Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 28, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- New technology shows promise in taking the guesswork out of vaccine development- 'VIP' treatment for jet lag
- Super-thin membranes clear the way for chip-sized pumps
- Breakthrough in study of aluminum to yield new technological advances
- Using genetic algorithms to discover new nanostructured materials
- Researchers quantify toxic ocean conditions during major extinction 93.9 million years ago
- Quantum reality more complex than previously thought
- Unique nano carrier targets drug delivery to cancer cells
- Researchers measure flow from a nanoscale fluid jet
- Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward
- How mice and rats developed a unique masticatory apparatus making them evolutionary champions
- Study documents importance of language to learning math
- Discovery could lead to anti-clotting drugs with less risk of bleeding
- NASA to probe why Mars lost its atmosphere
- Gold mining ravages Peru
Space & Earth news
Call for food revolution based on soil health
Australia needs a nationwide effort to raise soil fertility, guarantee food security and a healthy diet - and lock up carbon.
Modelling the future behaviour of oceans and atmosphere
Over the past century, the atmosphere and ocean have warmed, sea ice extent has reduced and greenhouse gases have increased. How future changes will evolve and how humankind can protect itself from possible calamities depends on the implementation of effective political measures and scientific insight. These are major challenges that require international collaboration.
Image: Many bushfires in New South Wales, Australia
NASA's Terra satellite detected dozens of bushfires continued raging in the Australian state of New South Wales, outside of Sydney. Sydney is the state capital and the most populated city in Australia.
NASA catches glimpse of the brief life of Southern Indian Ocean's first tropical cyclone
The first tropical cyclone of the Southern Indian Ocean season lasted about one day. Tropical Cyclone 01S was born on Oct. 27 and by Oct. 28 had become a remnant low.
Brazil judge orders work on huge Amazon dam halted
A Brazilian judge has ordered that work on the controversial Belo Monte dam in the Amazon be halted on grounds that environmental commitments were not met, the court said Monday.
Irukandji threat to southern waters
A Griffith University led study has made the surprising discovery that ocean acidification may provide some protection for South East Queenslanders from the Irukandji jellyfish.
Future mining and dining booms depend on water
The next mining boom and the emerging 'dining boom' in agriculture will depend critically on whether Australia has enough water to support them.
Sun emits third solar flare in two days
UPDATE: Another solar flare erupted from the same area of the sun on Oct. 25, 2013,which peaked at 11:03 a.m. EDT. This flare is classified as an X2.1 class.
European cargo freighter undocks from ISS
Europe's heaviest-ever cargo carrier to the International Space Station undocked on Monday after completing its mission, and will burn up in Earth's atmosphere on Saturday, the NASA space agency said.
3-D Earth model more accurately pinpoints explosions
During the Cold War, U.S. and international monitoring agencies could detect nuclear tests and measure their size. Today, they seek to pinpoint much smaller explosives tests. Under the sponsorship of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D, Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) have partnered to develop a 3-D model of the Earth's mantle and crust called SALSA3D (Sandia-Los Alamos 3D). The purpose of this model is to assist the U.S. Air Force and the international Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in Vienna, Austria, with more accurately locating all types of explosions.
'Astroinformatics' helps astronomers exploring the sky
The new HITS research group "Astroinformatics" will develop methods and software for astronomers and help facilitating the analysis and processing of the rapidly growing amount of data in astronomy. The junior group led by Kai Polsterer will work closely with other astronomical research groups in Heidelberg.
Scientists wary of shale oil and gas as US energy salvation
After 10 years of production, shale gas in the United States cannot be considered commercially viable, according to several scientists presenting at the Geological Society of America meeting in Denver on Monday. They argue that while the use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling for "tight oil" is an important contributor to U.S. energy supply, it is not going to result in long-term sustainable production or allow the U.S. to become a net oil exporter.
Extra-Tropical Storm Lekima weakens in Northern Pacific
Once a typhoon now an extra-tropical cyclone in the far northern Pacific Ocean, Lekima is weakening over cool waters. NASA's Aqua satellite captured the last image of Lekima as a typhoon before it weakened.
Study of Brazilian Amazon shows 50,000 km of road was built in just three years
Nearly 17,000 kilometres of road were built in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest every year between 2004 and 2007.
Historic demonstration proves laser communication possible
In the early morning hours of Oct. 18, NASA's Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) made history, transmitting data from lunar orbit to Earth at a rate of 622 Megabits-per-second (Mbps). That download rate is more than six times faster than previous state-of-the-art radio systems flown to the moon.
Researchers turn to technology to discover a novel way of mapping landscapes
University of Cincinnati researchers are blending technology with tradition, as they discover new and improved methods for mapping landscapes. The research is newly published in the Journal of Applied Geography (Vol. 45, December 2013) by UC authors Jacek Niesterowicz, a doctoral student in the geography department, and Professor Tomasz Stepinski, the Thomas Jefferson Chair of Space Exploration in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).
An eye-opener: NASA sees Hurricane Raymond reborn for a brief time
Tropical Storm Raymond moved away from western Mexico and into warmer waters with less wind shear over the weekend of Oct. 26-27, where it strengthened into a hurricane again. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an eye-opening image of Raymond before it ran into strong wind shear.
Study challenges soil testing for potassium and the fertilizer value of potassium chloride
In the chemical age of agriculture that began in the 1960s, potassium chloride (KCl), the common salt often referred to as potash, is widely used as a major fertilizer in the Corn Belt without regard to the huge soil reserves that were once recognized for their fundamental importance to soil fertility. Three University of Illinois soil scientists have serious concerns with the current approach to potassium management that has been in place for the past five decades because their research has revealed that soil K testing is of no value for predicting soil K availability and that KCl fertilization seldom pays.
