Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 14, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- The more things change: Trait variance provides evidence of pervasive mosaic evolution- Nanocrystals not small enough to avoid defects
- Multimode waveguides bring light around corners
- Linux and Intel 386 processors will part ways
- Theoretical research reveals that experimental crystal structure of an important energy material is impossible
- Cutting light with a comb
- Apple kicks SMS scam fraudsters to the curb
- Dreidel-like dislocations lead to remarkable properties
- Countering brain chemical could prevent suicides
- Engineers develop new magnetoelectric computer memory
- Study shows antidepressant could do double duty as diabetes drug
- What mechanism generates our fingers and toes?
- Researchers creating team of pingpong-ball-sized robots (w/ Video)
- Chronic alcohol and marijuana use during youth can compromise white-matter integrity
- Physicists make strides in understanding quantum entanglement
Space & Earth news
UN sounds alarm on unsecured uranium waste in Tajikistan
The United Nations warned Friday that nearly 55 million tonnes of radioactive waste from old Soviet-era uranian mines remain in unsecured sites in northern Tajikistan.
Experts advise doctors on how to clear patients for space travel
With the prospect of space travel for tourists looming, clinicians could soon be asked to advise on medical clearance for their patients, says a paper published in the BMJ Christmas edition and appearing online today.
Poll: Science doubters say world is warming
Nearly 4 out of 5 Americans now think temperatures are rising and that global warming will be a serious problem for the United States if nothing is done about it, a new Associated Press-GfK poll finds.
Scientists find a way to distinguish the aerosol particle signal from the weather noise
(Phys.org)—Scientists developed a modeling shortcut to dial in a clearer atmospheric particle signal. A research team from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the University of Washington, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory fine-tuned the winds simulated in a global climate model to better represent the winds measured in the atmosphere. Their technique increased the signal's clarity by greatly reducing the signal noise. Their work produced shorter, more efficient simulations of the global aerosol particle effects on clouds and a better reception of the atmospheric particle signal.
NASA progressing toward first launch of Orion spacecraft
(Phys.org)—Recent engineering advances by NASA and its industry partners across the country show important progress toward Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), the next step to launching humans to deep space. The uncrewed EFT-1 mission, launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 2014, will test the re-entry performance of the agency's Orion capsule, the most advanced spacecraft ever designed, which will carry astronauts farther into space than ever before.
Voyager 1 is leaving the solar system, but the journey continues
At 18.5 billion kilometres from Earth, the Voyager 1 space probe is the most distant human-made object ever to leave our planet.
Beating heart of J-2x engine finishes year of successful NASA tests
(Phys.org)—NASA on Thursday took another step toward human exploration of new destinations in the solar system. At the agency's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, engineers conducted the final test-firing of the J-2X powerpack assembly, an important component of America's next heavy-lift rocket.
Contribution of bacterial remnants to soil fertility has been underestimated
Remains of dead bacteria have far greater meaning for soils than previously assumed. Around 40 per cent of the microbial biomass is converted to organic soil components, write researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the Technische Universität Dresden (Technical University of Dresden) , the University of Stockholm, the Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie (Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology) and the Leibniz-Universität Hannover (Leibniz University Hannover) in the professional journal Biogeochemistry. Until now it was assumed that the organic components of the soil were comprised mostly of decomposed plant material which is directly converted to humic substances. In a laboratory experiment and in field testing the researchers have now refuted this thesis. Evidently the easily biologically degradable plant material is initially converted to microbial biomass which then provides the source material to soil organic matter.
Major climate change report draft leaked online: IPCC
A major report on climate change being compiled by the United Nation's climate science panel was on Friday leaked online in what appeared to be an attempt by a climate sceptic to discredit the panel.
US tightens rules on soot
The United States on Friday tightened standards on emissions of soot from industry and vehicles by 20 percent, predicting that the regulations would avert thousands of deaths.
NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Evan batter and drench Samoan Islands
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite continues to provide rainfall and cloud height data on powerful Cyclone Evan as it crawls through the Samoan Islands with hurricane-force winds and heavy rains. NASA's TRMM satellite identified "hot towers" in the storm, hinting that it would continue to intensify.
Research team finds camp site from the 'heroic age' of Antarctic exploration
A National Science Foundation-funded research team working on the slopes of the world's southernmost active volcano appears to have found the remains of a camp used by explorers of the so-called "Heroic Age" of Antarctic exploration, a century after the camp was abandoned.
