Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for June 6, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists identify how major biological sensor in the body works- Neutron analysis explains dynamics behind best thermoelectric materials
- Astrophysicists use X-ray fingerprints to study eating habits of giant black holes
- Expertise provides buffer against bias in making judgments
- Be it numbers or words -- the structure of our language remains the same
- Attention and awareness aren't the same
- Solar tunnel powers part of Paris-Amsterdam train line
- NHK develops an automatic sign language translation system for TV (w/ video)
- Touch-screen steering wheel keeps drivers focused on the road
- Insulin action in the brain can lead to obesity
- Opportunity passes small crater and big milestone
- Going with the flow: Researchers find compaction bands in sandstone are permeable
- Pixel Qi creates a solar powered tablet pc
- Jellyfish blooms shunt food energy from fish to bacteria
- Tiny RNA molecule removal can inhibit cancer growth
Space & Earth news
Video: Revisiting 1950s experiments for signs of life's origin
(PhysOrg.com) -- In the 1950s, biochemist Stanley Miller performed a series of experiments to demonstrate that organic compounds could be created under conditions mimicking the primordial Earth.
April and May were the wettest on record for nine cities
April and May were the wettest on record for nine cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, reports climatologist Jessica Rennels of Cornell's Northeast Regional Climate Center.
Weizmann Institute Observatory captures images of a new supernova
Exploding stars are the 'factories' that produce all the heavy elements found, among other places, in our bodies. In this sense, we are all stardust. These exploding stars – supernovae – are highly energetic events that can occasionally light up the night sky. Such an explosion generally involves disruption in the balance between gravity – which pulls the star's material inward – and the thermonuclear reaction at the star's core – which heats it and pushes it outward.
Nothing, not anything and zero
(PhysOrg.com) -- Space and time are inextricably linked, which is why astrophysicists speak of them in the same breath.
Five steps toward future exploration
The NASA Astrobiology Science & Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program has announced a set of new projects to develop and test technologies that will enable the astrobiological exploration of the Solar System. The ASTEP program advances the search for life on other planets by supporting research and exploration of some of Earth's most remote and extreme places.
Volcano billows giant plume for 2nd day in Chile
(AP) -- A volcano in the Caulle Cordon of southern Chile erupted for a second day Sunday, shooting out pumice stones and pluming a cloud of ash six miles (10 kilometers) high and three miles (five kilometers) wide.
Japanese astronaut plans to grow space cucumbers
(AP) -- Cucumbers may be out of favor on earth, but a Japanese astronaut said Monday that he plans to harvest the vegetable on board the International Space Station.
International mission to measure saltiness of sea
(AP) -- An international mission will chart the saltiness of the ocean - from outer space.
Stanford climate scientists forecast permanently hotter summers
The tropics and much of the Northern Hemisphere are likely to experience an irreversible rise in summer temperatures within the next 20 to 60 years if atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations continue to increase, according to a new climate study by Stanford University scientists. The results will be published later this month in the journal Climatic Change.
How important are climate models for revealing the causes of environmental change?
The human impact on the environment, especially through the release of greenhouse gases, is an area of controversy in public understanding of climate change, and is important for predicting future changes. Many studies into our collective impact use climate models to understand the causes of observed climate changes, both globally and in specific regions. Writing in WIREs Climate Change, Professors Gabriele Hegerl from the University of Edinburgh and Francis Zwiers from the University of Victoria assess the role of climate models in studies of observed changes and the robustness of their results.
One year in isolation
The six men in the Mars500 facility near Moscow have been in isolation now 365 days. The European crewmembers have been writing in their latest letters home about the highlights, monotonous life, team spirit and determination to go on.
The search for planets and stars out of this world
There are a lot of things someone could do in nearly 900 hours.
Frozen fjords found under Antarctic ice
Scientists have uncovered a landscape of deep fjords in Antarctica, carved by millions of years of ice movement.
Higher density means world forests are capturing more carbon
Forests in many regions are becoming larger carbon sinks thanks to higher density, U.S. and European researchers say in a new report.
NRL fully integrates GPS radio occultation into global weather prediction
After rigorous validation for its positive impact on improving forecast accuracy, scientists at the NRL Marine Meteorology Division have transitioned the assimilation of GPS Radio Occultation (RO) data into the operational U.S. Navy Global Prediction System (NOGAPS). The assimilation of GPS RO reduces the NOGAPS upper-tropospheric and lower stratospheric temperature biases, introducing a complementary interaction with the radiance observations from other sensors being assimilated into the system.
Expiry of emissions pact in 2012 bedevils talks
(AP) -- Climate negotiators are exploring "constructive and creative" solutions so that wealthy countries keep trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even when binding commitments expire next year, the U.N. climate chief said Monday.
Chilean volcano grounds flights, coats ski slopes
(AP) -- An erupting Chilean volcano sent a towering plume of ash across South America on Monday, forcing thousands from their homes, grounding airline flights in southern Argentina and coating ski resorts with a gritty layer of dust instead of snow.
$40 billion needed to ensure transition to green economy: UN
Investing $40 billion annually in the forest sector is needed for the world to transition into a low carbon, resource-efficient green economy, according to a UN report released here Sunday.
Giant open-pit mine raises questions in Uruguay
A plan to build a giant open pit mine has created a sharp rift between those who think Uruguay's rich agricultural land should be protected, and those wanting to exploit its wealth.
Study shows proportionally large moons around other planets not as rare as thought
(PhysOrg.com) -- Working with computer simulations to recreate what scientists believe to be the conditions that led to the formation of Earth’s moon, which up to now has been considered quite large, a team of researchers from Switzerland and the United States, in a paper published on arXiv, have shown the likelihood of other planets having proportionally large moons is much higher than was previously thought.
Novel geothermal technology packs a one-two punch against climate change
Two University of Minnesota Department of Earth Sciences researchers have developed an innovative approach to tapping heat beneath the Earth's surface. The method is expected to not only produce renewable electricity far more efficiently than conventional geothermal systems, but also help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) -- dealing a one-two punch against climate change.
Methane gas from cows -- the proof is in the poo
Scientists could have a revolutionary new way of measuring how much of the potent greenhouse gas methane is produced by cows and other ruminants, thanks to a surprising discovery in their poo.
Rosetta to sleep through loneliest leg of comet mission
On 8 June, mission controllers will have the first opportunity to switch ESA's Rosetta comet-hunter into deep-space hibernation for 31 months. During this loneliest leg of its decade-long mission, Rosetta will loop ever closer toward comet 67-P, soaring to almost 1000 million km from Earth.
Swiss glacier finely tuned to climate changes
(PhysOrg.com) -- During the last ice age, the Rhone Glacier was the dominant glacier in the Alps, covering a significant part of Switzerland. Over the next 11,500 years or so, the glacier, which forms the headwaters of the Rhone River, has been shrinking and growing again in response to shifts in climate.
Opportunity passes small crater and big milestone
(PhysOrg.com) -- A drive of 482 feet (146.8 meters) on June 1, 2011, took NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity past 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) in total odometry during 88 months of driving on Mars. That's 50 times the distance originally planned for the mission and more than 12 times the distance racehorses will run next week at the Belmont Stakes.
Going with the flow: Researchers find compaction bands in sandstone are permeable
When geologists survey an area of land for the potential that gas or petroleum deposits could exist there, they must take into account the composition of rocks that lie below the surface. Take, for instance, sandstone—a sedimentary rock composed mostly of weakly cemented quartz grains. Previous research had suggested that compaction bands—highly compressed, narrow, flat layers within the sandstone—are much less permeable than the host rock and might act as barriers to the flow of oil or gas.
Astrophysicists use X-ray fingerprints to study eating habits of giant black holes
By studying the X-rays emitted when superheated gases plunge into distant and massive black holes, astrophysicists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have provided an important test of a long-standing theory that describes the extreme physics occurring when matter spirals into these massive objects.
Technology news
EU study: No significant difference in car fuel consumption between 95E10 and 98E5 petrol grades
A study conducted by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland indicates that there is practically no difference between commercial petrol grades 95E10 and 98E5 sold in Finland as regards fuel consumption in normal driving. The finding is based on driving tests conducted by VTT using six used cars of different make under laboratory conditions.
China accuses Google of 'political games'
(AP) -- The Chinese Communist Party's main newspaper lashed out at Google on Monday, saying its latest complaints of computer hacking traced to China were politically motivated and warning its business might suffer.
French regulator bars 'Follow us on Twitter' on TV
(AP) -- Broadcasters in France must not use promotional lines like "Follow us on Twitter" or "Find us on Facebook" on the air because they violate a ban on secret advertising, a regulator says.
UT Arlington licenses innovative process to convert natural gas to clean, synthetic fuel
The University of Texas at Arlington announces a licensing agreement with 1st Resource Group Inc. of Fort Worth to commercialize a new, efficient process for converting natural gas to clean, synthetic fuel at a cost lower than current market rates.
China paper: Google could be hurt by hacking claim
(AP) -- The Chinese Communist Party's main newspaper lashed out at Google on Monday, saying its latest complaints of computer hacking traced to China were politically motivated and warning its business might suffer.
Chinese firms sign solar power deals in Greece
Two Chinese energy firms signed deals totalling 2.8 billion euros aimed at boosting Greece's use of solar power, a Chinese trade association announced Monday.
FBI partner attacked by hackers, passwords taken
(AP) -- Nearly 180 passwords belonging to members of an Atlanta-based FBI partner organization have been stolen and leaked to the Internet, the group confirmed Sunday.
Blockbusters rule E3 video game kingdom
Blockbuster titles and powerhouse consoles will rule as video game makers from around the world meet in Los Angeles this week for the premier Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
China's growth, and weakness, on show at IT fair
More Chinese companies than ever took part in Asia's largest IT fair, which ended this weekend in Taipei, but their growing numbers could not disguise their lingering weaknesses, observers said.
Three check-in apps for joining a crowd
Check-in services are social-networking apps that let you "check in" to tell your friends or the whole world where you are at the moment. One in five smartphone owners uses them.
