Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for July 2, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Some fat cells can feel the cold- Physical principles for scalable neural recording
- New hardware design makes data encryption more secure by disguising cloud servers' memory-access patterns
- Nanoparticles, made to order—inside and out
- Researchers find earliest use of flowers in burial rite
- KickSat co-creator, team launches new 'Pocket Spacecraft' project on Kickstarter
- GM, Honda partner on fuel cell vehicle development
- Breakthrough: Sensors monitor cells at work
- Scientists help explain visual system's remarkable ability to recognize complex objects
- Companies look at wrong things when using Facebook to screen job applicants
- In worldwide surveillance age, US has big edge (Update)
- Solar dynamic loops reveal a simultaneous explosion and implosion, plus evidence for magnetic reconnection
- Potentially life-saving protein takes shape: Ubiquitin's novel forms suggest novel functions
- New catalyst could cut cost of making hydrogen fuel
- Space station gets an attitude adjustment for solar science
Space & Earth news
Balancing food security and environmental quality in China
In many ways, the evolution of Chinese agriculture over the past 40 years is a remarkable success story. Spurred by investments in research and government subsidies for fertilizers and other farm technologies, China now feeds 22% of the world's population on just 9% of its total arable land.
World premiere of IMAX 3-D film Hidden Universe
To actually visit the most cutting-edge telescope facilities in the world, one has to travel to far flung places—such as the Chilean Andes at altitudes of up to 5000 metres. Now there is an easier way to experience these extreme locations.
Airborne pollution-scanning device maps Leicester's air quality
Leicester scientists have installed their groundbreaking pollution-detecting technology in a plane to map air quality around the city.
India launches satellite for new navigation system
India launched the first of seven satellites for its domestic satellite navigation network Tuesday, its space centre said, in the first step to creating a scaled down version of the US Global Positioning System.
Measurements help defend grid against space weather
Since the invention of the telescope four centuries ago, astronomers have become more aware of the active nature of the Sun, and how events on its surface can affect the Earth. One of the most dramatic of these is 'space weather', when the ejection of material from the Sun can cause a host of potentially damaging effects, from knocking out satellites to overloading electrical power grids on the ground. In an effort to protect the UK National Grid from this phenomenon, scientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS) are carrying out the first programme of long-term continuous measurement of the background electric field in the UK to better understand how it fares during space weather events. BGS researcher Dr Gemma Kelly will present results from the new project at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews, Scotland.
Liverpool Telescope plans double-sized successor
(Phys.org) —Planning is underway for a successor to the world's largest fully robotic telescope. The Liverpool Telescope (LT) is a 2-metre optical telescope located on La Palma that has been in operation since 2004. It has become a leading astronomical facility through its ability to react quickly to observe newly discovered or transient events in the universe, such as the cataclysmic explosions known as Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). It has also been used by more than 2000 schools as part of a thriving outreach programme. Now, the scientific community is being consulted on the facility's successor, LT2. Dr Chris Copperwheat will present the current status of the project and invite feedback from the community at the National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews on Tuesday 2 July.
Goodbye Herschel: Closing views of an icon
(Phys.org) —This tiny dot against the streaking star field is one of the last views that ground-based observers will see of ESA's iconic Herschel space observatory.
CryoSat maps largest-ever flood beneath Antarctica
(Phys.org) —ESA's CryoSat satellite has found a vast crater in Antarctica's icy surface. Scientists believe the crater was left behind when a lake lying under about 3 km of ice suddenly drained.
Past decade saw unprecedented warming in the deep ocean
From 1975 on, the global surface ocean has shown a pronounced-though wavering-warming trend. Starting in 2004, however, that warming seemed to stall. Researchers measuring the Earth's total energy budget-the balance of sunlight streaming in compared to the amount of light and heat leaving from the top of the atmosphere-saw that the planet was still holding on to more heat than it was letting out. But with that energy not going into warming the surface ocean-a traditionally important energy sink-scientists weren't sure where it went. It became known, in some circles, as a case of "missing heat."
High nitrogen dioxide levels from Arizona's Yarnell Hill Fire
This June 29, 2013 image from the OMI, or Ozone Monitoring Instrument aboard NASA's Aura satellite shows nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in Arizona pertaining to three large fires. The highest levels of NO2, which is produced by combustion, were from the Yarnell Hill fire (dark red and brown).
NASA sees Tropical Storm Rumbia hit China with heavy rainfall (w/ Video)
Typhoon Rumbia had weakened to a tropical storm and moved over southern China when NASA's TRMM satellite flew above on July 2, 2013 at 0316 UTC and measured its rainfall rates.
International Space Station technology to 'hear' potential leaks
The hiss of air escaping from a leaky car tire is no one's favorite sound. Even less pleasant? Hearing that hiss of escaping air 250 miles above Earth's surface while inside the pressurized confines of the International Space Station.
