Learn why multiphysics simulation is an essential tool in the design and modeling of MEMS devices, materials, and phenomena. Free online resource from COMSOL Multiphysics: http://goo.gl/y8ZjJb
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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 8, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Pigments reveal extinct reptiles' dark side- Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey measures the universe to one-percent accuracy
- Engineers make world's fastest organic transistor, herald new generation of see-through electronics
- Slow-evolving elephant shark genome is first to be sequenced from cartilaginous fish
- Organic mega flow battery promises breakthrough for renewable energy
- Few 'wearables' balance fashion and function
- NASA extends space station life to 2024 (Update 2)
- Molecular engines star in new model of DNA repair
- New discovery could be a Thorne-Zytkow object
- Symbiotic fungi inhabiting plant roots have major impact on atmospheric carbon, scientists say
- Color-coded cells reveal patchwork patterns of X chromosome silencing in female brains
- Researchers combine "terra preta" finds with statistics to map early Amazonian population centers
- WaterWheel rolls out solution to ease heavy load
- Infants show ability to tell friends from foes
- Study finds that information is as important as medication in reducing migraine pain
Astronomy & Space news
Image: Valencia's claws
(Phys.org) —Valencia, Spain, seen from over 300 km above Earth by an astronaut on the International Space Station on 6 October 2013. This incredibly sharp image shows the grid-like streets of Valencia surrounding the older, less-structured, centre. The 'claw' extending to the top is the port of Valencia that serves as a breakwater as well as a platform to offload ships.
Space weather forces Orbital to postpone cargo launch (Update)
Turbulent space weather forced Orbital Sciences on Wednesday to postpone the launch of its unmanned Cygnus spacecraft on its first regular contract flight to supply the International Space Station.
Space weather delays Orbital cargo launch to Thursday
Turbulent space weather forced Orbital Sciences on Wednesday to postpone the launch of its unmanned Cygnus spacecraft on a supply mission the International Space Station.
Many small exoplanets found to be covered in gas
During its four-year mission, NASA's Kepler space telescope discovered thousands of "planetary candidates" in our Milky Way galaxy—the vast majority of which are almost certainly actual planets. But before scientists can deduce which planets might support life, a fundamental question must be answered: what are the planets made of?
Northern lights may expand south next couple days
Northerners thawing out from a bitter freeze may get rewarded with shimmering northern lights the next couple days.
Europe's star-hunter Gaia enters orbit
A billion-dollar star-hunting telescope slotted into its operational orbit Wednesday prior to harvesting data for the most detailed map yet of the Milky Way, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.
Dwarf galaxies give clues to origin of supermassive black holes
(Phys.org) —Poring through data from a large sky survey, astronomers have found more than 100 small, dwarf galaxies with characteristics indicating that they harbor massive black holes feeding on surrounding gas. The discovery confounds a common assumption that only much larger galaxies hold such monsters and may help resolve the question of how such black holes originated and grew in the early universe.
New discovery could be a Thorne-Zytkow object
(Phys.org) —Speaking at this year's American Astronomical Society meeting, Hubble Fellow, Emily Levesque reported that she and her colleagues at the University of Colorado have discovered a star that just might qualify as a Thorne-Zytkow object. The object has not been named as yet, however, as the team has not yet published its results.
Newly discovered celestial object defies categories
An object discovered by astrophysicists at the University of Toronto (U of T) nearly 500 light years away from the Sun may challenge traditional understandings about how planets and stars form.
Death by black hole in small galaxy?
(Phys.org) —A bright, long-duration flare may be the first recorded event of a black hole destroying a star in a dwarf galaxy. The evidence comes from two independent studies using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes.
NASA extends space station life to 2024 (Update 2)
The $100-billion International Space Station will be extended by four years, or until at least 2024, allowing for more global research and scientific collaboration, NASA said Wednesday.
Swift catches X-ray action at Milky Way's center
(Phys.org) —Recent observations by NASA's Swift spacecraft have provided scientists a unique glimpse into the activity at the center of our galaxy and led to the discovery of a rare celestial entity that may help them test predictions of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Quasars illuminate swiftly swirling clouds around galaxies
(Phys.org) —A new study of light from quasars has provided astronomers with illuminating insights into the swirling clouds of gas that form stars and galaxies, proving that the clouds can shift and change much more quickly than previously thought.
Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey measures the universe to one-percent accuracy
Today the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) Collaboration announced that BOSS has measured the scale of the universe to an accuracy of one percent. This and future measures at this precision are the key to determining the nature of dark energy.
Technology news
New book explores how technology changes what it means to be human
Technology is often touted as being able to change our lives, to make them easier, more efficient or to simply make life better. But what happens if technology has the ability to change what it means to be human? That question is at the heart of a University of Kansas professor's new book.
Camper uses biomechanics to make comfortable shoes
Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) have carried out a biomechanical study of the footwear made by Camper. A group of 54 volunteers took part in the project, trying on six models of men's shoes and six models of women's shoes. They were analysed using optical motion capture systems, force plates, pressure insoles and electromyography sensors. The purpose of the study was to establish the parameters affecting the comfort of the shoes made by the Balearic firm.
NIST analysis helps the US Chemical Safety Board pinpoint root cause of pressure vessel failure
In 2009, a violent rupture of a 50-foot pressure vessel used to produce synthetic crystals at the NDK Crystal facility in Belvidere, Illinois fatally injured a member of the public and caused significant property damage to the plant itself and the surrounding area. In response to the accident, scientists from NIST's Material Measurement Laboratory were approached by the U. S. Chemical and Hazardous Material Safety Board (CSB) to review data and assist in identifying the failure mechanism. The review found strong evidence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) on and near the inner diameter of the vessel fragment, and a reduction in material toughness during service. This combination likely resulted in a flaw reaching critical size, causing the catastrophic failure. The results were included in CSB's recently published final report on the incident investigation.
