Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 27, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Of mice and molecules: In vivo photoacoustic imaging using semiconducting polymer nanoparticles- New system could provide first method for filtering light waves based on direction
- Researchers suggest changes to theories regarding neutron star crust structure
- Chemists mimic bombardier beetles to safeguard ATMs
- The search for seeds of black holes
- Hubble Space Telescope spots Mars-bound comet sprout multiple jets
- First functional 'designer' chromosome synthesized in yeast
- First sightings of solar flare phenomena confirm 3-D models of space weather
- The circadian clock is like an orchestra with many conductors
- Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos
- Foraging bats can warn each other away from their dinners
- In mapping feat, scientists pinpoint neurons where select memories grow
- The first insects were not yet able to smell well
- Scientists find potential target for treating mitochondrial disorders
- Cancer researchers find key protein link
Astronomy & Space news
First antenna launched on precursor to world's largest telescope
(Phys.org) —British technologies are at the heart of the world's largest radio telescope and British scientists will be amongst the first in line to use it in 2015.
More than 1,000 satellites are flying overhead
The spotting of ocean debris by satellites during the search for the lost Malaysian airliner has drawn attention to those orbiting platforms. A primer on what's in orbit, with help from Nicholas Johnson, who retired Thursday as NASA's chief scientist for orbital debris:
Sentinel-1 fuelled and ready
ESA's first satellite dedicated to Europe's environmental monitoring Copernicus programme has been fuelled and pressurised, ready for its launch on 3 April.
NASA marks major programmatic milestone for spaceport of the future
NASA achieved a major milestone this month in its effort to transform the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida into a multi-user spaceport by successfully completing the initial design and technology development phase for the Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Program.
Space station awaits for Russian craft after delay
A Russian spacecraft carrying three astronauts is on track to arrive at the International Space Station after a delay.
Astronomers looking for clues to water's origins
A gas and dust cloud collapses to form a star. Amid a whirling disc of debris, little bits of rock coated with liquid water and ice begin to stick together. It is this stage of a star's formation that astronomers hope to learn more about how water cycles through a solar system, although this is also when some of the least evidence is available to study.
2018 mission: Mars rover prototype unveiled in UK
It looks like a giant sandbox—except the sand has a reddish tint and the "toys" on display are very expensive prototypes designed to withstand the rigors of landing on Mars.
Rosetta sets sights on destination comet
(Phys.org) —ESA's Rosetta spacecraft has caught a first glimpse of its destination comet since waking up from deep-space hibernation on 20 January.
The search for seeds of black holes
(Phys.org) —How do you grow a supermassive black hole that is a million to a billion times the mass of our sun? Astronomers do not know the answer, but a new study using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has turned up what might be the cosmic seeds from which a black hole will sprout. The results are helping scientists piece together the evolution of supermassive black holes—powerful objects that dominate the hearts of all galaxies.
First sightings of solar flare phenomena confirm 3-D models of space weather
Scientists have for the first time witnessed the mechanism behind explosive energy releases in the Sun's atmosphere, confirming new theories about how solar flares are created.
Hubble Space Telescope spots Mars-bound comet sprout multiple jets
(Phys.org) —NASA released Thursday an image of a comet that, on Oct. 19, will pass within 84,000 miles of Mars—less than half the distance between Earth and our moon.
Technology news
ARCHER supercomputer targets research solutions on epic scale
A new generation supercomputer, capable of more than one million billion calculations a second, is to be inaugurated at an event at the National Museum of Scotland today (Tuesday 25th March 2014).
Anaerobic treatment of wastewater is a step towards sustainable energy
Until recently, most of the world's energy supplies have come from coal, oil and gas. Scarcity of natural resources, surging energy prices and global warming had focused attention on renewable energy, and consequently, alternative approaches to producing bio-energy. Over the last five years, one particular technology for the production of biocoal - Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) - has undergone significant development and has become a subject of major scientific interest.
Upward falling payloads advances deep-sea payload technology
DARPA's Upward Falling Payloads (UFP) program, which intends to address these challenges, centers on developing deployable, unmanned, nonlethal distributed systems that would lie on the deep-ocean floor in special containers for years at a time. US forces could remotely activate these deep-sea resources from remote command centers, and recall them to the surface when needed. In other words, they would "fall upward." The program is completing its first phase and is about to enter its second.
Predicting oil changes in industrial applications without interrupting operations
Predictive maintenance of hard-to-access plants, no unnecessary oil changes, no unnecessary laboratory costs and less environmental impact. These are just some of the benefits offered by a new system that can monitor the condition of lubricating oils, hydraulic oils and other fluids in industrial installations without interrupting ongoing operations. The method was developed by engineers from Saarbrücken in collaboration with project partners. The compact sensor system is available as a portable unit or can be built into industrial plants, wind turbines and other machinery. The system, which uses optical methods to measure the oil's chemical makeup and the degree of particle loading, can also predict the best time for an oil change.
Turkey bans YouTube after Syria security talk leaked
Turkey banned video-sharing website YouTube on Thursday, having blocked Twitter a week earlier after both were used to spread audio recordings damaging to the government, local media reported.
S. Korea detects suspected N. Korea hacking attempt
South Korea detected a suspected North Korean hacking attempt Thursday to steal military data by using a journalist's notebook computer, defence ministry officials said.
Turkey moves to block YouTube but attempt fails
Turkish authorities pressed Thursday to block access to YouTube following similar action against Twitter, a move sure to provoke further outrage in a country where social media is widely used.
Samsung irked by early Galaxy S5 release in South Korea
Samsung voiced annoyance Thursday after South Korean telecoms operators released its latest smartphone ahead of schedule in order to dodge sales restrictions imposed by regulators.
Twitter ramps up photo sharing features
Twitter added Facebook-style photo "tagging" and bumped up the number of images that iPhone users can share in a single post.
Math wizards stand ready to join Malaysia Airlines search
Math wizards who pinpointed the final resting place of a doomed Air France jet deep beneath the Atlantic stand ready to do so again for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
Security firms watch social media for feisty fans
Watch what you tweet, sports fans.
10th century Greek manuscript is brought into the digital age
A tenth century Greek manuscript, one of the latest additions to the Digital Library, shows how the transmission and reinterpretation of written knowledge over the centuries still continues in today's digital age.
Student designs drone to study starlings
(Phys.org) —Like something out of a science fiction movie, Scott Davis's remote controlled "octocopter" hovers above the ground and then soars over treetops, attracting the attention of onlookers who glance skyward.
Privacy determines whether new technology is accepted in the home
Three values determine most whether end users and other parties involved accept a smart electricity meter in their home: privacy, active consent for passing on data and the correctness of that data – in this order. For a home energy management system efficiency and ease of use come top of the list. But privacy ranks third place here as well. Researchers from the NWO programme Responsible Innovation discovered this.
Obama puts forward plan ending NSA bulk collection (Update)
President Barack Obama put forward a long-awaited plan Thursday to end the US government's bulk collection of telephone records, aiming to defuse a controversy over surveillance on millions of Americans.
Cryptolocker has you between a back up and a hard place
Cryptolocker, a particularly vicious form of malware that first appeared in September 2013, is a game-changer. After getting into your computer, it will encrypt all your data files, from your word documents to your photos, videos and PDFs. It will then ask for a ransom of around US$300 or 0.5 bitcoins to get them back. It has been one of the most commented developments in computer security circles in recent times, and copycats are appearing.
Yahoo Japan to buy eAccess telecom firm for $3.2 bn
Internet giant Yahoo Japan said Thursday it would buy almost all of domestic telecom company eAccess from its parent Softbank Corp. in a deal valued at around $3.2 billion, or 324 billion yen.
Big data keeps complex production running smoothly
Industrial plants must function effectively. Remedying production downtimes and breakdowns is an expensive and time-consuming business. That is why companies collect data to evaluate how their facilities are doing. At the Hannover Messe Digital Factory, from Apr. 7-11, the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies, and Image Exploitation will show how operators can analyze these huge amounts of data and use it as an early warning system when problems threaten.
PCs to lose more ground to tablets, survey finds
Sales of traditional computers will lose more ground in 2014 to tablets and other mobile devices, a market tracker said Thursday.
ISPs must play part in online copyright clampdown, EU court says
Internet service providers can be legally required to deny their customers access to websites which infringe copyright, a European Union court ruled on Thursday.
Instagram closing gap with Twitter in US, survey says
Instagram, the Facebook-owned photo-sharing service, has almost caught up with Twitter's number of US users.
Microsoft delivers Office for rival Apple's iPad (Update)
Microsoft unveiled a version of its popular Office software suite for iPad tablets Thursday as the company's new chief moved to expand its "Internet cloud" footprint.
Democratizing data visualization
In 2007, members of the Haystack Group in MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory released a set of Web development tools called "Exhibit." Exhibit lets novices quickly put together interactive data visualizations, such as maps with sortable data embedded in them; sortable tables that automatically pull in updated data from other sites; and sortable displays of linked thumbnail images.
Wind power cost competitive with natural gas, study finds
(Phys.org) —The costs of using wind energy and natural gas for electricity are virtually equal when accounting for the full private and social costs of each, making wind a competitive energy source for the United States, according to a new study on the federal tax credit for wind energy.
Global support for reduction in govt control of web domain names
A plan to give control of the Internet's technical operations to a diverse range of groups, including governments and businesses, instead allowing the state sole power, is gathering international support, participants at a Singapore meeting on the web's future said Thursday.
Internet transition to speedier IPv6 accelerating
The transition to the next-generation Internet protocol IPv6 is set to speed up this year as web addresses under the previous system IPv4 run out, a senior industry figure said at a meeting about the future of the web Thursday.
Study finds gaming augments players' social lives
New research finds that online social behavior isn't replacing offline social behavior in the gaming community. Instead, online gaming is expanding players' social lives. The study was done by researchers at North Carolina State University, York University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Medicine & Health news
NHS data on patient experience is often ignored
In BMJ today, Angela Coulter, Associate Professor at Oxford University and colleagues argue that this is "unethical" and call for a coordinated approach to use the information to help improve services.
BMJ investigation: Public health funds raided to fill holes in local authority budgets
A year after responsibility for public health was transferred from the NHS to local authorities, the BMJ found numerous examples of councils disinvesting in a wide range of public health services, including those for substance misuse, sexual health, smoking cessation, obesity, and school nursing.
Immunotherapy approach to Alzheimer's studied in fly models
At Genetics Society of America's Drosophila Research Conference, scientists will report on results of using fly models to investigate passive immunotherapy to block amyloid-β42 peptides of amyloid plaques that damage the brain cells of patients with Alzheimer's.
Resistance and tolerance mechanisms play role in cancer as well as infections
In addition to demonstrating that cancer kills flies in dose dependent manner, just as bacteria and viruses cause infections in dose dependent manner, scientists established a system for disentangling resistance and tolerance mechanisms to cancer in a Drosophila model.
Gene mutations in flies and humans produce similar epilepsy syndromes
At the Genetics Society of America Drosophila Research Conference, scientists will report new findings that build on and expand their previous discovery that mutations in the 'prickle' gene in Drosophila were responsible for much more than merely altering the bristles on the fly's body to point them in the wrong direction.
56 percent of Mexican adults don't exercise, study finds
A new study says that more than half of Mexican adults don't get regular exercise, a worrisome figure in a country with high rates of obesity and diabetes.
House approves bill to stop cut to Medicare docs (Update)
The House has passed a measure to give doctors a reprieve from a looming 24 percent cut in their payments from Medicare.
Dentist shortage bites California as more choose to practice out of state
(Medical Xpress)—A lingering recession, the elimination of Medicaid dental reimbursements and a glut of established dentists in wealthier, populated areas may explain why more new dentists are practicing outside California, according to a new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
When it's more than just a flesh wound
If you have a sore that hasn't improved in a month then chances are you are not receiving the specialised care you need.
Instituting a culture of professionalism
There is a growing recognition that in health care institutions where professionalism is not embraced and expectations of acceptable behaviors are not clear and enforced, an increase in medical errors and adverse events and a deterioration in safe working conditions can occur. In 2008 Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) created the Center for Professionalism and Peer Support (CPPS) and has seen tremendous success in this initiative. Researchers recently analyzed data from the CPPS from 2010 through 2013 and found that employees continue to turn to the center for help, receiving reports about concerns regarding 201 physician/scientist and 8 heath care teams. These findings are published last week in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
Clemson researcher touts surgical safety checklist to save lives
Clemson University research assistant professor Ashley Kay Childers has been selected to participate in a forum to discuss quality improvement programs in U.S. hospitals that reduce preventable readmissions, prevent medical errors, improve patient outcomes and cut costs.
Anti-clotting agent helps reduce the incidence and impact of stent thrombosis during PCI
A new angiographic analysis of the CHAMPION PHOENIX trial examined the incidence and impact of stent thrombosis (ST) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results of the study were released today and will be presented March 30 at the American College of Cardiology 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Biomarkers predict effectiveness of radiation treatments for cancer
An international team of researchers, led by Beaumont Health System's Jan Akervall, M.D., Ph.D., looked at biomarkers to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatments for patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. They identified two markers that were good at predicting a patient's resistance to radiation therapy. Their findings were published in the February issue of the European Journal of Cancer.
Britain: Two people catch tuberculosis from pet cat
England's public health agency says two people have caught tuberculosis from a pet cat, the first time the bacterial disease has been documented to spread from cat to human.
Cambodian leader promises again to stop smoking
Cambodia's strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen has vanquished virtually every foe in almost three decades in power but admits he has failed to overcome his smoking habit.
Hunger, malnutrition in Canada's Arctic nears crisis
A new report highlighted Thursday growing hunger and malnutrition in Canada's Arctic as development snowballs and tastes change, and called for immediate actions to stop an "emerging public health crisis."
Stroke patients should receive customized palliative care
People recovering from a stroke should have a well-coordinated medical team to personalize care, optimize quality of life and minimize suffering, according to a scientific statement published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Major depression linked with nearly twice the risk of kidney failure in diabetics
Major depression may increase diabetes patients' risk of developing kidney failure, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). Additional studies are needed to determine whether treatment for depression can improve kidney health in patients with diabetes.
Autoimmune drug may help prevent kidney disease caused by diabetes
A drug currently used to treat autoimmune disease may also help prevent the kidney-damaging effects of diabetes, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings suggest that clinical trials should be designed to test the drug in diabetic patients.
FDA advisers back Exact Sciences colon cancer test
A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers has voted to endorse an experimental stool test that uses DNA to detect colon cancer and precancerous growths.
US appeals court upholds new Texas abortion rules
A federal appeals court has upheld new abortion restrictions that shuttered many of the abortions clinics in Texas.
Faster genetic testing method will likely transform care for patients with breast cancer
Faster and cheaper DNA sequencing techniques will likely improve care for patients with breast cancer but also create challenges for clinicians as they counsel patients on their treatment options. Those are among the conclusions of a study published recently in the BJS (British Journal of Surgery). The findings provide insights into how genetic advances will soon be affecting patient care.
Air pollution from traffic increases odds of hospital readmission for asthma
Higher exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) dramatically increases the odds of readmission to the hospital for asthma – but only for white children, according to a new Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study.
Sunday driver gene headed the wrong way in inherited muscle diseases
Skeletal muscle cells with unevenly spaced nuclei, or nuclei in the wrong location, are telltale signs of such inherited muscle diseases as Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, which occurs in one out of every 100,000 births, and centronuclear myopathy, which affects one out of every 50,000 infants.
Nitroglycerin shortage has medical community worried
(HealthDay)—An ongoing shortage of the drug nitroglycerin is causing problems and concerns for doctors and hospitals in the United States. The drug is often the first therapy used by emergency room doctors when treating a heart attack patient.
Interactive phone messages may promote cancer screening
(HealthDay)—Underserved Latina patients view interactive voice response (IVR) messages as an acceptable strategy to promote cancer screening, according to a study published online March 13 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
Gen X obesity a major problem for healthcare, workforce
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Adelaide have confirmed that if current trends continue, Generation X will overtake Baby Boomers for poor health, including rates of obesity and diabetes, which could have huge implications for Australia's healthcare and the workforce.
What psychosocial factors could help IVF patients?
After reviewing research that explored which psychosocial factors are associated with the emotional adjustment of IVF patients, researchers have highlighted which key psychosocial factors could help identify patients at high risk of stress.
Eating little and often not as important as counting calories for weight loss
(Medical Xpress)—Eating small but frequent meals is often recommended for overweight adults trying to lose weight. However, research presented today at the Society for Endocrinology annual BES conference suggests that following this diet doesn't boost your metabolism or encourage weight loss, and ultimately, counting calories is all that matters for losing weight.
Research explores the other side of that dreaded trip to the Vet
A new paper published this month in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology is the first to explore the association between euthanasia-administration frequency and an established depressed mood and suicide risk in veterinarians.
Women's cancer screenings down during great recession
(Medical Xpress)—American women were less likely to receive a mammogram or Pap smear during the Great Recession of 2007-2009 than they were five years earlier, according to a study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. The nationwide decline in screening rates was most pronounced among white women.
Colon cancer decreases but misconceptions remain
(Medical Xpress)—Recent reports have shown that colon cancer rates have fallen by 30 percent over the past decade, particularly in people over age 50, because of the effectiveness of colonoscopies and awareness efforts surrounding the condition.
Range of cures likely for tinnitus
(Medical Xpress)—Tinnitus researchers agree that there may never be a single cure for tinnitus, but instead a range of treatments for different types of tinnitus will be needed.
After trauma, new technologies may target who needs help
When a patient lands in the ER with a life-threatening injury, perhaps requiring surgery and an in-patient stay, the medical team treats the crisis at hand, repairs the damage, stops the bleeding, resets the bones. But with a hospital discharge can come a cascade of new concerns, emotional as well as physical. When can I work again? Will I ever walk?
Cancer survival rates low for people with serious mental illness
(Medical Xpress)—People with serious mental illness have lower cancer survival rates than the general population, according to a new study by King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) published in BMJ Open.
Stressful situations show the head and the heart don't always agree
(Medical Xpress)—The head and the heart of people who suffer from high levels of anxiety react to stressful situations differently, researchers at the University of Birmingham have found.
Mass participation experiment reveals how to create the perfect dream
Today psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire announces the results of a two-year study into dream control. The experiment shows that it is now possible for people to create their perfect dream, and so wake up feeling especially happy and refreshed.
Eye movement when reading could be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease
Researchers have suggested that alterations in eye movements when reading could be linked to impairments in working memory and an early indication of Alzheimer's disease according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology.
A diet that fits your genes
The age of one-size-fits-all nutritional advice is coming to a close, thanks to the surging field of nutrigenomics. Soon, individual decisions about whether to focus on Mediterranean-style dining, low-fat foods or a salt-free diet will get easier as we learn more about our genetic makeup and how it interacts with what we eat.
Estimating county health statistics by looking at tweets
A researcher at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has found that Twitter knows if you're obese—or at least, if your county is. Tweets can accurately predict a county's rates of obesity, diabetes, teen births, health insurance coverage, and access to health foods, according to Aron Culotta, assistant professor of computer science and director of the Text Analysis in the Public Interest Lab. As a result, Twitter and other social media may complement other data sources for public health officials to identify at-risk communities and offer support. Culotta will report his findings in a paper, "Estimating County Health Statistics with Twitter," to be given at CHI 2014, the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, April 26-May 1 in Toronto.
Gaming benefits to be proven in new study
Video gamers are better at multitasking and maintaining concentration than the average population, upcoming WA research hopes to prove.
Epilepsy sufferers will one day live without seizures, says expert
A leading epilepsy expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, has said there is a pressing need for new and more effective treatments that would make it possible for all sufferers to live seizure free.
Innovative 'false pedicle' surgery allows for advanced spinal/pelvic reconstruction
A multidisciplinary team at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital & Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has pioneered a new surgical technique using false pedicles to create a load-bearing pelvic/spine structure that supports and protects the spine after complex cancer surgeries.
India is polio-free after 3 years with no new case
The scourge of polio ends in India with a lively 4-year-old girl, Rukhsar Khatoon, who became ill as a baby after her parents forgot to get her vaccinated.
