Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 7, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Off the grid: Environmental novelty changes hippocampal firing patterns- Saber-toothed cats and bear dogs: How they made cohabitation work
- Long-abandoned bacterial fermentation process converts sugar directly to diesel
- Small lethal tools have big implications for early modern human complexity
- Quantum kisses change the color of nothing
- Butterfly wings inspire new high-tech surfaces
- Activating the 'mind's eye': Scientists teach blind to read, recognize objects with sounds (w/ Video)
- Implantable medical devices powered by the ear itself
- New tests of nanostructured material could lead to better armor
- Sugar boosts self-control, study says
- Swiss firm says its new switch to aid green energy (Update)
- 2012 US election a 'Moneyball' win for geeks
- Structure of a bond formed by two proteins critical for hearing and balance described for the first time
- Loss of essential blood cell gene leads to anemia
- When parasites catch viruses
Space & Earth news
Specialist measurement facilities and techniques developed at NPL crucial in the development new communication
The satellite, HYLAS 2, was built for Avanti Communications plc, a UK-based provider of data communications by satellite. NPL characterised two dual port circularly polarised probes for Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), the US-based company Avanti contracted to build the satellite. HYLAS 2 will provide communications capacity to consumers, enterprises, mobile carriers and governments covering Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East regions.
Forest soil erosion in the wake of major bushfires
Researchers from Australia and the UK tracing soil in one of the areas affected in the 'Black Saturday' bushfires in Victoria have shown how nuclear science can explain the environmental impact of soil erosion.
Smog in Indian capital blamed on vehicle increase
A choking smog that has enveloped New Delhi for more than a week has been partially caused by a rapid increase in vehicles on the streets of India's capital, environmentalists said Wednesday.
Researchers develop tool to assess regional risks of climate change, potential impacts on infrastructure and planning
Climate scientists cannot attribute any single weather event—whether a drought, wildfire or extreme storm—to climate change. But extreme events, such as Hurricane Sandy, are glimpses of the types of occurrences the world could be more vulnerable to in the future. As the devastation left by Sandy continues to reverberate, decision-makers at every level are asking: How can we be better prepared?
The limitations of climate models
(Phys.org)—How accurate is the latest generation of climate models? Climate physicist Reto Knutti from ETH Zurich has compared them with old models and draws a differentiated conclusion: while climate modelling has made substantial progress in recent years, we also need to be aware of its limitations.
Sandy prompts renewed interest and concern in climate change
Superstorm Sandy's hurricane winds and torrential downpours killed at least 106 people, left millions without power, and caused billions of dollars in damage. It also got people—including the mayor of New York—talking again about climate change.
Geologist calls for advances in restoration sedimentology
Rapid advances in the new and developing field of restoration sedimentology will be needed to protect the world's river deltas from an array of threats, Indiana University Bloomington geologist Douglas A. Edmonds writes in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Drifting word clouds may change perceptions of climate science
The impact of climate science research on society is likely to depend on regular fashion cycles in the public's use of specific keywords relating to climate change, according to new research from the University of Bristol, published today in PLoS ONE.
Unexpectedly large sunlight reflecting impact of big particles in a clean sky
(Phys.org)—A few large particles in a crowd of tiny ones have often been ignored when calculating the amount of sunlight bounced back into space in clean-sky conditions. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that these "giant" particles have a larger-than-expected impact on the amount of sunlight reflected away from Earth, by as much as 45 percent. They also showed that particles larger than one micron (0.000039 inch) occur much more frequently than expected, up to 85 percent of the time.
NASA's space launch system using futuristic technology to build the next generation of rockets
(Phys.org)—NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. is using a method called selective laser melting, or SLM, to create intricate metal parts for America's next heavy-lift rocket. Using this state-of-the-art technique will benefit the agency by saving millions in manufacturing costs.
Curiosity team switches back to Earth time
(Phys.org)—After three months working on "Mars time," the team operating NASA Mars rover Curiosity has switched to more regular hours, as planned.
Technology news
How computational scientists are rethinking US elections, and making e-commerce smarter
Though voters may have tired of the U.S. election season well before November 6, there's some solace to be found in the fact that the voting itself typically lasts only a day.
