Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 13, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Chaos could improve performance of wireless communication systems- Manipulating Lorentz and Fano spectral line shapes
- Team observes real-time charging of a lithium-air battery
- Human brain frontal lobes not relatively large, not sole center of intelligence
- Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It's possible due to new research
- Study finds four new genetic risk factors for testicular cancer
- Graphene joins the race to redefine the ampere
- Body clocks of depressed people altered at cell level, researchers show
- New method of finding planets scores its first discovery
- Carnivorous bladderwort genome contradicts notion that vast quantities of noncoding DNA crucial for complex life
- Nano-breakthrough: Solving the case of the herringbone crystal
- SheerWind claims its INVELOX wind turbine produces 600% more power
- Study finds Weddell seals have most developed brains at birth of any mammal
- The mechanism that puts the curl in the curling stone revealed
- Integrated omics uncovers roles of fungi and bacteria in lignocellulose degradation
Space & Earth news
As Canada takes Arctic Council helm, experts stress north's vulnerability to spills, emergencies
As leadership of the Arctic Council passes from Sweden to Canada May 15, experts say it is crucial that northern nations strengthen response capabilities to shipping-related accidents foreseen in newly-opened northern waters, as well as to more-common local emergencies such as floods, forest fires and rescue situations.
Ground-breaking science and spectacular cosmic images from the PAPER instrument in the Karoo
Scientific studies done with the "PAPER" array, one of the world-class scientific instruments in South Africa's Karoo Radio Astronomy Reserve, is producing ground-breaking science and spectacular cosmic images, resulting in several important articles in top astronomy journals.
Rubber boom fuelling SE Asia land grabs
Vietnamese rubber firms bankrolled by an arm of the World Bank and Germany's Deutsche Bank are driving a land-grabbing crisis in Southeast Asia, activists said Monday.
Urbanization and surface warming in eastern China
A recent study indicated that the urbanization in eastern China has significant impact on the observed surface warming and the temporal-spatial variations of urbanization effect have been comprehensively detected.
NASA sees the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jamala fading
Tropical Cyclone Jamala ran into some harsh atmospheric conditions on May 11 in the Southern Indian Ocean and vertical wind shear tore the storm apart. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the remnants while the more powerful, more organized Tropical Cyclone Mahasen continued to strengthen to the north.
Image: NASA sees controlled fires in Southern Australia
Today's image of southern Australia showing New South Wales and Victoria shows a series of controlled fires.
Icy Arctic rising as economic, security hot spot
The icy Arctic is emerging as a global economic hot spot—and one that is becoming a security concern for the U.S. as world powers jockey to tap its vast energy resources and stake out unclaimed territories.
Spacewalkers to tackle leak at space station
Two astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday to tackle an ammonia leak in the power cooling system.
Scientists use crowd-sourcing to help map global CO2 emissions
Climate science researchers from Arizona State University are launching a first-of-its kind online "game" to better understand the sources of global warming gases. By engaging "citizen scientists," the researchers hope to locate all the power plants around the world and quantify their carbon dioxide emissions (CO2).
Project aims to track big city carbon footprints
Every time Los Angeles exhales, odd-looking gadgets anchored in the mountains above the city trace the invisible puffs of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases that waft skyward.
New public application of Landsat images released
(Phys.org) —Google released more than a quarter-century of images of Earth taken from space Thursday compiled into an interactive time-lapse experience. Working with data from the Landsat Program managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, the images display an historical perspective on changes to Earth's surface over time.
Spaceman says goodbye to ISS with David Bowie classic (Update)
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has marked his upcoming departure from the International Space Station by singing a cover version of David Bowie's classic song "Space Oddity" recorded on the orbiting laboratory.
Space tourism won't hurt environment, Branson says
British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday that rocket-powered space tourism flights by his firm Virgin Galactic would have only a minor impact on climate change.
World has entered new CO2 'danger zone', UN says
The world has entered a "new danger zone" with levels of Earth-warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere never experienced by humankind, the UN's climate chief warned Monday.
Searching for clandestine graves with geophysical tools
It's very hard to convict a murderer if the victim's body can't be found. And the best way to hide a body is to bury it. Developing new tools to find those clandestine graves is the goal of a small community of researchers spread across several countries, some of whom are presenting their work on Tuesday, May 14, at the Meeting of the Americas in Cancún, Mexico, a scientific conference organized and co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union.
Scientists seek to corral asteroid for study
Scheming to rearrange the heavens, scientists are busy planning how to pluck, push and park a spinning asteroid between here and the moon. While most of us hope to dodge space rocks, NASA has unveiled an ambitious, $105 million plan to build a spaceship to drag one closer to Earth. It's the Space Age equivalent of bringing the mountain to Muhammad and a first step in our future voyage to Mars.
White House outlines new policy for protecting, drilling in Arctic
The Obama administration on Friday released a national strategy for the Arctic in advance of Secretary of State John Kerry's trip next week to Sweden to attend a conference of eight polar nations.
NASA sees a strengthening Tropical Cyclone Mahasen
The first tropical cyclone in the Northern Indian Ocean this season has been getting better organized as seen in NASA satellite imagery. Tropical Cyclone Mahasen is projected to track north through the Bay of Bengal and make landfall later this week.
