Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 7, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- What does physics reveal about the sizes of sports fields?- Trees go high-tech: Process turns cellulose into energy storage devices
- BOSS quasars track the expanding universe—most precise measurement yet
- Organic solar cells more efficient with molecules face-to-face
- Researchers build model that may explain how plate tectonics got its start
- New study explains evolution of duplicate genes
- Hybrid nanotube-graphene material promises to simplify manufacturing
- Physicists create lightning in the race to develop quantum technology microchip
- Ancient shrimp-like animals had 'modern' hearts and blood vessels
- Tracking the transition of early-universe quark soup to matter as we know it
- Permafrost thawing could accelerate global warming, research says
- Telomeres and social disadvantage
- Targeting sperm protection in mosquitoes could help combat malaria
- Antibiotic resistance enzyme caught in the act
- Scientists find missing piece of air particle equation hiding in the walls
Astronomy & Space news
Video: Sentinel-1 separation in space
This superb footage was acquired by cameras on the Soyuz Fregat upper stage that released Sentinel-1 into orbit on 3 April 2014. It shows the Sentinel-1 satellite separating from the Fregat to start its life in orbit around Earth.
Curiosity rover maneuvers around 'Kimberley' seeking potential red planet drill sites
NASA's car sized Curiosity rover has arrived at a scientifically enticing science destination at "The Kimberley Waypoint" where researchers hope to carry out the next drilling operation into alien Martian terrain in search of further clues about ancient Red Planet environments that may have been favorable for life.
The space station's small satellite launcher suite
It used to be that building and launching a working satellite was an enormously expensive and complex undertaking, feasible only for governmental and military agencies. But the CubeSat revolution of the past decade has placed satellite technology within reach of private companies, universities and even unaffiliated individuals. That revolution has been boosted by the existence of the International Space Station, which provides an additional launching platform enabled through regular commercial cargo flights.
Darwin meets Newton: Evolution and the mass of the galaxy
If the solution to a problem does not reveal itself straight away then why not let your initial guesswork evolve? That's the approach we've taken in trying to determine the mass of our galaxy by mapping the historic movement of two nearby galaxies.
New tool for galactic archaeology
(Phys.org) —Reconstructing the history of our Galaxy has just become a whole lot easier, thanks to a team of international astronomers led by Dr Luca Casagrande from the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
BOSS quasars track the expanding universe—most precise measurement yet
The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), the largest component of the third Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III), pioneered the use of quasars to map density variations in intergalactic gas at high redshifts, tracing the structure of the young universe. BOSS charts the history of the universe's expansion in order to illuminate the nature of dark energy, and new measures of large-scale structure have yielded the most precise measurement of expansion since galaxies first formed.
Technology news
YouTube appeals to Turkey's Constitutional Court over ban
YouTube has appealed to Turkey's Constitutional Court to lift a ban the government slapped on the video-sharing service after audio of a top-level security meeting was posted on the site.
Tech Tips: A guide to upgrading, using XP computer
Microsoft retires its 12-year-old Windows XP operating system on Tuesday. Even so, there are still millions of XP computers out there. Here's what to do if you own one of them:
How to control rumours on social media during a disaster
Authorities around the world should set up emergency communication teams to manage the amount of misinformation circulating on social media during disasters, terrorist attacks and other social crises.
Bio-inspired unmanned aircraft capable of soaring like birds
RMIT University researchers in Melbourne, Australia, are developing bio-inspired unmanned aircraft capable of soaring like birds, boosting energy efficiency and endurance.
The key to a green internet lies beyond Amazon's data centres
Environmental group Greenpeace has slammed Amazon for its environmental practices in its latest report on the green credentials of the technology industry.
Swim belt could prove gold in the pool
It's the simple device that could help the Australian Swim Team reach for more gold - and it was developed right here in Brisbane.
Research project focuses on the interaction between cyclists and drivers
As an important contribution to traffic safety, the communication between cyclists and motor vehicle drivers is currently being examined by a scientific project under way in Vienna. Both infrastructure and intersection design are being considered as factors contributing to communication. The project, which is funded by the FWF, uses video recordings and interviews to analyse real communication situations under real-life road-use conditions.
