ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, March 16, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, March 16, 2012

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Wild orangutans stressed by eco-tourists, but not for long, study out of North Borneo finds (March 15, 2012) -- Wild orangutans that have come into contact with eco-tourists over a period of years show an immediate stress response but no signs of chronic stress, unlike other species in which permanent alterations in stress responses have been documented, new research from an Indiana University anthropologist has found. ... > full story

Process makes polymers truly plastic, changing textures on demand (March 15, 2012) -- Just as a chameleon changes its color to blend in with its environment, engineers have demonstrated for the first time that they can alter the texture of plastics on demand, for example, switching back and forth between a rough surface and a smooth one. ... > full story

A wandering mind reveals mental processes and priorities (March 15, 2012) -- Odds are, you’re not going to make it all the way through this article without thinking about something else. In fact, studies have found that our minds are wandering half the time, drifting off to thoughts unrelated to what we’re doing – did I remember to turn off the light? What should I have for dinner? ... > full story

Graphene supercapacitor holds promise for portable electronics (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have used a standard LightScribe DVD optical drive to produce electrodes composed of an expanded network of graphene that shows excellent mechanical and electrical properties as well as exceptionally high surface area. These LSG supercapacitors demonstrate high-performance graphene-based electrochemical capacitors that maintain excellent electrochemical attributes under high mechanical stress and may be ideal energy storage systems for next generation flexible, portable electronics. ... > full story

Was human evolution caused by climate change? (March 15, 2012) -- Models of how animal and plant distributions are affected by climate change may also explain aspects of human evolution. ... > full story

Sex-deprived fruit flies turn to alcohol, perhaps to fulfill a physiological demand for a reward (March 15, 2012) -- After being deprived of sex, male fruit flies may turn to alcohol to fulfill a physiological demand for a reward, according to a new study. Neurobiology experts say that understanding why rejected male flies find solace in ethanol could help treat human addictions. ... > full story

Implanted Biofuel Cell Operating in Living Snail (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have implanted a biofuel cell in a living snail. This is the first incidence of an implanted biofuel cell continuously operating in a snail and producing electrical power over a long period of time using the snail's physiologically produced glucose as a fuel. ... > full story

With climate change, US could face risk from Chagas disease (March 15, 2012) -- People in the US may be at higher risk for Chagas disease than previously understood. A new study finds that 38 percent of kissing bugs collected in Arizona and California contained human blood and that more than 50 percent of the bugs also carried the parasite that causes this life-threatening disease. This upends the view that US kissing bug species don't regularly feed on people and suggests that Chagas could spread, driven north by climate change. ... > full story

Hotspots for biogenesis of small RNA molecules in plant cells discovered (March 15, 2012) -- Throughout their life, plants form leaves and side roots. These two types of organs have something in common: their development is finely tuned by small regulatory RNA molecules, the trans-acting short interfering RNAs (ta-siRNAs). Scientists were now able to demonstrate how and where within the plant cell these ta-siRNAs are produced. They succeeded in identifying hotspots for the biogenesis of these special RNA molecules. ... > full story

Basketball-sized eyes help squids play defense (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have used complex computations to explain squids' massive peepers. Giant squids' 10-inch eyes allow them to see very large and hungry sperm whales from a distance in the pitch darkness of their deep-sea home. ... > full story

Protein researchers unravel the molecular dance of DNA repair (March 15, 2012) -- Using state-of-the-art technology, scientists have successfully obtained "molecular snapshots" of tens of thousands processes involved in DNA damage repair. The results will help unravel exactly how cells repair their broken DNA, how chemotherapy affects cells' workings and will assist in the discovery of new drugs with fewer side effects. ... > full story

Revolution in personalized medicine: First-ever integrative 'Omics' profile lets scientist discover, track his diabetes onset (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have reached an unprecedented analysis in the field of personalized medicine. Their findings rely on collecting and analyzing billions of individual bits of data, an integrative Personal "Omics" Profile, or iPOP. "Omics" indicates the study of a body of information, such as the genome or the proteome. The iPOP can identify and predict myriad problems including diabetes, and researchers say that such dynamic monitoring will soon become commonplace. ... > full story

Rising ocean temperatures harm protected coral reefs (March 15, 2012) -- Special conservation zones known as marine protected areas provide many direct benefits to fisheries and coral reefs. However, such zones appear to offer limited help to corals in their battle against global warming, according to a new study. ... > full story

Researchers create more efficient hydrogen fuel cells (March 15, 2012) -- Hydrogen fuel cells, like those found in some "green" vehicles, have a lot of promise as an alternative fuel source, but making them practical on a large scale requires them to be more efficient and cost effective. Scientists may have now found a way around both hurdles. ... > full story

