Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for August 20, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Planes, trains and molecules: Deriving a generic routing algorithm from the physics of interacting polymers- How many types of neurons do we need to define?
- Earliest known iron artifacts come from outer space
- 'Groovy' hologram creates strange state of light at visible and invisible wavelengths
- Appearance means more than sound when judging music, research finds
- Study indicates willpower not depleted by use nor replenished by food
- ALMA takes close look at drama of starbirth
- New theory points to 'zombie vortices' as key step in star formation
- 3D graphene: Solar cells' new platinum?
- LinkedIn expands for high school students, universities
- Stabilizing aircraft during takeoff and landing using math
- New findings on how the ear hears could lead to better hearing aids
- How the bat beats the lifespan rule
- Team unveils foldable micro electric car, Armadillo-T (w/ Video)
- NASA spacecraft capture an Earth directed coronal mass ejection
Space & Earth news
Go with the flow
Two farmers plant alfalfa. One doesn't worry about his water supply; he can use as much as he wants on his crop. The other also can use all the water he wants, but he has to pay a tax on it. Who is likely to make more money?
China, US, Qatar singled out on 'Earth Overshoot Day'
China, the United States and Qatar were accused of environmental plunder on Tuesday as green activists marked "Earth Overshoot Day," the date at which mankind has exhausted a year's budget of natural resources.
After 10 years of service, NOAA retires GOES-12 satellite
GOES-12 has seen it all, from Hurricane Katrina that hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, to the Christmas blizzard that crippled the Central United States in 2009. It even traveled south of the equator to provide coverage for South America starting in 2010. Now, after more than 10 years of stellar service, NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-12 spacecraft is being retired.
Citizens in Greater Bilbao regard the services of the Green Belt ecosystems as highly beneficial
According to Izaskun Casado-Arzuaga, ecosystems provide more services than what many people believe. And their value is not in fact limited to the possibilities they offer in terms of landscape, aesthetic aspects or leisure. Casado is one of the members of the research group into Landscape, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and, in her opinion, it is important to remember the other services offered by ecosystems. Among them she refers to supply services, like food, water, energy and materials, as well as regulating services like, for example, to guarantee water and air quality and protect against flooding, etc. In this respect, "we regard many of these services as being free, but the benefits, which are invaluable, are highly beneficial and necessary," says Casado.
Scientists uncover the secret life of frozen soils
Contrary to popular belief, winter plays a significant role in farming. The ground beneath that seemingly peaceful blanket of snow is not idle during the long, cold winter months and researchers want to know what is going on. Historically, studies have focused on times of the year when data can be easily gathered. However, winter's freeze-thaw cycles, nutrient run-off and the effect of snow cover - or lack of snow cover - on soil are of great concern and can have significant impacts.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Pewa temporarily weaken
Tropical Storm Pewa weakened temporarily while facing adverse atmospheric conditions in the Northwestern Pacific, and NASA's Aqua satellite captured the storm in infrared light.
NASA sees another new Central Pacific tropical cyclone
The Central Pacific Ocean has generated a third tropical depression this year and NOAA's GOES-West satellite captured an image of Tropical Depression 03C far to the west of Hawaii.
Tropical Storm Trami and monsoon rains causing flooding in the Philippines
Tropical Storm Trami may not be making landfall in the Philippines, but it was close enough to bring heavy rainfall when combined with monsoon rains. NASA's Aqua satellite captured those extensive rains in an infrared image when it passed overhead from space.
Saving Earth's water from toxic waste
Scientists have devised a better way to protect groundwater from acids, heavy metals and toxic chemicals, helping to secure the Earth's main freshwater supply.
Researchers study how to accurately measure a city's greenhouse gas emissions
(Phys.org) —If a community wanted to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and decided to take steps to do it, how would it know if the steps it was taking worked?
From the lab to the dinner table: Seaweed
Charlie Yarish pulls a long strand of kelp out of the chilly waters of Long Island Sound and takes a bite.
On the edge of Tyagaraja
Here's a rather interesting view from orbit around the innermost planet: Mercury's Tyagaraja crater, the interior of which is seen here in an oblique-angled image acquired by the MESSENGER spacecraft on November 12, 2011 (and released August 16, 2013.)
'Street-view' comes to the world's coral reefs
Scientists are taking the public with them to study the world's coral reefs, thanks to 360 degree panoramas from Google's underwater street-view format. Results from this pioneering project – which will allow ecologists to harness people power to discover how coral reefs are responding to climate change – will be presented at INTECOL, the world's largest international ecology meeting, in London this week.
