Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 21, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Best of Last Week—Confirmed Earth-sized planet, testing twin paradox w/o a spaceship and news we all peak at 24- What you see is where you go: Fruit fly visual interneurons may compute temporal integration of visual motion
- Study casts doubt on climate benefit of biofuels from corn residue
- Making graphene in your kitchen
- A plague in your family: The independent evolution of harmful organisms from one bacterial family
- Krypton used to accurately date ancient Antarctic ice
- More questions than answers as mystery of domestication deepens
- Atom probe assisted dating of oldest piece of earth
- High-temperature plasmonics eyed for solar, computer innovation
- Study of equatorial ridge on Iapetus suggests exogenic origin
- Sampling study suggests Mississippi River has ample sand to prevent delta land loss
- New material coating technology mimics nature's lotus effect (w/ video)
- Hydrogen sulfide nanoreporters gather intel on oil before pumping
- Study clarifies action of potential new class of pain relievers that may benefit, not hurt, the heart
- Directing charges through single molecules: Progress made in developing nanoscale electronics
Astronomy & Space news
Testing immune cells on the International Space Station
The human body is fine-tuned to Earth's gravity. A team headed by Professor Oliver Ullrich from the University of Zurich's Institute of Anatomy is now conducting an experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) to study whether this also applies to human cells. On the evening of April 18, the transporter spaceship Dragon lifted off from the Cape Canaveral launch center in Florida with a cargo of UZH immune cells on board.
Another fireball explodes over Russia
Why does Russia seem to get so many bright meteors? Well at 6.6 million square miles it's by far the largest country in the world plus, with dashboard-mounted cameras being so commonplace (partly to help combat insurance fraud) statistically it just makes sense that Russians would end up seeing more meteors, and then be able to share the experience with the rest of the world!
NASA image: God of the Gap
(Phys.org) —Saturn's moon Pan, named for the Greek god of shepherds, rules over quite a different domain: the Encke gap in Saturn's rings.
'Upside-down planet' reveals new method for studying binary star systems
What looked at first like a sort of upside-down planet has instead revealed a new method for studying binary star systems, discovered by a University of Washington student astronomer.
NASA: Engineer vital to 1969 moon landing dies
John C. Houbolt, an engineer whose contributions to the U.S. space program were vital to NASA's successful moon landing in 1969, has died. He was 95.
Easter morning delivery for space station
Space station astronauts got a special Easter treat: a cargo ship full of supplies. The shipment arrived Sunday morning via the SpaceX company's Dragon cargo capsule.
ISEE-3 comes to visit Earth
(Phys.org) —It launched in 1978. It was the first satellite to study the constant flow of solar wind streaming toward Earth from a stable orbit point between our planet and the sun known as the Lagrangian 1, or L1. Monitoring that wind helped scientists better understand the interconnected sun-Earth system, which at its most turbulent can affect satellites around Earth.
NASA's MMS observatories stacked for testing
(Phys.org) —Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., accomplished another first. Using a large overhead crane, they mated two Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, observatories – also called mini-stacks—at a time, to construct a full four-stack of observatories.
MESSENGER completes its 3,000th orbit of Mercury, sets mark for closest approach
(Phys.org) —On April 20, MESSENGER completed its 3,000th orbit of Mercury and moved closer to the planet than any spacecraft has been before, dropping to an altitude of 199 kilometers (123.7 miles) above the planet's surface.
NASA's space station Robonaut finally getting legs
Robonaut, the first out-of-this-world humanoid, is finally getting its space legs. For three years, Robonaut has had to manage from the waist up. This new pair of legs means the experimental robot—now stuck on a pedestal—is going mobile at the International Space Station.
Study of equatorial ridge on Iapetus suggests exogenic origin
(Phys.org) —A combined team of researchers from Brown University in Rhode Island and the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Texas is suggesting in a paper they've uploaded to the preprint server arXiv, that an equatorial mountainous ridge on one of Saturn's moons has an exogenic origin. They are basing their theory on 3D models of the moon they've created and an analysis of the types of peaks present.
