Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for July 2, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Quantum levitation could prevent nano systems from crashing together- Red Crucifix sighting in 774 may have been supernova
- Astronomers shed new light on explosive solar activity
- Nanoscientists suggest use of vacuums to overcome limits of conventional silicon-based semiconductor electronics
- Tevatron scientists announce their final results on the Higgs particle
- Display team creates texture-changing bubble screen (w/ Video)
- Naked mole rat may hold the secret to long life
- Hidden portals in Earth's magnetic field
- Higher energies for laser-accelerated particles possible
- Hormone discovered that preserves insulin production and beta cell function in diabetes
- Surprising culprit behind chemo resistance in rare cancer
- In real time, scientists watch stem cells at work regenerating tissue
- Opposites attract: Researcher reports milestone in fuel cell membrane research
- Galaxy harbors many star-snacking black holes
- Google touts economic impact in US of ad efforts
Space & Earth news
Australia brings in contentious carbon tax
Australia on Sunday introduced a controversial carbon tax in a bid to tackle climate change, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard hailing the move amid opposition warnings it will stifle industry.
Cool reception for Australia's climate tax: poll
Australia's new carbon tax received a cool reception in a poll Monday, showing Prime Minister Julia Gillard's mechanism to tackle climate change is unpopular and her government on track to lose office.
Orion test flight: A look at SLS hardware, integration
(Phys.org) -- When NASA conducts its first test launch of the Orion spacecraft in 2014, the crew module's designers will record invaluable data about its performance -- from launch and flight, to re-entry and landing.
TRMM sees post-season South Pacific Tropical Cyclone 21P
The South Pacific hurricane Tropical Depression season normally ends in April but Tropical Depression 21P has developed in the South Pacific Ocean between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from "System 91P," a low pressure area. NASA's TRMM Satellite passed over Tropical Depression 21P and captured rainfall dates and cloud heights.
Scientists to produce first 3-D models of Arctic sea ice
Scientists working with Greenpeace will undertake an expedition to the Arctic that will produce the first 3D models of the Arctic sea ice, the group said on Friday.
India's monsoon seen picking up in July
India's crucial monsoon rains should pick up in July after a slow start over vast swathes of the country, which has threatened crops from rice to sugar, forecasters said.
China set to launch bigger space programme
China will deploy bigger spacecraft for longer missions following the success of its Shenzhou-9 voyage, allowing it to build a manned space station and potentially put a man on the moon, experts said.
Underwater jetpacks with Neemo
(Phys.org) -- ESA astronaut Tim Peake and his Neemo crewmates resurfaced last week after spending 12 days underwater off Florida’s Atlantic coast. The aquanauts tested equipment and techniques for future space exploration as well as finding time for educational experiments.
SUMI rocket to study the Sun's magnetic fields
(Phys.org) -- On July 5, NASA will launch a sounding rocket mission called the Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation or SUMI, to study the intricate, constantly changing magnetic fields on the sun in a hard-to-observe area of the sun's low atmosphere called the chromosphere.
NASA's 'Webb-Cam' has double vision for MIRI's arrival
(Phys.org) -- NASA's special "Webb-cam," the camera in a giant clean room at NASA Goddard, now has "double vision," because there are two video cameras now focusing on what's happening with the very first completed instrument that will fly onboard the James Webb Space Telescope. Recently, there's been a lot to look at because the MIRI instrument arrived at Goddard from the United Kingdom.
Today in the Milky Way: Cloudy skies
(Phys.org) -- Adam Block of the UA's Mount Lemmon SkyCenter brings us a rare view of the clouds wafting through our Milky Way in this Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Soyuz spacecraft lands safely in Kazakhstan
A Soyuz space capsule carrying a three-man multinational crew touched down safely Sunday on the southern steppes of Kazakhstan, bringing an end to their 193-day mission to the International Space Station.
Hubble sees a vapor of stars
(Phys.org) -- Relatively few galaxies possess the sweeping, luminous spiral arms or brightly glowing center of our home galaxy the Milky Way. In fact, most of the Universe's galaxies look like small, amorphous clouds of vapor. One of these galaxies is DDO 82, captured here in an image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Though tiny compared to the Milky Way, such dwarf galaxies still contain between a few million and a few billion stars.
Mass extinctions reset the long-term pace of evolution
A new study indicates that mass extinctions affect the pace of evolution, not just in the immediate aftermath of catastrophe, but for millions of years to follow. The study's authors, University of Chicago's Andrew Z. Krug and David Jablonski, will publish their findings in the August issue of the journal Geology.
Galaxy harbors many star-snacking black holes
(Phys.org) -- Astronomers have found evidence of hundreds of black holes in a galaxy 250 million light years away. The discovery, made with a worldwide network of radio telescopes, gives scientists a new way to find out how black holes are created.
Multiple proxy datasets can clarify ancient climate regimes
(Phys.org) -- Tree ring and oxygen isotope data from the U.S. Pacific Northwest do not provide the same information on past precipitation, but rather than causing a problem, the differing results are a good thing, according to a team of geologists.
Scientists study how water condenses to form clouds
Researchers at the University of Bristol with collaborators from ETH-Zurich have shown that the rate of condensation of water on organic aerosol particles in the atmosphere can be very slow, taking many hours for a particle to change in size. This could have significant consequences for understanding how clouds are formed, affecting climate.
War-related climate change would substantially reduce crop yields
Though worries about "nuclear winter" have faded since the end of the Cold War, existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons still hold the potential for devastating global impacts.
Red Crucifix sighting in 774 may have been supernova
(Phys.org) -- A supernova may have actually been the mysterious "Red Crucifix" in the sky that is cited in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle for the year 774. New correspondence between a university student and Nature carries interesting observations that astronomers could be looking at a previously unrecognized supernova. Historical texts like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle have made reference to astronomical events before and a sighting in 774 told of a red crucifix in the sky in Britain during evening hours. Some say the sighting could have been what was the result of a supernova explosion.
