Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 2, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Invisibility cloak hides parts of objects, leaves other parts visible- New computer model may explain moon Europa's chaotic terrain
- When aluminum outshines gold: Research details aluminum's valuable plasmonic properties
- Engineers show how to optimize carbon nanotube arrays for use in hot spots
- Team sheds new light on solar water-splitting process
- Secrets to 'extreme adaptation' found in Burmese python genome
- New algorithm finds you, even in untagged photos
- Study reveals striking differences in brain connectivity between men and women
- Arctic study shows key marine food web species at risk from increasing carbon dioxide
- Difficult dance steps: Team learns how membrane transporter moves
- Process holds promise for production of synthetic gasoline
- Amplifying our vision of the infinitely small
- Scientists build a low-cost, open-source 3-D metal printer
- A single spray of oxytocin improves brain function in children with autism
- Researchers revise Darwin's thinking on invasive species
Space & Earth news
NASA Flight Opportunities Program launches science payloads
An enthusiastic group of suborbital space researchers arrived at Spaceport America in New Mexico in early November to prepare and load their experiments on an UP Aerospace rocket that would place their technologies in a space-like environment where they will eventually operate.
NASA design challenge to simulate human exploration of Mars
NASA is debuting a new engineering design challenge to engage students worldwide in the next phase of human space exploration. The NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge is a more complex follow-on to the successful NASA Great Moonbuggy Race.
Efficient use of fertilisers on dairy farms
Nitrogen and phosphate are important fertilisers. But excessive amounts often found in fields and pastures end up polluting the ground and surface water. Furthermore, dairy farmers are squandering their profits by wasting these expensive fertilisers. The Koeien & Kansen [Cattle and Opportunities] project set up by two PhD candidates from Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, shows how these fertilisers can be utilised more efficiently, with no adverse effects on the yield.
What drives earthquake aftershocks?
On 27 February 2010 an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck South-Central Chile near the town of Maule. The main shock displaced the subduction interface by up to 16 meters. Like usually after strong earthquakes a series of aftershocks occurred in the region with decreasing size over the next months. A surprising result came from an afterslip study: Up to 2 meters additional slip occurred along the plate interface within 420 days only, in a pulse like fashion and without associated seismicity. An international research group lead by GFZ analysed the main shock as well as the following postseismic phase with a dense network of instruments including more than 60 high-resolution GPS stations.
NASA Goddard joins new virtual research institute
Researchers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. have joined a new NASA virtual institute that will focus on questions concerning space science and human space exploration. Nine research teams from seven states were selected for NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).
West coast lumber and log exports increased in value, volume in third quarter of 2013
Lumber and log exports from Washington, Oregon, northern California, and Alaska both increased dramatically in the third quarter of 2013, compared to this time last year, the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station reported. Lumber exports grew by 50 percent both in value and volume compared to the third quarter of 2012, while log exports increased by nearly 40 percent in value and about 25 percent in volume.
Corals surviving the ocean's pollution
Unlike other marine species, the corals are still capable of adapting under current circumstances of sea acidification, reveled by researchers at the Center of Biological Research of the Northeast (Cibnor). "The first models indicated that the coral reefs would disappear midcentury, but our study reveals that corals are adapting to the ocean's acidification that has increased since the industrial revolution", Eduardo Balart Páez said, head of research.
Image: Hubble sees galactic glitter
This sprinkling of cosmic glitter makes up the galaxy known as ESO 149-3, located some 20 million light-years away from us. It is an example of an irregular galaxy, characterized by its amorphous, undefined shape—a property that sets it apart from its perhaps more photogenic spiral and elliptical relatives.
World's largest coral reef mapped
Scientists have used satellite observations to create a set of high-resolution 3D maps of the entire Great Barrier Reef – a critical step towards identifying, managing and protecting what lies beneath the waters.
More droughts, heavier rains in warmer Europe, study reports
Europe will likely be a much warmer place by century's end, plagued by frequent downpours over its entire landmass and heatwaves and droughts in the south, new research showed Monday.
Study shows reforestation in Lower Mississippi Valley reduces sediment
A modeling study by U.S. Forest Service researchers shows that reforesting the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley can significantly reduce runoff from agricultural lands and the amount of sediment entering the area's rivers and streams—and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The journal Ecological Engineering recently published the results of the study by Forest Service Southern Research Station scientists Ying Ouyang, Ted Leininger, and Matt Moran.
Researcher shows microplastic transfers chemicals, impacting health
With global production of plastic exceeding 280 metric tons every year, a fair amount of the stuff is bound to make its way to the natural environment. However, until now researchers haven't known whether ingested plastic transfers chemical additives or pollutants to wildlife. A new study conducted by UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) shows that toxic concentrations of pollutants and additives enter the tissue of animals that have eaten microplastic. The findings are published today in Current Biology.
Hubble Telescope best shot at learning comet fate (Update)
NASA said Monday that the Hubble Space Telescope is the best bet for figuring out whether Comet ISON disintegrated during its brush with the sun last week.
NASA's HS3 hurricane mission called it a wrap for 2013
NASA's Hurricane and Severe Storms Sentinel airborne mission known as HS3 wrapped up for the 2013 Atlantic Ocean hurricane season at the end of September, and had several highlights. HS3 will return to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va., for the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season.
Airborne radar looking through thick ice during NASA polar campaigns
The bedrock hidden beneath the thick ice sheets covering Greenland and Antarctica has intrigued researchers for years. Scientists are interested in how the shape of this hidden terrain affects how ice moves—a key factor in making predictions about the future of these massive ice reservoirs and their contribution to sea level rise in a changing climate.
Marine reserves enhance resilience to climate change
A new study, led by a University of Southampton scientist, highlights the potential for fish communities in marine reserves to resist climate change impacts better than communities on fished coasts.
