ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Creating smarter surgical robots
• Breakthrough for solar cell efficiency
• Nanoscale engineering boosts performance of quantum dot light emitting diodes
• Depression key link between intimate partner violence, food insecurity
• Epigenetics: A key to controlling acute and chronic pain
• No longer a man's race
• Reading ancient climate from plankton shells
• Understanding DNA damage from common radiation threat, low-energy electrons
• Can a potentially invasive plant bring a positive influence to a region?
• Parents greatly underestimate how often their children are cyberbullied
• Proteins in one of the world's main biodiesel plants have been mapped, and it does not look good
• Loss and damage from climate change
• Nano-dwarves turn tumor assassins
• Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats proves hardy survivor
• New low-cost, nondestructive technology cuts risk from mercury hot spots
• Children with brain injuries nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression
• DNA variants may influence COPD patients' response to inhaled bronchodilators
• Physicists observe the formation of a many-body system in experiment
• Keeping tags on violent offenders – does it work?
• Fish population recovery in marine reserve
• Physicists aim to make transition to quantum world visible
• Scientists develop new method to help global coasts adapt to sea-level rise
• New recommendations for the archipelago sea: Fish-based feed, integration of fish farms, planning control
• New kit predicts most common lung cancer survival
• Scientists' new approach improves efficiency of solar cells
• Important step towards stem cell-based treatment for stroke
• Antibody fragment effectively fights Alzheimer's disease in mice
• New information on the development of urban regions in Finland
• New treatment potential for severe asthma patients
• Researchers develop label-free automatic cancer diagnostics
• Lou Gehrig’s disease: From patient stem cells to potential treatment strategy
• Sleep apnea associated with subclinical myocardial injury
• Debunking myths about how cancer spreads
• Immediacy of language influences credibility of online consumer reviews
• 'High-risk' organs from deceased donors safe when screened with current methods
• Nanomechanics of drug-target interactions; antibacterial resistance detection
• Monkey that purrs like a cat is among new species discovered in Amazon rainforest
• Plant diseases may start chain of events to threaten your picnic basket
• Kids are more likely to trust attractive adults
• Exercise during pregnancy improves vascular function of offspring into adulthood
• Foreign private patients provide lucrative source of NHS income
• High cost of self-referral with no patient benefit
• Ultrasound device combined with clot-buster safe for stroke
• Kids' asthma medication frequently administered inaccurately, leading to poor health outcomes
• Insights into genetic architecture of OCD, tourette syndrome
• Study finds that paying people to become kidney donors could be cost-effective
• First gene detected for most common form of mitral valve prolapse
• Participation in mindfulness-based program improves teacher well-being
• Survey finds that online bullying has declined

Creating smarter surgical robots Posted: 25 Oct 2013 03:56 PM PDT Providing surgical robots with a new kind of machine intelligence that significantly extends their capabilities and makes them much easier and more intuitive for surgeons to operate is the goal of a major new grant.

Breakthrough for solar cell efficiency Posted: 25 Oct 2013 11:31 AM PDT Scientists have just revealed the fundamental aspect of a new approach to growing InGaN crystals for diodes, which promises to move photovoltaic solar cell technology toward record-breaking efficiencies.

Nanoscale engineering boosts performance of quantum dot light emitting diodes Posted: 25 Oct 2013 10:53 AM PDT Dramatic advances in the field of quantum dot light emitting diodes could come from recent work. Quantum dots are nano-sized semiconductor particles whose emission color can be tuned by simply changing their dimensions.

Depression key link between intimate partner violence, food insecurity Posted: 25 Oct 2013 10:53 AM PDT Women who experience physical, mental or sexual abuse at the hands of their partners have an increased likelihood of being food insecure. That's according to a new study that may prove valuable to those creating interventions for those populations.

Epigenetics: A key to controlling acute and chronic pain Posted: 25 Oct 2013 10:52 AM PDT Epigenetics, the study of changes in gene expression through mechanisms outside of the DNA structure, has been found to control a key pain receptor related to surgical incision pain, according to a new study. This study reveals new information about pain regulation in the spinal cord.

