Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 17, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Mysterious ancient human crossed Wallace's Line- Why lithium-ion-batteries fail
- Astronomers see misaligned planets in distant system
- To sleep, perchance to clean: Study reveals brain 'takes out the trash' while we sleep
- Researchers advance toward engineering 'wildly new genome'
- The sun also flips: 11-year solar cycle wimpy, but peaking
- Gravitational waves help understand black hole weight gain
- 1.8M-year-old skull gives glimpse of our evolution, suggests early man was single species
- A grand unified theory of exotic superconductivity?
- Physicists prove Heisenberg's intuition correct
- Nanotech system, cellular heating may improve treatment of ovarian cancer
- Mathematical study of photosynthesis clears the path to developing new super-crops
- Yoga accessible for the blind with new Microsoft Kinect-based program (w/ Video)
- Astronomers say asteroid might collide with Earth— in 2032
- Rings, dark side of Saturn glow in new Cassini image
Space & Earth news
Pacific man bids to become first climate change refugee
A Pacific islander is attempting to become the world's first climate change refugee in New Zealand as rising seas threaten his low-lying homeland, the man's lawyer said Thursday.
Amazonia at a crossroads
The Amazon rainforest faces an uncertain future – one that an international research network hopes to help steer towards sustainability.
50 ideas for sustainable cities
Since May 2012, ten Fraunhofer Institutes and numerous industrial, commercial and municipal partners have been working together to develop concepts for clean, efficient and life-enhancing urban environments. Having analyzed six cities identified as global trendsetters for systemic urban solutions, the Morgenstadt: City Insights innovation network now presents over 100 best practices for sustainable urban development.
Scrutinising rivers upstream
Climate change influences water cycles. Particularly, it has an effect on the natural and socio-economic processes of river basins. Major rivers of the world have their origin in alpine-style mountains. The trouble is that their hydrological regime, which strongly depends on the freshwater flow from these regions, and has been impacted by climate change. After assessing their hydrological dynamics, scientists working under the umbrella of an EU-funded research project, called BRAHMATWINN, aimed at finding sustainable management solutions for water resources in headwater river systems in alpine mountain massifs. This initiative fell within the framework of the European Water Initiative.
Beijing to impose odd-even car ban in heavy pollution
Beijing drivers will soon be able to use their vehicles only every other day during heavy pollution, Chinese state media reported Thursday.
Ukrainians protest Chevron's shale gas plans
Hundreds of Ukrainians protested Thursday against US energy giant Chevron's plans to explore for shale gas, seen as vital to the ex-Soviet country's plans to ease its energy dependence on Russia.
Power plant threat to Bosnia oasis
In the mountains of southern Bosnia, a narrow canal carved through dense vegetation leads to a vast lake of crystal blue.
Tropical Storm Octave makes landfall in western Mexico
Tropical Depression 15-E formed on Oct. 12 at 11 p.m. EDT and strengthened into Tropical Storm Octave. Four days later NASA's Terra satellite saw the weakened storm headed for landfall in western Mexico.
NASA sees Typhoon Francisco headed to the other side of Guam
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Typhoon Francisco on Oct. 17 after it had passed the eastern side of Guam and started to head on a track that would take it past the western side of Guam. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Guam on Oct. 17 and 18 (local time).
Tropical Storm Priscilla's short life
Tropical Storm Priscilla lived just 3 days in the eastern Pacific Ocean making for one of the shortest-lived tropical storms of the season.
Study concludes climate change will wreak havoc on oceans by 2100
(Phys.org) —A new study looking at the impacts of climate change on the world's ocean systems concludes that by the year 2100, about 98 percent of the oceans will be affected by acidification, warming temperatures, low oxygen, or lack of biological productivity – and most areas will be stricken by a multitude of these stressors.
Testing the water
A new online tool enables users to assess not only how much water we use and for what, but also how we can mitigate future scarcity.
ESA rover completes exploring Mars-like desert
(Phys.org) —Braving high winds, dust devils and unpredictable terrain, ESA's test rover has completed its exploration across – and under – Chile's Mars-like Atacama Desert.
Was this ridge habitable? Mars Curiosity eyes nearby mountain
So Curiosity has been on Mars for an Earth year and is now, slowly, making its way over to that ginormous mountain—Mount Sharp, or Aeolis Mons—in the distance. The trek is expected to take at least until mid-2014, if not longer, because the rover will make pit stops at interesting science sites along the way. But far-thinking scientists are already thinking about what areas they would like to examine when it gets there.
The complicated birth of a volcano: Researchers unravel the origin of Antarctic seamounts
They are difficult to reach, have hardly been studied scientifically, and their existence does not fit into current geological models: the Marie Byrd Seamounts off the coast of Antarctica present many riddles to volcanologists. In the international journal "Gondwana Research", scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in cooperation with colleagues from the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research just published possible explanations for the origin of these former volcanoes and thus contributed to the decryption of complex processes in the Earth's interior.
Could Sandy happen again? Maybe, says geologist
Almost a year after Hurricane Sandy, parts of New York and New Jersey are still recovering from billions of dollars in flood damage. Tufts University geologist Andrew Kemp sees the possibility of damage from storms smaller than Sandy in the future.
'Toxic bomb' ticks on Maldives rubbish island
Descending by plane into the Maldives offers a panoramic view of azure seas and coral-fringed islands, but as the tarmac nears, billowing smoke in the middle distance reveals an environmental calamity.
Most distant gravitational lens helps weigh galaxies
An international team of astronomers has found the most distant gravitational lens yet—a galaxy that, as predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, deflects and intensifies the light of an even more distant object. The discovery provides a rare opportunity to directly measure the mass of a distant galaxy. But it also poses a mystery: lenses of this kind should be exceedingly rare. Given this and other recent finds, astronomers either have been phenomenally lucky—or, more likely, they have underestimated substantially the number of small, very young galaxies in the early Universe.
