ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Scientists reveal genetic mutation depicted in van Gogh's sunflower paintings
• 'Backpacking' bacteria help ferry nano-medicines inside humans
• Measuring the cosmic dust swept up by Earth
• Emerging fungal infection in South West U.S. mimics cancer
• Informal awards contribute to higher Wikipedia participation
• HIV 'superinfection' boosts immune response: Findings may provide insight into HIV-vaccine development
• Oscillating gel acts like artificial skin, giving robots potential ability to 'feel'
• Electricity and carbon dioxide used to generate alternative fuel
• Physicists explain the collective motion of particles called fermions
• Greater traumatic stress linked with elevated inflammation in heart patients
• Much faster than a speeding bullet, planets and stars escape the Milky Way
• New seismic hazard assessment for Central America
• Once considered mainly 'brain glue,' astrocytes' power revealed
• New material cuts energy costs of separating gas for plastics and fuels
• First the smart phone, now the smart home: Technology anticipates, meets our needs for health, efficiency
• Radioactive antibody fragment may help scientists identify artery deposits
• Autism more common than previously thought: CDC report shows one in 54 boys identified
• Ultrafast laser pulses shed light on elusive superconducting mechanism
• Increasing water scarcity in California's Bay-Delta will necessitate trade-offs; 'Hard decisions' needed to balance various environmental risks
• New breast cancer susceptibility gene
• Carbon dioxide was hidden in the ocean during last Ice Age
• Compounds dramatically alter biological clock and lead to weight loss, animal study suggests
• Plant research reveals new role for gene silencing protein
• Simple 3-D grid structure underlying complexity of primate brain
• Brain wiring a no-brainer?
• Weakness can be an advantage in surviving deadly parasites, a new study shows
• How bees are harmed by common crop pesticides
• Physicists find patterns in new state of matter
• How genes organize the surface of the brain
• On the path to age-defying therapies
• Duality of longevity drug explained
• Star explodes and turns inside out
• Titanium paternity test fingers Earth as moon's sole parent
• Forest-destroying avalanches on the rise due to clear-cut logging
• World's first bedside genetic test
• Divergent evolution illuminated: Light shed on reasons behind genome differences between species
• Artificial thymus tissue enables maturation of immune cells
• Mind-pops more likely with schizophrenia
• Genes for learning, remembering and forgetting
• Rare animal-shaped mounds discovered in Peru
• Why are we made of matter? Supercomputing the difference between matter and antimatter
• New understanding of how materials change when rapidly heated
• Tiny electrical sensors could signal faster MRSA diagnosis
• 'Living' micro-robot could detect diseases in humans
• Why some animals live longer than others
• Neutrons uncover new density waves in fermion liquids
• New insights into how cells duplicate their DNA
• Key component in mother's egg critical for survivial of newly formed embryo
• Genetic regulators hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses identified
• Scientists clone 'survivor' elm trees
• Culprit behind unchecked angiogenesis identified
• Supercomputers help explain why there is almost no anti-matter in our universe
• MicroRNAs offer new hope against obesity and diabetes
• Mites form friendly societies: Predatory mites who stick with familiar individuals are more efficient at finding food
• Dolphins cultivate loose alliances
• Researchers close in on vaccine to protect babies
• Current chemical testing missing low-dosage effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• Met office to provide space weather warnings for planet Earth and forecasts for exoplanets

Scientists reveal genetic mutation depicted in van Gogh's sunflower paintings Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:52 PM PDT Scientists reveal the mutation behind the distinctive, thick bands of yellow "double flowers" that Vincent van Gogh painted more than 100 years ago.

'Backpacking' bacteria help ferry nano-medicines inside humans Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:52 PM PDT To the ranks of horses, donkeys and other animals that have served humanity as pack animals or beasts of burden, scientists are now enlisting bacteria to ferry nano-medicine cargos throughout the human body. Scientists have recently reported on progress in developing "backpacking" bacteria that are so small that a million would fit on the head of a pin.

Measuring the cosmic dust swept up by Earth Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:51 PM PDT Although we think of space as being empty, there is more out there than meets the eye – dust, for example, is everywhere. If all the material between the Sun and Jupiter were compressed together it would form a moon 25 km across. Now a new research program will try to see how much of this dust enters the Earth's atmosphere. Metals from the cosmic dust play a part in various phenomena that affect our climate. An accurate estimate of dust would also help us understand how particles are transported through different layers of the Earth's atmosphere.

