ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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• SOHO shows new images of Comet ISON
• Fast, furious, refined: Smaller black holes can eat plenty
• Pills of the future: Nanoparticles; Researchers design drug-carrying nanoparticles that can be taken orally
• Tongue-controlled wheelchair outperforms popular wheelchair navigation system
• What's the sound of a hundred thousand soccer fans?
• Study connects dots between genes, human behavior
• Glaciers sizzle as they disappear into warmer water
• Cancer increasing as babyboomers age
• Geriatric care may help older patients find independence after trauma
• Promising new treatment helps people with spine injuries walk better
• Scientists identify potential target for malaria drugs
• Making a gem of a tiny crystal: Slowly cooled DNA transforms disordered nanoparticles into orderly crystal
• Lakes discovered beneath Greenland ice sheet
• Researchers show how modified pacemaker strengthens failing hearts
• New energy conversion principle may double efficiency of today's engines
• New clues to memory formation may help better treat dementia
• Cryptic new species of wild cat identified in Brazil
• Key protein responsible for controlling communication between brain cells identified
• Polymer foam expands potential to treat aneurysms
• Genetic mutation increases risk of Parkinson's disease from pesticides
• Circadian timing may give edge to West Coast NFL teams in night games
• Modafinil reduces depression's severity when taken with antidepressants
• Subarctic lakes are drying up at a rate not seen in 200 years
• Big brains are all in the genes
• Reef fish find it's too hot to swim
• Teaching matter waves new tricks: Making magnets with ultra cold atoms
• Ocean rip currents claim more lives than other natural hazards
• Hysterectomized women may benefit from testosterone
• A brooding marine worm found in Antarctica
• Figure eights and peanut shells: How stars move at the center of the galaxy
• Mental health conditions cause greater stigma in families than physical problems
• New effect couples electricity and magnetism in materials
• Archaeological dig near Stonehenge uncovers sink hole of evidence from Neolithic period
• Fiery drama of star birth, death
• Scientists design, test new approach for corneal stem cell treatments
• Negative BRCA testing may not always imply lowered breast cancer risk
• Automated prediction alert helps identify patients at risk for 30-day readmission
• Scientists work to engineer injectable therapy for rotator cuff injuries
• High salt levels in medicines increase risk of cardiovascular events
• Delivery rates unaffected by transferring fewer embryos, reimbursing six cycles of fertility treatment
• 2009 pandemic flu death toll much higher than official worldwide estimates
• Treating C. difficile with transplant of healthy fecal matter
• Health insurance increases preventive care, not risky behaviors
• Treatment target identified for public health risk parasite
• Memo to big box retailers: Goodwill has a shelf life

SOHO shows new images of Comet ISON Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:04 PM PST As Comet ISON heads toward its closest approach to the sun -- known as perihelion -- on Nov. 28, 2013, scientists have been watching through many observatories to see if the comet has already broken up under the intense heat and gravitational forces of the sun.

Fast, furious, refined: Smaller black holes can eat plenty Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:04 PM PST Gemini observations support an unexpected discovery in the galaxy Messier 101. A relatively small black hole (20-30 times the mass of our sun) can sustain a hugely voracious appetite while consuming material in an efficient and tidy manner -- something previously thought impossible. The research also affects the long quest for elusive intermediate-mass black holes.

Pills of the future: Nanoparticles; Researchers design drug-carrying nanoparticles that can be taken orally Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:04 PM PST Drugs delivered by nanoparticles hold promise for targeted treatment of many diseases, including cancer. However, the particles have to be injected into patients, which has limited their usefulness so far. Now, researchers have developed a new type of nanoparticle that can be delivered orally and absorbed through the digestive tract, allowing patients to simply take a pill instead of receiving injections.

Tongue-controlled wheelchair outperforms popular wheelchair navigation system Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:04 PM PST Individuals with paralysis in a new clinical trial were able to use a tongue-controlled technology to access computers and execute commands for their wheelchairs at speeds that were significantly faster than those recorded in sip-and-puff wheelchairs, but with equal accuracy. The new study is the first to show that the wireless and wearable Tongue Drive System outperforms sip-and-puff in controlling wheelchairs. Sip-and-puff is the most popular assistive technology for controlling a wheelchair.

