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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for February 8, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Transparent iron? For the first time, an experiment shows that atomic nuclei can become transparent- Physicists build highly efficient 'no-waste' laser
- Study shows how DNA finds its match
- Quantum physicist explains $100K offer for proof scaled-up quantum computing is impossible
- Amasia: As next supercontinent forms, Arctic Ocean, Caribbean will vanish first
- Revealing how a battery material works
- Solar start-ups set new efficiency records
- Astronomy team discovers nearby dwarf galaxy
- Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed
- Study shows global glaciers, ice caps, shedding billions of tons of mass annually
- 'Shish kebab' structure provides improved form of 'buckypaper'
- Using the body's own immune system in the fight against cancer
- Mars-bound NASA rover carries coin for camera checkup
- Short fasting cycles work as well as chemotherapy in mice
- Chandra finds Milky Way's black hole grazing on asteroids
Space & Earth news
Space Image: Large X-class flare erupts on the Sun
On Jan. 27, 2012, a large X-class flare erupted from an active region near the solar west limb. X-class flares are the most powerful of all solar events.
A new tool for mapping water use and drought
Farmers and water managers may soon have an online tool to help them assess drought and irrigation impacts on water use and crop development, thanks to the work of two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists.
A bouncing moon boulder
One solitary boulder on the Moon apparently decided to take a little journey. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera captured the track of a bouncing, rolling 9-meter boulder that used to sit along the rim of a crater. From the pristine nature of the tracks, it might seem that the rock may have taken its trip just recently. But with the high resolution capability of the LROC, scientists can see that a few tiny craters are superimposed among the track and therefore post-date the time the boulder traveled. Scientists estimate this track was created 50-100 million years ago.
Yangtze river pollution sparks panic in China
A cargo ship spilled acid into China's longest river last week, contaminating tap supplies and sparking a run on bottled water in eastern China, the government and state media said.
NASA's Galaxy Evolution explorer in standby mode
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer, or Galex, was placed in standby mode today as engineers prepare to end mission operations, nearly nine years after the telescope's launch. The spacecraft is scheduled to be decommissioned -- taken out of service -- later this year. The mission extensively mapped large portions of the sky with sharp ultraviolet vision, cataloguing millions of galaxies spanning 10 billion years of cosmic time.
New insights: How soil production processes respond to erosion
In many ways, soil is fundamental to life. Flora and fauna depend on its presence for their survival as much as they depend on water and air. In order to sustain its soil content, an ecosystem needs to maintain a balance between rates of soil erosion and soil production. Factors such as tectonic plate movement or climate change can tip this balance, and learning how such changes affect soil cover is crucial to our understanding of how the Earth’s surface works.
When stars play planetary pinball
Many of us remember playing pinball at the local arcade while growing up; it turns out that some stars like it as well. Binary stars can play tug-of-war with an unfortunate planet, flinging it into a wide orbit that allows it to be captured by first one star and then the other, in effect “bouncing” it between them before it is eventually flung out into deep space.
NASA looking for more space taxis
NASA is looking for more ways to get astronauts to the International Space Station. The space agency put out a call today for commercial space companies to submit bids as part of the latest round of the Commercial Crew Program, now called Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCICap). NASA plans to select at least two potential providers for “safe, reliable, and cost effective human access to space” and they expects to make multiple awards this summer, with values ranging from $300 – $500 million. Those winning the bids will need to develop an integrated system that includes both a crew vehicle and launch system, with work to be completed May 31, 2014.
China unveils high resolution global moon map
Chinese scientists have assembled the highest resolution map ever created of the entire Moon and unveiled a series of global Moon images on Monday, Feb. 6.
Image: Saturn's rings and Enceladus
(PhysOrg.com) -- A crescent Enceladus appears with Saturn’s rings in this Cassini spacecraft view of the moon.
El Nino, La Nina to become more dominant in New Zealand with climate change
(PhysOrg.com) -- El Niño and La Niña weather patterns will become even more dominant in New Zealand with climate change, according to research from The University of Auckland published in Nature Climate Change.
Mars-bound NASA rover carries coin for camera checkup
(PhysOrg.com) -- The camera at the end of the robotic arm on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has its own calibration target, a smartphone-size plaque that looks like an eye chart supplemented with color chips and an attached penny.
VLT takes most detailed infrared image of the Carina Nebula
(PhysOrg.com) -- ESO's Very Large Telescope has delivered the most detailed infrared image of the Carina Nebula stellar nursery taken so far. Many previously hidden features, scattered across a spectacular celestial landscape of gas, dust and young stars, have emerged. This is one of the most dramatic images ever created by the VLT.