Arctic study shows key marine food web species at risk from increasing carbon dioxide
A research expedition to the Arctic, as part of the Catlin Arctic Survey, has revealed that tiny crustaceans, known as copepods, that live just beneath the ocean surface are likely to battle for survival if ocean acidity continues to rise. The study found that copepods that move large distances, migrating vertically across a wide range of pH conditions, have a better chance of surviving.
NASA investigating the life of Comet ISON
After several days of continued observations, scientists continue to work to determine and to understand the fate of Comet ISON: There's no doubt that the comet shrank in size considerably as it rounded the sun and there's no doubt that something made it out on the other side to shoot back into space. The question remains as to whether the bright spot seen moving away from the sun was simply debris, or whether a small nucleus of the original ball of ice was still there. Regardless, it is likely that it is now only dust.
New computer model may explain moon Europa's chaotic terrain
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers at the University of Texas with assistance from a computer modeler at the Max Planck Institute in Germany has put together a computer model that might just explain the peculiar surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the team suggests the odd surface terrain patterns likely come about due to convection. Jason Goodman of Wheaton College offers a perspective on the researchers' findings in a News & Views piece printed in the same journal.
Technology news
Engineer/racer designs simulation systems
Dr. Stefan de Groot is not exactly a scientist who confines himself to the lab. The former Dutch Formula Ford racing champion and current Formula 3 race engineer took his doctorate at TU Delft this week for his research on driving simulators.
Renewable sources can provide stable power
Renewable energy sources - an area in which Germany is a leader - are becoming increasingly important for the worldwide power mix. Nevertheless, experts are still deliberating which market model is best for transitioning to renewables. However, one of the major technological challenges in this regard, namely balancing the fluctuations that are caused by wind and solar power, may soon be solved. The research project Kombikraftwerk 2 (Combined Power Plant 2) shows that a Germany-wide power grid could be stably operated even if it were fed only with electricity from renewable sources. The project partners (which included Siemens' global research unit Corporate Technology) also demonstrated that solar, wind, and biogas power plants can contribute to system stability if they are connected with one another to form an intelligently controlled power plant.
Octocopter to monitor crops
Rothamsted Research has obtained a high performance radio remote-controlled octocopter equipped with four distinct cameras, thanks to funding from The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The custom-built equipment will enable high-throughput collection of data from experimental crop plots at each of the Institute's sites as well as at collaborating organisations' trials. Collection of data with this method will give unique perspectives on crop growth and plant functioning, and will vastly extend capabilities for screening crops of different genetic background for performance, nutrition, stress, pathogen and disease responses.
Cognizant planning to add 10,000 jobs over 3 years
A major information technology outsourcing company is relocating its U.S. operations hub from New Jersey to Texas and expects to add 10,000 jobs nationwide over the next three years.
Move over Kim, Beyonce is queen of Internet in US
Pop star Beyonce dethroned reality TV personality Kim Kardashian as the most searched person on the Internet in 2013 for Americans, in a year when entertainment celebrities reigned.
Israeli hi-tech surfing wave of buyer interest
Israeli hi-tech has become the target of a buying frenzy, with startups sparking investment bids and a flurry of mergers and acquisitions unseen since the dotcom bubble burst in 2000.
A smart walker that guides its users
As part of the EU-funded DALi project, Siemens' global research unit Corporate Technology is developing a high-tech walker that can safely guide people with cognitive impairments through public buildings. Airports and shopping centers can pose problems for elderly people, as they might suffer an accident because they have difficulty seeing structural obstacles and signs in the crowded buildings. However, the new system is designed to not only make senior citizens' everyday life easier but also be used in industrial settings.
Defense against electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetic fields can interfere with or damage electronic devices. Electromagnetic radiation is invisible to people. A new measuring instrument can now determine the strength, frequency, and direction of the attack.
Explaining perfect forward secrecy
Twitter has announced it is introducing perfect forward secrecy to help users protect their information from spies and cyber-criminals.
Top US court affirms state sales tax on Amazon (Update)
The US Supreme Court upheld Monday New York state's law requiring Amazon to collect sales tax on items sold online, the latest decision in a long battle over e-commerce taxes.
European, US authorities take control of websites
Europol says American and European authorities have taken control of 690 websites that were selling counterfeit merchandise.
Virtual electromobility: Research project simulates electric vehicles
A fleet of 130 virtual electric cars is set to commence on the roads of Munich, Germany. Technische Universitaet Muenchen provides participating companies with smartphones that will be installed in taxis and commercial vehicles to track their movements. The smartphone's software records and processes the driving data to reveal how electric vehicles would perform the corresponding operational cycles in environmental and economic terms.
BlackBerry head says company is 'very much alive' (Update)
BlackBerry's interim chief executive said Monday reports of the death of the company "are greatly exaggerated."
'Cyber Monday' highlights online holiday shopping rise (Update)
The early buzz is that "Black Friday" shopping weekend was a bit of a disappointment for retailers, but hopes remained high that "Cyber Monday" would score big gains.
Mission possible: Simulation-based training and experimentation on display
A unique system that merges the virtual and real worlds to train Sailors for combat scenarios was unveiled Dec. 2 in Orlando.
Apple buys analytics firm for $200 mn
Apple has acquired social media analytics firm Topsy for more than $200 million, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Amazon.com sees delivery drones as future (Update)
Amazon.com is working on a way to get customers their goods in 30 minutes or less—by drone.
Israeli hacking school trains cyber warriors
Three hooded hackers hunch over their computer screens in the control room at Israel's new state-of-the-art "Cyber Gym", where IT and infrastructure company employees train to defend against cyber attacks.