Fat black holes grown up in cities: 'Observational' result using Virtual Observatory
Massive black holes of more than one million solar masses exist at the center of most galaxies. Some of the massive black holes are observed as active galactic nuclei (AGN) which attract surrounding gas and release huge amounts of energy.
Computer models of tornadoes show possible sheltering region behind hills
(Phys.org) —Using 3-D computer models, University of Arkansas researchers have demonstrated the influence of hills on tornadoes. Their models revealed that the height of a hill and the size of a tornado's vortex have a significant effect on the tornado's destructive power. The findings could be used to identify safer areas for construction.
Habitable zone super Jupiter-sized exoplanet found in Milky Way bulge
(Phys.org) —A multinational team of astronomers has discovered the existence of a large (four times the size of Jupiter) sized exoplanet lurking in the Milky Way bulge—the first discovery of its kind. The team has reported on their findings in a paper they've uploaded to the preprint server arXiv.
Astronomers say asteroid might collide with Earth— in 2032
Ukrainian astronomers say an asteroid might collide with Earth in a couple of decades, a Russian news service reported Thursday.
Pacific ocean temperature influences tornado activity in US, study finds
Meteorologists often use information about warm and cold fronts to determine whether a tornado will occur in a particular area. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that the temperature of the Pacific Ocean could help scientists predict the type and location of tornado activity in the U.S.
Incoming comet ISON appears intact to Hubble
(Phys.org) —A new image of the sunward plunging Comet ISON suggests that the comet is intact despite some predictions that the fragile icy nucleus might disintegrate as the Sun warms it. The comet will pass closest to the Sun on November 28.
Rings, dark side of Saturn glow in new Cassini image
(Phys.org) —The gauzy rings of Saturn and the dark side of the planet glow in newly released infrared images obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.
The sun also flips: 11-year solar cycle wimpy, but peaking
(Phys.org) —In a 3-meter diameter hollow aluminum sphere, Cary Forest, a UW-Madison physics professor, is stirring and heating plasmas to 500,000 degrees Fahrenheit to experimentally mimic the magnetic field-inducing cosmic dynamos at the heart of planets, stars and other celestial bodies.
Gravitational waves help understand black hole weight gain
Supermassive black holes: every large galaxy's got one. But here's a real conundrum: how did they grow so big?
Astronomers see misaligned planets in distant system
Using data from NASA's Kepler space telescope, an international team of astronomers has discovered a distant planetary system featuring multiple planets orbiting at a severe tilt to their host star.
Technology news
NYU-Poly professors win Google Faculty Research Awards
Two faculty members from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) are among the latest recipients of the Google Faculty Research Awards—one-year grants supporting cutting-edge research in various disciplines of computer science and engineering.
India's HCL profit soars 64%, beats forecasts
HCL Technologies, India's fourth largest IT services provider, on Thursday said net profit soared 64 percent in July-September as an economic recovery in developed markets spurred demand.
KPN shares sell off after takeover falls apart (Update)
Shares in Dutch telecoms company Royal KPN NV are falling after Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim followed through on a threat to walk away from a takeover bid.
Researchers invent air conditioning system using ceramic panels
Researchers of the University of Alicante belonging to the UA Research Group on Technology and Sustainability in Architecture, along with the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Ceramic Tiles and Pavements (ASCER) and the Institute for Ceramic Technology (ITC) have developed an innovative thermal conditioning panel of ceramic material, which can control the climate of any room easily, sustainably and energetically efficient.
Amazing future for 3D printing with ESA
3D printing is getting ready to revolutionise space travel. ESA is paving the way for 3D-printed metals to build high-quality, intricate shapes with massive cost savings.
Review: New 'Skylanders' divide and conquer
As Activision's Skylanders franchise has exploded in popularity, more parents have asked me: Is it as cool as it looks, or just an insidious plot to separate my kids from their allowances?
Footwear recycling gets a kick-start
A newly developed recycling process could make landfill sites filled with old shoes a thing of the past.
Team transforms rings and structure fingernails into user interfaces (w/ Video)
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed technology whereby a ring, structure nail or wristband acts as a user interface allowing files to be transferred directly from one screen to another by touch. The new technical solution is the first step towards the interactivity of various objects and jewellery through a cloud service.
One bn people without electricity 'need urgent action': Daegu meet
The fact that more than a billion people in the world live without electricity is a major obstacle to development that requires immediate and sustained action, energy experts and officials say.
Gucci wins $144 million in US counterfeit trial
Gucci on Thursday welcomed a US court's decision to award the global fashion empire $144.2 million in damages from online sellers of counterfeit merchandise.
Hulu names Fox exec Hopkins as CEO
Online video service Hulu named Fox executive Mike Hopkins as its new CEO Thursday, ending the speculation over the company's leadership following Jason Kilar's departure in March.
Live events proving worth for networks
Television executives are looking for more than hot actors these days. They're searching for the next Nik Wallenda. With ratings for Wallenda's tightrope walks across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon in mind, networks are taking meetings from people pitching programs about cars flipping over, or an attempt to set a record for simultaneous skydives. They're all on the hunt for the next big event.
EBay CEO cites 'uncertainty' for weak 4Q outlook
EBay said the growth rate of e-commerce in the United States is slowing as it delivered a weaker than expected profit and revenue outlook for the current quarter through December. The company's third-quarter earnings edged past analysts' expectations, but revenue rose just short of estimates.
Apple polishes fashion credentials with new hires
Fashion and technology may not be so different after all, if one looks at the hiring strategy from iPhone maker Apple.
Samsung: No European patent suits for five years (Update)
(AP)—Samsung Electronics Co. has offered not to launch any patent lawsuits over key mobile telephone technology in Europe for the coming five years, in hopes of avoiding a fine from the European Commission.
3-D printed horseshoe to improve racing performance
The horse, dubbed by researchers as 'Titanium Prints', had its hooves scanned with a handheld 3D scanner this week.
Solar panels can be used to provide heating and air conditioning
The use of solar panels to produce toilets hot water is standard practice, but researchers at the Madrid Universities Carlos III and Politécnica suggest that they may also be used to provide large offices with heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Their proposal involves the incorporation of solar collectors into a gas-based cogeneration system with an absorption machine, which would reduce both energy expenditure and CO2 emissions.
Britain, EDF 'strike deal on nuclear project': source
The British government and French energy giant EDF have agreed on a deal to build two latest generation nuclear reactors in Britain, an informed French source said on Thursday.
Former CEO concedes mistakes in Nokia's downturn (Update)
Former Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila, who steered the Finnish company to become the world's biggest maker of cellphones, has conceded that several mistakes were made during his tenure, including a failure to predict changing customers' needs and developing new software.
Urgent investment required for battery storage of green electricity
In the coming years, the Netherlands will have to work hard on Smart Grids, intelligent local networks with new storage capacity for green electricity. It will thus be possible to counter the impending instability caused by the increasing power surges of electricity from wind turbines and solar cells. Large numbers of locally installed batteries should accommodate the increasing fluctuations in the electricity grid that are inherent to sun and wind energy. If not, the Netherlands will be confronted with the major problems that are currently visible in Germany.
Microsoft releases Windows 8.1, in restart
Microsoft released Windows 8.1 on Thursday, after tweaking the operating system designed for various devices that had confused some users.
Using gesture and voice to control 3D molecular graphics (w/ Video)
Scientists from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research and CSIRO announced their 'Molecular Control Toolkit' at the 3rd IEEE Symposium on Biological Data Visualization in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on Sunday.
Mobile phones, social media 'easing disaster impact'
Mobile phones and social media are saving thousands of lives in disaster-prone countries but many vulnerable communities still need to be equipped with modern communications, the Red Cross said Thursday.
EU seeks views on Samsung's proposed anti-trust remedies
The European Commission called a public review Thursday on the remedies offered by South Korean electronics giant Samsung to concern it has abused its dominant market position in its fight with Apple.
Being ahead of time 'caused Nokia's failure': Ex-CEO
Nokia realised the significance of smart phones "too early", the Finnish company's former chief executive says in a new book, countering the view that the brand's failure to remain a world leader was due to it being late to spot the market shift.
Study on jellyfish energy consumption will improve bio-inspired robotic designs for Navy
Virginia Tech College of Engineering researchers are part of a national study that has cracked how jellyfish move with the lowest cost of transport of any animal. The findings will be used as researchers continue to design bio-inspired jellyfish for the U.S. Navy.
Google stock surges on gains in profit, revenue
Google said Thursday its quarterly profit jumped to $2.97 billion on rising revenue, causing the Internet giant's stock to climb in after-market trades.
GM to launch dual-fuel car in 2014
General Motors said Wednesday it will launch a car next year with the ability to operate on both gasoline and compressed natural gas, taking advantage of abundant US gas supplies.
Thermoelectric bracelet: 'Cool' invention wins first place at MADMEC
Heating or cooling certain parts of your body—such as applying a warm towel to your forehead if you feel chilly—can help maintain your perceived thermal comfort.
A mega to giga year storage medium can outlive the human race
Mankind has been storing information for thousands of years. From carvings on marble to today's magnetic data storage. Although the amount of data that can be stored has increased immensely during the past few decades, it is still difficult to actually store data for a long period. The key to successful information storage is to ensure that the information does not get lost. If we want to store information that will exist longer than mankind itself, then different requirements apply than those for a medium for daily information storage. Researcher Jeroen de Vries from the University of Twente MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology demonstrates that it is possible to store data for extremely long periods. He will be awarded his doctorate on 17 October.
Yoga accessible for the blind with new Microsoft Kinect-based program (w/ Video)
In a typical yoga class, students watch an instructor to learn how to properly hold a position. But for people who are blind or can't see well, it can be frustrating to participate in these types of exercises.
Medicine & Health news
The NICU environment: Not all silence is golden
Medical technology has improved the survival rates of premature infants, but adverse developmental outcomes are a continuing problem. Researchers have turned their attention to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where premature infants spend their first few weeks or months, for potential answers. In a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers studied the relationship between different room types in the NICU and the developmental outcomes of the children at 2 years of age.
Nurse practitioners report high job satisfaction
(HealthDay)—Nurse practitioners report high job satisfaction and are positive about the future of their profession, according to an article published Oct. 7 in Medical Economics.
Making the business case for cardiac rehab programs
You know the saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to cardiac rehabilitation, a study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress has the numbers to prove it.
Brazil fights flatulence, with garlic
A Brazilian company said Wednesday it was bringing to market a garlic capsule designed to tackle flatulence.
States enact laws to stock epinephrine at schools
Twenty-seven states allow or require schools to stock epinephrine that's used to fight sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions caused by eating certain food products, such as peanuts, or bee stings.
Use of false ID by youth to buy alcohol is a slippery slope toward alcohol use disorders
Many underage youth use false identification (ID) to circumvent minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws in order to obtain alcohol. While underage students tend to drink less frequently than their older college peers, they are more likely to engage in high-risk drinking and are at risk for developing alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A new study of the contributory role of false ID use to the development of AUDs among college students has found that almost two-thirds of the sample used false IDs.
Traumatic injuries in elderly patients are often underestimated
Traumatic injuries can be more severe for older adults, yet they often do not get the right level of care, according to a study appearing in the October issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Instead of going to a trauma center, many elderly patients end up in facilities without specialized expertise in trauma care that can treat all of their injuries.
Harvest toolkit offers innovative data discovery resource for biomedical researchers
Biomedical researchers often confront large quantities of information that may be amassed in many forms: vital signs, blood cell counts, lengthy DNA sequences, bar graphs, MRIs, patient demographics, and so much more. How do researchers assemble, access and analyze all that data without having to become specialized database technicians themselves?
Does genetic variability affect long-term response to traumatic brain injury?
An individual's recovery months after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is difficult to predict, and some of the variability in outcomes may be due to genetic differences. Subtle variations in genes that regulate a person's inflammatory response to injury can impact clinical outcomes in TBI, according to a new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma.
3D images generated from PET/CT scans help surgeons envision tumors
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have developed a hologram-like display of a patient's organs that surgeons can use to plan surgery. This approach uses molecular PET/CT images of a patient to rapidly create a 3D image of that patient, so that surgeons can see the detailed anatomical structure, peel away layers of tissue, and move around in space to see all sides of a tumor, before entering the operating room to excise it.
Female doctors are better than male doctors, but male doctors are more productive
According to a University of Montreal research team, the quality of care provided by female doctors is higher than that of their male counterparts while the productivity of males is greater. The research team reached this conclusion by studying the billing information of over 870 Quebec practitioners (half of whom were women) relating to their procedures with elderly diabetic patients. "Women had significantly higher scores in terms of compliance with practice guidelines. They were more likely than men to prescribe recommended medications and to plan required examinations," said lead study author Valérie Martel, who devoted her master's thesis with the Department of Health Administration to the subject. Roxane Borges Da Silva, Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, and Régis Blais, Professor at the Department of Health Administration, co-supervised the study.
Managing children's screen time: What parents need to know
In our increasingly fast-paced world, the Internet, video games, smartphones and TV programs are continually competing for consumers' attention. But what are the effects of screen media on infants and young children, when it's exchanged for the playtime of generations past? Brenda Greenert Judd, an early childhood education specialist at the University of Cincinnati's Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center, will present her review of the national research on the topic during a session on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Early Childhood Education Symposium at The Summit Country Day School.
Top NY court will review Bloomberg's big-soda ban
The state's highest court has agreed to hear New York City's appeal of a ruling that blocked Mayor Michael Bloomberg's effort to stop many eateries from selling super-sized, sugary drinks.
Smartphones, GPS part of UH scientist's smoking cessation research
We use them to text, tweet, post and, sometimes, make a call. Now, smartphones are helping with public health research.
Steps given to minimize burden of prior authorizations
(HealthDay)—Prior authorizations are a time-consuming part of work, but the process can be simplified, according to an article published online Oct. 10 in Medical Economics.
Boston Scientific, Guidant to pay $30M settlement
The Justice Department says Boston Scientific Corp. and its Guidant subsidiaries will pay $30 million to settle allegations that Guidant knowingly sold defective heart devices that health care facilities implanted in Medicare patients from 2002 to 2005.
District nursing homes win high marks for quality, but antipsychotic prescribing remains problematic
The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) has released a study by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) investigating prescribing of antipsychotics to District seniors. The study combines pharmaceutical marketing data collected by the District with publicly available data on nursing home quality and Medicare drug claims.
Men-only hepatitis B mutation explains higher cancer rates
A team of researchers has identified a novel mutation in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Korea that appears only in men and could help explain why HBV-infected men are roughly five times more likely than HBV-infected women to develop liver cancer. Although some women do progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer, the mutation is absent in HBV in women. The research is published ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
Will health insurance expansion cut ER use? Study in teens and young adults may help predict
As the nation's health care system prepares for uninsured Americans to gain health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, a question hangs over crowded hospital emergency departments: Will the newly insured make fewer ER visits than they do today?
Children born to teen mothers have delayed development, likely due to social factors
Babies born to teen mothers have less developed speaking skills at age five than children of older mothers, a new study has found.
Female hormones key to breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA gene carriers
Researchers announced today in the journal Lancet Oncology that they are well on the way to discovering why women with the faulty genes BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, one of which was inherited by the actress Angelina Jolie, develop breast and ovarian cancer rather than other cancers.
Vaccine confers long-term protection against cholera
A clinical study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases shows for the first time that an oral cholera vaccine (ShancholTM) provides sustained protection against cholera in humans for up to five years. The study showed the vaccine had a protective efficacy of 65% over a five-year period. The landmark study was a collaboration between scientists from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) an international organization based in Seoul, and the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, (NICED), an institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Bacteria-eating viruses 'magic bullets in the war on superbugs'
A specialist team of scientists from the University of Leicester has isolated viruses that eat bacteria—called phages—to specifically target the highly infectious hospital superbug Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
Physical activity in parks can been boosted by modest marketing
Modest increases in marketing and outreach to local communities can increase the amount of physical activity that occurs in parks, providing a cost-effective way to potentially improve a community's health, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
All probiotics are not the same in protecting premature infants from common, life-threatening illness
Treating premature infants with probiotics, the dietary supplements containing live bacteria that many adults take to help maintain their natural intestinal balance, may be effective for preventing a common and life-threatening bowel disease among premature infants, researchers at UC Davis Children's Hospital have found.
More US teens susceptible to HSV-1 infection, a growing cause of genital herpes
A new study suggests a growing number of U.S. adolescents lack antibodies that may help protect them later in life against an increasingly important cause of genital herpes. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online, the findings show that fewer of today's teens have been exposed in their childhood to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a common cause of cold sores, than U.S. adolescents in previous years. Without these antibodies, today's teens may be more susceptible—when they become sexually active—to genital infections also caused by the virus, particularly through oral sex.
A mother's high cholesterol before pregnancy can be passed on to her children
What leads to high cholesterol? Your genes and lifestyle factors may not explain it all. A study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress has connected some of the risk for high cholesterol in adults to their mother's cholesterol levels before she even became pregnant.
Unlocking a brighter future for locked-in syndrome
A team of researchers from Montreal has found that stroke patients living with Locked-In Syndrome (LIS) who cannot move, swallow or even breathe on their own, can regain a remarkable level of independence with technological help.
Cinnamon may help ease common cause of infertility, study says
(HealthDay)—Cinnamon has long been used to add flavor to sweet and savory foods. Now, preliminary research suggests the spice may also help jump-start irregular menstrual cycles in women affected by a common infertility disorder.
Algorithm developed to guide physicians in obesity care
(HealthDay)—An algorithm has been developed to help physicians navigate medical treatment for obesity care, according to a report published by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP).
