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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 25, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Thanks for the memories: Plant-like photopigment in the eye may play key role in human cognitive brain function- Brain scans show what makes us drink water and what makes us stop drinking
- Nanotube coating helps shrink mass spectrometers
- Astronomers observe closest milemarker supernova in generation (Update)
- Einstein's 'spooky' theory may lead to ultra-secure internet
- Paleontologists assemble giant turtle bone from fossil discoveries made centuries apart
- Blood-brain barrier repair after stroke may prevent chronic brain deficits
- Understanding plant-soil interaction could lead to new ways to combat weeds
- Review: Updated HTC One phone worth considering
- Don't forget F-type stars in search for life, scientists say
- Model now capable of street-level storm-tide predictions
- Lick's new Automated Planet Finder: First robotic telescope for planet hunters
- Researchers find physical activity in youth leads to stronger bones in old age
- Robotic arm probes chemistry of 3-D objects by mass spectrometry
- Engineer builds instrument to study effects of genes, environment on plant traits
Astronomy & Space news
Second launch this year for Ariane 5
An Ariane 5 launcher lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on its mission to place two telecom satellites, Astra-5B and Amazonas-4A, into their planned transfer orbits.
Advancing the technology readiness of SLS adaptive controls
Can a rocket maneuver like an airplane? And can an airplane act as a surrogate for a maneuvering rocket?
Can light orbit a black hole?
Since black holes are the most powerful gravitational spots in the entire Universe, can they distort light so much that it actually goes into orbit? And what would it look like if you could survive and follow light in this trip around a black hole?
Russian-US crew blast off for ISS from Kazakhstan (Update)
A crew of two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut blasted off Tuesday from Kazakhstan on a Russian Soyuz rocket for the International Space Station, with US-Russia space cooperation pressing on despite the diplomatic standoff over Ukraine.
Curiosity Mars rover finds sandstone variations
(Phys.org) —Variations in the stuff that cements grains together in sandstone have shaped the landscape surrounding NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and could be a study topic at the mission's next science waypoint.
Simple, like a neutron star
For astrophysicists neutron stars are extremely complex astronomical objects. Research conducted with the collaboration of SISSA and published in the journal Physical Review Letters demonstrates that in certain respects these stars can instead be described very simply and that they show similarities with black holes.
Lick's new Automated Planet Finder: First robotic telescope for planet hunters
(Phys.org) —Lick Observatory's newest telescope, the Automated Planet Finder (APF), has been operating robotically night after night on Mt. Hamilton since January, searching nearby stars for Earth-sized planets. Every night the fully autonomous system checks the weather, decides which stars to observe, and moves the telescope from star to star throughout the night, collecting measurements that will reveal the presence of planets. Its technical performance has been outstanding, making it not only the first robotic planet-finding facility but also one of the most sensitive.
Don't forget F-type stars in search for life, scientists say
Scientists searching for habitable planets beyond Earth shouldn't overlook F-type stars in favor of their more abundant, smaller and cooler cousins, according to new research from University of Texas at Arlington physicists.
Astronomers observe closest milemarker supernova in generation (Update)
(Phys.org) —Researchers including a Texas Tech University physicist have intently studied the closest type Ia supernova discovered in a generation. The proximity to Earth could yield better understanding of this particular type of supernova that astronomers use to gauge distances in the universe and learn about its expansion history.
Technology news
US on Turkey's Twitter ban: more tweets than before
The United States on Monday noted there have been more Turkish tweets since the prime minister controversially banned the micro-blogging service than before.
China demands Malaysia turn over satellite data
China demanded that Malaysia turn over the satellite data used to conclude that a Malaysia Airlines jetliner had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean killing everyone on board, as gale-force winds and heavy rain on Tuesday halted the search for any remains of the plane.
Luxottica shares rise sharply on Google Glass deal
Shares in Italian eyewear maker Luxottica have risen sharply on the announcement that it will make frames for Google's new Internet-connected eyewear, the Google Glass.
Virtual plant commissioning helps automation engineering
Virtual commissioning helps automation engineers build and start up production installations such as large plants in the chemicals industry. Long before the real installation is put into service, operators can test the automation software in a virtual installation. Siemens and a leading chemicals company have already tested virtual commissioning of this sort. Initial results show that when this technology is used, far fewer problems occur during the startup of the real installation, and the time required for putting it into service can be greatly reduced.
Seattle taxi drivers sue ridesharing service
A Seattle-area taxi drivers organization has sued an app-based ridesharing service, alleging that Uber violates multiple laws and regulations, thus harming taxi drivers and the public.
