Science News
Caterpillar drugs ants to turn them into zombie bodyguards
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 13:00
Ants protect caterpillars in exchange for a sugary secretion, but there're more to their relationship than meets the eye
'Plasmonic' material could bring ultrafast all-optical communications
Phys.org - 31 Jul 2015 00:03
Researchers have created a new "plasmonic oxide material" that could make possible devices for optical communications that are at least 10 times faster than conventional technologies.
Allotropy: Why Winter Spells Trouble for the Tin Man
Physics Buzz - 31 Jul 2015 21:44
Tin is a commonplace metal that's used industrially in a thousand different ways. From the solder that holds your computer's motherboard together to the PVC plumbing under your sink, tin compounds are everywhere. In spit...
Drought Toll: California Now Missing 1 Year's Worth of Rain
Live Science - 31 Jul 2015 21:05
California's rain deficit during its record-setting drought is about one year's worth of normal rain.
Brazil's resettlement of farmers has driven Amazon deforestation
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 20:00
More than a million people have been given land in the Amazon area since the 1970s, causing 13.5 per cent of all deforestation there
Mix fish secretions with shrimp shells to make super sunscreen
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 19:06
The same chemicals that stop fish from getting sunburned have been used to make a super-effective sunscreen - and it won't make you smell like seafood
Grams of Added Sugar in Some Popular Foods and Drinks (Infographic)
Live Science - 31 Jul 2015 18:50
You may be consuming more sugar than you think.
Ebola vaccine success: Race is now on to protect those at risk
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 18:45
It took just one year to test a vaccine to prove it works. Now, how soon can those who need it get jabs?
We Can Shuttle Mind-Boggling Gobs of Data Worldwide in an Instant--But We Want More
Singularity Hub - 31 Jul 2015 18:08
"I have heard articulate speech produced by sunlight. I have heard a ray of the sun laugh and cough and sing." - Alexander Graham Bell The speed of communication was...
Effects of spinach extract on satiety: Feel full, curb cravings
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 17:13
A new study examines how consuming the concentrated extract of thylakoids found in spinach can reduce hunger and cravings. Thylakoids encourage the release of satiety hormones, which is very beneficial in slowing down fa...
Mutation alert halts stem-cell trial to cure blindness
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 17:03
The first ever trial of reprogrammed stem cells is put on hold while scientists investigate whether the procedure caused a potentially cancerous mutation
Cancer scare halts pioneering stem-cell trial to cure blindness
New Scientist - 31 Jul 2015 17:03
The first ever trial of reprogrammed stem cells is put on hold while scientists investigate whether the procedure caused a potentially cancerous mutation
New cancer marker identified; possible therapeutic target for breast cancer
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:52
Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer and is often referred to as "triple negative," which means it is not responsive to the common medical therapeutics. BLBC is more likely to metastasiz...
Self-assembling, biomimetic membranes may aid water filtration
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:52
A synthetic membrane that self assembles and is easily produced may lead to better gas separation, water purification, drug delivery and DNA recognition, according to an international team of researchers.
Analysis of post deployment health assessment forms indicates risks of alcohol abuse among service members returning from deployment
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:40
An analysis of responses to questionnaires administered to U.S. active component service members who had returned from deployment during a 7-year surveillance period found that 3.4 percent and 4.8 percent of them, respec...
On-chip processor the first step in point-of-care asthma and tuberculosis diagnostics
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:40
A device to mix liquids utilizing ultrasonics is the first and most difficult component in a miniaturized system for low-cost analysis of sputum from patients with pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis and asthma.
Ebola vaccine efficacy trial suggest vaccine provides high protection against disease
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:39
Tests of the experimental Ebola vaccine VSV-ZEBOV in over 7500 participants in Guinea suggest that the vaccine provides high protection against the disease as early as ten days after vaccination, in adults who have poten...
Getting to the bottom of aging
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:38
The question of why we age is one of the most fascinating questions for humankind, but nothing close to a satisfactory answer has been found to date. Scientists have now taken one step closer to providing an answer. They...
Drinking at conception boosts diabetes risk for baby, study shows
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:37
Babies conceived by women who drink alcohol around the time of conception face dramatically increased risks of type 2 diabetes and obesity in early middle age, a study has found.
Brain-controlled prosthesis nearly as good as one-finger typing
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:37
Brain-controlled prostheses sample a few hundred neurons to estimate motor commands that involve millions of neurons. Sampling errors can reduce the precision and speed of thought-controlled keypads. A new technique can ...
Discovery about brain protein causes rethink on development of Alzheimer's disease
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:37
A protein involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease also has properties that could be helpful for human health, a research study has found. The discovery helps researchers better understand the complicated brain...
Young adults with autism show improved social function following skills program
Science Daily - 31 Jul 2015 16:37
A social skills program for high-functioning young adults with autism spectrum disorder significantly improved the participants' ability to engage with their peers, a new study has found.