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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 26, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Generator uses the human body as an electrode to power portable electronics- Ancient sea creatures filtered food like modern whales
- Scientists track 3-D nanoscale changes in rechargeable battery material during operation
- First ring system around asteroid: Chariklo found to have two rings
- Buoyant Airborne Turbine to harness winds in Alaska
- Engineered bacteria produce biofuel alternative for high-energy rocket fuel
- A new object at the edge of our Solar System discovered
- Titan Project explores the smallest building blocks of matter
- Researchers suggest Vikings used crystals with sun compass to steer at night
- Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeology
- Goats are far more clever than previously thought
- Quantum cryptography: Keeping your secrets secret
- First comprehensive atlas of human gene activity released
- Some breast cancer tumors hijack patient epigenetic machinery to evade drug therapy
- Researchers reverse bone loss in immune disorder
Astronomy & Space news
New crew launches to space station to continue scientific research
Three crew members representing the United States and Russia are on their way to the International Space Station after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:17 p.m. EDT Tuesday (3:17 a.m. on March 26 in Baikonur).
How to look into the solar interior
An international group including one professor from the Moscow State University have proposed the first ever quantitative description of the mechanism responsible for sunspot formation and underlying the solar activity cycle.
Sentinel-1 controllers ready for hectic first days
Following a spectacular launch, Sentinel-1A's first few days in orbit will be some of the most complex in recent memory. Mission control teams will work around the clock to nurse the satellite through its early critical hours in space.
A wet Moon
The Moon's status as a "dry" rock in space has long been questioned. Competing theories abound as to the source of the H20 in the lunar soil, including delivery of water to the Moon by comets.
New storms on Jupiter look like Mickey Mouse
We told you this was going to be a good season to observe Jupiter, and astrophotographers in the northern hemisphere have been making the most of this time of opposition where Jupiter has been riding high in the sky. What we didn't know was that there was going to be a familiar face staring back at us.
CASIS-sponsored research heads to space station aboard SpaceX-3
Riding a dragon is a fantasy many have and few fulfil, but if you're interested in sending research to the International Space Station, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) can help bring those dreams to life. To clarify, this "dragon" is actually a spacecraft carrying cargo and supplies to the orbiting laboratory and the "ride" is for the research proposed by investigators. This simply adds the magic of discovery to the journey, as knowledge expands with each result from microgravity experimentation aboard the space station.
Comet-probing robot to wake from hibernation
A fridge-sized robot lab hurtling through the Solar System aboard a European probe is about to wake from hibernation and prepare for the first-ever landing by a spacecraft on a comet.
Snag delays arrival of crew at space station
An engine snag has delayed the arrival of a Russian spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the International Space Station until Thursday.
What's so hard about counting craters? (w/ video)
(Phys.org) —Providing a rare glimpse of the trade secrets of planetary scientists, the journal Icarus published a study this month that compared lunar crater counts by eight professionals with crowdsourced counts by volunteers.
Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeology
A decades old space mystery has been solved by an international team of astronomers led by Professor Martin Barstow of the University of Leicester and President-elect of the Royal Astronomical Society.
A new object at the edge of our Solar System discovered
The Solar System has a new most-distant member, bringing its outer frontier into focus.
First ring system around asteroid: Chariklo found to have two rings
Observations at many sites in South America have made the discovery that the asteroid Chariklo is surrounded by two dense and narrow rings. This is the smallest object by far found to have rings and only the fifth body in the Solar System to have this feature. The origin of these rings remains a mystery, but they may be the result of a collision that created a disc of debris.
Technology news
MtGox says co-operating with Tokyo police
Failed Bitcoin exchange MtGox said Wednesday it has submitted "electronic records" and other documents to the Tokyo police after it collapsed in February admitting losing half a billion dollars' worth of the digital currency.
Chip-on-glass LCD drivers for high-resolution, vertical alignment displays
NXP Semiconductors today announced the production ramp-up of two new chip-on-glass (COG) LCD drivers – the PCA8539 and the PCA2117 – specifically designed for driving vertical alignment (VA) displays. The COG LCD drivers provide high contrast, true black background, a wide viewing angle, and excellent image quality, even at extreme temperatures.
New magnetic materials for extracting energy from tides
The objective of the MAGNETIDE project is to develop a new type of generator that transforms the mechanical energy produced by the movement of the tides into electric energy. Researchers have modified the generator's design so that components manufactured using PIM, Powder Injection Moulding, could be installed. This would reduce the cost of these systems as well as increasing their efficiency by up to 30 percent , according to the scientists' calculations.
Confirming debris is of MH370 will start a new phase of the search
As the search resumes for any debris in the southern Indian Ocean today air crash investigators still need to find proof it could be wreckage from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight.
Epson introduces new differential output crystal oscillator
Seiko Epson Corporation, the world leader in quartz crystal technology, today introduces availability of the SG7050EBN, a next-generation differential-output crystal oscillator that achieves extremely low phase jitter.
Turkish court orders halt to Twitter ban (Update)
A Turkish court ordered the telecommunications authority to restore access to Twitter on Wednesday, issuing an injunction five days after the government blocked access to the social network.
UK man wins 16-year legal battle over laptop
It started with an unwanted laptop, and it ended in Britain's Supreme Court.
Murdoch companies name son Lachlan co-chairman
(Rupert Murdoch's son Lachlan will become nonexecutive co-chairman of both 21st Century Fox and News Corp., two companies controlled by the father.
