ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Narrow focus on physical activity could be ruining kids' playtime

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 07:36 PM PDT

While public health authorities focus on the physical activity benefits of active play, a new study reveals that for children, playing has no goal -- it is an end in itself, an activity that is fun, done alone or with friends, and it represents "an opportunity to experience excitement or pleasure, but also to combat boredom, sadness, fear, or loneliness."'By focusing on the physical activity aspect of play, authorities put aside several aspects of play that are beneficial to young people's emotional and social health,' says a professor.

Fear of failure from a young age affects attitude to learning

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 07:35 PM PDT

An early established fear of failure at school can influence students' motivation to learn and negatively affect their attitude to learning. The analysis found that irrespective of the goal students adopt those who had developed a fear of failure at an early age were more likely to adopt the goal to validate their ego rather than for their own personal interest and development, and were less likely to use effective learning strategies but more likely to cheat.

Smallest possible diamonds form ultra-thin nanothreads

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

For the first time, scientists have discovered how to produce ultra-thin 'diamond nanothreads' that promise extraordinary properties, including strength and stiffness greater than that of today's strongest nanotubes and polymers. The threads have a structure that has never been seen before.

Engineered proteins stick like glue -- even in water

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

Researchers have found new adhesives based on mussel proteins could be useful for naval or medical applications. To create their new waterproof adhesives, researchers engineered bacteria to produce a hybrid material that incorporates naturally sticky mussel proteins as well as a bacterial protein found in biofilms -- slimy layers formed by bacteria growing on a surface. When combined, these proteins form even stronger underwater adhesives than those secreted by mussels.

Magnetic fields make the excitons go 'round: New way to improve efficiency of solar cells

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

A major limitation in the performance of solar cells happens within the photovoltaic material itself: When photons strike the molecules of a solar cell, they transfer their energy, producing quasi-particles called excitons -- an energized state of molecules. That energized state can hop from one molecule to the next until it's transferred to electrons in a wire, which can light up a bulb or turn a motor.

Immune system of newborn babies stronger than previously thought

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

Contrary to what was previously thought, newborn immune T cells may have the ability to trigger an inflammatory response to bacteria, according to a new study. Although their immune system works very differently to that of adults, babies may still be able to mount a strong immune defense, finds the study.

Battling superbugs: Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria, scientists report. Most antibiotics work by interfering with crucial functions such as cell division or protein synthesis. However, some bacteria have evolved to become virtually untreatable with existing drugs. In the new study, researchers target specific genes that allow bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment. The CRISPR genome-editing system presented the perfect strategy to go after those genes, they report.

Program predicts placement of chemical tags that control gene activity

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Biochemists have developed a program that predicts the placement of chemical marks that control the activity of genes based on sequences of DNA. By comparing sequences with and without epigenomic modification, they identified DNA motifs associated with the changes. They call this novel analysis pipeline Epigram and have made both the program and the DNA motifs they identified openly available to other scientists.

New 'star' shaped molecule breakthrough

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Scientists have generated a new star-shaped molecule made up of interlocking rings, which is the most complex of its kind ever created. Known as a 'Star of David' molecule, scientists have been trying to create one for over a quarter of a century.

Uncovering the forbidden side of molecules: Infrared spectrum of charged molecule seen for first time

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Researchers have succeeded in observing the "forbidden" infrared spectrum of a charged molecule for the first time. These extremely weak spectra offer perspectives for extremely precise measurements of molecular properties and may also contribute to the development of molecular clocks and quantum technology.

A Breakthrough in Electron Microscopy: Scientists reconstruct third dimension from a single image

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Imagine that you want to find out from a single picture taken of the front of a house, what the building looks like from behind, whether it has any extensions or if the brickwork is damaged, and how many rooms are in the basement.  Sounds impossible? Not in the nanoworld. Scientists have developed a new method with which crystal structures can be reconstructed with atomic precision in all three dimensions.

