Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for January 25, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Study supports role of quantum effects in photosynthesis- A galactic magnetic field in a lab bolsters astrophysical theory
- First atomic X-ray laser created
- World's most powerful X-ray laser creates two-million-degree matter
- New study of hunter-gatherers suggests social networks sparked evolution of cooperation
- Under the electron microscope -- A 3-D image of an individual protein
- Attack or retreat? Circuit links hunger and pursuit in sea slug brain
- Study identifies blood-forming stem cells' growth
- Mechanism sheds light on how the brain adapts to stress
- Apple shares soar, edges ExxonMobil in market cap
- Researchers discover method to unravel malaria's genetic secrets
- New fluorescent dyes highlight neuronal activity
- Alzheimer's neurons induced from pluripotent stem cells
- Vesta likely cold and dark enough for ice
- Genetic technique brings new hope for better treatments for sleeping sickness
Space & Earth news
Coastal storms have long-reaching effects, study says
Coastal storms are known to cause serious damage along the shoreline, but they also cause significant disruption of the deep-sea ecosystem as well, according to a study of extreme coastal storms in the Western Mediterranean published in the Jan. 25 issue of the online journal PLoS ONE.
Managing fire and biodiversity
A 23-year study of dry sclerophyll forests in south-eastern NSW has thrown new light on the role of fire in the landscape.
Nasa renames earth-observing mission in honor of satellite pioneer
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA has renamed its newest Earth-observing satellite in honor of the late Verner E. Suomi, a meteorologist at the University of Wisconsin who is recognized widely as "the father of satellite meteorology." The announcement was made Jan. 24 at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in New Orleans.
Great Barrier Reef hopes on ice in Aussie Outback
The arid plains fringing Australia's desert centre are more suited to camels than blooms of coral but here, hundreds of miles from the coast, a piece of the Great Barrier Reef has been put on ice.
Flights rerouted as massive solar storm slams Earth
Solar radiation from a massive sun storm -- the largest in nearly a decade -- collided with the Earth's atmosphere, prompting an airline to reroute flights and skywatchers to seek out spectacular light displays.
For volcanologists worldwide, a new digital home for all things volcano
(PhysOrg.com) -- Volcanologists now have their own online network: VHub.org, which promotes collaboration among volcano researchers and community partners by providing a place to share everything from eruption data to ash cloud simulations.
Russia opens talks with NASA and ESA with plans for manned lunar base
On January 19, 2012, Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency began talking to the United States and Europe about the stuff dreams are made of... a manned research base on the Moon.
The Rings of Pluto?
Like other bodies in the outer Solar System, Pluto may have have rings orbiting it. Finding these rings could be important for the safety of NASA's New Horizons mission - currently en route to the tiny world.
New map for what to plant reflects global warming
(AP) -- Global warming is hitting not just home, but garden. The color-coded map of planting zones often seen on the back of seed packets is being updated by the government, illustrating a hotter 21st century.
NASA's NuSTAR ships to Vandenberg for March 14 launch
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, shipped to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Tuesday, to be mated to its Pegasus launch vehicle. The observatory will detect X-rays from objects ranging from our sun to giant black holes billions of light-years away. It is scheduled to launch March 14 from an aircraft operating out of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Injecting sulfate particles into stratosphere won't fully offset climate change
As the reality and the impact of climate warming have become clearer in the last decade, researchers have looked for possible engineering solutions – such as removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or directing the sun's heat away from Earth – to help offset rising temperatures.
NASA sees development of tropical storm 09S in southern Indian Ocean
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the low pressure system called System 97S on Jan. 24 and observed a large area of strong thunderstorms around its center that hinted at further development. On Jan. 25, the low strengthened into the ninth tropical depression and now a tropical storm of the Southern Indian Ocean.
Major Tropical Cyclone Funso analyzed by two NASA satellites
Tropical Cyclone Funso is now a dangerous Category 4 cyclone in the Mozambique Channel, moving southward between Mozambique on the African mainland and the island nation of Madagascar. As Funso became a major cyclone two NASA satellites were providing forecasters with valuable storm information.
Solar storm sparks dazzling northern lights
A storm from the broiling sun turned the chilly northernmost skies of Earth into an ever-changing and awe-provoking art show of northern lights on Tuesday.
The wild early lives of today's most massive galaxies
(PhysOrg.com) -- Using the APEX telescope, a team of astronomers has found the strongest link so far between the most powerful bursts of star formation in the early Universe, and the most massive galaxies found today. The galaxies, flowering with dramatic starbursts in the early Universe, saw the birth of new stars abruptly cut short, leaving them as massive — but passive — galaxies of aging stars in the present day. The astronomers also have a likely culprit for the sudden end to the starbursts: the emergence of supermassive black holes.
Durable NASA rover beginning ninth year of Mars work
(PhysOrg.com) -- Eight years after landing on Mars for what was planned as a three-month mission, NASA's enduring Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is working on what essentially became a new mission five months ago.
Putting an airplane on a distant moon
(PhysOrg.com) -- In addition to its rivers, oceans, mountains, sand dunes and winds, Saturn’s moon Titan may someday share another similarity with Earth: airplanes.
Robot competition in zero-gravity
(PhysOrg.com) -- School teams from Europe and America have been commanding robots competing in the Spheres ZeroRobotics tournament in space. The arena: 400 km above Earth on the International Space Station.
Vesta likely cold and dark enough for ice
(PhysOrg.com) -- Though generally thought to be quite dry, roughly half of the giant asteroid Vesta is expected to be so cold and to receive so little sunlight that water ice could have survived there for billions of years, according to the first published models of Vesta's average global temperatures and illumination by the sun.
Toronto teens send Lego man into space: video
A video posted on YouTube Wednesday appeared to show the amazing voyage of a Lego man sent into space on a homemade spacecraft by two Toronto students.
A galactic magnetic field in a lab bolsters astrophysical theory
Why is the universe magnetized? It's a question scientists have been asking for decades. Now, an international team of researchers including a University of Michigan professor have demonstrated that it could have happened spontaneously, as the prevailing theory suggests.
Technology news
Kremlin TV to air Julian Assange's new show
(AP) -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's new talk show will be broadcast on RT, the Kremlin-funded English-language television station said Wednesday.
iPhone, iPad app rewards being a couch potato
(AP) -- Want to earn stuff by watching TV? An app for that is set to make its debut.
White roofs to make for cooler Melbourne buildings
The research assesses the benefits of white roofs and aims to help residential, commercial and industrial building owners determine if white roofs are suitable for their buildings and guide them through the best materials to use.
Imec, Genalyte report disposable silicon photonics biosensor chips
Imec and Genalyte announce that they have successfully developed and produced a set of disposable silicon photonics biosensor chips to be used in Genalyte diagnostic and molecular detection equipment. The chips combine imec’s standard silicon photonic waveguide devices with bio-compatible modifications jointly developed by imec and Genalyte. These chips allow for high levels of multiplexed biosensing due to the high integration level of Si photonics.
Abbott cuts 700 jobs from device and testing unit
(AP) -- Medical device and drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday it will lay off 700 employees as part of ongoing restructuring efforts.
Daily Mail making run at NY Times Web crown
The New York Times has long been the most-visited newspaper site on the Web, but Britain's Daily Mail is making a run at its crown.
Judge's order raises issue over encrypted evidence
A federal judge has ordered a woman to provide an unencrypted version of her laptop's hard drive in a ruling that raises the question of whether turning over a password amounts to self-incrimination.
Facebook forces Timeline; tips to hide users' past
Facebook will start requiring people to switch to a new profile format known as Timeline, making photos, links and personal musings from the past much easier to find.
Google revising privacy policies, data use
Google said it is revising its privacy policies and changing how it uses data from users of its services to provide more personalized search results and advertisements.
Megaupload's Kim Dotcom denied bail in New Zealand
Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom will stay behind bars awaiting possible extradition to the United States after a New Zealand judge Wednesday said the Internet millionaire poses a serious flight risk.
EU takes on Internet giants over people's personal data
The European Commission launches Wednesday a controversial bid to compel Internet giants such as Google or Facebook to give users more control over their personal data or face fines.
Megaupload founder joked about his 'hacker' past
(AP) -- Two years ago, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom joked in emails with his new neighbors in New Zealand about his bad-boy reputation before telling them his criminal past was behind him and he was coming to the country with good intentions.
Report outlines measures to cut carbon emissions from buildings
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new report from the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University today outlines its strategy to transform the UK’s built environment.
Scientists pioneer new concrete corrosion sensors
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have made a major breakthrough in developing sensors which dramatically improve the ability to spot early warning signs of corrosion in concrete.
Sweden's Ericsson says Q4 profits dropped
(AP) -- LM Ericsson, the world-leading wireless equipment maker in terms of market share, on Wednesday shocked the market by posting a much worse-than-expected fourth-quarterly result, mainly blaming operators for turning cautious due to the global financial turmoil.
Compact, low-cost and fast hyperspectral imaging solution
At SPIE Photonics West 2012, imec demonstrates a hyperspectral camera solution based on a system-on-chip image sensor with an integrated hyperspectral sensor. Imec’s solution is fast and enables small and cost-efficient camera-solutions. It targets multiple industrial vision applications.
New library e-catalogs offer expanded selection
(AP) -- Library users searching for e-books will soon get to look through a much bigger catalog and help decide what their local branch might carry.
Review: Software extras ease do-it-yourself taxes
(AP) -- It's never been easier to prepare your own tax return.
Hackers launch fresh attacks on Israeli websites
Arab hackers claimed responsibility Wednesday for a series of attacks on prominent Israeli websites, including that of daily newspaper Haaretz.
Apple briefly passes Exxon as most valuable co.
(AP) -- Apple briefly surpassed Exxon as the most valuable U.S. company after an excellent quarter, though the oil company has regained the lead at the market's close.
Apple juggernaut gets little investor respect
(AP) -- Apple is worth $415 billion, putting it neck and neck with Exxon Mobil as the world's most valuable company. But by standard Wall Street measures, its stock is a bargain.
Netflix regains 600K US subscribers in 4Q
(AP) -- Netflix regained 600,000 U.S. customers in the fourth quarter as the video subscription service began to recover from a revolt against a big price increase.
O2 accidentally exposes customers' phone numbers
An untold number of U.K. residents may have unwittingly broadcast their numbers to sites across the Web while browsing the Internet with their cellphones during the past two weeks.
Apple shares soar, edges ExxonMobil in market cap
Apple shares soared on Wednesday following blockbuster quarterly earnings and the California gadget-maker leapfrogged over ExxonMobil to become the largest US company in terms of market value.
HP to make webOS software public by September
Hewlett-Packard said Wednesday it will make its webOS mobile operating system available to the open source community by September.
Some file-sharing sites drop the sharing
Caution is spreading among popular file-sharing services known for letting users circulate pirated Hollywood content.
Medicine & Health news
LA mayor signs law requiring condoms in porn films
(AP) -- Actors in adult movies filmed in Los Angeles will be required to use condoms under an ordinance signed into law by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and porn industry leaders say the regulation could lead them to abandon the nation's porn capital.
Survey of pet dogs indicates Lyme disease risk much greater than previous estimates suggest
Ticks infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease may be considerably more prevalent in the UK than expected, according to new research from the University of Bristol that used pet dogs as ‘sentinels’ for human disease risk.
IBD travelers are not at higher risk of contracting intestinal infections
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) travelers have an increased risk of illness during trips to industrialized countries, but not to developing or tropical regions, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Cardiologists suggest patient-centered approach to replacing implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
More than 100,000 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted in the United States annually, fully a quarter of those are generator replacements simply because the battery is depleted. But are all those replacements necessary and should they actually be performed?
Studies on smoking cessation in ethnic minorities
Telephone counseling services (also known as quitlines) are an effective intervention for Chinese-, Korean-, and Vietnamese-speaking smokers living in the U.S., and should be incorporated into current smoking cessation services, according to a study published January 25 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Neurologists should ask patients about abuse
A new position statement issued by the American Academy of Neurology calls on neurologists to begin screening their patients for abusive or violent treatment by family, caretakers or others. The position statement is published in the January 25, 2012, online issue of Neurology.. Types of abuse include elder abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying and violence.
