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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 13, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Foundations of carbon-based life leave little room for error- Strange phallus-shaped creature provides crucial missing link: Discovery pushes fossil record back 200 million years
- Physicists use mechanical micro-drum used as quantum memory
- Scientists discover how photon beam can flip the spin polarization of electrons emitted from topological insulator
- ALMA finds 'monster' starburst galaxies in the early universe
- Immune cells cluster and communicate 'like bees,' researcher says
- Ancient Chinese coin found on Kenyan island by Field Museum expedition
- Review: 'Smart' LED bulbs controlled by iPhones
- Punishment can enhance performance, academics find
- New MRI method fingerprints tissues and diseases
- Better 'mousetrap' discovered in fruit flies might stop human cancer-driving kinase in its tracks
- Team finds mechanism that regulates production of energy-burning brown fat
- Tapeworm DNA contains drug weak spots
- Molecule's structure reveals new therapeutic opportunities for rare diabetes
- Protein may alter inevitability of osteoarthritis
Space & Earth news
Little faith in China leaders' pollution promises
Thick grey smog pressed against Zhao Jian's windshield, blotting visibility to two metres as he drove through China's most polluted city.
Asia-Pacific facing water crisis, ADB reports
Nearly two thirds of people in the Asia-Pacific region have no clean, piped water at home despite the region's strong economic growth, according to a major report released on Wednesday.
Will natural gas exports raise prices for consumers?
How much of the United States' newfound bounty of natural gas should stay at home, keeping prices low for domestic customers? How much should be earmarked for export in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG), at the risk of making natural gas pricier? Those questions are the topic of the cover story in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Transforming urban wasteland into opportunity
How can disused urban sites be regenerated sustainably? A new book addresses this important issue.
India offers $532 million to states hit by drought, floods
India's government on Wednesday offered millions of dollars to states hit by drought or floods, marking half the funds for a western zone were millions face their worst water shortage since 1972.
An accurate way of predicting landslides
A landslide can seriously injure or even kill people. Now, a new early warning system will be the first to employ geological data in tandem with the latest weather forecasts to provide a concrete warning in emergency situations.
After 2012 drought, US farmers adapt for climate change
Emerging from the worst drought in 50 years, US farmers are bracing for long-term challenges from climate change including blasting heat and more capricious rainfall.
EU parliament moves to 'green' Europe's farms
European lawmakers on Wednesday approved plans for a radical overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by capping subsidies and tying them to environmental concerns.
Could asteroid mining become a space Gold Rush?
Grant Bergstue and Luke Burgess figure an asteroid mining space economy would be easier to build if there were the equivalent of a few Stuckey's around out there.
How Mars failures helped the Curiosity rover land
Mars is a graveyard; a spot where many a spacecraft slammed into the surface or perhaps, burned up in the atmosphere. This added drama to the Mars Curiosity rover landing last August.
Saturn to shed its spooky spokes for summer
As Saturn steadily moves along its 29.7-year-long orbit toward summertime in its northern hemisphere NASA's Cassini spacecraft is along for the ride, giving astronomers a front-row seat to seasonal changes taking place on the ringed planet.
Extreme water: Aggressive behaviour of water in the Earth's interior
Earth is the only known planet that holds water in massive quantities and in all three phase states. But the earthly, omnipresent compound water has very unusual properties that become particularly evident when subjected to high pressure and high temperatures.
World's largest space observatory opens in Chile (Update)
What is thought to be the world's largest ground-based observatory opened Wednesday in northern Chile, wielding unprecedented power to peer into the remotest regions of the universe.
NASA sees large decrease in Cyclone Sandra's rainfall intensity
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite, also known as TRMM, flew over Cyclone Sandra twice in one day and noticed a large decrease in rainfall intensity over a nine hour period.
Sun spits out two CMEs
The sun recently erupted with two coronal mass ejections (CMEs). One began at 8:36 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2013 and is directed toward three NASA spacecraft, Spitzer, Kepler and Epoxi. There is, however, no particle radiation associated with this event, which is what would normally concern operators of interplanetary spacecraft since the particles can trip computer electronics on board. A second CME began at 6:54 a.m. EDT on March 13, 2013 and its flank may pass by Earth at a speed that does not typically have a significant impact at Earth.
Study of Midwest finds increase in heavy rainfalls over 60 years
Heavy rains have become more frequent in the upper Midwest over the past 60 years, according to a study from the University of Iowa. The trend appears to hold true even with the current drought plaguing the region, the study's main author says.
NASA and partners to send test solar sail craft into space next year
(Phys.org) —NASA has announced a project with space company L'Garde Inc. to send a test craft into space sometime next year powered only by a solar sail. The craft, called Sunjammer, after the short story by Arthur C. Clarke about yacht races in space that relied on the solar wind to carry them along, will be much larger than any other tested in space before.
ALMA: World's largest ground-based space array to open in Chile
In a super-arid desert at an altitude of 5,000 meters, with almost no humidity or vegetation, the world's largest ground-based astronomy project opens for business on Wednesday ready to probe the universe with unprecedented might.
ALMA finds 'monster' starburst galaxies in the early universe
Some of the brightest galaxies in the universe – infant galaxies that churned out tens of thousands of stars each year at the dawn of the universe – evolved much sooner and in greater numbers than previously thought, according to new measurements obtained by University of Arizona astronomers.
Technology news
Dell rejects request for info leading to buyout
(AP)—Dell has rejected a request from a shareholder rights group seeking to review the internal information that led to the proposed $24.4 billion sale of the struggling personal computer maker.
Biomass research collaboration seeks to improve biofuel efficiency, bio-products quality
A Kansas State University biochemical engineer is part of a national collaboration working to advance biomass as a leading source for more efficient drop-in biofuels, bio-power and animal feed.
Open software platform to bring down energy costs
Energy is getting more and more expensive, and experts are predicting record electricity and heating prices. A software platform promises to lighten the load for households and businesses by making it easier for consumers to put renewables to good effect.
Obama adds voice to accusations of China hacking
President Barack Obama entered the fray Wednesday on cyber attacks from China, saying some intrusions affecting US firms and infrastructure were "state sponsored."
Co-founder leaves Fisker electric car co. (Update)
(AP)—Fisker Automotive Inc., maker of the $100,000 Karma sports car, confirmed Wednesday that co-founder Henrik Fisker has left the company.
Pursuit of hackers who took credit reports expands
(AP)—The pursuit of hackers who audaciously stole and published credit reports for Michelle Obama, the attorney general, FBI director and other U.S. politicians and celebrities crisscrossed continents and included a San Francisco-based Internet company, Cloudflare, The Associated Press has learned.
US teens go mobile for Internet, survey says
Most American teenagers use their phones to access the Internet, with one-fourth of them going online mostly on their mobile device, a survey showed Wednesday.
US regulators want clear fine print in mobile ads
The US Federal Trade Commission called Tuesday for potentially bedeviling fine print to be "clear and conspicuous" as ads follow people onto smartphone screens or online social networks.
Drivers can easily save $130 a year without big performance concessions, researcher says
Drivers can make fuel savings of as much as 12% by shifting up to a higher gear sooner, without having the feeling that they're sacrifcing too much performance. That's the finding of a graduation project by an Automotive Technology Master's student at TU/e. His 46 test subjects made average fuel savings of 6% – often to their own surprise – by finding the most economical gear-shifting strategy that still gave them acceptable performance. That means drivers can easily save 100 euro ($130) or more per year on fuel costs.
Signal processing: Look-up tables to shoulder the processing load
Advanced mathematical algorithms are essential for processing electronic signals within computers and embedded processors. Scientists and engineers are constantly refining and redesigning their algorithms to obtain higher throughput of information on ever smaller devices that consume less power.
Netflix lets US viewers share at Facebook
Netflix on Wednesday took the long awaited step of letting US users share with Facebook friends what they have been watching at the film and television show streaming service.
NY Times to overhaul Web design
The New York Times website is undergoing a major overhaul in an effort to become "cleaner" and more engaging, and also to improve the presentation of online ads.
Behind the wheel of company profits: Largest sustainability study for car manufacturing sector to date
Small-car manufacturer Fiat beat its efficiency record in the 2008 recession while former high-achievers Toyota and BMW showed their worst results in 10 years, according to a new study.
Google's top Android exec unexpectedly steps down (Update)
Andy Rubin has stepped down as the executive in charge of Google's Android operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, ending a seven-year reign that reshaped the technology industry.