Celebrity 'no make-up selfies' raise cash—for wrong charity
A social media craze involving women around the world posting selfies while wearing no make-up has raised millions of pounds for a British cancer charity—despite some money accidentally going to the United Nations children's fund.
Oversight chair questions safety at nuke dump
The head of a federal nuclear safety oversight board calls the recent truck fire and radiation release from the government's troubled nuclear waste dump in southeastern New Mexico "near misses." And he says operations and safety procedures were not performed with the rigor necessary for a defense nuclear facility.
UH industrial designer 'Connects' with International Housewares Association honors
Simple tasks are easy to take for granted. People rarely give a second thought to routine activities such as plugging in a laptop or other electronic devices. For those with physical disabilities, however, those everyday tasks present persistent challenges.
Google partners with Ray-Ban maker for smart eyewear (Update)
Google on Monday said it is joining forces with the frame giant behind Ray-Ban and other high-end brands to create and sell Glass Internet-linked eyewear in the United States.
Tracking down MH370 black boxes a Herculean challenge
Recovering the black boxes from the Malaysia Airlines jet that crashed into the southern Indian Ocean is a Herculean task, even with the wealth of sophisticated equipment being deployed.
Cybercrime part of sophisticated online economy, study says
The dark world of cybercrime has evolved from one of rogue individuals to a functioning market-based economy with its ups and downs, code of conduct and "innovation."
Fukushima water decontamination system down again
The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant said Tuesday it had shut down a key decontamination system used to clean radiation-tainted water, just hours after it came back online.
Japanese language inspires student to develop unique computer game
A love of Japanese culture has inspired a University of Derby student to design a computer game which teaches the language to gamers as they play.
French group files privacy suit against social networks
France's leading consumer rights group said on Tuesday it had filed suit against Twitter, Facebook and Google accusing the Internet giants of breaching privacy laws.
Novel analysis helped narrow Malaysian jet search (Update)
Investigators are closer to solving an international aviation mystery thanks to a British communications satellite and classroom physics.
Rain used to illuminate low income homes
By collecting rainwater, students of the Technological University of Mexico (UNITEC) were able to generate electricity using a microturbine and supplying the vital liquid to homes in a poor community in Iztapalapa, in Mexico City.
The hunt for MH370's black box is on, but it may not reveal all
The latest developments in the case of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 strongly suggest that the plane's wreckage has been found in the southern Indian Ocean.
Spotify slashes prices for US college students
Spotify is wooing U.S. college students with a $5-a-month premium music deal, half off the regular rate.
Stand-alone photovoltaic power package for areas without electricity
Panasonic Corporation today announced it has developed the "Power Supply Container", a stand-alone photovoltaic power package, for areas without electricity. The Power Supply Container contains solar modules and lead-acid batteries, as well as the newly developed Power Supply Control Unit that acts as the energy management system.
Tool makes scanning the internet for illegal images possible
Researchers at the University of Twente have developed a system that makes it possible to scan traffic on the Internet for illegal photographs. The system can, for example, help trace child pornography on the Internet without infringing on the privacy of Internet users. Internet service providers could use the tool to keep their network 'clean'.
Managing renewables intelligently
Although more and more of our electrical energy is coming from sources where supply is variable – whether from wind turbines, solar parks or biomass facilities – grid structures, industry and private households alike are not yet prepared to deal with the inevitable fluctuations. Smart energy management systems are the way to put robust supply networks in place and to ensure that renewables are harnessed as efficiently as possible. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance will be showcasing their energy solutions for energy providers, small and medium-sized enterprises and homes at this year's Hannover Messe from April 7-11.
Obama proposes to end NSA bulk data collection
US President Barack Obama is proposing to end the National Security Agency's controversial bulk telephone data collection, exposed by fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.
HTC updates One phone, emphasizes metal design (Update)
HTC is updating its flagship HTC One smartphone by giving it a larger screen, better software and more camera features.
Black markets for hackers are increasingly sophisticated, specialized and maturing
Black and gray markets for computer hacking tools, services and byproducts such as stolen credit card numbers continue to expand, creating an increasing threat to businesses, governments and individuals, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Hit-and-run roadside alerts become law in Colorado
Colorado's governor has signed what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind bill creating statewide roadside alerts for hit-and-run crashes.
Firm cuts US online gambling estimate 30 percent
Morgan Stanley lowered its estimate of the U.S. Internet gambling market on Tuesday to $3.5 billion by 2017, down from a previous forecast of $5 billion.
Entrepreneur teams with scientists to bring vaccines to far reaches of the world
Getting life-saving vaccines to the most remote parts of the world is no easy feat. Biopharmaceuticals are highly sensitive to heat and cold and can perish if their temperature shifts a few degrees.
