Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 8, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Handheld device uses a blood sample to distinguish asthma from allergies- Novel study uncovers the way coughs and sneezes stay airborne for long distances
- Heartbleed bug find triggers OpenSSL security advisory
- Synthetic gene circuits pump up cell signals
- Large Hadron Collider team announces beginning of restart
- Study shows computerized games can be used to improve children's grades in school
- Engineers design video game controller that can sense players' emotions (w/ video)
- StoreDot has plans for 30-second battery charge
- Memory accuracy and strength can be manipulated during sleep
- Breakthrough therapy allows four paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs
- From athletes to couch potatoes: Humans through 6,000 years of farming
- A new twist makes for better steel
- What songbirds tell us about how we learn
- Blocking DNA repair mechanisms could improve radiation therapy for deadly brain cancer
- Creativity and innovation need to talk more, study says
Astronomy & Space news
Image: Space launch system core stage model 'sounds' off for testing
A 5-percent scale model of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage fires up for another round of acoustic testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. SLS, NASA's new rocket, will be the largest, most powerful rocket ever built for deep space missions.
Cassini captures familiar forms on Titan's dunes
(Phys.org) —The moons of our Solar System are brimming with unusual landscapes. However, sometimes they look a little more familiar, as in this new radar image from the Cassini orbiter. The image shows dark streaks carved into dunes reminiscent of those we might find on a beach on Earth, or raked with flowing lines in a Japanese Zen garden—but this scene is actually taking place on Saturn's moon Titan.
'Bright light' on Mars is just an image artifact
Thanks to everyone who has emailed, Tweeted and texted me about the "artificial bright light" seen on Mars. And I'm so sorry to disappoint all the folks who were hoping for aliens, but what you see above is just an image artifact due to a cosmic ray hitting the right-side navigation camera on the Curiosity rover.
Orbital physics is child's play with 'Super Planet Crash'
Super Planet Crash is a pretty simple game: players build their own planetary system, putting planets into orbit around a star and racking up points until they add a planet that destabilizes the whole system. Beneath the surface, however, this addictive little game is driven by highly sophisticated software code that astronomers use to find planets beyond our solar system (called exoplanets).
NASA's LRO mission and North America to experience total lunar eclipse (Update)
When people in North America look up at the sky in the early morning hours of April 15, they can expect the moon to look a little different.
Webb telescope's heart complete, final instrument installed
The last piece of the James Webb Space Telescope's heart was installed inside the world's largest clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
Technology news
Pilot water conservation project
The Laboratory has launched a pilot project to reduce potable water use by using treated groundwater to cool equipment and research facilities at the main site.
Computing's invisible challenge
To us, it may not seem like a big deal: CNN's website is taking too long to load. The day's most popular YouTube video won't stop buffering. "Twitter is over capacity." While these little hiccups in usability may frustrate end users, they merely scratch the surface of the enormous technical challenge that's confronting the backend.
Microsoft brings world's fastest texting to Windows Phone 8.1
Gaurav Sharma appeared relaxed but focused in his purple hoodie on Jan. 16, 2014. Less than 20 seconds later, Sharma, a 15-year-old from Lakeside High School in Seattle, found himself the owner of a Guinness World Record for fastest text message using a touch-screen mobile phone.
Enabling secure notifications to mobile devices via the cloud
IBM inventors have patented a cloud computing security technique that enables app developers to ensure that data notifications are securely and confidentially pushed to and from mobile devices.
Remote troops closer to having high-speed wireless networks mounted on UAVs
Missions in remote, forward operating locations often suffer from a lack of connectivity to tactical operation centers and access to valuable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data. The assets needed for long-range, high-bandwidth communications capabilities are often unavailable to lower echelons due to theater-wide mission priorities. DARPA's Mobile Hotspots program aims to help overcome this challenge by developing a reliable, on-demand capability for establishing long-range, high-capacity reachback that is organic to tactical units. The program is building and demonstrating a scalable, mobile millimeter-wave communications backhaul network mounted on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and providing a 1 Gb/s capacity. DARPA performers recently completed the first of three phases in which they developed and tested key technologies to be integrated into a complete system and flight tested in subsequent phases.
Big, fast, weird data
The "Big Data" research that continues to dominate IT agendas has traditionally focused on making sense of the growing volumes of computer data. Yet in recent years, the volume question has given way to the other V's of Big Data: velocity and variety.
Efficient operation of wastewater treatment plants
The German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) announces the launch of a groundbreaking project for which the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) is developing sophisticated measuring sensors. The aim is to supply oxygen more efficiently to the microbes that are used in biological treatment stages. Such efficiency speeds up the purification process and saves energy. In addition to HZDR and the TU Dortmund University, three partners from the industrial sector are also participating in the project.
Spain's eDreams Odigeo skids on market debut
Spanish online travel group eDreams Odigeo's share price tumbled as it listed on the Madrid stock exchange Tuesday, a worrying sign for the richest new entry to the market in nearly three years.
Nepalese pioneer inducted into 'Internet Hall of Fame'
A Nepalese educator who transformed the way of life in more than 150 remote Himalayan villages by connecting them to the Internet was Tuesday inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame.
Internet lords keep .wine bottled for now
Internet overseers are keeping .WINE and .VIN online addresses bottled in the hope a few months of aging will make them more palatable.
Nokia gets Chinese approval for Microsoft deal (Update)
Nokia has received regulatory approval from Chinese authorities to sell its mobile phone unit to Microsoft Corp., removing one of the last major hurdles to the 5.4 billion-euro ($7.3 billion) deal.
Samsung's profit falls as smartphones get cheaper
Declining smartphone prices hit profit at Samsung Electronics Co. for a second straight quarter.
EU court ruling boost privacy rights of citizens (Update 2)
The European Union's top court on Tuesday dealt a blow to law-enforcement agencies' spying on phone and internet records, saying the lives of citizens should not be "the subject of constant surveillance."
Making elastic cloud computing a reality
(Phys.org) —University of New South Wales researchers are using artificial intelligence to create a computer network capable of regulating its own consumption of public cloud services.
Video: Harvesting water from fog
PH2OG Water is a startup project coming out of Princeton University's eLab that harvests water from clouds in the mountains of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and distills it into pure, premium drinking water. The idea originated in a social entrepreneurship class taught at the University in 2011.
Startup creates underwater robotics with a human touch
It should be just as easy to use a robotic arm as it is to use your own hand. That's the thinking behind University of Washington startup BluHaptics, which is taking telerobotics—controlling robots from a distance—to a new level: underwater.
As fast as their tiny 'bot' legs will carry them (w/ video)
Imagine robots no bigger than your finger tip scrambling through the rubble of a disaster site to search for victims or to assess damage. That's the vision of engineer Sarah Bergbreiter and her research team at the University of Maryland.
Making technology more user-friendly
When people think of psychologists, many envision a clinical setting, where the focus is on helping individuals with personal problems and relationships. But what about our problems and relationships with technology? For that, you need an engineering psychologist.
How to turn three pings into results in the hunt for MH370
The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has once again intensified now that search planes and ships may have detected a signal from its black box.
BoJ chief doubts Bitcoin's future as a currency
The head of the Bank of Japan on Tuesday cast doubt on Bitcoin's future, saying the scandal-plagued digital unit "cannot be a currency" unless it proves its reliability.
Lab uses 3-D printing to make historical artifact chess sets
Over the past month, a Virginia Commonwealth University lab has been using 3-D scanning and printing technology to create chess sets, with each piece a 3-D-printed replica of historical artifacts found at archeological digs at Jamestown, Mount Vernon, Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest and elsewhere.
Fujitsu develops data-transfer acceleration technology
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced the development of a technology for accelerating data transfer speeds that can be applied to various types of network environments used for cloud, mobile applications and other services.
Wearable electronic skin delivers drugs and stores data
Average life expectancy has nearly doubled since 1800, thanks to progress in medicine. Most of that was made by developing drugs and improving public health services. The medical revolution of the 21st century is going to be different. With greater understanding of our genes, we will need treatments that are more personalised.
Online finance should be the next concern, not spying bins
As the hype around the internet of things grows, we are being presented with dystopian images of a future in which our fridges spy on us and our toothbrushes tattle to our dentists and insurers. But our concern about these extreme examples is distracting us from a more pressing issue – the collision between social media and financial services.
Open source gives new life to old Windows XP machines
As the sun sets on Microsoft's support for Windows XP this may be a great time to think about trying out a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) operating system for your still-working PC.
Student devises novel way to detect hackers
Patricia Moat gets a thrill from protecting people. As a youngster, she trained in martial arts. Later, she ran into burning buildings as a volunteer firefighter. Now she's finding new ways to protect American computer networks.
Researchers measure smartphone malware infection rates
Researchers show that infection rates in Android devices at around 0.25 percent are significantly higher than the previous independent estimate. They also developed a technique to identify devices infected with previously unknown malware.
Music service Rhapsody hits 1.7M paid subscribers
Music subscription service Rhapsody International says its paying subscribers have grown 63 percent to 1.7 million over the past year.
A faster internet for your smartphones
Most of us spend a significant portion of our time on our phones. So when the Internet connection slows or stalls, it can interrupt our lives to a maddening degree. We complain about the network, shut down apps, and double-check our bars to troubleshoot the problem. But a Northwestern research team recently found that an unexpected culprit lurking in the background might be what's to blame.
US film studios sue Megaupload for piracy
The top US film studios have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against defunct file-sharing website Megaupload, shut down by US authorities as part of a criminal probe of online piracy.
Comcast defends mega-merger amid stepped-up criticism (Update)
Comcast opens its campaign to get approval of its mega-merger with rival Time Warner Cable at a congressional hearing Wednesday, amid intense criticism from some activists.
GM to invest $449M in two Detroit-area factories
General Motors plans to invest $449 million in two Detroit-area factories to build the next-generation Chevrolet Volt hybrid electric car and two unspecified new vehicles.
German government okays wide reform of green power switch
The German government approved Tuesday a sweeping reform of a law on its vaunted green "energy transformation" to reduce subsidies for renewables and stem rising electricity prices.
Intel lays off of 1,500 employees in Costa Rica
US microchip giant Intel announced Tuesday it was reducing its assembly and testing operations in Costa Rica and will lay off 1,500 employees.
Snowden calls for international deal on data surveillance
Fugitive US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden said on Tuesday there should be an international agreement on data collection to protect against the mass surveillance of citizens.
High-tech items giving deaf-blind online access
Tanisha Verdejo loves to surf the Internet for online shopping deals. She chats on Facebook, learns about new recipes and enjoys sending emails to friends and family.
Twitter profiles get Facebook-style revamp
Twitter on Tuesday began revamping profile pages to let users display more of their online personalities, giving the popular service a Facebook-like feel.
StoreDot has plans for 30-second battery charge
(Phys.org) —You heard it last month, last week and most probably will hear the same message tomorrow: battery-bothered ordinary citizens wish that the best and brightest in labs could just take their hands off the next big things and turn to every person's need for an easier time powering up their devices and keeping them running when most needed. Small wonder an Israeli company StoreDot attracted so much same-day press on Monday with its announcement of a battery technology capable of charging smartphones and other devices in 30 seconds, or, as StoreDot put it, "in less time than StoreDot needs to explain how this cutting-edge technology works." Performing a demo at the Microsoft Think Next Symposium in Tel Aviv, the company, which uses a descriptive subtitle "nanotechnology inspired by nature," unveiled their prototype. How is such a battery possible? The company produces "nanodots" derived from bio-organic material that, due to their size, have increased electrode cap! acitance and electrolyte performance, resulting in batteries able to be fully charged in minutes.
Engineers design video game controller that can sense players' emotions (w/ video)
(Phys.org) —Stanford engineers have developed what could be the next big thing in interactive gaming: handheld game controllers that measure the player's physiology and alter the gameplay to make it more engaging.
A new twist makes for better steel
In steelmaking, two desirable qualities—strength and ductility—vary indirectly: Stronger steel is less ductile, and more ductile steel is not as strong. Engineers at Brown University, three Chinese universities, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown that when cylinders of steel are twisted, the steel becomes stronger at the surface with ductility preserved at the core.
Heartbleed bug find triggers OpenSSL security advisory
A flaw called Heartbleed in OpenSSL, which is a software library used for the protection and security of millions of websites, was uncovered by Neel Mehta of Google Security, who first reported it to the OpenSSL team, triggering Monday's release of a fix for the bug along with a security advisory. Dated Monday, the OpenSSL security advisory said the flaw involved "a missing bounds check in the handling of the TLS [Transport Layer Security] heartbeat extension," which could be used to reveal "up to 64k of memory to a connected client or server." The advisory said this issue did not affect versions of OpenSSL prior to 1.0.1. Namely, what was affected were 1.0.1f, 1.0.1e, 1.0.1d, 1.0.1c, 1.0.1b, 1.0.1a, 1.0.1. The bug was fixed in OpenSSL 1.0.1g. "Affected users should upgrade to OpenSSL 1.0.1g. Users unable to immediately upgrade can alternatively recompile OpenSSL with -DOPENSSL_NO_HEARTBEATS." In the notice Mehta of Google Security was thanked for discovering the bug and A! dam Langley and Bodo Moeller were thanked for preparing the fix.
Medicine & Health news
Pancreatic cancer 'dream team' tackles baffling, deadly disease
UC San Francisco has been selected to join a national "dream team" on pancreatic cancer, part of a project designed to accelerate treatment and discoveries for one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
New SU2C-Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Convergence Dream Team announced
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), The Lustgarten Foundation, and the Fox Family Cancer Research Funding Trust, along with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), SU2C's Scientific Partner, announced the formation of a Dream Team dedicated to pancreatic cancer research during a press event today at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, held here April 5-9.
State medicaid expansions did not erode perceived access to care or increase emergency services
Previous expansions in Medicaid eligibility by states were not associated with an erosion of perceived access to care or an increase in emergency department (ED) use.
Access to primary care appointments varies by insurance status
Individuals posing as patients covered by private insurance were more likely to secure a new-patient appointment with a primary care physician compared to individuals posing as patients covered by Medicaid or uninsured.
UN official urges world to tackle unsafe abortions
The head of the U.N. population agency said Monday that the world must address why 8.7 million young women aged 15 to 24 resort to unsafe abortions each year.
US jury hits Takeda, Eli Lilly with $9B penalty (Update)
A U.S. jury ordered Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and its U.S. counterpart, Eli Lilly and Co., to pay $9 billion in punitive damages over a diabetes medicine linked to cancer. The drug companies said Tuesday they will "vigorously challenge" the decision.
Philippine court rules family planning law legal
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a family planning law is constitutional, allowing the government to provide reproductive health care services primarily to the country's poor despite strong opposition to the law from the Roman Catholic Church.
Trial identifies subset of breast cancer patients most likely to benefit from Neratinib
The I-SPY 2 trial identified a neo-adjuvant regimen containing the investigational drug neratinib and standard chemotherapy to be beneficial for hormone receptor (HR)-negative, HER2-positive primary (non-metastatic) breast cancer patients, according to data presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Investigational anticancer drug may benefit subgroup of patients with head and neck cancer
Patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), the most common form of head and neck cancer, may benefit from treatment with the investigational drug dacomitinib if their cancer has no defects in a cell signaling pathway called the PI3K pathway and no signs of excessive inflammation, according to results of a phase II clinical trial presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Ebola-linked deaths in West Africa rise over 100
Officials say more than 100 people have died in an outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, where the disease may have infected as many as 175 people.
Look into the future with genetic programming
With predictive modeling techniques, it is possible to predict anything from clients' shopping habits and illnesses to a golfer's handicap. The only prerequisite is to have enough examples. In a doctoral thesis from the University of Borås in Sweden, Rikard König has adapted the technique of genetic programming so it can be used for such purposes.
Doctors and engineers have designed a new thrombectomy device
CITEF research centre of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) has a line of research focused on the usage of simulation techniques of multi-domain systems. CITEF researchers are working on improving a device for the extraction of blood clots through absorption in a way that the device can effectively work without causing an embolism by a clot breaking off. This research is being conducting along with a medical team of the UK. In addition, the laboratory tests for the device modeling are also conducted in this country.
Swedish researchers map the risks of new virus epidemic in Europe
The risk of dengue fever beginning to spread in Europe is imminent. According to researchers from Umeå University, this is no longer just an issue for the scientific community but also for politicians and policy makers, who need to be prepared and develop preventive measures.
Global study to help improve quality of life for patients with diabetes
Researchers at the Manchester Royal Infirmary's Diabetes Centre and Vascular Surgery Department together with microbiologists from The University of Manchester have recruited the first patient into a global study evaluating the best surgical practice to remove dead tissue from wounds that fail to heal effectively.
How gut bacteria can be harnessed as novel therapies for disease
Millions of years of coevolution have inextricably linked you and your microbiome, whose chemical "factories" help keep you healthy by doing such things as synthesizing vitamins and digesting your food. Recently, Professor of Biology Sarkis Mazmanian's laboratory has uncovered the surprising roles they play in fending off certain diseases.
Geography research could improve the effectiveness of hospital patient transport services
University of Cincinnati research is offering hospitals and trauma centers a unique, accurate and scientific approach to making decisions about transporting critical-care patients by air or by ambulance. A presentation this week at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) in Tampa, Fla., highlights the research of Michael Widener, a UC assistant professor of geography, along with Zac Ginsberg, MD, Maryland Shock Trauma Center; Samuel Galvagno Jr., assistant professor, Divisions of Trauma Anesthesiology and Adult Critical Care Medicine, Maryland Shock Trauma Center; and Daniel Schlieth, a UC graduate student.
