ScienceDaily: Top Science News

New therapy dramatically benefits stroke patients Posted: 11 Feb 2015 03:30 PM PST A clot retrieval procedure, known as endovascular treatment, can dramatically improve patient outcomes after an acute ischemic stroke. Overall, positive outcomes for patients increased from 30 per cent to 55 per cent. In many cases, instead of suffering major neurological disability, patients went home to resume their lives. The overall mortality rate was reduced from two in 10 patients for standard treatment of care to one in 10 patients -- a 50 per cent reduction with ET.

Link found in how cells start process necessary for life Posted: 11 Feb 2015 09:37 AM PST Researchers have found an RNA structure-based signal that spans billions of years of evolutionary divergence between different types of cells, according to a new study. The finding could alter the basic understanding of how two distinct life forms -- bacteria and eukaryotes -- begin the process of protein synthesis.

Novel 'smart' insulin automatically adjusts blood sugar in diabetic mouse model Posted: 09 Feb 2015 01:11 PM PST To mitigate the dangers inherent to insulin dosing, scientists have created a novel, long-lasting "smart" insulin that self-activates when blood sugar soars. Tests on mouse models for type 1 diabetes show that one injection works for a minimum of 14 hours, during which time it can repeatedly and automatically lower blood sugar levels after mice are given amounts of sugar comparable to what they would consume at mealtime.

Reduced rainfall in the northern tropics linked to industrial emissions, research suggests Posted: 09 Feb 2015 08:32 AM PST Scientists have produced a rainfall record strongly suggesting that man-made industrial emissions have contributed to less rainfall in the northern tropics. The research team reconstructed rainfall patterns stretching back more than 450 years by analysing the chemical composition of a stalagmite recovered from a cave in Belize, Central America.

Computer model of blood development could speed up search for new leukemia drugs Posted: 09 Feb 2015 08:32 AM PST The first comprehensive computer model to simulate the development of blood cells could help in the development of new treatments for leukemia and lymphoma, say researchers.