ScienceDaily: Top News

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• 3-D printing finds its 'sweet spot' through 'nifty shades of gray'
• Earlier intervention for common form of heart attack linked to improved survival
• Bottling up sound waves: Acoustic bottle beams hold promise for imaging, cloaking, levitation and more
• Flores bones show features of Down syndrome, not a new 'Hobbit' human
• The evolution of migration: Ancestral songbirds headed south for the winter
• Mathematical equation to predict happiness: Doesn't depend on how well things go, but on whether things are better than expected
• Massive volcanic outbursts on Jupiter's moon Io: More common than thought?
• Newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation in Red Sea
• Enhancing biofuel yields from biomass with novel new method
• No-power Wi-Fi connectivity could fuel Internet of Things reality
• Evolutionary explanation for why some lessons more easily learned than others
• Eating baked, broiled fish weekly boosts brain health, study says
• Average but large Gulf dead zone found by scientists
• Shark attacks on Atlantic spotted dolphins near the Bahamas
• How amphibians crossed continents: DNA helps piece together 300-million-year journey
• Horses communicate with eyes and mobile ears
• Declining intelligence in old age linked to visual processing
• Camelina used to build better biofuel
• Cell plasticity may provide clues to origin of aggressive type of breast cancer
• Repurposing a drug for abdominal cancer
• Prenatal alcohol exposure alters development of brain function: Neural basis for symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
• Phases of clinical depression could affect treatment
• Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into small clusters
• Baby Universe picture brought closer to theory
• Protein ZEB1 promotes breast tumor resistance to radiation therapy
• Potential new predictor of stress-related illnesses found
• Extracting audio from visual information: Algorithm recovers speech from vibrations of a potato-chip bag filmed through soundproof glass
• Nanoscale details of electrochemical reactions in electric vehicle battery materials
• Becoming bad through video games: Risk-glorying video games to increases in teens' high-risk behavior
• Video-game playing for less than an hour a day is linked with better-adjusted children, study finds
• Eating resistant starch may help reduce red meat-related colorectal cancer risk
• Implanted neurons become part of the brain, mouse study shows
• Weakness of leukemic stem cells discovered
• How 'biological spark plug' in biomolecular motors works
• Why adolescents carry meningitis-causing bacteria
• Eating less meat: Solution to reduce water use?
• Diabetes: Drug duo helps best, study finds
• Analysis of African plant reveals possible treatment for aging brain
• How science sizzles in the modern kitchen
• Key adjustment enables parasite shape-shifting
• Should you add enzyme supplements to your shopping list? Expert explains pros, cons
• World's fastest external phone charger goes: Charges in 15 minutes without need for electrical socket
• New material allows for ultra-thin solar cells
• Lung cancer diagnosis tool shown to be safe and effective for older patients
• Designing inexpensive fuel cells: A protecting umbrella against oxygen
• Climate change is fueling forest disturbances, study shows
• Kangaroos win when aborigines hunt with fire: Co-evolution benefits Australia's martu people and wildlife
• Knowing what to keep and what to trash: How an enzyme distinguishes cellular messages
• Small DNA modifications predict brain's threat response
• Uncovering 3-D structure of a key neuroreceptor

3-D printing finds its 'sweet spot' through 'nifty shades of gray' Posted: 04 Aug 2014 05:21 PM PDT A 'less is more' approach has enabled engineers to make 3-D printed parts lighter and stronger, using methods that will also make 3-D printing faster and more economical.

Earlier intervention for common form of heart attack linked to improved survival Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:15 PM PDT Changes in the treatment of the most common form of heart attack over the past decade have been associated with higher survival rates for men and women regardless of age, race and ethnicity, according to an analysis. But the study also suggests that there is room for improvement in how current treatment guidelines are applied among specific patient groups.

Bottling up sound waves: Acoustic bottle beams hold promise for imaging, cloaking, levitation and more Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:15 PM PDT Researchers have developed a technique for generating acoustic bottles in open air that can bend the paths of sound waves along prescribed convex trajectories. These self-bending bottle beams hold promise for ultrasonic imaging and therapy, and acoustic cloaking, levitation and particle manipulation.

