Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 4, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists study 'fishy' behavior to solve an animal locomotion mystery (w/ Video)- Physicists find black holes in globular star clusters, upsetting 40 years of theory
- How to program unreliable chips
- Astronomers answer key question: How common are habitable planets?
- Diamond imperfections pave the way to technology gold
- Quantum 'sealed envelope' system enables 'perfectly secure' information storage
- Designer piercings: New membrane pores with DNA nanotechnology
- Promiscuous fruit flies fight infection by boosting immunity before sex
- Researchers develop stretchable wire-shaped supercapacitor
- Gene responsible for hereditary cancer syndrome found to disrupt critical growth-regulating pathway
- Study of internet dating suggests racial barriers can be overcome
- Study shows calm candidates perform better on tests used to screen job applicants
- Why the sagebrush grows: Ecologists explore arid plant survival
- Elusive bay cat caught on camera
- Oceanlinx celebrates wave-power unit launch in Australia
Space & Earth news
Next Space Station launch to be shown on Times Square Toshiba Vision screen
The Toshiba Vision screen in New York's Times Square will give the public a big-screen view of the next launch of three crew members to the International Space Station. Launch is scheduled for 11:14 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Image: 3C353: Giant plumes of radiation
Jets generated by supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies can transport huge amounts of energy across great distances.
Researcher extends study of human migration in isolated Aleutian islands
Seasick, cold and lugging around 3,000 pounds of equipment during her first research venture upon Alaska's Aleutian Islands 20 years ago, Dixie West nonetheless fell in love with unearthing history in the frigid, remote archipelago.
NASA sees strengthening Tropical Storm Haiyan lashing Micronesia
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Storm Haiyan on Nov. 4 and infrared data showed a large area of powerful thunderstorms affecting Micronesia. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center has forecast newborn Tropical Storm Haiyan to strengthen to a powerful typhoon before making landfall in the Philippines on Nov 8.
Kepler results usher in a new era of astronomy
Scientists from around the world are gathered this week at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., for the second Kepler Science Conference, where they will discuss the latest findings resulting from the analysis of Kepler Space Telescope data.
NASA sees Tropical Depression 30W affecting central Philippines
Tropical Depression 30W formed and moved through Visayas, Philippines. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of the depression that showed it had some potential for heavy rain while moving through the central Philippines.
Moon mission beams laser data to ESA station
(Phys.org) —ESA's ground station on the island of Tenerife has received laser signals over a distance of 400 000 km from NASA's latest Moon orbiter. The data were delivered many times faster than possible with traditional radio waves, marking a significant breakthrough in space communications.
From North Pole to the stars: Russia's thrill-seeking tycoon
Other tycoons may plough their millions into yachts or private jets, but Vasily Klyukin prefers a good "adventure". On his diary for next year? A space trip with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Image: NGC 3576: Glowing gas in the Milky Way
A region of glowing gas in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way galaxy, NGC 3576 is located about 9,000 light years from Earth.
Explainer: What are stars?
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
We'll rise or fall on the quality of our soil
Great civilisations have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded. The modern world could suffer the same fate.
Global change: Stowaways threaten fisheries in the Arctic
Just think of the warty comb jelly or sea walnut, as it is also known. It has caused tremendous damage to fisheries in the Black Sea after arriving in ballast water from its original habitat along the East coast of North America. This example should serve as a warning to everyone to take care and not to introduce new species into our waters.
NASA video shows birth and death of Tropical Storm Sonia
Tropical Storm Sonia formed on Friday, Nov. 1 from the eighteenth tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific Ocean hurricane season. Sonia became a tropical storm on Nov. 2 and by Nov. 4 made landfall in western Mexico. Sonia's brief life was captured in a NASA animation of imagery from NOAA's GOES-West satellite.
NASA saw heavy rain in Typhoon Krosa before it hit wind shear
NASA's TRMM Satellite observed heavy rainfall occurring in Typhoon Krosa before it ran into strong wind shear. On Nov. 1, Krosa was a Typhoon that was threatening Hainan Island, China and Vietnam. By Nov. 4 after moving through the South China Sea, Krosa weakened to a depression.
SPIRou: New tool may unveil inhabitable worlds
Funding for SPIRou, a spectropolarimeter and a high-precision velocimeter optimized for both the detection of habitable Earth twins orbiting around nearby red dwarf stars and the study of the formation of Sun-like stars and their planets, was confirmed today by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) observatory.
Cutting-edge detector technology for astronomical observations
Semiconductors have had a nice run, but for certain applications, such as astrophysics, they are being edged out by superconductors. Ben Mazin, assistant professor of physics at UC Santa Barbara, has developed a superconducting detector array that measures the energy of individual photons. The design and construction of an instrument based on these arrays, as well as an analysis of its commissioning data, appear in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
Countdown to Mars: Indian mission prepares for blastoff
India's launches its first mission to Mars on Tuesday, aiming to become the only Asian nation to reach the Red Planet with a programme designed to showcase its low-cost space technology.
Crashing rockets could lead to novel sample-return technology (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) —During spring break the last five years, a University of Washington class has headed to the Nevada desert to launch rockets and learn more about the science and engineering involved. Sometimes, the launch would fail and a rocket smacked hard into the ground.
India vies for elite role in space with Mars trip
India is aiming to join the world's deep-space pioneers with a journey to Mars that it hopes will showcase its technological ability to explore the solar system while seeking solutions for everyday problems on Earth.
