The theory of perfect imaging has been the study of many physicists for over 150 years. Now thanks to simulation, this theory is becoming a reality. In COMSOL's latest blog post this idea is discussed. Read more: http://goo.gl/xwHCdJ
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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 30, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Through a nanopore, ionically: Graphene quantum transistor for next-generation DNA sensing- Researchers use microscope equipped camera to learn how ticks pierce and adhere to skin (w/ Video)
- First results from LUX dark matter detector rule out some candidates
- Researchers show how universe's violent youth seeded cosmos with iron
- 'Molecular Velcro' may lead to cost-effective alternatives to natural antibodies
- Kepler 78b exoplanet is Earth-like in mass and size
- Bright eyes: Study finds reindeers' eyes change colour with Arctic seasons
- Glioblastoma multiforme: Incurable brain cancer gene is silenced
- Scientists digitally reconstruct giant steps taken by dinosaurs for the first time
- Warming will disturb balance of soil nutrients in drylands
- Staph infections and eczema: What's the connection?
- Monoclonal antibodies show promise as effective HIV therapy
- Methane-decomposing bacteria from hot springs need the valuable metals to produce energy
- New SARS-like coronavirus discovered in Chinese horseshoe bats
- Report: NSA broke into Yahoo, Google data centers (Update 2)
Space & Earth news
Researchers succeed in predicting the spread of microbes in spacecraft
Research scientists from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland participated in the EU's and Russia's joint BIOSMHARS project for developing means of controlling harmful microbes in manned spacecraft. The spread of microbes in closed spaces could be reliably predicted. By using the research results and calculation models, methods can also be developed for the management of the spread of microbes and bacteria in hospitals, public transport and office premises.
Healthy soil: The basis for a strong economy and wholesome environment
Soil not only holds environmental and agricultural importance; it is vital to ensuring the growth of a healthy economy. This is why an EU-funded project aims to show how successful regenerative agricultural practices for preventing soil degradation can make a significant difference.
Beer brewing comes clean
Behind a simple glass of cold beer lies a quiet industrial revolution promising to take the brewing industry by storm. Although the world's breweries have been recovering CO2 from the brewing process for other industrial uses for almost two decades, the process can consume copious amounts of energy and water.
Brazil court orders resumption of work on Amazon dam
A Brazilian court on Wednesday ordered work to resume on a dam in the Amazon, reversing a ruling that had ordered a stoppage over environmental concerns, the project consortium said.
Historic blaze fueled a boom in tire recycling, advances in fire monitoring
An historic tire fire 30 years ago that blazed on for nine months in the northwest Virginia Appalachians, releasing giant plumes of toxic smoke, sparked a recycling revolution and advances in fire-monitoring methods. The fire's environmental legacy is the topic of the cover story in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.
Google street view—tool for recording earthquake damage
A scientist from Cologne University has used Google's online street view scans to document the damage caused by the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake and suggests that the database would be a useful tool for surveying damage caused by future earthquakes. The findings are published in the November issue of the Seismological Research Letters.
NASA eyes a 'decoupled' Tropical Depression Raymond
Satellite data shows that the lower level circulation of Raymond decoupled from the middle layer of the storm. When a Tropical Depression decouples, it means the layers of circulation in the atmosphere are no longer "stacked" on top of each other. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Raymond that showed the strongest storms, associated with a mid-level circulation center, had broken away from the center.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Krosa approach the Philippines
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites captured visible and infrared data on intensifying Tropical Storm Krosa as it heads for a landfall in the northern Philippines. Krosa is known as "Vinta" in the Philippines.
Countries at climate risk to hold more GDP
Nearly a third of the world's economic output, some $44 trillion (32 trillion euros), will by 2025 be in countries at the highest risk of climate change effects, said research published Wednesday.
Warm winters let trees sleep longer
In the temperate zones, vegetation follows the change of the seasons. After a winter pause, plants put out new growth in spring. Research has now brought a new correlation to light: The colder the winter, the earlier native plants begin to grow again. Since warmer winters can be expected as the climate changes, the spring development phase for typical forest trees might start later and later – giving an advantage to shrubs and invasive trees that don't depend on the cold.
High nitrogen rates increase micronutrient uptake, storage in corn
(Phys.org) —A Purdue University study shows that high-yielding, modern corn hybrids take up not only more nitrogen from soil but more micronutrients such as zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Nitrogen fertilizer rates also influence how much of these nutrients are stored in the grain at harvest.
Sun emits fourth X-class flare in a week
The sun emitted a significant solar flare—its fourth X-class flare since Oct. 23, 2013—peaking at 5:54 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2013. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however—when intense enough—they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel. This disrupts the radio signals for as long as the flare is ongoing, anywhere from minutes to hours.
Improving earthquake early warning systems for California and Taiwan
Earthquake early warning systems may provide the public with crucial seconds to prepare for severe shaking. For California, a new study suggests upgrading current technology and relocating some seismic stations would improve the warning time, particularly in areas poorly served by the existing network – south of San Francisco Bay Area to north Los Angeles and north of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Solar eclipse to sweep Africa, Europe, US on Sunday
A rare solar eclipse will sweep across parts of Africa, Europe and the United States on Sunday as the moon blocks the sun either fully or partially, depending on the location.
Watching Earth's winds, on a shoestring
Built with spare parts and without a moment to spare, the International Space Station (ISS)-RapidScat isn't your average NASA Earth science mission.
NASA advances world's first spaceborne sodium lidar
It's used as a coolant in nuclear power plants and as a desiccant to remove humidity that otherwise would ruin moisture-sensitive products. Found in every cell in the human body, it transmits nerve impulses and regulates blood pressure. And as it turns out, sodium—the sixth most abundant element in Earth's crust—also is useful as a tracer for characterizing Earth's mesosphere, a poorly understood region of Earth's atmosphere that's sensitive to both the influences from the sun above and the atmospheric layers below.
