Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 22, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Symmetry breaking during flapping generates lift- Split-personality elliptical galaxy holds a hidden spiral
- Android apps are full of potential leaks, finds study
- A whale with a distinctly human-like voice
- Physics duo create tractor beam using dual Bessel beams
- Milky Way's black hole getting ready for snack
- Friendship 2.0: Teens' technology use promotes sense of belonging, identity
- Beetles use dung balls to stay cool
- Clue to cause of Alzheimer's dementia found in brain samples
- How highway bridges sing—or groan—in the rain to reveal their health
- Discovery sheds light on Alzheimer's mystery
- 3D structure of an unmodified G protein-coupled receptor in its natural habitat
- Breast cancer cells enticed to spread by 'tumorous environment' as well as genetic changes
- Can your body sense future events without any external clue?
- State-of-the-art beams from table-top accelerators: Part One: Focusing in on beam focus
Space & Earth news
Verdict expected in Italy quake scientists trial (Update 2)
A court will deliver a verdict Monday in the trial of six Italian scientists and a government official charged with manslaughter for underestimating the risks of a killer earthquake in 2009.
Adapting suburbia to face up to climate change
How can we change and adapt our homes to cope with climate change? What actions can neighbourhoods take to mitigate problems caused by increased heat stress and reduced comfort during hot spells, restrictions on water use, reduced air quality, and stress and costs associated with flooding and storm damage? What are the best adaptations we can make to our homes? Should we all install solar panels and grow our own vegetables? What wider infrastructures need to be introduced to prevent flooding prevalent in many areas of the UK? And how do we communicate what changes are best suited to different styles of home and different region in the UK?
Sweden's only coral reef at risk of dying
Sweden's only remaining cold-water coral reef, the Säcken reef in the Koster Fjord, is under threat of extinction. Because of that, researchers from the University of Gothenburg have started a restoration project where healthy corals from nearby reefs in Norway are being removed and placed on the Säcken reef.
Slooh space camera to broadcast a live view of comets converging in the night-sky
A fantastic, one-of-a-kind celestial happening will occur on Tuesday, October 23rd, as Comet 168P/Hergenrother and Comet C/2012 J1 (Catalina) will pass each other in space like ships in the night—but only during a very narrow viewing window. Slooh Space Camera will provide live coverage of this spectacular event on Tuesday, October 23rd, live on Slooh.com, free to the public starting at 2 p.m. PDT / 5 p.m. EDT / 21:00 UTC—accompanied by real-time discussions with Slooh President Patrick Paolucci, Slooh Outreach Coordinator Paul Cox, and Astronomy Magazine columnist Bob Berman. Viewers can watch live on their PC or iOS/Android mobile device.
Soyuz crew ready for heavy space station workload
The trio of unseasoned astronauts that will fly to the International Space Station this week say they are undaunted by the initial busy workload of their six-month mission.
S. Korea plans third rocket launch bid Friday
South Korea plans to make its third attempt to join the exclusive club of countries capable of placing a satellite in space on Friday with a rocket launch from the Naro Space Center on the south coast.
Cheops to study super-earths
(Phys.org)—Studying planets around other stars will be the focus of the new small Science Programme mission, Cheops, ESA announced today. Its launch is expected in 2017. Cheops – for CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite – will target nearby, bright stars already known to have planets orbiting around them. Through high-precision monitoring of the star's brightness, scientists will search for the telltale signs of a 'transit' as a planet passes briefly across its face.
A new set of solar fireworks
The sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 2:14 p.m. EDT on Oct. 20, 2012. This flare is classified as an M9 flare. M-class flares are the weakest flares that can still cause some space weather effects near Earth. Since flares are rated on a scale from 1 to 10, an M9 is a particularly strong M class flare, but still ten times weaker than the most powerful flares, which are labeled X-class.
Go inside the Dragon Capsule with new interactive panorama
Wish you could be on the International Space Station right now, helping to unload the SpaceX Dragon capsule that is berthed to the Harmony Node?
Climate change threatens marine environment in the Baltic Sea
At the end of the 21st century, the temperature in the Baltic Sea will be higher and the salt content lower than at any time since 1850. If no action is taken to alleviate the effects of climate change, there may be major consequences for the marine environment.
Venus caught transiting the Sun
The very rare astronomical event of Venus, the nearest planet to Earth, passing in front of the solar disk on June 5th and 6th, 2012, was captured by an international team headed by Jay Pasachoff (Williams College and Caltech) and Glenn Schneider (University of Arizona) in the US, and Thomas Widemann (Paris Observatory in Meudon) and Paolo Tanga (Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur in Nice) in France.
Most planetary systems 'flatter than pancakes,' astronomers discover
(Phys.org)—Our solar system looks like many others, "flatter than pancakes," report UCLA astronomers who were able to statistically determine the properties of planetary systems using the latest data from NASA's Kepler space telescope.
Italy scientists sentenced to jail in quake trial (Update 2)
Six Italian scientists and a government official were sentenced to six years in jail on Monday for multiple manslaughter in a watershed ruling that found them guilty of underestimating the risks of a killer earthquake in 2009.
Italy quake verdict puts all science on trial: seismologists
Seismologists said they were horrified after six of their colleagues were sentenced to six years in jail for manslaughter Monday on charges of underestimating the risk of an earthquake that struck Italy in 2009.
NASA sees 18th Atlantic depression form
Tropical Depression 18 (TD18) formed over the southwestern Caribbean Sea at 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 22, and NASA's TRMM satellite saw a "hot towering" thunderstorm near its center of circulation hinting that it could become a tropical storm soon. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Jamaica.
US astronaut sees science breakthrough in space
A U.S. astronaut departing this week for the International Space Station said Monday that the bulk of the scientific benefits from the orbiting laboratory will be seen over the coming decade, amid questions on whether the estimated $100 billion spent in last 12 years is worth the effort.
Measuring the black hole environment of a quasar nucleus
(Phys.org)—Quasars are among the most powerful energy sources known—some are as luminous as one hundred thousand Milky Way galaxies. Astronomers know that quasars have massive black holes at their cores and believe that matter falling in to the environment of the black hole powers the quasar's tremendous luminosity—but the details remain uncertain. No one is quite sure, for example, how quasars form, how they develop into such luminous monsters, or how their massive black holes and environments become so bright.
Model suggests water could flow on Mars: Researchers look at melting and evaporation of frozen brines
(Phys.org)—University of Arkansas researchers have created a model that might explain how water could produce the flow patterns seen by a spacecraft orbiting Mars.
NGC 3344: Hubble sees galaxy in a spin
(Phys.org)—NGC 3344 is a glorious spiral galaxy around half the size of the Milky Way, which lies 25 million light-years distant. We are fortunate enough to see NGC 3344 face-on, allowing us to study its structure in detail.
New understanding of Antarctic's weight-loss
(Phys.org)—New data which more accurately measures the rate of ice-melt could help us better understand how Antarctica is changing in the light of global warming.
Astronomers study two million light year 'extragalactic afterburner'
(Phys.org)—Blasting over two million lights years from the centre of a distant galaxy is a supersonic jet of material that looks strikingly similar to the afterburner flow of a fighter jet, except in this case the jet engine is a supermassive black hole and the jet material is moving at nearly the speed of light.
Rapid changes in the Earth's core: The magnetic field and gravity from a satellite perspective
Annual to decadal changes in the earth's magnetic field in a region that stretches from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean have a close relationship with variations of gravity in this area. From this it can be concluded that outer core processes are reflected in gravity data. This is the result presented by a German-French group of geophysicists in the latest issue of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
Split-personality elliptical galaxy holds a hidden spiral
(Phys.org)—Most big galaxies fit into one of two camps: pinwheel-shaped spiral galaxies and blobby elliptical galaxies. Spirals like the Milky Way are hip and happening places, with plenty of gas and dust to birth new stars. Ellipticals are like cosmic retirement villages, full of aging residents in the form of red giant stars. Now, astronomers have discovered that one well-known elliptical has a split personality. Centaurus A is hiding a gassy spiral in its center.
Milky Way's black hole getting ready for snack
(Phys.org)—Get ready for a fascinating eating experience in the center of our galaxy.
Technology news
Film capacitors: LCap combines capacitor and choke
TDK Corporation presents the LCap, a new film capacitor from EPCOS for motor applications. LCap combines an AC capacitor with a choke coil in a single case, cutting costs and halving assembly times. Savings also result from the fact that only two leads are now required instead of four as before. The choke coil is molded into the capacitor case, leading to further benefits such as reduced sensitivity to external influences as well as higher long-term stability compared to discrete solutions. LCap is available with capacitances from 3 µF to 50 µF and inductances from 5 µH to 100 µH and is designed for rated voltages from 250 V AC to 450 V AC. Other values can be implemented on a customer-specific basis.
Using big data to save lives
Computer scientists at the University of California, Riverside are working with a doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles to mine data collected from pediatric intensive care units in hopes of helping doctors treat children and cutting health care costs.
Cyber war targets Middle East oil companies
Middle Eastern oil and gas companies have been targeted in massive attacks on their computer networks in an increasingly open cyber war where a new virus was discovered just this past week.
Philips Q3 earnings rise, growth economies help
Royal Philips Electronics NV, the maker of electric shavers, light bulbs and medical imaging equipment, saw earnings more than double in the third quarter, thanks to modest growth at all its business lines as well as the disposal of its loss-making television business.
Target, Best Buy to match online prices at holidays
Target and other brick-and-mortar retailers are treating this holiday season as an offensive against online rivals such as Amazon.com, using tactics such as price-matching to win back dominance of the Christmas shopping season.
Edward C. Baig: Windows 8 likely to change computing's future
Radical changes, possibly the biggest to ever hit Windows PCs, are going to dramatically alter the status quo of computing a week from Friday.
Pandora founder isn't worried about competition, even from Apple
Online music service Pandora isn't sweating over recent media reports that Apple is developing a similar offering tailored to personalized music tastes.
3 Questions: Removing barriers to the Web
During the opening ceremonies of this summer's Olympic games in London, a musical performance culminated with a stage-set house rising into the rafters to reveal Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, sitting at a computer and typing the words "This is for everyone."
Cheaper, faster hybrid vehicles thanks to new class of power inverter with 'infinite-level voltages'
(Phys.org)—With a laboratory breakthrough once thought impossible, an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis assistant professor has invented a new class of power inverter that could put cheaper and more efficient renewable energy products on the market.
China Mobile net profit rises 1.4%
China Mobile, the world's biggest mobile operator by subscribers, Monday reported a 1.4 percent rise in net profit for the first nine months of the year, amid robust growth in its subscriber base.
UN offers support against 'cyberterrorism'
The United Nations published Monday a report offering guidance and support to countries on tackling "terrorists" who use the Internet to plan attacks, recruit and disseminate propaganda.
Globe and Mail starts charging for online news
Canada's national daily, The Globe and Mail, on Monday began charging readers a Can$20 monthly subscription to access news on its website.
Permira buys Ancestry.com for $1.6 bn
European private equity group Permira will take over the popular Nasdaq-listed genealogy website Ancestry.com for $1.6 billion in cash, Permira announced on Monday.
Yahoo's 3Q earnings, revenue top Street's forecast
(AP)—Yahoo ushered in Marissa Mayer as its new CEO with a third-quarter earnings report that topped analyst estimates.
U.S. approves huge wind farm in Wyoming
A proposed wind farm in southern Wyoming soon may become the largest of its kind anywhere in North America, according to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who authorized the project Oct. 9 during a visit to Cheyenne, Wyo.
Interruptible 3-D printing method wins Gehry prize (w/ Video)
(Phys.org)—A husband and wife architecture team have managed to turn 3-D printing into something that is less rigidly planned and more on the fly and have won a prestigious award as a result. Liz and Kyle von Hasseln are winners of the inaugural Gehry Prize from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (Sci-Arc) in Los Angeles. The prize is named after architect Frank Gehry, who is known around the world for his architectural wonders including the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain; the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; and the Dancing House in Prague.
Japan firm launches real-time telephone translation
Japan's biggest mobile operator said Monday it will launch a translation service that lets people chat over the telephone in several different languages.
Monitor your energy use with 'simple' smart plugs
(Phys.org)—Glancing at one's daily consumption of energy would lead to usage that is more reasonable and less greedy. Such a challenge gave birth to eSMART. This EPFL spin-off is in the process of installing its system of smart plugs in 450 apartments in the Eikenøtt neighborhood, developed by Losinger-Marazzi in Gland. Interconnected plugs transmit their data to software that displays real-time expenditures of water, heat, and electricity on a touch screen. An indicator turns red when consumption is abnormally high. The display responds as soon as a unit is turned off.
Student engineers design, build, fly 3-D 'printed' airplane
(Phys.org)—When University of Virginia engineering students posted a YouTube video last spring of a plastic turbofan engine they had designed and built using 3-D printing technology, they didn't expect it to lead to anything except some page views.
How highway bridges sing—or groan—in the rain to reveal their health
A team of BYU engineers has found that by listening to how a highway bridge sings in the rain they can determine serious flaws in the structure.
Android apps are full of potential leaks, finds study
(Phys.org)—Many Android apps are capable of falling victim to Man in the Middle (MITM) attacks. How many? Far too many. Thousands of apps in the Google Play mobile market present vulnerabilities because of the way that protocols are implemented—namely, the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). That Android apps are open to malware by now is a yawn-evoking statement if there ever was one, but a new paper provides findings that are making this week's headlines. Computer science researchers from Philipps University of Marburg and Leibniz University of Hannover in Germany showed that Android apps that are used by over 180 million people can expose banking, social networking and email information.
Medicine & Health news
COPD readmission may be tied to unmodifiable risk factors
National efforts are underway to reduce 30-day readmission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, new research suggests that COPD readmissions may be related to risk factors that cannot be modified, including advanced disease and psychosocial factors.
Tonsil and adenoid removal reduces asthma symptoms in children
Children with asthma who have their tonsils and adenoids (T&A) removed may experience fewer asthma symptoms.
High Schools with athletic trainers have more diagnosed concussions, fewer overall injuries
High schools with athletic trainers have lower overall injury rates, according to a new study, "A Comparative Analysis of Injury Rates and Patterns Among Girls' Soccer and Basketball Players," presented Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans. In addition, athletes at schools with athletic trainers are more likely to be diagnosed with a concussion.
Injuries, manufacturer warnings do not deter ATV use by children under age 16
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) manufacturer warning labels aimed at children under age 16 are largely ineffective, and formal dealer-sponsored training is infrequently offered and deemed unnecessary by most young ATV users, according to new research presented at the Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans. The study of ATV crashes involving children also found less than 35 percent of children were wearing a helmet when injured in an ATV crash, and nearly 60 percent were riding again within six months.
Fainting after air travel may indicate pulmonary embolism
Fainting after recent air travel could be a sign of pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially fatal blockage in the lungs. Syncope or fainting is an uncommon symptom of pulmonary embolism; however, new research presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that fainting associated with recent air travel may be a key indicator for PE diagnosis. Fainting as a precursor to PE diagnosis was also associated with a saddle embolism, a larger and more life-threatening form of PE, as well as more abnormal ECG readings.
Many high school football players not concerned about concussions
Despite an increase in media attention, as well as national and local efforts to educate athletes on the potential dangers of traumatic brain injuries, a new study found that many high school football players are not concerned about the long-term effects of concussions and don't report their own concussion symptoms because they fear exclusion from play. The abstract, "Awareness and Attitudes of High School Athletes Towards Concussions," was presented on Oct. 22, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Excessive ICU noise may harm patients
New research shows that overnight noise levels in the medical ICU (MICU) often exceed recommended levels, which could potentially lead to worse outcomes.
Outpatient urological surgery costs significantly less when performed in physician offices, ACCs
More and more outpatient surgical procedures are being done at nonhospital-based facilities such as freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and physician offices, instead of at hospital-based outpatient departments. A new study comparing the cost to Medicare of 22 urological surgical procedures performed in each setting has found that ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices are less costly than hospitals. The results are published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
Chest band may relieve a chronic cough
A soft, extendible band fitted around the chest may help to relieve cough in patients with persistent dry cough.
Chinese herbs show promise for lung cancer, flu, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Chinese herbs, including JHQG, BFXL, and BFHX, may show significant benefits for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and influenza.
Pulmonary hypertension combination therapy may lead to greater disease burden
Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) receiving combination therapy with intravenous (IV) PGI2 may suffer from greater disease burden compared with those receiving monotherapy or combination therapy, excluding IV PGI2.
New antidote for smoke-related cyanide toxicity shows promise
Smoke inhalation is the major cause of death in fire victims due to cyanide poisoning. However, new research presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, shows that a new antidote, cobinamide, may help reverse the effects of cyanide toxicity.
Roflumilast improves lung function after 6 months compared with placebo
Roflumilast was associated with significant improvements in lung function in patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after 6 months of treatment compared with placebo.
College education and moderate alcohol intake linked to lower COPD risk
College education and alcohol consumption may be linked to risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Oakland, California, followed 126,019 people who supplied baseline data from 1978 – 1985 through 2008 with analyses of hospitalizations attributed to COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or chronic airway obstruction).
5-question survey may increase COPD diagnoses
A simple, five-question patient-administered survey (COPD-PS) may lead to increased diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
'Obesity paradox': Extra weight linked to better outcomes for septic shock, asthma exacerbation
Although obesity is linked to a variety of health risks, new research indicates that obese patients may have an advantage over nonobese patients in certain health situations, including septic shock and acute asthma exacerbation.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough key symptoms for embolism
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough may sound like symptoms of a heart attack; however, new research shows that these are the key symptoms for pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially fatal blockage in the lung.
24-hour ICU in-house staff intensivist improves mortality and decreases length of stay
The implementation of a 24-h ICU in-house staff intensivist coverage was associated with improved mortality rates and reduced length of stay, along with quicker decision-making and a positive trend in quality of end-of-life care.
Trainee presence during endobronchial ultrasound increases complications
The presence of a trainee during endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) may have negative implications, including increased procedure time and complications.
Guideline implementation may impact VTE quality of care
The quality of care of patients hospitalized with venous thromboembolism (VTE) significantly improved between 2005 and 2009, and researchers suggest these improvements may be due to the implementation of VTE treatment guidelines.
Excessive daytime sleepiness common in high school students
New research shows that high school students experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), with most students sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night.
Statins may help prolong survival in NSCLC resection
Patients who have undergone resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may improve their overall survival and reduce the risk of recurrence by taking statins.
'Elbow test' may predict sleep apnea
Have you ever been "elbowed" by your bed partner because you were snoring? If yes, new research says you could have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
2.5 hours of patient/therapist contact time increases CPAP use
Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is often used as therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), patient compliance with CPAP remains an issue.
Critical care ultrasound training can improve physician trainee knowledge and skills
A dedicated critical care ultrasound (CCUS) training program could help improve physician trainees' knowledge and skills at the bedside.
Proposed ASD criteria diagnose most children with PDD
The study indicates that the criteria, which are still under review and must be approved by the APA Board of Trustees, work best when both parental and clinical observations are incorporated in diagnosis.
Risks of esophagus cancer studied: Statins may protect against esophageal cancer
Statin use is associated with protection from esophagus cancer according to a new meta-analysis of existing clinical studies exploring the cancer prevention effects of statins presented by a Mayo Clinic researcher, Dr. Siddharth Singh, at the American College of Gastroenterology 77th Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.
Increased colorectal cancer risk for extended family members, younger endometrial cancer patients
Women under age 50 who have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and first, second and third degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer may have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to two separate studies unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas. Two other CRC-related studies presented at ACG 2012 investigated the impact of gender, race and obesity on the incidence of adenoma and advanced adenoma detection rates—suggesting that overweight African American and Hispanic men may be at greater risk for precancerous polyps which if not detected early enough could lead to colorectal cancer.
Chronic constipation linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer
Patients with chronic constipation may be at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and benign neoplasms, according to study findings unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.
Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of Barrett's Esophagus
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may face an increased risk for Barrett's Esophagus (BE), regardless of other risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to research unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.
Electrical stimulation of the esophagus promising treatment for unresolved reflux symptoms
Clinical evidence of the safety and effectiveness of electrical stimulation of a muscular valve in the esophagus demonstrates promising results in resolving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and is being presented at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Las Vegas, NV.
Selenium deficiency may cause cardiomyopathy post-gastric bypass
Non-compliance with vitamin and mineral supplementation protocols after bariatric surgery could lead to nutritional deficiencies and related health complications, such as heart damage, according to two separate case reports unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.
New research highlights changing epidemiology of Clostridium difficile
A stay in the hospital may not be the only way to acquire Clostridium difficile diarrhea – but the potentially life-threatening infection may be associated with a number of health complications in hospitalized children, according to the findings from two studies unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas. In a separate case report also presented today, fecal microbiota transplantation in a 20-month old with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) suggests the therapeutic potential fecal bacteriotherapy in pediatric patients who fail standard therapy for CDI.
Death from GI bleeding decreased in United States in past two decades
The number of patients dying from upper gastrointestinal bleeding has decreased over the past two decades, a result researchers attribute to the advances in medical and endoscopic therapies introduced over the past 20 years, according to a report unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas. One example of how such advances are impacting patient care is described in a separate case report also presented today on the first use of Hemospray™ (Cook Endoscopy) that saved the life of a pediatric patient with life-threatening internal bleeding.
Studies suggest possible overlap of IBS symptoms and inflammatory bowel disease
Research unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas suggests a possible overlap of symptoms of two prevalent GI disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and further suggests a possible link between subtle GI tract inflammation and IBS symptoms—a link that is also the focus of the first systemic review of the literature on this topic and an editorial both published in this month's American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Pfizer will buy NextWave Pharma for up to $700M
(AP)—Pfizer said Monday it will buy NextWave Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company that makes a liquid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug, in a deal worth as much as $700 million.
AAP offers new guidelines to prevent cheerleading injuries
Over the past few decades, cheerleading has evolved from leading the crowd in cheers at football games to a competitive, year-round sport featuring complex acrobatic stunts performed by a growing number of athletes – and as a result the number and severity of injuries from cheerleading has also surged.
The perpetrator in one-quarter of child sexual abuse cases is a stranger
Child sexual abuse is committed by strangers more than one-quarter of the time. Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden reviewed the records of 196 men who had been convicted of child sexual abuse in Western Sweden. The study also found that only 8% of the perpetrators had been referred to a major forensic investigation.
Alarming increase in malignant melanoma on the west coast of Sweden
Malignant melanoma is as much as 35% more common among people who live in Gothenburg and the region's coastal municipalities than those who live inland. Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have found that the number of malignant melanoma cases in the Västra Götaland region has quadrupled since 1970.
Risk of death significantly higher if both mother and newborn admitted to ICU following birth
Mothers and newborns who are both admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after delivery are significantly more likely to die compared with mom–baby pairs not needing ICU admission, found a study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). As well, when both mother and baby require admission to an ICU, they are much more likely to be managed at different hospitals, thereby negatively impacting maternal–infant bonding.
Fewer patient deaths after surgery in hospitals known for good nursing care
Patients treated in magnet hospitals (specially designated for their nursing excellence) had 14 percent lower odds of death than those in non-magnet hospitals in a four-state study of 564 hospitals led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. The magnet designation, determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognizes high-quality patient care, high levels of nurse education, and nursing innovation.
Fall in polio vaccination refusal cases in Pakistan
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp drop in the number of families refusing to get their children vaccinated against polio, officials said Monday, while lamenting that nearly half a million children were left unvaccinated.
Intermediate glucose control may be better than tight in neurocritical care patients
A new study in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care suggests that intensive glycemic control does not reduce mortality in neurocritical care patients and could, in fact, lead to more neurological damage. Complicating the picture, poor glucose control also leads to worse recovery and should be avoided. This study suggests that a strategy to maintain intermediate glucose levels would contribute to better outcomes in these patients.
California to vote on GM food labeling
California could become the first US state to enforce labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods, in a vote next month pitting agro-chemical giants against opponents of so-called "Frankenfoods."
Troubled teens could benefit from online access to health records
Online health records could be surprisingly useful for at-risk teenagers who cycle through the juvenile justice system. A new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center found that these young people have high rates of Internet use and an unexpectedly favorable attitude toward accessing their health records online.
Most dealers willing to discuss selling an adult-sized ATV for child use
Despite a new federal law that prohibits the sale of adult-sized all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for use by children under age 16, most ATV sellers are willing to discuss doing so, according to new research presented Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Study: Standardized child booster seat laws would save lives
State laws that mandate car booster seat use for children at least until age 8 are associated with fewer motor vehicle-related fatalities and severe injuries, and should be standardized throughout the U.S. to optimally protect children, according to new research presented Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Poverty, rural living linked to increased COPD mortality in the US
New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores the widespread disparities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality by state, poverty level, and urban vs rural location. The study, presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that COPD mortality is highest in rural and poor areas.
Antibiotics not effective for cough due to 'common cold' in children
New research suggests that antibiotics are not effective in treating cough due to the common cold in children. The study, presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, found that when children with acute cough were treated with either antitussive medication or antibiotics, antibiotics alone showed a lower percentage of cough resolution.
Metabolic factors may increase men's risk of dying from prostate cancer
High blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and body mass index—characteristics that are often lumped together as the metabolic syndrome—are jointly linked with an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's results suggest that public health recommendations regarding diet and lifestyle to prevent heart disease and diabetes may also decrease a man's likelihood of dying from prostate cancer.
Children with mental health disorders more often identified as bullies
Children diagnosed with mental health disorders were three times more likely to be identified as bullies, according to new research presented Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Pulmonary hypertension deaths and hospitalizations on the rise
New research indicates an increase in the number of US deaths and hospitalizations related to pulmonary hypertension. A research team from Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, examined multiple cause of death mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System and hospital discharge data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey for 1999-2009.
Secondhand smoke in cars, bars impairs breathing within 20 minutes
Heavy concentrations of secondhand smoke, such as those found in smoke-filled bars and cars, can lead to airway restriction for bystanders within minutes of exposure. The study, presented at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, showed that after 20 minutes of exposure to highly concentrated secondhand smoke, participants experienced near immediate physiologic changes, including airway resistance and impedance.
More GI bleeding seen in atrial fibrillation patients on rivaroxaban than warfarin
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) experienced more major and non-major clinically relevant GI bleeding when taking rivaroxaban than patients taking warfarin.
10-minute 'tension tamer' can help reduce stress and improve sleep
A simple, 10-minute stress reduction technique could help to relieve stress, improve sleep quality, and decrease fatigue.
Mold exposure at home could increase risk for sarcoidosis
People who are exposed to mold in their homes could be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease.
How to avoid getting eaten by a bear and other outdoor safety tips
(Medical Xpress)—It's no accident that Dr. Aram Attarian is an expert on camping and outdoor adventure safety. Attarian, a professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State University, has spent 35 years collecting accident reports, first-person accounts and newspaper articles about when things went wrong in outdoor and adventure programs.
Uncovering the source of inflammatory malaise
(Medical Xpress)—A study conducted by researchers at Emory indicates that inflammation targets a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, causing symptoms of depression and fatigue. The study was recently reported in the October edition of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Study reveals benign brain tumours can cause more emotional harm than malignant tumours
(Medical Xpress)—In a paper published in the Journal of Neuro-oncology, researchers have found that that patients with benign brain tumours experience greater distress than those with malignant tumours before radiation therapy
Trial offers new hope to children and adults with muscle cancer
A Cancer Research UK funded trial will offer new treatments for children and adults with a form of muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma that has returned or does not respond to current treatments.
Even scientists look for purpose in nature, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers in Boston University's Psychology Department have found that, despite years of scientific training, even professional chemists, geologists, and physicists from major universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Yale cannot escape a deep-seated belief that natural phenomena exist for a purpose.
Researchers unravel the first epigenomes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Researchers of the University of Oviedo have contributed to decipher the first epigenomes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Carlos López-Otín and two members of his team: Xose S. Puente and Víctor Quesada, researchers of the University Institute of Oncology of the Principality of Asturias (IUOPA), have taken part, together with researchers Elías Campo and Iñaki Martín-Subero, in a study published today inNature Genetics, which presents a new perspective in cancer research.
Fighting phobias involves creation of 'competing' memories
Most people have a fear of something but for 1 in 10 people, fear can turn into a phobia. The most common phobias being a fear of spiders, snakes, heights, the dark, being in crowds or tight spaces, animals and people. Then there are the more unusual fears: Coulrophobia (fear of clowns), Nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile phone), Socerophobia (fear of the in-laws) and, probably the most ironic, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - a fear of long words.
Improving diagnostic exams for dementia: Promising treatment implications
(Medical Xpress)—The number of people affected by dementias continues to climb as baby boomers age, increasing the urgency to identify ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these neurodegenerative brain disorders.
Research helps unlock gene secrets of autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy
In a national research partnership, Dr Sarah Heron from the University of South Australia's Sansom Research Institute, epilepsy research group, has been working to map the genes responsible for a rare form of epilepsy - autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE).
Improving the safety of angioplasty in patients with coronary bypass graft disease
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital have shown that combining distal protection devices with the prophylactic use of the drug nicardipine is more effective at preventing life-threatening complications following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (angioplasty, stenting) on patients who have undergone previous bypass surgery than distal protection devices alone.
Studies explore racial disparities in IBD symptoms and therapy
Three separate studies presented today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas help to advance understanding of the differences between African American and Caucasian patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and provide clinicians with new insight on how racial disparities involving disease characteristics, infliximab use, and fistulizing Crohn's disease may impact their patients—and their decisions on how best to manage the disease.
Study discovers unique feature of HIV that helps to create antibodies
Wits researchers have played a pivotal role in an AIDS study published today in the journal, Nature Medicine, which describes how a unique change in the outer covering of the virus found in two HIV infected South African women enabled them to make potent antibodies which are able to kill up to 88% of HIV types from around the world.
Chronic electrical stimulation at acupressure points may relieve stomach woes for diabetics
Diabetic patients who suffer from a common complication of diabetes called gastroparesis may find that chronic electrical stimulation (ES) at specific acupuncture points could relieve gastroparesis symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, abdominal fullness, upper abdominal pain and bloating, according to study results unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.
Link found between Alzheimer's disease and protein regulation in the brain—hope for new treatments
New study from the University of Haifa discovers: Link found between Alzheimer's disease and protein regulation in the brain brings hope for new treatments
Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid can identify patients with Alzheimer's disease
Analysis of specific biomarkers in a cerebrospinal fluid sample can differentiate patients with Alzheimer's disease from those with other types of dementia. The method, which is being studied by researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, may eventually permit earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease.
Marijuana use may cause severe cyclic nausea, vomiting, a little-known, but costly effect
Marijuana use—both natural and synthetic—may cause cannabinoid hyperemesis (CH) a little-known but costly effect that researchers suggest is a serious burden to the health care system as it often leads to expensive diagnostic tests and ineffective treatments in an effort to find the cause of a patient's symptoms and provide relief, according to two separate case reports unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas. Cannabinoid hyperemesis is characterized by a history of chronic cannabis use followed by a cyclic pattern of nausea, vomiting and colicky abdominal pain. Interestingly, compulsive hot baths or showers temporarily relieve symptoms, another characteristic which aids clinicians in diagnosis.
New test may uncover deadly hypertension disease in pregnancy
Collaborators at Cottage Health System and University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) have identified biomarkers that may yield a revolutionary diagnostic test for pre-eclampsia, a complex and potentially life-threatening hypertensive condition affecting 5% of pregnancies worldwide.
Saving time, saving lives: Calling for help early ensures cardiac patients get best treatment
Experts in emergency cardiac care from around the world met in Istanbul to discuss ways to improve outcomes in patients with acute cardiac disease. This was the first annual meeting of the newly launched Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The congress concludes today.
Aspirin may slow the decline in mental capacity among elderly patients
A daily dose of acetylsalicylic acid equivalent to a fourth of an aspirin may slow the decline in intellectual capacity among elderly individuals with high cardiovascular risk. This is shown in a study by Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Immune cells of the blood might replace dysfunctional brain cells
Blood-circulating immune cells can take over the essential immune surveillance of the brain, this is shown by scientists of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in Tübingen. Their study, now published in PNAS, might indicate new ways of dealing with diseases of the nervous system.
Gastric bypass surgery just as effective in teenagers as in adults
Teenagers with severe obesity can benefit from gastric bypass surgery just as much as adults. A study by Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden found that 81 teenagers lost an average of 96.8 pounds following surgery, significantly improving their health and quality of life.
Mock clinical exams boost pediatric residents' comfort in addressing breastfeeding
A simulated clinical experience guiding future pediatricians through interactions with breastfeeding moms appears to put the doctors at ease with the sensitive and important health topic, researchers say.
Immune cells make flexible choices
Our immune system must be tremendously complex to respond to the unending assault of viruses, bacteria and cancerous cells. One of the mechanisms used by the immune system to cope with the huge variety of possible threats is to randomly combine DNA segments for the production of receptors on lymphocytes – a type of white blood cell. The number of possible receptors that can be produced in this way is about 1000 times the number of stars in our galaxy – one followed by 15 zeroes. And yet, the actual array of receptors produced does not conform to this picture of random chance: Some receptors are produced at a higher rate than others. New research at the Weizmann Institute can help explain how the immune system maintains its complexity while giving preference to certain receptors.
One-third of parents concerned about losing jobs, pay when they stay home with sick kids
Many child care providers have rules that exclude sick children from care, spurring anxious moments for millions of working parents. In a new University of Michigan poll, one-third of parents of young children report they are concerned about losing jobs or pay when they stay home to care for sick children who can't attend child care.
Insights into rare immune cells that keep blood stem cells in a youthful state may lead to better treatments
Hiding deep inside the bone marrow are special cells. They wait patiently for the hour of need, at which point these blood forming stem cells can proliferate and differentiate into billions of mature blood immune cells to help the body cope with infection, for example, or extra red blood cells for low oxygen levels at high altitudes. Even in emergencies, however, the body keeps to a long-term plan: It maintains a reserve of undifferentiated stem cells for future needs and crises. A research team headed by Prof. Tsvee Lapidot of the Institute's immunology Department recently discovered a new type of bodyguard that protects stem cells from over-differentiation. In a paper that appeared in Nature Immunology, they revealed how this rare, previously unknown sub-group of activated immune cells keeps the stem cells in the bone marrow "forever young."
No smoke without fire? Tobacco lobby mystery shakes Brussels
A shady Maltese lobbyist, Sweden's substitute for snuff, robberies against anti-smoking groups: the resignation of the EU's top health official in a tobacco-linked "whodunnit" is shaking up Brussels.
Young Britons 'getting the message' on obesity, expert says
Obesity rates in young people in Britain appear to be going into reverse, a top gathering of health officials heard Monday, as the message on the risks of being overweight seems to be getting through.
Kinesin 'chauffeur' helps HIV escape destruction
A study in The Journal of Cell Biology identifies a motor protein that ferries HIV to the plasma membrane, helping the virus escape from macrophages.
Healthy behaviors in midlife significantly increase odds of successful aging
Engaging in a combination of healthy behaviours, such as not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, exercise, and eating fruits and vegetables daily makes it significantly more likely people will stay healthy as they age, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Greater parental stress linked to children's obesity, fast food use and reduced physical activity
Parents with a higher number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children, according to a new study by pediatric researchers. Furthermore, when parents perceive themselves to be stressed, their children eat fast food more often, compared to children whose parents feel less stressed.
Helping ex-smokers resist the urge
A new inhibitor helps previously nicotine-addicted rats stay on the wagon, according to a study published on October 22nd in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
CAMH protein discovery may lead to new treatment to prevent smoking relapse
Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have identified a potential new approach to preventing smoking relapse, which occurs frequently in smokers who attempt to quit, despite current treatments.
Preventive law becomes preventive medicine
In a commentary to appear in the Oct. 22 issue of the journal Pediatrics, Barry Zuckerman, MD, the Joel and Barbara Alpert Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, discusses how by working together, lawyers and physicians potentially can close the gap in health disparities that persist even in universal health care coverage.
Pediatricians offer first report on organic foods (Update)
Parents who want to reduce their kids' exposure to pesticides may seek out organic fruits and vegetables, but they aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious than conventional foods, America's leading pediatricians group says in its first advice on organics.
Changes in sleep architecture increase hunger, eating
A new study shows that both length of time and percentage of overall sleep spent in different sleep stages are associated with decreased metabolic rate, increased hunger, and increased intake of calories (specifically from fat and carbohydrates). The findings suggest an explanation for the association between sleep problems and obesity.
TV, devices in kids' bedrooms linked to poor sleep, obesity
Children who bask in the nighttime glow of a TV or computer don't get enough rest and suffer from poor lifestyle habits, new research from the University of Alberta has shown.
Most liver transplant candidates receive donation offers
Most liver transplant candidates who died or were removed from the transplant list actually received one or more liver donation offers, according to a recent UCSF study.
Scattered X-rays improve early detection of pulmonary disease
Severe lung diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. To date they have been difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Within an international collaboration scientists from Munich now developed an X-ray technology to do just that. Now they are working on bringing the procedure into medical practice.
Exercise and complete decongestive therapy best ways to manage lymphedema, expert says
(Medical Xpress)—Nearly 40 percent of breast cancer survivors suffer from lymphedema, a chronic condition that causes body limbs to swell from fluid buildup, as a result of lymph node removal and radiation therapy. A cure for lymphedema does not exist, so individuals with the condition must find ways to manage the symptoms throughout their lifetimes. Now, a team of researchers and clinicians working with a University of Missouri lymphedema expert has found that full-body exercise and complete decongestive therapy (CDT) are the best ways for patients to minimize their symptoms and maintain their quality of life.
$2 million prize announced for cure for blindness by 2020
Singer Art Garfunkel, a real estate magnate and an investor are putting $2 million in gold bullion on the line to inspire researchers to cure blindness by 2020, establishing through Johns Hopkins Medicine one of the world's largest prizes for a scientific advancement.
Specific bacterial species may initiate, maintain Crohn's
Patients newly diagnosed with pediatric Crohn's disease had significantly different levels of certain types of bacteria in their intestinal tracts than age-matched controls, according to a paper in the October Journal of Clinical Microbiology. The work may ultimately lead to treatment involving manipulation of the intestinal bacteria.
Exercise may trump mental activity in protecting against brain shrinkage
Exercising regularly in old age may better protect against brain shrinkage than engaging in mental or social activities, according to a new study published in the October 23, 2012, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Research suggests that brain shrinkage may lead to problems with memory and thinking.
Nearly half of US adults with high blood pressure have it under control
Nearly half of U.S. adults with high blood pressure had their blood pressure under control by the end of 2010—a significant increase from the start of the decade, researchers reported in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Older breast cancer patients see more complications with brachytherapy
heralded for its low complication rates—actually results in more complications than whole-breast radiation one year after treatment, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Eating more legumes may improve glycemic control, lower estimated heart disease risk
Eating more legumes (such as beans, chickpeas or lentils) as part of a low-glycemic index diet appears to improve glycemic control and reduce estimated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), according to a report of a randomized controlled trial published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine.
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts among adolescents appears related to recent victimization
An increased risk of suicidal ideation (thoughts of harming or killing oneself) in adolescents appears to be associated with recent victimization, such as by peers, sexual assault, and maltreatment, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.
Study of patients ages 90 and older links poor physical performance, increased odds of dementia
Poor physical performance on activities including walking was associated with increased odds of dementia in a study of individuals 90 years and older, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Neurology.
Industry now using smartphone apps, which kids can easily download, to promote tobacco
The tobacco industry is now using smarphone apps - a medium that has global reach, including to children - to promote its products, warn researchers in Tobacco Control.
Crusty foods may worsen heart problems associated with diabetes
A University of Illinois study suggests avoiding cooking methods that produce the kind of crusty bits you'd find on a grilled hamburger, especially if you have diabetes and know you're at increased risk for cardiovascular disease because of your diagnosis.
New study suggests using sedentary behavior counseling in primary care
(Medical Xpress)—Although primary care physicians take care of many aspects of health and disease, little is known about how they can change sedentary behavior through counseling, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Results from a new study suggest encouraging patients to decrease the time they spend sitting each day may be feasible in the primary care setting.
Parenting and temperament in childhood predict later political ideology
Political mindsets are the product of an individual's upbringing, life experiences, and environment. But are there specific experiences that lead a person to choose one political ideology over another?
Meningitis outbreak toll now 23 dead, 297 sickened: CDC
(HealthDay)—Twenty-three people have now died and 297 have been sickened in the nationwide meningitis outbreak apparently tied to contaminated steroid injections, U.S. health officials reported Monday.
Sling offers lasting benefit for stress urinary incontinence
(HealthDay)—Stress urinary incontinence treatment with a distal urethral polypropylene sling procedure is associated with excellent long-term efficacy and durability, according to research published in the November issue of The Journal of Urology.
Panel rules against HRT for preventing chronic disease
(HealthDay)—Postmenopausal women should not use hormone replacement therapy to prevent chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, according to updated recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Less frequent pap tests safe for most women, ob/gyn group says
(HealthDay)—Most women need testing for cervical cancer only every three to five years, rather than annually, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
More antibiotic use tied to rise in diarrheal infections in hospitals, study finds
(HealthDay)—Greater use of antibiotics is the main reason for an increase in the number and severity of Clostridium difficile infections among hospitalized children and elderly people, researchers report.
Approval expanded for sapien artificial heart valve
(HealthDay)—U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the Sapien Transcatheter Heart Valve has been expanded to include additional people with aortic valve stenosis, the medical term for a narrowing of the aortic valve that prevents the valve from functioning properly.
Study demonstrates how fear can skew spatial perception
That snake heading towards you may be further away than it appears. Fear can skew our perception of approaching objects, causing us to underestimate the distance of a threatening one, finds a study published in Current Biology.
Lethal exhaust: Study leads to designation of diesel fumes as a known carcinogen
(Medical Xpress)—Squeezed among tractor-trailers creeping through the Callahan Tunnel on the way to East Boston, you know those nasty-smelling diesel fumes can't be good for you. Now a landmark study has found that prolonged exposure to that noxious exhaust increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
About face: Long-ignored segments of DNA play role in early stages of face development
(Medical Xpress)—The human face is a fantastically intricate thing. The billions of people on the planet have faces that are individually recognizable because each has subtle differences in its folds and curves. How is the face put together during development so that, out of billions of people, no two faces are exactly the same?
Redefining dentistry through 'salivaomics'
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists from the UCLA School of Dentistry have been at the vanguard of research on human saliva in recent years, leading the way in the dynamic, emerging field of salivary diagnostics, which seeks to catalog the biological makeup of saliva to help screen for and detect both oral and systemic diseases.
Discovery sheds light on Alzheimer's mystery
(Medical Xpress)—In 1906, when Alois Alzheimer discovered the neurodegenerative disease that would later be named for him, he saw amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles inside the brain. Several decades later, abnormal protein structures called Hirano bodies also were frequently observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Cracking the epigenetic code, advancing our understanding of disease
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at The Australian National University is one step closer to better understanding how organisms function after discovering how epigenetic information is transmitted from one generation of cells to the next.
Clue to cause of Alzheimer's dementia found in brain samples
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a key difference in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and those who are cognitively normal but still have brain plaques that characterize this type of dementia.
Friendship 2.0: Teens' technology use promotes sense of belonging, identity
(Medical Xpress)—With adolescents seemingly glued to cell phones and social networking websites, experts are investigating whether the near-constant digital activity changes youths' development.
Breast cancer cells enticed to spread by 'tumorous environment' as well as genetic changes
(Medical Xpress)—A new study from Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that the lethal spread of breast cancer is as dependent on a tumor's protein-rich environment as on genetic changes inside tumor cells.
Can your body sense future events without any external clue?
Wouldn't it be amazing if our bodies prepared us for future events that could be very important to us, even if there's no clue about what those events will be?
New X-ray breast cancer imaging possible with 25 times reduced radiation dose
Scientists have developed a way to produce three-dimensional X-ray images of the breast at a radiation dose that is lower than the 2D radiographies used in clinics today. The new method enables the production of 3D diagnostic computed tomography (CT) images with a spatial resolution 2-3 times higher than present hospital scanners, but with a radiation dose that is about 25 times lower. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome the main obstacle limiting conventional CT imaging of the breast: the high radiosensitivity of the breast glandular tissue. Synchrotron X-rays at the Medical station of the ESRF have been used for testing the technique which, once deployed in hospitals, will make CT scans a diagnostic tool to complement dual view mammography.
After three decades of searching, scientists find cellular targets of Hepatitis B virus
A University of Colorado Boulder-led team has discovered two prime targets of the Hepatitis B virus in liver cells, findings that could lead to treatment of liver disease in some of the 400 million people worldwide currently infected with the virus.
Technology brings new life to the study of diseases in old bones
A study led by The University of Manchester has demonstrated that new technology that can analyse millions of gene sequences in a matter of seconds is an effective way to quickly and accurately identify diseases in skeletons.
Biology news
Latin for Gardeners—A useful, surprising, and beautiful resource
Mastering a small amount of Latin provides a big benefit for gardeners. Not only is it empowering to walk into a nursery and speak like an expert but, without it, they could buy a Hellebores foetidus and be unprepared for its fetid smell, or a Potentilla reptans with the expectation that it will stand straight as a sentinel rather than creep along the ground. Understanding the naming conventions can unlock a wealth of information as the Latin names give clues to color, shape, fragrance, taste, behavior, functions, and more.
Leisure boats threaten the Swedish West Coast archipelago
The number of leisure boats along the Swedish West Coast has risen dramatically over the last 20 years, resulting in a risk that the inner archipelago might be destroyed. These are the findings of new research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Panels reject study on GM corn but urge wider probes (Update 3)
Two expert panels on Monday rejected a contested French study linking genetically-modified corn to tumours in rats but said it raised issues which deserved wider investigation.
Tapping sorghum's potential for cold tolerance
(Phys.org)—Sorghum was originally a tropical plant, but U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in Lubbock, Texas, are looking to Asia to increase sorghum's cold tolerance and expand its production range.
The great shark debate: To cull or not to cull?
The great shark debate continues in Australia as summer approaches. Shark bites on bathers and surfers are a particularly sensitive reality. These are personal and community-wide tragedies that implore us to find adequate solutions. The goal of everyone is to improve shark bite prevention and risk reduction while finding solutions that reflect the values of the public.
Scat-sniffing dog helps save endangered primates
(Phys.org)—A scat-sniffing dog by the name of Pinkerton may be the best friend ever for a small, highly elusive group of endangered monkey and gibbon species now scrambling for survival in the vanishing forests of a remote Chinese mountain range.
The minimal microbe
There are approximately one trillion quintillion microbial cells on this planet. That's more than the number of stars in the known universe!
Preserving large females key to sustaining Atlantic cod
Cod was once a staple diet across many European countries, and so important in fact that in the past some countries have even gone to war over this important resource. Their popularity, however, meant that they have become overfished in some areas leading to a shortage of large and old cod, which in turn has led to the fish becoming more sexually mature at a younger age. This, according to research conducted by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden has led to a serious change in cod stocks and could severely impact the fish's health, physiological ageing and reproductive capacity.
Amoeba feast on backpacks
(Phys.org)—The amoeba Acanthamoeba cunningly traps motile bacteria, collecting them in a rucksack before devouring the whole backpack. This behaviour of the single-cell organisms is unique.
Scientists seek national wildlife conservation network
Wildlife conservation efforts in the United States are facing habitat loss, climate change and major reductions in funding. To address these threats, a group of prominent wildlife biologists and policy experts is recommending the formation of a state-based national conservation-support network. Their proposal is published in the November issue of the journal BioScience.
Kittens: Their microbiomes are what they eat
For animals as well as people, diet affects what grows in the gut. The gut microbial colonies, also known as the gut microbiome, begin to form at birth. Their composition affects how the immune system develops and is linked to the later onset of metabolic diseases such as obesity.
Survival of the shyest? Study identifies how personality influences rainbow trout's memory window
A fish's personality can influence how it responds to, and learns from threats, according to a new study by Professor Grant Brown from Concordia University in Canada and his colleagues. Their work, looking at how personality influences a fish's memory of a predator threat, shows that bold trout forget predator odor, and hence potentially predator threat, quicker than shy trout. The research is published online in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
Greenpeace warns EU off herbicide-tolerant GM crops
Global environmental watchdog Greenpeace launched a new report Monday warning the European Union against authorising herbicide-tolerant genetically engineered (HTGE) crops, saying they would lead to herbicide-resistant super-weeds.
Fungus fights deadly bee mites in a two-pronged attack
(Phys.org)—A fungus normally used to control insect pests may help honey bees protect themselves from a destructive mite by both infecting the mites and preventing suppression of the bee immune system, says a team of bee researchers at the University of Guelph.
Voice software helps study of rare Yosemite owls
In the bird world, they make endangered condors seem almost commonplace. The unique Great Gray Owls of Yosemite, left to evolve after glacial ice separated them from their plentiful Canadian brethren 30 millennia ago, are both a mystery and concern to the scientists charged with protecting them.
A new glow for electron microscopy
The glowing green molecule known as green fluorescent protein (GFP) has revolutionized molecular biology. When GFP is attached to a particular protein inside a cell, scientists can easily identify and locate it using fluorescence microscopy. However, GFP can't be used with electron microscopy, which offers much higher resolution than fluorescence microscopy.
Evolution of new genes captured
(Phys.org)—Like job-seekers searching for a new position, living things sometimes have to pick up a new skill if they are going to succeed. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and Uppsala University, Sweden, have shown for the first time how living organisms do this.
Beetles use dung balls to stay cool
Dung beetles roll their feasts of dung away to avoid the hoards of other hungry competitors at the dung pile. But now a team of researchers from South Africa and Sweden have discovered that they also use their balls in another, rather clever way. The moist balls keep the beetles cool even as they push a weight up to 50 times heavier than their own bodies across the hot sand.
Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of ancient New Zealanders
In a landmark study, University of Otago researchers have achieved the feat of sequencing complete mitochondrial genomes for members of what was likely to be one of the first groups of Polynesians to settle New Zealand and have revealed a surprising degree of genetic variation among these pioneering voyagers.
A whale with a distinctly human-like voice
For the first time, researchers have been able to show by acoustic analysis that whales—or at least one very special white whale—can imitate the voices of humans. That's a surprise, because whales typically produce sounds in a manner that is wholly different from humans, say researchers who report their findings in the October 23 issue of Current Biology.
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