ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


We must forget to avoid serious mental disorders and forgetting is actively regulated

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:32 AM PDT

In order to function properly, the human brain requires the ability not only to store but also to forget: Through memory loss, unnecessary information is deleted and the nervous system retains its plasticity. A disruption of this process can lead to serious mental disorders. Scientists have now discovered a molecular mechanism that actively regulates the process of forgetting.

Human brains 'hard-wired' to link what we see with what we do

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:31 AM PDT

Your brain's ability to instantly link what you see with what you do is down to a dedicated information 'highway,' suggests new research. For the first time, researchers have found evidence of a specialized mechanism for spatial self-awareness that combines visual cues with body motion. The newly-discovered system could explain why some schizophrenia patients feel like their actions are controlled by someone else.

Africans' ability to digest milk linked to spread of cattle raising

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:31 AM PDT

A new study -- constituting the largest investigation ever of lactose tolerance in geographically diverse populations of Africans -- investigated the genetic origins of this trait and offers support to the idea that the ability to digest milk was a powerful selective force in a variety of African populations which raised cattle and consumed the animals' fresh milk.

Extinct California porpoise had a unique underbite

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:31 AM PDT

Millions of years ago, the coast of California was home to a species of porpoise distinguished from its living relatives by a lower jaw that extended well beyond the upper. In other words, the long-lost porpoise had a rather distinct and unusual underbite. Careful analysis of the fossilized Semirostrum ceruttii skull also shows that the porpoise's pronounced beak included innervated jaws, which the animal likely used to feel for prey along the ocean floor.

Commonly used pain relievers have added benefit of fighting bacterial infection

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:31 AM PDT

Some commonly used drugs that combat aches and pains, fever, and inflammation are also thought to have the ability to kill bacteria. New research reveals that these drugs, better known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, act on bacteria in a way that is fundamentally different from current antibiotics. The discovery could open up new strategies for fighting drug-resistant infections and 'superbugs.'

New fossil species reveals parental care of young from 450 million years ago

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:27 AM PDT

A portrait of prehistoric parenthood captured deep in the fossil record has been uncovered by an international team of scientists. The 'nursery in the sea' has revealed a species new to science -- with specimens preserved incubating their eggs together with probable hatched individuals. As a result, the team has named the new species Luprisca incuba after Lucina, goddess of childbirth, and alluding to the fact that the fossils are ancient and in each case the mother was literally sitting on her eggs.

Neuroscientists forge path toward understanding human brain

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:27 AM PDT

Metastable dynamics – a subtle blend of integration and segregation in the brain that occurs on multiple levels (cells, brain regions, networks) – underlies the real-time coordination necessary for the brain's dynamic cognitive, behavioral and social functions, neuroscientists have found.

'Velcro protein' found to play surprising role in cell migration

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 09:25 AM PDT

Studying epithelial cells, the cell type that most commonly turns cancerous, researchers have identified a protein that causes cells to release from their neighbors and migrate away from healthy mammary, or breast, tissue in mice. "Our goal is to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer, and this work takes us one step closer to doing so," says the lead author.

Graphene-metal sandwich: Combining graphene and copper may shrink electronics

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that creating a graphene-copper-graphene 'sandwich' strongly enhances the heat conducting properties of copper, a discovery that could further help in the downscaling of electronics.

Oxygen's different shapes described

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 08:19 AM PDT

Oxygen-16, one of the key elements of life on Earth, is produced by a series of reactions inside of red giant stars. Now physicists have revealed how the element's nuclear shape changes depending on its state, even though other attributes such as spin and parity don't appear to differ. Their findings may shed light on how oxygen is produced.

Cancer stem cells destroyed with cryoablation and nanoparticle-encapsulated anticancer drug

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:17 AM PDT

Combining nanodrug-based chemotherapy and cryoablation provides an effective strategy to eliminate cancer stem-like cells -- the root of cancer resistance and metastasis, which will help to improve the safety and efficacy of treating malignancies that are refractory to conventional therapies. Cryoablation (also called cryosurgery or cryotherapy) is an energy-based, minimally invasive surgical technique that has been investigated to treat a variety of diseases including cancer, which is done by freezing the diseased tissue to subzero temperature to induce irreversible damage.

One out of two parents do not see their child's weight problem

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:17 AM PDT

One out of two parents of children with overweight feel that their child's weight is normal. Four out of ten parents of children with overweight or obesity are even worried that their child will get too thin. These are the findings of a European study of parents of more than 16,000 children.