Volcano heating up in Alaska: Second one this month
Another volcano in Alaska is heating up, with seismic instruments signaling a possible eruption.
Spacewalking repair halts station leak—for now (Update 2)
Astronauts made a rare, hastily planned spacewalk to fix a serious ammonia leak at the International Space Station, and the U.S. space agency said it appeared the repair was a success.
Study predicts worldwide range losses without urgent action to limit emissions
Almost two thirds of common plants and half the animals could see a dramatic decline this century due to climate change – according to research from the University of East Anglia.
Robotic refueling mission practices new tasks
(Phys.org) —With a historic robotic refueling demo ticked off its checklist, NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) put down the hose and picked up the screwdriver and utility knife. This latest round of satellite-servicing tasks, completed in the early morning of May 10, will show how robots could access and further maintain satellites in orbit.
Hubble tells a tale of galactic collisions
(Phys.org) —When we look into the distant cosmos, the great majority of the objects we see are galaxies: immense gatherings of stars, planets, gas, dust, and dark matter, showing up in all kind of shapes. This Hubble picture registers several, but the galaxy catalogued as 2MASX J05210136-2521450 stands out at a glance due to its interesting shape.
Revising Darwin's sinking-island theory: New study helps resolve a dispute over the origins of coral-reef formations
The three different formations of South Pacific coral-reef islands have long fascinated geologists. Tahiti's coral forms a "fringing" reef, a shelf growing close to the island's shore. The "barrier" reefs of Bora Bora are separated from the main island by a calm lagoon. Finally, an "atoll," such as Manuae, appears as a ring of coral enclosing a lagoon with no island at its center.
Earth's center is out of sync
(Phys.org) —We all know that the Earth rotates beneath our feet, but new research from ANU has revealed that the center of the Earth is out of sync with the rest of the planet, frequently speeding up and slowing down.
Energy supply from hydropower projects depends on rainforest conservation
Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that conserving rainforests in the Amazon River Basin will increase the amount of electricity that hydropower projects in the area can produce. The study is the first to quantify the impact of regional rainforest cover on energy production. Its findings reveal that rainforests are more critical than previously thought in generating the rainfall that drives river flow, and ultimately power production, in tropical areas. The research shows that if deforestation continues to increase in the Amazon, energy projections for one of the world's largest dams, the Belo Monte in Brazil, decline by one third.
Western Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami hazard potential greater than previously thought
Earthquakes similar in magnitude to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake could occur in an area beneath the Arabian Sea at the Makran subduction zone, according to recent research published in Geophysical Research Letters.
First X-class solar flare of 2013
(Phys.org) —On May 12, 2013, the sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 10 p.m. EDT. This flare is classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013. The flare was also associated with another solar phenomenon, called a coronal mass ejection (CME) that can send solar material out into space. This CME was not Earth-directed.
New method of finding planets scores its first discovery
(Phys.org) —Detecting alien worlds presents a significant challenge since they are small, faint, and close to their stars. The two most prolific techniques for finding exoplanets are radial velocity (looking for wobbling stars) and transits (looking for dimming stars). A team at Tel Aviv University and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has just discovered an exoplanet using a new method that relies on Einstein's special theory of relativity.
Technology news
Software shortens maintenance for Steam Turbines
Siemens developed a software that cools steam turbines more rapidly. This shortens the maintenance phase. An operator can bring a power plant back on line sooner. A revision interrupts the generation of electricity. Depending on the type of a steam turbine the software allows to shorten the cooling period from seven to ten days to two to four days. A gas turbine normally cools down in a single day.
Power exchange to become more economical
Siemens is facilitating the efficient flow of energy between the power network of an electric railway system and the public power grid. The company is delivering 11 gateway power converters to Sweden, Austria and Switzerland. In these countries, and many others, the rail system operates its own power plants and a private electrical grid that is connected to the public grid at certain points. As the amount of renewable energy increases, these connection points are becoming more important. For example, the rail system in Sweden has plans for eight new converters that will provide access to hydroelectric power from the public grid beginning in mid 2015. In Austria, a new converter will allow the rail system to feed excess electricity generated by its own hydroelectric plants to the public power grid more efficiently starting in 2014. The new converter will also connect the planned Tauernmoos hydroelectric plant with the railway system grid. Altogether, including two converter! s for Switzerland, these contracts are worth a total of €68 million.
Improving communication during disasters
A small armband which can be attached to the injured. An information board containing a complete visual record of events. This is technology helping to improve communications during major national disasters.
Games ratings losing the battle?
The new classification system for video games, introduced in January this year, is not providing the promised better protection for Australian children, according to Elizabeth Handsley, Professor of Law at Flinders University and President of the Australian Council on Children and the Media Australia.
Good, better, best practices in terminology
A team of translation scholars from the Department for Translation Studies at the University of Vienna, in collaboration with terminologists from the Austrian Parliamentary Administration, the European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC, Italy), the language technology enterprise ESTeam (Sweden) and translation experts from CrossLang (Belgium), contributes to improving the management, quality and interoperability of large terminological databases by providing the necessary tools and best practices to terminologists.
