Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 23, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Carbon nanotube logic device operates on subnanowatt power- Researchers publish theory, formula to improve 'plastic' semiconductors
- Which comes first? USU biochemists 'cracking code' of nitrogen fixation
- Math explains history: Simulation accurately captures the evolution of ancient complex societies
- Siberian hamsters show what helps make seasonal clocks tick
- Understanding a new kind of magnetism
- Wind and rain belts to shift north as planet warms, research says
- Engineers develop a stretchable, foldable transparent electronic display (w/ Video)
- Simulation sets atoms shivering
- Researchers make headway in quantum information transfer via nanomechanical coupling
- Global warming is likely to increase severe thunderstorm conditions in US, researchers find
- Fossil record shows crustaceans vulnerable as modern coral reefs decline
- Researchers erase human brain tumor cells in mice
- Fairfax reaches tentative deal to buy BlackBerry (Update 3)
- US judge weighs Google book copyright case
Space & Earth news
International partnership releases space exploration benefits paper
NASA and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) released a white paper Friday outlining benefits of human exploration of space.
UN climate experts stress solidity of new report (Update)
Seeking to dispel any doubts over the credibility of their work, U.N. climate experts called their latest report an unbiased and reliable assessment of global warming as they presented it Monday to officials from 110 governments for a final review.
Los Alamos National Laboratory describes storm damage to environmental monitoring stations, canyons
Hours after a disaster declaration by Los Alamos County, Los Alamos National Laboratory officials on Friday described "millions" of dollars in damage to environmental monitoring stations, monitoring wells, access roads and badly eroded canyon bottoms.
NASA image: Rim Fire update for September 23, 2013
Although the Rim Fire doesn't show any signs of smoke billowing like it has in the past satellite images, the fire still continues on. The blaze, which started on August 17, 2013, more than a month ago, is currenty 84% contained. Fire officials are currently estimating that complete containment will be achieved around October 1, 2013.
Infrared NASA image shows strength in Typhoon Pabuk's eastern side
Typhoon Pabuk continued to strengthen as it moved north through the northwestern Pacific Ocean on Sept. 23, and NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of the storm. The NASA image showed powerful thunderstorms east of the storm's center.
House OKs more logging in national forests
In response to fires that have ravaged the West this year, the House on Friday approved a bill that would expand logging in national forests despite a White House veto threat.
Fire scars big nature reserve in Ecuador's capital
Fire blamed on arson has charred vast areas of a nature reserve in Ecuador's capital, officials said Monday as they declared the blaze under control.
NASA commercial partner Boeing tests CST-100 spacecraft thrusters
Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft is one step closer to liftoff after a gauntlet of test firings of its steering jets at White Sands Space Harbor in Las Cruces, N.M.
New US climate map shows temperature changes in HD
If you're interested to see how warm your neighborhood will look like at 2090, here's a chance. There's new data available that has monthly climate projections for the continental United States at the size of a neighborhood, or about a half-mile (800 meters).
Health check for Perth waterways
A new report has found that the health of Perth's iconic Swan-Canning Estuary has improved in recent years.
Longer delay for space station delivery mission (Update)
A new commercial spaceship will wait all week before aiming again for the International Space Station.
NASA sees deadly typhoon usagi hit southern China
Southeastern China was hit by the most powerful typhoon of 2013 on Sept. 22, when Typhoon Usagi came ashore landfall in the Guangdong Province during the evening. NASA's TRMM satellite observed very heavy rainfall just south of the eye as the center was landfalling.
Pesticide regulation in California is flawed, UCLA report says
Approximately 30 million pounds of fumigant pesticides are sprayed on valuable California crops each year—strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and the like—in an attempt to control pests. Responsibility for the safety of pesticides must be evaluated and approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in a process known as registration.
Global warming 'hiatus' puts climate change scientists on the spot
It's a climate puzzle that has vexed scientists for more than a decade and added fuel to the arguments of those who insist man-made global warming is a myth. Since just before the start of the 21st century, the Earth's average global surface temperature has failed to rise despite soaring levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and years of dire warnings from environmental advocates.
Minimal amount of debris from Japan's tsunami has washed ashore in California
Not long after a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan in 2011, washing whole towns out to sea, concerns grew that huge amounts of debris could wash up on California's coast.
Dating our galaxy's dormant volcano
(Phys.org) —A dormant volcano—a supermassive black hole—lies at the heart of our galaxy. Fresh evidence suggests that it last erupted two million years ago.
Galaxy winds
(Phys.org) —The most luminous galaxies in our universe are not particularly bright in the visible. Most of their energy output (which can be hundreds or even thousands of times more than our Milky Way's) is emitted at infrared wavelengths. The power source of these galaxies is hyperactive bursts of star formation and/or activity around a massive black hole at a galaxy's nucleus, a so-called active galactic nucleus (AGN). The radiation from these processes is absorbed by dust that then re-emits it in the infrared. Astronomers suspect that many normal galaxies, even including our own, have undergone a phase of luminous activity at some time in their past.
Hubble eyes a smoldering star
(Phys.org) —This new image, snapped by NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows the star HD 184738, also known as Campbell's hydrogen star. It is surrounded by plumes of reddish gas—the fiery red and orange hues are caused by glowing gases, including hydrogen and nitrogen.
