ScienceDaily: Top News

Crohn's disease Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:53 AM PST During the past decade, the gut has experienced a renaissance as investigations focus on the role of the microbiome on human health. While most studies have focused on bacteria, the dominant microbial inhabitants in the gut, scientists used mouse studies to show the role of yeast in aggravating the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Their work suggests that allopurinol, a generic drug already on the market, could offer some relief.

Oral delivery system could make vaccination needle-free Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:53 AM PST Patients could one day self-administer vaccines using a needleless, pill-sized technology that jet-releases a stream of vaccine inside the mouth, according to a proof-of-concept study.

Biologists identify ancient stress response in corals Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:53 AM PST Monitoring a newly discovered group of genes in coral could predict when they are under stress and might bleach. The approach could improve conservation strategies for at-risk coral reefs, say scientists.

High prevalence, incidence of hypertension among rural Africans living with HIV Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:53 AM PST About 12 percent of people living with HIV in rural Tanzania have hypertension at the moment of HIV diagnosis. An additional 10 percent will develop hypertension during the first months of antiretroviral therapy. This represents an incidence 1.5 times higher than that found in Europe or the United States.

Researchers identify biomarker that predicts death in sepsis patients Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:47 AM PST The runaway immune response to infection called sepsis is difficult to diagnose, and even more difficult to treat. Now, researchers have discovered a biomarker called methylthioadenosine (MTA) that can predict which patients are most likely to die from the disease. The findings could also help determine whether patients could benefit from therapies that either enhance or suppress the immune system, paving the way for new treatments.

Pro-pot arguments fly higher with likely voters Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:47 AM PST As more states consider legalizing recreational marijuana, a range of arguments for and against legalization is swirling around the national conversation. Which of these arguments resonate most strongly with Americans? It's the arguments that support legalization, according to a new study.

In battle for real estate, a disordered protein wins out Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:47 AM PST Research findings that first had scientists scratching their heads have turned out to be 'quite revolutionary,' according to study leaders. The scientists found that in a competition between two apparently equivalent proteins, one protein wins out every time as it swoops in to claim a cellular binding target. This protein is of special interest to researchers because it can trigger cancer cells to kill themselves. In fact, the researchers now hope future therapeutics that mimic this protein may work as potential cancer drugs.

Cancer-causing benzene found in e-cigarette vapors operated at high power Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:46 AM PST Significant levels of cancer-causing benzene in e-cigarette vapors can form when the devices are operated at high power, scientists have found.

Chemists create molecular 'leaf' that collects and stores solar power without solar panels Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:53 AM PST An international research team has engineered a molecule that uses light or electricity to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide -- a carbon-neutral fuel source -- more efficiently than any other method of "carbon reduction." The discovery is a new milestone in the quest to recycle carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere into carbon-neutral fuels and others materials.

Studying altruism through virtual reality Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:13 AM PST A computer-based environment has been developed with the aim to shed light on the origins of altruism. This new study immersed participants in a virtual environment that reproduced a building on fire which they had to evacuate in a hurry, deciding whether to save their lives or interrupt their escape and help rescue an injured person. The results showed that altruistic individuals self-reported to have greater concern for others’ wellbeing and had larger right anterior insula (a brain area involved in processing social emotions) compared to non-altruists.

Super-sized memory is trainable and long lasting Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST The ability to perform astonishing feats of memory, such as remembering lists of several dozen words, can be learned, researchers report. After 40 days using a strategic memory improvement technique, individuals who had typical memory skills at the start and no previous memory training more than doubled their memory capacity, going from recalling an average of 26 words from a list of 72 to remembering 62. Four months later, recall performance remained high.

Scientists create new form of matter, a time crystal Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Scientists are reporting on the creation of a phase of matter, dubbed a time crystal, in which atoms move in a pattern that repeats in time rather than in space.

New insights into how inhibitory neurons contribute to functional networks in the cortex Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Networks consist of many types of neurons, including some that send excitatory signals, increasing the likelihood of other neurons firing, and some that send inhibitory signals, decreasing the likelihood of other neurons firing. Researchers have now demonstrated that inhibitory neurons participate in finely-tuned, functionally-specific networks, similarly to excitatory neurons. Researchers suspect that abnormalities in these networks may play a role in a variety of brain disorders.

