Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 21, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Bee brains challenge view that larger brains are superior at understanding conceptual relationships- Nanodiamond production in ambient conditions opens door for flexible electronics, implants and more
- Breast milk protein may be key to protecting babies from HIV infection
- Nano-cone textures generate extremely 'robust' water-repellent surfaces
- Neuron 'claws' in the brain enable flies to distinguish one scent from another
- Chameleon in lab: Looking cooler when heated, thin coating tricks infrared cameras
- 'Mix and match': Mixing nanoparticles to make multifunctional materials
- No known hominin is ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans, research says
- Topological light: Living on the edge
- Global ocean currents explain why Northern Hemisphere is the soggier one
- Light-activated medical implants: Team develops light-guiding hydrogel for cell-based sensing
- Hair regeneration method is first to induce new human hair growth
- University team has AR See-Through System for safe driving (w/ Video)
- Flying mini-robot cleaners wins Electrolux Design Lab competition
- Scientists untangle nanotubes to release their potential in the electronics industry (w/ Video)
Space & Earth news
Chinese no longer banned from NASA astronomy meet (Update)
Six Chinese scientists who were banned from a NASA astronomy conference are now welcome to register, resolving an international row over academic discrimination, a co-organizer told AFP on Monday.
Groundwater 'supports industry worth $34 billion' in Australia
Australia's reserves of groundwater help earn the nation a steady $34 billion a year from mining, food production and manufacturing, according to a new study.
Pipeline protest mentality is big in B.C.
A new working paper produced by a Simon Fraser University researcher reveals that most environmental protesters attempting to block oil pipeline projects, such as those proposed by Northern Gateway and Kinder Morgan, aren't just radicals.
Disaster management expert warns Australian bush fires will be amongst worst ever seen
New South Wales firefighters could not possibly have done any more to tackle the bushfires engulfing the area around Sydney and are now ultimately at the mercy of the elements, according to a senior Kingston University academic.
Information with more accuracy about noise, flows and hydrogen sulphide in the Baltic Sea
The first devices for measuring underwater noise have been anchored this week to the bottom of the Baltic Sea on the coast of Finland. The researchers of six countries bordering the Baltic Sea who participate in the BIAS project installed noise-measuring hydrophones on the southern side of the Jussarö lighthouse near Tvärminne and in the Gulf of Finland between Helsinki and Tallinn.
NSF awards grants for deployment of new observing system in the North Atlantic Ocean
In an effort to study the circulation of ocean waters, a key component of the global climate system, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $16 million in grants over the next five years to oceanographers at Duke University, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the University of Miami.
NASA satellites investigate Typhoon Francisco heading for Japan
Several of NASA's fleet of Earth-observing satellites have been gathering data on Typhoon Francisco as it moves toward Japan. NASA's Aqua, Terra and TRMM satellites captured infrared, visible and rainfall data on the super typhoon.
Economic assessment of mountain pine beetle timber salvage
A recently published study by U.S. Forest Service researchers evaluates potential revenues from harvesting standing timber killed by mountain pine beetle in the western United States. The study shows that while positive net revenues could be produced in West Coast and Northern Rockies states with active timber markets, the central Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming—which have the largest volume of standing dead timber—would not generate positive net revenues by salvaging beetle-killed timber.
Calif. finds more instances of offshore fracking
The oil production technique known as fracking has been occurring on offshore platforms and man-made islands off some of Southern California's most populous coastal communities.
Peru air force brings back its UFO probe team
Peru's air force has said it is reviving a department to research anomalous aerial phenomena—in other words, UFO sightings.
Chinese city blanketed in heavy pollution
Choking clouds of pollution blanketed a Chinese city famed for its annual ice festival Monday, reports said, cutting visibility to 10 metres (33 feet) and underscoring the nation's environmental challenges.
How Twitter fans kept NASA alive during the US shutdown
Now that the US government is back in business, all "non-essential" services will resume. For 15 days we went without NASA's full operation, US Antarctic research and federally-funded clinical studies. Even this relatively short time frame will see a science fallout that could last for years.
Two-pronged approach to boost forest carbon storage
More carbon will sometimes be stored in forests if a bigger variety of tree species is planted along with key species - such as nitrogen fixing trees - that are known to contribute strongly to carbon storage, according to researchers at The University of Western Australia.
Nearing one thousand exoplanets
A quiet milestone in modern astronomy may soon come to pass. As of today, The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia lists a current tally of 998 extrasolar planets across 759 planetary systems. And although various tabulations differ slightly, very soon we should be living in an era where over one thousand exoplanets are known.
Twenty-two thousand trips around the planet
Four years after its launch, Swisscube, the small satellite developed by EPFL's Space Center, is still in operation. Some of the technological choices made and considered audacious at the time have yielded valuable lessons for building future spacecraft.
Deep-sea dive discoveries
A research team recommending that greater conservation measures be applied to two rare, dense coral garden communities that it discovered in the Gulf of Maine has three University of Maine connections.
Ningaloo coral comes out on top
Coral cover patterns along the WA coast have remained relatively stable over the last 25 years, according to recent meta-analytical research.
Satellite's gravity-mapping mission is over, ESA says
A satellite measuring Earth's gravity since 2009 ran out of fuel Monday and will reenter the atmosphere within three weeks, when it will mostly disintegrate, the European Space Agency said.
Asteroid expert says surveillance is key to survival, planning is key to defense
(Phys.org) —For the threat of meteor strikes large or small, early detection is key, and evacuation may be the only defense needed within the next 1,000 years, according to an asteroid impact expert.
Sounding rocket to calibrate NASA's SDO instrument
NASA will conduct a sounding rocket launch at 2 p.m. EDT, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico carrying an experiment to support the calibration of the EUV Variability Experiment, or EVE, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, satellite. EVE measures the total extreme ultraviolet output of the sun, called its irradiance.
NASA animation shows birth of 13th Atlantic tropical depression
The thirteenth tropical depression of the Atlantic Ocean season formed today, Oct. 21 and NOAA's GOES-East satellite captured its development. NASA's GOES Project created an animation from the NOAA satellite imagery that shows the depression's development over three days.
NASA sees major Hurricane Raymond lashing western Mexico
Low pressure System 96E developed quickly over the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20 and by Oct. 21 had grown into Hurricane Raymond. Before Raymond exploded into a major hurricane NASA's Terra satellite flew overhead from space and NOAA's GOES satellite provided images of Raymond as a major hurricane.
Tropical Storm Lekima born in northwestern Pacific Ocean
The twenty-eighth tropical depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean tropical cyclone season developed and strengthened into Tropical Storm Lekima.
Mongolia's nomads turn to private land
Mongolia's nomads have roamed its sprawling grasslands for centuries, pitching their yurts wherever they find pasture for their animals, but now Tsogtsaikhan Orgodol is staying put as part of a scheme to tackle chronic overgrazing.
