Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for February 29, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Rational design can improve hydrogen fuel cell efficiency- Your brain on 'shrooms': fMRI elucidates neural correlates of psilocybin psychedelic state
- How to rediscover life on Earth by looking at the Moon
- When continents collide: A new twist to a 50 million-year-old tale
- Exotic new matter expected in ultracold atoms
- Professor proposes challenge to prove whether people can see entangled images
- Study shows earthworms to blame for decline of ovenbirds in northern Midwest forests
- Mechanical engineers study snakes' sophisticated frictional properties to build more nimble rescue robots
- Scientists learn how insects 'remodel' their bodies between life stages
- Microsoft unveils Windows 8 for consumer testing (Update)
- Two genes do not make a voter: new research
- Epigenetic culprit in Alzheimer's memory decline
- Study: Old flu drug speeds brain injury recovery
- Virus infection sheds light on memory T cells living in our skin
- Study finds HIV-specific CD4 cells that control viral levels
Space & Earth news
Time to act to prevent worsening global environmental deterioration, say experts
(PhysOrg.com) -- Saving the environment requires more action in the form of a “social avalanche”, a group of world experts has demanded.
Three scientific expeditions seek treasure under the ice in the Frozen Continent
In a modern iteration of the great age of Antarctic exploration of the 19th and 20th centuries, three teams of scientists are rushing to reach not the South Pole like Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton, but lakes deep below the surface of the Frozen Continent believed to hold scientific treasures. That quest by Russian, British and American scientific teams for water samples is the topic of an article in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society.
Experts: Linking farmers to markets critical for Africa's rural development
As a food crisis unfolds in West Africa's Sahel region, some of the world's leading experts in agriculture markets say the time is ripe to confront the "substantial inefficiencies" in trade policy, transportation, information services, credit, crop storage and other market challenges that leave Africans particularly vulnerable to food-related problems.
Artists, scientists to study remote French island off Mexico
Twenty artists and scientists from eight countries set sail Thursday for Clipperton Island, an isolated French atoll off Mexico's Pacific coast, to investigate effects of climate change and the island's history.
Smithsonian plans festival to welcome Discovery
(AP) -- The Smithsonian Institution plans a four-day festival with NASA to welcome space shuttle Discovery into its collection in April.
China orders more accurate air-quality measure
China's cabinet ordered on Wednesday new air-quality standards to measure the most dangerous form of particulate matter, following a public outcry over worsening air pollution.
Small-scale gold mining impacts river algae in French Guiana
Small-scale gold mining in French Guiana is having long-term effects on diatoms, small single-celled algae, by eliminating the species that are most vulnerable to water turbidity. The findings come from research carried out by scientists from the Evolution and Biological Diversity Laboratory at current or former gold-mining sites located in the Nouragues Nature Reserve. The work, published in the journal Ecological Indicators dated March 2012, aims to help create new biological indices that could be used to assess the state of rivers in the Amazon basin.
Andre's PromISSe mission extended on Space Station
ESA astronaut André Kuipers will stay on the International Space Station for more than a month longer than originally planned. In addition to his normal routine he will spend some of the extra time conducting scientific experiments.
Space Image: Beside a giant
(PhysOrg.com) -- Saturn's largest moon, Titan, looks small here, pictured to the right of the gas giant in this Cassini spacecraft view.
Meeting biofuel production targets could change agricultural landscape
Almost 80 percent of current farmland in the U.S. would have to be devoted to raising corn for ethanol production in order to meet current biofuel production targets with existing technology, a new study has found. An alternative, according to a study in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology, would be to convert 60 percent of existing rangeland to biofuels.
Contamination of La Selva geothermal system in Girona, Spain
Monitoring the construction of wells, avoid over-exploiting cold groundwater close to hot groundwater, and controlling mineral water extraction. These are the recommendations from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the University of Barcelona, after analysing the contamination of La Selva geothermal system, above all by arsenic pollution. In this region, which is known for its spa resorts and bottling plants, as well as in other Catalan coastal mountain ranges, uranium levels higher than what is recommended by the WHO have been detected.
NASA satellite sees tropical cyclone Irina headed for Mozambique
Visible and Infrared satellite imagery together provide a clearer picture of what a tropical cyclone is doing. NASA's Aqua satellite passed over newly strengthened Cyclone Irene and captured both types of images, which showed the extent and power of the storm.
Red mud's carbon capture clue
(PhysOrg.com) -- An environmental disaster that occurred in Hungary in 2010 could lead to a new way of removing carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.
Asteroid 2011 AG5 - A reality check
(PhysOrg.com) -- Asteroid 2011 AG5 has been receiving a lot of attention lately because of a very unlikely scenario which would place it on an Earth-interception course 28 years from now. Here is a scientific reality check of this relatively nondescript space rock which is currently ranked a "1" on the 1 to 10 Torino Impact Hazard Scale.
Young stars flicker amidst clouds of gas and dust
(PhysOrg.com) -- Astronomers have spotted young stars in the Orion nebula changing right before their eyes, thanks to the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory and NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. The colorful specks -- developing stars strung across the image -- are rapidly heating up and cooling down, speaking to the turbulent, rough-and-tumble process of reaching full stellar adulthood.
Team reveals oldest fossilized forest
An international team, including a Cardiff University researcher, who previously found evidence of the Earth's earliest tree, has gone one step further. The research team has now unearthed and investigated an entire fossil forest dating back 385 million years.
A bad day on Venus gets even worse
Contrary to its alluring name, Venus is the planet from hell, with an atmosphere so hot, toxic and heavy that any visitor would risk being simultaneously melted, suffocated and crushed.
Study finds thickest parts of Arctic ice cap melting faster
A new NASA study revealed that the oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than the younger and thinner ice at the edges of the Arctic Ocean's floating ice cap.
How to rediscover life on Earth by looking at the Moon
(PhysOrg.com) -- By observing the Moon using ESO's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have found evidence of life in the universe -- on Earth. Finding life on our home planet may sound like a trivial observation, but the novel approach of an international team may lead to future discoveries of life elsewhere in the Universe. The work is described in a paper to appear in the March 1, 2012, issue of the journal Nature.
When continents collide: A new twist to a 50 million-year-old tale
Fifty million years ago, India slammed into Eurasia, a collision that gave rise to the tallest landforms on the planet, the Himalaya Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau.
Technology news
Megaupload boss to remain on bail in New Zealand
Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom won a legal battle to remain free on bail in New Zealand Wednesday but must reportedly wait to find out if funds will be released to pay for luxuries such as a butler and nannies.
US draws up secret charges against Assange: media
US prosecutors have drawn up secret charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Australian media reported Wednesday, citing a confidential email.
Revision of SP 800-53 addresses current cybersecurity threats, adds privacy controls
A major revision of a Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) publication released today by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) adds guidance for combating new information security threats and incorporates new privacy controls to the framework that federal agencies use to protect their information and information systems.
NIST releases final Smart Grid 'Framework 2.0' document
An updated roadmap for the Smart Grid is now available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which recently finished reviewing and incorporating public comments into the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 2.0.
'Labor der Zukunft' - Tomorrow's laboratory technology
Biomedical laboratories have to be safe, ergonomic and flexible. At the same time, labs need to be able to deal with a high throughput of samples while reliably documenting each step in the testing process. Fraunhofer researchers are working to fully automate the processing of samples in tomorrow’s laboratories. The scientists will be showing the effectiveness of their concept at the MEDTEC Europe trade fair in Stuttgart from March 13 to 15, 2012.
NEC develops high speed semantic search engine for text classification
NEC Corporation announced today the development of a "semantic search engine" that rapidly analyzes and classifies the meaning of text, enabling users to quickly and easily process information. Recent deployment of this search engine with a contact center resulted in more efficient operations and greater customer satisfaction.
Blizzard Entertainment cuts 600 jobs
Blizzard Entertainment, publisher of "World of Warcraft" and other hit videogames, announced Wednesday that it is cutting 600 jobs.
James Murdoch out at News International
James Murdoch, the younger son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, stepped down Wednesday as executive chairman of News International, News Corp.'s scandal-plagued British newspaper unit.
Google's Schmidt warns regulators against killing innovation
Google chief Eric Schmidt on Tuesday urged regulators to allow technology to develop its own solutions amid privacy concerns, warning that drawing up specific laws could stifle innovation.
Chinese court hears Apple appeal on iPad trademark
(AP) -- A Chinese court on Wednesday began hearing Apple's appeal of a ruling against its right to use the iPad trademark in China.
Twitter expands ad program to mobile users
Twitter said Tuesday it was expanding its advertising program to mobile users, the latest bid by the short-messaging service to boost its money-making efforts.
New trial set for June in Oracle, SAP case
A US judge on Tuesday set a June date for a new trial in a long-running copyright infringement case between US business software giant Oracle and its German rival SAP.
Use of microfluidic chips a first in bitumen-gas analysis
A University of Toronto research team has developed a process to analyze the behavior of bitumen in reservoirs using a microfluidic chip, a tool commonly associated with the field of medical diagnostics. The process may reduce the cost and time of analyzing bitumen-gas interaction in heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs.
Tech giants get lecture on perils of gadget worship
Silicon Valley giants at the prestigious TED innovation conference here on Tuesday were warned that the worship of technology will ruin the world before it saves it.
TED titans see through eyes of young innovators
Titans of Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and finance gazed through the eyes of young innovators as the renowned TED conference formally got under way on Tuesday.
Computational sprinting pushes smartphones till they're tired
(PhysOrg.com) -- Computational sprinting is a groundbreaking new approach to smartphone power and cooling that could give users dramatic, brief bursts of computing capability to improve current applications and make new ones possible.
Workforce from the digital cloud
By means of cloud computing, enterprises can access scalable computing power and storage capacity. A people cloud, by contrast, supplies a scalable number of workers via the internet. It is used when non-automated tasks are executed, such as allocating images, searching information, or writing texts. The challenge is to maintain the quality of the work results on a constant high level. Now, this is achieved by a quality management system developed by KIT.
Apple market value hits $500B, where few have gone
(AP) -- Apple's market capitalization topped $500 billion Wednesday, climbing to a mountain peak where few companies have ventured - and none have stayed for long.
Taiwan seeks merger with restructured Elpida
(AP) -- Taiwan's government said Wednesday it would continue to push for the consolidation of the island's memory chip makers with Elpida Memory Inc., two days after the Japanese chipmaker filed for bankruptcy.
Brand-name deals to mix with Facebook friend posts
(AP) -- Messages from brands such as Walmart and Starbucks may soon be mixed in with your Facebook status updates and baby photos from friends and family.
Mobile phone running low on battery? Charge up with water
It is the nightmare of the wired world -- a smartphone low on battery.
UN rights chief voices concern over Internet restrictions
United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay on Wednesday expressed concern about Internet restrictions and the arbitrary detention of bloggers.
Q&A: Google to dig deeper into users' lives
If you're amazed - and maybe even a little alarmed - about how much Google seems to know about you, brace yourself. Beginning Thursday, Google will operate under a streamlined privacy policy that enables the Internet's most powerful company to dig even deeper into the lives of its more than 1 billion users.
Connected cars to untangle snarled traffic
A car that dials emergency services itself in case of a crash and warns its driver of traffic snarls ahead: Ford Motor Co.'s chief believes connected autos will pave the road to the future.
Firm warns of hacker threat to mobile gadgets
Cyber security veterans behind startup CrowdStrike will demonstrate at the RSA conference on Wednesday that the types of attacks used against computers are heading for smartphones.
Cryptographic attack highlights the importance of bug-free software
A padlocked icon in a web-browser or a URL starting with https provides communication security over the Internet. The icon or URL indicates OpenSSL, a cryptography toolkit implementing the SSL protocol, or a similar system is being used. New research by a collaborative team has developed an attack that can circumvent the security OpenSSL should provide. The attack worked on a very specific version of the OpenSSL software, 0.9.8g, and only when a specific set of options were used.
Cybercriminals target phones, Android 'most exposed'
Cybercriminals are sneaking a fast-increasing amount of malware into smartphones to steal data or even money, with those running on Google's Android most exposed to security threats, analysts said.
Microsoft demos three new whiz-bang technologies it's working on (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Microsoft isn’t really known for giving the world at large much of a clue regarding what it’s working on regarding future products (other than Windows) thus it came as rather a surprise when the head of its research and strategy group, Craig Mundie, gave a presentation at TechForum recently, showing off three new technology products the company has in the works.
Microsoft unveils Windows 8 for consumer testing (Update)
Microsoft on Wednesday let consumers start trying out its upcoming touch-based Windows 8 operating system, which aims to power a new wave of computer tablets and traditional PCs designed to counter Apple's big gains in the market through its Macs and iPads.
Medicine & Health news
Worrying rise in number of medical students in prostitution over last 10 years
One in ten students now claim to know someone who is using prostitution to pay for university fees, a medical student writing for the Student BMJ claims.
7 accused of $375M Medicare, Medicaid fraud
(AP) -- Years after Jacques Roy started filing paperwork that would have made his practice the busiest Medicare provider in the U.S., authorities say they've found most of his work was a lie.
Study shows pill is the most used form of birth control in Malaysia
A study carried out by fourth year medical students of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has shown that taking contraceptive pill is the most common method for birth control.