Technology news
Four questions about missing Malaysian plane answered
Travelers at Asian airports have asked questions about the March 8 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Here are some of them, followed by answers.
Hackers of Oman news agency target Bouteflika
Hackers on Sunday targeted the website of Oman's official news agency, singling out and mocking Algeria's newly re-elected president Abdelaziz Bouteflika as a handicapped "dictator".
Twitter blocks two accounts on its Turkish network
Twitter blocked two accounts on Sunday that had been used to spread corruption allegations against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his government and his inner circle.
S. Korea prosecutors turn to mobile app for ferry probe
Prosecutors probing South Korea's ferry disaster have turned to a popular mobile chat service to reconstruct the final moments of hundreds feared to have perished on board the sinking ship.
Birch Communications buying Cbeyond for $323M
Birch Communications Inc. is buying technology and communications equipment provider Cbeyond for about $323 million.
'Russian Facebook' accepts founder's resignation
Russia's top social network said Monday it had accepted the resignation of its founder, Pavel Durov, after he announced earlier this month he was leaving and then apparently changed his mind.
Gates-funded student data group to shut down
The head of a student data processing organization says it will shut down in the coming months following criticism that led to the recent loss of its last active client—New York state.
Airbnb rental site raises $450 mn
Online lodging listings website Airbnb inked a $450 million funding deal with investors led by TPG, a source close to the matter said Friday.
Health care site flagged in Heartbleed review
People with accounts on the enrollment website for President Barack Obama's signature health care law are being told to change their passwords following an administration-wide review of the government's vulnerability to the confounding Heartbleed computer virus.
Ex-Apple chief plans mobile phone for India
Former Apple chief executive John Sculley, whose marketing skills helped bring the personal computer to desktops worldwide, says he plans to launch a mobile phone in India to exploit its still largely untapped smartphone market.
Chinese tech giant Alibaba set to make a splash with US IPO
The largest tech IPO of the year will come from a company that many Americans have never heard of. Alibaba Group - a Chinese e-commerce behemoth - has decided to go public in the U.S. after months of speculation that it would list in Hong Kong. The company could raise up to $15 billion at an estimated valuation of up to $200 billion.
4.5 million smartphones were lost or stolen in US in 2013
A report released Thursday said 4.5 million smartphones were lost or stolen in the U.S. last year, up from 2.8 million in 2012.
Monoprice takes on Amazon in trade of cheap electronics
You'd only have to drive by the empty shells of Circuit City stores, and soon RadioShacks, to see why a company in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., represents a nightmare for the retail electronics industry.
Retailers contort brick-and-mortar experience to fit phone-sized space
Diamond retailer Blue Nile prides itself on being one of the pioneers of e-commerce, but its first inkling that smartphones would bring yet another revolution to the online marketplace took the company completely by surprise.
To prevent data theft, businesses race to adopt new technology
Recent high-profile data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus have accelerated plans by banks and retailers to implement technologies they say will prevent hackers from stealing consumers' account information.
Troy Wolverton: Fire TV needs work to reach potential
Consumers wanting to watch Internet videos on the big screen in their living room now have one more intriguing option: Amazon.com's new Fire TV digital media player.
Growing app industry has developers racing to keep up
Smartphone application developers say they are challenged by the glut of apps as well as the need to update their software to keep up with evolving phone technology, making creative pricing strategies essential to finding their niche.
Airport security officers at TSA gaining insight from Sandia human behavior studies
A recent Sandia National Laboratories study offers insight into how a federal transportation security officer's thought process can influence decisions made during airport baggage screening, findings that are helping the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) improve the performance of its security officers.
Court to hear dispute over Internet TV broadcasts (Update)
Thirty years after failing to convince the Supreme Court of the threat posed by home video recordings, big U.S. media companies are back and now trying to rein in another technological innovation they say threatens their financial well-being.
