Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for July 6, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Biomolecular computer can autonomously sense multiple signs of disease- Rhesus monkeys have a form of self awareness not previously attributed to them
- Mechanical micro-drum cooled to quantum ground state
- New force driving Earth's tectonic plates discovered
- Tempest-from-hell seen on Saturn
- Giant robotic worm mimics C. elegans nematode (w/ video)
- Top global challenges in mental health identified
- Scientists drag light by slowing it to speed of sound
- Hydrogen peroxide found in space
- Being small has its advantages, if you are a leaf
- Mushroom lights up the night in Brazil: Researcher finds bioluminescent fungus not seen since 1840
- Ultrafast switch for superconductors
- Old life capable of revealing new tricks after all
- A chemical detour to quantum criticality
- The making of dust
Space & Earth news
Russia bids to expand Arctic border to seek gas
Russia will submit a claim to the United Nations to expand its Arctic borders, a top official said Wednesday, as scientists embarked on a new expedition to prove its ownership of energy-rich territory.
Image: Bright are Saturn's moons
The Cassini spacecraft observed three of Saturn's moons set against the darkened night side of the planet in this image from April 2011.
Pioneering ERS environment satellite retires
After 16 years spent gathering a wealth of data that has revolutionized our understanding of Earth, ESA's veteran ERS-2 satellite is being retired. This pioneering mission has not only advanced science, but also forged the technologies we now rely on for monitoring our planet.
New map shows makeup of British landscape
Scientists have released a digital map that shows in unprecedented detail the mosaic of vegetation and land-cover types that makes up the British landscape.
Nitrogen loss expected with heavy rainfall
After 2 to 6 inches of rain fell on most of central South Dakota - and more in isolated areas - in the last couple weeks; South Dakota State University Extension Soil Specialist, Ron Gelderman, says some fields may experience nitrogen loss.
Mercury vapor released from broken compact fluorescent light bulbs can exceed safe exposure levels
Once broken, a compact fluorescent light bulb continuously releases mercury vapor into the air for weeks to months, and the total amount can exceed safe human exposure levels in a poorly ventilated room, according to study results reported in Environmental Engineering Science, a peer-reviewed online only journal published monthly by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Eye of Gaia: Billion-pixel camera to map Milky Way
The largest digital camera ever built for a space mission has been painstakingly mosaicked together from 106 separate electronic detectors. The resulting "billion-pixel array" will serve as the super-sensitive 'eye' of ESA's Galaxy-mapping Gaia mission.
Natural iron fertilization influences deep-sea ecosystems off the Crozet Islands
Geo-engineering schemes aimed at tackling global warming through artificial iron fertilisation of the oceans would significantly affect deep-sea ecosystems, according to research involving scientists from the United Kingdom's National Oceanography Centre (NOC) as well as former Ocean and Earth Science research students of the University of Southampton, which is based at the Centre.
Weather worsens for NASA's last shuttle launch
(AP) -- The weather isn't cutting NASA any breaks, not even for the last space shuttle launch.
Iceland's Hekla volcano shows signs of activity
(AP) -- Scientists are monitoring unusual underground activity that could signal an eruption at the Hekla volcano in southern Iceland.
NASA's spacecraft t-minus one month to Jupiter period
NASA's Juno spacecraft is 30 days before its first launch window opens.
Critics say NASA ignoring its 'backup plan' rule
(AP) -- A somewhat generational battle over NASA's future is escalating even as NASA is about to close the book on the space shuttle era.
Subaru 8-meter telescope damaged by leaking coolant
A "serious hardware incident" has shut down the Subaru Telescope indefinitely. A leak allowed orange-colored coolant to spill over the primary mirror and into the main camera, as well as into other instruments and the structure of the telescope. The damage is still be assessed. During the clean-up and recovery of equipment, nighttime observations have been suspended, as well as daytime summit tours of the telescope.
Landsat 5 captures Missouri River flooding near Omaha
Landsat 5 captured an image of flooding occurring along the Iowa/Nebraska border on June 30, 2011. Flooding is still occurring on July 6, and Flood Warnings are still in effect from the National Weather Service.
NASA needs new 'breakthrough,' says Obama
NASA needs new technology breakthroughs to revitalize its mission to explore the universe, President Barack Obama said Wednesday as the shuttle Atlantis was preparing for its final mission.