Gene variants protect against relapse after treatment for hepatitis C

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:17 AM PDT

Researchers have identified a gene that helps to explain why certain patients with chronic hepatitis C do not experience relapse after treatment. The discovery may contribute to more effective treatment. More than 100 million humans around the world are infected with hepatitis C virus. The infection gives rise to chronic liver inflammation, which may result in reduced liver function, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Even though anti-viral medications often efficiently eliminate the virus, the infection recurs in approximately one fifth of the patients.

Tropical grassy ecosystems under threat, scientists warn

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:17 AM PDT

Scientists have found that tropical grassy areas, which play a critical role in the world's ecology, are under threat as a result of ineffective management. This land is often misclassified, which leads to degradation of the land and has a detrimental effect on the plants and animals that are indigenous to these areas.

Soft robotic fish moves like the real thing: New robotic fish can change direction almost as rapidly as a real fish

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:17 AM PDT

Soft robots don't just have soft exteriors but are also powered by fluid flowing through flexible channels. Researchers now report the first self-contained autonomous soft robot capable of rapid body motion: a "fish" that can execute an escape maneuver, convulsing its body to change direction in just a fraction of a second, or almost as quickly as a real fish can.

What happened when? How the brain stores memories by time

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:27 AM PDT

New research shows that a part of the brain called the hippocampus stores memories by their "temporal context" -- what happened before, and what came after -- and not by content. From brain scans of the hippocampus as the volunteers were answering questions in this study, researchers could identify patterns of activity specific to each image. But when they showed the volunteers the same images in a different sequence, they got different patterns of activity. In other words, the coding of the memory in the hippocampus was dependent on its context, not just on content.

'Love hormone' oxytocin could provide new treatment for anorexia, study suggests

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:27 AM PDT

Oxytocin, also known as the 'love hormone,' could provide a new treatment for anorexia nervosa, according to new research. The study found that oxytocin alters anorexic patients' tendencies to fixate on images of high calorie foods, and larger body shape. The findings follow an earlier study by the same group showing that oxytocin changed patients' responses to angry and disgusted faces.

Origin of life: Simulating how Earth kick-started metabolism

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:27 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a new approach to simulating the energetic processes that may have led to the emergence of cell metabolism on Earth -- a crucial biological function for all living organisms. The research could help scientists to understand whether it is possible for life to have emerged in similar environments on other worlds.

Genetic differences in female athletes with ACL injuries found in study

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT

For the first time, a new study identified varied female-to-male expression of ribonucleic acid molecules leading to proteins maintaining ligament structure, that could explain why females are more likely to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury than males.

Patients should wait 6-to-12 weeks before driving after shoulder surgery

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT

In a new study, shoulder replacement patients showed improved driving performance at 12 weeks, with a significant decrease in the number of collisions in the simulated driving course compared to the tests conducted preoperatively and two weeks after surgery. Results show a statistically significant difference in the mean number of collisions between the first and fourth test.

Comparable outcomes for outpatient, inpatient orthopaedic surgeries

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:26 AM PDT

In a new research study, same-day total joint replacement patient outcomes were comparable to those of patients admitted to the hospital and staying at least one night following surgery. However, readmission rates, although statistically "non-significant," were higher for outpatient procedures.

Only small number of symptomatic side effects reported in those taking statins are actually attributable to statins, study finds

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

Only a small number of symptomatic side effects reported in those taking statins are actually attributable to statins, according to large meta-analysis of prevention trials, and investigators of a new study are calling on drug regulators to provide clear evidence to patients on claims of drug side effects.

Trapped by an avalanche, saved by an app

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

An app makes it possible for skiers with smartphones to find people buried in the snow after an avalanche. For those buried under the weight of an avalanche, every minute is precious. A person saved from a snow mass within 15 minutes has a 90 per cent chance of survival. But after 45 minutes, that chance diminishes considerably.

A brain signal for psychosis risk

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

Only one third of individuals identified as being at clinical high risk for psychosis actually convert to a psychotic disorder within a three-year follow-up period. This risk assessment is based on the presence of sub-threshold psychotic-like symptoms. Thus, clinical symptom criteria alone do not predict future psychosis risk with sufficient accuracy to justify aggressive early intervention, especially with medications such as antipsychotics that produce significant side effects.

