ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Medication dose needed for general anesthesia varies widely: Some patients may require less anesthesia

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:38 PM PDT

The amount of anesthetic required for general anesthesia during surgery varies widely from patient to patient and some may be able to receive a lower dose than typically administered, suggests a new study.

Soothing words do more than pills to calm anxious patients

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:38 PM PDT

Anxious patients heading into surgery often receive medication to ease their fears, but a few calming words from their physicians might actually be more effective medicine. In fact, "conversational hypnosis" as the approach is known, may do a better job than pills for relaxing patients before anesthesia and surgery.

Distressed damsel fish cry for help

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:34 PM PDT

Researchers have found that fish release a chemical 'distress call' when caught by predators, dramatically boosting their chances of survival.

Negative publicity reduces police motivation but does not result in depolicing

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 12:49 PM PDT

Recent negative publicity surrounding police after several shootings of unarmed civilians appears to have diminished some officers' motivation to be in law enforcement but does not decrease willingness to carry out their duties, according to a new study.

Prolonged TV viewing linked to eight leading causes of death in US

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 12:49 PM PDT

On average, 80 percent of American adults watch 3.5 hours of television per day and multiple observational studies have demonstrated a link between TV viewing and poorer health. In this new study, investigators reported an association between increasing hours of television viewing per day and increasing risk of death from most of the major causes of death in the United States.

World's fastest nanoscale photonics switch

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 11:30 AM PDT

Researchers developed an ultrafast all-optical switch based on nonlinear dielectric silicon nanostructures. The operation of the switching is based on the interaction between two femtosecond pulses; at the same time, the undesirable free-carrier effects are suppressed. Ultrafast optical switching will permit to create data transmission and processing devices which will handle speeds high enough to download thousands of HD-movies in a second.

Wave-particle interaction in atmosphere

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 11:30 AM PDT

A new study sheds light on the impact of plasma waves on high-energy electrons streaking into Earth's magnetic field from space.

Probing the mysteries of Europa, Jupiter's cracked and crinkled moon

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 11:30 AM PDT

New research, using spectrographic data, shows what are likely deposits from Europa's sub-surface ocean on it's so-called 'chaos terrain.'

Processed meat can cause cancer

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 10:51 AM PDT

Researchers have evaluated the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. They classified the consumption of red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans, based on limited evidence that the consumption of red meat causes cancer in humans and strong mechanistic evidence supporting a carcinogenic effect. Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans.

'Spring-mass' technology heralds the future of walking robots

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 10:29 AM PDT

A new study suggests that researchers have achieved the most realistic robotic implementation of human walking dynamics that has ever been done, which may ultimately allow human-like versatility and performance. The work opens the door for robots to be more fully integrated into our daily lives.

Sonic tractor beam moves stuff with sound

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 10:28 AM PDT

Scientists have built a novel sonic tractor beam that can lift and move objects using sound waves. High-amplitude sound waves are used to generate an acoustic hologram which can pick up and move small objects.

Surgical patients should stay on cholesterol medications to reduce risk of death

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:57 AM PDT

Patients who stop taking cholesterol medications before surgery are following outdated recommendations, and significantly increasing their risk of death if they don't resume taking the medications within two days after surgery, according to a new study.

Why Earth is so much bigger than Mars: Rocky planets formed from 'pebbles'

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:40 AM PDT

Using a new process in planetary formation modeling, where planets grow from tiny bodies called 'pebbles,' scientists can explain why Mars is so much smaller than Earth. This same process also explains the rapid formation of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, as reported earlier this year.

Restoring testosterone rather than replacing it helps safeguard a man's fertility

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:39 AM PDT

Restoring testosterone production in men may be as effective as replacing it, without compromising their fertility. Two phase III clinical trials show that a drug that restores the body's natural production of testosterone has no negative effect on a man's sperm count while a topical testosterone gel causes a significant drop. The findings could change the way men are treated for low testosterone.

May the Fifth Force be with you

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:39 AM PDT

Discovering possible new forces in nature is no mean task. The discovery of gravity linked to Newton's arguably apocryphal apple experiment has remained anchored in popular culture. In a new article a researcher gives a personal account of how the existence of the gravity-style fifth force has stimulated an unprecedented amount of research in gravitational physics -- even though its existence has not been confirmed by experiment.

