Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for May 9, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Water waves exhibit negative gravity near a periodic array of buoys- Neuro-tweets: #hashtagging the brain (w/ video)
- New study reveals surprising clues about communication in hair stem cell populations
- Methane levels 17 times higher in water wells near hydrofracking sites
- New carbon nanotube sensor can detect tiny traces of explosives
- Immature skull led young Tyrannosaurs to rely on speed, agility to catch prey
- Researchers get new view of how water and sulfur dioxide mix
- Scientists unmask mysterious cells as key 'border patrol agents' in the intestine
- Virtual possessions have powerful hold on teenagers, researchers say
- Impact of comets could be responsible for Titan's atmosphere
- Biologists discover a new class of insect repellent
- A tiltable head could improve the ability of undulating robots to navigate disaster debris (w/ video)
- 'Fool's Gold' from the deep is fertilizer for ocean life
- Variety is the spice of life for animal movement
- Researchers sequence genomes of fungi that threaten wheat, poplars
Space & Earth news
The antenna in the valley
When Galileo Galilei turned his modest “spy glass” towards the stars in the summer of 1609, he opened up new skies. He observed things which no one had ever seen before: mountains and craters on the moon, the phases of Venus, individual stars of the Milky Way. Galileo Galilei had pushed the window into space wide open. He had no way of knowing that his telescope observed only a tiny octave in the cosmic keyboard of light, because the electromagnetic spectrum we receive from space stretches across twelve orders of magnitude: at one end are the high-energy gamma rays with wavelengths of 0.01 nanometres (one billionth of a meter); at the other, the radio region with wavelengths of several metres.
'The 100-m telescope is better than ever before'
For four decades, a white dish has dominated the landscape around the village of Effelsberg in the Eifel. This is where the 100-metre telescope of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy was inaugurated on May 12, 1971. For many years it was the world’s largest fully steerable radio antenna and its huge dimensions still impress all who see it. In scientific terms, as well, the precision instrument has accomplished a great deal. We talked with Michael Kramer, one of the four Institute Directors, about the telescope’s past and its future.
Tiger video triggers WWF forest protection call
Conservation group WWF Monday urged timber firms to drop plans to clear Indonesian forest areas where infra-red cameras have captured footage of rare Sumatran tigers and their cubs.
Nitrate fertiliser wasted on sugarcane
(PhysOrg.com) -- Rising nitrogen fertiliser application to sugarcane crops globally and the potential for this fertiliser to be leached from soil and lost to the atmosphere have been highlighted in a new study led by The University of Queensland (UQ) and BSES Ltd.
Image: Sunset over South America
(PhysOrg.com) -- The Expedition 27 crew photographed this sunset over western South America from aboard the International Space Station.
Vietnam says Laos suspends Mekong dam project
Laos has told Vietnam it will suspend work on a controversial dam planned for the Mekong River, official media reported, after Hanoi sought a 10-year deferment of the scheme.
Clouds' effect on sunlight energy at Earth's surface depends on the wavelength of light
Bouncing around from cloud to cloud, and down to Earth, sunlight's warmth is both enhanced and blocked by clouds. Atmospheric scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that clouds' overall effect on the amount of sunlight available to warm the earth depends on the wavelength of sunlight being measured. Their unexpected findings show that the sunlight scattered by clouds is an important component of cloud contributions to Earth's energy balance.
Black holes from the dawn of the universe
The "Dark Ages" of the universe started about 400,000 years after the big bang, after matter cooled down enough for neutral atoms to form.
Consumers detect odd odors, tastes in water despite government guidelines, scientist says
People are more sensitive to metallic tastes in their water than federal guidelines about taste would suggest, according to a Colorado State University researcher’s manuscript in the Journal of Water and Health.
Update on Gliese 581d's habitability
When last we checked in on Gliese 581d, a team from the University of Paris had suggested that the popular exoplanet, Gliese 581d may be habitable. This super-Earth found itself just on the edge of the Goldilocks zone which could make liquid water present on the surface under the right atmospheric conditions. However, the team’s work was based on one dimensional simulations of a column of hypothetical atmospheres on the day side of the planet. To have a better understanding of what Gliese 581d might be like, a three dimensional simulation was in order. Fortunately, a new study from the same team has investigated the possibility with just such an investigation.
Planet spotting
The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia counted 548 confirmed extrasolar planets at 6 May 2011, while the NASA Star and Exoplanet Database (updated weekly) was today reporting 535. These are confirmed findings and the counts will significantly increase as more candidate exoplanets are assessed. For example, there were the 1,235 candidates announced by the Kepler mission in February, including 54 that may be in a habitable zone.