Global warming is likely to increase severe thunderstorm conditions in US, researchers find
In 2012, 11 weather disasters in the United States crossed the billion-dollar threshold in economic losses. Seven of those events were related to severe thunderstorms. New climate analyses led by Stanford scientists indicate that global warming is likely to cause a robust increase in the conditions that produce these types of storms across much of the country over the next century.
Fossil record shows crustaceans vulnerable as modern coral reefs decline
Many ancient crustaceans went extinct following a massive collapse of reefs across the planet, and new University of Florida research suggests modern species living in rapidly declining reef habitats may now be at risk.
Researchers publish enormous catalog of more than 300,000 nearby galaxies
More than 83,000 volunteer citizen scientists. Over 16 million galaxy classifications. Information on more than 300,000 galaxies. This is what you get when you ask the public for help in learning more about our universe.
Wind and rain belts to shift north as planet warms, research says
As humans continue to heat the planet, a northward shift of Earth's wind and rain belts could make a broad swath of regions drier, including the Middle East, American West and Amazonia, while making Monsoon Asia and equatorial Africa wetter, says a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Technology news
Solving the bottleneck in biogas production
Agro-biogas plants produce renewable energy, extracting gas produced in the anaerobic fermentation of animal manures mixed with organic wastes from the food sector. One by-product of this fermentation process is a thick liquid waste called 'digestate', which is difficult to manage but rich in organic matter and minerals.
NASA: Sector 33 app
Welcome to Sector 33! – A new air traffic control game for iOS and Android mobile devices.
First steps towards achieving better and cheaper biodiesel
Is there any connection between wine and biodiesel? The answer is yes, however surprising it may seem. Acetals are chemical compounds found in many wines, like port, for example, which give it a unique, sweet smell. However if acetals are blended with biodiesel, they improve its properties.
Berkeley Lab releases most comprehensive databook on China's energy and environment
In the five years since the China Energy Group of the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) released its last edition of the China Energy Databook, China has achieved two dubious distinctions: it surpassed the United States in energy consumption and it surpassed the United States in energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide, becoming the world leader on both scores.
NY seeks to delete phony online reviews
New York's attorney general is trying to dismantle what he calls a system of creating false online review for products and services.
Former Qualcomm exec charged with insider trading
A former senior executive at Qualcomm Inc. has been charged with insider trading, accused of buying shares of the wireless technology company before major announcements.
New Surface expected from Microsoft at NYC event (Update)
Microsoft Corp. is expected to announce new Surface tablet computers, including a version with a smaller screen to compete with Google's Nexus 7 and Apple's iPad Mini.
Teaching a computer to perceive the world without human input
Humans can see an object—a chair, for example—and understand what they are seeing, even when something about it changes, such as its position. A computer, on the other hand, can't do that. It can learn to recognize a chair, but can't necessarily identify a different chair, or even the same chair if its angle changes.
Review: Don't ditch Pandora yet for iTunes Radio
Now that iTunes Radio has shipped to millions of iPhone and iPad owners, does that mean you should delete Pandora? Not so fast, I say.
Apple sets new record for iPhones sales launch (Update)
Apple said Monday it sold a record nine million iPhones in the three days after launching two new versions of the smartphone.
Holding on to microbloggers
To be successful and to keep users coming back for more so-called microblogging services, of which Twitter is probably the most well known have to be useful, easy to use and be enjoyable otherwise new users will abandon the service before they become fully engaged in the community.
Electricity storage how-to guide available
(Phys.org) —Sandia National Laboratories has released an updated handbook on energy storage, an internationally known resource for utilities, regulators and others interested in electricity storage and power generation.
US mulls changes to personal electronics on flights
US aviation officials are considering easing restrictions on the use of personal electronics like smartphones, laptop computers and e-readers aboard airplanes, a spokesman said Monday.
Review: Apple's iOS 7's hidden gems
Apple Inc.'s iOS 7 is a big change - and worth downloading.
Microsoft to face many questions from analysts
Amid the largest corporate restructuring in its nearly 40-year history, and what is viewed by many as a risky $7 billion acquisition of Nokia Corp.'s mobile-handset business, Microsoft Corp. meets with Wall Street analysts on Thursday to discuss its finances and latest business efforts.
Once-cool BlackBerry failed to keep pace with rivals
In just a short time, BlackBerry went from being the coolest gadget-maker on the planet to one apparently destined for the history books.
Tesla patent describes hybrid battery pack system for EVs
(Phys.org) —A Tesla Motors patent application filed earlier this year shows the company's interest in a hybrid battery pack using lithium ion and metal-air batteries. The patent is titled "Electric Vehicle Extended Range Hybrid Battery Pack System." With a publication date of July this year, the patent describes a battery pack that would make use of a standard lithium ion battery along with a metal-air battery pack. Such a system could spur adoption of electric cars, based on the premise that one car, fitted with combined battery types, may ease concerns about how far one can expect to travel on a single charge. The patent application focuses on a hybrid battery pack that could ease those concerns and support Tesla's future success.
Facebook looking for meaning in user posts with 'deep learning' algorithms
(Phys.org) —Officials at Facebook have apparently decided to get serious about making sense of posts by its vast user base—according to MIT's Technology Review, officials with the company (specifically Chief Technical Officer Mike Schroepfer) have announced that they have put together a team of eight professionals with the mission of developing what the software industry has begun calling "deep learning." Deep learning is a type of software programming where algorithms are created that allow for building simulated neural networks. Such neural networks are capable of "learning" by analyzing patterns over time. Facebook, TR reports, is hoping to use its algorithms to better target ads, and also to improve its newsfeed.
