ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Cancer drug could promote regeneration of heart tissue
• Finding the needle in a genomic haystack
• Why doctors may keep a patient awake for brain surgery
• Faster way of detecting bacteria could save your life
• Full(erene) potential
• Jekyll and Hyde cells: Their role in brain injury and disease revealed
• Atomic-scale view of bacterial proteins offers path to new tuberculosis drugs
• Search smarter not harder: Researchers present optimal strategy for foragers
• One more reason to focus on prenatal care -- Stronger muscles for newborn babies
• Hubble captures brilliant star death in 'rotten egg' nebula
• Research team helps Boeing set up nondestructive evaluation laboratory
• Research supports expanded use of cell free DNA prenatal testing
• Efforts to restore imperiled Pando show promise says USU ecologist
• How x-rays in matter create genetoxic low-energy electrons
• Mathematically optimizing traffic lights in road intersections
• China to protect areas of high ecological importance identified by researchers
• Great Barrier Reef building coral under threat from poisonous seaweed
• Myth busted: No link between gigantic asteroid break-up, rise in biodiversity
• Nuclear Regulation: Safety is valued too low, research review shows
• Protein chaperone takes its job seriously
• Flipping the switch on ammonia production
• Supercomputing, experiment combine for first look at magnetism of real nanoparticle
• Brain plasticity: How adult-born neurons get wired-in
• Skin sodium content linked to heart problems in patients with kidney disease
• Clear communication can make doctor visits successful for children with autism
• Monoclonal antibody given to preterm babies may reduce wheeze later
• Lasers: Key to unlocking memory
• 'Fantastic mosaic' and home with underfloor heating among new evidence discovered from Leicester's Roman past
• Surprise finding leads to new insights into splenic B cell differentiation
• Ground-breaking method for screening the most useful nanoparticles for medicine
• Pregnant women should avoid liquorice
• Salicylic acid, a widespread ingredient in pain relief medications, promotes nasal mucosa colonization
• Study traces black carbon sources in the Russian Arctic
• Number of children emerging as cardiovascular risk factor for both parents
• Researchers investigate decline in South Africa's forest-birds
• Emoticons help gauge school happiness level in young children
• Empathetic people experience dogs' expressions more strongly
• New research paints a merciless picture of life as a deaf-blind person
• Personality traits 'contagious' among children
• Germanium outperforms silicon in energy efficient transistors with n- und p- conduction
• Study addresses extreme thinness standards in fashion industry
• Research connects overeating during national sporting events to medical problems
• 'Brute force' can overcome antibiotic resistance
• Thirdhand smoke affects weight, blood cell development in mice
• Couples with obesity may take longer to achieve pregnancy, study suggests
• Wired for sound: Enraging noises caused by brain connection overdrive
• Particle accelerators: Size matters
• Preterm delivery linked to greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life
• World’s smallest pacemaker revealed

Cancer drug could promote regeneration of heart tissue Posted: 03 Feb 2017 12:16 PM PST An anticancer agent in development promotes regeneration of damaged heart muscle -- an unexpected research finding that may help prevent congestive heart failure in the future.

Finding the needle in a genomic haystack Posted: 03 Feb 2017 12:16 PM PST Researchers have identified a genomic mutation that causes physical abnormalities and developmental delays in children. Upon analyzing the genome of a six-year-old boy, the scientists identified a novel mutation that affects a protein known as CASK, which is key to brain development and the signals transmitted by brain cells, or neurons.

Why doctors may keep a patient awake for brain surgery Posted: 03 Feb 2017 11:00 AM PST An article gives a rare look at brain surgery with the patient alert and awake. It's not routine to keep patients awake, but in this case, a small section of the tumor was in the area of the brain for speech function.

Faster way of detecting bacteria could save your life Posted: 03 Feb 2017 11:00 AM PST A faster way to detect the bacteria causing patients to become sick has now been developed, giving physicians a better chance at saving lives.

