Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 24, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- InteraXon looking for crowdfunding for Muse, a brainwave-sensor headband (w/ Video)- PlayStation 3 hack is decryption jolt for Sony
- IKEA commits to energy independence by 2020
- Future storage on rewind: IBM, FUJIFILM envision cassette as #1
- Astronomers report that dark matter 'halos' may contain stars, disprove other theories
- 'Grassroots' neurons wire and fire together for dominance in the brain
- Genome analysis of pancreas tumors reveals new pathway
- Military plans new hypersonic flight after failure
- Brain waves reveal video game aptitude
- Flycatchers' genomes explain how one species became two
- Live cables explain enigmatic electric currents
- Large-scale production of biofuels made from algae poses sustainability concerns
- Review: Mighty iPad Mini looks like a holiday hit
- Archer fish hunt insects with water jet 6 times stronger than their muscular power
- Satellite images tell tales of changing biodiversity
Space & Earth news
EU on track for Kyoto and 2020 emissions targets
The European Union (EU) will go beyond its targets to cut greenhouse gases by 2012 under the UN's Kyoto Protocol and is on course for meeting its goal for 2020, it reported on Wednesday.
6.5 earthquake shakes Costa Rica's Pacific coast
(AP)—A powerful earthquake struck Costa Rica's Pacific coast on Tuesday, swaying buildings and sending people running into the streets in the nation's capital of San Jose.
Damage to farms minimal under Basin plan
For the first time, scientists at UNSW have investigated the likely impact of planned environmental flows on farmlands and nature reserves around the Murray-Darling Basin.
Initial results reported as lab analyzes clay samples from North Dakota oilpatch
(Phys.org)— Initial results of clay samples from western North Dakota show varying percentages of alumina content, a finding of interest to the North Dakota Geological Survey that commissioned the study. Scientists in a lab at North Dakota State University's Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) are completing analysis of the clay, often referred to as kaolin, which could eventually play a role in proppants used for hydraulic fracturing in North Dakota oil exploration.
Speed limits on cargo ships could reduce their pollutants by more than half
Putting a speed limit on cargo ships as they sail near ports and coastlines could cut their emission of air pollutants by up to 70 percent, reducing the impact of marine shipping on Earth's climate and human health, scientists have found. Their evaluation of the impact of vessel speed reduction policies, such as those proposed by the California Air Resources board, appears in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Branson: Virgin space project keeps being delayed
(AP)—British billionaire Richard Branson says his space tourism project keeps being pushed back and isn't sure of an exact date for the first launch.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Sandy approaching Jamaica
NASA satellites are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Sandy in visible and infrared light as it approaches Jamaica. Sandy is now responsible for hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches from Jamaica to Cuba, the Bahamas and southern Florida. Sandy is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches Jamaica and Cuba.
NASA sees tiny Tropical Storm Tony traveling
Satellite imagery indicated that Tropical Storm Tony is a small, compact storm, traveling through the central Atlantic Ocean.
EU takes Italy back to court over illegal landfills
The European Commission said Wednesday it was hauling Italy back to court to seek a large fine after the country failed to clear up more than 250 landfills, some of them holding hazardous waste.
Penn State climate scientist files defamation suit
Penn State University scientist Michael Mann, whose work showed that Earth's temperatures have risen along with increased fossil fuel use, announced Tuesday he had filed a lawsuit against the conservative National Review and the Competitive Enterprise Institute for defamation, complaining that they falsely accused him of academic fraud and compared him to convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky.
NASA's TRMM satellite sees birth of Arabian Sea cyclone
NASA's TRMM satellite measured rainfall and towering clouds within the Arabian Sea's first tropical cyclone of the season as it passed overhead from space. Meanwhile, the infrared AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite noticed that strong thunderstorms surrounded the center of the storm. Tropical Cyclone 1A is expected to be short-lived as it heads for a landfall in Somalia on Oct. 25.
NASA satellite shows the Tropical Storm Son-tinh's reach over Philippines
The latest tropical storm in the western North Pacific Ocean has already spread its clouds and showers over the Philippines, as seen in NASA satellite imagery. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image as it flew over Tropical Storm Son-tinh today, Oct. 24.
2012 Antarctic ozone hole second smallest in 20 years
The average area covered by the Antarctic ozone hole this year was the second smallest in the last 20 years, according to data from NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites. Scientists attribute the change to warmer temperatures in the Antarctic lower stratosphere.
Milky Way stars catalogued in massive new image
Astronomers said Wednesday they have produced an image capturing some 84 million stars at our universe's core in a massive survey of the Milky Way.
Australia's Antarctic runway melting
Australia said Wednesday it was searching for a new aircraft landing site for planes supplying its three bases in Antarctica because the current runway is melting.
A 84-million star color-magnitude diagram of the Milky Way bulge
Astronomy & Astrophysics published the first analysis of a catalog of 84 million individual stars in the Milky Way bulge as a part of the VVV (VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea) ESO public survey. This gigantic data set allows building the largest, deepest, and most accurate color-magnitude diagram ever produced, containing more than ten times more stars than any previous study.
