| Worm infection counters inflammatory bowel disease by drastically changing gut microbiome Posted: 14 Apr 2016 11:55 AM PDT Infection with worms counters inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) by triggering immune responses that change the mix of bacteria, or microbiome, in the gut. |
| Chemical composition of dust from beyond the solar system analyzed Posted: 14 Apr 2016 11:53 AM PDT A dust detector on the Cassini space probe -- known as the cosmic dust analyzer (CDA) -- has identified several extremely rare and minuscule particles of interstellar dust from outside our solar system, and examined their chemical composition. Surprisingly it turns out that the different dust particles are very similar in composition and have collected the whole element mix of the cosmos. The experts therefore suspect that dust is continually destroyed, reformed and thereby homogenized in the "witch's cauldron" of outer space. |
| Forest discovery: Trees trade carbon among each other Posted: 14 Apr 2016 11:47 AM PDT Forest trees use carbon not only for themselves; they also trade large quantities of it with their neighbors, botanists report. The extensive carbon trade among trees -- even among different species -- is conducted via symbiotic fungi in the soil. |
| Nanotubes assemble! Scientists introduce 'Teslaphoresis' Posted: 14 Apr 2016 08:42 AM PDT Researchers have used a modified Tesla coil to assemble nanoparticles into a wire from a distance. Their process, 'Teslaphoresis,' may be used for the self-assembly of nano- and macro-scale materials. |
| Plants force fungal partners to behave fairly Posted: 14 Apr 2016 08:41 AM PDT Plants react intelligently to their environment: if they can choose between more cooperative and less cooperative fungal partners, they supply the latter with fewer nutrients and thus force them to cooperate more. Based on these findings, scientists believe that plants could also be used to test market and behavioral theories. |
| Electrical brain stimulation enhances creativity Posted: 14 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Safe levels of electrical stimulation can enhance your capacity to think more creatively, according to a new study. |
| Complex ideas can enter consciousness automatically Posted: 14 Apr 2016 06:55 AM PDT New research provides further evidence for 'passive frame theory,' the groundbreaking idea that suggests human consciousness is less in control than previously believed. The study shows that even complex concepts, such as translating a word into pig latin, can enter your consciousness automatically, even when someone tells you to avoid thinking about it. The research provides the first evidence that even a small amount of training can cause unintentional, high-level symbol manipulation. |
| Recyclable, sugar-derived foam: A renewable alternative to traditional polyurethanes? Posted: 13 Apr 2016 08:33 AM PDT Polyurethanes in products from cushy sofas to stretchy spandex have made sitting, sleeping and walking more comfortable. But once they have served their purpose, most of the non-degradable materials pile up in landfills. Now scientists report a potential way to reduce future waste: a chemically recyclable foam made using a new sugar-derived material. |
| Robots could get 'touchy' with self-powered smart skin Posted: 13 Apr 2016 08:33 AM PDT Smart synthetic skins have the potential to allow robots to touch and sense what's around them, but keeping them powered up and highly sensitive at low cost has been a challenge. Now scientists report a self-powered, transparent smart skin that is simpler and less costly than many other versions that have been developed. |
