Explore MEMS applications in your area of expertise with this online resource from COMSOL Multiphysics.
Learn from industry leaders in this collection of video tutorials, user stories, simulation examples, and more. Check out the MEMS Showcase here: http://goo.gl/j2Mq2O
***************************************************
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 17, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Micro-macro entangled 'cat states' could one day test quantum gravity- First direct observations of excitons in motion achieved
- Meteorites yield clues to Martian early atmosphere
- Researchers model world's first carbon-based 'spaser'
- Progress in the fight against quantum dissipation
- Scientists explain how memories stick together
- A 5.3-million-year record of sea level and temperature
- Study shows high-energy magnetic interactions alone don't cause high-temperature superconductivity
- Lithium-sulfur batteries last longer with nanomaterial-packed cathode
- Global scientific team 'visualizes' a new crystallization process (w/ video)
- With neutrons, scientists can now look for dark energy in the lab
- Team finds electricity can be generated by dragging saltwater over graphene
- Scientists capture ultrafast snapshots of light-driven superconductivity
- How to test the twin paradox without using a spaceship
- New study outlines 'water world' theory of life's origins
Astronomy & Space news
NASA signs agreement with SpaceX for use of historic launch pad
NASA Kennedy Space Center's historic Launch Complex 39A, the site from which numerous Apollo and space shuttle missions began, is beginning a new mission as a commercial launch site.
Image: Rosetta's Philae lander snaps a selfie
Philae is awake… and taking pictures! This image, acquired last night with the lander's CIVA (Comet nucleus Infrared and Visible Analyzer) instrument, shows the left and right solar panels of ESA's well-traveled Rosetta spacecraft, upon which the 100-kilogram Philae is mounted.
NASA astronauts will breathe easier with new oxygen recovery systems
For NASA's long-duration human spaceflight missions, travelers will need to recycle as much breathable oxygen in their spacecraft environments, as possible. To turn that need into a reality, NASA is seeking proposals for lightweight, safe, efficient and reliable systems for regenerating oxygen on future human exploration missions.
The changing laws that determine how dust affects the light that reaches us from the stars
If the space traversed by light to reach our eyes were empty, knowing the properties of a star could be as simple as taking a picture of it and measuring its glow (something known as photometry). But the interstellar environment is strewn with dust that absorbs and scatters light, making objects look less luminous and redder—or colder—than they actually are. A recently published paper makes it possible, at last, to correct this distorting effect adequately.
Let's put a sailboat on Titan
The large moons orbiting the gas giants in our solar system have been getting increasing attention in recent years. Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is the only natural satellite known to house a thick atmosphere. It's surface, revealed in part by the Cassini probe, is sculpted by lakes and rivers. There is interest in exploring Titan further, but this is tricky from orbit because seeing through the thick atmosphere is difficult. Flying on Titan has been discussed around the web (sometimes glibly), and this was even one of the subjects treated by the immensely popular comic, XKCD.
Red moon at night; stargazer's delight
Monday night's lunar eclipse proved just as delightful as expected to those able to view it. On the East Coast, cloudy skies may have gotten in the way, but at the National Science Foundation's National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) near Tucson, Ariz., the skies offered impressive viewing, as seen from the pictures provided here.
ESO image: A study in scarlet
This new image from ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile reveals a cloud of hydrogen called Gum 41. In the middle of this little-known nebula, brilliant hot young stars are giving off energetic radiation that causes the surrounding hydrogen to glow with a characteristic red hue.
Meteorite impact craters may have hosted early life on Earth
(Phys.org) —A new study from Western explores the possibility that Earth's earliest life forms may have been cultivated by a meteorite impact event.
SpaceX will try again Fri. to launch station cargo (Update)
SpaceX is shooting for another launch attempt Friday to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.
Computers beat brainpower when it comes to counting stars
A team of University of Sydney astronomers has developed a new way to automatically classify huge numbers of astronomical objects, and to discover new, exotic ones almost as soon as they happen.
Meteorites yield clues to Martian early atmosphere
(Phys.org) —Geologists who analyzed 40 meteorites that fell to Earth from Mars unlocked secrets of the Martian atmosphere hidden in the chemical signatures of these ancient rocks. Their study, published April 17 in the journal Nature, shows that the atmospheres of Mars and Earth diverged in important ways very early in the 4.6 billion year evolution of our solar system.
Technology news
Technip, Heerema win third giant Angolan oil contract
The ultra-deep Angolan offshore oil project called Kaombo generated the third huge contract in three days on Wednesday when French group Total picked two firms to carry out underwater engineering worth $3.5 billion.
Fujitsu develops technology to quickly detect latent malware activity in internal networks
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced that it has developed technology that quickly detects latent malware activity in a network. This technology monitors an internal network to protect against advanced persistent threats (APT) on specific companies or individuals, an increasingly common problem.
Twitter rules out Turkey office amid tax row
Social networking company Twitter on Wednesday rejected demands from the Turkish government to open an office there, following accusations of tax evasion and a two-week ban on the service.
Researchers propose network-based evaluation tool to assess relief operations feasibility
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction reported that disasters have affected around 2.9 billion people worldwide from 2000-2012— killing more than a million, and damaging around 1.7 trillion US dollars in estimates. Moreover, natural disasters and their damages have been documented to occur with increasing intensity. Given the staggering numbers, effective disaster preparedness and relief response plans is compelling, especially considering the fact that natural disasters are usually unpredictable and damage cannot be avoided.
Environmentally compatible organic solar cells
Environmentally compatible production methods for organic solar cells from novel materials are in the focus of "MatHero". The new project coordinated by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) aims at making organic photovoltaics competitive to their inorganic counterparts by enhancing the efficiency of organic solar cells, reducing their production costs and increasing their life-time. "Green" processes for materials synthesis and coating play a key role. "MatHero" is funded by the European Commission with an amount of EUR 3.5 million.
Freight train industry to miss safety deadline
The U.S. freight railroad industry says only one-fifth of its track will be equipped with mandatory safety technology to prevent most collisions and derailments by the deadline set by Congress.
ASML sees lull in orders from computer chip makers
ASML Holding NV, the largest supplier of equipment to computer chip makers such as Intel and Samsung, says it sees only incremental sales gains in the coming two quarters.
Bitcoin exchange MtGox in administration, bankruptcy eyed (Update)
A Japanese court Wednesday placed failed Bitcoin exchange MtGox in administration, with an order for bankruptcy expected to be issued soon, its administrator and chief executive said.
MtGox gives up rebuilding under bankruptcy protection: report
Failed Bitcoin exchange Mt Gox has given up its plan to rebuild under bankruptcy protection and has asked a Tokyo court that it be liquidated, Dow Jones Newswires reported Wednesday.
Ten ways 3D printing could change space exploration
This close-up shows a titanium ball manufactured by 3D printing. ESA is investigating the potential of this promising new technology to transform the way space missions are put together.
How does false information spread online?
Last summer the World Economic Forum (WEF) invited its 1,500 council members to identify top trends facing the world, including what should be done about them. The WEF consists of 80 councils covering a wide range of issues including social media. Members come from academia, industry, government, international organisations and wider civil society.
X-ray detector on plastic delivers medical imaging performance
Researchers from Holst Centre and imec have demonstrated the first ever X-ray detector produced on a plastic substrate that is capable of medical-grade performance. The proof-of-concept device delivers high-resolution, dynamic images at 25 frames per second (fps) and 200 pixels per inch (ppi) with high contrast using medical-level X-ray doses.
Engineering student developing traffic forecasts
Running into unexpected traffic congestion could largely become a thing of the past thanks to an idea presented by College of Engineering student Jianjiang Yang.
Large streams of data warn cars, banks and oil drillers
Better warning systems that alert motorists to a collision, make banks aware of the risk of losses on bad customers, and tell oil companies about potential problems with new drilling. This is the aim of AMIDST, the EU project coordinated by Aalborg University and software company Hugin Expert A/S.
Scientists come up with method of reducing solar panel glare
The glare from solar farms could be a thing of the past, thanks to scientists at Loughborough University. Researchers have developed a multi-layer anti-reflection (AR) coating for glass surfaces, which reduces the sun's reflection from photovoltaic panels while at the same time improving their efficiency.
New US-Spanish firm says targets rich mobile ad market
Spanish telecoms firm Telefonica and US investment giant Blackstone launched a mobile telephone advertising venture on Wednesday, challenging internet giants such as Google and Facebook in a multi-billion-dollar market.
Ant colonies help evacuees in disaster zones
An escape route mapping system based on the behavior of ant colonies could give evacuees a better chance of reaching safe harbor after a natural disaster or terrorist attack by building a map of showing the shortest routes to shelters and providing regular updates of current situations such as fires, blocked roads or other damage via the smart phones of emergency workers and those caught up in the disaster.
Alibaba steals Yahoo's thunder ahead of IPO
If Yahoo appears back in favor, it can thank Alibaba, the Chinese Web giant in which it holds a big stake and which is set for a public stock offering.
Review: Forward to the past with Windows update
Even as Microsoft prepares for a future dominated by touch-screen devices, it is steering its Windows system to embrace more of the past.
Canada police nab young man in Heartbleed data theft
Federal police said Wednesday they have arrested and charged a 19-year-old man in the theft of 900 Canadian taxpayers' data, which was made vulnerable by the "Heartbleed" bug.
Google takes hit on growth disappointment (Update)
Google lost some of its luster Wednesday as quarterly results failed to meet lofty Wall Street expectations, sending its shares down sharply.
IBM posts lower 1Q earnings amid hardware slump
IBM's first-quarter earnings fell and revenue came in below Wall Street's expectations amid an ongoing decline in its hardware business, one that was exasperated by weaker demand in China and emerging markets.
Computer software accurately predicts student test performance
Emotient, the leading provider of facial expression recognition data and analysis, and the University of California, San Diego announced publication of a joint study by two Emotient co-founders affiliated with UC San Diego, together with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University. The study demonstrates that a real-time engagement detection technology that processes facial expressions can perform with accuracy comparable to that of human observers. The study also revealed that engagement levels were a better predictor of students' post-test performance than the students' pre-test scores.
Wireless industry makes anti-theft commitment
A trade group for wireless providers said Tuesday that the biggest mobile device manufacturers and carriers will soon put anti-theft tools on the gadgets to try to deter rampant smartphone theft.
Tech giants look to skies to spread Internet
The shortest path to the Internet for some remote corners of the world may be through the skies. That is the message from US tech giants seeking to spread the online gospel to hard-to-reach regions.
Researcher's lens turns any smartphone into a portable microscope
(Phys.org) —Imagine yourself examining species of coral in Fiji. Looking at fungi and parasites in grass seeds. Following ants across the ground up close, or picking out the striations in a piece of roast beef on rye.
Students turn $250 wheelchair into geo-positioning robot
Talk about your Craigslist finds! A team of student employees at The University of Alabama in Huntsville's Systems Management and Production Center (SMAP) combined inspiration with innovation to make a $250 motorized wheelchair do the work of a $20,000 robot.
Unlocking secrets of new solar material
(Phys.org) —A new solar material that has the same crystal structure as a mineral first found in the Ural Mountains in 1839 is shooting up the efficiency charts faster than almost anything researchers have seen before—and it is generating optimism that a less expensive way of using sunlight to generate electricity may be in our planet's future.
Floating nuclear plants could ride out tsunamis
When an earthquake and tsunami struck the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant complex in 2011, neither the quake nor the inundation caused the ensuing contamination. Rather, it was the aftereffects—specifically, the lack of cooling for the reactor cores, due to a shutdown of all power at the station—that caused most of the harm.
Quantenna promises 10-gigabit Wi-Fi by next year
(Phys.org) —Quantenna Communications has announced that it has plans for releasing a chipset that will be capable of delivering 10Gbps WiFi to/from routers, bridges and computers by sometime next year. The announcement comes as competition in the WiFi chip-set market has been heating up due to ever increasing demand. Current delivery speeds utilizing the standard 5GHz frequency bandwidth can handle just 1.3Gbps.
Microsoft CEO is driving data-culture mindset
(Phys.org) —Microsoft's future strategy: is all about leveraging data, from different sources, coming together using one cohesive Microsoft architecture. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday, both in a blog posting and Microsoft event in San Francisco, talked about the data-culture direction the company is taking, expounding on what it means to become a data-centric business culture today when supported by a nicely comprehensive technology suite of tools and services from Redmond. Fundamentally, the message is that companies can be successful if they recognize how to leverage data they already have, whether from structured or unstructured data, using technology from Microsoft.
Simplicity is key to co-operative robots
A way of making hundreds—or even thousands—of tiny robots cluster to carry out tasks without using any memory or processing power has been developed by engineers at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Patent talk: Google sharpens contact lens vision
(Phys.org) —A report from Patent Bolt brings us one step closer to what Google may have in mind in developing smart contact lenses. According to the discussion Google is interested in the concept of contact lenses with built-in cameras where images can be captured when the wearer blinks; the lenses could behave as a system that processes data to help the blind navigate daily hurdles such as safely crossing the street as well as serving up a number of information-display applications for those with normal vision. Google's patent application involves a micro camera and sensors on the surface.
Medicine & Health news
New simulator for older drivers is put to the test
University of Adelaide researchers are hoping that a new computer-based driving simulation will help lead to accurate, low-cost testing of older drivers' ability to stay safe on the roads.
Survey: Percent of uninsured Texans has declined since September 2013
The percentage of uninsured adults ages 18 to 64 in Texas declined from 24.8 to 23.5 between September 2013 and March 2014, according to a report released today by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation. The decrease in uninsured appears to be attributable to an increase in employer-sponsored health insurance.
US judge overturns state's abortion law (Update)
A federal judge on Wednesday overturned a North Dakota law banning abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks into pregnancy and before many women know they're pregnant.
Surveillance colonoscopy recommendations for average-risk patients with 1 to 2 small polyps consistent with guidelines
According to a new study, endoscopists' recommendations for timing of surveillance colonoscopy in average-risk patients with one to two small polyps are consistent with guideline recommendations in about 90 percent of cases. This may be an appropriate target for quality indicators. This is the first multicenter endoscopic database study to quantify adherence to guidelines for timing of repeat colonoscopy after one to two small polyps are found during screening colonoscopy in average-risk patients. The study appears in the April issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Sprifermin offers benefit for cartilage loss from knee osteoarthritis
In a new study in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, at 12 months, total femorotibial cartilage thickness loss was reduced in sprifermin (recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18)-treated knees compared to placebo-treated knees, with effects being significant in the lateral femorotibial compartment but not in the central femorotibial compartment.
Preterm delivery, low birth weight and neonatal risk in pregnant women with high blood pressure
Pregnant women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) are highly likely to suffer from adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birth weight and neonatal death, which highlights a need for heightened surveillance, suggests a paper published in BMJ today.
Prolonged, heavy bleeding during menopause is common
Women going through menopause most likely think of it as the time for an end to predictable monthly periods. Researchers at the University of Michigan say it's normal, however, for the majority of them to experience an increase in the amount and duration of bleeding episodes, which may occur at various times throughout the menopausal transition.
Modified stem cells offer potential pathway to treat Alzheimer's disease
UC Irvine neurobiologists have found that genetically modified neural stem cells show positive results when transplanted into the brains of mice with the symptoms and pathology of Alzheimer's disease. The pre-clinical trial is published in the journal Stem Cells Research and Therapy, and the approach has been shown to work in two different mouse models.
Low Vitamin D may not be a culprit in menopause symptoms
A new study from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) shows no significant connection between vitamin D levels and menopause symptoms. The study was published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society.
Masculine boys, feminine girls more likely to engage in cancer risk behaviors
Young people who conform most strongly to norms of masculinity and femininity—the most "feminine" girls and the most "masculine" boys—are significantly more likely than their peers to engage in behaviors that pose cancer risks, according to a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers. The most feminine teenage girls use tanning beds more frequently and are more likely to be physically inactive, while the most masculine teenage boys are more likely to use chewing tobacco and to smoke cigars, compared with their gender-nonconforming peers.
Functional brain imaging reliably predicts which vegetative patients have potential to recover consciousness
A functional brain imaging technique known as positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for determining which severely brain damaged individuals in vegetative states have the potential to recover consciousness, according to new research published in The Lancet. It is the first time that researchers have tested the diagnostic accuracy of functional brain imaging techniques in clinical practice.
Research reveals what your sleeping position says about your relationship
(Medical Xpress)—Research carried out at the Edinburgh International Science Festival has discovered what people's preferred sleeping position reveals about their relationships and personality.
Saudi reports new MERS death, infections in Jeddah (Update)
A Saudi man has died of MERS in the western city of Jeddah, where authorities have sought to calm fears over the spreading respiratory illness, the health ministry said Wednesday.
What are the chances that your dad isn't your dad?
How confident are you that the man you call dad is really your biological father? If you believe some of the most commonly-quoted figures, you could be forgiven for not being very confident at all. But how accurate are those figures?
A new web tool effectively prioritizes disease-causing genes by biological distance
(Medical Xpress)—A new tool, essentially a genetic navigation system that can help biologists identify connections and measure distances between human genes, has received an upgrade. Now, just as with Google Maps, anyone can access the Human Gene Connectome, without training in computational biology or the need to learn special syntax.
Trial examines mindfulness-based cognitive therapy's effect on anxiety
Faculty members at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine will collaborate on a clinical trial designed to gauge the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on children and adolescents with anxiety symptoms or mood dysregulation.
Researchers develop new dichloroacetate formulation for cancer treatment
Health forums were abuzz in 2007 with news that a simple, inexpensive chemical may serve as a viable treatment to many forms of cancer. The drug dichloroacetate, or DCA, was touted as a cure-all, but after years of work, scientists are still searching for ways to make the unique treatment as effective as possible.
Physicians target the genes of lung, colon cancers
(Medical Xpress)—University of Florida physicians and researchers are collaborating to map the genes of different types of cancer, and then deliver medication to attack cancer at its source.
Family cooking lessons and fun exercise could be the key to cutting childhood obesity
Organising cooking lessons for parents and children and planning extra exercise classes in school time are some of the activities that have shown promise in preventing obesity in primary school aged children, a University of Birmingham study published today has shown.
Component of I.V. drips may reduce acute injury to organs, including the heart
Yale researchers have found that the lactate component of a common saline solution used in hospitals may have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce injury to major organs. The finding has clinical implications for the treatment of pancreatitis, kidney injury, strokes, and even heart attacks. The study is published online in the journal Gastroenterology.
Joggers are at higher risk of air pollution than walkers are
Joggers who run near busy roads may be putting themselves at a higher risk of breathing in air pollution compared to if they walked at an average pace, say scientists.
Study shows potential use of Google Glass in surgical settings
An article recently published in the International Journal of Surgery shows the potential applications for Google Glass in the surgical setting, particularly in relation to training.
New therapy helps to improve stereoscopic vision in stroke patients
Humans view the world through two eyes, but it is our brain that combines the images from each eye to form a single composite picture. If this function becomes damaged, impaired sight can be the result. Such loss of visual function can be observed in patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury or when the oxygen supply to the brain has been reduced (cerebral hypoxia). Those affected by this condition experience blurred vision or can start to see double after only a short period of visual effort. Other symptoms can include increased fatigue or headaches. It is been suggested that these symptoms arise because the brain is unable to maintain its ability to fuse the separate images from each eye into a single composite image over a longer period. Experts refer to this phenomenon as binocular fusion dysfunction.
Neuroscientists disprove idea about brain-eye coordination
By predicting our eye movements, our brain creates a stable world for us. Researchers used to think that those predictions had so much influence that they could cause us to make errors in estimating the position of objects. Neuroscientists at Radboud University have shown this to be incorrect. The Journal of Neuroscience published their findings – which challenge fundamental knowledge regarding coordination between brain and eyes – on 15 April.
Pyridoxine-doxylamine drug safety data lacking
(Medical Xpress)—The most commonly prescribed drug for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness in their first trimester does not prevent birth defects even though drug safety data says it does, according to research out of St. Michael's Hospital
Screenagers face troubling addictions from an early age
In 1997, Douglas Rushkoff boldly predicted the emergence a new caste of tech-literate adolescents. He argued that the children of his day would soon blossom into "screenagers", endowed with effortless advantages over their parents, having been raised from birth on a diet of computers and micro-chipped devices.
First of its kind culturally sensitive depression screening tool
(Medical Xpress)—The first of its kind culturally acceptable screening tool for depression among older living Indigenous Australians in remote areas has been developed.
Explainer: What is the morning-after pill and how does it work?
Condoms break, contraceptive pills are missed and in the throes of passion, contraception might be overlooked. So from time to time, a woman may need emergency contraception, known as the morning-after pill.
Black adults with financial worries have lower health scores
Feeling stress about finances leads some Black adults to rate their health more poorly, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Behavior. While lower income and education among minorities have been linked to poor health for decades, this study focused just on the connection between financial worries and poor health.
Changing cows' diet could help tackle heart disease
Adding oilseed to a cow's diet can significantly reduce the harmful saturated fat found in its milk without compromising the white stuff's nutritional benefits, according to research by the University of Reading.
Better memory at ideal temperature
People's working memory functions better if they are working in an ambient temperature where they feel most comfortable. That is what Leiden psychologists Lorenza Colzato and Roberta Sellaro conclude after having conducted research. They are publishing their findings in Psychological Research.
Body Mass Index associated with breast cancer, regardless of body shape
A study of predominantly white women finds a larger waist circumference is associated with higher risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, but not beyond its contribution to BMI. The study, by American Cancer Society researchers, fails to confirm previous findings that body shape itself is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. The current study appears in the April 2014 issue of Cancer Causes, and Control.
Multiple births don't have to be an inevitable result of fertility treatments
While fertility treatments have helped many people become parents, they commonly result in multiple births, increasing the risk of prematurity, and leading to lifelong complications. But this doesn't have to be the case, according to Yale School of Medicine researchers and their colleagues, who recommend sweeping changes to policy and clinical practice in a study published in the April issue of Fertility & Sterility.
Study provides new insight into how toddlers learn verbs
Parents can help toddlers' language skills by showing them a variety of examples of different actions, according to new research from the University of Liverpool.
Expect changes in appetite, taste of food after weight loss surgery
Changes in appetite, taste and smell are par for the course for people who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery during which one's stomach is made smaller and small intestines shortened. These sensory changes are not all negative, and could lead to more weight loss among patients, says Lisa Graham, lead author of a study by researchers from Leicester Royal Infirmary in the UK. Their findings, published in Springer's journal Obesity Surgery showed that after gastric bypass surgery, patients frequently report sensory changes.
Philippines quarantines man over MERS fears
Philippine health authorities said Wednesday they have quarantined a Filipino who arrived from the Middle East because he tested positive for the deadly MERS virus.
Malaysia reports first Asian death from MERS virus
A Malaysian man who went on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has become the first death in Asia from Middle East respiratory syndrome, while the Philippines has isolated a health worker who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.
Progress in understanding immune response in severe schistosomiasis
Researchers at the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts and Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) have uncovered a mechanism that may help explain the severe forms of schistosomiasis, or snail fever, which is caused by schistosome worms and is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in the world. The study in mice, published online in The Journal of Immunology, may also offer targets for intervention and amelioration of the disease.
HIV+ women respond well to HPV vaccine
HIV-positive women respond well to a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), even when their immune system is struggling, according to newly published results of an international clinical trial. The study's findings counter doubts about whether the vaccine would be helpful, said the Brown University medical professor who led the study. Instead, the data support the World Health Organization's recommendation to vaccinate women with HIV.
Study finds toddlers 'surprisingly sophisticated' at understanding unfamiliar accents
A new University of Toronto study has found that by two years of age, children are remarkably good at comprehending speakers who talk with accents the toddlers have never heard before.
Synapses remain stable if their components grow in coordination with each other
Synapses are the points of contact at which information is transmitted between neurons. Without them, we would not be able to form thoughts or remember things. For memories to endure, synapses sometimes have to remain stable for very long periods. But how can a synapse last if its components have to be replaced regularly? Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried near Munich have taken a decisive step towards answering this question. They have succeeded in demonstrating that when a synapse is formed, all of the components must grow in a coordinated way. This is the only way that a long-term functioning synapse, –the basic prerequisite of learning and memory processes, can be formed. This kind of interactive system must allow for the replacement of individual molecules while the other components stabilise the synapse.
Cancer drugs block dementia-linked brain inflammation, study finds
A class of drugs developed to treat immune-related conditions and cancer – including one currently in clinical trials for glioblastoma and other tumors – eliminates neural inflammation associated with dementia-linked diseases and brain injuries, according to UC Irvine researchers.
New cancer vaccine approach directly targets dendritic cells
Celldex Therapeutics announced today that final data from its Phase 1 study of CDX-1401 in solid tumors, including long-term patient follow-up, have been published in Science Translational Medicine. The data demonstrate robust antibody and T cell responses and evidence of clinical benefit in patients with very advanced cancers and suggest that CDX-1401 may predispose patients to better outcomes on subsequent therapy with checkpoint inhibitors. CDX-1401 is an off-the-shelf vaccine consisting of a fully human monoclonal antibody with specificity for the dendritic cell receptor DEC-205 linked to the NY-ESO-1 tumor antigen. The vaccine is designed to activate the patient's immune system against cancers that express the tumor marker NY-ESO-1. While the function of NY-ESO-1 continues to be explored, references in the literature suggest that its expression might reflect the acquisition of properties that cancers find useful, such as immortality, self-renewal, migratory ability an! d the capacity to invade.
Study finds interest in the goals you pursue can improve your work and reduce burnout
Maintaining an interest in the goals you pursue can improve your work and reduce burnout, according to research from Duke University.
Dermatologists with access to sample drugs write costlier prescriptions, study finds
Dermatologists with access to free drug samples are more likely than those without access to samples to write prescriptions for drugs that are more expensive, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
In old age, lack of emotion and interest may signal your brain is shrinking
Older people who have apathy but not depression may have smaller brain volumes than those without apathy, according to a new study published in the April 16, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Apathy is a lack of interest or emotion.