UT Arlington engineer developing 'Biomask' to aid soldiers recovering from facial burns
UT Arlington engineers working with Army surgeons are developing a pliable, polymer mask embedded with electrical, mechanical and biological components that can speed healing from disfiguring facial burns and help rebuild the faces of injured soldiers.
Spin-out targets better cancer treatment
A new Oxford University spin-out firm, Oxford Cancer Biomarkers Limited, is to develop technology to ensure that only patients who are likely to benefit from anti-cancer drugs will receive them and that the best treatment for each person can be quickly identified.
Electronic health records could improve care for type 2 diabetics
Use of electronic health records shows promise for improving care and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, but still has considerable room for improvement, according to a new study in the journal Health Services Research.
Smokeless tobacco sold illegally online, UK researchers find
Researchers from the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group have found that the tobacco product snus can still be purchased on the internet in the EU despite sales being illegal.
Study shows the rights of people with disabilities are not being promoted
Historic legal rulings did not protect the rights of persons with disabilities, while legal rulings concerned with race or gender provided much more protection of individual rights and freedoms according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Queen's University PhD student Christopher A. Riddle has determined in a recent study.
Pharma's niche focus spurs US aid for antibiotics
(AP) -- The pharmaceutical industry won approval to market a record number of new drugs for rare diseases last year, as a combination of scientific innovation and business opportunity spurred new treatments for diseases long-ignored by drug companies.
Learning to 'talk things through in your head' may help people with autism
Teaching children with autism to 'talk things through in their head' may help them to solve complex day-to-day tasks, which could increase the chances of independent, flexible living later in life, according to new research.
Food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease
Eating food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease or premature death, finds a paper published in the British Medical Journal today.
New detection method for UTI-causing bacteria means better treatment and fewer costs
A new method for identifying bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) will lead to much faster, more effective treatment as well as a reduction in costs. The procedure, described in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, could eventually be used for the identification of micro-organisms in other bodily fluids, including blood and spinal fluid.
Study points to therapy for radiation sickness
(Medical Xpress) -- A combination of two drugs may alleviate radiation sickness in people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation, even when the therapy is given a day after the exposure occurred, according to a study led by Harvard Medical School researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston.
Mouse brains keyed to speed
(Medical Xpress) -- It’s hard to be a mouse. You’re a social animal, but your fellows are small and scattered. You’re a snack to a bestiary of fast, eagle-eyed predators, not least the eagle. You’re fast too, but your spatial vision is poor — around 20/200. So what’s a mouse to do?
New deep brain stimulation device shows promising results
(Medical Xpress) -- A multi-site study of a new deep brain stimulation device for people with Parkinson’s disease has found the device to provide benefits to patients, potentially paving the way for unprecedented competition in the area of neurostimulation technology.
Methamphetamine use increasing again, researchers find
(Medical Xpress) -- Use of methamphetamines is on the rise nationally after a decrease a few years ago, according to university researchers.
Hurricane Katrina survivors struggle with mental health years later, study says
(Medical Xpress) -- Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.
Researchers say patients leave ER with poor understanding of how to care for themselves
(Medical Xpress) -- In a new review article, researchers at the University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Children’s Hospital Boston have found there frequently is a lack of patient-family comprehension at the time of discharge from the emergency department, leaving patients and families unable to report the diagnosis or understand instructions for at-home care, medication use or reasons to return to the hospital.
Mind over matter: Patients' perceptions of illness make a difference
(Medical Xpress) -- Whenever we fall ill, there are many different factors that come together to influence the course of our illness. Additional medical conditions, stress levels, and social support all have an impact on our health and well-being, especially when we are ill. But a new report suggests that what you think about your illness matters just as much, if not more, in determining your health outcomes.
Walnut diet slows tumor growth in mice
(Medical Xpress) -- Mice genetically programmed to develop prostate cancer had smaller, slower growing tumors if they consumed a diet containing walnuts, UC Davis researchers report in the current issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.
