Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for September 7, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists examine possibility of a phonon laser, or 'phaser'- The brain speaks: Scientists decode words from brain signals
- Supercomputing on a cell phone
- Higher income improves life rating but not emotional well-being
- Robot snake 'Uncle Sam' now climbs trees (w/ Video)
- Canadian authorities to try 3D image of child to slow drivers
- Researchers show that the big bang was followed by chaos
- A missing link from obesity to infertility found
- An important genetic cardiovascular risk factor explained
- Solar plane plans first flights across Switzerland
- Wikipedia, if it were run by academic experts, would look like this
- Ripples in the cosmic background
- Computer-based video analysis boosts data gathering in behavioral studies
- Addressing negative thoughts most effective in fighting loneliness
- Microbial breakthrough impacts health, agriculture, biofuels
Space & Earth news
New method for infrared remote sensing to analyze traffic pollution
Scientists at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain, are testing infrared remote sensing technology to evaluate the pollutant emissions associated with motor vehicle traffic which allows for analysis of all the gases of environmental interest with one sole instrument in a sole measurement.
Using buildings for flood protection
Buildings, car parks and roads could, alongside their "regular" functions, have a role to play in protecting the rest of the city from flooding. According to researcher Bianca Stalenberg, this concept could be very useful for the Dutch cities along the River Rhine, for example. Stalenberg will defend her Ph.D. thesis on this subject on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Delft University of Technology.
Plant nutrients from wastewater
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium -- there are valuable nutrients contained in wastewater. Unfortunately, these essential nutrients are lost in conventional wastewater treatment plants. This is the reason why researchers at Fraunhofer have been working on processes for regaining these nutrients in the form that can be used for agriculture. They are showcasing their work at Fraunhofer's stand at the IFAT ENTSORGA fair (Sept. 13-17 in Munich, Germany).
Restoring coastal wetlands? Check the soil
Rising sea levels and coastal development are threatening coastal freshwater wetlands with saltwater intrusion. While most ecosystem restoration projects have focused on surface water and groundwater, new research finds that conditions in the vadose zone, the unsaturated soil below the surface but above the water table, are of particular importance to seedling survival in coastal floodplain ecosystems.
Subseafloor observatories installed to run dynamic experiments
Marine geologists have returned from two months at sea off British Columbia, Canada, where they installed two observatories in the ocean floor to run innovative experiments at the bottom of the sea.
CIMAS, NOAA research conduct innovative investigations to study Hurricane Earl
Over the last week, as Hurricane Earl threatened the east coast of the United States, hurricane scientists from NOAA Research's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and colleagues from the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) conducted a total of 18 hurricane hunter research flights, including the first ever flight by the unmanned NASA Global Hawk over a hurricane.
Indonesian volcano erupts again
(AP) -- An Indonesian volcano has shot black ash three miles (5,000 meters) into the air early - its most powerful eruption since springing back to life after four centuries of dormancy.
Indonesian volcano erupts again; strongest yet
(AP) -- An Indonesian volcano shot a towering cloud of black ash high into the air Tuesday, dusting villages 15 miles (25 kilometers) away in its most powerful eruption since awakening last week from four centuries of dormancy.
Glitch won't keep GOCE gravity mission down
(PhysOrg.com) -- ESA's GOCE gravity mission has recovered from a glitch that prevented the satellite from sending its flow of scientific data to the ground. News of the recovery comes earlier than expected, thanks to the fervent efforts of a team of experts.
Scientists offer better ways to engineer Earth's climate to prevent global warming
There may be better ways to engineer the planet's climate to prevent dangerous global warming than mimicking volcanoes, a University of Calgary climate scientist says in two new studies.
Potomac River: 10-fold increase in native submerged vegetation reflects improved water quality
The Potomac River in Washington, D.C. is showing multiple benefits from restoration efforts, newly published research suggests. Reduced nutrients and improved water clarity have increased the abundance and diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the Potomac, according to direct measurements taken during the 18-year field study.
