Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for July 16, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Cranial irradiation causes brain degeneration- Surfing on acoustic waves (w/ Video)
- Researchers find form of virtual body impacts perception with immersive virtual reality (w/ Video)
- As cyber attacks detonate, banks gird for battle
- Researchers shed new light on supraglacial lake drainage
- Team uses carbon nanotubes for polarized-light detection
- New model to improve vehicle-to-vehicle communication for 'intelligent transportation'
- Bioengineers develop new approach to regenerate back discs
- Large wave-vector phonon modes in silicon nanomembranes
- Femtocell hackers from iSEC hear, see smartphone content
- Eye-tracking could outshine passwords if made user-friendly
- Newly discovered flux in the Earth may solve missing-mantle mystery
- New nanoscale imaging method finds application in plasmonics
- Steering stem cells with magnets: Proof of concept for clinical applications
- Recent findings on makeup of universe may spawn new research
Space & Earth news
South Pacific Galileo station endures freak rains and flood
Think your summer has been bad? Engineers manning Galileo's South Pacific ground station on New Caledonia found themselves marooned by heavy rains and a flash flood – though the station carried on operating regardless.
Portrait Earth: Wave at Saturn and Cassini July 19
Smile and say, "Cosmic cheese!" From 898 million miles away, NASA's Cassini-Huygens spacecraft will snap a portrait of Earth July 19 from between Saturn's rings as North America and the Atlantic Ocean repose on the sunny side of Earth.
The case for alien life
Only one planet has been proven to support life: Earth. But evidence is mounting that we are not alone. Biogeochemist Ariel Anbar and astrophysicist Steven Desch, professors in ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration, are quoted in the story "The Case for Alien Life" in Popular Mechanics' July/August 2013 issue about the search for life beyond Earth.
The Line Islands Collection: Microbial dynamics of coral reef robustness and decline
Coral reefs face serious threats primarily arising from climate change, unsustainable fishing, and pollution. To better understand the underlying processes, a multidisciplinary series of studies is being conducted by researchers, investigating variability in coral reef community structure and microbial dynamics across gradients of natural and anthropogenic stress. Their results are published in the new PeerJ "Line Islands Collection – Microbial dynamics of coral reef robustness and decline" (named after their upcoming expedition to the Line Islands).
Image: Fires in the Canadian Yukon province
In the Yukon territory of Canada, several large wildfires continue to burn unabated. The fires on this image are located near Carmacks and also near Stewart Crossing. The Yukon Wildland Fire Management map dated July 15, 2013 shows quite a few fires in the Yukon territory with many currently uncontained. These MODIS image fires appear to be the uncontained fires noted on the map.
Troubled Danube's waters, not up to standards yet
The water quality of the Danube river has improved since measures to reduce pollution have been implemented in1995, but there are areas where the toxic waste loads are still high.
Crops watering by phone
Thanks to a new app, smart phones could help monitor irrigation water use according to need. This could ensure that food is available on our table is the produced in a sustainable way.
NASA sees newborn Tropical Depression 08W in infrared
Infrared satellite data helps identify cloud top and sea-surface temperatures, and the AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured those when it flew over Tropical Depression 08W in the western North Pacific Ocean. Tropical Depression 08W formed east of the Philippines.
Australia to ditch pollution levy by 2014
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tuesday announced the country's divisive fixed-price carbon tax will be scrapped a year ahead of schedule in favour of a market-driven emissions trading scheme.
Brussels says no plans for EU-wide shale gas ban
The European Union has no plans to impose a blanket ban on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial shale gas extraction method, but it will lay out rules to address environmental concerns, a top EU official said Tuesday.
Image: Phytoplankton Bloom in the Norwegian Sea
(Phys.org) —The waters off Iceland rank among the world's most productive fisheries. The reason for the abundance is an ample supply of phytoplankton, the base of the marine food chain. Like any plant, microscopic phytoplankton need sunlight and nutrients to survive. Iceland's coastal waters offer both during the long days of summer.
Study identifies source of oil sheens near Deepwater Horizon site
(Phys.org) —A chemical analysis indicates that the source of oil sheens recently found floating at the ocean's surface near the site of the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill is pockets of oil trapped within the wreckage of the sunken rig.
The color of the ocean: The SABIA-Mar mission
By monitoring the color changes in the ocean, such as those caused by photosynthetic pigments in phytoplankton, scientists learn more about the overall health and functioning of our planet. Such studies also could help future missions better observe and understand alien oceans.
Policies using carbon capture and storage in soil are impractical and costly say experts
(Phys.org) —Although recommended in the Coalition's Direct Action Plan and the Carbon Farming Initiative, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by increasing carbon storage in Australian agricultural soils is not likely to be effective, say experts from the University of Melbourne.
Russians block bid for Antarctic sanctuary: NGOs
Russia on Tuesday blocked attempts by Western countries to create the world's largest ocean sanctuary off Antarctica, green groups said.
Long-forgotten seawall protected New Jersey homes from Hurricane Sandy's powerful storm surges
Picture two residential beach communities on the New Jersey shore: Bay Head and Mantoloking, which sit side-by-side in Ocean County on a narrow barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay.