Cholesterol levels vary by season, get worse in colder months
Cholesterol levels fluctuate based on the time of year with more unfavorable lipid profiles seen in the colder months, a trend that may be driven by related behavior changes, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Smoke-free air policies seem to protect the heart
A new study on the impact of Michigan's statewide smoking ban adds to mounting evidence that policies prohibiting tobacco smoking in workplaces and other public spaces may substantially improve public health by reducing heart disease and death, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
The heart responds differently to exercise in men vs. women
The formula for peak exercise heart rate that doctors have used for decades in tests to diagnose heart conditions may be flawed because it does not account for differences between men and women, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Sleep may stop chronic pain sufferers from becoming zombies
Chronic pain sufferers could be kept physically active by improving the quality of their sleep, new research suggests.
Mediterranean diet may lower risk of diabetes
Adoption of a Mediterranean diet is linked to a lower risk of diabetes, especially among people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Marathon training could help the heart
Marathon training is associated with improved risk factors related to cardiovascular disease among middle-aged recreational male runners, suggesting that race preparation may be an effective strategy for reducing heart disease risk, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Clusters of 'broken hearts' may be linked to massive natural disasters
Dramatic spikes in cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called broken heart syndrome, were found in two states after major natural disasters, suggesting the stress of disasters as a likely trigger, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session. Authors call for greater awareness among emergency department physicians and other first responders.
Southerners more likely to die from heart attack
Although heart attack death has declined across all regions of the United States, it is proportionately higher in the South, possibly related to the uneven distribution of socioeconomic and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
More severe heart disease found in patients with vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for heart disease with lower levels of vitamin D being associated with a higher presence and severity of coronary artery disease, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Artificial hearts may help patients survive until transplant
The largest single-center study of patients implanted with a total artificial heart finds the device may help patients in severe heart failure survive until they can receive a heart transplant, according to research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
Natural plant compounds may assist chemotherapy
Researchers at Plant & Food Research have identified plant compounds present in carrots and parsley that may one day support more effective delivery of chemotherapy treatments.
Military men more distressed by sexual harassment than military women, research finds
Military men who are targets of frightening and threatening sexual harassment may experience more distress and work performance problems than military women who face the same treatment, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
One size does not fit all: Dietary guidelines for choline may be insufficient
What is now considered to be the "right" amount of the essential nutrient, choline, might actually be "wrong," depending on who you are. That's because scientists have found that the "right" amount of choline needed by an individual is influenced by a wide range of factors, including gender, life stage, race and ethnicity of the individual. This means that using the current one-size-fits-all approach to determining a person's vitamin and mineral needs may leave them in less than optimal health. Choline is an essential nutrient used by the body to construct cell membranes and is necessary for the health of vital organs and muscles. This finding was published online in The FASEB Journal.
Researchers uncover a new function for an important player in the immune response
IRCM researchers led by Javier M. Di Noia, PhD, uncovered a new function of AID, a crucial enzyme for the immune response. The discovery, recently published by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), helps explain a rare genetic disorder that causes an immunodeficiency syndrome.
New guidance system could improve minimally invasive surgery
Johns Hopkins researchers have devised a computerized process that could make minimally invasive surgery more accurate and streamlined using equipment already common in the operating room.
Researcher invents 'mini heart' to help return venous blood (w/ Video)
George Washington University (GW) researcher Narine Sarvazyan, Ph.D., has invented a new organ to help return blood flow from veins lacking functional valves. A rhythmically contracting cuff made of cardiac muscle cells surrounds the vein acting as a 'mini heart' to aid blood flow through venous segments. The cuff can be made of a patient's own adult stem cells, eliminating the chance of implant rejection.
To grow or not to grow: A step forward in adult vertebrate tissue regeneration
The reason why some animals can regenerate tissues after severe organ loss or amputation while others, such as humans, cannot renew some structures has always intrigued scientists.
Four in 10 infants lack strong parental attachments
In a study of 14,000 U.S. children, 40 percent lack strong emotional bonds—what psychologists call "secure attachment"—with their parents that are crucial to success later in life, according to a new report. The researchers found that these children are more likely to face educational and behavioral problems.
Researchers discover a key regulator of colon cancer
A team headed by Angel R. Nebreda at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) identifies a dual role of the p38 protein in colon cancer. The study demonstrates that, on the one hand, p38 is important for the optimal maintenance of the epithelial barrier that protects the intestine against toxic agents, thus contributing to decreased tumour development. Intriguingly, on the other hand, once a tumour has formed, p38 is required for the survival and proliferation of colon cancer cells, thus favouring tumour growth.
Cause for exaggerated insulin response in subset of bariatric surgery patients identified
University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers have discovered that altered islet cell function and reduced insulin clearance contribute to excessive post-meal insulin response in patients experiencing low blood sugar symptoms (hypoglycemia) following gastric bypass surgery.
Neurobiologists find chronic stress in early life causes anxiety, aggression in adulthood
In experiments to assess the impacts of social stress upon adolescent mice, both at the time they are experienced and during adulthood, a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory team conducted many different kinds of stress tests and means of measuring their impacts. The research indicates that a 'hostile environment in adolescence disturbs psychoemotional state and social behaviors of animals in adult life,' the team says.
US autism estimate rises to one in 68 children (Update)
The U.S. government's estimate of autism has moved up again to 1 in 68 U.S. children, a 30 percent increase in two years.
Antidepressants during pregnancy linked to preterm birth
Antidepressant medications taken by pregnant women are associated with increased rates of preterm birth. This finding reinforces the notion that antidepressants should not be used by pregnant women in the absence of a clear need that cannot be met through alternative approaches, say researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Vanderbilt University, MetroWest Medical Center, and Tufts Medical Center.
Mechanical forces driving breast cancer lead to key molecular discovery
The stiffening of breast tissue in breast-cancer development points to a new way to distinguish a type of breast cancer with a poor prognosis from a related, but often less deadly type, UC San Francisco researchers have found in a new study.
Adult cancer drugs show promise against an aggressive childhood brain tumor
The quest to improve survival of children with a high-risk brain tumor has led St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators to two drugs already used to treat adults with breast, pancreatic, lung and other cancers. The study was published today online ahead of print in the journal Cancer Cell.
Patient satisfaction scores in the ER are not affected by receipt of painkillers
Factors other than receipt of painkillers – including opiates – in the emergency department appear to be more important to patient satisfaction, as reflected in an analysis of Press Ganey patient surveys to be published online today in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Study shows promise of preserving fertility in boys with cancer
Scientists have moved a step closer to being able to preserve fertility in young boys who undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. The new research, published in Fertility and Sterility, the journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, addresses the safety of an option scientists are developing for boys who aren't sexually mature and cannot bank sperm.
Slight drop in rate of advanced cancers, CDC says
(HealthDay)—Rates of invasive cancers in the United States fell slightly from 2009 to 2010, and widespread adoption of colon cancer screening and other measures could push those rates even lower, a federal government study says.
Neck circumference not tied to subclinical atherosclerosis
(HealthDay)—Neck circumference (NC) is not associated with either coronary or carotid subclinical atherosclerosis, according to a study published online March 19 in Clinical Cardiology.
Interferon beta tied to spike in thrombotic microangiopathy
(HealthDay)—There has been an unusually high number of cases of thrombotic microangiopathy associated with severe or malignant hypertension in patients with multiple sclerosis who were receiving therapy with recombinant interferon beta, according to a letter to the editor published in the March 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Incidence of hospital-acquired anemia during MI varies
(HealthDay)—For patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction, the incidence of hospital-acquired anemia (HAA) varies considerably across hospitals, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Adjunct social media improves contraceptive knowledge
(HealthDay)—Use of social media in addition to standard contraceptive education is associated with improved patient contraceptive knowledge, according to research published in the April issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Fewer Americans would smoke if cessation treatments were covered: CDC
(HealthDay)—More Americans would quit smoking if coverage for every type of smoking-cessation treatment was provided by all state Medicaid programs, and if states removed barriers to coverage, according to a federal government study.
Consistent blood pressure control may cut rate of second stroke in half
Stroke survivors who consistently control their blood pressure may reduce the likelihood of a second stroke by more than half, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
New tobacco plant produced therapeutics effective against West Nile virus, even days after infection
An international research group led by Arizona State University professor Qiang "Shawn" Chen has developed a new generation of potentially safer and more cost-effective therapeutics against West Nile virus, and other pathogens.
Smoking bans cut premature births and childhood asthma attacks
Banning smoking in public places has helped to cut premature births by 10 per cent, new research shows.
Gulf War illness not in veterans' heads, but in their mitochondria
Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine have demonstrated for the first time that veterans of the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War who suffer from "Gulf War illness" have impaired function of mitochondria – the energy powerhouses of cells.
Genetic variation linked to heart disease risk through RNA machinery
Researchers have pinpointed a new mechanism of how natural variation in our DNA alters an individual's risk for developing heart disease by interfering with the ability of a developmental gene to interact with a specialized type of RNA. This work expands on previous work identifying the "hidden" causes of complex disease risk, with the goal of unlocking new pathways and potential drug targets for cardiovascular disease.
How rotavirus infection accelerates autoimmune diabetes in a mouse model
A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors is believed to cause autoimmune (type 1) diabetes. A study published on March 27th in PLOS Pathogens gets at the mechanisms by which rotavirus infection contributes to autoimmune diabetes in a mouse model of the disease.
'Obamacare' sign-ups top six million
More than six million Americans had registered for health insurance under US President Barack Obama's reform by Thursday, fewer than initially hoped but in line with revised projections.
Four Ebola cases confirmed in Guinea's capital
An Ebola epidemic which has killed dozens of people in Guinea's southern forests has spread to the capital Conakry, health sources said on Thursday, confirming four new cases.
In mapping feat, scientists pinpoint neurons where select memories grow
Memories are difficult to produce, often fragile, and dependent on any number of factors—including changes to various types of nerves. In the common fruit fly—a scientific doppelganger used to study human memory formation—these changes take place in multiple parts of the insect brain.
Scientists find potential target for treating mitochondrial disorders
Mitochondria, long known as "cellular power plants" for their generation of the key energy source adenosine triphosphate (ATP), are essential for proper cellular functions. Mitochondrial defects are often observed in a variety of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, and are the hallmarks of a number of genetic mitochondrial disorders whose manifestations range from muscle weakness to organ failure. Despite a fairly strong understanding of the pathology of such genetic mitochondrial disorders, efforts to treat them have been largely ineffective.
Cancer researchers find key protein link
A new understanding of proteins at the nexus of a cell's decision to survive or die has implications for researchers who study cancer and age-related diseases, according to biophysicists at the Rice University-based Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP).
Quality early childhood programs help prevent chronic diseases in later life, study shows
Disadvantaged children who attend high-quality early childhood development programs including healthcare and nutrition have significantly improved health as adults, reports a new study.
Biology news
Female fly genomes also populated with de novo genes derived from ancestral sequences
A presentation at Genetics Society of America's Drosophila Research Conference builds the case that de novo genes derived from ancestral non-coding DNA can spread through a species.
Caffeinated fruit flies help identify potential genes affecting insecticide resistance
To understand genetic mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance, scientists employed fruit flies and caffeine, a stimulant surrogate for xenobiotics in lab studies on resistance.
Dying cells in fruit fly alert neighboring cells to protect themselves
Cells usually self-destruct when irreparable glitches occur in their DNA. Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, helps insure that cells with damaged DNA do not grow and replicate to produce more mutated cells. Apoptosis thereby helps protect and insure the survival of the organism.
Australia shoots down 'cruel' crocodile hunt plan
Australia on Thursday rejected a plan to let big-game hunters shoot crocodiles in the country's tropical north, saying the scheme risked encouraging "cruel and inhumane" behaviour.
Tiger killing show for Chinese rich and powerful
More than 10 tigers have been killed as "visual feasts" to entertain officials and rich businessmen in a Chinese city, state media reported.
Researchers harness the power of super-resolution microscopy
For centuries, microscopes have been synonymous with science, and today, imaging tools and techniques remain critical to helping researchers zero in on microorganisms and their behavior, providing a window to important clues – and answers – about a host of diseases.
Combating obesity with new Okinawan rice
In recent years, Okinawa has recorded the dubious distinction of having the highest obesity rate in Japan. Preventing obesity-related diseases is an urgent issue. Professor Hidetoshi Saze of the OIST Plant Epigenetics Unit is leading a new research project to develop a new strain of rice that produces digestion-resistant starch to prevent these diseases. The project, fostered by the Okinawan government, involves three activities by the medical, agricultural, and food industries: development of the new rice strain, nutritional and physiological analyses, and processing and sales.
Diving into biodiversity
Victoria Erb stood in the back of the boat with her classmates and watched three sharks cut through the crystal clear water of Belize's Great Blue Hole.
Sex chromosomes have reverted to autosomes multiple times in flies
At the GSA Drosophila Research Conference, scientists will present evidence of many reversals of sex chromosome to autosomes in flies. They identified nine independently evolved sex chromosomes in a wider variety of fly species than had previously been examined and determined that these newly formed X-chromosomes have become dosage compensated, to balance the relative gene expression between males and females.
Letter from 1909 could solve missing fish riddle
A letter sent to the Museum more than a hundred years ago could unravel the mystery absence of the freshwater river blenny from the island of Cyprus.
3-D imaging and modern electron microscopy to see cellular structures in high resolution
You've never seen cilia like these before. Brandeis University researchers have developed a new model to study these tiny but vital cellular structures with more clarity and detail than ever before, providing a clearer picture on how cilia are shaped, structured and how they interact with their environment.
Plant growth enhanced through promotion of pore opening
By determining the key factor in regulating photosynthesis and plant growth, Professor Toshinori Kinoshita, Dr. Yin Wang and co-workers at Nagoya University's Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM) have succeeded in developing a method to increase photosynthesis (carbon dioxide uptake) and plant growth through the promotion of stomatal opening. The study, published on the online Early Edition in the week of December 23, 2013 of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), is expected to contribute to the promotion of plant production and towards the development of a sustainable low-carbon society.
Greenhouse experiments show plant's long-term memory
Scientists have demonstrated that Mimosa pudica plants not only learn from experience—they also remember what they have learnt over extended periods of time.
Tracking reveals hidden lives of elephant seals
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who pioneered the use of satellite tags to monitor the migrations of elephant seals, have compiled one of the largest datasets available for any marine mammal species, revealing their movements and diving behavior at sea in unprecedented detail.
Could closing the high seas to fishing save migratory fish?
You have probably heard that wild fish are in peril around the world, and that in some places their populations are in precipitous decline. That is particularly true on the high seas, or international waters. Operating as a massive unregulated global commons, where any nation can take as much as it wants, the high seas are experiencing a latter-day "tragedy of the commons," with the race for fish depleting stocks of tuna, billfish and other high-value migratory species.
Strictly yeast: Ribosomal dance leaves evolutionary footprints
Researchers at the National Collection of Yeast Cultures at the Institute of Food Research have turned a problem in evolutionary biology into a new tool to better understand phylogeny in closely related species. Resequencing ribosomal DNA in closely related yeast species has given them new information about the origins of modern yeast strains and a useful tool for evolutionary biologists.
How size splits cells: Cells measure surface area to know when to divide
One of the scientists who revealed how plants "do maths" can now reveal how cells take measurements of size. Size is important to cells as it determines when they divide.
Hormone levels linked to survival of deer calves, study suggests
Levels of a key hormone in the blood may be important for the survival prospects of newborn animals, a study of wild deer suggests.
New species discovery, description and data sharing in less than 30 days
A new spider species was discovered during a student field course in Malaysian Borneo. The species was described and submitted online to Biodiversity Data Journal through a satellite internet connection. The manuscript was peer-reviewed and published within two weeks. On the day of publication, software tools extracted the occurrence data of the species and submitted these to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. In a similar way data was exported to Encyclopedia of Life.
Decline of natural history troubling for science, society
the study of organisms, how and where they live and how they interact with their environment – appears to be in steep decline in developed countries, according to Joshua Tewksbury, a University of Washington professor and WWF International scientist.
Students on field course bag new spider species
As a spin-off (pun intended) of their Tropical Biodiversity course in Malaysian Borneo, a team of biology students discover a new spider species, build a makeshift taxonomy lab, write a joint publication and send it off to a major taxonomic journal.
Scientists identify factors limiting hybridization of closely-related woodrat species
A pair of new studies from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Idaho State University, and the University of Nevada Reno look at the surprising variety of factors that prevent two closely related species of woodrats from becoming a single hybrid species despite the existence of hybrid individuals where the two species come into contact.
The multiplication of cells under close observation
A group from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, discovers a key factor that curbs the undesirable triggering of DNA replication.
Scientists demonstrate first genome methylation in fruit fly
A group of scientists from Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute and UC Berkeley report the first mapping of genome methylation in the fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster in their paper "Genome methylation in D. melanogaster is found at specific short motifs and is independent of DNMT2 activity," published this month in Genome Research.
Exploring the natural enemies of insect pests
A method of investigating whether aphid pests have been targeted by their gruesome enemies could shed new light on how farmland organisms interact, and potentially help protect important food crops.
Ancient African cattle first domesticated in Middle East
Geneticists and anthropologists previously suspected that ancient Africans domesticated cattle native to the African continent nearly 10,000 years ago. Now, a team of University of Missouri researchers has completed the genetic history of 134 cattle breeds from around the world. In the process of completing this history, they found that ancient domesticated African cattle originated in the "Fertile Crescent," a region that covered modern day Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Israel.
Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos
An Oregon Health & Science University scientist has been able to make embryonic stem cells from adult mouse body cells using the cytoplasm of two-cell embryos that were in the "interphase" stage of the cell cycle. Scientists had previously thought the interphase stage—a later stage of the cell cycle—was incapable of converting transplanted adult cell nuclei into embryonic stem cells.
Five new Listeria species found; may improve tests
(Phys.org) —Cornell researchers have discovered five new species of a group of bacteria called Listeria – including one named for Cornell – that provide new insights that could lead to better ways to detect soil bacteria in food.
Cone snails have multiple venoms
(Phys.org) —Cone snails change "weapons" depending on whether they are hunting or defending themselves, University of Queensland researchers have discovered.
Scientists develop largest developmental proteomic data set for any animal
(Phys.org) —Now that the human genome is sequenced, University of Notre Dame researchers are focusing on the study of the proteome, which is the protein content of an organism, tissue or cell. Bioanalytical chemist Norman Dovichi and molecular biologist Paul Huber have successfully tracked the changing patterns of protein expression during early development of Xenopus laevis, or African clawed frog, embryos. They have developed the largest data set on developmental proteomics for any organism, and have included the single-cell zygote.
Genetic markers provide unprecedented primate link in human evolution
(Phys.org) —Genetics provides stunning new answers to the question of human evolution, according to Auckland cancer researcher, Dr Graeme Finlay.
The first insects were not yet able to smell well
An insect's sense of smell is vital to its survival. Only if it can trace even tiny amounts of odor molecules is it is able to find food sources, communicate with conspecifics, or avoid enemies. According to scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, many proteins involved in the highly sensitive odor perception of insects emerged rather late in the evolutionary process. The very complex olfactory system of modern insects is therefore not an adaptation to a terrestrial environment when ancient insects migrated from water to land, but rather an adaptation that appeared when insects developed the ability to fly. The results were published in the Open Access Journal eLife.
Foraging bats can warn each other away from their dinners
Look into the spring sky at dusk and you may see flitting groups of bats, gobbling up insect meals in an intricately choreographed aerial dance. It's well known that echolocation calls keep the bats from hitting trees and each other. But now scientists have learned some bats emit another call: one that tells their comrades to "back off" from bugs they've claimed for themselves.
The circadian clock is like an orchestra with many conductors
You've switched to the night shift and your weight skyrockets, or you wake at 7 a.m. on weekdays but sleep until noon on weekends—a social jet lag that can fog your Saturday and Sunday.
First functional 'designer' chromosome synthesized in yeast
An international team of scientists led by Jef Boeke, PhD, director of NYU Langone Medical Center's Institute for Systems Genetics, has synthesized the first functional chromosome in yeast, an important step in the emerging field of synthetic biology, designing microorganisms to produce novel medicines, raw materials for food, and biofuels.
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