ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Genetic risk for autism stems mostly from common genes

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:46 PM PDT

Using new statistical tools, scientists have discovered that most of the genetic risk for autism comes from versions of genes that are common in the population rather than from rare variants or spontaneous glitches.

Size and age of plants impact their productivity more than climate

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

The size and age of plants has more of an impact on their productivity than temperature and precipitation, according to a landmark study. They show that variation in terrestrial ecosystems is characterized by a common mathematical relationship but that climate plays a relatively minor direct role. The results have important implications for models used to predict climate change effects on ecosystem function and worldwide food production.

Tiny laser sensor heightens bomb detection sensitivity

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

Researchers have created a plasmon laser detector that can sniff out tiny traces of airborne molecules of explosives. The sensor detected both DNT and ammonium nitrate at concentrations below one part per billion.

New technique maps life's effects on our DNA: Powerful single-cell technique to study environmental effects on DNA

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a powerful new single-cell technique to help investigate how the environment affects our development and the traits we inherit from our parents.

Genetic cause of common breast tumors found

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

A major breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis of fibroadenoma, one of the most common breast tumors diagnosed in women, has been made by a multidisciplinary team of scientists. The team used advanced DNA sequencing technologies to identify a critical gene called MED12 that was repeatedly disrupted in nearly 60 percent of fibroadenoma cases.

A noble gas cage: New material traps gases from nuclear fuel better and uses less energy than currently available options

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:42 PM PDT

A new material called CC3 effectively traps xenon, krypton, and radon. These gases are used in industries such as lighting or medicine and, in the case of radon, one that can be hazardous when it accumulates in buildings. New research shows how: by breathing enough to let the gases in but not out. The results might lead to cheaper, less energy intensive ways to extract these gases.

Marmoset sequence sheds new light on primate biology and evolution

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:42 PM PDT

Scientists have completed the genome sequence of the common marmoset -- the first sequence of a New World Monkey -- providing new information about the marmoset's unique rapid reproductive system, physiology and growth, shedding new light on primate biology and evolution.

Metabolic enzyme stops progression of most common type of kidney cancer

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:42 PM PDT

An enzyme called FBP1 -- essential for regulating metabolism -- binds to a transcription factor in the nucleus of certain kidney cells and restrains energy production in the cell body, researchers report. What's more, they determined that this enzyme is missing from all kidney tumor tissue analyzed. These tumor cells without FBP1 produce energy at a much faster rate than their non-cancer cell counterparts.

Scientists map one of most important proteins in life -- and cancer

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:42 PM PDT

Scientists reveal the structure of one of the most important and complicated proteins in cell division -- a fundamental process in life and the development of cancer -- in a new research article. Images of the gigantic protein in unprecedented detail will transform scientists' understanding of exactly how cells copy their chromosomes and divide, and could reveal binding sites for future cancer drugs.

Mixing it up: Study provides new insight into Southern Ocean behavior

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:35 PM PDT

Turbulent mixing in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean, which has a profound effect on global ocean circulation and climate, varies with the strength of surface eddies -- the ocean equivalent of storms in the atmosphere -- and possibly also wind speeds. A new study is the first to link eddies at the surface to deep mixing on timescales of months to decades. This new insight into how the Southern Ocean behaves will allow scientists to build computer models that can better predict how our climate is going to change in the future.

Oceans vital for possibility for alien life

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:34 PM PDT

Researchers have made an important step in the race to discover whether other planets could develop and sustain life. New research shows the vital role of oceans in moderating climate on Earth-like planets Until now, computer simulations of habitable climates on Earth-like planets have focused on their atmospheres. But the presence of oceans is vital for optimal climate stability and habitability.

Speedy computation enables scientists to reconstruct an animal's development cell by cell

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:34 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a new computational method that can rapidly track the three-dimensional movements of cells in such data-rich images. Using the method, scientists can essentially automate much of the time-consuming process of reconstructing an animal's developmental building plan cell by cell.

Astronauts to test free-flying 'housekeeper' robots

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 08:16 AM PDT

Inspired by science fiction, three bowling ball-size free-flying Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) have been flying inside the International Space Station since 2006. These satellites provide a test bed for development and research, each having its own power, propulsion, computer, navigation equipment, and physical and electrical connections for hardware and sensors for various experiments.

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2: Data to lead scientists forward into the past

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 08:12 AM PDT

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, which launched on July 2, will soon be providing about 100,000 high-quality measurements each day of carbon dioxide concentrations from around the globe. Atmospheric scientists are excited about that. But to understand the processes that control the amount of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, they need to know more than just where carbon dioxide is now. They need to know where it has been. It takes more than great data to figure that out.