The skinny on how shed skin reduces indoor air pollution
Flakes of skin that people shed at the rate of 500 million cells every day are not just a nuisance — the source of dandruff, for instance, and a major contributor to house dust. They actually can be beneficial. A new study, published in the American Chemical Society's journal, Environmental Science & Technology, concludes that oil in those skin cells makes a small contribution to reducing indoor air pollution.
NASA: Next-to-last shuttle launch set for May 16
(AP) -- NASA will try again next Monday to launch Endeavour on the next-to-last space shuttle flight, after replacing a switch box and plugging in new electrical wiring
La Nina brings flood risks and drought to the West
The winter and early spring have been extreme across the West, with record snowpacks bringing joy to skiers and urban water managers but severe flood risks to northern Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
NASA satellite observes damage path of april tornadoes
Recent images of the April 27 storm damage path have been captured by NASA's Terra satellite, part of NASA's Earth Observing Satellite system, or EOS. An instrument aboard Terra, called Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer or ASTER, captured the images show the scars from the outbreak.
Raging storms sweep away galactic gas
(PhysOrg.com) -- ESA's Herschel infrared space observatory has detected raging winds of molecular gas streaming away from galaxies. Suspected for years, these outflows may have the power to strip galaxies of gas and halt star formation in its tracks.
Report: Direct removal of carbon dioxide from air likely not viable
Technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are unlikely to offer an economically feasible way to slow human-driven climate change for several decades, according to a report issued by the American Physical Society and led by Princeton engineer Robert Socolow.
UN targets endosulfan for elimination
(PhysOrg.com) -- Endosulfan is a leading pesticide used mainly on coffee, tea and cotton crops throughout the world, as well as a wood preservative. It belongs to a family of organic compounds known as organochlorines and is classified as one of the worst persistent organic pollutants. Because of this, it has become the most recent hazardous chemical added to the United Nations’ list of chemicals to be eliminated.
Impact of comets could be responsible for Titan's atmosphere
(PhysOrg.com) -- Titan, Saturn's largest moon, may have had help with the creation of its nitrogen-rich atmosphere, according to a new study published in Nature Geoscience. Scientists believe that multiple impacts by comets hitting the ammonia ice on the moon’s surface converted the ammonia to nitrogen.
'Fool's Gold' from the deep is fertilizer for ocean life
Similar to humans, the bacteria and tiny plants living in the ocean need iron for energy and growth. But their situation is quite different from ours--for one, they can't turn to natural iron sources like leafy greens or red meat for a pick-me-up.
Consumption, carbon emissions and international trade
Accurately calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the process of producing and bringing products to our doorsteps is nearly impossible, but still a worthwhile effort, two Carnegie researchers claim in a commentary published online this week by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The Global Ecology department's Ken Caldeira and Steven Davis commend the work of industrial ecologist Glen Peters and colleagues, published in the same journal late last month, and use that team's data to do additional analysis on the disparity between emissions and consumption in different parts of the world.
Methane levels 17 times higher in water wells near hydrofracking sites
A study by Duke University researchers has found high levels of leaked methane in well water collected near shale-gas drilling and hydrofracking sites. The scientists collected and analyzed water samples from 68 private groundwater wells across five counties in northeastern Pennsylvania and New York.
Technology news
Cyber-school students: Pentagon snubs our service
(AP) -- Students graduating from the growing ranks of online high schools are running into a hurdle if their goal is to join the military: The Pentagon doesn't want many recruits with non-traditional diplomas.
Twitter user claims to name UK stars who gag press
A Twitter account had more than 35,000 followers by Monday after claiming to have revealed the names of British celebrities who have taken out gagging orders to prevent reporting about their private lives.
A simple, mildly invasive solution for conserving historic buildings
Stone masonry arches form part of numerous historic buildings – religious edifices, bridges, walkways and aqueducts. Although solid structures are involved, the environmental and historical conditions of the bearing load, use and accidental factors can cause their collapse, with the consequent loss of architectural heritage. Industrial engineer Leire Garmendia studied an innovative system for the rehabilitation of these masonry arches, which is minimally invasive and more manageable than current methods. Her European doctoral thesis, undertaken at the Tecnalia Construction Unit and presented at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), is entitled Rehabilitation of masonry arches by a compatible and minimally invasive strengthening system.
Activision reports higher 1Q earnings, revenue
(AP) -- Activision Blizzard says its first-quarter net income and revenue grew, helped by strong demand for digital offerings such as downloadable content for the popular "Call of Duty" games.
Cognitive radio inventor received IEEE Award
Dr. Joseph Mitola, Distinguished Professor and Vice President of The Research Enterprise at Stevens Institute of Technology, received the IEEE TCCN Recognition Award at the IEEE International Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks Symposium (IEEE DySPAN), held in Aachen, Germany May 3-6. This award recognizes Dr. Mitola's fundamental contributions to wireless communications as the founder of cognitive radio, and continued contributions in the field through both scholarship and leadership.
US Secret Service takes to Twitter
The US Secret Service, renowned for the sharp suited agents protecting the US president, made its debut on Twitter on Monday, saying the micro-blogging site could help recruiting.
Facebook sharing sending readers to big news sites
(AP) -- Facebook is influencing what news gets read online as people use the Internet's most popular hangout to share and recommend content.
Japan's Toshiba returns to black
Japan's Toshiba on Monday said it returned to the black for the year to March, but warned the outlook remains uncertain due to the impact of the massive quake and tsunami in March.
EU nuclear safety sweep accused of soft-pedalling
Europe on Wednesday will draw up stress-test parameters for a safety sweep of its nuclear power reactors, promised after Japan's Fukushima No.1 disaster, but already the focus of bitter disputes.
UN: Renewable energy key in climate change fight (Update)
(AP) -- Renewable sources such as solar and wind could supply up to 80 percent of the world's energy needs by 2050 and play a significant role in fighting global warming, a top climate panel concluded Monday.
Softbank reports robust earnings on smartphones
(AP) -- Softbank Corp., the only Japanese mobile carrier offering the hit iPhone, said annual profit nearly doubled despite suffering damage from the March 11 quake and tsunami that battered northeastern Japan.
Sun-driven and Australia-bound
To build a car powered completely by the sun, a team of Berkeley students is burning lots of midnight oil.
YouTube founders buy social media tracker
The founders of YouTube on Monday announced they bought a startup that specializes in tracking what campaigns at Twitter or Facebook are doing for companies' bottom lines.
To help combat at-sea piracy, ONR recruits DOD community for online wargame
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) intends to launch on May 16 a new Internet wargame, recruiting a community of more than 1,000 players to collaborate on solving real-world problems facing the Navy.
Groupon, Live Nation form online-ticket deal site
(AP) -- Concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and online deal site Groupon are forming a venture to develop an online ticketing deal website called GrouponLive.
Japan, US eye Mongolia nuclear waste depot: report
Japan and the United States are eyeing a plan to jointly construct an underground nuclear waste storage complex in Mongolia, a newspaper report said Monday.
HP gunning for Cisco in computer network arena
Hewlett-Packard (HP) on Monday unveiled business computer networking gear tailored for modern Internet demands, taking direct aim at Cisco in a multi-billion-dollar market.
Transaction declined? Texting would OK overdrafts
(AP) -- If you're willing to pay a $35 fee to overdraw your checking account, just text your approval to the bank.
US privacy groups welcome 'Do Not Track' bill
Privacy and consumer groups welcomed a "Do Not Track" bill introduced in the US Senate on Monday that would let Internet users block companies from gathering information about their online activities.
Hide files within files for better data security
Steganography is a form of security through obscurity in which information is hidden within an unusual medium. An artist might paint a coded message into a portrait, for instance, or an author embed words in the text. A traditional paper watermark is a well-known example of steganography in action. At first glance, there would appear to be nothing unusual about the work, but a recipient aware of the presence of the hidden message would be able to extract it easily. In the computer age, steganography has become more of a science than an art.
LinkedIn looking for $32 to $35 per share in IPO
(AP) -- Professional networking website LinkedIn Corp. hopes to sell its stock for $32 to $35 per share in an upcoming initial public offering. Its IPO may encourage other growing Internet services to make their stock market debuts during the next year.
Progressive Automotive X-Prize runner-up car gets 207.5 MPGe
(PhysOrg.com) -- After coming in second to team Edison2 in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize competition last summer, team Illuminati, makers of the car named "Seven" have demonstrated that their vehicle is capable of achieving 207.5 Miles per Gallon equivalent (MPGe), (88.2 Kilometers per Liter) a designation created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to give consumers a means of comparing mileage efficiency of all-electric vehicles or hybrids to one another and those still running on gasoline power.
Massive hydroelectric project faces test in Chile
A $3.2 billion hydroelectric project billed as key to satisfying Chile's growing energy needs faces a major hurdle Monday as an environmental panel decides whether or not to give it the green light.
YouTube adds thousands of movies for rent online (Update)
YouTube on Monday added 3,000 new movies for "rent" online in the United States as it continued an evolution aimed at wooing viewers away from television.