Twitter use linked to infidelity and divorce, study finds
Twitter and other social networking services have revolutionized the way people create and maintain relationships. However, new research shows that Twitter use could actually be damaging to users' romantic relationships. Russell Clayton, a doctoral student in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, found that active Twitter users are far more likely to experience Twitter–related conflict with their romantic partners. Clayton's results showed that Twitter-related conflict then leads to negative relationship outcomes, including emotional and physical cheating, breakup and divorce.
Renewable energy market share climbs despite 2013 dip in investments
Renewable energy's share of world electricity generation continued its steady climb last year despite a 14 per cent drop in investments to US$214.4 billion, according to a new report released today.
Court rejects early appeal of surveillance ruling
The Supreme Court has declined an early look at a constitutional challenge to the National Security Agency's bulk collection of millions of Americans' telephone records.
Review: 'Kinect Sports Rivals' a moving experience
When the Xbox One was unveiled last year, Microsoft boasted the Xbox 360 successor would feature an updated—and mandatory—version of its camera-based Kinect sensor with more accurate movement tracking and voice detecting. Then, when the Xbox One was released last November, there were hardly any games that actually employed the new doodad.
SDSC enables large-scale data sharing using Globus
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego, has implemented a new feature of the Globus software that will allow researchers using the Center's computational and storage resources to easily and securely access and share large data sets with colleagues.
Twitter buys Android lock-screen startup Cover
A young startup specializing in Android smartphone lock screens that anticipate what "app" a user might want at any give moment said Monday it has been bought by Twitter.
Tech Tips: Your risks and options with Windows XP
Microsoft is saying goodbye to Windows XP.
Scale model WWII craft takes flight with fuel from the sea concept
Navy researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Materials Science and Technology Division, demonstrated proof-of-concept of novel NRL technologies developed for the recovery of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) from seawater and conversion to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
Chinese company prints parts for ten houses and builds them all in one day
(Phys.org) —Shang Hai company WinSun Decoration Design Engineering Co. has advanced the science of 3D printing by printing all of the parts needed to construct houses and then using those parts to build ten houses, all in just a single day. The finished houses are made of mostly concrete with other materials added for various purposes.
Microsoft shows Windows in car concept at Build 2014 (w/ Video)
Microsoft took the opportunity of its Build 2014 developers event this month to relay its concept for future Windows cars, simply Windows in the car. This is a platform that would take Windows Phone apps over to the car's interface. With this concept, contents of the Windows phone would be mirrored on the dash display screen using the MirrorLink standard.
Personal touch signature makes mobile devices more secure
Passwords, gestures and fingerprint scans are all helpful ways to keep a thief from unlocking and using a cell phone or tablet. Cybersecurity researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have gone a step further. They've developed a new security system that continuously monitors how a user taps and swipes a mobile device. If the movements don't match the owner's tendencies, the system recognizes the differences and can be programmed to lock the device.
End of Windows XP support spells trouble for some
Microsoft will end support for the persistently popular Windows XP on Tuesday, and with an estimated 30 percent of businesses and consumers still using the 12-year-old operating system, the move could put everything from the operations of heavy industry to the identities of everyday people in danger.
Medicine & Health news
Community taking a dive for young cancer patient
An effort to help the family of a 5-month-old Missouri boy with cancer has inspired thousands of people across the U.S. and even abroad to take a plunge into cold bodies of water.
Survey: US health insurance gains pick up (Update)
A growing share of Americans got health insurance as sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health care law neared its end last month, a major survey released Monday has found.
Rodin's hand sculptures diagnosed as part of exhibit
Eight of the 10 Rodin hand sculptures on display in a new exhibit have been diagnosed for malformations and diseases by a School of Medicine hand surgeon.
Palbociclib shows promising results in patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer
The drug palbociclib, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6, significantly improved progression-free survival when administered as a first-line treatment in patients with hormone receptor-positive, metastatic breast cancer, according to phase II results of the study PALOMA-1, presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Rilpivirine combination product in pretreated HIV-1 patients: Added benefit not proven
The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) reassessed the antiviral drug combination rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir. In early 2012, the combination was approved for the treatment of adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) who have not received previous antiretroviral treatment. For men, the Institute then found proof, and for women, indications of a considerable added benefit of the fixed combination in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy.