Robot with brush, water, wiper tackles solar panel cleaning
(Phys.org) —At large-scale solar plants, keeping the surfaces of solar panels free from dust, sand and bird droppings is not just a matter of finicky housekeeping. It can be a matter of plant profitability. Dirty panels lower power generation efficiencies. Bird droppings on panels, for example, block the sunlight. A Tokyo-based company has a solution. Sinfonia Technology announced late last month that it has developed a robot with camera and sensors that can move autonomously and clean solar panels at large-scale solar power plants. Sinfonia's robot has a distinction in being "autonomous" in that, rather than tethered to rails, the robot is able to move from panel to panel, to tackle the panels' dirt and debris. The robot is equipped with scrub brush, wiper and detergent; and also sprinkles water stored in its tank. The robot can work in the dark; it has LEDs, having wavelengths in the infrared range.
Engineering antennas into solar panels
Researchers at EPFL have managed to combine antennas and solar cells to work together with unprecedented efficiency in a near future. This is a first step towards more compact and more lightweight satellites. The technology could also be deployed in the autonomous antenna systems used in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Saab is back: First cars produced under new owners (Update)
Two and a half years after Saab shut down production due to financial trouble, the Swedish car rolled a new sedan off its assembly lines in Trollhattan, in south-west Sweden, on Monday.
Symantec discovers worm that targets systems running Linux—threat to other devices
(Phys.org) —Antivirus company Symantec has announced that it has discovered a new worm on the loose—one that attacks vulnerabilities in computer systems running Linux. Thus far, they report, the threat is minimal due to the worm only operating on x86 type computers. It could grow much worse, however, as the worm appears to be easily changed to allow for exploiting other types of hardware running Linux such as home routers, smart TVs or security cameras.
Sweden joins race for self-driving cars
A hundred self-driving Volvo cars will roll onto public roads in and around the Swedish city of Gothenburg in 2017, the Chinese-owned car maker said Monday.
Uncovering hidden structures in massive data collections
(Phys.org) —Advances in computer storage have created collections of data so huge that researchers often have trouble uncovering critical patterns in connections among individual items, making it difficult for them to realize fully the power of computing as a research tool.
Scientists build a low-cost, open-source 3-D metal printer
OK, so maybe you aren't interested in making your own toys, cellphone cases, or glow-in-the-dark Christmas decorations. How about a brake drum?
New algorithm finds you, even in untagged photos
A new algorithm designed at the University of Toronto has the power to profoundly change the way we find photos among the billions on social media sites such as Facebook and Flickr. This month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will issue a patent on this technology.
Medicine & Health news
Diagnosing illness with virtual body images
Images of cancer cells buried deep in lung tissue have been used by biomedical engineers at the University of Sydney to help develop new medical imaging technologies that will assist oncologists with medical research and diagnosis.
Pharmacists assist drug addicts and sex workers
Barely a quarter of pharmacists in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Montreal know about the MIP kit, or personal injection kit, containing syringes, sterile water ampoules, alcohol swabs, condoms, and an information booklet. The kit is provided by the Direction de santé publique de Montréal to intravenous drug users through neighbourhood pharmacies. "We give advice to sick children, pregnant women, the elderly, the chronically ill... to everyone, including drug addicts, sex workers, and the homeless," says a video shot last year by students from Université de Montréal's Faculty of Pharmacy, which is now used to promote the kit.
Psychiatry interventions for the homeless
Homeless people who need psychiatric care are left to themselves in the streets of Montreal without getting any real medical attention. They go back and forth from the street to the hospital without medical follow-up. This "revolving door" is what inspired the clinic for the homeless that opened its doors in Montreal on November 12.
Action needed with Burma maternal, child health
As a regional neighbour to Myanmar, the Commonwealth Government has recognised Australia has a responsibility – and the capacity – to help alleviate poverty in the developing nation. Australia is also able to support Myanmar to develop an effective maternal and child health care.
Mother-to-child HIV transmission in Gipuzkoa falls to 2%
UPV/EHU research personnel have studied the evolution that took place between 1984 and 2011 in paediatric HIV infection in Gipuzkoa.
Cancer risk for aging Baby Boomers
As 10,000 baby boomers reach 65 each day, the incidence of cancer is increasing, estimated to increase by 67% between 2010 and 2030, bringing attention to the nation's response to cancer care. Cancer is diagnosed at a higher rate, accounts for more survivors, and results in more deaths than in younger patients.
Robot-inserted needles and catheters
Researchers at the UPM are involved in the design of a robotic arm for precise guidance of the insertion of needles, catheters and surgical instruments in procedures of minimally invasive surgery.
Duo searching for new cancer drugs win 2013 Burnet Prize
Medicinal chemist Dr Guillaume Lessene and structural biologist Dr Peter Czabotar have been jointly awarded the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's 2013 Burnet Prize, which is awarded annually to early career scientists who have undertaken pioneering work.
Maternal mortality: A reduction in deaths from haemorrhage
The new report, "Maternal Mortality in France," coordinated by Inserm Unit U953, Epidemiological Research Unit on Perinatal Health and Women's and Children's Health, announces a reduction in the rate of mortality due to postpartum haemorrhage—the leading cause of maternal mortality in France—for the 2007-2009 data compared to 2004-2006.
Forest Labs plans to cut $500M in spending
Forest Laboratories says it plans to cut $500 million in costs in about two years, and also plans to buy back up to $1 billion in company stock.
Predicting outcome for high-dose IL-2 therapy in cancer patients
One of the most potent forms of immunotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma is high-dose (HD) bolus IL-2 therapy. Approximately 15% of patients respond to HD IL-2 therapy, with almost 5% going into complete remission; however, use of HD IL-2 therapy is limited due to the toxic effects associated with treatment. Because HD IL-2-associated toxicity is severe, it would be beneficial for clinicians to determine if a patient would respond favorably to this treatment prior to side effect onset.
Blocking antioxidants in cancer cells reduces tumor growth in mice
Many cancers have adapted to cope with high levels of immune system-produced free radicals, also referred to as reactive oxygen species, by overproducing antioxidant proteins. One of these proteins, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), is overproduced in lung adenocarcinomas and has been implicated as a target for chemotherapy.
ACP recommends tighter transfusion strategy to treat anemia in patients with heart disease
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions should be restricted to those individuals with severe anemia in patients with heart disease, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends in a new clinical practice guideline published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal.
New technique identifies pathogens in patient samples faster, in great detail
A team of Danish investigators has shown how to identify pathogens faster, directly from clinical samples. The research, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology appears in the journal's January 2014 issue.
Thalidomide class action settled in Australia
A class action over birth defects linked to the morning sickness drug thalidomide was settled in an Australian court Monday, with the British distributor agreeing to pay victims Aus$89 million (US$81 million).
The Affordable Care Act: Translational research experiment to improve health
An editorial by Harry P. Selker, MD, MSPH, William H. Frist, MD, and Stuart Altman, PhD, published in the November 27 issue of Science Translational Medicine says the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an example of the role of experimentation in improving health at the public policy level.
MRI technique reveals low brain iron in ADHD patients
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a noninvasive way to measure iron levels in the brains of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Researchers said the method could help physicians and parents make better informed decisions about medication.
PRP therapy improves degenerative tendon disease in athletes
Ultrasound-guided delivery of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves functionality and reduces recovery time in athletes with degenerative disease in their tendons, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Cardiac MRI reveals energy drinks alter heart function
Healthy adults who consumed energy drinks high in caffeine and taurine had significantly increased heart contraction rates one hour later, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Novel rehabilitation device improves motor skills after stroke
Using a novel stroke rehabilitation device that converts an individual's thoughts to electrical impulses to move upper extremities, stroke patients reported improvements in their motor function and ability to perform activities of daily living. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Imaging shows long-term impact of blast-induced brain injuries in veterans
Using a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers have found that soldiers who suffered mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) induced by blast exposure exhibit long-term brain differences, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
To boost concern for the environment, emphasize a long future, not impending doom
Looking back on a nation's past can prompt action that leads to a greener future, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Hong Kong's illegal cancer drug trade driven by mainland buyers
Safety fears over medication in mainland China are driving a risky illegal trade in cancer drugs in Hong Kong, experts say, warning of shortages in a similar scenario to the milk formula crisis that emptied shelves in the territory.
Drug testing without syringes
Microneedles on a sticking-plaster-like patch may be the painless and safe way doctors will test for drugs and some infections in the future, thanks to work supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Congenital heart defects affects long-term development
Approximately one percent of all newborns in Switzerland are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, roughly half of them require open heart surgery. Most children, including those with the most severe heart defects, survive because of the significant advancements in surgical techniques. Therefore, the current research focuses less on survival than on long-term consequences and quality of life of these children.
Connecting motor control and language
Is it true, as some scientists believe, that to understand words like "spike" (in the volleyball sense) the brain has to "mentally" retrace the sequence of motor commands that accomplish the action? According to a study just published as a cover story in the December issue of Brain Research and conducted with the participation of scientists from SISSA, the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste, the high-level motor expertise of subjects (in the case at hand of the volleyball players who responded to instructions to perform volleyball-specific actions) modulates the involvement of the brain motor areas in understanding the actions. The effect of experience is a novelty that challenges some recent hypotheses, making the theoretical picture more complex.
Low vitamin D causes brain damage
A new study led by University of Kentucky researchers suggests that a diet low in vitamin D causes damage to the brain.
Autism and prenatal screening
The internet was ablaze last week with the news that health authorities in Western Australia (WA) have given approval for IVF clinics to 'screen' embryos to reduce the chances of a couple having a child with autism.
Report advises better management of multiple medication use
(Medical Xpress)—Policy, medical training and clinical practice have failed to adapt to a significant increase in the number of patients taking multiple prescription drugs, according to a new report published by The King's Fund and co-authored by Tony Avery, Professor of Primary Health Care in the School of Medicine at The University of Nottingham.
Study examines use of yoga to ease radiation therapy side effects
(Medical Xpress)—A new, first-of-its-kind study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks to learn whether men with prostate cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy can benefit from yoga. The study, led by Neha Vapiwala, MD, assistant professor of Radiation Oncology in Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, is examining the effect of yoga on cancer- and radiation-related fatigue, stress levels, and patients' quality of life during radiation therapy.
Cortical cause of anxiety states
Fear, at the right level, can increase alertness and protect against dangers. Disproportionate fear, on the other hand, can disrupt the sensory perception, be disabling, reduce happiness and therefore become a danger in itself. Anxiety disorders are therefore a psychiatric condition that should not be underestimated. In these disorders, the fear is so strong that there is tremendous psychological strain and living a normal life appears to be impossible. Researchers at the MedUni Vienna have now found a possible explanation as to how social phobias and fear can be triggered in the brain: a missing inhibitory connection or missing "brake" in the brain.
New biomarkers improve prostate cancer diagnostics
New biomarkers will improve diagnostics of endemic diseases in future, such as prostate cancer. Their mission: to recognize the tumor earlier and classify it more precisely – thereby helping avoid unnecessary operations.
Treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy
(Medical Xpress)—Reviving a gene which is 'turned down' after birth could be the key to treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an incurable muscle-wasting condition that affects one in every 3,500 boys.
Online treatment for OCD sufferers
Western Australian researchers have developed the first online treatment program for young people with obsessive compulsive disorder.
Life without antibiotics
Heralded as a "miracle of modern medicine" when they were first discovered, antibiotics have been overused for so long that most have become ineffective. Stories about superbugs (bacteria resistant to antibiotics) now feature regularly in the news.
Reappraisal of hydration guidelines
Surprising results of a study on dehydration and athletic performance will encourage greater analysis of the subject among the science community, according to researchers involved.
Struggling with chronic pain
People who suffer with chronic musculoskeletal pain face a daily struggle with their sense of self and find it difficult to prove the legitimacy of their condition.
Scientist develop gilded flu test
Researchers on the Norwich Research Park have patented a quick, simple dipstick flu test using sugar labelled with gold.
