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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 20, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Pyroelectric nanogenerator charges Li-ion battery with harvested energy- Nanotech device mimics dog's nose to detect explosives
- Researchers make 'nanospinning' practical
- Researchers restore coordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury
- More than a machine: Ribosome regulates viral protein synthesis, revealing potential therapeutic target
- Filtering spam: Researchers propose new method to rid inboxes of unwanted email
- Researchers improve technology to detect hazardous chemicals
- Engineered bacteria can make the ultimate sacrifice
- Planck discovers filament of hot gas linking two galaxy clusters
- Algae can draw energy from other plants
- Galaxy clusters may offer critical clues to dark energy
- Researchers set to put brakes on space junk problem
- Tiny probes shine brightly to reveal the location of targeted tissues
- Dark matter detector nearing activation in US mine (Update)
- Scotch tape finds new use as grasping 'smart material'
Space & Earth news
Analyzing Lake Geneva from the air: A second wind for elemo
One year after the MIR submersibles dove into the depths of Lake Geneva, the elemo program is delivering its first scientific results. And with the support of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the operation will be extended with a campaign to make observations above the lake surface from a sensor-packed ultralight aircraft. The same experiments are planned above Lake Baikal in Russia.
After Sandy, testing the waters
During Hurricane Sandy the seas rose a record 14-feet in lower Manhattan. Water flooded city streets, subways, tunnels and even sewage treatment plants. It is unclear how much sewage may have been released as plants lost power or were forced to divert untreated wastewater into the Hudson River. Four days after Sandy, the environmental group Riverkeeper attempted to measure the storm's effect on water quality. If the river had been widely contaminated, by then, any evidence had washed out to sea. A week later, Sandy was followed by a more typical nor'easter.
Snap the stars to see your photo on ESA portal
Have you taken an interesting astronomical photo this year? From planets and moons to the Sun, stars and galaxies, we'd like you to send us your images to feature as our Space Science Image of the Week on 31 December.
Greenpeace warns of chemicals in global fashion
Two-thirds of high-street garments tested in a study by Greenpeace contained potentially harmful chemicals, the group said Tuesday, highlighting the findings with a "toxic" fashion show in Beijing.
S. Korea readies for delayed rocket launch
South Korea is set to go ahead next week with a delayed rocket launch as it aims to join the elite club of nations capable of putting a satellite into orbit, an official said Tuesday.
Un says greenhouse gases rose to record levels in 2011
The volume of greenhouse gases causing global warming rose to a new high last year, the UN World Meteorological Organisation said Tuesday.
Saturn's fluctuating F ring
Released today, this image acquired by NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows some interesting structures forming within Saturn's thinnest but most dynamic ring.
Learning lessons from BP oil spill
In an attempt to limit the harm of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, three million liters of dispersant were used to dissipate the oil. "The question is whether that was the best approach," said Tinka Murk, Professor of Environmental Toxicology at Wageningen University. On the surface the damage seems limited, but the seabed is covered with a thick layer of gunk.
CO2 storage and enhanced oil recovery can aid economy
Combining carbon storage with enhanced oil recovery techniques in key fields could generate up to £2.7bn in extra economic output, a report has claimed.
France, Germany seek Ariane compromise at ESA space meet
The 20 countries in the European Space Agency made progress towards a deal on budget and a successor to the Ariane 5 rocket at talks on space strategy here Tuesday, delegates said.
Maple syrup, moose, and the local impacts of climate change
In the northern hardwood forest, climate change is poised to reduce the viability of the maple syrup industry, spread wildlife diseases and tree pests, and change timber resources. And, according to a new BioScience paper just released by twenty-one scientists, without long-term studies at the local scale—we will be ill-prepared to predict and manage these effects.
CIA closes dedicated climate change unit
The CIA has shuttered its unit dedicated to studying the impact of climate change on national security, shifting its activities elsewhere, an official said Tuesday.
NASA spacecraft observe Nov. 20 solar eruption
On Nov. 20, 2012, at 7:09 a.m. EST, the sun erupted with a coronal mass ejection or CME. Not to be confused with a solar flare, a CME is a solar phenomenon that can send solar particles into space and can reach Earth one to three days later. When Earth-directed, CMEs can affect electronic systems in satellites and on Earth.
What goes down must come back up
(Phys.org)—For most of the past two decades, the NASA and European Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites have tracked the gradual rise of the world's ocean in response to global warming. In August 2011, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., and the University of Colorado in Boulder reported that global sea level rise had hit a speed bump.
Princeton geoscientists report Greenland ice sheet melting rate is increasing
(Phys.org)—Princeton geoscientists Christopher Harig and Frederik Simons have been applying new methods to study the amount of ice melt in the Greenland ice sheet. They report in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that the rate is approximately 200 billion tons annually and is rising at a rate of approximately 9 billion tons per year.
Can life emerge on planets around cooling stars?
(Phys.org)—Astronomers find planets in strange places and wonder if they might support life. One such place would be in orbit around a white or brown dwarf. While neither is a star like the sun, both glow and so could be orbited by planets with the right ingredients for life.
Planck discovers filament of hot gas linking two galaxy clusters
(Phys.org)—ESA's Planck space telescope has made the first conclusive detection of a bridge of hot gas connecting a pair of galaxy clusters across 10 million light-years of intergalactic space.
Researchers set to put brakes on space junk problem
(Phys.org)—Scientists at the University of Glasgow have developed a practical solution to the increasing problem of space debris.
Galaxy clusters may offer critical clues to dark energy
(Phys.org)—One of the major puzzles in astronomy today is the nature of the mysterious force that astronomers have dubbed Dark Energy. And one tool in understanding this force is encoded in the distribution of clusters of galaxies in the Universe. Thus, new work by a team of astronomers that has yielded exquisitely precise distances of a large sample of clusters may lead to breakthroughs in understanding the expansion history of our Universe.
Technology news
Report on Loggerhead Sea Turtle Protection Project
Epson has been working with Kamogawa Sea World and the Japanese government since June 2010 in a project to help protect and preserve endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Epson developed two new types of wireless sensor modules for this project. One is a temperature sensor module that measures the temperature of the sand at 10-cm intervals between a depth of 10 cm and 50 cm. The other is a hatching sensor module that detects when buried eggs begin to hatch.
Bayer rules out increasing bid for Schiff Nutrition
German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer withdrew from a battle to buy US-based Schiff Nutrition International on Tuesday, ruling out an increase to its bid against a rival counter offer.
A low-carbon Finland is a great challenge, but an achievable one
VTT specialists have assessed Finland's chances of achieving the 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The EU's goal for 2050 is to reduce emissions by at least 80% from the level of 1990.
Proposals to record the age of youngsters when buying mobile phones
Mobile telephone operators should verify the age of children and youngsters when they access multimedia services by having a record of users' dates of birth. This is one of the recommendations in a report by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), that also suggest content classifications for mobiles by age, like in the case of video games.
Haley admits hacking errors; revenue chief resigns
(AP)—South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says a report on a massive security breach in the state's tax collection agency shows officials could have done more to protect personal information for nearly 4 million taxpayers.
Time Warner extends chief's contract to 2017
Media and entertainment giant Time Warner said Tuesday it was extending the contract of its chairman and chief executive Jeff Bewkes through 2017.
Hedge fund buys 9.9 percent stake in Groupon
Shares of Groupon are up in after-hours trading after a hedge fund disclosed it bought a 9.9 stake in the online deals company.
Kakao Talk unveils digital content shop
(AP)—Kakao Talk, a popular mobile messenger in South Korea, will launch an online music and electronic book shop next year as it continues to grow beyond its original mission to provide a simple messaging service.
GE buys 2,000 Ford plug-in hybrids for fleet
GE is buying 2,000 plug-in hybrid cars from Ford for its corporate fleet.
Application of smartphone technology to economic and environmental analysis of building energy conservation strategies
They can help us pass the time, socialise and yes, even work, but can smartphones also help us save the planet? A paper recently published in the International Journal of Sustainable Energy suggests they can.
