Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 29, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Communication channel between cells and machines paves way toward bio-hybrid robots- 'Dark core' may not be so dark after all: Scientists report new dark matter finding from merging galaxy cluster
- X-ray laser helps fight sleeping sickness: Exploiting parasite's weak spot may lead to new treatments
- Researchers create versatile 3D nanostructures using DNA 'bricks' (w/ video)
- The first controllable atom superconducting quantum interference device
- The beginning of everything: A new paradigm shift for the infant universe
- MESSENGER finds new evidence for water ice, organic material at Mercury's poles
- New study reveals unexpected disappearance of superconducting fluctuations at super-cold temperatures
- X-rays illuminate nitrogen's role in single-layer graphene
- Moral evaluations of harm are instant and emotional, brain study shows
- Precisely engineering 3-D brain tissues
- Oceanic crust breakthrough: Solving a magma mystery
- Microsoft prices Pro version of Surface at $899 (Update)
- Scientists describe the genetic signature of a vital set of neurons
- International study provides more solid measure of melting in polar ice sheets
Space & Earth news
Kyoto under the microscope in quest for new climate deal
As the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol draws to a close, the world will dissect its record for successes to emulate in the fight against climate change—and pitfalls to avoid.
China demand fuels illegal logging, report says
The preservation of the world's forests "is in China's hands", a top environmental campaign group said Thursday, accusing the biggest wood importer and consumer of fuelling the illegal timber trade.
Developing cities face perfect storm of environmental risks
A major report, "Future Proofing Cities," published today by Atkins in a unique partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID) and UCL, warns that cities in the developing world must act now against a perfect storm of environmental risks.
Sanford-Burnham research projects selected to go to space
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) today announced that two of the Institute's research teams have won Space Florida's International Space Station (ISS) Research Competition. Eight teams were selected from a pool of international applicants to send experiments to space in late 2013. The competition was initiated by Space Florida, the state's spaceport and aerospace authority, and NanoRacks, LLC. Sanford-Burnham's research will fly as payloads to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle and research will be conducted on board the U.S. National Lab at the ISS.
Altimeter built at Goddard helped identify ice on Mercury
A Goddard-built instrument on NASA's MESSENGER mission provided one of three new lines of evidence that water ice exists near the north pole of Mercury. Most of the ice is covered by a thin layer of material that blankets and protects the ice, but in a few areas where sunlight never reaches, some ice lies exposed on the surface, the researchers announced Nov. 29 in three papers published by Science Express and at a NASA press conference.
Algae turns Australian oceans milky pink
A huge red algal bloom along vast stretches of southeastern Australia's coastline Thursday resulted in beaches being closed and turned swathes of usually pristine ocean milky pink.
South Korean rocket launch suspended
South Korean space officials suspended a crucial rocket launch Thursday, after a technical problem halted the countdown just 17 minutes before the scheduled blast-off.
Survey unveils the history of galaxies
(Phys.org)—A revolutionary survey of nearby galaxies will allow scientists to map their different properties – opening the way for new understanding of the origins of life and the growth of the Milky Way.
Cosmic rays reveal event in Earth's magnetic field history
41 000 years ago, the Earth's magnetic field faded and practically disappeared, leaving our planet unprotected from the bombardment of cosmic rays. Evidence for this event has been found in ocean sediment cores by a team from the Centre de Recherche et d'Enseignement de Géosciences de l'Environnement (CEREGE, CNRS/Aix-Marseille Université/IRD/Collège de France). In the cores, the researchers measured variations in concentrations of beryllium-10, a radioactive isotope produced by the action of cosmic rays on oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the atmosphere. The work, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, is an important step towards developing a new method for studying the history of Earth's magnetic field, which should shed light on why its strength has been declining over the past three thousand years.
Antarctic icecap is melting more slowly than previously estimated, scientists find
(Phys.org)—The Antarctic icecap is melting more slowly than previously estimated, according to new estimates based on satellite measurements and GPS sensors on the ground.
SLS model 'flies' through Langley wind tunnel testing
(Phys.org)—At NASA facilities around the country, engineers are developing America's first exploration-class rocket since the Saturn V launched astronauts to the moon. The Space Launch System (SLS) will provide an entirely new capability for science and human exploration beyond Earth's orbit to destinations such as an asteroid and eventually Mars. To enable some of these new capabilities, members of the Aeroelasticity Branch of NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. tested a ten-foot-long buffet model of the Space Launch System in Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT).
International Space Station salutes the Sun
(Phys.org)—This weekend the International Space Station will turn itself to position ESA's SOLAR instrument for a better view of the Sun. It will be the first time the Station has changed attitude for scientific reasons alone.
Video hails arrival of 2 different Webb Telescope mirrors
(Phys.org)—The sole secondary mirror and a third primary mirror segment that will fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on Nov. 5, 2012. A video of the mirrors arriving was released today from NASA Goddard that shows the arrival of both mirror segments and movement into a giant clean room.
