Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for June 13, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Interview: Dr. Ben Goertzel on Artificial General Intelligence, Transhumanism and Open Source (Part 2/2)- Fermilab experiment fails to confirm new particle claim
- First telecommunications wavelength quantum dot laser on a silicon substrate
- 60 new mutations in each of us: Speed of human mutation revealed in new family genetic research
- Many migraines may have a common genetic basis
- Scientists improve method for finding genetic mistakes that fuel cancer
- Single Green Fluorescent Protein-expressing cell is basis of living laser device
- Many hereditary conditions associated with errors in pre-mRNA splicing, study suggests
- Promising new target for stifling the growth and spread of cancer
- Brain structure adapts to environmental change
- Researchers find new clues about aging
- Dawn spacecraft captures video of asteroid approach (w/ video)
- Slime mold prefers sleeping pills
- Plovers tracked across the Pacific
- Transforming robotics with biologically inspired learning models
Space & Earth news
Chileans living near volcano urged to stay away
(AP) -- Chilean officials ordered most residents already evacuated from homes near an erupting volcano to stay in shelters and with family and friends Sunday due to the threat of deadly landslides. The ash spread across the Pacific, prompting authorities to suspend flights in Australia and New Zealand.
Debt-hit Greece sees profit in air pollution: report
Greece could earn up to 170 million euros for its cash-strapped treasury from a trade of greenhouse-gas emission allowances on the Athens stock exchange, a report said Sunday.
UN calls for eco-friendly farming to boost yields
The United Nations food agency on Monday called for greater use of environmentally sustainable techniques by poor farmers in order to increase crop intensity to feed the world's growing population.
Creationism creeps into mainstream geology
In almost every way, the "Garden of the Gods at Colorado Springs" excursion at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA) last year was a normal — even enjoyable — field trip. Standard geologic terminology was used in the accompanying field trip guide and the guides relied on orthodox geologic thinking to explain geologic features. But in reality, the trip was anything but a normal geology field trip.
Landsat satellite images compare before and after Massachusetts tornado
Satellites provide a lot of useful information and the Landsat 5 satellite captured an image of the long damage track created on June 1, 2011 when a tornado tracked from Springfield to Sturbridge, Mass. An earlier image is now available from 2010 that enables people to more clearly see the damage path the June 2011 twister created on its eastward track.
Total lunar eclipse next week, not visible in US
(AP) -- The year's first total eclipse of the moon will last an unusually long time, a rare celestial treat for a wide swath of the globe.
Chile volcano ash grounds Australia, NZ flights
Ash from Chile's volcanic eruptions prompted Australian airline Qantas to ground some domestic services and some flights to New Zealand on Sunday, after plumes drifted across the Pacific.
For water researchers, an atmosphere full of questions
A Gulfstream turboprop sits on the McClellan Airport runway under gray, gloomy skies. Kim Prather has waited two weeks for this day.
Researchers find 'needle in a haystack' as lakebed yields microscopic clues about submerged archeological sites
After drilling for clues under the bed of a lake in south-eastern Ontario, a McMaster researcher has turned up evidence of human activity that has been submerged since water covered it thousands of years ago.
What's up with Iapetus?
Although Saturn's moon Iapetus was first discovered in 1671 by Giovanni Cassini, its behavior was extremely odd. Cassini was able to regularly find the moon when it was to the west of Saturn, but when he waited for it to swing around to Saturn’s east side, it seemed to vanish. It wasn’t until 1705 that Cassini finally observed Iapetus on the eastern side, but it took a better telescope because the side Iapetus presented when to the east was a full two magnitudes darker. Cassini surmised that this was due to a light hemisphere, presented when Iapetus was to the west, and a dark one, visible when it was to the east due to tidal locking.
Oh-My-God Particles
Cosmic rays are really sub-atomic particles, being mainly protons (hydrogen nuclei) and occasionally helium or heavier atomic nuclei and very occasionally electrons. Cosmic ray particles are very energetic as a result of them having a substantial velocity and hence a substantial momentum.
Ash clouds? You ain't seen nothing yet
The recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland upset airline bosses and caused a lot of fuss, but they were trivial by comparison with what could happen next, according to Clive Oppenheimer's new book.
New study of storm generation could improve rainfall prediction in West Africa
A new study of how storms are generated could improve rainfall prediction in dry regions of Africa, where drought and short growing seasons are common.
A new, distant arm of the Milky Way galaxy
(PhysOrg.com) -- Our Milky Way galaxy, like other spiral galaxies, has a disk with sweeping arms of stars, gas, and dust that curve around the galaxy like the arms of a huge pinwheel.
Dawn spacecraft captures video of asteroid approach (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists working with NASA's Dawn spacecraft have created a new video showing the giant asteroid Vesta as the spacecraft approaches this unexplored world in the main asteroid belt.
Technology news
Montana man builds 30 years of quadriplegic gaming
(AP) -- For Ruben Rios to throw a touchdown, it takes a flick of his tongue. To break away from a tackle, he puffs into a tube.