NASA'S NuSTAR reveals flare from Milky Way's black hole
NASA's newest set of X-ray eyes in the sky, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), has caught its first look at the giant black hole parked at the center of our galaxy. The observations show the typically mild-mannered black hole during the middle of a flare-up.
Earth's magnetosphere behaves like a sieve
ESA's quartet of satellites studying Earth's magnetosphere, Cluster, has discovered that our protective magnetic bubble lets the solar wind in under a wider range of conditions than previously believed.
Astronomers report that dark matter 'halos' may contain stars, disprove other theories
Could it be that dark matter "halos"—the huge, invisible cocoons of mass that envelop entire galaxies and account for most of the matter in the universe—aren't completely dark after all but contain a small number of stars? Astronomers from UCLA, UC Irvine and elsewhere make a case for that in the Oct. 25 issue of the journal Nature.
Revealing a mini-supermassive black hole
One of the lowest mass supermassive black holes ever observed in the middle of a galaxy has been identified, thanks to NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and several other observatories. The host galaxy is of a type not expected to harbor supermassive black holes, suggesting that this black hole, while related to its supermassive cousins, may have a different origin.
Technology news
Industrialized constructive system made of timber for collective residential buildings
Tecnalia is developing a new constructive system for multi-storey collective dwelling buildings through cross-laminated timber panel CLT structures, together with the company EGOIN, specialized in timber industrialized construction.
AT&T sees fewer new customers in 3Q
(AP)—The flow of customers into AT&T's wireless stores slowed further in the latest quarter, putting the company far behind rival Verizon Wireless.
Samsung sees 10 percent growth in PC sales
(AP)—Samsung Electronics Co. said Wednesday it expects 10 percent growth in PC sales by volume this year as it bets on new PCs that are hybrids of laptops and tablets to lift sluggish PC demand.
LG Electronics post profit on smartphone sales
(AP)—South Korean consumer electronics maker LG Electronics Inc. reported a third straight quarterly profit on Wednesday as sales of smartphones designed for faster wireless networks helped end losses at its mobile phone business.
Apple patent wielded against Samsung possibly invalid
Samsung's high-stakes legal battle with Apple was bolstered Tuesday by word that the US Patent and Trademark Office was second-guessing a patent at issue in the case.
BBC pulls plug on world's oldest teletext service
BBC Ceefax, the world's first teletext service, ceased transmission on Tuesday after delivering 38 years of up-to-the-minute news and sports updates to the British public.
SAP sales rise, company boosts outlook
(AP)—Business software maker SAP AG saw its third quarter profit fall from a year ago because of a large one-time gain booked then, but the company raised its sales outlook for the year and said its business in cloud computing was growing fast.
Nintendo trims red ink, lowers forecast for year
(AP)—Nintendo Co. narrowed its losses in the fiscal first half, but the Japanese game maker lowered its sales and profit forecasts for the full year ahead of the launch of its new Wii U home console.
Google cameras map popular Grand Canyon trails
(AP)—Google and its street-view cameras already have taken users to narrow cobblestone alleys in Spain using a tricycle, inside the Smithsonian with a push cart and to British Columbia's snow-covered slopes by snowmobile.
Dutch court says Samsung not infringing Apple patent
A Dutch court rejected on Wednesday a suit brought by Apple claiming that Samsung of South Korea had infringed its patent by using certain multi-touch techniques on smart phones and tablets.
Microsoft did not meet browser commitments 2011-12: EU
Microsoft did not meet commitments to provide clients a web browser choice in 2011-12, the European Commission said Wednesday as it pursued a probe that could lead to more fines for the US software giant.
Social media can help auto manufacturers find vehicle defects, researchers say
Can social media postings by consumers be a source of useful information about vehicle safety and performance defects for automobile manufacturers?
Companies to provide city-wide wireless Internet access by turning private homes into public Wi-Fi hotspots
Alcatel-Lucent, and the Dutch cable operator Ziggo are conducting a trial of an innovative technique to turn private homes into public Wi-Fi hotspots in order to provide wireless broadband access to Ziggo's customers.
B&N: PIN pad tampering was "sophisticated" crime
(AP)—Barnes & Noble Inc. said Wednesday the tampering of devices used by customers to swipe credit and debit cards in 63 of its stores was a "sophisticated criminal effort" to steal information, and reiterated it's working with federal law enforcement authorities.
Cancer risks studied near 7 US nuclear sites
(AP)—Federal regulators say a pilot study of cancer risks posed to residents near seven nuclear power sites in the United States will update 22-year-old data, but an industry group predicts the study won't come up with anything new.
Retailers face challenges with same-day delivery
Retailers testing same-day delivery service may soon find that giving customers what they want as fast as they want it is trickier - and costlier - than they bargained for.
Dyson alleges Bosch employed mole to steal secrets
(AP)—Vacuum powerhouse Dyson filed legal proceedings Wednesday against Bosch in Britain's High Court, accusing its German rival of having obtained corporate secrets through a mole within a high-security research and development department.
Ames Laboratory improving process to recycle rare-earth materials
Recycling keeps paper, plastics, and even jeans out of landfills. Could recycling rare-earth magnets do the same? Perhaps, if the recycling process can be improved.
