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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 2, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- A cure for clashing qubits: Researchers successfully entangle different-color photons- New field of "strain engineering" could open up areas of materials research
- Health risks of Mars mission would exceed NASA limits
- Study shows male bowerbirds manipulate female color perception
- Intel makes new moves on Edison: Atom yes, Quark no
- The origin of twins
- Study shows medium-sized mammals may be more at risk of extinction than large or small species
- Researchers open path to finding rare, polarized metals
- Radiation able to be securely stored in nontoxic molecule, study finds
- New study finds 'geologic clock' that helps determine Moon's age
- Americans using more energy, analysis shows
- Research showcases most comprehensive wiring diagram of mammalian brain to date
- A critical window into the developing human brain profiled
- Amazon steps up TV push with streaming video device (Update 2)
- New general concept for the treatment of cancer
Astronomy & Space news
NASA releases images of M-class solar flare
On April 2, 2014, the sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 10:05 a.m. EDT, and NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured imagery of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however—when intense enough—they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
Star-quakes reveal content of stars which are hotter and more massive than the Sun
To determine the mass and size of planets found around other stars or to date stellar populations in order to limit the number of cosmological models, among other things, it is essential know what goes on inside a star. The only gateway we have to that stellar interior is the study of stellar oscillations, or asteroseismology. Now, for the first time, a study led by researchers from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) has shown the validity of this tool for the study of stars that are hotter and more massive than the sun.
SpaceX's next-generation reusable rocket roars in tie-down test
As SpaceX pursues its quest of rocket reusability, it recently subjected the first stage of its next generation Falcon 9 rocket (called the Falcon 9-reusable or F9R) to a tie-down test ahead of some more heavy-duty work in the coming months and years. Early indications are that the test was a success, the firm said.
NASA uses Russian crisis to push for US-run 'taxi' to space station
Russia's annexation of Crimea may have put the world economy on edge, but for the U.S. rocket industry, at least, the standoff over Ukraine hasn't been all bad. Since the showdown began, NASA officials, along with industry groups and politicians such as U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, have renewed calls to speed up the creation of a U.S.-run "taxi service" to the International Space Station.
NASA suspends Russia ties, except on space station: report
NASA has cut all contacts with Russia except for cooperation aboard the International Space Station, according to an internal memo obtained by the online news site The Verge on Wednesday.
Image: Galactic serial killer
This new image from the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile shows two contrasting galaxies: NGC 1316, and its smaller neighbour NGC 1317. These two are quite close to each other in space, but they have very different histories. The small spiral NGC 1317 has led an uneventful life, but NGC 1316 has engulfed several other galaxies in its violent history and shows the battle scars.
Team finds regolith of small asteroids formed by thermal fatigue
The centimeter-sized fragments and smaller particles that make up the regolith—the layer of loose, unconsolidated rock and dust—of small asteroids is formed by temperature cycling that breaks down rock in a process called thermal fatigue, according to a paper published today in the Nature Advance Online Publication.
Could NASA's 2015 budget leave Mars rover Opportunity high and dry?
NASA's Mars rover Opportunity recently passed its 10th anniversary exploring the Red Planet and embarked on what scientists called a brand new mission, but the trusty little rover's funding has been thrust onto uncertain terrain.
Ancient volcanic explosions shed light on Mercury's origins
Mercury was long thought to be lacking volatile compounds that cause explosive volcanism. That view started to change when the MESSENGER spacecraft returned pictures of pyroclastic deposits—the telltale signature of volcanic explosions. Now more detailed data from MESSENGER shows that volcanoes exploded on Mercury for a substantial portion of the planet's history. The findings suggest Mercury not only had volatiles but held on to them for longer than scientists had expected.
Sakurai's Object: Stellar evolution in real time
(Phys.org) —Stellar lifetimes are measured in billions of years, so changes in their appearance rarely take place on a human timescale. Thus an opportunity to observe a star passing from one stage of life to another on a timescale of months to years is very exciting, as there are only a very few examples known. One such star is Sakurai's Object (V4334 Sgr). First reported by a Japanese amateur astronomer in 1996 as a "nova-like object," Sakurai's Object had been only a few years before the faint central star of a planetary nebula. In the 1990's Sakurai's Object brightened by a factor of 10,000. This brightening has been attributed to a final helium shell flash. In this process the burned out core of the star at the center of the planetary nebula re-ignites.
New study finds 'geologic clock' that helps determine Moon's age
An international team of planetary scientists determined that the Moon formed nearly 100 million years after the start of the solar system (4.470 billion years ago), according to a paper to be published April 3 in Nature. This conclusion is based on measurements from the interior of the Earth combined with computer simulations of the protoplanetary disk from which the Earth and other terrestrial planets formed.
Health risks of Mars mission would exceed NASA limits
Efforts to send humans to Mars would likely expose them to health risks beyond the limits of what NASA currently allows, an independent panel of medical experts said Wednesday.
Technology news
Samsung boss ordered to appear before Indian court
The billionaire chairman of South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics has been ordered to appear before an Indian court next month in a long-running $1.4-million payment dispute.
Mobile robots support airplane manufacturers
In production facilities, robots, and people will soon be working side-by-side. A new mobile assistant is intended to support technicians in the airplane manufacturing industry when applying sealant, measuring, and testing – without putting them at risk.
Freighter without crew
Ships of the future will soon be steered across the Seven Seas – unmanned. A new simulator is helping propel these plans forward. Partners from five different countries engineered the design of the autonomous freighter.
Earthquake research explores use of high-performance concrete
New, stronger concrete that can better withstand an earthquake isn't much good if it's too expensive to use.
Steel-fiber reinforced concrete for conventional construction work as well
Reinforcing concrete with steel bars is a very common practice in construction. The industrial engineer and researcher Aimar Orbe-Mateo (UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country) has studied the possible use of a material that is normally used for other applications for these tasks: concrete reinforced with steel fibres.What the study shows is that this material has certain advantages over conventional reinforced concrete; among others, it is less prone to cracking, and it can be used for purposes like the manufacture of cylindrical holding tanks.
Turkish high court rules for end of Twitter ban
Turkey's highest court has ruled that the country's Twitter ban violates the right to free expression and has demanded that access be restored.
Samsung scores marketing home run with Obama selfie
Samsung celebrated a viral marketing coup Wednesday after a Boston Red Sox baseball star used one of its smartphones to snap a selfie at the White House with Barack Obama.
App happy: Wedding help in the palm of your hand
Doug Appleton's grandparents couldn't travel to his New York City wedding last October, but the tech-savvy Floridians were as present on the Big Day as anyone could be from 1,000-plus miles (1,600-plus kilometers) away.
Judge tosses man's claim of ownership of Facebook
A federal judge has officially closed the book on a New York man's multibillion-dollar lawsuit claiming half-ownership of Facebook.
Deep water search for jet could turn on robot subs
Two miles down or more and darker than night, the ocean becomes a particularly challenging place for human searchers.
BlackBerry ending US licensing deal with T-Mobile (Update)
BlackBerry is ending its U.S. licensing deal with T-Mobile, saying the companies no longer have complementary strategies.
Less energy, more creativity
They were two winningly sustainable houses, designed at Harvard to use little or no energy.
A new optical inspection system reviews wire, pipe, rails at 10 meters a second and finds defects in real time
The wire blank shoots from the drawing die which molds it into the desired shape. Up to ten meters per second, the workpiece is fast – and thus can keep pace with world-class runners like Usain Bolt. At these speeds, an in-line inspection – inspecting the workpiece during the production process – would have been inconceivable, until now.
Detecting diamonds with X-ray technology
X-rays penetrate objects and reveal information about its contents. Using two X-ray spectra, you can identify different materials. And now, a new algorithm is making it possible to find diamonds in the rock.
Smaller microchips that keep their cool
Temperatures often over 200 degrees C occur in geothermal and oil production – conventional microelectronics hit their limits there. Researchers have now fabricated compact microchips that can keep their cool even at 300 degrees C.
Robots learning to work with humans
With the advent of "inherently safe" robots, industrial designers are changing their ideas about the factory of the future. Robots such as ABB's Frida and the Baxter robot from MIT spinoff Rethink Robotics are working "elbow to elbow with people," says Julie Shah, an assistant professor in MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and director of the MIT Interactive Robotics Group. "They're designed so that if they hit a person they don't significantly harm them."
Twitter maps show Americans' beer preferences
Researchers who mapped tweets revealed how "beer space" on Twitter reflects real-world preferences of brews and beer brands in the United States. For example, tweet preferences for Bud Light were found in the Eastern half of the US, while preferences for Coors Light originate in the Western half, particularly near Colorado and surrounding states. Other beer spaces included Miller Lite preferences in the Midwest and Great Plains, and brands like Corona and Dos Equis in the Southern border regions of the US. These and other findings were mapped by University of Kentucky geographers Matthew Zook and Ate Poorthuis, who discovered the geography of Americans' beer and wine preferences in a chapter in the new edited book "The Geography of Beer," published by Springer.
Enhanced autopilot system could help prevent accidents like 2009 Air France 447 crash
Thirty lines of computer code might have saved Air France flight 447, and 228 passengers and crew aboard, from plunging into the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009, according to new research by Carlos Varela, an associate professor of computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Varela and his research group have developed a computer system that detects and corrects faulty airspeed readings, such as those that contributed to the AF447 crash. Their approach to detecting errors could be applicable in many systems that rely on sensor readings.
French cinema braces for Netflix launch
French film-lovers will soon be able to watch films through the video streaming service Netflix, although in an attempt to avoid onerous legislation the company will base itself out of Luxembourg, sources close to the matter told Les Echos.
A rainy day can ruin an online restaurant review
After looking at 1.1 million online reviews for 840,000 restaurants in more than 32,000 cities across the country, Georgia Tech and Yahoo Labs researchers have found that the weather outside can be just as significant a factor for reviews as what happens inside a restaurant. Their study shows evaluations written on rainy or snowy days, or very cold or hot days, are more negative than those written on nice days.
Criticism of violent video games has decreased as technology has improved, gamers age
Members of the media and others often have attributed violence in video games as a potential cause of social ills, such as increased levels of teen violence and school shootings. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that media acceptance of video game violence has increased as video game technology has improved over time. Greg Perreault, a doctoral student at the MU School of Journalism, examined the coverage of violent video games throughout the 1990s by GamePro Magazine, the most popular video game news magazine during that time period. Perreault found that journalists from GamePro expressed a considerable amount of concern about the level of violence in the game software companies were creating in the early 1990s, when video game design was limited by technology.
Intelligent warning systems may make 'dilemma zone' safer
Most drivers have experienced a traffic signal that turns yellow just as they approach an intersection, which makes it difficult for them to decide whether to stop or proceed through it. The wrong choice in this critical situation, known as the "dilemma zone," may lead to crashes, especially at high-speed intersections. A new study published in Human Factors examines how intelligent warning systems help drivers negotiate the dilemma zone and encourage safer driving behavior.
Italy heritage sleuths launch stolen art app
Italy's top art detectives, global experts in finding stolen works, launched a smartphone app Wednesday to get people to collaborate on cracking crimes.
Online dating: New technology transforms age-old, sometimes frustrating search for dates or mates
After breaking up with her boyfriend of seven years, Ashley Giles of Fargo, N.D., was not anxious to start dating again. Her best friend urged her to "get back out there, stop moping around," and filled out an online dating site profile for her.
Clean reviews preceded Target's data breach, and others
Trustwave Holdings gave Target Corp. the green light on payment card security last September, just weeks before malware installed on the retailer's networks began sucking up customer information in a mega data heist.
Tech review: The future is bright for LED bulbs — and your wallet
Not too long ago, I wrote a review of several 60 watt-equivalent bulbs that use light-emitting diodes. I touched on a few ideas about the future of light bulbs that prompted some conversation both online and in the office.
Review: Roku's Streaming Stick offers loads of content in small package
Roku's line of digital media players have long been among my favorite ways of getting Internet videos to the TV.
With Facebook purchase, virtual reality grows up fast
It's long been the stuff of science fiction, the ability to wear a headset and feel as if you're in another world.
Madrid offers electric bicycle-share from May
Madrid will provide 1,500 electric bicycles in its first public bike-hire scheme from May 1, the city said on Wednesday.
Apple, Samsung trade barbs as new patent trial opens
Lawyers for Apple and Samsung exchanged barbs as a major new patent trial opened, debating the role of a company not even part of the case—Google.
Reduced fuel use by US drivers a persistent trend
(Phys.org) —Despite U.S. population growth, fuel consumption by American drivers of light-duty vehicles is now lower than it was 15 years ago, says a University of Michigan researcher.
Amazon steps up TV push with streaming video device (Update 2)
Amazon stepped up its battle for television viewers on Wednesday, unveiling a new media streaming device touted as simplifying the experience of watching video online.
Americans using more energy, analysis shows
(Phys.org) —Americans used more renewable, fossil and even nuclear energy in 2013, according to the most recent energy flow charts released by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Microsoft launches 'Cortana', Siri-like smartphone assistant (Update)
Microsoft on Wednesday took on Apple's Siri and Google Now with a smartphone personal assistant dubbed "Cortana," gleaned from a character in the hit Xbox video game "Halo."
Browser tool Sell Hack gets C&D from LinkedIn
(Phys.org) —March did not exactly go out like a lamb for Sell Hack, which got a cease and desist letter from LinkedIn because the Sell Hack browser extension, once installed, could provide a pop-up button on LinkedIn profiles, where users could hope to get the account holder's email address, even if not connected. (SellHack is an extension compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers.) LinkedIn, said the BBC Tuesday, was advising users to uninstall it and request to Sell Hack to delete their information. The BBC reported that LinkedIn's legal team had delivered Sell Hack the cease-and-desist letter on Monday, March 31. SellHack responded Tuesday in a blog: "We have received a C&D letter from LinkedIn," the team said. "SellHack plugin no longer works on LinkedIn pages." The post also stated, "We are building a better product that does not conflict with LinkedIn's TOS." The team pointed out that "We only processed publicly visible data from LinkedIn based on your p! rofile permissions… all of which has been deleted."
Intel makes new moves on Edison: Atom yes, Quark no
(Phys.org) —Last month's Intel blog post by an Intel VP, Michael Bell, announced the latest enhancements for Edison, the company's platform with built-in wireless, targeted for builders of small form factor devices and wearables. Intel decided that "in order to best address a broader range of market segments and customer needs we will extend Intel Edison to a family of development boards." Notable enhancements, said Bell, who is general manager of the New Devices Group at Intel, include use of the 22nm Silvermont dual core Intel Atom SOC; increased I/O capabilities and software support; and a simplified industrial design. Intel said a priority was "bringing the board powered by the 22nm Silvermont dual core Intel Atom SOC to market first" to best answer market needs.
Medicine & Health news
Unplanned pregnancy remains high among young Australian women
Despite high rates of contraceptive use, unwanted pregnancies resulting in terminations remain high among young women.
Care of heart failure patients falling short in the UK
Care of patients with heart failure in the UK is inadequate and has not changed in a decade, according to new research published in BMJ Open.
Record number of older adults completing living wills
A record number of elderly people are completing living wills to guide end-of-life medical treatments – up from 47 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2010 – according to new research from the University of Michigan and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
New FRAX App launched by the International Osteoporosis Foundation
Osteoporosis management guidelines around the world now recommend that fracture risk assessment be part of any clinical evaluation for osteoporosis. As a result, rather than relying on bone mineral density values alone, physicians now consider future fracture risk when making treatment decisions.
Obama cheers seven million health care sign ups
President Barack Obama Tuesday cheered seven million people who bought into his health care law and lashed out at political foes who were "mad" that more Americans could get insured.
Obama signs temporary Medicare fix bill for docs
President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill giving doctors temporary relief from a flawed Medicare payment formula that threatened them with a 24 percent cut in their fees.
Guinea's Ebola victims wait for death
Isolated from the outside world in a medical centre in Ebola-hit southern Guinea, victims of one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind wait listlessly for the merciful release of death.
Delft training system for keyhole surgery provides greater insight into forces
Keyhole surgery is particularly difficult, so good training for surgeons is essential. Tim Horeman has improved several aspects of this training. He has demonstrated that force and motion measurements give an objective assessment of a surgeon's skills, and that direct feedback on the force applied enhances the learning effect. On Tuesday 1 April, Horeman will be awarded his PhD at TU Delft for his work on the subject.
Accurate computational model of the electrical behavior of the human heart
Physician scientists can find inspiration – and solutions – in every corner of an academic medical center: the clinic, the research arena, or while teaching. That's how Peter Spector, M.D., a University of Vermont professor of medicine and director of electrophysiology at Fletcher Allen Health Care, came to co-develop – with Professor of Medicine and engineer Jason Bates, Ph.D. – a three-dimensional computational model of a human heart called Visible EP.
Green light for Phase II clinical trial using interstitial photodynamic therapy
Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to enroll patients in a phase II clinical trial that will use a unique and highly precise method of delivering interstitial photodynamic therapy (I-PDT) to recurrent tumors of the head and neck.
First point of care blood test for heart disease in Malawi
A team of researchers from University College Dublin and Imperial College London have carried out a blood test for detecting early signs of heart disease for the first time in Malawi, Africa as part of a new research project for the management of type 2 diabetes.
Low Intensive Care Unit staffing levels affect patient survival
Patients in Intensive Care have a better chance of survival if there are more doctors and nurses working on the unit, new research shows.
Why were young males behind recent attacks on schools and public gatherings?
Recent mass killings at schools, movie theaters, political rallies, and races, whether in the U.S., Norway, or elsewhere around the globe, have generally been perpetrated by young males 15-30 years of age. In a provocative Roundtable Discussion published in the preview issue of Violence and Gender, a new peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, a multidisciplinary expert panel explores the possible reasons for high incidence of these crimes, especially in the U.S., and the motives of the young male perpetrators. The article is available free on the Violence and Gender website.
Study shows Florida's participation in ACS NSQIP resulted in statewide improvement
A surgical collaborative of hospitals across Florida resulted in broad improvement in the state, helping most hospitals significantly improve, according to a new study published today in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Albertans support perinatal mental health screening
After struggling with anxiety and depression since her teens, Lana Berry hit bottom at age 26. Divorced, unemployed and back living with her parents, she found herself in a dark place—"as sick as I'd ever been."
Wales considers curb on e-cigarettes
The use of e-cigarettes could be restricted in parts of Britain, after the devolved government in Wales announced proposals on Wednesday to stop smoking the devices in public places.
Despite economic times, US demand for total joint replacement remains steady
A new study appearing in the April issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) showed that the economic downturns in the 2000s did not substantially influence the national growth trends for hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States. The new data support the authors' existing projections—made in 2007—that predicted a significant surge in demand for total joint replacement (TJR) through 2030.
Gastro outbreaks hit elderly hardest
Frail elderly people living in residential care facilities are at increased risk of severe illness or death from outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis.
Report: EPA fails to disclose risks in human tests
An internal investigation has found that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to disclose long-term cancer risks and a small chance of death to 81 human test subjects who consented to breathe in diesel exhaust and other pollutants during experiments.
Joining forces globally against drug resistant bacteria
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives from once deadly infectious diseases. But, misuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials in humans and animals has led to bacteria evolving resistance.
New dementia diagnosis targets will lead to overdiagnosis
In a personal view published today, a general practitioner says that the new targets for diagnosing dementia will lead to more harm than good.
Still no clear evidence for health benefits of vitamin D
Despite a huge number of studies into the role of vitamin D on health, there is still no clear evidence that it has a beneficial effect on many conditions, conclude researchers.
Levels of sodium intake recommended by CDC associated with harmful health outcomes
A new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension finds evidence that the average daily sodium intake of most Americans is actually associated with better health outcomes than intake levels currently recommended by the CDC and major health departments, which are now being viewed by many in the scientific community as excessively and unrealistically low.
Unvaccinated infants act as 'kindling' to fuel epidemics
Nearly 4 million children under 5 die from vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide each year, and two University of Michigan doctoral ecology students are working to change that.
Nearly one-third of initial prescriptions remain unfilled
(HealthDay)—A sizable number of patients fail to fill their initial drug prescriptions, according to research published in the April 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Molecular signature of heart attack predicts longer-term outcomes
(Medical Xpress)—A molecular signature seen in blood from patients who are experiencing an acute heart attack may also predict the risk of cardiovascular death over the next few years, Emory researchers have found.
British adults want to cycle more but feel unable to make the final move
An in depth study of British adults' attitudes to cycling over the last four years has found that a large number want to cycle more for everyday short journeys but feel unable to do so – with a major factor almost certainly being that they feel intimidated by sharing the roads with motor traffic. The survey also shows that people now believe that cyclists should be taken seriously (68%), that they are doing their bit for the environment and that they are actually rather brave (50%).
Cell metabolism discovery could lead to treatments for cancer, common cold
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have published the first study explaining in detail how viruses reprogram the metabolism of the cells they invade to promote continued viral growth within an organism.
Researchers deliver novel stroke test in pharmacies
(Medical Xpress)—University of Sydney researchers have examined a unique way to identify the thousands of people at risk of stroke every year, using an ECG test delivered over an IPhone by pharmacists.
Untrained volunteers may do harm as well as good during disasters, study finds
In the immediate aftermath of hurricanes, floods and other disasters, it's not uncommon for people to turn out in large numbers to assist victims, clear debris and chip in on dozens of other tasks to get a community back on its feet.
World-first clinical trial launches for advanced bowel cancer
Patients with advanced bowel cancer are set to benefit from the launch of a revolutionary new clinical trial targeting treatments to their specific cancer type as well as rapidly adapting to include new drugs and new biomarkers as they become available.
CMS: Medicare beneficiaries saved $3.9B on meds in 2013
(HealthDay)—In 2013, 4.3 million seniors and people with disabilities saved an estimated $3.9 billion on prescription drugs, an increase from the 2012 savings, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Three DNA methylation markers ID recurrence in bladder cancer
(HealthDay)—For patients with noninvasive urothelial carcinoma, three DNA methylation markers are able to accurately predict tumor recurrence, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
How self-exclusion works for Canberra's problem gamblers
Australian National University researchers are investigating how self-exclusion works for Canberra's problem gamblers, and if they receive the right kind of support.
Imaging tool gives insight into origins of Alzheimer's
Researchers at Lancaster University have invented a new imaging tool inspired by the humble sewing machine which is providing fresh insight into the origins of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Five new Ebola cases in Guinea in 24 hours
Five new cases of the deadly Ebola virus have been recorded in Guinea in the past 24 hours, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.
Eyes in the aisles: Why is Cap'n Crunch looking down at my child?
Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids! In a study of 65 cereals in 10 different grocery stores, Cornell researchers found that cereals marketed to kids are placed half as high on supermarket shelves as adult cereals—the average height for children's cereal boxes is 23 inches verses 48 inches for adult cereal. A second key finding from the same study is that the average angle of the gaze of cereal spokes-characters on cereal boxes marketed to kids is downward at a 9.6 degree angle whereas spokes-characters on adult cereal look almost straight ahead.
Kids are at risk for sun damage during spring break
As families prepare to escape the winter weather for somewhere warmer this spring break, they should exercise caution when exposing their skin to the sun after a long winter indoors. Loyola University Health System (LUHS) pediatric dermatologists warn that kids are especially at risk.
Men who started smoking before age 11 had fatter sons
Men who started smoking regularly before the age of 11 had sons who, on average, had 5-10kg more body fat than their peers by the time they were in their teens, according to new research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol. The researchers say this could indicate that exposure to tobacco smoke before the start of puberty may lead to metabolic changes in the next generation.
Tobacco promotions still reaching youth
Teens and young adults who are exposed to marketing materials for tobacco products, such as coupons and websites, were far more likely to begin smoking or to be current smokers than those not exposed, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Endurance sport improves neuronal connections to muscle fibers
Endurance sport does not only change the condition and fitness of muscles but also simultaneously improves the neuronal connections to the muscle fibers based on a muscle-induced feedback. This link has been discovered by a research group at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel. The group was also able to induce the same effect through raising the protein concentration of PGC1α in the muscle. Their findings, which are also interesting in regard to muscle and nerve disorders such as muscle wasting and ALS, have been published in the current issue of the journal Nature Communications.
New survey launched into Group B streptococcus infection in babies
Researchers have launched a national study to see how common the potentially fatal bacterial infection Group B streptococcus is in UK and Irish babies.
An easier, safer, and more accurate treatment for pancreatic cancer
Using CT scans with contrast enhancement, Dartmouth researchers measured treatment response to pancreatic cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) according to a paper published in Physics in Medicine and Biology.
Pharmocogenomics has not fulfilled its promise to developing countries
From 1997 to 2010, despite promises made by the international scientific community, pharmacogenomic research produced few studies focusing on rare, orphan and tropical diseases prevalent in developing countries. Catherine Olivier, bioethics research at the University of Montreal's School of Public Health, recently published these findings in the journal Global Public Health.
'3-D' test could reduce reliance on animals for testing asthma and allergy medications
To determine whether new medicines are safe and effective for humans, researchers must first test them in animals, which is costly and time-consuming, as well as ethically challenging. In a study published in ACS' journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, scientists report that they've developed a simple, "3D" laboratory method to test asthma and allergy medications that mimics what happens in the body, which could help reduce the need for animal testing.
Coffee consumption reduces mortality risk from liver cirrhosis
New research reveals that consuming two or more cups of coffee each day reduces the risk of death from liver cirrhosis by 66%, specifically cirrhosis caused by non-viral hepatitis. Findings in Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, show that tea, fruit juice, and soft drink consumption are not linked to cirrhosis mortality risk. As with previous studies heavy alcohol use was found to increase risk of death from cirrhosis.
