ScienceDaily:

ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Worms have teenage ambivalence, too
• Using fat to help wounds heal without scars
• Arctic sea ice loss impacts beluga whale migration
• Scientists use light to control the logic networks of a cell
• Anemia protects African children against malaria
• Nerve-signaling protein regulates gene associated with Schizophrenia
• South American fossil tomatillos show nightshades evolved earlier than thought
• Research helps explain why androgen-deprivation therapy doesn't work for many prostate cancers
• A flexible transistor that conforms to skin
• Development of face recognition entails brain tissue growth
• Scientists crack the structure of HIV machinery
• Immune cell therapy shows promising results for lymphoma patients
• Surprising process behind sense of touch
• Humans occupied Tibetan Plateau thousands of years earlier than previously thought
• Cancers evade immunotherapy by 'discarding the evidence' of tumor-specific mutations
• Genomic data sharing is critical to improving genetic health care
• Researchers identify factors associated with stopping treatment for opioid dependence
• Radar reveals meltwater's year-round life under Greenland ice
• Lung cancer patients may benefit from delayed chemotherapy after surgery
• Study on sun protection behavior, skin cancer awareness
• Are tiny grazers the new hope for Caribbean reefs?
• Animal study shows harmful effects of secondhand smoke even before pregnancy
• Climate change could trigger strong sea level rise
• Biologist reveals important role cities play in conservation of threatened species
• Hummingbirds see motion in an unexpected way
• Cancer death rate has dropped 25 percent since 1991 peak
• New apps designed to reduce depression, anxiety as easily as checking your phone
• New model shows companies how to tailor call center service to different customer types
• Hong Kong hosts more than a quarter of all marine species recorded in China
• Protein associated with Parkinson's travels from brain to gut
• Partners for life? For some birds, better the devil you know
• E-cigarette flavours pose unknown harm risk
• Eight European countries fight against the Asian longhorned beetle
• Bees prefer warm violets in cool forests, scientists discover
• Evidence of Alzheimer's in patients with Lewy body disease tracks with course of dementia
• Turning up the thermostat could help tropical climates cool down
• Hot weather not to blame for salmonella on egg farms
• Buzzing the vagus nerve just right to fight inflammatory disease
• Mouse model points to potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease
• Accelerated customization with smarter methods
• How porphyrin may enhance graphene
• 'Zombie apocalypse' would wipe out humankind in just 100 days, students calculate
• Clinical guidelines to reduce risk of peanut allergy
• Foods rich in resistant starch may benefit health
• Acid suppression medications linked to serious gastrointestinal infections
• Pollutants in the Arctic environment are threatening polar bear health
• Efforts are needed to enrich the lives of killer whales in captivity
• Genetics play a significant role in immunity
• Ignition interlock laws reduce alcohol-involved fatal crashes
• Vision symptoms following concussion limit a child's ability to return to the classroom
• Climate change has mixed effects on migratory geese
• Long-distance survival: Effects of storage time and environmental exposure on soil bugs
• Alarming levels of hypertension found in the general public
• Future of coral reefs under climate change predicted
• Medicaid expansion boosts Michigan's economy and will more than pay for itself
• Physician's near-death experience inspires campaign to boost more effective patient communication
• A winning attitude and personal support key to success
• Big-billed birds spend more time snuggling in against the cold, study shows
• Study suggests route to improve artery repair

Worms have teenage ambivalence, too Posted: 05 Jan 2017 06:28 PM PST Scientists find that neurological changes mark transition from ambivalent adolescent to capable adult in the roundworm.

Using fat to help wounds heal without scars Posted: 05 Jan 2017 01:02 PM PST Doctors have found a way to manipulate wounds to heal as regenerated skin rather than scar tissue. The method involves transforming the most common type of cells found in wounds into fat cells -- something that was previously thought to be impossible in humans.

Arctic sea ice loss impacts beluga whale migration Posted: 05 Jan 2017 01:02 PM PST A new study finds the annual migration of some beluga whales in Alaska is altered by sea ice changes in the Arctic, while other belugas do not appear to be affected.