What's the sound of a hundred thousand soccer fans? Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:01 PM PST Brazilian researchers study acoustics of the caxirola, official World Cup instrument.

Study connects dots between genes, human behavior Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:01 PM PST Establishing links between genes, the brain and human behavior is a central issue in cognitive neuroscience research, but studying how genes influence cognitive abilities and behavior as the brain develops from childhood to adulthood has proven difficult. Now, an international team of scientists has made inroads to understanding how genes influence brain structure and cognitive abilities and how neural circuits produce language.

Glaciers sizzle as they disappear into warmer water Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:01 PM PST The sounds of bubbles escaping from melting ice make underwater glacial fjords one of the loudest natural marine environments on earth, according to research.

Cancer increasing as babyboomers age Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST As 10,000 baby boomers reach 65 each day, the incidence of cancer is increasing, estimated to increase by 67% between 2010 and 2030, bringing attention to the nation's response to cancer care. Cancer is diagnosed at a higher rate, accounts for more survivors, and results in more deaths than in younger patients.

Geriatric care may help older patients find independence after trauma Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST A year after a trauma injury, seniors had difficulty with daily tasks such as simple shopping trips.

Promising new treatment helps people with spine injuries walk better Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST Scientists may have found a new treatment that can help people with spinal cord injuries walk better.

Scientists identify potential target for malaria drugs Posted: 27 Nov 2013 10:29 AM PST Researchers have identified the protein in malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites that is inhibited by a newly discovered class of anti-malarial compounds known as imidazopyrazines. The protein, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, is the first potential malaria drug target shown to be essential to all stages of the Plasmodium life cycle; imidazopyrazines impede its activity throughout this process.

Making a gem of a tiny crystal: Slowly cooled DNA transforms disordered nanoparticles into orderly crystal Posted: 27 Nov 2013 10:18 AM PST Nature builds flawless diamonds, sapphires and other gems. Now researchers have built near-perfect single crystals out of nanoparticles and DNA, using the same structure favored by nature. The researchers developed a "recipe" for using nanomaterials as atoms, DNA as bonds and a little heat to form tiny crystals.

Lakes discovered beneath Greenland ice sheet Posted: 27 Nov 2013 10:09 AM PST Scientists have discovered two subglacial lakes 800 meters below the Greenland Ice Sheet. Subglacial lakes are likely to influence the flow of the ice sheet, impacting global sea level change. The discovery of the lakes in Greenland will also help researchers to understand how the ice will respond to changing environmental conditions.

Researchers show how modified pacemaker strengthens failing hearts Posted: 27 Nov 2013 10:09 AM PST Heart researchers are unraveling the mystery of how a modified pacemaker used to treat many patients with heart failure, known as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), is able to strengthen the heart muscle while making it beat in a coordinated fashion. In a new study conducted on animal heart cells, the scientists show that CRT changes these cells so they can contract more forcefully. The researchers also identified an enzyme that mimics this effect of CRT without use of the device.

New energy conversion principle may double efficiency of today's engines Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:58 AM PST Scientists have discovered a new compressive combustion principle that can yield engines with the ultimate level of efficiency. With a thermal efficiency of 60% or more in applications including automobiles, power generation, and aircraft, will their low fuel consumption be superior to that of HV vehicles?

New clues to memory formation may help better treat dementia Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:24 AM PST Do fruit flies hold the key to treating dementia? Biologists have taken a significant step forward in unraveling the mechanisms of Pavlovian conditioning. Their work will help them understand how memories form and, ultimately, provide better treatments to improve memory in all ages.

Cryptic new species of wild cat identified in Brazil Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:24 AM PST Biologists have identified a cryptic new species of wild cat living in Brazil. The discovery is a reminder of just how little scientists still know about the natural world, even when it comes to such charismatic creatures. The findings also have important conservation implications for the cats, the researchers say.