Damaging non-native forest pests at home in northeastern US
Beginning with early colonists who landed in the New World loaded with dreams, grit and perhaps the continent's first alien forest pests, and continuing today with the expansion of global trade, the northeastern United States has been ground zero for damaging non-native forest pest invasions.
New study addresses trade-offs between food security and climate change mitigation
Improving crop yields using sustainable methods could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 12% per calorie produced according to a new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. At the same time, these changes could provide more food to people in need.
Coronal mass ejection to pass Earth, Messenger and Juno
On July 16, 2013, at 12:09 a.m. EDT, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME, a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of particles into space that can reach Earth one to three days later. These particles cannot travel through the atmosphere to harm humans on Earth, but they can affect electronic systems in satellites and on the ground.
Research supports a new approach to counting CO2 emissions
(Phys.org) —Researchers have called for a system of carbon emission assessments that reflect better the true contribution of each emitting nation to the increase in atmospheric CO2 and promote preservation of forests, particularly in tropical regions.
Researchers project ice-free Arctic by 2058
(Phys.org) —A combined team of researchers from the U.S. and China has projected, using a climate simulation tool, that the Arctic will become September ice-free sometime during the years 2054 to 2058. The group has published a paper describing their methods and findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
NASA aborts spacewalk due to water leak in helmet (Update)
NASA aborted a spacewalk at the International Space Station on Tuesday because of a dangerous water leak in an astronaut's helmet that drenched his eyes, nose and mouth.
Researchers shed new light on supraglacial lake drainage
bodies of water that collect on the surface of the Greenland ice sheet – lubricate the bottom of the sheet when they drain, causing it to flow faster. Differences in how the lakes drain can impact glacial movement's speed and direction, researchers from The City College of New York (CCNY), University of Cambridge and Los Alamos National Laboratory report in Environmental Research Letters.
Newly discovered flux in the Earth may solve missing-mantle mystery
It's widely thought that the Earth arose from violent origins: Some 4.5 billion years ago, a maelstrom of gas and dust circled in a massive disc around the Sun, gathering in rocky clumps to form asteroids. These asteroids, gaining momentum, whirled around a fledgling solar system, repeatedly smashing into each other to create larger bodies of rubble—the largest of which eventually cooled to form the planets.
Recent findings on makeup of universe may spawn new research
(Phys.org) —New areas of extragalactic study may emerge from research by University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) astrophysicists using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory to conclude that baryons making up all visible matter – once thought to be missing from clusters – are present in the expected ratios in large, luminous clusters.
High CO2 spurs wetlands to absorb more carbon
(Phys.org) —Under elevated carbon dioxide levels, wetland plants can absorb up to 32 percent more carbon than they do at current levels, according to a 19-year study published in Global Change Biology from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Md. With atmospheric CO2 passing the 400 parts-per-million milestone this year, the findings offer hope that wetlands could help soften the blow of climate change.
Technology news
Micromirror technology for smartphones
With consumers using smartphones as a mobile entertainment centre, the ability to project photos and videos on any surface may soon become the norm.
NIST offers guidance on building 21st-century forensic labs
A new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) handbook provides law enforcement agencies with a detailed how-to guide on the planning, design, construction and relocation of forensic science laboratories. The document not only outlines the process of creating a new crime lab from start to finish, it also provides guidance on integrating the latest scientific developments, efficiency improvements and sustainability practices.
AT&T introduces option for faster phone upgrades
AT&T is making it easier for customers to upgrade their cellphones more frequently, as long as they're willing to pay more.
Chrysler recalling nearly 46,000 2013 Ram trucks
Chrysler Group is recalling 45,961 Ram trucks because their electronic stability control systems may not turn on when the vehicles start.
Bally to buy SHFL Entertainment for $1.31B
Bally Technologies Inc. said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy fellow gambling equipment maker SHFL entertainment Inc. for about $1.31 billion in cash.
EU largely backs France in German Mercedes row
EU Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani gave France some succour and Germany's Daimler cause for concern Tuesday in a row over new cars that Brussels fears were produced in breach of EU rules.
First Manhattan sues Vivus over shareholder vote
Vivus Inc.'s biggest shareholder said Tuesday it is suing the obesity drug maker as it continues to fight for greater control of the company.
Yahoo's 2Q earnings rise 46 pct, revenue sinks
Yahoo's second-quarter results aren't giving Marissa Mayer a lot to celebrate as she completes her first year running the Internet company.
South Korea blames North Korea for cyberattack (Update)
South Korean investigators on Tuesday blamed rival North Korea for a cyberattack last month on dozens of South Korean media and government websites, including those of the president and prime minister.
'Huge opportunities' for harvesting data shown
New research by experts at The University of Manchester has highlighted 'massive new opportunities' for harvesting information from digital and administrative data.
The first electrically powered nanolasers capable of being operated at room temperature
(Phys.org) —Significant proof of the critical importance of long term basic research funding has been demonstrated with the first convincing operation of a room temperature, continuous wave nanolaser powered by electricity.
Experts say US spy alliance will survive Snowden (Update)
Britain needed U.S. intelligence to help thwart a major terror attack. New Zealand relied on it to send troops to Afghanistan. And Australia used it to help convict a would-be bomber.
Ill. researchers build 'vanishing' tech gear
Imagine this: There's no need to throw out your old cellphone, because it will self-destruct.