Treat yourself to a storm? It's all in the name
Anyone can get a European storm named after themselves—if they are ready to pay for the honour.
Looking for a new gold mine? We've got the map
As published this month in Nature Geoscience, researchers and industry partners have produced the first major 'cat scan of the earth'. Their work reveals a new chart of the sub-continental lithosphere mantle and its potential mineral hotspots, visible only through a set of newly integrated technologies.
MIT lab developing ion microthrusters for cubesats
(Phys.org) —The MIT News Office is reporting that the University's Space Power and Propulsion Laboratory (headed by Paulo Lozano) is seeing progress with micro-sized thruster design to power the next generation of self-propelled cubsats. Because traditional combustion or electric engines don't scale down well, the team has been testing ion electrospray thrusters that can be made as small as a postage stamp.
El Nino is becoming more active
A new approach to analyzing paleo-climate reconstructions of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon resolves disagreements and reveals that ENSO activity during the 20th century has been unusually high compared to the past 600 years. The results are published in Climate of the Past by a team of scientists from the University of New South Wales, the University of Hawaii International Pacific Research Center and the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory.
Gold mining ravages Peru
For the first time, researchers have been able to map the true extent of gold mining in the biologically diverse region of Madre De Dios in the Peruvian Amazon. The team combined field surveys with airborne mapping and high-resolution satellite monitoring to show that the geographic extent of mining has increased 400% from 1999 to 2012 and that the average annual rate of forest loss has tripled since the Great Recession of 2008. Until this study, thousands of small, clandestine mines that have boomed since the economic crisis have gone unmonitored. The research is published in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of October 28, 2013.
Sun continues to emit solar flares
After emitting its first significant solar flares since June 2013 earlier in the week, the sun continued to produce mid-level and significant solar flares on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, 2013.
Study documents the enduring contaminant legacy of the California gold rush
An unintended legacy of California's gold rush, which began in 1848, endures today in the form of mercury-laden sediment. New research by Michael Singer, associate researcher at UC Santa Barbara's Earth Research Institute, shows that sediment-absorbed mercury is being transported by major floods from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Central Valley lowlands. The findings appear today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
NASA to probe why Mars lost its atmosphere
NASA said Monday it is on track to launch its Maven probe to Mars next month to find out why the Red Planet lost much of its atmosphere.
Researchers quantify toxic ocean conditions during major extinction 93.9 million years ago
Oxygen in the atmosphere and ocean rose dramatically about 600 million years ago, coinciding with the first proliferation of animal life. Since then, numerous short lived biotic events—typically marked by significant climatic perturbations—took place when oxygen concentrations in the ocean dipped episodically.
Technology news
Web portal Sohu says profit down 20 percent
Sohu.com Inc., operator of a popular Chinese Web portal, said Monday its quarterly profit fell 20 percent due to higher expenses but revenues rose.
Nielsen to begin measuring mobile viewing
Starting next fall, Nielsen will begin counting television programs watched on mobile phones and tablets within its traditional TV ratings.
Energy-saving: It's a social thing
With energy bills again rising and the winter approaching, researchers from Keele University in the UK have found a positive way of helping householders to keep their energy costs down and houses warm.
Bio-electrochemical systems: Electricity generators of the future?
Billions of euros are spent treating trillions of litres of wastewater every year, consuming substantial amounts of energy. However, this wastewater could act as a renewable resource, saving significant quantities of energy and money, as it contains organic pollutants which can be used to produce electricity, hydrogen and high-value chemicals, such as caustic soda.
Closing the carpet production cycle
Current trends show worldwide demand for carpet rising five percent annually, with production projected to reach 18.6 billion square meters per year by 2016. Good environmental performance and sustainability are now key priorities in this burgeoning industry.
Scientists to gain from inside view of fuel cells
Powerful scanners that give scientists a direct line of sight into hydrogen fuel cells are the latest tools Simon Fraser University researchers will use to help Ballard Power Systems Inc create more durable, lower-cost fuel cells. Use of these fuel cells in vehicles can substantially reduce harmful emissions in the transportation sector.
Nuclear agency urges work to secure radioactive sources
Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency should work together to boost security around radioactive sources, the body's deputy director said on Sunday.
Israeli tunnel hit by cyber attack, experts say (Update)
When Israel's military chief delivered a high-profile speech this month outlining the greatest threats his country might face in the future, he listed computer sabotage as a top concern, warning a sophisticated cyberattack could one day bring the nation to a standstill.
New technology to block spying on Swiss ministers: president
Switzerland will soon roll out a new technology to better shield communications within the government from prying eyes, President Ueli Maurer said in an interview published Sunday.
Turkey to open first sea tunnel to ever link two continents
Turkey will on Tuesday unveil the world's first sea tunnel connecting two continents, fulfilling a sultan's dream 150 years ago, but also fuelling recent anti-government sentiment for such mega projects.
Japan nuclear watchdog urges 'bold' Fukushima action
Japan's nuclear watchdog on Monday urged "bold and drastic" action to fix problems with radioactive water at Fukushima, as it warned of the growing risks over coming months.
China Telecom profit up 20 percent on 3G users
State-owned China Telecom, the country's third-biggest mobile phone operator by subscribers, said Monday that quarterly profit grew by a fifth as it continued to benefit from spending by new users of data-hungry iPhones.
