Thursday, June 11, 2015

Science X Newsletter Thursday, Jun 11

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 11, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Variations in atmospheric oxygen levels shaped Earth's climate through the ages
- How the hawkmoth sees, hovers and tracks flowers in the dark
- Scientists find genetic basis of brain networks seen in imaging studies
- Saturn's outer ring much bigger than thought
- 40-year-old algorithm proven the best possible
- Helium-shrouded planets may be common in our galaxy
- Trio create model to explain massive heat in the Sun's corona
- Scientists find way to disrupt brain tumor stem cells
- Hormone that differentiates sugar, diet sweeteners could exist in humans
- Scientists uncover unique role of nerve cells in the body's use of energy
- Rosetta team spots glint of light that could be comet lander
- Serotonin receptor is involved in eczema and other itch conditions
- Spider and centipede venom evolved from insulin-like hormone
- New drug triggers tissue regeneration: Faster regrowth and healing of damaged tissues
- Study examines 'joiners' who help make startups successful

Astronomy & Space news

Saturn's outer ring much bigger than thought

(Phys.org)—A small team of researchers with members affiliated with the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia and Caltech, has found that the outermost ring of Saturn is much bigger than had been previously thought. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes how they studied the ring using an infrared telescope and what they believe caused its immense size to come about.

Trio create model to explain massive heat in the Sun's corona

(Phys.org)—A trio of researchers, two with Ecole Polytechnique and the other with Université Paris, all in France, has created a computer model that is meant to show how it is that so much heat is in the sun's corona. In their paper published in the journal Nature, Tahar Amari, Jean-François Luciani and Jean-Jacques Aly describe their model, how it came about and why they think it is accurate.

Helium-shrouded planets may be common in our galaxy

They wouldn't float like balloons or give you the chance to talk in high, squeaky voices, but planets with helium skies may constitute an exotic planetary class in our Milky Way galaxy. Researchers using data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope propose that warm Neptune-size planets with clouds of helium may be strewn about the galaxy by the thousands.

Bright spots shine in newest Dawn Ceres images

New images of dwarf planet Ceres, taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, show the cratered surface of this mysterious world in sharper detail than ever before. These are among the first snapshots from Dawn's second mapping orbit, which is 2,700 miles (4,400 kilometers) above Ceres.

Robotic tunneler may explore icy moons

A robotic "cryobot," designed to tunnel down through thick ice caps and penetrate subterranean seas, is undergoing tests on the Matanuska glacier in Alaska. It paves the way towards one day exploring the underground oceans of Jupiter's moon, Europa, or other icy moons of the Outer Solar System.

'Hard landing' as three astronauts return to Earth from ISS (Update)

Three astronauts landed in Kazakhstan on Thursday, safely returning to Earth after their flight back home was delayed for a month by a Russian rocket failure.

Rosetta team spots glint of light that could be comet lander

The European Space Agency says it may have caught a glimpse of its missing comet lander.

Hubble detects 'sunscreen' layer on distant planet

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected a stratosphere, one of the primary layers of Earth's atmosphere, on a massive and blazing-hot exoplanet known as WASP-33b.

Image: Hypervelocity impact test damage

An aluminium plate, ripped inwards by a single sand grain-sized fleck of aluminium oxide shot at it during hypervelocity testing.

Researcher discusses instrument designed for Europa mission

On May 26, 2015, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that nine scientific instruments had been selected for a mission to Jupiter's moon Europa that will launch in the 2020s.

Delayed astronauts leave International Space Station for Earth

Three astronauts left the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday for a return to Earth that had been delayed for a month by a rocket failure.

NASA mission provides closest ever look at dwarf planet Ceres

A NASA mission led by UCLA professor Christopher Russell has released new images of the dwarf planet Ceres, the largest asteroid between Mars and Jupiter.

Launch commentator for Apollo 11 moon shot, Jack King, dies

The voice of the Apollo moon shots has died.

Technology news

40-year-old algorithm proven the best possible

Comparing the genomes of different species—or different members of the same species—is the basis of a great deal of modern biology. DNA sequences that are conserved across species are likely to be functionally important, while variations between members of the same species can indicate different susceptibilities to disease.

