Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 2, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Researchers glimpse the inside of a photonic crystal- Why moderate beliefs rarely prevail
- 'Kawaii' power sharpens worker focus, says Japanese study
- Using light to control light: Engineers invent new device that could increase Internet download speeds
- Reliable 3-D memories from silicon oxide and graphene: Visionary transparent memory a step closer to reality
- Researchers find ordered atoms in glass materials
- Study suggests immune system can boost regeneration of peripheral nerves
- Solar cell consisting of a single molecule: Individual protein complex generates electric current
- Egyptian toe tests show they're likely to be the world's oldest prosthetics
- Amazonian tribal warfare sheds light on modern violence, anthropologist says
- An apple a day lowers level of blood chemical linked to hardening of the arteries
- New research measures the cost of getting cleaner air
- Sea-level study shows signs of things to come
- Quantum causal relations: A causes B causes A
- A mammal lung, in 3-D: Researchers create model of mysterious region
Space & Earth news
My life on Mars: engineering student experiences life on the red planet
As NASA's Curiosity rover scours the surface of Mars and beams pictures of the stark and desolate landscape back to Earth, we've begun to paint a picture of what living on the red planet might actually be like.
Environmentalist pioneer Barry Commoner dies at 95
(AP)—Barry Commoner, a scientist and a pioneer of the environmental movement, has died in New York at age 95.
A solo, 1600 km trek across Brooks' Range
"I've suffered so much. Why not suffer a little bit more and make it all worthwhile?" This was the mantra that saw John Cantor through his solo expedition across North America's Brooks Range.
'Earthscapes Forever' stamps to feature Landsat views of Earth
The U.S. Postal Service released on Oct. 1 a series of 15 Earthscapes Forever stamps that depict America's diverse landscapes viewed from aerial and satellite perspectives. Taken from heights of several hundred feet above Earth to several hundred miles up in space, the images on the stamps provide a new perspective on the world we live in.
Sea Education Association tall ship departs on major marine debris research cruise
A tall ship owned and operated by Sea Education Association (SEA) will depart port tomorrow on a research expedition dedicated to examining the effects of plastic marine debris, including debris generated by the 2011 Japanese tsunami, in the ocean ecosystem.
Atmospheric aerosol climate caution
Carbon dioxide is not the only problem we must address if we are to understand and solve the problem of climate change. According to research published this month in the International Journal of Global Warming, we as yet do not understand adequately the role played by aerosols, clouds and their interaction and must take related processes into account before considering any large-scale geo-engineering.
Viewing crescent Mars
(Phys.org)—The sight of the crescent Moon hanging in the sky above Earth is a familiar one, but this image taken by ESA's Rosetta spacecraft as it passed by the Red Planet in February 2007 captures the rare view of a skinny slice of Mars. Many delicate crescent views of planets and moons in our Solar System have been provided by past flyby missions, but this was the first time Mars had been imaged in this way.
SMOS measures ocean salinity, provides complete view of ocean every 5 days
(Phys.org)—Earth observation measurements shouldn't be taken with a pinch of salt. ESA is comparing readings of sea-surface salinity from drifting floats to confirm the SMOS water mission's measurements.
American resupply missions to the space station progressing
(Phys.org)—Orbital Sciences Corporation Monday rolled the first stage of its Antares rocket to the launch pad of the nation's newest spaceport - the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Va. - while in Florida, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) moves ahead with preparations for an Oct. 7 launch to the International Space Station for NASA's first Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission. These developments mark progress in returning space station resupply missions to American soil.
Eating habits in China spur global shift in water use
(Phys.org)—A decade ago, a shockwave raced through the world's agricultural markets. China opened its borders to foreign-grown soy.
Researchers develop tool to improve NASA polar ice mission
(Phys.org)—Data vital to understanding global climate change will benefit from more efficient and secure processing, thanks to a new tool created by members of Indiana University's Research Technologies Systems.
National Ice Core Lab stores valuable ancient ice
It's a freezing cold day inside the National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) in Denver, Colo., as it is every day of the year. That's because the NICL is a facility for storing and studying ice cores recovered from the polar regions of the world. It's minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit) inside, so everyone is bundled up in ski parkas, insulated gloves and boots. And, saws are buzzing, as scientists from all over the U.S. are measuring and cutting pieces of precious Antarctic glacier ice to take back to their labs for research.
MESSENGER's X-ray spectrometer reveals chemical diversity on Mercury's surface
(Phys.org)—New data from the X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) on the MESSENGER spacecraft—one of two instruments designed to measure the abundances of many key elements on Mercury—show variations in the composition of surface material on Mercury that point to changes over time in the characteristics of volcanic eruptions on the solar system's innermost planet.
Twin Galileo satellites fuelled and ready for launch
The twin Galileo satellites are now fully fuelled and mated together atop the upper stage that will haul them most of the way up to their final orbit. The launch is now planned for the evening of 12 October.
Study for new satellite mission underway to make more accurate predictions of climate change
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is leading a project seeking to launch a satellite which will provide more accurate climate data, improving our understanding of the impact of climate change.
Space freighter starts suicide plunge: ESA
A bus-sized craft that had delivered food to the International Space Station will re-enter Earth's atmosphere overnight for a controlled implosion over the South Pacific, the European Space Agency said Tuesday.
Pressure mounts to restore Great Lakes water levels
Pressure is mounting on the U.S. and Canadian governments to explore ways to restore water levels on Lakes Michigan and Huron that have been lowered nearly 2 feet due to historic dredging on the St. Clair River. The two lakes, which are actually one body of water connected at the Straits of Mackinac, have been below their long-term average for more than a decade, and forecasters say in the coming months they could plunge below their record low.
NASA sees strong thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Gaemi
Infrared NASA satellite imagery revealed that the strongest thunderstorms within Tropical Storm Gaemi in the western North Pacific Ocean were located around the storm's center and in a band of thunderstorms east of the center.
Infrared NASA imagery shows Nadine still has an eye, despite being a tropical storm
Forecasters know that Tropical Storm Nadine is a fighter as it continues to stay alive in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Even satellite imagery shows Nadine's fighting spirit, because although Nadine is now a tropical storm, infrared data clearly shows that Nadine maintained an eye early on Oct. 2.
NASA sees heaviest rainfall in Tropical Storm Maliski's eastern side
Wind shear is pushing the heaviest rainfall within Tropical Storm Maliksi east of the storm's center, and NASA's TRMM satellite captured it on Oct. 2 as it passed overhead from space.
The science behind northern lights
(Phys.org)—Northern night skies have recently been alive with light. Those shimmering curtains get their start about 93 million miles away, on the sun.
Sea-level study shows signs of things to come
Our greenhouse gas emissions up to now have triggered an irreversible warming of the Earth that will cause sea-levels to rise for thousands of years to come, new research has shown.
New research measures the cost of getting cleaner air
(Phys.org)—Extensive environmental regulations have brought cleaner air and health improvements to the United States, but they also have increased the cost of manufacturing and reduced industrial productivity, according to a study by economists at the University of Chicago and MIT.
Too little nitrogen may restrain plants' carbon storage capability, research shows
Plants' ability to absorb increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air may have been overestimated, a new University of Minnesota study shows.
Technology news
Fujifilm introduces new authoring software
Fujifilm has launched GT-EpubAuthor for Fixed Layout. GT-EpubAuthor is an authoring software that allows the easy output of images such as e-comics and e-books in EPUB3 format, the official international standard for digital publishing. The software has full English support; hence it can be also used by publishers worldwide.
Fujitsu develops eye tracking technology
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced development of eye tracking technology that takes advantage of compact, inexpensive cameras and light-emitting diodes (LED) embedded in PCs. Up until now, tracking eye movements required a specialized camera and LED, the prohibitive cost and size of which made it difficult to use in PCs and other general-purpose products. Moreover, less expensive equipment was of insufficient quality, and blurred images meant poor detection accuracy. Now, however, using a near-infrared LED and the type of compact, inexpensive camera that comes as a standard feature in many PCs, Fujitsu Laboratories has developed image processing technology that can overcome blurred images to accurately detect the pupil of the eye. As a result, an eye tracking device can be embedded into the frame of a PC screen without detracting from the PC's design, enabling a new and natural non-contact PC interface in which, for example, screen zooming and scrolling based on where o! ne is looking are possible.
In novel move, NYC campus gets US patent officer
(AP)—A patent officer will be stationed at a New York City technology graduate-school campus in a first-of-its-kind effort to help students and others capitalize on their ideas.
New York cracks down on social media gangsters
The New York Police Department is deploying a surge of detectives to patrol an increasingly mean new beat: Facebook and other social networks.
Gambling exec: Online regulations unlikely in 2012
(AP)—It doesn't look like Congress will pass Internet gambling regulatory laws this year, the head of the industry's main lobbying group said Tuesday, as he cast online wagering hosted by sites overseas as one of the biggest threats to the casino industry in the United States.
Israeli electric car company CEO steps down
(AP)—He has been the poster boy for Israel's powerhouse technology industry and a leading proponent of a great dream—to end the world's addiction to oil.
Rdio to pay artists $10 per new subscriber
(AP)—Music subscription service Rdio (ARDEE-oh) is looking to dispel the notion that streaming services underpay artists for their work. Starting Tuesday, it will start paying musicians $10 for every person they convince through social media to sign up for an Rdio plan.
Samsung motions to add iPhone 5 to patent case
(AP)—South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. says it has filed a motion with a U.S. court to add Apple's iPhone 5 to their ongoing patent battle.
Google winning race to capture education market
After six years targeting the education sector, Google says it has more than 20 million students, faculty and staff around the world using Google Apps for Education.
LinkedIn links up with panel of 'influencers' (Update)
(AP)—LinkedIn is adding more expert advice to its website and making it easier for its users to find their pearls of wisdom.
Europe nuke plants need 'up to 25 bn euros' upgrade
From missing seismic devices to insufficient emergency back-up systems, stress tests on Europe's nuclear power plants show hundreds of problems requiring billions in new investment, an EU report showed Tuesday.
YouTube, Xbox to stream US presidential debates
YouTube has announced it will stream the three debates between US President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, along with the vice presidential debate.
T-Mobile USA in talks to buy MetroPCS (Update)
(AP)—The parent of cellphone company T-Mobile USA on Tuesday said it's in talks to buy smaller MetroPCS Communications Inc., a deal that could shore up two struggling smaller players in the U.S. wireless industry.
Microsoft says settlement reached in botnet case
(AP)—Microsoft says it has settled a computer-fraud case against a website operated by a Chinese businessman that had become a major hub for illicit Internet activity.
Facebook revamps its help center (Update)
(AP)—Facebook's redesigned help center aims to make it easier for users to navigate and find what they need help with on the site or its mobile applications.
Immigrant-led startups on the decline in US: study
The number of US high-tech startups founded by immigrants, which has long been a source of growth for the American economy, has begun to slip, according to a study released Tuesday.
Ultrabook PC forecast slashed in half: survey
Ultrabooks—those sleek, lightweight laptop computers that were supposed to fire up PC sales—are not catching on with consumers, a new survey shows.
French watchdog says Facebook did not violate privacy
France's data watchdog said Tuesday that Facebook users' privacy had not been breached, a week after summoning officials from the social networking site over rumours that private messages were being posted publicly.
Microsoft stores to 'pop up' on October 26
Scores of real-world Microsoft stores will "pop up" in the United States and Canada on October 26 to showcase the technology giant's latest gadgets including the new Surface tablet computer.
Apple smartphones gaining on Samsung in US
Apple narrowed the gap with Samsung smartphones in the precious US market in the months before the release of the hot-selling iPhone 5 model, industry tracker comScore reported on Tuesday.
US orders $163 mn fine for 'scareware'
A US federal court has ordered a $163 million fine against the operators of a "scareware" scheme which tricked computer users into thinking they were infected, and then sold them a "fix," officials said Tuesday.
High-tech musical duet gets cheers at Philly event
(AP)—Technology that allows musicians in different places to perform together in real-time was dramatically demonstrated Tuesday in Philadelphia, where a violinist and cellist hundreds of miles apart played a duet as if they were on the same stage.
Google backs off patent complaint against Apple
Google-owned Motorola Mobility withdrew a patent complaint filed with a US commission but remained quiet Tuesday as to the reason for the legal ceasefire.
US judge lifts Samsung tablet ban
A judge on Monday lifted a ban on US sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 computers as the South Korean firm added Apple's new iPhone 5 to a patent brawl between the two market rivals.
Smartphones control smart homes at Asia tech fair
Homes where every device is linked up and can be controlled by smartphone were touted in Japan on Tuesday when Asia's biggest tech fair threw open its doors.
GE introduces natural gas FlexEfficiency 60 turbine
(Phys.org)—General Electric has unveiled its new line of highly efficient natural gas burning turbines for use in generating electricity. The new turbines are able to rapidly increase or reduce their power output to meet demand, making them, the company says, ideal companions to renewable resource based energy platforms. The new line of FlexEfficiency 60 turbines will be produced in several configurations ranging from 185MW to over 300MW, with initial deliveries scheduled for some time next year.
Sandia builds Android-based network to study cyber disruptions
As part of ongoing research to help prevent and mitigate disruptions to computer networks on the Internet, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in California have turned their attention to smartphones and other hand-held computing devices.
V3Solar photovoltaic Spin Cell generates 20 times more electricity per cell than flat panels
(Phys.org)—V3Solar has developed a new way to convert the sun's energy into electricity using traditional technology in a new way, and in so doing have discovered a way to get twenty times more electricity out of the same amount of solar cells. Their new device, called the Spin Cell, does away with the traditional flat panel and instead places the solar cells on a cone shaped frame which are then covered with energy concentrators. Once in operation, the whole works spins, making unnecessary the need for tracking hardware and software. What's more, they actually look nice.
Medicine & Health news
Surgeons associate preoperative falls with worse postoperative outcomes in older adults
An answer to the simple question—"Have you recently taken a fall?"—can tell a surgeon how well an older adult may recover from a major operation according to researchers from the University of Colorado, Denver. New study findings, reported today at the 2012 Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), indicate that preopera-tive falls in older surgical patients are a powerful predictor of complications, prolonged hospital stays, and higher rates of disability.
Novel MRI technique could reduce breast biopsies
Water diffusion measurements with MRI could decrease false-positive breast cancer results and reduce preventable biopsies, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. Researchers said the technique also could improve patient management by differentiating high-risk lesions requiring additional workup from other non-malignant subtypes.