Brazil's Congress approves internet legislation (Update)
The lower house of Brazil's Congress has approved legislation meant to ensure the privacy of Internet users and to guarantee what is called "Internet neutrality," that all content be treated equally by carriers. But it dropped a demand that all data on Brazilians be saved within the country
Dish, DirecTV shares rise on reported merger talk
Shares of satellite TV companies Dish and DirecTV surged in midday trading Wednesday after a report said that Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen had contacted DirecTV CEO Mike White about merging.
Candy Crush maker King in $500 mln Wall Street debut
King Digital Entertainment raised a sweet half-billion dollars on Wall Street, and now it is time for the market to show its taste for the makers of mobile game Candy Crush.
Japan robot suit firm lists on stock market
Cyberdyne, the maker of a battery-powered exoskeleton robot suit, made its stock market debut on Tuesday, as the firm looks to raise money to boost its research.
Andreessen skewers Buffett for doubting bitcoin
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is mocking Warren Buffett for the stock market sage's criticisms of bitcoin, a virtual currency.
Undersea volcanoes, huge seas complicate MH370 search
Searchers racing to find flight MH370's "black box" face daunting hurdles ranging from undersea volcanoes to mountainous seas as they operate in one of Earth's most remote locations, experts said Wednesday.
New gadgets hope to hush Mumbai's incessant honking
A handful of fed-up residents in one of the world's noisiest cities have taken on a daunting challenge: persuading Indian drivers to stop honking their car horns.
Radio wristbands set to reduce risk of groups losing people
Keeping track of large groups of children or vulnerable adults could be made a lot easier for those in charge of them, thanks to technology researchers at the University of Derby.
Honda smart home offers vision for zero carbon living
Honda and the University of California, Davis, today marked the opening of Honda Smart Home US, showcasing technologies that enable zero net energy living and transportation. The home in UC Davis West Village is capable of producing more energy on-site from renewable sources than it consumes annually, including enough energy to power a Honda Fit EV for daily commuting.
Deal allows Tesla to sell cars in Ohio
Ohio auto dealers have struck an agreement that will allow Tesla Motors to sell its electric cars in the state.
Nissan recalls more than 1M vehicles for air bags (Update)
Nissan is recalling just over 1 million cars, SUVs and vans because the front passenger air bags may not inflate in a crash. It's the company's second recall to fix the same problem.
Scientists develop silicon cells capable of absorbing infrared radiation from the sun
Researchers of the Universitat Politècnica de València, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC, in Spanish), the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC) and the Universidad Rovira i Virgili de Tarragona have developed a silicon photovoltaic cell capable of turning infrared radiation into electricity.
Silicon-based probe microstructure could underpin safer neural implants
Neural probe arrays are expected to significantly benefit the lives of amputees and people affected by spinal cord injuries or severe neuromotor diseases. By providing a direct route of communication between the brain and artificial limbs, these arrays record and stimulate neurons in the cerebral cortex.
Capturing the world in three dimensions
A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but a high-definition 3D image could be worth a whole lot more.
Digital ventures boost ailing news media, study shows
Online news ventures have added nearly 5,000 US media jobs in the past few years, boosting an industry that is still reeling from technology changes, a study showed Wednesday.
Russian officials dump iPads over spy fears
Russian government officials have swapped their iPads for Samsung tablets to ensure tighter security, the telecoms minister told news agencies on Wednesday.
Little-known scores rank consumers' value based on data from Web, apps, loyalty cards
If you've bought a house or car lately, chances are you know your credit score, or at least whether it's good or bad. But what about your customer loyalty score? Or your identity score? Or your health score?
Settlement credits sent to e-book buyers
Some Amazon.com Inc. e-book customers received credits Tuesday as part of the $166 million price-fixing settlement five book publishers reached with the U.S. Department of Justice.
RadioShack's online presence isn't clicking with customers
RadioShack rarely talks about its online business. While e-commerce has exploded in the past decade, the Fort Worth, Texas-based consumer electronics chain's online sales have declined more than 20 percent.
Credit card companies seek new ways to increase payment security
In the wake of some wide-ranging breaches in credit card data, Mastercard and Visa this month announced an initiative to increase payment security, including expanding chip technology in the U.S.
Save money and energy by replacing, adjusting home appliances
Want to save some money and help the planet at the same time? Then take a look at some of the gadgets and appliances in your house. By turning off, adjusting or swapping out some of the devices in your house, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year while reducing your carbon footprint.
Visionary or looney? Zuckerberg on spending spree
Facebook's latest multibillion dollar acquisition of virtual reality headset maker Oculus is prompting some people to wonder if CEO Mark Zuckerberg is already living in an alternate reality.
Students virtually dissect hologram-like 3-D cadaver
(Phys.org) —The 3-D virtual reality cadaver floats in space like a hologram on an invisible gurney.
Don't let personal data escape your smartphone
(Phys.org) —Two EPFL researchers have developed an application that automatically secures shared information on a mobile phone. The Android app should be available in late summer 2014.
MIT researchers develop Mylar – a platform for building secure web applications
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers at MIT, led by Raluca Ada Popa has developed a platform for building secure web applications that is based on ensuring data on servers is always encrypted—they call it Mylar. In announcing the new platform, the developers noted that Mylar can protect user data from snooping even if a hacker obtains full access to a server.
Facing the Windows XP apocalypse? Here are some options
Are you ready for the "XP Apocalypse" on April 8? That's when Microsoft Corp. plans to stop issuing security updates for the aging, but still-popular XP version of its flagship Windows operating system, which by some estimates is still running on nearly one in three personal computers in homes and offices around the world, along with some bank ATMs and other commercial systems.
Review: Windows Phone innovations show promise
In the market for smartphones, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 system is barely there. It's dwarfed by Apple's iOS and Google's Android systems in both attention and sales.
Buoyant Airborne Turbine to harness winds in Alaska
(Phys.org) —Call it a power-transmitter in the sky. Better still, call it by its official name, the Buoyant Airborne Turbine (BAT ) which a company called Altaeros Energies will be launching soon in Alaska to be used in an 18-month test. The $1.3 million BAT project is partially financed by the Alaska Energy Authority's Emerging Energy Technology Fund. The project is being permitted for a site south of Fairbanks. The launch could mark what the team sees as the next generation of wind power. This will be the first planned commercial demonstration of the product; last year, Altaeros tested a BAT prototype in 45 mph winds and at a height of 500 feet at its test site in Maine. The energy-giving BAT is to be deployed 1000 feet up above ground, designed to avoid impact on avian wildlife. BAT will be taking advantage of winds powerful enough to send back power to earth. Ben Glass, CEO, said the project will generate enough energy to power over a dozen homes.
Generator uses the human body as an electrode to power portable electronics
(Phys.org) —It's well-known that the human body is a good conductor of electricity, and now researchers have taken advantage of this fact to create a small generator that uses the body as an electrode to power portable devices without the need for batteries. The "body contact electrode" replaces a grounded electrode that was used in a previous version of the generator, which would have been impractical for portable devices.
Medicine & Health news
US grants extra time to enroll for health care (Update)
The Obama administration has announced that people who started applying for health insurance but are not able to finish before the March 31 enrollment deadline will get extra time.
Testers say federal health care website runs slow
A little patience might be a good idea if you're trying to get covered under President Barack Obama's health care law these last few days before the March 31 deadline.
Australia to sell biggest health insurer
The conservative government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday said it would press ahead with the sale of Australia's largest health insurer Medibank Private via an initial public offering.
Exploring the brain for keys to solving Parkinson's disease
One of the final frontiers of science is the human brain. The brain is the source of our intelligence, feelings and ability to make our bodies move – as well as the locus of terrible diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's – and is as complicated as any object that scientists explore.
New help for children with cystic fibrosis
Children with cystic fibrosis and their families are to be offered new support to assist with daily physiotherapy sessions.
Fighting back against TB
Tuberculosis is back. In 2011, almost 9 million people contracted it, and 1.4 million of them died, making TB the second deadliest infectious disease after HIV/AIDS, according to the World Health Organization.
Immunotherapy data heralds new era of lung cancer treatment
A new era of lung cancer therapy is close to dawning, using drugs that can prevent tumour cells from evading the immune system, experts have said at the 4th European Lung Cancer Congress.
Less invasive technique possible in vulvar cancer treatment
A team of researchers from Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island commanded a national stage to present the results of a study evaluating the use of sentinel lymph node dissection in women with vulvar malignancies, and then follow the patients for complications and recurrence.
Obesity crisis in gynecologic cancer
The journal Gynecologic Oncology, the official journal of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, is pleased to announce the launch of a special issue on gynecologic cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship in obese women. Working on the special issue, Guest Editors Dr Susan C. Modesitt (University of Virginia School of Medicine) and Dr Joan Walker (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center) brought together researchers studying the influence of obesity on all components of gynecologic cancer care.
Preoperative PET cuts unnecessary lung surgeries in half
New quantitative data suggests that 30 percent of the surgeries performed for non-small cell lung cancer patients in a community-wide clinical study were deemed unnecessary. Additionally, positron emission tomography (PET) was found to reduce unnecessary surgeries by 50 percent, according to research published in the March issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Gout isn't always easy to prove: CT scans help catch cases traditional test misses
Gout is on the rise among U.S. men and women, and this piercingly painful and most common form of inflammatory arthritis is turning out to be more complicated than had been thought. The standard way to check for gout is by drawing fluid or tissue from an affected joint and looking for uric acid crystals, a test known as a needle aspirate. That usually works, but not always: In a new Mayo Clinic study, X-rays known as dual-energy CT scans found gout in one-third of patients whose aspirates tested negative for the disease. The CT scans allowed rheumatologists to diagnose gout and treat those patients with the proper medication.
New WTO challenge to Australia plain-packaging tobacco law
A battle against Australia's plain tobacco packaging rules gained pace at the World Trade Organization on Wednesday, as Indonesia won the right to seek a ruling by the global body.
Repeat sternotomy for aortic valve replacement safe option for octogenarian patients
Surgical aortic valve replacement generally improves patients' symptoms and prolongs survival. However, the perceived risk of surgical aortic valve replacement in patients over 80 may result in surgery being denied or a recommendation for alternative therapy. Investigators at the Mayo Clinic challenge the way these patients have been managed. They report that repeat sternotomy in patients over 80 who have previously had coronary bypass graft surgery can be done with low risk. Their findings are published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, an official publication of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.
House, Senate leaders agree on Medicare fees
House Speaker John Boehner says he and top Senate Democrat Harry Reid have reached an agreement on legislation to forestall a looming 24 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.
25 drug companies to phase out animal antibiotics
The Food and Drug Administration says 25 pharmaceutical companies are voluntarily phasing out the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in animals processed for meat.
AMA introduces medical education initiative
(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association's (AMA) Accelerating Change in Education initiative is being introduced in 11 medical schools in an effort to shift the focus of education toward real-world practice and competency assessment, according to an AMA report.
Iraq reports first suspected polio case since 2000
Iraq's health ministry said Wednesday it had found its first suspected polio case in 14 years, which could have originated in neighbouring Syria where confirmed cases have sparked a region-wide alert.
History is made with first small LVAD implant for young muscular dystrophy patient
"Today, we're going to make history," said 18-year-old Eric Ramos on the day UT Southwestern Medical Center doctors operated on his ailing heart. Eric, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is one of only three patients in the United States with the condition to receive a battery-operated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep his weakening heart pumping blood through his body. He is the first patient in the country to be given a specific, smaller LVAD, which means doctors would not need to manipulate his diaphragm, which could compromise his already limited pulmonary function.
Doctors raise blood pressure in patients
Doctors routinely record blood pressure levels that are significantly higher than levels recorded by nurses, the first thorough analysis of scientific data has revealed.
Certain genetic variants may put bladder cancer patients at increased risk of recurrence
In the Western world, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common in women, with many patients experiencing recurrence after treatment. A new study published in BJU International indicates that inheriting certain DNA sequences can affect a patient's prognosis. The findings may help physicians identify sub-groups of bladder cancer patients who should receive intensive treatment and monitoring.
Penicillin prescriptions risk under-dosing children, experts say
Millions of children in the UK are potentially receiving penicillin prescriptions below the recommended dose for common infections, according to new research led jointly by researchers at King's College London, St George's, University of London and Imperial College London. The authors are calling for an urgent review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children - which at the time of study had not changed in over 50 years - after discovering wide variation in current prescribing practice.
Knowing true age of your heart key to curbing lifetime heart disease risk
Understanding the true age of your heart is key to curbing the lifetime risk of developing—and dying from—heart disease, say new consensus recommendations on how best to stave off the worldwide epidemic of cardiovascular disease, published in the journal Heart.
Post-Katrina heart woes persisted at least six years
(HealthDay)—Six years after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the U.S. Gulf Cost, a New Orleans hospital was still seeing more than the usual number of heart attack patients.
Seoul to limit plastic surgery ads
The South Korean capital Seoul is to restrict the use of plastic surgery adverts on public transport, officials said Wednesday, after complaints that they were fuelling an unhealthy obsession with body image.
Ebola victims quarantined in Guinea
Health workers in protective hazmat suits treated patients in quarantine centers on Tuesday in a remote corner of Guinea where Ebola has killed at least 60 people in West Africa's first outbreak of the deadly virus in two decades.
Unique use of heart-lung machine saves heart attack victim at UCLA emergency room
James Manzi is lucky to be alive. When the 79-year-old Brentwood, Calif., resident arrived at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center's emergency room in full cardiac arrest, the medical team tried everything to stabilize him, including shocking his heart 29 times with a defibrillator in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm.
Suicide more likely in frequent-attenders at GPs
Patients who visited their GP more than twice per month over a year were 12 times more likely to die by suicide, new research by The University of Manchester has found.
Bacteria in cystic fibrosis lung infections become selfish
Bacteria that infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis sufferers lose their ability to work together, becoming more selfish and less cooperative the longer the infection, say scientists.
An advance in understanding drug 'habits' and their treatment
(Medical Xpress)—Cocaine promotes habitual behaviours and these can potentially be reversed with the use of an antioxidant, research at the University of Sydney has shown.
Researchers say gold-based drug shows promise for fighting bone cancer in people and pets
(Medical Xpress)—A gold-based drug currently used in human and veterinary medicine to manage certain immune diseases may prove useful in combating osteosarcoma, a devastating bone cancer that affects both dogs and people, University of Florida veterinary researchers report.
We're happy to have pharmacists give us flu jabs and vaccines, but not our kids
(Medical Xpress)—Queenslanders will save time and money in a unique trial by Australian pharmacists delivering flu shots for the first time.
Using PET scanning to evaluate therapies of Menkes disease
Scientists at the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies have used PET imaging to visualize the distribution in the body of copper, which is deregulated in Menkes disease, a genetic disorder, using a mouse model. This study lays the groundwork for PET imaging studies on human Menkes disease patients to identify new therapy options.
Vaccine could offer protection against ear infections
A team of international researchers has moved a step closer to developing a vaccine to protect against middle ear infection, currently the most common infection in children under the age of five. The vaccine could also be used for those with poor lung function, such as cystic fibrosis sufferers.
Good self-management helps to reduce diabetic mortality
People with type 2 diabetes who report good self-management behavior have a reduced mortality risk. This was the result of a population-based study conducted by scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München emphasizing the great importance of patient behavior in the diabetes treatment process. These findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Better diagnostics for thrombosis are a matter of resources
Cost-effectiveness is paramount for any new medical technology. If pharmaceutical companies do not see a profit, new drugs will never see the light of day. And if insurance companies think a new treatment is more expensive than the old one, they will simply not pay. Take thrombosis, or blood clotting, which affects millions of people worldwide. Blood thinners, like coumarins, are amongst the most widely used drugs to prevent blood clotting. But getting dosage right is a very challenging problem and errors have led to hospitalisations. The need for accurate dosage testing is thus clear. But they will have to be cost-effective to enter clinical practice.
Gender-specific approach to diabetes
The international guidelines on the drug-based therapy of diabetes mellitus specify which factors need to be taken into account during treatment. Factors such as age, the duration of the condition, life expectancy, the social environment and co-morbidities all have a part to play. "What's missing in this checklist, however, is gender," states Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, expert in gender medicine at the MedUni Vienna, in the run-up to the 7th annual conference of the Austrian Society for Gender-Specific Medicine, which is being held next Friday in Vienna.
New advances in the study of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy
Several forms of leukodystrophies, genetic degenerative disorders that affect the myelin, are associated with vacuolization of myelin sheaths that enwrap axons of central neurons. Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy (MLC), caused by mutations in MLC1 and GlialCAM, is a rare disease that entails this type of vacuoles. To date, there is not any treatment for patients.
Lack of coronin 1 protein causes learning deficits and aggressive behavior
Learning and memory relies on the proper processing of signals that stimulate neuronal cells within the brain. Researchers at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, together with an international team of scientists, has uncovered an important role for the protein coronin 1 in cognition and behavior. They found that a lack of coronin 1 in mouse and in man is associated with poor memory, defective learning and aggressive behavior. The results, recently published in PLOS Biology, identify a novel risk factor for neurobehavioral dysfunction and reveal a molecular pathway involved in transferring information within neurons.
Precision drugs sought for anxiety disorders
Researchers in the University of Helsinki, Finland, are striving to find out how cell communication regulating kainate receptors contribute to the susceptibility towards anxiety disorders. The intention is to also develop drugs that would be effective against prolonged anxiety.
Preventing re-identification of anonymised study participants
A group of research funders today outlined the steps they will take to reduce the risk of anonymised individual research subjects in the UK being re-identified from genomic, epidemiological and social science data. These steps include possible sanctions, such as withdrawal of funding, for researchers who deliberately attempt to re-identify individuals without their consent.
New website aims to help adults recognise signs of mental health issues
(Medical Xpress)—A psychologist from the University of Reading has played a pivotal role in a project which aims to help adults become more aware of mental health issues in young children.
Genetics can explain why infections trigger onset of different types of rheumatoid arthritis
(Medical Xpress)—A new international study has revealed how genetics could explain why different environmental exposures can trigger the onset of different forms of rheumatoid arthritis.
You can't dismiss brain imaging as just an academic gimmick
Given the media coverage brain imaging studies get, you might think that they are constantly revealing important secrets about this mysterious organ.
Faulty gene can delay or block puberty
More than 4% of adolescents suffer from early or late-onset puberty, which is associated with health problems including obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The findings of the study will make diagnosis easier and more efficient, reducing the risk of disease.
Improved understanding of appetite-control proteins suggest treatment of obesity
The main cause of weight gain, and ultimately obesity, is an energy imbalance in the body triggered by increased food intake, often coupled with reduced energy expenditure. Two hormones called leptin and α-MSH (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) regulate the so-called 'energy homeostasis' in the body by influencing the brain to control appetite, metabolism and behavior.
Double discrimination impacts physical and mental health
Racial and sexual minorities, women, and obese people may face more health risks because of their disproportionate exposure to discrimination, according to a new report in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
New septic shock biomarker test could boost better interventions
Septic shock is a severe systemic infection and major cause of death for the old and young alike. Unfortunately, researchers say testing new drug regimens to stop the infection is confounded because clinical trials include patients who are either too sick to be saved by experimental therapies or not sick enough to warrant the treatments.
ATHENA desktop human 'body' could reduce need for animal drug tests
Creating surrogate human organs, coupled with insights from highly sensitive mass spectrometry technologies, a new project is on the brink of revolutionizing the way we screen new drugs and toxic agents.
Life expectancy gains elude overweight teens
Although people live longer today than they did 50 years ago, people who were overweight and obese as teenagers aren't experiencing the same gains as other segments of the population, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Scientists visualize new treatments for retinal blindness
A new report published online in The FASEB Journal may lead the way toward new treatments or a cure for a common cause of blindness (proliferative retinopathies). Specifically, scientists have discovered that the body's innate immune system does more than help ward off external pathogens. It also helps remove sight-robbing abnormal blood vessels, while leaving healthy cells and tissue intact. This discovery is significant as the retina is part of the central nervous system and its cells cannot be replaced once lost. Identifying ways to leverage the innate immune system to "clean out" abnormal blood vessels in the retina may lead to treatments that could prevent or delay blindness, or restore sight.
Sugary drinks weigh heavily on teenage obesity
New research shows sugary drinks are the worst offenders in the fight against youth obesity and recommends that B.C. schools fully implement healthy eating guidelines to reduce their consumption.
Watermelon could lower blood pressure
Be sure to pick up a watermelon—or two—at your neighborhood farmers' market. It could save your life.
Two spine surgeons are three times safer than one
A new team approach has improved safety—reducing rates of major complications by two thirds—for complex spinal reconstructive surgery for spinal deformity in adult Group Health patients at Virginia Mason Hospital & Seattle Medical Center.
Terror grips Guinea as Ebola death toll rises
Guinea battled Wednesday to contain an Ebola epidemic threatening neighbouring countries as fear and confusion gripped communities under siege from one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind.
Paracetamol poisoning treatment guidelines costing NHS millions
Strict guidelines for treating paracetamol overdoses – introduced 18 months ago – are costing the NHS millions of pounds a year, researchers claim.
Cereal flake size influences calorie intake
People eat more breakfast cereal, by weight, when flake size is reduced, according to Penn State researchers, who showed that when flakes are reduced by crushing, people pour a smaller volume of cereal into their bowls, but still take a greater amount by weight and calories.
Parental addictions associated with adult children's arthritis
The adult offspring of parents who were addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to have arthritis, according to a new study by University of Toronto researchers.
Study finds secret to cutting sugary drink use by teens
A new study shows that teenagers can be persuaded to cut back on sugary soft drinks – especially with a little help from their friends.
3-D MRI scans may offer better way to predict survival after chemo for liver tumors
In a series of studies involving 140 American men and women with liver tumors, researchers at Johns Hopkins have used specialized 3-D MRI scans to precisely measure living and dying tumor tissue to quickly show whether highly toxic chemotherapy – delivered directly through a tumor's blood supply – is working.
Should whole-genome sequencing become part of newborn screening?
Should whole-genome sequencing be used in the public-health programs that screen newborns for rare conditions? That question is likely to stir debate in coming years in many of the more-than-60 countries that provide newborn screening, as whole-genome sequencing (WGS) becomes increasingly affordable and reliable. Newborn screening programs – which involve drawing a few drops of blood from a newborn's heel – have been in place since the late 1960s, and are credited with having saved thousands of lives by identifying certain genetic, endocrine or metabolic disorders that can be treated effectively when caught early enough. Advocates of routine WGS for newborns argue that the new technology could help detect and manage a wider array of disorders.
Gut metabolism changes—not stomach size—linked to success of vertical sleeve gastrectomy
It's not the size of the stomach that causes weight loss after a specific type of bariatric surgery, but rather a change in the gut metabolism, say researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC), the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
New maps for navigating the genome unveiled by scientists
Scientists have built the clearest picture yet of how our genetic material is regulated in order to make the human body work.
Coal plant closure in China led to improvements in children's health, research shows
Decreased exposure to air pollution in utero is linked with improved childhood developmental scores and higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key protein for brain development, according to a study looking at the closure of a coal-burning power plant in China led by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health.
Cancer biologists link tumor suppressor gene to stem cells
Just as archeologists try to decipher ancient tablets to discern their meaning, UT Southwestern Medical Center cancer biologists are working to decode the purpose of an ancient gene considered one of the most important in cancer research.
Researchers present comprehensive 'roadmap' of blood cells
Research published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, presents an unprecedented look at five unique blood cells in the human body, pinpointing the location of key genetic regulators in these cells and providing a new tool that may help scientists to identify how blood cells form and shed light on the etiology of blood diseases.
Study identifies key player in motor neuron death in Lou Gehrig's disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is marked by a cascade of cellular and inflammatory events that weakens and kills vital motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The process is complex, involving cells that ordinarily protect the neurons from harm. Now, a new study by scientists in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital points to a potential culprit in this good-cell-gone-bad scenario, a key step toward the ultimate goal of developing a treatment.
Hospital infections kill 200 daily in US
People who are hospitalized in the United States risk acquiring healthcare-associated infections, which kill 75,000 patients per year, US health authorities said Wednesday.
Migraine attacks increase following stress 'let-down'
Migraine sufferers who experienced reduced stress from one day to the next are at significantly increased risk of migraine onset on the subsequent day, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Montefiore Headache Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University. Stress has long been believed to be a common headache trigger. In this study, researchers found that relaxation following heightened stress was an even more significant trigger for migraine attacks. Findings may aid in recommending preventive treatments and behavioral interventions. The study was published online today in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Smartphone app may help people overcome alcoholism
(HealthDay)—A smartphone application, or "app," designed to tackle addiction has helped recovering alcoholics stay sober or reduce their risky drinking, a new clinical trial reports.
Jury still out on routine dementia screening for seniors
(HealthDay)—There's not yet enough evidence to support screening all older adults for dementia or a less severe condition called "mild cognitive impairment," according to a statement released Monday by the influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Cutting HIV in drug users can benefit others' AIDS mortality
(HealthDay)—Efforts to curb HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) and non-injecting drug users (NIDUs) may reduce AIDS and AIDS-related mortality among heterosexuals, according to a study published in the April issue of the Annals of Epidemiology.
Electrical brain stimulation might help fibromyalgia patients
(HealthDay)—By using magnetic brain stimulation on patients with fibromyalgia, French researchers say they were able to improve some of the patients' symptoms.
NIH launches online resource for end-of-life issues
(HealthDay)—People grappling with terminal illness now have a new online source of advice and help, sponsored by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers explore function of cancer-causing gene
Developmental biologists at the University of Georgia are discovering new roles for a specific gene known as Max's Giant Associated protein, or MGA. A little studied protein, MGA appears to control a number of developmental processes, and also may be connected to cancer development.
New drug successfully treats crizotinib-resistant, ALK-positive lung cancer
Although the targeted cancer treatment drug crizotinib is very effective in causing rapid regression of a particular form of lung cancer, patients' tumors inevitably become resistant to the drug. Now a new drug called ceritinib appears to be effective against advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both in tumors that have become resistant to crizotinib and in those never treated with the older drug. The results of a phase 1 clinical trial conducted at centers in 11 countries are reported in the March 27 New England Journal of Medicine.
Patches of cortical layers disrupted during early brain development in autism
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Allen Institute for Brain Science have published a study that gives clear and direct new evidence that autism begins during pregnancy.
Researchers identify protein that helps control common viral infection
Infectious disease specialists at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center have identified a protein that regulates the body's immune response to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common pathogen that causes lifelong infections and can lead to devastating illness in newborns and those with weakened immune systems.
No correlation between medical marijuana legalization, crime increase, study says
The legalization of medical marijuana has sparked debate across the nation for decades. Some opponents have argued that medical marijuana's legalization will lead to higher crime rates, but according to a new study at UT Dallas, legalization of medical cannabis is not an indicator of increased crime.
FDA panel narrowly backs DNA colon cancer test
A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers has narrowly backed an experimental blood test that uses patients' DNA to help screen for colon cancer.
Economic growth no cure for child undernutrition
A large study of child growth patterns in 36 developing countries finds that, contrary to widely held beliefs, economic growth has little to no effect on the nutritional status of the world's poorest children. The study, from researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the University of Göttingen, Germany, ETH Zürich, Switzerland, and the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, found that economic growth was associated with small or no declines in stunting, underweight, and wasting—all signs of undernutrition.
3-D heart sock could replace pacemaker
(Medical Xpress)—An international research team that includes a University of Alberta engineering professor has designed a 3-D silicone "heart sock" that could eventually replace the venerable pacemaker.
Study predicts threshold of viral load for passing herpes from one person to another
(Medical Xpress)—One of the most common questions asked of doctors who treat genital herpes comes from couples in which one partner is infected with the virus and the other is not. How, they ask, can they have a relationship without passing on this sexually transmitted disease?
New clue to autism found inside brain cells
The problems people with autism have with memory formation, higher-level thinking and social interactions may be partially attributable to the activity of receptors inside brain cells, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned.
Some breast cancer tumors hijack patient epigenetic machinery to evade drug therapy
A breast cancer therapy that blocks estrogen synthesis to activate cancer-killing genes sometimes loses its effectiveness because the cancer takes over epigenetic mechanisms, including permanent DNA modifications in the patient's tumor, once again allowing tumor growth, according to an international team headed by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).
First comprehensive atlas of human gene activity released
A large international consortium of researchers has produced the first comprehensive, detailed map of the way genes work across the major cells and tissues of the human body. The findings describe the complex networks that govern gene activity, and the new information could play a crucial role in identifying the genes involved with disease.
Brain degeneration in Huntington's disease caused by amino acid deficiency
Working with genetically engineered mice, Johns Hopkins neuroscientists report they have identified what they believe is the cause of the vast disintegration of a part of the brain called the corpus striatum in rodents and people with Huntington's disease: loss of the ability to make the amino acid cysteine. They also found that disease progression slowed in mice that were fed a diet rich in cysteine, which is found in foods such as wheat germ and whey protein.
Cell-saving drugs could reduce brain damage after stroke
Long-term brain damage caused by stroke could be reduced by saving cells called pericytes that control blood flow in capillaries, reports a new study led by scientists from University College London.
Researchers reverse bone loss in immune disorder
Patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, or LAD, suffer from frequent bacterial infections, including the severe gum disease known as periodontitis. These patients often lose their teeth early in life.
'Big Science' uncovers another piece in the Alzheimer's puzzle
In a paper published today, British scientists have found evidence that biological material contributing to lesions in the brain, characteristic in Alzheimer's patients, may also cause the build-up of brain-cell-damaging toxic iron. Scientists have made the discovery using advanced imaging techniques at giant X-ray facilities - the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Oxfordshire and other synchrotrons in Switzerland and the US.
Biology news
Danish zoo defends lion killing after giraffe cull
A Danish zoo on Wednesday defended its decision to kill two aging lions and two cubs, citing the risk of inbreeding and the arrival of a new male.
Natural history must reclaim its place
Support in developed countries for natural history—the study of the fundamental nature of organisms and how and where they live and interact with their environment—appears to be in steep decline. Yet natural history provides essential knowledge for fields as varied as human health, food security, conservation, land management, and recreation. In the April issue of BioScience, a group of scientists from institutions across North America details examples supporting their conviction that a revitalization of the practice of natural history will provide important benefits for science and society.
Phloem production in Huanglongbing-affected citrus trees
Citrus Huanglongbing (citrus greening disease) is highly destructive and fast-spreading, contributing to a reduction in crop yields in Florida and threatening the future of the citrus industry worldwide. Once infected, trees never fully recover and there currently is no cure, although proper nutrient and water management appear to slow tree decline in some situations.
New Capsicum annuum pepper contains high concentrations of beneficial capsinoids
Researchers have released a new Capsicum annuum pepper germplasm that contains high concentrations of capsinoids. The release was announced in the January 2014 issue of HortScience by researchers Robert L. Jarret from the USDA/Agricultural Research Service in Griffin, Georgia, in collaboration with Jason Bolton and L. Brian Perkins from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine.
Prestorage conditioning, diphenylamine improve condition of 'honeycrisp' apple
Since the introduction of 'Honeycrisp' apples in 1991, the variety has become a consumer favorite for its unusual texture and delicious flavor. Honeycrisp has increased in popularity with growers as well; Michigan, New York, and Washington boast significant numbers of 'Honeycrisp' orchards. As the growing area dedicated to the variety has grown, the need to find better methods for improving storage performance has become more important to growers. Because 'Honeycrisp' is very sensitive to low temperatures and can be damaged by controlled-atmosphere conditions, long-term storage of the apples can be challenging.
Nitrogen source determined significant for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis
The Phalaenopsis orchid, also known as the moth orchid, is the most important pot flower in terms of market value in the world's major floriculture markets. Because nitrogen significantly affects the growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis, nitrogen needs during flowering are of particular interest to growers. Researchers Hadi Susilo, Ying-Chun Peng, and Yao-Chien Alex Chang from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at National Taiwan University published a study in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science that determined the importance of providing Phalaenopsis with ample nitrogen fertilization at the its various growth stages.
Targeting enforcement where needed most in Africa's heart of biodiversity
Scientists seeking a more efficient way of protecting the heart of Africa's wildlife—the Greater Virunga Landscape—have developed a method to make the most of limited enforcement resources, according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Queensland, Imperial College London, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
New database features 710,000 natural history records from Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada's national museum of natural history, has launched a free scientific database featuring open access to more than 710,000 records of plants, animals, fossils, and minerals that are part of the museum's national collections.
Stag beetle males give nasty nips despite massive jaws
Armed with a ferocious pair of mandibles, male stag beetles appear well prepared to take on the world. 'Their jaws are not just for ornamentation, they really use them to fight', says Jana Goyens from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, adding that males grapple over the choicest patches of rotten wood for their mates to lay their eggs in. Describing a stag beetle battle, Goyens explains that one beetle grabs the other one around its body and then rears up in an attempt to hurl his opponent over his head and onto its back. 'It is clear which one is the loser', says Goyens. But something puzzled her: 'It seemed unlikely that stag beetles could bite forcefully because they have these long jaws', she says. Instead of amplifying forces, the beetles' long mandibles would reduce the forces exerted at the sharp teeth halfway along the mandibles when gripped together. Intrigued, Goyens and her supervisors, Joris Dirckx and Peter Aerts, decided to test how powerful stag beetle bite! s are.
Study yields 'Genghis Khan' of brown bears, and brown and polar bear evolution
Male bears are seemingly always on the prowl, roaming much greater distances than females, particularly for mating. For bear evolution, studying the paternally inherited Y chromosome is therefore a rich source to trace both the geographic dispersal and genetic differences between bear species.
Why bacteria are beautiful, and why we need them
For every one of the 7 billion people on Earth, up to 10 times that many bacteria have taken up residence in and on them. "We provide a nice home for them," said Nobel laureate Sir Richard Roberts, who was recently appointed Distinguished University Professor in Northeastern University's College of Science.
Automatic tracking of biological particles in cell microscopy images
In order to track the movements of biological particles in a cell, scientists at Heidelberg University and the German Cancer Research Center have developed a powerful analysis method for live cell microscopy images. This so-called probabilistic particle tracking method is automatic, computer-based and can be used for time-resolved two- and three-dimensional microscopy image data. The Heidelberg method achieved the best overall result in an international competition that compared different methods for image analysis. The competition results were recently published in the journal Nature Methods.
Why the bizarre ocean dandelion is like an ant colony on steroids
I was 12 when I first came across an ocean dandelion. I wish I had known then how strange these animals truly are. I was watching a documentary where researchers had collected a deep-sea dandelion using a submersible, but upon returning to the surface, the dandelion had disintegrated into nothing but "petals".
Technique to make human embryonic stem cells more closely resemble true epiblast cells
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the ability to both convert into any cell type in the human body and to proliferate indefinitely in the laboratory. However, cultured hESCs, which are plucked from the developing embryo and then grown in vitro, often display a number of biological differences when compared to the pluripotent epiblast cells in the early embryo from which they originated.
Study shows invasive species in waterways on rise due to climate change
One of the most serious threats to global biodiversity and the leisure and tourism industries is set to increase with climate change according to new research by Queen's University Belfast.
Scientists identify core skin bacterial community in humpback whales
Bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, but they reside on nearly every surface humans encounter—including the skin. Uncovering the role these microorganisms play in human health is a major focus of research in skin microbiology, but little is known about the identity or function of skin bacteria in other mammals.
Bamboo-loving giant pandas also have a sweet tooth
Despite the popular conception of giant pandas as continually chomping on bamboo to fulfill a voracious appetite for this reedy grass, new research from the Monell Center reveals that this highly endangered species also has a sweet tooth. A combination of behavioral and molecular genetic studies demonstrated that the giant panda both possesses functional sweet taste receptors and also shows a strong preference for some natural sweeteners, including fructose and sucrose.
Male Eurasian jays know that their female partners' desires can differ from their own
Knowing what another person wants is not a trivial issue, particularly when the other's desires are different from our own. The ability to disengage from our own desire to cater to someone else's wishes is thought to be a unique feature of human cognition.
The altruistic side of aggressive greed: Study explains new twist in group cooperation
In many group-living species, high-rank individuals bully their group-mates to get what they want, but their contribution is key to success in conflict with other groups, according to a study that sheds new light on the evolutionary roots of cooperation and group conflict.
Kif15: The acrobatic motor protein that could pave the way for new cancer therapies
Researchers at Warwick Medical School have shown for the first time how a protein motor, Kif15, uses acrobatic flexibility to navigate within the mitotic spindle. Understanding how it works could prove vital for the development of targeted cancer therapies.
Study shows urban birds with darker feathers may be better at removing metal toxins
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers in France has found a possible connection between the darkness of bird feathers and the removal of metal toxins from birds' bloodstreams. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the team describes how they captured 97 pigeons in Paris and made measurements of toxic metals in their feathers at initial capture and then one year later and how it showed a difference based on feather color.
Researchers engineer resistance to ionic liquids in biofuel microbes
Researchers with the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a multi-institutional partnership led by Berkeley Lab, have identified the genetic origins of a microbial resistance to ionic liquids and successfully introduced this resistance into a strain of E. coli bacteria for the production of advanced biofuels. The ionic liquid resistance is based on a pair of genes discovered in a bacterium native to a tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico.
Canal between ears helps alligators pinpoint sound
Alligators can accurately pinpoint the source of sounds. But it wasn't clear exactly how they did it because they lack external auditory structures. A new study shows that the alligator's ear is strongly directional because of large, air-filled channels connecting the two middle ears. This configuration is similar in birds, which have an interaural canal that increases directionality.
Crows complete basic 'Aesop's fable' task (w/ video)
New Caledonian crows may understand how to displace water to receive a reward, with the causal understanding level of a 5-7 year-old child, according to results published March 26, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Sarah Jelbert from University of Auckland and colleagues.
Cuvier's beaked whales set new breath-hold diving records
Scientists monitored Cuvier's beaked whales' record-breaking dives to depths of nearly two miles below the ocean surface and some dives lasted for over two hours, according to results published March 26, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Gregory Schorr from Cascadia Research Collective and colleagues.
Goats are far more clever than previously thought
Goats learn how to solve complicated tasks quickly and can recall how to perform them for at least 10 months, which might explain their remarkable ability to adapt to harsh environments, say researchers at Queen Mary University of London.
Engineered bacteria produce biofuel alternative for high-energy rocket fuel
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Joint BioEnergy Institute have engineered a bacterium to synthesize pinene, a hydrocarbon produced by trees that could potentially replace high-energy fuels, such as JP-10, in missiles and other aerospace applications. With improvements in process efficiency, the biofuel could supplement limited supplies of petroleum-based JP-10, and might also facilitate development of a new generation of more powerful engines.
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