Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 3, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Nanogenerator's output triples previous record- Big Bang under the microscope
- Researchers show short laser pulses selectively heat gold nanoparticles
- Ubuntu for smartphones to stir up CES
- A feat in synthetic chemistry: Steroids that only nature could make on a large scale
- Jumping droplets help heat transfer
- First meteorite linked to Martian crust
- Editing the genome: New method allows scientists to insert multiple genes in specific locations, delete defective genes
- Coral records suggest that recent El Nino activity rises above noisy background
- People underestimate how much they might change in the future
- NASA considering capturing and placing asteroid into moon orbit
- Tobii's eye tracker REX will showcase at CES (w/ video)
- Your brain on Big Bird: Sesame Street helps to reveal patterns of neural development
- Online science news needs careful study, researchers say
- Study: Portions of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet are warming twice as fast as previously thought
Space & Earth news
US fines Transocean $1.4 bn over Gulf oil disaster
The United States hit drilling rig operator Transocean Deepwater with $1.4 billion in criminal and civil fines Thursday for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil leak disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Tehran governor orders shutdown over pollution
Schools, universities and government offices in the Iranian capital will be closed on Saturday for the second time in a month because of high air pollution, Tehran governor Morteza Tamadon said Thursday.
USGS: Mission accomplished for Landsat 5
(Phys.org)—Today the U.S. Geological Survey announced that Landsat 5 will be decommissioned over the coming months, bringing to a close the longest-operating Earth observing satellite mission in history. By any measure, the Landsat 5 mission has been an extraordinary success, providing unprecedented contributions to the global record of land change. The USGS has brought the aging satellite back from the brink of failure on several occasions, but the recent failure of a gyroscope has left no option but to end the mission.
Professor discusses innovation for the environment
David Keith is Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. The award-winning scientist, who was named one of TIME magazine's Heroes of the Environment in 2009, has worked near the interface of climate science, energy technology, and public policy for twenty years. He divides his time between Boston and Calgary, where he serves as president of Carbon Engineering—a start-up company developing industrial-scale technologies for capture of CO2 from ambient air. Here, Keith answers questions about his research and ideas for reducing climate change using innovative and sometimes controversial methods.
New images show a 'living' Mars
Over the years, scientists have found evidence revealing that an ocean may have covered parts of the Red Planet billions of years ago. Others suggest that a future terraformed Mars could be lush with oceans and vegetation. In either scenario, what would Mars look like as a planet alive with water and life? By combining data from several sources—along with a bit of creative license—software engineer Kevin Gill has created some gorgeous images showing concepts of what a "living Mars" might look like from orbit, turning the Red Planet into its own version of the Blue Marble.
PhoneSat: Smart, small and sassy
(Phys.org)—The fast-paced proliferation and popularity of mobile devices here on Earth, like smartphones loaded with powerful operating systems, will find a new niche market– this time in space, thanks to NASA's trailblazing PhoneSat project.
Martian rock from Sahara desert unlike others
Scientists are abuzz about a coal-colored rock from Mars that landed in the Sahara desert: A yearlong analysis revealed it's quite different from other Martian meteorites. Not only is it older than most, it also contains more water. The baseball-size meteorite, estimated to be 2 billion years old, is strikingly similar to the volcanic rocks examined by the NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity on the Martian surface.
NASA satellites see Cyclone Dumile over La Reunion and Mauritius
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured visible and infrared data on Tropical Cyclone Dumile as it slammed into the islands of La Reunion and Mauritius in the Southern Indian Ocean.
NASA sees Tropical Depression Sonamu form near Philippines
The first Tropical Depression of 2013 formed the western North Pacific Ocean today, and NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image of the "birth."
Planets abound: Astronomers estimate that at least 100 billion planets populate the galaxy
(Phys.org)—Look up at the night sky and you'll see stars, sure. But you're also seeing planets—billions and billions of them. At least.
Study: Portions of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet are warming twice as fast as previously thought
(Phys.org)—A new study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) finds that the western part of the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is experiencing nearly twice as much warming as previously thought.
Vesta: Large impacts of asteroids may have transferred carbonaceous material to the protoplanet and inner solar system
The protoplanet Vesta has been witness to an eventful past: images taken by the framing camera onboard NASA's space probe Dawn show two enormous craters in the southern hemisphere. The images were obtained during Dawn's year-long visit to Vesta that ended in September 2012. These huge impacts not only altered Vesta's shape, but also its surface composition. Scientists under the lead of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Katlenburg-Lindau in Germany have shown that impacting small asteroids delivered dark, carbonaceous material to the protoplanet. In the early days of our solar system, similar events may have provided the inner planets such as Earth with carbon, an essential building block for organic molecules. These results were published in the November-December issue of the journal Icarus.
NASA considering capturing and placing asteroid into moon orbit
(Phys.org)—Researchers at the Keck Institute for Space Studies have released a paper outlining a proposal to send an unmanned spacecraft into deep space to capture an asteroid and return it as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) orbiting the moon. In putting together the paper, the team at Keck worked with several NASA agencies, universities and private groups with the aim of discerning the feasibility of such a project and then outlining how it might come about.
First meteorite linked to Martian crust
After extensive analyses by a team of scientists led by Carl Agee at the University of New Mexico, researchers have identified a new class of Martian meteorite that likely originated from the Mars's crust. It is also the only meteoritic sample dated to 2.1 billion years ago, the early era of the most recent geologic epoch on Mars, an epoch called the Amazonian. The meteorite was found to contain an order of magnitude more water than any other Martian meteorite.
Coral records suggest that recent El Nino activity rises above noisy background
By examining a set of fossil corals that are as much as 7,000 years old, scientists have dramatically expanded the amount of information available on the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, a Pacific Ocean climate cycle that affects climate worldwide. The new information will help assess the accuracy of climate model projections for 21st century climate change in the tropical Pacific.
Technology news
Review: 'Nike+ Kinect,' 'Your Shape' sweat it out
It's that time of the year when the line for an elliptical machine at your local gym stretches a bit longer thanks to freshly motivated folks who've resolved to start 2013 by shedding pounds and shaping up. Why wait to work out—or even leave your living room—when you can get your heart rate up at home with these recently released fitness games?
Google chairman heading to North Korea
(AP)—When he lands in North Korea, even Google's executive chairman will likely have to relinquish his smartphone, leaving him disconnected from the global information network he helped build.
US sets announcement on Google antitrust probe
US regulators scheduled an announcement Thursday on their lengthy antitrust probe of Google, amid reports a voluntary settlement was likely.
Al-Jazeera pays $500M for Current TV (Update)
(AP)—Al-Jazeera has a growing reputation for serious news gathering and its reporters have won some of the biggest awards in journalism. What the Pan-Arab news network doesn't have is a significant presence in the U.S.
Why car sales are strong in the US (Update)
It's not quite boom times for the U.S. auto industry. But it's getting there.
Unconventional visualization method wins jury prize at media festival
Collaborative work performed by the Remote Data Analysis and Visualization Center (RDAV) and University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, artist Evan Meaney that examines the interplay of data, information, and knowledge has won the jury prize for the Distributed Microtopias exhibition at the 15th Annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF).
US holiday season online spending climbs
Industry tracker comScore on Thursday reported that US shoppers spent a total of $42.3 billion online during the year-end holiday season—a 14 percent jump from the same period in 2011.
Smart pens to help control hand tremors
(Phys.org)—Approximately 12 million people in the U.S. are affected by uncontrolled tremors as a result of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. From buttoning a shirt to writing a note, uncontrollably shaky hands make it difficult to complete some of the most basic tasks that most of us take for granted, according to fifth-year engineering student Zac Sheffer.
Professor champions video gaming as valuable teaching tool for parents, teachers
(Phys.org)—The stereotype of young people isolating themselves by hunching in front of a video game screen is often far from the truth, says Elisabeth Hayes, recently appointed the Delbert & Jewell Lewis Chair in Reading & Literacy at ASU. Video gaming has become a social activity shared with other players that can lead to better communication skills and the development of sophisticated technical skills.
Pilot policy lags behind research, says safety expert
Research by Dr Simon Bennett (pictured) of the Civil Safety and Security Unit in our Institute of Lifelong Learning has expressed his concern that aviation regulators are not taking account of research into the 'lived reality' of pilot lifestyles.
Social news group BuzzFeed snags $19.5 mn
BuzzFeed, a fast-growing social news website, said Thursday it had raised $19.5 million in a new round of funding from investors to help its expansion.
NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending
New York's comptroller has sued Qualcomm Inc. in an attempt to compel the wireless technology company to disclose its political spending to him as a shareholder.
Turning smartphones into secure and versatile keys
It's already possible to open doors using an app—but we are a long way from seeing widespread acceptance of this in the market. Now, researchers have developed a piece of software that will make the technology even more secure and versatile.
International operation nabs 245 child porn suspects
An international police operation into child pornography led to the arrest of 245 people and the rescues of 123 children, mostly in the US, the US immigration enforcement agency announced Thursday.
Apple, Google gain in US smartphone market: survey
Apple and Google extended their dominance in the US smartphone market as 2012 neared its close, industry tracker comScore said on Thursday.
Toys inspire giant 'dandelion' anti-mine device
Childhood toys lost in a war-torn field have inspired an odd-looking invention which its young Dutch inventor hopes can help save thousands of lives and limbs in his native Afghanistan.
RIM 'paid Nokia 50 mn euros' for patents
BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) paid rival Nokia 50 million euros ($65.8 million) to settle a patent dispute, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing US regulatory filings.
Google settles on patents, other antitrust claims (Update 4)
Google is pledging to license hundreds of key patents to mobile computing rivals under more reasonable terms and to curb the use of snippets from other websites in Internet search results in a settlement that ends a high-profile antitrust probe.
Tobii's eye tracker REX will showcase at CES (w/ video)
(Phys.org)—Tobii Technology is introducing the REX, a USB-connected peripheral that works with Tobii's software Gaze. The Stockholm-based company will show its REX device for Windows 8 at the CES show in Las Vegas, from January 8. Visitors will see how REX offers an eye-tracking difference in the way that desktop and laptop users can manage their screen images, pages and content. One example is a computer user looking at an app for its launch and then just tapping once on the touchpad. The eye-tracking technology from Tobii is designed to use eye positioning to help control the computer, but working in combination with, rather than replacing, other controls such as touch, mouse and keyboard. The user will still find the mouse useful for interacting, but the eyes will handle movements across the screen.
Ubuntu for smartphones to stir up CES
(Phys.org)—Canonical's Ubuntu operating system will run on smartphones. Handsets featuring this Linux-based operating system could be a popular sight by next year. The user interface will incorporate edge gestures, a global search function, and support for voice and text commands. The newly announced Ubuntu smartphone will be a move that rounds out the vision of Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth's to see Ubuntu become a single operating system in use, from phones, with its distilled version of desktop interface, to supercomputers. The company said it is offering OEMs and mobile operators the ability to converge phone, PC and thin client into a single enterprise superphone, in Ubuntu.
Medicine & Health news
3Qs: The building of a 'fitness tribe'
The November Project began last fall as a pact between friends who wanted to stay in shape, but has evolved into what co-founders Brogan Graham, AS'06, and Bojan Mandaric, AS'06, call a "fitness tribe." On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6:30 a.m., hundreds of Bostonians—many of whom are in their 20s and 30s and graduates of Northeastern— gather for intense workouts at locations such as Allston's Harvard Stadium and Brookline's Summit Avenue.
Organ transplant scandal prompts calls for German reforms
The head of the German doctors' lobby and politicians called Thursday for swift action to root out corruption following a scandal over preferential treatment for organ transplants.
Disinfection caps cut CLABSI cases in half
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) dropped by 52 percent when an alcohol-impregnated disinfection cap was used instead of standard scrubbing protocol, according to a new study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
France heaps pressure on newer birth control pills
A French watchdog has sharpened its attack on newer-generation contraceptive pills, demanding curbs on their use to help reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots.
No need for routine repeated CT scans after mild head trauma, reports neurosurgery
When initial computed tomography (CT) scans show bleeding within the brain after mild head injury, decisions about repeated CT scans should be based on the patient's neurological condition, according to a report in the January issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Davos 2013 to focus on health issues
The World Economic Forum will focus on global health issues when it holds its annual winter meeting in Davos, Switzerland from January 23-27, Forum organisers said on Thursday.
Japanese team creates cancer-specific killer T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells
Researchers from the RIKEN Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology in Japan report today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes, from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). To create these killer cells, the team first had to reprogram T lymphocytes specialized in killing a certain type of cancer, into iPS cells. The iPS cells then generated fully active, cancer-specific T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes regenerated from iPS cells could potentially serve as cancer therapy in the future.
New understanding of nerve damage caused by spinal cord injury could improve treatment design
More than half of traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) in humans are cervical lesions, resulting in chronic loss of limb function. A better understanding of the link between the neurologic damage caused by SCI, spontaneous motor function recovery, and long-term motor deficits would lead to better therapeutic approaches, as discussed in an article in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Journal of Neurotrauma website.
Drug trials in India 'causing havoc to human life'
India's Supreme Court said Thursday that unregulated clinical trials of new drugs were causing "havoc" in the country as it ordered the health ministry to monitor any new applications for tests.
Flu? Malaria? Disease forecasters look to the sky
Sunny with a chance of flu? That's what some health scientists are thinking, as they study the weather for clues about how to predict disease outbreaks.
Quit smoking for new year, and feel less anxious, not more
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have found that smokers who successfully quit feel less anxious afterwards - despite a widely held belief that smoking relieves stress and giving up makes you feel more on edge.
Follow the crowd to eco-friendly behaviour
(Medical Xpress)—Is it your New Year's resolution to be eco-friendly? Consult your friends first.
Improving the accuracy of cancer diagnoses: New spectroscopy technique could help doctors better identify breast tumors
Tiny calcium deposits can be a telltale sign of breast cancer. However, in the majority of cases these microcalcifications signal a benign condition. A new diagnostic procedure developed at MIT and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) could help doctors more accurately distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous cases.
Eating asparagus may prevent a hangover, study finds
Drinking to ring in the New Year may leave many suffering with the dreaded hangover. According to a 2009 study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the amino acids and minerals found in asparagus extract may alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells against toxins.
Sleep apnea may offer unusual protection for heart attack patients
(Medical Xpress)—People who suffer from breathing disorders such as sleep apnea are usually at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. But an intriguing new study from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology scientists suggests that some heart attack patients with these conditions may actually benefit from mild to moderate sleep-disordered breathing.
Researchers uncover novel role of BRCA1 in regulating the survival of skin stem cells
Our DNA, which stores our genetic information, is constantly exposed to damage. If not properly repaired, DNA damage can lead to cell death. This, in turn, can lead to tissue exhaustion and ageing, or induce mutations resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. Brca1 is a key gene that mediates DNA repair, and mutations in Brca1 lead to familial and sporadic breast and ovarian cancer in humans.
Antioxidant cookies made possible by grape seeds, study finds
A new study in the December issue of the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), found that it is possible to create cookies enriched with antioxidants from grape seeds that taste good and have an antioxidant level about 10 times higher than a regular cookie.
New strategies needed to encourage male cancer survivors to consider future fertility
Pioneering research presented at the Fertility 2013 conference today (Thursday 3 January 2013) shows that a large proportion of male cancer patients are missing out on appropriate fertility advice.
Researchers zero in on cognitive difficulties associated with menopause
The memory problems that many women experience in their 40s and 50s as they approach and go through menopause are both real and appear to be most acute during the early period of post menopause. That is the conclusion of a study which appears today in the journal Menopause.
Scientists pinpoint molecular signals that make some women prone to miscarriage
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists have identified molecular signals that control whether embryos are accepted by the womb, and that appear to function abnormally in women who have suffered repeated miscarriages.
New study finds key mechanism in calcium regulation
All living cells keep their cellular calcium concentration at a very low level. Since a small increase in calcium can affect many critical cellular functions (an elevated calcium concentration over an extended period can induce cell death), powerful cellular mechanisms ensure that calcium concentration quickly returns to its low level.
Cholesterol medicine affects energy production in muscles
Up to 75 per cent of patients who take statins to treat elevated cholesterol levels may suffer from muscle pain. Scientists at the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of Copenhagen have now identified a possible mechanism underlying this unfortunate side effect. The results have just been published in the well-reputed Journal of American College of Cardiology.
Fulyzaq approved for ART-related diarrhea in HIV/AIDS
(HealthDay)—The first medication to treat diarrhea in people with HIV/AIDS who take antiretroviral drugs has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Interferon-free therapies for hep C virus look promising
(HealthDay)—For untreated patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), treatment with an oral nucleotide inhibitor of HCV polymerase, sofosbuvir, plus ribavirin seems effective for genotypes 1, 2, and 3; and the HCV NS3 protease inhibitor ABT-450, combined with low-dose ritonavir (ABT-450/r) plus the nonnucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor ABT-333 and ribavirin, seems effective for genotype 1, according to two studies published in the Jan. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Restrictive transfusion strategy safe for acute GI bleeding
(HealthDay)—For patients with severe acute gastrointestinal bleeding, a restrictive transfusion approach is safe and effective compared with a liberal approach, according to a study published in the Jan. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Gingivitis bacteria manipulate your immune system so they can thrive in your gums
A new research report published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology shows how the bacteria known for causing gum disease—Porphyromonas gingivalis—manipulates the body's immune system to disable normal processes that would otherwise destroy it. Specifically, the report shows that this pathogen prompts the production of the anti-inflammatory molecule Interleukin-10 (IL-10). This, in turn, inhibits the function of T-cells, which would otherwise help to protect the host from this particular microbial infection.
Time pressure enhances thrill of auctions, Internet auctions use this effect
Shopping is more than the rational exchange of goods against money. Emotions, however, do not only play a role when buying a red sports car or the fiftieth pair of shoes. At the stock exchange or during auctions, bidders also are often influenced by irrational motives. In the current issue of the International Journal of Electronic Commerce, KIT scientists point out that the end price of auctions depends on the framework conditions and the emotional pressure of the bidders.
Binge drinking: More common than you think, and not just among college set
There's nothing quite like a story about alcohol abuse to harsh a holiday buzz, but consider these scenarios as you head into the festivities: A lady walks into a New Year's Eve party and has one glass of champagne. She's what public health experts call a moderate drinker.
GW professor discovers new information in the understanding of autism and genetics
(Medical Xpress)—Research out of the George Washington University (GW), published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals another piece of the puzzle in a genetic developmental disorder that causes behavioral diseases such as autism. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and physiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and director of the GW Institute for Neuroscience, along with post-doctoral fellow Daniel Meechan, Ph.D. and Thomas Maynard, Ph.D., associate research professor of pharmacology and physiology at GW SMHS, authored the study titled "Cxcr4 regulation of interneuron migration is disrupted in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome."
CDC: 1 in 24 admit nodding off while driving
This could give you nightmares: 1 in 24 U.S. adults say they recently fell asleep while driving.
Younger women start to follow pap test guidelines: CDC
(HealthDay)—More young women are following recently revised U.S. guidelines for getting Pap tests—the standard screening for cervical cancer—but many women who have had a total hysterectomy still get the tests unnecessarily, new government studies reveal.
Quick detection of periodontitis pathogens
Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or when biting into an apple could be an indication of periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Bacterial plaque attacks the bone, meaning teeth can loosen over time and in the worst case even fall out, as they are left without a solid foundation to hold them in place. Furthermore, periodontitis also acts as a focal point from which disease can spread throughout the entire body: If the bacteria, which can be very aggressive, enter the bloodstream, they can cause further damage elsewhere. Physicians suspect there is a connection between periodontitis pathogens and the sort of cardiovascular damage that can cause heart attacks or strokes. In order to stop the source of inflammation, dentists remove dental calculus and deposits from the surface of teeth, but this is often not enough; particularly aggressive bacteria can only be eliminated with antibiotics.
Scientists discover how deadly skin cancer spreads into other parts of the body
After recently announcing success in eliminating melanoma metastasis in laboratory experiments, scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have made another important discovery in understanding the process by which the gene mda-9/syntenin contributes to metastasis in melanoma (the spread of skin cancer) and possibly a variety of other cancers.
Study links low wages with hypertension, especially for women and younger workers
Workers earning the lowest wages have a higher risk of hypertension than workers with the highest wages, according to new research from UC Davis.
Fracture risk down with adherence to bisphosphonates
(HealthDay)—For patients with an osteoporotic fracture, adherence to bisphosphonate treatment is associated with reduced fracture risk; and for veterans with rheumatoid arthritis, non-adherence to bisphosphonate treatment is over 50 percent, according to two studies published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
TPN-linked hyperglycemia ups death for non-critically ill
(HealthDay)—Non-critically ill hospitalized patients who develop hyperglycemia after total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are more than five times more likely to die in the hospital, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Diabetes Care.
Direct costs for low back pain care in U.K. are substantial
(HealthDay)—The financial burden of caring for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the United Kingdom is twice that of caring for patients without CLBP, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of Spine.
Urodynamic studies affect diagnoses, but not treatment
(HealthDay)—Although preoperative urodynamic studies frequently change clinical diagnoses, they rarely lead to changes in the surgical or global treatment plans for women with stress urinary incontinence (UI), according to research published in the January issue of The Journal of Urology.
Prior brain injury linked to re-injury later in life
(HealthDay)—Older adults with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) have a 2.5- to almost four-fold higher risk of subsequent re-injury later in life, according to research published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Ban on ambulance diversions doesn't worsen ER crowding
(HealthDay)—A 2009 ban on ambulance diversion in Massachusetts did not worsen crowding in emergency departments or ambulance turnaround times, according to research published online Dec. 21 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Telmisartan reverses insulin resistance in mice
(HealthDay)—Treating mice fed a high-fat diet with telmisartan reverses insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, but only when the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR-δ) gene is present, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in Diabetes.
Association between health care cost, quality inconsistent
(HealthDay)—The direction of the association between health care cost and quality is unclear, with inconsistent evidence indicating positive, negative, mixed, and indeterminate associations, according to a review published in the Jan. 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
An embryo that is neither male nor female
So, is it a girl or a boy? This is the first question parents ask at the birth of an infant. Though the answer is obvious, the mechanism of sex determination is much less so. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) attempt to shed light on this complex process by identifying the crucial role played by insulin and IGF1 and IGF2 growth factors, a family of hormones known for its role in metabolism and growth. In the absence of these factors at the time of sex determination, embryos do not differentiate into either male or female and have no adrenal glands. The results of this study, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, allow us to better understand sexual development and will eventually improve diagnosis and genetic counseling practices for individuals with disorders of sex development.
Plvap/PV1 critical to formation of the diaphragms in endothelial cells
Dartmouth scientists have demonstrated the importance of the gene Plvap and the structures it forms in mammalian physiology in a study published in December by the journal Developmental Cell.
Married women more likely to have positive pregnancies, study finds
(HealthDay)—Compared with unmarried women, married women are less likely to experience domestic abuse, substance abuse or postpartum depression around the time of pregnancy, a new study finds.
'Love hormone' may aid women's recovery after childbirth
(HealthDay)—Chronic pain from childbirth is rare and biologic changes after a woman gives birth may prevent the development of pain after birth, according to two new studies.
Trial set to begin in Boston over pregnancy drug
At first, the Melnick sisters thought it was just a cruel coincidence that two of them were diagnosed with breast cancer.
Risk genes for Alzheimer's and mental illness linked to brain changes at birth
Some brain changes that are found in adults with common gene variants linked to disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism can also be seen in the brain scans of newborns.
Researchers find peptide produced by giant panda fights fungi and bacteria
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers working at the Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University in China have found that giant pandas naturally produce a peptide that can kill fungi and bacteria. In their paper published in the journal Gene, the researchers describe how they came across the peptide as they were performing DNA analysis on the animals. They also report that they have been able to synthesize the peptide in their lab and have tested its antibacterial abilities.
Influenza virus: Being the most beneficial mutation is no guarantee of long-term genetic success, research finds
(Medical Xpress)—Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute scientists have used computer modelling to understand why some mutations in a virus gene rise to dominance and become 'fixed' in the genome of the virus, while others die out. Their findings were based upon real-world observations of the evolution of a human flu virus, using genome sequences collected over many years by researchers worldwide.
A treatment for ALS? Neural stem cell transplants slow progression of disease
(Medical Xpress)—Results from a meta-analysis of 11 independent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research studies are giving hope to the ALS community by showing, for the first time, that the fatal disease may be treatable.
Hot chocolate tastes better in an orange cup
European scientists say they have found further evidence that how you serve food and drink matters hugely in the perception of taste.
Scientists say vaccine temporarily brakes HIV
A team of Spanish researchers say they have developed a therapeutic vaccine that can temporarily brake growth of the HIV virus in infected patients.
Researchers use stem cells to pinpoint cause of common type of sudden cardiac death
When a young athlete dies unexpectedly on the basketball court or the football field, it's both shocking and tragic. Now Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have, for the first time, identified the molecular basis for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that is the most common cause for this type of sudden cardiac death.
Revolutionary techniques could help harness patients' own immune cells to fight disease
The human body contains immune cells programmed to fight cancer and viral infections, but they often have short lifespans and are not numerous enough to overcome attacks by particularly aggressive malignancies or invasions.
'Universal' personality traits don't necessarily apply to isolated indigenous people
Five personality traits widely thought to be universal across cultures might not be, according to a study of an isolated Bolivian society.
Scientists find new molecule to target in pancreatic cancer treatment
Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida have identified a new target to improve treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer, which accounts for more than 95 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. This fast-growing, often lethal cancer is resistant to conventional chemotherapy. The findings are published in the Jan. 3 online issue of PLOS ONE.
Dopamine-receptor gene variant linked to human longevity
(Medical Xpress)—A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.
Your brain on Big Bird: Sesame Street helps to reveal patterns of neural development
Using brain scans of children and adults watching Sesame Street, cognitive scientists are learning how children's brains change as they develop intellectual abilities like reading and math.
People underestimate how much they might change in the future
(HealthDay)—Think you're done becoming you? Think again. A new study suggests that while adults like to believe that their opinions and perspectives are pretty much set in stone, no matter their age, their views may change more than they think in the future.
Biology news
Outrage over Hong Kong's 'shark fin rooftop'
Hong Kong conservationists expressed outrage on Thursday after images of a factory rooftop covered in thousands of freshly sliced shark fins emerged, as they called for curbs on the "barbaric" trade.
Studying 'whale snot' to help protect Arctic marine mammals
Justin Richard spent nearly 10 years as a beluga whale trainer at Mystic Aquarium, where he taught the Arctic marine mammals to voluntarily submit to regular health screenings. But it's not so easy to conduct health screenings of wild whales. So he has taken what he learned at Mystic to the University of Rhode Island in an effort to find non-invasive ways of monitoring the health of wild beluga populations.
London Zoo holds annual animal census
Keepers at London Zoo conducted an annual count of all its animals Thursday, from meerkats to penguins and owls.
Sorting stem cells
When an embryonic stem cell is in the first stage of its development it has the potential to grow into any type of cell in the body, a state scientists call undifferentiated.
Rare San Francisco river otter stumps researchers
For the first time in decades, a river otter has made San Francisco its home, taking up residence in the ruins of a 19th Century seaside bath near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Finding Chicago's food gardens with Google Earth
Urban agriculture is promoted as a strategy for dealing with food insecurity, stimulating economic development, and combating diet-related health problems in cities. However, up to now, no one has known how much gardening is taking place in urban areas. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a methodology that they used to quantify the urban agriculture in Chicago.
Improving DNA amplification from problematic plants
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common technique used to amplify, or copy, pieces of DNA. Amplified DNA is then used in genetic analyses for everything from medicine to forensics. In plant research, PCR is a vital step in detecting and sequencing genes, and its applications are endless. However, compounds found in plants often inhibit PCR. Researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi discovered that the use of an additive allows PCR to successfully amplify DNA from once problematic plants.
Deep-sea corals discovered at Great Barrier Reef
Australian scientists mapping the Great Barrier Reef have discovered corals at depths never before thought possible, with a deep-sea robot finding specimens in waters nearly as dark as night.
Biologists unlock 'black box' to underground world: Research shows how tiny microbes make life easier for humans
(Phys.org)—A BYU biologist is part of a team of researchers that has unlocked the "black box" to the underground world home to billions of microscopic creatures.
In epigenomics, location is everything: Researchers exploit gene position to test 'histone code'
In a novel use of gene knockout technology, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine tested the same gene inserted into 90 different locations in a yeast chromosome – and discovered that while the inserted gene never altered its surrounding chromatin landscape, differences in that immediate landscape measurably affected gene activity.
Big brains are pricey, guppy study shows
Bigger brains can make animals, well, brainier, but that boost in brain size and ability comes at a price. That's according to new evidence reported on January 3rd in Current Biology, in which researchers artificially selected guppies for large and small brain sizes.
Optofluidics reveals new strategy for bacteria antibiotic resistance
Scientists used microfluidics to observe the behavior of individual tuberculosis-like bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. Their observations call into question the prevailing theory of bacterial resistance, and they have proposed a new explanation for why some bacteria become resistant. The research is published January 4, 2013 in the journal Science.
Unlocking sorghum's gene bank: Adapting agriculture to a changing climate
(Phys.org)—Climate change poses a major challenge to humanity's ability to feed its growing population. But a new study of sorghum, led by Stephen Kresovich and Geoff Morris of the University of South Carolina, promises to make this crop an invaluable asset in facing that challenge. Just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the paper puts genetic tools into the hands of scientists and plant breeders to help accelerate their ability to adapt sorghum to new conditions.
Bering Sea study finds prey density more important to predators than biomass
Marine resource managers often gauge the health of species based on overall biomass, but a new study of predator-prey relationships in the Bering Sea found that it isn't the total number of individuals that predators care about – it's how densely they are aggregated.
Rare form of active 'jumping genes' found in mammals
Much of the DNA that makes up our genomes can be traced back to strange rogue sequences known as transposable elements, or jumping genes, which are largely idle in mammals. But Johns Hopkins researchers report they have identified a new DNA sequence moving around in bats—the first member of its class found to be active in mammals. The discovery, described in a report published in December on the website of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a new means of studying evolution, and may help in developing tools for gene therapy, the research team says.
Editing the genome: New method allows scientists to insert multiple genes in specific locations, delete defective genes
Researchers at MIT, the Broad Institute and Rockefeller University have developed a new technique for precisely altering the genomes of living cells by adding or deleting genes. The researchers say the technology could offer an easy-to-use, less-expensive way to engineer organisms that produce biofuels; to design animal models to study human disease; and to develop new therapies, among other potential applications.
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