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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 21, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Chaos theory helps to predict the outcome at the roulette table- Scientists link deep wells to deadly Spain quake
- Fish skin structure explains biological cloaking
- Natural process activating brain's immune cells could point way to repairing damaged brain tissue
- Bacterial genes energy-sensing switch discovery could have broad implications
- Google issues Maps APIs for tighter tabs on vehicles
- Automated meter reading systems make life easy for intruders
- A Mississippi river diversion helped build Louisiana wetlands, geologists find
- Solar geoengineering can be tailored to reduce inequality or to manage specific risks, study suggests
- Researchers discover turbo switch of calcium pump in biological cells
- Google faces moment of truth on monopoly probe
- Soyuz craft readied for space station mission
- Pesticides have knock-on effect for bees, study finds
- Study documents early puberty onset in boys
Space & Earth news
Canadian government 'knew about sea fertilizing'
Organizers of a controversial ocean fertilization project off Canada's west coast said officials knew of the undertaking but did not stop it, and that it violated no laws.
Spanish study matches forest fires to the last two years high temperatures
A study led by some University of Barcelona researchers analyses the impact of interannual and seasonal climate variability on the fires occurred in Catalonia last summer. The study concludes that summer fires, related to summer climate conditions, are correlated with antecedent climate conditions, especially winter and spring ones with a lag time of two years. The results suggest that precipitation and temperature conditions regulate fuel flammability and fuel structure. According to the correlations observed, the study provides a model to produce long-term predictions.
Soyuz craft readied for space station mission
A Russian-made Soyuz rocket was erected into place Sunday, ahead of the start of a mission to take a three-man crew to the International Space Station.
Solar geoengineering can be tailored to reduce inequality or to manage specific risks, study suggests
By tailoring geoengineering efforts by region and by need, a new model promises to maximize the effectiveness of solar radiation management while mitigating its potential side effects and risks. Developed by a team of leading researchers, the study was published in the November issue of Nature Climate Change.
A Mississippi river diversion helped build Louisiana wetlands, geologists find
The extensive system of levees along the Mississippi River has done much to prevent devastating floods in riverside communities. But the levees have also contributed to the loss of Louisiana's wetlands. By holding in floodwaters, they prevent sediment from flowing into the watershed and rebuilding marshes, which are compacting under their own weight and losing ground to sea-level rise.
Scientists link deep wells to deadly Spain quake
Farmers drilling ever deeper wells over decades to water their crops likely contributed to a deadly earthquake in southern Spain last year, a new study suggests. The findings may add to concerns about the effects of new energy extraction and waste disposal technologies.
Technology news
Taiwan temple to launch 'divine advice' app
A temple in southern Taiwan is to launch a smartphone app that allows the faithful to seek advice from the heavens while on the move, reports said Saturday.
Iraqi officials venture into world of the Internet
Smiling shyly, Wassan Saleh admitted to being the face of a vast problem across Iraq's bureaucracy that officials are now trying to remedy: she had never used a computer.
Apple opens biggest Asian store in Beijing
Apple on Saturday opened its biggest Asian store yet in Beijing, with hordes of shoppers descending on the three-floor complex that highlights the growing importance of China to the US tech giant.
Huawei row shines light on East-West culture clash
US security fears over two China telecom firms have spotlighted Western suspicions Chinese companies are state-influenced, a culture clash analysts say could loom larger as the country's businesses look overseas.
Doing diplomacy, 140 characters at a time
When Canada's ambassador to China posted photos of his car on the embassy's Twitter-like weibo page, the instant, mass response boosted his country's image in a way that surely stunned many diplomats.
eBay pays £1.2m in British taxes on sales of £800m: report
Online auction giant eBay paid only £1.2 million ($1.92 million, 1.47 million euros) in tax to the British government despite generating £800 million in sales in the country, the Sunday Times reported.
NYC sees progress in quest to become tech capital (Update)
New York's mayor has made no secret of his quest to have the Big Apple rival Silicon Valley as a high-tech hub.
Poll: Germans accept nuke exit despite rising bill
A new poll finds that a large majority of Germans back the government's decision to phase out nuclear power and switch to renewable energies within a decade, despite rising electricity bills.
Vienna platform launches opera live stream
(AP)—Vienna's opera scene is going live on the web for the first time with the launch of the first Internet-based platform for streaming classical productions from the Austrian capital.