Disney's purchase of Maker a boon for LA startups
Disney's $500 million purchase of YouTube video producer Maker Studios is a sign that the entertainment industry's content and technology startups are coming of age and proving to be as valuable to Hollywood as app makers are to the giants of Silicon Valley.
EU finds broadband users are confused and overcharged
Internet service providers in Europe are charging wildly inconsistent prices for broadband connections, leaving customers confused and short-changed, according to research released Tuesday by the European Commission.
Intel buys fitness tracker maker Basis (Update)
Chipmaker Intel has bought Basis Science, the startup behind the popular fitness tracker by the same name, for an undisclosed sum.
NREL driving research on hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) were the belles of the ball at recent auto shows in Los Angeles and Tokyo, and researchers at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) continue to play a key part in improving performance and durability while driving down costs.
Review: Updated HTC One phone worth considering
The HTC One might be the best smartphone you never heard of. The phone won critical acclaim last year, yet it barely made a dent in the marketplace. It's overshadowed by Apple's iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy line of smartphones.
US says Bitcoin is taxable as property, not a currency
The US tax authority on Tuesday ruled that Bitcoin will be taxed as property, like stocks or real estate, rather than as a basic currency like the dollar.
Facebook buying virtual reality firm Oculus for $2 bn (Update)
Facebook said Tuesday it was buying Oculus, a specialist in virtual reality technology, for about $2 billion in cash and shares.
Medicine & Health news
California doctors work to speed up trauma care (Update)
Before the car-wreck victim reached the emergency room, doctors, residents and nurses at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center knew what to expect by glancing at their smartphones.
More older women facing homeless future
Researchers at The University of Western Australia have confirmed what advocates have been warning for some time - increasing numbers of older women are becoming homeless.
HSV-2 vaccine shows significant clinical symptoms and viral shedding reductions at six months
Updated Phase 1/2a results with GEN-003, a vaccine candidate under development by Genocea Biosciences, Inc. for the treatment of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, showed the experimental vaccine to generate highly significant reductions in both the number of clinical lesion days and rate of viral shedding at six months after the final vaccine dose. Genocea, a company pioneering novel T cell vaccines and immunotherapies, reported the results from the ongoing trial of GEN-003 today as an oral presentation at the World Vaccine Congress, being held March 24-26 in Washington, DC.
Group sues NYC, seeks to overturn e-cigarette ban (Update)
A smokers' advocacy group says it has sued New York City seeking to overturn the city's ban on electronic cigarettes.
Birth control rule seems to divide Supreme Court (Update)
The U.S. Supreme Court struggled Tuesday with the question of whether companies have religious rights, a case challenging President Barack Obama's health overhaul and its guarantee of birth control in employees' preventive care plans.
Can virtual reality-based therapy help veterans overcome posttraumatic stress disorder?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among military veterans and together with the often-related anxiety, depression, and psychological and emotional impairment can dramatically affect quality of life. A type of virtual reality (VR) treatment called Graded Exposure Therapy (GET) can improve PTSD symptoms and may also have a positive impact on these associated disorders, as described in an article in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Electronic medication alerts designed with provider in mind reduce prescribing errors
Changing how medication alerts are presented in electronic medical records resulted in safer prescribing, increased efficiency and reduced workload for health care providers who placed drug orders in a study published online in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
New method yields potent, renewable human stem cells with promising therapeutic properties
The curative and therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offers much promise, as these multipotent cells are currently being tested in more than 300 clinical trials in a range of diseases. A new, easier, and more reliable way to make large quantities of highly potent MSCs could accelerate progress toward their use in regenerative medicine, as described in an article in Stem Cells and Development.
Number of patients admitted with antibiotic-resistant infections rising
The emergence of community-acquired infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTI), due to strains resistant to common antibiotics are on the rise, according to Rhode Island Hospital researchers. The study is published online in the journal Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control.
Indian women with more resources than their husbands face heightened risk of violence
A new study has found that women in India who have more education than their husbands, who earn more, or who are the sole earners in their families have a higher likelihood of experiencing frequent and severe intimate partner violence (IPV) than women who are not employed or who are less educated than their spouse.
Fears Guinea Ebola outbreak has spread to Sierra Leone
West Africa was on high alert Tuesday after Sierra Leone warned an Ebola outbreak ravaging Guinea may have crossed its borders and five deaths in Liberia were being tested for the killer virus.
Validation study results show method can replace live animals in skin allergy tests
Guinea pigs and mice can be replaced with a non-animal skin sensitization method that uses a human-derived skin model, according to a study presented today by the PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd., at the Society of Toxicology's annual meeting.
Pharmacists urged not to assist US executions (Update)
Several human rights and anti-death penalty groups have asked the American Pharmacists Association to prohibit members from participating in executions, a request that comes as states increasingly turn to pharmacists for lethal injection drugs.
Health-care professionals should prescribe sleep to prevent and treat metabolic disorders
Evidence increasingly suggests that insufficient or disturbed sleep is associated with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, and addressing poor quality sleep should be a target for the prevention – and even treatment – of these disorders, say the authors of a Review, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.
Low back pain accounts for third of all disability linked to work
Low back pain disability linked to workplace factors accounts for a third of all work related disability around the globe, indicates research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Low back pain causes more global disability than any other condition
Low back pain causes more disability around the globe than any other condition, reveals research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Rates of blindness and partial sight have plummeted in developed world
Rates of blindness and impaired eyesight have plummeted over the past 20 years in the developed world. But macular degeneration has replaced cataract as the leading cause of blindness in rich countries, reveals an analysis of the available evidence published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Canada has possible Ebola case: health officials (Update)
A man returning to Canada from Liberia is seriously ill in hospital after experiencing symptoms consistent with the Ebola virus that has killed dozens in Guinea, health officials have said.
Shorter sleepers are over-eaters
Young children who sleep less eat more, which can lead to obesity and related health problems later in life, reports a new study by UCL researchers.
Study finds gout drug may reduce risk of death
(Boston)—In a recently to be published study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers have found the use of the drug allopurinol was associated with a reduced risk of death in hyperuricemic (gout) patients. The study, the first in a general population, has found the overall benefit of allopurinol on survival may outweigh the impact of rare serious adverse effects.
Recreational drug users who switch from ecstasy to mephedrone don't understand the dangers
Contrary to popular belief among recreational drug users, mephedrone has several important differences when compared with MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. These differences mean that mephedrone could leave a user with acute withdrawal symptoms and indicate that it may have a higher potential for developing dependence than MDMA according to a study published in British Journal of Pharmacology.
Missing hybrid incompatibility gene my help unlock Darwin's 'mystery of mysteries'
Hybrid incompatibility – the failure of two closely related species to produce offspring capable of surviving and reproducing—has puzzled scientists from Charles Darwin, Thomas Hunt Morgan and Hermann Joseph Muller to today's geneticists and evolutionary biologists.
'Glue' holding together skin cells and other epithelial tissue more active than realized
The strong mechanical attachments – the "glue"—that hold together the cells of the skin and the other epithelial tissues of the body are the adherens junctions.
Mentally challenging jobs may keep your mind sharp long after retirement
A mentally demanding job may stress you out today but can provide important benefits after you retire, according to a new study.
Risk of alcohol-related cancer lowers the intention for binge drinking in college students
Binge drinking for college students has proven to be a huge problem at many universities. The risk of DUI or even death makes it a public health concern that students and administrators need to face. A recent study by researchers at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, found that college students exposed to the risk messages of alcohol-related cancer had lower intent to engage in binge drinking.
Breakthrough in HIV and Hep C vaccine research
(Medical Xpress)—Plans for a new type of DNA vaccine to protect against the deadly HIV and Hepatitis C viruses have taken an important step forward, with University of Adelaide researchers applying for a patent based on groundbreaking new research.
Elderly women may benefit from higher amounts of protein
(Medical Xpress)—Elderly women could benefit from consuming 29 percent more protein than the current nutrition guidelines recommend, according to new research from Purdue University.
Study shows link between high birth weight and heart disease
(Medical Xpress)—Babies born with high birth weight may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, according to a University of Sydney study.
Global search for anorexia nervosa genes
(Medical Xpress)—Flinders University Professor Tracey Wade is collaborating with researchers worldwide in a global effort to identify genes that cause eating disorders.
Carrying extra weight could be healthier for older people
(Medical Xpress)—Older people with a BMI (body mass index) in the overweight range live longer, according to the results of a new study.
Nicotine 'e-liquids' pose serious health threat
(HealthDay)—A potent, liquid form of nicotine poses a serious and potentially deadly threat, but is sold legally in stores across the United States and online. The so-called "e-liquids"—the key ingredients in e-cigarettes—are extracted from tobacco and enhanced with flavorings, colorings, and various chemicals, The New York Times reported.
Parents urged to be safer with baby slings
With three deaths in Australia associated with baby slings and a new QUT study finding almost one in 20 infants have been injured or narrowly avoided injury in slings, researchers are working with the Office of Fair Trading Queensland to develop an education campaign to promote baby sling safety.