Mental maps: Route-learning changes brain tissue

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:38 AM PDT

Fifteen years ago, a study showed that the brains of London cab drivers had an enlargement in the hippocampus, a brain area associated with navigation. But questions remained: Did the experience of navigating London's complex system of streets change their brains, or did only the people with larger hippocampi succeed in becoming cab drivers? Now, scientists have determined that learning detailed navigation information causes the hippocampal brain changes. The findings establish a critical link between structural and functional brain alteration.

Wall-less Hall thruster may power future deep space missions

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:33 AM PDT

To prolong the lifespan of Hall thrusters, scientists have experimentally optimized the operation of a novel, wall-less thruster prototype developed a year ago by the same team. The preliminary performance results were satisfactory, the team said, and pave the way toward developing a high-efficiency wall-less Hall thruster suitable for long-duration, deep space missions.

Graphene flakes as an ultra-fast stopwatch

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:33 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new optical detector from graphene which reacts very rapidly to incident light of all different wavelengths and even works at room temperature. It is the first time that a single detector has been able to monitor the spectral range from visible light to infrared radiation and right through to terahertz radiation. The scientists use the new graphene detector for the exact synchronization of laser systems.

Robotic systems: How sensorimotor intelligence may develop

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:33 AM PDT

Researchers propose a novel learning rule to explain the development of sensorimotor intelligence.

Microscopic Brownian Carnot engine

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:31 AM PDT

Engineers have reported on the development of a microscopic motor operating between two thermal baths, that is, a micro Carnot engine.

Artificial intelligence finds messy galaxies

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:31 AM PDT

An astrophysics student has turned to artificial intelligence to help her to see into the hearts of galaxies. She was inspired by neural networks to create a program to single out from thousands of galaxies the subjects of her study -- the most turbulent and messy galaxies.

Coating cancels acoustic scattering from odd-shaped objects

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:31 AM PDT

Researchers have applied to acoustic waves the concept of 'scattering cancellation,' which has long been used to systematically cancel the dominant scattering modes of electromagnetic waves off objects. The work provides fundamental new tools to control acoustic scattering and should improve the ability to make acoustic measurements in the laboratory.

Physics of booming and burping sand dunes revealed

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:31 AM PDT

Avalanching sand from dune faces can trigger loud, rumbling 'booming' or short bursts of 'burping' sounds -- behaving as a perfectly tuned musical instrument. This sound is persistent and the dunes 'sing' in frequencies ranging from 70 to 105 Hertz, with higher harmonics. Researchers discovered that the 'booming' and 'burping' correspond to the transmission of a class of different waves within the dune.

Exploring molecule's role in immune system

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:07 AM PDT

Proteins called cytokines are known to influence immune cell fate, but the process is complex. Researchers examined how a specific cytokine, interleukin-15, influences gene expression patterns in T helper cells.

Acid reflux medications may increase kidney disease risk

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:07 AM PDT

Certain medications commonly used to treat heartburn and acid reflux may have damaging effects on the kidneys, according to two new studies. The drugs, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are among the top 10 class of prescribed medications in the United States.

Current climate commitments would increase global temperature around 3° C

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:06 AM PDT

An assessment shows that current climate commitments submitted by 155 countries for COP21 would increase global temperature around 3º C.

Seals not competing with Irish fishing stocks, according to new research

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:06 AM PDT

Seals are not threatening commercial fishing stocks in Irish waters, with the possible exception of wild Atlantic salmon, according to new research.

Lifestyle change could reduce risk of Alzheimer's

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:06 AM PDT

Aging researchers are studying the connection between cholesterol level and cognitive decline in old age. Carriers of the ApoE4 genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's may be able to reduce their increased risk of cognitive decline by reducing their cholesterol level, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular disease, they say.

Seeing sound: Nonsighted people could acquire a new sensory functionality similar to vision

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:52 AM PDT

Intrinsic neural connections -- called crossmodal mappings -- can be used by assistive devices to help the blind detect their environment without requiring intense concentration or hundreds of hours of training. This new multisensory perspective on such aids (called sensory substitution devices) could make tasks that were previously attention-consuming much easier, allowing nonsighted people to acquire a new sensory functionality similar to vision.

Rewilding the future

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:52 AM PDT

New research shows that the loss of large animals has had strong effects on ecosystem functions, and that reintroducing large animal faunas may restore biodiverse ecosystems.

Intestine-specific delivery of insulin demonstrates promise with new oral formulation

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:52 AM PDT

An intestinal patch device containing insulin that can be swallowed in the form of a capsule has demonstrated efficacy of blood glucose management in diabetic rats.

Identifying the European corn borer may become easier with new technique

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:52 AM PDT

Farmers who need to control the destructive European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) may soon be able to distinguish it from look-alike species by simply scanning an image of its wing into a computer and pecking a few keys.

Natural immunity may lead fight against liver disease

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 05:27 AM PDT

Researchers have uncovered the role played by a family of genes, which can suppress hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection within the liver. The findings shed light on the activity of these genes and how they produce a natural immune response to the virus.

Clumsy? Ballet might help

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 05:26 AM PDT

A study in professional ballet dancers finds that ballet training may improve balance and coordination in daily activities.

Film production in 4D with ultrashort electron pulses

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 05:23 AM PDT

Physicists shorten electron pulses down to 30 femtoseconds duration, enabling them to gain detailed insight into atomic motions in molecules.

The brain forgets in order to conserve energy

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 05:23 AM PDT

Our brains not only contain learning mechanisms but also forgetting mechanisms that erase "unnecessary" learning. A research has now been able to describe one of these mechanisms at the cellular level.

Good grades in classes with immigrants, Norwegian study shows

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:50 AM PDT

Parents in areas with many immigrants have little reason to fear that a high proportion of immigrant pupils in schools in itself hampers student performance, according to new Norwegian research.

Simulator of human behavior advances research

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:49 AM PDT

A Spanish research team is investigating how to build a system that recreates human behavior. This technology could be applied to anticipate behavior in socioeconomic crises, create more human-like robots or develop avatars of artificial intelligence which are almost indistinguishable from those that represent people.

Bodily maps of touch and social relationships are tightly linked

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:49 AM PDT

A new study shows that the bodily maps of touch are consistent across a wide range of European cultures. The closer the social relationship, the larger the body area this person is allowed to touch.

Increased risk of large bowel cancer for each 1 cm rise in waist circumference

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

New research shows an increased risk of large bowel cancer for each 1 cm rise in waist circumference. In addition, in men, there is now evidence that increasing waist circumference in middle age is associated with increased bowel cancer risk.

Secrets of a rice-killing fungal toxin

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

The enzyme needed for synthesis of tenuazonic acid, a well-known toxin that is produced by multiple types of fungus and affects fruits, vegetables, rice, and other crops, has been discovered by researchers. In their study, the authors describe how they found the gene for this enzyme, and reveal that its structure is unique among known enzymes.

The great northern cod comeback

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

Once an icon of overfishing, mismanagement, and stock decline, the northern Atlantic cod is showing signs of recovery, according to new research.

Genetic testing could identify men at a 10-fold increased risk of testicular cancer

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

A new study of more than 25,000 men has uncovered four new genetic variants associated with increased risk of testicular cancer. Testing for these variants combined with all 21 previously identified using genetic sequencing identified men with a 10-fold higher risk of testicular cancer than the population average.

Oxytocin has social, emotional and behavioral benefits in young kids with autism

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

A five week treatment with the synthetic hormone oxytocin significantly improved social, emotional and behavioral issues among young children with autism, according to new research.

New role for insulin: Studies tie the hormone to brain's 'pleasure' center

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:48 AM PDT

Insulin, the hormone essential to all mammals for controlling blood sugar levels and a feeling of being full after eating, plays a much stronger role than previously known in regulating release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers.

Obese children's health rapidly improves with sugar reduction unrelated to calories

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:47 AM PDT

Reducing consumption of added sugar has the power to reverse a cluster of chronic metabolic diseases in children in as little as 10 days, according to a study.

High-grade DCIS detection rates increase in older women

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:47 AM PDT

The mammography detection rate of an early-stage but potentially invasive type of breast cancer rises with age, according to a large new study. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of breast cancer confined to the milk ducts, is a common finding on mammography.

Promising technique improves hydrogen production of affordable alternative to platinum

Posted: 26 Oct 2015 03:16 PM PDT

Scientists have demonstrated that microwaves can help create nanostructured molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) catalysts with an improved ability to produce hydrogen. The microwave-assisted strategy accomplishes this by increasing the space, and therefore decreasing the interaction, between individual layers of MoS2 nanosheets.

Nanoquakes probe new 2-dimensional material

Posted: 26 Oct 2015 02:41 PM PDT

A new and exciting way to elucidate the properties of novel two-dimensional semiconductors has been identified by scientists. These materials have unique properties that promise better integration of optical communication with traditional silicon-based devices.