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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 25, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Metabolism may have started in our early oceans before the origin of life- Nissan develops first 'self-cleaning' car prototype (w/ Video)
- World's smallest magazine cover measures 11 x 14 micrometers (w/ Video)
- Star is discovered to be a close neighbor of the Sun and the coldest of its kind
- Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to learn how DNA wraps tightly around nucleosomes
- Engineering breakthrough will allow cancer researchers to create live tumors with a 3D printer
- Liverpool team preps Arion1 Velocipede for speed challenge 2015
- A civil war inside our cells: Scientists show how our bodies fight off 'jumping genes'
- Improve your selfie: Researcher can predict a photo's popularity
- Researchers find carbon reactions with basalt can form carbonate minerals faster than thought
- Deposits of phosphorites could be geological signpost of life
- Function found for mysterious heart disease gene
- It's not all wedded bliss: Marital stress linked to depression
- Taking human-technology interaction to the next level
- New genome-editing platform significantly increases accuracy of CRISPR-based systems
Astronomy & Space news
Cracker-sized satellites launch into orbit
(Phys.org) —After years of planning and several last-minute delays, about 100 Cornell-developed mini satellites demonstrating space flight at its simplest have launched into orbit and are now circling Earth.
NASA's BARREL returns successful from Antarctica
Three months, 20 balloons, and one very successful campaign: The team for NASA's BARREL – short for Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic Electron Losses—mission returned from Antarctica in March 2014. In a new NASA Flickr gallery, the team shared their images from weeks of work in the constant sun of the South Pole summer.
Lower limbs for Robonaut 2 are aboard the International Space Station
(Phys.org) —Getting your "space legs" in Earth orbit has taken on new meaning for NASA's pioneering Robonaut program.
First JPSS-1 satellite instrument is ready for installation
The first of five instruments that will fly on JPSS-1, NOAA's next polar orbiting environmental satellite, successfully completed pre-shipment review last week. The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) will be on board the JPSS-1 satellite mission scheduled to launch in early 2017.
LADEE sees zodiacal light before crashing into moon, but Apollo mystery remains
NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) literally 'saw the light' just days before crashing into the lunar farside last Thursday April 17. Skimming just a few kilometers above the moon's surface, mission controllers took advantage of this unique low angle to gaze out over the moon's horizon in complete darkness much like the Apollo astronauts did from lunar orbit more than 40 years ago.
Equipped with new sensors, Morpheus preps to tackle landing on its own
(Phys.org) —A test flight later this week will challenge a set of sensors to map out a 65-yard square of boulder-sized hazards and pick out a safe place to land.
NASA tests Orion's parachute performance over Arizona
(Phys.org) —The team designing the parachute system for NASA's Orion spacecraft has demonstrated almost every parachute failure they could imagine. But on April 23, they tested how the system would perform if the failure wasn't in the parachutes.
Traces of recent water on Mars
New research has shown that there was liquid water on Mars as recently as 200,000 years ago. The results have been published in Icarus ( International Journal for Solar System Studies). "We have discovered a very young crater in the southern mid-latitudes of Mars that shows evidence of liquid water in Mars' recent past," says Andreas Johnsson at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Curiosity spies asteroids from Mars surface for the first time
(Phys.org) —A new image from NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is the first ever from the surface of Mars to show an asteroid, and it shows two: Ceres and Vesta.
SpaceX sues US Air Force over satellite contracts
SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the US Air Force over its decision to issue multibillion dollar national security launch contracts with a single company, CEO Elon Musk said Friday.
Star is discovered to be a close neighbor of the Sun and the coldest of its kind
(Phys.org) —A "brown dwarf" star that appears to be the coldest of its kind—as frosty as Earth's North Pole—has been discovered by a Penn State University astronomer using NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and Spitzer Space Telescopes. Images from the space telescopes also pinpointed the object's distance at 7.2 light-years away, making it the fourth closest system to our Sun.
Technology news
Netflix joining line-up of three US cable-TV services
Netflix's Internet video service is about to join the programming line-up of three small cable-TV providers in the U.S.
Sina suspends book site after pornography reported
Sina.com temporarily closed its literature site Friday after being accused of hosting pornography, and authorities confirmed they were revoking two crucial licenses, ensnaring one of China's top web portals in an intensifying online crackdown.
Haptic technology aims to overcome physical and psychological effects of upper limb loss
To understand the meaning of "proprioception," try a simple experiment. Close your eyes and lift your right arm above your head. Then, move it down so that it's parallel to the ground. Make a fist and release it. Move it forward, and then swing it around behind you like you're stretching. Finally, freeze in place, open your eyes, and look. Is your arm positioned where you thought it would be?