Danes develop eye-control software for phones, tablets
A Danish company hopes to clinch deals with major mobile phone and tablet makers after developing software that enables users to control their devices by moving their eyes, it said Wednesday.
Americans use more efficient and renewable energy technologies
(Phys.org)—Americans used less energy in 2011 than in the previous year due mainly to a shift to higher-efficiency energy technologies in the transportation and residential sectors. Meanwhile, less coal was used but more natural gas was consumed according to the most recent energy flow charts released by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Military plans new hypersonic flight after failure
(AP)—The U.S. military is planning a fourth unmanned hypersonic flight in the wake of a failed attempt.
InteraXon looking for crowdfunding for Muse, a brainwave-sensor headband (w/ Video)
InteraXon, a Toronto-based technology firm, has posted a funding campaign on Indiegogo, a crowd source funding site similar to Kickstarter, for a device it calls Muse. Muse is a headband device based on electroencephalography (EEG) sensor technology combined with a sophisticated smartphone app that allows the wearer's brainwaves to be monitored.
IKEA commits to energy independence by 2020
(Phys.org)—Furniture giant IKEA has announced plans to produce as much energy as it consumes by the year 2020. To achieve that goal, the company will install solar panels on all its stores and warehouses, and invest in wind farms. The announcement comes as part of a three-pronged initiative the company is calling its "People and Planet Positive" campaign. The initiative will also focus on reducing the company's overall energy use, and growing enough trees to replace the wood used in its products.
PlayStation 3 hack is decryption jolt for Sony
(Phys.org)—This week brings more bad security news for Sony. The unlocking of a console, called jailbreaking, is a way that the jailbreakers get to fulfill their wishes to customize their console to run their own code and games on them. Unlocking consoles also means opening up the system with access to the inner workings of the console. Intruders can use its computing power in novel ways.
Medicine & Health news
Acupuncture relieves symptoms of a dry mouth caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancers
Patients who have received radiotherapy for head and neck cancer often suffer from the unpleasant and distressing side-effect of a dry mouth, caused by damage to their salivary glands from the radiation.
Gene polymorphisms identified that are responsible for breast density and cancer risk
It has long been known that breast density, or mammographic density, is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, and that estrogen and progestin hormone therapy increases dense breast tissue. Now, a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research has identified several gene variants in hormone metabolism and growth factor pathways that may be associated with breast density and, hence, breast cancer risk.
Taiwan prosecutor: Cancer patient set deadly fire
(AP)—A nursing home resident upset about being ill with cancer confessed to setting a fire that killed 12 fellow patients, most of them bedridden and too frail to escape, authorities in Taiwan said.
Chinese city to ban plastic surgery for minors
A Chinese city is set to ban minors from having cosmetic surgery under draft rules aimed at tackling the country's growing obsession with going under the knife, an official statement said.
Satellite telephones and navigation improving healthcare response in Haiti
Earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes have taken their toll on many parts of the world. Communities struggle for years to rebuild without immediate access to basic necessities like proper healthcare. Satellites are helping to make this transition easier.
Population projections show strain in counties keeping quality of life
Traditionally, age demographics in each of South Dakota's 66 counties would resemble a pyramid: wide at the bottom for people in their younger years and narrow at the top for the older population.
Child safety expert gives Halloween safety tips
For one night you get to be someone completely different, have a mission of collecting candy at every house you see and it's OK to be scared. It's no wonder Halloween has become one of the most exciting holidays for kids. But without some safety reminders, a child's dream come true could turn into a parent's worst nightmare.
Hypnosis helps hot flashes
Hypnosis can help cut hot flashes by as much as 74%, shows a study supported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This is the first controlled, randomized study of the technique to manage hot flashes, which affect as much as 80% of women who go through menopause. The study was published online this month in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society.
Herbal and dietary supplements can adversely affect prescribed drugs says extensive review
A number of herbs and dietary supplements (HDS) can cause potentially harmful drug interactions, particularly among people receiving medication for problems with their central nervous or cardiovascular systems.
Risk factors in hospital readmissions among general surgery patients identified in study
Identifying risk factors in hospital readmissions could help improve patient care and hospital bottom lines, according to a study recently completed by Georgia State University's Experimental Economics Center and a team from the Emory University School of Medicine.
Hot flashes can come back after SSRI
Hot flashes and night sweats can return after women stop using escitalopram—an antidepressant—to treat these menopause symptoms, according to a study published online this month in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society. This is typical of stopping hormone therapy as well.
Horizontal infection prevention strategy to reduce mrsa infections, increase patient safety
(Medical Xpress)—High compliance with hand hygiene and focusing on other simple infection control measures on medical, surgical and neuroscience intensive care units resulted in reduced rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by 95 percent in a nine-year study, according to research findings by Virginia Commonwealth University physicians presented during IDWeek 2012.
Nitinol stent performs better than balloon angioplasty alone in treating lesions of the popliteal artery
A study found that a nitinol stent performed better than balloon angioplasty alone in treating blockages of the popliteal artery, which runs through the leg behind the knee. Results of the ETAP trial were presented today at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Survival of the affordable care act assessed in new commentaries
As the presidential candidates clash over the fate of the Affordable Care Act, a set of seven essays by leading legal experts, economists, and scholars examines the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on the ACA and makes it clear that there is no consensus about what is economically or morally just when it comes to health care coverage in this country. The essays appear in the Hastings Center Report.