Solar Impulse now fixed but waiting on weather

A solar-powered plane that got stuck in Japan during an attempt to fly around the world is fixed and ready to go—as soon as the weather gets better, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

Interactive tabletop holographic display soars on Kickstarter

Holus is a tabletop holographic platform that could make many people aware of what consumer technology will be like in future years. They will get a taste of the digital world meeting the physical world, the digital world as an intrinsic part of the immediate environment, utilized to interact with people near and far. Holus would be a tabletop Jack in the Box. That is—that would really be your friend, Jack, in the box.

Research finds urban social networks are not determined geographically, but socially

Until now, studies of human interactions through mobile communication and social media have always been conducted at the country scale—using broad strokes to produce illustrations of society's social networking tendencies. These explorations have concluded that social networks and contacts are primarily created in relation to geographic proximity.

Cubes, LED lighting and more spin magic into tiny house

Tiny house on wheels...what a concept. Some may scoff and say, "oh, you mean a mobile home in a trailer park." In 2015, when more than one tree hugger exists to say that we need to conduct a more eco-efficient, minimalist way of life, there is still more room to imagine what could be an ideal tiny house on wheels. Frank Henderson and Paul Schultz have had their say in creating a tiny house with distinction, appropriately called the Toybox Tiny Home, a 140-square-foot dwelling.

Oculus' virtual-reality headset to simulate touch, gestures

Facebook-owned virtual reality firm Oculus aimed squarely at video game lovers on Thursday as it unveiled Rift headsets that it will begin selling early next year.

Union: Hackers have personnel data on every federal employee (Update)

Hackers stole personnel data and Social Security numbers for every federal employee, a government worker union said Thursday, saying that the cyber theft of U.S. employee information was more damaging than the Obama administration has acknowledged.

Twitter looks at on-phone apps to target new pitches

Twitter launched a tool that takes into account what apps are on a smartphone or tablet when targeting pitches for other mini-programs people might want.

Acura recall shows glitch in automatic braking system

Acura has recalled two models because the automatic emergency braking systems can malfunction and put the vehicles at risk of a collision.

Google launches company to tackle city life woes

Google on Wednesday unveiled a company devoted to making a thriving business out of solving big-city problems such as overpriced housing and traffic-snarled streets.

Samsung introduces first mirror and transparent OLED display panels

Samsung Display unveiled the industry's first Mirror and Transparent OLED display panels in a dazzling state-of-the-art showcase for personalized shopping and informational browsing, held this week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibit features the first retail use of advanced commercial OLED panels – a "virtual necklace" display for the world renowned Chow Sang Sang jewelry company.

Stanford engineers team up with US Army to set computational record

Stanford engineers have partnered with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to set a computational record. Stanford Professor Charbel Farhat and his research team at the Army High Performance Computing Research Center (AHPCRC) used a new, high-end, massively parallel computer to demonstrate the power of algorithms that instruct processors to work together to solve challenging problems.

South Australia needs to look beyond wind for its clean energy

South Australia cannot complete its move to clean energy through a continued focus on wind energy. This is the conclusion of the most comprehensive review to date of renewable energy in the state, conducted by researchers in the University of Adelaide's Environment Institute.

Post-Snowden, UK watchdog issues online spying report

The man responsible for reviewing Britain's anti-terrorism laws called Thursday for more judicial oversight over data interception as ministers prepare legislation firming up the powers of security services following leaks by Edward Snowden.

EU launches antitrust investigation into Amazon over e-books

The European Union has launched an antitrust investigation into online retailer Amazon over its distribution of e-books, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Messaging app Line launches music streaming service in Japan

Mobile messaging giant Line on Thursday launched a digital music streaming service in Japan, stepping into a largely untapped market still dominated by sales of compact discs.

Report says rich nations face rising risks of cyberattacks

Wealthy nations face a high and fast-growing threat of cyberattacks while risks from terrorism increasingly are confined to poorer, conflict-stricken countries, according to a defense outlook report by the consultancy Deloitte.

Federal regulators go after crowdfunding scam

Federal regulators are going after people who raise money online through crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe but don't follow through on their promises.

Researchers call for reformed safety standards for wireless devices

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless technology promises to support high-bandwidth content at speeds exceeding 10 gigabits per second—a thousand times today's current mobile phone download speeds—but with that promise comes public concern about the health risks associated with utilizing the high-frequency radio waves in that spectrum.