Fairfax reaches tentative deal to buy BlackBerry (Update 3)
BlackBerry's largest shareholder has reached a tentative agreement to pay $4.7 billion for the troubled smartphone maker, even as many investors fret about its potential demise.
New password in a heartbeat: Researchers propose touch-to-access security for implanted devices
Pacemakers, insulin pumps, defibrillators and other implantable medical devices often have wireless capabilities that allow emergency workers to monitor patients. But these devices have a potential downside: They can be hacked.
US judge weighs Google book copyright case
A federal judge Monday pointedly questioned attorneys for the Authors Guild in a long-running case on whether Google's book-scanning project violates copyright law.
Medicine & Health news
Sensory illusion study provides new insight for body representation brain disorders
People can be easily tricked into believing an artificial finger is their own, shows a study published today in The Journal of Physiology. The results reveal that the brain does not require multiple signals to build a picture body ownership, as this is the first time the illusion has been created using sensory inputs from the muscle alone.
Research to change how breast cancer treated
(Medical Xpress)—Research from the newly formed Cambridge Cancer Centre, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cancer Research UK and others, could change how women with breast cancer are treated.
The future of mental health services
A report, published today by the Mental Health Foundation sets out some key messages as to what mental health services need to do in order to ensure that they are ready to address the mental health needs of the UK population in 20-30 years' time.
Latinos with disabilities rely on cultural ties to avoid substance abuse
People with physical disabilities often turn to alcohol and drugs to cope with their condition, but many disabled Latinos rely heavily on cultural ties with family and friends to help them steer clear of substance abuse, say University of Michigan researchers.
Research finds family policies benefit childbearing and work, not child development
A new study from Western University reveals that Quebec's family policies promote childbearing and paid work, but do not strengthen child development as well as corresponding policies from the rest of Canada.
Understanding India's rape crisis
On Sept. 13, a judge sentenced four men to death for the gang rape and resulting death of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in New Delhi, and the verdict sparked public demonstrations in support. That brutal crime, and a string of similar assaults that have occurred since, have brought global attention to the problem of sexual violence in India and prompted reforms that both expand the law and impose harsher penalties on rapists. Reactions are mixed as to whether those efforts will significantly reduce the widespread abuse of women long term.
When bacteria fight back
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a report about the growth of drug-resistant bacteria in this country, saying that each year more than 23,000 people die and 2 million are sickened by infections caused by resistant microbes.
New 'passport' suggested to improve epilepsy care for children
A new report, published today by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, recommends that parents keep an 'epilepsy passport' to aid communication between professionals involved in their child's epilepsy care.
Landmark study provides key to improved survival in peritoneal dialysis patients
Clinicians and scientists from Keele and Cardiff universities have published data from a landmark study that explains why survival in patients on peritoneal dialysis is low.
Sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea for patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy
Patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) for cancers in the pelvic region can experience diarrhea, a negative side effect of radiation treatment. Sulfasalazine, an oral tablet used to treat inflammation of the bowels, had been shown in a past trial of 31 patients to decrease diarrhea during pelvic RT (Killic 2001). Sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea, according to research presented today at the American Society of Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. The study also determined that the medication may be associated with a higher risk of diarrhea than placebo.
Encouraging outcomes for pediatric brain tumor patients treated with proton therapy
When used to treat pediatric patients with intracranial malignant tumors, proton therapy may limit the toxicity of radiation therapy while preserving tumor control, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Proton therapy is a cost-effective treatment for pediatric brain tumor patients
Proton therapy, an external beam radiotherapy in which protons deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor and spare healthy organs and tissues, is cost-effective in treating medulloblastomas, fast-growing brain tumors that mainly affect children, when compared to standard photon radiation therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Cisplatin combined with high-dose brachytherapy for advanced cervical cancer may be more beneficial
Adding the chemotherapy drug cisplatin to a treatment plan of radiation therapy (RT) and high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) for stage IIIB cervical cancer is beneficial, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. The study also indicated that the combined treatments produced acceptable levels of toxicity.
Patient-reported outcomes provide valuable insight regarding quality of life for patients with NSCLC
An analysis of quality of life (QOL) data of stage III lung cancer patients who received higher doses of radiation therapy (with chemotherapy) shows a significantly lower quality of life at 3 months after treatment compared to patients who received a standard dose of radiation (with chemotherapy), according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. The study also suggests that lung cancer patients who received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reported less decline in their QOL compared to those receiving three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT).
Adult cancer patients younger than 50 with limited brain mets have improved OS after SRS alone
When treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), that is not combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), adult brain cancer patients who were 50 years old and younger were found to have improved survival, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. Younger patients (under 50 years old) were also found to be at no greater risk of new brain metastases developing despite omission of WBRT.
ASTRO/AUA joint guideline for RT after prostatectomy highlighted at ASTRO Annual Meeting
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will highlight the recently published Adjuvant and Salvage Radiotherapy After Prostatectomy: ASTRO/AUA Guideline during ASTRO's 55th Annual Meeting, September 22-25, 2013, in Atlanta.
