ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• The fearsome foursome: Flying four identically equipped spacecraft in tight formation
• Cocaine changes brains makes relapse more common in addicts
• Lack of safety at school, poverty linked to childhood obesity
• Robotically discovering Earth's nearest neighbors: 54 light-years away
• Weighing -- and imaging -- molecules one at a time
• Ancient connection between the Americas enhanced extreme biodiversity
• New solar telescope peers deep into the sun to track the origins of space weather
• Dive discovers missing aircraft hangar of sunken WW II-era Japanese submarine
• Scientists observe deadly dance between nerves, cancer cells
• Monkey droppings complement field observations, researchers report
• C. difficile rates highest in Northeast region of U.S., spring season
• Gastric band, weight management therapies offer similar benefits
• Elevated upper body position improves respiratory safety in women following childbirth
• Gene mapping reveals soy's dynamic, differing roles in breast cancer
• Switching on one-shot learning in the brain
• Whitening the Arctic Ocean: May restore sea ice, but not climate
• Beijing Olympics study links pollution to lower birth weight
• History of breastfeeding associated with reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence
• Church-based diabetes education program leads to healthier lifestyles among Latino adults
• Electron chirp: Cyclotron radiation from single electrons measured directly for first time
• New studies examine the significant risk of life-threatening blood clots in post-surgical lung cancer patients
• Unmasking the secrets of Mercury, in color
• Risks from excessive drinking: Social and psychological issues trump physical hazards
• Not much size difference between male and female Australopithecines
• Evidence that premature girls thrive more than premature boys
• No single cut-off for parasite half-life can define artemisinin-resistant malaria
• Convergent evolution: Diverse sea creatures evolved to reach same swimming solution
• Diversity of habitat needed around spotted owl reserves, study shows
• First proton collisions at world's largest science experiment should start in early June
• Bigger bang for your buck: Restoring fish habitat by removing barriers
• Two new creeping water bug species found in Belize, Peru
• Engineering a better future for the Mississippi Delta: Storm surge risks
• Polygamy increases risk of heart disease by more than 4-fold
• Landslides, mudslides likely to remain a significant threat in Nepal for months
• Brain differences seen in children with dyslexia, dysgraphia
• Counting all costs, saving energy is still cheap
• As circumcision wounds heal, HIV-positive men may spread virus to female partners: Uganda study
• Genetic markers for fetal overgrowth syndrome discovered
• First six months best for stimulating heart growth, study reveals
• Water could have been abundant in first billion years after the Big Bang
• A minority of women seek health care after military sexual assault
• Researchers solve mystery of deadly transplant infection
• Bioactive gel to treat knee injuries being developed
• Megacity metabolism: What cities are the worst energy hogs?
• Burmese python habitat use patterns may help control efforts
• Salty aquifer, previously unknown microbial habitat discovered under Antarctica
• Tracking exploding lithium-ion batteries in real-time
• Emergency department treatment for opioid addiction better than referrals
• Bacteria in medical implants on purpose? Opening the way to living implants
• Genetically modified crops to fight spina bifida
• Watching cartoons helps children undergoing immunization
• Diet swap has dramatic effects on colon cancer risk for Americans and Africans
• NFL drafts: NFL players with an arrest record but no charges did well
• New IVF device may improve fertility treatment
• Transparent light shutters: Windows that act like an LCD screen
• New technique for exploring structural dynamics of nanoworld
• Scientists find new mutation that may lead to better diabetes medications and prevention
• Small high school reform boosts districtwide outcomes
• Healthy children's menu items tied to healthier ordering patterns, sustained restaurant revenue
• Rubber from dandelions: Key components in formation of rubber identified

The fearsome foursome: Flying four identically equipped spacecraft in tight formation Posted: 28 Apr 2015 04:06 PM PDT It was unprecedented developing a mission that could fly four identically equipped spacecraft in a tight formation and take measurements 100 times faster than any previous space mission.

Cocaine changes brains makes relapse more common in addicts Posted: 28 Apr 2015 04:05 PM PDT Cocaine use causes 'profound changes' in the brain that lead to an increased risk of relapse due to stress, according to new research that identifies a molecular mechanism in the reward centre of the brain that influences how recovering cocaine addicts might relapse after stressful events. Importantly, the study identifies a potential mechanism for protecting against such relapses with treatment.

Lack of safety at school, poverty linked to childhood obesity Posted: 28 Apr 2015 03:59 PM PDT A lack of safety at school is one of the correlates of childhood obesity, say researchers. The researchers came to their conclusions by reviewing data provided by 1,234 Quebec youths who had just entered secondary school. The students were asked about their feelings of safety at school and whether they had been verbally, socially or physically bullied. This information was supplemented with data covering their family background and their health behaviours.

Robotically discovering Earth's nearest neighbors: 54 light-years away Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT Astronomers discovered a planetary system orbiting a nearby star that is only 54 light-years away. All three planets orbit their star at a distance closer than Mercury orbits the sun, completing their orbits in just five, 15, and 24 days.

Weighing -- and imaging -- molecules one at a time Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT Building on their creation of the first-ever mechanical device that can measure the mass of individual molecules, one at a time, scientists have created nanodevices that can also reveal their shape.

Ancient connection between the Americas enhanced extreme biodiversity Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT Species migrations across the Isthmus of Panama began about 20 million years ago, some six times earlier than commonly assumed, a new study shows.

New solar telescope peers deep into the sun to track the origins of space weather Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT Scientists have captured the first high-resolution images of the flaring magnetic structures known as solar flux ropes at their point of origin in the sun's chromosphere.

Dive discovers missing aircraft hangar of sunken WW II-era Japanese submarine Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT A recent survey of newly discovered submarine wreck successfully located, mapped and captured on video for the first time not only the submarine's hangar and conning tower (navigation platform), and the submarine's bell. The massive aircraft hangar, large enough to launch three float-plane bombers, was the defining feature of the I-400.

Scientists observe deadly dance between nerves, cancer cells Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT In certain types of cancer, nerves and cancer cells enter an often lethal and intricate waltz where cancer cells and nerves move toward one another and eventually engage in such a way that the cancer cells enter the nerves.

Monkey droppings complement field observations, researchers report Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:17 PM PDT Behavioral observation, ecological sampling, and high-throughput sequencing give researchers insight into tamarin foraging strategies and prey preferences. In South American rainforests, researchers can tell one saddle-back tamarin from another, but what's more difficult, is to see what the squirrel-sized monkeys are putting in their mouths. Researchers are beginning to rely on their droppings to find out what bugs and other invertebrates the monkeys munch on.

C. difficile rates highest in Northeast region of U.S., spring season Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Rates of infection with the deadly superbug Clostridium difficile were highest in the Northeast region of the country and in the spring season over the last 10 years, according to a new study.

Gastric band, weight management therapies offer similar benefits Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT A small clinical trial has shown that two approaches -- adjustable gastric band surgery and an intensive group-based medical diabetes and weight management program -- achieved similar improvements in controlling blood sugar levels after one year.

Elevated upper body position improves respiratory safety in women following childbirth Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is less common in young women, sleep apnea was found in 4.9 percent in a cohort of pregnant women. In addition, OSA worsens as pregnancy progresses and is likely to persist into the early postpartum period. An elevated upper body position might improve respiratory safety in women early after childbirth without impairing sleep quality, a new study concludes.

Gene mapping reveals soy's dynamic, differing roles in breast cancer Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Scientists have mapped genes affected by phytonutrients in soy, and have found that minimally processed soy flour suppresses breast cancer, while purified isoflavones stimulate genes that accelerate tumor growth, raising questions about soy supplements' safety for postmenopausal women.

Switching on one-shot learning in the brain Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Most of the time, we learn only gradually, incrementally building connections between actions or events and outcomes. But there are exceptions--every once in a while, something happens and we immediately learn to associate that stimulus with a result. Scientists have discovered that uncertainty in terms of the causal relationship -- whether an outcome is actually caused by a particular stimulus -- is the main factor in determining whether or not rapid learning occurs.

Whitening the Arctic Ocean: May restore sea ice, but not climate Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Some scientists have suggested that global warming could melt frozen ground in the Arctic, releasing vast amounts of the potent greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere, greatly amplifying global warming. It has been proposed that such disastrous climate effects could be offset by technological approaches. One such proposal is to artificially whiten the surface of the Arctic Ocean in order to increase the reflection of the Sun's energy into space and restore sea ice.

Beijing Olympics study links pollution to lower birth weight Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:14 PM PDT Exposure to high levels of pollution can have a significant impact on fetal growth and development, researchers conclude. Their study found that women who were pregnant during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when pollution levels were reduced by the Chinese government, gave birth to children with higher birth weights compared to those who were pregnant before and after the games.

History of breastfeeding associated with reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:13 PM PDT Women diagnosed with breast cancer who previously breastfed their babies had a 30 percent overall decreased risk of the disease recurring, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In addition, researchers found that the protective effect of breastfeeding was more pronounced for tumors of particular genetic subtypes, including the most commonly diagnosed of all breast cancers.

Church-based diabetes education program leads to healthier lifestyles among Latino adults Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:13 PM PDT Latino adults with diabetes who participated in a church-based education program reported eating less high-fat food and exercising more following a trial intervention program. The Picture Good Health program, based in the city's South Lawndale/Little Village neighborhood, included an eight-week series of classes led by trained community members. The participants, mostly older Latino women, all had a previous diagnosis of diabetes and were recruited from two Catholic church communities.

Electron chirp: Cyclotron radiation from single electrons measured directly for first time Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:13 PM PDT Scientists and engineers have reported the direct detection of cyclotron radiation from individual electrons. They used a specially developed spectroscopic method that allowed them to measure the energy of electrons, one single electron at a time. The method provides a new way to potentially measure the mass of the neutrino, a subatomic particle that weighs at most two-billionths of a proton.

New studies examine the significant risk of life-threatening blood clots in post-surgical lung cancer patients Posted: 28 Apr 2015 02:13 PM PDT Lung cancer surgery patients are at higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), than previously thought, with elevated risks of complications or death. When thromboemboli occur, they may be asymptomatic or attributed to post-surgical pain or complications, and may reflect both the lung cancer itself as well as compromised lung function after surgery. These incidents may also be ascribed to an inconsistent approach to prevention that currently exists among thoracic surgeons and hematologists who care for these patients, researchers warn.

Unmasking the secrets of Mercury, in color Posted: 28 Apr 2015 01:51 PM PDT The MESSENGER spacecraft is the first ever to orbit the planet Mercury, and the spacecraft's seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation are unraveling the history and evolution of the solar system's innermost planet. MESSENGER's highly successful orbital mission is about to come to an end, as the spacecraft runs out of propellant and the force of solar gravity causes it to impact the surface of Mercury near the end of April 2015.

Risks from excessive drinking: Social and psychological issues trump physical hazards Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:15 PM PDT A new study involving some 40,000 people indicates that social and psychological problems caused by drinking generally trump physically hazardous drinking behaviors when it comes to overall mortality rates.

Not much size difference between male and female Australopithecines Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:15 PM PDT Lucy and other members of the early hominid species Australopithecus afarensis probably were similar to humans in the size difference between males and females, according to new research.

Evidence that premature girls thrive more than premature boys Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:15 PM PDT A new study from Loyola University Medical Center provides further evidence that female infants tend to do better than males when born prematurely. The study found that female infants independently orally fed one day earlier than males. The ability to suck, swallow and breathe simultaneously are reflexes that many premature infants are unable to do. Learning to master these skills and eat independently without feeding tubes is necessary before an infant can safely go home from the hospital.

No single cut-off for parasite half-life can define artemisinin-resistant malaria Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:15 PM PDT Data from southeast Asia -- where artemisinin-resistant malaria strains were first detected -- broadly support WHO's 'working definition' for artemisinin resistance, but the currently used definitions require important refinements, according to a new study.

Convergent evolution: Diverse sea creatures evolved to reach same swimming solution Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:15 PM PDT Moving one's body rapidly through water is a key to existence for many species. The Persian carpet flatworm, the cuttlefish and the black ghost knifefish look nothing like each other -- their last common ancestor lived 550 million years ago, before the Cambrian period -- a new study uses computer simulations, a robotic fish and video footage of real fish to show that all three aquatic creatures have evolved to swim using the same mechanical motion.

Diversity of habitat needed around spotted owl reserves, study shows Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:21 AM PDT A new study shows that many bird species, including several of high conservation concern, aren't getting the habitat they need due to a focus on promoting California Spotted Owl habitat in the northern Sierra Nevada.

First proton collisions at world's largest science experiment should start in early June Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:20 AM PDT First collisions of protons at the world's largest science experiment should start the first or second week of June. The LHC restarted is second run in early April. There are no significant signs of new physics yet, but DeRoeck said it will take only one significant deviation in the data to change everything.

Bigger bang for your buck: Restoring fish habitat by removing barriers Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:20 AM PDT A powerful new model has been developed by a multidisciplinary team, described as a tool to help decision makers maximize the cost-effectiveness of barrier removal projects that also restore migratory fish habitat.

Two new creeping water bug species found in Belize, Peru Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:20 AM PDT Two new saucer bugs (also called the creeping water bugs) have been found in streams in western Belize and southeastern Peru. Now the scientists say that more needs to be done in order to obtain records of other insects that have not yet been discovered before it's too late.

Engineering a better future for the Mississippi Delta: Storm surge risks Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:19 AM PDT River deltas, low-lying landforms that host critical and diverse ecosystems as well as high concentrations of human population, face an uncertain future. Even as some deltas experience decreased sediment supply from damming, others will see increased sediment discharge from land-use changes. Accurate estimates of the current rate of subsidence in the Mississippi Delta (southern USA) are important for planning wetland restoration and predictions of storm surge flooding.

Polygamy increases risk of heart disease by more than 4-fold Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:19 AM PDT Polygamy increases the risk of heart disease by more than 4-fold, reveals new research. The risk and severity of heart disease increased with the number of wives.

Landslides, mudslides likely to remain a significant threat in Nepal for months Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:19 AM PDT The threat of landslides and mudslides remains high across much of Nepal's high country, and the risk is likely to increase when the monsoon rains arrive this summer, according to a researcher.

Brain differences seen in children with dyslexia, dysgraphia Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:19 AM PDT Structural brain differences between children with dyslexia and dysgraphia and children who are typical language learners have been observed by researchers in a recent study. Researchers say the findings prove that using a single category of learning disability to qualify for special education services is not scientifically supported.

Counting all costs, saving energy is still cheap Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:18 AM PDT Researchers have conducted the most comprehensive study yet of the full cost of saving electricity by U.S. utility efficiency programs and now have an answer: 4.6 cents. That's the average total cost of saving a kilowatt-hour in 20 states from 2009 to 2013.

As circumcision wounds heal, HIV-positive men may spread virus to female partners: Uganda study Posted: 28 Apr 2015 11:18 AM PDT Scientists report that a new study of HIV-infected men in Uganda has identified a temporary, but potentially troublesome unintended consequence of the procedure: a possible increased risk of infecting female sexual partners while circumcision wounds heal.

Genetic markers for fetal overgrowth syndrome discovered Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:54 AM PDT Researchers have identified a number of genes that contribute to large offspring syndrome, which can result in the overgrowth of fetuses and enlarged babies. In humans, this disorder is called Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS).

First six months best for stimulating heart growth, study reveals Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:54 AM PDT The optimal window of time to stimulate heart muscle cell regeneration -- cardiomyocyte proliferation -- in humans is the first six months of life, researchers have discovered. The drug neuregulin is currently under investigation as a drug treatment for heart failure in adults, but corresponding studies for pediatric applications had not been attempted before now.

Water could have been abundant in first billion years after the Big Bang Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:54 AM PDT How soon after the Big Bang could water have existed? Not right away, because water molecules contain oxygen and oxygen had to be formed in the first stars. Then that oxygen had to disperse and unite with hydrogen in significant amounts. New theoretical work finds that despite these complications, water vapor could have been just as abundant in pockets of space a billion years after the Big Bang as it is today.

A minority of women seek health care after military sexual assault Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:54 AM PDT Most female service members who experience sexual assault are unlikely to seek post-assault health care, at least in the short term, suggests a new study.

Researchers solve mystery of deadly transplant infection Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:53 AM PDT After the death of a patient, a thoracic surgeon has determined the possible cause of a rare infection, likely saving lives of future lung transplant patients. Lungs are one of the most difficult organs to transplant because unlike other organs, lungs are exposed to the external atmospheric elements during normal respiration, leading to possible infection and damage.

Bioactive gel to treat knee injuries being developed Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:53 AM PDT Current surgical options for repairing damaged cartilage caused by knee injuries are costly, can have complications, and often are not very effective in the long run. But an orthopedics research team is working on a biologic solution -- an injectable gel that encourages self-healing of cartilage -- with hopes it will result in a minimally invasive, practical, and inexpensive approach for repairing cartilage and preventing osteoarthritis.

Megacity metabolism: What cities are the worst energy hogs? Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:53 AM PDT New York is an energy hog, London and Paris use relatively less resources and Tokyo conserves water like a pro. These are just a few of the findings from a new study on 'megacity metabolism' -- the world's first comprehensive survey of resources used and removed in each of the world's 27 largest metropolitan areas.

Burmese python habitat use patterns may help control efforts Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:53 AM PDT The largest and longest Burmese python tracking study of its kind -- here or in its native range -- is providing researchers and resource managers new information that may help target control efforts of this invasive snake.

Salty aquifer, previously unknown microbial habitat discovered under Antarctica Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:52 AM PDT Many view Antarctica as a frozen wasteland. Turns out there are hidden interconnected lakes underneath its dry valleys that could sustain life and shed light on ancient climate change. Microbiologists detected extensive salty groundwater networks in Antarctica using a novel airborne electromagnetic mapping sensor system. The findings shed new light on ancient climate change on Earth and provide evidence that a similar briny aquifer could support microscopic life on Mars.

Tracking exploding lithium-ion batteries in real-time Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:52 AM PDT What happens when lithium-ion batteries overheat and explode has been tracked inside and out for the first time using sophisticated 3-D imaging. Understanding how Li-ion batteries fail and potentially cause a dangerous chain reaction of events is important for improving their design to make them safer to use and transport, say the scientists behind the study.

Emergency department treatment for opioid addiction better than referrals Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:52 AM PDT The first known randomized trial comparing three treatment strategies for opioid-dependent patients receiving emergency care has been conducted by researchers who found that patients given the medication buprenorphine were more likely to engage in addiction treatment and reduce their illicit opioid use.

Bacteria in medical implants on purpose? Opening the way to living implants Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:50 AM PDT Supramolecular chemistry is the science that is concerned with molecular self-assembly: chemical building blocks which, when you combine them, naturally form larger ordered structures. Researchers have now found a method that allows them to ensure that living cells - in this case bacteria from the human body - can be incorporated in materials while maintaining their mobility. This opens the way to a wide range of new applications, for example as part of medical implants. Examples include stents equipped with bacteria on which endothelial cells can grow, or bacteria that can release medicines in specific parts of the body.

Genetically modified crops to fight spina bifida Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:50 AM PDT Genetically modified crops are usually designed to have herbicide tolerance and insect resistance, but there are other applications of such engineered plants, such as the incorporation of genes for specific nutrients. Research suggests that the bio-fortification of rice with a gene to produce more folate (vitamin B9) could significantly reduce the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida and other neural tube defect conditions, caused by deficiency of this nutrient.

Watching cartoons helps children undergoing immunization Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:50 AM PDT Watching cartoons can reduce pain and distress in children undergoing immunization before, during and after the procedure, a study has found. Results showed that levels of distress were lowered in children distracted with cartoons. Researchers added that these results concurred with previous studies, especially in showing that children younger than seven years typically report more distress and pain from needles than older children.

Diet swap has dramatic effects on colon cancer risk for Americans and Africans Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:50 AM PDT Scientists have found dramatic effects on risk factors for colon cancer when American and African volunteers swapped diets for just two weeks.

NFL drafts: NFL players with an arrest record but no charges did well Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:47 AM PDT Scientists analyzed five years of NFL draft data and discovered that the performance of NFL players who had an arrest record but no charges was better than those without an arrest and those arrested and charged performed as well as those with clean records - but they cost less.

New IVF device may improve fertility treatment Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:47 AM PDT Scientists have developed a technique to more effectively grow and screen embryos prior to implantation.

Transparent light shutters: Windows that act like an LCD screen Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:38 AM PDT The secret desire of urban daydreamers staring out their office windows at the sad brick walls of the building opposite them may soon be answered thanks to transparent light shutters. A novel liquid crystal technology allows displays to flip between transparent and opaque states -- hypothetically letting you switch your view in less than a millisecond from urban decay to the Chesapeake Bay.

New technique for exploring structural dynamics of nanoworld Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:38 AM PDT A new technique for visualizing the rapidly changing electronic structures of atomic-scale materials as they twist, tumble and traipse across the nanoworld is taking shape. Researchers have for the first time successfully combined two existing methods to visualize the structural dynamics of a thin film of graphite.

Scientists find new mutation that may lead to better diabetes medications and prevention Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:38 AM PDT A new genetic mutation that appears to protect people from developing Type 2 diabetes has been identified by an international team of researchers. The finding could lead to the development of new drug therapies to treat about 26 million Type 2 diabetics in the United States who rely on insulin and oral medication to manage the life-threatening disease for which there is no cure.

Small high school reform boosts districtwide outcomes Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:38 AM PDT Creating small high schools improves outcomes for students in the overall school district – both in new small schools and existing larger schools – according to a study of New York City schools.

Healthy children's menu items tied to healthier ordering patterns, sustained restaurant revenue Posted: 28 Apr 2015 09:38 AM PDT The first study of its kind evaluating ordering patterns of children's meals when provided with healthier menu items and changes in restaurant revenues shows potential for both improved children's health and restaurant growth. This study shows promise for other restaurateurs looking to promote healthy eating among children while remaining competitive in the marketplace.

Rubber from dandelions: Key components in formation of rubber identified Posted: 28 Apr 2015 08:00 AM PDT Dandelions deliver a desirable product: rubber. This is why the robust and undemanding plant has become the focus of attention of the rubber-producing industry. But how is rubber, contained in the plant's white milky fluid, actually formed? A team of scientists has now identified proteins, which play a key role in the production of rubber in the plant. Thus a biotechnological production of rubber comes closer.

You are subscribed to email updates from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States