Phys.org Newsletter Tuesday, Oct 1

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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 1, 2013:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Recent study reduces Casimir force to lowest recorded level
- Scientists use fossilized feces to reconstruct moa diet
- Researchers create image of weak hydrogen bond using AFM
- Researchers propose new theory to explain seeds of life in asteroids
- Review: Gear watch has potential, but falls short
- Scientists develop new process to create artificial cell membranes
- What makes us left or right handed? New study rules out strong genetic factors
- Caribou may be indirectly affected by sea-ice loss in the Arctic
- Blood-pressure drug may help improve cancer treatment
- Acidity can change cell membrane properties, study shows
- In lab dish, scientists make tear and saliva glands
- Researchers identify traffic cop for meiosis—with implications for fertility and birth defects
- Herschel throws new light on oldest cosmic light
- Simulations help researchers decide which technology would make a better solar collector, quantum dot or nanowire
- New genetic discovery could reduce the guesswork in drug dosing

Space & Earth news

NASA hosts workshop to discuss asteroid initiative ideas
NASA will host a public workshop to examine and synthesize 96 of the ideas submitted to a Request for Information (RFI) about the agency's asteroid initiative. The workshop will be held Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

30 Meter Telescope oral arguments set for Dec.
Oral arguments are scheduled to begin Dec. 13 for a legal case challenging Hawaii's decision to grant a permit for the construction of the world's largest optical telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea.

Australia-first toxic seal-off wins award
A pioneering method for safely sealing off a huge volume of contaminated soil under a Sydney car park while it was cleaned up has won the CARE Award for 2013.

Geo-scientists provide glimpse into ancient ocean and formation of the Himalayas
New findings on the geology of southern Tibet by researchers from Trinity College Dublin, Oxford University, University of Hong-Kong, University of Sydney and the NERC (UK) Isotope Geosciences Laboratory have revealed a vast ocean that separated India from Asia more than 250 million years ago and which pre-dates the formation of the Himalayas.

ForWarn follows rapidly changing forest conditions
U.S. Forest Service and partner scientists are keeping a watchful eye on forest health. As fall colors replace the lush greenness of spring and summer, researchers recognize telltale signs of change in healthy forests.

Yosemite closed as Google fetes park's birthday (Update)
Google feted Yosemite's 123rd birthday by devoting its search doodle to the world-famous park Tuesday—just as it and other tourist landmarks like the Grand Canyon closed due to the US shutdown.

A 'cosmic weather balloon' at the center of the Milky Way
The radiation field at the centre of the Milky Way must be 1,000 times stronger than in the area surrounding our sun. Astrophysicists of the "Milky Way Galaxy" Collaborative Research Centre of Heidelberg University used computer simulations to reach this conclusion. The calculations of the researchers from the Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy are based on the data from a type of "cosmic weather balloon" – the temperature data of an especially dense gas cloud near the centre of the Galaxy. Their research provides a new insight into the process of star formation, which is believed to take a different form at the centre of the Milky Way than it does at the Galaxy's edges.

Sea-ice formation sustained the 'Little Ice Age'
Volcanic eruptions and reduced solar radiation caused global cooling between the thirteenth and the fifteenth centuries. The resulting accelerated formation of sea ice in the Northern Seas triggered a positive feedback process that shaped the Little Ice Age, as a new study by climate scientists from the University of Bern and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research reveals.

Image: Spitzer at 10
The infrared observatory Spitzer has been at work for 10 years, revealing the cool dusty regions where stars and planets form, as well as shedding light on planets, exoplanets, stars and galaxies. Spitzer data have brought a better understanding of the Milky Way's spiral arm structure, led to the discovery of Saturn's largest and faintest ring, and the observatory was the first to detect light from an exoplanet. Spitzer has enabled astronomers to investigate the composition, dynamics and atmospheres of exoplanets.

Seatest underwater adventure
ESA astronauts Andreas Mogensen and Thomas Pesquet returned from Florida last week after taking part in Seatest – NASA's underwater testbed for working in space.

Smart mapping at the Moon's North pole
(Phys.org) —ESA's SMART-1 mission to the Moon – the first ESA spacecraft to travel to and orbit the Moon – was launched 10 years ago, on 27 September 2003, on an Ariane 5 from Europe's spaceport in Kourou.

New video reveals NASA's Webb telescope is 'shaping up'
(Phys.org) —NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield is shaping up and it's the shape and unique design that viewers of a new video will find interesting. A five-layer sunshield helps keep the infrared instruments aboard the Webb telescope as cold as possible by blocking out heat and light.

Changes in Greenland landscape affect carbon balance sheet
Warming temperatures in the Arctic are changing the tundra from a landscape dominated by grasses to one increasingly dominated by woody shrubs. In addition to affecting the habitat of local wildlife such as caribou and musk oxen, these changes are also altering the carbon exchange between the plants and the atmosphere.

Geological exploration reveals Australian super volcano
A geological survey team says an ancient super volcano exuded more than 450 cubic kilometres of molten magma in a single eruption, over what are now Ngaanyatjarra tribal lands.

Scientists ponder Cockburn Sound's ecological mysteries
Little is known about the microbial ecology of Cockburn Sound – but researchers from the University of WA and Edith Cowan University are investigating its seagrass root and rhizome sediments and how the presence of seagrasses enhances microbial functions.

Understanding soil nitrogen management using synchrotron technology
As food security becomes an increasingly important global issue, scientists are looking for the best way to maintain the organic matter in soils using different methods of fertilization and crop rotation.

Final Antenna Delivered to ALMA: All 66 ALMA antennas now handed over to the observatory
(Phys.org) —The final antenna for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) project has just been handed over to the ALMA Observatory. The 12-metre-diameter dish was manufactured by the European AEM Consortium and also marks the successful delivery of a total of 25 European antennas—the largest ESO contract so far.