No longer a man's race Posted: 25 Oct 2013 09:33 AM PDT Men might be faster, but women are stronger in numbers in the nation's largest 10-kilometer road running races.

Reading ancient climate from plankton shells Posted: 25 Oct 2013 09:31 AM PDT Climate changes from millions of years ago are recorded at daily rate in ancient sea shells, new research shows.

Understanding DNA damage from common radiation threat, low-energy electrons Posted: 25 Oct 2013 09:30 AM PDT Every day, all day, our DNA gets beaten up by chemicals and radiation -- but remarkably, most of us stay healthy. Now, an investigation has produced insights into a little-studied but common radiation threat to DNA: low-energy electrons (LEEs), with energies of 0-15 electron volts.

Can a potentially invasive plant bring a positive influence to a region? Posted: 25 Oct 2013 08:39 AM PDT Could invasive species be beneficial for a region? Scientists have attempted to answer this question in Fiji by studying the influence of the invasive creeping daisy Sphagneticola trilobata on the feeding activity of a solitary bee. The study shows how contrary to expectations the invasive plant could potentially turn out to be important to crop pollination and biodiversity of the region.

Parents greatly underestimate how often their children are cyberbullied Posted: 25 Oct 2013 08:39 AM PDT Cyberbullying has become a destructive force in many children's lives. After multiple suicides by children being cyberbullied, parents, more than ever, need to be aware of their children's online activity. A recent paper found that parents underestimate how often their children engage in risky online behavior, like cyberbullying and viewing pornography.

Proteins in one of the world's main biodiesel plants have been mapped, and it does not look good Posted: 25 Oct 2013 08:39 AM PDT The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) produces beans with a high content of fatty acids from which oil is refined into biodiesel in several countries, eg. Brazil. Now scientists have succeeded in mapping proteins of the castor bean. This information might make it possible to get even more out of the bean than today. The researcher's work, however, shows that it may not be an easy task.

Loss and damage from climate change Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:24 AM PDT New research outlines empirical evidence of loss and damage from climate change from the perspective of affected people in nine vulnerable countries. The articles show how climatic stressors affect communities, what measures households take to prevent loss and damage, and what the likely consequences are when they are unable to adjust sufficiently.

Nano-dwarves turn tumor assassins Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:22 AM PDT Chemotherapy is often preferred for fighting cancer, but its side effects can be considerable. A new technique may reduce these in future: nanoparticle-encapsulated substances could kill off tumor cells selectively. This will be easier on patients.

Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats proves hardy survivor Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:19 AM PDT After taking an in-depth look at the basic biology of a fungus that is decimating bat colonies as it spreads across the US, researchers report that they can find little that might stop the organism from spreading further and persisting indefinitely in bat caves.

New low-cost, nondestructive technology cuts risk from mercury hot spots Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:19 AM PDT Hot spots of mercury pollution in aquatic sediments and soils can contaminate local food webs and threaten ecosystems, but cleaning them up can be expensive and destructive. Researchers have found a new low-cost, nonhazardous way to reduce the risk of exposure: using charcoal to trap it in the soil.

Children with brain injuries nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:19 AM PDT Researchers have found that compared to other children, 15 percent of those with brain injuries or concussions were diagnosed as depressed -- a 4.9 fold increase in the odds of diagnosed depression.

DNA variants may influence COPD patients' response to inhaled bronchodilators Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:19 AM PDT Identifying DNA variants associated with bronchodilator responsiveness may reveal genetic pathways associated with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and may identify novel treatment methods, researchers have said.

Physicists observe the formation of a many-body system in experiment Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT How large does a group of particles have to be to render moot its exact number of particles? In experiments using ultracold atoms, physicists succeeded in observing the transition to a many-body system well described by an infinite number of particles. In philosophy, this problem is known as the sorites paradox. The essential question is when a collection of elements forms a "heap."

Keeping tags on violent offenders – does it work? Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT Criminologists will lead research into the effectiveness of electronic monitoring of criminal offenders in Germany, and analyze the application and functions of electronic tagging in order to get a clear picture of its effectiveness and the problems it involves.

Fish population recovery in marine reserve Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT Protection in the Medes Islands marine reserve started more than 25 years ago. Dusky grouper, zebra seabream and European seabass have practically reached their carrying capacity, whereas brown meagre is still approaching population stabilization and common dentex is still increasing. One exception to these trends is gilthead seabream, which decreased probably due to fishing just outside the borders of the reserve.

Physicists aim to make transition to quantum world visible Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT Theoretical physicists have developed a mathematical model for a type of microscopic test lab that could provide new and deeper insight into the world of quantum particles. The new test system will enable the simultaneous study of one hundred light quanta (photons) and their complex quantum mechanical relationships ("quantum entanglement") – a far greater number than was previously possible. The researchers hope to gain new insights that will be of relevance to the development of quantum computers.

Scientists develop new method to help global coasts adapt to sea-level rise Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new method to help the world's coasts adapt to global sea-level rises over the next 100 years. Future sea-level rise seems inevitable, although the rates and geographical patterns of change remain uncertain. Given the large and growing populations and economic activity in coastal zones, as well as the importance of coastal ecosystems, the potential impacts of sea-level change are far-reaching. Current methods to assess the potential impact of sea-level rise have varied significantly and hindered the development of useful scenarios and in turn, suitable adaption policies and planning. A new study has combined the available data on a number of different climate and non-climate (such as uplift, subsidence and natural phenomena - earthquakes for example) mechanisms, which contribute to sea-level change, to create appropriate scenarios of sea-level rise at any location when policy-makers consider impacts and adaption.

New recommendations for the archipelago sea: Fish-based feed, integration of fish farms, planning control Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT Recommendations for the Archipelago sea includes the extraction of Baltic Sea fish recommended for fish feed, thus enabling the recycling of marine nutrients and eliminate the need for fish feed imports. The article published with six new recommendations includes promotion and coordination of fishing, fish farming and other methods of exploiting the marine environment and resources in the Archipelago Sea.

New kit predicts most common lung cancer survival Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT This genetic test newly developed to predict lung cancer survival has the potential to enhance patients' quality of life for those who have a good prognosis by avoiding chemotherapy, as well as being a cost saving for hospitals.

Scientists' new approach improves efficiency of solar cells Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new method to increase the efficiency of solar cells.

Important step towards stem cell-based treatment for stroke Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT Brain infarction, or stroke, is caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain, which leads to interruption of blood flow and shortage of oxygen. Now a reserach group has taken an important step towards a treatment for stroke using stem cells.

Antibody fragment effectively fights Alzheimer's disease in mice Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT Researchers have conducted trials with mice by injecting a specific antibody fragment against soluble aggregates of the Ab peptide, responsible for the toxicity and cell death characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. The beneficial effects were seen at the behavioural, cellular and molecular levels five days after an intraperitoneal dose was administered.

New information on the development of urban regions in Finland Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT In Finland, urban regions have undergone significant changes in the past few decades. This is revealed by a recently completed research report. The report is a comprehensive account of the trends in urbanization and the aspects that must be taken into account in sustainable urban planning in Finland.

New treatment potential for severe asthma patients Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT New research brings hope of a new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids. In a study published, researchers report that a type of lymphocytes called natural helper (NH) cells plays a critical role in corticosteroid resistance and demonstrate that the anti-psychotic drug Pimozide can be used to overcome resistance to steroids in severe asthma patients.

Researchers develop label-free automatic cancer diagnostics Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:17 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new spectroscopic method to support pathologists in diagnosing cancer. They compared conventional procedures for colon cancer identification with a novel method called label-free spectral histopathology. Contrary to previous methods the procedure does not have to stain the tissue in order to detect cancer, giving scientists the opportunity to classify a tissue sample automatically as being either normal or diseased.

Lou Gehrig’s disease: From patient stem cells to potential treatment strategy Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT A study is believed to be one of the first in which a specific form of Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was replicated in a dish, analyzed and "treated," suggesting a potential future therapy all in a single study.

Sleep apnea associated with subclinical myocardial injury Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to be associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Now a new study indicates that OSA is associated with subclinical myocardial injury, as indicated by increased high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels. Elevated hs-TnT levels are predictive of both coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) in the general population.