China social media hailed after official toppled
Chinese state media hailed the power of the Internet Monday after a probe was launched into a top state planner following an online expose, making him the most senior official toppled by social media.
French panel moots taxes on smartphones, tablets
A report by a French expert panel published on Monday recommended imposing taxes on smartphones and tablets but rejected a call for search engine Google to be charged for linking to media content.
Cars made in Brazil are deadly, experts say
(AP)—The cars roll endlessly off the local assembly lines of the industry's biggest automakers, more than 10,000 a day, into the eager hands of Brazil's new middle class. The shiny new Fords, Fiats, and Chevrolets tell the tale of an economy in full bloom that now boasts the fourth largest auto market in the world.
World grapples with rise in cyber crime
International law enforcement agencies say the recent $45 million dollar ATM heist is just one of many scams they're fighting in an unprecedented wave of sophisticated cyberattacks.
Cloud computing is silver lining for Russian firms
Russian police marched into a small company's office in Moscow and told everyone to sit down and wait to be interviewed. They left hours later with all the computers.
Making a greener lawnmower: Students win design competition for their device that reduces emissions from lawnmowers
Inspired by two of their fathers, who work cutting lawns and driving a truck, a team of University of California, Riverside Bourns College of Engineering students have created a device that attaches to a lawnmower and significantly cuts its harmful emissions.
Solar lantern for people living without electricity
Panasonic Corporation today announced that it has developed a solar lantern that doubles as a charger for people living without electricity. With a built-in rechargeable battery to store solar energy during the day, the lantern provides light at night and can also be used as a power source to charge small mobile devices like mobile phones. The company plans to bring the lantern to the market in autumn this year after conducting marketing research in off-grid areas in Asia and Africa. A prototype of the new solar lantern will be displayed at official side events at the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) to be held from June 1 to 3, 2013 in Yokohama. Panasonic will introduce the product to a variety of stakeholders joining the TICAD V.
New model to recommend media content according to your preferences
Researchers at the Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) have developed a model capable to recommend audiovisual content to each user based on their own media consumption and intrinsic features of images and videos.
Dell board committee seeks info on investor plan
Dell board members say they need more details from investor Carl Icahn if he wants them to seriously consider his latest challenge to Michael Dell's $24.4 billion plan to take the computer maker private.
Age and gender? Dutch develop analyser for Twitter
Researchers at a Dutch university have developed an online programme that is able give the age and gender of users purely based on the content they post on the social network Twitter.
GM says supercomputers to keep recalls in check (Update)
General Motors Co. says a new supercomputing data center and a fledgling shift to bring software development in-house should help it limit the size of future safety recalls.
High-tech pushes for more in immigration bill
High-tech companies looking to bring more skilled workers to the U.S. pushed Monday for more concessions in an immigration bill pending in the Senate. Labor unions said these companies had already obtained enough in the legislation and further changes risked chipping away at protections for U.S. workers.
Head of hacker-powered stock scam sent to prison
A US man was sent to prison on Monday for orchestrating a hacker-powered scam to pump up stock prices and then dump inflated shares, raking in millions of dollars.
Rocky road for electric car market
The road has gotten bumpier for electric cars, with Coda Automotive, one of what had been a promising crop of electric car startups, filing for bankruptcy protection this month.
International Space Station making laptop migration from Windows XP to Debian 6
(Phys.org) —The International Space Station has decided to switch dozens of laptops running Windows XP over to Debian. What Linux fans have been saying for years—that Linux delivers greater stability and reliability for public and private computing environments—resonated with Keith Chuvala, the United Space Alliance contractor manager involved in the switch. The change at the International Space Station is all about the replacement of dozens of laptops with XP being switched over to Debian 6. Chuvala said, "We needed an operating system that was stable and reliable – one that would give us in-house control. So if we needed to patch, adjust or adapt, we could."
Samsung announces 5G data breakthrough
Samsung Electronics said Monday it had successfully tested super-fast fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology that would eventually allow users to download an entire movie in one second.
A revolution in three dimensions ... maybe four: Researchers explore 3-D printing
(Phys.org) —It's an old idea, really. One of the oldest. To make useful things, humans remove the bits that aren't part of the thing we want. We've learned how to then make giant factory machines that assemble the different parts into a more complex whole. It's called "reductive" manufacturing—with some assembly required—and has dominated our lives for thousands of years.
SheerWind claims its INVELOX wind turbine produces 600% more power
(Phys.org) —SheerWind Inc. of Chaska, Minnesota is claiming in a press release that its newly developed funnel-based wind turbine system is capable of producing 600 percent more power than conventional wind turbines. The new design uses funnels to channel wind to a ground-based turbine.
Bosch unveils Power Max—Level 2 EV charger for $449
(Phys.org) —Bosch Automotive Services has announced the unveiling of a Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charger which it plans to sell for just $449. Currently the company markets a $950 EV charger called the Power Xpress. As part of the announcement, Bosch claims the price of the Power Max is roughly half that of similar chargers offered by other companies.