Google faces moment of truth on monopoly probe
Google faces a moment of truth in the coming weeks over a lengthy US probe into potential abuse of its Internet search dominance, amid regulatory woes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Automated meter reading systems make life easy for intruders
(Phys.org)—Intruders of the break-in and snooping variety have their work cut out for them by just picking up wireless signals that are broadcast by utility meters, say researchers from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, IEEE and Rutgers. As with many other technological advances that bring new pathways for criminals, advances in meters have created concerns about intrusions. Millions of analogue meters to measure water, gas and electricity consumption have been replaced by automated meter reading (AMR) in the U.S. The newer method enables devices to broadcast readings by radio every 30 seconds for utility company employees to read as they walk or drive around with a receiver.
Google issues Maps APIs for tighter tabs on vehicles
(Phys.org)—Google has been branded and promoted to the point where two associated words-come to mind, "search" and "Maps." Over 800,000 developers worldwide use Google Maps APIs, according to the company, to create their own location-based applications based on Google Maps. Now Google is promoting its Maps technology benefits to a special audience, the enterprise. Google on October 17 officially rolled out two new APIs targeted at enterprise customers for building their own location-enabled applications. The standard reason offered for why businesses should respond is efficiency.
Medicine & Health news
Family sues Monster Energy makers over teen's death
The family of a 14-year-old Maryland girl is suing the California makers of Monster Energy, alleging Friday that too much caffeine in the popular energy drink led to her death.
American Academy Of Pediatrics offers second edition of autism toolkit for clinicians
To help pediatricians in diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorders in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is offering an extensively revised and updated second edition of its autism toolkit, "Autism: Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians." The toolkit will be launched Oct. 20 at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans.
Many grandparent caregivers unaware of newer safety guidelines
The number of grandparent caregivers continues to grow, and while these older adults may be experienced in caring for young children, many are unaware of more recent safety and other recommendations – including those related to appropriate child sleep position, crib safety, car seat and walker use, according to research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Dental school, foster care agency partnership improves child health, aids student training
A partnership between a New York City dental school and a local foster care agency has provided consistent dental care to more than 650 children, and may serve as a model for other dental school program curriculums. The success of Partners Against Caries (PAC), both for the participating foster children and dental school students, was outlined Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
National health officer to focus on improving outcomes for children
In an address at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans, Patrick Conway, MD, FAAP, chief medical officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), will discuss how quality improvement programs in all 50 states are committed to providing children with better health security through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by expanding health care coverage at a lower cost.
Sanctions affecting 6 million patients in Iran: report
Some six million patients in Iran are affected by Western economic sanctions as import of medicine is becoming increasingly difficult, a governmental paper reported Sunday quoting a health official.
S. Africa labour court okays traditional healer's 'sick note'
A labour appeals court in South Africa has validated a "medical certificate" written by a traditional healer, the Sunday Times reported.
Women more likely to die from myocardial infarction than men
Women are more likely to die from a myocardial infarction than men, according to research presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2012. The gender gap in mortality was independent of patient characteristics, revascularisation delays and revascularisation modalities. Women also had longer treatment delays, less aggressive treatment, more complications and longer hospital stays. The study was presented by Dr Guillaume Leurent from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Rennes, France.
Coronary angioplasty improves cardiac arrest survival
Coronary angioplasty improves survival in all patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest, according to research presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2012. The study was presented by Dr Annamaria Nicolino from the Santa Corona General Hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy.
Calling an ambulance improves heart attack survival
The Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2012 is the first annual meeting of the newly launched Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). It takes place from 20 to 22 October in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Istanbul Lufti Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICEC).
In vitro fertilization linked to increase risk for birth defects
In vitro fertilization (IVF) may significantly increase the risk of birth defects, particularly those of the eye, heart, reproductive organs and urinary systems, according to new research presented Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Cyberbullying only rarely the sole factor identified in teen suicides
Cyberbullying – the use of the Internet, phones or other technologies to repeatedly harass or mistreat peers – is often linked with teen suicide in media reports. However, new research presented on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, shows that the reality is more complex. Most teen suicide victims are bullied both online and in school, and many suicide victims also suffer from depression.
Second to US in obesity, Mexico wants kids to slim down
Mexico, second in obesity in the world after the United States, wants its children to cut down on the soft drinks and fatty foods that have made them the chubbiest kids in Latin America.
How the brain forms categories
Neurobiologists at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna investigated how the brain is able to group external stimuli into stable categories. They found the answer in the discrete dynamics of neuronal circuits. The journal Neuron publishes the results in its current issue.
Meningitis victims face long, uncertain recovery
(AP)—Vilinda York lies in her Florida hospital bed, facing a dry-erase board that lists in green marker her name, her four doctors and a smiley face.
US meningitis death toll up to 23: CDC
The death toll in the United States from an unprecedented outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a contaminated drug has climbed to 23 people, health officials said Saturday.
