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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 11, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Granny galaxies discovered in the early universe- For older men, short telomeres can be a sign of chronic stress
- World's first 3-D acoustic cloaking device hides objects from sound
- Study finds investors prefer good-looking male backed entrepreneurial ventures
- Study shows men and women both biased against women's math abilities
- London launches hi-tech trial for pedestrian safety
- New technique uses ATP as trigger for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery
- Genome research on mouth fungi may help predict infections
- How Twitter shapes public opinion
- California mulls how to regulate 'driverless cars' (Update)
- Timid jumping spider uses ant as bodyguard
- Researchers closer to improving safety, effectiveness of lithium therapy
- Sharp or flat: Gene clues into musical ability
- Lignin breakthroughs serve as GPS for plant research
- Long-term warming likely to be significant despite recent slowdown
Astronomy & Space news
UK joins Europe's PLATO planet-hunting mission
Planned for launch by 2024, the planet hunting mission will see strong involvement from several UK institutes, with Professor Don Pollacco from the University of Warwick providing UK scientific leadership for the European consortium.
Concerns and considerations with the naming of Mars craters
Recently initiatives that capitalise on the public's interest in space and astronomy have proliferated, some putting a price tag on naming space objects and their features, such as Mars craters. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) would like to emphasise that such initiatives go against the spirit of free and equal access to space, as well as against internationally recognised standards. Hence no purchased names can ever be used on official maps and globes. The IAU encourages the public to become involved in the naming process of space objects and their features by following the officially recognised (and free) methods.
Cassini sheds light on Titan's second largest lake, Ligeia Mare
Saturn's second largest moon, Titan, is known for its dense, planet-like atmosphere and large lakes most likely made of methane and ethane. It has been suggested that Titan's atmosphere and surface is a model of early Earth. Since the early 2000s, NASA's Cassini space probe has been unlocking secrets of the distant moon.
Microbe growth to be examined at International Space Station
Microbes collected across the country will soon blast into orbit for research and a microgravity growth competition on the International Space Station (ISS). This citizen science research, known as Project MERCCURI, investigates how microbes from different places on Earth compare to each other and to those found on the International Space Station.
Be an asteroid hunter in NASA's first Asteroid Grand Challenge
NASA's Asteroid Data Hunter contest series will offer $35,000 in awards over the next six months to citizen scientists who develop improved algorithms that can be used to identify asteroids.
Scientists assemble new space telescope
Scientists and engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have begun to assemble and test the James Webb Space Telescope in advance of its 2018 debut.
Astronomers map out Earth's place in the universe among 'Council of Giants'
We live in a galaxy known as the Milky Way – a vast conglomeration of 300 billion stars, planets whizzing around them, and clouds of gas and dust floating in between.
American, two Russians back on Earth after half-year in space (Update)
Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut on Tuesday landed back on Earth in Kazakhstan after a stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) of over half a year, which saw the Olympic torch paraded in space.
Venus Express spies rainbow-like 'glories'
(Phys.org) —A rainbow-like feature known as a 'glory' has been seen by ESA's Venus Express orbiter in the atmosphere of our nearest neighbour – the first time one has been fully imaged on another planet.
Mars name-a-crater scheme runs into trouble
The world's paramount astronomical authority on Tuesday slapped down a bid to hawk the names of Mars' craters, saying the Red Planet's monickers are not up for sale.
Granny galaxies discovered in the early universe
(Phys.org) —An international team of astronomers have discovered the most distant examples of galaxies that were already mature and massive – not just young, star-forming galaxies in the nursery-room of the early Universe but also old, 'retired' ones – 'granny galaxies'.
Technology news
Searching for faster, more efficient and sustainable parallel computing
A European research project named REPARA and coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is studying how to improve parallel computing applications to increase their performance and energy efficiency, as well as easing programming and source code maintenance.
Mobile game teaches hard science
Honors chemistry and kinesiology senior Robbie Engler has taken a topic that even professors describe as sleep-inducing and turned it into a mobile game that will send students racing across campus on an educational treasure hunt.
Desktop tool traces animal movement using consumer video equipment
People love to watch animals. That's why zoos exist. That's why photographic safaris command princely sums. That's why cat videos have become an unstoppable force.
Fujitsu demonstrates optical components for 100G metro network
New services such as mobile broadband using smart devices, social networking, cloud computing, and on-line streaming have led to a rapid increase in the volume of communications traffic. This has created a great demand for 100G optical networks. The requirement for Core Networks to handle larger capacity and longer distance on their links has led to a spread of 100G optical networks using digital coherent transmission systems. The requirements on IP networks between data centers and metro networks to achieve larger capacity, higher port density, and lower cost has similarly led to the spread of 100 GbE optical networks.For core network applications the100G Coherent Transceiver defined in the OIF 100GLH-EM specification for long distance and high capacity transmission systems has been deployed. For metro network though a smaller size, lower power consumption and lower cost coherent transceiver is required.
NREL aims to improve building energy performance with new web-based tool
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a web-based tool to help consumers better understand the energy performance of building-related products. The Technology Performance Exchange (TPEx) is a portal that helps manufacturers and other organizations that measure and test products easily share performance data with product consumers.
Flappy Bird may rise again, creator says
The Vietnamese creator of Flappy Bird says he's thinking of resurrecting the smash-hit free game that he abruptly took offline a month ago—albeit with a warning about its addictive qualities.
European IT firms seize opportunity from spy scandal
European IT security firms have flocked to the world's biggest high-tech fair with hopes of benefiting from the fallout from shock revelations of mass US and British spying.
Lego to build on movie success, tackle globalisation challenge
With record sales and a hit movie expected to propel them further, Lego could be expected to bask in its successful turnaround, but the Danish maker of colourful toy blocks is pressing ahead to face the challenges of globalisation.
South By Southwest: Secrets, spying, chef Watson
FOMO —or the fear of missing out— is a common complaint at the South By Southwest Interactive festival in Austin, Texas each year.
Why some air crash investigations remain mysteries of the deep
The missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has some similarities to the disappearance of Pan Am flight 944, which disappeared into the Pacific Ocean almost 50 years ago.
Samsung mass producing advanced 4Gb DDR3, using 20 nanometer process technology
Samsung Electronics today announced that it is mass producing the most advanced DDR3 memory, based on a new 20 nanometer process technology, for use in a wide range of computing applications.
Is anyone asking people what they want from the smart cities of the future?
Future cities, where infrastructure adapts to our needs, offer are an enticing prospect. But who is in the driving seat as these urban developments crop up around the world? We need to make sure that the people who will actually live in these cities benefit.
If you want to trust a robot, look at how it makes decisions
Robots, and autonomous systems in general, can cause anxiety and uncertainty, particularly as their use in everyday tasks becomes a more immediate possibility. In order to lessen at least some of that anxiety, we should shift our focus from the decisions robots could make on our behalf to how they actually make them in the first place. In some ways, they may be more trustworthy than a human.
Revolutionary nuclear radiation detector hits the market
A handheld radiation camera developed by University of Michigan engineering researchers offers nuclear plant operators a faster way to find potentially dangerous hot spots and leaky fuel rods.
CIA director: We didn't hack Senate computers
CIA director John Brennan says the spy agency did not hack into computers that Senate staffers were using to investigate Bush-era interrogation programs.
US regulator warns consumers of Bitcoin risks
A US financial regulator warned consumers Tuesday that using the online currency Bitcoin is fraught with risks including theft by hacking and fraud.
NREL examines solar policy pathways for states
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published a report that aligns solar policy and market success with state demographics. By organizing the 48 contiguous states into four peer groups based on shared non-policy characteristics, the NREL research team was able to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Meet the new old thing—mobile messaging
When it comes to online communication, the big thing these days is mobile messaging.
Apple asks record labels for exclusive iTunes releases
Apple Inc. has begun pressuring the major record companies to offer new releases exclusively through its iTunes store - a move that would initially block availability on streaming services such as Spotify or Beats Music, according to several people familiar with the matter.
Retailers turn to mobile apps to drive up sales
Tia Smith clutched her new phone in one hand and a phone case in the other as she shopped at a Best Buy in West Hollywood, Calif.
Baby tech boom produces new technologies to help parents
Long before the dawn of the pacifier, parents of newborns and toddlers found ways to use surrounding resources to help soothe and distract tots into precious moments of peace.
SoftBank chief woos US, with T-Mobile in view (Update)
SoftBank, eyeing a tie-up of its US wireless unit Sprint with T-Mobile, stepped up its campaign Thursday, claiming it could boost competition for Americans as it did in Japan.
Crowdsourcing search for missing plane is overloaded
A crowdsourcing effort to locate the missing Malaysia Airlines plane using satellite imagery overloaded the computer network with an "unprecedented" amount of traffic, the technology company said Tuesday.
Navy admiral relays concerns about NSA changes
If the U.S. government turns over the bulk collection of telephone data to an independent third party, higher costs and delays in identifying potential threats could result, the Navy admiral nominated to be the next head of the troubled National Security Agency said Tuesday.
Microsoft hopes 'Titanfall' can boost Xbox One
Tech titan Microsoft—which has struggled to keep pace with Sony and its PlayStation 4—is pinning its hopes on a new action video game, ironically named "Titanfall."
SXSW revelation: Android SDK for wearables
(Phys.org) —If all the world eventually gets to love wearable computing gear then Google will be most gratified to know that all the world will love wearables running Android. Signs are in the air that, at least, all Android-leaning developers will get their chance to make a difference in the future wearables marketplace with the Android SDK-to-come. When is it coming? Soon. How soon? The word now out is in just two weeks' time. At a Sunday talk at the Austin, Texas, South by Southwest conference(SXSW) a Google executive revealed that Google plans to release a software development kit later this month. The SDK will allow third-party developers to build Android software for use on wearable devices. As Forbes noted, this move will support a standard method for sensors to talk to Android.
Researchers achieve record 8.4 percent conversion efficiency in fullerene-free organic solar cells
In this week's Nature Communications Imec presents the development of fullerene-free organic photovoltaic (OPV) multilayer stacks achieving a record conversion efficiency of 8.4 percent. This breakthrough achievement is an important step to bring organic photovoltaic cells to a higher level in the competitive thin-film photovoltaics marketplace.
Robots, hands-free wizardry wows at high-tech fair
A "toddler" robot that sees red, a digital master chef and a suitcase that never gets lost—new technology at the world's biggest high-tech fair has the potential to change lives.
California mulls how to regulate 'driverless cars' (Update)
The California Department of Motor Vehicles began Tuesday to puzzle through the complex question of how to regulate cars that rely on computers—not people—to drive them.
Malaysia Airlines mystery revives black-box debate
The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has rekindled a debate over the iconic "black box" flight recorder and whether it's time for aircraft to start live-streaming in-flight data in real time.
RoboClam: Robot inspired by the razor clam's amazing digging powers
Warning: Don't try and stick this clam in your chowder. Scientists have built a robotic clam that isn't edible but could be incredibly useful, because it easily outperforms other commercial digging devices. This RoboClam, described at the American Physical Society meeting in Denver, could prove invaluable as low-energy anchors or as an environmentally safe way to lay down more intercontinental, undersea fiber-optic cables.
London launches hi-tech trial for pedestrian safety
(Phys.org) —London is trying out intelligent pedestrian technology to make crossing the road easier and safer. Announced earlier this month, the technology is said to be the first scheme of its kind in the world. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Transport for London (TfL) have outlined plans for the trial of new pedestrian crossing sensors to help make it easier and safer for people to cross the road throughout the capital. The mayor said he was happy about London being the first city in the world to try out the equipment. Fundamentally, the system enables the adjustment of traffic signal timings automatically; traffic lights are to account for situations where many pedestrians are standing on the pavement, waiting to cross, and need extra time, because of the numbers, to allow them do so safely. Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said the system would be bringing huge benefits to those waiting to cross the road where there is heavy pede! strian demand. (TfL is responsible for London's transport system.)
Medicine & Health news
Total hip replacement surgery safe for nonagenarian patients
As more Americans are living well into their 90s, the number of nonagenarian total hip replacement (THR) candidates continues to increase. In the study, "Total Hip Arthroplasty Proves Safe for Nonagenarian Patients," presented today at the at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), researchers reviewed patient characteristics and rates of postoperative morbidity, mortality and readmission among patients who underwent elective THR surgery between April 2001 and December 2011.
Postoperative 'doctor shopping' linked to higher narcotic use among orthopaedic patients
"Doctor shopping," the growing practice of obtaining narcotic prescriptions from multiple providers, has led to measurable increases in drug use among postoperative orthopaedic trauma patients, according to a new study presented today at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Hip, knee replacements may boost cardiovascular health in osteoarthritis patients
Hip and knee replacements have long been known to reduce pain and increase mobility in persons with moderate-to-severe arthritis. A study presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) also found that total joint replacement (TJR) may reduce the risk for "cardiac events," including heart attack and stroke, and boost long-term survival.
Statins may lower blood clot risk following joint replacement surgery
Statins have long been known to lower cholesterol and, more recently, to decrease the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) in healthy, non-surgical patients. New, first-of-its-kind research presented today at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), found that statins, when used in conjunction with conventional blood clot prevention therapies, significantly reduced the risk for venous thromboembolic (VTE) events following total joint replacement (TJR) surgery.
Genetics may explain high-functioning senior athletes with hip abnormalities
Genetics may explain why some senior athletes are high functioning despite having one or both hip abnormalities typically associated with early onset osteoarthritis (OA): developmental dislocation of the hip (dysplasia), a loose hip joint; or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a condition in which the hip bones are abnormally shaped, according to new research presented today at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Study finds no greater injury risk on artificial playing surfaces
New research presented today at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found no greater injury risk for athletes playing on artificial playing surfaces.
Patients with metabolic disorder may face higher complication risk following total joint replacement
In a new study presented today at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), researchers found that total joint replacement patients with three or more metabolic syndrome risk factors were almost three times as likely to have complications within the first year after joint replacement.
Sen. Joe Manchin seeks to block new painkiller
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is calling on the government's top health official to overturn the approval of a powerful painkiller, arguing that the pill Zohydro could add to the national epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
Colorado made $3.5 million in pot tax in first month
Marijuana sales in Colorado brought in $3.5 million in tax revenues and fees in the first month retail pot outlets were allowed, the western US state said Monday.
Study provides evidence of impacts of managed alcohol programs in Canada
The first controlled study of Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs)—which provide supportive housing, food and alcohol to previously homeless people with severe and chronic alcohol dependencies—provides evidence of the health and safety benefits for participants, as well as economic savings for local communities due to a decrease in police and hospital incidents, according to study by the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC).
Professor hopes to educate pregnant women about reducing formaldehyde exposure
With the plethora of information available on the Internet these days, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what is and isn't good for pregnant women. But one nursing professor at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is determined to get some answers.
Research consortium identifies predictors of successful ACL reconstruction
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 Cleveland: Researchers have found that a patient's age and the type of tissue graft have a direct impact on ACL reconstructive surgery (ACLR) outcomes, according to an exhibit presented March 11 at the 2014 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in New Orleans.
New MRI can 'see through' metal screws to follow patients after hip fracture surgery
People who sustain the most common type of hip fracture, known as a femoral neck fracture, are at increased risk of complications. A special type of MRI developed at Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with GE Healthcare can show a detailed image following fracture repair, without the distortion caused by metal surgical screws that are problematic in standard MRIs.
Study using driving simulator determines when it's safe to drive after hip replacement
After hip replacement surgery, many patients are anxious to resume driving, and a new study challenges the conventional wisdom that patients should wait six weeks before getting back behind the wheel. Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, director of research, Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, found that patients in the study were able to return to driving four weeks after total hip replacement.
Study: Women report more pain than men after knee replacement surgery
Middle-aged women with rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis resulting from an injury are among the patients most likely to experience serious pain following a knee replacement, researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York have found.
Poison Centers benefit patients, reduce medical costs, study finds
Patients who received help from a poison center had shorter hospital stays and lower hospital charges among those who are the most expensive to treat, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.
New AGA/GCF research grant to fund exploration of the development of gastric cancer
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation and the Gastric Cancer Foundation (GCF) are pleased to announce that the first AGA–Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer will support Mohamed El-Zaatari, PhD, from University of Michigan, as he conducts research into the role of myeloid cells in the transition from chronic inflammation to gastric pre-neoplasia.
Gene therapy for lysosomal storage disease shown to be safe and well tolerated
Several young children suffering from a severe degenerative genetic disease received injections of therapeutic genes packaged within a noninfectious viral delivery vector. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy results from this early stage clinical trial are reported in Human Gene Therapy.
Misery mounts in drought-hit southeast Pakistan (Update)
Two-month-old Mangal succumbed to pneumonia on Tuesday in Mithi, southeast Pakistan, the latest victim of a deadly web of drought, disease and malnutrition in one of the country's most deprived regions.
Obama takes satirical hit to chin to sell health care
US President Barack Obama is trying a new strategy in his struggle to sell his stumbling health care law—self parody.
AAPM: Post-op pain highly influential in patient satisfaction
(HealthDay)—Postsurgical pain scores are strongly linked to patient satisfaction during hospitalization, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, held from March 6 to 9 in Phoenix.
Magnet hospitals have higher quality of care, study says
Magnet recognition is considered a leading source for measuring organizational success in nursing. Magnet hospitals show higher job satisfaction and lower odds of patient mortality than non-Magnet hospitals. However, only nine percent of American hospitals are recognized as Magnet. Currently, there is little research into the causes of the differences between Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals, research that could create an infrastructure for positive change in nurse and patient outcomes.
Lessons learned managing geriatric patients offer framework for improved care
A large team of experts led by a Johns Hopkins geriatrician reports that efforts to improve the care of older adults and others with complex medical needs will fall short unless public policymakers focus not only on preventing hospital readmission rates, but also on better coordination of community-based "care transitions." Lessons learned from managing such transitions for older patients, they say, may offer a framework for overall improvement.
Florida election a test for Obama health care law
President Barack Obama's health care overhaul is getting its first test ahead of the 2014 midterm elections Tuesday in a special Florida election where Democrats and Republicans have spent millions of dollars trying out national strategies for the rest of the year.
Girls born small or underweight twice as likely to be infertile in adulthood
Girls born unexpectedly small or underweight seem to be twice as likely to have fertility problems in adulthood as those of normal size at birth, suggests research published in the online only journal BMJ Open.
Consultant offers tips for evaluating staff pay
(HealthDay)—Setting salaries and dealing with raises for a practice's staff can be tricky, according to an article published Feb. 24 in Medical Economics.
Comprehensive geriatric test predicts long-term mortality
(HealthDay)—For older patients hospitalized with heart failure, a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) score is associated with mortality over two years, according to a study published online March 4 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Diagnosis of pseudarthrosis after fusion remains difficult
(HealthDay)—There is no definitive method besides surgical exploration to make the diagnosis of pseudarthrosis following spinal fusion surgery, according to a review published in the March 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Clinical trial identifies women most likely to benefit from vaginal mesh surgery
Certain women with vaginal prolapse are most likely to benefit from undergoing vaginal mesh surgery, a technique that has become controversial and is the focus of numerous lawsuits. The findings, which are published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, provide valuable information regarding who should and should not be considered candidates for the surgery.
Healthy food is good for you—and can sell, too
In the fall of 2008, the booster club in Muscatine, Iowa took a chance. Researchers from the University of Iowa asked whether the club would add healthy foods – from apples to string cheese – to its concessions menu. And, by the way, would it also consider putting healthier ingredients in big sellers like nachos and popcorn?
Obesity associated with lower academic attainment in teenage girls, says new study
Obesity in adolescent girls is associated with lower academic attainment levels throughout their teenage years, a new study has shown.
Study: MLB pitchers don't regain performance level after Tommy John surgery
Major League Baseball players who undergo Tommy John surgery are less likely to regain the performance level they had before surgery, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.
Prescriptions for opioids stabilizing after fivefold increase in ten-year span
Death rates from opioids have been soaring in the U.S. since the 1990s. To support the appropriate use of these controlled substances and inform public health interventions to prevent drug abuse, most states have implemented a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). In a latest study, researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health evaluated the impact of these state-wide programs and found that after tripling until 2007, annual rates of prescriptions for opioid analgesics have stabilized although the effects of PDMPs on opioid dispensing vary markedly by state. Findings are published in the March/April issue of Public Health Reports.
Glucosamine fails to prevent deterioration of knee cartilage, decrease pain
A short-term study found that oral glucosamine supplementation is not associated with a lessening of knee cartilage deterioration among individuals with chronic knee pain. Findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, indicate that glucosamine does not decrease pain or improve knee bone marrow lesions—more commonly known as bone bruises and thought to be a source of pain in those with osteoarthritis (OA).
H7N9 bird flu comes home to roost in China
The handful of poultry dealers lingering at Chengbei Market have had little to do since Chinese authorities shut down their livelihoods after H7N9 bird flu began stalking the country again, killing scores of people this year.
Could sticky cells cause drug resistance in chronic blood cancer?
(Medical Xpress)—Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is associated with a specific genetic mutation that results from DNA on different chromosomes breaking off and swapping places. This disrupts genes at the breakpoint and the rejoining point. One of these disrupted genes is called BCR-ABL and drugs that target this mutation have transformed the treatment of CML. However, patients can develop resistance to these drugs, which causes their cancer to return.
The rise of e-cigarettes
The use of electronic cigarettes has grown rapidly across the United States, prompting questions about their safety and whether they serve as a gateway to conventional cigarettes or a means of kicking the habit—or at least of sustaining a nicotine addiction without inhaling the carcinogens in smoke.
Making diabetes screening more available at the dentist's office
(Medical Xpress)—You may have diabetes and not even know it. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people have diabetes. Of these, 7 million have undiagnosed disease.
Researchers develop new methods to keep resistant gonorrhoea in check
(Medical Xpress)—A pandemic of super-resistant gonorrhoea could be kept in check using new methods to track outbreaks of the disease, according to a University of Queensland infectious diseases expert.
Gesturing with hands is a powerful tool for children's math learning
(Medical Xpress)—Children who use their hands to gesture during a math lesson gain a deep understanding of the problems they are taught, according to new research from University of Chicago's Department of Psychology.
New organ transplant strategy aims to better prevent rejection
(Medical Xpress)—Organ-transplant recipients often reject donated organs, but a new, two-pronged strategy developed by UC San Francisco researchers to specifically weaken immune responses that target transplanted tissue has shown promise in controlled experiments on mice.
Biomarker points to Alzheimer's risk
(Medical Xpress)—A study involving Rochester-area seniors has yielded the first accurate blood test that can predict who is at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. This discovery – which appears today in the journal Nature Medicine – could be the key to unlocking a new generation of treatments that seek to head off the disease before neurological damage becomes irreversible.
Researchers investigating genetics of Parkinson's disease
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine will study individuals with genetic mutations associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) as part of the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a large-scale biomarker study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
New genetic cause of children's liver disease discovered
(Medical Xpress)—The discovery of a 'faulty gene' in children with liver disease could pave the way for new treatments for children with a range of serious and life-threatening liver conditions.
Spanking babies is surprisingly common
The same hands that parents use to lovingly feed, clothe and bathe their babies are also commonly used to spank their bundles of joy.
Will the solarium ban prevent skin cancer?
With the ban on commercial solariums coming into force this year, Flinders University's Dr Ivanka Prichard is questioning whether the new law will actually reduce skin cancer rates or simply lead to more outdoor sun exposure.
Expert suggests five questions to ask your surgeon before an operation
(Medical Xpress)—The news that you will need surgery can prompt many questions and a lot of anxiety. Beyond details about your medical condition and treatment options, what should you ask your surgeon before the operation? Whatever you need to ask to be comfortable with the decisions you make about your care, says Robert Cima, M.D., a colon and rectal surgeon and chair of Mayo's surgical quality subcommittee.
Research suggests the five-second rule is real
Food picked up just a few seconds after being dropped is less likely to contain bacteria than if it is left for longer periods of time, according to the findings of research carried out at Aston University's School of Life and Health Sciences.
Antibody affinity is decisive in Type 1 diabetes in adults
Patients with LADA – a form of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in adulthood – can be distinguished from patients with non-autoimmune type 2 diabetes by means of the antibody reaction affinity to the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen have reported in the journal Diabetes Care that high-affinity GAD antibodies are found in patients who produce only a little of their own insulin and who will require insulin therapy after only a relatively short time.
Don't choose a diet based on what's trending
A new study is causing a lot of confusion and showing that social media and science might not mix.
Native plum likely new weapon against Alzheimer's
West Australian researchers are confident the native Australian fruit Kakadu plum could provide the most powerful antioxidant treatment yet in combating Alzheimer's disease.
Self-help app for anxiety goes global
Anxiety is one of the most common problems in health centres and counselling services. The chances are that in a group of 10 people, up to two will suffer from moderate to severe anxiety.
Targeting monocyte function to reverse atherosclerosis
(Medical Xpress)—The Belton group recently published findings describing a novel mechanism through which a dietary fatty acid alters monocyte function inducing regression of pre-established atherosclerosis.
Anesthetic technique improves quality of recovery for women having breast cancer surgery
Anesthesiologists using a technique similar to a dental freeze can improve the quality of recovery and decrease recovery time for breast cancer surgery patients, according to a new study.
Personality may be key risk factor in preventive health care
When it comes to helping young adults avoid serious health problems later in life, assessing their personalities during routine medical exams could prove as useful as recording their family medical histories and smoking habits, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Detecting, testing, treating rare diseases: Technology delivers new era of personalization
A team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Emory University and Cedars-Sinai – specialists in identifying and treating very rare diseases – used three innovative tools to detect a previously unknown gene mutation, test potential therapies in the lab, and initiate personalized drug treatment for a boy with a lifelong history of uncontrollable seizures that caused significant impact on his cognitive and social development.
Cosmetic treatment can open the door to bacteria
Many people have 'fillers' injected into their facial tissue to give them 'bee-stung lips' or to smooth out their wrinkles. Unfortunately, a lot of cosmetic treatment customers experience unpleasant side effects in the form of tender subcutaneous lumps that are difficult to treat and which - in isolated cases - have led to lesions that simply will not heal. Research recently published by the University of Copenhagen now supports that, despite the highest levels of hygiene, this unwanted side effect is caused by bacterial infection.
Study shows face matching for passports and IDs incredibly fallible
New research finds face matching, as when customs agents check passports, to be incredibly fallible, with error rates between 10 and 20 percent under ideal, laboratory-induced conditions, and much worse in more realistic settings.
A new cell type is implicated in epilepsy caused by traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for epilepsy, though the relationship is not understood. A new study in mice, published in Cerebral Cortex, identifies increased levels of a specific neurotransmitter as a contributing factor connecting traumatic brain injury (TBI) to post-traumatic epilepsy. The findings suggest that damage to brain cells called interneurons disrupts neurotransmitter levels and plays a role in the development of epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury.
Filling out those employment questionnaires might reveal more than you think
Your answers on psychological questionnaires, including some of the ones that some employers give their employees, might have a distinct biological signature. New research indeed demonstrates overlap between what workers feel and what their bodies actually manifest. This is an important occupational health issue when we consider that workplace stress is the leading cause of sick leave related to depression and burnout. Involving over 400 workers from 35 businesses, the research was conducted by the researchers at the University of Montreal, its affiliated Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, and McGill University.
Study finds CT scans predict chemotherapy response in pancreatic cancer
Computed tomography (CT) scans routinely taken to guide the treatment of pancreatic cancer may provide an important secondary benefit. According to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the scans also reflect how well chemotherapy will penetrate the tumor, predicting the effectiveness of treatment.
Brain cell regeneration may alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most widespread degenerative neurological disorder in the world. Over five million Americans live with it, and one in three senior citizens will die with the disease or a similar form of dementia. While memory loss is a common symptom of Alzheimer's, other behavioral manifestations—depression, loss of inhibition, delusions, agitation, anxiety, and aggression—can be even more challenging for victims and their families to live with.
Cancer cells don't take 'drunken' walks through the body
Because of results seen in flat lab dishes, biologists have believed that cancers cells move through the body in a slow, aimless fashion, resembling an intoxicated person who cannot walk three steps in a straight line. This pattern, called a random walk, may hold true for cells traveling across two-dimensional lab containers, but Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that for cells moving through three-dimensional spaces within the body, the "drunken" model doesn't hold true.
Repeat ED visits for opioid overdose raise risk of hospitalization, respiratory failure
Patients brought to hospital emergency departments (EDs) more than once in a year for treatment of opioid drug overdoses are more likely to be hospitalized for overdose and to need respiratory support with a mechanical ventilator. A study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators also identified factors that increased the risk of subsequent overdoses requiring emergency department visits.
New gene for bipolar disorder discovered
First on top of the world and then in the depths of despair – this is what the extreme mood changes for people with bipolar disorder are like. Under the direction of scientists from the University of Bonn Hospital, the Central Institute of Mental Health of Mannheim and the University of Basel Hospital, an international collaboration of researchers discovered two new gene regions which are connected with the prevalent disease. In addition, they were able to confirm three additional suspect genes. In this unparalleled worldwide study, the scientists are utilizing unprecedented numbers of patients. The results are now being published in the renowned journal Nature Communications.
Tracking neighborhood eating habits to promote healthier diets
Poor food choices, such as overconsumption of carbonated soft drinks, are an important factor driving the global obesity epidemic and have been linked directly to diabetes and heart disease. While public health agencies are working to help people to make healthier choices, monitoring the effectiveness of these efforts has been costly and difficult. But now, using the same digital data employed by marketers to promote food products, McGill University's David Buckeridge has developed a way for health agencies to track Montreal consumers' food choices, neighborhood by neighborhood. This novel approach could pave the way to better monitoring of consumers' behavior and more targeted efforts to encourage healthier diets.
Higher levels of CSF alpha-synuclein predict faster cognitive loss in Parkinson disease
The course of Parkinson disease (PD) can vary from gradual deterioration to precipitous decline in motor or cognitive function. Therefore identifying predictors of progression can benefit understanding of PD disease progression and impact management. Data from 304 PD patients followed for up to 8 years indicate that patients with higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alpha-synuclein levels experienced faster cognitive decline in the following months, although no associations were found between alpha-synuclein levels and motor changes. The results are published in The American Journal of Pathology.
Medical groups question price of new hep C drug
An innovative hepatitis C drug that was only recently hailed as a breakthrough treatment is facing skepticism from some health care experts, as they consider whether it is worth the $1,000-a-pill price set by manufacturer Gilead Sciences.
US could face shortage of cancer doctors
(HealthDay)—People fighting cancer might have to wait longer to see a cancer specialist in the coming decades, as demand for treatment outpaces the number of oncologists entering the workforce, a new report released Tuesday warns.
Excess weight a risk factor for ovarian cancer
(HealthDay)—A new report reveals that excess weight raises the risk of yet another kind of cancer, with the latest results linking levels of body fat to ovarian tumors.
Education boosts brain function long after school
European populations are growing older on average, a trend that could pose serious challenges to health care, budgets, and economic growth. As a greater proportion of a country's population grows into old age, average cognition levels and national productivity tend to decline, and the incidence of dementia increases.
Average-risk women overestimate ovarian cancer risk
(HealthDay)—Average-risk, postmenopausal women overestimate their risk of ovarian cancer, but report low cancer worry, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
USPSTF: Evidence lacking for drug use interventions
(HealthDay)—The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend primary care interventions to prevent or reduce illicit drug use or nonmedical prescription drug use among youth. The findings are presented in a final recommendation statement published online March 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Patients prefer specific info from docs for prostate cancer
(HealthDay)—Although patients with prostate cancer endorse multiple sources of information, they report greatest satisfaction with information from the treating physician about patient outcomes, according to research to be published in the May issue of The Journal of Urology.
Diets high in animal protein may help prevent functional decline in elderly individuals
A diet high in protein, particularly animal protein, may help elderly individuals function at higher levels physically, psychologically, and socially, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Whole-genome sequencing for clinical use faces many challenges, study finds
Whole-genome sequencing has been touted as a game-changer in personalized medicine. Clinicians can identify increases in disease risk for specific patients, as well as their responsiveness to certain drugs, by determining the sequence of the billions of building blocks, called nucleotides, that make up their DNA.
Two surgeries for pelvic prolapse found similarly effective, safe
Two surgical treatments for a form of pelvic hernia affecting women have similar rates of success and safety, scientists in a National Institutes of Health research network have found. A guided exercise therapy to strengthen pelvic muscles did not add to the benefits of either surgery.
Discrepancies between trial results reported on clinical trial registry and in journals
During a one year period, among clinical trials published in high-impact journals that reported results on a public clinical trial registry (ClinicalTrials.gov), nearly all had at least 1 discrepancy in the study group, intervention, or results reported between the 2 sources, including discrepancies in the designated primary end points for the studies, according to a study in the March 12 issue of JAMA.
Discontinuation of randomized clinical trials common
Approximately 25 percent of about 1,000 randomized clinical trials initiated between 2000 and 2003 were discontinued, with the most common reason cited being poor recruitment of volunteers; and less than half of these trials reported the discontinuation to a research ethics committee, or were ever published, according to a study in the March 12 issue of JAMA.
Study examines development of peer review research in biomedicine
An analysis of research on peer review finds that studies aimed at improving methods of peer review and reporting of biomedical research are underrepresented and lack dedicated funding, according to a study in the March 12 issue of JAMA.
Antibody could be used to target tumor-causing protein, study shows
Cincinnati Cancer Center (CCC) and University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute researchers have found in a phase-1 study that patients with advanced melanoma and kidney cancer who were treated with a certain antibody that targets a tumor-enhancing protein was safe, which could lead to more treatment options for patients.
Why antisocial youths are less able to take the perspective of others
Adolescents with antisocial personality disorder inflict serious physical and psychological harm on both themselves and others. However, little is yet known about the underlying neural processes. Researchers at the University of Leiden and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development have pinpointed a possible explanation: Their brain regions responsible for social information processing and impulse control are less developed.
Scientists confirm link between missing DNA and birth defects
In 2010, scientists in Italy reported that a woman and her daughter showed a puzzling array of disabilities, including epilepsy and cleft palate. The mother had previously lost a 15-day-old son to respiratory failure, and the research team noted that the mother and daughter were missing a large chunk of DNA on their X chromosome. But the researchers were unable to definitively show that the problems were tied to that genetic deletion.
Substance naturally found in humans is effective in fighting brain damage from stroke
A molecular substance that occurs naturally in humans and rats was found to "substantially reduce" brain damage after an acute stroke and contribute to a better recovery, according to a newly released animal study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.
Lack of sleep, stress describe a mother's experience after child's ALL treatment
Many months after their child's diagnosis and treatment, 46 percent of mothers exhibited symptoms of clinical anxiety and 26 percent of mothers showed depressive symptoms.
Prosocial youth less likely to associate with deviant peers, engage in problem behaviors
Prosocial behaviors, or actions intended to help others, remain an important area of focus for researchers interested in factors that reduce violence and other behavioral problems in youth. However, little is known regarding the connection between prosocial and antisocial behaviors. A new study by a University of Missouri human development expert found that prosocial behaviors can prevent youth from associating with deviant peers, thereby making the youth less likely to exhibit antisocial or problem behaviors, such as aggression and delinquency.
Finding hiding place of virus could lead to new treatments
Discovering where a common virus hides in the body has been a long-term quest for scientists. Up to 80 percent of adults harbor the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which can cause severe illness and death in people with weakened immune systems.
First human totally endoscopic aortic valve replacements reported
Surgeons in France have successfully replaced the aortic valve in two patients without opening the chest during surgery. The procedure, using totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement (TEAVR), shows potential for improving quality of life of heart patients by offering significantly reduced chest trauma. It is described in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, an official publication of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.
No one likes a copycat, no matter where you live
Even very young children understand what it means to steal a physical object, yet it appears to take them another couple of years to understand what it means to steal an idea.
High-protein diets: Bad for the middle-aged, good for the elderly
Consuming high levels of protein - particularly animal protein - is a bad strategy if you're at midlife and aiming to live into old age, new research finds. But a study out Tuesday reveals that in older age, fortifying one's diet with more protein-rich foods appears to be a formula for extending life.
Obamacare sign ups hit 4.2 million
A further 940,000 Americans registered for President Barack Obama's health care plans in February, bringing to 4.2 million the number of people who have signed up so far, officials said Tuesday.
FDA approves electric headband to prevent migraine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it approved a Belgium-made nerve-stimulating headband as the first medical device to prevent migraine headaches.
Community action not enough to reduce problem drinking and related harms
Implementation of community-based interventions alone is unlikely to be effective for reducing most alcohol-related harms and risky alcohol consumption, according to a study by Australian researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine. Anthony Shakeshaft and colleagues from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSW (University of New South Wales), report that alcohol-related crime, road-traffic crashes, and hospital inpatient admissions did not differ between communities that did and did not implement community-based interventions.
Nicotine patches do not appear to help pregnant smokers to quit
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and may have long lasting effects in offspring.
Plaques detected in brain scans forecast cognitive impairment
Brain imaging using radioactive dye can detect early evidence of Alzheimer's disease that may predict future cognitive decline among adults with mild or no cognitive impairment, according to a 36-month follow-up study led by Duke Medicine.
Cellular alchemy: How to make insulin-producing cells from gut cells
(Medical Xpress)—Destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas is at the heart of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. "We are looking for ways to make new beta cells for these patients to one day replace daily insulin injections," says Ben Stanger, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Transplanting islet cells to restore normal blood sugar levels in patients with severe type 1 diabetes is one approach to treating the disease, and using stem cells to create beta cells is another area of investigation. However, both of these strategies have limitations: transplantable islet cells are in short supply, and stem cell-based approaches have a long way to go before they reach the clinic.
Neural differences between cultural groups solving tricky moral problems
(Medical Xpress)—The situation is dire: Enemy soldiers have invaded your village and plan to kill all the remaining residents. You have taken your baby to the basement of a nearby house, where you are hiding with a group of neighbors. The soldiers are close; you can hear them searching for survivors. Your baby starts to cry. Should you smother the baby to save yourself and your neighbors?
Genome research on mouth fungi may help predict infections
(Medical Xpress)—Using a novel genome-based approach, researchers in UConn's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Dental Medicine have identified and described the community of fungi that lives in an average healthy person's mouth.
Biologists identify extracellular proteins that help aggressive tumors spread through the body
About 90 percent of cancer deaths are caused by tumors that have spread from their original locations. This process, known as metastasis, requires cancer cells to break loose from their neighbors and from the supportive scaffold that gives tissues their structure.
Scientists unlock potential heart attack drug without side effects
(Medical Xpress)—Melbourne scientists are a step closer to creating a new drug to stop a heart attack in its tracks and reduce the damage caused, without any side effects.
Researchers identify decision-making center of brain
(Medical Xpress)—Although choosing to do something because the perceived benefit outweighs the financial cost is something people do daily, little is known about what happens in the brain when a person makes these kinds of decisions. Studying how these cost-benefit decisions are made when choosing to consume alcohol, University of Georgia associate professor of psychology James MacKillop identified distinct profiles of brain activity that are present when making these decisions.
New technique uses ATP as trigger for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery
Biomedical engineering researchers have developed a new technique that uses adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), the so-called "energy molecule," to trigger the release of anti-cancer drugs directly into cancer cells. Early laboratory tests show it increases the effectiveness of drugs targeting breast cancer. The technique was developed by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sharp or flat: Gene clues into musical ability
Music surfaces frequently in the great Nature vs. Nurture debate: Why can someone be a virtuoso pianist yet their neighbour be a musical duffer? Does the answer lie in genes or upbringing?
For older men, short telomeres can be a sign of chronic stress
(Medical Xpress)—Andrew Steptoe of University College London and his colleagues have found that telomere length can predict how long it takes older men to recover from stressful situations. Men with shorter telomeres have longer recovery times than men with longer telomeres. This could mean that men with shorter telomeres suffer from chronic stress. The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Biology news
Aussie grass could hold key to addressing world food shortage
QUT scientists say a native Australian grass found around Charleville in Queensland could hold the key to ensuring the long-term viability of a crop critical to world food security.
Zimbabwe rhino poaching drops in 2013, 750 animals remain
The number of rhinos poached in Zimbabwe dropped sharply last year but decades of illegal killing have decimated the population and only 750 remain, a senior wildlife official said on Tuesday.
Light pollution impairs rainforest regeneration
Increasing light pollution in tropical habitats could be hampering regeneration of rainforests because of its impact on nocturnal fruit-eating bats.
Speed trap for fish catches domestic trout moving too slow
Washington State University researchers have documented dramatic differences in the swimming ability of domesticated trout and their wilder relatives. The study calls into question the ability of hatcheries to mitigate more than a century of disturbances to wild fish populations.
Researchers build DNA population census of wombats
The endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat has been losing a small piece of its hair - all in the name of research, monitoring and conservation of its small population.
Coated seeds could encourage an early start for spring planting
Seedling success sometimes depends on a good coverup, according to research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant physiologist Russ Gesch has determined that sowing seeds protected by a thin polymer layer can help northern Corn Belt farmers optimize spring planting schedules. ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency.
Researchers tackle dangerous, but poorly understood biofilms
Until now, biofilms—colonies of microbes like bacteria that grow together in a matrix produced by the cells themselves—have been poorly understood. Yet, they can be costly and dangerous. Infections related to hip- and knee-replacement surgery are often related to biofilms. And, biofilms are highly tolerant to antibiotics. Persister cells actually go dormant during treatment and, when the treatment stops, they return and repopulate. Biofilms in oil and water pipelines can rot the metal from inside, destroying infrastructure and potentially introducing contaminants into the water supply.
Imaging the transport of substances in living cells reveals new sorting stations for proteins
The epithelium lines the organs of the human body. In the skin and the intestine as well as in the kidney, this cell layer forms a barrier that regulates the exchange of molecules like hormones and nutrients. The Freiburg biophysicist Dr. Roland Thünauer and junior professor Dr. Winfried Römer, Institute of Biology II and member of the Cluster of Excellence BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies of the University of Freiburg, have discovered a new mechanism by which proteins are transported to the outer membrane in epithelial cells.
Exotic plant species alter ecosystem productivity
In their joint publication in the journal Ecology Letters German and American biologists have reported an increase in biomass production in ecosystems colonised by non-native plant species. In the face of climate change, these and other changes to ecosystems are predicted to become more frequent, according to the researchers.
Success of new bug-fighting approach may vary from field to field
(Phys.org) —A new technique to fight crop insect pests may affect different insect populations differently, researchers report. They analyzed RNA interference (RNAi), a method that uses genetic material to "silence" specific genes – in this case genes known to give insect pests an advantage. The researchers found that western corn rootworm beetles that are already resistant to crop rotation are in some cases also less vulnerable to RNAi.
Sex is war for many invertebrates
It is fair to say we belong to a species obsessed by sex. We are among the only species to have sex for fun, not just for reproduction. For some other species, though, sex is far from fun. In fact, as two recent review papers show, it is a war zone, involving penis fencing and love darts.
'Tree of life' distances are no shortcut to conservation
Evolutionary distances that conservationists use to identify and target distinct species may be unreliable, Oxford University research suggests.
California and Arizona amaze with two new species of desert poppy
Who said that there is only sand in the deserts? Not quite desert roses, two new species of desert poppies from North America prove such statements wrong with their simple beauty. The newly described plants are found in the deserts of California and Arizona and have a vibrant yellow colored inflorescences, typical for all the desert dwellers from the Eschscholzia genus of the poppy family. The study was published in the open access journal PhytoKeys.
Researchers show that bold baboons learn to solve tasks from other baboons
Baboons learn from other baboons about new food sources – but only if they are bold or anxious – according to a new study published in the journal PeerJ. The results suggest that personality plays a key role in social learning in animals, something previously ignored in animal cognition studies.
Soil microbes shift as shrubs invade remnant hill prairies
Perched high on the bluffs of the big river valleys in the Midwest are some of the last remnants of never-farmed prairie grasslands. These patches, edged by forest, are slowly being taken over by shrubs. A recent University of Illinois study examined the soil microbes on nine patches, also called "balds," that had varying degrees of shrub invasion and found an interesting shift in the composition of the microbial community.
Empathy chimpanzees offer is key to understanding human engagement
In their latest study about empathy, Yerkes National Primate Research Center researchers Matthew Campbell, PhD, and Frans de Waal, PhD, have shown chimpanzees exhibit flexibility in their empathy, just as humans do. These findings, which appear in the current issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, may help explain the evolution of how and when humans engage with others and choose to offer flexibility, and how we can do so more.
Global survey of urban birds and plants find more diversity than expected
The largest analysis to date of the effect of urbanization on bird and plant species diversity worldwide confirms that while human influences such as land cover are more important drivers of species diversity in cities than geography or climate, many cities retain high numbers of native species and are far from barren environments.
Yosemite bears aren't eating as much human food as in decades past, research shows
Black bears in Yosemite National Park aren't snacking as much on human food as they did decades ago, according to new research that traces changes in the diet of Yosemite bears over the last century.
Japan stem cell scientist calls for retraction of study (Update)
A co-author of a Japanese study that promised a revolutionary way to create stem cells has called for the headline-grabbing research to be retracted over claims its data was faulty.
Excessive deer populations hurt native plant biodiversity
(Phys.org) —Too much garlic mustard in your neighborhood forest? Actually, the problem may be too many deer.
Timid jumping spider uses ant as bodyguard
A timid jumping spider uses the scent of ants as a secret weapon to save itself from becoming the somewhat soggy prey of the predatory spitting spider. The downside to this plan is that jumping spiders are also a favorite snack of its very own saviors. To overcome this additional hazard, the spider has made yet another plan in the form of an ant-proof nest, writes Ximena Nelson of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and Robert Jackson of the University of Canterbury and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya, in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
Lignin breakthroughs serve as GPS for plant research
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed the equivalent of GPS directions for future plant scientists to understand how plants adapt to the environment and to improve plants' productivity and biofuel potential.
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