Key protein responsible for controlling communication between brain cells identified Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:24 AM PST Scientists are a step closer to understanding how some of the brain's 100 billion nerve cells co-ordinate their communication.

Polymer foam expands potential to treat aneurysms Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:23 AM PST Researchers are using the unique contraction and expansion properties of shape memory polymer foam to design a much improved treatment for brain aneurysms, which cause severe neurological damage or death for 30,000 Americans each year.

Genetic mutation increases risk of Parkinson's disease from pesticides Posted: 27 Nov 2013 09:23 AM PST Study uses patient-derived stem cells to show that a mutation in the α-synuclein gene causes increased vulnerability to pesticides, leading to Parkinson's disease.

Circadian timing may give edge to West Coast NFL teams in night games Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:53 AM PST A new analysis of National Football League results suggests that the body's natural circadian timing gives a performance advantage to West Coast teams when they play East Coast teams at night.

Modafinil reduces depression's severity when taken with antidepressants Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:53 AM PST A new study has concluded that taking the drug modafinil, typically used to treat sleep disorders, in combination with antidepressants reduces the severity of depression more effectively than taking antidepressants alone.

Subarctic lakes are drying up at a rate not seen in 200 years Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:53 AM PST The decrease in snowfall observed in recent years in Canada's subarctic regions has led to worrisome desiccation of the regions' lakes.

Big brains are all in the genes Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:53 AM PST Scientists have moved a step closer to understanding genetic changes that permitted humans and other mammals to develop such big brains.

Reef fish find it's too hot to swim Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:06 AM PST A team of researchers has shown that ocean warming may reduce the swimming ability of many fish species, and have major impacts on their ability to grow and reproduce.

Teaching matter waves new tricks: Making magnets with ultra cold atoms Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:06 AM PST Scientists have developed a novel approach to understand magnets.

Ocean rip currents claim more lives than other natural hazards Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:05 AM PST Rip currents claim more lives in Australia on average each year than bushfires, floods, cyclones and sharks combined, research shows. Yet rips do not get as much attention as the other natural hazards. The study could be applied in other countries to more appropriately put this global problem into perspective.

Hysterectomized women may benefit from testosterone Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:05 AM PST New research has found that testosterone administration in women with low testosterone levels, whom previously had undergone hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy, was associated with improvements in sexual function, muscle mass and physical function.

A brooding marine worm found in Antarctica Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:03 AM PST Brooding is a usual behavior in animals. However, to observe it in a marine worm is exceptional and, more surprisingly, it guards eggs from external threats.

Figure eights and peanut shells: How stars move at the center of the galaxy Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:03 AM PST Two months ago astronomers created a new 3-D map of stars at the center of our Galaxy (the Milky Way), showing more clearly than ever the bulge at its core. Previous explanations suggested that the stars that form the bulge are in banana-like orbits, but a new article suggests that the stars probably move in peanut-shell or figure of eight-shaped orbits instead.

Mental health conditions cause greater stigma in families than physical problems Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:03 AM PST Mental and physical illnesses necessarily impact upon the lives of the relatives of those afflicted by them, all the more so in families where a member has a mental illness, because they suffer more discrimination. The results are based on a study carried out in 28 countries.

New effect couples electricity and magnetism in materials Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:03 AM PST Major industries such as modern microelectronics are based on the interaction between matter and electromagnetism. Electromagnetic signals can be processed and stored in specially tailored materials. In materials science, electric and magnetic effects have usually been studied separately. There are, however, extraordinary materials called "multiferroics," in which electric and magnetic excitations are closely linked. Scientists have now shown in an experiment that magnetic properties and excitations can be influenced by an electric voltage. This opens up completely new possibilities for electronics at high frequencies.

Archaeological dig near Stonehenge uncovers sink hole of evidence from Neolithic period Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST An archaeology team has delved back into a Neolithic site at Damerham, Hampshire, and uncovered a sink hole of material that may hold vital information about the plant species that thrived there 6,000 years ago. Scientists say the find was completely unexpected and had initially confused the team digging on the farmland.