Wearable tech 2.0 aims to alter mind, body

Grandmothers are wearing Fitbit, Jawbone bracelets pack the shelves of big-box stores and Apple's smartwatch is expected to be one of the most coveted Christmas gifts this year.

Review: No new Apple TV? Try Nvidia Shield instead

With Apple expected to further delay an update to its already outdated Apple TV, consumers should take a look at Nvidia's new Shield device to get a sense of the future of streaming media players.

America's unwanted Ivy-League graduates flock to technology boom in India

Kunal Bahl's American dream was coming together in late 2007. He had Ivy League degrees in business and engineering, a debut job at Microsoft and a roadmap to the career he'd always wanted in Silicon Valley.

The evolution of an app

When Apple's App Store launched in 2008, the new marketplace spawned a digital sausage-making operation of epic proportion. Behind the scenes, millions of crazy app ideas have flourished or floundered, funding spigots have gushed or gone dry, and for every developer who strikes it rich, thousands of wanna-be app kings have crashed and burned.

Twitter CEO Costolo out as growth pressure mounts

Twitter chief executive Dick Costolo is surrendering his post, handing the reins back to co-founder Jack Dorsey as the popular service struggles to boost ranks of users.

Toyota close to unveiling 4th-generation Prius hybrid

The timing isn't perfect, but Toyota is getting close to rolling out the next generation of its Prius gas-electric hybrid car.

Court says net neutrality rules will go into effect Friday

An appeals court says it won't block net neutrality rules, which will go into effect Friday as a result.

German Parliament to wipe part of IT system amid hack attack

The speaker of Germany's Parliament said Thursday that parts of its information technology system will need to be wiped and reinstalled to deal with an ongoing hacking attack on the network used by thousands of lawmakers and aides.

In with the old: Apple restores former bank for new store

To create the newest Apple store to sell iPhones, smartwatches and other modern gadgetry, Apple took a look back at the 1920s.

Researchers use giant foam blocks to keep approach slabs of bridges from settling

A research team at The University of Texas at Arlington is using giant lightweight geofoam blocks to bolster the earth beneath roads and bridges and slow down the settling of roadways and bridges.

Medicine & Health news

Scientists find genetic basis of brain networks seen in imaging studies

A new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine found that synchronized physiological interactions between remote brain regions have genetic underpinnings.

Nuts and peanuts may protect against major causes of death

A paper published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology confirms a link between peanut and nut intake and lower mortality rates, but finds no protective effect for peanut butter. Men and women who eat at least 10 grams of nuts or peanuts per day have a lower risk of dying from several major causes of death than people who don't consume nuts or peanuts.

Gene variants linked to multiple sclerosis disrupt key regulator of inflammation

With genetic roots of many autoimmune diseases pinpointed, scientists are zeroing in on the variety of molecular mechanisms triggered by these harmful variants. A team led by Yale School of Medicine researchers has implicated a central regulator of inflammation as a cause of many cases of multiple sclerosis (MS)—and intriguingly, the researchers note—ulcerative colitis as well.

Study reveals gene mutation that confers resistance against prion disease

(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with the UCL Institute of Neurology in the U.K. with assistance from a pair of researchers in New Guinea, has found a gene mutation that confers complete resistance against a type of prion disease. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes how they studied the genes of people believed to be resistant to Kuru, a type of prion disease and how that led to the discovery of the resistant gene mutations. Glen Telling with Colorado State University offers a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal edition.

Scientists find way to disrupt brain tumor stem cells

Some brain tumors are notoriously difficult to treat. Whether surgically removed, zapped by radiation or infiltrated by chemotherapy drugs, they find a way to return.

Virtual reality sheds new light on how we navigate in the dark

As everyone who has gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom knows, the brain maintains a sense of place and a basic ability to navigate that is independent of external clues from the eyes, ears and other senses.

Scientists uncover unique role of nerve cells in the body's use of energy

While it is well-known that weight gain results from an imbalance between what we eat and our energy expenditure, what is not obvious is the role that the nervous system plays in controlling that energy balance. Now scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have shed light on that question.

Study unites neuroscience and psychology to paint more complete picture of sleep and memory

In Macbeth, Shakespeare describes sleep as "the death of each day's life," but he may have gotten it wrong. Sleep, as it turns out, may be the one thing that keeps our memories alive and intact.

