Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for February 16, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Fruit flies use alcohol as a drug to kill parasites- DNA nanorobot triggers targeted therapeutic responses
- Successful human tests for first wirelessly controlled drug-delivery chip
- Sound effects inspired Stonehenge: US scientist
- When is a gene not a gene? New catalog helps identify gene variations associated with disease
- Fossilized pollen unlocks secrets of 2,500-year-old royal garden
- Researchers make living model of brain tumor
- Nanoparticles may enhance cancer therapy
- An 'immortal' devil's genome and the secrets of a cancer that's catching
- Scientists create molecular map to guide treatment of multiple sclerosis
- Shedding light on how body fends off bacteria
- Experts urge stronger online regulation bill
- Mother of pearl tells a tale of ocean temperature, depth
- 'Mini-cellulose' molecule unlocks biofuel chemistry
- Inactive genes surprisingly common in humans
Space & Earth news
NASA completes publication of Boris Chertok's rockets and people memoir series
NASA's History Program Office has released the fourth volume of the English translation of Russian space pioneer Boris Chertok's highly acclaimed memoirs, Rockets and People: The Moon Race.
NASA to deliver commercial research equipment to station
NASA, Astrium Space Transportation and NanoRacks LLC are teaming up to expand the research capability of the International Space Station through delivery of a small commercial centrifuge facility that will conduct molecular and cellular investigations on plant and animal tissue.
Food system 'heading for crisis'
Australians are eating themselves to death and our food choices are one of the nation’s leading causes of environmental damage, according to a new report released today by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).
Marine protected areas: changing climate could require change of plans
Marine protected areas (MPAs) may turn out to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a result of changing conditions, marine species have been on the move with observed shifts of as much as three kilometres per year over the past 50 years, and forecasts of shifts of as much as 300 kilometres in the coming 50 years.
US launches new coalition to fight climate change
Faulting the world for not doing enough to fight climate change, the United States on Thursday announced the formation of a coalition to cut short-lived pollutants that speed up warming and harm health.
NASA sees Cyclone Giovanna moving through the Mozambique Channel
Infrared NASA satellite imagery showed Cyclone Giovanna moving south through the Mozambique Channel on Thursday, February 16, 2012. Infrared data showed that Giovanna was regaining strength in the warm waters of the Channel, and the strongest thunderstorms were west of the storm's center.
Skydiver prepares for record-setting freefall from the edge of space
In 2010, we reported on Felix Baumgartner and his upcoming attempt to break the sound barrier with his body, in a freefall from the edge of space. Part science experiment, part publicity stunt, part life-long ambition, the Red Bull Stratos mission will have Baumgartner traveling inside a capsule with a stratospheric balloon to 36,500 meters (120,000 feet), where he will step out and attempt a record-setting highest freefall jump ever. The mission was delayed by two years by a lawsuit, but Baumgartner’s jump is now back on, and will be attempted later this year, perhaps late summer or early fall 2012.
Image: Rhea before Titan
(PhysOrg.com) -- Craters appear well defined on icy Rhea in front of the hazy orb of the much larger moon Titan in this Cassini spacecraft view of these two Saturn moons.
UA tests consumer water filters for contaminant removal
A University of Arizona study of pour-through and refrigerator water filtration devices and the chemicals they removed is scheduled for publication in the March issue of Good Housekeeping.
First EarthScope 'transportable array' seismic station reaches U.S. east coast
Yulee, Florida. Not a place one usually thinks of as an Earthquake Epicenter.
NASA performs first J-2X powerpack test of the year
(PhysOrg.com) -- Engineers at NASA's Stennis Space Center conducted an initial test of the J-2X engine powerpack Feb. 15, kicking off a series of key tests in development of the rocket engine that will carry humans deeper into space than ever before.
Swiss satellite to tackle space debris (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- The proliferation of debris orbiting the Earth – primarily jettisoned rocket and satellite components – is an increasingly pressing problem for spacecraft, and it can generate huge costs. To combat this scourge, the Swiss Space Center at EPFL is announcing today the launch of CleanSpace One, a project to develop and build the first installment of a family of satellites specially designed to clean up space debris.
Two Russian astronauts step outside space station
(AP) -- Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station are taking a spacewalk.
Research finds arsenic supply at highest risk
Modern technology depends on reliable supplies of a wide variety of materials, but there is increasing concern about the dependability of those supplies.
New study shows no evidence of groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing of shale formations to extract natural gas has no direct connection to reports of groundwater contamination, based on evidence reviewed in a study released Thursday by the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin.
Energy poverty creating a respiratory disease 'epidemic' for almost half the world's population
Limited access to clean sources of energy, known as energy poverty, makes nearly half the world's population reliant on burning wood, animal waste, coal or charcoal to cook. This leads to severe respiratory diseases that kill roughly two million people worldwide each year, a problem University of British Columbia researchers are trying to solve.
'Honeycombs' and hexacopters help tell story of Mars
In a rough-and-tumble wonderland of plunging canyons and towering buttes, some of the still-raw bluffs are lined with soaring, six-sided stone columns so orderly and trim, they could almost pass as relics of a colossal temple. The secret of how these columns, packed in edge to edge, formed en masse from a sea of molten rock is encrypted in details as tiny as the cracks running across their faces. To add to this mystery's allure, decoding it might do more than reveal the life story of some local lava: it might help explain the history of Mars.
Leaks show group's climate efforts
(AP) -- Leaked documents from a prominent conservative think tank show how it sought to teach schoolchildren skepticism about global warming and planned other behind-the-scenes tactics using millions of dollars in donations from big corporate names.
Spacewalking astronauts move crane, skip shields
Two spacewalking astronauts moved a construction crane outside the International Space Station on Thursday, a cumbersome job that took so long they scrapped hanging shields to protect against space junk.
Low-carbon technologies 'no quick-fix', say researchers
Could replacing coal-fired electricity plants with generators fueled by natural gas bring global warming to a halt in this century? What about rapid construction of massive numbers of solar or wind farms, hydroelectric dams, or nuclear reactors—or the invention of new technology for capturing the carbon dioxide produced by fossil-fueled power plants and storing it permanently underground? Nathan Myhrvold of Intellectual Ventures teamed up with Carnegie Institution's Ken Caldeira to calculate the expected climate effects of replacing the world's supply of electricity from coal plants with any of eight cleaner options. The work was published online by Environmental Research Letters on February 16.
'Xombie' rocket makes first free-flight for NASA
A privately built rocket has made its first free-flight in the California desert as part of a NASA program exploring vertical landing systems for solar system exploration.
Researchers suggest high energy emissions from Crab Nebula come from wind
(PhysOrg.com) -- An international team of physicists studying the Crab Nebula have offered a new theory to explain its extraordinarily high energy emissions that have intrigued space scientists for years. The team, led by Felix Aharonian of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, suggests that instead of the energy being emitted by the pulsar that sits at the center of the nebula, it comes instead from wind, as they describe in their paper in Nature, generated by the pulsar.
Microbial oasis discovered beneath the Atacama Desert
Two metres below the surface of the Atacama Desert there is an 'oasis' of microorganisms. Researchers from the Center of Astrobiology (Spain) and the Catholic University of the North in Chile have found it in hypersaline substrates thanks to SOLID, a detector for signs of life which could be used in environments similar to subsoil on Mars.
Godspeed John Glenn: 50 years since first US orbit
The name still resonates and generates goose bumps like few others in the world of spaceflight. John Glenn.
Technology news
Whitney Houston fans to follow funeral on Internet
(AP) -- They won't be there in person, but singer Whitney Houston's millions of fans worldwide will be able to share in her homecoming service Saturday as they watch her private funeral on the Internet.
CBS 4Q earnings top views, but sales fall short
(AP) -- Broadcasting giant CBS Corp. said Wednesday that its earnings rose 31 percent in the final quarter of 2011, thanks to licensing shows to online video companies such as Netflix as well as cost-cutting that helped offset an advertising slowdown.
New secret dispersion technologies that protect against data falsification without needing extra disc capacity
NEC Corporation announced today the development of secret dispersion technologies that safely and securely disperse and save confidential information, even in open environments such as cloud computing networks.
Broadband internet for everyone
In the developing world, 96 percent of all households have no internet access. Even in Germany, many regions are still without broadband connectivity. But in future, a revolutionary new technology for wireless networks will allow the gaps in rural internet provision to be closed at significantly less cost.
March Madness games no longer free online for all
(AP) -- Some fans will no longer be able to watch every NCAA men's basketball tournament game online for free.
MSN adds new feature to take Internet's pulse
(AP) -- Microsoft is hooking up MSN.com with a hipper sidekick to broaden its appeal and stay on top of the Internet's hottest topics.
More Chinese cities seize iPads over trademark
(AP) -- Authorities have seized iPads from more Chinese retailers in an escalating trademark dispute between Apple Inc. and a struggling local company that could disrupt global sales of the popular tablet computer.
Taiwan's Acer swings to profits in fourth quarter
Taiwan's leading personal computer maker Acer said Thursday it swung back into the black in the three months to December after suffering losses in the previous two consecutive quarters.