HP claims fraud prompted $5B overpayment for co. (Update 3)
Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday that it's the victim of a multibillion dollar fraud at the hands of a British company it bought last year that lied about its finances.
US claims most lucrative insider trading case
A former hedge fund portfolio manager was arrested Tuesday on charges that he helped deliver what a prosecutor called "what might be the most lucrative inside tip of all time," enabling investment advisers and their hedge funds to make more than $276 million in illegal profits.
Study: Parents, teens uneasy Facebook 'friends'
US parents are keeping a close eye on their teens' activities on Facebook and other social networks, provoking a "mixed" reaction from the youngsters, a new study showed Tuesday.
France says Google would lose court case over taxes
France's Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac said on Tuesday Google would never win a court case contesting a huge tax bill claimed by French authorities.
Nissan upgrades Leaf electric car, lowers price (Update)
The upgraded Nissan Motor Co. Leaf electric car can travel further without recharging, comes in a cheaper model and tells drivers how much battery life is left.
Bosch follows Siemens out the door of Desertec renewable energy project
(Phys.org)—Another German industrial giant has bailed out of the Desertec project, which is trying to safeguard the future of a green Europe with expanded use of renewable energy. Bosch has confirmed that it will no longer be a member of Desertec by the end of this year. A spokeswoman for Bosch told Reuters that "economic conditions (do) not allow a continuation of its membership." This marks the second German company to leave the consortium. News broke last month that German industrial giant Siemens was leaving Desertec too.
Filtering spam: Researchers propose new method to rid inboxes of unwanted email
Spammers have recently turned high-tech, using layers of images to fool automatic filters. Thanks to some sophisticated new cyber-sleuthing, researchers at Concordia University's Institute of Information Systems Engineering are working toward a cure.
Medicine & Health news
Novel breast screening technology increases diagnostic accuracy
The addition of three-dimensional breast imaging—a technology called tomosynthesis—to standard digital mammography significantly increases radiologists' diagnostic accuracy while reducing false positive recall rates, according to the results of a multi-center study published in Radiology.
3Qs: Patients' access to doctors' notes examined
In a pilot study called OpenNotes, more than 100 primary-care physicians volunteered to invite more than 20,000 patients to review their doctors' notes following an office visit to determine the effects of facilitating that access. The results of the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in October, found that a majority of patients felt more in control of their care, adhered to medication prescriptions and wanted the program to continue.
Ovarian cancer patients have lower mortality rates at high-volume hospitals
Women who have surgery for ovarian cancer have better outcomes if they are treated at high-volume hospitals, according to researchers at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
Study finds strong ethnic neighborhoods can boost health of seniors
A new study from the Mailman School of Public Health suggests that African-American and Mexican-American seniors are less likely to have cancer or heart disease if they live in an ethnically homogeneous community.
Frequency of alcohol consumption and cardiovascular risk factors
Critique 096: Frequency of alcohol consumption and cardiovascular risk factors: implications for drinking guidelines 20 November 2012
GHSU researcher assesses driving capability in MS patients
A simple, accurate testing protocol to determine driving fitness in individuals with multiple sclerosis is the aim of a three-year study at Georgia Health Sciences University.
Warning about single-load liquid laundry packets
(AP)—The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents to be careful with those little single-load liquid laundry packets.
Patients with online access to clinicians, medical records have increased use of clinical services
Patients with online access to their medical records and secure e-mail communication with clinicians had increased use of clinical services, including office visits and telephone encounters, compared to patients who did not have online access, according to a study appearing in the November 21 issue of JAMA.
FDA OKs HeartWare device for transplant patients
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a new heart pump for patients with severe heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.
HHS details overhaul rules and required benefits
The Obama administration is strengthening the prescription drug coverage that will be available to the millions of people who will start getting insurance through the nation's health care overhaul.
Rate of suicide by hanging/suffocation doubles in middle-aged men and women
A new report from researchers with the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy finds the majority of the previously reported increase in suicide in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010 is attributable to an increase in hanging/suffocation, which increased from 19 percent of all suicides in 2000 to 26 percent of all suicides in 2010. The largest increase in hanging/suffocation occurred among those aged 45-59 years (104 percent increase). The results are published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Adolescents with low status among peers are more likely to become adult smokers
A new study from Sweden reveals that having low peer status in adolescence is a strong risk factor for regular and heavy smoking in adulthood. Researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden used a large database that followed the lives of more than 15,000 Swedes, mainly from the Stockholm area, from birth to middle age. The researchers isolated 2,329 people who were interviewed once at age 13 about peer status at school and again at age 32 about their smoking habits. The results indicate that the lower a young person's status is among his or her school peers, the more likely that person is to become a regular (less than 20 cigarettes per day) or heavy (20+ cigarettes) smoker in adulthood.
Gender differences in PTSD risk may be due to heightened fear conditioning in women, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Women exposed to trauma may be at greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder because of a heightened fear response, according to a new study.
Adenotonsillectomy may help resolve obstructive sleep apnea in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
(Medical Xpress)—Children with Prader-Willi syndrome may receive relief from sleep disorders after undergoing an adenotonsillectomy, suggests a new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital published in the November print issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Study shows exercise and diet improve cholesterol in adults
(Medical Xpress)—A study by researchers in the West Virginia University School of Public Health shows that aerobic exercise and diet can improve cholesterol in adults.
Study shows exercise can improve bone density in postmenopausal women
(Medical Xpress)—A study by researchers in the West Virginia University School of Public Health and the University of Colorado shows that exercise can improve bone density in postmenopausal women.
Death rates from ovarian cancer have fallen by 20 per cent over last decade
The rates of women dying from ovarian cancer in England have fallen from 11.2 women in every 100,000 (3,820 cases) in 2001 to 8.8 per 100,000 (3,453 cases) in 2010 – a drop of around 20 per cent, according to a new report by the National Cancer Intelligence Network published today.
Treatment for snail-borne schistosomiasis works best over the long haul
Watch where you jump in for a swim or where your bath water comes from, especially if you live in Africa, Asia or South America. Snails that live in tropical freshwater in these locations are intermediaries between disease-causing parasitic worms and humans.
Traceability for cancer therapy
Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have worked to establish traceability for a molecular radiotherapy treatment for patients suffering from neuroendocrine tumours.
Screening the sun: We still need to cover up, researchers say
(Medical Xpress)—Covering up and staying out of the sun for prolonged periods of time, especially in the middle of the day, is still the best way to protect ourselves from damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation, claims a University of Sydney researcher.
SIT, popular autism treatment, lacks scientific evidence
(Medical Xpress)—One of the most popular intervention therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) lacks scientific support according to a literature review published by University of Texas at Austin professor Mark O'Reilly and an international team of scientists.
New research sheds light on childhood neuromuscular disease
A study by scientists at the Motor Neuron Center at Columbia University Medical Center suggests that spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic neuromuscular disease in infants and children, results primarily from problems in the motor circuits that coordinate muscle movement. Previously, researchers thought that motor neurons or muscle cells were responsible.
Magnet ingestion injuries on the rise among children
(Medical Xpress)—With many new toys hitting store shelves this holiday season, there is a lot to consider when picking the perfect gift for a child. While young ones may be creating their wish lists with a focus on the coolest new gadgets, buyers need to pay careful attention to product warning labels regarding what is age appropriate. Cases of children swallowing toys are becoming more prevalent in emergency rooms and could lead to emergency surgery, and possible long-term hospitalization.
Homophobia in sport: Sporting identity, authoritarian aggression, and social dominance
Homophobia exists in many areas of life. It also seems to be particularly entrenched in sport, exercise and physical education (PE) settings of all kinds. But why is this the case?
Groundbreaking study that may change transplant practices
Researchers from John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, one of the nation's 50 best cancer centers, played an important role in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on October 18 that may change the current blood and marrow transplantation practices. The phase 3, multicenter study compared harvesting stem cells from bone marrow rather than blood and suggests there are benefits to both approaches, but no survival differences between the two methods.
Supplement use widespread among Americans
(HealthDay)—A new survey estimates that one in seven people in the United States regularly takes supplements that aren't vitamins or minerals—such as fish oil, echinacea or ginseng—but only 30 percent of them have had a doctor or nurse recommend supplements.
UN hails sharp decline in HIV infections in kids (Update)
Twenty-five countries, many in hard-hit Africa, have at least halved new HIV infections in the past decade, with particular progress made toward protecting children from the deadly virus, the United Nations said Tuesday.
Rituximab shows promise for clinical problems tied to antiphospholipid antibodies
Rituximab, a drug used to treat cancer and arthritis, may help patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) who suffer from aPL-related clinical problems that do not respond to anticoagulation, such as cardiac disease and kidney disease, according to a new study by rheumatology researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery. The study appears online ahead of print, in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Sweat glands play major role in healing human wounds, research shows
Turns out the same glands that make you sweat are responsible for another job vital to your health: they help heal wounds.
Gastric bypass surgery: Follow up as directed to lose more
(Medical Xpress)—Gastric bypass patients who attended five follow-up office visits in two years as recommended by their surgeons lost nearly twice as much weight (113 lbs. vs. 57 lbs.) as patients who attended only two follow-up visits, according to a University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing study in Obesity Surgery.
Dance boosts young girls' mental health
Young girls can dance their way to better mental health. Symptoms like depression, stress, fatigue, and headaches are alleviated with regular dancing. This is shown in a study run by Anna Duberg, a physical therapist at Örebro University Hospital and a doctoral candidate at Örebro University in Sweden. Regular dance training can thereby be regarded as a strategy for preventing and treating low spirits and depression. Dance also brings enhanced self-esteem and a greater capacity to deal with everyday problems.
Scientists identify inhibitor of myelin formation in the central nervous system
Scientists at the Mainz University Medical Center have discovered another molecule that plays an important role in regulating myelin formation in the central nervous system. Myelin promotes the conduction of nerve cell impulses by forming a sheath around their projections, the so-called axons, at specific locations – acting like the plastic insulation around a power cord. The research team, led by Dr. Robin White of the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, recently published their findings in the prestigious journal EMBO Reports.
Is Facebook a factor in psychotic symptoms?
As Internet access becomes increasingly widespread, so do related psychopathologies such as Internet addiction and delusions related to the technology and to virtual relationships. Computer communications such as Facebook and chat groups are an important part of this story, says Dr. Uri Nitzan of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Shalvata Mental Health Care Center in a new paper published in the Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences.
Teens in arts report depressive symptoms, study says
Teens who participate in after-school arts activities such as music, drama and painting are more likely to report feeling depressed or sad than students who are not involved in these programs, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Researchers implicate well-known protein in fibrosis
An international multi-disciplinary research team led by Northwestern Medicine scientists has uncovered a new role for the protein toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the development of tissue fibrosis, or scarring.
Music to the ears for a good night's sleep? New therapy for insomnia
If you are among the 50 percent of Americans who suffer from insomnia, then you have probably tried everything – from warm milk to melatonin pills or prescription medications to induce sleep – with varying degrees of success and side effects. But what if sleep could be achieved not by a substance, but through 'balancing' brain activity?
Reasons for severe bleeding in hemophilia revealed
New insights into what causes uncontrollable bleeding in hemophilia patients are provided in a study published by Cell Press on November 20th in the Biophysical Journal. By revealing that blood clots spread in traveling waves through vessels, the study offers new strategies that could lead to the development of more effective treatments for hemophilia as well as common cardiovascular disorders.
Researchers develop guidebook for promoting healthy lifestyles among Hispanic populations
A collaborative guidebook involving Kansas State University researchers is helping individuals, families and communities improve the health of Hispanic populations.
Impulsivity in first grade predicts problem gambling in late teen years for urban boys
Results of a new study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health indicate that a developmental pattern of impulsiveness in young males is linked with gambling problems in late adolescence. Respondents considered to be in the high impulsivity track as early as first grade doubled the odds of meeting criteria for at-risk/problem gambling, and tripled the odds of meeting criteria for problem gambling. The study is the first to link a developmental pattern of impulsivity—defined as a tendency to make rush decisions without carefully considering potential negative consequences—and late-adolescent gambling. Findings appear online in the journal Addiction.
Why do meningiomas grow during pregnancy?
Meningiomas are a common type of benign brain tumor that sometimes grows dramatically in pregnant women. A new study suggests that this sudden tumor growth likely results from "hemodynamic changes" associated with pregnancy, reports the November issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Researchers find decline in availability and use of key treatment for depression
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered the most effective treatment option for patients with severe depression who cannot find symptom relief through antidepressant medications or psychotherapy. In a new study, researchers at Butler Hospital and Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island found a sharp decline in the availability and use of ECT in general hospitals across the U.S. The findings were published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry on October 10, 2012.
New method helps target Parkinson's disease
(Medical Xpress)—Health professionals may soon have a new method of diagnosing Parkinson's disease, one that is noninvasive and inexpensive, and, in early testing, has proved to be effective more than 90 percent of the time.
Big disappointment: Citicoline does not improve functional, cognitive status in patients with traumatic brain injury
Although approved for use for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) in nearly 60 countries, use of citicoline in a randomized trial that included more than 1,200 participants with TBI did not result in improvement in functional and cognitive status, according to a study appearing in the November 21 issue of JAMA.
New test for tuberculosis could improve treatment, prevent deaths in Southern Africa
A new rapid test for tuberculosis (TB) could substantially and cost-effectively reduce TB deaths and improve treatment in southern Africa—a region where both HIV and tuberculosis are common—according to a new study by Harvard School of Public researchers.
More work needed on models to predict risk of chronic kidney disease
Models used for predicting the likelihood of individuals developing chronic kidney disease and for predicting disease progression in people who already have the condition are useful tools but not yet robust enough to help inform clinical guidelines, according to a study published in this week's PLOS Medicine.
Bristol-Pfizer anticlot drug gets key EU approval
European regulators have approved a crucial new anticlotting drug, Eliquis, for preventing strokes and dangerous clots in the circulatory system.
Novel device benefits type 3 osteogenesis imperfecta
(HealthDay)—In children with type 3 osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS), thoracic elongation surgery using a novel expandable spino-thoracic fixation device significantly improves pulmonary function, weight gain, and spinal deformities, without significant complications, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in Spine.
Increasing evidence for small airway role in asthma intensity
(HealthDay)—There is increasing evidence that the small airways contribute significantly to the clinical expression and severity of asthma, according to research published online Nov. 9 in Allergy.
Research supports role of BMI in incident asthma in children
(HealthDay)—Overweight and obese children have a significantly increased risk of incident asthma, with evidence of a dose-response effect of elevated body mass index (BMI), according to a meta-analysis published online Nov. 12 in Obesity Reviews.
YKL-40 is marker of mortality in hospitalized patients
(HealthDay)—For patients admitted to the hospital, the inflammatory biomarker YKL-40 is a strong predictor of mortality, regardless of diagnosis, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Upbeat view on old age may help seniors bounce back from disability
(HealthDay)—Seniors who tend to think of other older people as spry instead of decrepit are far more likely to bounce back after a serious disability than people with a more negative outlook, according to a new study.
Airport smoking areas expose travelers, workers to risk: CDC
(HealthDay)—Levels of secondhand smoke outside smoking rooms and other designated smoking areas in airports are five times higher than in smoke-free airports, a new U.S. study finds.
IUDs don't cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women
The risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) is very low, whether or not women have been screened beforehand for gonorrhea and chlamydia, according to a joint study of nearly 60,000 women by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research.
'Obese but happy gene' challenges the common perception of link between depression and obesity
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered new genetic evidence about why some people are happier than others.
Researchers discover generic 'white' odor Laurax
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers working at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have discovered that there exists an odor analog of the color white and the sound of white noise. They've been conducting studies on the odor, which they've named Laurax and have published a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describing their results.
Discovery of molecular pathway of Alzheimer's disease reveals new drug targets
The discovery of the molecular pathway that drives the changes seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients is reported today, revealing new targets for drug discovery that could be exploited to combat the disease. The study gives the most detailed understanding yet of the complex processes leading to Alzheimer's.
Research shows diabetes drug improves memory
An FDA-approved drug initially used to treat insulin resistance in diabetics has shown promise as a way to improve cognitive performance in some people with Alzheimer's disease.
The evolution of human intellect: Human-specific regulation of neuronal genes
A new study published November 20 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology has identified hundreds of small regions of the genome that appear to be uniquely regulated in human neurons. These regulatory differences distinguish us from other primates, including monkeys and apes, and as neurons are at the core of our unique cognitive abilities, these features may ultimately hold the key to our intellectual prowess (and also to our potential vulnerability to a wide range of 'human-specific' diseases from autism to Alzheimer's).
Human obedience: The myth of blind conformity
In the 1960s and 1970s, classic social psychological studies were conducted that provided evidence that even normal, decent people can engage in acts of extreme cruelty when instructed to do so by others. However, in an essay published November 20 in the open access journal PLOS Biology, Professors Alex Haslam and Stephen Reicher revisit these studies' conclusions and explain how awful acts involve not just obedience, but enthusiasm too—challenging the long-held belief that human beings are 'programmed' for conformity.
Researchers restore coordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury
(Medical Xpress)—In a collaboration between the University's Veterinary School and MRC's Regenerative Medicine Centre, scientists used a unique type of cell to regenerate the damaged part of the dogs' spines. The researchers are cautiously optimistic that the work could have a future role in the treatment of human patients with similar injuries if used alongside other treatments.
Biology news
Singapore gets dolphins after tussle with activists
A first batch of dolphins has arrived at a new oceanarium in Singapore after activists failed to have the animals' transfer from the Philippines blocked, officials said Tuesday.
Birds studied to understand trade-offs between reproduction, immunity
(Phys.org)—Does parenting take a toll on the immune system? If you've ever been the parent of a newborn who demanded to be fed every three to four hours, your gut instinct tells you the answer is an absolute, unequivocal yes.
Among the eagles: Deadbeat dads, nest intrusions and cheating wives
The nest sits nearly a hundred feet up in a lone loblolly pine in Richmond, where a pair of eagles makes their home along the fall line of Virginia's longest river. The James shallows out there, sliding over rocks and rapids, providing an abundance of food for the local raptors.
Culture of an amphibian killer
(Phys.org)—In the November issue of the journal Molecular Ecology, a U.S. and Brazilian research team reported evidence of novel and hybrid strains of a lethal fungus that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide. The paper, which was featured in the journal's News and Views article, reported on the genetic diversity of the fungus on introduced, native and cultivated North American bullfrogs that supply the global market for frog legs.
Researchers decode birch tree genome sequence for the first time
(Phys.org)—Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London have sequenced the genetic code of a birch tree for the first time, which could help protect British birch populations.
Dry leaves make for juicy science
A research team consisting of a University of Arizona graduate student, about 40 middle school students and a UA research lab has undertaken the first systematic study looking at how much plant leaves shrink when they dry out. The results are published in the November issue of the American Journal of Botany, one of the foremost publication venues in the botanical sciences.
Timely change for tweeters' tune: Study looks at what makes flycatchers change their song length
Do birds change their tune in response to urban noise? It depends on the bird species, according to Dr. Alejandro Ariel Ríos-Chelén from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and colleagues. Their work shows that while some birds do adapt their songs in noisy conditions by means of frequency changes, others like the vermilion flycatchers adapt their song by means of changes in song lengths.
Anthropologist studies reciprocity among chimpanzees and bonobos
When your neighbor asks to borrow a cup of sugar and you readily comply, is your positive response a function of the give and take that characterize your longstanding relationship? Or does it represent payment –– or prepayment –– for the cup of sugar you borrowed last week, or may need to borrow a month from now?
Seals gamble with their pups' futures
Some grey seal mums adopt risky tactics when it comes to the future of their young, a strategy that can give their pup a real advantage, according to scientists.
Beneficial microbes are 'selected and nurtured' in the human gut
Animals, including humans, actively select the gut microbes that are the best partners and nurture them with nutritious secretions, suggests a new study led by Oxford University, and published November 20 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.
Natural fungus may provide effective bed bug control
"And don't let the bed bugs bite" is no longer a harmless adage. In reality today, these bloodthirsty bugs infest thousands of homes. According to a team of Penn State entomologists, biopesticides—naturally occurring microorganisms—might provide an answer to this pest problem. Bed bugs need blood meals for growth and development throughout their life cycle. Increased travel, widespread insecticide resistance and changes in management practices have caused a resurgence in those insects throughout North America and Europe. Compounding the problem are concerns about the safety of using traditional chemicals in the domestic environment.
NGOs: Mexico risks corn damage if GM maize is planted
Environmentalists are warning that Mexico, the cradle of corn, risks damaging its staple if the government gives US firms the green light to plant genetically-modified maize in huge swaths of land.
Researchers show telomere lengths predict life expectancy in the wild
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that biological age and life expectancy can be predicted by measuring an individual's DNA.
New coronavirus related to viruses from bats
The virus that is causing alarm among global public health authorities after it killed a man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia earlier this year and is now linked to two other cases of disease is a novel type of coronavirus most closely related to viruses found in bats, according to a genetic analysis to be published in mBio on November 20. Researchers studied the genome of the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus in detail to learn about its relatedness to other viruses and about possible sources. The results of the sequencing and analysis could be used to develop diagnostic methods and possibly in creating therapies and vaccines if they are eventually needed for this emerging disease.
How does antibiotic resistance spread? Scientists find answers in the nose
(Phys.org)—Antibiotic resistance results from bacteria's uncanny ability to morph and adapt, outwitting pharmaceuticals that are supposed to kill them. But exactly how the bacteria acquire and spread that resistance inside individuals carrying them is not well-established for most bacterial organisms.
Today's domestic turkeys are genetically distinct from wild ancestors, researchers find
(Phys.org)—No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a succulent roasted turkey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that consumers cook and eat more than 45 million turkeys every Thanksgiving. Very few Americans, however, know much about the difference between their gravy-smothered poultry and the poultry that earlier generations of Americans ate to celebrate the holiday.
Cutting Bergmann's Rule down to size
(Phys.org)—Matan Shelomi, a doctoral candidate in entomology at the University of California, Davis, is cutting Bergmann's Rule down to size.
More than a machine: Ribosome regulates viral protein synthesis, revealing potential therapeutic target
Viruses can be elusive quarry. RNA viruses are particularly adept at defeating antiviral drugs because they are so inaccurate in making copies of themselves. With at least one error in every genome they copy, viral genomes are moving targets for antiviral drugs, creating resistant mutants as they multiply. In the best-known example of success against retroviruses, it takes multiple-drug cocktails to corner HIV and narrow its escape route.
Engineered bacteria can make the ultimate sacrifice
Scientists have engineered bacteria that are capable of sacrificing themselves for the good of the bacterial population. These altruistically inclined bacteria, which are described online in the journal Molecular Systems Biology, can be used to demonstrate the conditions where programmed cell death becomes a distinct advantage for the survival of the bacterial population.
Algae can draw energy from other plants
Flowers need water and light to grow. Even children learn that plants use sunlight to gather energy from earth and water. Members of Professor Dr. Olaf Kruse's biological research team at Bielefeld University have made a groundbreaking discovery that one plant has another way of doing this. They have confirmed for the first time that a plant, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, not only engages in photosynthesis, but also has an alternative source of energy: it can draw it from other plants. This finding could also have a major impact on the future of bioenergy.
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