slow down, and eventually inhibit the growth of the most commonly diagnosed and aggressive malignant brain tumor.

Three new species of tiny frogs from the remarkable region of Papua New Guinea Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:14 AM PDT Following the description of the world's smallest frogs, biologists now offer three more species of tiny amphibians from the region of Papua New Guinea. Despite their minute size, around 20 mm, the three new frog species are still substantially larger than the prize holders, described in 2011. The new species represent a small part and attest for the remarkable anuran biodiversity of the Papuan region.

Microfluidic platform gives clear look at a crucial step in cancer metastasis Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:14 AM PDT A microfluidic platform provides a high-resolution view of a crucial step in cancer metastasis.

Blood pressure cuff may save lives in patients with acute heart attack Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:14 AM PDT Done in the ambulance, this simple and safe intervention - inflation of a blood pressure cuff to cut off blood flow to the arm during transportation to hospital for acute balloon dilatation – reduces subsequent cardiac symptoms and mortality after acute heart attack.

Densest array of carbon nanotubes grown to date Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:12 AM PDT Carbon nanotubes' outstanding mechanical, electrical and thermal properties make them an alluring material to electronics manufacturers. However, until recently scientists believed that growing the high density of tiny graphene cylinders needed for many microelectronics applications would be difficult. Now a team from Cambridge University in England has devised a simple technique to increase the density of nanotube forests grown on conductive supports about five times over previous methods.

Proteins identified that may help brain tumors spread Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:12 AM PDT Scientists have identified a molecular pathway that seems to contribute to the ability of malignant glioma cells in a brain tumor to spread and invade previously healthy brain tissue.

Promising new alloy for resistive switching memory: Tiny nanoscale filaments could be breakthrough for smaller, denser memory devices Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:12 AM PDT Researchers have tested a number of oxide materials for their promise in resistive switching memories, and now researchers in Singapore have demonstrated how conductive nano-filaments in amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films could be utilized for resistive switching device applications.

Tiger genome sequenced: Tiger, lion and leopard genomes compared Posted: 20 Sep 2013 07:21 AM PDT Scientists have unraveled the first whole genome of a nine-year-old male Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), and compared it with the genomes of other big cats including the white Bengal tiger, lions, and snow leopards. The genomic data from this study provides an invaluable resource for the future studies of big cats and their whole family's conservation.

Digoxin use associated with higher risk of death for heart failure patients Posted: 20 Sep 2013 07:21 AM PDT Digoxin, a drug commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72 percent higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure.

Final piece found in puzzle of brain circuitry controlling fertility Posted: 20 Sep 2013 07:21 AM PDT In a landmark discovery, the final piece in the puzzle of understanding how the brain circuitry vital to normal fertility in humans and other mammals operates has been put together by researchers.

Mine metals at Maine Superfund site causing widespread contamination Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT Toxic metals from the only open pit mine in an estuary system in the United States are widespread in nearby sediment, water and fish and may be affecting marine and coastal animals that feed on them beyond the mine site, a new study finds.

Songbirds may have 'borrowed' DNA to fuel migration Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT A common songbird may have acquired genes from fellow migrating birds in order to travel greater distances, according to a new study.

Climate change: Polar bears change to diet with higher contaminant loads Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT Over the past 30 years, polar bears have increasingly exchanged ringed seal with harp seal and hooded seal in their diet. This change exposes the polar bear to more contaminants, according to a recent international study.

Imaging technique detects pediatric liver disease without needle biopsy Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT A new, non-invasive imaging technique, magnetic resonance elastography, can now help physicians accurately detect fibrosis (scarring) in children with chronic liver disease -- a growing problem due in part to increasing obesity rates.

New rat genus discovered in the birthplace of the theory of evolution Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:46 AM PDT A prominent tuft of spiny hair on the back, a white tail tip and three pairs of teats represent the unique set of characteristics describing a new genus of rat which has been discovered in the Moluccan province of Indonesia. This region had a profound influence on the British Naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace who independently developed the theory of evolution alongside Charles Darwin.

Building bridges between nanowires Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:44 AM PDT Place a layer of gold only a few atoms high on a surface bed of germanium, apply heat to it, and wires will form of themselves. These wires are no more than a few atoms in height and are separated by no more than 1.6 nanometres. Nanotechnologists bridge this small 'gap' with a copper-phthalocyanine molecule, which is able to rotate if the electrons coursing towards it possess sufficient energy, allowing it to function as a switch. This might allow researchers to identify new properties the nanowires may possess.