Best way to stop a killer asteroid? Form a committee
The United Nations (UN) has adopted several recommendations of a new asteroid defence plan, the first steps in preventing Earth from being struck by an asteroid.
Martian box of delights
(Phys.org) —This spherical container has been engineered to house the most scientifically valuable cargo imaginable: samples brought back from the Red Planet.
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover approaches 'Cooperstown'
(Phys.org) —NASA's Mars rover Curiosity completed its first two-day autonomous drive Monday, bringing the mobile laboratory to a good vantage point for pictures useful in selecting the next target the rover will reach out and touch.
Warming will disturb balance of soil nutrients in drylands
An increase in aridity due to global warming will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil and reduce productivity of the world's drylands, which support millions of people, a landmark study predicts.
Kepler 78b exoplanet is Earth-like in mass and size
In August, MIT researchers identified an exoplanet with an extremely brief orbital period: The team found that Kepler 78b, a small, intensely hot planet 700 light-years from Earth, circles its star in just 8.5 hours—lightning-quick, compared with our own planet's leisurely 365-day orbit. From starlight data gathered by the Kepler Space Telescope, the scientists also determined that the exoplanet is about 1.2 times Earth's size—making Kepler 78b one of the smallest exoplanets ever measured.
Researchers show how universe's violent youth seeded cosmos with iron
(Phys.org) —New evidence that iron is spread evenly between the galaxies in one of the largest galaxy clusters in the universe supports the theory that the universe underwent a turbulent and violent youth more than 10 billion years ago. That explosive period was responsible for seeding the cosmos with iron and other heavy elements that are critical to life itself.
Technology news
Pirate-themed 'Assassin's Creed' videogame sets sail
A new installment of blockbuster "Assassin's Creed" videogame launched on Tuesday, putting players in the boots of a bold pirate and tapping into mobile devices to expand play.
Nintendo reports loss as Wii U sales languish
Video game maker Nintendo sank to a loss in the latest quarter as sales of its Wii U game console continued to be eroded by a shift to gaming on smartphones and tablets.
Bharti Airtel profit down 29 percent on rupee woes (Update)
Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecommunications company, said Wednesday the weak rupee contributed to a 29 percent slump in quarterly profit.
Toshiba medical unit boss fired over accounting fraud
Toshiba said Wednesday it had fired a renegade manager for falsely inflating profits at a medical subsidiary, and that the unit's chief executive would quit.
Court nixes Deutsche Telekom's broadband cap
A court in Germany has struck down plans by the country's biggest telecom company to drastically reduce Internet speeds for fixed-line broadband customers who surf too much.
New Amazon shopping site supports charity
Amazon has launched a new website for its online store that will donate a fraction of shoppers' purchase amounts to charity.
What to do when your computer gets kidnapped by ransomware
Thousands of consumers are getting a nasty shock when they turn on their computers these days.
What to do before upgrading to Apple's OS X Mavericks
If you own a MacBook laptop or a Mac desktop computer, then Apple's decision to make OS X Mavericks available as a free download may have you itching to upgrade.
'World's first' bitcoin ATM opens in Canada
Three young entrepreneurs have opened what they call the world's first ATM able to exchange bitcoins for any official currency.
Japan's NEC falls into red, hit by smartphone exit
Japan's NEC said Wednesday it fell into the red in the six months to September because of lower sales and losses on its exit from the smartphone business.
Imax teams with China's TCL to sell home theaters
Imax is partnering with Chinese TV maker TCL to design and manufacture a high-end home theater system aimed at China's growing ranks of affluent movie fans.
BlackBerry, Facebook 'met over potential bid'
BlackBerry executives met with their counterparts at Facebook last week over a potential bid for the struggling Canadian phone-maker, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
Analytics study reveals big data equals big payoff
While more than 75 percent of the highest performing organizations cite growth or innovation as the chief value of business analytics, almost two-thirds of them say some form of political or executive resistance is the primary barrier to realizing the full value of their investments, according to a new IBM study.
Swiss nuclear plant to close in 2019
Switzerland's state-controlled energy company BKW said Wednesday its Muehleberg nuclear plant would go offline in 2019, as the country seeks to exit nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.
Lenovo hires Kutcher to design, pitch new tablet
Computer-maker Lenovo has hired tech-savvy actor Ashton Kutcher to help design and pitch its latest line of tablets, dubbing the Hollywood star a "product engineer" who can bring his ideas along with his image.
More power to you: Marines boost energy, lighten load
In an effort to move toward increased energy independence in the field, Marines used a wearable solar-powered system to extend the battery life of crucial electronic devices during a recent field exercise, officials announced Oct. 30.
Swedish technology likely used in Georgia surveillance
The Georgian government may be using technology from Swedish telecom giant Ericsson to illegally monitor its own citizens, the company said Wednesday.
EU spying backlash threatens billions in US trade
The backlash in Europe over U.S. spying is threatening an agreement that generates tens of billions of dollars in trans-Atlantic business every year—and negotiations on another pact worth many times more.
Facebook profit powers past forecasts (Update)
Facebook on Wednesday announced strong earnings on the back of soaring advertising revenue, nearly half of it from smartphones or tablet computers.
Twitter accused of ruse to pump up share price
Two financial firms sued Twitter on Wednesday, saying it supported their international tour to sell its shares last year, only to disallow the sales in a ruse aimed at boosting the company's valuation above $10 billion for an initial public offering.
Motorola studying modular smartphone
When it comes to mobile applications, consumers can customize their phones with just a few taps. Motorola Mobility wants to make it that easy to personalize a gadget's hardware.
Norwegian village uses giant mirrors to capture the sun
Sun-starved residents of a remote Norwegian village unveiled an ingenious mirror system Wednesday to bring natural light to their mountain valley home and liberate them from darkness that envelops them six months a year.
Powering better online document viewing
Viewing PDF and Microsoft Office documents on a Web browser can cause slow loading and messy formatting—and often such documents won't load at all. Most times, users will simply download the documents to their computers to read and annotate a clean copy.
Future Internet aims to sever links with servers
A revolutionary new architecture aims to make the internet more "social" by eliminating the need to connect to servers and enabling all content to be shared more efficiently.
Report: NSA broke into Yahoo, Google data centers (Update 2)
The National Security Agency has secretly broken into the main communications links that connect Yahoo and Google data centers around the world, the Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing documents obtained from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
Medicine & Health news
Teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk of suicide
Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk of suicide after being diagnosed with cancer according to a study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology [1] today.
Institute explores intimate partner violence across generations
Most parents who experienced intimate partner violence had children that grew to face violence in their own adult relationships, according to a study published by the Crime Victims' Institute at Sam Houston State University.
Cuba's Tower of Babel gives free medical education
On a beach outside Havana stands the crown jewel of Cuba's renowned international program of medical education, training 13,000 students from around the world free of charge.
Obama to defend health care law's slow start
President Barack Obama is planning to defend his embattled health care law Wednesday in Massachusetts, pointing to the slow start of the state's bipartisan effort to launch a program that was a model for the national one.
Sanofi says profits hit by patent expiry, vaccine problems
French pharmaceutical group Sanofi reported a slump in profits for the third quarter of the year on Wednesday owing to the lagging effects of the ending of exclusive patent rights.
UK's top court: OK for hospital to stop treatment
Britain's highest court has ruled in favor of a hospital that gained court approval to withhold treatment from a terminally ill man despite the family's opposition.
CEO of drug maker Teva out ahead job cuts (Update)
Israeli drug manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd. announced Wednesday its CEO had resigned, following a public uproar over a contentious restructuring plan set to cut thousands of jobs worldwide.
People with Alzheimer's disease more likely to suffer from heart disease—offered fewer treatment options than others
Persons with Alzheimer's disease suffer from ischaemic heart diseases more frequently than others, yet they undergo related procedures and surgery less frequently than persons with no diagnosed AD, according to a nation-wide register-based study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland.
Results of the SORT-OUT VI trial presented
A new study found that both drug-eluting stents (DES) with biocompatible polymers and DES with biodegradable polymers were associated with low major adverse coronary events, demonstrating the non-inferiority of the biocompatible polymer stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The findings of the SORT-OUT VI trial were presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
False alarm over suspected new MERS infection in France
A patient suspected of having contracted the MERS coronavirus has tested negative for the lethal respiratory disease, France's health ministry has announced.
A therapeutic hypothesis for glucose intolerance after cerebral ischemia
Interestingly, a recent study found that ischemic stress causes hyperglycemia and may worsen ischemic neuronal damage. In addition, decreased insulin sensitivity after ischemic stress seems to be involved in the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance. However, the involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the development of glucose intolerance following ischemic stress still remains unclear.
US health official apologizes for Obamacare site (Update)
Partisan sparks were flying in Congress on Tuesday as President Barack Obama's top health official apologized for wasting consumers' time as they tried to use the crippled website that allows them to buy government mandated health insurance under the overhaul known as Obamacare.
Bloomberg's health legacy: Urban innovator or meddling nanny?
(Garrison, NY) As New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg prepares to leave office, a commentary by a leading bioethicist analyzes his controversial public health policies and concludes that he is an urban innovator who created a new paradigm of public health, "reaching beyond infectious diseases to upstream risk factors in everyday life and the human habitat." The commentary appears in the Hastings Center Report.
Alarming increasing incidence of myopia
New research on myopia—how it develops, risk and protective factors, and potentially effective measures for prevention and treatment are reported across twenty articles in the November issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
Novel technique for suturing tissue-engineered collagen graft improves tendon repair
The repair of ruptured tendons often requires the use of a graft to bridge gaps between the torn tendon and bone. A tissue-engineered collagen graft can reduce the complications associated with other types of tendon grafts, but it may not be able to support full load bearing until integrated into the surrounding tissue. A new suture technique designed to support this tissue-engineered tendon is described in BioResearch Open Access, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
First aid teams set to improve heart attack survival with pocket manual
30 October 2013: First aid teams are set to improve the survival of heart attack patients with the first pocket-sized manual on acute cardiac conditions. The toolkit was created by expert members of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to help first aid teams across Europe make the best decisions in seconds after a heart attack.
Testing technique could lengthen lifespan of dialysis patients
A new testing method can better detect potentially fatal hormone imbalances in patients with end-stage kidney disease, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Nerve stimulation in neck may reduce heart failure symptoms
A multidisciplinary team of experts in heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and neurosurgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital are now testing nerve stimulation in the neck as a novel therapy for heart failure patients to potentially help relieve their debilitating symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart arrhythmias, while reducing their hospitalizations.
Extensive study on concussions in youth sports finds 'culture of resistance' for self-reporting injury
Young athletes in the U.S. face a "culture of resistance" to reporting when they might have a concussion and to complying with treatment plans, which could endanger their well-being, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. The report provides a broad examination of concussions in a variety of youth sports with athletes aged 5 to 21. Overall, reported concussions rates are more frequent among high school athletes than college athletes in some sports—including football, men's lacrosse and soccer, and baseball; higher for competition than practice (except for cheerleading); and highest in football, ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, soccer, and women's basketball. Concussion rates also appear higher for youths with a history of prior concussions and among female athletes.