How a routine pap smear ends up costing $1,000
(HealthDay)—When doctors think about tests that might cause sticker shock for their patients, they wouldn't normally consider a simple Pap smear.
Lawsuits involving laser treatments by non-docs on the rise
(HealthDay)—A growing number of lawsuits over damage from skin laser treatments are tied to procedures done outside of medical offices and by non-doctors, a new study finds.
Shellfish toxin spreading to eastern US, report says
(HealthDay)—An illness-causing bacteria found in shellfish, previously limited to the Pacific Northwest United States, is showing up in East Coast shellfish and in Europe, a new report warns.
High out-of-pocket costs called a hidden 'side effect' of treatment
(HealthDay)—Doctors should consider the "toxic" effects of medical debt as much as any other side effect when discussing treatment options with patients, a trio of physicians contends.
Lifestyle changes cut diabetes risk in high-risk patients
(HealthDay)—Comprehensive lifestyle interventions decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients, but the benefits are less clear in diagnosed patients, according to a review published in the Oct. 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Brain scans show unusual activity in retired American football players
A new study has discovered profound abnormalities in brain activity in a group of retired American football players.
Death from drugs like oxycodone linked to disadvantaged neighborhoods, fragmented families
Death from analgesic overdose, including the painkillers oxycodone and codeine, is more concentrated in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with a prevalence of high divorce, single-parent homes than deaths from unintentional causes, according to research conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Yet, compared to heroin overdose deaths, analgesic overdoses were found to occur in higher-income neighborhoods. This study is among the first to provide a framework that helps explain the geographical distribution of analgesic overdose in urban areas.
Costly cigarettes and smoke-free homes: Both effectively reduce tobacco consumption
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say high-priced cigarettes and smoke-free homes effectively reduce smoking behaviors among low-income individuals – a demographic in which tobacco use has remained comparatively high.
Vitamin D does not contribute to kidney stones, study asserts
Increased vitamin D levels may prevent a wide range of diseases, according to recent studies. However, some previous studies led to a concern that vitamin D supplementation could increase an individual's risk of developing kidney stones.
Retired night shift workers have higher risk of diabetes, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—People who regularly work night shifts in their lifetimes are twice as likely to have diabetes, even if they have retired and returned to a normal, daytime schedule, according to a new study released today in the Journal of Biological Rhythms.
Researchers make exciting discoveries in non-excitable cells
It has been 60 years since scientists discovered that sodium channels create the electrical impulses crucial to the function of nerve, brain, and heart cells—all of which are termed "excitable." Now researchers at Yale and elsewhere are discovering that sodium channels also play key roles in so-called non-excitable cells.
Miscarriage perceptions vs. reality: Public understanding not in sync with facts
(Medical Xpress)—The majority of Americans inaccurately believe miscarriage is rare and misunderstand its causes, creating an often isolating and guilt-ridden experience for those who experience it. These are the findings in the first-ever national survey to assess attitudes and perceptions towards miscarriage, which was conducted by researchers at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The study data was presented today at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Boston.
One in three premature babies fare less well at school
New research shows that almost one in three children born prematurely (before 37 weeks) have lower Key Stage 1 (KS1) test results than children who are born at full term (37-42 weeks) and more than a third have special educational needs (SEN).
The pig, the fish and the jellyfish: Tracing nervous disorders in humans
What do pigs, jellyfish and zebrafish have in common? It might be hard to discern the connection, but the different species are all pieces in a puzzle. A puzzle which is itself part of a larger picture of solving the riddles of diseases in humans.
Finding what improves employment outcomes for people with disabilities
(Medical Xpress)—Deirdre O'Sullivan, assistant professor in the College of Education's department of educational psychology, counseling, and special education, recently published research about what factors affect the length of employment for individuals with disabilities and discovered an unusual predictor in the study that may help improve employment outcomes for this group.
Fear feeds the pain
People suffering from lumbago do not move as healthy people do. The pain and the fear of it change their way of moving. This partially explains how acute lumbago can in some cases become chronic. A researcher supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation has shown that patients suffer less if they are reassured.
High serum omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content protects against brain abnormalities
According to a new study, high long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content in blood may lower the risk of small brain infarcts and other brain abnormalities in the elderly. The study was published in Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers look at benefits of flu vaccines in the elderly
New research at the University of Notre Dame looks more closely at the effects of the influenza vaccine on the elderly, who are considered the highest-risk group for influenza-related mortality.
Increase seen in donor eggs for in vitro fertilization, with improved outcomes
Between 2000 and 2010 in the United States the number of donor eggs used for in vitro fertilization increased, and outcomes for births from those donor eggs improved, according to a study published by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the International Federation of Fertility Societies joint annual meeting.
Adolescence: When drinking and genes may collide
Many negative effects of drinking, such as transitioning into heavy alcohol use, often take place during adolescence and can contribute to long-term negative health outcomes as well as the development of alcohol use disorders. A new study of adolescent drinking and its genetic and environmental influences has found that different trajectories of adolescent drinking are preceded by discernible gene-parenting interactions, specifically, the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genotype and parental-rule-setting.
Light to moderate alcohol leads to good cheer at Danish high-school parties
Many people, especially young adults, engage in high-risk drinking because of the belief it will lead to positive mood effects such as cheerfulness. A new study of the association between blood alcohol content (BAC) and the subjective effects of alcohol like cheerfulness, focus distraction, and sluggishness among students in a real-life setting of high-school parties, has found that cheerfulness increased up to a certain BAC value for girls, and then decreased at higher BACs, while it increased linearly for boys.
Toxin-emitting bacteria being evaluated as a potential multiple sclerosis trigger
A research team from Weill Cornell Medical College and The Rockefeller University has identified a bacterium it believes may trigger multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, debilitating disorder that damages myelin forming cells in the brain and spinal cord.
US regions exhibit distinct personalities, research reveals
Americans with similar temperaments are so likely to live in the same areas that a map of the country can be divided into regions with distinct personalities, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Vertebral augmentation for spinal fractures offers greater patient survival and overall cost savings
A study of 69,000 Medicare patient records led by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that people with spine compression fractures who undergo operations to strengthen back bones with cement survive longer and have shorter overall hospital stays than those who stick with bed rest, pain control and physical therapy.
The cost of racial bias in economic decisions
When financial gain depends on cooperation, we might expect that people would put aside their differences and focus on the bottom line. But new research suggests that people's racial biases make them more likely to leave money on the table when a windfall is not split evenly between groups.
Video instruction brings quick advances for teens with autism
(Medical Xpress)—Difficulty with social situations hinders the relationships, schoolwork, and mental health of teens with autism. Often these students struggle with complicated interactions in high school, but scientists from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) and Michigan State University now say that iPads and new video-based instruction may change all that—and save schools money.
No benefits ensue from snack learning
A recent experiment involving University of Western Australia students suggests snacking while studying does not improve academic performance.
Dirty deeds, deconstructed: Research says many cheaters not only do not feel remorse, they enjoy pulling a fast one
Whether it's an investment adviser bilking clients, an athlete taking performance-enhancing drugs, or a small-business owner underreporting his taxes, scofflaws seem to find ways to beat the system in virtually every arena.
New ovarian cancer treatment succeeds in the lab
In a study to be published today in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and the FIU College of Engineering and Computing describe what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of ovarian cancer: a novel way to deliver cancer-killing drugs using nanotechnology.
Interrogations can lead to false confessions by juveniles, study finds
Juveniles may be particularly vulnerable to falsely admitting guilt, according to a study led by Florida International University psychologist Lindsay C. Malloy. The findings were published this week in the American Psychological Association's journal Law and Human Behavior.
Suffering from breast cancer increases risk of another tumor by 39 percent
Women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer are 39% more likely to develop a second cancer in a different part of the body. Such is the conclusion of a recent study, pioneered by female Spanish researchers. The study suggests that this increased risk could be due to the similar risk factors involved in both cancers, or to the side effects of the treatment received by breast cáncer patients.
Cancer cells' communication path blocked
Lund University cancer researchers have discovered the path used by exosomes to enter cancer cells, where they stimulate malignant tumour development. They have also succeeded in blocking the uptake route in experimental model systems, preventing the exosomes from activating cancer cells.
Home schooled children leaner than traditionally schooled kids
The results of a recent study show kids that are home-schooled are leaner than kids attending traditional schools. The results challenge the theory that children spending more time at home may be at risk for excessive weight gain.
Bird study finds key info about human speech-language development
A study led by Xiaoching Li, PhD, at the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence, has shown for the first time how two tiny molecules regulate a gene implicated in speech and language impairments as well as autism disorders, and that social context of vocal behavior governs their function. The findings are published in the October 16, 2013 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
Depression twice as likely in migraine sufferers
The prevalence of depression among those with migraine is approximately twice as high as for those without the disease (men: 8.4% vs. 3.4%; women 12.4% vs. 5.7%), according to a new study published by University of Toronto researchers.
Misconceptions about HPV vaccine explored in special issue of scientific journal
Suspicions about sexual promiscuity and vaccine safety are explored in an article in the November issue of the journal Preventive Medicine, which dedicates a section of that issue to research concerning the human papillomavirus.
Weighing up blood-thinners: Is warfarin always the best choice?
Patients who are responding below par to the anticoagulant drug warfarin have several options. They can undergo even more blood tests to monitor their response to the different dosages of this medication which is prescribed to prevent strokes, or they could start using one of the newer, yet more expensive, anticoagulants on the market. In the long run, says Joyce You of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in China, the latter option could actually be more cost-effective and improve a patient's quality of life. Her study¹ appears in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer. It is the first of its kind to comprehensively consider all important factors to measure the relative value-for-money of various oral anticoagulants currently on offer to patients and doctors.
Stem cell transplant repairs damaged gut in mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease
A source of gut stem cells that can repair a type of inflammatory bowel disease when transplanted into mice has been identified by researchers at the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge and at BRIC, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Parents who used donor eggs often struggle over decision to tell kids
(HealthDay)—Many people who used donor eggs to become parents are grappling with the issue of whether they should tell their children how they were conceived, according to a new study.
How subtle movements and facial features could predict your demise
Features like the wrinkles on your forehead and the way you move may reflect your overall health and risk of dying, according to recent health research. But do physicians consider such details when assessing patients' overall health and functioning?
Ablative carbon dioxide laser effective for rhinophyma
(HealthDay)—Good cosmetic outcomes are possible using fractionated ablative carbon dioxide laser therapy for mild-to-moderate cases of rhinophyma, according to research published online Oct. 5 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Adverse drug events more likely to present on hospital admission
(HealthDay)—Adverse drug events (ADEs) were more likely to be present upon admission than to originate during the stay for U.S. hospitals in 2011, according to a statistical brief issued by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).
Med students value 'enjoying work' in specialty selection
(HealthDay)—For first year medical students, enjoying work is the most important lifestyle domain in choosing a specialty, according to a study published in the October issue of Academic Medicine.
Sebelius admits: Health exchange launch 'rockier than we would have liked'
(HealthDay)—U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius admitted Wednesday that the troubled launch of the federal government's new health insurance exchange hasn't gone as planned.
Bladder bacteria vary in women with common forms of incontinence
Women with common forms of urinary incontinence have various bacteria in their bladder, according to data presented today by researchers from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Researchers also found that some of these bacteria may differ based on their incontinence type.
Psychologists report new insights on human brain, consciousness
UCLA psychologists have used brain-imaging techniques to study what happens to the human brain when it slips into unconsciousness. Their research, published Oct. 17 in the online journal PLOS Computational Biology, is an initial step toward developing a scientific definition of consciousness.
Five-year-old children are as likely to suffer from bilharzia as their mothers
Children of women harboring the bilharzia (schistosomiasis) worm during pregnancy are more likely to suffer the infection by the age of five years, a new study publishing October 17th, 2013 in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has found.
Cognitive behavior therapy more effective than standard care for reducing health anxiety
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is substantially more effective than standard care at reducing symptoms of health anxiety in medical patients, and can be delivered by non-specialist staff with minimal training at little extra cost.
Human neutrophil peptide-1: A new anti-leishmanial drug candidate
Leishmaniasis is a vector borne disease caused by different Leishmania species with different clinical manifestations. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic and widespread especially among young individuals in Iran. Currently prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines are not available, and in spite of vector control wherever possible, the disease has not been controlled. Although the majority of zoonotic CL cases heal within 6-9 months, anthroponotic cases persist much longer. Both types leave lifelong scars that are the cause of social stigma and much morbidity; particularly important for young girls with lesions on the face or exposed area of the body. The first line drugs (antimonials) are toxic and require repeated painful injections accompanied by considerable side effects. This coupled with the development of drug resistance, recently reported in Iran, indicate the urgent need for development of new therapeutics.
Pioneering use of oral cholera vaccine during outbreak
In a report publishing October 17th, 2013 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and its scientific research arm, Epicentre, present results of one of the first-ever, large-scale use of an oral cholera vaccine during a cholera outbreak – a major breakthrough in the understanding and future control of deadly cholera epidemics.
Making sense of conflicting advice on calcium intake
In recent years, studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding whether calcium supplements used to prevent fractures increase the risk of heart attack.
Mutation in NFKB2 gene causes hard-to-diagnose immunodeficiency disorder CVID
A 30-year-old woman with a history of upper respiratory infections had no idea she carried an immunodeficiency disorder – until her 6-year-old son was diagnosed with the same illness.
Surgical implements too often left behind in patients: report
(HealthDay)—You go in for surgery, and only find out later that one of the surgeon's tools—a sponge, a needle, a surgical implement—has been left behind in your body.
One-third of US adults are obese, CDC says
(HealthDay)—The adult obesity rate in the United States remains as high as ever, with one in three Americans carrying unhealthy amounts of weight, according to a new federal report.
'Traffic-light' labeling increases attention to nutritional quality of food choices
A simple, color-coded system for labeling food items in a hospital cafeteria appears to have increased customer's attention to the healthiness of their food choices, along with encouraging purchases of the most healthy items. In their report in the October issue of Preventive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators describe customer responses to surveys taken before and after the 2010 implementation of a system using green, yellow or red "traffic light" labels to reflect the nutritional quality of items.
Prescription drug use among Medicare patients highly inconsistent
A new report from the Dartmouth Atlas Project shows that the use of both effective and risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies widely across U.S. regions, offering further evidence that location is a key determinant in the quality and cost of the medical care that patients receive.
Statin, osteoporosis drug combo may help treat parasitic infections
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that a combination of two commonly prescribed drugs used to treat high cholesterol and osteoporosis may serve as the foundation of a new treatment for toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. They published their findings recently in PLOS Pathogens.
Complex diseases traced to gene copy numbers
Duke researchers have connected very rare and precise duplications and deletions in the human genome to their complex disease consequences by duplicating them in zebrafish.
Genetic disease which causes recurrent respiratory infections discovered
Cambridge scientists have discovered a rare genetic disease which predisposes patients to severe respiratory infections and lung damage. Because the scientists also identified how the genetic mutation affects the immune system, they are hopeful that new drugs that are currently undergoing clinical trials to treat leukaemia may also be effective in helping individuals with this debilitating disease.
Researchers call for new rules to regulate probiotics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should consider the unique features of probiotics—bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms in the intestines—in regulating their use and marketing, says Diane Hoffmann, JD, director of the Law and Health Care Program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and lead author of the a newly released Science article, "Probiotics: Finding the Right Regulatory Balance."
WHO agency says air pollution causes cancer (Update 2)
What many commuters choking on smog have long suspected has finally been scientifically validated: air pollution causes lung cancer.
Scientists expand the genetic code of mammals to control protein activity in neurons with light
With the flick of a light switch, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies can change the shape of a protein in the brain of a mouse, turning on the protein at the precise moment they want. This allows the scientists to observe the exact effect of the protein's activation. The new method, described in the October 16 issue of the journal Neuron, relies on specially engineered amino acids——the molecules that make up proteins——and light from an LED. Now that it has been shown to work, the technique can be adapted to give researchers control of a wide variety of other proteins in the brain to study their functions.
Research finds brain scans may aid in diagnosis of autism
(Medical Xpress)—Joint research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Psychology and Auburn University indicates that brain scans show signs of autism that could eventually support behavior-based diagnosis of autism and effective early intervention therapies. The findings appear online today in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience as part of a special issue on brain connectivity in autism.
To sleep, perchance to clean: Study reveals brain 'takes out the trash' while we sleep
In findings that give fresh meaning to the old adage that a good night's sleep clears the mind, a new study shows that a recently discovered system that flushes waste from the brain is primarily active during sleep. This revelation could transform scientists' understanding of the biological purpose of sleep and point to new ways to treat neurological disorders.
Biology news
Rare whale found dead in Southern California
A rare whale that has a dolphin-shaped head and saber-like teeth has been found dead on Los Angeles' Venice Beach, even though it prefers frigid subarctic waters.
Swiss crack case of parrot egg underwear smuggler
Swiss customs authorities said Thursday that they had arrested a bird specialist who smuggled the eggs of protected parrots in his underwear and travelled the globe trading in rare species.
Help at hand to relocate threatened species
Australian and New Zealand scientists Thursday said they have devised the "first rigorous framework" on deciding whether to relocate endangered animals threatened with extinction by climate change.
Researchers rewrite an entire genome—and add a healthy twist
Scientists from Yale and Harvard have recoded the entire genome of an organism and improved a bacterium's ability to resist viruses, a dramatic demonstration of the potential of rewriting an organism's genetic code.
Flower research shows gardens can be a feast for the eyes—and the bees
Are our favourite garden flowers attractive to hungry visitors such as bees and butterflies to feed on?
Barley crops affected by disease found on common wild grass
A major fungal pathogen which affects barley crops is also present on a common wild grass according to a new study by leading agricultural researchers including the University of Hertfordshire.
Glacial history affects shape and growth habit of alpine plants
During the Ice Ages the European Alps were covered by a thick layer of ice. Climate fluctuations led to great changes in the occurrences of plants: They survived the cold periods in refugia on the periphery of the Alps which they then repopulated after the ice had drawn back. Such processes in the history of the earth can be detected by molecular analysis as "genetic fingerprints": refugia and colonization routes can be identified as genetic groups within the plant species. Thus, the postglacial colonization history of alpine plants is still borne in plants alive today.
Team discovers new form of virus reproduction
Each small step that Science takes to discover how viruses infect cells is always very valuable to researchers and society, since it provides relevant information to fight infections.
Genetically modified bacteria became efficient sugar producers
The production of rare sugars has been very costly until now. A recent doctoral study indicates that their production can be made significantly more efficient with the help of genetically modified bacteria. This reduces prices and allows for their more versatile use in medicine, for example, says doctoral candidate Anne Usvalampi from the Aalto University in Finland.
Giving birth to new insights into brain development and disease
Each one of us is the complex product of nature and nurture, genes and environment. They combine in a myriad of complex ways during embryonic and postnatal development to sculpt our brains and bodies.
World's first mapping of America's rare plants
The results of a major international research project show that climate stability plays a crucial role in the distribution of plants on Earth. Rare species in the Americas are restricted to areas of California, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, parts of the Andes mountains, the south of South America, and the region around Rio de Janeiro. The flora in most of North America and the Amazon basin, however, are dominated by widespread species.
A stunning new species of dragon tree discovered in Thailand
The newly discovered dragon tree species Dracaena kaweesakii from Thailand is characterized by its extensive branching. The new species reaches an impressive 12 m in both height and crown diameter, and has beautiful soft sword-shaped leaves with white edges and cream flowers with bright orange filaments, all highly distinctive features. The study describing this exciting new species was published in the open access journal Phytokeys by an international team of scientists.
Next-generation gene sequencing can identify invasive carp species in Chicago area waterways
A project to map the microbes present in the digestive systems of fish species holds promise for monitoring the presence of Asian carp in Chicago area waterways and ultimately preventing their spread, according to a study published in Nature's ISME Journal. The work, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is being conducted by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Killer whales may have menopause so grandma can look after the kids
Killer whales are just one of three species – we're one of the others - that continue to live long after they've stopped reproducing. But scientists still don't know why these three alone evolved this unusual menopausal trait.
Marmoset monkeys know polite conversation
Humans aren't the only species that knows how to carry on polite conversation. Marmoset monkeys, too, will engage one another for up to 30 minutes at a time in vocal turn-taking, according to evidence reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on October 17.
Frog-killing fungus paralyzes amphibian immune response
A fungus that is killing frogs and other amphibians around the world releases a toxic factor that disables the amphibian immune response, Vanderbilt University investigators report Oct. 18 in the journal Science.
Researchers estimate 16,000 tree species in the Amazon with half of all trees belonging to just 227 species
Researchers, taxonomists, and students from The Field Museum and 88 other institutions around the world have provided new answers to two simple but long-standing questions about Amazonian diversity: How many trees are there in the Amazon, and how many tree species occur there? The study will be published October 17, 2013 in Science.
Adaptability to local climate helps invasive species thrive
University of Toronto research has found that purple loosestrife – an invasive species that competes with native plants for light and nutrients and can degrade habitats for wildlife – has evolved extremely rapidly, flowering about three weeks earlier as it has spread to northern Ontario. This has allowed populations of the species to thrive in the colder climate with a more than 30-fold increase in seed production.
Gene regulation differences between humans and chimpanzees more complex than thought
Changes in gene regulation have been used to study the evolutionary chasm that exists between humans and chimpanzees despite their largely identical DNA. However, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that mRNA expression levels, long considered a barometer for differences in gene regulation, often do not reflect differences in protein expression—and, therefore, biological function—between humans and chimpanzees. The work was published Oct. 17 in Science.
Females fight back in sperm wars
(Phys.org) —Females exposed to a risk of sperm competition have been found to produce more defensive ova compared to the eggs of females reared under no risk of sperm competition, according to researchers at The University of Western Australia who studied house mice.
DNA links mysterious Yeti to ancient polar bear (Update 3)
A British scientist says he may have solved the mystery of the Abominable Snowman—the elusive ape-like creature of the Himalayas. He thinks it's a bear.
Study suggest local East African climate variability contributed to human evolution
(Phys.org) —Susanne Shultz and Mark Maslin of Britain's University of Manchester and University College respectively have published a paper in the journal PLOS ONE, outlining what they call a pulsed climate variability hypothesis. They suggest that early man developed a huge brain to deal with the constantly changing environment of the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa, during the formative years of human evolution.
Function follows form: Spatial structure determines transcription factor activity
Clay can be used in various forms for a range of objects such as cups, plates or bricks. Similarly, proteins can transform their structure and thus adapt their function and activity. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have analysed proteins for such modifications that control gene activity, so-called transcription factors. The researchers thereby discovered that DNA changes the form and the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor, and also ascertained how various domains in the molecule communicate with one another. Furthermore, the way in which the protein domains are connected also changes as a result of the integration of individual amino acids in the protein chain. Different genes are therefore transcribed to varying degrees.
The nose knows: Rainbowfish embryos 'sniff out' predators
Rainbowfish embryos, as young as only four days after fertilisation, are able to smell potential predatory threats, a new study by Australian researchers has found.
Mathematical study of photosynthesis clears the path to developing new super-crops
How some plant species evolved super-efficient photosynthesis had been a mystery. Now, scientists have identified what steps led to that change.
Researchers advance toward engineering 'wildly new genome'
In two parallel projects, researchers have created new genomes inside the bacterium E. coli in ways that test the limits of genetic reprogramming and open new possibilities for increasing flexibility, productivity and safety in biotechnology.
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