No dead zones observed or expected as part of BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill: NOAA report
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a report today that showed dissolved oxygen levels have dropped by about 20 percent from their long-term average in the Gulf of Mexico in areas where federal and independent scientists previously reported the presence of subsurface oil. Scientists from agencies involved in the report attribute the lower dissolved oxygen levels to microbes using oxygen to consume the oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
NASA saw strong T-storms in quick-forming Hermine's center, warm water to power it
Tropical Storm Hermine formed very quickly yesterday in the very warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and northeastern Mexico and southeastern Texas are now bearing the brunt of the storm. Infrared imagery taken from NASA's AIRS instrument showed a quick organization of strong thunderstorms around Hermine's center of circulation and very warm Gulf waters that powered her up.
Gulf of Mexico oil spill threatens seahorse species with extinction: researchers
(PhysOrg.com) -- A species of seahorse unique to the waters of the Gulf Coast could face extinction because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, warns marine conservation organization Project Seahorse. Without careful intervention, the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) could virtually disappear within a few years, while many other fish populations, including several other species of seahorse, face a similarly bleak future as cleanup continues.
X-Ray Jets
(PhysOrg.com) -- The supermassive black holes that lie at the centers of galaxies can spawn tremendous bipolar jets of atomic particles.
Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss
Estimates of the rate of ice loss from Greenland and West Antarctica, one of the most worrying questions in the global warming debate, should be halved, according to Dutch and US scientists.
Research shows continued decline of Oregon's largest glacier
An Oregon State University research program has returned to Collier Glacier for the first time in almost 20 years and found that the glacier has decreased more than 20 percent from its size in the late 1980s.
Can we spot volcanoes on alien worlds? Astronomers say yes
Volcanoes display the awesome power of Nature like few other events. Earlier this year, ash from an Icelandic volcano disrupted air travel throughout much of northern Europe. Yet this recent eruption pales next to the fury of Jupiter's moon Io, the most volcanic body in our solar system.
Ripples in the cosmic background
(PhysOrg.com) -- The universe was created 13.73 billion years ago in a blaze of light -- the big bang. We also think that, about 380,000 years later, after matter (mostly hydrogen atoms) had cooled enough for neutral atoms to form, light was able to travel through space relatively freely. We see that light today as the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). The light appears extremely uniform in brightness across the sky. Astronomers have discovered, however, that the radiation has very faint ripples and bumps in it, at a level of only about one part in one hundred thousand.
Irrigation's cooling effects may mask warming in some regions -- for now
Expanded irrigation has made it possible to feed the world's growing billions—and it may also temporarily be counteracting the effects of climate change in some regions, say scientists in a new study. But some major groundwater aquifers, a source of irrigation water, are projected to dry up in coming decades from continuing overuse, and when they do, people may face the double whammy of food shortages and higher temperatures. A new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research pinpoints where the trouble spots may be.
Technology news
AOL teaming up with Ellen DeGeneres online
(AP) -- AOL is adding talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to its family of Web properties as it looks for ways to draw more people to its sites.
WikiLeaks' Assange requests new lawyer in Sweden
(AP) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has requested a new lawyer to represent him in Sweden after a prosecutor decided to reopen a rape investigation against him.
Three-quarters of new solar systems worldwide were installed in the EU in 2009: report
In 2009, newly installed photovoltaic (PV) cells world-wide produced a peak amount of electricity estimated at 7.4 GW, out of which 5.8 GW was located in Europe. Similarly to previous years, this shows the EU's dominance, where more than three quarters of the world's new solar systems were installed. By the end of 2009, Europe's cumulative installed PV electricity generation capacity (existing and newly installed) was 16 GW, which is about 70% of the world's total (22GW). These are just some of the findings of the ninth annual Photovoltaics Status Report published today by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC).
US newspaper ad revenue falls again, but pace slows
US newspaper advertising revenue fell 5.55 percent in the second quarter of the year, but the rate of decline slowed in a dose of relatively good news for the embattled industry.
Scientists develop device to enable improved global data transmission
Researchers have developed a new data transmission system that could substantially improve the transmission capacity and energy efficiency of the world's optical communication networks.
Google replaces logo with dancing doodle
Google replaced the celebrated logo on its home page on Tuesday with a mysterious collection of colorful dancing balls.
The digital film reel
Movies are becoming more and more digital -- from the shooting to the cut to the showing. At the International Broadcasting Convention IBC in Amsterdam that is taking place from Sept. 10-14, 2010, Fraunhofer movie experts will show programs for easy, digital post-production and safe archiving.
Spain, Norway to build telecoms satellite
Spain said it signed a deal with Norway Tuesday to build a telecommunications satellite, to be launched in 2014 and used for both civilian and military purposes.
NY lawsuit seeks to halt suspicionless searches
(AP) -- A New York lawsuit seeks to stop the government from snooping in the laptops, cell phones and cameras of international travelers when there is no probable cause.
HP sues ex-CEO Hurd over new job at rival Oracle
(AP) -- Hewlett-Packard Co. is suing the chief executive it ousted last month, Mark Hurd, to stop him from taking a top job at rival Oracle Corp.
Former State Department official to head 'Google Ideas'
A former State Department official credited with helping bring social networking and other Web 2.0 tools to US diplomacy has been tapped to head a new division at Google called "Google Ideas."
YouTube shows a day through eyes around the world
YouTube has begun offering glimpses into a day in life around the world.
European police target online film piracy network
Police in 14 European countries on Tuesday launched a series of raids against an online film pirating network, Swedish authorities said.
Court: Judges can demand warrant for phone locales
(AP) -- A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia says judges may require warrants for police to get cell phone records that could help track a person's location.
Oracle names ex-HP CEO Mark Hurd co-president
(AP) -- Oracle Corp. has hired former Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Mark Hurd to help lead the database software maker in a pivotal moment in Oracle's 33-year history as it tries to muscle in on more of HP's turf.
Yes you can build a low-cost 'green' house
The greenest house in Lewis County, Ky., is a pleasant shade of blue -- and a model for future low-income housing. It is LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, which means it is an energy-efficient, durable and healthy place to live.
Solar plane plans first flights across Switzerland
The team which successfully conducted a round-the-clock flight powered by the sun, Solar Impulse, said Tuesday it is planning three test flights across Switzerland as it ramps up preparations for long-haul journeys.
Computer-based video analysis boosts data gathering in behavioral studies
Thomas Serre, assistant professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences at Brown, and colleagues at MIT and Caltech have developed a computer-based system that can learn how to identify behaviors of interest and then analyze many hours of video. The team describes the system in Nature Communications.
Canadian authorities to try 3D image of child to slow drivers
(PhysOrg.com) -- An optical illusion is about to be trialed in West Vancouver, Canada, starting September 7, to try to jolt reckless drivers into slowing down.
Supercomputing on a cell phone
Many engineering disciplines rely on supercomputers to simulate complicated physical phenomena — how cracks form in building materials, for instance, or fluids flow through irregular channels. Now, researchers in MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed software that can perform such simulations on an ordinary smart phone. Although the current version of the software is for demonstration purposes, the work could lead to applications that let engineers perform complicated calculations in the field, and even to better control systems for vehicles or robotic systems.
Medicine & Health news
Are white homosexual men still taking too many HIV risks?
Risky sexual behavior among members of a subset of the gay community is still adding to the spread of HIV. Research published in the open access journal BMC Infectious Diseases has found that young white homosexual men have an important contribution in the local spread of HIV.
Radiologists identify and treat teenage self-injury
Using ultrasound and a minimally-invasive procedure, radiologists can identify and treat patients who engage in a disturbing self-injury behavior known as self-embedding, according to a new study published in the online edition and October print issue of the journal Radiology.
Carbohydrate claims can mislead consumers
Food manufacturers advertise a variety of foods on grocery store shelves by using nutrient claims on the front of packaging. A study in the September/October issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior evaluates how consumers are interpreting certain carbohydrate-related content claims and the effects of claims on consumer perceptions of food products. Findings from this study reveal that consumers misinterpret low carbohydrate claims to have health benefits and weight loss qualities beyond their nutrition facts.
