ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• Young children form first impressions from faces
• 'Dimer Molecules' Aid Study of Exoplanet Pressure, Hunt for Life
• Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones
• Spiral galaxy spills blood and guts
• Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research
• Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating
• Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty
• Physics in 3-D? That's nothing: Try 0-D
• IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project
• Solution to planet-clogging plastics? Fully compostable bioplastic made from shrimp shells used to make objects
• What makes flying snakes such gifted gliders?
• Fish bioluminescence: Distinctive flashing patterns might facilitate fish mating
• Native American city on the Mississippi was America's first 'melting pot'
• Virtual bees help to unravel complex causes of colony decline
• 30,000 year-old giant virus found in Siberia
• Not even freezing cold stops invasive species in high altitudes
• Complex plant behavior? In fight against parasites, Barberry sacrifices seeds depending on survival chance
• Do bedroom televisions contribute to youth obesity?
• Greater music dynamics in shoebox-shaped concert halls
• How ancient Greek plays allow us to reconstruct Europe's climate
• Black hawks downed: Bird threat to U.S. military helicopters revealed
• Relativity shakes a magnet: New principle for magnetic recording
• Peat soils as gigantic batteries
• Study reveals how dogs detect explosives, offers new training recommendations

Young children form first impressions from faces Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Just like adults, children as young as 3 tend to judge an individual's character traits, such as trustworthiness and competence, simply by looking at the person's face, new research shows. And they show remarkable consensus in the judgments they make, the findings suggest. Overall, children seemed to be most consistent in judging trustworthiness. This suggests that children may tend to pay particular attention to the demeanor of a face -- that is, whether it is broadly positive or negative.

'Dimer Molecules' Aid Study of Exoplanet Pressure, Hunt for Life Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST Astronomers have developed a new method of gauging the atmospheric pressure of exoplanets, or worlds beyond the solar system, by looking for a certain type of molecule. And if there is life out in space, scientists may one day use this same technique to detect its biosignature — the telltale chemical signs of its presence — in the atmosphere of an alien world.

Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST Using pure silk protein derived from silkworm cocoons, investigators have developed surgical plates and screws that offer improved remodeling following injury and can be absorbed by the body over time. When a person suffers a broken bone, current treatment calls for the surgeon to insert screws and plates to help bond the broken sections and enable the fracture to heal. These "fixation devices" are usually made of metal alloys. But metal devices may have disadvantages: Because they are stiff and unyielding, they can cause stress to underlying bone, among other problems.

Spiral galaxy spills blood and guts Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST A new Hubble image shows spiral galaxy ESO 137-001, framed against a bright background as it moves through the heart of galaxy cluster Abell 3627. This cluster is violently ripping the spiral's entrails out into space, leaving bright blue streaks as telltale clues to this cosmic crime.

Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Whether it is playing a piano sonata or acing a tennis serve, the brain needs to orchestrate precise, coordinated control over the body's many muscles. Moreover, there needs to be some kind of feedback from the senses should any of those movements go wrong. A team of researchers has now begun to unravel the decades-spanning paradox concerning how this feedback system works.

Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Two strains of rats, cans of vanilla frosting and a theory have brought science a step closer to finding the genetic causes of binge eating and eventually a treatment. Females are primarily effected by eating disorders with a ratio of only one male for every ten women. These disorders can last for years. During this timeframe, effective treatment is critical since eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And if it doesn't kill, the damage it wreaks can be irreversible. By using different types of female rats, the scientists have effectively reduced the high number of genes that could be implicated in a binge eating disorder, and dramatically narrowed the areas for further research.

Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Colorful, see-through solar cells could one day be used to make stained-glass windows, decorations and even shades that turn the sun's energy into electricity.

Physics in 3-D? That's nothing: Try 0-D Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST Zero-dimensional quantum dots could someday have a big effect on a variety of technologies, such as solar energy, lasers and medical diagnostics. This latest discovery is all about going small, but its significance is anything but. The research team's ability to control the confinement energy by varying the size of the quantum dot opens up a world of possibilities.

IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:55 AM PST In the spring of 2013, a team of researchers and doctors performed the last of nine planned uterus transplants. The six-month follow up shows that live-donor uterus transplantation has a low risk despite extended surgery duration. In the next phase of the world-unique research project researchers will help seven of the women become pregnant through IVF treatment. The project is the world's first systematic and research-based attempt to find a treatment for women with uterine infertility. Several medical, psychological and quality of life-related parameters are monitored among the women, which will be of great help for further progress in the field.

Solution to planet-clogging plastics? Fully compostable bioplastic made from shrimp shells used to make objects Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST Researchers have developed a method to carry out large-scale manufacturing of everyday objects using a fully degradable bioplastic isolated from shrimp shells. The objects exhibit many of the same properties as those created with synthetic plastics, but without the environmental threat. It also trumps most bioplastics on the market today in posing absolutely no threat to trees or competition with the food supply.

What makes flying snakes such gifted gliders? Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:31 AM PST They slither, they hiss, they… fly? Don't let their wingless bodies fool you —- some snakes can glide as far as 100 feet through the air, jumping off tree branches and rotating their ribs to flatten their bodies and move from side to side. New research investigates the workings behind the flight and whether they can be applied to mechanical issues.

Fish bioluminescence: Distinctive flashing patterns might facilitate fish mating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:51 AM PST Scientists have shown for the first time that deep-sea fishes that use bioluminescence for communication are diversifying into different species faster than other glowing fishes that use light for camouflage. The new research indicates that bioluminescence -- a phenomenon in which animals generate visible light through a chemical reaction -- could promote communication and mating in the open ocean, an environment with few barriers to reproduction.

Native American city on the Mississippi was America's first 'melting pot' Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:50 AM PST New evidence establishes for the first time that Cahokia, a sprawling, pre-Columbian city situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, hosted a sizable population of immigrants. Cahokia was an early experiment in urban life, researchers say.

Virtual bees help to unravel complex causes of colony decline Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:48 AM PST Scientists have created an ingenious computer model that simulates a honey bee colony over the course of several years. The model was created to investigate the losses of honeybee colonies that have been reported in recent years and to identify the best course of action for improving honeybee health.

30,000 year-old giant virus found in Siberia Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:14 AM PST A new type of giant virus called "Pithovirus" has been discovered in the frozen ground of extreme north-eastern Siberia. Buried underground, this giant virus, which is harmless to humans and animals, has survived being frozen for more than 30,000 years. Although its size and amphora shape are reminiscent of Pandoravirus, analysis of its genome and replication mechanism proves that Pithovirus is very different. This work brings to three the number of distinct families of giant viruses.

Not even freezing cold stops invasive species in high altitudes Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:14 AM PST They hitchhike with us under the soles of our shoes and muddy car tires. Harsh and cold climates don't seem to stop alien plants from establishing themselves in high altitudes, where they now successfully penetrate the alpine vegetation. Mountains have so far been seen as the last natural ports of refuge, where alien species should have difficulties to establish themselves due to the harsh climate. They have been thought to be outnumbered by alpine plants adapted to survive cold, wind and short summers.

Complex plant behavior? In fight against parasites, Barberry sacrifices seeds depending on survival chance Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST Plants appear to be able to make complex decisions. At least this is what scientists have concluded from their investigations on Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), which is able to abort its own seeds to prevent parasite infestation. The results are the first ecological evidence of complex behavior in plants. They indicate that this species has a structural memory, is able to differentiate between inner and outer conditions as well as anticipate future risks, scientists say.

Do bedroom televisions contribute to youth obesity? Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST Does having a television in the bedroom contribute to youth weight gain? In a recent American national study, researchers found that having a bedroom television was a significant predictor of adolescent weight gain. "This study suggests that removing bedroom TVs is an important step in our nation's fight against child obesity. We found that adolescents with a TV in their bedroom gained about 1 extra pound a year, compared to those without one, even after accounting for hours of TV watched each day and socioeconomic factors," said study's first author.

Greater music dynamics in shoebox-shaped concert halls Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:34 AM PST Researchers in Finland have found that music is perceived to have greater dynamic range in rectangular, shoebox shaped concert halls than in other types of halls.

How ancient Greek plays allow us to reconstruct Europe's climate Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST The open air plays of the ancient Greeks may offer us a valuable insight into the Mediterranean climate of the time, reports new research. Using historical observations from artwork and plays, scientists identified 'halcyon days', of theater friendly weather in mid-winter.

Black hawks downed: Bird threat to U.S. military helicopters revealed Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST Rotary-wing aircraft, such as Apache and Chinook helicopters, play vital combat and logistical roles across the U.S. military services, but new research reveals how vulnerable these aircraft are to wildlife strikes. Many types of aircraft are vulnerable to strikes, estimated to cost the aviation industry $1.2 billion worldwide per year; however, to date no assessment of strikes to military rotary-wing aircraft has been conducted.

Relativity shakes a magnet: New principle for magnetic recording Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:35 AM PST Scientists have predicted and discovered a new physical phenomenon that allows to manipulate the state of a magnet by electric signals. Current technologies for writing, storing, and reading information are either charge-based or spin-based. Semiconductor flash or random access memories are prime examples among the large variety of charge-based devices. They utilize the possibility offered by semiconductors to easily electrically manipulate and detect their electronic charge states representing the "zeros" and "ones". The downside is that weak perturbations such as impurities, temperature change, or radiation can lead to uncontrolled charge redistributions and, as a consequence, to data loss. Spin-based devices operate on an entirely distinct principle.

Peat soils as gigantic batteries Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:13 AM PST Researchers have described a process that suppresses the formation of methane in soils that are rich in humic substances. For this process to work, the soils need to switch between having no oxygen and having oxygen.

Study reveals how dogs detect explosives, offers new training recommendations Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:48 AM PST Researchers have helped determine the science behind how canines locate explosives such as Composition C-4 (a plastic explosive used by the US military). The study found the dogs react best to the actual explosive, calling into question the use of products designed to mimic the odor of C-4 for training purposes.

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ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems
• A new renewable energy source? Device captures energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space
• Electronics based on a two dimensional electron gas
• Think it’s safe to type a quick text while walking? Think again
• Yosemite bears and human food: Study reveals changing diets over past century
• Usain Bolt's superhuman speed would give him the power of flight on Saturn's moon Titan
• World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound
• Talking Neanderthals challenge the origins of speech
• Famed Milwaukee County Zoo orangutan's death caused by strange infection
• Donor lungs from heavy smokers appear safe for transplantation
• Can non-invasive electrical stimulation of brain help patients regain state of consciousness after coma?
• Can a story help doctors curb the prescription opioid abuse epidemic?
• Characterization of stink bug saliva proteins opens door to controlling pests
• Exercise, surgically removing belly fat improves cognition in obese, diabetic mice

Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST Elephants, rhinoceroses and aurochs once roamed around freely in the forests of Europe, while hippopotamuses lived in rivers such as the Thames and the Rhine. New research shows how we can use knowledge about the past to restore a varied landscape with a high level of biodiversity.

A new renewable energy source? Device captures energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:40 PM PST When the sun sets on a remote desert outpost and solar panels shut down, what energy source will provide power through the night? A battery, perhaps, or an old diesel generator? Perhaps something strange and new. Scientists now envision a device that would harvest energy from Earth's infrared emissions into outer space. Heated by the sun, our planet is warm compared to the frigid vacuum beyond. Thanks to recent technological advances, the researchers say, that heat imbalance could soon be transformed into direct-current (DC) power, taking advantage of a vast and untapped energy source.

Electronics based on a two dimensional electron gas Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:40 PM PST Usually, microelectronic devices are made of silicon or similar semiconductors. Recently, the electronic properties of metal oxides have become quite interesting. These materials are more complex, yet offer a broader range of possibilities to tune their properties. An important breakthrough has now been achieved: a two dimensional electron gas was created in strontium titanate. In a thin layer just below the surface electrons can move freely and occupy different quantum states.

Think it’s safe to type a quick text while walking? Think again Posted: 03 Mar 2014 11:33 AM PST Texting and walking is a known danger, but an emergency doctor says distracted walking results in more injuries per mile than distracted driving. Consequences include bumping into walls, falling down stairs, tripping over clutter or stepping into traffic. The issue is so common that in London, bumpers were placed onto light posts along a frequented avenue to prevent people from slamming into them. Though injuries from car accidents involving texting are often more severe, physical harm resulting from texting and walking occurs more frequently, research shows.

Yosemite bears and human food: Study reveals changing diets over past century Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:44 AM PST Black bears in Yosemite National Park and elsewhere are notorious for seeking out human food, even breaking into cars and cabins for it. A new study reveals just how much human food has contributed to the diets of Yosemite bears over the past century. Researchers estimated the proportion of human-derived food in bears' diets by analyzing chemical isotopes in hair and bone samples.

Usain Bolt's superhuman speed would give him the power of flight on Saturn's moon Titan Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:43 AM PST We all know Usain Bolt is one of the fastest people on Earth. Now, students have shown his superhuman speeds would actually allow him to fly like a bird on one of Saturn's moons while wearing a wingsuit. The world-record holding sprinter has reached top speeds of 12.27 meters per second, which would be fast enough for him to take off on Titan while wearing a regular wingsuit. Theoretically, the Olympic athlete would then be able to soar above the planet – without any need for propulsion.

World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:39 AM PST World-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage of performances, but not through sound recordings, a new study has found.

Talking Neanderthals challenge the origins of speech Posted: 02 Mar 2014 03:52 PM PST We humans like to think of ourselves as unique for many reasons, not least of which being our ability to communicate with words. But ground-breaking research shows that our 'misunderstood cousins,' the Neanderthals, may well have spoken in languages not dissimilar to the ones we use today.

Famed Milwaukee County Zoo orangutan's death caused by strange infection Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:47 AM PST Mahal, the young orangutan who became a star of the Milwaukee County Zoo and an emblem of survival for a dwindling species, led an extraordinary life. It turns out, the young ape died an extraordinary death, too. Rejected by his biological mother at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colo., and eventually flown to Milwaukee aboard a private jet to live with a surrogate mother, Mahal became one of the Milwaukee County Zoo's star attractions. His unexpected death at age 5 in late December 2012 was a shock to the community. Now, thanks to cutting-edge genetic diagnostics, a team of researchers has documented the cause of Mahal's death, identifying a species of tapeworm unknown to science and newly recognized as a threat to primates.

Donor lungs from heavy smokers appear safe for transplantation Posted: 27 Feb 2014 06:12 AM PST Transplanting lungs from donors with a history of heavy smoking does not appear to negatively affect recipient outcomes following surgery. Currently, lung transplantation is significantly limited by donor organ shortage, and a smoking history of more than 20 pack years (equivalent to smoking a pack a day for 20 years) often makes lungs ineligible for donation. However, researchers have found that transplanting lungs from donors who smoked or were heavy smokers did not yield inferior early or mid-term outcomes compared with lungs from donors who never smoked.

Can non-invasive electrical stimulation of brain help patients regain state of consciousness after coma? Posted: 26 Feb 2014 01:51 PM PST Researchers have shown that transcranial direct-current stimulation allows patients in a minimally conscious state to recover cognitive and motor skills. This simple, safe and relatively low-cost technique could offer clinicians a new way to help these patients recover, even several years after their coma. However, the positive effects appear to be temporary at this stage of research.

Can a story help doctors curb the prescription opioid abuse epidemic? Posted: 26 Feb 2014 12:55 PM PST In the fight against a nationwide prescription opioid abuse epidemic, researchers are using storytelling to help doctors recall important, potentially lifesaving national guidelines on how to prescribe these medications. Researchers found that physicians who heard a narrative about opioid guidelines were more likely to recall the guideline content after an hour than those who just heard a summary of the guidelines.

Characterization of stink bug saliva proteins opens door to controlling pests Posted: 26 Feb 2014 11:45 AM PST Brown marmorated stink bugs cause millions of dollars in crop losses across the United States because of the damage their saliva does to plant tissues. Researchers have now developed methods to extract the insect saliva and identify the major protein components, which could lead to new pest control approaches. "Other than using synthetic pesticides, there have been few alternative approaches to controlling these pests. By identifying the major protein components of saliva, it now may be possible to target the specific factors in saliva that are essential for their feeding and, therefore, design new approaches for controlling stink bugs," states one of the authors.

Exercise, surgically removing belly fat improves cognition in obese, diabetic mice Posted: 26 Feb 2014 06:52 AM PST Cognitive decline that often accompanies obesity and diabetes can be reversed with regular exercise or surgical removal of belly fat, scientists report. A drug already used to treat rheumatoid arthritis also helps obese/diabetic adult mice regain their ability to learn and comprehend, while transplanting belly fat to a normal mouse reduces those abilities. Studies in humans and animals indicate that obesity and diabetes -- which often go hand in hand -- essentially triple the risk of mild cognitive impairment as well as Alzheimer's.

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• It slices, it dices, and it protects the body from harm: 3-D structure of enzyme that helps defend against bacteria
• Frequent childhood nightmares may indicate an increased risk of psychotic traits
• Worm-like mite species discovered: A species from this 'extremophile' family hasn't been described for 40 years
• Shaky hand, stable spoon: Device helps essential tremor patients
• Color of passion: Orange underbellies of female lizards signal fertility
• Livestock beating pandas to the bamboo buffet
• Physicians' stethoscopes more contaminated than palms of their hands
• Circadian clock in the ear: Time of day of hearing damage affects healing
• Male goat essence really turns the females on
• Sterile flies save food crops, millions of dollars in eradication efforts
• Caffeine-based gold compounds are potential tools in fight against cancer
• Don't throw out old, sprouting garlic -- it has heart-healthy antioxidants
• Why almost winning is just as good for some gamblers
• You can die of a broken heart, research shows
• Tumors 'Light Up' With New, Unique Imaging System Using Scorpion Venom Protein and a Laser

It slices, it dices, and it protects the body from harm: 3-D structure of enzyme that helps defend against bacteria Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:06 PM PST An essential weapon in the body's fight against infection has come into sharper view. Researchers have discovered the 3-D structure of an enzyme that cuts to ribbons the genetic material of viruses and helps defend against bacteria. The discovery of the structure of this enzyme, a first-responder in the body's "innate immune system," could enable new strategies for fighting infectious agents and possibly prostate cancer and obesity. "This work illustrates the wonderful usefulness of doing both crystallography and careful kinetic and enzymatic studies at the same time," said one scientist.

Frequent childhood nightmares may indicate an increased risk of psychotic traits Posted: 28 Feb 2014 01:06 PM PST Children who suffer from frequent nightmares or bouts of night terrors may be at an increased risk of psychotic experiences in adolescence, according to new research that shows that children reporting frequent nightmares before the age of 12 were three and a half times more likely to suffer from psychotic experiences in early adolescence. Similarly, experiencing night terrors doubled the risk of such problems, including hallucinations, interrupted thoughts or delusions. Younger children, between two and nine years old, who had persistent nightmares reported by parents had up to one and a half times increased risk of developing psychotic experiences.

Worm-like mite species discovered: A species from this 'extremophile' family hasn't been described for 40 years Posted: 28 Feb 2014 12:58 PM PST It looks like a worm and moves like a worm -- sort of. But it is a previously unidentified microscopic species of mite that was discovered by a graduate student on The Ohio State University campus. Affectionately dubbed the "Buckeye Dragon Mite," the mite is officially named Osperalycus tenerphagus, Latin for "mouth purse" and "tender feeding," in a nod to its complex and highly unusual oral structure.

Shaky hand, stable spoon: Device helps essential tremor patients Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:11 AM PST For people whose hands shake uncontrollably due to a medical condition, just eating can be a frustrating and embarrassing ordeal -- enough to keep them from sharing a meal with others. But a small new study suggests that a new handheld electronic device can help such patients overcome the hand shakes caused by essential tremor.

Color of passion: Orange underbellies of female lizards signal fertility Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:45 PM PST Australian lizards are attracted to females with the brightest orange patches -- but preferably not too large -- on their underbelly, according to research. Lake Eyre dragon lizards are found exclusively in salt deserts in southern Australia, where they feed on dead insects. When females become fertile they develop bright orange patches on their normally pale underbelly and change their behavior towards males: instead of "waving them away" with their forelegs or fleeing, they let the males court them with showy behavior like push-ups and head bobs. Males were most attracted to females with small, bright orange patches and tended to avoid those with larger, paler ones. It is thought that bright color is attractive as it indicates peak female fertility. Pregnant females retain their coloration until laying and very large orange spots suggest the female is swollen with eggs and no longer interested in mating.

Livestock beating pandas to the bamboo buffet Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:48 AM PST Pandas, it turns out, aren't celebrating the Year of the Horse. Livestock, particularly horses, have been identified as a significant threat to panda survival. The reason: they're beating the pandas to the bamboo buffet. A paper by panda habitat experts explores an oft-hidden yet significant conflict in conservation. "Livestock affect most of the world's biodiversity hotspots," an author said. "They make up 20 percent of all of the earth's land mammals and therefore monopolize key resources needed to maintain the earth's fragile ecosystems."

Physicians' stethoscopes more contaminated than palms of their hands Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:48 AM PST Although healthcare workers' hands are the main source of bacterial transmission in hospitals, physicians' stethoscopes appear to play a role. To explore this question, investigators assessed the level of bacterial contamination on physicians' hands and stethoscopes following a single physical examination. Two parts of the stethoscope (the tube and diaphragm) and four regions of the physician's hands (back, fingertips, and thenar and hypothenar eminences) were measured for the total number of bacteria present in a new study. The stethoscope's diaphragm was more contaminated than all regions of the physician's hand except the fingertips. Further, the tube of the stethoscope was more heavily contaminated than the back of the physician's hand.

Circadian clock in the ear: Time of day of hearing damage affects healing Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:52 AM PST Researchers have identified a biological circadian clock in the hearing organ, the cochlea. This circadian clock controls how well hearing damage may heal and opens up a new way of treating people with hearing disabilities. By measuring the activity of the auditory nerve, the researchers found that mice exposed to moderate noise levels during the night suffered from permanent hearing damages while mice exposed to similar noise levels during the day did not. The ability to heal after hearing damage was therefore linked to the time of day during which the noise damage occurred, and here the ear's circadian clock played an important role.

Male goat essence really turns the females on Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:52 AM PST Anyone who has ever spent time around goats knows they have a certain smell. By carefully analyzing eau de male goat, researchers have now identified a novel, citrus-scented ingredient that speaks directly to the females. It acts on female goats' brains to turn their reproductive systems on. Although the work was done in goats, the researchers say there is reason to think the findings will apply to other livestock, and perhaps even to humans, too. After all, the researchers note, the action and structure of the brain's reproductive center is highly conserved among mammals.

Sterile flies save food crops, millions of dollars in eradication efforts Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:52 AM PST Irradiated, sterile flies dropped over seaports and agricultural areas to mate with unsuspecting females save food crops and millions of dollars in prevented infestations and the ensuing eradication efforts. But blasting these secret-suitor insects with radiation via electron beams, X-rays or gamma-rays, tends to make them weaker than typical males -- and not so appealing to females as possible mates. What sterile-insect operations need is the insect world's version of George Clooney: 52 years old, gray-haired and still dazzling the ladies.

Caffeine-based gold compounds are potential tools in fight against cancer Posted: 26 Feb 2014 07:18 AM PST The side effects of ingesting too much caffeine -- restlessness, increased heart rate, having trouble sleeping -- are well-known, but recent research has shown that the stimulant also has a good side. It can kill cancer cells. Now, researchers report that combining a caffeine-based compound with a small amount of gold could someday be used as an anti-cancer agent.

Don't throw out old, sprouting garlic -- it has heart-healthy antioxidants Posted: 26 Feb 2014 07:18 AM PST 'Sprouted' garlic -- old garlic bulbs with bright green shoots emerging from the cloves -- is considered to be past its prime and usually ends up in the garbage can. But scientists report that this type of garlic has even more heart-healthy antioxidant activity than its fresher counterparts. They found that garlic sprouted for five days had higher antioxidant activity than fresher, younger bulbs, and it had different metabolites, suggesting that it also makes different substances. Extracts from this garlic even protected cells in a laboratory dish from certain types of damage. "Therefore, sprouting may be a useful way to improve the antioxidant potential of garlic," they conclude.

Why almost winning is just as good for some gamblers Posted: 25 Feb 2014 08:29 AM PST A new study has pinpointed the changes in the brain that lead gamblers to react in the same way to near-misses as they do to winning. The research shows that near-misses are underpinned by increases in the brain's electrical activity, particularly in the theta frequency range -- known to be involved in processing win and loss outcomes. They found that these increases in theta are linked to both how severe someone's gambling history is and how susceptible they might be to developing a future gambling problem.

You can die of a broken heart, research shows Posted: 25 Feb 2014 07:12 AM PST Experts studying the impact of bereavement on people's health have found that the chances of a heart or stroke attack doubles after a partner's death. Bereavement has long been known as a risk factor for death and this study increases our understanding of its effects on cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes. The study showed the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke doubled in the crucial 30 day period after a partner's death for those experiencing loss of a loved one. Grief leads to extra physical stress and also may make people forget or lose interest in taking their medication, according to experts.

Tumors 'Light Up' With New, Unique Imaging System Using Scorpion Venom Protein and a Laser Posted: 24 Feb 2014 02:11 PM PST Researchers have developed a unique, compact, relatively inexpensive imaging device to "light up" malignant brain tumors and other cancers. The experimental system consists of a special camera and a new, targeted imaging agent based on a synthetic version of a small protein -- a peptide -- found in the venom of the deathstalker scorpion. The imaging agent homes to brain tumor cells. When stimulated by a laser in the near-infrared part of the spectrum, it emits a glow that is invisible to the eye but can be captured by the camera.

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• New fast and furious black hole found
• Fossilized human feces from 14th century contain antibiotic resistance genes
• Nasty parasitic worm, common in wildlife, now infecting U.S. cats
• 'Shark's eye' view: Witnessing the life of a top predator
• Social-media messages grow terser during major events, study finds
• New genus and species of 'worm-like' soil mite discovered

New fast and furious black hole found Posted: 28 Feb 2014 05:06 AM PST Astronomers have been studying nearby galaxy M83 and have found a new superpowered small black hole, named MQ1, the first object of its kind to be studied in this much detail. Astronomers have found a few compact objects that are as powerful as MQ1, but have not been able to work out the size of the black hole contained within them until now.

Fossilized human feces from 14th century contain antibiotic resistance genes Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:45 PM PST A team of French investigators has discovered viruses containing genes for antibiotic resistance in a fossilized fecal sample from 14th century Belgium, long before antibiotics were used in medicine.

Nasty parasitic worm, common in wildlife, now infecting U.S. cats Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:38 PM PST When veterinarians found half-foot-long worms living in their feline patients, they had discovered something new: The worms, Dracunculus insignis, had never before been seen in cats. The worms can grow to almost a foot long and must emerge from its host to lay eggs that hatch into larvae. It forms a blister-like protrusion in an extremity, such as a leg, from which it slowly emerges over the course of days to deposit its young into the water.

'Shark's eye' view: Witnessing the life of a top predator Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:26 AM PST Instruments strapped onto and ingested by sharks are revealing novel insights into how one of the most feared and least understood ocean predators swims, eats and lives. Scientists are also piloting a project using instruments ingested by sharks and other top ocean predators, like tuna, to gain new awareness into these animals' feeding habits. The instruments, which use electrical measurements to track ingestion and digestion of prey, can help researchers understand where, when and how much sharks and other predators are eating, and what they are feasting on.

Social-media messages grow terser during major events, study finds Posted: 26 Feb 2014 02:45 PM PST In the last year or two, you may have had some moments -- during elections, sporting events, or weather incidents -- when you found yourself sending out a flurry of messages on social media sites such as Twitter. You are not alone, of course: Such events generate a huge volume of social-media activity. Now a new study shows that social-media messages grow shorter as the volume of activity rises at these particular times.

New genus and species of 'worm-like' soil mite discovered Posted: 25 Feb 2014 07:11 AM PST Soil samples taken from Ohio reveal the discovery of a new genus and species of Nematalycidae. The long, slender, 'worm-like' body of the Nematalycidae makes it an unusual family of soil mites.

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