Gate for bacterial toxins found
Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Aktories and Dr. Panagiotis Papatheodorou from the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of Freiburg have discovered the receptor responsible for smuggling the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium perfringens into the cell. The TpeL toxin, which is formed by C. perfringens, a pathogen that causes gas gangrene and food poisoning. It is very similar to the toxins of many other hospital germs of the genus Clostridium. The toxins bind to surface molecules and creep into the body cell, where they lead to cell death.
Mutant protein in muscle linked to neuromuscular disorder
Sometimes known as Kennedy's disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a rare inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Researchers have long considered it to be essentially an affliction of primary motor neurons – the cells in the spinal cord and brainstem that control muscle movement.
Obesity can amplify bone and muscle loss, researchers say
Florida State University researchers have identified a new syndrome called "osteosarcopenic obesity" that links the deterioration of bone density and muscle mass with obesity.
Yoga big on West Coast, chiropractors popular in Midwest
(HealthDay)—Folks on the West Coast are faithful followers of yoga and meditation. Midwesterners turn to chiropractors or osteopathic doctors for their aches and pains.
Evidence lacking for long-term opioid use in low back pain
(HealthDay)—There is evidence of short-term efficacy (moderate for pain and small for function) of opioids for treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared with placebo; however, the effectiveness and safety of long-term opioid therapy for treatment of CLBP remains unproven, according to a review published in the April 1 issue of Spine.
Key brain 'networks' may differ in autism, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Differences in brain connectivity may help explain the social impairments common in those who have autism spectrum disorders, new research suggests.
Six percent of colorectal cancer found to be interval tumors
(HealthDay)—Six percent of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have interval cancers, which develop within six to 60 months of colonoscopy, according to a study published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
Risk for nonelective thoracic aortic sx up for uninsured
(HealthDay)—Uninsured patients have an increased risk of nonelective thoracic aortic operations, and have increased risks of major morbidity or mortality, according to a study published online April 8 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Continued reliance on Windows XP in physician practices may threaten data security
(HealthDay)—Physicians who use Windows XP in their practices may be affected by Microsoft's recent discontinuation of support for the program, according to an article published April 8 in Medical Economics.
Researchers track down cause of eye mobility disorder
Imagine you cannot move your eyes up, and you cannot lift your upper eyelid. You walk through life with your head tilted upward so that your eyes look straight when they are rolled down in the eye socket. Obviously, such a condition should be corrected to allow people a normal position of their head. In order to correct this condition, one would need to understand why this happens.
At least one in 20 adult outpatients misdiagnosed in US every year
At least one in 20 adults is misdiagnosed in outpatient clinics in the US every year, amounting to 12 million people nationwide, and posing a "substantial patient safety risk," finds research published online in BMJ Quality & Safety.
Distracted driving among teens threatens public health and safety
Motor vehicle crashes rank as the leading cause of teen deaths and in 2008, 16% of all distraction-related fatal automobile crashes involved drivers under 20 years of age. These grim statistics, coupled with an increasing nationwide awareness of the dangers of distracted driving for all ages, prompted the publication of an important supplement to the Journal of Adolescent Health that explores the causes of distracted driving and offers practical recommendations to reduce the incidence of distracted driving among teens.
Key milestone for brown fat research with a ground-breaking MRI scan
The first MRI scan to show 'brown fat' in a living adult could prove to be an essential step towards a new wave of therapies to aid the fight against diabetes and obesity.
Research shows that bacteria survive longer in contact lens cleaning solution than thought
Each year in the UK, bacterial infections cause around 6,000 cases of a severe eye condition known as microbial keratitis – an inflammation and ulceration of the cornea that can lead to loss of vision. The use of contact lenses has been identified as a particular risk factor for microbial keratitis. New research, presented today at the Society for General Microbiology Annual Conference in Liverpool, shows that a bacterial strain associated with more severe infections shows enhanced resistance to a common contact lens disinfectant solution.
Researchers see hospitalization records as additional tool
Comparing hospitalization records with data reported to local boards of health presents a more accurate way to monitor how well communities track disease outbreaks, according to a paper published April 16 in the journal PLOS ONE by a research team led by Elena Naumova, Ph.D., professor of civil and environmental engineering and associate dean at Tufts University School of Engineering.
Banning chocolate milk in school cafeterias decreases sales and increases waste
To some, banning chocolate milk from elementary schools seemed like a good idea, but new Cornell University research shows that removing chocolate milk from school menus has negative consequences.
Off-season doesn't allow brain to recover from football hits, study says
Six months off may not be long enough for the brains of football players to completely heal after a single season, putting them at even greater risk of head injury the next season.
Research may help doctors predict who gets long-term complications from Lyme disease
A team of scientists led by Johns Hopkins and Stanford University researchers has laid the groundwork for understanding how variations in immune responses to Lyme disease can contribute to the many different outcomes of this bacterial infection seen in individual patients. A report on the work appears online April 16 in PLOS One.
High disease load reduces mortality of children: Trans-generational defense mechanism in humans proved
Children who have been conceived during a severe epidemic are more resistant against other pathogens later in life. For the first time this has been proved by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock, Germany, for the 18th century epidemics of measles and smallpox in the Canadian province of Québec. Children who were conceived during the wave of measles in 1714 and 1715 died significantly less often from smallpox 15 years later than children who had been conceived before the measles epidemic. This is the result of a study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE by Max Planck researcher Kai Willführ and Mikko Myrskylä from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
US diabetic heart attacks, strokes falling, study says
In the midst of the U.S. diabetes epidemic, a glimmer of good news: Heart attacks, strokes and other complications from the disease are plummeting.
In funk music, rhythmic complexity influences dancing desire
Rhythmic drum patterns with a balance of rhythmic predictability and complexity may influence our desire to dance and enjoy the music, according to a study published April 16, 2014 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Maria Witek from University of Oxford and colleagues from Aarhus University, Denmark and Oxford University.
Ebola virus in Africa outbreak is a new strain
The Ebola virus that has killed scores of people in Guinea this year is a new strain—evidence that the disease did not spread there from outbreaks in some other African nations, scientists report.
Sex: When standing alone makes you stand out
Looking the odd one out may seem like a recipe for mating disaster, but it could make you more attractive to the opposite sex.
Tissue stiffness linked to aggressive type of breast cancer
(Medical Xpress)—A new study has linked the stiffness of breast tissue to the progression of a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. Published in Nature Medicine this month, the study may help clinicians differentiate between aggressive forms of the disease, which tend to have a poor prognosis, and less deadly forms.
Research uncovers DNA looping damage tied to HPV cancer
It's long been known that certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cancer. Now, researchers at The Ohio State University have determined a new way that HPV might spark cancer development – by disrupting the human DNA sequence with repeating loops when the virus is inserted into host-cell DNA as it replicates.
First vital step in fertilization between sperm and egg discovered
Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have discovered interacting proteins on the surface of the sperm and the egg essential to begin mammalian life. These proteins, which allow the sperm and egg to recognize one another, offer new paths towards improved fertility treatments and the development of new contraceptives.
Scientists re-define what's healthy in newest analysis for Human Microbiome Project
As scientists catalog the trillions of bacteria found in every nook and cranny of the human body, a new look by the University of Michigan shows wide variation in the types of bacteria found in healthy people.
Why your nose can be a pathfinder
Waves in your brain make smells stick to your memories and inner maps.
Researchers develop a new drug to combat the measles
A novel antiviral drug may protect people infected with the measles from getting sick and prevent them from spreading the virus to others, an international team of researchers says.
Eavesdropping on brain cell chatter: Novel tools learn how astrocytes listen in on neurons
Everything we do—all of our movements, thoughts and feelings – are the result of neurons talking with one another, and recent studies have suggested that some of the conversations might not be all that private. Brain cells known as astrocytes may be listening in on, or even participating in, some of those discussions. But a new mouse study suggests that astrocytes might only be tuning in part of the time—specifically, when the neurons get really excited about something. This research, published in Neuron, was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health.
How kids' brain structures grow as memory develops
Our ability to store memories improves during childhood, associated with structural changes in the hippocampus and its connections with prefrontal and parietal cortices. New research from UC Davis is exploring how these brain regions develop at this crucial time. Eventually, that could give insights into disorders that typically emerge in the transition into and during adolescence and affect memory, such as schizophrenia and depression.
Down's chromosome cause genome-wide disruption
The extra copy of Chromosome 21 that causes Down's syndrome throws a spanner into the workings of all the other chromosomes as well, said a study published Wednesday that surprised its authors.
Scientists explain how memories stick together
Scientists at the Salk Institute have created a new model of memory that explains how neurons retain select memories a few hours after an event.
Biology news
New research shows how pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 binds to fresh vegetables
Food-poisoning outbreaks linked to disease-causing strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli are normally associated with tainted meat products. However, between 20-30% of these are caused by people eating contaminated vegetables, as was seen in the 2011 outbreak in Europe that caused 53 deaths. Research presented today at the Society for General Microbiology's Annual Meeting in Liverpool shows that the disease-causing E. coli O157:H7 interacts directly with plant cells, allowing it to anchor to the surface of a plant, where it can multiply.
Scientists have named the 200th caecilian species
Natural History Museum scientists have named the 200th caecilian species, marking a landmark in our understanding of this enigmatic group of amphibians.
Ranchers benefit from long-term grazing data
Scientists studying changes in the Earth's surface rely on 40 years of Landsat satellite imaging, but South Dakota ranchers making decisions about grazing their livestock can benefit from 70 years of data gathered at the Cottonwood Range and Livestock Research Station.
Improving the productivity of tropical potato cultivation
Potatoes thrive in tropical highlands. The tubers are healthier than rice, banana or cassava, and can play an important role in food security. Production is, however, often very low due to various diseases and farmers can struggle to generate sufficient added value. This is where Wageningen comes in.
Injection technique creates opportunities for more effective crop protection
Injecting crop protection products into the root zone of the plant creates possibilities for effectively dealing with difficult to control pest insects. This was shown in an exploratory practical test by Wageningen UR against thrips in cabbage and leeks.
Fish exposed to antidepressants exhibit altered behavioral changes
Fish exposed to the antidepressant Fluoxetine, an active ingredient in prescription drugs such as Prozac, exhibited a range of altered mating behaviours, repetitive behaviour and aggression towards female fish, according to new research published on in the latest special issue of Aquatic Toxicology: Antidepressants in the Aquatic Environment.
Japan lawmakers demand continued whaling
Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday demanded the government redesign its "research" whaling programme to circumvent an international court ruling that described the programme as a commercial hunt dressed up as science.
California delays decision on protecting gray wolf
A state board says it needs more time to hear from the public before deciding whether to list gray wolves as an endangered species in California.
Gene removal could have implications beyond plant science
(Phys.org) —For thousands of years humans have been tinkering with plant genetics, even when they didn't realize that is what they were doing, in an effort to make stronger, healthier crops that endured climates better, and produced more.
'Condor Watch' enlists citizen scientists to help an endangered species
Biologists studying the endangered California condor have launched a new web site to enlist the help of citizen scientists in research aimed at reducing lead poisoning, the primary threat to condors in the wild.
Building better soybeans for a hot, dry, hungry world
(Phys.org) —A new study shows that soybean plants can be redesigned to increase crop yields while requiring less water and helping to offset greenhouse gas warming. The study is the first to demonstrate that a major food crop can be modified to meet multiple goals at the same time.
EU must take urgent action on invasive species
The EU must take urgent action to halt the spread of invasive species that are threatening native plants and animals across Europe, according to a scientist from Queen's University Belfast.
Shade grown coffee shrinking as a proportion of global coffee production
The proportion of land used to cultivate shade grown coffee, relative to the total land area of coffee cultivation, has fallen by nearly 20 percent globally since 1996, according to a new study by scientists from The University of Texas at Austin and five other institutions.
Scientists unlock secrets of protein produced by disease-causing fungus
A team that includes scientists from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Johns Hopkins University and St. Mary's University reported the structure of a protein that helps a common fungus to infect the body.
Adventurous bacteria
To reproduce or to conquer the world? Surprisingly, bacteria also face this problem. Theoretical biophysicists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have now shown how these organisms should decide how best to preserve their species.
Two new species of yellow-shouldered bats endemic to the Neotropics
Lying forgotten in museum collections two new species of yellow-shouldered bats have been unearthed by scientists at the American Museum of New York and The Field Museum of Natural History and described in the open access journal ZooKeys. These two new additions to the genus Sturnira are part of a recent discovery of three bats hidden away in collections around the world, the third one still waiting to be officially announced.
For cells, internal stress leads to unique shapes
From far away, the top of a leaf looks like one seamless surface; however, up close, that smooth exterior is actually made up of a patchwork of cells in a variety of shapes and sizes. Interested in how these cells individually take on their own unique forms, Caltech biologist Elliot Meyerowitz, postdoctoral scholar Arun Sampathkumar, and colleagues sought to pinpoint the shape-controlling factors in pavement cells, which are puzzle-piece-shaped epithelial cells found on the leaves of flowering plants. They found that these unusual shapes were the cell's response to mechanical stress on the microtubule cytoskeleton—protein tubes that act as a scaffolding inside the cells. These microtubules guide oriented deposition of cell-wall components, thus providing structural support.
Chimpanzees prefer firm, stable beds
Chimpanzees may select a certain type of wood, Ugandan Ironwood, over other options for its firm, stable, and resilient properties to make their bed, according to a study published April 16, 2014 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by David Samson from the University of Nevada and Kevin Hunt from Indiana University.
Declining catch rates in Caribbean green turtle fishery may be result of overfishing
A 20-year assessment of Nicaragua's legal, artisanal green sea turtle fishery has uncovered a stark reality: greatly reduced overall catch rates of turtles in what may have become an unsustainable take, according to conservation scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Florida.
Lemurs match scent of a friend to sound of her voice
Humans aren't alone in their ability to match a voice to a face—animals such as dogs, horses, crows and monkeys are able to recognize familiar individuals this way too, a growing body of research shows.
Diverse gene pool critical for tigers' survival
(Phys.org) —New research by Stanford scholars shows that increasing genetic diversity among the 3,000 or so tigers left on the planet is the key to their survival as a species.
Friction harnessed by proteins helps organize cell division
(Phys.org) —A football-shaped structure, known as the mitotic spindle, makes cell division possible for many living things. This piece of cellular architecture, responsible for dividing up genetic material, is in constant flux. The filaments that form it grow and shrink, while motor-like molecules burn energy pushing them about. To ensure the complex process proceeds in an orderly fashion, molecular fasteners pin the filaments together in certain places, and new research in Tarun Kapoor's Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology helps explain how they do it.
Offspring benefit from mum sending the right message
(Phys.org) —Researchers have uncovered a previously unforeseen interaction between the sexes which reveals that offspring survival is affected by chemical signals emitted from the females' eggs.
Revealing camouflaged bacteria
A research team at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel has discovered an protein family that plays a central role in the fight against the bacterial pathogen Salmonella within the cells. The so called interferon-induced GTPases reveal and eliminate the bacterium's camouflage in the cell, enabling the cell to recognize the pathogen and to render it innocuous. The findings are published in the current issue of the science magazine Nature.
Researchers discover how intestinal cells build nutrient-absorbing surface
The "brush border" – a densely packed array of finger-like projections called microvilli – covers the surfaces of the cells that line our intestines.
Study shows exception to rule of lifespan for fliers, burrowers and tree dwellers
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers working at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland has found that there are some notable exceptions to the rule that bigger animals live longer than smaller animals. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the team describes how they combed through extensive amounts of data to compare life-spans of different creatures and in so doing discovered that some natural abilities allow for living longer, despite size.
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