Research method integrates meditation, science
Mindfulness is always personal and often spiritual, but the meditation experience does not have to be subjective. Advances in methodology are allowing researchers to integrate mindfulness experiences with brain imaging and neural signal data to form testable hypotheses about the science—and the reported mental health benefits—of the practice.
Infants are sensitive to pleasant touch
Infants show unique physiological and behavioral responses to pleasant touch, which may help to cement the bonds between child and parent and promote early social and physiological development, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Pathological complete response predictor of favorable breast cancer outcome
Results of EORTC trial 10994 appearing in the Annals of Oncology show that pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an independent predictive factor of favorable clinical outcomes in all molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
US approves novel remedy for hayfever, pollen allergies (Update)
US regulators on Wednesday approved a French-made remedy for alleviating symptoms of hayfever and certain allergies to grass pollen.
Call for circumcision gets a boost
In the United States the rate of circumcision in men has increased to 81% over the past decade. In an important new study just published in advance in Mayo Clinic Proceedings authors from Australia and the United States have shown that the benefits of infant male circumcision to health exceed the risks by over 100 to 1. Brian Morris, Professor Emeritus in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney and his colleagues in Florida and Minnesota found that over their lifetime half of uncircumcised males will contract an adverse medical condition caused by their foreskin.
Longer stay in hospital ICU has lasting impact on quality of life
Patients have substantial physical impairments even two years after being discharged from the hospital after a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU), new Johns Hopkins research suggests.
More doctors than consumers favor legalizing medical marijuana: survey
(HealthDay)—The legalization of medical marijuana has more support among U.S. doctors than among consumers, a new survey found.
Excellent long-term outcomes seen following esophagectomy
(HealthDay)—Patients undergoing esophagectomy with gastric pull-up report excellent long-term nutritional status, quality of life, and satisfaction with eating, according to research published in the March issue of The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Attention to postpartum contraception needed
(HealthDay)—Women in the postpartum period should receive counseling and access to contraceptive methods to promote optimal birth spacing, according to research published in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Team identifies novel biomarker for head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer
A team led by a scientist from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has identified a new biomarker linked to better outcomes of patients with head and neck cancers and non-small cell lung cancer. The work could help scientists develop new diagnostics and therapies and help physicians determine the best long-term treatments for patients with these cancers.
Lifespan researcher develops first blood test to predict risk of sudden cardiac death
A researcher at the Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Newport hospitals has found that a simple blood test can predict a person's risk for sudden cardiac death, enabling physicians to more quickly and accurately assess a patient's need for an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). That paper by Samuel C. Dudley, M.D., Ph.D, chief of cardiology at the CVI, is published online in advance of print in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Hundreds of millions with tropical diseases lack treatment
At least 1.4 billion people worldwide require treatment for a group of "neglected" tropical diseases and almost two-thirds are going without adequate medical care, eradication campaigners said on Wednesday.
Most Americans think legal pot inevitable, poll finds
Three out of four Americans believe marijuana will one day be legal to buy and use anywhere in the United States, according to a public opinion poll released Wednesday.
Adenoma detection rates linked to colorectal cancer and mortality
A study of over 224,000 patients and more than 314,000 colonoscopies found that adenoma detection rates closely tracked the future risk of colorectal cancer. The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Study suggests symptoms of childhood eczema persist, likely a lifelong illness
Children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD or eczema) may have symptoms persist into their 20s, and the condition is likely to be a lifelong illness marked by waxing and waning skin problems.
Running, cardio activities in young adulthood may preserve thinking skills in middle age
Young adults who run or participate in other cardio fitness activities may preserve their memory and thinking skills in middle age, according to a new study published in the April 2, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Middle age was defined as ages 43 to 55.
Neuroscientists finds lateral habenula controls sensitivity to negative effects of drinking alcohol
As recovering spring breakers are regretting binge drinking escapades, it may be hard for them to appreciate that there is a positive side to the nausea, sleepiness, and stumbling. University of Utah neuroscientists report that when a region of the brain called the lateral habenula is chronically inactivated in rats, they repeatedly drink to excess and are less able to learn from the experience. The study, published online in PLOS ONE on April 2, has implications for understanding behaviors that drive alcohol addiction.
One in four people with high blood pressure not taking their meds properly
Around one in four people prescribed drugs to lower longstanding blood pressure either just doesn't take them at all or only part of the time, suggests a study of a simple technique designed to find out why drug treatment might not be working in these patients, and published online in the journal Heart.
Body odor changes following vaccination
Our understanding of the role of body odor in conveying personal information continues to grow. New research from the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals that immunization can trigger a distinct change in body odor. This is the first demonstration of a bodily odor change due to immune activation.
Research suggests that green tea, exercise boost weight loss, health
(Medical Xpress)—Mice on a high-fat diet that consumed decaffeinated green tea extract and exercised regularly experienced sharp reductions in final body weight and significant improvements in health, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, who suggest that similar results could be realized by people.
Contrary to expectations, life experiences better use of money than material items
Despite knowing that buying life experiences will make them happier than buying material items, shoppers might continue to spend money on the latter because they mistakenly believe items are a better value, according to a San Francisco State University study published today. That belief, however, isn't accurate.
Positive, negative thinkers' brains revealed
The ability to stay positive when times get tough—and, conversely, of being negative—may be hardwired in the brain, finds new research led by a Michigan State University psychologist.
Noisy brain signals: How the schizophrenic brain misinterprets the world
People with schizophrenia often misinterpret what they see and experience in the world. New research provides insight into the brain mechanisms that might be responsible for this misinterpretation. The study from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro - at McGill University and McGill University Health Centre, reveals that certain errors in visual perception in people with schizophrenia are consistent with interference or 'noise' in a brain signal known as a corollary discharge. Corollary discharges are found throughout the animal kingdom, from bugs to fish to humans, and they are thought to be crucial for monitoring one's own actions. The study, published in the April 2 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, identifies a corollary discharge dysfunction in schizophrenia, which could aid with diagnosis and treatment of this difficult disorder. It was carried out in collaboration with researchers Veronica Whitford, Gillian O'Driscoll, and Debra Titone ! in the Department of Psychology, McGill University.
Strain-specific Lyme disease immunity lasts for years, research finds
Lyme disease, if not treated promptly with antibiotics, can become a lingering problem for those infected. But a new study led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has some brighter news: Once infected with a particular strain of the disease-causing bacteria, humans appear to develop immunity against that strain that can last six to nine years.
Crib mattresses emit potentially harmful chemicals, engineers find
In a first-of-its-kind study, a team of environmental engineers from the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin found that infants are exposed to high levels of chemical emissions from crib mattresses while they sleep.
New general concept for the treatment of cancer
A team of researchers from five Swedish universities, led by Karolinska Institutet and the Science for Life Laboratory, have identified a new way of treating cancer. The concept is presented in the journal Nature and is based on inhibiting a specific enzyme called MTH1, which cancer cells, unlike normal cells, require for survival. Without this enzyme, oxidized nucleotides are incorporated into DNA, resulting in lethal DNA double-strand breaks in cancer cells.
A critical window into the developing human brain profiled
Researchers at the Allen Institute for Brain Science have generated a high-resolution blueprint for how to build a human brain, with a detailed map of where different genes are turned on and off during mid-pregnancy at unprecedented anatomical resolution. This first major report using data from the BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain is published in the journal Nature this week. The data provide exceptional insight into diseases like autism that are linked to early brain development, and to the origins of human uniqueness. The rich data set is publicly available to everyone via the Allen Brain Atlas data portal.
Research showcases most comprehensive wiring diagram of mammalian brain to date
Researchers from the Allen Institute for Brain Science have published the first comprehensive, large-scale data set on how the brain of a mammal is wired, providing a groundbreaking data resource and fresh insights into how the nervous system processes information. Their landmark paper in this week's issue of the journal Nature both describes the publicly available Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, and demonstrates the exciting knowledge that can be gleaned from this valuable resource.
Scientists make major breakthrough in Age-Related Macular Degeneration therapy
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made a major breakthrough with important implications for sufferers of the eye disease Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which can cause central blindness in sufferers.
People exposed to earlier sunlight are leaner than those who get afternoon light
A surprising new strategy for managing your weight? Bright morning light. A new Northwestern Medicine study reports the timing, intensity and duration of your light exposure during the day is linked to your weight—the first time this has been shown.
The origin of twins
(Medical Xpress)—The egregious presumption of universal fact has a long history in science. The ever popular Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake in the year 1600 for crimes against the state; namely, declaring not only that our life-bearing earth is just one among many planets in orbit about a Copernican sun, but also that our sun itself is just one among so many equivalent stars. In hindsight, it is clear that unconditional acceptance of "scientifically proven" accounts of reality, does the entire field a disservice. Take for example, the highly successful theory of the symbiotic origin of mitochondria. Given what we know today about cells, this concept is consistent with the greatest preponderance of accepted facts, and therefore appears to us as the best explanation of them.
Biology news
Students help protect endangered species in Africa
Ivory trafficking is out of control – if it goes on unchecked, there will be no elephants or rhinos in Africa in 10 years.
Maggots may provide protein for future animal feed
Relying on proteins from fast-growing insects such as maggots presents many advantages, but we need a better knowledge of these protein sources before they can be turned into animal feed
A pest management toolbox to reduce pesticide use
Integrated pest management gains momentum due to European regulations on pesticides reduction. But the challenges are to integrate all alternative methods and to get farmers involved.
Anthropologist turns to the alpaca
D. Andrew Merriwether ambles into his lab wearing a green T-shirt, a weathered Binghamton University ball cap and a graying ponytail. He ignores the birthday cake on the bench (chocolate frosting with peanut butter cups) and pulls up a stool.
Scientists eager to participate in public discourse on environment
A survey of more than 500 researchers indicates that scientists have the desire to get more involved in public discussion and policy decisions regarding environmental issues, but have concerns about how their efforts might be perceived.
Spain town hires poo 'detective' to spy on dog owners
Fed up of dog dirt underfoot on its streets, a Spanish town has hired a detective to catch owners who fail to pick up after their pets, officials said Wednesday.
Researchers taking new approach to Florida flavors
Research has never tasted so good. The University of Florida, home to the inventors of Gatorade, is shaking up how it introduces new Florida crops, including fruits and vegetables.
Quarter of Europe's bumblebee species risk extinction, study says
Almost a quarter of European bumblebee species are threatened with extinction, largely because of climate change and intensive farming, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned on Wednesday.
Environmental hormones – tiny amounts, big effects
Empty nets and few species – environmental hormones are believed responsible for the diminishing numbers of fish. How damaging are these substances really, though? Studies that depict a complete picture of the lives of fish provide clues.
Analyzing living cells quickly and accurately
In order to investigate inflammation, tumors or stem cells, medical practitioners analyze living cells. Non-invasive optical procedures such as Raman spectroscopy accelerate this procedure. Researchers have now developed it to industrial scale.
Asian elephants that reproduce at a younger age are more likely to die younger
Researchers wanted to understand what causes differences in the reproductive success of the endangered elephants.
Researchers help shed new light on popular New Zealand parrot
(Phys.org) —New light has been shed on the history of one of New Zealand's most distinctive and loveable native birds, the kea, and what can be done to protect this threatened species.
Don't move a mussel: Small freshwater biofoulers carry a big price tag
Anyone that has spent time at a seaside pier has witnessed the destruction barnacles wreak on boat hulls. But biofouling animals are not limited to marine environments. A new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment estimates that the global management of freshwater mussels, clams, and other clinging animals costs $277 million U.S. dollars annually.
One or two? How to decide how many species you have got
It is often difficult to decide whether two animals belong to the same or two distinct species. This can be especially challenging for animals which externally look very similar. In a recent study, published in the open access journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, scientists from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin use genetic data and sound analysis to test if treefrogs from West and Central Africa belong to different or the same species.
Killing a name of an extinct sea cow species
Sirenians, or sea cows, are a particular group of mammals that superficially resembles whales in having, amongst other features, a streamlined-body and horizontal tail fluke. Though belonging to the so-called marine mammals, such as whales and seals, sea cows are members of a group having a single origin that includes their closest living relatives, the proboscideans (or elephants in the broader sense).
US Navy credited with recovery of island night lizards
In what is being hailed as an environmental victory for the U.S. Navy, the island night lizard has been taken off the list of federally endangered species.
Skipping meals may affect butterfly wing size, coloration
High food stress may impact wing size and coloration—both indicators of migratory success—in monarch butterflies, according to results published April 2, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Haley Johnson from University of Jamestown and colleagues.
Large carnivores with large geographic ranges better-studied
Scientists tend to study larger carnivores with larger geographic ranges than those with greater adaptability and broader diets, according to results published April 2, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Zoe Brooke and colleagues from Zoological Society of London.
Male extinction prevented by promiscuous females
Female fruit flies with a large number of sexual partners are playing an invaluable role in preventing the extinction of males, research at the University of Liverpool has shown.
Study finds pigeons and other animals can place everyday things in categories like humans
Pinecone or pine nut? Friend or foe? Distinguishing between the two requires that we pay special attention to the telltale characteristics of each. And as it turns out, us humans aren't the only ones up to the task.
'Touched' female cockroaches reproduce faster
To speed up reproduction, there's no substitute for the tender touch of a live cockroach.
New insight into links among nitrogen, herbivores and plant biodiversity
A highly collaborative approach to gathering data spearheaded by Iowa State University faculty and students has revealed new insight into plant biodiversity and netted publication in a top scientific journal.
Phage 'cocktail' wipes out 99 percent of E. coli in meat, spinach
(Phys.org) —Treating food products with select bacteriophages - viruses that target and kill bacteria - could significantly reduce concentrations of E. coli, a Purdue University study shows.
Research model unlocks secrets of wolf pack behavior
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers with members from AEPA Euskadi in Spain and Hampshire College in Massachusetts has developed a computer model that shows that wolf pack behavior depends on the social structure of the pack as well as its size. In their paper published in Journal of the Royal Society: Interface, the team describes how their model works and what it shows regarding wolf pack behavior, particularly while hunting.
First peanut genome sequenced
The International Peanut Genome Initiative—a group of multinational crop geneticists who have been working in tandem for the last several years—has successfully sequenced the peanut's genome.
Team reports genome-wide analysis of genes that drive cell division in a multicellular organism
In textbooks, the grand-finale of cell division is the tug-of-war fought inside dividing cells as duplicated pairs of chromosomes get dragged in opposite directions into daughter cells. This process, called mitosis, is visually stunning to observe under a microscope. Equally stunning to cell biologists are the preparatory steps cells take to ensure that the process occurs safely.
How niffy nappies could help develop new weapons in fight against bacteria
Bacteria "plan ahead" by tightening their belts to help them survive looming lean periods, researchers at Cambridge have discovered. At a time when there is growing concern about rising antibiotic resistance, the results – published in the journal PLOS ONE – could lead to new ways of combatting dangerous bacteria.
Study shows male bowerbirds manipulate female color perception
(Phys.org) —A trio of researchers in Australia has found that there is more to bowerbird bowers and colored objects used by the males than has been previously thought. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the team describes how in their study of bowerbird behavior and bower structure they discovered that activities by the males can lead to manipulation of the perception of color by the female.
Study shows medium-sized mammals may be more at risk of extinction than large or small species
(Phys.org) —A pair of researchers at Australian National University is suggesting in a paper they have had published in the journal Biology Letters, that in some instances, medium sized mammals may be more at risk of going extinct than larger or smaller species.
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