ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Organic is only one ingredient in recipe for sustainable food future
• Carbon-based approaches for saving rainforests should include biodiversity studies
• Rapid blood pressure drops in middle age linked to dementia in old age
• Investigational vaccine protects cattle from respiratory syncytial virus
• Discovery in new material raises questions about theoretical models of superconductivity
• Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis
• New nanofiber marks important step in next generation battery development
• Information avoidance: From health to politics, people select their own reality
• A closer look at brain organoid development
• NASA's aerial survey of polar ice expands its Arctic reach
• Energy crop production on conservation lands may not boost greenhouse gases
• Why the discovery of a bevy of quasars will boost efforts to understand galaxies' origins
• Hubble hones in on a hypergiant's home
• Zika virus also may have harmful heart effects, research shows in first report in adults
• Plants at the pump
• A new paradigm in parachute design
• Malaria treatment: Soon to be simpler, more flexible, and more efficient?
• Biodegradable packages will keep your food fresh
• Behavioral biology: Ripeness is all
• Floods and hurricanes predicted with social media
• Bones, teeth reveal the harsh conditions endured by the ancestors of indigenous Finnish cattle and sheep breeds, particularly in the Middle Ages
• The new theory of economic 'agrowth' contributes to the viability of climate policies
• Potential approach to how radioactive elements could be 'fished out' of nuclear waste
• Gastrointestinal cancer: Physical exercise helps during chemo
• Measurements by school pupils paved way for key research findings on lakes and global warming
• Stressed seabird parents think only of themselves
• Researchers discovered fungus gnat Paradise in Peruvian Amazonia
• Novel mechanism that detains mobile genes in plant genome
• Immunology: Live and let live
• First public data released by hyper suprime-cam Subaru Strategic Program
• Patients with depression symptoms due to chronic sinus disease are less productive
• Patients more likely to get flu shots when doctors make appointments
• The hazards of English spelling
• Novel antibiotic combination therapy overcomes deadly drug-resistant bacteria
• Perovskite edges can be tuned for optoelectronic performance
• Federal U.S. agencies need to prepare for greater quantity, range of biotechnology products
• Poor sleep in early childhood may lead to cognitive, behavioral problems in later years
• Scientists reveal structure of potential leishmaniasis vaccine
• Newly discovered virus affects sex ratio of insect-killing wasps
• Dopamine neurons factor ambiguity into predictions enabling us to 'win big and win often'
• China faces science reform challenges, including favoritism
• Hard choices? Ask your brain's dopamine
• Researchers discover how neurons tell each other to die under trauma, disease
• Soils could release much more carbon than expected as climate warms
• Fish and mercury: Detailed consumption advisories would better serve women across US

Organic is only one ingredient in recipe for sustainable food future Posted: 10 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST Many people choose organic thinking it's better for humans and the planet, but a new study finds that might not always be the case.

Carbon-based approaches for saving rainforests should include biodiversity studies Posted: 10 Mar 2017 10:26 AM PST Conservationists working to safeguard tropical forests often assume that old growth forests containing great stores of carbon also hold high biodiversity, but a new study finds that the relationship may not be as strong as once thought, according to a group of researchers.

Rapid blood pressure drops in middle age linked to dementia in old age Posted: 10 Mar 2017 10:26 AM PST Middle-aged people who experience temporary blood pressure drops that often cause dizziness upon standing up may be at an increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia 20 years later.

Investigational vaccine protects cattle from respiratory syncytial virus Posted: 10 Mar 2017 10:26 AM PST A novel vaccine protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The version of RSV that naturally infects cattle is closely related to human RSV, so the results suggest that a similar human RSV vaccine construct may provide protection in humans, according to the study authors.

Discovery in new material raises questions about theoretical models of superconductivity Posted: 10 Mar 2017 10:26 AM PST A new study has successfully created the first pure, single-crystal sample of a new iron arsenide superconductor, CaKFe4As4, and studies of this material have called into question some long-standing theoretical models of superconductivity.

