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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 7, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Perovskite solar cells become even more promising with cheaper materials- Neuroscience study uncovers new player in obesity
- Researchers discover molecule behind the benefits of exercise
- How fat might be controlled through the body clock
- Ancient sharks reared young in prehistoric river-delta nursery
- Ultra-flexible chip can be wrapped around a hair
- The five fingers of our feathered friends: New research results on the evolution of bird wings
- On-demand vaccines possible with engineered nanoparticles
- Team finds a new cellulose digestion mechanism by a fast-eating enzyme
- Sugar-burning in the adult human brain is associated with continued growth, and remodeling
- Mega-landslide in giant Utah copper mine may have triggered earthquakes
- N-test legacy in stratosphere bigger than thought
- Stormy stars? Spitzer probes weather on brown dwarfs
- Life on other planets could be far more widespread, study finds
- Unique protein interaction may drive most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease
Astronomy & Space news
Image: The Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543)
Three thousand light years from Earth, the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) is a sight that draws in the human eye. In this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, numerous bubbles are visible – shapes generated by the ejection of glowing gas as the star at its centre approaches the end of its life.
Mars rover photographs featured at US museum (Update)
Ten years after NASA landed two rovers on Mars for a 90-day mission, one is still exploring, and the project has generated hundreds of thousands of images from the planet's surface.
SpaceX launches second commercial satellite
US company SpaceX said Monday it had deployed a commercial Thai satellite, in its second successful launch in weeks.
An astronaut's rhythm
Anyone who has flown long distances will be familiar with the jetlag that comes with travelling across time zones. Our body clocks need time to adjust to different daylight times as high-fliers and frequent travellers know all too well. But what about astronauts, the highest fliers of all? Do they suffer from rocket-lag?
One-way trip to Mars? Sign me up, says Frenchwoman
A comfortable, middle-class Parisian life may be the envy of many people, but Florence Porcel would give it all up to be among the first Earthlings to settle on Mars—even with no option of return.
Arianespace targets record year for rocket launches
Arianespace, the European satellite launch company, said 2014 would be a record year with the most rocket launches ever despite recent delays.
NASA great observatories team up to discover ultra-bright young galaxies
(Phys.org) —NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope joined forces to discover and characterize four unusually bright galaxies as they appeared more than 13 billion years ago, just 500 million years after the big bang. Although Hubble has previously identified galaxies at this early epoch, astronomers were surprised to find objects that are about 10 to 20 times more luminous than anything seen previously.
Hubble images become tactile 3-D experience for the blind
(Phys.org) —Three-dimensional printers are transforming the business, medical, and consumer landscape by creating a vast variety of objects, including airplane parts, football cleats, lamps, jewelry, and even artificial human bones.
NASA's SDO sees giant January sunspots
An enormous sunspot, labeled AR1944, slipped into view over the sun's left horizon late on Jan. 1, 2014. The sunspot steadily moved toward the right, along with the rotation of the sun, and now sits almost dead center, as seen in the image above from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Sun unleashes first X-class flare of 2014
The sun emitted a significant solar flare peaking at 1:32 p.m. EST on Jan.7, 2014. This is the first significant flare of 2014, and follows on the heels of mid-level flare earlier in the day. Each flare was centered over a different area of a large sunspot group currently situated at the center of the sun, about half way through its 14-day journey across the front of the disk along with the rotation of the sun.
Undergraduates discover rare eclipsing double asteroid
Students in a University of Maryland undergraduate astronomy class have made a rare discovery that wowed professional astronomers: a previously unstudied asteroid is actually a pair of asteroids that orbit and regularly eclipse one another.
Gemini Planet Imager first light: World's most powerful exoplanet camera turns its eye to the sky
After nearly a decade of development, construction, and testing, the world's most advanced instrument for directly imaging and analyzing planets around other stars is pointing skyward and collecting light from distant worlds.
Stormy stars? Spitzer probes weather on brown dwarfs
(Phys.org) —Swirling, stormy clouds may be ever-present on cool celestial orbs called brown dwarfs. New observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that most brown dwarfs are roiling with one or more planet-size storms akin to Jupiter's "Great Red Spot."
Recently reactivated NASA spacecraft spots its first new asteroid
(Phys.org) —NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft has spotted a never-before-seen asteroid—its first such discovery since coming out of hibernation last year.
Hubble's first frontier field finds thousands of unseen, faraway galaxies
(Phys.org) —The first of a set of unprecedented, super-deep views of the universe from an ambitious collaborative program called The Frontier Fields is being released today at the 223rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Washington, D.C.
Massive exoplanets may be more earth-like than thought: 'Super-earths' likely to have both oceans and continents
(Phys.org) —Massive terrestrial planets, called "super-Earths," are known to be common in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Now a Northwestern University astrophysicist and a University of Chicago geophysicist report the odds of these planets having an Earth-like climate are much greater than previously thought.
Hubble unveils a deep sea of small and faint early galaxies
(Phys.org) —NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered the long-suspected underlying population of galaxies that produced the bulk of new stars during the universe's early years. They are the smallest, faintest, and most numerous galaxies ever seen in the remote universe, captured by Hubble deep exposures taken in ultraviolet light.
Life on other planets could be far more widespread, study finds
(Phys.org) —Earth-sized planets can support life at least ten times further away from stars than previously thought, according to academics at the University of Aberdeen.
Technology news
"Transformers" director stalks off stage at Samsung event
Autobot warriors in "Transformers" films stand firm in the face of pressure, but the director of the blockbuster action films bolted when a teleprompter failed him at a Samsung press event.