NJIT professor promotes building material of millennium: Autoclave aerated concrete
Although widespread rebuilding in the hard-hit New York metro region from Super Storm Sandy has not yet begun, NJIT Assistant Professor Mohamed Mahgoub, PhD, PE, says when the hammers start swinging, it's time to look at autoclaved aerated concrete.
Egypt prosecutor orders Internet porn ban
Egypt's state prosecutor on Wednesday ordered a ban on Internet pornography, after a previous court order to do so was not implemented.
Pow! Superheroes jump from print to tablets
These superheroes will still save the day, but in digital format.
Election most tweeted event in US political history
Election day in the United States became the most tweeted about event in US political history Tuesday with enthusiastic netizens firing off 20 million poll-related tweets, the social network said.
Google gives search results more room
Google began Tuesday serving up revamped search pages that give results more room by shifting the tools menu to the top of the screen.
Semiconductor devices: Under mounting stress
The recently developed ability to measure physical changes in silicon when processed into microelectronic devices could improve fabrication techniques for even smaller circuits.
Sprint buying some US Cellular markets for $480M
(AP)—Sprint says it's reached a deal to buy U.S. Cellular markets in the Midwest for $480 million to boost its network capacity as it upgrades its network.
AT&T, govt reach deal on data plan complaints
(AP)—AT&T is agreeing to pay the federal government $700,000 and offer refunds to customers for mistakenly forcing some smartphone users into monthly data plans.
Ultrasensitive photon hunter
When it comes to imaging, every single photon counts if there is barely any available light. This is the point where the latest technologies often reach their limits. Researchers have now developed a diode that can read photons faster than ever before.
AT&T to expand wireless, wired broadband reach
AT&T says it will expand the reach of its U-Verse wired high-speed broadband service and its "4G LTE" wireless broadband network beyond previous plans.
Apple shares drop 20 percent from peak
Apple's stock is falling along with a sell-off in the broader market.
Obama's victory photo most retweeted, shared ever
A moving photo posted by President Barack Obama on his Twitter and Facebook pages just as TV networks announced his victory has made social media history as the most retweeted and shared ever.
Apple targets Google in patent suit
A US judge on Wednesday was considering a request by Apple that would pull Google from the sidelines in a long-running patent war with Samsung over mobile gadgets powered by Android software.
AT&T to invest $14 bn in US networks
AT&T on Wednesday announced a $14 billion plan over three years to upgrade its networks, much of it to boost wireless high-speed Internet in the United States.
Green cars ready to race in 2nd Atacama solar challenge
Eighteen solar-powered cars from Chile, Argentina, Venezuela and India will race across 1,300 kilometers of Chile's uber-dry Atacama desert for this year's "Atacama Solar Challenge."
Pacific's Tokelau in world first solar switch
The remote Pacific islands of Tokelau have become the first territory in the world to generate their electricity entirely from solar energy, in a project hailed as an environmental milestone.
Apple ordered to pay $368 million in patent case
Apple has been ordered to pay $368 million for patent infringement in its use of Facetime, an application that allows for video calls on mobile devices, the plaintiff said Wednesday.
Microsoft applies for patent on technology to count users watching streamed content
(Phys.org)—Microsoft Corporation has applied for a patent on new technology that would use a Kinect-like device to count and even perhaps identify people as they watch streamed content. Its purpose would be to allow content providers to restrict the number of people viewing content, or the number of times certain individuals could watch a particular video stream. Such technology they note, could also allow for collecting payment for watching content based on the number of people watching, or prevent minors from viewing adult material.
Swiss firm says its new switch to aid green energy (Update)
A Swiss engineering group said Wednesday it has developed a new circuit breaker that will help utilities transfer power over longer distances, making for more efficient and reliable electric supplies.
2012 US election a 'Moneyball' win for geeks
It was not just a victory for President Barack Obama, it was validation for the number-crunchers and statistical model geeks, including a New York Times blogger who became a target for conservatives.
Implantable medical devices powered by the ear itself
Deep in the inner ear of mammals is a natural battery—a chamber filled with ions that produces an electrical potential to drive neural signals. In today's issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology, a team of researchers from MIT, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) demonstrate for the first time that this battery could power implantable electronic devices without impairing hearing.
Medicine & Health news
Life in the margins: Health researchers learn from society's outsiders
The consequences of social stigma can be physically harmful, and even deadly. People who are shunned by our society—due to homelessness, drug use, non-conforming gender identity, or other attributes—generally have much poorer health and higher death rates than those in the mainstream. They may be at increased risk of HIV infection, be more likely to have experienced violence, or suffer from severe mental health problems, for example.
Aspirin use may decrease type of ovarian cancer, though risks of analgesic use must still be considered
A new study conducted by European researchers in Denmark suggests that regular use of pain relief medications such as aspirin, can lead to a decreased risk of serious ovarian cancer in women. This is important news because despite significant progress in the field of gynaecological cancer treatment during recent decades, the prognosis has remained poor, and many have stressed that preventive strategies are urgently needed.
Global metabolomic initiative announced: Scientists set sail on the uncharted waters of the metabolome
Investigators at Washington University and The Scripps Research Institute have announced the launch of a "Global Metabolomic Initiative" to facilitate meta-analyses on studies of the metabolism of bacteria, yeast, plants, animals and people.
Insurer WellPoint's 3Q net income edges higher
(AP)—WellPoint says its third-quarter net income rose 1 percent, as the nation's second largest health insurer trimmed expenses to balance flat revenue and an enrollment decline.
Development of measures to prevent wine indispositions
Biogenic amines may be one of the factors responsible for symptoms such as headaches, gastro-intestinal disorders, shortness of breath, fall in blood pressure, and even unconsciousness and cardiac arrhythmia in severe cases. Histamine, one of the best known members of this group, can cause serious physical problems. Biogenic amines can be produced in the body by natural metabolic activities but are also ingested in larger quantities with food. They play a special role in microbiologically produced food such as wine, beer, cheese, and sauerkraut. In a joint project Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Rheinpfalz (DLR) have developed measures to identify and reduce biogenic amines in wine, where they can be of particular risk to human well-being.
Guideline: Steroid pills effective for treating facial paralysis in Bell's palsy
For people experiencing first-time symptoms of Bell's palsy, steroid pills very likely are the most effective known treatment for recovering full strength in the facial muscles, according to a guideline published in the November 7, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Bell's palsy is a nerve disorder that affects muscle movement in the face and usually leaves half of the face temporarily paralyzed.
Acute care model improves surgical care quality, lowers costs for two procedures
An acute care surgery model led to improvement in the quality of surgical patient care and reduced the cost of emergency surgical care at Loma Linda University Medical Center, report researchers who published their findings in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Los Angeles voters mandate condom use on porn sets
(AP)—Los Angeles County voters have approved a measure requiring porn performers to wear condoms while filming sex scenes, prompting a pledge by the adult entertainment industry to sue to overturn the measure.
Mothers' age at menopause may predict daughters' ovarian reserve
A mother's age at menopause may predict her daughter's fertility in terms of the numbers of eggs remaining in her ovaries, according to the new research published online in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction today.
Small change in defibrillator therapy leads to huge benefits for heart patients
A new study shows that defibrillators – devices designed to detect and correct dangerous heart rhythms – can help people with heart disease live longer, and with a much better quality of life, than they do now.
Patients with heart block see strong benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy
Heart failure patients with a condition called "heart block" derive significant benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), according to the results of the Block HF clinical trial, presented today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2012 meeting in Los Angeles.
Head-to-head trial of two diabetes drugs yields mixed results
A direct, head-to-head comparison of two of the newer treatments available for type 2 diabetes yielded mixed results.
DNA sequencing of infants and children with anatomical defects of unknown causes
A presentation at the American Society of Human Genetics 2012 meeting updated genetics experts about a one-year-old research initiative that brought together researchers, clinicians and policy experts to tackle the challenges of incorporating new genomic technologies into clinical care of newborns, infants and children with anatomical defects whose causes are unknown.
