Phys.org Newsletter Thursday, Sep 27

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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 27, 2012:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Graphene films—highly resistant to damage—could protect metals in harsh environments
- For the first time, astronomers have measured the radius of a black hole
- 'Transient electronics': Biocompatible electronic devices dissolve in body, environment
- Uranium-contaminated site yields wealth of information on underground microbe community
- Simulations uncover 'flashy' secrets of merging black holes (w/ Video)
- Curiosity rover finds old streambed on martian surface
- MIT spinoff spiffs up desktop 3-D printing with Form 1
- Dynamics of DNA packaging helps regulate formation of heart
- Researchers solve key part of old mystery in generating muscle mass
- Science paper says it's not too late for troubled fisheries
- How tribal courts can end war: Traditions stem gunfire after 4,800 die in Enga, Papua New Guinea
- Learning to overcome fear is difficult for teens, brain study finds
- Stellar shockwaves shaped our solar system
- New clues about ancient water cycles shed light on US deserts
- Scientists capture clues to sustainability of fish populations

Space & Earth news

Venice Lagoon research indicates rapid climate change in coastal regions
Research undertaken by the University of Southampton and its associates in Venice has revealed that the sea surface temperature (SST) in coastal regions is rising as much as ten times faster than the global average of 0.13 degrees per decade.

Sandia experts help when sinkhole opens up in Louisiana
The U.S. Geological Survey turned to Sandia National Laboratories for help when the earth opened up last month near Bayou Corne, La.

Speed of ocean acidification concerns scientists
Speaking at the Third International Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World this week in Monterey, California, Dr Daniela Schmidt, a geologist from the University of Bristol, warned that current rates of ocean acidification are unparalleled in Earth history.

One Degree Imager: Bigger, sharper images to be refined, processed and stored at IU
(Phys.org)—Recording light from millions of light years away and then sending it to the Indiana University Data Center at the corner of 10th Street and the State Road 45/46 Bypass, a new camera at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona's Sonoran desert will image an area of sky five times that of the full moon, yet still focus at the equivalent of seeing a baseball from 30 miles away.

Experts call on Congress to create first US Weather Commission
With the U.S. economy vulnerable to weather events costing billions of dollars, an expert panel today asked Congress to create the first U.S. Weather Commission. The commission would provide guidance to policymakers on leveraging weather expertise across government and the private sector to better protect lives and businesses.

China ship sails to Atlantic and back, via Arctic
(AP)—A Chinese icebreaker docked Thursday at Shanghai after becoming the first vessel from China to cross the Arctic Ocean, a landmark trip that is part of Beijing's efforts to expand its presence in the Arctic.

Scientists link nutrient pollution to coral bleaching
Too many nutrients can put corals at risk, a new study shows. Excessive nitrogen in the water affects their ability to cope with rising water temperatures and other environmental pressures, making them vulnerable to harmful bleaching.

On-board mobile phone to power low-cost satellite
(Phys.org)—A University of Queensland staff member is sending a satellite into space more powerful than the Curiosity Rover which recently landed on Mars.

Ocean acidification: A growing concern
An international group of scientists, including researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, are working to improve communication about ocean acidification to help the public better understand the pressing global issue.

NASA calls off space station's dodging of junk
(AP)—The International Space Station is safe from two pieces of menacing junk.

Landslide mapping in the Swiss Alps to aid in development of safe, durable infrastructure
Archived radar data from the Envisat mission are playing an important role in mapping landslides in Switzerland. The mission's vast archives continue to prove useful for mapping ground deformation. 

Study examines forest vulnerability to climate change
(Phys.org)—Mid-elevation forests - those between approximately 6,500 to 8,000 feet (1,981 to 2,438 meters) in elevation - are the most sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt associated with climate change, finds a new University of Colorado Boulder-led study co-funded by NASA. The study looked at how the greenness of Western U.S. forests is linked to fluctuations in year-to-year snowpack.

TRMM satellite sees light rainfall in Tropical Storm Nadine
NASA's TRMM satellite noticed that the intensity of rainfall in Tropical Storm Nadine has diminished today, Sept. 27.

NASA sees a western weakness in Tropical Storm Miriam
NASA infrared satellite imagery showed Tropical Storm Miriam had strong convection and thunderstorm activity in all quadrants of the storm on Sept. 26, except the western quadrant. That activity waned dramatically in 24 hours because of strong wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Ewiniar embedded in low pressure
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Storm Ewiniar and noticed strong convection still persists in the storm, despite now being embedded in a subtropical area of low pressure off the coast of Japan.

NASA sees a wide-eyed Super Typhoon Jelawat
One day ago, Super Typhoon Jelawat's eye was about 25 nautical miles in diameter, today, Sept. 27, NASA satellite data indicated that eye has grown to 36 nautical miles!

Landsat satellites find the 'sweet spot' for crops
Farmers are using maps created with free data from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey's Landsat satellites that show locations that are good and not good for growing crops.

New study suggests long ago brightest star explosion was rapid type Ia supernova
(Phys.org)—Over a thousand years ago, an explosion in faraway space occurred that was so bright that people reported being able to read by its light at midnight. The year was 1006 and the explosion was, scientists believe now, a supernova, or more accurately, a type Ia supernova, the kind that produce the biggest or brightest explosions. But what kind of Ia supernova was it? Astrophysicists believe there are two kinds, those that happen slowly, and those that happen very rapidly. Now new research by a team in Spain suggests it was the latter after scanning the area of sky where the explosion is believed to have occurred and not finding any evidence of a companion star left behind, which would indicate a slow moving event. They have published a paper describing their study in the journal Nature.