Full(erene) potential Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:56 AM PST The addition of specific molecules to 'trap' charge carriers in semiconducting polymers proves to be a powerful method of mastering the materials' electrical properties. Now, materials researchers have discovered a way to control the electrical properties of organic semiconductors within the same material.

Jekyll and Hyde cells: Their role in brain injury and disease revealed Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:55 AM PST New research has shown how normally helpful brain cells can turn rogue and kill off other brain cells following injury or disease.

Atomic-scale view of bacterial proteins offers path to new tuberculosis drugs Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:51 AM PST In studying a cousin of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, scientists have drawn a molecular map of the target for rifampicin, a common antibiotic. They are now using it in an effort to combat multi-resistant tuberculosis, for which existing treatments don't work.

Search smarter not harder: Researchers present optimal strategy for foragers Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:51 AM PST Researchers reveal an optimal strategy for foragers -- animals searching for berries in the woods or prospectors seeking oil in the desert. The statistical model builds on previous foraging theories by accounting for trajectory and resources consumed. The optimal foraging strategy? Search the current foraging ground for a time that equals the time it would take to pull up stakes and move to a new territory.

One more reason to focus on prenatal care -- Stronger muscles for newborn babies Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:51 AM PST Malnutrition and stress negatively affect muscle stem cells in the fetus, and this could have life-long consequences, outlines a new report.

Hubble captures brilliant star death in 'rotten egg' nebula Posted: 03 Feb 2017 10:50 AM PST The Calabash Nebula -- which has the technical name OH 231.8+04.2 -- is a spectacular example of the death of a low-mass star like the sun.

Research team helps Boeing set up nondestructive evaluation laboratory Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:57 AM PST Researchers recently worked with The Boeing Company to establish a new nondestructive evaluation laboratory that uses millimeter wave technology to improve the detection of potential flaws in coatings, surfaces and materials.

Research supports expanded use of cell free DNA prenatal testing Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:56 AM PST Non-invasive cell free DNA prenatal testing can be effectively and appropriately offered to all pregnant women, regardless of maternal age or risk factors, through primary obstetrical care providers, researchers have demonstrated.

Efforts to restore imperiled Pando show promise says USU ecologist Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:56 AM PST Quaking aspen across the American West are stressed by a combination of sources, including drought, hungry herbivores, fire suppression and development. Researchers report passive and active treatments, including fencing, burning, shrub removal and selective overstory cutting, show promise in restoring Utah's massive Pando clone at experimental scales.

How x-rays in matter create genetoxic low-energy electrons Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:03 AM PST Researchers have investigated what x-rays in matter really do and identified a new mechanism of producing low-energy free electrons. Since the low-energy electrons cause damage to the matter, the identified process might be important in understanding and designing radiation treatment of illnesses.

Mathematically optimizing traffic lights in road intersections Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:02 AM PST Traffic modeling has been of interest to mathematicians since the 1950s. Research in the area has only grown as road traffic control presents an ever-increasing problem. In a new paper, authors address the problem of computing optimal traffic light settings for urban road intersections by applying traffic flow conservation laws on networks.

China to protect areas of high ecological importance identified by researchers Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:02 AM PST Scientists have determined ecologically valuable areas within China. The country plans to protect these areas as part of an ecological initiative.

Great Barrier Reef building coral under threat from poisonous seaweed Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:01 AM PST World-first research on the Great Barrier Reef has shown how 'weed-like' algae will kill vital coral because of increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.

Myth busted: No link between gigantic asteroid break-up, rise in biodiversity Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:01 AM PST Some 470 million years ago, during the middle part of the geological period known as the Ordovician, an asteroid collision took place somewhere between Mars and Jupiter. The collision caused an explosion that sent a cascade of meteorites towards Earth.

Nuclear Regulation: Safety is valued too low, research review shows Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:01 AM PST The benchmark used by the Office for Nuclear Regulation for judging how much should be spent on nuclear safety has no basis in evidence and places insufficient value on human life, suggests a new paper. The review suggests it may need to be 10 times higher -- between £16 million and £22 million per life saved.

Protein chaperone takes its job seriously Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:01 AM PST In a new study, researchers are learning more about how ribosome chaperones work, showing that one particular chaperone binds to its protein client in a very specific, tight manner, almost like a glove fitting a hand.

Flipping the switch on ammonia production Posted: 03 Feb 2017 08:01 AM PST Chemists have published a different method, using enzymes derived from nature, that generates ammonia at room temperature. As a bonus, the reaction generates a small electrical current.

Supercomputing, experiment combine for first look at magnetism of real nanoparticle Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:35 AM PST Researchers working with magnetic nanoparticles approached computational scientists to help solve a unique problem: to model magnetism at the atomic level using experimental data from a real nanoparticle.

Brain plasticity: How adult-born neurons get wired-in Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:34 AM PST Does the brain create additional synapses from the cortical neurons to the new granule cells, or do some cortical neurons transfer connections from mature granule cells to the new granule cells? Researchers have found that the connections are transferred, without adding to the number of synapses.

Skin sodium content linked to heart problems in patients with kidney disease Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:34 AM PST Elevated sodium content in the skin correlates closely with left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease, report researchers.

Clear communication can make doctor visits successful for children with autism Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:34 AM PST Doctor visits can be a challenge for patients with autism, their families and health care providers. A new report offers several steps providers and families can take to make medical visits more successful. She says that all of them require good communication between the provider and parent before, during and after medical visits.

Monoclonal antibody given to preterm babies may reduce wheeze later Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:33 AM PST Preterm babies given the monoclonal antibody palivizumab to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also appear less likely to develop recurrent wheeze, at least until the age of six, according to new research.

Lasers: Key to unlocking memory Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:31 AM PST Memory involves the successful flow of neurotransmitters from neuron to neuron. When memory breaks down, researchers know there must be a gap in this flow but currently don't know where to start in terms of bridging it. A new method uses near infrared light to shed light on memory loss conditions.

'Fantastic mosaic' and home with underfloor heating among new evidence discovered from Leicester's Roman past Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:31 AM PST Archaeologists are excavating site in the city center of Leicester, England. They have uncovered the largest Roman mosaic pavement found in Leicester in last 30 years, with a possible shrine at the center of the site. These findings provide a glimpse into Roman life in the north-east quarter of the town.

Surprise finding leads to new insights into splenic B cell differentiation Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST Researchers are familiar with the functions of MZB cells, but the molecular processes involved in their development remained a mystery until an unrelated test revealed that Taok3 plays an essential role. Using these insights, a research team demonstrated that mice genetically lacking in Taok3 did not develop MZB cells, and are more susceptible to bacterial infection.

Ground-breaking method for screening the most useful nanoparticles for medicine Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST Researchers have devised a rapid screening method to select the most promising nanoparticles, thereby fast-tracking the development of future treatments. In less than a week, they are able to determine whether nanoparticles are compatible or not with the human body -- an analysis that previously required several months of work. This discovery, may well lead to the swift, safe and less expensive development of nanotechnology applied to medicine.

Pregnant women should avoid liquorice Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST A new study supports food recommendations that women should avoid consuming large amounts of liquorice during pregnancy. The limit for safe consumption is not known.

Salicylic acid, a widespread ingredient in pain relief medications, promotes nasal mucosa colonization Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST An international research team has now shown that this multifaceted compound can also have an unpleasant side effect. Salicylic acid forms complexes with iron and lab tests showed that the iron limitation strongly promotes formation of biofilms by Staphylococcus aureus. This allows the bacteria to survive and persist in our respiratory tract for longer periods of time which eventually trigger life-threatening infections in immunocompromised persons.

Study traces black carbon sources in the Russian Arctic Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST Transport and residential heating could be responsible for a greater contribution of black carbon in the Russian Arctic compared to gas flaring or power plants, according to new research.

Number of children emerging as cardiovascular risk factor for both parents Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST The number of children one has is emerging as a novel factor that influences the risk for some cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and in some societies in both parents, according to experts.

Researchers investigate decline in South Africa's forest-birds Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST Forest-dwelling bird species are disappearing from some of South Africa's indigenous forests, with forest birds in the Eastern Cape being the most affected. A new study showed that the ranges of 28 of South Africa's 57 forest-dwelling bird species were declining, while those of 22 species were increasing and seven remained stable. The findings are based on 25 years of citizen science data collected by the Southern African Bird Atlas Project.

Emoticons help gauge school happiness level in young children Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST The How I Feel About My School questionnaire is available to download for free. It uses emoticon-style faces with options of happy, ok or sad. It asks children to rate how they feel in seven situations including on the way to school, in the classroom and in the playground. It is designed to help teachers and others to communicate with very young children on complex emotions.

Empathetic people experience dogs' expressions more strongly Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST A study explored how empathy and other psychological factors affect people's assessments of the facial images of dogs and humans.

New research paints a merciless picture of life as a deaf-blind person Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST It is like being in a dirty glass jar, unable to reach out and with acquaintances passing by without saying hello. New research paints a merciless picture of life with acquired deaf-blindness.

Personality traits 'contagious' among children Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST When preschoolers spend time around one another, they tend to take on each others' personalities, indicates a new study.

Germanium outperforms silicon in energy efficient transistors with n- und p- conduction Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST An important breakthrough has been reached in the development of energy-efficient electronic circuits using transistors based on germanium.

Study addresses extreme thinness standards in fashion industry Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST In a recent study, female fashion models reported high levels of pressure to lose weight, which was associated with higher odds of engaging in unhealthy behaviors to control weight.

Research connects overeating during national sporting events to medical problems Posted: 03 Feb 2017 07:15 AM PST People who overeat during national holidays and national sporting events -- like this weekend's Super Bowl -- are 10 times more likely to need emergency medical attention for food obstruction than any at other time of the year, according to a new study.

'Brute force' can overcome antibiotic resistance Posted: 03 Feb 2017 05:51 AM PST Antibiotics can still kill drug-resistant bacteria if they 'push' hard enough into bacterial cells, finds new research. The study opens up a promising new way of overcoming antibiotic resistance and could help scientists to design even more effective drugs.

Thirdhand smoke affects weight, blood cell development in mice Posted: 03 Feb 2017 05:51 AM PST The sticky residue left behind by tobacco smoke led to changes in weight and blood cell count in mice, outlines a new report. These latest findings add to a growing body of evidence that thirdhand smoke exposure may be harmful.

Couples with obesity may take longer to achieve pregnancy, study suggests Posted: 03 Feb 2017 05:51 AM PST Couples in which both partners are obese may take from 55 to 59 percent longer to achieve pregnancy, compared to their non-obese counterparts, according to a study.

Wired for sound: Enraging noises caused by brain connection overdrive Posted: 03 Feb 2017 05:51 AM PST While many of us may find the sounds of chewing or breathing off-putting, for some they're unbearable -- and new research has shown their brains are going into overdrive.

Particle accelerators: Size matters Posted: 02 Feb 2017 01:30 PM PST A beam of electrons was first observed to be accelerated with a ‘gradient’ – or energy transfer rate - of 300 MV/m, which is very high for present-day accelerators, in a device rather like a microchip. This was made of silica glass and powered by a commercial laser beam, at the SLAC laboratory in the USA. It opens the way to build a particle accelerator “on a chip” much more cheaply than conventional ones. However, few studies have been done of the all-important quality of the particle beam that can be obtained from such a ‘micro accelerator’.

Preterm delivery linked to greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life Posted: 02 Feb 2017 01:13 PM PST Women who have delivered prematurely before 37 weeks have a 40 percent increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease when compared to women who delivered their babies after 37 weeks, researchers have found. Women who delivered earlier, before 32 weeks, had double the risk of CVD.

World’s smallest pacemaker revealed Posted: 02 Feb 2017 11:20 AM PST A pacemaker the size of a nickel can now be implanted in patients, report experts. When a lower heart rate is present, the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body during normal activity or exercise. Pacemakers are the most common way to treat bradycardia to help restore the heart's normal rhythm and relieve symptoms by sending electrical impulses to the heart to increase the heart rate.