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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for February 13, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Thermodynamics of visual images may help us see the world- Opera plans transition to WebKit engine
- Researchers build robot rat to induce stress in lab animals (w/ Video)
- UK explores TV transmitter option to track aircraft
- NASA's Chandra suggests rare explosion created our galaxy's youngest black hole
- Engineers show feasibility of superfast materials
- Sustainable new catalysts fueled by a single proton
- After Higgs Boson, scientists prepare for next quantum leap
- New owl species discovered in Indonesia is unique to one island
- Magnetic shielding of ion beam thruster walls
- Long noncoding RNAs control development of fat cells
- Researchers discover gene that suppresses herpesviruses
- Brain does not process sensory information sufficiently, research team discovers
- Scientists discover how animals taste, and avoid, high salt concentrations
- Researchers discover how sex pheromones evolved in wasps
Space & Earth news
NY health chief: Longer gas-drilling study needed
(AP)—Environmental groups are praising state regulators for delaying a decision on shale gas development until a more in-depth health study is finished. But landowners eager to reap profits from their mineral resources are frustrated at another delay in a rulemaking process that has kept drilling on hold for 4 1/2 years.
'A drop of ink on the luminous sky'
This part of the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer) is one of the richest star fields in the whole sky—the Large Sagittarius Star Cloud. The huge number of stars that light up this region dramatically emphasise the blackness of dark clouds like Barnard 86, which appears at the centre of this new picture from the Wide Field Imager, an instrument mounted on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile.
Year three: NASA SDO mission highlights
On Feb. 11, 2010, NASA launched an unprecedented solar observatory into space. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) flew up on an Atlas V rocket, carrying instruments that scientists hoped would revolutionize observations of the sun. If all went according to plan, SDO would provide incredibly high-resolution data of the entire solar disk almost as quickly as once a second.
NASA set for new round of J-2X testing at Stennis Space Center
NASA's progress toward a return to deep space missions continues with a new round of upcoming tests on the next-generation J-2X rocket engine, which will help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) to new destinations in the solar system.
NASA'S Orion lands safely on two of three parachutes in test
NASA engineers have demonstrated the agency's Orion spacecraft can land safely if one of its three main parachutes fails to inflate during deployment.
CryoSat-2 mission reveals major Arctic sea-ice loss
Arctic sea ice volume has declined by 36 per cent in the autumn and 9 per cent in the winter between 2003 and 2012, a UK-led team of scientists has discovered.
Latest Korea nuke test dwarfed previous ones: Seismic waves show steady progress to bigger bomb, scientists say
A nuclear test explosion set off last night by North Korea was far larger—perhaps by three or four times—than the country's last known blast, say seismologists who have examined seismic waves coming from the site. The estimate suggests that the North Koreans are making steady progress toward building more forceful weapons.
Researchers tap potential of walnut and birch trees
The future of sweet syrup could come from some unlikely sources: birch and walnut trees.
HIPPO global-scale air chemistry dataset now available
Data from the HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) study of greenhouse gases and aerosols are now available to the atmospheric research community and the public.
Flood research shows human habits die hard
New research has come up with ways to quickly assess flood damage to houses while also showing most people didn't intend to make changes to reduce their vulnerability after the 2010-11 floods in Australia.
Geologists quantify, characterize sediment carried by Mississippi flood to Louisiana's wetlands
(Phys.org)—The spring 2011 flood on the Mississippi was among the largest floods ever, the river swelling over its banks and wreaking destruction in the surrounding areas. But a University of Pennsylvania-led study also shows that the flood reaped environmental benefits—transporting and laying down new sediment in portions of the Delta—that may help maintain the area's wetlands.
NJ: 2 officials hid contaminant in city's water
(AP)—Two top officials at a New Jersey municipal water authority have been indicted on charges they hid elevated levels of a contaminant in the drinking water supply.
2 NASA satellites see Cyclone Gino's 'centered' power
Data from NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites showed powerful thunderstorms continued to wrap around the center of circulation Tropical Cyclone Gino as the storm achieved a category 2 hurricane status.
Scientists searching for alien life—on earth (w/ Video)
(AP)—Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are helping search for evidence of alien life not by looking into outer space, but by studying some rocks right here on Earth.
A cold look at planet Earth: Learning from the world's frozen places
Water, the key to life, is also a key to understanding the way the natural world works. Water in the form of ice is especially instructive.
Wetland trees a significant overlooked source of methane, study finds
Wetlands are a well-established and prolific source of atmospheric methane. Yet despite an abundance of seething swamps and flooded forests in the tropics, ground-based measurements of methane have fallen well short of the quantities detected in tropical air by satellites.
NASA's Chandra suggests rare explosion created our galaxy's youngest black hole
New data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory suggest a highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy. The remnant appears to be the product of a rare explosion in which matter is ejected at high speeds along the poles of a rotating star.
Scientists call for action on plastic waste
Scientists from around the world have called for laws to tackle the growing problem of plastic waste.
Technology news
Comcast doubles down on TV in $16.7B deal for NBCU
(AP)—Comcast's $16.7 billion deal to buy the remaining half of NBCUniversal ahead of schedule represents a resounding vote of confidence in the future of TV, even as Internet video reshapes the entertainment landscape.
Brazil's booming beauty market draws investors
(AP)—Looking good has always been serious business in Brazil. Now it's big business, too.
Cisco's fiscal 2Q earnings rise above Street views
(AP)—Cisco's latest quarterly report is providing further evidence that spending on technology gear is picking up despite persisting concerns about a still-shaky economy.
3-D software key to designing many of today's consumer products
While developing an electric bicycle for his San Rafael, Calif., company, Marcus Hays had planned to insert a battery into one of the bike's supporting tubes. But then he did an analysis of his concept with three-dimensional computer-aided design software.
Report: Bidder eyes buying Time Warner magazines
(AP)—Fortune magazine is reporting that a "serious buyer" is talking with Time Warner to buy several magazines from it, including People, InStyle and Real Simple.
Gartner: Global cellphone sales fell in 2012
(AP)—Research firm Gartner says worldwide cellphone sales fell last year, as economic turmoil dampened shopper appetites.
Yahoo! chief Mayer wants Bing to deliver
Google veteran turned Yahoo! chief Marissa Mayer wants Microsoft to deliver when it comes to wresting market share from the Internet company she was part of for more than a decade.
New technologies deployed to counter the threat of GPS jamming
The first profile of the perpetrators of GPS jamming on British roads will be presented today alongside research results that confirm it is these small device, available online for as little as £30, rather extreme solar weather, which poses the greatest threat to navigation and timing signals in the UK.
Costa Rica to compensate couples for in vitro ban
The government of Costa Rica will pay $360,000 in compensation to 18 couples impacted by the country's ban on in vitro fertilization, officials said Tuesday.
Obama moves to defend infrastructure from cyberattacks
Warning that cyberattacks pose a danger to US security, President Barack Obama signed an executive order designed to better protect critical infrastructure from computer hackers.
China Internet users blast Beijing stance on N. Korea
Chinese social media users berated authorities for their relatively mild response to North Korea's widely condemned nuclear test, likening Pyongyang to a "crazy dog" that had humiliated Beijing.
'Shamoon' computer virus attack marked new height in international cyber conflict
The deployment of the "Shamoon" computer virus against the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. last year was an important new development in international cyber conflict. Shamoon must put all providers of critical services on alert and requires concerted action by governments and private interests, according to a new working paper from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Manama, Bahrain.
Reports show worldwide wind and solar power capacity grew in 2012
(Phys.org)—A report from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) shows that worldwide, wind-turbine-produced electricity grew by 20 percent over 2012, pushing its production to a total of282,482 gigawatts (GW). Meanwhile, a report by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) shows that electricity produced using solar panels has topped 100 GWfor the first time. The two reports indicate that while the generation of electricity from renewable resources still lags far behind that produced from burning coal, and despite drops in governmental support in many non-Asian countries, substantial progress is being made.
UK police arrest 6 people in phone hacking probe
(AP)—British police investigating computer hacking and privacy offenses by the media have arrested six people allegedly involved in intercepting voice mails for the defunct News of the World tabloid.
Roof collapses at Chernobyl nuclear plant: Ukraine
A section of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine collapsed under the weight of snow, officials said Wednesday, raising new concerns about the condition of the facility that was the site of the world's worst nuclear accident.
Apple loses rights to iPhone trademark in Brazil
Regulators in Brazil on Wednesday rejected Apple's application to register its iPhone trademark in the country, having already recognized a local manufacturer's claim to the name.
Spain busts 'ransomware' cybercrime gang
(AP)—Spanish authorities on Wednesday announced the breakup of a cybercrime gang that used a "ransomware" virus to lock computers throughout Europe, display false messages claiming the action was taken by police and demand payment of €100 ($135) to unlock the computers.
Pay phones' future uncertain in digital world
They sit, silent and unnoticed, amid crowds of people rushing by. You may never notice them, but payphones still lurk in public areas. And every once in a while, they get called into action.
Hackers sock smartphone earpiece star Jawbone
Jawbone on Wednesday warned users of its earpieces and Jambox speakers that hackers stole names, email addresses and encrypted passwords from accounts used to make the wireless devices smarter.
Wireless power transfer technology for high capacity transit
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) have developed a wireless power transfer technology that can be applied to high capacity transportation systems such as railways, harbor freight, and airport transportation and logistics. The technology supplies 60 kHz and 180 kW of power remotely to transport vehicles at a stable, constant rate.
New room-temperature process could lead to less expensive solar cells and other electronic devices
Silicon, the material of high-tech devices from computer chips to solar cells, requires a surface coating before use in these applications. The coating "passivates" the material, tying up loose atomic bonds to prevent oxidation that would ruin its electrical properties. But this passivation process consumes a lot of heat and energy, making it costly and limiting the kinds of materials that can be added to the devices.
UK explores TV transmitter option to track aircraft
(Phys.org)—UK's Technology Strategy Board, a government agency looking for innovative ways of using technology, is funding research into a new way of locating and tracking aircraft. The research project is calling upon Thales, which is to explore the use of TV signals to locate and track aircraft. The project could possibly bear impact on the future of air traffic control, as an improvement to current airport radar systems. The Thales effort is a two-year project to investigate how the current system can be overhauled.
Opera plans transition to WebKit engine
(Phys.org)—Opera will ditch its web browser rendering engine called Presto and instead will switch over to WebKit in a planned 2013 phase-out. The decision was announced this week. WebKit is the rendering engine used in Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome. According to the announcement, "Opera will make a gradual transition to the WebKit engine, as well as Chromium, for most of its upcoming versions of browsers for smartphones and computers."
Thermodynamics of visual images may help us see the world
(Phys.org)—Although researchers know that a large portion of the brain is devoted to visual processing, exactly how we interpret the complex patterns within natural scenes is far from understood. One question scientists ask is, is there something about the structure of the visual world itself that enables our brains to process and understand our visual surroundings, and is this structure something that can be described quantitatively?
Medicine & Health news
ESC responds to EU Clinical trials directive revisions
In anticipation of the consideration of the draft report by the European Parliament Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee expected early next week, a position paper by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) welcomes the "spirit" of the European Commission's proposed revision of the text of the European Clinical Trials Directive (EUCTD), as an important contribution to "simplifying, clarifying and streamlining" rules for conducting clinical trials across Europe.
Toddler is Cambodia's 6th bird flu death of year
(AP)—A 3-year-old Cambodian girl has become the sixth person to die from bird flu in the country this year.
Britain snubs costly Novartis blood cancer drug
British health authorities said on Wednesday they would not recommend Jakavi, a drug produced by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to treat a rare form of blood cancer, deeming it too expensive.
21-year-old woman dies of bird flu in China
(AP)—A 21-year-old woman who contracted the H5N1 strain of bird flu has died in southwest China.
Heart Attack Grill No. 1 fan dies of heart attack
(AP)—The unofficial spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas has died of a heart attack. He was the second unpaid mascot to die in the past two years.
'Watch and wait' approach often best for older patients with kidney cancer
(HealthDay)—Sometimes, simply watching and waiting is a safe alternative to surgery for older patients with small kidney tumors, a new study suggests.
Study looks at the impact of violence on children
It's not how much violence a child is exposed to that can create emotional and behavioral problems in life. It's exposure to a variety of different types of violence.
New report highlights global governments' failure to support family-friendly policies
A new report launched today by the UCLA World Policy Analysis Center presents never-before-available comparative data on nearly every country in the world, revealing how millions of children across the globe face conditions that limit their opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential. Dr. Jody Heymann, dean of the UCLA Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, co-authored the study.
Tool predicts incidence of psychosis
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a tool capable of predicting the number of individuals expected to develop a first episode of psychotic disorder -disorders characterised by altered perceptions such as hallucinations or delusions – within regions of England and Wales.
Singles feel singled out
(Medical Xpress)—Why is a wonderful person like you still single? Research from the University of Exeter has revealed that single people feel worse about being single when they think about themselves as the odd ones out.
Platelet-rich plasma treatment shows potential for knee osteoarthritis
A study by researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) holds great promise for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis. The treatment improved pain and function, and in up to 73% of patients, appeared to delay the progression of osteoarthritis, which is a progressive disease. The study appears online, ahead of print, in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
Report: Tracking system needed to fight fake drugs
(AP)—A new report calls for a national drug tracking system to fight the growing problem of fake drugs.
SARS-linked virus may have spread between people
(AP)—British officials say a mysterious virus related to SARS may have spread between humans, as they confirmed the 11th case worldwide of the new coronavirus in a patient who they say probably caught it from a family member.
Estonia tops EU drug overdose deaths list
Officials in Estonia raised the alarm Wednesday after a report into drug use in Europe found that the small Baltic nation had the highest incidence of deaths from drug overdoses in the EU.
Flood-hit Mozambique battles cholera outbreak
Aid workers in flood-hit Mozambique said they were fighting to contain an outbreak of cholera Wednesday, which has sickened 282 people.
New study reveals racial disparities in chronic pain management
Opioids are frequently prescribed for pain management in noncancer patients, but recommended clinical guidelines for monitoring effectiveness and signs of drug abuse are often not implemented. Alongside well-documented racial disparities in prescribing opioid medications for pain, researchers report racial differences in the use of recommended opioid monitoring and follow-up treatment practices. The study is published in the current issue of PAIN.
Norway recalls processed food in horsemeat scare
(AP)—Officials in Oslo say that processed food products have been recalled from stores in Norway after warnings from the European Union that they may contain horsemeat.
EU ministers tackle horsemeat scandal at crisis talks
EU ministers called in Europe's law enforcement agency Wednesday to help tackle a spreading crisis over mislabelled frozen meals containing horsemeat and promised a crash DNA food testing in an effort to restore consumer confidence.
Clues to why most survived China melamine scandal
(AP)—Scientists wondering why some children and not others survived one of China's worst food safety scandals have uncovered a suspect: germs that live in the gut.
Health insurance exchanges are top priority on U.S. agenda
(HealthDay)—The public's health care agenda places creation of a health insurance exchange or marketplace as a top priority, according to a report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health.
In veterans with RA, PTSD worsens disease activity
(HealthDay)—For U.S. veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with worse patient-reported outcomes and tender joint counts, according to a study published online in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Report calls for better U.S. efforts to fight counterfeit drugs
(HealthDay)—Aiming to reduce the global threat of counterfeit drugs, a new Institute of Medicine report also recommends changes in the United States that include a mandatory drug-tracking system and tighter licensing rules for drug wholesalers.
Recent marijuana use in HIV-infected Russians associated with increased sex and drug risk behaviors
Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University's School of Medicine (BUSM) and School of Public Health (BUSPH) have found that in Russian HIV-infected risky drinkers, marijuana use is associated with other increased risky behaviors involving drug use and sex. These findings, published online in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, may aid clinicians and public health experts in detecting individuals at a higher risk of transmitting HIV.
Study supports regulation of hospitals
Hospital beds tend to get used simply because they're available – not necessarily because they're needed, according to a first-of-its-kind study that supports continued regulation of new hospitals.
Study: Tobacco control lowers CA health care costs
(AP)—A new study says California's tobacco prevention program saved $134 billion in health care costs over the last two decades.
CVD time bomb set to explode in Gulf region in 10-15 years
With one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, the Gulf region is facing an epidemic of cardiovascular disease. At least 50% of the population is below the age of 25 and the high prevalence of risk factors signals a massive wave of cardiovascular disease in 10-15 years. Cardiovascular centres are already bursting at the seams and prevention services are nonexistent.
Risk of cardiovascular death doubled in women with high calcium intake
High intakes of calcium (corresponding to diet and supplements) in women are associated with a higher risk of death from all causes, but cardiovascular disease in particular, compared with women with lower calcium intake, a study published on bmj.com suggests.
Lung cancer set to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths among European women
Lung cancer is likely to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of cancer death among European women by the middle of this decade, according to new research published in the cancer journal Annals of Oncology [1] today (Wednesday). In the UK and Poland it has already overtaken breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths in women.
Kids teach parents to respect the environment
A child can directly influence the attitude and behaviour of their parents towards the environment without them even knowing it.
Tuberculosis and neglected diseases targeted by new center
A major new centre to boost the development of drugs to tackle the foremost diseases of the developing world is to be created at the University of Dundee.
Scientists should advance management of behavioral norms
Researchers should study how people's social and personal norms are influenced by behavior and use their insights to help governments promote pro-environmental actions, a distinguished group of scholars writes in the March issue of BioScience. The authors maintain that effective policies induce not only short-term changes in behavior but also long-term changes in norms. More effective management of social norms will be necessary, they write, to persuade the public to accept the inconvenience and expense of many environmental policies.
Novel test streamlines testing for Huntington Disease
A new test may help to streamline genetic testing for Huntington Disease (HD) by generating accurate results, avoiding unnecessary additional testing, and improving turnaround time. The test, which uses chimeric or triplet repeat primed PCR (TP PCR) methodology, yielded results that were 100% concordant with standard genotyping methods in an analysis of 246 samples. The high sensitivity and specificity of the test could reduce the number of false negative results and facilitate both diagnosis and prognosis by correctly sizing the genetic abnormality characteristic of HD.
Study of cocaine addiction reveals targets for treatment
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara are researching cocaine addiction, part of a widespread problem, which, along with other addictions, costs billions of dollars in damage to individuals, families, and society.
Fewer men leads to more babies in poor areas: study
Women who outnumber men in poor communities are likelier to have babies at a younger age as competition drives them to lower their expectations of the opposite sex, a study said on Wednesday.
Could duration of prostate cancer hormone therapy be halved?
(HealthDay)—For some men with prostate cancer, hormonal therapy to beat the disease could be safely cut from three years to half that time, a new clinical trial suggests.
When trees die off, human health may also suffer
(HealthDay)—Whether it's lush palms or piney groves, the health of trees in your neighborhood might influence your physical health, a new study suggests.
Timing of job interview may determine outcome
(HealthDay)—For job seekers, their chances of being hired may have a lot to do with who else was interviewed on the same day, a new study suggests.
Professor defines connection between narcissism and envy
Understanding the relationship between narcissism and envy may provide some insight into sudden outbursts of aggressive behavior. Narcissism has long been associated with envy in the field of psychology, but an Iowa State study provides new evidence about that connection.
Protein that represses critical checkpoint protein for cellular growth helps drive tumor development
(Medical Xpress)—One of the hallmarks of cancer is unchecked cellular growth. Fortunately, our cells contain a number of tumor suppressor proteins, including the cell cycle regulator p21, to keep cell growth in check. The protection conferred by p21, however, can be overridden by an overactive histone-modifying enzyme called PRMT6. This protein represses p21 expression, thereby promoting tumor growth and preventing senescence in breast cancer cells, A*STAR scientists have found.
World leaders must 'take tobacco much more seriously' to achieve development goals
In order to cut premature death rates, the world's politicians need to focus on "simple measures" like anti-tobacco policies, cutting salt levels in food, and improving access to affordable heart disease drugs, according to experts writing in The Lancet today.
To keep a romantic partner happy, don't overshare on Facebook
Spilling your guts to the entire world on Facebook may be a good way to ruin a romantic relationship, according to new research by psychologists at the University of Kansas.
Emerging cancer drugs may drive bone tumors
Cancer drugs should kill tumors, not encourage their spread. But new evidence suggests that an otherwise promising class of drugs may actually increase the risk of tumors spreading to bone, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
A loved one's support can backfire, study finds
People who receive high levels of emotional support from their partner have an increased risk of death if they perceive their partner as not caring, understanding and validating, reports a Cornell study published in Health Psychology (Vol. 32:2) this month.
Halo of prostate cancer cells holds key to diagnosing disease
Men thought to have prostate cancer could receive a more accurate diagnosis thanks to a simple genetic test, research has shown.
New research finds teens regret sex after drinking
Research published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health has found that many secondary school students regret having sex after drinking too much alcohol.
A neural basis for benefits of meditation
Why does training in mindfulness meditation help patients manage chronic pain and depression? In a newly published neurophysiological review, Brown University scientists propose that mindfulness practitioners gain enhanced control over sensory cortical alpha rhythms that help regulate how the brain processes and filters sensations, including pain, and memories such as depressive cognitions.
New hope in fight against multi-resistant germs
An increasing number of bacteria is evolving antibiotic resistance. Much-feared representatives of this steadily growing group include Staphylococci strains. At this point, multi-resistant forms of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus - the "hospital germ" known commonly by its acronym, MRSA - can only be treated with a select subset of antibiotics as many drugs have simply stopped working. This is precisely why the field of medicine is in desperate need of new treatment options.
Alcohol consumption may be in response to smoking cessation
(Feb.12, 2013) – New findings by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health may help identify situations in which smokers who are trying to quit are at a higher risk of relapse.
Vitamin C is beneficial against the common cold
(Medical Xpress)—According to an updated Cochrane review on vitamin C and the common cold, vitamin C seems to be particularly beneficial for people under heavy physical stress.
We're emotionally distant and that's just fine by me
When it comes to having a lasting and fulfilling relationship, common wisdom says that feeling close to your romantic partner is paramount. But a new study finds that it's not how close you feel that matters most, it's whether you are as close as you want to be, even if that's really not close at all.
Research improving breast cancer treatment by targeting tumor initiating cells
A Kansas State University professor's research on breast cancer stem cells may help improve survival rates by preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis—the major causes of death among breast cancer patients.
Flu outbreaks modeled by new study of classroom schedules
Classroom rosters combined with human-networking theory may give a clearer picture of just how infectious diseases such as influenza can spread through a closed group of people, and even through populations at large. Using high-school schedule data for a community of students, teachers, and staff, Penn State University's Marcel Salathé, an assistant professor of biology, and Timo Smieszek, a post-doctoral researcher, have developed a low-cost but effective method to determine how to focus disease-control strategies based on which individuals are most likely to spread the infection.
Researchers uncover a pathway that stimulates bone growth
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that a protein called Jagged-1 stimulates human stem cells to differentiate into bone-producing cells. This protein could help both human and animal patients heal from bone fractures faster and may form the basis of treatments for a rare metabolic condition called Alagille syndrome.
Kinect teleport for remote medicine
The Microsoft Kinect game controller could cut the US healthcare bill by up to $30 billion by allowing physicians and other medics to interact with patients remotely so reducing the number of hospital visits and the associated risk of infection.
Researchers discover biological diversity in triple-negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancers are more biologically diverse than previously believed and classification should be expanded to reflect this heterogeneity, according to University of North Carolina researchers.
FDA should work to cut sugar levels in sodas, experts say
(HealthDay)—A leading consumer advocacy group, along with nutrition experts and health agencies from a number of U.S. cities, are calling for lowering the amount of sugars added to soft drinks.
Valentine's day a show of wealth for single men?
(HealthDay)—On Valentine's Day, single men are far more likely than married guys to splurge on a loved one, a marketing expert from Harvard Business School says.
Most prefer that men 'Pop the question,' survey finds
(HealthDay)—You've come a long way, baby, but in matters of love and marriage this Valentine's Day, you'll probably let him do the asking.
Study suggests infant deaths can be prevented
An international team of tropical medicine researchers have discovered a potential method for preventing low birth weight in babies born to pregnant women who are exposed to malaria. Low birth weight is the leading cause of infant death globally.
Study shows anti-copper drug might prevent the spread of cancer to organs
An anti-copper drug compound that disables the ability of bone marrow cells from setting up a "home" in organs to receive and nurture migrating cancer tumor cells has shown surprising benefit in one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of cancer—high-risk triple-negative breast cancer.
For some, deep brain stimulation brings lasting improvement in neuropathic pain
For many patients with difficult-to-treat neuropathic pain, deep brain stimulation (DBS) can lead to long-term improvement in pain scores and other outcomes, according to a study in the February issue of Neurosurgery.
Happily married couples consider themselves healthier, expert says
Research shows that married people have better mental and physical health than their unmarried peers and are less likely to develop chronic conditions than their widowed or divorced counterparts. A University of Missouri expert says that people who have happy marriages are more likely to rate their health as better as they age; aging adults whose physical health is declining could especially benefit from improving their marriages.
By guessing, clinicians may miss 3/4 of alcohol problems
By relying on hunches rather than posing a few screening questions, primary care clinicians may be missing three-fourths of the alcohol problems in their patients, a newly released analysis shows.
Tube versus IV feeding in malnourished pediatric cancer patients
About 60 percent of pediatric cancer patients experience malnourishment during treatment. At that point, patients and families have a choice: tube feeding or IV nutrition supplement. Which would you choose? A study published this week in the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing shows that families' perceptions, especially of the discomfort of tube feeding, leads to choosing IV over tube – despite the fact that tube feeding is usually the better choice, associated with better gut function and lower rates of infection.
Key molecule suppresses growth of cancerous liver tumors, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—A molecule already implicated in a number of diverse cellular functions can suppress the growth of tumors in the liver, a Mayo Clinic Cancer Center study has found. Its name is IQGAP1, and when the molecule is active in the cells that surround a tumor cell, this "tumor microenvironment" becomes less hospitable to cancer growth. When the molecule is deficient, cancer thrives.
Protein central to cancer stem cell formation provides new potential target
Researchers have identified a pivotal protein in a cellular transformation that makes a cancer cell more resistant to treatment and more capable of growing and spreading, making it an inviting new target for drug development.
Facial structure may predict endorsement of racial prejudice
The structure of a man's face may indicate his tendency to express racially prejudiced beliefs, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Diabetes practice patterns, knowledge gaps identified
(HealthDay)—Practice patterns and knowledge gaps vary for health care providers (HCPs) who manage patients with type 2 diabetes, although most patients receive evidence-based care, according to research published in the Winter issue of Clinical Diabetes.
Preventing obesity transmission during pregnancy
A much neglected part of the obesity epidemic is that it has resulted in more overweight/obese women before and during pregnancy. Their offspring also tend to have higher birth weights and more body fat, and carry an increased risk of obesity and chronic diseases later in life. However, the nutritional factors and mechanisms involved pre and during pregnancy that may influence child obesity remain uncertain. A recent publication by ILSI Europe identifies and discusses key contributing factors leading to obesity.
Probiotic-derived treatment offers new hope for premature babies
Study in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology addresses critical component of problem affecting infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
Cellular renewal process may underlie benefits of omega fatty acids
A search for genes that change their levels of expression in response to nutrient deprivation has uncovered potential clues to the mechanism underlying the health benefits of omega fatty acids. In the Feb. 15 issue of Genes & Development, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers describe finding that feeding omega-6 fatty acids to C. elegans roundworms or adding them to cultured human cells activates a cellular renewal process called autophagy, which may be deficient in several important diseases of aging. A process by which defective or worn-out cellular components and molecules are broken down for removal or recycling, autophagy is also activated in metabolically stressful situations, allowing cells to survive by self-digesting nonessential components.
Rewiring the serotonin system
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Houston has found a new way to influence the vital serotonin signaling system—possibly leading to more effective medications with fewer side effects.
Gene associated with high anxiety can have protective effect on the battlefield
(Medical Xpress)—The onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is unpredictable. Because it depends on the unforeseeable occurrence of traumatic events, it is difficult to identify preventative or causative factors. Scientists typically turn to patients who have already developed PTSD to study the disorder, but that means they can't draw comparisons to their psychological state prior to experiencing trauma.
Blood may hold clues to risk of memory problems after menopause, study finds
New Mayo Clinic research suggests that blood may hold clues to whether post-menopausal women may be at an increased risk for areas of brain damage that can lead to memory problems and possibly increased risk of stroke. The study shows that blood's tendency to clot may contribute to areas of brain damage called white matter hyperintensities. The findings are published in the Feb. 13 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Study reveals clues to childhood respiratory virus
New Vanderbilt-led research published in the Feb. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine has identified the relatively unknown human metapneumovirus (MPV) as the second most common cause of severe bronchiolitis in young children.
Cracking the semantic code
We make choices about pretty much everything, all the time – "Should I go for a walk or grab a coffee?"; "Shall I look at who just came in or continue to watch TV?" – and to do so we need something common as a basis to make the choice.
The party in your brain
A team of political scientists and neuroscientists has shown that liberals and conservatives use different parts of the brain when they make risky decisions, and these regions can be used to predict which political party a person prefers. The new study suggests that while genetics or parental influence may play a significant role, being a Republican or Democrat changes how the brain functions.
Long, low intensity exercise may have more health benefits relative to short, intense workouts
Standing and walking for longer stretches improves insulin sensitivity and blood lipid levels more than an hour of intense exercise each day does, but only if the calories spent in both forms of exercise are similar. The findings are published February 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Hans Savelberg and colleagues from Maastricht University, Netherlands.
GPA may be contagious in high-school social networks
High school students whose friends' average grade point average (GPA) is greater than their own have a tendency to increase their own GPA over the course of a year, according to research published February 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Hiroki Sayama from Binghamton University and his collaborators from Maine-Endwell High School in Endwell, New York, including four high school student researchers.
Accelerated biological aging, seen in women with Alzheimer's risk factor, blocked by hormone therapy
Healthy menopausal women carrying a well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease showed measurable signs of accelerated biological aging, a new study has found.
Stem cell source an important factor, impacting ability to treat myocardial infarction
When a research team from Denmark and Sweden compared the therapeutic capabilities of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) versus bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) obtained from a single 84 year-old male donor with ischemic coronary disease to regeneratively treat myocardial infarction in a rat model, they found that the ASCs preserved more cardiac function in the test rats while neither stem cell type induced myocardial angiogenesis (blood vessel growth.)
Impact of stem cell transplantation location in brain a crucial factor for cell survival
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., and the Mossakowski Medical Research Centre in Warsaw, Poland, have found that nonself-donated cells (allografts) better survive implantation into the brains of immunocompetent research mice when the grafts are injected into the striatum (STR) of the brain rather than injected into the forceps minor (FM) region. In their study, all FM grafts were rejected while STR grafts accumulated and survived along the border between the striatum and the corpus callosum.
Imaging fish in 3-D
: Automated system for high-speed analysis of vertebrate larvae could aid drug development (w/ Video
Zebrafish larvae—tiny, transparent and fast-growing vertebrates—are widely used to study development and disease. However, visually examining the larvae for variations caused by drugs or genetic mutations is an imprecise, painstaking and time-consuming process.
Brain imaging research shows how unconscious processing improves decision-making (w/ Video)
When faced with a difficult decision, it is often suggested to "sleep on it" or take a break from thinking about the decision in order to gain clarity.
Study in mice yields Angelman advance
In a new study in mice, a scientific collaboration centered at Brown University lays out in unprecedented detail a neurological signaling breakdown in Angelman syndrome, a disorder that affects thousands of children each year, characterized by developmental delay, seizures, and other problems. With the new understanding, the team demonstrated how a synthesized, peptide-like compound called CN2097 works to restore neural functions impaired by the disease.
Brain does not process sensory information sufficiently, research team discovers
(Medical Xpress)—The reason why some people are worse at learning than others has been revealed by a research team from Berlin, Bochum, and Leipzig, operating within the framework of the Germany-wide network "Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning".
Researchers discover gene that suppresses herpesviruses
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hide within the worldwide human population. While dormant in the vast majority of those infected, these active herpesviruses can develop into several forms of cancer. In an effort to understand and eventually develop treatments for these viruses, researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified a family of human genes known as Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) that play a key role in the suppression and activation of these viruses.
Long noncoding RNAs control development of fat cells
Whitehead Institute researchers have identified a previously unrecognized layer of genetic regulation that is necessary for the generation of undesirable white fat cells. When this regulation is disrupted, white fat cells are unable to accumulate lipid droplets or mature from their precursors.
Scientists discover how animals taste, and avoid, high salt concentrations
Researchers have discovered how the tongue detects high concentrations of salt, the first step in a salt-avoiding behavior common to most mammals. The findings could serve as a springboard for the development of taste modulators to help control the appetite for a high-salt diet and reduce the ill effects of too much sodium.
Biology news
Koalas and mine site restoration
One of the guiding principles of rehabilitating disturbed landscapes and mine sites – that if you restore their plant diversity, the animals that once lived there will return – does not always hold true, a landmark Australian study has found.
S.Africa opposes total ban on rhino horn exports
South Africa announced its opposition to a total ban on rhino trophy exports, saying it has beefed up hunt rules amid a poaching crisis that has killed 96 animals this year.
Keepers baffled as emu stolen from Australian park
Keepers at an Australian wildlife park said they were concerned and baffled at the theft of an emu in a night raid, saying it would be frightened and possibly injured.
Virology: A marker for a cancer-causing virus
(Phys.org)—Depending on the strain, or genotype, of the human papillomavirus (HPV) (see image), the lesions it causes can range from relatively benign to cancer-causing. Differentiating between lesions caused by low-risk and high-risk viral genotypes, however, is difficult. Françoise Thierry at the A*STAR Institute of Medical Biology in Singapore and co-workers have now identified proteins that could be used as reliable, sensitive markers to diagnose infections with high-risk types of HPV.
Blackbirds in the spotlight: City birds that experience light at night ready to breed earlier than their rural cousins
Street lamps, traffic lights and lighting from homes are causing a rise in our night-time light levels. For some time now, scientists have suspected that artificial light in our towns and cities at night could affect plants, animals and us, humans, too. Studies, however, that have tested this influence directly are few. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Radolfzell, Germany, recently investigated how light conditions in urban areas at night affect European blackbirds (Turdus merula). They found that animals exposed to low night-time light intensities, comparable to those found in cities, develop their reproductive system earlier: their testosterone levels rise and their testes mature earlier in the year. They also begin to sing and to moult earlier. The ever-present light pollution in cities may therefore exert a major influence on the seasonal rhythm of urban animals.
Advance promises to expand biological control of crop pests
A new discovery promises to allow expanded use of a mainstay biological pest control method, which avoids the health, environmental and pest-resistance concerns of traditional insecticides, scientists are reporting. The advance toward broadening applicability of the so-called sterile insect technique (SIT) appears in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology.
Busy beavers give Canada geese a lift, study shows
A new University of Alberta study shows that busy beavers are helping Canada geese get an earlier start when the birds fly home and begin spring nesting.
Genetic study pursues elusive goal: How many humpbacks existed before whaling?
Scientists from Stanford University, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and other organizations are closing in on the answer to an important conservation question: how many humpback whales once existed in the North Atlantic?
Size of lunch dictates force of crunch (w/ Video)
Many animals prefer food—snails, nuts, etc.—that must be cracked and crushed. Scientists have measured the maximum force of their impressive bites before, but a new study introduces a significant subtlety: bite force depends not only on the size and strength of the eater, but also the size of the eatee. That insight has important implications in the lives of predators and prey.
Nest diet has big impact on attractiveness of hihi birds
Published today by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and University of Cambridge, the study reveals that male hihi birds develop more colourful and attractive breeding feathers if they receive a nest diet rich in carotenoids – natural pigments found mainly in fruit and vegetables.
Guppies use ugly friends to seem more attractive
(AP)—When it comes to mating, guppies treasure their ugly friends - because they look so good by comparison.
Scientists study transient degradation of an actin regulator
Scientists at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University have gained new insight into the process of mitosis in mammalian cells. Researchers under the direction of Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior, in collaboration with colleagues from Göttingen, Milan and Memphis, have succeeded in deciphering a heretofore unknown mechanism that plays a key role in cell shape changes during mitosis. They investigated the transient degradation of a protein that regulates specific structures of the mechanical scaffold of the cell, the actin cytoskeleton.
Sea animal has grow-again penis
Scientists reported Wednesday on the bizarre sex life of a sea slug that discards its penis after copulation. Then grows a new one.
Secret rendezvous: Geladas conceal monkeying around from leader males
Humans who cheat on a loved one aren't the only ones to change their behavior to avoid discovery.
World first for fly research
The University of Manchester is leading the way when it comes to fly research with the publication of the first ever basic training package to teach students and scientists how to best use the fruit fly, Drosophila, for research. It's hoped it will encourage more researchers working on a range of conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease to use the humble fly.
A war without end—with Earth's carbon cycle held in the balance
The greatest battle in Earth's history has been going on for hundreds of millions of years, isn't over yet, and until now no one knew it existed, scientists reported today in the journal Nature.
Epigenetics shapes fate of brain vs. brawn castes in carpenter ants
The recently published genome sequences of seven well-studied ant species are opening up new vistas for biology and medicine. A detailed look at molecular mechanisms that underlie the complex behavioral differences in two worker castes in the Florida carpenter ant, Camponotus floridanus, has revealed a link to epigenetics. This is the study of how the expression or suppression of particular genes by chemical modifications affects an organism's physical characteristics, development, and behavior. Epigenetic processes not only play a significant role in many diseases, but are also involved in longevity and aging.
Researchers discover how sex pheromones evolved in wasps
You may want to ramp up your romance this year by sharing a candlelight dinner, a walk on the beach, or even the scent of a perfume, but will that help you find your perfect mate? For one wasp species, it only takes a whiff of his special love potion to know whether he's "Mr. Right."
Study shows how biodiversity can protect against disease
The richer the assortment of amphibian species living in a pond, the more protection that community of frogs, toads and salamanders has against a parasitic infection that can cause severe deformities, including the growth of extra legs, according to a new study by the University of Colorado Boulder.
Clues to chromosome crossovers
Neil Hunter's laboratory in the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences has placed another piece in the puzzle of how sexual reproduction shuffles genes while making sure sperm and eggs get the right number of chromosomes.
Marsh plants actively engineer their landscape
Marsh plants, far from being passive wallflowers, are "secret gardeners" that actively engineer their landscape to increase their species' odds of survival, says a team of scientists from Duke University and the University of Padova in Italy.
New owl species discovered in Indonesia is unique to one island
A new owl is the first endemic bird species discovered on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, according to research published February 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by an international team headed by George Sangster of the Swedish Museum of Natural History and colleagues from other institutions.
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