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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 15, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Reflections in the eye contain identifiable faces- Researchers create on-chip interference between pairs of photon sources
- Microparticles fight inflammation post-heart attack
- Study: Speech processing requires both sides of our brain
- Birds fly in 'V' formation to save energy, study finds (Update)
- First planet found around solar twin in star cluster
- Superconducting spintronics pave way for next-generation computing
- 'Jellyfish aircraft' takes flight (w/ Videos)
- Hugging hemes help electrons hop
- Researchers develop new technique for probing subsurface electronic structure
- Quantum physics could make secure, single-use computer memories possible
- Carbon nanotubes promise improved flame-resistant coating
- Coral reefs in Palau surprisingly resistant to naturally acidified waters
- US dig unearths tomb of previously unknown pharaoh
- Research team claims fossil-only study of placental mammalian evolution time frame is wrong
Astronomy & Space news
Image: Tracking and Data Relay satellite prepared for launch
Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, spacecraft has been encapsulated in its payload fairing. It is being lifted by crane for mounting on a transporter for its trip to Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Bristol PhD student to lead team to experience 'life on Mars'
Ashley Dale, a PhD student at the University of Bristol, will lead a team of seven experts to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah's high-altitude terrain on 18 January.
NanoSatisfi and Southern Stars experiments, Planet Labs small satellites among NASA Cargo on Space Station
Two experiments and a constellation of 28 "Dove" satellites designed by San Francisco companies are among the cargo that arrived at the International Space Station Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, on the Orbital-1 cargo resupply mission.
Video: Floodwaters of Mars
(Phys.org) —Ten years ago, on 14 January 2004, Mars Express took its very first images of Mars in colour and in 3D.
Hungarian rover takes 'panoramic selfie' to complete Google Lunar XPRIZE mission simulation in Hawaii
Team Puli, the Hungarian team competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, has completed a successful simulation of its lunar rover mission at the Pacific International Space Centre for Exploration Systems (PISCES) in Hawaii. During field tests, the Puli rover drove 600 meters across soft, loose soil similar to the lunar regolith and broadcast high-resolution images and video from its starting and end points. To claim the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a team must land a robotic craft on the Moon and explore the lunar surface, covering a distance of at least 500 meters, as well as transmit footage and pictures back to Earth of the landing site, the journey and final resting site.
A possible meteor shower from Comet ISON?
Hey, remember Comet C/2012 S1 ISON? Who can forget the roller-coaster ride that the touted "Comet of the Century" took us on last year. Well, ISON could have one more trick up its cosmic sleeve –although it's a big maybe—in the form of a meteor shower or (more likely) a brief uptick in meteor activity this week.
Countdown to Pluto
One of the fastest spacecraft ever built—NASA's New Horizons—is hurtling through the void at nearly one million miles per day. Launched in 2006, it has been in flight longer than some missions last, and it is nearing its destination: Pluto.
First planet found around solar twin in star cluster
Astronomers have used ESO's HARPS planet hunter in Chile, along with other telescopes around the world, to discover three planets orbiting stars in the cluster Messier 67. Although more than one thousand planets outside the Solar System are now confirmed, only a handful have been found in star clusters. Remarkably one of these new exoplanets is orbiting a star that is a rare solar twin—a star that is almost identical to the Sun in all respects.
Technology news
Officials: Obama likely to OK phone record changes
President Barack Obama is expected to endorse changes to the way the government collects millions of Americans' phone records for possible future surveillance, but he is leaving many of the specific adjustments for Congress to sort out.
Freescale programmable solenoid controller reduces emissions, improves engine efficiency
Governments worldwide have issued regulations requiring automakers to improve fuel efficiency and meet new emissions standards over the next five to ten years. To help automakers and their suppliers comply with these requirements, Freescale Semiconductor today announced the MC33816 programmable solenoid controller, designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency for both gasoline and diesel direct fuel injection engines. The flexible architecture is also applicable for driving dual clutch transmissions, as well as precision solenoids in factory automation applications.
NIST-MEP supply chain optimization program to aid US manufacturers
After a successful pilot project held in five states, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has launched a new supply chain optimization program to help U.S. manufacturers become more competitive.
L'Oreal and eBay bury the hatchet after forgery fight
Cosmetics giant L'Oreal and online auctioneer eBay buried the hatchet on Wednesday after more than six years of court battles over the sale of counterfeit goods, a joint statement said.
Comcast to build second, taller Philly skyscraper
Comcast Corp. already built the tallest skyscraper in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, it announced plans to build an even taller one.
Huawei rejects reports of security weakness
Chinese tech giant Huawei on Wednesday rejected suggestions its telecoms equipment is vulnerable to hacking and forecast a rise in 2013 profit of nearly 50 percent.
Google appeals French fine as data privacy row continues
Google said Wednesday it had appealed a decision by France's data protection watchdog to fine the US giant 150,000 euros ($204,000)—the maximum possible—for failing to comply with its privacy guidelines.
3Qs: Could circuits' face-lift mean faster, smaller phones?
Imagine a cell phone that's half the size with longer battery time and better performance. That could become a reality thanks to new research by Nian Sun, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern. Sun's team recently presented work that could significantly improve the functionality and efficiency of our smartphones and other radio-frequency devices. We asked him to explain the research and discuss what sort of impact it might have on the telecommunication devices we've all come to rely on.
Big data can give athletes the winning edge
Sport at the elite level has always adopted new technologies to capture data from players during play to better understand their performance and their team's result.
