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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 31, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Connecting the dots: Water diffusion MRI reveals plasticity networks in remote nonstimulated brain regions- 'Optical oracle' could quickly solve complex computing problems
- Researchers discover ancient virus DNA remnants necessary for pluripotency in humans
- A previously underappreciated brain region performs complex sequence learning
- Scientists understand how E. coli clone has become globally distributed
- Nanoparticle trapped with laser light temporarily violates the second law of thermodynamics
- Computer maps 21 distinct emotional expressions—even 'happily disgusted'
- Physicists split and collide ultracold atom clouds (w/ Video)
- Possible explanation for human diseases caused by defective ribosomes
- Methane-producing microbes may be responsible for the largest mass extinction in Earth's history
- Self-healing engineered muscle grown in the laboratory
- First phononic crystal that can be altered in real time
- Congenitally blind visualise numbers opposite way to sighted
- Ultrabright lasers help switch single photons
- Finding the mix: Solar cell efficiency a delicate balance
Astronomy & Space news
Crucial radar outage scrubs Cape Canaveral launches for several weeks
The sudden and unexpected outage of a crucial tracking radar that is mandatory to insure public safety, has forced the scrub of a pair of launches planned for this week from Cape Canaveral, FL, that are vital to US National Security, United Launch Alliance, SpaceX and NASA.
Give a name to ESA's zone of silence
Kept isolated from the external Universe, a special ESA chamber simulates the boundless emptiness of space for testing satellite antennas. Recently refitted, it is in need of a new name. Come up with a winning suggestion and you can visit it for yourself.
Second HI-SEAS Mars space analog study begins
A new space odyssey began tonight as the six crew members of the new Hawai'i Space Exploration and Analog Simulation (HI-SEAS) mission entered their remote habitat on the first night of a four-month-long journey.
NRL to launch SSULI on April 3rd: Will measure ionosphere electron density
On April 3rd, 2014, a satellite carrying a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) space weather instrument will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Called the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI), "SSULI makes accurate measurements of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere that are ultimately useful to the warfighter," says Dr. Scott Budzien, the NRL Program Manager.
NASA releases images of X-class solar flare
The sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 1:48 p.m. EDT March 29, 2014, and NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however—when intense enough—they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
'Cosmic barometer' could reveal violent events in universe's past
Scientists have developed a way of reading the universe's 'cosmic barometer' to learn more about ancient violent events in space.
Technology news
Studying the behaviour of steel tubes filled with concrete foam
UiTM researchers have found that steel tubes filled with foam concrete was inferior in strength as compared to that of normal concrete.
Amazon hit by strikes in Germany
One of Amazon's key sites in Germany was the target of fresh walkouts by staff on Monday in an long-running wage dispute.
Keeping track of athletes with wearable tech
With the AFL season in full swing many of us are glued to our screens marvelling at the speed and tactics of the athletes.
Students solve problem for rheumatoid arthritis sufferer
Sandi Mugford treasures her independence. An active person who works two jobs and helps look after her mother, she needs to cover a lot of ground, which she does with impressive energy. Mugford has lived more than 50 years with rheumatoid arthritis, having been diagnosed as a girl of 10.
Cities open up to congestion charging
Traffic jams aren't the only things that disappear when congestion charging programs are implemented. A Swedish researcher finds that opposition to these proposals appears to vanish once they take effect.
Fujitsu develops new speech synthesis technology
Fujitsu Laboratories has announced development of speech synthesis technology that can create a variety of high-quality synthetic voices in a short period of time, and that can convey information in a tone that is appropriate for the usage scenario or usage environment.
Explainer: How do cyclists reach super fast speeds?
Even though spoked wheels and pneumatic tyres were invented in the 1880s, bicycle design hasn't really changed a great deal in the time since – at least, at face value. However, look closer and around a hundred years of research or development has taken the humble bicycle from boneshaker to a speed machine.
The technological search for MH370's black box
As the effort to find Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 moves inexorably towards the recovery stage, the challenge of finding the plane's flight recorder (called the "black box" even though it's actually bright orange) on the ocean floor will become a game of blind man's bluff spread over thousands of kilometres.
Supreme Court could limit software patents
The Supreme Court appears willing to make it tougher to approve patents for computer software in a case that is being closely watched by technology companies.
Researchers demonstrate information processing using a light-based chip inspired by our brain
In a recent paper in Nature Communications, researchers from Ghent University report on a novel paradigm to do optical information processing on a chip, using techniques inspired by the way our brain works.
European consumer group joins case against Google
Europe's leading consumer rights advocacy group has joined an antitrust complaint against Google because it considers the display of some search results biased.
'Bosch' among six new original Amazon TV shows (Update)
US online giant Amazon announced plans Monday for its own science fiction TV series and detective program based on writings of best-selling crime writer Michael Connelly for its streaming video service.
US to require rearview cameras in new vehicles
The U.S. Transportation Department issued a rule Monday that will require rearview technology in many new vehicles—an effort to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by backup accidents.
Ocean garbage frustrates search for Flight 370
Sometimes the object spotted in the water is a snarled fishing line. Or a buoy. Or something that might once have been the lid to an ice box. Not once—not yet at least—has it been a clue.
BlackBerry wins ruling against iPhone keyboard
Troubled smartphone maker BlackBerry has won an early round in its legal battle against an iPhone keyboard made by a startup co-founded by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.
Jury selection begins in Apple-Samsung case
The world's two leading smartphone makers were back in federal court on Monday, accusing each other of stealing ideas and features.
