ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Voices in people's heads more complex than previously thought Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:57 PM PDT Voices in people's heads are far more varied and complex than previously thought. One of the largest and most detailed studies to date on the experience of auditory hallucinations, commonly referred to as voice hearing, found that the majority of voice-hearers hear multiple voices with distinct character-like qualities, with many also experiencing physical effects on their bodies. The study also confirmed that both people with and without psychiatric diagnoses hear voices.

Fractal patterns may uncover new line of attack on cancer Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:57 PM PDT Studying the intricate fractal patterns on the surface of cells could give researchers a new insight into the physical nature of cancer, and provide new ways of preventing the disease from developing.

Blue blood on ice: How an Antarctic octopus survives the cold Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:57 PM PDT An Antarctic octopus that lives in ice-cold water uses an unique strategy to transport oxygen in its blood, according to new research. The study suggests that the octopus's specialized blood pigments could help to make it more resilient to climate change than Antarctic fish and other species of octopus.

Fast-moving unbound star has broken the galactic speed record Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:56 PM PDT Astronomers have discovered the fastest ever unbound star in our galaxy. The unbound star, named US708, is traveling at 1,200 kilometers per second -- the fastest speed ever recorded for such an object in our galaxy -- meaning it is not held back by gravity and will eventually leave the Milky Way.

NASA's Soil Moisture Mapper takes first 'SMAPshots' Posted: 10 Mar 2015 02:50 PM PDT Fresh off the recent successful deployment of its 20-foot (6-meter) reflector antenna and associated boom arm, NASA's new Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory has successfully completed a two-day test of its science instruments.

New long-term earthquake forecast for California Posted: 10 Mar 2015 02:45 PM PDT A new California earthquake forecast by the U.S. Geological Survey and partners revises scientific estimates for the chances of having large earthquakes over the next several decades.

Researchers snap-shot fastest observations of superconductivity yet Posted: 10 Mar 2015 01:02 PM PDT An international team of researchers has used infinitely short light pulses to observe ultrafast changes in the electron-level properties of superconductors, setting a new standard for temporal resolution in the field.

Process for improving durability of glass identified Posted: 10 Mar 2015 01:02 PM PDT Researchers have identified a method for manufacturing longer-lasting and stronger forms of glass. The research could lead to more durable display screens, fiber optic cables, windows and other materials, including cement.

Move over Mozart: Study shows cats prefer their own beat Posted: 10 Mar 2015 01:00 PM PDT As more animal shelters, primate centers and zoos start to play music for their charges, it's still not clear whether and how human music affects animals. Now, a study shows that while cats ignore our music, they are highly responsive to "music" written especially for them.

Look, something shiny! How color images can influence consumers Posted: 10 Mar 2015 01:00 PM PDT When it comes to buying things, our brains can’t see the big, black-and-white forest for all the tiny, colorful trees. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which found that people who were shown product images in color were more likely to focus on small product details -- even superfluous ones -- instead of practical concerns such as cost and functionality.

Salt affects organs, even in absence of high blood pressure Posted: 10 Mar 2015 01:00 PM PDT Physicians have provided evidence that even in the absence of an increase in blood pressure, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys and brain.

Cost of care for a common prostate condition measured for the first time Posted: 10 Mar 2015 11:39 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have described cost across an entire care process for a common condition called benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) using time-driven activity-based costing. They found a 400 percent discrepancy between the least and most expensive ways to treat the condition.

Injectable polymer could keep soldiers, trauma patients from bleeding to death Posted: 10 Mar 2015 11:39 AM PDT A new injectable polymer that strengthens blood clots, called PolySTAT, has been created by researchers. Administered in a simple shot, the polymer finds unseen injuries and has the potential to keep trauma patients from bleeding to death before reaching medical care.

'Sugar papers' reveal industry role in 1970s U.S. National Caries Program, analysis shows Posted: 10 Mar 2015 11:39 AM PDT A newly discovered cache of industry documents reveals that the sugar industry worked closely with the National Institutes of Health in the 1960s and '70s to develop a federal research program focused on approaches other than sugar reduction to prevent tooth decay in American children.

New model of cybercrime factors in perishability of stolen data Posted: 10 Mar 2015 10:19 AM PDT A new model examining cybercrimes adds an important way of examining the perishable value of stolen data so policy makers can plan against future hacks like the recent Anthem data breach, according to a new study.

Non-hooked birds: how to avoid seabird bycatch in the Mediterranean? Posted: 10 Mar 2015 10:19 AM PDT Night setting; bird scaring lines; weighted branchlines that sink rapidly; fish offal and bait covered on board so it doesn't attract seabirds to the boats; deck lights kept at the minimum level, and discards not thrown back into the sea. These are some of the best strategies to avoid seabird bycatch in longline fisheries in the Mediterranean, according to researchers.

UK skies set to dim in decade's deepest solar eclipse Posted: 10 Mar 2015 10:19 AM PDT On 20 March a total eclipse of the Sun will take place, visible from the North Atlantic Ocean. Observers in the UK and Ireland will see a partial solar eclipse, with up to 97% of the Sun blocked out. This will be the deepest eclipse in the UK since 1999 and until 2026.

New formula for identifying suitable graphene substrate Posted: 10 Mar 2015 10:19 AM PDT Physicists have developed a criterion with which scientists can seek suitable substrate materials for graphene in a targeted way. Interactions with the substrate material often lead to a loss of the amazing properties that characterize this special form of carbon. Together with partners at other institutions, the scientists were able to demonstrate that the influence exerted by the substrate on the electronic properties of graphene can be estimated by means of a simple structural parameter.

Alarms in cars could cut crash rates Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:36 AM PDT An in-car alarm that sounds when sensors on the vehicle detect an imminent crash could cut crash rates from one in five to one in 10 for drivers over the of 60 suffering tiredness on long journeys, according to a study.

Disease poses risk to chimpanzee conservation, study finds Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:36 AM PDT Infectious disease spillover, including from humans to animals, poses risk to the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park, where Jane Goodall began her pioneering behavioral research in 1960.

'Digitizing' crosstalk among heart cells may help locate epicenters of heart rhythms Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:35 AM PDT A mathematical model has been developed to measure and digitally map the beat-sustaining electrical flow between heart cells. "Successful arrhythmia treatment depends on correctly identifying the epicenter of the malfunction," the lead investigator says. "We cannot begin to develop such precision-targeted therapies without understanding the exact nature of the malfunction and its precise location. This new model is a first step toward doing so."

Fading orange-red in Van Gogh's paintings Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:35 AM PDT Red lead is most familiar to us in orange-red rustproof paint. Artists have treasured the brilliant color of this pigment for their paintings since ancient times. However, various aging processes cause discoloration of the saturated hue over time. Thanks to a combination of X-ray diffraction mapping and tomography experiments, scientists have now explained an additional step in the light-induced degradation of lead red.

ACL injuries in female athletes traced to genes Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:35 AM PDT Female athletes endure two to eight times more anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injuries than their male counterparts. Genes are likely a major factor, according to researchers.

Natural language processing accurately tracks colonoscopy quality Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT An accurate system for tracking the quality of colonoscopies and determining the appropriate intervals between these procedures could contribute to both better health outcomes and lower costs. Clinician-researchers have created and tested such a system in the nation's first multiple institution colonoscopy quality measurement study utilizing natural language processing and report that it is as accurate but less expensive than human review.

Microbial soil cleanup at Fukushima Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT Proteins from salt-loving, halophilic, microbes could be the key to cleaning up leaked radioactive strontium and caesium ions from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant incident in Japan.

Combination therapy best for low-grade brain tumors, clinical trial suggests Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT Combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy is the best treatment for people with a low-grade form of brain cancer, mew clinical-trial findings suggest, providing further evidence to support this approach.

Same forces as today caused climate changes 1.4 billion years ago Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT Natural forces have always caused the climate on Earth to fluctuate. Now researchers have found geological evidence that some of the same forces as today were at play 1.4 billion years ago.

Concept of hibernation challenged: Bat species is first mammal found hibernating at constant warm temperatures Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT The Middle East, with temperate winters, was until recently considered an unlikely host for hibernating mammals. Now new research is set to change the very concept of hibernation. Researchers discovered two species of the mouse-tailed bat that hibernate at the unusually warm and constant temperature of about 68°F in caves in Israel's Great Rift Valley.

Risk of motor vehicle accidents is higher in people with sleep apnea Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:33 AM PDT A new study finds that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a significantly increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, and this risk is reduced when sleep apnea is treated effectively using continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

Scientists open door for asthma cure Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:32 AM PDT Scientists have identified a way to target a recently discovered cell type that causes asthma, paving the way to cure the chronic respiratory disease that affects 25 million Americans.

Mid-IR frequency combs enable high resolution spectroscopy for sensitive and accurate gas sensing Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:32 AM PDT Scientists have developed a frequency comb light source in the mid-IR wavelength band. These frequency comb light sources with an extended spectrum can be used for real-time, extremely high resolution spectroscopy, e.g. to measure the presence and concentration of gas molecules in analytes.

Being 'laid off' leads to a decade of distrust Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:32 AM PDT People who lose their jobs are less willing to trust others for up to a decade after being laid-off, according to new research. The author finds that being made redundant from your job not only makes people less willing to trust others but that this increased distrust and cynicism lasts for years after being forced out of work. It also finds that far from dissipating over time, an individual can remain distrustful of others even after they find a new job.

The chameleon reorganizes its nanocrystals to change colors Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT Many chameleons have the remarkable ability to exhibit complex and rapid color changes during social interactions. Biologists have now unveiled the mechanisms that regulate this phenomenon. They have demonstrated that the changes take place via the active tuning of a lattice of nanocrystals present in a superficial layer of dermal cells called iridophores. The researchers also reveal the existence of a deeper population of iridophores with larger and less ordered crystals that reflect the infrared light. The organisation of iridophores into two superimposed layers constitutes an evolutionary novelty and it allows the chameleons to rapidly shift between efficient camouflage and spectacular display, while providing passive thermal protection.

Stopping the revolving door: Study finds sepsis survivors return to hospital for preventable reasons Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT They're alive thanks to the most advanced care modern hospitals can provide. But for survivors of sepsis, the hospital door often looks like a revolving one, a new study shows. And many of the conditions that send them back to a hospital bed should be preventable.

High performance, lightweight supercapacitor electrodes of the future Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT Many scientists are working to develop green, lightweight, low-cost supercapacitors with high performance, and now two researchers have developed a novel supercapacitor electrode based on a hybrid nanostructure made from a hybrid nickel oxide-iron oxide exterior shell and a conductive iron-nickel core. Its core/shell structure could mean faster charging time and longer battery life in electric vehicles and portable electronics.

New thin-film material synthesized for use in fuel cells Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT Researchers have synthesized a new thin-film catalyst for use in fuel cells.They report the first-ever epitaxial thin-film growth of Bi2Pt2O7 pyrochlore, which could act as a more effective cathode -- a fundamental electrode component of fuel cells from which positive current flows through an external circuit delivering electric power.

Predicting the extent of flash flooding Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT Devastating floodwaters such as those experienced during Iowa's Flood of 2008 are notoriously difficult to predict. So a team of mathematicians and hydrologists have set out to gain a better understanding of flood genesis and the factors impacting it. They were able to do this by zeroing in on the impacts of certain rainfall patterns at the smallest unit of a river basin: the hillslope scale.

Outcomes for surgical vs non-surgical treatment of broken shoulder Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:31 AM PDT Among patients with a displaced fracture in the upper arm near the shoulder (proximal humeral), there was no significant difference between surgical treatment and nonsurgical treatment in patient-reported outcomes over two years following the fracture, results that do not support the trend of increased surgery for patients with this type of fracture, according to a study.

Outcomes for Patients One Year After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT In an analysis of outcomes of about 12,000 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement, death rate after one year was nearly one in four; of those alive at 12 months, almost half had not been rehospitalized and approximately 25 percent had only one hospitalization, according to a new study.

Lower prevalence of diabetes found among patients with inherited high cholesterol disorder Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among 25,000 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic disorder characterized by high low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol levels) was significantly lower than among unaffected relatives, with the prevalence varying by the type of gene mutation, according to a study.

Repeated exposure of children to secondhand smoke is child abuse, expert argues Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT Purposefully and repeatedly exposing children to secondhand smoke -- a known human carcinogen -- is child abuse, according to an opinion piece written by a physician expert.

Custom blood cells engineered by researchers Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT Researchers have successfully corrected a genetic error in stem cells from patients with sickle cell disease, and then used those cells to grow mature red blood cells, they report. The study represents an important step toward more effectively treating certain patients with sickle cell disease who need frequent blood transfusions and currently have few options.

March Madness brackets: Flipping a coin is your best bet Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT Each year, millions of people lose billions of dollars in NCAA March Madness basketball pools. Still, most return the following year for another pummeling.

New approach combines biomass conversion, solar energy conversion Posted: 10 Mar 2015 09:30 AM PDT A new approach to combine solar energy conversion and biomass conversion has been presented by researchers. These are two important research areas for renewable energy, they say.

Dermacentor limbooliati: New tick species from Malaysia, Vietnam Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:53 AM PDT A new tick species found in Malaysia and Vietnam was recently discovered in the United States National Tick Collection by researchers in Georgia.

CEO bonuses could cost companies in the long term Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:53 AM PDT The culture of CEO bonus payments creates a mentality where executives chase quick wins and short term strategies, which are often not in the best interest of companies.

Small eddies produce global effects on climate change Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:53 AM PDT The increasing strength of winds over the Southern Ocean has extended its ability to absorb carbon dioxide, effectively delaying the impacts of global warming. New research found the intensifying wind over that ocean increased the speed and energy of eddies and jets. The increased movement and overturning of these eddies and jets has accelerated the carbon cycle and driven more heat into the deep ocean.

Work-family conflict linked to verbal abuse Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:53 AM PDT People whose family life regularly interferes with their job are more likely to become emotionally exhausted and, in turn, verbally abusive to co-workers and loved ones, a new study indicates.

Autism risk genes also linked to higher intelligence Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Genes linked with a greater risk of developing autism may also be associated with higher intelligence, a study suggests.

Friction means Antarctic glaciers more sensitive to climate change than we thought Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT A new study finds that incorporating Coulomb friction into computer models increases the sensitivity of Antarctic ice sheets to temperature perturbations driven by climate change.

New approach to HIV management in Tanzania and Zambia reduces deaths by almost one-third Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT A new approach to care for patients with advanced HIV in Tanzania and Zambia combining community support and screening for a type of meningitis has reduced deaths by 28 percent, according to research.

Engineered cells could help tackle third most common cancer in Chinese males Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT A new method of genetically engineering immune cells could lead to improved treatment of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, researchers believe.

High levels of vitamin D is suspected of increasing mortality rates Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT The level of vitamin D in our blood should neither be too high nor to low. Scientists have now shown that there is a connection between high levels of vitamin D and cardiovascular deaths.

Tiny glassy snails discovered in caves of Northern Spain Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Two new species of tiny subterranean snails enrich the biodiversity of Northern Spain. Zospeum vasconicum and Zospeum zaldivarae belong to a group of blind, diaphanous snails known to inhabit caves from Northern Spain to the Dinaric Alps of former Yugoslavia. The two new rare snail species inhabit moist, muddy cave walls.

Tiny new fossil helps rewrite crab evolution, sheds lights on late Jurassic marine world Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT A new article describes a 150-million-year-old crab larva fossil specimen from southern Germany. The fossil provides critical evidence for understanding the early rise of crabs.

Design, build of synthetic DNA goes back to 'BASIC' Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:48 AM PDT A new technique for creating artificial DNA that is faster, more accurate and more flexible than existing methods has been developed by scientists.

New carbon accounting method proposed Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:48 AM PDT Established ways of measuring carbon emissions can sometimes give misleading feedback on how national policies affect global emissions. In some cases, countries are even rewarded for policies that increase global emissions, and punished for policies that contribute to reducing them. Consumption-based accounting, also known as carbon footprints, has been suggested as an alternative to today's production-based accounting

Extracting useful raw materials from fish and plant waste Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:47 AM PDT New industrial processing techniques are enabling us to obtain valuable proteins, antioxidants and oils from salmon and rapeseed waste. These extracts can be used in health foods, nutritional supplements and skin care products. The EU project APROPOS has had as its aim to demonstrate the value inherent in waste food resources which are currently used mostly for animal feed.

New electronic clinical decision support tool standardizes care for pneumonia patients and save lives, new study finds Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:47 AM PDT Using advanced clinical decision support tools reduces mortality for the 1.1 million patients in the Unites States who are treated for pneumonia each year.

Committing 'gamblers fallacy' may be in the cards, new research shows Posted: 10 Mar 2015 06:15 AM PDT It's called the gambler's fallacy: After a long streak of losses, you feel you are going to win. But in reality, your odds of winning are no different than they were before. For years, the gambler's fallacy has been thought to be a prime example of human irrationality, but a new study suggests that our brains naturally soak up the strange statistics of random sequences.