Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 24, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- SensaBubble: It's a bubble, but not as we know it (w/ video)- Computer algorithm outperforms humans on 'Labeled Faces in the Wild' benchmark
- Cosmic illusion revealed: Gravitational lens magnifies supernova
- Your T-shirt's ringing: Telecommunications in the spaser age
- Genetic code of the deadly tsetse fly unraveled
- Team builds new 'off switch' to shut down neural activity
- Breakthrough harnesses light for controlled chemical reaction
- Ocean microbes display remarkable genetic diversity
- 'Double-duty' electrolyte enables new chemistry for longer-lived batteries
- Physicists use magnetism simulation software to model US presidential elections
- Phase transiting to a new quantum universe
- Astronomical forensics uncover planetary disks in Hubble archive
- When things get glassy, molecules go fractal
- To mark territory or not to mark territory: Breaking the pheromone code
- Oops! Researchers find neural signature for mistake correction
Astronomy & Space news
Kazakh satellite to be launched into orbit
Kazakhstan's first-ever Earth observation satellite is to be fired into orbit next week from the European spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana, launch company Arianespace said.
Professional and amateur astronomers join forces
(Phys.org) —Long before the term "citizen science" was coined, the field of astronomy has benefited from countless men and women who study the sky in their spare time. These amateur astronomers devote hours exploring the cosmos through a variety of telescopes that they acquire, maintain, and improve on their own. Some of these amateur astronomers specialize in capturing what is seen through their telescopes in images and are astrophotographers.
Habitable exoplanets are bad news for humanity
Last week, scientists announced the discovery of Kepler-186f, a planet 492 light years away in the Cygnus constellation. Kepler-186f is special because it marks the first planet almost exactly the same size as Earth orbiting in the "habitable zone" – the distance from a star in which we might expect liquid water, and perhaps life.
Cosmic illusion revealed: Gravitational lens magnifies supernova
A team of researchers led by Robert Quimby at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) has announced the discovery of a galaxy that magnified a background, Type Ia supernova thirtyfold through gravitational lensing. This is the first example of strong gravitational lensing of a supernova confirms the team's previous explanation for the unusual properties of this supernova.
Astronomical forensics uncover planetary disks in Hubble archive
(Phys.org) —Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have applied a new image processing technique to obtain near-infrared scattered light photos of five disks observed around young stars in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes database. These disks are telltale evidence for newly formed planets.
Technology news
IBM tackles big data challenges with open server innovation model
IBM today debuted new Power Systems servers that allow data centers to manage staggering data requirements with unprecedented speed, all built on an open server platform. In a move that sharply contrasts other chip and server manufacturers' proprietary business models, IBM through the OpenPOWER Foundation, released detailed technical specifications for its POWER8 processor, inviting collaborators and competitors alike to innovate on the processor and server platform, providing a catalyst for new innovation.
Switch on sunlight for a brighter future
Imagine sitting in a windowless room yet having the feeling of the sun shining on your face. This unique experience is now possible thanks to the COELUX EU-funded project which recreates the physical and optical effects of natural light indoors by simulating the diffusion and transmission of sunlight through the atmosphere. This phenomenon has been proven to have a positive impact on comfort and wellbeing experienced in indoor and underground environments.
Enhanced ground control system and software for small unmanned aircraft
Lockheed Martin's Group 1 family of unmanned aircraft systems is migrating to enhanced automation capabilities using its Kestrel "Fly Light" flight control systems and industry-leading mobile Ground Control Station (mGCS) software. The increased automation allows operators to focus on executing the mission, rather than flying various aircraft.
World's largest 4K video board
Churchill Downs will unveil the world's largest 4K ultra high-definition LED video board on Saturday, April 26, for the Spring Meet 2014. The 170-foot tall video screen, constructed by Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, will provide a stellar viewing experience for everyone throughout the venue, including the thousands of avid fans in the legendary Churchill Downs 26-acre infield.
Verizon 1Q profit surges on Vodafone-related gains
Verizon's $130 billion deal to take over of all of Verizon Wireless is helping lift its profit.
Review: 'Hearthstone' card game is the real deal
Video game publishers don't take many risks with their most popular franchises. You know exactly what you are going to get from a new "Call of Duty" or "Madden NFL" game—it will probably be pretty good, but won't offer any surprises.
Russia's Putin calls the Internet a 'CIA project' (Update)
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called the Internet a CIA project and made comments about Russia's biggest search engine Yandex, sending the company's shares plummeting.
Gadget Watch: Whistle, a fitness tracker for dogs
Bad news for lazy dogs: A new device, called Whistle, lets pet owners track how much exercise—or sleep—their four-legged friends are getting.
Amazon launches grocery service for Prime members
Amazon is taking aim at grocery stores and discounters like Wal-Mart with a grocery service that lets its Prime loyalty club members fill up to a 45-pound box with groceries and get it shipped for a flat rate of $5.99.
Print and digital ad revenues higher at New York Times
The New York Times said Thursday that advertising income in both its print and digital editions increased for the first time in years during the first quarter.
Brazil enacts Internet 'Bill of Rights'
Brazil's president signed into law on Wednesday a "Bill of Rights" for the digital age that aims to protect online privacy and promote the Internet as a public utility by barring telecommunications companies from charging for preferential access to their networks.
SK Hynix posts Q1 surge in net profit
South Korea's SK Hynix Inc said Thursday its first-quarter net profit surged nearly 350 percent from the previous year on a spike in sales of PC memory chips.
Bitcoin exchange MtGox to start liquidation process (Update)
Failed Bitcoin exchange MtGox, whose spectacular collapse hammered the digital currency's reputation, is to be liquidated after a Japanese court on Thursday ordered the start of bankruptcy proceedings, said a lawyer appointed to carry out the process.
The shocking link between politics and electricity in India
(Phys.org) —About a third of India's electricity is lost each year. It just never gets billed. Some is stolen or disappears because of technical problems. It's enough power to light up all of Italy for a year.
Toshiba starts mass production of world's first 15nm NAND flash memories
Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has developed the world's first 15-nanometer (nm) process technology, which will apply to 2-bit-per-cell 128-gigabit (16 gigabytes) NAND flash memories. Mass production with the new technology will start at the end of April at Fab 5 Yokkaichi Operations, Toshiba's NAND flash fabrication facility (fab), replacing second generation 19 nm process technology, Toshiba's previous flagship process. The second stage of Fab 5 is currently under construction, and the new technology will also be deployed there.
Tackling urban problems with Big Data
Paul Waddell, a city planning professor at the University of California, Berkeley, with a penchant for conducting research with what he calls his "big urban data," is putting his work to a real-world test in San Francisco.
Researcher develops method for monitoring whether private information is sufficiently protected
Tri Minh Ngo, researcher at the University of Twente, has developed a new method for monitoring whether private information is sufficiently protected in computer programs. His technology can be used to check whether private data can be leaked and, if so, how much information is actually leaked in that case. His technology can also be used to detect possible leaks.
Facebook buys fitness app Moves
Facebook has bought the fitness app Moves, which helps users monitor daily physical activity and their calorie counts on a smartphone.
Ride-sharing app Lyft expands to new markets
Lyft, the on-demand ride-sharing app best known by the fuzzy pink moustaches on its cars, is launching its service in 24 new U.S. markets.
Tech giants settle suit over no-poaching deal (Update)
Tech giants Apple, Google, Adobe and Intel settled a lawsuit Thursday that charged they had colluded to hold salaries down by agreeing to not poach each other's staff.
Microsoft earnings slip but still beat forecasts (Update)
Microsoft on Thursday reported quarterly profit slipped as lifestyles continued to shift from personal computers to mobile devices and Internet cloud software.
US proposes pay-for-priority Internet standards (Update 3)
The nation's top telecoms regulator is proposing to allow a pay-for-priority fast lane on the Internet for movies, music and other services to get to people's homes.
New ultrasound device may add in detecting risk for heart attack, stroke
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new ultrasound device that could help identify arterial plaque that is at high risk of breaking off and causing heart attack or stroke.
Morocco wind farm, Africa's biggest, starts generating power
Africa's largest wind farm, at Tarfaya in southwestern Morocco, has started generating electricity and will be capable of meeting the electricity needs of several hundred thousand people, officials say.
Solar-powered two-seat Sunseeker airplane has progress report
(Phys.org) —Years ago, the idea of an airplane flying "clean" on the sun's energy seemed like wishful thinking and at the most a project for the casual hobbyist to dream on. No longer a dream, the serious-minded company called Solar Flight, which over time has been working on a two-seater solar powered airplane called Sunseeker Duo that can stay up for extended periods. The latest news from Solar Flight talks about its most recent tests that show promise. The company vision of a two-seater solar aircraft for real use is that much closer. "The tricycle landing gear arrangement, familiar to all pilots, ensures that the Duo will operate normally at any airport in the world and folding wings give the airplane a hanger footprint no larger than a Cessna 172. The airplane can also be quickly disassembled and packed into a custom trailer," said the company's website notes. In recent tests, the team assessed the plane's performance and this month published results."
Internet co-creator Cerf debunks 'myth' that US runs it
The Google executive considered to be one of the fathers of the Internet on Thursday debunked what he called the "myth" that it is controlled by the United States.
SensaBubble: It's a bubble, but not as we know it (w/ video)
Multi-sensory technology that creates soap bubbles, which can have images projected onto them or when the bubbles are burst release a scent, will be unveiled at an international conference later this month.
Computer algorithm outperforms humans on 'Labeled Faces in the Wild' benchmark
(Phys.org) —For the first time a computer has beaten the human average when attempting to discriminate between faces in the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) dataset. The team from China that programmed the computer and trained the software has written a paper describing their efforts and achievements and have uploaded it to the arXiv preprint server.
Medicine & Health news
Vermont moves toward labeling of GMO foods (Update)
Vermont lawmakers have passed the first U.S. state bill to require the labeling of genetically modified foods, underscoring a division between powerful lobbyists for the U.S. food industry and an American public that overwhelmingly says it approves of the idea.
New drug sales help boost Novartis Q1 profit (Update)
Strong new drug sales and higher operating income helped Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis AG report a 24 percent rise in first-quarter profit.
FDA proposes extending its oversight of tobacco
The federal government wants to extend its oversight of tobacco to include cigars, hookah, nicotine gels, pipe tobacco and dissolvable tobacco products.
Rising role seen for health education specialists
(HealthDay)—A health education specialist can help family practices implement quality improvement projects with limited additional financial resources, according to an article published in the March/April issue of Family Practice Management.
Saudi Arabia reports two more deaths from MERS virus
Saudi Arabia's health ministry says two more patients who became infected with a Middle East virus related to SARS have died, and that 13 others have contracted the virus.
Fresh hope for preventing pneumonia in the elderly
There are calls for the frail and elderly not be be overlooked for vaccines against pneumonia this winter, with UNSW research challenging conventional wisdom on immunisation effectiveness in older patients.
A new approach to cut death toll of young people in road accidents
Too often in Australia we hear tragic stories of another young life cut short in a car accident and yet any attempts to dramatically reduce the death toll are not working.
Loyola patient receives one of the world's quickest lung transplants
A Loyola University Medical Center patient has received one of the world's quickest lung transplants. Kenneth Baumgardner received the transplant just six days after going on the waiting list. And he went home after spending only five days in the hospital, a remarkably short stay for such a complicated procedure.
Spring cleaning often a sneezing nightmare for allergy sufferers
The warm weather brings with it the urge to open the windows and start cleaning out the closets, but for allergy suffers the spring cleaning bug can be miserable.
Palliation is rarely a topic in studies on advanced cancer
End-of-life aspects, the corresponding terminology, and the relevance of palliation in advanced cancer are often not considered in publications on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This is the result of an analysis by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), which has now been published as final report.
Finnish team of researchers finds a mutation in a tumor of the jaw
A Finnish team of researchers was the first in the world to discover a gene mutation in ameloblastoma, which is a tumour of the jaw.
Saudi Arabia reports pilgrim infected with MERS
In the past 24 hours, Saudi Arabia has reported four new deaths from a Middle East virus related to SARS and 36 more cases of infection, including a Turkish pilgrim in Mecca.
Many patients who could benefit from home dialysis are receiving care in dialysis centers
Many kidney failure patients in Australia who could benefit from undergoing dialysis at home are being treated in hospitals and dialysis units, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). This is creating significant costs for healthcare providers and causing unnecessary disruptions to patients' lives.
Muscle mass linked with physical function and quality of life in dialysis patients
Dialysis patients with more muscle mass had better scores on a 6-minute walking test as well as better scores on physical and mental health questionnaires in a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The findings suggest that physical activity that builds muscle mass may help improve the health and quality of life of dialysis patients.
Bearded dragons seen as salmonella source
Bearded dragons have joined the list of pets that can give you salmonella poisoning.
Death rates from pancreatic cancer predicted to rise in Europe in 2014
Pancreatic cancer is the only cancer for which deaths are predicted to increase in men and women rather than decrease in 2014 and beyond, according to a comprehensive study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology [1] today.
Pregnancy complications may be more common in immigrants from certain regions
Pregnant immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean islands may require increased monitoring during pregnancy, according to new research from St. Michael's Hospital.
Use of frozen material for fecal transplant successfully treats C. difficile infection
A pilot study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators may lead to greater availability and acceptability of an unusual treatment for a serious medical problem – use of fecal material from healthy donors to treat recurrent diarrhea caused by the Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) bacteria. In their paper being published online in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, the researchers report that use of prescreened frozen fecal material from donors unrelated to patients was as successful in curing recurrent C. difficile infection as was the use of fresh material reported in previous studies of what is called Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT).
Phase 3 study may be game-changer for acute myeloid leukemia
Moffitt Cancer Center researchers say clinical trials for a new experimental drug to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are very promising. Patients treated with CPX-351, a combination of the chemotherapeutic drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin, are showing better responses than patients treated with the standard drug formulation.
Recurrent violence linked to substantially higher rates of mental disorders in post-conflict communities
In the aftermath of war, communities who continue to experience repeated violence could have a major escalation in rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe distress, suggests new research published in The Lancet Global Health journal.
Vitamin D supplements have little effect on risk of falls in older people
A new meta-analysis, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, concludes that there is no evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplements prevent falls, and that ongoing trials to test this theory are unlikely to change this result.
FDA proposes first regulations for e-cigarettes (Update 2)
The U.S. government wants to ban sales of electronic cigarettes to minors and require approval for new products and health warning labels.
People with kidney disease show higher cancer risk in study
(HealthDay)—Older adults with moderate kidney dysfunction may face a higher risk of developing cancer than those with healthy kidneys, a large study suggests.
Study finds sharp rise in opioid treatment among pregnant women
A recent study by a group of Harvard-affiliated researchers found a sharp increase in the use of opioid painkillers among a large group of pregnant women between 2000 and 2007.
Sensors may keep hospitalized patients from falling
(Medical Xpress)—To keep hospitalized patients safer, University of Arizona researchers are working on new technology that involves a small, wearable sensor that measures a patient's activity, heart rate, wakefulness and other biometrics – data that can predict a fall before it happens.
Scientists find new genes on male sex chromosomes
Scientists are a step closer to discovering what determines the sex of Australia's iconic platypus and echidna, after an international study involving researchers from the University of Adelaide and UNSW Australia unravelled new genes contained on mammalian Y chromosomes.
Researchers study happiness of children in different family compositions
Children living with a step-parent or a lone parent are as happy as those living with two biological parents, the British Sociological Association's annual conference in Leeds heard today.
Is genetic instability the key to beating cancer?
Cancerous tumors may be poised at the edge of their own destruction, an insight that could help researchers find new, more effective treatments, suggest SFI External Professor Ricard Solé and colleagues in an April 9 paper in the journal Bioessays.
Research concludes sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to US obesity epidemic, particularly among children
In response to the ongoing policy discussions on the role of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on weight and health, The Obesity Society (TOS) concludes that SSBs contribute to the United States' obesity epidemic, particularly among children. Based on an in-depth analysis of the current research, the TOS position statement unveiled today provides several recommendations for improving health, including that children minimize their consumption of SSBs.
Fibroblasts could offer alternative to heart transplants
(Medical Xpress)—Fibroblasts, cells long thought to be boring and irrelevant, could offer an alternative to heart transplants for patients with heart disease.
Motor skill deficiencies linked to autism severity in new research
(Medical Xpress)—An Oregon State University researcher has found a relationship between motor skill deficiencies and the severity of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in very young children.
Treatment for deadly yeast disease reduced to three days
(Medical Xpress)—Initial treatment for a brain infection caused by fungus could now be treated in three days, rather than two weeks, due to study by University of Liverpool scientists.