More pediatric hospitalists using text messaging to communicate
More pediatric hospital physicians are communicating through cell phone text messaging, rather than the traditional pager method, according to research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Parents often need after-hours child sleep advice
Many parents have questions about their child's sleep problems, primarily after 6 p.m. when professional assistance is not readily available, according to an abstract presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Fewer orthopedic surgeons accepting pediatric Medicaid patients
Compared to six years ago, the number of orthopedic surgeons willing to see a child with a broken arm who is covered by Medicaid has dropped 39 percent, and even children with private insurance may face obstacles in getting a timely appointment, according to research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Lack of sleep tied to teen sports injuries
Adolescent athletes who slept eight or more hours each night were 68 percent less likely to be injured than athletes who regularly slept less, according to an abstract presented Sunday, Oct. 21, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.
Academic websites offer the most reliable pediatric orthopedic information online
Most parents frequently rely on the Internet for pediatric health information, and yet the content and quality of information can vary greatly from website to website. According to new research presented on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, websites provided by academic institutions offer the most reliable pediatric health information, and commercial-sponsored websites, the least. In general, disease summary and diagnosis information is more likely to be correct on the Internet than information about the cause and prognosis for a disease.
Off-label medications prescribed to nearly all pediatric intensive care patients
"Off label" drugs are medications that have not been tested for safety or efficacy for a specific patient age or condition. New research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans found that off-label treatments were ordered for 96 percent of all pediatric patients, and 100 percent of patients ages 13-17, in the intensive care unit of an urban children's hospital.
Father of bone marrow transplant is dead at 92
E. Donnall Thomas, a physician who pioneered bone marrow transplants and later won the 1990 Nobel Prize in medicine, has died in Seattle at age 92.
Procedure can treat stiff-knee gait in spastic cerebral palsy
(HealthDay)—For individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and stiff-knee gait with decreased peak knee flexion in the swing phase, distal rectus femoris transfer (DRFT) produces significant and lasting improvements in peak knee flexion, according to research published in the Oct. 3 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Social outcomes good for most pediatric brain tumor survivors
(HealthDay)—While the majority of survivors of pediatric embryonal tumors display positive social outcomes several years after diagnosis and treatment, specific risk factors may affect social adjustment and behavior over the long term, according to research published online Oct. 15 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Intracranial tumors can be resected safely in elderly
(HealthDay)—Elderly patients do not have poorer short-term outcomes after surgical resection of primary or metastatic intracranial tumors, after accounting for other risk factors, according to research published online Oct. 12 in Cancer.
Prognostic factors identified for intramedullary tibial nailing
(HealthDay)—Fracture and surgical factors have been identified for the prediction of adverse outcomes after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures, according to a study published in the Oct. 3 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Anergia prevalent in acute coronary syndrome patients
(HealthDay)—Anergia, or the lack of energy, is highly prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and correlates independently with several factors, including bodily pain and exercise participation, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Study documents early puberty onset in boys
A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has documented that boys in the U.S. are experiencing the onset of puberty six months to two years earlier than reported in previous research.
Natural process activating brain's immune cells could point way to repairing damaged brain tissue
The brain's key "breeder" cells, it turns out, do more than that. They secrete substances that boost the numbers and strength of critical brain-based immune cells believed to play a vital role in brain health. This finding adds a new dimension to our understanding of how resident stem cells and stem cell transplants may improve brain function.
Biology news
World pledges more money to protect biodiversity
Efforts to stem the worrying loss of Earth's dwindling natural resources received a boost Saturday when a UN conference in India agreed to double biodiversity aid to poor countries.
Hong Kong customs seize four tonnes of smuggled ivory
Hong Kong customs officers seized almost four tonnes of ivory worth about $3.4 million, hidden in shipments from Kenya and Tanzania, officials said Saturday.
Researchers discover turbo switch of calcium pump in biological cells
When animals and plants are exposed to influences such as bacterial attack, odour and cold, calcium ions flow into the cells. The calcium provides the cells with a signal about what is going on outside, but as high concentrations of calcium are toxic to the cells, it must be quickly pumped out again. Researchers from the Danish National Research Foundation's PUMPkin Centre at both the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University have now shown that calcium pumps in the cell's outer membrane adjust the pump speed very accurately to the calcium concentration. These findings have just been published in the journal Nature.
Pesticides have knock-on effect for bees, study finds
Chronic exposure to pesticides has a bigger knock-on effect on bees than conventional probes suggest, according to a new study on Sunday touching on the mysterious collapse of bee colonies.
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