Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for August 1, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Brain imaging can predict how intelligent you are, study finds- Electromagnetic 'swamps' don't always bog electrons down
- Towards miniaturization of metamaterials: Reluctant electrons enable 'extraordinarily strong' negative refraction
- Earth still absorbing about half carbon dioxide emissions produced by people: study
- Wrinkled surfaces could have widespread applications
- XRL robot uses tail for easy landing on springy feet (w/ Video)
- For sperm, faster isn't always better: New study uncovers a reproduction conundrum
- Roots and microbes: Bringing a complex underground ecology into the lab
- Massive data for miniscule communities
- Researchers discover molecular link between circadian clock disturbances and inflammatory diseases
- Humble bug plugs gap in fossil record
- HIV-infected T cells help transport the virus throughout the body
- Molecular switch identified that controls key cellular process
- In fly DNA, the footprint of a fly virus
- 13-year Cascadia study complete -- and Northwest earthquake risk looms large
Space & Earth news
Parched fields as drought devastates US crops
The sweat pours down Larry Hasheider's face as he walks across his parched cornfields to show the result of one of the worst droughts to strike the United States in decades.
Scientists examine California's vulnerability to climate change
As climate change threatens to reshape California’s landscape, University of California, Davis, researchers are helping to inform policymakers about the state’s vulnerability and provide strategies for adaptation.
Hong Kong study raises alert for further increase in city's temperature
The temperature in the inner urban areas of Hong Kong is predicted to rise by two to three Celsius degree in 30 years' time, according to the latest scientific study by researchers at the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
CINEMA among tiny CubeSats to be launched Aug. 2
(Phys.org) -- Eleven tiny satellites called CubeSats will accompany a spy satellite into Earth orbit on Thursday, Aug. 2, inaugurating a new type of inexpensive, modular nanosatellite designed to piggyback aboard other NASA missions.
Student team discovers new interstellar molecule during summer program
(Phys.org) -- Chemists can spend entire careers in search of new molecules in space; on average, only about four or five interstellar molecules are discovered worldwide each year.
Simulating volcano eruptions, one blast at a time
(Phys.org) -- A voice carried across the treeless plateau: "Fire in the hole! The range is now active."
Migratory birds may reveal further impact of oil spill
(Phys.org) -- The full impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has yet to reveal itself, say researchers in the Tulane Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The largest-ever accidental release of oil into marine waters could impact earth’s ecosystems for years to come — and not just along the 650 miles of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline directly affected by the spill.
Cut emissions further or face risks of high air pollution, study shows
Most of the world's population will be subject to degraded air quality in 2050 if man-made emissions continue as usual. In this 'business-as-usual' scenario, the average world citizen 40 years from now will experience similar air pollution to that of today's average East Asian citizen. These conclusions are those of a study published today in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, an Open Access journal of the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
Coral reef thriving in sediment-laden waters
Rapid rates of coral reef growth have been identified in sediment-laden marine environments, conditions previously believed to be detrimental to reef growth. A new study has established that Middle Reef – part of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef – has grown more rapidly than many other reefs in areas with lower levels of sediment stress.
Is exploring Mars worth the investment?
Saturn has its famous rings and Jupiter is the granddaddy of the solar system, but no planet has entranced earthlings quite like Mars.
A blue whirlpool in The River: Tranquil galaxy home to violent events
(Phys.org) -- A new image taken with ESO’s Very Large Telescope shows the galaxy NGC 1187. This impressive spiral lies about 60 million light-years away in the constellation of Eridanus (The River). NGC 1187 has hosted two supernova explosions during the last thirty years, the latest one in 2007. This picture of the galaxy is the most detailed ever taken.
Tropical climate in the Antarctic: Palm trees thrived on today's icy coasts 52 million years ago
An international research team has discovered an intense warming phase around 52 million years ago in drill cores obtained from the seafloor near Antarctica.
13-year Cascadia study complete -- and Northwest earthquake risk looms large
A comprehensive analysis of the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the Pacific Northwest coast confirms that the region has had numerous earthquakes over the past 10,000 years, and suggests that the southern Oregon coast may be most vulnerable based on recurrence frequency.
Earth still absorbing about half carbon dioxide emissions produced by people: study
Earth's oceans, forests and other ecosystems continue to soak up about half the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by human activities, even as those emissions have increased, according to a study by University of Colorado and NOAA scientists to be published August 2 in the journal Nature.
Technology news
BMW earnings fall 28 percent
(AP) — German luxury automaker BMW AG said earnings fell 28 percent in the second quarter due to higher costs for staff and investments in new technology and warned that a worsening of Europe's debt crisis or a slowdown in China could hurt its business.
Jay-Z serves as exec producer for 'NBA 2K13' game
(AP) — Jay-Z is taking another step into the pro basketball realm: The Grammy-winning rapper and minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets will serve as the executive producer for the upcoming "NBA 2K13" video game.
When good things come in online packages: U of T undergrad unwraps Bowbox
University of Toronto's Behrad Ghadiri wants you to think inside the box.
Twitter political index launches for US election
Twitter on Wednesday launched a new political index aimed at gauging the 2012 US presidential race by analyzing daily tweets.
Amazon tops iTunes Match offer with more storage
(AP) — Amazon.com Inc. has updated its cloud music player to mimic Apple Inc.'s iTunes Match, but is offering 10 times more storage space for the same price.
China's Huawei responds to US hackers
Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies on Wednesday responded to US hackers' claims that its routers were easily cracked, saying its security strategies were rigorous.
LevLight: Student's floating light invention gets glowing reviews (w/ video)
(Phys.org) -- A levitating light bulb invented by a 19-year-old student from the University of Queensland has been singled out as an exciting industry innovation by an American lighting firm.
How affordable is alternative energy?
Alternative energy sources that are cost-competitive with fossil fuels may be closer than most people realize. Recent renewable energy research has shown that solar, hydropower, wind and other alternative sources are closing in on the cost of traditional electricity providers.
Interdisciplinary research leads to reduced construction costs and multiple awards
Mani Golparvar-Fard, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, has developed an augmented reality modeling system that automatically analyzes physical progress on large-scale construction projects. The system allows a contractor to determine whether a project is on, ahead, or behind schedule, leading to cost savings and reduction in project delivery time.
US proposes tougher online privacy for children
A US regulator Wednesday proposed tougher standards to protect privacy and collection of data of children using the Internet.
Test flight over Peru ruins could revolutionize archaeological mapping
Archaeological sites that currently take years to map will be completed in minutes if tests underway in Peru of a new system being developed at Vanderbilt University go well.
Glitch causes big swings in some stocks
A technical glitch at a major processor of stock trades caused wild swings in a number of stocks.
Samsung launches Music Hub in US
Samsung launched its Music Hub service in the U.S. on Tuesday. It's an effort to capture some of the buzz around Spotify with a feature that combines a cloud music locker, unlimited song streaming, a radio player and a music store.
Upgrading the Internet for the mobile age
(Phys.org) -- Some strands of the World Wide Web are getting a little tattered.
US aims to block bid to give UN control of Internet
The United States will oppose a bid to revise a global treaty to bring the Internet under UN control or to impose new taxes on Web traffic, the head of a US delegation said Wednesday.
Learning machines scour Twitter in service of bullying research
Hundreds of millions of daily posts on the social networking service Twitter are providing a new window into bullying — a tough nut to crack for researchers.
Breaking the barriers for low-cost energy storage
A team of researchers has developed a cheap, rechargeable and eco-friendly battery that could be used to store energy at solar power plants for a rainy day.
Massive data for miniscule communities
It's relatively easy to collect massive amounts of data on microbes. But the files are so large that it takes days to simply transmit them to other researchers and months to analyze once they are received.
Medicine & Health news
From genome to immune response
Being able to predict which peptides are more efficient at generating immune responses would be ideal when designing vaccination approaches. European scientists made this possible by developing state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools.
Researchers help uncover how infants learn word meanings
Research conducted in the Cognition Laboratory at Ithaca College is helping those who study child development gain a better understanding of how children learn the meanings of words. The researchers found that if a person holding an object while talking makes hand gestures that move the object in rhythm with speech, an infant’s attention will be drawn away from the speaker’s mouth and to the object.
Off-road motor sports a major risk for death and injury
(Medical Xpress) -- Off-road motor sport is the biggest cause of major trauma, injury and death in sport, according to a new study.
DMP module on heart failure: Current guidelines indicate some need for revision
The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published the results of a literature search for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of people with heart failure. The aim of the report is to identify those recommendations from current guidelines of high methodological quality that may be relevant for the planned revision of the module "heart failure" in the disease management programme (DMP) for coronary heart disease (CHD). According to the results of the report, there is no compelling need for revision of any part of the DMP module. However, IQWiG identified several aspects that could be supplemented and specified.
Improving human immunity to malaria
The deadliest form of malaria is caused the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum. During its life-cycle in human blood, the parasite P. falciparum expresses unique proteins on the surface on infected blood cells.
Medical complications in hospitalized children: The Canadian Paediatric Adverse Events Study
More children experience complications or unintended injuries, especially related to surgery, in academic hospitals compared with community hospitals, but adverse events in the former are less likely to be preventable, according to the Canadian Paediatric Adverse Events Study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Study identifies barriers to breast health care in Pakistan
Among most women in Pakistan, there is limited awareness of breast cancer occurrence, detection, and screening practices, or the importance of self-breast exams and clinical breast exams, according to a study in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. In Pakistan, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and the incidence is rising. It is usually diagnosed in later stages and often at a younger age compared with populations in the West.
Difficult to diagnose cases of infectious endocarditis solved with SPECT/CT imaging agent
When combined with standard diagnostic tests, functional imaging procedures have been shown to reduce the rate of misdiagnosed cases of infectious endocarditis. According to new research published in the August issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) with 99mTc-hexamethylpropleneamine oxime-labeled white blood cells (99mTc-HMPAO-WBC) can improve the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis in hard-to-diagnose cases.
New research reveals extent of poor-quality antimalarial medicines in South American countries
Two articles recently published in Malaria Journal shed new light on the quality of antimalarial medicines circulating in countries in the Amazon Basin in South America. Researchers from the Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) program, a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), in conjunction with country partners, coordinated these studies in the context of the Amazon Malaria Initiative (AMI).
Spice ingredient in curry emerges as promising basis for an Alzheimer's disease medicine
The spice compound that gives curry dishes their yellow color and pungent flavor is emerging as a prime candidate for a less expensive treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to an article in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News. C&EN is the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Black gay men worldwide 15 times more likely to have HIV and racial disparity
An international team of researchers, including a scientist at Georgia State University, found that black men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to have HIV than other MSM, and that social inequalities play a major role.
Spouses of breast cancer survivors hold on to hope
(Edmonton) Male partners of breast cancer patients are likely to take a pass on spousal support groups in favour of exercise or an evening out with friends to cope with stresses associated with the disease, according to new research from the University of Alberta.
Recurring shoulder instability injuries likely among young athletes playing contact sports
Summer is a peak season for many sports, and with that comes sport-related injuries. Among those injuries is shoulder joint dislocation. According to a literature review in the August 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, most incidences of shoulder joint instability are the result of traumatic contact injuries like force or falling on an outstretched arm; a direct blow to the shoulder area; forceful throwing, lifting or hitting; or contact with another player.
Active surveillance up in multidisciplinary prostate CA care
(HealthDay) -- Men with low-risk prostate cancer are more likely to pursue active surveillance when seen at a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic rather than when they see individual specialists in sequential settings, according to a study published online July 30 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Poor mental health linked to reduced life expectancy
People with mental health problems have a lower life expectancy, according to a large-scale population based study published today in the British Medical Journal. The findings may prompt further research into the way doctors treat patients with even mild psychological problems.
Medical equipment donated to developing countries inappropriate for local conditions
Wealthy countries that make donations of expensive medical equipment to low- and middle-income countries may be missing the mark, according to a new Imperial College London / Lancet Commission. The report examines how medical technology should best be used to improve health in low- and middle-income countries, and finds that in many cases, medical technology – almost exclusively developed in rich countries – is simply inappropriate for use in poorer nations.
More Americans have at least 2 chronic health issues: CDC
(HealthDay) -- The number of Americans aged 45 and older with two or more chronic conditions has grown over the past decade, new research estimates, with seniors especially vulnerable to a rising risk of both diabetes and high blood pressure.
Weight-loss clinic drop-out rates are a huge barrier to treating obesity
More than 1.7 billion people worldwide may be classified as overweight and need appropriate medical or surgical treatment with the goal of sustainable weight loss. But for weight management programs to be effective, patients must complete them, states a study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery (CJS) that analyzed drop-out rates and predictors of attrition within a publicly-funded adult weight management program.
Research identifies a promising new therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer
Scientists at Western University have identified a new therapeutic target for advanced breast cancer which has shown tremendous promise in mouse models. The study led by Lynne-Marie Postovit of Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry looked at a protein called Nodal that is primarily found in embryonic or stem cells. Postovit discovered high levels of this protein in aggressive breast cancer tumors. Nodal was found to promote vascularization in the tumor, providing nutrients and oxygen to help it grow and spread. The research is published online in the journal Cancer Research.
JAAOS study highlights success of nerve transfer surgery
Because many physicians are unaware of nerve transfer surgery, some patients suffer long-term impairment from nerve injuries that could have been fixed.
Improving the oral health of adults with special needs proves challenging
A comprehensive study using electronic dental records to profile the oral health status of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has concluded that access to specialized dental care alone is not sufficient to meet the community's substantial oral health needs. The findings, published as the cover article in the August issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, provide a foundation for further investigation into the significant oral health needs of adults with I/DD and the development of preventive oral health strategies.
Vaccine fails to protect babies against whooping cough
(Medical Xpress) -- Queensland research shows that a resurgence of whooping cough in babies has arisen due to the lack of effectiveness of the current vaccine.
Study shows benefits of cochlear implants in deaf babies with developmental delays
(Medical Xpress) -- Doctors should reconsider the common practice of avoiding the use of cochlear implants in deaf children with developmental delays, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
Researchers pinpoint peptide that blocks hepatitis C virus entry
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) have identified a specific peptide that may block the entry of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) into the liver, representing a potential target for new drug development.
Student solves snail fever mystery
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists have solved an 80-year old mystery linked to an ancient but neglected tropical disease that affects more than 100 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Predicting recovery after stroke
(Medical Xpress) -- In work that may revolutionise rehabilitation for stroke patients, researchers from The University of Auckland and the Auckland District Health Board have shown it is possible to predict an individual’s potential for recovery of hand and arm function after a stroke.
Doctors who share patients may provide lower cost care
Patients with diabetes or congestive heart failure who receive care from doctors with high levels of patient overlap have lower total health care costs and lower rates of hospitalization, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Type 2 diabetes: normal glucose levels should be the goal
(Medical Xpress) -- Emory University researchers say normal glucose levels should be the goal for management of patients with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes.
Global 'sleeplessness epidemic' affects an estimated 150 million in developing world
(Medical Xpress) -- Levels of sleep problems in the developing world are approaching those seen in developed nations, linked to an increase in problems like depression and anxiety.
Better sleep can help women fight serious illness experts find
(Medical Xpress) -- Just a small amount of activity is enough to improve sleep quality among post-menopausal women and reduce their risk of life-threatening illnesses experts at our Department for Health have found.
Fruit flies on methamphetamine die largely as a result of anorexia
A new study finds that fruit flies exposed to methamphetamine drastically reduce their food intake and increase their physical activity, just as humans do. The study, which tracked metabolic and behavioral changes in fruit flies on meth, indicates that starvation is a primary driver of methamphetamine-related death in the insects.
Child abuse disrupts brain, may cause depression: study
Children who suffer or witness physical abuse undergo changes to their brain structure that may predispose them to depression and substance abuse later in life, a study said Wednesday.
Mayo Clinic completes first genome-wide analysis of peripheral T-cell lymphomas
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have completed the world's first genome-wide sequencing analysis of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, unlocking the genetic secrets of this poorly understood and highly aggressive cancer of the immune system.
Blue light helps tired workers and motorists regulate their internal clocks
Researchers at Universite Laval have developed a blue light to help bleary eyed shift workers regulate their internal clocks and get the sleep they need when they need it.
New study suggests clinicians overlook alcohol problems if patients are not intoxicated
Medical staff struggle to spot problem drinking in their patients unless they are already intoxicated, according to research by the University of Leicester.
Ebola deaths in Uganda rise to 15, more cases feared
At least 15 people have died in Uganda from the deadly Ebola virus with the toll likely to rise further, the health ministry said Wednesday.
Jailhouse phone calls reveal when domestic abusers most likely to attack
An analysis of jailhouse phone calls between men charged with felony domestic violence and their victims allowed researchers for the first time to see exactly what triggered episodes of violent abuse.
New FDA program adds to tools to curb opiod abuse in United States
A new risk management plan from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help clinicians properly prescribe drugs with addiction potential aims to help reduce the growing epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States. With deaths associated with these drugs, often sold illegally, now reaching toward 14,000 each year – including the fatal shootings of two Philadelphia teenagers last week in a house where police found large quantities of Percocet and morphine, prescription drug pads, and more than $100,000 in cash -- the authors of a Viewpoint piece in the new issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association say the new plan represents a promising opportunity to cut the amount of addictive prescription drugs in circulation for sale and abuse.
Americans gaining more weight than they say
Despite the increasing awareness of the problem of obesity in the United States, most Americans don't know whether they are gaining or losing weight, according to new research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
Too much bottled water might harm kids' teeth
(HealthDay) -- On grocery store shelves and kitchen counters alike, bottled water has become a staple of the American dietary landscape.
Levels of etonogestrel lower in obese women after implant
(HealthDay) -- Obese women who receive a contraceptive implant have lower drug levels in the six months following implant insertion compared with normal-weight women, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Even mild depression, anxiety hurts the heart: study
(HealthDay) -- Even mild depression or anxiety may raise your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and other causes, according to British researchers.
Artificial butter flavoring ingredient linked to key Alzheimer's disease process
A new study raises concern about chronic exposure of workers in industry to a food flavoring ingredient used to produce the distinctive buttery flavor and aroma of microwave popcorn, margarines, snack foods, candy, baked goods, pet foods and other products. It found evidence that the ingredient, diacetyl (DA), intensifies the damaging effects of an abnormal brain protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study appears in ACS' journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Childhood defiance correlated with drug dependence
Children who exhibit oppositional behavior run the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine, cannabis and cocaine whilst Inattention symptoms represent a specific additional risk of nicotine addiction. Nevertheless, hyperactivity in itself does not seem to be associated with any specific risk of substance abuse or dependence. This is what researchers at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center's (UHC) Research Center and the University of Montreal concluded following a 15-year population-based study published in Molecular Psychiatry.
New study: Running mechanics, not metabolism, are the key to performance for elite sprinters
Sprinters competing in the 2012 Olympics might assume their championship performance is the result of their fuel-efficient physiology.
Discovering new uses for old drugs
With the cost of putting a single new drug on the pharmacy shelves topping a staggering $1 billion, scientists are reporting development of a way to determine if an already-approved drug might be used to treat a different disease. The technique for repurposing existing medicines could cut drug development costs and make new medicine available to patients faster, they report in ACS' Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Researchers find potential cancer roadblock
By identifying a key protein that tells certain breast cancer cells when and how to move, researchers at Michigan State University hope to better understand the process by which breast cancer spreads, or metastasizes.
Obese donors increase risk of death for pediatric liver transplant recipients
Children undergoing liver transplantation are at greater risk of graft loss and death from adult organ donors who are severely obese according to research published in the August issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The study, funded in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that pediatric donor body mass index (BMI) did not increase mortality risk in this pediatric population.
Judge lets challenge to FDA tobacco panel proceed
(AP) — A challenge by two of the largest U.S. cigarette makers alleging conflicts of interest in the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel's review of tobacco products can move forward, a federal judge has ruled.
Autism researchers find that focusing on strengths improves social skills of adolescents
The junior high and high school years are emotionally challenging even under the best of circumstances, but for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), that time can be particularly painful. Lacking the social skills that enable them to interact successfully with their peers, these students are often ostracized and even bullied by their classmates.
Adolescents' personalities and coping habits affect social behaviors, MU researcher says
Infants innately relieve stress by crying, turning their heads or maintaining eye contact. Adults manage emotional tension using problem-solving or by seeking support. A new study by a University of Missouri human development expert describes how adolescents' developing personalities and coping habits affect their behaviors toward others.
Students trading sex for drugs or alcohol happens also in rural B.C.: research
Just over two percent of teens in rural schools who have ever tried alcohol, marijuana or other drugs report they have also traded sex for these substances, according to University of British Columbia research published today in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.
The aging brain is more malleable than previously believed
Neuroscientists are finding that, as we get older, our aging brains are proving surprisingly malleable, and in ways not previously anticipated. But there are limitations.
Researchers implicate unique cell type in multiple sclerosis
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found evidence that a unique type of immune cell contributes to multiple sclerosis (MS). Their discovery helps define the effects of one of the newest drugs under investigation for treating MS – daclizumab – and could lead to a new class of drugs for treating MS and other autoimmune disorders.
A cup of joe may help some Parkinson's disease symptoms
While drinking caffeine each day does not appear to help improve sleepiness among people with Parkinson's disease, it may have a benefit in controlling movement, according to new research published in the August 1, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology .
Causes of maternal intrapartum fever in induced labor ID'd
(HealthDay) -- Labor induction correlates with a slight increase in maternal temperature, with significant effects seen for time from membrane rupture to delivery and body mass index, according to a study published in the August issue of Anesthesiology.
In pilot study, a peptide controls blood sugar in people with congenital hyperinsulinism
A pilot study in adolescents and adults has found that an investigational drug shows promise as the first potential medical treatment for children with the severest type of congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare but potentially devastating disease in which gene mutations cause insulin levels to become dangerously high.
Researchers discover gene that permanently stops cancer cell proliferation
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered a mutant form of the gene, Chk1, that when expressed in cancer cells, permanently stopped their proliferation and caused cell death without the addition of any chemotherapeutic drugs. This study illustrates an unprecedented finding, that artificially activating Chk1 alone is sufficient to kill cancer cells.
Sleep affects potency of vaccines
As moms have always known, a good night's sleep is crucial to good health -- and now a new study led by a UCSF researcher shows that poor sleep can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.
FDA approves use of electronic chips in medications
(Medical Xpress) -- The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has approved a request by Proteus Digital Health to allow for the inclusion of tiny digestible microchips into medicines to assist health care workers in monitoring intake of medicines by patients. Previously, the FDA had allowed such microchips only in placebo products. Proteus, the maker of the chips, plans to market them to drug manufactures who can then imbed them in individual pills that allow for electronic reporting to doctors letting them know if and when patients take their medicines.
Researchers discover molecular link between circadian clock disturbances and inflammatory diseases
Scientists have known for some time that throwing off the body's circadian rhythm can negatively affect body chemistry. In fact, workers whose sleep-wake cycles are disrupted by night shifts are more susceptible to chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer.
New drug shows promise for long QT syndrome
(Medical Xpress) -- Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a new drug that may be useful in treating a heart rhythm condition called long QT syndrome. The study was published online on June 28 in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Gene network restores CF protein function
Researchers at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine have discovered a genetic process that can restore function to a defective protein, which is the most common cause of cystic fibrosis (CF).
A step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment: 'Antisense' compound rids muscle cells of toxic RNA
Scientists have reversed symptoms of myotonic muscular dystrophy in mice by eliminating a buildup of toxic RNA in muscle cells. The work, carried out by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Genzyme, is published in the August 2 issue of Nature.
Study suggests new treatment target for glioblastoma multiforme
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers published online today in Nature reveals new insight into why the most common, deadly kind of brain tumor in adults recurs and identifies a potential target for future therapies.
HIV-infected T cells help transport the virus throughout the body
A new study has discovered one more way the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exploits the immune system. Not only does HIV infect and destroy CD4-positive helper T cells – which normally direct and support the infection-fighting activities of other immune cells – the virus also appears to use those cells to travel through the body and infect other CD4 T cells. The study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators, which will appear in the journal Nature and has received advance online release, is the first to visualize the behavior of HIV-infected human T cells within a lymph node of a live animal, using a recently developed "humanized" mouse model of HIV infection.
Cancer debate: Are tumors fueled by stem cells?
How can a cancer come back after it's apparently been eradicated? Three new studies from American, Belgian, British and Dutch researchers are bolstering a long-debated idea: that tumors contain their own pool of stem cells that can multiply and keep fueling the cancer, seeding regrowth.
Substance involved in Alzheimer's can reverse paralysis in mice with multiple sclerosis
A molecule widely assailed as the chief culprit in Alzheimer's disease unexpectedly reverses paralysis and inflammation in several distinct animal models of a different disorder — multiple sclerosis, Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have found.
Molecular switch identified that controls key cellular process
The body has a built-in system known as autophagy, or 'self-eating,' that controls how cells live or die. Deregulation of autophagy is linked to the development of human diseases, including neural degeneration and cancer.
Brain imaging can predict how intelligent you are, study finds
(Medical Xpress) -- When it comes to intelligence, what factors distinguish the brains of exceptionally smart humans from those of average humans?
Biology news
Gene technology helps deceive greedy pest insects
Worldwide cabbage farmers have vast problems with the diamond-back moth. It lays its eggs on the cabbage plants and the voracious appetite of the larvae ruins the yield. However, Morten Emil Møldrup from the University of Copenhagen has developed a method to deceive the greedy insects. Møldrup presents his spectacular research results at a public PhD defense on Friday 3 August.
H.K. to return over 100 rare reptiles to Philippines
Scores of endangered reptiles including turtles and a python that were smuggled into Hong Kong will be returned to their native Philippines on Wednesday, officials said.
Exercise restraint: Veterinarian says starting slow is way to go when introducing dog to physical activity
New dog owners anxious to take their dog for a walk or run are encouraged to introduce exercise gradually.
When microbes make the food
Chocolate lovers who think of their passion as rich, sweet, and naturally delicious might want to stay out of Harvard scientist Ben Wolfe’s classroom this summer.
Early weaning, DDGS feed could cut costs for cattle producers
If the drought forces producers to feed a larger portion of distillers dried grains with solubles, cattle can maintain gains and improve meat quality if the animals are weaned early, a Purdue University scientist has shown.
Dead whale found in Australian ocean pool
A dead humpback whale washed up in a Sydney ocean pool Wednesday, surprising morning swimmers and causing a major headache for authorities who must now remove it.
Eco-friendly microturbines need to be bat-friendly, say Stirling researchers
(Phys.org) -- New research from the University of Stirling indicates that small wind turbines, which are becoming an increasingly popular means of power generation for homeowners, can halve bat activity in their immediate vicinity.
Replacing lost environments - a devil's pact?
(Phys.org) -- With up to a billion hectares of wilderness likely to be cleared to feed the world in the coming half century and an area the size of China devoured by cities, leading environmental scientists are urging caution over the extent to which lost ecosystems can be replaced or restored.
Insects learn faster when they are rewarded with nectar
Butterflies learn faster when a flower is rewarding than when it is not, and females have the edge over males when it comes to speed of learning with rewards. These are the findings of a new study, by Dr. Ikuo Kandori and Takafumi Yamaki from Kinki University in Japan. Their work, published online in Springer's journal Naturwissenschaften - The Science of Nature, is the first to investigate and compare the speed at which insects learn from both rewarding and non-rewarding experiences.
Mother knows best: finches choose chicks' gender
Female parrot finches can match their offspring's gender to prevailing living conditions, producing more sons in lean times, scientists in Australia said Wednesday.
Roots and microbes: Bringing a complex underground ecology into the lab
Beneath the surface of the earth, an influential community of microbes mingles with plant roots. In the first large-scale analysis of those communities, scientists have now catalogued and compared the hundreds of types of bacteria that associate with the roots of the model plant Arabidopsis under various conditions. The work establishes an experimental framework for examining how plants interact with a microbial community that can influence their growth and development, productivity, and impact on the environment.
In fly DNA, the footprint of a fly virus
(Phys.org) -- In a curious evolutionary twist, several species of a commonly studied fruit fly appear to have incorporated genetic material from a virus into their genomes, according to new research by University at Buffalo biologists.
More code cracking: Three studies help uncover the rules governing gene transcription
A trio of groundbreaking publications from researchers in Northwestern University's Physical Sciences-Oncology Center (PS-OC) report important methodological advances that will enable a better understanding of how gene expression is regulated, both in normal cells and in cancer cells. This knowledge could lead to the development of more effective therapeutic agents to treat cancer patients.
For sperm, faster isn't always better: New study uncovers a reproduction conundrum
When it comes to sperm meeting eggs in sexual reproduction, conventional wisdom holds that the fastest swimming sperm are most likely to succeed in their quest to fertilize eggs. That wisdom was turned upside down in a new study of sperm competition in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), which found that slower and/or longer sperm outcompete their faster rivals.
This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
http://phys.org/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment