Breeding trouble: Meta-analysis identifies fishy issues with captive stocks

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J A meta-analysis has found patterns that may be jeopardizing the long-term success of worldwide animal breeding programs, which increasingly act as an insurance against extinction in conservation, and for food security. Captive-born animals had, on average, almost half the odds of reproductive success compared to their wild-born counterparts in captivity; in aquaculture, the effects were particularly pronounced. The scientists were surprised by how universal the patterns were across the animal kingdom.

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Ash from dinosaur-era volcanoes linked with shale oil, gas

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Nutrient-rich ash from an enormous flare-up of volcanic eruptions toward the end of the dinosaurs' reign kicked off a chain of events that led to the formation of shale gas and oil fields from Texas to Montana.

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Researchers computationally find the needle in a haystack to treat rare diseases

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J One in 10 people in America is fighting a rare disease, or a disorder that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. Researchers have developed a sophisticated and systematic way to identify existing drugs that can be repositioned to treat a rare disease or condition.

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'Digistain' technology offers revolution in detailed cancer diagnosis

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J New cutting edge technology can be used to grade cancer tumors, eradicating human subjectivity and ensuring patients get the right treatment, researchers say.

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Off-the-shelf smart devices found easy to hack

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Off-the-shelf devices that include baby monitors, home security cameras, doorbells, and thermostats were easily co-opted by cyber researchers . As part of their ongoing research into detecting vulnerabilities of devices and networks expanding in the smart home and Internet of Things (IoT), the researchers disassembled and reverse engineered many common devices and quickly uncovered serious security issues.

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Engineers create most efficient red light-activated optogenetic switch for mammalian cells

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Researchers have developed a light-activated switch that can turn genes on and off in mammalian cells. This is the most efficient so-called 'optogenetic switch' activated by red and far-red light that has been successfully designed and tested in animal cells -- and it doesn't require the addition of sensing molecules from outside the cells.

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How to build a better railway, in (almost) every cell in your body

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Research finds system of microtubule rails inside cells can adjust its own stability. New work shows how a microscopic 'railway' system in our cells can optimize its structure to better suit bodies' needs.

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