New study finds majority of pregnant women require an average of two months sick leave from work
Three quarters of pregnant women take sick leave from work but employers can help reduce this through flexible work adjustments, suggests a new study published today (7 November) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Lack of vitamin D contributes to pain in black Americans with knee osteoarthritis
A new study reveals that black Americans display lower levels of vitamin D and greater pain sensitivity compared to white Americans. Findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), indicate that vitamin D deficiency may be one of many factors that account for increased pain in older black Americans with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Inflammation marker linked to increased risk for death from cancer in Korean men
Measuring blood levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, an important marker of inflammation, in apparently cancer-free men could potentially help identify those at increased risk for death from cancer, in particular lung cancer, according to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Hispanics more heart-healthy than other americans: study
(HealthDay)—Hispanic Americans meet more heart-healthy goals than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States, according to a new study.
Sulfonylureas up cardio events versus metformin
(HealthDay)—Use of sulfonylureas for initial treatment of diabetes is associated with increased cardiovascular events and death compared with metformin, according to a study published in the Nov. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
AHA: Allogeneic stem cells OK in ischemic cardiomyopathy
(HealthDay)—For patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are safe; and delivery of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has no effect on the recovery of left ventricular function, according to two studies published online Nov. 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012, held from Nov. 3 to 7 in Los Angeles.
Miscarriages tied to elevated risk for heart conditions
(HealthDay)—A new study finds that women who have had one or more miscarriages are at increased risk for hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Children, teens at risk for lasting emotional impact from hurricane sandy
(Medical Xpress)—After Hurricane Sandy's flood waters have receded and homes demolished by the storm repaired, the unseen aftershocks of the storm may linger for many children who were in the storm's path, particularly those whose families suffered significant losses.
Study documents high incidence of Pica in Madagascar
(Medical Xpress)—Pica—craving and intentionally consuming nonfood substances, such as earth—and amylophagy, eating raw starches—are widespread among people around the world, including the U.S. Some 180 species of animals are also known to engage in pica, possibly to rid themselves of toxins.
Sharp rise in diabetic eye disease makes American Diabetes Month ever more important
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States. According to recent studies funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), diabetic retinopathy, one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes, increased by 3.7 million new cases over the last decade. Approximately 7.7 million Americans are now affected by diabetic retinopathy. Even more alarming, the rate is projected to climb to 11 million by 2030. People with diabetes are also at greater risk for cataracts, which is a clouding of the eye lens, and glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve. But diabetic retinopathy is by far the most common sight-threatening condition among people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20 to 74 years.
Lung cancer UK price tag eclipses the cost of any other cancer, study finds
The cost of lung cancer to the UK economy is £2.4 billion each year, far higher than the cost of any other cancer. This highlights the urgent need to continue to reduce the number of young people who become addicted to tobacco – as smoking causes more than eight in 10 lung cancers in the UK. The research is presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference in Liverpool today (Wednesday).
Research advances understanding of autism
(Medical Xpress)—Research by scientists from the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland has uncovered new information about the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), to be published in the next issue of the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience.
New study seeks to understand 'post-sex blues'
(Medical Xpress)—Women are invited to take part in a QUT study that is trying to understand why some people experience 'post-sex blues'.
Annual UK drug deaths fall by 14 percent, while deaths related to 'legal highs' increase
(Medical Xpress)—Deaths related to a group of now-banned 'legal highs' rose sharply from 5 in 2009 to 43 in 2010, reveals a report on the latest UK drug death figures released today. While deaths involving methcathinones – which were outlawed in 2010 and include mephedrone – rose, those involving heroin fell significantly. And a decrease in cocaine-related deaths observed over several years continued.
Caregivers neglect their own health, increasing heart disease risk
People acting as caregivers for family members with cardiovascular disease may inadvertently increase their own risk for heart disease by neglecting their own health, according to a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
Classroom therapy may not be answer to treating depression in teenagers, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University's Department for Health have found that introducing mood therapy into the classroom may not be the answer to treating depression in teenagers.
Research supports importance of father figures in children's education
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from the University of Bath have worked with local schools and families to assess how important father figures are in their children's education and upbringing.
Cooling cardiac arrest patients to lower body temps improved survival
Cooling patients resuscitated after sudden cardiac arrest to lower body temperatures may be associated with increased survival and better functional ability, according to late-breaking clinical trial research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
Study finds new drug may hold promise for hospitalized heart failure patients
Hospitalized heart failure patients given an investigational drug had improved symptoms and other clinical benefits including fewer deaths, than those given standard of care plus a placebo, according to late-breaking clinical trial research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.
Ultrafiltration may not be best approach for heart failure patients, research finds
Ultrafiltration was no more effective in removing excess fluid from the heart than using standard treatment including diuretics to reduce congestion in heart failure patients, according to late-breaking clinical trial research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2012.
Recently discovered stem cell population could one day provide useful source material for kidney repair
Within every human kidney, millions of filtration units known as nephrons are hard at work clearing metabolic waste products from the blood. Given the dirty work they perform, one might expect that the cells composing the nephrons undergo routine self-replacement, but nephrons retain very limited regenerative capabilities and essentially shut down when those limits are exceeded—a potential prelude to organ failure.
Looking for the anti-Alzheimer's molecule: A new approach to treating a devastating disease
Researchers at Dalhousie University have discovered a new technique using "computer-aided" drug design that may lead to an entirely new approach in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Protein reveals diabetes risk many years in advance
When a patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the disease has usually already progressed over several years and damage to areas such as blood vessels and eyes has already taken place. To find a test that indicates who is at risk at an early stage would be valuable, as it would enable preventive treatment to be put in place.
Spread of human melanoma cells in mice correlates with clinical outcomes in patients
UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists led by Dr. Sean Morrison, director of the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern, have developed an innovative model for predicting the progression of skin cancer in patients.
Scientific progress could be casualty in public health vs. privacy debate over newborn blood samples
The tremendous potential public health benefits of research with blood samples left over after routine newborn screening must not be lost amidst controversy and litigation, say medical and bioethics experts in a commentary published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Whole genome sequencing of de novo balanced rearrangements in prenatal diagnosis
Whole genome sequencing of the DNA code of three prenatal samples provided a detailed map of the locations of their chromosomal abnormalities in 14 days, scientists reported today at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2012 meeting in San Francisco.
New assessment reveals value of second embryo biopsy for women of advanced maternal age
An elegant new study confirms that the most commonly used method of screening for embryo abnormalities following in vitro fertilization (IVF) does accurately predict the success of embryo transplantation for younger women, but not necessarily for those of advanced maternal age.
New cell type developed for possible treatment of Alzheimer's and other brain diseases
(Medical Xpress)—UC Irvine researchers have created a new stem cell-derived cell type with unique promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
New drug target found for cystic fibrosis lung disease
Vancouver researchers have discovered the cellular pathway that causes lung-damaging inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF), and that reducing the pathway's activity also decreases inflammation. The finding offers a potential new drug target for treating CF lung disease, which is a major cause of illness and death for people with CF.
Researchers explore connection between popular pain relievers, bladder cancer
Dartmouth researchers have found that duration of ibuprofen use was associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer in patients in northern New England, which has a high mortality rate of this disease.
Starchy, high carbohydrate diet associated with recurrence of colon cancer
Colon cancer survivors whose diet is heavy in complex sugars and carbohydrate-rich foods are far more likely to have a recurrence of the disease than are patients who eat a better balance of foods, a new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers indicates.
MRI and EEG could identify children at risk for epilepsy after febrile seizures
Seizures during childhood fever are usually benign, but when prolonged, they can foreshadow an increased risk of epilepsy later in life. Now a study funded by the National Institutes of Health suggests that brain imaging and recordings of brain activity could help identify the children at highest risk. The study reveals that within days of a prolonged fever-related seizure, some children have signs of acute brain injury, abnormal brain anatomy, altered brain activity, or a combination.
Financial incentives may improve hospital mortality rates, says study
New research into controversial pay-for-performance schemes has suggested they may help to save the lives of NHS patients.
Setting national goals to bolster patient safety with electronic health records
Electronic health records (EHRs) are expected to improve patient safety, but they themselves can present challenges for which health care providers must be prepared. Experts at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) have proposed a framework to help develop new national patient safety goals unique to electronic health record-enabled clinical settings.
Study: More plus-size models could change women's obsession with thin bodies
British women's obsession for thin bodies could potentially be changed if advertising showed more plus size models, suggests a preliminary study published today.
Cell damage caused by personal lubricants does not increase HIV risk
The use of certain water-based, over-the-counter personal lubricants can dry out and irritate vaginal and rectal tissue, but does not appear to increase susceptibility to HIV, according to a laboratory study published today in PLoS ONE. Even so, say study authors affiliated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), more research is needed to fully understand the safety of personal lubricants and their effect on epithelial tissue, the layer of mucosal cells that acts as the body's first line of defense against sexually transmitted HIV.
Anti-fat bias may be equally prevalent in general public and medical community
Medical doctors are as biased against obesity as the general public is, according to a study published Nov. 7 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Janice Sabin from the University of Washington, Seattle, and colleagues from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Measuring metabolism can predict Alzheimer's progress with 90 percent accuracy
A new study from Tel Aviv University suggests that early clues about the progression of the disease can be found in the metabolism of the brain, making it possible to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's at an early stage with a simple blood test.
Self-imagination can enhance memory in healthy and memory-impaired individuals
There's no question that our ability to remember informs our sense of self. Now research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, provides new evidence that the relationship may also work the other way around: Invoking our sense of self can influence what we are able to remember.
Triptorelin doesn't avert early ovarian failure in lymphoma
(HealthDay)—Treatment of lymphoma patients with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) triptorelin plus norethisterone does not reduce the rate of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF), according to a study published online Nov. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Heart failure patients may be at higher risk for cancer: study
(HealthDay)—People suffering from heart failure may have a nearly 60 percent higher risk of developing cancer, a preliminary study suggests.
Report details start of steroid meningitis outbreak
(HealthDay)—The first reports of serious fungal infections from tainted steroid injections for back pain came in September from Tennessee and quickly became a national health crisis.
Women don't fare as well as men with implanted defibrillators, study says
(HealthDay)—Women are more likely than men to experience complications and to die within six months of getting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, according to new research that looked at nearly 39,000 patients.
Xeljanz approved for rheumatoid arthritis
(HealthDay)—Xeljanz (tofacitinib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among people who can't tolerate, or haven't been helped by, the drug methotrexate.
Study finds no link between calcium intake and coronary artery calcification
Researchers at the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), have published a study that shows no evidence of a link between calcium intake and coronary artery calcification, reassuring adults who take calcium supplements for bone health that the supplements do not appear to result in the development of calcification of blood vessels.
Young brain develops activity peaks while it is still growing
After a short period of growth, cultured networks of neurons regularly exhibit major activity in the absence of external stimulation. These "bursts" are entirely related to growth. At this stage, they have little to do with learning behaviour, as the network is still too young to sustain a process of memory formation. This has now for the first time been simulated for networks ranging in size from 10,000 to 50,000 neurons. The simulations provide insight into the role of the growth process in initial activity. Researchers at the University of Twente's MIRA Institute recently published details of this work in PLOS ONE.
New method helps link genomic variation to protein production
Scientists have adopted a novel laboratory approach for determining the effect of genetic variation on the efficiency of the biological process that translates a gene's DNA sequence into a protein, such as hemoglobin, according to a presentation, Nov. 6, at the American Society of Human Genetics 2012 meeting in San Francisco.
Potent antibodies neutralize HIV and could offer new therapy, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Having HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but it's still a lifelong illness that requires an expensive daily cocktail of drugs—and it means tolerating those drugs' side effects and running the risk of resistance. Researchers at The Rockefeller University may have found something better: they've shown that a therapeutic approach harnessing proteins from the human immune system can suppress the virus in mice without the need for daily application and could one day be used in humans to treat the disease.
Discovery advances fight against phleboviruses
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers in the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan have discovered how a particular type of virus hides and protects its genetic information from the immune system, a design that allows it to replicate inside cells of an infected person or animal.
How connections in the brain must change to form memories could help to develop artificial cognitive computers
Exactly how memories are stored and accessed in the brain is unclear. Neuroscientists, however, do know that a primitive structure buried in the center of the brain, called the hippocampus, is a pivotal region of memory formation. Here, changes in the strengths of connections between neurons, which are called synapses, are the basis for memory formation. Networks of neurons linking up in the hippocampus are likely to encode specific memories.
New insight into why haste makes waste
Why do our brains make more mistakes when we act quickly? A new study demonstrates how the brain follows Ben Franklin's famous dictum, "Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste."
Structure of a bond formed by two proteins critical for hearing and balance described for the first time
Researchers have mapped the precise 3-D atomic structure of a thin protein filament critical for cells in the inner ear and calculated the force necessary to pull it apart.
Loss of essential blood cell gene leads to anemia
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have discovered a new gene that regulates hemoglobin synthesis during red blood cell formation. The findings advance the biomedical community's understanding and treatment of human anemias and mitochondrial disorders.
'Lung-on-a-chip' sets stage for next wave of research to replace animal testing
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have mimicked pulmonary edema in a microchip lined by living human cells, as reported today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. They used this "lung-on-a-chip" to study drug toxicity and identify potential new therapies to prevent this life-threatening condition.
Caffeine improves recognition of positive words
Caffeine perks up most coffee-lovers, but a new study shows a small dose of caffeine also increases their speed and accuracy for recognizing words with positive connotation. The research published November 7 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Lars Kuchinke and colleagues from Ruhr University, Germany, shows that caffeine enhances the neural processing of positive words, but not those with neutral or negative associations.
Sugar boosts self-control, study says
(Medical Xpress)—To boost self-control, gargle sugar water. According to a study co-authored by University of Georgia professor of psychology Leonard Martin published Oct. 22 in Psychological Science, a mouth rinse with glucose improves self-control.
Activating the 'mind's eye': Scientists teach blind to read, recognize objects with sounds (w/ Video)
Common wisdom has it that if the visual cortex in the brain is deprived of visual information in early infanthood, it may never develop properly its functional specialization, making sight restoration later in life almost impossible.
Off the grid: Environmental novelty changes hippocampal firing patterns
(Medical Xpress)—The brain's two hippocampal formations – one in each hemisphere's temporal lobe, medial to the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle and typically referring to the dentate gyrus, the hippocampus proper (the cornu ammonis), and the subicular cortex – are known to play essential roles in both representing an animal's location and in updating those representations by detecting novelty in the environment. While location representation processes are understood, however, those by which these representations are created and updated have remained elusive. Recently, scientists at University College London have shown that environmental novelty causes the spatial firing patterns of grid cells in the medial entorhinal cortex of freely-moving rodents to expand in scale and reduce in regularity, reverting to their usual scale as the environment again becomes familiar. The researchers conclude that grid expansion provides a potential mechanism for novelty signalin! g and may enhance the formation of new hippocampal representations, and that the subsequent slow reduction in scale provides a potential familiarity signal.
Biology news
Bielefeld students' synthetic biofilter wins through to the top 'Sweet 16' in Boston
Months of painstaking work in the laboratory at Bielefeld University's Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) have paid off: the 15 students participating in this year's 'international Genetically Engineered Machine competition' (iGEM) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have good reason to celebrate. The goal of their project was to develop a biological filter that removes estrogen from drinking water. It was a success: they managed to produce enzymes that break down the hormone. On Monday 5 November, the competition finals came to a close in Boston. From 190 teams throughout the world, Bielefeld's students made it through to the 'Sweet Sixteen', the selection of the 16 best teams in the company of teams from such prestigious universities as Stanford University (USA), the Canadian University of Calgary, and Jiaotong University in Shanghai, China.
DNA profile of British ash trees could make them at less risk from 'dieback,' ecologist claims
(Phys.org)—An ecologist who has examined research into the genetic lineage of populations of native British ash trees claims that significant differences in their DNA could make the majority less at risk from ash dieback than being currently predicted.
