Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 21, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Proposed graphene cardboard has highly tunable properties- Spintronic thermoelectric power generators: A step towards energy efficient electronic devices
- New use for an old 'trouble maker'
- Pushing and pulling: Using strain to tune a new quantum material
- Drill core evidence adds credence to iron fertilization hypothesis regarding last ice age
- Study shows some cuckoo birds may actually help their hosts
- New microscopy technique captures 3-D images of cells as they flow through a microfluidic channel
- A new way to make muscle cells from human stem cells
- 180 million-year-old fossilized fern nearly identical to modern relative
- Lessons offered by emerging carbon trading markets
- New infrared technique aims to remotely detect dangerous materials
- Scientists drilling the universe to uncover its history
- Lightweight construction materials of highest stability thanks to their microarchitecture
- Anti-counterfeit 'fingerprints' made from silver nanowires
- US police phone-tracking accords often kept secret (Update)
Astronomy & Space news
Image: Hubble nets an interstellar butterfly
(Phys.org) —The "butterfly effect" says the flap of a butterfly's wings may lead to a developing hurricane on the other side of the world. But what happens when a butterfly flaps its wings in the depths of space?
What happens when the poles flip?
Have you heard the startling news that the Earth's poles might flip? Perhaps in the response to a close pass from the mysterious Planet X? Are you imagining the entire Earth actually flipping over on its side or rotating upside down, possibly while Yakkity Sax plays in the background? When will this happen? Can this happen?
NASA 'game-changing' space propellant tank to stay grounded for now
A lighter and stronger "game-changing" tank that could have flown in space in a few years will be tested on the ground only, at least for now, according to the NASA budget and a few reports.
Space sunflower may help snap pictures of planets
A spacecraft that looks like a giant sunflower might one day be used to acquire images of Earth-like rocky planets around nearby stars. The prototype deployable structure, called a starshade, is being developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
Scientists drilling the universe to uncover its history
WA scientists are using telescopes to drill holes in the universe to unlock how galaxies have evolved.
Technology news
Planning and building products and production plants simultaneously
Fraunhofer researchers have developed and built new production plants in record time for the specialty chemicals company LANXESS and many other companies. Methods of digital engineering allow research and development for the planning of products and manufacturing to proceed simultaneously. Visitors to the Hannover Messe from April 7 to 11 can learn how this works.
Box-shaped pressure vessel for LNG developed by KAIST research team
Earlier today, Korean researchers successfully showcased the installation and operation of a box-shaped, high-pressure tank for the storage of liquefied natural gas in Pohang, Republic of Korea. The development was the first of its kind in the world.
Twittersphere rallies to help Turks by-pass block
The global Internet community rallied to help Twitter users in Turkey circumvent a block on the popular messaging service on Friday, as some experts said Ankara's efforts are backfiring.
Media General to buy LIN in $2.6 bn US broadcast deal
US broadcaster Media General said Friday it will buy LIN Media in a $2.6 billion deal that creates the nation's second-largest television broadcasting company and a digital media powerhouse.
E-Trade's talking baby goes bye-bye
The E-Trade baby will finally stop talking.
Failed MtGox exchange finds 200,000 Bitcoins in old wallet (Update)
Failed Bitcoin exchange MtGox says it has found 200,000 coins worth $116 million in an old "digital wallet", after it collapsed in February admitting it had lost half a billion dollars in a possible theft.
Turkish attempt to ban Twitter appears to backfire (Update 4)
Turkey's attempt to block access to Twitter appeared to backfire on Friday with many tech-savvy users circumventing the ban and suspicions growing that the prime minister was using court orders to suppress corruption allegations against him and his government.
Control of Internet in spotlight at Singapore talks
Stakeholders meet in Singapore Monday to discuss the future of the Internet after the US said it will hand over stewardship of its technical operations to a global group including businesses and governments.
Toms thrives mixing business with social good
From putting shoes on poor children's feet to providing Internet from balloons in the sky, Internet Age companies are catching on to the power of mixing business with social good.
Rapid materials testing in 3D
Ultrasound is a proven technology in components testing, but until now eva- luating the data has always been quite a time-consuming process. At the Hannover Messe from April 7-11, Fraunhofer researchers will be presenting their optimized ultrasonic testing solution – a method for testing materials quickly and reliably with the help of 3D images.
Researchers model spent nuclear fuels
(Phys.org) —Lawrence Livermore scientists have modeled actinide-based alloys, such as spent nuclear fuel, in an effort to predict the impact of evolving fuel chemistry on material performance.
Experts explain why big data is a big deal
Turns out even the experts have difficulty wrapping their heads around the concept of how quickly – and drastically – what's come to be called 'big data' has changed our daily lives.
Turning waste into wealth
Waste is a valuable resource that could earn the UK tens of billions of pounds, according to a new report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
Your call is important to the NSA and they could be recording you
It was bad enough the when it was revealed the US National Security Agency (NSA) wanted to hack information on smartphones but now reports this week it wants to record the phone calls of an entire country.
After flight MH370 is found, what happens next?
Once any wreckage is found, then begins the slow process of trying to find out how Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended up where it did.
"Truss Me" app attracting attention
Truss Me!, an educational app developed by Aerospace Engineering faculty Julian Rimoli, is attracting a growing number of fans – from teenagers curious about what science can teach them to college educators curious about how to better teach science.
Unexpected information leakage from side channel
In this high-technology age, finding ways to prevent information leakage via device hacking is increasingly important. In order to pre-empt attacks, researchers carry out false attacks on encrypted devices to find weaknesses that may be exploited in order to implement safeguards.
BlackBerry selling most Canadian real estate
BlackBerry is selling most of its real estate holdings in Canada as the struggling smartphone company continues to look for ways to improve its business.
Obama meets Internet bosses on surveillance
US President Barack Obama meets Internet bosses on Friday to discuss his latest plans to overhaul US spy agency surveillance practices which have infuriated the industry.
Hacker schools offer students a different path to tech jobs
Aaron Groch had a bachelor's degree in English and was already writing for the Web when he went back to school to study computer programming. But Groch said after two years of computer science at Georgia State, he dropped out because he felt he wasn't learning to write code fast enough, the skill he needed to land a better job.
Pono may sound great, but don't expect it to stick around
I hate to be the one to break it to rock-and-roll legend Neil Young, but his new digital music venture has about as much chance of succeeding as I have of winning a Grammy - maybe less.
Apple, HP, Intel may be hit by slowdown in smartphone sales' growth
The smartphone business has generated staggering wealth for companies such as Apple Inc. and triggered a recent scramble by Hewlett-Packard Co. and Intel Corp. to try for a piece of the action.
Hacking incidents prompt universities to rethink balance of openness, security
In the two weeks between recent revelations that hackers stole data on students, alumni and faculty from the University of Maryland-College Park and the Johns Hopkins University, nearly 360,000 records were swiped in similar attacks at schools in Pennsylvania, Indiana and North Dakota.
Apple upgrades low-cost iPad option, offers cheaper iPhone 5C
As Google's Android operating system chips away at Apple's market share in tabloids and smartphones, the world's most valuable company announced Tuesday that a newer iPad model will be offered at a reduced price and a cheaper iPhone is on sale in certain markets outside the United States.
Microsoft says it snooped on Hotmail to track leak
Microsoft Corp., which has skewered rival Google Inc. for going through customer emails to deliver ads, acknowledged Thursday it had searched emails in a blogger's Hotmail account to track down who was leaking company secrets.
Open Garden launches invite to chat off the grid
(Phys.org) —What, use chat on a tablet or smartphone but without any Internet connection? No chat signing-in? No password? Yes to all, with Thursday's announcement from Open Garden to introduce its FireChat for iOS. The free app is available, in the App Store, for iPhones, iPads, and iPods running iOS 7. It's available in English, and other languages including Chinese and Japanese. The San Francisco based startup initially set out to break down the walls of connectivity, "dedicated to bringing Internet to every device, every person, and every location by sharing and crowdsourcing connectivity." Open Garden seamlessly interconnects nearby smartphones, computers, and tablets to form a mesh network. Their app was designed especially for Wi-Fi networks in public places that are protected yet intended to be open, such as those at conferences, parks and coffeeshops. "Today, we are excited to announce the launch of our very first iOS app, FireChat!" the company said on Thursda! y.
