Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 5, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- 'Cambridge Nights' enters second season of intellectual late-night TV- Interfaces are key in metal oxide superlattices
- Researchers find most BitTorrent users being monitored
- 143 km: Physicists break quantum teleportation distance
- Dinosaur die-out might have been second of two closely timed extinctions
- Tough hydrogel stretches to 21 times its length, recoils, and heals itself
- Expressing your emotions can reduce fear: study
- ENCODE project: Researchers catalogue functional elements of the genome
- Loss of tropical forests reduces rainfall
- ENCODE project: Yale team finds order amidst the chaos within the human genome
- ENCODE project: In massive genome analysis new data suggests 'gene' redefinition
- Study in mice discovers injection of heat-generating cells reduces belly fat
- Sleep problems may be early sign of Alzheimer's
- Anti-HIV vaginal ring can prevent virus transmission: animal study
- Genome-wide scan maps mutations in deadly lung cancers; reveals embryonic gene link
Space & Earth news
Oxfam warns food prices to soar due to climate change
Staple food prices may double within the next two decades due to climate change and an increase in extreme weather including droughts and hurricanes, the anti-poverty group Oxfam said Wednesday.
NASA announces asteroid naming contest for students
Students worldwide have an opportunity to name an asteroid from which an upcoming NASA mission will return the first samples to Earth.
Chemical use inflicts mounting bill on poor countries: UN
The spiralling use of chemicals, especially in developing countries, is inflicting a rising bill by damaging people's health and the environment, according to a UN report issued on Wednesday.
Groundwater a viable resource for Malaysians
A report on productive aquifers in hard rock on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia suggests greater water supply than has previously been recognised. The work, published in the Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, suggests which factors should be taken into account before drilling for industrial and residential water supplies, as groundwater becomes a more important resource worldwide.
Global climate talks make headway: UN
The United Nations on Wednesday hailed "concrete progress" at week-long climate talks in Bangkok, but environmental campaigners warned much faster action was needed to combat global warming.
Africa needs own space agency: Sudan's Bashir
Africa needs its own space research agency, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir told a regional conference of communications ministers who met on Wednesday as the continent's IT sector grows.
BP accused of gross negligence in US spill
The US Justice Department has accused oil giant BP of "gross negligence and willful misconduct" in the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, in court documents obtained Wednesday.
Cameroon palm oil plantation deal 'must be stopped': report
A large palm oil plantation project in development in Cameroon since 2010 will put livelihoods and ecosystems in peril if allowed to continue, a US-based think-tank warned Wednesday.
NASA mission to study magnetic explosions passes major review
(Phys.org)—On August 31, 2012 , NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission proved it was ready for its next steps by passing what's called a Systems Integration Review (SIR), which deems a mission ready to integrate instruments onto the spacecraft.
NASA to honor astronaut Armstrong September 13
A memorial service for Neil Armstrong, the US astronaut who became the first human being to set foot on the moon, will be held in the US capital Washington on September 13, NASA said Tuesday.
Jupiter-bound craft's 2nd maneuver delayed 10 days
NASA says it has postponed a maneuver planned for the Jupiter-bound spacecraft Juno.
Dawn craft to depart asteroid for dwarf planet
One asteroid down, one to go. After spending a year gazing at Vesta, NASA's Dawn spacecraft was set to cruise toward the most massive space rock in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter—a voyage that will take nearly three years.
Coral study provides clues to reef damage in Madagascar
(Phys.org)—A group of international researchers, including one from UWA Oceans Institute, has used coral sampling to assess the impact of river run-offs in a bay in north-eastern Madagascar.
Forest edge reveals habitat loss in Madagascar
(Phys.org)—The dry forests of Madagascar can use all the help they can get. New research suggests a promising tool for understanding and conserving these threatened environments.
Life from Mars could have 'polluted' Earth: Krauss
Unless you've been living under a rock—Earth or Martian—in the past month, surely you have heard about the Curiosity rover's landing and early adventures on Mars.
Six 'megatrends' that will change the way we live
Humanity will find new ways to do more with less, climate change will have a far-reaching impact, and personal experiences will trump products according to CSIRO's latest global megatrends report.
Smelling Grímsvotn: Signal of a volcanic eruption
(Phys.org)—While piloting a commercial transatlantic flight last year, Captain Klaus Sievers and his crew got a whiff of an unusual odour. In a confined space 10 km up in the air, there was only one thing it could be.
Concern about plans to close unique Canadian environmental project
The Canadian government's plans to discontinue in 2013 a unique environmental research project that has yielded insights into water pollution, climate change and other topics for almost 40 years would be a "huge loss not only to science but to the scientific heritage of humanity." That's the focus of a viewpoint article in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.
NASA sees fading post-Tropical Cyclone John's warmer cloud tops
Post-tropical cyclone John has been "flushed" out of existence in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and infrared NASA imagery revealed warmer cloud top temperatures and virtually no precipitation from John's remnants on Sept. 4.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Leslie was causing a problem for itself
Infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite shows that Tropical Storm Leslie has been causing problems for itself.
NASA imagery reveals strength in Tropical Storm Michael's 'arm'
NASA's Aqua satellite shows that tiny Tropical Storm Michael had some strong thunderstorms wrapped around its center and in a band of thunderstorms in its northeastern "arm" or quadrant.
A cluster with a secret
(Phys.org)—A new image from ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile shows the spectacular globular star cluster Messier 4. This ball of tens of thousands of ancient stars is one of the closest and most studied of the globular clusters and recent work has revealed that one of its stars has strange and unexpected properties, apparently possessing the secret of eternal youth.
Fewer exploding stars potential predictor of global warming
(Phys.org)—One of the universe's greatest unexplained mysteries – why stars explode – could be explained by a particle similar to the Higgs boson. The theory developed by University of Aberdeen astrophysicist, Dr Charles Wang, will be tested at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in December and was announced at the British Science Festival today.
Spacewalking team conquers bolt on 2nd trip out (Update)
Spacewalking astronauts triumphed over a stubborn bolt and installed a critical power-switching box at the International Space Station on Wednesday, reviving electrical systems.
Loss of tropical forests reduces rainfall
Deforestation can have a significant effect on tropical rainfall, new research confirms. The findings have potentially devastating impacts for people living in and near the Amazon and Congo forests.
Seeing the birth of the universe in an atom of hydrogen
Windows to the past, stars can unveil the history of our universe, currently estimated to be 14 billion years old. The farther away the star, the older it is—and the oldest stars are the most difficult to detect. Current telescopes can only see galaxies about 700 million years old, and only when the galaxy is unusually large or as the result of a big event like a stellar explosion.
Glacial thinning has sharply accelerated at major South American icefields
For the past four decades scientists have monitored the ebbs and flows of the icefields in the southernmost stretch of South America's vast Andes Mountains, detecting an overall loss of ice as the climate warms. A new study, however, finds that the rate of glacier thinning has increased by about half over the last dozen years in the Southern Patagonian Icefield, compared to the 30 years prior to 2000.
Mankind's messenger at the final frontier
It looks like a dustbin lid strapped to a cluster of fishing rods. Its computer is so puny it could not even start up your iPhone. And if E.T. wants to listen to the message it brings, he'll need a gramophone to play it on.
Dinosaur die-out might have been second of two closely timed extinctions
The most-studied mass extinction in Earth history happened 65 million years ago and is widely thought to have wiped out the dinosaurs. New University of Washington research indicates that a separate extinction came shortly before that, triggered by volcanic eruptions that warmed the planet and killed life on the ocean floor.
Technology news
White House 'apps' tuned for mobile gadget lifestyles
The White House rolled out upgraded "apps" to stay in tune with smartphone and tablet lovers as the Democratic National Convention got under way on Tuesday.
Huawei calls for cybersecurity cooperation
(AP)—Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies has released a report on cybersecurity that includes a pledge never to cooperate with spying in a fresh effort to allay security concerns in the United States and elsewhere that threaten to hamper its global expansion.
Moody's downgrades troubled Sharp's ratings
(AP)—Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Sharp's short-term ratings to the lowest "Not Prime" category, citing the Japanese electronics maker's debts and price drops in its main product, liquid-crystal displays.
Malaysia rare earths plant wins license to operate
(AP)—Australian miner Lynas Corp. says it has secured the Malaysian government's approval to fire up a controversial rare earths plant.
NXP delivers breakthrough performance in DisplayPort and HDMI switches
NXP Semiconductors today announced two high-performance switches supporting DisplayPort and HDMI architectures. The latest additions to NXP's high-speed computing portfolio include the CBTL06DP213, a bi-directional switch for DisplayPort 1.2 applications featuring industry-leading bandwidth over 11 GHz; and the CBTL06GP212, the industry's first switch to enable simultaneous support for both DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. Both are multi-channel capable devices designed using NXP's high-bandwidth analog pass-gate technology. NXP will demonstrate the new switches at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF2012) in San Francisco, Sept. 11-13.
Survey finds US competitive ranking down again
(AP)—The United States' ability to compete on the global stage has fallen for the fourth year running as confidence in the country's politicians continues to decline, an annual survey from the World Economic Forum found Wednesday.
UEFA says Euro 2012 a watershed for cyber-fans
The 2012 European football championships marked a watershed in the way fans enjoy enjoy sport online, with at least half of surfers opting for smartphones and tablet computers, UEFA's tech chief said Wednesday.
Film industry eyes Internet future at Venice fest
With much of the traditional cinema sector in a state of flux, Venice film festival participants said the industry is looking to a future in which the Internet will play an ever bigger role.
Zuckerberg pledge boosts Facebook shares
Facebook shares got a 3 percent boost Wednesday after co-founder Mark Zuckerberg pledged to not sell any of his shares for another year.
Facebook stock slide continues
Facebook stock hit a new low on Tuesday, with the world's leading social network having lost more than $50 billion dollars in market value since it became a publicly traded company in May.
FBI disputes claims of hackers' Apple data breach
The FBI on Tuesday disputed a computer hacker group's claim that it stole personal identification data on millions of Apple device owners from an FBI agent's laptop.
Samsung in hot seat over abusing Chinese workers
(AP)—Fresh off a billion-dollar loss in a patent fight with rival smartphone maker Apple, embattled Samsung Electronics Co. now finds itself accused by a labor rights group of mistreating workers in China and illegally using child labor.
Wireless technology facilitates independence for people with speech impairments and limited mobility
Technology to empower people who have impaired speech and mobility as a consequence of illness or a stroke to live independently has been developed by University of Aberdeen scientists, and was presented today at the British Science Festival 2012.
Super PACs revealed with new app
When political ads begin to flood television sets across America, many viewers reach for the remote. One recent Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) grad hopes they'll start grabbing their phones, driven not by annoyance or boredom, but curiosity.
Sign language communication supported with new app
An innovative new app that can help people to communicate in sign language through a searchable database of over 4,000 signs has been launched by the University of Bristol.
Mobile users wary of privacy invasion by apps: survey
Users of mobile devices are rejecting or uninstalling some apps because of concerns about how much personal and private information is collected, a US survey showed Wednesday.
Kinsey Reporter: Free app allows public to anonymously report, share information on sexual behavior
Indiana University has released Kinsey Reporter, a global mobile survey platform for collecting and reporting anonymous data about sexual and other intimate behaviors. The pilot project allows citizen observers around the world to use free applications now available for Apple and Android mobile platforms to not only report on sexual behavior and experiences, but also to share, explore and visualize the accumulated data.
Wireless window sentinel
Window contacts tell users if a window is open or closed. Typically, such sensors are wire-based. Scientists working with industry partners recently developed a new system that operates without wires or batteries. It draws its power from its environment: from sunlight and ambient heat.
Mobile gadget gamers take lead in US: NPD
People who play games on smartphones or tablet computers in the United States now outnumber "hardcore gamers" devoted to videogame consoles, according to NPD Group findings released Wednesday.
Al-Jazeera websites hacked
Al-Jazeera news network said on Wednesday a number of its websites had been hacked, and Internet users reported that pro-Syrian regime slogans were posted on the broadcaster's pages.
US Open using device that measures net tension
(AP)—The U.S. Open represents a showcase for a tennis invention that measures net cord tension.
Can 'FarmVille 2' save struggling Zynga?
(AP)—Not long ago, online games company Zynga looked on pace to unseat much bigger, well-established rivals as it rode the popularity of "FarmVille," the clicking game of virtual cows and real money.
Internet has no 'off switch', says web inventor
Tim Berners-Lee, the British inventor of the World Wide Web, on Wednesday warned governments that attempts to block the Internet were doomed to failure due to its scattered structure.
Biofuel waste product recycled for electricity
A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently, according to scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference. The work could help develop self-powered devices that would depollute waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments.
Mapping neurological disease—New algorithm can analyze information from medical images
Disorders such as schizophrenia can originate in certain regions of the brain and then spread out to affect connected areas. Identifying these regions of the brain, and how they affect the other areas they communicate with, would allow drug companies to develop better treatments and could ultimately help doctors make a diagnosis. But interpreting the vast amounts of data produced by brain scans to identify these connecting regions has so far proved impossible.
Murata turns to tiniest device for big business
(AP)—Small is big for Murata: The Japanese electronics maker has developed the world's tiniest version of a component known as the capacitor. And that's potentially big business.
New startup uses robot to reposition solar panels (w/ Video)
(Phys.org)—As prices for solar panels continue to fall, those looking to make money selling large arrays have increasingly been turning their attention to the physical infrastructure that supports the panels. To keep the panels pointing at the sun, engineers typically install motors, gears and electronic controllers on each one, all of which tend to cost a lot of money. Buyers on the other hand must make decisions on whether to install arrays with no moving capabilities or to choose from either single our double axis systems, with the latter costing a lot more. Single axis systems are capable of tilting panels along one line, moving forward following the available sunlight. Those with a two axis tracker on the other hand can tilt sideways a little bit as they move forward to ensure the panels face directly into the sun. Now, a new startup called QBotix has come up with what it believes is a better way. They employ a small robot moving on a monorail to move between the pa! nels adjusting each to point at the sun, eliminating the need for each panel to have its own motors, gears or electronics.
Japanese partnership results in palm recognition security for smartphones
(Phys.org)—By now everyone knows that the only way to protect the stuff you keep on your smartphone is to password protect the screen. Unfortunately, we all also know how easy it is to crack that little system as evidenced by various phone hacking scandals and stolen celebrity photos. Clearly a better way needs to be found, and now it seems Japanese mobile giant Softbank Mobile Corp, after teaming up with Universal Robot Co Ltd, might have found it; phone software that is able to recognize a person's unique palm patterns.
LEDs winning light race to save energy, the environment: report
Today's light-emitting diode light bulbs have a slight environmental edge over compact fluorescent lamps. And that gap is expected to grow significantly as technology and manufacturing methods improve in the next five years, according to a new report from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and UK-based N14 Energy Limited.
No-battery lantern uses water and salt for light
(Phys.org)—From young science students taking their cups and metals to the lab, to older inventors demonstrating their prototypes, it is no secret that salt water can be utilized as a conductor of electricity. Japan's Green House company is still managing to surprise everyone with its upcoming LED lantern that runs on just salt and water. Its forgettable product title is for a device that is simple enough. The "GH-LED10WBW" does not need any dry cell or rechargeable battery. Using a dedicated water bag, the water and salt once placed in the lantern produces light, pure and simple. The lantern can generate electricity for eight hours per charge of water. You just keep refilling the bag every eight hours for continued light. Inside the lantern is a magnesium rod, negative electrode, and a carbon rod, positive electrode.
Researchers find most BitTorrent users being monitored
(Phys.org)—Researchers from Birmingham University in the UK have found that users who frequent BitTorrent file sharing sites such as The Pirate Bay, risk having their IP address logged by monitors as quickly as within three hours of getting on. The team, led by Tom Chothia, discovered the extent to which monitors are tracking users on such sharing sites by monitoring activity themselves over a two year period. They found as they note in their paper presented this week at the SecureComm conference, that virtually all users of such sites wind up having their IP address noted and recorded at some point.
Medicine & Health news
India's emergency care system in tatters
(AP)—After a motorbike accident, Bharat Singh rushed to get his brother the emergency care he needed. It would end up taking five hours—three of them spent in a van posing as an ambulance, with an empty oxygen tank and no medic.
Iowa study aimed at making tractors safer for kids
(AP)—Researchers who hope to keep children from dying in tractor accidents are using a state-of-the-art driving simulator to help determine when kids can safely operate farm equipment.
Fighting malaria with the help of personal computing power
UCD researchers, Dr Anthony Chubb and PhD student Kevin O'Brien, working with Conway Fellow, Professor Denis Shields in the Complex Adaptive Systems Laboratory (CASL) are harnessing the donated computational power of personal computers to find new targets for anti-malarial drugs.
India mulls plain packaging of cigarettes
India is considering plain packaging of cigarettes in line with new Australian laws that ban all logos and brand descriptions, a top health official in New Delhi said on Wednesday.
West Nile virus: Be smart, don't panic
The current outbreak of West Nile virus may prove to be the worst since the disease was first recorded in New York 13 years ago, and it shows no indication of slowing down. As of the beginning of this month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had received more than 1,850 reports of West Nile virus cases across the country, and more than 40 deaths.
Scientists unravel genetic 'hairballs'
(Medical Xpress)—Some scientists call them "ridiculograms." Others use the term "hairballs."
New online tool helps industry identify drug interactions
Drug interactions and drug side effects occur all-too-often in patients' lives. Now there's a new online resource to help guide pharmaceutical developers as they endeavor to improve testing for potentially harmful drug interactions before new medicines reach consumers.
First aid training for primary students has long-term benefits
"When children are given professional first aid training at primary school, the benefits can be felt long term. That's why training in the early years is so incredibly important," says Fritz Sterz from the University Department of Emergency Medicine at the MedUni Vienna as pupils start school this week. The results of a recent study by Katrin Steiner from the MedUni Vienna, who is writing her thesis, also highlight this fact. The anaesthetist and emergency medicine physician has demonstrated that primary school children who are given first aid training in the first to fourth grades of school score highly when it comes to using a defibrillator or performing chest compressions.
Are restrictions to scientific research costing lives?
In 'Censors on Campus', Index on Censorship asks whether lives might be saved by making vital research freely available. As malaria expert Bart Knols argues, in some parts of Asia and Africa the fight against malaria is severely hampered because doctors and researchers are denied full access to the 3,000 articles published on the disease each year. At the same time, scientists living and working in developing countries are prevented from becoming global players in the public health arena.
Research gives insights into abortion
(Medical Xpress)—Women whose first pregnancy ends in abortion are more at risk of having a premature baby in a second pregnancy than women in their first pregnancy. However, the risk is not as high as that of women who have an initial miscarriage.
Global health requires new dynamics, suggests science panel
Basic science plays a critical role in the quest to improve global health, but it's only one part of a multi-pronged effort that includes changing the dynamics of global health so that developing nations have a more leading role in fulfilling their health care needs.
Why does Alzheimer's disease affect twice as many women as men?
A group of experts has developed consensus recommendations for future research directions to determine why nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are women. The recommendations are published in a Roundtable discussion in Journal of Women's Health.
Preliminary research findings released for Ekso robotic exoskeleton in spinal cord injury
Kessler Foundation has released preliminary research findings from its clinical study of the wearable robotic exoskeletal device, Ekso (Ekso Bionics). Gail Forrest, PhD, assistant director of Human Performance and Engineering Research, presented the Ekso research data on September 3, at the meeting of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals at the Rio Suites in Las Vegas. Dr. Forrest directs mobility research at the Foundation, including activity-based locomotor therapy, functional electrical stimulation, and treadmill training with the LokomatPro v6, as well as Ekso. Her research focuses on new ways to improve function and restore mobility for people with disabilities and reduce their long-term risks for complications.
Can gene therapy cure fatal diseases in children?
In order for the body to function, a balance is necessary between the cells that build up the bones in our skeletons and the cells that break them down. In the disease malignant infantile osteopetrosis, MIOP, the cells that break down the bone tissue do not function as they should, resulting in the skeleton not having sufficient cavities for bone-marrow and nerves.
Telaprevir: Added benefit in certain patients with hepatitis C
The drug telaprevir (trade name: Incivo) has been available for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection of genotype 1 since autumn 2011. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether telaprevir offers an added benefit compared with the present standard therapy.
UN calls for $2mn to fight deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
The United Nations appealed Wednesday for $2 million (1.6 million euros) to fight an epidemic of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed 14 people.
7-year-old Colo. girl recovers from bubonic plague
(AP)—The parents of 7-year-old Sierra Jane Downing thought she had the flu when she felt sick days after camping in southwest Colorado.
Worst year ever for West Nile in Texas; 40 dead
(AP)—Health officials say it's the worst year ever for West Nile in Texas, which has seen nearly half the country's deaths from the virus this year.
Consumer group sues FDA over Aricept safety
(AP)—A consumer group pressing the Food and Drug Administration to remove the highest dose of an Alzheimer's disease drug from the market is suing the agency for "foot-dragging."
'Fitness and fatness': Not all obese people have the same prognosis
People can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, with no greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer than normal weight people, according to the largest study ever to have investigated this, which is published online today in the European Heart Journal [1].
Smokers who value the future more likely to quit
Addiction researchers have known for many years that smokers are less likely than non-smokers to look to the future in planning their lives. New research has now shown that among smokers, those who have more of a future orientation are more likely to stop smoking.
Rate of women with pregnancy-associated cancer on the increase
The rate of pregnancy-associated cancer is increasing and is only partially explained by the rise in older mothers suggests new research published today (5 September) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Link between prostate cancer and vitamin A may lead to improved treatment
(Medical Xpress)—Cancer scientists at the University of York have shown a link between prostate cancer and vitamin A for the first time.
Report: Greatest food access disparity in the world found at U.S.-Mexico border
(Medical Xpress)—The U.S.-Mexico border is the border in the world with the greatest disparity in access to food and water needed for human survival, according to a report commissioned and published by the Southwest Center at the University of Arizona.
Possible new therapy for the treatment of myeloma
(Medical Xpress)—Research from Karolinska Institutet shows that sorafenib, a drug used for advanced cancer of the kidneys and liver, could also be effective against multiple myeloma. The disease is one of the more common forms of blood cancer and is generally incurable.
Decreased breast cancer risk linked to active lifestyle
(Medical Xpress)—An active lifestyle such as doing housework, brisk walking and gardening helps to reduce the chance of getting breast cancer, new research shows today.
Epigenetic causes of prostate cancer
(Medical Xpress)—In about half of all prostate tumours, there are two genetic areas that are fused with one another. When this is not the case, the exact way cancer cells originate in prostate tumours was not clear until now. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, in cooperation with a team of international researchers, were able to show that the genesis of this fusion-negative prostate cancer has epigenetic causes: methyl groups are distributed differently over the DNA in the cancer cells than in healthy cells. Thanks to this knowledge, physicians may be able to achieve greater specificity in treating prostate tumours in future. In addition, the aberrant DNA methylations can be used as a potential biomarker for identifying prostate cancer.
Brain connections power automatic and conscious behaviour
(Medical Xpress)—What determines whether you deal with new situations in a flexible manner or simply act out of habit? A team of psychologists have discovered that this is predicted by the strength of specific connections in the brain. It can therefore be seen in your brain whether you act consciously or on automatic pilot. An understanding of this is relevant for the treatment of drug addicts and compulsive patients, for example. Dr Sanne de Wit, Poppy Watson and professor Richard Ridderinkhof from the University of Amsterdam led the research that was funded by NWO. The renowned Journal of Neuroscience published the research results on 29 August 2012.
Increased advertising has measurable impact on fruit and vegetable consumption
The key to getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables may be advertising, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion. Marketing seems to play a role in guiding people to eat better, said study co-author Michel Faupel, of the University of Arkansas. "It's not huge, but it's a measurable impact."
Adolescents' weight linked to severe knee pain
(Medical Xpress)—Adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) rating of obese experience knee pain more often and to a greater severity than adolescents with a healthy weight, a new study shows.
Over half of U.S. adults with HTN do not have it under control
(HealthDay)—Of U.S. adults with hypertension, more than half have uncontrolled hypertension, yet the majority report having a usual source of care and health insurance, according to a study published in the Sept. 4 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
NFL players may be at higher risk of death from Alzheimer's and ALS
New research shows that professional football players may be at a higher risk of death from diseases that damage the cells in the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease and ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), compared to the general U.S. population. The study is published in the September 5, 2012, online issue of Neurology.
Call for a new approach to fighting tuberculosis
Each year, nearly 2 million people die from tuberculosis – a treatable disease that has been brought under control in the United States, but continues to ravage other parts of the world. This health inequity should prompt a complete rethinking of the way tuberculosis is fought on a global level, argue Salmaan Keshavjee, MD, PhD, and Paul Farmer, MD, PhD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). Their argument appears in an essay published September 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
ENCODE project: Millions of DNA switches that power human genome's operating system discovered
The locations of millions of DNA 'switches' that dictate how, when, and where in the body different genes turn on and off have been identified by a research team led by the University of Washington in Seattle. Genes make up only 2 percent of the human genome and were easy to spot, but the on/off switches controlling those genes were encrypted within the remaining 98 percent of the genome.
ENCODE project: Researchers unlock disease information hidden in genome's control circuitry
Researchers at the University of Washington have determined that the majority of genetic changes associated with more than 400 common diseases and clinical traits affect the genome's regulatory circuitry. These are the regions of DNA that contain instructions dictating when and where genes are switched on or off. Most of these changes affect circuits that are active during early human development, when body tissues are most vulnerable.
Prenatal exposure to pesticide additive linked with childhood cough
Children exposed in the womb to the widely used pesticide additive piperonyl butoxide (PBO) have heightened risk of noninfectious cough at ages 5 and 6, according to researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at the Mailman School of Public Health and of Columbia University Medical Center.
Tumor suppressor genes vital to regulating blood precursor cells in fruit flies
UCLA stem cell scientists have shown that two common tumor suppressor genes, TSC and PTEN, are vital to regulating the stem cell-like precursor cells that create the blood supply in Drosophila, the common fruit fly.
Infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients—study finds way to pinpoint risk
Rheumatoid arthritis alone is painful and disabling, but it also puts patients at higher risk of death. The greater susceptibility to infections that accompanies the autoimmune disorder is one reason. Assessing the danger of infection a particular patient faces so it can be addressed can prove challenging for physicians. A Mayo Clinic study finds that a risk score can be developed to predict a patient's chances of having serious infections. The score uses information about how rheumatoid arthritis is affecting a patient, plus factors including age, corticosteroid use and the presence of other illnesses.
The best strategy to defeat HIV in South Africa—study challenges WHO's approach
The World Health Organization is about to roll out a new strategy for AIDS prevention in South Africa, a country where more than 5 million people are infected with HIV. Based on a mathematical model, the WHO predicts this strategy will completely eliminate HIV in South Africa within a decade.
Fathers who sleep closer to children have lower testosterone levels
Closer sleeping proximity between fathers and children is associated with a greater decrease in the father's testosterone level, with possible implications for parenting behavior. The full report is published Sep. 5 in the open access journal PLOS ONE.
Study uncovers simple way of predicting severe pain following breast cancer surgery
Women having surgery for breast cancer are up to three times more likely to have severe pain in the first week after surgery if they suffer from other painful conditions, such as arthritis, low back pain and migraine, according to a Cancer Research UK study published today (Wednesday) in the British Journal of Cancer.
Children exposed to two phthalates have elevated risk of asthma-related airway inflammation
Children exposed to diethyl phthalate (DEP) and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP)—phthalate chemicals commonly found in personal care and plastic products—have elevated risk of asthma-related airway inflammation, according to researchers at Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at the Mailman School of Public Health.
Gender equality influences how people choose their partners
Men and women clearly have different strategies for picking sexual partners, but the reason why differences exist is less clear. The classic explanation for these differences has been that men's and women's brains have evolved to make certain choices, but a new study in Psychological Science, a publication of the Association for Psychological Science, suggests that evolution is only part of the answer.
Guys, take note: Male birth control pill may be ready soon
Attention men: The day may be coming soon when you can take your own birth control pill with no side effects, according to a study done by a group of scientists that includes a Texas A&M University researcher.
Hospital-acquired UTIs rarely reported in data used to implement penalties
Aiming to cut expenses and improve care, a 2008 Medicare policy stopped paying hospitals extra to treat some preventable, hospital-acquired conditions – including urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients after bladder catheters are placed.
Researchers examine new PTSD diagnosis criteria
Results of a study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System indicate that the proposed changes to the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will not substantially affect the number of people who meet criteria for the disorder.
Teens tell different tales about themselves depending on gender
During adolescence, the stories young people tell about themselves reflects their development of a personal identity and sense of self, and those autobiographical narratives vary depending on the teens' gender, according to a University of Missouri psychologist and her colleagues. Parents can use this knowledge of how teens talk about themselves to help understand the tumultuous transitions of their children into adults.
Study looks at social exclusion on the playground
(Medical Xpress)—Being the last one picked for the team, getting left out of the clique of cool girls, having no one to sit with at lunch… For children, social exclusion can impact everything from emotional well being to academic achievements.
Alternatives to Medicare's fee-for-service payment system examined
(Medical Xpress)—For years policymakers have attempted to replace Medicare's fee-for- service payment system with approaches that pay one price for an aggregation of services. The intent has been to reward providers for offering needed care in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner. But many of these programs have known pitfalls, says Stuart Altman, an economist and the Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University.
Language barrier linked to poorer asthma outcomes
(HealthDay)—For elderly patients with asthma, limited English proficiency correlates with poorer outcomes, according to a study published in the September issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Clopidogrel after MI less effective in diabetes patients
(HealthDay)—Clopidogrel therapy following a heart attack does less to reduce the risk of death in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes, according to a study published in the Sept. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Taking breaks from prostate cancer hormone therapy seems safe: study
(HealthDay)—Stop-and-start hormone-deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer doesn't shorten overall survival compared to continuous treatments, and yields fewer side effects such as impotence and hot flashes, a large new study suggests.
Expressing your emotions can reduce fear: study
(Medical Xpress)—Can simply describing your feelings at stressful times make you less afraid and less anxious? A new UCLA psychology study suggests that labeling your emotions at the precise moment you are confronting what you fear can indeed have that effect.
New drug protects neurons in Parkinson's patients
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a compound that boosts levels of a survival factor in neurons threatened by Parkinson's disease.
Study: We lie when we're short on time or feel justified to do so
(Medical Xpress)—Almost all of us have been tempted to lie at some point, whether about our GPA, our annual income, or our age. But what makes us actually do it?
Scientists dramatically reduce plaque-forming substances in mice with Alzheimer's disease
Scientists have found that eliminating an enzyme from mice with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease leads to a 90 percent reduction in the compounds responsible for formation of the plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-HIV vaginal ring can prevent virus transmission: animal study
Population Council scientists have found that a vaginal ring releasing an anti-HIV drug can prevent the transmission of SHIV in macaques. This study provides the first efficacy data on the delivery of a microbicide from a vaginal ring, and indicates strong potential for the success of such rings in women. Microbicides are compounds that can be applied inside the vagina or rectum to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Sleep problems may be early sign of Alzheimer's
Sleep disruptions may be among the earliest indicators of Alzheimer's disease, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report Sept. 5 in Science Translational Medicine.
ENCODE project: Researchers catalogue functional elements of the genome
Most of the DNA alterations that are tied to disease do not alter protein-coding genes, but rather the "switches" that control them. Characterizing these switches is one of many goals of the ENCODE project – a sweeping, international effort to create a compendium of all of the working parts of the human genome that have not been well studied or well understood.
ENCODE project: Yale team finds order amidst the chaos within the human genome
The massive Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) unveiled Sept. 5 reveals a human genome vastly more rich and complex than envisioned even a decade ago. In a key supporting paper published in the journal Nature, the lab of Yale's Mark Gerstein, the Albert L. Williams Professor of Biomedical Informatics, has found order amidst the seeming chaos of trillions of potential molecular interactions.
ENCODE project: In massive genome analysis new data suggests 'gene' redefinition
Most people understand genes to be specific segments of DNA that determine traits or diseases that are inherited. Textbooks suggest that genes are copied ("transcribed") into RNA molecules, which are then used as templates for making protein – the highly diverse set of molecules that act as building blocks and engines of our cells. The truth, it now appears, is not so simple.
Brainy beverage: Study reveals how green tea boosts brain cell production to aid memory
It has long been believed that drinking green tea is good for the memory. Now researchers have discovered how the chemical properties of China's favorite drink affect the generation of brain cells, providing benefits for memory and spatial learning. The research is published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Study in mice discovers injection of heat-generating cells reduces belly fat
The injection of a tiny capsule containing heat-generating cells into the abdomens of mice led those animals to burn abdominal fat and initially lose about 20 percent of belly fat after 80 days of treatment.
Genome-wide scan maps mutations in deadly lung cancers; reveals embryonic gene link
Scientists have completed a comprehensive map of genetic mutations linked to an aggressive and lethal type of lung cancer.
Biology news
Cathay bans shark fin from cargo flights
Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it would no longer carry unsustainably sourced shark products on its cargo flights, dealing a blow to Hong Kong's huge shark fin industry.
Raising Kuroiler chickens: Moving Ugandans beyond cyclical poverty
According to the USDA, Americans consume some 8 billion chickens and 75 billion chicken eggs annually. Despite the importance of chicken in the US diet however, few in this country rely on the birds for their economic livelihood.
DNA sequences need quality time too - guidelines for quality control published
Like all sources of information, DNA sequences come in various degrees of quality and reliability. To identify, proof, and discard compromised molecular data has thus become a critical component of the scientific endeavor - one that everyone generating sequence data is assumed to carry out before using the sequences for research purposes.
Wildlife Conservation Society releases list of Asian species at the conservation crossroads
Will the tiger go the way of the passenger pigeon or be saved from extinction like the American bison?
The great chestnut trees of Europe are dying
(AP)—Visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris and chestnut trees greet you as you wander among graves of luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
Honeybee disease investigated through hive microbes research
(Phys.org)—If you spot a honeybee in the UW-Madison's Allen Centennial Gardens and are wondering where it came from, look up.
Researchers discover eight new Thai plant species
Researchers in the Trinity Botany Department's Herbarium, together with Thai collaborators, have just discovered eight species, three subspecies and four varieties of the plant genus Eriocaulon from Thailand, all new to Science.
Primitive-plant uber-geek's heart belongs to lycopods
(Phys.org)—When Jeff Benca moved to Berkeley last month, he came so loaded with valuables he had to rent a truck. Make that a cargo van, air-conditioned to accommodate its contents—thousands of plant starts, many of them incredibly rare and entirely new to cultivation, all of them members of primeval lineages, packed bare-root in Ziploc bags.
Ecosystems cope with stress more effectively the greater the biodiversity
Ecosystems with a high degree of biodiversity can cope with more stress, such as higher temperatures or increasing salt concentrations, than those with less biodiversity. They can also maintain their services for longer, as botanists and ecologists from the universities of Zurich and Göttingen have discovered. Their study provides the first evidence of the relationship between stress intensity and ecosystem functioning.
Trout will become extinct in the Iberian Peninsula in less than 100 years: study
Climate change, pollution, the extraction of water for irrigation and overfishing all threaten the survival of the common trout. This fish is very sensitive to changes in its environment and, according to the Spanish study, its habitat will have reduced by half by the year 2040 and will have completely disappeared from Iberian rivers by 2100, so its population will become extinct.
Albatross 'dynamic soaring' achieved by repeated curve-altitude oscillation
Albatrosses leverage the energy of the wind to fly with essentially no mechanical cost to themselves, very rarely flapping their wings, and new work published Sep. 5 in the open access journal PLOS ONE offers insight into how exactly they accomplish this feat.
Picky penguins: Does mate choice depend on genes that help resist disease?
Magellanic penguins have a high level of variation in genes associated with the ability to fight infectious disease, but a recent study found that the mechanism the penguins use to ensure that diversity is far from black and white.
In elk hunting, success depends on the animal's personality
University of Alberta led research shows an elk's personality type is a big factor in whether or not it survives the hunting season.
Innate barometer in birds evolved from ancient fish sense organ
(Phys.org)—Latest research shows that the 'paratympanic organ' (PTO) – the innate barometer in the middle ear of birds – evolved from a fish sense organ that detects jaw movement.
New study examines how ocean energy impacts life in the deep sea
A new study of deep-sea species across the globe aims to understand how natural gradients in food and temperature in the dark, frigid waters of the deep sea affect the snails, clams, and other creatures that live there.
Trawling is changing seafloor habitats: study
Bottom trawling is dramatically altering the ocean floor and harming habitats, similar to the way that farming has permanently changed the landscape, a study said on Wednesday.
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