ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

The sound of intellect: Job seeker's voice reveals intelligence

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST

A new study found that when hypothetical employers and professional recruiters listened to or read job candidates' job qualifications, they rated the candidates as more competent, thoughtful and intelligent when they heard the pitch than when they read it.

Virus-cutting enzyme helps bacteria remember a threat

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST

Bacteria may not have brains, but they do have memories, at least when it comes to viruses that attack them. Many bacteria have a molecular immune system which allows these microbes to capture and retain pieces of viral DNA that they have encountered in the past, in order to recognize and destroy it when it shows up again.

Keeping the heart's engine in sync: Study shows contractions rely on critical protein for efficient function

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST

A remarkable protein that helps choreograph the highly specific series of events that ensure the heart beats consistently and accurately has been discovered by researchers. Called myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C), this protein performs its masterpiece inside the sarcomere, a part of the heart muscle tissue that is one-fiftieth the diameter of a human hair. Trillions or more sarcomeres must contract simultaneously in order for the heart to maintain its beat. Problems with this protein can cause sudden death via a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Ancient and modern cities aren't so different

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST

Despite notable differences in appearance and governance, ancient human settlements function in much the same way as modern cities, according to new findings.

Paleoclimate, proxies, paleosols, and precipitation: A look to the future

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

Precipitation reconstructions are essential for predicting impacts of future climate change and preparing for potential changes in terrestrial environmental conditions. Reliable proxy records of paleoprecipitation, especially from past warm periods, are a valuable tool for assessing and modeling future soil and plant moisture and local water availability. However, current terrestrial proxies are limited in their applications, and as a result, a wide range of paleoenvironments are underrepresented in the geologic record.

Genome's tale of 'conquer and enslave'

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

Scientists have uncovered how viral remnants helped shape control of our genes. In their latest paper conducted the first systematic study of the largest group of human transcription factors, called C2H2-ZF.

Protein linked to development of asthma

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

Researchers have linked a specific protein, CCL28, to the development of post-viral infection asthma, which is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy designed to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children.

Dental researcher demonstrates how T cells cause inflammation during infections

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

A dental researcher has discovered a new way to model how infection-fighting T cells cause inflammation in mice. She believes the process could lead to identifying and testing new drugs to replace antifungal medicines that have become ineffective as the fungi develop a resistance to them.

Education 'experts' cited in news stories may lack expertise, study finds

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

A study of education experts cited in news stories and blogs during 2013 finds that some lack background in education policy and research.

Diabetes, depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

People with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk of developing dementia if they have diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression, finds a new review. Mild cognitive impairment is a state between normal aging and dementia, where someone's mind is functioning less well than would be expected for their age.

Palbociclib shows promise in patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST

Palbociclib, an investigational oral medication that works by blocking molecules responsible for cancer cell growth, is well tolerated and extends progression-free survival in newly diagnosed, advanced breast cancer patients, including those whose disease has stopped responding to traditional endocrine treatments.

Independent home living or healthcare facility? Web tool to speed data collection

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:08 AM PST

By 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older. To understand the role neighborhoods play in seniors' ability to 'age in place' -- living safely and independently in one's home of choice rather than in a healthcare facility -- researchers created a web application that speeds up researchers' data collection.

Safety, life-saving efficacy of statins have been exaggerated, says scientist

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:08 AM PST

Statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to prevent heart attacks, are not as effective nor as safe as we have been led to believe, researchers say. Statins produce a dramatic reduction in cholesterol levels, but have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes, they add, stating that 'statistical deception' has been used to inflate claims about their effectiveness.

System to turn wastewater into fresh water developed

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:08 AM PST

A professor has shown that improving wastewater treatment and saving energy are not only essential, but they're also compatible.

Want pizza, chocolate, French fries? Highly processed foods linked to addictive eating

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:01 AM PST

A new study confirms what has long been suspected: highly processed foods like chocolate, pizza and French fries are among the most addictive.

Caribbean coral findings may influence Barrier Reef studies

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST

Research indicating Caribbean corals may be better equipped to tolerate climate change than previously believed could impact future studies on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Simoctocog alfa for haemophilia A: No suitable data

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST

No added benefit can be derived from the dossier after the study of the use of Simoctocog alfa for haemophilia A. The duration of the direct comparative studies was too short and the study pool on one-arm studies with the comparator therapy was incomplete, experts say.

Immune cells: Learning from experience

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST

Immunologists have shown that our immune cells can learn on the job. Even better, some cells remember what they have learned, and can apply it in response to future challenges. The research focused on T-helper cells, a type of T cell that helps other immune cells by releasing messenger substances or cytokines.

Reducing energy efficiency boosts calorie burning in muscle

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST

A targeted approach that overrides muscles' intrinsic energy efficiency and allows muscle to burn more energy, even during low to moderate exercise, has been developed by scientists. The new findings might provide the basis of a therapy that could help people get a head start on losing weight by helping to overcome the body's natural resistance to weight loss.

Diabetes drug could protect against low blood sugar

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST

DPP-4 inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes that lower high blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production in the body. Researchers have now discovered that DPP-4 inhibitors are also effective against low blood sugar levels. The study was carried out on mice.

Key indicator for successful treatment of infertile couples

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST

A study determines if follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen at the upper limits of normal could predict treatment success as measured in live birth rates. The essential question was: should women with higher levels of FSH and estrogen be "fast-tracked" to in vitro fertilization (IVF), bypassing the conventional treatment trajectory?

Draft report analyzes policy options for hydraulic fracturing in Michigan

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST

Researchers have released a detailed draft analysis of policy options for hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas and oil extraction process commonly known as fracking.

Powerful dengue neutralizing antibody found

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST

A super-potent antibody that requires a minute amount to neutralize the dengue virus has been identified by researchers. The study showed how a newly identified antibody 5J7, is highly effective in killing dengue virus whereby only 10-9 g of antibody is needed to stop the infection of dengue serotype 3 virus. This new finding gives hope for the development of effective dengue treatments.

Gene that pushes normal pancreas cells to change shape identified

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST

A molecule that pushes normal pancreatic cells to transform their shape, laying the groundwork for development of pancreatic cancer -- one of the most difficult tumors to treat -- has been identified by researchers.

Differing GP approach to sick notes between mental, physical illness

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST

A study which has for the first time investigated in 'real time' how GPs approach the negotiation of sick notes, has found doctors taking a differing stance with patients who have mental health problems compared with those who present with physical illness.

Greenland is melting: The past might tell what the future holds

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST

Scientists have managed to quantify how the Greenland Ice Sheet reacted to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. Back then temperatures were 2-4 degrees C warmer than they are in the present. Their results are important as we are rapidly closing in on similar temperatures.

Postmenopausal women with VVA report improved satisfaction with VagiCap

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST

Newly released patient satisfaction survey results from a study of a novel investigational vaginal estrogen treatment show promise for improving quality of life and satisfaction for postmenopausal women who experience pain during sex and other symptoms associated with vulvar and vaginal atrophy.

Teens from single-parent families leave school earlier

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:42 AM PST

Individuals who live in single-parent families as teens received fewer years of schooling and are less likely to attain a bachelor's degree than those from two-parent families, a study concludes.

Women back idea of more breast screens for those at high risk of cancer

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST

Most women (85 percent) would back the idea of more frequent breast screening if they are at higher genetic risk of developing breast cancer, according to research.

Amphetamine gets the job done: Using drugs to work long hours

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST

Drugs are usually associated with vulnerable social groups. New research reveals that amphetamine, however, is used by some in physically demanding manual jobs - to sustain long working hours.

Hydropower completes greening of Norway

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST

The Norwegian energy supply can be sustainable by 2030, according to new research, as long as politicians keep their promises, authors say, after analyzing the development potential of the Norwegian energy system to find out how it could be made more sustainable. 

Mammography screening: Patient pamphlets do not affect willingness to participate

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST

Researchers report on a study in which they determined how well the prospective subjects understood the information presented in leaflets about mammography screening and whether this information influenced their willingness to undergo screening.

SuperSTEM microscope sees single atoms

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST

A new super powerful electron microscope that can pinpoint the position of single atoms, and will help scientists push boundaries even further, in fields such as advanced materials, healthcare and power generation, has just been unveiled.

Bacterial Memories: Host influences bacterial metabolism

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST

Bacteria are masters in adapting to their environment. This adaptability contributes to the bacteria's survival inside their host. Researchers have now demonstrated that the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype. The bacterial metabolic fingerprint correlated with the susceptibility of the infected mouse strain.

Large amounts of mitochondrial toxic agents cross placenta barrier

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST

Ten years' worth of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women has been reviewed, including exposure to toxic agents such as viruses, certain drugs, pesticides, alcohol and tobacco. These all cause mitochondrial diseases about which very little is known, and which are transmitted from the mother to the fetus. Mitochondria can suffer from two types of disease: genetic or acquired, researchers say.

Climate change influences distribution of organic pollutants in the Baltic Sea

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST

Regional climate change models predict an increased freshwater runoff into the Baltic Sea. This will result in increased inflow of terrestrial dissolved organic carbon. According to researchers, this change will have high impact on the organic pollutants on the organic pollutants in the northern Baltic Sea, since this carbon can interact with the pollutants and decrease their concentration in the water.

Out of Africa: Did humans migrate quickly and all-at-once or in phases based on weather?

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST

Considerable debate surrounds the migration of human populations out of Africa. Two predominant hypotheses concerning the timing contrast in their emphasis on the role of the Arabian interior and its changing climate. In one scenario, human populations expanded rapidly from Africa to southern Asia via the coastlines of Arabia approx. 50,000 to 60,000 years ago. Another model suggests that dispersal into the Arabian interior began much earlier (approx. 75,000 to 130,000 years ago) during multiple phases, when increased rainfall provided sufficient freshwater to support expanding populations.

Powder vs. Crack: Study identifies arrest risk disparity for cocaine use

Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:34 AM PST

Crack users are much more likely to experience arrest than powder cocaine users, and being poor is the true overwhelming correlate, not being black or a minority, a new study concludes.

New target for prostate cancer treatment discovered

Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:19 PM PST

A promising new therapeutic target for prostate cancer has been found by researchers, offering evidence that a newly discovered member of a family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors promotes prostate cancer cell growth.