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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 9, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Some nanoparticles commonly added to consumer products can significantly damage DNA- The motion of the medium matters for self-assembling particles, research shows
- Gusev Crater once held a lake after all, Mars scientist says
- Field study shows possibility of deflecting seismic waves around desired geologic surface areas
- Scientists discover a novel way to make ethanol without corn or other plants
- See what a child will look like using automated age-progression software (w/ video)
- New 'switch' could power quantum computing
- Study suggests global warming causing changes to the pitch of frog calls in Puerto Rico
- Bacterial 'FM radio' developed
- Study tests theory that life originated at deep sea vents
- One kind of supersymmetry shown to emerge naturally
- Novel approach to accelerate metabolism could lead to new obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment
- Emerging research suggests a new paradigm for 'unconventional superconductors'
- How plants become zombies
- Controlling individual neurons with your brain
Astronomy & Space news
Emergency eye wash in freefall
We all know what to do if something harmful splashes into our eyes: wash with lots of water. As with many things in space, however, a simple operation on Earth can become quite complicated when floating around in weightlessness.
Saturn's hexagon atmospheric phenomenon
An unusual structure with a hexagonal shape surrounding Saturn's north pole was spotted on the planet for the first time thirty years ago. Nothing similar with such a regular geometry had ever been seen on any planet in the Solar System. The Planetary Sciences Group has now been able to study and measure the phenomenon and, among other achievements, establish its rotation period. What is more, this period could be the same as that of the planet itself. Saturn is the only planet in the Solar System whose rotation time remains unknown. The research illustrates the front cover of the journal Geophysical Research Letters and has been highlighted by the publication's editor.
The USAF's super-secret X-37B approaches a milestone
A secretive mission will pass a quiet milestone at the end of this month when the U.S. Air Force's unmanned spaceplane the X-37B surpasses 500 days in space.
India's mission to Mars crosses half-way mark
India's first mission to Mars successfully crossed the half-way mark on Wednesday, four months after leaving on an voyage to the Red Planet scheduled to take 11 months, the space agency said.
Russia launches cargo ship to ISS
Russia successfully launched an unmanned cargo ship to the International Space Station on Wednesday evening after a spaceship carrying three astronauts experienced a technical glitch last month.
Chance meeting creates celestial diamond ring
Astronomers using ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile have captured this eye-catching image of planetary nebula PN A66 33—usually known as Abell 33. Created when an aging star blew off its outer layers, this beautiful blue bubble is, by chance, aligned with a foreground star, and bears an uncanny resemblance to a diamond engagement ring. This cosmic gem is unusually symmetric, appearing to be almost circular on the sky.
Image: Hubble sees a spiral home to exploding stars
(Phys.org) —In this Hubble image, we can see an almost face-on view of the galaxy NGC 1084. At first glance, this galaxy is pretty unoriginal. Like the majority of galaxies that we observe it is a spiral galaxy, and, as with about half of all spirals, it has no bar running through its loosely wound arms. However, although it may seem unremarkable on paper, NGC 1084 is actually a near-perfect example of this type of galaxy—and Hubble has a near-perfect view of it.
Study of galaxy Segue 1 suggests it may be a fossil from the early universe
(Phys.org) —A trio of space researchers studying the galaxy Segue 1 has found that its red giant stars are made mostly of hydrogen and helium, with very few heavy elements, suggesting the galaxy stopped evolving not long after its formation. In their paper uploaded to the preprint sever arXiv (and soon to be published in Astrophysical Journal) the team describes observation data they've obtained regarding the galaxy and why what they've found might mean Segue 1 is the oldest observable galaxy in the night sky.
Gusev Crater once held a lake after all, Mars scientist says
(Phys.org) —If desert mirages occur on Mars, "Lake Gusev" belongs among them. This come-and-go body of ancient water has come and gone more than once, at least in the eyes of Mars scientists.
Technology news
Clinton urges tech leaders to invest in training
Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that if Silicon Valley executives want to persuade Congress to let them hire more high-skilled professionals from abroad, they would have a better case if they also funded college-based training programs for U.S. workers.
Small, light health patch with enhanced accuracy
Holst Centre and IMEC have unveiled a prototype flexible health patch weighing just 10g – half the weight of current products. The patch uses real-time electrocardiogram (ECG), tissue-contact impedance and accelerometer information to accurately monitor physical activity. Thanks to advanced system in package (SiP) technology from ShinkoElectric Industries, the electronics module measures less than two by two centimeters. The high accuracy algorithms, low power consumption, and small size and weight make it ideal for consumer applications.
Radiator Labs wins Popular Science magazine's Annual Invention Award
For more than two years, Marshall Cox PhD'13 and John Kymissis, associate professor of electrical engineering, have been working on their startup Radiator Labs. Their first consumer product—the Cozy—is now in production and set for delivery next fall, just in time for winter's cold blasts. And also just in time to win Popular Science Magazine's Annual Invention Awards as one of the most exciting innovations the PopSci editors have seen this past year.
Expanding energy access key to solving global challenges
Giving the poor access to reliable modern energy offers a better route to address global challenges, climate and energy, scholars say in a new report, Our High-Energy Planet.
Smartphone trial judge annoyed by phones in court
So far one of the biggest problems for the federal judge overseeing a patent battle between the world's largest smartphone makers isn't about stolen ideas. It's getting the roomful of smartphone devotees to turn off their devices.
Twitter tweaks website to attract new users
As Twitter looks to broaden its appeal beyond its 241 million users, the company is introducing a redesign of profile pages that includes bigger photos, more user controls and a distinct resemblance to Facebook.
Heartbleed bug causes major security headache (Update 2)
A confounding computer bug called "Heartbleed" is causing major security headaches across the Internet as websites scramble to fix the problem and Web surfers wonder whether they should change their passwords to prevent theft of their email accounts, credit card numbers and other sensitive information.
Facebook hits 100 mn India users, largest after US (Update)
Facebook has hit more than 100 million users in India, only the second country after the United States to achieve the milestone, the social networking company said Wednesday.
Q&A: Amazon executive sees Fire TV as high-value
Amazon.com Inc.'s new Fire TV streaming-media device is the third hardware category for the online-retail giant, following its Kindle electronic readers and Kindle Fire tablets.
Internet-capable pianos may change the way students learn to play
In what may be a revolution in experiencing music, 19-year-old Russian pianist Osip Nikiforov is recording Chopin's Etude Op. 10, No. 1, without capturing any of its sound.
Lights, action: Tech giants rush into original TV
The battle of the tech giants is now moving into television. Following the success of Netflix and a fresh push by Amazon in online video, the latest players looking to get into the gold rush may be Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL, among others.
Forecasting approach aimed at improving revenue, making solar more grid-friendly
(Phys.org) —Penn State's GridSTAR Center and multiple industry partners will be exploring and demonstrating an innovative and collaborative approach to improve the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. By using weather data and images of the sky to "train" a control system to operate solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems, the variability of a solar system's output will be "smoothed" and, at the same time, responsive to variations in the price of electricity throughout the day.
Engineering an earthquake to buttress the National Cathedral
Two years ago when an earthquake struck the Washington, D.C. area, Robert Mark got a call from the master mason at the Washington National Cathedral. "The building is falling around me!" he said.
Baidu's perfect paradox: Free speech and the right to censor
China's biggest search engine has a constitutional right to filter its search results, a US court found last month. But that's just the start of the story.
Can robots have social intelligence?
Visiting Eric Horvitz at Microsoft Research headquarters in Redmond, Wash., is a full-service experience.
MH370 should make us rethink how we monitor planes
Search ships may be honing in on the black box from missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 after weeks of searching. But whether they are successful or not, the difficulty they have encountered along the way should have us seriously considering how we monitor our aeroplanes.
Sustainable ways to keep us flying
The global aviation industry continues to expand, with over 3 billion people expected to fly commercially in 2014, along with 38 million metric tons of cargo. This activity will have a huge impact on the environment and requires vast resources. In order to make air travel a sustainable option for future generations, the industry needs to perform continual research into technologies that reduce both economic and environmental costs.
Image: Thirty percent efficient multi-junction solar cell
Turning light into power, solar arrays are a must-have for the vast majority of satellites.
Study pegs fuel economy costs of common practices
People who pack their cars and drive like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's "Vacation" pay a steep penalty when it comes to fuel economy, according to a report by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
EU moves to rein in state support for renewable energy
The European Union announced Wednesday sweeping new guidelines to curtail state support for the renewable energy industry which Brussels says is harming the sector on the global market.
Canada shutters tax filing website over 'Heartbleed' bug
Canada's tax agency shuttered its website Wednesday after warning that encrypted taxpayer data could be vulnerable to the "Heartbleed" bug.
What you need to know about the Heartbleed bug
Millions of passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information may be at risk as a result of a major breakdown in Internet security revealed earlier this week.
HP to pay $108 million in US to settle bribery probes
US computer giant Hewlett-Packard agreed to pay $108 million to settle investigations that it paid bribes to win public contracts in Russia, Poland and Mexico, officials said Wednesday.
Comcast, lawmakers debate mega-merger benefits
Comcast and skeptical lawmakers sparred Wednesday over the merits of a proposed mega-merger with Time Warner Cable which would boost the position of the largest US cable and broadband provider.
PC sales see modest drop amid Windows XP replacements
Global personal computer sales saw a modest dip in the first quarter of 2014, as the pace of decline was eased by replacements of older PCs using Windows XP.
'RoboClam' hits new depths as robotic digger (w/ Video)
A digging robot inspired by the unique mechanisms employed by the Atlantic razor clam has been created by a group of researchers in the US.
Flexible plastics that turn mechanical vibrations into electrical energy
The shrinking dimensions and decreased power consumption of modern electronic gadgets have created opportunities for energy harvesting processes that tap into free, green energy from the environment. Vibration harvesters, for example, produce small amounts of electricity from everyday mechanical disturbances such as wind currents, traffic noise or footsteps.
Next generation solar plane unveiled in Switzerland (Update)
The masterminds of sun-powered plane Solar Impulse formally unveiled their new aircraft Wednesday, a year ahead of their planned round-the-world flight. Solar Impulse 2 is the successor of the original plane of the same name, which last year completed a trip across the United States without using a drop of fuel.
A win-win situation: Growing crops on photovoltaic farms
Growing agave and other carefully chosen plants amid photovoltaic panels could allow solar farms not only to collect sunlight for electricity but also to produce crops for biofuels, according to new computer models by Stanford scientists.
Researchers discover dangerous ways computer worms are spreading among smartphones
Professor Kevin Du and a team of researchers from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University have recently discovered that some of the most common activities among smartphone users—scanning 2D barcodes, finding free Wi-Fi access points, sending SMS messages, listening to MP3 music and watching MP4 videos—can leave devices vulnerable to harmful "computer worms."
See what a child will look like using automated age-progression software (w/ video)
(Phys.org) —It's a guessing game parents like to ponder: What will my child look like when she grows up? A computer could now answer the question in less than a minute.
Medicine & Health news
ACA could change costs for auto, malpractice and other insurance, study finds
The expansion of health insurance accomplished under the Affordable Care Act may alter costs for several major types of liability insurance, although any such changes are likely to be modest, according to a new RAND Corporation report.
EASL publishes online recommendations on the management of hepatitis C
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) will this week be announcing new on-line recommendations on the management of hepatitis C (HCV) at the International Liver Congress (ILC). These EASL recommendations reflect the approval of three new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) during 2014 by the European Medicines Agency.
Medicare database reveals top-paid doctors
A new analysis by The Associated Press finds that Medicare paid a tiny group of doctors $3 million or more apiece in 2012. One got nearly $21 million.
Report reveals adoption breakdown rate and the experiences of adoptive families in crisis
The most comprehensive study ever to be carried out into adoption in England has confirmed that the rate of breakdown is lower than anticipated, but it also reveals a stark picture of the problems faced by families.
17 deaths reported in Japan after drug injections
The Japanese unit of major drugmaker Janssen Pharmaceuticals says 17 people have died after being injected with its drug to treat schizophrenia since it was launched in Japan last November.
Mayo Clinic shares lessons learned from genomics clinic for sequencing-based cancer care and diagnostics
It has been 1.5 years since Mayo Clinic opened the world's first integrated multidisciplinary genomics service, the Individualized Medicine Clinic, which uses genomics and next-generation sequencing technologies to personalize treatments for patients with advanced cancer and complex diagnoses. In a special issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C, "Implementation of Genomic Medicine," developers of the Individualized Medicine Clinic report the clinic's structure and share lessons learned in everything from efficacy of genomics in patient care to struggles with insurance reimbursement and ethical dilemmas.
Comment: Global Ebola threat demands a global solution
As a virologist, I am often asked when science will come up with a solution to stop deadly viruses, such as the Ebola outbreak in Guinea. With collaborators I have helped to design and/or test over a hundred potentially life-saving antiviral drugs. These have led to patents and publications, which are the hallmarks of success in my profession. Yet not one of these drugs has ever made it from the lab to market.
Physical activity is beneficial for late-life cognition
Physical activity in midlife seems to protect from dementia in old age, according to a study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland. Those who engaged in physical activity at least twice a week had a lower risk of dementia than those who were less active. The protective effects were particularly strong among overweight individuals. In addition, the results showed that becoming more physically active after midlife may also contribute to lowering dementia risk.
New drug offers hope for devastating childhood disease
A powerful new drug which could relieve the symptoms of devastating childhood disease Rett syndrome is on the horizon thanks to a funding injection of £180,000.
Italy scraps ban on donor-assisted reproduction
Italy's Constitutional Court on Wednesday struck down a Catholic Church-backed ban against assisted reproduction with sperm or egg donors that has forced thousands of sterile couples to seek help abroad.
Pharma firms turn attention to hearing loss
Hearing loss affects 36 million Americans to some degree, often leaving them feeling isolated, but it has received little attention from the pharmaceutical industry—until now. Small firms have brought a handful of potential therapies to the development pipeline, and pharmaceutical heavyweights are taking notice, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly magazine of the American Chemical Society.
Dabrafenib: Also no added benefit over vemurafenib
Dabrafenib (trade name: Tafinlar) has been approved since August 2013 for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In January 2014, in an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) had determined that dabrafenib has no added benefit in comparison with dacarbazine. IQWiG now assessed dabrafenib in comparison with vemurafenib. The report presented in the form of an addendum came to the same conclusion because the results from the indirect comparison presented by the drug manufacturer did not allow any reliable conclusions.
Is the increased risk of death due to alcohol intake greater for women or men?
The increased risk of death associated with alcohol intake is not the same for men and women. A study that compared the amount of alcohol consumed and death from all causes among nearly 2.5 million women and men showed that the differences between the sexes became greater as alcohol intake increased, as described in an article in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Report: Exchanges yield more specialty drug use
The nation's largest pharmacy benefits manager says that patients from the health care overhaul's new insurance exchanges have been more likely to use expensive specialty drugs for chronic conditions.
Patients over 65 have more complications after colorectal cancer surgery
Most colorectal cancer surgeries are performed on patients older than 65 years, and older patients have worse outcomes than younger patients, although the total number of colon cancer operations has decreased in the past decade.
Pink eye extends school closures in American Samoa
American Samoa is keeping most schools closed for the rest of the week as the U.S. territory tries to contain a pink eye outbreak that has affected about 2,300 students, disrupted court hearings and kept some passengers from boarding flights.
Age does not predict success for those in court-based mental health treatment programs
Statistics show that the amount of older adults in the criminal justice system has quadrupled in the past 15 years. Many of the adults have histories of mental health problems and are being placed in court-based treatment programs, where government officials and social workers tend to think that they are more likely to experience success compared to their younger counterparts. However, new research by Kelli Canada, assistant professor in the University of Missouri School of Social Work, shows that although mental health court participants older than 50 adhere to treatment programs better than younger adults, they are just as likely to be reincarcerated or relapse into criminal behavior.
Painkillers linked to heightened irregular heartbeat risk in older adults
Current and recent use of painkillers/anti-inflammatories may be linked to a heightened risk of an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) among older adults, finds a large population study published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Regular aerobic exercise boosts memory area of brain in older women
Regular aerobic exercise seems to boost the size of the area of the brain (hippocampus) involved in verbal memory and learning among women whose intellectual capacity has been affected by age, indicates a small study published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Google Glass puts the focus on Parkinson's
The next generation of wearable computing is being trialled for the first time to evaluate its potential to support people with Parkinson's. Experts at Newcastle University are investigating Google Glass as an assistive aid to help people with Parkinson's retain their independence for longer.
Most schools meet USDA drinking water mandate, more steps needed to encourage consumption
A new USDA mandate calling for access to free drinking water during lunchtime at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program went into effect at the start of the 2011-12 school year. Researchers from the University of Michigan and University of Illinois at Chicago examined compliance with the new requirement as well as perceptions about drinking fountain cleanliness and water quality. The study found that most schools met the new requirement; however, additional measures are needed to promote better access and encourage students to drink more water. Their findings are published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Small cash incentives dramatically improve hepatitis B vaccination rates among injecting drug users
Small financial incentives, totalling as little as £30, can dramatically increase the likelihood of people who inject drugs completing a course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, according to new research published in The Lancet.
S.African traditional medicine comes under the microscope
After decades in the shadows, South Africa's traditional "sangoma" healers are modernising and becoming big business, raising questions about the need for strict regulation.
Too many younger teens still getting pregnant, CDC reports
(HealthDay)—Despite a drop in teen birth rates in recent years, too many girls under 18 are still getting pregnant, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.
AACR: ICMgp100 tolerated, active in advanced melanoma
(HealthDay)—An affinity-enhanced T cell receptor specific for the human leukocyte antigen-A2 restricted melanoma gp 100 peptide fused to an anti-CD3 antibody fragment, IMCgp100, seems promising for advanced melanoma, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
New research finds that many Internet trolls are 'everyday sadists'
Anyone who's ever encountered Internet trolls, those vile, racist, sexist and often profane people who gorge themselves on others' misery, might have concluded they are psychologically disturbed. That would be correct, new research suggests.
Another Saudi MERS death raises kingdom toll to 67
Saudi health authorities announced on Wednesday another death caused by the MERS virus in the capital Riyadh, bringing the nationwide toll to 67.
Nano-sized drug particles to expand HIV treatment further
Research at the University of Liverpool could benefit millions of HIV patients in developing countries through a nano-technology programme aimed at making drug treatment more effective.
Parents need to be listened to after loss of baby to improve care
An independent study giving a national picture of the NHS care experienced by parents of babies who died before or during birth, or as newborns, has been undertaken by Oxford University researchers, working in conjunction with the charities Sands and Bliss.
Misperceptions about energy drinks could have health consequences
(Medical Xpress)—Look closely at the label of any energy drink and you will likely notice a key ingredient is missing. Despite the fact that many of these popular drinks contain as much as 500 mg of caffeine, you won't find the amount listed on the can or bottle.
New cell models for tracking body clock gene function
The consequences of modern life—shift work, cell phone addiction, and travel across time zones—all disturb internal clocks. These are found in the brain where they regulate sleep and throughout the body where they regulate physiology and metabolism. Disrupting the clocks is called circadian misalignment, which has been linked to metabolic problems, even in healthy volunteers.
Forging iron women
(Medical Xpress)—A new University of Melbourne study has found that women who take iron supplements, experience a marked improvement in their exercise performance.
Targeted investigational therapy shows early promise against multiple cancer types
The investigational, oral drug BGJ398, which blocks the activity of a family of proteins called fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), showed promising anticancer activity in patients with various types of cancer driven by FGFR genetic alterations, according to the results of a phase I clinical trial presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, April 5-9.
Quality of health-related Internet searches varies, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—If you're like most people, you've gone online to find out what's causing that ringing in your ears or whether a gluten-free diet is worth considering. Be careful.
More than 20 percent of middle schoolers experience inappropriate touching
(Medical Xpress)—More than one in five youth in middle school has experienced physical sexual violence such as being inappropriately touched against their will while at school, a new study suggests.
WHO urges global push to treat hepatitis C (Update)
The World Health Organization called Wednesday for a dramatic increase in screening and treatment of hepatitis C, saying higher demand would help drive down the cost of drugs for the disease.
Brain model pins down motor decisions
Talking or reading. Texting a message or listening. The dilemma of choosing between various tasks is not an invention of the modern information age. Humans and all vertebrates have to prioritise their actions. But to understand the neurobiology of how these decisions are made is a challenging scientific problem. Now, the EU-funded projectSelect-and-Act, completed in 2012, has provided further insight into such problem.
Research shows that a human protein may trigger the Parkinson's disease
A research led by the Research Institute Vall d'Hebron (VHIR), in which the University of Valencia participated, has shown that pathological forms of the α-synuclein protein present in deceased patients with Parkinson's disease are able to initiate and spread the neurodegenerative process that typifies this disease in mice and primates. The discovery, published in the March cover of Annals of Neurology, opens the door to the development of new treatments that stop the progression of Parkinson's disease, aimed at blocking the expression, the pathological conversion and the transmission of this protein.
Women are slightly more socially anxious than men
Many social situations can provoke anxiety. Be it a networking event for work or having unannounced guests, these kinds of interactions can cause even the most outgoing among us to feel unsettled. But do these feelings differ between the sexes?
Aspirin before non-cardiac surgery is ineffective and often harmful
(Medical Xpress)—Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital researchers are part of a groundbreaking international study that has shown that starting – or continuing – to take Aspirin before non-cardiac surgery as a way to protect the heart after surgery is ineffective and, in some cases, harmful.
A more efficient production process for influenza vaccines could help to cope with future pandemics
Influenza pandemics, such as the 2009 H1N1 'swine flu' outbreak, pose a serious risk to the global population. Vaccination is one route to protection but current manufacturing methods for vaccines limit the volume and speed of production. Now, an international team of researchers including A*STAR's Program in Translational Research on Infectious Disease, Experimental Therapeutics Centre and Singapore Immunology Network, has developed a more efficient production process.
SERS-based assays a simple and convenient method to monitor glucose levels
Diabetes is a major health problem that affects 371 million people worldwide, and a high blood glucose level is one of many complications associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes. Malini Olivo at the A*STAR Singapore Bioimaging Consortium and co-workers have now developed a highly sensitive and specific surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based assay to detect glucose in urine.
Smoking linked to higher risk of heart disease in teen girls
(Medical Xpress)—Teenage girls who smoke or take the oral contraceptive pill are at greater risk of heart disease than boys who smoke, according to researchers at The University of Western Australia.
New possible target to combat muscle wasting
The pathological atrophy of skeletal muscle is a serious biomedical problem for which no effective treatment is currently available. The most affected populations are the elderly diagnosed with sarcopenia and patients with cancer, AIDS, and other infectious diseases that develop cachexia.
Activities the key to avoiding teenage binge drinking
Young teenagers with early pubertal timing are less likely to follow risky binge drinking trajectories across high school when they participated in structured activities revealed a new study from Murdoch University.
Researchers identify specific causes of brown fat cell 'whitening'
Boston University researchers have learned new information about the consequences of overeating high-calorie foods. Not only does this lead to an increase in white fat cell production, the type prominent in obesity, but it also leads to the dysfunction of brown fat cells, the unique type of fat that generates heat and burns energy.
Study examines mental health toll exacted on civilians working with military in war zones
The punishing psychological toll endured by military personnel in war zones has been extensively documented for years by researchers, perhaps more than ever in the wake of recent military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Physical function and sense of autonomy determine life-space mobility in older people
Physical function and sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people. This was found in a study conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyväskylä. In this project, 848 older men and women that lived independently in the Jyväskylä region in Central Finland were interviewed at their own home.
Love is a many-faceted thing: Study examines the relationship between age and satisfaction with love life
Regular churchgoers, married people or those who enjoy harmonious social ties are most satisfied with their love life. This also goes for people who are currently in love or who experience the commitment and sexual desire of their partners, says Félix Neto and Maria da Conceição Pinto of the Universidade do Porto in Portugal. Their findings, published in an article in Springer's journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, look at the influences on love life satisfaction throughout one's adult life.
Toward a faster, more accurate way to diagnose stroke
When someone suffers from a stroke, a silent countdown begins. A fast diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death. So scientists are working on a new blood test that one day could rapidly confirm whether someone is having a stroke and what kind. Their report appears in the ACS journal Analytical Chemistry.
Bone marrow stem cells show promise in stroke treatment
Stem cells culled from bone marrow may prove beneficial in stroke recovery, scientists at UC Irvine's Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center have learned.
Natural compound from green tomatoes stimulates muscle growth, improves muscle strength and endurance
As unlikely as it sounds, green tomatoes may hold the answer to bigger, stronger muscles. Using a screening method that previously identified a compound in apple peel as a muscle-boosting agent, a team of University of Iowa scientists has now discovered that tomatidine, a compound from green tomatoes, is even more potent for building muscle and protecting against muscle atrophy.
Saudi Arabia reports two more deaths from MERS
Saudi health authorities said Wednesday that 11 people in the western city of Jiddah have contracted the Middle East respiratory syndrome, resulting in two recent deaths and prompting officials to temporarily shutter the emergency unit at one of the city's biggest hospitals.
Obesity may shorten colon cancer survival
(HealthDay)—Colon cancer patients who were obese before their diagnosis may have an increased risk of dying from their cancer and other causes, a new study finds.
Study links coffee to lower liver cancer risk
(HealthDay)—Researchers say they've discovered yet another reason to love coffee: A new study suggests that people who drink at least a cup a day have a lower risk of liver cancer compared to those who only indulge occasionally.
Fewer Americans overwhelmed by medical bills, report says
(HealthDay)—While millions of Americans still feel hamstrung by medical expenses, a new government report shows that some people are getting relief.
Genetic defect may confer resistance to certain viral infections
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study reports that a rare genetic disease, while depleting patients of infection-fighting antibodies, may actually protect them from certain severe or recurrent viral infections. Researchers found that HIV and influenza viruses replicate in the cells of people with congenital disorder of glycosylation type IIb (CDG-IIb) at a much lower rate than in healthy donor cells, creating fewer and less infectious viruses. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, was led by Sergio Rosenzweig, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) Clinic at the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Consuming a high-fat diet is associated with increased risk of certain types of breast cancer
High total and saturated fat intake were associated with greater risk of estrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-positive (ER+PR+) breast cancer (BC), and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor-negative (HER2-) disease, according to a new study published April 9 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Older people with faster decline in memory, thinking skills may have lower risk of cancer death
Older people who are starting to have memory and thinking problems, but do not yet have dementia may have a lower risk of dying from cancer than people who have no memory and thinking problems, according to a study published in the April 9, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Physical activity associated with lower rates of hospital readmission in patients with COPD
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who participated in any level of moderate to vigorous physical activity had a lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days compared to those who were inactive, according to a study published today in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Spironolactone not reduce primary outcome, did reduce hospitalizations for heart failure
Findings from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial, have revealed that adding the medication known as spironolactone (Aldactone) to existing therapy did not significantly reduce the composite time to either death from cardiovascular causes, surviving a cardiac arrest, or hospitaliization to manage heart failure in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction in a study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Medication therapy management works for some but not all home health patients
Low-risk Medicare patients entering home health care who received medication therapy management by phone were three times less likely to be hospitalized within the next two months, while those at greater risk saw no benefit, according to a study led by Purdue University.
Chips with olestra cause body toxins to dip
According to a clinical trial led by University of Cincinnati researchers, a snack food ingredient called olestra has been found to speed up the removal of toxins in the body.
Spike in postoperative cardiac surgery deaths may be linked to 30-day survival measurement
Analyzing a national database of hospital inpatient records, a team of researchers reports an expected spike in mortality six days after cardiac surgery, but also a more surprising and potentially troubling jump in deaths at the 30-day mark.
Violence intervention program effective in Vanderbilt pilot study
Violent behavior and beliefs among middle school students can be reduced through the implementation of a targeted violence intervention program, according to a Vanderbilt study released in the Journal of Injury and Violence Research.
Vigilance for kidney problems key for rheumatoid arthritis patients
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are likelier than the average person to develop chronic kidney disease, and more severe inflammation in the first year of rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroid use, high blood pressure and obesity are among the risk factors, new Mayo Clinic research shows. Physicians should test rheumatoid arthritis patients periodically for signs of kidney problems, and patients should work to keep blood pressure under control, avoid a high-salt diet, and eliminate or scale back medications damaging to the kidneys, says senior author Eric Matteson, M.D., Mayo rheumatology chair. The study is published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the National Kidney Foundation journal .
Study confirms impact of clinician-patient relationship on health outcomes
A meta-analysis of studies that investigated measures designed to improve health professionals' interactions with patients confirms that such efforts can produce health effects just as beneficial as taking a daily aspirin to prevent heart attack. In contrast to previous such reviews, the current report from the Empathy and Relational Science Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) only included randomized, controlled trials with more reliable results than those included in earlier studies. While it has long been believed that a good patient-clinician relationship can improve health outcomes, objective evidence to support that belief has been hard to come by.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease linked to CKD in T1DM
(HealthDay)—For patients with type 1 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online April 2 in Diabetes Care.
Restaurants pose double the risk of food poisoning compared to homes
(HealthDay)—Restaurant dining may be less bother than a home-cooked meal, but a new study finds that you're twice as likely to get food poisoning dining out compared to eating in.
Team identifies growth factor receptors that may prompt metastatic spread of lung cancer
Two cell surface receptors might be responsible for the most common form of lung cancer spreading to other parts of the body, according to a study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Are chromium supplements helpful in lowering blood sugar levels?
Approximately 26 percent of the U.S. population has impaired fasting glucose, which is a predisposition for developing type 2 diabetes, and chromium supplementation has been suggested as a method that may help control and prevent the disease.
Optimism associated with lower risk of heart failure
(Medical Xpress)—Optimistic older adults who see the glass as half full appear to have a reduced risk of developing heart failure.
Researchers show how cancer cells may respond to mechanical force
The push and pull of physical force can cause profound changes in the behavior of a cell. Two studies from researchers working at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center reveal how cells respond to mechanical manipulation, a key factor in addressing the underlying causes of cancer and other diseases.
Genome sequencing of MRSA infection predicts disease severity
The spread of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) remains a concerning public health problem, especially among doctors trying to determine appropriate treatment options for infected patients. Bacterial pathogens, such as MRSA, cause disease in part due to toxicity, or the bacterium's ability to damage a host's tissue. In a study published online today in Genome Research, researchers used the genome sequence of MRSA to predict which isolates were highly toxic, thus potentially personalizing the treatment of individual MRSA infections.
A bad penny: Cancer's thirst for copper can be targeted
Drugs used to block copper absorption for a rare genetic condition may find an additional use as a treatment for certain types of cancer, researchers at Duke Medicine report.
Novel approach to accelerate metabolism could lead to new obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment
By manipulating a biochemical process that underlies cells' energy-burning abilities, investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have made a novel discovery that could lead to a new therapy to combat obesity and diabetes.
Controlling individual neurons with your brain
(Medical Xpress)—In many ways humans are universal machines. We can generate an answer to any question asked of us or move our body into any configuration our joints permit. We can do this near-instantaneously, and with semi-unconscious ease. While it is accepted that our neurons control these functions, we don't know if we can control the activity of individual neurons with this same ease and reliability. If we do possess this ability, then can we control the activity of any and every neuron, or just that of a few kingpins at critical nodes in our networks?
Biology news
Can animals really help people in hospitals, aged care?
While many people have an opinion on whether animals can help to improve wellbeing and care for patients in hospitals, does anyone really know whether there are benefits both for the patients and the animals themselves?
S.Africa rhino poaching up, with 277 killed this year
Rhino poaching is on the rise in South Africa, with 277 of the endangered animals killed this year despite government attempts to clamp down on poaching, the environment ministry said Wednesday.
Japan kills 251 minke whales in final Antarctic hunt
Japan killed 251 minke whales during the 2014 Antarctic hunt, in what is expected to be the last "research whaling" mission in the Southern Ocean after an international court ruling.
Security barriers in US, Mexico national parks affect movement of animals
Because international boundaries can be focal points for trade, illegal activity and development, national parks in their vicinity can be vulnerable to pollution, erosion and hunting as well as smuggling of people and drugs.
Climate changes to result in bird, reptile shifts
As temperatures climb across the Southwest, researchers have found some species will win but others stand to lose—and lose big.
Belgium destroys 1.5 tonnes ivory stockpile
Belgium crushed 1.5 tonnes of ivory, its entire stockpile of seized ivory tusks and statuettes, as a global campaign to save the world's elephants gathered pace.
Japan stem cell scientist stands by 'phoney' research (Update)
A young female scientist accused of fabricating data made a tearful apology live on Japanese television Wednesday for "mistakes" in her research, but insisted her ground-breaking conclusions on stem cells were accurate.
Climate change impacts tuatara population
A new study involving researchers from Victoria University of Wellington shows climate change could ultimately result in the extinction of a population of tuatara.
Method offers potential for understanding anti-bacterial resistance
Biologists could gain a deeper understanding about how species have evolved – and even find ways to address antibiotic resistance – using tools that were developed recently at Stockholm's KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Lead continues to be a serious threat to California condor populations
The California condor was one of the first species to be listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1966 when the population was reduced to a handful of birds. Through a massive collaborative effort that included fieldwork and breeding in zoos, the condor population has grown to more than 400 birds, more than half of which are now free-flying in the wild. Unfortunately, there is overwhelming evidence that lead poisoning from accidental ingestion of spent ammunition is the leading cause of death in the wild population, and this may prevent the establishment of self-sustaining populations.
Rabbits kept indoors could be vitamin D deficient
Rabbits that remain indoors may suffer from a lack of vitamin D, researchers report in a new study. In rabbits kept as pets or used in laboratory studies, the deficiency could lead to dental problems, undermine their cardiovascular health, weaken their immune systems and skew scientific findings.
One of the last strongholds for Western chimpanzees
When Liberia enters the news it is usually in the context of civil war, economic crisis, poverty or a disease outbreak such as the recent emergence of Ebola in West Africa. Liberia's status as a biodiversity hotspot and the fact that it is home to some of the last viable and threatened wildlife populations in West Africa has received little media attention in the past. This is partly because the many years of violent conflict in Liberia, from 1989 to 1997 and from 2002 to 2003, thwarted efforts of biologists to conduct biological surveys. An international research team, including scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has now counted chimpanzees and other large mammals living in Liberia. The census revealed that this country is home to 7000 chimpanzees and therefore to the second largest population of the Western subspecies of chimpanzees. As Liberia has released large areas for deforestation, the local decision-makers can! now use the results of this study in order to protect the chimpanzees more effectively.
Counting the invisible by sound: A new approach to estimate seabird populations
Seabirds nest in places that are inaccessible for most humans - vertical cliffs and remote islands surrounded by raging waves. Worse still, many seabirds lay their eggs in burrows or cavities where they are protected from inclement weather and invisible for researchers. Hidden under rocks or in burrows during the day, and flying around only during dark nights - counting these birds is a researcher's nightmare.
Water users can reduce the risk of spreading invasive species
Foreign species that are devastating water ecosystems could be "hitchhiking" around Britain on canoeists' and anglers' kit, according to a new study.
Butterfly larvae mimic queen ant to avoid detection
Parasitic butterfly larvae may mimic ants' acoustic signals to aid in the infiltration of their host colonies, according to results published April 9, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Marco Sala from University of Turin, Italy, and colleagues.
Sunken logs create new worlds for seafloor animals
When it comes to food, most of the deep sea is a desert. Many seafloor animals feed on marine snow—the organic remnants of algae and animals that live in the sunlit surface waters, far above. However, marine snow only falls as a light dusting and doesn't have much nutritional value. Thus, any other sources of food that reach the deep sea provide a temporary feast. Even bits of dead wood, waterlogged enough to sink, can support thriving communities of specialized animals. A new paper by biologists at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) shows that wood-boring clams serve as "ecosystem engineers," making the organic matter in the wood available to other animals that colonize wood falls in the deep waters of Monterey Canyon.
Skulls of red and giant pandas provide insight into coexistence
New research on the skulls of red pandas and giant pandas provides further explanation as to why the two species—which are not closely related but dine on the same food, bamboo, in the same geographic area—are able to coexist. Using high-resolution imaging and biting simulations, scientists at the American Museum of Natural History and the University of Málaga in Spain found that the skulls of the two panda species not only are distantly related but also have structural differences related to the way the animals chew. These substantial differences reflect distinct bamboo feeding preferences, with red pandas foraging on softer parts of the plant and giant pandas seeking out the tougher stems. The findings are published in the journal Biology Letters.
Amoeba study puts bite on dysentery
An amoeba parasite that causes potentially fatal dysentery in poor countries wreaks its havoc by eating intestinal cells alive, scientists reported on Wednesday.
Scientists firm up origin of cold-adapted yeasts that make cold beer
As one of the most widely consumed and commercially important beverages on the planet, one would expect the experts to know everything there is to know about lager beer.
How plants become zombies
(Phys.org) —Forget popular video game Plants Vs. Zombies, some plants are zombies and scientists have uncovered how bacterial parasites turn them into the living dead.
Study suggests global warming causing changes to the pitch of frog calls in Puerto Rico
(Phys.org) —A trio of researchers has published a paper in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, describing field studies conducted by lead Peter Narins and others. He and colleagues have found that the pitch of male coqui frog calls in Puerto Rico has changed over the twenty two year period between 1984 and 2006, which appears to correlate with the amount of air temperature increase the frogs have been exposed to due to global warming.
Bacterial 'FM radio' developed
Programming living cells offers the prospect of harnessing sophisticated biological machinery for transformative applications in energy, agriculture, water remediation and medicine. Inspired by engineering, researchers in the emerging field of synthetic biology have designed a tool box of small genetic components that act as intracellular switches, logic gates, counters and oscillators.
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