Emerging fungal infection in South West U.S. mimics cancer Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:50 PM PDT An emerging fungal infection mimics cancer and IBD, accorading to medical researchers. Fungus, found in soil and GI tracts of fish, reptiles, amphibians and bats, appears to cause basidiobolomycosis. 44 cases around the world were studied, 17 from Arizona. Symptoms can be abdominal pain or a mass that mimics abdominal cancer. Early detection is key.

Informal awards contribute to higher Wikipedia participation Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:50 PM PDT When researchers decided to find out what makes Wikipedia work, they knew they faced quite a challenge. After all, neither monetary compensation nor formal work relations explain the success of this all-volunteer online encyclopedia. The team reasoned that expressions of appreciation by other Wikipedia contributors, including awards, helped to fuel what they called a "spirit of generosity."

HIV 'superinfection' boosts immune response: Findings may provide insight into HIV-vaccine development Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:50 PM PDT Women who have been infected by two different strains of HIV from two different sexual partners – a condition known as HIV superinfection – have more potent antibody responses that block the replication of the virus compared to women who've only been infected once.

Oscillating gel acts like artificial skin, giving robots potential ability to 'feel' Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:16 PM PDT Sooner than later, robots may have the ability to "feel." Scientists have now demonstrated that a non-oscillating gel can be resuscitated in a fashion similar to a medical cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Electricity and carbon dioxide used to generate alternative fuel Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:16 PM PDT Imagine being able to use electricity to power your car and it's not an electric vehicle. Researchers have for the first time demonstrated a method for converting carbon dioxide into liquid fuel isobutanol using electricity.

Physicists explain the collective motion of particles called fermions Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:16 PM PDT Scientists generally believed that certain collective behavior appeared in fermions only when they moved in unison at very long wavelengths. Now, however, collective behavior has been discovered at short wavelengths in one Fermi system, helium-3.

Greater traumatic stress linked with elevated inflammation in heart patients Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:16 PM PDT Greater lifetime exposure to the stress of traumatic events was linked to higher levels of inflammation in a study of almost 1,000 patients with cardiovascular disease.

Much faster than a speeding bullet, planets and stars escape the Milky Way Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:15 PM PDT Researchers explain the phenomenon of runaway planets and stars which are ejected from the Milky Way by the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center.

New seismic hazard assessment for Central America Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:15 PM PDT A new study evaluates the seismic hazards for the entire Central America, including specific assessments for six capital cities, with the greatest hazard expected for Guatemala City and San Salvador, followed by Managua and San Jose, and notably lower in Tegucigalpa and Panama City.

Once considered mainly 'brain glue,' astrocytes' power revealed Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:04 PM PDT A type of cell plentiful in the brain, long considered mainly the stuff that holds the brain together and oft-overlooked by scientists more interested in flashier cells known as neurons, wields more power in the brain than has been realized, playing a key role in reducing or stopping the electrical signals that are considered brain activity.

New material cuts energy costs of separating gas for plastics and fuels Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:04 PM PDT In producing hydrocarbons for the chemical industry, refiners must first crack oil at high temperatures and then cool the mixture to liquefy the gases for separation. This energy-intensive chilling step could be eliminated thanks to a new material that can do the gas separation at the high temperatures of cracked petroleum. The material is an iron-based metal-organic framework.

First the smart phone, now the smart home: Technology anticipates, meets our needs for health, efficiency Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:04 PM PDT We have all heard of the smartphone and any day now, most of us will have one. Not far behind: The smart home. Scientists say it won't be long before our homes act as "intelligent agents" that use sensors and software to anticipate our needs and tend to tasks that improve our health, energy efficiency, even social media.

Radioactive antibody fragment may help scientists identify artery deposits Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:04 PM PDT Creating a tiny, radioactive antibody fragment may help scientists identify artery deposits most likely to burst and cause a heart attack. A non-invasive system uses miniature antibodies to detect a molecule that identifies the vulnerable deposits. Researchers plan clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of the new imaging technique.

Autism more common than previously thought: CDC report shows one in 54 boys identified Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:26 AM PDT The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study. Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls -- with 1 in 54 boys identified.

