ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Why do starburst galaxies 'burst'? Super stellar nurseries at heart of Sculptor galaxy

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 03:50 PM PST

Astronomers used ALMA to dissect a cluster of star-forming clouds at the heart of NGC 253, one of the nearest starburst galaxies to the Milky Way.

Facebook: Overseeing your online afterlife

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:21 AM PST

On Feb. 12, Facebook rolled out a new feature called Legacy Contact, which gives people a platform for remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones when they die.

Cannabis: A new frontier in therapeutics

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:02 AM PST

While debate about recreational marijuana use continues, researchers are investigating the effectiveness of cannabis for treating pain, spasticity, and a host of other medical problems. Experts share their perspectives on the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis and explore the emerging science behind it.

Tracking parasites with satellites

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:02 AM PST

Scientists are teaming up to use satellite data to target deadly parasites to help predict patterns of parasitic diseases such as malaria, worms and hydatids.

Transgender: Evidence on the biological nature of gender identity

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 08:23 AM PST

Medical care of transgender patients, including surgical and hormonal treatment, has largely been met with resistance by physicians in favor of psychiatric treatment, owing to misconceptions that gender identity can be changed. There is increasing evidence of a biological basis for gender identity that may change physicians' perspective on transgender medicine and improve health care for these patients.

In silico method to predict effectiveness of cognitive enhancers

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 07:47 AM PST

Scientists have published new research into personalizing nootropic drugs using in silico prediction methods.

Seeing through sparklers: What happens to heat-treated diamonds

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 07:46 AM PST

Diamonds come in all colors with price tags to match -- ice-white, blue and pink attract high prices and stones with brown hues the least. But now that brown diamonds can be heat-treated to remove the darker color to produce near-perfect colorless gemstones, can consumers tell the difference?

One in four Saudis heading for heart attack in 10 years

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:16 AM PST

One in four adults in Saudi Arabia is set to have a heart attack within the next 10 years, reveals new research.

Diathermy smoke extraction should be compulsory in operations, research shows

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:15 AM PST

The electrical devices that are used to cauterize tissue during surgical operations cause plumes of smoke to arise as intense heat is applied to flesh. Research has shown that these fumes -- known as diathermy smoke -- contain compounds that are potentially harmful to the health of the personnel participating in the operation. 

Immune cells commit suicide to prevent allergy

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:15 AM PST

Scientists have demonstrated that the production of type E immunoglobulins (IgE) by B lymphocytes induces a loss in their mobility and the initiation of cell death mechanisms. These antibodies, present in small quantities, are the most powerful "weapons" in the immune system and can trigger extremely violent immune reactions or immediate allergies (asthma, urticaria, allergic shock) as soon as their levels rise, even slightly. These findings thus elucidate how our bodies restrict the production of IgE in order to prevent an allergic reaction.