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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 19, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Ancient Egyptians may have used balms to add flavor to mummified meat- Asteroids' close encounters with Mars
- Imaging the magnetically stimulated brain
- New study could lead to paradigm shift in organic solar cell research
- Infrared light fills a "gap" in iron-based superconductor research
- Virus DNA first found in Neanderthal genome identified in modern humans
- New technique controls dimensions of gold nanorods while manufacturing on a large scale
- Origin of species: Protein imbalances doom hybrids
- Researchers develop technique to convert thermoelectric material into high performance electricity
- Fruit bat population covering central Africa is carrier of two deadly viruses
- Nokia shareholders approve mobile phone sale to Microsoft (Update)
- Chilly temperatures help cancers grow
- Monkeys can point to objects they do not report seeing
- HIV virus spread and evolution studied through computer modeling
- Sex of speaker affects listener language processing
Space & Earth news
A glance at coal and its role in climate change
Coal took center stage in the global warming debate on Monday as a high-profile coal industry event kicked off on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference in Warsaw.
Divisive UN climate talks head into final stretch
Government ministers start arriving in Warsaw Tuesday for the final stretch of UN climate talks seeking to pave the way to a global deal in 2015 on curbing global warming.
Near-Earth Object 2013 US10 is a long-period comet
While initial reports from the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Mass., categorized object 2013 US10 as a very large near-Earth asteroid, new observations now indicate that it is, in fact, a long-period comet, and it is now designated C/2013 US10 (Catalina).
Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes
A new study contains valuable information for homeowners and horticulturalists that live and work in desert regions. The study, the first of its type to classify desert plants into nine common types, includes recommendations for helping to plan and integrate lower water-use plants into urban landscapes. Interestingly, the researchers also determined that front- and backyard environments can differ significantly.
Tropical Cyclone 04B forms in northern Indian Ocean
The fourth tropical cyclone of the Northern Indian Ocean season formed and is headed for landfall in a couple of days in southeastern India. NASA's TRMM satellite saw broken bands of thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in the northern and eastern quadrants of Tropical Cyclone 04B on Nov. 19.
UN chief says current climate pledges insufficient (Update)
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged governments to put forth more ambitious plans to cut carbon emissions, saying "current pledges are simply inadequate."
Czechs ink deal with US space tourism firm
Czech universities and firms have received the go-ahead to conduct scientific research on board an American space tourism aircraft, the Czech Space Office (CSO) said Tuesday.
Botswana says no fracking in premier wildlife park
Botswana's government Tuesday said environmental protection was key in its search for natural gas, rejecting claims that fracking was already under way in the country's top wildlife park.
Global carbon emissions set to reach record 36 billion tonnes in 2013
Global emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels are set to rise again in 2013, reaching a record high of 36 billion tonnes - according to new figures from the Global Carbon Project, co-led by researchers from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia (UEA).
CO2 emissions +2.2% in 2012, driven by China and coal
Emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and cement production reached a new high in 2012, rising 2.2 percent over 2011 due chiefly to an increase in coal-burning China, scientists said Tuesday.
Swarm on the launchpad
Preparations for Friday's launch of ESA's magnetic explorer have reached an important milestone – the constellation is now in the Plesetsk launch tower.
Carbon emissions still growing when they must fall: report
Growth in global carbon emissions is slowing, but is still more than enough to increase global temperatures by more than 2C, according to a report released today by the Global Carbon Project. Carbon emissions increased by 2.1% to 9.7 billion tonnes in 2012, lower than the average increase of the past decade.
Wrist-sized bone scanner could fly to the space station in 2016
The University of Saskatchewan hopes to fly a wrist-sized MRI to the International Space Station by 2016 in a standard Progress cargo flight, according to Gordon Sarty, a university professor specializing in medical imaging. Why is this important? It will help doctors keep track of the astronauts' bone strength on orbit, Sarty says of his team's invention.
Scientists brave Old Man Winter to dig out secrets of lake-effect snows
'Tis the season... for snow. Thundersnow.
Hawaii-bound in search of global climate data
While the idea of a cruise to Hawaii may sound like paradise, making that same journey 25 times back and forth in a year might start to lose its appeal.
NASA instrument determines hazards of deep-space radiation
Deep-space radiation is a significant danger for interplanetary human space flight. But now an instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has learned more than ever before about the high-energy hazards at and around the moon. New findings from the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) were published today in the journal Space Weather.
NASA sees late season subtropical storm Melissa form in Atlantic
Hurricane Season ends on November 30, and subtropical storm Melissa formed with less than two weeks to go. Melissa formed on Monday, November 18 about 695 miles/1,120 km east-southeast of Bermuda, near 29.3 north and 53.6 west. It had maximum sustained winds near 50 mph/85 kph and was moving to the northwest at 9 mph/15 kph.
New study determines more accurate method to date tropical glacier moraines
A Dartmouth-led team has found a more accurate method to determine the ages of boulders deposited by tropical glaciers, findings that will likely influence previous research of how climate change has impacted ice masses around the equator.
Strong earthquake rocks eastern Indonesia
A strong undersea earthquake shook eastern Indonesia on Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.
Puerto Rico's glowing lagoon goes nearly dark
A glowing lagoon off Puerto Rico's northeast coast has gone nearly dark and biologists on Tuesday were trying to find out why.
Zooplankton decline reported in North Atlantic
The microscopic creatures that make up a critical link in the ocean food chain declined dramatically the first half of this year in the North Atlantic as ocean temperatures remained among the warmest on record, U.S. scientists say.
Image: Hot gas sloshing in a galactic cauldron
(Phys.org) —Galaxies are social beasts that are mostly found in groups or clusters – large assemblies of galaxies that are permeated by even larger amounts of diffuse gas. With temperatures of 10 million degrees or more, the gas in galaxy groups and clusters is hot enough to shine brightly in X-rays and be detected by ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray observatory.
The overprotection of Mars?
A recent commentary paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience argues that planetary protection policies and practices designed to guard solar system bodies from biological contamination from spacecraft need to be re-evaluated because they are "unnecessarily inhibiting" a more ambitious agenda to search for life on Mars.