Environmentally friendly fashion? Dress knitted out of birch cellulose fiber

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

The first garment made out of birch cellulose fiber using the Ioncell method is displayed at a fashion show. The Ioncell method is an environmentally friendly alternative to cotton in textile production. The dress is a significant step forward in the development of fiber for industrial production.

Virtual lab for nuclear waste repository research

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

A nuclear waste repository must seal in radioactive waste safely for one million years. Researchers currently have to study them and their processes in real underground laboratories but a virtual underground laboratory will soon simplify their work.

Africa's air pollution underestimated in climate change models

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:24 AM PDT

Human activity in Africa significantly contributes to air pollution. However, no detailed data regarding country-by-country pollutant emissions in the continent was available until now. To remedy this scientists mapped these emissions in Africa for 2005, before estimating them for 2030, using three scenarios. The researchers showed that the climate change models used by the IPCC underestimate Africa's emissions, which could account for 20-55% of global anthropogenic emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants by 2030.

Targeting bacterial cell division to fight antibiotic resistance

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT

New research has found some compounds effective in blocking the proliferation of certain bacteria, raising hopes of a new class of drugs to combat antibiotic resistant infections.

3-D X-ray film: Rapid movements in real time

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT

How does the hip joint of a crawling weevil move? A technique to record 3-D X-ray films showing the internal movement dynamics in a spatially precise manner and, at the same time, in the temporal dimension has now been developed. The scientists applied this technique to a living weevil. From up to 100,000 two-dimensional radiographs per second, they generated complete 3D film sequences in real time or slow motion.

Heritable variation discovered in trout behavior

Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:22 AM PDT

Populations of endangered salmonids are supported by releasing large quantities of hatchery-reared fish, but the fisheries' catches have continued to decrease. Earlier research has shown that certain behavioural traits explain individual differences in how fish survive in the wild. A new Finnish study conducted on brown trout now shows that there are predictable individual differences in behavioural traits, like activity, tendency to explore new surroundings and stress tolerance. Furthermore, certain individual differences were observed to contain heritable components.

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute and MTT Agrifood Research Finland studied the consistency and heritability of key behavioural traits in brown trout by comparing half-sibling fish of known parentage. The study was carried out in the Finnish Game and Fisheries Institute's Kainuu Fisheries Research Station in Paltamo.

The research group discovered that the behavioural traits examined were individually repeatable, i.e., fish showed personality. Furthermore, certain behaviours related to stress tolerance, such as freezing, showed statistical heritability at a level of 14%. This means that non-random mortality related to stress tolerance both in fish farms and in the wild can modify the heritable traits of fish populations and thus lead to changes that are difficult to reverse. At worst, these changes might weaken the ability of fish to avoid predators and decrease the fisheries' catches unless mitigated by acknowledging the potential selection acting on fish personality.

The article is currently in press in Behavioral Ecology and Sociology.

Dinosaur skull may reveal T. rex's smaller cousin from the north

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 03:20 PM PDT

A 70-million-year-old fossil found in the Late Cretaceous sediments of Alaska reveals a new small tyrannosaur. Tyrannosaurs, the lineage of carnivorous theropod ("beast feet") dinosaurs that include T. rex, have captivated our attention, but the majority of our knowledge about this group comes from fossils from low- to mid-latitudes of North America and Asia. In this study, scientists analyzed the partial skull roof, maxilla, and jaw, recovered from Prince Creek Formation in Northern Alaska, of a dinosaur originally believed to belong to a different species, and then compared the fossils to known tyrannosaurine species.

Europe's resilience of natural gas networks during conflicts and crises probed with maths

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 03:20 PM PDT

Gas networks in Eastern European countries, such as Ukraine and Belarus are less resilient than the UK during conflicts and crises, according to new research from mathematicians. A decentralized approach to managing congestion on gas pipeline networks could be crucial for energy security during geopolitical conflicts or natural disasters, research suggests.

Language 'evolution' may shed light on human migration out-of-Beringia: Relationship between Siberian, North American languages

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 03:20 PM PDT

Evolutionary analysis applied to the relationship between North American and Central Siberian languages may indicate that people moved out from the Bering Land Bridge, with some migrating back to central Asia and others into North America.