Experiment examining a SLICE of the interstellar medium
(Phys.org)—When you look up at the stars at night, the space between stars looks empty. But, yes there is something there. It's called the interstellar medium. An experiment from the University of Colorado will fly on a NASA suborbital sounding rocket from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on December 15 to study this space between the stars.
Mid-level tropical clouds form differently during active and break monsoon periods
(Phys.org)—Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory employed a method to understand how and when mid-level clouds, hovering between their conspicuous "siblings," form in the tropics. Low and high clouds get most of the attention-because they are easier to detect. The researchers found that the timing and temperature of these thin clouds signal whether they form when the monsoon storms originate over the ocean, or primarily over land. The results show a more complete picture of how clouds influence the global climate.
Hidden black hole: Spiral galaxy NGC 3627
(Phys.org)—The spiral galaxy NGC 3627 is located about 30 million light years from Earth. This composite image includes X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (blue), infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope (red), and optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Telescope (yellow). The inset shows the central region, which contains a bright X-ray source that is likely powered by material falling onto a supermassive black hole.
Novel camera system records ice, identifies walrus habitats (w/ Video)
Walrus use sea ice as a reproductive, migration and resting habitat. However, as sea ice melts and recedes, this marine mammal increasingly is threatened.
Technology news
4.3 million small business and home alarm systems will be connected to European cellular networks in 2016
According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, shipments of wireless M2M modules for security applications in EU27+2 is forecasted to grow from 2.9 million in 2011 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47.1 percent to reach 20.0 million in 2016. At the same time, the number of tracking devices and wireless alarm systems monitored from an alarm receiving centre and similar will grow from 9.1 million in 2011 to 39.7 million by the end of 2016.
How the tablet generation is pushing networks to the edge
With Christmas expected to bring another leap in ownership of tablets, smartphones and other devices, new research from Bell Labs (download the PDF), the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent suggests that increasing consumption of video content on such devices will push the wired broadband networks that carry this traffic to their absolute limits over the next decade.
Internet restrictions across the world
(AP)—Envoys in Dubai signed a new U.N. telecommunications treaty Friday that a U.S.-led delegation says endorses greater government control of the Internet. The U.S. and more than 20 other countries refused to ratify the accord by the 193-nation International Telecommunications Union.
'Angry Birds' creator says new studio could rival Disney
Finnish mobile gaming company Rovio said on Friday that a movie based on its hit game "Angry Birds" could result in the group establishing an animation studio rivalling global giant Walt Disney.
Sporting News's last sprint in print
Sporting News, a 126-year-old publication covering American sports, is ending its print edition to become all-digital in 2013.
SKorea says Samsung chip plant caused cancer
(AP)—A South Korean government agency said Friday that working at a Samsung Electronics factory caused the breast cancer of a worker who died earlier this year, only the second time it has recognized a link between cancer and Samsung's chip plants.
NKorea rocket launch shows young leader as gambler
(AP)—A triumphant North Korea staged a mass rally of soldiers and civilians Friday to glorify the country's young ruler, who took a big gamble this week in sending a satellite into orbit in defiance of international warnings.
Wearable technology can monitor rehabilitation
Wearable technology is not only for sports and fashion enthusiasts it can also be used to monitor and aid clinical rehabilitation according to new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BioMedical Engineering OnLine.
Report: Internet is changing adoption— for better and worse
The Internet is having a profound, transformative impact on adoption - changing practices and policies, offering new opportunities and resources, and raising ethical, legal and procedural issues, a report out Thursday says.
US companies lead charge to unleash the potential of the battery for grid energy storage
Hurricane Sandy's recent demonstration of our reliance on steady and reliable power production to run almost every aspect of our lives has brought into sharp focus our urgent need to find back-up solutions.
New generation is making the holidays mobile
It's getting hard to keep Christmas gifts a secret these days. Last year, Twitter posts revealed what President Obama was buying for his daughters a few days early.
Flight experiment goes boldly forth to advance new technology
(Phys.org)—A hypersonic flight experiment at eight times the speed of sound, led by a University of Queensland PhD student, has safely launched in Norway.
Wearable computers to monitor health
(Phys.org)—Dr. Roozbeh Jafari, assistant professor of electrical engineering at UT Dallas, is developing wearable wireless computers that are about the size of a button. At that size, the system can be easily worn on the body, opening possibilities to improved health monitoring for the elderly and assistance in determining changes in medication dosage needs.
Mathematical technique gives researchers access to personal data while meeting a high standard for privacy protection
In 1997, when Massachusetts began making health records of state employees available to medical researchers, the government removed patients' names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. William Weld, then the governor, assured the public that identifying individual patients in the records would be impossible.
Second Japan nuclear plant at fault risk
A second nuclear plant in Japan sits atop a possibly active seismic fault, government-appointed experts said Friday, days after the first facility was said to be at risk.
UN telecom chief 'surprised' by US-led treaty snub
Envoys from nearly 90 nations signed Friday the first new U.N. telecommunications treaty since the Internet age, but the U.S. and other Western nations refused to join after claiming it endorses greater government control over cyberspace.
89 nations sign controversial UN telecom treaty
A controversial new global treaty on telecom regulations was signed on Friday by 89 International Telecommunication Union member states despite US objections to potential regulation of the Internet.
UK police say they won't charge hacker
(AP)—British authorities opted Friday not to charge a computer hacker who waged a decade-long struggle to avoid trial in the U.S. for breaking into military computers.
Netherlands raises $5 billion in frequency auction
(AP)—The Dutch government says it has raised €3.8 billion ($5 billion) in an auction of its 4G high speed mobile Internet frequencies. Winning bids were submitted by Royal KPN NV, Vodafone PLC, Deutsche Telekom AG and Sweden's Tele2 AB.
Fracking shifts global energy balance
North America's shale oil and gas boom has shifted the balance in global energy markets, giving the US and Canada new leverage as exporters, despite the Middle East retaining a pivotal role.
Company unveils small personal-sized hydroelectricity generator
(Phys.org)—Japanese company Ibasei has unveiled a new idea in hydroelectricity generation; a turbine that can be placed in virtually any fast moving stream or river to generate small amounts of electricity for immediate use or as a charging station. Called the Cappa, it resembles an engine on a jet aircraft and can be easily placed into a location in just minutes.
Review: New Google Maps boasts big improvements
(AP)—Like a lot of people, I was happy and relieved to see Google Maps return to the iPhone.
Apple kicks SMS scam fraudsters to the curb
(Phys.org)—Just what you never wanted. Mac-based malware, just ponder that phrase alone, not Windows-based but Mac-based, that tricks users into paying subscription fees. The malware masquerades as an installer for various software titles. The caper lies in the trick installer, which will tack fees on to the user's mobile phone account, so that the victim is stuck with unintended bills. The Trojan targeting Macs was discovered by Russia-based security company, Dr. Web. Its alert went out that this is malware targeting OS X systems. The Trojan is known as Trojan.SMSSend.3666, and Dr. Web said it was the first program of its kind to go after Mac OS X.
Linux and Intel 386 processors will part ways
(Phys.org)—Earlier this week Linus Torvalds took away support for 386 CPUs from the Linux kernel. He agreed with the position of Red Hat engineer and Linux kernel developer Ingo Molnar to drop support for Intel's old 386 microprocessors. For Linux users, the world is not coming to a halt. All it means is that the 386 DX33 chip will not be able to run in future versions of Linux, just in existing versions of the kernel. Intel 386-DX owners, for whatever hobbyist or other reasons, will not be able to enjoy the new Linux versions starting with 3.8. Molnár explained that the extra work involved in continuing support was greater than the returns in benefits.
Medicine & Health news
Partnership launched to prioritize research for 'neurodisabled' children
A ground breaking new project has been launched to find out what research is important to children and young people with neurodisability, their families, and the healthcare professionals who work with them. This is a unique opportunity for the consumers of neurodisability research to have their say and influence the research agenda.
Time for states to decide on health care exchanges
(AP)—Friday is decision day for states to notify Washington if they will run their own insurance markets under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
US health care could shrink for illegal immigrants (Update)
(AP)—President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul threatens to roll back some services for the country's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants if clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed with newly insured patients and can't afford to care for as many poor families.
12 days of trauma may break the bank for most, says trauma chief
Americans are reporting they plan to spend an average of $854 this year on holiday gifts, but that is pennies compared with the cost of an unplanned trip to the Emergency Department.
Global collaborative efforts help delineate pediatric traumatic brain injury causes, characteristics and trends in China
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among children in China are a growing public health concern. Two new studies by researchers of the International Program at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Wuhan Children's Hospital in China examined pediatric TBIs that were treated at Wuhan Children's Hospital from 2002 to 2011.
Indigenous Australians vulnerable to lupus
(Medical Xpress)—A new study is currently exploring why Indigenous Australians (IA) suffer more frequently and severely from lupus than non-Indigenous Australians (NIA).
Why the study of behaviour is important for the insurance industry
In a new Lloyd's emerging risk report, a team of experts from the University of Kent has shown how principles from behavioural science can be used to manage new and emerging risks more effectively.
Vomiting bug-hit cruise ship back in Britain
A liner hit by the winter vomiting bug during a pre-Christmas cruise arrived back in port in England on Friday after one passenger dubbed it a "plague ship".
Early drunkenness may be riskier than an early age at first drink for problem behaviors
Many studies have reported that the earlier the age at first drink (AFD) the higher the chances of that person developing later drinking-related problems. However, it is unclear why consuming small quantities at an early age should lead to later problems. A new study of linkages between AFD and problem behaviors – smoking, marijuana use, injuries, fights, and low academic performance – among 15-year-olds has found that early drunkenness was a risk factor rather than an early AFD.
Investigation sheds doubt on a 'shaken-baby' murder conviction
(Medical Xpress)—Based on developments in science and interviews with numerous medical experts, an in-depth investigation by Northwestern University's Medill Innocence Project raises significant questions about the murder conviction of a Chicago-area licensed day care provider in the death of a young child nearly two decades ago.
How to pass the false-belief task before your fourth birthday
As social creatures, humans must constantly monitor each other's intentions, beliefs, desires, and other mental states. A particularly important social skill is the ability to take another person's perspective and understand what the person knows, even when that knowledge may ultimately be false. Past research has shown that before the age of 4, children fail to pass standard tasks designed to measure false belief; however, new research has shown that very young children can pass nonverbal versions of false-belief tasks.
Early executive function predicts reasoning development
Although analogical reasoning is a core cognitive skill that distinguishes humans from other animals, its origins are still not well understood. Psychological scientists Lindsey Richland of the University of Chicago and Margaret Burchinal of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill analyzed data from children who were part of the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.
Better understanding of the cause of Alzheimer's disease: New suggestion for a possible treatment
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 35 million people worldwide. It is generally assumed that the clumping of beta-amyloid (Aß) protein causes neuronal loss in patients. Medication focuses on reducing Aß42, one of the most common proteins and the most harmful. University of Twente PhD student Annelies Vandersteen is refining the current approach. She explains: "The results of my research provide a broader understanding of the processes that lead to Alzheimer's disease and in this way may help to bring about new medication".
Rural dwellers less likely to follow cancer screening guidelines
People who reside in rural areas of Utah are less likely to follow colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations than their urban counterparts, according to researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. This geographic disparity is evident across all risk groups, including those who have a family history of the disease.
Family grapples with kids' tech time
(HealthDay)—Every Christmas, Linda Russell knows her three children's wish lists will be chock-full of requests for the latest in electronic toys and gadgets. And, like most parents, she struggles to know when to give in and get the requested new computer or when to say no to the latest video game.
NHS consultant contract fails to increase productivity
An employment contract for NHS consultants introduced in 2003 and including a 27 per cent pay rise over three years failed to increase productivity. The findings emerge from a 10-year study of hospital consultant activity, published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, which looked at the levels of consultant clinical activity rates between 1999 and 2009. The researchers found that, despite an expectation by the Department of Health that the contract would result in year-on-year productivity gains of 1.5%, consultant activity levels showed a downward trend. There is a heightened need for productivity improvements in the NHS, which has been asked for efficiency gains of £20 billion by 2014/15.
Texas cancer probe draws NCI scrutiny
(AP)—The federal National Cancer Institute says it's taking a fresh look at a troubled $3 billion cancer-fighting effort already being scrutinized by prosecutors and lawmakers in Texas.
New Medicare fraud detection system saves $115 mil
A highly touted new system designed to stop fraudulent Medicare payments before they are paid has saved about $115 million and spurred more than 500 investigations since it was launched in 2011.
Study questions reasons for routine pelvic exams
The pelvic exam, a standard part of a woman's gynecologic checkup, frequently is performed for reasons that are medically unjustified, according to the authors of a UCSF study that may lay the groundwork for future changes to medical practice.
Doing the right thing when things go wrong
The University of Michigan Health System doesn't claim to be perfect. But its response to medical errors, near-misses, unexpected clinical problems and unintended outcomes is a model for the nation that other hospitals can and should copy, according to a new paper in a prestigious health care journal.
Drug to treat opioid addiction poses risks for accidental exposure to children
Buprenorphine is a safe and effective drug for treating opioid addiction. But as the prescribed use of buprenorphine has dramatically increased in recent years, accidental exposure of children to the drug has risen sharply, placing them at risk for serious injury and in extremely rare cases even death, according to researchers at the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC), U School of Medicine's Department of Family and Preventive Health, and the Utah Department of Health (UDOH).
The HER2 paradox: HER2-positive stem cells found in HER2-negative breast cancer
A multicenter study led by researchers at UC Davis describes new, paradoxical characteristics of the most common type of breast cancer. The findings shed light on how the disease can evade treatment and could improve diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Vitamin D can help infection-prone patients avoid respiratory tract infection
Treating infection-prone patients over a 12-month period with high doses of vitamin D reduces their risk of developing respiratory tract infection – and consequently their antibiotic requirement. This according to a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital published in the online scientific journal BMJ Open.
Dogs can accurately sniff out 'superbug' infections
Dogs can sniff out Clostridium difficile (the infective agent that is responsible for many of the dreaded "hospital acquired infections") in stool samples and even in the air surrounding patients in hospital with a very high degree of accuracy, finds a study in the Christmas issue published on BMJ today.
Dogs can also help wake sleepy patients on public transport
Researchers in Belgium also show how dogs can help patients with severe sleep problems.
Intense mind wandering could account for 'substantial proportion' of road crashes
People whose minds wander whilst driving, especially when intense, are significantly more likely to be responsible for a crash and are threatening safety on the roads, warns a study in the Christmas issue published in the BMJ today.
Large study identifies risk factors for multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of leukaemia which affects B lymphocytes. There have been some indications that exposure to pesticides or chlorinated solvents increases the risk of developing this cancer. New research published in Biomed Central's open access journal Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology provides a large (from 22 centres across Europe), matched control study into lifetime risk of multiple myeloma. They find that risk of Multiple myeloma is related to farm work, printing and cleaning. But although exposure to pesticides seemed to be a risk, exposure to organic solvents was not.
Exercise performance enhanced with virtual partner
(HealthDay)—Exercise duration is improved by exercising with a virtual partner, especially with a moderately superior partner, according to a study published in the October issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Imeglimin beneficial as add-on to metformin in T2DM
(HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin alone, addition of the new oral anti-diabetes agent imeglimin improves glycemic control with good tolerability and safety, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in Diabetes Care.
Yo-yo dieting can hurt the heart, study finds
(HealthDay)—Older women who lose weight and gain it back again may be increasing their risk for heart disease, Wake Forest University researchers report.
Thyroid cancer cases double in 20 years, report finds
The number of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer in England has doubled since the early 1990s, according to a new report published by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) today (Friday).
Study reveals alternative pathway through which beta-catenin drives colon cancer
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the United States. Risk factors for the disease are varied and include factors such as advanced age and diet, but most cases share something crucial that scientists hope can usher in new treatments. In nearly all cases, the DNA in colon tumors harbors mutations in a key intracellular process or "pathway," leading to the buildup of proteins that drive uncontrolled growth of cells.
Mental illness the largest contributor to disability worldwide
Mental illness is the largest contributor to disability, according to a report card on the world's health, The Global Burden of Disease 2010 (GBD 2010). The seven papers and two commentaries that make up the report will be published in The Lancet this week.
New study suggests wood as novel material for bone replacement
Could ageing and damaged bones be replaced with implants based on wood? That's the question Italian researchers from the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) writing in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management hope to answer.
Drug-benefit managers can help pharmacists ensure patient compliance
(Medical Xpress)—Patients who fail to follow their prescribed treatments cost the U.S. health care system an estimated $100 billion annually. But community pharmacists and insurance benefit managers, working together, can help patients comply with vital pharmaceutical therapies, according to a study at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy.
Breakthrough research discovery to help heal chronic wounds
(Medical Xpress)—The University of Queensland researchers have successfully restored wound healing in a model of diabetes paving the way for new treatments for chronic wounds.
We're living longer but with more disability
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010), has found people around the world are living longer but often with many years of compromised health.
Hard-to-treat Myc-driven cancers may be susceptible to drug already used in clinic
Drugs that are used in the clinic to treat some forms of breast and kidney cancer and that work by inhibiting the signaling molecule mTORC1 might have utility in treating some of the more than 15 percent of human cancers driven by alterations in the Myc gene, according to data from a preclinical study published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Study is first to find significant link between sleepiness and vitamin D
A new study suggests that there is a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness and vitamin D, and race plays an important factor.
Low adiponcetin associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk
Low prediagnostic levels of circulating adiponectin were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a study published December 14 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The mu opioid receptor genotype may be a marker for those who drink for alcohol's rewarding effects
Previous research had identified an individual's subjective response to alcohol as a marker of alcoholism risk. The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the mu opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene had also been previously associated with subjective response to alcohol in heavy drinkers. A new study extends this research, showing that the OPRM1 genotype seems to moderate the pleasant and stimulating effects to alcohol among alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals but not its unpleasant and sedative effects.
