ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Experts urge new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience, psychology treatments
• High-dose fluticasone effective against eosinophilic esophagitis, study shows
• New clues to brain's wiring found by scientists
• It's go time for LUX-Zeplin dark matter experiment
• Targets for immunotherapy in early-stage breast cancer
• Immune cell's role in intestinal movement may lead to better understanding of irritable bowel syndrome
• Universal three-body relation: Physicists succeed in revealing the scaling behavior of exotic giant molecules
• The bend in the Appalachian mountain chain is finally explained
• Microplastics worse for crabs and other marine life than previously thought: Enter through gills
• Genetic variations may modify cardiovascular benefit of aspirin
• New cellular garbage control pathway with relevance for human neurodegenerative diseases
• New material puts a twist in light
• A 10-year endeavor: NASA's Aura and climate change
• Rosetta spacecraft approaching twofold comet
• Weight management program also reduces depression among black women
• Four new species of tuco-tucos identified from Bolivia
• 'Support' cells in brain play important role in Down syndrome
• Getting a grip on robotic grasp: New wrist-mounted device augments the human hand with two robotic fingers
• Big data used to guide conservation efforts
• Measuring the number of protein molecules inside cells
• Revealed: The mystery behind starling flocks
• Nature's strongest glue comes unstuck
• Why the immune system fails to kill HIV
• More energy from a liter of biofuel
• Catastrophic debris avalanches: A second volcanic hazard
• Random nature of metastasis revealed by physicists
• Bowel cancer breakthrough may benefit thousands of patients
• 'Nanocamera' takes pictures at distances smaller than light's own wavelength
• Choosing cheese: Research identifies microbial communities in cheese
• Sexual abuse in childhood linked to signs of atherosclerosis in midlife
• Fish oil may benefit alcohol abusers

Experts urge new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience, psychology treatments Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:50 AM PDT For some conditions, such as bipolar disorder, psychological treatments are not effective or are in their infancy. A 'culture gap' between neuroscientists and clinical scientists is hindering mental health treatment, say the life scientists, who call on scientists from both disciplines to work together to advance the understanding and treatment of psychological disorders.

High-dose fluticasone effective against eosinophilic esophagitis, study shows Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:50 AM PDT High doses of the corticosteroid fluticasone propionate safely and effectively induce remission in many people with eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils, research shows. However, some trial participants in the study did not respond to fluticasone even after six months of high-dose treatments, providing evidence that certain people with eosinophilic esophagitis are steroid-resistant.

New clues to brain's wiring found by scientists Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT New research provides an intriguing glimpse into the processes that establish connections between nerve cells in the brain. These connections, or synapses, allow nerve cells to transmit and process information involved in thinking and moving the body. Researchers have identified a group of proteins that program a common type of brain nerve cell to connect with another type of nerve cell in the brain.

It's go time for LUX-Zeplin dark matter experiment Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT From the physics labs at Yale University to the bottom of a played-out gold mine in South Dakota, a new generation of dark matter experiments is ready to commence. The go-ahead has been given to the Large Underground Xenon-Zeplin, a key experiment in the hunt for dark matter, the invisible substance that may make up much of the universe.

Targets for immunotherapy in early-stage breast cancer Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT A new molecular analysis tool has been used to detect the level of an important target for immunotherapy in early-stage breast cancers, researchers report. The diagnostic test, using RNAScope, measures the amount of PD-L1 mRNA in cancer tissues and is devoid of many of the technical issues that plague antibody-based detection methods that have yielded conflicting results in the past. PD-L1 is the target of several novel immune stimulatory therapies in clinical trials.

Immune cell's role in intestinal movement may lead to better understanding of irritable bowel syndrome Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:15 AM PDT Learning the role of immune-system cells in healthy digestive tracts and how they interact with neighboring nerve cells may lead to new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome, researchers say. The muscular lining of the intestine contains a distinct kind of macrophage, an immune system cell that helps fight infections. The role of these cells in normal colon function is not known, although they have been linked to inflammation after abdominal surgery.

Universal three-body relation: Physicists succeed in revealing the scaling behavior of exotic giant molecules Posted: 18 Jul 2014 10:14 AM PDT When a two-body relation becomes a three-body relation, the behavior of the system changes and typically becomes more complex. While the basic physics of two interacting particles is well understood, the mathematical description of a three- or many-body system becomes increasingly difficult, such that calculating the dynamics can blast the capacities of even modern super computers. However, under certain conditions, the quantum mechanical three-body problem may have a universal scaling solution. The predictions of such a model have now been confirmed experimentally.

The bend in the Appalachian mountain chain is finally explained Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:56 AM PDT The 1500 mile Appalachian mountain chain runs along a nearly straight line from Alabama to Newfoundland -- except for a curious bend in Pennsylvania and New York State. Researchers now know what caused that bend -- a dense, underground block of rigid, volcanic rock forced the chain to shift eastward as it was forming millions of years ago.

Microplastics worse for crabs and other marine life than previously thought: Enter through gills Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:56 AM PDT The tiny plastic particles polluting our seas are not only orally ingested by marine creatures, but also enter their systems through their gills, according to a new study. When microplastics are drawn in through this method they take over six times longer to leave the body compared with standard digestion.

Genetic variations may modify cardiovascular benefit of aspirin Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:56 AM PDT A common genetic variation in the COMT gene may modify the cardiovascular benefit of aspirin, and in some people, may confer slight harm, a new study suggests. Aspirin is currently the gold standard for antiplatelet therapy and a daily low-dose aspirin is widely prescribed for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

New cellular garbage control pathway with relevance for human neurodegenerative diseases Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:04 AM PDT Several human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, are linked to an accumulation of abnormal and aggregated proteins in cells. Cellular 'garbage' can be removed from cells by sweeping them to a cellular recycling station known as the lysosome. Scientists have now discovered a new family of helper proteins that recognize labeled protein waste and guide them efficiently to the lysosome for destruction and recycling.

New material puts a twist in light Posted: 18 Jul 2014 08:04 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered the secret to twisting light at will. It is the latest step in the development of photonics, the faster, more compact and less carbon-hungry successor to electronics. A random find in the washing basket led the team to create the latest in a new breed of materials known as metamaterials. These artificial materials show extraordinary properties quite unlike natural materials.

A 10-year endeavor: NASA's Aura and climate change Posted: 18 Jul 2014 07:27 AM PDT Celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, NASA's Aura satellite and its four onboard instruments measure some of the climate agents in the atmosphere, including greenhouse gases, clouds and dust particles. These global datasets provide clues that help scientists understand how Earth's climate has varied and how it will continue to change.

Rosetta spacecraft approaching twofold comet Posted: 18 Jul 2014 07:20 AM PDT As the European Space Agency's spacecraft Rosetta is slowly approaching its destination, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the comet is again proving to be full of surprises. New images obtained by OSIRIS, the onboard scientific imaging system, confirm the body's peculiar shape hinted at in earlier pictures. Comet 67P is obviously different from other comets visited so far.

Weight management program also reduces depression among black women Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:57 AM PDT An intervention program aimed at helping obese women maintain their weight without adding pounds also significantly reduced depression in nearly half the participants, according to a new study. The study cites past research showing that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, and more than one in seven black women will suffer major depression.

Four new species of tuco-tucos identified from Bolivia Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:57 AM PDT Four new species of Ctenomys, a genus of gopher-like mammals found throughout much of South America, have been identified by researchers. The burrowing rodents are commonly called tuco-tucos. The burrowing rodents range from 7 to 12 inches long and weigh less than a pound. They demonstrate the broad range of biological diversity in the lowlands and central valleys of Bolivia, where all four new species were found, a researcher notes.

'Support' cells in brain play important role in Down syndrome Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:57 AM PDT A group of cells in the brain has been identified by researchers who say that it plays an important role in the abnormal neuron development in Down syndrome. After developing a new model for studying the syndrome using patient-derived stem cells, the scientists also found that applying an inexpensive antibiotic to the cells appears to correct many abnormalities in the interaction between the cells and developing neurons.

Getting a grip on robotic grasp: New wrist-mounted device augments the human hand with two robotic fingers Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:57 AM PDT Twisting a screwdriver, removing a bottle cap, and peeling a banana are just a few simple tasks that are tricky to pull off single-handedly. Now a new wrist-mounted robot can provide a helping hand -- or rather, fingers. Researchers have developed a robot that enhances the grasping motion of the human hand.

Big data used to guide conservation efforts Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:57 AM PDT Genetic studies have given us detailed information about the evolutionary relationships embodied in the Tree of Life, while newly digitized museum collections contain a wealth of information about species distribution. To date, however, these big data collections have not been applied to conservation efforts. Now researchers have created a model taking both distribution and relationships into account to identify lineages that need preservation, in particular rare endemics.

Measuring the number of protein molecules inside cells Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:56 AM PDT The identification of the genes and proteins involved in a biological process, as well as the way they interact, are essential for the understanding of that process. However, often little is known about the dimensions of molecular biological structures. Knowing how many molecules make up a structure and are required for its function are essential for our understanding of biological mechanisms, yet poses a difficult challenge. Now, in a breakthrough study, researchers were able to measure the amount of protein molecules in living human cells required to form the centromere.

Revealed: The mystery behind starling flocks Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:56 AM PDT The mystery behind the movements of flocking starlings could be explained by the areas of light and dark created as they fly, new research suggests. The research found that flocking starlings aim to maintain an optimum density at which they can gather data on their surroundings. This occurs when they can see light through the flock at many angles, a state known as marginal opacity. The subsequent pattern of light and dark, formed as the birds attempt to achieve the necessary density, is what provides vital information to individual birds within the flock.

Nature's strongest glue comes unstuck Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:54 AM PDT Over a 150 years since it was first described by Darwin, scientists are finally uncovering the secrets behind the super strength of barnacle glue. Still far better than anything we have been able to develop synthetically, barnacle glue -- or cement -- sticks to any surface, under any conditions. But exactly how this superglue of superglues works has remained a mystery -- until now.

Why the immune system fails to kill HIV Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:54 AM PDT Our immune system contains CD8+ T cells which protect us from various diseases such as cancer and viruses. Some of them are specifically tasked with killing cells infected with the HIV virus – and researchers have for the first time identified a key explanation for why these cells are unsuccessful in their task. In simple terms, the immune system's ignition keys have not been turned all the way to the start position, which would enable the CD8+ T cells to kill the cells infected with HIV.

More energy from a liter of biofuel Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:54 AM PDT Oil produced from biomass - such as wood chips or plant residues - seldom has the same quality and energy content as 'classical' crude oil. A new, simple catalyst improves the quality of this oil before it is even transported to the refinery.

Catastrophic debris avalanches: A second volcanic hazard Posted: 18 Jul 2014 06:54 AM PDT Volcanic hazards aren't limited to eruptions. Debris avalanche landslides can also cause a great deal of damage and loss of life. Stratovolcanoes, with their steep, conical shapes made up of lava and unconsolidated mixed materials, can reach a critical point of instability when they overgrow their flanks. This leads to partial collapse, and the product of this slope failure is a large-scale, rapid mass movement known as a catastrophic landslide or debris avalanche.

Random nature of metastasis revealed by physicists Posted: 17 Jul 2014 06:22 PM PDT The spreading of a cancerous tumor from one part of the body to another may occur through pure chance instead of key genetic mutations, a new study has shown. Physicists have used a statistical model to show that the formation of a new secondary tumor -- commonly known as a metastasis -- could just as likely derive from "common" cancer cells that circulate in the bloodstream, as from "specialist" cancer cells.

Bowel cancer breakthrough may benefit thousands of patients Posted: 17 Jul 2014 06:21 PM PDT A significant breakthrough has been made that may benefit patients with bowel cancer. Researchers have discovered how two genes cause bowel cancer cells to become resistant to treatments used against the disease. The activity of the two genes, called MEK and MET, was uncovered when the researchers looked at all the different pathways and interactions taking place in bowel cancer cells.

'Nanocamera' takes pictures at distances smaller than light's own wavelength Posted: 17 Jul 2014 03:05 PM PDT Researchers have demonstrated that an array of novel gold, pillar-bowtie nanoantennas can be used like traditional photographic film to record light for distances that are much smaller than the wavelength of light. A standard optical microscope acts as a 'nanocamera' whereas the pillar-bowtie nanoantennas are the analogous film.

Choosing cheese: Research identifies microbial communities in cheese Posted: 17 Jul 2014 03:05 PM PDT After studying 137 varieties of cheese collected in 10 different countries, researchers have been able to identify three general types of microbial communities that live on cheese, opening the door to using each as a 'model' community for the study of whether and how various microbes and fungi compete or cooperate as they form communities, what molecules may be involved in the process and what mechanisms may be involved.

Sexual abuse in childhood linked to signs of atherosclerosis in midlife Posted: 17 Jul 2014 03:05 PM PDT Women sexually abused in childhood may show signs of atherosclerosis, an early marker of cardiovascular disease in midlife. Psychosocial factors are important to the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Awareness of the long-term mental and physical consequences of sexual abuse in childhood needs to be heightened nationally.

Fish oil may benefit alcohol abusers Posted: 17 Jul 2014 03:02 PM PDT Omega-3 fish oil might help protect against alcohol-related neurodamage and the risk of eventual dementia, according to a study. Many human studies have shown that long-term alcohol abuse causes brain damage and increases the risk of dementia. The new study found that in brain cells exposed to high levels of alcohol, a fish oil compound protected against inflammation and neuronal cell death.

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