From light into matter, nothing seems to stop quantum teleportation

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Physicists have succeeded in teleporting the quantum state of a photon to a crystal over 25 kilometers of optical fiber. The experiment constitutes a first, and simply pulverizes the previous record of 6 kilometers achieved ten years ago by the same team. Passing from light into matter, using teleportation of a photon to a crystal, shows that, in quantum physics, it is not the composition of a particle which is important, but rather its state, since this can exist and persist outside such extreme differences as those which distinguish light from matter.

Global warming: Dwindling chances to stay below 2°C warming

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Carbon dioxide emissions continue to track the high end of emission scenarios, eroding the chances to keep global warming below 2°C, and placing increased pressure on world leaders ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit on the 23rd September.

Cancer cells adapt energy needs to spread illness to other organs

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:49 AM PDT

Cancer cells traveling to other sites have different energy needs from their "stay-at-home" siblings, which continue to proliferate at the original tumor site, researchers have discovered. Given that a cancer cell's unyielding ability to metastasize is the primary cause of cancer-related death, understanding how they successfully migrate can be lifesaving.

Fracking's environmental impacts scrutinized

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT

Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and use of shale gas would be comparable to conventional natural gas, but the controversial energy source actually fared better than renewables on some environmental impacts, according to new research.

On/off switch for aging cells discovered by scientists

Posted: 20 Sep 2014 04:34 AM PDT

An on-and-off "switch" has been discovered in cells that may hold the key to healthy aging. This switch points to a way to encourage healthy cells to keep dividing and generating, for example, new lung or liver tissue, even in old age. In our bodies, newly divided cells constantly. However, most human cells cannot divide indefinitely -– with each division, a cellular timekeeper at the ends of chromosomes shortens. When this timekeeper becomes too short, cells can no longer divide, causing organs and tissues to degenerate, as often happens in old age. But there is a way around this countdown, researchers have found.

New hepatitis c medication in children to be studied

Posted: 20 Sep 2014 04:34 AM PDT

After the success of a new drug treatment in adults with hepatitis C infection, a Saint Louis University pediatric researcher is testing the safety and efficacy of the medications in children. The current approach to treat the hepatitis C infection is with interferon shots combined with Ribavirin, a therapy that takes about six to 12 months and also causes many side effects including, flu-like symptoms and depression.

Ultrasound enhancement provides clarity to damaged tendons, ligaments

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 01:54 PM PDT

Ultrasound is a safe, affordable and noninvasive way to see internal structures, including the developing fetus. Ultrasound can also "see" other soft tissue — including tendons, which attach muscles to bone, and ligaments, which attach bone to bone. Now one expert is commercializing an ultrasound method to analyze the condition of soft tissue.

A nanosized hydrogen generator

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 01:54 PM PDT

Researchers have created a small scale "hydrogen generator" that uses light and a two-dimensional graphene platform to boost production of the hard-to-make element. The research also unveiled a previously unknown property of graphene. The two-dimensional chain of carbon atoms not only gives and receives electrons, but can also transfer them into another substance.

New cancer drug target involving lipid chemical messengers

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 01:54 PM PDT

More than half of human cancers have abnormally upregulated chemical signals related to lipid metabolism, yet how these signals are controlled during tumor formation is not fully understood. Researchers report that TIPE3, a newly described oncogenic protein, promotes cancer by targeting these pathways.

Two generation lens: Current state policies fail to support families with young children

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 09:22 AM PDT

Recent two generation approaches to reducing poverty that help children and their parents are receiving increasing attention. By combining education and training for parents, these programs aim to improve the life opportunities of both. However, according to a new report, while research supports this poverty reduction strategy, state policies fail to provide adequate two generation supports to families with young children.

Monitoring heavy metals using mussels

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 08:08 AM PDT

Caged mussels are useful for monitoring heavy metal contamination in coastal waters in the Strait of Johore, researchers have confirmed. Initial results of a study indicate that there is increasing pollution in the eastern part of the Johore Strait.