Lifestyle Influences Metabolism via DNA Methylation Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:44 AM PDT An unhealthy lifestyle leaves traces in the DNA. These may have specific effects on metabolism, causing organ damage or disease. Scientists have now identified 28 DNA alterations associated with metabolic traits. This is a world-first epigenome-wide association study of modified genes and metabolites.

Gap closed in the genetic map of fungi: Research team sequences genome of Pyronema confluens Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:44 AM PDT An international research team has sequenced the genome of the ascomycete Pyronema confluens, thus closing a gap in the genetic map of fungi. For the first time, scientists have shown for fungi that, in the entire genome, those genes that are active during the sexual development evolve more rapidly than other genes. A similar effect was already described for animals and plants; for fungi, however, this question had hardly been addressed at all.

Getting rid of unwanted visitors Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:44 AM PDT Gut-dwelling bacteria are attracting attention, particularly those associated with human diseases. Helicobacter pylori is found in the stomach of humans, where it may cause chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, although the majority of infections are asymptomatic. The bacterium has been associated with humans for more than 100,000 years, when it first infected San hunter-gatherers. An international consortium has discovered that the Baka pygmies of Cameroon, another community of hunter-gatherers, have a surprisingly low rate of Helicobacter infection.

Higher calorie diets increase weight gain, shorten hospital stays for teens with anorexia Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:42 AM PDT Higher calorie diets produce twice the rate of weight gain compared to the lower calorie diets that currently are recommended for adolescents hospitalized with anorexia nervosa.

Why traumatized trees don't 'bleed' to death Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:42 AM PDT Researchers have used a special type of microscope to discover how "check valves" in wood cells control sap flow and protect trees when they are injured.

Barriers to HIV vaccine response explored Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:42 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that an antibody that binds and neutralizes HIV likely also targets the body's own "self" proteins. This finding could complicate the development of HIV vaccines designed to elicit this protective antibody, called 4E10, and others like it, as doing so might be dangerous or inefficient.

Building the best brain: How brain cell connections get cemented early in life Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:42 AM PDT When we're born, our brains aren't very organized, but as we grow and learn, things get a bit more stable. How and why does this happen -- and what happens when it doesn't go normally? Researchers have made a major stride in understanding this process, called synapse maturation.

Transmitting future asthma by smoking today Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:42 AM PDT A new study confirms the lasting legacy of smoking. In the study, researchers exposed animal mothers to nicotine during pregnancy — a proxy for smoking — and found the grandchildren were also at an increased risk for asthma, despite the grandchildren never having been exposed to nicotine themselves.

MERS Co-V genomes reveal complex transmission patterns Posted: 19 Sep 2013 05:13 PM PDT Exactly one year after the first published report on MERS-Coronavirus, the virus continues to defy expectation. In the largest study of its kind, scientists examine the entire genetic code of 21 MERS-Coronavirus samples. Their results suggest that additional human or animal cases -- which have so far evaded detection -- might be the sources of infection.

Cancer cells supported by normal cells in and near tumors Posted: 19 Sep 2013 05:13 PM PDT Investigators report important progress in research aimed at finding ways to fight cancer by targeting the local environment in which tumors grow and from which they draw sustenance. It's part of the first systematic effort to catalog the repertoire of interactions between cancer cells and their environment.

Placebo effect and lessons for the physician-patient relationship Posted: 19 Sep 2013 05:12 PM PDT The findings of a comprehensive review of the placebo phenomenon and its consequences for clinical medicine are contained in a new article that provides an in-depth biological and evolutionary approach to examining the placebo effect in relationship to the doctor-patient relationship.

Researchers identify biomarker for smoker's lung cancer Posted: 19 Sep 2013 01:30 PM PDT Researchers have shown that a specific protein pair may be a successful prognostic biomarker for identifying smoking-related lung cancers. The protein is associated with increased expression of the RET oncogene, a particular cancer-causing gene called RET.

Antibacterial products fuel resistant bacteria in streams and rivers Posted: 19 Sep 2013 12:44 PM PDT Triclosan -- a synthetic antibacterial widely used in personal care products -- is fueling the development of resistant bacteria in streams and rivers. So reports a new paper that is the first to document triclosan resistance in a natural environment.

Study could help improve nuclear waste repositories Posted: 19 Sep 2013 12:42 PM PDT Researchers are studying the movement of iodine-129 from spent nuclear fuel through a deep, clay-based geological repository. Understanding the process is crucial as countries worldwide consider underground clay formations for nuclear waste disposal.

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