Sony develops 4K ultra short throw projector
Sony today announced the development of a state-of-the-art 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector featuring a stylish, furniture-like design. Utilizing space itself, it can be placed near most walls and has the ability to cast a 4K Ultra High-Definition image up to 147-inches, turning unused space into a display and introducing a whole new viewing experience in the home.
Researchers grapple with UK's nuclear legacy
The University of Leeds will lead a consortium of 10 universities in a national research programme looking at ways of dealing with Britain's nuclear waste.
Ohio deal: Websites won't bill to remove mug shots
Two websites that post mug shots will stop charging people to remove the photos under a settlement reached in a federal lawsuit in Ohio.
Elliott makes bid for Riverbed Technology (Update)
Elliott Management Corp. said Wednesday it has offered to buy computer networking equipment maker Riverbed Technology Inc. for $19 per share.
Amazon, CBS agree on exclusivity for 'Extant'
Amazon will have exclusive ad-free streaming rights in the U.S. to a CBS thriller this summer starring Halle Berry.
Obama nearing a decision on intelligence review
President Barack Obama is hosting a series of meetings this week with lawmakers, privacy advocates and intelligence officials as he nears a final decision on changes to the government's controversial surveillance programs.
Wanxigang increases offer for Fisker
Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. has increased its offer for Fisker Automotive, heating up the fight for the failed electric-vehicle maker.
Fairfax ups investment in troubled BlackBerry
Fairfax Financial Holdings is buying another $250 million of convertible debt in troubled Blackberry in what Fairfax's president says is a sign of confidence in the company's new management.
Twitter stock continues to slide
Twitter's stock price continued a recent decline on Wednesday, closing down 3.5 percent after an analyst lowered the short messaging service's rating on concerns that its stock price is too high.
TV-on-Internet service Aereo gets $34M in funding
Aereo, a Barry Diller-backed startup that provides broadcast television channels over the Internet for a monthly fee, says it has secured $34 million in additional funding from outside investors.
Yahoo dives deeper into media with online magazines
Yahoo dove deeper into being an Internet Age media company, bringing in news, music and television stars for the launch of online magazines focused on technology and food.
Kids get their own tablets, with parents in control
Kid-safe tablets and smartphones are hitting the market, giving parents more control over how the mobile devices are used.
Tech tie-up says to launch phone system rival to iOS, Android
A new smartphone operating system developed by a global collaboration of tech firms to rival Google's Android and Apple's iOS will be launched in the next few months, Japanese mobile phone operator NTT Docomo said Wednesday.
China to allow game console sales through FTZ
China has formally authorised game consoles made in a new Shanghai free-trade zone (FTZ) to be sold in the country, potentially opening its lucrative market up to the likes of Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox.
Facebook buys Indian mobile tech start-up 'Little Eye'
Facebook has bought an Indian mobile technology start-up called Little Eye Labs, the first business deal in the country by the world's biggest social network, the Indian firm said.
Smart bike pedals toward accident prevention
Every day, about two people in the U.S. succumb to fatal cycling accidents while more than 130 suffer harmful injuries. But in an era of increasing concern for the environment, cycling is an important mode of transportation, one that could begin to replace gas-guzzling cars, trains, and buses. Indeed, Americans could save the nation an estimated $7 billion in commuting costs if they biked instead of drove to neighborhood destinations such as the bank, post office, or grocery store.
China online marketplace Taobao to ban Bitcoins
China's largest online marketplace, Alibaba Group's Taobao, said Wednesday that it would ban the trading of Bitcoin and other virtual currencies from January 14, after a government crackdown on the units.
A new spin for Photosynth
"Makes HDTV look low-res."
Three new tech concepts you might actually use from CES 2014
The massive Consumer Electronics Show (CES), hosted annually in Las Vegas, showcases the latest discoveries and innovations, including audiovisual, gaming, smartphones, computing, household appliances and in-car technologies.
How robots learn general skills
To understand ourselves better, Roby Velez researches how robots learn general skills that help them explore their environment.
Checking in on Foursquare can make new friends
One way to keep from feeling lost and alone in a new city is to connect with the people who share your favorite places, and modern technology is making that much easier. According to new Cornell research, the popular smartphone app Foursquare is making public spaces into shared communities.
Study cites 'dangerous weak link' in nuke security
The number of countries possessing the makings of a nuclear bomb has dropped by almost one-quarter over the past two years, but there remain "dangerous weak links" in nuclear materials security that could be exploited by terrorist groups with potentially catastrophic results, according to a U.S. study released Wednesday.
France fines Google 150,000 euros in data privacy row
France's data protection watchdog on Wednesday fined Google 150,000 euros ($205,000)—the maximum possible—for failing to comply with its privacy guidelines for personal data.
Google to provide hotel guests more photos, maps
Google is expanding its hotel business, offering several new ways for travelers to learn about accommodations.
Gadget Watch: The Internet-connected toothbrush
Armbands that track how much you move have become popular ways to motivate people to get fit. But how fit are your teeth? Are you lazy about brushing them?
Experts withdraw from Internet security conference
At least eight researchers or policy experts have withdrawn from an Internet security conference after the sponsor reportedly used flawed encryption technology deliberately in commercial software to allow the National Security Agency to spy more easily on computer users.
SURA reports findings from data management pilot
After 11 months of review, SURA announced the findings of a collaborative project to explore the capabilities of an open source application that assists with publishing, referencing, extracting and analyzing research data; the Dataverse Network. This pilot implementation of the Dataverse Network software was conducted as part of SURA's larger Research Data Management (RDM) initiative, an on-going collaboration between SURA member library and IT professionals.