Study shows increased summer melting not increasing annual movement of Greenland ice sheet
(Phys.org) —A team with members from Scotland, the U.K. and Australia has found that despite record melting in the summer of 2012, the Greenland ice sheet is not slipping faster into the sea. The team reports on how they set up poles in the ice and measured their movement throughout the year in their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Comet ISON unfolds its wings
(Phys.org) —One or more fragments may have detached from comet ISON in the past days, as two wing-shaped features in the comet's atmosphere suggest. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany and the Wendelstein Observatory of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich (Germany) discovered these features in images taken at the end of last week. The fragmentation may offer an explanation for the comet's recent outburst of activity.
Asteroids' close encounters with Mars
For nearly as long as astronomers have been able to observe asteroids, a question has gone unanswered: Why do the surfaces of most asteroids appear redder than meteorites—the remnants of asteroids that have crashed to Earth?
Technology news
Pong played on Philly skyscraper nets world record
A college professor who played a supersized video game on the side of a Philadelphia skyscraper now holds a Guinness world record for the feat.
US man says Google Maps image shows slain son
A man in the San Francisco Bay Area wants Google Maps to remove an aerial image that shows the body of his 14-year-old son, who was shot and killed in 2009.
Researcher aims to use waste heat to make cars more efficient
Yanliang Zhang wants to make vehicles more efficient by using a resource most people aren't even aware of—the waste heat that results from the inherent inefficiency of engines when converting fuel into energy.
Paving the way for more efficient, video-rich internet
No internet user can have failed to notice the explosion of online videos. And with video traffic already accounting for more than 90 percent of consumer content, the trend is set to continue.
Fujitsu semiconductor introduces innovative methodology for leading-edge "Customized soC" design
Fujitsu Semiconductor today announced that it has developed a new design methodology that enables both the higher circuit density and the shorter development time, for advanced 28nm SoC (System on a Chip) devices. Incorporating the new methods can improve the circuit density by 33%, and reduce the time for final layout process to as short as one month. It will be integrated into the company's new Customized SoC Solutions, and will be available for the development of RTL-handoff SoCs for customers. Fujitsu will start accepting orders to develop SoCs using the new methodology in February 2014.
Explainer: The engineering challenges of HS2
Next year, high-speed rail travel will celebrate its 50th birthday. In 1964, Japan put into service the first Shinkansen line, from Tokyo to Osaka. Its trains initially operated at speeds of up to 210 km/h, much slower than the 331 km/h speed record established by SNCF in France in 1955, but much higher than the 160 km/h achieved by service trains in Europe.
Ask a scientist: Ethanol & car performance
Does ethanol extend or decrease your gas mileage?
Car-hailing app Uber to take PayPal
Car-hailing app Uber is now letting its users pay for their rides using PayPal.
Gates chokes up at Ballmer's shareholder goodbye
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates choked up while reading from prepared remarks during Steve Ballmer's final shareholders meeting as chief executive.
Google to remove image of slain teen from online map
Google said Tuesday it will update its online mapping imagery to remove a satellite picture of the body of a teenager shot dead in the US state of California.
Venezuela asks Twitter to block accounts posting dollar rate
Venezuela on Tuesday asked Twitter to block the accounts of users who are posting the unofficial dollar exchange rate—illegal in a country that has had strict currency controls since 2003.
Germany jails NATO IT expert who stole secret data
A German court Tuesday sentenced a former NATO employee to seven years in jail for spying after the IT expert copied secret data in order to sell it to a foreign intelligence service.
Selfie tops twerk as Oxford's word of the year
Selfie is the 2013 word of the year, Oxford Dictionaries announced Tuesday, edging out some stiff competition from twerk.
Bitcoin supporters defend cyber currency at US Senate
Bitcoin supporters told a US Senate hearing the virtual currency unit should not be viewed negatively by authorities despite its links to crime.
Jury set to decide how much Samsung owes Apple (Update)
A Silicon Valley jury asked a judge for calculators Tuesday to help it determine how much Samsung Electronics owes Apple for copying key features of the iPhone and iPad.
Real-time Snicko set for Ashes test
The controversial decision review system has had a last-minute update for the start of the Ashes this week, with a real-time Snickometer set to be added to the technology available to match umpires.
Nokia shareholders to vote on mobile sale to Microsoft
Nokia's shareholders were set Tuesday to vote on a historic decision to sell the Finnish company's mobile business to Microsoft, as the once-proud Nordic brand struggled to regain its edge.
Uncertainties abound in Fukushima decommissioning
It's costly, risky and dependent on technologies that have yet to be fully developed. A decades-long journey filled with unknowns lies ahead for Japan, which took a small step this week toward decommissioning its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
US safety agency opens probe into Tesla fires (Update 2)
The U.S. government's auto safety watchdog is investigating whether Tesla's Model S electric car is vulnerable to fires because roadway debris can pierce the car's underbody and battery.
Researchers develop faster and cheaper technique to cool electronic systems
A novel cooling system developed by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will pave the way for cheaper and more effective thermal control systems. The innovative technique can potentially achieve up to 50 per cent more effectiveness in cooling in electronic systems compared to current cooling systems.
Bioengineered ears win first place at World Technology Summit
A method for bioengineering living human ears garnered a first-place award at the World Technology Summit in New York City, Nov. 15.
Saving gas: Less driving, better fuel economy
Fuel consumption by American drivers of light-duty vehicles is down 11 percent since 2004, says a University of Michigan researcher.
Argonne battery technology patent confirmed by US Patent Office
The Argonne National Laboratory announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, after a careful reexamination of the relevant prior patents and publications, has confirmed the patentability of U.S. Patent 6,677,082, which claims a fundamental advanced battery cathode technology developed by Argonne.
Optimization modeling helps control electricity supply continuity in Brazil
(Phys.org) —For boaters, fisherman and others, a lake filled with water is an opportunity for recreation. But for an organization such as Operador Nacional do Sistema Eletrico (ONS) in Brazil, a full lake behind a hydroelectric dam is also an optimization challenge that must be addressed to provide reliable electric power at a stable cost.
Review: 'Rivals' a fast, furious 'Need for Speed'
It's no secret the light launch lineup for next-generation consoles leaves a little something to be desired. However, there's at least one game that's sure to get next-generation owners' engines running—and their eyes bugging out. It's the dazzling street racer "Need for Speed: Rivals" (Electronic Arts, for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, $49.99).