Researchers study differences in the prevalence of headaches worldwide
Researchers around the world are working in a joint effort to create an international research tool for understanding and combating headaches. Led by researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the group has developed a new questionnaire designed to provide comparable results across nations and cultures.
Why do some people with Alzheimer's disease die without cognitive impairment?
Since the time of Dr. Alois Alzheimer himself, two proteins (beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau) have become tantamount to Alzheimer's disease (AD). But a Mayo Clinic study challenges the perception that these are the only important proteins accounting for the clinical features of the devastating disease.
Policy paper proposes regulatory model for cognitive enhancement devices
Researchers from the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, are calling for the regulation of a new breed of devices designed to enhance the brain's performance. Cognitive enhancement devices (CEDs) offer the tantalising prospect of potentially making users' brains work faster, more effectively, and more creatively, and are now being marketed for gaming and education. But current European legislation subjects these devices to nothing more than basic product safety requirements, despite them directly modifying the electrical activity of the brain.
Study supports safety of antimicrobial peptide-coated contact lenses
Contact lenses coated with an antimicrobial peptide could help to lower the risk of contact lens-related infections, reports a study in Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
New study links inflammation in those with PTSD to changes in microRNA
With a new generation of military veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become a prominent concern in American medical institutions and the culture at-large. Estimates indicate that as many as 35 percent of personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. New research from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine is shedding light on how PTSD is linked to other diseases in fundamental and surprising ways.
Breast cancer replicates brain development process
New research led by a scientist at the University of York reveals that a process that forms a key element in the development of the nervous system may also play a pivotal role in the spread of breast cancer.
Novel therapeutic agent for Tamiflu-resistant pH1N1 influenza virus discovered
In 2009 the influenza pH1N1 virus caused the first flu pandemic in the 21st century. The virus reached Finland in May 2009 and killed more than 50 people in the country. Since 2011 the pH1N1 virus infects Finns mainly during flu epidemics (winter/spring seasons).
Taking a walk may lead to more creativity than sitting, study finds
When the task at hand requires some imagination, taking a walk may lead to more creative thinking than sitting, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
New breast cancer imaging method promising
The new PAMmography method for imaging breast cancer developed by the University of Twente's MIRA research institute and the Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital appears to be a promising new method that could improve on existing imaging technology like X-ray mammography and MRI. Such is the conclusion reached by Michelle Heijblom after well over four years of doctoral research on this method, research that will see her obtain her doctoral degree on 23 April. For her doctoral research, Heijblom conducted clinical studies of patients with suspect abnormalities.
Take the bat, leave the candy: Researchers find unhealthy foodscape at youth baseball field
'Take me out to the ballgame' doesn't exactly conjure up images of apple slices and kale chips. The more likely culprits include French fries, soda and the occasional box of Crackerjacks.
HHS leaders call for expanded use of medications to combat opioid overdose epidemic
A national response to the epidemic of prescription opioid overdose deaths was outlined yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine by leaders of agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The commentary calls upon health care providers to expand their use of medications to treat opioid addiction and reduce overdose deaths, and describes a number of misperceptions that have limited access to these potentially life-saving medications. The commentary also discusses how medications can be used in combination with behavior therapies to help drug users recover and remain drug-free, and use of data-driven tracking to monitor program progress.
Take notes by hand for better long-term comprehension
Dust off those Bic ballpoints and college-ruled notebooks—research shows that taking notes by hand is better than taking notes on a laptop for remembering conceptual information over the long term. The findings are published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Study finds physical signs of depression common among ICU survivors
Depression affects more than one out of three survivors of critical illness, according to a Vanderbilt study released in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, and the majority of patients experience their symptoms physically rather than mentally.
Paying closer attention to attention
Ellen's (not her real name) adoptive parents weren't surprised when the school counselor suggested that she might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
New approach for surgery patients cuts hospital stays and costs
Changes in managing patients before, during and after colorectal surgery cut hospital stays by two days and reduced readmission rates, according to researchers who led a study of the approach at Duke University Hospital.
Surprising new insights into the PTEN tumor suppressor gene
Ever since it was first identified more than 15 years ago, the PTEN gene has been known to play an integral role in preventing the onset and progression of numerous cancers. Consequently, when PTEN is either lost or mutated, malignant cells can grow unchecked and cancer can develop.
Researchers pinpoint protein crucial for development of biological rhythms in mice
Johns Hopkins researchers report that they have identified a protein essential to the formation of the tiny brain region in mice that coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other so-called circadian rhythms.
Fruit fly study identifies brain circuit that drives daily cycles of rest, activity
Amita Sehgal, PhD, a professor of Neuroscience at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, describes in Cell a circuit in the brain of fruit flies that controls their daily, rhythmic behavior of rest and activity. The new study also found that the fly version of the human brain protein known as corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is a major coordinating molecule in this circuit. Fly CRF, called DH44, is required for rest/activity cycles and is produced in cells that receive input from the clock cells in the fly brain. In mammals, CRF is secreted rhythmically and it drives the expression of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and is associated with stress and anxiety.
Scientists find way to target cells resistant to chemo
Scientists from The University of Manchester have identified a way to sensitise cancer cells to chemotherapy - making them more open to treatment.
New type of protein action found to regulate development
Johns Hopkins researchers report they have figured out how the aptly named protein Botch blocks the signaling protein called Notch, which helps regulate development. In a report on the discovery, to appear online April 24 in the journal Cell Reports, the scientists say they expect the work to lead to a better understanding of how a single protein, Notch, directs actions needed for the healthy development of organs as diverse as brains and kidneys.
Researchers discover new genetic brain disorder in humans
A newly identified genetic disorder associated with degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous systems in humans, along with the genetic cause, is reported in the April 24, 2014 issue of Cell.
Skin layer grown from human stem cells could replace animals in drug and cosmetics testing
An international team led by King's College London and the San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC) has developed the first lab-grown epidermis – the outermost skin layer - with a functional permeability barrier akin to real skin. The new epidermis, grown from human pluripotent stem cells, offers a cost-effective alternative lab model for testing drugs and cosmetics, and could also help to develop new therapies for rare and common skin disorders.
Researchers create comprehensive map of human B cell development
In the April 24, 2014 edition of Cell, a team of researchers led by Dana Pe'er at Columbia University and Garry Nolan at Stanford University describes a powerful new method for mapping cellular development at the single cell level. By combining emerging technologies for studying single cells with a new, advanced computational algorithm, they have created the most comprehensive map ever made of human B cell development. Their approach will greatly improve researchers' ability to investigate development in cells of all types, make it possible to identify rare aberrations in development that lead to disease, and ultimately help to guide the next generation of research in regenerative medicine.
Parents of severely ill children see benefits as caregivers, says study
Benefits often coexist with the negative and stressful outcomes for parents who have a child born with or later diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, says a recent study led by a researcher at the University of Waterloo.
New study helps to explain why breast cancer often spreads to the lung
New research led by Alison Allan, PhD, a scientist at Western University and the Lawson Health Research Institute, shows why breast cancer often spreads or metastasizes to the lung.
Oxygen diminishes the heart's ability to regenerate, researchers discover
Scientific research at UT Southwestern Medical Center previously discovered that the newborn animal heart can heal itself completely, whereas the adult heart lacks this ability. New research by the same team today has revealed why the heart loses its incredible regenerative capability in adulthood, and the answer is quite simple – oxygen.
Measles off to a fast start, as US cases trend up
Health officials are worried about recent U.S. measles outbreaks that so far have caused more illnesses than at the same point of any year since 1996.
Autism Genome Project delivers genetic discovery
A new study from investigators with the Autism Genome Project, the world's largest research project on identifying genes associated with risk for autism, has found that the comprehensive use of copy number variant (CNV) genetic testing offers an important tool in individualized diagnosis and treatment of autism.
US OKs first-ever DNA alternative to Pap smear (Update 2)
U.S. government health regulators have cleared a genetic test from Roche as a first-choice screening option for cervical cancer. It was a role previously reserved for the Pap smear, the decades-old mainstay of women's health.
New guidelines aim to improve care for babies with heart problems in the womb
Fetal heart experts working with the American Heart Association have developed guidelines to help healthcare providers care for unborn babies with heart problems, as well as their families.
Study suggests targeting B cells may help with MS
A new study suggests that targeting B cells, which are a type of white blood cell in the immune system, may be associated with reduced disease activity for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study is released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014.
Increasing daily coffee consumption may reduce type 2 diabetes risk
People who increased the amount of coffee they drank each day by more than one cup over a four-year period had a 11% lower risk for type 2 diabetes than those who made no changes to their coffee consumption, according to a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers. In addition, the study found that those who decreased their coffee consumption by more than a cup per day increased their type 2 diabetes risk by 17%.
Low-dose natural antimicrobial exacerbates chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis
Respiratory failure caused by chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is a common cause of death in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease that is common in individuals of European descent. A study published on April 24th in PLOS Pathogens demonstrates that an antimicrobial peptide produced by human immune cells can promote mutations in the bacterium that make it more lethal.
Researchers trace HIV adaptation to its human host
"Much research has focused on how HIV adapts to antiviral drugs – we wanted to investigate how HIV adapts to us, its human host, over time," says lead author Zabrina Brumme from Simon Fraser University.
Genetic alterations in shared biological pathways as major risk factor for ASD
A substantial proportion of risk for developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD), resides in genes that are part of specific, interconnected biological pathways, according to researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who conducted a broad study of almost 2,500 families in the United States and throughout the world. The study, titled "Convergence of Genes and Cellular Pathways Dysregulated in Autism Spectrum Disorders," was first published online in the American Journal of Human Genetics on April 24.
What makes psychotic teens more at risk for suicide than other groups with psychosis?
Suicide is a general risk for people with psychosis. According to the Journal of Psychiatry, 20 percent to 40 percent of those diagnosed with psychosis attempt suicide, and up to 10 percent succeed.
FDA reconsiders behavior-modifying 'shock devices'
(HealthDay)—They're likened to a dog's "shock collar" by some and called a "life-saving treatment" by others. But the days of electro-shock devices as a tool for managing hard-to-control behavior in people with disabilities may be numbered, U.S. health officials say.
One in 13 US schoolkids takes psych meds
(HealthDay)—More than 7 percent of American schoolchildren are taking at least one medication for emotional or behavioral difficulties, a new government report shows.
Bullying rates drop among american teens
(HealthDay)—American teens are much less likely to engage in bullying than they were a decade ago, new research suggests.
Workplace ladder falls a major cause of deaths, injuries, CDC says
(HealthDay)—Workplace tumbles off of ladders are a major cause of injury and death among American employees, a new study says.
Out-of-pocket costs decline for patients with diabetes
(HealthDay)—During the past decade, out-of-pocket (OOP) costs have declined for individuals with diabetes, according to research published online March 25 in Diabetes Care.
'Horsing around' reduces stress hormones in youth
New research from Washington State University reveals how youth who work with horses experience a substantial reduction in stress – and the evidence lies in kids' saliva.
Genetics explain why some boys and girls are bigger than others
The influence of genetic factors on differences between children's Body Mass Index (BMI) increases from 43% at age 4 to 82% at age 10, reports a new study by researchers at UCL and King's College London.
New treatment could 'protect against any strain of the flu'
(Medical Xpress)—Scots scientists have developed a novel treatment that could protect against any strain of the flu.
Oops! Researchers find neural signature for mistake correction
Culminating an 8 year search, scientists at the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics captured an elusive brain signal underlying memory transfer and, in doing so, pinpointed the first neural circuit for "oops" ? the precise moment when one becomes consciously aware of a self-made mistake and takes corrective action.
Team reprograms blood cells into blood stem cells in mice
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have reprogrammed mature blood cells from mice into blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), using a cocktail of eight genetic switches called transcription factors. The reprogrammed cells, which the researchers have dubbed induced HSCs (iHSCs), have the functional hallmarks of HSCs, are able to self-renew like HSCs, and can give rise to all of the cellular components of the blood like HSCs.
Scientists find new point of attack on HIV for vaccine development
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) working with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) has discovered a new vulnerable site on the HIV virus. The newly identified site can be attacked by human antibodies in a way that neutralizes the infectivity of a wide variety of HIV strains.
You may have billions and billions of good reasons for being unfit
Although our chromosomes are relatively stable within our lifetimes, the genetic material found in our mitochondria is highly variable across individuals and may impact upon human health, say researchers at the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital.
Controlling brain waves to improve vision
Have you ever accidentally missed a red light or a stop sign? Or have you heard someone mention a visible event that you passed by but totally missed seeing?
Team builds new 'off switch' to shut down neural activity
In 2005, a Stanford University scientist discovered how to switch brain cells on or off with light pulses by using special proteins from microbes to pass electrical current into neurons.
Biology news
The blood preserved in the pumpkin did not belong to Louis XVI
The results of an international study, which counted on the participation of the Spanish National Research Council, indicate that the DNA recovered from the inside of a pumpkin, attributed so far to the French King Louis XVI, does not actually belong to the monarch, guillotined in 1793. Complete genome sequencing suggests that blood remains correspond to a male with brown eyes, instead of blue as Louis XVI had, and shorter.
Engineered E. coli produces high levels of D-ribose
D-ribose is a commercially important sugar used as a sweetener, a nutritional supplement, and as a starting compound for synthesizing riboflavin and several antiviral drugs. Genetic engineering of Escherichia coli to increase the bacteria's ability to produce D-ribose is a critical step toward achieving more efficient industrial-scale production of this valuable chemical, as described in an article in Industrial Biotechnology.
WWF condemns oil search in Africa's oldest national park
Environmental campaigners WWF on Thursday condemned moves by British firm Soco International to start searching for oil in part of Africa's oldest national park.
Campaigners say protected birds in danger in Malta
Campaigners on Thursday said protected migratory birds were being shot in Malta and called for an exemption from EU hunting rules for the island state to be scrapped.
Invasive vines swallow up New York's natural areas
(Phys.org) —When Antonio DiTommaso, a Cornell weed ecologist, first spotted pale swallow-wort in 2001, he was puzzled by it. Soon he noticed many Cornell old-field edges were overrun with the weedy vines. At Grenadier Island near Watertown, N.Y., pale swallow-wort had choked out desirable plants species on hundreds of acres. He thought: "Oh my God, this is serious."
Genome yields insights into golden eagle vision, smell
Purdue and West Virginia University researchers are the first to sequence the genome of the golden eagle, providing a bird's-eye view of eagle features that could lead to more effective conservation strategies.
Nest-building in finches is a learning process developed through experience
(Phys.org) —Nest-building is not just an innate skill but a learning process that birds develop through experience, research suggests.
Cheetahs found to use spatial avoidance techniques to allow for surviving among lions
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota, along with assistance from several African wildlife agencies, has found that contrary to popular belief, cheetahs are able to maintain population levels when sharing space with lions. In their paper published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the team describes how they performed an analysis of cheetah and wild dog survivability in lion areas using data from prior field studies.
How a plant beckons the bacteria that will do it harm
A common plant puts out a welcome mat to bacteria seeking to invade, and scientists have discovered the mat's molecular mix.
Research splits alligator snapping turtle, 'dinosaur of the turtle world,' into three species
The alligator snapping turtle is the largest river turtle in North America, weighing in at up to 200 pounds and living almost a century. Now researchers from Florida and the University of Vermont have discovered that it is not one species—but three.
To mark territory or not to mark territory: Breaking the pheromone code
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has deciphered the surprisingly versatile code by which chemical cues help trigger some of the most basic behaviors in mice.
Three-banded panther worm debuts as a new model in the study of regeneration
Closely resembling plump grains of wild rice set in motion, the three-banded panther worms swimming in disposable containers in Whitehead Institute Member Peter Reddien's lab hardly seem like the next big thing in regeneration. And yet, these little-studied organisms possess the ability to regenerate any part of their bodies and are amenable to molecular studies in the lab, making them a valuable addition to a field keen on understanding how mechanisms controlling regeneration have evolved over millennia and how they might be activated in humans.
Cell resiliency surprises scientists
New research shows that cells are more resilient in taking care of their DNA than scientists originally thought. Even when missing critical components, cells can adapt and make copies of their DNA in an alternative way.
Genetic code of the deadly tsetse fly unraveled
Mining the genome of the disease-transmitting tsetse fly, researchers have revealed the genetic adaptions that allow it to have such unique biology and transmit disease to both humans and animals.
Ocean microbes display remarkable genetic diversity
The smallest, most abundant marine microbe, Prochlorococcus, is a photosynthetic bacteria species essential to the marine ecosystem. An estimated billion billion billion of the single-cell creatures live in the oceans, forming the base of the marine food chain and occupying a range of ecological niches based on temperature, light and chemical preferences, and interactions with other species. But the full extent and characteristics of diversity within this single species remains a puzzle.
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