Alcohol key to lethal punching incidents
A nation-wide study into head-punching, or "king-hit" deaths in Australia found alcohol was a major contributing factor to the violent fatalities, and not necessarily in combination with the use of other drugs.
Goals affect feelings of pride and shame
When the St. Louis Cardinals lost the World Series, just how much shame did the players feel? According to researchers at Penn State and Australia's Central Queensland University, a person's goals at the outset of a competence-based task, such as a sporting event, can influence how much shame or pride he or she feels upon completion of the task.
Why tumors become resistant to chemotherapy?
A common observation in oncology is the phenomenon that a patient with a tumor receives a drug and responds very well, but after a few months the cancer comes back and is now resistant to previously administered chemotherapy. What happened? Many mechanisms contribute to explain this effect called "acquired resistance", but today the group Manel Esteller, Director of Epigenetics and Cancer Biology at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) , ICREA researcher and Professor of Genetics at the University of Barcelona, describes in the official Journal of the National Cancer Research Center in the United States , The Journal of The National Cancer Institute, the existence of epigenetic differences that explain the lack of response of the tumor recurs.
Scientists create the first large catalog of interactions between drugs and proteins
The three-dimensional structures of proteins determine how, when and where they bind to drugs and other compounds. In 2012 alone, thousands of structures like this were resolved. Now this mass of information needs to be translated into a biological context that can be used to extract relevant functions from these interactions, as well as significant pharmacological and disease-related effects.
Junk food and poor oral health increase risk of premature heart disease
The association between poor oral health and increased risk of cardiovascular disease should make the reduction of sugars such as those contained in junk food, particularly fizzy drinks, an important health policy target, say experts writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Appearing to be chronically ill may not be a good indication of poor health
Physicians have long been taught that a physical examination is not complete without an assessment of whether a patient appears to be acutely or chronically ill.
Brain-training device may ease stroke paralysis
(HealthDay)—Scientists are testing a new thought-controlled device that may one day help people move limbs again after they've been paralyzed by a stroke.
Silent RNAs express themselves in ALS disease
RNA molecules, used by cells to make proteins, are generally thought to be "silent" when stowed in cytoplasmic granules. But a protein mutated in some ALS patients forms granules that permit translation of stored RNAs, according to a study in The Journal of Cell Biology. The finding identifies a new mechanism that could contribute to the pathology of the disease.
New evidence that 'gout' strongly runs in the family
It's historically known as 'the king of diseases and the disease of kings' and was long thought to be caused by an overindulgent lifestyle, but now scientists at The University of Nottingham have confirmed that 'gout' strongly runs in families.
Key found to restoring 'exhausted' HIV-fighting immune cells
Researchers have identified a protein that causes loss of function in immune cells combatting HIV. The scientists report in a paper appearing online Dec. 2 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that the protein, Sprouty-2, is a promising target for future HIV drug development, since disabling it could help restore the cells' ability to combat the virus that causes AIDS.
First Nations adults have more than double the risk of end-stage kidney disease
First Nations adults with diabetes have more than double the risk of end-stage kidney disease compared with non–First Nations adults, found a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
New research shows obesity is an inflammatory disease
Scientists have moved a step closer to an "obesity drug" that may block the effects of diets high in sugar and fats. In a new research report published in the December 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, scientists show that there is an abnormal amount of an inflammatory protein called PAR2 in the abdominal fat tissue of overweight and obese humans and rats. This protein is also increased on the surfaces of human immune cells by common fatty acids in the diet. When obese rats on a diet high in sugar and fat were given a new oral drug that binds to PAR2, the inflammation-causing properties of this protein were blocked, as were other effects of the high-fat and high-sugar diet—including obesity itself.
Chickenpox vaccine not responsible for rise in shingles, study says
(HealthDay)—The prevalence of a painful condition known as shingles is increasing in the United States, but new research says the chickenpox vaccine isn't to blame.
Specific heart contractions could predict atrial fibrillation
A commonly used heart monitor may be a simple tool for predicting the risk of atrial fibrillation, the most frequently diagnosed type of irregular heart rhythm, according to researchers at UC San Francisco.
New report illustrates persistent global burden of anemia among high-risk populations
Despite increasing efforts to diagnose and treat anemia worldwide, there remains a surprisingly large global burden of the disease, particularly among young children and women, according to a new report on trends in anemia between 1990 and 2010. The report was published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology.
The importance of standardizing drug screening studies
A bioinformatics expert at the IRCM, Benjamin Haibe-Kains, recently published an article stressing the importance of standardizing drug screening studies in the prestigious scientific journal Nature. The study supports the need for further development and standardization to improve the reproducibility of drug screening studies, as they are important in identifying new therapeutic agents and their potential combinations with existing drugs.
Oxygen levels increase and decrease the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapies
A new research discovery published in the December 2013 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology yields an important clue toward helping curb runaway inflammation. Oxygen levels play a critical role in determining the severity of the inflammatory response and ultimately the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs. This research could have significant future benefits for patients with severe asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary fibrosis and coronary artery disease.
US mothers from 1965 to 2010: More TV, less housework
New research from the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health shows that mothers in the U.S. are far less physically active than they were in previous decades and now spend more time engaged in sedentary activities like watching television than in cooking, cleaning and exercising combined.
Head out to the ski slopes, for happiness' sake
Are you contemplating a skiing holiday? The all-out pleasure and enjoyment you experience on a pair of skis or a snowboard is positively priceless to enhance your overall happiness. This is true even if you only get to go out on the slopes once in a blue moon, says Hyun-Woo Lee and colleagues from Yonsei University in the Republic of Korea, in an article published in Springer's journal Applied Research in Quality of Life.
Increased risk for cardiac ischemia in patients with PTSD
There is growing concern that long-term untreated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may increase the risk of developing a number of medical problems, particularly compromised cardiovascular health.
Scientists crack riddle of important drug target
A new approach to mapping how proteins interact with each other, developed at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, could aid in the design of new drugs for diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis. By reengineering proteins using artificial amino acids, the Salk scientists determine the detailed molecular structure of a cellular switch and its ligand, the molecule that turns it on. The switch—corticotrophin releasing factor type 1 (CRF1R)—belongs to a class of cellular receptors whose structures are notoriously hard to determine. These receptors regulate processes throughout the body and are involved in many diseases.
Computer models of neuronal sound processing in the brain lead to cochlear implant improvements
Children learning to speak depend on functional hearing. So-called cochlear implants allow deaf people to hear again by stimulating the auditory nerve directly. Researchers at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) are working to overcome current limits of the technology. They are investigating the implementation of signals in the auditory nerve and the subsequent neuronal processing in the brain. Using the computer models developed at the TUM manufacturers of cochlear implants improve their devices.
Method to predict Alzheimer's disease within two years of screening
At the first signs of memory loss, most people start worrying and wonder, "What if I have Alzheimer's disease?" And yet, the disease is often diagnosed late in its development and sometimes up to ten years after the first pathological changes have affected the brain. A major goal in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease has been to provide earlier diagnosis so that patients can receive treatment as early as possible. A study by Sylvie Belleville, PhD, Director of Research at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, an institution affiliated with Université de Montréal, has shown a way to do just that. In their study, Sylvie Belleville and her team accurately predicted (at a rate of 90%) which of their research subjects with mild cognitive impairment would receive a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease within the following two years and which subjects would not develop this disease. The study was published in Volume 38, Issue 2 of the prestigious Journal! of Alzheimer's Disease.
Newly discovered human peptide may become a new treatment for diabetes
Even if the obesity trend cannot be reversed, here's hope that it's partner in crime—diabetes—might be thwarted. New research published in the December 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal shows how a recently discovered human peptide, called humanin, could lead to powerful new treatments for some people living with diabetes. That's because research in mice and rats shows that a humanin analogue (a peptide molecularly similar to humanin) increases insulin secretion leading to an increase in glucose metabolism within beta cells.
Scientists discover that short-term energy deficits increase factors related to muscle degradation
Building upon the discovery that a high-protein diet reduces muscle loss when dieting, a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal now helps explain why. Protein consumption slows the ubiquitin proteasome system, which is primarily responsible for degrading skeletal muscle.
Kids whose bond with mother was disrupted early in life show changes in brain
Children who experience profound neglect have been found to be more prone to a behavior known as "indiscriminate friendliness," characterized by an inappropriate willingness to approach adults, including strangers.
Information technologies could remove the 'shroud of secrecy' draped across private health care cost
The "shroud of secrecy" once draped across private health care service costs could be lifted with innovative information technologies, Princeton University professor Uwe Reinhardt wrote in a review published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Unfolded protein response contributes to sudden death in heart failure
A researcher at the Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Newport hospitals has found a link to human heart failure that if blocked, may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. The paper, written by Samuel C. Dudley, M.D., Ph.D., chief of cardiology at the CVI, is published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
Prescription opioid abusers prefer to get high on oxycodone and hydrocodone
Prescription opioid abuse has reached epidemic levels in the past 15 years. Scientists investigating why people favor one drug over another have found that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the drugs of choice for 75% of opioid-dependent individuals. Their results, published in the current issue of Pain, show that oxycodone was the most popular drug overall because of the quality of the high for those who sought such effects. Nonetheless, hydrocodone remains one of the most popular primary drugs, even though it has lower euphoric qualities. In addition, users say they are concerned about acetaminophen poisoning since, until recently, all hydrocodone products contained non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Treatment plans for brain metastases more accurately determined with aid of molecular imaging trace
Imaging with the molecular imaging tracer 18F-FDOPA can help distinguish radiation-induced lesions from new tumor growth in patients who have been treated with radiation for brain metastases, according to new research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Using this amino acid tracer, researchers found that physicians could accurately differentiate the two types of lesions 83 percent of the time. Progression-free survival could also be predicted through evaluating the 18F-FDOPA imaging results.
Fertility doctors aim to lower rate of twin births
U.S. doctors are reporting an epidemic—of twins. Nearly half of all babies born with advanced fertility help are multiple births, new federal numbers show.
Hong Kong confirms first human case of H7N9 bird flu (Update)
Hong Kong on Monday confirmed its first human case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu, according to a report, in the latest sign of the virus spreading beyond mainland China.
Obama offers up to $5 billion to tackle AIDS (Update)
US President Barack Obama on Monday pledged up to $5 billion to fight HIV/AIDS as long as the rest of the world collectively offers double that amount.
Aerobic fitness and hormones predict recognition memory in young adults
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found further evidence that exercise may be beneficial for brain health and cognition. The findings, which are currently available online in Behavioural Brain Research, suggest that certain hormones, which are increased during exercise, may help improve memory.
Ethnic identification helps Latina adolescents resist media barrage of body images
A strong sense of ethnic identity can help Latina girls feel positive about their body and appearance, a new study concludes, even as this group slips further into dissatisfaction with themselves when compared to a media-filled world of unrealistic images of thin white women.
Energy drinks plus alcohol pose a public health threat
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is riskier than just drinking alcohol alone, according to a new study that examines the impact of a growing trend among young adults.
New drug cuts risk of deadly transplant side effect in half
A new class of drugs reduced the risk of patients contracting a serious and often deadly side effect of lifesaving bone marrow transplant treatments, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Bronchial thermoplasty shows long-term effectiveness for asthma
The beneficial effects of bronchial thermoplasty, a non-pharmacologic treatment for asthma, last at least five years, according to researchers at National Jewish Health and other institutions. The therapy, in which heat is applied to a patient's airways during a bronchoscopy procedure, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2010. Among other criteria, the researchers report in the December issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that reductions in severe asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits, medication use and missed workdays continued out to five years after the procedure was performed.
Researchers turn to machines to identify breast cancer type
Researchers from the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services have created a computer algorithm that successfully predicts whether estrogen is sending signals to cancer cells to grow into tumours in the breast. By finding this hormone receptor, known as estrogen receptor positive, physicians can prescribe anti-estrogen drug therapies, improving patient outcomes.
Bothersome pain afflicts half of older Americans
More than half of older adults in the United States – an estimated 18.7 million people – have experienced bothersome pain in the previous month, impairing their physical function and underscoring the need for public health action on pain. Many of those interviewed by investigators for a study published in the current issue of Pain reported pain in multiple areas.
Genetic mutation may play key role in risk of lethal prostate cancer in overweight patients
Obesity is associated with a worse prostate cancer prognosis among men whose tumors contain a specific genetic mutation, suggest results from a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers. Among prostate cancer patients whose tumors contain the mutation, they had a more than 50% increased risk of dying from prostate cancer if they were overweight or obese compared to healthy-weight men; among men whose tumors did not have the mutation, there was no effect of obesity on cancer survival. It is the first study to link data on obesity, tumor genetics, and cancer-specific survival in prostate cancer patients.
Micromovements hold hidden information about severity of autism, researchers report
Movements so minute they cannot be detected by the human eye are being analyzed by researchers to diagnose autism spectrum disorder and determine its severity in children and young adults, according to research presented at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in November.
Vitamin D decreases pain in women with type 2 diabetes and depression
Vitamin D decreases pain in women with type 2 diabetes and depression, according to a study conducted at Loyola University Chicago. These findings were presented at an Oct. 24, 2013 research conference at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus.
Long-term dietary fiber intake linked to Crohn's disease
(HealthDay)—Long-term intake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of Crohn's disease (CD), but not ulcerative colitis (UC), according to a study published in the November issue of Gastroenterology.
Black men raised by single parent prone to high blood pressure
(HealthDay)—Black men who were raised in single-parent households have higher blood pressure than those who spent at least part of their childhood in a two-parent home, according to a new study.
Racial disparities persist in diabetes care outcomes
(HealthDay)—Black patients do not receive the same quality of care, and experience poorer intermediate outcomes in the practice setting of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH), according to research published online Nov. 19 in Diabetes Care.
'Healthy obesity' is a myth, report says
(HealthDay)—The notion that some people can be overweight or obese and still remain healthy is a myth, according to a new Canadian study.
FDA starts regulating compounding pharmacies
(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday began the process of regulating compounding pharmacies, which create new drug combinations or alter drugs to suit individual patient needs.
Messy children make better learners
Attention, parents: The messier your child gets while playing with food in the high chair, the more he or she is learning.
Air pollution and genetics combine to increase risk for autism
Exposure to air pollution appears to increase the risk for autism among people who carry a genetic disposition for the neurodevelopmental disorder, according to newly published research led by scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).
Researchers block HIV replication
A multidisciplinary team of scientists from Spanish universities and research centres, among which is the University of Valencia, has managed to design small synthetic molecules capable of joining to the genetic material of the AIDS virus and blocking its replication.
Studies show memories in offspring may be impacted by parental experiences
(Medical Xpress)—Two new studies suggest that events that transpire during the life of a mouse may have an impact on memory mechanics in their offspring. Both studies were conducted by teams in the U.S. and both have had their findings published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Study shows how a modified pacemaker strengthens failing hearts
Johns Hopkins heart researchers are unraveling the mystery of how a modified pacemaker used to treat many patients with heart failure, known as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), is able to strengthen the heart muscle while making it beat in a coordinated fashion. In a new study conducted on animal heart cells described in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the scientists show that CRT changes these cells so they can contract more forcefully. The researchers also identified an enzyme that mimics this effect of CRT without use of the device.
Age-related cognitive decline linked to energy in synapses in prefrontal cortex
Age-related cognitive decline and changes in the nervous system are closely linked, but up until recently, they were thought to result from the loss of neurons in areas such as the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain important in working memory. A series of papers have shown that the "loss of neurons" concept is simply not true. Now, Mount Sinai scientists have begun to look elsewhere, focusing instead on synaptic health in the prefrontal cortex. Their work, published online in the December 2 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that synaptic health in the brain is closely linked to cognitive decline. Further, the scientists show that estrogen restores synaptic health and also improves working memory.
A single spray of oxytocin improves brain function in children with autism
A single dose of the hormone oxytocin, delivered via nasal spray, has been shown to enhance brain activity while processing social information in children with autism spectrum disorders, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study published in the Dec. 2 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
What makes the deadliest form of malaria specific to people?
Researchers have discovered why the parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria only infects humans.
Study reveals striking differences in brain connectivity between men and women
A new brain connectivity study from Penn Medicine published today in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences found striking differences in the neural wiring of men and women that's lending credence to some commonly-held beliefs about their behavior.
Biology news
Elephant poaching declines slightly
Although the number of African elephants killed for their tusks declined slightly last year after worldwide recognition of the severity of the wildlife crime epidemic, the rates remain unacceptably high, conservation group WWF says. UN data released today shows that an estimated 22,000 elephants were slaughtered by poachers across Africa in 2012, down from the previous year's record of at least 25,000.
Salmon fry have less sensitive intestines than smolt
A PhD research project at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science has provided essential knowledge about the mechanisms leading to feed-induced enteritis in salmon and also insight into the salmon's intestinal immune defence system.
Why breed specific legislation does not protect the public from dangerous dogs
Research conducted by animal behaviour experts challenges the basis of breed specific legislation designed to protect the public from 'dangerous' dogs.
Research holds key to safer coexistence with sharks
The recent fatal shark attacks at Gracetown in WA and Coffs Harbour in NSW are a tragedy and our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of the victims and to the surrounding communities.
Illinois initiative creates futuristic facility
Through the CompGen initiative, the University's Institute for Genomic Biology and the Coordinated Science Laboratory in the College of Engineering are bringing together top faculty in genomic and computational sciences to create a dynamic team that will develop new technology for genomic breakthroughs.
Integrated pest managment techniques can help manage the Bagrada bug
The Bagrada bug, an invasive stink bug, was discovered in the western hemisphere in 2008 near Los Angeles, CA, presumably introduced via container shipments arriving at the Port of Long Beach. Since then it has spread throughout southern California, southern areas of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, southern and west-central New Mexico, and western Texas.
Cotton breeding researchers take giant leap
Narrow germplasm base and limited technology have made it difficult for cotton researchers to identify specific DNA markers needed to locate genes that confer desirable traits. But that's no longer the case.
Africa risks losing 20 percent of elephants in 10 years, study says
Africa could lose 20 percent of its elephant population in a decade if current poaching levels are not slowed, animal conservation groups warned Monday.
Can big cats co-exist? Study challenges lion threat to cheetah cubs
New research into cheetah cub survival has refuted the theory that lions are a cub's main predator and that big cats cannot coexist in conservation areas. The study, published in the Journal of Zoology, found that cubs in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park were seven times more likely to survive then on the Serengeti Plains and that lions were not found to be the cubs' main predatory threat.
Division of labor in the test tube: Bacteria grow faster if they feed each other
The division of labor is more efficient than a struggle through life without help from others – this is also true for microorganisms. Researchers from Research Group Experimental Ecology and Evolution at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and their colleagues at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany came to this conclusion when they performed experiments with microbes. The scientists worked with bacteria that were deficient in the production of a certain amino acid and therefore depended on a partner to provide the missing nutrient. Bacterial strains that complemented each other's need by providing the required amino acid showed a fitness increase of about 20% relative to a non-deficient strain without partner. This result helps to explain why cooperation is such a widespread model of success in nature.
'Designer sperm' inserts custom genes into offspring
Get ready: The "new genetics" promises to change faulty genes of future generations by introducing new, functioning genes using "designer sperm." A new research report appearing online in The FASEB Journal, shows that introducing new genetic material via a viral vector into the sperm of mice leads to the presence and activity of those genes in the resulting embryos. This new genetic material is actually inherited, present and functioning through three generations of the mice tested. This discovery—if successful in humans—could lead to a new frontier in genetic medicine in which diseases and disorders are effectively cured, and new human attributes, such as organ regeneration, may be possible.
A new weapon in the war against superbugs
In the arms race between bacteria and modern medicine, bacteria have gained an edge. In recent decades, bacterial resistance to antibiotics has developed faster than the production of new antibiotics, making bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat. Scientists worry that a particularly virulent and deadly "superbug" could one day join the ranks of existing untreatable bacteria, causing a public health catastrophe comparable with the Black Death.
New means of growing intestinal stem cells
The small intestine, like most other body tissues, has a small store of immature adult stem cells that can differentiate into more mature, specialized cell types. Until now, there has been no good way to grow large numbers of these stem cells, because they only remain immature while in contact with a type of supportive cells called Paneth cells.
Secrets of the legless, leaping land fish (w/ Video)
One of the world's strangest animals – a legless, leaping fish that lives on land - uses camouflage to avoid attacks by predators such as birds, lizards and crabs, new research shows.
Evolution of Himalayan flowers sheds light on climate change
Flower colour in some parts of the world, including the Himalayas, has evolved to attract bees as pollinators, research has shown for the first time.
Evolution, Civil War history entwine in plant fossil with a tragic past
A fossil leaf fragment collected decades ago on a Virginia canal bank has been identified as one of North America's oldest flowering plants, a 115- to 125-million-year-old species new to science. The fossil find, an ancient relative of today's bleeding hearts, poses a new question in the study of plant evolution: did Earth's dominant group of flowering plants evolve along with its distinctive pollen? Or did pollen come later?
Microplastics make marine worms sick
Tiny bits of plastic trash could spell big trouble for marine life, starting with the worms, say a team of researchers from Plymouth University and the University of Exeter who report their evidence in a pair of studies in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 2. Those marine worms play a key ecological role as an important source of food for other animals.
Koalas' low-pitched voice explained by unique organ
The pitch of male koalas' mating calls is about 20 times lower than it should be, given the Australian marsupial's relatively small size. Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 2 have discovered their secret: koalas have a specialized sound-producing organ that has never before been seen in any other land-dwelling mammal. The key feature of this newly described organ is its location outside the voice box, what scientists call the larynx.
Researchers revise Darwin's thinking on invasive species
For more than a century and a half, researchers interested in invasive species have looked to Charles Darwin and what has come to be called his "naturalization conundrum." If an invader is closely related to species in a new area, he wrote in his landmark The Origin of Species, it should find a more welcoming habitat. On the other hand, it could expect competition from the related species and attacks from its natural enemies like predators and parasites.
Detailed image shows how genomes are copied
For the first time, researchers at Umeå University have succeeded in showing how the DNA polymerase epsilon enzyme builds new genomes. The detailed image produced by these researchers shows how mutations that can contribute to the development of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer lead to changes in the structure of the protein. This study will be published in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
Culling vampire bats to stem rabies in Latin America can backfire
Culling vampire bat colonies to stem the transmission of rabies in Latin America does little to slow the spread of the virus and could even have the reverse effect, according to University of Michigan researchers and their colleagues.
How bacteria respond so quickly to external changes
Understanding how bacteria adapt so quickly to changes in their external environment with continued high growth rates is one of the major research challenges in molecular microbiology. This is important not least for our understanding of resistance to antibiotics. A research study from Uppsala University is now presenting a model of how bacteria can rapidly adapt to environmental changes through smart regulation of their gene expression.
Secrets to 'extreme adaptation' found in Burmese python genome
The Burmese python's ability to ramp up its metabolism and enlarge its organs to swallow and digest prey whole can be traced to unusually rapid evolution and specialized adaptations of its genes and the way they work, an international team of biologists says in a new paper.
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