Space telescopes find patchy clouds on exotic world
(Phys.org) —Astronomers using data from NASA's Kepler and Spitzer space telescopes have created the first cloud map of a planet beyond our solar system, a sizzling, Jupiter-like world known as Kepler-7b.

Research team claims Samalas volcano source of great 1257 eruption
(Phys.org) —An international team of researchers has concluded that an eruption by Samalas volcano on Lombok Island in Indonesia was the source of a large volcanic eruption traced back to 1257. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes their exhaustive work in tracking down the source of an eruption that scientists have known about for decades, but were unable to pinpoint.

New evidence suggests Earth's oxygen levels fell after the Great Oxidation Event
(Phys.org) —A team of European researchers has published a paper in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offering a possible explanation for the apparent drop in early Earth's oxygen levels following what has come to be known as The Great Oxidation Event. In their paper, the team suggests evidence found in ocean sediments indicates that a sudden addition of carbon into the atmosphere resulted in a relatively quick reduction in oxygen.

Caribou may be indirectly affected by sea-ice loss in the Arctic
Melting sea ice in the Arctic may be leading, indirectly, to fewer caribou calf births and higher calf mortality in Greenland, according to scientists at Penn State University. Eric Post, a Penn State University professor of biology, and Jeffrey Kerby, a Penn State graduate student, have linked the melting of Arctic sea ice with changes in the timing of plant growth on land, which in turn is associated with lower production of calves by caribou in the area. The results of the study will be published in the journal Nature Communications on 1 October 2013.

Herschel throws new light on oldest cosmic light
(Phys.org) —Cosmologists have achieved a first detection of a long-sought component in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). This component, known as B-mode polarisation, is caused by gravitational lensing, the bending of light by massive structures as it travels across the Universe. The result is based on the combination of data from the South Pole Telescope and ESA's Herschel Space Observatory. This detection is a milestone along the way to the possible discovery of another kind of B-mode signal in the polarised CMB - a signal produced by gravitational waves less than a second after the Universe began.

Researchers propose new theory to explain seeds of life in asteroids
(Phys.org) —A new look at the early solar system introduces an alternative to a long-taught, but largely discredited, theory that seeks to explain how biomolecules were once able to form inside of asteroids. In place of the outdated theory, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute propose a new theory – based on a richer, more accurate image of magnetic fields and solar winds in the early solar system, and a mechanism known as multi-fluid magneto-hydrodynamics – to explain the ancient heating of the asteroid belt.

Technology news

Researchers work to squeeze more data from bandwidth in mobile devices
A team of researchers is working on technology that would allow mobile devices to send and receive more data using the same limited amount of bandwidth. The work is supported by a $1.08 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Amazon to hire 70,000 seasonal workers (Update)
Amazon.com says it is hiring 70,000 full-time seasonal workers around the U.S. to fill orders during the holiday season.

Canada's new defense HQ bugged: media (Update)
Electronic eavesdropping devices were reportedly discovered at a former high-tech company campus in Ottawa slated to become Canada's new military headquarters, but officials said Tuesday no bugs were found.

Batman set to begin again in 'Arkham Origins' game
Ben Affleck is poised to portray a new incarnation of the Caped Crusader in a film that also features Superman. However, the developers of the upcoming video game "Batman: Arkham Origins" are taking the character back to basics for the third installment in Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's popular "Arkham" series.

Composites, foams, and coatings—innovative plastics at the international K Trade Fair
Airbags are standard equipment in automobiles today. They can save lives in emergencies, yet when no danger is present, they lie dormant beneath a cover made of plastic. These kinds of plastic components are usually injection molded. Plastic is melted, then injected into a mold for the corresponding piece and cooled until it is rigid again. Meanwhile, a new process has frequently been employed for producing the airbag covers. The process is called thermoplastic foam injection, or FIM.

Rail researchers work on UK's first Tram-Train scheme
Under contract by Network Rail, a team of engineers at the University of Huddersfield's Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has been developing solutions for the problematic interface between a Tram-Train vehicle and two very different railway infrastructures.

Protecting underground pipelines from corrosion in sub-zero environments
Northern Canada's permafrost and semi-permafrost environment is a huge challenge for designing and engineering underground pipelines, and a critical aspect of protecting both the pipeline and this sensitive environment involves the design of an effective corrosion protection system.

Etsy to let sellers hire staff, use manufacturers
Etsy, the popular online marketplace for vintage and handmade goods, is updating its policies to allow sellers to hire staff, use shipping services and apply to have their products made by manufacturers.

Facebook says 56 million 'like' it in Arab world
Facebook announced Tuesday that it has 56 million active users in the Middle East and North Africa, where activists used the social media network to organise Arab Spring uprisings.

Delta picks Microsoft for pilot tablets
Delta Air Lines plans to buy 11,000 Microsoft Surface 2 tablets for its pilots to replace the heavy bundles of books and maps they haul around now.

European regulator details Google concessions
The European Commission's top antitrust official says Google would allow competitors to display their own logos on its search display results page as part of concessions it has offered to avoid a showdown with regulators.

Robotic telepresence could 'change the geography of labor'
While in California on a sabbatical last school year, Chad Jenkins, associate professor of computer science, wanted to stay in close contact with his colleagues and research group back in Providence. But trips back and forth were time-consuming, and Jenkins, a roboticist by trade, never felt adequately able to connect with people over Skype.

Developing unique origami-shaped antennas
A Georgia Tech-led research team has been awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a unique approach to making extremely compact and highly efficient antennas and electronics. The new technology will use principles derived from origami paper-folding techniques to create complex structures that can reconfigure themselves by unfolding, moving and even twisting in response to incoming electromagnetic signals.

