Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for July 25, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Human hybrids: a closer look at the theory and evidence- Blackbody radiation induces attractive force stronger than gravity
- Slingatron vision is to launch payloads into orbit
- New research suggests ancient Indonesian "hobbit" looked more like us than apes
- Researchers prove dogs are able to differentiate colors
- A faster vessel for charting the brain
- Neuroscientists show ability to plant false memories
- An unexpected change in polymer structure opens a new avenue in the search for improved solar cell efficiency
- Extinct ancient ape did not walk like a human, study shows
- Certain blood pressure drugs slow dementia deterioration
- Microbial who-done-it for biofuels
- Study explains Pacific equatorial cold water region
- Bad sleep around full moon is no longer a myth
- Researchers discover how brain cells change their tune (w/ Video)
- Twitter predicted to become a big TV screen
Space & Earth news
Cold War nuclear weapons storage facility video now available
Down a remote canyon near Los Alamos National Laboratory lies a facility known as the "Tunnel Vault," once one of the most secret and secure locations in the United States, it's the original post-WWII nuclear stockpile storage area.
Fires in Northern Territory Australia
Northern Australia's bushfire season was well underway by the beginning of July, 2013. On July 23 the Aqua satellite flew over the region, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument flying aboard to capture this true-color image of the winter's fires.
Experts: Gas in Gulf blowout is less damaging
(AP)—A blown-out natural gas well blazing off Louisiana's coast poses fewer environmental dangers than past offshore accidents because it appears to primarily involve gas that disperses relatively easily, scientists said Wednesday.
High-tech hitchhikers
Ready for launch tomorrow, Alphasat – Europe's largest telecommunications satellite – will serve as a testbed for advanced space technologies at the same time as it works on its day job as part of the Inmarsat satellite fleet.
Climate science boost with tropical aerosols profile
Australia's biomass burning emissions comprise about eight per cent of the global total, ranking third by continent behind Africa (48 per cent) and South America (27 per cent).
Curiosity Mars Rover Gleams in View from Orbiter
An image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter released today shows NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and the wheel tracks from its landing site to the "Glenelg" area where the rover worked for the first half of 2013.
Tenth parachute test for NASA's Orion adds 10,000 feet of success
A complicated, high-altitude test Wednesday demonstrated NASA's new Orion spacecraft could land safely even if one of its parachutes failed.
Scientists discover genes involved in immunity of sea fans to coral diseases
Like all of us, corals get sick. They respond to pathogens (disease-causing microbes) and recover or die. But unlike us, they can't call a doctor for treatment.
A patio space transformed: GSD students create a gathering spot that also cleans stormwater
Envisioning a green space as inviting and social as it would be operative and effective, students Ecaterina Dobrescu and Rebecca Bartlett of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) set out last semester to transform a concrete patio space at Gund Hall into a modular system of vegetation and planters that could absorb and purify stormwater.
Mystery of before 370 Ma coral-stromatoporoid reef disappearing from the planet Earth
The coral-stromatoporoid reef disappearing from the planet earth was one of the most significant and representative phenomena for the Late Devonian F-F transitional mass extinction event. Professor GONG Yiming and his group (Wu Yibu, Feng Qi etc.) from State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology of China University of Geosciences are trying to tackle this problem. After several years of continuous research, they have discovered that blooming and invading of bacteria and algae played an important role for before 370 Ma (Late Devonian F-F transition) coral-stromatoporoid reef disappearing from the planet earth. And this may be the key that unlock mystery of the modern reef-building coral bleaching. Their work, entitled "blooming of bacteria and algae is a biokiller for mass-extinction of Devonian coral-stromatoporoid reef ecosystems", was published in Science China: Earth Sciences.
World changing technology enables crops to take nitrogen from the air
A major new technology has been developed by The University of Nottingham, which enables all of the world's crops to take nitrogen from the air rather than expensive and environmentally damaging fertilisers.
NASA puts Tropical Storm Dorian in the infrared spotlight
The newest tropical storm to form in the Atlantic was put in NASA's "infrared spotlight." NASA's AIRS instrument uses infrared imaging to analyze tropical cyclones and captured an image of newborn Tropical Storm Dorian.
NASA's infrared data shows Tropical Storm Flossie's strength
Tropical Storm Flossie formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and strengthened quickly on July 25. NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Flossie and captured an infrared look at the storm and saw a large area of powerful thunderstorms around its center and south of the center.
NASA's Hubble: Galaxies, Comets, and Stars! Oh My!
Approaching the sun, Comet ISON floats against a seemingly infinite backdrop of numerous galaxies and a handful of foreground stars. The icy visitor, with its long gossamer tail, appears to be swimming like a tadpole through a deep pond of celestial wonders.