Rise of medical tourism shows impact on cosmetic surgery market
Would you consider traveling to Mexico or India for a less-expensive rhinoplasty or breast augmentation procedure? Many Americans are doing just that—and the trend is having an impact on the market for cosmetic plastic surgery, according to an article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—Global Open, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Racing sperm to boost results of in vitro fertilization
The World Health Organization estimates more than 70 million couples worldwide are unable to conceive each year, with close to a third of those cases attributable solely to issues with male fertility—including low sperm count and low sperm motility (a limited ability to swim). Now, with recently published data showing encouraging results, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to refine a new device that races sperm through a microscopic obstacle course to select those most likely to successfully fertilize an egg.
MS study correlates fMR with negative effect of warmer weather on cognitive status
Kessler Foundation scientists correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings with the negative impact of outdoor temperature on cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study, "Warmer outdoor temperature is associated with task-related increased BOLD activation in patients with multiple sclerosis," released by Brain Imaging & Behavior as epub ahead of print, corroborates the group's previous study that established that people with MS performed worse on processing speed and memory tasks during warmer outdoor temperatures versus during cooler outdoor temperatures. "Increased MS disease activity during warmer months is a recent discovery. Now, this work is the first report of brain activation associated with outdoor temperature in MS. This finding is novel and important for persons with MS who are shown to have worse cognition during warmer weather," said Victoria M. Leavitt, Ph.D., research scientist at Kessler Foundation and principal investi! gator for the study, funded by the National MS Society.
Atherosclerosis in HIV patients linked to infection, not treatment
HIV infection, not antiretroviral therapy (ART), is associated with risk for atherosclerosis in patients with no history of smoking, particularly those infected for eight years or more. Results of the study led by Moïse Desvarieux, MD, PhD, at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and at the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), are published in the latest issue of the journal AIDS.
BUSM researchers study epigenetic mechanisms of tumor metastasis for improved cancer therapy
A review article by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) suggests that epigenetics may be a useful target to stop the growth, spread and relapse of cancer. The findings are published online in Volume 14 of the International Journal of Molecular Science.
A new treatment for heart attack will soon be available for emergency teams and the emergency ambulance
A new strategy for emergency anticoagulant treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction has been put in place by a team led by Philippe-Gabriel Steg at Inserm Unit 698 (Haemostasis, Bioengineering, Immunopathology and Cardiovascular Remodelling), at Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Université Paris Diderot). These results from the EUROMAX clinical trial are published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Results of the TRYTON trial presented
A clinical trial designed to measure the effectiveness of using a dedicated side branch-covering bare metal stent in true bifurcation coronary lesions found that that the strategy was safe, but the results did not establish non-inferiority compared to the currently accepted strategy of using a single stent with provisional use of a second side branch stent when indicated.
Study finds pre-hospital administration of bivalirudin substantially improves outcomes compared to heparin
According to a new study, administering the blood thinner bivalirudin to patients experiencing an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, the most serious form of a heart attack) in a pre-hospital setting can reduce the risk of death and major bleeding complications compared to heparin with optional use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Silent victims—an epidemic of childhood exposure
Over 15 million children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and the health consequences of this exposure are well-documented. The Institute of Medicine and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend routine screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) in women of childbearing age. These recommendations represent an important step forward in improving the health of women affected by IPV.
Scientists call for action to tackle 'alarmingly' low survival of Kenyan women with cervical cancer
Less than 7% of cervical cancer patients in Kenya are getting the optimum treatment needed to eradicate the disease, leading to unnecessary deaths - a study by The University of Manchester scientists reveals.
New study compares provisional and two-stent strategies for coronary bifurcation lesions
A new clinical trial shows that a two-stent technique for treatment of bifurcation lesions with a large stenotic side branch was not associated with significant improved outcomes compared to a provisional stenting approach. The findings from the Nordic-Baltic Bifurcation IV study were presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Public insurance fills the health coverage gap, new analysis shows
In the years leading up to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of Californians who received their health insurance through public programs continued to rise, likely in direct response to the loss of job-based coverage in the state, according to a new analysis by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Medical students taught meditation techniques to prevent burnout and improve care
Doctors commonly tell patients that stress can be harmful to their health. Yet when it comes to reducing their own stress levels, physicians don't always heed their own advice.
Six-month data of the LEVANT 2 trial presented
The first clinical trial in the United States to study the use of drug coated balloons (DCB) for femoropopliteal artery disease found the procedure is promising for safety and efficacy at six months. Six month data of the LEVANT 2 trial was presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Procedural results from the RIBS V trial presented
A clinical trial comparing the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-eluting balloons (DEB) in treating in-stent restenosis (ISR) from bare metal stents found that both techniques yielded positive long term outcomes. Findings from the RIBS V trial were presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
FDA: Imported spices have double salmonella risk
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that almost 7 percent of imported spices over a three-year period were contaminated with salmonella.
Results of the SMART-CASE trial presented
A new study shows that a conservative approach to revascularization for patients with intermediate coronary lesions determined by angiographic diameter stenosis is safe and non-inferior to an aggressive approach. Findings of the SMART-CASE trial were presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Record high in medical school applicants, enrollment
(HealthDay)—In 2013, a record number of students applied to and enrolled in medical schools, according to a report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Results of the ADVISE II trial presented
A new study supports the use of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), to simplify assessment and determine the severity of coronary artery disease. ADVISE II findings were presented today at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
NYC council set to up cigarette-buying age to 21
Smokers under 21 may soon be barred from buying cigarettes in New York City.
Results from many large clinical trials are never published
A new analysis of 585 large, randomized clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov finds that 29 percent have not been published in scientific journals. In addition, nearly 78 percent of the unpublished trials had no results available on the website, either.
Fertility treatment outcomes can be significantly influenced by mother's ethnicity
Maternal ethnicity is a significant determinant of successful outcomes after fertility treatment, suggests a new study published today (30 October) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Is left-handedness higher among those suffering from psychosis?
Researchers have long studied the connections between hand dominance and different aspects of the human brain. A new study out today in SAGE Open finds that among those with mental illnesses, left-handers are more likely to suffer from psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia than mood disorders.
Exercise programs could help to prevent fall injuries in older people
Exercise programmes designed to prevent falls in older adults also appear to prevent injuries caused by falls, suggests a paper published today in BMJ.
Moral in the morning, but dishonest in the afternoon
Our ability to exhibit self-control to avoid cheating or lying is significantly reduced over the course of a day, making us more likely to be dishonest in the afternoon than in the morning, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Oman detects first MERS infection
Oman has discovered the first case of the MERS coronavirus in the Gulf sultanate, Health Minister Ahmed al-Saeedi said on Wednesday.
UN: 7.3 million teen births in developing world
Recent research has suggested that teen pregnancies in the developing world are declining, but more than 7 million girls under the age of 18 are still giving birth each year and suffering drastic consequences, a U.N. report said Wednesday.
Medication used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes may also reduce risk of autoimmune diseases
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors commonly used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes may also reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases in these patients, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in San Diego.
An experiment in a cafe confirms that toxins have decreased by 90 percent since the smoking ban
Researchers from the IDAEA (CSIC) centre measured the concentration of harmful compounds in a café in Barcelona before and after the anti-smoking law. The results show that toxic and carcinogenic substances dropped 90%, a finding that corroborates that of the Spanish Ministry of Health's latest report.
Better use of lighting in hospital rooms may improve patients' health
A new study suggests that changing the lighting patterns in hospital rooms so that they're more aligned with normal sleep-wake cycles could help patients feel better with less fatigue and pain. Published early online in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, the findings point to a simple and inexpensive way to potentially improve patient care.
Combatting dermatological disorders associated with Gunther's disease
Gunther's disease is considered to be an extremely rare disease, affecting some 200 to 300 people worldwide. It is one of the most aggressive disorders in the porphyria "family", a heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases classified on the basis of the enzyme affected, and can cause painful erosions and continual scarring of the skin.
Breakthrough for diagnosis and outcome prediction for kidney cancers
A new classification of renal tumours that a leading University of Otago pathologist has helped develop is set to enhance the ability to develop treatments and more accurately predict outcomes for patients. Such tumours are diagnosed in around 510 New Zealanders each year, with numbers projected to rise to 630 by 2016.
New research shows early Maori probably suffered from gout
(Medical Xpress)—Discoveries of early Māori skeletal remains showing tell-tale signs of gout have been corroborated by new evidence that dispels the myth that the disease was largely an upper class European affliction that did not affect any indigenous populations.
New study analyzes barriers to cancer research commercialization
A new study led by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Assistant Director for Research Nathan Vanderford cites a combination of factors that prevent academic-based cancer research faculty from ultimately commercializing their work.
Measuring hormones could help improve breast cancer risk prediction
Including the levels of several hormones in currently used breast cancer risk prediction models improves prediction, and this could help better identify women who would benefit from chemoprevention, according to results presented here at the 12th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, held Oct. 27-30.
Microscopic new insights into liver disease
Australia's first in situ sectioning electron microscope is helping researchers at The University of Queensland gain insights into diabetes and liver disease.
Researchers use lithium to ease pain caused by anti-cancer drug
(Medical Xpress)—Taxol, generically called paclitaxel, is a widely used drug in chemotherapy treatments. Taxol is used to treat cancer in the lungs, ovaries and breast, but it can also cause severe neuropathic pain and sensory dysfunction. University of Georgia researchers found that lithium reduces the unwanted pain accompanying the use of Taxol.
World-first device offers new insight into life with a cochlear implant
A new imaging device will be launched on Macquarie University's campus today, helping researchers in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD) and HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) better understand how the human brain processes information from a cochlear implant.
Tiny filter screens out cancer cells: Device may one day improve patient survival
(Medical Xpress)—For cancer patients, the most dreaded piece of news is that the disease has spread.
Researchers discover novel mechanism of tumor cell invasion in melanoma
(Medical Xpress)—The most devastating feature of cancer is that it often spreads throughout the human body and forms secondary tumors also known as metastases. One of the most aggressive metastatic cancers with no currently available curative therapy is melanoma, a type of skin cancer that originates from melanocytes, cells that normally make skin tan. Lifetime risk and mortality rates of metastatic melanoma have been steadily increasing for decades.
Study finds money encourages patients with severe mental illness to take their medication regularly
(Medical Xpress)—New research led by Queen Mary University of London reveals offering modest financial incentives to patients with psychotic disorders is an effective method for improving adherence to antipsychotic treatment.
Research finds pain in infancy alters response to stress, anxiety later in life
(Medical Xpress)—Early life pain alters neural circuits in the brain that regulate stress, suggesting pain experienced by infants who often do not receive analgesics while undergoing tests and treatment in neonatal intensive care may permanently alter future responses to anxiety, stress and pain in adulthood, a research team led by Dr. Anne Murphy, associate director of the Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State University, has discovered.
Type 2 diabetes: New associations identified between genes and metabolic markers
In two comprehensive studies, scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) and Technische Universität München (TUM) discovered new associations of two major type 2 diabetes risk genotypes and altered plasma concentrations of metabolic products. The "Virtual Institute Diabetes" (VID) joint research cooperation is thereby making an important contribution towards explaining the genetic and molecular basis of diabetes, The results have been published in the journals PLOS ONE and Metabolomics.
RNA build-up linked to dementia and motor neuron disease
A new toxic entity associated with genetically inherited forms of dementia and motor neuron disease has been identified by scientists at the UCL Institute of Neurology. The toxin is the result of a genetic mutation that leads to the production of RNA molecules which could be responsible for the diseases. The findings are published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica.