New HIV prevention recommendations combine biomedical, behavioral approaches

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:38 PM PDT

In an innovative approach to HIV prevention, an interdisciplinary group of experts has come together for the first time to lay out a framework of best practices to optimize the role of the clinician in achieving an AIDS-free generation. The recommendations are intended as guidelines for clinicians to implement a combined biomedical-behavioral approach to HIV care and prevention. They are based on a comprehensive review of data that was either published or presented at scientific conferences over the past 17 years.

Offering option of initial HIV care at home increases use of antiretroviral therapy

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:35 PM PDT

Offering adults in Malawi optional home initiation of care following HIV self-testing resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of adults initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with standard HIV care, a study indicates. "At a time when universal test and treat approaches to controlling the HIV epidemic are being considered, home initiation of HIV care shows high promise as a simple strategy to improve the uptake of ART when HIV self-testing is carried out at home," a researcher noted.

Growth hormone analog may reduce risk of fatty liver disease in HIV-infected patients

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:35 PM PDT

In a preliminary study, HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat who received the growth hormone-releasing hormone analog tesamorelin for 6 months experienced modest reductions in liver fat, according to a study. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, abdominal fat accumulation is associated with ectopic (out of place) fat accumulation in the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may progress to end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.

Effect on pregnancy of receiving antiretroviral therapy for prevention of HIV

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:35 PM PDT

Among heterosexual African couples in which the male was HIV positive and the female was not, receipt of antiretroviral pre-exposure preventive (PrEP) therapy did not result in significant differences in pregnancy incidence, birth outcomes, and infant growth compared to females who received placebo, according to a study.

Combination treatment for hep C associated with favorable response among HIV patients

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:35 PM PDT

HIV-infected patients also infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who received a combination of the medications sofosbuvir plus ribavirin had high rates of sustained HCV virologic response 12 weeks after cessation of therapy, according to a study. Up to 7 million persons worldwide are infected with both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus.

Rate of HIV diagnosis in U.S. examined in study

Posted: 19 Jul 2014 01:35 PM PDT

The annual HIV diagnosis rate in the U.S. decreased more than 30 percent from 2002-2011, with declines observed in several key populations, although increases were found among certain age groups of men who have sex with men, especially young men, according to a study.

Performance improvement program helps doctors better manage depression, report researchers

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 02:20 PM PDT

A performance improvement initiative for physicians can significantly increase their use of evidence-based practices in screening for and treating depression, researchers report. Depression is a common and potentially disabling condition that can be difficult to treat. One in three US adults will experience a major depressive episode during their lifetime, yet a quarter of patients are undiagnosed, and fewer than half of those who are diagnosed receive treatment.

Negative HPV test may predict lower cervical cancer risk than a negative Pap

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 02:20 PM PDT

In the US, cotesting for human papilloma virus and Pap testing for cervical cancer every 5 years for women aged 30-65 years is now recommended. However, human papilloma virus testing alone may provide better reassurance against cervical cancer than Pap testing alone and similar reassurance to cotesting, according to a study.

Management of South Florida coastal environments

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT

A unique formal process and modeling framework has been developed by researchers to help manage South Florida's economically important coastal marine environments. "One of the important aspects of this new suite of tools, which includes conceptual info-graphics, integrated ecosystem models and both human and ecological indicators, is that it's exportable technology," said one expert. "It can be applied directly to the management of other coastal ecosystems."

Interleukin-10 aids survival of cells transplanted to repair cardiac tissues after MI

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT

Three groups of rats modeled with a myocardial infarction were treated with smooth muscle cell injections into the MI-damaged area of the heart in a new study. One group received unmodified autologous SMCs; another received unmodified allogenic SMCs; the last group received allogenic SMCs modified with interleukin 10 - a small, anti-inflammatory protein. The group receiving allogenic SMCs modified with IL-10 demonstrated cell survival, improved heart function, and protection against the host's rejection of the allogenic SMCs.

Dog food goes gourmet: Nine emerging trends in pet food

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:45 AM PDT

Four out of five pet owners now consider their pet a member of the family, and consumers are shifting their priorities when it comes to purchasing food for their pets accordingly. One expert writes about recent trends in gourmet pet food in a newly published article.

Eight ways zinc affects the human body

Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:45 AM PDT

Zinc has been identified as one of the most important essential trace metals in human nutrition and lifestyle. Zinc is not only a vital element in various physiological processes; it is also a drug in the prevention of many diseases. The adult body contains about two to three grams of zinc. It is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells.