Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for March 14, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Software automatically transforms movie clips into comic strips- Silicon-carbon electrodes snap, swell, don't pop
- Molecular graphene heralds new era of 'designer electrons'
- Astronomers map dark matter distribution in 3D in Abell 383 galaxy cluster
- In a brainless marine worm, researchers find the developmental 'scaffold' for the vertebrate brain
- Researchers send 'wireless' message using neutrinos
- Some mammals used highly complex teeth to compete with dinosaurs: study
- Two new NASA LRO videos: See moon's evolution, take a tour
- New research lowers estimate of ancient sea-level rise
- Tailored optical material from DNA: Nano spiral staircases modify light
- Size isn't everything -- it's how sharp you are
- Influenza 'histone mimic' suppresses antiviral response
- Scientists identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity
- New computer algorithm discovers drug side effects, interactions
- Iron is key to reversing global warming, Nature research shows
Space & Earth news
Space Image: Schirra and Stafford suit up
Gemini VI astronauts Walter Schirra (seated), command pilot, and Thomas Stafford, pilot, go through suiting up exercises in preparation for their forthcoming flight in this image from October 1965. The suit technicians are James Garrepy (left) and Joe Schmitt.
NASA viz app will now take users across the universe
The NASA Visualization Explorer is now delivering new opportunities to explore NASA's research of the sun, planetary bodies, Earth and the universe to your iPad.
Current water resources in Europe and Africa
A new assessment of available water resources, published today by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), reveals that large areas in Spain and Eastern Europe have on average less than 200 mm freshwater available every year while the demand for water is three to ten times higher. The report 'Current Water Resources in Europe and Africa' shows variations in yearly freshwater generation from 10 mm to over 500 mm for Europe and from less than 0.1 mm to over 500 mm for Africa. The report outlines existing uncertainties and points to further research efforts needed for improved water management. Its publication coincides with the 6th World Water Forum taking place in Marseille, France, from 12 to 17 March 2012.
An avalanche of planning for multi-national Arctic field campaigns
The U.S. GEOTRACES Science Steering Committee (SSC) has established a U.S. Arctic GEOTRACES initiative to help characterize and understand regional biogeochemical changes associated with rapid climate change. The initiative will use multiple icebreakers, anticipated from the U.S. and Germany initially, and include scientists from several nations who will contribute to sampling the Arctic Ocean. Initial cruises are tentatively planned for 2015.
Tennessee's urban forests valued in the billions
Tennessee's urban forests, currently valued at about $80 billion, also provide almost $650 million in benefits such as carbon storage, pollution removal, and energy reduction according to a new U.S. Forest Service report.
Poland out of step with Europe on climate
(AP) -- Frustrations with Poland are growing in the European Union after the coal-powered nation for a second time blocked the EU's long-term plans for cutting carbon emissions.
Canadian Arctic to lead national growth
Canada's northern territories will lead the nation in growth in the next two years, buoyed by high commodities prices and a ramping up of new mines, a report said Wednesday.
Research reveals carbon footprint caused by China's irrigation system
China's groundwater irrigation system is responsible for polluting the atmosphere with more than 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year – according to research from the University of East Anglia.
Australia to become hotter, drier: climate report
Australia's climate is warming at an alarming rate and is set to become drier despite recent record floods, scientists said in a report that warns of increased drought and fiercer storms.
Plants 'mop up' more carbon than expected under lab conditions
(PhysOrg.com) -- The ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide emissions from human activity appears to be surprisingly robust as the climate warms, according to groundbreaking research.
How did comet Lovejoy survive its trip around the sun?
It was just about three months ago that the astronomy world watched in awe as the recently-discovered comet Lovejoy plummeted toward the Sun on what what expected to be its final voyage, only to reappear on the other side seemingly unscathed! Surviving its solar visit, Lovejoy headed back out into the solar system, displaying a brand-new tail for skywatchers in southern parts of the world (and for a few select viewers above the world as well.)
NASA and CSA robotic operations advance satellite servicing
NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) experiment aboard the International Space Station has demonstrated remotely controlled robots and specialized tools can perform precise satellite-servicing tasks in space. The project marks a milestone in the use of the space station as a technology test bed.
Huge coronal hole is sending solar wind our way
An enormous triangular hole in the Sun’s corona was captured earlier today by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, seen above from the AIA 211 imaging assembly. This gap in the Sun’s atmosphere is allowing more charged solar particles to stream out into the Solar System… and toward Earth as well.
Researchers find African farmers need better climate change data to improve farming practices
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have found that many African farmers inaccurately perceive changes in climate and rainfall when compared with scientific data, highlighting the need for better climate information to assist them to improve farming practices.
Millions of Americans at risk of flooding as sea levels rise
Nearly four million Americans, occupying a combined area larger than the state of Maryland, find themselves at risk of severe flooding as sea levels rise in the coming century, new research suggests.
UNH research adds to mounting evidence against popular pavement sealcoat
A parking lot at the edge of the University of New Hampshire campus has contributed important research to an emerging concern for the environment and human health.
TRMM satellite sees tropical storm Lua's rainfall
A tropical storm called Lua formed in the Indian Ocean off Australia's northwestern coast on March 13, 2012. NASA's TRMM satellite passed over Lua and observed moderate rainfall and strong towering thunderstorms within on March 13. By March 14, it was turning back toward Australia and storm warnings had been posted.
End of Winter: How 2012 snow stacks up
The mild winter of 2012 has many people asking, "Where's the snow?" These two snow cover maps show the difference between snow extent on March 3, 2011, and March 5, 2012. The maps were compiled from data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite.
Listen to solar storm activity in new sonification video
(PhysOrg.com) -- What does a solar storm sound like? It's a "sonification" of measurements from two spacecraft during the most recent storm. Take a listen in this video.
The feeding habits of teenage galaxies
(PhysOrg.com) -- New observations made with ESO’s Very Large Telescope are making a major contribution to understanding the growth of adolescent galaxies. In the biggest survey of its kind astronomers have found that galaxies changed their eating habits during their teenage years - the period from about 3 to 5 billion years after the Big Bang. At the start of this phase smooth gas flow was the preferred snack, but later, galaxies mostly grew by cannibalising other smaller galaxies.
Neptune on tiptoes
(PhysOrg.com) -- The formation and development of the solar system, long a topic of study for philosophers and scientists, is today often used as a case study for the formation and development of planetary systems around other stars. One probe of the early history of the solar system is the current configuration of the Kuiper Belt, a disc-shaped region of icy objects beyond the orbit of Neptune that stretches between about thirty to fifty astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. Pluto and Eris are the best known Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), and there are thought to be as many as one hundred thousand bodies larger in diameter than about 100 km out there.
Astronomers get rare peek at early stage of star formation
(PhysOrg.com) -- Using radio and infrared telescopes, astronomers have obtained a first tantalizing look at a crucial early stage in star formation. The new observations promise to help scientists understand the early stages of a sequence of events through which a giant cloud of gas and dust collapses into dense cores that, in turn, form new stars.
New research lowers estimate of ancient sea-level rise
The seas are creeping higher as the planet warms. But how high will they go? Projections for the year 2100 range from inches to several feet, or more. The sub-tropical islands of Bermuda and the Bahamas contain important sites where researchers have gone looking for answers; by pinpointing where shorelines stood on cliffs and reefs there during an extremely warm period 400,000 years ago, they hope to narrow the range of global sea-level projections for the future.
Iron is key to reversing global warming, Nature research shows
Canada defines itself as a nation that stretches from coast to coast to coast. But can we keep those coasts healthy in the face of climate change? Yves Gélinas, associate professor in Concordia's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has found the solution in a surprising element: iron.
Two new NASA LRO videos: See moon's evolution, take a tour
In honor of 1,000 days in orbit, the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt Md. has released two new videos.
Astronomers map dark matter distribution in 3D in Abell 383 galaxy cluster
(PhysOrg.com) -- Two teams of astronomers have used data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes to map the distribution of dark matter in a galaxy cluster known as Abell 383, which is located about 2.3 billion light years from Earth. Not only were the researchers able to find where the dark matter lies in the two dimensions across the sky, they were also able to determine how the dark matter is distributed along the line of sight.
Technology news
Iran conducting cyber-war with BBC: broadcaster
Iran launched a "sophisticated cyber-attack" in an attempt to disrupt the BBC's Persian service, which is watched by over seven million viewers weekly, the broadcaster's chief was to claim Wednesday.
First patent on low density parity check coding with soft decision decoding for spin-torque transfer MRAM
Researchers at the A*STAR, Data Storage Institute (DSI), have filed a patent on low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding with soft decision decoding, which is an advanced error correction coding scheme for spin-torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM). This cutting edge technology will shed more light to the limited study on coding and signal processing which is still at its infancy.
Thailand blocks 5,000 'royal insult' web pages
Thai authorities have blocked thousands of web pages deemed insulting to the monarchy in the past three months, police said Wednesday, amid growing debate about the kingdom's lese majeste law.
Sarkozy wants Internet giants to pay tax in France
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday he wants "Internet giants" to pay tax in France, shortly before he was due to meet the founder of the micro-blogging site Twitter.
The power of the Internet at the heart of One World festival
The One World international documentary festival, which opens here on Wednesday, will focus on the new weapon in revolutions and revolts across the world: the Internet.
France's EDF says owed 4.8 bn euros for green scheme
French power giant EDF is owed 4.8 billion euros by the French state as part of an elaborate scheme to encourage investment in renewable energy, chief executive Henri Proglio said Wednesday.
US Fed joins Twittersphere
The US Federal Reserve, the financial backbone of the world's biggest economy, said Wednesday it would try its hand at Twitter to improve communications with the public.
PayPal reverses course on e-book sales ban
PayPal on Tuesday reversed a ban on the use of the online payments service for sales of electronic books portraying rape, incest and bestiality.
PayPal fattens digital wallet
PayPal on Tuesday pulled out a revamped digital wallet service amid rumors it is poised to introduce a plug-in gizmo that will let small businesses accept credit card payments using smartphones.
AU Optronics guilty in display screen price-fixing case
Taiwan's largest maker of displays for computers, smartphones and other gadgets was convicted on Tuesday of taking part in a price-fixing conspiracy that brought in more than a half-billion dollars in "ill-gotten gains."
AT&T seeks to settle -- quietly -- with iPhone user
AT&T is offering to discuss a settlement to an iPhone user who won a small-claims case that alleged the company was slowing down his "unlimited" data service.
India's Wipro shares sale gets lukewarm response
An auction of India's Wipro shares by a trust controlled by its founder and chairman Azim Premji received bids for just under two-thirds of its offer size, stock exchange data showed late Wednesday.
Zynga holders plan to sell up to $400M in stock
Zynga shareholders may sell up to $400 million of stock through a public offering, three months after the online game maker went public, to try to avoid a drop in its stock price.
Google pays tribute to origami pioneer
Google paid tribute on Wednesday to the "father of the modern origami" Akira Yoshizawa by transforming its celebrated homepage logo into an homage to the folded-paper art pioneer.
EU probes five telecoms giants over possible collusion
EU anti-trust chiefs said Wednesday they have asked five European telecoms giants to answer concerns over possible industry collusion.
US regulators file charges against SharesPost
US stock market regulators filed charges on Wednesday against SharesPost, which specializes in trading stock in private Internet companies such as Facebook before they go public.
Brazil e-commerce grosses more than $11 billion
Online commerce in Brazil grossed more than $11 billion last year, up 26 percent over the previous year, the market research firm e-bit said Wednesday.
Departed Google exec rues Larry Page regime
A former Google executive went public on Tuesday with a lament that the Internet star has become obsessed with advertising and seizing the online social networking crown from Facebook.
GM, NASA jointly developing robotic gloves for human use
(PhysOrg.com) -- General Motors and NASA are jointly developing a robotic glove that auto workers and astronauts can wear to help do their respective jobs better while potentially reducing the risk of repetitive stress injuries.
The 'twilight zone' of traffic costs lives at stoplight intersections
(PhysOrg.com) -- Hundreds of lives are being lost each year in the United States because of mistakes made in what engineers call the "dilemma zone" – that area before a stoplight intersection where the traffic light turns yellow and the driver isn't sure whether to stop or go ahead.
Software automatically transforms movie clips into comic strips
(PhysOrg.com) -- While some comics today are still drawn by hand, many modern cartoonists use a variety of digital tools to create comics. But even with the help of these tools, creating comics is a time-consuming task that requires many human hours of work. In a new study, a team of researchers has designed a program that can automatically transform movie scenes into comic strips, without the need for any human intervention.
Medicine & Health news
Health care poses a significant risk to hospital patients in developing world
Inadequate training or supervision of clinical staff and the absence of, or failure to follow clinical protocols were more important than a shortage of equipment or staff as causing harm to hospitalised patients in the developing world, claims a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Specialist cancer care may improve patient outcomes
Survival rates for cancer patients may be improved by treatment in specialised cancer centres, according to Cochrane researchers. In a review of recent studies, they found that women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer lived longer when treated in specialist compared to non-specialist units.
US wants more information from Roche on Illumina bid
Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche said Tuesday the US Federal Trade Commission had requested additional information on its hostile $5.7-billion (4.2 billion euros) bid for US gene mapper Illumina.
Breakthroughs in Chikugunya research spell new hope for better treatment and protection
Recent breakthroughs in Chikungunya research spearheaded by scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have made great strides in the battle against the infectious disease. Working in close collaborations with Singapore clinician-scientists and international researchers, Dr Lisa Ng, Principal Investigator of the Chikungunya research group at SIgN, led the team to discover a direct biomarker which serves as an early and accurate prognosis of patients who have a higher risk of the more severe form of Chikungunya fever (CHIKF). This means that doctors can now quickly and accurately identify patients at risk, facilitating a more targetted treatment and clinical care at the onset of the disease.
Rare transplant allows young woman to forgo 60 pills daily
Surgeons at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System performed a rare living-donor parathyroid gland transplant to help a 22-year-old woman maintain normal calcium levels without the need for high-dose supplementation.
Collaborative preclinical efficacy studies suggest a new target for drug addiction treatment
In preclinical studies, researchers at SRI International and Astraea Therapeutics have recently evaluated the role of a new drug receptor target that shows promise for the treatment of drug addiction.
Animal blockade hitting British research: scientists
British scientists warned on Wednesday that research into debilitating diseases is under threat from a refusal by ferry operators and airlines to transport laboratory animals into the country.
Most teens with juvenile arthritis use complementary medicine
Seventy-two percent of adolescents with juvenile arthritis use at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but only 45 percent have discussions about it with their health care providers.
Combined therapy of acne medications offers new treatment option for patients
A combined therapy of common acne medications was shown to be a potent regimen for treating patients with severe facial acne, according to two published studies involving Henry Ford Hospital.
A new treatment option for Clostridium difficile: Fecal transplantation
Fecal transplantation through colonoscopy is an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Additionally, the mortality rate in this study does not appear to be greater than in some previously reported series, suggesting that fecal transplantation itself seems to be a rather safe procedure. CDI is a common cause of both community- and hospital-acquired diarrhea, usually occurring after exposure to antibiotics.
Beating heart surgery may increase risk to patients
Coronary artery bypass surgery performed whilst the heart is still beating may carry an increased likelihood of death, according to a systematic review by Cochrane researchers. The researchers suggest beating heart surgery should not be recommended except in specific cases where stopping the heart might be risky.
New study shines light on barriers to diabetes care in NYC Bangladeshi community
A new research survey conducted by the Center for the Study of Asian American Health at NYU Langone Medical Center shows the Bangladeshi community in New York City experiences numerous barriers to diabetes care because of limited English proficiency and lack of diabetes awareness. The study, published in the March 2012 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, also found the Bangladeshi community has an interest in participating in community health programs for diabetes prevention and care.
UK abortion clinic targeted by US religious group
(AP) -- One of Britain's main abortion providers says a campaign run by a U.S.-based religious group is intimidating women who use its services.
The Brazilian Navy faces its worst enemy in WWI: The Spanish flu
Few people know about the participation of Brazil in Word War I. Although Brazil remained neutral during most of the conflict, it eventually sent a fleet to support the war effort against the central powers. It was the only Latin-American country to do so. But the Brazilian expedition encountered an unexpected and treacherous enemy in the African coast against which -like all other Armies- it was not prepared for: the Spanish flu.
Increased collaboration between nursing home RNs and LPNs could improve patient care
Researchers estimate nearly 800,000 preventable adverse drug events may occur in nursing homes each year. Many of these incidents could be prevented with safety practices such as medication reconciliation, a process in which health care professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists and nurses, review medication regimens to identify and resolve discrepancies when patients transfer between health care settings. In nursing homes, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) often are responsible for this safety practice. A recent study by a University of Missouri gerontological nursing expert found, when observed, these nurses often differed in how they identified discrepancies. Recognizing the distinct differences between RNs and LPNs could lead to fewer medication errors and better patient care.
Broader screening for hepatitis C would be cost effective, study suggests
Broader screening to identify people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) would likely be cost effective, according to a new report published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online. Significantly reducing HCV-related mortality and morbidity, however, will require a coordinated effort that emphasizes not only increased testing but also linking those infected with the treatment they need.
In developing countries, female sex workers 14 times more likely to become infected by HIV
Female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries are nearly 14 times more likely to be infected by HIV compared to the rest of country's population, according to an analysis by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The findings suggest an urgent need to scale up access to quality HIV prevention programs in these countries. The study was published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Seeing pictures of food affects taste perception
Just looking at images of food can change our taste experience, according to research published Mar. 14 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Doctors practicing healthy lifestyles more likely to preach it to patients
Physicians who have more healthy habits are more likely than doctors without such habits to recommend five important lifestyle modifications to patients, including eating healthy, limiting sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and being more physically active.
Boomers finding space for team, fitness sports
(AP) -- The country's largest generation is running, walking, swimming and using exercise machines in hopes of changing the face of aging.
FDA may probe TX firm that held Perry's stem cells
(AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration has received a complaint against a company that stored adult stem cells from Texas Governor Rick Perry for use in an experimental procedure to treat his back pain.
Genetic studies lay the foundations for anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent heart disease
Two large international meta-analyses published Online First in The Lancet provide compelling new evidence that interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R), a protein involved in inflammatory signaling, has a causal role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The findings suggest that drugs that target this specific inflammatory mechanism (ie, IL6R-mediated signaling) might also be effective in combating CHD. One such drug, tocilizumab, is already commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis*.
Losing belly fat, whether from a low-carb or a low-fat diet, helps improve blood vessel function
Overweight people who shed pounds, especially belly fat, can improve the function of their blood vessels no matter whether they are on a low-carb or a low-fat diet, according to a study being presented by Johns Hopkins researchers at an American Heart Association scientific meeting in San Diego on March 13 that is focused on cardiovascular disease prevention.
Fatty diets may be associated with reduced semen quality
Men's diets, in particular the amount and type of different fats they eat, could be associated with their semen quality according to the results of a study published online in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction today.
Disruptive children and their parents benefit from parenting classes
Children with disruptive behavioural problems and their parents can benefit from peer led parenting classes, claims a study published today in the British Medical Journal.
Pain relief: Poor evidence for non-drug approaches in labor
There is better evidence for the effectiveness of drug-based approaches for relieving labour pains than non-drug approaches. These are the findings of an all-encompassing publishing in The Cochrane Library, which draws together results from a number of previous reviews on the subject.
Text messages help HIV patients stick to antiretroviral drug therapy
Mobile phones could play a valuable role in helping HIV patients to take their medication every day, according to a new Cochrane Systematic Review. The researchers found that patients were less likely to miss doses if they were sent weekly mobile phone text message reminders.
Study suggests link between H. pylori bacteria and adult Type 2 diabetes
A recent study shows that the presence of H. pylori bacteria is associated with elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes. This association was stronger in obese individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). The results, which suggest the bacteria may play a role in the development of diabetes in adults, are published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and are now available online.
Few genes control neuronal function
How are 100 billion cells created, each with specific duties? The human brain is evidence that nature can achieve this. Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have now taken a step closer to solving this mystery.
S. Korea to approve Viagra generics
Three South Korean pharmaceutical firms will soon be allowed to produce generic versions of the anti-impotence drug Viagra despite a row over patents, officials said Wednesday.
White blood cells cast 'spider's web' of germ-killing DNA
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at the University of Birmingham have found a way of triggering the release of a powerful ‘spider’s web’ of disease-fighting DNA in the body’s protective white blood cells.
Botox now used for urinary incontinence
When you think of Botox injections, you probably think of getting rid of unwanted wrinkles around the eyes or forehead, but recently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved using the injections to help patients with neurological conditions who suffer from incontinence, or an overactive bladder.
Single men spend weekends sitting, watching TV
Single, middle-aged people who live alone spend more time sitting. A new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine discovered that men tended to sit for longer periods watching TV on the weekends while women sat for longer periods doing activities such as reading or dining out. Unemployed people tended to spend more time sitting than employed people. Sitting habits, which lead to risks of poor health, were found to vary by gender, age, health status and during weekdays versus weekends.
REM sleep disorder doubles risk of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's
People with symptoms suggesting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or RBD, have twice the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Parkinson's disease within four years of diagnosis with the sleep problem, compared with people without the disorder, a Mayo Clinic study has found. The researchers published their findings recently in the Annals of Neurology.
Anesthetists test scale that measures risk of harm from invasive research placebos
A scale developed to measure the potential harm caused by invasive placebos in local anaesthesia research has been successfully tested by a group of 43 independent clinicians, according to research published in the April issue of Anaesthesia.
Harvard researchers conduct promising study using smartphones to aid therapy
Are you constantly overcome with worry, perhaps about what to do if your children or parents got sick, how to pay your bills, or whether that mole on your hand is the first sign of a medical scare? Does the thought of going to a party and meeting people you don’t know fill you with dread? Are you terrified of speaking in public?
Inhibiting cell migration in breast cancer
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists from the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research together with colleagues from the University of Fribourg have discovered a signaling mechanism controlling mobility and metastasis in breast cancer. They have been able to thus reduce invasiveness of the cancer cells. This is promising for the development of therapies against the types of breast cancer that readily form metastasis and for which a therapy has yet to be found.
Preventing the skin cancer, not just the sunburn
(Medical Xpress) -- With the first day of spring just one week away, anyone who spends time in the sun should be aware of new sunscreen regulations designed to help prevent skin cancer.
Scientists identify cofilin, a protein linked to Alzheimer's, as key to molecular motors
(Medical Xpress) -- A protein that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and cancer is at the center of groundbreaking research by a team of Colorado State University scientists. The team found that the protein, called cofilin, regulates the forces that are essential, for example, for cells to migrate around the body.
Study reveals new details about a protein that enables cancer cells to start new tumors in distant sites
(Medical Xpress) -- A Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study has revealed details of the complex molecular process involving a protein that enables cancer cells to establish tumors in distant parts of the body.
Study suggests motivation to be active may lead to impulsive behavior
Those motivated to actively change bad habits may be setting themselves up for failure, a new study suggests.
'Brain fog' of menopause confirmed
The difficulties that many women describe as memory problems when menopause approaches are real, according to a study published today in the journal Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society.
New study shows promise for developing new treatments for breast cancer
A new study by University of Kentucky researchers provides insight into developing new treatment strategies for basal-like breast cancer, commonly known as triple-negative breast cancer. This cancer is associated with early metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy and occurs at women at a younger age.
Study finds a quarter of adults with HIV were abused as children
One in four HIV patients was found to have been sexually abused as a child, according to a two-year Duke University study of more than 600 HIV patients. Traumatic childhood experiences were also linked to worse health outcomes among these patients, who are aged 20 to 71.
Economic and social growth of developing nations may increase obesity
Developing nations experiencing economic and social growth might also see growing waistlines among their poorest citizens, according to a new study from Rice University and the University of Colorado.
Egyptians design 'faster, cheaper' hepatitis C test
The American University in Cairo said Wednesday that a team of its researchers has designed a faster and cheaper test for all types of hepatitis C, which it says affects about 10 million Egyptians.
Resistant food bacteria strains now common: EU study
Bacteria that cause the main food-borne infections among people in the European Union commonly show resistance to widely-used antibiotics and antimicrobials, an EU report showed Wednesday.
JAMA study finds patients with stroke symptoms are still not calling 911
Nationwide ambulance use by patients suffering from a stroke has not changed since the mid-1990s, even though effective stroke treatments are now available. In a study published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center found that the number of stroke victims transported via ambulance has remained relatively static over the years, highlighting the need for more education about stroke symptoms and the importance of early intervention.
Genome-wide study reveals how key immune sensors arrive at the front lines of infection
In a healthy immune system, invading pathogens trigger a cascade of alerts and responses to fight off the infection. Sensors called toll-like receptors, or TLRs, act as one of the first lines of defense. Two of these sensors, known as TLR7 and TLR9, specifically recognize and respond to microbial RNA and DNA, respectively. But what determines how these TLRs get where they need to be and sound the alarm for pathogen infection?
Vaccinations aren't just for kids: Report focuses on benefits of adult immunizations
Despite the many overwhelming successes of vaccines in the past century, including the eradication of smallpox and near-eradication of polio, many adults do not know how vaccines work, or even realize that the benefits of vaccination do not end in childhood. To help raise awareness of the importance of vaccines for adults, the American Academy of Microbiology has issued a new report entitled FAQ: Adult Vaccines – A Grown Up Thing to Do.
New labor-tracking tool proposed to reduce C-sections in first-time moms
Researchers have designed a new version of a labor-tracking tool for pregnant women that they predict could reduce the use of hormonal intervention during labor and lower the number of cesarean sections performed on low-risk, first-time mothers.
People in neighborhoods with healthy features have better heart health
If you live in neighborhoods with access to grocery stores, healthy food, parks and a pleasant walking environment, you're more likely to be in ideal cardiovascular health.
What does delaying childbearing cost?
Freezing eggs or ovarian tissue for the sole purpose of delaying childbearing for social reasons may prove too costly for society, according to a recent analysis by a University of Illinois at Chicago researcher.
Biologists uncover surprising connection between breast cancer cells and surrounding tissue
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Biologist Lee Ligon has found a previously unknown connection between breast cancer tumor cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. The results provide new information on the earliest stages of breast cancer metastasis.
Walking may lessen the influence of genes on obesity by half
Watching too much TV can worsen your genetic tendency towards obesity, but you can cut the effect in half by walking briskly for an hour a day, researchers report at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions.
'Personalized immune' mouse offers new tool for studying autoimmune diseases
Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) scientists have developed a way to recreate an individual's immune system in a mouse. The "personalized immune mouse" offers researchers an unprecedented tool for individualized analysis of abnormalities that contribute to type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, starting at the onset of disease. The findings were published today in the online edition of Science Translational Medicine.
Study: US tobacco-control efforts prevented nearly 800,000 cancer deaths between 1975 and 2000
Twentieth-century tobacco control programs and policies were responsible for preventing more than 795,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States from 1975 through 2000, according to an analysis funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
Smoking depicted in movies influences younger adolescents
Younger adolescents exposed to movies that depict smoking are at greater risk of smoking than older adolescents, according to a study published March 14 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Eye health is related to brain health
People with mild vascular disease that causes damage to the retina in the eye are more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills because they may also have vascular disease in the brain, according to a study published in the March 14, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Genetic profiling helps doctors more accurately predict prognosis, guide treatment decisions for leukemia patients
Researchers have identified a set of genetic abnormalities in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that doctors can use to more accurately predict patients' prognoses and select treatments that are most likely to benefit them. The study, led by investigators at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, will be published in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study finds expensive procedure no more effective than medical therapy to prevent strokes
A catheter procedure that closes a hole in patients' hearts was no more effective than medical therapy in preventing recurrent strokes, according to a new study published in the March 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Lack of sleep may increase calorie consumption
If you don't get enough sleep, you may also eat too much — and thus be more likely to become obese.
Health groups issue cervical cancer screening guidelines
The American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) have released new guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The guidelines generally advise a reduction in the number of tests women get over their lifetime to better ensure that they receive the benefits of testing while minimizing the harms, and include a preference for co-testing using the Pap test and HPV test for women age ages 30 to 65.
Scientists map genetic evolution of leukemia
The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer, often causes confusion. While some patients can be treated with repeated blood transfusions, others require chemotherapy, leaving some uncertainty about whether the syndromes actually are cancer.
Delivery of a small full-term infant puts mothers at risk for heart disease
Delivering a full-term baby of small birth weight has been shown to be an independent indicator of later heart disease for the mother, and as equivalent in risk as high blood pressure and diabetes. Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston further report that the odds of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among women whose full-term babies are small for their gestational age (SGA) are twice that of other women.
Controversial study promoting psychic ability debunked
In response to a 2011 study suggesting the existence of precognition, or the ability to predict future events using psychic powers, a new group of researchers report that attempts to replicate the previous results were unsuccessful.
Hiding emotions may exacerbate depression among black men who confront racial discrimination
Enduring subtle, insidious acts of racial discrimination is enough to depress anyone, but African-American men who believe that they should respond to stress with stoicism and emotional control experience more depression symptoms, according to new findings from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Daily exercise doesn't further improve glycemic control
(HealthDay) -- For individuals with type 2 diabetes, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity endurance exercise once a day or an hour every other day are equally effective for controlling hyperglycemia, according to a study published online March 7 in Diabetes Care.
Ob-gyns can prevent negative health impacts of environmental chemicals
Ob-gyns are uniquely positioned to play a major role in reducing the effects of toxic chemicals on women and babies, according to an analysis led by University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers.
Evidence builds that meditation strengthens the brain, researchers say
Earlier evidence out of UCLA suggested that meditating for years thickens the brain (in a good way) and strengthens the connections between brain cells. Now a further report by UCLA researchers suggests yet another benefit.
New study compares diets for weight management in obese children
A new study of three diets with obese children shows that all diets are effective in managing weight but that a reduced glycemic load diet – one that accounts for how many carbs are in the food and how much each gram of carbohydrate raises blood glucose levels – may be most promising.
Deaths from gastroenteritis doubles
The number of people who died from gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea) more than doubled from 1999 to 2007. The findings of this study will be presented today at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta.
CDC study shows outbreaks linked to imported foods increasing
Foodborne disease outbreaks caused by imported food appeared to rise in 2009 and 2010, and nearly half of the outbreaks implicated foods imported from areas which previously had not been associated with outbreaks, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented today at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta.
Study finds genes improving survival with higher chemo doses in leukemia
New research published in the March 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine identifies gene mutations associated with improved overall survival with higher doses of chemotherapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
How to best help your child lose weight: Lose weight yourself
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and The University of Minnesota indicates that a parent's weight change is a key contributor to the success of a child's weight loss in family-based treatment of childhood obesity. The results were published today in the advanced online edition of the journal Obesity.
New drug now available for actinic keratosis
A new topical gel now available by prescription significantly decreases the amount of time needed to treat actinic keratosis, a skin condition that is a common precursor to skin cancer, according to a multi-center trial led by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The gel, called ingenol mebutate, is applied to the skin for just a few days, making it quicker and even more effective as current therapies require weeks to months to apply. The Phase III study results of the trial are published in the March 15, 2012 issue of the The New England Journal of Medicine.
Experimental pill may ease multiple sclerosis disability
(HealthDay) -- Yet another orally taken medication shows some promise in preventing relapse and disability for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, a new report suggests.
Study finds PSA testing cuts prostate cancer death risk, but does it save lives?
(HealthDay) -- Adding another perspective to one of the most controversial and confounding issues in medicine, a new European study reports that men who received routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to check for signs of prostate cancer were 30 percent less likely to die from the disease.
First generic lexapro approved
(HealthDay) -- The Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceuticals has gained the first U.S. approval to market generic Lexapro (escitalopram) to treat depression and general anxiety disorder, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
Scientists produce eye structures from human blood-derived stem cells
(Medical Xpress) -- For the first time, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from human blood.
New compound discovered that rapidly kills liver cancer
Scientists have identified a new compound that rapidly kills hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, the most common form of liver cancer and fifth most common cancer worldwide, while sparing healthy tissue. The compound, Factor Qunolinone Inhibitor 1 (FQI1), works by inhibiting an oncogene originally discovered by a team of researchers led by Devanand Sarkar, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Harrison Scholar at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Blick Scholar and assistant professor in the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and member of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine at the VCU School of Medicine.
Aging brain gets stuck in time, researchers show
The aging brain loses its ability to recognize when it is time to move on to a new task, explaining why the elderly have difficulty multi-tasking, Yale University researchers report.
New study unravels mystery of a DNA repair process
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at the University of Sussex have uncovered the mechanism of a key process in DNA repair that helps prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as ataxia.
New computer algorithm discovers drug side effects, interactions
A week ago, you started a new prescription medication for acne. Today, you feel dizzy and short of breath and have difficulty concentrating. Your symptoms are not listed in the package insert as possible side effects of the drug, but why else would you be feeling so odd?
Scientists identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity
With every meal, immune cells in the intestine stand like sentries at a citadel, turning away harmful bacteria but allowing vitamins and nutrients to pass.
Influenza 'histone mimic' suppresses antiviral response
A team of researchers led by scientists at The Rockefeller University has identified a novel mechanism by which influenza interferes with antiviral host response. The finding, reported in this week's issue of the journal Nature, shows that the immunosuppressive NS1 protein of the influenza A virus hijacks key regulators of antiviral gene function by mimicking a core component of gene regulating machinery. The results they describe have major implications for our understanding of the biology of seasonal influenza virus and its pathogenesis. This research also suggests a possible target for a new class of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Loss of appetite deciphered in brain cell circuit
The meal is pushed way, untouched. Loss of appetite can be a fleeting queasiness or continue to the point of emaciation. While it's felt in the gut, more is going on inside the head. New findings are emerging about brain and body messaging pathways that lead to loss of appetite, and the systems in place to avoid starvation.
Scientists identify neural activity sequences that help form memory, decision-making
(Medical Xpress) -- Princeton University researchers have used a novel virtual reality and brain imaging system to detect a form of neural activity underlying how the brain forms short-term memories that are used in making decisions.
Biology news
Southern link offers hope for critically endangered Maui's dolphins
There are estimated to be just 55 adult and juvenile Maui’s dolphins according to a joint study by The University of Auckland, Department of Conservation and Oregon State University. With appropriate protections, however, there is reason to hope the subspecies may survive.
Slug ecology and management in no-till field crops
As acreage of row crops managed with conservation tillage increases, more growers are encountering slugs, elevating their importance as crop pests. Slugs can eat virtually all crops, and they are challenging to control because of the limited number of management tactics that are available.
An integrated pest management program for coffee berry borer in Colombia
The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), is considered one of the most serious pests in coffee plantations worldwide. Infestations of this small beetle are difficult to combat; most of the insect's lifecycle is completed inside coffee berries, making insecticide penetration and contact difficult. Female beetles bore holes into developing berries attached to the tree through the blossom scar and create 'galleries' where they remain and deposit their eggs. The developing larvae feed on the bean or endosperm of the seed, reducing yields as well as the quality of coffee and its price.
Algae species explored for both biofuel source and pollution control
(PhysOrg.com) -- The tiny, plant-like Heterosigma akashiwo is too small to see with the naked eye, but the microscopic algae may pack a big environmental punch. University of Delaware researchers are studying whether the species can neutralize harmful smokestack emissions – and also serve as a source of eco-friendly biofuel.
Study demonstrates cells can acquire new functions through transcriptional regulatory network
Researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center (OSC) have successfully developed and demonstrated a new experimental technique for producing cells with specific functions through the artificial reconstruction of transcriptional regulatory networks. As an alternative to induced pluripotent stem cells, the technique promises to enable faster and more efficient production of functional cells for use in cancer therapy and a variety of other areas.
How muscle cells seal their membranes
Every cell is enclosed by a thin double layer of lipids that separates the distinct internal environment of the cell from the extracellular space. Damage to this lipid bilayer, also referred to as plasma membrane, disturbs the cellular functions and may lead to the death of the cell. For example, downhill walking tears many little holes into the plasma membranes of the muscle cells in our legs. To prevent irreparable damage, muscle cells have efficient systems to seal these holes again. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University have succeeded for the first time in observing membrane repair in real-time in a living organism.
Japanese honeybees swarm huge hornet predator to kill it with heat
Japanese honeybees face a formidable foe in the Asian giant hornet, a fierce predator that can reach 40mm long or larger, but the bees have developed a novel defense mechanism: they create a "hot defensive bee ball," swarming around the hornet and literally cooking it.
Corn insecticide linked to great die-off of beneficial honeybees
New research has linked springtime die-offs of honeybees critical for pollinating food crops — part of the mysterious malady called colony collapse disorder — with technology for planting corn coated with insecticides. The study, published in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology, appears on the eve of spring planting seasons in some parts of Europe where farmers use the technology and widespread deaths of honeybees have occurred in the past.
Researchers develop a new candidate for a cleaner, greener and renewable diesel fuel
(PhysOrg.com) -- A class of chemical compounds best known today for fragrance and flavor may one day provide the clean, green and renewable fuel with which truck and auto drivers fill their tanks. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to generate significant quantities of methyl ketone compounds from glucose. In subsequent tests, these methyl ketones yielded high cetane numbers – a diesel fuel rating comparable to the octane number for gasoline – making them strong candidates for the production of advanced biofuels.
Researchers attempt to solve problems of antibiotic resistance and bee deaths in one
The stomachs of wild honey bees are full of healthy lactic acid bacteria that can fight bacterial infections in both bees and humans.
Hiding in plain sight: Scientist discovers new frog species in New York and New Jersey
(PhysOrg.com) -- In the wilds of New York City -- or as wild as you can get so close to skyscrapers -- scientists have found a new leopard frog species that for years biologists mistook for a more widespread variety of leopard frog.
Epigenetic signatures direct the repair potential of reprogrammed cells
A research team has identified epigenetic signatures, markers on DNA that control transient changes in gene expression, within reprogrammed skin cells. These signatures can predict the expression of a wound-healing protein in reprogrammed skin cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), cells that take on embryonic stem cell properties. Understanding how the expression of the protein is controlled brings us one step closer to developing personalized tissue regeneration strategies using stem cells from a patient, instead of using human embryonic stem cells. The study was published in the Journal of Cell Science.
Study uncovers how Salmonella avoids the body's immune response
UC Irvine researchers have discovered how Salmonella, a bacterium found in contaminated raw foods that causes major gastrointestinal distress in humans, thrives in the digestive tract despite the immune system's best efforts to destroy it.
Crocodilians bite with the best
Crocodiles can kill with the strongest bite force measured for any living animal, according to a report published Mar. 14 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
In a brainless marine worm, researchers find the developmental 'scaffold' for the vertebrate brain
The origin of the exquisitely complex vertebrate brain is somewhat mysterious. "In terms of evolution, it basically pops up out of nowhere. You don't see anything anatomically like it in other animals," says Ariel Pani, an investigator at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole and a graduate student at the University of Chicago.
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