Protecting specific area of the brain during radiation therapy substantially reduces memory loss
Protecting the stem cells that reside in and around the hippocampus – a C-shaped area in the temporal lobe on both sides of the brain associated with the ability to form and store memories – substantially reduces the rate of cancer patients' memory loss during whole-brain radiotherapy without a significant risk of recurrence in that area of the brain, a new study shows. Results of the Phase II clinical trial of patients with brain metastases are being presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting.
Two-item questionnaire proves to be a valid depression screening tool for radiation therapy patients
Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) who are potentially suffering from depression can be effectively identified by a two-item questionnaire, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Fewer weeks of hormone therapy before radiation reduces side effects in intermediate risk PCa
A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting. The study confirmed a disease-specific-survival (DSS) rate of 95 percent when patients received fewer weeks of neoadjuvant (NEO) total androgen suppression (TAS).
Smartphones and tablets could provide universal access to medical monitoring
Do you have a smartphone in your pocket or purse? If so, you may be carrying the future of mobile medical monitoring technology, according to a special article in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Hospital trusts fall short of recommended standards on post mortem consent
Many hospital trusts in England and Wales are falling short of the recommended standards on obtaining consent for a post mortem, indicates a snapshot survey of practice published online in the Journal of Clinical Pathology.
Rising rates of severe and fatal sepsis during labor and delivery
Rates of severe sepsis and deaths from sepsis among U.S. women hospitalized for delivery have risen sharply over the last decade, reports a study in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Long-term hormonal therapy in intermediate-risk PCa patients does not improve overall survival
A secondary analysis of the historic RTOG 9202 prostate cancer trial examined results of men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer who had received long-term hormonal therapy after radiation therapy, and concluded that there were no additional benefits when compared to short-term hormonal therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Can mild hypothermia treatment improve neuron survival after traumatic brain injury?
Moderate reductions in body temperature can improve outcomes after a person suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI). New research that identifies positive effects of mild hypothermia on brain tissue is presented in an article published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management.
Results of a parental survey may help predict childhood immunization status
Scores on a survey to measure parental hesitancy about vaccinating their children were associated with immunization status, according to a study by Douglas J. Opel, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, and colleagues.
Mayo Clinic launches biobank in Arizona, expanding diversity research
Mayo Clinic has again broadened the base of its genomic research efforts by establishing a biobank at its Arizona campus, which will support studies in obesity, metabolism and diabetes, all areas of special concern in the Latino population. The Sangre por Salud Biobank is a collaboration among Mayo, Mountain Park Health Center and Arizona State University. Biobanks are an integral component of Mayo's Center for Individualized Medicine.
Britain gives $1.6 billion for AIDS, malaria, TB
Britain has announced that it is giving 1 billion pounds, or $1.6 billion, to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria over the next three years and hopes the money will lead to "some incredible results."
Study assesses use of fingerstick blood sample with i-STAT point-of-care device
Researchers have determined that fingerstick cardiac troponin I assay testing using thepoint-of-care i-STAT device is not accurate enough to determine the exact troponin level without the application of a corrective term.
Racial and ethnic disparities exist in ER pain management for children with abdominal pain
Pediatric researchers have found race- and ethnicity-based disparities in pain management and length of stay among children who came to hospital emergency departments for treatment of abdominal pain. A study team reported on their analysis of a national database of hospital visits in the October issue of Pediatrics.
World Bank sets $700 mn for women's, children's health
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced Monday that at least $700 million would be made available over the next two years for women's and children's health needs in poor countries.
The brain cannot be fooled by artificial sweeteners
Eating low-calorie sweetened products—especially when hungry or exhausted—may lead to a higher likelihood of seeking high calorie alternatives later, due to a newly discovered signal in the brain, suggests new research published today in The Journal of Physiology.
Clinical trial strives to provide optimal care during high-risk pregnancies
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to help determine the best timing of delivery in preterm pregnancies complicated by poor fetal growth. Preliminary results from the trial, which are published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, demonstrate better than expected health outcomes in this high-risk group of fetuses.
Functional disability high among newly diagnosed older breast cancer patients
Many older women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have difficulty accomplishing daily tasks, and African-Americans seem to be disproportionately affected. Those are the findings of a new study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's results suggest that many breast cancer patients could benefit from receiving therapy to improve their physical function.
Breastfeeding fraught with early challenges for many first-time mothers
Most new mothers in the United States begin breastfeeding when their children are born, but new research shows that those who report early concerns or problems with breastfeeding are nearly 10 times more likely to abandon breastfeeding within two months.
Disaster relief donations track number of people killed, not number of survivors
People pay more attention to the number of people killed in a natural disaster than to the number of survivors when deciding how much money to donate to disaster relief efforts, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The donation bias can be reversed, however, with a simple change in terminology.
Chronic aggressive behavior in boys: Epigenetic sources?
Chronic aggressive behaviour exhibited by some boys from disadvantaged families may be due to epigenetic changes during pregnancy and early childhood. This is highlighted by two studies conducted by a team led by Richard E. Tremblay, professor emeritus at the University of Montreal and Moshe Szyf, professor at McGill University, published in the journal PLOS ONE. The first author of the two papers, Nadine Provençal, was jointly supervised by professors Szyf and Tremblay.
Why do you want to eat the baby?
What woman has not wanted to gobble up a baby placed in her arms, even if the baby is not hers? This reaction, which everyone has noticed or felt, could have biological underpinnings related to maternal functions. For the first time, an international team of researchers has found evidence of this phenomenon in the neural networks associated with reward.
Addiction: Can you ever really completely leave it behind?
It is often said that once people develop an addiction, they can never completely eliminate their attraction to the abused substance. New findings provide further support for this notion by suggesting that even long-term abstinence from cocaine does not result in a complete normalization of brain circuitry.
Early test warns of world's leading eye disease
(Medical Xpress)—A new, quick and simple eye test can predict who is more at risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
The benefits of touch for babies, parents
For babies, the nine months of pregnancy may feel like one long, loving embrace. It's not surprising, then, that studies support the benefits of skin-to-skin contact for mothers and babies from the moment of birth, throughout infancy and beyond.
Game teaches surgical decision-making
A new, Web-based game could go a long way toward plugging what James Lau, MD, calls a gaping hole in surgical education.
'Performance-enhancing' boost helps to fight infection
(Medical Xpress)—Melbourne researchers have found that even our immune system is subject to performance enhancement, giving immune cells the boost they need to ensure the best team is selected to fight infections.
A healthy side effect of diabetes drug
(Medical Xpress)—New research has shown the promising potential of a glucose-regulating drug to improve the condition of arteries for diabetes sufferers, possibly protecting them against heart attack or stroke.
New research could help millions of Americans reduce leg pain from peripheral artery disease
A new approach to treating peripheral artery disease could lead to happier and healthier lives for millions of Americans.
Research leads to possible new treatment for sickle cell disease
There's a new ray of hope for those battling sickle cell disease thanks to a compound that was discovered at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Researchers identify proteins that may help brain tumors spread
Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified a molecular pathway that seems to contribute to the ability of malignant glioma cells in a brain tumor to spread and invade previously healthy brain tissue. Researchers said the findings, published Sept. 19, 2013, in the journal PLOS ONE, provide new drug-discovery targets to rein in the ability of these cells to move.
The most painful days of your life: School desks and chronic back pain
Undersize school chairs, low desks and overweight backpacks are contributing to chronic back pain in adolescents, according to a study from researchers in Portugal to be published in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics.
The pursuit of hopefulness in entertainment media
Has a movie or TV show ever left you feeling happy or uplifted about your own life? Entertainment media provides a wealth of emotionally evocative content, but relatively little attention has been paid to the subject of media creating positive emotions, and specifically, hope. In a recent study entitled "The Pursuit of Hopefulness: Operationalizing Hope in Entertainment Media Narrative," published in Routledge Journal's Media Psychology, author Abby Prestin researches the effects of hope and underdog characters in entertainment media.
Online time can hobble brain's important work
While you are browsing online, you could be squandering memories – or losing important information.
Don't let fear of falling freeze you in your tracks
A Saint Louis University School of Nursing faculty member is going to mark the first day of fall with a simple warning to senior adults: Don't let fear of falling stand in the way of being active and engaged with the world around you.
Experts say endocrine-disrupting chemicals pose global health threat
In an editorial published in Endocrinology, a journal of The Endocrine Society, endocrine experts agreed that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose a threat to human health and to the ecosystems of the earth. The editorial comes in response to a commentary (Dietrich et al. Chem Biol Interact) signed by a number of editors of toxicology journals that dismisses the state-of-the-science on EDCs and argues for the status quo in the regulation of these hazardous substances.
Research could lead to advances in treatment for neurological disorders, thyroid cancer
An innovative research project at Rutgers–Camden that combines computational and experimental science is uncovering information that could lead to advances in treatments for neurological disorders and thyroid diseases.
Simple, two-question survery accurately screens cancer patients for depression
Cancer patients can be accurately screened for major depression with a simple two-question survey, according to a study presented Sept. 23 at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's 55th Annual Meeting.
Hunger pains: Binge-eating disorder linked to lifelong impairments in 12-country study
Binge-eating disorder, designated only months ago by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosis in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is associated with substantial lifelong impairments comparable to those of bulimia nervosa, according to a World Health Organization study based on community epidemiological surveys conducted in 12 nations worldwide.
HIV infections plummet since 2001: UN
New HIV infections have plummeted by a third overall since 2001 and more than halved among children, the United Nations said Monday.
Movies that push our cognitive limits
Hyperlink films mirror contemporary globalized communities, using exciting cinematic elements and multiple story lines to create the idea of a world that is interconnected on many social levels. However, films in this genre like Crash, Babel, and Love Actually are not as new and innovative as presumed and still conform to conventional social patterns. These findings, by Jaimie Krems of Arizona State University in the US and Robin Dunbar of the University of Oxford in the UK, are published in Springer's journal Human Nature.
Health reform: Young adults may be key to making it all work
(HealthDay)—Few uninsured young adults know about the state health insurance exchanges opening for business on Oct. 1, surveys show. But even if they did, would they snap up health coverage?
HEALTH REFORM: Exchanges will be cornerstone for coverage choices
(HealthDay)—A new way of shopping for health insurance is coming to your state.
'Superbug' MRSA infections aren't dropping in children: CDC
(HealthDay)—Although rates of infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are declining among American adults, the rates among children remain largely unchanged, a new government study finds.
Booster dose of new meningitis vaccine may be beneficial
A study of 4CMenB, a new vaccine to protect against meningitis B bacteria (which can cause potentially fatal bacterial meningitis in children), shows that waning immunity induced by infant vaccination can be overcome by a booster dose at 40 months of age, according to a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Study uncovers gene's contribution to asthma susceptibility
New research from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has uncovered the role gene ORMDL3 plays in the disease asthma. ORMDL3, a gene recently linked to asthma susceptibility, has now been linked to the body's ability to recruit inflammatory cells during an airway allergic reaction. Study findings appear today in the journal Nature Communications.
Study reveals that preventing malaria in travelers to West Africa reduces health costs
Not only do U.S. travelers to West Africa who consult health providers before they leave and take prescribed preventive medications substantially reduce their risk of contracting malaria, they also reduce costs to their health insurance providers and, in most cases, to themselves. In a report that has been published online in Clinical Infectious Disease, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) report finding that the costs associated with contracting malaria—to both third-party payers and to individual travelers—outweigh the costs of preventive care.
Marriage associated with better cancer outcomes, study finds
People who are married when diagnosed with cancer live longer than those who are not, report researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Married patients also tended to have cancers diagnosed at an earlier stage – when it is often more successfully treated – and to receive more appropriate treatment.
Some heart birth defects may increase children's heart infection risk
Children with certain heart birth defects may have an increased risk for bacterial infection of their heart's lining and valves, according to new research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
American College of Physicians releases new recommendations for treating obstructive sleep apnea
People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should lose weight and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as initial therapy, according to new recommendations from the American College of Physicians (ACP) published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal.
Researchers develop spring-like fibers to help repair damaged heart tissue
The threat from a heart attack doesn't end with the event itself. Blockage of blood flow to the heart can cause irreversible cell death and scarring. With transplants scarce, half the people who live through a heart attack die within five years. Scientists are trying to address this problem by engineering cardiac tissue to patch up damaged areas.
How 'bad' cholesterol causes atherosclerosis in humans: Stem cells play a key role
University at Buffalo translational researchers are developing a richer understanding of atherosclerosis in humans, revealing a key role for stem cells that promote inflammation.
Protein explains increased asthma severity in children exposed to diesel exhaust from traffic
A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles from traffic pollution leads to increased asthma severity in children. Moreover, the study finds that this is due to increased blood levels of IL-17A, a protein associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, in children with high diesel exposure.
Public says childhood cancer should be top children's health research priority
Adults across the U.S. rate childhood cancer as their top priority for research into improving children's health, according to a new University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.
FDA lays out rules for some smartphone health apps (Update)
Food and Drug Administration officials say they will begin regulating a new wave of applications and gadgets that work with smartphones to take medical readings and help users monitor their health.
Managed care reduces hospitalizations in nursing home residents with advanced dementia
Nursing home residents with advanced dementia commonly experience burdensome, costly interventions that do not improve their quality of life or extend their survival. Now a new study suggests that providing intensive primary care services may result in less burdensome and less costly care for these terminally ill residents.
Sibling bullying: What's the big deal?
Sibling bullying is a type of violence that is prevalent in the lives of most children, but little is known about it, researchers say.
Bedsharing associated with longer breastfeeding, study warns of bedsharing risk
Frequent bedsharing between a mother and infant was associated with longer duration of breastfeeding, but researchers warned of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with bedsharing, in a study by Yi Huang, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and colleagues.
Medicare expenses for patients with heart attacks increase between 1998 and 2008
Medicare expenses for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, heart attack) increased substantially between 1998 and 2008, with much of the increase coming in expenses 31 days or more after the patient was hospitalized, according to a study published by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Retail investment: A barometer for teen obesity?
When it comes to addressing the obesity epidemic, fast food restaurants are a favorite target, with some communities, such as the city of Los Angeles, going so far as to ban the construction of new, standalone fast food restaurants in neighborhoods with a high density of fast food restaurants that are also plagued by a high obesity rate.
Bioethicist discusses targeting parents of obese children
(HealthDay)—Parents of obese children should be targeted in an effort to deal with a serious national problem, according to a viewpoint piece published in the September issue of JAMA Pediatrics.
HFES: Multi-tasking can impair diagnostic performance
(HealthDay)—Performing a complex concurrent memorization task negatively impacts diagnostic performance, according to a study that will be presented at the upcoming annual meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in San Diego.
AAGBI: Wrong fluid commonly used as arterial flush in ICU
(HealthDay)—Use of the wrong fluid in an arterial flush is commonly reported in intensive care unit (ICU) practice and elsewhere in hospital practice, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in Anaesthesia and presented at the annual congress of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, held from Sept. 18 to 20 in Dublin.
Majority of US consumers want full access to EMR
(HealthDay)—Most U.S. consumers want to have full access to their electronic medical records (EMR), and 41 percent would be willing to switch doctors to gain access, according to a survey published by Accenture.
Pap, HPV testing unnecessarily high in under-21-year-olds
(HealthDay)—For women younger than 21 years, Papanicolaou (Pap) and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing are unnecessarily high, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Identifying trauma risk in small children early after an accident
Small children also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders after a serious accident. With the aid of a new test, children with an increased risk can already be identified in the space of a few days. The test devised by scientists from the University of Zurich and the University Children's Hospital Zurich helps to treat traumatized small children at an early stage.
No detectable association between frequency of marijuana use and health or healthcare utilization
(Boston)—Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found frequency of marijuana use was not significantly associated with health services utilization or health status. These findings currently appear online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
'Reassuring' findings released in national study of influenza vaccine safety in pregnancy
Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center and UC San Diego, in collaboration with the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), have found 'reassuring' evidence of the H1N1 influenza vaccine's safety during pregnancy. The national study, which was launched shortly after the pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak of 2009 and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will be summarized in two companion papers published online this month in the journal, Vaccine.
Large European study suggests men with type 1 diabetes are better at blood sugar control than women
Men with type 1 diabetes appear to be better at blood sugar control than women, but there is no significant difference in blood sugar control between boys and girls. These are the findings of new research presented at this week's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Barcelona, Spain. The research is by Professor Sarah Wild, University of Edinburgh, UK, and colleagues from the International quality of care for type 1 diabetes group.
Data from across globe defines distinct Kawasaki disease season
After more than four decades of research, strong evidence now shows that Kawasaki disease has a distinct seasonal occurrence shared by regions across the Northern hemisphere.
Preoperative blood typing may not be needed for some pediatric surgeries
Certain pediatric surgeries carry such low risk of serious blood loss that clinicians can safely forgo expensive blood typing and blood stocking before such procedures, suggest the results of a small study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
Researchers discover a new way that influenza can infect cells
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have uncovered a new mechanism by which influenza can infect cells – a finding that ultimately may have implications for immunity against the flu.
Researchers identify risk-factors for addictive video-game use among adults
New research from the University of Missouri indicates escapism, social interaction and rewards fuel problematic video-game use among "very casual" to "hardcore" adult gamers. Understanding individual motives that contribute to unhealthy game play could help counselors identify and treat individuals addicted to video games.
Study finds implanted device helps patients with central sleep apnea
A small implant being studied for the treatment of central sleep apnea is showing significant promise, according to study results presented by Dr. William Abraham, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, during today's Late Breaking Clinical Trials session of the Heart Failure Society of America's Annual Scientific Meeting.
Be nice to your bacteria and they'll be nice to you, doctors say
At 60, Marty Wichter of Arlington, Texas, found himself in constant digestive distress and at a loss for what to do.
Cutting-edge implant helps patients see clearly
A Sunrise, Fla., surgeon is among the first in the nation to perform a stitch-less implant in the eye to correct both acute myopia and astigmatism, a debilitating pair of conditions that afflict millions of Americans.
Boomers' embrace of devices gives rise to new med-tech age
Jay Alva's sneakers pounded the treadmill, set to the speed of a brisk walk. Sweat dripped off the 53-year-old as he hit a groove during a recent workout.
Plant science could aid Alzheimer's research
A finding by an international team of plant biologists could be important in research into Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases.The study is published this week in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and presents new data on the degradation of short peptides (chains of amino acid molecules) in cells.
New paper describes genetic connections between biological rhythms, timing of feeding and insulin sensitivity
A new study by a team of University of Notre Dame researchers, which appears in the Sept. 2 edition of the journal PLoS ONE, is a significant step in understanding the molecular genetic and physiological basis for a spectrum of metabolic diseases related to circadian function.
A higher plane: Uniquely human geometric skills traced to evolution
Here's a short geometry test: How many straight lines can be drawn connecting two points on a flat plane? If you make two angles on a triangle smaller, does the third get larger or smaller? If you split a square diagonally, are the two resulting triangles the same size or different?
How mom's immune system is linked to autism risk
(Medical Xpress)—Activating a mother's immune system during her pregnancy disrupts the development of neural cells in the brain of her offspring and damages the cells' ability to transmit signals and communicate with one another, researchers with the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology have found. They said the finding suggests how maternal viral infection might increase the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia.
Cancer-killing cells controlled by epigenetic process, new study shows
Natural killer (NK) cells in the human body can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors, and a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) describes for the first time how those cells can be manipulated by epigenetics. The discovery, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paves the way for developing more effective cancer drugs.
Some parts of memory still developing deep into childhood
A new study provides evidence that one important part of memory undergoes substantial development even after the age of 7.
Team finds daytime naps enhance learning in preschool children
Sleep researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst today offer the first research results showing that classroom naps support learning in preschool children by enhancing memory. Children who napped performed significantly better on a visual-spatial task in the afternoon after a nap and the next day than those who did not nap.
Prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs associated with impaired fine motor skills
Prenatal exposure to antiepileptic medications was associated with an increased risk of impaired fine motor skills (small muscle movements) in children at age 6 months, but breastfeeding by women taking the medications was not associated with any harmful effects on child development at ages 6 to 36 months, according to a report published by JAMA Neurology.
Breakthrough offers first direct measurement of spinal cord myelin in multiple sclerosis
Researchers have made an exciting breakthrough – developing a first-of-its-kind imaging tool to examine myelin damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). An extremely difficult disease to diagnose, the tool will help physicians diagnose patients earlier, monitor the disease's progression, and evaluate therapy efficacy.
Researchers erase human brain tumor cells in mice
Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that weeks of treatment with a repurposed FDA-approved drug halted the growth of—and ultimately left no detectable trace of—brain tumor cells taken from adult human patients.
Brain may rely on computer-like mechanism to make sense of novel situations, study says
Our brains give us the remarkable ability to make sense of situations we've never encountered before—a familiar person in an unfamiliar place, for example, or a coworker in a different job role—but the mechanism our brains use to accomplish this has been a longstanding mystery of neuroscience.
Alzheimer's progression tracked prior to dementia
For years, scientists have attempted to understand how Alzheimer's disease harms the brain before memory loss and dementia are clinically detectable. Most researchers think this preclinical stage, which can last a decade or more before symptoms appear, is the critical phase when the disease might be controlled or stopped, possibly preventing the failure of memory and thinking abilities in the first place.
Biology news
Are zoos really a setting for ecotourism?
According to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, over 700 million people visit zoos each year (WAZA, 2012) and with the growing popularity amongst tourist the debate continues whether it is moral for animals to be kept in zoos, although the primary objective of entertainment has changed to include research, education and conservation.
Breeding blow as Australian panda passions run low
It was back to the drawing board for Australian scientists Monday after another breeding season for giant pandas failed to produce results at the Adelaide Zoo.
For GM food and vaccinations, the panic virus is a deadly disease
Most readers are aware of the benefits of using vaccines to boost the immune system and prevent infectious disease. Many readers will not be aware of a very different disease prevention tool: supplementing vitamins in crops through genetic modification (GM).
Why humans are musical
Why don't apes have musical talent, while humans, parrots, small birds, elephants, whales, and bats do? Matz Larsson, senior physician at the Lung Clinic at Örebro University Hospital, attempts to answer this question in the scientific publication Animal Cognition.
Collision-causing millipedes will eventually abate
An invertebrate ecologist says a recent low-speed train collision in Perth attributed to Portuguese millipedes (Ommatoiulis moreleti) on the tracks is a symptom of growing millipede numbers in WA.
Freeze! A protein group affecting lipid dynamics at cell membranes discovered
Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized by membranes, whose shape and dynamics are precisely regulated to maintain their correct functions. Consequently, many cellular processes such as endocytosis, migration and morphogenesis rely on proteins that bind directly to membranes and sculpt them into desired shapes.
A fast fish with a huge impact: Major changes to the Danube ecosystem
Globalization is breaking down barriers—also for plants and animals on the lookout for new homes. Rivers are also changing, in particular through the introduction of non-native species, often brought in by passing ships. In the Danube River, scientists have been observing a fish species conquering a new habitat and creating a totally new ecosystem in the process.
Eagle vs. deer
A camera trap set out for endangered Siberian (Amur) tigers in the Russian Far East photographed something far more rare: a golden eagle capturing a young sika deer.
The fish and the egg: Towards a new strategy for fattening up red drum in Texas
It's not the chicken or the egg, but marine scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have answered a basic question about red drum fish and their eggs that may eventually help save the state of Texas a great deal of money in hatcheries management and make fish farming more environmentally friendly.
First look at complete sorghum genome may usher in new uses for food and fuel
Although sorghum lines underwent adaptation to be grown in temperate climates decades ago, a University of Illinois researcher said he and his team have completed the first comprehensive genomic analysis of the molecular changes behind that adaptation.
Modifying rice crops to resist herbicide prompts weedy neighbors' growth spurt
Rice containing an overactive gene that makes it resistant to a common herbicide can pass that genetic trait to weedy rice, prompting powerful growth even without a weed-killer to trigger the modification benefit, new research shows.
Team identifies molecular 'finger' that pushes the domino of life
The basics of conception are familiar to any high school freshman biology student, yet scientists have yet to find the initial molecular mechanisms that set off the cascade of events that form a developing embryo.
How bacteria integrate autotransporters into their outer membrane
The bacterial outer envelope is densely packed with proteins that form small pores and facilitate the passage of nutrients, toxins and signaling molecules. Professors Timm Maier and Sebastian Hiller from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel now demonstrate how these transporter proteins are integrated into the outer membrane. Using x-ray structural analysis they reveal the structure-function relationship of the protein TamA, which plays an important role in the assembly of transport proteins in the bacterial outer membrane. Their findings have been published recently in the renowned scientific journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
Bacteria don't always work 'just in time': Scientists calculate optimal metabolic pathways in bacteria
'Just in time' - not only cars are being built according to this principle nowadays. Aircraft, mobile phones and computers are also produced following this method, in which all components are delivered exactly at the time when they are needed. This saves storage capacity and therefore cash. Hence it is supposed to be particularly efficient.
Scientists discover important mechanism in plant cells which regulates direction that plant cells grow
Scientists have discovered an important mechanism in plant cells which regulates the direction that plant cells grow.
It takes a(n academic) village to determine an enzyme's function
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of nearly 6,900 organisms, but they know the functions of only about half of the protein-coding genes thus far discovered. Now a multidisciplinary effort involving 15 scientists from three institutions has begun chipping away at this mystery – in a big way. Their work to identify the function of one bacterial protein and the biochemical pathway in which it operates will also help identify the functions of hundreds of other proteins.
Siberian hamsters show what helps make seasonal clocks tick
Many animals, including humans, have internal clocks and calendars to help them regulate behavior, physiological functions and biological processes. Although scientists have extensively studied the timekeeping mechanisms that inform daily functions (circadian rhythms), they know very little about the timekeeping mechanisms that inform seasonal functions.
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