The Aeryon Scout gets VideoZoom10x upgrade (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- The Aeryon Scout is not a new piece of technology. This flying robot, which was created by a Canadian company called Aeryon Labs, is able to quietly hover in place and point a camera down onto the people and objects below. If you have, or are interested in getting your hands on, one of these quadrocopters then you are in for a substantial upgrade, known as the VideoZoom10x payload.
Medicine & Health news
50 years on, UK betting shops lure new breed of punters
Fifty years after legalisation, the UK's betting shops are attracting a new type of customer. This widening appeal may have harmful consequences in terms of problem gambling, argues initial research findings funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Large study finds CT scans are frequently unnecessary after head injury in children
Overall, roughly half of U.S. children taken to hospital emergency departments (EDs) for a head injury receive a head CT scan, often to ease worried parents' concerns. Yet true traumatic brain injury is uncommon. A multi-center study of more than 40,000 children with minor blunt head trauma, led by Children's Hospital Boston and UC Davis, shows that allowing a period of observation can reduce the use of head CT by as much as half without compromising care – and without exposing children to ionizing radiation. Results appear in the June 2011 issue of Pediatrics (published online May 9).
New IOF teaching tool helps health professionals identify vertebral fractures
Vertebral fractures are a common cause of pain and disability – and they are also powerful predictors of future spine and hip fractures. Yet there is evidence that many health professionals simply fail to recognize vertebral fractures in their patients. Even if the fractures are reported, appropriate intervention is often not initiated.
UCSF heart doctors uncover significant bias in TASER safety studies
The ongoing controversy surrounding the safety of using TASER® electrical stun guns took a new turn today when a team of cardiologists at the University of California, San Francisco announced findings suggesting that much of the current TASER-related safety research may be biased due to ties to the devices' manufacturer, TASER International, Inc.
Mayo Clinic studies how much practice makes perfect when performing colonoscopies
A colonoscopy is an invaluable procedure for detecting problems in the colon and rectum. Doctors can often diagnose gastrointestinal issues and even catch the warning signs of colorectal cancer. Perfecting the skills required for this delicate procedure takes practice. But just how much practice makes perfect?
Most nurses don't use recommended intramuscular injection site despite potential risks
Seven out of ten hospital nurses who took part in a Canadian study used the dorsogluteal (DG) buttock site to administer intramuscular injections - despite the potential risks of sciatic nerve injury - with only 14% using the ventrogluteal (VG) hip site recommended by the nursing literature.
Coroners wrong to say no to post-mortem tissue collection, academics argue
The creation of a post-mortem tissue archive for a study of the human form of mad cow disease failed because of a "misguided" refusal by coroners to participate.
Time to stimulate, not limit, pediatric subspecialist training
As Washington looks for ways to trim budget costs, one of the programs facing continued threats of cuts or elimination is the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Program, a program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that provides federal funds to freestanding children's hospitals to support pediatrician and resident training. A new commentary in the May Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine illustrates the critical need for continued funding of this vital program, which supports the training of more than 40 percent of all pediatricians and 43 percent of all pediatric subspecialists.
One-third of Spanish children do not wake up feeling refreshed
Children have poor quality sleep. A new study carried out in Valencia shows that 37.4% of children aged from 6 to 8, 25.3% of those aged between 9 and 11, and 31.8% of those aged from 12 to 15 wake up feeling refreshed only once a week, or even not at all. The results also show that 4.26% of them fall asleep in class more than three times per week.
Telemedicine 'robot' allows stroke specialists to remotely evaluate patients in oak park
Acute stroke patients who arrive at Rush Oak Park Hospital’s emergency room can now be seen immediately by a Rush University Medical Center stroke neurologist without the specialist actually being there.
Study finds teens often willing to accept free or low-cost rapid HIV testing
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine HIV testing for everyone between the ages of 13-64 as part of their regular medical care, testing rates remain low among adolescents. However, a new study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center suggests teens who are offered free or low-cost rapid HIV testing are often willing to accept the test.
For older heart-transplant patients, hospitals doing the most operations yield better outcomes
Older, sicker heart-transplant recipients are significantly more likely to be alive a year after their operations if they have their transplants at hospitals that do a large number of them annually new Johns Hopkins research suggests. These patients fare less well at low-volume centers, the research shows.
FDA could analyze public health consequences of its decisions better
A new report from the National Research Council lays out a framework for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to systematically evaluate and compare the public health consequences of its decisions concerning a wide variety of products. Moreover, the risk-assessment framework provides a common internal language to discuss potential options and draws extensively on well-vetted risk literature to define the relevant health dimensions for FDA decision making.
Stem cell technology used in unique surgery
Surgeon and Professor Michael Olausson was able to create a new connection with the aid of this blood vessel between the liver and the intestines, necessary to cure the girl. The girl is now in good health, and her prognosis is very good. The girl developed during her first year of life a blood clot in the blood vessel that leads blood from the intestines to the liver. This introduced the risk that she would experience life-threatening internal bleeding. The condition can be cured if it is possible to direct the blood along the correct path, back into the liver. In optimal cases, the surgery can be performed using blood vessels from other parts of the patient's body, but a liver transplant may be necessary if the surgery is unsuccessful due to a lack of sufficient blood vessels. A liver transplant will involve subsequent lifelong treatment with immunosuppressive drugs.
First human NOTES experience for sleeve gastrectomy at UCSD
Sleeve gastrectomy, in which part of the stomach is removed, can be safe and effective when performed either transorally or transvaginally, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) who are pioneering the surgery in the U.S.
Diabetes levels in Canadian Inuit similar to those in general population
Canadian Inuit are not protected from the health consequences of obesity, contrary to previous knowledge, and their diabetes levels are similar to those in the general population, according to an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Ensuring research integrity
Canada needs an agency to investigate research misconduct, states an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Reducing the side effects of a multiple sclerosis drug
The drug FTY720 is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Although highly effective it can have serious side effects, including reduced lung function and fluid accumulation in the eye.
Aboriginal youth use tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol more than non-aboriginal youth
Aboriginal-youth living off-reserve in Canada use tobacco, alcohol and drugs significantly more than non-Aboriginal youth and have higher health risks, according to an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Are words weighing down the development of policy for better health?
Unrealistic and uninformed media portrayals of weight not only can negatively influence individual behavior, but can impact how policymakers approach issues of weight and health. The result, according to experts from the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance and the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), is a continued belief that these issues are largely a matter of personal responsibility and that little can or should be done in policy to address them.
Mind/body program increases pregnancy rates in IVF treatment
There is no doubt that undergoing infertility treatment is stressful, with high rates of anxiety and depression reported by many patients. Mind/body therapies designed to help women reduce stress earlier in the treatment process result in higher pregnancy rates, but little is known specifically about the impact of these therapies on women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A grim dilemma: Treating the tortured prisoner
Medical involvement with torture is prohibited by international law and professional associations, and yet sometimes it is the right thing for doctors to do, argue two bioethicists. Their timely paper in the Hastings Center Report comes as news of the trail leading to the death of Osama Bin Laden points to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay who were subject to "enhanced interrogation techniques," which many believe amounted to torture.
Latest advances in gene therapy for ocular disease are highlighted in Human Gene Therapy
Disorders of the eye are excellent targets for gene therapy because the ocular environment is readily accessible, relatively easy to monitor, and sequestered from the rest of the body. A series of articles available online ahead of print in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., highlight several exciting developments in ocular gene therapy. The articles are available free online at www.liebertpub.com/hum
Physical disabilities add challenge to pregnancy
(AP) -- Her first pregnancy brought Dianna Fiore Radoslovich a break from the weakness and pain of her multiple sclerosis.
Health-care providers are prescribing nontraditional medicine
More than a third of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and that number continues to rise attributed mostly to increases in the use of mind-body therapies (MBT) like yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises.
Study evaluates cost-effectiveness of strategies to treat infant tear-duct obstruction
When infants' tear ducts are blocked, the decision about when to intervene and the cost-effectiveness of doing so depend on how likely it is the problem will self-resolve, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Health professionals appear concerned about bias in commercially funded continuing medical education
Commercial funding of continuing medical education (CME) and the potential for bias appear to concern many health care practitioners and researchers, but many reported being unwilling to pay higher fees to eliminate or offset commercial funding sources, according to a report in the May 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Study of health in Brazil highlights major progress
Major progress has been made in reducing the burden of infectious diseases in Brazil as part of a "remarkable" success story for health in the South American country, according to researchers on a series of papers published in The Lancet.
Prevalence of autism in South Korea estimated at 1 in 38 children
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in South Korea affect an estimated 2.64% of the population of school-age children, equivalent to 1 in 38 children, according to the first comprehensive study of autism prevalence using a total population sample. The study—conducted by Young-Shin Kim, M.D., of the Yale Child Study Center and her colleagues in the U.S., Korea and Canada—identifies children not yet diagnosed and has the potential to increase autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates worldwide.
Schools may ban chocolate milk over added sugar
(AP) -- Chocolate milk has long been seen as the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down, but the nation's childhood obesity epidemic has a growing number of people wondering whether that's wise.
Sexual orientation affects cancer survivorship
Gay men have a higher prevalence of cancer compared with heterosexual men, and lesbian and bisexual female cancer survivors report lower levels of health than heterosexual female cancer survivors. Those are the conclusions of a new study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's findings shed light on the types of programs and services that are needed to assist lesbian, gay, and bisexual cancer survivors.
Vets oppose bill that raises health care fees
(AP) -- Health care fees for working-age military retirees would increase slightly under a defense bill unveiled Monday that drew fierce opposition from the 2.1 million-strong Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Heart cells derived from stem cells used to study heart diseases
(PhysOrg.com) -- A research team at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is the first to use heart cells derived from stem cells to specifically study certain genetic mechanisms of heart diseases.
Celiac disease vaccine shows promising results in Phase I trial
The world's first potential vaccine for coeliac disease has shown promising results for treating coeliac disease in a Phase I clinical trial and is expected to move to Phase II trials within the next year.
iPhone app can diagnose stroke: study
New research from the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine shows that doctors can make a stroke diagnosis using an iPhone application with the same accuracy as a diagnosis at a medical computer workstation. This technology can be particularly useful in rural medical settings. This allows for real-time access to specialists such as neurologists, regardless of where the physicians and patients are located.
To reduce prejudice, try subtlety: study
(Medical Xpress) -- A team led by University of Arizona researcher Jeff Stone sought to expand what is known about effective prejudice reduction strategies, finding that a key when confronted by a prejudiced individual is to ask self-affirming questions.
New test could give SLE patients a more tolerable life
Five million people worldwide suffer from the chronic rheumatic disease SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus. Together with rheumatologists, researchers at Lund University in Sweden are on the way to developing a new test that could resolve a number of question marks surrounding the disease and in the long run improve the lives of SLE patients. Their research is published in the next issue of the respected journal Molecular and Cellular Proteomics.
Post-traumatic stress disorder common following significant orthopedic trauma
Although most commonly associated with military combat, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in civilians, too – and with consequences that are just as serious, according to a new review article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS). PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event involving physical injury, and occurs in 20 to 51 percent of patients with an orthopaedic injury.
Smokers undergo the same changes in gene expression as patients with COPD
'Healthy' smokers experience changes in the gene expression of their lungs similar to that suffered by smokers who have developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is the conclusion of a new study, led by Catalan researchers, which confirms the crucial role that smoking plays in causing these alterations.
Statisticians review landmark HIV vaccine trial
Hopes ran high in 2009 when a New England Journal of Medicine article announced success in developing a vaccine against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Inner-city health centers could do more to boost breastfeeding
Health centers and birth hospitals serving largely minority populations could do more to promote and encourage recommended breastfeeding, according to a new study of Philadelphia safety-net health clinics.
Unmet dental needs in Los Angeles children shown in study
In 2007, the death of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver from untreated tooth decay exposed the need for better dental care in Maryland families with limited resources. However, the problem ranges beyond a single state, researchers found when they examined poor, migrant and minority children in Los Angeles.
Open-access colonoscopy is safe: study
Nurse-driven, open-access colonoscopy programs are as effective and safe as colonoscopy following a consultation with a gastroenterologist, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.
Full face transplant patient makes 1st appearance
(AP) -- The nation's first full face transplant recipient said the first thing his young daughter told him when she saw him after the operation was "Daddy, you're so handsome."
Oncolytic viruses effectively target and kill pancreatic cancer stem cells
Oncolytic viruses quickly infect and kill cancer stem cells, which may provide a treatment for tumors that are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation, particularly pancreatic cancer, according to new research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The findings are especially important since pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and is difficult to detect and treat at early stages.
New marker offers hope for more reliable detection of prostate cancer
A new, promising marker for diagnosing prostate cancer has been discovered by Swedish researchers with the aid of a unique method developed at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology. The study, being published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS, can lead to more reliable diagnoses and fewer unnecessary operations.
Do you think liposuction will get rid of that fat forever?
Liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the country. It has been around since 1974 and there are now more than 450,000 operations a year. But does the fat come back? A recent study by Teri L. Hernandez, PhD, RN and Robert H. Eckel, MD, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that the fat eventually returns within one year, and is redistributed to other areas of the body, especially the upper abdomen. There was further redistribution around the shoulders and triceps of the arms.
Parsley, celery carry crucial component for fight against breast cancer, researcher finds
Parsley is usually used as a decorative accent to a scrumptious meal, but don't set it aside just yet. In a new study, a University of Missouri researcher has found that a compound in parsley and other plant products, including fruits and nuts, can stop certain breast cancer tumor cells from multiplying and growing. The study was published recently in Cancer Prevention Research.
Supply of hospice services strongly associated with local area's median household income
Wealth, population size, race and age associate with the supply of hospice care available in a county, according to a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management this month.
Model developed to improve combination vaccine accessibility worldwide
Combination vaccines for young children are commonly used in industrialized nations because they provide protection for multiple diseases in one single injection. However, combination vaccines are prohibitively expensive for developing countries and may not available until several years later, or when market prices are more affordable.
Nitric oxide impacts source of sickle cell pain crisis
Nitric oxide gas appears to directly impact the source of the classic, disabling pain crises of sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.
Argentina bans electronic cigarettes
Argentina on Monday banned the import, sale and promotion of electronic cigarettes, saying there is no proof they help smokers kick the tobacco habit.
Heart medication best at bedtime, study reveals
When doctors give heart drugs to patients, the time of day can make a big difference, according to new research by University of Guelph scientists.
Single bioptic telescope for low vision driving may not obscure road view of second eye
A study by scientists at Schepens Eye Research Institute shows that a bioptic telescope on one lens of a pair of glasses used to magnify traffic signs and lights may not prevent the wider view of the road with the second eye. The study results, which will be published in the May 2011 Archives of Ophthalmology, are the first evidence that--under more realistic viewing conditions than in earlier studies--the second eye can detect objects in the area obscured by the magnification effect of the telescope (called the ring scotoma).
Teenage alcohol consumption associated with computer use
Teenagers who drink alcohol spend more time on their computers for recreational use, including social networking and downloading and listening to music, compared with their peers who don't drink.
Evidence of over-diagnosis of pulmonary embolisms as a result of CTPA
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), meant to improve detection of life-threatening pulmonary embolisms (PE), has led to over-diagnosis and over treatment of this condition. These findings, which appear in May 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. may continue to grow worse as the as the use of CT scans continue to rise.
1 in 7 strokes occurs during sleep, many go without clot-busting treatment
Approximately 14 percent of all strokes occur during sleep, preventing many from getting clot-busting treatment, according to a study published in the May 10, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Blood test for colon cancer screening beneficial for some seniors, but not for many others
A new study of U.S. veterans ages 70 and older finds that the healthiest get the most benefit from current colon cancer screening methods. However, for many less healthy veterans the burdens of screening may outweigh the benefits.
Evidence insufficient on relationship of modifiable factors with risk of Alzheimer's disease
The available evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions about the association of modifiable factors and risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to a report posted online today that will appear in the September issue of Archives of Neurology.
Dementia, mild cognitive impairment common in 'oldest old' women
Mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and their subtypes are common in the "oldest old" women, which includes those 85 years of age and older, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Neurology.
Short term use of painkillers could be dangerous to heart patients
Even short-term use of some painkillers could be dangerous for people who've had a heart attack, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Research identifies risk factors associated with progression of glaucoma
Elevated pressure inside the eye, cornea thinning, and visual field loss are all markers that glaucoma may progress, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
NIH study describes fast, sensitive blood test for human prion disease
Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), report that they have developed a method—10,000 times more sensitive than other methods—to detect variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD) in blood plasma. vCJD is a type of prion disease in humans that leads to brain damage and death. The NIAID researchers also used the test to rapidly detect scrapie, a prion disease of sheep, in infected hamsters, some pre-symptomatic.
UK scientists pave the way to tackling anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are severely debilitating, the commonest cause of disability in the US workplace, and a source of great anguish to individuals and their families. Although fear and anxiety are part of our natural response to stress, the causes of chronic and inappropriate levels of anxiety are complex and treatments unsatisfactory.
Clothing firms 'sexualise' pre-teen girls: study
Some clothing firms in the United States are marketing sexy garments for pre-teen girls, reinforcing a destructive stereotype of female attractiveness, research released on Monday said.
Scientists reveal nerve cells' navigation system
Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered how two closely related proteins guide projections from nerve cells with exquisite accuracy, alternately attracting and repelling these axons as they navigate the most miniscule and frenetic niches of the nervous system to make remarkably precise connections.
Obesity creates wimpy rats
(Medical Xpress) -- Obesity appears to impair normal muscle function in rats, an observation that could have significant implications for humans, according to Penn State researchers.
Scientists unmask mysterious cells as key 'border patrol agents' in the intestine
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered new clues about how the intestine maintains friendly relations with the 100 trillion symbiotic bacteria that normally live in the digestive tract.
Step in breakdown of HIV proteins essential to recognition, destruction of infected cells
A key step in the processing of HIV within cells appears to affect how effectively the immune system's killer T cells can recognize and destroy infected cells. Researchers at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have found that – as HIV proteins are broken down within cells, a process that should lead to labeling infected cell for destruction by CD8 T cells – there is a great variability in the stability of resulting protein segments, variations that could significantly change how well cells are recognized by the immune system. Their report appears in the June Journal of Clinical Investigation.