Digital mammography improves population-based breast cancer screening
New research from the Netherlands shows that the switch from screen film mammography (SFM) to digital mammography (DM) in large, population-based breast cancer screening programs improves the detection of life-threatening cancer without significantly increasing detection of clinically insignificant disease. Results of the study are published online in the journal Radiology.
Study uncovers racial disparities in diabetic complications among underinsured
Diabetes is among the ten leading causes of death in both white and African American patients, but the prevalence of diabetic complications are race-specific, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
France to cover 100 percent of abortion costs
France on Monday unveiled a package of reforms designed to increase access to abortion, including 100 percent reimbursement of medical costs by the state social security system.
Calgary stroke support programs help navigate life after stroke
It takes one to know one, especially when it comes to stroke recovery, according to two new Calgary programs providing support and resources to 1,200 stroke patients.
Provincial effort to improve stroke care in Alberta is 'paying off'
Stroke care has improved considerably in Alberta following the implementation of the Alberta Provincial Stroke Strategy (APSS), leading to more targeted patient care and fewer health complications, according to a study presented today at the Canadian Stroke Congress.
Scientists analyze animal use in HPV chemicals challenge program
In an article published today in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals Challenge Program had the potential to use 3.5 million animals in new testing, but after the application of animal-saving measures, approximately 127,000 were actually used. Although this toll in animal lives is high, it would have been many times worse had PETA not obtained major concessions from the White House and the EPA at the start of the program and commented on every animal test proposed over the course of 12 years.
Project reduces toddler tooth decay
The answer to early childhood tooth decay could be just a phone call away, thanks to new research by the University of Queensland and Queensland Health.
New publication supports early diagnosis of children on autism spectrum
A new publication developed by Indiana University centers and the Indiana State Department of Health encourages parents to have their young children evaluated if they suspect autism and provides guidance for professional evaluations.
Who cares for the elderly?
Carers for the elderly are more likely to be female, aged 70, facing health risks, and under financial stress a Sydney Nursing School and Sydney Medical School study has found.
Restoring sight would save global economy US$202 billion each year
Governments could add billions of dollars to their economies annually by funding the provision of an eye examination and a pair of glasses to the estimated 703 million people globally that needed them in 2010 according to a new study to be released soon.
Disability high amongst non-hospitalised injury victims
Levels of ongoing disability amongst people injured, even when not hospitalised, has surprised a University of Otago research team.
Children's bicycle helmets shown to be effective in impact and crush tests
To determine the effectiveness of bicycle helmet use, a research team at the Illinois Neurological Institute and Bradley University tested how well helmets withstood forces of impact and crush tests when covering human cadaver skulls. They found that helmet use can substantially reduce (by up to 87%) the acceleration experienced by the skull during an impact and can aid the skull in resisting forces up to 470 pounds in a crush accident.
Does gender affect acute concussive injury in soccer players? 'No' according to this study
Many studies suggest gender-related differences in athletes' responses to sports-related concussion. Nevertheless, findings have not been unanimous, and no guidelines regarding gender-specific strategies for prevention or treatment of sports-related concussion have been developed. Researchers at Vanderbilt University, the University of Albany, and ImPACT Applications, Inc., set out to review symptoms and neurocognitive findings in male and female high-school soccer players to see if they could verify such discrepancies. The researchers were unable to do so.
The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice focuses on periodontal and implant treatments
What's the latest, research-supported best practice in periodontal care and implant dentistry? Dental specialists and generalists alike can read about it in the first of a new series from The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (JEBDP), the foremost publication of information about evidence-based dental practice.
Concussion spectrum in college athletes wearing helmets: 'Not so simple,' say researchers
Much has been written in recent years about the short- and long-term consequences of concussions sustained in sports, combat, and accidents. However, there appear to be no steadfast rules guiding the definition of concussion. Researchers investigated the signs, symptoms, and clinical histories used by athletic trainers to define concussion in individual college athletes engaged in contact sports. The investigators found a heterogeneous collection of acute clinical characteristics—a "concussion spectrum," which they discuss.
Length matters in gene expression
A research team at Aarhus University reveals a surprising interplay between the ends of human genes: If a protein-coding gene is too short it becomes inactive! The findings also explain how some short genes have adapted to circumvent this handicap.
'A-game' strategies for parents, coaches in youth sports
Parents typically are the biggest headaches for coaches in youth sports. These well-meaning adults may berate their child's performance, criticize sport-officials' decisions or yell instructions that contradict the coach. Or maybe the problem is that the parent is uninvolved and only sees sports as a babysitting service.
Starting antiretroviral therapy improves HIV-infected Africans' nutrition
Starting HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy reduces food insecurity and improves physical health, thereby contributing to the disruption of a lethal syndemic, UCSF and Massachusetts General Hospital researchers have found in a study focused on sub-Saharan Africa.