Sony shares tumble over latest cyber attack
Sony's share price fell more than three percent to a two-year low Monday after the latest online attack against the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant targeted its European subsidiary.
Apple's Jobs expected to announce music service
(AP) -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs is scheduled to take a break from medical leave Monday to announce a new service called iCloud.
Research firm cuts 2011 PC sales forecast
(AP) -- Research firm International Data Corp. expects sales of personal computers to grow 4.2 percent this year, down from a previous forecast of 7.1 percent.
'Walking chair' could be step-up for disabled access
A student inspired by moving sculptures has designed a prototype 'walking chair' that he hopes could go on to give people with mobility problems greater freedom.
World's first GaN HEMT T/R module operating in the C-Ku band
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced that it has successfully developed the world's first transmitter/receiver (T/R) module using gallium-nitride (GaN)high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) technology that features an output of 10 W and that operates in a wide bandwidth range of C-band, X-band, and Ku-band (C-Ku band) radio frequencies over 6-18 GHz. By combining the world's best performing GaN power amplifier (PA) developed last year with the newly developed GaN low-noise amplifier (LNA), the researchers achieved a compact T/R module that generates a high-output.
Osram sues Samsung, LG for alleged LED patent violations
German lighting company Osram, which is owned by industrial giant Siemens, said Monday that it had filed suit against Samsung and LG of Korea for patent violations.
Free vs. fee: Push is under way to collect for Internet content
The axiom about free lunches got tossed out by the Internet. Web downloads have delivered all manner of no-pay music, news, movies and software. Years of trying to put them behind a cash register have mostly failed.
New battery design could give electric vehicles a jolt
A radically new approach to the design of batteries, developed by researchers at MIT, could provide a lightweight and inexpensive alternative to existing batteries for electric vehicles and the power grid. The technology could even make "refueling" such batteries as quick and easy as pumping gas into a conventional car.
German cabinet passes nuclear exit bill
The German cabinet signed off Monday on a bill phasing out nuclear power in Europe's biggest economy by 2022, prompted by the disaster in March at Japan's Fukushima plant.
Touch-screen steering wheel keeps drivers focused on the road
(PhysOrg.com) -- A team of researchers from the University of Stuttgart, University of Duisburg-Essen and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence have created a prototype automotive steering wheel that uses a touch screen to enable the driver to control things such as the radio or navigate a map without having to take their eyes off the road.
NHK develops an automatic sign language translation system for TV (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the NHK Science & Technology Research laboratories in Japan have developed a new animated sign language translation system. The system takes a string of words, in Japanese obviously, and converts them into the gestures that make up sign language.
Solar tunnel powers part of Paris-Amsterdam train line
High-speed international trains linking Paris and Amsterdam as of Monday became the first in Europe to use electricity generated by solar panels installed in a tunnel on the line.
iCloud: Jobs emerges from leave to unveil synching service
Apple CEO Steve Jobs briefly emerged from a medical leave Monday to unveil a free service that lets customers share calendar entries, songs and other files among their devices more easily.
Medicine & Health news
Indiana, Planned Parenthood to argue abortion law
(AP) -- The battle over Indiana's tough new abortion law cutting off much of the public funding for Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions moved back to the courts Monday where attorneys prepared to argue over the organization's request for a preliminary injunction blocking the statute.
Genetics of melanoma chemoresistance
Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive and notoriously chemoresistant form of cancer. In a new paper, Ohanna et al. reveal that anti-melanoma drugs may, paradoxically, induce a senescence-associated secretory profile ("secretome") that can ultimately promote metastasis and contribute to melanoma relapse.
HIV still a health concern in Canada, study says
Every eight hours, a Canadian contracts HIV.
Childhood cancer survivors at greater risk in middle age
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have found that survivors of childhood cancers are four times more likely than the general population to develop a new cancer. The results are published online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Topiramate may have benefit as a weight-loss drug
The drug topiramate can help people lose weight as long as they can tolerate the side effects, according to authors of a new study that reviewed the medical literature. Brazilian researchers will present the results Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Early transplants are no better than chemotherapy followed by transplant for NHL patients
Patients with a very aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma who receive a stem cell transplant after standard chemotherapy during their first remission have comparable survival rates to those who receive the same standard therapy alone and, if needed, a transplant when they relapse. These findings from a U.S. and Canadian clinical trial of 370 patients conducted at 40 clinical institutions were presented today by Patrick Stiff, MD, lead investigator and director, Loyola Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, at the annual meeting for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Elderly may be more likely to die if they have subclinical hyperthyroidism
A common hormone abnormality in older adults -- a mild form of overactive thyroid called subclinical hyperthyroidism -- is linked to a much higher risk of dying, a new study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Anti-obesity vaccine reduces food consumption in animals
A new therapeutic vaccine to treat obesity by suppressing the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin decreases food intake and increases calorie burning in mice, a new study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Hormone test predicts ovarian function after chemotherapy for breast cancer
A test that shows how many eggs a woman has in her ovaries may help young women with breast cancer know what their reproductive function will be after chemotherapy, a new study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Athletic girls more likely to have impaired bone structure if menstrual cycle stops
Young female athletes who have stopped menstruating have a weakening in the quality of their bone structure that may predispose them to breaking a bone, despite getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, a new study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Are frontline nurses prepared for alcohol-related cases?