In search of the best diet in terms of health and body weight
The Nutrition and Obesity Research Group of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country is studying the effects of diet composition on people's body weight and health. Its participation in the PREDIMED project features among the many pieces of research it has conducted. The project has enabled the group to show that the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the cardiovascular system is even greater than that of a low-fat diet. The group is now going to go a step further and is preparing to study the results of a low-calorie Mediterranean diet combined with physical exercise. It is the PREDIMED PLUS project, which is expected to provide significant results.
Researchers identify way to increase gene therapy success
Scientists in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital have found a way to overcome one of the biggest obstacles to using viruses to deliver therapeutic genes: how to keep the immune system from neutralizing the virus before it can deliver its genetic payload. In a study published recently in Molecular Therapy, researchers found that giving subjects a treatment to temporarily rid the body of antibodies provides the virus safe passage to targeted cells, allowing it to release a corrective or replacement gene to treat disease.
New look at old test may provide earlier detection of meningitis, researchers find
Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have found a more accurate method to screen for bacterial meningococcal infection in its early stages, when it's hardest to detect. According to the researchers, the method for diagnosis could save lives by getting patients treatment earlier, when the infection is most treatable.
Weight loss not always beneficial for romantic relationships
Losing weight is generally beneficial for human health, but when one partner in a romantic relationship loses weight, it doesn't always have a positive effect on the relationship. According to new research from North Carolina State University and the University of Texas at Austin, there can be a "dark side" to weight loss, if both partners are not on board with enacting healthy changes.
What makes creativity tick?
A team of researchers led by a Michigan State University neuroscientist has created a quick but reliable test that can measure a person's creativity from single spoken words.
Researchers identify biomarkers that could leadto early diagnosis of colorectal cancer
Diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) is complex; it relies on significant invasive tests and subjective evaluations. This process may soon become much easier thanks to a medical breakthrough by scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). The researchers have identified genetic changes in the colon lining, or mucosa, in colorectal cancer patients that could be used as biomarkers of the disease. That will allow doctors to diagnose patients earlier, more accurately and less invasively. The study, recently published online, in Cancer Prevention Research, has implications for the nearly one million people diagnosed annually worldwide.
HDL cholesterol controls blood glucose
High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), the so-called "good" cholesterol improves blood glucose levels by enhancing skeletal muscle function and reducing adiposity, scientists of the Helmholtz Zentrum München report in the current issue of the American Heart Association Journal Circulation.
Qigong can help fight fatigue in prostate cancer survivors
The flowing movements and meditative exercises of the mind-body activity Qigong may help survivors of prostate cancer to combat fatigue. These are the findings of a trial study led by Dr. Anita Y. Kinney at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center and Dr. Rebecca Campo at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study took place at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, and was published in Springer's Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy associated with preterm birth in non-white mothers
African-American and Puerto Rican women who have low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are more likely to go into labor early and give birth to preterm babies, research led by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health reveals. The study, the largest to date to look at the association between vitamin D and preterm birth, is now available online in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Feds post food allergy guidelines for schools
The federal government is issuing its first guidelines to schools on how to protect children with food allergies.
Testosterone production study challenges 25-year-old scientific dogma
New research refutes the scientific community's long-held belief that the body needs a specific protein to produce steroid hormones like testosterone, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's journal Endocrinology.
Low thyroid levels may signal heightened risk of death in hospitalized patients
Older individuals hospitalized with a serious condition may face a slimmer risk of surviving if their thyroid hormone levels are low, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Pore formation in cell membranes linked to triggers of rheumatoid arthritis
Experiments by scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Boston have unraveled two biological mechanisms as the major cause of protein citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis. Protein citrullination is suspected of sparking the immune system and driving the cascade of events leading to the disease.
Two peptides better than one in targeting diabetes, obesity
Researchers at Indiana University and international collaborators have published results showing that a molecule combining the properties of two endocrine hormones is an effective treatment for adult-onset diabetes. The research included clinical trials with human subjects as well as detailed laboratory studies with rodents and monkeys.
Research points to potential window for treating CMV and preventing mother-to-child transmission
New insights into how human cytomegalovirus (CMV), the leading cause of birth defects associated with infection spreads from pregnant mother to fetus and from organ to organ in newborns provides translational researchers an exciting new avenue for investigation that may lead to the development of therapeutic interventions. Using next generation sequencing and population genetic modeling, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have found that CMV evolves rapidly and dramatically in humans. These findings, published in PLoS Genetics, provide new genetic targets that could impede the evolution of CMV and prevent its spread.
HPV vaccination rates alarmingly low among young adult women in South
Initiation and completion rates for the human papillomavirus vaccine series are significantly lower in the South than any other geographic region, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The new findings are especially disconcerting because cervical cancer—which is caused almost exclusively by HPV—is more prevalent in the South than in any other region. Further, although vaccination rates have risen since 2008, the findings underscore the need for increased physician recommendation and vaccine assistance programs.
American girl who stayed a tot dies at age 20
An American girl who was born with an extremely rare condition that kept her a toddler for life has died at the age of 20, her father told AFP Wednesday.
Babies can learn their first lullabies in the womb
An infant can recognize a lullaby heard in the womb for several months after birth, potentially supporting later speech development. This is indicated in a new study at the University of Helsinki.
Lowering the cost of health care requires lowering the cost of medical education
The costs of medical education must be reduced as part of efforts to reign in health care costs more generally, according to a Perspective published online this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. The currently high costs of medical education – which at some schools rise above $60,000 per year – are sustainable only if physician salaries remain high, which the authors, led by a physician from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, say is less likely because of efforts to reduce health care costs.
How the Internet affects young people at risk of self-harm or suicide
Oxford researchers have found internet forums provide a support network for socially isolated young people. However, they also conclude that the internet is linked to an increased risk of suicide and self-harm among vulnerable adolescents. Following what is thought to be the biggest review of existing studies into internet use and young people, the researchers suggest that in future, clinical assessments of such young people should include questions about the online content they have viewed.
New study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Performing early stem cell transplants in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma does not improve overall survival in high-risk patients, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Early HIV antiviral treatment found to be cost-effective in South Africa, India
early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected individuals with uninfected sexual partners to prevent viral transmission – appears to make economic sense, along with meeting its clinical goals of helping infected patients stay healthy and reducing transmission. A model-based analysis of data from an important clinical trial projected that early ART for such patients in both South Africa and India would be very cost-effective over the lifetime of patients. In fact, early ART in South Africa would actually save money during the first five years. The report appears in the October 31 New England Journal of Medicine.
Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors
Physicians' disclosure of errors has been studied more in the past decade than ever before, spurring rationales and guidelines for acknowledging one's own mistakes with patients. Relatively little, though, has spoken to how physicians should broach mistakes made by colleagues.
Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation, may promote diabetes
Making fat cells immortal might seem like a bad idea to most people, but for a team of University of Iowa scientists it was the ideal way to study how the interaction between bacteria and fat cells might contribute to diabetes.
Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection
Perhaps the single greatest barrier to curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS is the dormant, or "latent," reservoir of virus, which is out of reach of even the most potent medications. But now, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have uncovered new clues that may help researchers awaken HIV from its slumber—laying the foundation for purging all trace of the virus, and for one day finding a cure for the more than 34 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.
7000 years ago: One of the oldest cases of tuberculosis discovered
Tuberculosis was present in Europe as early as 7000 years ago, according to new research published October 30th in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, by Muriel Masson and colleagues at the University of Szeged.
Study quantifies effectiveness of closing live poultry markets to control spread of bird flu virus
Closure of LPMs in four cities in China in the spring of 2013 reduced the daily number of human H7N9 infections by more than 97%, according to new research published in The Lancet.
New finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing
University of Notre Dame researchers have, for the first time, identified the enzymes that are detrimental to diabetic wound healing and those that are beneficial to repair the wound.
Old drug may teach new tricks in treating infectious diseases, cancer
Meclizine, an over-the-counter drug used for decades to treat nausea and motion sickness, has the potential for new uses to treat certain infectious diseases and some forms of cancer, according to Dr. Vishal M. Gohil, Texas A&M AgriLife Research biochemist.
Too much texting can disconnect couples
Couples shouldn't let their thumbs do the talking when it comes to serious conversations, disagreements or apologies.
Halloween treats can spook kids' teeth
(HealthDay)—Halloween can have frightful effects on children's teeth if parents aren't careful, experts warn.
Study of twins shows how smoking ages the face
(HealthDay)—A study comparing the faces of identical twins confirms what many smokers fear—the habit does prematurely age a person's skin, taking a serious toll on looks even after just five years.
2013 health care quality report shows some improvements
(HealthDay)—Five key quality issues are showing some positive trends, according to the 2013 State of Health Care Quality Report published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Walking speed a good gauge of MS disability, study says
(HealthDay)—Measuring the walking speed of multiple sclerosis patients can help doctors assess progression of the disease and the severity of disability, a new study suggests.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis tied to disc degeneration
(HealthDay)—Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is associated with disc degeneration as well as facet arthrosis, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes
A discovery from Case Western Reserve and Cleveland Clinic researchers could provide epilepsy patients invaluable advance guidance about their chances to improve symptoms through surgery.
Absence of the SMG1 protein could contribute to Parkinson's and other neurological disorders
The absence of a protein called SMG1 could be a contributing factor in the development of Parkinson's disease and other related neurological disorders, according to a study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Study shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers
A pilot study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare shows that, even for patients with advanced and rapidly transforming cancer, researchers can find potential therapeutic targets using the latest advances in genomic sequencing.
Autism and language impairment genetically linked
Lorenzo Miodus-Santini an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Princeton, who was classified as autistic at only 13 months old, was never a big talker. As an infant he didn't babble or coo. When he was a toddler beginning to speak, he would learn one word but forget another.
How video gaming can be beneficial for the brain
Video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills. This has been shown in a new study conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus. The positive effects of video gaming may also prove relevant in therapeutic interventions targeting psychiatric disorders.
Have iPod, will test for drug toxicity
(Medical Xpress)—Accurate and rapid testing for drug toxicity just became easier, thanks to a half-dozen Rice University student interns working at Houston-based startup Nano3D Biosciences (n3D).
Scientists shed light on brain computations
(Medical Xpress)—University of Queensland (UQ) scientists have made a fundamental breakthrough into how the brain decodes the visual world.
Monoclonal antibodies show promise as effective HIV therapy
A research team led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has demonstrated that a group of recently discovered antibodies may be a highly effective therapy for the treatment of HIV. Published on-line today in the journal Nature, the findings encourage the development of these monoclonal antibodies as a novel therapy in humans.
Staph infections and eczema: What's the connection?
For the millions of people suffering from the intensely red, horribly itchy skin condition known as eczema, the only thing more maddening than their disease is the lack of understanding of what causes it, or makes it flare up from time to time.
Glioblastoma multiforme: Incurable brain cancer gene is silenced
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the brain cancer that killed Sen. Edward Kennedy and kills approximately 13,000 Americans a year, is aggressive and incurable. Now a Northwestern University research team is the first to demonstrate delivery of a drug that turns off a critical gene in this complex cancer, increasing survival rates significantly in animals with the deadly disease.
New SARS-like coronavirus discovered in Chinese horseshoe bats
EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization that focuses on local conservation and global health issues, announced the discovery of a new SARS-like coronavirus (CoV) in Chinese horseshoe bats.