Ultrafast laser pulses shed light on elusive superconducting mechanism Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT Physicists have used ultra-fast laser pulses to identify the microscopic interactions that drive high-temperature superconductivity. The researchers were able to capture very fine grained data on the speed of the relaxation process and its influence on the properties of the superconducting system, showing that the high-critical temperature of these compounds can be accounted for by purely electronic (magnetic) processes.

Increasing water scarcity in California's Bay-Delta will necessitate trade-offs; 'Hard decisions' needed to balance various environmental risks Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT Simultaneously attaining a reliable water supply for California and protecting and rehabilitating its Bay-Delta ecosystem cannot be realized until better planning can identify how trade-offs.

New breast cancer susceptibility gene Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT Mutations in a gene called XRCC2 cause increased breast cancer risk, according to a new study. The study looked at families that have a history of the disease but do not have mutations in the currently known breast cancer susceptibility genes.

Carbon dioxide was hidden in the ocean during last Ice Age Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT Why did the atmosphere contain so little carbon dioxide during the last Ice Age 20,000 years ago? Why did it rise when the Earth's climate became warmer? Processes in the ocean are responsible for this, says a new study based on newly developed isotope measurements.

Compounds dramatically alter biological clock and lead to weight loss, animal study suggests Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT Scientists have synthesized a pair of small molecules that dramatically alter the core biological clock in animal models, highlighting the compounds' potential effectiveness in treating a remarkable range of disorders -- including obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and serious sleep disorders.

Plant research reveals new role for gene silencing protein Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:19 AM PDT A DICER protein, known to produce tiny RNAs in cells, also helps complete an important step in gene expression, according to research on Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression of a gene requires activation via a promoter or an external trigger. Plant research to be published in Science helps to show that later stages of transcription are just as important. This is likely to apply to other organisms, including humans.

Simple 3-D grid structure underlying complexity of primate brain Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:19 AM PDT How do you build a brain? Scientists how present a surprising answer, reporting their discovery of a remarkably simple organizational structure in the brains of humans and other primates. Employing sophisticated mathematical analysis of advanced imaging data, they found that the pathways carrying neural signals through the brain are arranged not in a disorganized tangle but in a curved, three-dimensional grid.

Brain wiring a no-brainer? Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:19 AM PDT The brain appears to be wired more like the checkerboard streets of New York City than the curvy lanes of Columbia, Md., suggests a new brain imaging study. The most detailed images, to date, reveal a pervasive 3-D grid structure with no diagonals, say scientists.

Weakness can be an advantage in surviving deadly parasites, a new study shows Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:19 AM PDT When battling an epidemic of a deadly parasite, less resistance can sometimes be better than more. A new study suggests that a lake's ecological characteristics influence how freshwater zooplankton Daphnia dentifera evolve to survive epidemics of a virulent yeast parasite Metschnikowia bicuspidate. The study found that Daphnia populations evolved either enhanced resistance or susceptibility to infection depending on the nutrient concentration and predation levels in the lake.

How bees are harmed by common crop pesticides Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:19 AM PDT A widely used insecticide can threaten the health of bumblebee colonies and interfere with the homing abilities of honeybees, according to a pair of new studies. Researchers have proposed multiple causes for these declines, including pesticides, but it's been unclear exactly how pesticides are inflicting their damage.

Physicists find patterns in new state of matter Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:15 AM PDT Physicists have discovered patterns which underlie the properties of a new state of matter. In a new study, the scientists describe the emergence of "spontaneous coherence," "spin textures" and "phase singularities" when excitons -- the bound pairs of electrons and holes that determine the optical properties of semiconductors and enable them to function as novel optoelectronic devices -- are cooled to near absolute zero.

How genes organize the surface of the brain Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:15 AM PDT The first atlas of the surface of the human brain based upon genetic information has been produced by a team of scientists. The atlas reveals that the cerebral cortex -- the sheet of neural tissue enveloping the brain -- is roughly divided into genetic divisions that differ from other brain maps based on physiology or function.

On the path to age-defying therapies Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:15 AM PDT The drug rapamycin extends lifespan in lab animals, yet it's linked to two hallmarks of diabetes. By teasing apart its activity, researchers have determined that inhibiting only the protein cluster known as mTORC1 prolongs life in mice without adversely affecting glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity.

Duality of longevity drug explained Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:15 AM PDT Scientists have now explained how rapamycin, a drug that extends mouse lifespan, also causes insulin resistance. The researchers showed in an animal model that they could, in principle, separate the effects, which depend on inhibiting two protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, respectively. The study suggests that molecules that specifically inhibit mTORC1 may combat age-related diseases without the insulin-resistance side effect, which can predispose people to diabetes.