A close Bond: How the CIA exploited 007 for gadget ideas and public relations
The real-life CIA copied outlandish gadgets from Goldfinger and From Russia With Love, according to a University of Warwick analysis of declassified letters and interviews revealing the bond between Ian Fleming and Allen Dulles.
Secret court opens door to unsealing Yahoo! documents
The secret US court overseeing national security investigations has opened the door to declassifying documents related to the government's data collection program in a case involving Internet giant Yahoo!
China's Baidu buys mobile app firm for $1.9 bn
China's leading web search engine Baidu is to buy a smartphone app distribution firm for $1.9 billion, it said Tuesday, in what is believed to be the largest takeover in the country's Internet industry.
Chinese online giant Alibaba invests in travel site
Chinese online retail giant Alibaba has invested in a travel website, it said Tuesday, the latest in a series of deals ahead of a planned stock offer.
Microsoft tears down walls to open up future
When CEO Steve Ballmer announced Microsoft's most sweeping reorganization in years Thursday, he said it was to make the company faster-paced and more collaborative - all the better to advance his vision of turning the software giant into a devices-and-services company.
Microsoft presses US on data request disclosures
Microsoft said Tuesday it had asked the US government for permission to disclose details of how it handles national security data requests, citing "inaccuracies" in recent media reports.
Computer smart as a 4-year-old
Artificial and natural knowledge researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have IQ-tested one of the best available artificial intelligence systems to see how intelligent it really is.
New thermocell could harvest 'waste heat'
(Phys.org) —Harvesting waste heat from power stations and even vehicle exhaust pipes could soon provide a valuable supply of electricity.
New model to improve vehicle-to-vehicle communication for 'intelligent transportation'
Imagine a transportation system where vehicles communicate directly with each other in real time, giving drivers warnings about traffic delays, allowing a single driver to control multiple vehicles or routing vehicles around hazardous road conditions. Those are all aspects of the "intelligent transportation" concept. And researchers have developed a model to improve the clarity of the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) transmissions needed to make that concept a reality.
As cyber attacks detonate, banks gird for battle
It's a war game, Wall Street style.
Femtocell hackers from iSEC hear, see smartphone content
(Phys.org) —While all thoughts are on how government agencies can abuse surveillance technologies to ruin people's lives, an unassuming group of backyard neighbors in summer clogs and shorts can leisurely lean back in their chairs and snoop to read an SMS that a victim has just sent from her smartphone, listen in on her phone calls, and see all the pictures she is sending off by intercepting the data connection. Better still, they can plant themselves in the financial district and snoop on people talking about accounts, business mergers, or anything else ripe for exploit. Welcome to iSEC's kind of exploit, the talk of the security crowd this week and no doubt the talk of companies that depend on red flags for potential security holes. The security consultants, iSEC Partners Tom Ritter and Doug DePerry, managed to hack a Verizon Wireless device and turn it into a mobile spy. "This is not about how the NSA would attack ordinary people. This is about how ordinary people wou! ld attack ordinary people," said Tom Ritter, a senior consultant with the security firm iSEC Partners.
Eye-tracking could outshine passwords if made user-friendly
(Phys.org) —It's a wonder we still put up with passwords. We forget our highly secretive combinations, so we frequently have them reset and sent to our cellphones and alternative email addresses. We come up with clever jumbles of letters and words, only to mess up the order. We sit there on the login screen, desperately punching in a code we should know by heart.
Scientists power mobile phone using urine
British scientists on Tuesday reported they had harnessed the power of urine and were able to charge a mobile phone with enough electricity to send texts and surf the internet.
Medicine & Health news
Ethnic inequalities in mental health care prompt call for review
Individual ethnic groups use psychiatric and mental health services in Scotland very differently, a study suggests.
Higher incidence of morbidity in obese children in Sweden than in Germany
(Medical Xpress)—More than one in six children in Sweden who are obese also have pre-diabetes. This has been demonstrated in a large study of more than 35,000 children from Sweden and Germany conducted at Karolinska Institutet and published in the scientific journal International Journal of Obesity. The study, which is based on a collaboration between the national childhood obesity registry in Sweden, BORIS, and its German counterpart APV, reveals that the incidence of pre-diabetes is three times higher in children in Sweden than in Germany.
Spicing up food can make up for missing fat
Adding just a small amount of everyday herbs and spices to vegetables and reduced-calorie meals may make those foods more appetizing to consumers, which could ultimately help Americans cut down on dietary fat and choose more foods in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to research presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo.
Men cut back on needed health care after switching to high-deductible insurance plans
After switching to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) in the US, men make fewer emergency department visits for even severe problems—which may lead to a later increase in hospitalization rates, suggests a study in the August issue of Medical Care.
Electronic data methods for health care research—update from the EDM forum
Research using electronic clinical data (ECD) has the potential to make major contributions to health care research and improve patient outcomes. However, many complex issues remain unanswered. A special August supplement to Medical Care presents an update from the Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum, with a commissioned set of papers discussing "challenges and innovations from the research and QI community using ECD."
Chest radiation cancer patients with risk factors should have CV screening every 5-10 years
Sophia Antipolis, 16 July 2013: Cancer patients who receive chest radiation should be screened for heart disease every 5-10 years, according to the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).