Google has intriguing plans at the Googleplex
Google is in the midst of more than $120 million in construction projects at its Mountain View headquarters, including work on a series of new or previously secret hardware testing labs that hint at the Internet giant's expanding interest in crafting consumer devices like its rivals Apple and Microsoft.
Building a better trap
(PhysOrg.com) -- Fieldwork in Peru’s Andes Mountains is demanding, especially when it involves hauling heavy equipment to remote sites that are accessible only by traversing the region’s rugged terrain.
U-M architecture student builds a tent for the ultimate test: survival
Andrew McCarthy didn't know how to sew five weeks ago. But that didn't stop the University of Michigan graduate student in architecture from stitching up his own tent for a thesis project.
Mapping out the future of GPS technology
Ditching satellites and complex, powerful computers and opting for camera technology inspired by small mammals may be the future of navigation systems.
What Dropbox can teach us about cloud computing
Dropbox is the most deceptively simple of services. Place a Dropbox folder on each computer or gadget you own. Drag any file into that folder. A copy of that file automatically appears on every device where you put a Dropbox folder. It's idiot proof.
IPhone sales hurt carriers' profits
The iPhone has been a huge hit for Apple Inc., helping send the company's stock to all-time highs and producing record-breaking profits.
Problems cast shadows of doubt on solar project
One of California's showcase solar energy projects, under construction in the desert east of Los Angeles, is being threatened by a deadly outbreak of distemper among kit foxes and the discovery of a prehistoric human settlement on the work site.
Review: Three online services that track your spending
(AP) -- My approach to tracking my spending has traditionally been to wait for credit card bills to come, then (hopefully) pay them off. Three new online services promise to help you do a better job of tracking as you buy.
Curb the car dashboard technology, government asks
(AP) -- Auto dashboards are becoming an arcade of text messages, GPS images, phone calls and web surfing, the government says, and it's asking carmakers to curb those distractions when vehicles are moving.
Flaw found in securing online transactions
Researchers on Wednesday revealed a flaw in the way data is scrambled to protect the privacy of online banking, shopping and other kinds of sensitive exchanges.
EU court: Web sites need not check for IP breaches
A European Union court ruled Thursday that social networking sites cannot be compelled to install general filters to prevent the illegal trading of music and other copyrighted material.
Apple brings iPad features to the Mac
Apple released a preview version of its new Macintosh operating system on Thursday, bringing some features of the iPad to the personal computer.
Nevada approves regulations for self-driving cars
Nevada is becoming the first state to regulate self-driving vehicles on its roadways.
Experts urge stronger online regulation bill
Cybersecurity experts urged senators Thursday to close loopholes in legislation to give the government more power to force critical industries to make their computer networks more secure.
Researchers discover cell phone hackers can track your location without your knowledge
Cellular networks leak the locations of cell phone users, allowing a third party to easily track the location of the cell phone user without the user's knowledge, according to new research by computer scientists in the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering.
Medicine & Health news
Counterfeit drugs becoming big business worldwide
(AP) -- The discovery that a fake version of the widely used cancer medicine Avastin is circulating in the United States is raising new fears that the multibillion-dollar drug-counterfeiting trade is increasingly making inroads in the U.S.
Australian jailed for assisting in suicide
An Australian man was jailed for three years Thursday after helping an elderly friend kill himself by providing him with an animal anaesthetic he bought in Mexico.
10-hour surgery separates Brazilian conjoined twins
Brazil's conjoined twins Israel and Levi were separated successfully Wednesday at Maternity Hospital of Goiania in a surgery that lasted nearly 10 hours, the twins' doctor told AFP.
Women with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus give birth to fewer children
New research shows that more than half of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have fewer children than desired. While patient choice has some influence on the smaller family size, findings published today in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), suggest that higher rates of infertility and miscarriage may also impact the number of offspring born to women with these chronic conditions.
Ending individual mandate would not dramatically hike insurance prices, study finds
A new RAND Corporation study concludes that eliminating a key part of health care reform that requires all Americans to have health insurance would sharply lower the number of people gaining coverage, but would not dramatically increase the cost of buying policies through new insurance exchanges.
Combination PET-MRI scanner expands imaging frontiers
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine are using a new imaging device that simultaneously performs positron-emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, producing more detailed images than either technique alone.
3Qs: Understanding the potential impact of the H5N1 virus
Last year, in an effort to understand the biology of H5N1, two independent research groups successfully engineered the lethal avian flu virus to be transmissible between mammals, and perhaps among humans. At the end of January, the research community, including the authors of the two studies, agreed to a 60-day moratorium on sensitive H5N1 experiments. In the meantime, the World Health Organization will hold international discussions regarding the future of such research and its availability in the community.
When body piercings go wrong
Body piercings have become increasingly popular among young people in the United States, especially in recent years. It is important that health professionals understand the problems that piercings can cause, according to a recent Northwestern Medicine paper, published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.
Norovirus sickens George Washington Univ. students
(AP) -- Officials at George Washington University in Washington are alerting the campus that about 85 students have been sickened by the norovirus this week.
Tainted sprouts again linked to Jimmy John's
(AP) -- Raw sprouts from the sandwich chain Jimmy John's have been linked to an outbreak of foodborne illness - again.
Eating problems persist three months after stroke and 56 percent still face malnutrition risk
People who suffered a stroke continued to experience eating problems and more than half still risked malnutrition after three months, even though there had been a marked improvement in most of their physical functions. That is one of the key findings of a study in the March issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
SBRT provides better outcomes than surgery for cancer patients with common lung disease
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) provides better overall survival rates than surgery for lung cancer patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease commonly associated with lung cancer, according to a study in the upcoming March issue of the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Agreement on short-term SGR 'patch' fails to ensure access to care or advance needed reforms
Our organizations, representing nearly 400,000 physicians and medical student members, are deeply disappointed by the agreement in Congress to enact another short-term "patch" that neither solves, nor moves us closer to solving, the Medicare physician payment crisis. We are especially frustrated because Congress has had a short-lived window of opportunity to eliminate the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, once and for all, using unspent monies for overseas military operations.
AMP presented testimony to the Patent and Trademark Office requesting moratorium on human gene patenting
Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to place a moratorium on the issuing of patents on human genes during testimony presented at an Agency hearing on genetic diagnostic testing. AMP is the lead plaintiff of 20 plaintiffs in an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sponsored lawsuit challenging the validity of patents on two hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. AMP joined the litigation because of its members' first hand view of the harmful effects of gene patents on patients with genetic diseases and their at-risk family members. "Every day, AMP members witness the ability of genetic testing to better patients' lives and improve their health. Unfortunately, they also experience firsthand the challenges imposed by gene patents that interfere with the practice of medicine and limit their treatment decisions," said Mary Williams, Executive Director of AMP.
Rio giving out 3 million free condoms during Carnival
The government of Rio de Janeiro state will distribute more than three million condoms free of charge during Brazil's five-day carnival that begins Friday.
Government panel favors some WTC cancer claims
(AP) -- A government panel favors expanding an aid program for people sickened by World Trade Center dust to include people who have at least some types of cancer.
National guardsmen face a high risk of developing alcohol abuse problems following deployment
Soldiers in the National Guard with no history of alcohol abuse are at significant risk of developing alcohol-related problems during and after deployment, according to a new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal. Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and colleagues at three other institutions found that the soldiers at greatest risk of developing alcohol-related problems also experienced depression and/or PTSD during or after deployment.
Study identifies mental health as a primary concern for Canada's youth
Canadian girls report higher levels of emotional problems and lower levels of emotional well-being and life satisfaction, while boys tend to experience more behavioural problems and demonstrate less prosocial behavior, a new Queen's University-led national study of youth health behavior shows. The study also emphasizes the importance of home, school, peers and local neighbourhood in the lives of young people. The varying interpersonal relationships that arise in these four different contexts may be critical for adolescent mental health.
Study proves targeted tumor freezing therapy increases ovarian cancer survival
Ovarian cancer, which killed 15,000 American women last year, is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. A team of Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers recently proved that freezing tumors increases survival rates in ovarian cancer patients.
Post-stroke language impairment adds thousands to medical costs
Stroke-related language impairment adds about $1,703 per patient to medical costs the first year after stroke, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Students develop a novel way to teach interdisciplinary care
A unique board game developed by a group of medical students at Western University will help bridge gaps between various health disciplines to better educate students about their roles in interdisciplinary health teams.
Physician reminders don't improve care for kidney disease patients
Laboratory-based treatment reminders meant to improve physicians' prescribing habits for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may not be effective, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The findings indicate that adding information on how to treat patients with CKD to kidney laboratory test results does not provide any benefits.
Patient education classes may reduce disparities in kidney transplantation
Being educated about your health and your treatment options is a good thing. According to a new study, kidney failure patients who take part in an education program are more likely to get evaluated for a kidney transplant. The study appears in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The findings indicate that requiring a formal patient education class may help reduce inequities in kidney failure patients' access to kidney transplantation.
International experts clarify hormonal changes of menopause
A panel of US and international experts met in September 2011, in Washington, DC, to review the latest scientific data on the hormonal changes that mark reproductive aging in women and to reach consensus on defining the reproductive stages in a woman's life from pre-menopause to the late postmenopausal period. STRAW+10 represents an update to the landmark STRAW (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop) system put into place ten years ago that paved the way for international studies that have led to a greater understanding of reproductive aging in women.
Industry bickers over how to catch fake drugs
(AP) -- The news this week that a fake version of the cancer medicine Avastin has made its way into the United States highlights a longtime concern: There are few safeguards to make sure fake drugs can be spotted before they make it to your doctor's office.
Rio faces dengue epidemic: Brazil health minister
Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilla on Thursday warned that Rio de Janeiro faced a major dengue epidemic, although he said the virus strain prevalent was not fatal.
Puzzle play may help boost learning math-related skills
Children who play with puzzles between ages 2 and 4 later develop better spatial skills, a study by University of Chicago researchers has found. Puzzle play was found to be a significant predictor of cognition after controlling for differences in parents' income, education and the overall amount of parent language input.
Organic foods may be an unsuspected source of dietary arsenic
As people seek healthier dietary regimens they often turn to things labeled "organic." Lurking in the background, however, is an ingredient that may be a hidden source of arsenic—an element known to be both toxic and potentially carcinogenic.
Protein that functions in normal breast may also contribute to breast cancer metastasis
The trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) protein protects and maintains the integrity of the epithelial surface in the normal breast. New research has found that while TFF3 protein expression is higher in well-differentiated low grade tumors and therefore associated with features of a good prognosis, it has a more sinister role in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. The report is published in the March issue of the American Journal of Pathology.
Cellular aging increases risk of heart attack and early death
Every cell in the body has chromosomes with so-called telomeres, which are shortened over time and also through lifestyle choices such as smoking and obesity. Researchers have long speculated that the shortening of telomeres increases the risk of heart attack and early death. Now a large-scale population study in Denmark involving nearly 20,000 people shows that there is in fact a direct link, and has also given physicians a future way to test the actual cellular health of a person.
Androgen boosts hepatitis B virus replication
Androgen enhances replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV), rendering males more vulnerable than females to this virus, according to research published in the February Journal of Virology.
Babies know what's fair
(Medical Xpress) -- “That’s not fair!” It’s a common playground complaint. But how early do children acquire this sense of fairness? Before they’re 2, says a new study. “We found that 19- and 21-month-old infants have a general expectation of fairness, and they can apply it appropriately to different situations,” says University of Illinois psychology graduate student Stephanie Sloane, who conducted the study with UI’s Renée Baillargeon and David Premack of the University of Pennsylvania. The findings appear in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science.
New lab model of Alzheimer's disease will help research
(Medical Xpress) -- A new way of studying Alzheimer’s disease in the laboratory has been developed by scientists at the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute in Cambridge and will help researchers understand more clearly how the disease progresses in real life.
Scientists debate bird flu studies at WHO
Scientists met behind closed doors in Geneva Thursday to discuss whether controversial research on a mutant form of bird flu capable of being spread among humans can be made public.
A mile in their shoes: understanding empathy
The human brain evolved to ensure our survival. One example of that survival instinct is our sense of competition – historically, it’s part of what drives us to wage wars over power and resources. But an equally powerful survival tactic is our ability to love and cooperate with others.
Aging studies suggest older people are happier
(Medical Xpress) -- We get wrinkles. Our hair turns gray, or we lose it altogether. Our job prospects diminish and our chances of incurring disease increase. Researchers across the globe focus their efforts on increasing our life span because so many of us believe getting old stinks.
Modern health mapping shows how poverty and ill health persist over 100 years
Researchers from Queen Mary, University of London are aiming to improve the health of Londoners by combining a century-old mapping technique with up-to-the-minute technology.
Heart doctors repair coronary aneurysm without open surgery
(Medical Xpress) -- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center interventional cardiologists have, for the first time, repaired a large coronary artery aneurysm with stent-assisted coil embolization without doing open heart surgery. The successful procedure could mean a new option for patients, especially those who would be at risk undergoing an open chest operation. The work is published in the February issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, an American Heart Association journal.
Neurons change shape after gene therapy
(Medical Xpress) -- Gene therapy not only helps injured brain cells to live longer and regenerate, but also changes the shape of the cells, according to researchers The University of Western Australia.
Genetic studies of special mice could lead to rapid human health advances
Genetic information provided by a large group of specially-designed mice could pave the way to faster human health discoveries and transform the ways people battle and prevent disease.
North Carolina-based genetic resources fuel big scientific progress
A series of 15 scientific papers published this week in the journals of the Genetics Society of America (Genetics and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics) put North Carolina at the epicenter of a scientific resource called the Collaborative Cross – a "library" of genetic diversity that scientists believe can help fast-track important discoveries about genetics and disease into new discoveries, tests, and treatments that impact human health.
When body clock runs down, immune system takes time off
It's been said that timing is everything, and that may be particularly true when it comes to the ability to fight off disease. New research published by Cell Press in the February issue of the journal Immunity shows that the success of host immune defense depends in part on an organism's "body clock." The study may lead to therapeutic strategies designed to optimize the immune response and to protect patients at the time when they are most vulnerable.
Potential treatment target for KRAS-mutated colon cancer found
Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center have identified a new potential strategy for treating colon tumors driven by mutations in the KRAS gene, which usually resist both conventional and targeted treatments. In a paper appearing in the Feb. 17 issue of Cell, the team reports that targeting a later step in the pathway leading from KRAS activation to tumor growth may be able to halt the process.
Cell signaling discovery provides new hope for blood disorders
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute scientists have revealed new details about how cell signalling is controlled in the immune system, identifying in the process potential new therapeutic targets for treating severe blood disorders.
Nanosurgery and the fight against cancer
Researchers at Polytechnique Montreal have succeeded in changing the genetic material of cancer cells using a brand-new transfection method. This major breakthrough in nanosurgery opens the door to new medical applications, among others for the treatment of cancers.
Study simulates effects of foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Mexico
In a worst-case scenario simulation of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Mexico, researchers found that establishing a good surveillance system and raising a more resilient breed of cattle could lessen the blow to the Mexican cattle industry should an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or other infectious disease occur.
Common flame retardant linked to social, behavioral and learning deficits
Mice genetically engineered to be susceptible to autism-like behaviors that were exposed to a common flame retardant were less fertile and their offspring were smaller, less sociable and demonstrated marked deficits in learning and long-term memory when compared with the offspring of normal unexposed mice, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found. The researchers said the study is the first to link genetics and epigenetics with exposure to a flame retardant chemical.
Food scientists fortify goat cheese with fish oil to deliver healthy omega-3 fatty acids
Fish oil is an underused ingredient in the food industry because of its association with a strong odor and aftertaste. A new study in the February issue of the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists, shows that fish oil can be added to goat cheese to deliver high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids without compromising taste or shelf-life.
Study details on-off switch that promotes or suppresses breast cancer
Signals can tell cells to act cancerous, surviving, growing and reproducing out of control. And signals can also tell cells with cancerous characteristics to stop growing or to die. In breast cancer, one tricky signal called TGF-beta does both – sometimes promoting tumors and sometimes suppressing them.
High doses of 'load' slows loss of bone in spinal cord injury
Loss of bone density leads to brittle bones that fracture easily. It is a major complication of spinal cord injury (SCI), which affects about 250,000 Americans every year.
To understand chromosome reshuffling, look to the genome's 3D structure
That our chromosomes can break and reshuffle pieces of themselves is nothing new; scientists have recognized this for decades, especially in cancer cells. The rules for where chromosomes are likely to break and how the broken pieces come together are only just now starting to come into view. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and the Immune Disease Institute (IDI) have helped bring those rules into clearer focus by discovering that where each of the genome's thousands of genes lie within the cell's nucleus – essentially, the genome's three-dimensional organization – holds great influence over where broken chromosome ends rejoin, knowledge that could shed light on fundamental processes related to cancer and normal cellular functions, for example in immunity.
Four new drugs will change prostate cancer care
After a decade and a half of near stagnation, four new drugs could help make advanced prostate cancer a chronic illness instead of a terminal disease, a leading Colorado prostate cancer expert says.
New model accurately predicts who will develop deadly form of dengue fever
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed the first accurate predictive model to differentiate between dengue fever (DF) and its more severe form, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The breakthrough, which could vastly reduce the disease's mortality rate, was reported in related papers in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and Clinical and Translational Science. These studies could lead to a personalized approach to treatment of dengue fever.
As diabetes emerges, researchers track disease's first steps
Scientists have taken a remarkably detailed look at the initial steps that occur in the body when type 1 diabetes mellitus first develops in a child or young adult.
UGA animal vaccine may slow deadly spread of Chagas disease
Chagas disease is the single most common cause of congestive heart failure and sudden death in the world. The devastating parasitic infection affects millions of people throughout Central and South America. But as global travel increases, it's becoming a greater threat in the United States and Europe as well.
Study documents the importance of supportive spouses in coping with work-related stress
The growth of two-income families and increasing levels of job stress are two of the most significant work trends affecting American businesses and families in recent years. Having just one stressed-out spouse can harm couple's work and home lives — but what about when it's both?
Study: Weight training improves Parkinson's symptoms
New research suggests weight training for two years significantly improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease compared to other forms of exercise such as stretching and balance exercises. The clinical trial, which compared two forms of exercise for Parkinson's disease, was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.
OHSU discovery may someday lead to prevention and treatment of sudden infant death syndrome
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that brain cells commonly thought to play a supporting role actually are critically important for the growth of brainstem neurons responsible for cardiorespiratory control. The discovery has profound implications for the prevention and treatment of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the leading cause of death in children aged one month to one year.
Pancreatic hormone linked with severe heart disease in obese and diabetic patients
Severe heart damage in people who are obese and diabetic is linked with a pancreatic hormone called amylin, UC Davis researchers have found.
Computer programs may be able to identify individuals most at risk of anxiety, mood disorders
(Medical Xpress) -- Computer programs can be taught to differentiate between the brain scans of healthy adolescents and those most at risk of developing psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, according to research published yesterday in the open access journal PLoS ONE. The research suggests that it may be possible to design programs that can accurately predict which at-risk adolescents will subsequently develop these disorders.
Vaccine discovered for hep C
(Medical Xpress) -- A University of Alberta researcher and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Virology has made the discovery of a vaccine that will potentially help combat hepatitis C. Michael Houghton, who led the team that discovered the hepatitis C virus in 1989, announced his findings at the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Summit in Vancouver this afternoon. Currently, there are no vaccines against the disease available.
Link found between MicroRNA and neurological aging in fruit flies
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers from several institutions in the Philadelphia area have banded together to form a team to look into the possible impact a certain type of MicroRNA (miRNA) may have on the neurological aging process in fruit flies. They have, as they report in their paper published in Nature, found that when the miRNA, miR-34 is more active, neuron degradation due to aging is less pronounced than when it is less so or absent.
Researchers find new drug target for lung cancer
Drugs targeting an enzyme involved in inflammation might offer a new avenue for treating certain lung cancers, according to a new study by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Three studies find IDH enzyme mutations may alter activity leading to growth of cancer tumors
(Medical Xpress) -- Three research teams have published papers in Nature, that together offer evidence suggesting that isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) enzyme mutations may play a role in altering activity that could have an impact on whether or not cancerous tumors begin to grow.
When is a gene not a gene? New catalog helps identify gene variations associated with disease
A high-quality reference catalogue of the genetic changes that result in the deactivation of human genes has been developed by a team of researchers. This catalogue of loss-of-function (LoF) variants is needed to find new disease-causing mutations and will help us to better understand the normal function of human genes. In addition, the researchers report that each of us is carrying around 20 genes that have been completely inactivated.
Scientists create molecular map to guide treatment of multiple sclerosis
A team of scientists from the Scripps Research Institute, collaborating with members of the drug discovery company Receptos, has created the first high-resolution virtual image of cellular structures called S1P1 receptors, which are critical in controlling the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis and other diseases. This new molecular map is already pointing researchers toward promising new paths for drug discovery and aiding them in better understanding how certain existing drugs work.
Researchers make living model of brain tumor
Brown University scientists have created the first three-dimensional living tissue model, complete with surrounding blood vessels, to analyze the effectiveness of therapeutics to combat brain tumors. The 3-D model gives medical researchers more and better information than Petri dish tissue cultures.
Inactive genes surprisingly common in humans
(Medical Xpress) -- Every person carries on average 100 variants that disable genes - yet very few suffer ill effects, an international team of researchers led by Yale University and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute report in the Feb. 17 issue of the journal Science.
Successful human tests for first wirelessly controlled drug-delivery chip
About 15 years ago, MIT professors Robert Langer and Michael Cima had the idea to develop a programmable, wirelessly controlled microchip that would deliver drugs after implantation in a patient's body. This week, the MIT researchers and scientists from MicroCHIPS Inc. reported that they have successfully used such a chip to administer daily doses of an osteoporosis drug normally given by injection.
Biology news
Revealed in accurate detail, the underground world of plants
Plant and computer scientists can now study the underground world of plants with more accuracy and clarity. The revolutionary technique will improve our chances of breeding better crop varieties and increasing yields.
Natural selenium coproduct good for sheep
A more cost-effective, longer-lasting selenium supplement for livestock may soon be available, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.
Saving critically endangered species
Wellington is a long way from the continent of Africa but research being conducted at Victoria University is helping restore populations of animals like rhinoceros that live on the African savannahs.
Horticulturist explains new USDA plant hardiness map
The recently released USDA Plant Zone Hardiness Map, updating the previous 26-year-old zone map, reflects rising mean temperatures throughout the country, including Maine, where gardeners must carefully consider possible temperature dips as they anticipate spring planting.
Good news for Republic of Congo chimpanzees
The Republic of Congo has formally expanded Nouabale-Ndoki National Park to protect an increasingly rare treasure: one of Africa's most pristine forests and a population of "naïve" chimpanzees with so little exposure to humans that the curious apes investigate the conservationists who study them rather than run away.
Unexplained dolphin strandings continue in Mass.
(AP) -- There's no good spot on Cape Cod for dolphins to continue this winter's massive and unexplained beachings, but a group of 11 has chosen one of the worst.
Climate change threatens tropical birds: study
Climate change spells trouble for many tropical birds – especially those living in mountains, coastal forests and relatively small areas – and the damage will be compounded by other threats like habitat loss, disease and competition among species.
Soybean can grow in New York, thanks to climate change
(PhysOrg.com) -- Warmer weather across northern New York could present an opportunity for farmers: soybeans.
Color is key in controlling flies, researchers find
(PhysOrg.com) -- As a carrier of as many as 100 types of germs, the common house fly is hardly as innocuous as its name might suggest.
Study suggests new method of identifying native species
(PhysOrg.com) -- A radically new way to determine whether an introduced species has become a native species - by observing the reactions of other local species - is outlined in research by the University of Sydney, using the dingo as a case study.
Study shows temperatures may change disease resistance in wheat
(PhysOrg.com) -- Wheat streak mosaic resistance bred into several wheat varieties might be negated by the producer practice in the High Plains of planting wheat early and using it for both winter forage for cattle and grain, according to a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.
Express yourself: How zygotes sort out imprinted genes
Writing in the February 17, 2012 issue of the journal Cell, researchers at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Toronto Western Research Institute peel away some of the enduring mystery of how zygotes or fertilized eggs determine which copies of parental genes will be used or ignored.
Synthetic protein amplifies genes needed for stem cells
Scientists have found a way to generate and maintain stem cells much more efficiently by amplifying the effect of an essential protein.
New protected areas for dolphins declared
Three new wildlife sanctuaries for Ganges River and Irrawaddy dolphins declared by the Government of Bangladesh.
Birds in uncertain climates are more likely to stray from their mates
Married people may pledge to stay faithful through good times and bad, but birds sing a different tune — when weather is severe or uncertain, birds are more likely to stray from their mates, says a new study by researchers working at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center and Columbia University.
Goat kids can develop accents
The ability to change vocal sounds (vocal plasticity) and develop an accent is potentially far more widespread in mammals than previously believed, according to new research on goats from Queen Mary, University of London.
The splice of life: Proteins cooperate to regulate gene splicing
Understanding how RNA binding proteins control the genetic splicing code is fundamental to human biology and disease – much like editing film can change a movie scene. Abnormal variations in splicing are often implicated in cancer and genetic neurodegenerative disorders.
Shedding light on how body fends off bacteria
To invade organisms such as humans, bacteria make use of a protein called flagellin, part of a tail-like appendage that helps the bacteria move about. Now, for the first time, a team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has determined the 3D structure of the interaction between this critical bacterial protein and an immune molecule called TLR5, shedding light on how the body protects itself from such foreign invaders.
Secret of sperm quality control revealed
Yale researchers have discovered how the "guardian of the genome'' oversees quality control in the production of sperm — and perhaps in many other cells as well.
Genes may travel from plant to plant to fuel evolution: study
The evolution of plants and animals generally has been thought to occur through the passing of genes from parent to offspring and genetic modifications that happen along the way. But evolutionary biologists from Brown University and the University of Sheffield have documented another avenue, through the passing of genes from plant to plant between species with only a distant ancestral kinship.
An 'immortal' devil's genome and the secrets of a cancer that's catching
Researchers reporting in the February 17th issue of the Cell Press journal Cell have sequenced the complete genome of one immortal devil. The genomes of the Tasmanian devil and its transmissible cancer may help to explain how that cancer went from a single individual to spreading through the population like wildfire.
Fruit flies use alcohol as a drug to kill parasites
Fruit flies infected with a blood-borne parasite consume alcohol to self-medicate, a behavior that greatly increases their survival rate, an Emory University study finds.
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