FFR-guided PCI shows cost-effectiveness when compared to medical therapy for stable CAD
A strategy of up-front percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for lesions confirmed to be obstructive by fractional flow reserve (FFR) was shown to be cost-effective in terms of quality-adjusted life years when compared to medical therapy alone. Results of the Cost-Effectiveness sub study of the FAME 2 trial were presented today at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Urgent need to expand use of shingles vaccine and treat shingles-related pain
Shingles, a reactivation of the herpes zoster (chickenpox) virus affects nearly 1 in 3 Americans. About 1 million cases are diagnosed each year, with some patients suffering excruciating pain and itching due to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication of the viral infection that can last for years despite treatment. The latest information on shingles and PHN, including a new, improved vaccine to prevent shingles and alternative therapies to control symptoms, are discussed in a special focus section in Population Health Management, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Researchers ID potential patient population who may benefit from novel anti-platelet treatment
Prasugrel, a novel anti-platelet therapy, is used to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events in patients who have had a prior heart attack, suffer severe chest pain and have been treated with coronary artery procedures (revascularization).
Study confirms benefits of transcatheter aortic valve replacement over 3 years
A study found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) yielded lower mortality rates after three years compared with medical therapy in patients deemed to be ineligible for conventional aortic valve surgery. Results of the PARTNER Cohort B trial were presented today at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Knee replacement not an 'easy solution' for obese patients
Obese patients have a greater risk of complications following total knee replacement surgery, including post-surgical infections, according to a new literature review recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). Because of complications, obese patients are more likely to require follow-up surgery (revision).
Mesh-covered stent helps restoration of blood flow in heart attack patients undergoing PCI
A clinical trial found that the use of a next generation, micronet, mesh-covered stent demonstrated improved restoration of blood flow to heart tissue, compared to the use of either bare-metal or drug-eluting stents in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty. Results of the MASTER trial were presented today at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium and will appear in the November 6th issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Second generation drug-eluting stents are safe and effective in treatment of left main coronary artery disease
A study found that second-generation drug-eluting stents are safe and effective in the treatment of left main coronary artery lesions. Results of the ISAR-LEFT MAIN 2 trial were presented at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Researchers use simple intervention to improve osteoporosis treatment rates
Older patients who visited local ERs for chest pain or breathing problems and had chest x-rays reveal unknown spinal fractures, were more apt to receive osteoporosis treatment afterward if a simple intervention was used, recently published medical research from the University of Alberta has found.
Global 'war on drugs' a failure, future in regulation, prevention: experts
The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP), a new international lobby group for liberalisation, called Wednesday for what it termed the failed war on drugs to be replaced by policies oriented to regulation and prevention.
Many terminal cancer patients put false hope in chemo, study finds
(HealthDay)—Many people with incurable cancer mistakenly believe chemotherapy may save them, a new study finds.
Less bystander CPR done in poor, black neighborhoods, study shows
(HealthDay)—People whose hearts stop abruptly are only half as likely to be given bystander-initiated CPR in poor black neighborhoods as they are in higher-income white areas, a new study indicates.
Genes may determine aspirin's effect on advanced colon cancer
(HealthDay)—For patients suffering from advanced colorectal cancer, aspirin may prolong their lives if their tumor has a certain gene mutation, a new study finds.
UK charity: Help us analyze cancer tumors online
(AP)—A British cancer group is turning to an unorthodox source of help in an effort to speed its research: web surfers.
New insight on managing fungal meningitis
As the number of fungal meningitis cases continues to rise, physicians across the country are faced with how best to provide the early treatment that can save lives.
Partial sleep deprivation linked to obesity
Evidence linking partial sleep deprivation to energy imbalance is relevant to weight gain prevention and weight loss promotion. A new study published today in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics bases this finding on an extensive review of literature published over a fifteen-year period.
A plan to stop cholera's spread: Professor proposes antibiotics for relief workers to prevent outbreaks
A Harvard medical specialist suggested Monday that relief workers and peacekeepers from cholera-endemic countries should be treated with antibiotics before they serve in other nations, to avoid repeating the Haitian epidemic that has killed thousands.
Parents look on the bright side of kids' worries, study finds
Parents consistently overestimate their children's optimism and downplay their worries, according to new research by psychologists at the University of California, Davis, Center for Mind and Brain.
Famous 'door-in-the-face' persuasion strategy results in verbal, but not behavioral compliance, study finds
The well-known "door-in-the-face" (DITF) persuasion strategy predicts greater compliance with a target request if it is preceded by a larger and more objectionable request. It has been a popular tool of those in the persuasion trade since it was introduced nearly 40 years ago.
Lactation protein suppresses tumors and metastasis in breast cancer, scientists discover
A protein that is necessary for lactation in mammals inhibits the critical cellular transition that is an early indicator of breast cancer and metastasis, according to research conducted at the University at Buffalo and Princeton University and highlighted as the cover paper in November issue of Nature Cell Biology.