NASA sees tropical storm dalila weaken, new low pressure area form
NOAA's GOES-15 satellite captured an infrared image of the Eastern Pacific Ocean during the pre-dawn hours on July 2 and noticed Tropical Storm Dalila weakening near the southwestern Mexico coast, while further southwest a new tropical low pressure area called System 97E, had formed.
Many-headed dog, goddess lend names to Pluto moons
Pluto's fourth and fifth moons, discovered in 2011 and 2012, have been named Kerberos and Styx, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) said on Tuesday.
Comet ISON brings holiday fireworks (w/ Video)
This July Fourth the solar system is showing off some fireworks of its own. Superficially resembling a skyrocket, comet ISON is hurtling toward the sun presently at a whopping 48,000 mph.
Coronal mass ejection headed toward Mercury and Venus
On July 1, 2013, at 6:09 p.m. EDT, the sun erupted with a coronal mass ejection, or CME, a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of solar particles into space that can affect electronic systems in satellites. Experimental NASA research models based on NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory show that the CME was not Earth-directed and it left the sun at around 570 miles per second.
Revolutionary instrument delivers a sharper universe to astronomers
A unique new instrument at Gemini South in Chile takes the removal of atmospheric distortions (using adaptive optics technology) to a new level. Today's release of seven ultrasharp, large-field images from the instrument's first science observations demonstrate its remarkable discovery potential.
Russian rocket releases toxic fuel after blast in Kazakhstan (Update)
An unmanned Russian carrier rocket exploded Tuesday on takeoff at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, releasing tonnes of highly toxic fuel into the air in the space programme's latest disaster caught on live television.
Cluster spacecraft detects elusive space wind (w/ Video)
A new study provides the first conclusive proof of the existence of a space wind first proposed theoretically over 20 years ago. By analysing data from the European Space Agency's Cluster spacecraft, researcher Iannis Dandouras detected this plasmaspheric wind, so-called because it contributes to the loss of material from the plasmasphere, a donut-shaped region extending above the Earth's atmosphere. The results are published today in Annales Geophysicae, a journal of the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
The last survivors of the end of the world
(Phys.org) —In 2 billion years' time, life on Earth will be confined to pockets of liquid water deep underground, according to PhD astrobiologist Jack O'Malley James of the University of St Andrews. The new research also suggests that though the hardiest forms of life may have a foothold on similar worlds in orbit around other stars, evidence for it may be very subtle. O' Malley- James will present the findings at the National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews, Scotland.
Red dwarf stars could strip away planetary protection
(Phys.org) —Red dwarf stars are the commonest type of stars, making up about 75% of the stars in our Galaxy. They are much smaller and much less massive than our Sun and for that reason a lot dimmer. If planets are found around these stars, then given the number of red dwarfs, life could then be commonplace. But a group of scientists led by Dr Aline Vidotto of the University of St Andrews has cast doubt on this idea. Their work suggests that the magnetic fields of red dwarfs could squash down those found around planets like the Earth, leaving any life vulnerable to radiation from space. Dr Vidotto will present her work on Tuesday 2 July at the National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews, Scotland.
Dark Energy Survey set to seek out supernovae
(Phys.org) —The largest ever search for supernovae – exploding stars up to 10 billion times brighter than the Sun – is beginning this August. For the next five years, the Dark Energy Survey (DES) will look for these cosmic explosions, which can be used to measure precisely the growth of the universe over time. The aim of the survey is to improve understanding of Dark Energy, the mysterious force causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate. A status update on the project and candidate supernovae found during the commissioning phase will be presented by Dr Chris D'Andrea at the National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews on Tuesday, 2 July.
KickSat co-creator, team launches new 'Pocket Spacecraft' project on Kickstarter
(Phys.org) —One of the team members who successfully launched KickSat on Kickstarter has started a new project called "Pocket Spacecraft" with the aim of launching thousands of CD sized "space craft" into space and landing them back on Earth or on the moon.
Solar dynamic loops reveal a simultaneous explosion and implosion, plus evidence for magnetic reconnection
(Phys.org) —Movies of giant loops projecting from the surface of the Sun are giving new insights into the complex mechanisms that drive solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These eruptions release vast energy and electrically charged particles that can affect the Earth through space weather. Imagery from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), used in two separate studies, shows the dynamics of loops before, during and after eruptions. Results have been presented at the National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews.
Space station gets an attitude adjustment for solar science
The sun lightens our world and enlightens our scientists as they look to our closest star for a better understanding of solar activity and what it means for our planet. Unique data from solar studies help researchers build on their knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere and climate change. June 30 marked the second time the International Space Station literally went out of its way to accommodate this research by providing a better viewing opportunity to meet Solar facility science objectives.
Atmospheric CO2 likely altering ocean foodchain, research says
Climate change may be weeding out the bacteria that form the base of the ocean's food chain, selecting certain strains for survival, according to a new study.
Technology news
Kim Dotcom and New Zealand PM to face off over spy laws
Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key are set to come face to face for the first time Wednesday as lawmakers examine a controversial proposal allowing intelligence agencies to spy on local residents.
New expert network to advise on keeping your data safe
A new expert network which helps organisations safely manage and share sensitive data has been launched.