Targeting cancer stem cells improves treatment effectiveness, prevents metastasis Posted: 10 Mar 2017 10:25 AM PST Targeting cancer stem cells may be a more effective way to overcome cancer resistance and prevent the spread of squamous cell carcinoma — the most common head and neck cancer and the second-most common skin cancer, according to a new study. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a highly invasive form of cancer and frequently spreads to the cervical lymph nodes.

New nanofiber marks important step in next generation battery development Posted: 10 Mar 2017 09:17 AM PST Materials researchers have created a nanofiber that could help enable the next generation of rechargeable batteries and increase the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis.

Information avoidance: From health to politics, people select their own reality Posted: 10 Mar 2017 09:17 AM PST People deliberately avoid information that threatens their happiness and wellbeing. Researchers show that, while a simple failure to obtain information is the most clear-cut case of 'information avoidance,' people have a wide range of other information-avoidance strategies at their disposal. They are also remarkably adept at selectively directing their attention to information that affirms what they believe or that reflects favorably upon them, and at forgetting information they wish were not true.

A closer look at brain organoid development Posted: 10 Mar 2017 09:17 AM PST Researchers already have succeeded in growing so-called 'cerebral organoids' in a dish -- clusters of cells that self-organize into small brain-like structures. Scientists have now further characterized these organoids. They demonstrate that, like in the human brain, so-called forebrain organizing centers orchestrate developmental processes in the organoid, and that organoids recapitulate the timing of neuronal differentiation events found in human brains.

NASA's aerial survey of polar ice expands its Arctic reach Posted: 10 Mar 2017 09:17 AM PST For the past eight years, Operation IceBridge, a NASA mission that conducts aerial surveys of polar ice, has produced unprecedented three-dimensional views of Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, providing scientists with valuable data on how polar ice is changing in a warming world. Now, for the first time, the campaign will expand its reach to explore the Arctic's Eurasian Basin through two research flights based out of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the northern Atlantic Ocean.

Energy crop production on conservation lands may not boost greenhouse gases Posted: 10 Mar 2017 09:17 AM PST Growing sustainable energy crops without increasing greenhouse gas emissions, may be possible on seasonally wet, environmentally sensitive landscapes, according to researchers.

Why the discovery of a bevy of quasars will boost efforts to understand galaxies' origins Posted: 10 Mar 2017 07:35 AM PST Late last year, an international team including researchers announced the discovery of more than 60 extremely distant quasars, nearly doubling the number known to science - and thus providing dozens of new opportunities to look deep into our universe's history.

Hubble hones in on a hypergiant's home Posted: 10 Mar 2017 07:35 AM PST This beautiful Hubble image reveals a young super star cluster known as Westerlund 1, only 15,000 light-years away in our Milky Way neighborhood, yet home to one of the largest stars ever discovered.

Zika virus also may have harmful heart effects, research shows in first report in adults Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:29 AM PST Zika also may have serious effects on the heart, new research shows in the first study to report cardiovascular complications related to this virus.

Plants at the pump Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:21 AM PST Regular, unleaded or algae? That's a choice drivers could make at the pump one day. But for algal biofuels to compete with petroleum, farming algae has to become less expensive. Toward that goal, a research team is testing strains of algae for resistance to a host of predators and diseases, and learning to detect when an algae pond is about to crash.

A new paradigm in parachute design Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:21 AM PST X-ray-based experiments will simulate -- in microscopic detail -- spacecraft parachute fabric performance in the extreme conditions of other planets' atmospheres.

Malaria treatment: Soon to be simpler, more flexible, and more efficient? Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:20 AM PST Malaria infections may soon be treated much more efficiently than they are at present. Researchers have developed a novel drug release procedure for this purpose. The procedure enables the active ingredient Artemisone to be administered reliably at quantities and time intervals that are tailored exactly to the patients' individual needs.

