Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 21, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Flexible, light solar cells: Researchers develop a new approach using graphene sheets coated with nanowires- Boson samplers offering promise for new kinds of computing devices
- Scientists find mechanism that triggers immune responses to DNA
- Physicists take photonic topological insulators to the next level
- Fighting sleeping sickness with X-ray lasers
- Cassini Instrument Learns New Tricks
- May the force be with the atomic probe
- Elusive pygmy right whale found to be member of long thought extinct group
- Beer's bitter: Researcher determines the absolute configurations of the bitter acids of hops
- A new type of nerve cell found in the brain
- Genetic defect causing fragile X-related disorders more common than thought
- Ups and downs of biodiversity after mass extinction
- Targeting taste receptors in the gut may help fight obesity
- EU: Samsung injunctions against Apple breach rules
- Researchers discover genetic basis for eczema, new avenue to therapies
Space & Earth news
Green light for Indonesian forest project but will locals benefit?
Experts have welcomed the Indonesian government's announcement it will approve a commercial forest preservation project aimed at generating carbon credits but have said local people should share the profits.
New free e-Books available about two famous NASA space telescopes
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been providing amazing images of the universe since April 1990 and has led to remarkable discoveries. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the next-generation telescope that will peer even deeper into space and unveil even more mysteries. Both of these extraordinary telescopes are now the topics of two free e-Books available from the Apple iBookstore.
Slab of Barrier Reef sea floor breaking off
A huge slab of sea floor near the Great Barrier Reef is in the early stages of collapse and could generate a tsunami when it finally breaks off, researchers warned Friday.
Quadrantids create year's first meteor shower
(Phys.org)—A little-known meteor shower named after an extinct constellation, the Quadrantids will present an excellent chance for hardy souls to start the year off with some late-night meteor watching. Peaking in the wee morning hours of Jan. 3, the Quadrantids have a maximum rate of about 80 per hour, varying between 60-200. Unfortunately, light from a waning gibbous moon will wash out many Quadrantids, cutting down on the number of meteors seen by skywatchers.
CryoSat hits land
(Phys.org)—ESA's ice mission is now giving scientists a closer look at oceans, coastal areas, inland water bodies and even land, reaching above and beyond its original objectives.
Shepherd Moon face-off!
Two of Saturn's shepherd moons face off across the icy strand of the F ring in this image, acquired by the Cassini spacecraft on December 18, 2012.
Soyuz capsule docks with space Station
A Soyuz capsule packed with three astronauts successfully docked Friday with the International Space Station, taking the size of the full crew at the orbiting laboratory to six.
Powerful supercomputer makes ALMA a telescope
(Phys.org)—One of the most powerful calculating machines known to the civilian world has been installed and tested in a remote, high-altitude site in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile, marking one of the major remaining milestones toward completion of the most elaborate ground-based telescope in history, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).
NASA sees the major Midwestern snowstorm in infrared light
NASA and NOAA satellites have been providing data on the powerful low pressure area that dropped more than a foot of snow in some Midwestern states and prompted many warnings and weather advisories. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image, while NOAA's GOES-13 satellite data was compiled into an animation that showed the movement of the storm system.
Researchers examine how ore deposits are formed
(Phys.org)—New computer simulations by geologists from ETH Zurich demonstrate how large copper and gold deposits are formed. The enrichment process of these metals follows physical principles that are similar to the extraction of deep geothermal energy by hydraulic fracturing of the rock.
Hawaiian Islands are dissolving, study says
(Phys.org)—Someday, Oahu's Koolau and Waianae mountains will be reduced to nothing more than a flat, low-lying island like Midway.
NASA puts Orion backup parachutes to the test
(Phys.org)—NASA completed the latest in a series of parachute tests for its Orion spacecraft Thursday at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in southwestern Arizona, marking another step toward a first flight test in 2014. The test verified Orion can land safely even if one of its two drogue parachutes does not open during descent.
Cassini Instrument Learns New Tricks
(Phys.org)—For seven years, a mini-fridge-sized instrument aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft reliably investigated weather patterns swirling around Saturn; the hydrocarbon composition of the surface of Saturn's moon Titan; the aerosol layers of Titan's haze; and dirt mixing with ice in Saturn's rings. But this year the instrument—the visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) - has been testing out some new telescopic muscles.
Ups and downs of biodiversity after mass extinction
The climate after the largest mass extinction so far 252 million years ago was cool, later very warm and then cool again. Thanks to the cooler temperatures, the diversity of marine fauna ballooned, as paleontologists from the University of Zurich have reconstructed. The warmer climate, coupled with a high CO2 level in the atmosphere, initially gave rise to new, short-lived species. In the longer term, however, this climate change had an adverse effect on biodiversi-ty and caused species to become extinct.
WMAP team releases final results, based on nine years of observations
(Phys.org)—Since its launch in 2001, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) space mission has revolutionized our view of the universe, establishing a cosmological model that explains a widely diverse collection of astronomical observations. Led by Johns Hopkins astrophysicist Charles L. Bennett, the WMAP science team has determined, to a high degree of accuracy and precision, not only the age of the universe, but also the density of atoms; the density of all other non-atomic matter; the epoch when the first stars started to shine; the "lumpiness" of the universe, and how that "lumpiness" depends on scale size.
'All-clear' asteroid will miss Earth in 2040
(Phys.org)—Using the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy (IfA) have confirmed that the chance of asteroid 2011 AG5 impacting Earth in 2040 is no longer a significant risk – prompting a collective sigh-of-relief. Previously, scientists estimated that the risk of this 140-meter-diameter (about the length of two American football fields) asteroid colliding with the Earth was as high as one in 500.
Technology news
Judge allows evidence against man in GPS case
(AP)—A federal judge is allowing prosecutors to use evidence in a drug conspiracy conviction that had been overturned because police used a global positioning system without a warrant.
Japan's next PM ready to lift ban on e-campaigning
Japan's incoming prime minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday he wanted to lift the strict ban on all forms of Internet electioneering as he met with information technology company chiefs.
New DARPA challenge is looking for innovative approaches to adaptive, software-based radio communications
Radios are used for a wide range of tasks, from the most mundane to the most critical of communications, from garage door openers to military operations. As the use of wireless technology proliferates, radios and communication devices often compete with, interfere with, and disrupt the operations of other devices. DARPA seeks innovative approaches that ensure robust communications in such congested and contested environments.
Cambridge Eco Race team launch their 2013 solar-powered vehicle
Cambridge University Eco Racing team (CUER) has been forced to design a radical new solar car in its attempt to win the World Solar Challenge, a 3,000 km race across Australia.
Social-media deals come with a price: Your public endorsement
The deals tempt Karen Gunter just seconds after she opens her Facebook page: 25 percent off at the local department store, 20 percent off at Old Navy, a free drink at Caribou Coffee.
Italian court overturns Google convictions
(AP)—An Italian appeals court on Friday overturned the convictions of three Google executives found criminally responsible for a video on a Google site that showed a disabled teen being bullied.
Great Firewall 'upgrade' hits China Internet users
Chinese authorities who have long sought to limit access to information have reinforced the so-called Great Firewall of China, Internet firms say, frustrating businesses and raising activist concerns.
User revolt causes Instagram to keep old rules
Instagram on Thursday tried to calm a user rebellion by nixing a change that would have given the Facebook-owned mobile photo sharing service unfettered rights to people's pictures.
Lawsuit claims Hewlett-Packard has lied about Autonomy write-off
Countering Hewlett-Packard Co.'s claim that it wrote off $8.8 billion of its purchase of Autonomy after discovering it had been misled about the British firm's finances, a shareholder lawsuit claims the real reason was that HP failed to develop a product it had promised from the deal.
Samsung delivers strong 14nm FinFET logic process and design infrastructure for advanced mobile SoC customers
Samsung Electronics today announced that it reached another milestone in the development of 14-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology with the successful tape-out of multiple development vehicles in collaboration with its key design and IP partners. In addition, Samsung has signed an agreement with ARM for 14nm physical IP and libraries. This agreement is the latest in a series from Samsung and ARM that has delivered production proven SoC enablement. Samsung, together with its ecosystem partners, is in a position to offer leading edge customers a robust design infrastructure to drive an ever expanding advanced mobile SoC market.
Nokia, RIM settle old disputes in new patent pact (Update)
Nokia Corp. and Canadian smartphone rival Research In Motion have agreed on a new patent licensing pact which will end all existing litigation between the two struggling companies, the Finnish firm said Friday.
Chemical engineer working toward better batteries for transportation
As fuel prices rise, cheaper (and cleaner) forms of energy become more attractive and important to consumers. Gas-electric hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion have grown in popularity, and fully electric cars may be the wave of the future.
Researchers develop a biological concrete for constructing 'living' facades with lichens, mosses, other microorganism
The Structural Technology Group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia has developed and patented a type of biological concrete that supports the natural, accelerated growth of pigmented organisms. The material, which has been designed for the façades of buildings or other constructions in Mediterranean climates, offers environmental, thermal and aesthetic advantages over other similar construction solutions.
Bionym: Software that gets to the heart of computer security
(Phys.org)—Passwords are the bane of 21st century life. But Bionym, a Toronto-based tech start-up, promises to change that.
'Gently does it' drives you further in electric vehicles
Drivers of petrol and diesel cars are usually aware that driving at high speed, harsh acceleration and hard braking all contribute to lowering their fuel economy. Scientists can readily explain in terms of the thermodynamics of the internal combustion engine why driving such a car more smoothly and at gentler speeds will increase significantly the distance that might be travelled on a single tank of fuel. But, what about electric vehicles (EVs)?
Dutch MPs vote not to ban illegal downloads
Dutch MPs have voted not to ban illegal Internet downloads of copyrighted films, music and software, preferring to levy a tax on smartphones and computers.
A new player comes onto 'green' construction scene
The longtime standard for constructing energy-efficient buildings - LEED certification - is no longer the only option in the "green"-construction business.
Will wind tax credit blow away?
Geronimo Wind Energy recently won regulators' permission to build two wind farms in Minnesota. What happens next for the ventures depends partly on the political winds in the nation's capital.
EHarmony founder has his heart set on reviving the dating site
Neil Clark Warren thinks he's the best match for EHarmony Inc. In a move that caused his friends to call him crazy, the 78-year-old EHarmony founder came out of retirement in July to become chief executive, looking to resuscitate one of the most recognized online dating services that was struggling amid increased competition.
Tech giants rush to embrace software
Hewlett-Packard's purchase of Autonomy may have turned into a multibillion-dollar disaster, but it hasn't stopped HP - and other Silicon Valley tech giants - from making more big bets to bolster their software offerings, reflecting a tectonic shift in the industry.
Shipping technology streamlines UPS' holiday rush
When Keith Short began delivering packages for UPS 23 years ago, he used bulky pads of paper to track parcels and pens that froze in the cold. Today, Short scans packages on and off his truck with a handheld computer that tells him what to deliver where and when, and can even direct him turn-by-turn.
RIM shares pounded on subscriber worries
Shares of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion plummeted Friday on the Nasdaq exchange on investor fears that its new smartphone platform will thin the ranks paying for its service.
Groupon buys online service CommerceInterface
Online deals company Groupon says it will buy online retail manager CommerceInterface for an undisclosed amount.
Who needs magic carpet? TMU has virtual body chair (w/ video)
(Phys.org)—Remember when immersion meant watching whales move around on super-sized cinema screens with surround sound? Japan's researchers at the Ikei Laboratory of the Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School of System Design are well ahead of the game. They are now developing "virtual body" technology that uses the five senses. Imagine transforming a seated viewer, feeling the ground, into a running Usain Bolt heading toward greatness in the 100-meter dash or into a strolling tourist enjoying aromas of cut lemons and sea salt and the sensation of a gentle breeze.
Click, print, shoot: Downloadable guns possible (Update)
Downloading a gun's design plans to your computer, building it on a three-dimensional printer and firing it minutes later. No background checks, no questions asked.
Concentrated solar power with thermal energy storage can help utilities' bottom line, study shows
(Phys.org)—The storage capacity of concentrating solar power (CSP) can add significant value to a utility company's optimal mix of energy sources, a new report by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests.
EU: Samsung injunctions against Apple breach rules
The European Commission said Friday that South Korea's Samsung Electronics was abusing its dominant market position in certain technologies when it took out injunctions against fierce rival Apple.
Medicine & Health news
Big Pharma cashes in on HGH abuse
An Associated Press investigation shows that a federal crackdown on illicit foreign supplies of human growth hormone has failed to stop rampant misuse, and instead has driven record sales of the drug by some of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies.
Health Survey for England reveals a nation in pain
Today's Health Survey for England reveals more than 14 million sufferers of chronic pain - pain which has lasted for more than three months. The study found that pain is more common among some groups than others, pain incurs significant costs and has serious mental health and wellbeing implications.
Adults with disabilities more likely to seek care in the emergency department, study finds
People with disabilities, while making up just 17 percent of the working-age adult population, account for almost 40 percent of all emergency department (ED) visits, finds a new study in Health Services Research.
Ironing out the link between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer
H. pylori frequently causes gastric ulcers and is also one of the greatest risk factors for gastric cancer. H. pylori infection is also associated with another gastric cancer risk factor, iron deficiency.
The X factor in liver metabolism
After you eat, your liver switches from producing glucose to storing it. At the same time, a cellular signaling pathway known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) is transiently activated, but it is not clear how this pathway contributes to the liver's metabolic switch.
Test to detect pre-menstrual syndrome
Even though there are many women who do not notice any special symptoms, there are some whose pre-menstrual disorders hamper their everyday lives: depressive mood, anxiety, excessive emotional sensitivity, fatigue, lack of concentration, headache, etc. Nevertheless, according to Leire Aperribai, PhD holder in Psychology from the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country, unified criteria for defining and diagnosing this disease have yet to be agreed on, "and so it is difficult to develop suitable interventions to treat women suffering from these symptoms."
New markers could improve treatment and survival in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the most common paediatric cancer, has been the subject of study in the PhD thesis of ElixabetLópez.In the work entitled New genetic markers for treatment personalization in paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, the UPV/EHU biologist has presented new genetic markers that could improve the classification of risk groups and predict treatment toxicity in the patient.That way it would be possible to achieve better personalisation of the treatment.
Court strikes down Costa Rica in-vitro ban (Update)
(AP)—A Costa Rican ban on in-vitro fertilization has been struck down by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in a decision that reproductive health groups said could lead to greater access to abortion and some contraception in other Latin American countries.
Targeted gene silencing drugs are more than 500 times more effective with new delivery method
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are a potent new drug class that can silence a disease-causing gene, but delivering them to a target cell can be challenging. An innovative delivery approach that dramatically increases the efficacy of an siRNA drug targeted to the liver and has made it possible to test the drug in non-human primates is described in an article in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.
3.5 million Pakistani children miss polio vaccine: WHO
More than 3.5 million Pakistani children missed out on polio vaccination this week in a campaign overshadowed by the deaths of nine immunisation workers, a UN official said Friday.
One man's harrowing battle with hepatitis C
(HealthDay)—Ted Adamson's liver had been so ravaged by the hepatitis C virus that he was nearly at the point of needing a liver transplant. Yet he had no symptoms. None. He didn't even feel tired.
Appeal against 3-day wait for SD abortion dropped
(AP)—Planned Parenthood has announced that it plans to drop its appeal of a legal provision that requires women seeking abortions in South Dakota to wait three days.
Hep C cases linked to NH hospital worker rise
(AP)—Five more people have been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C a former traveling hospital worker is accused of spreading through tainted needles. The total is now 44 in four states.
Better stroke care, everywhere: Study boosts local hospitals' clotbuster use
From the moment a stroke occurs, patients must race against the clock to get treatment that can prevent lasting damage. Now, a new study shows the promise – and the challenges – of getting them state-of-the-art treatment safely at their local hospital, saving precious minutes.
Discovery could eventually help diagnose and treat chronic pain
More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. But treating and studying chronic pain is complex and presents many challenges. Scientists have long searched for a method to objectively measure pain and a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital advances that effort. The study appears in the January 2013 print edition of the journal Pain.
Microevolutionary analysis of Clostridium difficile genomes to investigate transmission
Over recent years, hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infections have been a significant problem in UK hospitals and globally. There have been concerns that infections may be due to transmission between symptomatic patients, either directly, or indirectly via hospital staff; these concerns were strengthened when enhanced infection control was introduced in England in 2007, and the incidence of C. difficile infection declined. A recent study published in the open access journal Genome Biology, published by BioMed Central, took a genomics approach to assess the incidence of patient-to-patient transmission of C. difficile. The study was supported by the National Institute of Heath Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre – a collaboration between Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Oxford University.
Brain imaging insight into cannabis as a pain killer
The pain relief offered by cannabis varies greatly between individuals, a brain imaging study carried out at the University of Oxford suggests.
Young scientist helps identify cause of widespread eye disease
Branch retinal vein occlusion – blockage of the blood vessels that channel blood from the retina – is a common eye disease. A type of blood clot in the eye, the disease causes reduced vision, and people with the disease also typically have an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and other serious conditions. A young scientist from the University of Copenhagen has made a significant contribution to finding the cause of the disease.
Metformin treatment beneficial for obese children, teens
(HealthDay)—Obese children and adolescents treated with twice-daily metformin have significantly improved body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS), fasting glucose, and other metabolic risk factors, according to research published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
No training means spiritual care lacking in advanced cancer
(HealthDay)—Although oncology nurses and physicians feel that spiritual care (SC) is an important, appropriate, and beneficial component of end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with advanced cancer, it is infrequently offered, primarily due to a lack of training, according to research published online Dec. 17 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Rate of new HIV infections drops for first time among black women, CDC reports
(HealthDay)—For the first time, the rate of new HIV infections among black American women declined between 2008 and 2010, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FDA: Pradaxa not for patients with mechanical heart valves
(HealthDay)—The blood thinner Pradaxa should not be used to prevent stroke or blood clots in patients with mechanical heart valves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a warning issued Wednesday.
AAP to Obama: Make safety of children a national focus
(HealthDay)—Responding to the Dec. 14 tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expressed a willingness to work together with the government to ensure the health and safety of children, according to a letter written from the AAP to President Obama.
Fatty acids don't reduce atrial fibrillation recurrence
(HealthDay)—Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) do not reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Data suggest smoking doesn't impact RA treatment response
(HealthDay)—For patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), smoking status does not impact treatment response to early combination therapy or initial methotrexate treatment with step-up therapy, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Overweight? You can scale back weight gain in pregnancy
(HealthDay)—Women who are overweight or obese should gain less weight during pregnancy than moms-to-be of normal weight, according to new recommendations by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Fish oil supplements won't prevent irregular heart beat
(HealthDay)—Some research has suggested that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can help prevent an irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation. However, a new study finds these supplements have little effect on the condition once it develops.
New diabetes guidelines may lower patient medical bills
(HealthDay)— New guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Thursday may reduce the number of people who need to take blood pressure medications, and they may help more people get insurance coverage for testing their blood sugar levels.
Scientists uncover cells at the origin of basal cell carcinoma
For years researchers have been trying to identify the molecular changes that occur in tumour-initiating cells from the very first oncogenic mutation to the development of invasive tumors. The most frequently diagnosed skin cancer in humans is basal cell carcinoma, with over a million such cases reported each year. An EU-funded team of researchers led by Prof. Cédric Blanpain of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) has identified the molecular events that occur during basal cell carcinoma initiation. This study was recently published in the journal Nature Cell Biology and it was partially supported by the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant worth EUR 1.6 million awarded to Prof. Blanpain.
World-first tissue study could re-shape future of advanced prostate cancer treatment
The first-ever comprehensive study of prostate cancer tissue has revealed a completely new gene network driving the disease in patients who have stopped responding to standard hormone treatment, according to Cancer Research UK research published today in Cancer Cell.
Social networking: Is the igeneration a 'we' generation?
(Medical Xpress)—Social networking sites may increase the bonds of friendship for nine to 13-year-old boys, according to researchers from the University of York.
Researcher expects improvements to epilepsy diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening seizures
(Medical Xpress)—The electroencephalogram (EEG) for human uses has been around since 1924. Small metal discs placed along the scalp measure electrical activity in the human brain, important in diagnosing or evaluating epilepsy, sleep disorders and other conditions.
Tips for having a heart-healthy holiday
(Medical Xpress)—It's the season of joy, peace and goodwill, but it's also the time of year that brings a spike in heart attacks with most occurring on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Research finds new therapy options for children with severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) has long been considered a therapeutic orphan. Until now, the principal effective treatment has been high-dose steroids (prednisone) which are accompanied by several serious side effects. Newer treatments for other forms of JIA have not been as successful for the systemic subtype.
Mild brain cooling after head injury prevents epileptic seizures in lab study
(Medical Xpress)—Mild cooling of the brain after a head injury prevents the later development of epileptic seizures, according to an animal study reported this month in the Annals of Neurology.
Rebuilding blood vessels through gene therapy
(Medical Xpress)—Diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease, a group of patients too ill for or not responding to other treatment options decided to take part in a clinical trial testing angiogenic gene therapy to help rebuild their damaged blood vessels. More than 10 years later, in a follow-up review of these patients, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (where the clinical trial and review took place) and Stony Brook University Medical Center report the outcomes are promising and open the door for larger trials to begin.
Smartphones monitor food portions for better nutrition
(Medical Xpress)—Family feasts, office parties and celebrating with friends find many people questioning how to control the amount they indulge in for the holiday season. The answer may be forthcoming, as researchers in LSU's College of Engineering and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working to help control food intake through smartphone technology.
New study finds link between overfeeding and high blood pressure
(Medical Xpress)—A new study conducted by researchers at Lehman College, and recently published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension, shows conclusively that overfeeding causes increases in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA)—part of the fight or flight reflex—which can lead to the development of high blood pressure. Dr. Martin Muntzel, a professor in the College's Dept. of Biology and an expert on diet, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, led the study.
Re-tuning responses in the visual cortex
New research led by Shigeru Tanaka of the University of Electro-Communications and visiting scientist at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute has shown that the responses of cells in the visual cortex can be 're-tuned' by experience.
Geneticists uncover a trail of variants associated with kidney dysfunction, specifically among East Asian populations
The past decade has seen a steady torrent of data linking human genetic variants associated with disease risk, and yet many important gaps remain. For example, many of these studies have focused primarily on Caucasian populations in North America and Europe. The resulting data may be less relevant to other ethnic groups that may have accumulated distinct subsets of risk factors over the millennia since our ancestors first parted ways in Africa.
Early intervention for premature infants increases IQ
Babies born prematurely are at higher risk of having a lower IQ and impaired cognitive and motor skills. Programs aimed at helping these infants and their families once they leave the hospital have been found to increase IQ in the period up to school age and provide lasting improvements in cognitive skills, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.
Parents' addiction, unemployment and divorce are risk factors for childhood abuse
Adults who had parents who struggled with addiction, unemployment and divorce are 10 times more likely to have been victims of childhood physical abuse, according to a new study prepared by the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
Liver mitochondria improve, increase after chronic alcohol feeding in mice
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) have found evidence that liver mitochondria in mice adapt to become better metabolizers of alcohol and increase in number after chronic exposure, which may raise the potential for free radical damage associated with aging and cancer over time.
Researchers discover new pathways that drive metastatic prostate cancer
Elevated levels of Cyclin D1b could function as a novel biomarker of lethal metastatic disease in prostate cancer patients, according to a pre-clinical study published ahead of print on December 21 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation by researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
FDA panel recommends against 1st drug for chronic fatigue syndrome
(HealthDay)—A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Thursday recommended against approval of the first proposed drug to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
Mass murders: Why us? Why the U.S.?
(HealthDay)—The recent rash of mass shootings is raising pointed questions about why America is experiencing such carnage. And, while the answers are complex, policymakers are capitalizing on public fervor over last week's massacre in Newtown, Conn., to muster support for new initiatives to prevent future tragedies.
Florida doctor gives stroke survivors new shot at mobility, independence
A single injection, then a five-minute wait. That's all it took for hundreds of stroke and traumatic brain injury patients from South Florida and nationwide to reverse years of debilitation. Now they're walking more steadily, reading more easily, concentrating better, speaking more clearly and regaining use of once-rigid limbs - long after giving up hope that their bodies would ever respond.
Strength training improves vascular function in young black men
Six weeks of weight training can significantly improve blood markers of cardiovascular health in young African-American men, researchers report in the Journal of Human Hypertension.
Hepatitis: The hidden hazard
(HealthDay)—Of all the diseases people worry about getting, viral hepatitis is usually way down on the list. Most often it's thought of as a disease that affects only drug addicts or the sexually promiscuous. Though those groups are at higher risk, almost anyone can contract hepatitis.
ACP pledges to try and end firearms-linked death, injuries
(HealthDay)—In the wake of the Dec. 14 tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., the American College of Physicians (ACP) has pledged to play a part in ending recurring firearm-related deaths and injuries, according to an ACP statement published Dec. 20.
Similar oncologic efficacy for robotic, open cystectomy
(HealthDay)—For patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy, a robotic approach seems to have the same oncologic efficacy as an open approach and demonstrates potential perioperative benefits, according to a pilot study published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
Upper lumbar disc space related to hip pain
(HealthDay)—Disc space narrowing at disc levels L1/L2 and L2/L3, visible on lumbar radiographs, may help to identify hip pain patients whose pain originates in the lumbar spine, according to research published in the November issue of the European Spine Journal.
Longitudinal algorithm may detect ovarian cancer earlier
(HealthDay)—Compared with a single-threshold (ST) rule, a parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) longitudinal screening algorithm can identify ovarian cancer earlier and at a lower concentration of CA125, according to research published online Dec. 17 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
New insights into how immune system fights atherosclerosis
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers has found that an important branch of the immune system, in reaction to the development of atherosclerotic lesions, mounts a surprisingly robust anti-inflammatory T cell response that helps prevent the disease from progressing. The findings may help inform the design of anti-atherosclerosis vaccines and other therapies that can take advantage of this aspect of the immune system. The study was published today in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
During one of the earliest flu seasons, researchers share subtle strategy for promoting vaccination
(Medical Xpress)— With the nation experiencing one of the earliest flu seasons since the winter of 2003, Matthew McGlone – an associate professor of advertising in The University of Texas at Austin's College of Communication – has discovered a subtle linguistic strategy for promoting vaccination.
Many causes for learning lags in tumor disorder
(Medical Xpress)—The causes of learning problems associated with an inherited brain tumor disorder are much more complex than scientists had anticipated, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.
Options increase for CML patients failed by existing drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this month expanded the options for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and one form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia that carries the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+ALL). It approved the drug ponatinib (Iclusig), which is effective in a significant number of patients with either disease.
High court asked to block morning-after pill rule
(AP)—Hobby Lobby Stores is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block part of the federal health care law that requires it to provide insurance coverage for the morning-after pill and similar emergency contraception pills.
Study probes why and how patients with lung cancer initially get diagnosed with the disease
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers are looking into the widespread implementation of computed-tomography (CT) scanning for the early detection of lung cancer in a public heath setting, asking two key questions: Without screening, why and how do patients with lung cancer get diagnosed with the disease in the first place? And what proportion of these cases would be captured by screening efforts?
Genetic defect causing fragile X-related disorders more common than thought
A single genetic defect on the X chromosome that can result in a wide array of conditions—from learning and emotional difficulties to primary ovarian insufficiency in women and tremors in middle-aged men—occurs at a much greater frequency than previously thought, research led by the UC Davis MIND Institute has found.
Study shows a hit of caffeine can boost your information-processing skills
(Medical Xpress)—That cup of coffee you have each morning could be doing more than giving you a wake-up jolt; it may actually improve your ability to process information. That's according to a study by two Tufts psychologists who found that caffeine seems to make people perform better in a proofreading test compared to those going without the java.
Search for epigenetic decoder leads scientists to Rett Syndrome
(Medical Xpress)—A few years ago, scientists discovered an unexpected layer of information woven into the genetic code – a nucleotide called 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, or 5hmC. Its meaning was unknown at the time, but a new analysis suggests that a regulatory protein called MeCP2, known for its involvement in the nervous system disorder Rett Syndrome, recognizes 5hmC in the brain and facilitates activation of the genes in which it is most abundant.
Scientists discover origins of a bacterial strain that causes severe clostridium difficile infection
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at the University of Liverpool have identified the origin of an epidemic strain of Clostridium difficile (027) and its mode of spread using tagging genetic signatures in the DNA of bacteria, some of them associated with its increased virulence.
A new type of nerve cell found in the brain
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, in collaboration with colleagues in Germany and the Netherlands, have identified a previously unknown group of nerve cells in the brain. The nerve cells regulate cardiovascular functions such as heart rhythm and blood pressure. It is hoped that the discovery, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, will be significant in the long term in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in humans.
Targeting taste receptors in the gut may help fight obesity
Despite more than 25 years of research on antiobesity drugs, few medications have shown long-term success. Now researchers reporting online on December 21 in the Cell Press journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism say that targeting taste sensors in the gut may be a promising new strategy.
Researchers discover genetic basis for eczema, new avenue to therapies
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Oregon State University today announced the discovery of an underlying genetic cause of atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema most common in infancy that also affects millions of adults around the world with dry, itchy and inflamed skin lesions.
Scientists find mechanism that triggers immune responses to DNA
(Medical Xpress)—Free-floating pieces of DNA in a cell's watery interior can mean bad things: invading viruses, bacteria, or parasites, ruptured cellular membranes, or disease. Genetic material is meant to be contained in a cell's nucleus or key organelles, and when it's loose, it's a sign for the immune system that something is wrong. Now, Howard Hughes Medical Institute scientists have discovered the molecular pathway responsible for detecting loose bits of DNA outside a cell's nucleus in the cytosol and setting off the resulting immune reaction.
Biology news
Keep your pets safe this holiday season
(Phys.org)—Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis, offer some helpful tips to keep your pets safe this holiday season.
Heat wave means pet precautions
With Christmas temperatures forecast to rise above 35 degrees, Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital is reminding people to be mindful of heat stroke in pets.
New genetics project could help save the ash tree
A Queen Mary scientist will embark on a new project to decode the ash tree's entire genetic sequence in the hope of stopping Britain's trees from being completely devastated by the Chalara ash dieback fungal disease.
California completes undersea parks network
Surviving budget cuts, mobs of angry fishermen, and death threats, California officials Wednesday completed the largest network of undersea parks in the continental United States - 848 square miles of protected waters that reach from the Oregon line to the Mexican border.
Flying fish a fascinating sight
(Phys.org)—A chance sighting of the exotic Spotfin Flyingfish captured on film by ecologist Rohan Clarke during a recent research trip has been recognised in a premier natural history photography competition.
Shocking Asian carp out of Midwest rivers not a viable option
(Phys.org)—One of the more promising ideas for controlling or eliminating troublesome Asian carp populations in the Midwest's rivers is impractical and unsafe, according to a Purdue University researcher.
Wildlife monitoring cameras click jaguar and ocelot photos
(Phys.org)—Automated trail cameras set up by a UA research team have snapped pictures of a male jaguar and a male ocelot roaming the rugged Southern Arizona landscape.
How molecular transports change gear: Environment determines the motion of motor proteins
The motor protein myosin-V, which hauls molecular cargoes around cells by ratcheting along filaments of actin, switches between two different molecular mechanisms of movement depending on the environment. This finding by a research group led by Toshio Yanagida of the RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center, Osaka, and Osaka University, could form the basis for designing energy-saving artificial nano-motors.
Nesting turtle numbers fall in South Asia
Conservationists have expressed alarm over the low number of turtles arriving on the coast of east India and Bangladesh for the nesting season, blaming overfishing and climate change for the decline.
A giant puzzle with billions of pieces: Scientists decipher genetic information of microbes in biogas plants
Day after day, legions of microorganisms work to produce energy from waste in biogas plants. Researchers from Bielefeld University's Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) are taking a close look to find out which microbes do the best job. They are analysing the entire genetic information of the microbial communities in selected biogas plants up and down Germany. From the beginning of 2013, the Californian Joint Genome Institute will undertake the sequencing required. The biocomputational analysis will be performed at CeBiTec. Not an easy task, since the data will be supplied in billions of fragments stemming in turn from hundreds of organisms. Piecing together this huge jigsaw puzzle will be painstaking work.
German scientists seek to clone perfect Xmas trees
The hunt for the perfect Christmas tree may soon become a lot easier: just pick a nice clone.
FDA says fast-growing fish would not harm nature (Update)
U.S. government health regulators say a genetically modified salmon that grows twice as fast as normal is unlikely to harm the environment, clearing the way for the first approval of a scientifically engineered animal for human consumption.
New method for sequencing genome in a single cell
(Phys.org)—The traditional genome sequencing process requires thousands of cells (or more) to provide sufficient DNA, and this means that variations that are only present in a small number of cells―such as early cancer cells―are missed. Now a new technique has been developed for effectively sequencing the DNA in an individual cell.
Protein regulates protein folding in cells during stress
(Phys.org)—Cornell researchers have discovered that a protein known for moving cells around in the body also helps regulate a cellular organelle responsible for generating one-third of all proteins in the human body.
Evolution: Alternative splicing of RNA rewires signaling in different tissues, may contribute to species differences
When genes were first discovered, the canonical view was that each gene encodes a unique protein. However, biologists later found that segments of genes can be combined in different ways, giving rise to many different proteins.
Elusive pygmy right whale found to be member of long thought extinct group
(Phys.org)—Researchers in New Zealand have found that the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata) is not a right whale at all but is instead a member of the cetotheres family of baleen whales, which until now have been believed to be extinct. The team reports on its finding in a paper they've had published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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