New technique can find machinery gremlins 100 times faster
Cost and time savings will be made with the development of a new algorithm that is more robust and efficient at detecting faults in industrial machines.
Japan's NTT buys US cloud computing firms for $875 mn
NTT Communications said Monday it would pay a combined $875 million for two US-based cloud computing firms, marking the latest major overseas acquisition by a Japanese firm.
Researchers put pedal to the metal to improve diesel engines
A recent project by University of Alberta researcher Robert Hayes yielded more than just a way to reduce the use of precious metals in controlling emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. His work also boosted the engine's fuel efficiency.
Steel quality optimized 3-D technology
An innovative method for the quality inspection of hot surfaces is used on an industrial level for the first time: A major Turkish steel producer is optimizing the production of high speed-compatible rails with the method that has been developed in Austria. The method is based on laser light section technology, which facilitates the non-contact examination of surfaces that are still hot. Hence defects in the surface structure can be detected at an early point of time in the production process. The technology works in real time and delivers a whole range of advantages: cost reduction, rationalization, quality improvement as well as improved work safety and clear-cut documentation. The DIRIS 3D HOT method was developed by the Austrian company NextSense and is sold worldwide.
Designing a super-aerodynamic wing
(Phys.org) —Air travel may be fast and convenient, but exhaust from the millions of flights that take-off and land each year worldwide is having an impact on the health of the planet. Fortunately, a Ryerson researcher is studying how to make airplanes more environmentally friendly.
DOE rooftop challenge winners offer energy, cost savings
New super-efficient rooftop units that heat and cool commercial buildings offer significant energy and dollar savings, say scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. They found that the devices reduce energy costs an average of about 41 percent compared to units in operation today.
UK man accused of hacking US government computers (Update 2)
A British man has been arrested and charged with hacking into computer systems of the U.S. Army, NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies at a cost of millions of dollars to the federal government.
Smartphones boost sharing of photos, videos
Smartphones are giving a big boost to posting of photos and videos, according to a study released Monday.
Settlement approved in Google stock split lawsuit (Update)
A U.S. judge on Monday approved a settlement in a shareholder lawsuit challenging Google Inc.'s plans to split its stock and issue a new class of nonvoting shares.
EU seeks comment on Google's latest anti-trust remedies (Update)
The European Commission said on Monday it is seeking comment on revised remedies by US Internet giant Google to complaints it has abused its dominant position in the search market.
Toddlers getting more tablet use, study finds
The craze for tablets and smartphones is spreading to ever younger users. A new study of American households found 38 percent of toddlers and infants under the age of two have used a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, compared to 10 percent in 2011.
Apple profit tops forecasts, 33.8 million iPhones sold
Apple on Monday reported a quarterly profit of $7.5 billion on the back of soaring iPhone sales.
Syrian hackers claim Obama Facebook, Twitter accounts
Hackers from a group calling itself the Syrian Electronic Army claimed Monday they had taken control of US President Barack Obama's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
reCAPTCHA eases up on the human eye
(Phys.org) —Google, assuming you are human and reading this, wants you to know that CAPTCHAs are more readable. There will be easier days ahead than having to put your face against the screen, struggling to figure out if the string wants you to key in a v and u or a single w, or if an indescribable shape is really an exotic r. For humans, deciphering a CAPTCHA string may get easier but a tougher time is ahead for bots because their CAPTCHAs will be designed to stop the bots from getting through. The new, easier reCAPTCHAs are numbers. On Friday, a blog post from Google's Vinay Shet, Product Manager, reCAPTCHA, said that "Humans find numeric CAPTCHAs significantly easier to solve than those containing arbitrary text and achieve nearly perfect pass rates on them. So with our new system, you'll encounter CAPTCHAs that are a breeze to solve."
Urban underground holds sustainable energy
Vast energy sources are slumbering below big cities. Sustaina-ble energies for heating in winter and cooling in summer may be extracted from heated groundwater aquifers. Researchers from KIT and ETH Zurich developed an analytical heat flux model and found that increasing heat in the underground is mainly caused by an increase in surface temperatures and heat release from buildings. Work of the scientists is now reported in the renowned journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Eliminating unexplained traffic jams
Everybody's experienced it: a miserable backup on the freeway, which you think must be caused by an accident or construction, but which at some point thins out for no apparent reason.
Medicine & Health news
Protecting children from firearm violence
Firearm-related injuries in children and adolescents are an important cause of preventable injury and mortality. Recent national shooting tragedies involving children have resulted in new efforts to study the problem and find solutions to reduce this type of injury. In an abstract presented Monday, Oct. 28, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, researchers sought to determine the local trends and characteristics of pediatric firearm injuries and deaths, especially those involving children under age 14.
Sports specialization, hours spent in organized sports may predict young athlete injury
Athletes ages 8 to 18 who spend twice as many hours per week in organized sports than in free play, and especially in a single sport, are more likely to be injured, according to an abstract presented Monday, Oct. 28 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.
Can the 'right' helmet prevent concussions?
While many football helmet and mouth guard manufacturers claim that their equipment will lessen impact forces and reduce concussion risk, neither a specific brand nor a higher cost were associated with fewer concussions in adolescent athletes, according to an abstract presented Monday, Oct. 28 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.
Woman dies of MERS raising Saudi toll to 52
A woman in her 80s with the MERS virus has died in the Eastern Province, raising to 52 the death toll from the infection in Saudi Arabia, the health ministry announced Monday.