New approach allows past data to be used to improve future climate projections
Climate scientists are still grappling with one of the main questions of modern times: how high will global temperatures rise if the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide doubles. Many researchers are turning to the past because it holds clues to how nature reacted to climate change before the anthropogenic impact. The divergent results of this research, however, have made it difficult to make precise predictions about the impact of increased carbon dioxide on future warming. An international team of scientists have evaluated previously published estimates and assigned them consistent categories and terminology. This process should assist in limiting the range of estimates and make it easier to compare data from past climate changes and projections about future warming. The group has presented its new method in the current edition of the journal Nature.
Integrating science and policy to address the impacts of air pollution
An article in this week's Science magazine by Dr Stefan Reis of the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UK) and colleagues from six countries examines how science and policy address air pollution effects on human health and ecosystems, and climate change in Europe.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Bopha moving through Southern Yap state
NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites captured images of Tropical Storm Bopha as it continues to move through Micronesia in the western North Pacific Ocean and trigger warnings and watches throughout.
Astrophysicists suggest solar flare could explain carbon-14 bump in AD 774
(Phys.org)—Astrophysicists Adrian Melott and Brian Thomas of the University of Kansas and Washburn University respectively, have published a "brief communication arising" piece in the journal Nature suggesting that the conclusions of a team of Japanese researchers from Nagoya University regarding the source of a carbon-14 bump in AD 774-775 were in error. The Japanese team published an article earlier this year, also in Nature in which they suggested the brief bump in carbon-14 as evidenced by tree samples, was likely not the result of solar flares or a supernova.
NASA study could improve hurricane strength forecasts
(Phys.org)—Forecasters could soon be better able to predict how intense tropical cyclones like Hurricane Sandy will be by analyzing relative-humidity levels within their large-scale environments, finds a new NASA-led study.
Oceanic crust breakthrough: Solving a magma mystery
Oceanic crust covers two-thirds of the Earth's solid surface, but scientists still don't entirely understand the process by which it is made. Analysis of more than 600 samples of oceanic crust by a team including Carnegie's Frances Jenner reveals a systemic pattern that alters long-held beliefs about how this process works, explaining a crucial step in understanding Earth's geological deep processes. Their work is published in Nature on November 29.
International study provides more solid measure of melting in polar ice sheets
Climatologists have reconciled their measurements of ice loss in Antarctica and Greenland over the past two decades. A second article looks at how to monitor and understand accelerating losses from the planet's two largest continental ice sheets.
Grand Canyon as old as the dinosaurs, suggests new study
An analysis of mineral grains from the bottom of the western Grand Canyon indicates it was largely carved out by about 70 million years ago—a time when dinosaurs were around and may have even peeked over the rim, says a study led by the University of Colorado Boulder.
A human-caused climate change signal emerges from the noise
By comparing simulations from 20 different computer models to satellite observations, Lawrence Livermore climate scientists and colleagues from 16 other organizations have found that tropospheric and stratospheric temperature changes are clearly related to human activities.
A multi-wavelength view of radio galaxy Hercules A
(Phys.org)—Spectacular jets powered by the gravitational energy of a super massive black hole in the core of the elliptical galaxy Hercules A illustrate the combined imaging power of two of astronomy's cutting-edge tools, the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3, and the recently upgraded Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope in New Mexico.
'Dark core' may not be so dark after all: Scientists report new dark matter finding from merging galaxy cluster
(Phys.org)—Astronomers were puzzled earlier this year when NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spotted an overabundance of dark matter in the heart of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. This observation was surprising because dark matter and galaxies should be anchored together, even during a collision between galaxy clusters.
MESSENGER finds new evidence for water ice, organic material at Mercury's poles
(Phys.org)—New observations by the MESSENGER spacecraft provide compelling support for the long-held hypothesis that Mercury harbors abundant water ice and other frozen volatile materials in its permanently shadowed polar craters.
Technology news
Empire State Building surprises NY with new lights
(AP)—Earlier this week, a switch was flipped at the Empire State Building, turning on its dancing new LED lights. They burst from the skyscraper, synchronized with R&B star Alicia Keys singing "Empire State of Mind" on radio.
Maths helps mobiles & tablets match eyes' ability to switch from sunshine to shadow
Researchers have pushed the boundaries of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video to match our own eyes' ability to cope with the real world's ever rapidly changing light intensity - such as sun simply going behind clouds. Now researchers at WMG at the University of Warwick, have found a way to compress and stream HDR video directly to monitors and mobile devices, such as an iPad, bringing enormous benefits to industries including gaming and security.
New CMOS image sensor created with on-circuit color noise reduction lowers pixel noise and improves image quality
Toshiba America Electronic Components announced a new 13 mega pixel, 1.12 micrometer, CMOS image sensor delivering high-image quality equivalent to a 1.4 micrometer pixel image sensor. Toshiba implemented back side illumination (BSI) technology and integrated color noise reduction (CNR) to develop its newest CMOS image sensor that fits into an 8.5mm x 8.5mm size camera module and enables high-quality pictures even in low-light conditions.