Study reveals brain changes in teenage girls with severe antisocial behaviour
Teenage girls with severe antisocial behaviour show abnormal changes in the structure of their brains, according to a study published today. The findings support previous studies in boys that suggested the brains of teenagers with behaviour problems may operate differently, and they could also explain why boys are more likely than girls to develop behaviour problems.
MRI research sheds new light on nerve fibres in the brain
World-leading experts in Magnetic Resonance Imaging from The University of Nottingham's Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre have made a key discovery which could give the medical world a new tool for the improved diagnosis and monitoring of neuro-degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Research sheds light on important role of autophagy, or self-eating cells, in developing new anti-inflammatory therapies
Research just carried out in the Immunology Research Centre, led by Dr James Harris, based in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, shows that the process of autophagy regulates the production of inflammatory molecules and may therefore represent an effective target for the development of new anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The findings have been recently published online in the Journal of Immunology.
Probiotics are found to be a secret weapon for fighting symptoms of the common cold in college students
College students are notoriously sleep-deprived, live in close quarters and lead stress-filled lives, making them especially susceptible for contracting colds and upper-respiratory infections. For these reasons, a team lead by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–School of Health Related Professions (UMDNJ–SHRP) selected this population to study the effects of probiotic supplementation on health-related quality of life (HRQL) during the common cold.
The screening of thousands of fluorescent molecules has revealed a specific label for neural stem cells
Neural stem cells are the precursors of cells in the nervous system. As well as being crucial for early development, they are present throughout life, contributing to flexibility and repair of the nervous system. As such, they can be used to study the brain, and may offer new ways of treating neurological disease.
Recently uncovered human counterparts to a subset of mouse immune cells may enable better vaccination strategies
Mice have made an immeasurable contribution to medicine and our overall understanding of human disease. This animal model is not without its limitations, however, and scientists are continually learning about important ways in which mouse and human biology differ.
New research uncovers promising new biomarker for aggressiveness of prostate cancer, implications for treatment
Research out of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) supports the adoption of a new biomarker to measure the aggressiveness of primary prostate tumors. A team of investigators from three institutions, led by Shahriar Koochekpour, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cancer Genetics, Urology and Oncology in RPCI's Department of Cancer Genetics, has for the first time produced data showing that levels of serum glutamate, a naturally occurring nonessential amino acid that plays a key role in cancer metabolism, are increased in patients with primary and metastatic prostate cancer.
Minorities more likely to view generic drugs as inferior, study finds
Negative perceptions about generic drugs are more widespread among ethnic minorities than among whites, finds a new study in Ethnicity & Disease. Greater use of generic drugs, say the authors, could significantly reduce two major problems: patients' failing to take medications properly because they cannot afford brand name drugs and the amount spent overall on prescription medications.
Unearthing a hidden dietary behavior
Though it was identified as a disorder as early as the 14th century, pica, or the eating of non-food items, has for years believed to be all but non-existent in a few corners of the globe – a 2006 study that reviewed research on pica found just four regions – the South of South America, Japan, Korea and Madagascar –where the behavior had never been observed.
Flame retardant 'Firemaster 550' is an endocrine disruptor, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—The flame-retardant mixture known as "Firemaster 550" is an endocrine disruptor that causes extreme weight gain, early onset of puberty and cardiovascular health effects in lab animals, according to a new study spearheaded by researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke University.
Mouse model exposes a new type of T cell to target melanoma
Cancers arise in the body all the time. Most are nipped in the bud by the immune response, not least by its T cells, which detect telltale molecular markers—or antigens—on cancer cells and destroy them before they grow into tumors. Cancer cells, for their part, evolve constantly to evade such assassination. Those that succeed become full-blown malignancies. Yet, given the right sort of help, the immune system can destroy even these entrenched tumors.
Voice prostheses can help patients regain their lost voice
Help is on the way for people who suffer from vocal cord dysfunction. Researchers are developing methods that will contribute to manufacturing voice prostheses with improved affective features. For example, for little girls who have lost their voices, the improved artificial voice devices can produce age-appropriate voices, instead of the usual voice of an adult male. These advances in artificial voice production have been made possible by results achieved in a research project led by Professor Samuli Siltanen, results that are good news indeed for the approximately 30,000 Finns with vocal cord problems. Siltanen's project is part of the Academy of Finland's Computational Science Research Programme (LASTU).
Buffalo milk mozzarella or buffaloed consumers? New test can provide the answer
Those tiny balls of boutique mozzarella cheese with the sticker-shock price tag beckoning from the dairy case—are they the real deal, mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, crafted from the milk of water buffaloes? Or are they really cheap fakes made from cow's milk? A new method described in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry promises to provide the answer for mozzarella and other dairy products.
Brainwave training boosts network for cognitive control and affects mind-wandering
A breakthrough study conducted in Canada has found that training of the well-known brainwave in humans, the alpha rhythm, enhances a brain network responsible for cognitive-control. The training technique, termed neurofeedback, is being considered as a promising new method for restoring brain function in mental disorders. Using several neuroimaging methods, a team of researchers at the Western University and the Lawson Health Research Institute have now uncovered that functional changes within a key brain network occur directly after a 30-minute session of noninvasive, neural-based training. Dysfunction of this cognitive-control network has previously been implicated in a range of brain disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Moffitt researcher investigates 2-drug synergy to treat drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia
(Medical Xpress)—An interdisciplinary team of researchers has dissected a case of synergy in drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia to understand the mechanism by which two drugs, danusertib and bosutinib, work together to overcome resistance in the BCR-ABL gatekeeper mutation-specific disease. The team includes a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Austria and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The goal is to address an unmet medical need because this BCR-ABL mutation confers resistance to all currently approved kinase inhibitors for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Can diabetes devices be damaged by airport security scanners?