Study will help counties cope with deficient bridges
(Phys.org) —Deteriorated or outdated bridges along the less-traveled back roads of Kansas are a budget dilemma for county leaders throughout the state.
The science of detecting and defeating radiological threats
If you were at the Super Bowl in New Jersey in February, or at the concurrent "NFL Experience" in Manhattan, you may have spotted some elite Brookhaven Lab employees. Not cheering in the stands or even inside the stadium, these members of the Lab's Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team were working on Super Bowl Sunday and for several weeks beforehand to monitor the metropolitan area for potential radiological threats.
TCS, Mitsubishi to create new Japan IT services firm
India's biggest outsourcing firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Japan's Mitsubishi Corp said Monday they are teaming up to create a Japanese software services provider with annual revenues of $600 million.
First steps towards "Experimental Literature 2.0"
As part of a student's thesis, the Laboratory of Digital Humanities at EPFL has developed an application that aims at rearranging literary works by changing their chapter order. "The human simulation" a saga written by the Swiss writer Daniel de Roulet and whose tenth and final volume was released today, is the basis for this experiment.
More red ink for US newspapers in latest survey
US newspapers suffered further revenue declines in 2013, seeing only mixed success in a transition to digital, according to industry figures.
AT&T explores expansion of super-fast Internet
AT&T says it will expand super-fast Internet services to as many as 100 additional cities in 25 metropolitan areas.
Apple offering free recycling of all used products
Apple is offering free recycling of all its used products and vowing to power all of its stores, offices and data centers with renewable energy to reduce the pollution caused by its devices and online services.
Netflix attracts 2.25M US subscribers in 1Q
Netflix's first-quarter earnings soared as another season of the popular political drama "House of Cards" helped attract an additional 2.25 million subscribers to the Internet video service.
Netflix poised to raise prices after strong 1Q
Netflix is preparing to raise its Internet video subscription prices by as much as $2 per month this summer to help pay for more programming such as its popular political drama "House of Cards."
Going nuts? Turkey looks to pistachios to heat new eco-city
Pistachios are already a key ingredient in Turkish baklava, but the country may now have found a new way to exploit the nuts known as "green gold"—by using their shells to heat a new eco-city.
Finnish inventor rethinks design of the axe
(Phys.org) —Finnish inventor Heikki Kärnä is the man behind the Vipukirves Leveraxe, which is a precision tool for splitting firewood. He designed the tool to make the job easier and more efficient, with no need for an external source of energy. In short, he has redesigned the axe. This is a lever-based axe. The axe head is attached to the handle from the side and not through the center. This results in the center of gravity of the axe head being to one side of the center line of strike. Leveraxe is based on a lever mechanism and rotational action.
Researchers use Twitter to predict crime
Hidden in the Twittersphere are nuggets of information that could prove useful to crime fighters—even before a crime has been committed.
Nintendo's trailblazing Game Boy marks 25th anniversary
Nintendo's trailblazing Game Boy marks its 25th anniversary on Monday with the portable device's legacy living on in cutting-edge smartphone games and among legions of nostalgic fans.
Review: With Galaxy S5, Samsung proves less can be more
Samsung Electronics Co. has produced the most formidable rival yet to the iPhone 5S: the Galaxy S5. The device, released over the weekend, is the fifth edition of the company's successful line of Galaxy S smartphones. Its predecessor, the Galaxy S4, sold more than 10 million units worldwide just one month after being launched last year.
Japan's digital eyes show your emotions for you
Can't be bothered to show anyone what you're thinking? Then a Japanese scientist has the answer—a pair of digital eyes that can express delight and anger, or even feign boredom.
Students design 'nested' dumpster to slash shipping costs
(Phys.org) —Behind strip malls and fast-food restaurants, they stand solid, dependable and mostly forgotten, awaiting our refuse.
Students take clot-buster for a spin
(Phys.org) —In the hands of some Rice University senior engineering students, a fishing rod is more than what it seems. For them, it's a way to help destroy blood clots that threaten lives.
Google Trends info is placed on inbox duty for subscribers
(Phys.org) —Google Trends has added a new service to its mix, where users can enter email subscriptions for Google Trends, and can be sent notifications on topics of interest, showing them what is popular around the web now and in the past. The email notification service offers people signing up to be notified by email periodically about the popularity of specified search terms.
Medicine & Health news
AMA examines economic impact of physicians
(HealthDay)—Physicians who mainly engage in patient care contribute a total of $1.6 trillion in economic output, according to the American Medical Association (AMA)'s Economic Impact Study.
Valeant to bid for Botox maker Allergan
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has teamed up with activist investor Bill Ackman to make a bid for Botox maker Allergan.
Collaborative care model manages depression, anxiety in patients with heart disease
A telephone-based collaborative care model helped manage depression and anxiety, and improved health-related quality of life in patients with heart disease.
Treating depression in Parkinson's patients
A group of scientists from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has found interesting new information in a study on depression and neuropsychological function in Parkinson's disease (PD).
Philippines boosts MERS monitoring after UAE nurse scare
The Philippines said Saturday it was stepping up its defences against the deadly MERS virus, with the large numbers of Filipino workers in the Middle East seen as potential carriers.
Filipino tests negative for Middle East virus
A Filipino nurse who tested positive for the Middle East virus has been found free of infection in a subsequent examination after he returned home, Philippine health officials said Saturday.
UAE reports 12 new cases of MERS
Health authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announced 12 new cases of infection by the MERS coronavirus, but insisted the patients would be cured within two weeks.
Two expats die of MERS in Saudi commercial hub
Two foreigners died of MERS in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the health ministry said Saturday, as fears rise over the spreading respiratory virus in the kingdom's commercial hub.
Ebola has killed 61 in Guinea since January
The Ebola virus has claimed 61 lives in Guinea out of 109 laboratory-confirmed cases since January, the government said Saturday.
West Africa's Ebola outbreak prompts changes in I.Coast cuisine
West Africa's first outbreak of Ebola fever is bad news for gourmets in Ivory Coast, but brings respite from the hunter to species sought out for tasty meat but feared to carry the disease.
Low tolerance for pain? The reason may be in your genes
Researchers may have identified key genes linked to why some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014.
Navy OKs changes for submariners' sleep schedules
The U.S. Navy has endorsed changes to submarine sailors' schedules based on research into sleep patterns by a military laboratory in Connecticut.
How to keep your fitness goals on track
(HealthDay)—The New Year's resolutions many made to get fit have stalled by now. And one expert thinks that's because many people set their goals too high.
Less-schooled whites lose longevity, study finds
Barbara Gentry slowly shifts her heavy frame out of a chair and uses a walker to move the dozen feet to a chair not far from the pool table at the Buford Senior Center. Her hair is white and a cough sometimes interrupts her speech, but she says she enjoys coming to the center for bingo. It beats staying home alone, the 64-year-old says.
Saudi Arabia reports three more deaths from MERS virus
Saudi Arabia's health ministry says three more patients who contracted a potentially fatal Middle East virus related to SARS have died amid a recent increase in infections.
Scientists make critical end-stage liver discovery
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers in the University of Arizona's College of Pharmacy has discovered a molecular pathway that could be key to creating new therapeutics that would slow or even reverse the progression of end-stage liver disease.
Solving cancer's secrets
Some fathers play ball with their sons. Or take them fishing. Chuck Perou's father took his son to his pathology lab to show him how a pathologist conducts tests and runs experiments. Perou, a nature junky at a young age, learned precisely how things go wrong in the human body to cause disease. He learned what could be done about disease and what sometimes couldn't. Fascinated, the young Perou seemed destined to study what makes one kind of tumor deadly and another curable.
