ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• X-ray telescope finds new voracious black holes in early universe
• NASA satellite gallery shows Chilean volcano plume moving around the world
• What will climate change and sea level rise mean for barrier islands?
• Testing improves memory: Study examines why memory is enhanced by repeated retrieval
• Effects of premature birth can reach into adulthood
• Pesticide impact: Comparing lab, field-scale results
• U.S. specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, study shows
• The top five actions parents can take to reduce child exposure to toxic chemicals at home
• Neutrons, simulations reveal details of molecule that complicates next-generation biofuels
• Researchers discover new type of neutrino oscillation
• Golden algae responsible for killing millions of fish is less toxic in sunlight
• Multi-paddock grazing is superior to continuous grazing
• Leaky genes put evolution on the fast track, researchers find
• Understanding alcohol's damaging effects on the brain
• Motivation to change, confidence to resist temptation, should tailor alcohol-dependence treatment
• Oft-used DSM diagnosis of alcohol dependence shows reliability
• Using olive oil in your diet may prevent a stroke
• Drug significantly improves glycemic control in type 1 diabetics on insulin, study suggests
• 'SpongeBob' mushroom discovered in the forests of Borneo
• What makes a plant a plant?
• A mother's determination, next-generation sequencing provide solutions for twins
• Recalculating the distance to interstellar space
• NASA's Chandra finds massive black holes common in early universe
• Life after 'Snowball Earth': New fossils suggest rapid recovery of life after global freeze
• Researchers break light-matter coupling strength limit in nanoscale semiconductors
• X-ray analysis technique helps scientists determine that black holes grew voraciously in young galaxies
• Astronomers discover earliest black holes at dawn of universe
• Scientists override errant form of genetic signaling for first time: Changing genetic 'red light' to green holds promise for treating disease
• A knockout resource for mouse genetics: Mouse gene knockout resource will empower mammalian gene studies for a generation
• Malaria vaccination strategy provides model for superior protection
• Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity
• Sudden cardiac death subject of sweeping study in San Francisco
• Teens look to parents more than friends for sexual role models
• When imitation doesn't flatter: When do consumers care about mimicry?
• Sexy doesn't always sell: When do beautiful models help?
• 'Magical thinking' helps dieters cope with unrealistic expectations
• How does identification with an organization enhance values?
• Facebook friends? Group identity helps consumers remember ads
• Animal instincts: Why do unhappy consumers prefer tactile sensations?
• Progress using iPS cells to reverse blindness
• Dating an ancient episode of severe global warming
• Anxious searchers miss multiple objects
• When singing mice choose a mate, a skillful song gets the gal
• Health system achieves high flu vaccination rates by mandating masking
• Young adults struggle with online political participation
• Type 2 diabetes decision support tool available
• Neutrinos change flavors while crossing Japan: Findings shed light on why universe is made of matter instead of anti-matter
• Potential cause of severe sleep disorder discovered, implications for Parkinson's disease
• 'Glowing hands' in the waiting room improves kids' handwashing
• Study hints at antibiotic overuse in home-care patients
• Fathers benefit from seeking help as parents
• MR enterography as effective as CT in diagnosing Crohn's disease, reduces radiation exposure, study suggests
• Scientists prove existence of 'magnetic ropes' that cause solar storms
• Important aspects of signaling across cell membranes in plants revealed
• New marker to predict progressive kidney failure, death identified
• Using living cells as an 'invisibility cloak' to hide drugs
• Evidence of a natural origin for banned drug that plumps up livestock
• First self-powered device with wireless data transmission
• New sensor to measure structural stresses can heal itself when broken
• Report reveals immense burden of osteoporotic fractures in Europe

X-ray telescope finds new voracious black holes in early universe Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Using the deepest X-ray image ever taken, astronomers have found the first direct evidence that massive black holes were common in the early universe. This discovery from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows that very young black holes grew more aggressively than previously thought, in tandem with the growth of their host galaxies.

NASA satellite gallery shows Chilean volcano plume moving around the world Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Since its eruption in early June, several NASA satellites have captured images of the ash plume from the eruption of the Chilean Volcano called Puyehue-Cordón Caulle and have tracked it around the world. NASA has collected them in an image gallery that shows the progression of the plume around the southern hemisphere.

What will climate change and sea level rise mean for barrier islands? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT A new survey of barrier islands offers the most thorough assessment to date of the thousands of small islands that hug the coasts of the world's landmasses. The study offers new insight into how the islands form and evolve over time -- and how they may fare as the climate changes and sea level rises.

Testing improves memory: Study examines why memory is enhanced by repeated retrieval Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Many psychologists have believed that testing is good for memory, but only for the exact thing you are trying to remember: so-called "target memory." In a new study, researchers set out to test whether practice testing might boost other types of memory, too. Their conclusion: it does.

Effects of premature birth can reach into adulthood Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT In the longest running US study of premature infants who are now 23 years old, a professor has found that premature infants are less healthy, have more social and school struggles and face a greater risk of heart-health problems in adulthood.

Pesticide impact: Comparing lab, field-scale results Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Researching the impact of pesticide use is an important task with several methods of collecting data. Which method is best?

U.S. specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, study shows Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Sixty-six percent of publicly insured children were unable to get a doctor's appointment for serious medical conditions including diabetes and seizures, while children with identical symptoms and private insurance were turned away only 11 percent of the time, according to an audit study of specialty physician practices in Cook County, Ill.

The top five actions parents can take to reduce child exposure to toxic chemicals at home Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:14 PM PDT Controlling house dust tops a list of five ways parents can protect their children from toxic substances in and around the home, say leading health and environmental experts in Canada. The five most important things for parents to do to safeguard their kids' health are: dust, use green cleaning products, do renos carefully, avoid certain plastics and serve low-mercury fish.

Neutrons, simulations reveal details of molecule that complicates next-generation biofuels Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT A first-of-its-kind combination of experiment and simulation at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is providing a close-up look at the molecule that complicates next-generation biofuels. Lignin, a major component of plant cell walls, aggregates to form clumps, which cause problems during the production of cellulosic ethanol. The exact shape and structure of the aggregates, however, have remained largely unknown. Researchers have revealed the surface structure of lignin aggregates down to 1 angstrom -- the equivalent of a 10 billionth of a meter or smaller than the width of a carbon atom.

Researchers discover new type of neutrino oscillation Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT The international T2K collaboration has observed an indication of a new type of neutrino transformation or oscillation from a muon neutrino to an electron neutrino. Evidence of this new type of neutrino oscillation may lead the way to new studies of a matter/anti-matter asymmetry called charge-parity violation.

Golden algae responsible for killing millions of fish is less toxic in sunlight Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT A new study has found that sunlight decreases the toxicity of golden algae, which kills millions of fish in the southern United States every year.

Multi-paddock grazing is superior to continuous grazing Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT A long-term study verifies multi-paddock grazing improves vegetation, soil health and animal production relative to continuous grazing in large-scale ranches, according to Texas scientists. The study measured the impacts on vegetation and soils achieved by commercial ranchers who adapted management practices in response to changing circumstances to achieve desirable outcomes.

Leaky genes put evolution on the fast track, researchers find Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT Small genetic mutations that add up over time could create an evolutionary express lane that leads to the rapid development of new traits, researchers report.

Understanding alcohol's damaging effects on the brain Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT While alcohol has a wide range of pharmacological effects on the body, the brain is a primary target. However, the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol alters neuronal activity in the brain are poorly understood. New findings concern the interactions of alcohol with prototype brain proteins thought to underlie alcohol actions in the brain.

Motivation to change, confidence to resist temptation, should tailor alcohol-dependence treatment Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT People seeking help for their alcohol or other drug problems enter treatment with very different levels of motivation to change. Differences in motivation appear to make a critical difference in which patients seek, comply with, and complete treatment. Findings from a study of the extent to which motivation and self-efficacy -- the confidence to resist temptation and to abstain from drinking -- changed during treatment, and the degree to which these variables affected drinking behaviors, indicate that treatments tailored to specific subgroups may be more effective.

Oft-used DSM diagnosis of alcohol dependence shows reliability Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT A new study examined the reliability of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- Fourth Edition diagnosis of alcohol dependence (AD) in a population-based sample. Characteristics relevant to the disorder -- number of AD symptoms, treatment seeking, duration of most severe episode, and spending a great deal of time to obtain, use, or recover from alcohol use -- predicted a reliable diagnosis of lifetime history of AD.

Using olive oil in your diet may prevent a stroke Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT A new study suggests that consuming olive oil may help prevent a stroke in older people.

Drug significantly improves glycemic control in type 1 diabetics on insulin, study suggests Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:26 AM PDT Results of a new study suggest that liraglutide, an injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps type 1 diabetics on insulin achieve optimal control of their blood glucose levels. If the findings are confirmed in a larger, prospective, randomized study now being planned, they could mean the first significant, new treatment for type 1 diabetes since insulin was discovered and made available in the 1920s.

'SpongeBob' mushroom discovered in the forests of Borneo Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:26 AM PDT A researcher has discovered Spongiforma squarepantsii, a new species of mushroom almost as strange as its cartoon namesake.

What makes a plant a plant? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:26 AM PDT Although scientists have been able to sequence the genomes of many organisms, they still lack a context for associating the proteins encoded in genes with specific biological processes. To better understand the genetics underlying plant physiology and ecology -- especially in regard to photosynthesis -- a team of researchers has identified a list of proteins encoded in the genomes of plants and green algae, but not in the genomes of organisms that don't generate energy through photosynthesis.

A mother's determination, next-generation sequencing provide solutions for twins Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:26 AM PDT Researchers have described how the sequencing of a set of twin's whole genome along with that of their older brother and their parents zeroed in on the gene that caused the twin's genetic disorder, which enabled physicians to fine-tune their treatment.

Recalculating the distance to interstellar space Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:11 AM PDT Scientists analyzing recent data from NASA's Voyager and Cassini spacecraft have calculated that Voyager 1 could cross over into the frontier of interstellar space at any time and much earlier than previously thought.

NASA's Chandra finds massive black holes common in early universe Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:53 AM PDT Using the deepest X-ray image ever taken, astronomers found the first direct evidence that massive black holes were common in the early universe. This discovery from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows that very young black holes grew more aggressively than previously thought, in tandem with the growth of their host galaxies.

Life after 'Snowball Earth': New fossils suggest rapid recovery of life after global freeze Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT Researchers have discovered hundreds of microscopic fossils in rocks dating back nearly 710 million years, around the time when the planet emerged from a global glaciation, or "Snowball Earth," event. The fossils are remnants of tiny, amoeba-like organisms that likely survived the harsh post-glacial environment by building armor and reaching out with microscopic "feet" to grab minerals from the environment, cobbling particles together to make protective shells.

Researchers break light-matter coupling strength limit in nanoscale semiconductors Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT New engineering research demonstrates that polaritons have increased coupling strength when confined to nanoscale semiconductors. This represents a promising advance in the field of photonics: smaller and faster circuits that use light rather than electricity.

X-ray analysis technique helps scientists determine that black holes grew voraciously in young galaxies Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT A scientific team has unveiled evidence of black holes being common in the early universe. The discovery shows that these young black holes grew more aggressively than scientists previously thought. The finding has important implications for how astronomers understand the early cosmos.

Astronomers discover earliest black holes at dawn of universe Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT A team of astronomers has discovered the earliest black holes ever detected, despite the fact that they are hidden from view by their host galaxies. They also measured the average growth rate of the black holes and discovered that they grow and evolve in tandem with their galaxies -- something that astronomers had observed locally but which they knew little about when it came to the early, distant universe.

Scientists override errant form of genetic signaling for first time: Changing genetic 'red light' to green holds promise for treating disease Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT Researchers found a new way to surpass a common mutation that is estimated to cause a third of genetic disorders. The mutation causes the body to create shortened, disabled proteins, which lead to disease like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer. The newly discovered approach directs the body to create normal, full-length proteins and could aid the development of treatment strategies to change the course of these, and other debilitating genetic conditions.

A knockout resource for mouse genetics: Mouse gene knockout resource will empower mammalian gene studies for a generation Posted: 15 Jun 2011 10:20 AM PDT Researchers report that they have knocked out almost 40 percent of the genes in the mouse genome. The results are founded on a novel, efficient production line that targets each specific gene in turn. This developing resource will be essential in our understanding of the role of genes in all mammals -- including humans. The completed resource will power studies in models of human disease.

Malaria vaccination strategy provides model for superior protection Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:37 AM PDT A new study uncovers a powerful strategy for eliciting an immune response that can combat the parasite during multiple stages of its complex life cycle and describes what may be the most effective next-generation vaccination approach for malaria.

Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:36 AM PDT Inhibitory control can be boosted with a mild form of brain stimulation, according to a new study. The study's findings indicate that non-invasive intervention can greatly improve patients' inhibitory control.

Sudden cardiac death subject of sweeping study in San Francisco Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT A new study seeks to discover for the first time the true causes of sudden cardiac death, why it is more prevalent in some demographic populations, and whether it is too often inaccurately cited as a cause of death.

Teens look to parents more than friends for sexual role models Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT The results of a national online study show that 45 percent consider their parents to be their sexuality role model. Shattering stereotypes that parents and society hold about teen sexuality, the survey also revealed that only 32 percent looked to their friends and just 15 percent took inspiration from celebrities.

When imitation doesn't flatter: When do consumers care about mimicry? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT Consumers react strongly to their product choices being copied, according to a new study. They really dislike it when the copycat is someone similar to them.

Sexy doesn't always sell: When do beautiful models help? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT Having an attractive model shill for a product only helps influence sales in certain situations, according to a new study. It seems it all depends on the set-up for the advertising.

'Magical thinking' helps dieters cope with unrealistic expectations Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT 'Magical thinking', usually dismissed as naive and irrational, can actually help consumers cope with stressful situations like trying to lose weight, according to a new study.

How does identification with an organization enhance values? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Strongly identifying with an organization or workplace can change people's lives in profound ways, according to a new study.

Facebook friends? Group identity helps consumers remember ads Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT When consumers think about the groups they belong to, they recall ads better, according to a new study.

Animal instincts: Why do unhappy consumers prefer tactile sensations? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT A new study explains why sad people are more likely to want to hug a teddy bear than seek out a visual experience such as looking at art. Hint: it has to do with our mammalian instincts.

Progress using iPS cells to reverse blindness Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Researchers have used cutting-edge stem cell technology to correct a genetic defect present in a rare blinding disorder, another step on a promising path that may one day lead to therapies to reverse blindness caused by common retinal diseases.

Dating an ancient episode of severe global warming Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Using sophisticated methods of dating rocks, scientists have pinned down the timing of the start of an episode of an ancient global warming known as the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum, with implications for the triggering mechanism.

Anxious searchers miss multiple objects Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT A person scanning baggage or X-rays stands a better chance of seeing everything they're searching for if they aren't feeling anxious, according to a new laboratory experiment.

When singing mice choose a mate, a skillful song gets the gal Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Like rock stars of the rodent world, the flashiest performers of a Central American mouse species get the most attention from the ladies, a new study shows.

Health system achieves high flu vaccination rates by mandating masking Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Optimizing employee influenza vaccination rates has become a health care focus. Geisinger Health System vaccinated more than 92% of all employees against influenza this season, with a modification of a mandatory program. On average, fewer than half of all healthcare workers receive flu vaccinations.

Young adults struggle with online political participation Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Young adults who are web savvy, but lack knowledge about federal government, may struggle to use the web for political participation, according to researchers.

Type 2 diabetes decision support tool available Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:01 AM PDT A new computerized prescribing decision support tool – designed to assist in the guidance for the management of type 2 diabetes in adults in primary care – is now available to UK healthcare professionals.

Neutrinos change flavors while crossing Japan: Findings shed light on why universe is made of matter instead of anti-matter Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT By shooting a beam of neutrinos through a small slice of the Earth under Japan, physicists say they've caught the particles changing their stripes in new ways. These observations may one day help explain why the universe is made of matter rather than anti-matter.

Potential cause of severe sleep disorder discovered, implications for Parkinson's disease Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT Researchers have identified a potential cause for a severe sleep disorder that has been closely linked to Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

'Glowing hands' in the waiting room improves kids' handwashing Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT Hand-hygiene in children was improved with the use of a glowing gel that, when black lit, illustrates bacteria on hands, even after washing.

Study hints at antibiotic overuse in home-care patients Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT A study of Canadian home-care patients looks at the prescribing practices for receiving ongoing medical care at home. Younger home-care patients are more likely to receive antibiotics than older patients.

Fathers benefit from seeking help as parents Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT Men are sometimes criticized for being unwilling to ask for directions when they travel, but they can benefit from looking for help as they begin their journeys as fathers, according to a researcher on fatherhood. Along the way, they should not shy from asserting their roles, the researcher said.

MR enterography as effective as CT in diagnosing Crohn's disease, reduces radiation exposure, study suggests Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT A new study has found that MR enterography (MRE) without the use of an anti-peristaltic agent were as reliable as CT enterography in determining the presence of Crohn's disease. Additionally, MRE reduces the patient's exposure to ionizing radiation.

Scientists prove existence of 'magnetic ropes' that cause solar storms Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT Scientists discovered recently that a phenomenon called a giant magnetic rope is the cause of solar storms. Confirming the existence of this formation is a key first step in helping to mitigate the adverse effects that solar storm eruptions can have on satellite communications on Earth.

Important aspects of signaling across cell membranes in plants revealed Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT Every living plant cell and animal cell is surrounded by a membrane that helps it communicate with other cells and the outside world. These cellular membranes contain receptor molecules that serve as the cell's eyes and ears.

New marker to predict progressive kidney failure, death identified Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT A high level of a hormone that regulates phosphate is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure and death among chronic kidney disease patients, according to a recent study.

Using living cells as an 'invisibility cloak' to hide drugs Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT The quest for better ways of encapsulating medicine so that it can reach diseased parts of the body has led scientists to harness -- for the first time -- living human cells to produce natural capsules with channels for releasing drugs and diagnostic agents.

Evidence of a natural origin for banned drug that plumps up livestock Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT There may be a natural solution to the mystery of how small amounts of a banned drug that disrupts thyroid function and plumps up livestock gets into their bodies -- and the bodies of humans, scientists are reporting. Their study reports the first evidence that the substance can form naturally in feed and food.

First self-powered device with wireless data transmission Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT Scientists are reporting development of the first self-powered nano-device that can transmit data wirelessly over long distances. Researchers say it proves the feasibility of a futuristic genre of tiny implantable medical sensors, airborne and stationary surveillance cameras and sensors, wearable personal electronics, and other devices that operate independently without batteries on energy collected from the environment.

New sensor to measure structural stresses can heal itself when broken Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT Researchers have designed a sensor that can measure strain in structural materials and is capable of healing itself -- an important advance for collecting data to help us make informed decisions about structural safety in the wake of earthquakes, explosions or other unexpected events.

Report reveals immense burden of osteoporotic fractures in Europe Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT A new report reveals that the burden of fractures in Europe has been vastly underestimated. The report concludes that in Europe's five largest countries and Sweden alone, an estimated 2.5 million new fragility fractures occurred in 2010; fractures result in more costs and disability than many other common chronic diseases.