U-M solar car: Sleek, reliable and ready to race (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) —With a bold, asymmetrical vehicle that's logged thousands of test miles on two continents, students on the University of Michigan's top-ranked Solar Car Team say this could be their year for a world championship.

Researchers push the radio rainbow's limits
Back when walkie-talkies and car radios represented the height of wireless technology, there were plenty of frequencies to go around. The spectrum of radio waves was easily parsed into discrete packets: one for the oldies station, one for playing cops-and-robbers in the woods behind your house, several for real police officers and for military communications.

Is massive open online research the next frontier for education?
A team from UC San Diego is launching a new course on the Coursera online learning network that breaks ground on several fronts.

BMW recalls 176,000 vehicles over power brake
German carmaker BMW is recalling 176,000 vehicles from the model years 2012 to 2014 over a problem with the power brake system.

YouTube launches first music awards
Video-sharing service YouTube has announced its first music awards, which will be presented at a live event November 3 featuring Lady Gaga, Eminem, Arcade Fire and others.

Wave of jellyfish shuts down Swedish nuke reactor (Update)
It wasn't a tsunami but it had the same effect: A huge cluster of jellyfish forced one of the world's largest nuclear reactors to shut down—a phenomenon that marine biologists say could become more common.

Weatherization work guidelines launched
Getting up and going to work is hard enough every day. But add to your burden the need to remember every step of your job down the smallest detail—and the fact that if you want to change careers, your lack of credentials might mean starting from scratch. These are the challenges faced by many of the weatherization professionals working to make U.S. homes more energy efficient.

Solving ethanol's corrosion problem may help speed the biofuel to market
To meet a goal set by the US Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuels Standard to use 36 billion gallons of biofuels each year—mostly ethanol—the nation must expand its infrastructure for transporting and storing ethanol. Ethanol, however, is known for triggering stress corrosion cracking of steel. Researchers investigated the mechanism of how ethanol triggers stress corrosion cracking, reported in Corrosion journal, along with ways to circumvent this issue to prevent ethanol-related corrosion issues.

Dell says it has regulatory clearance for buyout
US computer giant Dell said Tuesday it received regulatory clearance for a buyout led by company founder Michael Dell and that the deal would close by the end of October.

Icahn presses Apple for $150 bn share buyback
Activist investor Carl Icahn said Tuesday he wants Apple to launch an additional share buyback of $150 billion to help boost the company's struggling stock value.

Scribd, HarperCollins offer e-book subscriptions
Online document-sharing site Scribd is taking a page from Netflix's success story as it sets out to create the world's largest subscription service for digital books.

Four tonnes of radioactive water spilled in Fukushima
The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant said Tuesday workers had spilled four tonnes of radioactive water, likely contaminating the soil and possibly groundwater.

Chrysler recalling 142,000 pickups, SUVs
Chrysler is recalling more than 142,000 pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide because of software glitches that could affect instrument cluster lighting and braking systems.

US panel says some gadgets should be allowed in flight
An advisory panel to the US Federal Aviation Administration has urged regulators to allow some personal electronics to be used throughout flight, a move hailed by consumer groups Tuesday.

Google Web Designer to simplify the building of ads
(Phys.org) —Back in June, there was talk of a Google plan to launch something called Google Web Designer, which would be a free development tool to create web sites and ads, built with HTML 5. The words for when it was to be available were "soon" and "in coming months." As of Monday, the word is out and it is official. Google's Web Designer tool to help ad makers is finally here, in beta, available and free for download for Mac and Windows. Google Web Designer has a large central area for building projects and editing code. The area is surrounded by tool bar, tool options bar, timeline, and panels that let you do such tasks as modify elements, add components, and add events.

Matching eyes to math for translucent images
(Phys.org) —Whether it's a rare jade figurine or an ice sculpture, how light passes through a translucent surface is key to its appearance, and humans are sensitive to subtle differences in the result. So Cornell researchers, with colleagues at Harvard and MIT, are using the techniques of perceptual psychology to find out how to create realistic computer graphics of translucent materials. They have discovered that a previously overlooked bit of math is the key.

European regulator close to settlement with Google
European regulators appeared to be nearing a settlement with Google in their probe over whether the Internet search-and-advertising giant is unfairly stifling competition.

NREL releases new roadmap to reducing solar PV 'soft costs' by 2020
The Energy Department's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently issued a new report, "Non-Hardware ('Soft') Cost-Reduction Roadmap for Residential and Small Commercial Solar Photovoltaics, 2013,"PDF funded by DOE's SunShot Initiative and written by NREL and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). The report builds off NREL's ongoing soft-cost benchmarking analysis and charts a path to achieve SunShot soft-cost targets of $0.65/W for residential systems and $0.44/W for commercial systems by 2020.

Medicine & Health news

Total hospital cost of robotic or conventional open-chest mitral valve repair surgery is similar
The total hospital cost of mitral valve repair surgery—from the time a patient is admitted to the hospital until release —is similar, whether performed through small port incisions using robotic equipment or via the conventional open-chest method, a Mayo Clinic study of 370 patients found. Importantly, robotic surgeries were just as safe as conventional open procedures, but patients who underwent robotic mitral valve repair recovered more rapidly and returned home earlier than patients who had open-chest surgery, the study found. The results of the study also reflect systems innovation efforts designed to reduce the cost of high-technology cardiac care. The findings will be published online Oct. 1 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

ATS and ERS publish policy statement on disparities in respiratory health
To address the global phenomenon of disparities in respiratory health, the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society have released an official policy statement in which each pledges its commitment to reducing health disparities between the lowest and highest socioeconomic groups by continuing or initiating work with leaders from governments, academia, and other organizations to promote scientific inquiry and training, disseminate medical information and best practices, and monitor and advocate for public respiratory health.

New hope for young people who drink to mask negative feelings
Young people (aged 18-25) are being invited to take part in the first ever trial of an online brief intervention designed to treat co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression.

Study to examine 'telemonitoring' for heart and lung disease patients
Health researchers at the University of Lincoln are exploring whether electronic 'telemonitoring' systems could help in the treatment of elderly people with complex health problems.

Young people in nursing homes isolated and disadvantaged
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an important disability reform, but a report released today shows the scheme alone cannot resolve the issue of young people living in nursing homes.

Radiotherapy could spare bladder cancer patients surgery
Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for aggressive bladder cancer and could spare patients surgery that removes the whole bladder, according to a study published in this month's International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.

Web-based training modules make surgical-equipment training accessible
While training to become a surgeon, a physician acquires many skills. Nevertheless, when it comes to the procedures involved in learning to handle equipment in laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery in the abdominal cavity), there is room for imvrovement. This is the conclusion drawn by physician and researcher Diederick van Hove, who will be defending his doctoral thesis on this subject at TU Delft on Friday 20 September. He developed two web-based training modules for handling equipment during laparoscopic surgery that significantly improve theoretical and practical skills.

Do-not-resuscitate: The benefits of an early decision
Providing information about do-not-resuscitate instructions to terminally ill patients leads to fewer of them dying in a hospital environment, a University of Sydney study has found.

Innovative testing program detects emerging drugs
Emerging drugs of abuse in communities can be rapidly identified by an innovative urine testing system, according to the results of a recently released pilot study conducted by the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland and funded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

Next generation sequencing test improves detection of thyroid cancer, reduces unnecessary surgeries
A new test for genetic markers that can identify which lumps in the thyroid gland are cancerous and which are harmless – potentially preventing unneeded operations – will make its debut Oct. 1 for patients seeking care at the UPMC/UPCI Multidisciplinary Thyroid Center (MTC).

Science trumps junk in treating autism
Kimberly Schreck has met families who spent thousands of dollars, even remortgaged their homes, to pay for unproven treatments to try to help their autistic children.

Vandetanib: IQWiG assessed data subsequently submitted by the manufacturer
Vandetanib (trade name: Caprelsa) has been approved in Germany since February 2012 for the treatment of adult patients who have a particular form of aggressive thyroid cancer. On the inclusion of additional study data subsequently provided by the drug manufacturer in the commenting procedure, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) came to a different conclusion in an addendum: According to the findings, there is a hint of a minor added benefit in people aged under 65 years, but a hint of greater harm (lesser benefit) in older patients in comparison with standard therapy ("best supportive care").

Report: Breast cancer incidence rates converging among white and African-American women
Breast cancer incidence rates increased slightly among African American women from 2006 to 2010, bringing those rates closer to the historically higher rates among white women, according to a new analysis by American Cancer Society researchers. The explanation behind the rise is unclear.

Merck to cut 8,500 more jobs (Update)
Merck & Co. plans to cut another 8,500 jobs as the drugmaker continues its struggle with competition from cheaper generic medications that have squeezed the pharmaceutical industry for several quarters now.

Roche 'extremely open' to talks with Novartis: report
The head of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche is open to renewed cooperation with competitor Novartis, he told the Financial Times in an interview published Tuesday.

Variations in death rates after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancers
A pilot study has shown large variations between European countries in patient survival after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancers. The 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECC2013) [1] will hear today (Tuesday) that the reasons for these differences are not clear and cannot be explained simply in terms of the volume of patients treated at each hospital.

Antimicrobial therapies linked to neonatal infection outbreaks
Administration of antibiotics may have caused successive outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a Greek neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

New theory in neuroscience: Common mechanisms in Fragile X and Down syndrome
A new common mechanism in Fragile X and Down syndrome has been identified by scientists at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Korea and published in the world leading science journal Trends in Neurosciences.

UNC Lineberger discovery goes from the lab to the patient with FDA approval
A laboratory testing kit that estimates the risk of breast cancer relapse in spite of anti-hormone treatment has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This technology is based on a gene signature known as "PAM50" originally discovered at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center by Chuck Perou, PhD, professor of genetics and pathology and UNC Lineberger member. Additional UNC inventors included Dr. Joel Parker, research assistant professor of genetics, and Dr. Maggie Cheang, a research associate in the Perou Lab.

Body contouring improves long-term weight control after gastric bypass
Body contouring surgery to remove excess skin improves long-term weight control in patients after gastric bypass surgery, reports a study in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

High blood sugar levels linked to increased wound complications after surgery
A new study released today shows that among patients undergoing surgery for chronic wounds related to diabetes, the risk of wound-related complications is affected by how well the patient's blood sugar levels are controlled before surgery. These findings appear in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

A link between type 2 diabetes and mitochondrial function
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that is characterized by resistance to or insufficient production of insulin, a hormone that controls sugar movement into cells. In certain tissues, insulin resistance has been associated with dysfunction of mitochondria, which supply most of the cell's chemical energy.

Hemin and sickle cell disease-associated acute chest syndrome development
Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a complication of sickle cell disease that is characterized by sudden pain and difficulty breathing. Sickle cell disease can also cause red blood cells to suddenly breakdown and release their contents, which may trigger the onset of ACS.