IRIS mission gets first look at Sun's mysterious interface region
NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spacecraft has captured its first observations of a region of the sun that is now possible to observe in detail: the lowest layers of the sun's atmosphere.
Simultaneous imaging of bio-metal and molecular radiotracers in the body is now possible using a gamma-ray emission came
Trace metals in living organisms play a variety of important roles in many processes, including gene expression and the development of diseases such as cancer. It is possible to image the behavior of these 'bio-metals' by following radioactive tracers injected into the body. However, analyzing the corresponding expression of metal-associated molecules in the body using technologies like positron emission tomography (PET) has so far been impossible due to differences in the kinds of radiotracers used by these techniques. Shuichi Enomoto, Shinji Motomura and colleagues at the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies have now developed a way to simultaneously image a wide range of bio-metal and PET scan radiotracers in the body through the use of a semiconductor Compton camera called GREI-II.
Seeing photosynthesis from space: NASA scientists use satellites to measure plant health (w/ Video)
NASA scientists have established a new way to use satellites to measure what's occurring inside plants at a cellular level.
What does a city's appearance say about itself?
Just as we are quick to judge people by their appearances, we can also get a good feel for a city from its appearance. With a quick glance, we subconsciously notice the cleanliness of the neighborhoods, the beauty of the architecture, and the liveliness of the streets to form our impressions. But how deep is the information that a city's appearance can reveal?
Methane-eating microbes found in Illinois aquifer
Methane-consuming microbes live deep underground in pristine aquifers, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the Environmental Protection Agency. This type of organism, which can consume methane in the absence of oxygen, has previously been found only in marine sediments.
Citizen scientist detects Britain's first 'lightning into space'
History was made last night when citizen scientists detected Britain's first example of a lightning strike into space.
Marine scientists are decoding the mechanism for long-term climate fluctuations in the Atlantic
Why does hurricane activity vary from decade to decade? Or rainfall in the Sahel region? And why are the trans-Atlantic changes frequently in sync? A German-Russian research team has investigated the role of heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere in long-term climate variability in the Atlantic. The scientists analyzed meteorological measurements and sea surface temperatures over the past 130 years. It was found that the ocean significantly affects long term climate fluctuations, while the seemingly chaotic atmosphere is mainly responsible for the shorter-term, year-to-year changes. The study appears in the current issue of the prestigious journal Nature, and provides important information on the predictability of long-term climate fluctuations.
Study explains Pacific equatorial cold water region
A new study published this week in the journal Nature reveals for the first time how the mixing of cold, deep waters from below can change sea surface temperatures on seasonal and longer timescales.
Van Allen Probes pinpoint driver of speeding electrons
Researchers believe they have solved a lingering mystery about how electrons within Earth's radiation belt can suddenly become energetic enough to kill orbiting satellites. Thanks to data gathered from an intrepid pair of NASA probes roaming the harsh space environment within the Van Allen radiation belts, scientists have identified an internal electron accelerator operating within the belts.
Scientists discover surprising importance of 'I Love Q' for understanding neutron stars
Scientists can learn a tremendous amount about neutron stars and quark stars without understanding their internal structure in detail, according to two Montana State University scientists who published their findings in the July 26 issue of "Science."
NASA's Wise finds mysterious centaurs may be comets
The true identity of centaurs, the small celestial bodies orbiting the sun between Jupiter and Neptune, is one of the enduring mysteries of astrophysics. Are they asteroids or comets? A new study of observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) finds most centaurs are comets.
Slingatron vision is to launch payloads into orbit
A Kickstarter project features Slingatron, the work of a seasoned team of scientists as a way to put cargo into orbit. The Slingatron is a mechanical, hypervelocity mass accelerator. The inventor of the Slingatron is Dr. Derek A. Tidman, author of the book, "SLINGATRON - A Mechanical Hypervelocity Mass Accelerator." The book sets forth the concept and now Hyper V Technologies of Chantilly, Virginia, the project leaders, are to put the Tidman concept into action.
Technology news
Baidu profit falls 4.5 percent on higher costs
(AP)—China's biggest search engine operator is being squeezed by higher costs as it expands its fledgling business in the fast-growing mobile market.
Hybrid buses improve air quality in Hanoi
Siemens and the Vietnam Motors Industry Corporation (Vinamotor) are launching the first hybrid bus with a combined electric/diesel drive in Hanoi. The project is the first of its kind in Vietnam. The vehicle uses the ELFA drive system developed by Siemens, in which the diesel engine does not drive the rear axle via an automatic transmission, as is usually the case. Instead, a generator is activated which supplies one or more propelling motors with electricity via power electronics. The buses consume up to 50 percent less fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by the same amount.