Baby brains are tuned to the specific actions of others
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery for adults, but for babies it's their foremost tool for learning. As renowned people-watchers, babies often observe others demonstrate how to do things and then copy those body movements. It's how little ones know, usually without explicit instructions, to hold a toy phone to the ear or guide a spoon to the mouth.
Biology news
Biological activity and biotransformation of enniatins from Fusarium fungi
Mould species of the genera Fusarium and Altenaria are considered the most important threats to Norwegian grain cereals because they produce toxins which can be a potential risk to food safety.
Dry seeding examined for Wheatbelt crops
Agronomy scientists have been conducting a series of experiments to help Wheatbelt farmers climate-proof their crops.
15 Hawaii animals, plants added to endangered list
The federal government says an eyeless shrimp and 14 other Hawaii creatures and plants have been added to the endangered species list.
Wolf protection plan raises hackles in Southwest
In the small, rural community of Reserve, children waiting for the school bus gather inside wooden and mesh cages provided as protection from wolves. Parents consider the "kid cages" a reasonable precaution.
LA Zoo attempts to close Komodo dragon gender gap
The Los Angeles Zoo is trying to raise the population of female Komodo dragons, a giant and endangered lizard, by using a DNA test originally devised to identify the gender of bird eggs.
New substance effectively combats multi-resistant bacteria
In Europe alone, more than 25,000 people die each year from infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. Researchers from University of Copenhagen have now developed and characterized a substance that quickly and effectively kills the virulent bacteria. The substance employs a multifunctional mechanism that reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance. The findings have recently been published in the scientific journal Chemistry & Biology.
New species of labrisomidae fish discovered in Brazil
Researchers from Brazil have published data on a new species of fish in the Labrisomidae family on the Brazilian archipelago of Trindade and Martim Vaz in the Atlantic Ocean. It is an endemic species that can only be found in this group of islands due to how far it is from the coast.
Radical new 'Trojan Female' pest control approach shows great promise
An innovative, non-lethal approach to pest management has the potential to become a "game-changer" in providing lasting and effective control in a wide range of insect and animal pests, according to New Zealand scientists developing the technique.
Transforming ARV treatment
Professor Yasien Sayed, research leader of the HIV Proteins Research Thrust, Protein Structure-Function Research Unit in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology, has led his group to international acclaim by solving the three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of the South African HIV-1 subtype C protease.
Porpoises on European coasts maintain their populations but migrate southwards
Seven oceanographic research vessels and three light aircrafts from the SCANSII Project have recorded the abundance and distribution of small cetaceans in the waters of the European Atlantic shelf. Their results reveal that the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, also known as the common porpoise) is the most abundant on these shores and the only species that has moved further southwards to live.
Research confirms bottom-feeding behavior of humpback whales
Humpback whales are known for the complexity of their feeding techniques, which include "trapping" krill and other prey within bubble nets they produce and gulping up to two-thirds their weight in prey-laden water. Now, scientists have confirmed that humpback whales in the southern Gulf of Maine are spending more feeding time on the ocean floor than in any of these other feeding behaviors. Because entanglement in fishing gear is a major risk to humpbacks, these findings have implications on bottom-set gear like those used in lobster traps.
All the better to see you with: Snakes alter blood flow dynamics to aid vision
Much like a pair of closed eyelids a snake's eye is covered layer of skin riddled with tiny blood vessels. Although this layer is transparent Kevin van Doorn for the University of Waterloo, Canada, wondered if the blood vessels caused problems with vision. Delving deeper, van Doorn finds that during periods when clear vision may be advantageous snakes decrease the amount of time the vessels staying dilated, keeping the eye as blood-free as possible.
New experiments reveal the types of bacteria involved in human decomposition
The type of bacteria involved in human decomposition can change over time, according to new research published October 30th in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, by Aaron Lynne and colleagues at Sam Houston State University and Baylor College of Medicine.
Bright eyes: Study finds reindeers' eyes change colour with Arctic seasons
Researchers have discovered the eyes of Arctic reindeer change colour through the seasons from gold to blue, adapting to extreme changes of light levels in their environment and helping detect predators.
Study of salmon sperm success shows need for speed
(Phys.org) —When salmon spawn, males competing to fertilise eggs will win or lose based primarily on their sperm swimming speed, according to a collaborative study by researchers from the University of Otago and the University of Western Australia.
Methane-decomposing bacteria from hot springs need the valuable metals to produce energy
Rare earths are among the most precious raw materials of all. These metals are used in mobile telephones, display screens and computers. And they are apparently indispensable for some organisms as well. A team of researchers, including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, has discovered a bacterium which needs rare earths to grow - in a hot spring. Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum requires lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium or neodymium as co-factor for the enzyme methanol dehydrogenase, with which the microbes produce their energy. The use of rare earths is possibly more widespread among bacteria than previously thought.
Listen up: Oysters may use sound to select a home
Oysters begin their lives as tiny drifters, but when they mature they settle on reefs. New research from North Carolina State University shows that the sounds of the reef may attract the young oysters, helping them locate their permanent home.
The secret math of plants: Biologists uncover rules that govern leaf design
Life scientists from UCLA's College of Letters and Science have discovered fundamental rules of leaf design that underlie plants' ability to produce leaves that vary enormously in size. In their mathematical design, leaves are the "perfect machines," said Lawren Sack, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and senior author of the research.
Male guppies with the rarest colour patterns preferred by females
(Phys.org) —New research shows that the rarer a male guppy's colour pattern, the more attractive he is to females and the more offspring he will father.
Researchers use microscope equipped camera to learn how ticks pierce and adhere to skin (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers from the U.S. and Germany has succeeded in filming ticks as they pierce the skin of a mouse ear, attach themselves and then start sucking blood. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the team describes how they filmed the ticks and what they learned in analyzing the video they created.
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