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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for April 29, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Race to the top: Decoding metastasis- Voyager set to enter interstellar space
- GPS data reveals more on mega-thrust earthquakes
- New method found for controlling conductivity
- Densest known rocky planet: Astronomers unveil portrait of 'super-exotic super-Earth'
- 3-D nanocone solar cell technology cranks up efficiency
- Supercomputers crack sixty-trillionth binary digit of Pi-squared
- Can big earthquakes disrupt world weather?
- Hunting for the good news in the human genome
- Araucarias gauge ancient levels of carbon dioxide
- Shuttle Endeavour's last trip delayed (Update)
- Court allows US stem cell funding to continue
- The rewards of doing 'something'
- New uses for exhausted electric vehicle batteries proposed
- Researchers discover mechanism that could convert certain cells into insulin-making cells
Space & Earth news
Giffords: A poignant presence, but out of view
(AP) -- It's a sight many Americans would surely love to see: a recovering Rep. Gabrielle Giffords watching as her astronaut husband blasts off into space.
Astronauts send royal wedding wishes from space
International Space Station astronauts sent greetings from the cosmos to Prince William and Kate Middleton after soaring over Britain on the eve of the royal wedding Friday.
Endeavour weathers storm, ready to launch Friday
(AP) -- Six astronauts have said their goodbyes to their families and are ready to take space shuttle Endeavour on its final flight Friday as hundreds of thousands gather along Florida's Space Coast to cheer the spectacle.
Precious cargo aboard final space flight of Endeavour
The US space shuttle Endeavour is poised to launch Friday carrying a multibillion dollar tool for searching the universe on the penultimate flight for NASA's 30-year program.
Putin fires Russia space chief after mishaps
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday fired the Russian space agency chief after a series of high-profile setbacks cast a shadow on the 50th anniversary year of Yuri Gagarin's first space flight.
NASA fuels Endeavour for historic last launch
(AP) -- Just a few hours from liftoff, NASA fueled space shuttle Endeavour for one last ride into orbit Friday as hundreds of thousands of visitors began to converge on the coast for prime viewing spots.
California Academy of Sciences launches scientific expedition to the Philippines
Today, scientists from the California Academy of Sciences will launch the most comprehensive scientific survey effort ever conducted in the Philippines, documenting both terrestrial and marine life forms from the tops of the highest mountains to the depths of the sea. They will be joined by colleagues from the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, the Philippines National Museum and the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, as well as by a team of Academy educators who will work to share the expedition's findings with local community and conservation groups. The expedition, which will conclude with a symposium at the University of the Philippines on June 8, is funded by a generous gift from Margaret and Will Hearst.
UCSB urban ecosystem research featured in leading ecology journal
A team of scientists has produced an innovative new study of the environmental impact of major urban ecosystems, published in the April issue of the journal Ecological Applications.
Using trees to detect contaminants and health threats
Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have developed a method to detect the presence of soil and groundwater contamination without turning a shovel or touching the water.
Russia ferries supplies to space
An unmanned Russian cargo vessel on Friday docked without a hitch at the International Space Station, bringing a fresh supply of oxygen and equipment to the six-member crew.
L.A., Bakersfield remain among U.S.'s most polluted cities, report says
Smog and soot levels have dropped significantly in Southern California over the last decade, but the Los Angeles region still has the highest levels of ozone nationwide, violating federal health standards an average of 137 days a year.
Killer twisters likely among largest, strongest
Some of the killer tornadoes that ripped across the South may have been among the largest and most powerful ever recorded, experts suggested, leaving a death toll that is approaching that of a tragic "super outbreak" of storms almost 40 years ago.
Researcher estimates future sea level rise by looking to the past
(PhysOrg.com) -- Boston University College of Arts & Sciences Paleoclimatologist Maureen Raymo and colleagues have published findings that should help scientists better estimate the level of sea level rise during a period of high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels 3 million years ago. That geologic era, known as the mid-Pliocene climate optimum, saw much higher global temperatures that may have been caused by elevated levels of carbon dioxide—an analogy for the type of climate we are causing through human addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
China to attempt first space rendezvous
China will attempt its first space docking between two unmanned vehicles this year, the first step in efforts to build a Chinese space station, a senior official said Friday.
Can big earthquakes disrupt world weather?
(PhysOrg.com) -- The eruption of the Laki volcano in Iceland in 1783-84 set off a cascade of catastrophe, spewing sulfuric clouds into Europe and eventually around the world. Poisonous mists and a resulting famine from loss of crops and livestock killed thousands in Iceland, up to a quarter of the population. An estimated 23,000 people in Britain died from inhaling toxic fumes. Acid rain, heat, cold, drought and floods have been attributed to the eruption, which lasted from June until February.
Araucarias gauge ancient levels of carbon dioxide
One way of telling how much carbon dioxide was in the atmosphere in the past is by counting pores (or stomata) in leaves – the tiny openings plants use to absorb CO2 and lose water. It may seem far-fetched, but plants tend to decrease the number of pores when the atmospheric CO2 is increased.
Shuttle Endeavour's last trip delayed (Update)
The historic next-to-last space shuttle launch was scratched Friday because of mechanical problems, spoiling a visit from the president and dashing the hopes of the biggest crowd of spectators in years, including the mission commander's wounded wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Voyager, the love story
(PhysOrg.com) -- One day, years from now--or maybe billions of years, no one knows--aliens might be surprised to run across an old spaceship from Earth. Improbably far from home, the ancient probe is space cold, its nuclear power source spent long ago; an iconic white antenna points silently into the void, beaming no data to the species that made it. Yet this Voyager may speak to its finders.
Goddard building instrument to study reconnection
Whether it's a giant solar flare or a beautiful green-blue aurora, just about everything interesting in space weather happens due to a phenomenon called magnetic reconnection. Reconnection occurs when magnetic field lines cross and create a burst of energy. These bursts can be so big they're measured in megatons of TNT.
Densest known rocky planet: Astronomers unveil portrait of 'super-exotic super-Earth'
(PhysOrg.com) -- An international team of astronomers today revealed details of a "super-exotic" exoplanet that would make the planet Pandora in the movie Avatar pale in comparison.
GPS data reveals more on mega-thrust earthquakes
(PhysOrg.com) -- New GPS data of the 2010 earthquake that devastated parts of Chile and killed over 500 people is revealing new clues about large earthquakes such as the quake in Chile and the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck near the east coast of Japan on 11 March this year.
Voyager set to enter interstellar space
(PhysOrg.com) -- More than 30 years after they left Earth, NASA's twin Voyager probes are now at the edge of the solar system. Not only that, they're still working. And with each passing day they are beaming back a message that, to scientists, is both unsettling and thrilling.
Technology news
China's ZTE rejects Huawei patent charges
Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE has rejected charges by its bigger rival Huawei Technologies, which is suing ZTE in three European countries for alleged patent and trademark infringements.
Build safety into the very beginning of the computer system
A new publication from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides guidelines to secure the earliest stages of the computer boot process. Commonly known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), this fundamental system firmware—computer code built into hardware—initializes the hardware when you switch on the computer before starting the operating system. BIOS security is a new area of focus for NIST computer security scientists.
$200 million bid underway for The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe reported Friday that a businessman is preparing to offer more than $200 million to buy the struggling newspaper from its owner, The New York Times Co.
Motorola Mobility narrows loss as phone sales rise
(AP) -- Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., the maker of cellphones and cable set-top boxes that split off from the rest of Motorola in January, said Thursday that it narrowed its loss in the first quarter as it nearly doubled shipments of smartphones.
Samsung 1Q profit falls 30 percent on chips, TVs
(AP) -- Samsung Electronics said first-quarter profit fell 30 percent on declines in memory chip prices and reduced profitability in liquid crystal displays and flat screen televisions.
Sony sued over PlayStation Network hack
Sony is being sued in US court by gamers irked by news that a hacker cracked PlayStation Network defenses and pilfered data that could potentially be used for fraud or identity theft.
Taiwan smartphone maker HTC reports profit jump
(AP) -- Taiwan's top smartphone maker HTC said Friday its first-quarter earnings nearly tripled, with shipments totaling 9.7 million handsets amid growing market demand.
Google grew from Stanford engineering, and the relationship continues to provide answers to tough problems
Visitors to the new Huang Engineering Center, home of the Stanford School of Engineering, may see a whimsical structure built of brightly colored Lego blocks, translucent plastic and packaging tape. Tucked inside are several bulky hard drives and a logic board.
Physics for safer ports: New technology uses nuclear 'fingerprints' to scan cargo ships
While 700 million travelers undergo TSA's intrusive scans and pat-downs each year, 11 million cargo containers enter American ports with little screening at all. And the volume of those containers, roughly equivalent to 590 Empire State Buildings of cargo, could contain something even worse than box knives or exploding shoes, namely nuclear weapons.
Bang goes that theory!
An academic from Canterbury Christ Church University has disproved the theory 'you need water to swim' on a prime time television show.
Amazon apologizes for server outage, offers credit
(AP) -- Amazon.com Inc. apologized Friday for a data-center outage that brought down major websites including Foursquare and Reddit and offered Web services customers a 10-day credit.
Royal wedding breaks Internet records with live stream
Britain's royal wedding broke records for live streaming on Friday, Internet firms said, causing some websites to falter under the strain as hundreds of millions watched online.
Aqua Star USA creates a two man underwater scooter
(PhysOrg.com) -- Have you ever had a Jacques Cousteau fantasy? A yearning to live your own version of 20,000 leagues under the sea? Or maybe, you just want to see the great barrier reef on something other than the Discovery Channel? Either way, unless you are an experienced swimmer with a solid set of diving skills, your dreams are out of reach. Right?
New software to support interest in extreme science
(PhysOrg.com) -- Today the University of Chicago's Flash Center for Computational Science will release a major new version of supercomputer code, called FLASH 4-alpha. Based on previous software for simulating exploding stars, this is the first version of the FLASH code that has extensive capabilities for simulating high-energy density physics experiments.
Apple juggernaut sends ripples through tech world
(AP) -- Consumer technology companies reporting financial results this week are looking like rowboats bobbing in the wake of Apple Inc.'s supertanker.
Legal challenges could hold back cloud computing
Want to store your digital songs, movies, TV shows, books and video games on a computer or mobile device? No problem. The real trick these days is pushing all that content onto the Internet so it can follow you from device to device, eliminating the need for storage altogether.
ICANN hires hacker to keep Internet safe
The agency in charge of the world's Internet addresses on Thursday appointed veteran hacker Jeff Moss to be its chief of security.
New uses for exhausted electric vehicle batteries proposed
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a move with far and wide consequences for the automobile industry, many groups are banding together to study the two-pronged problem of high initial costs for lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries for electric vehicles, and then what to do with those batteries once they lose their ability to hold a strong enough charge to keep motorists moving. Most proposed solutions center around reusing the batteries in applications that don’t require a battery to be fully chargeable, such as battery backups for an electrical grid; thus allowing the initial cost of the batteries to be spread out over a much longer lifespan.
Google releases a doc scanning and editing app for Android
(PhysOrg.com) -- One of the best ways to edit your documents on your tablet PC has been to use a web-based service like Google Docs. Running Google Docs on an Android-based tablet lacks usability and has always been a mixed experience, depending on your Wi-Fi signal strength. Sometimes it worked well, and sometimes it did not.
Medicine & Health news
Frequently hospitalized patients may benefit from new medical specialty focused on their needs
Declining rates of hospitalization have discouraged primary care doctors from seeing their patients in the hospital and encouraged the growing use of "hospitalists," a new physician specialty focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Further developments in the field mean that frequently hospitalized patients also may need a specialist focused on their care, according to an expert on hospital care at the University of Chicago.
3-D printing technology from CT images may be used effectively for neurosurgical planning
3D models, produced by combining a patient's CT scans and 3D printing technology are proving useful in neurosurgical planning.
Ongoing relationship with care provider key for patients with a chronic condition: study
(Medical Xpress) -- People with a chronic condition such as diabetes or arthritis may find themselves taking on a more active role in maintaining or improving their own health if there is an ongoing relationship with a primary healthcare (PHC) provider, according to University of British Columbia research.
Interval post-treatment mammogram not needed for breast cancer patients
An annual mammogram is sufficient follow-up after breast conserving therapy (BCT) for breast cancer patients, according to a study presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
MRI locates prostate cancer recurrence at extremely low PSA levels
A pelvic MRI scan with IV contrast and rectal balloon is highly effective in identifying local recurrence even at low PSA values in prostate cancer patients with a rising or persistently elevated PSA after prostatectomy, according to a study presented April 29, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Combining CT, FDG-PET provides more accurate treatments for head and neck cancer patients
Combining computerized tomography (CT) with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) images results in significantly more defined tumor outlines and potentially different treatment options in head and neck cancer patients compared to using CT alone, according to research presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Tissue spacers reduce risk of rectal injury for prostate cancer patients
Injecting a tissue spacer in the prostate-rectal inter-space is an effective way to reduce the rectal dose for prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, according to research presented April 30, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Proton imaging provides more accuracy, less radiation to pediatric cancer patients
Proton radiography imaging used prior to and during proton treatments for pediatric cancer patients provides for more accurate treatment delivery and a lower dose of radiation compared to standard diagnostic X-rays and cone beam CT, according to a study presented today at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Sustaining vulnerable lives
Patient safety is a hot topic in the U.S., Australia and Europe. Large resources are set aside for research projects that will make life safer for patients. In Norway, the research field is still new – but researchers from Stavanger are in the forefront.
Benefit of PET in patients with head and neck tumors cannot be assessed
The benefit and harm of positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with head and neck tumours, applied alone or in combination with computed tomography (CT), cannot currently be reliably assessed. This is the result of a final report published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). The Institute was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to assess the advantages and disadvantages of this diagnostic method. However, as the authors of the report explain, suitable studies for this purpose are lacking.
Unintentional child injuries, deaths can be prevented, health researchers say
Patricia Schnitzer, associate professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, says that most unintentional child injury deaths of young children result from inadequate supervision or failure to protect children from harm. Although injuries to children may be unintentional, they can be prevented and should not be considered accidents.
Bladder 'pacemaker' can fix overactive bladder, other voiding issues
If your day is punctuated by urgent trips to the bathroom or trouble emptying your bladder, you might have a voiding dysfunction condition. The good news is that it can be easily treated.
Positive media campaigns help minorities put down cigarettes
While African-American smokers are less likely to receive quitting advice from their doctors or use quit aids, media campaigns that offer positive encouragement can have an impact on getting them to quit, finds a new study.
Network created to address obesity, chronic health issues in Appalachian region
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, residents of many Appalachian counties are three times more likely to die from diabetes than someone living in other counties in the same state, or in most other parts of the United States. Now, a group of seven regional academic centers and community organizations have joined forces to change those health disparities and improve health through the creation of the Appalachian Translational Research Network (ATRN).
Health literacy tests underutilized; may improve elderly cancer patients' care and outcomes
Low health literacy is a significant barrier to quality care, especially among elderly patients, but increased use of simple and effective health literacy assessment tests by nurses and clinicians can help improve communication and health outcomes.
Clinical trial recommends new antibiotic for treating typhoid in low income countries
A large clinical trial comparing treatments for typhoid has recommended the use of gatifloxacin, a new generation and affordable antibiotic. The results of the trial in Kathmandu, Nepal, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Li Ka Shing Foundation, are published today in the Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Concern over 'excessive' doses of thyroid drugs for older patients
Many older adults may be taking "excessive" doses of drugs for thyroid problems which can lead to an increased risk of fractures, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Measles outbreak underscores need for continued vigilance in health care settings
The U.S. measles vaccination program has been successful in eliminating endemic measles in the United States; yet this success has provided challenges that require ongoing vigilance for the rapid identification and response to measles cases in health care settings. In 2008, the largest reported health care-associated measles outbreak in the United States since 1989 occurred in Tucson, Arizona, costing approximately $800,000 in response and containment efforts. In a report published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online, researchers identify preventive measures hospitals and health care facilities can implement to reduce the likelihood and decrease the economic impact of a future measles outbreak in these settings.
The Royal Wedding: Marriage could help boost couple's long-term physical and mental health
(PhysOrg.com) -- As William and Catherine look forward to their big wedding day they could also be looking forward to a life of improved mental and physical health which will grow over time, according to a University academic and student.
Report identifies top 10 pathogen-food combinations that cause illness
Researchers at the University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute have identified the Top 10 riskiest combinations of foods and disease-causing microorganisms, providing an important tool for food safety officials charged with protecting consumers from these costly and potentially life-threatening bugs.
In therapy with avatars
(PhysOrg.com) -- Combating phobias and psychotic disorders using virtual technology. This is what the work of TU Delft researcher Willem-Paul Brinkman involves. In the latest edition of Delft Outlook, TU Delft?s science magazine, Brinkman shows how this method can provide solutions for such problems as fear of flying and, in the longer term, possibly also for social disorders.
Researchers uncover new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer
(PhysOrg.com) -- In an analysis of more than 1,300 human breast tissue samples, a team of Stony Brook University School of Medicine researchers discovered a possible role of the squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in the progression of breast cancer.
Scientists create new genetic model of premature aging diseases
Working with a group of national and international researchers, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed a new genetic model of premature aging disorders that could shed light on these rare conditions in humans and provide a novel platform for large-scale screening of compounds to combat these and other age-related diseases.
Study identifies second gene associated with specific congenital heart defects
A gene known to be important in cardiac development has been newly associated with congenital heart malformations that result in obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. These are the findings from a study conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital and appearing in the journal Birth Defects Research Part A.
Gene therapy shows promise against age-related macular degeneration
A gene therapy approach using a protein called CD59, or protectin, shows promise in slowing the signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new in vivo study by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine. Led by senior author Rajendra Kumar-Singh, PhD, the researchers demonstrated for the first time that CD59 delivered by a gene therapy approach significantly reduced the uncontrolled blood vessel growth and cell death typical of AMD, the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. The study was published on April 28 in PLoS ONE.
Key regulator of nervous system development works by blocking signaling protein
Neuroepithelial stem cells, the early progenitors for much of the nervous system, need to maintain a keen sense of direction in order to properly manage replication, migration and maturation. These cells are highly polarized, and exclusively initiate cell division at their apical (top) end rather than at their basal (bottom) end, although it has remained a mystery how they determine which way is up.
A flash of insight
Imagine never having seen a car before and trying to determine what makes the vehicle run. That’s how Christof Grewer begins to explain his research on tiny proteins in the brain.
2,784 vaccinations later
The two thousand, seven hundred and eighty-fourth baby has been vaccinated today in South Africa as part of a clinical trial of a new vaccine against tuberculosis. The new TB vaccine is the most advanced in development anywhere in the world.
Personal contact reduces tension, prejudice
(Medical Xpress) -- Does interacting with other groups reduce prejudice and conflict? Can it be proven? "The answer is yes, it helps, overwhelmingly," says Thomas F. Pettigrew, social psychology research professor at UC Santa Cruz.
How HIV changes and reproduces
Years ago, identical twin baby boys received a blood transfusion tainted with HIV. Today, one twin is relatively healthy with a near-normal immune system, but his brother is five years behind on the growth chart and has developed many complications.
African-Americans more active users of smoking 'quitlines'
African-Americans are consistently more likely than white smokers to use telephone help lines to quit smoking, and are more responsive to mass media messages promoting the “quitline,” finds a long-term California study.
Children with bedroom TVs might be at greater obesity risk
A new small study of Hispanic children found that those with TVs in their bedrooms were more likely to be overweight.
Black cardiac arrest patients more likely to be admitted to hospitals with lowest survival rates
Black cardiac arrest victims are more likely to die when they're treated in hospitals that care for a large black population than when they're brought to hospitals with a greater proportion of white patients, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The study is published in the April issue of the American Heart Journal.
One drug, many targets: Finding molecular targets of an HIV drug used in cancer therapy
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego and Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) have identified potential human molecular targets of the anti-HIV drug Nelfinavir, which may explain why the drug is also effective as a cancer therapy. Their study will be published in the online edition of PLoS Computational Biology on April 28.
Study of jazz musicians reveals how the brain processes improvisations
(Medical Xpress) -- A pianist is playing an unknown melody freely without reading from a musical score. How does the listener’s brain recognise if this melody is improvised or if it is memorized? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig investigated jazz musicians to discover which brain areas are especially sensitive to features of improvised behaviour. Among these are the amygdala and a network of areas known to be involved in the mental simulation of behaviour. Furthermore, the ability to correctly recognise improvisations was not only related to the musical experience of a listener but also to his ability to take the perspective of someone else.
How do white blood cells detect invaders to destroy?
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have discovered how a molecular receptor on the surface of white blood cells identifies when invading fungi have established direct contact with the cell surface and pose an infectious threat.
ResQPod, ResQPump: New devices to aid cardiac arrest patients
(Medical Xpress) -- When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, their chances of survival are less than 10%, however, if being treated with two new devices instead of traditional CPR alone, they have a 53% better chance of survival. In a study published in The Lancet, Dr. Tom Aufderheide describes the devices and their results in field trials.
Hunting for the good news in the human genome
One of the most common and most disabling birth defects, spina bifida strikes about one in 1,000 births in the United States -- nearly as many as Down’s Syndrome. The cause of this often devastating disorder, characterized by an incomplete closing of the back bone and spinal cord, still befuddle scientists. But UC Berkeley geneticist Jasper Rine believes his research team may be on the verge of cracking its genetic mystery.
The rewards of doing 'something'
just as long as they are doing something. That's one of the findings summarized in a new review article published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Researchers discover mechanism that could convert certain cells into insulin-making cells
Simply put, people develop diabetes because they don't have enough pancreatic beta cells to produce the insulin necessary to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Race to the top: Decoding metastasis
(Medical Xpress) -- One of cancer's greatest and most insidious threats is metastasis – the three-dimensional migratory invasion of cancer cells from primary tumors to a distant part of the body. The challenge of defeating cancer lies not only in the fact that the area where the new colony appears is unpredictable, but also that different types of cancer metastasize at different rates and with varying degrees of growth. While standard therapeutic intervention modalities focus on destroying the cancer cells, a new generation of scientists – physicists, oncologists, molecular pharmacologists, materials scientists, computational biologists, and engineers working collaboratively – has taken a different tack: viewing cancer metastasis as intelligent, cooperative genetically-expressed adaptive behavior that can be decoded and, through emerging techniques in synthetic biology, reprogrammed.
Biology news
New pairs of compounds may help tree nuts fight fungal foe
(PhysOrg.com) -- Some crunchy, good-for-you tree nuts like almonds and pistachios are vulnerable to attack by a troublesome mold known as Aspergillus flavus. The mold produces cancer-causing natural compounds called aflatoxins.
Stanford creates first PhD program in stem cell science
Stanford University’s Faculty Senate today approved the creation of what officials believe is the first stem cell science PhD program in the nation and, perhaps, the world. The new doctoral program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is also the first interdisciplinary doctoral program created by the School of Medicine in recent years.
Elusive industry input critical for squid management: study
(PhysOrg.com) -- If you want to know how the fishing is, ask a person who fishes. That’s the gist of a University of Maine study of cooperative research efforts in the nation’s Illex squid fishery.
Parrots do tricks without looking
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ornithologists at the University of Birmingham have discovered that parrots cannot see what they are doing when they carry out the tricky manipulations of objects, for which they are renowned. While parrots have a good field of vision in front, above and behind their head, they cannot see below their bill into the region where all the manipulation occurs. The research is published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Court allows US stem cell funding to continue
A US federal appeals court on Friday ruled that government funding for embryonic stem cell research can go ahead, handing a major victory to President Barack Obama's administration.
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