Dutch thriller pioneers smartphone 'second screens' in cinema
Dutch thriller "APP", about a mysterious personal assistant application that takes over mobile phones, requires viewers for the first time to look at their smartphones in the cinema to view extra footage.
Facebook cleans up Timeline in latest tweak
Facebook on Wednesday began rolling out new profile pages redesigned to clear away clutter from "Timelines" that chronicle member postings at the leading social network.
Apple CEO ordered to testify in e-books case
A judge on Wednesday ordered Apple's chief executive Tim Cook to testify in a case brought by the US government accusing the tech giant of conspiring to raise e-book prices.
Google buys machine learning startup
Google said Wednesday that it has bought a Canadian startup specializing in getting machines to understand what people are trying to say.
Google vision of password rings heard at security event
(Phys.org) —Google finds much appeal in gaining the distinction of leading the way toward a future where USB sticks and rings can replace traditional passwords. The idea of killing off passwords has been an attractive one at Google for some time. This year, remarks by a Google engineer indicate Google is still taking the challenge seriously. Speaking at the recent RSA security conference in San Francisco, Google principal engineer, Mayank Upadhyay commented about Google's interest in a time when password obligations can be dumped and replaced with secure authentication tokens.
Researchers find German-made spyware across globe (Update 2)
The discovery of a group of servers linked to an elusive espionage campaign is providing new details about a high-tech piece of spy software that some fear may be targeting dissidents living under oppressive regimes.
Medicine & Health news
Shining red mice help Czechs fight bowel cancer, skin disease
Injected with a fluorescent protein to make them glow bright red, laboratory mice are helping Czech scientists better understand the causes behind intestinal cancers and skin diseases while leaving the rodents unscathed.
Canadians support interventions to reduce dietary salt
Many Canadians are concerned about dietary sodium and welcome government intervention to reduce sodium intake through a variety of measures, including lowering sodium in food, and education and awareness, according to a national survey. The top barriers to limiting sodium intake are a lack of lower sodium packaged and processed foods and lower sodium restaurant menu options.
States select benchmark plans for essential health benefit required by Affordable Care Act
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have selected the health insurance plan in their state that will serve as the "essential health benefit" package sold by all insurers participating in the new health insurance marketplace and the individual and small-group markets beginning January 2014, according to a new Commonwealth Fund study. Designed to improve the adequacy of health coverage, the essential health benefit covers 10 broad service categories, including ambulatory patient care, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, and prescription drugs. The federal government allowed each state to choose a benchmark plan to help meet the Affordable Care Act requirement that the essential health benefit reflect a typical employer health insurance plan.
Grieving husband pushes bill for unproven remedies
(AP)—After the best-selling Irish novelist Josephine Hart died from ovarian cancer in 2011, her husband was so devastated he often went to her grave to have breakfast.
Revolutionary imaging software offers more detailed, clearer scans of heart conditions
Innovative software has been developed that greatly enhances the detail quality and field of view of conventional ultrasound images. It could improve the diagnosis of heart disease and deliver big savings for the NHS.
Study results indicate Fundamental Skills of Robotic Surgery appears to be effective way to train surgeons
Researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and four collaborating institutions have evaluated the effectiveness of a novel curriculum to safely train surgeons on the da Vinci Surgical System, which is used to perform robot-assisted surgeries. Results, published in Urology, showed that participants trained in the curriculum executed key skills with greater precision than those who did not receive training.
Chicken pox vaccine saving children's lives
The widespread introduction of a chicken pox vaccine in Australia in 2006 has prevented thousands of children from being hospitalised with severe chicken pox and saved lives, according to new research.
Recovery in motion: Post-discharge activity level linked to risk of hospital readmission in elderly
A new study has found a link between the activity levels of elderly people who have just been released from the hospital and the risk that they will require readmission within 30 days.
Current HIV screening guidelines are too conservative
Early HIV treatment can save lives as well as have profound prevention benefits. But those infected with the virus first must be identified before they can be helped.
Germany to legalize anonymous hospital births
(AP)—The German government wants to allow women to use false names when giving birth in hospitals while still ensuring that children born this way can learn the mother's name after turning 16.
Younger doctors more likely to train and work closer to home
Younger doctors are more likely than older generations to train and work in the same region as their home before entering medical school. New research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine investigating the geographical mobility of UK-trained doctors, reveals that 36% attended a medical school in their home region. 34% of hospital consultants and GP partners settled in the same region as their home before entering medical school. The geographical distribution of doctors is an important factor in the equitable distribution of health services.
AMA files brief contesting insurer's payment practices
(HealthDay)—A landmark case examining the question of whether physicians can bring a class arbitration against a health insurer who has underpaid them is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, in a brief filed by the Litigation Center of the American Medical Association and State Medical Societies and the Medical Society of New Jersey.
Study identifies ways children can meet recommended activity goals
Despite overwhelming evidence about the benefits of physical activity for children, most American youngsters are not meeting the federal recommendation of 60 minutes a day.
Study finds catheter-based varicose vein treatments more cost-effective
Treating varicose veins with vein-stripping surgery is associated with higher costs than closing the veins with heat, according to a study at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Education resource focuses on teaching population genetics using current research
Genetics and life sciences instructors, who teach undergraduate students about population and evolutionary genetics, have a new teaching resource: the March 2013 Primer in the Genetics Society of America's journal Genetics uses current research on transcriptome divergence in two closely related species of field crickets to explain population genetics.
Five-organ transplant patient becomes a mother
Miami doctors say they believe a five-organ transplant patient is the first to deliver a baby, making her the first reported case in the world.
Researchers find link between low cognitive score and risk of brain injury
It is estimated that there are 10 million cases of traumatic brain injury globally every year with mild traumatic brain injuries being responsible for 70-90% of these. Incidence is highest among young males.
Fertility after ectopic pregnancy: Study finds reassuring evidence on different treatments
The first randomised trial to compare treatments for ectopic pregnancies has found no significant differences in subsequent fertility between medical treatment and conservative surgery on one hand, and conservative or radical surgery on the other.
Structured weight loss program helps kids from low-income families lower BMI
Overweight and obese children in low-income households can meet or exceed the Expert Committee Recommendations Regarding the Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity when given access to a structured weight management program, according to a new study published in Academic Pediatrics.
Antipsychotic meds not that helpful for depression, study finds
(HealthDay)—For people who don't fully respond to antidepressants, adding commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs appears to be only slightly effective and is linked to unwelcome side effects, a new study finds.
Breast-feeding won't prevent pre-teen obesity, study finds
(HealthDay)—Breast-feeding has many benefits, but preventing overweight and obesity later in a child's life probably isn't among them, according to a new study.
H1N1 flu jab linked to small risk of nervous disorder
Vaccination in the United States against H1N1 "swine" flu, which swept the world in 2009-10, carried a small but tolerable risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder that can cause muscle weakness or temporary paralysis, a study published on Wednesday said.
Downturn threatens Europe's life expectancy gains, WHO says
Gains in life expectancy across Europe could be reversed if cash-strapped governments cut health budgets, the World Health Organisation warned in a report on Wednesday.
Neuron loss in schizophrenia and depression could be prevented
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) deficits have been implicated in schizophrenia and depression. In schizophrenia, deficits have been particularly well-described for a subtype of GABA neuron, the parvalbumin fast-spiking interneurons. The activity of these neurons is critical for proper cognitive and emotional functioning.
Cell metabolism: Muscle loss can be caused by mitochondrial degradation induced by protein Mul1
Muscle withering can occur as part of the progression of many diseases, including cancer and muscular dystrophy, as well as during the normal aging process. Cellular organelles known as mitochondria provide energy for muscle contraction, and their fragmentation within muscle cells can lead to muscle wasting. Now, a team of researchers led by Ravi Kambadur at the A*STAR Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences has identified a key role for mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Mul1) in mitochondrial fragmentation. Such fragmentation occurs in response to stimuli that cause muscle loss.
Protein implicated in lupus promotes disease progression by distinct mechanisms in different immune cells
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) come under attack by their immune system, producing 'autoantibodies' that inflict damage throughout the body. Antibodies normally target foreign proteins, but SLE autoantibodies attack targets contained within the nuclei of host cells, and immunologists have struggled to untangle how this happens.
New methods help to improve attachment of an implant to bone
Replacement of prostheses is unpleasant to the patient and expensive to society. Replacement of failed hip prostheses gives rise to an expenditure of about 10 million euros yearly in Finland. A usual reason for the need to change a prosthesis is its becoming detached from bone. A recent doctoral dissertation at Aalto University has come across several methods with which the adhesion of implants to bone can be improved.
Pre-clinical research shows promising treatment for diabetic wounds using stem cells
Pre-clinical research has generated some very promising findings using adult stem cells for the treatment of diabetic wounds. The research carried out by scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway, is published in Diabetes, the official journal of the American Diabetes Association.
Resveratrol in a red wine sauce: Fountain of youth or snake-oil?
Resveratrol, a molecule found in red wine (and red grape skin and elsewhere) is back in the headlines after an international team of researchers published a paper in the journal Sciencelate last week. The news made headlines around the world.
Ultrasound increases accuracy of central line placement in children, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—By adopting a technique that's already widely used in adult medicine, pediatric surgeons could save many children from complications associated with a common but risky hospital procedure. That's the conclusion of a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
Study eyes deportation's mental-health effect on kids
How the deportation of undocumented Mexican migrants affects their American-born children, who are faced with either going with their parents to Mexico or remaining in the land of their birth without them, is an issue of paramount importance as the nation engages in discussion of comprehensive immigration reform—and is the subject of groundbreaking new research by The University of Texas, Austin, UC Davis Health System and the National Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico.
Large study finds that physician gender does not affect patient-care costs or mortality
Female doctors' patients do not use health-care services more or die less frequently than patients treated by male doctors, a prospective, observational study by researchers at UC Davis Health System has found.
Do blood thinners + stroke treatment = danger? Study indicates the risk is low
Millions of Americans take aspirin or other drugs every day to reduce their risk of heart attacks or other problems caused by blood clots.
Polycystic ovary syndrome puts glucose control in double jeopardy
Polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition affecting about 10 percent of women and characterized by excess male hormone and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, appears to cause a sort of double jeopardy for those struggling the hardest to control blood sugar levels, researchers report.
Breakthrough in battle against leukemia
Scientists at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics and The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles have discovered a critical weakness in leukaemic cells, which may pave the way to new treatments.
Mutated gene causes nerve cell death
Researchers identify new mechanism in the onset of incurable nerve disease The British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is likely to be the world's most famous person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive disease affecting motor neurons, nerve cells that control muscle function, and nearly always leads to death.
Study advances fight against leading infectious cause of congenital birth defects
A virus most people probably have never heard of, but that the majority of us carry, is the No. 1 infectious cause of congenital birth defects in the U.S. today. Because of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during in utero development, 1 in 750 children are born with or develop permanent disabilities such as hearing loss or brain damage. But efforts to develop a first-ever CMV vaccine are gaining ground.
Normal prion protein regulates iron metabolism
An iron imbalance caused by prion proteins collecting in the brain is a likely cause of cell death in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found.
Evidence supports blocking immune response to enhance viral therapy against solid tumors
Following several years of study, investigators have found more evidence that viral therapy to treat solid tumors can be enhanced by blocking the body's natural immune response.
Team finds age-related changes in how autism affects the brain
Newly released findings from Bradley Hospital published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry have found that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect the brain activity of children and adults differently.
Events in the future seem closer than those in the past, study shows
We say that time flies, it marches on, it flows like a river—our descriptions of time are closely linked to our experiences of moving through space. Now, new research suggests that the illusions that influence how we perceive movement through space also influence our perception of time. The findings provide evidence that our experiences of space and time have even more in common than previously thought.
Many teens afraid to intervene in sexual assault, survey finds
(HealthDay)—More than half of all teens and young adults in the United States know a victim of dating violence or sexual assault, according to a new national survey.
Sports help dads, daughters bond, study says
(HealthDay)—Fathers interested in creating a sense of closeness with their daughters should look for fun things to do together, a new study suggests.
Sentinel injuries are common in infants who are abused
(HealthDay)—Sentinel injuries are common among infants who suffer abuse and are rare in those who are evaluated for abuse and found to not be abused, according to a study published online March 11 in Pediatrics.
College enrollment does not lead to problem drinking in adulthood
(Medical Xpress)—Despite the high levels of binge drinking that take place on college campuses, college enrollment does not lead to substance abuse problems later in adulthood, and it may actually prevent adult substance abuse amongyouth who would not be expected to attend college, according to researchers at Penn State.
New monoclonal antibody developed that can target proteins inside cancer cells
Researchers have discovered a unique monoclonal antibody that can effectively reach inside a cancer cell, a key goal for these important anticancer agents, since most proteins that cause cancer or are associated with cancer are buried inside cancer cells. Scientists from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Eureka Therapeutics have collaborated to create the new human monoclonal antibody, which targets a protein associated with many types of cancer and is of great interest to cancer researchers.
Scientists find key entry point for 'SARS-like' virus
A "SARS-like" virus that has sparked a health alert by killing nine of the 15 people known to have contracted it infects the body via a docking point in lung cells, a study said Wednesday.
Implementing HPV vaccinations at a young age is significant for vaccine effectiveness, study finds
The incidence of genital warts, or condylomata, declined by 93 per cent in girls given the HPV vaccine before the age of 14, according to a Swedish national registry study. The study was carried out by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Tobacco industry appears to have evaded FDA ban on 'light' cigarette descriptors
New research from Harvard School of Public Health (HPSH) shows that one year after the federal government passed a law banning word descriptors such as "light," "mild," and "low" on cigarette packages, smokers can still easily identify their brands because of color-coding that tobacco companies added to "light" packs after the ban. These findings suggest that the companies have, in effect, been able to evade the ban on misleading wording—thus still conveying the false and deceptive message that lights are safer than "regular" cigarettes.
No attention-boosting drugs for healthy kids, doctors urge
Doctors at Yale School of Medicine and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) have called upon their fellow physicians to limit or end the practice of prescribing memory-enhancing drugs to healthy children whose brains are still developing. Their position statement is published in the March 13 online issue of the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the AAN.
Vitamin D supplements may help African Americans lower blood pressure
Vitamin D supplements significantly reduced blood pressure in the first large controlled study of African-Americans, researchers report in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.
One in four colonoscopies in Medicare patients found to be potentially inappropriate
Colonoscopy is one of the most effective cancer screening procedures available. Colon cancer grows very slowly and can be treated if caught early through screening. But, perhaps because of this success, older Americans are undergoing screening colonoscopies despite recommendations against screening in adults aged 76 and older.
Symbols, such as traffic lights, on menus effective in educating diners
A little-noticed provision of the Affordable Care Act requires all chain restaurants and retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to list calorie counts on their menus. But according to research co-written by a University of Illinois agricultural economist, numeric calorie labels might not be the most effective way to influence patrons to select "healthier" (often interpreted as lower-calorie) items.
Dwelling on stressful events can increase inflammation in the body, study finds
Dwelling on negative events can increase levels of inflammation in the body, a new Ohio University study finds. Researchers discovered that when study participants were asked to ruminate on a stressful incident, their levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of tissue inflammation, rose. The study is the first time to directly measure this effect in the body.
Goats' milk with antimicrobial lysozyme speeds recovery from diarrhea
Milk from goats that were genetically modified to produce higher levels of a human antimicrobial protein has proved effective in treating diarrhea in young pigs, demonstrating the potential for food products from transgenic animals to one day also benefit human health, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.
Overheard phone calls more memorable, rated more distracting than other background talking
A one-sided cellphone conversation in the background is likely to be much more distracting than overhearing a conversation between two people, according to research published March 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Veronica Galván and colleagues from the University of San Diego.
Video game 'exercise' for an hour a day may enhance certain cognitive skills
Playing video games for an hour each day can improve subsequent performance on cognitive tasks that use similar mental processes to those involved in the game, according to research published March 13 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Adam Chie-Ming Oei and Michael Donald Patterson of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Cancer researchers discover new type of retinoblastoma in babies
A team of Canadian and international cancer researchers led by Dr. Brenda Gallie at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (UHN), has discovered a new type of retinoblastoma, a rapidly developing eye cancer that affects very young babies– a finding that can immediately change clinical practice and optimize care for these children.
Technology to detect Alzheimer's takes SXSW prize
Technology capable of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease long before its symptoms appear won a coveted honor for innovation at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
Researchers trick bacteria to deliver a safer vaccine
(Medical Xpress)—Vaccines that employ weakened but live pathogens to trigger immune responses have inherent safety issues but Yale researchers have developed a new trick to circumvent the problem—using bacteria's own cellular mistakes to deliver a safe vaccine.
Lifelong exercise holds key to cognitive well-being
A study by researchers at King's College London highlights a link between lifelong exercise and improved brain function in later life.
Breaking down the Parkinson's pathway: How affected brain cells respond during different behavioral tasks
The key hallmark of Parkinson's disease is a slowdown of movement caused by a cutoff in the supply of dopamine to the brain region responsible for coordinating movement. While scientists have understood this general process for many years, the exact details of how this happens are still murky.
Protein may alter inevitability of osteoarthritis
Few things in life are inevitable – death, taxes, and, if you live long enough, osteoarthritis. No treatment will stop or significantly slow the disease, and joint replacement is the only definitive treatment. That may change, however, as researchers such as Dr. Brendan Lee, professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, and his colleagues unravel the effects of a naturally occurring protein called lubricin or Proteoglycans 4 that appears to protect against the age as well as post-injury related changes. A report on their research appears online in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Tapeworm DNA contains drug weak spots
For the first time, researchers have mapped the genomes of tapeworms to reveal potential drug targets on which existing drugs could act. The genomes provide a new resource that offers faster ways to develop urgently needed and effective treatments for these debilitating diseases.
Molecule's structure reveals new therapeutic opportunities for rare diabetes
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have determined the complete three-dimensional structure of a protein called HNF-4α. HNF-4α controls gene expression in the liver and pancreas, switching genes on or off as needed. People with mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY1), a rare form of the disease, have inherited mutations in the HNF-4α protein. This first-ever look at HNF-4α's full structure, published March 13 in Nature, uncovers new information about how it functions. The study also reveals new pockets in the protein that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs aimed at alleviating MODY1.
Team finds mechanism that regulates production of energy-burning brown fat
Joslin scientists have discovered a mechanism that regulates the production of brown fat, a type of fat which plays an important role in heat production and energy metabolism. The findings, which appear in the upcoming issue of Nature, may lead to new therapies that increase BAT formation to treat obesity.
New MRI method fingerprints tissues and diseases
A new method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could routinely spot specific cancers, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and other maladies early, when they're most treatable, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center suggest in the journal Nature.
Punishment can enhance performance, academics find
The stick can work just as well as the carrot in improving our performance, a team of academics at The University of Nottingham has found. A study led by researchers from the University's School of Psychology, published recently in the Journal of Neuroscience, has shown that punishment can act as a performance enhancer in a similar way to monetary reward.
Immune cells cluster and communicate 'like bees,' researcher says
The immune system's T cells, while coordinating responses to diseases and vaccines, act like honey bees sharing information about the best honey sources, according to a new study by scientists at UC San Francisco.
Better 'mousetrap' discovered in fruit flies might stop human cancer-driving kinase in its tracks
A seemingly obscure gene in the female fruit fly that is only active in cells that will become eggs has led researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research to the discovery of a atypical protein that lures, traps, and inactivates the powerful Polo kinase, widely considered the master regulator of cell division. Its human homolog, Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1), is misregulated in many types of cancer.
Drug treatment corrects autism symptoms in mouse model
Autism results from abnormal cell communication. Testing a new theory, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have used a newly discovered function of an old drug to restore cell communications in a mouse model of autism, reversing symptoms of the devastating disorder.
Biology news
Japan tsunami town on watch for shark deal
An international agreement to protect sharks could spell trouble for one tsunami-wrecked port in Japan as it struggles back to its feet two years after being swept away, locals say.
Passports for 'endangered' musical instruments
From pianos with ivory keys to violin bows crafted with tortoise shell, musical instruments made from protected species will soon be able to roam the globe more easily—with their own passports.
Seized ivory to undergo DNA tests to track trade
Countries making large seizures of illegal ivory will be required to conduct DNA tests to determine their origin under new anti-trafficking measures adopted on Wednesday.
Demand for exotic pets pushes species to the brink
Poisonous frogs, long-necked turtles, bears and chimpanzees may not be everyone's idea of an animal companion, but experts warn that demand for exotic pets is pushing some species closer to extinction.
Two new marine protected areas created on Argentina's southern coasts
The Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the Government of Argentina for creating two enormous marine protected areas in Patagonia, a region filled with majestic shorelines and abundant wildlife.
Tough US winter forces owls south in hunt for food (Update)
It's been a tough winter for owls in parts of North America, and the evidence is turning up on roadsides, at bird feeders and at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Minnesota.
British zoo sends six endangered macaws to Bolivia
(AP)—Six endangered macaws have been flown from Britain to Bolivia in hopes that they can help save a species devastated by the trade in wild animals, international conservation experts said Tuesday.
Marine diversity study proves value of citizen science
Citizen science surveys compare well with traditional scientific methods when it comes to monitoring species biodiversity – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
Britain's giant pandas get in the mood
He is performing handstands and eating constantly, and she is spraying her home with alluring scents—all the signs point to mating season for Britain's giant pandas.
Saving the best for last: Wandering albatrosses'€™ last push for successful parenting
Romanticised in poetry, the wandering albatross is famed for its enormous wing-span and long life. The bird can often live to 50 years and beyond.
Invasive weeds could shed light on climate-coping
(Phys.org) —In the race to adapt to climate change, weeds may be the winners. Understanding their well-honed coping mechanisms could inform strategies for ecological management, says a Cornell crop and soil researcher.
It's all in the way we move
When, how and why modern humans first stood up and walked on two legs is considered to be one of the greatest missing links in our evolutionary history. Scientists have gone to the far ends of the earth – and the wonderful creatures in it - to look for answers to why we walk the way we walk.
Whole genome sequencing of wild rice reveals the mechanisms underlying oryza genome evolution
In a collaborative study published online today in Nature Communications, researchers from Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, and University of Arizona have completed the genome sequencing of wild rice Oryza brachyantha. This work provides new insights for researchers to understand the function and evolution of Oryza genomes.
Indirect side-effects of the cultivation of genetically modified plants
Genetically modified Bt cotton plants contain a poison that protects them from their most significant enemies. As a result, these plants rely less on their own defence system. This benefits other pests, such as aphids. These insights stem from a study supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
Eel migration study reveals porbeagle shark predation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
A tagging study has revealed that porbeagle sharks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence could severely impact the number of migrating American eels in the region.
Doing business with a parrot: Goffin cockatoos trade with nuts in an exchange experiment
The team of Alice Auersperg from the Department of Cognitive Biology from the University of Vienna has for the first time succeeded in observing self-control of cockatoos in exchange experiments. The results of this research project appear in the current issue of the prestigious journal Biology Letters.
Carnivores, livestock and people manage to share same space study finds
In the southern Rift Valley of Kenya, the Maasai people, their livestock and a range of carnivores, including striped hyenas, spotted hyenas, lions and bat-eared foxes, are coexisting fairly happily according to a team of coupled human and natural systems researchers.
More accurate, sensitive DNA test allows early identification of fungus causing WNS
Even after researchers studying White Nose Syndrome (WNS) established that a fungus called Geomyces destructans is at the heart of the devastating disease, detecting it depended largely on finding dead or dying bats.
Bottlenose dolphin leaders more likely to lead relatives than unrelated individuals
Traveling into uncharted territory in search of food can be a dangerous undertaking, but some bottlenose dolphins may benefit by moving through their habitat with relatives who may be more experienced or knowledgeable. It turns out that leaders in bottlenose dolphin groups in the Florida Keys are more likely to be related to the dolphins that follow them, according to research published March 13 by Jennifer Lewis and colleagues from Florida International University.
Whale's streaming baleen tangles to trap food
Many whales filter food from water using racks of baleen plates in their mouths, but no one had ever investigated how baleen behaves in real life. According to Alexander Werth from Hampden-Sydney College, baleen was viewed as a static material, however, he discovered that baleen streams in water just like long hair and fringes from adjacent baleen plates tangle to form the perfect net for trapping food at natural whale swimming speeds.
Is eye size related to genetics or environment?
(Phys.org) —Researchers at The University of Western Australia in collaboration with the University of Queensland and the Australian Museum are trying to understand how fish see at depths.
Scientists discover why some proteins are speedier than others
(Phys.org) —Scientists from our Department of Biology & Biochemistry have solved a problem that has frustrated biologists for years – why different parts of proteins are made at different rates.
Researchers identify gene that allows corn to grow in poor conditions
(Phys.org) —Approximately 30 percent of the world's total land is too acidic to support crop production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, a solution may lie in a strand of corn that is able to grow successfully in acidic soil, thanks to a genetic variation recently identified with help from the University of Florida Genetics Institute.
Hyper and micro-gravity affect processes involved in reproduction, brain diseases and cancer, new study shows
University of Montreal researchers found that changes in gravity affect the reproductive process in plants. Gravity modulates traffic on the intracellular "highways" that ensure the growth and functionality of the male reproductive organ in plants, the pollen tube.
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