Tilted suns
(Phys.org) —The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.4 degrees to its orbital motion around the Sun (more precisely, its spin axis has a tilt of 23.4 degrees with respect to the axis of its orbit). This tilt, which causes our seasonal variations, was likely the result of a cataclysmic impact that occurred about 4.5 billion years ago between the Earth and another large body which probably also resulted in the formation of the moon. Such a large tilt is thought in general to result from a strong interaction between objects like the collision that formed the moon. Stars also spin, and their spin axes can also be tilted with respect to the orbits of their planets. In the case of our Sun, which spins roughly once every twenty-five days, its tilt is only 7.25 degrees, and so we never get a very good look at its north or south poles. Astronomers infer therefore that the Sun never had a traumatic encounter with another star (at least not since its planetary system formed, and a! t least not with a sudden collision).
A crater as an abode for life
A new study shows how the heat generated from an asteroid impact could lead to a crater becoming a refuge for life, or even a potential birthplace for life's origin.
The sounds of interstellar space
Scifi movies are sometimes criticized when explosions in the void make noise. As the old saying goes, "in space, no one can hear you scream." Without air there is no sound.
The nitrogen puzzle in the oceans: Nitrogen isotope effects by anammox deciphered
A team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, the University of Basel, and Radboud University Nijmegen has now revealed the details of an important microbial process regulating the global nitrogen budget in the oceans. They present their results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Gas injection probably triggered small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas
A new study correlates a series of small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas between 2006 and 2011 with the underground injection of large volumes of gas, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2)—a finding that is relevant to the process of capturing and storing CO2 underground.
Physicists find black holes in globular star clusters, upsetting 40 years of theory
(Phys.org)—A Texas Tech University astrophysicist was part of a team of researchers that discovered the first examples of black holes in globular star clusters in our own galaxy, upsetting 40 years of theories against their possible existence.
Astronomers answer key question: How common are habitable planets?
UC Berkeley and University of Hawaii astronomers analyzed all four years of Kepler data in search of Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of sun-like stars, and then rigorously tested how many planets they may have missed. Based on this analysis, they estimate that 22 percent of stars like the sun have potentially habitable Earth-size planets, though not all may be rocky or have liquid water, a presumed prerequisite for life.
Technology news
A look at recent tech sector IPOs
Here is a look at notable tech companies that have conducted initial public offerings over the past two years ahead of Twitter's IPO:
Much of rural India still waits for electricity
Americans turn on lights, plug in coffeemakers, and charge cellphones without a thought to the electricity required. But in parts of India, many households still lack electrical power, despite the nation's intention more than six decades ago to bring electricity to all its citizens.
Developing a cheaper, alternative solar cell for Europe
With climate change threatening and worldwide CO2 emission levels higher than ever, the need for renewable energy technologies is now critical. But for widespread market acceptance, these new technologies have to be cheap, suitable for mass production and easy to implement.
Combination of three propulsion technologies brings maritime fuel savings
According to the TRIPOD research project coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland lower fuel consumption and emissions are expected for an innovative propulsion system to be used as a promising alternative to conventional propellers. Annual fuel savings for a single cargo ship above half million euros are foreseen. The research examined the benefits derived from combining the RudderPod propulsion units developed by ABB-Finland with the contracted loaded tip propellers (CLT) developed by the Spanish company Sistemar and with contra-rotating propellers (CRP).
NPL leads research project to help deliver 10x faster computer processing speeds
A new international research collaboration announced today will deliver highly accurate measurements of strain in materials at the nano-scale to drive innovation in next generation electronic devices. The European Metrology Research Programme's Nanostrain project brings together public institutions from across Europe supported by global industry leaders including IBM. A particular focus for the consortium is a class of materials (piezoelectrics) that change their shape in response to electric voltages. The project aims to advance commercial opportunities arising from controlled strain in nano-scale piezoelectrics including the development of the first Piezoelectric-Effect-Transistor (PET), a new digital switch with the potential to offer increased speed, reduced micro-chip size and lower power consumption.
'Virtual' Filipina girl identifies 1,000 webcam sex tourists
A Dutch rights group said Monday it had identified over 1,000 paedophiles around the world by offering online sex with a computer-generated 10-year-old Filipina girl called Sweetie.
High court declines review of Facebook settlement
The Supreme Court has left in place the settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Facebook over a marketing program that broadcast users' purchasing and shopping habits to their friends.
Katy Perry the new queen of Twitter
Pop star Katy Perry has overtaken Justin Bieber as the most followed person on Twitter.
Apple CEO backs workplace protection bill for gays
Apple chief executive Tim Cook joined the White House on Monday in backing a bill to ban workplace discrimination against gay and transgender employees.
Amazon original series to air mostly week-by-week
Amazon is releasing its first two original series, but not all at once.
Google boss calls for 'freedom of speech' in China
Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt called on China to open up Internet access and voiced concern at its latest crackdown on online freedoms in an interview in Hong Kong Monday.
'Anonymous Indonesia' hacks Australia sites over spying
Activist group Anonymous Indonesia on Monday claimed it had defaced more than 170 Australian websites to protest at reports of Canberra spying on its nearest neighbour and strategic ally.
Metamorphosing beast center-stage in Sony game
Knack was created to be the perfect beast to show off the spectacularly vamped up visual powers of the PlayStation 4 game console. The hero of the game, which is also called "Knack," is made up of 5,000 parts that cluster together and hang in the air to shape its ever-metamorphosing form.
A brief history of Twitter—in tweets
Billions of messages are fired off each week via Twitter, many of which capture defining moments in history, or in the evolution of the San Francisco-based firm.
'Call of Duty' videogame sequel eagerly awaited
A keenly-awaited sequel to the blockbuster "Call of Duty" videogame franchise is expected to rally armies of zealous players and rack up dizzying sales when it is unleashed on Tuesday.
Computer model anticipates crime hot spots
(Phys.org) —A unique collaboration between a University of California, Riverside sociologist and the Indio Police Department has produced a computer model that predicts, by census block group, where burglaries are likely to occur.
Google boss says US data spying is "outrageous"
Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt said reports that the US government spied on the Internet giant's data centres were "outrageous" and potentially illegal if proved true, in an interview Monday.
Google invests $608 million in Finnish data center (Update)
Google is investing 450 million euros ($608 million) to expand a data center in southern Finland as part of Europe-wide development plans totaling hundreds of millions of euros.
Tesco petrol stations to scan customers' faces
Britain's biggest retailer Tesco is to install screens at its petrol stations that scan customers' faces so that advertising can be tailored to their age and gender.
Twitter opts for NYSE, not the tech-friendly Nasdaq
Twitter has chosen to trade on the New York Stock Exchange, shunning the rival Nasdaq market which is home to some of the biggest names in the tech sector.
Twitter hikes IPO share price range (Update 2)
Twitter boosted its public stock offering to as much as $2 billion Monday, suggesting strong demand for its shares and a higher overall value for the one-to-many messaging platform.
Microsoft enters 20-year deal for Texas wind power
Microsoft Corp. has reached a 20-year deal to directly buy wind energy from a turbine farm being built in Texas.
Singapore boosts cyber defences after 'Anonymous' threat
The Singapore government said Monday it was on "heightened vigilance" following threats from the activist hackers' group Anonymous, but denied that any of its websites had already been compromised.
N.Korea developing electromagnetic pulse weapons: S.Korea
South Korea's spy agency said Monday that North Korea was using Russian technology to develop electromagnetic pulse weapons aimed at paralysing military electronic equipment south of the border.
Speedy analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete
Concrete is the world's most popular building material: We use it to bridge rivers and valleys, build walls and line tunnels. The most common form of concrete is steel reinforced – a principle that will be familiar to anyone who has ever taken a closer look at a building site. Long steel rods, also called rebars, are bent into a dense framework, known as the reinforcement, which is then filled with concrete. But building with steel-reinforced concrete is time consuming. It can take days or even weeks before the reinforcement for large buildings is fully assembled, the rebars bound together, and everything is ready for the concrete pour.
Intelligent training with a fitness shirt and an E-bike
Fabric manufacturers are experiencing a revolution: If clothing previously offered protection against the cold, rain, and snow, the trend now is toward intelligent, proactive, high-tech textiles like self-cleaning jackets, gloves that recognize toxins, and ski anoraks with integrated navigational devices to make life easier for those wearing them. Most clever clothing is only at the prototype stage. It is by no means off-the-rack yet. Soon the FitnessSHIRT from the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, Germany, will be ready for the mass market. It continuously measures physiological signals such as breathing, pulse, and changes in heart rate – metrics of adaptability and stress load. The intelligent sports shirt is expected to be available sometime in the next year, as an investor is already onboard.
More secure app store for Android
Apps. Everyone has them and everyone uses them. These small computer programs installed on our smartphones and tablet computers make work and play easier. With just the tip of a finger on the square icons, we know where and when the next rain clouds are expected, we can book train tickets while traveling, start gaming while mobile, or listen to our favorite music. For most of us, these little mobile helpers have become indispensible. A total of almost two million of them are already available today on the platforms of the two largest providers, Apple and Google. And the trend is rising.
Solar cells utilize thermal radiation
Thermal radiation from the sun is largely lost on most silicon solar cells. Up-converters transform the infrared radiation into usable light, however. Researchers have now for the first time successfully adapted this effect for use in generating power.
AP-CNBC poll: Twitter faces skeptical investors
Twitter faces skepticism from potential investors and the broader public ahead of its initial public offering, according to an Associated Press-CNBC poll released Monday.
UAE says online photos require subject's consent
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are warning social media users that photos of individuals posted online without their consent could lead to jail.
New computing model could lead to quicker advancements in medical research
With the promise of personalized and customized medicine, one extremely important tool for its success is the knowledge of a person's unique genetic profile.
Twitter key source for 'mobile' news, survey finds
Twitter is finding a niche among younger US adults who monitor the messaging service for news on mobile devices, a survey showed Monday.
Limo firm hacked; politician, celeb data breached
An Internet security firm says a limousine software company has been hacked, exposing credit card numbers and potentially embarrassing details about close to 1 million customers, including politicians, star athletes and corporate executives.
Study suggests repetition of rare events could reduce screening mistakes by security
The failure to detect infrequent, but obvious security threats at airport screenings and other checkpoints may have less to do with incompetence or poor training than a human tendency to overlook rare events. But a Carnegie Mellon University researcher suggests guards could improve their detection rates the same way adults learn vocabulary words—through repetition.
BlackBerry to focus on software—not devices
Those few BlackBerry lovers left could be in for some bad news.
Countering click spam: Researchers test new algorithm to detect, combat fraudulent clicks online
(Phys.org) —When is a click not a click? When an advertising network registers a click on one of their online advertisements, how can it be sure that a single consumer – a "pair of eyeballs" in Madison Avenue jargon – and not a malware computer program, is behind that one click? Or that the viewer's click was intentional, not induced by deceptive or misleading advertising?
BlackBerry abandons bid to sell itself, CEO out (Update)
BlackBerry abandoned its bid to sell itself on Monday, and announced it will replace its chief executive.
Oceanlinx celebrates wave-power unit launch in Australia
(Phys.org) —Oceans carry enough potential energy to make a difference. The devil is in the details. Finding a way to harness all that power had prevented wave power from being seen as a practical solution but now technologists are advancing with promising potential. Oceanlinx, a wave energy developer in Australia, has set out to harness the ocean waves in the belief that their enormous quantities of energy can be transformed into a real solution. The concept involves the use of waves to produce high pressure air, which in turn is converted into electricity by a turbine. Australia is said to have among the best wave energy resources in the world. Last month, Oceanlinx reached a milestone with the launch of the first 1MW wave-energy-to-electricity unit in Port MacDonnell, South Australia. The unit's rated capacity of 1MW can supply approximately 1,000 homes with their required electricity consumption. This machine is the first commercial-scale unit to be launched; the O! ceanlinx team celebrated in Adelaide, South Australia, with guests invited to walk around the "greenWAVE" for a firsthand view. The machine is to undergo more testing. The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's (ARENA) Emerging Renewables Program, with $4.4 million funding.
How to program unreliable chips
As transistors get smaller, they also become less reliable. So far, computer-chip designers have been able to work around that problem, but in the future, it could mean that computers stop improving at the rate we've come to expect.
Medicine & Health news
Doctors complicit in torture at CIA, military prisons: study
Doctors and nurses tasked with monitoring the health of terror suspects were complicit in abuses committed at prisons run by the Pentagon and the CIA, an independent report said Monday.
Oh, the horror! Experts explain attraction, meaning of the beckoning genre
Boo! These days you can't turn on the television without a zombie, a witch, or a vampire flashing or—in the case of the zombies—moving at a steady, 18-minute-mile pace across the screen.
Assisted reproduction and family development: The new parents study
Alice Winstanley and Kate Ellis-Davies, are researchers in the Applied Developmental Psychology Research Group working on The New Parents Study, a ground-breaking international project lead by Professor Michael Lamb and Professor Susan Golombok into the experiences of parents who have used assisted reproduction technologies, and the development of their children.
AAO-HNSF clinical practice guideline: Bell's palsy
A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline to improve the accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment of Bell's palsy was published Monday in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. The guideline is intended for clinicians in any setting who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with Bell's palsy, the most common single nerve disorder, usually associated with facial paralysis.
Lower HPV vaccination rates putting girls from ethnic minorities at risk of cancer
Girls from some ethnic minorities are less likely to be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer, according to new research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) annual Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
New hope for dialysis patients as 'immune-fingerprints' discovered
University scientists who are committed to developing improved treatments for patients with chronic kidney disease have discovered a novel way of significantly accelerating the detection of bacterial infection using the patient's own immune system.
Bird flu kills 12th person in Cambodia this year
A 2-year-old girl has become the 12th person to die of bird flu in Cambodia this year, authorities said Monday.
Cancer trends tell tale of insufficient prevention
Australians are now developing cancer at slightly higher rates but dying of the disease less often, according to University of Sydney research published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
California receives 'A' grade on Preterm Birth Report Card
California has improved its grade on the March of Dimes 2013 Premature Birth report card, moving from a 'B' grade in 2012 to an 'A' grade in 2013.
Canadian researchers discover how to measure quality of life for rare blood condition
A CHEO-led multi-site North American study, headed by Dr. Robert Klaassen, lead investigator at CHEO and associate professor in the University of Ottawa's Department of Pediatrics, has confirmed the validity and reliability of a quality of life measurement tool for children and adults with thalassemia major. The tool was created between 2006 and 2009 through the combined efforts of CHEO, the Hospital for SickKids and Laurentian University.
Studies show wide support for school-based health centers
Two new studies show that parents and students have highly positive views of school-based health centers (SBHCs) and suggest that they can serve as the `medical home' for an often low-income, at-risk population.
Researchers warn of the 'myths' of global medical tourism
A team of British researchers, led by the University of York, is warning governments and healthcare decision makers across the globe to be wary of the myths and hype surrounding medical tourism.
Syria government vows to vaccinate all children
A senior Syrian official vowed Monday that authorities would vaccinate the country's children against polio after 10 cases emerged in the northeast, saying the government would work with international organizations to ensure even rebel-held areas were reached.
Nestle to speed up salt reductions in food brands
The world's biggest food and drink company is pledging to speed up making hundreds of products with less salt to honor new U.N. dietary guidelines.
Study provides snapshot of Perth happiness
New research findings from Murdoch University are providing a glimpse into how the people in Perth are feeling about their lives.
Breast cancer: Combining imaging techniques for quicker and gentler biopsies
How can you tell if a breast tumor is malignant? This isn't a question that ultrasound and X-rays, or even magnetic resonance scans, can answer alone. Doctors must often extract tissue samples from an affected area with a fine needle for detailed examination. This sort of biopsy is often undertaken with the help of ultrasound, with doctors observing a screen for needle guidance. Unfortunately, around 30 percent of all tumors are invisible to ultrasound. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to ensure correct needle insertion. This process involves two steps: the imaging itself, which takes place inside the MRI scanner, and the insertion of the biopsy needle, for which the patient must be removed from the machine to insert the needle accurately. This process is often repeated several times before the sample is finally taken. This ex-hausts patients and is also costly, because the procedure occupies the MRI scanner for a significant period.
Antidepressant drug induces a juvenile-like state in neurons of the prefrontal cortex
For long, brain development and maturation has been thought to be a one-way process, in which plasticity diminishes with age. The possibility that the adult brain can revert to a younger state and regain plasticity has not been considered, often. In a paper appearing on November 4 in the online open-access journal Molecular Brain, Dr. Tsuyoshi Miyakawa and his colleagues from Fujita Health University show that chronic administration of one of the most widely used antidepressants fluoxetine (FLX, which is also known by trade names like Prozac, Sarafem, and Fontex and is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) can induce a juvenile-like state in specific types of neurons in the prefrontal cortex of adult mice.
J&J to pay $2.2B to settle marketing allegations (Update)
Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries have agreed to pay over $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil allegations that the company promoted powerful psychiatric drugs for unapproved uses in children, seniors and disabled patients, the Department of Justice announced on Monday.
Community health centers integrate mental and medical services to address care gap
In recent years, there has been growing recognition that mental health status impacts physical health and vice versa. As a result, there is growing interest in the coordination of medical and behavioral health services as part of patient-centered primary health care. A new analysis by a team led by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) examines factors affecting the integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment services with medical care at community health centers.
Learning and memory: How neurons activate PP1
A study in The Journal of Cell Biology describes how neurons activate the protein PP1, providing key insights into the biology of learning and memory.
New strep throat risk score brings patient data and big data together to potentially reduce unnecess
A new risk measure called a "home score" could save a patient with symptoms of strep throat a trip to the doctor, according to a new paper in the Annals of Internal Medicine, conducted by Andrew Fine, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Mandl, MD, MPH, of Boston Children's Hospital. The score combines patients' symptoms and demographic information with data on local strep throat activity to estimate their strep risk, empowering them to seek care appropriately.
Brain tumor removal through a hole smaller than a dime
More than two decades ago, Ryan Vincent had open brain surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor, resulting in a lengthy hospital stay and weeks of recovery at home. Recently, neurosurgeons at Houston Methodist Hospital removed a different lesion from Vincent's brain through a tube inserted into a hole smaller than a dime and he went home the next day.
Earlier onset of puberty in girls linked to obesity
New research in Pediatrics shows obesity is the largest predictor of earlier onset puberty in girls, which is affecting white girls much sooner than previously reported.
Teens in child welfare system show higher drug abuse rate
Teenagers in the child welfare system are at higher-than-average risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants and other drugs, according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
One dose of HPV vaccine may be enough to prevent cervical cancer
Women vaccinated with one dose of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had antibodies against the viruses that remained stable in their blood for four years, suggesting that a single dose of vaccine may be sufficient to generate long-term immune responses and protection against new HPV infections, and ultimately cervical cancer, according to a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Kids who sleep more, may eat less, new study finds
It seems everyone is looking for a culprit when it comes to childhood obesity: fast food, sugary drinks, super-sized everything. But it turns out part of the blame may lie with the simple matter of turning out the lights and rolling into bed.
Malaysia warns on dengue as deaths spike
A Malaysian health official on Monday warned citizens to take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding spots as dengue fever cases have spiked.
AAP reaffirms support for condom use in adolescents
(HealthDay)—The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports the use of condoms as an effective method of contraception in adolescents, according to a policy statement published online Oct. 28 in Pediatrics.
FTO linked to BMI, BMI-for-age Z score in children
(HealthDay)—For children from the Brazilian Amazon, FTO rs9939609 allele is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and BMI-for-age Z scores, with the effect significantly modified by vitamin D status, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in Diabetes.
When depression and anxiety loom
Everyone feels down in the dumps occasionally, or anxious and nervous about the challenges, real or perceived, that loom in front of them.
Routine smear test in women under 25 would cause more harm than good
A Cancer Research UK study shows that the potential benefits of a national cervical cancer screening programme for women under the age of 25 are outweighed by the harms, according to research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference in Liverpool today.
Blood test reveals skin cancer spread
A simple blood test could be used to identify patients whose melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – has started to spread to other parts of the body, according to research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
Researchers find unexpected genetic mosaic in the brain
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at the University of Virginia and elsewhere have discovered that nerve cells in the brain are unexpectedly varied in their genetic makeup, a surprising finding that may help explain schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, autism and other such conditions thought to be genetically linked but not yet tied to a single gene.
Common biology shared in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
(Medical Xpress)—Patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share similar cognitive and brain abnormalities, three new multi-site studies show. The findings, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, add to growing literature that the two disorders share a common biology.
Natural disasters take an emotional toll on kids
Children caught up in the emotional aftermath of the NSW bushfires need ongoing support to help them understand their feelings are natural and normal, according to a University of Queensland clinical psychologist.
Talent is unfair, and genes can't be used to change that
Talent is unfair. One can quibble about what it actually is. But there is little doubt that it is something that emerges not just from the genes but also from their interaction with the environment. Different people are born with different aptitudes for different things. Some of these aptitudes help a life go well. So through no fault of their own, some people will have less chance of a good life.
Pharma giant Roche does deal to develop superbug killer
Pharmaceuticals giant Roche said on Monday that it had joined forces with fellow Swiss company Polyphor to develop an antibiotic to fight a superbug that has taken hold in hospitals.
Stem cells linked to cognitive gain after brain injury in preclinical study
A stem cell therapy previously shown to reduce inflammation in the critical time window after traumatic brain injury also promotes lasting cognitive improvement, according to preclinical research led by Charles Cox, M.D., at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School.
Scientists discover new genetic mutation linked to eczema
Scientists collaborating on an international research project led by Trinity College Dublin and the University of Dundee have identified a new genetic mutation linked to the development of a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis (AD).
Special camera detects tumors
Tumor removal surgeries pose a great challenge even to skillful and experienced surgeons. For one thing, tumor margins are blending into healthy tissue and are difficult to differentiate. For another, distributed domains of cancer and pre-malignancies are difficult to recognize. Up to now, doctors depended exclusively upon their trained eyes when excising pieces of tumors. In the future, a new special camera system can help visualize during operation even the smallest malignant pieces of tumor and thereby support the surgeons during complicated interventions.
Is clinicians' decision making affected by 'precious baby' phenomenon?
Parents who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are likely to receive different medical advice in relation to prenatal testing than those who conceive naturally, academics have suggested.
Why tumor cells go on dangerous tours
Tumors become highly malignant when they acquire the ability to colonize other tissues and form metastases. Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have identified a factor that promotes metastasis of colon tumors – and presents a possible target for therapy.
Transmitting stress response patterns across generations
Children of survivors of extremely stressful life events face adjustment challenges of their own, as has been most carefully studied among the children of Nazi Death Camp survivors. This "intergenerational" transmission of stress response has been studied predominately from the psychological perspective. However, recent research points to biological contributions as well.
Back pain the norm for young Perth rowers
Rowers as young as 14 in WA high schools are developing chronic lower back pain because of poor posture and technique that puts too much strain on their back, research suggests.
Little difference found between self-reported and measured weights following bariatric surgery
In an analysis that included nearly 1,000 patients, self-reported weights following bariatric surgery were close to measured weights, suggesting that self-reported weights used in studies are accurate enough to be used when measured weights are not available, according to a Research Letter published online by JAMA.
No major complications in most teens undergoing weight-loss bariatric surgery
Most severely obese teenagers who underwent bariatric weight-loss surgery (WLS) experienced no major complications, according to a study published by JAMA Pediatrics.
Improved sexual functioning, hormones after weight-loss bariatric surgery
Women who underwent bariatric surgery experienced better sexual functioning, improvement in reproductive hormones, and better health-related and weight-related quality of life, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Surgery.
Sexual function dramatically improves in women following bariatric surgery, study finds
The first study to look extensively at sexual function in women who underwent bariatric surgery found that significant improvements in overall sexual function, most reproductive hormones and in psychological status were maintained over two years following surgery. Women reporting the poorest quality of sexual function prior to surgery saw the most dramatic improvements one year after surgery, on par with women who reported the highest quality of sexual function prior to surgery. The new report by researchers with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania appears in the November 4 edition of JAMA Surgery.
Substantial weight loss for severely obese individuals three years after bariatric surgery
In 3-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, substantial weight loss was observed among individuals who were severely obese, with most of the change occurring during the first year; however, there was variability in the amount of weight loss, as well as in diabetes, blood pressure, and lipid outcomes, according to a study published online by JAMA.
Ibuprofen no good in treating colds or sore throats
Questions have been raised about the advice given to patients with a cold and sore throat, in research published in the British Medical Journal.
Study looks at safety, effectiveness of generics for treating depression
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are studying the quality, effectiveness and safety of generic drugs used to treat depression.
Foreign-educated health workers play vital role in US health system
Foreign-educated and foreign-born health professionals play a vital role in the U.S. health care workforce, but strategic shifts such as changes in immigration laws may be needed to stabilize the nation's health workforce, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Eating disorders more common in males than realized
Parents and doctors assume eating disorders very rarely affect males. However, a study of 5,527 teenage males from across the U.S., published Nov.4 in JAMA Pediatrics, challenges this belief. Boston Children's Hospital researchers found 17.9 percent of adolescent boys were extremely concerned about their weight and physique. These boys were more likely to start engaging in risky behaviors, including drug use and frequent binge drinking.
Team offers solutions to looming health-care provider shortage
Thanks to a wave of aging baby boomers, epidemics of diabetes and obesity, and the Affordable Care Act, which aims to bring health care coverage to millions more Americans, the United States faces a severe shortage of primary health care providers.
Clinical trial indicates gabapentin is safe and effective for treating alcohol dependence
The generic drug gabapentin, which is already widely prescribed for epilepsy and some kinds of pain, appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The finding comes from a 150-patient randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial conducted by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI).
20 percent of nation's GME funds go to New York while 29 states get less than one percent, study says
New York state received 20 percent of all Medicare's graduate medical education (GME) funding while 29 states, including places struggling with a severe shortage of physicians, got less than 1 percent, according to a report published today by researchers at the George Washington (GW) University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS).
Solving the pediatric obesity problem in rural communities
Using telemedicine to unite clinicians and provide health education for them—and by extension, their patients —is an effective way to manage childhood obesity in remote areas. For these communities, which often have limited access to pediatric subspecialists, having a HEALTH-COP can make all the difference.
Physician shortage could be cut by new primary care models, study finds
Much of the shortage of primary care physicians expected over the next decade could be eliminated if the nation increases use of new models of medical care that expand the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
New test may predict severe high blood pressure during pregnancy
A new test that checks the level of a placental protein could help doctors determine if a woman will develop a severe form of high blood pressure during pregnancy, according to a study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Electronic and Internet health tools may decrease in-person physician visits
Will the growing use of health information technology (IT) and electronic-health (e-health) applications impact the future demand for physicians? Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and The Commonwealth Fund think so. Based on their analysis of recent trends in digital health care and a review of the scientific literature, the authors conclude that patients' future use of physician services will change dramatically as electronic health records and consumer e-health "apps" proliferate. The findings appear in the November issue of the journal Health Affairs.
Women and African-Americans at higher risk of heart attack from atrial fibrillation
Doctors have known for years that atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heartbeat, increases the risk for stroke, but now researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have shown that it also increases the risk for heart attack. In fact, for women and African Americans, it more than doubles the risk.
Tylenol and alcohol a bad mix, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Combining Tylenol and even light consumption of alcohol can more than double someone's risk of kidney disease, researchers say.
Family planning program for teens with diabetes effective
(HealthDay)—A self-administered preconception counseling program on family planning for teenage girls with diabetes is associated with greater knowledge and a willingness to discuss reproductive health with health care providers and may reduce sexual activity, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in Diabetes Care.
Gaps in smoke-free workplace laws may leave many exposed
(HealthDay)—State laws have reduced the overall rates of secondhand-smoke exposure for many workers, but people in certain occupations are still vulnerable, according to a new study.
Don't ask, just tell parents when it's time for vaccines: study
(HealthDay)— The way a doctor talks about vaccines can make a difference in whether or not parents resist shots for their child, new research suggests.
Hospital costs from gun injuries topped $16B over 9 years
(HealthDay)—Gunshot injuries in the United States resulted in more than $16 billion in hospital care costs between 2000 and 2008, according to a new study.
A better way to track your every move
Physical activity tracking apps on smartphones are a potentially important tool for doctors who want to collect data and create treatment or intervention plans to improve the health of patients who struggle with activity and movement—such as those with Parkinson's disease.
Wives matter more when it comes to calming down marital conflicts
Marriage can be a battlefield. But a new study conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that, when it comes to keeping the peace, it's more important for wives – than for husbands – to calm down after a heated argument.
Anti-aging strategies can improve more than looks
For many men and women older than 30, the fun of birthdays fades with aging, but experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offer advice on how to slow aging and boost self-esteem.
Researchers find way to reduce unnecessary lab tests, decrease patient costs by modifying software
When patients undergo diagnostic lab tests as part of the inpatient admission process, they may wonder why or how physicians choose particular tests. Increasingly, medical professionals are using electronic medical systems that provide lists of lab tests from which medical professionals can choose. Now, a University of Missouri researcher and her colleagues have studied how to modify these lists to ensure health professionals order relevant tests and omit unnecessary lab tests, which could result in better care and reduced costs for patients.
Hot-air balloon rides—researchers advise, proceed with caution
Recent data show that helicopter and fixed-wing commercial air tour operations in the U.S. have high crash rates compared with similar commercial aviation operations, and crash rates increase with less regulated standards of operation. The findings raise concerns about the public health impact of less-regulated commercial air tour operations, such as paid hot-air balloon rides.
'Smarter' blood pressure guidelines could prevent many more heart attacks and strokes
A new way of using blood pressure-lowering medications could prevent more than a fourth of heart attacks and strokes – up to 180,000 a year – while using less medication overall, according to new research from the University of Michigan Health System and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
Health woes in US teens seeking obesity surgery
U.S. teens seeking weight-loss surgery have a startling number of health problems that used to be seen only in adults, according to a major government-funded study.
Researchers discover new path to address genetic muscular diseases
(Medical Xpress)—For decades, scientists have searched for treatments for myopathies – genetic muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Now, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from ASU, Stanford and University of Arizona has discovered a new avenue to search for treatment possibilities.
Understanding who is most susceptible to West Nile virus
(Medical Xpress)—A Yale study has uncovered a key genetic mechanism that may determine a person's susceptibility to the ravages of West Nile virus. The study appears in the Advance Online Publication of Nature Immunology.
Immune turbocharger: In mice, bone-loss drugs boosted the power of vaccines
(Medical Xpress)—Could a drug commonly prescribed to prevent bone loss boost the power of vaccines?
Researchers gain new insights into brain neuronal networks
A paper published in a special edition of the journal Science proposes a novel understanding of brain architecture using a network representation of connections within the primate cortex. Zoltán Toroczkai, professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Network Science and Applications, is a co-author of the paper "Cortical High-Density Counterstream Architectures."
Two research groups find link between gene mutation and resistance to estrogen cancer therapy
(Medical Xpress)—Two teams of researchers, both made up of members from a wide variety of research institutions in the U.S. have independently come up with the same findings: a gene mutation in ESR1 (a gene that encodes estrogen receptors [ERs]) may be linked to resistance to estrogen therapies given to women to treat breast cancer. In their papers, both published in the journal Nature Genetics, the two teams describe their research and findings and how what they've found might help lead to new ways to treat breast cancer in the near future.
Scientists map structure of key complex in the immune system
Leicester scientists have mapped the "bouquet-like" structure of a key part of the body's immune system responsible for neutralising bacteria and viruses.
Gene responsible for hereditary cancer syndrome found to disrupt critical growth-regulating pathway
Whitehead Institute scientists report that the gene mutated in the rare hereditary disorder known as Birt-Hogg-Dubé cancer syndrome also prevents activation of mTORC1, a critical nutrient-sensing and growth-regulating cellular pathway.
Imaging studies may predict tumor response to anti-angiogenic drugs
Advanced imaging techniques may be able to distinguish which patients' tumors will respond to treatment with anti-angiogenic drugs and which will not. In patients newly diagnosed with the dangerous brain tumor glioblastoma, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers report, those for whom treatment with the anti-angiogenic drug cediranib rapidly 'normalized' abnormal blood vessels around their tumors and increased blood flow within tumors survived significantly longer than did patients in whom cediranib did not increase blood flow. The report appears in PNAS Early Edition.
Brain aging is conclusively linked to genes
For the first time in a large study sample, the decline in brain function in normal aging is conclusively shown to be influenced by genes, say researchers from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio and Yale University.
Biology news
UC Riverside entomologist seeks grasshoppers
An entomologist at the University of California, Riverside is seeking grasshoppers of the type commonly found in Riverside for a research study. Called Schistocerca nitens, these grasshoppers are often found on trees and shrubs.
Omics future on personalized medicine, computer breeding and open platform
As one of the most influential and fruitful annual conference in "Omics", the 8th International Conference on Genomics (ICG-8) was successfully concluded on November 1st with numerous updates provided on on-going research applying today's accurate and affordable technologies to advancing human health and agricultural breeding. The three-day conference, co-organized by BGI and GigaScience Journal, also provided an excellent platform for deeply discussing the challenges and opportunities brought by the continuing explosion of big data.
Next-generation global e-infrastructure for taxon names registry
The latest issue of ZooKeys - no. 346 - has been automatically registered in ZooBank on its day of publication last Friday. This marks the successful deployment of an automated registration-to-publication pipeline for taxonomic names for animals. The innovative workflow was jointly funded by the EU FP7 funded project pro-iBiosphere and a U.S. National Science Foundation project to develop the Global Names Architecture (DBI-1062441).
Most Americans pay little attention to genetically modified foods, survey says
A national survey shows that most Americans pay little attention to the debate over genetically modified foods, despite extensive media coverage of the issue.
Research discovers new 'type specimen' for the Asian elephant
Findings from a scientific historian at the University of Lincoln have helped experts at the Natural History Museum to designate an animal painted by Rembrandt as the new 'type specimen' for the Asian elephant species.
Assessing noise impact of offshore wind farm construction may help protect marine mammals
Growth in offshore wind generation is expected to play a major role in meeting carbon reduction targets around the world, but the impact of construction noise on marine species is yet unknown. A group of scientists from the United Kingdom and the United States have developed a method to assess the potential impacts of offshore wind farm construction on marine mammal populations, particularly the noise made while driving piles into the seabed to install wind turbine foundations. Their work is published in the November issue of Environmental Impact Assessment Review.
Riboswitches in action: Investigating a mechanism that switches genes on and off
A cell is a complex environment in which substances (metabolites) must maintain a correct state of equilibrium, which may vary depending on specific needs. Cells can maintain the proper concentrations of metabolites by regulating gene protein encoding through specific "switches", called riboswitches, which are able to block or activate protein synthesis. The precise mechanism by which these short strands of RNA carry out this function is still poorly understood. However, a study conducted by SISSA scientists Giovanni Bussi, Francesco Colizzi and Francesco De Palma and published in the journal RNA, now provides some important insights.
US zoo using beagle to detect bear pregnancies
Zoos around the U.S. will soon find out whether a beagle named Elvis can let them know when their polar bears are pregnant.
Tigers may still come roaring back
Although tigers have been threatened with near extinction for decades and some extinction narratives in the 1990s predicted they'd disappear by 2000, they might actually be making a comeback.
Dolphin genetic study provides revelations
The old saying goes: "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, the same could be said about bottlenose dolphins.
Genetic study proves Israel's wild boars originated in Europe
Wild boars look more or less the same in Israel as they do anywhere else: stalky and hairy with big heads, long snouts, and beady eyes. So scientists had no reason to suspect Israeli wild boars were any different than their brothers and sisters roaming the Middle East, from Egypt to Iran.
Crafting a better enzyme cocktail to turn plants into fuel faster
Scientists looking to create a potent blend of enzymes to transform materials like corn stalks and wood chips into fuels have developed a test that should turbocharge their efforts.
Life, but not as we know it
A rudimentary form of life that is found in some of the harshest environments on earth is able to sidestep normal replication processes and reproduce by the back door, researchers at The University of Nottingham have found.
Researchers explore natural solution to rid household plumbing of dangerous pathogens
(Phys.org) —Microbes are everywhere – thousands of species are in your mouth, and thousands are in a glass of tap water. The ones in your mouth are mostly harmless – as long as you brush and floss so they don't form a biofilm that allows gum disease a path into the blood stream.
Promiscuous fruit flies fight infection by boosting immunity before sex
(Phys.org) —Female fruit flies regulate their genes before having sex to help them fight off sexually transmitted infections (STIs), researchers from our Department of Biology & Biochemistry have revealed.
Elusive bay cat caught on camera
The world's least known cat has been caught on camera in a previously unsurveyed rainforest by scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Imperial College London.
Why the sagebrush grows: Ecologists explore arid plant survival
(Phys.org) —Ecologists are another step closer to understanding a natural phenomenon that enables desert plants to access water and nutrients they desperately need – even in the driest circumstances.
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