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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for August 10, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Study of electron orbits in multilayer graphene finds unexpected energy gaps- A strategy to fix a broken heart (w/ Video)
- Common orchid gives scientists hope in face of climate change
- Human cells can copy not only DNA, but also RNA
- World's tiniest mirror
- Innovation could bring super-accurate sensors, crime forensics
- WHO says swine flu pandemic is over
- Police search Google Korea for alleged privacy breach
- Stereotyping has a lasting negative impact
- Protein structure reveals how tumor suppressor turns on and off
- Motion-tracking technology reduces injuries for older adults (w/ Video)
- Toshiba Announces Wipe Technology for Self-Encrypting Disk Drives
- Cells in the land of milk and honey
- Researchers develop magnetic molecular machines to deliver drugs to unhealthy cells
- Indonesian ice field may be gone in a few years, core may contain secrets of Pacific El Nino events
Space & Earth news
EPA requires cleanup of mercury from cement plants
The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the nation's first limits on mercury emissions from cement plants. The decision also will require reductions of other harmful pollutants from cement plants, including soot, also known as particle pollution, which is linked to asthma, heart attacks and premature deaths for people with heart and lung diseases.
Gulf relief well crews watch for tropical weather
(AP) -- Crews finishing work meant to forever stop oil from leaking from a blown-out undersea well into the Gulf may have one more hurdle to overcome: the weather.
University balloon tracks dairies' acrid gases
An orange balloon floated 50 feet above California State University, Fresno's small dairy herd last week, helping in the unsavory task of gathering air samples from a plume of pungent gases.
Mankind must abandon earth or face extinction: Hawking
Mankind's only chance of long-term survival lies in colonising space, as humans drain Earth of resources and face a terrifying array of new threats, warned British scientist Stephen Hawking on Monday.
Charcoal takes some heat off global warming
As much as 12 percent of the world's human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be sustainably offset by producing biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from plants and other organic materials. That's more than what could be offset if the same plants and materials were burned to generate energy, concludes a study published today in the journal Nature Communications.
Indonesian ice field may be gone in a few years, core may contain secrets of Pacific El Nino events
Glaciologists who drilled through an ice cap perched precariously on the edge of a 16,000-foot-high Indonesian mountain ridge say that the ice field could vanish within in the next few years, another victim of global climate change.
Gondwana supercontinent underwent massive shift during Cambrian explosion
The Gondwana supercontinent underwent a 60-degree rotation across Earth's surface during the Early Cambrian period, according to new evidence uncovered by a team of Yale University geologists. Gondwana made up the southern half of Pangaea, the giant supercontinent that constituted the Earth's landmass before it broke up into the separate continents we see today. The study, which appears in the August issue of the journal Geology, has implications for the environmental conditions that existed at a crucial period in Earth's evolutionary history called the Cambrian explosion, when most of the major groups of complex animals rapidly appeared.
Technology news
Indian outsourcing industry hits out at US visa bill
India's outsourcing giants have slammed a United States bill that could double the cost of a work visa in a move seen as targeting high-profile Indian software exporters.
Saudis extend BlackBerry ban reprieve: agency
Saudi Arabia's telecoms regulator has extended indefinitely a reprieve on a BlackBerry messenger ban as a solution is sought that allows authorities to monitor the service, SPA news agency said Tuesday.
Website sponsors gambling on grades at 36 colleges
(AP) -- Think you're going to ace freshman year? Want to put money on that? A website called Ultrinsic is taking wagers on grades from students at 36 colleges nationwide starting this month.
Netflix to stream Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM movies
(AP) -- Netflix Inc. has reached a five-year deal worth nearly $1 billion to stream movies from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM online starting Sept. 1 - a major move that boosts its "Watch Instantly" offerings and makes the studios' joint pay TV venture Epix immediately profitable.
Micromachines for a safer world
Tiny sensors known as accelerometers are everywhere. The near-weightless technology can measure the impact of a dangerous tackle on a football player's helmet, control the flow of highway and runway traffic, analyze a golf pro's swing, orient the next generation of smart phones, and keeping fighter jets and missiles on target.
New technique announced to turn windows into power generators
An international team of scientists and industrialists is to meet at the University of Leicester to develop of a revolutionary new technique for harnessing green energy.
Nvidia chip team gets 25 million dollars from US military
Nvidia on Monday said it is leading a team awarded 25 million dollars by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create a chip that leaves today's super computers in the dust.