Astronomers shed new light on explosive solar activity
The first images of an upward surge of the Sun's gases into quiescent coronal loops have been identified by an international team of scientists. The discovery is one more step towards understanding the origins of extreme space storms, which can destroy satellite communications and damage power grids on Earth.
Technology news
China blocks Xi searches after Bloomberg report
China blocked web searches on Saturday for the name of leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping, a day after cutting access to Bloomberg sites following the agency's publication of a report on his family's wealth.
Olympus loses case against pre-scandal whistleblower
Olympus has lost a court battle against an employee who blew the whistle on a dubious hire in a ruling that will further blemish the company's reputation in the wake of a major loss cover-up scandal.
Twitter sees new record during Euro 2012 final
(AP) — Twitter says its users fired off more than 15,000 tweets per second when Spain scored its fourth goal in Sunday's European Championship final, setting a sports-related record on the social networking site.
Denmark can triple its biomass production and improve the environment
The industry is interested in establishing a biorefinery sector in Denmark that can replace oil-based products with biofriendly materials, chemicals, energy and fuel. But this requires a larger biomass production than we are currently achieving. Scientists from University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University have published an extensive report that shows how we can increase the production of biomass by more than 200% in an environmentally friendly way.
Supercomputers give unprecedented processing power to business and academics
The UK's most powerful GPU-based supercomputer, "Emerald", will enter into service tomorrow, alongside the "Iridis 3" system.
See, feel, hear and control your environment, virtually
It’s not about how much information you have but what you can do with it that matters. This is the case for the deluge of data and information that abounds in today’s fast paced, information technology-dependent environment. A*STAR scientists have developed technologies that capture and analyse huge amounts of data to create systems that enhance urban living. These include technologies that track crowd behaviour, smart energy management systems, as well as advanced modeling techniques that simulate city microclimates or predict disease outbreaks.
RF components: High-performance multilayer band pass filter in 1005
TDK Corporation has developed a multilayer band pass filter in size 1005 that is significantly smaller than the existing 1608 types.
Princeton researchers working at forefront of 'exascale' supercomputing
Scientists at Princeton University are composing the complex codes designed to instruct a new class of powerful computers that will allow researchers to tackle problems that were previously too difficult to solve. These supercomputers, operating at a speed called the "exascale," will produce realistic simulations of dazzlingly complex phenomena in nature such as fusion reactions, earthquakes and climate change.
Sony to buy game streaming company Gaikai
(AP) — Sony is buying the video game-streaming company Gaikai for about $380 million in a bid to establish a new cloud-based gaming service.
Shell, BASF ordered to pay $500 mln in Brazil pollution case
A Brazilian judge has ordered oil giant Shell and chemical behemoth BASF to pay $500 million in compensation for hundreds of ex-workers suing for damages in a suspected plant contamination case, a judicial source said Monday.
Twitter told to give up Occupy protester's tweets
(AP) — Twitter must turn over about three months' worth of an Occupy Wall Street protester's tweets, a judge said Monday, in a case that has become a closely watched fight over law enforcement agencies' access to material posted on social networks.
Beats headphone maker buys MOG music service
(AP) — Upscale headphone maker Beats Electronics is buying MOG, a music subscription service that has struggled to compete with rivals such as Rhapsody and Spotify.
Wickr gives iPhone messages military-grade protection
Celebrity scandals fueled by leaked text messages or emailed images inspired a new application to give users of Apple gadgets uncrackable communications that can be made to self-destruct.
Some see Waterloo for troubled BlackBerry maker
BlackBerry maker Research in Motion is now in a struggle for survival after its latest quarterly report underscoring its deteriorating position against other smartphone makers, analysts say.
Samsung to fight block on US sales of Galaxy Nexus
South Korea's Samsung vowed Saturday to "take all available measures" to fight a US court's decision to block American sales of its Galaxy Nexus smartphones made in collaboration with Google.
Body scanner takes tailoring to the masses
Can a tailored suit help clinch that tricky deal at work? Get the girl? Or simply put a spring in your step? Absolutely, if you believe a year-old Paris firm that is using a 3D body scanner to bring made-to-measure to the masses.
Investors warm to Facebook after IPO flop
After a dire stock market debut, Facebook has clawed back a large chunk of its losses as investors look past the flubbed initial public offering and gradually warm to the leading social network.
Google urges governments to share disaster data
Google on Monday urged governments to get better at sharing information to allow citizens and first responders to make better use of the Internet during natural disasters.
Research paves the way for accurate manufacturing of complex parts for aerospace and car industries
Producing strong, lightweight and complex parts for car manufacturing and the aerospace industry is set to become cheaper and more accurate thanks to a new technique developed by engineers from the University of Exeter. The research team has developed a new method for making three-dimensional aluminium composite parts by mixing a combination of relatively inexpensive powders.
Dell wins bidding to buy Quest Software for $2.4B
(AP) — Dell is buying Quest Software for $2.4 billion to expand its offerings as its personal computer business weakens in an era of smartphones and sleeker devices like the iPad.
Micron Technology buying Elpida for about $750M
Memory-chip maker Micron Technology Inc. has agreed to buy Elpida Memory Inc. for approximately $750 million in cash in a deal that would boost its wafer manufacturing capacity by about 50 percent.
NICT, Fujitsu develop indoor guidance technology for the blind using ultra wide band positioning, smartphones
Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Fujitsu today announced their joint development of an indoor support system for the blind that uses ultra wide band (UWB) technology and a smartphone. The system is able to provide real-time positioning data, even indoors where GPS cannot be used, and provide audio instructions on the distance and direction to a destination to help guide the blind.
Google makes proposals to EU on competition concerns
Google said Monday it had made proposals to EU regulators who have threatened to impose huge fines unless the Internet search giant allays concerns it has abused its dominant market position.
A floating port for docking boats offshore (w/ Video)
Moorage space is becoming increasingly rare in the ports along Lake Geneva. An EPFL student is working on an alternative that provides additional mooring spots without overcrowding the lakefront.
Virtual plant planning, retrofitting and maintenance
Process plants have useful lives of thirty to fifty years, during which time they are routinely retrofitted. Virtual reality software simplifies and helps keep track of retrofit planning and testing. Fraunhofer researchers and BASF SE are jointly developing VR solutions for the plant life cycle.
Solar plane to take off for Spain on Tuesday
An experimental solar-powered plane, flying without using any fuel, will leave the Moroccan capital on Tuesday for Madrid on its return journey to its home port in Switzerland, organisers said.
Microsoft to take $6.2B charge for online ad biz
(AP) — Microsoft is absorbing a $6.2 billion charge to reflect its inability to produce more revenue from an online ad service that it bought nearly five years ago.
Android, Apple extend gains in smartphone market
The Google Android platform extended its lead in the US smartphone market while Apple increased its market share to nearly a third in March through May, a survey showed Monday.
UK study: Calls place modest fifth in phone time use
(Phys.org) -- Remember when a phone used to be a phone? Not a camera, restaurant finder, music player, social networking check-in, or mini game diversion? A new survey makes it official. Engaging in phone calls has fallen down into the Etcetera of features use category. According to a study of 2,000 smartphone users, the time spent talking on phone is just 12 minutes a day, out of the two hours a day spent using the phones. According to O2’s “All About You” report from the UK, just browsing the Internet is the most frequent activity on smartphones, accounting for 25 minutes a day. Checking and updating social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter consume 17 minutes against the frailer 12 minutes to talk in a phone call.
Apple wins block of Samsung smartphone sales in US
A judge granted Apple's request for an injunction blocking US sales of Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphones made in collaboration with Google to challenge the iPhone.
Japan opens solar energy parks
Japan opened several solar energy parks on Sunday as a new law came into force requiring companies to purchase renewable energy at a fixed price in a push for alternatives to nuclear power.
China court: Apple pays $60M to settle iPad case
Apple has paid $60 million to settle a dispute in China over ownership of the iPad name, a court announced Monday, removing a potential obstacle to sales of the popular tablet computer in the key Chinese market.
Google touts economic impact in US of ad efforts
Google said Monday its search and advertising operations generated $80 billion for 1.8 million US businesses in 2011.
'Leap second' wreaks Internet havoc
An adjustment of a mere second in the official global clock sent dozens of websites crashing in an incident reminiscent of the Y2K bug over a decade ago.
Geographers chart the 'next-generation digital Earth'
The world has gotten smaller and more accessible since applications like Google Earth became mainstream, says UC Santa Barbara Professor of Geography Michael Goodchild. However, there is still a long way to go, and there are important steps to take to get there. His perspective, shared with many co-authors around the world, has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in a paper titled, "Next-generation Digital Earth."
Display team creates texture-changing bubble screen (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- A team from three universities developed what they claim is the world’s thinnest screen from a bubble. They have figured out how to project images on soap film made of special properties and with a technique where images can run flat, textured, or even appear as if they were 3-D. They are using ultrasonic sound waves emitted from speakers to alter the surface. Also, they have found that by using a single projector, the texture of any image can be changed. An object such as a ball can be made to look smooth or rough. Their bubble is not the type of bubble waved away or popped by children at play.
Medicine & Health news
Spending on children's health rising faster than adults over past four years, says report
Spending on health care for children grew faster than spending for adults between 2007 and 2010 due to increasing prices for all categories of goods and services, finds a new report from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI). This rise in spending occurred despite a decline in number of commercially insured children and a drop in the use of costly health care services, such as hospital stays and brand-name drugs, says the Children's Health Care Spending Report: 2007-2010. This is the first such analysis to track changes in spending, prices, and use of health care services by children covered by private employer-sponsored health insurance.
Study answers Medicare concerns about paying for CT colonography
A new study of 1,400 Medicare-aged patients reinforces CT colonography as a screening tool for colon cancer, adding to the continued debate over Medicare coverage of the procedure.
Obamacare ruling restores faith in US Supreme Court
With Chief Justice John Roberts' decisive swing vote to uphold "Obamacare," the conservative-majority US Supreme Court has seen its reputation as an independent final arbiter restored, experts say.
Bride's new toilet points to social revolution in India
Spotlessly clean and decorated with plastic flowers and balloons for its opening ceremony, Priyanka Bharti's toilet is seen as a gleaming symbol of the empowerment of Indian women.
Bristol-Myers to buy diabetes drug maker for $5B
(AP) — Drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. says it agreed to buy diabetes drug maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals for about $5 billion in cash.
Six sigma techniques improve operating room patient flow
(HealthDay) -- Adoption of strategies such as Six Sigma methodology in hospital operating rooms (ORs) leads to improvements in patient flow and employee engagement, according to a study published in the July issue of the AORN Journal.
The world's number of IVF and ICSI babies has now reached a calculated total of 5 million
The number of babies born as a result of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) has reached an estimated total of 5 million since the world's first, Louise Brown, was born in July 1978. The figures will be presented this week at the 28th annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology), which begins today, 1st July, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Higher levels of public reimbursement positively influence national birth rates and reduce unmet needs in subfertile pop
The state funding of fertility treatment through public reimbursement policies has a direct influence on national birth rates. Lower levels of reimbursement are correlated with higher unmet needs for treatment, while more generous reimbursement policies increase access to treatment and may even make a measurable contribution to national birth rates.
Experts: Outdoor cooking, food safety important for July 4 celebrations
(Medical Xpress) -- On July 4th, many people will be firing up their grills and cooking food to eat outdoors, said Texas AgriLife Extension Service experts offering advice on both fire and food safety.
Philippines to vaccinate 700,000 babies
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said Monday the government would vaccinate 700,000 babies this year to protect them from a virus that causes diarrhoea, a killer disease ravaging poor communities.