Children in poor countries 'abused live on web'
The sexual abuse of children in developing countries is increasingly being live-streamed on Internet services such as Skype, Britain's online child protection agency warned on Tuesday.
French watchdog raids Apple stores
French competition authorities have confirmed that investigators raided Apple stores across France last week as part of an ongoing probe.
Jordan blocks 254 news websites
The Jordanian government said on Tuesday that it had blocked 254 unlicensed news websites, 16 of them in the previous two days, using powers under a 2012 law criticised as a threat to freedom of expression.
Judge upholds NY tax suit against Sprint Nextel
A New York judge has refused to dismiss the state attorney general's lawsuit claiming back sales taxes and triple damages from Sprint.
Winklevoss twins out to form $20 mln bitcoin trust
The Winklevoss twin brothers, famous for their feud with Mark Zuckerberg over Facebook, told US regulators that they want to raise $20 million for an eponymous bitcoin trust.
REACTing to a crisis
Keeping all lines of communications open during a crisis is critical – and the Dublin Fire Brigade has shown how this can be done using satellite and hybrid technologies.
Designing a cleaner future
A slum on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana, received major media attention in 2010 and 2011 when the outside world realized where computers go to die. In an area called Agbogbloshie, impoverished residents were burning broken electronic parts, discarded and dumped by wealthier nations, to extract the metal components. Crouched around bonfires, they inhaled toxic smoke and unwittingly leached heavy metals into a nearby river, just to eke out a living.
Deutsche Boerse to launch cloud computing exchange
Deutsche Boerse, operator of the Frankfurt stock exchange, unveiled Tuesday plans to launch a new market place where companies, public sector bodies and research institutes can buy and sell excess cloud computing capacity.
Research team proposes mathematical model that examines multiple walking patterns and movements in adults older than 65
Older adults diagnosed with brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease often feel a loss of independence because of their lack of mobility and difficulty walking. To better understand and improve these mobility issues—and detect them sooner—a University of Pittsburgh multidisciplinary research team is working toward building a more advanced motion test that addresses a wider range of walking patterns and movements.
Scientists undertake effort to launch video data-sharing library for developmental science
In the largest open-source video-data sharing project of its kind, behavioral researchers, digital library scientists, and computer scientists are undertaking the creation of Databrary, a web-based video-data library sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Gartner trims global IT spending forecast for the year
Market tracker Gartner on Tuesday trimmed its forecast of how much global businesses would spend this year on information technology, as less expensive tablets displace PCs at the workplace.
Yahoo buys startup behind smartphone movie app
Yahoo on Tuesday announced it has bought a startup behind a smartphone movie application, extending a shopping spree launched after Marissa Mayer became chief of the Internet pioneer a year ago.
With a simulated attack, Wall St. gears up to combat virtual threats
Wall Street firms are preparing to battle a growing menace: cyberattacks.
New Yorkers' new domain: '.nyc' gets initial OK
New York City likes to think of itself as a domain like no other. Now it can boast as much on the web.
US intelligence chief sorry for 'erroneous' answer
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has apologized for telling Congress earlier this year that the National Security Agency does not collect data on millions of Americans, a response he now says was "clearly erroneous."
Malware: Vobfus and Beebone infections are double-trouble
(Phys.org) —Vobfus and Beebone sound like two lovable crayon-colored goldfish still on the Pixar drawing boards: Wouldn't that be nice. Microsoft's security team would much prefer they be animated box-office hits but they are a pair of malicious software programs that work in concert with one another. A recent blog posting at Microsoft made it known that they are quite a headache. Hyun Choi of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center said that the two programs are regularly found together. They operate collaboratively. They are "downloaders" and they work by alternatively downloading different variations of one another. The problem, aside from their computer invasion, is that they are hard to clean and can elude antivirus software.
Touch to feel the virtual world (w/ Video)
Haptic technology, which simulates the sense of touch through tactile feedback mechanisms, has been described as "doing for the sense of touch what computer graphics does for vision." Haptics are already common in devices such as smartphones, where touch sensations such as clicks and vibrations enhance the user experience. When it comes to virtual reality, however, it's far more challenging to translate tactile cues. Auditory and visual feedback are fairly easy, and applications can be controlled using keyboards, joysticks, steering wheels, or, in the case of Kinect, the human body.
New system to harness energy from ocean currents
Researchers at the UPM, within the framework of PROCODAC-GESMEY project, have participated in the construction and testing of the prototype of a device to harness energy from ocean currents able to work in deep water.
GM, Honda partner on fuel cell vehicle development
General Motors and Honda will combine forces to develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the hopes of delivering them to customers by around 2020, the US and Japanese automakers said Tuesday.
In worldwide surveillance age, US has big edge (Update)
The saga of Edward Snowden and the NSA makes one thing clear: The United States' central role in developing the Internet and hosting its most powerful players has made it the global leader in the surveillance game.