Building mountains in a bottle
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists are preparing to launch a 10-year project to study water resources, gas exchange and carbon cycling in three man-made landscapes built in a half-acre laboratory at the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2.
Study shows global glaciers, ice caps, shedding billions of tons of mass annually
Earth's glaciers and ice caps outside of the regions of Greenland and Antarctica are shedding roughly 150 billion tons of ice annually, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder.
New images capture 'stealth merger' of dwarf galaxies
New images of a nearby dwarf galaxy have revealed a dense stream of stars in its outer regions, the remains of an even smaller companion galaxy in the process of merging with its host. The host galaxy, known as NGC 4449, is the smallest primary galaxy in which a stellar stream from an ongoing merger has been identified and studied in detail.
Chandra finds Milky Way's black hole grazing on asteroids
(PhysOrg.com) -- The giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way may be vaporizing and devouring asteroids, which could explain the frequent flares observed, according to astronomers using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
In scientific coup, Russians reach Antarctic lake
After more than two decades of drilling in Antarctica, Russian scientists have reached a gigantic freshwater lake hidden under miles of ice for some 20 million years - a pristine body of water that may hold life from the distant past and clues to the search for life on other planets.
Amasia: As next supercontinent forms, Arctic Ocean, Caribbean will vanish first
(PhysOrg.com) -- Geologists at Yale University have proposed a new theory to describe the formation of supercontinents, the epic process by which Earth’s major continental blocks combine into a single vast landmass. The new model radically challenges the dominant theories of how supercontinents might take shape.
Astronomy team discovers nearby dwarf galaxy
(PhysOrg.com) -- A team led by UCLA research astronomer Michael Rich has used a unique telescope to discover a previously unknown companion to the nearby galaxy NGC 4449, which is some 12.5 million light years from Earth. The newly discovered dwarf galaxy had escaped even the prying eyes of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Technology news
Brazil files suits against Twitter on police traps
The Brazilian government has filed a lawsuit against Twitter and its users in a bid to stop publication of messages alerting drivers to police speed traps and drunk-driving checkpoints.
Cable TV top source for US political news: study
Cable television is the leading source of US political news for Americans, according to a study released Tuesday, but fewer people are closely following the presidential campaign than four years ago.
Beijing issues ultimatum for microblog users
Microblog users in Beijing who do not register using their real names by mid-March will be banned from posting comments, a local official said on Wednesday, as authorities tighten their grip on the web.
Students design virtual ID badge to combat online hackers
A student entrepreneurial team at the University of Utah believes it has come up with a winning business plan for a virtual ID badge that operates off of any mobile device. The team, calling itself EMRID Technologies, developed a product that could be used in place of other common electronic ID badges used by hospitals, defense companies or other firms where securing data is of the utmost importance.
Murdoch firm settles 9 more hacking lawsuits
(AP) -- Rupert Murdoch's News International has settled nearly all the cases against the company in the first wave of lawsuits for phone hacking by its journalists, with a new round of apologies and payouts announced Wednesday in a London court.
Report on Texas fire urges firefighters to consider wind effects
(PhysOrg.com) -- Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The findings confirm earlier NIST research, but they take on a particular immediacy because they are based on detailed computer models of a tragic 2009 residential fire in Houston, Texas, that claimed the lives of two firefighters.
Fujitsu introduces world's fastest CMOS 14-bit digital-to-analog converter
Fujitsu Semiconductor today announced its first 3rd generation high performance Digital to Analog Converter Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP). The MB86066 ‘Anakin’ DAC combines 14-bit resolution with a market-defining conversion rate of up to 12GS/s. The new product will deliver benefits to, amongst other applications, broadband communications systems, multi-band radio communications systems and test and measurement equipment.
Screening Africa's renewable energies potential
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published today a study mapping the potential of renewable energy sources in Africa. The report analyses the current energy consumption in Africa and assesses potential of renewable energy sources - solar, wind, biomass and hydropower - and their cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. Its publication coincides with the official European Launch of UN's Year on "Sustainable Energy for All" being held today in Brussels.
Charter service: Encasing the Magna Carta
You often hear about the Framers of the Constitution, but not so much the framers of the Magna Carta. They work for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Washington Post offering buyout to news staff
The Washington Post announced a voluntary buyout for some newsroom staff on Wednesday, citing the difficult economic climate for the newspaper industry.
News Corp. quarterly net profit up 65%
News Corp. said Wednesday that its net profit rose 65 percent in the second quarter of its fiscal year to $1.06 billion.
Guilty verdict in theft of Motorola secrets for China
A former software engineer for Motorola was found guilty Wednesday of stealing trade secrets from the US technology firm just before she tried to leave the country for China, the Justice Department said.
2.1 million viewers live stream Super Bowl online
(AP) -- The first live stream of the Super Bowl drew 2.1 million unique viewers, NBC said Thursday.
Japan electronic giants eye chip merger: reports
Three of Japan's biggest electronics companies are to join forces in a chip-making venture, according to reports, days after a swathe of dire results from a sector struggling to compete globally.
Hundreds of gamers flock to Brazil tech fest
Hundreds of geeks and gamers braved Sao Paulo's torrid heat Tuesday to play online video games at the fifth edition of Brazil's Campus Party, an annual, week-long technology fest.
Baseball legend fields fantasy world video game
Electronic Arts has released a much-anticipated "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" video game created by an all-star team put together by World Series champion pitcher Curt Schilling.
Samsung says to sell 25 mln 'smart TVs' this year
South Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it plans to sell more than 25 million "smart TVs" this year as it tries to capture the emerging Internet TV market eyed by competitors including Apple.
Taiwan's Acer sues ex-CEO over Lenovo job
Taiwan's leading personal computer maker Acer said Wednesday it has filed a lawsuit against former chief executive Gianfranco Lanci after he joined Chinese rival Lenovo.
Amazon tests waters in India
US online retail giant Amazon has made its first foray into India with launch of a shopping website, Junglee.com, as it tests the waters for a possible full entry into the nation's e-commerce market.
Nokia ends phone assembly in Europe, cuts jobs
(AP) -- Nokia Corp. plans to stop assembling cell phones in Europe by year-end as it shifts production to Asia and will cut another 4,000 jobs, its latest attempts to cushion itself from stiff competition in the smartphone sector.
Power profiles help electronics go green
(PhysOrg.com) -- New and better ways of measuring high-tech energy consumption could lead to significant environmental and economic gains, a study from The Australian National University has found.
Low-cost instrument developed by students could aid weather research
On a recent blustery afternoon, scientists gathered on a rooftop at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to observe two atmospheric electric field-mill devices monitor the buildup of electrical charge in nearby clouds. The larger device was a commercial model costing about $5,000. The smaller one, built by five Georgia high-school students using a coffee can, electrical components and a motorcycle battery, cost about $200.
Darpa's Legged Squad Support System (LS3) to lighten troops' load
Today’s dismounted warfighter can be saddled with more than 100 pounds of gear, resulting in physical strain, fatigue and degraded performance. Reducing the load on dismounted warfighters has become a major point of emphasis for defense research and development, because the increasing weight of individual equipment has a negative impact on warfighter readiness. The Army has identified physical overburden as one of its top five science and technology challenges. To help alleviate physical weight on troops, DARPA is developing a highly mobile, semi-autonomous legged robot, the Legged Squad Support System (LS3), to integrate with a squad of Marines or Soldiers.
Facebook valuation will be high, but justified, expert says
(PhysOrg.com) -- Facebook’s initial public offering (IPO) filing shows real numbers for profit and revenues, which are likely to drive a valuation that could be as high as $100 billion.
Time Warner 4Q earnings edge up, beats Street
(AP) -- Time Warner Inc. got a boost from its movie studio and cable TV networks in the last three months of the year, and the company expects growth to continue in 2012 even with the end of its lucrative Harry Potter franchise.
Sprint posts deeper 4Q loss on iPhone costs
(AP) -- Sprint dug deep into its pockets in the latest quarter to put iPhones in the hands of its customers. The perennially money-losing company on Wednesday posted its largest loss in three years.
India outsourcers see export growth slowing
India's flagship information technology and business services sector forecast on Wednesday that export growth would slow in the next financial year amid global "economic uncertainties."
Hackers post W.Va. police officers' personal info
(AP) -- Hackers affiliated with the Anonymous hacking group obtained more than 150 police officers' personal information from an old website for the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association and posted it online.
Rambus, Nvidia sign patent licensing deal
Technology licensing company Rambus Inc. said Wednesday it has signed a licensing agreement with chip maker Nvidia Corp. to settle a long-running patent dispute.
Amazon strikes video deal with Viacom
Amazon announced a deal with entertainment giant Viacom on Wednesday, building up its arsenal of television shows as it takes on video streaming market leader Netflix.
European Internet campaigners battle ACTA
A controversial international accord billed as a way to beat online piracy has sparked a fightback led by Internet users in ex-communist countries who say the region's past underlines the need to defend freedom.
