Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 10, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Researchers develop disposable paper-based touch pads- Researchers fold origami with light
- Ultra-cool companion helps reveal giant planets
- New Interstellar Boundary Explorer data show heliosphere's long-theorized bow shock does not exist
- Nanosheet catalyst discovered to sustainably split hydrogen from water
- Painted ancient Maya numbers reflect calendar reaching well beyond 2012 (w/ Video)
- Researchers reveal unseen planet by its gravity
- To DDR3: Thanks for the memory but time for DDR4
- Neighboring chimp communities have their own nut-cracking styles
- Evolution's gift may also be at the root of a form of autism
- Enzyme corrects more than one million faults in DNA replication
- Samsung unveils ultra high-end TV
- New twist on ancient math problem could improve medicine, microelectronics
- Bing to duel Google with Facebook-friendly format
- Researchers capture major chemotherapeutic target in complex with DNA damage
Space & Earth news
Image: Dragon's crew accommodations
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has finished an important evaluation of a prototype Dragon spacecraft designed to carry people into orbit. This key milestone is part of SpaceX's partnership with NASA under a funded Space Act Agreement to advance the design of crew transportation vehicles.
Early results of the GREAT instrument onboard the SOFIA airborne observatory
Astronomy & Astrophysics is publishing a special feature devoted to the early results obtained during the first science flights of the airborne observatory SOFIA with the GREAT far-infrared instrument. We present 22 articles reporting on the technologies and the early astronomical results (including the first ever detection of new interstellar molecules).
Tracking nutrient pollutant in Chesapeake
Too much of a good thing can kill you, the saying goes.
NJIT submits Neshanic River watershed clean-up plan
NJIT Associate Professor Zeyuan Qiu has authored and submitted a plan to restore the Neshanic River Watershed to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Qiu is in NJIT's department of chemistry and environmental science.
First forecast calls for mild Amazon fire season in 2012
Forests in the Amazon Basin are expected to be less vulnerable to wildfires this year, according to the first forecast from a new fire severity model developed by university and NASA researchers.
Research reveals ice sheet stability in West Antarctica under threat
(Phys.org) -- An international team of researchers has warned that the stability of a part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is potentially under threat following a survey of the Institute and Möller ice streams.
GREGOR telescope: Zooming in on the sun
(Phys.org) -- Nighttime is the astronomer’s day. After all, anyone wishing to see the stars must wait until it is dark. There is one exception to this rule, however: the sun. Close up, it can be used to study not only the properties of a typical star, but also its relationship with the planets. Observing eruptions of matter, sunspots or even the solar magnetic field in detail requires telescopes with a large aperture, such as Gregor, which will be inaugurated in Tenerife in the coming days. With a mirror diameter of 1.5 metres, the telescope will be able to show structures on the sun on spatial scales as small as 70 kilometres, making it one of the three most powerful instruments in the world.
Free-floating planets in the Milky Way outnumber stars by factors of thousands
A few hundred thousand billion free-floating life-bearing Earth-sized planets may exist in the space between stars in the Milky Way. So argues an international team of scientists led by Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe, Director of the Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology at the University of Buckingham, UK. Their findings are published online in the Springer journal Astrophysics and Space Science.
Study finds logging of tropical forests needn't devastate environment
Harvesting tropical forests for timber may not be the arch-enemy of conservation that it was once assumed to be, according to a new study led by a University of Florida researcher.
Cygnus-X: the cool swan glowing in flight
(Phys.org) -- Chaotic networks of dust and gas signpost the next generations of massive stars in this stunning new image of the Cygnus-X star-nursery captured by ESA’s Herschel space observatory. Cygnus-X is an extremely active region of massive-star birth some 4500 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. Using Herschel’s far-infrared eyes, astronomers can seek out regions where dust has been gently heated by stars, pointing them to dense clumps of gas where new generations of stars are forming.
A push from the Mississippi kept Deepwater Horizon oil slick off shore, research shows
When the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded April 20, 2010, residents feared that their Gulf of Mexico shores would be inundated with oil. And while many wetland habitats and wildlife were oiled during the three-month leak, the environmental damage to coastal Louisiana was less than many expected, in part because much of the crude never made it to the coast.
You're beautiful, Vesta
When UCLA's Christopher T. Russell looks at the images of the protoplanet Vesta produced by NASA's Dawn mission, he talks about beauty as much as he talks about science.
Opportunity rover rolling again after fifth Mars winter
(Phys.org) -- With its daily supply of solar energy increasing, NASA's durable Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has driven off the sunward-tilted outcrop, called Greeley Haven, where it worked during its fifth Martian winter.
Hubble observes a dwarf galaxy with a bright nebula
(Phys.org) -- The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has made detailed observations of the dwarf galaxy NGC 2366. While it lacks the elegant spiral arms of many larger galaxies, NGC 2366 is home to a bright, star-forming nebula and is close enough for astronomers to discern its individual stars.
Asteroid collision that spawned Vesta's asteroid family occurred more recently than thought
A team of researchers led by a NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) member based at Southwest Research Institute has discovered evidence that the giant impact crater Rheasilvia on Asteroid (4) Vesta was created in a collision that occurred only about 1 billion years ago, much more recently than previously thought. This result is based on the analysis of high-resolution images obtained with the Dawn spacecraft, which entered orbit around Vesta in July 2011.
New dynamic computer model gains greater insight into earthquake cycles
For those who study earthquakes, one major challenge has been trying to understand all the physics of a fault—both during an earthquake and at times of "rest"—in order to know more about how a particular region may behave in the future. Now, researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed the first computer model of an earthquake-producing fault segment that reproduces, in a single physical framework, the available observations of both the fault's seismic (fast) and aseismic (slow) behavior.
Ultra-cool companion helps reveal giant planets
(Phys.org) -- An international team of astronomers led by David Pinfield of the University of Hertfordshire has found a brown dwarf that is more than 99% hydrogen and helium. Described as ultra-cool, it has a temperature of just 400 degrees Celsius and its discovery could be a key step forward in helping astronomers distinguish between brown dwarfs and giant planets. The researchers publish their work in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Researchers reveal unseen planet by its gravity
More than a 150 years ago, before Neptune was ever sighted in the night sky, French mathematician Urbain Le Verrier predicted the planet's existence based on small deviations in the motion of Uranus. In a paper published today in the journal Science online, a group of researchers led by Dr. David Nesvorny of Southwest Research Institute has inferred another unseen planet, this time orbiting a distant star, marking the first success of this technique outside the solar system.
New Interstellar Boundary Explorer data show heliosphere's long-theorized bow shock does not exist
For the last few decades, space scientists have generally accepted that the bubble of gas and magnetic fields generated by the sun – known as the heliosphere – moves through space, creating three distinct boundary layers that culminate in an outermost bow shock. This shock is similar to the sonic boom created ahead of a supersonic jet. Earth itself certainly has one of these bow shocks on the sunward side of its magnetic environment, as do most other planets and many stars. A collection of new data from NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), however, now indicate that the sun does not have a bow shock.
Technology news
China's Huawei hopes to make a name for itself
(AP) -- Will Americans buy a Chinese smartphone? We're about to find out, as Huawei, one of the world's biggest phone makers, is planning a big push into U.S. cellphone stores.
Toshiba expands family of high-speed, low-voltage MOSFETs with new 60V and 120V devices
Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) today announced that it has expanded its family of low-voltage, high-speed MOSFETs with new, ultra-efficient 60V and 120V devices that will save space and reduce losses in secondary synchronous rectification designs.
Toshiba announces next-generation superjunction technology for power MOSFETs
Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) today announced its DTMOS-IV process, a new-generation of superjunction (SJ) technology for power MOSFETs. Products based on the DTMOS-IV technology will make ideal switching devices in switch mode power supplies, lighting ballasts and other power applications that demand a combination of high-speed operation, high-efficiency and low EMI noise.
Quake test helps set a new standard for building on soft soil
An often quoted parable has the "foolish builder" building on sand, but in reality many major cities are built on soft deposits – some in earthquake prone regions – and world-leading research at UTS will help make them safer.
Performance boost for microchips
The semiconductor industry is faced with the challenge of supplying ever faster and more powerful chips. The Next-Generation Lithography with EUV radiation will help meeting that challenge. Fraunhofer researchers have developed key components.
Functional coatings from the plasma nozzle
These coatings offer protection against rust, scratches and moisture and improve adhesion: Surfaces with a nano coating. A new plasma process enables these coatings to be applied more easily and cost-efficiently – on an industrial scale.
Ultra-short laser pulses for science and industry
The shorter the pulse duration, the more precisely the laser tool operates. Ultra-short laser pulses of outstanding high average püower are opening the doors to new applications in high throughput materials processing. Thanks to the short pulse duration, thermal damage of the material being processed is minimized.
Optimal planning of solar power plants
The photovoltaics industry is booming, and the market for solar farms is growing quickly all over the world. Yet, the task of planning PV power plants to make them as effi cient as possible is far from trivial. Fraunhofer researchers, working with Siemens Energy Photovoltaics, have developed software that simplifi es conceptual design.
US phone subscribers hang up on contracts
(AP) -- U.S. consumers have had their fill of expensive, contract-based phone plans.
Thailand buys Chinese tablet computers for schools
Thailand on Thursday signed a multi-million dollar deal to buy hundreds of thousands of Chinese-made tablet computers for primary school children, an official statement said.
News Corp shares rise on doubled share buyback
(AP) -- Shares in Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. rose Thursday after the company posted upbeat quarterly results and doubled its commitment to buying back shares.
NY judge wants to hear victims in cyberbully case
(AP) -- A judge delayed the sentencing of an eyewear website operator who intimidated customers, saying he first wants to hear testimony from dozens of victims who reported they were threatened with violence, including murder and rape.
Samsung buys music-movie streaming firm mSpot
Samsung Electronics announced it is buying mSpot to take advantage of the Silicon Valley company's prowess at streaming music and films to smartphones or tablet computers.
Facebook opening online center for social "apps"
Facebook on Wednesday said it is opening an App Center for mini-programs that plug offerings such as Pinterest or Draw Something into the leading social network.
Cybersecurity experts begin investigation on self-adapting computer network that defends itself against hackers
(Phys.org) -- In the online struggle for network security, Kansas State University cybersecurity experts are adding an ally to the security force: the computer network itself.
The quick and easy way to measure power consumption
The ambitious goals set by the German government to promote energy efficiency have put pressure on companies to change their energy-use policies. But the sustainable management of energy resources and the associated energy-saving measures can only be implemented if users have a reliable means of quantifying their power consumption. A novel sensor enables them to do just that, and thereby comply with the new government regulations. The new metering device will be presented at the Sensor+Test 2012 trade fair in Nuremberg from 22 to 24 May.
Mini-projector for smartphones
Their very small displays sometimes make smartphones diffi cult to operate. In the future, a projector will help: if the cell phone is standing on a table, for instance, it can project a large-format display onto the table surface. The user will have the option of operating the smartphone via the projection function or from the display screen itself.
Floating robots use GPS-enabled smartphones to track water flow
(Phys.org) -- A fleet of 100 floating robots took a trip down the Sacramento River today (Wednesday, May 9) in a field test organized by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley. The smartphone-equipped floating robots demonstrated the next generation of water monitoring technology, promising to transform the way government agencies monitor one of the state’s most precious resources.
Navigating the shopping center
With a GPS receiver in your smartphone, you can navigate your way over highways and streets with certainty. But once you get inside a building, it provides no further assistance. That’s why Fraunhofer researchers, together with the Bosch Corporation and other partners, have engineered a navigation system for interior spaces. Thanks to a clever combination of sensors, the module tracks the movements and position of its user in precise detail. At the Sensor+Test trade fair in Nuremberg from May 22-24, 2012, researchers will deliver a live demonstration of how this new interior-space navigation operates.
Foxconn building Shanghai HQ, aims at China market
(AP) -- Foxconn Technology Group, the world's biggest assembler of consumer electronics, began work Thursday on a Shanghai headquarters that it says will help spearhead its efforts to sell more in the China market.
Sony reports record annual loss
(AP) -- Sony Corp. racked up a record annual loss of 457 billion yen ($5.7 billion) in its fourth straight year of red ink as the once-glorious maker of the Walkman and PlayStation struggles toward a turnaround under a new president.
Dutch court: service providers block Pirate Bay
(AP) -- A court in The Hague, Netherlands has ordered Internet providers to block the The Pirate Bay website or face large fines, a ruling that means accessing the Swedish-born site directly will soon be impossible for most Dutch consumers.
Ubisoft assembling Avengers for game
(AP) -- Now that they've saved the world on film, "The Avengers" are teaming up for a motion-control video game.
Teenage 'spokesman' for hackers Team Poison arrested in UK
British police said Thursday they had arrested a 17-year-old suspected spokesman for Team Poison, a hacking group that has claimed responsibility for a series of high-profile cyber-attacks.
Amazon conjures rights to borrow Harry Potter ebooks
Amazon said Thursday it has signed a deal for the electronic books rights to all seven Harry Potter titles English, French, Italian, German and Spanish for its Kindle lending library.
With Apple in, Dow would have set record long ago
(AP) -- Apple is the world's most valuable company. The Dow Jones industrial average is probably the world's best-known stock index. So don't they deserve each other?
Coconuts, wind and sun to power Pacific nations
Tiny Pacific nations which are most at threat from rising seas have vowed to dump diesel and other dirty expensive fuels blamed for causing global warming and replace them with clean sources.
Electric-powered van to make trans-Africa trip
An electric-powered van launched a trip Thursday to cross eastern and southern Africa, in an expedition designed to showcase the endurance of the vehicles and promote green energy use.
EU caps smartphone roaming prices to fight 'rip-offs'
Europeans will pay less roaming charges when using their smartphones or tablets across EU borders from July 1 under new price caps adopted Thursday to end exorbitant bills for consumers.
US science group says it's time to start burying plutonium
(Phys.org) -- As researchers the world over continue to try to find a way to meet the energy needs of an over populated planet, negative consequences for choices already made continue to pile up. Global warming that appears likely caused by the burning of fossil fuels is one, dealing with radioactive waste from nuclear power plants (and the decommissioning of atomic weapons) is another, perhaps more solvable problem. Because of that, a team of scientists from the United States has published a commentary piece in the science journal Nature, declaring that the time has come for ceasing discussions about what to do with plutonium waste and to simply find suitable places for it and bury it.
Bing to duel Google with Facebook-friendly format
Microsoft's Bing search engine is heading in a new direction as it drills deeper into Facebook's social network and Twitter's messaging service to showcase information unlikely to be found on Google.
To DDR3: Thanks for the memory but time for DDR4
(Phys.org) -- Micron Technology is polishing up its DDR4 memory modules, “sampling” the modules and getting feedback from major customers. The company plans to reach volume production later this year. In brief, Micron is getting ready to bring its DDR4 DRAM modules for market This means the computer industry can expect a new memory standard to make a difference across a range of computing devices, from enterprise computing to so called ultra-thins and tablets. Boise Idaho based Micron this week announced the first piece of its portfolio of DDR4-based modules as the 4-gigabit (Gb) DDR4 x8 part. The announcement said the complete portfolio of DDR4-based modules will include RDIMMs, LRDIMMs, 3DS, SODIMMs and UDIMMs (standard and ECC).
Researchers develop disposable paper-based touch pads
(Phys.org) -- Today, electronic touch pads are widely found on laptops, tablets, and other computing devices. Less common uses, but gaining in popularity, are book covers and food labels. These and other low-tech applications become possible as touch pads become extremely inexpensive, with applications ranging from beer bottle labels to disposable medical device labels. Now a team of researchers from the US and France have developed paper-based electronic touch pads that cost just 25 cents per square meter, a price at which touch pads can simply be thrown away when no longer needed.
Medicine & Health news
UK health system not designed to cope with rising numbers of people with multiple health problems
New research published Online First in The Lancet shows that having several medical conditions is not just a feature of old age. Most patients with two or more conditions are actually under 65. Health systems in the UK and other developed countries were not devised to deal with this scenario and must be radically changed to cope.
Disparities in treatment of children in the emergency department based on their insurance status
In 2009, children with public insurance were three times more likely and children with no insurance were eleven time more likely not to have a primary care physician, compared with children with private insurance. Without a primary care physician, the Emergency Department (ED) often becomes the primary point of contact for treatments and diagnoses. A new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics reports that children with private, public, and no insurance may receive differing levels of treatment in EDs.
Stem cell sparing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer may avoid salivary gland damage
Barcelona, Spain: Researchers believe they may have found a way to avoid damaging salivary glands during radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer – a discovery that could improve the quality of life of 500,000 patients a year worldwide with the disease.
Targeted gene therapy offers relief from pain and inflammation
Chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million Americans and costs $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity.
India probes charges of violations by drugs regulator
India's Health Ministry said Thursday it was examining charges that the government's top drug regulatory agency had colluded with pharmaceutical firms to approve drugs without proper clinical trials.
H&M 'sorry' for using deeply tanned swimwear model
Swedish cheap-and-chic fashion giant H&M on Thursday apologised over a swimwear campaign featuring a deeply tanned model that sparked outrage among cancer groups.
Safer sex work spaces reduce violence and HIV risks for street-involved women
Safer indoor sex work spaces provide important and potentially life-saving benefits to sex workers including reduced exposure to violence and HIV and improved relationships with police, according to a study published by the Gender and Sexual Health Initiative of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
3-D image guided brachytherapy helps avoid hysterectomies for cervical cancer patients
Barcelona, Spain: Delivering radiotherapy directly to cancer of the cervix using 3-D imaging techniques is effective at controlling the return and spread of the disease and, in most cases, avoids the need for hysterectomies, according to research presented at the World Congress of Brachytherapy today.
HPV-positive throat cancer patients respond better to radiotherapy alone than HPV-negative patients
Barcelona, Spain: New findings from a large Danish database of cancer patients suggest that, even though the human papilloma virus (HPV) can trigger throat cancer, patients who are HPV-positive and are light smokers, or don't smoke at all, have a good response to treatment using radiotherapy alone, without the addition of chemotherapy with its consequent toxic side-effects.
Could the ways animals regenerate hair and feathers lead to clues to restore human fingers and toes?
This summer's action film, "The Amazing Spider-Man," is another match-up between the superhero and his nemesis the Lizard. Moviegoers and comic book fans alike will recall that the villain, AKA Dr. Curt Connors, was a surgeon who, after losing an arm, experimented with cell generation and reptilian DNA and was eventually able to grow back his missing limb. The latest issue of the journal Physiology contains a review article that looks at possible routes that unlock cellular regeneration in general, and the principles by which hair and feathers regenerate themselves in particular. The authors apply what is currently known about regenerative biology to the emerging field of regenerative medicine, which is being transformed from fantasy to reality.
GERD-related inflammation may contribute to esophageal cancer risk
Inflammation might be an important factor in the progression from reflux to esophageal cancer, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Quality variations exist, even among leading health systems
Five leading health systems are changing aspects of how they perform total knee replacements, as a result of data they collected that showed variations in length of stay, length of operating room time, and in-hospital complications. The voluntary testing of clinical measures and processes they identified as potential "best practices" is a step toward their goal of higher quality care, at lower cost.
Screening for esophageal disease with unsedated transnasal endoscopy is safe and feasible
Researchers report that unsedated transnasal endoscopy is a feasible, safe, and well-tolerated method to screen for esophageal disease in a primary care population. This study is the largest reported experience with transnasal endoscopy in the United States. The study appears in the May issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Smoking ban reduced maternal smoking and preterm birth risk
A citywide ban on public smoking in Colorado led to significant decreases in maternal smoking and preterm births, providing the first evidence in the U.S. that such interventions can impact maternal and fetal health, according to an article in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Journal of Women's Health website.
Establishing a threshold for surgery in recurrent acute rhinosinusitis
A study in the May 2012 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery suggests a threshold for when to choose surgery over medical therapy for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) based on the patients' lost productivity in response to RARS and each treatment strategy.
Can social media solve the US healthcare crisis?
The creation of a social media videoconferencing platform geared towards healthcare might pave the way for enhanced use of social media in the world of healthcare according to a study published this month in the International Journal of Electronic Finance.
Heart attack patients taken to PCI hospitals first treated faster
Heart attack patients in North Carolina who were rushed directly to hospitals equipped to do percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) received treatment significantly faster than patients first taken to hospitals unequipped to perform PCI and then later transferred for treatment, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2012 Scientific Sessions.
Researchers describe a new target for developing anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral therapies
Researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), led by Jorge L. Martínez-Torrecuadrada from the Proteomics Unit, have demonstrated that the antibody-based blocking of ephrinB2, a protein involved in angiogenesis and lymphoangiogenesis, may represent an effective strategy for the development of antiangiogenic and antitumoural therapies.
Romanian baby born with stunted intestines dies
(AP) -- A Romanian baby born with virtually no intestines who confounded doctors by tenaciously clinging to life and captured international attention and offers of medical help, died on Thursday. He was nine months old.
What you need to know about sunburns and tanning
(AP) -- Roughly half of young adults under 30 say they've had a sunburn in the past year. Not a big deal?
Home telemonitoring by pharmacists helps control patients' blood pressure
Patients receiving telemonitoring along with high blood pressure management support from a pharmacist were more likely to lower their blood pressure than those not receiving extra support, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2012.
Immune drug doesn't help kids with hard-to-treat kidney disorder
The drug rituximab, an antibody that targets the immune system and is often used to treat immune disorders such as lymphoma and arthritis, has recently emerged as a potential treatment for a childhood kidney disorder known as idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). While the cause of INS is not fully known, it is believed to be an immune disorder. Unfortunately, rituximab does not appear to benefit children who have INS that is resistant to standard treatments, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of new study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Systemic sclerosis complications more severe in African Americans than Caucasians
African Americans have more severe complications from systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, than Caucasians. Findings published today in, Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), show that compared with Caucasians, African-American patients were more likely to have antibodies that increased frequency and severity of pulmonary fibrosis, which is associated with decreased survival.
Speedier treatment and better outcomes for high volume stroke centers
Treatment is faster and outcomes are better at stroke centres dealing with a high volume of patients, finds research published online in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.
Drawing test can predict subsequent stroke death in older men
A simple drawing test can predict the long-term risk of dying after a first stroke among older men, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Angioplasty may be risky for those with poor leg circulation
(HealthDay) -- People with peripheral artery disease have an increased short- and long-term risk of death after undergoing a procedure to open clogged heart arteries, a new study finds.
New drug shows promise for myeloma patients
(HealthDay) -- Three new studies confirm that the drug lenalidomide can significantly lengthen the time that people with multiple myeloma experience no worsening of their disease, either after having a stem cell transplant or getting chemotherapy.
Testosterone-fuelled infantile males might be a product of Mom's behaviour
By comparing the testosterone levels of five-month old pairs of twins, both identical and non-identical, University of Montreal researchers were able to establish that testosterone levels in infancy are not inherited genetically but rather determined by environmental factors.
Pot belly boosts risk of sudden cardiac death: study
(HealthDay) -- A "spare tire" around the midsection raises the odds of sudden cardiac death in obese people, a new study finds.
Statins may help prevent irregular heartbeat in elderly
(HealthDay) -- The widely used class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins may help elderly patients with high blood pressure avoid developing atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm abnormality tied to stroke.
Long-term use of osteoporosis medication may reduce bone fracture risk for some patients
(Medical Xpress) -- Continuing a popular but controversial treatment for osteoporosis could reduce spine fracture risk for a particular group of patients, but others could see little to no change if they discontinue it. Based on available evidence, a UCSF researcher reevaluated his 2006 finding from a randomized 10-year study of alendronate, a type of bisphosphonate – a class of drugs that prevent loss of bone mass.
Study exposes secret world of porn addiction
(Medical Xpress) -- A major study from the University of Sydney has shed light on the secret world of excessive porn viewing and the devastating effect it has on users and their families.
Mathematical model unlocks key to brain wiring
(Medical Xpress) -- A new mathematical model predicting how nerve fibres make connections during brain development could aid understanding of how some cognitive disorders occur.
Blood test could show women at risk of Postnatal Depression
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers at Warwick Medical School have discovered a way of identifying which women are most at risk of postnatal depression (PND) by checking for specific genetic variants. The findings could lead to the development of a simple, accurate blood test which checks for the likelihood of developing the condition.
Think global, act local: New roles for protein synthesis at synapses
(Medical Xpress) -- How do we build a memory in the brain? It is well known that for animals (and humans) new proteins are needed to establish long-term memories. During learning information is stored at the synapses, the junctions connecting nerve cells. Synapses also require new proteins in order to show changes in their strength (synaptic plasticity). Historically, scientists have focused on the cell body as the place where the required proteins are synthesized. However, in recent years there has been increasing focus on the dendrites and axons (the compartments that meet to form synapses) as a potential site for protein synthesis.
Researcher finds method behind magic
(Medical Xpress) -- A magician will have the upper hand because he knows how his trick works. But, according to Jay Olson, the magician might not know why.
Migraines, strokes may be linked to childhood adversity
(Medical Xpress) -- Migraines, strokes and other inflammatory diseases suffered by some adult women may be linked to adverse experiences that occurred during childhood, says a new study co-authored by a Ball State University researcher.
Cancer-causing skin damage is done when young
With high UV levels continuing in Queensland this autumn, young people are at risk of suffering the worst skin damage they will receive during their lifetime, research from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has found.
Study identifies key cellular mechanisms behind the onset of tinnitus
Researchers in the University of Leicester's Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology have identified a cellular mechanism that could underlie the development of tinnitus following exposure to loud noises. The discovery could lead to novel tinnitus treatments, and investigations into potential drugs to prevent tinnitus are currently underway.
Researchers identify genetic mutation causing rare form of spinal muscular atrophy
Scientists have confirmed that mutations of a gene are responsible for some cases of a rare, inherited disease that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness: spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance, also known as SMA-LED.
Researchers develop new animal model for one of the least understood medical issues: ADHD
To better understand the cause of ADHD and to identify methods to prevent and treat it, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center have developed a new form of specially bred mouse that mimics the condition.
Improved survival rates for mitral valve heart surgery patients
Patients with mitral regurgitation, a type of valvular heart disease common in the elderly, are living longer after surgery, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Gifts of the MAGI in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
These findings are not about the classic story of gift-giving, although the MAGI genes (officially named membrane associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain containing proteins) do influence brain function in important ways.
Novel imaging could better identify patients who would benefit from implantable cardiac defibrillator
New research from the University at Buffalo suggests that cardiologists may have a new way to identify patients who are at the highest risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and the most likely to benefit from receiving an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD).
Discovery of a gene that causes Joubert Syndrome
C5ORF42 was identified as the gene that causes Joubert Syndrome in a number of families in the Lower St. Lawrence region of Quebec where the causal gene had remained unknown since the initial description of the syndrome in 1969. This is what a study in the April issue of The American Journal of Human Genetics reveals. The study was conducted by researchers from the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and the Centre of Excellence in Neuromics of Université de Montréal (CENUM).
Hospitals performing expensive heart procedures are more costly for all patients
Hospitals that perform expensive, invasive cardiovascular procedures on a disproportionate number of patients are more costly for all heart failure patients, including those treated with noninvasive methods, according to a new Yale study.
US health advisors mull AIDS prevention pill (Update)
US health advisors are poised to decide Thursday on whether to recommend the drug, Truvada, as the first preventive pill against AIDS instead of just a treatment for infected people.
CDC: Half of young adults get sunburned
(AP) -- Half of U.S. adults under 30 say they have had a sunburn at least once in the past year, a government survey found - a sign young people aren't heeding the warnings about skin cancer.
Economic theory actually works in health care
A study of 7,424 privately insured colon cancer patients found that managed care presence in the market and hospital competition increased the likelihood laparoscopic surgery to treat colon cancer lowered costs, a national team of researchers led by a professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services reported in the journal Cancer, May 8, 2012.
Long-lived rodents have high levels of brain-protecting factor
The typical naked mole rat lives 25 to 30 years, during which it shows little decline in activity, bone health, reproductive capacity and cognitive ability. What is the secret to this East African rodent's long, healthy life?
Mechanistic discovery links psoriasis to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
The link between psoriasis and cardiovascular events has been observed for years, however the mechanics were unknown. For the first time, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers have discovered preclinical evidence demonstrating that the inflammatory skin disease leads to cardiovascular disease. Further, the research demonstrated that aggressive reversal of psoriasis reduces the cardiovascular risk as well. Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that appears as raised, inflamed, scaly red patches of skin and is often associated with intense itch. In the United States, it affects between two and a half to six million patients.
Discovery in cell signaling could help fight against melanoma
The human body does a great job of generating new cells to replace dead ones but it is not perfect. Cells need to communicate with or signal to each other to decide when to generate new cells. Communication or signaling errors in cells lead to uncontrolled cell growth and are the basis of many cancers.
ICU stays for worst asthma drop 74 percent, review finds
A review of 30 years of life-threatening asthma cases in a San Antonio intensive care unit found that annual ICU admissions for the condition have dropped 74 percent. The study, by UT Medicine San Antonio physicians who reviewed cases at University Hospital between 1980 and 2010, also showed intubation in the emergency department to help patients breathe did not result in longer hospital stays.
Helping Hands reaches out to patients with cerebral palsy
With the aid of multiple force sensors and a digital dinosaur, a team of Rice University seniors known as Helping Hands hopes to restore strength and flexibility to the hands and wrists of children with cerebral palsy.
RNA regulator of melanoma could be a new target for cancer therapy
Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, estimated by the National Cancer Institute to afflict more than 70,000 people in the United States annually and the incidence rate continues to rise. In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have identified a previously unknown non-coding RNA that plays an important role in the biology of melanoma, a finding that could lead to a new target for therapy.
Patients see benefits and risks to direct-to-consumer genetics tests
Patients see potential benefits from direct-to-consumer genetic testing, but are also concerned about how test results will be used, and generally are unwilling to pay more than $10 or $20 for them, according to focus groups conducted by researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Whooping cough epidemic declared in Wash. state
(AP) -- Washington state's worst outbreak of whooping cough in decades has prompted health officials to declare an epidemic, seek help from federal experts and urge residents to get vaccinated amid worry that cases of the highly contagious disease could spike much higher.
Strides made in diagnosing, treating lupus
(HealthDay) -- Sometimes it takes years for people to get diagnosed with lupus. That wasn't the case for Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana, who had so many of the classic systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms -- such as a butterfly-shaped rash on her face, a daily fever and achy joints -- that her doctor knew right away that the 23-year-old had the illness.
Lowest fused vertebral level linked to motion in scoliosis
(HealthDay) -- For postoperative patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), preservation of vertebral motion segments allows for greater distribution of functional motion, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of Spine.
Glycemic variability affects mood and quality of life
(HealthDay) -- Glycemic variability appears to be associated with lower quality of life and negative moods in women with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the March 30 issue of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.
FDA issues warning on controversial MS treatment
(HealthDay) -- Doctors and patients need to be aware of the potential risk of injuries and death associated with an experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis called liberation therapy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in an alert issued Thursday.
Gut bugs might influence child's odds for obesity
(HealthDay) -- Levels of certain gut bacteria and low protein intake may raise children's risk of being obese, new research suggests.
Clot-busting drug safe for stroke patients taking blood thinner
Acute ischemic stroke patients taking the blood thinner warfarin can be treated safely with the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2012.
Researchers use dual strategy to fight Type 1 diabetes
(Medical Xpress) -- University of Florida researchers teamed with colleagues at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., to devise a new combination therapy that reverses established Type 1 diabetes in mice.
Researchers move closer to delaying dementia
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at University of Queensland's Brain Institute are one step closer to developing new therapies for treating dementia.
Glial cells supply nerve fibres with energy-rich metabolic products
Around 100 billion neurons in the human brain enable us to think, feel and act. They transmit electrical impulses to remote parts of the brain and body via long nerve fibres known as axons. This communication requires enormous amounts of energy, which the neurons are thought to generate from sugar. Axons are closely associated with glial cells which, on the one hand, surround them with an electrically insulating myelin sheath and, on the other hand support their long-term function. Klaus Armin and his research group from the Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine in Göttingen have now discovered a possible mechanisms by which these glial cells in the brain can support their associated axons and keep them alive in the long term.
Researchers undertake massive study of gut bacteria differences between people in different countries
(Medical Xpress) -- One area of human biology that is still a major mystery is the nature of the relationship between microorganisms (microbiomes) that exist in the gut and the health of the human host. Crohn's disease, for example is believed to be due to a problem with this relationship. Complicating matters is the apparent dearth of information regarding differences in microbiomes between people who live in different parts of the world; knowledge that would greatly help scientists figure out the role of different gut microbes and how they either help or hurt people. To that end, a large international group of researchers, led by Jeffrey Gordon, has been obtaining fecal samples from people in three different countries and comparing the differences in their microbiomes. They have, as they describe in their paper published in Nature, found both similarities and differences between the groups.
Scientists identify protein that stimulates brown fat to burn calories
Scientists have identified a protein which regulates the activation of brown fat in both the brain and the body's tissues. Their research, which was conducted in mice, was published today, Friday 11 May, in the journal Cell.
Evolution's gift may also be at the root of a form of autism
A recently evolved pattern of gene activity in the language and decision-making centers of the human brain is missing in a disorder associated with autism and learning disabilities, a new study by Yale University researchers shows.
Social jetlag is a real health hazard
Social jetlag -- a syndrome related to the mismatch between the body's internal clock and the realities of our daily schedules -- does more than make us sleepy. It is also contributing to the growing tide of obesity, according to a large-scale epidemiological study reported online on May 10 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.
Native digestive tract bacteria help fend off invaders, study finds
From tiny villages in developing nations to suburban kitchens in the United States, dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria sicken millions of people each year – and kill untold numbers of children.
Researchers capture major chemotherapeutic target in complex with DNA damage
A new study published in Science May 11 is shedding light on the molecular details of PARP-1, a DNA damage-detecting enzyme that when inhibited has been shown to be effective in fighting cancer and other diseases.
Century-long protein hunt ends with chance discovery on bone biology
(Medical Xpress) -- In 1883, Swedish chemist Olof Hammarsten discovered that milk proteins called caseins contain not just the known building blocks of proteins, but also the chemical phosphate. It was the first hint that phosphates – which are now considered critical regulators of protein function -- are tacked onto proteins. Today, scientists know that enzymes called kinases can control protein function by attaching phosphates to proteins produced inside cells. Hundreds of kinases have been discovered and characterized, but the kinase that phosphorylates casein was never pinned down—until now.
Biology news
Dog attack kills 27 penguins at Australia's Cat Bay
Environmental officers in Australia were Thursday investigating the death of 27 penguins they believe were killed by a dog or a pack of dogs, ironically at Cat Bay.
New tool to battle illegal trade in animals
Though the illegal trade in rare or endangered plants and animals is estimated to be worth billions of dollar, efforts to combat such wildlife crime are spotty at best. In many nations where the trade is most lucrative, there is little money to devote to enforcement, and punishments border on nonexistent.
Worrying numbers of 'short-nosed' dog owners do not believe their pets to have breathing problems
Owners of certain popular “short-nosed” dog breeds, including Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and French Bulldogs, are unknowingly putting their pets’ welfare at risk and not seeking essential treatment because they consider their pets’ signs of breathing difficulties to be ‘normal’ for that breed – so reveals a new study from the Royal Veterinary College, published on Thursday 10 May 2012 by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) in their journal Animal Welfare. Other affected breeds in the study included the Boston Terrier, Dogue de Bordeaux, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and short-nosed crossbreeds.
Legume lessons: Reducing fertilizer use through beneficial microbe reactions
Janine Sherrier, professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware, is part of a team that has been awarded $6.8 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the legume Medicago truncatula.
New 'Map of Life' project aims to show distribution of all animals, plants on planet
A research team involving Yale University and the University of Colorado Boulder has developed a first public demonstration version of its "Map of Life," an ambitious Web-based endeavor designed to show the distribution of all living plants and animals on the planet.
Evolution may explain 'Runner's high,' study says
(HealthDay) -- The pleasurable feeling known as "runner's high" that's triggered by aerobic exercise may have played a role in the evolution of humans' ability to run long distances, a new study suggests.
Researchers map fish species at risk from dams
Dams are believed to be one of the biggest threats to freshwater organisms worldwide: They disrupt normal patterns of water and sediment flow, impede migration, and alter the character of spawning and feeding grounds. A shortage of data has until now prevented a thorough global assessment of the threat dams pose to fish species, but a study described in the June issue of BioScience attempts just that.
New approach to 'spell checking' gene sequences
(Phys.org) -- A PhD student from CSIRO and the University of Queensland has found a better way to 'spell check' gene sequences and help biologists better understand the natural world.
Research reveals novel transport mechanism for large ribonucleoproteins
The movement of genetic materials, such as RNA and ribosomes, from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is a critical component in a cell's ability to make the proteins necessary for essential biological functions. Until now, it was believed the nuclear pore complex was the sole pathway between the cell nucleus and cytoplasm for these materials. New evidence published in Cell by Vivian Budnik, PhD, Melissa J. Moore, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, reveals a novel budding mechanism, similar to the process used by some viruses, capable of exporting large ribonucleoprotein particles from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
New research on seaweeds shows it takes more than being flexible to survive crashing waves
Seaweeds are important foundational species that are vital both as food and habitat to many aquatic and terrestrial shore organisms. Yet seaweeds that cling to rocky shores are continually at risk of being broken or dislodged from their holds by crashing waves with large hydrodynamic forces. So how do such seaweeds survive in intertidal zones? Do they have special properties that make them extremely flexible or particularly strong?
Five-limbed brittle stars move bilaterally, like people
It appears that the brittle star, the humble, five-limbed dragnet of the seabed, moves very similarly to us.
Green fuel is possible with artificial ecosystems
For algae to power our cars and planes, production needs to be low carbon and cost effective, which means working with natural processes, not against them, say scientists.
Chimpanzee uses innovative foresighted methods to fool humans
Chimpanzee Santino achieved international fame in 2009 for his habit of gathering stones and manufacturing concrete projectiles to throw at zoo visitors. A new study shows that Santino's innovativeness when he plans his stone-throwing is greater than researchers have previously observed. He not only gathers stones and manufactures projectiles in advance; he also finds innovative ways of fooling the visitors. The study, which was carried out at Lund University, has been published in PLoS One.
Researchers use light to switch on gene expression
Imagine being able to control genetic expression by flipping a light switch. Researchers at North Carolina State University are using light-activated molecules to turn gene expression on and off. Their method enables greater precision when studying gene function, and could lead to targeted therapies for diseases like cancer.
Enzyme corrects more than one million faults in DNA replication
Scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) at the University of Edinburgh have discovered an enzyme that corrects the most common mistake in mammalian DNA.
Neighboring chimp communities have their own nut-cracking styles
People don't always do as their neighbors do, and the same is true of neighboring chimpanzees. That's according to a report published online on May 10 in Current Biology featuring observations of wild chimps as they used hammers to crack nuts.
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