The power of being heard: Group with less power benefits more from sharing its perspective (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have shown that when it comes to intergroup conflict, the group with less power benefits more from sharing its perspective. ... > full story

Cell phone use in pregnancy may cause behavioral disorders in offspring, mouse study suggests (March 15, 2012) -- Exposure to radiation from cell phones during pregnancy affects the brain development of offspring, potentially leading to hyperactivity, researchers have determined. ... > full story

Animal health breakthrough: Research uncovers genetic marker that could help control, eliminate PRRS virus (March 15, 2012) -- Scientists have recently discovered a genetic marker that identifies pigs with reduced susceptibility to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, or PRRS. The discovery may improve animal health and save the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars each year. ... > full story

Research examines momentum in the NFL (March 15, 2012) -- Is the existence and effect of momentum real, or is it a sports superstition? New research analyzes five years’ worth of plays in the NFL. ... > full story

Cheaper drugs and better health care with a single chip (March 15, 2012) -- A researcher is developing technologies to miniaturize the first phase of a process used by pharmaceutical companies to discover new drugs. A breakthrough could ultimately lead to personalized and therefore more effective medical treatments, as well as major health care savings. ... > full story

Inner workings of magnets may lead to faster computers (March 15, 2012) -- Using the world's fastest light source -- specialized X-ray lasers -- scientists have revealed the secret inner life of magnets, a finding that could lead to faster and "smarter" computers. ... > full story

Vineyard records link early grape ripening to climate change (March 15, 2012) -- By using decades of vineyard records, scientists have for the first time been able to attribute early ripening of wine grapes to climate warming and declines in soil water content. ... > full story

Diverse catches are better for fishery ecosystems (March 15, 2012) -- Fishing for a "balanced harvest" can achieve productive fisheries as well as environmental conservation, an international scientific team reports. ... > full story

Clash of the crayfish: Why the Americans are winning (March 15, 2012) -- Aggressive American signal crayfish are threatening Britain's native white-clawed crayfish populations because they have better resistance to parasites and are less fussy about what they eat. ... > full story

Solitary waves induce waveguide that can split light beams (March 15, 2012) -- Scientists have performed simulations to help understand the occurrence of multiple solitary optical waves that are used to reconfigure optical beams. Researchers have designed the first theoretical model that describes the occurrence of multiple solitary optical waves, referred to as dark photovoltaic spatial solitons. ... > full story

First atomic hydrogen spectral line images of a nearby galaxy (March 15, 2012) -- Astronomers have now observed the radio emission from the neutral hydrogen gas (HI) in a nearby galaxy. Hydrogen gas emits radio emission in a spectral line at a very specific frequency of 1420 MHz. ... > full story

Cold atoms simulate graphene (March 15, 2012) -- Physicists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov from Manchester University were the first to isolate and identify graphene in 2004. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, which form a two-dimensional honeycomb structure. This makes graphene an exceptionally good conductor, of great interest for future electronic devices. Physicists have now simulated graphene in order to better understand its amazing properties. The newly created tool now offers new options in the search for useful materials. ... > full story

Believing the impossible: No evidence for existence of psychic ability found (March 15, 2012) -- Research failing to find evidence for the existence of psychic ability has been published, following a year of industry debate. ... > full story

Dietary cadmium may be linked with breast cancer risk (March 15, 2012) -- Dietary cadmium, a toxic metal widely dispersed in the environment and found in many farm fertilizers, may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a new study. Cadmium occurs at low concentrations naturally, but scientists are concerned because contamination of farmland mainly due to atmospheric deposition and use of fertilizers leads to higher uptake in plants. Consuming whole grains and vegetables may counteract the effects. ... > full story

Recent generations focus more on fame, money than giving back (March 15, 2012) -- The times are changing, and not necessarily for the better when it comes to giving back to society, according to 40 years of research on 9 million young adults. Since the baby boomer generation, there has been a significant decline among young Americans in political participation, concern for others and interest in saving the environment, according to a new study. ... > full story

Plants 'remember' drought, change responses to survive (March 15, 2012) -- Plants subjected to a previous period of drought learn to deal with the stress thanks to their memories of the previous experience, new research has found. The findings could lead to development of crops better able to withstand drought. ... > full story

Hubble finds quasars acting as gravitational lenses (March 15, 2012) -- Astronomers have found several examples of galaxies containing quasars, which act as gravitational lenses, amplifying and distorting images of galaxies aligned behind them. ... > full story

NASA sub-scale solid-rocket motor tests material for Space Launch System (March 15, 2012) -- A sub-scale solid rocket motor designed to mimic NASA's Space Launch System, or SLS, booster design successfully was tested today by engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The 20-second firing tested new insulation materials on the 24-inch-diameter, 109-inch-long motor. The motor is a scaled down, low-cost replica of the solid rocket motors that will boost SLS off the launch pad. ... > full story