Silicon Valley patent office to open in San Jose
The U.S. Commerce Department has announced plans to open a long-awaited patent office in California's Silicon Valley.
Fukushima operator gives first glimpse of fuel rod removal
The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant Tuesday offered the first glimpse of the operation to remove its fuel rods, the most dangerous job since the runaway reactors were brought under control two years ago.
Vatican unveils restored catacombs with Google Maps tour
The Vatican on Tuesday unveiled a series of catacombs used by early Christians in Rome after a major restoration, including an online virtual tour by Google Maps offering a glimpse into the underground wonders.
NSA violations compared to Obamacare website ills
The U.S. intelligence community's top lawyer on Tuesday defended the surveillance violations by staff of the National Security Agency by comparing programs that collect mass amounts of information on Americans to problems with the troubled health care website.
1.6 billion people on social networks
An estimated 1.61 billion people, more than one in five globally, will log in to social networking sites at least monthly this year, the research firm eMarketer said Tuesday.
EU powers to jointly produce new-generation drones
Several EU nations including France and Germany agreed Tuesday to join forces to develop new-generation drones, in a bid to close a gaping deficiency in the bloc's defence industry.
State settles Bitcoin case vs. online gaming co.
An online video game company accused of infecting thousands of computers with malicious software and using that access to illegally mine for the electronic currency Bitcoin has agreed to pay a $1 million settlement, the state of New Jersey attorney general's office said Tuesday.
Carriers reject kill switch for stolen smartphones
San Francisco's top prosecutor says Samsung Electronics, the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, has proposed making a "kill switch" that would render stolen or lost phones inoperable a standard feature, but the nation's biggest carriers have rejected the idea.
Facebook warms - most - hearts in chilly Swedish city
Few people have heard about the town of Luleaa, but if they are Facebook users, chances are their pictures, status updates and "likes" have passed through this Swedish port near the Arctic Circle.
Honda counts on lean production for hybrid Fit
Honda is making a big push with its new Fit subcompact to get out of being the perennial also-ran of hybrid cars to Japanese rival Toyota, the maker of the Prius.
Computer scientists create 3-D technique based on Nash theory
UT Dallas computer scientists have developed a technique to make 3-D images that finds practical applications of a theory created by a famous mathematician.
Scientists "burst" supercomputing record with bubble collapse simulation
Scientists at ETH Zurich, the renown Swiss university and IBM Research, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), have set a new record in supercomputing in fluid dynamics using 6.4 million threads on LLNL's 96 rack "Sequoia" IBM BlueGene/Q, one of the fastest supercomputers in the world.
Iowa State engineers use keyboard, mouse and mobile device 'fingerprints' to protect data
We've all typed in a password to access a computer network. But how secure is that? Passwords can be hacked or hijacked to get at sensitive personal, corporate or even national security data.
Nokia shareholders approve mobile phone sale to Microsoft (Update)
Nokia shareholders voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favour of selling the company's mobile business to US software giant Microsoft in an attempt to reinvent the once-proud Finnish telecoms titan.
Medicine & Health news
Bulk mixers of prescribed drugs get more scrutiny
Congress has taken a half step toward increasing federal oversight of so-called compounding pharmacies that custom mix medications in bulk, a year after a meningitis outbreak from contaminated pain injections killed at least 64 people and sickened hundreds of others.
Age affects short-term quality of life after breast biopsy
Breast biopsies can adversely affect short-term quality-of-life, and the effects are more pronounced in younger patients, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
Indonesia's illegal dentists bite back after ban
For more than 30 years, Indonesian dentist Edi Herman has been fixing the teeth of Jakartans in the rusty chair of his tiny shop, advertising his services with a huge poster of sparkling pearly whites on blood-red gums.
Singapore champions sanitation on first World Toilet Day
Singapore called Tuesday for greater efforts to improve sanitation in developing countries as it celebrated the inaugural UN World Toilet Day, an initiative by the cleanliness-obsessed island republic.
Zimbabwe warned on risk of cholera outbreak
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday warned that Zimbabwe's capital Harare was at risk of repeating a cholera outbreak five years ago that killed over 4,200 people.
Obama implores supporters for help on health law crisis
President Barack Obama delved into his grass-roots organizing past Monday, appealing to his most faithful supporters to help him out of the political maelstrom over the botched rollout of his health care law.
Services fail to treat prisoners with schizophrenia – increasing risk of violent reoffending
Maintaining psychiatric treatment both during imprisonment and after release can substantially reduce the risk of violent reoffending. Better screening and treatment of prisoners is therefore essential to prevent violence.
iPads help late-speaking children with autism develop language
The iPad you use to check email, watch episodes of Mad Men and play Words with Friends may hold the key to enabling children with autism spectrum disorders to express themselves through speech. New research indicates that children with autism who are minimally verbal can learn to speak later than previously thought, and iPads are playing an increasing role in making that happen, according to Ann Kaiser, a researcher at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.
Evolution winning in bacteria vs antibiotics arms race
Science is running out of new ways to attack harmful bacteria, while drug companies are abandoning antibiotic research and development, according to a University of Adelaide drug expert.
Trial set to determine Alzheimer's onset origins
A world-first clinical trial being conducted in WA is exploring whether testosterone and fish oil may prove to be the key in preventing or postponing Alzheimer's disease.
Cholesterol guidelines are based on strong, evidence-based science, AHA says
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology vigorously defend the recently published risk assessment and cholesterol guidelines despite recent media reports critical of the risk assessment calculator tool.
Move to the beat: How music can help your brain
Whether pounding the streets, putting in the effort at the gym or learning the latest dance moves, many people enjoy listening to music while exercising. Now scientists believe that combining movement and music could be beneficial for our brains.
Teamwork, closer follow-up helps heart patients take prescriptions after hospital stay
A team of doctor, patient and pharmacist plus enhanced follow-up was more effective than standard care in helping people take their heart medications more regularly after leaving the hospital, in a late-breaking clinical trial presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Does doctor know best? A new approach to "evidence" based health care
Leading health care experts have today called for a fresh approach to evaluating treatment amid claims that dog walking and singing classes can lead to greater health improvements than traditional medicine for some patients.
Chronic diseases taking up more of GPs' time
GPs in Australia are working three hours less per week in direct clinical care, however they are dealing with more health problems per visit, research led by the University of Sydney shows.
EU regulator: No more problems with Roche drugs
The European Medicines Agency says it has finished an investigation of the way pharmaceutical giant Roche reported side effects for 19 drugs in the U.S. and has found no new safety concerns.
Heart attack survival similar among those receiving clot-busting drugs, angioplasty
The one-year survival rate after a severe heart attack was similar among people who initially received clot-busting medications and those who immediately underwent angioplasty, according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Combining exercise, vessel-opening procedure reduces leg pain
Supervised exercise combined with a procedure that opens clogged blood vessels reduces leg pain significantly better than exercise alone in patients with blocked blood vessels in the legs, according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Colombian preschoolers learn heart-healthy lessons with Sesame Street
When Sesame Street characters talk about healthy eating and exercise, your preschoolers may listen.
Non-specialist health workers play important role in improving mental health in developing countries
Non-specialist health workers are beneficial in providing treatment for people with mental, neurological and substance-abuse (MNS) problems in developing countries – where there is often a lack of mental health professionals – according to a new Cochrane review.
Odds of rehospitalization of cognitively impaired varies by discharge destination
Cognitively impaired older adults released from the hospital are less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they go to a nursing home than if they return to their own home or the home of a family member, according to an Indiana University and Regenstrief Institute study.
Chicago man breathes again thanks to Northwestern Medicine study
Seven years ago, Keith Brown decided to skip the elevator and take the stairs to the ninth floor of the Chicago parking garage where he worked.
UK: New law could jail doctors for negligence
The British government is proposing a new law that could jail doctors and nurses for up to five years, if they are convicted of "willful negligence."
NYC bans tobacco sales to anyone under age 21
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed a bill banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone under age 21.
New study reports on the high cost of cardiac surgery healthcare associated infections
After cardiac surgery, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common complications associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and use of resources.
Many pediatricians uncomfortable providing care to kids with genetic conditions
Many primary care pediatricians say they feel uncomfortable providing health care to patients with genetic disorders. Also, many do not consistently discuss all risks and benefits of genetic tests with patients, according to research published today in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
Study may impact guidelines for mitral valve surgery for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN), whose Data and Clinical Coordinating Center is at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is reporting for the first time evidence on whether or not there is any significant difference between the two current surgical approaches to treat patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation—mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement.
Czechs award first licence to import medical marijuana
The Czech health ministry said Tuesday it had awarded its first licence to import marijuana, months after the European Union member legalised the drug for medical purposes.
Bedtime aspirin may reduce risk of morning heart attack
Taking aspirin at bedtime instead of in the morning might reduce acute heart events, according a new study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Younger Hispanic women face higher risk of death from heart attack
Younger Hispanic women face a higher risk of death in hospitals after a heart attack, are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions such as diabetes, and are less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass surgery as compared with white women and men, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Obesity and nutrition are keys to avoiding metabolic syndrome
Data reported by the Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project reinforce the positive influence of lifestyle factors in mitigating risks that potentially increase the likelihood of heart disease and other health problems. Findings based on 1,059 residents of New Ulm, Minn, underscore the importance of obesity prevention and nutrition, specifically eating more fruits and vegetables, in addressing metabolic syndrome (MS), a common precursor to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study used an easily calculated Optimal Lifestyle Score (OLS), which is a composite summary of smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol use, physical activity, and body mass index. The results were presented by Jackie Boucher, MS, RD, LD, CDE, Vice President for Education, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation on Tuesday November 19 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Dallas, TX.
US company to pay $2.5B in hip replacement suits (Update)
Johnson & Johnson said late Tuesday that it will pay $2.5 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits brought by hip replacement patients who accuse the company of selling faulty implants that led to injuries and additional surgeries.
Breakthrough in adult heart repair
Researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute have discovered a new way to dramatically improve heart repair. The future goal is to use this knowledge to combat human cardiovascular disease by improving repair after a heart attack. The research has just been published in the scientific journal Development.
Could vaccines someday improve heart health?
(HealthDay)—People routinely get vaccinations to ward off the flu or prevent infectious diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Could there be a vaccine in the future that would prevent a heart attack?
Some doctors challenge new statin guidelines
(HealthDay)—A new online cholesterol risk calculator produced by two leading U.S. heart organizations is flawed and overstates a person's risk of heart disease, a pair of Harvard Medical School professors say.
Tackling early socioeconomic inequality as important as encouraging smoking cessation
Although health behaviours such as smoking are directly linked to the majority of early deaths in the UK, tackling these individual factors fails to address the underlying cause. To get to the root of the problem, childhood deprivation must be addressed because it promotes damaging health behaviours in adult life. So say researchers from UCL (University College London) in a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
Study finds altered brain connections in epilepsy patients
Patients with the most common form of focal epilepsy have widespread, abnormal connections in their brains that could provide clues toward diagnosis and treatment, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
Could basic fertility information be key to reversing late-parenthood trend?
Increasingly, young people around the world are planning to have children later in life, despite the fact that fertility declines with age after young adulthood. But new research shows a simple brochure can prompt many to accelerate their planned timelines.
Liberals aren't like the rest, or so they think
Liberals tend to underestimate the amount of actual agreement among those who share their ideology, while conservatives tend to overestimate intra-group agreement, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
FAU neuroscientists receive patent for new 5D method to understand big data
Florida Atlantic University received a U.S. patent for a new method to display large amounts of data in a color-coded, easy-to-read graph. Neuroscientists Emmanuelle Tognoli, Ph.D., and Scott Kelso, Ph.D., both researchers at the Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences at FAU, originally designed the method to interpret enormous amounts of data derived from their research on the human brain. The method, called a five dimensional (5D) colorimetric technique, is able to graph spatiotemporal data (data that includes both space and time), which has not previously been achieved. Until now, spatiotemporal problems were analyzed either from a spatial perspective (for instance, a map of gas prices in July 2013), or from a time-based approach (evolution of gas prices in one county over time), but not simultaneously from both perspectives. Without both space and time, analysts have been faced with an incomplete picture until now, with the creation of the 5D colorimetric techni! que.
For anxious children and teens, context counts, researchers say
(Medical Xpress)—Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents, affecting up to 25 percent of the youth population. Anxiety causes distress and functional impairment and, if left untreated, can result in bad grades, problems at home and increased rates of psychiatric disorders in adulthood.
Global effort is needed to keep antibiotics working
A global approach is needed to address the unfolding burden of antibiotic resistance, say the authors of a new report, published this week in Lancet Infectious Diseases. The report coincides with the European Antibiotic Awareness Day and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "Get Smart About Antibiotics Week."
mTOR: A key brain signaling mechanism for rapidly acting antidepressants
Two years ago, mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR, a signaling protein, was identified as a key mediator of the antidepressant effects of ketamine, the first rapidly acting antidepressant medication to be identified.
How does being very small at birth affect you later in life?
(Medical Xpress)—People born weighing less than 1500gm (very low birth weight or VLBW) tend to be shorter, have fewer friends and achieve fewer educational qualifications than their peers by the time they reach their 20s, a new Christchurch study shows.
Study finds link between warm homes and low body fat
(Medical Xpress)—Recent rises in energy prices may lead to an increase in obesity, according to new research by behavioural scientists from the University of Stirling.
Researchers find protein that regulates the burning of body fat
Muscle movements generate body heat. However, body heat can also be generated in another way: body fat contains a small number of brown adipose cells – special fat cells that can generate heat without muscle activity. They do this using a protein known as UCP1 that enables babies or hibernating animals to keep warm without shivering. A research team at the University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna) has found that a specific chemical compound, an aldehyde, can activate UCP1 under certain conditions, and that could also trigger fat burning. The data were published in the Journal Plos One.
Hashtag health: Using Twitter to track the spread of influenza
A social media-monitoring program led by San Diego State University geography professor Ming-Hsiang Tsou could help physicians and health officials learn when and where severe outbreaks are occurring in real time. In results published last month in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, Tsou demonstrated that his technique might allow officials to more quickly and efficiently direct resources to outbreak zones and better contain the spread of the disease.
Humanoid robot "Russell" engages children with autism
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), mechanical and computer engineer Nilanjan Sarkar and psychologist Zachary Warren of Vanderbilt University have developed a learning environment for kids with autism, built around state-of-the-art technologies. Many children with autism have an affinity for technology.
Antibody builders
Antibodies are often the first line of defense against the body's invaders. Built to recognize and attack foreign bacteria and viruses, antibody molecules are released by cells to do battle with microbial hostiles as part of the body's natural immune response.
Touching thyme: Babies reluctant to grab plants, study shows
Babies show a striking reluctance to touch plants, a response that would help protect them from dangers such as toxins or thorns present throughout our evolutionary past, a new study led by Yale University researchers show.
Antibiotics: Do you think they're a cure for the common cold?
An Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by the Royal Society of Chemistry has shown that 74% of the public believe that a major research and development effort is needed to create new antibiotics for fighting infectious disease.
Scientists finally discover which prostate cancers are life-threatening
Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered that the presence of a specific protein can distinguish between prostate cancers that are aggressive and need further treatment from those that may never seriously harm the patient.
Bulimia and the brain: Responses to body image and food
(Medical Xpress)—Brains of women with bulimia respond differently to women without bulimia when shown images of slim women. Both groups responded similarly to pictures of food, according to a study led by researchers at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, published BMC Psychiatry today.
Stents don't benefit renal artery stenosis patients
Dr. Lance Dworkin, professor of medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a physician at Lifespan and University Medicine, and Dr. Tim Murphy, professor of diagnostic imaging at the Alpert Medical School, and a physician at Lifespan and Rhode Island Medical Imaging, each played leading roles in the design, conduct, and data analysis of a major study of stents in treating renal artery stenosis. Dworkin, the study chair, and Murphy are senior and second authors of the paper in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Solving the toilet shortage needs a bottom-up approach
Why does one third of the world's population have inadequate sanitation?
'Smart' pacemaker can help slow heart keep up, avoid damage
A new generation pacemaker that paces only when rhythm disturbances occur can reduce the risk of permanent abnormal heart rhythms in people with a slow heart rate, according to late-breaking research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Salt-reduction program helps rural China decrease sodium intake
People in rural northern China reduced their salt intake after participating in a community-based sodium reduction program and having access to salt substitutes, researchers reported in a late-breaking clinical trial at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Heart-healthy lifestyles can spread through social networks
Heart-healthy lifestyles can be contagious to your family and friends.
China: Birth limits still needed despite easing
China has no intention of abandoning family planning controls soon despite announcing it would ease the one-child policy, a government spokesman said Tuesday, adding that the policy could be loosened further in the future.
Blood test accurately diagnoses concussion and predicts long term cognitive disability
A new blood biomarker correctly predicted which concussion victims went on to have white matter tract structural damage and persistent cognitive dysfunction following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine, found that the blood levels of a protein called calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) were twice as high in a subset of patients following a traumatic injury. If validated in larger studies, this blood test could identify concussion patients at increased risk for persistent cognitive dysfunction or further brain damage and disability if returning to sports or military activities.
Children's cardiovascular fitness declining worldwide
Many kids don't run as far or fast as their parents did, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Smartphone apps lack proven strategies to help smokers quit
An estimated 11 million smokers in the United States own a smartphone and increasingly they're turning to apps in an attempt to quit. But many of the most popular anti-smoking apps for iPhones or Androids lack some basic strategies that are known to help smokers quit, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Many sudden cardiac arrests preceded by warning signs
Sudden cardiac arrest isn't always so sudden, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
How poor mental health and casual sex reinforce each other
A new study suggests that poor mental health and casual sex feed off each other in teens and young adults, with each one contributing to the other over time.
Corticosteroid added to standard treatment improves eyesight in patients with sudden vision loss
Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of the leading causes of sudden and irreversible loss of vision in older adults. In a prospective randomized trial of 60 patients with NAION, investigators have shown that the addition of the corticosteroid fluocortolone (FC) to standard therapy significantly improves both short- and long-term visual acuity, especially when given soon after the onset of symptoms. Their results are published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.
Study: Ureteral injury during robot-assisted prostate surgery
There may be warning signs to help surgeons avoid damaging part of the urinary system during robot-assisted surgical removal of prostate cancer, ultimately preventing the expense of additional surgery, according to researchers at Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute.
Study finds youth prefer and benefit more from rapid point-of-care HIV testing
Youth prefer, accept and receive HIV results more often when offered rapid finger prick or saliva swab tests rather than traditional blood tests according to a study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.
Researchers identify new genetic risk factor for severe psychiatric illness
Investigators at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have discovered a new genetic risk factor for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder called NDST3. The findings are published online in Nature Communications.
Drug sales to hit lowest growth rate in decades
Growth in global prescription drug spending will slow to the lowest rate in decades as low-cost generic drugs continue replacing former blockbusters in the U.S. and Europe, where governments face new pressure to reduce health care spending, according to a new forecast.
Chiropractic care beats sham therapy for spinal pain
(HealthDay)—Short-term chiropractic therapy is more effective than a sham intervention for treating spinal pain, but the difference is not clinically meaningful, according to research published in the Nov. 15 issue of Spine.
Brain imaging reveals dynamic changes caused by pain medicines
A study in the December issue of Anesthesiology suggests a role for brain imaging in the assessment and potential treatment of chronic pain.
Advanced CT imaging proves as accurate as invasive tests to assess heart blockages, study shows
An ultrafast, 320-detector computed tomography (CT) scanner that shows both anatomy within coronary arteries and blood flowcan accurately sort out which people need – or don't need – an invasive procedure to identify coronary blockages, according to an international study. The researchers say their findings could potentially save millions of people worldwide from having an unnecessary cardiac catheterization.
Long-lasting gene therapy benefits advanced heart failure patients
Researchers from the Cardiovascular Research Center at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reported the long-term benefits of a single dose of their gene therapy AAV1/SERCA2a in advanced heart failure patients on Nov. 19 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2013.
LVAD patients benefit from heart injection with millions of powerful cells
A multicenter team of researchers within the NIH-funded Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN), led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have found end-stage heart failure patients who receive a surgically implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) heart pump may also benefit from a single dose of millions of powerful cells injected directly into their heart during surgery.
Qatar announces third MERS death
An expatriate living in Qatar had died after he contracted MERS, bringing to three the number of deaths from the coronavirus in the Gulf state, health authorities said Tuesday.
Gene tests on dogs boost hopes for haemophilia
Scientists on Tuesday said they had treated haemophilia in dogs by fixing a flawed gene, marking a step forward towards treating the condition in humans, too.
Natural compound mitigates effects of methamphetamine abuse
Studies have shown that resveratrol, a natural compound found in colored vegetables, fruits and especially grapes, may minimize the impact of Parkinson's disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease in those who maintain healthy diets or who regularly take resveratrol supplements. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that resveratrol may also block the effects of the highly addictive drug, methamphetamine.
Older sedentary adults reduced injury to heart through moderate physical activity
Moderate physical activity in sedentary older adults reduced the progression of injury to the heart, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Individuals who flush after drinking are at higher risk of alcohol-related hypertension
Excessive drinking is a known risk factor for hypertension. Drinking that results in facial flushing indicates high sensitivity or even intolerance to alcohol. A study of the relationship between drinking and these two conditions has found that drinking-related hypertension has a lower threshold value and higher risk in flushers than in non-flushers.
Alcohol's frontal-lobe damage may become evident before general mental status is challenged
Frontal lobe deficiency, characterized by executive dysfunction such as deficits in attention and working memory, has been linked with an inability to abstain from alcohol. However, "high-functioning" alcoholics with frontal executive dysfunction may nonetheless appear to have a "normal" cognitive mental status. Findings from a new study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine volumetric measurements of segmented brain structures suggest that executive function and general mental status are affected differently by long-term use of alcohol.
Recessionary woes lead to adverse alcohol outcomes for men and middle-aged Americans
Although the U.S. recession officially ended in June 2009, many Americans still struggle to make ends meet. A recent study has examined the relationship between different types of economic loss experienced during the recession – job loss, reduced work hours/pay, difficulty paying for housing, housing loss, and loss of retirement savings – and alcohol consumption and problems, finding that men and middle-aged Americans are at higher risk for multiple, adverse alcohol outcomes.
Treating alcohol dependence: Medication plus therapy leads to longer abstinence
Alcohol treatment that incorporates a stepped-care rationale, in which services are escalated, appears to increase the overall efficacy of the treatment regimen. However, in countries such as Germany and the U.S., medication and individual psychotherapy – either separately or in combination – are rarely used to treat alcohol dependence (AD). A recent study of AD patients who were given a stepped-care approach – first medication, then additional psychotherapy – found that patients who are willing to attend psychotherapy in addition to pharmacotherapy benefit from a reduced or delayed relapse to heavy drinking.
Researchers suggest China consider national flu vaccination plan with staggered timing
China should tailor its influenza vaccination strategies to account for its three distinct flu regions, according to the first comprehensive study of the country's flu patterns conducted by a research team of Chinese and American scientists.
AIDS guidelines for children may not improve death rates but may improve treatment access
Recent changes to World Health Organization guidelines for starting anti-AIDS drugs (antiretroviral therapy—ART) in young children are unlikely to improve death rates but may increase the numbers of children receiving ART by simplifying access to treatment, according to a study by international researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine.
New study helps predict life expectancy in healthy people using complete blood count risk score
For years, doctors have been divided on how effective annual testing and screenings are for apparently healthy individuals. New research, however, shows that a simple blood test may predict who is at highest risk to develop heart problems – and how long these people may have to live.
Oral drug may improve survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer
An investigational prostate cancer treatment slows the disease's progression and may increase survival, especially among men whose cancer has spread to the bones, according an analysis led by the Duke Cancer Institute.
New case studies link smoking synthetic marijuana with stroke in healthy, young adults
Add stroke to the list of severe health hazards that may be associated with smoking synthetic marijuana, popularly known as spice or K2, a University of South Florida neurology team reports.
Blacks have less access to cancer specialists, treatment
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say metastatic colorectal cancer patients of African-American descent are less likely to be seen by cancer specialists or receive cancer treatments. This difference in treatment explains a large part of the 15 percent higher mortality experienced by African-American patients than non-Hispanic white patients.
Smoking increases risk of death for nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors
Survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who are former or current smokers are more likely to have their disease progress, relapse, or spread, and are more likely to die of their disease, compared with survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have never smoked, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
New study finds no benefit to selecting dose of blood thinner based on patients' genetic makeup
A new study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has determined that a gene-based method for selecting patients' doses of the popular heart medication warfarin is no better than standardized dosing methods. The study was presented today at the 2013 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Edoxaban effective in preventing stroke, reducing bleeding and cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 800,000 Americans die each year from heart disease and stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability and death in the US. In addition to lifestyle changes, medications such as anti-blood clotting drugs are helpful in the prevention of stroke.
Higher emotional intelligence leads to better decision-making
The anxiety people feel making investment decisions may have more to do with the traffic they dealt with earlier than the potential consequences they face with the investment, but not if the decision-maker has high emotional intelligence a recent study published in Psychological Science suggests.
The human health costs of losing natural systems: Quantifying Earth's worth to public health
A new paper from members of the HEAL (Health & Ecosystems: Analysis of Linkages) consortium delineates a new branch of environmental health that focuses on the public health risks of human-caused changes to Earth's natural systems.
Chilly temperatures help cancers grow
At low temperatures the human body has a hard time. As the cold sets in, blood vessels constrict to maintain heat and some body parts – like fingers and toes – begin to suffer. Metabolism ramps up to fight the cold and shivering sets in. As these conditions continue, everything becomes sluggish as the cells of your body do not work as well. The body enters a state of thermal stress and only the most vital systems, like the brain, are left switched on.
People who don't forget can still be tricked with false memories
"Time is the thief of memory," wrote Stephen King in one of his many books. For some people, however, that is not true. They are gifted with what scientists call highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), which means they can remember in vivid detail every day of their life going back to childhood. But new research shows that even these special people are susceptible to forming false memories, sometimes more than normal people.
HIV virus spread and evolution studied through computer modeling
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory are investigating the complex relationships between the spread of the HIV virus in a population (epidemiology) and the actual, rapid evolution of the virus (phylogenetics) within each patient's body.
Sex of speaker affects listener language processing
(Medical Xpress)—Whether we process language we hear without regard to anything about the speaker is a longstanding scientific debate. But it wasn't until University of Kansas scientists set up an experiment showing that the sex of a speaker affected how quickly listeners identified words grammatically that there was evidence that even higher-level processes are affected by the speaker.
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria turns immune system against itself
Around 20 percent of all humans are persistently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a leading cause of skin infections and one of the major sources of hospital-acquired infections, including the antibiotic-resistant strain MRSA.
Imaging the magnetically stimulated brain
(Medical Xpress)—MRI scanners have steadily increased in power, giving researchers ever finer-grained snapshots of the brain in action. However just as modern day fighters can pull high G turns that would drain consciousness from a human pilot, the maximum field strength that humans, (and the implants now inside many of them) might be subjected to, is similarly bounded. As these limits approach, the psycho-imagers that wield these impressive tools have begun to consolidate their key findings into a mission statement solid enough to print on enterprise plaques. In order to bolster their claims, there has been a push to confirm hypothesized functional networks in the brain, by stimulating brain activity directly and comparing the results to the so-called resting state (rsMRI) activity. Neurobiologist Karl Deisseroth, and his mostly Stanford colleges, have now used transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain (TMS) to probe these networks on subjects as they lie inside th! e bore of an MRI magnet. Their results, just published in PNAS, suggest that when combined with precise stimulation protocols, important details about cognition and memory might continue to be extracted amidst an impending plateau in the basic physics of MRI imaging.
Biology news
Together alone: Sportive lemurs stay individualists in relationships
During a one-year field study in Southern Madagascar the two researchers discovered that nocturnal white-footed sportive lemurs (Lepilemur leucopus) share a common territory with a pair partner of the opposite sex. This result clarified conflicting earlier reports on the social organization of this species. The study of the DPZ researchers also revealed a specific type of relationship model that has not yet been described for other pair-living species. Although males and females live together also outside the brief annual mating season and defend a common territory together, they were never observed to huddle or to groom each other during the more than 1,500 hours of observation. "This species is characterized by an active avoidance of pair partners," says Iris Dröscher, first author and PhD student at the Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit of the DPZ.
Virtual farming to explore alternatives
Researchers at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid) are involved in the development of a tool that, through crop simulation models, allows them to assess the integrated impact of environmental and management variables on productivity and resource conservation.
Helping protect the world's wetland landscapes
Action to help preserve some of the world's most valuable ecosystems is behind a major international project, led by the University of Essex.
First-ever survey of Do-It-Yourself Biology community challenges myths
As the Do-It-Yourself Biology (DIYbio) community has grown, so have concerns among media and policymakers about these science enthusiasts' ability to wield DNA and manipulate life.
New bale unroller design deemed effective
John Wilhoit and Timothy Coolong from the University of Kentucky have introduced a new technology that can make the application of organic mulches more efficient. The research team from the University of Kentucky premiered their new invention in the August issue of HortTechnology. The team altered a conventional round-bale unroller and designed experiments to document its efficiency. "We modified an unroller so that the new design would be offset a sufficient distance for the tractor to straddle the row of plastic and unroll the bale in the space between adjacent rows of plastic," explained Wilhoit and Coolong. "Then, we tested the efficacy of the modified unroller with several types of organic mulches for between-row weed control in organic watermelon. Mulching between rows can be an effective practice for controlling weeds; our modification makes mulching with round bales of hay or wheat straw more efficient."
'CaroTex-312,' new Habanero-type pepper introduced
The Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of Texas A&M University recently announced the release of 'CaroTex-312', a new high-yielding, orange-fruited, Habanero type, F1 hybrid pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.).
High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato
In the mild coastal climate of western Washington, agricultural growers are learning more about the advantages of growing popular fresh-market vegetables in high tunnel production systems. High tunnels can offer many benefits for delicate vegetable crops, including protection from environmental stresses such as hail, frost, excessive rainfall, and high wind. Despite these obvious benefits, the use of high tunnels for growing both lettuce and tomato is currently limited in the region—estimated to be only 50 acres for tomato and less than 20 acres for lettuce. According to Washington State University researchers Suzette Galinato and Carol Miles, the adoption rate for using high tunnels is low in the region due to a lack of in-depth knowledge about specific high tunnel production practices for tomato and lettuce, the high tunnel structures best suited to each crop, potential returns, and the capital investment needed to initiate and maintain high tunnel production.
Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality
Zinc is vital for the healthy growth and reproduction of all organisms. In plants, zinc plays a key role in essential functions such as carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, and sugar and starch synthesis. Apple, one of the world's most popular fruits, tends to be highly susceptible to zinc deficiency. A new study in HortTechnology recommends new protocols for using zinc sprays at critical stages on apple trees in order to enhance fruit quality.
Beagle's nose predicts few US polar bear cubs
A specially trained beagle's smell test for polar bear pregnancies predicts there will be few new cubs for U.S. zoos this year—although a romantic trip to Pittsburgh apparently turned out well for a female bear in San Diego.
New method to diagnose sepsis is faster, cheaper
A new method could cut hours off the time it takes to diagnose blood infections while also eliminating the need for complicated manual processing and expensive equipment, according to a report to be published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, on November 19. The method combines a selective lysis step in which blood cells in the sample are destroyed, a centrifugation step to collect any bacteria or fungi in the sample, and a fluorescence step that analyzes the particular fingerprint of any pathogens present in the sample. Tests show the method correctly identifies the species of bacteria or fungi in 96.5 % of positive blood culture samples, crucial information for doctors to provide the appropriate drugs for their patients.
Aqua-Spark fund dives into fish farming future
Investment fund Aqua-Spark is setting course to make money while promoting healthier oceans and feeding the world.
Fungus may offer natural weed control
A naturally occurring fungus may prove useful in the fight against Palmer amaranth, an aggressive southern weed that can grow at the rate of two inches a day and outcompete corn, cotton, soybean and other crops for resources, potentially reducing their yields.
Mutated white pine rust threatens Northeast trees
A white pine-decimating fungus has mutated, allowing it to infect immune and resistant plants, which is alarming researchers, growers, loggers and forest managers.
Study supports policy of culling young deer alongside mother
The research, published in Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, is the first to examine the impact on calves of losing their mothers, something that can happen during a culling season.
Bloom or bust as new study reveals the plants most likely to survive climate change
New research into the effect of climate change on plants has revealed which individuals within a species are most likely to thrive under warmer conditions and which are at risk. And it seems that plants that flower earlier as a result of climate change may be the ones more resilient to temperature changes.
Shadehouses with photoselective nets featured in study of growing conditions
Shade nets are widely used in ornamental crop production systems to protect crops from radiation, wind, hail, and birds. According to a 2011 study from the United States Department of Agriculture, 43% of floricultural crop production in the United States occurred under shade or other temporary cover. Although black nets are most common, growers have begun experimenting with colored, gray, and white "dispersive" netting in order to determine effects of the colored nets on crop vigor, dwarfing, branching, leaf variegation, and flowering time. Researchers from the University of Florida's Mid-Florida Research and Education Center published results of a 12-month research study in HortScience, in which they evaluated light quantity, light quality, and other environmental variables inside shadehouses fitted with photoselective and color-neutral nets. They anticipate that their study findings will be helpful to growers, horticulturists, and agricultural engineers.
Study recreates history of life through genome
One of the most important processes in the life of cells is genome replication, which consists of making exact copies of the DNA in order to pass it on to their offspring when they split. In most organisms, from yeast to human beings, genome replication follows a set plan, in which certain regions of the genome replicate before others; alterations in the late replication phases had previously been related to cancer and ageing. Now, a team from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), led by Alfonso Valencia, has for the first time related this process to evolution over millions of years of life on Earth.
Researchers test effects of LEDs on leaf lettuce
In the life cycle of plants, most developmental processes are dependent on light. Significant biological processes such as germination, shade avoidance, circadian rhythms, and flower induction are all affected by light. Recent advancements in the use of LED lighting in plant and vegetable production systems has researchers looking for insights into the effects of these artificial lights on the growth and yield of crops. Scientists from the Department of Horticultural Science at Chungbuk National University published a study in HortScience that sheds some light on the advantages and challenges of LEDs in lettuce cultivation.
New findings could help target the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and syphilis (w/ Video)
The bacterial pathogens that cause Lyme disease and syphilis are highly invasive. These pathogens, or spirochetes, can invade the central nervous system and, in the case of syphilis, enter the placenta, causing disease in the unborn child. In the November 19 issue of the Biophysical Journal, a Cell Press publication, researchers provide new insights into how these spirochetes penetrate tissue barriers. The findings might be used to develop new treatment strategies to help affected patients or even prevent infections.
Genome scale view of great white shark uncovers unexpected and distinctive features
The great white shark, a major apex predator made famous by the movie "Jaws," is one of the world's most iconic species capturing an extraordinary amount of public fascination. An intriguing question is what makes a white shark so distinctive? One way to address this is to explore the genetic makeup of this remarkable animal.
Sorting good bacteria from bad
An international team engineers and biologists has developed a new technique that could lead to improved infection diagnosis for cystic fibrosis patients.
How the echidna lost its venom
(Phys.org) —The function of a spur on the hind leg of echidnas has been revealed by research at the University of Sydney.
Origin of species: Protein imbalances doom hybrids
Why do crosses between closely related species fail to produce fertile hybrids? A new study led by Professor Axel Imhof of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich, Germany, shows that differences in the levels - not necessarily the sequences - of certain key proteins are crucial in mediating reproductive isolation.
Fruit bat population covering central Africa is carrier of two deadly viruses
A population of fruit bats which is found across much of continental Africa is widely infected with two deadly viruses that could spread to humans, new research reveals.
Monkeys can point to objects they do not report seeing
Are monkeys, like humans, able to ascertain where objects are located without much more than a sideways glance? Quite likely, says Lau Andersen of the Aarhus University in Denmark, lead author of a study conducted at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University, published in Springer's journal Animal Cognition. The study finds that monkeys are able to localize stimuli they do not perceive.
Virus DNA first found in Neanderthal genome identified in modern humans
(Phys.org) —An ancient retrovirus that altered the DNA of Neanderthals and Denisovans has now been found to have left alterations in modern human DNA as well—in some cancer patients. The team of researchers from the U.K. that made this startling discovery has written about what they've uncovered in a paper published in the journal Current Biology.
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