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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 4, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Carnegie Mellon group shows iPad skeuomorphism- Motor cortex shown to play active role in learning movement patterns
- New method for measuring temperature of nanoscale objects discovered
- New insight may help predict volcanic eruption behavior
- Math student detects OAuth, OpenID security vulnerability
- Jury says Samsung infringed Apple patents
- Environmentally friendly solar cell pushes forward the 'next big thing in photovoltaics'
- Functioning of aged brains and muscles in mice made younger
- Study unveils new approach to treating brittle bone disease
- Research sheds new light on global warming trends
- Scientists take steps to unlock the secrets to the fountain of youth
- Scientists reveal circuitry of fundamental motor circuit
- Europe's cybersecurity policy settings under attack
- Study finds large increase in type 1 and 2 diabetes among US youth
- Environmental factors as important as genes in understanding autism
Technology news
China fines Sina over 'indecent' content
Chinese authorities have slapped Internet giant Sina Corp. with a fine of more than $815,000 over "unhealthy and indecent content", the company announced.
Acer founder Shih set to retire six months after returning to lead reforms
Stan Shih, founder of Taiwan's struggling personal computer maker Acer, said Sunday that he plans to retire as the chairman next month, six months after he returned to launch a series of reforms, the company and media said.
GM begins talks to settle ignition switch lawsuits
A mediator for General Motors has begun negotiations about settling more than 300 claims related to a deadly ignition switch problem in some older model small cars.
Exploring the latest Apple-Samsung dispute
Many of today's smartphones share similar features, from responsive touchscreens that let users unlock the phone with a flick of a finger, to pop-up animations that offer a shortcut to dialing a number or storing it in a digital address book.
Europe's cybersecurity policy settings under attack
Even as Europe powered up its most ambitious ever cybersecurity exercise this month, doubts were being raised over whether the continent's patchwork of online police was right for the job.
Jury says Samsung infringed Apple patents
A California jury awarded Apple $119 million—far less than it demanded—in a patent battle with Samsung over alleged copying of smart phone features, and the jury made the victory even smaller by finding that Apple illegally used one of Samsung's patents.
Math student detects OAuth, OpenID security vulnerability
(Phys.org) —To get right to the point, a doctoral candidate in math has discovered two holes in OAuth and OpenID that could leak data and redirect victims to unsafe sites. Friday's tech sites accordingly were buzzing with news of the discovery about a vulnerability in OAuth and OpenID protocols. Be cautious, said the reports, of links that ask you to log in through well known sites such as Facebook and Google. The OAuth 2.0 and OpenID login tools are "used by many websites and tech titans" including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, among others," said Aloysius Low, writer at CNET Asia and Seth Rosenblatt, who covers Google and security for CNET News.
Carnegie Mellon group shows iPad skeuomorphism
(Phys.org) —The Human Interfaces Group at Carnegie Mellon, led by the group's director Chris Harrison, an assistant professor of Human Computer Interaction, have done work that shows how traditional hand movements to perform tasks such as measuring and erasing can be naturally applied to the digital screen, improving on a natural interaction with computers. They have come up with TouchTools, a gesture design approach. With TouchTools, you manipulate tools on the screen just as you would in real life; the idea is to make software more natural to use. They are showing the world their TouchTools concept, which Gizmodo recently referred to as "skeuomorphism applied to interaction design."
Medicine & Health news
UH Rainbow to study African-Americans' response to asthma medications
In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, asthma researchers at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (UH Rainbow) will evaluate treatment guidelines for African American children and young adults with asthma.
Study explores why gay, lesbian teens binge drink
Higher rates of binge drinking by lesbian and gay adolescents compared to their heterosexual peers may be due to chronic stress caused by difficult social situations, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Poverty threatens long-term health of children
Pediatricians, social scientists, economists and policy experts will come together on Saturday, May 3, to discuss the critical problem that childhood poverty presents in the U.S. – and steps to end poverty.
Supermarket access key ingredient in obesity programs
Living close to a supermarket appears to be a key factor in the success of interventions to help obese children eat better and improve their weight, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Using substances at school may be cry for help
When teens are caught drinking or using marijuana at school, a trip to the dean's office may not suffice. These students also should be screened for exposure to trauma, mental health problems and other serious health risks, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Uruguay limits legal pot purchases to 10 grams per week
Uruguay on Friday took a major step in setting rules for the government-regulated sale of marijuana, a daring experiment supported by the country's iconoclastic president.
Vibrating capsule shows promising results in treating chronic constipation
An oral capsule that vibrates as it moves through the digestive tract has shown notable promise as a non-pharmacological treatment for constipation, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). In the pilot study, the vibrating capsule was found to nearly double the weekly bowel movements of patients suffering from chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS).
Marijuana in Uruguay to cost less than a dollar per gram
Uruguay has set the price for pot at less than a dollar a gram, as it lays out rules for the government-regulated sale of marijuana in a daring, closely watched social experiment.
