ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New test reveals purity of graphene: Scientists use terahertz waves to spot contaminants
• Young blue sharks use central North Atlantic nursery
• Little penguins forage together: 40% of studied penguins synchronized underwater movements while foraging
• New species of flying pterosaur: Bones from nearly 50 ancient flying reptiles discovered
• Embalming study 'rewrites' key chapter in Egyptian history
• Tick-tock: How to quite literally speed up a woman's biological clock
• Cell discovery brings blood disorder cure closer
• Foreshock series controls earthquake rupture
• Scientists boost potential of passive immunization against HIV
• Single gene controls jet lag, study finds
• Surprising differences in how teen athletes experience concussion
• Forces that hold rapidly spinning near-Earth asteroid together discovered
• From eons to seconds, proteins exploit the same forces
• New insights into survival, transmission strategy of malaria parasites
• Involuntary eye movement a foolproof indication for ADHD diagnosis
• Coming soon: Genetically edited 'super bananas' and other fruit?
• Powerful math creates 3-D shapes from simple sketches
• Hospital replaces heart valve outside the heart
• 3-D microscope method to look inside brains
• Ebola protein blocks early step in body's counterattack on virus
• Gut flora influences HIV immune response
• MRSA colonization common in groin, rectal areas
• Bacteria growing less susceptible to common antiseptic
• Clues uncovered about how most important tuberculosis drug attacks its target
• Engineers turns metal into glass: New process solves an age-old conundrum
• Exercise associated with reduced risk of breast cancer in African American women
• Snow has thinned on Arctic sea ice, study finds
• Reduction of tau protein improves symptoms in model of severe childhood epilepsy
• Passengers who survived terrifying flight help psychologists uncover new clues about post-traumatic stress vulnerability
• How spiders fix their webs: Adhesion can vary depending on surface
• How arbitrary is language? English words structured to help kids learn
• Population density and testes size: more than meets the eye
• Gene that controls nerve conduction velocity linked to multiple sclerosis
• Giant Amazon fish becoming extinct in many fishing communities, saved in others
• Temporary tattoo biobatteries produce power from sweat

• A new look at what's in 'fracking' fluids raises red flags: Some compounds toxic to mammals
• Dust, and the microbes hitching rides on it, influences rain, climate

• Rooting out skin creams that contain toxic mercury 

• 'Shape-shifting' material could help reconstruct faces
• Infants absorb more than we might think, noting mobility differences as early as ten months
• Where's my car? Key brain region in contextual memories studied by researchers
• 'Trojan horse' treatment could beat brain tumors
• Shift workers: Evidence for sleep-inducing and alertness drugs is weak
• Gene linked to disease found to play a critical role in normal memory development
• Genetically engineered fruit flies could save crops
• Nearly half of women at risk of preterm birth do not receive cheap drug that could prevent millions of newborn deaths
• Two out of every five Americans expected to develop type 2 diabetes during their lifetime
• Predictors of prospective memory deficit post TBI identified by researchers
• Mouth bacteria can change its diet, supercomputers reveal
• Beating childhood cancer does not necessarily make survivors healthier adults, study shows
• Immigrants at lower risk of overdose, death from codeine than people born in Canada
• Decline in daily functioning related to decreased brain activity in Alzheimer's
• Foam favorable for oil extraction: Experiments visualize methods for enhanced recovery from wells
• Climate relicts may help researchers understand climate change
• Copper foam turns carbon dioxide into useful chemicals
• New analysis reveals tumor weaknesses in epigenetics
• Insights into a new class of semiconducting materials
• Imaging system guides brain tumor removal to improve patient outcomes
• Many bird species exposed to 'eye disease,' new study finds
• Making eco-friendly 'pre-fab nanoparticles': Versatile, water-soluble nano-modules

New test reveals purity of graphene: Scientists use terahertz waves to spot contaminants Posted: 13 Aug 2014 02:44 PM PDT A new test using terahertz waves can check graphene for atmospheric and other contaminants that affect its electronic performance.

Young blue sharks use central North Atlantic nursery Posted: 13 Aug 2014 02:42 PM PDT Blue sharks may use the central North Atlantic as a nursery prior to males and females moving through the ocean basin in distinctly different patterns.

Little penguins forage together: 40% of studied penguins synchronized underwater movements while foraging Posted: 13 Aug 2014 02:42 PM PDT Most little penguins may search for food in groups, and even synchronize their movements during foraging trips.

New species of flying pterosaur: Bones from nearly 50 ancient flying reptiles discovered Posted: 13 Aug 2014 02:42 PM PDT Scientists discovered the bones of nearly 50 winged reptiles from a new species, Caiuajara dobruskii, that lived during the Cretaceous in southern Brazil.

Embalming study 'rewrites' key chapter in Egyptian history Posted: 13 Aug 2014 02:41 PM PDT Researchers have discovered new evidence to suggest that the origins of mummification started in ancient Egypt 1,500 years earlier than previously thought.

Tick-tock: How to quite literally speed up a woman's biological clock Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:21 AM PDT The metaphor of a ticking clock is often used to refer to a woman's growing urge -- from puberty onwards to menopause -- to conceive before her childbearing years are over. New research shows that there's more truth to this phrase than you might think. "The very subtle sound prime of a ticking clock changed the timing with which women sought to have children and the traits they sought in potential partners -- both central aspects of women's mating-related psychology," says one researcher.

Cell discovery brings blood disorder cure closer Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:21 AM PDT A cure for a range of blood disorders and immune diseases is in sight, according to scientists who have unraveled the mystery of stem cell generation. Found in the bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood, HSCs are critically important because they can replenish the body's supply of blood cells. Leukemia patients have been successfully treated using HSC transplants, but medical experts believe blood stem cells have the potential to be used more widely.

Foreshock series controls earthquake rupture Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:21 AM PDT A long lasting foreshock series controlled the rupture process of this year's great earthquake near Iquique in northern Chile. The earthquake was heralded by a three quarter year long foreshock series of ever increasing magnitudes culminating in a magnitude 6.7 event two weeks before the mainshock. The mainshock, which had a magnitude of 8.1. finally broke on April 1st a central piece out of the most important seismic gap along the South American subduction zone.

Scientists boost potential of passive immunization against HIV Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:21 AM PDT Scientists are pursuing injections or intravenous infusions of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies (bNAbs) as a strategy for preventing HIV infection. This technique, called passive immunization, has been shown to protect monkeys from a monkey form of HIV called simian human immunodeficiency virus, or SHIV. To make passive immunization a widely feasible HIV prevention option for people, scientists want to modify bNAbs such that a modest amount of them is needed only once every few months.

Single gene controls jet lag, study finds Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:20 AM PDT A master gene responsible for sleep and wake cycles has been identified by scientists, offering hope for a drug that could help reset sleep. The discovery of the role of this gene, called Lhx1, provides scientists with a potential therapeutic target to help night-shift workers or jet lagged travelers adjust to time differences more quickly. The results can point to treatment strategies for sleep problems caused by a variety of disorders.

Surprising differences in how teen athletes experience concussion Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:20 AM PDT The latest research on sports concussions in teens has been the focus of recent study. "We discovered a bidirectional relationship between both emotional symptoms developing in conjunction with physical symptoms, and also emotional symptoms developing because of the physical symptoms," said one researcher. In other words, "this research gives us a better understanding of the interaction between physical and emotional symptoms in concussion and will allow us to explore ways to help adolescents recover in a more timely fashion."

Forces that hold rapidly spinning near-Earth asteroid together discovered Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:20 AM PDT Astronomers studied near-Earth asteroid 1950 DA and discovered that the body, which rotates extremely quickly, is held together by cohesive forces called van der Waals, never detected before on an asteroid.

From eons to seconds, proteins exploit the same forces Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:11 AM PDT Nature's artistic and engineering skills are evident in proteins, life's robust molecular machines. Scientists have now employed their unique theories to show how the interplay between evolution and physics developed these skills. Energy landscapes for protein folding, they found, operate on evolutionary processes that take eons as well as folding that takes microseconds.

New insights into survival, transmission strategy of malaria parasites Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:11 AM PDT Malaria parasites exploit the function of the epigenetic regulator HP1 to promote survival and transmission between human hosts, a new study shows. Using HP1 the parasite controls expression of surface antigens to escape immune responses in the infected victim. This prolongs survival of the parasite in the human blood stream and secures its transmission via mosquitoes. The study paves important avenues for new intervention strategies to prevent severe disease and malaria transmission.

Involuntary eye movement a foolproof indication for ADHD diagnosis Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:10 AM PDT Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed -- and misdiagnosed -- behavioral disorder in American children. Now a new study can provide the objective tool medical professionals need to accurately diagnose ADHD. The study indicates that involuntary eye movements accurately reflect the presence of ADHD.

Coming soon: Genetically edited 'super bananas' and other fruit? Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:10 AM PDT Recent advances that allow the precise editing of genomes now raise the possibility that fruit and other crops might be genetically improved without the need to introduce foreign genes, according to researchers. This could mean that genetically edited versions of GMOs such as "super bananas" that produce more vitamin A and apples that don't brown when cut, among other novelties, could be making an appearance on grocery shelves.

Powerful math creates 3-D shapes from simple sketches Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:10 AM PDT A new graphics system that can easily produce complex 3-D shapes from simple professional sketches will be unveiled by computer scientists. The technology has the potential to dramatically simplify how designers and artists develop new product ideas. Converting an idea into a 3-D model using current commercial tools can be a complicated and painstaking process.

Hospital replaces heart valve outside the heart Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:09 AM PDT For the first time in the United States, doctors used a minimally invasive procedure to replace a failing, hard-to-reach heart valve with a new one – and placed it just outside the heart. Approximately 5 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with heart valve disease annually. With an aging population that is often too frail for open-heart surgery, more than 20,000 Americans die of the disease each year.

3-D microscope method to look inside brains Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:00 AM PDT A method for turning a small, $40 needle into a 3-D microscope capable of taking images up to 70 times smaller than the width of a human hair has been developed by scientists. the microscope technique works when an LED light is illuminated and guided through a fiberoptic needle or cannula. Returned pictures are reconstructed into 3-D images using algorithms.

Ebola protein blocks early step in body's counterattack on virus Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:00 AM PDT One of the human body's first responses to a viral infection is to make and release signaling proteins called interferons, which amplify the immune system response to viruses. Over time, many viruses have evolved to undermine interferon's immune-boosting signal, and a new study describes a mechanism unique to the Ebola virus that defeats attempts by interferon to block viral reproduction in infected cells.

Gut flora influences HIV immune response Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:00 AM PDT Normal microorganisms in the intestines appear to play a pivotal role in how the HIV virus foils a successful attack from the body's immune system, according to new research. "Gut flora keeps us all healthy by helping the immune system develop, and by stimulating a group of immune cells that keep bacteria in check," said the study's senior author. "But this research shows that antibodies that react to bacteria also cross-react to the HIV envelope."

MRSA colonization common in groin, rectal areas Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:39 AM PDT Colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus allows people in the community to unknowingly harbor and spread this life-threatening bacteria. The inside of the front of the nose is where this bacteria is most predominant, but new research shows nearly all colonized individuals have this bacteria living in other body sites, including the groin and rectal areas.

Bacteria growing less susceptible to common antiseptic Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:39 AM PDT Bacteria that cause life-threatening bloodstream infections in critically ill patients may be growing increasingly resistant to a common hospital antiseptic, according to a recent study. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been increasingly used in hospitals in light of recent evidence that daily antiseptic baths for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) may prevent infections and stop the spread of healthcare-associated infections. The impact of this expanded use on the effectiveness of the disinfectant is not yet known.

Clues uncovered about how most important tuberculosis drug attacks its target Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:39 AM PDT A new clue to understanding how the most important medication for tuberculosis (TB) works to attack dormant TB bacteria in order to shorten treatment has been found by researchers. The antibiotic Pyrazinamide (PZA) has been used to treat TB since the 1950s, but its mechanisms are the least understood of all TB drugs. The PZA findings may help researchers identify new and more effective drugs not only for TB -- which can require six months or more of treatment -- but other persistent bacterial infections.

Engineers turns metal into glass: New process solves an age-old conundrum Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:38 AM PDT Materials scientists have long sought to form glass from pure, monoatomic metals. Now a team of researchers has done it. Metallic glasses are unique in that their structure is not crystalline (as it is in most metals), but rather is disordered, with the atoms randomly arranged. They are sought for various commercial applications because they are very strong and are easily processed.

Exercise associated with reduced risk of breast cancer in African American women Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:38 AM PDT Regular exercise, including brisk walking, is associated with a decrease in the incidence of breast cancer in African American women. In a recently published study, researchers found strong evidence linking physical exercise to a lower rate of breast cancer in African American women, a group in which previous evidence has been lacking.

Snow has thinned on Arctic sea ice, study finds Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:37 AM PDT Modern measurements and historic observations provide a decades-long record showing that the snowpack on Arctic sea ice is thinning. What thinner snow will mean for the ice is not certain. Deeper snow actually shields ice from cold air, so a thinner blanket may allow the ice to grow thicker during the winter. On the other hand, thinner snow cover may allow the ice to melt earlier in the springtime.

Reduction of tau protein improves symptoms in model of severe childhood epilepsy Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:36 AM PDT Reducing brain levels of the protein tau effectively blocks the development of disease in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, a severe intractable form of childhood epilepsy, researchers report. Dravet syndrome is one of the most challenging forms of childhood epilepsy, resulting from a specific genetic mutation that affects sodium channels in the brain. Frequent, relentless seizures are accompanied by cognitive impairments and behavioral problems similar to autism, and up to 20% of patients succumb to sudden death.

Passengers who survived terrifying flight help psychologists uncover new clues about post-traumatic stress vulnerability Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:36 AM PDT An extraordinary opportunity to study memory and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a group of Air Transat passengers who experienced 30 minutes of unimaginable terror over the Atlantic Ocean in 2001 has resulted in the discovery of a potential risk factor that may help predict who is most vulnerable to PTSD.

How spiders fix their webs: Adhesion can vary depending on surface Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:35 AM PDT Spider silk is light and delicate, while incredibly resilient and tear-resistant. Understanding the structure and way of construction of these threads is a challenge. Now scientists have examined five different spider species regarding the adhesion and tensile strength of a particular silk they use to fix the main thread to a surface. As shown in their new study, the scientists found out that the substrate has a particularly significant impact on the silk's adhesion.

How arbitrary is language? English words structured to help kids learn Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:35 AM PDT Words in the English language are structured to help children learn, according to research. Words like "woof" accurately represent the sound of a dog while sounds with similar meanings may have a similar structure, such as the "sl" sound at the beginning of a word often has negative properties as in "slime, slur, slum, slug."

Population density and testes size: more than meets the eye Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:34 AM PDT Changes in population density can affect the size of animals' testes and therefore impact on reproduction, researchers have found. Across the animal kingdom, there is usually a positive relationship between sperm competing to fertilize eggs and the male reproductive effort in producing large ejaculates. This usually manifests in males evolving larger testes. However, demographic and ecological processes may drastically alter the level of sperm competition and therefore the evolution of testes size, it turns out.

Gene that controls nerve conduction velocity linked to multiple sclerosis Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:34 AM PDT A novel gene that controls nerve conduction velocity has been identified in a new study. Investigators report that even minor reductions in conduction velocity may aggravate disease in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in mice bred for the MS-like condition experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Giant Amazon fish becoming extinct in many fishing communities, saved in others Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:31 AM PDT An international team of scientists compared mainstream bioeconomic theory with the lesser-known "fishing-down" theory, to discover that a large, commercially important fish from the Amazon Basin has become extinct in some local fishing communities.

Temporary tattoo biobatteries produce power from sweat Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:31 AM PDT In the future, working up a sweat by exercising may not only be good for your health, but it could also power your small electronic devices. Researchers have designed a sensor in the form of a temporary tattoo that can both monitor a person's progress during exercise and produce power from their perspiration.

A new look at what's in 'fracking' fluids raises red flags: Some compounds toxic to mammals Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:31 AM PDT As the oil and gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing proliferates, a new study on the contents of the fluids used raises concerns over several ingredients. The scientists say out of nearly 200 commonly used compounds in "fracking," there's very little known about the potential health risks of about one-third, and eight are toxic to mammals.

Dust, and the microbes hitching rides on it, influences rain, climate Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT Dusty air blowing across the Pacific from Asia and Africa plays a critical role in precipitation patterns throughout the drought-stricken western U.S. Today, scientists are suggesting that the exact chemical make-up of that dust, including microbes found in it, is key to making better rain event predictions and explaining how air pollution influences regional climate.

Rooting out skin creams that contain toxic mercury Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT As most countries try to rid themselves of mercury pollution, some people are massaging creams containing the metal directly onto their skin to lighten it, putting themselves and others at risk for serious health problems. To find those most at risk, scientists are reporting that they can now identify these creams and intervene much faster than before.

'Shape-shifting' material could help reconstruct faces Posted: 13 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT Injuries, birth defects or surgery to remove a tumor can create large gaps in bone. And when they occur in the head, face or jaw, these defects can dramatically alter a person's appearance. Researchers have now developed a "self-fitting" material that expands with warm salt water to precisely fill bone defects, and also acts as a scaffold for bone growth.

Infants absorb more than we might think, noting mobility differences as early as ten months Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:57 PM PDT Does a baby know that a dog can jump a fence while a school bus can't? Can a toddler grasp that a cat can avoid colliding with a wall, while a table being pushed into a wall can't? Infants as young as 10-months old can tell the difference between the kinds of paths naturally taken by a walking animal, compared to a moving car or piece of furniture.

Where's my car? Key brain region in contextual memories studied by researchers Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:57 PM PDT A previously understudied part of the brain, the retrosplenial cortex, is essential for forming the basis for contextual memories, which help you to recall events ranging from global disasters to where you parked your car. Although it is known that a specific network of brain regions is important for contextual memory, it has remained unknown how different parts of the network contribute to this process, until now.

'Trojan horse' treatment could beat brain tumors Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:57 PM PDT A 'Trojan horse' treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer, which involves using tiny nanoparticles of gold to kill tumor cells, has been successfully tested by scientists. The ground-breaking technique could eventually be used to treat glioblastoma multiforme, which is the most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults, and notoriously difficult to treat.

Shift workers: Evidence for sleep-inducing and alertness drugs is weak Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:57 PM PDT Shift workers are taking drugs to help them stay awake or get to sleep despite weak evidence for their benefit, according to a new review. The authors of the review found only small numbers of trials testing over-the-counter and prescription drugs used by shift workers, and the results suggest that for some people they might do more harm than good.

Gene linked to disease found to play a critical role in normal memory development Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:53 PM PDT It has been more than 20 years since scientists discovered that mutations in the gene huntingtin cause the devastating progressive neurological condition Huntington's disease, which involves involuntary movements, emotional disturbance and cognitive impairment. Surprisingly little, however, has been known about the gene's role in normal brain activity. Now, a study shows it plays a critical role in long-term memory.

Genetically engineered fruit flies could save crops Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:53 PM PDT Releasing genetically engineered fruit flies into the wild could prove to be a cheap, effective and environmentally friendly way of pest control, according to scientists. New research reveals how the release of genetically engineered male flies could be used as an effective population suppression method -- saving crops around the world.

Nearly half of women at risk of preterm birth do not receive cheap drug that could prevent millions of newborn deaths Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:52 PM PDT A major international study of more than 303,000 births in 29 low-income and middle-income countries has found that only half (52%) of women who are eligible to receive a simple, effective, low-cost treatment to prevent death and disability in their newborn babies are getting it. Use of antenatal corticosteroids was highly variable ranging from 16-20% of eligible women in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, and Niger which have particularly high rates of neonatal deaths, to 91% in Jordan and 88% in the Occupied Palestinian territory.

Two out of every five Americans expected to develop type 2 diabetes during their lifetime Posted: 12 Aug 2014 08:52 PM PDT Close to half (40%) of the adult population of the USA is expected to develop type 2 diabetes at some point during their lifetime, suggests a major study. The future looks even worse for some ethnic minority groups, with one in two Hispanic men and women and non-Hispanic black women predicted to develop the disease.

Predictors of prospective memory deficit post TBI identified by researchers Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Predictors of prospective memory impairment after traumatic brain injury been identified by scientists. This is the first study to examine the role of rule monitoring, an executive function, post-TBI. Prospective memory refers to the ability to remember events that will occur in the future, i.e., a doctor's appointment; a medication schedule. This ability, also referred to as 'remembering to remember' is often impaired following TBI, creating challenges in performance of activities of daily living.

Mouth bacteria can change its diet, supercomputers reveal Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Mouth bacteria can change their metabolism in disease versus health. The Stampede and Lonestar supercomputers compared gene expression of 160,000 genes in healthy and diseased periodontal communities. Research paves way for biomarkers to predict illness from wide-ranging diseases such as periodontitis, diabetes, and Crohn's disease.

Beating childhood cancer does not necessarily make survivors healthier adults, study shows Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Having survived cancer as a child does not necessarily have a ripple effect that makes people lead a healthier lifestyle once they grow up. Childhood cancer survivors face different health-care challenges and are more susceptible to dying earlier than the general population. They have a higher risk of second cancers, heart disease, body weight disorders and psychosocial problems.

Immigrants at lower risk of overdose, death from codeine than people born in Canada Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Immigrants are at lower risk of an overdose or death after being prescribed codeine than people born in Canada, a new study has found. Surprisingly, this is true even when the immigrants lack proficiency in English or French, which might be thought to hamper their ability to read prescription labels or instructions, said the lead author.

Decline in daily functioning related to decreased brain activity in Alzheimer's Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Decline in daily functioning associated with Alzheimer's disease is related to alterations in activity in certain regions of the brain, according to a study. Impairment in instrumental activities of daily living -- or an inability to perform high-level daily activities such as calculating finances, remembering appointments and medications, and driving -- is first seen when a person has mild cognitive impairment, which can later progress to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, experts warn.

Foam favorable for oil extraction: Experiments visualize methods for enhanced recovery from wells Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:38 PM PDT Researchers demonstrate that foam may be a superior fluid to displace and extract tough-to-reach oil. In tests, foam pumped into an experimental rig that mimicked the flow paths deep underground proved better at removing oil from formations with low permeability than common techniques involving water, gas, surfactants or combinations of the three.

Climate relicts may help researchers understand climate change Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:37 PM PDT New research describes how populations and communities known as climate relicts can help scientists understand how ecological communities are affected by climate change.

Copper foam turns carbon dioxide into useful chemicals Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:37 PM PDT Scientists have discovered that copper foam could provide a new way of converting excess carbon dioxide into useful industrial chemicals.

New analysis reveals tumor weaknesses in epigenetics Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:35 PM PDT Epigenetic markers in cancer cells could improve patient treatment, researchers report. Scientists have known for decades that cancer can be caused by genetic mutations, but more recently they have discovered that chemical modifications of a gene can also contribute to cancer. These alterations, known as epigenetic modifications, control whether a gene is turned on or off.

Insights into a new class of semiconducting materials Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:35 PM PDT A new paper describes investigations of the fundamental optical properties of a new class of semiconducting materials known as organic-inorganic 'hybrid' perovskites.

Imaging system guides brain tumor removal to improve patient outcomes Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:34 PM PDT NIBIB-funded researchers have developed an imaging system that rapidly and accurately detects a molecular marker found in brain gliomas. It promises to improve the precision of these difficult surgeries by enabling the complete removal of the tumor, while reducing residual damage to brain tissue and neural function.

Many bird species exposed to 'eye disease,' new study finds Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:33 PM PDT A bacterial parasite previously thought to infect only a few species of feeder birds is actually infecting a surprisingly wide range of species, though most do not show signs of illness, researchers report. "The results were shocking," says one investigator. "More than half the bird species we tested have been exposed to the bacteria responsible for House Finch eye disease."

Making eco-friendly 'pre-fab nanoparticles': Versatile, water-soluble nano-modules Posted: 12 Aug 2014 01:33 PM PDT Materials chemists, polymer scientists and device physicists have reported on a breakthrough technique for controlling assembly of nanoparticles over multiple length scales that may allow cheaper, ecologically friendly manufacture of organic photovoltaics and other electronic devices.

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