Expert guidance highlights practices to reduce prevalence of catheter-associated UTIs
New expert guidance highlights strategies for implementing and prioritizing efforts to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in hospitals. The practice recommendations, published in the May issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, are the first in a series to be published over several months sharing evidence-based strategies to help healthcare professionals effectively control and prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
New research may provide effective nonsurgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis
A new nonsurgical approach to treating chronic pain and stiffness associated with knee osteoarthritis has demonstrated significant, lasting improvement in knee pain, function, and stiffness. This safe, two-solution treatment delivered in a series of injections into and around the knee joint is called prolotherapy, and is described in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Global health funding reaches new high as funding priorities shift
Global health funding hit an all-time high of $31.3 billion in 2013, five times greater than in 1990. Yet with 3.9% growth from 2012 to 2013, the year-over-year increase falls short of the rapid rates seen over the previous decade, according to new research by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington being published online in a web first edition on April 8 by Health Affairs.
FDA: Honey with any added sweeteners isn't honey
The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to ensure that shoppers who buy honey are getting the real deal.
UCSF launches groundbreaking online registry to drive brain disease research
A new online project led by researchers at UC San Francisco promises to dramatically cut the time and cost of conducting clinical trials for brain diseases, while also helping scientists analyze and track the brain functions of thousands of volunteers over time.
Senegal has 'well-oiled system' to stop Ebola: minister
Senegal vowed Tuesday it is prepared for any spread of the deadly Ebola virus, as the suspected death toll in an outbreak raging in Guinea and Liberia rose to 111.
NCQA updates recognition standards for medical homes
(HealthDay)—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has updated its guidelines for patient-centered medical homes, according to an article published March 27 in Medical Economics.
Rapid, broad countermeasures sought against mystery infections
A group of University of Washington scientists is seeking broad, versatile countermeasures effective against several different kinds of viruses and other pathogens. The investigators are part of a national push for faster responses to unexpected infectious agents. These include newly emerging, unknown pathogens, forgotten ones, those expanding beyond their usual geographic range, or dangerous new strains of old enemies like influenza.
Study examines criteria for 'choosing wisely' lists of least beneficial medical services
In the creation of lists by specialty societies of medical services deemed least beneficial (the "Choosing Wisely" initiative), inclusion was often justified by evidence suggesting no additional benefit with higher risk, higher cost, or both, compared with other options, according to a study in the April 9 issue of JAMA.
Access to improved water and sanitation varies widely within sub-Saharan Africa
Access to improved drinking water and sanitation is highly variable within individual countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), according to a study published in this week's PLOS Medicine. Dr Rachel Pullan and colleagues, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, identified marked geographic inequalities, estimating that coverage of improved drinking water supply varied from as low as 3.2% in some districts of Somalia to as high as 99.0% in urban populations in Namibia, while access to improved sanitation ranged from 0.2% in parts of Chad to close to 100% in Gambia.
New ammunition in the fight against type 2 diabetes
Gastric banding can play a vital role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in people who are overweight and not obese, according to new research.
Antimicrobial from soaps promotes bacteria buildup in human noses
An antimicrobial agent found in common household soaps, shampoos and toothpastes may be finding its way inside human noses where it promotes the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and could predispose some people to infection. Researchers at the University of Michigan report their findings this week in a study published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Snowstorms and power outages present elevated risk for carbon monoxide poisoning
While preventable, carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. Large weather events, such as snowstorms and heavy storms that cause power outages, can lead to an increase in the number of reported carbon monoxide exposures. Researchers from Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut explored the link between these major storms and the rise in carbon monoxide exposure cases. They found that portable generators were the most common source of carbon monoxide exposure after storms which resulted in power losses; car exhaust was the most frequent source of exposure after heavy snowstorms. Their findings are published in the May issue of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Policy changes urgently needed as millions to start receiving early label of Alzheimer's
How will we, as individuals, and a society, live with brains at risk for Alzheimer's disease dementia? As part of Health Affairs' April issue, a theme issue focusing on Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease ethicist and clinician with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania offers keen observations to help navigate ethically-charged points on the course of the disease progression.
UK scientists make body parts in lab
In a north London hospital, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in the laboratory in a bold attempt to make body parts using stem cells. It is among several labs around the world, including in the U.S., that are working on the futuristic idea of growing custom-made organs in the lab.
New antibody-drug conjugate shows early promise against all forms of melanoma
The investigational drug DEDN6526A, which is a new member of a class of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates, was safe, tolerable, and showed hints of activity against different forms of melanoma—cutaneous, mucosal, and ocular—according to results of a first-in-human phase I clinical trial presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Physiotherapy treatment for 'double-jointed' people
Physiotherapy researchers at UWE Bristol have come up with a package of treatment and information to help people affected by Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS). The project is being funded by the Health Technology Assessment programme, part of the National Institute for Health Research.
Common diabetes treatment could extend hypoglycaemia
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that a common treatment for people with type 2 diabetes could cause longer-than-normal periods of the low blood sugar reaction hypoglycaemia, which may result in increased health risks to people with diabetes.
From Mexican wave to retinal wave: Why sharing data is good for science
From the way we learn, to how our memories are made and stored, the workings of our brains depend on connections forged between billions of neurons, yet much about how our nervous system develops remains a mystery.
App takes aim at Parkinson's
A smartphone app has been developed to help monitor and improve treatments for people with Parkinson's disease.
Whooping cough boosters lack punch
Whooping cough vaccine protects infants and young children but booster doses wear off quickly, according to University of Queensland researchers.
New investigational epigenetic therapy shows clinical activity against several blood cancers
Patients with a variety of hematological, or blood, cancers benefited from treatment with OTX015, a member of a new class of investigational epigenetic therapies that block the activity of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET)-bromodomain proteins, according to results of a phase I clinical trial presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Research shows people with dementia need better support services
(Medical Xpress)—People diagnosed with dementia in Norfolk and Suffolk need better access to support services according to a new report from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Blood-based biomarker may identify prostate cancers that will be resistant to Enzalutamide
Men with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer who started treatment with the drug enzalutamide (Xtandi) and had a molecule called AR-V7 present in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) obtained prior to treatment had a worse response to enzalutamide compared with those who had no detectable AR-V7, according to results presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Researchers uncover new forms of blindness
Scientists from the University of Leeds have discovered six new forms of inherited blindness, each one resulting from mutations in a different gene important in eye development and vision.
