Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 6, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Cosmic GDP crashes 97% as star formation slumps- A step toward stronger polymers: Counting loops that weaken materials could help researchers eliminate structural flaws
- Yamaha-frame bike with scuba tank makes Dyson shortlist
- X-ray 'prism' explores chemical changes at the molecular scale
- Researchers detect the brightest flare ever observed in our galaxy's black hole
- A new computational method for timing the tree of life
- Strange diet for methane consuming microorganisms
- Team finds a new way to inhibit blood clotting and inflammation
- Early treatment sparks striking brain changes in autism
- New study reveals challenge facing designers of future computer chips
- Skype replaces Microsoft Messenger for online calls
- Vote glitch reports pile up in US election (Update)
- Researchers quantify how many years of life are gained by being physically active
- Breast cancer drug geldanamycin could halt other tumors
- Researchers explore nickel's love-hate relationship with battery electrodes
Space & Earth news
US urges Laos to address mega dam concerns
The United States urged caution on plans by Laos to build a multibillion-dollar dam that has raised environmental concerns from neighboring nations, saying its impact was still "unknown."
The Phosphorus Index: Changes afoot
Phosphorus (P) is both an essential nutrient in agricultural fields and a contributor to poor water quality in surface waters. To encourage improved P management in fields, the P Index was proposed as a risk assessment tool in 1992. After 20 years of use, modifications, and growing pains, does the P Index accurately assess the risk of P loss?
Linking taxes to environmental benefits makes fees more palatable to consumers
A majority of Norwegians would accept increased climate taxes – if the taxes are understood as targeting specific environmental purposes. Earmarking of the revenues could help to gain public acceptance for such taxes.
Spectacular 360-degree 3-D panorama from Apollo 16
Dealing with those who think the Apollo Moon landings never happened can be frustrating. Most of us just throw up our hands in exasperation, but Italian amateur astronomer Roberto Beltramini came up with a better idea: create a full 360-degree 3-D panorama of images from Apollo 16 to show "the true depth of the views taken by astronauts Apollo," he said. "What better proof? This was the motivation that prompted me to start, but the spectacle and the interest in new ways of seeing the [Moon's] wilderness, made me go farther."
Firestation: Preparing to study lightning
(Phys.org)—An experiment to study the effects of lightning flashes on Earth's atmosphere has taken its first steps on its journey to space. The Firestation experiment has undergone numerous tests to make sure it's ready for flight. It left NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. in July 2012 for Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas for vibration tests. From there it moved to Langley Research Center in Va. to make sure it could withstand the rigors of temperature changes and the vacuum it will experience in space. Soon it will ship to Kennedy Space Center in Fl. for a last round of communication systems testing, before being shipped to Japan for a launch currently scheduled for July 2013.
Total solar eclipse in Australia, Nov. 14
(Phys.org)—A total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from the northeastern Australia coast, along the Great Barrier Reef, about an hour after sunrise on November 14 there, which corresponds to the afternoon of Tuesday, November 13, in the United States. Jay Pasachoff, Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy at Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts) and Chair of the International Astronomical Union's Working Group on Eclipses [http://sites.williams.edu/iau-eclipses], is in Australia for viewing his 56th solar eclipse, working with about two dozen colleagues and students on their scientific observations. Pasachoff is currently based at Caltech in Pasadena, California, on sabbatical leave.
Night-time view of Aurora
(Phys.org)—Overnight on October 4-5, 2012, a mass of energetic particles from the atmosphere of the Sun were flung out into space, a phenomenon known as a coronal mass ejection. Three days later, the storm from the Sun stirred up the magnetic field around Earth and produced gorgeous displays of northern lights. NASA satellites track such storms from their origin to their crossing of interplanetary space to their arrival in the atmosphere of Earth.
Earth on acid: The present and future of global acidification
Climate change and extreme weather events grab the headlines, but there is another, lesser known, global change underway on land, in the seas, and in the air: acidification.
Good news for coast: Nor'easter to weaken
Northeast coastal residents got some good news Tuesday. Weather experts say that a new storm that threatens to complicate Hurricane Sandy cleanup efforts on Wednesday now looks like it will be weaker than expected.
Indian monsoon failure more frequent with warming
Global warming could cause frequent and severe failures of the Indian summer monsoon in the next two centuries, new research suggests.
Scientists reveal how soil and stone mixture determine Congo tree mix
Variations in the soil and stone beneath it are the biggest factor behind which trees grow where in the rainforests of the Congo basin, a new study has found.
NASA radar images asteroid 2007 PA8
(Phys.org)—Scientists working with NASA's 230-foot-wide (70-meter) Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, Calif., have obtained several radar images depicting near-Earth asteroid 2007 PA8. The images were generated from data collected at Goldstone on Oct. 28, 29 and 30, 2012. The asteroid's distance from Earth on Oct. 28 was 6.5 million miles (10 million kilometers). The asteroid's distance to Earth was 5.6 million miles (9 million kilometers) on Oct. 30. The perspective in the images is analogous to seeing the asteroid from above its north pole. Each of the three images is shown at the same scale.
2011 Virginia quake triggered landslides at extraordinary distances
The 2011 Mineral, Virginia M-5.8 earthquake was felt over an extraordinarily large area. A new study details landslides triggered by the earthquake at distances four times greater and over an area 20 times larger than previously documented for M-5.8 earthquakes worldwide.
Strange diet for methane consuming microorganisms
Methane is formed under the absence of oxygen by natural biological and physical processes, e.g. in the sea floor. It is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Thanks to the activity of microorganisms this gas is inactivated before it reaches the atmosphere and unfolds its harmful effects on Earth's climate. Researchers from Bremen have now proven that these microorganisms are quite picky about their diet.
Researchers detect the brightest flare ever observed in our galaxy's black hole
As black holes go, Sagittarius A* is relatively low-key. The black hole at the center of our galaxy emits very little energy for its size, giving off roughly as much energy as the sun, even though it is 4 billion times as massive.
Cosmic GDP crashes 97% as star formation slumps
(Phys.org)—While parts of the world experience economic hardship, a team of Portuguese, UK, Japanese, Italian and Dutch astronomers has found an even bigger slump happening on a cosmic scale. In the largest ever study of its kind, the international team of astronomers has established that the rate of formation of new stars in the Universe is now only 1/30th of its peak and that this decline is only set to continue. The team, led by David Sobral of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, published their results in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Technology news
Megaupload boss aims to lie low
Flamboyant Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom has vowed to lie low as he awaits a US attempt to extradite him from New Zealand, fearing a backlash after making a series of high-profile announcements.
Australian university joins Stanford's open-source online platform
Class2Go, developed by a group of Stanford engineers, will be the basis for online courses at the University of Western Australia accessible through mobile devices. The mobile app will then be available for use by Stanford – and anyone else.
Imec reports customized lenslet array for KLA-Tencor's advanced e-beam tool
Imec announces that it has designed and fabricated an electrostatic micro-lens (lenslet) array for KLA-Tencor's anticipated Reflective Electron Beam Lithography (REBL) tool. The REBL technology potentially enables a high throughput e-beam writing process for maskless lithography. The lenslet array is a key component for the parallelization of the e-beam writing process. Functionality of the lenslet chip was demonstrated in KLA-Tencor's REBL e-beam column.
AOL rallies on results surprise
AOL said Tuesday it made a profit of $20.8 million in the third quarter as the struggling Internet firm stemmed a seven-year decline in revenues.
Americans take to Twitter to show they voted
Americans took to Twitter in droves Tuesday to post photos of themselves casting ballots in the long-awaited presidential election, sporting "I voted" stickers and urging others to do the same.
Google 'open to mediation' in France revenue row
Google said on Tuesday it was open to the idea of appointing a mediator to help end its bitter row with French news media sites that want to make the US Internet giant pay to display links to their content.
Man arrested over British government cyber-attack
British police on Tuesday arrested a man over an alleged cyber-attack on the websites of Home Secretary Theresa May and her interior ministry.
"Halo" videogame aims for launch-day glory
Blockbuster videogame "Halo" on Tuesday took on new life with the release of a sequel so hotly anticipated that launch day revenue was expected to eclipse anything seen in the industry this year.
Hertz to recycle all its tires
Do you have any idea what happens to the tires when you junk your car? I didn't think so. What about the 1.2 million tires on the 300,000 cars that are in the Hertz rental car fleet at any one time? I didn't think you had the answer there, either.
Multi-band, portable sensor to provide clear imagery to warfighters
It is often the case with new military technologies that warfighters need to adjust to their equipment to access needed capabilities. As missions shift, however, and warfighters are required to work in smaller teams and access more remote locations, it is technology that must adapt if it is to remain useful. Desirable features for many new man-portable systems include small size, light weight, minimal power consumption, low cost, ease of use, multi-functionality and, to the extent possible, network friendliness.
How Google sees the race: Search data sheds light on likely voters
As the dust settles after the presidential election, pundits and politicians from both sides of the aisle will begin the work of analyzing the results, trying to determine which issues tipped the scales and where the candidates went right or wrong.
Scientists team up with Google to deliver data to land managers
Detailed satellite imagery about Australian landscapes will soon be only a button push away for land managers in community and non-profit sectors thanks to a partnership between Australian scientists and Google, announced last night in Sydney.
Meeting the future demand for high-quality, high-capacity Internet
(Phys.org)—Could you use a broadband service that is two thousand times faster, but costs you the same? A revolutionary "future-proof" technology, first proposed by Bangor University, is the front-runner in satisfying future demand for dramatically increased internet speeds and capacity.
Fuel economy at all-time high, researchers find
(Phys.org)—Fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States is at its highest level ever, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
High-tech tools tackle wind farm performance
From a distance, a wind farm can seem almost placid, turbines turning slowly, steadily, churning out electricity. But there's more to it than meets the eye.
1.2 billion smartphones, tablets to sell in 2013: survey
Global sales of "smart devices," which include smartphones and tablets, will hit 821 million worldwide this year and 1.2 billion in 2013, a research firm said Tuesday.
Gabon to suspend new Megaupload site
Gabon's government said Tuesday it was suspending the website www.me.ga, which Internet tycoon Kim Dotcom had planned to use to launch a new version of his defunct Megaupload file-sharing site.
Microsoft to add Kinect Fusion to Kinect for Windows SDK
(Phys.org)—Senior Program Manager for Microsoft's Kinect for Windows, Chris White recently announced via a blog post that Kinect Fusion will soon be incorporated into the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit (SDK). The announcement means that third party developers will soon be able to create 3D modeling applications based on Microsoft's Kinect motion sensing device.
Hypergravity helping aircraft fly further
(Phys.org)—ESA research has helped to develop an aircraft-grade alloy that is twice as light as conventional nickel superalloys while offering equally good properties. The path to creating this alloy required research under all types of gravity.
Skype replaces Microsoft Messenger for online calls
Microsoft on Tuesday announced that recently-acquired Skype will replace its Messenger online chat service.
Vote glitch reports pile up in US election (Update)
Voting went smoothly in Tuesday's US elections, except when it didn't. Some computer problems, as well as human ones, drew complaints across the country as millions of Americans went to the polls.
Yamaha-frame bike with scuba tank makes Dyson shortlist
(Phys.org)—Look what an Australian designer would like us to roll with in a no-emissions future: A motorcycle powered by nothing but air. Adding to a growing portfolio of ideas centered around compressed-air engines, this good-looking entry is called the 02 Pursuit. As an alternative-fuel bike, it reaches impressive speeds, given that is powered by a tank of compressed air. Opened up all the way, according to claims, the O2 Pursuit can do over 60 miles on a single tank and can zoom past trees and mountains at 87 mph. The obvious advantage to electric bikes would be that this Pursuit cycle would not require the big heavy batteries, long re-charging waits, and thoughts about battery disposal.
Medicine & Health news
Egg freezing producing more births than when fresh eggs used, study finds
Advances in egg freezing techniques are producing pregnancy rates and healthy babies comparable to the rates seen with in vitro fertilization (IVF) using fresh eggs, according to a recent report by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). The report also removed the word "experimental" when talking about egg freezing and officially sanctioned the techniques as viable and proven options for young women whose medical treatments may endanger their fertility.
Inequality faced by parents with intellectual disabilities
The federal government and five state governments in Australia have now apologised for forced adoption of babies from mothers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. During those times there was a belief that young and unmarried women were and 'incapable' of parenting.
HF patients treated by a cardiologist, rather than hospitalist, have fewer readmissions
When a cardiologist attends to heart failure patients, even when the severity of illness is higher, patients have reduced rates of hospital readmissions, compared with those patients who are treated by a hospitalist, according to a trial being presented today at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions in Los Angeles.
Imaging speeds early diagnosis of heart disease, the top killer in the Western world
The most up-to-date imaging techniques for the early diagnosis of heart disease will be presented and discussed at EUROECHO and other Imaging Modalities 2012. The annual meeting of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), takes place during 5-8 December in Athens, Greece, at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre.
A new development in the relief of spasms related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with an occurrence rate in France similar to multiple sclerosis (two to three new cases per year for every 100,000 residents). It has a specific affect on neurons responsible for motor control, in particular motor neurones and central motor neurones. The former, located in the spinal cord, are directly linked to muscles and are used for muscle contraction and stretching. The latter, located in the brain, receive movement orders. As the disease develops, the neurons degenerate and the muscles are no longer stimulated and stop working. Movements, walking and speech become increasingly difficult and patients tend to pass away an average of two to five years after diagnosis, generally due to respiratory failure.
Darfur yellow fever deaths double to 67: UN agency
The number of people believed to have died from mosquito-borne yellow fever in Sudan's conflict-plagued Darfur region has doubled to 67, health officials said on Tuesday.
HTN risk up for african-american live kidney donors
(HealthDay)—African-American live kidney donors have a significantly increased risk of hypertension compared with non-donors, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Researchers find earliest known signs of Alzheimer's in people with genetic mutation that causes inherited form
Researchers have found the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease yet detected in a group of people with a rare, inherited form of the disease, according to two Articles published in The Lancet Neurology. The findings raise important questions about scientists' understanding of how, and why, Alzheimer's disease progresses, and could ultimately lead to improved early detection and better clinical trials of preventative treatments.
Pain management varies among palliative care centers
(HealthDay)—The management of pain outcomes for terminally ill cancer patients varies widely between inpatient palliative care centers and is affected by organizational factors such as human resources adequacy, according to a study published in the Nov. 15 issue of Cancer.
Online and offline sexual risk behaviors related in teens
(HealthDay)—Although a minority of adolescents are at high risk for online sexual risk behaviors (OnSRB), these teenagers appear to also be at risk for offline sexual risk behaviors (OffSRB), according to research published online Nov. 5 in Pediatrics.
Losing weight may lower cardiac risks
(HealthDay)— Overweight or obese people who lose weight through a low-carb or low-fat diet can also significantly reduce inflammation throughout their body, which could help lower risks for heart disease, a new study says.
Is your memory playing tricks on you? Check your medicine cabinet
Common medication to treat insomnia, anxiety, itching or allergies can have a negative impact on memory or concentration in the elderly, according to Dr. Cara Tannenbaum, Research Chair at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (IUGM, Montreal Geriatric University Institute) and Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Montreal (UdeM). Up to ninety percent of people over the age of 65 take at least one prescription medication. Eighteen percent of people in this age group complain of memory problems and are found to have mild cognitive deficits. Research suggests there may be a link between the two.
Study: Stem cells from strangers can repair hearts
Researchers are reporting a key advance in using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by heart attacks. In a study, stem cells donated by strangers proved as safe and effective as patients' own cells for helping restore heart tissue.
Sick building syndrome: Uncomfortable indoor environments linked to migraines
(Medical Xpress)—Office workers may suffer more intense migraines and more frequent headaches due to an uncomfortable indoor environment, more commonly known as sick building syndrome, says a new report from Ball State University.
Smokers leave a history of their addiction in DNA
Smokers are leaving a history of addiction in their DNA that may help to measure their risk of cancer, according to research presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference today.
Three-in-one 'supermolecule' could detect cancer early, help destroy tumours and monitor treatment
The same protein could potentially be targeted to detect precancerous breast cells; deliver radiotherapy to destroy tumours; and monitor the effectiveness of treatment, according to a Cancer Research UK study presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference in Liverpool today. Oxford University scientists at the Cancer Research UK/MRC Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology showed in the laboratory that a technique monitoring high levels of a protein called Gamma H2AX, found in many pre-cancerous cell types including breast, lung and skin cancer, could be used to detect cancer early.
Scientists tackle Huntington's disease by targeting mutant gene
Huntington's disease is an inherited, neurodegenerative disorder that usually appears in mid-adult life and leads to uncoordinated body movements and cognitive decline. The disease is due to multiple repetitions of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence (i.e. the nucleotides CAG) in the gene encoding the 'Huntingtin' protein. This sequence is present more than 35 times in patients suffering from this disease, while it is repeated 10 to 29 times in healthy patients. In a recent study, published in the journal PNAS, researchers in Spain succeeded in reducing the chromosomal expression of the mutant gene, which could potentially hinder disease development.
People more likely to take heart medicines in combo pill
People are much more likely to take heart medicines if they're combined in one pill, according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
Changes in carotid artery during menopausal transition may predispose women to higher risk of cardiovascular disease
Substantial changes in the diameter and thickness of a section of carotid artery in perimenopausal women may indicate a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
Researchers explore benefits of 'social medicines'
'Social medicines' are beneficial to the health and wellbeing of individuals and the population. By combining social and biological information from UK Longitudinal studies (life-course studies) researchers have identified that the more 'social medicines' you have, the better your physical and mental health. These include a stable family life, stress free childhood, alcohol free culture for young people, secure and rewarding employment, positive relationships with friends and neighbours, and a socially active old age.
Fewer than 25 percent of Americans walk for more than ten continuous minutes in a week, study finds
Many people in the U.S. do not walk, bike or engage in other forms of active transportation, missing an important opportunity to improve their cardiovascular health, concludes a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Information aids influence more to get screened for colon cancer
People who are given information tools to help them decide whether to have a colorectal cancer screening test are more likely to request the procedure, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Surprising findings from Exome Sequencing Project reported
A multi-institutional team of researchers has sequenced the DNA of 6,700 exomes, the portion of the genome that contains protein-coding genes, as part of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-funded Exome Sequencing Project, one of the largest medical sequencing studies ever undertaken.
Drug trio improved effectiveness of cancer treatment, protected heart
Combining cancer medication with a drug for erectile dysfunction and one for heart transplants helped kill cancer cells and protected the heart from damage, in a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
Heart-related deaths increase in winter regardless of climate
No matter what climate you live in, you're more likely to die of heart-related issues in the winter, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
High blood pressure in young adults likely to go undiagnosed
Adults 18-24 years old with high blood pressure were 28 percent less likely to be diagnosed during doctor visits than those 60 and older, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
Telltale visible signs of aging may predict heart disease
If you look old, your heart may feel old, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
New study finds that 75 percent of patients taking popular blood-thinners are getting wrong dose
Cardiology researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute have found that approximately 75 percent of patients taking two common blood-thinning drugs may be receiving the wrong dosage levels, according to a new study.
2 years out, patients receiving stem cell therapy show sustained heart function improvement
Marked sustained improvement in all patients with zero adverse effects. For a phase I clinical trial, these results are the Holy Grail. Yet researchers from the University of Louisville and Brigham and Women's Hospital today reported just such almost-never-attained data.
Two studies show power of epidemiology research: Underscore need to address health disparities
Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL)—which will be presented at the American Heart Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on Nov. 5 and published in the Nov. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)—finds heart disease risk factors are widespread among Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States.
Discovery may help nerve regeneration in spinal injury
Scientists at the Universities of Liverpool and Glasgow have uncovered a possible new method of enhancing nerve repair in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
Strong tobacco control policies in Brazil credited for more than 400,000 lives saved
High cigarette prices, smoke-free air laws, marketing restrictions and other measures, all part of Brazil's strong tobacco control policies, are credited for a 50 percent reduction in smoking prevalence between 1989 and 2010. The reduction contributed to an estimated 420,000 lives saved during that time period. Those are the findings of a new study published today in PLOS Medicine by a team of researchers from Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.
Researchers discover immune pathway
Researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark, have now discovered an important mechanism behind one of our most fundamental lines of immune function. The discovery has been published in the esteemed scientific journal, The Journal of Immunology, where it has been highlighted as a top story.
Long shifts lead to nurse burnout and dissatisfied patients
Extended work shifts of twelve hours or longer are common and popular among hospital staff nurses, but a new study reports that nurses working longer shifts were more likely to experience burnout, job dissatisfaction, and patients were more dissatisfied with their care.
Rebuilding a whole heart for children born with only half of one
Using a combination of surgical procedures developed over the last 11 years, surgeons at Boston Children's Hospital have established a new approach for rebuilding the heart in children born with a severe heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This "staged left ventricle recruitment" (SLVR) strategy uses the existing standard single-ventricle treatment for HLHS and additional procedures to spur the body's capacity for healing and growth and encourage the small left ventricle in these children to grow and function.
Losing protein helps heart recover, scientists say
When a person has a heart attack, portions of the heart muscle die in the next several days or even weeks if deprived of oxygen for long enough. The recovering heart slowly remodels itself, even fostering the growth of new blood vessels, in an attempt to regain some of its former function. But all too often, the remodeling is actually harmful, and the damaged heart is on an inevitable downward slide to heart failure.
Temple researchers show targeted cancer drug may stunt heart's ability to repair itself
Scientists for the first time have evidence showing how a widely used type of "targeted" cancer drug can be dangerous to the heart.
Combating a crisis: Global burden of preterm birth can be reduced if critical actions are taken
New surveys of researchers and funders reveal a lack of consensus regarding researching and developing interventions to prevent prematurity and stillbirth, according to an article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ahead of World Prematurity Day on November 17.
New study could lead to preeclampsia prevention
Excessive turnover of cells in the placenta may trigger an unnatural increase in blood pressure that puts mother and baby at risk, researchers say.
Cancer data in the 'cloud' could lead to more effective treatment
Storing music and photos on distant computers via "cloud" technology is nothing new. But Johns Hopkins researchers are now using this tactic to collect detailed information from thousands of cancer cell samples. The goal is to help doctors make better predictions about how a patient's illness will progress and what type of treatment will be most effective.
New drug significantly lowers bad cholesterol
For many people with high cholesterol, statins serve as the first line of treatment. However, some patients are unable to effectively reduce their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) or "bad cholesterol" levels with statins, the most commonly used medication to treat high cholesterol, due to their bodies' inability to tolerate or sufficiently respond to the medicine.
New monoclonal antibody inhibits tumor growth in advanced solid tumors in phase I clinical trial
A newly developed antibody targeting a signalling pathway that is frequently active in solid tumours has shown encouraging signs of efficacy in its first trial in humans, researchers will report at the 24th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Dublin, Ireland, today (Wednesday).
Scientists test 5,000 combinations of 100 existing cancer drugs to find more effective treatments
Scientists in the United States have tested all possible pairings of the 100 cancer drugs approved for use in patients in order to discover whether there are any combinations not tried previously that are effective in certain cancers.
QoL up for live liver donors versus general population
(HealthDay)—Living liver donors from Japan have higher health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than the Japanese norm population, according to a study published in the November issue of Liver Transplantation.
Few PT interventions effective for knee osteoarthritis
(HealthDay)—Only a few physical therapy (PT) interventions are effective for knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis, specifically exercise and ultrasonography, according to a review published in the Nov. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Hedgehog pathway key in tamoxifen-resistant breast CA
(HealthDay)—Noncanonical Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is activated in tamoxifen-resistant tumors, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway plays a key role protecting Hh signaling molecules, according to a study published in the Oct. 1 issue of Cancer Research.
Antirheumatic drugs have minor effect on preeclampsia risk
(HealthDay)—The use of a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) during pregnancy is rare and is associated with a nonsignificant increase in the risk for preeclampsia in women with autoimmune disease, according to a study published in the November issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Popular diabetes meds put to the test
(HealthDay)—Patients with diabetes who were treated with the popular oral medication metformin face a lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death than those taking sulfonylureas, another common option, according to a large, multi-year study.
Keep moving to ease pain of knee arthritis, review says
(HealthDay)—Adults with painful osteoarthritis of the knee should turn to exercise—aerobic, aquatic or strength training—as a good nonsurgical way to ease their pain and improve their functioning, a new review suggests.
Losing weight may improve sleep quality
(HealthDay)—Losing weight can help people who are overweight get a better night's sleep, according to a new study.
Women, young adults misinterpret chest pain, study finds
(HealthDay)—Women with chest pain are more likely than men to wait more than a day to seek care, a new study finds.
Virtual reality could help people lose weight, fight prejudice, research says
(Medical Xpress)—Internet-based interactive games and social media outlets have become intertwined with the physical realities of millions of people around the world. When an individual strongly identifies with the cyber representation of themselves, known as an avatar, the electronic doppelganger can influence that person's health and appearance, according to a University of Missouri researcher's study. Harnessing the power of the virtual world could lead to new forms of obesity treatment and help break down racial and sexual prejudices.
Understanding insulin resistance; Precursor to diabetes can be reversed
Though you may not be living with diabetes, your body could be battling against the hormone insulin. The condition, called insulin resistance, occurs when insulin can't effectively do its job.
Research finds children living at high altitude at higher risk of mental development delays
(Medical Xpress)—George Wehby from the University of Iowa has been conducting a study to discover adverse mental development effects on toddlers and babies due to living at high altitudes. He's found, as he describes in his paper published in the Journal of Pediatrics that children living above 8,530 feet were twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing delays in their mental development as those living at or below 2,625 feet.
Researchers quantify how many years of life are gained by being physically active
In a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, researchers have quantified how many years of life are gained by being physically active at different levels, among all individuals as well as among various groups with different body mass index.
Team finds a new way to inhibit blood clotting and inflammation
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists have identified a group of small molecules that interfere with the activity of a compound that initiates multiple steps in blood clotting, including those that lead to the obstruction of veins or arteries, a condition called thrombosis. Blocking the activity of this compound, polyphosphate, could treat thrombosis with fewer bleeding side effects than the drugs that are currently on the market.
Early treatment sparks striking brain changes in autism
When given early treatment, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) made significant improvements in behavior, communication, and most strikingly, brain function, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study.
Breast cancer drug geldanamycin could halt other tumors
A drug commonly used in treating breast cancer could have far wider benefits, offering a new way of preventing cancers spreading through the body, according to a University of Leeds-led study.
Biology news
Shortage of plant disease experts threatens tree and crop health, report finds
Plant pathology has been lost completely or greatly reduced at 11 universities and colleges while fewer than half the institutions which teach biology, agriculture or forestry offer courses in plant pathology, according to a recently published report led by University of Bristol academics.
UK: Call for national guidelines to protect birds and bats from turbines
Scientists at the University of Stirling are calling for national guidelines to be drawn up to protect bats and birds from domestic wind turbine developments.
Most animal relocations unjustified or poorly designed, research finds
(Phys.org)—Moving animals for conservation is not a panacea. This is what Irene Pérez and colleagues from Arizona State University and several Spanish institutions have concluded after evaluating 280 published translocation projects worldwide and 107 unpublished Spanish projects.
The genetics of molecular evolution
A team of scientists researching the effect of long-term molecular evolution (the study of DNA, RNA and proteins) have produced findings which suggest most amino-acid substitutions have different fitness effects in different species. This is an important breakthrough as there is now evidence to show that a genetic background determines whether a modification, which is the main factor regulating evolution at the level of proteins, is beneficial, harmful or inconsequential.
Anthrax kills 30 hippos in S. Africa's Kruger park
An outbreak of anthrax has killed at least 30 hippopotamus in South Africa's famed Kruger National Park wildlife reserve, the country's parks authority said on Tuesday.
How bacteria talk to each other and our cells
Bacteria can talk to each other via molecules they themselves produce. The phenomenon is called quorum sensing, and is important when an infection propagates. Now, researchers at Linköping University in Sweden are showing how bacteria control processes in human cells the same way.
Self-fertilizing worms lose thousands of active genes in reproduction process
(Phys.org)—A new University of Maryland study of worms that reproduce without a mate shows that not only have these creatures lost their mojo in the dating game of evolution, they've lost thousands of genes as a consequence.
Key to survival of forest giants revealed
(Phys.org)—Anyone flying into Melbourne from the east notices the thousands of hectares of dead Mountain Ash trees that were killed in the 2009 Black Saturday fires, which marked the culmination of an extended heatwave.
A new computational method for timing the tree of life
With its deeply embedded roots, sturdy trunk and dense profusion of branches, the Tree of Life is a structure of nearly unfathomable complexity and beauty. While major strides have been made to establish the evolutionary hierarchy encompassing every living species, the project is still in its infancy.
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