Silicon-carbon electrodes snap, swell, don't pop (March 14, 2012) -- A new study that examines a new type of silicon-carbon nanocomposite electrode reveals details of how they function and how repeated use could wear them down. The study also provides clues to why this material performs better than silicon alone. ... > full story

Health groups issue cervical cancer screening guidelines (March 14, 2012) -- A coalition of three health groups has released new guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The guidelines generally advise a reduction in the number of tests women get over their lifetime to better ensure that they receive the benefits of testing while minimizing the harms. ... > full story

How to best help your child lose weight: Lose weight yourself (March 14, 2012) -- A parent's weight change is a key contributor to the success of a child's weight loss in family-based treatment of childhood obesity. ... > full story

Scientists identify neural activity sequences that help form memory, decision-making (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have used a novel virtual reality and brain imaging system to detect a form of neural activity underlying how the brain forms short-term memories that are used in making decisions. ... > full story

Loss of appetite deciphered in brain cell circuit (March 14, 2012) -- A brain circuit has been deciphered that mediates loss of appetite in mice. Potential therapeutic targets were discovered within the cell-signaling pathway. The results may be valuable in developing new treatments for such eating disorders as persistent nausea, food aversions, and anorexia nervosa. ... > full story

Evidence builds that meditation strengthens the brain (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have found that long-term meditators have larger amounts of gyrification ("folding" of the cortex, which may allow the brain to process information faster) then non-meditators. Further, a correlation was found between the amount of gyrification and the number of meditation years, possibly providing further proof of the brain's neuroplasticity. ... > full story

Alleged robo-calling may have significantly impacted voting (March 14, 2012) -- An economist finds that robo-calling, if the phenomenon did occur, could have significantly influenced voter turnout and ballot results in the last federal election. Elections Canada is investigating New Democrat and Liberal party allegations that the Conservatives hired companies to robo-call voters in ridings across Canada, thereby influencing the Tories' 2011 federal election win. ... > full story

Corn insecticide linked to great die-off of beneficial honeybees (March 14, 2012) -- New research has linked springtime die-offs of honeybees critical for pollinating food crops -- part of the mysterious malady called colony collapse disorder -- with technology for planting corn coated with insecticides. The study appears on the eve of spring planting seasons in some parts of Europe where farmers use the technology and widespread deaths of honeybees have occurred in the past. ... > full story

Lack of sleep may increase calorie consumption (March 14, 2012) -- If you don't get enough sleep, you may also eat too much -- and thus be more likely to become obese. ... > full story

Eye health is related to brain health (March 14, 2012) -- People with mild vascular disease that causes damage to the retina in the eye are more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills because they may also have vascular disease in the brain, according to a new study. ... > full story

Killer silk: Making silk fibers that kill anthrax and other microbes in minutes (March 14, 2012) -- A simple, inexpensive dip-and-dry treatment can convert ordinary silk into a fabric that kills disease-causing bacteria -- even the armor-coated spores of microbes like anthrax -- in minutes. Researchers describe a range of potential uses for this new killer silk, including make-shift curtains and other protective coatings that protect homes and other buildings in the event of a terrorist attack with anthrax. ... > full story

Researchers send 'wireless' message using a beam of neutrinos (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists have for the first time sent a message using a beam of neutrinos -- nearly massless particles that travel at almost the speed of light. The message was sent through 240 meters of stone and said simply, "Neutrino." ... > full story

NASA releases new WISE mission catalog of entire infrared sky (March 14, 2012) -- NASA has unveiled a new atlas and catalog of the entire infrared sky showing more than a half billion stars, galaxies and other objects captured by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. ... > full story

Evolutionary surprise: Developmental 'scaffold' for vertebrate brain found in brainless marine worm (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists report finding some of the genetic processes that regulate vertebrate brain development in the acorn worm, a brainless, burrowing marine invertebrate. ... > full story

Molecular graphene heralds new era of 'designer electrons' (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have created the first-ever system of "designer electrons" -- exotic variants of ordinary electrons with tunable properties that may ultimately lead to new types of materials and devices. Their first examples were hand-crafted, honeycomb-shaped structures inspired by graphene. ... > full story

Scientists discover drug side effects, interactions using new computer algorithm (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have devised a computer algorithm that enabled them to swiftly sift through millions of reports to the US Food and Drug Administration by patients and their physicians and identify "true" drug side effects. The method also identified previously unsuspected interactions between pairs of drugs, notably that antidepressants called SSRIs interact with a common blood pressure medication to significantly increase the risk of a potentially deadly heart condition. ... > full story