New bacteria, potential carbon cycling, bioremediation roles reported
(Phys.org)—Proteomics experts and resources at EMSL contributed to a study published in Science centered on the discovery of new bacteria and the metabolic roles, such as carbon cycling, of bacteria in the environment. The bacteria studied were part of microbial communities collected directly from an acetate-amended subsurface aquifer as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Integrated Field Research Challenge (IFRC).
Epigenetics a factor in Tasmanian devil disease
(Phys.org)—Genes in the tumours of Devil Facial Tumour Disease gradually 'switch off' over time, say researchers at the University of Sydney.
A secret of tumor stem cell survival: Scientists make progress against a devastating cancer
Malignant glioma is generally a death sentence for patients. These tumors, which arise from non-neuronal cells within the brain, grow quickly and aggressively, and contain a core population of glioma stem cells (GSCs) that are largely invulnerable to the weapons typically brought to bear against other cancers. "GSCs display resistance to radiation due to increased activation of DNA damage repair pathways, and also possess intrinsic resistance mechanisms against chemotherapy-induced cell death," explains Prabha Sampath of the A*STAR Institute of Medical Biology.
Austria-born panda Fu Hu heads to China
Equipped with a generous supply of bamboo for the long trip, Austrian-born panda Fu Hu was on his way to China on Wednesday, as stipulated under Vienna zoo's contract with Beijing, the zoo said.
City birds adapt to their new predators
Faced with the same threat, city and country birds do not react in the same way despite being from the same species. According to a new study, urban birds have changed their anti-predator behaviour in new environments.
Protected areas in East Africa may not be conserving iconic plants
A new study led by researchers from the University of York suggests protected areas in East Africa are not conserving plants such as the iconic Acacia tree.
Sharks: Bad creatures or bad image?
(Phys.org)—Historically, the media have been particularly harsh to sharks, and it's affecting their survival.
Humans, chimpanzees and monkeys share DNA but not gene regulatory mechanisms
Humans share over 90% of their DNA with their primate cousins. The expression or activity patterns of genes differ across species in ways that help explain each species' distinct biology and behavior.
House finches 'avoid sick members of their own'
House finches avoid sick members of their own species, scientists said in a finding that could be useful for tracking the spread of diseases like bird flu that also affects humans.
Large numbers of salmon are killed by parasites, finds new study
(Phys.org)—An "unexpectedly large" number of free-ranging salmon are being killed by parasitic lice in European waters every year, according to the results of a major international study.
Researchers unravel structure of 'Sputnik' virus, could have implications for treatment
(Phys.org)—An international team of researchers has determined key structural features of the Sputnik virus, thought to play a role in illnesses caused by eating raw fish.
When parasites catch viruses
When humans have parasites, the organisms live in our bodies, co-opt our resources and cause disease. However, it turns out that parasites themselves can have their own co-habitants.
Arabica coffee could be extinct in the wild within 70 years, study suggests
A study conducted by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), in collaboration with scientists in Ethiopia, reports that climate change alone could lead to the extinction of wild Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) well before the end of this century. Wild Arabica is considered important for the sustainability of the coffee industry due to its considerable genetic diversity. The Arabicas grown in the world's coffee plantations are from very limited genetic stock and are unlikely to have the flexibility required to cope with climate change and other threats, such as pests and diseases. In Ethiopia, the largest producer of coffee in Africa, climate change will also have a negative influence on coffee production. The climate sensitivity of Arabica is confirmed, supporting the widely reported assumption that climate change will have a damaging impact on commercial coffee production worldwide. These are worrying prospects for the world's favourite beverage – the second ! most traded commodity after oil, and one crucial to the economies of several countries.
Why fish talk: Clownfish communication establishes status in social groups (w/ Video)
Clownfish produce sounds to establish and defend their breeding status in social groups, but not to attract mates, according to research published November 7 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Orphal Colleye and colleagues from the University of Liege, Belgium.
Saber-toothed cats and bear dogs: How they made cohabitation work
(Phys.org)—The fossilized fangs of saber-toothed cats hold clues to how the extinct mammals shared space and food with other large predators 9 million years ago.
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