Nurses are often on the frontline when patients are brought into hospital with alcohol-related illnesses or injuries but how prepared are they for dealing with cases of this kind?
Many of those living with HIV face a new life-threatening challenge: cancer
As the world marks the 30-year anniversary of the first reporting of HIV/AIDS, now comes the realization of a new challenge for people with the incurable disease. For reasons not yet clear, people with HIV face a higher rate of cancers not usually associated with HIV. This increasing rate of "non-AIDS defining cancers" includes lung, head and neck, liver, kidney, and anal cancers, among others. The alarming uptick in cancer rates highlights the critical need to understand how to treat tumors in people taking highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV. Given what is known about HAART drug interactions, can newer targeted cancer therapies be given safely to patients with HIV?
Researcher studies ways to help teens overcome fears and stigmas of mental illness
When teens start experiencing changes in moods or emotions, they tend to fear sharing their blue days with their families and adults who can help them. As a consequence, they often suffer in silence.
Diagnosis based on remote ultrasound will soon be available
An ultrasound machine has been transformed into a telediagnosis tool. Specialists in other hospitals can see images in real time, pinpoint the exact zone they’re coming from, and interact.
Tumors in majority of patients with advanced lung cancer found to have genetic mutations that can be treated with target
Screening tumor samples for cancer-causing genetic mutations can help physicians tailor treatment to specifically target those mutations in patients with advanced lung cancer.
New drug combination slows tumor growth for recurrent ovarian cancer
Bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with chemotherapy resulted in a clinical benefit for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, according to a new study. Results from the phase III "OCEANS" trial were presented today by the lead author, Carol Aghajanian, MD, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Support for Massachusetts landmark health reform law rises in 2011
A new poll by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Boston Globe finds 63% of Massachusetts residents support the health care reform legislation enacted in 2006, 21% oppose it while 6% are not sure and 9% have not heard or read about the law. The percentage of residents supporting the law has increased since a 2009 poll (53%). Support for the law varied by party affiliation, with 77% of Democrats, 60% of Independents, and 40% of Republicans saying they support the legislation. The poll was conducted May 24-26, 2011.
Women's risk of heart disease after gestational diabetes differs by race
New research finds that gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-related diabetes, may not raise the risk of heart disease independent of other cardiovascular risk factors except in certain high-risk populations, such as Hispanics. The results will be presented Monday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Experts recommend screening for vitamin D deficiency in at-risk populations
Today, The Endocrine Society released "Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline." The clinical practice guideline (CPG) is published in the July 2011 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), a publication of The Endocrine Society.
ABCD2 score to identify people at risk of stroke has limited clinical application
The ABCD2 score used to identify people at risk of stroke after suffering a transient ischemic attack — a "mini" or "warning" stroke — is not sensitive enough to distinguish between high- and low-risk patients and has limited clinical application, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Molecular imaging shows chronic marijuana smoking affects brain chemistry
Definitive proof of an adverse effect of chronic marijuana use revealed at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting could lead to potential drug treatments and aid other research involved in cannabinoid receptors, a neurotransmission system receiving a lot of attention. Scientists used molecular imaging to visualize changes in the brains of heavy marijuana smokers versus non-smokers and found that abuse of the drug led to a decreased number of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are involved in not just pleasure, appetite and pain tolerance but a host of other psychological and physiological functions of the body.
Immune cells link pregnancy and tumor spread
Individuals with cancer often do not die as a result of their initial tumor but as a result of tumors at distant sites that are derived from the initial tumor. Pregnancy is a condition that seems to be permissive for tumor dissemination, as breast tumors arising during pregnancy display a tendency for early spread to distant sites (metastasis). Research in mice, led by Ivan Stamenkovic, at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, has now uncovered a possible reason for this.
Combined imaging agents advance PET imaging of cancer
Research presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting is taking targeted molecular imaging to a new level by combining two commonly used imaging agents into one molecular imaging procedure. The combination of these agents creates a comprehensive examination of the extent of cancer spread within a variety of organ systems in the body.
Hybrid PET and MRI imaging on the horizon
Preliminary research presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting is breaking new ground for the development of a brand new hybrid molecular imaging system. Simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is providing important diagnostic information about soft tissues and physiological functions throughout the body. Scans focused on screening suspicious lesions for cancer are already comparable to more conventional molecular imaging methods. Further research could lead to the clinical use of PET/MRI as an additional tool for detecting cancer and other diseases.
New molecular imaging agent targets cornerstone of cancerous tumors
A study introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting may lead to the next wave of cancer imaging by helping to develop a molecular imaging agent that detects many malignant cancers' incessant development of blood vessels—a process called angiogenesis. A protein biomarker known as CD105 has been shown to indicate tumor angiogenesis in cancer patients.
Fewer amputations in diabetic patients with dual isotope SPECT/CT
Research introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting reveals the extent to which an ongoing study can help save life and limb for patients with diabetes-related foot infections. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the bones and tissues of the feet, leaving diabetics vulnerable to infection. This study shows that combining two imaging agents with molecular imaging techniques provides diabetic patients an excellent infection screening method that has already spared a number of patients from aggressive amputation of infected feet.
Oatmeal-labeling ideal for molecular imaging of stomach emptying
Patients undergoing molecular imaging to evaluate their stomach's ability to clear food are going to have an altogether new kind of breakfast. A study presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting has confirmed that nuclear medicine technologists can effectively use oatmeal products radiolabeled with a medical isotope to target and image the emptying of the stomach.
High-impact radiopeptide therapy halts neuroendocrine cancer
Research introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting could be a sign of hope for patients with neuroendocrine cancer not responding well to standard therapies. Most radiotherapies use medical isotopes that emit beta radiation. The therapy in this study employs alpha particles, which have potential for higher potency. In fact, one single atom could be enough to kill an entire cancer cell.
Cancer-seeking 'smart bombs' target kidney cancer cells
Researchers are halting kidney cancer with a novel form of radioimmunotherapy that zeroes in on antigens associated with renal cell carcinoma. Patients with progressive kidney cancer receiving up to three doses of the therapy show dramatic slowing of cancer growth and stabilization of their disease.
Molecular imaging pinpoints source of chronic back pain
A study introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting shows potential relief for patients who suffer chronic pain after back surgery. A molecular imaging procedure that combines functional and anatomical information about the body is able to zero in on the site of abnormal bone reaction and provide more accurate diagnoses and appropriate pain management for patients who have received hardware implants or bone grafts.
New pretargeted radioimmunotherapy for colorectal cancer
Investigators at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting are presenting results from a phase 1 clinical trial for a cancer therapy that has the potential to kill colorectal tumors with less destruction of healthy tissue. Further research could lead to the use of this radioimmunotherapy to eliminate residual cancer after surgery or as a standard treatment to keep tumors from returning or spreading to other organs.
Gamma imaging provides superior tumor detection for dense breasts
A study revealed at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting is comparing the breast-tumor detection capabilities of two very different imaging technologies—breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI), which provides functional images of breast physiology, and ultrasound—for women with complex breast imaging cases that require further evaluation. Many women who have dense breast tissue (radiodense breasts) are difficult to image using mammography, currently the gold standard of breast imaging. For women whose mammograms are not clear enough to determine whether cancer is present, support methods such as BSGI and ultrasound are used to answer any remaining diagnostic questions.
Molecular imaging detects ischemic heart disease in diabetics
Research introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting may lead to much-needed cardiovascular disease screening for diabetic patients at risk of ischemic heart disease, a disorder marked by significantly reduced blood flow in the heart. Ischemia of the myocardium, or cardiac muscle, can signal diminished oxygenation of the heart tissue and trigger a heart attack if left untreated.
Molecular imaging detects signs of genetic heart disease before symptoms arise
Research being presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting shows that molecular imaging is helping to determine the cause and expand treatment for a silent killer. A study focusing on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a cardiovascular disorder that causes a thickening of the heart muscle—is proving that the effects of a genetic mutation may be an important key to understanding the disease. In related research, a treatment called alcohol septal ablation is being revealed as an effective treatment for severe cases of HCM.
Near infrared fluorescence lights up hidden blood clots
Research presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting may mark the expansion of a novel imaging agent for an optical technique called near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF), which uses light energy to glean information about cells and tissues. NIRF combined with the newly synthesized agent can image dangerous blood clots hiding inside elusive veins, most commonly within the deep tissues of the thighs and pelvis, but potentially also in the coronary arteries. The agent uses a biomarker that seeks out a peptide (the building blocks of proteins) called fibrin that is actively involved in the formation of blood clots.
Desserts with a low glycemic index may benefit weight-loss efforts for obese children
Overweight girls lose more weight and can better stay on a healthy diet if they eat sugar-free, low-fat desserts several times weekly, as opposed to any dessert once a week, a new study finds. The results will be reported Monday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Yearly zoledronic acid at lower-than-standard doses increases bone density
A lower dose of zoledronic acid than currently recommended for prevention of bone fractures due to osteoporosis decreases bone resorption and increases bone density, and may be effective in reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures, a study finds. The new research findings will be presented Monday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Intravenous nutrition in critically ill patients should be delayed, study finds
Patients in the intensive care unit who do not tolerate adequate nutrition from tube feeding should wait a week before receiving intravenous (IV) feeding because, compared with early IV feeding, it enhances recovery from critical illness. Results of a new multicenter study from Belgium will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Bristol-Myers pitches its cancer medicine pipeline
(AP) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. executives said Monday they have more than a half-dozen drugs in testing against different cancers and could get important data on them and possibly a couple of approvals this year.
Indiana: Abortion law for government to decide
(AP) -- A dispute between Indiana and federal Medicaid officials over Indiana's new abortion law cutting off some public funding for Planned Parenthood should be resolved by government administrators and not the courts, Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher told a federal judge Monday.
CDC study: Gay, bisexual teens do riskier things
(AP) -- Gay and bisexual high school students are more likely than their heterosexual classmates to smoke, drink alcohol or do other risky things, according to a government study released Monday.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may benefit patients in residential substance abuse treatment programs
Patients in residential treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy for depressive symptoms, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
German probe fixes on restaurant's food chain
Investigators searching for the origin of a killer bacteria were attempting to track supplies made to a north German restaurant where 17 guests fell ill, the press reported here Sunday.
Cellphone cancer warning falls lightly on US ears
(AP) -- News last week that an arm of the World Health Organization said cellphones might raise the risk of brain cancer has been greeted by Americans mostly with a shrug of the shoulder - one that's pinning a cellphone to the ear.
Foreign Accent Syndrome: Oregon woman develops foreign accent after surgery
(AP) -- Karen Butler has a British-sounding accent, but she's never been to Europe. She woke up from dental surgery one day talking funny. A year and a half later her "foreign" accent remains, and her story has traveled around the world.
E. coli outbreak blamed on German veggie sprouts
(AP) -- The terrifying E. coli outbreak in Europe appears to have been caused by vegetable sprouts grown on an organic farm in Germany, an agriculture official said Sunday as the toll climbed to at least 22 dead and more than 2,200 sickened.
Exposure to BPA has been underestimated, new research says
A new University of Missouri study shows that the exposure to the controversial chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) through diet has been underestimated by previous lab tests. In the study, researchers compared BPA concentrations in mice that were given a steady diet supplemented with BPA throughout the day, compared to the more common lab method of single exposure, and found an increased absorption and accumulation of BPA in the blood of mice.
New chemo regimen helps children with neuroblastoma
A new high-dose chemotherapy regimen has been shown to improve survival of children with high-risk neuroblastoma, a common pediatric cancer, according to a European clinical trial published Sunday.
Australians develop 'smart' bandage
(PhysOrg.com) -- Melbourne researchers have developed smart bandages that change colour to reveal the state of the wound beneath. Their invention could reduce the $500 million cost of chronic wound care in Australia.
Gene fault could predict ovarian cancer drug success
Faults in a gene commonly inactivated in many different types of cancer could be used to predict which drug combination ovarian cancer patients are most likely to benefit from, according to research at Newcastle University.
Bayer flags strong results of prostate cancer drug
German chemical and pharmaceutical group Bayer said Monday that its Alpharadin treatment for prostate cancer has shown positive results in advanced trials.
Drug shown to significantly improve survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer
The final survival analysis of an international study of a new drug for prostate cancer has found an even greater median survival benefit than previously reported, and has established a new class of treatment for men with metastatic prostate cancer. In addition, researchers are exploring a potential biomarker of response to treatment in general. The results were presented today by Howard I. Scher, MD, Chief of the Genitourinary Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The drug, abiraterone acetate (trade name Zytiga) was recently approved by the FDA.
Cut down on 'carbs' to reduce body fat, study authors say
A modest reduction in consumption of carbohydrate foods may promote loss of deep belly fat, even with little or no change in weight, a new study finds. Presentation of the study results will be Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Pregnant women can prevent excess weight gain with simple steps, study finds
A new study reports that a low-cost healthy lifestyle program, including self-weighing weekly or monthly, by pregnant women with pre-existing overweight can prevent them from gaining too much weight during early pregnancy. The researchers will present the results Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery reduces expression of Alzheimer's genes
Obesity is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but weight loss due to bariatric surgery may reduce the risk of this common dementia, a new study suggests. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Calorie-burning brown fat is a potential obesity treatment, researchers say
A new study suggests that many adults have large amounts of brown fat, the "good" fat that burns calories to keep us warm, and that it may be possible to make even more of this tissue.
Targeted cancer therapy kills prostate tumor cells
A new targeted therapy for prostate cancer halts tumor growth in animals with advanced prostate cancer that is resistant to hormone therapy, a new study finds. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Novel experimental agent is highly active in CLL patients, interim study shows
An interim analysis of a phase II clinical trial indicates that a novel experimental agent for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly active and well tolerated both in patients who are undergoing treatment for the first time and those who have relapsed and are resistant to other therapy.
New glioblastoma cancer vaccine shows promise in phase 2 trial
The first results of a multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial on a new brain cancer vaccine tailored to a patient's own tumor will be announced on Monday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2011 Annual Meeting in Chicago.
Gene therapy reverses type 1 diabetes in mice
An experimental cure for Type 1 diabetes has a nearly 80 percent success rate in curing diabetic mice. The results, to be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston, offer possible hope of curing a disease that affects 3 million Americans.
BPA lowers male fertility: report
Daily exposure to a chemical that is prevalent in the human environment, bisphenol A (BPA), causes lowered fertility in male mice, according to the results of a new study that will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
New strategy to attack tumor-feeding blood vessels
Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a key molecule needed to kill the blood vessels that supply tumours.
Survival niche for cancer cells
Cancer cells do not grow equally well everywhere in the body. Often, they first create the conditions in which they can grow. Many years ago researchers discovered that solid tumors attract blood vessels to ensure their supply of nutrients by secreting specific factors. Now the immunologist Dr. Uta Höpken (Tumor and Immunogenetics Research Group at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Berlin-Buch in the Helmholtz Association) and the hematologist Dr. Armin Rehm (Charité – Virchow-Klinikum, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, MDC) have shown for the first time that specific forms of lymphoma also create their own survival niche.
Groundbreaking male infertility test could 'bring hope to millions'
A groundbreaking new test for male infertility, which will save time, money and heartache for couples around the world, has been developed at Queen's University Belfast.
Blood clotting and bowel cancer risk
Back in the mid 19th century, a French doctor, Armand Trousseau, discovered a connection between cancer and thrombosis – the formation of often dangerous blood clots that can lead to venous occlusion. Today it is known that cancer and its treatment change blood flow properties and thus promote the formation of clots. However, clots do not only occur as a side effect and consequence of cancer, but, vice versa, an increased blood clotting tendency may also be associated with an elevated cancer risk.
Improving a child's chance to grow up healthy
If you change the way you run your household, can you keep your child from becoming obese? Two Rutgers nutrition researchers believe that’s possible, and they’ll spend the next five years trying to prove it with the help of 600 families in New Jersey and Arizona, and a $4.5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
WHO's math doesn't add up for developing world
Medical school researchers warned last month that one of the most widely trusted sources of data on global health could be mistaken, leaving countries ill-prepared to deal with the economic and health-care burdens of aging populations.
Sleep apnea patient now sleeps well, thanks to new CPAP class
For some people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, the remedy feels every bit as troublesome as the disorder. That’s how Robert Upchurch felt until he took advantage of a new class at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center in Redwood City.
Research aimed at helping dyslexic children learn
A new MRI-based study of children with dyslexia by a UT Arlington professor could explain why a small percentage of dyslexic children don’t respond to current teaching strategies.
Low vitamin D levels are related to decreased response to osteoporosis medicine
Women with low bone density are seven times more likely to benefit from a bisphosphonate drug when their vitamin D blood levels are above recent recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) as adequate for bone health. These new study results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Germany backtracks on sprouts as E. coli source
(AP) -- First they pointed a finger at Spanish cucumbers. Then they cast suspicion on sprouts from Germany. Now German officials appear dumbfounded as to the source of the deadliest E. coli outbreak in modern history, and one U.S. expert called the investigation a "disaster."
Tens of thousands of lives could potentially be saved by key heart failure therapies
A national study has found that nearly 68,000 deaths potentially could be prevented each year by optimally implementing key national guideline–recommended therapies, including critical medications and cardiac devices, for all eligible heart failure patients.
Engineering new weapons in the fight against juvenile diabetes
Engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are combining automation techniques from oil refining and other diverse areas to help create a closed-loop artificial pancreas. The device will automatically monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin to patients with Type 1 diabetes, and aims to remove much of the guesswork for those living with the chronic disease.
Supplement found to improve quality of life for female cancer survivors
A natural nutritional supplement, marketed for the last decade as a sexual aid, has been shown to significantly improve overall quality of life for female cancer survivors, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Molecular imaging for Alzheimer's disease may be available in hospitals within a year
Researchers the world over are advancing positron emission tomography (PET) as an effective method of early detection for Alzheimer's disease, a currently incurable and deadly neurological disorder. Three studies presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting are providing new insights into the development of Alzheimer's disease while opening the door to future clinical screening and treatments.
Study examines impact of Massachusetts health law on emergency department visits
While overall emergency department use in Massachusetts continues to rise, the number of low-severity visits dropped slightly since the implementation of the state's health care reform law, according to an Annals of Emergency Medicine study published online.
Yo-yo dieting vs. obesity? Dieters may be healthier, live longer, study finds
Yo-yo dieters may be healthier and live longer than those who stay obese, a new Ohio University study finds.
Tai chi could be key to overcoming cognitive effects of chemotherapy
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 11.4 million Americans are currently living with cancer. While cancer treatments are plentiful, many have negative side effects. Previous studies have indicated that a significant number of patients who receive chemotherapy also experience cognitive declines, including decreases in verbal fluency and memory. Now, one University of Missouri health psychologist has found evidence that indicates Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art, might help overcome some of those problems.
Testosterone therapy improves memory in postmenopausal women
Post-menopausal women have better memory after daily treatment with a testosterone spray for six months, a new preliminary study finds. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
High amounts of the hormone leptin are linked to decreased depression
Women who have higher levels of the appetite-controlling hormone leptin have fewer symptoms of depression, and this apparent inverse relationship is not related to body mass index (BMI), a new study finds. On Monday the results will be presented at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
Irradiation underused to fight E. coli in foods
(AP) -- Zapping salad fixings with just a bit of radiation can kill dangerous E. coli and other bacteria - and food safety experts say Europe's massive outbreak shows wary consumers should give the long-approved step a chance.
Study finds higher adherence to dash-style diet reduces excess weight gain in adolescent girls
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers found that girls who followed the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet pattern had a lower incidence of excess weight gain as measured by body mass index (BMI) over the 10-year period of their adolescence. These findings are reported in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
People with Parkinson's disease may have double the risk for melanoma
An analysis of several studies shows that people with Parkinson's disease have a significantly higher risk of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer and the leading cause of death from skin diseases. The research is published in the June 7, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Study suggests link between childhood bullying and adult intimate partner violence perpetration
Men who report having bullied peers in childhood appear to have an increased risk of perpetrating violence against an intimate partner in adulthood, according to a report posted online today by the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Size, strength of heart's right side differs by age, gender, race/ethnicity
The size and pumping ability of the right side of the heart differs by age, gender and race/ethnicity, according to the first large imaging study of the right ventricle.
Study finds older adults with mild cognitive impairment may also have some functional impairment
Difficulty remembering important dates and medications, and gathering paperwork, is more common in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment than in those with no cognition problems, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Studies find new drugs boost skin cancer survival
(AP) -- They're not cures, but two novel drugs produced unprecedented gains in survival in separate studies of people with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, doctors reported Sunday.
Molecular movements could lead to new way to treat cancer
Work by researchers at Queen Mary, University of London could point to a new way to treat aggressive types of cancer.
Kinder, gentler video games may actually be good for players
While violent video games may lead to more aggression and anger in players, a new study shows that the opposite is also true: relaxing video games can make people happier and more kind.
Developing treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
She's a biologist investigating microbial genomics. He studies protein structures using electron microscopy. Put them together and their research opens doors.
Failure in nerve-fiber navigation corrected in zebrafish model, suggests possibility of drug treatment
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death in children under 2, with no treatment other than supportive care. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston show how loss or mutation of the SMA gene causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, and suggest a promising approach to treating the condition, sometimes referred to as a "Lou Gehrig's disease of babies."
Tiny RNA molecule removal can inhibit cancer growth
Research from the University of Louisville published today (June 6) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates the removal of a tiny RNA molecule in mice suppresses carcinogenic tumor formation. The study appears in the journal's Early Edition online.
Insulin action in the brain can lead to obesity
Fat-rich food makes you fat. Behind this simple equation lie complex signalling pathways, through which the neurotransmitters in the brain control the body's energy balance. Scientists at the Cologne-based Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research and the Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD) at the University of Cologne have clarified an important step in this complex control circuit.
Attention and awareness aren't the same
Paying attention to something and being aware of it seems like the same thing -they both involve somehow knowing the thing is there. However, a new study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that these are actually separate; your brain can pay attention to something without you being aware that it's there.
New neurons take six months or more to mature in non-human primate brain
New neurons take more than six months to mature in adult monkeys and that time is likely even longer in humans, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the University of Illinois, and Pennsylvania State University. Their findings, reported this week in the online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, challenge the notion that the time it takes for neurogenesis is the reason anti-depressant medications are not fully effective until three to five weeks after treatment begins.
Deciding to stay or go is a deep-seated brain function
Birds do it. Bees do it. Even little kids picking strawberries do it.
Be it numbers or words -- the structure of our language remains the same
It is one of the wonders of language: We cannot possibly anticipate or memorize every potential word, phrase, or sentence. Yet we have no trouble constructing and understanding myriads of novel utterances every day. How do we do it? Linguists say we naturally and unconsciously employ abstract rules—syntax.
Expertise provides buffer against bias in making judgments
Gratuities, gifts, sponsorship, product price, free samples, favors all can influence judgment and decision-making. If a person is influenced in their choice of cereal, the result is a bit of income for a manufacturer. But a lot of people can be impacted if a politician is influenced by support from a special interest; or the health of a handful of patients can be affected if a physician is influenced by gifts from drug reps.
Biology news
Diversity of Malaysian Bamboo
What a wildly variegated species bamboo is. The sturdy yellow bamboo is pictured swaying gracefully next to the lean apple green. Both are bamboo, both strong but how remarkable that the two of different loveliness belong to the same species.
Miscanthus adapts
An article in the current issue of Global Change Biology Bioenergy finds that natural populations of Miscanthus are promising candidates as second-generation energy sources because they have genetic variation that may increase their stress tolerance.
Scientists uncover role for cell scaffold in tumor formation
A group of scientists at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, in Portugal, have uncovered a surprising link between the cell's skeleton and organ size. The team, led by Florence Janody, show in the journal Development, that one of the proteins that regulates the skeleton of the cell also acts to blocks activation of genes that promote cell survival and proliferation. Their findings have implications for cancer research, as they add to the puzzle of understanding how proliferation genes are abnormally activated, often leading to tumours.
New Madagascar species discovered weekly, many already endangered
Scientists in Madagascar discovered more than 615 species, including 41 mammals between 1999 and 2010 but many of the exciting and colourful creatures are already endangered.
Could 'hotspots' in burn offs aid tuart regeneration?
Murdoch University academics are investigating whether creating ‘hotspots’ in controlled burn offs in tuart forests will effectively stimulate regeneration in the trees.
Shark guardians see momentum to save top predator
Shark defenders hope to capitalize on a series of victories in their fight against the lucrative fin trade, releasing a report Monday calling for sanctuaries to save the world's oldest predator.
Jellyfish blooms shunt food energy from fish to bacteria
A new study by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) shows that jellyfish are more than a nuisance to bathers and boaters, drastically altering marine food webs by shunting food energy from fish toward bacteria.
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