Fiery drama of star birth, death Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST The Large Magellanic Cloud is one of the closest galaxies to our own. Astronomers have now used the power of ESO's Very Large Telescope to explore one of its lesser known regions. This new image shows clouds of gas and dust where hot new stars are being born and are sculpting their surroundings into odd shapes. But the image also shows the effects of stellar death — filaments created by a supernova explosion.

Scientists design, test new approach for corneal stem cell treatments Posted: 27 Nov 2013 07:59 AM PST Researchers have designed and tested a novel, minute-long procedure to prepare human amniotic membrane for use as a scaffold for specialized stem cells that may be used to treat some corneal diseases. This membrane serves as a foundation that supports the growth of stem cells in order to graft them onto the cornea. This new method may accelerate research and clinical applications for stem cell corneal transplantation.

Negative BRCA testing may not always imply lowered breast cancer risk Posted: 27 Nov 2013 07:59 AM PST Women who are members of families with BRCA2 mutations but who test negative for the family-specific BRCA2 mutations are still at greater risk for developing breast cancer compared with women in the general population, according to a study.

Automated prediction alert helps identify patients at risk for 30-day readmission Posted: 27 Nov 2013 07:59 AM PST An automated prediction tool which identifies newly admitted patients who are at risk for readmission within 30 days of discharge has been successfully incorporated into the electronic health record of an American hospital.

Scientists work to engineer injectable therapy for rotator cuff injuries Posted: 27 Nov 2013 07:59 AM PST A research team is attempting to engineer an injectable therapy for the shoulder's supraspinatus tendon, a rotator cuff tendon that is commonly torn in sports. When the tendon is damaged, the body makes things worse by activating enzymes that further break down the tendon. The scientists hope to develop an injectable compound that would deliver an inhibitor capable of blocking these enzymes, thereby reducing the severity of the injury or even healing the tissue.

High salt levels in medicines increase risk of cardiovascular events Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:15 PM PST Millions of patients taking effervescent, dispersible and soluble medicines containing sodium are at greater risk of cardiovascular events compared with patients taking non-effervescent, dispersible and soluble versions of the same drugs, finds a study published.

Delivery rates unaffected by transferring fewer embryos, reimbursing six cycles of fertility treatment Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:14 PM PST Research from Belgium has shown that if governments legislate to restrict the numbers of embryos transferred during fertility treatment, but combine it with a policy of reimbursing six cycles of assisted reproduction technology (ART), there is no detrimental impact on pregnancy and delivery rates. However, there is a greatly reduced risk of multiple births, which have associated health risks for mother and babies and are an increased cost to the state.

2009 pandemic flu death toll much higher than official worldwide estimates Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:14 PM PST A research team consisting of more than 60 collaborators in 26 countries has estimated the global death toll from the 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 virus to be 10 times higher than the World Health Organization's count, which was based on laboratory-confirmed cases of this flu. The study suggests that the pandemic virus caused up to 203,000 respiratory deaths around the world.

Treating C. difficile with transplant of healthy fecal matter Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:14 PM PST Scientists have found that restoring the normal, helpful bacteria of the gut and intestines may treat patients suffering from recurrent Clostridium difficile infections.

Health insurance increases preventive care, not risky behaviors Posted: 26 Nov 2013 12:59 PM PST People with health insurance are more likely to use preventive services such as flu shots and health screenings to reduce their risk of serious illness, but they are no more likely than people without health insurance to engage in risky health behaviors such as smoking or gaining weight, researchers have found.

Treatment target identified for public health risk parasite Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:47 AM PST In the developing world, Cryptosporidium parvum has long been the scourge of freshwater. Its rapid ability to spread, combined with an incredible resilience to water decontamination techniques, such as chlorination, led the National Institutes of Health in the United Sates to add C. parvum to its list of public bioterrorism agents. Currently, there are no reliable treatments for cryptosporidiosis, but that may be about to change with the identification of a target molecule.

Memo to big box retailers: Goodwill has a shelf life Posted: 26 Nov 2013 09:39 AM PST Big box retailers may have had the secret to combating online retailers all along: instant gratification. A new study warns that the positive feelings consumers experience when receiving a discounted price fades dramatically if the consumer is then forced to wait for the product.

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