Star explodes and turns inside out Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:47 AM PDT A new X-ray study of the remains of an exploded star indicates that the supernova that disrupted the massive star may have turned it inside out in the process. Using very long observations of Cassiopeia A, a team of scientists has mapped the distribution elements in the supernova remnant in unprecedented detail. This information shows where the different layers of the pre-supernova star are located three hundred years after the explosion, and provides insight into the nature of the supernova.

Titanium paternity test fingers Earth as moon's sole parent Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:47 AM PDT A new chemical analysis of lunar material collected by Apollo astronauts in the 1970s conflicts with the widely held theory that a giant collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object gave birth to the moon 4.5 billion years ago.

Forest-destroying avalanches on the rise due to clear-cut logging Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:47 AM PDT Scientists have been studying the impact of clear-cut logging on avalanche terrain in British Columbia. Understanding avalanche behavior and its destructive potential is an important factor in assessing risk of clear-cut logging of mature forest timber. A new article presents data collected from locations where avalanches have been released due to clear-cut logging; These data demonstrate the adverse effects of poor logging practices.

World's first bedside genetic test Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:46 AM PDT The world's first bedside genetic test has been developed. Scientists reports on the use of a simple cheek swab test, the Spartan RX CYP2C19, performed by nurses at the patient's bedside. This revolutionary technology allows doctors to rapidly identify patients with a genetic variant known as CYP2C19*2.

Divergent evolution illuminated: Light shed on reasons behind genome differences between species Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:46 AM PDT A new study explains the divergent evolution of the genomes of different groups of species. The connection between the function of enzymes and the composition of the genomes shed light on the evolution and structure of genes, and explains differences between archaebacteria, bacteria and eukaryotes.

Artificial thymus tissue enables maturation of immune cells Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:46 AM PDT The thymus plays a key role in the body's immune response. It is here where the T lymphocytes or T cells, a major type of immune defence cells, mature. Different types of T cells, designated to perform specific tasks, arise from progenitor cells that migrate to the thymus from the bone marrow. Researchers have now generated artificial thymus tissue in a mouse embryo to enable the maturation of immune cells. In this process, they discovered which signalling molecules control the maturation of T cells. Their results represent the first step towards the production of artificial thymus glands that could be used to replace or augment the damaged organ.

Mind-pops more likely with schizophrenia Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:45 AM PDT Almost everyone reports experiencing 'mind-pops' at some time or another, but some experience them more than others according to new research. New findings suggest that mind-pop experiences -- when unrelated thoughts pop into your head -- are related to hallucinations in those people suffering from schizophrenia.

Genes for learning, remembering and forgetting Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:45 AM PDT Certain genes and proteins that promote growth and development of embryos also play a surprising role in sending chemical signals that help adults learn, remember, forget and perhaps become addicted, biologists have discovered.

Rare animal-shaped mounds discovered in Peru Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:22 AM PDT For more than a century and a half, scientists and tourists have visited massive animal-shaped mounds, such as Serpent Mound in Ohio, created by the indigenous people of North America. But few animal effigy mounds had been found in South America until an anthropology professor recently identified numerous earthen animals rising above the coastal plains of Peru, a region already renowned for the Nazca lines, the ruined city of Chan Chan, and other cultural treasures.

Why are we made of matter? Supercomputing the difference between matter and antimatter Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:22 AM PDT Using breakthrough techniques on some of the world's fastest supercomputers -- scientists have reported a landmark calculation of a kind of subatomic particle decay that's important to understanding matter/antimatter asymmetry. The research helps nail down the exact process of kaon decay, and is also inspiring the development of a new generation of supercomputers.

New understanding of how materials change when rapidly heated Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT Scientists have made ground-breaking advances in our understanding of the changes that materials undergo when rapidly heated.

Tiny electrical sensors could signal faster MRSA diagnosis Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT A simple test to identify MRSA in wounds could identify the superbug quickly and help prevent infection from spreading. Scientists have developed the test to show whether wounds or lesions are infected with bacteria and if MRSA is present.

'Living' micro-robot could detect diseases in humans Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT A tiny prototype robot that functions like a living creature is being developed which one day could be safely used to pinpoint diseases within the human body. Called 'Cyberplasm', it will combine advanced microelectronics with latest research in biomimicry. The aim is for Cyberplasm to have an electronic nervous system, 'eye' and 'nose' sensors derived from mammalian cells, as well as artificial muscles that use glucose as an energy source to propel it.

Why some animals live longer than others Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new method to detect proteins associated with longevity, which helps further our understanding into why some animals live longer than others.

Neutrons uncover new density waves in fermion liquids Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:20 AM PDT Scientists discover zero-sound mode oscillations in super-chilled helium. Scientists have carried out the first investigation of two-dimensional fermion liquids using neutron scattering, and discovered a new type of very short wave-length density wave. The team believe their discovery will interest researchers looking at electronic systems, since high-temperature superconductivity could result from this type of density fluctuation.

New insights into how cells duplicate their DNA Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:19 AM PDT Scientists have discovered new insights into how cells duplicate their DNA. They used an imaging method known as cryo-electron microscopy to take extremely high resolution images of how the right proteins come together at the right point on the DNA strands, forming a structure called an "origin recognition complex" (ORC). The lab's first-of-a-kind images (taken using yeast cells, which are also eukaryotes), showed how the shape of the complex changes as it sets the DNA up for duplication.

Key component in mother's egg critical for survivial of newly formed embryo Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:18 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that a protein, called TRIM28, normally present in the mother's egg, is essential right after fertilization, to preserve certain chemical modifications or 'epigenetic marks' on a specific set of genes. This newly published study paves the way for more research to explore the role that epigenetics might play in infertility.

Genetic regulators hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses identified Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:18 AM PDT Researchers have identified a number of tiny but powerful "genetic regulators" that are hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses during human infection.

Scientists clone 'survivor' elm trees Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:18 AM PDT Scientists have found a way to successfully clone American elm trees that have survived repeated epidemics of their biggest killer -- Dutch elm disease. The breakthrough is the first known use of in vitro culture technology to clone buds of mature American elm trees.

Culprit behind unchecked angiogenesis identified Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT Researchers have unraveled a critical regulatory mechanism controlling blood vessel growth that might help solve drug resistance problems in the future.

Supercomputers help explain why there is almost no anti-matter in our universe Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT Powerful supercomputers have shed light on the behavior of key sub-atomic particles, in a development that could help explain why there is almost no anti-matter in our universe. Physicists have reported a landmark calculation of the decay of an elementary particle called a kaon, using breakthrough techniques on some of the world's fastest supercomputers. This revealed the first experimental evidence of a phenomenon known as charge-parity (CP) violation - a lack of symmetry between particles and their corresponding antiparticles that may explain why the Universe is made of matter, and not antimatter.

MicroRNAs offer new hope against obesity and diabetes Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT Hunger has always threatened humankind. This makes it unsurprising that human bodies attempt to store all surplus nourishment in adipose tissue. In developed countries, this life-saving craving is turning into a problem and obesity -- adiposity -- is turning into a danger. Why, though, does excess fat the body ill? How does fat trigger diabetes? And can these superfluous fat reserves be turned into warmth and just as well burnt? Scientists have now discovered that microRNAs could be a new switch of adipose cell development in humans.

Mites form friendly societies: Predatory mites who stick with familiar individuals are more efficient at finding food Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT For plant-inhabiting predatory mites, living among familiar neighbors reduces stress. This allows individuals to focus on other tasks and be more productive, in particular while they are foraging. The new study supports the theory that so-called 'social familiarity' reduces the cognitive, physiological and behavioral costs of group-living, leading to increased efficiency in other tasks.

Dolphins cultivate loose alliances Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:15 AM PDT Dolphins behave uniquely. On the one hand, male dolphins form alliances with others; on the other hand, they live in an open social structure. Anthropologists from the University of Zurich detected this unusual behavior in the animal kingdom in dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia.

Researchers close in on vaccine to protect babies Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:13 AM PDT Researchers are closing in on a needle-free vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of respiratory illness in children under two years of age.

Current chemical testing missing low-dosage effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:09 AM PDT Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) —- such as BPA —- can show tangible effects on health endpoints at high dosage levels, yet those effects do not predict how EDCs will affect the endocrine system at low doses, according to a recent study.

Met office to provide space weather warnings for planet Earth and forecasts for exoplanets Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:37 PM PDT The UK Met Office's weather and climate model is being adapted to help understand space weather at Earth and the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars.

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