ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Nutrition data review shows red meat has neutral effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors
• Oral vaccine against Salmonella developed
• Cool image: Adding color to the gray world of electron microscopy
• Investing in fisheries management improves fish populations
• How bacteria survive antibiotic treatment
• Mimicking biological movements with soft robots
• Alzheimer's advance: Early stage study in mice show new drugs restore memory loss and prolong life
• The Deepwater Horizon aftermath
• Researchers develop first chikungunya vaccine from virus that does not affect people
• Nanoparticle-based method shows promise in DNA vaccine delivery
• Ultra-thin solution to primary obstacle in solid-state battery development
• Culture not a factor in management styles globally
• Researchers caution parents to prevent electrical cord burns to the mouth
• Researchers estimate 10,000 metric tons of plastic enter Great Lakes every year
• First use of graphene to detect cancer cells
• Freezing in record lows? You may doubt global warming
• El Niño fueled Zika outbreak, new study suggests
• Newly discovered 'Casper' octopod at risk from deep-sea mining
• Starfish larvae create complex water whorls to eat and run
• Earliest evidence discovered of plants cooked in ancient pottery
• Satellites help discover a jet stream in the Earth's core
• New leaf study sheds light on 'shady' past
• Tortoise electrons trying to catch up with hare photons give graphene its conductivity
• Important element of immune defense against fungal infections discovered
• 'Tiny earthquakes' help scientists predict mountain rock falls
• An invisible electrode
• Movement of rainforest butterflies restricted by oil palm plantations
• Studies of one of the world's rarest birds, the Rufous-headed Robin
• Fuel cells with PFIA-membranes
• Bisphenol A in canned dog food may increase BPA concentrations in pets
• Why exposure to rhythmic stimulation at certain frequencies facilitate epileptic seizures
• Rudolph's antlers inspire next generation of unbreakable materials
• Satellites observe 'traffic jams' in Antarctic Ice Stream caused by tides
• Long-term anti-inflammatory drug use may increase cancer-related deaths for certain patients
• New prehistoric bird species discovered
• With eyes or noses? How young children use sensory cues to make social decisions
• DNA markers distinguish between harmless, deadly bacteria
• Astronomers release largest digital survey of the visible universe
• New technology coordinates drones in team missions
• New stem cell delivery approach regenerates dental pulp-like tissue in a rodent model
• Powerful defenders of the brain discovered, with big implications for disease and injury
• Barramundi populations at risk from acid oceans
• Ancient Chinese malaria remedy fights TB
• Discoveries from largest genome-wide study of chronic liver disease
• ALPHA experiment observes the light spectrum of antimatter for the first time
• Studies refute hypothesis on what caused abrupt climate change thousands of years ago
• Pregnancy leads to changes in the mother's brain
• Genetic biomarker IDs patients with increased risk for heart damage by anthracycline chemo
• Tumor DNA in blood may serve as prognostic marker of pancreatic cancer
• Above and beyond megathrusts: Draining pore-fluids dampens tremors
• Newly identified pathway in mitochondria fuels tumor progression across cancer types
• Cardiac imaging detects serious residual septal defects during child open heart surgery
• Poll: Some parents forgo car seats, other safety measures while traveling
• Noise sensitivity traced to changes in brain functions
• Electrifying news: Nano-modified aerospace composites
• No trace of dark matter in gamma-ray background
• Weight loss surgery linked to gastrointestinal complaints
• Ultrasound detects heart dysfunction after successful repair of aortic narrowing
• Surgical ablation found to be effective in reducing atrial fibrillation and improving quality of life
• Combatting retail fraud using a simulator

Nutrition data review shows red meat has neutral effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors Posted: 19 Dec 2016 05:20 PM PST Consuming red meat in amounts above what is typically recommended does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol, according to a new review.

Oral vaccine against Salmonella developed Posted: 19 Dec 2016 05:20 PM PST A vaccine against salmonella poisoning, designed to be taken by mouth, has now been developed by researchers.