The making of dust
(PhysOrg.com) -- On the Earth, dust particles are everywhere - under beds, on bookshelves, even floating in the air. We take dust for granted. Dust is also common in space, and it is found for example in the cold, dark molecular clouds where stars are born. Dust is a critical ingredient of the cosmos for several reasons. It is a repository for many chemical elements (carbon and silicon, for example). It also acts as a catalyst for the chemical reactions that produce the many complex molecules observed in space, molecules which in turn play a key role in the heating and cooling of the clouds that leads to the formation of the next generation of stars (and their planets).
A look back as scientists raced to estimate oil flow from Deepwater Horizon macondo well
(PhysOrg.com) -- The first two weeks of June 2010 were a blur for six scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). As the world focused on the ongoing crisis in the Gulf of Mexico after the blowout of BP's Deepwater Horizon Macondo well, the scientists dropped everything to estimate how much oil was flowing from the mangled wellhead.
Hydrogen peroxide found in space
(PhysOrg.com) -- Molecules of hydrogen peroxide have been found for the first time in interstellar space. The discovery gives clues about the chemical link between two molecules critical for life: water and oxygen. On Earth, hydrogen peroxide plays a key role in the chemistry of water and ozone in our planet’s atmosphere, and is familiar for its use as a disinfectant or to bleach hair blonde. Now it has been detected in space by astronomers using the ESO-operated APEX telescope in Chile.
New force driving Earth's tectonic plates discovered
Bringing fresh insight into long-standing debates about how powerful geological forces shape the planet, from earthquake ruptures to mountain formations, scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have identified a new mechanism driving Earth's massive tectonic plates.
Tempest-from-hell seen on Saturn
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft now have the first-ever, up-close details of a Saturn storm that is eight times the surface area of Earth.
Technology news
Tech exec pleads guilty to insider trading
A technology company executive pleaded guilty to providing confidential information on Apple and other companies, as part of a massive insider-trading probe.
New software aids fight against nitrates in Florida's groundwater
As a young scholar, Fernando Rios loved science and computer programming equally. So when Rios — who holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Canada's University of Waterloo — went looking for a graduate program, he discovered the Department of Scientific Computing at Florida State University, which has about 35 graduate students and launched a new undergraduate program of computational sciences in fall 2010.
Huffington Post launches British edition
The Huffington Post launched a British edition on Wednesday, in the first expansion outside North America for its news and opinion website.
Warner Music shareholders approve sale
Warner Music Group shareholders on Wednesday approved the sale of the company to a media holding owned by Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik, the company said.
A body-centric perspective
Dr. Dominique Paul, a Research Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was invited to present her work on wearable electronics at the recent Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Body-Centric Wireless Communications Conference 2011.
Lockheed Martin team completes design milestone for GPS III program
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed on-schedule a System Design Review (SDR) for the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIIB satellite increment under the U.S. Air Force’s next generation GPS III program.
Twitter raising funds at $7 billion valuation: WSJ
Twitter is raising hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding at a valuation as high as $7 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Verizon Wireless nixing unlimited data for newbies
(AP) -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is getting rid of its unlimited data plan for new smartphone customers starting Thursday, shifting instead to limited data plans that give users between 2 and 10 gigabytes of data each month.
Hyundai says it will not bid for Hynix stake
South Korea's Hynix Semiconductor Wednesday lost its sole potential buyer after shipmaking giant Hyundai Heavy Industries said it would not bid for a stake in the world's second-largest memory chip maker.
EU aims to slash mobile phone roaming charges
The high roaming costs of using smartphones and tablets across the European Union are to be slashed under a new plan issued on Wednesday to give users greater choice in a more competitive, regulated market.
Computer infections rife as hackers prevail: PandaLabs
Hackers infected computers, derailed websites, and plundered networks in a memorably miserable quarter, according to a report released Wednesday by Internet security firm PandaLabs.
Internet frauds jump in S.Korea: police
The number of arrests linked to online fraud in South Korea, one of the world's most wired countries, increased by more than 50 percent in the past two years, police warned Wednesday.
Iconic computer game 'Civilization' joins Facebook
(AP) -- Long before "FarmVille" there was "Civilization," the iconic computer game in which players build a civilized world over thousands of years. Now, the game's designer, Sid Meier, is bringing his creation to Facebook.
Obama takes on 'tweeters' in Twitter town hall
(AP) -- President Barack Obama kicked off his first Twitter town hall with - what else? - a tweet.
Nokia abandons Japan market
Nokia Corp., battered by the popularity of smartphones, is abandoning the Japanese market, after a brief foray with luxury cell phones costing as much as 20 million yen ($250,000).
Virgin Media to launch Spotify service for subscribers
Virgin Media said on Wednesday it had agreed a deal with Sweden's Spotify to offer music streaming services for the British company's television, mobile phone and Internet subscribers.
Germany warns of Apple software security hole
Germany's IT security agency says the software running Apple's iPhones, iPads and the iPod Touch has "critical weaknesses."
iPhone passes Blackberry in US: comScore
Apple's iPhone has leapfrogged Research In Motion's Blackberry to grab fourth-place among handset manufacturers in the United States, tracking firm comScore said Tuesday.
Bionic glasses for poor vision
A set of glasses packed with technology normally seen in smartphones and games consoles is the main draw at one of the featured stands at this year’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.
Using imprint processing to mass-produce tiny antennas could improve wireless electronics
(PhysOrg.com) -- Engineering researchers at the University of Michigan have found a way to mass-produce antennas so small that they approach the fundamental minimum size limit for their bandwidth, or data rate, of operation.
Grocery store chain mixes high and low tech to increase sales
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a marketing strategy that can only be described as brilliant; brilliant enough to win the Media Grand Prix award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, advertising agency Cheil Worldwide Seoul, conceived the idea of taking life size photographs of a clients grocery store items, pasting them on subway walls to make them look like grocery store shelves, and then allowing prospective shoppers to shop via snapping Quick Response (QR) codes with their cell phones, while waiting for their train.
Japan's Mitsui in quake-zone solar plan: report
Japanese trading house Mitsui plans to build large-scale solar power plants with the capacity to supply 30,000 households in the tsunami-hit northeast, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
Facebook unveils Skype video calling (Update 2)
Facebook added Skype video calling on Wednesday in the face of a direct challenge from powerhouse rival Google in the social networking arena.
Review: Google Plus thoughtful answer to Facebook
(AP) -- My first thought about Google Plus: "Here we go again." After Google's earlier attempts at social networking failed spectacularly, it was easy to scoff at this seeming Facebook wannabe.
You are what you tweet: Tracking public health trends with Twitter
Twitter allows millions of social media fans to comment in 140 characters or less on just about anything: an actor's outlandish behavior, an earthquake's tragic toll or the great taste of a grilled cheese sandwich.
Mozilla's pdf.js project reaches its first milestone
(PhysOrg.com) -- You may recall our earlier reporting on the Mozilla's pdf.js project, in which the folks over at Mozilla are trying to get their browser to display PDF files in your Firefox web browser with the help of HTML5.
Medicine & Health news
Global safety monitoring of HIV drugs is essential, says International Forum
5 million in 2010—on antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV, the International Forum for Collaborative HIV Research recommends that improved and sustained global drug safety monitoring, including monitoring for substandard products, drug diversion, inappropriate use, and toxicity, is critical.
Celecoxib may prevent lung cancer in former smokers
Celecoxib may emerge as a potent chemopreventive agent for lung cancer, according to a recent study in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
For the first time, the European IVF Monitoring Group reports on cycles using frozen eggs
With 3,284 cycles using frozen eggs, Italy is the leader in Europe, the 27th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard Wednesday.
First whole-genome lung cancer study set for conference
A first-of-its-kind study of a patient with lung cancer who never smoked will be presented today by TGen and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, July 3-7 in Amsterdam.
Nordic study shows marginally higher but overall low risk of stillbirth in ART children
A research group from the Nordic countries (the MART group -- Morbidity in ART) found a marginally higher but overall still low risk of stillbirth among children conceived after assisted reproduction treatment (ART) compared to naturally conceived children, the 27th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard Wednesday.
Socioeconomic class and smoking linked to premature menopause
Women from the lowest social class are almost three times as likely to have premature ovarian failure as those from the highest social class, a researcher told the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Wednesday.
Elderly Dutch lung patients' survival improved by new treatment options between 2003-2009
New developments such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and improvements in surgical care in early-stage lung cancer have led to large survival gains for elderly Dutch patients, according to a population-based study presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Increased investment in thoracic surgical expertise increased UK lung cancer resection rate
Increased investment in specialist thoracic surgical expertise can lead to a significant rise in the lung cancer resection rate, based on data from England between 2008 and 2009 that was presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
The long-term fiscal impact of funding cuts for IVF in Denmark
Since 2010, free public health services in Denmark no longer extend towards assisted reproduction treatments (ART). However, publicly funded treatment provides economic benefits to governments with ART births positively influencing long-term net tax revenue, the 27th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard Wednesday.
Women, elderly, minorities poorly represented in lung cancer drug trial data submitted to US FDA
Women, older people and minorities are enrolled less frequently in lung cancer drug trials and the numbers do not reflect the prevalence of lung cancer in these populations, according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Canada's Cancer Risk Management model is an important new health tool for policymakers
If Canada's smoking rates were cut by half to an average national rate of 11% within five years, it would result in 35,900 fewer cases of lung cancer by 2030 and save $656 million in treatment costs, according to analysis using a new web-enabled platform developed for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Steps needed to reduce likelihood that pilot commuting practices could pose safety risk
Commuting practices among airline pilots could potentially contribute to their fatigue, and because fatigue can reduce performance, pilots, airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration should take steps to reduce the likelihood that commuting will pose a safety risk, says a new report from the National Research Council. However, there are currently too little data to determine the extent to which it poses a safety risk or whether commuting should be regulated. The FAA should support a study to gather data on how commuting practices are related to risk factors for fatigue.
The best hospitals are run by physicians
Top-performing hospitals are typically ones headed by a medical doctor rather than a manager. That is the finding from a new study of what makes a good hospital.
Understanding the science of eyewitness identifications
Mistaken eyewitness identification is a primary cause of wrongful convictions in the United States. This link between false identifications and false convictions has spurred a reform movement to change the way that police conduct eyewitness identification procedures.
Preventive care can boost results, shrink price tag of Kansas Medicaid
Better access to preventive screenings and care for people with physical disabilities and cognitive limitations could help avert and prevent worsening of many chronic diseases that result in higher costs to the state’s Medicaid program, according to a University of Kansas researcher.
New microscope enables 'super' science
Using the only microscope of its kind in Australia, medical scientists have seen for the first time the inner workings of T-cells, the front-line troops that alert our immune system to go on the defensive against germs and other invaders in our bloodstream.
Can in-hospital falls really be prevented?
ROSEMONT, Ill.–While falls are a common cause of injury, particularly in older, hospitalized patients, some may not be as preventable as once thought. According to a new literature review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), many of the risks that frequently cause falls are not adequately addressed with the fall prevention initiatives used in healthcare facilities.
Cancer researchers highlight the importance of social support
Researchers at the John Theurer Cancer Center recently published a study delineating the connection of social support to distress after stem cell transplants. Scott Rowley, M.D., Chief, Blood & Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation Program, the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center contributed to the study which was led by Larissa E. Labay from Mt. Sinai. The study was published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, a peer-reviewed publication produced by the American Psychological Association.
Customize starting age, frequency of mammograms
Mammograms should not be done on a one-size fits all basis, but instead should be personalized based on a woman’s age, the density of her breasts, her family history of breast cancer and other factors including her own values. That’s the conclusion of a new study in the July 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
British Journal of Nutrition: Fat found in pistachios may not be readily absorbed by the body
A new study now appearing in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Nutrition, finds that fat in pistachios may not be completely absorbed by the body. The randomized controlled-feeding study, which is the first-of-its-kind research with nuts, indicates that pistachios may actually contain fewer calories per serving than originally thought. Conducted by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the study shows pistachios to be one of the lowest calorie nuts with 160 calories per 30 gram serving (approximately 1 ounce).
Middle-school students educate community on proper computer posture
Move over, boy bands of America—there's a new group in town. Four middle-school students from Carmel Valley Middle School in San Diego, California, entered The Christopher Columbus Awards Competition, a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program that challenges middle-school students to identify a community problem and solve it using science and technology. Taking a cue from the popular group the Backstreet Boys, the students call themselves the Back Straight Boys. The Boys took first place nationally and are presenting their study at the upcoming Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 55th Annual Meeting at the Red Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
Future labor shortfalls of medical professionals predicted due to new demands of health-care reform
One consequence of the expanded access to health care facilitated by health care reform will be a shortfall in the necessary numbers of physicians and other advanced medical professionals. According to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the United States will face serious shortages in the combined workforce of physicians, advance practice nurses, and physician assistants over the next two decades. The study concluded that, without an adequate supply of advanced medical professionals, the U.S. won't meet the goals of health care reform.
Frozen embryo transfer leads to larger and heavier babies
Two studies from France and Denmark have shown that children born after frozen embryo transfer are larger and heavier. The risk for a baby to be too heavy for its gestational age at birth is increased 1.6 fold compared to IVF children from fresh embryo transfer and 1.5 fold compared to naturally conceived children, the 27th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology will hear Wednesday.
Test for chromosome abnormalities sheds light on genetic origins of faulty eggs
Researchers are developing a new way to test a woman's egg for chromosome abnormalities that avoids the need to manipulate and biopsy the egg itself. The research may also shed light on the crucial role played by certain genes in the development of chromosome abnormalities that are a major cause of miscarriages and conditions such as Down's syndrome.
Simple rapid diagnostic tests for malaria work well
When a person living in a malarial area gets a fever, health workers need to know the cause to make absolutely sure they give the right treatment. For many years in sub-Saharan Africa primary health workers have often assumed a fever is caused by malaria, and given antimalarial drugs. This approach means sometimes people receive the wrong treatment for their illness. It also wastes resources and, over time, can promote resistance to available drugs.
Botulinum toxin does not cure common forms of neck pain
There is no evidence that Botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain or associated headaches, says a group of scientists who reviewed nine trials involving a total of 503 participants. Their findings are published in the latest update of The Cochrane Library.
Vitamin D can help elderly women survive
Giving vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to predominantly elderly women, mainly in institutional care, seems to increase survival. These women are likely to be vitamin D deficient with a significant risk of falls and fractures. This is the key conclusion in a systematic review published in the latest edition of The Cochrane Library.
Cutting down on salt doesn't reduce your chance of dying
Moderate reductions in the amount of salt people eat doesn't reduce their likelihood of dying or experiencing cardiovascular disease. This is the main conclusion from a systematic review published in the latest edition of The Cochrane Library.
A gut-full of probiotics for your neurological well-being
Probiotics, often referred to as 'good bacteria', are known to promote a healthy gut, but can they promote a healthy mind? Exploring the new world of neurological probiotics, researchers in BioEssays present new ideas on how neurochemicals delivered directly to the gut, via probiotic intestinal microbiota, exert their beneficial effects in maintaining gastrointestinal health and even psychological well-being.
Is there a link between obesity, chronic illness and bullying?
Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who are not overweight.
Integrating science and medicine in the treatment of chronic disease
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, chronic respiratory disorders and cancer represent the major global health problem of the 21st century and affect all age groups. The cost of treating these diseases is substantial, and for many countries is an under-appreciated cause of poverty.
Colon cancer deaths down except in Mississippi
Colon cancer deaths continue to drop across America - except in Mississippi, health officials said Tuesday.
Australia launches world-first plain cigarette pack laws
Australia introduced world-first plain packaging laws for cigarettes into parliament Wednesday, vowing not to bow to big tobacco's "intimidation tactics" and legal threats.
Giving up smoking averts the adverse birth outcomes associated with tobacco
Scientists have shown for the first time in a large population study that mothers' stopping smoking around the time of getting pregnant can prevent the harmful effects of tobacco on their babies' growth.
Combining therapies appears safe, may benefit patients with advanced liver cancer
(Medical Xpress) -- Few treatments exist for patients with advanced primary liver cancer, but University of Florida researchers have found a new way to broaden the range of options and potentially improve health outcomes by combining two treatments.
New research redraws pancreas anatomy
(Medical Xpress) -- Research from Karolinska Institutet shows that insulin secretion in the pancreas is not under direct neural control, as has previously been thought. The few nerves that are present are connected to blood vessels, not to gland cells.
Scientists make brain signal discovery
(Medical Xpress) -- A Murdoch University scientist is closer to understanding why early brain development is so critical to mental health and function in the long term.
Self-paced walking test useful for evaluating progress in lifestyle intervention programs
The self-paced walking test, known as the 400-meter walk test, is effective in measuring improved physical function in postmenopausal women who have lost weight through healthy physical activity and dietary changes, according to collaborative research conducted by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and The University of Pittsburgh.
Childhood asthma linked to depression during pregnancy
Anxiety, stress and depression during pregnancy may lead to a greater risk of asthma for your child, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Study results are published in the July issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Emergency departments need to do more to support older adults with cognitive impairment
More needs to be done to improve the care that older adults with cognitive impairment - including dementia and delirium - receive when they visit hospital emergency departments, according to a research review in the July issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Ethnic, gender stereotypes bias treatment of Parkinson's disease
Cultural, ethnic and gender stereotypes can significantly distort clinical judgments about "facially masked" patients with Parkinson's disease, according to a newly published study from researchers at Tufts University, Brandeis University and the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.
Gene therapy stimulates protein that blocks immune attack and prevents Type 1 diabetes in mice
Increasing a specific protein in areas of the pancreas that produce insulin blocks the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes, researchers reported in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, published early online.
Researchers link genetic marker to rectal cancer treatment
A team of researchers led by Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) oncologist Heinz-Josef Lenz, M.D., has identified a genetic marker that may predict which patients with rectal cancer can be cured by certain chemotherapies when combined with surgery. The discovery, scheduled for publication in the August 1 edition of Clinical Cancer Research, brings doctors closer to customizing cancer treatment to individual patients.
Researchers identify early biomarker for future atopy in asymptomatic children
The signs of atopy may be present long before symptoms begin, even in month-old babies, according to a new research study from Denmark. The study found that the level of urinary eosinophil protein-X (u-EPX), a marker of inflammatory cells, in newborn babies was linked to higher risk of allergic sensitization, nasal eosinophilia and eczema at six years.
Transcription factor is potential target for liver cancer treatment
Altering the body's metabolism could be an effective treatment for deadly liver cancer, researchers report.
What causes brain cancer? Understanding glioblastoma at the genetic, molecular level
Glioblastoma is the most common and most lethal form of brain tumor in people. Research published in the International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design offers a novel way to determine what biological functions go awry when the tumor first begins to form. Understanding the problems at the molecular level might one day reveal the underlying mechanism of carcinogenesis in glioblastoma and ultimately lead to treatments or even preventative measures.
Socioeconomic status as child dictates response to stress as adult
When faced with threat, people who grew up poor are more likely to make risky financial choices in search of a quick windfall, according to new research from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
A mother's salt intake could be key to prenatal kidney development
A new animal study from Europe has drawn an association between pregnant mothers' sodium intake and their newborn's kidney development. Among the most significant aspects of the study's findings is that either too much or too little salt during pregnancy had an adverse effect on the prenatal development of the offspring's kidneys. The consequence of such disruption can lead to high blood pressure in later years.
Final countdown: Atlantis to carry next-generation vaccine candidate on last space voyage
On July 8, at approximately 11:26 a.m. EDT, the space shuttle Atlantis will streak skyward from the Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A, for one last mission. While the STS-135 flight marks the end of the space shuttle's glory days, its final trip may open a new era of research into infectious diseases, thanks to space bound experiments conducted by Dr's. Cheryl Nickerson, and Roy Curtiss III, along with their colleagues at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute.
Technology can help shed pounds
(Medical Xpress) -- Anyone who has ever struggled to stick to a restricted diet knows that willpower alone is rarely a successful offense.
Multi-layered armor protects body against immune failure
The human body incorporates multiple fail-safe mechanisms to protect it against the "friendly fire" from its immune system known as autoimmune disease, Charis Teh and colleagues at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at the Australian National University have found.
New prototype device to help doctors prescribe most appropriate medicine for individual patients performs well in pilot
A prototype handheld device that analyses DNA to predict how patients may respond to their prescription medication has performed well in a preliminary pilot study, researchers announce today.
Alcohol brands influence teen drinking preferences
American adolescents are hitting the hard stuff, according to a new report from Dartmouth Medical School and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health published in the July issue of the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
New food labels dished up to keep Europe healthy
A groundbreaking deal on compulsory new food labels Wednesday is set to give Europeans clear information on the nutritional and energy content of products, as well as country of origin.
Discovery of why sunburn hurts could lead to new pain relief for inflammatory conditions
Researchers at King's College London have found a molecule in the body which controls sensitivity to pain from UVB irradiation, identifying it as a new target for medicines to treat pain caused by other common inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Unhealthy lifestyle associated with sexual dysfunction
A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that several unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as weight problems, physical inactivity, high alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and hard drugs are associated with sexual dysfunctions in men. Additionally, an unhealthy lifestyle is more common in persons who are sexually inactive.
Study: Breastfeeding does not protect against MS relapses
New research finds breastfeeding doesn't appear to protect against multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, despite previous studies suggesting there may be a protective role. The research is published in the July 6, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
New study: Women less likely than men to fake soccer injuries
With the Women's World Cup in full swing in Germany, soccer fans can now rest assured that women are less likely than men to fake on-field injuries, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center published in the July issue of the journal Research in Sports Medicine.
Leaving anger on the field: Sports help ease aggression in boys
We know that physical education teaches children about fitness and encourages them to live a healthy lifestyle. Now a Tel Aviv University researcher has statistical evidence that sports participation is also beneficial to a child's cognitive, emotional and behavioral well-being.
Outcomes for cardiac valve procedure patients are affected by insurance status
The type of primary insurance patients carry affects outcomes of cardiac valve operations in the United States according to a study in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. As a result, the type of primary insurance should be considered as an independent risk factor during preoperative risk stratification and planning, the researchers reported. They found that uninsured and Medicaid patients incur worse unadjusted and risk-adjusted outcomes following cardiac valve operations compared with those who carry private insurance.
Up, down, right, left -- how visual cues help us understand bodily motion
(Medical Xpress) -- "Our visual system is tuned towards perceiving other people. We spend so much time doing that—seeing who they are, what they are doing, what they intend to do," says psychology professor Nikolaus F. Troje of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Is living forever in the future?
(Medical Xpress) -- Is it possible that your child could live to see 150 years of age? What about your grandchild living to see their 1000th birthday? According to a British biomedical gerontologist and chief scientist of the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) Foundation Aubrey De Grey, that is a definite possibility.
'Detox protein' is collaborator in pancreatic and lung cancer development
(Medical Xpress) -- UK scientists have revealed that a ‘detox’ protein which mops up harmful 'reactive oxygen' in cells could also trigger pancreatic and lung cancer development, according to a study published in Nature, today.
Top global challenges in mental health identified
Mental health experts are calling for a greater world focus on improving access to care and treatment for mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders, as well as increasing discoveries in research that will enable this goal to be met.
Biology news
Bahamas bans shark fishing
The Bahamas on Tuesday announced a ban on shark fishing, becoming the latest country to protect the ancient sea predator which is considered at risk due to demand for its fins in Chinese cuisine.
Concern mounts over deadly Australian horse virus
Concern over the killer Hendra virus mounted in Australia Wednesday after a sixth horse died in an outbreak, and 26 people underwent tests after coming into contact with sick animals.
Researchers develop environmentally friendly process to improve storage stability of probiotics
Probiotic bacteria are rapidly gaining ground as healthy food supplements. However, the production of this "functional food" has its pitfalls: only few probiotic bacterial strains are robust enough to survive conventional production processes. Researchers from Technische Universitaet Muenchen have now developed a particularly gentle method that allows the use of thus far unutilized probiotics. The outcome is beneficial for both manufacturers and consumers: it's energy and cost efficient -- and it makes probiotics less perishable.
Jamaica bans sale of citrus plants to control pest
(AP) -- Jamaica has shuttered all citrus nurseries across the tropical country to try and check an invasive pest that carries a fast-spreading bacteria capable of devastating its $43 million commercial industry, officials said Tuesday.
New mouse in the house: Brazil unveils species
A new species of mouse has been discovered in Brazil, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation announced Tuesday.
Salamanders spell out evolution in action
Lungless salamanders (Ensatina eschscholtzii) live in a horseshoe-shape region in California (a 'ring') which circles around the central valley. The species is an example of evolution in action because, while neighboring populations may be able to breed, the two populations at the ends of the arms of the horseshoe are effectively unable to reproduce. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology showed that this reproductive isolation was driven by genetic divergence rather than adaption to different ecological habitats.
Mother kangaroos at higher health risk
Mother kangaroos face higher health risks to carry and raise their young than their non-reproducing sisters; a new University of Melbourne study has shown.
Common eastern bumblebee can boost pumpkin yields
(PhysOrg.com) -- Each grinning jack-o'-lantern starts with yellow pollen grains, ferried from a male to a female pumpkin flower by bees. Honeybee populations are in decline, but Cornell entomologist Brian Nault has identified the eastern bumblebee as the best native pollinator, capable of boosting pumpkin yields and profits for New York growers.
Ruminant headgear: A mystery awaiting unraveling
(PhysOrg.com) -- Emerging from the heads of most cud-chewing mammals, headgear inspire an almost mystical and certainly majestic aura. But, scientists say, we know shockingly little about them.
Climate change forces early spring
Spring is hailed as the season of rebirth, but if it comes too early, it can threaten the plants it is meant to welcome.
Study reveals grouper can help control lionfish invasion
Groupers may be able to limit the invasion of lionfish on Caribbean coral reefs, according to new research conducted by The University of Queensland (UQ).
Do iridescent flowers have more pollinating power?
(AP) -- Scientists are showing off a little-known property of some common garden flowers: They're iridescent, meaning that light shimmers off them like the back of a CD.
Microalgae could be Texas' next big cash crop
Just as corn and peanuts stunned the world decades ago with their then-newly discovered multi-beneficial uses and applications, Texas AgriLife Research scientists in Corpus Christi think microalgae holds even more promise.
Multiple new strains of bacteria discovered in the human belly button
(Medical Xpress) -- New research released this week may find you spending a few extra minutes in the shower scrubbing your belly button. Researchers from the Belly Button Biodiversity project, led by Jiri Hulcr from North Carolina State University, have revealed their first round of DNA results and reveal the discovery of some 1,400 strains of bacteria living inside volunteer’s belly buttons, and 662 of those are unrecognized strains.
Discovering the bigger picture in chromosomes
By mapping various genomes onto an X-Y axis, a team comprised mostly of Kansas State University researchers has found that Charles Darwin and a fruit fly -- among other organisms -- have a lot in common genetically.
Vertebrate jaw design locked 400 million years ago
More than 99 per cent of modern vertebrates (animals with a backbone, including humans) have jaws, yet 420 million years ago, jawless, toothless armour-plated fishes dominated the seas, lakes, and rivers. There were no vertebrates yet on land and the recently evolved jawed fishes were minor players in this alien world, some sporting unusual jaw shapes and structures that bear little physical resemblance to modern animals.
Can gulls smell out a good partner?
Male and female kittiwakes smell different from each other, according to research by Sarah Leclaire from the Centre national de la recherche scientifique at the Université Paul Sabatier in France and her team. Their work also suggests that the birds' body odors might signal the genetic makeup of individual birds, and could be used in mate choice to assess the genetic compatibility of potential partners. The study is published in the July issue of Springer's journal Naturwissenschaften.
Baboons prefer dining with friends
Mealtimes can be a fraught business for the wild baboons of the Namib Desert. There's little food about, which means they have to share. Unsurprisingly, skirmishes often break out.
Glowing squid thrive in symbiotic relationship
(PhysOrg.com) -- Bacteria generally have a bad reputation – they’re good only for causing disease, and are best avoided. But Spencer Nyholm of the molecular and cell biology department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences sees things differently.
Rhesus monkeys have a form of self awareness not previously attributed to them
In the first study of its kind in an animal species that has not passed a critical test of self-recognition, cognitive psychologist Justin J. Couchman of the University at Buffalo has demonstrated that rhesus monkeys have a sense of self-agency -- the ability to understand that they are the cause of certain actions -- and possess a form of self awareness previously not attributed to them.
Old life capable of revealing new tricks after all
(PhysOrg.com) -- Archaea are among the oldest known life-forms, but they are not well understood. It was only in the 1970s that these single-celled microorganisms were designated as a domain of life distinct from bacteria and multicellular organisms called eukaryotes.
Being small has its advantages, if you are a leaf
(PhysOrg.com) -- The size of leaves can vary by a factor of 1,000 across plant species, but until now, the reason why has remained a mystery. A new study by an international team of scientists led by UCLA life scientists goes a long way toward solving it.
Mushroom lights up the night in Brazil: Researcher finds bioluminescent fungus not seen since 1840
In 1840, renowned English botanist George Gardner reported a strange sight from the streets of Vila de Natividade in Brazil: A group of boys playing with a glowing object that turned out to be a luminescent mushroom. They called it "flor-de-coco," and showed Gardner where it grew on decaying fronds at the base of a dwarf palm. Gardner sent the mushroom to the Kew Herbarium in England where it was described and named Agaricus gardneri in honor of its discoverer. The species was not seen again until 2009.
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