New line of SDIP6 photocouplers: ICs contribute to smaller footprints, reduced costs
Toshiba America Electronic Components has announced the addition of the TLP700A and TLP705A to its family of photocouplers. The new photocouplers from Toshiba are housed in small packages (SDIP6) – half the size of conventional 8 pin DIP packages, and consist of a GaAIAs infrared light-emitting diode (LED) optically coupled to an integrated high-gain, high-speed photodetector IC chip.
Review: 'Epic Mickey 2' builds a worse mousetrap
While Mickey Mouse has been the face of The Walt Disney Co. for more than 80 years, I don't think he's anyone's favorite toon. The kids in my family adore Ariel, Simba and Buzz Lightyear, while I have a soft spot for Scrooge McDuck. Mickey is more corporate logo than character, the smiling figurehead at the prow of the mighty S.S. Disney.
ONR, marines eye solar energy
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is looking to the sun for energy in an effort to help Marines do away with diesel-guzzling generators now used in combat outposts, officials announced Nov. 29.
Verizon retirees sue to stop transfer of pensions
(AP)—Verizon retirees are suing the phone company because it's planning to transfer the responsibility to pay their pensions to an insurance company, where they will have fewer legal protections.
Ecuadoran villagers drag Chevron to Canadian court
A 19-year court battle that resulted in a staggering US$18.3-billion judgment from an Ecuadoran court against Chevron last year moved to Canada on Thursday as the plaintiffs seek to collect.
Court orders Samsung to pay $5.5 mn to ex-worker
A South Korean court has ordered Samsung Electronics to pay millions of dollars to a former employee who developed key technologies for the firm's lucrative TV business, an official said Thursday.
Greater email privacy won't hinder law enforcement
(AP)—Legal experts say Senate legislation billed as a major step forward in protecting the privacy of electronic communications won't keep law enforcement agencies from combing through inboxes if they believe a crime has been committed.
Modern-day cleanroom invented by Sandia physicist still used 50 years later
(Phys.org)—When Willis Whitfield invented the modern-day cleanroom 50 years ago, researchers and industrialists didn't believe it at first. But within a few short years, $50 billion worth of laminar-flow cleanrooms were being built worldwide and the invention is used in hospitals, laboratories and manufacturing plants today.
Researchers advance scientific computing with record-setting simulations
(Phys.org)—Breaking new ground for scientific computing, two teams of Department of Energy (DOE) scientists have for the first time exceeded a sustained performance level of 10 petaflops (quadrillion floating point operations per second) on the Sequoia supercomputer at the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
PC sales got no boost from Windows 8
Sales of personal computers in the U.S. didn't get any boost from the launch of Windows 8, confounding the hopes of Microsoft and PC makers, research firm NPD Group said Thursday.
Once technology's height, Concord timeline at end
A French court overturned the conviction of Continental Airlines and its mechanic in the crash of a Concorde that helped lead to the demise of the whole supersonic jet's program.
Internet service goes out across Syria (Update)
(AP)—Internet service went down Thursday across Syria and international flights were canceled at the Damascus airport when a road near the facility was closed by heavy fighting in the country's civil war.
Deals site LivingSocial cuts 400 jobs worldwide
(AP)—Online deals company LivingSocial is cutting 400 jobs worldwide, or about 9 percent of its work force, as the deals market continues to face challenges.
UN offers prize to illuminate 3,000 Bosnian homes
(AP)—Challenge prizes have inspired inventions like margarine or canned food or achievements like the Lindbergh flight over the Atlantic.
EcoBotIII: Sewage-powered robot launched
(Phys.org)—University of the West of England scientists have unveiled a robot that uses an unusual source of power - human poo.
Chinese typewriter anticipated predictive text, finds historian
(Phys.org)—By reorganizing the typewriter's characters into ready-made clusters of commonly used words, Mao-era Chinese typists solved problems that cell phones only came to recently.
Senate panel passes email privacy measure
A US Senate panel approved a bill to boost email privacy protections in a vote Thursday that followed widespread uproar over the FBI probe that toppled CIA director David Petraeus.
Ford Fusion wins LA car show green prize
The 2013 Ford Fusion was named Green Car of the Year Thursday at the LA Auto Show, as the US carmaker boasted having gone from "laggard to leader" in the environmentally-friendly vehicle market.
Medicine & Health news
British AIDS charity marks 30 years of fear and hope
When Terry Higgins first collapsed, struggling for breath, at London's Heaven nightclub in 1982, he brushed it off. Only a few weeks later he was dead, one of Britain's first victims of AIDS.
India's giggling guru says laugh yourself to good health
India's "guru of giggling" Madan Kataria, who has got thousands of people guffawing globally in pursuit of better health, has an unexpected confession—he hasn't got a very good sense of humour.
New software to detect overdose risk among drug users
A new e-health tool that could help reduce the number of drug-related deaths in Europe will be launched in Brussels today.
New biomaterials promote neuroregeneration after a brain injury
Professor Jose Miguel Soria, a member of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, has co-directed with Professor Manuel Monleón of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia a study on the compatibility of polymeric biomaterials in the brain and its effectiveness to favour neuroregeneration in areas with some kind of damage or brain injury.
Patients to be more involved in decision-making, report finds
For the purpose of improving patient safety, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a new management model based on customer needs. All the actors taking part in the organizational activity in social and health care organizations play a key role in safety management - including the patient. Both in Finland and abroad, there is a clear need for the systematic improvement of patient safety. Patient safety cannot be improved by simply making new rules. On the contrary, sometimes new rules could make the work of healthcare professionals more complicated and even reduce safety. A new kind of adaptive safety management is required. This new, customer-needs-based management model is already being used at Vaasa Central Hospital.
ECHOES: Technology use in the classroom helps autistic children communicate
The use of technology in the classroom is nothing new, but Topcliffe Primary School in Birmingham is breaking new ground by using technology to help pupils with autism communicate more effectively.
Sport provides swell times for Indigenous youth
A new report released today has shed light on how sport programs for Indigenous youth can help lead to more fulfilling lifestyles for participants.
Consumer watchdog asks FDA to revisit compounders
(AP)—A government watchdog group is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to re-inspect more than a dozen specialty pharmacies with prior records of violations, in light of a recent deadly outbreak tied to compounded drugs.
Germany's most populous state toughens smoking ban
(AP)—Germany's most populous state is toughening a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, closing loopholes in its five-year-old restrictions.
Can a genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor protect against osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, or reduced bone mineral density that can increase the risk of fractures, may affect as many as 30% of women and 12% of men worldwide. One risk factor for osteoporosis is vitamin D deficiency. A modified form of the vitamin D receptor present in some individuals may lower their risk for developing osteoporosis, according to an article in Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers.
Which group of Asian-American children is at highest risk for obesity?
Asian-American children have been at low risk for being overweight or obese compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., but that may be changing. Yet as rates of overweight and obesity rise, the risk appears to vary depending on the Asian country of origin, according to an article in Childhood Obesity.
Defining career paths in health systems improvement
The sheer number of efforts aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the U.S. health care system – ranging from portions of the national Affordable Care Act to local programs at individual hospitals and practices – reflects the urgency and importance of the task. One aspect that has received inadequate attention, according to three physicians writing in the January 2013 issue of Academic Medicine, is training the next generation of experts needed to help lead these efforts. In their Perspective article, which has been released online, the authors propose a framework for career development in what they call "health systems improvement," a term that encompasses a broad range of activities – including management, research and public policy – to improve the quality and efficiency of our systems of care.
Researchers identify gene involved in lung tumor growth
Lung cancer researchers at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., in collaboration with researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute and other institutions, have identified a gene that plays a role in the growth and spread of non-small cell lung cancer tumors, opening the door for potential new treatment options.
Kidney disease progresses faster in African Americans than other races
Among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), African Americans experience faster progression of the disease during later stages compared with other races, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). Also, screening of African Americans with CKD can help improve care and is cost-effective.
Treating coronary heart disease in kidney failure patients
Among the two available procedures for opening blocked arteries surrounding the heart, one appears to be safer than the other for dialysis patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings may help lead to better care for kidney failure patients with coronary heart disease.
S.Africa seals record deal for low-cost ARVs: minister
South Africa, home to the world's largest population of people living with HIV, said Thursday it had secured a deal to buy a key anti-retroviral (ARV) drug at the lowest price ever.
Testicular cancer risk tripled in boys whose testes fail to descend
Boys whose testes have not descended at birth—a condition known as cryptorchidism—are almost three times as likely to develop testicular cancer in later life, finds an analysis of the available evidence published online in Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Findings support safety of whooping cough vaccine for older adults
A new study of the safety of the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine supports the recommendation that those 65 and older get the vaccine to protect themselves and others, particularly young babies, from pertussis. Published online in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the findings come as reported U.S. cases of the bacterial infection, also known as whopping cough, are at the highest level since the 1950s.
Musical duets lock brains as well as rhythms
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin have shown that synchronization emerges between brains when making music together, and even when musicians play different voices. In a study published November 29th in Frontiers in Neuroscience, Johanna Sänger and her team used electrodes to record the brain waves of guitarists while they played different voices of the same duet. The results point to brain synchronicity that cannot be explained away by similitudes in external stimulation but can be attributed to a more profound interpersonal coordination.
Behavior problems, not depression, linked to lower grades for depressed youths
Behavior problems, not depression, are linked to lower grades for depressed adolescents, according to a study in the December issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
Prenatal exposure to testosterone leads to verbal aggressive behavior
A new study in the Journal of Communication links verbal aggression to prenatal testosterone exposure. The lead researcher, at University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, used the 2D:4D measure to predict verbal aggression. This study is the first to use this method to examine prenatal testosterone exposure as a determinant of a communication trait.
Common therapies reduce depression in diabetics, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—People living with diabetes may be able to reduce the risk of developing depression and other mood disorders by including a common medication in the management of their condition.
Salmonella research improves understanding of immune defence
Australian researchers have discovered that vitamin B metabolites produced by Salmonella bacteria can activate the immune system, a finding that could lead to new treatments for gut and lung diseases.