Cisco beats estimates with 2Q earnings, sales
(AP) -- Cisco, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, on Wednesday said its net income jumped 44 percent in the latest quarter as it continues to put last year's slump behind it.
CEO apologizes after Path uploads contact lists
(AP) -- Social-sharing app Path has come under fire for accessing and uploading users' phone address books without their permission. The information has now been deleted, and Path has apologized.
Lawsuit seeks to block Google's privacy changes
(AP) -- A consumer watchdog group is suing the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to prevent Google from making sweeping changes to its privacy policies next month.
Romanian accused of hacking NASA-JPL computers
(AP) -- The Los Angeles U.S. attorney's office says a federal grand jury has indicted a Romanian citizen on charges he hacked into 25 climate-research computers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
Groupon fails to turn profit as revenue grows
Daily deals site Groupon on Wednesday issued its first earnings report as a publicly traded company, saying it failed to turn a profit despite revenue nearly tripling from a year earlier.
Scientists break satellite telephony security standards
Satellite telephony was thought to be secure against eavesdropping. German researchers at the Horst Gortz Institute for IT-Security (HGI) at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) have cracked the encryption algorithms of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), which is used globally for satellite telephones, and revealed significant weaknesses. In less than an hour, and with simple equipment, they found the crypto key which is needed to intercept telephone conversations. Using open-source software and building on their previous research results, they were able to exploit the security weaknesses.
Windows 8 preview set for February 29
Microsoft on Wednesday revealed plans to unveil a test version of its latest Windows computer operating software later this month.
Solar start-ups set new efficiency records
(PhysOrg.com) -- Although Alta Devices and Semprius make different types of solar panels, both start-ups have been breaking records in the past few days. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Alta Devices announced that its solar panels have achieved an efficiency of 23.5%, which has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as the highest solar panel efficiency to date. And Semprius, based in Durham, North Carolina, has announced that its concentrated solar panels have achieved an efficiency of 33.9%. Unlike traditional solar panels, concentrated solar panels use lenses to concentrate sunlight at intensities of up to 1,000 suns.
Medicine & Health news
High-quality child care found good for children -- and their mothers
High-quality early child care isn't important just for children, but for their mothers, too. That's the conclusion of a new study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin; the study appears in the journal Child Development.
In Northern Ireland, political violence harms youths through families
War, the aftermath of war, and political violence are harmful to children's and teens' mental health and well-being. But few studies have looked at how this happens. A new longitudinal study of neighborhoods in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has found that political violence affects children by upsetting the ways their families function, resulting in behavior problems and mental health symptoms among the youths over extended periods of time.
Halting bone-building osteoporosis drug use cuts risk for additional atypical femur fracture in half
There is growing evidence that supports an association between atypical fractures of the femur– a rare break of the thigh bone, typically without trauma – and the use of bisphosphonates, drugs proven to enhance bone density and reduce fracture incidence caused by osteoporosis. While the risk for suffering an atypical femur fracture while taking bisphosphonates is still very small – just 1 in 1,000 patients after six years of treatment – research presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that discontinuing bisphosphonate use following an atypical femur fracture can significantly lower the risk for a subsequent atypical fracture.
Rothman at Jefferson research suggests abandon convention in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection
In their search for new, better ways to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection, Rothman Institute at Jefferson researchers have discovered that measurement of C-reactive protein in the synovial fluid is extremely accurate, while measuring a patients' serum white blood cell count (WBC) and the percentage of neutrophils (PMN%), the conventional method for diagnosis, has a minimal role in the determination of PJI.
Pneumonia wonder drug: Zinc saves lives
Respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, are the most common cause of death in children under the age of five. In a study looking at children given standard antibiotic therapy, new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine shows how zinc supplements drastically improved children's chances of surviving the infection. The increase in survival due to zinc (on top of antibiotics) was even greater for HIV infected children.
Chlorhexidine umbilical cord care can save newborn lives
Cleansing a newborn's umbilical cord with chlorhexidine can reduce an infant's risk of infection and death during the first weeks of life by as much as 20 percent, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study, conducted in rural Bangladesh in partnership with ICDDR,B and a Bangladeshi NGO Shimantik and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Save the Children's Saving Newborn Lives program, is the latest in a series of studies showing that umbilical cord cleaning with chlorhexidine can save lives. The latest findings will be published online February 8 by The Lancet.
New procedure bests standard of care for fixing damaged cartilage
A new study has demonstrated that a procedure wherein healthy cartilage is transplanted to fix an area of damaged cartilage (osteoarticular cartilage transplantation or OATS procedure) is superior to the standard of care for repairing cartilage defects. It is thought that fixing such lesions may ultimately help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, and get athletic individuals back to sporting activities reliably. The study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers was reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Feb. 7-11.
Archive of failed joint replacements provides tips to building a better hip replacement
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers has provided the first comprehensive look at just how metal-on-metal total hip replacements are failing in patients around the country. Made possible by what is thought to be the largest archive of failed joint replacements, the research should help doctors develop a better hip replacement for future patients. The study will be reported at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Feb. 7-11.
The heroes of India's quest to wipe out polio
Later this month, India will be removed from a dwindling list of countries where polio is considered endemic, a huge achievement made possible by people like Madara, a 76-year-old street hawker.
The Medical Minute: Stress tests - echo vs. nuclear
Your health care provider has ordered a stress test for your heart. No problem, you think; you’ve seen people walk on treadmills before. In fact, you used the one in your basement a few times, a couple of years ago. Then, you look at the request and see that you are going to have a pharmacologic nuclear stress test. So, what exactly did your physician order?
Food safety regulation of poultry cuts levels of paralysis
(Medical Xpress) -- A recent large decrease in campylobacter infection from fresh poultry in New Zealand has also resulted in a significant drop in a neurological condition which can result in paralysis or death.
Distracted doctoring - is it really a concern?
Q: Facebook? Twitter? Gmail? A: None of the above.
Is there really such a thing as a broken heart?
On Valentine's Day, people who have been unlucky in love are sometimes said to suffering from a "broken heart."
Is it ever ok to hug your doctor?
To hug or not to hug, that really is the question. We’ve all had those awkward moments. Should I go in for the hug? I’m not a hugger, what should I do? What about in the medical setting? Is it ever OK to hug your doctor?
GLBT adults twice as likely to smoke, half as likely to have plans to quit
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered adults who smoke are not thinking about quitting or getting ready to quit, and a quarter are uncomfortable approaching their doctors for help, report University of Colorado Cancer Center researchers in a recent article published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
Anxiety trait linked to postoperative pain in men following total knee replacement
Increased pain following surgery has long been linked to anxiety and "catastrophizing," an extreme response to stress.
Video-based home exercise can minimize osteoarthritis pain, improve mobility
The benefits of exercise in minimizing pain and improving mobility for individuals living with osteoarthritis has been well documented.
ASTRO develops brain metastases guideline
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has developed a guideline on the radiotherapeutic and surgical management for newly diagnosed brain metastases. It has been published in Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), ASTRO's official clinical practice journal.
Antidepressant use linked with less patient satisfaction after hip replacement
Patients taking antidepressants up to three years prior to undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) were more likely to report greater pain before and after surgery and less satisfaction with their procedure, according to new research presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Obese children more likely to suffer growth plate fractures
Obese children are 74 percent more likely to sustain a fracture of the growth plate, the softer end of the bone where growth occurs. A new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), involved 224 children visiting a Maryland hospital with a fracture. Information was collected on each patient regarding their sex, age, height, weight, fracture location and pattern. Patients ages 2 to 16 were divided into two groups for comparison: a "normal weight" group and an "obese/overweight" group for children with a body mass index (BMI) greater than the 85 percentile.
New community health approach aims to combats chronic disease, empower patients, reduces costs
A new community-wide collaboration to reduce the impact of chronic disease and empower patients is generating impressive early results, leaders of the Accountable Care Community (ACC) initiative said today. The Akron-based Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) is leading the initiative with its founding institutional members and more than 60 public and private community partners.
Online support following joint replacement surgery is cost and time effective for patients
Patients who have had total joint replacement (TJR) are expected to return to their physician's office or clinic regularly for routine follow-up care. In a new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), researchers asked 210 TKR patients (with no known complications) to either complete a Web-based follow-up, which included an online survey and an X-ray taken at the nearest Internet-enabled facility; or, to return to the clinic/office for their regular appointment.
Excessive sporting activity may impair long-term success of hip resurfacing
In hip resurfacing the femoral ball in the hip joint is not removed, but instead is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering. Young and active patients with arthritis often choose hip resurfacing over total hip replacement to minimize the risk of hip dislocation, and to preserve the bone for a revision surgery should the primary resurfacing fail. However, the long-term effects of sports on a resurfaced hip were unknown.
Phelps using hyperbaric chamber to aid recovery
(AP) -- Michael Phelps is the latest athlete to use a hyperbaric chamber to aid his recovery from training.