Cool image: Adding color to the gray world of electron microscopy Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:18 PM PST While it may look like a pine wreath dotted with crimson berries, this holiday-themed image is in fact one of the world’s first color electron micrographs.

Investing in fisheries management improves fish populations Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:16 PM PST Successful fisheries management can be best achieved by implementing and enforcing science-based catch or effort limits, research shows.

How bacteria survive antibiotic treatment Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:16 PM PST Multiresistant bacteria scientists around the world are working hard to win the battle against multi-resistant bacteria. A new publication now presents how even sensitive bacteria often manage to survive antibiotic treatment as so-called 'persister cells.' The comprehensive perspective on this phenomenon may help to improve current options of drug treatment and could even inspire the discovery of novel antibiotics targeting these notoriously difficult-to-treat persister bacteria.

Mimicking biological movements with soft robots Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:16 PM PST Designing a soft robot to move organically -- to bend like a finger or twist like a wrist -- has always been a process of trial and error. Now, researchers have developed a method to automatically design soft actuators based on the desired movement.

Alzheimer's advance: Early stage study in mice show new drugs restore memory loss and prolong life Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:16 PM PST Breakthrough findings demonstrate a possible target and potential drug treatment to restore memory loss and extend life span in mice with neurodegeneration.

The Deepwater Horizon aftermath Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:15 PM PST Researchers have analyzed 125 compounds from oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico to determine their longevity at different contamination.

Researchers develop first chikungunya vaccine from virus that does not affect people Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:15 PM PST Researchers have developed the first vaccine for chikungunya fever made from an insect-specific virus that doesn't have any effect on people, making the vaccine safe and effective. The newly developed vaccine quickly produces a strong immune defense and completely protects mice and nonhuman primates from disease when exposed to the chikungunya virus.

Nanoparticle-based method shows promise in DNA vaccine delivery Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:19 PM PST Researchers have developed a novel method for delivering therapeutic molecules into cells. The method harnesses gold nanoparticles that are electrically activated, causing them to oscillate and bore holes in cells' outer membranes and allowing key molecules -- such as DNA, RNA, and proteins -- to gain entry.

Ultra-thin solution to primary obstacle in solid-state battery development Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:18 PM PST Researchers have announced a transformative development in the race to produce batteries that are at once safe, powerful, and affordable.

Culture not a factor in management styles globally Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:18 PM PST One theory argues that 50 percent of managers' differences in their reactions to various situations are explained by cultural differences. Now, a new study has determined that culture plays little or no part in leaders' management of their employees. This finding could impact how managers are trained and evaluated globally.

Researchers caution parents to prevent electrical cord burns to the mouth Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:18 PM PST With millions of Americans decorating their homes for the holidays, tangles of extension cords and electrical wires are a common sight. Researchers have estimated more than 1,000 injuries in children caused by oral electrical burns were reported in emergency rooms from 1997 to 2012. The researchers caution parents and caregivers of young children to be mindful of the dangers of electrical burns to the mouth.

Researchers estimate 10,000 metric tons of plastic enter Great Lakes every year Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:17 PM PST A new study that inventories and tracks high concentrations of plastic in the Great Lakes could help inform cleanup efforts and target pollution prevention. Researchers found that nearly 10,000 metric tons -- or 22 million pounds -- of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year from the United States and Canada.

First use of graphene to detect cancer cells Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:17 PM PST By interfacing brain cells onto graphene, researchers have shown they can differentiate a single hyperactive cancerous cell from a normal cell, pointing the way to developing a simple, noninvasive tool for early cancer diagnosis.

Freezing in record lows? You may doubt global warming Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:17 PM PST Researchers from Utah State University, Boston University, The George Washington University and the University of Oxford report findings from analysis of experiential basis for skepticism about climate change in the United States.

El Niño fueled Zika outbreak, new study suggests Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:17 PM PST A change in weather patterns, brought on by the 'Godzilla' El Niño of 2015, fueled the Zika outbreak in South America, researchers report.

Newly discovered 'Casper' octopod at risk from deep-sea mining Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:45 AM PST Last spring, researchers made headlines with the discovery of what was surely a new species of octopod, crawling along the seafloor at a record-breaking ocean depth of more than 4,000 meters off of Hawaii. Now, a report reveals that these ghost-like, deep-sea octopods lay their eggs on the dead stalks of sponges attached to seafloor nodules rich in the increasingly valuable metals used in cell phones and computers.

Starfish larvae create complex water whorls to eat and run Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:45 AM PST Tiny starfish larvae employ a complex and previously unknown survival mechanism involving whorls of water that either bring food to them or speed them away to better feeding grounds.

Earliest evidence discovered of plants cooked in ancient pottery Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Scientists have uncovered the earliest direct evidence of humans processing plants for food found anywhere in the world. Researchers studied unglazed pottery dating from more than 10,000 years ago, from two sites in the Libyan Sahara.

Satellites help discover a jet stream in the Earth's core Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST A jet stream within the Earth's molten iron core has been discovered by scientists using the latest satellite data that helps create an 'X-ray' view of the planet.

New leaf study sheds light on 'shady' past Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST A new study highlights a literally shady practice in plant science that has in some cases underestimated plants' rate of growth and photosynthesis, among other traits.

Tortoise electrons trying to catch up with hare photons give graphene its conductivity Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST How electrons interact with other electrons at quantum scale in graphene affects how quickly they travel in the material, leading to its high conductivity. Now, researchers have developed a model attributing the greater conductivity in graphene to the accelerating effect of electrons interacting with photons under a weak magnetic field.

Important element of immune defense against fungal infections discovered Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Fungal infections are a serious health risk. They can be harmful especially to patients whose immune system is compromised through illness or chemotherapy. Scientists have discovered an important mechanism in the body's defenses against fungi. The discovery explains, among other things, why people with certain genetic variations are more susceptible to fungal infections.

'Tiny earthquakes' help scientists predict mountain rock falls Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Scientists have developed a new way to predict when mountain rock falls will happen -- in regions where people go skiing and climbing. The technique involves detecting tiny earthquakes which cause cracks in the mountain rock.

An invisible electrode Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST A flexible transparent conductor free of reflection and scattering has been developed by researchers.

Movement of rainforest butterflies restricted by oil palm plantations Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Scientists have found that oil palm plantations, which produce oil for commercial use in cooking, food products, and cosmetics, may act as a barrier to the movement of butterflies across tropical landscapes.

Studies of one of the world's rarest birds, the Rufous-headed Robin Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Researchers have put together all known information about the endangered Rufous-headed Robin. Very few observations have been made since it was first discovered in 1905, but these researchers suggest that its distribution might be larger than previously thought.

Fuel cells with PFIA-membranes Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Scientists are exploring water management in an alternative proton exchange membrane type, called PFIA. The experiments have been conducted using the infrared facilities of BESSY II synchrotron to reveal how water is retained even at dry conditions in PFIA. The observations explain why PFIA membranes are superior to the widely used NAFIONTM membranes at higher temperatures and low humidity.

Bisphenol A in canned dog food may increase BPA concentrations in pets Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in many household items, including resins used to line metal storage containers, such as food cans. Now, researchers have found that short-term feeding of canned dog food resulted in a significant increase of BPA in dogs. Scientists believe that because of shared environments, dog exposure to BPA through canned foods could have human health implications.

Why exposure to rhythmic stimulation at certain frequencies facilitate epileptic seizures Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST New research proposes an explanation for the occurrence of epileptic seizures as a result of the exposure to certain stimuli.

Rudolph's antlers inspire next generation of unbreakable materials Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Scientists have discovered the secret behind the toughness of deer antlers and how they can resist breaking during fights.

Satellites observe 'traffic jams' in Antarctic Ice Stream caused by tides Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Nine months of continual radar observation reveals the complex changing patterns of ice stream movement in three dimensions that can inform predictions for the speed at which the ice caps will respond to a warming climate.

Long-term anti-inflammatory drug use may increase cancer-related deaths for certain patients Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:44 AM PST Regular use of over-the-counter non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen is associated with an increased risk of dying in patients diagnosed with Type 1 endometrial cancers, according to a new population-based study.

New prehistoric bird species discovered Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:43 AM PST A new species of bird has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic. At approximately 90 million years old, the bird fossils are among the oldest avian records found in the northernmost latitude, and offer further evidence of an intense warming event during the late Cretaceous period.

With eyes or noses? How young children use sensory cues to make social decisions Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:38 AM PST Children begin using olfactory information to help guide their responses to emotionally-expressive faces at about age five, research shows. These findings advance understanding of how children integrate different types of sensory information to direct their social behavior.

DNA markers distinguish between harmless, deadly bacteria Posted: 19 Dec 2016 10:38 AM PST Through a new study of the coccobacillus Francisella, researchers are working to use DNA markers to discern related but relatively harmless species as they are identified and to provide a means to distinguish them from the harmful F. tularensis.

Astronomers release largest digital survey of the visible universe Posted: 19 Dec 2016 09:02 AM PST The world's largest digital survey of the visible Universe, mapping billions of stars and galaxies, has been publicly released.

New technology coordinates drones in team missions Posted: 19 Dec 2016 09:02 AM PST A mathematics researcher has developed an algorithm to mobilize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in team missions. The new technology allows a team of UAVs to fly autonomously to complete complex coordinated missions.

New stem cell delivery approach regenerates dental pulp-like tissue in a rodent model Posted: 19 Dec 2016 09:01 AM PST Delivery of stem cells to damaged tooth roots using a collagen-derived biomaterial is effective at regenerating dental pulp-like tissue and shows promise as a potential therapy for restoring natural tooth function in a rodent model.

Powerful defenders of the brain discovered, with big implications for disease and injury Posted: 19 Dec 2016 09:01 AM PST A rare and potent type of immune cell has been discovered around the brain, suggesting the cells may play a critical role in battling Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. By harnessing the cells' power, doctors may be able to develop new treatments for disease, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries -- even migraines.

Barramundi populations at risk from acid oceans Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:56 AM PST Wild barramundi populations are likely to be at risk under ocean acidification, a new study has found. The study is the first to show that even freshwater fish, which only spend a small portion of their lifecycle in the ocean, are likely to be seriously affected under the higher carbon dioxide levels expected at the end of the century.

Ancient Chinese malaria remedy fights TB Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:55 AM PST A centuries-old herbal medicine, discovered by Chinese scientists and used to effectively treat malaria, has been found to potentially aid in the treatment of tuberculosis and may slow the evolution of drug resistance.

Discoveries from largest genome-wide study of chronic liver disease Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:55 AM PST A study of unprecedented scale has led researchers to identify four previously unknown genetic risk locations for primary sclerosing cholangitis, a liver disease that lacks effective medical therapy. A new article highlights the undertaking, which is the largest genome-wide association study of primary sclerosing cholangitis to date and a step toward providing breakthrough treatments for the unmet needs of primary sclerosing cholangitis patients.

ALPHA experiment observes the light spectrum of antimatter for the first time Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:53 AM PST Scientists report the first ever measurement on the optical spectrum of an antimatter atom. This achievement features technological developments that open up a completely new era in high-precision antimatter research.

Studies refute hypothesis on what caused abrupt climate change thousands of years ago Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:53 AM PST Two new studies refute the hypothesis that one or more comets/bolides struck North America approximately 12,900 years ago triggering rapid climate change and the start of the Younger Dryas period.

Pregnancy leads to changes in the mother's brain Posted: 19 Dec 2016 08:52 AM PST A new study is the first to reveal how pregnancy causes long-lasting alterations in brain structure, probably related to improving the mother's ability to protect and interact with the child.

Genetic biomarker IDs patients with increased risk for heart damage by anthracycline chemo Posted: 19 Dec 2016 05:57 AM PST Among women with breast cancer who received a type of chemotherapy called an anthracycline, those who had a certain genetic biomarker had a significantly increased risk for having anthracycline-induced congestive heart failure.

Tumor DNA in blood may serve as prognostic marker of pancreatic cancer Posted: 19 Dec 2016 05:57 AM PST The presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) isolated from blood samples of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was associated with poor outcomes, report investigators.