Prestigious endorsement for tool which assesses patient recovery
The Post-Operative Quality Recovery Scale (PQRS), a tool that allows clinicians to measure the quality of their patients' recovery from surgery and anaesthesia, has been endorsed by the European Society of Anaesthesia.
New research takes aim at heart's 'safe zone'
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the industrialized world. However, it's not well understood and is challenging to both predict and effectively prevent, according to Alain Karma, Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics.
World's tallest man gets married in Turkey
Turkey's Sultan Kosen, at 2.51 metres (eight foot three) the world's tallest man, has wed a Syrian woman he called the "love of my life", though he towers over his 1.75-metre bride.
Attractive adults gain the trust of children
An adult with an attractive face is more likely to gain the trust of children, new research has found. Published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, the study revealed both boys and girls are more prone to believing answers given to them by people with an appealing face compared to those with a less pleasant appearance.
Survey: Health care system causes doctors to 'bend' ethical norms to serve their patients
A survey among rheumatologists finds many face moral dilemmas when trying to do what's best for their patients in the current health care environment.
Merck 3Q net income falls on charges, lower sales
Merck & Co. said Monday that its third-quarter profit plunged 35 percent because of competition from generic drugs, lower sales of its top-selling medicine, and restructuring and acquisition charges. It still beat Wall Street's profit expectations, but sharply lowered its own forecast for the full year, sending shares down.
Managing media: We need a plan
From TV to smart phones to social media, the lives of U.S. children and families are dominated by 24/7 media exposure. Despite this, many children and teens have few rules around their media use. According to a revised policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Children, Adolescents and the Media," released Oct. 28 at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, the digital age is the ideal time to change the way we address media use.
Electronic intensive care units (eICUs) effective in providing remote care
An eICU uses telecommunications technology to diagnose and treat patients in the ICU remotely. Using two-way cameras, video monitors, microphones, and alarms to provide round-the-clock care for patients in ICUs, eICUs can provide care to patients in multiple hospitals, using the skills of intensive care physicians, called intensivists, and intensive care nurses.
Yoga practice beneficial to patients with COPD
An estimated 24 million Americans may have COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. Patients with COPD have trouble pushing used air out of their lungs, making it difficult to take in healthy new air. Although there is no cure for COPD, a patient's quality of life can be improved by controlling symptoms, such as shortness of breath. COPD, most commonly caused by cigarette smoking, affects both men and women, and often, symptoms are seen in people in their 40s.
X-rays overused in ICU: Ultrasound safer, just as effective
A new study shows that the use of ultrasound testing rather than x-rays or CT scans in the ICU reduces patient radiation exposure and lowers costs of care. The study was presented at CHEST 2013, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Exhaled breath biomarker may detect lung cancer
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic recently discovered that lung cancer may be detected in patients by testing their exhaled breath. Preliminary studies suggest that an accurate exhaled breath biomarker could be developed for use as a clinical test. Findings were presented at CHEST 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
Smoking long or ultralong cigarettes increases risk of lung cancer
Smokers of long or ultralong cigarettes are at greater risk for lung and oral cancer than smokers of regular and king-size cigarettes, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Global Tobacco Control.
Burden of futile care in ICU studied: Patients waiting for care affected negatively, study presented
Researchers at UCLA studied the opportunity costs of providing futile care to patients in the ICU, finding that care was delayed or compromised for waiting patients when futile care was being provided in a full ICU. Futile treatment was identified by critical care specialists as ICU care from which patients could never receive a benefit, prolonged the dying process, or where the burdens far outweighed the benefits.
Minimally invasive surgery for paraesophageal hernia is 'revolutionary'—but experts still differ on
Minimally invasive surgical techniques have revolutionized the treatment paraesophageal hernia—but there's continued controversy over some key technical aspects of the procedure. To inform the debate, leading surgical specialists outline their approaches to laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair in the October issue of Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques.
Poor motor performance linked to poor academic skills in the first school years
Children with poor motor performance at the school entry were found to have poorer reading and arithmetic skills than their better performing peers during the first three years of school. However, no relationship was found between cardiovascular fitness and academic skills, according to a new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
South Asians in Peel have lower cancer screening rates; increased risk of preventable disease
South Asian-Canadians living in Peel Region may be 15 per cent less likely than other Ontarians to be screened for breast, cervical or colorectal cancer, making them much more vulnerable to cancer deaths.
'Designer' sedative may provide new alternative for colonoscopy
Developed using molecular-level techniques, the "designer" sedative drug remimazolam provides a promising new alternative for sedation in patients undergoing colonoscopy, reports a study in the November issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Bumps in the road to developing long-lasting, single-injection nerve blocks
Can a new liposomal bupivacaine product provide long-lasting nerve block with a single injection? An initial study in humans shows promise—but also some "confusing results," reports the November issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
CRF and UCR announce initiation of PROSPECT II clinical trial
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) of New York, NY and the Uppsala Clinical Research Center (UCR) of Uppsala, Sweden announced today the initiation of the PROSPECT (Providing Regional Observations to Study Predictors of Events in the Coronary Tree) II trial and the PROSPECT ABSORB sub study. PROSPECT II is an investigator initiated multicenter, prospective registry study which will assess the ability of intracoronary near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to identify non-flow obstructing vulnerable plaques which subsequently lead to coronary events. PROSPECT ABSORB is an investigator initiated multicenter, randomized trial, which for the first time will evaluate the ability of a bioresorbable scaffold to safely increase luminal dimensions of vulnerable plaque.
Study to assess impact of health reform in India
A University of Chicago professor in law and medicine is helping the nation of India assess the results of a massive health reform program targeting its poorest populations, as the government considers whether to extend the five-year-old effort.
Sputum test may not hold key to TB eradication, study says
An on-the-spot sputum test for tuberculosis works better than the commonly-used, 125-year-old microscope method, but did not reduce illness in a southern African trial, a study said Monday.
New technology optimizes ear infection diagnosis and management
A new, smartphone-enabled otoscope provides clear, transmittable images of the ear drum, or tympanic membrane, which someday may allow for ear infection diagnosis without a visit to the doctor's office, according to an abstract presented Monday, Oct. 28, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.
Brief exposure to performance-enhancing drugs may be permanently 'remembered' by muscles
Brief exposure to anabolic steroids may have long lasting, possibly permanent, performance-enhancing effects, shows a study published today [28 October] in The Journal of Physiology.
New study examines link between pregnancy weight gain, autism spectrum disorders
Can gaining weight during pregnancy provide clues into the cause of autism spectrum disorders?
Measuring segments of genetic material may help predict and monitor recurrence after thyroid cancer
A new analysis has found that the presence of short segments of genetic material (known as microRNA) within papillary thyroid cancer tumors suggests a likelihood of recurrence after patients undergo surgery. The study, which is published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, also found that elevated blood levels of the genetic material after surgery may indicate a higher possibility of recurrence after thyroidectomy.
Can pediatricians successfully promote safe driving agreements between teens and parents?
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. A study presented Monday, Oct. 28, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando evaluated a pediatric intervention that directed families to a new web-based Checkpoints safe driving program for parents of teen drivers.
Headaches in lupus patients not linked to disease activity study says
Headache is common among patients with system lupus erythematosus according to new research published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The study found that 18% of lupus patients experienced headache at the onset of their disease with that number increasing to 58% after 10 years. While headaches were linked to a lower health-related quality of life, these episodes resolved over time independent of treatment specific to lupus and were not associated with disease activity or specific lupus autoantibodies.
Moving children and families beyond trauma
Pediatricians can play an important role in helping children and communities recover following episodes of school and community violence and disaster, while working to prevent and prepare for future tragedies, said David J. Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, a world-renowned expert on school crisis and bereavement.
Early skin-to-skin contact linked to higher breastfeeding rates
Skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant in the delivery room is associated with an increased likelihood for exclusive breastfeeding, according to an abstract presented Oct. 28 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando. When combined with a mother's intent to breastfeed, the likelihood was even greater.
Pain processes in tennis elbow illuminated by PET scanning
Physiological processes in soft tissue pain such as chronic tennis elbow can be explored using diagnostic imaging methods. This is demonstrated by researchers from Uppsala University and the results are now being published in the prestigious journal PLOS ONE. The pain physician and researcher Magnus Peterson is presenting a new use of positron emission tomography (PET) and a tracer for the signal receptor NK1 for visualising a physiological process associated with pain.
Could a 'Trojan horse' better identify traumatic brain injury?
Accurately diagnosing traumatic brain injuries and concussions is difficult, as standard CT or MRI scans can't see most changes to the brain caused by these injuries.
Birth of a first baby can trigger anxiety
Around a third of first-time mothers experience anxiety symptoms after the birth of their baby, new research has found.
Death rates greater for weekend hospital admissions
(Medical Xpress)—Death rates are greater if a patient is admitted to hospital via the Emergency Department over the weekend than during the working week, according to new research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Moderate exercise not only treats, but prevents depression
(Medical Xpress)—Physical activity is being increasingly recognized as an effective tool to treat depression. PhD candidate George Mammen's review published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has taken the connection one step further, finding that moderate exercise can actually prevent episodes of depression in the long term.
Liver enzyme may play critical role in enhancing cholesterol removal from the body
(Medical Xpress)—The human body works hard to keep cholesterol levels in check. Cholesterol comes from diet and also naturally occurs in the human body. A large portion of the cholesterol occurring in the body is made in the liver, where its levels are also regulated. But an excess of cholesterol can occur, placing individuals at risk for developing coronary artery or heart disease, and the liver is the only organ in the body able to remove cholesterol.
Drowsy driving an increasing hazard, say medical experts
(Medical Xpress)—Many of us make light of that relatively short drive home. But getting behind the wheel when you're sleepy can cost lives and lead to imprisonment and a hefty fine.
Research to improve cancer detection in women
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute have developed a series of biomarker technologies for use in the early detection of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and HPV. Provista Diagnostics, Inc., a leading molecular diagnostics company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tests for cancers affecting women, has licensed these technologies for evaluation and potentially further development.
Regular cocaine and cannabis use may trigger addictive behaviours
New cocaine and cannabis research reveals that regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour. It had previously been argued that this increased impulsivity after cannabis administration was only experienced by occasional users, but that regular users were no longer affected in this way. Published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, the results provide evidence for how drug use may trigger addictive behaviours.
SUBNETS aims for systems-based neurotechnology and understanding for the treatment of neuropsychological illnesses
Despite the best efforts of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to protect the health of U.S. servicemembers and veterans, the effects of neuropsychological illness brought on by war, traumatic injuries and other experiences are not always easily treated. While current approaches can often help to alleviate the worst effects of these illnesses, they are imprecise and not universally effective. Demand for new therapies is high as mental disorders are the leading cause of hospital bed days and the second leading cause of medical encounters for active duty servicemembers. Among veterans, ten percent of those receiving treatment from the Veterans' Health Administration are provided mental health care or substance abuse counseling.
Keeping emotions in check may not always benefit psychological health
(Medical Xpress)—Being able to regulate your emotions is important for well-being, but new research suggests that a common emotion regulation strategy called "cognitive reappraisal" may actually be harmful when it comes to stressors that are under our control. The study is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
HPV strains affecting African-American women differ from vaccines
Two subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) prevented by vaccines are half as likely to be found in African-American women as in white women with precancerous cervical lesions, according to researchers at Duke Medicine.
Fewer patients with brain injury being declared 'brain dead'
Fewer patients with brain injury are being declared "brain dead," perhaps reflecting better injury prevention and improved care, according to a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). However, the main source of organ donations for transplants is patients with neurologic death, so this finding may explain the declining rates of organ donation in some regions.
Lifestyle factors could put college-age women at higher risk of breast cancer
Breast cancer prevention needs to become a shared conversation among women of all ages as it can strike at any age, and is generally more aggressive when diagnosed in women under the age of 50. With hopes to spark that discussion, Isabelle Mercier, PhD, a research assistant professor at University of the Sciences, compiled some key prevention awareness tips for young women.
Flu can kill even healthy children, study finds
(HealthDay)—Children, even those without severe medical conditions, can die from the flu in as little as three days after symptoms appear, U.S. health officials warn.
Study of male birth defect lets pesticides off the hook—for now
(HealthDay)—Only a weak link exists between pesticide exposure and a common birth defect in baby boys, according to a new study.
Exercise may make life better for those with arthritis
(HealthDay)—Regular exercise boosts quality of life and reduces health care costs for people with arthritis, a new study shows.
Many lupus patients forgo needed medication, study finds
(HealthDay)—Many poorer patients with the autoimmune disease lupus don't take their medications as prescribed, a new U.S. study suggests.
Social isolation linked to more pain after hip replacement
(HealthDay)—People without social support may experience more pain years after surgery, a new study suggests.
Treating rheumatoid arthritis early may cut damaging effects
(HealthDay)—Immediate and effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis reduces the risk that patients will have joint damage and disability within a few years, a new study suggests.
Moms with lupus more likely to have children with autism, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Women with lupus are twice as likely to have a child with autism compared to mothers without the autoimmune disease, new, preliminary research finds.
Study identifies biomarker linked to poor outcomes in pregnant lupus patients
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City have identified a biomarker that may predict poor pregnancy outcomes in lupus patients.
Beta-blockers may increase adverse cardiac events, patients at risk during noncardiac surgical procedure
A recent study shows that patients given beta-blockers may actually be at increased risk of having an adverse cardiac event during a noncardiac surgical procedure. Risk of irregular heartbeat and worsening of symptoms in patients with existing heart disease also seemed to increase, but to a lesser degree. Beta-blockers are drugs commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. The study was presented during CHEST 2013, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), held October 26-31 in Chicago.
Virtually numbed: Immersive video gaming alters real-life experience
Spending time immersed as a virtual character or avatar in a role-playing video game can numb you to realizing important body signals in real life. This message comes from Ulrich Weger of the University of Witten/Herdecke in Germany and Stephen Loughnan of Melbourne University in Australia, in an article in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review.
Aggressive treatment of psoriatic arthritis results in 'significant' improvement, says new research
People with a type of arthritis affecting the skin and joints respond significantly better to early, aggressive drug treatment compared to standard care, according to preliminary results presented by a University of Leeds lecturer to a major US conference.
No running for the well-heeled: Being down at heel could save your knees
If you often find yourself running after a bus, escaping a burning building or taking part in competitive athletics in high-heeled footwear, you may be storing up knee problems for later in life, according to a study published this month in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology.
Docs urge limits on kids' texts, tweets, Internet
The American Academy of Pediatrics has new advice many kids will find hard to swallow: It wants limits on tweeting, texting and other social media.
US troops turn to liposuction to pass fat test (Update)
The soldiers often call Dr. Adam Tattelbaum, a plastic surgeon, in a panic. They need liposuction, and fast.
New imaging research shows increased iron in the brain in earliest stages of MS
While it's been known for over a century that iron deposits in the brain play a role in the pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), new imaging research from Western University (London, Canada) helps to answer the question of whether these accumulations are a cause or consequence of the disease. The study led by Ravi Menon, PhD, of the Robarts Research Institute found iron deposits in deep gray matter, suggesting the accumulation occurs very early in the disease course. The researchers also found evidence casting further doubt on the controversial liberation therapy for MS. The research is in early publication online in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
Study finds high rate of lower back injuries in young athletes
Lower back injuries are the third most common injuries suffered in athletes under age 18, according to a study presented by Loyola University Medical Center sports medicine physician Neeru Jayanthi, MD.
Smokers worldwide more likely to think about kicking their habit on Mondays
Forget New Year's; a study published today in the JAMA Internal Medicine found that Mondays are when smokers are most likely to think about quitting.
Older heart patients need personalized preventive care
Strategies to prevent heart attack, stroke and other major cardiac events should be individualized for older adults who should play a role in choosing their therapies, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement published in its journal Circulation.
Study examines expedited FDA drug approvals, safety questions remain
Fewer patients were studied as part of expedited reviews of new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 and some safety questions remain unanswered, according to a study published by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Heart disease risk appears associated with breast cancer radiation
Among patients with early stages of breast cancer, those whose hearts were more directly irradiated with radiation treatments on the left side in a facing-up position had higher risk of heart disease, according to research letter to JAMA Internal Medicine by David J. Brenner, Ph.D, D.Sc, of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, and colleagues.
Poverty in early childhood appears associated with brain development
Poverty in early childhood appears to be associated with smaller brain volumes measured through imaging at school age and early adolescence, according to a study published by JAMA Pediatrics.
Researchers discover how cancer 'invisibility cloak' works
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how a lipid secreted by cancer tumors prevents the immune system from mounting an immune response against it. When lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) binds to killer T cells, it acts almost like an "invisibility cloak," preventing T cells from recognizing and attacking nascent tumors.
DIY and gardening can cut heart attack, stroke risk by 30 percent and prolong life in 60+ age group
A spot of DIY or gardening can cut the risk of a heart attack/stroke and prolong life by as much as 30 per cent among the 60+ age group, indicates research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Untangling Alzheimer's disease: Study finds specific molecules that could be targeted to treat the disorder
Plaques and tangles made of proteins are believed to contribute to the debilitating progression of Alzheimer's disease. But proteins also play a positive role in important brain functions, like cell-to-cell communication and immunological response. Molecules called microRNAs regulate both good and bad protein levels in the brain, binding to messenger RNAs to prevent them from developing into proteins.
First ever study of 'moral distress' among nurses in burn unit
Loyola University Medical Center researchers have published the first ever study of emotional and psychological anguish, known as "moral distress," experienced by nurses in an intensive care unit for burn patients.
Child brides at funerals: Young maternal age and quick pregnancies linked to high infant mortality in South Asia
Having children early and in rapid succession are major factors fueling high infant mortality rates in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan where one in 14 births to young mothers ends with the death of the child within the first year, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Overlooked lymph nodes in rib cage have prognostic power for mesothelioma patients
For the first time, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have shown the predictive power of a group of overlooked lymph nodes—known as the posterior intercostal lymph nodes—that could serve as a better tool to stage and ultimately treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Pregnant women with hepatitis C may pass heartier viral strain to newborns, study suggests
Infants who get hepatitis C from their mothers during childbirth may inherit a viral strain that replicates more quickly than strains found in non-pregnant hosts, according to a new study published Oct. 27 in Nature Medicine. The findings, from a team in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, are the first to describe how a virus that has infected 180 million people worldwide takes advantage of immune changes during pregnancy.
Excess omega-3 fatty acids could lead to negative health effects
A new review suggests that omega-3 fatty acids taken in excess could have unintended health consequences in certain situations, and that dietary standards based on the best available evidence need to be established.
Medicare monthly premium to stay at $104.90
Medicare says the "Part B" premium most seniors pay for outpatient care will stay the same in 2014, at $104.90 a month.
Researchers detail possible resistance mechanisms of colorectal cancer to bevacizumab (Avastin)
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal PLOS ONE shows that when colorectal cancer is targeted by the drug bevacizumab (Avastin), tumors may switch dependence from VEGF-A, which is targeted by the drug, to related growth factors in including VEGF-C, VEGF-D and placental growth factor. This change to new growth-factor dependence may allow colorectal cancer to push past bevacizumab's blockage of VEGF-A to continue to drive tumor growth.
Study shows experts' attitudes influence what children believe
Children are more apt to believe a nice, non-expert than a mean expert according to researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Study with totally blind people shows how light helps activate the brain
Light enhances brain activity during a cognitive task even in some people who are totally blind, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal and Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. The findings contribute to scientists' understanding of everyone's brains, as they also revealed how quickly light impacts on cognition.
'Ancient brain' helps us avoid accidents
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at Australia's Vision Centre (VC) have found a group of rare cells in the human brain that recognise edges – helping us to avoid accidents and recognise everything we use or see in daily life.
Manipulative and empathetic people both adept at reading emotions
(Medical Xpress)—People shouldn't assume that someone who can easily read their feelings always has their best interests at heart.
Study finds new genetic error in some lung cancers
A fine-grained scan of DNA in lung cancer cells has revealed a gene fusion – a forced merger of two normally separate genes – that spurs the cells to divide rapidly, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Colorado Cancer Center report in a new paper in the journal Nature Medicine. Treating the cells with a compound that blocks a protein encoded by one of those genes – NTRK1 – caused the cells to die.
How problems with an Alzheimer's protein can jam up traffic in the brain
Scientists have known for some time that a protein called presenilin plays a role in Alzheimer's disease, and a new study reveals one intriguing way this happens.
Discovery could lead to anti-clotting drugs with less risk of bleeding
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered a molecular switch that causes small, beneficial clots that stop bleeding to enlarge further during wound healing. By blocking this switch in lab mice, the researchers prevented small clots from growing—a process that can pose a danger in humans—while preserving their ability to staunch bleeding. Their findings, published online in Nature, open up the possibility for developing potent anti-clotting drugs that don't raise the risk of bleeding.
Study documents importance of language to learning math
Talk to your toddler. And use numbers when you talk. Doing so may give a child a better head start in math than teaching her to memorize 1-2-3 counting routines.
Nurturing may protect kids from brain changes linked to poverty
Growing up in poverty can have long-lasting, negative consequences for a child. But for poor children raised by parents who lack nurturing skills, the effects may be particularly worrisome, according to a new study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward
Two new papers from reproductive biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with international partners, report advances in understanding the basic processes of sperm capacitation that may one day improve success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by providing a shortcut to bypass problems, and may eventually lead to a male contraceptive.
Researchers identify key proteins influencing major immune strategies
New research from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota Center for Immunology has identified key proteins that influence immune response strategies, a finding that could influence new vaccination approaches.
Model virus structure shows why there's no cure for common cold
In a pair of landmark studies that exploit the genetic sequencing of the "missing link" cold virus, rhinovirus C, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have constructed a three-dimensional model of the pathogen that shows why there is no cure yet for the common cold.
'VIP' treatment for jet lag
A small molecule called VIP, known to synchronize time-keeping neurons in the brain's biological clock, has the startling effect of desynchronizing them at higher dosages, says a research team at Washington University in St. Louis.
New technology shows promise in taking the guesswork out of vaccine development
Scientists from the Center for Innovations in Medicine in the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have developed a comprehensive, microchip-based technology, called immunosignature diagnosis, which can rapidly and comprehensively measure an individual's vaccine response, promising to take much of the initial guesswork out of predicting effective vaccines.
Biology news
The people's choice: Americans would pay to help monarch butterflies
Americans place high value on butterfly royalty. A recent study suggests they are willing to support monarch butterfly conservation at high levels, up to about 6 ½ billion dollars if extrapolated to all U.S. households.
Yields of new varieties of agricultural crops continue to increase
Research into varieties of winter wheat, spring barley, potatoes grown for starch and sugar beet which have been introduced in the Netherlands by plant breeding companies between 1980 and 2010 shows that new varieties continue to yield more than their predecessors. Despite recent concerns that important crops in high-yielding regions have reached their production maximum, the rise in yield potential of new cultivars does not yet level off in the Netherlands. The fact that plant breeding can still lead to increases in production has therefore been shown by this research at Wageningen University.
Analyzing hundreds of cells in a few mouse-clicks
An EPFL PhD student has developed a technique for analyzing hundreds of images of cells in just a few mouse-clicks.
The cyber-centipede: From Linnaeus to big data
Taxonomic descriptions, introduced by Linnaeus in 1735, are designed to allow scientists to tell one species from another. Now there is a new futuristic method for describing new species that goes far beyond the tradition. The new approach combines several techniques, including next generation molecular methods, barcoding, and novel computing and imaging technologies, that will test the model for big data collection, storage and management in biology. The study has just been published in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
Climate change has silver lining for grizzlies
Global warming and forest disturbances may have a silver lining for threatened species of grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada.
Team finds common bioindicator resistant to insecticides
In a novel study, a University of Oklahoma researcher and collaborators found a common bioindicator, Hyalella azteca, used to test the toxicity of water or sediment was resistant to insecticides used in agricultural areas of central California. The study is the first to demonstrate that the indicator species may adapt to polluted conditions of a habitat and become an entirely unreliable source of information about ecosystem health.
Bird buffet requires surveillance
The behaviour of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) feeding during low tide in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, surprised Guy Beauchamp, an ornithologist and research officer at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. While individuals on the periphery remained alert and used short pecks to feed on the mudflats, birds in the middle of the group relaxed their vigilance and fed on a different resource. The more peripheral group members were effectively used as sentinels for the others.
'Lost world' discovered in remote Australia
An expedition to a remote part of northern Australia has uncovered three new vertebrate species isolated for millions of years, with scientists Monday calling the area a "lost world".
Study maps human impacts on top ocean predators along US west coast
The California Current System along the U.S. west coast is among the richest ecosystems in the world, driven by nutrient input from coastal upwelling and supporting a great diversity of marine life. Like coastal regions in general, it is also heavily impacted by human activities. A new study led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, reveals areas along the west coast where human impacts are highest on marine predators such as whales, seals, seabirds, and turtles.
Lost in translation: Gene expression changes don't always alter protein levels
(Phys.org) —The central dogma of biology is that DNA gives rise to mRNA, which then gives rise to protein. Thus, it has been widely assumed that changes in specific mRNA levels are always accompanied by commensurate changes in the encoded proteins and vice versa. To determine whether this is always the case, scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory examined Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 grown under steady state conditions at either 20% or 8.5% O2.
Researchers discover a new protein fold with a transport tunnel
The protein LIMP-2 is vital for both humans and animals. If it is absent – due, for example, to a hereditary disease – substances of an unknown nature, probably lipids, accumulate in the organism. Up to now, scientists were unsure what the protein looks like and how exactly it functions. Privatdozent [senior lecturer] Dr. Michael Schwake from the Faculty of Chemistry at Bielefeld University (Germany) is doing research on the protein – and thereby preparing the way for future therapies. Together with colleagues in Kiel, Toronto, and Boston, he has now discovered that the protein LIMP 2 possesses a novel protein fold together with a nanomicroscopically small transport tunnel. The researchers have published their findings on Sunday (27 October) in the globally renowned scientific journal Nature.
How mice and rats developed a unique masticatory apparatus making them evolutionary champions
The subfamily of rodents known as Murinae (mice, rats, etc.), which first appeared in Asia 12 million years ago, spread across the entire Old World (Eurasia, Africa, Australia) in less than 2 million years, a remarkably fast rate. Researchers have long suspected that one of the reasons for their evolutionary success is related to their unique masticatory apparatus. Now, researchers have used the brilliant X-ray beams produced at the European Synchrotron (ESRF) to study several hundred specimens, both extant and extinct, to describe the evolutionary processes that caused rats and mice to acquire this characteristic feature. The study was published in the journal Evolution on November 28, 2013.
Brain has specific radar for snakes
Ever wonder why snakes inspire such fear? A new study on monkeys out Monday says the brain has specific cells that fire off rapid warnings when confronted with slithery danger.
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