Flores bones show features of Down syndrome, not a new 'Hobbit' human Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:15 PM PDT In October 2004, excavation of fragmentary skeletal remains from the island of Flores in Indonesia yielded what was called 'the most important find in human evolution for 100 years.' Its discoverers dubbed the find Homo floresiensis, a name suggesting a previously unknown species of human.

The evolution of migration: Ancestral songbirds headed south for the winter Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:14 PM PDT To scientists, long distance migration still holds many mysteries, one of which is: Where did migration begin and how did it evolve? This question has long been a debated topic among scientists, but thanks to new research, we may have an answer for one of the largest groups of migratory birds.

Mathematical equation to predict happiness: Doesn't depend on how well things go, but on whether things are better than expected Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:14 PM PDT The happiness of over 18,000 people worldwide has been predicted by a mathematical equation, with results showing that moment-to-moment happiness reflects not just how well things are going, but whether things are going better than expected.

Massive volcanic outbursts on Jupiter's moon Io: More common than thought? Posted: 04 Aug 2014 11:10 AM PDT Three massive volcanic eruptions occurred on Jupiter's moon Io within a two-week period in August of last year. This led astronomers to speculate that such "outbursts," which can send material hundreds of miles above the surface, might be much more common than they thought.

Newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation in Red Sea Posted: 04 Aug 2014 10:43 AM PDT Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) -- which grow more than 30 feet long -- are the largest fish in the world's ocean, but little is known about their movements on a daily basis or over years. A newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation off Saudi Arabia is giving researchers a rare glimpse into the lives of these gentle giants.

Enhancing biofuel yields from biomass with novel new method Posted: 04 Aug 2014 10:43 AM PDT A versatile, relatively non-toxic, and efficient way to convert raw agricultural and forestry residues and other plant matter -- known as lignocellulosic biomass, into biofuels and chemicals -- has been developed by researchers. The method brings researchers closer to solving the long elusive goal of producing fuels and chemicals from biomass at high enough yields and low enough costs to become a viable alternative or replacement for petroleum-based fuels and chemicals.

No-power Wi-Fi connectivity could fuel Internet of Things reality Posted: 04 Aug 2014 10:42 AM PDT Engineers have designed a new communication system that uses radio frequency signals as a power source and reuses existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to provide Internet connectivity to battery-free devices.

Evolutionary explanation for why some lessons more easily learned than others Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:34 AM PDT It's easy to guess why it doesn't take long to learn to avoid certain behaviors and embrace others. But how do we know what drives these predilections? A new study offers insight into the evolutionary underpinning of animals' innate ability to quickly absorb critical life lessons.

Eating baked, broiled fish weekly boosts brain health, study says Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:33 AM PDT Eating baked or broiled fish once a week is good for the brain, regardless of how much omega-3 fatty acid it contains, according to researchers. The findings add to growing evidence that lifestyle factors contribute to brain health later in life. Scientists estimate that more than 80 million people will have dementia by 2040, which could become a substantial burden to families and drive up health care costs.

Average but large Gulf dead zone found by scientists Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:33 AM PDT The Gulf of Mexico dead zone has been mapped by researchers. This is an area with low oxygen water, measuring 5,052 square miles this summer -- approximately the size of the state of Connecticut. The measurements were taken during the 30th annual hypoxia survey cruise from July 27 to August 2.

Shark attacks on Atlantic spotted dolphins near the Bahamas Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT A new analysis on failed shark attacks on the approximately 120 Atlantic spotted dolphins that are residents of the waters near Bimini, The Bahamas, has found that a total of 14 dolphins (15 percent of 92 cataloged animals) showed some sign of shark attack, and a further 15 (16 percent) exhibited scars that could not conclusively be classified as shark induced or not.

How amphibians crossed continents: DNA helps piece together 300-million-year journey Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT A professor has succeeded in constructing a first-of-its-kind comprehensive diagram of the geographic distribution of amphibians, showing the movement of 3,309 species between 12 global ecoregions. Armed with DNA sequence data, he sought to accurately piece together the 300-million-year storyline of their journey.

Horses communicate with eyes and mobile ears Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT Horses are sensitive to the facial expressions and attention of other horses, including the direction of the eyes and ears. The findings are a reminder for us humans to look beyond our own limitations and recognize that other species may communicate in ways that we can't, the researchers say. After all, human ears aren't mobile.

Declining intelligence in old age linked to visual processing Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT One of the basic processes that may help to explain why some people's thinking skills decline in old age has been uncovered by researchers. Age-related declines in intelligence are strongly related to declines on a very simple task of visual perception speed, the researchers report in a new article.

Camelina used to build better biofuel Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:29 AM PDT A biochemist is improving biofuels with a promising crop: Camelina sativa. The research may help boost rural economies and provide farmers with a value-added product. "Camelina could give farmers an extra biofuel crop that wouldn't be competing with food production," one researcher said. "This research can add value to the local agricultural economy by creating an additional crop that could fit in with the crop rotation."

Cell plasticity may provide clues to origin of aggressive type of breast cancer Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:29 AM PDT Healthy breast cells may be able to reinvent themselves -- some have the flexibility to change after they are mature -- which leads researchers to postulate that similarities exist between this occurrence and the origins of a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer. Researchers report that healthy breast cells separated from their normal environment were able to transform into types of cells similar to those seen in metaplastic carcinoma, a form of triple negative breast cancer.

Repurposing a drug for abdominal cancer Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:26 AM PDT A repurposed drug originally used to treat ovarian cancer saw positive results for patients with advanced peritoneal cancers during a phase I clinical trial, researchers report. The drug, known under the brand name Nanotax, is a fine particle reformulation of paclitaxel, the standard treatment for ovarian cancer. It works by flipping the script on how paclitaxel is administered to patients and with how it's formulated, potentially making it a more effective and better tolerated treatment for ovarian and other abdominal cancers.

Prenatal alcohol exposure alters development of brain function: Neural basis for symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:26 AM PDT Medical researchers have found that children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) showed weaker brain activation during specific cognitive tasks than their unaffected counterparts.

Phases of clinical depression could affect treatment Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT New insights into clinical depression have been found that demonstrate there cannot be a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to treating the disease. Researchers have developed a new model for clinical depression that takes into account the dynamic role of the immune system. This neuroimmune interaction results in different phases of depression, and has implications for current treatment practices.

Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into small clusters Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT Researchers have made an astonishing observation: they were investigating the formation of gold nanoparticles in a solvent and observed that the nanoparticles had not distributed themselves uniformly, but instead were self-assembled into small clusters.

Baby Universe picture brought closer to theory Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:30 AM PDT The Planck Telescope allowed physicists to draw the most detailed map of the first light emitted after the Big Bang. Some of its features do not entirely fit the standard cosmological theory, but scientists have discovered that these anomalies could be explained by how the data was processed.

Protein ZEB1 promotes breast tumor resistance to radiation therapy Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:29 AM PDT One protein with the even more out-there name of ZEB1 (zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1), is now thought to keep breast cancer cells from being successfully treated with radiation therapy, researchers report. ZEB1 may actually be helping breast tumor cells repair DNA damage caused by radiation treatment by ramping up a first-line of defense known as DNA damage response pathway, they say.

Potential new predictor of stress-related illnesses found Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:06 AM PDT Many scientists believe that the tendency to develop stress-related disorders is an inherited trait or is the result of exposure to traumatic events. In a new paper, scientists explain that a new factor -- that genes may change over time -- could cause depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other stress-related illnesses.

Extracting audio from visual information: Algorithm recovers speech from vibrations of a potato-chip bag filmed through soundproof glass Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:05 AM PDT Researchers at MIT, Microsoft, and Adobe have developed an algorithm that can reconstruct an audio signal by analyzing minute vibrations of objects depicted in video. In one set of experiments, they were able to recover intelligible speech from the vibrations of a potato-chip bag photographed from 15 feet away through soundproof glass.