Full-body or X-ray scanners used for airport security screening may affect the function of insulin pump or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. People with diabetes can present a travel letter obtained from their physicians to avoid possible damage caused by exposure to imaging equipment in airports.
New treatments may allow allergic people to safely eat eggs, peanuts and other foods
New treatments are offering the prospect of eating without fear for the 15 million people in the United States with food allergies, according to the cover story in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News. C&EN is the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Researchers test new gene therapy method in human cells
Oregon Health & Science University's development of a new gene therapy method to prevent certain inherited diseases has reached a significant milestone. Researchers at the university's Oregon National Primate Research Center and the OHSU Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology have successfully demonstrated their procedure in human cells. It's believed that this research, along with other efforts, will pave the way for future clinical trials in human subjects.
Parkinson's breakthough could slow disease progression
In an early-stage breakthrough, a team of Northwestern University scientists has developed a new family of compounds that could slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.
A sense of control, even if illusory, eliminates emotion-driven distortions of time
We humans have a fairly erratic sense of time. We tend to misjudge the duration of events, particularly when they are emotional in nature. Disturbingly negative experiences, for example, seem to last much longer than they actually do. And highly positive experiences seem to pass more quickly than negative ones.
Gene linked to inflammation in the aorta may contribute to abdominal aortic aneurysm
A gene known to be involved in cancer and cardiovascular development may be the cause of inflammation in the most common form of aortic aneurysm and may be a key to treatment, according to research from Nationwide Children's Hospital. The study, appearing online in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology on October 18, 2012, is the first to show that Notch 1 signaling is activated in abdominal aortic aneurysmal tissue in mice and humans.
Chewing betel quid exposes half a billion people to direct carcinogens
Chewing betel quid—the fourth most popular psychoactive substance in the world after tobacco, alcohol and caffeine—exposes its 600 million users to substances that act as direct carcinogens in the mouth, scientists are reporting in a new study. It appears in ACS' journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Study examines influence of media messages on perceptions of paranormal investigators' credibility
The fourth installment of the Paranormal Activity films topped the box office last week. Television channel SyFy's hit show Ghost Hunters scares up big ratings, and has spawned copycat series on networks ranging from Biography to Animal Planet.
Timing is everything when it comes to weight loss, research shows
Joint research between the University of Michigan and the Argentina-based National Council of Science and Technology (CONICET) has shed light on one of the most frustrating mysteries of weight loss – why the weight inevitably comes back.
Research findings breathe new life into lung disease
It turns out the muscle cells on the outside of blood vessels have been wrongly accused for instigating lung disease. New research shows that while these muscle cells are responsible for constricting or dilating the blood vessels, they are not responsible for sensing the amount of oxygen that gets to the lungs. That message comes from the endothelial cells – special cells that line the blood vessels – along a "signalling pathway."
Scientists target bacterial transfer of resistance genes
The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae – which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia and sepsis – likes to share its antibiotic-defeating weaponry with its neighbors. Individual cells can pass resistance genes to one another through a process called horizontal gene transfer, or by "transformation," the uptake of DNA from the environment.
US scientists make embryos with 2 women, 1 man
(AP)—Scientists in the U.S. have created embryos with genes from one man and two women, using a provocative technique that someday could be used to prevent babies from inheriting certain rare incurable diseases.
Baycrest launches world's first science-based cookbook for the brain
With dementia rates expected to soar in coming decades as Canada's population gets older, a nutrition and cognitive scientist with the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health Sciences has cooked up a strategy to help people maintain good brain health.
Challenging Parkinson's dogma
Scientists may have discovered why the standard treatment for Parkinson's disease is often effective for only a limited period of time. Their research could lead to a better understanding of many brain disorders, from drug addiction to depression, that share certain signaling molecules involved in modulating brain activity.
Self-affirmation enhances performance, makes us receptive to our mistakes
Life is about failure as much as it is about success. From the mistakes we make at work or school to our blunders in romantic relationships, we are constantly reminded of how we could be better. By focusing on the important qualities that make us who we are – a process called self-affirmation – we preserve our self-worth in the face of our shortcomings.
Pigs look healthy but test positive for flu at fairs; transmission seen between pigs and humans
More than 80 percent of pigs that tested positive for influenza A virus at Ohio county fairs between 2009 and 2011 showed no signs of illness, according to a new study.
Italy, Switzerland, Austria freeze sales of Novartis flu vaccines
Italian, Swiss and Austrian authorities on Wednesday halted the sale of flu vaccines made by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis.
EU ex-health commissioner to challenge ouster
Former EU health commissioner John Dalli on Wednesday vowed to issue a legal challenge to Brussels following his forced resignation over a tobacco-linked influence-peddling fraud probe.