Microsoft's Nadella names leadership team
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella on Monday unveiled a leadership shakeup at the technology giant, including a new head for the Xbox division.
Twitter expands 'social TV' efforts, buys two firms
Twitter said Monday it was expanding its "social TV" efforts with new global partnerships, as it struck deals to acquire companies in Britain and France.
Facebook chief reaps $3.3B gain from stock options
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg reaped a $3.3 billion gain last year by exercising stock options in the social networking company that he founded in a Harvard University dormitory room.
3D scan of the Hell-Fire Caves of West Wycombe
A PhD student at the University of Bristol is raising money to undertake a ground-breaking 3D scan of one of the most mysterious sites in the UK - the Hell-Fire Caves of West Wycombe.
Google says Turkey intercepting its Web domain
Google says Turkey has been intercepting its Internet domain, redirecting users to other sites in the latest battle between Ankara and Web giants.
Hybrid vehicles more fuel efficient in India, China than in US
What makes cities in India and China so frustrating to drive in—heavy traffic, aggressive driving style, few freeways—makes them ideal for saving fuel with hybrid vehicles, according to new research by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). In a pair of studies using real-world driving conditions, they found that hybrid cars are significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than they are in the United States.
Intel bets big on cloud, with stake in Cloudera
In a sign of the growing importance of the Internet "cloud," software group Cloudera said Monday it raised a whopping $900 million to expand its big data corporate services.
Top US court sifts arguments on software patents
The US Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on whether patents can be enforced for software-created business practices, in a case likely to have a big impact on the tech sector.
Computer maps 21 distinct emotional expressions—even 'happily disgusted'
Researchers at The Ohio State University have found a way for computers to recognize 21 distinct facial expressions—even expressions for complex or seemingly contradictory emotions such as "happily disgusted" or "sadly angry."
Medicine & Health news
Emergency management in Arctic: Experts offer seven key recommendations
Inadequate risk assessment, planning and training are among the gaps in many parts of Canada's Arctic, compounding the challenges of brutal weather, vast distances, difficult transportation and spotty communications and exposing the region's residents to the ever increasing risks of natural and man-made disasters and emergencies, according to a major new report released today.
Guinea battles to contain Ebola as death toll rises
Guinea's President Alpha Conde warned Sunday of a "health emergency" as authorities raced to contain a spiralling Ebola epidemic which has killed 78 people and prompted neighbouring Senegal to close its border.
Low-cost Dominican surgeries spark warnings by US
Beverly Brignoni was a young New Yorker seeking a less expensive way to enhance her appearance and she did what many other people are now doing: travel to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery.
Brainwave balancing with horizontal rotation
UiTM researchers are studying the effectiveness of Horizontal Rotation (HR) for brainwave balancing. Initial results show brainwaves were more synchronized after five sessions of HR
Health care website stumbles on last day
The Obama administration's health care website is stumbling on deadline day for sign-ups.
Dealing with HIV as a chronic disease in Africa
Since 2004, the number of patients on antiretroviral drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased 24 times, to 6.9 million*. HIV has become a chronic disease. A lifelong strict adherence to treatment is necessary. Health systems in Southern Africa are not equipped to maintain an unprecedented large number of patients in life-long treatment. Alternatives are therefore urgently needed. ITM researcher Freya Rasschaert explored innovative solutions that take the needs of patients and the local reality into account. Rasschaert will receive a doctorate on Friday (March 28) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel for her research in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Excessive hospital occupancy levels result in avoidable mortality
Once a hospital reaches a certain occupancy level, the quality of care it provides deteriorates, increasing the risk of mortality of critically ill patients. What is worrying is that this safety 'tipping point' is reached at occupancy levels that are below 100%. The findings are reported by a team of researchers led by Ludwig Kuntz, Professor of Health Management at the University of Cologne. Their paper (Stress on the Ward: Evidence of Safety Tipping Points in Hospitals) is to appear shortly in the international journal Management Science.
Post-approval study of transcatheter pulmonary valve completes one year
The first post-FDA approval study of a non-surgically implanted replacement pulmonary valve showed strong short- and mid-term results for the device in a small sample of patients with certain congenital heart defects, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Adults with inherited high cholesterol are underdiagnosed and undertreated
An estimated 1 in 500 people worldwide suffer from familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an inherited condition of extremely high cholesterol that is associated with premature heart disease and death. Despite this high prevalence, recent research funded by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) confirms FH is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Thomas Knickelbine, MD, Preventive Cardiology Director at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, will present the results of research aimed at identifying just how prevalent FH underdiagnosis is at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in Washington, DC on March 30.
Efforts to curb hospital readmissions take center stage
Strategies aimed at reducing the number of patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions who find themselves back in the hospital after discharge were identified in six new studies presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Fewer deaths with self-expanding TAVR versus surgery at one year
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expanding valve prosthesis for the first time has demonstrated significantly lower death rates at one year compared with conventional surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Biolimus still comparable to everolimus in year two of stent match-up
A new stent covered with biodegradable coating continues to show statistical equivalence to Japan's market leader in cumulative second-year data and subgroup analyses, according to research from the NEXT trial presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. NEXT is the largest head-to-head randomized study of these two stents – the novel biolimus-releasing model with the degradable coating (BES) and the everolimus-releasing standard with a durable polymer (EES).
Health care site down for hours on deadline day
The troubled U.S. government web site for signing up for health insurance was unavailable for several hours Monday morning as the midnight deadline for buying coverage loomed.
Supreme Court takes up drug company dispute
The Supreme Court is wading into a patent dispute between rival pharmaceutical companies over a multiple sclerosis treatment.
J&J accepts $4B Carlyle offer for diagnostics unit (Update)
Johnson & Johnson has accepted an offer of about $4 billion from the private equity firm The Carlyle Group to buy its Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics business.
Heparin more effective than bivalirudin in patients during emergency heart procedure
In a comparison of two blood-thinning medications, heparin was associated with significantly fewer major cardiovascular events at 28 days than bivalirudin in patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention after a heart attack, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
HIV treatment while incarcerated helped prisoners achieve viral suppression
Treating inmates for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while they were incarcerated in Connecticut helped a majority of them achieve viral suppression by the time they were released.
Drug-eluting stents demonstrate better outcomes after one year than bare metal stents
Use of drug-eluting stents is associated with a lower risk of major cardiovascular events at one year compared to bare metal stents when followed by an individualized course of blood-thinning medication among patients previously thought to be uncertain candidates for drug-eluting stents due to their heightened risk of bleeding or blood clots, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Long-acting clotting agent approved for form of hemophilia
The drug Alprolix has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first long-acting hemophilia B clotting agent, the FDA said in a news release.
Rural versus urban causes of childhood concussion
Researchers at Western University (London, Canada) have found youth living in rural areas are more likely to sustain concussions from injuries involving motorized vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, whereas youth living in urban areas suffer concussions mostly as a result of sports. Hockey accounts for 40 per cent of those injuries. The study which reveals where and how children are receiving concussions is published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.
Kinder, gentler med school: Students less depressed, learn more
Removing pressure from medical school while teaching students skills to manage stress and bounce back from adversity improves their mental health and boosts their academic achievement, Saint Louis University research finds.
Liberia confirms spread of 'unprecedented' Ebola epidemic
Aid organisation Doctors Without Borders said Monday an Ebola outbreak suspected of killing dozens in Guinea was an "unprecedented epidemic" as Liberia confirmed its first cases of the deadly contagion.
Guinea's deadly fever caused by cocktail of viruses
The viral haemorrhagic fever epidemic raging in Guinea is caused by several viruses which have similar symptoms—the deadliest and most feared of which is Ebola.
2nd glitch on health care site repaired
The Obama administration said a new technical problem briefly prevented last-minute users from signing up on the government's health insurance website Monday, as Americans surged to the site to beat a midnight deadline to buy coverage.
Stats show growth of breast lifts outpacing implants two-to-one
New statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that breast lift procedures are growing at twice the rate of breast implant surgeries. Since 2000, breast lifts have grown by 70 percent, outpacing implants two-to-one. Breast implants are still by far the most performed cosmetic surgery in women, but lifts are steadily gaining. In 2013, more than 90,000 breast lift procedures were performed by ASPS member surgeons.
Brawn matters: Stronger adolescents and teens have less risk of diabetes, heart disease
Adolescents with stronger muscles have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study that examined the influence of muscle strength in sixth grade boys and girls.
Burden of diabetic ketoacidosis still unacceptably high
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening but preventable condition, remains an important problem for youth with diabetes and their families. Diabetic ketoacidosis is due to a severe lack of insulin and it is often the presenting symptom of type 1 diabetes. It can also be present at the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Quality of life for couples can be improved despite PVD (vulvar vestibulitis)
Spouses who regulate their emotions together in a satisfactory manner are more fulfilled sexually, psychologically, and relationally, among couples in which the woman has provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), also known as "vulvar vestibulitis".
Mobile tools boost tobacco screening and cessation counseling
Smartphones and tablets may hold the key to getting more clinicians to screen patients for tobacco use and advise smokers on how to quit. Even though tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., clinicians often don't ask about smoking during patient exams. Using mobile phones loaded with tobacco screening guidelines prompted nurses to ask patients about their smoking habits in 84 percent of clinic visits and to offer cessation counseling to 99 percent of smokers who expressed a willingness to kick the habit, according to a study from Columbia University School of Nursing published in Oncology Nursing Forum.
Can epileptic seizures be prevented or predicted?
A biomedical engineering professor at the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) and the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), Bardakjian works with a team of neurological specialists to classify different brain states using recordings of its electrical rhythms, and from there, to pinpoint seizure zones in the epileptic brain – research that could reduce the amount of tissue cut during corrective surgical procedures, as well as lead to better surgical outcomes.
Anaesthetic technique important to prevent damage to brain
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that a commonly used anaesthetic technique to reduce the blood pressure of patients undergoing surgery could increase the risk of starving the brain of oxygen.
Device saves lives in heart failure patients
(Medical Xpress)—A new study shows for the first time that cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D therapy) saves the lives of mild heart failure patients over the long term.
Addicts who live in the moment may benefit most from certain kinds of treatment
(Medical Xpress)—Drug-dependent people who least take the future into account may, paradoxically, be the ones to benefit the most from certain treatments.
Cartoons could help patients cope with their chronic conditions
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from the University of Southampton have shown that cartoons could be a beneficial way of educating patients and empowering them to cope better with their long term conditions.
Doctors should give greater weight to the effects of low back pain on patients' social lives
The way that back pain is assessed and treated needs to change to take into account its impact on the social lives of sufferers, according to a new Arthritis Research UK-funded study.
Smarter lunchroom movement fights childhood obesity
Simple changes in school lunchrooms cost little or nothing and have proven to be effective ways to nudge kids to choose healthier food, according to Cornell research.
Should parents raise kids bilingually?
As one in four Australians is now born outside of Australia, many children are growing up with other languages spoken at home. Should parents speak to their child in their first language, or attempt to speak to them in English?
Textured breast implants pose greater risk of infection than smooth breast implants
(Medical Xpress)—New research shows that breast implants with a textured surface have a significantly higher chance of developing bacterial coating (biofilm) in comparison with smooth implants, in turn heightening the risk of infection, and implant discomfort or failure.
Tamping the immune response to fight cancer
Things aren't looking good, biomedical researcher Raimon Duran-Struuck thought as he knelt beside a miniature pig. The animal had become sick a few days earlier with a rash and abdominal swelling. The week before, the pig had been infused with another mini-pig's blood stem cells—precursors of white and red blood cells—as part of a study of a novel treatment for leukemia and other blood diseases.
Good diet boosts health but not wealth
(Medical Xpress)—The idea that a good diet means a healthy population with lower health costs only holds true when it comes to emergency care, a study shows.
Finger length a 'pointer' to Osteoarthritis
(Medical Xpress)—Our fingers could be more important than we think. New research has revealed that the length of a person's finger could become a 'pointer' to their risk factor in developing osteoarthritis later in life.
Study shows bariatric surgery provides long-term control of diabetes
A study by Cleveland Clinic researchers shows bariatric surgery is a highly effective and durable treatment for type 2 diabetes in obese patients, enabling nearly all surgical patients to be free of insulin and many to be free of all diabetic medications three years after surgery.
Novel study into breast cancer origins paves way for personalized treatment
Breast cancers can look and behave very differently. Understanding why and how they do so is key to designing more tailored therapies for patients and sparing them unnecessary treatments.
Metformin does not improve heart function in patients without diabetes
Although some research has suggested that metformin, a medication often used in the treatment of diabetes, may have favorable effects on ventricular (heart) function, among patients without diabetes who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; a procedure such as stent placement used to open narrowed coronary arteries) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram following a heart attack), treatment with metformin did not result in improved ventricular function, according to a JAMA study released online to coincide with its presentation at the 2014 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.
New device that simulates the human gut will save money and reduce testing on animals
A breakthrough in drug testing developed by a University of Huddersfield lecturer could lead to cheaper, more effective medicines. Dr Hamid Merchant is a member of the team that has created a device which accurately simulates the gastro-intestinal tract and how it absorbs medication. This means that the cost of clinical trials could be greatly reduced, with savings passed on to customers.
High blood pressure increases risk of stroke for atrial fibrillation patients
Poor blood pressure control among patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with a 50-percent increased risk of stroke, according to an analysis presented by Duke Medicine researchers.
Anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills linked to risk of death
Anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills have been linked to an increased risk of death, according to new research from the University of Warwick.
Whether for small steps or elite strides, treadmill gains an edge on gravity
Gingerly stepping into the opening of a deflated rubber tent mounted on a large treadmill while wearing ungainly neoprene shorts does not inspire thoughts of speed or efficiency, let alone balance.
Tamiflu-resistant influenza: Parsing the genome for the culprits
It doesn't take long for the flu virus to outsmart Tamiflu. EPFL scientists have developed a tool that reveals the mutations that make the virus resistant, and they have identified new mutations that may render ineffective one of the few treatments currently available on the market.
Scientists tackle comparable health disorders
Researchers are investigating if combining preventative courses for drug and alcohol use and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety is more effective for adolescents that delivering the strategies separately.
Surgery gives long-term help for obese diabetics
New research is boosting hopes that weight-loss surgery can put some patients' diabetes into remission for years and perhaps in some cases, for good.
Can gratitude reduce costly impatience?
The human mind tends to devalue future rewards compared to immediate ones – a phenomenon that often leads to favoring immediate gratification over long-term wellbeing. As a consequence, patience has long been recognized to be a virtue. And indeed, the inability to resist temptation underlies a host of problems ranging from credit card debt and inadequate savings to unhealthy eating and drug addiction.
Emotional children's testimonies are judged as more credible
A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that aspiring lawyers assess child complainants as more credible and truthful if they communicate their statement in an emotional manner. Thus, there is a risk that children that behave in a neutral manner may be perceived as less credible in court.
Online self-injury information often inaccurate, study finds
People seeking help or information online about cutting and other forms of self-injury are likely finding falsehoods and myths, according to new research from the University of Guelph.
Hearing loss affects old people's personality
As people approach old age, they generally become less outgoing. New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that this change in personality is amplified among people with impaired hearing. The findings emphasize the importance of acknowledging and treating hearing loss in the elderly population.
Study further illuminates heart-healthy benefits of Mediterranean diet
New research further illuminates the heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet, tying the eating plan to lower levels of platelets and white blood cells, two markers of inflammation. Inflammation has an association with greater risk of heart attack and stroke. Study, results are published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Primary cardiovascular disease prevention is leaving the office
Early results from HeartBeat Connections, a telemedicine program supported by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), suggest effective primary prevention for cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be achieved with a team-based approach that integrates office visits with supplemental phone coaching. HeartBeat Connections provides dietitian- and nurse-led coaching over the phone to adults at high risk for CVD, with the goal of helping to improve and control key CVD risk factors. Gretchen Benson, RD, CDE, Healthcare Systems Integration Manager at the MHIF, will present six-month data from the program at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference in Washington, DC today.
Giving steroids during bypass surgery shows no benefit, some harm
Giving patients steroids at the time of heart surgery does not improve health outcomes and appears to put them at greater risk of having a heart attack in the days following surgery, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. The finding, which stems from the largest randomized trial in cardiac surgery ever conducted, challenges a practice that many surgeons have used for decades.
Two new genes linked to intellectual disability
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have discovered two new genes linked to intellectual disability, according to two research studies published concurrently this month in the journals Human Genetics and Human Molecular Genetics.
Can vitamin A turn back the clock on breast cancer?
A derivative of vitamin A, known as retinoic acid, found abundantly in sweet potato and carrots, helps turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells, according to research published this month in the International Journal of Oncology. The research could help explain why some clinical studies have been unable to see a benefit of vitamin A on cancer: the vitamin doesn't appear to change the course of full-blown cancer, only pre-cancerous cells, and only works at a very narrow dose.
Major bleeds rise with perioperative aspirin for non-cardiac surgery
Patients given aspirin to prevent heart problems after non-heart-related surgery had a higher risk of serious bleeding than the patients who did not receive aspirin. At the same time, aspirin did not reduce incidence of post-operative heart attacks and death, according to data from POISE-2 presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. POISE-2 is the largest clinical trial focused on major cardiovascular complications in non-cardiac surgery.
Clonidine doesn't reduce deaths or heart attack after non-cardiac surgery
Clonidine – a drug that reduces blood pressure and heart rate – increased rates of clinically concerning hypotension and non-fatal cardiac arrest after noncardiac surgery, according to the POISE-2 trial presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. With more than 10,000 patients in 23 countries, this randomized clinical trial is the largest study of clonidine in surgical patients.
Study finds increasing health coverage does not improve readmission rates
In a first of its kind retrospective study, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers have found that providing health insurance coverage to previously uninsured people does not result in reducing 30-day readmission rates. The study, which appears in the British Medical Journal, used data on actual (versus self-reported) use of care and also found no change in racial/ethnic disparities in this outcome, despite a markedly higher baseline of uninsurance among African-American and Hispanics in Massachusetts.
Researchers reveal a new pathway through the sodium pump
A study in The Journal of General Physiology provides new evidence that the ubiquitous sodium pump is more complex—and more versatile—than we thought.
Renal denervation shows no benefit in resistant hypertension
Renal denervation fell short of primary and secondary efficacy goals in patients with severe resistant hypertension but did meet the primary safety endpoints, according to keenly awaited data from SYMPLICITY HTN-3 presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. This pivotal trial is the largest study conducted of renal artery denervation as a treatment for resistant hypertension and the most rigorously designed, including blinding and a sham treatment in the control arm.
Blood test helps predict heart attack risk for patients with chest pain
Patients presenting to the emergency department with an undetectable level of the blood biomarker high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and whose ECGs show no sign of restricted blood flow, have a minimal risk of heart attack within 30 days, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Cardiac resynchronization improves survival in heart failure patients
Patients in mild heart failure who receive a specialized pacemaker known as cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) may live longer than those implanted with a traditional implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Renal denervation patient registry finds low rate of adverse events
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure treated with renal denervation had low rates of adverse events and significant lowering of blood pressure at six months, according to a registry-based study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
A new study shows that even micro heart attacks are a major problem
Researchers at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital have found that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging may help doctors better identify which patients with mild heart disease are likely to develop more serious heart problems long term. CMR imaging provides supporting information to guide treatment decisions and help doctors provide targeted care for patients at highest risk. The research, led by Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Research Fellow Naohiko Nemoto, MD, will be presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in Washington, DC today.
Anti-gout medication colchicine helps patients with recurrent pericarditis
A medication traditionally used to treat gout is also effective at treating recurrent pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac-like covering around the heart, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Evolocumab safely drops LDL cholesterol well below statin-only baseline
The monoclonal antibody evolocumab produced highly significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad cholesterol," as an add-on to statins in all treatment groups, according to data from the LAPLACE-2 study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Darapladib falls short in chronic coronary heart disease
The novel inflammation inhibitor darapladib showed no primary-endpoint advantage over placebo in patients with chronic coronary heart disease treated with a high level of background care, although it did suggest possible benefits for more specific coronary artery-related endpoints, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. STABILITY is the first study to test this inflammation-prevention mechanism for reducing the likelihood that plaque will become an artery-blocking clot.
Higher risks without cardio benefits halt study of aleglitazar
The phase III AleCardio trial was ended early when patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome who were treated with aleglitazar showed higher rates of heart failure, kidney events and gastrointestinal bleeding with no offsetting cardiovascular benefits, according to data presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. All other studies with the drug have been stopped as well.
Head-to-head study favors balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves
A first-ever randomized head-to-head comparison of two devices commonly used to treat the age-related disease aortic stenosis finds balloon-expandable transcatheter valves result in more successful procedures and relieve symptoms more frequently than self-expanding valves, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Evolocumab superior to ezetimibe in lowering LDL cholesterol
Evolocumab, an injected form of a class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors that lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as LDL-C or "bad cholesterol," outperformed ezetimibe with few side effects in patients unable to take statins, according to research from GAUSS-2 presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Young women: Eat more fruits and vegetables now to protect your heart later
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables for middle-aged adults has been associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease (CHD), especially in women. Now, research supported by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) shows that for women, what you eat in your 20s may be just as important for your middle-aged heart. The results of the study, aimed at examining the extent to which young adults' diets are linked to cardiovascular health later in life, will be presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in Washington, DC on March 29 by the lead author, Michael D Miedema, MD, MPH.
Comparison of drug-releasing stents show similar safety outcomes after two years
A comparison of the safety of biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents vs durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents finds similar outcomes for measures including death and heart attack after two years, according to a JAMA study released online to coincide with presentation at the 2014 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.
Ebola outbreak in Guinea an 'unprecedented epidemic', MSF says (Update)
Aid organisation Doctors Without Borders said Monday an Ebola outbreak suspected of killing at least 78 people in Guinea was an "unprecedented epidemic" that had spread across the west African nation.
Liberia confirms first Ebola cases
Liberia has confirmed two cases of the deadly Ebola virus that is suspected to have killed at least 78 people in neighbouring Guinea, according to the World Health Organization.
Heart health as young adult linked to mental function in mid-life
Being heart healthy as a young adult may increase your chance of staying mentally sharp in mid-life, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Study shows link between HIV infection and coronary artery disease
Men with long-term HIV infections are at higher risk than uninfected men of developing plaque in their coronary arteries, regardless of their other risk factors for coronary artery disease, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers. A report on the research appears in the April 1 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
Increasing hospitalist workload linked to longer length of stay, higher costs
An increasing workload for hospitalists (physicians who care exclusively for hospitalized patients) was associated with increased length of stay and costs at a large academic community hospital system in Delaware, which may undermine the efficiency and cost of care.
Antihypertensive ACEIs associated with reduced cardiovascular events, death
The blood pressure medication angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) appear to reduce major cardiovascular events and death, as well death from all other causes, in patients with diabetes, while angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) appear to have no such effect on those outcomes.
Limiting screen time yields mulitple benefits, ISU study finds
Parents may not always see it, but efforts to limit their children's screen time can make a difference. A new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found children get more sleep, do better in school, behave better and see other health benefits when parents limit content and the amount of time their children spend on the computer or in front of the TV.
Beta-amyloid deposits increase with age, associated with artery stiffness
Stiffening of the arteries appears to be associated with the progressive buildup of β-amyloid (Αβ) plaque in the brains of elderly patients without dementia, suggesting a relationship between the severity of vascular disease and the plaque that is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease.
Aspirin use appears linked with improved survival after colon cancer diagnosis
Taking low doses of aspirin (which inhibits platelet function) after a colon cancer diagnosis appears to be associated with better survival if the tumor cells express HLA class I antigen.
Real-world heart procedure results consistent with scientific research
The first one-year outcomes data of transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVR) in nearly all U.S. patients undergoing this procedure shows that real-world outcomes are comparable to or slightly better than those found in clinical trials, according to registry data presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. However, specific baseline characteristics of patients undergoing TAVR are associated with differing degrees of death and survival and may be important considerations for patient counseling and shared decision making about the procedure, according to the authors.
Newly discovered molecule may offer hope for immune disorders and runaway inflammation
A new research discovery published in the April 2014 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology may open the door to new therapies that help treat immune disorders or curb runaway inflammation. Specifically, scientists have discovered a molecule that can induce cell death (apoptosis) in a key type of immune cell (dendritic cells). With this understanding, it may be possible to develop new therapies that essentially shut down dendritic cell activity, and thereby reducing an immune reaction.
New human trial shows stem cells are effective for failing hearts
Patients with severe ischemic heart disease and heart failure can benefit from a new treatment in which stem cells found in bone marrow are injected directly into the heart muscle, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Guinea reports Ebola death toll rises to 78
Health authorities in Guinea are facing an "unprecedented epidemic" of Ebola, an international aid group warned Monday as the death toll from the disease that causes severe bleeding reached 78.
Nearly 97 percent of health professionals wash their hands when patients are asked to watch
Improving hand hygiene compliance by healthcare professionals is no easy task, but a first-of-its-kind Canadian study by researchers at Women's College Hospital shows simply asking patients to audit their healthcare professional is yielding high marks.
Genetic cause of heart valve defects
Heart valve defects are a common cause of death in newborns. Scientists at the University of Bonn and the caesar research center have discovered "Creld1" is a key gene for the development of heart valves in mice. The researchers were able to show that a similar Creld1 gene found in humans functions via the same signaling pathway as in the mouse. This discovery is an important step forward in the molecular understanding of the pathogenesis of heart valve defects. The findings have been published in the journal Developmental Cell.
Azithromycin, levofloxacin up cardiac risk in study of veterans
(HealthDay)—Use of azithromycin or levofloxacin is associated with increased risks of death and cardiac arrhythmia compared with amoxicillin use, according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Post-discharge deaths drop in young acute MI patients
(HealthDay)—In the most recent decade, compared with earlier decades, post-discharge death rates have dropped for young adults hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to research published in the April 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Health behavior change cuts CVD risk after T2DM diagnosis
(HealthDay)—For adults newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, adoption of healthy behavior changes is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, according to a study published online March 21 in Diabetes Care.
Researchers study prescription drug posts on social networks
Do you want information on Viagra or ibuprofen? Check out general social networks such as Twitter and Pinterest. Interested in sleep disorders or depression? You're better off going to specialized health social networks such as WebMD or drugs.com.
Weaker gut instinct makes teens open to risky behavior
Making a snap decision usually means following your initial reaction—going with your gut. That intuitive feeling sprouts from the limbic system, the evolutionarily older and simpler part of the brain that affects emotion, behavior and motivation.
New tool helps young adults with sickle cell disease in the transition to adult care
Child and adolescent hematologists at Boston Medical Center (BMC) have developed a tool to gauge how ready young adults with sickle cell disease are for a transition into adult care. In a new article for the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Amy Sobota, MD, MPH, and her collaborators have shown that a questionnaire geared to the needs of young adults with sickle cell disease can pinpoint areas of need before the patient goes into an adult clinic.
Vibration may help heal chronic wounds
Wounds may heal more quickly if exposed to low-intensity vibration, report researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Poor sleep quality linked to cognitive decline in older men
A new study of older men found a link between poor sleep quality and the development of cognitive decline over three to four years.
New non-surgical treatment for common, vexing eye condition
A new report reveals a potential breakthrough in the treatment of a common eye ailment known as pterygium (Surfer's eye) that impacts the vision, eye health, and cosmetic appearance of countless sufferers.
Fast food giants' ads for healthier kids meals don't send the right message
Fast food giants attempts at depicting healthier kids' meals frequently goes unnoticed by children ages 3 to 7 years old according to a new study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. In research published on March 31, 2014 in JAMA Pediatrics, Dartmouth researchers found that one-half to one-third of children did not identify milk when shown McDonald's and Burger King children's advertising images depicting that product. Sliced apples in Burger King's ads were identified as apples by only 10 percent of young viewers; instead most reported they were french fries.
Psychological factors turn young adults away from HIV intervention counseling
Keeping young people in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs is a major goal in reducing the incidence of HIV, and multi-session interventions are often more effective than single-sessions. But according to a new study from the Annenberg School for Communication, the way these programs are designed and implemented may turn off the very people they are trying to help.
Early cardiac risks linked to worse cognitive function in middle age
Young adults with such cardiac risk factors as high blood pressure and elevated glucose levels have significantly worse cognitive function in middle age, according to a new study by dementia researchers at UC San Francisco.
Gel allows for targeted therapy after heart attack
(Medical Xpress)—Combatting the tissue degrading enzymes that cause lasting damage following a heart attack is tricky. Each patient responds to a heart attack differently and damage can vary from one part of the heart muscle to another, but existing treatments can't be fine-tuned to deal with this variation.
Scientists discover novel genetic defects which cause oesophageal cancer
Latest findings by a team of international scientists led by Singapore-based researchers reveal the genomic landscape of oesophageal squamous carcinoma.
Experimental cancer drug reverses schizophrenia in adolescent mice
Johns Hopkins researchers say that an experimental anticancer compound appears to have reversed behaviors associated with schizophrenia and restored some lost brain cell function in adolescent mice with a rodent version of the devastating mental illness.
Baker's yeast shows potential for combating neurological conditions
A humble ingredient of bread – baker's yeast – has provided scientists with remarkable new insights into understanding basic processes likely involved in diseases such as Parkinson's and cancer.
Can antibiotics cause autoimmunity?
The code for every gene includes a message at the end of it that signals the translation machinery to stop. Some diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, can result from mutations that insert this stop signal into the middle of an essential gene, causing the resulting protein to be truncated. Some antibiotics cause the cell's translation machinery to ignore the stop codons and are therefore being explored as a potential therapy for these diseases. But new research reported online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (the week of March 31st) shows that this approach could come with the price of triggering autoimmune disease.
Proteins discovered in gonorrhea may offer new approach to treatment
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered novel proteins in, or on the surface of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, which offer a promising new avenue of attack against a venereal disease that is showing increased resistance to the antibiotics used to treat it.
Seven+ daily portions of fruit and veg linked to lowest risk of death from all causes
Eating at least seven daily portions of fruit and vegetables may confer the best chance of staving off death from any cause, indicates research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Scientists discover a protein in nerves that determines which brain connections stay and which go
(Medical Xpress)—A newborn baby, for all its cooing cuddliness, is a data acquisition machine, absorbing information to finish honing the job of brain wiring that started before birth. This is true nowhere more so than the eyes, which start life peering at a blurry world and within months can make out a crisp, three-dimensional image of a mobile dangling overhead.
Congenitally blind visualise numbers opposite way to sighted
(Medical Xpress)—For the first time, scientists have uncovered that people blind from birth visualise numbers the opposite way around to sighted people.
A previously underappreciated brain region performs complex sequence learning
In the context of learning and memory, the primary visual cortex is the Rodney Dangerfield of cortical areas: It gets no respect. Also known as "V1," this brain region is the very first place where information from the retina arrives in the cerebral cortex.
Possible explanation for human diseases caused by defective ribosomes
Ribosomes are essential for life, generating all of the proteins required for cells to grow. Mutations in some of the proteins that make ribosomes cause disorders characterized by bone marrow failure and anemia early in life, followed by elevated cancer risk in middle age. These disorders are generally called "ribosomopathies."
Self-healing engineered muscle grown in the laboratory
Biomedical engineers have grown living skeletal muscle that looks a lot like the real thing. It contracts powerfully and rapidly, integrates into mice quickly, and for the first time, demonstrates the ability to heal itself both inside the laboratory and inside an animal.
Connecting the dots: Water diffusion MRI reveals plasticity networks in remote nonstimulated brain regions
(Medical Xpress)—Neuroplasticity (also referred to as brain plasticity, or simply plasticity) is the ability of the brain's neurons and neural networks – previously counter to what scientists believed – to change their connections and behavior when presented with a range of conditions, including neurodevelopment, novel information, sensory stimulation, and trauma. Moreover, modular brain areas can self-reorganize and perform activities differing from their typical functions. In the lab, researchers can induce site-specific plasticity through an established experimental method known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), in which a pulsed noninvasive magnetic field roughly the same strength as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan depolarizes or hyperpolarizes the neurons in the target brain site. Compared with non-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS produces longer-lasting effects that persist past after the stimulation has stopped, ! and has been used as a treatment modality in stroke, Parkinson's disease, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Biology news
The small but mighty chickpea
Bumping along the dirt roads of rural southeastern Turkey in a battered Jeep, Sergey Nuzhdin and his team of collaborators got an occasional glimpse of the plumes of smoke rising across the border in war-torn Syria.
Using different scents to attract or repel insects
Flowering plants attract pollinating insects with scent from their flowers and bright colours. If they have become infested with herbivores like caterpillars, they attract beneficial insects like parasitic wasps with the help of scent signals from their leaves. The wasps then lay their eggs in the caterpillars and kill the parasites. Floral and foliar scents can, however, mutually reduce their attractiveness. That's why flowering plants face a dilemma: should they use their resources to attract pollinating insects and, by extension, for reproduction or should they invest in defence against herbivores? A Swiss-Italian research team headed by Florian Schiestl from the University of Zurich has now demonstrated that plants are able to adjust their scent bouquet to their needs at any given time and, in this way, to attract partner or useful insects in a more targeted manner.
Japan whaling future in doubt after court ruling
The future of whaling in Japan was thrown into doubt after the International Court of Justice ruled Monday that the nation's annual hunt in the Antarctic was not really for scientific purposes—as Tokyo had claimed—and ordered it halted.
All eyes on Britain's panda pair as mating season approaches
Experts at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland have begun daily check-ups of Britain's only female giant panda Tian Tian and male partner, Yang Guang, the zoo announced on Monday.
Top UN court orders Japan to end Antarctic whale hunt (Update)
The United Nations' top court on Monday ordered Japan to end its annual Antarctic whale hunt, saying in a landmark ruling that the programme was a commercial activity disguised as science.
Private land 'can help save Australia's imperilled wildlife'
Private land can help protect Australia's endangered bird populations as effectively as the nation's best performing conservation reserves, a new study shows.
Are tiny microbes outwitting us to steal our food?
It's long been know that microbes are to blame for food going off and becoming rotten but in the late 1970's, Dan Janzen of the University of Pennsylvania, and a winner of ecology's version of the Nobel Prize, suggested that making something rotten may be to the advantage of the microbes living in our food.
ASU scientist finds women shaping Mexico's shrimp industry
Growing up in a small, coastal town in Puerto Rico with grandfathers who were both farmers, Maria Cruz-Torres knew from a young age the impact of the environment on people's livelihoods. So it was perhaps a natural thing for the Arizona State University anthropologist to focus her research on the relationship between adequate fishing resources and food security in northwestern Mexico – where she has discovered that women in particular play a critical role.
Plants release chemical weapons and deploy insect armies in their defence
Animals have an easy life. They can run, hide, or bite back when predators are on the prowl. Plants cannot. Instead they have evolved to deploy a range of defence mechanisms including chemical warfare and insect armies.
Pilbara study uncovers unique fly community
A Sydney-based entomologist has described a new single-species fly genus, found only at Millstream near Karratha.
Genetic diversity approved for translocated bandicoots
Genetic diversity among translocated populations of golden bandicoots (Isoodon auratus) in the north-west has been assessed by WA researchers to determine their ongoing viability.
Six new Dracula ants from Madagascar: Minor workers become queens in Mystrium
Six new species of Dracula ants from the Malagasy region have been discovered by scientists at the California Academy of Sciences. The discoveries, by postdoctoral fellow Masashi Yoshimura from Japan and curator of entomology Brian L. Fisher, represent a completely new twist in the typically rigid caste system of ants, where anatomy is typically destiny. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
New functions for 'junk' DNA?
DNA is the molecule that encodes the genetic instructions enabling a cell to produce the thousands of proteins it typically needs. The linear sequence of the A, T, C, and G bases in what is called coding DNA determines the particular protein that a short segment of DNA, known as a gene, will encode. But in many organisms, there is much more DNA in a cell than is needed to code for all the necessary proteins. This non-coding DNA was often referred to as "junk" DNA because it seemed unnecessary. But in retrospect, we did not yet understand the function of these seemingly unnecessary DNA sequences.
Ancient buried treasure found in daisy seeds
(Phys.org) —By tracing the evolutionary origin of a drug-like protein ring found in sunflowers, Australian and US scientists have discovered a diverse, 18-million-year-old group of buried proteins in daisy seeds.
Major breakthrough in stem cell manufacturing technology
Scientists at The University of Nottingham have developed a new substance which could simplify the manufacture of cell therapy in the pioneering world of regenerative medicine.
Male St. Andrew's Cross spiders sniff web pheromones to determine suitability of female mates
(Phys.org) —A trio of researchers, two with the University of Hamburg in Germany and a third with Macquarie University in Australia has discovered that male St. Andrew's Cross spiders sniff the webs of female spiders to determine if they are suitable for mating attempts. In their paper published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, the team describes how they conducted experiments on several specimens of the species in their lab and discovered that male spiders could "smell" pheromones on the females web and used that information in deciding whether to attempt copulating with them or not.
Researchers discover ancient virus DNA remnants necessary for pluripotency in humans
(Phys.org) —A team of Canadian and Singaporean researchers has discovered that remnants of ancient viral DNA in human DNA must be present for pluripotency to occur in human stem cells. In their paper published in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, the team describes how they disabled a viral remnant in stem cell samples and discovered that doing so prevented the stem cell from being able to grow into all but one type of human cell.
Scientists understand how E. coli clone has become globally distributed
Scientists have for the first time come closer to understanding how a clone of E. coli, described as the most important of its kind to cause human infections, has spread across the world in a very short time.
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