New hardware design makes data encryption more secure by disguising cloud servers' memory-access patterns
Cloud computing—outsourcing computational tasks over the Internet—could give home-computer users unprecedented processing power and let small companies launch sophisticated Web services without building massive server farms.
Medicine & Health news
Treating TB: What needs to be done to improve treatment rates
People with tuberculosis (TB) in China often delay going to see a doctor for more than two weeks, finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine. Reasons for this include a poor understanding of TB, increasing costs of treatment not covered by health insurance, and using traditional approaches first. Even after going to a clinic there were still delays in treatment, especially in rural areas, due to a lack of qualified medical staff.
Rival obesity drugs seek out patients, and acceptance
Between 1999 and 2012, the Food and Drug Administration gave its blessing to exactly zero new weight-loss drugs. Then, starting in June of last year, the agency approved two such medications, in a span of 20 days.
Brain project gives young scientists a flying start
Through collaborative work, an EU-funded research team aims to uncover how neural circuits are genetically encoded and how neuronal computation controls behaviour. It has also set out to give some of Europe's brightest young scientists the chance to cooperate with colleagues in other countries and push forward our understanding of the brain.
Six-year-old Cambodian girl dies from bird flu
A six-year-old Cambodian girl has died from bird flu, bringing the country's toll from the deadly virus to nine so far this year, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.
Boosting immunity—and vaccine research
Vaccination has achieved huge success in controlling many devastating infectious diseases. However, there are still many such diseases, or 'pathogens', against which we cannot generate life-long protective immunity. On the eve of Croatia's accession to the EU, Professor Stipan Jonjic's research into new vaccines to offer better protection- is already underway. Prof Jonjic is the first Croatian European Research Council (ERC) grantee to base his project in Croatia.
Non-invasive brain stimulation helps stroke patients gain prolonged language recovery
On July 2nd, JoVE will publish a video article showing the details of a technique developed by researchers to improve language function in stroke patients with chronic speech-language impairment.
New study may help clinicians identify patients who can skip ACL reconstruction
A study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery has provided the first evidence that the shape of a person's knee could be a factor in the decision of whether a patient should undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction after an ACL tear. The study is published online ahead of print in the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineering.
Fidaxomicin in Clostridium difficile infection: Added benefit not proven
The antibiotic fidaxomicin (trade name: Dificlir) has been approved in Germany since December 2011 for the treatment of adults who have diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined the added benefit of fidaxomicin in comparison with current standard therapy. According to this, there is currently no proof of an added benefit. The manufacturer did not submit any studies on non-severe cases. It cited studies on severe courses of disease and recurrences, but did not process the results in a way that would make it possible to draw reliable overall conclusions on benefit and harm of fidaxomicin.
Abiraterone: Hint of considerable added benefit
Abiraterone acetate (abiraterone for short, trade name: Zytiga) has been approved in Germany since December 2012 for men with metastatic prostate cancer that is not responsive to hormone blockade, who only have mild symptoms or so far none at all, and in whom chemotherapy is not yet indicated. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether abiraterone offers an added benefit compared with the present standard therapy.
A new study shows an increase in humorous creativity when individuals are primed with thoughts of death
Humor is an intrinsic part of human experience. It plays a role in every aspect of human existence, from day-to-day conversation to television shows. Yet little research has been conducted to date on the psychological function of humor. In human psychology, awareness of the impermanence of life is just as prevalent as humor. According to the Terror Management Theory, knowledge of one's own impermanence creates potentially disruptive existential anxiety, which the individual brings under control with two coping mechanisms, or anxiety buffers: rigid adherence to dominant cultural values, and self-esteem bolstering.
Smoking cessation, weight gain, and subsequent CHD risk
The authors used data from the Women's Health Initiative to assess the association between smoking cessation, weight gain, and subsequent coronary heart disease risk among postmenopausal women with and without diabetes.
Irish lawmakers back bill on life-saving abortions
(AP)—Ireland appeared on course to legalize abortion in limited circumstances as lawmakers voted Tuesday to support a bill that would permit a pregnancy to be terminated when deemed necessary to save a woman's life.
Curcumin may protect premature infants' lungs
Turmeric, a key ingredient in spicy curry dishes, has long been known to have medicinal values. Now new research finds a substance in turmeric, curcumin, may provide lasting protection against potentially deadly lung damage in premature infants.
New generation electronic games boosts kids' physical activity at home
Most electronic games are no better than watching TV in terms of the body movement and energy expenditure involved, say the authors. Kids in developed countries spend an estimated 38 to 90 minutes a day playing these games.
Growth in cerebral aneurysms increases risk of rupture
Cerebral aneurysms of all sizes—even small ones below seven millimeters—are 12 times more likely to rupture if they are growing in size, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
New study describes imaging findings in H7N9 influenza
H7N9 pneumonia is characterized by imaging findings that differentiate it from other types of pneumonia, including rapidly progressive changes in the lungs and pulmonary connective tissues, according to the first study to describe radiologic findings in the disease. The results are published online in the journal Radiology.
Genomes of cholera bacteria from Haiti confirm epidemic originated from single source
The strain of cholera that has sickened thousands in Haiti came from a single source and was not repeatedly introduced to the island over the past three years as some have thought, according to a new study published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Expensive or not, rheumatoid arthritis drugs have similar effect: study
(HealthDay)—Treatment with a pricey biological drug was no better than cheaper, conventional therapy in terms of reducing time off from work for people with rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds.
Pricey new blood thinner might be safer for leg clots
(HealthDay)—The new pill Eliquis prevents dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs as well as standard therapy, though with less risk of serious bleeding, a new study shows.
First non-hormonal remedy approved for menopausal hot flashes
(HealthDay)—Brisdelle (paroxetine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first non-hormonal treatment to treat hot flashes associated with menopause.
Low levels of toxic proteins linked to brain diseases, study suggests
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's could be better understood thanks to insight into proteins linked to such conditions, a study suggests.
Patents making new AIDS drugs expensive, MSF says
New potentially life-saving HIV drugs are "beyond reach" due to restrictive patents, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Tuesday, even though basic medication for the disease has become cheaper.
Australian researchers close in on malaria vaccine
Australian researchers said Tuesday they were closing in on a potential vaccine against malaria, with a study showing their treatment had protected mice against several strains of the disease.
Genders communicate consent to sex differently
(Medical Xpress)—A University of Arkansas researcher's work on the way men and women communicate their consent to have sex could lead to improved sexual assault prevention programs on college campuses.
Vaginal delivery ups risk of pelvic organ prolapse
(Medical Xpress)—Women who give birth vaginally are at increased risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse during the year after delivery, according to a study of Chinese women by researchers at Yale School of Medicine and Wenzhou Third People's Hospital.
Study finds acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes vary by race
(Medical Xpress)—Older white patients in the U.S. have the highest rate of mortality from certain types of stroke among all racial and ethnic groups, a study by health researchers at the University at Albany finds.
Irreversible tissue loss seen within 40 days of spinal cord injury
The rate and extent of damage to the spinal cord and brain following spinal cord injury have long been a mystery. Now, a joint research effort by UCL, the University of Zurich and University Hospital Balgrist has found evidence that patients already have irreversible tissue loss in the spinal cord within 40 days of injury.
Early warning of newborn withdrawal
In substance-exposed newborns, identification of the gene variations associated with risk of opioid addiction could aid the treatment of their withdrawal symptoms in the critical hours after birth, according to a University of Maine psychology researcher.
Four things you should know about HPV vaccinations
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has attracted attention in the past week for two contradictory reasons: the Japanese government has withdrawn its recommendation for the shot, while public health officials in the United States have attributed a massive drop in the prevalence of the virus among teenage girls to its use.
Genome instability studies could change treatment for cancer and other diseases
Counterintuitive as it may seem, genetic mutation is key to our evolution and survival.
A nanotech fix for nicotine dependence
A chemical component present in the nightshade family of plants is one of the world's most tenaciously addictive substances. It is the nicotine contained in tobacco and found in high concentrations in cigarettes. Smoking remains a global scourge; in the U.S. it is the leading source of preventable death.
Austerity programs hurt children, say scholars
(Medical Xpress)—Austerity programs in several countries in North America and Europe are resulting in cuts to services for poor families that will have lasting impacts on children's health and well-being, warns Paul Wise, a Stanford expert on child health.
Changes in hyaluronan metabolism—a key factor in the adaptation of keratinocytes to radiation injury
As the outermost layer of skin, epidermis is crucial in forming a permeability barrier and protection against various environmental agents. Thus, investigating the biology of its most important cell type, the keratinocyte, is key to understanding the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation in skin, and helps design effective means of protection against excessive exposure. It has already previously been shown with both cell culture and in vivo animal models that UV irradiation increases the expression of hyaluronan, which is an important carbohydrate of the extracellular matrix. Hyaluronan is also clearly increased in tissue sections from early stage squamous cell carcinomas, one important risk factor of which is exposure to UV radiation.
Protein in blood exerts natural anti-cancer protection
Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University's Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered that decorin, a naturally occurring protein that circulates in the blood, acts as a potent inhibitor of tumor growth modulating the tumor microenvironment.
Gene therapy cures a severe paediatric neurodegenerative disease in animal models
A single session of a gene therapy developed by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) cures Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models. This syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease that affects between 1 and 9 out of every 100,000 children, and causes the death of the child on reaching adolescence. The study has been published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Drug improves cognitive function in mouse model of Down syndrome, study says
An existing FDA-approved drug improves cognitive function in a mouse model of Down syndrome, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Brown fat responsible for from heart disease-related deaths in winter
More people die from heart-disease during the winter months, and according to a new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the increase in mortality is possibly due to the accelerated growth of atherosclerotic plaque in the blood vessels caused by the activation of brown fat by the cold.