Biodegradable packages will keep your food fresh Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST Researchers are creating biodegradable food packaging materials, which, in addition, will also keep food fresh for longer. This innovation would solve two problems at once: assist in cutting down packaging waste and in reducing the number of food-borne illnesses.

Behavioral biology: Ripeness is all Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST In contrast to other members of the Drosophila family, the spotted-wing fly D. suzukii deposits its eggs in ripe fruits. Biologists have now elucidated the sensory basis of their ability to exploit a novel ecological niche.

Floods and hurricanes predicted with social media Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST Social media can warn us about hurricanes, storms and floods before they happen, according to new research. Key words and photos on social media can signal developing risks – like water levels rising before a flood, say investigators. Found certain words – such as river, water and landscape - take on distinct meaning of forecast and warning during time periods leading to extreme weather events. Words can be used as ‘social sensors’, to create accurate early warning system for extreme weather, alongside physical sensors, the researchers conclude.

Bones, teeth reveal the harsh conditions endured by the ancestors of indigenous Finnish cattle and sheep breeds, particularly in the Middle Ages Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST The most extensive isotope analysis of archaeological material in Finland revealed a fragment of the history of ancient Finnish cattle: the bones and teeth showed which plants the animals fed on. For thousands of years, the ancestors of today’s Finncattle and Finnsheep survived on scarce nutrition, but actually starved in the Middle Ages in particular.

The new theory of economic 'agrowth' contributes to the viability of climate policies Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST A new economic theory compatible with the fight against climate change has been proposed by a new study. The “agrowth” proposal comes up as an alternative to the opposing economic trends of “green growth” and “degrowth”

Potential approach to how radioactive elements could be 'fished out' of nuclear waste Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:19 AM PST Scientists have revealed how arsenic molecules might be used to ‘fish out’ the most toxic elements from radioactive nuclear waste - a breakthrough that could make the decommissioning industry even safer and more effective.

Gastrointestinal cancer: Physical exercise helps during chemo Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST Walking or jogging helps patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer to cope better with the side effects of chemotherapy, shows new research.

Measurements by school pupils paved way for key research findings on lakes and global warming Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST With their measurements and samples, nearly 3,500 schoolchildren have assisted a research study on lakes and global warming. The results show that water temperatures generally remain low despite the air becoming warmer. This helps to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.

Stressed seabird parents think only of themselves Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST Stress is a factor not only in the best human families; it also appears among animals. Scientists gave parent and offspring birds a hormone pellet to increase their "stress levels", with the result that stressed offspring not only intensified their begging but also received more food than "relaxed" chicks. Nevertheless, increased begging was not the determining factor of the parent-offspring interaction. When parent birds were stressed, they automatically reduced offspring feeding and spent more time searching for food for themselves.

Researchers discovered fungus gnat Paradise in Peruvian Amazonia Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST Researchers have discovered and identified 16 new fungus gnat species in the Amazonia. The diverse gnat species maintain exceptionally rich parasitoid wasp species, which shows the importance of interdependence between rain forest species.

Novel mechanism that detains mobile genes in plant genome Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST A team researchers has discovered a hitherto-unknown mechanism that detains transposable elements or “mobile genes” - which can move and insert into new positions in plant genomes.

Immunology: Live and let live Posted: 10 Mar 2017 06:15 AM PST In order to maintain the microflora in the gut, the immune system must be taught to tolerate foreign bacteria. Researches have now shown how immune surveillance cells are educated to perform this task.

First public data released by hyper suprime-cam Subaru Strategic Program Posted: 10 Mar 2017 05:42 AM PST The first massive data set of a 'cosmic census' has been released using the largest digital camera on the Subaru Telescope. With its beautiful images now available for the public at large, figuring out the fate of the Universe has come one step closer.