Serotonin receptor is involved in eczema and other itch conditions

Dermatologists have long known that available treatments for chronic itch, including eczema, are simply not up to scratch. But scientists have now discovered a new gene that promotes itch, suggesting a way forward for powerful new therapies. In a paper published June 11 in the early-online edition of Neuron, researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and the University of California, Berkeley have identified a serotonin receptor, HTR7, as a key mediator of eczema and other forms of itch. Eczema is a debilitating condition that affects up to 10 percent of the worldwide population. Its symptoms include intense itch sensations, dry flaky skin, and a flaming red rash. Eczema can erode quality of life as dramatically as chronic pain does, and is incurable, and treatments to manage eczema are often not effective. But now, the Buck/Berkeley team has identified a new gene that may accelerate development of chronic itch therap! ies.

High salt prevents weight gain in mice on a high-fat diet

In a study that seems to defy conventional dietary wisdom, University of Iowa scientists have found that adding high salt to a high-fat diet actually prevents weight gain in mice.

New drug triggers tissue regeneration: Faster regrowth and healing of damaged tissues

The concept sounds like the stuff of science fiction: take a pill, and suddenly new tissues grow to replace damaged ones.

Dendritic cells of elite controllers able to recognize, mount defense against HIV

Investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have added another piece to the puzzle of how a small group of individuals known as elite controllers are able to control HIV infection without drug treatment. In their paper published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens, the research team reports finding that dendritic cells of elite controllers are better able to detect the presence of HIV - paradoxically through a greater susceptibility to HIV infection - which enables them to stimulate the generation of T cells specifically targeting the virus.

Research on gonorrhea uncovers new immune system trigger

Researchers at the University of Toronto have uncovered how Gram-negative bacteria—a broad class of bugs that cause diseases ranging from gonorrhea to diarrhea and pneumonia—can trigger a reaction from our immune system. This discovery could lead to new therapies and treatments that use the immune system to fight infections instead of antibiotics.

New study finds group discussion improves lie detection

Though many people believe they can recognize when someone is lying, detecting deception is difficult. Accuracy rates in experiments have proven to be only slightly greater than chance, even among trained professionals.

New study links excessive iron in cells with AMD, other diseases

In a new University of Kentucky study published today in Cell Reports, a leading scientific journal in cell biology, researchers describe a new molecular mechanism that contributes to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to accumulation of excessive iron within the cells of the retina.

Mother's environment before conception may affect her child's life long risk of disease

Scientists have shown for the first time that a mother's environment around the time of conception could permanently change the function of a gene influencing immunity and cancer risk in her child.

Is eating for two a good idea? Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy helps mother and baby

Pregnant women can improve their health and even reduce the risk of complications during childbirth by maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Research has shown that gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, large babies, and delivery by caesarean section; and newborns with large birth weights are at risk of childhood obesity.

Children's exposure to secondhand smoke in England has dropped 80 percent since 1998

A new study published today by the scientific journal Addiction finds that in England, children's exposure to second-hand smoke has declined by approximately 80% since 1998.

Movement in ADHD may help children think, perform better in school

The constant movement of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be distracting—but the fidgeting also may improve their cognitive performance, a study by researchers with the UC Davis MIND Institute has found.

Study finds gene mutations sensitize tumors to specific cancer drugs

Mutations in ARID1a, which are common in many cancer types, disrupt DNA damage repair in cancer cells, allowing the cancer to progress. This gene may also be an Achilles' heel when treating certain tumors, according to a team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Comorbid conditions associated with worse lung cancer survival

Main Findings: Lung cancer patients with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or congestive heart failure had a higher risk of death than lung cancer patients without comorbid conditions.

S. Korean MERS cases rise to 122

South Korea reported 14 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Thursday, including the first pregnant woman infected by the potentially deadly virus.

SKorea cuts key rate as MERS emerges as threat to recovery

South Korea's central bank lowered its key interest rate to a historic low on Thursday, responding to a slump in exports and the prospect that the outbreak of the deadly MERS virus could slow the economy.

Are there real benefits to being bilingual?

There's an old joke that asks, "If someone who speaks many languages is multilingual, and someone who speaks two languages is bilingual, what do you call someone who speaks one language?"