Mallinckrodt buying Questcor for about $5.6B (Update)
Mallinckrodt is buying California-based Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. for a combination of stock and cash valued at about $5.6 billion that will help to further diversify the Irish company's business.
Henry Ford Hospital cited: World's first surgical innovators for patient safety standards
An innovative kidney transplant technique developed by Henry Ford Hospital is credited as the first in the world to use a new set of patient safety standards coordinated by the University of Oxford in England.
Disruption of VISTA plays an important role in regulating immune response
Researchers at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth have found that the body's immune system response was enhanced when they disrupted VISTA, a protein that prevents the immune system from overreacting. Understanding how checkpoint regulators like VISTA function is important to cancer researchers, who hope to use the immune system to attack tumors. The study, "VISTA deficiency synergizes with a nonredundant immune checkpoint pathway and leads to enhanced immune activation," will be presented on April 7, 2014 at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.
Antipsychotic drug use among ADHD-diagnosed foster care youth is increasing
Antipsychotic medications are often used for unlabeled indications, such as treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The results of a study of "atypical antipsychotic" drug use among youths with ADHD, comparing age groups, Medicaid eligibility, and presence in foster care are presented in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.
Trastuzumab emtansine: Indication of major added benefit in one subpopulation
The antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (trade name: Kadcyla) has been approved since November 2013 for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is HER2-positive, i.e. that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Patients must have already received trastuzumab or a taxane – alone or in combination. They should also have already received treatment for the locally advanced or metastatic disease or have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy.
UN attacks biting bugs that spread diseases
Nobody likes mosquitoes, and the World Health Organization blames them for an array of diseases that kill a million people each year and threaten the health of half the world's people.
US health secretary: Nations cannot ignore disease
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says health is the "great global connector" and nations cannot afford to ignore disease in any part of the world.
India's Sun Pharma buys troubled rival Ranbaxy for $3.2 bn (Update)
India's third-biggest drugs company Sun Pharma announced Monday a $3.2-billion deal to buy larger domestic rival Ranbaxy from Daiichi Sankyo, ending the Japanese company's costly run as owner.
Educational interventions at Early Head Start led to decline in pediatric emergency visits
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that integrating an educational intervention regarding upper respiratory infections (URI) into Early Head Start programs led to a significant decrease in pediatric emergency visits and adverse care practices among predominantly Latino families, who have been shown to be at high risk for limited health literacy. Findings are published in the journal Pediatrics.
Children see domestic violence that often goes unreported, research finds
A nationwide study of children who have witnessed domestic violence found that parents or caregivers were physically injured in more than a third of the cases, yet only a small fraction of offenders went to jail and just one in four incidents resulted in police reports, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Six months hormone therapy in addition to radiotherapy improves prostate cancer survival
Vienna, Austria: Men with prostate cancer that is small and confined to the prostate gland but that is at risk of growing and spreading, do better if they are treated with radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy, which lowers their levels of the male hormone, testosterone, according to new research.
Increased risk of developing lung cancer after radiotherapy for breast cancer
Vienna, Austria: Women who have radiotherapy for breast cancer have a small but significantly increased risk of subsequently developing a primary lung tumour, and now research has shown that this risk increases with the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissue.
Circumcision could prevent prostate cancer... if it's performed after the age of 35
Researchers at the University of Montreal and the INRS-Institut-Armand-Frappier have shown that men circumcised after the age of 35 were 45% less at risk of later developing prostate cancer than uncircumcised men.
Scaffolding protein promotes growth and metastases of epithelial ovarian cancer
Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center have shown that NEDD9, a scaffolding protein responsible for regulating signaling pathways in the cell, promotes the growth and spread of epithelial ovarian cancer.
One in three intensive care survivors develop depression that manifests as physical symptoms
A third of intensive care patients develop depression that typically manifests as physical, or somatic, symptoms such as weakness, appetite change, and fatigue, rather than psychological symptoms, according to one of the largest studies to investigate the mental health and functional outcomes of survivors of critical care, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Drink milk? Women who do may delay knee osteoarthritis
New research reports that women who frequently consume fat-free or low-fat milk may delay the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Results published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis Care & Research, show that women who ate cheese saw an increase in knee OA progression. Yogurt did not impact OA progression in men or women.
Over a lifetime, childhood obesity costs $19,000 per child
Childhood obesity comes with an estimated price tag of $19,000 per child when comparing lifetime medical costs to those of a normal weight child, according to an analysis led by researchers at the Duke Global Health Institute and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore. When multiplied by the number of obese 10-year-olds in the United States, lifetime medical costs for this age alone reach roughly $14 billion.
Pfizer reports promising results for cancer drug
An experimental drug has shown encouraging results in treating advanced breast cancer in an early clinical trial, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer reported Sunday.
Saudi MERS death toll rises to 66
Saudi health authorities have reported the deaths of another two men from the MERS coronavirus, bringing the death toll from the respiratory disease in the worst hit country to 66.
Britons, the European kings of anti-cholesterol drugs
As the home of cooked breakfasts and pints of beer, it is perhaps no surprise that Britain is the European king of anti-cholesterol drugs with some seven million users.
Stressed out Americans seek mindful peace
"Make yourself comfortable, eyes closed, take a few full breaths," a woman's voice says softly. "If you find that your mind has wandered, this is good news."
Cancer metabolism drug AG-221 shows clinical activity in advanced blood cancers
AG-221, a novel inhibitor of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 2-mutant metabolic enzyme, was well tolerated and showed early promise in patients with advanced and refractory blood cancers harboring IDH2 mutations, according to the initial results of a phase I study presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Valve replacement via catheterization is gaining ground
When Maryann Casey battled breast cancer more than 30 years ago, her doctors warned that the radiation therapy could damage her heart. Still, she was caught off guard when, after an echocardiogram in 2012, she was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a potentially fatal heart-valve disease.
Study proposes new treatment method for alcohol problems
(Medical Xpress)—A study published by the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) suggests a new approach to help certain people stop drinking.
Parental obesity and autism risk in the child
Several studies have looked at possible links between maternal obesity during pregnancy and the risk of developmental disorders in the child. However, paternal obesity could be a greater risk factor than maternal obesity, according to a new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Lack of exercise adds to women's healthcare costs
(Medical Xpress)—A lack of exercise is costing the Australian healthcare system $40 million a year for women alone, according to new research from The University of Queensland (UQ).
Cleft palate discovery in dogs to aid in understanding human birth defect
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine researchers have identified the genetic mutation responsible for a form of cleft palate in the dog breed Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.
Yale students design a new device to transport intestinal transplants to patients
(Medical Xpress)—Almost 20 people die every day while waiting for an organ transplant. For patients in need of intestinal transplants, the wait is even more agonizing because countless healthy intestines are discarded due to the difficulty of transporting them. To solve this problem, five Yale students have designed a new intestinal transport unit.
Genetic flaw may hold key to deadly childhood brain tumour
Scientists may have discovered a new way to treat a type of childhood brain tumour that has proved incurable up until now, according to a study published in Nature Genetics today.
Health benefits of 'green exercise' for kids shown in new study
Children who are exposed to scenes of nature while exercising are more likely to experience health-enhancing effects after activity, according to a Coventry University study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
No evidence of Alzheimer's disease-associated changes in adolescents carrying genetic risk factors
Two studies published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease indicate that some of the pathologic changes associated with Alzheimer's disease in older individuals are not apparent in young people who carry the apolipoprotein (APOE) genetic risk factor for developing the disease. In the first study, no differences were found in hippocampal volume or asymmetry between cognitively normal adolescent carriers and non-carriers of the ApoE ɛ4 or ɛ2 allelles. The second study reports no differences in plasma concentrations of amyloid-β peptides among young adult ɛ4, ɛ3 or ɛ2 carriers.
Switching off anxiety with light
Receptors for the messenger molecule serotonin can be modified in such a way that they can be activated by light. Together with colleagues, neuroscientists from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) report on this finding in the journal Neuron. An imbalance in serotonin levels seems to cause anxiety and depression. The researchers have provided a new model system for investigating the mechanism underlying these dysfunctions in cell cultures as well as living organisms.
App tackles problem of 'glue ear' in children
Aston University is tackling the problem of 'glue ear' in children with a free* hearing test app for any concerned families.
The teenage brain - work in progress
A European wide study which aims to identify and learn more about the biological and environmental factors that might influence mental health in teenagers is recalling its 2,000 volunteers for the second stage of the research.
Biomarker identifies melanoma patients who may respond to immunotherapy MK-3475
Among melanoma patients treated with the PD-1 inhibitor MK-3475, those whose tumors had the protein PD-L1 had better immune responses and higher survival rates, according to results presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Research questions liver disease prevalence in IBD
Do inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have a higher prevalence of clinically significant liver disease?
Young motorists lack self control
So now we have it in black and white – the emotional centre in young men's brains overrides the area controlling their ability to make rational decisions. This leads to accidents among risk-seeking motorists.
Mountain climbing without the headaches caused by altitude
By monitoring blood flow in the brains of six climbers scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, German medical researchers have identified a possible way to prevent the headaches that are a common feature of altitude sickness. This work appears in the latest issue of JNIRS—Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy.
Fatty acid composition in blood reflects the quality of dietary fat and carbohydrates in children
Recently published research in the University of Eastern Finland found that fatty acid composition in blood is not only a biomarker for the quality of dietary fat but also reflects the quality of dietary carbohydrates. For example the proportion of oleic acid was higher among children who consumed a lot of candy and little high-fibre grain products. Earlier studies on the topic have mainly concentrated on the association of the quality of dietary fat with fatty acid composition in blood. In the present study, the association of the quality of dietary carbohydrates with plasma fatty acid composition was investigated for the first time in children.
US schoolchildren exposed to arsenic in well water have lower IQ scores
A study by researchers at Columbia University reports that schoolchildren from three school districts in Maine exposed to arsenic in drinking water experienced declines in child intelligence. While earlier studies conducted by the researchers in South Asia, and Bangladesh in particular, showed that exposure to arsenic in drinking water is negatively associated with child intelligence, this is the first study to examine intelligence against individual water arsenic exposures in the U.S. Findings are reported online in the journal, Environmental Health.
Gene sequencing project discovers mutations tied to deadly brain tumors in young children
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified new mutations in pediatric brain tumors known as high-grade gliomas (HGGs), which most often occur in the youngest patients. The research appears today as an advance online publication in the scientific journal Nature Genetics.
Caffeine against Alzheimer's disease
As part of a German-French research project, a team led by Dr. Christa E. Müller from the University of Bonn and Dr. David Blum from the University of Lille was able to demonstrate for the first time that caffeine has a positive effect on tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease. The two-years project was supported with 30,000 Euro from the non-profit Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V. (AFI) and with 50,000 Euro from the French Partner organization LECMA. The initial results were published in the online edition of the journal Neurobiology of Aging.
The social circuits that track how we like people and ideas
Whether at the office, dorm, PTA meeting, or any other social setting, we all know intuitively who the popular people are – who is most liked – even if we can't always put our finger on why. That information is often critical to professional or social success as you navigate your social networks. Yet until now, scientists have not understood how our brains recognize these popular people. In new work, researchers say that we track people's popularity largely through the brain region involved in anticipating rewards.
Energizing sick mitochondria with vitamin B3
Vitamins B have recently been turned out to be potent modifiers of energy metabolism, especially the function of mitochondria.
Green tea boosts your brain
Green tea is said to have many putative positive effects on health. Now, researchers at the University of Basel are reporting first evidence that green tea extract enhances the cognitive functions, in particular the working memory. The Swiss findings suggest promising clinical implications for the treatment of cognitive impairments in psychiatric disorders such as dementia. The academic journal Psychopharmacology has published their results.
Tissue testing during breast cancer lumpectomies
Unique laboratory testing during breast cancer lumpectomies to make sure surgeons remove all cancerous tissue spares patients the need for a repeat lumpectomy in roughly 96 percent of cases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, a success rate much higher than the rate nationally, a Mayo study shows. During the years reviewed, 13.2 percent of breast cancer lumpectomy patients nationally had to return to the operating room within a month of their initial surgery, compared to 3.6 percent at Mayo in Rochester, which uses a technique called frozen section analysis to test excised tissue for cancer while patient are still on the operating table.
New research shows huge disparities between the decisions made by coroners
Government plans to overhaul the centuries-old coroner system in England and Wales have been bolstered by the findings of a leading police officer who has become a PhD researcher at the University of Huddersfield. Detailed analysis by ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Max Mclean has shown that there are huge disparities between the decisions made by coroners in differing districts, with the troubling discovery that the deaths of women are considerably less likely to be investigated at an inquest.
Chikungunya poised to invade the Americas
A team of French and Brazilian researchers warn that chikungunya virus is poised to invade, and become epidemic in the Americas according to research published ahead of print in the Journal of Virology.
Feelings of failure, not violent content, foster aggression in video gamers
The disturbing imagery or violent storylines of videos games like World of Warcraft or Grand Theft Auto are often accused of fostering feelings of aggression in players. But a new study shows hostile behavior is linked to gamers' experiences of failure and frustration during play—not to a game's violent content.
Beans, peas, lentils can significantly reduce 'bad cholesterol' and risk of heart disease
Eating just 1 serving daily of legumes such as beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas can significantly reduce "bad cholesterol" and the risk of heart disease, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Having kids walk to school comes with risks, benefits
(HealthDay)—Many parents are understandably worried about letting their kids walk or bike to school.
Patients select fewer new docs at bottom of tiered ranking
(HealthDay)—Patients are less likely to select a new physician ranked in the bottom of a tiered network, but often don't switch if their current physician is ranked at the bottom, according to research published online March 11 in Health Services Research.
Vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in depression
(HealthDay)—Vitamin D supplementation has no overall effect on depressive symptoms, but may have a significant effect for those with clinically significant depression, according to a review published online March 14 in Psychosomatic Medicine.
AACR: LY2835219 promising for metastatic breast cancer
(HealthDay)—The novel cell cycle inhibitor selective for the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6 (CDK4/6), LY2835219, shows promise for metastatic breast cancer, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
Neighborhood planning, ethnic backgrounds play roles in Peel's high diabetes rates
According to researchers at St. Michael's Hospital, there are two significant reasons why Peel has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Ontario: neighbourhood design that discourages walking and a population with many residents whose ethnic backgrounds predispose them to diabetes.
Guinea raises Ebola death toll to 95 (Update)
Guinea's government raised the death toll in the Ebola epidemic raging through its southern forests and capital to 95 on Monday.
For good and ill, immune response to cancer cuts both ways
The difference between an immune response that kills cancer cells and one that conversely stimulates tumor growth can be as narrow as a "double-edged sword," report researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in the April 7, 2014 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Doctor's specialty predicts feeding tube use
A new study shows that when elderly patients with advanced dementia are hospitalized, the specialties of the doctors at their bedside have a lot to do with whether the patient will end up with a gastric feeding tube – a practice that some medical organizations recommend against for frail, terminal patients.
Research yields potential target for epithelial ovarian cancer treatment
Epithelial ovarian cancer is often referred to as a silent killer: Advanced-stage disease has a low survival rate, and in a vast majority of patients, the disease has already spread to other organs at the time of diagnosis because the symptoms are difficult to identify. Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers who are investigating the biological mechanisms behind metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer recently found that an enzyme called focal adhesive kinase (FAK) can play a critical—and previously unstudied—role in the growth and spread of the disease. The research will be presented on Monday, April 7 at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014.
Studies reveal more clues on how pregnancy protects against breast cancer
Scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center have unearthed new clues about how pregnancy reduces women's risk of developing breast cancer. The research will be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014.
Study shows good availability of primary care for new patients on the eve of the ACA
A multi-institutional team led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has found that despite widespread rumors of limited access to primary care services, providers across the country were capable of accepting new patients prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act coverage expansions.
Cognitive impairment common among community and nursing-home resident elderly
More than 70% of elderly Medicare beneficiaries experience cognitive impairment or severe dementia near the end-of-life and may need surrogate decision makers for healthcare decisions. Advance care planning for older adults with dementia may be particularly important for individuals who do not reside in a nursing home or a long-term care facility, according to an article published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
Severe obesity on the rise among children in the US
A new study led by a University of North Carolina School of Medicine researcher finds little to cheer about in the fight against childhood obesity, despite a recent report to the contrary.
Milk thistle extract, silibinin, reduces self-renewal of colorectal cancer stem cells
Colorectal cancer stem cells thrive in conditions of inflammation. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2014 shows that the chemical silibinin, purified from milk thistle extract, affects cell signaling associated with inflammation and thus also the formation and survival of colorectal cancer stem cells.
New research suggests connection between white matter and cognitive health
A multidisciplinary group of scientists from the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky have identified an interesting connection between the health of the brain tissue that supports cognitive functioning and the presence of dementia in adults with Down syndrome.
Researcher finds mortality risks of being overweight or obese are underestimated
New research by Andrew Stokes, a doctoral student in demography and sociology in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that many obesity studies substantially underestimate the mortality risks associated with excess weight in the United States. His study, "Using Maximum Weight to Redefine Body Mass Index Categories in Studies of The Mortality Risks of Obesity," was published in the March issue of the open-access journal Population Health Metrics.
A middle road for Medicaid expansion?
With the political divide over health care reform still strong going into this year's elections, a new analysis of state-level decisions shows signs of an emerging middle way toward reducing the ranks of the uninsured.
Stress hormone may drive risk-taking by teen motorists
(HealthDay)—Teens whose brain chemistry is less affected by stressful situations could be at increased risk for car crashes, a small Canadian study suggests.
Stem cells show promise for stroke recovery
(HealthDay)—In an early test, researchers report they've safely injected stem cells into the brains of 18 patients who had suffered strokes. And two of the patients showed significant improvement.
Alzheimer's disease may be more prevalent and manifests itself differently among African-Americans
A new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center reviews research that suggests that the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease among older African Americans may be two to three times greater than in the non-Hispanic white population and that they differ from the non-Hispanic white population in risk factors and disease manifestation. The study results will be published in the April 7 issue of Health Affairs.
Startlingly new functional details of common anti-diabetic drugs uncovered
Scientists thought they basically knew how the most common drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes worked, but a new study from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) reveals unexpected new aspects of the process. These findings could eventually lead to more potent anti-diabetic drugs with fewer serious side effects.
New mechanism for unleashing immune system against cancer
A major discovery that brings a new drug target to the increasingly exciting landscape of cancer immunotherapy was published yesterday by researchers from La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology and their collaborators from other institutes.
Exploring the genetics of 'I'll do it tomorrow'
Procrastination and impulsivity are genetically linked, suggesting that the two traits stem from similar evolutionary origins, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The research indicates that the traits are related to our ability to successfully pursue and juggle goals.
Solution to platelet 'puzzle' uncovers blood disorder link
Melbourne researchers have solved a puzzle as to how an essential blood-making hormone stimulates production of the blood clotting cells known as platelets.
Scientists identify part of brain linked to gambling addiction
New research reveals that brain damage affecting the insula – an area with a key role in emotions – disrupts errors of thinking linked to gambling addiction. The research, led by Dr Luke Clark from the University of Cambridge, was published today, 07 April, in the journal PNAS.
Genetic predisposition to liking amphetamine reduces risk of schizophrenia and ADHD
Genetic variants associated with enjoying the effects of d-amphetamine—the active ingredient in Adderall—are also associated with a reduced risk for developing schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), report scientists from the University of Chicago in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on April 7. The results support a long-standing hypothesis that dopamine, the neurotransmitter connected with the euphoric effects of amphetamine, is related to schizophrenia and ADHD.
Telomeres and social disadvantage
Genes amplify the stress of harsh environments for some children, and magnify the advantage of supportive environments for other children, according to a study that's one of the first to document how genes interacting with social environments affect biomarkers of stress.
Faster eye responses in Chinese people not down to culture
New research from University of Liverpool scientists has cast doubt on the theory that neurological behaviour is a product of culture in people of Chinese origin.
Well-known cancer gene NRAS produces five variants, study finds
A new study shows that a gene discovered 30 years ago and now known to play a fundamental role in cancer development produces five different gene variants (called isoforms), rather than just the one original form, as thought.
Researchers engineer reconstructive tissue for transplant
A breakthrough by Israeli researchers could speed recovery and limit scarring and disfigurement for patients who have suffered large soft tissue trauma - as often occurs with serious injury or cancer surgery. By biomedically engineering a muscle flap that includes a patient's own blood vessels, the team has created tissue that could one day be transferred to other parts of the body along with the patient's blood supply, speeding recovery and limiting scarring for patients who have suffered serious tissue trauma.
New study explains evolution of duplicate genes
From time to time, living cells will accidently make an extra copy of a gene during the normal replication process. Throughout the history of life, evolution has molded some of these seemingly superfluous genes into a source of genetic novelty, adaptation and diversity. A new study shows one way that some duplicate genes could have long-ago escaped elimination from the genome, leading to the genetic innovation seen in modern life.
Biology news
Surgery could fix giraffe's terminal birth defect
A 6-month-old female giraffe at Oklahoma City Zoo is scheduled to have surgery to correct a terminal birth defect that affects her ability to eat.
Save the caribou, save the boreal forest, ecologists say
Endangered woodland caribou face increasing encroachment on their Canadian habitat, and foot-dragging by the federal government to try to halt this advance could now doom the species.
In wake of 'super typhoon,' researchers measure blow to biodiversity
In November 2013, as Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines with the highest-ever recorded wind speed for a Category 5 tropical cyclone, it wreaked near complete devastation for miles. The cost was dear for both humans and wildlife.
Whale watching book questions industry sustainability
Whale and dolphin watching may not be the low-impact, sustainable industries many believe them to be according to a new evidence-based book, co-edited by Associate Professor Lars Bejder of the Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit.
Seed workshop bears conservation fruits
Researchers have pooled their expertise to investigate factors that affect the survival of seeds, resulting in a framework that can help both eradicate weeds and maintain desirable plant populations.
Longer catch-and-release time leaves largemouth bass nests more vulnerable to predators
During spawning season, a largemouth bass male attentively guards its nest. Recent research at the University of Illinois found that catch-and-release angling could give bass predators the perfect opportunity to consume the young. In fact, the time spent away from the nest during a catch-and-release event and the subsequent exhaustion it creates for the male are critical to the survival of the embryos, particularly in lakes with high densities of brood predators.
Southwestern bird and reptile distributions to shift as climate changes
Dramatic distribution losses and a few major distribution gains are forecasted for southwestern bird and reptile species as the climate changes, according to just-published research by scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of New Mexico, and Northern Arizona University.
Sugar responsible for shoot branching in plants
(Phys.org) —A University of Queensland study has overturned the long-held belief that plant hormones control the shape of plant growth, and shown instead that this process starts with sugar.
Exploring a microbial arms race
A rapid evolutionary "arms race" between bacteria and the killer viruses they contain has been observed by a UNSW-led team of scientists in a sophisticated genetic study of the micro-organisms.
Researchers find blind fish use novel type of navigational aid
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel has discovered a previously unknown navigational aid used by a species of blind fish. In their paper published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, the team describes how they discovered that a blind species of tetra uses mouth suction of water to create a pressure wave that it then uses to sense objects in the water around it.
New light shed on key bacterial immune system
New insights into a surprisingly flexible immune system present in bacteria for combating viruses and other foreign DNA invaders have been revealed by researchers from New Zealand's University of Otago and the Netherlands.
Targeting sperm protection in mosquitoes could help combat malaria
Researchers have discovered a way of reducing the fertility of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, potentially providing a new tactic to combat the disease.
Running geese give insight into low oxygen tolerance
A new study into how the world's highest flying bird, the bar-headed goose, is able to survive at extreme altitudes may have future implications for low oxygen medical conditions in humans.
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