Nanoscale details of electrochemical reactions in electric vehicle battery materials Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT Using a new method to track the electrochemical reactions in a common electric vehicle battery material under operating conditions, scientists have revealed new insight into why fast charging inhibits this material's performance. The results could inform battery makers' efforts to optimize materials for faster-charging batteries with higher capacity.

Becoming bad through video games: Risk-glorying video games to increases in teens' high-risk behavior Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT Previous studies show that violent video games increase adolescent aggressiveness, but new research finds for the first time that teenagers who play mature-rated, risk-glorifying video games are more likely subsequently to engage in a wide range of deviant behaviors beyond aggression, including alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, delinquency and risky sex.

Video-game playing for less than an hour a day is linked with better-adjusted children, study finds Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT A new study suggests video game-playing for less than an hour a day is linked with better-adjusted children and teenagers. The research found that young people who indulged in a little video game-playing were associated with being better adjusted than those who had never played or those who were on video games for three hours or more.

Eating resistant starch may help reduce red meat-related colorectal cancer risk Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT Consumption of a type of starch that acts like fiber may help reduce colorectal cancer risk associated with a high red meat diet, according to a study. "Red meat and resistant starch have opposite effects on the colorectal cancer-promoting miRNAs, the miR-17-92 cluster," said one researcher. "This finding supports consumption of resistant starch as a means of reducing the risk associated with a high red meat diet."

Implanted neurons become part of the brain, mouse study shows Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Scientists have grafted neurons reprogrammed from skin cells into the brains of mice for the first time with long-term stability. Six months after implantation, the neurons had become fully functionally integrated into the brain. This successful, lastingly stable, implantation of neurons raises hope for future therapies that will replace sick neurons with healthy ones in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients, for example.

Weakness of leukemic stem cells discovered Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Despite improved therapy, only one out of every two adult patients survive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The mean survival time for this disease, which predominantly occurs in the elderly, is less than a year for patients over 65 years. It is assumed that leukemic stem cells, which cannot be completely eliminated during treatment, are the origin of relapse. However, as has been recently discovered, these cells do have a weakness: the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) plays a significant role in the survival of leukaemic AML stem cells, it turns out.

How 'biological spark plug' in biomolecular motors works Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Using high-performance computers and quantum mechanical methods, researchers have simulated processes that reveal how the "biological spark plug" works in the biomolecular motors of cells. The investigations focused on the myosin protein, which, among other things, is responsible for muscle movement. The researchers' extensive simulations show how the release of energy is initiated in this complex motor.

Why adolescents carry meningitis-causing bacteria Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Scientists have shed new light on why teenagers and young adults are particularly susceptible to meningitis and septicaemia. N. meningitidis is a major cause of meningitis and septicaemia, and a leading cause of infectious disease among teenagers and young adults. While it is well known that these bacteria are found in large numbers in the upper respiratory tract among adolescents, the reasons for this are unknown.

Eating less meat: Solution to reduce water use? Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Eating less meat would protect water resources in dry areas around the world, researchers have found. Reducing the use of animal products can have a considerable impact on areas suffering scarce water resources, as meat production requires more water than other agricultural products, they say.

Diabetes: Drug duo helps best, study finds Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors together reduce the blood sugar levels of diabetics considerably more effectively than either drug alone. Scientists report that this is due to a synergetic mechanism.

Analysis of African plant reveals possible treatment for aging brain Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:59 AM PDT A plant used for centuries by healers of São Tomé e Príncipe holds lessons for modern medicine, scientists report. A compound isolated from Voacanga africana protects cells from altered molecular pathways linked to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and the neurodegeneration that often follows a stroke, they say.

How science sizzles in the modern kitchen Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Some of the world's finest chemists don't wear lab coats. Instead, they don aprons and toques, and masterfully meld their passion for cooking with a growing awareness of the science behind the culinary arts. The results are driving an extraordinary expansion of our cuisine and transforming ordinary meals into fabulous feasts. That's according to a group of prominent chefs.