Research explores health care support for young adults with ASD
How difficult would it be to abruptly be plopped down in a foreign country, with no knowledge of the culture and language—no translation handbook—while learning how to drive for the first time?
When bad news are good news for neurodegenerative diseases
Some genetic diseases caused by an abnormal repeat in the DNA are known to become more severe with each new generation - this dreadful trait is called anticipation. Now a study by Portuguese researchers from Porto University has proved, for the first time, the existence of anticipation in diseases caused by a different type of error in the fatal neurodegenerative disorder Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP).
Meth mouth menace
Something was up in Idaho. While visiting a friend in Athol, a small town north of Coeur d'Alene, Jennifer Towers, director of research affairs at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, noticed a lot of people in their 20s and 30s with really bad tooth decay, missing teeth and even full dentures.
Harm-reduction program optimizes HIV/AIDS prevention
(Medical Xpress)—New research from UC San Francisco and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation has found that clients participating in a harm-reduction substance use treatment program, the Stonewall Project, decrease their use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine, and reduce their sexual risk behavior.
Meta-analysis tests vitamin D supplementation for weight loss theory
A Curtin University study has cast doubt on claims vitamin D helps with fat loss after a meta-analysis of 12 high-quality vitamin D randomised control trials showed it had little impact on adiposity or obesity measures.
Melanesian offspring prove less susceptible to malaria
Melanesian children have lower fatality rates due to severe malaria than children in other geographic regions, according to UWA researchers.
New approach may help manage the most troubling symptoms of dementia, lessen use of drugs
A new approach to handling agitation, aggression and other unwanted behaviors by people with dementia may help reduce the use of antipsychotics and other psychiatric drugs in this population, and make life easier for them and their caregivers, a team of experts says.
Why alcoholism saps muscle strength
Muscle weakness is a common symptom of both long-time alcoholics and patients with mitochondrial disease. Now researchers have found a common link: mitochondria that are unable to self-repair. The results will be published online April 21 in The Journal of Cell Biology. The link to self-repair provides researchers both a new way to diagnose mitochondrial disease, and a new drug target.
Ginseng can treat and prevent influenza and RSV, researcher finds
Ginseng can help treat and prevent influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages, according to research findings by a scientist in Georgia State University's new Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
Financial incentives help economically-disadvantaged pregnant smokers quit and improve fetal growth
Smoking during pregnancy – particularly among economically-disadvantaged women – leads to a host of poor pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm birth, SIDS, and additional adverse effects later in life. Without a formal treatment intervention, women in this population continue to smoke, and their babies suffer. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health Director Stephen Higgins, Ph.D., and colleagues, have developed an effective behavioral economic approach that offers women financial incentives for quitting.
People selectively remember the details of atrocities that absolve in-group members
Conversations about wartime atrocities often omit certain details. According to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, these omissions can lead people to have different memories for the event depending on social group membership.
Mental illness not usually linked to crime, research finds
In a study of crimes committed by people with serious mental disorders, only 7.5 percent were directly related to symptoms of mental illness, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Scientists target receptor to treat diabetic retinopathy
Like a daily pill to lower cholesterol can reduce heart attack and stroke risk, an easy-to-use agent that reduces eye inflammation could help save the vision of diabetics, scientists say.
Regulating legal marijuana could be guided by lessons from alcohol and tobacco, study says
As U.S. policymakers consider ways to ease prohibitions on marijuana, the public health approaches used to regulate alcohol and tobacco over the past century may provide valuable lessons, according to new RAND Corporation research.
Language problems common for kids with ADHD, study finds
(HealthDay)—Children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are nearly three times more likely to have language problems than kids without ADHD, according to new research.
Too little sleep may add to teen health problems
(HealthDay)—Many teens from lower- and middle-income homes get too little sleep, potentially adding to the problems of kids already at risk for health issues, new research finds.