Post-divorce journaling may hinder healing for some, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—For those searching for deeper meaning in a failed marriage, writing about their feelings soon after divorce may lead to greater emotional distress, according to new research.
Dispelling common myths about the flu vaccine
Every fall, people wonder whether to get an influenza or flu shot.
3Qs: Energy drinks: What's in your can?
Over the last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed it is investigating health reports citing energy drinks 5-hour Energy and Monster Energy as a possible factor in the deaths of 18 people since 2009 and the hospitalization of numerous others since 2004. But the potentially fatal danger of these beverages hasn't stopped consumers from purchasing them. According to Beverage Digest, sales of energy drinks in the U.S. hit a record high last year, growing an estimated 16 percent to $8.9 billion. Adam Woolley, assistant clinical professor of pharmacy practice in Bouvé College of Health Sciences, weighs in on the FDA report and explains why students should think twice about what they consume.
Study: Men prefer women who look like them
(Medical Xpress)—Men find women with whom they share certain facial features more attractive. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by a French team from the Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (Isem, CNRS) . The scientists focused on certain facial characteristics such as eye and hair color, lip and eyebrow thickness and the presence or absence of a chin dimple. However, unlike most previous studies, they compared the features of the men surveyed with those of the women that they considered attractive. This work, published on 21 November in the journal PLoS One, reinforces the theory of homogamy, whereby individuals seek a sexual partner that looks like them - extending it here to genetic traits.
Protecting children: Online tool creates personalized catch-up immunization schedules for missed childhood vaccinations
(Medical Xpress)—Children obtain protection against certain diseases by receiving vaccinations, but they commonly miss recommended times to receive these immunizations. Once a child falls behind, health care professionals typically have to construct a unique, personalized catch-up schedule for each child – often while the child waits in the treatment room.
Researchers develop novel treatment for prostate cancer
(Medical Xpress)—The work of a team of Wake Forest researchers developing a novel drug for prostate cancer treatment is featured on the cover of the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Researcher says whooping cough vaccines effective, despite outbreaks
(Medical Xpress)—Despite recent outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough)—a highly contagious bacterial disease that is preventable by the current pertussis vaccines—Yale researcher Dr. Eugene Shapiro maintains in an editorial that the vaccines are effective and should still be administered.
Cleaner burning cookstoves improving health in developing world, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Older women in the developing world are likely to see direct health benefits such as reductions in blood pressure in a relatively short amount of time once they switch to cleaner burning cookstoves, according to a study by Colorado State University environmental researchers.
Research may explain why some people with schizophrenia do not respond to treatment
(Medical Xpress)—New research suggests that the molecular mechanism leading to schizophrenia may be different in patients who fail to respond to anti-psychotic medication compared to patients who do respond.
A sonar vision system for the congenitally blind
A "sonar vision" system that enables people who are blind from birth to perceive the shape of a face, a house or even words and letters, is being developed by a team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Using this device, the researchers have shown that, in people that are blind from birth, the areas of the cerebral cortex normally devoted to reading become activated in response to stimulation.
Superbugs blasted by aerosols
(Medical Xpress)—Blasting superbugs with tiny nano-sized antibiotics delivered via powder aerosol may be a faster, safer and cheaper way of treating respiratory infectious diseases such as pneumonia or cystic fibrosis, claim University of Sydney pharmacy researchers.
Where does it hurt? Pain map discovered in the human brain
(Phys.org)—Scientists have revealed the minutely detailed pain map of the hand that is contained within our brains, shedding light on how the brain makes us feel discomfort and potentially increasing our understanding of the processes involved in chronic pain.
UConn report finds one-third of Hartford's preschoolers overweight or obese
(Medical Xpress)—A study conducted by University of Connecticut researchers finds more than one-third of Hartford preschoolers are overweight or obese with rates far above the national average for children of the same age. The report's findings were released during a news conference at Hartford City Hall today.
Researcher predicts spike in computer-related injuries in medical workers
(Medical Xpress)—As U.S. health care goes high tech, spurred by $20 billion in federal stimulus incentives, the widespread adoption of electronic medical records and related digital technologies is predicted to reduce errors, save time and lower costs. But it is also likely to significantly boost musculoskeletal injuries among doctors and nurses, concludes a Cornell ergonomics professor in two new papers.
Research redefines 'recovery' in bipolar disorder
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have developed the first accurate tool for measuring bipolar recovery which takes into account the personal experiences of people living with the disorder.
Researchers create a fly to study how a normal cell turns cancerous
Scientists at IRB Barcelona present a model to demonstrate the correlation between genomic instability and cancer.
New research reveals cheese saltier than seawater
New research from CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) at Queen Mary, University of London, has revealed the unnecessarily high levels of salt in a staple of the country's shopping baskets – cheese.
Study identifies accelerated risk pattern of suicide towards age 21
(Medical Xpress)—Suicide risk patterns accelerate up to the age of 20 before moderately levelling off, according to a new report published in the Cambridge Journal of Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences.
Short-term exposure to essential oils lowers blood pressure and heart rate
The scents which permeate our health spas from aromatic essential oils may provide more benefits than just a sense of rest and well-being.
Next-generation treatments for Fragile X syndrome
A potential new therapeutic strategy for treating Fragile X syndrome is detailed in a new report appearing in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry, from researchers led by Dr. Lucia Ciranna at University of Catania in Italy.
Cancer drug shows promise in eradicating latent HIV infection
Breakthrough drugs have made it possible for people to live with HIV longer than ever before, but more work must be done to actually cure the disease. One of the challenges researchers face involves fully eradicating the virus when it is latent in the body. A new report appearing in the December 2012 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that a cancer drug, called JQ1, may be useful in purging latent HIV infection by activating the virus in the presence of potent therapy – essentially a dead end for the virus.
US unveils road map to AIDS-free generation (Update)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled Thursday an ambitious US blueprint on how to realize the dream of an AIDS-free generation, aiming to see virtually no babies born with HIV by 2015.
Brain inflammation likely key initiator to prion and Parkinson's disease
In a recent publication, researchers of the Computational Biology group at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine showed that neuro-inflammation plays a crucial role in initiating prion disease.
Studies in mice confirm that mutations in the gene, UBE3B, cause a rare genetic disorder in children
Researchers have defined the gene responsible for a rare developmental disorder in children. The team showed that rare variation in a gene involved in brain development causes the disorder. This is the first time that this gene, UBE3B, has been linked to a disease.
Traffic cops of the immune system: Molecule called IKBNS in charge of regulatory immune cell maturation
A certain type of immune cell—the regulatory T cell, or Treg for short—is in charge of putting on the brakes on the immune response. In a way, this cell type might be considered the immune system's traffic cops.
Children with higher intelligence less likely to report chronic widespread pain in adulthood
A UK-based study team has determined that there is a correlation between childhood intelligence and chronic widespread pain (CWP) in adulthood, according to a new study published in the December issue of PAIN. About 10-15 percent of adults report CWP, a common musculoskeletal complaint that tends to occur more frequently among women and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. CWP is a core symptom of fibromyalgia and is one of the most common reasons for consulting a rheumatologist.
New genetic test detects early breast cancer and identifies future risk
Physicians may now be better at detecting breast cancer than ever before, but much more work remains to ensure accurate diagnosis is possible and especially to assess future risk. That's why researchers from Germany have been working to develop a new test of gene action to predict cancer risk both at first diagnosis and into the future. In a new research report appearing in the December 2012 issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers show that the various genetic switches, which are turned on and off in the regular development of every cell in the body, can be analyzed in minute detail to determine the presence or risk of breast cancer growth.
Mild vibrations may provide some of the same benefits to obese people as exercise
If you're looking to get some of the benefits of exercise without doing the work, here's some good news. A new research report published online in The FASEB Journal shows that low-intensity vibrations led to improvements in the immune function of obese mice. If the same effect can be found in people, this could have clinical benefits for obese people suffering from a wide range of immune problems related to obesity.
Hand use improved after spinal cord injury with noninvasive stimulation
By using noninvasive stimulation, researchers were able to temporarily improve the ability of people with spinal cord injuries to use their hands. The findings, reported on November 29th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, hold promise in treating thousands of people in the United States alone who are partially paralyzed due to spinal cord injury.
Running too far, too fast, and too long speeds progress 'to finish line of life'
Vigorous exercise is good for health, but only if it's limited to a maximum daily dose of between 30 and 50 minutes, say researchers in an editorial published online in Heart.
Young surgeons face special concerns with operating room distractions
(Medical Xpress)—A study has found that young, less-experienced surgeons made major surgical mistakes almost half the time during a "simulated" gall bladder removal when they were distracted by noises, questions, conversation or other commotion in the operating room.
Diabetics with cancer dangerously ignore blood sugar
When people with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with cancer—a disease for which they are at higher risk—they ignore their diabetes care to focus on cancer treatment, according to new Northwestern Medicine® research. But uncontrolled high blood sugar is more likely to kill them and impairs their immune system's ability to fight cancer.
Autism severity may stem from fear
(Medical Xpress)—Most people know when to be afraid and when it's ok to calm down.
Brief interventions can help college students return to a healthy lifestyle
The weight gain commonly known as the "Freshman 15" is a negative aspect of the college experience for many college freshmen who are independent for the first time, most making lifestyle decisions about eating and exercise. Researchers say it's no surprise freshmen experience one of the largest weight gains in their lifetimes when they attend college. A new study from the University of Missouri has found that a brief intervention, sometimes as little as 30 minutes, can help put students back on the right track to a healthy lifestyle – a change that can impact the rest of their lives.
Controversial treatment for autism may do more harm than good, researchers find
A controversial treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not only ineffective but may be harmful, according to a study conducted by Baylor University researchers.
Promising drug slows down advance of Parkinson's disease and improves symptoms
Treating Parkinson's disease patients with the experimental drug GM1 ganglioside improved symptoms and slowed their progression during a two and a half-year trial, Thomas Jefferson University researchers report in a new study published online November 28 in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences.
Mediation with art therapy can change your brain and lower anxiety
Cancer and stress go hand-in-hand, and high stress levels can lead to poorer health outcomes in cancer patients. The Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine combined creative art therapy with a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for women with breast cancer and showed changes in brain activity associated with lower stress and anxiety after the eight-week program. Their new study appears in the December issue of the journal Stress and Health.
Sneak peek at early course of bladder infection caused by widespread, understudied parasite
Using standard tools of the molecular-biology trade and a new, much-improved animal model of a prevalent but poorly understood tropical parasitic disease called urogenital schistosomiasis, Stanford University School of Medicine researchers were able to obtain "snapshots" of shifting gene activity levels during the early, acute phase of what for most becomes a chronic bladder infection.
Genome-scale study identifies hundreds of potential drug targets for Huntington's disease
Scientists searching for ways to develop treatments for Huntington's disease (HD) just got a roadmap that could dramatically speed their discovery process. Researchers at the Buck Institute have used RNA interference (RNAi) technology to identify hundreds of "druggable" molecular targets linked to the toxicity associated with the devastating, ultimately fatal disease. The results from this unprecedented genome-scale screen in a human cell model of HD are published in the November 29, 2012 edition of PLOS Genetics. The work was is a collaboration between Buck Institute faculty members Robert E. Hughes, Ph.D., Sean Mooney, Ph.D., Lisa Ellerby, Ph.D. and Juan Botas, Ph.D. at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Study provides first direct evidence linking TB infection in cattle and local badger populations
Transmission of tuberculosis between cattle and badgers has been tracked at a local scale for the first time, using a combination of bacterial whole genome DNA sequencing and mathematical modelling. The findings highlight the potential for the use of next generation sequencing as a tool for disentangling the impact of badgers on TB outbreaks in cows at the farm level.
HCMV researchers utilize novel techniques to show preferential repair of the viral genome
A new study about Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a leading cause of birth defects, reveals how the virus co-opts cells' abilities to repair themselves. In the paper published on November 29 in the Open Access journal PLOS Pathogens, O'Dowd et al. describe their utilization of a novel technique for the simultaneous evaluation of both the viral and host genomes in an infected cell.
School posture education improves healthy backpack use
(HealthDay)—A postural education program can significantly improve healthy backpack use habits among school children, according to a study published in the November issue of the European Spine Journal.
Study sheds light on how pancreatic cancer begins
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is particularly devastating since the prognosis for recovery is usually poor, with the cancer most often not detected until late stages.
Study helps resolve debate about how tumors spread
A team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has shown for the first time how cancer cells control the ON/OFF switch of a program used by developing embryos to effectively metastasize in vivo, breaking free and spreading to other parts of the body, where they can proliferate and grow into secondary tumors.
Enzyme inhibition protects against Huntington's disease damage in two animal models
Treatment with a novel agent that inhibits the activity of SIRT2, an enzyme that regulates many important cellular functions, reduced neurological damage, slowed the loss of motor function and extended survival in two animal models of Huntington's disease. The study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers will appear in the Dec. 27 issue of Cell Reports and is receiving advance online release.
Scientists create roadmap to metabolic reprogramming for aging
In efforts to understand what influences life span, cancer and aging, scientists are building roadmaps to navigate and learn about cells at the molecular level.
Scientists describe the genetic signature of a vital set of neurons
Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified two genes involved in establishing the neuronal circuits required for breathing. They report their findings in a study published in the December issue of Nature Neuroscience. The discovery, featured on the journal's cover, could help advance treatments for spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which gradually kill neurons that control the movement of muscles needed to breathe, move, and eat.
Precisely engineering 3-D brain tissues
Borrowing from microfabrication techniques used in the semiconductor industry, MIT and Harvard Medical School (HMS) engineers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to create three-dimensional brain tissues in a lab dish.
Molecular root of 'exhausted' T cells in chronic viral infection
When you get an acute infection, such as influenza, the body generally responds with a coordinated response of immune-cell proliferation and attack that rapidly clears the pathogen. Then, their mission done, the immune system stands down, leaving a population of sentinel memory cells to rapidly redeploy the immune system in the event of reinfection.
Body language, not facial expressions, broadcasts what's happening to us
If you think that you can judge by examining someone's facial expressions if he has just hit the jackpot in the lottery or lost everything in the stock market—think again. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at New York University and Princeton University have discovered that—despite what leading theoretical models and conventional wisdom might indicate—it just doesn't work that way.
Proteins that work at the ends of DNA could provide cancer insight
(Medical Xpress)—New insights into a protein complex that regulates the very tips of chromosomes could improve methods of screening anti-cancer drugs.
Moral evaluations of harm are instant and emotional, brain study shows
(Medical Xpress)—People are able to detect, within a split second, if a hurtful action they are witnessing is intentional or accidental, new research on the brain at the University of Chicago shows.
Biology news
Scientists discover tobacco tree that could be used as biofuel
Researchers at Royal Holloway have been awarded a grant from the European Union, after identifying a tobacco tree that could produce biofuels.
Travels in northeastern Brazil: Unfolding the reptile fauna of Lencois Maranhenses
In order to be effective, a Conservation Unit must have available a list of the species that live within it. They also should have detailed information about the distribution of species among the available habitats. It would be difficult to correctly plan the conservation actions and/or monitoring programs without some minimal knowledge about the species (who are the object of those measures). "This is why our study is so important to the park", said Dr. Miranda from Universidade Federal do Maranhão (CCAA/UFMA), leading author of the article, published in the open access journal Zookeys.
WCS photo of rare cat in Bolivia wins BBC prize
A photograph taken by Wildlife Conservation Society scientists of a little known Bolivian cat species called an oncilla has won a BBC Wildlife camera-trap photo competition.
Sources of E. coli are not always what they seem
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have identified sources of Escherichia coli bacteria that could help restore the reputation of local livestock. Studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Mark Ibekwe suggest that in some parts of California, pathogens in local waterways are more often carried there via runoff from urban areas, not from animal production facilities.
EU to prolong fishing ban for endangered sharks
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said Thursday that a total ban on fishing endangered deepwater shark species would be maintained for another two years.
An ocean away: Two new encrusting anemones found in unexpected locations
As a result of field work by associate professor James Davis Reimer and two graduate students from the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan has found two new species of encrusting anemones, or colonial zoanthids, in unexpected locations. The species belong to the genus Neozoanthus, which was previously known only from a single species in the Indian Ocean. Surprisingly, the new species were found in the Pacific Ocean, in southern Japan and on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
Insects beware: The sea anemone is coming
As insects evolve to become resistant to insecticides, the need to develop new ways to control pests grows. A team of scientists from Leuven, Belgium have discovered that the sea anemone's venom harbors several toxins that promise to become a new generation of insecticides that are environmentally friendly and avoid resistance by the insects. Since these toxins disable ion channels that mediate pain and inflammation, they could also spur drug development aimed at pain, cardiac disorders, epilepsy and seizure disorders, and immunological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. This finding is described in the December 2012 issue of The FASEB Journal.
Researcher looks to whirligig beetle for bio-inspired robots
Whirligig beetles are named for their whirling movement on top of water, moving rapidly in and taking off into flight.
Hungry salmon a problem for restoration efforts
(Phys.org)—Food webs needed by young salmon in the Columbia River basin are likely compromised in places, something that should be considered when prioritizing expensive restoration activities aimed at rebuilding endangered runs.
Scientists identify two transposons that are active in human cells
(Phys.org)—Transposable elements—or transposons—are DNA sequences that move in the genome from one location to another. Discovered in the 1940s, for years they were thought to be unimportant and were called "junk DNA." But now scientists recognize that these bits of DNA play vital roles in gene and genome evolution, and are important genetic tools for genome engineering.
Randomness forms complex social structures
(Phys.org)—The environment of group-living animals influences their social behaviour in a stronger way than was previously thought, says a new study from behavioural researchers at ETH and the University of Zurich. They thereby support the very counterintuitive argument that randomness is responsible for the establishment and the maintenance of social networks.
Blue whales perform precise acrobatics while hunting (w/ video)
Massive blue whales perform 360° rolls in order to take in the largest possible volume of krill according to research published in Biology Letters today. Whales also roll over when searching for krill, enabling them to identify where their prey are most densely collected.
Bacteria hijack host cell process, create their own food supply to become infectious
Bacteria that cause the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis in humans create their own food supply by hijacking a process in host cells that normally should help kill the pathogenic bugs, scientists have found.
Alcoholic fly larvae need fix for learning
Fly larvae fed on alcohol-spiked food for a period of days grow dependent on those spirits for learning. The findings, reported in Current Biology on November 29, show how overuse of alcohol can produce lasting changes in the brain, even after alcohol abuse stops.
Jigsaw a critical piece of the Notch puzzle
The Notch signaling pathway helps determine cell fate determination, differentiation and proliferative ability of numerous cells. How it accomplishes these tasks has been a puzzle, but researchers led by those at Baylor College of Medicine and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital have identified a key piece –a specific domain (or part of the receptor) within the Notch receptor that is critical for determining the specific ligand to which the receptor binds. The finding provides researchers with a molecular handle on which to base future studies of this critical protein. A report on their work appears online in the journal Science.
New insights into mosquitoes' role as involuntary bioterrorists
For many years scientists thought that mosquitoes provided the disease organisms which they spread with a relatively free ride because the insects didn't have much in the way of natural defenses to fight off these microscopic stowaways.
Communication channel between cells and machines paves way toward bio-hybrid robots
(Phys.org)—While some advanced humanoid robots already look eerily lifelike, robots in the future may actually become partly alive. Currently, researchers are working on integrating living cells and other biological components with electronic components in an attempt to create bio-hybrid robots. These robots could act autonomously, imitate some animal behaviors, and have the ability to self-replicate some of their parts.
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