Europe weighs on TomTom in Q2
(AP)—TomTom NV, Europe's largest maker of navigation devices, says its second-quarter net profit fell 14 percent to €8 million ($10.6 million) from the same period a year ago, as sales to car makers were hit by the ongoing financial crisis.
S. Korea's Hynix posts record operating profit
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix on Thursday posted a record second quarter operating profit on the back of robust chip demand and strong semiconductor prices.
Work on world's tallest building stopped in China: media
Work on a Chinese skyscraper aiming to be the world's tallest building has been ordered to stop just days after breaking ground, local media reported Thursday.
Harnessing innovation for smart transport networks
Challenging times are ahead for Europe's transport network, with traffic expected to double by 2030. This increase is expected to have a knock-on effect on safety and the environment.
EU ends e-book anti-trust action
The European Commission announced on Thursday an end to price-fixing anti-trust action in the booming digital books market.
BlackBerry cuts 250 staff at facility in Ontario
(AP)—BlackBerry has given layoff notices to 250 workers at its product testing facility in Waterloo, Ontario, where the global smartphone company is based.
Industry agrees to new mobile app guidelines
(AP)—Industry groups and privacy advocates on Thursday were near agreement on voluntary guidelines for mobile apps that should make it easier for American consumers to know what personal information is getting sucked from their smartphone or tablet and passed along to marketers.
3-D digital carving: A new tool for an ancient art (w/ Video)
The ancient art of shaping terra cotta is getting a modern twist at Boston Valley Terra Cotta, a Western New York manufacturer that has performed restoration work on historic buildings from San Francisco's Russ Building to Chicago's Rookery Building, and Buffalo's own Guaranty Building.
EU lags behind on 4G: official
EU member states should do more, and faster, to introduce next-generation 4G mobile phone services if Europe is to reap the benefits of the new technology.
Profile of likely e-mail phishing victims emerges in human factors/ergonomics research
The author of a paper to be presented at the upcoming 2013 International Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting has described behavioral, cognitive, and perceptual attributes of e-mail users who are vulnerable to phishing attacks. Phishing is the use of fraudulent e-mail correspondence to obtain passwords and credit card information, or to send viruses.
4 Russians, 1 Ukrainian charged in massive hacking
(AP)—Four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian have been charged with running a sophisticated hacking organization that over seven years penetrated computer networks of more than a dozen major American and international corporations, stealing and selling at least 160 million credit and debit card numbers, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Ladies and gentlemen, stop your engines: Americans driving less
Miles driven by U.S. motorists in light-duty vehicles are down about 5 percent since its peak in 2006, says a University of Michigan researcher.
Ph.D. students make advances in tethering & network security
The average American spends about seven hours a day looking at an electronic screen. With this much of a role in our daily lives, our electronic devices must be updated frequently with the newest technology to reflect usage patterns and make the user's experience more efficient and safe.
Citymaps aims to make maps social
(AP)—Maps are where it's at. Just ask Google, which bought maps app Waze for more than $1 billion, or Apple, which snapped up two small mapping startups earlier this month.
Are smart watches the next big thing?
If you're like most Americans, you don't wear a wristwatch. But increasingly, electronics companies are betting you'll slap one on your wrist if it's more like a smartphone than a simple timepiece.
Pocket-sized sensor gives instant fat burning updates
Fitness fanatics may soon be able to gauge if their hard work is paying off without the need for weighing scales thanks to a new device that can instantly tell if your body is burning fat.
Project Neptune: Specialized gas detection for nonproliferation
Trying to sniff out traces of hard-to-detect gases can be like trying to hear a whisper at the other end of a very large, very crowded, very noisy room.
Lifelike wobble thanks to new software
The cartoon characters so loved by young and old audiences alike are becoming increasingly lifelike. In order for them to look realistic, animators invest a lot of time in making a fat belly wobble as naturally as possible while walking, for instance. A project by ETH Zurich and Disney Research should make life easier for the filmmakers in future.
Hot-fire tests show 3D printed rocket parts rival traditionally manufactured parts
What can survive blazing temperatures of almost 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit without melting? What did not break apart at extreme pressures? What is made by a new process that forms a complex part in just one piece? What takes less than three weeks to go from manufacturing to testing? What can reduce the costs of expensive rocket parts by 60 percent or more?
New nuclear fuel-rod cladding could lead to safer power plants
In the aftermath of Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was initially driven into shutdown by the magnitude 9.0 quake; its emergency generators then failed because they were inundated by the tsunami. But the greatest damage to the complex, and the greatest release of radiation, may have been caused by explosions of hydrogen gas that built up inside some of the reactors.
Twitter predicted to become a big TV screen
New research from scholars at Columbia Business School and the University of Pittsburgh questions the sustainability of Twitter, the social network that has more than 500 million registered users. The research was recently published in the journal Marketing Science.
Medicine & Health news
Obese kidney failure patients receive survival benefit from transplantation
Most obese individuals with kidney failure can prolong their lives by receiving a kidney transplant, although this survival benefit is lower in severely obese individuals. That's the conclusion of a new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation. The findings will hopefully decrease differences in access to transplantation for obese patients.
Nail clippings as a biomarker: Simple, but requiring greater attention
In theory, the presence of certain chemicals such as mercury can be established by examining nail clippings. Although this is already being done in practice, the method requires greater care than was hitherto thought. That is the conclusion drawn by Paolo Favaro, who will be defending his doctoral dissertation on this subject at TU Delft.
Rapid test allows for earlier diagnosis of tuberculosis in children
A new test for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in children detects roughly two-thirds of cases identified by the current culture test, but in a fraction of the time, according to the results of a study in South Africa supported by the National Institutes of Health.
New technology to test orthopaedic designs
Safer and longer lasting hip and knee replacements are expected from new technology to be developed at The University of Auckland's bioengineering institute.
High alcohol relapse rate blamed for poor survival in liver-disease patients
Liver-disease patients are dying because of poor alcohol relapse rates after they leave hospital, according to a Brighton and Sussex Medical School study published.
How can mental health research help patients and reduce NHS costs?
Leading academics and clinicians met at the University of Reading yesterday (Tuesday 23 July) to discuss the links between physical and mental health and how the latest mental health research could help patients in all parts of the NHS.
Preventing ACL injury in a high-risk population
Effectively preventing anterior cruciate ligament injuries is a critical focus of sports medicine. ACL injuries often require surgery, followed by an extensive period of rehabilitation; there are high rates of re-injury to the ACL, which keeps the knee stable; and ACL injuries often lead to early development of osteoarthritis.
Brain study aims to improve dyslexia treatment
Neuroscientist Sarah Laszlo wants to understand what's going on in children's brains when they're reading. Her research may untangle some of the mysteries surrounding dyslexia and lead to new methods of treating America's most common learning disorder.
New study of veterans finds links between outdoor activities, improved mental health
Veterans participating in extended outdoor group recreation show signs of improved mental health, suggesting a link between the activities and long-term psychological well-being, according to results of a new University of Michigan study.
New report says 3.9 million Canadians struggle to afford food
A new report by researchers at the University of Toronto shows that almost four million Canadians are struggling to put the food they need on the table because of food insecurity.
Report: Teen HPV vaccination rate still lagging
(AP)—Disappointed health officials say only about half of teenage girls have gotten a controversial vaccine against cervical cancer—a rate that's changed little in three years.
Need for national Canadian strategy for EGFR testing
Significant advances have taken place in the management of patients with advanced and metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over the last 5 years. Traditionally, all advanced NSCLC patients were treated in a similar manner. More recently, the importance of pathologic subtype has been recognized. Data from several randomized trials demonstrate that epidermal growth factor (EGFR) mutation status is predictive of improved survival and quality of life with selected systemic therapies.
Effect of obesity on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Obesity increases health risks for many things. Researchers wanted to know the impact of obesity on outcomes of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In the September issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's journal, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO), researchers conclude that obese patients had superior outcomes early on in the study, but then experienced increased hazards.
Virus fears, Mecca work downsizes hajj pilgrimage
Fears of an outbreak of the deadly MERS virus in Saudi Arabia and construction in the holy city of Mecca have forced cuts in the numbers of pilgrims permitted to perform this year's hajj.
Oldest old at risk from social isolation
Using new data from the UK's largest ever social survey, Understanding Society, the Personal Finance Research Centre (PRFC) at the University of Bristol and the International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK) have produced preliminary findings about the 'oldest old' (aged over 85) and their levels of participation, wellbeing and health.
Challenges of financial margins in obstetric units discussed
(HealthDay)—In obstetric units, the challenges of reducing health care costs while improving the experience of care are complicated by the slowing birth rate, according to a clinical opinion piece published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Brain research shows psychopathic criminals do not lack empathy, but fail to use it automatically
Criminal psychopathy can be both repulsive and fascinating, as illustrated by the vast number of books and movies inspired by this topic. Offenders diagnosed with psychopathy pose a significant threat to society, because they are more likely to harm other individuals and to do so again after being released. A brain imaging study in the Netherlands shows individuals with psychopathy have reduced empathy while witnessing the pains of others. When asked to empathize, however, they can activate their empathy. This could explain why psychopathic individuals can be callous and socially cunning at the same time.
Large study reveals increased cancer risks associated with family history of the disease
A family history of cancer increases the risk of other members of the family developing not only the same cancer (known as a concordant cancer) but also a different (discordant) cancer, according to a large study of 23,000 people in Italy and Switzerland.
Epilepsy in a dish: Stem cell research reveals clues to disease's origins and possible treatment
A new stem cell-based approach to studying epilepsy has yielded a surprising discovery about what causes one form of the disease, and may help in the search for better medicines to treat all kinds of seizure disorders.
Over 90 percent of dementia cases in China are undetected
An international team of researchers has found that over 90 percent of dementia cases in China go undetected, with a high level of undiagnosed dementia in rural areas. The team of public health experts led by Dr Ruoling Chen at King's College London argues that more mental health education targeting high-risk populations is now needed to improve diagnosis rates, and increase support for sufferers and their families.
Flow restrictors may reduce young children's accidental ingestion of liquid medications
In the US, child-resistant packaging for most medications has contributed to the prevention of thousands of pediatric deaths. Nevertheless, over 500,000 calls are made to poison control centers each year after accidental ingestion of medications by young children, and the number of emergency department visits for unsupervised medication ingestions is rising. In a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers studied whether adding flow restrictors to bottles can limit the amount of liquid medication a child could access even if child-resistant caps are missing or improperly closed.
New research reveals how cat dander triggers allergic responses
New research reveals how the most common cause of severe allergic reactions to cats, the Fel d 1 protein which is found in cat dander, triggers an allergic response.
High levels of THC in Australian cannabis
The first systematic analysis of the potency of Australian cannabis has found high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the main psychoactive component of the drug – in samples confiscated by police from recreational users in New South Wales.
Wear your vegetables: Could broccoli hold the key to skin cancer prevention?
With skin cancer emerging as one of the world's most prevalent forms of cancer, researchers are using every tool at their disposal to fight this disease. The tool of choice for Sally Dickinson? Broccoli.
Discovery of gene function may help prevent kidney stones
The discovery of a gene's function in E. coli and other bacteria might lead to a probiotic to prevent the most common type of kidney stone, according to a Purdue University study.
Joint study sheds new light on the cause of pandemic influenza
With the use of sophisticated mathematical modelling techniques, a mathematician at PolyU and his co-researchers have completed a study that explains the phenomenon of multiple waves of influenza pandemic in the last century.
Hope for Hep C cure no excuse for risk-taking, expert warns
Exciting early indications of a cure for Hepatitis C do not mean we should become complacent about the risks of contracting the debilitating disease, a leading Australian researcher warns.
Research highlight: Kangaroo care and the effect on newborns
Barb Morrison is talking to anyone she can about something dear to her heart: kangaroo care.
Japanese women retake top spot for life expectancy
Japan's women retook their place as the world's longest-lived last year, edging out Hong Kongers as their life expectancy bounced back from the dip caused by the 2011 tsunami, officials said Thursday.
The disease vectors, my friend, are blowing in the wind
Australian researchers are developing a new tool to help track and manage the vast numbers of disease-carrying insects blown from Asia into northern Australia every year by cyclones and monsoon winds.
Protein inhibitor holds promise for heart disease treatment
UC Davis scientists have developed a novel cardiovascular agent which, unlike currently available drugs for heart disease, does not target high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure. The experimental agent inhibits C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of risk for heart attacks, strokes and unstable, or uncontrolled, chest pain.
Scientists discover promising protein to treat osteoarthritis
New research from Queen Mary, University of London suggests that a protein found predominantly in healthy cartilage, a type of tissue that allows the smooth movement of joints, could hold the key to treating osteoarthritis.
Semagacestat doesn't improve cognitive status in Alzheimer's
(HealthDay)—For patients with Alzheimer's disease, treatment with the small-molecule γ-secretase inhibitor semagacestat does not improve cognitive status and is associated with worsening of cognitive function, according to a study published in the July 25 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Key target responsible for triggering detrimental effects in brain trauma identified
Researchers studying a type of cell found in the trillions in our brain have made an important discovery as to how it responds to brain injury and disease such as stroke. A University of Bristol team has identified proteins which trigger the processes that underlie how astrocyte cells respond to neurological trauma.
New techniques use lasers, LEDs, and optics to 'see' under the skin
Impressive examples of new non-invasive optical techniques using lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and spectroscopic methods to probe and render images from beneath the surface of the skin are featured in a newly completed special section in the Journal of Biomedical Optics published by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. The techniques may be used in a wide variety of medical and cosmetic applications such as treating burns, identifying cancer, or speeding the healing of wounds.
Should a woman's ovaries be removed during a hysterectomy for noncancerous disease?
While ovary removal during hysterectomy protects against future risk of ovarian cancer, the decision to conserve the ovaries and the hormones they produce may have advantages for preventing heart disease, hip fracture, sexual dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Other than a woman's cancer risk, the most important factor that should determine ovarian conservation vs. removal is her age—whether she is older or younger than 50—according to a Review article published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Bipolar disorder takes different path in patients who binge eat, study suggests
Bipolar disorder evolves differently in patients who also binge eat, a study by Mayo Clinic, the Lindner Center of HOPE and the University of Minnesota found. Binge eating and obesity often are present among bipolar patients, but the mood disorder appears to take a different path in those who binge eat than it does in obese bipolar patients who do not, the researchers discovered. The findings are published online in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
New study finds higher than expected numbers of pressure ulcers in children
A new study has uncovered a problem in pediatrics thought to be a major issue only in adult medicine: pressure ulcers.
Study uncovers a starring role for supporting cells in the inner ear
Researchers have found in mice that supporting cells in the inner ear, once thought to serve only a structural role, can actively help repair damaged sensory hair cells, the functional cells that turn vibrations into the electrical signals that the brain recognizes as sound.
Adenosine therapy reduces seizures and progression of epilepsy
Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures that present in many different ways. In some cases epileptic patients exhibit a progressive increase in both frequency and severity of seizures. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation have recently been implied as an underlying cause of several neurologic disorders, including epilepsy.
Exposure to BPA chemical far less than thought: EU watchdog
The European Union's food safety watchdog said Thursday that human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has triggered health fears and a ban on baby feeding bottles, is far lower than thought.
A lifespan-extending drug has limited effects on aging
The immunosuppressive drug rapamycin has been shown to increase longevity in mice even when treatment begins at an advanced age. It is unclear if the extension of life also correlates with prolonged health and vigor.
Women's height linked to cancer risk
The taller a postmenopausal woman is, the greater her risk for developing cancer, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Researchers find potential new target to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare asbestos-associated malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Despite advances in the treatment, the median survival remains 12 months from the time of diagnosis. Increased understanding of the molecular basis for the diverse signaling pathways involved in cancer progression should promote the discovery of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and potentially lead to more effective therapeutic tools for the disease.
Scientist discovers novel mechanism in spinal cord injury
More than 11,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries each year, and since over a quarter of those injuries are due to falls, the number is likely to rise as the population ages. The reason so many of those injuries are permanently disabling is that the human body lacks the capacity to regenerate nerve fibers. The best our bodies can do is route the surviving tissue around the injury site.
Researchers develop system that uses a big data approach to personalized healthcare
University of Notre Dame researchers have developed a computer-aided method that uses electronic medical records to offer the promise of rapid advances toward personalized health care, disease management and wellness.
Connections found between wetland cover, transmission rates of hemorrhagic disease
Ecologists at the University of Georgia have discovered complex and surprising relationships between land cover and rates of transmission, illness and death from hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer.
Researcher digs into the contested peanut-allergy epidemic
he path of the peanut from a snack staple to the object of bans at schools, day care centers and beyond offers important insights into how and why a rare, life-threatening food allergy can prompt far-reaching societal change, according to a Princeton University researcher.
Botox proteins could hold cure for diabetes
Scientists believe the proteins that are targeted by cosmetic surgery treatment Botox could hold the secret to treating and even curing Type 2 diabetes.
Breast CA nodal mets more common with certain mutations
(HealthDay)—Lymph node metastases are more common in breast cancers with mutations in a cellular signaling pathway associated with growth, according to a study published online July 24 in JAMA Surgery.
Sleep disordered breathing tied to lower exercise capacity
(HealthDay)—Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) severity is associated with lower functional aerobic capacity (FAC) and increased blood pressure, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Dengue outbreak has killed 26 in Central America: officials
An unusually potent outbreak of dengue fever has killed 26 people and infected nearly 40,000 more so far this year in Central America, where the mosquito-born illness is endemic.
Self-evaluation of menopausal symptoms underestimates true burden, study finds
Physicians should consider a more in-depth evaluation of their menopausal patients' symptoms, as current approaches might not accurately reflect the number of hot flashes and night sweats each woman experiences, a new University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study finds.
Significant others can influence extreme dieting
Women who are frequently encouraged by their significant others to lose weight are more likely to resort to unhealthy measures to do so, according to new research in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
Analysis of 26 networked autism genes suggests functional role in the cerebellum
A team of scientists has obtained intriguing insights into two groups of autism candidate genes in the mammalian brain that new evidence suggests are functionally and spatially related. The newly published analysis identifies two networked groupings from 26 genes associated with autism that are overexpressed in the cerebellar cortex, in areas dominated by neurons called granule cells.
Frequent and longer patient-doctor contact key to dialysis patients' health
Both the frequency and duration of patient-doctor contact during dialysis care vary appreciably across countries, and facilities with more frequent and longer contact had fewer patient deaths and hospitalizations, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings indicate that the physician's role in the multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals in dialysis facilities is important for improving the health of dialysis patients.
Delay in seeking stroke care costs women best treatment
Women with clot-caused strokes are less likely than men to arrive at the hospital in time to receive the best treatment, according to a European study reported in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Coffee drinking tied to lower risk of suicide
Drinking several cups of coffee daily appears to reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50 percent, according to a new study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The study was published online July 2 in The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry.
Adenoviruses may pose risk for monkey-to-human leap
Adenoviruses commonly infect humans, causing colds, flu-like symptoms and sometimes even death, but now UC San Francisco researchers have discovered that a new species of adenovirus can spread from primate to primate, and potentially from monkey to human.
Researchers discover how brain cells change their tune (w/ Video)
Brain cells talk to each other in a variety of tones. Sometimes they speak loudly but other times struggle to be heard. For many years scientists have asked why and how brain cells change tones so frequently. Today National Institutes of Health researchers showed that brief bursts of chemical energy coming from rapidly moving power plants, called mitochondria, may tune brain cell communication.
Bad sleep around full moon is no longer a myth
Many people complain about poor sleep around full moon. Scientists at the University of Basel in Switzerland now report evidence that lunar cycles and human sleep behavior are in fact connected. The results have been published in the journal "Current Biology".
Neuroscientists show ability to plant false memories
The phenomenon of false memory has been well-documented: In many court cases, defendants have been found guilty based on testimony from witnesses and victims who were sure of their recollections, but DNA evidence later overturned the conviction.
Researchers observe new mechanism for diabetes resolution
Though existing research has shown gastric bypass surgery resolves type 2 diabetes, the reason has remained unclear. A research team, led by Nicholas Stylopoulos, MD, Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Endocrinology, has identified the small intestine—widely believed to be a passive organ—as the major contributor to the body's metabolism, based on a study in rats. The report will appear in Science on July 26, 2013.
Cancer researchers PTEN discovery provides knowledge to individualize treatment
Scientists at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre have discovered a function of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN that helps explain why certain promising therapies fail in many cancer patients, a finding that could aid in delivering tailored, personalized cancer medicine based on an individual's genetics.
Neurons in the rat brain use a preexisting set of firing sequences to encode future navigational experiences
Specialized neurons called place cells, located in the hippocampus region of the brain, fire when an animal is in a particular location in its environment, and it is the linear sequence of their firing that encodes in the brain movement trajectories from one location to another. Building on previous work, George Dragoi and Susumu Tonegawa from the RIKEN–MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics have now shown that place cells have a preexisting inventory of firing sequences that they can use to encode multiple novel routes of exploration1.
Certain blood pressure drugs slow dementia deterioration
A class of drug, called ACE inhibitors, which are used to lower blood pressure, slow the rate of cognitive decline typical of dementia, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
A faster vessel for charting the brain
Princeton University researchers have created "souped up" versions of the calcium-sensitive proteins that for the past decade or so have given scientists an unparalleled view and understanding of brain-cell communication.
Biology news
Longer 'sausage dogs' are at risk of slipped discs
Long-and-low dwarf breeds are prone to painful and debilitating slipped discs, and a new study from The Royal Veterinary College published on 24th July 2013 in the journal PLoS ONE, reveals that dogs with longer backs relative to their legs are in more danger of this happening. This means that breeding dogs to be longer in the body and shorter in the leg is putting them at risk.
18th century specimen reveals new South African weevil genus
The new weevil genus was discovered during a routine study of some weevil specimens collected by the Swedish botanist and entomologist Carl Peter Thunberg, a disciple of Carl Linnaeus, during his trips in the then Cape Colony of the Dutch East India Company (now Cape Town, South Africa). The study revealed one tiny specimen measuring barely 1.8mm belonging to an hitherto unknown genus. This specimen was collected between 16 April 1772 and 2 March 1775 or when Thunberg returned from Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) in 1778.
Captured: Mysterious oyster killers
University of British Columbia researchers have apprehended tiny, elusive parasites that have plagued oysters from British Columbia to California.
Researchers reveal which London Underground lines are mouldiest
People travelling on the London Underground Jubilee Line inhale more fungal spores than those on the Central and Bakerloo Lines, according to new research from our scientists here at the University.
Scientists identify key fungal species that help explain mysteries of white nose syndrome
U.S. Forest Service researchers have identified what may be a key to unraveling some of the mysteries of White Nose Syndrome: the closest known non-disease causing relatives of the fungus that causes WNS. These fungi, many of them still without formal Latin names, live in bat hibernation sites and even directly on bats, but they do not cause the devastating disease that has killed millions of bats in the eastern United States. Researchers hope to use these fungi to understand why one fungus can be deadly to bats while its close relatives are benign.
Clean, green high performance biofuels from carbon dioxide
Could there come a time in which the carbon dioxide emitted from natural gas or coal-burning power plants that warms the atmosphere and exacerbates global climate change is harvested and used to produce clean, green and renewable liquid transportation fuels? A pathway to that possibility has been opened by a team of researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) who have engineered a microbe now being used to produce biodegradable plastic into a strain that can produce a high-performance advanced biofuel.
Male kangaroos woo mates with bulging biceps
A male kangaroo's forearm size could be a sexually selected trait and help them find a mate, a new study has found.
Pigeons fly home with a map in their heads
It is a fascinating phenomenon that homing pigeons always find their way home. A doctoral student in biology at the University of Zurich has now carried out experiments proving that pigeons have a spatial map and thus possess cognitive capabilities. In unknown territories, they recognize where they are in relation to their loft and are able to choose their targets themselves.
Honey bee gene targeting offers system to understand food-related behavior
On July 25th JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments will publish a new technique that will help scientists better understand the genes that govern food-related behavior in honey bees. The impact of this study could take scientists one-step closer toward understanding—and perhaps changing—undesirable food-related behavior in humans via gene control.
Secret of plant geometry revealed
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered how plants set the angles of their branches.
Microbial who-done-it for biofuels
One of the keys to commercialization of advanced biofuels is the development of cost-competitive ways to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of enzymes from thermophiles - microbes that thrive at extremely high temperatures and alkaline conditions – holds promise for achieving this. Finding the most effective of these microbial enzymes, however, has been a challenge. That challenge has now been met by a collaboration led by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI).
Extinct ancient ape did not walk like a human, study shows
According to a new study, led by University of Texas at Austin anthropologists Gabrielle A. Russo and Liza Shapiro, the 9- to 7-million-year-old ape from Italy did not, in fact, walk habitually on two legs.
Study reveals mechanism behind squids' and octopuses' ability to change color
Color in living organisms can be formed two ways: pigmentation or anatomical structure. Structural colors arise from the physical interaction of light with biological nanostructures. A wide range of organisms possess this ability, but the biological mechanisms underlying the process have been poorly understood.
Secrets of bee honeycombs revealed
The honeybee comb is a widely studied natural cellular structure. The rounded hexagonal shape of its cells has intrigued natural scientists and philosophers for millennia. They have suggested many explanations some of which would need the bees to have an uncanny ability ("forethought" according to Pappus of Alexandria in 4 AD) to perform mathematical calculations or the magical quality to measure lengths and angles.
Molecular monkey arranges X-chromosome activation
X chromosomes are very special genetic material. They differ in number between men and women. To achieve equality between sexes, one out of two X chromosomes in women is silenced. In flies, the opposite happens: in male flies, the only available X chromosome is highly activated, to compensate for the absence of the second X-chromosome. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (MPI-IE) in Freiburg have now shown how the RNA molecules and proteins involved in the activation find and stick to each other. Similar to a monkey that grabs a liana with hands and feet, one of the proteins holds on to the RNA. Then it moulds the molecular liana with its hands and thus generates a dynamic RNA - protein meeting place.
Newly discovered wasp is a parasitic piggyback
A previously unknown species of parasitoid wasp that rides on the back of damselflies before laying eggs inside their eggs, has been discovered in Taiwan by a team of scientists, including an entomologist from the Natural History Museum.
Broad-scale genome tinkering with help of an RNA guide
Duke researchers have devised a way to quickly and easily target and tinker with any gene in the human genome. The new tool, which builds on an RNA-guided enzyme they borrowed from bacteria, is being made freely available to researchers who may now apply it to the next round of genome discovery.
Researchers prove dogs are able to differentiate colors
A team of researchers in Russia has conducted a series of experiments that prove that dogs are able to distinguish between different colors. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team describes the experiments with dogs they conducted and the results they found.
Human hybrids: a closer look at the theory and evidence
There was considerable fallout, both positive and negative, from our first story covering the radical pig-chimp hybrid theory put forth by Dr. Eugene McCarthy, a geneticist who's proposing that humans first arose from an ancient hybrid cross between pigs and chimpanzees. Despite the large number of comments, here at Phys.org, on macroevolution.net, and on several other discussion forums, little in the way of a scientific consensus has emerged. By and large, those coming out against the theory had surprisingly little science to offer in their sometimes personal attacks against McCarthy.
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