New infrared technique aims to remotely detect dangerous materials
For most people, infrared technology calls to mind soldiers with night-vision goggles or energy audits that identify where heat escapes from homes during the winter season.
Lightweight construction materials of highest stability thanks to their microarchitecture
KIT researchers have developed microstructured lightweight construction materials of highest stability. Although their density is below that of water, their stability relative to their weight exceeds that of massive materials, such as high-performance steel or aluminum. The lightweight construction materials are inspired by the framework structure of bones and the shell structure of the bees' honeycombs. The results are now presented in the journal PNAS.
US police phone-tracking accords often kept secret (Update)
Police across the U.S. may be intercepting phone calls or text messages to find suspects using a technology tool known as Stingray. But they are refusing to turn over details about its use or heavily censoring files when they do.
Building an indoor 3-D map on the spot, via smartphone
The view from the basement laboratory is breathtaking. Not the one out the tiny windows of the half-underground office. It's on a smartphone that computer science Prof. Stergios Roumeliotis is using while walking around the depths of the University of Minnesota's Walter Library.
Medicine & Health news
Food insecurity linked to cost-related medication underuse in chronically ill American
Chronically ill adults who reported food insecurity in their household (not having consistent access to food due to lack of financial stability) were significantly more likely to report cost-related medication underuse, according to a new study in The American Journal of Medicine,. The term cost-related medication underuse refers to taking less medication than prescribed, or not taking it at all due to financial concerns.
Adeno-associated virus serotype-5 delivery to the rat trigeminal ganglion
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Lauren Roper, University of Texas - San Antonio / Health Science Center, San Antonio, will present research titled "Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype-5 Delivery to the Rat Trigeminal Ganglion."
New study to focus on understanding challenges of transgender children and their parents
Amy Przeworski, assistant professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University, and graduate student Jennifer Birnkrant will lead an online study that captures the experiences of transgender and gender variant children and their parents.
Almost half of US population lives in jurisdictions that strengthened gun laws in 2013
Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia strengthened their gun laws in the year following the Newtown school shooting, accounting for roughly half (44 percent) of the U.S. population.
Harms outweigh benefits for women aged 70 and over in national breast cancer screening programs
Extending national breast cancer screening programmes to women over the age of 70 does not result in a decrease in the numbers of cancers detected at advanced stages, according to new research from The Netherlands.
Significant variations between NHS hospitals in adverse outcomes for treatment of DCIS
Analysis of data from the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme has shown significant variations in the outcomes of treatment for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) between UK hospitals.
A third of women might benefit from more frequent mammograms
A study of over 50,000 women participating in the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme has found that, while three-yearly screening intervals are appropriate for the majority of women, approximately one third of women are at higher risk of developing cancer and might benefit from more frequent mammograms.
Homeless with TBI more likely to visit ER
Homeless and vulnerably housed people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury at some point in their life are more likely to visit an Emergency Department, be arrested or incarcerated, or be victims of physical assault, new research has found.
Researchers develop a novel antibacterial orthodontic bracket cement
Today, at the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Mary Anne Sampaio de Melo, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, will present a research study titled "Antibacterial Orthodontic Cement Containing a Quaternary Ammonium Monomer Dimethylaminododecyl Methacrylate."
Salivary biomarkers of gingivitis: Information important for personalized decision-making
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Craig Miller, University of Kentucky, Lexington, will present research titled "Salivary Biomarkers of Gingivitis: Information Important for Personalized Decision-Making."
New method can diagnose a feared form of cancer
Pancreatic cancer is often detected at a late stage, which results in poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Researchers at The Sahlgrenska Academy have now developed a method which identifies the cancer's visible precursors with 97% certainty. The method, which is expected to aid in the early discovery of the cancer as well as minimize the risk of unnecessary surgery, may be introduced in patient care within five years.
Novel pro-resolving-medicines in periodontal regeneration
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Daniel Huy Nguyen, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, Mass., will present research titled "Novel Pro-Resolving-Medicines in Periodontal Regeneration."
Water fluoridation: Safety efficacy and value in oral health care
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, a symposium titled "Water Fluoridation: Safety Efficacy and Value in Oral Health Care" will take place. This symposium will be chaired by Stephen H. Abrams, Cliffcrest Dental Office, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cuba gives doctors big pay raise—to $64 a month
Cuba's doctors got a big pay raise Friday —to 64 dollars a month, the official Communist Party newspaper Granma said.
Characteristics of lung cancers arising in germline EGFR T790M mutation carriers
Two studies are providing new insight into germline epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation in familial non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings suggest the need for tailored approaches for early detection and treatment, as well as for genetic testing to identify carriers.
Cold snare polypectomy effective for removal of small colorectal polyps in patients on anticoagulants
In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has published a special issue for March on colorectal cancer. The issue includes a new study that compares cold snare polypectomy with conventional polypectomy for the removal of small colorectal polyps in anticoagulated patients. The study showed that delayed bleeding requiring hemostasis (stoppage of bleeding) occurred significantly less often after cold snare polypectomy than during conventional polypectomy despite continuation of anticoagulants. GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Congress confronts Medicare cuts to doctors' fees
Hope is fading for a Capitol Hill drive to permanently fix Medicare's outdated payment formula and spare doctors from automatic cuts in their fees next month. Now the question is whether lawmakers can regroup and come up with a short-term solution when the current patch expires.
WTC first responders are at higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai researchers have linked high levels of exposure to inhaled particulate matter by first responders at Ground Zero to the risk of obstructed sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both conditions that may impact cardiovascular health.
Tuberculosis in US hits record low, CDC reports
(HealthDay)—Rates of tuberculosis in the United States are falling, with cases at a historic low, health officials reported Thursday.
HPV-linked throat cancer may have telltale first symptoms
(HealthDay)—The first symptoms of throat and mouth cancer—also known as oropharyngeal cancer—may differ depending on whether the condition is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a small study suggests.
Implanted hearing device approved
(HealthDay)—The first implantable device for adults with a severe or profound form of a condition called "sensorineural hearing loss" has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Body's fatty folds may help fight kidney failure
A fatty fold of tissue within the abdomen that is a rich source of stem cells can help heal diseased kidneys when fused to the organs, according to a study conducted in rats. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), suggest that stem cells from within a chronic kidney disease patient's own abdomen could be used to preserve and possibly improve kidney function.
Could 'nasal filter' device help ease allergies?
(HealthDay)— A new device that you wear in your nose—about the size of a contact lens and works like a miniature air filter for a furnace—might help filter out pollen and other allergens and keep them out of your sinuses.
Should we do away with 'dyslexia'?
In their recently published book, The Dyslexia Debate, Joe Elliott and Elena Grigorenko controversially call for the term "dyslexia" to be abandoned. They argue it is an imprecise label that does nothing to assist the children to whom it is applied.
Gene sleuths use social media to help map a new disease
(Medical Xpress)—By combining the modern tools of gene-sequencing and social media, a team of researchers has confirmed the identification of a new genetic disorder that causes severe impairments in children.
Study identifies DNA region linked to severity of herpes simplex infections
(Medical Xpress)—In a study that has important implications for how the herpes simplex virus causes blindness and fatal brain disease, researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a host DNA region associated with severity and mortality of herpes simplex infections.
Researchers identify susceptibility locus for intracerebral hemorrhage
(Medical Xpress)—Research led by a University of Cincinnati (UC) neurologist has identified and replicated a genomic susceptibility locus for intracerebral hemorrhage, raising the possibility of targeting a new risk factor for the most deadly subtype of stroke.
Spring is here, but so are allergies
Spring has finally arrived in Cincinnati, but soon to follow will be the coughing, sneezing and wheezing that comes with allergies, hay fever and asthma—three warm weather killjoys most could do without.
Social networks in homes help preschool children who see domestic violence
Having adult family members in the home can buffer the risk of stress and depression for preschool children who witness domestic violence, a new University of Michigan study found.
Researcher explores what makes love last
How couples in the Wabash Valley maintain the passion in their relationships will be the topic of an upcoming podcast.