In schizophrenia research, a path to the brain through the nose
A significant obstacle to progress in understanding psychiatric disorders is the difficulty in obtaining living brain tissue for study so that disease processes can be studied directly. Recent advances in basic cellular neuroscience now suggest that, for some purposes, cultured neural stem cells may be studied in order to research psychiatric disease mechanisms. But where can one obtain these cells outside of the brain?
Gardasil does not trigger autoimmune conditions after vaccination
Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that is now recommended for male and female adolescents and young adults, does not trigger autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis after vaccination in young women, according to a new study in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
CAMH discovery identifies potential target for anti-craving medications
Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have identified a potential target for the development of anti-craving medications for people with addictions to stimulants such as methamphetamine.
A leukemia drug kills cancerous T-cells while sparing normal immunity
Leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) is a leukemia arising from T-cells, a type of white blood cell. This cancer can involve the skin and other organs, and patients often die within three years.
Potential for earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer
(Medical Xpress) -- Australian scientists have identified biochemical changes that commonly occur in the DNA of women with ovarian cancer, which may help diagnose the cancer at an earlier stage in the future.
Peer passengers are bad news for teen drivers
Research shows that teens who drive with peers as passengers have increased risks of crashing. Many states have responded by creating graduated driver licensing laws which include limits on the number of passengers teen drivers can have.
Scientists identify protein that contributes to symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, an independent and nonprofit biomedical-research organization, have identified a protein that exacerbates symptoms of Parkinson's disease—a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments for people who suffer from this devastating neurodegenerative illness.
Appetite accomplice: Ghrelin receptor alters dopamine signaling
New research reveals a fascinating and unexpected molecular partnership within the brain neurons that regulate appetite. The study, published by Cell Press in the January 26 issue of the journal Neuron, resolves a paradox regarding a receptor without its hormone and may lead to more specific therapeutic interventions for obesity and disorders of dopamine signaling.
Limiting protein or certain amino acids before surgery may reduce risk of surgical complications
Limiting certain essential nutrients for several days before surgery—either protein or amino acids—may reduce the risk of serious surgical complications such as heart attack or stroke, according to a new Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) study.
Study: Men at higher risk for mild memory loss than women
Men may be at higher risk of experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or the stage of mild memory loss that occurs between normal aging and dementia, than women, according to a study published in the January 25, 2012, online issue of Neurology.
Middle-age risk factors drive greater lifetime risk for heart disease
A new study in today's New England Journal of Medicine reports that while an individual's risk of heart disease may be low in the next five or 10 years, the lifetime risk could still be very high, findings that could have implications for both clinical practice and public health policy.
Working too much is correlated with two-fold increase in likelihood of depression
The odds of a major depressive episode are more than double for those working 11 or more hours a day compared to those working seven to eight hours a day, according to a report is published in the Jan. 25 issue of the online journal PLoS ONE.
Will you have a heart attack or stroke?
Will you have a heart attack or a stroke in your lifetime? Your odds may be worse than you think.
Clinical technique sets new standard for speed in battle to prevent pandemic infection
A new diagnosis technique developed by researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center (OSC) has succeeded in detecting influenza virus infection in only 40 minutes and with one hundred times the sensitivity of conventional methods. Clinical research conducted in 2009 and 2010 confirms the new technique accurately identified the 2009 pandemic (pdm) influenza virus in Japanese patients less than 24 hours after fever onset, much faster than standard diagnostic tests.
Unexplained skin condition is non-infectious, not linked to environmental cause: CDC
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has completed a comprehensive study of an unexplained skin condition commonly referred to as Morgellons and found no infectious agent and no evidence to suggest an environmental link. The full results are reported in the Jan. 25 issue of the online journal PLoS ONE.
Engineered bacteria effectively target tumors, enabling tumor imaging potential in mice
Tumor-targeted bioluminescent bacteria have been shown for the first time to provide accurate 3D images of tumors in mice, further advancing the potential for targeted cancer drug delivery, according to a study published in the Jan. 25 issue of the online journal PLoS ONE.
Rapid urbanization as well as cultural habits explain Gulf states' rise in heart disease prevalence
While the rapid improvement in socio-economic conditions is thought responsible for the high rates of cardiovascular disease in the Gulf states, deep-rooted cultural factors also play a part.