Scientists use light to control the logic networks of a cell Posted: 05 Jan 2017 01:02 PM PST Proteins are the workhorse molecules of life. Among their many jobs, they carry oxygen, build tissue, copy DNA for the next generation, and coordinate events within and between cells. Now scientists have developed a method to control proteins inside live cells with the flick of a switch, giving researchers an unprecedented tool for pinpointing the causes of disease using the simplest of tools: light.

Anemia protects African children against malaria Posted: 05 Jan 2017 01:02 PM PST Iron deficiency anemia protects children against the blood-stage of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa, and treating anemia with iron supplementation removes this protective effect, new research suggests.

Nerve-signaling protein regulates gene associated with Schizophrenia Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:43 AM PST Researchers have identified a protein that regulates a gene associated with schizophrenia. The study’s findings have significant implications for schizophrenia treatment.

South American fossil tomatillos show nightshades evolved earlier than thought Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST Delicate fossil remains of tomatillos found in Patagonia, Argentina, show that this branch of the economically important family that also includes potatoes, peppers, tobacco, petunias and tomatoes existed 52 million years ago, long before the dates previously ascribed to these species, according to an international team of scientists.

Research helps explain why androgen-deprivation therapy doesn't work for many prostate cancers Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST Metastatic prostate cancer, or prostate cancer that has spread to other organs, is incurable. In new research, scientists have identified two gatekeeper genes that allow prostate cancer to progress and resist treatment. Their work illuminates the mechanisms behind lineage plasticity, the ability of prostate cancer to adapt to therapy, and highlights opportunities to disrupt and even reverse this deadly process.

A flexible transistor that conforms to skin Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST Researchers have created a stretchy transistor that can be elongated to twice its length with only minimal changes in its conductivity. The development is a valuable advancement for the field of wearable electronics.

Development of face recognition entails brain tissue growth Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST A central tenet in neuroscience has been that the amount of brain tissue goes in one direction throughout our lives -- from too much to just enough. A new study finds that in some cases the brain can add tissue as well.

Scientists crack the structure of HIV machinery Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:35 AM PST Antiviral therapy could be improved with newly uncovered atomic-level details of the structure of HIV machinery, report researchers.

Immune cell therapy shows promising results for lymphoma patients Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:34 AM PST Physician investigators are working to bring immune cellular therapies to refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients. Promising results from the phase 1 portion of the ZUMA-1 study, which uses chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells to treat b-cell lymphoma patients, have now been published.

Surprising process behind sense of touch Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:34 AM PST Biologists have discovered a new mechanism that likely underlies how we feel force or touch.

Humans occupied Tibetan Plateau thousands of years earlier than previously thought Posted: 05 Jan 2017 11:34 AM PST Early Tibetan Plateau settlers managed to survive at high elevation at least 7,400 years ago, before the development of an agricultural economy between 5,200-3,600 years ago.

Cancers evade immunotherapy by 'discarding the evidence' of tumor-specific mutations Posted: 05 Jan 2017 10:38 AM PST Results of an initial study of tumors from patients with lung cancer or head and neck cancer suggest that the widespread acquired resistance to immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors may be due to the elimination of certain genetic mutations needed to enable the immune system to recognize and attack malignant cells.

Genomic data sharing is critical to improving genetic health care Posted: 05 Jan 2017 10:38 AM PST A new position statement tackles the question of how to make sense of the massive amount of genetic information being generated for better patient care.

Researchers identify factors associated with stopping treatment for opioid dependence Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST Individuals with opioid use disorder who are treated with buprenorphine, a commonly prescribed drug to treat addiction, are more likely to disengage from treatment programs if they are black or Hispanic, unemployed, or have hepatitis C according to a study.

Radar reveals meltwater's year-round life under Greenland ice Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST When summer temperatures rise in Greenland and the melt season begins, water pools on the surface, and sometimes disappears down holes in the ice. That water may eventually reach bedrock, creating a slipperier, faster slide for glaciers. But where does it go once it gets there, and what happens to it in the winter? A new study helps answer these questions.

Lung cancer patients may benefit from delayed chemotherapy after surgery Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST Patients with a common form of lung cancer may still benefit from delayed chemotherapy started up to four months after surgery, according to a team of researchers.