Better obesity risk prediction with hip and waist measures
(HealthDay)—Inclusion of both waist and hip circumference as separate anthropometric measurements may improve risk prediction for obesity-related mortality and morbidity, according to research published online Oct. 17 in Obesity Reviews.
Better prognosis for early blast clearance in leukemia
(HealthDay)—Patients with acute myeloid leukemia whose peripheral blood blasts clear in six days or less after chemotherapy have significantly better survival than patients whose peripheral blasts clear later, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of Cancer.
Exercise cuts atrophy, white matter lesion load in elderly
(HealthDay)—In older adults, physical activity is associated with less brain atrophy and white matter lesion (WML) load, according to a study published in the Oct. 23 issue of Neurology.
Hormonal changes at menopause up abdominal obesity
(HealthDay)—The increase in total body fat and abdominal fat seen at menopause is due to the hormonal changes taking place, which can be improved by estrogen treatment, according to a study published in the October issue of Climacteric.
Family obesity approach promising for black girls
(HealthDay)—Obesity interventions that include family involvement may be a promising approach for targeting African-American girls, but more research is required, according to the results of a systematic literature review published online Oct. 12 in Obesity Reviews.
Safety, efficacy of at-home laser for periobital wrinkles studied
(HealthDay)—A handheld nonablative fractional laser is safe and seems effective for home use for treating periorbital wrinkles, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Medical studies with striking results often prove false
If a medical study seems too good to be true, it probably is, according to a new analysis.
Plants provide accurate low-cost alternative for diagnosis of West Nile Virus
(Medical Xpress)—While the United States has largely been spared the scourge of mosquito-borne diseases endemic to the developing world—including yellow fever, malaria and dengue fever—mosquito-related illnesses in the US are on the rise. One pathogen of increasing concern in the U.S. is an arbovirus known as West Nile.
Moderate drinking decreases number of new brain cells
Drinking a couple of glasses of wine each day has generally been considered a good way to promote cardiovascular and brain health. But a new Rutgers University study indicates that there is a fine line between moderate and binge drinking – a risky behavior that can decrease the making of adult brain cells by as much as 40 percent.
Video game with biofeedback teaches children to curb their anger
Children with serious anger problems can be helped by a simple video game that hones their ability to regulate their emotions, finds a pilot study at Boston Children's Hospital. Results were published online October 24 in the journal Adolescent Psychiatry.
CDC panel: all pregnant women should get whooping cough shot
(HealthDay)—All pregnant women should be vaccinated against pertussis, also known as whooping cough, preferably in their last trimester, a panel of U.S. advisers recommended Wednesday.
Millions may be taking vitamin D unnecessarily, analysis suggests
(HealthDay)—Under the latest guidelines from the Institute of Medicine, it's possible that almost 80 million Americans who've previously been considered as having low levels of vitamin D don't need supplements of this nutrient at all, according to a new study.
Older adults worse at distinguishing between lifted weights than younger counterparts
As we grow older, we are less capable of correctly estimating differences in the weights of objects we lift, according to a study published Oct. 24 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Jessica Holmin and Farley Norman from North Dakota State University and Western Kentucky University, respectively.
Men, not women, better multitaskers: Swedish study
Working mothers may have to juggle more tasks than their husbands, but the long-held belief that women are better than men at multitasking is a myth, according to new Swedish research.
Researchers identify genetic cause of MMPSI, rare infant epileptic disorder
A Yale-led team of researchers has identified the gene that, when mutated, causes a devastating early-onset disorder in babies known as "malignant migrating partial seizures of infants," or MMPSI. The study appears online in Nature Genetics.
Brain waves reveal video game aptitude
Scientists report that they can predict who will improve most on an unfamiliar video game by looking at their brain waves.
Genome analysis of pancreas tumors reveals new pathway
The latest genomic analysis of pancreatic tumors identified two new pathways involved in the disease, information that could be capitalized on to develop new and earlier diagnostic tests for the disease
'Grassroots' neurons wire and fire together for dominance in the brain
(Medical Xpress)—Inside the brain, an unpredictable race—like a political campaign—is being run. Multiple candidates, each with a network of supporters, have organized themselves into various left- and right-wing clusters—like grassroots political teams working feverishly to reinforce a vision that bands them together. While scientists know that neurons in the brain anatomically organize themselves into these network camps, or clusters, the implications of such groupings on neural dynamics have remained unclear until now.
Researchers uncover new target for cancer research
In a new paper released today in Nature, BioFrontiers Institute scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, Tom Cech and Leslie Leinwand, detailed a new target for anti-cancer drug development that is sitting at the ends of our DNA.
Biology news
EU keeps controversial fishing subsidies
The EU agreed on Wednesday to maintain controversial fishing subsidies, sparking a sharp response from environmental groups who say the payments contribute to overfishing of already stressed stocks.
Hanging in there: Koalas have low genetic diversity
A species relies on genetic diversity to survive and low diversity usually indicates that there has been inbreeding due to a decrease in population size. By looking at historic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from museum samples, new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Genetics has found that koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) have had low genetic diversity for over 120 years.