Study reveals differences in overall health of Latino-American subgroups
Despite a shared Latino heritage, there are significant differences in the overall health and the use of health-care services among Cuban-Americans, Mexican-Americans and Puerto Rican-Americans—even between men and women in the same subgroup—according to two recently published studies by Florida State University researchers.
Study reveals 'unacceptably high' hip resurfacing failure rates
an alternative to hip replacement often recommended to younger patients – is prone to early failure in many instances, and should not be used in women, according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet.
Sexually abused women much less likely to be screened for cervical cancer
Women who have been sexually abused as children or young adults are much less likely to get screened for cervical cancer than other women, indicates exploratory research published in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.
Apixaban superior to warfarin across range of patient risk scores
A new anticoagulant called apixaban is superior to warfarin in preventing stroke with consistent effects across a wide range of stroke and bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.
A simple blood test could be used to detect breast cancer
A simple blood test could one day be a more accurate way to test for the early signs of breast cancer than using mammograms to spot a lump say researchers today, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month gets underway.
New analysis of presidential candidates' health care plans estimates uninsured by 2022
The number of uninsured individuals is estimated to increase in every state and to 72 million nationwide—with children and low- and middle-income Americans particularly hard hit—under Governor Mitt Romney's plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with block grants to states for Medicaid and new tax incentives, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. While the details of Governor Romney's proposals have not been specified, a set of assumptions was made for the report based on similar proposals advanced in the past.
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with mortality in older adults
Low levels of vitamin D and high levels of parathyroid hormone are associated with increased mortality in African American and Caucasian older adults, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM). The study also indicates that the potential impact of remediating low vitamin D levels is greater in African Americans than Caucasians because vitamin D insufficiency is more common in African Americans.
Alzheimer's disease in men linked to low levels of hormone, IGF-1
Low serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are associated with Alzheimer's Disease in men, but not women, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Humira's approval widened to include ulcerative colitis
(HealthDay)—Humira (adalimumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults, the agency said Friday.
U.S. children exposed to about four hours background TV a day
(HealthDay)—Children in the United States are exposed to nearly four hours of background television on average every day, an amount that threatens healthy child development, new research reveals.
Developmental outcomes good for late preterm infants in NICU
(HealthDay)—Late preterm infants (LPIs), born at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation, who receive intensive care, have similar cognitive, motor, and language skills at age 3 as LPIs who did not receive intensive care, according to a study published online Oct. 1 in Pediatrics.
Retina's thickness may be tied to severity of MS, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Using a high-tech imaging process to measure the thickness of the eye's retina may one day predict the progression of multiple sclerosis, a new study suggests.
Study links insomnia to $31 billion in U.S. workplace errors
(HealthDay)—Feeling sleepy on the job and having trouble focusing? It could cost you—and the nation as a whole. A new study estimates that insomnia is responsible for 274,000 workplace accidents and errors each year, adding up to $31 billion in extra costs.
Scientists probe how some HIV patients resist AIDS
(HealthDay)—Researchers who discovered an immune system mechanism that seems to provide some people with a natural defense against HIV say their finding could help efforts to develop a vaccine for HIV/AIDS.
Scientists discover immune cells could protect against obesity
(Medical Xpress)—New research has found that a type of anti-tumour immune cell protects against obesity and the metabolic syndrome that leads to diabetes. Results showing that immune cells known to be protective against malignancy called invariant natural killer T-cells (iNKT), that are lost when humans become obese, but can be restored through weight loss, have been published online this week in the journal Immunity. Marie Curie Fellow, Lydia Lynch at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland made the discovery and as first author in collaboration with colleagues at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, and St Vincent's University Hospital have shown that therapies that activate iNKT cells could help manage obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease.
Low vitamin D levels linked to more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms
Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study finds, suggesting a potential link between intake of the vitamin and the risk of longer-term disability from the autoimmune disorder.
Expand telestroke in all provinces to save lives, reduce disability
Widespread use of telestroke—two-way audiovisual linkups between neurologists in stroke centres and emergency rooms in underserved and rural areas—would save lives, reduce disability and cut health-care costs in all parts of Canada, according to a major national report released today at the Canadian Stroke Congress.
Smoking clouds the brain after stroke
A study of stroke patients from Southern Ontario found those who smoke have more difficulty with problem-solving and decision-making than non-smokers.
Sleep apnea plays dual role in stroke
Improvements to the diagnosis and screening of sleep apnea are critical to stroke prevention, according to new stroke care guidelines released today at the Canadian Stroke Congress.
Study finds direct correlation between hospital bedsores, patient mortality
(Medical Xpress)—A new clinical study spearheaded by the dean of UCLA's School of Nursing has found a direct correlation between pressure ulcers—commonly known as bedsores—and patient mortality and increased hospitalization. The research is believed to be the first of its kind to use data directly from medical records to assess the impact of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers on Medicare patients at national and state levels. According to the study, featured as the lead article in the current issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors who developed pressure ulcers were more likely to die during their hospital stay, to have longer stays in the hospital, and to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their discharge.