Study on sun protection behavior, skin cancer awareness Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST A large international survey asked nearly 20,000 participants about their sun protection behavior and skin cancer awareness.

Are tiny grazers the new hope for Caribbean reefs? Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST Thirty years ago a mysterious disease wiped out long-spined black sea urchins across the Caribbean, leading to massive algal overgrowth that smothered already overfished coral reefs. Now, marine biologists report that smaller sea urchins and parrotfish may be taking the place of the large sea urchins, restoring the balance on degraded reefs.

Animal study shows harmful effects of secondhand smoke even before pregnancy Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:32 AM PST Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke -- even before conception -- appears to have a lingering impact that can later impair the brain development of a fetus, researchers report.

Climate change could trigger strong sea level rise Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:31 AM PST About 15,000 years ago, the ocean around Antarctica has seen an abrupt sea level rise of several meters. It could happen again.

Biologist reveals important role cities play in conservation of threatened species Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:31 AM PST The exhaustive international trade of wildlife has pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Coincidentally, many of the same species have been introduced to urban centers or wilderness areas outside their natural ranges.

Hummingbirds see motion in an unexpected way Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:31 AM PST Have you ever imagined what the world must look like to hummingbirds as they zoom about at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour? According to new evidence on the way the hummingbird brain processes visual signals you can't. That's because a key area of the hummingbird's brain processes motion in a unique and unexpected way.

Cancer death rate has dropped 25 percent since 1991 peak Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:31 AM PST A steady decline over more than two decades has resulted in a 25 percent drop in the overall cancer death rate in the United States. The drop equates to 2.1 million fewer cancer deaths between 1991 and 2014.

New apps designed to reduce depression, anxiety as easily as checking your phone Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:31 AM PST Now you can find help for depression and anxiety on your smartphone as quickly as finding a good sushi restaurant. A novel suite of 13 speedy mini-apps called IntelliCare significantly reduced depression and anxiety in study participants, who used the apps on their smartphones up to four times a day. The reductions of 50 percent in anxiety and depression are comparable to results expected in clinical practice using psychotherapy or with antidepressant medication.

New model shows companies how to tailor call center service to different customer types Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:30 AM PST Call centers can be expensive as well as the source of lots of consumer angst. But companies can get more bang for their buck by doing a better job of coordinating marketing decisions that drive customers to call centers with operational ones about handling them once they get there, says a new study.

Hong Kong hosts more than a quarter of all marine species recorded in China Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:30 AM PST Hong Kong has a record of 5,943 marine species, according to a recent review by a research group.

Protein associated with Parkinson's travels from brain to gut Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:30 AM PST 'Alpha-synuclein,' a protein involved in a series of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, is capable of traveling from brain to stomach and does so following a specific pathway, researchers have discovered. This study, carried out in rats, sheds new light on pathological processes that could underlie disease progression in humans.

Partners for life? For some birds, better the devil you know Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:30 AM PST Many birds choose partners for life -- it offers many advantages and often improves a couple's breeding output. New research reveals that for the common tern lifelong monogamy does not always lead to breeding success. Nevertheless, they don't split up.

E-cigarette flavours pose unknown harm risk Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:23 AM PST Electronic cigarette users are more at risk of lung damage if they use flavourings such as menthol and butterscotch, according to a new study.

Eight European countries fight against the Asian longhorned beetle Posted: 05 Jan 2017 09:23 AM PST Asian longhorned beetles (ALBs), which are harmful to many broadleaf trees, have been spotted in eight European countries to date. The city of Winterthur (Switzerland) is the first place in Europe to eradicate a large beetle infestation in just four years; elsewhere, this has so far only been achieved in over ten years. According to a specialist, the recipe for success requires systematic action against the beetles, well-coordinated control measures and active information of the public.

Bees prefer warm violets in cool forests, scientists discover Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:14 AM PST In new study of Missouri bees and wildflowers has revealed the reproductive patterns in wildflowers in six countries for over 40 years, and thrives on new discoveries such as how bees respond to the color of the flowers they pollinate.

Evidence of Alzheimer's in patients with Lewy body disease tracks with course of dementia Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:13 AM PST Patients who had a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease with dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies and had higher levels of Alzheimer's disease pathology in their donated post-mortem brains also had more severe symptoms of these Lewy body diseases during their lives, compared to those whose brains had less AD pathology.

Turning up the thermostat could help tropical climates cool down Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:13 AM PST New research done in Singapore shows that slightly raising indoor temperatures and equipping office workers with smart fans saves significantly on overall office building energy costs while maintaining employee comfort.

Hot weather not to blame for salmonella on egg farms Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:13 AM PST New research shows there is no greater risk of Salmonella contamination in the production of free range eggs in Australia due to hot summer weather, compared with other seasons.

Buzzing the vagus nerve just right to fight inflammatory disease Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:13 AM PST Electrical vagus nerve stimulation can help fight inflammatory diseases like Crohn's or arthritis but can also contribute somewhat to inflammation. Engineers have tweaked the buzz to keep the good effects and minimize those less desirable. Their innovation could be adapted to existing medical devices with relative ease.

Mouse model points to potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:09 AM PST Treatment with an inhibitor of 12/15-lipoxygenase, an enzyme elevated in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), reverses cognitive decline and neuropathology in an AD mouse model, reports a new study. The effects were observed after the AD-like phenotype was already established in the mice, which is promising for its potential therapeutic use, as neuropathology tends to develop many years before the appearance of AD symptoms in patients.

Accelerated customization with smarter methods Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:09 AM PST A recent collaboration between the business sector and the School of Engineering at Jönköping University will facilitate the adaption of products to new requirements and strengthen the companies' competitiveness through new work procedures and IT tools.

How porphyrin may enhance graphene Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:09 AM PST Porphyrins, the same molecules that convey oxygen in haemoglobin and absorb light during photosynthesis, can be joined to the material of the future, graphene, to give it new properties. The resulting hybrid structures could be used in the field of molecular electronics and in developing new sensors.

'Zombie apocalypse' would wipe out humankind in just 100 days, students calculate Posted: 05 Jan 2017 07:09 AM PST A student study suggests that one hundred days after zombie infection spread less than 300 people would remain alive globally. After one hundred days human survivors would be outnumbered a million to one by zombies. Students worked on the assumption that a zombie would have a 90% probability of turning others into the undead. However, factoring in humans killing zombies and human reproduction rates, world’s population would eventually be able to recover.

Clinical guidelines to reduce risk of peanut allergy Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:29 AM PST An expert panel has issued clinical guidelines to aid health care providers in early introduction of peanut-containing foods to infants to prevent the development of peanut allergy.

Foods rich in resistant starch may benefit health Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:28 AM PST A new comprehensive review examines the potential health benefits of resistant starch, a form of starch that is not digested in the small intestine and is therefore considered a type of dietary fiber. Some forms of resistant starch occur naturally in foods such as bananas, potatoes, grains, and legumes, and some are produced or modified commercially and incorporated into food products.

Acid suppression medications linked to serious gastrointestinal infections Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:28 AM PST In a population-based study from Scotland, use of commonly-prescribed acid suppression medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was linked with an increased risk of intestinal infections with C. difficile and Campylobacter bacteria, which can cause considerable illness.

Pollutants in the Arctic environment are threatening polar bear health Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:28 AM PST A new analysis has found that although the risk of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Arctic environment is low for seals, it is two orders of magnitude higher than the safety threshold for adult polar bears and even more (three orders of magnitude above the threshold) for bear cubs fed with contaminated milk.

Efforts are needed to enrich the lives of killer whales in captivity Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:28 AM PST Keeping Killer whales in zoos and aquariums has become highly controversial. In a new article, experts outline several novel ideas for improving the lives of Killer whales in zoological institutions by enhancing the communication, feeding, environment, and health of the animals in order to elicit natural behaviors seen in the wild.

Genetics play a significant role in immunity Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:27 AM PST Nearly three-quarters of immune traits are influenced by genes, new research reveals.

Ignition interlock laws reduce alcohol-involved fatal crashes Posted: 05 Jan 2017 05:27 AM PST State laws requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders appear to reduce the number of fatal drunk driving crashes, a new study suggests.