New method to diagnose heart arrhythmias developed
(Medical Xpress) -- Abnormalities in cardiac conduction, the rate at which the heart conducts electrical impulses to contract and relax, are a major cause of death and disability around the world. Researchers at Columbia Engineering School have been developing a new method, Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI), that is the first non-invasive technique to map the electrical activation of the heart. Based on ultrasound imaging, EWI will enable doctors to treat arrhythmias more efficiently and more precisely. The study was published online in the May 9th Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
We actually 'become' happy vampires or contented wizards when reading a book
Bad news for muggle parents! A new study by psychologists at the University at Buffalo finds that we more or less "become" vampires or wizards just by reading about them.
Estrogen-lowering drugs reduce mastectomy rates for breast cancer patients
In the first large trial of its kind in the United States, researchers have shown that estrogen-lowering drugs can shrink tumors and reduce mastectomy rates for patients with stage 2 or 3 breast cancer.
Neuro-tweets: #hashtagging the brain (w/ video)
(Medical Xpress) -- We like to think the human brain is special, something different from other brains and information processing systems, but a Cambridge professor set out to test that assumption – by conducting a live experiment using Twitter.
New study reveals surprising clues about communication in hair stem cell populations
In one of the first studies to look at the population behavior of a large pool of stem cells in thousands of hair follicles – as opposed to the stem cell of a single hair follicle – Keck School of Medicine of USC scientists deciphered how hair stem cells in mice and rabbits can communicate with each other and encourage mutually coordinated regeneration, according to an article published in the April 29 edition of the journal Science.
Biology news
Basic research enhances potential for cultivation in extreme climates
Research on gene expression has resulted in plants that can survive drought, high salt concentrations, and infections. This opens the possibility of forestry in harsh climates. The plants produce more leaves than usual, which mean that they can yield more food per plant. These are the findings of researchers at Umeå University in Sweden in an article in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The ethics of biofuels
An article in the current issue of Global Change Biology Bioenergy outlines a framework for evaluating biofuels in order to address ethical issues surrounding the rapidly evolving race to develop biofuels.
Beetlemania: The joy of dung
Darren Mann likes nothing better than getting his hands dirty. He’s at his happiest in the field with magnifying glass and notebook, delving into a fresh pile of poo. He is an insect expert and a specialist in dung beetles, some of nature’s best recyclers. "They’re an amazing group of insects," he tells us. "My life revolves around my girlfriend and insects. I work 10 to 12 hours a day and half the weekend, and when I’m not working I’m out collecting."
Malaria mosquitoes accurately find their way to smelly feet
Malaria mosquitoes utilise CO2 from exhaled air to localize humans from afar. In the vicinity of their preferred host they alter their course towards the human feet. Researcher Remco Suer discovered how female malaria mosquitoes use foot odours in the last meters to guide them to their favoured biting place. Suer, who will defend his doctoral thesis the 9th of May at Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, sees possibilities to disrupt the host seeking behavior of the malaria mosquito.
Dispatches from the edge of doom
Something strange happened in 1973. Republican president Richard Nixon -- who the year before had stated, "this is not the land of quotas and restrictions" -- signed the Endangered Species Act into law.
Zombie ants have fungus on the brain
Tropical carpenter ants (Camponotus leonardi) live high up in the rainforest canopy. When infected by a parasitic fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) the behaviour of the ants is dramatically changed. They become erratic and zombie-like, and are manipulated by the fungus into dying at a spot that provides optimal conditions for fungal reproduction. New research, published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Ecology, looks at altered behaviour patterns in Zombie ants in Thailand and shows how the fungus manipulates ant behaviour.
Biologists discover a new class of insect repellent
Imagine an insect repellant that not only is thousands of times more effective than DEET – the active ingredient in most commercial mosquito repellants – but also works against all types of insects, including flies, moths and ants.
Variety is the spice of life for animal movement
Scientists at Royal Holloway, University of London and the University of Leicester have discovered animals searching for food do not stick to a complicated pattern of movement as previously thought but tend to wander about randomly.
Researchers sequence genomes of fungi that threaten wheat, poplars
An international team of researchers co-led by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has sequenced the genomes of two fungal pathogens-one that threatens global wheat supplies and another that limits production of a tree crop valued as a future source for biofuel.
Genome of marine organism reveals hidden secrets
An international team of researchers led by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has deciphered the genome of a tropical marine organism known to produce substances potentially useful against human diseases.
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