Impaired executive function may exacerbate impulsiveness and risk of developing alcohol dependence
Executive function (EF), frequently associated with the frontal lobes, guides complex behavior such as planning, decision-making, and response control. EF impairment due to alcohol dependence (AD) has been linked to alcohol's toxic effects on the frontal lobes. A study of EF in a group of adult offspring of AD individuals has found that increased impulsiveness and decreased EF may comprise an inherited trait that signifies greater risk for developing AD.
Negative emotionality may make some people more prone to alcohol or other drug problems
Prior research has shown that sensitivity to the stimulating effects of alcohol and other drugs is a risk marker for heavy or problematic use of those substances. Prior research has also shown that the personality trait of negative emotionality can have an effect on substance use. A new study examining how the response to an amphetamine interacts with negative emotionality to influence alcohol and drug use has found that a high level of negative emotionality may lead to problem drinking when it occurs together with sensitivity to a drug-based reward.
Alcohol marketers use drinker identity and brand allegiance to entice underage youth
While exposure to alcohol marketing is prevalent, and associated with both initiation and progression of alcohol use in underage youth, exactly how it works is not well understood. A new study of alcohol-specific cognitions – whether someone thinks of him/herself as a drinker or having a favorite brand of alcohol – has found that drinker identity and brand allegiance are indeed factors linking alcohol marketing and problematic drinking among experimental underage drinkers.
Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to alcohol-related muscular weakness
Myopathy refers to a muscular disease in which muscle fibers do not function, resulting in muscular weakness and wasting. Vitamin D deficiency is a well-recognized cause of myopathy, and excessive drinking is often associated with low or subnormal levels of vitamin D. A review of studies of the relationship between alcohol-related myopathy and vitamin D deficiency indicates that vitamin D deficiency might partly explain the occurrence of the frequently observed myopathy in chronic alcoholism.
Innovative, off-road wheelchairs hit the US market
The rugged, low-cost wheelchairs designed by SF State's Whirlwind Wheelchair program have helped thousands of people in developing countries. Now they're available in the U.S., where they are opening up new territory for American wheelchair-riders, from hiking trails and beaches to snow-covered ground.
Monday blues explain why patients miss hospital and GP appointments
Significant health and financial savings could be achieved by changing when hospital outpatient and GP appointments are scheduled, say researchers from the University of Glasgow's School of Psychology.
The brain recruits its own decision-making circuits to simulate how other people make decisions
A team of researchers led by Hiroyuki Nakahara and Shinsuke Suzuki of the RIKEN Brain Science Institute has identified a set of brain structures that are critical for predicting how other people make decisions.
Identification of developmental 'master switch' helps scientists explore function of infection-preventing cells
Every bite of food or drink of water is an invitation for potentially harmful bacteria and viruses to set up shop in the body. In order to protect against such invaders, the mucous membrane that lines the intestine contains clusters of specialized microfold cells (M cells), which can absorb foreign proteins and particles from the digestive tract and deliver them to the immune system.
Education can reduce use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home patients
A new review in The Cochrane Library finds that education and social support for staff and caregivers can reduce the use of antipsychotics in nursing home patients with dementia. Improved staff training and education, communication between personal and professional caregivers and support for everyone involved in the patient's care are effective non-pharmacological methods to try before using antipsychotic medications.
First study of new treatment for early stage bipolar disorder
(Medical Xpress)—A North West clinical trial of people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for less than five years will be the first study of its kind to shed light on how new treatments could be more effective in the early stages of the condition.
Advanced brain investigations can become better and cheaper
(Medical Xpress)—An important method for brain research and diagnosis is magnetoencephalography (MEG). But the MEG systems are so expensive that not all EU countries have one today. A group of Swedish researchers are now showing that MEG can be performed with technology that is significantly cheaper than that which is used today – technology that can furthermore provide new knowledge about the brain.
Teen physical activity and screen time influenced by friends
The company a teen keeps can influence how much time they spend either in front of a screen or participating in healthy physical activity, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
One in ten six to eight year olds has sleep-disordered breathing
Approximately ten per cent of 6 year olds have sleep-disordered breathing, according to a recent Finnish study. The risk is increased among children with enlarged tonsils, crossbite and convex facial profile. Unlike in adults, excess body fat is not associated with sleep-disordered breathing in this age group. The study was part of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study led by the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland. The results were published in European Journal of Pediatrics.
Schizophrenia linked to social inequality
Higher rates of schizophrenia in urban areas can be attributed to increased deprivation, increased population density and an increase in inequality within a neighbourhood, new research reveals. The research, led by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, was published today in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
Gadget givers urged to consider ramifications
(HealthDay)—Gifts of electronic gadgets, like smartphones and laptops, no doubt bring glee to the teens who receive them. But people thinking of gifting such devices to a kid might want to consider the broader ramifications.
Study finds new targets for drugs to defeat aggressive brain tumor
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) researchers have identified over 125 genetic components in a chemotherapy-resistant, brain tumor-derived cell line, which could offer new hope for drug treatment to destroy the cancer cells.
Improved techniques may help recovery and prevent incidents of missing drivers with dementia
(Medical Xpress)—A new study focusing on how people with dementia become lost while driving, how missing drivers are found, and the role of public notification systems like Silver Alert in these discoveries suggests techniques that may help recover drivers with dementia and prevent potentially harmful incidents.
Carriers of gene variant appear less likely to develop heart disease
Scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University have discovered a new gene mechanism that appears to regulate triglyceride levels. This pathway may protect carriers of a gene variant against cardiovascular disease, especially among those with greater intakes of polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). The findings, published online this week in the American Journal of Human Genetics, contribute to research efforts to develop gene-specific diets that could potentially improve general health and complement chronic disease prevention and treatment.
Study finds long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid use may impact visuospatial memory
The long-term use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) may severely impact the user's ability to accurately recall the shapes and spatial relationships of objects, according to a recent study conducted by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School investigators.
Video-based test to study language development in toddlers and children with autism
Parents often wonder how much of the world their young children really understand. Though typically developing children are not able to speak or point to objects on command until they are between eighteen months and two years old, they do provide clues that they understand language as early as the age of one. These clues provide a point of measurement for psychologists interested in language comprehension of toddlers and young children with autism, as demonstrated in a new video-article published in JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments).
We're all living longer, but longevity increases not benefitting everybody
Global lifespans have risen dramatically in the past 40 years, but the increased life expectancy is not benefitting everybody equally, say University of Toronto researchers. In particular, adult males from low- and middle-income countries are losing ground.
More casinos does not mean more gamblers
A new study out of the University of Iowa examined how casino growth in the state has influenced gambling by residents. The survey suggests that fewer Iowans gambled overall and also that fewer people have become addicted to gambling despite a recent spurt in gaming facilities. Casino gambling was introduced in Iowa in 1991. There are currently 21 casinos in Iowa, all but three licensed by the state. (The others are owned and operated by Native American tribes.)
In decision-making, it might be worth trusting your gut
Turns out the trope is true: You should trust your gut—as long as you're an expert. So says a new study from researchers at Rice University, George Mason University and Boston College.
Ibrutinib has 'unprecedented' impact on mantle cell lymphoma
An international study of ibrutinib in people with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) continues to show unprecedented and durable results with few side effects.
Olympians live longer than general population... But cyclists no survival advantage over golfers
Olympic medallists live longer than the general population, regardless of country of origin, medal won, or type of sport played, finds a study in the Christmas issue published on BMJ today.
Low back pain world's highest contributor to disability, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Low back pain is the highest contributor to disability in the world, according to a pivotal international study released today.
A key gene for brain development
(Medical Xpress)—Neurobiologists at the Research institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna have discovered one of the key genes required to make a brain. Mutations in this gene, called TUBB5, cause neurodevelopmental disease in children.
Chronic alcohol and marijuana use during youth can compromise white-matter integrity
Chronic use of alcohol and marijuana during youth is associated with poorer neural structure, function, and metabolism, as well as worsened neurocognitive abilities into later adolescence and adulthood. This may be due to biological and psychosocial transitions occurring during adolescence that impart increased vulnerability to neurotoxic influences. A study of longitudinal changes in fiber tract integrity associated with adolescent alcohol and marijuana use during 1.5 years supports previous findings of reduced white-matter integrity in these youth.
Countering brain chemical could prevent suicides
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have found the first proof that a chemical in the brain called glutamate is linked to suicidal behavior, offering new hope for efforts to prevent people from taking their own lives.
Study shows antidepressant could do double duty as diabetes drug
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have discovered that the commonly used antidepressant drug paroxetine could also become a therapy for the vascular complications of diabetes.
What mechanism generates our fingers and toes?
Dr. Marie Kmita and her research team at the IRCM contributed to a multidisciplinary research project that identified the mechanism responsible for generating our fingers and toes, and revealed the importance of gene regulation in the transition of fins to limbs during evolution. Their scientific breakthrough is published today in the prestigious scientific journal Science.
A drug used to treat HIV might defuse deadly staph infections
A new study by NYU School of Medicine researchers suggests that an existing HIV drug called maraviroc could be a potential therapy for Staphylococcus aureus, a notorious and deadly pathogen linked to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year. Their study is published online this week in Nature.
Biology news
EU says more need to use science to cut fish quota (Update)
(AP)—The European Union's executive Commission is calling for a new approach to protect dwindling fishery stocks and eliminate a system of setting catch quotas in which scientific advice is widely disregarded.
Three-year insect inventory of a Costa Rican rainforest now underway
An ambitious three-year insect inventory of a Costa Rican rainforest, funded by a $900,000 National Science Foundation, is now underway. Led by Drs. Brian Brown (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) and Art Borkent (Royal British Columbia Museum, Canada), an international, 44-member team of fly specialists, including experts at the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) of Costa Rica, are working to inventory all the species living in an approximately 5-acre area (100 by 200 meters). The site is located in a tropical cloud forest in the foothills in eastern Costa Rica, called Zurquí de Moravia.
Crowdsourcing to kickstart comeback from ash dieback
On Friday scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory and the John Innes Centre will publish the first RNA sequence data on the ash dieback fungus causing an epidemic of disease.
Critically endangered parakeets back from the brink on Maud Island
(Phys.org)—The critically endangered orange-fronted parakeets are thriving at Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds, a new study has found.
Computerised 'mug-shots' provide a 'who's who?' of seals
(Phys.org)—A new computerised photo-ID system is helping scientists monitor and track the grey seal population in the UK and beyond.
Male bushcrickets are in charge when it comes to sex
All a question of timing: When bushcrickets mate, the male attaches a sticky package, the so-called spermatophore, to the female's abdomen. Alongside the sperm themselves, this 'bridal present' consists of a protein-rich mass that the female eats after mating. It then takes several hours for the sperm to find their way into the female's reproductive tract. But, who decides when that will happen? A study by the Bielefeld biologists Professor Dr. Klaus Reinhold and Dr. Steven Ramm suggests that it is the male who determines the dynamics of this process even when he has long 'hopped off' somewhere else. They have now published their results in the online first version of the journal Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology.
Dutch give up hope of saving stranded whale
Dutch animal rescuers have given up hope of saving a stranded 12-metre (32-foot) humpback whale on a northern Frisian island after a final attempt to pull it to sea failed, a rescue spokeswoman said Friday.
French president urged to show some jumbo love
A French circus owner Friday urged President Francois Hollande to save the lives of two zoo elephants that city officials want to put down because they have tuberculosis.
If you cut down a tree in the forest, can wildlife hear it?
A new tool developed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and its partners is being used by scientists and land managers to model how noise travels through landscapes and affects species and ecosystems— a major factor in land and wildlife management decisions such as where to locate new roads or recreational trails.
New blind catfish and eel found in India
(Phys.org)—A research team in the southern Indian state of Kerala has discovered a new species of blind catfish living in a deep well. The newly discovered fish was named Horaglanis abdulkalami in honor of a former president of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whose contributions to science had inspired the scientists.
Research may offer big benefits for biofuels and battling infections
(Phys.org)—Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have deciphered the secrets of the production of cellulose, the most common natural polymer on Earth, in a discovery that could have major ramifications for both biofuel production and the battle against bacterial infections.
Raising the blockade
At crucial points in the metabolism of all organisms, a protein with the unwieldy name of Translation Elongation Factor P (EF-P, for short) takes center stage. What it actually does during protein synthesis has only now been elucidated – by researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.
The more things change: Trait variance provides evidence of pervasive mosaic evolution
(Phys.org)—Despite evidence that phenotypic change does not always occur uniformly across all species members and lineages, single size or shape traits are often used to represent species-level change in its entirety. Recently, however, scientists in the Department of Geology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and at the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin asked a deceptively simple question – Are (or when are) single traits adequate representations of species-level change? – and answered it by asking another: How often do single traits show conflicting patterns in the same sequence? To answer the second, they examined trait variation frequency in fossils, finding that within most lineages, evolutionary mode (the pattern of evolution, as opposed to its rate) does indeed vary across traits – and the probability of these patterns conflicting within a given lineage patterns increases in proportion to the number of traits analyzed. Moreover, the evolution o! f single traits may vary despite a particular mode being dominant. The researchers suggest that their findings provide evidence that widespread mosaic evolution – the tendency for different parts within species to evolve in different ways or at different rates – has occurred throughout our planet's history.
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