Science News-Mushrooms may hold clues to effect of carbon dioxide on lawns, researchers find

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• New 3-D printing method creates shape-shifting objects
• Adolescents with frequent PE more informed about physical activity's role in health
• Nanoparticle research tested in locusts focuses on new drug-delivery method
• Common factor links neurodegenerative disease in young and old
• Fish migration tracked by testing DNA in seawater
• Pokemon Go players are happier, friendlier, study finds
• Non-flammable graphene membrane developed for safe mass production
• Understanding of herpesvirus infection advanced by new research
• Surprising brain change appears to drive alcohol dependence
• Substantial increase in chronic venous insufficiency procedures in Medicare population
• Florida manatees likely to persist for at least 100 years
• Super sensitive devices work on recycling atoms
• Gut microbes contribute to age-associated inflammation, mouse study shows
• How to color a lizard: From biology to mathematics
• Early dinosaur cousin had a surprising croc-like look
• A big-picture look at the world's worst Ebola epidemic
• Gene silencing shows promise for treating two fatal neurological disorders
• Algal residue: Alternative carbon resource for pharmaceuticals and polyesters
• On-the-range detection technology could corral bovine TB
• Tick tock, stay ahead of the aging clock
• Surprisingly long lifetime of high adhesion property of plasma-treated Polytetrafluoroethylene
• How to disrupt bacteria to better treat infections
• Meet 'DeeDee,' a distant, dim member of our solar system
• Potential therapy to prevent 'chemobrain' in cancer patients
• New lettuce genome assembly offers clues to success of huge plant family
• New imaging technique shows effectiveness of cystic fibrosis drug
• The problem expands for avocado growers: 9 beetle species carry deadly fungus
• Musical beds: Co-sleeping is more common than some parents admit
• Overuse injuries more common in kids who specialize in individual sport
• Vitamin B diminishes effects of air pollution-induced cardiovascular disease
• Skull of saber-toothed cat found almost complete
• Mushrooms may hold clues to effect of carbon dioxide on lawns, researchers find
• College students study best later in the day, study shows
• Polar glaciers may be home to previously undiscovered carbon cycle
• Rock giants Pink Floyd honored in naming of newly discovered, bright pink pistol shrimp
• Most major heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol, research finds
• Struggling with different work identities? Your work may suffer
• Classifying English proficiency varies by district, with mixed outcomes for students
• Collisions generate gas in debris disks
• How common fats, a lazy lifestyle and diabetes are connected
• Potentially hazardous substances identified in inflatable pool toys
• More objective than human hearing
• Industry 4.0 in real time
• First 'image' of a dark matter web that connects galaxies
• Could 'love hormone' help drug addicts stay clean?
• Cracking the origin of ancient decorative ostrich eggs
• Unveiling nonlocal correlations in natural systems
• New machine learning models can detect hate speech, violence from texts
• Evaluating cultural value of landscapes using geotagged photos
• Can dealing with emotional exhaustion enhance happiness?
• Ant agricultural revolution began 30 million years ago in dry, desert-like climate
• Shoe-string theory: Science shows why shoelaces come untied
• Art of paper-cutting inspires self-charging paper device
• US streams carry surprisingly extensive mixture of pollutants
• Exercise associated with improved heart attack survival
• Catch me if you can: Scientists discover neurons that control willingness to mate in female fruit flies
• More than $16 billion spent on cosmetic plastic surgery in 2016
• Elephants' 'body awareness' adds to increasing evidence of their intelligence
• How polar bears find their prey
• Hot flashes could signal increased risk of heart disease

New 3-D printing method creates shape-shifting objects Posted: 12 Apr 2017 12:51 PM PDT A new 3-D printing method has been developed to create objects that can permanently transform into a range of different shapes in response to heat.

Adolescents with frequent PE more informed about physical activity's role in health Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:52 AM PDT Frequent, long-term instruction in physical education not only helps adolescents be more fit but also equips them with knowledge about how regular physical activity relates to good health.

Nanoparticle research tested in locusts focuses on new drug-delivery method Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:52 AM PDT A team of engineers has combined nanoparticles, aerosol science and locusts in new proof-of-concept research that could someday vastly improve drug delivery to the brain, making it as simple as a sniff.

Common factor links neurodegenerative disease in young and old Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:52 AM PDT A common mechanism in two forms of neurodegeneration that affect young adults or the elderly has now been identified by researchers. The discovery advances efforts to find better treatments and cures for these diseases. Currently, there are no cures for these conditions, which are projected to cost the nation an estimated $259 billion in 2017.