Successful outcome with novel aPKC protein inhibitor cancer drug development candidate
Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK announces a successful outcome to their existing collaboration with Teva through the identification of a novel atypical Protein Kinase C (aPKC) inhibitor pre-clinical candidate, licensed by Teva.
Researcher to examine health impacts of space travel in NASA twin study
When NASA sends an identical twin to the International Space Station next year, a Colorado State University researcher will be among just a few hand-picked scientists studying him and his brother to measure impacts of space travel on the human body.
Saliva provides a new trail in obesity genetics
Salivary amylase is a gene present in humans. Yet its number of copies can vary from one to 20, depending on the individual. Having a low copy number of the gene, which digests complex sugars (starches), favors obesity, according to an international team led by Professor Philippe Froguel from the Genomique et Maladies Métaboliques laboratory (CNRS/Université Lille 2/Institut Pasteur de Lille). The researchers showed that people with the smallest number of salivary amylase copies (and therefore low amylase levels in the blood) are ten times more at risk of becoming obese. With each unit drop in the number of copies of this gene, the risk of obesity increases by 20%. This work, published on March 30, 2014 in Nature Genetics, reveals for the first time a genetic link between complex carbohydrate digestion and obesity.
Human safety thresholds for endocrine disrupting chemicals may be inaccurate
Human and rat testes respond differently to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as BPA in two thirds of all cases, according to a recent review. As human safety levels are extrapolated from rodent data, the study could lead to a re-evaluation of the acceptable daily intake for many endocrine disruptors. The review is published in a special April issue of the journal Reproduction dedicated to endocrine disruptors.
Obese people feel full sooner than people of normal weight
Obese people take less time to feel full than those of normal weight. Despite this, they consume more calories. A faster speed of eating could play an important role in obesity, according to a study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The science of gambling fallacies
Imagine yourself, a picture of sartorial elegance and sipping champagne from a crystal flute, in Le Grande Casino at Monte Carlo. It is a Monday night – in fact, the date is August 18, 1913 – and you are enjoying the tables surrounded by others, all of whom are similarly well-dressed, well-heeled and well-oiled.
Spring allergies linked to some food allergies, specialist says
People sensitive to today's high tree pollen count for birch and oak could also be susceptible to allergies with carrots, celery and almonds.
Teenagers' pornography and sexual experiences—fewer differences than expected
Although a greater proportion of teenage boys than girls watch and fantasise about sex they have seen in pornography, there are no differences between the sexes when it comes to what types of sex they fantasise about. This is shown in a new study from Uppsala University that is published in Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Severe forms of congenital heart disease caused by variants of the NR2F2 gene
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers have explored the role of a master gene that controls the functioning of other genes involved in heart development. Variations in this gene - NR2F2 - are responsible for the development of severe forms of congenital heart disease.
Many new parents unaware of safety guidelines
A new parent's health literacy, defined as their ability to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information, can affect their ability to follow recommendations to protect infants from injury, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
A natural protein, Elafin, against gluten intolerance?
Scientists from INRA and INSERM (France) in collaboration with scientists from McMaster University (Canada) and the Ecole polytechnique fédérale of Zurich (Switzerland) have shown that Elafin, a human protein, plays a key role against the inflammatory reaction typical of celiac disease (gluten intolerance). They have also developed a probiotic bacterium able to deliver Elafin in the gut of mice. This innovation, published online in the American Journal of Gastroenterology on 8 April 2014, paves the way to new strategies to treat gluten intolerance.
Weight loss efforts start well, but lapse over time
Learning you have an obesity-related disease motivates many to start a weight loss program, but troubling health news is often not enough to sustain weight loss efforts, finds new research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Good provider communication improves antidepressant adherence for diabetes patients
Adult patients with diabetes who trust their medical provider and feel included in treatment decisions are significantly more likely to take and maintain a newly prescribed antidepressant medication, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Graphic photos on tobacco packs save lives: WHO report
Large, graphic health warnings on tobacco packets in China would increase awareness about the harms of smoking, help to cut smoking rates, and in doing so save lives according to global studies. These are the key findings from a new report, Tobacco health warnings in China – Evidence of effectiveness and implications for action, from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project), released today.
New breast cancer results illustrate promise and potential of I-SPY 2 trial
In an innovative clinical trial led by UC San Francisco, the experimental drug neratinib along with standard chemotherapy was found to be a beneficial treatment for some women with newly diagnosed, high-risk breast cancer.
Grandmas stay sharp when they care for grandkids once a week
Taking care of grandkids one day a week helps keep grandmothers mentally sharp, finds a study from the Women's Healthy Aging Project study in Australia, published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). That's good news for women after menopause, when women need to lower their risks of developing Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.
Kitchens are a source of multi-drug resistant bacteria
After handling raw poultry, hands of food preparers and cutting boards remain a source of transmission for multi-drug resistant bacteria, such as E. coli that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The study of household and hospital kitchens was published in the May issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Researchers explain how our immune system kills abnormal blood cells
A team of researchers at the IRCM, led by André Veillette, MD, explains how our immune system kills abnormal blood cells. Their discovery, recently published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, could eventually lead to new treatment avenues for leukemia, lymphoma and certain types of infectious viral diseases.
Back to basics: Redesigning systems of care for older adults with Alzheimer's disease
The number of older adults with dementia in the United States is forecast to more than double over the next 40 years. Caring for these individuals will have a significant impact on caregivers as well as the health care system and its workforce.
Researchers identify potential therapeutic target for deadly brain cancer
Researchers from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth will present a scientific poster on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the American Association of Cancer Researchers conference in San Diego, CA. The research identifies a potential characteristic for predicting outcome in a deadly form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme.
Unlocking secrets of breast tissue
A unique population of microbes in the female breast may lay the groundwork for understanding how this bacterial community contributes to health and disease, according to a new study out of Western University (London, Canada). The study titled "Microbiota of human breast tissue," is now published online, in advance of the May issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
New epidemiology model combines multiple genomic data
The difference between merely throwing around buzzwords like "personalized medicine" and "big data" and delivering on their medical promise is in the details of developing methods for analyzing and interpreting genomic data. In a pair of new papers, Brown University epidemiologist Yen-Tsung Huang and colleagues show how integrating different kinds of genomic data could improve studies of the association between genes and disease.
From learning in infancy to planning ahead in adulthood: Sleep's vital role for memory
Babies and young children make giant developmental leaps all of the time. Sometimes, it seems, even overnight they figure out how to recognize certain shapes or what the word "no" means no matter who says it. It turns out that making those leaps could be a nap away: New research finds that infants who nap are better able to apply lessons learned to new skills, while preschoolers are better able to retain learned knowledge after napping.
Innovative, coordinated brain care could save billions of health care dollars
Studies have shown that a new patient and caregiver centered model of innovative, coordinated brain care for older adults improves health outcomes and quality of care for those with cognitive impairment. A new study from the Regenstrief Institute, Eskenazi Health and Indiana University Center for Aging Research implementation scientists who developed the Healthy Aging Brain Center care model shows that such care also produces impressive cost savings.
MERS fears prompt ER closure at Saudi hospital (Update)
The main public hospital in the Saudi city of Jeddah has closed its emergency room after a rise in cases of the MERS virus among medical staff, the health ministry said Tuesday.
More insights from tissue samples: Researchers demonstrates advantages of the HOPE fixation strategy
A new way of preparing patient tissue for analyses might soon become the new standard. This is what researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Research Center Borstel recommend in their current publication in the Journal of Proteome Research.
DNA modifications measured in blood signal related changes in the brain
Johns Hopkins researchers say they have confirmed suspicions that DNA modifications found in the blood of mice exposed to high levels of stress hormone—and showing signs of anxiety—are directly related to changes found in their brain tissues.
Phase II trial of efatutazone shows challenge of matching treatment to population
Work at the University of Colorado Cancer Center led to phase II trial of efatutazone with erlotinib in patients with refractory non-small cell lung cancer. Results are reported today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2014. While efatutazone did not improve the efficacy of erlotinib in this trial, researchers hope lessons from the trial will allow them to make better future use of the drug or other drugs in its class.
Intranasal ketamine confers rapid antidepressant effect in depression
A research team from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai published the first controlled evidence showing that an intranasal ketamine spray conferred an unusually rapid antidepressant effect –within 24 hours—and was well tolerated in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. This is the first study to show benefits with an intranasal formulation of ketamine. Results from the study were published online in the peer-reviewed journal Biological Psychiatry on April 2, 2014.
Unexpected results in cancer drug trial
Research from the University of Southampton has shown a drug, used in combination with chemotherapy to treat advanced colorectal cancer, is not effective in some settings, and indeed may result in more rapid cancer progression.
Researchers find genetic trigger for RSV-induced infant hospitalizations
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have pinpointed a viral protein that plays a major role in making respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) the most common cause of hospitalization in children under one year of age.
Thinking about a majority-minority shift leads to more conservative views
Facing the prospect of racial minority groups becoming the overall majority in the United States leads White Americans to lean more toward the conservative end of the political spectrum, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Hybrid technology could make Star Trek-style tricorder a reality
Scientists at the University of Southampton are aiming to develop a handheld testing device to provide same day diagnosis from a patient's bedside.
Glucosamine promotes longevity by mimicking a low-carb diet
The widely used food supplement glucosamine promotes longevity in aging mice by approximately 10 percent due to improved glucose metabolism. Michael Ristow, M.D., a professor at ETH Zurich, and his team find that the compound does so 'by mimicking a low-carb diet in elderly mice reflecting human retirees.'
The surprising truth about obsessive-compulsive thinking
People who check whether their hands are clean or imagine their house might be on fire are not alone. New research from Concordia University and 15 other universities worldwide shows that 94 per cent of people experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images and/or impulses.
The double whammy of multiple sex partners and drinking in HIV/STI prevention
The more you drink and sleep around, the less likely you are to participate in HIV intervention counseling.
Lipid levels during prenatal brain development impact autism
In a groundbreaking York University study, researchers have found that abnormal levels of lipid molecules in the brain can affect the interaction between two key neural pathways in early prenatal brain development, which can trigger autism. And, environmental causes such as exposure to chemicals in some cosmetics and common over-the-counter medication can affect the levels of these lipids, according to the researchers.
West Africa Ebola outbreak among 'most challenging' ever: WHO (Update)
West Africa's Ebola unprecedented outbreak is among the "most challenging" for health workers since the deadly disease emerged elsewhere in Africa four decades ago as the suspected death toll topped 100, the WHO said Tuesday.
Aspirin advised for women at high risk for pregnancy complication (Update)
(HealthDay)—Pregnant women at high risk for the serious condition called preeclampsia should take low-dose aspirin every day after their first trimester, according to a new draft recommendation by an influential U.S. panel of experts.
Combination of treatments could lead to lower and safer doses of medication in children with ADHD
Balancing a low dose of behavior therapy with a low dose of medication may be the key to helping children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to a new study by researchers at FIU's Center for Children and Families.
Study examines biomarkers in HPV negative squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck
A quartet of proteins that play critical roles in cell replication, cell death, and DNA repair could lead to better targets for therapy against treatment-resistant head-and-neck squamous cell cancers.
Study identifies the process in which heat shock protein 90 contributes to metastases in ovarian cancer
By incapacitating the activities of a protein that guides other proteins to fold into a stable shapes, Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers shut off the spigot for two proteases that help ovarian cancer cells chew their way out of the tissue they grow in and dig in at new locations.
Why binge drinkers are slower to heal from their wounds
People who are injured while binge drinking are much slower to heal from wounds suffered in car accidents, shootings, fires, etc.
Experimental drug shows promise for treatment-resistant leukemias
Research in mice and human cell lines has identified an experimental compound dubbed TTT-3002 as potentially one of the most potent drugs available to block genetic mutations in cancer cells blamed for some forms of treatment-resistant leukemia.
Officials say Ebola outbreak could last months (Update)
Ebola could continue to spread in West Africa for months in one of the most challenging outbreaks of the disease the international community has ever faced, health experts said Tuesday.
Could daughter's cancer risk be affected by father's age at birth?
(HealthDay)—A father's age at the time of his daughter's birth may affect her risk for breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer in adulthood, a new study suggests.
Just one season of hits in high school football may alter brain
(HealthDay)—Even among high school football players who've never had a concussion, a small preliminary study suggests that changes can still occur to their brains within the course of a single season.
Experimental drug shows early promise for some cases of advanced melanoma
(HealthDay)—An experimental cancer drug that activates the immune system has shown early promise for advanced cases of melanoma skin cancer, researchers report.
Inverse link for carotenoid intake, benign breast disease
(HealthDay)—For adolescent girls, β-carotene intake is inversely associated with the risk of benign breast disease (BBD), according to a study published online April 7 in Pediatrics.
National survey links teen binge drinking and alcohol-brand references in pop music
Binge drinking by teenagers and young adults is strongly associated with liking, owning and correctly identifying music that references alcohol by brand name, according to a study by the University of Pittsburgh and Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
Italian adolescents wrongly believe energy drinks are comparable to soda and sports drinks
Energy drinks (EDs) are marketed as having the ability to improve energy, alertness, concentration, and athletic performance. These beverages have become increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults over recent years, often mixed with alcohol, yet their excessive use may have serious health consequences and also serve as an indicator for other risky behaviors. A recent study of ED consumption among Italian adolescents has found a strong need for comprehensive educational programs that focus on the potential health effects of EDs, alcohol, and a combination of the two.
Crafty alcohol advertising directed at US adolescents through music and branding
Alcohol consumption among adolescents is high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39 percent of U.S. adolescents are current drinkers, and roughly 22 percent are current binge drinkers. The average U.S. adolescent is also exposed to about 2.5 hours of popular music per day, and eight mentions of alcohol brands every day. A new study of linkages between adolescents' involvement with music containing alcohol-brand mentions and their alcohol-related behaviors has found strong and independent associations between the two.
Chronic smoking can diminish postural stability
Chronic cigarette smoking has a high co-occurrence with alcohol use disorders, and roughly 60 to 90 percent of alcohol dependent (AD) individuals seeking treatment are chronic smokers. Postural instability is also common among AD individuals, because of damage to the brain systems that maintain postural stability. A new study of the effects of chronic cigarette smoking on postural stability has found that chronic cigarette use continues to impact the systems regulating postural stability even during abstinence.
Chemotherapy may be better for certain patients with advanced lung cancer
Among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer without a mutation of a certain gene (EGFR), conventional chemotherapy, compared with treatment using epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, was associated with improvement in survival without progression of the cancer, but not with overall survival, according to a study in the April 9 issue of JAMA.
Poor neighborhoods create misfortune, ill health
Residents of poorer Chicago neighborhoods are more likely to suffer terrible life events—and their health suffers as a result, according to a new Duke University study.
Perception that eating disorders women's problem delays men getting help
The widespread perception that only women have eating disorders is preventing men with these problems from getting the help and support they need, indicates a small study published in the online journal BMJ Open.
The long reach of Alzheimer's disease
To address the burgeoning demands of Alzheimer's disease that will affect generations, new policies will have to be adopted to acknowledge the complex and unique needs of people with dementia.
Deep, integrated genomic analysis re-classifies lower-grade brain tumors
Comprehensive genomic analysis of low-grade brain tumors sorts them into three categories, one of which has the molecular hallmarks and shortened survival of glioblastoma multiforme, the most lethal of brain tumors, researchers reported at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2014.
Breast cancer cell subpopulation cooperation can spur tumor growth
Subpopulations of breast cancer cells sometimes cooperate to aid tumor growth, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers, who believe that understanding the relationship between cancer subpopulations could lead to new targets for cancer treatment.
Blocking DNA repair mechanisms could improve radiation therapy for deadly brain cancer
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have demonstrated in both cancer cell lines and in mice that blocking critical DNA repair mechanisms could improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for highly fatal brain tumors called glioblastomas.
What songbirds tell us about how we learn
When you throw a wild pitch or sing a flat note, it could be that your basal ganglia made you do it. This area in the middle of the brain is involved in motor control and learning. And one reason for that errant toss or off-key note may be that your brain prompted you to vary your behavior to help you learn, from trial-and-error, to perform better.
Scientists reveal potential link between brain development and breast cancer gene
Scientists at the Salk Institute have uncovered details into a surprising—and crucial—link between brain development and a gene whose mutation is tied to breast and ovarian cancer. Aside from better understanding neurological damage associated in a small percentage of people susceptible to breast cancers, the new work also helps to better understand the evolution of the brain.
Living organ regenerated for first time
Medical procedures that can rejuvenate human body parts have moved a step closer with the completion of a new study.
Breakthrough therapy allows four paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs
Four young men who have been paralyzed for years achieved groundbreaking progress—moving their legs—as a result of epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, an international team of life scientists reports today in the medical journal Brain.
Study shows computerized games can be used to improve children's grades in school
(Medical Xpress)—A study conducted by a team of researchers in Buenos Aires has led to claims that exposing young children to specialized computer games can lead to improved grades in school. In their paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes the study and discusses their results.
Handheld device uses a blood sample to distinguish asthma from allergies
(Medical Xpress)—Asthma and allergic rhinitis can cause similar systems. However, the different conditions require different treatments, so it's important to distinguish between them. Until now, diagnosing asthma has been difficult. Therefore, doctors have frequently underdiagnosed it in some situations and overdiagnosed it in others. To make diagnosis easier and more accurate, Erick Sackmann of the University of Wisconsin and his colleagues invented a handheld device that measures how fast neutrophils in a drop of blood move across a chemotactic gradient. They found the neutrophils of asthmatics move more slowly than the neutrophils of non-asthmatics. The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Memory accuracy and strength can be manipulated during sleep
The sense of smell might seem intuitive, almost something you take for granted. But researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center have found that memory of specific odors depends on the ability of the brain to learn, process and recall accurately and effectively during slow-wave sleep—a deep sleep characterized by slow brain waves.
Biology news
Calif. bill would end SeaWorld killer whale shows
A proposed California bill would force SeaWorld San Diego to stop using killer whales in its iconic shows and to release them from their tanks, the latest blowback that the exotic animal attraction has faced after a documentary film criticized the marine park's animal welfare practices.
Countries renew plan to protect mountain gorillas
The three countries home to mountain gorillas have agreed on new measures to conserve the critically endangered animals, and to maximize the economic benefits they bring to local communities.
Research reveals enzyme's helpful secrets
Findings from an international study led by two Queen's researchers could lead to safer food sources and provide better protection for crops.
The long-fingered bat goes fishing
The long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii) is on the verge of extinction; the work by the UPV/EHU biologist Ostaizka Aizpurua has been crucial in getting to know it better, to be able to take the necessary steps to protect it. Thanks to this work, the long-fingered bat has been shown to feed on fish as well as insects. What is more, it knows how to fish.
Genetic link holds key for sheep affliction
New research shows WA farmers may soon be able to breed sheep with high natural resistance to breech strike, as part of a nationwide study to identify the traits of animals able to withstand the problem.
Improved access to integrated biodiversity data for science, practice, and policy
The world's biodiversity is in an ongoing dramatic decline that despite conservation efforts remains unprecedented in its speed and predicted effects on global ecosystem functioning and services. The lack of available integrated biodiversity information for decisions in sectors other than nature conservation has been recognized as a main obstacle and the need to provide readily accessible data to support political decisions has been integrated into the CBD's "Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020" and the Aichi targets.
California bill that would end orca shows stalls
A California bill that sought to end killer whale shows at SeaWorld in San Diego and phase out their captivity was put on hold Tuesday, dousing an escalating fight between animal activists and a major tourist attraction.
Looking to wheat's wild ancestors to combat an evolving threat
Except for wheat breeders, producers, and scientists, few people have probably ever heard of einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum), an ancient variety still cultivated in some parts of the Mediterranean. Emmer wheat (T. turgidum), found at some archeological sites and still growing wild in parts of the Near East, may be equally obscure. But these little-known grains and others like them could hold keys to saving one of the world's most important cereal crops from an unrelenting fungus.
Dairy scientist targets heat-resistant microbes
Corralling desperados with names like bacillus and paenibacillus will require ingenuity and an arsenal of weapons. These outlaws aren't rustling cattle—they're making milk sour and cheese soft and crumbly.
The ups and downs of getting grumpy bears to have sex
There is nothing intrinsic to pandas that makes them bad at breeding. It is true that they only have one menstrual cycle each year, but this is true of many creatures. Animals that have multiple cycles per year, such as humans, cows, dogs and sheep, are the unusual ones.
New variant of cetacean morbillivirus identified in WA dolphins
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin deaths in WA have been linked to a new variant of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV)—a virus related to the human measles and canine distemper viruses, according to research from the Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU).
A new tiny species of crayfish from the swamps of coastal eastern Australia
Hidden in one of Australia's most developed and fastest growing areas lives one of the world's smallest freshwater crayfish species. Robert B McCormack the Team Leader for the Australian Crayfish Project described the new species belonging to the genus Gramastacus, after 8 years of research in the swamps and creeks of coastal New South Wales, Australia. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
Novel plant biotechnology approach for sustainable production of pharmaceutical compounds
European scientists have made ground-breaking discoveries for improving the efficiency of the production of pharmaceuticals through plant biotechnology. Biotechnological production offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the chemical synthesis of rare and complex pharmaceutical compounds currently isolated from plants. The results have been achieved in the European SmartCell project coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Where credit is due: How acknowledging expertise can help conservation efforts
Scientists know that tapping into local expertise is key to conservation efforts aimed at protecting biodiversity – but researchers rarely give credit to these local experts. Now some scientists are saying that's a problem, both for the local experts and for the science itself.
Combating GMO 'fear-mongering' at America's Monsanto
At a laboratory at its headquarters in the US heartland, a Monsanto scientist demonstrates how genetic material is inserted into plants, a common procedure still viewed as a dark art in parts of the world.
Sea otters can get the flu, too
Northern sea otters living off the coast of Washington state were infected with the same H1N1 flu virus that caused the world-wide pandemic in 2009, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Japan stem cell scientist readies to fight fabrication claim
A young female researcher is preparing to fight claims that her ground-breaking stem cell study was fabricated, her lawyer said Tuesday, as Japan's male-dominated scientific establishment circled its wagons.
A complex cocktail: Alcohol, sex, and cute monogamous mammals
How does alcohol consumption affect romantic life? Let me count the ways.
Sponges that sponge off bacteria
Medical compounds harvested from a marine sponge are actually produced by symbiotic bacteria living in the sponges.
Computer simulation shows adding trees to coffee growing land can increase yields
(Phys.org) —A computer simulation created and run by a pair of researchers at Humboldt State University, in California shows that coffee growers in Jamaica could improve coffee harvests if they planted trees in some of their cropland. The two, Steven Railsback and Matthew Johnson have published a paper describing their simulation and results in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Kinesin-5 structure opens cancer drug targets
The structure of a key part of the machinery that allows cells to divide has been identified by researchers at the University of California, Davis—opening new possibilities for throwing a wrench in the machine and blocking runaway cell division in cancer.
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