Microtechnology: Double-layer capping solves two problems
Continual downsizing of technology means that researchers have to develop ever more ingenious methods of packaging and protecting their tiny devices. Jae-Wung Lee and co-workers at the A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics, Singapore, are at the forefront of efforts to develop safe but functional encasements for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), such as sensors, switches or radio filters.
Study of copper connections uncovers route to improving the reliability of electronic devices
One in five electronic-device failures is a result of corrosion. Bonds, the metal connections that enable the current to flow from one component to the next (see image), are a particular weak point. Understanding what causes this breakdown is important for extending the lifetime of a device. Kewu Bai and co‐workers at the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore, have charted how moisture can affect the stability of the bonding and developed a scheme for improving the reliability of these connections.
Fujitsu develops technology capable of searching encrypted data to maintain privacy
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced the development of a technology that can perform concealed searches of encrypted data in its encrypted form. Searching data while it is encrypted makes it possible to maintain a high level of privacy with no risk of leaks – particularly important for personal data such as DNA, medical data, biological data, and educational records. Through outsourcing, searches of confidential data can be carried out safely as text data and keyword search terms kept private. Whether or not search hits are obtained also remains undisclosed.
New cloud computing system can reduce carbon emissions
(Phys.org) —Computer scientists at Trinity College Dublin and IBM Dublin have made a significant advance that will allow companies to reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions, drive down costs, and minimise network delays depending on their wishes.
Helping the judicial system understand laser strikes on aircraft
(Phys.org) —Joshua Hadler and colleagues in PML's Quantum Electronics and Photonics Division have devised a simple, accurate measurement system that can help law enforcement cope with a growing threat to aviation: laser attacks.
Review: 'Wii Fit U,' 'Xbox Fitness' feel the burn
While video game consoles can't help users save money or stop smoking—yet, anyway—there are a few recently released games that can help with the most popular of New Year's resolutions: exercise. Here's a look at four titles that offer an alternative to working out at the gym or with a personal trainer:
EU ups pressure on Google in antitrust case (Update)
The European Union's antitrust watchdog is increasing pressure on Google to swiftly provide better proposals to address allegations the firm is abusing its dominant position in Internet searches.
SolarCity turns to retail investors for cash
The solar panel installer SolarCity is turning to retail investors for cash. The company says it plans to sell securities directly to individuals and others interested in investing in its rooftop solar systems.
Google builds a 'Nest' for future of smart homes
When our Internet-connected gadgets and home appliances all learn to talk to each other, Google wants to be at the center of the conversation.
Don't fear the dawn of the drones—Someday one might save your life (w/ Video)
In the not too distant future, you may hear the hum of a drone's rotors as it descends upon you and be filled with a sense of relief, not panic. After all, it's coming to save you, not harm you.
HP to launch 'voice tablets' in India
Hewlett-Packard announced Wednesday it was launching a line of "voice tablets," or outsized smartphones, for consumers in India.
LinkedIn adds volunteer marketplace to jobs site
Professional networking site LinkedIn is now letting its users search for volunteer positions in addition to paid jobs.
Google caught afoul of privacy law in Canada
Google has been caught afoul of Canadian law by displaying web ads linked to a person's health history, Canada's interim privacy commissioner says.
LLNL partnership with Calysta works to convert natural gas to liquid fuel
In an effort to put to good use natural gas (methane) that might otherwise become pollution, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is collaborating with start-up company Calysta Energy on a new technology to convert natural gas to liquid fuel.
Brazil to build undersea cables to Europe, Angola
Brazil's state-owned telecom provider Telebras said Wednesday it plans to build undersea fiber optic telecommunication cable links with Europe and Angola.
Apple fights for bigger slice of China smartphone pie
The world's biggest mobile network is ready to offer Apple's iPhone, but while the US technology giant has declared China its biggest future market, it faces an uphill battle to unseat Samsung and homegrown competitors.
Report: NSA uses radio waves to map pathway into computers
The National Security Agency has implanted software in nearly 100,000 computers around the world—but not in the United States—that allows the U.S. to conduct surveillance on those machines, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
Kids coached to pitch world-changing ideas
A program launched globally on Tuesday set out to inspire children to present their big ideas for changing the world.
Startup has a way to put brains in DIY robots
(Phys.org) —Want to build a robot? Good. Want to add intelligence? Great. Two robotics innovators want to give makers an easy way to bestow brains on their robots. Meet Rex, a robot controller board, which is now in focus as a Kickstarter campaign. Rex is formally described as a palm sized, single-board computer for robots. It provides control over microcontrollers, sensors, and motor drivers, in a robot that the user has created, whether from a 3D printer or constructed out of metal, nuts and bolts. Rex, said its creators, streamlines the process of implementing intelligence into robotic projects.
Programming drones to fly like birds
(Phys.org) —Jack Langelaan's lab in the basement of Hammond Building is a model airplane builder's dream. In one room, graduate students Nathan Depenbusch and John Bird test algorithms on commercial flight simulators: Pilot's eye views of checkered green landscapes roll past on banked computer screens. In the other room, a half dozen small planes and a couple of tiny helicopters sit waiting in various stages of deconstruction.
Power (of electronics) to the people
MIT Media Lab alumna and entrepreneur Ayah Bdeir SM '06 wants to help all people worldwide, tech savvy or not, understand and build creatively with electronics.
Facebook rumored to be readying rollout of Paper, Flipboard-like newsreader for phones
(Phys.org) —Facebook has for some time been rumored by several media outlets to be working on a newsreader to be incorporated into its newsfeed (or to replace it altogether). Now comes word from Mike Isaac, in a post on Re/Code that he has been given insider information telling him that Paper, a new newsreader (mainly for smarphone users) will likely be rolled out as early as the end of this month, and it will have a "visually stunning paper-like format." He adds that his sources tell him that Facebook has been working on Paper for several years and that it's being created by the same team that provides Facebook's current News Feed.
Apple to refund $32.5 mn for kids' app purchases
Apple has agreed to refund at least $32.5 million to US customers for children's purchases from its online App Store without parental consent, US regulators said Wednesday.
The car of the future, today
Cars that park themselves, radar-guided safety sensors and infotainment systems with web access; automakers are competing for customers who now expect constant innovation.
'Jellyfish aircraft' takes flight (w/ Videos)
Inspired by nature and by the aviation pioneers of the early 20th century, scientists in the United States said Wednesday they had built the world's first jellyfish aircraft.
Reflections in the eye contain identifiable faces
(Phys.org) —Eyes are said to be a mirror to the soul, but they may also be a mirror to the surrounding world. Researchers have found that our eyes reflect the people we're looking at with high enough resolution so that the people can be identified. The results could be applied to analyzing photographs of crime victims whose eyes may be reflecting their perpetrators.
Medicine & Health news
Inside Obamacare
Since it became law in 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been one of the most hotly debated pieces of legislation in recent years and continues to be controversial as it is implemented. For more than 15 years, Harry P. Selker, dean of Tufts University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and professor of medicine, worked closely on the issue with policymakers, including with the offices of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).
UK experts warn of increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
Wintry weather and extremely cold temperatures mean an increased chance of cases involving carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace. When fuel-burning equipment or tools are used in buildings or in semi-enclosed spaces without ventilation, workers can become ill or die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Study: Intervention to help reduce weight in people with schizophrenia
A group of researchers, led by Professor Richard Holt at the University of Southampton, are to investigate whether people with schizophrenia or first episode psychosis are able to reduce their weight through a structured education programme.
Camille Locht: An innovative solution to infant whooping cough
Scientists involved in the EU-funded project ChildInnovac are about to publish in the online journal Plos One the results of their first clinical trial of a new nasal vaccine. Designed for infants, it targets whooping cough, a common and, sometimes deadly, infant illness. Camille Locht, a researcher at the Infection and Immunity Centre of the Lille Pasteur Institute, in France, is also the project coordinator. He tells youris.com about the advantages of the new approach, developed as part of the project, to counter the current upsurge in the number of cases of whooping cough—a disease also known as pertussis. But there is still a long way ahead before this new vaccine enters the market.
Does high uric acid predispose diabetic patients to kidney disease?
Kidney disease poses one of the greatest burdens for people living with type 1 diabetes. A study newly awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will look at whether lowering uric acid levels can prevent people with type 1 diabetes from needing hemodialysis or kidney transplant.
Chronic care overhaul proposed for Medicare
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing a new approach to health care aimed at avoiding hospitalizations for older people, when possible.
Liechtenstein closes its only maternity ward
Liechtenstein will close its only maternity ward, where some 200 babies are born each year, after all the gynaecologists working there quit at the same time, the government said Wednesday.
Endotracheal extubation technique training video by BMC anesthesiologist published in NEJM
An endotracheal extubation training video produced by Rafael Ortega, MD, the vice-chair of academic affairs for the department of anesthesiology at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and professor of anesthesiology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), and his colleagues is featured in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.
UK law to stop further sales of booze to drunk customers routinely flouted
Bar tenders in clubs and pubs are routinely flouting UK legislation intended to prevent further sales of alcohol to those who are already drunk, reveals a study of purchase patterns in one UK city, published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Boston Medical Center alleviates alarm fatigue by decreasing noise
Boston Medical Center (BMC) successfully reduced audible alarms as a way to combat alarm fatigue and improve patient safety. The hospital, one of two in the country that spearheaded this issue, implemented a novel cost-effective approach during a six-week pilot program that resulted in a drastic drop in audible alarms. The successful approach has since been expanded to all BMC inpatient medical surgical units and is being touted as a model for other hospitals working to combat alarm fatigue.
Study indicates the potential of new tests in long-term diabetes complications
Monitoring glucose levels is imperative for diabetes patients, but for some the standard Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test is not valid. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Minnesota have determined that the fructosamine tests and a novel assay for glycated albumin may be useful for predicting complications related to diabetes. The results will be published in the latest edition of The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Alcohol consumption is a necessary cause of nearly 80,000 deaths per year in the Americas
A new study published in the scientific journal Addiction by the Pan American Health Organization, a branch of the World Health Organization, has measured the number and pattern of deaths caused by alcohol consumption in 16 North and Latin American countries. The study reveals that between 2007 and 2009, alcohol was a 'necessary' cause of death (i.e., death would not have occurred in the absence of alcohol consumption) in an average of 79,456 cases per year. Liver disease was the main culprit in most countries.
Exposures to some phthalates fall after federal ban, study finds
Americans are being exposed to significantly lower levels of some phthalates that were banned from children's articles in 2008, but exposures to other forms of these chemicals are rising steeply, according to a study led by researchers at UC San Francisco.
Panama to use transgenic mosquitoes in anti-dengue bid
Panama will try to control a dengue outbreak that has claimed six lives this year by releasing transgenic mosquitoes to render infertile female transmitters of the disease, officials said.
US Supreme Court takes up controversial abortion issue, again
More than four decades after legalizing abortion, the US Supreme Court returns to the hot-button issue Wednesday in a case about the right to protest near clinics that terminate pregnancies.
Infected traveller sparks New Zealand measles alert
New Zealand health authorities were trying to track down hundreds of passengers on Wednesday who may have been exposed to measles on a Singapore Airlines flight at the weekend.
Diabetics benefit from high-protein diets without risk, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Obese people with diabetes are able to lose weight on high-protein diets and see improvement in both cardiovascular and renal health, despite initial concerns about the impact on their renal health.
Research-based strategies help reduce underage drinking
(Medical Xpress)—Strategies recommended by the Surgeon General to reduce underage drinking have shown promise when put into practice, according to scientists at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. These approaches include nighttime restrictions on young drivers and strict license suspension policies, interventions focused on partnerships between college campuses and the community, and routine screening by physicians to identify and counsel underage drinkers.
Study: Urban night shift police more likely to suffer long-term job injuries
(Medical Xpress)—Police officers working the night shift are significantly more likely to suffer long-term on-the-job injuries than officers on day and afternoon shifts, according to new research conducted at the University at Buffalo.
Multiple reasons to better diagnose personality disorders
(Medical Xpress)—It's a mental condition that has inspired movies, television series and books but still baffles psychologists. Now a QUT researcher is looking at ways to better diagnose dissociative identity disorder (DID).
New study shows alcohol impacts vision by 30 per cent
Using a 144-year-old optical illusion, Western researchers have determined drinking the legal limit of alcohol impairs some aspects of vision by 30 per cent.
Short bouts of moderate exercise key to managing MS symptoms
(Medical Xpress)—Research from the University of East Anglia and funded by the MS Society has found that short periods of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, can improve multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms.
The penalty of poor housing
It's tough enough growing up in a house with rodents, a leaky roof and heat that doesn't work. Now a Tufts researcher has found that children and teens who live in substandard housing are more likely to experience emotional problems and do poorly in school.
Researchers explore impact of gut disease on young people's identity
(Medical Xpress)—A new study looking at the impact inflammatory bowel disease may have on young people's relationships, employment potential and identity is being launched in Sheffield.
Single-cell analysis shows how embryonic cells maintain proper patterns of gene regulation
Chromosomes are heavily adorned with methyl chemical groups that alter the activity of nearby genes. The parental chromosomes, contributed by sperm and egg, display distinctly different methylation patterns and most modifications are stripped away shortly after fertilization. However, a subset of these 'imprints' are protected. Now, a sophisticated technique for single-cell analysis has broadened the understanding of this process.
Women with a high economic status claim to have better sex
An analysis based on the first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, carried out in 2009, confirms that socioeconomic factors affect sexual satisfaction. People with a lower economic status claim to be less sexually satisfied, particularly women.
Video: New vaccine to protect babies from whooping cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that can be fatal. Now, a new nasal vaccination aimed at infants aims to address an unmet medical need against this disease.
Health and "hookups" correlated in first-year college women
Sexual experimentation outside of committed romantic relationships, or "hooking up," is typically portrayed by the media as unhealthy, especially for young women. These portrayals, however, are largely conjecture. Researchers from Syracuse and Brown Universities set out to examine the relationship between young women's health and hooking up more closely; their findings, in "Sexual Hookups and Adverse Health Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study of First-Year College Women," are now available in The Journal of Sex Research, the official publication of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and a publication from Routledge.
Scientists discover new cellular process leading to lung fibrosis
Scientists in Trinity College Dublin have identified a new process that causes scarring in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The research was led by Professor Padraic Fallon, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and was an international collaboration with scientists from University College Dublin, MRC-LMB Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Erlangen. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Employment may lead to improvement in autism symptoms
(Medical Xpress)—More independent work environments may lead to reductions in autism symptoms and improve daily living in adults with the disorder, according to a new study released in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Scandalous bodies and our relationship with food
Attitudes toward over-indulgence, obesity and body shape were being hotly debated and used for political purposes as early as the 19th century, a new book claims. 'Pathological Bodies', by Dr Corinna Wagner from the University of Exeter, shows that body consciousness is not just a modern-day phenomenon.
Vigorous evening exercise not detrimental to sleep quality
A paper published in the European Journal of Sport Science found early evening high-intensity training had no significant impact on sleep quality and quantity in elite youth soccer players.
Research reveals importance of early parent-child relations in emotional development
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Reading and University College London (UCL), found that the quality of the relationship in the first 18-months of life predicted the way in which the brain regulates experiences of positive emotion in young adulthood, 21-years later.
Study: Computer training for ADHD students misses the mark
(Medical Xpress)—Popular computer-based training programs designed to improve behavior or academic performance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, do not deliver on their intent, according to research findings published this month in Clinical Psychology Review.
Few primary care practices provide effective weight management care
Only a quarter of U.S. primary care physicians surveyed are doing a thorough job of helping patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight, finds a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
Study allows better prediction of the risk of hereditary cancer
An international study has developed a refined method to identify people at risk for certain inherited cancer as a result of Lynch syndrome.
Study provides guidance on drug holidays from popular osteoporosis treatments
Doctors commonly recommend drug holidays, or breaks, from certain osteoporosis drugs due to the risks associated with these treatments. Yet little has been known about the ideal duration of the holidays and how best to manage patients during this time.
The internal clock and feeding rhythm set the pace of the liver
Living organisms have adapted to the day-night cycle and, in most cases, they have evolved a "circadian clock". Its effects are not completely known yet but its functioning has been shown to have important metabolic consequences for the body. Disruption of normal circadian rhythms can have deleterious effects on health; for example lack of sleep is linked with obesity, and the time of feeding was shown to affect the ability to control body weight.
Study finds metabolic clues to diabetic kidney failure
About 33 percent of people with type 2 diabetes suffer kidney damage that progresses to end stage renal disease (ESRD), at which point they require either dialysis or kidney transplantation. Scientists have thought that this kidney disease is driven by damage to the glomeruli, blood vessels in the kidney, which spill the protein albumin into the urine. Current treatments targeting the resulting "albuminuria" do not prevent kidney failure.
Multihormone reverses metabolic damage of high calorie diet
Importantly, the scientists found out that treatment of obese mice with this GLP-1/Glucagon co-agonist improves metabolism and body weight associated with restored function of the weight lowering hormone leptin, even in the continued presence of a high-fat, high-sugar diet. The results are published in the current issue of the official journal of the American Diabetes Association Diabetes.
In moral behavior, (virtual) reality is something else altogether
"Moral" psychology has traditionally been studied by subjecting individuals to moral dilemmas, that is, hypothetical choices regarding typically dangerous scenarios, but it has rarely been validated "in the field". This limitation may have led to systematic bias in hypotheses regarding the cognitive bases of moral judgements. A study relying on virtual reality has demonstrated that, in real situations, we might be far more "utilitarian" than believed so far.
Some families would consider terminal sedation for kin in a permanent vegetative state
The families of some very severely brain injured patients believe that once all treatment options are exhausted, allowing their relatives to die with the help of terminal sedation would be a humane and compassionate option, research carried out by the University of York and Cardiff University has revealed.
Low national funding for LGBT health research contributes to inequities, analysis finds
Only one-half of 1 percent of studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) between 1989 and 2011 concerned the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, contributing to the perpetuation of health inequities, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health-led analysis.
Leukemia: Mode of action of a targeted treatment clarified
The mechanism of senescence – or premature cell ageing – can have an anticancer effect. This new work, conducted by Hugues de Thé and his team (Paris Diderot University/ Inserm/ CNRS/ AP-HP), was published in Nature Medicine on January 12, 2014. It reveals that targeted treatments for acute promyelocytic leukaemia, a rare form of blood cancer, cause a cascade of molecular events leading to cellular senescence and recovery. This action model could be activated in other types of cancers.
Study shows elevated rates of inadequate pap tests in transgender men
A new study finds that female-to-male (FTM) transgender patients had over 10 times higher odds of having an inadequate Papanicolaou (Pap) test compared to female patients. The findings, by Fenway Health's Jennifer Potter, MD, and colleagues at Fenway, Harvard Medical School and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, appear in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Parental leave policies best promote gender equity and well-being in women's health
Government policies that allow both parents to take time off after a child is born provide positive benefits for the physical and mental health of women, according to a literature review that looked at the influence of public policies on women's overall health.
Diabetes blood glucose targets are risk free, research shows
Diabetes research led by the University of Exeter Medical School has underlined the importance of people with diabetes achieving their blood sugar goals, to reduce the risk of complications.
Patients with spinal cord injuries should be assessed for sleep apnea
A new study suggests that patients with spinal cord injuries could benefit from careful assessment for sleep apnea.
Discovery of an early predictor of increased diabetes risk
A Montréal research team led by Jennifer Estall at the IRCM discovered that a protein found in muscle tissue may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes later in life. The study's results, published in today's printed edition of the scientific journal American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, indicate that the protein could be a promising early predictor of increased diabetes risk.
Take a stand and be active to reduce chronic disease, make aging easier, research finds
People who decrease sitting time and increase physical activity have a lower risk of chronic disease, according to Kansas State University research.
Study discovers potential treatment for better heart health in hemodialysis patients
Researchers at Wayne State University have discovered a potential way to improve the lipid profiles in patients undergoing hemodialysis that may prevent cardiovascular disease common in these patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis for kidney failure are at a greater risk for atherosclerosis, a common disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems including heart attack, stroke or even death.
Self-control isn't in short supply, despite what it looks like
It might be true that people have a harder time controlling themselves when they are tired at the end of the day, but that doesn't mean that self-control is a limited resource, say authors in the Cell Press publication Trends in Cognitive Sciences on January 15th. The trick to fighting that couch potato urge is for you (or your kids) to find pleasure in productive activities.
Study finds later school start times improve sleep and daytime functioning in adolescents
Julie Boergers, Ph.D., a psychologist and sleep expert from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, recently led a study linking later school start times to improved sleep and mood in teens. The article, titled "Later School Start Time is Associated with Improved Sleep and Daytime Functioning in Adolescents," appears in the current issue of the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.
US justices doubtful on abortion buffer zone law
The U.S. Supreme Court seemed likely Wednesday to strike down a state of Massachusetts law setting a 35-foot (10 meter) protest-free zone outside abortion clinics.
Research advancements made in diabetes-induced blindness
Investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute have identified new molecular abnormalities in the diabetic cornea that could contribute to eye problems in affected patients. With this new knowledge, investigators aim to accelerate the process of healing and repair in damaged corneas to ultimately reverse the effects of diabetes-induced eye complications.
Heavy drinking in middle age may speed memory loss by up to six years in men
Middle-aged men who drink more than 36 grams of alcohol, or two and a half US drinks per day, may speed their memory loss by up to six years later on, according to a study published in the January 15, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. On the other hand, the study found no differences in memory and executive function in men who do not drink, former drinkers and light or moderate drinkers. Executive function deals with attention and reasoning skills in achieving a goal.
New drug combo cures toughest cases of hepatitis C, hints to future injection-free therapies
Efforts to cure hepatitis C, the liver-damaging infectious disease that has for years killed more Americans than HIV/AIDS, are about to get simpler and more effective, according to new research at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere.
No evidence of survival advantage for type 2 diabetes patients who are overweight or obese
Being overweight or obese does not lead to improved survival among patients with type 2 diabetes. The large-scale study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers refutes previous studies that have suggested that, for people with diabetes, being overweight or obese could lead to lower mortality for people compared with normal-weight persons—the so-called "obesity paradox."
Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates, study finds
For several years, many have been quick to attribute rising fast-food consumption as the major factor causing rapid increases in childhood obesity. Now researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report that fast-food consumption is simply a byproduct of a much bigger problem: poor all-day-long dietary habits that originate in children's homes.
Using progesterone for hot flashes shown safe for women's cardiovascular health
Treatment with progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone that has been shown to alleviate severe hot flashes and night sweats in post-menopausal women, poses little or no cardiovascular risk, according to a new study by the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Living in densely populated neighborhoods can actually decrease risk of diabetes and obesity
Torontonians living in neighbourhoods that aren't conducive to walking have a 33 per cent greater risk of developing diabetes or being obese, according to new research.
Phase II trial of Bevacizumab (Avastin) in locally advanced cervical cancer "promising"
(Medical Xpress)—An article published in the January issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics reports results of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) phase II clinical trial of Bevacizumab (Avastin) in addition to cisplatin and pelvic radiation for locally advanced cervical cancer. The group reports that the addition of Bevacizumab to the existing standard of care was safe and showed promising overall results. The 2- and 3- year overall survival rates were 89.8 percent and 80.2 percent, respectively.
Most practice guideline recommendations based on less-than-ideal quality of evidence, study says
(Medical Xpress)—A study published in the January issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows that most clinical practice guidelines for interventional procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy, angioplasty) are based on lower-quality medical evidence and fail to disclose authors' conflicts of interest.
Nationwide minimally invasive surgery rates triple for pancreatic disease
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report a three-fold increase in the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) across the nation for patients with pancreatic disease. Although adaptation of MIS for this difficult-to-reach gland is recent, the growing trend points to improved patient outcomes, such as reduced bleeding and infections. Now published online, the paper will appear in the March print edition of JAMA Surgery.
New analysis shows fewer years of life lost to cancer
Since the enactment of the National Cancer Act in 1971, the U.S. has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in cancer research and treatment. And yet, the cancer mortality rate—the historic benchmark of progress—has only declined modestly while the mortality rates of other leading causes of death have declined substantially. This difference has led many to question whether we've made progress in the 'War on Cancer'. The answer is definitively yes according to Norris Cotton Cancer Center research published Monday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Breast cancer cells disguise themselves as neurons to cause brain tumors
Treatment and "cure" of breast cancer doesn't ensure that the disease won't spread to the brain. Too often, sometimes years after an initial diagnosis and remission, breast cancer cells are discovered growing as new tumors within the brain. Now City of Hope researchers have found how this happens.
Next-gen reappraisal of interactions within a cancer-associated protein complex
At a glance, DNA is a rather simple sequence of A, G, C, T bases, but once it is packaged by histone proteins into an amalgam called chromatin, a more complex picture emerges. Histones, which come in four subtypes—H2A, H2B, H3, and H4—can either coil DNA into inaccessible silent regions or untwist it to allow gene expression. To further complicate things, small chemical flags, such as methyl groups, affect whether histones silence or activate genes.
Popular blood type diet debunked
Researchers from the University of Toronto (U of T) have found that the theory behind the popular blood type diet—which claims an individual's nutritional needs vary by blood type—is not valid. The findings are published this week in PLoS One.
Brain regions 'tune' activity to enable attention
The brain appears to synchronize the activity of different brain regions to make it possible for a person to pay attention or concentrate on a task, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned.
When a doctor's visit is a guilt trip
Have you ever left a doctor's office feeling ashamed or guilty? Chances are one in two that you answered "yes," according to research from the University of California, San Diego. And what happened next? Perhaps you were motivated to make changes in an unhealthy behavior. Or, did you just lie to that doctor on subsequent visits? Avoid him or her? Maybe even terminate treatment entirely?
US urges acetaminophen limits due to liver risks
US regulators said Wednesday they are urging doctors to cease prescribing drugs that contain more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per tablet due to concerns over liver damage.
Study dispels 'obesity paradox' idea for diabetics
The "obesity paradox"—the controversial notion that being overweight might actually be healthier for some people with diabetes—seems to be a myth, researchers report. A major study finds there is no survival advantage to being large, and a disadvantage to being very large.
Experts urge 'ыeismic shift' in approach to better US health care
(HealthDay)—Medicine alone cannot improve the health of the nation—not when one in five Americans lives in unsafe neighborhoods where pollution, crime and joblessness are prevalent; nutritious food is scarce; and the well-being of young people is at risk, an expert panel reports.
Experimental drug shows promise for genital herpes treatment
(HealthDay)—An experimental drug could eventually offer a new treatment option for genital herpes, a common and incurable sexually transmitted infection, researchers report.
Baseline factors can predict return to work with sciatica
(HealthDay)—Prognostic factors have been identified to predict return to work (RTW) among patients with sciatica, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Study: Copycats pave the way to problem-solving success
It is often better to be surrounded by copycats than innovators, according to a new Indiana University study.
'Make–or–break' protein holds key to cancer spread
(Medical Xpress)—University of Queensland researchers have discovered a protein in cells that could block the escape route of potentially cancerous cells and stop them spreading to other parts of the body.
Recall of stressful events caught in pictures
(Medical Xpress)—In a world first, University of Melbourne researchers along with international collaborators have used Functional Magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain function to help better understand the affects of repressed stressful memories.
When it comes to vision, brain can perform more than one function without sacrificing time or accuracy
Many studies suggest that pushing your brain to multitask—writing emails, for instance, while watching the day's latest news and eating breakfast—leads to poorer performance and lower productivity. But for at least one everyday task—visual sampling (the act of picking up bits of visual information through short glances)—multitasking is not a problem for the brain. A collaboration between researchers at the UC Santa Barbara and the University of Bristol in the UK has shown that during visual sampling, the brain can handle various visual functions simultaneously.
'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once
A new technology developed at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Systems Biology (CSB) allows simultaneous analysis of hundreds of cancer-related protein markers from miniscule patient samples gathered through minimally invasive methods. This new technology uses antibodies linked to unique DNA 'barcodes' to detect a wide range of target proteins and is both powerful and exquisitely sensitive. It could serve as an invaluable tool for helping clinicians gain significant insights into the biology of cancer progression as well as determine why certain cancer therapies stop working or are ineffective to begin with. Development of the technology is reported in the January 15 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
Head injuries triple long-term risk of early death
Survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are three times more likely to die prematurely than the general population, often from suicide or fatal injuries, finds an Oxford University-led study.
Breakthrough announced in treatment of patient with rare type of leukemia
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has demonstrated a novel treatment for Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL), a rare type of blood cancer, using a drug administered to combat skin cancer.
Study identifies enzyme that plays crucial role in resistance to influenza
(Medical Xpress)—McGill researchers, led by Dr. Maya Saleh of the Department of Medicine, have identified an enzyme, cIAP2 that helps the lungs protect themselves from the flu by giving them the ability to resist tissue damage. "It's a discovery that offers exciting new avenues for controlling influenza, since until now attempts to target the virus itself have proven challenging, especially in the face of emerging new strains of the virus," says Saleh, who is also a researcher at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). "The results from our study now suggest that one effective way of countering influenza infections may instead be offered by enhancing the body's resistance to the virus."
Study: Speech processing requires both sides of our brain
We use both sides of our brain for speech, a finding by researchers at New York University and NYU Langone Medical Center that alters previous conceptions about neurological activity. The results, which appear in the journal Nature, also offer insights into addressing speech-related inhibitions caused by stroke or injury and lay the groundwork for better rehabilitation methods.
Microparticles fight inflammation post-heart attack
After a heart attack, much of the damage to the heart muscle is caused by inflammatory cells that rush to the scene of the oxygen-starved tissue. But that inflammatory damage is slashed in half when microparticles are injected into the blood stream within 24 hours of the attack, according to new preclinical research from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Sydney in Australia.
Biology news
How a scorpion gets its sting
Defensins, as their name implies, are small proteins found in plants and animals that help ward off viral, bacterial or fungal pests. One fascinating question of invertebrate evolution is how these proteins evolved into venoms to attack their prey.
When is an animal not an 'animal'? Research ethics draws the line
Many people are surprised to find that insects, jellyfish and sea urchins are animals. Animals are generally thought of as medium-sized four-legged creatures with two sets of eyes and ears—those with features similar to ourselves.
Regulating biodiversity in India and Nepal
In a world marked by climate change, biodiversity is important for food security. Several international treaties regulate adaptation, access to and sharing of plant genetic resources. However, the treaties must be implemented in the laws of individual countries if they are to have an effect.
What's that bird? Check your smart phone
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has released a free iPhone app to help people identify 285 birds in North America. Created with support from the National Science Foundation, the app asks just five questions, then displays photos of birds that match your description—customized to your location and time of year.
Polar bear dies at South African zoo
One of South Africa's two polar bears has died at the Johannesburg Zoo, leaving its mate now believed to be the only polar bear in Africa, a veterinarian said Wednesday.
Court blocks Swedish wolf hunt
Plans to hold licensed wolf hunts in Sweden were blocked by a Stockholm court Wednesday following an appeal by environmental groups.
Environmentalists pleased over whale beer ban
Environmentalists on Wednesday welcomed a decision by Icelandic authorities to ban a local beer containing whale meal.
Bee sensors take flight to help farmers
Thousands of honey bees in Australia are being fitted with tiny sensors as part of a world-first research program to monitor the insects and their environment using a technique known as 'swarm sensing'.
Searching for life in strange places
Last year schoolchildren were invited to dig up some earth in search of creepy-crawlies and underground life. Astronauts taking part in ESA's underground training course CAVES joined the worldwide experiment from deep under Sardinia, Italy, and the results from their survey have revealed new habitats and rare species.
Abundant bugs bring better apples
Apples from trees pollinated by insects are bigger, rounder, and more desirable, according to new research.
Move over elephants: Mimosas have memories too
Not long after publishing a paper in a prestigious journal about plants being able to 'talk' using sound, Monica Gagliano is back with her new findings showing that they can 'learn'.
Genes and calls reveal five-fold greater diversity of Amazon frog species
Amazonian biodiversity has been studied for hundreds of years. Early explorers of Amazonian plants and animals included renowned naturalists of the stature of Alexander von Humboldt and A. R. Wallace. Despite this long history of exploration, new studies are resulting in the discovery of a large number of new species. The key of these discoveries lies in the use of advanced new tools for species detection.
Conservation work in zoos is too random, scientists warn
The world's zoos work hard and spend enormous resources on the conservation of endangered species, but the resources are not always optimally spent. One big problem is international legislation and the need of more zoos to work in regional or global networks. Zoo resources can be spent much more effectively, say scientists from University of Southern Denmark after analyzing animal collections across the world's zoos.
Ramularia and the 4 Rs: Resistance gene causes susceptibility to second disease
The gene that has provided spring barley with resistance to powdery mildew for over 30 years increases susceptibility to newly-important disease Ramularia leaf spot.
Ants protect acacia plants against pathogens
The biological term "symbiosis" refers to what economists and politicians usually call a win-win situation: a relationship between two partners which is beneficial to both. The mutualistic association between acacia plants and the ants that live on them is an excellent example: The plants provide food and accommodation in the form of food bodies and nectar as well as hollow thorns which can be used as nests. The ants return this favor by protecting the plants against herbivores. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, have now found that ants also keep harmful leaf pathogens in check. The presence of ants greatly reduces bacterial abundance on surfaces of leaves and has a visibly positive effect on plant health. Study results indicate that symbiotic bacteria colonizing the ants inhibit pathogen growth on the leaves.
Alaskan caribou and ptarmigan migrations recorded
In the February issue of BioScience, biologists describe the first-of-a-kind recording of caribou and ptarmigan migrations made with 14 automated cameras positioned in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range, Alaska. By analyzing some 40,000 images of the tundra landscape, Ken D. Tape of the University of Alaska and David D. Gustine of the US Geological Survey documented the northern spring migrations of both species. They estimated the number of individuals traveling, and made telling observations that shed light on caribou and ptarmigan behavior, without interfering with the animals by capturing and tagging them.
European Parliament votes pollen is part of honey
After years of wrangling and a ruling by the EU's top court, the European Parliament agreed Wednesday that pollen is a constituent of honey and not an added ingredient.
Crittercam captures crocodilian foraging behaviors
Animal-borne camera reveals that alligators may attempt to capture prey most often at night, even though the calculated probability of catching prey is highest in the morning, according to a study published in PLOS ONE on January 15, 2014 by James Nifong from the University of Florida and colleagues from other institutions.
Dolphin-power sufficient for propulsion without tricks
For 60 years the world has believed that dolphins did not have enough muscle to propel them at high speed and that they were resorting to some fluid-flow trickery to pull off their impressive performance. But Frank Fish from West Chester University, USA, never believed it and now he has proved that not only do dolphins have sufficient muscle power, but also they routinely produce ten times more power than the fittest human athletes.
Camera-carrying falcons reveal mystery of raptor pursuit
Raptors are the masters of the aerial dogfight. Intercepting prey on the wing, falcons lock their victims in their gaze before engaging in battle. Intrigued by the raptor's attack strategy, Suzanne Amador Kane recruited falconers from around the planet to mount spy cameras on their birds and discovered that falcons head off their prey by flying so that the target appears stationary in the falcon's visual field.
Food processors beware: Salmonella biofilms incredibly resistant to powerful disinfectants
Once Salmonella bacteria get into a food processing facility and have an opportunity to form a biofilm on surfaces, it is likely to be extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible, to kill it, according to research published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Natural selection can favor 'irrational' behavior
It seems paradoxical that a preference for which of two houses to buy could depend on another, inferior, house – but researchers at the University of Bristol have identified that seemingly irrelevant alternatives can, and should, influence choices. Even more remarkable is the finding that optimal choices can violate the principle of transitivity: it can be best to choose A from A or B, and choose B from B or C, but choose C from A or C.
Key species of algae shows effects of climate change over time
A study of marine life in the temperate coastal waters of the northeast Pacific Ocean shows a reversal of competitive dominance among species of algae, suggesting that increased ocean acidification caused by global climate change is altering biodiversity.
Higher hormone oxytocin levels in chimpanzees who share food
The ability to form long-term cooperative relationships between unrelated individuals is one of the main reasons for human's extraordinary biological success, yet little is known about its evolution and mechanisms. The hormone oxytocin, however, plays a role in it. Researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, measured the urinary oxytocin levels in wild chimpanzees after food sharing and found them to be elevated in both donor and receiver compared to social feeding events without sharing. Furthermore, oxytocin levels were higher after food sharing than after grooming, another cooperative behaviour, suggesting that food sharing might play a more important role in promoting social bonding. By using the same neurobiological mechanisms, which evolved within the context of building and strengthening the mother-offspring bond during lactation, food sharing might even act as a trigger for cooperative relationships in related and unre! lated adult chimpanzees.
Acidification, predators pose double threat to oysters
The once-booming, now struggling Olympia oyster native to the West Coast could face a double threat from ocean acidification and invasive predators, according to new research from the University of California, Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory. The work is published Jan. 15 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
DNA detectives able to 'count' thousands of fish using as little as a glass of water
A mere glass full of water from Monterey Bay Aquarium's 1.2 million-gallon Open Sea tank, among the 10 largest aquariums in the world, is all scientists really needed to identify the Pacific Bluefin tuna, dolphinfish and most of the other 13,000 fish swimming there.
Birds fly in 'V' formation to save energy, study finds (Update)
The next time you see birds flying in a V, consider this: A new study says they choreograph the flapping of their wings with exquisite precision to help them on their way.
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