Artificial reef in Red sea teems with life
In 2007, an artificial reef designed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers was placed in the Gulf of Eilat to reduce environmental pressure on the region's natural reef. Now teeming with life, a new study using the "Tamar Reef" shows that divers assign economic importance to aspects of reef biodiversity. These findings could help underwater conservation efforts.
Astronaut recounts near-drowning on spacewalk (Update)
The Italian astronaut who nearly drowned in his helmet during a spacewalk last month is sharing more details about the terrifying experience, revealing how he felt all alone and frantically tried to come up with a plan to save himself.
Epic ocean voyages of coral larvae revealed
A new computer simulation conducted at the University of Bristol (UB) and University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has revealed the epic, ocean-spanning journeys travelled by millimetre-sized coral larvae through the world's seas.
New Zealand volcano lets off steam
A volcano off New Zealand sent a plume of steam two kilometres (1.24 miles) into the air Tuesday, although volcanologists described the eruption as small and said it was over in minutes.
Change of venue for NASA's IceBridge Antarctic operations
This fall, NASA's Operation IceBridge will base its annual Antarctic campaign out of National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station, a change from the mission's previous four campaigns that were based in Punta Arenas, Chile. By switching bases of operations, IceBridge will be able to expand its reach by measuring parts of Antarctica previously unavailable to the mission.
Swedish museum to recover lost scientific artifact
A rare 16th-century scientific instrument used by early astronomers that has been missing from a Swedish museum for around a decade has been recovered and will be returned this week, the London-based Art Loss Register says.
Rosetta-comet will wake up early
(Phys.org) —On its way towards the Sun comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, next year's destination of ESA's spacecraft Rosetta, will start emitting gas and dust earlier than previously expected. The comet's activity should be measurable from Earth by March 2014. This is one of the results of a new study performed by a group of researchers under the lead of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany. The scientists analyzed numerous images from the comet's past three orbits around the Sun, obtained with ground based telescopes. For the first time, they were able to reconstruct the comet's activity in all phases of its orbit.
NASA spacecraft capture an Earth directed coronal mass ejection
On August 20, 2013 at 4:24 am EDT, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME, a solar phenomenon which 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.
ALMA takes close look at drama of starbirth
(Phys.org) —Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have obtained a vivid close-up view of material streaming away from a newborn star. By looking at the glow coming from carbon monoxide molecules in an object called Herbig-Haro 46/47 they have discovered that its jets are even more energetic than previously thought. The very detailed new images have also revealed a previously unknown jet pointing in a totally different direction.
New theory points to 'zombie vortices' as key step in star formation
(Phys.org) —A new theory by fluid dynamics experts at the University of California, Berkeley, shows how "zombie vortices" help lead to the birth of a new star.
Technology news
TiVo refreshes lineup with 6-tuner Roamio DVRs (Update)
TiVo Inc. wants to give television viewers more control over what they watch on traditional channels and over the Internet as the pioneer of digital video recorders unveils its fifth-generation devices.
'The Sims 4' adds emotional, multitasking Sims
"The Sims" are getting in touch with their feelings.
Real-time travel updates direct to your smartphone
A bluetooth application that gives tourists real-time city information on their smartphones has been developed through a pan-European initiative. An updated iPhone app was released in time for the summer, providing visitors with guided smartphone tours, along with a mix of historical archived photos and up-to-date pictures taken on smartphones.
San Diego Supercomputer Center launches 'Sherlock' to solve complex national challenges
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego, along with small business partners SD Technology and Chickasaw Nation Industries, have brought together their extensive portfolio of information technology services for healthcare and government under the 'Sherlock' brand in an effort to serve federal, state, and local governments as well as universities nationwide.
Netflix strikes movie deal with Weinstein Co.
(AP)—Netflix says it's reached a multi-year agreement with The Weinstein Co. that will give it the exclusive streaming rights to the company's first-run films starting in 2016.
Amazon to run digital, print Conde Nast subscriptions
US magazine publisher Conde Nast said Tuesday it would outsource to online giant Amazon the management of both its print and digital subscriptions.
Netflix of video games: Twitch coming to PS4
Twitch is another step closer to becoming the Netflix of the video game world.
Riser fatigue insights to benefit offshore projects
Local research into the risers on offshore oil and gas platforms aims to increase the accuracy of fatigue damage estimates to make steel catenary risers (SCRs) more economical to construct.
Quantifying uncertainty in computer model predictions
DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has great interest in technologies that will lead to reducing the CO2 emissions of fossil-fuel-burning power plants. Advanced energy technologies such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can potentially lead to the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels to power our nation. The development of new energy technologies, however, takes a long time, as the technologies need to be tested at multiple scales, progressing from lab scale to pilot scale to demonstration scale before widespread deployment. In addition to developing new energy technologies, NETL's research is working to reduce the cost and time of technology development.
Barnes & Noble 1Q loss widens; Riggio ends offer
Barnes & Noble's first-quarter net loss more than doubled and the struggling bookseller's former chairman said he's calling off his offer to buy the booksellers' retail business.
Judge approves Kodak plan to exit bankruptcy (Update 2)
Kodak doesn't look a whole lot like it did when it filed for bankruptcy protection last year, but its executives and investors are hoping for a picture-perfect future.
Skype to be pre-installed in new version of Microsoft Windows
Bloatware is the term given to programs that come pre-installed on computers even though it's unlikely they will be used by every owner. Sometimes they are difficult to get rid of and can consume resources unnecessarily.
Redesign for sudden autopilot disconnection needed, say flight safety experts
Flight safety experts studying recent high-profile plane crashes found sudden autopilot disconnection to be a design flaw that creates unnecessary emergencies by surprising pilots during critical, high-workload episodes.
Social network Ask.fm faces criticism over bullying
On Ask.fm, millions of American teens talk about their hookups, struggles to get good grades and wild weekend parties with no parents or adults to peer over their shoulders.
NIST study advances use of iris images as a long-term form of identification
A new report* by biometric researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses data from thousands of frequent travelers enrolled in an iris recognition program to determine that no consistent change occurs in the distinguishing texture of their irises for at least a decade. These findings inform identity program administrators on how often iris images need to be recaptured to maintain accuracy.
Two updated guides provide latest NIST recommendations for system patches, malware avoidance
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated two of its series of computer security guides to help computer system managers protect their systems from hackers and malware. Vulnerabilities in software and firmware are the easiest ways to attack a system, and the two revised publications approach the problem by providing new guidance for software patching and warding off malware.
Jordan to build nuclear research reactor
Jordan's Nuclear Regulatory Commission has given the go-ahead for a first nuclear research reactor as the desert kingdom, which lacks any oil, seeks to meet its energy needs.
Beyond Google Glass: Researcher looks to the future
(Phys.org) —A wearable display being developed by UA optical scientist Hong Hua could have capabilities even more advanced than those of the recently unveiled Google Glass, a pair of glasses with smartphone capabilities.
Lockheed Martin to build Transformer TX—Autonomous flying payload carrier
(Phys.org) —Lockheed Martin has announced that it intends to build a new kind of extraction and payload delivery craft that can be flown remotely or at times autonomously. The craft is to resemble a helicopter, but will use tilting ducted fans instead of rotors—Lockheed says it will be safer to fly and will allow for landing in a smaller zone.
LinkedIn expands for high school students, universities
Hoping to attract younger users, career-oriented social network LinkedIn announced Monday that it's adding a feature for universities to promote themselves and will allow students as young as 14 to open accounts.
Team unveils foldable micro electric car, Armadillo-T (w/ Video)
Looking for a parking space for hours at a busy shopping mall or being stuck on roads jammed with cars releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide are all-too-familiar scenes for city dwellers.
Waze traffic app integrated in Google Maps
Google said Tuesday it began integrating into its online maps features from the Waze traffic app it acquired earlier this year in a deal said to be worth some $1 billion.
Medicine & Health news
Multicenter trial finds BI-RADS 3 breast lesions have low cancer rate
Based on data from a multi-site imaging trial involving more than 2,600 women, researchers say breast lesions categorized as 'probably benign' on supplemental screening ultrasound could be re-evaluated with imaging in 12 months, reducing patient anxiety, follow-up exams and unnecessary biopsies. Results of the study are published online in the journal Radiology.
Unemployment restricts access to kidney transplants, study finds
People in end-stage kidney failure in need of a kidney transplant are much less likely to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney or to actually receive a new kidney once on the list if they are unemployed or work part time, according to new collaborative research from the University of New Hampshire.
Australian lodges fork in penis for sexual pleasure
Shocked doctors had to perform emergency surgery on a man in the Australian capital Canberra after he lodged a 10 centimetre (four-inch) steel fork inside his penis for sexual pleasure.
S. Korean school suicides total 139 last year
Nearly 140 South Korean school students killed themselves in 2012, according to a new government report that cited family problems, depression and exam stress as the main triggers.
Understanding how we use the past to predict the future
Recent research has offered strong evidence that the brain, when it is confronted with a specific stimulus, uses 'predictive coding' to create a mental expectation about what is going to happen next.
Researchers evaluate outcomes and costs in perioperative care
Differences in the utilization of intensive care services may be one potential explanation for improved outcomes after major surgery in the U.S. versus other nations, according to a commentary published in JAMA Surgery by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
'Flash freeze' therapy being used to treat precancerous and cancerous conditions
A multidisciplinary team of UC Health specialists is using a new technology to flash freeze tissue surfaces in the lungs and esophagus and treat patients with small tumors or dysplasia which could lead to cancer.
Total cancer death rate drops but progress slow on 'forgotten cancers'
Australia's mortality rate for all cancers has dropped 28% in 20 years, new figures show, but progress has been slow in the fight against thyroid and pancreatic cancer, while the death rate from liver cancer has skyrocketed.
Researchers isolate human antibody that neutralizes four different viruses
A publication in the renowned scientific journal Nature describes a unique human monoclonal antibody (MPE8) discovered by the Swiss Biotech company Humabs BioMed SA in collaboration with the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) which is affiliated to the Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI).
Complications associated with continuous CSF drainage in patients with SAH
Researchers at Duke University conducted a randomized clinical trial in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In this study, the researchers compared two approaches to intracranial pressure management—continuous and intermittent drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—and outcomes associated with those methods, focusing specifically on the incidence of cerebral vasospasm. The study had to be closed approximately midway due to a high rate of complications (52.9%) in the group of patients in whom CSF was drained continuously. Details of the study and findings are reported and discussed in "Continuous cerebral spinal fluid drainage associated with complications in patients admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Clinical article," by DaiWai M. Olson, Ph.D., R.N., Meg Zomorodi, Ph.D., R.N., Gavin W. Britz, M.D., M.B.B.Ch., M.P.H., Ali R. Zomorodi, M.D., Anthony Amato, R.N., B.S.N., and Carmelo Graffagnino, M.D., published today online, ahead of print, in the Journal of Neurosurgery.
Study aims to help patients with peripheral artery disease become more active
For millions of Americans, simply walking to the mailbox can cause unbearable leg pain as muscles scream for more blood and oxygen.
Emergency rooms failing to meet seniors' needs
Emergency departments are not meeting the needs of senior citizens, according to a new international study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Community intervention program reduces repeat intimate-partner violence
Mothers who completed a mandatory community intimate-partner violence (IPV) program were less likely to be re-victimized and more likely to leave an abusive spouse or partner, say researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Combined liposuction/tummy tuck offers best of both procedures
A combined technique of liposuction and tummy tuck—designed to reduce surgical trauma—provides excellent patient outcomes with a low complication rate, reports a study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Survey: Health insurance costs outpace wage gains
An annual survey shows that the average cost for employer-sponsored health insurance rose modestly this year, but it still outpaced worker wage increases.
Gypsum wallboard does not keep out carbon monoxide, study shows
Researchers found that carbon monoxide diffused across single-layer gypsum wallboard of two thicknesses, double-layer wallboard, and painted double-layer wallboard.
Guideline development for non-specialist mental health services in Nigeria
Mental health conditions contribute to approximately 14% of the total global burden of disease but there is a substantial treatment gap in both developed and developing countries. Treatment of mental health conditions in low resource settings such as Nigeria, one of Africa's most populous countries, is particularly challenging where that are few mental health professionals. For example Nigeria has a population of ~150 million but only 0.06 psychiatrists and 0.02 psychologists per 100,000 people.
Study shows survivorship care plans empower cancer patients
In 2005, the Institute of Medicine, surveying the outlook for the growing number of American cancer survivors, first described the idea of a survivorship care plan: a roadmap for the group of patients, today numbering nearly 12 million, who are beginning new lives as cancer survivors.
Target two forms of iron to control cystic fibrosis lung infection
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa needs iron to establish and maintain a biofilm in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, and therapies have been proposed to deprive the bacteria of this necessary element. However, these techniques may not work, according to a new study published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, because they only target one of the two types of iron that are available in the lung.
Expansion of pharmacists' practice will benefit patients
(HealthDay)—The expanding scope of pharmacists' practice will potentially improve patient care but has implications for physicians, according to an article published online Aug. 19 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Fruit-rich diet might lower aneurysm risk
(HealthDay)—Eating lots of fruit might decrease your risk of developing a dangerous abdominal aortic aneurysm, according to a large, long-running study.
Playing with autism
Play is critical to children's development, including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Kathy Ralabate Doody, assistant professor of exceptional education at SUNY Buffalo State, observed different play options to determine those most likely to appeal to children with ASD. The findings were published in the North American Journal of Medicine and Science.
Heart MRI test can identify patients at high risk of heart attack, death
An imaging test commonly used to diagnose coronary artery disease has an untapped potential to predict which patients with the disease are at the greatest risk for heart attacks and other potentially deadly heart problems, researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have determined.
Junk food may lead to mental health problems in children
(Medical Xpress)—New research suggests that mums with unhealthy diets during pregnancy are more likely to have children with behavioural problems. It has also shown that children with unhealthy diets have increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as aggression and tantrums.
Traffic pollution and wood smoke increases asthma in adults
(Medical Xpress)—Asthma sufferers frequently exposed to heavy traffic pollution or smoke from wood fire heaters, experienced a significant worsening of symptoms, a new University of Melbourne led study has found.
New study shows pregnant women need to move more
(Medical Xpress)—It may not be enough for women to spend just 30 minutes a day on a treadmill or elliptical if they want to manage their weight during pregnancy. Regular exercise can help lessen back pain, increase energy levels and reduce insomnia for pregnant women. But a new study conducted through the Blossom Project at Iowa State University found staying active throughout the day is more beneficial to limit excess weight gain. However, that goal may be difficult for many pregnant women to achieve.
Research trial into snoring brings new hope for sufferers
The solution to the age old problem of snoring has been right under our noses all along: if you want a decent night's sleep then sing for it.
Pancreas: New procedure detects tumours more efficiently
Swiss researchers have developed a method that is able to reliably localise certain tumours in the pancreas known as insulinomas. The new method was presented online in the renowned medical journal Lancet on 25 July. The print publication is due to follow in September. The study has been supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Cancer League and the United Kingdom's Department of Health.
The How-to Parenting Program improves the mental health of children
While children of all ages will be heading back to school in a few days, a new study from the Université de Montréal may encourage their parents to return to the classroom themselves ... at least for a few evenings! The results of a study in developmental psychology published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies show that the How-to Parenting Program improves the mental health of children.
Team finds potential clue associated with aggressive prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer deaths in white, African-American and Hispanic men, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Current treatment of prostate cancer targets androgens, hormones which promote the growth and spread of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear why, despite treatment, some prostate cancers progress and may become fatal. Researchers at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are studying the underlying mechanisms that cause invasive tumor growth have identified a key transcription factor, a protein which regulates the flow of information from DNA, that is over-produced in treatment-resistant prostate cancer, as well as the two protein kinases that trigger the process.
Building better brain implants: The challenge of longevity
On August 20, JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments will publish a technique from the Capadona Lab at Case Western Reserve University to accommodate two challenges inherent in brain-implantation technology, gauging the property changes that occur during implantation and measuring on a micro-scale. These new techniques open the doors for solving a great challenge for bioengineers—crafting a device that can withstand the physiological conditions in the brain for the long-term.
HB-EGF protects intestines from a variety of injuries, pair of studies suggests
It's not often that one treatment offers therapeutic potential for multiple conditions. However, after more than two decades of research, Gail Besner, MD, principal investigator for the Center for Perinatal Research and pediatric surgeon for the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and her team have found that this may just be the case with HB-EGF, or heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor.
Neurologists report unique form of musical hallucinations
One night when she was trying to fall asleep, a 60-year-old woman suddenly began hearing music, as if a radio were playing at the back of her head.
Hitting the gym may help men avoid diet-induced erectile dysfunction
Obesity continues to plague the U.S. and now extends to much of the rest of the world. One probable reason for this growing health problem is more people worldwide eating the so-called Western diet, which contains high levels of saturated fat, omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (the type of fat found in vegetable oil), and added sugar. Researchers have long known that this pattern of consumption, as well as the weight gain it often causes, contributes to a wide range of other health problems including erectile dysfunction and heart disease. Other than changing eating patterns, researchers haven't discovered an effective way to avoid these problems.
'Holocaust journeys' can cause mental health problems
A new study led by Tel Aviv University researchers finds that the Holocaust education trips Israeli high school students take to Poland every year can trigger mental health problems.
At-home care cuts depression in older African-Americans
(HealthDay)—A home-based intervention delivered by social workers reduces symptoms and improves quality of life in older African-Americans with depressive symptoms, according to research published in the Aug. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Early-life probiotics reduce allergies, not asthma
(HealthDay)—Probiotic exposure in early life may reduce total immunoglobulin E level (IgE) and protect against atopic sensitization, but does not seem to protect against asthma/wheezing, according to a meta-analysis published online Aug. 19 in Pediatrics.
Combo pulsed, non-ablative laser treatment is safe
(HealthDay)—For facial rejuvenation, a combination treatment of an optimized intense pulsed light source and a non-ablative fractional laser is safe and effective, according to a study published in the September issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Increasing operating costs top concern for medical practices
(HealthDay)—The top five concerns of medical practice executives all relate to financial management, with dealing with increasing operating costs reported as the most difficult daily challenge, according to a report published by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
IID: Sleep quality impacts skin function, aging in women
(HealthDay)—For premenopausal women, sleep quality is associated with skin function and aging, according to a study presented at the International Investigative Dermatology meeting, held from May 8 to 11 in Edinburgh, U.K.
Spinal radiosurgery ups risk of vertebral fracture
(HealthDay)—Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a common adverse effect in patients receiving spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), according to research published online Aug. 19 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Hispanic teens more likely to abuse drugs, survey finds
(HealthDay)—Hispanic teens are more likely to abuse illegal and legal drugs than their black or white peers, a new report finds.
Can Twitter make you fitter?
On a recent Saturday, Pat Wagner knew she should have been getting ready for boxing class. The 60-year-old Carrollton resident spent the last five years cutting her weight in half, dropping 150 pounds and adopting an entirely new lifestyle. She's no stranger to hard work or hard workouts, but on this day there were just too many distractions.
Digital addiction: Is it real or a symptom of other problems?
The morning's topic glowed on a big screen: "Social Media Burn-out." Strange, but the 70 hash-tag junkies who attended the August breakfast for Kansas City's Social Media Club appeared mostly fit and happy. Joking, checking their phones, tweeting here and there, munching fruit and whole-grain bagels.
Study suggests iron is at core of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease has proven to be a difficult enemy to defeat. After all, aging is the No. 1 risk factor for the disorder, and there's no stopping that.
Social giving makes us happier
People usually feel good when they make a charitable donation, but they feel even better if they make the donation directly to someone they know or in a way that builds social connection. Research to be published in the International Journal of Happiness and Development investigates for the first time how social connection helps turn generous behavior into positive feelings on the part of the donor.
Researchers identify conditions most likely to kill encephalitis patients
People with severe encephalitis—inflammation of the brain—are much more likely to die if they develop severe swelling in the brain, intractable seizures or low blood platelet counts, regardless of the cause of their illness, according to new Johns Hopkins research.
Appetite hormone misfires in obese people
Glucagon, a hormone involved in regulating appetite, loses its ability to help obese people feel full after a meal, but it continues to suppress hunger pangs in people with type 1 diabetes, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Gestational diabetes tied to seven-fold increase in sleep apnea risk
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are nearly seven times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than other pregnant women, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Multiple genes manage how people taste sweeteners
Genetics may play a role in how people's taste receptors send signals, leading to a wide spectrum of taste preferences, according to Penn State food scientists. These varied, genetically influenced responses may mean that food and drink companies will need a range of artificial sweeteners to accommodate different consumer tastes.
Study implicates dopamine in food restriction, drug abuse
Scientists today reported a possible basis for why food-restricted animals show increased susceptibility to drugs of abuse. This association has puzzled researchers since it was first observed more than three decades ago.
Chromosome 21 abnormality tells oncologists to treat pediatric ALL more aggressively
A recent study by members of the Children's Oncology Group reports results of a large trial showing that children whose leukemia cells have amplification of a portion of chromosome 21 may require more aggressive treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) than children without this gene amplification.
Study examines genetic associations for gastrointestinal condition in infants
Researchers have identified a new genome-wide significant locus (the place a gene occupies on a chromosome) for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS), a serious gastrointestinal condition associated with gastrointestinal obstruction, according to a study in the August 21 issue of JAMA. Characteristics of this locus also suggest the possibility of an inverse relationship between levels of circulating cholesterol in neonates and IHPS risk.
Lateral wedge insoles not associated with improvement of knee pain in osteoarthritis
Although a pooling of data from 12 studies showed a statistically significant association between use of lateral wedge insoles and lower pain in medial knee osteoarthritis, among trials comparing wedge insoles with neutral insoles, there was no significant or clinically important association between use of wedge insoles and reduction in knee pain, according to a study in the August 21 issue of JAMA.
Higher urinary albumin excretion linked with increased risk of CHD among black adults
In a large national study, higher levels of the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was associated with greater risk of incident but not recurrent coronary heart disease in black individuals when compared with white individuals, according to a study in the August 21 issue of JAMA.
Hypertension improvement program associated with increase in blood pressure control rates
Implementation of a large-scale hypertension program that included evidence-based guidelines and development and sharing of performance metrics was associated with a near-doubling of hypertension control between 2001 and 2009, compared to only modest improvements in state and national control rates, according to a study in the August 21 issue of JAMA.
MERS case in Qatar
Health authorities in Qatar on Tuesday announced the first case of MERS coronavirus in the Gulf state, with a 59-year-old man infected.
