Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 8, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Two stopped light pulses interact with each other- Quantum dots brighten the future of lighting
- Spitzer sees the light of alien 'super earth'
- Excel programming for nonprogrammers
- Researchers develop technique to keep cool high-power semiconductor devices used in wireless applications, electric cars
- Toyota unveils 'first all-electric SUV'
- Geologists map prehistoric climate changes in Canada's Yukon Territory
- US probing cyber attacks on gas pipelines (Update)
- A new accelerator to study steps on the path to fusion
- NASA researchers search for meteorite fragments in a zeppelin
- Research on ancient ballgame reveals more about early Mesoamerican society
- Life scientists unlock mystery of how 'handedness' arises
- Is a new form of life really so alien?
- Psychologists reveal how emotion can shut down high-level mental processes without our knowledge
- Block its recycling system, and cancer kicks the can: study
Space & Earth news
Image: Dream Chaser buffet wind tunnel model
(Phys.org) -- The Dream Chaser model with its Atlas V launch vehicle is undergoing final preparations at the Aerospace Composite Model Development Section's workshop for buffet tests at the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at NASA Langley. The scale model is being tested as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Development program to regain the American capability to launch astronauts safely to the International Space Station. The lifting body reusable spacecraft would carry as many as seven astronauts to the space station. Sierra Nevada Space Systems is developing the craft under a Space Act Agreement with NASA.
Another dam project approved for Patagonia: official
An environmental review commission Tuesday approved construction of another hydroelectric project in Chile's remote and pristine Patagonia region, an officials said.
Norway boasts world's largest carbon dioxide capture lab
Norway on Monday inaugurated what it called the world's largest laboratory for capturing carbon dioxide, a leading strategy for fighting global warming.
Take a peek inside Curiosity's shell
Take a look around Curiosity’s cozy cabin! Ok, there’s really not much to see (she didn’t get a window seat) but when the image above was taken by the rover’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera on April 20, the spacecraft she’s tucked into was just over 120 million km (74 million miles) from Earth, en route to Mars. In other words, just past those blurry components and outside that dark shell is real outer space… that’s cool!
Earth has less water than you think
If you were to take all of the water on Earth — all of the fresh water, sea water, ground water, water vapor and water inside our bodies — take all of it and somehow collect it into a single, giant sphere of liquid, how big do you think it would be?
Weed-eating fish 'help protect jobs, livelihoods'
Jobs, livelihoods and ecotourism industries can benefit from having a diverse supply of weed-eating fish on the world's coral reefs, marine researchers say.
Space weather expert has ominous forecast
A stream of highly charged particles from the sun is headed straight toward Earth, threatening to plunge cities around the world into darkness and bring the global economy screeching to a halt.
Canada won't attain greenhouse gas goals: government
Canada will fail to reach its target for reducing greenhouse gases by 2020, according to a government report which predicted that emissions responsible for global warming will actually increase by seven percent over that time.
Support for climate change action drops, poll finds
Americans' support for government action on global warming remains high but has dropped during the past two years, according to a new survey by Stanford researchers in collaboration with Ipsos Public Affairs. Political rhetoric and cooler-than-average weather appear to have influenced the shift, but economics doesn't appear to have played a role.
TDRS-4 mission complete; spacecraft retired from active service
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 4 (TDRS-4) recently completed almost 23 years of operations support and successfully completed end-of-mission de-orbit and decommissioning activities. TDRS-4's operational life span was well beyond its original 10-year design.
Groundwater pumping leads to sea level rise, cancels out effect of dams: study
As people pump groundwater for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial uses, the water doesn't just seep back into the ground – it also evaporates into the atmosphere, or runs off into rivers and canals, eventually emptying into the world's oceans. This water adds up, and a new study calculates that by 2050, groundwater pumping will cause a global sea level rise of about 0.8 millimeters per year.
Geologists map prehistoric climate changes in Canada's Yukon Territory
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have joined an international group of scientists to study past climate changes in the Arctic. Comprising geologists from Pitt's Department of Geology and Planetary Science, the team has analyzed sedimentary and geochemical records of water-level changes in Rantin Lake, located in the boreal forest of Canada's southeastern Yukon Territory. The results were published online in the April issue of Journal of Paleolimnology as one of 18 articles dedicated to reconstructing Arctic lake sediments climate and environmental changes during the Holocene (about 12,000 years before present day).
NASA researchers search for meteorite fragments in a zeppelin
It's not every day that NASA descends on your backyard, hunting for clues to extraterrestrial life.
Spitzer sees the light of alien 'super earth'
(Phys.org) -- NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected light emanating from a "super-Earth" planet beyond our solar system for the first time. While the planet is not habitable, the detection is a historic step toward the eventual search for signs of life on other planets.
Technology news
Creating energy from light and air
Researchers from the University are studying how to make electricity from electrodes coated in bacteria, and other living cells, using light or hydrogen as the fuel.
Can automated deep natural-language analysis unlock the power of inference?
Much of the operationally-relevant information relied on in support of DoD missions may be implicit rather than explicitly expressed, and in many cases, information is deliberately obfuscated and important activities and objects are only indirectly referenced.
Freescale introduces 64-bit quad-core QorIQ P5040 processor for power-sensitive control plane applications
Freescale Semiconductor introduces two 64-bit, multicore QorIQ P5 family control plane processors delivering 2.4 GHz of single threaded performance per core. The new quad-core QorIQ P5040 and dual-core P5021 products feature a robust mix of accelerators, high-speed interfaces and security features, resulting in advanced embedded solutions ideally suited for power-conscious control plane applications.
Liberia to get high-speed internet by October
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said late Monday the west African nation will get high-speed internet from October, as it connects to a fibre optic cable running along the west African coast.
AT&T looking to introduce family data plans
(AP) -- The head of AT&T's wireless business says he's looking to introduce plans that share a data allowance among family members, similar to the way it sells family calling plans.
Huffington Post expands Canada editions
The AOL-owned Huffington Post news website said Tuesday it would expand its Canadian operations with regionally focused editions for Alberta and British Columbia.
Liberty to boost stake in Sirius XM to 45 pct
(AP) -- Billionaire John Malone's Liberty Media Corp. said Tuesday that it will spend $650 million to increase its effective control of satellite radio company Sirius XM Radio Inc. to 45.2 percent.
Yahoo CEO apologizes for bogus college degree
(AP) -- Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson is sorry for allowing an inaccuracy about his education to appear in his official bio, but not remorseful enough to heed calls for him to resign.
US, China to cooperate more on cyber threat
(AP) -- Asserting that cyberattacks against the U.S. don't come only from China, the U.S. and Chinese defense ministers said they agreed Monday to work together on cyber issues to avoid miscalculations that could lead to future crises.
T-Mobile picks Ericsson, Nokia Siemens for network
(AP) -- T-Mobile USA on Tuesday said that Nokia Siemens Networks and LM Ericsson AB will supply the network equipment for its new wireless broadband network, a project worth $4 billion.
Facebook buys mobile discovery startup Glancee
Mere weeks from a multi-billion-dollar debut on the stock market, Facebook has ramped up its focus on mobile lifestyles with the purchase of "social discovery" startup Glancee.
Google+ rolls out 'Hangouts On Air' worldwide
Google began letting members of its social network worldwide broadcast "hangouts" live to Internet titan's growing online community.
Zynga sues French startup over "Ville" game
Zynga is out to strip "Ville" from the name of a social game made by French firm Kobojo on the grounds it piggybacks on a line of its titles including "CityVille" and "FarmVille."
Harnessing natural light, indoors
(Phys.org) -- Using the most recent generation windows, architects and lighting designers can to control daylight, directing it where they want within a room. An EPFL laboratory has developed a simulation tool to make access to this technology more widely available.
Jury deadlocks on key issue in Google-Oracle trial
A federal jury failed to agree on a pivotal issue in Oracle's copyright-infringement case against Google, blunting the impact of its finding that Google relied on another company's technology to build its popular Android software for mobile devices.
Privacy law expert warns of the perils of social reading
The Internet and social media have opened up new vistas for people to share preferences in films, books and music. Services such as Spotify and the Washington Post Social Reader already integrate reading and listening into social networks, providing what Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls “frictionless sharing.”
For ASU student group, good bikes do grow on trees
(Phys.org) -- Imagine being unable to attend work or school, simply because mobility and rugged terrain prohibits you from leaving your front door. A student group, BooGood Bicycles, is seeking to find an end this problem by providing sustainable hand-cycles to disabled individuals living in Africa.
Computer scientists develop an interactive field guide app for birders
A team of researchers led by computer scientist Serge Belongie at the University of California, San Diego, has good news for birders: they have developed an iPad app that will identify most North American birds, with a little help from a human user.
WatchESPN comes to Comcast's video customers
(AP) -- WatchESPN, the online and mobile version of Disney's popular sports TV network, was activated Tuesday for most of Comcast's 22 million video subscribers.
Cellphone trade show kicks off in New Orleans
(AP) -- CTIA Wireless, the U.S. cellphone phone industry's annual trade show that starts Tuesday, is drawing heavy participation not just from the cellphone industry, but from MasterCard, Visa, and other companies in the business of moving money around.
US drivers see texting risks but still do it: survey
Most young US drivers believe that texting and phone use at the wheel is dangerous, but many do it anyway, a survey showed Tuesday.
DirecTV 1Q profit rises, but US subscribers down
(AP) -- DirecTV Inc. said Tuesday that its first-quarter net income rose 8.5 percent, driven by subscriber growth in Latin America. But the number of subscribers added in the U.S. declined.
Struggling RIM announces new executive hires
(AP) -- BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has hired two new senior executives as it faces its most difficult period in its history.
FTC seeking $52.6M for alleged bogus phone charges
(AP) -- Federal regulators are seeking $52.6 million from a billing company that they accuse of adding unauthorized charges to consumers' phone bills.
ICANN offers refunds to domain name applicants
(AP) -- The organization behind a major expansion of Internet address suffixes is offering full refunds to companies and organizations affected by a weeks-long delay in taking proposals.
Report: Yahoo director on hot seat to leave board (Update)
(AP) -- A Yahoo director who didn't challenge an inaccuracy in CEO Scott Thompson's academic record will step down from the troubled Internet company's board, according to a report published Tuesday.
Hobbs, NM, picked as site of scientific ghost town
(AP) -- Gov. Susana Martinez and a group of investors announced Tuesday that a city in the heart of southeastern New Mexico's oil and gas country will be the site of a new $1 billion scientific ghost town where researchers will be able to test everything from renewable energy innovations to intelligent traffic systems and next-generation wireless networks.
New ONR program aims to develop solid-state laser weapons for ships (w/ Video)
To help Sailors defeat small boat threats and aerial targets without using bullets, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) wants to develop a solid-state laser weapon prototype that will demonstrate multi-mission capabilities aboard a Navy ship, officials announced May 8.
Microsoft vows to go carbon neutral
Microsoft on Tuesday vowed it would be carbon neutral in the fiscal year starting July.
Zynga goes real time with arcade-style game
Facebook games star Zynga is launching an old-school, arcade-style title that will be free at its new website or at the world's biggest social network.
The challenge of making consumers buy electric vehicles
The electric car might not be enjoying a good moment. General Motors Corp. stopped production for five weeks on the Chevy Volt, and sales of new all-electric cars such as the Volt and the Nissan Leaf are dismal. It's further evidence that transitioning American drivers to electric vehicles (EV) is simply a hard sell.
Chevy Spark: A mighty tiny car
Growth has long been Detroit's mantra, but now the industry is surviving by thinking small. I'm writing this from Germany, where gasoline costs $7 or $8 a gallon (you thought $4 was high!) and a Jetta is a big car. More typical of what's going on in Berlin these days is the launch of a fleet of 1,000 Car2Go Smart share cars - the largest concentration in the world.
California, US to bank millions in taxes on Facebook IPO
California has a friend who's about to write a hefty personal check that could help ease the state budget crunch.
Twitter challenges US subpoena seeking user data
Twitter is challenging a court order to turn over to law enforcement data on one of its users involved in Occupy Wall Street in a case described by a civil liberties group as a major test of online freedom of speech.
Myspace settles privacy probe with FTC
(AP) -- Myspace, the once mighty social network, settled a privacy investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and agreed to submit to privacy audits over the next 20 years.
Interpol says organised gangs behind internet crime boom
Interpol president Khoo Boon Hui said on Tuesday that organised international gangs are behind most internet scams and that cyber crime's estimated cost is more than that of cocaine, heroin and marijuana trafficking put together.
PHP Group to try again to fix vulnerability
(Phys.org) -- The PHP group, under fire for prematurely pushing out a patch to fix a recently uncovered vulnerability in the language, says it is working on another patch to fix the problem as web site owners scramble to ensure the integrity of their sites. Fortunately, as dire as that sounds, few sites appear to be at risk because the vulnerability only exists for those running in Common Gateway Interface (CGI) mode.
Novel battery system could reduce buildings' electric bills
The CUNY Energy Institute, which has been developing innovative low-cost batteries that are safe, non-toxic, and reliable with fast discharge rates and high energy densities, announced that it has built an operating prototype zinc anode battery system. The Institute said large-scale commercialization of the battery would start later this year.
Toyota unveils 'first all-electric SUV'
Toyota unveiled Monday what it says is the first all-electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) on the market, a version of its popular RAV4 with a top range of 100 miles and minimum six-hour charge time.
US probing cyber attacks on gas pipelines (Update)
A series of cyber attacks has been targeting US natural gas pipeline operators, officials acknowledged Tuesday, raising concerns among security experts about vulnerabilities in key infrastructure.
Excel programming for nonprogrammers
Microsoft’s Visual Basic programming language lets Excel users customize their spreadsheets in all kinds of time-saving ways, but few people take advantage of it. Although designed to be intuitive and easy to use, Visual Basic can still be daunting to users with no previous programming experience.
Medicine & Health news
Millennium Villages project shows coordinated efforts can accelerate progress towards MDGs and beyond
The Millennium Villages Project aims to co-ordinate improvements across multiple sectors in health, agriculture, the environment, business, education, and infrastructure in villages in sub-Saharan Africa. New research published Online First by The Lancet shows that, three years after implementation, mortality in children aged under 5 years in Millennium Villages has fallen by a third compared with matched control sites, showing that accelerated progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is possible with improvements across a range of sectors. The research is by Professor Jeffrey D Sachs and Dr Paul M Pronyk, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA, and colleagues.
Everything's on table in fight against obesity
(AP) -- In the battle against obesity, just about everything is on the table, from creating healthier kids' meals to nagging people to exercise.
Less sleep may be answer to beating bedtime blues
(Medical Xpress) -- Restricting the amount of time a child spends in bed could lower levels of sleep-related stress and anxiety, a Flinders University researcher believes.
Researchers set out to profile the nip, tuck, travel phenomenon
(Medical Xpress) -- An estimated 50 Australians a month are travelling to Malaysia for cosmetic surgery and researchers would like to know more about them as part of ground-breaking international study of the phenomenon of cosmetic surgery tourism.
Cutting calories before cutting in surgery
Dietary restriction has already been shown to extend the lives of laboratory animals, but recent research suggests the beneficial effects of eating less may extend to improved recovery from surgery and better resistance to disease.
Targeting ovarian cancer: Researcher finds disparities in access to the top-quality care that boosts survival
Dr. Robert Bristow believes a decidedly low-tech approach could significantly enhance the survival rate for ovarian cancer, even though it’s the deadliest women’s reproductive cancer, claiming 15,000 lives each year; it has no reliable screening or prevention methods; and its research funding is about one-sixth the amount for breast cancer.
Hi-tech prostheses: Personalized movement pattern recognition helps with control
Surgeons can now, thanks to bionic reconstructions, change the anatomy of patients so that high-tech prostheses can now replace the lost function of limbs very effectively. The control of these prostheses, which is currently linear, may soon be improved even further: with pattern recognition. In collaboration with Ottobock, this method is currently being tested and developed at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Functions, which is being opened today (8th May) and which is being headed up by Oskar Aszmann from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Department of Surgery at the MedUni Vienna, part of Vienna General Hospital.
Internet and new drugs: A challenge for public health
A group of researchers from the IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute) and from the INAD (Hospital del Mar Neuropsychiatry and Addictions Institute) has participated in an international study aiming to give a general overview at a chemical, pharmacological and behavioural level of a recently appeared new chemical compound, according to the Recreational Drugs European Network, as a new abused drug: methoxetamine (MXE).
Creating a new weapon in the fight against malaria
Over 200 million people contract malaria each year, and according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 655,000 people died from malaria in 2010.
Are women with a history of violent experiences more likely to have risky sex?
Women who have experienced multiple forms of violence, from witnessing neighborhood crimes to being abused themselves, are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, according to a new report in the Psychology of Violence.
New advances in treating inherited retinal diseases highlighted in Human Gene Therapy
Gene therapy strategies to prevent and treat inherited diseases of the retina that can cause blindness have progressed rapidly. Positive results in animal models of human retinal disease continue to emerge, as reported in several articles published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The articles are available free on the Human Gene Therapy website at http://www.liebertpub.com/hum.
Palliative care resource helps ease changes
An interactive toolkit created by a team from the University of Alberta helps palliative care patients and their care providers to deal with the physical, emotional and relationship changes that come with terminal and chronic illnesses.
Major overhaul of US life urged to cure obesity: experts (Update)
Two-thirds of American adults are too fat, and a major overhaul of US policies -- from schools to restaurants to urban planning -- is needed to stem the epidemic, medical experts said Tuesday.
ACCF, SCAI publish new standards defining best practices for modern cardiac cath labs
Modern cardiac catheterization laboratories bear scant resemblance to the cath labs of a decade ago. An updated consensus statement released today offers physicians guidance on how to excel in this new diagnostic and therapeutic milieu, with specific recommendations on setting up, operating and maintaining the highest standards of quality in a contemporary cardiac catheterization laboratory.
Two Cell Transplantation studies impact dental stem cell research for therapeutic purposes
Two studies appearing in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:11-12), now freely available online, evaluate stem cells derived from dental tissues for characteristics that may make them therapeutically useful and appropriate for transplantation purposes.
Improving African justice systems essential to prevent spread of HIV and TB in prisons
In order to reduce HIV and TB in African prisons, African governments and international health donors should fund criminal justice reforms, experts from Human Rights Watch say in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Negative view of foreign aid for health is based on flawed analysis: experts
The evidence underlying the current widely-held view that foreign aid for health in a recipient country leads to a displacement or diversion of government funds from that country's health sector is unreliable and should not be used to guide policy, according to experts writing in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Sequencing works in clinical setting to help -- finally -- get a diagnosis
Advanced high-speed gene-sequencing has been used in the clinical setting to find diagnoses for seven children out of a dozen who were experiencing developmental delays and congenital abnormalities for mysterious reasons.
Long commutes may be hazardous to health
As populations move even further away from urban centers, more people spend longer hours behind the wheel on their way to and from work. While sedentary behavior is known to have adverse effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health, the impact of long commutes by automobile are less understood. A new study has found that greater commuting distances are associated with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), increased weight, and other indicators of metabolic risk. The results are published in the June issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
H1N1 discovery paves way for universal flu vaccine: research
University of British Columbia researchers have found a potential way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations.
Medical tourism sets pulses racing
From liposuction in Athens to an eye operation in Dubai, the lucrative market in medical tourism is on the up, tempting ever more countries to look for ways to profit from foreign patient care.
Screening for intimate partner violence proves beneficial
(HealthDay) -- Screening instruments can be used in the health care setting to accurately identify women who are experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), with minimal adverse effects, according to a review published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Getting a grip on memories
(Medical Xpress) -- Having a fat head may not be a bad thing, according to new findings at The Johns Hopkins University. As reported in the February 9 issue of Neuron, Hopkins researchers have made a significant discovery as to how adding fat molecules to proteins can influence the brain circuitry controlling cognitive function, including learning and memory.
Exploring cancer with computers
(Medical Xpress) -- Computers can be used to identify cancer treatment targets that wouldn't otherwise have been considered, according to research by an Australian team.
Killer T-cells found to counter obesity-related diabetes
(Medical Xpress) -- For years, researchers have known that obesity, type 2 diabetes and low-level inflammation are linked, but how they are connected has not been well understood.
'You're gonna need a bigger quote!': What makes movie lines memorable
(Medical Xpress) -- Whether it's a line from a movie, an advertising slogan or a politician's catchphrase, some statements take hold in people's minds better than others. By applying computer analysis to a database of movie scripts, Cornell researchers have found some clues to what makes a line memorable.
Boys who mature rapidly have more depression
(Medical Xpress) -- Boys who reach sexual maturity more rapidly than their peers have more problems getting along with others their age and are at a higher risk for depression, according to a Cornell study published in Developmental Psychology (47:2).
Fewer suicides after antidepressive treatment for schizophrenia
(Medical Xpress) -- Antidepressive drugs reduce the mortality rate of schizophrenic patients, while treatment with bensodiazepines greatly increases it, especially as regards suicide. Giving several antipsychotics simultaneously, however, seems to have no effect at all. This according to a new study examining different drug combinations administered to patients with schizophrenia.
Fewer toxic toys and textiles in EU stores
Europe last year saw its first drop in the number of toxic toys and skin-irritating textiles stacked on its supermarket shelves, more than half of them made in China, the EU said Tuesday.
Park improvements lead to increased vigorous exercise, not just greater use
A new study suggests that refurbishing neighborhood parks may lead to improvements in community health. Increased visitors and higher rates of exercise were observed for more than one year when one community park provided new and varied amenities.
Researchers 'switch off' neurodegeneration in mice
Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester have identified a major pathway leading to brain cell death in mice with neurodegenerative disease. The team was able to block the pathway, preventing brain cell death and increasing survival in the mice.
Pregnant women taking risks with asthma medication
(Medical Xpress) -- Pregnant women are exposing themselves and their unborn babies to unnecessary risk by stopping their asthma medication without consulting their doctor.
Report: Schools key to fighting America's obesity
(AP) -- Schools should be a cornerstone of the nation's obesity battle, but to trim Americans' waistlines, changes are needed everywhere people live, work, play and learn, a major new report says.
Half of U.S. counties have no ob-gyn: study
(HealthDay) -- Nearly half of the counties in the United States lack a single obstetrician-gynecologist, a situation that may worsen as medical school graduates gravitate toward metropolitan areas, a new study indicates.
Could eating fast increase diabetes risk?
(HealthDay) -- Eating too quickly may raise your risk of diabetes, a small, preliminary study suggests.
Computer-based screening may reduce teen substance abuse
(HealthDay) -- A computer-facilitated screening and provider brief advice (cSBA) system for primary care can increase adolescent receipt of substance use screening across a variety of practice settings, according to a study published online May 7 in Pediatrics.
Psychiatric medication effects on brain structure
It is increasingly recognized that chronic psychotropic drug treatment may lead to structural remodeling of the brain. Indeed, clinical studies in humans present an intriguing picture: antipsychotics, used for the treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis, may contribute to cortical gray matter loss in patients, whereas lithium, used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania, may preserve gray matter in patients.
College men find steroids for better game less ethical than stimulants for better grades, study says
In the eyes of young college men, it's more unethical to use steroids to get an edge in sports than it is to use prescription stimulants to enhance one's grades, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Americans fall short of federal exercise recommendations
Americans spend, on average, only about two hours each week participating in sports and fitness activities, according to researchers at Penn State and the University of Maryland who examined U.S. government data from the American Time Use Study.
Niger is worst place to be mother: study
The African nation of Niger has ousted Afghanistan as the worst place in the world to be a mother, largely due to hunger, according to an annual report out Tuesday by Save the Children.
Flavonoid compound found in foods and supplements shown to prevent the formation of blood clots
A compound called rutin, commonly found in fruits and vegetables and sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.
Heart patients with a distressed personality reported worse health
People with a distressed (Type D) personality reported worse health than other patients after having devices implanted to ensure proper heart rhythm, according to new research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
Study finds a better method for diagnosing kidney disease
Assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using kidney filtration markers in blood is the standard means for determining kidney function, diagnosing kidney disease and measuring its progression. A higher filtration rate indicates healthy kidney function, while a lower rate points to various stages of kidney disease. A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the new CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR is a better predicator of risk for kidney disease and death compared to the most widely used method. The findings suggest that switching to the CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR could focus efforts more efficiently, and improve assessment of patient future risk and treatment of kidney disease. The study is published in the May 9 edition of JAMA.
Physical activity linked to reduced mortality in breast and colon cancer patients
Physical activity is associated with reduced breast and colon cancer mortality, but there is insufficient evidence on the association for other cancer types, according to a study published May 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Study shows link between pre-pregnancy obesity and lower test scores
Women who are obese before they become pregnant are at higher risk of having children with lower cognitive function - as measured by math and reading tests taken between ages 5 to 7 years - than are mothers with a healthy prepregnancy weight, new research suggests.
Erectile dysfunction drug may benefit cardiac function in young patients with heart defects
Sildenafil, also known as the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, may give a boost to underdeveloped hearts in children and young adults with congenital heart defects. Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report that sildenafil significantly improved echocardiographic measures of heart function in children and young adult survivors of single ventricle heart disease palliation.
Female and younger athletes take longer to overcome concussions
New research out of Michigan State University reveals female athletes and younger athletes take longer to recover from concussions, findings that call for physicians and athletic trainers to take sex and age into account when dealing with the injury.
British woman makes marathon history in bionic suit
A paralysed British woman became the first person to complete a marathon in a bionic suit as she crossed the finishing line in London on Tuesday 16 days after the race began.
Oxygen treatment beneficial in diabetes-prone mice
(HealthDay) -- Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of a preclinical diabetes mouse model reduces the incidence of diabetes and preserves insulin-producing β-cells, according to a study published online May 7 in Diabetes.
ACOG: Abdominoplasty plus hysterectomy deemed safe
(HealthDay) -- Data from a case series of 65 patients indicate that combining abdominoplasty and hysterectomy is safe and effective, according to a study presented at the annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, held from May 5 to 9 in San Diego.
ACOG: Perinatal mortality higher in out-of-hospital births
(HealthDay) -- The incidence of perinatal mortality appears to be higher in out-of-hospital births, according to a study conducted in Oregon and presented at the annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, held from May 5 to 9 in San Diego.
Home birth poses danger for higher-risk pregnancies: study
(HealthDay) -- A five-year study of home births in Oregon found an elevated rate of deaths among babies that had to be transferred to the hospital because something went wrong during the delivery.
FDA review favors first drug for HIV prevention (Update)
(AP) -- A pill that has long been used to treat HIV has moved one step closer to becoming the first drug approved to prevent healthy people from becoming infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
Regulatory immune cell diversity tempers autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis
Untangling the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis has been a difficult task for immunologists, as decades of research has pointed to multiple culprits in our immune system, with contradictory lines of evidence. Now, researchers at The Wistar Institute announce that it takes a diverse array of regulatory T cells (a specialized subset of white blood cells) to prevent the immune system from generating the tissue-specific inflammation that is a hallmark of the disease. Regulatory T cell diversity, the researchers say, provides a cumulative protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis. When that diversity is not present, it allows the immune system to attack joints.
Unique physiology key to diagnosing and treating diabetes in Asian populations
As the diabetes epidemic spreads worldwide, there is growing concern for Asian American populations, who are nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Compounding the problem, many of the standard ways to detect diabetes fail in people of Asian descent.
Canada teen discovers tree pulp has anti-aging benefits (Update)
A Singapore-born teenager who recently moved to Canada won a national science award Tuesday for her groundbreaking work on the anti-aging properties of tree pulp, officials said.
Debate flares over assisted suicide
Doreen Dunn had lived in pain for a decade by the time she killed herself in May 2007.
Good health keeps wealth in old age
Ruth H. Clark of Pompano Beach, Fla., is a 95-year-old aerobic wonder, working out seven days a week.
Probiotics associated with reduced risk of diarrhea from antibiotic use: study
Consumption of probiotics (live microorganisms, which may occur naturally in foods such as yogurt, intended to confer a health benefit when consumed) is associated with a reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, a common adverse effect of antibiotic use, according to a review and meta-analysis of previous studies published in the May 9 issue of JAMA.
Risk of stroke greater for women than men among older patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
In a study that examined use of the anticoagulant medication warfarin and risk of stroke following a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in older patients, women, especially those 75 years or older, had a higher risk of stroke than men, regardless of their risk profile and use of warfarin, suggesting that current anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke might not be sufficient for older women, according to a study in the May 9 issue of JAMA.
Discovery may lead to targeted heart disease treatments
University of Guelph researchers have found the location and effect of abnormal heart proteins that can cause cardiac failure, a discovery that points to potential new ways to treat the most costly health problem in the world.
Fall in deaths involving painkiller co-proxamol after drug withdrawn in UK
During the six years following the withdrawal of the analgesic co-proxamol in the UK in 2005, there was a major reduction in poisoning deaths involving this drug, without apparent significant increase in deaths involving other analgesics. These are the findings of a study by Keith Hawton of the University of Oxford, UK and colleagues and published in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Income inequality leads to more US deaths, study finds
A new study provides the best evidence to date that higher levels of income inequality in the United States actually lead to more deaths in the country over a period of years.
Study shows how cannabis use during adolescence affects brain regions associated with schizophrenia
New research from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) published in Nature’s Neuropsychopharmacology has shown physical changes to exist in specific brain areas implicated in schizophrenia following the use of cannabis during adolescence. The research has shown how cannabis use during adolescence can interact with a gene, called the COMT gene, to cause physical changes in the brain.
FlexLeg wants to put injured back in action (w/ Video)
A company called FlexLeg has a motto -- "mobility redefined" -- that may just as well say “crutches redefined.” The three-person team at FlexLeg is offering a hands-free device to serve as a substitute for crutches for those with temporary lower leg injuries, such as a broken ankle. The company’s seeing-is-believing videos show a person with a lower-leg injury wearing FlexLeg and running down a corridor, making it down a flight of stairs, and navigating different terrains, from smooth surfaces to bumpy walkways.
Scientists find that chromosomal abnormalities are associated with aging and cancer
(Medical Xpress) -- Two new studies have found that large structural abnormalities in chromosomes, some of which have been associated with increased risk of cancer, can be detected in a small fraction of people without a prior history of cancer. The studies found that these alterations in chromosomes appear to increase with age, particularly after the age of 50, and may be associated with an increased risk for cancer. These studies were conducted by two consortia, one led by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and one by Gene Environment Association Studies (GENEVA) which is sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). NCI and NHGRI are both parts of the National Institutes of Health. The results of the studies were published online May 6, 2012, in Nature Genetics.
Block its recycling system, and cancer kicks the can: study
All cells have the ability to recycle unwanted or damaged proteins and reuse the building blocks as food. But cancer cells have ramped up the system, called autophagy, and rely on it to escape damage in the face of chemotherapy and other treatments. Now, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine; the Abramson Cancer Center; and the School of Arts and Sciences, at the University of Pennsylvania, have developed a potent new drug that clogs up the recycling machinery and kills tumor cells in mouse models.
Psychologists reveal how emotion can shut down high-level mental processes without our knowledge
Psychologists at Bangor University believe that they have glimpsed for the first time, a process that takes place deep within our unconscious brain, where primal reactions interact with higher mental processes. Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, they identify a reaction to negative language inputs which shuts down unconscious processing.
Biology news
Researchers plan to double biofuel yield from a non-food oil seed crop
One of the most promising avenues for reducing our national dependence on imported oil, lowering greenhouse gases and boosting domestic fuel production is biofuel from non-food plant seed oils. Recently, a University of Massachusetts Amherst team started a $2 million project to develop Camelina, a non-food oil seed crop related to canola, to dramatically increase seed oil generation for processing into sustainable liquid transportation fuels.
Greenhouse workers showcase soil and light
(Phys.org) -- Light and dirt can make all the difference when it comes to growing plants, stress scientists at the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES). Yet many researchers fail to consider these factors when they develop their studies, says greenhouse manager Andy Leed.
Seed sorting tech promises value for farmers and processors
(Phys.org) -- A seed sorting technology currently being tested at the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) in North Battleford promises to create value for farmers, deliver consistent product to processors, and protect export markets.
Exeter biologist rediscovers 'forgotten' 19th century illustrations
A unique collection of nineteenth century visual teaching aids belonging to the University of Exeter has been rediscovered after more than six decades.
New research reveals challenges in genetically engineered crop regulatory process
A new innovation can completely reshape an industry-- inspiring both optimism and debate. The development of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the 1980's ignited a buzz in the agricultural community with the potential for higher crop yields and better nutritional content, along with the reduction of herbicide and pesticide use. GE crops grew to play a significant role in the U.S., with more than 160 million acres of farmland used to produce GE crops in 2011. However, the development of new GE crops has recently slowed to a trickle due to litigation over field testing and deregulation. University of Minnesota researchers Esther McGinnis, Alan Smith, and Mary Meyer set out to determine the cause of these litigation lulls responsible for slowing GE progress in the U.S.
Endangered wolves at NY preserve produce 8 pups
(AP) -- Eight rare Mexican wolf pups have been born at a preserve in the New York City suburbs, a development that could aid the federal program that has reintroduced the endangered species to the wild.
Vietnam 'cancer-cure' horn habit threat to world rhinos
For desperate Vietnamese cancer patients ground rhinoceros horn is seen as an elixir of life -- a medically unproven and illegal obsession that threatens the very survival of the world's wild rhinos.
Breeder works to reduce aluminum toxicity in rice
(Phys.org) -- As rice farmers around the world begin to turn from wet paddies to dry fields in an attempt to conserve water and mitigate climate change, they are facing a new foe: aluminum.
Steelhead trout lose out when water is low in wine country
(Phys.org) -- The competition between farmers and fish for precious water in California is intensifying in wine country, suggests a new study by biologists at the University of California, Berkeley.
Beetle-fungus disease threatens crops and landscape trees in Southern California
(Phys.org) -- A plant pathologist at the University of California, Riverside has identified a fungus that has been linked to the branch dieback and general decline of several backyard avocado and landscape trees in residential neighborhoods of Los Angeles County.
The Auburn Tiger trapdoor spider: New species discovered from college town backyard
Researchers at Auburn University have reported the discovery a new trapdoor spider species from a well-developed housing subdivision in the heart of the city of Auburn, Alabama. Myrmekiaphila tigris, affectionately referred to as the Auburn Tiger Trapdoor spider, is named in honor of Auburn University's costumed Tiger mascot, Aubie.
Conservationists' dilemma as threatened jaguar develops taste for endangered turtle
(Phys.org) -- How do you protect two species facing extinction when one begins to prey heavily on the other?
Camera trap video offers rare glimpse of world's rarest gorilla (w/ Video)
Conservationists working in Cameroon's Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary have collected the first camera trap video footage of the Cross River gorilla. With fewer than 250 individuals remaining, Cross River gorillas are the world's rarest gorilla and a notoriously elusive species rarely observed directly by field researchers.
Plants disappear as a result of climate changes: study
Climate changes mean that species are disappearing from European mountain regions. This is shown by new research involving biologists from the University of Gothenburg, the results of which are now being publishing in the journals Nature and Science.
Alarm as Peru pelican and dolphin deaths rise
Peru's northern beaches have been declared off-limits as scientists scramble to pin down what is causing the mysterious deaths of thousands of birds and dolphins.
Men can rest easy -- sex chromosomes are here to stay
Fears that sex-linked chromosomes, such as the male Y chromosome, are doomed to extinction have been refuted in a new genetic study which examines the sex chromosomes of chickens.
Is a new form of life really so alien?
The idea of discovering a new form of life has not only excited astronomers and astrobiologists for decades, but also the wider public. The notion that we are the only example of a successful life form in the galaxy has, for many, seemed like an unlikely statistic, as we discover more and more habitable planetary bodies and hear yet more evidence of life's ability to survive in extreme conditions. A new essay, published May 8 in the online, open-access journal PLoS Biology, examines what really constitutes 'life' and the probability of discovering new life forms.
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