States weigh relaxing penalties for teen sexting
(AP) -- A congressman who sends an X-rated photo of himself jeopardizes his reputation and his job. But in many states, teens caught doing the same thing can risk felony charges, jail time and being branded sexual offenders.
Research improves the bolted joints in airplanes
A research project at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid that analyzes the bolted joints used in the aeronautical industry has determined the optimum force that should be applied so that they may better withstand the variations in temperature that aircraft are subjected to. This advance could improve airplane design, weight and safety.
Freescale introduces first single-chip solution for sophisticated automotive dashboard displays
As vehicles become increasingly complex with interconnected engine, safety and electrical systems, dashboards must display a multitude of information for drivers to monitor, ranging from critical gauges and notifications to parking aids and collision warnings. Freescale Semiconductor has expanded its portfolio of Qorivva 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) built on Power Architecture technology to power the next wave of automotive instrument cluster applications.
Palin emails let old media test new media methods
(AP) -- The analysis of Sarah Palin's emails over the past few days may end up teaching us more about the future of journalism than about the former Alaska governor's past.
Electronic Arts merging big games, gadgets
US videogame publishing titan Electronic Arts is merging blockbuster titles with social play, popular new gadgets and downloadable content in a changing world of interactive entertainment.
Facebook tests real-time update feature
Facebook on Friday said it is dabbling with a Twitter-like feature that alerts members in real time to what their friends are up to on the social network.
Federal agency backs HP inkjet patent complaint
Hewlett-Packard said Friday that a US federal agency has backed its claim that rival MicroJet Technology Co. was infringing on patents for lucrative inkjet printer cartridges.
Construction to resume on parts of solar project
(AP) -- Construction can resume on a massive Southern California solar energy project after wildlife officials determined it will not jeopardize the threatened desert tortoise, federal officials said Friday.
Games: 'Duke Nukem Forever' finally launches
(AP) -- It may have seemed like forever, but "Duke Nukem Forever," the shooter game first announced in 1997, has finally arrived.
RIM shareholder calls for separate CEO, chairman
(AP) -- BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. is already struggling to keep up with rivals such as Apple Inc. Now it faces another challenge: dissident shareholders who are calling for changes in how the company is run.
IMF targeted in cyberattack, extent not disclosed
(AP) -- The International Monetary Fund, already reeling from last month's arrest of its former leader, is investigating an attack on its computer system.
Malaysia seeks to ban sites for illegal downloads
(AP) -- Thousands of Malaysians joined an online protest Sunday against a government effort to block access to 10 popular websites often used to illegally download movies, TV shows and music.
Japan 3-D pop avatar a real-world hit
Japanese teenage pop sensation Miku Hatsune has millions of smitten fans, a string of top hits and an image entirely unblemished by drug use, scandals or celebrity meltdowns.
Solar-powered plane's Paris flight abandoned
Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse landed in Brussels Saturday after the pilot aborted a flight to Paris following a series of technical problems, his team said.
Comcast's $4.4B Olympian bid a bold online bet
(AP) -- NBC lost more than $200 million the last time it showed the Winter Olympics, and it's bracing for similar losses in London next year.
China's launch of key high-speed railway imminent
China's much-anticipated high-speed railway linking Beijing and Shanghai is set to open this month, the government said Monday, shrugging off safety concerns after a recent corruption scandal.
German port's future blowing in the wind
The small German port of Cuxhaven is betting its future on North Sea wind, promoting itself as a base for new offshore wind farms as the country embarks on a bid to scrap nuclear power.
US bankrolls 'shadow Internet for dissidents' abroad
The US government is financing the development of "shadow" Internet systems to enable dissidents abroad to get around government censors, The New York Times reported on Sunday.
House built from a passion for green
Melissa Rappaport Schifman just wanted to do the right thing. She never imagined it would take a 342-page manual and three years of her life.
Next generation FeliCa contactless IC chip to be launched
Sony Corporation announces today the launch of the next generation FeliCa IC chip with enhanced security adopting the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption. The new IC chip will support AES as well as the existing DES encryption system for mutual authentication and data communication. The sample chip will be available for shipment from this winter, and mass production will start in the spring of 2012.
Extreme electric racing
This week, the Isle of Man was buzzing -- not just with anticipation for its yearly Isle of Man TT Race, one of the most treacherous in motorcycle racing, but also with the decidedly subtler sound of electric bikes cruising through the racecourse.
Study advised US on Libya hacking
(AP) -- Private computer experts advised U.S. officials on how cyberattacks could damage Libya's oil and gas infrastructure and rob Moammar Gadhafi's regime of crucial oil revenue, according to a study obtained by hackers.
Seeking display ad boost, Google buys Admeld
Google, bidding to boost revenue from display advertising, announced the acquisition on Monday of Admeld, a New York-based company that provides an advertising platform for publishers.
Hackers take revenge on Spanish police for arrests
The international online vigilante group "Anonymous" has taken revenge for the arrest of three of its hackers by blocking the web site of the Spanish police, officials said.
The energy debate: Coal vs. nuclear
As America struggles down the road toward a coherent energy policy that focuses on a higher degree of self-reliance, policymakers face numerous issues and realities. These include: the finite supply and environmental impact of fossil fuels, the feasibility and costs to implement a widespread switch to renewable energy sources, and the variables that lead to consumers' preferences for particular types of power generation.
ORNL package tracking system takes social media to new heights
What has made the Internet such a success could help change the way high-dollar and hazardous packages are tracked, according to Randy Walker of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Solar-powered plane set for Brussels takeoff
Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse will attempt to reach Paris from Brussels on Tuesday after a previous flight was aborted due to technical problems, its team said.
Facebook 2012 IPO could top $100 billion: CNBC
Social network Facebook is likely to go public in the first quarter of next year with a valuation of over $100 billion, the CNBC business news network reported on Monday.
Solar-powered plane's second cross-border flight cut short (Update)
Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse Saturday took off for its second international flight from Brussels for Paris but turned back for the Belgian capital after a series of glitches.
Latest data breach strikes at financial security
(AP) -- Citigroup's disclosure that the names, account numbers and email addresses of 200,000 of its credit card customers were stolen strikes at the core of modern-day financial life - the ways people buy groceries and pay the power bill.
Tests show wireless network could jam GPS systems
New government test results show that a proposed high-speed wireless broadband network being launched by a company called LightSquared could jam GPS systems used for aviation, public safety, military operations and other uses.
Faster computer graphics
Photographs of moving objects are almost always a little blurry — or a lot blurry, if the objects are moving rapidly enough. To make their work look as much like conventional film as possible, game and movie animators try to reproduce this blur. But counterintuitively, producing blurry images is actually more computationally complex than producing perfectly sharp ones.
Streamlined rules for robots
With the explosion of the Internet and the commoditization of autonomous robots (such as the Roomba) and small sensors (such as the ones in most cell phones), computer scientists have become more and more interested in distributed computing, or how disparate autonomous devices — whether servers in a network or robots investigating an underwater oil spill — can work together toward some common goal.
New electric diwheel hints at future of city transportation
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a bit of technical wizardry, students from the University of Adelaide, Australia, have devised and built an electric diwheel, that with modification, could possibly solve inner city transportation problems. The team, comprised of 14 mechanical engineering students, has taken the idea of a diwheel and quite literally, turned it on its head, and in the process have created a vehicle that could be used to safely transport people around; all with a minimum amount of energy.
World's first Content Addressable Memory stores data without using power
NEC Corporation and Tohoku University announced today the development of the world's first content addressable memory (CAM) that both maintains the same high operation speed and non-volatile operation as existing circuits when processing and storing data on a circuit while power is off.
Protecting medical implants from attack
Millions of Americans have implantable medical devices, from pacemakers and defibrillators to brain stimulators and drug pumps; worldwide, 300,000 more people receive them every year. Most such devices have wireless connections, so that doctors can monitor patients' vital signs or revise treatment programs. But recent research has shown that this leaves the devices vulnerable to attack: In the worst-case scenario, an attacker could kill a victim by instructing an implantable device to deliver lethal doses of medication or electricity.
University of Brighton design students makes biking safer with BLAZE projection system
(PhysOrg.com) -- Emily Brooke, a design student at the University of Brighton, may just be the best friend that a biker has ever had. Anyone who has tried to ride a bike on crowded city streets knows how much of a challenge it can be to get in and out of traffic unscathed will be grateful for her new invention. Known only as BLAZE the handlebar mounted system. The system projects a laser image onto the road in front of the bike, alerting near by drivers that there is a cycle in the lane in situations where the driver may not have otherwise been aware of the presence of a bike rider. Hopefully, this early warning system will prevent drivers from changing into lanes with a bike in them.
'Networking' turns up flu viruses with close ties to pandemic of 2009
Scientists using new mathematical and computational techniques have identified six influenza A viruses that have particularly close genetic relationships to the H1N1 "swine" flu virus that swept through the United States beginning in the spring of 2009. That virus eventually killed almost 18,000 people worldwide.
Medicine & Health news
Novo Nordisk pays $26.7 million to settle claims
Danish drug company Novo Nordisk has agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations that it promoted the misuse of blood clotting drug NovoSeven, the US Justice Department announced Friday.
UN summit adopts AIDS targets amid condom storm
A UN summit on Friday ordered a huge expansion in AIDS treatment, but sparked protests by the Vatican and some Muslim nations over its endorsement of condoms and calls to help prostitutes, gays and drug users.
Nitrates in meat blamed in Chinese man's death
(AP) -- A Chinese butcher was sentenced to life in prison on Saturday for adding industrial grade nitrates to meat that was blamed in a man's poisoning death,
Bill Gates in China push against secondhand smoke
(AP) -- Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates was in China on Saturday to raise awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke in the country with the world's largest smoking population.
Premature aging seen as issue for AIDS survivors
(AP) -- Having survived the first and worst years of the AIDS epidemic, when he was losing three friends to the disease in a day and undergoing every primitive, toxic treatment that then existed, Peter Greene is grateful to be alive.
Taiwan destroys chemical-tainted drinks
(AP) -- Taiwan's leader has overseen the destruction of 2.3 tons of beverages believed to be tainted with a dangerous chemical.
More than 600 sickened by lead poisoning in China
(AP) -- More than 600 people, including 103 children, have been sickened in China's latest case of mass lead poisoning, state media reported Sunday.
Important monitoring of heart performance is omitted in two-thirds of high-risk surgical operations
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Only 35% of anaesthesiologists are carrying out a simple procedure during high-risk surgery that can make a significant impact on how well patients recover from their operations, according to new research presented today (Sunday 12 June) at the European Anaesthesiology Congress in Amsterdam.
Certain head and neck cancer patients benefit from second round of treatment
A new study has determined predictors that can better identify patients who will benefit from a potentially toxic second course of treatment, which offers a small but real chance of cure in select patients with head and neck cancer. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings could help guide treatment decisions for head and neck cancer patients.
Bariatric surgery among older, high-risk patients not associated with reduced mortality
The use of bariatric surgery among older, severely obese patients was not associated with a decreased risk of death, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA. This study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting.
Reducing avoidable rehospitalizations among seniors
The rehospitalization of senior patients within 30 days of discharge from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) has risen dramatically in recent years, at an estimated annual cost of more than $17 billion. A new study from Hebrew Rehabilitation Center (HRC), an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, demonstrates improvements in discharge disposition following a three-pronged intervention that combines standardized admission templates, palliative care consultations, and root-cause-analysis conferences.
Comfort or conflict: Earlier Down syndrome test
(AP) -- The results of the blood test revealed only a risk, but when she saw them, she still threw up. Now she had to find out for sure.
New Criteria Predict Treatment Success for Recurring Head and Neck Cancers
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute and the University of Chicago have found a way to identify the one in four patients with recurring head and neck cancers who are most likely to benefit from a second round of chemotherapy and radiation.
New guidelines for diagnosis and management of hyperthyroid
New clinical guidelines developed by an expert panel that include 100 evidence-based recommendations for optimal care of patients with hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis are presented in the current issue of Thyroid, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
New software 'hearing dummies' pave the way for tailor-made hearing aids
New software 'hearing dummies' are part of cutting-edge research that promises to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairments.
Sleep apnea may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, suggests a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Screening high-risk employees for sleep apnea could save a corporation millions of dollars
Large corporations could save millions of dollars in lost productivity by screening and treating high-risk employees for obstructive sleep apnea, suggests a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Drinking, cannabis use and psychological distress increase, CAMH survey finds
The latest survey of Ontario adults from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows increasing rates of daily drinking and cannabis use and high levels of psychological distress. The results of the 2009 CAMH Monitor survey, the longest running survey tracking mental health and addiction indicators among adults in Ontario, were published today.
Study finds excellent agreement between subjective and objective compliance with OAT
According to new research that will be presented Saturday, June 11, at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), objective compliance measurements agree with subjective compliance estimates in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing oral appliance therapy (OAT) – a finding that is not apparent in patients using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Oral appliance therapy improves craniofacial growth direction and snoring
According to new research that will be presented Saturday, June 11, at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids who wore an oral appliance for six months experienced more favorable craniofacial growth, enlargement of pharyngeal dimensions, and improved breathing and snoring during sleep.
Cooling the brain during sleep may be a natural and effective treatment for insomnia
People with primary insomnia may be able to find relief by wearing a cap that cools the brain during sleep, suggests a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Novel device quantifies the efficacy of oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea
New research that will be presented Saturday, June 11, at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) in Minneapolis, Minn., quantified the efficacy of mandibular advancement splints (MAS) using a self-administered, at-home device to monitor snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.
Study finds that combination therapy reduces pauses in breathing caused by OSA
According to new research that will be presented Saturday, June 11, at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was more improved by a combination treatment of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy than by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy alone.
Germany advises against homegrown sprouts
(AP) -- Authorities are advising Germans not to eat raw homegrown sprouts, pointing to suspicions that the seeds may be one cause of the country's deadly E. coli outbreak.
Group therapy helps MS sufferers cope with depression, study finds
(Medical Xpress) -- Offering Multiple Sclerosis sufferers emotional support through group therapy sessions could improve their quality of life and save the NHS almost £500 per patient, a study at The University of Nottingham has discovered.
Final 3 year results from the landmark HORIZONS-AMI trial published in the Lancet
Data from the landmark HORIZONS-AMI clinical trial demonstrated that the administration of the anticoagulant medication bivalirudin enhanced survival compared to the use of heparin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty after 3 years. Use of a drug-eluting stent (paclitaxel) was also shown to be more effective than a bare-metal stent, with equivalent safety. Final 3-year results of the trial were published in the June 13, 2011, issue of The Lancet.
Simple analysis of breathing sounds while awake can detect obstructive sleep apnea
The analysis of breathing sounds while awake may be a fast, simple and accurate screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea, suggests a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Heart attack drug less effective for Maori and Pacific Islanders
(Medical Xpress) -- A study has revealed that a common heart attack drug is less effective for Maori and Pacific Island patients.
Guidelines for ventilator use help premature infants breathe easier
Guidelines that reduce the use of mechanical ventilation with premature infants in favor of a gentler form of respiratory support can profoundly affect those children's outcomes while reducing the cost of care, according to a team of researchers at Children's Hospital Boston.
HIV/AIDS: Progress and concerns three decades later
(Medical Xpress) -- When Michael Jonas learned he was HIV positive, he returned from Florida to his home in Jackson, Mich., to die.
A little lupin improves the bread of life
You can lower your risk of heart disease significantly, just by using flour containing 40 per cent lupin beans in the place of conventional wholemeal flour, according to research by Victoria University dietitian Dr. Regina Belski and colleagues from the University of Western Australia.
Safe prescribing information for children in Canada often hard to find
Accurate, safe prescribing information for children is often unavailable to doctors in Canada because pharmaceutical companies will not disclose information to Health Canada, states an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
High rates of injection drug use in urban Aboriginal youth signal need for prevention programs
A new study indicates high rates of injection drug use in urban Canadian Aboriginal youth, particularly in women, and points to the need for culturally specific prevention programs, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Health data can help address alcohol-related harm in youth
Administrative information can be useful for surveillance and understanding of alcohol-related harm in young people, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Study finds that wives' sleep problems have negative impact on marital interactions
The quality of interactions among married couples is affected by wives' inability to fall asleep at night, but not by husbands' sleep problems, suggests new research that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Polyp miss rates high for colonoscopies done after poor bowel preparation
A new study reports that colonoscopies done with suboptimal bowel preparation are associated with relatively high adenoma (precancerous polyp) miss rates, suggesting that suboptimal bowel preparation substantially decreases colonoscopy effectiveness and may mandate an early follow-up examination. In this study, in the context of suboptimal bowel preparation, of all adenomas identified, 42 percent were discovered only during a repeat colonoscopy, which was necessitated by an inadequate preparation during the first colonoscopy. The study appears in the June issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Article outlines principles for a conservative approach to prescribing medication
A shift toward more conservative medication-prescribing practices would serve patients better, according to a review article published Online First today by Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The article is part of the journal's Less Is More series.
Expenditures for glaucoma medications appear to have increased
In recent years, spending for glaucoma medications has increased, especially for women, persons who have only public health insurance and those with less than a high school education, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Study estimates potential for ranibizumab to prevent blindness from age-related macular degeneration
A computer modeling study suggests that administering the drug ranibizumab is associated with reducing the magnitude of legal blindness and visual impairment caused by age-related macular degeneration in non-Hispanic white individuals, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Quitlines help smokers quit regardless of recruitment method
Proactive telephone counseling helps smokers quit regardless of how they are recruited to a telephone quitline, according to a study published online June 10th in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Survivors of Joplin tornado develop rare infection
(AP) -- In the aftermath of the Joplin tornado, some people injured in the storm developed a rare and sometimes fatal fungal infection so aggressive that it turned their tissue black and caused mold to grow inside their wounds.
Hospitals reach limits in E.coli crisis
(AP) -- Blood specialist Dr. Cay-Uwe von Seydewitz has been making his rounds 16 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, since the outbreak of a deadly bacterial epidemic.
Germany: outbreak waning, but more deaths possible
(AP) -- Germany's health minister says he's hopeful that the worst of an E. coli outbreak blamed on sprouts is over - but he is warning that the number of deaths, now at 33, may still increase.
Internal bleeding higher with popular heart device than earlier model
The incidence of internal bleeding was higher in the most commonly implanted heart device than in an earlier model, according to two studies at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Hypnosis/local anesthesia combination during surgery helps patients, reduces hospital stays
Using a combination of hypnosis and local anaesthesia (LA) for certain types of surgery can aid the healing process and reduce drug use and time spent in hospital, anaesthesiologists have found. The combination could also help avoid cancer recurrence and metastases, according to new research to be presented today (Sunday) at the European Anaesthesiology Congress in Amsterdam.
Early exposure to pets does not increase children's risk of allergies
A new study published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy reveals that keeping a dog or cat in the home does not increase children's risk of becoming allergic to the pets.
Diversion of ambulances associated with increased risk of death for heart-attack patients
Among Medicare patients with heart attack in 4 California counties, diversion of ambulance traffic by the nearest emergency department for 12 hours or more was associated with an increased risk of death for up to one year, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA.
Germany still seeking reason for E. coli outbreak
(AP) -- German authorities said Sunday that they haven't yet been able to resolve how sprouts at a farm became contaminated with an aggressive strain of E. coli that has been blamed for 35 deaths.
Scientists probe DNA of E. coli for outbreak clues
(AP) -- Scientists are quickly combing the DNA of the killer bacteria behind the world's worst E. coli outbreak to find clues about how to treat patients and prevent future epidemics.
Could prenatal DNA testing open Pandora's box?
(AP) -- Imagine being pregnant and taking a simple blood test that lays bare the DNA of your fetus. And suppose that DNA could reveal not only medical conditions like Down syndrome, but also things like eye color and height. And the risk for developing depression or Alzheimer's disease. And the chances of being gay.
Heart drug 'safe for kidney patients'
(Medical Xpress) -- The full results of a trial show that people with chronic kidney disease can reduce their heart risk by taking a combination drug that lowers levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Sleep type predicts day and night batting averages of Major League Baseball players
A Major League Baseball player's natural sleep preference might affect his batting average in day and night games, according to a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
Sleepiness may impair the brain's inhibitory control when viewing high-calorie foods
Daytime sleepiness may affect inhibitory control in the brain when viewing tantalizing, high-calorie foods, suggests a research abstract that will be presented Monday, June 13, in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).
One in five heart-attack deaths could be prevented with new drug
Robert Storey, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Sheffield's Department of Cardiovascular Science, presented findings today that confirm one in five deaths in the year following a heart attack could be prevented if a new drug, ticagrelor, was used instead of the standard treatment, clopidogrel.
Tool developed to predict violence and aggression in children and teens
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed a tool to rapidly assess the risk of aggressive and violent behavior by children and adolescents hospitalized on psychiatric units. Ultimately, they hope to use the questionnaire to improve treatment and prevention of aggressive behavior in schools and in the community.
Cancer survivors spend more on health care
Approximately 12 million people in the United States are cancer survivors. On average, their medical care costs $4,000 to $5,000 more annually than the care of people who have never had cancer, according to Penn State researchers.
Preteens surrounded by smokers get hooked on nicotine
Exposure to secondhand smoke can create symptoms of nicotine dependence in non-smoking preteens, according to a new study from Concordia University and the University of Montreal.
Addressing high false-positive rates for mammograms
We've heard it repeatedly: early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. But even with recent advances in mammography, finding indications of breast cancer before it can metastasize remains a problem. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Duke University Medical Center have increased the ability to determine if a positive result on a breast cancer screen is true or false.
Pressure to work when sick has long-term negative effects
Pressure to work through periods of short term sickness (known as ‘presenteeism’) can have long-term negative effects on health and productivity, says a Victoria University researcher.
The association of alcohol drinking with migraine headache
Migraine is a neurovascular disease that affects about 15% of the western population. Compounds in foods and beverages (chocolate, wine, citrus, etc) considered as migraine triggers include tyramine, phenylethylamine and possibly histamine and phenolic compounds. Avoiding those triggers may significantly reduce the frequency of migraines in some patients.
FDA approval for Siemens PET Scan - MRI combo
(Medical Xpress) -- The Siemens Biograph mMR system, offering both a PET scan and an MRI that work simultaneously, has been given approval by the FDA. The idea behind this machine and the ability to run both tests at the same time is expected to save diagnostic time as well as reduce a patient’s exposure to radiation.
Daily acts of sexism go unnoticed by men, women
Nearly everyone can recognize the stereotypical scene of construction workers catcalling women as being sexist, but both men and women tend to overlook the more subtle daily acts of sexism they encounter, according to a recent study from Psychology of Women Quarterly (published by SAGE on behalf of the Society for the Psychology of Women, Division 35 of the American Psychological Association).
Federal welfare programs can have negative effects on children's cognitive scores
The United States federal government supports many welfare and entitlement programs that attempt to eliminate poverty by providing financial assistance to families in need. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has found that requirements for some of these welfare programs can create stress on families, which can have a negative effect on young children.
Decoding chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A paper published online on June 13 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine identifies new gene mutations in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) -- a disease often associated with lack of response to chemotherapy and poor overall survival.
Fathers still matter to kids who have moved out
BYU family life professor Larry Nelson's oldest daughter Jessica graduated from high school this spring, so his career researching the transition to adulthood is starting to get personal.
Genetic factor controls health-harming inflammation in obese
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered a genetic factor that can regulate obesity-induced inflammation that contributes to chronic health problems.
Undernourishment in pregnant, lactating females found key to next generation's disease
A new study published by the American Physiological Society offers the strongest evidence yet that vulnerability to type 2 diabetes can begin in the womb, giving new insight into the mechanisms that underlie a potentially devastating disease at the center of a worldwide epidemic. The study, conducted in baboon primates, finds that when mothers are even moderately undernourished while pregnant and breastfeeding, their offspring are consistently found to be prediabetic before adolescence. It is the first time that diabetes has been shown to have prenatal origins in a primate model.
Scientists identify key component in lethal lung cancer complication
A protein previously thought not to exist in adult human lungs not only is present in normal and cancerous lung tissue, scientists have found, but it also has a major role in the development of a lethal complication of some lung cancers.
Research sheds new light on how blood clots form
Scripps Research Institute scientists have discovered new elements of the blood clot-formation process. The findings could lead to better drugs for preventing heart attacks and other clot-related conditions.
A scientific breakthrough could help understand certain cancers
A scientific breakthrough by researchers at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) will be published tomorrow in Developmental Cell, a scientific journal of the Cell Press group. Led by Dr. Frédéric Charron, the team of scientists discovered a new requirement for the proper functioning of the Sonic Hedgehog protein.