Phone camera app with audio cues clicks with blind
(Phys.org) —Picture-taking is not a comfortable subject for those with vision impairments or who are blind. Having a resume-type photo for an online bio page or sharing a photo of a trip with friends are activities that are not easy to come by for those with impaired vision. Researchers at the University of California at Santa Cruz want to enable people with such problems to independently and successfully use their smartphone cameras to not only take but share photos. They have come up with an application designed to do that. In a previous paper describing their research interest, "Qualitative Study to Support a Blind Photography Mobile Application," Dustin Adams, Lourdes Morales, and Sri Kurniawan said the success of an app of this nature could be successful if they first surveyed people with the vision handicaps they sought to address.
Medicine & Health news
Breaking through the blood-brain barrier
To mark the European Month of the Brain, we look at one EU-funded project that has focussed efforts on drug delivery across the so-called blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), while preforming a key protective function, is now recognised as the major obstacle in the treatment of most neurological disorders. It hinders the delivery of many potentially important therapeutic and diagnostic substances to the central nervous system (CNS).
Cultural understanding can support a feeling of security for Greenlandic families
Greenlandic families expecting a baby, often feel safest when care supports cultural elements such as being near to family, home environment and local traditions. Culturally sensitive maternity care, lessens the risk of non-compliance in expecting families and the desire for alternative care solutions can be reduced. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis at the Nordic School of Public Health NHV.
Elan enters $1B royalty deal with Theravance
Irish drugmaker Elan Corp. PLC plans to pay $1 billion for the right to future royalties from four respiratory treatments being developed by Theravance Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline.
UK analyst predicts right to die law will not succeed
Two severely disabled men are to go to the Court of Appeal to try to change laws governing the right to die. But Dr Brassington says there's little chance they will succeed.
Study finds gender, employment status and social conditions key factors in development of mental disorders
Being a woman, unemployed and living in a situation of social adversity are the three strongest trigger influences in subjects with a genetic predisposition to mental disorder. Moreover, in Andalusia, over 20% of the population present a mental disorder at some time in their lives. The most frequent disorders are the least serious—like depression, the most frequent disorder in 12% of the population, and anxiety disorders, present in nearly 10%. In contrast, nearly 3% suffer from psychotic disorders, the most severe form of mental illness.
Renaissance in new drugs for rare diseases
Once famously described as "orphan diseases, too small to be noticed, too small to be funded" in the Hollywood drama Lorenzo's Oil, rare diseases are getting unprecedented attention today among drug manufacturers, who are ramping up research efforts and marketing new medicines that promise fuller lives for children and other patients with these heartbreaking conditions.
Huge drug cost disparities seen in health overhaul
(AP)—Consumer alert: If you or someone you know needs costly medications and you're hoping President Barack Obama's health care law will meet the need, you may be in for a surprise.
US government files morning-after pill appeal (Update)
(AP)—The government has filed a last-second appeal that will delay the sale of the morning-after contraceptive pill to girls of any age without a prescription.
Study updates estimates, trends for childhood exposure to violence, crime, abuse
A study by David Finkelhor, Ph.D., of the University of New Hampshire, and colleagues updates estimates and trends for childhood exposure to a range of violence, crime and abuse victimizations.
Study examines use of creative arts therapies among patients with cancer
Creative arts therapies (CATs) can improve anxiety, depression, pain symptoms and quality of life among cancer patients, although the effect was reduced during follow-up in a study by Timothy W. Puetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., and colleagues.
Panic grips Saudis amid fears of SARS-like virus (Update)
Panic gripped Saudis in the country's east on Monday, where most cases of the deadly coronavirus have been detected, witnesses said, as the death toll from the SARS-like virus in the kingdom hit 15.
How can advanced imaging studies enhance diabetes management?
New approaches to applying noninvasive imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and positron emission tomography (PET) may play a bigger role in evaluating and managing patients with diabetes. Advances in noninvasive imaging technology can assess important changes in fat composition and distribution in the body that may affect the metabolic complications and diseases associated with diabetes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. A forward-looking Review article on "Obesity and Diabetes: Newer Concepts in Imaging" in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, highlights these emerging advances.
CLABSI prevention efforts result in up to 200,000 infections prevented in intensive care units
New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 200,000 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) have been prevented among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) since 1990. The study, published in the June issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, suggests that this progress is likely related to prevention strategies now common in hospitals across the United States.
Drug manufacturer agrees to $500 million penalty (Update)
(AP)—A subsidiary of India's largest pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay a record $500 million in fines and penalties for selling adulterated drugs and lying to federal regulators in a case that is part of an ongoing crackdown on the quality of generic drugs flowing into the U.S.
Reseachers develop new 3-D technology to treat atrial fibrillation
Researchers at the Intermountain Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center have developed a new 3-D technology that for the first time allows cardiologists the ability to see the precise source of atrial fibrillation in the heart – a breakthrough for a condition that affects nearly three million Americans.
Govt stops study seeking to prevent type of stroke
The government has halted a study testing treatments for a condition in the brain that can cause strokes. Early results suggest invasive therapies are riskier than previously thought.
Strong genetic component of fibromyalgia suggested
(HealthDay)—A genome-wide linkage scan has identified the chromosome 17p11.2-q11.2 region as the susceptibility locus for fibromyalgia, according to research published in the April issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Hospital rapid response teams need training
(HealthDay)—While hospital rapid response teams are effective in managing patients at risk or in crisis, team members need teamwork and good communication, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Critical Care.
Specific antibiograms needed for outpatients in primary care
(HealthDay)—Antibiograms, which are designed to help physicians select appropriate antimicrobials to treat bacterial pathogens, should be specifically tailored for outpatients in primary care settings, according to research published in the May issue of Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease.
With suspected TB, behavioral support curbs smoking
(HealthDay)—Behavioral support with or without bupropion is effective at achieving smoking cessation in patients with suspected tuberculosis, according to a study published in the May 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Estrogen levels tied to risk for sudden cardiac death in study
(HealthDay)—Higher levels of the hormone estrogen are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in men and women, a new study suggests.
'Eating more protein' strategy helps women lose weight
(HealthDay)—Women who report "eating more protein" as a weight loss strategy achieve weight loss over two years, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
One suspected case of SARS-like virus in France, one confirmed
French health authorities said one person was suspected of contracting a deadly new SARS-like virus after coming into contact with a man confirmed to be infected, following tests that cleared another three patients.
Second case of deadly SARS-like virus in France
French health authorities said early Sunday that a second person had contracted a deadly new SARS-like virus, after sharing a hospital ward with the first victim identified in the country.
Smartphone app helps fight obesity, study says
Using a simple smartphone application to photograph one's meals is a useful slimming aid for the overweight, according to an experiment reported on Sunday.
French victim of SARS-like virus in intensive care
A man who contracted a deadly new SARS-like virus after sharing a hospital ward with France's first victim was moved to intensive care on Sunday following a deterioration in his condition, hospital officials said.
New global surveillance tool detectsmonitors public concerns about vaccines in real time
Scientists have developed a global media surveillance system that enables them to look for, and systematically monitor, up-to-the-minute public concerns and rumors about vaccines originating from 144 countries.
SARS-like virus in Saudi has killed 15
Fifteen people in Saudi Arabia have died from a SARS-like virus out of 24 people who contracted it since last August, Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabia said on Sunday.
Early formula use helps some mothers breastfeed longer
Recent public health efforts have focused extensively on reducing the amount of formula babies are given in the hospital after birth. But in the first randomized trial of its kind, researchers at UC San Francisco have found that giving small amounts of formula in the first few days of life to infants experiencing high levels of early weight loss actually can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding.
Agent Orange exposure linked to life-threatening prostate cancer
A new analysis has found a link between exposure to Agent Orange and lethal forms of prostate cancer among US Veterans. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings suggest that Agent Orange exposure history should be incorporated into prostate screening decisions for Veterans.
Jump in drug-dependent babies worries US hospitals
He's less than two weeks old, but he has the telltale signs of a baby in pain: a sore on his chin where he's rubbed the skin raw, along with a scratch on his cheek. He suffers from so many tremors that nurses watch him around the clock in case he starts seizing—or stops breathing.
Researchers help save the lives of very premature babies
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from Christchurch have played a crucial role in an international study aimed at saving the lives of very premature babies.
Online support a breath of fresh air
A multi-site pilot project developed by University of Alberta researchers is providing a breath of fresh air for children with asthma and severe allergies by helping them interact with peers online and boosting their self-confidence.
World first clinical trial supports use of Kava to treat anxiety
(Medical Xpress)—A world-first completed clinical study by an Australian team has found Kava, a medicinal South Pacific plant, significantly reduced the symptoms of people suffering anxiety.
New discovery may lead the way to improved whooping cough vaccine
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made novel discoveries concerning the current vaccine against whooping cough that may lead to the development of an improved future vaccine. The findings could help reduce the incidence of the disease which is increasing in developed countries. The research led by Professor of Experimental Immunology, Kingston Mills has just been published in the leading international journal PloS Pathogens.
Poultry drug increases levels of toxic arsenic in chicken meat
(Medical Xpress)—Chickens likely raised with arsenic-based drugs result in chicken meat that has higher levels of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, according to a new study led by researchers at theJohns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Explainer: What is diabetes?
To keep your body functioning, glucose must always be present in your blood. It's as important as oxygen in the air you breathe. The brain can only function for a few minutes without either before it stops working altogether.
Frozen in time: Clarifying laws on IVF embryo use and destruction
Over the past two decades, the frozen preservation of embryos has become routine practice in IVF. What currently happens to embryos next is controlled by overlapping and complicated rules that confuse and disempower IVF users.
Two new diseases could both spark global outbreaks
Two respiratory viruses in different parts of the world have captured the attention of global health officials—a novel coronavirus in the Middle East and a new bird flu spreading in China.