Virtual reality transforms real-life shopping in stores
In the not-too-distant future, grocery shoppers wearing Google Glass will see coupons for a new cereal flash before their eyes as they search for Cheerios, while others browsing the dairy section will have information about the health benefits of soy milk pop up automatically on their iPads.
'Internet of Things' seen as tech industry's next big driver
Billions of ordinary things - from farm cows and factory gear to pollution monitors and prescription-drug bottles - are being outfitted with microchips and linked by online networks in a technological transformation that some experts predict will be as profound as the Industrial Revolution.
Veneer of privacy grows thinner as technology infiltrates our lives
We're no longer just strangers in a crowd. Imagine any street corner in any town where, let's say, four people - Alexandria, Larry, Cory and Cameron - are lost in private thought. Without a single conversation, without even knowing their names, we could learn that Alexandria's angry ex-boyfriend posted her photo on a "revenge porn" website. That Larry is mourning the death of his daughter. That Cory is trying to scrub her image from friends' social networks. That Cameron picked the wrong place to hide from police.
T-Mobile to cover fee for customers leaving rivals
T-Mobile is aiming to lure subscribers from rival wireless carriers by paying any fees customers owe from breaking their service contracts.
Robots invade consumer market for work and play
The robots are coming, and they're here to help.
So, who owns the Internet?
A clash over who should decide which information flows through Internet networks—and at what price—is now before a Washington, D.C., federal appeals court in a landmark case that could grant Internet service providers (ISPs) the unfettered power to turn the information superhighway into a private toll road.
Rise of the Google machines: The robotics companies involved
Google recently acquired eight high profile start-up robotics companies, providing strong evidence of a strategy to create breakthrough applications for robotics over the next decade. This strategy is most likely to concentrate on manufacturing and logistics.
WaterWheel rolls out solution to ease heavy load
(Phys.org) —For those with running water in their homes, water is light, rolls right through the fingers, easily pours out of the faucet, and gives us hygiene and hydration in minutes so that we go on about our day. For families without such access, water is a different story. Water is heavy. Water collection dominates the time women and their school-age daughters have to spare on any day. They have the role of water-bearers and they walk long distances, hours, back and forth, to rivers and streams, with pails and jugs on their heads. The water they get will be doled out carefully for drinking, cooking and washing that day.
Personal drones launch in your skies
It's not a bird, not a plane. But it could be someone's personal drone coming to the skies near you.
Researchers develop 'personalized advantage index,' a new decision-making tool
One of the primary social motivations for scientific research is the ability to make better decisions based on the results. But whether it is deciding what material to use in making a solar panel, what antibiotic to use on an infection or when to launch a satellite, most decisions involve weighing multiple factors, all of which interact with one another in determining the best course of action.
Few 'wearables' balance fashion and function
Gadget lovers are slipping on fitness bands that track movement and buckling on smartwatches that let them check phone messages.
Organic mega flow battery promises breakthrough for renewable energy
A team of Harvard scientists and engineers has demonstrated a new type of battery that could fundamentally transform the way electricity is stored on the grid, making power from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar far more economical and reliable.
Engineers make world's fastest organic transistor, herald new generation of see-through electronics
Two university research teams have worked together to produce the world's fastest thin-film organic transistors, proving that this experimental technology has the potential to achieve the performance needed for high-resolution television screens and similar electronic devices.
Medicine & Health news
Tainted frozen food sickens hundreds in Japan (Update)
Hundreds of people fell sick across Japan after eating frozen food that may have been tainted with a pesticide.
Take 5: Tips for a healthier you in 2014
One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to eat healthier. Here, Christine Clark, dietitian for Northeastern University Dining Services and University Health and Counseling Services, offers five strategies for improving your eating habits and overall health in 2014.
Seniors in HCBS face higher hospital risk
(Medical Xpress)—Seniors want greater access to home- and community-based long-term care services. Medicaid policymakers have been happy to oblige with new programs to help people move out of expensive nursing homes and into cheaper community or home care. It seems like a "win-win" to fulfill seniors' wishes while also saving Medicaid programs money, but a new study of such transitions in seven states finds that the practice resulted in a 40 percent greater risk of "potentially preventable" hospitalizations among seniors dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Painkiller study helps tackle national headache of legal drugs addiction
(Medical Xpress)—With MPs now calling for health services to urgently tackle painkiller addiction, a University of Derby study has identified potential triggers which put users at risk of becoming dependent on legal drugs.
Study: Diet and physical activity of dropouts not optimal
The diet and physical activity habits of early school leavers are not optimal for health, according to a new study conducted by The Children's Research Centre at Trinity College Dublin.
Report: States can transform health care system
The nation's governors and other state leaders can transform the current health care system into one that is more coordinated, patient-centered, of higher quality and less costly, according to a new report. The report by the State Health Care Cost Containment Commission, organized by the University of Virginia's Miller Center, aims to jump start health care cost containment in 2014 as 46 state legislative sessions get under way.
Lower fat content and exercise for the diet of adolescents
The prevalence of excess weight and obesity among adolescents and, as a result, the concomitant problems, has increased considerably in recent years. A study by the UPV/EHU has confirmed that, irrespective of the total calories consumed and the physical activity done, an excessive proportion of fat in the diet leads to a greater accumulation of fat in the abdomen. The study has been published in the prestigious journal Clinical Nutrition and is part of the HELENA study funded by the European Commission.