Exercising during pregnancy reduces the risk of high birth weight newborns
Taking moderate-intensity exercise three times a week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy halves the risk of having a high birth weight newborn (babies with macrosomia, that is, weighing over 4 kilos) and, therefore, the risk of needing a caesarean delivery.
UAB to study link between sleep and pain in knee osteoarthritis
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) want to know more about the relationship between sleep and pain.
Community pharmacists support more involved role in customers' HIV treatment
Community pharmacists in the United States have a unique opportunity to consult with customers about HIV treatment when selling over-the-counter HIV tests, according to a study by researchers at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention and Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
J&J 2Q profit jumps on higher sales, lower charges
Health care giant Johnson & Johnson's second-quarter profit more than doubled, thanks to higher sales of medicines and medical devices as it recovers from recalls and manufacturing problems that cut into sales.
Telephone intervention ups colorectal cancer screening
(HealthDay)—A telephone outreach intervention delivered by Medicaid managed care organization (MMCO) staff can increase rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among women overdue for screening, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Study suggests STD clinics could reduce obstacles to much needed cervical cancer screenings
A new study found that STD clinics could provide important access to cervical cancer screenings for women who traditionally have trouble receiving these screenings because of lack of insurance or other obstacles.
Nursing home residents with advanced cognitive impairment who undergo multiple hospitalizations
"Multiple hospitalizations for complications from a terminal illness may be burdensome for elderly patients and reflect poor quality care," write Joan M. Teno, M.D., M.S., of the Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, Providence, R.I., and colleagues in the current JAMA issue, who conducted a study to examine whether the occurrence of multiple hospitalizations for the complications of infections or dehydration was associated with survival.
Improving systematic reviews of animal studies will help translational medicine
Many new developments and initiatives have been introduced to improve the quality and translational value of animal research, and must continue with support from the wider scientific community. These are the conclusions of a new article in PLOS Medicine this week by Carlijn Hooijmans and colleagues from the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Netherlands, who summarize these new developments.
Chew more to retain more energy
Almonds may still be considered one of the highest energy food sources but it's not about how much you bite off, instead it's about how much you chew, according to a July 14 panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo held at McCormick Place.
Despite health benefits, most children and adults have a 'nutrition gap' in omega-3 fatty acids
Because of a diet low in fish and seafood, children and adults in North America and other parts of the world, have a "nutrition gap" of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),according to a presentation at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Expo in Chicago.
Vitamins and minerals can boost energy and enhance mood
Vitamin and mineral supplements can enhance mental energy and well-being not only for healthy adults but for those prone to anxiety and depression, according to a July 15 panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo held at McCormick Place.
Taste rules for kids and healthy food choices
Sweet and salty flavors, repeat exposure, serving size and parental behavior are the key drivers in children's food choices, according to a July 15 panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo held at McCormick Place.
The right snack may aid satiety, weight loss
Healthy snacks that promote a feeling of fullness (satiety) may reduce the amount of food intake at subsequent meals and limit overall food consumption, according to a presentation today at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago.
Habits, not cravings, drive food choice during times of stress
Putting a new spin on the concept of "stress eating," research presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Expo found that people who eat during times of stress typically seek the foods they eat out of habit – regardless of how healthy or unhealthy that food is.
What are fructooliogosaccharides and how do they provide health benefits?
A new presentation today at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Expo in Chicago focused on the health benefits of short-chain fructooliogosaccharides (scFOS), which are low-calorie, non-digestible carbohydrates that can improve food taste and texture while aiding immunity, bone health and the growth and balance of important bacteria in the digestive track.
Fat in organs and blood may increase risk of osteoporosis
Excess fat around the belly has recently been identified as a risk factor for bone loss. Now, a new study has determined that excess liver and muscle fat also may be detrimental to bone.
H7N9 influenza strain resistant to antivirals, but tests fail to identify resistance
Some strains of the avian H7N9 influenza that emerged in China this year have developed resistance to the only antiviral drugs available to treat the infection, but testing for antiviral resistance can give misleading results, helping hasten the spread of resistant strains.
New estimates suggest that prevalence of dementia is falling in UK
The new study, which was led by Professor Carol Brayne, of the Cambridge Institute of Public Health (CIPH), University of Cambridge, UK, is part of the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS), a large, collaborative set of studies looking at different aspects of health and cognitive function in older people across two decades in different regions of the UK.
Inner speech speaks volumes about the brain
Whether you're reading the paper or thinking through your schedule for the day, chances are that you're hearing yourself speak even if you're not saying words out loud. This internal speech—the monologue you "hear" inside your head—is a ubiquitous but largely unexamined phenomenon. A new study looks at a possible brain mechanism that could explain how we hear this inner voice in the absence of actual sound.
New mode of cellular communication discovered in the brain
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have discovered a new form of communication between different cell types in the brain. Nerve cells interact with neighboring glial cells, which results in a transfer of protein and genetic information. Nerve cells are thus protected against stressful growth conditions. The study undertaken by the Mainz-based cell biologists shows how reciprocal communication between the different cell types contributes to neuronal integrity. Their results have been recently published in the journal PLOS Biology.