Rising awareness may explain spike in autism diagnoses
Young boys continue to have the highest rate of autism diagnoses, but Danish doctors are diagnosing more girls, teenagers and adults with the disorder than they did in the mid-1990s. That's the finding from a 16-year study published 20 February in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Breastmilk research may lead to medical breakthrough
A researcher at The University of Western Australia has been awarded two major international grants to carry out further investigations into human breast milk.
Leading surgeons warn against media hype about tracheal regeneration
Reports of the two earliest tissue-engineered whole organ transplants using a windpipe, or trachea, created using the patient's own stem cells, were hailed as a breakthrough for regenerative medicine and widely publicized in the press. However, two leading transplant surgeons in Belgium warn of the dangers of media attention, and urge that tracheal bioengineering be demonstrated as both effective and safe before further transplants take place. Their views are published in an Editorial in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, an official publication of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.
Cancer vaccine a step closer as natural killer cells are rightly activated
Vaccines work. Their widespread use has saved millions of lives. With an ageing population that is increasingly becoming a victim to cancer, a vaccine to treat it would do wonders. In a study published in Nature, scientists have taken a step in that direction.
Study shows markets have lower vegetable prices than supermarkets
A family of four could save as much as $49 per week by buying their fruit and vegetables at markets other than from a supermarket, a University of Otago Wellington study shows.
Looking at something can change our perception of time
Human eyes are constantly moving. Most people make more than 10,000 eye movements every hour – adding up to more than 160,000 in an average waking day. Many of these eye movements are quite reflexive. Something catches the corner of your eye, and you move your eyes rapidly to that event to look at it directly. These rapid eye movements are called saccades. Sometimes, of course, eye movements are voluntary, as when looking carefully at a painting in a museum, for example.
Europe's safety police find more toxic toys and textiles
From collapsing pushchairs to chemical-polluted shoes—an ever-rising number of toxic toys and skin-irritating textiles are being removed from supermarket shelves by Europe's consumer safety squad.
Health expert warns funerals spread Ebola in Guinea
French NGO Doctors without Borders (MSF) said it was doing everything it could to help stem a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in Guinea, but traditions were hampering the response.
Warm water immersion boosts brain's blood
Water immersion has the potential to provide more benefits than previously thought, according to researchers who have found it increases blood flow in the brain.
Researchers study the effects of work on aging
Work, and the toll it takes on us as we age, is the focus of a group of UConn Health researchers wrapping up a study of the aging workforce.
Research study takes deeper look at the role of gut microbes in the immune system
New research suggests that gut microorganisms do not merely influence immune cell function, but also support the production of immune cells that form the first line of defense against infection. By understanding the mechanisms responsible for maintaining and replacing immune cells, researchers hope to one day develop targeted therapies to support and boost immune function in humans.
Replacing insulin through stem cell-derived pancreatic cells under the skin
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and UC San Diego School of Medicine scientists have shown that by encapsulating immature pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and implanting them under the skin in animal models of diabetes, sufficient insulin is produced to maintain glucose levels without unwanted potential trade-offs of the technology. The research suggests that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells hold great promise as an effective and safe cell-replacement therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes.
Doxorubicin alone or with ifosfamide for treating soft tissue sarcoma?
An EORTC study published in The Lancet Oncology does not support administration of intensified doxorubicin and ifosfamide for palliation of advanced soft tissue sarcoma, unless the objective is to shrink the tumor.
Canadian traveller tests negative for Ebola (Update)
A traveller who returned to Canada from Liberia with symptoms that initially triggered fears of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus was pronounced clear of the disease Tuesday.
Excess weight at one year postpartum increases moms' risk for diabetes, heart problems
'Watch out for weight gain within a year of giving birth to prevent new risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.' That advice for women comes from a study published today in the journal Diabetes Care.
Fewer children at risk for deficient vitamin D
Under new guidelines from the Institute of Medicine, the estimated number of children who are at risk for having insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D is drastically reduced from previous estimates, according to a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study.
Coerced sex not uncommon for young men, teenage boys, study finds
A large proportion of teenage boys and college men report having been coerced into sex or sexual behavior, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
Twenty-five percent of breast cancer survivors report financial decline due to treatment
Four years after being treated for breast cancer, a quarter of survivors say they are worse off financially, at least partly because of their treatment, according to a new study led by University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers.
Blood test may help predict whether a child will become obese
Scientists have found that a simple blood test, which can read DNA, could be used to predict obesity levels in children.
Kids' books featuring animals with human traits lead to less learning of the natural world
A new study by University of Toronto researchers has found that kids' books featuring animals with human characteristics not only lead to less factual learning but also influence children's reasoning about animals.
Surgical site infection rate down with lower target glucose
(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, having a lower blood glucose target (4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L) is associated with reduced incidence of surgical site infection (SSI), according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.
Patient safety merits new review for modified medical devices, physician says
For patient safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should require that clinical data be submitted as part of a more rigorous re-evaluation of medical devices that are modified after approval, according to UC San Francisco physician scientists in a commentary published online March 24, 2014 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to authors Rita Redberg, MD, UCSF professor of medicine, and UCSF second-year medical student Sarah Zheng, such a requirement could prevent deaths due to insufficiently tested device modifications.
Researcher is first to identify cellular patterns of contraction in human hearts
When Premi Haynes was growing up in Pune, India, she attended Stella Maris High School, an English language convent school founded by Swiss nuns. Her second grade singing class used a book of English songs. One of the songs was "My Old Kentucky Home." At that time, Haynes had never heard of Kentucky, had no idea where it was, and had no particular ambition to go there.
Distance from designated VA liver transplant center linked with greater risk of death
Veterans with liver disease who live more than 100 miles from a Veterans Administration hospital that offers liver transplants are only half as likely to be placed on the liver transplant waitlist to receive a new organ compared to veterans who live closer to transplant centers, according to a new study from the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. The findings, which are published in the March 26 issue of JAMA, also reveal that the further liver disease patients live from these five transplant centers, the more likely they are to die.
New JAMA article suggests review and certification process for mHealth apps
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released guidelines for the regulation of mobile health (mHealth) apps that act as medical devices or as accessories to medical devices, the vast majority of mHealth apps remain unregulated and unevaluated. In a Viewpoint article, "In Search of a Few Good Apps", published in JAMA on March 24, 214, co-authors, David Bates, MD and Adam Landman, MD of Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Adam Powell, PhD, president of Payer+Provider Syndicate, call for the creation of mHealth (mobile health) app review and certification organizations to evaluate apps that are not regulated by the government.
Model predicts blood glucose levels 30 minutes later
A mathematical model created by Penn State researchers can predict with more than 90 percent accuracy the blood glucose levels of individuals with type 1 diabetes up to 30 minutes in advance of imminent changes in their levels—plenty of time to take preventative action.
Treatment helps reduce risk of esophagus disorder progressing to cancer
Among patients with the condition known as Barrett esophagus, treatment of abnormal cells with radiofrequency ablation (use of heat applied through an endoscope to destroy cells) resulted in a reduced risk of this condition progressing to cancer, according to a study in the March 26 issue of JAMA.
Web-based alcohol screening program shows limited effect among university students
Among university students in New Zealand, a web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention program produced a modest reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed per drinking episode but not in the frequency of drinking, overall amount consumed, or in related academic problems, according to a study in the March 26 issue of JAMA.
Study finds substantial decrease in use of cardiac imaging procedure
There has been a sharp decline since 2006 in the use of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI; an imaging procedure used to determine areas of the heart with decreased blood flow), a decrease that cannot be explained by an increase in other imaging methods, according to a study in the March 26 issue of JAMA.
Peaches inhibit breast cancer metastasis in mice, study says
Lab tests at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have shown that treatments with peach extract inhibit breast cancer metastasis in mice.
Blood glucose measure appears to provide little benefit in predicting risk of CVD
In a study that included nearly 300,000 adults without a known history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD), adding information about glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a measure of longer-term blood sugar control, to conventional CVD risk factors like smoking and cholesterol was associated with little improvement in the prediction of CVD risk, according to a study in the March 26 issue of JAMA.
Experts warn about skin cancer 'treatments' sold online
(HealthDay)—The vast majority of patients with skin cancer or moles who self-medicate with alternative "treatments" they find online are courting danger, new research contends.
Strictly limiting hours surgical residents can work has not improved patient safety
Strictly limiting the number of hours surgical residents can work has not improved patient outcomes but may have increased complications for some patients and led to higher failure rates on certification exams, a research paper concludes.
A way to end recurrent urinary tract infections? Study with mice gives hope
Millions of people worldwide – mostly women – suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) that seriously degrade their health and quality of life. Antibiotics treat individual infections, but preventing recurrent ones largely has been unattainable because of the way bacteria lodge in the inner layers of the bladder and quietly hide from drugs that can kill them.
Response of unborn children to glucose associated with mother's insulin sensitivity
A study published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) is the first to provide direct evidence that fetal brain response to a dose of sugar given orally to its mother is associated with the mother's insulin sensitivity. This may indicate that the risk of subsequent obesity and diabetes may be pre-programmed in the womb. The study is by Dr Hubert Preissl and Dr Andreas Fritsche, University of Tübingen, Germany and German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany, and colleagues.