New rehabilitation methods for amputees, stroke patients developed

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 01:18 PM PDT

When use of a dominant hand is lost by amputation or stroke, a patient is forced to compensate by using the nondominant hand exclusively for precision tasks like writing or drawing. Presently, the behavioral and neurological effects of chronic, forced use of the nondominant hand are largely understudied and unknown. Now, researchers have shed light on how a patient compensates when losing a dominant hand and suggest improved rehabilitation techniques for those suffering from amputation or stroke.

Gestational diabetes may raise risk for heart disease in midlife

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 01:18 PM PDT

Pregnant women may face an increased risk of early heart disease if they develop gestational diabetes. Early screening and intervention is important to identify later heart disease risk for these mothers, researchers said, along with recognizing reproductive characteristics that may contribute to disease risk in women to inform early prevention efforts.

Nicotine withdrawal weakens brain connections tied to self-control over cigarette cravings

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 01:17 PM PDT

A new brain imaging study shows how smokers suffering from nicotine withdrawal may have more trouble shifting from a key brain network—known as default mode, when people are in a so-called "introspective" state -— and into a control network that could help exert more conscious, self-control over cravings and to focus on quitting for good.

'Ultracold' molecules promising for quantum computing, simulation

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:02 PM PDT

Researchers have created a new type of 'ultracold' molecule, using lasers to cool atoms nearly to absolute zero and then gluing them together, a technology that might be applied to quantum computing, precise sensors and advanced simulations.

Countering caregiver placebo effect in pets

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:02 PM PDT

How do you know that your pet is benefiting from its pain medication? A new clinical trial design could help overcome pet owners' unconscious observation bias and determine whether the drugs they test are effective. "In veterinary medicine, we're one step removed from the patient, and so we run into what we call the 'caregiver placebo effect,' which is how we refer to a number of factors that result in unconscious influence on owners' responses," says a researcher. "Merely observing behavior can change it, and any changes in daily routine, like administering medication, will affect the way you relate to that animal and change its behavior." This makes controlling for the placebo effect more difficult, and even the most sensitive detection techniques still have trouble distinguishing between the real and the placebo effect.

Water-rich gem points to vast 'oceans' beneath Earth's surface, study suggests

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:02 PM PDT

The first terrestrial discovery of ringwoodite confirms the presence of massive amounts of water 400 to 700 kilometers beneath Earth's surface. Ringwoodite is a form of the mineral peridot, believed to exist in large quantities under high pressures in the transition zone. Ringwoodite has been found in meteorites but, until now, no terrestrial sample has ever been unearthed because scientists haven't been able to conduct fieldwork at extreme depths.

Quantum chaos in ultracold gas discovered

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered that even simple systems, such as neutral atoms, can possess chaotic behavior, which can be revealed using the tools of quantum mechanics. The ground-breaking research opens up new avenues to observe the interaction between quantum particles.   

Protein key to cell motility has implications for stopping cancer metastasis

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PDT

A key cell-movement protein called IRSp53, as described by researchers, is regulated in a resting and active state, and in a new study, they address what this means for cancer-cell metastasis. "We characterized how IRSp53 connects to the cell-motility machinery," says an author. "It does this by starting the formation of cell filopodia -- extensions that form when a cell needs to move."

New fossil species: Origin of toothed whale echolocation

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PDT

A new fossil species, Cotylocara macei, shows evidence of echolocation and the complex anatomy underlying this unique behavior that has evolved in toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises. "Its dense bones and air sinuses would have helped this whale focus its vocalizations into a probing beam of sound, which likely helped it find food at night or in muddy water ocean waters," said the lead author.

Key heart failure culprit discovered in tiny piece of RNA

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PDT

A small, but powerful, new player in the onset and progression of heart failure has been discovered by cardiovascular researchers. The researchers have also shown how they successfully blocked the newly discovered culprit to halt the debilitating and chronic life-threatening condition in its tracks.

Building new drugs just got easier

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:00 PM PDT

A method for modifying organic molecules has been developed that significantly expands the possibilities for developing new pharmaceuticals and improving old ones. The innovation makes it easier to modify existing organic compounds by attaching biologically active "functional group" to drug molecules. A typical small-molecule drug derives its activity from such functional groups, which are bound to a relatively simple backbone structure consisting chiefly of carbon atoms.

'Master regulator' of obesity? Distant IRX3 gene appears to interact with obesity-related FTO gene mutations

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 12:00 PM PDT

Mutations within the gene FTO have been implicated as the strongest genetic determinant of obesity risk in humans, but the mechanism behind this link remained unknown. Now, an international team of scientists has discovered that the obesity-associated elements within FTO interact with IRX3, a distant gene on the genome that appears to be the functional obesity gene. The FTO gene itself appears to have only a peripheral effect on obesity.

Transition to ICD-10 may cause information, financial losses for providers

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:28 AM PDT

Health providers may experience information and financial loss during the mandated conversion from the current International Classification of Diseases to its new and improved version, report researchers. Coding ambiguity for hematology-oncology diagnoses were studied recently to anticipate challenges all providers may face during the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM.

Microbes help to battle infection: Gut microbes help develop immune cells, study finds

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

Beneficial gut bacteria are necessary for the development of innate immune cells -- specialized types of white blood cells that serve as the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens -- new research has found. The research suggests that a healthy population of gut microbes can actually provide a preventative alternative to antibiotics.

Material rivaling graphene may be mined out of rocks

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

Will one-atom-thick layers of molybdenum disulfide, a compound that occurs naturally in rocks, prove to be better than graphene for electronic applications? There are many signs that might prove to be the case. But physicists have shown that the nature of the phenomena occurring in layered materials are still ill-understood and require further research.

Majority of transgender patients report negative experiences in emergency departments

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

The majority (52 percent) of transgender patients surveyed for a new study have had negative experiences when it comes to receiving emergency department (ED) care. In total, 408 transgender people in Ontario were included in the analysis that also found 21 per cent reported having avoided the ED in a potential medical emergency because of fear of negative experiences.

Bacterium, fungus team up to cause virulent tooth decay in toddlers

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

Early childhood caries, a highly aggressive and painful form of tooth decay that frequently occurs in preschool children, especially from backgrounds of poverty, may result from a nefarious partnership between a bacterium and a fungus, according to new research. The resulting tooth decay can be so severe that treatment frequently requires surgery -- in the operating room.

Boosting self-esteem prevents health problems for seniors

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

The importance of boosting self-esteem is normally associated with the trials and tribulations of adolescence. But new research shows that it's even more important for older adults to maintain and improve upon those confidence levels as they enter their twilight years. "Improving self-esteem provides real health benefits in seniors," says the lead author. "The ultimate solution may be to prevent self esteem from declining."

Large study identifies exact gut bacteria involved in Crohn's disease

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:26 AM PDT

While the causes of Crohn's disease are not well understood, recent research indicates an important role for an abnormal immune response to the microbes that live in the gut. In the largest study of its kind, researchers have now identified specific bacteria that are abnormally increased or decreased when Crohn's disease develops. The findings suggest which microbial metabolites could be targeted to treat patients with this chronic and currently incurable inflammatory bowel disease.

Could grapefruit be good for your kidneys?

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:24 AM PDT

A natural product found in grapefruit can prevent kidney cysts from forming, new research indicates. Naringenin, which is also present in other citrus fruits, has been found to successfully block the formation of kidney cysts, an effect that occurs in polycystic kidney disease, by regulating the PKD2 protein responsible for the condition. With few treatments currently available, symptoms include high blood pressure and loss of kidney function, and lead to the need for dialysis.

Blood sugar testing with no sharps

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:23 AM PDT

Measuring blood sugar when you have diabetes usually involves pricking your finger and using a glucose monitor for the test. While this approach can give people with diabetes vital information about whether they need to take insulin or eat something sugary, it is nevertheless painful and inconvenient. Now, an international research team is one step closer to an entirely non-invasive blood sugar test.

Happiness and mitigation of climate change: Economic degrowth compatible with wellbeing if work stability is maintained

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:23 AM PDT

Policies aimed at effectively mitigating climate change through a reduction in economic growth and consumption of fossil fuels would have a monetary impact on the economy, but also an impact on the wellbeing and happiness of individuals. Researchers have taken advantage of the current economic crisis to analyze the impact this situation would have.

Debunking water myths: Weight loss, calorie burn and more

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:23 AM PDT

Drinking a lot of water is often advised to those who are trying to lose weight. But a nutrition expert says, while it is important, it's not the magic bullet to weight loss. If losing weight is the goal, the researchers suggests trying long-running weight management programs based on real research.

Good vibes for catalytic chemistry: A way to make better catalysts for meds, industry and materials

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 10:23 AM PDT

Chemists have discovered how vibrations in chemical bonds can be used to predict chemical reactions and thus design better catalysts to speed reactions that make medicines, industrial products and new materials.