No anorexia emergency, La Scala ballerinas claim
The ballet company at Milan's famous La Scala opera house fought back Wednesday, after one of their leading dancers was fired for giving interviews in which she said the industry has an anorexia problem.
Few small employers likely to opt out of health reform rules
Rules that allow some small employers to avoid regulation under the federal Affordable Care Act are unlikely to have a major impact on the future cost of health insurance unless those rules are relaxed to allow more businesses to opt out, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Financial burden of prescription drugs is dropping: Costs remain a challenge for many
The financial burden Americans face paying out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs has declined, although prescription costs remain a significant challenge for people with lower incomes and those with public insurance, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Playing school sports affects youths' smoking
Young people's choices about using drugs and alcohol are influenced by peers—not only close friends, but also sports teammates. A new study of middle schoolers and their social networks has found that teammates' smoking plays a big role in youths' decisions about smoking, but adolescents who take part in a lot of sports smoke less.
New study: Adolescents suffering from depression more likely to be bullied
A new study provides evidence that adolescents who suffer from depression are more likely to develop difficulty in peer relationships including being bullied at school.
Study examines role of bilingualism in children's development
A new study on children who are raised bilingual examined the effects on children's development of growing up speaking two languages. The study found that different factors were responsible for the language- and non-language-related outcomes of bilingualism found in previous research.
Getting caffeine fix as easy as taking deep breath
(AP) -- Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor thinks the next big thing will be people inhaling their caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. Critics say the novel product is not without its risks.
US begins stem cell trial for hearing loss
US researchers have begun a groundbreaking trial to test the potential of umbilical cord blood transplants, a kind of stem cell therapy, to treat and possibly reverse hearing loss in infants.
Breakthrough in the development of a diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer
A team of scientists, led by the University of Liverpool, has made a major advance in the development of a diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer. The findings, achieved at STFC's ALICE accelerator facility, will lead to major improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the disease.
Older drivers can be trained to avoid car crashes
(Medical Xpress) -- Why are older drivers, especially those over 70, involved in crashes primarily at intersections? You may tend to attribute this to cognitive or physical decline, such as slower reaction time or poor sight. These factors are undoubtedly part of the problem; however new research by some University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have come up with another explanation – older drivers acquire bad habits, and those habits can be unlearned. “The effectiveness of our training program indicates that at least a major part of older drivers’ problems can be remediated,” says psychologist Alexander Pollatsek, who authored the article with Mathew R. E. Romoser, and Donald L. Fisher after analyzing two earlier studies. “A large percentage of not attending [to the hazards at intersections] is due to some strategy or mindset they’ve gotten into, rather than some problem with the brain,” he continues. “It’s a software pr! oblem, not a hardware problem.” The findings appear in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
With the tweak of a gene, we could transform our looks in a few generations
The proportion of people with desirable physical traits could rapidly accelerate over a few generations with the aid of a diet that tweaks particular genes, a study suggests.
Scientists uncover new clues in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists in Nottingham have found abnormal levels of seven different proteins in spinal fluid could act as markers for detecting Alzheimer’s disease.
Breastfeeding can reduce risk of childhood obesity
Children of diabetic pregnancies have a greater risk of childhood obesity, but new research from the Colorado School of Public Health shows breastfeeding can reduce this threat.
Physical activity yields feelings of excitement, enthusiasm
(Medical Xpress) -- People who are more physically active report greater levels of excitement and enthusiasm than people who are less physically active, according to Penn State researchers. People also are more likely to report feelings of excitement and enthusiasm on days when they are more physically active than usual.
Stress pathway identified as potential therapeutic target to prevent vision loss
A new study identifies specific cell-stress signaling pathways that link injury of the optic nerve with irreversible vision loss. The research, published by Cell Press in the February 9 issue of the journal Neuron, may lead to new strategies that will help to protect vulnerable neurons in the retina after optic nerve damage and diseases.
Gene therapy for inherited blindness succeeds in patients' other eye
Gene therapy for congenital blindness has taken another step forward, as researchers further improved vision in three adult patients previously treated in one eye. After receiving the same treatment in their other eye, the patients became better able to see in dim light, and two were able to navigate obstacles in low-light situations. No adverse effects occurred.
Stimulant treatment for ADHD not associated with increased risk of cardiac events in youth
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5-9% of youth and is frequently treated with stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine products. A recent safety communication from the US Food and Drug Administration advised that all patients undergoing ADHD treatment be monitored for changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
New study links high levels of cadmium, lead in blood to pregnancy delay
Higher blood levels of cadmium in females, and higher blood levels of lead in males, delayed pregnancy in couples trying to become pregnant, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other academic research institutions.
Growing up on a farm directly affects regulation of the immune system
Immunological diseases, such as eczema and asthma, are on the increase in westernised society and represent a major challenge for 21st century medicine. A new study has shown, for the first time, that growing up on a farm directly affects the regulation of the immune system and causes a reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins.
Anti-obesity drugs with a modified lifestyle helps weight loss -- new study
A study led by the University of Leicester has found that anti-obesity drugs coupled with lifestyle advice are effective in reducing weight and BMI.
Low dopamine levels during withdrawal promote relapse to smoking
Mark Twain said, "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." Many smokers would agree that it's difficult to stay away from cigarettes. A new study in Biological Psychiatry this month now suggests that low dopamine levels that occur as a result of withdrawal from smoking actually promote the relapse to smoking.
Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer
In a large analysis of men participating in a prostate drug trial, researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, suggesting the two conditions may have shared causes.
iHeal: A mobile device for preventing and treating drug use
Imagine a device combining sensors to measure physiological changes. Then imagine a smartphone with software applications designed to respond to your bodily changes in an attempt to change your behavior. That is the vision behind "iHeal," currently being developed by Edward Boyer from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the US, and his colleagues. The multimedia device is an innovative combination of 'enabling technologies' which can detect developing drug cravings and intervene as the cravings develop to prevent drug use. Boyer and team's preliminary data and key findings to date are published online in Springer's Journal of Medical Toxicology.
Study to determine whether fish oil can help prevent psychiatric disorders
Researchers at Zucker Hillside Hospital's Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program who have worked with teenagers at risk for serious mental illness for the past decade are now studying the effectiveness of Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) for treating psychiatric symptoms. This new study is a National Institute of Mental Health-funded randomized double-blind trial that was designed to test whether Omega-3 fatty acids improve clinical symptoms, and help adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 25) who are at elevated risk for severe psychiatric disorders function better in school, work and other social environments.
After-school program can reduce alcohol use among middle school students, study finds
A voluntary substance prevention program held after school and presented by trained facilitators can help reduce alcohol use among young adolescents, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Smartphone training helps people with memory impairment regain independence
The treatment for moderate-to-severe memory impairment could one day include a prescription for a smartphone.
Antenatal thyroid screening fails to improve IQ in 3-year-olds
Children of mothers screened and treated for reduced thyroid function during pregnancy show no signs of improved IQ compared to women who receive no treatment, new research has uncovered.
Drug costs, not volume, causes regional differences in Medicare drug spending
The cost of medications through Medicare's subsidized prescription drug program varies from region to region across the United States largely due to the use of more expensive brand-name drugs and not because of the amount of drugs prescribed, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH). The authors said that more efficient prescribing practices could have saved the Medicare program and its beneficiaries $4.5 billion.
Female fertility affects men's linguistic choices
The likelihood that a man will match his language to that of a female conversation partner depends on how fertile she is, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Study finds MDs not always honest with patients
(AP) -- Trust your doctor? A survey finds that some doctors aren't always completely honest with their patients.
Lefties more likely to look before they leap
(Medical Xpress) -- New research from the University of Abertay Dundee has found evidence that left-handed people may be better decision makers than their right-handed counterparts.
Neuroscientists link brain-wave pattern to energy consumption
Different brain states produce different waves of electrical activity, with the alert brain, relaxed brain and sleeping brain producing easily distinguishable electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. These patterns change even more dramatically when the brain goes into certain deeply quiescent states during general anesthesia or a coma.
Scientists delve into the brain roots of hunger and eating
Synaptic plasticity – the ability of the synaptic connections between the brain's neurons to change and modify over time -- has been shown to be a key to memory formation and the acquisition of new learning behaviors. Now research led by a scientific team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) reveals that the neural circuits controlling hunger and eating behaviors are also controlled by plasticity.
'Explorers,' who embrace the uncertainty of choices, use specific part of cortex
Life shrouds most choices in mystery. Some people inch toward a comfortable enough spot and stick close to that rewarding status quo. Out to dinner, they order the usual. Others consider their options systematically or randomly. But many choose to grapple with the uncertainty head on. "Explorers" order the special because they aren't sure they'll like it. It's a strategy of maximizing rewards by discovering whether as yet unexplored options might yield better returns. In a new study, Brown University researchers show that such explorers use a specific part of their brain to calculate the relative uncertainty of their choices, while non-explorers do not.
Using the body's own immune system in the fight against cancer
DNA sequences from tumor cells can be used to direct the immune system to attack cancer, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Short fasting cycles work as well as chemotherapy in mice
Man may not live by bread alone, but cancer in animals appears less resilient, judging by a study that found chemotherapy drugs work better when combined with cycles of short, severe fasting.
Unusual alliances enable movement
Some unusual alliances are necessary for you to wiggle your fingers, researchers report.
Scientists strengthen memory by stimulating key site in brain
Ever gone to the movies and forgotten where you parked the car? New UCLA research may one day help you improve your memory.
Biology news
Court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
A California federal court is to decide for the first time in US history whether amusement park animals are protected by the same constitutional rights as humans.
Researchers study parenting behaviors of stressed-out birds
Imagine an environment filled with wind, storms, predators, noise, and limited food and shelter. Then imagine providing and caring for a tiny egg or peeping baby bird in those conditions. The tree swallow and most other wild birds face these stressful challenges on a day-to-day basis.
The governance of synthetic biology
The Synthetic Biology Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center is launching a new web-based Synthetic Biology Scorecard, designed to track federal and non-federal efforts to improve the governance of synthetic biology research and development so risks are minimized and broad social and economic benefits can be realized.
Whale dies on Belgian beach
A 13-metre (42-foot) sperm whale died Wednesday after washing up on a Belgian beach, the country's Royal Institute of Natural Science said.
Preventing bacteria from falling in with the wrong crowd could help stop gum disease
Stripping some mouth bacteria of their access key to gangs of other pathogenic oral bacteria could help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. The study, published in the journal Microbiology suggests that this bacterial access key could be a drug target for people who are at high risk of developing gum disease.
New study sheds light on genetics of rice metabolism
A large-scale study analyzing metabolic compounds in rice grains conducted by researchers at the RIKEN Plant Science Center (PSC) and their collaborators has identified 131 rice metabolites and clarified the genetic and environmental factors that influence their production. The findings provide a natural way to bioengineer improved rice grain varieties by selectively increasing production of useful metabolites, boosting the nutritional value of crops.
Ship noise boosts stress in whales, 9/11 reveals: study
The steady drone of motors along busy commercial shipping lanes not only alters whale behaviour but can affect the giant sea mammals physically by causing chronic stress, a study published Wednesday has reported for the first time.
Hatchery fish mask the decline of wild salmon populations
Scientists have found that only about ten percent of the fall-run Chinook salmon spawning in California's Mokelumne River are naturally produced wild salmon. A massive influx of hatchery-raised fish that return to spawn in the wild is masking the fact that too few wild fish are returning to sustain a natural population in the river.
Researchers use Google Earth to verify Mediterranean fish farming data
The Great Wall of China is not the only thing you can see from space. Fish farming cages are clearly visible through Google Earth's satellite images and University of British Columbia researchers have used them to estimate the amount of fish being cultivated in the Mediterranean.
Dogs succeed while chimps fail at following finger pointing
Dogs are better than chimps at interpreting pointing gestures, according to a study published in the online journal PLoS ONE.
Scared of a younger rival? Not for some male songbirds
When mature male white-crowned sparrows duel to win a mate or a nesting territory, a young bird just doesn't get much respect.
Tiny primate 'talks' in ultrasound
One of the world's smallest primates, the Philippine tarsier, communicates in a range of ultrasound inaudible to predator and prey alike, according to a study published on Wednesday.
Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed
Scientists searching for the genomics version of the holy grail – more insight into predicting how an animal's genes affect physical or behavioral traits – now have a reference manual that should speed gene discoveries in everything from pest control to personalized medicine.
Obstacles no barrier to higher speeds for worms, researchers find
Obstacles in an organism's path can help it to move faster, not slower, researchers from New York University's Applied Math Lab at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences have found through a series of experiments and computer simulations. Their findings, which appear in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, have implications for a better understanding of basic locomotion strategies found in biology, and the survival and propagation of the parasite that causes malaria.
Why are there so few fish in the Earth's oceans?
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Stony Brook University researcher has found that, contrary to popular belief, there are not plenty of fish in the sea.
Most stretchable spider silk reported
The egg sac silk of the cocoon stalk of the cave spider Meta menardi is the most stretchable egg sac silk yet tested, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Study shows how DNA finds its match
It's been more than 50 years since James Watson and Francis Crick showed that DNA is a double helix of two strands that complement each other. But how does a short piece of DNA find its match, out of the millions of 'letters' in even a small genome? New work by researchers at the University of California, Davis, handling and observing single molecules of DNA, shows how it's done. The results are published online Feb. 8 by the journal Nature.
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