Toshiba CMOS image sensor technology allows full HD video at 240 frames per second
Toshiba Corporation today announced the development of "Bright Mode", a CMOS image sensor technology that allows smartphones and tablets to record Full HD video at 240 frames per second (fps), the industry's highest frame rate. "Bright Mode" realizes high quality slow motion playback.
Preventing air accidents
A Norwegian satellite-based system aims to ensure that helicopters and light aircraft are prevented from colliding with power lines and other obstacles.
Sandisk releases 64GB wireless flash drive
SanDisk Corporation today announced the 64GB SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive in advance of the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. The drive extends SanDisk's popular line of wireless flash memory storage products, offering users even more wireless memory expansion for their mobile devices. In addition, recently released software updates enhance the performance and functionality of both the SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive and Wireless Media Drive.
Mathematics for safer medicine
Natural sciences continuously produce larger and more complex data sets – using elaborate sensor technology or computer simulations. But can researchers be sure that the results of their computer simulations are reliable and accurate enough even if some aspects of the system under consideration are not exactly known? The new research group "Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification" at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) wants to shed light on this question. With Prof. Vincent Heuveline as group leader, six researchers focus on the analysis of large data sets and on the calculation of uncertainties within technical systems. They use state-of-the-art technology from the areas of High Performance Computing and Cloud Computing.
Investment and fare increases cannot compensate for decades of neglect, say rail experts
Decades of neglect in the UK's rail network cannot be instantly rectified by short term Government investments and price promises, transport experts have said.
Gartner: PC, mobile shipments to hit 2.5B in 2014
Research firm Gartner expects worldwide shipments of computers and mobile devices to reach 2.5 billion units this year, up nearly 8 percent from 2013.
San Francisco to charge fee for tech company buses
San Francisco will charge technology and other companies a fee for using public bus stops for their employee shuttle buses.
Going digital hurting newspapers: industry spokesman
Going digital is what's hurting Canadian newspapers, not a lack of revenues or readers, which are both up, a publishing industry spokesman said Tuesday.
Obama to meet with lawmakers, intel leaders on NSA
President Barack Obama is inviting lawmakers and intelligence officials to the White House to discuss National Security Agency programs as Obama prepares to unveil what changes he's prepared to make to the programs.
Ford CEO Mulally says not leaving for Microsoft
Ford CEO Alan Mulally says he will not leave the automaker for Microsoft and will stay at Ford at least through 2014.
Motorola eyes 'aggressive' moves in smartphones: CEO
Motorola is pushing all the buttons to regain prominence in the smartphone market, including aggressive pricing, chief executive Dennis Woodside says.
Intel says its processors are now 'conflict-free'
Intel Corp., the world's largest maker of computer processors, says its processors are now free of minerals from mines held by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Google partners with automakers for on-board Android
Google joined Monday with automakers General Motors, Audi, Honda and Hyundai in a new partnership to bring the Android mobile system to vehicles.
Taiwan's Acer looks to Internet trading
Taiwanese computer maker Acer said Tuesday it has made its first major investment since overhauling its top management late last year, acquiring a 15.6 percent stake in a PChome subsidiary.
Tesla station to bring electric cars to Wyoming
In the least populated county in the least populated state, old Ford and Chevy pickup trucks roam—and rule—the roads.
Researchers devise faster method of boarding planes
Clarkson University researchers have developed a strategy to ease one of the headaches of airline travel: boarding the flight.
Study: Internet erodes democratic protections
Claims that the internet will "democratize" the global village are not supported by research published in the International Journal of Electronic Governance. Instead, non-democratic governments simply exploit the networks to spy on and control their citizens more effectively and efficiently than they did before.
Climbing the 'power ascension' market
Since MIT spinout Atlas Devices' flagship product, the Atlas Powered Rope Ascender (APA), first hit the market in 2007, it's been touted by media as a real-world version of Batman's famed utility-belt grappling gun: At the pull of a trigger, the handheld device can hoist two people about 30 stories up a rope in 30 seconds.
HP's Autonomy claims supported by Air Force document
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s claim that it was hoodwinked into paying too much when it bought British software company Autonomy in 2011 is supported by newly released documents from Air Force investigators.
French company demos driverless shuttle at CES
French company Induct on Monday showed off the first driverless vehicle to be commercially available in the U.S.
Gadget Watch: Crystal clear sound in glass speaker
Ever tried to play a tune by rubbing the rim of a crystal wine glass?
T-Mobile CEO crashes AT&T party, is thrown out
T-Mobile's CEO John Legere is taking his "bad boy" image and feud with AT&T to the next level: he crashed a party thrown by AT&T at the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas, and was thrown out after being discovered.
Sony unveils game service as PS4 sales top 4.2 million
Sony on Tuesday announced a hotly-anticipated streaming game service along with the news that it sold more than 4.2 million PlayStation 4 consoles by the start of this year.
US home video spending posts second year of growth
U.S. home video spending rose nearly 1 percent to $18.2 billion in 2013, the second straight year of growth as higher spending on video streaming subscriptions and digital purchases offset the decline in DVDs.
Twitter co-founder launches app for asking about what you see
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone on Tuesday took the wraps off a smartphone application that invites people to tap into their online social networks for answers about things they see.
Apple: People spent $10B in its app store in 2013
Apple says people spent more than $10 billion in its app store last year, on apps such as "Minecraft," ''Angry Birds Star Wars" and "Sleep Cycle" alarm clock.
PlayStation 4 sales beat Xbox One sales in 2013
Sony says it has sold 4.2 million PlayStation 4 consoles in 2013. That beats out rival Microsoft's Xbox One, which sold 3 million units.
Yahoo mines recent acquisitions to boost revenue
Yahoo is leaning more heavily on its recent acquisitions of technology and talent to as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to attract more traffic and advertising to the Internet company's services.
Intel takes leap into wearable computing
Computer chip giant Intel unveiled a major new push Monday into wearables and connecting everyday devices as it seeks to leapfrog the competition in mobile computing.
First Formula E car dazzles Las Vegas
The first Formula E car—part of an upcoming motor racing competition to put electric vehicles on the map—made its dazzling debut on Monday in Las Vegas.
Voxx sees iris scans putting password era to bed
Voxx International wants iris recognition technology to render passwords obsolete, offering a "one in two trillion" level of online security.
CES stage in Vegas set for new wave of gadgets
As spending on gadgets flattens in a world obsessed with smartphones and tablets, the Consumer Electronics Show here hopes to be a launch pad for a new must-have device.
Broadcom's two chips announced for enhanced video streaming
(Phys.org) —Broadcom has arrived in Las Vegas for the 2014 CES trade show with a clear message about its technology ambitions as a market leader in 5g WiFi chips. Broadcom has promoted its work that has focused on this fifth generation of Wi-Fi, or 802.11ac. The company said that "802.11ac from Broadcom delivers download speeds up to three times faster than existing networks, plus power efficiency six times greater than in most mobile devices."
New algorithm can dramatically streamline solutions to the 'max flow' problem
Finding the most efficient way to transport items across a network like the U.S. highway system or the Internet is a problem that has taxed mathematicians and computer scientists for decades.
Ultra-flexible chip can be wrapped around a hair
Scientists in Switzerland said Tuesday they can create electronic chips so flexible they can be wrapped around a human hair.
'Ultra HD' takes center stage but skepticism remains
Television giants at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas are touting the wonders of ultra high-definition screens despite doubts by analysts that people will buy them.
Bosch shows automated park assistance at CES
(Phys.org) —CES in Las Vegas, in full swing, has a number of gadgetry themes at this year's show, not least of which is automotive technologies that pave the way for driverless cars which, in the interim, complete tasks with driverless autonomy. Yesterday's highlight came from technology suppliers Bosch, which has been working on self-parking technology to shape the future of automated driving. What's not to like? Every year, says a Bosch promotional video, we waste an entire day on parking. Bosch has developed a way to give people that day back. That way consists of a parking function that can be remotely activated by the driver, The driver can activate the function outside the car by pressing a button on the key or via smartphone app. Press and the car drives itself into and out of parking spaces.
Medicine & Health news
Growing number of seniors caring for other seniors
Burgeoning demand for senior services like home health aides is being met by a surprising segment of the workforce: Other seniors.
Over 350 sick in Japan after eating pesticide-tainted food
More than 350 people across Japan have fallen ill after eating pesticide-contaminated frozen food produced by the nation's largest seafood firm, national broadcaster NHK said Tuesday.
China crystal meth makers used GSK cold medicine: report
Some crystal methamphetamine seized in a huge drug bust in China used the popular cold medicine Contac, manufactured by beleaguered British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), state media reported Tuesday.
Is silk the right road for eczema treatment?
Three hundred children are being recruited for a clinical trial to establish whether or not specialist silk clothing really does help in the treatment of eczema.
Compounding paediatric medicines from adult preparations may result in poor content uniformity
More standardised methods are needed for the extemporaneous preparation of paediatric medicines,according to a doctoral dissertation examined at the University of Eastern Finland. Hospital pharmacies modify adult medicines for children when there are no suitable paediatric medicines available. Medicines intended for adults can be modified for children into oral suspensions, oral powders or capsules the contents of which are emptied for use. However, the study showed that the quantity of the active ingredient per dosage can vary widely in these preparations, depending on the dosage form and handling of the product.
Mechanism of damaged DNA mutation identified
A team led by KAIST Department of Biological Sciences' Professor Kwang-wook Choi and Dr. Seong-tae Hong has successfully investigated the operational mechanism of the protein ATM (Ataxia telangiectasia mutated), an essential protein to the function of a crucial key enzyme that repairs the damaged DNA which stores biometric information. The results were published on December 19th in the Nature Communications online edition.
Beating the poppy seed defense: New test can distinguish heroin use from seed ingestion
Heroin is one of the most widely used illegal drugs in the world, but drug testing has long been challenged by the difficulty in separating results of illicit heroin users from those who have innocently eaten poppy seeds containing a natural opiate. Research in Drug Testing and Analysis explores a new test which may present a solution to this so-called 'poppy seed defense.'
MRSA drug dosage calculations found to be inaccurate for children over 10
The emergence of MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus), dubbed a 'superbug' due to its resistance to many antibiotic drugs, has resulted in the glycopeptide antibiotic Vancomycin being commonly prescribed for patients in hospital.
New global stroke repository offers regional comparative statistics
In many countries strokes are seen as a lower priority when compared to other diseases despite their public health impact. This is partly due to a lack of readily accessible data to make the case for the development of national stroke strategies. The International Journal of Stroke reports on the efforts of a global team to launch a repository housing the latest published information on the impact of strokes worldwide.
Student studies link between weather, tropical disease
A shanty town on the outskirts of Peru may not be the most popular destination for summer break.
Drugs related to cannabis have pain-relieving potential for osteoarthritis
Chemical compounds synthesised in the laboratory, similar to those found in cannabis, could be developed as potential drugs to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis.
Aflibercept in macular oedema: Added benefit not proven
For the third time in one year, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) dealt with the drug aflibercept. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG), the Institute now examined whether aflibercept (trade name: Eylea) offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy in visual impairment due to macular oedema following occlusion of the central retinal vein. An added benefit could not be derived from the dossier because in the studies cited by the drug manufacturer, both aflibercept and the comparator therapy were not used in accordance with their approvals.
Dabrafenib in melanoma: Added benefit not proven
Dabrafenib (trade name: Tafinlar) has been approved in Germany since August 2013 for the treatment of advanced melanoma.In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether this new drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy.
To keep their eye on the ball, batters mostly use their heads
Baseball players at bat follow coaches' advice to "keep your eye on the ball"—but head movements play a surprisingly important role in tracking pitches, suggests a study in Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
New bacteria found in IV nutrient bags that caused French baby deaths
France's Pasteur Institut said Tuesday a new type of bacteria had been found in nutrient bags used by a hospital in the Alps to feed babies intravenously and thought to be responsible for three deaths.
Poland unveils plan to fight drunk driving
Poland's government on Tuesday unveiled a plan to fight driving under the influence, after a drunk driver killed six pedestrians on New Year's Day.
Belgium's oldest athlete, 95, chooses euthanasia, champagne
A Belgian aged 95 and known affectionately as the country's 'oldest athlete', has chosen euthanasia after toasting his imminent death with champagne along with some 100 friends and family.
Study: 'Living Room' offers alternative treatment for emotional distress
Emergency departments may not be the best choice for persons suffering from severe mental illness or emotional distress. According to a new qualitative study by DePaul University School of Nursing researchers, persons in a mental health crisis may be better served in an alternative recovery-oriented, homelike environment instead of a traditional emergency department.
Feds crackdown on four bogus weight loss aids
Makers of a weight loss additive called Sensa will return more than $26 million to consumers to settle federal charges that the company used deceptive advertising claiming that consumers could lose weight by simply sprinkling the powder on their food.
AAFP backs FDA tentative trans fats determination
(HealthDay)—The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has expressed their support for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's tentative determination regarding partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) as food additives.
Japan to file criminal complaint against Novartis: report
Japan's health ministry will Wednesday file a criminal complaint against the local arm of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis over alleged exaggerated advertising for a popular blood-pressure drug, Kyodo News agency reported.
Breastfeeding associated with lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis, new study finds
In a new study of over 7,000 older Chinese women published online today in the journal Rheumatology, breastfeeding – especially for a longer duration – is shown to be associated with a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specifically, it showed that women who had breastfed their children were around half as likely to have RA, compared to women who had never breastfed.
Green spaces deliver lasting mental health benefits
Green space in towns and cities could lead to significant and sustained improvements in mental health, finds a new study published in the journal of Environmental Science & Technology.
'Traffic light' food labels, positioning of healthy items produce lasting choice changes
The use of color-coded "traffic light" food labels and changes in the way popular items are displayed appear to have produced a long-term increase in the choice of more healthful food items among customers in a large hospital cafeteria. A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) team reports in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that the previously reported changes in the proportions of more and less healthy foods purchased in the months after their program began have persisted up to two years after the labeling intervention was introduced.
How you practice matters for learning a skill quickly
Practice alone doesn't make perfect, but learning can be optimized if you practice in the right way, according to new research based on online gaming data from more than 850,000 people.
Smug couples patronise singles to feel better about themselves
People tend to see their own lifestyle as being the ideal lifestyle. A single person may question why anyone would choose to shackle themselves to one partner rather than live it up with the single life. Then there is that smug married couple who pushes for other couples to also tie the knot, so they can similarly bask in wedded bliss.
East Asian genes may solve the skin cancer puzzle
Europeans fall prey to skin cancer because of their lighter skin, while Africans' dark skin protects them. But East Asians, whose skin colour resembles that of Europeans, are similar to Africans in their low susceptibility to melanoma – the deadliest skin cancer. No one yet knows why, but our research might hold the answer and perhaps help find treatment for the cancer.
Smoothing the way to a healthy glow?
A group of university students are enjoying a specially designed fruit smoothie a day to discover whether it can improve their appearance and make them feel healthier. Their efforts are part of a study to assess what effect a carotenoid rich fresh fruit drink could have on our skin and perceived attractiveness.
Several forms of vitamin E protect against memory disorders
Elderly people with high serum vitamin E levels are less likely to suffer from memory disorders than their peers with lower levels, according to a study published recently in Experimental Gerontology. According to the researchers, various forms of vitamin E seem to play a role in memory processes. The study was carried out in cooperation between the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, Karolinska Institutet, and the University of Perugia.
Mexican research proposes alternative therapy against lung cancer
Research from the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) reveals that besides smoking, there are other factors associated with the development of lung cancer such as the smoke from burning lumber and coal, as well as pollutant particles.
Endocrine disruptors start a medical revolution: From alligators to humans
Dr. Lou Guillette Jr. began studying the evolution of lizard reproduction more than 40 years ago. He never expected that reptiles would point him in the direction of a worldwide environmental challenge: endocrine disruption. Speaking at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology's annual meeting in Austin, Dr. Guillette explained how his basic research on animals has brought him and others to recognize the environmental challenges to human health.
Researcher explores link between flame retardants and thyroid cancer
Flame retardants are everywhere around us. Governments require manufacturers to put these chemicals into our rugs, cars, furniture, curtains, mattresses and pillows, and even many items of apparel, especially for infants. It's hard to name an item that doesn't contain them. They're in cell phones and computers, stereos and televisions, coffee makers and microwaves. They are supposed to keep us safe by preventing products from bursting into flame and causing dangerous fires.
Hypothermia and older adults
Frigid weather can pose special risks to older adults. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid hypothermia—when the body gets too cold—during cold weather.
Behavioral economist studies science of decision-making
When it comes to decision-making, traditional economics holds that people are rational and know what they want. Moreover, they will make their choices influenced by whatever constraints are upon them, for example, the amount of money they have or don't have.
Understanding pain: Can the brain provide all the answers?
We now know that there's much more to pain than simply what is happening in the painful body part, and attention has turned to the role of the brain. But not even this mysterious organ can tell us everything we need to know about pain, at least not yet.
Babies can detect language differences
Babies can detect language differences - understanding that people who speak different languages use words differently.
School lunches helping children from getting too-salty diets
New findings show that many Americans are at risk for high blood pressure because of too much sodium in our diets—and the risk is especially high for children.
Enzyme mutations may protect against vascular thrombosis and stroke
(Medical Xpress)—Yale researchers have identified the mechanism behind a molecular variation that reduces risk of stroke in children with sickle cell anemia. The molecular variation was recently identified but not understood due to a limited grasp of the gene's role in hemostasis—the stopping of bleeding. These new findings open a path for the development of novel drugs that may prevent stroke, particularly in children with sickle cell anemia who are at risk of this devastating complication. The study appears online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Neurotransmitter research may help promote better drug design for brain disorders
Although drugs have been developed that inhibit the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain – a condition which causes many brain disorders and nervous system diseases – the exact understanding of the mechanism by which these drugs work has not yet been fully understood.
Low diversity of bacteria may increase the risk for asthma
Low gut microbial diversity in the intestines of infants can increase the risk for asthma development. These are the findings of the age 7 follow-up in a multi-year study led by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden.
Racism may accelerate aging in African-American men
A new study reveals that racism may impact aging at the cellular level. Researchers found signs of accelerated aging in African American men, ages reporting high levels of racial discrimination and who had internalized anti-Black attitudes. Findings from the study, which is the first to link racism-related factors and biological aging, are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Scientists make living brain cells from Alzheimer's patients biobanked brain tissue
Scientists at The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, working in collaboration with scientists from Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), for the first time generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells lines from non-cryoprotected brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Preemies' 'excessive' crying tied to risk of behavior problems later
(HealthDay)—Premature babies who cry a lot may be more likely than other preemies to have behavior problems by the time they reach preschool, a new study suggests.
Performance measures developed for adults undergoing PCI
(HealthDay)—Performance measures have been developed for adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a report published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Unrecognized MI tied to higher noncardiovascular mortality risk
(HealthDay)—Unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with long-term increased risks of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Breast-feeding might reduce moms' odds of rheumatoid arthritis
(HealthDay)—Women who breast-feed may have a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis later in life, new research suggests.
By the numbers: A simple ten step approach to reducing the harms of alcohol
Much the same way individuals are encouraged to know their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a new editorial in the Journal of Psychopharmacology urges the European public to know and monitor their alcohol intake number using a simple 10 point plan.
Scientists discover new causes of diabetes
Research by the University of Exeter Medical School has revealed two new genetic causes of neonatal diabetes.
Study discovers new regulators of the most prevalent liver disease
Excessive alcohol consumption, as well as obesity leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver, a disease termed fatty liver disease (FLD) or steatosis. FLD is one of the most prevalent diseases in Western societies and affects about 30% of the adult population. Importantly, FLD increases the risk of liver failure, diabetes and cancer and no pharmacological therapies exist for this detrimental disease.
BPA increases risk of cancer in human prostate tissue
Fetal exposure to a commonly used plasticizer found in products such as water bottles, soup can liners and paper receipts, can increase the risk for prostate cancer later in life, according to a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago published Jan. 7 online in the journal Endocrinology.
Ketamine acts as antidepressant by boosting serotonin
Ketamine is a potent anesthetic employed in human and veterinary medicine, and sometimes used illegally as a recreational drug. The drug is also a promising candidate for the fast treatment of depression in patients who do not respond to other medications. New research from the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies in Japan demonstrates using PET imaging studies on macaque monkeys that ketamine increases the activity of serotoninergic neurons in the brain areas regulating motivation. The researchers conclude that ketamine's action on serotonin, often dubbed the "feel-good neurotransmitter", may explain its antidepressant action in humans.
Cancer Statistics 2014: Death rates continue to drop
The annual cancer statistics report from the American Cancer Society finds steady declines in cancer death rates for the past two decades add up to a 20 percent drop in the overall risk of dying from cancer over that time period. The report, Cancer Statistics 2014, finds progress has been most rapid for middle-aged black men, among whom death rates have declined by approximately 50 percent. Despite this substantial progress, black men continue to have the highest cancer incidence and death rates among all ethnicities in the U.S.–about double those of Asian Americans, who have the lowest rates.
Is multitasking mastery in the genes?
Human factors/ergonomics researchers have long studied the connection between cognitive function and the ability to perform well on multiple simultaneous tasks, and recently a group of neuroergonomics researchers went a step further to examine a genetic link to multitasking ability. Neuroergonomics is the study of the brain in relation to performance.
Childhood fractures may indicate bone-density problems
Broken bones may seem like a normal part of an active childhood. About 1 in 3 otherwise healthy children suffers a bone fracture. Breakage of the bone running from the elbow to the thumb side of the wrist (distal forearm fracture) is the most common. It occurs most often during the growth spurt that children typically undergo in early adolescence.
New diagnostic and therapeutic techniques show potential for patients with metastasized melanoma
With low survival rates for patients with metastasized melanoma, accurate staging and effective treatments are critical to extending life. New research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine highlights the potential of newly developed radiopharmaceuticals with benzamide for the imaging of metastases and as a targeted systemic therapy.
Research shows molecular, protein targeting therapies may be best treatment for certain lung cancer
University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute researchers have found that using therapies specifically targeting the molecular profile of non-small-cell lung cancer with the mutated cancer-causing protein KRas is the most effective treatment strategy for patients with the condition.
Long-term varenicline treatment supports tobacco abstinence in people with mental illness
Extended treatment with the smoking cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) significantly improved the ability of individuals with serious mental illness to maintain abstinence from tobacco after a standard 12-week course of treatment. In this Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study – the first randomized, controlled trial of maintenance pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in such patients – participants who quit smoking and then received varenicline along with cognitive behavioral therapy for an additional 40 weeks were three times more successful in maintaining abstinence from smoking than those who received cognitive behavioral therapy and a placebo drug.
50 years of tobacco control significantly extended lives of 8 million Americans
The Surgeon General's report of 1964 which outlined, for the first time, the effects of smoking on health, along with the tobacco control efforts that followed, are responsible for adding nearly 20 years of life to eight million people, according to a study in the Jan. 8 issue of JAMA.
Despite declines in smoking rates, number of smokers and cigarettes rises
Globally, smoking prevalence—the percentage of the population that smokes every day—has decreased, but the number of cigarette smokers worldwide has increased due to population growth, according to new research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
Adults with mental illness have lower rate of decline in smoking
In recent years, the decline in smoking among individuals with mental illness was significantly less than among those without mental illness, although the rates of quitting smoking were greater among those receiving mental health treatment, according to a study in the January 8 issue of JAMA.
Combination therapy does not improve ability to quit smoking after one year
Among cigarette smokers, the combined use of the smoking cessation medications varenicline and bupropion, compared with varenicline alone, resulted in better rates of smoking abstinence at 12 weeks, but rates were similar after one year, according to a study in the January 8 issue of JAMA.
Study examines prevalence of smoking among health care professionals
A survey of health care professionals finds that in 2010-2011, current smoking among this group, except for licensed practical nurses, was lower than the general population, and that the majority had never smoked, according to a study in the January 8 issue of JAMA.
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax could reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes in India
A sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax could help mitigate the rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes rates in India among both urban and rural populations, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. Sanjay Basu and colleagues, from Stanford University, USA, estimated that a 20% SSB tax across India could avert 11.2 million cases of overweight/obesity and 400,000 cases of type 2 diabetes between 2014 and 2023, based on the current rate of increases in SSB sales. If SSB sales were to increase more steeply than the current rate, as predicted by drinks industry marketing models, the researchers estimate that the tax would avert 15.8 million cases of overweight/obesity and 600,000 cases of diabetes.
Link found between intimate partner violence and termination of pregnancy
Intimate partner violence in women (sometimes referred to as domestic violence) is linked to termination of pregnancy, according to a study by UK researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine. The study, led by Susan Bewley from Kings College London, also found that intimate partner violence was linked to a women's partner not knowing about the termination of pregnancy.
Finding about classic suppressor of immunity points toward new therapies for bad infections
A well-documented suppressor of immunity that's used by fetuses and tumors alike, just may be able to change its spots, researchers report.
CDC: Docs aren't doing enough to discourage problem drinking
(HealthDay)—Doctors aren't talking often enough with their patients about the harmful effects of alcohol, even if those patients are binge drinkers, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday.
Risks associated with early-term delivery highlighted
(HealthDay)—Non-medically indicated early-term delivery is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality, and interventions to reduce these deliveries are encouraged, according to a review published in the November issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Post-op health care costs up for former, current smokers
(HealthDay)—Health care costs in the year following discharge for an inpatient surgical procedure are increased for former and current smokers, compared with never smokers, although there are no differences with smoking status in costs for the index hospitalization, according to a study published online Jan. 1 in JAMA Surgery.
Conserving blood cuts transfusions in aortic valve surgery
(HealthDay)—A blood conservation strategy (BCS) reduces red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) without increasing mortality or morbidity, according to research published in the January issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Tibial nerve decompression doesn't cut cross-sectional area
(HealthDay)—For patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), surgical decompression of the tibial nerve has no effect on the mean cross-sectional area of the nerve, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in Diabetes Care.
Smoking cessation reduces risk of cataract extraction
(HealthDay)—Smoking cessation correlates with a reduction in the risk of cataract extraction, although the risk persists for more than 20 years, according to a study published online Jan. 2 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
By studying Google search data, researchers discovered Americans had more health concerns during the recession
We ring in the New Year with hopes of being healthy, wealthy, and wise. A new study led by San Diego State University School of Public Health research professor John W. Ayers suggests that from a public health standpoint, health and wealth may be connected.
Perceived benefits of e-cigarettes may lead to higher experimentation rates
Despite years of anti-smoking education and legislation, tobacco use still remains an important public health issue in the United States. In 2010, 25.2% of all adults and 35.6% of young adults reported current tobacco use. While anti-tobacco efforts continue across the county, the introduction of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been marketed as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and also as a smoking cessation aid.
New research may boost drug efficacy in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension
The development of new, more effective vasodilators to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been hampered because of their systemic toxicity and adverse side effects. An international team of investigators seeking to surmount these problems and increase drug efficacy have determined that a vascular homing peptide can selectively target hypertensive pulmonary arteries to boost the pulmonary but not systemic effects of vasodilators. Importantly for potential clinical use, this peptide retains its activity when given sublingually. The results using a rat model of PAH are published in the American Journal of Pathology.
U.S. health spending rising modestly, report finds
(HealthDay)—Even as consumers dig deeper to pay for health expenses, overall health-care spending in the United States continues to expand at a relatively low rate of growth, a new government analysis shows.
AML score that combines genetic and epigenetic changes might help guide therapy
(Medical Xpress)—Currently, doctors use chromosome markers and gene mutations to determine the best treatment for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). But a new study suggests that a score based on seven mutated genes and the epigenetic changes that the researchers discovered were present might help guide treatment by identifying novel subsets of patients.
Cells from the eye are inkjet-printed for the first time
(Medical Xpress)—A group of researchers from Cambridge have used inkjet printing technology to successfully print cells taken from the eye for the very first time.The breakthrough, which has been detailed in a paper published in IOP Publishing's journal Biofabrication, could lead to the production of artificial tissue grafts made from the variety of cells found in the human retina and may aid in the search to cure blindness.
Researchers find genetic link between number of children and grandchildren produced
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia has found a genetic link between the number of children people have and the number of children their offspring have. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers report that in studying twins born between 1915 and 1929 and their offspring, they found a correlation between offspring and grand offspring numbers.
Study finds some people less susceptible to H7N9 influenza virus than others
(Medical Xpress)—An international team of researchers working at the University of Melbourne in Australia has found that genetic differences in people result in different degrees of ability to fight the H7N9 influenza virus. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team reports that their study of immune response observed in blood samples indicates that some people may be far better equipped to fight off the new flu strain than others.
Research suggests Valproate pill could give anyone perfect pitch
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at Harvard University has found that the drug Valproate (valproic acid—normally used as a mood stabilizer) appears to offer a reset switch of sorts—those that take it find a part of their brain, the researchers say, resorting to that of a child—open to suggestion—and able to allow for learning to gain (absolute) perfect pitch. In their paper published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, the researchers describe a study they undertook of Valproate, where mice given the drug were able to develop skills generally only possible learned as pups and where human volunteers were able make gains in learning to have perfect pitch.
Sugar-burning in the adult human brain is associated with continued growth, and remodeling
Although brain growth slows as individuals age, some regions of the brain continue to develop for longer than others, creating new connections and remodeling existing circuitry. How this happens is a key question in neuroscience, with implications for brain health and neurodegenerative diseases. New research published today shows that those areas of the adult brain that consume more fuel than scientists might expect also share key characteristics with the developing brain. Two Allen Brain Atlas resources – the Allen Human Brain Atlas and the BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain – were crucial to uncovering the significance of these sugar-hungry regions.
How fat might be controlled through the body clock
Australian researchers have shed more light on an underexplored aspect of the important brain-signaling system that controls appetite, body composition and energy use. Their findings suggest that a specific gene regulating our body clock may play a central role in determining how fat we become.
Researchers discover molecule behind the benefits of exercise
While it's clear that exercise can improve health and longevity, the changes that occur in the body to facilitate these benefits are less clear. Now researchers publishing in the January issue of Cell Press journal Cell Metabolism have discovered a molecule that is produced during exercise and contributes to the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism.
Survival protein a potential new target for many cancers
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have discovered a promising strategy for treating cancers that are caused by one of the most common cancer-causing changes in cells.
Unique protein interaction may drive most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease
The most devastating aspect of Parkinson's disease may not be its debilitating symptoms, which rob its victims of their ability to control their own movement. It may not be the millions around the world and their families who suffer each day from the disease's harmful effects. Instead, it may in fact be that its root causes remain largely a mystery. But now, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered how the interplay between two proteins in the brain fuels the degradation and death of the class of brain cells, or neurons, that leads to Parkinson's. These findings, which stand in stark contrast to conventional wisdom, lay much-needed groundwork for developing treatments that target the disease's elusive underlying mechanisms.
Neuroscience study uncovers new player in obesity
A new neuroscience study sheds light on the biological underpinnings of obesity. The in vivo study, published in the January 8 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, reveals how a protein in the brain helps regulate food intake and body weight. The findings reveal a potential new avenue for the treatment of obesity and may help explain why medications that are prescribed for epilepsy and other conditions that interfere with this protein, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, can cause weight gain.
Biology news
S.Africa mine spill causes 'major pollution' in Kruger Park river
South African authorities revealed Tuesday that a phosphate mine spillage has caused "extensive pollution" to a river in the country's famed Kruger National Park.
How common is aggression in UK dogs?
Aggressive dogs represent a serious risk to human health, tragically causing fatalities in rare cases. The development of aggression can also impact on a dog's welfare, because of a breakdown of the human-pet bond, euthanasia or relinquishment. New research has estimated the prevalence of human-directed aggression in different situations, and examined the potential risk factors for dogs showing aggression towards people.
Niger's giraffe population on the rise again
The small number of surviving giraffes in western Africa is on the rise again, after 366 were counted in southwest Niger in 2012, up from 311 the previous year, official figures published Tuesday showed.
Want to save the whales? Put a price on them says ASU professor
(Phys.org) —Overharvest by commercial whaling has been a well-recognized world threat to stable whale populations since the International Whaling Commission (IWC) issued a moratorium against commercial whaling in 1986. However, because of loopholes, whaling countries at odds with the ban continue to hunt under the guise of scientific whaling or in outright objection to the IWC.
Octopus got your tongue?
It's an unusual coupling: A linguist and a marine biologist are working together to investigate the human tongue. In their study, the USC Dornsife researchers are using two species of octopus and tiny worms that helped win a Nobel Prize.
Watching fish swim
As fish go, the lamprey has to be one of the most repulsive. Its eel-like body culminates in a tooth-encrusted sucker mouth straight out of a sci-fi horror film. Yet it turns out the lamprey, the most primitive of vertebrates, can do a pretty neat trick: bounce back from paralysis.
Virus fans the flames of desire in infected crickets
Love may be a battlefield, but most wouldn't expect the fighters to be a parasitic virus and its cricket host. Just like a common cold changes our behavior, sick crickets typically lose interest in everyday activities. But when Dr. Shelley Adamo of Dalhousie University found her cricket colony decimated by a pathogen, she was shocked that the dying insects didn't act sick. Not only had the infected crickets lost their usual starvation response, but they also continued to mate. A lot. How were the pathogen and the exuberant amorous behavior in the sick crickets connected?
Frozen frogs: How amphibians survive the harsh Alaskan winters
As winter approaches, many of us hunker down and virtually "hibernate" for the season. Classic hibernation in the wild conjures images of furry bears, but other animals are not so lucky to have immense fat stores or fur to protect them from the elements. Frogs that live at northern latitudes have neither of these, but must find ways to survive the harsh winter season. Their solution? Freezing…but not to death.
Shark experts question 'humane culling' claims
A leading marine scientist has questioned the credibility of claims that sharks can be killed humanely.
Biologists use Arctic char to combat invasive shrimp population
There's something new biting beneath the surface of Dillon Reservoir. Normally found only in Arctic waters, the Arctic char, a species of trout, is thriving in Summit County, and may hold the key to turning Dillon Reservoir into an angler's paradise.
Ants shape their thoraces to match the tasks they perform
It was now discovered that the specialization of queen and worker ants goes beyond the presence or absence of wings. In a study published in the open access scientific journal eLife, Roberto A. Keller and Patrícia Beldade from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC, Portugal), in collaboration with Christian Peeters from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (France), showed that ants grow the size of their thoracic segments differently according to the specialized tasks they will perform as adults. In particular, the researchers discovered that worker ants have a unique thoracic architecture that explains how they are able to hunt and carry preys many times their own weight.
Temperature found to be most significant driver of the world's tallest trees
Understanding forest biodiversity and how carbon dioxide is stored within trees is an important area of ecological research. The bigger the tree, the more carbon it stores and a study in New Phytologist explores global variance in tree height, identifying temperature as the most important factor behind the tallest species.
Researchers, wind energy companies seek more bird-friendly turbines
They're touted as the future of energy production - clean, efficient and renewable. But there's a dark side to wind turbines for local wildlife - towers and spinning blades kill thousands of birds and bats on the Altamont Pass east of Livermore each year.
Stem cells on the road to specialization
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into how both early embryonic cells and embryonic stem cells are directed into becoming specialised cell types, like pancreatic and liver cells. The results have just been published in the scientific journal eLife.
Study of African forest elephants helps guide research efforts in the US
Conservation of a protected or endangered species requires frequent monitoring and the dynamic techniques biologists utilize to ensure the survival of threatened animals. Often, scientists study biodiversity at all levels—from genes to entire ecosystems. Currently, researchers at the University of Missouri are employing genotyping to study movement patterns of African forest elephants in protected and unprotected regions of Gabon to better understand how human occupation of these areas might affect elephants on the African continent. Genotyping is helping conservation biologists determine the best course of action to ensure biodiversity and the preservation of various species in the U.S. and abroad.
Might more ravens—aided by humans—mean 'nevermore' for sage-grouse?
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Idaho State University and the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that habitat fragmentation and the addition of makeshift perches such as transmission polls in sagebrush ecosystems are creating preferred habitat for common ravens that threaten sensitive native bird species, including greater sage grouse.
The snowball effect of overfishing
Florida State University researchers have spearheaded a major review of fisheries research that examines the domino effect that occurs when too many fish are harvested from one habitat.
Jumping snails left grounded in future oceans
Sea snails that leap to escape their predators may soon lose their extraordinary jumping ability because of rising human carbon dioxide emissions, a team of international scientists has discovered.
When germs attack: A lens into the molecular dance
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have zoomed in on what is going on at the molecular level when the body recognizes and defends against an attack of pathogens, and the findings, they say, could influence how drugs are developed to treat autoimmune diseases.
New, simple technique may drive down biofuel production costs
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive technique for removing lignin from the plant material used to make biofuels, which may drive down the cost of biofuel production.
Synthetic genetic clock checks the thermometer
(Phys.org) —Genetic systems run like clockwork, attuned to temperature, time of day and many other factors as they regulate living organisms. Scientists at Rice University and the University of Houston have opened a window onto one aspect of the process that has confounded researchers for decades: the mechanism by which genetic regulators adjust to changing temperature.
Team finds a new cellulose digestion mechanism by a fast-eating enzyme
Researchers at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered that an enzyme from a microorganism first found in the Valley of Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia in 1990 can digest cellulose almost twice as fast as the current leading component cellulase enzyme on the market.
The five fingers of our feathered friends: New research results on the evolution of bird wings
In most tetrapods (land vertebrates) the fourth (ring) finger is the first to develop in the embryo. And in birds, the finger on the outside of the hand (posterior, the pinky side) appears first, which suggests that this is the ring finger. However, it can be shown that on the thumb side (anterior) an embryonic finger begins to develop, but quickly disappears—this would have to be digit I. These data argue for an identification of the fully-formed fingers as the index, middle, and ring fingers (II, III, IV).
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