Prostate cancer screening and treatment decisions must act on evidence, not beliefs
Physicians advising men whether to be screened for prostate cancer with a PSA test must rely more on available evidence when recommending screening, biopsies and treatments rather than long held beliefs that PSA-based testing is beneficial for all, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center prostate expert Marc B. Garnick, MD, says.
Suriname hit with dengue epidemic, health ministry says
Suriname health authorities confirmed Wednesday that a dengue epidemic has taken hold here, resulting in numerous of people being hospitalized over the past month.
Adolescents with autism spend free time using solitary, screen-based media
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study by a University of Missouri researcher found that adolescents with autism spend the majority of their free time using non-social media, including television and video-games.
Research shows genes influence criminal behavior
Your genes could be a strong predictor of whether you stray into a life of crime, according to a research paper co-written by UT Dallas criminologist Dr. J.C. Barnes.
HIV-exposed children at high risk of language delay
Women who consumed a diet high in animal fat and cholesterol before pregnancy were at higher risk for gestational diabetes than women whose diets were lower in animal fat and cholesterol, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University.
Protein in the brain could be a key target in controlling Alzheimer's
A protein recently discovered in the brain could play a key role in regulating the creation of amyloid beta, the major component of plaques implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Temple University's School of Medicine.
School lunches to have more veggies, whole grains
(AP) -- The first major nutritional overhaul of school meals in more than 15 years means most offerings - including the always popular pizza - will come with less sodium, more whole grains and a wider selection of fruits and vegetables on the side.
Brachytherapy reduced death rates in high-risk prostate cancer patients, study finds
Brachytherapy for high-risk prostate cancers patients has historically been considered a less effective modality, but a new study from radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson suggests otherwise. A population-based analysis looking at almost 13,000 cases revealed that men who received brachytherapy alone or in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) had significantly reduced mortality rates.
Studies: Avastin may fight early breast cancers
Surprising results from two new studies may reopen debate about the value of Avastin for breast cancer. The drug helped make tumors disappear in certain women with early-stage disease, researchers found.
Experiences are better when we know they're about to end
(Medical Xpress) -- People often view the "last" moments of an event positively simply because they signal the end of an experience, say University of Michigan researchers.
Researchers define shape of enzyme linked to prostate, breast cancers
(Medical Xpress) -- A University of Kansas researcher has made a discovery that should lead to improved treatments for prostate and breast cancer.
Imaging live mouse spinal cord will aid trauma therapy
(Medical Xpress) -- To study spinal cord injuries, researchers have had to conduct exploratory surgeries on mice to determine how nerves and other cells respond after trauma. But these approaches have only shown snapshots in time and have failed to provide key, game-changing information.
Optical Illusion experiment shows higher brain functions involved in pupil size control
(Medical Xpress) -- We all know that our pupils contract when our eyes are exposed to increases in the brightness of light. The reason is to both protect the delicate inner workings of our eyes and to help provide for optimum viewing based on available light. But we also know that our pupils dilate, or become larger when we are aroused, regardless of the reason, which means that pupil size is not always just a reaction to lighting conditions. Now, new research by Bruno Laeng and Tor Endestad from the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo, shows that our pupils also react based on what we think we see sometimes, rather than what is actually there. In their paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the two show that pupil constriction occurs when viewing an optical illusion that at first makes us believe one image is brighter than another, when in reality, they are the same.
Being ignored hurts, even by a stranger
(Medical Xpress) -- Feeling like you’re part of the gang is crucial to the human experience. All people get stressed out when we’re left out. A new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that a feeling of inclusion can come from something as simple as eye contact from a stranger.
Avastin, Sutent increase breast cancer stem cells, study shows
Cancer treatments designed to block the growth of blood vessels were found to increase the number of cancer stem cells in breast tumors in mice, suggesting a possible explanation for why these drugs don't lead to longer survival, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Mechanism sheds light on how the brain adapts to stress
Scientists now have a better understanding of the way that stress impacts the brain. New research, published by Cell Press in the January 26 issue of the journal Neuron, reveals pioneering evidence for a new mechanism of stress adaptation and may eventually lead to a better understanding of why prolonged and repeated exposure to stress can lead to anxiety disorders and depression.