A three-dimensional map of the genome Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Cells face a daunting task. They have to neatly pack a several meter-long thread of genetic material into a nucleus that measures only five micrometers across. This origami creates spatial interactions between genes and their switches, which can affect human health and disease. Now, an international team of scientists has devised a powerful new technique that 'maps' this three-dimensional geography of the entire genome.

Dental plaque DNA shows Neanderthals used 'aspirin' Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Ancient DNA found in the dental plaque of Neandertals -- our nearest extinct relative -- has provided remarkable new insights into their behavior, diet and evolutionary history, including their use of plant-based medicine to treat pain and illness.

Don't relax drug approval process, experts warn Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Experts are warning that moves to deregulate America's drug approval process could see a flood of unproven and even harmful new drugs enter the market that could threaten human health.

Paper pumps power portable microfluidics, biomedical devices Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST Biomedical engineering researchers have developed inexpensive paper pumps that use capillary action to power portable microfluidic devices, opening the door to a range of biomedical tools.

Molecule shown to repair damaged axons Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:12 AM PST A foray into plant biology led one researcher to discover that a natural molecule can repair axons, the thread-like projections that carry electrical signals between cells. Axonal damage is the major culprit underlying disability in conditions such as spinal cord injury and stroke.

Researchers find neurological link between religious experiences and epilepsy Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST A relationship between epilepsy and heightened religious experiences has been recognized since at least the 19th century. In a recent study, researchers found a neurological relationship exists between religiosity -- a disposition for spiritual experience and religious activity -- and epilepsy. This finding sheds light on the connection between religion and neuropsychological processes within the human brain.

Silk Road evolved as 'grass-routes' movement Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST Nearly 5,000 years ago, long before the vast east-west trade routes of the Great Silk Road were traversed by Marco Polo, the foundations for these trans-Asian interaction networks were being carved by nomads moving herds to lush mountain pastures, suggests new research.

Novel compound that engages 'second arm' of immune system reduces breast tumors, metastases Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST A compound able to reverse the allegiance of innate immune system cells - turning them from tumor enablers into tumor opponents - caused breast tumors in mice to shrink and withdraw from distant metastases, scientists report.

New enzyme-like tool lets chemists modify hard-to-reach spots on drug molecules Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST Chemists have devised a versatile molecule-building tool for creating new drugs and other chemical products. The invention brings chemistry a step closer to an ambitious goal: being able to use techniques of laboratory organic synthesis to make the highly selective transformations of molecules that enzymes catalyze in living cells -- but without enzymes' limitations.

Aboriginal hair shows 50,000 year connection to Australia Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST DNA in hair samples collected from Aboriginal people across Australia in the early to mid-1900s has revealed that populations have been continuously present in the same regions for up to 50,000 years -- soon after the peopling of Australia.

Bone-derived hormone suppresses appetite in mice Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST Lipocalin 2, a hormone secreted by bone cells, suppresses appetite in mice, researchers have discovered. The study findings, which reveal a new mechanism for regulating food intake and blood sugar, could lead to the development of new treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

The proteins that domesticated our genomes Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:11 AM PST Scientists have carried out a genomic and evolutionary study of a large and enigmatic family of human proteins, to demonstrate that it is responsible for harnessing the millions of transposable elements in the human genome. The work reveals the largely species-specific gene-regulatory networks that impact all of human biology, in both health and disease.

New survey finds 'Peter Pan' radio galaxies that may never grow up Posted: 08 Mar 2017 09:18 AM PST A team of astronomers has doubled the number of known young, compact radio galaxies -- galaxies powered by newly energized black holes. The improved tally will help astronomers understand the relationship between the size of these radio sources and their age, as well as the nature of the galaxy itself. In particular, it will help astronomers understand why there are so many more young radio galaxies than old.

MRI-powered mini-robots could offer targeted treatment Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST Invasive surgical techniques allow physicians to effectively treat disease but can lead to sometimes serious complications and dramatically slow healing for the patient. Scientists instead want to deploy dozens, or even thousands of tiny robots to travel the body's venous system as they deliver drugs or a self-assembled interventional tool.

Controversial 'liberation therapy' fails to treat multiple sclerosis Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST Opening up narrowed veins from the brain and spinal cord is not effective in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study. The conclusions about the so-called 'liberation therapy,' which thousands of people with MS have undergone since 2009, represent the most definitive debunking of the claim that patients could achieve dramatic improvements from a one-time medical procedure.

Mechanism underlying size-sorting of rubble on asteroid Itokawa revealed Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST Researchers investigate why pebbles and boulders on asteroid Itokawa's surface occupy separate regions.

Fish, selective hunting strategies and a delayed-return lifestyle among ancient foragers Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST A unique trove of bone material from the 9,200 year old coastal settlement Norje Sunnansund in Blekinge, Sweden, has revealed that surprisingly sophisticated hunting strategies were used at the time. One key find was that the early Mesolithic humans practiced so-called selective hunting -- seemingly in order to maximize gain and preserve the local population of certain species.

The protective layer of prehistoric land plants Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST Biologists have discovered a mechanism in mosses that was crucial for the evolution of ecosystems on land. The investigators discovered this mechanism that facilitated the evolutionary transition of plants from fresh water to land in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

Research lab expands palette for color-changing glass Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 AM PST New nanophotonics research could expand the color palette for companies in the fast-growing market for glass windows that change color at the flick of an electric switch. A team of researchers has used an inexpensive hydrocarbon molecule to create low-voltage, multicolor, electrochromic glass.

Moving toward faster, more accurate detection of food- and water-borne bacteria Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:47 AM PST Food poisoning is a scourge. Yet preventing it is far from foolproof. But in a new study, scientists report that they are closing in on a way to use a combination of color-changing paper and electrochemical analysis -- on plastic transparency sheets or simple paper -- to quickly, cheaply and more accurately detect bacterial contamination of fruits and vegetables in the field before they reach grocery stores, restaurants and household pantries.

New technology platform propels the use of 'organs-on-chips' Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:47 AM PST A novel technology platform has been developed that enables the continuous and automated monitoring of so-called 'organs-on-chips' -- tiny devices that incorporate living cells to mimic the biology of bona fide human organs.

Atomic resolution of muscle contraction Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:47 AM PST Atomic images of muscle molecules in action have now been captured by researchers, giving possibility of new nanomachines.

Trauma surgeons show 'profound' racial disparity in Philadelphia gun violence Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:46 AM PST Researchers argue for more research on firearm injury, including the establishment of a national database on incidents of gun violence. The authors point to recent research showing that in Philadelphia, gun murders and injuries are much more strongly associated with race than neighborhood income levels.

Promising lead reduces autism symptoms and more Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:46 AM PST Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of autism. A team of researchers, however, has provided a promising lead in battling this disease. The scientists identified a single protein that appears to be the culprit in causing many behavioral symptoms as well as molecular and cellular abnormalities related to Fragile X.

Chinese famine data shows no long-term health effects except for schizophrenia Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:46 AM PST A systematic re-analysis of all previous studies of long-term health effects of prenatal exposure to the Chinese Famine of 1959-61 shows no increases in diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions among famine births except for schizophrenia. The analyzed studies reported that these conditions were more common among famine births. In the re-analysis, researchers compared outcomes in famine births to control groups. Findings raise fundamental questions about the design of existing Chinese famine studies.

Therapy shrinks tumors in patients with multiple myeloma Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:46 AM PST An experimental drug, LCL161, stimulates the immune system, leading to tumor shrinkage in patients affected by multiple myeloma, report scientists.

New material regrows bone Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:46 AM PST A team of researchers repaired a hole in a mouse's skull by regrowing 'quality bone,' a breakthrough that could drastically improve the care of people who suffer severe trauma to the skull or face.

Reusable sponge created that soaks up oil Posted: 08 Mar 2017 06:25 AM PST Scientists have invented a new foam, called Oleo Sponge, that not only easily adsorbs spilled oil from water, but is also reusable and can pull dispersed oil from the entire water column -- not just the surface.

A new tool for genetically engineering the oldest branch of life Posted: 08 Mar 2017 06:25 AM PST A new study has documented the use of CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing in the third domain of life, Archaea, for the first time. Their groundbreaking work has the potential to vastly accelerate future studies of these organisms, with implications for research including global climate change.

Crocodiles and dolphins evolved similar skulls to catch the same prey Posted: 08 Mar 2017 06:24 AM PST Despite their very different ancestors, dolphins and crocodiles evolved similarly shaped skulls to feed on similar prey, new research indicates.