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Science News for October 19, 2011


1 clock with 2 times

Researchers at the University of Vienna aim to measure general relativistic time on a quantum scale by exploiting quantum interference and complementarity. They consider a single clock in a superposition of two locations, one closer and one further away from Earth, where gravity's effects are different.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2011

Gypsies, graveyards and mysterious plants

A US Department of Agriculture scientist identified a rare grass-like sedge as blue sedge, native to Asia and Australia, found growing near the gravesites of a royal Gypsy family in Mississippi. The plant's restricted distribution and invasive traits suggest it could cause problems in US lawn and turf systems.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateOct 19, 2011

Evidence-based medicine in health-care reform

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 promotes a national comparative outcomes research project agenda to optimize evidence-based medicine. High-quality associations will identify research topics for pragmatic clinical trials, while systematic reviews of clinical trials provide optimal evidence-based medicine.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 19, 2011

Scientists report major advance in human antibody therapy against deadly Hendra virus

A neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, m102.4, has been developed to protect against Hendra virus infection, showing promise as a potential treatment for severe illness and death in humans. The antibody attacks a critical component of the virus, preventing its infection of cells.

Autistic facial characteristics identified

University of Missouri researchers have identified distinct differences in facial characteristics between children with autism and typically developing children. The study found that children with autism have broader eyes, a shorter middle face region, and a wider mouth, which may enable further study of the underlying causes of autism.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Autism·DateOct 19, 2011

For patients with both HIV and tuberculosis the timing of drug therapies is critical

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the optimal time to integrate HIV treatment with TB therapy depends on a patient's immune status. Patients with advanced HIV disease who start antiretroviral treatment earlier show significant improvements in survival rates.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 19, 2011

What makes tires grip the road on a rainy day?

Researchers from Italy and Germany created a model to predict friction on rough surfaces in wet conditions, shedding light on the flow of liquid at contact interfaces. The study confirms experimental findings and offers potential applications for creating microstructured tyres with improved grip in rainy weather.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 19, 2011

False starts can sneak by in women's sprinting

A new analysis by University of Michigan researchers found that Olympic timing procedures don't accurately detect false starts by female sprinters, with some being able to anticipate the gun by up to 20 milliseconds. The researchers recommend lowering the force threshold for females to ensure fair racing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 19, 2011

Study links pollutants to a 450 percent increase in risk of birth defects

A study published in PNAS found a strong association between high levels of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in newborns. The researchers collected placentas from 80 fetuses with birth defects and found high concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, and PAHs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 19, 2011

RUB researchers break W3C standard

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found a serious attack against XML Encryption, which is used by companies like IBM and Microsoft to protect data. The attack exploits a weakness in the CBC mode for chaining ciphertext blocks, rendering XML Encryption insecure.

Analysis of over 10,000 breast cancer patients shows that, following breast conserving surgery, radiotherapy almost halves 10-year-risk of recurrence, and reduces 15-year-risk of mortality by a sixth

A large study of over 10,000 breast cancer patients found that radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. The study found that radiotherapy almost halves the 10-year-risk of recurrence and reduces the 15-year-risk of mortality by a sixth

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 19, 2011

Manufacturing goes viral

Engineers and scientists at UC Berkeley developed a simple, single-step process to direct M13 phages to serve as structural building blocks. The resulting thin-film structures exhibit complex properties, such as bending light and guiding cell growth. The technique sheds light on the self-assembly of biological tissues in nature.

Electrochemistry controlled with a plasma electrode

Scientists at Case Western Reserve University create an electrochemical cell with a stable plasma electrode, allowing for controlled electron transfer and reducing losses. The technology has the potential to improve battery and fuel cell efficiency and enable new applications such as hydrogen production and nanomaterial synthesis.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 19, 2011

Blue stragglers

Astronomers discover how blue stragglers, old stars appearing younger than expected, are created through mass transfer. The study reveals that these stars eat up the mass of their giant-star companion, allowing them to continue burning and living longer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateOct 19, 2011

Impact study: Princeton model shows fallout of a giant meteorite strike

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new model that simulates the seismic fallout of a giant meteorite strike, showing that the impact's effects are scattered and unfocused, resulting in less severe ground displacement and tsunamis. The model also provides new insights into the surface and interior details of other plan...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalGeophysical Journal International·DateOct 19, 2011

Putting light-harvesters on the spot

Researchers have found that a membrane protein interacts with a single soluble protein to anchor the subunits of light-harvesting complexes in the membrane. The new model proposes the formation of a pore for protein transport, supporting the integration into the membrane.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 19, 2011

New study shows passing mood can profoundly alter 'rational decisions'

Researchers find that people's economic decisions change when survival or reproduction is on their minds. This contradicts the idea of humans making rational choices in finance, suggesting biases developed millions of years ago still affect us today. The study suggests these ancient biases can profoundly alter financial decisions over ...

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 19, 2011

Time on your hands -- good or bad?

A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateOct 19, 2011

The cannabis genome: How hemp got high

Researchers have sequenced the DNA of a potent marijuana strain and compared it to hemp, revealing the genetic differences that lead to marijuana's psychoactive effects. The study found that domestication and breeding of marijuana strains resulted in the loss of an enzyme responsible for producing non-psychoactive compounds.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateOct 19, 2011