Setting the agenda for firearm injury research
Pediatric leaders and researchers will tackle the complex subject of gun violence and critical gaps in research during a symposium on Saturday, May 4, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Study points to potential revision of treatment guidelines for bleeding ulcers
The current standard of care for managing patients who receive endoscopic treatment for bleeding ulcers should be replaced by an equally safe and less costly alternative that is more comfortable for patients, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine compared the current recommended care plan—delivering an initial dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) followed by continuous PPI infusion—to a regimen using only intermittent PPI therapy, which was found to be just as effective.
Weight-loss surgery can reduce liver damage
Bariatric surgery, which is best known for its ability to help patients lose substantial weight, can also result in significant improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). Researchers at the University of South Florida-Tampa found that bariatric surgery resolved liver inflammation and reversed early-stage liver fibrosis, the thickening and scarring of liver tissue, by reducing fat deposits in the liver.
In west Africa, Mano River summit focuses on Ebola fight
The countries of west Africa's Mano River Union—Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone—kicked off a summit meeting on Sunday with the region's Ebola outbreak high on the agenda.
Peruvian, 116, stakes claim to oldest-woman crown
A 116-year-old Peruvian living in extreme poverty in the heart of the Andes is in the running to become the oldest person in the world.
Many infants still not placed on their backs to sleep
Since 1994, parents have been urged to put their babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It appears many caregivers have not gotten the message, and health care providers have not done enough to educate families.
Discrimination associated with mental health woes in black teens
The vast majority of African-American and Afro-Caribbean youth face racial discrimination, and these experiences are associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Smoking during pregnancy may raise risk for heart defects in babies
Women who smoke during pregnancy may be putting their newborns at risk for congenital heart defects, and the more they smoke, the higher the risk, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Study shows lower verbal test score for toddlers who play non-educational games on touch screens
-A recent study by pediatricians from the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York examined infants 0-3 years old that used touch-screen devices to determine if their use was of any educational benefit to infants and toddlers. The study showed that children who played non-educational games using touch-screen devices had lower verbal scores upon testing.
Nearly 50 percent of M.D.s believe diversion of ADHD stimulant medications among teens is a problem
Two recent studies by investigators at the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York examined physicians' perceptions and knowledge of diversion of stimulant medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as practices physicians use to prevent diversion among their patients prescribed these medications.
Many parents don't follow safe infant sleep practices
Each year, 4,000 babies die unexpectedly during sleep time from sudden infant death syndrome, accidental suffocation or unknown causes. To keep infants safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises caregivers to put babies to sleep on their backs and avoid sharing a bed, among other practices.
Nightmares may signal a child is being bullied
Many children who are bullied suffer in silence. The trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, psychotic episodes and even suicide.
Type of spine procedure influences sentinel event rate
(HealthDay)—The occurrence of sentinel events varies by type of cervical spine procedure and the number of fusion levels, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.
Study shows steroids ineffective, possibly harmful in pediatric liver disease
A multi-center study concludes that treating infants with high doses of steroids fails to improve medical outcomes in the end-stage pediatric liver disease biliary atresia and leads to earlier onset of serious adverse events.
Study examines effect of receiving Tdap vaccine during pregnancy
A preliminary study finds that receipt of the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy did not increase the risk of adverse events for the mother or infant, according to a study in the May 7 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health. In addition, the authors found high concentrations of pertussis antibodies in infants during the first 2 months of life, a period during which infants are at the highest risk of pertussis-associated illness or death. This issue is being released early to coincide with the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
Many heavily breastfed infants not getting needed dietary diversity
Approximately three of every four Cincinnati infants heavily breastfeed after the age of six months is not obtaining the level of dietary diversity recommended by the World Health Organization, according to a new Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study.
DHA during pregnancy does not appear to improve cognitive outcomes for children
Although there are recommendations for pregnant women to increase their intake of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to improve fetal brain development, a randomized trial finds that prenatal DHA supplementation did not result in improved cognitive, problem-solving or language abilities for children at four years of age, according to the study in the May 7 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health. This issue is being released early to coincide with the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
Medication does not lower risk of fungal infection, death among ELBW infants
Use of the antifungal medication fluconazole for six weeks for extremely low birth-weight infants did not significantly reduce the risk of death or invasive candidiasis, a serious infection that occurs when candida (a type of fungus) enters the bloodstream and spreads through the body, according to a study in the May 7 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health. This issue is being released early to coincide with the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
Low rate of cholesterol testing for children and adolescents
Although some guidelines recommend lipid screening for children and adolescents of certain ages, data indicate that only about 3 percent are having their cholesterol tested during health visits, according to a study in the May 7 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health. This issue is being released early to coincide with the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
MERS death toll in Saudi reaches 111 (Update)
Saudi health authorities announced Saturday two new deaths from the MERS coronavirus, raising to 111 the number of fatalities since the disease appeared in the kingdom in September 2012.
WTO case on Australia tobacco law could have vast impact
A landmark challenge to Australia's plain-packaging law for cigarettes and cigars at the WTO could have vast implications for how governments square the rules of trade with radical public health measures.
Scores of bullying victims bringing weapons to school
An estimated 200,000 high school students who are bullied bring weapons to school, according to research to be presented Sunday, May 4, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Drug pair cuts children's urinary infections up to 80 percent
Long-term use of a drug combination reduces the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection by up to 80 percent in children with the urinary condition vesicoureteral reflux compared to placebo, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Results were published online May 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Young parents who use e-cigarettes believe devices are safer for those around them
Many young parents are using electronic cigarettes, and despite any evidence for safety, the vast majority of young adults who have used the devices believe they are less harmful than regular cigarettes, according to research to be presented Sunday, May 4, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Motivational interviewing can positively impact childhood obesity
Pediatricians and dietitians who used motivational interviewing techniques to counsel families about their young child's weight were successful in reducing children's body mass index (BMI) percentile 3.1 more points than comparison children over a 2-year period, according to a study to be presented Sunday, May 4, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Study exposes risk of nutritional deficiencies in obese teens
A new study exposes the risk of nutritional deficiencies in severely obese teens – both those who had weight loss surgery and those who did not.
Lean patients with fatty liver disease have higher mortality rate
Despite being of a healthier weight, lean patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher overall mortality rate than patients with NAFLD who are overweight or obese, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). In addition to finding higher mortality rates, an international team of researchers found that lean patients [a body mass index (BMI) less than 25] with NAFLD were more likely to be male, non-Caucasian and to have lower rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.
White house report confirms eight million ACA enrollees
(HealthDay)—Eight million Americans enrolled in private marketplace health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act between Oct. 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014, federal health officials confirmed Thursday.
Patient factors affect accuracy of AFP detection of liver cancer
(HealthDay)—Measurement of α-fetoprotein (AFP) detects hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) most accurately in patients without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Repeat data breaches among health care orgs down
(HealthDay)—Most health care organizations report having at least one recent data breach, but the number of organizations with more than five breaches has decreased, according to an article published April 8 in Medical Economics.
First US MERS patient improving, officials say
(HealthDay)—A man hospitalized in Indiana with the first U.S. case of a deadly respiratory virus that initially surfaced in the Middle East two years ago is improving, state health officials reported Saturday.
Scientists reveal circuitry of fundamental motor circuit
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered the developmental source for a key type of neuron that allows animals to walk, a finding that could help pave the way for new therapies for spinal cord injuries or other motor impairments related to disease.
Brain scans spot possible clues to chronic fatigue syndrome
(HealthDay)—Seeking better insight into chronic fatigue syndrome, a new brain scan investigation has pinpointed what could be the first evidence of a connection between nerve cell inflammation and the onset of this debilitating and somewhat mysterious illness, researchers say.
Environmental factors as important as genes in understanding autism
Environmental factors are more important than previously thought in understanding the causes of autism, and equally as important as genes, according to the largest study to date to look at how autism runs in families.
Study finds large increase in type 1 and 2 diabetes among US youth
In a study that included data from more than three million children and adolescents from diverse geographic regions of the United States, researchers found that the prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increased significantly between 2001 and 2009, according to the study in the May 7 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health. This issue is being released early to coincide with the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
Study unveils new approach to treating brittle bone disease
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a new approach to treating brittle bone disease, a congenital disorder that results in fragile bones that break easily.
Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice, study finds
Something—or some things—in the blood of young mice has the ability to restore mental capabilities in old mice, a new study by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators has found.
Motor cortex shown to play active role in learning movement patterns
Skilled motor movements of the sort tennis players employ while serving a tennis ball or pianists use in playing a concerto, require precise interactions between the motor cortex and the rest of the brain. Neuroscientists had long assumed that the motor cortex functioned something like a piano keyboard.
Functioning of aged brains and muscles in mice made younger
Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) researchers have shown that a protein they previously demonstrated can make the failing hearts in aging mice appear more like those of young health mice, similarly improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice.
Biology news
Which came first, bi- or tricellular pollen? New research updates a classic debate
With the bursting of spring, pollen is in the air. Most of the pollen that is likely tickling your nose and making your eyes water is being dispersed in a sexually immature state consisting of only two cells (a body cell and a reproductive cell) and is not yet fertile. While the majority of angiosperm species disperse their pollen in this early, bicellular, stage of sexual maturity, about 30% of flowering plants disperse their pollen in a more mature fertile stage, consisting of three cells (a body and two sperm cells). And then there are plants that do both.
Leaf chewing links insect diversity in modern and ancient forests
Observations of insects and their feeding marks on leaves in modern forests confirm indications from fossil leaf deposits that the diversity of chewing damage relates directly to diversity of the insect population that created it, according to an international team of researchers.
Scientists take steps to unlock the secrets to the fountain of youth
ASU scientists, together with collaborators from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, have published today, in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, a first of its kind atomic level look at the enzyme telomerase that may unlock the secrets to the fountain of youth.
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