Retailers get creative with Pinterest
Target, Nordstrom and other big chains are literally pinning their hopes of attracting shoppers on social media.
Google+ boss leaving the company
The executive credited with bringing the Google+ social network to life is leaving the Internet colossus after playing a key role there for nearly eight years.
Pinterest adds search tool for finding fun 'pins'
Pinterest launched a tool to help people quickly sift through the roughly 30 billion 'Pins' on the service's online bulletin boards to find what they like.
Facebook woos journalists with 'FB Newswire'
Facebook launched Thursday FB Newswire, billed as an online trove of real-time information for journalists and newsrooms to mine while reporting on events or crafting stories.
Web conference in Brazil calls for multistakeholder approach
Delegates to an international conference on how the Internet should be governed called for a transparent, multi-stakeholder approach.
Researcher finds greatest dangers to nuclear facilities are sabotage and theft from insiders
(Phys.org) —Insider threats are the most serious challenge confronting nuclear facilities in today's world, a Stanford political scientist says.
How to fix the Internet's plumbing problem
(Phys.org) —Twenty-five years ago, an engineer at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva Switzerland, had an idea that would change the world. Tim Berners Lee sent a memo to his colleagues at the world's largest particle physics laboratory proposing a way for all of its computers—and eventually all the computers in the world—to talk to each other. This memo marks the birth of the World Wide Web.
Smart components that assemble themselves
Skylar Tibbits SM '10 was constructing a massive museum installation with thousands of pieces when he had an epiphany. "Imagine yourself facing months on end assembling this thing, thinking there's got to be a better way," he says. A designer and architect, Tibbits was accustomed to modeling and fabricating his complex, architecturally sophisticated sculptures with computation. It suddenly struck him: "With all this information that was used to design the structure and communicate with fabrication machines, there's got to be a way these parts can build themselves."
Data mashups can help answer the world's biggest questions
As the world wakes up to the power of data, we need to start working out how to join up all this information. We need to turn it into meaningful findings that will help us to make changes to the way we live. A new technique is emerging as part of this quest – the data mashup. This approach to linking data could help us shed light on phenomena such as the health impacts of climate change.
Novel system uses microbes to treat, extract power from wastewater
Each day, breweries and wineries produce thousands of gallons of wastewater, which is either poured down the drain or shipped to treatment facilities at a high cost to the companies.
Taking human-technology interaction to the next level
(Phys.org) —Modern military defense planning is already heavily focused on how to gain strategic advantage through brainpower. Another significant step in that direction could result from an Arizona State University engineer's new research on using cognitive abilities to control defense operations in more direct ways than ever.
Nokia, Microsoft complete $7.5B cellphone deal (Update 2)
Nokia says it has completed the 5.44 billion-euro ($7.5 billion) sale of its troubled cellphone and services division to Microsoft, ending a chapter in the former world leading cellphone maker's history that began with paper making in 1865.
Apple applies for patent on 'Interactive Three-Dimensional Display System'
(Phys.org) —Apple Inc. has applied for a patent on an interactive hologram device. In its application, the maker of iPhones, iPads and other devices, describes a new device that could project a holographic 3D image into a small space—the image projected could then be manipulated using human hands, responding to swipes, squeezing, etc.
Improve your selfie: Researcher can predict a photo's popularity
(Phys.org) —Want to rack up more views for your selfie? We can't all take our photos with the president, but a new tool developed by an MIT PhD can help us predict how popular our photos will be.
Liverpool team preps Arion1 Velocipede for speed challenge 2015
(Phys.org) —A speed history-making cycle is being prepared by a team of eight determined UK engineering students. They have ambitions to unleash a vehicle capable of reaching a top speed of 90 mph by pedal power alone. As such, it could become the fastest human-powered vehicle in history. The name of this vehicle is the Arion1 Velocipede. The design is by Liverpool University students, known as the ULVT (University of Liverpool Velocipede Team). They hope to break the 83.13 mph record set last year by TU Delft and VU Amsterdam universities. The competition to break the record for the fastest human powered vehicle is governed by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA), which hosts an annual event, the World Human Powered Speed Challenge, an event that takes place under rigorous test conditions in Battle Mountain, Nevada.
Nissan develops first 'self-cleaning' car prototype (w/ Video)
Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan in Europe has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.
Medicine & Health news
NKF: Poor kidney function tied to higher incident cancer rates
(HealthDay)—Poor kidney function, measured by a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR), is independently associated with a higher risk of incident cancer, compared to participants with preserved GFR, according to a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation's 2014 Spring Clinical Meetings, held from April 22 to 26 in Las Vegas.
Singaporeans defy ban on e-cigarettes
Singaporeans are defying a ban on electronic cigarettes despite stiff fines for distributors and smugglers, health authorities said Friday.
Study examines increase in lung cancer risk from combined radon and tobacco smoke exposure
In the words of Dr. Ellen Hahn, professor in the University of Kentucky's colleges of nursing and public health, Kentucky has the "triple crown of lung cancer" - the country's highest rate of smoking combined with high rates of second-hand smoke exposure and high levels of radon exposure.
Where will calorie labels appear? Not just menus
Diners could soon see calorie counts on menus of chain restaurants.
FDA's 'first step' on tobacco rule is positive but not big enough, says the American Heart Association
American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comments today on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposed rule to regulate e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products:
Interactive training halves malaria overdiagnosis and prevents wastage of drugs
Interactive training programmes for health workers could reduce overdiagnosis of malaria by half and help prevent valuable drugs from being wasted on patients who don't have the disease, according to new research published on World Malaria Day in The Lancet Global Health. The study shows that the roll-out of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in endemic countries should run alongside these new training programmes.
New high-detail atlas offers tool to explore local environment and health
Researchers have launched a detailed atlas with environment and health maps at a fine scale across England and Wales.
Health promotion efforts in schools really do improve health
(Medical Xpress)—Can school efforts really persuade kids not to smoke, spur teens to exercise and get little ones to eat more fruits and veggies? Yes, if these efforts are part of a schoolwide program that promotes healthy behaviors on multiple fronts, according to the results of the most comprehensive study on the effects of these programs completed to date.
Sorafenib shows success in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer patients
(Medical Xpress)—The kidney and liver cancer drug sorafenib holds metastatic thyroid cancer at bay for nearly twice as long as a placebo, according to a new study from researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania published in the journal Lancet. This is the first effective treatment for thyroid cancer patients who progress following standard treatments.
'Mostly heterosexuals' have more health problems, says survey
(Medical Xpress)—The largest minority on the sexual-orientation spectrum – the mostly heterosexuals, estimated at around 7 percent of the general adult population – report more health problems than heterosexuals and somewhat fewer than bisexuals.
How to build a brain-machine interface
Devices that tap directly into the nervous system can restore sensation, movement or cognitive function. These technologies, called brain-machine interfaces or BMIs, are on the rise, increasingly providing assistance to people who need it most. But what exactly does it take to build a BMI?
The risk of traffic accident injury depends on sex and age
Young men are more likely to injure themselves on the road or crossing a street than women, but among the elderly females are more vulnerable. This is according to a study on injuries and citizen mobility undertaken by researchers from the Barcelona Public Health Agency.
Researchers identify potential new strategy to treat ovarian cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists studying cancerous tumour tissues in a laboratory believe they have identified a potential new strategy to treat ovarian cancer – which affects around 7,000 women in the UK each year.
Seeking the causes of hyperactivity
The 60 trillion cells that comprise our bodies communicate constantly. Information travels when chemical compounds released by some cells are received by receptors in the membrane of another cell. In a paper published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the OIST Cell Signal Unit, led by Professor Tadashi Yamamoto, reported that mice lacking an intracellular trafficking protein called LMTK3, are hyperactive. Hyperactivity is a behavioral disorder that shows symptoms including restlessness, lack of coordination, and aggressive behavior. Identifying the genetic factors that contribute to such behaviors may help to explain the pathological mechanisms underlying autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, in humans.
New sensor molecules have potential for early cancer detection
A research team lead by Academy Professor Kari Rissanen at the University of Jyväskylä has discovered a new water-soluble fluorescent detection system that is extremely sensitive to pyrophosphate (PPi).
Interplay of rhythms makes brain centers communicate
Tübingen neuroscientists say differing rhythms coordinate the neural activity governing movement.
Scientists find connection between gene mutation, key symptoms of autism
Scientists have known that abnormal brain growth is associated with autism spectrum disorder. However, the relationship between the two has not been well understood.
Study reaffirms soy-dairy protein blend increases muscle mass
A new study published online in the Journal of Applied Physiology shows additional benefits of consuming a blend of soy and dairy proteins after resistance exercise for building muscle mass. Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch found that using a protein blend of soy, casein and whey post-workout prolongs the delivery of select amino acids to the muscle for an hour longer than using whey alone. It also shows a prolonged increase in amino acid net balance across the leg muscle during early post-exercise recovery, suggesting prolonged muscle building.
Saturday is national drug take-back day
(HealthDay)—If you have expired, unused or unwanted drugs in your medicine cabinet, you can safely dispose of them on National Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday.
Winter's polar vortex ushers in spring's 'pollen vortex'
(HealthDay)— You may have survived the worst this winter's polar vortex had to throw at you, but if you suffer from allergies, better brace yourself for its sibling—the "pollen vortex."
FDA approves sylvant for multicentric castleman's disease
(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Sylvant (siltuximab) to treat patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), according to a news release issued by the agency today.
Oligomers' role in the development of Parkinson's disease
Researchers at Aarhus University, Denmark, have drawn up the most detailed 'image of the enemy' to date of one of the body's most important players in the development of Parkinson's disease. This provides much greater understanding of the battle taking place when the disease occurs – knowledge that is necessary if we are to understand and treat Parkinsonism. However, it also raises an existential question because part of the conclusion is that we do not live forever!
'Beneficial inflammation' may promote healing in pulmonary fibrosis
Inflammation has long been considered an integral part of the biological process that leads to deadly scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. New research at National Jewish Health, however, suggests that a little inflammation may also be crucial to the healing and repair processes in the lungs. Elizabeth Redente, PhD, assistant professor of cell biology at National Jewish Health, and her colleagues report in the April 2014 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α can speed recovery of injured lungs and accelerate the resolution of established fibrosis in a mouse model.
Revolutionary 'metamaterial' has potential to reshape neurosurgery
The development of graphene—a highly advanced metamaterial with many unique and varied properties—may lead to exciting new applications in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, according to a report in the May issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Study finds almost half of homeless men had traumatic brain injury in their life
Almost half of all homeless men who took part in a study by St. Michael's Hospital had suffered at least one traumatic brain injury in their life and 87 per cent of those injuries occurred before the men lost their homes.
Saudi MERS death toll now 87
Saudi Arabia announced Friday two more deaths from the MERS coronavirus, taking the country's toll to 87, a day after King Abdullah tried to reassure a worried public.
Smoking, drinking combo raises odds for esophageal cancer
(HealthDay)—People who smoke and drink are nearly twice as likely to develop esophageal cancer as those with only one of those unhealthy habits, a new study indicates.
Statin users eating more bad food than a decade ago, study shows
(HealthDay)—Many Americans who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs seem to believe they can eat plenty of unhealthy foods without suffering any consequences, a new study suggests.
Dermatologist care tied to better self-detection of melanoma
(HealthDay)—Patients with self-detected primary melanoma who have an established dermatologist are more likely to have thinner lesions at the time of diagnosis, according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Serum marker predicts cardiovascular events in diabetes
(HealthDay)—Elevated levels of polyclonal serum immunoglobulin combined free light chains (cFLCs) may indicate adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to research published online April 17 in Diabetes Care.
Impact of rising incidence of measles discussed
(HealthDay)—With the rising incidence of measles, the importance of vaccination should be emphasized and precautions must be exercised in cases of suspected measles, according to a commentary piece published online April 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Physician groups find fault with medicare payment data release
(HealthDay)—Physician groups cite major problems associated with the release of Medicare payment data, according to an article published April 16 in Medical Economics.
Brazil probes suspected case of mad cow disease
Brazil is probing a suspected case of "atypical" mad cow disease detected in the country, one of the world's biggest beef exporters, authorities said Friday.
WTO could rule on Australia anti-tobacco law this year
Attempts by tobacco-producing nations to sink Australia's landmark plain packaging law for cigarettes and cigars picked up pace Friday, as WTO members approved a broad probe on whether Canberra has broken the rules of global commerce.
FDA reviews psychiatric side effects of Chantix
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday it will convene a public meeting in October to review the risks of psychiatric and behavioral side effects with Pfizer's anti-smoking drug Chantix.
Drugmaker developing abuse-deterrent painkiller
The San Diego company that makes the powerful new prescription painkiller Zohydro is selling off its migraine therapy business to focus on developing abuse-resistant forms of Zohydro.
Genome regions once mislabeled 'junk' linked to heart failure
(Medical Xpress)—Large sections of the genome that were once referred to as "junk" DNA have been linked to human heart failure, according to research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Function found for mysterious heart disease gene
A new study from researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), published today in Cell Reports, sheds light on a mysterious gene that likely influences cardiovascular health. After five years, UOHI researchers now know how one genetic variant works and suspect that it contributes to the development of heart disease through processes that promote chronic inflammation and cell division.
It's not all wedded bliss: Marital stress linked to depression
(Medical Xpress)—Marital stress may make people more vulnerable to depression, according to a recent study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and their colleagues.
Biology news
Yurok Tribe to release condors in California
The Yurok Tribe has signed agreements with state and federal agencies that will lead to the first release of captive-bred condors into Northern California's Redwood Coast.
App brings wildflower identification to your fingertips
(Phys.org) —Information about the Pacific Northwest's wide array of wildflowers is just a swipe away with a new mobile app designed in part by botanists at Oregon State University.
Antibiotics from mangroves
Researchers at the Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia have conducted a study on the mangrove ecosystem to search for actinomycetes bacteria. The mangrove ecosystem is known as a highly productive habitat for isolating actinomycetes, which has the potential of producing biologically active secondary metabolites.
Brown recluse spiders active from March through October
'Tis the season – for creepy, crawly things that seemingly come from nowhere. And one to watch for is the brown recluse spider.
GWorkS-model simulates crop operations in greenhouses
Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture and Wageningen University, group Farm Technology developed a simulation model for labour in greenhouses.
Genetic legacy of rare dwarf trees is widespread
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found genetic evidence that one of Britain's native tree species, the dwarf birch found in the Scottish Highlands, was once common in England.
Shedding new light on coffee
World Coffee Research, part of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University in College Station, is hoping to shed new light on the origin of Yemeni coffee through a genetic diversity study in conjunction with Sana'a University of Yemen.
Spiders in space weave a web of scientific inspiration for Spider-Man fans
While spiders were busy spinning webs in space, researchers on Earth weaved their knowledge of this activity into educational materials to inspire and motivate students. Now, this free, Web-based guide is being re-released through Scholastic and Sony Pictures as curriculum for educators to leap on the excitement surrounding the release of the film, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
Many genes are switched on by default
Contrary to common scientific belief, many genes are switched "on" by default. These findings are from a study by Prof. Dr. Frank Holstege of University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht that has been published in the April 24 edition of Cell.
Avoiding alien marine invaders
Picture a young man seated on the deck of an old wooden sailing ship, a whaling vessel made of white oak, yellow pine and hemlock, built in 1841, the last of its kind. He is reading—what else?—"Moby Dick."
Molecular transporters that drive plant responses to drought and salinity
Plants employ a remarkable range of mechanisms to sense and adapt to their environment and to maintain a strict biochemical balance across cells, tissues and organs. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial to developing crop varieties that can sustain high yields under poor growth conditions.
Researchers find first evidence of fat-regulating hormone in avian species
(Phys.org) —Since leptin was discovered 20 years ago, more than 115,000 papers have been published on this protein in humans, and another 5,000 have appeared on leptin in mice.
Hamster-sized deer born in Spain
The latest specimen of the world's tiniest deer—a rare species no bigger than a hamster—has been born in a nature park in southern Spain, conservationists said on Friday.
German mini drones rescue Bambis from hay shredders
A German wildlife rescue project is deploying small aerial drones to find and protect young deer hiding in tall grass from being shredded by combine harvesters cutting hay in spring.
Researchers link aging to cellular interactions that occur across generations
(Phys.org) —The evidence for what causes aging has typically been limited to the study of a single organism's lifespan; our cells divide many times throughout our lives and eventually cause organs and our bodies to age and break down. But new research from the UNC School of Medicine suggests that how we age might depend on cellular interactions that we inherit from ancestors throughout many generations.
New genome-editing platform significantly increases accuracy of CRISPR-based systems
A next-generation genome editing system developed by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators substantially decreases the risk of producing unwanted, off-target gene mutations. In a paper receiving online publication in Nature Biotechnology, the researchers report a new CRISPR-based RNA-guided nuclease technology that uses two guide RNAs, significantly reducing the chance of cutting through DNA strands at mismatched sites.
A civil war inside our cells: Scientists show how our bodies fight off 'jumping genes'
There's a civil war going on inside every one of the 37 trillion cells in your body. Now, University of Michigan scientists have uncovered how your cells keep this war from causing too much collateral damage.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to learn how DNA wraps tightly around nucleosomes
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers working at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing, has used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal how it is that DNA wraps so tightly around nuclesomes. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes how they managed to identify the path of linker DNA. Andrew Travers offers a Perspective piece in the same issue explaining the team's findings and what it might mean for DNA research in the future.
Engineering breakthrough will allow cancer researchers to create live tumors with a 3D printer
(Phys.org) —Drexel's Wei Sun, PhD, Albert Soffa chair professor in the College of Engineering, has devised a method for 3D printing tumors that could soon be taking cancer research out of the petri dish.
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