Death of public figures provides important opportunities for health education, study finds
An Indiana University study of reactions to the 2011 death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs suggests health communicators have a critical window of opportunity after a public figure dies to disseminate information about disease prevention and detection.
Saudi health minister sacked as MERS toll rises
Saudi Arabia dismissed its health minister on Monday just days after he visited a hospital at the centre of growing concerns about the kingdom's handling of the MERS virus.
Transplant expert dispels organ donation misconceptions
(HealthDay)—Misconceptions prevent many people from agreeing to donate their organs and potentially save a life, according to a transplant expert.
About half of cancelled time in OR due to inpatients
(HealthDay)—About half of cancelled time in the operating room is due to inpatients, according to a study published online April 9 in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
High total, animal protein intake ups type 2 diabetes risk
(HealthDay)—High total and animal protein intake correlates with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online April 10 in Diabetes Care.
Low adherence rates for prostate cancer quality of care measures
(HealthDay)—Adherence to established prostate cancer quality of care measures is frequently low, with considerable regional variation, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Vegetarian black adventists have lower cardiovascular risk
(HealthDay)—A vegetarian diet may reduce cardiovascular risk in black individuals, according to research published online March 17 in Public Health Nutrition.
Combo laser-cision, pinhole method effective for burn scars
(HealthDay)—For patients with hypertrophic burn scars, a combination laser-cision and pinhole method using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser may be a new effective treatment option, according to research published online April 11 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Narrowing of neck artery without warning may signal memory and thinking decline
For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck without any symptoms may be linked to problems in learning, memory, thinking and decision-making, compared to people with similar risk factors but no narrowing in the neck artery, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014.
Study examines patient care patterns in Medicare accountable care organizations
A third of Medicare beneficiaries assigned to accountable care organizations (ACOs) in 2010 or 2011 were not assigned to the same ACO in both years and much of the specialty care received was provided outside the patients' assigned ACO, suggesting challenges to achieving organizational accountability in Medicare.
False-positive mammograms don't deter women from future screening, study finds
(HealthDay)—False-positive mammograms do increase anxiety, but the feeling is short-lived and most women go on to have breast screening in the future, new research suggests.
Bowel illnesses sometimes coincide in kids
(HealthDay)—Children suffering from irritable bowel syndrome are four times more likely than other kids to have a condition called celiac disease—an allergy to gluten—Italian researchers report.
A gene within a gene contributes to the aggressiveness of acute myeloid leukemia
(Medical Xpress)—A small gene that is embedded in a larger, well-known gene is the true leukemia-promoting force usually attributed to the larger gene, according to a new study by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
Mexico food labeling rules draw fire on sugar
Mexico's new food labeling rules were supposed to help fight an obesity epidemic, but activists and experts said Monday they may actually encourage the public to consume high levels of sugar.
'Chaperone' compounds offer new approach to Alzheimer's treatment
A team of researchers from Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), Weill Cornell Medical College, and Brandeis University has devised a wholly new approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease involving the so-called retromer protein complex. Retromer plays a vital role in neurons, steering amyloid precursor protein (APP) away from a region of the cell where APP is cleaved, creating the potentially toxic byproduct amyloid-beta, which is thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's.
Team identifies source of most cases of invasive bladder cancer
A single type of cell in the lining of the bladder is responsible for most cases of invasive bladder cancer, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Researchers uncover link between Down syndrome and leukemia
Although doctors have long known that people with Down syndrome have a heightened risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during childhood, they haven't been able to explain why. Now, a team of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators has uncovered a connection between the two conditions.
Cancer stem cells linked to drug resistance
Most drugs used to treat lung, breast and pancreatic cancers also promote drug-resistance and ultimately spur tumor growth. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a molecule, or biomarker, called CD61 on the surface of drug-resistant tumors that appears responsible for inducing tumor metastasis by enhancing the stem cell-like properties of cancer cells.
Improving newborns' bacterial environment could fend off infections, animal study suggests
Mothers give a newborn baby a gift of germs—germs that help to kick-start the infant's immune system. But antibiotics, used to fend off infection, may paradoxically interrupt a newborn's own immune responses, leaving already-vulnerable premature babies more susceptible to dangerous pathogens.
Study finds codeine often prescribed to children, despite available alternatives
Despite its potentially harmful effects in children, codeine continues to be prescribed in U.S. emergency rooms, according to new research from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco.
Evidence points to potential benefits of polypill for heart health
(Medical Xpress)—Taking one pill instead of three could be a powerful ally to prevent cardiovascular disease, according to a new Cochrane systematic review of the latest research on polypills from a team of scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Warwick Medical School and Northwestern Medicine.
Unlocking a mystery of Huntington's disease in space
(Medical Xpress)—An experiment just launched into orbit by a team of Caltech researchers could be an important step toward understanding a devastating neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers discover novel function of protein linked to Alzheimer's disease
A research team led by the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) has uncovered a novel function of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), one of the main pathogenic culprits of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery may help researchers understand how the protein goes awry in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, and potentially paves the way for the development of innovative therapeutics to improve the brain function of dementia patients.
Fast, simple-to-use assay reveals the 'family tree' of cancer metastases
A Massachusetts General Hospital-based research team has developed a simple assay that can reveal the evolutionary relationships between primary tumors and metastases within a patient, information that may someday help with treatment planning.
Scientists find key steps linking dietary fats and colon cancer tumor growth
Scientists have shown new genetic evidence that could strengthen the link between the role of dietary fats with colon cancer progression.
'Dustman' protein helps bin cancer cells
Cancer researchers have discovered a new 'dustman' role for a molecule that helps a drug kill cancer cells according to a study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), today.
Physicists push new Parkinson's treatment toward clinical trials
The most effective way to tackle debilitating diseases is to punch them at the start and keep them from growing. Research at Michigan State University, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, shows that a small "molecular tweezer" keeps proteins from clumping, or aggregating, the first step of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.
Scientists uncover hints of a novel mechanism behind general anesthetic action
Despite decades of common use for surgeries of all kinds, the precise mechanism through which general anesthesia works on the body remains a mystery. This may come as a surprise to the millions of Americans who receive inhaled general anesthesia each year. New research led by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania investigated the common anesthetic sevoflurane and found that it binds at multiple key cell membrane protein locations that may contribute to the induction of the anesthetic response. Their findings will appear online in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Science).
Malfunction in molecular 'proofreader' prevents repair of UV-induced DNA damage
Malfunctions in the molecular "proofreading" machinery, which repairs structural errors in DNA caused by ultraviolet (UV) light damage, help explain why people who have the disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are at an extremely high risk for developing skin cancer, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI). Their findings will be published this week in the early online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Team finds link between sleep and immune function in fruit flies
When we get sick it feels natural to try to hasten our recovery by getting some extra shuteye. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that this response has a definite purpose, in fruitflies: enhancing immune system response and recovery to infection. Their findings appear online in two related papers in the journal Sleep, in advance of print editions in May and June.
Study clarifies action of potential new class of pain relievers that may benefit, not hurt, the heart
Nonsteroidal antinflamatory drugs (NSAIDs) that block an enzyme called COX-2 relieve pain and inflammation but can cause heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. This has prompted a decade-plus search for safer, but still effective, alternatives to these commonly prescribed, pain-relieving drugs.
Homes now 'reservoirs' for superbug MRSA
An antibiotic-resistant "superbug," long a problem in health-care settings, is now taking up residence in people's homes, a new U.S. study finds.
What you see is where you go: Fruit fly visual interneurons may compute temporal integration of visual motion
(Medical Xpress)—The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism (a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena) studied in a wide range of laboratory experiments for several reasons, including being easy to grow, presenting various visible congenital traits, and having an extremely large salivary gland chromosome. In particular, studies of how neural circuits process sensory information make use of Drosophila's visually-driven behaviors as a model system. Recently, scientists at the University of Washington have demonstrated that one of the computations performed by this system is temporal integration of visual motion. Moreover, by measuring the activity of identified visual interneurons during tethered flight, they describe the way this computation might be performed.
Biology news
Edible flowers may inhibit chronic diseases
A new study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), found that common edible flowers in China are rich in phenolics and have excellent antioxidant capacity.
Stanford researchers rethink 'natural' habitat for wildlife
Protecting wildlife while feeding a world population predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050 will require a holistic approach to conservation that considers human-altered landscapes such as farmland, according to Stanford researchers.
A protein required for integrity of induced pluripotent stem cells
Cell reprogramming converts specialised cells such as nerve cells or skin cells towards an embryonic stem cell state. This reversal in the evolutionary development of cells also requires a reversal in the biology of telomeres, the structures that protect the ends of chromosomes; whilst under normal conditions telomeres shorten over time, during cell reprogramming they follow the opposite strategy and increase in length.
Lack of breeding threatens blue-footed boobies' survival
Blue-footed Boobies are on the decline in the Galápagos. A new study appearing in the journal Avian Conservation and Ecology indicates numbers of the iconic birds, known for their bright blue feet and propensity to burst into dance to attract mates, have fallen more than 50 percent in less than 20 years.
Taiwan sets up sanctuary for endangered humpback dolphin
Taiwan is setting up its first marine wildlife sanctuary, in a bid to protect its dwindling population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, officials said Monday.
Computational method dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression
With gene expression analysis growing in importance for both basic researchers and medical practitioners, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland have developed a new computational method that dramatically speeds up estimates of gene activity from RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data.
Research challenges understanding of biodiversity crisis
(Phys.org) —A University of St Andrews study has found that, despite fears of a biodiversity crisis, there has in fact not been a consistent drop in numbers of species found locally around the world.
Bark beetles change Rocky Mountain stream flows, affect water quality
On Earth Week—and in fact, every week now—trees in mountains across the western United States are dying, thanks to an infestation of bark beetles that reproduce in the trees' inner bark.
Free the seed: OSSI nurtures growing plants without patent barriers
(Phys.org) —Members of the Open Source Seed Initiative this week held a rally and seed giveaway event. The group is concerned over restricting access to seeds through patents. They are stirring up public awareness over their mission to model a new crop system of seed-sharing in the spirit of open source software. On Thursday the OSSI group gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to give away a set of seeds that can be used by anyone. The seeds are unrestricted by patents or intellectual property barriers. They released 29 new varieties of crops under an "open source pledge" for farmers, gardeners and plant breeders. The new varieties involved broccoli, celery, kale, quinoa and other vegetables and grains released under their novel Pledge, to be printed on all OSSI seed packets.
Bulletproof nuclei? Stem cells exhibit unusual absorption property
Stem cells – the body's master cells – demonstrate a bizarre property never before seen at a cellular level, according to a study published today from scientists at the University of Cambridge. The property – known as auxeticity – is one which may have application as wide-ranging as soundproofing, super-absorbent sponges and bulletproof vests.
More questions than answers as mystery of domestication deepens
(Phys.org) —We all think we have a rough idea of what happened 12,000 years ago when people at several different spots around the globe brought plants under cultivation and domesticated animals for transport, food or fiber. But how much do we really know?
A plague in your family: The independent evolution of harmful organisms from one bacterial family
For the first time, researchers have studied the Black Death bacterium's entire family tree to fully understand how some of the family members evolve to become harmful.
Brain size matters when it comes to animal self-control
(Phys.org) —Chimpanzees may throw tantrums like toddlers, but their total brain size suggests they have more self-control than, say, a gerbil or fox squirrel, according to a new study of 36 species of mammals and birds ranging from orangutans to zebra finches.
This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment