Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 11, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Even ancient mummies had clogged arteries, study shows- Math model reveals insight into how first life forms were 'born'
- The closest star system found in a century
- Automated analysis of digital records could expose intimate details, personality traits of millions, study finds
- Solar wind energy source discovered
- New X-ray imaging technique yields unprecedented measurements of nanoscale structures
- Hope for threatened Tasmanian devils: Research paves way for vaccine development
- Protected areas successfully prevent deforestation in Amazon rainforest
- Less sleep leads to more eating, more weight gain, research says
- Tiny piece of RNA keeps 'clock' running in earliest stages of life
- Protein abundant in cancerous cells causes DNA 'supercoiling'
- Ground-level ozone falling faster than model predicted, study finds
- Sleep loss precedes Alzheimer's symptoms
- Comet posing beside crescent moon in cool photo op
- Remote clouds responsible for climate models' glitch in tropical rainfall
Space & Earth news
Manure spills: Detailing the damage, finding a fix
A manure spill that reaches a nearby creek or river can create a serious environmental hazard because it significantly boosts phosphorus loads in the water. Now scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and their research partners have determined how channel sediments capture and release manure phosphorus, and have identified strategies for reducing phosphorus loads from manure spills.
NASA launches suborbital rocket from Va. facility
(AP)—NASA has launched a suborbital rocket from its Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
Space weather research to look at energy distribution
A University of Texas at Arlington physicist has been awarded more than $400,000 in NASA funding to develop a 3D look at how electrodynamic energy from solar winds enters and moves throughout the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Activists fault WHO report on Fukushima radiation
Activist physicians on Monday accused the World Health Organization of downplaying the health impact of nuclear fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Japan's huge quake heard from space by GOCE (Update)
The colossal earthquake that sent a devastating tsunami barreling into Japan two years ago on Monday was so big it could be heard from space, a study has said.
Floating tsunami trash to be a decades-long headache
The tsunami that ravaged northeast Japan in March 2011 created the biggest single dumping of rubbish, sweeping some five million tonnes of shattered buildings, cars, household goods and other rubble into the sea.
Pensioners to go to Mars: Why the old ones are the best
Tourist "astronaut" millionaire Dennis Tito wants to send an "older couple" to Mars. Would this be a stunt by an enthusiast or a meaningful breakthrough in space exploration?
Water supply and demand: Scenarios to project global demand water use over the 21st century
Water is an essential resource. Future demands for drinking water, energy production, and manufacturing prompted researchers working at the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) and University of Alberta to develop global domestic water use projections through the 21st century. They linked water price information through the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM), an integrated model of the human and Earth system, developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). JGCRI is a partnership between PNNL and the University of Maryland.
Plastic wrapped Shuttle Atlantis slated for grand public unveiling in June
Imagine visiting Star Fleet headquarters in the 23nd Century and being engulfed by a holodeck journey to a 21st century NASA Space Shuttle; complete with a full sized Hubble Space Telescope – perhaps the important science instrument ever constructed and an outstanding legacy of the Space Shuttle Program.
Chinese space debris collides with Russian satellite
According to Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), the Center for Space Standards and Innovation (CSSI) has determined that on January 22, 2013 debris from the Chinese FENGYUN 1C collided with Russia's BLITS satellite. The FENGYUAN 1C is the satellite that was destroyed by China on January 11, 2007 in a test of an anti-satellite missile. The collision changed the orbit of the Russian satellite, along with its spin velocity and attitude. The animation above is from AGI and it depicts the event.
Japan, US hold space cooperation talks
Japan and the United States held talks Monday on wide-ranging cooperation in space, including the satellite monitoring of ships, a joint statement said.
Pittsburgh's leaky faucet: How aging sewers are impacting urban watersheds
Aging sewer systems are spilling a considerable amount of nitrogen into urban watersheds, diminishing both the quality of water and ecosystems' habitats. However, many studies documenting the impacts of nitrogen on urban environs have not properly estimated the contribution of leaky sewer systems—until now.
El Nino, La Nina unlikely to show up in first half of 2013, WMO says
The El Nino and La Nina climate patterns are unlikely to make an appearance during the first half of this year, the UN's weather agency said Monday.
SDO observes Earth, lunar transits in same day
On March 2, 2013, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) entered its semiannual eclipse season, a period of three weeks when Earth blocks its view of the sun for a period of time each day. On March 11, however, SDO was treated to two transits. Earth blocked SDO's view of the sun from about 2:15 to 3:45 a.m. EDT. Later in the same day, from around 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. EDT, the moon moved in front of the sun for a partial eclipse.
Blue bursts of hot young stars captured by Hubble
(Phys.org) —This image, speckled with blue, white and yellow light, shows part of the spiral galaxy IC 5052. Surrounded in the image by foreground stars in our own galaxy, and distant galaxies beyond, it emits a bright blue-white glow which highlights its narrow, intricate structure. It is viewed side-on in the constellation of Pavo (The Peacock), in the southern sky.
Study finds iron from glacial melting could help reduce global warming
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US has found significant amounts of particulate iron in runoff from glacial melting in Greenland. In their paper published in Nature Geoscience, the team notes that such iron could possibly spur the growth of algae, which absorb carbon dioxide.
Auroras shine light on solar flares
(Phys.org) —Astrophysicists at the University of Glasgow are looking to the Northern and Southern Lights to expand our understanding of solar flares.
Protected areas successfully prevent deforestation in Amazon rainforest
Strictly protected areas such as national parks and biological reserves have been more effective at reducing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest than so-called sustainable-use areas that allow for controlled resource extraction, two University of Michigan researchers and their colleagues have found.
Ground-level ozone falling faster than model predicted, study finds
There is good news and better news about ground-level ozone in American cities. While dangerous ozone levels have fallen in places that clamp down on emissions from vehicles and industry, a new study from Rice University suggests that a model widely used to predict the impact of remediation efforts has been too conservative.
Comet posing beside crescent moon in cool photo op
Now's your chance to see the comet that passed within 100 million miles of Earth last week. Twilight on Tuesday will provide the best photo op for the comet called Pan-STARRS. It will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere just above the western horizon—right next to a crescent moon.
Remote clouds responsible for climate models' glitch in tropical rainfall
New research shows that cloud biases over the Southern Ocean are the primary contributor to the double-rain band problem that exists in most modern climate models.
Astronomers conduct first remote reconnaissance of another solar system
Researchers have conducted a remote reconnaissance of a distant solar system with a new telescope imaging system that sifts through the blinding light of stars. Using a suite of high-tech instrumentation and software called Project 1640, the scientists collected the first chemical fingerprints, or spectra, of this system's four red exoplanets, which orbit a star 128 light years away from Earth. A detailed description of the planets—showing how drastically different they are from the known worlds in the universe—was accepted Friday for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.
Lunar impacts created seas of molten rock, research shows
Early in the Moon's history an ocean of molten rock covered its entire surface. As that lunar magma ocean cooled over millions of years, it differentiated to form the Moon's crust and mantle. But according to a new analysis by planetary scientists from Brown University, this wasn't the last time the Moon's surface was melted on a massive scale.
Monsoon failure key to long droughts in Southwest
Long-term droughts in the Southwestern North America often mean failure of both summer and winter rains, according to new tree-ring research from a University of Arizona-led team.
Study predicts lag in summer rains over parts of US and Mexico
A delay in the summer monsoon rains that fall over the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico is expected in the coming decades according to a new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research. The North American monsoon delivers as much as 70 percent of the region's annual rainfall, watering crops and rangelands for an estimated 20 million people.
Study pinpoints causes of 2011 Arctic ozone hole
(Phys.org) —A combination of extreme cold temperatures, man-made chemicals and a stagnant atmosphere were behind what became known as the Arctic ozone hole of 2011, a new NASA study finds.
Team discovers adaptations to explain strategies for survival on Mars
Research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine has revealed key features in proteins needed for life to function on Mars and other extreme environments.
Solar wind energy source discovered
Using data from an aging NASA spacecraft, researchers have found signs of an energy source in the solar wind that has caught the attention of fusion researchers. NASA will be able to test the theory later this decade when it sends a new probe into the sun for a closer look.
The closest star system found in a century
(Phys.org) —A pair of newly discovered stars is the third-closest star system to the Sun, according to a paper that will be published in Astrophysical Journal Letters. The duo is the closest star system discovered since 1916. The discovery was made by Kevin Luhman, an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University and a researcher in Penn State's Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds.
Technology news
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba names new CEO
Alibaba Group, one of the world's biggest e-commerce companies, said Monday its executive vice president will succeed founder Jack Ma as chief executive.
From a devastating earthquake, a blueprint for recovery
In 2009, a massive earthquake struck L'Aquila, Italy, a town two hours north of Rome where generations of families have lived for thousands of years. The quake devastated the community so much that its citizens have not been able to return; anyone crossing into the city must wear protective gear and be accompanied by emergency personnel.
New report shows how earthquake damage can impact building fire safety performance
Damage to building structural elements, elevators, stairs, and fire protection systems caused by the shaking from a major earthquake can play a critical role in the spread of fire, hamper the ability of occupants to evacuate, and impede fire departments in their emergency response operations. These are among the conclusions of a groundbreaking study of post-earthquake building fire performance conducted in 2012 by researchers in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
US urges China to probe, halt cyber spying
Beijing must take steps to investigate and halt cybercrime, a top US official said Monday, warning the international community cannot tolerate the widespread hacking coming from China.
Australian central bank computers hacked
Computer networks at the Reserve Bank of Australia have been hacked, officials said Monday, with some reportedly infected by Chinese-developed malware searching for sensitive information.
Sizing up Japan, after the disaster: Political scientist examines Japanese stasis after nuclear meltdown at Fukushima
Around the world, people watched in horror as an earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011, soon followed by the slow-motion meltdown of a nuclear reactor in Fukushima. In the days and weeks that followed, many observers expected to see a wave of political or social change sweep Japan as well.
Air quality in an app
Thanks to sensors installed on trams that send data live to mobile phones, people can check air pollution levels around the city with just one click and in real time. This new app developed by EPFL researchers was recently tested in Zurich.
Extreme work clothes for the Artic
Roughnecks working on oil and gas installations in the Arctic need clothes that monitor the health. Research scientists at SINTEF are developing a jacket with built-in sensors. It will monitor both body temperature and workers' activity, and may become a useful tool for supporting decision-making.
Taiwan's Foxconn to recruit 5,000 local technicians
Taiwan's tech giant Foxconn will hire 5,000 technicians locally this year, many of them to work on factory robots to build its gadgets, officials said Monday, in a sign the firm is refocusing operations to its home island.
Icahn signs confidentiality agreement with Dell (Update)
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who is fighting Dell Inc. founder Michael Dell's plan to take the struggling company private, has entered a confidentiality agreement that would give him access to the computer maker's financial records.
Running on tempo
Some runners take it slow while others tear up the pavement. Either way, music gives runners their mojo, and can be the key to creating a productive, enjoyable run, according to a team of Michigan State University seniors whose fitness app, TempoRun, took first place at the national Student Startup Madness Tournament March 9.
Former Sony CEO Stringer to retire
Howard Stringer, the first foreigner to lead Japanese electronics giant Sony during some of its most challenging times, has announced he will retire from the struggling firm.
Chrome OS thwarts attack attempts in Pwnium challenge
(Phys.org) —Hackers at a please-hack-me contest at the CanWest security conference in Vancouver, BC, went home empty-handed. The contest during the Vancouver three-day conference on digital security ended up with enlightened participants capable of attempts nonetheless missing out on a massive pile of cash—the bounty was $3.14159 million—the reward for their efforts if successful. They were unable to break into Google's Chrome OS. This Pwnium 3 contest invited hackers to penetrate any holes they could find in the Chrome operating system.
Building a better battery
A new battery technology provides double the energy storage at lower cost than the batteries that are used in handheld electronics, electric vehicles, aerospace and defence.
Automated analysis of digital records could expose intimate details, personality traits of millions, study finds
New research, published today in the journal PNAS, shows that surprisingly accurate estimates of Facebook users' race, age, IQ, sexuality, personality, substance use and political views can be inferred from automated analysis of only their Facebook Likes - information currently publicly available by default.
Medicine & Health news
Type 1 diabetes testing may be cheaper, faster
Work by researchers at The University of Western Australia could revolutionise testing for Type 1 diabetes around the world.
New system for medical internships required
Researchers have argued that the system for allocating medical internships, where states prioritise graduates from their own medical schools, is inequitable and potentially unconstitutional.
When bone-eating cells gain the upper hand
Advanced osteoporosis is often the most severe sequela, or resulting condition, of plasma cell cancer (multiple myeloma). Abnormally functioning stem cells are a key causal factor.
Study finds lack of safety restraint in a semi-truck increases risk of injury regardless of seating position
Semi-truck drivers and sleeper berth passengers who were not using safety restraints, significantly increased the odds of injuries in moving collisions compared to those semi-truck occupants who were using occupant safety restraints, according to a recent study by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.
Women live longer, but have a lower quality of life
To mark International Women's Day on 8th March 2013, the Institute of Gender Medicine at the MedUni Vienna has presented an alarming result obtained from gender-specific research. According to recent studies, women's quality of life is significantly worse than that of men in terms of health.
Sugar and diabetes risk in children
Sugar may play a more prominent role in the origins of diabetes than anyone realized, according to new research from Stanford, UC-Berkeley and UC-San Francisco. Countries with more sugar in their food supplies have higher rates of diabetes, independent of sugar's ties to obesity, other parts of the diet, and several economic and demographic factors, the researchers found. Although the study focused on diabetes rates among adults, its results have repercussions for children's health, too.
Why people put themselves under the knife: Psychologists confirm long-term positive effects of plastic surgery
In a long-term study, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Margraf, Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the RUB, investigated the psychological effects of plastic surgery on approximately 550 patients in cooperation with colleagues from the University of Basel. Patients demonstrated more enjoyment of life, satisfaction and self-esteem after their physical appearance had been surgically altered.
Encouraging early results for redesigned Sapien valve
The new Sapien XT aortic valve showed a non-significantly lower rate of death and strokes at 30 days than the original model, and both valves demonstrated notably better short-term outcomes than seen with the Sapien system in PARTNER I, according to the first results from the PARTNER II study presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Cangrelor superior to clopidogrel in CHAMPION PHOENIX trial
The experimental anti-clotting drug cangrelor solidly outperformed commonly used clopidogrel in a large global trial of patients who underwent coronary stent procedures, according to data from the phase III CHAMPION PHOENIX study presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Shock teams and ECMO save lives in massive STEMI
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), accompanied by mechanical CPR, in patients with massive myocardial infarctions can lead to unexpected survival. These study findings are being presented March 9 at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.
New biolimus stent equal to everolimus stent at one year
In a match-up of Japan's top drug-releasing stent and a new device featuring a biodegradable coating, the newcomer delivered statistically comparable one-year results, according to data from the NEXT trial presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Fewer adverse events with 'double kissing' crush stent than culotte
Patients with a type of coronary lesion linked with poor prognosis fared significantly better with the stent technique known as double kissing crush than with culotte stenting, according to data from the DKCRUSH-III trial presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Neck injuries linked to high costs for patients and spouses
Patients with neck injuries incur increased health and social costs—which also affect their spouses and may begin years before the initial injury, reports a study in the March 1 issue of Spine.
Research on the use of robots in the pediatric ward of an oncological hospital
Introducing a fleet of social robots in a hospital, so that they can interact with children affected by cancer, will be the final outcome of a new international research project that Universidad Carlos III of Madrid is participating in. The objective is to design and build these devices and to advance the study of societies in which humans and robots mix.
Brain mechanisms of food reward
Studying what makes us want to eat, could help devise approaches to prevent obesity, which is becoming widespread in Europe
Need for culturally sensitive treatment for deaf patients with psychiatric disorders
Members of the Deaf community who suffer from mental health problems need culturally sensitive treatment to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, according to a report in the March Journal of Psychiatric Practice.
Can energy drinks improve the physical and mental performance of cyclists?
Consumption of energy drinks containing caffeine may have beneficial effects on exercise but probably not for mental function. The effects of pre-exercise caffeine consumption by trained cyclists on racing times and cognitive performance were measured and are reported in Journal of Caffeine Research.
Grandad's hip fracture a risk factor for osteoporosis
Has your paternal or maternal grandfather broken their hip on any occasion? In that case there is a greater risk that your own bones are more fragile as an adult. This has been demonstrated in a thesis at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden based on a study of over 1,000 young adults in Gothenburg, which identified those factors increasing the risk of bone fragility in men.
No increase in risk of death for patients with well-controlled HIV, reports AIDS journal
For HIV-infected patients whose disease is well-controlled by modern treatment, the risk of death is not significantly higher than in the general population, according to a study published in AIDS, official journal of the International AIDS Society.
Epigenetics mechanism may help explain effects of mom's nutrition on her children's health
Pioneering studies by U. S. Department of Agriculture-funded research molecular geneticist Robert A. Waterland are helping explain how the foods that soon-to-be-moms eat in the days and weeks around the time of conception—or what's known as periconceptional nutrition–may affect the way genes function in her children, and her children's health.
Study shows on-pump bypass comparable to off-pump at year mark
Patients who underwent heart bypass surgery without a heart- lung machine did as well one year later as patients whose hearts were connected to a pump during surgery in a study presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Similar outcomes in older patients with on- or off-pump bypass
Older patients did as well after undergoing coronary bypass surgery off-pump as they did with the more costly "on-pump" procedure using a heart-lung machine to circulate blood and oxygen through the body during surgery, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
Judge strikes down NYC sugary-drinks size rule
(AP)—A judge struck down New York City's ban on big sugary drinks Monday just hours before it was supposed to take effect, ruling that the first-in-the-nation measure arbitrarily applies to only some sweet beverages and some places that sell them.
Angioplasty at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery safe, effective
Non-emergency angioplasty performed at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability is no less safe and effective than angioplasty performed at hospitals with cardiac surgery services, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.
America's new love: Water
It wasn't too long ago that America had a love affair with soda. Now, an old flame has the country's heart.
Study points to essential role of IL-22 in lung repair after the flu
Once the initial episode of influenza has passed, the chronic effects tend to be overlooked. The results of a new study indicate that the cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays a critical role in normal lung repair following influenza infection. This study is published in the April 2013 issue of the American Journal of Pathology.
Trio of biomarkers may help identify kidney cancer in early stages
A new immunoassay that tests for the presence of three biomarkers appears to be a valid screening method for the early detection of malignant kidney cancer, according to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Study shows anemia drug does not improve health of anemic heart failure patients
Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Sweden-based Sahlgrenska University Hospital have found that a commonly used drug to treat anemia in heart failure patients –darbepoetin alfa – does not improve patients' health, nor does it reduce their risk of death from heart failure.
Study explains why fainting can result from blood pressure drug used in conjunction with other disorders
A new study led by a Canadian research team has identified the reason why prazosin, a drug commonly used to reduce high blood pressure, may cause lightheadedness and possible fainting upon standing in patients with normal blood pressure who take the drug for other reasons, such as the treatment of PTSD and anxiety.
Lowering salt intake in diets important and very feasible, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—A newly published study has found that it would be relatively easy for New Zealanders to reach recommended levels of lower salt intake to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and stomach cancer. This is even if some meals have occasional high salt ingredients such as sausages or other processed foods.
Research team breakthrough in delivering drugs to the brain
Researchers at UCL have made a breakthrough in the way that drugs could be delivered to the brain.
Uncovering how humans hear one voice among many
Humans have an uncanny ability to zero in on a single voice, even amid the cacophony of voices found in a crowded party or other large gathering of people. Researchers have long sought to identify the precise mechanisms by which our brains enable this remarkable selectivity in sound processing known as the "cocktail party effect."
Global burden of disease study shows mixed picture for UK health
(Medical Xpress)—Life expectancy in the UK has improved over the last 20 years, but levels of ill health have not and the UK is now below average compared with 18 other countries on many important indicators.
Explainer: What is depression?
Many people know what it's like to feel sad or down from time to time. We can experience negative emotions due to many things – a bad day at work, a relationship break-up, a sad film, or just getting out of bed on the "wrong side". Sometimes we even say that we're feeling a bit "depressed". But what does that mean, and how can we tell when it's more than just a feeling?
How much sodium are you eating? New online salt calculator sums it up
Canadians can track how much salt they're eating and identify the main sources of sodium in their diet using a new online Salt Calculator.
Novel anti-clotting drug more effective than Plavix in coronary procedures, study says
(Medical Xpress)—An experimental drug has been shown to be significantly more effective at preventing blood clots during coronary stenting procedures compared to the anti-clotting agent now typically used, according to an international, multicenter study whose senior author is at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Appetite suppression pills: Good or bad?
New products are released each year promising to help buyers suppress their appetite to lose weight, but these over-the-counter concoctions may not be as effective as more natural approaches.
Breathtaking: New treatments for a fatal lung disease
Research paves the way for new approaches in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a progressive lung disease that can lead to heart failure within three years.
Folic acid lowers risk of autism, study finds
Women who take a vitamin B9 supplement (folic acid) during the beginning weeks of their pregnancy can cut the risk of having a child with autism in half. But the supplement has no effect if it is started more than 8 weeks into the pregnancy.
Drug protects against kidney injury from imaging dye in ACS patients
High doses of a popular cholesterol-lowering drug significantly reduced the rate of acute kidney injury caused by dye used in imaging in acute coronary syndrome patients who underwent a coronary procedure, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session. This group of patients is at high risk for kidney damage related to contrast agents used in imaging tests.
Therapies for ALL and AML targeting MER receptor hold promise of more effect with less side-effect
Two University of Colorado Cancer Center studies show that the protein receptor Mer is overexpressed in many leukemias, and that inhibition of this Mer receptor results in the death of leukemia cells – without affecting surrounding, healthy cells.
New anti-clotting drug more effective than current treatment
A new and experimental anti-clotting drug, cangrelor, proved better than the commonly used clopidogrel and was significantly more effective at preventing blood clots in a large trial of patients who underwent coronary stent procedures. These data, from the phase III CHAMPION PHOENIX study, were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Nerve damage may underlie widespread, unexplained chronic pain in children
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have described what may be a newly identified disease that appears to explain some cases of widespread chronic pain and other symptoms in children and young adults. Their report that will appear in the April issue of the journal Pediatrics, and has received early online release, finds that most of a group of young patients seen at the MGH for chronic, unexplained pain had test results indicating small-fiber polyneuropathy, a condition not previously reported in children. The MGH investigators call this new syndrome juvenile-onset small-fiber polyneuropathy or JOSeFINE.
Coffee and tea during pregnancy affect fetal growth
Drinking just two cups of coffee a day is associated with the risk of low birth weight. Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have conducted a study on 59,000 women in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Peer support shows promise in epilepsy fight
Peer support groups show promise for combating the debilitating stigma that surrounds epilepsy in much of the developing world, according to a new study led by a Michigan State University medical student.
Symptoms and care of irregular heartbeats differ by gender
Women with atrial fibrilation have more symptoms and lower quality of life than men with the same heart condition, according to an analysis of patients in a large national registry compiled by the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
More evidence whooping cough protection wanes
(HealthDay)—Despite high levels of vaccination, the rate of whooping cough in the United States is at its highest level in decades, and one reason may be that immunity from the vaccine diminishes each year after the fifth dose is given.
Study: Mega vitamins won't help after heart attack, chelation treatment might
(HealthDay)—There's mixed news from a much-anticipated clinical trial for people who've suffered a heart attack: While a study found that daily high doses of vitamins and minerals did nothing to improve patient outcomes, there was a hint that controversial "chelation" therapy might.
New drugs might give heart patients an edge
(HealthDay)—In the search for better medicines to safely help heart patients, clinical trials testing three new drugs appear to offer some promise.
Drug may ease angina in people with type 2 diabetes
(HealthDay)—The drug Ranexa (ranolazine) may help reduce chest pain in people with type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.
New program available to reduce stress among teenagers
Families with a child completing elementary school this year are now preparing their registration for high school, a transition that is often stressful for children. A new program has demonstrated that it is possible to significantly reduce stress in some of these children thanks to a new educational tool designed under the leadership of Sonia Lupien, Director of the Centre for Studies on Human Stress (CSHS) and professor at the University of Montreal.
Magnet ingestion by young children serious and growing problem
Physicians and parents must be aware of the growing danger of magnet ingestion by children because magnets can adhere to each other and cause life-threatening problems such as bowel perforations, a new case study illustrates in CMAJ.
Combination therapy for heart failure does not reduce risk of CV death or rehospitalization
Among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction), initiation of the medication aliskiren in addition to standard therapy did not reduce cardiovascular death or HF rehospitalization at 6 or 12 months after discharge, according to a study published online by JAMA.
Sildenafil for heart failure does not result in significant improvement in exercise capacity
Among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (a measure of heart function), administration of sildenafil (commercially known as Viagra) for 24 weeks, compared with placebo, did not result in significant improvement in exercise capacity or clinical status, according to a study published online by JAMA. Some studies have suggested that phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (a class of drugs that includes sildenafil) may improve cardiovascular function.
'Virtual' house calls comparable to in-person care for people with Parkinson's disease, study finds
A small study of 20 people with Parkinson's disease suggests that "virtual house calls" using Web-based video conferencing provide clinical benefits comparable to in-person physician office visits, while saving patients and their caregivers time and travel.
New add-on drug may improve memory in people with moderate Alzheimer's disease
A new drug may improve memory problems in people with moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to a phase IIa study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013. The drug is called ORM-12741.
Stroke risk in elderly treated with antipsychotics is newly linked to specific drug actions
Antipsychotic administration in the elderly is associated with an increased risk for cerebrovascular accident, more commonly known as stroke; a new study published in Biological Psychiatry provides additional insight into this important relationship.
Common MS drugs taken together do not reduce relapse risk
A recent clinical trial found that interferonβ-1a (INF) and glatiramer acetate (GA), two of the most commonly prescribed drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS), provide no additional clinical benefit when taken together. While findings published today in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, suggest that taking both INF and GA together was not superior to GA monotherapy in reducing relapse risk; the combination therapy does appear to reduce new lesion activity and total lesion volume.
Does winning an Emmy or an election mean you will live longer than those you beat?
Research has long linked high socioeconomic status with better health and lower mortality. But what's remained unclear is whether this association has more to do with access to resources (education, wealth, career opportunity, etc.) or the glow of high social status relative to others. Scholars call the latter "relative deprivation."
Antibiotic resistance 'has the potential to undermine modern health systems', say experts
Antibiotic resistance "has the potential to undermine modern health systems," argue health economists Richard Smith and Joanna Coast on bmj.com today. They believe that an increase in resistant organisms coupled with a big fall in the number of new antimicrobial drugs "suggests an apocalyptic scenario may be looming."
Study finds fat and bone mass are genetically linked
When it comes to body shape, diet and exercise can only take us so far. Our body shape and geometry are largely determined by genetic factors. Genetics also have an impact on our body composition – including soft fat tissue and hard bone tissue – and can lead to excess fat or osteoporosis.
Researchers find alternative cholesterol-lowering drug for patients who can't tolerate statins
Heart patients who can't tolerate the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs may have a new option, according to a new study by researchers from the Intermountain Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
US probes Sanofi over blockbuster drug Plavix (Update 2)
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating drug maker Sanofi's disclosures to the Food and Drug Administration about different responses to its blockbuster blood thinner Plavix.
Study investigates older adults' views on cancer screening
A study from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research has found that many older adults are hesitant to halt cancer screenings even when the screenings may no longer be beneficial or may even be potentially harmful. The study is among the first to explore older adults' perceptions of recommendations to halt screenings for breast, prostate, colon and other cancers as they age.
Changes needed to improve in-hospital cardiac arrest care, survival
Policy and practice changes by healthcare institutions, providers and others could greatly improve medical care and improve survival for people who have a sudden cardiac arrest in the hospital, according to an American Heart Association consensus statement in its journal, Circulation.
Older adults benefit from home-based DVD exercise program
Fitness DVDs are a multimillion-dollar business, and those targeting adults over the age of 55 are a major part of the market. With names like "Boomers on the Move," "Stronger Seniors" and "Ageless Yoga," the programs promise much, but few have ever been rigorously tested.
Combination therapy provides similar clinical benefit as single drug treatment in MS
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were treated with combination therapy did not see significant clinical benefit over those treated with single drug therapy, but combination therapy did reduce the development of new lesions, according to an international research team led by The Mount Sinai Medical Center. The findings, part of the largest-ever MS trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, are published in the March 11 issue of Annals of Neurology.
Antibiotics resistance a 'catastrophic' global threat, UK warns
Resistance to antibiotics is a 'catastrophic' global threat and should be ranked alongside terrorism as one of the biggest risks Britain faces, the government's chief medical officer said Monday.
Aspirin may lower melanoma risk
A new study has found that women who take aspirin have a reduced risk of developing melanoma—and that the longer they take it, the lower the risk. The findings suggest that aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects may help protect against this type of skin cancer. The study is published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Scientists identify Buphenyl as a possible drug for Alzheimer's disease
(Medical Xpress)—Buphenyl, an FDA-approved medication for hyperammonemia, may protect memory and prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Hyperammonemia is a life-threatening condition that can affect patients at any age. It is caused by abnormal, high levels of ammonia in the blood.
Evolution in the antibody factory: How immune cells are able to advance their own evolution
Immune system B cells play a crucial role in the defence of pathogens; when they detect such an intruder, they produce antibodies that help to combat the enemy. They concurrently and continuously improve these molecules to more precisely recognize the pathogens. A team of scientists with participation of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) has discovered that during this process the cells are able to advance their own evolution themselves by increasing the selection pressure through previously-produced antibodies. The results are also significant for the development of new vaccination strategies.
Denied the chance to cheat or steal, people turn to violent video games
A new study suggests that people get frustrated when they are offered the opportunity to cheat or steal and that chance is then taken away from them.
Less sleep leads to more eating, more weight gain, research says
Sleeping just five hours a night over a workweek and having unlimited access to food caused participants in a new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder to gain nearly two pounds of weight.
Sleep loss precedes Alzheimer's symptoms
Sleep is disrupted in people who likely have early Alzheimer's disease but do not yet have the memory loss or other cognitive problems characteristic of full-blown disease, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report March 11 in JAMA Neurology.
Heart-lung machines prove safe even in the elderly
One of the scariest parts of bypass surgery—having your heart stopped and going on a heart-lung machine while doctors fix your clogged arteries—is safe even in the elderly and doesn't cause mental decline as many people have feared, two landmark studies show.
Long-suspected cause of blindness from eye disease disproved
Vision scientists long have thought that lack of very long chain fatty acids in photoreceptor cells caused blindness in children with Stargardt type 3 retinal degeneration, an incurable eye disease. But researchers at the University of Utah's John A. Moran Eye Center have shown in a new study that lack of these fatty acids does not cause blindness, meaning that the search for the mechanism that robs sight from children with the disease must start anew.
Biology news
Four shark species win international trade protection
Governments agreed on Monday to restrict international trade in four shark species in a bid to save them from extinction due to rampant demand for their fins.
Scientists concerned for Dunedin's Yellow-eyed Penguin population
University of Otago researchers from the Department of Zoology have expressed serious concerns for the future of the Dunedin Yellow-eyed Penguin population.
New study reveals scale of persistent illegal tiger trade
Parts of more than 1400 Tigers have been seized across Asia in the past 13 years, according to TRAFFIC's latest analysis of confiscations, which includes new data for 2010-2012.
Deterring ticks with citrus and millipedes
Why do birds, monkeys and other animals rub themselves with citrus and creatures like millipedes? One likely reason is because certain plants and arthropods contain natural repellents.
DNA barcoding alone sufficient to detect fraudulent deer products
Many Europeans are fretting these days over what they eat, and whether horse meat might have adulterated their pork chops. Food fraud has been dominating headlines globally - calling for new policies in law enforcement and more robust methods for successful food identification and authentication. As companies and manufacturers resort to fraudulent practices to extract more cash from the gullible public, it is estimated that up to 7% of the consumer supply chain contains hidden ingredients (i.e. – not disclosed on the label). And while all too often policymakers seem oblivious to the problem, the growing awareness of plain criminal activity in food supply has stimulated an increase in published research on animal DNA testing, either for the identification of species or for the genetic linkage of a sample to a particular organism.
EU bans cosmetics with animal-tested ingredients (Update)
The European Union banned the sale of new cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals with immediate effect Monday.
Biodiesel algae: Starvation diets damage health
It may be better to tolerate lower oil content in algae grown for biodiesel to boost growth and overall productivity, says research from the University of Sheffield.
New checklist brings information about Cucurbitaceae up to date
In 2010, it was shown that melons and cucumbers can be traced back to India. Because of the importance of the region for an understanding of Cucurbitaceae evolution and diversity, a new checklist of the Cucurbitaceae of India was produced to update the information on that family. The study was published in the open access journal PhytoKeys.
Antibiotics are unique assassins
In recent years, a body of publications in the microbiology field has challenged all previous knowledge of how antibiotics kill bacteria. "A slew of papers came out studying this phenomenon, suggesting that there is a general mechanism of killing by antibiotics," said Kim Lewis, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biology and director of Northeastern's Antimicrobial Discovery Center.
Temperature changes effect growth of dengue mosquito
(Phys.org) —A significant field discovery analyzing how natural temperature fluctuations affect the growth rate of the dengue mosquito could lead to crucial control-and-prevention strategies, according to newly published research from Thomas Scott's Mosquito Research Laboratory and the Center for Vectorborne Diseases (CVEC), University of California, Davis.
Environmental change impacts on migratory shorebirds differ for males and females
Extensive shell fishing and sewerage discharge in river estuaries could have serious consequences for the rare Icelandic black-tailed godwits that feed there. But it is the males that are more likely to suffer, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
Scientists develop tools for discovering new species
For hundreds of years, naturalists and scientists have identified new species based on an organism's visible differences. But now, new genetic techniques are revealing that different species can show little, to no visible differences.
Hope for threatened Tasmanian devils: Research paves way for vaccine development
New research paves the way for the development of a vaccine for the Tasmanian devil, currently on the brink of extinction because of a contagious cancer.
Untangling life's origins
Researchers in the Evolutionary Bioinformatics Laboratory at the University of Illinois in collaboration with German scientists have been using bioinformatics techniques to probe the world of proteins for answers to questions about the origins of life.
Protein abundant in cancerous cells causes DNA 'supercoiling'
A team of USC scientists has identified a protein that can change DNA topology, making DNA twist up into a so-called "supercoil."
Tiny piece of RNA keeps 'clock' running in earliest stages of life
New research shows that a tiny piece of RNA has an essential role in ensuring that embryonic tissue segments form properly.
Study shows how one insect got its wings
(Phys.org) —Scientists have delved deeper into the evolutionary history of the fruit fly than ever before to reveal the genetic activity that led to the development of wings – a key to the insect's ability to survive.
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