Space freighter undocking set for Friday
The undocking of a supply craft from the International Space Station (ISS) will take place Friday after a three-day delay, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.

New clues about ancient water cycles shed light on US deserts
The deserts of Utah and Nevada have not always been dry. Between 14,000 and 20,000 years ago, when large ice caps covered Canada during the last glacial cooling, valleys throughout the desert southwest filled with water to become large lakes, scientists have long surmised. At their maximum size, the desert lakes covered about a quarter of both Nevada and Utah. Now a team led by a Texas A&M University researcher has found a new water cycle connection between the U.S. southwest and the tropics, and understanding the processes that have brought precipitation to the western U.S. will help scientists better understand how the water cycle might be perturbed in the future.

Stellar shockwaves shaped our solar system
The early years of our Solar System were a turbulent time, and questions remain about its development. Dr Tagir Abdylmyanov, Associate Professor from Kazan State Power Engineering University, has been researching shockwaves emitted from our very young Sun, and has discovered that these would have caused the planets in our Solar System to form at different times. Abdylmyanov presented his work at the European Planetary Science Congress in Madrid on Thursday September 27.

For the first time, astronomers have measured the radius of a black hole
(Phys.org)—The point of no return: In astronomy, it's known as a black hole—a region in space where the pull of gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes that can be billions of times more massive than our sun may reside at the heart of most galaxies. Such supermassive black holes are so powerful that activity at their boundaries can ripple throughout their host galaxies.

Simulations uncover 'flashy' secrets of merging black holes (w/ Video)
(Phys.org)—According to Einstein, whenever massive objects interact, they produce gravitational waves—distortions in the very fabric of space and time—that ripple outward across the universe at the speed of light. While astronomers have found indirect evidence of these disturbances, the waves have so far eluded direct detection. Ground-based observatories designed to find them are on the verge of achieving greater sensitivities, and many scientists think that this discovery is just a few years away.

Curiosity rover finds old streambed on martian surface
(Phys.org)—NASA's Curiosity rover mission has found evidence a stream once ran vigorously across the area on Mars where the rover is driving. There is earlier evidence for the presence of water on Mars, but this evidence—images of rocks containing ancient streambed gravels—is the first of its kind.

Technology news

NZ PM apologises to Dotcom for spy bungle
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key apologised Thursday to Internet tycoon Kim Dotcom over an "unacceptable" bungle by government spies leading up to the arrest of the Megaupload boss.

Facebook Brazil to pay woman $1,500 over fake profile
A Brazilian court said Wednesday it ordered Facebook to pay a woman user $1,500 in moral damages for failing to promptly remove a fake profile containing her name and personal data.

Google's Brazil chief detained in YouTube case
(AP)—Google Inc.'s head of operations in Brazil was detained by the country's federal police Wednesday after the company failed to heed a judge's order to take down YouTube videos that the court ruled violate Brazilian electoral law.

Innovative website tracks homophobia on Twitter
In the time it takes you to read this story, the word "faggot" will have appeared on Twitter about 80 times.

Immersive digital technologies help bring the past to life
Projects which aim to bring heritage attractions to life using immersive digital technologies will be showcased at Watershed, Bristol this Friday. Three of the collaborations draw on the expertise of researchers in the University of Bristol's Faculty of Arts.

Gates: New Windows 8 system is 'very exciting'
(AP)—Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Thursday called the new Windows 8 operating system scheduled for release next month "a very exciting new product" and "a very big deal" for the world's largest software maker.

Ames Lab wins award for virtual spray paint training software
Spray paint training and designing next-generation power plants don't seem, at first glance, to have much to do with one another. But, the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory recently partnered with the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa to improve spray paint training using a virtual engineering software toolkit. The software enhancements have recently won a regional Federal Laboratory Consortium award for applying federal developed technology to industry needs.

Philippine websites hacked over cybercrime law
Hackers angered over a new Philippine anti-cybercrime law attacked several government websites on Thursday, posting messages denouncing the new legislation.

Biomimicry: Science inspired by nature could feed the hungry, reduce impact of technology
A wind turbine designed to incorporate the bumps on a whale's tale. A fast-growing rice that needs half the normal amount of water to grow, thanks to observation of a hot-spring fungi. A video display inspired by the iridescent wings of a blue butterfly. These are just a few examples of biomimicry, which examines nature to solve human problems, and it could change the world as we know it.

Television tops for US online video viewing: NPD
Online video fans in the United States prefer big screen televisions to computers when it comes to viewing, according to a report released Tuesday by NPD Group.

Cisco CEO's pay package dipped 9 pct in past year
(AP)—Cisco Systems Inc. trimmed CEO John Chambers' pay package for the past fiscal year by 9 percent as concerns about growth at the maker of computer networking equipment weighed on its stock.

Google's Schmidt hits out at mobile patent war
Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt on Thursday criticised raging patent disputes in the global mobile industry, warning that they stifled innovation and reduced consumer choice.

Comcast, NBCUniversal get behind zeebox app
(AP)—Comcast Corp. and its NBCUniversal subsidiary are taking a stake in zeebox, the maker of a so-called "second screen" app that people can fiddle with on mobile devices while they watch TV.

Pigs' revenge as 'Angry Birds' makers launch new game (Update)
"Angry Birds" maker Rovio launched a new title Thursday allowing users to play as the "Bad Piggies" from the smash-hit game, and take revenge on the birds who attacked them with slingshots.

Snail mail is far from dead, research finds
The rise of social media is often associated with a decline in the use of traditional forms of paper-based correspondence.

EU eyes a cloud computing heaven
With the cloud computing business still in its relatively early days, the European Union moved on Thursday to secure a toehold in a potentially lucrative market it says could deliver 2.5 million new jobs.

3-D laser sintering technology creates possibility of significant weight savings in aircraft fabrication
More than 50 percent weight savings in aircraft construction is now possible using hypermodern production techniques. A process called 3-D laser sintering of the raw material permits a completely new kind of fabrication. This process can reduce aircraft component part counts and improve designs, leading to enormous savings in weight and volume. The only equipment for this process in Austria - and at its time the second in the world - is located at FOTEC in Wiener Neustadt. The research subsidiary of the University of Applied Sciences located there is presently optimising the monitoring and quality control of the production process, while manufacturing a fuel collector for an aircraft engine that is even around 75 percent lighter than before.

Gaming used to challenge students through real-world, problem-solving situations
About 65 percent of American households play video games. Some are dedicated PC gamers, while others find thrills in online competition through consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. Even more people play games to pass the time on their smartphones or tablets, considerably extending the reach of games into our everyday lives.

US Bank admits 'attacks,' says customer data safe
US Bank acknowledged Thursday its website was the target of "attacks" aimed at disrupting its system but that customer data and financial information were not compromised.

Probability maps help sniff out food contamination
Uncovering the sources of fresh food contamination could become faster and easier thanks to analysis done at Sandia National Laboratories' National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC).

Developing next generation of batteries for improved mobile devices, electric cars
Sometimes even batteries can use a boost of energy, according to the focus of a Kansas State University graduate student's research.

Facebook 'gifts' launch, users can send presents
Facebook is rolling out a service called Gifts which, as its name suggests, lets users send chocolate, coffee, socks and other real-life presents to one another.

A third of US public fears police use of drones
More than a third of Americans worry their privacy will suffer if drones like those used to spy on U.S. enemies overseas become the latest police tool for tracking suspected criminals at home, according to an Associated Press-National Constitution Center poll.

RIM posts big loss but not as bad as expected
BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion posted another large loss in the second quarter on Thursday but not as bad as analysts expected.

Amazing engines promise 60 to 100 mpg
It would be a mistake to count out the internal-combustion engine as yesterday's technology, soon to expire in a puff of exhaust gas. Electrification is coming, but meanwhile engineers have offered more innovation for the venerable gas engine in the last three years than they did in the previous 20. The result is 40 mpg on the highway, from four-cylinder power plants with the same performance as older V-6s or even V-8s.

LG accuses Samsung of infringing patents
South Korea's LG Display, one of the world's top flat-screen TV makers, said Thursday it had filed a patent infringement suit against Samsung Electronics over the use of advanced displays.

Sharp's solar panels throw posh light on city high-rise
(Phys.org)—Yet another eco-conscious announcement from Japan for residents of Japan: Sharp has announced a solar panel of a semi transparent nature for mounting on balcony railings or high-rise windows. These are semi-transparent black solar energy panels that can collect energy from the sun while still allowing the light to shine through. The panels are laminated glass infused with photovoltaic cells. Each panel contains rows of cells arranged so that natural light can shine through. The new product is said to deliver a solar power conversion efficiency of about 6.8-percent with a maximum output of 95 watts. The module can also act as a heat shield, preventing heat from passing through the glass.

Belgians to build prototype nuclear reactor with particle accelerator to reduce waste threat
(Phys.org)—Researchers at the SCK CEN Belgian Nuclear Research Centre have announced that they are going to build a Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications (MYRRHA) which is an experimental way of producing electricity via a nuclear reactor using a particle accelerator as a neutron source. The benefits of such an approach would mean spent nuclear fuel would have a far shorter half-life than conventional reactor technology methods and increased safety as runaway chain reactions cannot occur.

Wireless data centers could be faster, cheaper, greener
(Phys.org)—Cornell computer scientists have proposed an innovative wireless design that could greatly reduce the cost and power consumption of massive cloud computing data centers, while improving performance.

Scientists bring the heat to refine renewable biofuel production
(Phys.org)—Perhaps inspired by Arizona's blazing summers, Arizona State University scientists have developed a new method that relies on heat to improve the yield and lower the costs of high-energy biofuels production, making renewable energy production more of an everyday reality.

Using amorphous and monocristalline silicon together, researchers set new efficiency record for photovoltaic cells
This week, EPFL's Institute of Microengineering presented in Frankfurt "hybrid" photovoltaic cells with an energy conversion efficiency of 21.4 percent, the highest obtained for the type of substrate they used. This breakthrough will contribute to lower the cost of solar cell based installations.

Browser plugin helps people balance their political news reading habits
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, many voters become voracious consumers of online political news. A tool by a University of Washington researcher tracks whether all those articles really provide a balanced view of the debate – and, if not, suggests some sites that offer opinions from the other side of the political spectrum.

'Transient electronics': Biocompatible electronic devices dissolve in body, environment
Tiny, fully biocompatible electronic devices that are able to dissolve harmlessly into their surroundings after functioning for a precise amount of time have been created by a research team led by biomedical engineers at Tufts University in collaboration with researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

MIT spinoff spiffs up desktop 3-D printing with Form 1
(Phys.org)—Up to now, says a new company planning a price/quality upset in the 3-D printing market, people have been able to get affordable, low-end 3-D desktop printers but below the higher quality standards that professional designers seek. The company, Formlabs, says outright that "There are no low-cost 3D printers that meet the quality standards of the professional designer." They have an alternative to expensive but advanced stereolithography devices, They have developed the Form 1, a desktop-sized machine that will be made available at a lower price point but will offer a high-resolution resin system that can produce professional-grade 3-D prints.

Medicine & Health news

TB drug could reduce mortality for MDR-TB and XDR-TB cases
Results from an observational study evaluating a new anti-TB drug have found that the treatment can improve outcomes and reduce mortality among patients with both MDR-TB and XDR-TB.

Predicting erectile dysfunction from prostate cancer treatment
Researchers have identified 12 DNA sequences that may help doctors determine which men will suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Identifying these patients in advance of treatment may better inform men and their families as to which prostate cancer treatments are best for their specific cancer and lifestyle, according to a study to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue, in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.Biology.Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The findings could also guide doctors in recommending the most effective treatments that carry the least risk of patients developing ED.

Research suggests shared genetic link in psychiatric and movement disorders
Fewer than 100 people in the world are known to be affected by a movement disorder called rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP), but its symptoms are life-changing. Seemingly normal young people are suddenly and dramatically unable to control movement of their arms or legs and have trouble speaking or swallowing. A normal life is nearly impossible.

Agency: Medicare refills strong drugs despite law
(AP)—A government inspector's report says Medicare routinely refilled pain pills and other medications that are barred by federal law from being renewed without a fresh prescription.

Arkansas court upholds medical marijuana proposal
(AP)—The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a proposed ballot measure Thursday that, if successful, would make the state the first in the more conservative southern U.S. to legalize medical marijuana.

Reducing obesity among ageing baby boomers a priority
New strategies to reduce obesity among baby boomers in the workforce are urgently needed, according to a report released today by University of Adelaide researchers.

Landmark guidelines for optimal quality care of geriatric surgical patients just released
New comprehensive guidelines for the pre- operative care of the nation's elderly patients have been issued by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). The joint guidelines—published in the October issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons—apply to every patient who is 65 years and older as defined by Medicare regulations. The guidelines are the culmination of two years of research and analysis by a multidisciplinary expert panel representing the ACS and AGS, as well as by expert representatives from a range of medical specialties.

Antioxidant may prevent, even cure, cataracts and other degenerative eye disorders
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are working with an antioxidant that could prevent or cure cataracts, macular degeneration and other degenerative eye disorders.

Using antibodies against immune deficiency
Early, intensive therapy with a biotechnologically produced medication can provide significantly faster pain relief for patients with rheumatic joint inflammation. Damage to joints can also be reduced when the medication is applied right at the beginning of the illness. A nationwide study sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and conducted by Prof. Gerd-Rüdiger Burmester, director of the Medical Department, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, came to this conclusion. Findings are published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Childhood obesity epidemic is clearly tied to easy availability of junk food
Some risk factors for obesity are specific to infants, such as being breastfed less often. But other factors are present throughout children's lives.

Doctors failing to follow up test results
(Medical Xpress)—A systematic review by UNSW Medicine researchers has found up to 62 per cent of laboratory tests and up to 36 per cent of radiology reports were not being followed up by doctors, for patients attending GPs, clinics or hospital outpatient departments.

Antipsychotic drugmakers target marketing dollars at DC Medicaid psychiatrists
The D.C. Department of Health (DOH) has released a study by George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services (SPHHS) indicating the high levels of marketing by antipsychotic drug manufacturers to Medicaid psychiatrists in the District of Columbia.

Public Citizen: State drug fraud cases on the rise
(AP)—A consumer advocacy group is reporting that pharmaceutical companies have paid more than $30 billion to state and federal governments to settle allegations of fraud over the last 20 years.

Ebola claims up to 33 lives in DR Congo: health ministry
An outbreak of Ebola fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have killed up to 33 people, while the number of suspected cases has risen, the health ministry said on Thursday.

African-American youth exposed to more alcohol advertising than youth in general
African-American youth ages 12-20 are seeing more advertisements for alcohol in magazines and on TV compared with all youth ages 12-20, according to a new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The report is available on CAMY's website, www.camy.org.

BMI and shuttle run among techniques IOM Report recommends for youth fitness testing
Techniques ranging from running to push-ups to sit-and-reach tests have been used to measure various aspects of fitness in children and adults. However, evidence is sparse on how well some of these techniques correspond to desired health outcomes in children, fueling debate about the best fitness measures for youth.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound better detects high-grade prostate cancers with less biopsies
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was found to better detect high-grade prostate cancer than conventional methods, making it a more appropriate approach for screening clinically important cancers and monitoring low-risk ones with less biopsies, researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals conclude in a phase III study published online in September in the Journal of Urology.

Research links increased hospital infections to nurse burnout
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year nearly 100,000 hospitalized patients die from infections acquired while undergoing treatment for other conditions. While many factors may contribute to the phenomenon, nurse staffing (i.e., the number of patients assigned to a nurse) has been implicated as a major cause.

An old drug finds a new use
Dr. Anglea Wandinger-Ness and Dr. Laurie Hudson were awarded a Provocative Questions grant to investigate the use of R-ketorolac against ovarian cancer. Ketorolac is an NSAID that the FDA approved for human use in 1991. They are investigating their hypothesis that R-ketorolac, and not S-ketorolac, acts on GTPases in the cell to control cell adhesion and growth in ovarian cancer cells.

Drug maker blocks anesthetic for use in executions
(AP)—The manufacturer of the anesthetic that caused the overdose death of pop star Michael Jackson says it won't allow the drug to be used in executions.

Enhancing oral health via sense of coherence: A cluster randomized trial
Today, the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) published a study titled "Enhancing Oral Health via Sense of Coherence: a Cluster Randomized Trial." This study by lead author Orawan Nammontri, University of Sheffield, UK, is published in the IADR/AADR Journal of Dental Research.

Colorectal cancer gene database helpful in furthering research
The CRCgene database, which gathers all genetic association studies on colorectal cancer, allows for researchers to accurately interpret the risk factors of the disease and provides insight into the direction of further colorectal cancer research, according to a study published September 27 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Gates hopes polio will be eradicated by 2018
(AP)—Software magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates, who is helping to spearhead a global campaign to eradicate polio, says he hopes that by 2015 no child in the world will be paralyzed by the disease and by 2018 polio will be wiped out.

All Yosemite workers to be offered hantavirus test
(AP)—Yosemite National Park officials plan to offer testing to all employees in the park to determine whether they've been infected with a deadly mouse-borne virus.

Vienna to use public defibrillators to fight heart attacks
Vienna will introduce 60 public defibrillators around the city over the coming months, in a bid to save lives by promoting quicker first aid in the event of a heart attack, authorities said Thursday.

Dollars for donors: Many support financial incentives to encourage organ donation
Most Canadians view financial incentives for deceased kidney donation to be acceptable, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). Nearly half of the general public in Canada also find it acceptable for living kidney donation. Studies are now needed to determine whether acceptability of financial incentives translates to more available organs to patients in critical need of a transplant.

Stivarga approved for advanced colorectal cancer
(HealthDay)—Stivarga (regorafenib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat colorectal cancer that has spread despite prior treatment.

Study finds large proportion of intellectual disability is not genetically inherited
New research published Online First in The Lancet suggests that a high proportion of severe intellectual disability results from genetic causes that are not inherited. These findings are good news for parents, indicating a low risk of passing on the disorder to further children.

Possible link between infants' regulatory behaviors and maternal mental health
Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are physical complaints, such as headaches, pain, fatigue, and dizziness, that cannot be explained medically. These symptoms affect 10-30% of children and adolescents and account for 2-4% of all pediatric doctor visits. A new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics finds that infants with regulatory problems (i.e., feeding, sleeping, and tactile reactivity) and/or maternal psychiatric problems may have an increased risk of FSS in later childhood.

West Nile cases rise by 400 since last week: CDC
(HealthDay)—The number of new West Nile virus cases jumped by more than 400 since last week, and the death toll now stands at 147, up from 134, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.

Scientists sort through theories to explain hantavirus outbreak
Scientists seeking a cause for the deadly hantavirus outbreak among Yosemite National Park visitors over the summer are investigating whether a spike in the deer mouse population, combined with the unusual design of some tent cabins that enabled mice to nest in the insulation, made it easier for people to contract the rare disease.

Researchers find possible key to regulation of ovarian cancer stem cells
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that the micro ribonucleic acid miR-214 plays a critical role in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell properties. This knowledge, said the researchers, could pave the way for a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

WHO urges docs to watch for new SARS-like virus
(AP)—Global health officials have alerted doctors to be on the lookout for a virus related to SARS but said there were no signs the disease was behaving like the respiratory syndrome that killed hundreds in 2003.

WHO urges action as drug-resistant malaria spreads
The World Health Organization said Thursday that governments in the Mekong region must act "urgently" to stop the spread of drug-resistant malaria which has emerged in parts of Vietnam and Myanmar.

Outsmarting the superbugs
Defeating the deadly Clostridium difficile is no easy task but, step-by-step, microbiologist Associate Professor Dena Lyras is helping piece together the puzzle.

Is food addicting? Not so fast, Yale researchers caution
Although some recent scientific reports have equated the over-consumption of food to drug addiction, there are many differences between the neurobiology of the behaviors, Yale School of Medicine researchers report.

Viewpoint: Patient identified with illness similar to SARS
A new respiratory illness, similar to SARS, has been identified in a man who is being treated in the UK.

Surgeons use woman's own tissue to rebuild ear lost to cancer
(Medical Xpress)—In a series of a half-dozen operations spanning 20 months, surgeons at Johns Hopkins have successfully reconstructed the entire ear and part of the skull of a 42-year-old woman from Bel Air, Md.

Targeted health support needed for those with lower IQs
(Medical Xpress)—Targeted health support is necessary for people with lower IQs according to new research which shows that they are unhappier and more likely to have poorer health than people with higher IQs. 

Physicians offer new procedure to manage fecal incontinence, an underreported and debilitating condition
Fecal incontinence, or the inability to control the bowels, is a highly underreported and stigmatized condition, according to colorectal surgeons at Loyola University Health System (LUHS).

First use in patient of conditionally reprogrammed cells delivers clinical response
Using a newly discovered cell technology, Georgetown University Medical Center researchers were able to identify an effective therapy for a patient with a rare type of lung tumor. The single case study, reported in the September 27 issue of New England Journal of Medicine, provides a snapshot of the new technology's promising potential; however, researchers strongly caution that it could be years before validation studies are completed and regulatory approval received for its broader use.

Researchers make breakthrough on immune system and brain tumors
In what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of deadly brain tumors, a team of researchers from Barrow Neurological Institute and Arizona State University has discovered that the immune system reacts differently to different types of brain tissue, shedding light on why cancerous brain tumors are so difficult to treat.

New way to weed out problem stem cells, making therapy safer
Mayo Clinic researchers have found a way to detect and eliminate potentially troublemaking stem cells to make stem cell therapy safer. Induced Pluripotent Stem cells, also known as iPS cells, are bioengineered from adult tissues to have properties of embryonic stem cells, which have the unlimited capacity to differentiate and grow into any desired types of cells, such as skin, brain, lung and heart cells. However, during the differentiation process, some residual pluripotent or embryonic-like cells may remain and cause them to grow into tumors.

Snoring without sleep apnea does not increase death or heart disease risk
(Medical Xpress)—A group of Australian researchers have achieved a world-first to demonstrate that objectively measured snoring, without more serious sleep apnea, does not increase mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Healthy lungs' microbes focus of study on cystic fibrosis
(Medical Xpress)—Healthy people's lungs are home to a diverse community of microbes that differs markedly from the bacteria found in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. That's the result of new research from Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, which has wide implications for treatment of cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases.

When physicians report unfit drivers, crash rates go down, study shows
(Medical Xpress)—Mandatory physician reporting of patients who may be medically unfit to drive led to a substantial decrease in serious road crashes, according to a new study from the School of Medicine and the University of Toronto.

Researchers developing device to detect brain bleeding in pre-term infants
(Medical Xpress)—Nearly one-third of premature babies develop bleeding in the brain after birth, a problem associated with serious long-term effects such as cerebral palsy, seizures and blindness.

Popular HIV drug may cause memory declines
The way the body metabolizes a commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug that is used long term by patients infected with HIV may contribute to cognitive impairment by damaging nerve cells, a new Johns Hopkins research suggests.

Short-, long-course therapy comparable in T3 rectal cancer
(HealthDay)—There are no statistically significant differences in the rates of local recurrence (LR), distant recurrence, relapse-free survival, overall survival, or late toxicity in patients treated with short-course (SC) radiotherapy or long-course (LC) chemoradiation, according to research published online Sept. 24 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Uptick in cinematic smoking: More onscreen tobacco use in movies aimed at young viewers
Top box office films last year showed more onscreen smoking than the prior year, reversing five years of steady progress in reducing tobacco imagery in movies, according to a new UCSF study.

Shared pathway links Lou Gehrig's disease with spinal muscular atrophy
Researchers of motor neuron diseases have long had a hunch that two fatal diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), might somehow be linked. A new study confirms that this link exists.

New way of fighting high cholesterol upends assumptions
Atherosclerosis – the hardening of arteries that is a primary cause of cardiovascular disease and death – has long been presumed to be the fateful consequence of complicated interactions between overabundant cholesterol and resulting inflammation in the heart and blood vessels.

Study adds to efforts to find more effective anti-inflammatory drugs
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown function for a protein that could add to the expanding arsenal of potential new drugs for battling inflammation and tissue fibrosis in a number of disease processes.

Major cancer protein amplifies global gene expression
Scientists may have discovered why a protein called MYC can provoke a variety of cancers. Like many proteins associated with cancer, MYC helps regulate cell growth. A study carried out by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and colleagues found that, unlike many other cell growth regulators, MYC does not turn genes on or off, but instead boosts the expression of genes that are already turned on.

Study discovers first real indicator of longevity in mammals
A team of researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), headed by CNIO Director María Blasco, has demonstrated in a pioneering study on mammals that longevity is defined at a molecular level by the length of telomeres. The work—which is published today in the online edition of the journal Cell Reports—opens the door to further study of these cellular components in order to calculate the rate at which cells age and thus be able to determine life expectancy for a particular organism.

This year's flu vaccine guards against new strains
(AP)—Time to get your flu vaccine. And remember: Last year's shot won't protect you this year.

Cogmed Working Memory Training: Does it actually work? The debate continues
Helping children achieve their full potential in school is of great concern to everyone, and a number of commercial products have been developed to try and achieve this goal. The Cogmed Working Memory Training program (http://www.cogmed.com/) is such an example and is marketed to schools and parents of children with attention problems caused by poor working memory. But, does the program actually work? The target article in the September issue of Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (JARMAC) calls into question Cogmed's claims of improving working memory and addressing underachievement due to working memory constraints.

Single-site laparoscopic surgery reduces pain of tumor removal
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that recovery from an emerging, minimally invasive surgical technique called Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS) was less painful for kidney cancer patients than traditional laparoscopic surgery. Study results were published in the September online edition of Urology.

Treating hepatitis C infection in prison is good public policy
Incarcerated patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are just as likely to respond to treatment for the disease as patients in the community, according to findings published in the October issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) in Madison found that HCV patients in prison were just as likely to achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) as non-incarcerated patients.

Researchers investigate aggression among kindergartners
Not all aggressive children are aggressive for the same reasons, according to Penn State researchers, who found that some kindergartners who are aggressive show low verbal abilities while others are more easily physiologically aroused. The findings suggest that different types of treatments may be needed to help kids with different underlying causes for problem behavior.

Work-family conflict translates to greater risk of musculoskeletal pain for hospital workers
Nurses and other hospital workers, especially those who work long hours or the night shift, often report trying to juggle the demands of the job and family obligations. A study out today by The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) suggests that the higher the work-family conflict the greater the risk that health care workers will suffer from neck and other types of musculoskeletal pain.

In treated MS, early disease activity predicts poor outcome
(HealthDay)—After 15 years of follow-up, patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who display disease activity despite treatment with interferon (IFN)β-1a tend to have unfavorable long-term outcomes, according to research published online Sept. 13 in the Annals of Neurology.

Choice of psoriasis treatment affects CVD event rates
(HealthDay)—Compared with other anti-psoriatic therapies, systemic anti-inflammatory treatment of patients with severe psoriasis with biologic agents or methotrexate is associated with a lower combined risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, according to research published online Sept. 11 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Crucial advance in stem cell research: Human skin cells converted to neural precursor cells
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at The University of Auckland's Centre for Brain Research have succeeded in converting human skin cells directly into immature brain cells (or neural precursor cells).

How attention helps you remember
A new study from MIT neuroscientists sheds light on a neural circuit that makes us likelier to remember what we're seeing when our brains are in a more attentive state.

Aggressive cancer exploits MYC oncogene to amplify global gene activity
Whitehead Institute researchers have determined the mechanism used by c-Myc to increase the expression of all active genes in cancer cells. Elevated levels of c-Myc are linked to increased rates of metastasis, disease recurrence, and mortality in cancer patients. Guided by this new model, researchers hope to find ways to restrict c-Myc's activity to eradicate cancer cells that become dependent on c-Myc for their survival.

Scientists find molecular link to obesity and insulin resistance in mice
Flipping a newly discovered molecular switch in white fat cells enabled mice to eat a high-calorie diet without becoming obese or developing the inflammation that causes insulin resistance, report scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Learning to overcome fear is difficult for teens, brain study finds
A new study by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers shows that adolescents' reactions to threat remain high even when the danger is no longer present. According to researchers, once a teenager's brain is triggered by a threat, the ability to suppress an emotional response to the threat is diminished which may explain the peak in anxiety and stress-related disorders during this developmental period.

Researchers solve key part of old mystery in generating muscle mass
Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have solved a key part of a muscle regeneration mystery plaguing scientists for years, adding strong support to the theory that muscle mass can be built without a complete, fully functional supply of muscle stem cells.

Dynamics of DNA packaging helps regulate formation of heart
A new regulator for heart formation has been discovered by studying how embryonic stem cells adjust the packaging of their DNA. This approach to finding genetic regulators, the scientists say, may have the power to provide insight into the development of any tissue in the body – liver, brain, blood and so on.

Deadly complication of stem cell transplants reduced in mice
(Medical Xpress)—Studying leukemia in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have reduced a life-threatening complication of stem cell transplants, the only curative treatment when leukemia returns.

'Bas-Congo': Genetic sleuthing uncovers deadly new virus in Africa
An isolated outbreak of a deadly disease known as acute hemorrhagic fever, which killed two people and left one gravely ill in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the summer of 2009, was probably caused by a novel virus scientists have never seen before.

Hearing brains are 'deaf' to disappearance of sounds, study reveals
Our brains are better at hearing new and approaching sounds than detecting when a sound disappears, according to a study published today funded by the Wellcome Trust. The findings could explain why parents often fail to notice the sudden quiet from the playroom that usually accompanies the onset of mischief.

What looks like play may really be a science experiment
(HealthDay)—You may think your toddler is just playing in the sand box, but she may really be conducting a sophisticated scientific experiment and learning something new every time she pours out another scoop of sand, new research suggests.

Biology news

Psychology of equine performance and the biology behind laminitis
Achieving the best performance from a horse is the goal of not just professional riders, but also the millions of amateur and hobby riders all over the world. A new article published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Veterinary Research looks at the issues surrounding training, competition environment and practices, and how the psychology of horse mood, emotion and temperament can be used to enhance performance. A sister article looks at the devastating disease laminitis, and finds that the anti-inflammatory protein apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA-IV) is raised in chronic laminitis, which suggests that it is linked to a more general inflammation, especially of the digestive system.

Australia shark attacks spark kill orders
Sharks that stray too close to beaches on Australia's west coast will be caught and killed under a new government plan in response to an unprecedented spate of fatalities.

Salt cedar beetle damage in Texas panhandle widespread after warm summer
Salt cedar along the waterways of the southern and eastern Panhandle is rapidly being defoliated and dying back, and one Texas A&M AgriLife Research entomologist believes he knows why.

Vets try to save Indian rhino attacked by poachers
Vets in northeast India battled on Thursday to save a rare rhino whose horn was hacked off by poachers who are stepping up attacks on animals fleeing rising floods in Assam state.

Oldest reproductive orangutan dies in France
A Sumatran orangutan believed to be the oldest reproductive specimen in captivity has died at a zoo in western France, a few weeks after celebrating his 50th birthday.

Hummingbirds make flying backward look easy
Animals that move backwards usually require a lot of energy, so Nir Sapir from the University of California Berkeley, USA, was surprised when he realized that hummingbirds execute this maneuver routinely. Wondering how hummingbirds perform the feat, he analyzed their flight and the amount of oxygen they consume and found that reversing is much cheaper than hovering flight and no more costly than flying forward.

Secrets of the plant kingdom uncovered after over a century in storage
(Phys.org)—The relocation of the Herbarium's one million pressed and dried plants to their new home in the University's state-of-the-art Sainsbury Laboratory is turning up hundreds of unique specimens never seen since their collection centuries ago.

Researchers find lower corticosterone levels in eggs of hens with access to nest boxes
A study of the welfare of caged production hens has recommended chickens have access to a nest box to lay their eggs without being disturbed.

Research into bacterial disease could lead to natural herbicide
(Phys.org)—University of Florida scientists are researching a natural herbicide that could be used in traditional and organic farming.

Nature's misfits: Reclassifying protists helps us understand how many species remain undiscovered
Since the Victorian era, categorizing the natural world has challenged scientists. No group has presented a challenge as tricky as the protists, the tiny, complex life forms that are neither plants nor animals. A new reclassification of eukaryotic life forms, published in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, draws together the latest research to clarify the current state of protist diversity and categorization, as well as the many species that remain to be discovered.

Researchers discover obesity-related hormone in fruit flies
Researchers have discovered in fruit flies a key metabolic hormone thought to be the exclusive property of vertebrates. The hormone, leptin, is a nutrient sensor, regulating energy intake and output and ultimately controlling appetite. As such, it is of keen interest to researchers investigating obesity and diabetes on the molecular level. But until now, complex mammals such as mice have been the only models for investigating the mechanisms of this critical hormone. These new findings suggest that fruit flies can provide significant insights into the molecular underpinnings of fat sensing.

'Semi-dwarf' trees may enable a green revolution for some forest crops
(Phys.org)—The same "green revolution" concepts that have revolutionized crop agriculture and helped to feed billions of people around the world may now offer similar potential in forestry, scientists say, with benefits for wood, biomass production, drought stress and even greenhouse gas mitigation.

New fish species offers literal take on 'hooking up'
Fishing hooks aren't the only hooks found in east-central Mexican waters. A new species of freshwater fish described by a North Carolina State University researcher has several interesting – and perhaps cringe-inducing – characteristics, including a series of four hooks on the male genitalia.

Napiergrass: A potential biofuel crop for the sunny Southeast
A grass fed to cattle throughout much of the tropics may become a biofuel crop that helps the nation meet its future energy needs, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.

Liver cells, insulin-producing cells, thymus can be grown in lymph nodes
(Phys.org)—Lymph nodes can provide a suitable home for a variety of cells and tissues from other organs, suggesting that a cell-based alternative to whole organ transplantation might one day be feasible, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and its McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. In a report recently published online in Nature Biotechnology, the research team showed for the first time that liver cells, thymus tissue and insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells, in an animal model, can thrive in lymph nodes despite being displaced from their natural sites.

Chocolate makes snails smarter
Chocolate isn't usually on the diet for snails, but when Lee Fruson and Ken Lukowiak from the University of Calgary, became curious about the effects of diet on memory, they decided to try a flavonoid from chocolate, epicatechin (epi) on the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis to see if it improved the animals' memories. After a dose of epi, the pond snails were able to remember a training protocol for longer and the memories were stronger.

Making progress toward the prevention of collagen-related diseases
A collaboration between groups from France and the UK, led by researchers from the Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, have just determined the three-dimensional structure of a key region of the procollagen molecule, the precursor form of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. This region, called the C-propeptide domain, plays an extremely important role in collagen assembly, defects in which can lead to serious, often lethal diseases. This work is published on the 23 September 2012 in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.

Bioengineers introduce "Bi-Fi": The biological Internet
(Phys.org)—If you were a bacterium, the virus M13 might seem innocuous enough. It insinuates more than it invades, setting up shop like a freeloading houseguest, not a killer. Once inside it makes itself at home, eating your food, texting indiscriminately. Recently, however, bioengineers at Stanford University have given M13 a bit of a makeover.

Scientists capture clues to sustainability of fish populations
Thanks to studies of a fish that gives birth to live young and is not fished commercially, scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered that food availability is a critical limiting factor in the health of fish populations.

Science paper says it's not too late for troubled fisheries
A study published in Science magazine and co-authored by Bren School Sustainable Fisheries Group (SFG) researchers and their colleagues confirms suspicions that thousands of "data-poor" fisheries, representing some 80 percent of the world's fisheries, are in decline but could recover with proper management.

Uranium-contaminated site yields wealth of information on underground microbe community
University of California, Berkeley, scientists have sequenced nearly all the genes in an underground community of microbes at a contaminated uranium mill site in Rifle, Colo., providing information that could help scientists better manipulate the microbes that remediate heavy metal contamination or those that take up and store carbon from the atmosphere.

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