Researchers find that drinking fluoridated water gives no additional risks for hip fractures
Today, the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) published a paper titled "Estimated Drinking Water Fluoride Exposure and Risk of Hip Fracture: A Cohort Study." In this study a team of researchers, led by Peggy Näsman, Karolinska Institute, Department of Dental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden, investigated possible adverse health effects on bone tissue from drinking fluoridated water. The study included a large cohort of Swedish residents chronically exposed to various fluoride levels, with the hypothesis of a possible association between fluoride level in the drinking water and the risk of hip fracture. With nearly half a million individuals participating in this study, this is believed to be one of the largest studies of its kind. The complete study is published in the OnlineFirst portion of the IADR/AADR Journal of Dental Research.

Many health care professionals oppose ACA proposals
(HealthDay)—The majority of health care professionals are concerned about negative outcomes relating to enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), although they recognize the benefits, according to a survey conducted by Coupa Software.

Out-of-pocket medical spending will drop for many under Affordable Care Act, study finds
Out-of-pocket medical expenses will decline for most consumers who become newly insured or change their source of health insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Belgian euthanised due to sex change distress
A 44-year-old Belgian in distress after a failed sex change was euthanised this week after doctors agreed to the mercy-killing on psychological grounds, national media said Tuesday.

Shutdown means NIH hospital to turn away patients
The government shutdown will have the National Institutes of Health turning away patients hoping for care from its hospital of last resort.

Discovered in foods toxins that can cause cervical and liver cancer
Mexican scientists identified and quantified the amount of aflatoxins (carcinogenic) in food such as corn tortilla, rice, chili pepper, processed sauces, chicken breast and eggs, and revealed its relationship with cervical and liver cancer in humans.

Concerns over mercury levels in fish may be unfounded
New research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol suggests that fish accounts for only seven per cent of mercury levels in the human body. In an analysis of 103 food and drink items consumed by 4,484 women during pregnancy, researchers found that the 103 items together accounted for less than 17 per cent of total mercury levels in the body.

Despite menu changes, calorie and sodium levels in chain restaurant entrees remain the same overall
Although a number of chain restaurants have announced healthy menu changes over the years, the overall calorie and sodium levels in main entrees offered by top U.S. chain restaurants assessed from 2010 to 2011 have remained the same, according to a study published today in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Genetic markings could spot cancer before it develops
Unique DNA markings on certain genes may "predict" the risk of developing head and neck cancer, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London.

Resveratrol, found in red wine, worsens MS-like symptoms and neuropathology in mice
Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol compound produced by the skin of red grapes and peanuts, and found in red wine, has been touted as a beneficial supplement due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This has been supported by some experimental studies, whereas others suggest a lack of benefit. A new study using two multiple sclerosis (MS) models published in The American Journal of Pathology has found that resveratrol actually worsened MS-like neuropathology and inflammation and had no neuroprotective effects.

Army, academia develop human-on-a-chip technology
There was a time when the thought of manufacturing organs in the laboratory was science fiction, but now that science is a reality. Army Scientists at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and academia collaborators have been conducting research of "organs" on microchips. ECBC is one of a few laboratories in the world conducting this research effort, but what sets ECBC apart is that its research will directly impact the warfighter.

Scientists tap into spinal response from gastric reflux
(Medical Xpress)—University of Adelaide researchers have made advances in the understanding of one of the world's most common medical conditions, gastric reflux, and how patients experience pain from it.

Health insurance markets open; success to be seen
Millions of Americans will be able to shop for the first time Tuesday on the insurance marketplaces that are at the heart of President Barack Obama's health care reforms, entering a world that is supposed to simplify the mysteries of health coverage but could end up making it even more confusing, at least initially.

US teens' dangerous obsession with 'thigh gap'
It's the latest weight loss craze among American teens striving to emulate the models they see in magazines: the "thigh gap", in which slender legs, when standing with feet together, do not touch.

Scientists build a microscope to spot the seeds of cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Cancerous tumors can shed cells that travel through the blood stream and create new cancerous growths. These seed cells can be very difficult to detect, but Stanford scientists are developing a noninvasive method using a mini-microscope that could find these cells.

No evidence to support giving oxygen to people having a heart attack, research shows
(Medical Xpress)—For 100 years inhaled oxygen has been a standard treatment for those with a suspected or confirmed heart attack. The latest research, was led by academics from City University London and the University of Surrey, suggests that oxygen therapy may be doing more harm than good.

Study confirms long term benefits of tamoxifen are relevant to all women who take it for five years
Taking tamoxifen for an extra five years benefits women with breast cancer that has not spread to the lymph glands (node negative disease), as well as women where lymph node spread was found at operation, updated research from the University of Birmingham being presented at this year's European Cancer conference* demonstrates.

Researchers find early success in new treatment for stroke recovery
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas have taken a step toward developing a new treatment to aid the recovery of limb function after strokes.

Fertility problems? Joining the 'breakfast club' can help
A new study by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University reveals that eating a good breakfast can have a positive impact on women with problems of infertility.

Inexpensive drug costing less than three dollars may minimize damage from heart attack
Early treatment of heart attack patients with an inexpensive beta-blocker drug called metoprolol, while in transit to the hospital, can significantly reduce damage to the heart during a myocardial infarction, according to clinical trial study results published Oct. 1 in the journal Circulation. The study was a collaboration between Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) in Spain and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

New findings on combined radiation injury from nuclear disaster
A nuclear bomb or nuclear reactor accident can produce a deadly combination of radiation exposure and injuries such as burns and trauma.

Macrophage-derived mediators may have potential as biomarkers for urinary stone risk
Arnhem, 30 September 2013- A balance between the activation of the inflammatory macrophages and suppression of the anti-inflammatory macrophages in the kidney may play a pivotal role in kidney stone formation. These macrophage-derived mediators may have potential as biomarkers to reflect the urinary stone risk, according to a new study from Japan, which was recently presented at the recent 2nd Meeting of the EAU Section of Urolithiasis and received Clinical Research Award.

Clinician observations of preschoolers' behavior help to predict ADHD at school age
Don't rely on one source of information about your preschoolers' inattention or hyperactivity. Rather, consider how your child behaves at home as well as information from his or her teacher and a clinician. This advice comes from Sarah O'Neill, of The City College of New York, based on research she conducted at Queens College (CUNY), in an article published in Springer's Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. The study examines how well parent, teacher, and clinician ratings of preschoolers' behavior are able to predict severity and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at age six.

New target to fight HIV infection identified
A mutant of an immune cell protein called ADAP (adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein) is able to block infection by HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus 1), new University of Cambridge research reveals. The researchers, who were funded by the Wellcome Trust, believe that their discovery will lead to new ways of combatting HIV.

Telestroke service increases rates of 'clot-buster' treatment for stroke
A telestroke service increases the rate of effective tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke treated at community hospitals, according to a report in the October issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological SurgeonsCongress of Neurological Surgeons.

Vaccination and the gentle art of persuasion
Controversy about the risks of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines has been rumbling in the United States for years—and now it's Israel's turn. After finding traces of the polio virus in sewage, Israel's Ministry of Health launched a national vaccination campaign that reached more than half a million children. Surprisingly, dissenting voices flooded social media and the mainstream news, calling for a halt to the campaign. Endorsements by public figures, like Israel's president Shimon Peres, did little to calm the storm.

How to stay sharp in retirement
October is Canada's Healthy Workplace Month, but how does one stay mentally fit after the 40-hour workweek is traded in for the gold watch?

Listening matters for mothers
For most women, childbirth is an intense experience, culminating in the joy of delivering a newborn, swaddled and sweet, resting in the mother's arms within hours. Yet for those who deliver their babies prematurely, the experience is bereft of such bonding, laden with anxiety, confusion, and doubt.

Depression does not expose someone to a greater risk of cancer
The impact of depression on a person contracting cancer has long been suspected, without any study having definitely confirmed or rejected this theory. The links have now been investigated by Cédric Lemogne, a member of the team headed by Marie Zins (INSERM's Mixed Research Unit 1018 "Epidemiology and Population Health Research Centre", AP-HP, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin), who monitored 14,203 people between 1994 and 2009, including 1119 who developed cancer as diagnosed by a doctor. All of the absences from work for depression, certified by doctors, were recorded as well as many questionnaires measuring depressive moods. The results, which will be published in The American Journal of Epidemiology, do not indicate any significant association between a person experiencing the symptoms of depression during their lifetime and their subsequently contracting cancer.

Sleeping too little—or too much—associated with heart disease, diabetes, obesity
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links too little sleep (six hours or less) and too much sleep (10 or more hours) with chronic diseases—including coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity—in adults age 45 and older. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) encourages patients suffering from these common chronic conditions to speak with a sleep medicine physician who can evaluate their sleep patterns.

Tests in mice identify compound that may keep survivors of brain aneurysms from succumbing to stroke
Johns Hopkins researchers, working with mice, say they have identified a chemical compound that reduces the risk of dangerous, potentially stroke-causing blood vessel spasms that often occur after the rupture of a bulging vessel in the brain.

Farmers need help to plow through new food safety regulations
Agricultural extension educators should take a flexible approach in teaching farmers about the changing landscape of food safety regulations, according to Penn State researchers.

Statin medications may prevent dementia and memory loss with longer use
A review of dozens of studies on the use of statin medications to prevent heart attacks shows that the commonly prescribed drugs pose no threat to short-term memory, and that they may even protect against dementia when taken for more than one year. The Johns Hopkins researchers who conducted the systematic review say the results should offer more clarity and reassurance to patients and the doctors who prescribe the statin medications.

Bad luck? Knocking on wood can undo jinx: study
Knocking on wood is the most common superstition in Western culture used to reverse bad fortune or undo a "jinx." Other cultures maintain similar practices, like spitting or throwing salt, after someone has tempted fate. Even people who aren't particularly superstitious often participate in these practices.

Sweden best country to grow old, UN reports
Sweden is the best place to grow old and Afghanistan the worst, according to a UN-backed study on Tuesday that warns many countries are ill-prepared to deal with the old age time bomb.

Plan to stop TB in kids overdue but problematic
Health officials are embarking on an ambitious plan to wipe out tuberculosis in children worldwide, even though they don't know exactly how many cases there are.

Core of Obamacare takes effect despite US shutdown
The Obama administration rolled out a key component of its landmark health care overhaul Tuesday, moving forward despite a federal government shutdown sparked by Republican efforts to derail the law designed to extend insurance coverage to millions of Americans.

Researchers bring product testing to foster care system
Ever since cruise lines first began building mock suites for passengers to try out before installing the rooms on ocean liners in the 1940s, businesses have been devising trial runs for a small number of consumers to test merchandise prior to mass production. Today, companies still make important changes based on this "usability testing" before taking their goods to the wider market, and researchers now say that what works for cell phones and video games may also work for human services.

New study identifies genes associated with unhealthy liver function
A groundbreaking study of nearly 2,300 extremely obese diabetes patients, led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), has identified genes associated with unhealthy liver function.

Over-the counter as effective as Rx at managing post-tonsillectomy pain
You may be able to eat all of the ice cream you want after having your tonsils removed, but researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit say you don't necessarily need a prescription to reduce post-operative pain—an over-the-counter pain-reliever is just as effective.

Brintellix approved for major depressive disorder
(HealthDay)—Brintellix (vortioxetine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with major depressive disorder, often referred to as depression.

Poor performance triggering EMR switch for small practices
(HealthDay)—Small physician practices are leaving electronic medical record (EMR) vendors as software systems have failed to meet growing expectations, according to a report from KLAS research.

AAFP adds five more 'Choosing Wsely' recommendations
(HealthDay)—Five additional recommendations have been made as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, according to a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Renal risk index: A clinical tool to predict the risk of end-stage renal disease
End-stage renal disease is one of the major public health problems among solid organ transplant recipients that is associated with death after transplant and high cost of care.

Lactation may be linked to aggressive cancer in Mexican women
Scientific data suggest that a woman reduces her risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding, having multiple children and giving birth at a younger age. A study led by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and recently published online by Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, indicates that women of Mexican descent may not fit that profile. In fact, results suggest that women of Mexican descent with more children and those who breastfeed are more likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Waiting actually makes people more patient, study finds
People place higher value on what they're waiting for; higher value makes them more patient

Smoking during pregnancy may increase risk of bipolar disorder in offspring
A study published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests an association between smoking during pregnancy and increased risk for developing bipolar disorder (BD) in adult children. Researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, in collaboration with scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California, evaluated offspring from a large cohort of pregnant women who participated in the Child Health and Development Study (CHDS) from 1959-1966. The study was based on 79 cases and 654 comparison subjects. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a twofold increased risk of BD in their offspring.

Less can be more when removing lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery
A conservative approach to removing lymph nodes is associated with less harm for breast cancer patients and often yields the same results as more radical procedures, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

Extended follow-up of hormone therapy trials does not support use for chronic disease prevention
Extended follow-up of the two Women's Health Initiative hormone therapy trials does not support use of hormones for chronic disease prevention, although the treatment may be appropriate for menopausal symptom management in some women, according to a study in the October 2 issue of JAMA.

Following bariatric surgery, use of opioids increases among chronic opioid users
In a group of patients who took chronic opioids for noncancer pain and who underwent bariatric surgery, there was greater chronic use of opioids after surgery compared with before, findings that suggest the need for proactive management of chronic pain in these patients after surgery, according to a study in the October 2 issue of JAMA.

Study finds increase in survival following bystander CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
In Denmark between 2001 and 2010 there was an increase in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that was associated with an increase in survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, according to a study in the October 2 issue of JAMA.

Mom's weight gain during pregnancy tied to childhood obesity
A study of 41,133 mothers and their children in Arkansas has shown that high pregnancy weight gain increases the risk of obesity in those children through age 12. The findings, published Oct. 1 in PLoS Medicine, suggest pregnancy may be an especially important time to prevent obesity in the next generation.

Oxytocin injection by health workers without midwifery skills can prevent bleeding after delivery
Community health officers (health workers who are not trained midwives) can safely give injections of the drug oxytocin to prevent severe bleeding after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage) when attending home births in rural areas of Ghana, according to a study by US and Ghanaian researchers in this week's PLOS Medicine.

New research reveals that oxytocin could make us more accepting of others
Oxytocin - often referred to as the 'love hormone' because of its ability to promote mother-infant attachment and romantic bonding in adults - could also make us more accepting of other people, as found in new research carried out by Neuropsychoanalysis Foundation research grantee Valentina Colonnello Ph.D. and published online in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Athletes not slowed by dehydration, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—New research led by Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University has shed new light on a long-held belief that dehydration causes a decrease in high-level athletic performance.

Vulnerability to phishing scams may be linked to personality, study shows
(Medical Xpress)—Phishing scams are some of the most effective online swindles, hooking both savvy and naïve computer users. New insights from researchers at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) point to two factors that may boost the likelihood that a computer user will fall prey: being female and having a neurotic personality.

Egg-allergic children now have no barriers to flu shot
All children should have flu shots, even if they have an egg allergy, and it's now safe to get them without special precautions. This finding is from the latest update on the safety of the flu vaccine for allergic patients, published in the October issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the official journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Genetic influences on cognition increase with age, study shows
(Medical Xpress)—About 70 percent of a person's intelligence can be explained by their DNA—and those genetic influences only get stronger with age, according to new research from The University of Texas at Austin.

Exercise 'potentially as effective' as many drugs for common diseases
Physical activity is potentially as effective as many drug interventions for patients with existing coronary heart disease and stroke, suggests a review of evidence published in BMJ today.

Study finds link between high-fat, high-calorie diet and pancreas cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that mice made obese by high-calorie, high-fat diets develop abnormally high numbers of lesions known to be precursors to pancreas cancer.

Critical tool for brain research derived from 'pond scum'
The poster child for basic research might well be a one-celled green algae found in ordinary lakes and ponds. Amazingly, this unassuming creature—called Chlamydomonas—is helping scientists solve one of the most complex and important mysteries of science: How billions of neurons in the brain interact with one another through electrochemical signals to produce thoughts, memories and behaviors, and how malfunctioning neurons may contribute to incurable brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

Study identifies gene for alcohol preference in rats
(Medical Xpress)—Selectively bred strains of laboratory rats that either prefer or avoid alcohol have been a mainstay of alcohol research for decades. So-called alcohol-preferring rats voluntarily consume much greater amounts of alcohol than do non-preferring rats. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health now report that a specific gene plays an important role in the alcohol-consuming tendencies of both types of rats.

Blood-pressure drug may help improve cancer treatment
Use of existing, well-established hypertension drugs could improve the outcome of cancer chemotherapy by opening up collapsed blood vessels in solid tumors. In their report in the online journal Nature Communications, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators describe how the angiotensin inhibitor losartan improved the delivery of chemotherapy drugs and oxygen throughout tumors by increasing blood flow in mouse models of breast and pancreatic cancer. A clinical trial based on the findings of this study is now underway.

What makes us left or right handed? New study rules out strong genetic factors
Around 10 per cent of the UK is left handed—and that percentage remains consistent in many populations around the world. But why exactly someone is left or right handed remains unclear.

In lab dish, scientists make tear and saliva glands
Researchers said on Tuesday they had created saliva glands and tear glands using stem cells from mice, marking a further advance in the quest to grow replacement bio-engineered organs.

New genetic discovery could reduce the guesswork in drug dosing
The discovery of genetic differences affecting up to a third of the population could take the guesswork out of prescribing the correct dose of 25 percent of drugs currently on the market, researchers say.

Decoding sound's source: Researchers unravel part of the mystery
As Baby Boomers age, many experience difficulty in hearing and understanding conversations in noisy environments such as restaurants. People who are hearing-impaired and who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants are even more severely impacted. Researchers know that the ability to locate the source of a sound with ease is vital to hear well in these types of situations, but much more information is needed to understand how hearing works to be able to design devices that work better in noisy environment.

Biology news

How sterols influence cell division in plants
Marcia Frescatada-Rosa shows that changes in sterol composition and concentration affect the localization of a specific protein, which is required for cell plate formation during cell division of plants. The dissertation will be publicly defended on October 4 at Umea University.

Biomolecules for the production line
To produce proteins on an industrial scale without using living cells is the ambitious goal of cell-free bioproduction. This method could help us to produce biological ingredients more quickly and with fewer resources than conventional techniques allow. Scientists and engineers from eight Fraunhofer Institutes have joined forces in an interdisciplinary research project to develop bioreactors that produce proteins without the help of intact cells. Demonstration models of the reactors will be on show to the public for the very first time from October 8-10, 2013 at BIOTECHNICA in Hannover.

Eating insects: Like them stir fried or curried?
On Sept. 23, the Clinton Global Initiative awarded the Hult Prize, worth $1 million, to a team of student entrepreneurs at McGill University, Canada. Mark Hoddle, the director of the Center for Invasive Species Research at the University of California, Riverside, served as a consultant to the team whose goal was to combat hunger and nutrition deficiencies in impoverished regions by improving insect-based meals.

Asian bacteria threatens Florida oranges
Citrus production in Florida, the world's second largest orange juice supplier after Brazil, is being threatened by bacteria from Asia that has got scientists racing for a remedy.

Conservation 'tragedy' as endangered kiwis die in New Zealand zoo
Eight endangered kiwi birds have died from respiratory infections while being treated at New Zealand's Wellington Zoo, in what authorities said on Tuesday was a "tragedy" for conservation efforts.

Legionella bacteria found in compost products
(Phys.org) —A study conducted at the University of Strathclyde investigating the presence of Legionella in compost, has found that the bacteria exist in a significant number of commercial products.

Using engineering to help microbes destroy contaminates in soil and groundwater
There are several advantages to having natural microbes break down contaminants in soil and groundwater. First, it's cost effective. More importantly, the process involves using native microorganisms that already are present under the earth's surface.

Alternative to antibiotics: Plasmas attack bacterial cells on several levels
As they destroy bacteria very efficiently, plasmas constitute an alternative to chemical disinfectants and potentially to antibiotics, as well. How they achieve this effect has been investigated by biologists, plasma physicists and chemists at the Ruhr-Universität (RUB). Cold atmospheric-pressure plasmas attack the prokaryote's cell envelope, proteins and DNA.

Zimbabwe: Poachers poison 91 elephants (Update)
The stench of rotting elephant carcasses hangs in the air in western Zimbabwe, where wildlife officials say at least 91 elephants were poisoned with cyanide by poachers who hack off the tusks for the lucrative illegal ivory market.

Scientists sniff out possible new tick species
In June 2012, Tony Goldberg returned from one of his frequent trips to Kibale National Park, an almost 500-square-mile forest in western Uganda where he studies how infectious diseases spread and evolve in the wild. But he didn't return alone.

Scientist follows evolution to the comfy stage, where new threats accompany increased longevity
Humans crave comfort. Sadly, comfort isn't always good for us. That's one of the conclusions of Harvard evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman, who has spent the past couple of years considering what our evolutionary history says about today's roaring epidemics of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as other chronic ailments.

Electric fish may have switched from AC to DC
Two very similar species of Amazonian electric fish share a key difference: One uses direct current (DC) and the other alternating current (AC), according to research that formally describes the two species for the first time.

Gathering information about food is not top priority for individuals with high metabolisms
(Phys.org) —New research has revealed that individuals with the highest metabolic rates within populations should be the least pre-occupied with keeping track of changes in their environments that could lead them to sources of food.

Researchers identify traffic cop for meiosis—with implications for fertility and birth defects
Researchers at New York University and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have identified the mechanism that plays "traffic cop" in meiosis—the process of cell division required in reproduction. Their findings, which appear in the journal eLife, shed new light on fertility and may lead to greater understanding of the factors that lead to birth defects.

Search tool for gene expression databases could uncover therapeutic targets, biological processes
A new computational tool developed by U.S. and Israeli scientists will help scientists exploit the massive databases of gene expression experimental results that have been created over the past decade. Researchers say it could uncover new links between diseases and treatments and provide new insights into biological processes.

Scientists use fossilized feces to reconstruct moa diet
(Phys.org) —Until it became extinct in the 15th century, the moa, a flightless bird, played a significant role in New Zealand's ecology. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Alan Cooper of the University of New South Wales in Sydney and his colleagues reveal they have used coprolites to reconstruct the dietary habits of four moa species. They determined how the moa's extinction has affected New Zealand's ecosystems and considered whether any existing species can take its place.

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