Key adjustment enables parasite shape-shifting Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Crafty parasites undergo dramatic shape changes that enable them to adapt to different living conditions and thrive. Researchers show that these transformations might not be as difficult as they appear.

Should you add enzyme supplements to your shopping list? Expert explains pros, cons Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Enzyme supplements available without a prescription are becoming increasingly popular, but should everyone add them to their shopping list? The author of a new paper explain the pros and cons of over-the-counter enzymes. "Fortunately, for most over-the-counter enzymes, unless you're taking super-high doses, the risks are pretty minimal," he explains.

World's fastest external phone charger goes: Charges in 15 minutes without need for electrical socket Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT The world's 'fastest' external phone charger is set to be launched. The Petalite Flux battery can charge itself from empty to full in just 15 minutes. The device, small enough to fit in your pocket or bag, eradicates the need to plug your phone into a wall electricity socket or computer usb slot. Instead, if your Smartphone needs charging, you can simply connect it to the Flux battery and continue with your day.

New material allows for ultra-thin solar cells Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT Extremely thin, semi-transparent, flexible solar cells could soon become reality. Scientists have managed to create a semiconductor structure consisting of two ultra-thin layers, which appears to be excellently suited for photovoltaic energy conversion. Several months ago, the team had already produced an ultra-thin layer of the photoactive crystal tungsten diselenide. Now, this semiconductor has successfully been combined with another layer made of molybdenum disulphide, creating a designer-material that may be used in future low-cost solar cells.

Lung cancer diagnosis tool shown to be safe and effective for older patients Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT A procedure to take tissue samples from lung cancer patients can be used safely in the elderly – allowing doctors to make a more accurate diagnosis and to choose appropriate treatment, a recent study has found. Half of all lung cancer patients are over 70 years old when first diagnosed, but studies have shown that these older patients are less likely to receive an accurate diagnosis. A correct assessment of the stage of a patient's disease – how much their tumor has grown and spread – is key to ensuring they receive the right treatment.

Designing inexpensive fuel cells: A protecting umbrella against oxygen Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT In the development of fuel cells the effort of generations of scientist and engineers have led to efficient and stable catalysts based on noble metals. These catalysts have reached the required threshold in terms of performance for applications such as electric cars. However, the high costs of the scarce noble metals render their widespread application economically less viable.

Climate change is fueling forest disturbances, study shows Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT Climate change is already altering the environment, experts say. Long-lived ecosystems such as forests are particularly vulnerable to the comparatively rapid changes in the climate system. A new international study shows that damage from wind, bark beetles, and wildfires has increased drastically in Europe's forests in recent years.

Kangaroos win when aborigines hunt with fire: Co-evolution benefits Australia's martu people and wildlife Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:57 AM PDT Australia's Martu people hunt kangaroos and set small fires to catch lizards, as they have for at least 2,000 years. A researcher found such human-made disruption boosts kangaroo populations – showing how co-evolution helped marsupials and made Aborigines into unintentional conservationists.

Knowing what to keep and what to trash: How an enzyme distinguishes cellular messages Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:36 PM PDT In the cell, proteins read through messages to distinguish what needs to be saved and what needs to be discarded. Messages that are marked for disposal can drastically alter the fate of a cell. Stem cells use this mechanism to maintain their identity. How does a protein detect the difference between two similar messages? A team of scientists has found that the protein Dis3l2 uses numerous recognition sites to capture messages for decay.

Small DNA modifications predict brain's threat response Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:36 PM PDT Epigenetic changes to a gene that is well known for its involvement in clinical depression and posttraumatic stress disorder can affect the way a person's brain reacts to threats, according to a new study. The results may explain how the well-understood serotonin transporter leaves some individuals more vulnerable than others to stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Uncovering 3-D structure of a key neuroreceptor Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:36 PM PDT The 3-D structure of a crucial neuroreceptor has been revealed by scientists for the first time. The achievement has great implications for understanding the basic mechanism of electrical signal transmission between neurons and might help to design novel medicines to treat various neurological diseases.

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