Study finds social marketing an effective tool in boosting physical activity
(Medical Xpress)—Social marketing has been found to be an effective tool in boosting recruitment and retention into regular physical activity sessions in a deprived area, according to new research from the University of Bristol published in the journal BMC Public Health.
Study reveals multiple mechanisms may play role in Alzheimer's
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers investigating a known gene risk factor for Alzheimer's disease discovered it is associated with lower levels of beta amyloid—a brain protein involved in Alzheimer's—in cognitively healthy older people. The findings suggest that a mechanism other than one related to beta amyloid accumulation may influence disease risk associated with the gene. The study, by researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health, was published online September 27, 2012 in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Obesity a concern? Don't use sweets to reward children's behaviour, reduce screen time
Cutting screen time and not rewarding children's good behaviour with sweets are among the steps parents could take to reduce overweight and obesity in children before they start school, according to research by the University of Sydney.
How immune cells defend themselves against HIV
A team of scientists led by virologists Prof. Oliver T. Fackler and Prof. Oliver T. Keppler from Heidelberg University Hospital have decoded a mechanism used by the human immune system to protect itself from HIV viruses. A protein stops the replication of the virus in resting immune cells, referred to as T helper cells, by preventing the transcription of the viral genome into one that can be read by the cell. The ground-breaking results provide new insights into the molecular background of the immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS and could open up starting points for new treatments. The study has now been published – ahead of print online – in the international journal Nature Medicine.
Cortex development depends on a protein
As outlined in a study published in Developmental Cell, researchers have discovered a novel function for p27 in the control of interneuron migration in the developing cerebral cortex.
Work is more fun if the character fits the bill
Anyone who can apply his or her personal character strengths in his or her career experiences more enjoyment, flow and meaning at work. These people are also more satisfied with their job and perceive it more as a calling. This is the result of two large-scale studies conducted by a team of psychologists from the University of Zurich. The studies provide key insights for the selection of personnel and human resources development.
New hope for taming triple-negative breast cancer
Disease-free survival is short-lived for women with triple-negative breast cancer—a form of the disease that doesn't respond to hormone drugs and becomes resistant to chemotherapy. Thankfully, a promising line of study in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio suggests it is possible to fine-tune the properties of this fearsome cancer, making it more sensitive to treatment.
Newly developed, simple test for gestational diabetes
The increasingly common condition of gestational diabetes can have serious consequences for both the mother and child if left untreated. Prompt diagnosis and therapy can protect against these consequences. A new testing method developed at the MedUni Vienna now makes diagnosis easier and also cheaper.
Differences in diagnosis, treatment of nonepileptic seizures in US, Chile
Epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) may look similar, but actually have different causes and treatments. Up to 20 percent of patients diagnosed with epilepsy actually have PNES, which are not treated by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). According to a new study by Rhode Island Hospital researcher W. Curt LaFrance Jr., M.D., M.P.H., director of neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology, increasing access to video electroencephalography (video-EEG) may aid in distinguishing between epilepsy and PNES. The study is published online in advance of print in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior.
Gene responsible for many spontaneous breast cancers identified
Cancerous tumors contain hundreds of mutations, and finding these mutations that result in uncontrollable cell growth is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. As difficult as this task is, it's exactly what a team of scientists from Cornell University, the University of North Carolina, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York have done for one type of breast cancer. In a report appearing in the journal Genetics, researchers show that mutations in a gene called NF1 are prevalent in more than one-fourth of all noninheritable or spontaneous breast cancers.
Smoked salmon blamed for salmonella outbreak (Update 3)
(AP)—Smoked salmon tainted with salmonella bacteria has sickened hundreds of people in the Netherlands, sparking major recalls there and in the U.S., Dutch authorities said.
New findings on the workings of the inner ear
The sensory cells of the inner ear have tiny hairs called stereocilia that play a critical part in hearing. It has long been known that these stereocilia move sideways back and forth in a wave-like motion when stimulated by a sound wave. After having designed a microscope to observe these movements, a research team at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has discovered that the hairs not only move sideways but also change in length.
Study suggests treatments for 'wet' AMD keep elderly drivers behind the wheel
The advanced neovascular, or "wet," form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), left untreated, is the most common cause of vision loss among the elderly and a leading reason for their loss of driving privileges. But results of a new study, published in the online version of the journal Ophthalmology, suggest that monthly injections of ranibizumab improve eye chart test results required for a driver's license, build driver confidence and keep those with AMD driving longer.
Adult stem cells change their epigenome to generate new organs
A study developed by researchers at the IDIBELL, led by Manel Esteller, has identified epigenetic changes that occur in adult stem cells to generate different tissues of the human body.
Diabetes patients should have more voice in treatment: experts
(HealthDay)—New guidelines meant to provide type 2 diabetes patients with truly individualized care have been issued by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
New research model to aid search for degenerative disease cures
(Medical Xpress)—Efforts to treat disorders like Lou Gehrig's disease, Paget's disease, inclusion body myopathy and dementia will receive a considerable boost from a new research model created by UC Irvine scientists.
Wearable robot can help patients walk again
A team of physical therapists strapped the robot onto him, one hit a button and with a faint electronic whir, David Ayscue was suddenly 6 feet tall again.
Vitamin D supplementation does not reduce rate or severity of colds, study finds
Although some data have suggested a possible inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (colds), participants in a randomized controlled trial who received a monthly dose of 100,000 IUs of vitamin D3 did not have a significantly reduced incidence or severity of colds, according to a study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.
Beta-blocker use not associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events
Among patients with either coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors only, known prior heart attack, or known CAD without heart attack, the use of beta-blockers was not associated with a lower risk of a composite of cardiovascular events that included cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack or nonfatal stroke, according to a study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis appear to be at increased risk for blood clots
A study that included more than 45,000 residents of Sweden with rheumatoid arthritis finds that individuals with this disease had an associated higher risk of venous thromboembolism (a blood clot that forms within a vein), and that this elevated risk was stable for 10 years after the time of diagnosis, according to a study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.
Cardiac medication may help reduce stiffness caused by certain muscle diseases
Preliminary research finds that for patients with nondystrophic myotonias (NDMs), rare diseases that affect the skeletal muscle and cause functionally limiting stiffness and pain, use of the anti-arrhythmic medication mexiletine resulted in improvement in patient-reported stiffness, according to a preliminary study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.
Both obesity, under-nutrition prevalent in long-term refugees living in camps
A quarter of households in refugee camps in Algeria are currently suffering from the double burden of excess weight and under-nutrition. According to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, obesity is an emerging threat to this community, with one in two women of childbearing age being overweight, whilst nutritional deficiencies such as iron-deficiency anaemia and stunted growth remain a persistent problem.
Serious complications in people with type 1 diabetes and ongoing poor blood sugar control
Strategies implemented in high-income countries to improve blood glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes and so reduce complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and early death, are working, but there is much need for further improvement, according to a study from Scotland published in this week's PLOS Medicine.
New class of anti-bacterial drugs against MRSA discovered
Researchers at The Ohio State University have discovered a new class of treatment against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as well as evidence of a growing need to quickly genotype individual strains of the organism most commonly referred to as the "superbug."
Study sheds light on bone marrow stem cell therapy for pancreatic recovery
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute have found that a blood vessel-building gene boosts the ability of human bone marrow stem cells to sustain pancreatic recovery in a laboratory mouse model of insulin-dependent diabetes.
Trojan horse drug therapy provides new approach to treating breast cancer
When Linda Tuttle was diagnosed with breast cancer, she never imagined her experience would inspire her colleagues to design new treatments to tackle the disease.
New definition of autism in DSM-5 will not exclude most children with autism, new study says
Parents should not worry that proposed changes to the medical criteria redefining a diagnosis of autism will leave their children excluded and deemed ineligible for psychiatric and medical care, says a team of researchers led by psychologists at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Intelligence is in the genes, but where?
(Medical Xpress)—You can thank your parents for your smarts—or at least some of them. Psychologists have long known that intelligence, like most other traits, is partly genetic. But a new study led by psychological scientist Christopher Chabris reveals the surprising fact that most of the specific genes long thought to be linked to intelligence probably have no bearing on one's IQ. And it may be some time before researchers can identify intelligence's specific genetic roots.
Study suggests immune system can boost regeneration of peripheral nerves
Modulating immune response to injury could accelerate the regeneration of severed peripheral nerves, a new study in an animal model has found. By altering activity of the macrophage cells that respond to injuries, researchers dramatically increased the rate at which nerve processes regrew.
An apple a day lowers level of blood chemical linked to hardening of the arteries
(Medical Xpress)—Eating an apple a day might in fact help keep the cardiologist away, new research suggests.
A mammal lung, in 3-D: Researchers create model of mysterious region
(Medical Xpress)—Amidst the extraordinarily dense network of pathways in a mammal lung is a common destination. There, any road leads to a cul-de-sac of sorts called the pulmonary acinus. This place looks like a bunch of grapes attached to a stem (acinus means "berry" in Latin).
'Kawaii' power sharpens worker focus, says Japanese study
(Medical Xpress)—Office workers who wonder why there are so many new framed pictures of piglets, calves, and puppies in the employee lunch room may learn their boss has read about research coming from Japan. Hiroshima University researchers say they have experiments to show that looking at pictures of cute baby animals can have an impact on worker performance. Not only happiness but the power of concentration can stem from seeing kawaii (cute) animals, according to the research. As box-office earnings by Hollywood studios from their animated films can also suggest, little animals with big eyes and large heads stir positive feelings of friendliness and nurturing. Now the study says pictures of baby animals can translate into good worker performance.