Study identifies blood-forming stem cells' growth
Scientists with the new Children's Research Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified the environment in which blood-forming stem cells survive and thrive within the body, an important step toward increasing the safety and effectiveness of bone-marrow transplantation.
Genetic technique brings new hope for better treatments for sleeping sickness
Research led by scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has exploited a revolutionary genetic technique to discover how human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) drugs target the parasite which causes the disease. The new knowledge could help lead to the development of better treatments for the tens of thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa who are affected each year.
New fluorescent dyes highlight neuronal activity
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have created a new generation of fast-acting fluorescent dyes that optically highlight electrical activity in neuronal membranes. The work is published in this week's online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Alzheimer's neurons induced from pluripotent stem cells
Led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, scientists have, for the first time, created stem cell-derived, in vitro models of sporadic and hereditary Alzheimer's disease (AD), using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with the much-dreaded neurodegenerative disorder.
Flu transmission work is urgent: Nature Comment
The author of an upcoming Nature paper about H5N1 argues in a Nature Comment article today that research into deadly pathogenic viruses must continue if pandemics are to be prevented. Yoshihiro Kawaoka suggests, after reviewing many factors, that pursuing studies of highly pathogenic viruses must be done with urgency.
Biology news
Examining evolution from a cellular perspective
The evolutionary processes of unicellular and multicellular organisms are continually under debate. John Torday, Ph.D., a lead investigator at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed), has recently co-authored a book entitled Evolutionary Biology, Cell-Cell Communication and Complex Disease, which incorporates cell biology into evolutionary biology. Rather than focusing on multicellular organisms, the book concentrates on the cell as the smallest unit of biologic structure and function. This is the first time that evolution has been looked at from the cellular mechanistic perspective, making evolution more accessible and relevant to all of biology and medicine.
Route parasite takes to infect fish uncovered
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists in Aberdeen have made a discovery which could ultimately help to develop a control for a major cause of infection in farmed fish.
Simple precautions could reduce risk of E coli O157 in the environment, say researchers
Researchers investigating the risk of E coli O157 in the countryside as part of the UK research councils’ Rural Economy and Land Use Programme, say that simple measures and coordinated action from the relevant authorities could play a major role in keeping children and other vulnerable groups safer.
Finding new forages for rangeland cattle
(PhysOrg.com) -- Cattle that graze on rangelands in the western United States may soon have a new forage option, thanks to work by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.
Suriname forest reveals 46 new species
A "cowboy frog" and a "crayola katydid" are among 46 new species that have been discovered in the dense forests of the tiny South American nation of Suriname, scientists said Wednesday.
Poachers threaten rare wild-growing venus flytrap
(AP) -- The venus flytrap's struggle for survival in the wild along coast of the Carolinas faces an added threat from poachers looking to make a buck by uprooting and selling them.
Turtles' mating habits protect against effects of climate change
The mating habits of marine turtle may help to protect them against the effects of climate change, according to new research led by the University of Exeter. Published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study shows how the mating patterns of a population of endangered green turtles may be helping them deal with the fact that global warming is leading to a disproportionate number of females being born.
Life discovered on dead hydrothermal vents
Scientists at USC have uncovered evidence that even when hydrothermal sea vents go dormant and their blistering warmth turns to frigid cold, life goes on.
Foldit gamers improve protein design through crowdsourcing
(PhysOrg.com) -- Gamers on Foldit have succeeded in improving the catalyst abilities of an enzyme, making it 18-fold more active than the original version. The idea is the brainchild of University of Washington scientist Zoran Popovic who is director of the Center for Game Science, and biochemist David Baker. Together they have created the Foldit site which is a video game application that allows players to work with protein design, rather than shooting virtual aliens. By giving players a basic concept to work with and a box of tools, the team has created a means for crowd sourcing protein design. Those that come up with the most efficient way to fold an enzyme get the most points.
Attack or retreat? Circuit links hunger and pursuit in sea slug brain
If you were a blind, cannibalistic sea slug, living among others just like you, nearly every encounter with another creature would require a simple cost/benefit calculation: Should I eat that, do nothing or flee?
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