Underage youth and adults differ in their alcohol brand preferences
(Medical Xpress)—Youth are not merely mimicking the alcohol brand choices of adults, suggesting that other factors may influence their drinking preferences. This is the conclusion of a new report comparing the alcohol brand preferences of underage drinkers and adults from the Boston University School of Public Health and the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Investigational drug evaluated in newborns to treat rare disorder
Children with a rare genetic disorder that causes missing and malformed teeth, sparse hair and the inability to perspire are born without a protein thought to be key to such development.
A key link between tumors and healthy tissue identified
(Medical Xpress)—The delicate balance between development of normal tissue and tumors depends in part upon a key molecular switch within cells, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in the March 21 issue of the journal Science. Their findings reveal a potential mechanism used by cancer cells to recruit healthy cells to promote tumor growth and suggest new strategies to generate healthy tissue.
Tumor blood vessel signals turn cancer into a lethal disease resistant to chemotherapy
(Medical Xpress)—Blood vessels have been thought to be important to cancer because of the nutritious oxygen they provide to growing tumors. But now, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered that the cells that line the blood vessels of tumors play a much more decisive role: By producing proteins that nurture cancer, the vessels have the ability to turn a slow-growing malignancy into an aggressive disease that can spread and resist treatment.
OSU finds new compound that could treat autoimmune diseases
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a chemical compound that could be a safer alternative for treating autoimmune diseases.
Tweets can help track national health trends—and now local ones too
(Medical Xpress)—When Twitter recently unveiled a new grant program that will allow outside researchers to mine its stockpile of tweets, the social media site pointed to Johns Hopkins' flu tracking as one example of the useful data that may be buried in its short online posts. In recent years, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that tweets can help trace nationwide trends in flu outbreaks.
Visualizing real-time development of capillary networks in adult brains
The advancement of microscopic photoimaging techniques has enabled the visualization of real-time cellular events in living organs. The brain capillary network exhibits a unique feature that forms a blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is an interface of vascular endothelial cells that control the traffic of substances from the bloodstream into the brain. Damage and disruption to the BBB are implicated in contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and epilepsy. However, the cellular interactions present in the BBB are incredibly difficult to study in vivo, so understanding of these mechanisms in living brains is limited.
Researcher first to identify cellular patterns of contraction in human hearts
(Medical Xpress)—When Premi Haynes was growing up in Pune, India, she attended Stella Maris High School, an English language convent school founded by Swiss nuns. Her second grade singing class used a book of English songs. One of the songs was "My Old Kentucky Home." At that time, Haynes had never heard of Kentucky, had no idea where it was, and had no particular ambition to go there.
Geographic moves take a toll on kids' mental health
Children in military families who relocate have an increased odds of suffering mental health problems, finds a large new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Screening of patients with rheumatism improves insight into cardiovascular disease
Since the fifties, researchers have observed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Patients with this form of rheumatism were approximately 50% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease (relatively often fatal) compared with healthy peers of the same gender. PhD candidate Inger Meek of the University of Twente has performed research on multiple forms of rheumatic disease and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients with gout have a particularly high risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study using Drosophila flies reveals new regulatory mechanisms of cell migration
Cell migration is highly coordinated and occurs in processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, the formation of new blood vessels, and tumour cell invasion. For the successful control of cell movement, this process has to be determined and maintained with great precision. In this study, the scientists used tracheal cells of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to unravel the signalling mechanism involved in the regulation of cell movements.
Preterm children at increased risk of having maths problems
Researchers have found that preterm children are at an increased risk of having general cognitive and mathematic problems.
Stem cell study finds source of earliest blood cells during development
Hematopoietic stem cells are now routinely used to treat patients with cancers and other disorders of the blood and immune systems, but researchers knew little about the progenitor cells that give rise to them during embryonic development.
Surprising new way to kill cancer cells
Northwestern Medicine scientists have demonstrated that cancer cells – and not normal cells – can be killed by eliminating either the FAS receptor, also known as CD95, or its binding component, CD95 ligand.
Obesity and depression linked in teen girls
Depression and obesity have long been associated, but how they relate over time is less clear. New research from a Rutgers University–Camden professor shows that adolescent females who experience one of the disorders are at a greater risk for the other as they get older.
The gene family linked to brain evolution is implicated in severity of autism symptoms
The same gene family that may have helped the human brain become larger and more complex than in any other animal also is linked to the severity of autism, according to new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
In rats, diffuse brain damage can occur with no signs of 'concussion'
A standard experimental model of concussion in rats causes substantial brain damage—but no behavioral changes comparable to those seen in patients with concussion, reports a study in the April issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Pathogens in cheese: Researchers follow the traces of deadly bacteria
If food products are not produced in a hygienic environment, consumers can face the threat of dangerous pathogens. This is exactly what happened in 2009 and 2010 when two different strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in the traditional Austrian curd cheese known as "Quargel". 34 people were infected, and a total of 8 patients died. Experts from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna analysed the genomes of the outbreak strains and were able to show that the strains displayed distinct properties and entered the food chain independently. The results were published in the journal PLOS ONE and will increase the understanding of outbreaks and their prevention.
Genetic factor contributes to forgetfulness
Misplaced your keys? Can't remember someone's name? Didn't notice the stop sign? Those who frequently experience such cognitive lapses now have an explanation. Psychologists from the University of Bonn have found a connection between such everyday lapses and the DRD2 gene. Those who have a certain variant of this gene are more easily distracted and experience a significantly higher incidence of lapses due to a lack of attention. The scientific team reports their results in Neuroscience Letters.
With a few finger taps, draw genetic pedigrees at point of care with new app
Long before next-generation sequencing technology ushered in today's data-intensive era of human genome information, clinicians have been taking family histories by jotting down pedigrees: hand-drawn diagrams recording how diseases may recur across generations, and offering clues to inheritance patterns.
New research may point to better predictor of prostate cancer survival
New research by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists demonstrates that measuring circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – the cells that spread cancer through the body – may be a better predictor of patient survival than the prostate specific antigen (PSA).
BRCAPRO model underestimates BRCA1/2 mutation risk
(HealthDay)—Use of the BRCAPRO model for assessment of the likelihood of having a germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation, based on age, ethnicity, and family history, may underestimate the risk of mutations, according to a study published online March 17 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
ERs dispensing more narcotic painkillers, study finds
(HealthDay)—More and more Americans are being prescribed powerful narcotic drugs when they visit the emergency department for problems such as low back pain or a pounding headache, a new study finds.
Still too few minority participants in US clinical trials, study finds
(HealthDay)—It's been 20 years since Congress required that research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) include minorities, but non-whites still account for less than 5 percent of clinical trial participants, according to a new report.
Blood transfusions for spinal fusion holding steady
(HealthDay)—Among U.S. patients undergoing spinal fusion, the rates of allogeneic blood transfusion (ALBT) increased from 2000 to 2009, while predonated autologous blood transfusion (PR-ABT) rates decreased, according to a study published in the Feb. 15 issue of Spine.
Omega-3 fatty acids, xanthophylls don't cut CVD risk
(HealthDay)—Dietary supplementation with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or macular xanthophylls do not seem to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults with age-related macular degeneration, according to a study published online March 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Will new guidelines to reduce C-sections change maternity care?
Women planning to deliver at some birth centers are being encouraged to stay at home when their labor begins. They are advised to rest, eat, walk around and not to time every contraction.
Researchers seek simple Alzheimer's test
Twice in six months, Bobbie Wilburn walked home from the grocery store because her car had been stolen. It hadn't. She just couldn't remember where she parked.
Stem cell findings may offer answers for some bladder defects and disease
For the first time, scientists have succeeded in coaxing laboratory cultures of human stem cells to develop into the specialized, unique cells needed to repair a patient's defective or diseased bladder.
Playing as black: Avatar race affects white video game players
What happens when white video game players see themselves as black characters in a violent game?
New drug raises potential for cancer treatment revolution
(Medical Xpress)—A revolution in cancer treatment could soon be underway following a breakthrough that may lead to a dramatic improvement in cancer survival rates. A new study at the University of Warwick, published today in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, has developed a new drug that can manipulate the body's natural signalling and energy systems, allowing the body to attack and shut down cancerous cells.
Animals could help reveal why humans fall for illusions
Visual illusions, such as the rabbit-duck and café wall are fascinating because they remind us of the discrepancy between perception and reality. But our knowledge of such illusions has been largely limited to studying humans.
Autistic behaviours linked to banned pesticide
(Medical Xpress)—A new study co-authored by a Simon Fraser University researcher finds the children of pregnant women exposed to high levels of a flame retardant and a banned pesticide are more likely to exhibit autistic-like behaviours.
Genetic signature reveals new way to classify gum disease
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have devised a new system for classifying periodontal disease based on the genetic signature of affected tissue, rather than on clinical signs and symptoms. The new classification system, the first of its kind, may allow for earlier detection and more individualized treatment of severe periodontitis, before loss of teeth and supportive bone occurs. The findings were published recently in the online edition of the Journal of Dental Research.
A new way to make muscle cells from human stem cells
As stem cells continue their gradual transition from the lab to the clinic, a research group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered a new way to make large concentrations of skeletal muscle cells and muscle progenitors from human stem cells.
Biology news
Pets and anesthesia
Have you been avoiding getting your pet regular dental care? You're not alone. Most pet owners understand that in animals—just as in people—good oral health is conducive to overall well-being, says Gillian Fraser, V00, who practices in Northborough, Mass. Still, she says, some clients don't heed her advice, because they're afraid their pet will not survive the anesthesia.
Bangladesh's otter fishing tradition faces extinction
Swimming in circles alongside a fishing boat, the excited cries of two short-haired otters ring out across a river in southern Bangladesh that feeds into the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.
Sex-change flies to combat one of Australia's worst pests
Scientists have hit on a new way to combat one of Australia's worst pests—create a male-only line.
Biological systems engineering scientist develops critical vaccines for human, pig diseases
Pig herds infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome can be financially devastating to farmers. The syndrome causes reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disfunction in young pigs.
Lord of the bees
(Phys.org) —James Hung has collected more than 17,000 wild bees from coastal, desert and mountain areas of San Diego County. But many of his specimens bear little resemblance to the honey bees we normally think of as bees. To the casual observer, his bee collection looks more like a menagerie of Insects Gone Wild—gnat-sized bugs with long snouts, gigantic black bees and curious iridescent creatures with termite-like wings.
Non-invasive technique to "light up" animal cells
A Florida State University scientist is part of a team of researchers that has developed a non-invasive way to "light up" animal cells, a development that could significantly advance cell-based therapies and pave the way for more effective cancer research in the long run.
Team maps by-catch as unintended consequence of global fisheries
Seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals such as dolphins may not appear to have much in common, other than an affinity for open water. The sad truth is that they are all unintended victims – by-catch – of intensive global fishing. In fact, accidental entanglement in fishing gear is the single biggest threat to some species in these groups.
Researchers unlock the secret of multiple insecticide resistance in mosquitoes
Researchers at LSTM have discovered how unprecedented multiple and extreme-level resistance is generated in mosquitoes found in the rice fields of Tiassalé in southern Côte d'Ivoire. The paper, "CYP6 P450 enzymes and ACE-1 duplication produce extreme and multiple insecticide resistance in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae" published in PLoS Genetics today, highlights the combination of stringently-replicated whole genome transcription profiling, in vivo transgenic gene expression and in vitro metabolism assays to identify and validate genes from the P450 detoxification enzyme superfamily which are highly expressed in the adult females from the area.
Assassin bug uses a 'slight of leg' to deceive and subdue physically superior prey
(Phys.org) —Macquarie University scientists have unveiled a deceptive luring tactic used by the nymphs of the Feather-legged Assassin bug, requires the bugs to be physically attacked by its ant-prey before the bug will attempt to capture it.
Scientists reveal how cells destroy RNA, a key to understanding disease
(Phys.org) —RNA encodes the proteins that play a key role in cellular reproduction, but the manner in which cells regulate RNA's removal once proteins are synthesized remains a mystery. One piece of this mystery has been solved by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who have identified the steps by which a cell removes RNA from the cytoplasm.
Study shows some cuckoo birds may actually help their hosts
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers in Spain has found that at least one species of cuckoo bird may actually help its nest-mates survive. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes how in studying the great spotted cuckoo, they found that crow hatchlings were actually more successful due to the presence of an uninvited bird.
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