Patients with depression symptoms due to chronic sinus disease are less productive Posted: 10 Mar 2017 05:42 AM PST Depressed patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are more likely to miss days of work or school than those without depression symptoms, according to the results of a new study.

Patients more likely to get flu shots when doctors make appointments Posted: 10 Mar 2017 05:42 AM PST Doctors who take a proactive stance and schedule flu shots for patients can dramatically increase vaccination rates, new research has found.

The hazards of English spelling Posted: 10 Mar 2017 05:42 AM PST A new study of English spelling practices demonstrates that the way we spell words is much more orderly and self-organizing than previously thought.

Novel antibiotic combination therapy overcomes deadly drug-resistant bacteria Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:11 PM PST Researchers have taken a significant step toward defeating antibiotic-resistant infections by combining two different antibiotics that each block a different kind of drug-destroying enzyme secreted by bacteria.

Perovskite edges can be tuned for optoelectronic performance Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:11 PM PST In the eternal search for next generation high-efficiency solar cells and LEDs, scientists are creating innovative 2-D layered hybrid perovskites that allow greater freedom in designing and fabricating efficient optoelectronic devices. Industrial and consumer applications could include low cost solar cells, LEDs, laser diodes, detectors, and other nano-optoelectronic devices.

Federal U.S. agencies need to prepare for greater quantity, range of biotechnology products Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:11 PM PST A profusion of biotechnology products is expected over the next five to 10 years, and the number and diversity of new products has the potential to overwhelm the U.S. regulatory system, says a new report.

Poor sleep in early childhood may lead to cognitive, behavioral problems in later years Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:11 PM PST A new study finds that children ages 3 to 7 who don't get enough sleep are more likely to have problems with attention, emotional control and peer relationships in mid-childhood.

Scientists reveal structure of potential leishmaniasis vaccine Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST Leishmaniasis, caused by the bite of a sand fly carrying a Leishmania parasite, infects around a million people a year around the world. Now, making progress toward a vaccine against the parasitic disease, researchers have characterized the structure of a protein from sand flies that can convey immunity to Leishmania.

Newly discovered virus affects sex ratio of insect-killing wasps Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST Scientists have identified a previously unknown virus that decreases the number of female offspring of the wasps it infects, according to a new study. The virus infects one species of a specific group of wasps known as parasitoid wasps.

Dopamine neurons factor ambiguity into predictions enabling us to 'win big and win often' Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST In the struggle of life, evolution rewards animals that master their circumstances, especially when the environment changes. The recipe for success is: win big, and win often. Success depends on the ability to learn. Researchers describe how dopamine-releasing neurons, which produce teaching signals for the brain, weigh the ambiguity of sensory information when they assess how successfully past experiences have guided a new decision. These neurons are even more sophisticated than previously thought.

China faces science reform challenges, including favoritism Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST In this Policy Forum, Cong Cao and Richard P. Suttmeier highlight the immense work and challenges China will encounter as it attempts to reform its scientific and technological development strategy.

Hard choices? Ask your brain's dopamine Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:23 AM PST Researchers have learned how dopamine governs ongoing decisions, yielding insights into Parkinson's, drug addiction.

Researchers discover how neurons tell each other to die under trauma, disease Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:22 AM PST Neuroscientists have found that healthy neurons receive messages from injured neighbors that can lead to death. If they can block these messages from getting through, they may be able to slow the progress of neurodegenerative diseases.

Soils could release much more carbon than expected as climate warms Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:21 AM PST Soils could release much more carbon dioxide than expected into the atmosphere as the climate warms, according to new research. Their findings are based on a field experiment that, for the first time, explored what happens to organic carbon trapped in soil when all soil layers are warmed, which in this case extend to a depth of 100 centimeters.

Fish and mercury: Detailed consumption advisories would better serve women across US Posted: 09 Mar 2017 11:21 AM PST Among women of childbearing age in the US, fish consumption has increased in recent years while blood mercury concentrations have decreased, suggesting improved health for women and their babies, a new study shows.