Adults with learning disabilities at greater risk of sight problems
Adults with learning disabilities are ten times more likely to be blind or have impaired vision according to researchers from Lancaster University.
Safer radiologic imaging of otolaryngologic disease in children
Advances in diagnostic imaging have benefited children with otolaryngologic disease, allowing shorter hospital stays, fewer invasive procedures, more targeted surgical procedures, and earlier and more precise diagnoses. However, despite improved technology, concerns about exposure of children to ionizing radiation have recently come to the forefront, according to a commentary in the July 2012 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
Prostate cancer treatment regret is 52 percent higher in men with cardiovascular disease
Prostate cancer patients with cardiovascular disease were 52 per cent more likely to regret their treatment choices than men without problems with their heart or veins, according to a study published in the July issue of the urology journal BJUI International.
Electronic medical record improves physician compliance of reviewing portal images, study suggests
The use of an electronic medical record (EMR) for reviewing portal images dramatically improves compliance with timeliness and record keeping, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Portal images are used to verify the positioning of patients during daily radiation treatments to improve the accuracy of the radiation field placement, to reduce exposure to normal tissue and to deliver accurate dose to tumor volumes.
Aide says Romney thinks US health mandate not a tax
A top aide to White House hopeful Mitt Romney thrust a wrench Monday into the Republican attack line that President Barack Obama's individual health insurance mandate is a tax, arguing it's actually a penalty.
Genetic component to chronic back pain
(Medical Xpress) -- Why do some people recover quickly from lower back pain while others suffer for much longer periods? Genetics may play a role.
Cautions over rise in unbooked births
(Medical Xpress) -- The number of births that have occurred without medical assistance in Victoria have doubled over 17 years exposing more women and newborns to increased health risks, according to new research.
New solution to reduce medicine errors in elderly
(Medical Xpress) -- Many older people at high risk of medicine-related problems are not receiving medication reviews when referred to aged community care services, new research has found.
Doctors urge caution with July Fourth fireworks
The Fourth of July is a day of picnics, parades and celebrations, and nothing quite says Independence Day like fireworks. However, doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center urge caution with consumer fireworks and suggest leaving these displays to the experts.
The Medical Minute: Fireworks are beautiful but for professionals only
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you'll appreciate them much more this Independence Day and all summer knowing your family is safe. Fireworks can be fun to watch, but they can also be very dangerous. Don’t ever let kids play with fireworks or sparklers. If not handled properly, fireworks and sparklers can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home -- period. Attend public fireworks displays and watch the beauty, and leave the lighting to the professionals. Sparklers seem to be viewed as “the safest” but there are still many dangers. The following are safety tips for sparklers and fireworks:
Gene variant reduces cholesterol by two mechanisms
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increases the risk for coronary heart disease.
Generating dopamine via cell therapy for Parkinson's disease
In Parkinson's disease, the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the midbrain causes well-characterized motor symptoms. Though embryonic stem cells could potentially be used to replace dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Parkinson's disease patients, such cell therapy options must still overcome technical obstacles before the approach is ready for the clinic. Embryonic stem cell-based transplantation regimens carry a risk of introducing inappropriate cells or even cancer-prone cells.
ACP Immunization Advisor app makes it easier for doctors to identify vaccines for patients
The latest vaccine indications are available for doctors and other clinicians through the ACP Immunization Advisor app currently available for iPhone and iPad at http://immunization.acponline.org/app.
Imaging agents predict breast cancer response to endocrine therapy
Research published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows imaging progesterone receptor (PR) status also may be able to identify responders and nonresponders to endocrine therapy at an early stage. Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) status is an important factor in determining the most appropriate treatment for breast cancer patients, especially for those who are ERα+ and likely to respond well to hormone-based, or endocrine, therapies.
GlaxoSmithKline to pay $3 billion for health fraud
(AP) — GlaxoSmithKline LLC will pay $3 billion and plead guilty to promoting two popular drugs for unapproved uses and to failing to disclose important safety information on a third in the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history, the Justice Department said Monday.
S.Africa gripped by 'fear of missing out' epidemic: study
Two-thirds of South African teens and adults suffer from a "fear of missing out" on more interesting activities than what they're doing, a study by a pharmaceutical firm showed on Monday.
Direct primary closure feasible for lower lip reconstruction
(HealthDay) -- Direct primary closure without undermining is a reliable method of reconstructing vermilionectomy defects of the lower lip, according to research published online June 18 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Sleep deprivation effect on the immune system mirrors physical stress
Severe sleep loss jolts the immune system into action, reflecting the same type of immediate response shown during exposure to stress, a new study reports.
New marker, new target in Ewing's sarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma is a bone cancer commonly diagnosed in about 250 U.S. teenagers per year. If early chemotherapy is effective, improvement can be durable. But for children and teens who respond poorly to a first attempt at chemotherapy or if the disease spreads, long-term survival can be less than 10 percent.
Mississippi: Only state without abortion clinic?
(AP) — Mississippi soon could become the only U.S. state without an abortion clinic as a new law takes effect this weekend. Critics say it would force women in one of the country's poorest states to drive hours to obtain a constitutionally protected procedure or carry unwanted pregnancies to term.
Hep B screening urged before TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy
(HealthDay) -- All patients with psoriasis should be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody prior to the initiation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor therapy, according to research published online June 25 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) linked to abnormal stem cells
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that abnormal bone marrow stem cells drive the development of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), serious blood diseases that are common among the elderly and that can progress to acute leukemia. The findings could lead to targeted therapies against MDS and prevent MDS-related cancers. The study is published today in the online edition of the journal Blood.
Coffee consumption inversely associated with risk of most common form of skin cancer
Increasing the number of cups of caffeinated coffee you drink could lower your risk of developing the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, according to a study published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Chronic inflammation in the brain leads the way to Alzheimer's disease
Research published today in Biomed Central's open access journal Journal of Neuroinflammation suggests that chronic inflammation can predispose the brain to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis takes high toll in unemployment, early death
In the realm of deadly and disabling diseases, conditions such as cancer and Alzheimer's seem to attract the most media attention. But there are others that take a similarly high toll, and rheumatoid arthritis is one of them, Mayo Clinic researchers say. It is a common cause of disability: 1 of every 5 rheumatoid arthritis patients is unable to work two years after diagnosis, and within five years, that rises to one-third. Life expectancy drops by up to five years, they write in the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings in an article taking stock of current diagnosis and treatment approaches.
The prevention of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by PGD is 'feasible'
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the breast cancer genes BRCA1/2 is now feasible and established, with good success rates for those treated, according to investigators from the reproduction, oncology and genetics centres of the university hospitals of Maastricht and Brussels. The results follow a review of the largest number of PGD treatments for BRCA1/2 in Europe and were presented today at the annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) by Professor Willem Verpoest from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Childless women with fertility problems at higher risk of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders
While many small studies have shown a relationship between infertility and psychological distress, reporting a high prevalence of anxiety, mood disorders and depressive symptoms, few have studied the psychological effect of childlessness on a large population basis. Now, based on the largest cohort of women with fertility problems compiled to date, Danish investigators have shown that women who remained childless after their first investigation for infertility had more hospitalisations for psychiatric disorders than women who had at least one child following their investigation.
Viewing terrorist attacks on TV increases pain intensity: research
"Exposure to media coverage of terrorist missile attacks increases pain levels in people already suffering from chronic pain," according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.
Study examines role of seasonal prescribing changes in antibiotic resistance
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online shows how seasonal changes in outpatient antibiotic use – retail sales of antibiotics typically get a boost during the winter – can significantly alter seasonal patterns of drug resistance. The findings suggest that hospital campaigns to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use should be coordinated with efforts in the broader community if they are to be most effective.
Study shows spanking boosts odds of mental illness
People who were hit or spanked as children face higher odds of mental ailments as adults, including mood and anxiety disorders and problems with alcohol and drug abuse, researchers said Monday.
Early full-term babies may face later school woes
(AP) — Even for infants born full-term, a little more time in the womb may matter.
Study shows loss of control leads to paranormal beliefs
(Medical Xpress) -- People who felt a lack of control in their lives were more likely to believe in the claimed “psychic abilities” of a famous octopus, a University of Queensland (UQ) study has found.
Why cancer rate increases with age (it's not what you think)
Cancers are age-related, much more frequent in the old than in the young. A University of Colorado Cancer Center review published today in the journal Oncogene argues against the conventional wisdom that the accumulation of cancer-causing mutations leads to more cancer in older people, instead positing that it is the changing features of tissue in old age that promote higher cancer rates in the elderly.
Online depression fix has big impact
(Medical Xpress) -- Online depression therapy programs can have a positive impact on more than just depressive symptoms, a new study from The Australian National University reveals.
A better way to test new treatments? Approach could help patients and give useful results
A new approach to testing medical treatment options could ensure that more patients get the most beneficial treatment for them – but still yield valuable research results that stand up to scientific scrutiny.
Years before diagnosis, quality of life declines for Parkinson's disease patients
Growing evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease (PD) often starts with non-motor symptoms that precede diagnosis by several years. In the first study to examine patterns in the quality of life of Parkinson' disease patients prior to diagnosis, researchers have documented declines in physical and mental health, pain, and emotional health beginning several years before the onset of the disease and continuing thereafter. Their results are reported in the latest issue of Journal of Parkinson's Disease.
Measuring the uncertainties of pandemic influenza
A major collaboration between US research centers has highlighted three factors that could ultimately determine whether an outbreak of influenza becomes a serious epidemic that threatens national health. The research suggests that the numbers in current response plans could be out by a factor of two or more depending on the characteristics of the particular pandemic influenza.
Researchers find abuse during childhood may contribute to obesity in adulthood
Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center report research findings that may shed light on influences on obesity during adulthood. Appearing in the journal Pediatrics, the study found an association of severity of sexual and physical abuse during childhood and adolescence with obesity during adulthood.
Individual perspectives improve laparoscopy
What makes laparoscopic surgery "minimally invasive" — instruments enter the patient through narrow tubes — also makes it visually constraining. As they work on different tasks, surgeons all see the same view. What if each surgeon could control a separate view best suited to the specific task? In a new paper, pediatric surgeon Dr. Francois Luks and his team of co-authors at Brown University and Hasbro Children's Hospital report that in a small in vitro trial, surgeons with their own views performed faster and more accurately.
Electrical brain stimulation can alleviate swallowing disorders after stroke
After stroke, patients often suffer from dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that results in greater healthcare costs and higher rates of complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, and pneumonia. In a new study published in the July issue of Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, researchers have found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which applies weak electrical currents to the affected area of the brain, can enhance the outcome of swallowing therapy for post-stroke dysphagia.
Researchers find cutaneous human papillomavirus infection a risk factor for skin cancer
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues at the University of South Florida, the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, conducted a case control study and found associations between having antibodies to certain types of cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) and a kind of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
New technology helps patients suffering joint damage
Biomedical engineering researchers say better implantable sensors and cartilage-growing techniques are making engineered cartilage a clinical reality for patients suffering from joint damage.
APA task force recommends treatment guidelines and position statements on transgender persons
A report from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Task Force on Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) recommends the development of clinical practice guidelines for psychiatrists caring for patients who are transgender. The report also encourages the development of position statements regarding the health care and civil rights of people who are gender variant or transitioning gender. The task force report is available online in Springer's journal Archives of Sexual Behavior¹.
Research links educational status to obesity
(Medical Xpress) -- A study published online today by Melbourne researchers predicts almost half of Australian adults with low educational status will be obese by 2025.
Understanding multiple personality disorder
(Medical Xpress) -- New research from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry brings us closer to understanding the mechanisms behind multiple personality disorder. The study is the first of its kind and finds evidence suggesting that the condition is not linked to fantasy, thereby strengthening the idea that it is related to trauma.
Worry over drug-resistant TB
On the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the national health care law, medical researchers from around the globe gathered at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT for the annual New England Tuberculosis Symposium. The focus of the all-day event was a disturbing global health trend: the emergence of a form of incurable tuberculosis that is drug-resistant.
Physical activity needed in order to reap benefits of dietary restriction
Fruit flies on dietary restriction (DR) need to be physically active in order to get the lifespan extending benefits that come from their Spartan diet. If the same axiom holds true in humans, those practicing caloric restriction in hopes of living longer need to make sure they eat enough to avoid fatigue.
Researchers block pathway to cancer cell replication
Research suggests that patients with leukemia sometimes relapse because standard chemotherapy fails to kill the self-renewing leukemia initiating cells, often referred to as cancer stem cells. In such cancers, the cells lie dormant for a time, only to later begin cloning, resulting in a return and metastasis of the disease.
In vitro study identifies potential combination therapy for breast cancer
A study conducted at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) demonstrates an effective combination therapy for breast cancer cells in vitro. The findings, published in the July 2012 issue of Anticancer Research, raise the possibility of using this type of combination therapy for different forms of breast cancer, including those that develop resistance to chemotherapy and other treatments.
Child abuse and foster care admissions increase when parents use methamphetamines
Methamphetamine abuse leads to an increase in child abuse and neglect, which causes an increase in foster care admissions, according to a study from Baylor University.
Study looks at why heart attacks cause so much more damage in late pregnancy
Heart attacks during pregnancy are uncommon, but the prevalence of heart disease in pregnant mothers has increased over the past decade as more women delay pregnancy until they are older. These women, who are generally less physically active than their younger peers, tend to have higher cholesterol levels and are at greater risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Genes may play role in educational achievement, study finds
Researchers have identified genetic markers that may influence whether a person finishes high school and goes on to college, according to a national longitudinal study of thousands of young Americans. The study is in the July issue of Developmental Psychology, a publication of the American Psychological Association.
J&J seeks OK for first drug against resistant TB
(AP) — Johnson & Johnson said Monday that it is seeking U.S. approval for the first new type of medicine to fight deadly tuberculosis in more than four decades.
Long-term rituximab safe for patients with wegener's
(HealthDay) -- Repeated and prolonged use of rituximab for B-cell depletion to treat relapses or maintain remission is safe and effective in patients with refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; Wegener's), a primary systemic small vessel vasculitis, according to a study published online June 21 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Behavioral weight loss has long-term benefit for teens
(HealthDay) -- For overweight or obese adolescents, two group-based behavioral weight control interventions, combined with either aerobic activity or activity-based peer therapy, produce sustained improvements in body mass index (BMI) through 24 months, according to a study published online July 2 in Pediatrics.
People ignorant of cancers caused by smoking
(Medical Xpress) -- Cancer Research UK today reveals the shocking level of ignorance about smoking and cancer among the UK public in a comprehensive new survey of more than 4000 people.
Researchers discover rare leukemia-causing protein
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Hoxworth Blood Center have discovered a new gene target for leukemia therapy.
Researchers move closer to understanding the biology behind gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
In the 1960s, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) was first discovered as a naturally occurring substance in the brain. Since then it has been manufactured as a drug with a clinical application and has also developed a reputation as the illegal drug fantasy and as a date rape drug. Its physiological function is still unknown.
Autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may share common underlying factors
New research led by a medical geneticist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine points to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among individuals whose parents or siblings have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Nearly 30 percent of teens involved in sexting despite being 'bothered' by requests: study
Teens are sexting -- and at higher rates than previously reported. In the first study of the public health impact of teen sexting, researchers found that close to 30 percent are engaging in the practice of sending nude pictures of themselves via email or text. Further, the practice is indicative of teens' sexual behavior overall and, particularly, girls' participation in risky sexual behaviors.
Scientists discover dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder
A recent study by Erika J. Wolf, PhD, and Principal Investigator Mark W. Miller, PhD, both from the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Department of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), found an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. The findings, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, suggest that symptoms of dissociation, which reflect problems in consciousness and awareness, are a prominent feature of PTSD in a distinct subtype of individuals with the disorder.
Uncontrollable anger prevalent among US youth
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adolescents have experienced an anger attack that involved threatening violence, destroying property or engaging in violence toward others at some point in their lives. These severe attacks of uncontrollable anger are much more common among adolescents than previously recognized, a new study led by researchers from Harvard Medical School finds.
Fast food intake increases risk of diabetes and heart disease in Singapore
The dangers of fast food are well documented; the portions are often larger and the food is generally high in calories and low in nutrients. Now, University of Minnesota School of Public Health researchers have examined the eating habits of residents in Singapore and found new evidence that a diet heavy in fast food increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Study examines fingolimod therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis
The medication fingolimod reduced inflammatory lesion activity and reduced brain volume loss in patients with multiple sclerosis who participated in a two-year placebo-controlled clinical trial and were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Neurology.
Medicare coverage gap associated with reductions in antidepressant use in study
The Medicare Part D coverage gap was associated with reduced use of antidepressants in a study of beneficiaries 65 years or older with depression, according to a report by Archives of General Psychiatry.
Study suggests antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy linked to increased risk of gestational diabetes
A study that examined maternal use of antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy suggests that these medications may be linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Botulinum toxin a shot in the arm for preventing MS tremor: research
Botulinum toxin may help prevent shaking or tremor in the arms and hands of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research published in the July 3, 2012, print issue of Neurology.
Study examines outcomes of patients who refuse transfusion following cardiac surgery
Jehovah's Witness patients who undergo cardiac surgery do not appear to be at increased risk for surgical complications or death when compared to patients who undergo cardiac surgery and receive blood transfusions, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.
Rest is not idleness: Reflection is critical for development and well-being
As each day passes, the pace of life seems to accelerate – demands on productivity continue ever upward and there is hardly ever a moment when we aren't, in some way, in touch with our family, friends, or coworkers. While moments for reflection may be hard to come by, a new article suggests that the long-lost art of introspection —even daydreaming — may be an increasingly valuable part of life.
New study validates activity of rare genetic variant in glioma
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center working with colleagues at three other institutions have validated a link between a rare genetic variant and the risk of glioma, the most common and lethal type of brain tumor. The validation study also uncovered an association between the same rare genetic variant and improved rates of survival for patients with glioma.
Deleting a single gene results in autism-like behavior; immunosuppressant drug prevents symptoms
Deleting a single gene in the cerebellum of mice can cause key autistic-like symptoms, researchers have found. They also discovered that rapamycin, a commonly used immunosuppressant drug, prevented these symptoms.
Study shows early brain changes predict which patients develop chronic pain
When people have similar injuries, why do some end up with chronic pain while others recover and are pain free? The first longitudinal brain imaging study to track participants with a new back injury has found the chronic pain is all in their heads –- quite literally.
Scientists develop alternative to gene therapy: The technique points to safer, simpler potential HIV treatment
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a surprisingly simple and safe method to disrupt specific genes within cells. The scientists highlighted the medical potential of the new technique by demonstrating its use as a safer alternative to an experimental gene therapy against HIV infection.
Potential treatment target identified in an animal model of pancreatic cancer
Detailed analysis of genes expressed in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) -- cells that break off from solid tumors and travel through the bloodstream -- has identified a potential treatment target in metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Key step in immune system-fueled inflammation discovered
Like detectives seeking footprints and other clues on a television "whodunit," science can also benefit from analyzing the tracks of important players in the body's molecular landscape. Klaus Ley, M.D., a scientist at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, has done just that and illuminated a key step in the journey of inflammation-producing immune cells. The finding provides powerful, previously unknown information about critical biological mechanisms underlying heart disease and many other disorders.
Single protein promotes resistance to widely used anti-estrogen drugs
Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center have uncovered a single molecule they say is a major determinant of resistance to anti-estrogen therapy used to treat or prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.
Researchers find a link between age related memory loss and a specific enzyme in mice
(Medical Xpress) -- A team of researchers working out of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences at the University of Heidelberg have found that older mice that had levels of the enzyme DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt3a2) increased in their brains regained the memory abilities of younger mice. They also found, as they describe in their paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, that young mice that had their levels of Dnmt3a2 reduced lost their memory abilities similar to those of aging mice.
The sensation of cold is shut down by inflammation
(Medical Xpress) -- Research groups at the University of Cambridge and the Instituto de Neurociencias, in Spain, have discovered a new and unexpected mechanism by which cold sensation is regulated, and opens up the possibility of developing drugs to mimic the well-known analgesic effects of cold and menthol.
Innate immune system protein provides a new target in war against bacterial infections
Research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists has identified a possible new approach to defeating bacterial infections by targeting an innate immune system component in a bid to invigorate the immune response.
Secrets of lung cancer drug resistance revealed
People with lung cancer who are treated with the drug Tarceva face a daunting uncertainty: although their tumors may initially shrink, it's not a question of whether their cancer will return—it's a question of when. And for far too many, it happens far too soon.
'Self-distancing' can help people calm aggressive reactions, study finds
A new study reveals a simple strategy that people can use to minimize how angry and aggressive they get when they are provoked by others.
In real time, scientists watch stem cells at work regenerating tissue
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists have for the first time watched and manipulated stem cells as they regenerate tissue in an uninjured mammal, Yale researchers report July 1 online in the journal Nature.
Hormone discovered that preserves insulin production and beta cell function in diabetes
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found protective, anti-diabetic functions for a hormone that, like insulin, is produced by the islet cells of the pancreas. The new hormone was found to stimulate insulin secretion from rat and human islet cells and protect islet cells in the presence of toxic, cell-killing factors used in the study.
Surprising culprit behind chemo resistance in rare cancer
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown how an aggressive form of multiple myeloma resists chemotherapy.
Drugs are first to topically deliver gene therapy via commercial moisturizers for skin disease treatment
"Getting under your skin" takes on a brave new meaning thanks to Northwestern University research that could transform gene regulation.
Women infected with Toxoplasma gondii have increased risk of attempting suicide: study
Women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite, which is spread through contact with cat feces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide, according to a new study of more than 45,000 women in Denmark. A University of Maryland School of Medicine psychiatrist with expertise in suicide neuroimmunology is the senior author of the study, which is being published online today in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Researchers report success in treating autism spectrum disorder
Using a mouse model of autism, researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have successfully treated an autism spectrum disorder characterized by severe cognitive impairment.
Biology news
Do the world's smallest flies decapitate tiny ants?
A new species of phorid fly from Thailand is the smallest fly ever discovered. At just 0.40 millimeters in length, it is 15 times smaller than a house fly and five times smaller than a fruit fly.
Kudzu vine key to kudzu bug's survival
U.S. Forest Service entomologist Jim Hanula may be the only person in the South who actually wants to keep kudzu alive.
UN protects 'wild heart' of Central Africa
A Central African protected area that straddles three countries and teems with gorillas, elephants, and chimpanzees has been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO.
Diving seabirds: Working hard and living long
Scientists have found that diving birds reach their 30s and then die quickly and suddenly, showing few signs of aging prior to death. Their findings, which will be presented at the Society for Experimental Biology meeting in Salzburg on 2nd July could help us understand the aging process, providing critical insights for our aging population.
Cell research: enzyme questions important principle of evolution
In evolutionary processes, it is the simple, economical solutions that prevail over the complex and laborious ones. A team of researchers led by Walter Rossmanith from the MedUni Vienna has now investigated the key enzyme, “ribonuclease P”, which is found in every living organism. The surprising result is that the principle of evolutionary economy does not appear to apply to this enzyme.
Are brown widows displacing black widow spiders around southern California homes?
Brown widow spiders are relatively new to North America, where they were first documented in Florida in 1935, and even newer to southern California, where they were only recently discovered in 2003. However, in the last decade they have been so successful that they may be displacing native black widow spiders. If so, the overall danger to homeowners may decrease because brown widow spider bites are less toxic than those of native western black widow spiders.
Native plant restoration not enough to maintain tropical dry forests in Hawaii
Protecting Hawaiian dry forests from invasive species and the risk of wildfire is an on-going challenge for land managers and scientists conducting research on the Island of Hawaii. It is commonly thought that removing the invasive species and planting native species will restore the land to its original state. However, in a recent paper published in Biological Invasions, Dr. Susan Cordell, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry; Dr. Erin Questad, Cal-Poly Pomona; and Dr. Jarrod Thaxton, University of Puerto Rico found that it is not quite that simple.
Mosquitoes -- how we smell is why they bite, research shows
Now that the summer season is in full swing, many of us will be hosting picnics and barbecues and socializing outside. Chances are, we'll also have some unwanted guests in the form of mosquitoes.
How scent can net bigger reward for ants in hunt for food
(Phys.org) -- University of Sussex biologists studying Brazilian big-headed ants have discovered how one species uses powerful scent trails to quickly recruit helpers in transporting prized food in a competitive environment over unexpectedly large distances.
Cell biology: new insights into the life of microtubules
Every second, around 25 million cell divisions take place in our bodies. This process is driven by microtubule filaments which continually grow and shrink. A new study shows how so-called motor proteins in the cytosol can control their dynamics.
Melon genome sequenced
A consortium of nine research centres has obtained the melon genome, a horticultural specie with high economic value around the world. It is the first time that a Spanish initiative that unites private and state-run centres has obtained the complete genome of a higher organism, in this case a plant, which produces flowers and seeds. Also, it has been done by applying massive sequencing technologies.
Researchers see dramatic decline of endangered white abalone
Scientists from NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service report a significant decline of endangered white abalone off the coast of Southern California in the journal Biological Conservation.
Want bigger plants? Get to the root of the matter
Plant scientists have imaged and analyzed, for the first time, how a potted plant's roots are arranged in the soil as the plant develops. In this study, to be presented at the Society for Experimental Biology meeting on 30th June, the team has also found that doubling plant pot size makes plants grow over 40% larger.
Falling lizards use tail for mid-air twist, inspiring lizard-like 'RightingBot'
Lizards, just like cats, have a knack for turning right side up and landing on their feet when they fall. But how do they do it? Unlike cats, which twist and bend their torsos to turn upright, lizards swing their large tails one way to rotate their body the other, according to a recent study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology meeting on 29th June in Salzburg, Austria. A lizard-inspired robot, called 'RightingBot', replicates the feat.
An error-eliminating fix overcomes big problem in '3rd-gen' genome sequencing
The next "next-gen" technology in genome sequencing has gotten a major boost.
Beyond base pairs: Regulatory sequences of mouse genome sequenced for first time
Popularly dubbed "the book of life," the human genome is extraordinarily difficult to read. But without full knowledge of its grammar and syntax, the genome's 2.9 billion base-pairs of adenine and thymine, cytosine and guanine provide limited insights into humanity's underlying genetics.
Rising heat at the beach threatens largest sea turtles, climate change models show
For eastern Pacific populations of leatherback turtles, the 21st century could be the last. New research suggests that climate change could exacerbate existing threats and nearly wipe out the population. Deaths of turtle eggs and hatchlings in nests buried at hotter, drier beaches are the leading projected cause of the potential climate-related decline, according to a new study in the journal Nature Climate Change by a research team from Drexel University, Princeton University, other institutions and government agencies.
Ants farm root aphid clones in subterranean rooms
The yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus, farms root aphids for sugar (honeydew) and nitrogen (protein). In turn these species of aphids have developed distinctive traits never found in free living species such as the 'trophobiotic organ' to hold honey dew for the ants. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology shows that over half of ant mounds contained only one of the three most common species of aphid, and two thirds of these has a single aphid clone. Even in mounds which contained more than one species of aphid 95% of the aphid chambers contained individuals of a single clone.
Researchers discover how 'zombie worms' bore into skeletons
(Phys.org) -- In 2002, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute discovered a unique species of worms in the ocean that live off of the skeletons of dead fish and whales on the sea floor, by boring into them; giving rise to the nick-name, zombie worms. What was perplexing though, was how they managed this trick since they lacked mouths, teeth or even a gut. Closer analysis over the years found that the worms lacked any other means for drilling as well, causing most to believe they made their way into bone material using some sort of chemical process, rather than drilling. Now new research by Sigrid Katz and colleagues from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography proves that to be the case. She and her team are to give a presentation regarding their findings at this year’s Society for Experimental Biology conference.
Naked mole rat may hold the secret to long life
Compared to the average three year life span of a common rat, the 10 to 30 year life of the naked mole rat, a subterranean rodent native to East Africa, is impressive. And compared to the human body, the body of this rodent shows little decline due to aging, maintaining high activity, bone health, reproductive capacity, and cognitive ability throughout its lifetime. Now a collaborative of researchers in Israel and the United States is working to uncover the secret to the small mammal's long — and active — lifespan.
New way to grow, isolate cancer cells may add weapon against disease
A new method to isolate and grow the most dangerous cancer cells could enable new research into how cancer spreads and, ultimately, how to fight it. University of Illinois researchers and collaborators in China found that while a traditional culture of cancer cells has only a few capable of starting new tumors, a soft gel is capable of isolating tumor-repopulating cells and promoting the growth and multiplication of these cells in culture. The new culture technique could allow researchers to better study metastatic cancers.
Researchers tap into genetic reservoir of heat-loving bacteria
(Phys.org) -- The identification of key proteins in a group of heat-loving bacteria by researchers at the Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center could help light a fire under next-generation biofuel production.
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