Fish migration tracked by testing DNA in seawater Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:52 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have successfully recorded fish migration by conducting DNA tests on seawater samples. Using this method to estimate the abundance and distribution of fish species could help scientists more easily understand the impact certain environmental factors are having on local fish populations.

Pokemon Go players are happier, friendlier, study finds Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:52 AM PDT Pokemon Go people are happy people. That's the finding of media researchers who leapt to study the wildly popular mobile game shortly after its release in July 2016. Their work shows that Pokemon Go users were more likely to be positive, friendly and physically active.

Non-flammable graphene membrane developed for safe mass production Posted: 12 Apr 2017 11:47 AM PDT A simple and scalable method for turning graphene oxide into a non-flammable and paper-like graphene membrane that can be used in large-scale production has now been identified by researchers.

Understanding of herpesvirus infection advanced by new research Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections last a lifetime. Once a person has been infected, the virus can remain dormant (latent) for years before periodically reactivating to cause recurrent disease. This poorly understood cycle has frustrated scientists for years. Now, scientists have identified a set of protein complexes that are recruited to viral genes and stimulate both initial infection and reactivation from latency. Environmental stresses known to regulate these proteins also induce reactivation.

Surprising brain change appears to drive alcohol dependence Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT We may be one step closer to personalized treatments for alcoholism and alcohol use disorder following results of a recent study, say researchers.

Substantial increase in chronic venous insufficiency procedures in Medicare population Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Utilization of procedures to treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the Medicare population increased markedly from 2005 through 2014, research has found.

Florida manatees likely to persist for at least 100 years Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Florida's manatee population is highly likely to endure for the next 100 years, a study has found.

Super sensitive devices work on recycling atoms Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Next-generation sensors to be used in fields as diverse as mineral exploration and climate change will be turbo boosted thanks to new research. Theoretical physicists said future precision sensing technology would exploit unusual effects of quantum mechanics.

Gut microbes contribute to age-associated inflammation, mouse study shows Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Inflammation increases with age and is a strong risk factor for death in the elderly, but the underlying cause has not been clear. A new study reveals that gut microbes are one of the culprits behind age-associated inflammation and premature death in mice. Imbalances in the gut microbes in older mice cause the intestines to become leaky, allowing the release of bacterial products that trigger inflammation and impair immune function.

How to color a lizard: From biology to mathematics Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Skin color patterns in animals arise from microscopic interactions among colored cells that obey equations, say investigators. Researchers report that a lizard acquires its adult skin color by changing the color of individual skin scales. The work shows that the 3-D geometry of the lizard's skin scales causes the Turing mechanism to transform into the von Neumann computing system.

Early dinosaur cousin had a surprising croc-like look Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Teleocrater and other recently discovered dinosaur cousins show that these animals were widespread during the Triassic Period and lived in modern day Russia, India, and Brazil. Furthermore, these cousins existed and went extinct before dinosaurs even appeared in the fossil record.

A big-picture look at the world's worst Ebola epidemic Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT An international effort to analyze the entire database of Ebola virus genomes from the 2013-2016 West African epidemic reveals insights into factors that sped or slowed the rampage and calls for using real-time sequencing and data-sharing to contain future viral disease outbreaks.

Gene silencing shows promise for treating two fatal neurological disorders Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT A drug, engineered to combat the gene that causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), might also be used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers have demonstrated in two studies of mice.

Algal residue: Alternative carbon resource for pharmaceuticals and polyesters Posted: 12 Apr 2017 10:23 AM PDT Algal residue, the leftover material after extracting oil from algae for biofuel, can be used to produce key industrial chemicals, researchers have determined.

On-the-range detection technology could corral bovine TB Posted: 12 Apr 2017 09:45 AM PDT A research breakthrough allowing the first direct, empirical, blood-based, cow-side test for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis (TB) could spare ranchers and the agriculture industry from costly quarantines and the mass slaughter of animals infected with this easily spread disease.