Unravelling nerve-cell death in rare children's disease
A team of scientists, led by Stuart Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Neuroscience and Aging Research Center at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), recently discovered why cerebellar granule cell neurons in patients suffering from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) were unable to repair DNA damage and thus died.
Clean cooking fuel and improved kitchen ventilation linked to less lung disease
Improving cooking fuels and kitchen ventilation is associated with better lung function and reduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research published in this week's PLOS Medicine. The study, led by Pixin Ran from the Guanzhou Medical University, China, followed 996 villagers from southern China for 9 years to examine the effects of cleaner fuels and better kitchen ventilation on lung function and disease.
MRI reveals genetic activity
Doctors commonly use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose tumors, damage from stroke, and many other medical conditions. Neuroscientists also rely on it as a research tool for identifying parts of the brain that carry out different cognitive functions.
Gene linked to low IQ
(Medical Xpress)—Children with both a common gene variant and lower thyroid hormone levels, which occurs in approximately 4% of the population, are four times more likely to have a low IQ, according to research presented today by the University at the Society for Endocrinology annual BES conference.
Discovery to help predict who will benefit from lung cancer treatment
Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered the structure of an abnormal protein which causes an aggressive type of lung cancer, according to new research* published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science on Monday.
Study suggests people with galanin variant more susceptible to stress-induced depression
(Medical Xpress)—A research team with members from Hungary, Sweden and the U.K. has found a link between a galanin variant and people who develop depression after experiencing a high degree of stress. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes how they applied statistical methods to the medical histories of 2,361 people from the U.K. and Hungary, and found patterns regarding galanin levels and depression.
Researchers find physical activity in youth leads to stronger bones in old age
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with members from the U.S. and Australia has found that people who exercise when young tend to increase the size and strength of their bones, which appears to make for lifelong benefits. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes how they studied the bones in the arms of professional baseball players over the course of their lives and how their activities impacted bone size and strength.
First stem cell study of bipolar disorder yields promising results
What makes a person bipolar, prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? Why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families, even though no single gene is to blame? And why is it so hard to find new treatments for a condition that affects 200 million people worldwide?
Blood-brain barrier repair after stroke may prevent chronic brain deficits
Following ischemic stroke, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents harmful substances such as inflammatory molecules from entering the brain, can be impaired in cerebral areas distant from initial ischemic insult. This disruptive condition, known as diaschisis, can lead to chronic post-stroke deficits, University of South Florida researchers report. In experiments using laboratory rats modeling ischemic stroke, USF investigators studied the consequences of the compromised BBB at the chronic post-stroke stage. Their findings appear in a recent issue of the Journal of Comparative Neurology.
Sensing gravity with acid: Scientists discover a role for protons in neurotransmission
While probing how organisms sense gravity and acceleration, scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the University of Utah uncovered evidence that acid (proton concentration) plays a key role in communication between neurons. The surprising discovery is reported this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Brain differences in college-aged occasional drug users
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered impaired neuronal activity in the parts of the brain associated with anticipatory functioning among occasional 18- to 24-year-old users of stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and prescription drugs such as Adderall.
EEG study shows how brain infers structure, rules when learning
In life, many tasks have a context that dictates the right actions, so when people learn to do something new, they'll often infer cues of context and rules. In a new study, Brown University brain scientists took advantage of that tendency to track the emergence of such rule structures in the frontal cortex—even when such structure was not necessary or even helpful to learn—and to predict from EEG readings how people would apply them to learn new tasks speedily.
Researchers reconstruct facial images locked in a viewer's mind
Using only data from an fMRI scan, researchers led by a Yale University undergraduate have accurately reconstructed images of human faces as viewed by other people.
Brain scans show what makes us drink water and what makes us stop drinking
(Medical Xpress)—Drinking water when you're thirsty is a pleasurable experience. Continuing to drink when you're not, however, can be very unpleasant. To understand why your reaction to water drinking changes as your thirst level changes, Pascal Saker of the University of Melbourne and his colleagues performed fMRI scans on people as they drank water. They found that regions of the brain associated with positive feelings became active when the subjects were thirsty, while regions associated with negative feelings and with controlling and coordinating movement became active after the subjects were satiated. The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Thanks for the memories: Plant-like photopigment in the eye may play key role in human cognitive brain function
(Medical Xpress)—Light is inextricably intertwined in myriad ways with most life on Earth. In humans, for example, light stimulates alertness and cognition, improving performance and increasing wakefulness. In a recent study, scientists at University of Liège, Belgium and Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, France demonstrated that exposure to longer wavelength light, relative to shorter wavelength, subsequently enhances the impact of light on executive brain function through the recently-discovered photopigment melanopsin, an invertebrate-like, even plant-like, photoreceptor. By combining melanopsin responses combined with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) recording, the researchers concluded that since photic memory – the effects of prior light on subsequent responses to light – is typical not only of melanopsin, but of certain invertebrate and plant photopigments as well, humans may therefore have an invertebrate or plant-like machinery within the ! eyes that participates to regulate cognition. Moreover, they state that their findings may explain a type of long-term adaptation to previous lighting conditions known as the previous light history effect, and support the design of cognitive performance-optimizing lighting systems.
Biology news
Researchers improve Newcastle disease classification system
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have given the Newcastle disease classification system a much-needed update, making it easier to identify virus types.
Joining forces to make waves in Mediterranean aquaculture
A four-pronged action plan has been recommend in order to help promote aquaculture in the Mediterranean region.
Eco-friendly pig and poultry production
Slowing the rate of climate change and improving energy use efficiency, whilst also feeding the growing global population, are key targets for the livestock sector, policy-makers and scientists alike.
Pilot Islamic-compliant livestock insurance product in Africa pays pastoralists in drought-prone ken
For the first time in Africa, an insurance policy that combines an Islamic-compliant financial instrument with innovative use of satellite imagery is compensating Muslim pastoralists for drought-induced losses suffered in Kenya's northeastern Wajir County, where livestock are valued at Ksh 46 billion (USD 550 million).
Stink bug traps may increase damage to tomato fruits
The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an important pest of fruits and vegetables. To counter them, some home gardeners use pheromone-baited traps that are designed to attract, trap, and kill them. However, new research from entomologists at the University of Maryland suggests that the traps may actually increase stink bug damage to tomatoes. The research will appear in the April issue of Environmental Entomology.
Kenya insists fight against poachers not lost
Kenya insisted Tuesday that it has not lost the battle against poaching, resisting calls from wildlife activists for the ongoing slaughter of elephants and rhinos to be declared a national disaster.
Extreme weather will lead to a century insect extinctions
(Phys.org) —Future episodes of extreme weather will lead to mass extinctions of insects and reptiles in the next century, according to a new international study by Danish and Australian scientists.
Synthetic biologists break new ground in medicine, energy
With such ambitious goals as helping cure cancer and eradicating pervasive disease, some of the most talented scientists in the country from the emerging field of synthetic biology are breaking new ground at Northwestern University.
Researchers find way to reduce E. coli in cows, improving food safety
A new biological treatment could help dairy cattle stave off uterine diseases and eventually may help improve food safety for humans, a University of Florida study shows.
Small peptides as potential antibiotics
Small peptides attack bacteria in many different ways and may well become a new generation of antibiotics. Biologists at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have been researching how such peptides kill bacterial cells. "It is quite possible that, in ten years time, all of the currently marketed antibiotics will lose their power, because bacteria will have become resistant against all active agents," says Junior Professor Dr Julia Bandow. Consequently, it is high time to develop new antibacterial drugs.
Malaysian microjewels going extinct as they are discovered
A Malaysian-Dutch team of biologists have catalogued all 31 species of the tiny, but oh so pretty snail genus Plectostoma from West-Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand. Ten species are new to science, but some of those are going extinct as they are being discovered.
Pesticides make the life of earthworms miserable
Pesticides have a direct impact on the physiology and behaviour of earthworms, a Danish/French research team reports after having studied earthworms that were exposed to pesticides over generations.
Baby gorilla with mom at San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo says an infant gorilla that was successfully treated for pneumonia after a cesarean section delivery is in her mother's arms for the first time.
Biologists use sound to identify breeding grounds of endangered whales
Remote acoustic monitoring among endangered whales is the subject of a major article by two doctoral students in Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences.
Understanding plant-soil interaction could lead to new ways to combat weeds
Using high-powered DNA-based tools, a recent study at the University of Illinois identified soil microbes that negatively affect ragweed and provided a new understanding of the complex relationships going on beneath the soil surface between plants and microorganisms.
Engineer builds instrument to study effects of genes, environment on plant traits
Let's say plant scientists want to develop new lines of corn that will better tolerate long stretches of hot, dry weather.
Salamanders shrinking as their mountain havens heat up
Wild salamanders living in some of North America's best salamander habitat are getting smaller as their surroundings get warmer and drier, forcing them to burn more energy in a changing climate.
3-D video from inside flying insects
The flight muscles moving inside flies have been filmed for the first time using a new 3D X-ray scanning technique.
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