Mayo Clinic expert explains new vaccine options for next influenza season
The next flu shot season will include several new vaccine options for consumers, Mayo Clinic vaccine expert Gregory Poland, M.D., says. Fearful of needles? There's now an influenza vaccination just for you. Allergic to eggs? It won't stop you from getting a flu shot. The new choices move influenza vaccinations closer to the personalized approach long sought by immunologists including Dr. Poland, but they may also prove bewildering to patients, he says.
Step forward in understanding arterial disease
The next step has been made into isolating the origin of cells linked to the progressive disorder Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
New Study finds Middle East set to wage a war against superbugs
(Medical Xpress)—University of Queensland researchers warn the Middle East Gulf States are facing a rapid growth in superbugs due to the overuse of antibiotics, poor hand-hygiene in hospitals and medical tourism.
Sleep apnea plus dim light at night increases depression, anxiety in mice
(Medical Xpress)—New research suggests the estimated 12 million Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea should take better care to sleep in a very dark room. Scientists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have found exposure to dim light at night can interact with sleep apnea and lead to increased levels of depression and anxiety in mice.
A new way to train your ears
Can you tell whether the first note in a catchy new tune is an A flat or a B flat? If yes, then congratulations. You have the exceedingly rare gift of perfect pitch.
Study: Family violence can lead boys to aggression and to drug problems
(Medical Xpress)—Boys exposed to familial violence, including conflict between siblings, become increasingly aggressive toward their peers at school, and this aggression is associated with greater levels of alcohol and drug use over time, a new study by a University of Illinois researcher suggests.
Hearing brainwaves: Epilepsy EEG sonified
A simple method of converting the brain wave signals of people living with epilepsy into sound has been developed by a team of researchers at the University of Sydney.
More job opportunities available for physicians
(HealthDay)—More than half of physicians are receiving up to three employment solicitations per week, according to a report published by American Medical Association (AMA).
Team presents updated results from Phase 3 trial of IVIG for Alzheimer's disease
Weill Cornell Medical College neurologist Dr. Norman Relkin reported new findings today from the Phase 3 clinical trial of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Boston, Mass. While the primary study outcomes were negative, observations from the subgroup analyses include whether there may be a dose-dependent reduction of beta amyloid in the blood and brain of IVIG-treated Alzheimer's patients who have the ApoE4 genotype.
Protecting the body in good times and bad
The nasty side effects of radiation and chemotherapy are well known: fatigue, hair loss and nausea, to name a few. Cancer treatment can seem as harsh as the disease because it can't differentiate healthy cells from cancerous cells, killing both.
Scientists discover genetic changes that may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia
Scientists from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have discovered rare genetic changes that may be responsible for the onset of schizophrenia. Several of these same genetic lesions had previously been found to have causal links to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This discovery gives new support to the notion that multiple rare genetic changes may contribute to schizophrenia and other brain disorders.
Mathematical models target disease with drugs chosen by your DNA
Medicines that are personally tailored to your DNA are becoming a reality, thanks to the work of U.S. and Chinese scientists who developed statistical models to predict which drug is best for a specific individual with a specific disease.
Prostate cancers are fewer, smaller on walnut-enriched diet
New research from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio indicates that eating a modest amount of walnuts can protect against prostate cancer.
Young children with autism benefit regardless of high-quality treatment model
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who receive high-quality early intervention benefit developmentally regardless of the treatment model used—a surprising result that may have important implications for special-education programs and school classrooms across the country.
RNA diagnostic test from paraffin improves lung cancer diagnosis over routine microscopic evaluation
Knowing what type of lung cancer a patient has is critical to determine which drug will work best and which therapies are safest in the era of personalized medicine. Key to making that judgment is an adequate tumor specimen for the pathologist to determine the tumor's histology, a molecular description of a tumor based on the appearance of cells under a microscope. But not all specimens are perfect, and are sometimes so complex that a definitive diagnosis presents a challenge.
People with pre-diabetes who drop substantial weight may ward off type 2 diabetes
People with pre-diabetes who lose roughly 10 percent of their body weight within six months of diagnosis dramatically reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next three years, according to results of research led by Johns Hopkins scientists.
Tide is turning in skin cancer battle
A decade ago there was little doctors could do to help a patient with advanced-stage melanoma. Now it seems each week yields important new discoveries about the deadly skin cancer.
Ex-offender data shows high risk of sexually transmitted infections after release
The American health care system may be missing a golden opportunity to curtail sexually transmitted infections in communities, according to a new study of offenders following release from the justice system.
Distinctive brain blood flow patterns associated with sexual dysfunction
Premenopausal women who aren't interested in sex and are unhappy about this reality have distinctive blood flow patterns in their brains in response to explicit videos compared to women with normal sexual function, researchers report.
Highest risk Alzheimer's genetic carriers take positive steps after learning risk status
People who found out they carried an uncommon genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease did not experience more anxiety, depression or distress than non-carriers, and were more active in efforts to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease - by exercising, eating a healthy diet and taking recommended vitamins and medications - report researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania today at the 2013 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). Researchers note that this study will inform how research studies and clinical practices reveal genetic and other risk factors to people interested in being tested in the future.
Diet additions may help youth with type 1 diabetes keep producing own insulin
Adding foods rich in specific amino and fatty acids to the diets of youth with Type 1 diabetes kept them producing some of their own insulin for up to two years after diagnosis, said researchers at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Improvements made to CMS online directory of physicians
(HealthDay)—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reworked and redesigned their online directory of physicians (Physicians Compare) after errors were discovered throughout the site.
Redesign of medical education needed for chronic disease era
(HealthDay)—Medical education programs should be redesigned to address the current complex chronic disease era, with emphasis on appropriate basic sciences and clinical skills, according to a special communication published online July 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Legalize pot, but not for teens, many US adults say
(HealthDay)—Most American adults who support marijuana legalization oppose legal marijuana use among children and teens, according to a new survey.
The numbers tell it: Screen violence still popular
Screen violence remains a big hit with the public, despite calls for the entertainment industry to tone it down in the aftermath of the mass shootings at Aurora, Colo., Newtown, Conn, and elsewhere in the U.S. during the last 12 months. See for yourself.
MS drug shows promise for preventing heart failure
A drug already approved to treat multiple sclerosis may also hold promise for treating cardiac hypertrophy, or thickening of the cardiac muscle—a disorder that often leads to heart failure, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine report.
Longer duration of obesity associated with subclinical coronary heart disease
In a study of adults recruited and followed up over the past 3 decades in the United States, longer duration of overall and abdominal obesity beginning in young adulthood was associated with higher rates of coronary artery calcification, a subclinical predictor of coronary heart disease, according to a study in the July 17 issue of JAMA.
Six steps could cut heart failure readmissions
There are six procedural things hospital teams can do to help heart failure patients avoid another hospital stay in the 30 days after they're discharged—and if all six are followed, patients are even more likely to avoid readmission, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Potential neurological treatments often advance to clinical trials on shaky evidence, study says
Clinical trials of drug treatments for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's often fail because the animal studies that preceded them were poorly designed or biased in their interpretation, according to a new study from an international team of researchers. More stringent requirements are needed to assess the significance of animal studies before testing the treatments in human patients, the researchers say.
Study examines characteristics, features of West Nile virus outbreaks
An analysis of West Nile virus epidemics in Dallas County in 2012 and previous years finds that the epidemics begin early, after unusually warm winters; are often in similar geographical locations; and are predicted by the mosquito vector index (an estimate of the average number of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes collected per trap-night), information that may help prevent future outbreaks of West Nile virus-associated illness, according to a study in the July 17 issue of JAMA.
Review article describes epidemiology, characteristics and prevention of West Nile virus
Lyle R. Petersen, M.D., M.P.H., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Fort Collins, Colo., and colleagues conducted a review of the medical literature and national surveillance data to examine the ecology, virology, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, prevention, and control of West Nile virus.
Combination therapy may help improve rate of favorable neurological status following cardiac arrest
Among patients who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest requiring vasopressors (drugs that increase blood pressure), use of a combination therapy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation resulted in improved survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurological status, according to a study in the July 17 issue of JAMA.
Use of ADT for treatment of prostate cancer linked with increased risk of kidney injury
In a study that included more than 10,000 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was associated with a significantly increased risk of acute kidney injury, with variations observed with certain types of ADTs, according to a study in the July 17 issue of JAMA.
The global burden of sickle cell anemia in young children is increasing
The global burden of sickle cell anemia (SCA), a hereditary blood disorder, is increasing, with almost half a million babies estimated to be born with the condition in 2050, according to a study published in this week's PLOS Medicine. The study, conducted by Frédéric Piel and colleagues from the University of Oxford and Imperial College in the United Kingdom, and the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya, suggests that implementing basic health interventions could significantly reduce death rates in children aged less than 5 years with the condition. These findings can be used to guide national policy decisions on public health spending.
Weight gain early in pregnancy means bigger, fatter babies
Moms-to-be who gain too much weight early into their pregnancy are nearly three times as likely to give birth to bigger and fatter babies, warns a University of Alberta researcher.
Mayo study seeks to pretreat Alzheimer's in effort to prevent brain damage
The day is coming when doctors will be able to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease before people have symptoms, and Ronald Petersen is among the doctors laying the groundwork for that future.
Inexpensive test is saving infant lives
At birth in September, Moriah Mudd seemed strong and healthy. Her physical exam by a pediatrician at Riddle Hospital was completely normal. But then a nurse put a sensor on her foot and, within minutes, a machine called a pulse oximeter revealed that her blood oxygen level was alarmingly low - a sign that something could be critically wrong with her heart.
Self-perpetuating signals may drive tumor cells to spread
A team of international researchers from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) has identified a self-perpetuating signaling circuit inside connective tissue cells that allows these cells to form a front and a back and propel themselves in a particular direction over a long period of time. This propulsion is the same movement that tumor cells use to invade healthy tissue during cancer metastasis so cracking the code to this signaling network may lead to new therapeutic strategies against cancer and other devastating diseases.
People with impaired glucose tolerance can show cognitive dysfunction
People with impaired glucose tolerance—the precursor to Type 2 diabetes—often show impaired cognitive function that may be alleviated through a diet designed specifically for their condition, according to a panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Expo.
Researchers step closer to custom-building new blood vessels
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have coaxed stem cells into forming networks of new blood vessels in the laboratory, then successfully transplanted them into mice. The stem cells are made by reprogramming ordinary cells, so the new technique could potentially be used to make blood vessels genetically matched to individual patients and unlikely to be rejected by their immune systems, the investigators say. The results appear online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Scientists detail alzheimer's progression, step by step
(HealthDay)—New research seeks to delineate just how Alzheimer's disease unfolds in the human brain.
Experts urge caution as heat, humidity blanket much of US
(HealthDay)—High humidity and temperatures in the 90s could test the endurance of millions of Americans in the eastern and central parts of the country for days to come, experts warn.
Researchers find link between intestinal bacteria and white blood cell cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that specific types of bacteria that live in the gut are major contributors to lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells.
Low doses of psychedelic drug erases conditioned fear in mice
(Medical Xpress)—Low doses of a psychedelic drug erased the conditioned fear response in mice, suggesting that the agent may be a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and related conditions, a new study by University of South Florida researchers found.
Meet CLAMP: A newly found protein that regulates genes
(Medical Xpress)—A newly discovered protein, found in many species, turns out to be the missing link that allows a key regulatory complex to find and operate on the lone X chromosome of male fruit flies, bringing them to parity with females. Called CLAMP, the protein provides a model of how such regulatory protein complexes find their chromosome targets.
Even healthy-looking smokers have early cell damage which destroys necessary genetic programming
Smokers who've received a clean bill of health from their doctor may believe cigarettes haven't harmed their lungs. However, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have found that even smokers who seem healthy have damaged airway cells, with characteristics similar to cells found in aggressive lung cancer.
Bioengineers develop new approach to regenerate back discs
Cell therapies may stop or reverse the pain and disability of degenerative disc disease and the loss of material between vertebrae, according to Duke University scientists.
Molecular relative of p53 tumor suppressor protein also helps cancer cells thrive
They say you can pick your friends, but not your family. The same may hold true for related proteins. The protein TAp73 is a relative of the well-known, tumor-suppressor protein p53. It shares extensive common gene sequences with p53 and, as suggested by some previous studies, it may function similar to p53 to prevent tumor formation. However, unlike p53, which is the most commonly mutated gene in human tumors, TAp73 is rarely mutated, and instead is frequently overexpressed in a wide range of human tumors, including breast, colon, lung, stomach, ovarian, bladder, liver, neuroblastoma, glioma, and leukemias. In other words, cancer cells may have too many copies of the TAp73 gene.
Researchers find form of virtual body impacts perception with immersive virtual reality (w/ Video)
(Medical Xpress)—An international team of researchers has found that the form of a virtual body an adult person takes in immersive virtual reality experiments can impact the perceived size of objects placed into the virtual environment. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes the results of two types of experiments they ran using volunteer participants equipped with full-body virtual reality gear.
Cranial irradiation causes brain degeneration
(Medical Xpress)—Cranial irradiation saves the lives of brain cancer patients. It slows cancer progression and increases survival rates. Unfortunately, patients who undergo cranial irradiation often develop problems with cognitive functioning. To determine how radiation affects cognition, Vipan Parihar and Charles Limoli of the University of California, Irvine studied cranial irradiation in mice. They found that exposure to radiation causes degenerative changes to brain architecture similar to those observed in people with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Their research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Biology news
New system gives insight into animals' feeding habits
A new system that monitors livestock feeding behavior has been developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists.
New strawberry species found in Oregon
A recently discovered wild strawberry provides new genetic material for plant research and may lead to a new class of commercial strawberries, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist. Genes from the newly created strawberries may yield new flavors or disease resistance.
Savvy seed sorter separates good from bad
Fast, portable, and comparatively inexpensive, an improved seed-sorting machine developed by aU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist and an industry colleague is helping plant breeders and others separate the seeds they want from those they don't, with an impressive degree of accuracy.
From the grounds up, study seeks sustainable 'java'
Baristas rejoice! Cornell professors seek to brew agricultural, environmental and economic sustainability together for the world's smallholder coffee bean growers.
Fertilisers play key role in reducing crop pests
While "preventative medicine" is well-known in human health, it's becoming a buzz word in crop production as researchers discover how the risks of damage by pests and diseases may increase if crops don't get enough nutrients to protect themselves.
New Web-enabled technology records the presence of species by analyzing their sounds
Identifying, and monitoring the fluctuations of thousands of species in tropical ecosystems is a difficult challenge, but newly developed technology now makes it much easier. Scientists report on new cyberinfrastructure which enables real-time acoustic recording and subsequent species identification in remote locations around the world. Thousands of audio recordings of tropical birds, frogs, monkeys, and insects in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica have been captured (using automated recording stations placed in their natural habitat) and analyzed to identify the species concerned.
Novel study using new technologies outlines importance of California condor social groups
The intricate social hierarchy of the California condor, an endangered species, is something that could not be studied until recently due to the severe reduction of this population in the wild. The first formal study on this species, based on remote video observation of reintroduced populations, indicates that the species has a complex system of interactions based on dominance. The study further indicates that, with the effect of human disturbance and lead poisoning removed from the equation, an individual bird that does not successfully integrate into the structure will have reduced survivability.
Science measures animal welfare
A RECENT forum has questioned whether science can inform and improve animal welfare in research and production. The concept was explored at a joint Ag Institute Australia and Australian Society of Animal Protection seminar, looking at evidence for current best-practice.
EU urges quick fix to Iceland 'mackerel war'
European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso used a first meeting Tuesday with new Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson to urge an end to the David & Goliath "mackerel war" pitting the EU against its north Atlantic neighbour.
Scientists put attitudes toward tigers on the map
It's easier to feel positive about the endangered tiger in your backyard if you live on the good side of town.
RNA-interference pesticides will need special safety testing
Standard toxicity testing is inadequate to assess the safety of a new technology with potential for creating pesticides and genetically modifying crops, according to a Forum article published in the August issue of BioScience. The authors of the article, Jonathan G. Lundgren and Jian J. Duan of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, argue that pesticides and insect-resistant crops based on RNA interference, now in exploratory development, may have to be tested under elaborate procedures that assess effects on animals' whole life cycles, rather than by methods that look for short-term toxicity.
How successful plants take the lead
Why are some plant species rare, and others common? Why do certain exotic plant species become invasive – while others do not? Scientists from the University of Bern now identified the most important environmental and species characteristics for plants to colonize and establish in novel places.
Ants use 'photo library' to find home
(Phys.org) —Ants keep a collection of 'snapshots' taken close to the nest so they can find their way home from unfamiliar locations.
Questions for Heather Leslie: How can the market sustain fisheries?
Heather Leslie, assistant professor of environmental studies, says it's a mistake to assume market forces and sustainability must always be at loggerheads. In a recently published paper, Leslie and a group of researchers showed that small-scale fisheries near La Paz, Mexico, could earn a premium for fish that fit nicely on a plate, leaving larger fish to sustain the population. She spoke about her work with Kevin Stacey.
Lionfish beyond reach of divers worry researchers (Update)
The invasive lionfish that crowds coral reefs and preys on native fish in the Atlantic's shallower waters is such a problem that divers in Florida and the Caribbean are encouraged to capture and eat them whenever they can.
Dogs imitate novel human actions and store them in memory
Dogs can learn, retain and replay actions taught by humans after a short delay. According to a new study by Claudia Fugazza and Adám Miklósi, from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, this deferred imitation provides the first evidence of dogs' cognitive ability to both encode and recall actions. The research is published in Springer's journal Animal Cognition.
Where's Waldo? A new alien-like species discovered off California
After nearly 25 years of searching, three scientists have finally found Waldo. No, not the loveable bespectacled character in children's picture books, but rather an unusual clam discovered off the coast of California and British Columbia.
Human-driven change on Argentine forests
A new report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Disease Ecology Laboratory of Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Argentina (ICIVET LITORAL, UNL-CONICET) shows that increases in precipitation and changes in vegetative structure in Argentine forests – factors driven by climate change and deforestation in the region – are leading to increased parasitism of young nesting birds by fly larvae (botflies) of the species Philornis torquans.
EU bans yet another pesticide harmful to bees
The European Union on Tuesday restricted the use of the insecticide Fipronil, the latest move to protect honey bees after a May ban on three other insecticides.
Sanction mechanism identified between ants and host plants
In nature, many forms of plant-animal mutualism exist in which each partner benefits from the presence of the other. Although mutualistic interactions offer advantages for both partners, they are nonetheless a source of conflict.
Big crab claws for bling or bang?
Male fiddler crabs tread an evolutionary fine line between growing an enlarged claw better for signalling to females or one better for fighting finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology. Long light claws are better for attracting females, but not for fighting.
Research leads to affordable technology to fight mosquito-borne diseases
Technology that hampers mosquitoes' host-seeking behavior, identified at the University of California, Riverside in 2011, has led to the development of the world's first product that blocks mosquitoes' ability to efficiently detect carbon dioxide, their primary method of tracking human blood meals.
I can see clearly now: A new method for rapid detection and identification of downy mildew in basil
Downy mildew (Pernospora belbahrii Thines) is a relatively new disease to North America. First reported in 1933 in Uganda, downy mildew has spread rapidly across the globe. Early detection of downy mildew is crucial for control of the disease, which can devastate both greenhouse and field basil crops. However, the signs and symptoms of basil downy mildew can be difficult to differentiate from those caused by environmental stresses such as nutrient deficiency. As part of an ongoing project to develop downy mildew–resistant plants, researchers at The City University of New York and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, have developed a novel procedure that enables early detection and identification of downy mildew in basil.
Fisheries-induced evolution adds a bonus to good management
A new study published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is the first to determine whether genetic changes resulting from fishing pressure have any significant economic effects for the case of Atlantic cod. The study shows that evolutionary changes allow the individual fish to grow faster and mature earlier, which increases stock productivity and revenue for the fishermen. However, if harvesting pressure is particularly high, genetic changes turn bad and cause economic costs.
Ecological forces structure your body's personal mix of microbes
(Phys.org) —Environmental conditions have a much stronger influence on the mix of microbes living in various parts of your body than does competition between species. Instead of excluding each other, microbes that fiercely compete for similar resources are more likely to cohabit in the same individual.
Genetic secrets of the world's toughest little bird
Scientists from Griffith University have taken part in an international study which has revealed the genetic secrets of how a small bird can survive in one of the most hostile environments on earth.
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