New York billionaire gives Central Park $100 million
New York's famed Central Park saw a different kind of green when a hedge fund billionaire made a $100 million donation, said to be the largest gift to a park of all time.
Coyotes becoming problem for urban areas
Coyotes have long inhabited rural areas, but they now are a growing problem near cities and in the suburbs.
Wiping out species decreases resilience to climate change
It is tragic whenever any species is lost. Now it appears that the impact of species loss is far-reaching, much more than previously thought. The symbiotic relationships that develop in the environment as a result of high biodiversity make ecosystems more resilient to change. The loss of a species can knock that ecosystem out of balance, weakening its resilience thereby making it more susceptible to events such as climate change. These findings were revealed in a new study from biologists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and published in the journal Ecology Letters.
Destructive pea weevils on the way out
(Phys.org)—Farmers around the world are a step closer to eliminating the chemical spraying of field peas for the destructive pea weevil, thanks to research by agricultural scientists from The University of Western Australia.
Researchers examine impact of dingo population on feral cats
Are dingoes the top dog in the Australian bush and do they have a role in protecting our native biodiversity against the impacts of feral cats?
The majority of roadkill amongst vertebrates in Catalonia are in protected areas
Amphibians are the vertebrate group that is more likely to become roadkill in Catalonia, even more so than reptiles, mammals and birds. This is the case according to an international team of scientists who have concluded that highly protected areas are home to more cases of animal death on the roads.
Researchers create potatoes with higher levels of carotenoids
(Phys.org)—Potatoes with higher levels of beneficial carotenoids are the result of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) studies to improve one of America's most popular vegetables.
Lucky Dutch lab monkeys retired to sunny Balearics
Eighteen female monkeys used in lab experiments in the Netherlands are to be flown Wednesday to Spain's Balearic islands to enjoy the "exceptional" fate of a leisurely retirement in the sun.
Gaps in border controls are related to alien insect invasions in Europe
European countries with gaps in border security surrounding agricultural imports have been invaded by the largest number of exotic insect pests, according to research published Oct 24 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Steven Bacon and colleagues from the Swiss Federal Research Station Agroscope ART and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
Twitter principles of social networking increase family success in nesting birds
New research carried out by scientists at Universities in Exeter, France and Switzerland reveals for the first time the importance of social networking in producing a successful family.
Grandmas made humans live longer
Computer simulations provide new mathematical support for the "grandmother hypothesis" – a famous theory that humans evolved longer adult lifespans than apes because grandmothers helped feed their grandchildren.
Fossil study helps pinpoint extinction risks for ocean animals
What makes some ocean animals more prone to extinction than others? A new study of marine fossils provides a clue.
Did bacteria spark evolution of multicellular life?
Bacteria have a bad rap as agents of disease, but scientists are increasingly discovering their many benefits, such as maintaining a healthy gut.
Tiny 'headless' insect turns out to be rarest ladybug in the United States
A former Montana State University student has discovered the rarest ladybug in the United States, according to MSU entomologist Michael Ivie.
Mother's little helpers let her relax
Having relations around to help look after the kids lets mothers ease off and save energy for the next lot, a study of Australian cooperative birds shows.
Live cables explain enigmatic electric currents
Researchers at Aarhus University, Denmark, made a sensational discovery almost three years ago when they measured electric currents in the seabed. It was unclear as to what was conducting the current, but the researchers imagined the electric currents might run between different bacteria via a joint external wiring network.The researchers have now solved the mystery. It turns out that the whole process takes place inside bacteria that are one centimetre long. They make up a kind of live electric cable that no one had ever imagined existed. Each one of these 'cable bacteria' contains a bundle of insulated wires that conduct an electric current from one end to the other.
Flycatchers' genomes explain how one species became two
Just how new species are established is still one of the most central questions in biology. In an article in the leading scientific journal Nature, researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden describe how they mapped the genomes of the European pied flycatcher and the collared flycatcher and found that it is disparate chromosome structures rather than separate adaptations in individual genes that underlies the separation of the species.
Large-scale production of biofuels made from algae poses sustainability concerns
Scaling up the production of biofuels made from algae to meet at least 5 percent—approximately 39 billion liters—of U.S. transportation fuel needs would place unsustainable demands on energy, water, and nutrients, says a new report from the National Research Council. However, these concerns are not a definitive barrier for future production, and innovations that would require research and development could help realize algal biofuels' full potential.
Living power cables discovered
A multinational research team has discovered filamentous bacteria that function as living power cables in order to transmit electrons thousands of cell lengths away.
Satellite images tell tales of changing biodiversity
Analysis of texture differences in satellite images may be an effective way to monitor changes in vegetation, soil and water patterns over time, with potential implications for measuring biodiversity as well, according to new research published Oct. 24 by Matteo Convertino from the University of Florida and colleagues in the open access journal PLOS ONE.
Archer fish hunt insects with water jet 6 times stronger than their muscular power
Archer fish knock their insect prey out of overhanging vegetation with a jet of water several times more powerful than the fish's muscles. New research now shows that the fish generate this power externally using water dynamics rather than with any specialized internal organs. The research, published Oct. 24 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Alberto Vailati and colleagues from the University of Milan, provides the first explanation for how archer fish can generate such powerful jets to capture their prey.
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