US carbon dioxide pollution down 3.8 percent (Update)
The United States cut its energy-related carbon dioxide pollution by 3.8 percent last year, the second biggest drop since 1990, the Department of Energy said Monday.
Delayed gratification hurts climate change cooperation
Time is a huge impediment when it comes to working together to halt the effects of climate change, new research suggests.
Celebrating the legacy of ESA's Planck mission
From the tiniest fraction of a second after the Big Bang to the evolution of stars and galaxies over 13.8 billion years, ESA's Planck space telescope has provided new insight into the history of our Universe. Although science observations are now complete, the legacy of the Planck mission lives on.
Risk of Amazon rainforest dieback is higher than IPCC projects, researchers say
A new study suggests the southern portion of the Amazon rainforest is at a much higher risk of dieback due to stronger seasonal drying than projections made by the climate models used in the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If severe enough, the loss of rainforest could cause the release of large volumes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It could also disrupt plant and animal communities in one of the regions of highest biodiversity in the world.
Nitrogen fertilizer remains in soils and leaks towards groundwater for decades
Nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops lingers in the soil and leaks out as nitrate for decades towards groundwater – "much longer than previously thought," scientists in France and at the University of Calgary say in a new study.
Quake-triggered landslides pose significant hazard for Seattle, new study details potential damage
A new study suggests the next big quake on the Seattle fault may cause devastating damage from landslides, greater than previously thought and beyond the areas currently defined as prone to landslides. Published online Oct. 22 by the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA), the research offers a framework for simulating hundreds of earthquake scenarios for the Seattle area.
Astrophysics advance explanation for star formation
A newly published paper by three UC San Diego astrophysics researchers for the first time provides an explanation for the origin of three observed correlations between various properties of molecular clouds in the Milky Way galaxy known as Larson's Laws.
Cygnus cargo craft readies to leave space station
A private cargo ship built by Orbital Sciences Corporation is preparing to leave the International Space Station early Tuesday and burn up on re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, NASA said Monday.
Global ocean currents explain why Northern Hemisphere is the soggier one
A quick glance at a world precipitation map shows that most tropical rain falls in the Northern Hemisphere. The Palmyra Atoll, at 6 degrees north, gets 175 inches of rain a year, while an equal distance on the opposite side of the equator gets only 45 inches. Scientists long believed that this was a quirk of the Earth's geometry – that the ocean basins tilting diagonally while the planet spins pushed tropical rain bands north of the equator. But a new University of Washington study shows that the pattern arises from ocean currents originating from the poles, thousands of miles away.
Technology news
'Science fiction' facility pushes research boundaries
A world-leading, room-sized virtual reality environment has been switched on at Monash University, allowing scientists to step inside their research and manipulate ultra high-resolution visualisations of data.
A new era in disaster relief: Report highlights wide potential in cellphones and social media, with notes of caution
Between 2008 and 2013, the number of cellphone users in world's developing nations nearly doubled, with 2.5 billion new subscribers bringing the total to more than 6 billion.
The manufacturing of auto parts is reduced to a single step
Following years of research, the technology involving thixoforming, in other words, the shaping of metals in a semi-solid state, is beginning to yield results. CIC marGUNE, the Co-operative Research Centre for High-performance Manufacturing, is exploring the possibility of modifying the current process to manufacture parts for the automotive industry, thanks to thixoforming technology. This research is being conducted in collaboration with CIE-Legazpi and Mondragon University.
SAP co-CEO: Cloud computing growing strongly (Update)
Business software maker SAP's strong growth in cloud computing remains on track despite headwinds from a stronger euro, the co-CEO said Monday.
A laboratory for all (cleaning) situations
Thanks to "CleanLab 2020," dirt particles on a scale ranging from the nano to the micro and found on and in components, surfaces and liquids in a wide variety of industries can be analyzed for the first time. At the same time a contiguous clean room provides a site where components can be cleaned and any impurities extracted and investigated.
Google stock crosses $1,000 mark after earnings
Google's stock surpassed the $1,000 mark for the first time, helped by strong third-quarter results.
Precocious US political predictor looks to next venture
Rock star statistician Nate Silver, who made numbers cool by giving near-perfect predictions of US votes in 2008 and 2012, will soon relaunch his website in a new home, just in time for the next election cycle.
Fukushima groundwater radiation spikes
Groundwater radiation levels at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant have soared near a tank that leaked 300 tonnes of toxic water in August, struggling operator Tokyo Electric Power said.
Americans warm to online dating, survey shows
Americans are growing more comfortable with online dating, and many are finding a spouse or partner in cyberspace, a survey showed Monday.
Storm caused radioactive leaks at Fukushima: operator
Heavy rain at the Fukushima nuclear plant caused a leak of radioactive water containing a cancer-causing isotope, possibly into the sea, its operator said Monday, as a typhoon approaching Japan threatened further downpours.
SAP profits up 23 percent as cloud computing grows
Business management software company SAP AG says net profit rose 23 percent in the third quarter as its cloud computing business grew rapidly and the company kept down costs by holding down hiring of new employees.
AT&T in $4.85B deal to lease, sell wireless towers
AT&T says it will sell or lease the rights for 9,700 wireless communications towers to Crown Castle International for about $4.85 billion.
Scientists use social media—vacation photos from Flickr—to study how people use natural areas for tourism
Scientists affiliated with the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University have found a way to use photo-sharing site Flickr to measure where and when people are using natural areas for recreation and tourism. This information can help measure the benefits and value that these areas provide to society.
Potential of straw for the energy mix has been underestimated
Straw from agriculture could play an important role in the future energy mix for Germany. Up until now it has been underutilised as a biomass residue and waste material. These were the conclusions of a study conducted by the TLL (Thueringian regional institute for agriculture), the DBFZ (German biomass research center) and the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ). According to them, from a total of 30 million tons of cereal straw produced annually in Germany, between 8 and 13 million tons of it could be used sustainably for energy or fuel production. This potential could for example provide 1.7 to 2.8 million average households with electricity and at the same time 2.8 to 4.5 million households with heating. These results highlight the potential contribution of straw to renewable sources of energy, scientists state in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Applied Energy.
Software takes advantage of collective intelligence to improve decision-making
Researchers at the Experimental Economics Laboratory in the Universitat Jaume I, coordinated by the lecturer Gerardo Sabater from the Area of Foundations of Economic Analysis, have developed the first Spanish software that leverages the collective intelligence of employees and customers to improve decision-making in the company. The Agora Market platform can implement prediction markets in an enterprise as a tool for improving the efficiency of internal information management and strategic decision-making.
The ultimate iron chef: When 3-D printers invade the kitchen
Printing food seems more like an idea based in Star Trek rather than in the average home. But recent advances in 3D printing (known formally as additive manufacturing) are driving the concept closer to reality. With everything from printed metal airplane wings to replacement organs on the horizon, could printed food be next? And how will we feel when it's served at the table?
Robust smartphone demand lifts Taiwan's export orders
Taiwan's export orders in September grew 2.0 percent year-on-year, the third monthly rise in succession, on strong European and US demand for smartphones, the government said Monday.
Japan's Rakuten defends e-mall charging model
The multi-millionaire boss of Japanese e-mall operator Rakuten on Monday defended the pay-model that levies charges on merchants, ignoring a move by arch-rival Yahoo Japan to eliminate fees.
Lightning strikes: ONR adds speed, precision to JSF manufacturing
A faster, more precise way to create cockpit enclosures may end up saving the F-35 Lightning II program a significant amount in manufacturing costs.
Keeping an eye on component cleanliness
There are exceedingly strict cleanliness guidelines for components in sectors such as the automobile industry. And yet monitoring of the process for parts purification has been inadequate to date. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a sensor-based measurement system that is integrated directly in the cleaning system, where it registers and analyzes particles caught up in the cleansing fluid. The researchers are presenting their now-marketable innovation at this year's parts2clean.
Yahoo plucks influential tech writer from NY Times (Update)
New York Times technology columnist and gadget reviewer David Pogue is leaving the newspaper to cover similar topics for Yahoo.
70.3M records, 30 days: NSA report draws Paris ire (Update)
The U.S. National Security Agency swept up 70.3 million French telephone records in a 30-day period, according to a newspaper report Monday that offered new details of the massive scope of a surveillance operation that has angered some of the country's closest allies. The French government summoned the U.S. ambassador for an explanation on Monday and renewed demands for talks on protection of personal data, as well as pledges that the surveillance would cease.
Spain launches first offshore wind turbine
Spain launched its first offshore wind turbine Monday, offering a moment of fleeting pride to an industry flagging from a decline in state support.
Weatherizing homes to uniform standard can achieve $33 billion in annual energy savings
(Phys.org) —With winter around the corner some homeowners may be thinking about plugging all the leaks in their home to make them less drafty. Imagine if every homeowner in the country did that—how much energy could be saved? Using physics-based modeling of the U.S. housing stock, researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) found in a new study that upgrading airtightness to a uniform level could achieve as much as $33 billion in annual energy savings.
Yahoo again tops Google in US Web visitors in Sept
For the third month in a row, more Americans visited Yahoo's websites than Google's, according to comScore Inc.'s Internet traffic data for September.
Netflix shares soar as viewer numbers climb
Netflix shares soared nine percent Monday as the streaming television service reported that profit in the recently-ended quarter climbed along with the number of subscribers.
Microsoft: 8.1 update issue limited to Surface RT (Update)
Microsoft Corp. said Monday that a problem caused when updating computers to Windows 8.1 RT is limited to its own Surface RT devices. It's another knock on the machine that Microsoft has struggled to sell, even as it launches the latest version, Surface 2, starting Tuesday.
Texas Instruments 3Q profit drops, outlook weak
Chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc. said Monday that its net income fell 20 percent in the third quarter. Its outlook for the current period was worse than analysts expected, and shares slipped.
Facebook becomes Google advertising ally
Google-owned online ad-placing service DoubleClick on Friday announced that the way has been cleared to include space at Facebook.
Producing your own power in post-Fukushima Japan
A remote Toyota plant in northeastern Japan bears few scars from the devastating quake-tsunami more than two years ago that completely shut it down.
Work begins on Calif. bullet train, locals angry (Update)
Trucks loaded with tomatoes, milk and almonds clog the two main highways that bisect California's farm heartland, carrying goods to millions along the Pacific Coast and beyond. This dusty stretch of land is the starting point for one of the most expensive U.S. public infrastructure projects: a $68 billion high-speed rail system that would span the state, linking the people of America's salad bowl to more jobs, opportunity and buyers.
Microsoft pulls Windows RT 8.1 update to fix problems
Microsoft has pulled a Windows update from its website after it caused problems on some customers' devices.
Shanghai prof claims Li-Fi advance, prepares show kits
(Phys.org) —Scientists say "Li-Fi," Wi-fi connectivity from a light bulb, is making new advancements. Chi Nan, information technology professor at Shanghai's Fudan University, at work with a research team of scientists from Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, spoke to the official news agency Xinhua about the progress. The news, posted on October 17, is that a microchipped bulb can produce data speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps), which is faster than the average broadband connection in China. She said it would take only a one-watt light emitting diode (LED) lightbulb to connect four computers to the Internet, based on the principle that light can be used as a carrier instead of traditional radio frequencies. Her team hopes to present Li-Fi kits at the China International Industry Fair, an event that focuses on new industries, in Shanghai next month. Those advancements are to be taken within reason that the technolo! gy, she said, remains in its infancy; microchip design and optical communication controls would need more attention before there is any conversation about mass-market Li-Fi.
EU lawmakers OK beefing up data protection laws (Update 2)
A European Parliament committee on Monday approved sweeping new data protection rules that would strengthen online privacy and outlaw the kind of data transfers that the United States used for its secret spying program.
Scientists make breakthrough solar technology
In the near future, solar panels will not only be more efficient but also a lot cheaper and affordable for everyone, thanks to research by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) scientists.
Group makes 3-D backups of world landmarks (Update)
We all know to back up our files and photos, but what about our castles and churches?
'Likely service disruption' strikes Facebook
A "likely service disruption" struck Facebook on Monday, preventing its 1.15 billion members from updating their status on the social media website.
Flying mini-robot cleaners wins Electrolux Design Lab competition
(Phys.org) —The winners of the annual Electrolux Design Lab competition have been announced, and first place has gone to a young designer from Colombia, Adrian Perez Zapata. His design is of a ball shaped unit that houses sensing technology along with 908 independent tiny flying miniature flying robots—upon command from the host unit, they fly off and clean up dust and dirt in someone's house. They can also deposit air freshening chemicals. Second place went to Brazilian designer Luiza Silva—she came up with a 3D food printer. Jeabyun Yeon, from Korea, came in third for a concept he calls a Breathing Wall.
University team has AR See-Through System for safe driving (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) —University of Porto in Portugal researchers have come up with a See-Through System (STS) designed to see through vehicles, making view-blocking vehicles transparent. A lightweight heads-up display is used to look through a truck, for example, ahead. The idea is to support a driver who is stuck behind a large, slow-moving vehicle on the highway and has no way to check if it is safe or not to pass. According to a New Scientist report on the system, the image has a delay of 200 milliseconds, and it shows an oncoming car to be ten meters further away than it actually is, if both it and the driver's car are moving at 90 kilometers per hour.
Medicine & Health news
Argentines link health problems to agrochemicals
Argentine farmworker Fabian Tomasi was never trained to handle pesticides. His job was to keep the crop-dusters flying by filling their tanks as quickly as possible, although it often meant getting drenched in poison.
At these coffee klatches, death is on the agenda (Update)
It can be tough to get a conversation going if you want to talk about the late stages of dementia, your last will and testament or the recent passing of your mother.
Kennedy's vision for mental health never realized
The last piece of legislation President John F. Kennedy signed turns 50 this month: the Community Mental Health Act, which helped transform the way people with mental illness are treated and cared for in the United States.
New drug combinations may benefit patients with pancreatic cancer
Two drug combinations that simultaneously block two major signaling pathways downstream of the protein KRAS, which is aberrantly active in most pancreatic cancers, may provide a new treatment option for patients with this disease, according to preclinical results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.
Unprotected sex among young gay men on the rise
Unprotected sex with casual partners - one of the key drivers of HIV transmission among gay men - has risen significantly for those aged under 25.
Cholera kills 50 in northern Nigeria in a week
Cholera has killed 50 people in northwest Nigeria in the past week, health officials said Monday, in the latest outbreak of the disease which has claimed thousands of lives across the country since 2010.
Shining the soothing light
Almost all patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develop canker sores, a complication resulting from different modalities of treatment, namely stem cell transplantation, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Canker sore is divided in five grades (zero to four) by the World Health Organization (WHO), with severe cases (grades 3 and 4) being associated with pain, weight loss, poor quality of life, and higher hospital costs due to increased healthcare needs. Severe canker sore can also lead to treatment interruption, which may decrease the patient's chances of surviving the cancer.
Changing the common rule to increase minority voices in research
An article to be published in the American Journal of Public Health recommends changing the federal regulations that govern oversight of human subjects research ("the Common Rule") to address continued underrepresentation of minorities in research studies.
Study examines endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts
Researchers report that in patients with pseudocysts with viscous debris-laden fluid, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage by using a combination of a nasocystic drain and transmural stents improves clinical outcomes and lowers the stent occlusion rate compared with those who underwent drainage via stents alone. The study appears in the October issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Parental perceptions are preventing HPV vaccination success
A Mayo Clinic physician and two other pediatric experts say that parental perceptions pose a major barrier to acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination—and that many of those perceptions are wrong. Their comments are published in Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, in an editorial on why HPV vaccination rates remain poor.
Small businesses weigh health insurance options
(HealthDay)—Small businesses rated most features of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) exchanges favorably, but reasonable prices for premiums are especially important to them, according to research published online Oct. 16 in Health Affairs.
ACP recommends against screening for chronic kidney disease in adults without symptoms, risk factors
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends against screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in asymptomatic adults without risk factors. ACP's new clinical practice guideline, "Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Stage 1-3 Chronic Kidney Disease", was published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal.
Uruguay to start selling marijuana next year: official
Uruguay is planning to start selling marijuana legally next year, a top official said, though the Senate must still approve the proposed legislation.
Paramedics' visits with seniors result in less EMS calls and saves on emergency room trips
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff are accustomed to responding to emergencies. A study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress finds they may be able to prevent many emergencies as well, judging by the preliminary success of a pilot project at a Hamilton building for seniors.
Cheney reveals defibrillator altered to thwart terrorists
Dick Cheney, former president George W. Bush's right-hand man in the "war on terror," has revealed that his heart implant was altered to prevent terrorists from hacking into it.
Study compares treatment options for nose bleeds
(HealthDay)—Treatment for epistaxis is highly variable, with similar outcomes seen for embolization and arterial ligation, but increased costs with embolization, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Treatment interval doesn't affect benefit of acne laser Tx
(HealthDay)—Fractional CO2 laser treatment is safe and seems effective for atrophic acne scars, with no difference observed for treatment with a one- or three-month interval, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Three-month post-op EPIC scores predict functional outcomes
(HealthDay)—Three-month scores on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) predict urinary and sexual functional outcomes at 12 months, according to a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.
Academic ob-gyns challenged to balance demands, desires
(HealthDay)—Academic obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) face challenges relating to the balance between patient care and academic demands, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Stress-busting tips from experts
(HealthDay)—Nobody is immune from the negative health effects of stress. The good news is that staying active is a natural and effective way to reduce stress and avoid related issues like weight fluctuations, nausea and feeling tired, experts say.
Housework is not always a healthy exercise alternative
(Medical Xpress)—Housework may not be as healthy as people think – and those who include domestic chores as part of an activity regime tend to be heavier, according to research by the University of Ulster Sports Academy.
Delhi hospitals overflow with hidden dengue epidemic
Factory worker Mohammad Awwal is gripped by fever, sweats and the sort of agonising aches that mean his condition is sometimes called "breakbone disease". It's an annual plague in India and a hidden epidemic, say experts.
For Obama, a frustrating health care rollout (Update)
President Barack Obama is expected Monday to address the problem-plagued rollout of his signature health care legislation, which has suffered an embarrassing start with a cascade of computer problems plaguing online sign-ups for health insurance.
Potential new drug for some patients with treatment-resistant lung cancer
The investigational drug AZD9291, a third-generation EGFR inhibitor, showed promise in preclinical studies and provides hope for patients with advanced lung cancers that have become resistant to existing EGFR inhibitors, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.
Potential new drug effective in breast cancer and melanoma resistant to targeted therapies
LEE011, a small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 being developed by Novartis Oncology, showed promising results in drug-resistant melanoma and drug-resistant breast cancer when tested in combination with other targeted therapies, and based on these preclinical results, several phase I clinical trials were launched recently, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held October 19-23.
Targeted investigational therapy potential to overcome crizotinib resistance in lung cancers
PF-06463922, an investigational drug being developed by Pfizer Inc., has the potential to become a new treatment option for patients who have lung cancer harboring abnormalities in the ALK gene, according to preclinical results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.
New idea for targeting the common cancer protein KRAS
Patients with cancers driven by the protein KRAS, which are particularly hard to treat, may benefit from small molecules that attach to and disrupt the function of a KRAS-containing protein complex, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.
Infant pertussis hospitalizations lower than expected after teen vaccinations
Widespread vaccination of adolescents for pertussis was associated with lower rates of infant hospitalizations for the respiratory infection than would have been expected had teens not been inoculated according to new research in Pediatrics.
Study shows buying breast milk online is likely to cause illness in infants
Results from a study led by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital found more than three-fourths of breast milk samples purchased over the Internet contained bacteria that can cause illness, and frequently exhibited signs of poor collection, storage or shipping practices.
Learning new skills keeps an aging mind sharp
Older adults are often encouraged to stay active and engaged to keep their minds sharp, that they have to "use it or lose it." But new research indicates that only certain activities—learning a mentally demanding skill like photography, for instance—are likely to improve cognitive functioning.
Fatal cholesterol disease overlooked and untreated
Hereditary high blood cholesterol leads to premature heart disease. It is overlooked and untreated virtually worldwide—including in Europe. This is a major problem as the disease is dangerous for health. However, this disease is easy to diagnose and treat, according to the conclusion of a consensus report from the European Atherosclerosis Society. The report was recently published in the recognised medical journal European Heart Journal.
Confectionery sales a Halloween horror story
Halloween may constitute a serious public health risk to Australian children, according to an article published today in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Excessive alcohol consumption increases progression of atherosclerosis and the risk of stroke
A Finnish population-based study showed that binge drinking was associated with increased atherosclerotic progression in an 11-year follow-up of middle-aged men. The progression of atherosclerosis was increased among men who consumed 6 drinks or more on one occasion. In addition, the risk of stroke increased among men who had at least one hangover per year. Hangovers increased the risk of stroke independent of the total amount of alcohol consumed. Hypertension and overweight, in the presence of alcohol consumption, further increased the risk of stroke. Drinking large quantities of alcohol more than twice a week increased the risk of stroke mortality in men.
Native-like brain processing of second language possible in university students
Along with helping students gain a global perspective, study abroad experiences may give college students a particular kind of advantage in learning another language.
The role of uncertainty in infectious disease modelling
Research by scientists at the University of Liverpool has found that greater consideration of the limitations and uncertainties in infectious disease modelling would improve its usefulness and value.
Gene linked to deadly runaway fungal infection
For most people, a fungal infection like athlete's foot means a simple trip to the drugstore and a reminder to bring shower shoes to the gym. But in very rare cases, fungal infections can spread below the skin's surface and onto the lymph nodes, bones, digestive tract or even the brain. Researchers from The Rockefeller University and Necker Medical School in Paris have now discovered a genetic deficiency that allows the fungus to spread in this way, a condition called deep dermatophytosis. Their work suggests why treatments for fungal infection sometimes fail, and it gives weight to a genetic theory of infectious diseases, which proposes that a single genetic defect can cause an otherwise healthy person to become severely ill from a minor infection—be it viral, bacterial or fungal.
Australia: Biggest jump in HIV in 20 years
The number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection in Australia continues to rise, having increased by ten per cent in 2012 to reach 1253, the largest number in 20 years, according to the latest national surveillance reports. The rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnosis also increased in 2012. In contrast, the proportion of young women diagnosed with genital warts has continued to plummet since the national school-based human papillomavirus vaccination program for girls was introduced.
New prognostic model predicts survival in advanced prostate cancer
(Medical Xpress)—For men with advanced prostate cancer that has progressed after taking hormones and undergoing chemotherapy, getting an accurate prognosis is critical to determine the next steps for treatment.
Scientists identify molecular switch that suppresses development of liver cancer
A team of scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has found that activating a family of small protein, known as Rho, could suppress liver malignancies. This is the first time that a research group has provided evidence to show that the signaling crosstalk between different protein switches has an influence on the development of cancer tissues. The findings pave the way for the development and application of therapeutics targeted at liver cancer.
Environmental factors 'turn on and off' cancer related genes
Research performed at the Center of Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) has identified that certain food and lifestyle habits can turn on or off the expression of cancer related genes. If this changes in the activity of genes are detected during the first stages of the disease, is possible to detain its appearance.
Kids with ADHD often prone to bowel problems, study finds
(HealthDay)—Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely to suffer from chronic constipation and fecal incontinence than kids without the neurobehavioral condition, a new study says.
New nanopharmaceutical may help overcome resistance to certain anticancer drugs
The nanopharmaceutical drug CRLX101 is showing promise as a potential new treatment for cancers that develop resistance to antiangiogenic drugs and radiation therapy, according to clinical trial results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19 – 23.
Targeting cancer's sweet tooth
Ludwig researchers have elucidated a key mechanism by which cancer cells change how they metabolize glucose to generate the energy and raw materials required to sustain runaway growth.
Maternal smoking may impair infant immunity, causing a broad range of infections
Maternal smoking is associated with both respiratory and non-respiratory infections in infants, resulting in increased risk for hospitalization and death, according to an abstract to be presented Sunday, Oct. 27, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.
Antibody-drug conjugate may provide new treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients
Patients with pancreatic cancer may benefit from an investigational member of an emerging class of anticancer drugs called antibody-drug conjugates, according to preclinical results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.
'Lifestyle diseases' are new threat to Asia, WHO reports
Asia-Pacific countries face serious challenges from "lifestyle" diseases and ageing populations even as they overcome more traditional illnesses, the World Health Organisation's regional director said Monday.
Do sunny climates reduce ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder. Scientists do not know what causes it, but genetics play a clear role. Other risk factors have also been identified, including premature birth, low birth weight, a mother's use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and environmental exposures to toxins like lead.
Kids still spanked, to their detriment, study finds
(HealthDay)—Spanking can affect a child's behavior and learning ability for years, with the impact of physical discipline reverberating even as kids near adolescence, a new study suggests.
Largest therapy trial worldwide: Psychotherapy treats anorexia effectively
A large-scale study has now shown that adult women with anorexia whose disorder is not too severe can be treated successfully on an out-patient basis. Even after conclusion of therapy, they continue to make significant weight gains. Two new psychotherapeutic methods offer improved opportunities for successful therapy. However, one quarter of the patients participating in the study did not show rapid results. These are the findings of the world's largest therapy trial on anorexia nervosa published in the renowned medical journal The Lancet. The Anorexia Nervosa Treatment of OutPatients (ANTOP) study was conducted at ten German university eating disorder centers and was designed by the departments for psychosomatic medicine at the university hospitals of Heidelberg (Director: Prof. Wolfgang Herzog) and Tübingen (Director: Prof. Stephan Zipfel).
Traffic-related air pollution a substantial public health concern
Traffic-related air pollution is increasingly shown to have negative health effects according to a growing body of epidemiologic evidence and is a substantial public health concern in Canada, argues a commentary published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Parents want e-mail consults with doctors, but don't want to pay for them
Most parents would love to get an e-mail response from their kids' health care provider for a minor illness rather than making an office visit, but about half say that online consultation should be free, according to a new University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.
For first time, drug developed based on zebrafish studies passes Phase I clinical trial
Zebrafish research achieved a significant milestone when the first drug developed through studies utilizing the tiny animal and then put into clinical trials passed a Phase 1 trial aimed at establishing its safety. The drug, discovered in the laboratory of Leonard Zon, MD, at Boston Children's Hospital, has already advanced to Phase II studies designed to determine its efficacy.
Obama defends health law despite chaotic debut (Update)
President Barack Obama said Monday there was "no sugarcoating" the problems clouding the online launch of his health care law, but mounted a firm defense of a system that will help define his legacy.
Health news stories on local television news broadcasts are too short, researcher says
Previous research has shown that the most popular way Americans get their health news is by watching local television broadcasts. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Journalism have found that while local television news is the most common source of health news for Americans, most health news stories on local news broadcasts are only 30 seconds or less in length. Glen Cameron, the Maxine Wilson Gregory Chair in Journalism Research and professor of strategic communication at the MU School of Journalism, says this trend may lead to misunderstanding of important but complicated health news stories.
Intervention helps older adults prepare for emergencies
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults age 65 and older falls at least once every year. These falls can result in moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found a way to help older adults who live independently better prepare for health emergencies.
Seven percent of Chinese adults have unruptured cerebral aneurysm
(HealthDay)—Unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) seem to be common in the Chinese population with an overall prevalence of 7.0 percent, according to a study published in the Oct. 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Phentermine, topiramate reduce progression to T2DM
(HealthDay)—Over two years, phentermine and topiramate extended-release (PHEN/TPM ER) treatment plus lifestyle changes lead to significant weight loss and a considerable reduction in progression to type 2 diabetes in high-risk, overweight/obese individuals, according to a study published online Oct. 8 in Diabetes Care.
Intestinal barrier sleeve shows benefit in rat model of diabetes
(HealthDay)—Implantation of a duodenal-endoluminal sleeve (DES) correlates with reductions in body weight (BW) from loss of fat mass, and with improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis in a rat model of diabetes, according to an experimental study published online Oct. 9 in Gut.
Psychotropic drugs commonly prescribed to children with ASD
(HealthDay)—Psychotropic medications, singly and in combination, are commonly prescribed for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to research published online Oct. 21 in Pediatrics.
AACE issues top five 'Choosing Wisely' recommendations
(HealthDay)—The top five endocrinology-related issues that physicians and patients should question have been released by The Endocrine Society and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign.
Considerable morbidity with disc herniations in NFL players
(HealthDay)—Disc herniations represent a substantial source of injury in the National Football League (NFL), according to a study published in the Oct. 15 issue of Spine.
Timing of first dose of measles vaccine questioned
(HealthDay)—Children who receive the first dose of a two-dose schedule of measles vaccine at 12 to 13 months compared with 15 months or later have a greater risk of developing measles, according to a study published online Oct. 21 in Pediatrics.
Bottle feeding associated with increased risk of stomach obstruction in infants
Bottle feeding appears to increase the risk infants will develop hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), a form of stomach obstruction, and that risk seems to be magnified when mothers are older and have had more than one child, according to a study published by JAMA Pediatrics.
Patients report doctors not telling them of overdiagnosis risk in screenings
A survey finds that most patients are not being told about the possibility of overdiagnosis and overtreatment as a result of cancer screenings, according to report in a research letter to the JAMA Internal Medicine by Odette Wegwarth, Ph.D., and Gerd Gigerenzer, Ph.D., of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.
Researchers, pharma experts offer recommendations to expand access to clinical trial data
A new report by researchers from Harvard University and others in a working group convened by the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT) at Harvard proposes recommendations for addressing a problem that has vexed drug regulators: how to expand public access to data from clinical trials while protecting patients' privacy and weighing pharmaceutical companies' business interests. Recently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced it will provide public access to participant-level data submitted in applications for marketing approval in Europe, prompting questions about whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should follow suit. Data releases by the EMA have spurred litigation by drug companies and heated debate about whether clinical trial data should be protected as proprietary information or widely shared.
Low vitamin D levels raise anemia risk in children
Low levels of the "sunshine" vitamin D appear to increase a child's risk of anemia, according to new research led by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The study, published online Oct. 10 in the Journal of Pediatrics, is believed to be the first one to extensively explore the link between the two conditions in children.
Use of booze and drugs common among truck drivers on the road
The use of booze and drugs among truck drivers on the road is common, but seems to be mainly linked to poor working conditions, finds a systematic analysis of the available evidence published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Large prospective study finds long-term obesity is associated with poorer pancreatic cancer survival
New results from a prospective study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show that patients with a body mass index (BMI) in the obese range live on average two to three months less after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, compared with healthy weight patients, even after adjusting for factors that are known to predict survival for patients with this disease, such as age and disease stage. This association was statistically strongest for people who were overweight two decades before their diagnosis.
Steve Wynn: University on path to blindness cure
Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn said Friday that he gave $25 million to support blindness research at the University of Iowa after becoming convinced that its scientists were leading the way in the search for a cure.
Genetic mutation found to restore translational balance in mice
In a biological quirk that promises to provide researchers with a new approach for studying and potentially treating Fragile X syndrome, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have shown that knocking out a gene important for messenger RNA (mRNA) translation in neurons restores memory deficits and reduces behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of a prevalent human neurological disease. These results, published today in Nature Medicine, suggest that the prime cause of the Fragile X syndrome may be a translational imbalance that results in elevated protein production in the brain. Restoration of this balance may be necessary for normal neurological function.
Rats and men: Study finds parallels in neural processing of 'adaptive control'
People and rats may think alike when they've made a mistake and are trying to adjust their thinking.
Inherited gene variation tied to high-risk pediatric leukemia and greater risk of relapse
Research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists has linked an inherited gene variation to a nearly four-fold increased risk of developing a pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) subtype that is associated with a poor outcome. The study appears today in the online edition of the scientific journal Nature Genetics.
Blood stem cells age at the unexpected flip of a molecular switch
Scientists report in Nature they have found a novel and unexpected molecular switch that could become a key to slowing some of the ravages of getting older as it prompts blood stem cells to age.
Flu virus wipes out immune system's first responders to establish infection
Revealing influenza's truly insidious nature, Whitehead Institute scientists have discovered that the virus is able to infect its host by first killing off the cells of the immune system that are actually best equipped to neutralize the virus.
Biological clock able to measure age of most human tissues
Everyone grows older, but scientists don't really understand why. Now a UCLA study has uncovered a biological clock embedded in our genomes that may shed light on why our bodies age and how we can slow the process. Published in the Oct. 21 edition of Genome Biology, the findings could offer valuable insights into cancer and stem cell research.
New insight in quest for single vaccine against multiple influenza strains
(Medical Xpress)—A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists highlights a new approach for developing a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple flu strains, including deadly pandemic strains. The research appears today in the advance online edition of the scientific journal Nature Immunology.
New clue to aggressive brain tumors
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a biological marker that may help predict survival in people with deadly brain tumors. The researchers showed that when the marker is present at higher levels, brain cancers known as glioblastomas are more aggressive.
Controlling the triggers of age-related inflammation could extend 'healthspan'
Inflammation is the common denominator of many chronic age-related diseases such as arthritis, gout, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. But according to a Yale School of Medicine study, even in the absence of a disease, inflammation can lead to serious loss of function throughout the body, reducing healthspan—that portion of our lives spent relatively free of serious illness and disability.
Major Alzheimer's risk factor linked to red wine target
The major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), present in about two-thirds of people who develop the disease, is ApoE4, the cholesterol-carrying protein that about a quarter of us are born with. But one of the unsolved mysteries of AD is how ApoE4 causes the risk for the incurable, neurodegenerative disease. In research published this week in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the Buck Institute found a link between ApoE4 and SirT1, an "anti-aging protein" that is targeted by resveratrol, present in red wine.
New drug reduces negative memory
Through analysis of the human genome, Basle scientists have identified molecules and compounds that are related to human memory. In a subsequent pharmacological study with one of the identified compounds, the scientists found a drug-induced reduction of aversive memory. This could have implications for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, which is characterized by intrusive traumatic memories. The findings have been published in the latest edition of the magazine PNAS.
Shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality linked to Alzheimer's disease biomarker
Poor sleep quality may impact Alzheimer's disease onset and progression. This is according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who examined the association between sleep variables and a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease in older adults. The researchers found that reports of shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality were associated with a greater β-Amyloid burden, a hallmark of the disease. The results are featured online in the October issue of JAMA Neurology.
Team demonstrates efficient method for converting fat cells to liver cells
In a feat of modern-day alchemy with huge potential for regenerative medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have developed a fast, efficient way to turn cells extracted from routine liposuction into liver cells.
Growing up poor and stressed impacts brain function as an adult
(Medical Xpress)—Childhood poverty and chronic stress may lead to problems regulating emotions as an adult, according to research published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Neuron 'claws' in the brain enable flies to distinguish one scent from another
Think of the smell of an orange, a lemon, and a grapefruit. Each has strong acidic notes mixed with sweetness. And yet each fresh, bright scent is distinguishable from its relatives. These fruits smell similar because they share many chemical compounds. How, then does the brain tell them apart? How does the brain remember a complex and often overlapping chemical signature as a particular scent?
Hair regeneration method is first to induce new human hair growth
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have devised a hair restoration method that can generate new human hair growth, rather than simply redistribute hair from one part of the scalp to another. The approach could significantly expand the use of hair transplantation to women with hair loss, who tend to have insufficient donor hair, as well as to men in early stages of baldness. The study was published today in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Breast milk protein may be key to protecting babies from HIV infection
A substance in breast milk that neutralizes HIV and may protect babies from acquiring HIV from their infected mothers has been identified for the first time by researchers at Duke Medicine.
Biology news
Dolphin killings rise in Peru due to Asia shark fin sales
Peru has dramatically increased its sales of shark fins to Asia, triggering the slaughter of about 15,000 dolphins a year used as bait, officials said Friday.
13 Vietnamese arrested in Philippines over sea turtles
Thirteen Vietnamese fishermen were arrested after being found in Philippine waters with a haul of protected sea turtles, police said Monday.
Neospora caninum: An underestimated cause of reproductive disorders in dairy production and breeding cattle in Ethiopia
Kassahun Wondim's PhD research shows that the protozoan parasite, N. caninum, is a more frequent cause of miscarriage and stillbirth in intensive and semi-intensive dairy production in Ethiopia than the BVD virus and the Brucella bacterium.
No scientific consensus on safety of genetically modified organisms
There is no scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified foods and crops, according to a statement released today by an international group of more than 90 scientists, academics and physicians.
Scientist look for new marine species for commercial use
In northwest Mexico, the biggest part of the fishery production is based in few species such as sardine, squid, tuna and shrimp. However, the Center of Biological Research of the Northwest (CIBNOR) has identified new marine species capable of increasing the volume of this production.
Over 300 elephants poisoned in Zimbabwe park
More than 300 elephants and other animals have died of cyanide poisoning by poachers in Zimbabwe's largest game park, a wildlife conservation group said Monday.
Turfgrass tested in shallow green roof substrates
Green roofs, rooftops covered with vegetation, provide multiple environmental and aesthetic benefits. These "living roofs" are increasing in popularity worldwide. As more cities invest in green roofs, planners are challenged to find plants that can thrive in shallow planting conditions and with minimal maintenance. A new study from researchers in Greece offers recommendations for the use of turfgrass in green roof environments.
New research informs California strawberry production practices
SALINAS, CA—In the coastal valleys of central California, where more than 80% of the United States' strawberry crops are grown, there is developing concern about the impact of these vast production systems on groundwater contamination. According to a study published in the August 2013 issue of HortScience, changes in growers' cultural practices and the introduction of new cultivars has increased strawberry yields in the region by 140% during the past 50 years. But as crop yields have increased, water quality has diminished; water quality monitoring in these coastal valleys has shown that groundwater often exceeds Federal drinking water standards. Strawberry growers are facing increasing regulatory pressure to improve their management practices in order to protect groundwater.
New native shrubs show promise for landscape, nursery industries
As consumer interest in native plants increases, nursery growers are challenged to expand their product range by adding new native species to their collections. Surveys have indicated that landscape architects and master gardeners would like to use more native plants, but that a broad palette of native plants is not currently available from most growers. Growers looking to capitalize on the native plant market are looking to scientists to recommend new species suitable for the commercial nursery industry. In the August 2013 issue of HortScience, researchers Julia Cartabiano and Jessica Lubell from the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut report on their study of four native shrubs that are relatively unknown in the horticultural trade: Ceanothus americanus, Corylus cornuta, Lonicera canadensis, and Viburnum acerifolium. They said that these shrubs have the potential to become revenue generators for the nursery industry if successful propagation protocols are developed.
Vetch cover crop, fertilizer practices recommended for organic zucchini
Cover crops may be in the hardest working plants in organic farming systems. A variety of dependable cover crops are used to subdue weeds, build productive soil, control pests and diseases, and enhance overall sustainability of organic systems. In a new study, the popular cover crop Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) was used in a 2-year field experiment. The experiment was designed to determine the effects on organic zucchini yield and quality of vetch residue management strategies incorporating green manure using a roller-crimper and organic fertilizers.
Philippines probes death of rare eagle released in wild
Wildlife authorities said Saturday they are investigating the death of a rare Philippine eagle, one of the world's largest and most endangered raptors, shortly after it was captured by a local resident.
Clock ticks for Madagascar's lemurs
Immortalised in the hit cartoon "Madagascar", real-life lemurs face extinction within 20 years short of drastic action to tackle the poverty driving islanders to poach the primates and destroy their habitat.
Clean living is a luxury wild animals can't afford, study suggests
Domestic animals will choose to steer clear of dirt – but their wild cousins can't be so picky and may be at increased risk of disease as a result.
Hatchling lizards are smarter than you think
(Phys.org) —A collaborative research team from Macquarie University and Sydney University have discovered that young (hatchling) lizards are capable of learning complex tasks, particularly if they hatched from eggs incubated at warmer temperatures.
Analyzing the role of DNA methylation in a bioremediation bacterium
Researchers studied the role of DNA methylation on gene expression and other processes in the heavy-metal reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 with the help of next-generation Single-Molecule Real Time (SMRT) sequencers from Pacific Biosciences.
In Nepal, villagers' land uses help people and tigers, study finds
Hopeful signs that humans and tigers can coexist are emerging in rural Nepal, where the government has committed to doubling populations of the critically endangered big cat by 2022. A new study by conservation scientist Neil Carter provides evidence that when Nepalese villagers are empowered to make some local land management decisions, the resulting landscape changes can benefit both people and tigers.
Infection connections: Badger surveillance project reveals how TB infects their social networks
Researchers at the University of Exeter and the AHVLA's National Wildlife Management Centre have shown that the social lives of badgers are related to their risk of infection with bovine tuberculosis (TB).
Laser technology sorting method can improve Capsicum pepper seed quality
The high cost of vegetable crop seeds—hybrids in particular—has led growers to seek out new precision seeding and transplant production systems. The quality of vegetable seed lots can be affected by a variety of pre-storage and post-storage factors, so finding ways to improve seedling emergence percentages and uniformity is critically important for producers. A new study from scientists in Turkey and The Netherlands (HortScience, August 2013) showed that chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) can be used successfully to improve quality in Capsicum pepper seed lots.
Targeted culling of deer controls disease with little effect on hunting
Chronic wasting disease, the deer-equivalent of mad cow disease, has crept across the U.S. landscape from west to east. It appeared first in captive mule deer in Colorado in the late 1960s. By 1981, it had escaped to the wild. It reached the Midwest by 2002. Little is known about its potential to infect humans.
Research finds that homosexuality in insects and spiders is a case of mistaken identity
Many species of insects and spiders engage in homosexual behavior, like courting, mounting, and trying to mate with members of the same sex. But it is unclear what role evolution plays in this curious situation. Like heterosexual behavior, it takes time and energy and can be dangerous – and it lacks the potential payoff of procreation.
Small changes in agricultural practices could reduce produce-borne illness
Researchers from Cornell University have identified some agricultural management practices in the field that can either boost or reduce the risk of contamination in produce from two major foodborne pathogens: salmonella, the biggest single killer among the foodborne microbes, and Listeria monocytogenes. Their findings are published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
New 14-foot 'sea serpent' found in Southern Calif.
Another 'sea serpent' has attracted gawkers on a Southern California beach.
'Random' cell movement is directed from within
Cell biologists at The Johns Hopkins University have teased apart two integral components of the machinery that causes cells to move. Their discovery shows that cellular projections, which act as hands to help a cell "crawl," are apparently always initiated by a network of message-relaying proteins inside the cell. It was already known that in directional movement, the network is activated by sensor proteins on the cell's surface in response to external cues. They now know that in random movement, the messenger network is also causative: It can self-activate spontaneously.
Cells' 'molecular muscles' help them sense and respond to their environments
Johns Hopkins researchers used suction to learn that individual "molecular muscles" within cells respond to different types of force, a finding that may explain how cells "feel" the environment and appropriately adapt their shapes and activities.
Large-scale deep re-sequencing reveals cucumber's evolutionary enigma
In a collaborative study published online today in Nature Genetics, researchers from the Genome Centre of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), BGI, and other institutes present a cucumber genomic variation map that includes about 3.6 million variants revealed by deep resequencing of 115 cucumbers worldwide. This work provides new insights for understanding the genetic basis of domestication and diversity of this important crop, and provides guidance for breeders to harness genetic variation for crop improvement.
Physical cues help mature cells revert into embryonic-like stem cells
(Phys.org) —Bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that physical cues can replace certain chemicals when nudging mature cells back to a pluripotent stage, capable of becoming any cell type in the body.
New study finds that male lizards use different tactics to win the ladies
(Phys.org) —New collaborative research conducted by Macquarie University and the Australian National University on a common Australian lizard, the Eastern Water Skink, has revealed that sexual selection, the process whereby certain individuals gain a reproductive advantage, likely promotes the evolution of 'floater' and 'territorial' behavioural reproductive tactics in males.
Second life for an assembly factor
(Phys.org) —LMU researchers have identified a novel protein that is required for the assembly of photosynthetic reaction centers. Moreover, their findings suggest that it evolved from a pre-existing factor that served a different function.
Galloping beetles could be counting steps
(Phys.org) —A species of dung beetle in the Western Cape has given up its ability to fly and instead gallops across the sand in a behaviour which researchers suspect evolved as a way to navigate back and forth from home.
Seeing in the dark: New research sheds light on how porpoises hear in one of the world's busiest rivers
(Phys.org) —The Yangtze finless porpoise, which inhabits the high-traffic waters near the Three Gorges Dam in China, is highly endangered, with only about 1,000 animals alive today. Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and their Chinese colleagues are using medical technology to shed new light on this species' critical sense of hearing in a waterway punctuated by constant shipping, dredging, and underwater construction.
West African bats—no safe haven for malaria parasites
In Europe, bats are normally discussed in the context of endangered species threatened by loss of their habitats. However, in recent years, bats have caught the eye of infection biologists. The animals are namely hosts to a surprising number of pathogens, many of which could be dangerous to humans. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin and the American Museum of Natural History have been able to identify in West African bats four genera of parasites that are closely related to the malaria pathogen. One of them is the genus Plasmodium, which also includes the species that cause malaria in humans. The Plasmodium species in bats are very similar to that found in rodents and could advance the study of malaria pathogens' defence strategies against immune system responses.
Grazers and pollinators shape plant evolution
It has long been known that the characteristics of many plants with wide ranges can vary geographically, depending on differences in climate. But changes in grazing pressure and pollination can also affect the genetic composition of natural plant populations, according to a new study.
Poorly camouflaged insects can kick off a cascade of ecological impacts, study finds
A California walking stick insect that has evolved to produce individuals with two distinct appearances—an all-green form that camouflages well with broader leaves and a form with a white stripe running down its back that blends better with needle-like leaves—can markedly affect its broader ecological community when the appearance of the bug is mismatched with the plant it's living on.
Hitchhiking virus confirms saga of ancient human migration
A study of the full genetic code of a common human virus offers a dramatic confirmation of the "out-of-Africa" pattern of human migration, which had previously been documented by anthropologists and studies of the human genome.
Single mutation gives virus new target
In a new study published online in the journal PLOS Pathogens, an international team of scientists showed that by swapping a single amino acid they could change the sugar to which the human BK polyomavirus will binds on the surface of cells. The BK polyomavirus lost the ability to bind its usual target sugar and instead "preferred" the same sugar as its cousin SV40 polyomavirus, which is active in monkeys.
Bee brains challenge view that larger brains are superior at understanding conceptual relationships
(Phys.org) —The humble honeybee may not seem very intelligent at first sight, but recent research has shown that it possesses a surprising degree of sophistication that is not expected in an insect brain. Specifically, the honeybee can understand conceptual relationships such as "same/different" and "above/below" that rely on relationships between objects rather than simply the physical features of objects.
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