Many hospital emergency department visits could be treated elsewhere, study finds
About 17 percent of all visits to hospital emergency departments across the United States could be treated at retail medical clinics or urgent care centers, potentially saving $4.4 billion annually in health care costs, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Pharmaceutical conservation key to slowing rise of antibiotic-resistant infections
The United States must focus on conserving the use of antibacterial drugs, or face a public health crisis from rapidly rising rates of antibiotic-resistant infections, according to an analysis out today.
Who do our genes belong to?
Investors in pharmaceutical, medical and biotechnological industries should not be able to patent genes that are identical to naturally occurring sequences, according to an Australian National University biotechnology patent expert.
For teens battling depression, interactive online tools big help
Interactive online mental health resources combined with traditional counselling help improve the mental wellbeing of teenagers, according to new research by the University of Sydney published in the Journal of Technology in Human Services.
Study finds more Americans bypassing their personal physician when immediate treatment required
Only 45 percent of the 354 million annual visits for acute care in the United States are made to patients' personal physicians, as Americans increasingly make busy emergency departments, specialists or outpatient care departments their first point of contact for treatment of new health problems or a flare up of a chronic condition like asthma or diabetes.
Primary care financial incentives cut heart disease deaths and admissions
Financial incentives in primary care cut heart disease deaths and hospital admissions, particularly among people from deprived areas, finds research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
BMJ report into top-selling diabetes drug raises concerns about the drug regulatory system
A BMJ investigation into the top-selling diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) raises concerns about its safety and the whole system by which drugs are evaluated, regulated, and promoted around the world.
Unrelated kidney donor study shows age and obesity increase complications
Patients who have received a new kidney are significantly more likely to develop transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) if they are obese or over 50, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Renal Care.
How German palliative care physicians act at the end of life
Discussions about end of life practices in Germany have been almost taboo for over half a century, but now intense debate is underway as professional bodies review their guidelines to physicians caring for the dying. A new study out today in Palliative Medicine, published by SAGE, reveals that German physicians do hasten death in some cases, against current ethical guidelines - sometimes without sufficient patient involvement.
Scientists shed light on process that shapes illness in later life
Scientists hope to gain insights into a range of age-related ailments, such as dementia, by examining the behaviour of proteins thought to trigger the conditions.
Gambling on breast scans
A mathematical tool known as a Monte Carlo analysis could help improve the way X-rays are used for mammography and reduce the number of breast cancers missed by the technique as well as avoiding false positives, according to research published this month in the International Journal of Low Radiation.
Casing the joint
Current research provides a novel model for rheumatoid arthritis research. The related report by LaBranche et al, "Characterization of the KRN cell transfer model of rheumatoid arthritis (KRN-CTM), a chronic yet synchronized version of the K/BxN mouse," appears in the September 2010 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
The rare aging disease, Progeria, linked to aging in the general population
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), is a rare, fatal genetic disease characterized by an appearance of accelerated aging in children. All children with Progeria die of the same heart disease that affects millions of normal aging adults (atherosclerosis), but instead of occurring at 60 or 70 years of age, these children may suffer heart attacks and strokes even before age 10, and the average age of death is 13 years. Finding treatments and a cure for Progeria may provide clues to preventing or treating heart disease in the general population.
Multivitamin use doesn't impact colon cancer outcomes
Patients with colon cancer who used multivitamins during and after being treated with post-surgical chemotherapy did not reduce the risk of the cancer returning or their dying from it, according to researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
New robotic head and neck cancer surgery preserves speech, without scarring
An incisionless robotic surgical procedure is offering patients a new option to remove certain head and neck cancer tumors without visible scarring, while preserving speech and the ability to eat.
Choice of career is a major risk factor for persistent neurodermatitis
A child who can't stop scratching himself may well be suffering from atopic dermatitis, also known as neurodermatitis. Extreme irritability of the skin with a concomitant urge to scratch is typical of the disorder. The condition often appears during the first year of life and is on the increase in industrialized countries. The patient's skin becomes hypersensitive and reacts strongly to even mild irritation.
Bariatric operations reduce odds of gestational diabetes, cesarean section
Obese women who have bariatric surgical procedures before pregnancy were three times less likely to develop gestational diabetes (GDM) than women who have bariatric operations after delivery, according to new research findings published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The retrospective study also found that delivery after bariatric procedures was associated with reduced odds of cesarean section—an outcome associated with GDM.