Biology news
Rangers losing battle in Philippine forests
Father-of-five Alex Lesber patrols one of the Philippines' most important forests carrying a cheap pistol and memories of a pastor being shot dead in front of him.
Indonesians hack into beached whales in mass stranding
Locals on a remote island in eastern Indonesia on Tuesday cut up several dead pilot whales for food after a mass stranding that killed at least 41 of the mammals, an official said.
Flightless parrots, burrowing bats helped parasitic Hades flower
(Phys.org)—Ancient dung from a cave in the South Island of New Zealand has revealed a previously unsuspected relationship between two of the country's most unusual threatened species.
Wild weather to yield better Finger Lakes wines
(Phys.org)—This year's weather threw several curve balls to New York growers—an early, warm spring, a sudden cold snap in April, and a hot, dry summer. But while some vineyards report a reduced crop, many anticipate that wines made from this season's grapes will be big on flavor.
Keeping time: Circadian clocks
Our planet was revolving on its axis, turning night into day every 24 hours, for 4.5 billion years - long before any form of life existed here. About a billion years later, the very first simple bacterial cells came into being and evolved into the first animals and eventually - after a billion years or so - the first humans.
Are animal traits the result of behavioral epigenetics?
A plant that is unremarkable in one environment becomes an invasive species in another, pushing through house foundations and sprouting up through roads. A house sparrow that's a perfectly charming resident of the English countryside is transported around the world, where it wipes out other bird species with aggressive behavior and harbored diseases.
Study analyzes half-century of oyster poaching enforcement
Nearly 5,300 citations for illegal oyster harvesting (poaching) were issued by Maryland's Marine Police in the Chesapeake Bay between 1959 and 2010, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Maryland. A review of the state's enforcement and judicial records shows more poaching citations were issued in years when oyster harvesting employment dropped compared to years when employment was high, which the authors indicate may be explained by the increased economic pressure to harvest illegally during lean harvesting years. Almost three out of four poaching citations were issued for harvesting unculled or undersized oysters, which harms the oysters' ability to grow and reproduce, and therefore the population's recovery in the Bay.
DNA construction technology makes genetic engineering cheaper, faster
Sequencing, splicing and expressing DNA may seem to be the quintessence of cutting-edge science—indeed DNA manipulation has revolutionized fields such as biofuels, chemicals and medicine. But in fact, the actual process can still be tedious and labor-intensive, something Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientist Nathan Hillson learned the hard way.
'Superweeds' linked to rising herbicide use in GM crops
A study published this week by Washington State University research professor Charles Benbrook finds that the use of herbicides in the production of three genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops—cotton, soybeans and corn—has actually increased. This counterintuitive finding is based on an exhaustive analysis of publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service. Benbrook's analysis is the first peer-reviewed, published estimate of the impacts of genetically engineered (GE) herbicide-resistant (HT) crops on pesticide use.
Manatees reflect quality of health in marine ecosystems, longterm study finds
(Phys.org)—A longterm study conducted by researchers at George Mason University may be a benchmark in determining health threats to marine mammals.
New antibiotic cures disease by disarming pathogens, not killing them
A new type of antibiotic can effectively treat an antibiotic-resistant infection by disarming instead of killing the bacteria that cause it. Researchers report their findings in the October 2 issue of mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Genetically engineered cow yields hypoallergenic, high-protein milk
(Phys.org)—AgResearch Institute scientists in New Zealand have bred the first cow in the world to produce high protein milk that may be hypo-allergenic.
Animals balance threat of starvation with threat of predators to stay alive
(Phys.org)—In the natural world, searching for food is a high-stakes game in which animals risk starving to death or being killed by a predator. New research from the University of Bristol shows that to stay alive in a changing environment, animals must carefully time when they go out looking for food and when they hide from predators.
New approach could greatly improve ability to control gene expression
(Phys.org)—Using blue light, Duke University bioengineers have developed a system for ordering genes to produce proteins, an advance they said could prove invaluable in clinical settings as well as in basic science laboratories.
Spiders' design mastery allows for webs to stick to ground and elevated surfaces differently
(Phys.org)—While the common house spider may be creepy, it also has been inspiring researchers to find new and better ways to develop adhesives for human applications such as wound healing and industrial-strength tape. Think about an adhesive suture strong enough to heal a fractured shoulder and that same adhesive designed with a light tackiness ideal for "ouch-free" bandages.
For elephants, deciding to leave watering hole demands conversation
In the wilds of Africa, when it's time for a family of elephants gathered at a watering hole to leave, the matriarch of the group gives the "let's-go rumble"—as it's referred to in scientific literature—kicking off a coordinated and well-timed conversation, of sorts, between the leaders of the clan.
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