Debunking myths about how cancer spreads Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT Experts address some of the common misconceptions about how cancer spreads.

Immediacy of language influences credibility of online consumer reviews Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT Many companies are increasingly confused and upset about how to deal with negative online consumer reviews. One way to overcome consumers' over-reliance on negative word of mouth would be to encourage satisfied customers to include language indicating that they wrote their reviews soon after product/service consumption, according research.

'High-risk' organs from deceased donors safe when screened with current methods Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT A study has shown that after a median of 2.4 years of follow up, 86.5% of transplants of donor kidneys considered "high-risk" for infection and disease were functioning with no evidence of infections. Such "high-risk" organs are relatively safe when screened with current methods.

Nanomechanics of drug-target interactions; antibacterial resistance detection Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:14 AM PDT A new article has been published on a novel technique to confront the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Monkey that purrs like a cat is among new species discovered in Amazon rainforest Posted: 25 Oct 2013 05:59 AM PDT At least 441 new species of animals and plants have been discovered over a four year period in the vast, underexplored rainforest of the Amazon, including a monkey that purrs like a cat.

Plant diseases may start chain of events to threaten your picnic basket Posted: 24 Oct 2013 07:09 PM PDT Black bears in the Californian Sierra Nevada could be more likely to encounter humans as their natural food sources are threatened, according to an article published. Researchers used GPS collars to track the movements of black bears in Sequoia National Park while measuring the their natural food levels. By tracking the bears' movements, researchers were able to relate the levels of food available to the bears, to their whereabouts at different times of the year.

Kids are more likely to trust attractive adults Posted: 24 Oct 2013 07:09 PM PDT Children are more likely to trust an adult with an attractive face compared to an unattractive one -- this is the finding of new research.

Exercise during pregnancy improves vascular function of offspring into adulthood Posted: 24 Oct 2013 07:09 PM PDT Exercise during gestation has the potential to program vascular health in offspring into their adulthood, in particular significantly altering the vascular smooth muscle.

Foreign private patients provide lucrative source of NHS income Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:25 PM PDT Foreign patients coming to the UK for private medical treatment are a lucrative source of income for the NHS. The study also suggests that more UK residents currently travel abroad for treatment than international patients travel to the UK for private or NHS treatment.

High cost of self-referral with no patient benefit Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:25 PM PDT A new study has confirmed the high cost of self-referral with no patient benefit, and presents evidence to end this practice.

Ultrasound device combined with clot-buster safe for stroke Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:24 PM PDT A study showed that a hands-free ultrasound device combined with a clot-busting drug was safe for ischemic stroke patients.

Kids' asthma medication frequently administered inaccurately, leading to poor health outcomes Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:24 PM PDT Caregivers' often administer their child's asthma medication inaccurately, which leads to poor health outcomes for those children.

Insights into genetic architecture of OCD, tourette syndrome Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:24 PM PDT An international research consortium has answered several questions about the genetic background of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS), providing the first direct confirmation that both are highly heritable and also revealing major differences between the underlying genetic makeup of the disorders.

Study finds that paying people to become kidney donors could be cost-effective Posted: 24 Oct 2013 03:24 PM PDT Paying living donors $10,000 could be cost-saving even if it only resulted in a 5% increase in the number of donors.

First gene detected for most common form of mitral valve prolapse Posted: 24 Oct 2013 01:05 PM PDT DNA of large, multi-generational family provided genetic clue to location of gene for common heart disease, mitral valve prolapse. Researchers then used animal models to define normal biological functions altered by gene mutation.

Participation in mindfulness-based program improves teacher well-being Posted: 24 Oct 2013 12:30 PM PDT Teacher well-being, efficacy, burnout-related stress, time-related stress and mindfulness significantly improve when teachers participate in the CARE (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education) for Teachers program.

Survey finds that online bullying has declined Posted: 24 Oct 2013 11:33 AM PDT The results of a new survey were released today, exploring the pervasiveness of digital abuse among teens and young adults, how it is affecting America's youth and how they're responding to it.

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