Pacemaker implantation for heart failure does not benefit nearly half of the patients
A new meta-analysis study, led by physician researchers at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and to be published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that three-lead cardiac pacemakers implanted in those with heart failure fail to help up to 40 percent of patients with such devices.
Dietary changes appear to affect levels of biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease
Following a low–saturated fat and low–glycemic index diet appears to modulate the risk of developing dementia that proceeds to Alzheimer's disease (AD), although making a switch to this dietary pattern may not protect those already experiencing cognitive difficulty, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Neurology.
Type 2 diabetes linked to higher risk of stroke and CV problems; metabolic syndrome isn't
Among patients who have had an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), type 2 diabetes was associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke or cardiovascular events, but metabolic syndrome was not, according to a report published Online First today by Archives of Neurology.
Researchers link cell division and oxygen levels
Cells grow abundant when oxygen is available, and generally stop when it is scarce. Although this seems straightforward, no direct link ever has been established between the cellular machinery that senses oxygen and that which controls cell division. Now, in the June 10 issue of Molecular Cell, researchers at Johns Hopkins report that the MCM proteins, which promote cell division, also directly control the oxygen-sensing HIF-1 protein.
3-D movie shows, for the first time, what happens in the brain as it loses consciousness
For the first time researchers have been able to watch what happens to the brain as it loses consciousness. Using sophisticated imaging equipment they have constructed a 3-D movie of the brain as it changes while an anaesthetic drug takes effect.
Routine screening for autism not needed: researchers
Proposals recommending routine screening of all children for autism gets a thumbs down from researchers at McMaster University.
Teen brain data may predict pop song success, study finds
An Emory University study suggests that the brain activity of teens, recorded while they are listening to new songs, may help predict the popularity of the songs.
Researchers find new clues about aging
National Institutes of Health researchers have identified a new pathway that sets the clock for programmed aging in normal cells. The study provides insights about the interaction between a toxic protein called progerin and telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes like aglets, the plastic tips that bind the ends of shoelaces.
Brain structure adapts to environmental change
Scientists have known for years that neurogenesis takes place throughout adulthood in the hippocampus of the mammalian brain. Now Columbia researchers have found that under stressful conditions, neural stem cells in the adult hippocampus can produce not only neurons, but also new stem cells. The brain stockpiles the neural stem cells, which later may produce neurons when conditions become favorable. This response to environmental conditions represents a novel form of brain plasticity. The findings were published online in Neuron on June 9, 2011.
Promising new target for stifling the growth and spread of cancer
Cancer and chronic inflammation are partners in peril, with the latter increasing the likelihood that malignant tumors will develop, grow and spread. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say they've identified a tumor inflammation trigger that is common to most, if not all, cancers. And using existing inhibitory drugs, the scientists were able to dramatically decrease primary tumor growth in animal studies and, more importantly, halt tumor progression and metastasis.
Many hereditary conditions associated with errors in pre-mRNA splicing, study suggests
A new Brown University computer analysis that predicts the effect of genetic mutations on how the body splices mRNA indicates as many as a third of disease-related mutations may be linked to splicing problems -- more than double the proportion previously thought.
Researchers warn of 'fever from the forest'
More than a thousand years ago, somewhere in Southeast Asia, a fateful meeting occurred between a mosquito-borne virus that infected mainly monkeys and a large, susceptible group of humans. The result: the world's first outbreak of dengue fever.
Income disparity makes people unhappy
Many economists and sociologists have warned of the social dangers of a wide gap between the richest and everyone else. Now, a new study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, adds a psychological reason to narrow the disparity – it makes people unhappy.
Brain state affects memory recall
Lost your keys? Your brain might be in a better state to recall where you put them at some times than at others, according to new research from UC Davis. A paper describing the work is published June 13 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Brain scan identifies patterns of plaques and tangles in adults with Down syndrome
In one of the first studies of its kind, UCLA researchers used a unique brain scan to assess the levels of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles -- the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease -- in adults with Down syndrome.
60 new mutations in each of us: Speed of human mutation revealed in new family genetic research
(Medical Xpress) -- Each one of us receives approximately 60 new mutations in our genome from our parents. This striking value is reported in the first-ever direct measure of new mutations coming from mother and father in whole human genomes published today.
Scientists improve method for finding genetic mistakes that fuel cancer
A dramatically better computer tool for finding the genetic missteps that fuel cancer has been developed by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project investigators. Researchers are using the new algorithm to help identify the chromosomal rearrangements and DNA insertions or deletions unique to cancer.
Many migraines may have a common genetic basis
(Medical Xpress) -- A study into the genetic basis of many common forms of migraine has identified three variants that suggest that most forms of migraine have a shared genetic foundation, regardless of how they manifest in the people who have them.
Biology news
Two isolates from E. coli outbreak available
An outbreak of Escherichia coli causing a severe illness called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) began in Germany on May 2, 2011 and has killed more than 20 people and sickened more than 2,000. The organism causing the outbreak has been identified as a strain of E. coli O104:H4 that produces a Shiga toxin and causes an illness similar to infection with E. coli O157:H7. Two isolates from this outbreak have been sequenced. Both strains, TY-2482 and LB226692, have been annotated and are now available from Virginia Bioinformatics Institute's (VBI's) Pathosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC, patricbrc.org), which is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Home-made honey could fight superbugs
Cardiff University researchers and the National Botanic Garden of Wales are appealing for help in building up a DNA profile of the nation’s honey. They hope to use the information to identify plants which could fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as the ‘superbug’ MRSA. The honey project could also help fight the diseases currently attacking Britain’s bees.
Research advances understanding of factors influencing body weight in cats
A collaborative team of researchers has shown that adding moisture to a cat's diet slows down the rate of weight gain. This finding, at least in part, appeared to be driven by increased activity. This research was conducted at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, the fundamental science centre supporting Mars Petcare brands such as WHISKAS and ROYAL CANIN.
Sniffing out a new source of stem cells
A team of researchers, led by Emmanuel Nivet, now at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, has generated data in mice that suggest that adult stem cells from immune system tissue in the smell-sensing region of the human nose (human olfactory ecto–mesenchymal stem cells [OE-MSCs]) could provide a source of cells to treat brain disorders in which nerve cells are lost or irreparably damaged.
Significant litter of cheetah cubs born at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Five cheetah cubs were born May 28 to 6-year-old Amani at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Amani is a dedicated mother according to keepers, who have observed her nursing and grooming the cubs.
Scientists: 'Super' wheat to boost food security
(AP) -- Scientists say they're close to producing new "super varieties" of wheat that will resist a virulent fungus while boosting yields up to 15 percent, potentially easing a deadly threat to the world's food supply.
Mimivirus isolated, genome amputated
In the absence of competition with other microorganisms, Mimivirus, the largest known DNA virus, loses 17% of its genome. This has recently been demonstrated by a French-American collaboration including researchers from CNRS, the Universite de la Mediterranee and the Universite de Provence. The results are published on-line this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Aurora A may contribute to kidney disease
The Aurora A kinase may contribute to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) by inactivating a key calcium channel in kidney cells, according to a study in the June 13 issue of The Journal of Cell Biology.
Global research chief sees rice boom in Africa
Subsaharan Africa could double or triple rice yields and one day even export to Asia where urban sprawl and rising sea levels threaten paddies, a global research chief said Monday.
Life-history traits may affect DNA mutation rates in males more than in females
For the first time, scientists have used large-scale DNA sequencing data to investigate a long-standing evolutionary assumption: DNA mutation rates are influenced by a set of species-specific life-history traits. These traits include metabolic rate and the interval of time between an individual's birth and the birth of its offspring, known as generation time. The team of researchers led by Kateryna Makova, a Penn State University associate professor of biology, and first author Melissa Wilson Sayres, a graduate student, used whole-genome sequence data to test life-history hypotheses for 32 mammalian species, including humans. For each species, they studied the mutation rate, estimated by the rate of substitutions in neutrally evolving DNA segments -- chunks of genetic material that are not subject to natural selection. They then correlated their estimations with several indicators of life history. The results of the research will be published in the journal Evolution on 13! June 2011.
Researchers discover a new biochemical pathway to producing ribose
A researcher from the University of Toronto Faculty Of Medicine’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research is part of an international team which has discovered a new metabolic pathway for the production of ribose, a key component of RNA and DNA, providing new insight into the fundamental pathways that organisms utilize to grow and divide.
Birdsong independent of brain size
(PhysOrg.com) -- The brains of all vertebrates display gender-related differences. In songbirds, for example, the size of the brain areas that control their singing behaviour could be linked to the size of their song repertoires. In many songbird species, only the males sing and indeed, they do have larger song control areas in the brain than females. However, even species where both sexes sing identically, display the same sex differences in their brain structure. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen have now demonstrated for the first time in the white-browed sparrow weaver, an African songbird, that the extent of these sex differences in the brain varies according to social status, and cannot be explained by singing behaviour as previously thought (PLoS One, 8 June 2011).
New discovery -- copepods share 'diver's weight belt' technique with whales
A deep-sea mystery has been solved with the discovery that the tiny 3 mm long marine animals, eaten by herring, cod and mackerel, use the same buoyancy control as whales.
Plovers tracked across the Pacific
Scientists have monitored Pacific Golden Plovers for the first time as they migrate thousands of kilometres nonstop from Hawaii to Alaska in spring and back again in autumn.
Slime mold prefers sleeping pills
In a new paper published in Nature Precedings, Andrew Adamatzky from the University of the West of England shows that slime molds like Physarum polycephalum prefers sleeping pills and their sedative effects over their standard honey and oats.
Researchers find new 'molecular motors' that bacteria use to transport proteins
(PhysOrg.com) -- Joshua Shaevitz, an assistant professor from the Department of Physics and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University, along with Mingzhai Sun, a postdoctoral associate at Princeton, and scientists from the Universite Aix-Marseille in France, have discovered a new type of molecular machine used by bacteria for intracellular protein transport and gliding motility. The research involved the study of prokaryotes, single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and are the most primitive form of life.
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