ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Out of an hours-long explosion, a stand-in for the first stars
• Pressure cell for reproducing deep-Earth chemistry
• Brain activity in sex addiction mirrors that of drug addiction
• Contributing factors to groundwater table declines identified
• Drone lighting: Autonomous vehicles could automatically assume the right positions for photographic lighting
• New simple setup for X-ray phase contrast
• Obesity alone does not cause arthritis in animals
• Baboons groom early in day to get benefits later
• Growing up on livestock farm halves risk of inflammatory bowel diseases
• Precipitation, not warming temperatures, may be key in bird adaptation to climate change
• Stem cell researcher targets 'seeds' of breast cancer metastasis
• 3-D technology used to help California condors, other endangered species
• Non-invasive urine test could be used to predict premature birth, delivery of small babies
• Blame it on the astrocytes: does brain's most abundant cell type have role in neurological disorders?
• Extra dose of inactivated polio vaccine boosts immunity in children and could speed up global eradication efforts
• World’s most advanced dengue vaccine candidate shows promise in phase 3 trial
• Ultrasound tracks odor representation in brain
• Head formation of clawed frog embryos
• Omega 3 fatty acids lessen severity of osteoarthritis in mice
• Potent spider toxin 'electrocutes' German, not American, cockroaches
• Scorpions are master architects, according to new research
• After a concussion, which teens will have emotional symptoms?
• High stress, hostility, depression linked with increased stroke risk
• New light shed on nerve cell growth
• Sophisticated radiation detector designed for broad public use
• Control strategy for Dengue, malaria increases risk of West Nile virus
• Ocean's most abundant organisms have clear daily cycles
• Potential new target for antibiotics against E. coli, other bugs
• Understanding consciousness: Researchers advocate for more scientific research on consciousness
• Sleep disturbances, common in Parkinson's disease, can be early indicator of disease onset
• In the gut, immunity is a two-way street: Complex role of gut bacteria
• Innovative non-invasive 'liquid biopsy' method to capture circulating tumor cells from blood samples for genetic testing
• Injectable foam could prevent fatal blood loss in wounded soldiers

Out of an hours-long explosion, a stand-in for the first stars Posted: 11 Jul 2014 12:33 PM PDT Astronomers analyzing a long-lasting blast of high-energy light observed in 2013 report finding features strikingly similar to those expected from an explosion from the universe's earliest stars. If this interpretation is correct, the outburst validates ideas about a recently identified class of gamma-ray burst and serves as a stand-in for what future observatories may see as the last acts of the first stars.

Pressure cell for reproducing deep-Earth chemistry Posted: 11 Jul 2014 12:33 PM PDT A new pressure cell makes it possible to simulate chemical reactions deep in the Earth's crust. The device could allow insights into deep-Earth chemistry and carbon cycling, 'fracking' and nuclear waste disposal.

Brain activity in sex addiction mirrors that of drug addiction Posted: 11 Jul 2014 12:33 PM PDT Pornography triggers brain activity in people with compulsive sexual behavior -- known commonly as sex addiction -- similar to that triggered by drugs in the brains of drug addicts, according to a a new study. However, the researchers caution that this does not necessarily mean that pornography itself is addictive.

Contributing factors to groundwater table declines identified Posted: 11 Jul 2014 12:31 PM PDT It's no secret groundwater levels have declined across the state of Texas over the past eight decades, and that the primary reason was the onset of irrigation in agriculture and population growth. But a recent study has identified other factors having an impact.

Drone lighting: Autonomous vehicles could automatically assume the right positions for photographic lighting Posted: 11 Jul 2014 10:28 AM PDT Lighting is crucial to the art of photography. But lights are cumbersome and time-consuming to set up, and outside the studio, it can be prohibitively difficult to position them where, ideally, they ought to go.

New simple setup for X-ray phase contrast Posted: 11 Jul 2014 10:28 AM PDT X-ray phase-contrast imaging can provide high-quality images of objects with lower radiation dose. But until now these images have been hard to obtain and required special X-ray sources whose properties are only found at particle accelerator facilities. Using a laboratory source with unprecedented brightness, scientists have demonstrated a new approach to get reliable phase contrast with an extremely simple setup.

Obesity alone does not cause arthritis in animals Posted: 11 Jul 2014 07:15 AM PDT The link between obesity and osteoarthritis may be more than just the wear and tear on the skeleton caused by added weight. A new study has found that the absence of the appetite hormone leptin can determine whether obese mice experience arthritis, no matter how heavy they are.

Baboons groom early in day to get benefits later Posted: 11 Jul 2014 07:13 AM PDT Social animals often develop relationships with other group members to reduce aggression and gain access to scarce resources. In wild chacma baboons the strategy for grooming activities shows a certain pattern across the day. new insights highlight the importance of understanding the full range of time periods over which social strategies may be optimized. Such knowledge is crucial when studying the social behavior and strategies of group-living animals.

Growing up on livestock farm halves risk of inflammatory bowel diseases Posted: 11 Jul 2014 07:13 AM PDT The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases is rising sharply -- particularly among young people. However, new research indicates that growing up on a livestock farm may have a protective effect. "It is extremely exciting that we can now see that not only allergic diseases, but also more classic inflammatory diseases appear to depend on the environment we are exposed to early in our lives," says one expert.

Precipitation, not warming temperatures, may be key in bird adaptation to climate change Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:22 AM PDT A new model analyzing how birds in western North America will respond to climate change suggests that for most species, regional warming is not as likely to influence population trends as will precipitation changes. "In general, our study suggests that if climate change results in winters with less precipitation, we likely will see a spring drying effect," one researcher said. "This means that populations of drought-tolerant species will expand and birds that rely heavily on moisture should decline."

Stem cell researcher targets 'seeds' of breast cancer metastasis Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:22 AM PDT For breast cancer patients, the era of personalized medicine may be just around the corner. Breast cancer cells circulating through the blood streams of six patients have been isolated for study in a recent research project. Some of these deadly cancer cells are the "seeds" of metastasis, which travel to and establish secondary tumors in vital organs such as the bone, lungs, liver and brain.

3-D technology used to help California condors, other endangered species Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:22 AM PDT A novel methodology that, for the first time, combines 3-D and advanced range estimator technologies to provide highly detailed data on the range and movements of terrestrial, aquatic, and avian wildlife species has been developed by researchers. One aspect of the study focused on learning more about the range and movements of the California condor using miniaturized GPS biotelemetry units attached to every condor released into the wild.

Non-invasive urine test could be used to predict premature birth, delivery of small babies Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:21 AM PDT Testing for the presence of specific molecules present in the urine of pregnant women can give an indication in early pregnancy of whether a baby will be born premature or the fetus will suffer poor growth, according to research. Identifying these conditions early in pregnancy could potentially help reduce complications and manage any difficulties, although more work is needed before the findings can be translated to clinical settings.

Blame it on the astrocytes: does brain's most abundant cell type have role in neurological disorders? Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:21 AM PDT The demonstration that astrocytes, the brain's most abundant cell type, participate in the formation of inhibitory synapses in the cortex suggests an important role for these cells in some neurological disorders. Astrocytes, named for their star-like shape, are ubiquitous brain cells known for regulating excitatory synapse formation through cells. Recent studies have shown that astrocytes also play a role in forming inhibitory synapses, but the key players and underlying mechanisms have remained unknown until now.

Extra dose of inactivated polio vaccine boosts immunity in children and could speed up global eradication efforts Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:20 AM PDT Giving children under 5 years old an extra dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) helps to boost their immunity to the poliovirus and should be added to vaccination programs in polio-endemic countries and those facing a high risk of imported cases, suggests new research.

World’s most advanced dengue vaccine candidate shows promise in phase 3 trial Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:20 AM PDT The first dengue vaccine candidate to reach phase 3 clinical testing has shown moderate protection (56%) against the disease in Asian children, according to new research. There is no licensed vaccine available to treat or prevent dengue fever, and efforts to develop one have been complicated by the fact that dengue is caused by four distinct dengue viruses, and a vaccine must target all four serotypes.

Ultrasound tracks odor representation in brain Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:19 AM PDT A new ultrasound imaging technique has provided the first ever in vivo visualization of activity in the piriform cortex of rats during odor perception. This deep-seated brain structure plays an important role in olfaction, and was inaccessible to functional imaging until now. This work also sheds new light on the still poorly known functioning of the olfactory system, and notably how information is processed in the brain.

Head formation of clawed frog embryos Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:19 AM PDT A key mechanism in the formation of the head in frogs has been explained by researchers. Previous studies had reported genes involved in head development. However, it still remained unclear how those genes interact with each other for head formation as a whole. By employing Next-Generation sequencing techniques, which provide scientists with massive amounts of DNA sequence data, this study has uncovered a genetic mechanism underlying head formation, which is one of the most important processes in animal development.

Omega 3 fatty acids lessen severity of osteoarthritis in mice Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:18 AM PDT Mice consuming a supplement of omega 3 fatty acids had healthier joints than those fed diets high in saturated fats and omega 6 fatty acids, according to researchers. "Our results suggest that dietary factors play a more significant role than mechanical factors in the link between obesity and osteoarthritis," said the study's senior author.

Potent spider toxin 'electrocutes' German, not American, cockroaches Posted: 11 Jul 2014 06:18 AM PDT Using spider toxins to study the proteins that let nerve cells send out electrical signals, researchers say they have stumbled upon a biological tactic that may offer a new way to protect crops from insect plagues in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

Scorpions are master architects, according to new research Posted: 10 Jul 2014 01:15 PM PDT The burrows made by scorpions follow a very sophisticated design, beginning with a short, vertical entrance shaft that flattened out a few centimeters below the surface into a horizontal platform, new research has found. The burrows then turn sharply downwards, descending further below ground to form a dead-end chamber. This cool, humid chamber, where evaporation water loss is minimal, provides a refuge for the scorpions to rest during the heat of the day.

After a concussion, which teens will have emotional symptoms? Posted: 10 Jul 2014 01:15 PM PDT After a concussion, teens who are sensitive to light or noise may be more likely to also have emotional symptoms such as anxiety, according to a new study.

High stress, hostility, depression linked with increased stroke risk Posted: 10 Jul 2014 01:14 PM PDT Higher levels of stress, hostility and depressive symptoms are associated with significantly increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in middle-age and older adults, according to new research. A TIA is a stroke caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.

New light shed on nerve cell growth Posted: 10 Jul 2014 01:12 PM PDT New light has been shed on the complex processes of nerve cell growth, showing that a particular protein plays a far more sophisticated role in neuron development than previously thought. Specifically, the research sheds light on the role of RPM-1 in the development of axons or nerve fibers -- the elongated projections of nerve cells that transmit electrical impulses away from the neuron via synapses. Some axons are quite long; in the sciatic nerve, axons run from the base of the spine to the big toe.

Sophisticated radiation detector designed for broad public use Posted: 10 Jul 2014 12:19 PM PDT Nuclear engineers have developed a small, portable and inexpensive radiation detection device that should help people all over the world better understand the radiation around them, its type and intensity, and whether or not it poses a health risk. The system is a miniaturized gamma ray spectrometer, which means it can measure not only the intensity of radiation but also identify the type of radionuclide that is creating it. Such a system is far more sophisticated than old-fashioned "Geiger counters" that provide only minimal information about the presence and level of radioactivity.

Control strategy for Dengue, malaria increases risk of West Nile virus Posted: 10 Jul 2014 11:16 AM PDT Mosquitoes infected with the bacteria Wolbachia are more likely to become infected with West Nile virus and more likely to transmit the virus to humans, according to a team of researchers. "This is the first study to demonstrate that Wolbachia can enhance a human pathogen in a mosquito," one researcher said. "The results suggest that caution should be used when releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into nature to control vector-borne diseases of humans."

Ocean's most abundant organisms have clear daily cycles Posted: 10 Jul 2014 11:15 AM PDT In every drop of ocean water, hundreds of types of bacteria can be found. Now scientists have discovered that communities of these ocean microbes have their own daily cycles -- not unlike the residents of a bustling city who tend to wake up, commute, work, and eat at the same times. What's more, it's not all about the sun. These bacteria have been observed turning on diel cycling genes at slightly different times -— suggesting a wave of transcriptional activity that passes through the microbial community each day.

Potential new target for antibiotics against E. coli, other bugs Posted: 10 Jul 2014 11:13 AM PDT Scientists have identified a protein that is essential to the survival of E. coli bacteria, and consider the protein a potential new target for antibiotics. E. coli is part of the gram-negative family of bacteria, characterized by having an extra membrane, called the outer membrane, that reduces the chances for a drug to penetrate the cell to kill it. Inhibiting this protein, however, would require getting past just one of the two membranes, meaning it could be an attractive new target for antibiotics in this age of resistant pathogens.

Understanding consciousness: Researchers advocate for more scientific research on consciousness Posted: 10 Jul 2014 10:10 AM PDT Why does a relentless stream of subjective experiences normally fill your mind? Maybe that's just one of those mysteries that will always elude us. Yet, new research suggests that consciousness lies well within the realm of scientific inquiry -- as impossible as that may currently seem. Although scientists have yet to agree on an objective measure to index consciousness, progress has been made with this agenda in several labs around the world.

Sleep disturbances, common in Parkinson's disease, can be early indicator of disease onset Posted: 10 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT Up to 70% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience sleep problems that negatively impact their quality of life. Some patients have disturbed sleep/wake patterns such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, while other patients may be subject to sudden and involuntary daytime sleep "attacks." A new article discusses the underlying causes of sleep problems in PD, as well as medications, disease pathology, and comorbidities, and describes the most appropriate diagnostic tools and treatment options.

In the gut, immunity is a two-way street: Complex role of gut bacteria Posted: 10 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that many diseases are triggered or maintained by changes in bacterial communities in the gut. However, the general view up to now has been rather simple: bacteria stimulate the immune system, leading to inflammation or autoimmune disorders in a single direction. Now scientists have painted a more complex picture: the gut immune system does not simply prevent the influx of pathogens, but is actively involved in the maintenance of a rich and healthy community of gut bacteria.

Innovative non-invasive 'liquid biopsy' method to capture circulating tumor cells from blood samples for genetic testing Posted: 10 Jul 2014 10:05 AM PDT Researchers seek partners to commercialize a clinically proven non-invasive fluorescence virus-guided capture system of human colorectal circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood samples for genetic testing. This non-invasive companion diagnostics is important for personalized targeted cancer therapy.

Injectable foam could prevent fatal blood loss in wounded soldiers Posted: 10 Jul 2014 08:15 AM PDT A student-invented battlefield medical device has potential to save soldiers with deep wounds, especially at the neck, shoulder or groin. Without prompt care, a badly wounded soldier can easily bleed to death while being transported to a distant medical station. Tourniquets and medicated gauze pads often cannot stop the blood loss from a deep wound at the neck, shoulder or groin. To give these soldiers a fighting chance at survival, an injectable foam system designed to stop profuse bleeding from a wound has been developed.

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