Commonly used drug does not reduce delirium in critically ill patients
Delirium, or severe confusion and disorientation, is often experienced by critically ill patients, and although causality between delirium and mortality is not established, critically ill patients who develop delirium are up to three times more likely to die by 6 months than are those who do not. Delirium may also add to the distress and discomfort experienced by both a critically ill patient and their family.
Infection during newborn's first week of life associated with bacterial infection in the mother
Early-onset neonatal infection, defined as infection in the first 7 days of life, is associated with maternal infection and colonization, a systematic review and meta-analysis by Grace Chan (Johns Hopkins School of Public Health) and colleagues found in this week's issue of PLOS Medicine.
Bacterial toxins cause deadly heart disease
University of Iowa researchers have discovered what causes the lethal effects of staphylococcal infective endocarditis - a serious bacterial infection of heart valves that kills approximately 20,000 Americans each year.
Researchers identify biomarkers for possible blood test to predict suicide risk
Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have found a series of RNA biomarkers in blood that may help identify who is at risk for committing suicide.
Endocannabinoids trigger inflammation that leads to diabetes
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have clarified in rodent and test tube experiments the role that inflammation plays in type 2 diabetes, and revealed a possible molecular target for treating the disease. The researchers say some natural messenger chemicals in the body are involved in an inflammatory chain that can kill cells in the pancreas, which produces insulin.
New characterization of human genome mutability catalyzes biomedical research
As biomedical researchers continue to make progress toward the realization of personalized genomic medicine, their focus is increasingly tuned to highly mutable regions of the human genome that contribute significantly to genetic variation and many inherited disorders.
NEETs are prime suspects in breast cancer proliferation
Two proteins have been identified as prime suspects in the proliferation of breast cancer in a study by an international consortium of researchers from Rice University, the University of North Texas, Denton (UNT); the University of California, San Diego (UCSD); and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
How brain microcircuits integrate information from different senses
A new publication in the top-ranked journal Neuron sheds new light onto the unknown processes on how the brain integrates the inputs from the different senses in the complex circuits formed by molecularly distinct types of nerve cells. The work was led by new Umeå University associate professor Paolo Medini.
A new role for sodium in the brain
Researchers at McGill University have found that sodium – the main chemical component in table salt – is a unique "on/off" switch for a major neurotransmitter receptor in the brain. This receptor, known as the kainate receptor, is fundamental for normal brain function and is implicated in numerous diseases, such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
How sleep helps brain learn motor task
You take your piano lesson, you go to sleep and when you wake up your fingers are better able to play that beautiful sequence of notes. How does sleep make that difference? A new study helps to explain what happens in your brain during those fateful, restful hours when motor learning takes hold.
First pre-clinical gene therapy study to reverse Rett symptoms
The concept behind gene therapy is simple: deliver a healthy gene to compensate for one that is mutated. New research published today in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests this approach may eventually be a feasible option to treat Rett Syndrome, the most disabling of the autism spectrum disorders. Gail Mandel, Ph.D., a Howard Hughes Investigator at Oregon Health and Sciences University, led the study. The Rett Syndrome Research Trust, with generous support from the Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK and Rett Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation, funded this work through the MECP2 Consortium.
How untying knots promotes cancer
Researchers have long known that high levels of a specific protein in human cells are linked to tumor growth – but no one has fully understood how.
Study indicates willpower not depleted by use nor replenished by food
(Medical Xpress)—A team composed of researchers from Stanford University and the University of Zurich has found evidence that suggests willpower is not depleted by use, nor replenished by glucose. In their paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers describe their experiments which indicate that a person's belief that willpower can be depleted has more bearing on their own perception of willpower.
Appearance means more than sound when judging music, research finds
(Medical Xpress)—We expect musical experts to focus on sound when judging competitions, and experts believe that their judgments are based on what they hear, not what they see. However, a study by Chia-Jung Tsay of University College London shows that appearance is more important than sound when it comes to judging musical quality. Both experts and novices were better able to identify winners of classical music competitions by watching silent videos than by listening to audio recordings. The research appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
How many types of neurons do we need to define?
(Medical Xpress)—A recent perspective paper published in Science has raised some important, and timely, questions regarding neural diversity. The authors, from Columbia, MIT, and New York University, would simply like to know how many kinds of neurons exist in the brain. For scientists who study glial cells, it may be enough to have a single named class of neuron, but the researchers here all study motorneurons of one kind or another. In particular, they are interested in treating neurodegenerative diseases, which often have clear motor deficits as their major pathology. To treat these diseases, researchers are attempting to differentiate embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into particular cell subtypes that could be used to restore normal function. As the authors observe, it would be handy if we could constrain the enormous range of biochemical, morphological and electrophysiological peculiarities that neurons display, into well-defined categories that could be referred to by n! ame.
Biology news
New fruit products incorporate old and new
As the most consumed snack food in the United States, it is no surprise that fresh fruit is also the fastest growing. In the August issue of Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Senior Editor Don Pszczola describes how the popularity of this snack led the food industry to create new ways of eating traditional fruit as well as introduce new and exotic fruits to the market. These new innovations provide flavorful snacks that are both healthy and functional.
Passing on the right antibodies: Protecting piglets from diarrhea
The parasite Cystoisospora suis affects suckling pigs causing severe intestinal problems, such as diarrhoea. Scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni) have now shown that antibodies against Cystoisospora suis are passed from mother to their piglets via the milk. Surprisingly however, the antibodies do not seem to protect the animals very efficiently. The results are presented in the current issue of the journal Veterinary Parasitology.
Finding summer homes: Student finds roosts for federally endangered Virginia big-eared bat
An hour and a half hike up a rugged, snow and ice covered mountain trail led Joey Weber to new information and to help start a habitat conservation effort.
New book explores evolution of human reproduction
Human beings would probably be known as pilosals rather than mammals if Carl Linnaeus had not been a proponent of breast-feeding. For social and political reasons, the famed taxonomist labeled the class of animals to which humans belong with a reference to their practice of suckling their young rather than to their evolutionarily older characteristic of having hair.
EU slaps trade sanctions against Faroes in herring spat
The European Commission adopted a package of trade sanctions against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday in a row over herring fisheries it says are being massively over-exploited.
New endangered giant ibis found in Cambodia
Jubilant conservationists expressed hope Tuesday for the survival of the critically-endangered giant ibis after a nest of the bird species was discovered in a previously unknown habitat in northeastern Cambodia.
Nemo can't go home
Round the planet the loveable clownfish Nemo may be losing his home, a new scientific study has revealed.
Call for 'citizen scientists' to help protect sea turtles
'Citizen scientists' can help protect endangered green sea turtles by observing and gathering information about them, according to a PhD student from The University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute.
Dams destabilize river food webs: Lessons from the Grand Canyon
Managing fish in human-altered rivers is a challenge because their food webs are sensitive to environmental disturbance. So reports a new study in the journal Ecological Monographs, based on an exhaustive three-year analysis of the Colorado River in Glen and Grand Canyons.
Anthropologists study the genesis of reciprocity in food sharing
When you share your lunch with someone less fortunate or give your friend half of your dessert, does that act of generosity flow from the milk of human kindness, or is it a subconscious strategy to assure reciprocity should you one day find yourself on the other side of the empty plate?
Study finds PHS gene that prevents wheat from sprouting
A new study about the common problem of preharvest sprouting, or PHS, in wheat is nipping the crop-killing issue in the bud.
Solving the mysteries of regeneration
Few animals can rival the amazing regeneration abilities of the flatworms known as planarians: When the worms' tails or heads are cut off, they grow new ones, and even a tiny piece of planarian tissue can regrow an entire animal.
Scientists help deliver genetic one-two blow to deadly wheat disease
(Phys.org) —A new gene that will equip wheat plants to resist the deadly stem rust disease has been discovered by an international team that includes plant scientists at the University of California, Davis.
Unscrambling the genetics of the chicken's 'blue' egg
(Phys.org) —They are the latest foodie fashion and look set to become big business in the baking aisles of all the major supermarkets – the blue egg produced by some chickens is prettier and some say tastier and cleaner-breaking than the traditional brown one – and now, thanks to scientists from The University of Nottingham, we know what caused the eggs in some breeds to turn this unusual colour.
How the bat beats the lifespan rule
From the elephant to the mayfly, biologists say there is a general rule about longevity: the bigger the animal, the longer it lives.
Ancient cycads found to be pre-adapted to grow in groves
The ancient cycad lineage has been around since before the age of the dinosaurs. More recently, cycads also co-existed with large herbivorous mammals, such as the ice age megafauna that only went extinct a few tens of thousands of years ago. Cycads that are living today have large, heavy seeds with a fleshy outer coating that suggests they rely on large bodied fruit-eating animals to disperse their seeds. Yet there is little evidence that they are eaten and dispersed by today's larger-bodied animals, such as emus or elephants. If these plants are adapted for dispersal by a set of animals that has been missing from Earth's fauna for tens of thousands of years, then how can they still be around today? A new study proposes that the clumped dispersal mechanism these ancient plants most likely relied upon still serves them well today.
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