Routine screening for depression not recommended for adults with no apparent symptoms of depression
For adults with no apparent symptoms of depression, routine screening is not recommended in primary care settings because of the lack of high-quality evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for depression, according to new evidence-based guidelines from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Job stress, unhealthy lifestyle increase risk of coronary artery disease
People with job stress and an unhealthy lifestyle are at higher risk of coronary artery disease than people who have job stress but lead healthy lifestyles, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Individual and small-chain restaurant meals exceed recommended daily calorie needs, study shows
As the restaurant industry prepares to implement new rules requiring chains with 20 or more locations to post calorie content information, the results of a new study suggest that it would be beneficial to public health for all restaurants to provide consumers with the nutritional content of their products. Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University analyzed meals from independent and small-chain restaurants, which account for approximately 50% of the nation's restaurant locations but will be exempt from the new federal rules. They found that the average single meal contained two to three times the estimated calorie needs of an individual adult at a single meal and 66% of typical daily calorie requirements. The findings were published today in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Voluntary reduction has failed as processed and fast food salt levels remain high as ever
The dangerously high salt levels in processed food and fast food remain essentially unchanged, despite numerous calls from public and private health agencies for the food industry to voluntarily reduce sodium levels, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study conducted with the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Reversing paralysis with restorative gel: Researchers develop implant to regenerate nerves
(Medical Xpress)—Some parts of the body, like the liver, can regenerate themselves after damage. But others, such as our nervous system, are considered either irreparable or slow to recover, leaving thousands with a lifetime of pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis.
The smart phone app that helps weight loss
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a smart phone app that helps users lose weight by carefully recording their food consumption.
Nearly half of high schoolers text while driving: survey
(HealthDay)—Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.
Bird flu in live poultry markets are the source of viruses causing human infections
On 31 March 2013, the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission announced human cases of novel H7N9 influenza virus infections. A group of scientists, led by Professor Chen Hualan of the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has investigated the origins of this novel H7N9 influenza virus and published their results in Springer's open access journal Chinese Science Bulletin.
Serotonin mediates exercise-induced generation of new neurons
Mice that exercise in running wheels exhibit increased neurogenesis in the brain. Crucial to this process is serotonin signaling. These are the findings of a study by researchers at the Max Delbrück Center Berlin-Buch. Surprisingly, mice lacking brain serotonin due to a genetic mutation exhibited normal baseline neurogenesis. However, in these serotonin-deficient mice, activity-induced proliferation was impaired, and wheel running did not induce increased generation of new neurons.
Openly gay: Does it affect performance appraisal?
Although knowing an actor is gay significantly affected ratings of his masculinity, there was no significant effect on ratings of his acting performance, researchers say.
New FDA survey to assess doc attitudes on DTC advertising
(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to conduct a new survey involving 2,000 health care professionals to examine their views on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription medications. The survey has been approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Simulator-based robotic sx curriculum hones skills
(HealthDay)—A simulator-based curriculum incorporating fundamental skills of robotic surgery (FSRS) is feasible and improves effectiveness in basic robotic surgery skills, according to a study published in the April issue of Urology.
Glove balloon design useful for distraction of children in ER
(HealthDay)—An inflated hospital glove is a useful distraction for children with acute injury, with more children preferring the face drawn "Jedward" style, with the digits representing hair made to look like the distinctive hairdo of Irish pop duo Jedward, according to a short report published online April 29 in the Emergency Medicine Journal.
Higher acute aortic dissection risk with lower-volume care
(HealthDay)—The mortality risk from emergency repair of acute aortic dissection is double when performed by lower-volume providers, according to research published in the May issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Even low blood lead levels may impact children's cognition
(HealthDay)—Blood lead levels (BLLs) of 5 µg/dL or greater correlate with reduced reading readiness at entry to kindergarten, according to a study published online May 13 in Pediatrics.
Excessive soda can mimic illicit drug use effects on teeth
(HealthDay)—Manifestation of dental erosion caused by illicit drug use or excessive soda consumption needs to be distinguished from dental caries, according to case studies published in the March/April issue of General Dentistry.
Self-image worse for teens with untreated scoliosis
(HealthDay)—Adolescents with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis report worse pain and worse self-image than unaffected adolescents, although the difference is clinically significant only for self-image, according to a review published in the April 20 issue of Spine.
Study identifies possible new acute leukemia marker, treatment target
A study has identified microRNA-155 as a new independent prognostic marker and treatment target in patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has normal-looking chromosomes under the microscope (that is, cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia, or CN-AML).
Researchers discover master regulator that drives majority of lymphoma
A soon-to-be-tested class of drug inhibitors were predicted to help a limited number of patients with B-cell lymphomas with mutations affecting the EZH2 protein. However, a research team, led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medical College, now report that these agents may, in fact, help a much broader cross section of lymphoma patients.
NC coal plant emissions might play role in state suicide numbers
New research from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center finds that suicide, while strongly associated with psychiatric conditions, also correlates with environmental pollution.
Leap in leukemia treatment reported by Dartmouth researchers
Doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC) have found a combination of drugs to potentially treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) more effectively. The research was published online on May 3, 2013, and it will appear as a letter in the journal Leukemia, a publication of the prestigious Nature Publishing Group. The study helps address a basic problem of treating CLL.
Higher child marriage rates associated with higher maternal and infant mortality
Countries in which girls are commonly married before the age of 18 have significantly higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, report researchers in the current online issue of the journal Violence Against Women.
Most Michigan parents, grandparents prefer research hospitals for pediatric care
Four out of five parents and grandparents in Michigan say they'd rather take children to a hospital that does medical research for children than one that does not, according to a new poll from the University of Michigan.
Deaths from West Nile virus hit record last year
U.S. health officials say last year was the worst ever for West Nile virus deaths.
New guidelines say doctors should screen all adults for 'risky' drinking
(HealthDay)—Primary care doctors should screen all adults for drinking problems, and offer them counseling if needed, new guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest.
How to quickly spot signs of stroke
(HealthDay)—Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, confusion and trouble speaking are among the signs that someone is having a stroke. The sooner a stroke is recognized and treated, the greater the chance of recovery, experts say.
Non-smoking hotel rooms still expose occupants to tobacco smoke
Non-smokers should give hotels that allow smoking in certain rooms a wide berth, say the authors, and instead choose completely smoke free hotels.
Mutation causing wrong-way plumbing explains one type of blue-baby syndrome
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), one type of "blue baby" syndrome, is a potentially deadly congenital disorder that occurs when pulmonary veins don't connect normally to the left atrium of the heart. This results in poorly oxygenated blood throughout the body, and TAPVC babies are born cyanotic - blue-colored - from lack of oxygen.
Research finds spontaneous mutations are major cause of congenital heart disease
Every year, thousands of babies are born with severely malformed hearts, disorders known collectively as congenital heart disease. Many of these defects can be repaired though surgery, but researchers don't understand what causes them or how to prevent them. New research shows that about 10 percent of these defects are caused by genetic mutations that are absent in the parents of affected children.
Gene associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis identified
Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.
To suppress or to explore? Emotional strategy may influence anxiety
When trouble approaches, what do you do? Run for the hills? Hide? Pretend it isn't there? Or do you focus on the promise of rain in those looming dark clouds? New research suggests that the way you regulate your emotions, in bad times and in good, can influence whether – or how much – you suffer from anxiety.
Not all cytokine-producing cells start out the same way, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Cytokines are molecules produced by immune cells that induce the migration of other cells to sites of infection or injury, promote the production of anti-microbial agents, and signal the production of inflammatory mediators. These events are important for fighting infections. However, sometimes this process goes unchecked, resulting in unwanted inflammation that can damage tissues and organs.
Lyme disease vaccine shows promise in clinical trial
(Medical Xpress)—The results of a phase 1/2 clinical trial in Europe of an investigational Lyme disease vaccine co-developed by researchers at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and at Baxter International Inc., a U.S. based healthcare company, revealed it to be promising and well tolerated, according to a research paper published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The vaccine was shown to produce substantial antibodies against all targeted species of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease in Europe and the United States. Baxter International conducted the clinical trial of the vaccine.
Study defines level of dengue virus needed for transmission
Researchers have identified the dose of dengue virus in human blood that is required to infect mosquitoes when they bite. Mosquitoes are essential for transmitting the virus between people so the findings have important implications for understanding how to slow the spread of the disease.
When deciding how to bet, less detailed information may be better
People are worse at predicting whether a sports team will win, lose, or tie when they bet on the final score than when they bet on the overall outcome, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Breakthrough in how pancreatic cancer cells ingest nutrients points to new drug target
In a landmark cancer study published online in Nature, researchers at NYU School of Medicine have unraveled a longstanding mystery about how pancreatic tumor cells feed themselves, opening up new therapeutic possibilities for a notoriously lethal disease with few treatment options. Pancreatic cancer kills nearly 38,000 Americans annually, making it a leading cause of cancer death. The life expectancy for most people diagnosed with it is less than a year.
Grammar errors? The brain detects them even when you are unaware
Your brain often works on autopilot when it comes to grammar. That theory has been around for years, but University of Oregon neuroscientists have captured elusive hard evidence that people indeed detect and process grammatical errors with no awareness of doing so.
Tumor-activated protein promotes cancer spread
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center report that cancers physically alter cells in the lymphatic system – a network of vessels that transports and stores immune cells throughout the body – to promote the spread of disease, a process called metastasis.
Study finds four new genetic risk factors for testicular cancer
A new study looking at the genomes of more than 13,000 men identified four new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed type in young men today. The findings from this first-of-its-kind meta-analysis were reported online May 12 in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Body clocks of depressed people altered at cell level, researchers show
Every cell in our bodies runs on a 24-hour clock, tuned to the night-day, light-dark cycles that have ruled us since the dawn of humanity. The brain acts as timekeeper, keeping the cellular clock in sync with the outside world so that it can govern our appetites, sleep, moods and much more.
Human brain frontal lobes not relatively large, not sole center of intelligence
Human intelligence cannot be explained by the size of the brain's frontal lobes, say researchers.
Biology news
Mobile phone app to help monitor UK's native ladybirds after foreign invasion
'iRecord Ladybirds' a free mobile phone app is launched today to help monitor the impact of the invasive Harlequin ladybird on the UK's native ladybird species. The app was produced by scientists at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology working with the Nature Locator team at the University of Bristol.
Inadequate infection control by vets widespread
The infection control practices of veterinarians are inadequate with almost 50 percent of vets contracting infections from animals during their career, research led by the University of Sydney has found.
UK retailers relax rules on GM poultry feed
Three major British grocery chains have ended their bans on providing genetically modified feed to chickens.
EU begins difficult talks on fishery reforms
EU fisheries ministers began difficult talks Monday on reforms to the bloc's under-pressure fishing regime, with plans to stop the dumping of unwanted fish a key sticking point.
S. Korea to release dolphin back into wild
A 13-year-old dolphin was Saturday being transported to an ocean pen off a South Korean island for training to prepare it for release back into the wild after four years in a Seoul zoo, officials said.
Slippery eel slides towards disaster
Cupping a tiny, translucent eel in the palm of his hand, New York environmental researcher Chris Bowser shook his head in amazement. "This is worth about one dollar," he said.
British landfill transformed into nature reserve
A sprawling landfill site containing 50 years of rubbish from six London boroughs has been transformed into a 120-acre nature reserve for rare birds, bees and reptiles.
Superdaddy Pyros keeps Pyrenees bear numbers up
The number of bears roaming the Pyrenees remained stable at a minimum of 22 last year, thanks largely to the continued virility of Pyros, the undisputed daddy of the colony.
Invasion of the slugs—halted by worms...
The gardener's best friend, the earthworm, is great at protecting leaves from being chomped by slugs, suggests research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Ecology. Although they lurk in the soil, they seem to protect the plants above ground. Increasing plant diversity also decreases the amount of damage slugs do to individual plants.
Research shows kestrels enjoy life far from the madding crowd
Scientists have long observed that roadways are attractive foraging grounds for American kestrels and other birds of prey. That's because shorter grass makes mice and other snack-sized rodents more visible, and signposts, fences and telephone poles provide excellent perches.
Bugs are food of the future, UN says
Beetles, caterpillars and wasps could supplement the diets of billions of people globally and help feed livestock, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Monday, calling for more investment in edible insect farming.
US Supreme Court finds for Monsanto in seed patent battle (Update 2)
The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto Monday over an Indiana farmer accused of having pirated the genetically-modified crops developed by the agribusiness giant.
Big trout saved from close call with extinction
Hour after hour, Brian Dunn lofted his fly line into the turquoise-blue water of this shimmering desert lake north of Reno. Finally, just after lunch, his line straightened and a smile spread on his face. Before long, a 6-pound, 25-inch-long cutthroat trout was splashing in the net.
Florida fights stucco-eating African snails
An epic battle is raging in South Florida: man against snail. The state is struggling to contain an invasion of the giant African land snail, a species that thrives in hot and wet tropical climates. These gooey and destructive mollusks grow up to 8.5 inches long, feast on 500 different types of plants and nibble on calcium-rich stucco, which they use to construct their cone-shaped shells.
Using earthquake sensors to track endangered whales
(Phys.org) —The fin whale is the second-largest animal ever to live on Earth. It is also, paradoxically, one of the least understood. The animal's huge size and global range make its movements and behavior hard to study.
Land management options outlined to address cheatgrass invasion
A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America's most endangered ecosystems.
Naval activity may contribute to porpoise strandings
(Phys.org) —Sonar used by the navy may cause porpoises to get trapped in fishing nets and killed, according to a recent study.
Caffeine enhances bee memory
(Phys.org) —Caffeine is the naturally occurring drug most widely used by humans. In nature, though, it is reported to act as a bitter and toxic deterrent to herbivores, preventing leaves and seeds from being eaten.
Family trees for yeast cells
Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg have jointly developed a revolutionary method to analyse the genomes of yeast families. The team of Dr. Aimée Dudley from the ISB and Dr. Patrick May from LCSB published their paper in the renowned scientific journal Nature Methods on May 12th. It describes a new method called BEST: Barcode Enabled Sequencing of Tetrads.
Integrated omics uncovers roles of fungi and bacteria in lignocellulose degradation
(Phys.org) —A multi-institutional team from the Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) used metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches to provide insight into the symbiotic relationship between leaf-cutter ants, fungi, and bacteria. In doing so, they have mapped the first draft genome of the predominant fungus and clarified its role in lignocellulose degradation in underground fungal gardens tended by the ants. Ultimately, scientists hope that this understanding will help the development of cellulosic biofuels.
Study finds Weddell seals have most developed brains at birth of any mammal
(Phys.org) —A trio of researchers working for the National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has found that Weddell seal pups have proportionally, the largest brains at birth of any known mammal. They have published the results of their study in the journal Marine Mammal Science.
Productivity increases with species diversity: 150 years later, research proves Darwin prediction
Environments containing species that are distantly related to one another are more productive than those containing closely related species, according to new research from the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).
Receptor proteins could hold clues to antibiotic resistance in MRSA
Scientists at Imperial College London have identified four new proteins that act as receptors for an essential signalling molecule in bacteria such as MRSA.
Scientists find impact of open-ocean industrial fishing within centuries of bird bones
The impact of industrial fishing on coastal ecosystems has been studied for many years. But how it affects food webs in the open ocean―a vast region that covers almost half of the Earth's surface―has not been very clear. So a team of Smithsonian and Michigan State University scientists and their colleagues looked to the ancient bones of seabirds for answers, revealing some of the dramatic changes that have happened within open-ocean food webs since the onset of industrial fishing. The team's research is published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Carnivorous bladderwort genome contradicts notion that vast quantities of noncoding DNA crucial for complex life
Genes make up about 2 percent of the human genome. The rest consists of a genetic material known as noncoding DNA, and scientists have spent years puzzling over why this material exists in such voluminous quantities.
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