Wrist splints in children as effective as casts
In children with wrist fractures, a splint is as effective as a cast and provides greater comfort and easier hygiene, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Targeting tumors: Research has led to lifesaving breast cancer treatments
(PhysOrg.com) -- Dr. Rita Mehta's research has led to more effective breast cancer treatments, with lifesaving results.
Researchers will test suicide prevention program in high schools
With students returning to classes, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers are beginning a large, long-term study of the effectiveness of a unique suicide prevention program in high schools across New York and North Dakota.
Nevirapine use may be beneficial for some HIV-infected children who have achieved viral suppression
HIV-infected children in South Africa who were exposed to the drug nevirapine at birth (used to help prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission) and then received a protease inhibitor (PI) for viral suppression achieved lower rates of viremia (virus in the blood stream) if they were switched to nevirapine, compared to children who continued on the PI-based regimen, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA. PI-based therapies generally have a higher cost compared to nevirapine, which may leave some children excluded from treatment.
Characteristics of patient panels appear associated with quality ratings of primary care physicians
Patients panels (used to rate the quality of care of physicians) with greater proportions of underinsured, minority and non-English speaking patients were associated with lower physician quality rankings, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.
Chronic drinking increases levels of stress hormones, leading to neurotoxicity
Alcohol consumption, withdrawal, and abstinence can all raise stress hormones in humans and animals. A review has described how stress hormones called glucocorticoids are associated with neurotoxicity during abstinence after withdrawal from alcohol dependence.Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism may therefore represent a pharmacological option for recovery.
After resection, common treatment of pancreatic cancer as effective as chemotherapy drug dose
Use of gemcitabine, a drug that can be effective in treating advanced and resected pancreatic cancer, did not result in improved overall survival after pancreatic cancer resection (surgical removal) compared to patients who received fluorouracil and folinic acid, another treatment regimen that has shown effectiveness, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.
Fetal exposure to radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: What is the likelihood of a risk?
Fetal exposure to radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: what is the likelihood of a risk?
Parents at highest risk for depression in the first year after child's birth
More than one-third of mothers and about one-fifth of fathers in the United Kingdom appear to experience an episode of depression between their child's birth and 12th year of age, with the highest rates in the first year after birth, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the November print issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Most US kids see fewer food ads on television: study
Most US kids saw fewer TV food ads between 2003 and 2007, but black kids were bombarded with more calorie-rich advertising than whites, a study showed Monday.
Blood signatures to diagnose infection
Coughing and wheezing patients could someday benefit from quicker, more accurate diagnosis and treatment for respiratory infections such as flu, through a simple blood test, according to scientists.
Experts recommend universal screening of newborns for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Today, The Endocrine Society released a new clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The guideline features a series of evidence-based clinical recommendations developed by an expert task force.
Interrupting death messages to treat bone disease
A surface molecule on bacteria that instructs bone cells to die could be the target for new treatments for bone disease, says a scientist speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting today.
All together now! Beijing revives mass exercises
Liu Tao grimaces as he leaps up and down doing jumping jacks, one of the exercises he sweats through under a revived daily calisthenics routine that authorities in Beijing want all workers to perform.
Children with ME show evidence of persistent infection
University of Dundee scientists investigating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in children have found abnormalities in blood cells involved in inflammation.
Can your desk job contribute to an early death?
If your job keeps you tied to your desk, you could count diabetes and an increased risk of death among your employment "benefits," suggests a new review of existing research.
What are babies made of? Research shows for some it is sugar, salt and not all things nice
Children as young as four weeks old are being fed a poor diet of biscuits, ice-cream and soft drinks, according to new Australian research.
At least 1 in 10 athletes injured during 2010 Winter Olympics
At least one in 10 athletes sustained an injury and a further one in 14 fell ill during the 2010 Winter Olympics, held in Canada, reveals research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
First Irish genome sequenced
The first entire genome of an Irish individual has been sequenced. The sequence is reported in BioMed Central's open access journal, Genome Biology and provides insight into the evolutionary history of this distinct lineage.
Risk of violent crimes not increased with bipolar disorder
A new study from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet suggests that bipolar disorder - or manic-depressive disorder - does not increase the risk of committing violent crime. Instead, the over-representation of individuals with bipolar disorder in violent crime statistics is almost entirely attributable to concurrent substance abuse.
Inflammation is associated with lower intelligence and premature death
Inflammation is associated with lower intelligence and premature death, according to Swedish scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. "Those with low-grade inflammation performed more poorly on standardised intelligence tests, even after excluding those with signs of current illness. Inflammation also predicted an increased risk of premature death," said lead researcher Dr Hakan Karlsson.
Is hand washing enough to stop the spread of disease?
Not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them, could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor. Frequently people give up drying their hands and wipe them on their clothes instead, but hand-hygiene is a key part of infection control and drying hands after washing is a very important part of the process.
Researchers uncover activation signal for Aurora-A oncogene
Aurora-A kinase (AurA) is an enzyme that is hyperactive in many cancers and drives tumor cell proliferation. Several AurA inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials to see if they slow tumor growth. Now, researchers in the Developmental Therapeutics Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center have identified an activation signal for AurA. They report in the September 7 issue of Nature Communications that a quick increase in the calcium concentration in a cell rapidly triggers AurA kinase activity. The discovery may lead to drug combinations that had not previously been considered, and it may provide new insights into how the cell division cycle is timed.
Short sleepers at higher risk of diabetes and heart disease
People who sleep less than six hours a night may be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers at the University of Warwick.
Low-income neighborhoods experience far more injuries than high-income areas
Penetrating injury rates were more than 20 times higher for persons living in the lowest income neighborhoods compared with those living in the highest income neighborhoods, according to a new study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Researchers also found that those in the lowest-income neighborhoods experienced nearly six times higher rates of blunt injury than persons in the highest income neighborhoods. Penetrating injuries included those from firearms or cuts; blunt injuries included motor vehicle crashes, falls and assaults.
A new role for insulin in cell survival, cell metabolism and stress response
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Age Research have discovered a novel way in which insulin affects cell metabolism and cell survival. Surprisingly the insulin signaling pathway, which is involved in aging, diabetes and stress response, is active at a deeper level of cell activity than scientists expected. The study appears in the September 8th issue of Cell Metabolism.
Mapping a brain atlas
Uncovering the secrets of the brain requires an intense network of collaborative research. Building on a tool that was co-developed in his laboratory and described in a recent issue of Brain, Dr. Yaniv Assaf of Tel Aviv University's Department of Neurobiology is collaborating with an international team of scientists to understand how different parts of the human brain "connect" -- and to turn this information into a "brain atlas."
FDA cites claims on 2 green tea beverages
(AP) -- Federal health regulators have issued warnings to the makers of Canada Dry ginger ale and Lipton tea for making unsubstantiated nutritional claims about their green tea-flavored beverages.
Researchers find new target to improve pain management
Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a major mechanism underlying the development of tolerance to chronic morphine treatment. The discovery may help researchers find new therapies to treat chronic pain, and reduce tolerance and side effects associated with morphine use. The findings are published in the July 20th issue of Science Signaling.
Gene scan helps identify cause of inherited blindness
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have scanned the entire genome of mice for genes that help build photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells of the eye.
Study shows how insulin stimulates fat cells to take in glucose
Using high-resolution microscopy, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have shown how insulin prompts fat cells to take in glucose in a rat model. The findings were reported in the Sept. 8 issue of the journal Cell Metabolism.
Researchers find diet-induced obesity accelerates leukemia
The first study to demonstrate that obesity can directly accelerate the progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been conducted at The Saban Research Institute of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and will be published in Cancer Prevention Research, on October 5, 2010. Obesity has been associated with an increased incidence of many cancers, including leukemia, but it has been unknown whether the increase in incidence was a direct effect of obesity or associated with genetic, lifestyle, health, or socio-economic factors.
New lymphoma treatment shows promise in dogs
Researchers have identified a new target for the treatment of lymphoma and are testing a potential new drug in pet dogs afflicted with the disease. At low doses, the compound, called S-PAC-1, arrested the growth of tumors in three of six dogs tested and induced partial remission in a fourth.
US smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults
(AP) -- U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported Tuesday.
For obese teens, weight problems persist into young adulthood
The older teens get, the more likely they are to pack on pounds, and obesity rates climb sharply between adolescence and young adulthood, finds a new study from Australia.
Study: Teasing about weight can affect pre-teens profoundly
Schoolyard taunts of any type can potentially damage a child's sense of self-confidence. But a new study suggests that a particular kind of teasing - about weight - can have distinctive and significant effects on how pre-teens perceive their own bodies.
Decision-making deficits related to driving under the influence are often undetected
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is a major public health problem. A study of people who had relapsed to DUI found subtle deficits in their decision-making abilities that tend to go undetected through conventional neuropsychological testing.
Study: Compared to recent flu strains, 2009 H1N1 infection had lower risk of most serious complications
An analysis of data from influenza cases in Wisconsin indicates individuals with 2009 H1N1 infections were younger than those with H3N2 (2007-2008), and that the risk of most serious complications was not higher in adults or children with 2009 H1N1 compared with recent seasonal strains, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.
Excessive drinking may lead to poor brain health via obesity
Prior research has shown that alcohol abuse and dependence are typically associated with higher rates of obesity, as evidenced by a high body mass index (BMI). Findings from a new study of the relationship between BMI and regional measures of brain structure, metabolite concentrations, and cerebral blood flow suggest that alcohol-related brain injuries may result from a complicated fusion of hazardous drinking, chronic cigarette smoking, and even elevated BMI.
Researchers identify gene set that shows which patients benefit from chemo after surgery
Lung cancer researchers have identified a genetic signature that can help doctors determine which patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer are at high risk for developing disease recurrence and therefore may benefit from chemotherapy after surgery ("adjuvant chemotherapy").
Higher education predicts better cardiovascular health outcomes in high-income countries
In one of the first international studies to compare the link between formal education and heart disease and stroke, the incidence of these diseases and certain risk factors decreased as educational levels increased in high-income countries, but not in low- and middle-income countries.
Dosing schedule of pneumococcal vaccine linked with increased risk of getting multiresistant strain
Infants who received heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV-7) at 2, 4, and 11 months were more likely than unvaccinated controls to have nasopharyngeal (in the nasal passages and upper part of the throat behind the nose) acquisition of pneumococcal serotype 19A, a leading cause of respiratory pneumococcal disease, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.
Regular statin use is associated with a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
There is an association between taking statins (lipid lowering drugs), and reduced risk of developing the chronic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis. These are the findings of a study by Gabriel Chodick and colleagues, published in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Ghostwritten articles overstate benefits of hormone replacement therapy and downplay harms
The first academic analysis of the 1500 documents unsealed in recent litigation against the pharmaceutical giant Wyeth (now part of Pfizer) reveals unprecedented insights into how pharmaceutical companies use ghostwriters to insert marketing messages into articles published in medical journals.
Low pre-natal vitamin D doubles schizophrenia risk
(PhysOrg.com) -- Newborn babies with low levels of vitamin D have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life, researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute have found.
Ritalin improves brain function, task performance in cocaine abusers
(PhysOrg.com) -- Brain-scanning study shows Ritalin improves impaired brain function in people addicted to cocaine, implying it could play a role in facilitating recovery from addiction.
Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene
(AP) -- Japan has confirmed the nation's first case of a new gene in bacteria that allows the microorganisms to become drug-resistant superbugs, detected in a man who had medical treatment in India, a Health Ministry official said Tuesday.
Having a male co-twin improves mental rotation performance in females
Having a sibling, especially a twin, impacts your life. Your twin may be your best friend or your biggest rival, but throughout life you influence each other. However, a recent study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, shows that having an opposite-sex twin may impact you even before you are born: females with a male co-twin score higher on mental rotation task than females with a female co-twin.
A missing link from obesity to infertility found
Obese women have a well-known risk for infertility, but a new Johns Hopkins Children's Center study has unraveled what investigators there believe is the mechanism that accounts for the risk.
An important genetic cardiovascular risk factor explained
New findings reported in the September issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication, appear to explain why people who carry specific and common versions of a single gene are more likely to have high cholesterol and to suffer a heart attack. Studies in mice show that the gene, known as sortilin (SORT1), controls the release of LDL (a.k.a. "bad") cholesterol from the liver into the bloodstream.
Addressing negative thoughts most effective in fighting loneliness
Changing how a person perceives and thinks about others was the most effective intervention for loneliness, a sweeping analysis of previous research has determined. The findings may help physicians and psychologists develop better treatments for loneliness, a known risk factor for heart disease and other health problems.
The brain speaks: Scientists decode words from brain signals
In an early step toward letting severely paralyzed people speak with their thoughts, University of Utah researchers translated brain signals into words using two grids of 16 microelectrodes implanted beneath the skull but atop the brain.
Higher income improves life rating but not emotional well-being
(PhysOrg.com) -- People's life evaluations rise steadily with income, but their reported quality of emotional daily experience levels off at a certain income level, according to a new study by two Princeton University professors.
Biology news
Iowa State study finds corn bred to contain beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new Iowa State University study has found that corn bred to contain increased levels of beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A. The discovery gives added support to the promise of biofortified corn being developed through conventional plant breeding as an effective tool to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Is organic farming good for wildlife? It depends on the alternative
Even though organic methods may increase farm biodiversity, a combination of conventional farming and protected areas could sometimes be a better way to maintain food production and protect wildlife.
Critically endangered whales flee Russian oil, gas boom
Russian oil and gas company Rosneft is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground.
What can a New Zealand reptile tell us about false teeth?
Using a moving 3D computer model based on the skull and teeth of a New Zealand reptile called tuatara, a BBSRC-funded team from the University of Hull, University College London and the Hull York Medical School has revealed how damage to dental implants and jaw joints may be prevented by sophisticated interplay between our jaws, muscles and brain. This research will appear in a future edition of the Journal of Biomechanics.
Researchers find solution to cell death problem vexing stem cell research
Human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells can generate any given cell type in the adult human body, which is why they are of interest to stem cell scientists working on finding therapies for spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, burns, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other ailments.
Marine bacteria cope with harsh mileu, learn to adapt
Marine bacteria live in a harsh mileu. They must constantly cope and adapt to changes in salinity, pH, temperature and other parameters. In her thesis, Barbara Weber, Umea University, studied how bacteria communicate with each other.
What swims beneath -- and what doesn't
(PhysOrg.com) -- Several times over the last four summers, Rutgers marine scientists have combined high and low technology to answer a straightforward scientific question: How do the fish in a big urban estuary react to big piers built by their human neighbors?
K-State receives patent for noncontroversial source of stem cells
Kansas State University has been a issued a patent for a plentiful and noncontroversial source of stem cells from a substance in the umbilical cord.
Judge won't let stem cell money keep flowing
(AP) -- A federal judge has turned down the Justice Department's request to temporarily delay his order that could shut down federal funding for some stem cell research.
Big brains attributed to mother's care
The evolution of big-brained mammals may be due to maternal investment, rather than metabolism, according to a new study by scientists at UCL (University College London) and the University of Cambridge.
Termites foretell climate change in Africa's savannas
Using sophisticated airborne imaging and structural analysis, scientists at the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology mapped more than 40,000 termite mounds over 192 square miles in the African savanna. They found that their size and distribution is linked to vegetation and landscape patterns associated with annual rainfall. The results reveal how the savanna terrain has evolved and show how termite mounds can be used to predict ecological shifts from climate change. The research is published in the September 7, 2010, advanced online edition of Nature Communications.
Researchers publish turkey genome sequence
An international consortium of researchers has completed the majority of the genome sequence of the domesticated turkey, publishing it in the online open-access journal PLoS Biology next week. In 2008, the research consortium set out to map the genetic blueprint for the domesticated turkey, the fourth-most popular source of meat in the United States. The complete genome sequence, rapidly acquired using 'next-generation' sequencing technology, promises new data for avian researchers and, ultimately, a better quality product for turkey producers and consumers.
This email is a free service of PhysOrg.com
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
http://www.physorg.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as mail@joashmabs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment