Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for February 6, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- 13 light years away: Earth-like planets are right next door- How chromosomes keep their loose ends loose
- Forecasting explosion: Massive stellar burst, before supernova
- University professor discovers largest prime number to date
- 'Invisible' particles could enhance thermoelectric devices
- India joined with Asia 10 million years later than previously thought
- Spectroscopy sheds new light on mysteries of spider silk
- Comprehensive look at the fundamentals of most desirable nanotubes
- High-energy X-rays shine light on mystery of Picasso's paints
- Insect drives robot to track down smells (w/ video)
- Researchers print transistor on nearly transparent nanopaper
- Lungs of the planet reveal their true sensitivity to global warming
- Electrical brain stimulation plus drug fights depression, study reports
- Research says biodiversity helps protect nature against human impacts
- Brain research provides clues to what makes people think and behave differently
Space & Earth news
Gamma ray camera will give new insights into the birth and evolution of stars
A major step forward in our understanding of the structure and behaviour of some of the most elusive atomic nuclei in existence, some of which occur only briefly on the surface of exploding stars, is now taking place thanks to the first experiments to come from the new Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA).
Restoring contaminated soil
Land contaminated with substances in or under the land can be potentially hazardous to health or the environment. However, in many cases there is minimal risk from living or working on contaminated ground and many c sites have been successfully and safely redeveloped to provide high quality housing and working environments. However, in a few cases some sites are so contaminated they present a risk to human health or the environment. Exposure to contaminants can be through inhalation of dust or gases, contact with soil, or through food grown on the land. Leachates (pollutants draining from the site in liquid form) can pollute groundwater and rivers or ponds.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite sees a fading Felleng
NASA-NOAA's Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite captured a night-time image of extra-tropical cyclone Felleng as it was being battered by wind shear in the Southern Indian Ocean.
Solomons earthquake tests international warning system
A magnitude 8 earthquake that struck today off the Solomon Islands is not a risk to Australia, but has destroyed three villages in the region and resulted in a tsunami with early reports of some deaths.
Predicting a low carbon future for Toronto
Cities are major players in the climate change game. More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas and over 70% of global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions can be attributed to cities. A case study of Toronto demonstrates alternative strategies for how the city can implement a low carbon urban infrastructure plan by 2031. Two scenarios are described: one based on Toronto's current policies was found to reduce GHG emissions by 31%; and another suggests aggressive alternatives that could reduce GHG emissions by 71%. Strategies under the aggressive scenario include retrofitting all existing buildings, using renewable heating and cooling systems, and the proliferation of electric cars. This study is published in the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.
Russia launches six US satellites
A Russian Soyuz rocket on Wednesday successfully launched six US telecommunications satellites from the Baikonur space centre Moscow leases from the ex-Soviet state of Kazakhstan.
Small tsunami hits Solomons, other warnings ended
A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands on Wednesday generated a tsunami of up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) that damaged dozens of homes and left at least four people missing and presumed dead in the South Pacific island chain.
New steps recommended to preserve China's famous Terracotta Warriors and other relics
The preservation of immovable historic relics displayed in large open spaces like China's world-renowned Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses requires air curtains and other modifications to recreate the primitive environment from which archaeologists excavated the relics. That's the conclusion of a study of environmental control measures for archaeology museums in the People's Republic of China. Their study appears in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Russia claims record dive but no monster in deep freeze
Russian explorers claimed a record Wednesday in diving to the bottom of a remote lake at the coldest time of the year but said they could not find its most famed inhabitant, a mythical Loch Ness-style monster.
Smartphones, tablets help scientists improve storm forecasts
The next advance in weather forecasting may not come from a new satellite or supercomputer, but from a device in your pocket. University of Washington atmospheric scientists are using pressure sensors included in the newest smartphones to develop better weather forecasting techniques.
Tiny foraminifera in oceans can save islands, study finds
The climate is getting warmer, and sea levels are rising – a threat to island nations. As a group of researchers lead by colleagues from the University of Bonn found out, at the same time, tiny single-cell organisms are spreading rapidly through the world's oceans, where they might be able to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Foraminifera of the variety Amphistegina are stabilizing coastlines and reefs with their calcareous shells. The study's results have now appeared in the international online journal PLOS ONE.
Nitrogen from pollution, natural sources causes growth of toxic algae, study finds
Nitrogen in ocean waters fuels the growth of two tiny but toxic phytoplankton species that are harmful to marine life and human health, warns a new study published in the Journal of Phycology.
Massive stellar winds are made of tiny pieces
(Phys.org)—ESA's XMM-Newton space observatory has completed the most detailed study ever of the fierce wind from a giant star, showing for the first time that it is not a uniform breeze but is fragmented into hundreds of thousands of pieces.
The wings of the Seagull Nebula
(Phys.org)—This new image from ESO shows a section of a cloud of dust and glowing gas called the Seagull Nebula. These wispy red clouds form part of the "wings" of the celestial bird and this picture reveals an intriguing mix of dark and glowing red clouds, weaving between bright stars. This new view was captured by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile.
Hubble catches the moment the lights went out
(Phys.org)—The further away you look, the further back in time you see. Astronomers use this fact to study the evolution of the Universe by looking at nearby and more distant galaxies and comparing their features. Hubble is particularly well suited for this type of work because of its extremely high resolution and its position above the blurring effects of the earth's atmosphere. This has allowed it to detect many of the most distant galaxies known, as well as making detailed images of faraway objects.
Shimmering water reveals cold volcanic vent in Antarctic waters
The location of an underwater volcanic vent, marked by a low-lying plume of shimmering water, has been revealed by scientists at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
Lungs of the planet reveal their true sensitivity to global warming
Tropical rainforests are often called the "lungs of the planet" because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But the amount of carbon dioxide that rainforests absorb, or produce, varies hugely with year-to-year variations in the climate. In a paper published online this week (Feb 6 2013) by the journal Nature, a team of climate scientists from the University of Exeter, the Met Office-Hadley Centre and the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, has shown that these variations reveal how vulnerable the rainforest is to climate change.
Preserving biodiversity can be compatible with intensive agriculture
Preserving genetically diverse local crops in areas where small-scale farms are rapidly modernizing is possible, according to a Penn State geographer, who is part of an international research project investigating the biodiversity of maize, or corn, in hotspots of Bolivia, Peru and Mexico.
India joined with Asia 10 million years later than previously thought
The peaks of the Himalayas are a modern remnant of massive tectonic forces that fused India with Asia tens of millions of years ago. Previous estimates have suggested this collision occurred about 50 million years ago, as India, moving northward at a rapid pace, crushed up against Eurasia. The crumple zone between the two plates gave rise to the Himalayas, which today bear geologic traces of both India and Asia. Geologists have sought to characterize the rocks of the Himalayas in order to retrace one of the planet's most dramatic tectonic collisions.
13 light years away: Earth-like planets are right next door
Using publicly available data from NASA's Kepler space telescope, astronomers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) have found that six percent of red dwarf stars have habitable, Earth-sized planets. Since red dwarfs are the most common stars in our galaxy, the closest Earth-like planet could be just 13 light-years away.
Forecasting explosion: Massive stellar burst, before supernova
An automated supernova hunt is shedding new light on the death sequence of massive stars—specifically, the kind that self-destruct in Type IIn supernova explosions.
Technology news
Time Warner 4Q earnings up, raises dividend 11 pct
Time Warner is reporting a 51 percent increase in fourth-quarter earnings even as revenue was largely unchanged. Rising fees from cable and satellite companies and higher ad revenue at the TV networks offset revenue declines at its movie studio and magazine businesses.
Researchers find high performance transistors on polymer superior to silicon
Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have developed technologies for transferring compound semiconductors using a polymer as a bonding adhesive and for fabricating high-performance transistors on a polymer.
Wind turbine maker Vestas posts higher sales
Vestas, the world's top wind turbine maker, said Wednesday it was seeing the fruits of an extensive restructuring programme as it announced an annual loss but said quarterly sales were higher.
Supermarkets: Energy-optimized
Running a supermarket requires a lot of electricity. Long rows of refrigerators have to be kept cool and large areas have to be lit. A new concept enables supermarket operators to cut their energy use by around 25 percent.
Raunchy Vine videos prompt adult rating
The propensity for people to post porn evidently prompted Twitter on Wednesday to stamp an adult rating on an updated version of its Vine video-snippet sharing software.
Netflix could gain from loss of Sat. mail delivery
Netflix won't miss Saturday mail delivery, even though the weekend service helped keep the company's DVD-by-mail subscribers happy.
News Corp. posts higher 2Q earnings, revenue
Media conglomerate News Corp. says earnings for the last three months of 2012 grew, helped by higher revenue at its pay TV networks and gains from acquisitions.
Internet users seeking more 'invisibility', study says
Consumer efforts to protect personal data and remain "invisible" online is leading to a "data blackhole" that could adversely impact digital advertisers, technology research firm Ovum said Wednesday.
Twitter buys firm tracking social network TV talk
Twitter announced Tuesday that it has bought Bluefin Labs to ride the trend of viewers using smartphones or tablet computers to chat at social networks about shows they are watching.
Australian court clears Google of hosting deceptive ads
Internet titan Google was cleared Wednesday of allegations it hosted deceptive advertisements, with Australia's highest court saying it was not responsible for companies who diverted users from their competitors' sites.
Dell buyout highlights PC sector woes, analysts say
Dell's plan to take the computer giant private offers an opportunity to return to its start-up roots, but won't solve the fundamental problems facing the company and the PC sector, analysts say.
Study finds big energy savings in the New York Times building
(Phys.org)—Designing a building holistically, and making sure that its components and systems work together according to design intent, can pay big dividends in energy savings and occupant satisfaction, according to a study of The New York Times Building by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Google buys online retail tracker for $125 mn
Google said Wednesday it is buying online retail tracker Channel Intelligence for $125 million, as the Internet giant expands its retail footprint.
Disabled kids inspire musical instrument anyone can play
(Phys.org)—Not everyone can play music. You need timing and rhythm, an ear for pitch and notes and an ability to interpret sheet music and symbols. You need physical coordination to apply those talents plus control of lungs, lips, arms and fingers to match the mechanics of a musical instrument. And you need strength and stamina to sustain the sounds you create.
Fuel economy now at all-time high
Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States reached a record-high 24.5 mpg last month, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Fed: Hackers breached website with contact info
The Federal Reserve says an internal website was briefly breached by hackers but no critical Fed operations were affected.
Apple sells 25 billionth song at iTunes store
Apple on Wednesday announced that the number of digital songs downloaded from its iTunes Store has topped 25 billion.
Optimized custom-made ski sledges
At the 2014 Winter Paralympics, competitors will line up wearing optimized sit skis that are adapted to their individual needs. This is made possible by a new manufacturing method which Fraunhofer researchers helped to develop.
Trade secrets theft linked to ex-employees: study
A big source of theft of corporate data and trade secrets is former employees of the company, a research report said Wednesday.
US Fed acknowledges computer system hacked
The Federal Reserve acknowledged Wednesday its computer systems were accessed by hackers but said the incident did not affect the central bank's "critical operations."
Hydrothermal liquefaction—most promising path to sustainable bio-oil production
A new generation of the HTL process can convert all kinds of biomasses to crude bio-oil, which is sufficiently similar to fossil crude oil that a simple thermal upgrade and existing refinery technology can be employed to subsequently obtain all the liquid fuels we know today. What is more, the HTL process only consumes approximately 10-15 percent of the energy in the feedstock biomass, yielding an energy efficiency of 85-90 percent.
US lawmakers propose password privacy bill
A group of US lawmakers on Wednesday proposed a bill that would make it illegal for employers or schools to require the disclosure of passwords for social networks such as Facebook.
Beer will help power Alaska brewery
The Alaskan Brewing Co. is going green, but instead of looking to solar and wind energy, it has turned to a very familiar source: beer.
US: Lithium batteries not necessarily unsafe
The use of lithium ion batteries to power aircraft systems isn't necessarily unsafe despite a battery fire in one Boeing 787 Dreamliner and smoke in another, but manufacturers need to build in reliable safeguards, the top U.S. aviation safety investigator said Wednesday.
Shareholder suit challenges Dell buyout plan
A lawsuit challenging plans to take troubled personal computer maker Dell Inc. private is being filed in Delaware.
New coal technology harnesses energy without burning, nears pilot-scale development
A new form of clean coal technology reached an important milestone recently, with the successful operation of a research-scale combustion system at Ohio State University. The technology is now ready for testing at a larger scale.
Review: iPhone Google Maps lags Android version
Every time my husband and I drive the 677 miles (1,100 kilometers) from New York to my parents' house in Michigan, we dread the long stretch of Interstate 80 through the hills of rural Pennsylvania. It's beautiful, but lonely, without a lot of places to stop.
Medicine & Health news
Mexican girl, 9, gives birth, authorities seek father
A nine-year-old Mexican girl has given birth and authorities are looking for the presumed father, who is 17, officials said Wednesday.
Britain's NHS 'needs culture change after appalling care'
Britain's state-run health service needs a fundamental change of culture to restore public trust after patients at one hospital received appalling care, an inquiry found Wednesday.
New method halves wrongful cancer prognoses
The number of incorrect cancer prognoses can be halved with computerised image analysis. In three years time, the method can be used on patients with bowel cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
'Driving' a new pair of arms: Neurology, recovery and rehabilitation
Brendan Marrocco, an Iraq War veteran who lost all four limbs in a roadside bomb attack, was recently released from a Baltimore hospital after receiving a double-arm transplant. Northeastern University news office asked Christopher Hasson, a sensorimotor control expert and a newly appointed assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, to explain the brain's role in the long recovery and rehabilitation process.
Induction of mild inflammation leads to cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia
Researchers at the Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University and the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Japan, along with colleagues from 9 other institutions, have identified an exceptional mouse model of schizophrenia. After screening over 160 mutant mouse strains with a systematic battery of behavioral tests, they identified a mutant mouse lacking the Schnurri-2 protein (Shn-2 KO) that exhibits behavioral deficits and other brain features consistent with schizophrenia. Shn-2 is an NF-kappaB site-binding protein that binds enhancers of major histocompatibility complex class I genes and inflammatory cytokines, which harbor common variant single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with schizophrenia. The Shn-2 KO mice display behavioral abnormalities that resemble the symptoms of human schizophrenia, including working memory deficits, impaired nest building behavior (a measure of self-neglect), decreased social behaviors, and anhedon! ia (loss of the ability to experience pleasure).
Spanish researchers design biomarkers for the detection of dengue and West Nile virus
Researchers at the University of Granada have designed a set of biomarkers that can be used in diagnostic tests for the detection of dengue and the West Nile virus, two infectious diseases transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. These biomarkers can be used to identify these viral diseases, which affect millions of people worldwide.
Young women make healthy use of social media
Australian researchers are using social media to encourage young women to contribute towards one of Australia's most significant studies on women's health.
Professor debunks one of sport's biggest myths
One of the most enduring myths that has slipped into public consciousness has been debunked by a sports science professor at the University of Abertay Dundee.
Study finds slip, slop, slap message is slipping
Australians are becoming less attracted to having a suntan and fewer are being sunburned, but there's been less improvement in wearing sunscreen in recent years, according to new research from the Cancer Council.
When it comes to food aphrodisiacs, expert says look for nutrition at first bite rather than love
It's been said that food is the language of love. If so, can certain foods—or aphrodisiacs—promote romantic feelings or sexual desire?
Study finds popular energy drinks trigger caffeine jitters
The growing popularity of energy drinks—and deaths linked to those products—are fostering new concerns about how much caffeine people can safely consume, according to the cover story in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News. C&EN is the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Study identifies skiers who can be successfully treated without surgery after an ACL tear
Roughly a quarter of recreational skiers who tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while hitting the slopes can be successfully treated without surgery, according to a new study. The study, conducted by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, appears online ahead of print in the journal Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy.
Study to test whether hearing aids can help prevent falls
UT Dallas researchers are recruiting patients for a new study aimed at determining a connection between hearing deficits and the likelihood of falls.
US warns of new fake batch of cancer drug Avastin
The Food and Drug Administration is warning U.S. doctors about another counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin, the third case involving the best-selling Roche drug in the past year.
Drugmaker GSK reveals lower profits, restructuring
British drugs firm GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday unveiled a 13-percent drop in annual net profits and outlined a plan for more restructuring in Europe to deliver greater savings and offset weaker sales across the region.
New study identifies biomarkers for early risk assessment of acute kidney injury
Acute kidney injury strikes large numbers of hospitalized patients, including those with no prior kidney-related illness, and is one of the most costly and deadly conditions affecting critically ill patients. Findings published today in Critical Care from a Mayo Clinic-led, multicenter study identify two biomarkers of acute kidney injury that can be easily measured in urine and detect affected patients roughly 12 to 36 hours earlier than current tests.
Traumatic brain injury complications common among US combat soldiers
U.S. soldiers in combat often suffer constricted blood vessels and increased pressure in the brain—significant complications of traumatic brain injuries, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.
Native Hawaiians have bleeding strokes at earlier age, independent of meth use
Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have more bleeding strokes at an earlier age than other people independent of methamphetamine abuse, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.
Personalized health care will revolutionize 21st century medicine, says NJIT professor
A closer look at personalized or point-of-care healthcare was the focus of a recent international conference in India organized and chaired by NJIT Distinguished Professor Atam Dhawan. The IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) International Special Topic Conference in point-of-care healthcare technologies, broadcast around the world, focused on topics ranging from 21st century medicine with new smart cross-and trans-disciplinary technologies to how wireless communications will change how physicians care for patients.
Children with ACL injuries require special treatment
Until a child's bones have fully matured (in girls, typically by age 14; in boys, age 16), an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)—the primary, stabilizing ligament of the knee joint—requires special consideration, treatment and care to ensure appropriate healing and to prevent long-term complications.
Older bikers three times as likely to be seriously injured in crashes as younger peers
Older bikers are up to three times as likely to be seriously injured in a crash as younger motor bike enthusiasts, indicates US research published online in Injury Prevention.
The number of multiple births affected by congenital anomalies has doubled since the 1980s
The number of congenital anomalies, or birth defects arising from multiple births has almost doubled since the 1980s, suggests a new study published today (6 February) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Paternal obesity impacts child's chances of cancer
A father's obesity is one factor that may influence his children's health and potentially raise their risk for diseases like cancer, according to new research from Duke Medicine.
Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution associated with low birth weights worldwide
Mothers who are exposed to particulate air pollution of the type emitted by vehicles, urban heating and coal power plants are significantly more likely to bear children of low birth weight, according to an international study led by co-principal investigator Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, MPH, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at UC San Francisco along with Jennifer Parker, PhD, of the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Air pollution primes children for asthma-related cockroach allergy
An allergic reaction to cockroaches is a major contributor to asthma in urban children, but new research suggests that the insects are just one part of a more complex story. Very early exposure to certain components of air pollution can increase the risk of developing a cockroach allergy by age 7 and children with a common mutation in a gene called GSTM may be especially vulnerable.
A regular walk can cut your risk of major illness, shows research
A regular walking routine significantly reduces the risk of Metabolic Syndrome, a condition which affects one in four people in the UK and can cause heart disease, strokes and cancer.
Are 'food addicts' stigmatized?
(Medical Xpress)—In the first studies to examine what the public thinks about people with an addiction to food, researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale found that while this addiction is less vulnerable to public stigma than others, it could increase the stigma already associated with obesity. The studies are published online in the journal Basic and Applied Social Psychology.
Study shows one in three children with MS has cognitive impairment
(Medical Xpress)—Data from the largest multicenter study accessing cognitive functioning in children with multiple sclerosis (MS) reveals that one-third of these patients have cognitive impairment, according to a research paper published in the Journal of Child Neurology. Led by Lauren B. Krupp, MD, Director of the Lourie Center for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis at Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital, the study indicates that patients experience a range of problems related to cognition.
Analyzing PSAs for African-American women
(Medical Xpress)—African-American women die from breast cancer at a higher percentage rate than other populations. Numerous factors contribute to that fact, but it can be at least partially attributed to the lack of communication emphasizing the importance of screenings and preventative care suited to the demographic. A University of Kansas professor has authored a study analyzing a series of public service announcements targeted to African-American women finding that, when culturally appropriate, they can be effective.
Reducing your risk of heart disease
February is American Heart Month but living a heart healthy lifestyle is important anytime of the year. That's because cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans – one in three of us will die from heart disease or stroke.
Study of brain cooling and clot-busting drug therapy for stroke receives FDA OK to expand
An international multicenter clinical trial led by a Cedars-Sinai neurologist on the combination of brain cooling and "clot-busting" drug therapy after stroke has received Food and Drug Administration approval to expand from 50 patients to 400.
Technology has unprecedented ability to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's
A revolutionary technology has the ability to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's disease with unprecedented accuracy. The computerized technique known as SNIPE analyzes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to capture patterns of atrophy specific to the disease in brain structures, specifically the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still an inexact science, relying mainly on the patient's symptoms and performance on memory tests. Detecting pre-clinical AD, before symptoms appear, is extremely difficult. So far, the only way to definitively establish the diagnosis is through a post-mortem examination of a patient's brain. However, SNIPE, developed at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro, can differentiate Alzheimer's from normal aging with an accuracy of 93%. The technology has also been used for prognosis - it can predict with 75% accuracy which patients with mild cognitive impairment will remain stable and wh! ich will progress to this debilitating disease.
Brain circuit that makes it hard for obese people to lose weight
(Medical Xpress)—Imagine you are driving a car, and the harder you press on the accelerator, the harder an invisible foot presses on the brake. That's what happens when obese people diet – the less food they eat, the less energy they burn, and the less weight they lose.
Mental break: Work-life balance needed for recovery from job stress
Detaching from work—mentally, physically and electronically—is the key to recovery from job stress during nonwork hours, according to a Kansas State University researcher.
Study finds a spoonful of cinnamon improves health
Sprinkling a spoonful of cinnamon on breakfast foods not only adds a burst of flavor but also dramatically lowers an individual's blood sugar levels, potentially reducing the chance of developing diabetes, says a new study from Ball State University.
Targets of bully bosses aren't the only victims, new research shows
Abusive bosses who target employees with ridicule, public criticism, and the silent treatment not only have a detrimental effect on the employees they bully, but they negatively impact the work environment for the co-workers of those employees who suffer from "second-hand" or vicarious abusive supervision, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire.
Being overweight linked to higher risk of gum disease
Impacting approximately one-third of the U.S. population, obesity is a significant health concern for Americans. It's a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer, and now, according to an article published in the January/February 2013 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), it also may be a risk factor for gum disease.
Calcium-binding protein mutations found in heart rhythm disorders
A team led by Vanderbilt University investigators has discovered two new genes – both coding for the signaling protein calmodulin – associated with severe early-onset disorders of heart rhythm. The findings, reported online Feb. 6 in the journal Circulation, expand the list of culprits that can cause sudden cardiac death and may point to new therapeutic approaches.
Same factors influence depression in stroke patients, spouse caregivers
Self-esteem, optimism and perceived control influence depression in stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers—who should be treated together, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.
Experimental drug combination selectively destroys lymphoma cells
Laboratory experiments conducted by scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center suggest that a novel combination of the drugs ibrutinib and bortezomib could potentially be an effective new therapy for several forms of blood cancer, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
Tai Chi exercise may reduce falls in adult stroke survivors
Tai Chi may reduce falls among adult stroke survivors, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.
Study points to possible cause of, and treatment for, non-familial Parkinson's
Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have identified a protein trafficking defect within brain cells that may underlie common non-familial forms of Parkinson's disease. The defect is at a point of convergence for the action of at least three different genes that had been implicated in prior studies of Parkinson's disease. Whereas most molecular studies focus on mutations associated with rare familial forms of the disease, these findings relate directly to the common non-familial form of Parkinson's. The study was published today in the online edition of the journal Neuron.
Frequently prescribed drug used in concerning ways with harmful side effects
A popular class of drugs commonly used to treat sleep and mood symptoms continues to be frequently prescribed despite being known to have potentially life-threatening side effects.
Happiness increases with age, across generations
Psychological well-being has been linked to many important life outcomes, including career success, relationship satisfaction, and even health. But it's not clear how feelings of well-being change as we age, as different studies have provided evidence for various trends over time.
Social media may prove useful in prevention of HIV, STDs, study shows
(Medical Xpress)— Facebook and other social networking technologies could serve as effective tools for preventing HIV infection among at-risk groups, new UCLA research suggests.
Corticorelin acetate has steroid-sparing effect in brain cancer
(HealthDay)—Corticorelin acetate (CrA) administration to patients with peritumoral brain edema (PBE) allows the reduction of steroid doses and is associated with reduced incidence and severity of steroid-induced myopathy and other steroid-related adverse effects, according to research published online Feb. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Has the 'Golden Age' of global health funding come to an end?
Despite dire predictions in the wake of the economic crisis, donations to health projects in developing countries appear to be holding steady, according to new research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
Can nerve stimulation help prevent migraine?
Wearing a nerve stimulator for 20 minutes a day may be a new option for migraine sufferers, according to new research published in the February 6, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Number of people with Alzheimer's disease may triple by 2050
The number of people with Alzheimer's disease is expected to triple in the next 40 years, according to a new study published in the February 6, 2013, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Review finds limited value for spinal manipulation in acute LBP
(HealthDay)—Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is no more effective a treatment for acute low back pain than inert interventions, sham SMT, or as adjunct therapy, according to the results of an updated systematic literature review published in the Feb. 1 issue of Spine.
Minimally invasive, open hemilaminectomy equivalent
(HealthDay)—Minimally invasive (MIS) and open multilevel hemilaminectomy are similar with respect to cost and improved quality of life measures for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
Midway waist circumference better than iliac crest measure
(HealthDay)—Waist circumference measured midway (WC-mid) between the lowest ribs and the iliac crest better defines risks associated with central obesity than does waist circumference measured at the iliac crest (WC-IC), according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Diabetes Care.
Factors affecting weight loss after abdominoplasty identified
(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing abdominoplasty, weight loss is associated with having a preoperative body mass index ≥24.5 kg/m² and is attributed to increased satiety in most patients, according to a study published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Fish oil may protect dialysis patients from sudden cardiac death
Medical literature long has touted the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for the heart. But until now, researchers have not studied the potential benefit for people on hemodialysis, who are among the highest-risk patients for sudden cardiac death.
Biostatisticians identify genes linked to heart disease
Recently, large studies have identified some of the genetic basis for important common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, but most of the genetic contribution to them remains undiscovered. Now researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst led by biostatistician Andrea Foulkes have applied sophisticated statistical tools to existing large databases to reveal substantial new information about genes that cause such conditions as high cholesterol linked to heart disease.
Genetic variation doubles risk of aortic valve calcification
Researchers have found a genetic variant that doubles the likelihood that people will have calcium deposits on their aortic valve. Such calcification, if it becomes severe, can cause narrowing or a blockage of the aortic valve, a condition called aortic stenosis. The study is the first large-scale, genome-wide association study to uncover a genetic link to aortic valve calcification. An article detailing the findings is published in the February 7, 2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Antibiotic cream has high cure rate, few side effects in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis
An international collaboration of researchers from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), Tunisia and France has demonstrated a high cure rate and remarkably few side effects in treating patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) with an investigational antibiotic cream. CL is a parasitic disease that causes disfiguring lesions, with 350 million people at risk worldwide and 1.5 million new cases annually, including U.S. military personnel serving abroad and the socio-economically disadvantaged in the developing world, especially children. The results of the research conducted by USAMRMC, the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, the Tunisian Ministry of Health and the Institut Pasteur in Paris were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
'Listening to your heart' could improve body image, study finds
Women who are more aware of their bodies from within are less likely to think of their bodies principally as objects, according to research published February 6 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Vivien Ainley and Manos Tsakiris from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Despite reported dislike, older readers put in less effort when using e-readers, researchers find
Reading text on digital devices like tablet computers requires less effort from older adults than reading on paper, according to research published February 6 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Matthias Schlesewsky and colleagues from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, in collaboration with colleagues from Georg August University Göttingen and the University of Marburg, Germany.
Lower drinking ages lead to more binge drinking
People who grew up in states where it was legal to drink alcohol before age 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers later in life, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Turning repulsive feelings into desires
Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new University of Michigan study indicates.
Breast milk reduces risk of sepsis and intensive care costs in very-low-birth-weight infants
Feeding human breast milk to very-low-birth-weight infants greatly reduces risk for sepsis and significantly lowers associated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) costs, according to a study by Rush University Medical Center researchers.
In hospitals, daily antiseptic bath may prevent dangerous infections
(HealthDay)—A daily swabbing with a simple antiseptic greatly decreases the number of life-threatening bloodstream infections and drug-resistant bacteria lurking among patients in acute-care hospital units, a new study suggests.
New whooping cough strain in US raises questions
Researchers have discovered the first U.S. cases of whooping cough caused by a germ that may be resistant to the vaccine.
Smoking marijuana associated with higher stroke risk in young adults
Marijuana, the most widely used illicit drug, may double stroke risk in young adults, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.
Scientists identify molecular link between metabolism and breast cancer
(Medical Xpress)—A protein associated with conditions of metabolic imbalance, such as diabetes and obesity, may play a role in the development of aggressive forms of breast cancer, according to new findings by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their colleagues. Metabolic imbalance is often caused by elevated carbohydrate intake, which can lead to over-activating a molecule called C-terminal binding protein (CtBP). This over-activation, in turn, can increase the risk of breast cancer. Results of their work appeared in Nature Communications, Feb. 5, 2013.
Finding challenges accepted view of MS: Unexpectedly, damaged nerve fibers survive
(Medical Xpress)—Multiple sclerosis, a brain disease that affects over 400,000 Americans, causes movement difficulties and many neurologic symptoms. MS has two key elements: The nerves that direct muscular movement lose their electrical insulation (the myelin sheath) and cannot transmit signals as effectively. And many of the long nerve fibers, called axons, degenerate.
By studying hand motions, bioengineer is creating instruction manual to help repair a broken-down brain
(Medical Xpress)—"When you grab a cookie and want to break off a piece with a chocolate chip," says Maurice Smith, balancing a crumbly bit between two of his fingers, "your brain must represent that action plan extrinsically, as it is an activity based in the world."
Researchers discover enzyme behind breast cancer mutations
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have uncovered a human enzyme responsible for causing DNA mutations found in the majority of breast cancers. The discovery of this enzyme – called APOBEC3B – may change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Brain research provides clues to what makes people think and behave differently
Differences in the physical connections of the brain are at the root of what make people think and behave differently from one another. Researchers reporting in the February 6 issue of the Cell Press journal Neuron shed new light on the details of this phenomenon, mapping the exact brain regions where individual differences occur. Their findings reveal that individuals' brain connectivity varies more in areas that relate to integrating information than in areas for initial perception of the world.
Compound stimulates tumor-fighting protein in cancer therapy
A compound that stimulates the production of a tumor-fighting protein may improve the usefulness of the protein in cancer therapy, according to a team of researchers.
Electrical brain stimulation plus drug fights depression, study reports
(HealthDay)—Treating major depression safely and affordably is a challenge. Now, Brazilian researchers have found that two techniques often used individually produce better results when used together.
How chromosomes keep their loose ends loose
We take it for granted that our chromosomes won't stick together, yet this kind of cellular disaster would happen constantly were it not for a protein called TRF2. Now, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered key details of how TRF2 performs this crucial chromosome-protecting function. The finding represents a significant advance in cell biology and also has implications for our understanding of cancer and the aging process.
Biology news
Malaysia considers reward in dead-elephants case
Malaysian authorities will offer a $16,000 reward for information on 14 rare Borneo pygmy elephants found dead last month, if it is confirmed they were poisoned.
Medusa and the giant squid: Camera system captures first video
Researchers from The University of Queensland played a key role in filming the first video images of a live giant squid in its natural habitat, in lightless water up to a kilometre under the ocean.
ZooKeys opens the gates to America's moth diversity
Since its inception in 2009, the "Contributions to the systematics of New World macro- moths" series in ZooKeys has been playing an important role in publishing taxonomic changes and new discoveries concerning moth diversity in North America. With a total of 49 publications by 38 authors, this well-established series is among the topic leaders, alongside publications such as Canadian Staphylinidae.
Benefits of Bt corn go beyond rootworm resistance
Engineered to produce the bacterial toxin, Bt, "Bt corn" resists attack by corn rootworm, a pest that feeds on roots and can cause annual losses of up to $1 billion. But besides merely protecting against these losses, the Bt trait has also boosted corn yields, in some cases beyond normal expectations. So what makes it so successful?
Understanding microbes blowing in the wind
With help from a wind tunnel and the latest DNA technology, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are shedding light on the travel patterns of microbes in soils carried off by strong winds. The work has implications for soil health and could lead to management practices that minimize the damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
MEPs approve new EU sustainable fishery regime
The European Parliament approved Wednesday a new fisheries accord hailed by environmental groups as a breakthrough in managing a key food resource which has been over-exploited for years.
Tourists face health risks from contact with captive sea turtles
Tourists coming into contact with sea turtles at holiday attractions face a risk of health problems, according to research published today by JRSM Short Reports. Encountering free-living sea turtles in nature is quite safe, but contact with wild-caught and captive-housed sea turtles, typically through handling turtles in confined pools or through consuming turtle products, carries the risk of exposure to toxic contaminants and to zoonotic (animal to human) pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Symptoms, which may take some time to emerge, can resemble gastrointestinal disorders or flu but people more severely affected can suffer septicaemia, pneumonia, meningitis and acute renal failure.
Klondike, puppy born from a frozen embryo, fetches good news for endangered animals
Meet Klondike, the western hemisphere's first puppy born from a frozen embryo. He's a beagle-Labrador retriever mix, and although neither of those breeds are endangered, Klondike's very existence is exciting news for endangered canids, like the red wolf.
Bats more likely than rodents to carry disease, new study says
Rodents hugely outnumber bats, but bats are more likely than rodents to carry viruses that can be transmitted between animals and humans, according to new research by Colorado State University disease ecologists.
New protein probes find enzymes for biofuel production
New protein probes are now helping scientists find the best biomass-to-biofuel production enzymes that nature has to offer. Turning biomass into biofuel hinges on the breakdown of the energy-rich primary component of plant matter, cellulose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, or 'many sugars' bonded together. For biofuel production, the bonds between the many sugars must be broken so that those sugars can then be further processed, for example, fermented to make ethanol. But breaking these bonds is no small feat because they are strong. The best known candidate for this job? A group of microbe-made enzymes called glycoside hydrolases, or GHs.
Nothing fishy about swimming with same-sized mates
Have you ever wondered why, and how, shoals of fish are comprised of fish of the same size? According to new research by Ashley Ward, from the University of Sydney in Australia, and Suzanne Currie, from Mount Allison University in Canada, fish can use a variety of different sensory cues to locate shoal-mates, but they are able to use chemical cues to find other fish of the same size as themselves. Using these cues, they can form a group with strength in numbers. The work is published online in Springer's journal, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
Pest uses plant hairs for protection: Trichomes save insect from beetle predation
Everyone needs to eat. But it's a dog-eat-dog world, and with the exception of the top predators, everyone also gets eaten. To cope with this vicious reality, a tiny insect that eats plants has learned to employ the plant's hairs for physical protection from its beetle predator.
Biocontrol research on Brazilian peppertree in Florida discovers new cryptic species
Dr Michael Pogue, a Research Entomologist in the ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, was sent a series of moth specimens from Bahia, Brazil, for identification. The insects were under consideration as a possible biocontrol agent for the invasive Brazilian peppertree in Florida.
Evolutionary egg question answered: Turtle goo reduces oxygen
(Phys.org)—Some reptile species give birth to live young, but turtles have never evolved this ability. New research is revealing why.
Tadpoles not just baby frogs
(Phys.org)—Tadpoles may be vital in helping maintain the ecosystems of freshwater streams, a James Cook University researcher is discovering.
Learning from the linker: New study sheds light on cellular reprogramming
Mature cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotency and thus regain the ability to divide and differentiate into specialized cell types. Although these so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) represent a milestone in stem cell research, many of the biochemical processes that underlie reprogramming are still not understood. Scientists from the EMBL Hamburg and from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Münster, Germany now shed new light on this process. In a study published today in Nature Cell Biology, the scientists describe important details about the structure of the transcription factor Oct4, known to play a crucial role in the reprogramming of terminally differentiated cells. The study broadens the knowledge about the reprogramming of cells and may pave the way for medical applications in the field of regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Gabon says half its elephants killed since 2004
More than half of Gabon's elephant population has been killed by poachers since 2004 despite ramped up security measures to try to stop the slaughter, wildlife officials said Wednesday.
Iceland investigating mass herring deaths
Researchers in Iceland are blaming low oxygen levels in a shallow fjord for the deaths of tens of thousands of tons of herring.
Thailand: Astonishing 10 new species of semi-aquatic freshwater earthworms revealed
The semi-aquatic earthworms in the genus Glyphidrilus are somewhat unfamiliar species that live between the terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems of rivers, streams, canals, ponds, swamps and paddy systems. Remarkably, each species is endemic to a single water basin, carrying its own signature of evolution from their common origin. A study describing ten newly discovered species of the genus has been published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
Scientists identify genetic mechanism that contributed to Irish Famine
When a pathogen attacks a plant, infection usually follows after the plant's immune system is compromised. A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside focused on Phytophthora, the pathogen that triggered the Irish Famine of the 19th century by infecting potato plants, and deciphered how it succeeded in crippling the plant's immune system.
Pirate-like flies connect symbiosis to diversity
(Phys.org)—After a year of studying up close the symbiotic relationship between a mosquito-sized bug and a fungus, a Simon Fraser University biologist has advanced the scientific understanding of biological diversity.
'Tree of life' has Kurdish roots, study finds
Seen by some as emblematic of the Mediterranean landscape and cuisine, the olive tree in fact has its domesticated roots in Kurdish regions, said a study Wednesday that seeks to settle an age-old debate.
Environmental factors determine whether immigrants are accepted by cooperatively breeding animals
Cichlid fish are more likely to accept immigrants into their group when they are under threat from predators and need reinforcements, new research shows. The researcher suggests that there are parallels between cooperatively breeding fish's and humans' regulation of immigrants. The research was published today, 6 February 2013, in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Research says biodiversity helps protect nature against human impacts
New research published today in Nature suggests farmers and resource managers should not rely on seemingly stable but vulnerable single-crop monocultures. Instead they should encourage more kinds of plants in fields and woods as a buffer against sudden ecosystem disturbance.
Researchers discover how new corals species form in the ocean
Since the observations made by English naturalist Charles Darwin on the Galapagos Islands, researchers have been interested in how physical barriers, such as isolation on a particular island, can lead to the formation of new species through the process of natural selection. Natural selection is a process whereby heritable traits that enhance survival become more common in successive generations, while unfavorable heritable traits become less common. Over time, animals and plants that have morphologies or other attributes that enhance their suitability to a particular environment become more common and more adapted to that specific environment.
Sensing the light, but not to see: Study offers insight on the evolution of photsensitive cells
(Phys.org)—In a primitive marine organism, MBL scientists find photosensitive cells that may be ancestral to the "circadian receptors" in the mammalian retina.
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