Artificial liver cells win their creator prize for their potential to reduce animal experiments
Cambridge research that created liver cells from stem cells has today been recognised with a national prize by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).
A two-pronged attack: Why loss of STAT1 is bad news
Breast cancer represents about a fifth of all cancers diagnosed in women. The reasons for the rapid progression of the disease remain relatively poorly understood but recent work in the group of Veronika Sexl at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has pointed the finger strongly at loss or inactivation of the transcription factor STAT1. The results are published in the current issue of the journal Oncotarget.
American Heart Association comment: FDA announces safety changes on labeling for some statins
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is revising safety information on the labels of some statins (cholesterol lowering drugs).
First breakdown of public health data for Cleveland neighborhoods
Today, the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods of Case Western Reserve University release new health data from Cleveland neighborhood groups on three of the most pressing public health concerns: obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
Ultrasound technology proves accurate in diagnosing cirrhosis from recurrent hepatitis C
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic confirm that ultrasound-based transient elastography (TE) provides excellent diagnostic accuracy for detecting cirrhosis due to recurrent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following liver transplantation. Findings from the study published in the March issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, suggest that detection of significant fibrosis is more accurate when comparing patients with chronic HCV of the native liver.
Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital launches study to genetically test for autism
Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital has launched a study to determine whether genetic markers can be used to help identify children who are at risk of developing autism.
Federal laws have enhanced pediatric drug studies
Federal laws that motivate or require drug and biologic developers to conduct pediatric studies have yielded beneficial information to guide the use of medications in children, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine. Still, studies involving children continue to be limited, especially in certain areas such as medications' use in newborns and long-term safety and effectiveness in children. The report identifies ways that Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could further improve the utility of clinical information obtained from pediatric studies, including expanding innovative strategies to research drugs and biologics in children, using FDA's authority to require long-term pediatric studies of possible safety risks, and giving FDA flexibility to impose sanctions for unreasonably delayed studies.
Official: Doctor had recruiters in Medicare scheme
(AP) -- Years after Jacques Roy started filing paperwork that would have made his practice the busiest Medicare provider in the U.S., authorities say they've found most of his work was a lie.
Study: Over 100,000 Californians likely to miss out on health care due to language barriers
Language barriers could deter more than 100,000 Californians from enrolling in the Health Benefit Exchange, according to a study released today by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education.
Ototoxicity rates in children receiving carboplatin studied
(HealthDay) -- Retinoblastoma patients who are younger than 6 months of age at the start of carboplatin treatment experience a higher incidence of ototoxicity, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Fitness programs for minority adults lack cultural relevance, study finds
Many leading causes of death are linked to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including inadequate physical activity. Adults in minority populations have lower levels of physical activity and higher rates of preventable deaths, according to the Department of Health & Human Services. In a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that minority adults who received exercise interventions increased their physical activity levels. However, these interventions are not culturally tailored to best assist minority populations in improving overall health.
Queen's professor urges health research to focus on the positive
Political Studies professor Colin Farrelly wants to see more research into remarkable examples of health – such as why some people live 100 years disease-free.
ESC: In the current context, industry support for continuing medical education remains essential
In a groundbreaking White Paper published today in the European Heart Journal, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has set out its perspective on the relationship between the healthcare industry and professional medical associations with regard to the funding and delivery of continuing medical education (CME).
Study challenges guidelines on art therapy for people with schizophrenia
Referring people with schizophrenia to group art therapy does not improve their mental health or social functioning, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Selenium supplements could be harmful to people who already have enough selenium in their diet: study
Although additional selenium might benefit people who are lacking in this essential micronutrient, for those who already have enough selenium in their diet (including a large proportion of the USA population), taking selenium supplements could be harmful, and might increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, concludes a new review of the evidence published Online First in The Lancet.
Rest versus exercise: Equally effective on lower back pain
Lower back pain due to Modic changes can be hard to treat and the currently recommended therapy of exercise and staying active often does not help alleviate the pain. Results of a trial, published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine, comparing exercise therapy, and staying active, to daily rest and lumbar support, showed that both treatments resulted in the same small level of improvement in pain, disability, and general health.
New estimates predict nearly 1.3 million deaths from cancer in the EU in 2012
New figures published today (Wednesday) estimate that there will be nearly 1.3 million deaths from cancer in 2012 in the European Union (EU) – 717,398 men and 565,703 women. Although the actual numbers have increased, the rate (age-standardised per 100,000 population) of people who die from the disease continues to decline.
Are my twins identical?
Parents may be misinformed during prenatal scans on whether their twins are identical or non-identical, say UCL researchers in a new commentary piece published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
BPA exposure possibly linked to future heart disease
(HealthDay) -- Healthy people exposed to higher levels of the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastics, may be more likely to develop heart disease, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in Circulation.
The ever-expanding definition of 'diversity'
(Medical Xpress) -- Diversity has become a goal for all sorts of institutions—but what it means may depend on who you ask. A new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that people’s ideologies help determine what they count as “diverse.”
Almost half of depression in adults starts in adolesence
(Medical Xpress) -- A new study by research psychologists at Bangor and Oxford Universities show that half of adults who experience clinical depression had their first episode start in adolescence. In fact, the most common age to see the start of depression is between 13-15 years-old.
Device designed to treat a leading cause of blindness
(Medical Xpress) -- Every year, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in Americans age 60 or older. There is no known cure for the disease, which can lead to partial or complete vision loss.
Mending the brain with a mechanical glove
Northeastern University student-researchers have created a post-stroke rehabilitation glove designed to increase hand strength through finger extension and improve cognitive ability to complete everyday tasks such as picking up a glass, turning a doorknob or unscrewing a soda bottle.
HPV testing followed by smear could improve cervical screening
(Medical Xpress) -- Testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a virus most women will encounter at some point in their lives – followed by a smear test if they are HPV positive, provides the most effective approach for cervical screening, new research shows today (Wednesday).
Bilingual immigrants report better health than speakers of one language
Healthy individuals who immigrate to the U.S. often see their health decline over time. A recent study from Stanford University suggests that immigrants who learn English while maintaining their native language might be protected against this puzzling phenomenon.
Schizophrenia patients' ability to monitor reality may be helped by computerized training
People with schizophrenia who completed 80 hours of intensive, computerized cognitive training exercises were better able to perform complex tasks that required them to distinguish their internal thoughts from reality.
Gluten-free, casein-free diet may help some children with autism
(Medical Xpress) -- A gluten-free, casein-free diet may lead to improvements in behavior and physiological symptoms in some children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to researchers at Penn State. The research is the first to use survey data from parents to document the effectiveness of a gluten-free, casein-free diet on children with ASD.
Research finds bullies and victims three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts by age 11
as both a victim and a bully – are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts by the time they reach 11 years old, according to research from the University of Warwick.
New test can better predict successful IVF embryos, scientists say
Scientists at University College Dublin have discovered a new way of measuring the potential success rate of an embryo before it is transferred back into the womb during in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Researchers find safer way to use common but potentially dangerous medication
A team of global scientists, led by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, has developed a safer and more accurate way to administer warfarin, one of the most commonly prescribed but also potentially dangerous medications in the United States.
Is Twitter reinforcing negative perceptions of epilepsy?
A revealing study published in Epilepsy & Behavior provides evidence that the perception of epilepsy is not faring well in social media. Kate McNeil and colleagues from Dalhousie University in Canada analyzed data collected from Twitter to provide a snapshot of how epilepsy is portrayed within the twitter community.
U.S. kids still eat too much added sugar: CDC
(HealthDay) -- Added sugar in drinks and foods makes up almost 16 percent of the calories U.S. children and teens consume, federal health officials report.
Mitral valve repair with bypass surgery may improve heart function
Patients who had leaky mitral heart valves repaired along with bypass surgery had with healthier hearts than those who had bypass only, according to new research presented in the American Heart Association's Emerging Science Series webinar.
Winning makes people more aggressive toward the defeated
In this world, there are winners and losers – and, for your own safety, it is best to fear the winners.
New light shed on cause of lung injury in severe flu
While some scientists report engineering a super virulent strain of the H5N1 influenza virus, which could potentially wipe out a significant percentage of the human population, another group of researchers from the United Kingdom now reports a discovery that may one day help mitigate the deadly effects of all flu strains. This report, appearing in the March 2012 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, describes findings that may help prevent deaths from severe flu outbreaks, especially from seemingly healthy young people. Specifically, the researchers found that immune cells called, "natural killer T cells," may reduce the overwhelming numbers of another type of immune cell, called "inflammatory monocytes," which when present in large numbers, lead to lung injury at the end stage of severe flu infection.
In what ways does lead damage the brain?
Exposure to lead wreaks havoc in the brain, with consequences that include lower IQ and reduced potential for learning. But the precise mechanism by which lead alters nerve cells in the brain has largely remained unknown.
No workout? No worries: Scientists prevent muscle loss in mice, despite disease and inactivity
If you want big muscles without working out, there's hope. In the March 2012 print issue of the FASEB Journal, scientists from the University of Florida report that a family of protein transcription factors, called "Forkhead (Fox0)" plays a significant role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass. Specifically, they found that interfering with the activity of these transcription factors prevents muscle wasting associated with cancer and sepsis, and even promotes muscle growth. This discovery is likely to be relevant to any disease, condition or lifestyle that leads to muscle wasting, including voluntary inactivity.
Do women with bulimia have both an eating disorder and a weight disorder?
Researchers at Drexel University have found that a majority of women with bulimia nervosa reach their highest-ever body weight after developing their eating disorder, despite the fact that the development of the illness is characterized by significant weight loss. Their new study, published online last month in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, adds to a body of recent work that casts new light on the importance of weight history in understanding and treating bulimia.
Research identifies new experimental drug for stroke
Research led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Boyd Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has found that a synthetic molecule protected the brain in a model of experimental stroke. Dr. Bazan was issued a patent on the molecule called LAU-0901, a low molecular weight drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier. The findings are published in the March 2012 issue of Translational Stroke Research.
Inactivity and obesity relate to cognitive impairment in lupus
(HealthDay) -- Physical inactivity and obesity are associated with impaired cognitive function, especially executive functions, in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to research published online Feb. 15 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Care protocol for comatose patients may need revision
(HealthDay) -- Although neurological tests are highly reliable predictors of death in patients who remain in a coma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), withdrawal-of-treatment decisions may need to be delayed for those who undergo mild hypothermia therapy, according to a Dutch study published in the February issue of the Annals of Neurology.
Scientists develop world's most advanced drug to protect the brain after a stroke
Scientists at the Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI), Krembil Neuroscience Center, have developed a drug that protects the brain against the damaging effects of a stroke in a lab setting. This drug has been in development for a few years. At this point, it has reached the most advanced stage of development among drugs created to reduce the brain's vulnerability to stroke damage (termed a "neuroprotectant"). Over 1000 attempts to develop such drugs by scientists worldwide have failed to be translated to a stage where they can be used in humans, leaving a major unmet need for stroke treatment. The drug developed by the TWRI team is the first to achieve a neuroprotective effect in the complex brain of primates, in settings that simulate those of human strokes. ischemic stroke.
Study of patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis shows how the drug interferon works to suppress virus
A drug once taken by people with HIV/AIDS but long ago shelved after newer, modern antiretroviral therapies became available has now shed light on how the human body uses its natural immunity to fight the virus—work that could help uncover new targets for drugs.
Who's in the know? To a preschooler, the person doing the pointing
If you want a preschooler to get the point, point. That's a lesson that can be drawn from a new study in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science. As part of their investigation of how small children know what other people know, the authors, Carolyn Palmquist and Vikram K. Jaswal of the University of Virginia, found they were able to mislead preschoolers with the simple introduction of a pointing gesture. "Children were willing to attribute knowledge to a person solely based on the gesture they used to convey the information," says Palmquist. "They have built up such a strong belief in the knowledge that comes along with pointing that it trumps everything else, including what they see with their eyes."
Study finds new genes that cause Baraitser-Winter syndrome, a brain malformation
Scientists from Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of Washington, in collaboration with the Genomic Disorders Group Nijmegen in the Netherlands, have identified two new genes that cause Baraitser-Winter syndrome, a rare brain malformation that is characterized by droopy eyelids and intellectual disabilities.
Effects of a concussion may last longer than symptoms, study shows
A study recently published by the University of Kentucky's Scott Livingston shows that physiological problems stemming from a concussion may continue to present in the patient even after standard symptoms subside.
New infant formula ingredients boost babies' immunity by feeding their gut bacteria
Adding prebiotic ingredients to infant formula helps colonize the newborn's gut with a stable population of beneficial bacteria, and probiotics enhance immunity in formula-fed infants, two University of Illinois studies report.
Observations refute widely held view on causal mechanism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
In science, refuting a hypothesis can be as significant as proving one, all the more so in research aimed at elucidating how diseases proceed with a view toward preventing, treating, or curing them. Such a discovery can save scientists from spending precious years of effort exploring a dead end. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Munich-based researchers refute a widely accepted hypothesis about a causative step in neurodegenerative conditions. These results deal specifically with animal models of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's disease) but also raise questions for research on other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Huntington's disease.
Dutch launch mobile mercy killing teams
Six specialised teams, each with a doctor, will criss-cross the Netherlands as of Thursday to carry out euthanasia at the home of patients whose own doctors refuse to do so, a pro-mercy killing group said.
Cancer drugs could halt Ebola virus
Some cancer drugs used to treat patients with leukemia may also help stop the Ebola virus and give the body time to control the infection before it turns deadly, US researchers said on Wednesday.
Drug offers relief for symptoms of myelofibrosis
People with a blood cancer — myelofibrosis — can benefit from a drug called ruxolitinib, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included patients and researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The results of the multi-site phase-3 trial, which will be published in the March 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, led the Food and Drug Administration to approve the drug in November as treatment for people with intermediate or advanced cases of the disease.
FDA approves first 4-in-1 flu vaccine
Federal health officials have approved the first vaccine that protects against four strains of the common flu, offering one additional layer of protection against the influenza virus that affects millions each year.
Virus infection sheds light on memory T cells living in our skin
Very recently, researchers discovered an important population of immune cells called memory T cells living in parts of the body that are in contact with the environment (e.g., skin, lung, GI tract). How these "resident" memory T cells are generated was unknown, and their importance with regard to how our immune system remembers infection and how it prevents against re-infection is being studied intensively.
Epigenetic culprit in Alzheimer's memory decline
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, memory problems stem from an overactive enzyme that shuts off genes related to neuron communication, a new study says.
New technology measures blood flow to monitor sickle cell disease
More than 60 years ago, scientists discovered the underlying cause of sickle cell disease: People with the disorder produce crescent-shaped red blood cells that clog capillaries instead of flowing smoothly, like ordinary, disc-shaped red blood cells do. This can cause severe pain, major organ damage and a significantly shortened lifespan.
Study finds HIV-specific CD4 cells that control viral levels
A subpopulation of the immune cells targeted by HIV may play an important role in controlling viral loads after initial infection, potentially helping to determine how quickly infection will progress. In the February 29 issue of Science Translational Medicine, a team of researchers from the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT and Harvard describe finding a population of HIV-specific CD4 T cells – cells traditionally thought to direct and support activities of other immune cells – that can directly kill HIV-infected cells.
Study: Old flu drug speeds brain injury recovery
Researchers are reporting the first treatment to speed recovery from severe brain injuries caused by falls and car crashes: a cheap flu medicine whose side benefits were discovered by accident decades ago.
Your brain on 'shrooms': fMRI elucidates neural correlates of psilocybin psychedelic state
(Medical Xpress) -- Psychedelic substances have long been used for healing, ceremonial, or mind-altering subjective experiences due to compounds that, when ingested or inhaled, generate hallucinations, perceptual distortions, or altered states of awareness. Of these, the psychedelic substance psilocybin, the prodrug (a precursor of a drug that must in vivo chemical conversion by metabolic processes before becoming an active pharmacological agent) of psilocin (4-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine) and the key hallucinogen found in so-called magic mushrooms, is widely used not only in healing ceremonies, but, more recently, in psychotherapy as well – but little has been known about its specific activity in the brain.
Biology news
Under the Microscope #12 - Brain cells from skin cells
This is a beautiful image of human brain cells, which can now be grown from adult skin cells.
Heavy metal pollution causes severe declines in wild bees
Wild bees are important pollinators and numerous studies dealing with pollination of wild plants and crops underline their vital role in ecosystems functioning. While honey bees can be easily transported to various location when needed, wild bees' presence is dependent on the availability of high quality semi-natural habitats. Some crops, such as apples and cherries, and many wild flowers are more effectively pollinated by wild bees and other insects rather than managed honey bees.
S.Africa mulls shark net for Cape Town beach
Officials in South Africa's tourist drawcard of Cape Town said Wednesday that a trial shark net is being considered for a top swimming beach where three attacks, two deadly, have taken place.
Pecan weevil biology, management and control strategies
The pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), is a major pest of pecans throughout the southeastern United States, as well as portions of Texas and Oklahoma.
Genetics of endangered African monkey suggest troubles from warming climate
A rare and endangered monkey in an African equatorial rainforest is providing a look into our climatic future through its DNA. Its genes show that wild drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus), already an overhunted species, may see a dramatic population decline if the forest dries out and vegetation becomes sparser amid warming temperatures, researchers report.
Inherited epigenetics produced record fast evolution
The domestication of chickens has given rise to rapid and extensive changes in genome function. A research team at Linköping University in Sweden has established that the changes are heritable, although they do not affect the DNA structure.
Nowhere to hide: Study finds future of Sumatran tigers threatened by human disturbances
Three of the world's subspecies of tigers are now extinct. A new study found that the Sumatran tiger subspecies is nearing extinction as a result of human activities, particularly the conversion of natural forests into forestry and agricultural plantations, leading to habitat loss.
Divides emerge in US, world response to mutant flu
A divide has emerged between the United States and the rest of the world on whether to publish or keep secret the details of an engineered mutant bird flu virus that can pass in the air between animals, health experts said on Wednesday.
Researcher tracks agricultural overuse of bug-killing technology
High corn prices are leading many growers to plant corn every year and to overuse pesticides and other bug-killing technology to maximize yields, researchers report. In many instances, pesticides are applied without scouting fields to see if they are needed, violating a bedrock principle of integrated pest management. The result is a biological diversity desert in many corn and soybean fields in the agricultural Midwest, and signs that the surviving insects are becoming resistant to several key bug-fighting tools now available to farmers.
Why birds of a feather lek together
Certain kinds of male birds gather into small clusters of land called leks to perform their courtship dances, and according to science, who they choose to associate with matters. A new study by University of Miami Evolutionary Biologist J. Albert Uy and his collaborators finds that some male birds are better at attracting females if they gather with close male kin, than in the company of distant relatives. The findings provide an intriguing account of why individuals help each other, especially when cooperating can be costly.
Snow leopard diet determined by DNA analysis of fecal samples
Knowledge about animal diet can inform conservation strategy, but this information can be difficult to gather. A new DNA-based method, which analyzes genetic material from feces, could be a useful tool, and researchers have shown its utility to characterize the diet of snow leopards in Mongolia.
Blue whale behavior affected by man-made noise: study
Blue whale vocal behavior is affected by man-made noise, even when that noise does not overlap the frequencies the whales use for communication, according to new research published Feb. 29 in the open access journal PLoS ONE. The whales were less likely to emit calls when mid-frequency sonar was present, but were more likely to do so when ship sounds were nearby, the researchers report.
Dolphin whistles are unfit for porpoise
Bottlenose dolphins have whistles which they use to exclusively greet other members of their species, marine biologists in Scotland reported on Wednesday.
Paternal components in fruit flies, humans may contribute to fertilization, embryonic development
(PhysOrg.com) -- It had long been assumed that the human sperm cell’s mission in life ended once it had transferred its freight of parental DNA to the egg. More recently however, other components of sperm have been implicated in fertilization, and perhaps even in subsequent embryonic development.
Understanding bacterial sensors: Researchers piece together model of chemoreceptor arrays
(PhysOrg.com) -- Nearly all motile bacteria can sense and respond to their surroundings—finding food, avoiding poisons, and targeting cells to infect, for example—through a process called chemotaxis. This allows the bacteria to move towards chemicals they are attracted to, and away from ones that repel them. Because chemotaxis plays a critical role in the first steps of bacterial infection, a better understanding of the process could pave the way for the development of new, more effective antibiotics. Researchers at Caltech are helping to reveal just how chemotaxis works.
New tool for breaking the epigenetic code
(PhysOrg.com) -- For the last dozen years, scientists have known that minuscule strings of genetic material called small RNA are critically important to our genetic makeup. But finding out what they do hasn’t been easy. Now a scientist from Michigan Technological University and his team have developed a way to turn off small RNAs and find out just how important they can be.
Nature Commentary investigates synthetic-biology disaster
Experts say at least $20 million to $30 million in government research is needed over the next decade to adequately identify and address the possible ecological risks of synthetic biology, an emerging area of research focused on the design and construction of new biological parts and systems, or modification of existing ones, to create new applications in areas ranging from energy to chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Study shows earthworms to blame for decline of ovenbirds in northern Midwest forests
A recent decline in ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla), a ground-nesting migratory songbird, in forests in the northern Midwest United States is being linked by scientists to a seemingly unlikely culprit: earthworms.
Scientists learn how insects 'remodel' their bodies between life stages
It's one of life's special moments: a child finds a fat caterpillar, puts it in a jar with a twig and a few leaves, and awakens one day to find the caterpillar has disappeared and an elegant but apparently lifeless case now hangs from the twig.
Cholera's nano-dagger: Researchers observe how pathogen decimates competing bacteria and human cells
Bacteria live in a state of perpetual warfare, with different species battling for dominion over their competitors and when pathogen, over their infected host. New research suggests that the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae, which causes the disease cholera, kills off its microbial rivals by jabbing them with a spring-loaded poison dagger. Were it not for that defense, called the Type 6 secretion system (T6SS), V. cholerae might not out-compete its neighbors to sicken millions of people every year.
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