Mental disorders in 13.5 percent of Canadian Forces personnel deployed to Afghanistan
An important minority—13.5%—of Canadian Forces personnel who served in support of the Afghanistan mission in 2001–08 have been found to have a mental health disorder related to their deployment, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Fried fish dish crowned most unhealthy meal in America (Update)
A batter-laden fried fish dish packs two weeks worth of harmful trans fat in a single serving and was named worst restaurant meal in America Tuesday by a US consumer advocacy group.
Study ties red and processed meats to worse colon cancer survival
(HealthDay)—People with colon cancer who continue to eat a lot of red and processed meats may have increased odds of dying from the disease, a new study suggests.
Gamblers like noisy slot machines—it reinforces the rewarding feeling after a win
Winning sounds on slot machines make gambling more exciting, according to a new study by Mike Dixon and colleagues from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Moreover, their work shows that sounds also cause players to overestimate the number of times they won while playing on slot machines. The study is published online in Springer's Journal of Gambling Studies.
New rule for home health prospective payment system
(HealthDay)—A new rule proposing changes to the Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) is set to reduce costs for calendar year 2014, according to a report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Hijacking stress response in cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Cancer cells have alteration in metabolic pathways as a result of oncogenes that promote tumor growth. NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2) works as a "master gene" that turns on stress response by increasing numerous antioxidants and pollutant-detoxifying genes to protect the lungs from variety of air pollutants such as diesel exhaust and cigarette smoke. However, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and others have found for the first time that NRF2 signaling also plays a role in the growth of tumor cells by altering metabolic pathways. The study is published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Whole milk might be a better choice for children, scientists say
Much of the recent debate over serving milk to children has concerned flavored milk: Should it be distributed in schools? Or should the only milk children receive be the unflavored, reduced-fat variety?
Siberian herb could extend life, scientists say
A stubby little plant from the icy permafrost of Siberia just might help you feel better and live longer, University of California-Irvine researchers say. They found fruit flies fed extracts of Rhodiola rosea, or "golden root," live 24 percent longer than their otherwise healthy peers. The research itself is a sign of the times: Today's physicians are becoming more open to the idea of using herbal remedies to treat their patients, and they need the science to back it up.
IVF for male infertility linked to increased risk of intellectual disability and autism in children
In the first study to compare all available IVF treatments and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, researchers find that IVF treatments for the most severe forms of male infertility are associated with an increased risk of intellectual disability and autism in children.
Intervention helps improve and maintain better blood pressure control
An intervention that consisted of home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring with pharmacist management resulted in improvements in BP control and decreases in BP during 12 months, compared with usual care, and improvement in BP that was maintained for 6 months following the intervention, according to a study in the July 3 issue of JAMA.
Screening using peptide level and collaborative care to help reduce risk of heart failure
Among patients at risk of heart failure, collaborative care based on screening for certain levels of brain-type natriuretic peptide reduced the combined rates of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure as well as emergency cardiovascular hospitalizations, according to a study in the July 3 issue of JAMA.
Home-based walking exercise program improves speed and endurance for patients with PAD
In a trial that included nearly 200 participants with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a home-based exercise intervention with a group-mediated cognitive behavioral intervention component improved walking performance and physical activity in patients with PAD, according to a study in the July 3 issue of JAMA.
Weekly yoga class yields similar lower back pain relief as two classes
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found that a weekly yoga class provided similar lower back pain relief and reduced the need for pain medication as twice weekly classes in lower income minority patients. The results of the study indicate that patients interested in trying yoga for lower back pain could benefit from attending a medically appropriate weekly yoga class.
Passing the ball may also pass disease, study finds
UC Irvine researchers have demonstrated that basketballs and volleyballs can spread potentially dangerous germs among players. Their findings may bring a new awareness to athletes, coaches, trainers and parents regarding safe sanitation practices for athletes.
Drug overdose deaths up among middle-aged US women (Update)
Overdose deaths in the U.S. are rising fastest among middle-aged women, and their drug of choice is usually prescription painkillers, the government reported Tuesday.
Team explores the effects of exercise on ulcerative colitis
Aerobic exercise can lessen – or worsen – the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, depending on the circumstances under which the exercise is undertaken, researchers report.
Workers at industrial farms carry drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock
A new study found drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock in the noses of industrial livestock workers in North Carolina but not in the noses of antibiotic-free livestock workers. The drug-resistant bacteria examined were Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as "Staph," which include the well-known bug MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). New Staph strains are emerging in people who have close contact with livestock animals and for this reason have been given the name livestock-associated Staph. While everyone in the study had direct or indirect contact with livestock, only industrial workers carried antibiotic-resistant Staph with multiple genetic characteristics linked to livestock. The study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, the George Washington University, and the Statens Serum Institute, published July 2! by the journal PLOS ONE, confirms earlier findings in Iowa and raises concern about antibiotics use in livestock production.
Inflammation links social adversity and diabetes
Diabetes is strongly associated with socioeconomic status (SES): low income, low education, and low occupational status are all linked to a higher risk for diabetes. Trying to understand the mechanisms underlying the association, Silvia Stringhini from the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine in Lausanne, Switzerland and colleagues report in this week's PLOS Medicine that a substantial part of it appears to be attributable to chronic inflammation.
Test accurately and swiftly detects most leading causes of bacterial blood stream infection
A new automated diagnostic test can quickly and accurately identify most leading causes of Gram-positive bacterial blood stream infections and the presence of three antibiotic resistance genes, according to a new study published this week in PLOS Medicine. The findings from the study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Nathan Ledeboer from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), USA, suggest that the new technology could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from sepsis.
Tick-borne illness babesiosis a hazard for seniors: FDA
(HealthDay)—A tick-borne illness that can be severe or fatal among seniors, newborns and people with weakened immune systems is becoming more common in certain parts of the United States, federal health officials warn.
Patients, spinal surgeons differ in expectations of sx outcomes
(HealthDay)—For patients and spinal surgeons, there are frequently wide discrepancies in the expectations of the outcomes of surgery, according to a study published in the May 20 issue of Spine.
Kidney involvement, high anti-dsDNA predict lupus flares
(HealthDay)—Kidney involvement and high anti-double stranded (ds) DNA are independent predictors of moderate-severe lupus flare, according to research published online June 10 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Sucralose affects response to oral glucose load in obese
(HealthDay)—For obese adults who do not use non-nutritive sweetener (NNS), sucralose affects the glycemic and insulin responses to an oral glucose load, according to a study published online April 30 in Diabetes Care.
New grants will help get health insurance for more kids
(HealthDay)—More children in low-income families will get health insurance coverage, thanks to nearly $32 million in grants announced by U.S. health officials Tuesday.
Higher education may be protective against MS-associated cognitive deficits
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can lead to severe cognitive impairment as the disease progresses. Researchers in Italy have found that patients with high educational levels show less impairment on a neuropsychological evaluation compared with those with low educational levels. Their results are published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.
Teens' self-consciousness linked with specific brain, physiological responses
Teenagers are famously self-conscious, acutely aware and concerned about what their peers think of them. A new study reveals that this self-consciousness is linked with specific physiological and brain responses that seem to emerge and peak in adolescence.
Researchers discover a gene's key role in building the developing brain's scaffolding
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have pinpointed the role of a gene known as Arl13b in guiding the formation and proper placement of neurons in the early stages of brain development. Mutations in the gene could help explain brain malformations often seen in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists help explain visual system's remarkable ability to recognize complex objects
How is it possible for a human eye to figure out letters that are twisted and looped in crazy directions, like those in the little security test internet users are often given on websites?
Brain sets prices with emotional value
You might be falling in love with that new car, but you probably wouldn't pay as much for it if you could resist the feeling. Researchers at Duke University who study how the brain values things—a field called neuroeconomics—have found that your feelings about something and the value you put on it are calculated similarly in a specific area of the brain.
Physical principles for scalable neural recording
(Medical Xpress)—It took nearly two months, but the videos from the May 6th-7th national BRAIN Initiative meeting are now available online. Although the title of that workshop made central mention of the idea Physical and Mathematical Principles there really wasn't too much of all that. We did cover some thoughts from one of the speakers, Terry Sejnowski, regarding temporal coding in olfaction, but the real neural engineering detail many want to hear about from the BRAINI explorers was recently slipped in with much less fanfare. A draft that appeared on the Arxiv preprint server entitled "Physical Principles for Scalable Neural Recording," gets right to the heart of the matter with a theoretical exploration of limits to introducing hardware into the brain. In particular, the authors assess four major methods of neural recording - electrical, optical, NMR, and molecular recording - and attempt to define the energetic and volumetric constraints that each must operate with! in.
Some fat cells can feel the cold
(Medical Xpress)—To survive in cold environments, mammals burn fat to produce heat. The breakdown of fat helps prevent obesity and related metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. Bruce Spiegelman and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School studied how white, beige and brown fat cells respond to cold temperatures. They found that while all three types of fat cells respond to temperature changes when stimulated by certain brain chemicals, white and beige fat cells react to cold temperatures independently of the brain. Their research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Biology news
Thousands of fish die in contaminated Mexico reservoir
Thousands of fish turned up dead in a western Mexico reservoir after a company that made food for livestock without a permit dumped huge amounts of molasses into the water, authorities said Monday.
New website will help farmers ensure hens maintain good feather cover
Hen pecking is a serious animal welfare concern and can cause great economic losses for the farmer and the egg-production industry as a whole. A new website has been launched to help make sure laying hens are well-feathered throughout their lives.
Calming your dog's anxiety during noisy Fourth of July
Dog owners everywhere feel a pang of anxiety as the Fourth of July approaches. Will their pooch simply hide under the bed when fireworks go off or run for the hills? If you're the owner of a dog with noise phobias, what can you do?
Smart bear phone: Information on brown bears available on mobile phones in the future
Bears have captured our imagination throughout centuries. Ancient Finnish and Lappish myths and legends are probably one reason why these powerful animals are still held in great respect today and referred to as the King of the Forests. It is often believed that bears behave in an unpredictable way. However, as with all mammals, bears' behavior is governed by a combination of genetic programming and social and environmental factors. Once we understand bears' behavior and communication, it will not look haphazard for us anymore.
Environmentalists slam catfight over India's lions
Environmentalists Tuesday slammed an Indian state's attempt to halt the relocation of some of the country's endangered lions, saying it was undermining efforts to boost their dwindling numbers.
Corn yield prediction model uses simple measurements at a specific growth stage
The ability to predict corn yields would benefit farmers as they plan the sale of their crops and biofuel industries as they plan their operations. A new study published in the July-August issue of Agronomy Journal describes a robust model that uses easily obtained measurements, such as plant morphology and precipitation, collected specifically at the silking growth stage of the plant. The new model could help both growers and industry maximize their profits and efficiency.
Japan blasts Australia over whaling ban campaign
Japan accused Australia Tuesday of seeking to impose its policy of zero tolerance on whaling in the Antarctic, and told the highest UN court that its own whaling activities were legitimate.
21,000 species at risk of extinction
A freshwater shrimp, an island-dwelling lizard and a pupfish from Arizona have been declared extinct, while nearly 21,000 species are at risk of dying out, an updated "Red List" showed.
Scientists discover molecular communication network in human stem cells
Scientists at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) in Berlin (Germany) have discovered a molecular network in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that integrates cell communication signals to keep the cell in its stem cell state. These findings were reported in the June 2013 issue of Molecular Cell.
Protocells formed in salt solution, researchers find
The first cell may have originated in a salty soup in which large biomolecules cluster spontaneously to form a protocell, chemists at Radboud University Nijmegen discovered. PNAS published their work on July 1.
New method for mapping the protein signals between healthy and diseased cells
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, working in collaboration with researchers at the Proteome Center Tuebingen (PCT), have developed a new method for identifying the cell of origin of intracellular and secreted proteins within multicellular environments. This technological advancement is particularly exciting because it will provide investigators with a new tool for comprehensive mapping of cell-cell communication, which is especially important in all aspects of cancer development, maintenance, and response to therapy. For example, this method could be used to study cell signaling events between normal and malignant cells in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms by which surrounding normal cells alter tumor growth and response to treatment.
Composition of splicing complex in chloroplasts identified for the first time
To convert a gene into a protein, a cell first crafts a blueprint out of RNA. One of the main players in this process has been identified by researchers led by Dr. Jessica Jacobs at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. The team "fished" a large complex of proteins and RNA, which is involved in the so-called splicing, from the chloroplasts of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This cuts non-coding regions out of the messenger RNA, which contains the protein blueprint. "For the first time, we have established the exact composition of an unknown splicing complex of the chloroplasts", says Jacobs. She reports with her colleagues from the Department of General and Molecular Botany and the Work Group for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry in the journal Molecular and Cellular Proteomics.
Giant panda at Atlanta zoo expecting her 4th cub
An ultrasound has confirmed that a giant panda at Atlanta's zoo is pregnant with her fourth cub and will likely give birth later this month, zoo officials said Tuesday.
Don't judge by the looks: Molecular analysis reveals a new species of white toothed shrew
The white toothed shrew genus Crocidura is known as the largest mammal genus, with more than 180 species distributed around the world. A recent genetic analysis of the white toothed shrew fauna of Vietnam revealed the misinterpretations of previous morphological studies of the species, including the description of a new species of these very small mammals. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
Invasive fly species continues to move northward
The local discovery of a species of fly not native to the Midwest could have significant implications on forensic investigations involving decomposing remains, according to a forensic biology researcher at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Supersense: It's a snap for crocs
Previously misunderstood multi-sensory organs in the skin of crocodylians are sensitive to touch, heat, cold, and the chemicals in their environment, finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal EvoDevo. These sensors have no equivalent in any other vertebrate.
Insecticide causes changes in honeybee genes, research finds
(Phys.org) —New research by academics at The University of Nottingham has shown that exposure to a neonicotinoid insecticide causes changes to the genes of the honeybee.
Biologists simulate a cell in action
(Phys.org) —The inner workings of a cell involve hundreds of thousands of discrete molecules, engaged in a repeating cycle of interactions that sustain life.
Breakthrough: Sensors monitor cells at work
Transport proteins are responsible for moving materials such as nutrients and metabolic products through a cell's outer membrane, which seals and protects all living cells, to the cell's interior. These transported molecules include sugars, which can be used to fuel growth or to respond to chemical signals of activity or stress outside of the cell. Measuring the activity of transporter proteins in a living organism has been a challenge for scientists, because the methods are difficult, often require the use of radioactive tracers, and are difficult to use in intact tissues and organs.
Simple math may solve longstanding problem of parasite energetics
Feeling faint from the flu? Is your cold causing you to collapse? Your infection is the most likely cause, and, according to a new study by UC Santa Barbara research scientist Ryan Hechinger, it may be possible to know just how much energy your bugs are taking from you. His findings are published in a recent issue of The American Naturalist.
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