Google to launch disputed 'Street View' in Germany this year
Internet giant Google will from next week allow Germans to opt-out of its disputed Street View navigation service ahead of its launch in the country this year, the company said Tuesday.
Innovation could bring super-accurate sensors, crime forensics
A new technology enabling tiny machines called micro electromechanical systems to "self-calibrate" could make possible super-accurate and precise sensors for crime-scene forensics, environmental testing and medical diagnostics.
Police search Google Korea for alleged privacy breach
South Korean police Tuesday searched the offices of Google Korea to investigate whether it breached privacy law in collecting information for its Street View service, an officer said.
Motion-tracking technology reduces injuries for older adults (w/ Video)
Exercise is an important part of recovering from an injury, illness or surgery, but many older adults lack the knowledge and guidance needed to properly perform exercises. University of Missouri researchers from the Sinclair School of Nursing and the College of Engineering have developed technology to track motions while people exercise. The technology provides feedback to patients as they recover from injuries or illnesses in order to reduce the chances of future injuries and re-hospitalization.
Medicine & Health news
Not all kidney patients treated equal: Differences in care for patients beginning on dialysis
Kidney disease patients insured by some federally sponsored national health care organizations are more likely to undergo an important predialysis procedure than patients with other types of insurance, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results may provide insights into ways to improve kidney-related care for patients before they go on dialysis.
Regional protocols improve quality of care for aortic dissection patients
Using a standardized protocol within a regional health network, a multidisciplinary acute aortic dissection (AAD) program resulted in a 43 percent reduction in time to diagnosis for all AAD patients over the course of five years, based on study results published in the July edition of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
Medical students open to learning with video games
Today's students were raised with a digital mouse in their hands. So it should be no surprise that a majority of medical school students surveyed say video games and virtual reality environments could help them become better doctors.
Youth exposure to alcohol ads in magazines declining
Youth exposure to alcohol advertising in magazines declined by 48 percent between 2001 and 2008, according to a new study by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Adequate zinc eases pneumonia in elderly
A high proportion of nursing facility residents were found to have low serum (blood) zinc concentrations during an observational study funded by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Aging. The scientists found that those with normal blood zinc concentrations were about 50 percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low concentrations.
New way of classifying rheumatoid arthritis aimed at identifying the disease earlier
The American College of Rheumatology today announced the release of revised classification criteria (created in collaboration with the European League Against Rheumatism) for rheumatoid arthritis, which will allow the study of treatments for RA at much earlier stages of the disease—before joint damage occurs—ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Doctors, patients see things differently during hospital stays, study finds
You'd think that if you spent five days in the hospital, you'd have a pretty good idea of what you were in for. At the very least, you'd know the name of your doctor.
Monitoring media: How can students ride the wave of the future without drowning in a sea of distractions?
Every high school freshman in district RE-1 of Weld County, Colo., receives a present on the first day of school: a personal laptop computer. For three years now, the district has handled upgrades, breakdowns and objections from parents unwilling to take in the potentially disruptive houseguest. Director of support services Keith Ouweneel holds seminars to show parents how the system is designed to record the students' online activity, block social sites like Facebook and shut down at midnight.
Land on your toes, save your knees
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are a common and debilitating problem, especially for female athletes. A new study from UC Davis shows that changes in training can reduce shear forces on knee joints and could help cut the risk of developing ACL tears. The research was published online Aug. 3 in the Journal of Biomechanics.
New findings further clarify breast cancer risk with hormone therapy
A new analysis of the California Teachers Study, which analyzed hormone replacement therapy use among 2,857 women for almost 10 years, underscores the need for personalized risk-benefit discussions before women begin hormone therapy.
Research Lends Hope for Patients With Rare Swelling Disease
(PhysOrg.com) -- The results of two recent clinical trials offer promising treatments for sufferers of the rare genetic disease hereditary angiodema, says Jonathan Bernstein, MD, an internationally recognized allergy specialist and researcher at the University of Cincinnati.
Fractures significantly reduce quality of life in postmenopausal women
(PhysOrg.com) -- Two in five women over 50 will suffer a fracture of the hip, spine or wrist that will lead to increased risk of chronic pain, reduced mobility, loss of independence and, in some cases, death.
Grandparents acting as parents often do not seek social services support
(PhysOrg.com) -- Many grandparents do not seek the social services they are entitled to when raising their grandchildren. Virginia Tech faculty members in human development and in human nutrition, foods, and exercise are doing research to discover the barriers and will help WIC reach grandparent-headed families.
New process could improve dental restoration procedures
(PhysOrg.com) -- Oral surgeons may one day have an easier, less costly approach to one important aspect of dental restoration, thanks to a newly patented process developed by researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Brain fitness programs may help frail elderly walk faster
Computerized brain fitness programs are known to help seniors improve their memory and focus. Now, a study led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found preliminary evidence that such programs may help frail seniors walk faster, potentially preventing disability and improving quality of life. Results appear in the July 19 online edition of the Journal of Gerontology.
Nurses fear even more ER assaults as programs cut
(AP) -- Emergency room nurse Erin Riley suffered bruises, scratches and a chipped tooth last year from trying to pull the clamped jaws of a psychotic patient off the hand of a doctor at a suburban Cleveland hospital.
Prevalence of eye disorder high among older US adults with diabetes
Nearly 30 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes over the age of 40 are estimated to have diabetic retinopathy, with about 4 percent of this population having vision-threatening retinopathy, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.
Drugs used to treat osteoporosis not linked with higher risk of esophageal cancer
Although some reports have suggested a link between the use of oral bisphosphonates (drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass) and esophageal cancer, analysis of medical data from more than 80,000 patients in the United Kingdom found that use of these drugs was not significantly associated with new cases of esophageal or gastric cancer, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.
Visits to emergency departments increases in recent years
From 1997 to 2007, the rates of visits to emergency departments in the U.S. increased significantly, particularly among adults with Medicaid, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.
Rate of health care associated MRSA infections decreasing
An analysis of data from 2005 through 2008 of nine metropolitan areas in the U.S. indicates that health care-associated invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections decreased among patients with infections that began in the community or in the hospital, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.
Richer nations have cleaner banknotes
The richer, more developed and more economically free a country, the fewer bacteria its banknotes carry. Also the material and the age of the banknotes - or the money has a lot wrinkled - is of influence on the degree of clogging of the money. Nowhere in the world were alarming concentrations of unhealthy bacteria on money found. That becomes clear from a study by ten universities and institutes in 10 countries. Research workers of Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, looked at the paper money in the Netherlands.
Researchers assess severity of prostate cancers using magnetic resonance imaging
Rutgers researchers are developing methods that can accurately assess the severity of prostate cancer by analyzing magnetic resonance images and spectra of a patient's prostate gland. This may help physicians decide more confidently which patients need aggressive treatment and which are better served by "watchful waiting," and could even postpone or eliminate invasive biopsies in patients with low-grade tumors.
Good breakfast key to being calm on first day of class
Want your student to stay calm and focused as they begin the new school year this fall? Make sure they eat a quality breakfast including protein and quality carbohydrates, says a nutrition expert at Washington University in St. Louis.
Molecular imaging identifies high-risk patients with heart disease
A study published in the August Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) finds that molecular imaging—a non-invasive imaging procedure—can identify high-risk patients with potentially life-threatening cardiovascular conditions and help physicians determine which patients are best suited for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy.
Clinical trials: Comprehension unaffected by simplified consent forms or payment
Although informed consent is an ethical cornerstone in research with humans, some studies suggests that volunteers often do not understand key aspects of the research in which they participate. Recent efforts have been made to improve informed consent by simplifying the consent forms.
For infant sleep, receptiveness more important than routine
Parents understand the challenge of getting infants to sleep through the night, and now Penn State researchers show that being emotionally receptive can reduce sleep disruptions and help infants and toddlers sleep better.
Fasting 'feel-good' factor impacts stock markets
A new international study investigating the correlation between the Islamic holy month of Ramadan - which begins next week (August 11/12) - and stock markets has discovered that the average stock market returns in predominantly Muslim countries were historically almost nine times higher during Ramadan compared to other months of the lunar calendar.
Optical imaging technique for angioplasty
A new optical imaging technique described in the journal Review of Scientific Instruments, which is published by the American Institute of Physics, holds the potential to greatly improve angioplasty, a surgery commonly performed to treat patients with a partially or completely blocked coronary artery that restricts blood flow to the heart.
Drugs to treat cocaine abuse?
The authors of a new study in Biological Psychiatry explore pharmacological strategies for reducing cocaine self-administration in animals that may have implications for treating cocaine dependence in humans.
Chemical system in brain behaves differently in cocaine addicts, UT Southwestern scientists find
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified a chemical system in the brain that reacts differently in cocaine addicts, findings that could result in new treatment options for individuals addicted to the drug.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia creates free clinical info app for iPhone and iPod Touch
A physician or nurse making rounds can locate and page through a 200-page reference book that lists the possible adverse events that may occur to patients in a clinical trial, or can instead keep all the same information in their pocket, in a 4-ounce iPhone. For many in healthcare, that's an easy choice.
Walking to School Could Reduce Stress Reactivity in Children and May Curb Risk of Heart Disease, Study Shows
(PhysOrg.com) -- A simple morning walk to school could reduce stress reactivity in children during the school day, curbing increases in heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to cardiovascular disease later in life, according to a new University at Buffalo study.
Study shows physicians reluctant to use chemoprevention for prostate cancer
Despite the dramatic results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), which showed a significant reduction in prostate cancer among those taking finasteride, physicians have not increased its use, according to a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Distinguishing 'senior moments' from Alzheimer's
With the help of volunteers aged 18 to 89, UC Irvine researchers have identified for the first time in humans a long-hidden part of the brain called the perforant path. Scientists have struggled for decades to locate the tiny passage, which is believed to deteriorate gradually as part of normal aging and far more quickly due to Alzheimer's disease.
Breakthrough heralds era of personalized cancer treatment
(PhysOrg.com) -- Simon Fraser University molecular biologist Stephen Jones is among the researchers leading the charge to deliver personalized therapies tailored to the genetic makeup of individual cancers.
Heart's sounds can help diagnose heart failure
For emergency department patients with shortness of breath and a risk of heart failure, physicians usually grab one thing first: a stethoscope.
A strategy to fix a broken heart (w/ Video)
These days people usually don't die from a heart attack. But the damage to heart muscle is irreversible, and most patients eventually succumb to congestive heart failure, the most common cause of death in developed countries.
Scientists regrow section of bone
Scientist Paul Wooley has regrown a section of bone in a mammal's leg, a breakthrough he and collaborators say will revolutionize bone medicine worldwide. It will dramatically improve treatment for wounded soldiers and many of the tens of thousands of people seriously injured in traffic accidents every year, he said; it could make many future amputations unnecessary.
Neurochip technology developed by Canadian team
The University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine scientists who proved it is possible to cultivate a network of brain cells that reconnect on a silicon chip - or the brain on a microchip - have been involved in the development of new technology that monitors brain cell activity at a resolution never achieved before.
WHO says swine flu pandemic is over
(AP) -- The World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic officially over Tuesday, months after many national authorities started canceling vaccine orders and shutting down hot lines as the disease ebbed from the headlines.
Stereotyping has a lasting negative impact
Aggression. Over-eating. Inability to focus. Difficulty making rational decisions. New research out of the University of Toronto Scarborough shows prejudice has a lasting negative impact on those who experience it.
Protein structure reveals how tumor suppressor turns on and off
(PhysOrg.com) -- New findings by UCSC cancer researchers reveal the molecular mechanisms involved in opening and closing a gate that controls the cycle of cell growth and division.
Cells in the land of milk and honey
Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry at ETH Zurich have discovered that cells measure their energy reserves with the aid of a sensor, which determines whether they are growing and dividing. This could be a general mechanism for how cells respond to excess nutrition.
Biology news
Lobster dieoffs linked to chemicals in plastics
New research shows that chemicals found in plastics and detergents can exacerbate lobster diseases.
Researchers reveal similarities between fish and humans
A study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has identified the function of one of the earliest antibodies in the animal kingdom, an ancient immunoglobulin that helps explain the evolution of human intestinal immune responses. It was discovered to play a predominant role in the guts of fish and paves the way for a better understanding of human gut immunity as well as for safer, healthier approaches to keeping fish from pathogen infections. The findings appear in the online version of Nature Immunology and will be featured on the cover of the September issue.
Common orchid gives scientists hope in face of climate change
A study led by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's Jodrell Laboratory, which focuses on epigenetics in European common marsh orchids, has revealed that some plants may be able to adapt more quickly to environmental change than previously thought. The new study, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, brings new hope to plant conservation.
Human cells can copy not only DNA, but also RNA
Single-molecule sequencing technology has detected and quantified novel small RNAs in human cells that represent entirely new classes of the gene-translating molecules, confirming a long-held but unproven hypothesis that mammalian cells are capable of synthesizing RNA by copying RNA molecules directly. The findings were reported in Nature by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Helicos Biosciences Corp., Integromics Inc., and the University of Geneva Medical School.
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