Linguistic cognition of spatial information
Japanese researchers examined the effect of sentence order on the comprehension of spatial information. They found that it is important for the text to be written in the same order as in the situation we walk. The study has been published in "Cognitive Processing," an international journal in the field of cognitive science.
EU comparison: Austrians go more often to the doctor but are not healthier
Mr and Mrs Austria visit specialists, outpatient clinics and hospitals particularly often when compared with the rest of Europe. However, health and life expectation do not profit from this accordingly. Kathryn Hoffmann, a public health expert at the MedUni Vienna, therefore recommends a re-evaluation of the general practitioner.
Explainer: What is the immune system?
The immune system is an integral part of our body, keeping us safe from diseases – from the common cold to more severe illnesses such as cancer.
Medicine protects against strokes
Heart palpitations. Shortness of breath. Tiredness. More and more people can recognise the symptoms of atrial fibrillation, which is one of the most common types of heart disease. More than 65,000 Danes live with the disease, leading to a greatly increased risk of strokes, which are also known as apoplexy.
New research: Effects of eating half an avocado with lunch on satiety and desire to eat between meals
New research published in the November issue of Nutrition Journal reports adding one-half of a fresh avocado to a lunch may have helped healthy, overweight people feel more satisfied and reduced their desire to eat following a meal. The study was funded by the Hass Avocado Board.
COPD: DMP is largely consistent with guidelines
On 3 January 2014 the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published the results of a literature search for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the report is to identify those recommendations from current guidelines of high methodological quality that may be relevant for the planned revision of the disease management programme (DMP). According to the results of the report, there is no compelling need for revision of any part of the DMP. However, IQWiG identified some aspects that could be supplemented and specified.
Does the body's immune response to viral vector delivery systems affect the safety or efficacy of gene therapy?
Packaging replacement genes in viruses is an effective method to deliver them to target tissues, but the human body mounts an immune response against the virus. The systemic and local immune reactions induced by an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy to treat lipoprotein lipase deficiency, approved for use in Europe, does not affect the safety of gene therapy or expression of the replacement gene for at least one year after delivery, according to a study published in Human Gene Therapy.
Older firefighters may be more resilient to working in heat
Older firefighters who are chronically exposed to heat stress on the job could be more heat resilient over time. A recent study published in the December issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH) found that older firefighters may be able to tolerate more challenging or arduous work environments before they feel affected by the heat, compared to non-heat-exposed workers who would need to stop work prematurely.
Cosmetic outcomes after breast-conserving therapy may vary by race
As perceived by both patients and doctors, the cosmetic results after "lumpectomy" for breast cancer differ for African-American versus Caucasian women, suggests a pilot study in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—Global Open.
Study identifies risk factors for non-fatal overdoses
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) have identified that injection frequency and taking anti-retroviral therapy for HIV are risk factors for nonfatal drug overdoses among Russians who are HIV positive and inject drugs. Alexander Walley, MD, MSc, an attending physician in general internal medicine at BMC and an assistant professor of medicine at BUSM, is the study's lead author.
Fit teenagers are less likely to have heart attacks in later life
Researchers in Sweden have found an association between a person's fitness as a teenager and their risk of heart attack in later life. In a study of nearly 750,000 men, they found that the more aerobically fit men were in late adolescence, the less likely they were to have a heart attack 30 or 40 years later.
Nutrition guidelines needed for full-service restaurant chains
Food prepared away from home is typically higher in calories and lower in nutrition than food prepared at home, but it now makes up more than one-third of all calories purchased in the United States. Consumers tend to view full-service restaurants as providing healthier, higher quality food than fast-food restaurants, but some studies have found much higher calorie, fat, and sodium levels in food at full-service restaurants. Researchers from Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania studied more than 2,600 menu items served at full-service restaurant chains operating in Philadelphia and concluded that foods served at full-service restaurant chains are high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, and that standard definitions are needed for ''healthy choice'' tags and for entrees targeted to vulnerable age groups.
Nano-capsules show potential for more potent chemoprevention
Researchers at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered a more effective drug delivery system using nanotechnology that could one day significantly affect cancer prevention.
China reports first H7N9 bird flu death this year
China has reported its first death from the H7N9 bird flu virus in 2014 after a significant drop-off in fatalities following an outbreak last year.
Fighting disease on a global scale
The idea that the wave of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer breaking over the world is largely the result of wealth and inactivity is not only wrong, it's counterproductive, says a Harvard research fellow who recently founded a nonprofit organization to fight disease.
Bio-X researchers develop new technology to study hearing
(Medical Xpress)—Much of what is known about sensory touch and hearing cells is based on indirect observation. Scientists know that these exceptionally tiny cells are sensitive to changes in force and pressure. But to truly understand how they function, scientists must be able to manipulate them directly.
Stem cells used to model disease that causes abnormal bone growth
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have developed a new way to study bone disorders and bone growth, using stem cells from patients afflicted with a rare, genetic bone disease. The approach, based on Nobel-Prize winning techniques, could illuminate the illness, in which muscles and tendons progressively turn into bone, and addresses the similar destructive process that afflicts a growing number of veterans who have suffered blast injuries—including traumatic amputations or injuries to the brain and nervous system. This insidious hardening of tissues also grips some patients following joint replacement or severe bone injuries.
We've got the iPhone habit, so what's it doing to our brains?
I knew I had a problem when, in the five seconds before the lift arrived, I found myself checking newsfeeds on my iPhone.
Hospitals serving elderly poor more likely to be penalized for readmissions
Hospitals that treat more poor seniors who are on both Medicaid and Medicare tend to have higher rates of readmissions, triggering costly penalties from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), finds a new study in Health Services Research.
Psychologists probe moral judgments of suicide
(Medical Xpress)—Suicide is a major public health issue; it takes the lives of more than a million people each year. It is also widely believed to be immoral. Why do people so commonly believe it is wrong for people to take their own lives? According to a study by researchers at Boston College and Boston University, people – even non-religious people – make this moral judgment because they believe suicide taints the purity of a person's soul. Their findings are reported in Issue 130 of the journal Cognition.
Discovery brings scientists one step closer to understanding tendon injury
Tendons, such as the Achilles, connect muscle to bone, and are loaded repeatedly during movement. When exposed to particularly high loads, this can cause injury in some individuals. The risk of injury increases with age, but scientists have never fully understood why.
Study reveals patients with learning difficulties can become invisible in hospitals
Hospital patients with learning difficulties face longer waits and mismanaged treatment due to nursing staff's failure to understand them, according to a newly-released report.
Cancer risk lower in women adhering to cancer prevention guidelines
(Medical Xpress)—Postmenopausal women whose behaviors were consistent with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Cancer Prevention Guidelines put forth by the American Cancer Society (ACS) had lower risk for cancer incidence, and cancer-related and cancer-unrelated death, according to a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
New type of immunotherapy shows potential in advanced lung cancer
(Medical Xpress)—When added to chemotherapy and antibody therapy, Imprime PGG, a type of immunotherapy, substantially improved response rates and overall survival rates in patients with late-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to the results of a phase II study presented here at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on the Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, held Jan. 6-9.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor shows early promise in previously treated lung cancer patients
The PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor MK-3475 was well tolerated and showed durable responses in patients whose non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) had worsened during or after multiple prior chemotherapies, according to the results of a phase I study presented here at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on the Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, held Jan. 6-9.
Arming the immune system to fight cancer
In 2004, a form of cancer known as neuroblastoma claimed the life of Alexandra (Alex) Scott, a little girl who gained national attention for using her lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research. Now, the organization established in her memory, the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), has awarded the University of Maryland's Christopher M. Jewell, an assistant professor in the A. James Clark School of Engineering, a three-year, $375,000 research grant to support the pre-clinical development of a cancer vaccine technology that could give children like Alex a better chance to have a long and healthy life.
People with less education are living sicker, shorter lives than ever before
(Medical Xpress)—Americans without a high school diploma are living sicker, shorter lives than ever before, and the links between education and health matter more now than they have in the past, says a new policy brief and video released today by the Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Society and Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Study finds daily antibiotics most effective in preventing recurrent urinary tract infection
While daily antibiotic use is the most effective method for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women, daily cranberry pills, daily estrogen therapy and monthly acupuncture treatments also have benefits that may be preferable for some patients, according to a new study by researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed).
Hong Kong reports first H7N9 case of the year
Hong Kong health authorities on Wednesday confirmed the territory's third human case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu, the city's first of 2014.
Research reveals new therapeutic target for Huntington's disease
Research from Western University (London, Canada) has revealed a possible new target for treating movement disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease. Stephen Ferguson, PhD, a scientist at Western's Robarts Research Institute, and Fabiola Ribeiro, PhD, of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil found a definite improvement in motor behaviors in a HD mouse model when one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain, called Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 (mGluR5) was deleted. The research is published online in Human Molecular Genetics.
Scientists make your stomach turn bright green if you have an ulcer
Doctors may soon be able to diagnose stomach ulcers without taking tissue samples from the stomach. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark now report to have developed a new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers. The trick is to make the ulcer-causing bacteria in the gut light up in fluorescent green.
New method for efficiently transporting antibodies across the blood-brain barrier reported
Today the scientific journal Neuron published results on the Roche-designed Brain Shuttle technology that efficiently transfers investigational antibodies from the blood through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain in preclinical models. Roche Pharma Early Research and Development (pRED) scientists found that such enhanced transfer of antibodies through the BBB was associated with a marked improvement in amyloid reduction in the brain of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
The ironic (and surprising) effects of weight stigma
If you're one of the millions of people who count losing weight among their top New Year's resolutions, you might want to pay careful attention to some new findings by UC Santa Barbara psychology professor Brenda Major.
Scientists identify possible key to drug resistance in Crohn's disease
Two-thirds to three-quarters of the estimated 700,000 Americans living with Crohn's disease, an autoimmune condition that can disrupt the entire gastrointestinal tract, will require surgery at some point during their life. Patients and physicians often turn to this surgical intervention after a patient develops resistance to current treatments, such as steroids.
Heart attacks hit poor the hardest
As people get older, their bodies wear down and become less resilient. In old age, it's common for people to become "clinically frail," and this "frailty syndrome" is emerging in the field of public health as a powerful predictor of healthcare use and death.
Researchers discover ovarian cancer biomarker
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a microRNA biomarker that shows promise in predicting treatment response in the most common form of ovarian cancer – a breakthrough that has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with the disease.
Study shows women continue to outlive men as numbers of centenarians on the rise
The number of centenarians in Ontario increased by more than 70 per cent over the last 15 years with women making up more than 85 per cent of people 100 or older, according to new research by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Women's College Hospital.
Stopping tumors in their path
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly form of primary malignant brain cancer accounting for approximately 15% of all brain tumours and occurring mostly in adults between the ages of 45 and 70. The aggressive recurrent nature of this cancer is only temporarily contained by combined surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The recurrence of GBM is usually fatal, resulting in an average patient survival time of less than two years. A new study from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro - at McGill University, published in Nature Communications, identifies two specific key players in the growth of GBM.
US approves diabetes drug with new approach (Update)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a new diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca that uses a novel approach to reduce blood sugar.
Just 1 in 4 US teens gets enough exercise
(HealthDay)—Although U.S. health experts recommend that kids engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily, only one in four actually does so, according to a report released Wednesday.
More specialists needed to meet needs of aging population
(HealthDay)—More specialist providers, including vascular surgeons and cardiologists, are needed to meet the care needs of a growing elderly population, according to research published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Administrative demands hurt patient-doctor relationship
(HealthDay)—Administrative demands on doctors, particularly primary care physicians, threaten the patient-doctor relationship, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Workers' compensation data captures back pain experience
(HealthDay)—Workers' compensation data can be used to capture a partial understanding of workers' low back pain (LBP) experiences, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of Spine.
Study: Two-sizes-too-small 'Grinch' effect hampers heart transplantation success
Current protocols for matching donor hearts to recipients foster sex mismatching and heart size disparities, according to a first-of-its kind analysis by physicians at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Matching by donor heart size may provide better outcomes for recipients, who already face a scarcity of resources as they await a transplant.
Epilepsy drug taken in pregnancy found safe in preschool child development
A new study finds that the epilepsy drug levetiracetam appears not to be associated with thinking, movement and language problems for preschool children born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy, although the drug valproate was associated with some difficulties in preschoolers. The study is published in the January 8, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Stem cell research identifies new gene targets in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Scientists at The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute in collaboration with scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) successfully generated a stem cell model of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Using this stem cell model, researchers identified fourteen genes that may be implicated in the disease and one gene in particular that shows the importance that inflammation may play in the brain of Alzheimer's patients.
Marine bacteria to fight tough infections
Aggressive infections are a growing health problem all over the world. The development of resistant bacteria is rampant and, in the United States, resistant staphylococci cause more deaths than AIDS on an annual basis. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen are studying a new form of treatment based on marine bacteria. The results have been published in PLOS ONE.
Mental disorders in mid-life and older adulthood more prevalent than previously reported
Common methods of assessing mental or physical disorders may consistently underestimate the prevalence of mental disorders among middle-aged and older adults, a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found.
New device can reduce sleep apnea episodes by 70 percent, study shows
Implantation of a sleep apnea device called Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy can lead to significant improvements for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. After one year, patients using the device had an approximately 70 percent reduction in sleep apnea severity, as well as significant reductions in daytime sleepiness.
On-field blood test can diagnose sports concussions
A brain protein, S100B, which may soon be detected by a simple finger-stick blood test, accurately distinguishes a sports-related concussion from sports exertion, according to a study of college athletes in Rochester, N.Y., and Munich, Germany, and published in PLOS ONE by Jeffrey J. Bazarian, M.D., professor at the University of Rochester.
Scientists unlock evolution of cholera, identify strain responsible for early pandemics
Working with a nearly 200-year-old sample of preserved intestine, researchers at McMaster University and the University of Sydney have traced the bacterium behind a global cholera pandemic that killed millions – a version of the same bug that continues to strike vulnerable populations in the world's poorest regions.
Blood pressure study points to more equitable care in England than America
In the US but not in England, patients on low incomes with high blood pressure have their condition managed poorly compared with those who earn more.
Higher risk of birth problems after assisted conception
A University of Adelaide study has shown that the risk of serious complications such as stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight and neonatal death is around twice as high for babies conceived by assisted reproductive therapies compared with naturally conceived babies.
Bacteria linked to water breaking prematurely during pregnancy
A high presence of bacteria at the site where fetal membranes rupture may be the key to understanding why some pregnant women experience their "water breaking" prematurely, researchers at Duke Medicine report.
Study provides glimpse into health of most-extreme runners
For some runners, a marathon is not enough. Participation in so-called ultramarathons—defined as any distance beyond the standard 26.2-mile marathon—has grown exponentially in recent years. The number of runners who finished ultra-length races in North America increased from 15,500 in 1998 to 63,530 in 2012, according to UltraRunning Magazine. Despite its popularity, however, little is known about the health effects of this intense form of exercise.
Early signs that patient's own bone-marrow stem cells could treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
Findings of a preliminary study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine suggest that a patient's own bone-marrow stromal (stem) cells could be used to treat multidrug-resistant and extensively-drug tuberculosis.
Study links nut intake with lower risks of obesity
A new study , published today in the online journal PLOS ONE, looks at the association between tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in a population with a wide range of nut intake ranging from never to daily.
NY governor authorizes medical marijuana (Update)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday he will authorize the medical use of marijuana, making his the 21st US state to do so and one of the biggest.
Nociceptin: Nature's balm for the stressed brain
Collaborating scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the University of Camerino in Italy have published new findings on a system in the brain that naturally moderates the effects of stress. The findings confirm the importance of this stress-damping system, known as the nociceptin system, as a potential target for therapies against anxiety disorders and other stress-related conditions.
Research suggests a blood test to locate gene defects associated with cancer may not be far off
Some surprising research findings from scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggest it's possible a simple blood test could be developed to determine whether gene mutations associated with pancreatic cancer exist without the need of locating and testing tumor tissue. This appears possible following the discovery that tiny particles the size of viruses called 'exosomes,' which are shed by cancer cells into the blood, contain the entire genetic blueprint of cancer cells. By decoding this genomic data and looking for deletions and mutations associated with cancer, the research team believes this discovery could be translated into a test that helps physicians detect cancer and treat patients. The findings are based on research led by Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and professor in MD Anderson's Department of Cancer Biology. The research results appear in the current online edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Fatal case of H5N1 bird flu reported in Canada (Update)
Canadian health officials said Wednesday a fatal case of H5N1 bird flu has been reported in Canada, the first such case in North America. The victim was travelling from China when symptoms first appeared.
Experts say paleo diet is worst, DASH diet is best
(HealthDay)—The controversial Paleo Diet was last on the 2014 "Best Diets List" from U.S. News & World Report, while the DASH plan was named the best overall diet.
Liquid tamiflu for kids in short supply
(HealthDay)—Manufacturing problems have created a shortage of the liquid form of Tamiflu, which is designed for young children who can't swallow capsules, U.S. health officials announced Wednesday.
Tight blood sugar control might not help all critically ill kids
(HealthDay)—Children who are critically ill after having heart surgery do not benefit from having their blood sugar levels aggressively controlled, but some kids with other life-threatening conditions might, a new study suggests.
Is depression over-diagnosed and over-treated?
(Medical Xpress)—A University of Liverpool study has found that people are increasingly diagnosed and treated with medication for depression when they are suffering 'normal' human experiences such as grief and sadness.
New research opens door to Alzheimer's blood test
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a new technology that could form the basis of a simple blood test for Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists find a new mechanism underlying depression
(Medical Xpress)—The World health Organization calls depression "the leading cause of disability worldwide," causing more years of disability than cancer, HIV/AIDS, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases combined. In any given year, 5-7% of the world's population experiences a major depressive episode, and one in six people will at some point suffer from the disease.
Color-coded cells reveal patchwork patterns of X chromosome silencing in female brains
Producing brightly speckled red and green snapshots of many different tissues, Johns Hopkins researchers have color-coded cells in female mice to display which of their two X chromosomes has been made inactive, or "silenced."
Study finds that information is as important as medication in reducing migraine pain
The information that clinicians provide to patients when prescribing treatments has long been thought to play a role in the way that patients respond to drug therapies. Now an innovative study of migraine headache confirms that a patient's expectations – positive, negative or neutral – influence the effects of both a medication and a placebo.
Infants show ability to tell friends from foes
(Medical Xpress)—Even before babies have language skills or much information about social structures, they can infer whether other people are likely to be friends by observing their likes and dislikes, a new study on infant cognition has found.
Bio-inspired glue keeps hearts securely sealed
When a child is born with a heart defect such as a hole in the heart, the highly invasive therapies are challenging due to an inability to quickly and safely secure devices inside the heart. Sutures take too much time to stitch and can cause stress on fragile heart tissue, and currently available clinical adhesives are either too toxic or tend to lose their sticking power in the presence of blood or under dynamic conditions, such as in a beating heart.
Simple test can indicate cervical cancer
Researchers at the University of Louisville have confirmed that using the heat profile from a person's blood, called a plasma thermogram, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of cervical cancer, including the stage of cancer.
Biology news
Fight or flight and the evolution of pain
Hard wired into the survival mechanisms of all animals is the perception of pain. Different stimuli, such as heat or cold, foul odors, chemicals or a blunt blow can trigger pain receptors in the body that, in the blink of an eye, jolt the body into classic fight or flight responses.
Hong Kong mulls following China to destroy ivory stockpile
Hong Kong's government is considering destroying its stockpile of over 30 tonnes of ivory obtained through seizures of elephant tusks, it said Wednesday.
Death of elephant, 73, sparks mourning at India wildlife park
A giant 73-year-old elephant died Wednesday at a famed wildlife sanctuary in northeast India, bringing tears to the eyes of his keepers—and fellow pachyderms.
Research offers new insights into cross-species parasite transmission
(Phys.org) —Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new mathematical model that helps to explain how some parasites predominantly associate with one particular host species-but are still capable of infecting other species. Their work, recently published in Theoretical Population Biology, could eventually help public health officials develop intervention strategies for diseases that jump between species.
Study identifies gene mutation as cause of canine tremor disorder
(Phys.org) —Weimaraners – sleek, athletic dogs originally bred for hunting—are known for their striking, silver-tinged coats. Unfortunately, they also are known for a rare tremor disorder reported widely throughout North America and Europe.
Geography has impact on grapevine moth's success in French vineyards
'Location, location, location' is an adage also true for the European grapevine moth, it seems. Research led by Fanny Vogelweith of the Université de Bourgogne and INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine in France has shown that these pests are better adapted and more successful in certain French wine-growing regions than in others, because of the variety of grape on which they occur and the abundance of their natural enemies around them. The findings were published in Springer's journal Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature.
Saving vulnerable Australian fish species
Nearly one year into a study on the three rarest fish species in WA's south-west zone is already yielding invaluable data to aid in developing action plans that may save their future.
Negative feedback makes cells 'sensitive'
New research has shown that negative feedback loops in cell signalling systems can be essential for a cell's ability to perceive the strength of a growth stimulus. Cells lacking the feedback loop became insensitive to the level of the stimulus in a manner similar to a cancerous cell displaying unrestrained growth.
Emperor Penguins breeding on ice shelves
A new study of four Antarctic emperor penguin colonies suggest that unexpected breeding behaviour may be a sign that the birds are adapting to environmental change.
Climate changes the distribution of plants and animals
Swiss plants, butterflies and birds have moved 8 to 42 meters uphill between 2003 and 2010, as scientists from the University of Basel write in the online journal Plos One.
GPS traffic maps for leatherback turtles show hotspots to prevent accidental fishing deaths
The leatherback turtle in the Pacific Ocean is one of the most endangered animals in the world. Its population has declined by more than 90 percent since 1980. One of the greatest sources of mortality is industrial longlines that set thousands of hooks in the ocean to catch fish, but sometimes catch sea turtles as well. Using modern GPS technology, researchers are now able to predict where fisheries and turtles will interact and to reduce the unwanted capture of turtles by fishermen.
Study discovers natural hybridization produced dolphin species
A newly published study on the clymene dolphin, a small and sleek marine mammal living in the Atlantic Ocean, shows that this species arose through natural hybridization between two closely related dolphins species, according to authors from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History's Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, the University of Lisbon, and other contributing groups.
Study: Seashell loss due to tourism increase may have global impact
Global tourism has increased fourfold over the last 30 years, resulting in human-induced seashell loss that may harm natural habitats worldwide, according to a University of Florida scientist.
Tracking the deep sea paths of tiger sharks
Shark research scientist, Dr Jonathan Werry, has undertaken a four year study tracking the migratory patterns of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) across the Southwest Pacific.
Wanted: Billions of bees for European farms
Many countries in Europe face a worrying lack of crop-pollinating honeybees, a problem caused mainly by an EU policy shift in favour of biofuels, scientists warned on Wednesday.
Of lice and men (and chimps): Study tracks pace of molecular evolution
A new study compares the relative rate of molecular evolution between humans and chimps with that of their lice. The researchers wanted to know whether evolution marches on at a steady pace in all creatures or if subtle changes in genes – substitutions of individual letters of the genetic code – occur more rapidly in some groups than in others.
'Exceptionally rare' conjoined whales found in Mexico
Fishermen have found two conjoined gray whale calves in a northwestern Mexican lagoon, a discovery that a government marine biologist described as "exceptionally rare."
Biologists establish new method for studying RNA's regulatory 'footprint'
(Phys.org) —Increasingly, biologists have come to realize that RNA is not merely a transitional state between DNA and proteins but plays a major role in determining whether and how genes are turned into a protein product. Gaining a deeper understanding of RNA regulation can help scientists shed light on diseases that arise when this function goes awry.
Researchers identify first 'coppicing response' gene in willow
(Phys.org) —Scientists have, for the first time, discovered a gene that contributes to the 'coppicing response' of willows - the ability to make new growth when cut back to their base or stump.
DELLAs bolster symbiosis in Green Revolution crops
(Phys.org) —Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell researchers have identified a plant protein called DELLA that may lead to reducing phosphorus-fertilizer applications on farms and better plant growth in poor soil.
Researchers program bacterial cells to make computer-like decisions
(Phys.org) —Imagine bacterial cells programmed like computers to respond predictably to specific inputs—the cells detect mercury and turn red, or detect and destroy cancerous cells.
Researchers suggest prairie dog jump-yips are means to assess group alertness (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) —A trio of researchers from the University of Manitoba has concluded that the action known as a jump-yip, performed by some species of prairie dogs, is done more to assess group alertness than to sound the all-clear as has been previously suggested. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, James Hare, Kevin Campbell and Robert Senkiw describe a field study they conducted among prairie dogs and the conclusions reached as a result.
Starfish use their eyes to stay close to home, researchers find
(Phys.org) —A starfish has an eye at the end of each arm. While scientists have known about the existence of these eyes for about two hundred years, until now, they haven't been able to find out what starfish can see or what starfish use their eyes for. By performing morphological studies as well as behavioral experiments, Anders Garm and Dan-Eric Nilsson have discovered that starfish can see very low resolution images, and they use their eyes to avoid straying too far from their habitats. Their research appears in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Smithsonian scientist confirms missing link in big cat evolution
After years of sleuthing for clues about where and when pantherine felids ("big cats") originated, a Smithsonian scientist and an international team of researchers are one step closer to understanding the evolutionary history of these species. A fossil recently found in the Zanda Basin in Tibet included remains of Pantera blytheae, a new species of big cat that is most closely related to the modern day snow leopard. The skull of P. blytheae is the oldest big cat fossil found to date, and fills a significant gap in the fossil record. It indicates that ancient big cats lived nearly 6 million years ago, 2 million years earlier than previously thought, and sheds light on their geographic origins in Asia. Scientists plan to build on this research by studying how big cats evolved and adapted to changes in their environment over time to help inform modern day big cat conservation efforts. The research is published in the Jan. 7 issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biologi! cal Sciences.
Molecular engines star in new model of DNA repair
Our health depends in large part upon the ability of specialized enzymes to find and repair the constant barrage of DNA damage brought on by ultraviolet light radiation and other sources. In a new study NYU School of Medicine researchers reveal how an enzyme called RNA polymerase patrols the genome for DNA damage and helps recruit partners to repair it. The result: fewer mutations and consequently less cancer and other kinds of disease.
Coral chemical warfare: Suppressing a competitor enhances susceptibility to a predator
Competition may have a high cost for at least one species of tropical seaweed. Researchers examining the chemical warfare taking place on Fijian coral reefs have found that one species of seaweed increases its production of noxious anti-coral compounds when placed into contact with reef-building corals. But as it competes chemically with the corals, the seaweed grows more slowly and becomes more attractive to herbivorous fish, which boost their consumption of the skirmishing seaweed by 80 percent.
Researchers unveil rich world of fish biofluorescence
A team of researchers led by scientists from the American Museum of Natural History has released the first report of widespread biofluorescence in the tree of life of fishes, identifying more than 180 species that glow in a wide range of colors and patterns. Published today in PLOS ONE, the research shows that biofluorescence—a phenomenon by which organisms absorb light, transform it, and eject it as a different color—is common and variable among marine fish species, indicating its potential use in communication and mating. The report opens the door for the discovery of new fluorescent proteins that could be used in biomedical research.
New study finds extreme longevity in white sharks
Great white sharks—top predators throughout the world's ocean—grow much slower and live significantly longer than previously thought, according to a new study led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
Slow-evolving elephant shark genome is first to be sequenced from cartilaginous fish
A team of researchers including SF State Assistant Professor of Biology Scott Roy has sequenced the entire genome of the elephant shark, uncovering several features that may shed light on the evolution of bony vertebrates.
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