Tick tock, stay ahead of the aging clock Posted: 12 Apr 2017 09:43 AM PDT Aging in humans (and animals) can be seen as either an inevitable process of wear and tear or as an inherent biological program by which the lifespan of each species is more or less predetermined. Recent research has shown that DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification which alters how DNA is read and expressed without altering the underlying sequence, can show age-related changes.  A sub-set of these modifications are so accurate that chronological age in humans can be predicted +/- 3.6 years from any tissue or fluid in the body. This is by far the best biomarker of age available and is referred to as the epigenetic clock.   Interestingly, analysis of DNA methylation can also provide information on biological age, which is a measure of how well your body functions compared to your chronological age. For instance, people suffering from fatty liver disease have a faster ticking clock, while centenarians have a slower clock.

Surprisingly long lifetime of high adhesion property of plasma-treated Polytetrafluoroethylene Posted: 12 Apr 2017 09:02 AM PDT Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or Telfon® as it is better known, is used in a variety of daily products, from cookware to carpets, because of its non-sticky property. However, this very same non-stickiness has limited its application to other fields including medicine. Scientists have reported how heat-assisted plasma treatment can modify PTFE to solve this problem.

How to disrupt bacteria to better treat infections Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:57 AM PDT Bacteria are everywhere. And despite widespread belief, not all bacteria are 'bad.' However, to combat those that can cause health issues for humans, there has been an over-reliance on the use of antibiotics -- so much so, that many of them are now proving ineffective due to bacteria developing increased resistance to them.

Meet 'DeeDee,' a distant, dim member of our solar system Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:57 AM PDT Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), astronomers have revealed extraordinary details about a recently discovered far-flung member of our solar system, the planetary body 2014 UZ224, more informally known as DeeDee.

Potential therapy to prevent 'chemobrain' in cancer patients Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:57 AM PDT A compound called 'KU-32' prevents cognitive decline in rats caused by chemotherapy treatment, research shows. KU-32 works by inducing the heat shock response, which protects cells and may counteract the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide.

New lettuce genome assembly offers clues to success of huge plant family Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:57 AM PDT A treasure-trove of genetic information has been unlocked about lettuce and related plants, completing the first reported comprehensive genome assembly for lettuce and the massive Compositae plant family.

New imaging technique shows effectiveness of cystic fibrosis drug Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:57 AM PDT Cystic fibrosis currently has no cure, though a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration treats the underlying cause of the disease. However, the drug's effectiveness for each individual is unknown. Researchers have developed an imaging technique using a specific form of helium to measure the drug's effectiveness. Researchers hope the finding could lead to improved therapies for cystic fibrosis and other lung conditions.

The problem expands for avocado growers: 9 beetle species carry deadly fungus Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:17 AM PDT Many people love their avocados – not to mention guacamole dip. So it was bad enough when scientists said a beetle was ravaging avocado trees in South Florida. Then scientists found out that the redbay ambrosia beetle -- originally determined to transmit laurel wilt -- is rare in avocado groves but that six other beetle species could carry the laurel wilt pathogen.

Musical beds: Co-sleeping is more common than some parents admit Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:13 AM PDT Parents know that co-sleeping is considered a no-no, but many still allow their children to crawl into bed with them at night. Doctors generally discourage co-sleeping, but a professor says it is a phenomenon that extends well beyond the infant and toddler years.

Overuse injuries more common in kids who specialize in individual sport Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:13 AM PDT Young athletes who specialize in an individual sport – such as gymnastics, tennis and dance – were at higher risk for overuse injuries (i.e. gradual onset of pain and symptoms), compared to those who focus on a single team sport, according to a study. Acute injuries (i.e. from a single traumatic event) were more common in young athletes whose single sport was a team sport, especially football, cheerleading and soccer.

Vitamin B diminishes effects of air pollution-induced cardiovascular disease Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:12 AM PDT B vitamins can mitigate the impact of fine particle pollution on cardiovascular disease. Healthy non-smokers who took vitamin B supplements nearly reversed any negative effects on their cardiovascular and immune systems. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate whether B vitamin supplements change the biologic/physiologic responses to ambient air pollution exposure. The study initiates a course of research for developing preventive pharmacological interventions using B vitamins to contain the health effects of air pollution.

Skull of saber-toothed cat found almost complete Posted: 12 Apr 2017 08:11 AM PDT An excavation team found the remains of a saber-toothed cat at the archeological site in Schöningen. An examination of the skull fragments revealed the animal to be a representative of the European saber-toothed cat, Homotherium latidens. The recent discovery constitutes the third example of this large predatory cat from Schöningen.

Mushrooms may hold clues to effect of carbon dioxide on lawns, researchers find Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:59 AM PDT Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has rapidly increased. Researchers set out to determine how rising carbon dioxide concentrations and different climates may alter vegetation like forests, croplands, and 40 million acres of American lawns. They found that the clues may lie in an unexpected source, mushrooms.

College students study best later in the day, study shows Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:59 AM PDT Researchers used a survey-based, empirical model and a neuroscience-based, theoretical model to analyze the learning patterns of college students to determine optimum times when cognitive performance can be expected to be at its peak. The study showed that much later starting times of after 11 a.m. or noon, result in the best learning.

Polar glaciers may be home to previously undiscovered carbon cycle Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:59 AM PDT Microbes in streams flowing on the surface of glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic may represent a previously underestimated source of organic material and be part of an as yet undiscovered 'dynamic local carbon cycle,' according to a new paper.

Rock giants Pink Floyd honored in naming of newly discovered, bright pink pistol shrimp Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:58 AM PDT A fuchsia pink-clawed species of pistol shrimp, discovered on the Pacific coast of Panama, has been given the ultimate rock and roll name in recognition of the discoverers' favorite rock band Pink Floyd.

Most major heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol, research finds Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:58 AM PDT Researchers wanted to find out if new statin guidelines were affecting the number of heart attacks. What they found was promising, but revealed a basic flaw in preventive care.

Struggling with different work identities? Your work may suffer Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:58 AM PDT Few people are just one person at work. You may be both a manager and an employee. Or you may be a salesperson who represents two very different brands. Now a new study suggests that how you juggle those different work identities may affect your job performance.

Classifying English proficiency varies by district, with mixed outcomes for students Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:58 AM PDT The threshold for transitioning students from English learners to fluent English proficient status -- a process termed reclassification -- varies widely across and within states, finds a new study.

Collisions generate gas in debris disks Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:13 AM PDT By examining the atomic carbon line from two young star systems -- 49 Ceti and Beta Pictoris -- researchers had found atomic carbon in the disk, the first time this observation has been made at sub-millimeter wavelength, hinting that the gas in debris disks is not primordial, but rather is generated from some process of collisions taking place in the debris disk.

How common fats, a lazy lifestyle and diabetes are connected Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:13 AM PDT A researcher is suggesting the types of cooking oils people consume may be sabotaging their efforts to stay healthy and avoid illnesses such as diabetes.

Potentially hazardous substances identified in inflatable pool toys Posted: 12 Apr 2017 07:13 AM PDT Inflatable toys and swimming aids, like bathing rings and arm bands, often have a distinctive smell which could indicate that they contain a range of potentially hazardous substances. Some of these compounds, which include carbonyl compounds, cyclohexanone, phenol and isophorone, might be critical in higher concentrations in children's toys, say researchers.

More objective than human hearing Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT In industrial production, the testing of machines and products by means of acoustic signals still takes a niche role. Researchers are exhibiting a 'cognitive system' that detects erroneous sounds more objectively than the human ear. The technology has successfully passed the initial practical tests and there detected up to 99 percent of the errors.

Industry 4.0 in real time Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT With data transfer rates of 10 gigabits a second and a latency of just one millisecond, the 5G wireless communications standard is creating the conditions required for the tactile internet. This in turn will open up the door to new industry, transportation and medical applications. Researchers work on the underlying technology and have developed practical concepts to solve one of the most challenging problems – high-speed low-latency data transfer that is also entirely reliable.

First 'image' of a dark matter web that connects galaxies Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT Researchers have been able to capture the first composite image of a dark matter bridge that connects galaxies together.

Could 'love hormone' help drug addicts stay clean? Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT Oxytocin, a key hormone made naturally by the brain, could hold the key to treating drug addicts and help them avoid relapse, suggest researchers.

Cracking the origin of ancient decorative ostrich eggs Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT Archaeologists and scientists are using cutting edge technology to crack a conundrum surrounding the ancient trade in ostrich eggs.

Unveiling nonlocal correlations in natural systems Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT Nonlocal correlations are a quantum phenomenon that constitute a stronger form of correlations than quantum entanglement, new research shows. Now researchers have developed a new method to show that the low energy states of some physical spin Hamiltonians can exhibit these nonlocal correlations.

New machine learning models can detect hate speech, violence from texts Posted: 12 Apr 2017 06:12 AM PDT The words we use and our writing styles can reveal information about our preferences, thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Using this information, a new study has developed machine learning models that can detect antisocial behaviors, such as hate speech and indications of violence, from texts.