New study shows how the echo chamber effect amplifies misinformation about HPV vaccines online

New research into the spread of misinformation on social media shows that 24 per cent of the messages posted on Twitter about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines could be classified as anti-vaccine, and many Twitter users were more likely to be exposed to negative opinions than to other types of information like clinical evidence or communications from public health organisations.

Why the fast and the furious need H2O

The demands of a big race can make some motorsports athletes go to water – and that's where The University of Queensland comes in.

Fighting obesity requires a war on poverty

In February 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched 'Let's Move', the most high-profile anti-obesity initiative in the United States to date.

Virtual world improves communication following stroke

New research from City University London has shown that using a multi-user virtual world can lead to significant improvements in the everyday communication skills of people with aphasia, a language disorder which can lead to the loss of the ability to speak.

Study compares active video gaming to unstructured outdoor play

The increasing use of video games is often blamed for children's lack of interest in physical activity, but a UT study recently published in the Games for Health Journal suggests that active video games may actually be a source of moderate or intense physical activity in children five to eight years old.

Reducing the likelihood that individuals and groups will become infected with influenza

How can we better avoid the flu? A new paper co-authored by researchers at MIT examines the best ways to reduce the likelihood that individuals and groups will become infected with the flu, both by diligent use of non-pharmeceutical interventions (NPIs) and by effective deployments of vaccine.

In sport's drug-testing arms race, the cheats are usually a step ahead

Yet another big name in sport has been caught up in allegations surrounding a doping scandal. Alberto Salazar, coach to several star athletes including double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, denies claims in a BBC documentary he broke anti-doping rules with one of his trainees, Galen Rupp. Farah is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Large doses of antioxidants may be harmful to neuronal stem cells

Stem cells are especially sensitive to oxygen radicals and antioxidants shows new research from the group of Anu Wartiovaara in the Molecular Neurology Research Program of University of Helsinki. The research led by researcher Riikka Martikainen was published in Cell Reports May 28th 2015. 

New system to detect patients' antibiotic resistance takes just 30 minutes

A new device being developed by medical experts will transform the time it takes to detect antibiotic resistance in patients from several days to just half an hour.

DASH diet can substitute lean pork for chicken or fish to reduce blood pressure

Adults who are following the DASH-style eating pattern to lower their blood pressure can expand their protein options to include lean, unprocessed pork, according to research from Purdue University.

Obesity associated with increased breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women

An analysis of extended follow-up data from the Women's Health Initiative clinical trials suggests that postmenopausal women who were overweight and obese had an increased risk of invasive breast cancer compared to women of normal weight, according to an article published online by JAMA Oncology.

Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a severe form of dementia among aged individuals, is caused by accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Numerous types of agents have been developed to suppress the production of Aβ, by inhibiting the secretase-mediated cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) into Aβ peptides.

Swift intervention doubles survival rate from cardiac arrest

A team of Swedish researchers finds that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation more than doubles the chance of survival for patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The percentage of patients who receive life-saving resuscitation has also increased substantially thanks to so-called SMS Lifesavers. These results are published simultaneously in two studies in the highly reputed New England Journal of Medicine.

Most heart muscle cells formed during childhood

New human heart muscle cells can be formed, but this mainly happens during the first ten years of life, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Other cell types, however, are replaced more quickly. The study, which is published in the journal Cell, demonstrates that the heart muscle is regenerated throughout a person's life, supporting the idea that it is possible to stimulate the rebuilding of lost heart tissue.

Your phone knows how many steps you take per day, shouldn't your doctor?

The rise of health apps has made it possible to chart your steps, heartbeat, and sleep patterns, but the availability of this constant stream of information has yet to reach patient electronic health records. In a commentary published on June 11 in Cell Systems, Harvard researchers argue that these mobile devices could rapidly reshape the practice of medicine. The first steps though will be creating standards that can enforce cross-platform communications.

Ghana suspends Ebola vaccine trial after 'guinea pig' backlash

Ghana has suspended a trial for an Ebola vaccine after complaints that locals were being needlessly used as "guinea pigs" in a country currently free of the deadly disease.

Study shows first signs that drug used to treat ADHD may improve cognitive difficulties for menopausal women

According to a new study, women experiencing difficulty with time management, attention, organization, memory, and problem solving - often referred to as executive functions - related to menopause may find improvement with a drug already being used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is the first to show that lisdexamfetamine (LDX) improved subjective and objective measures of cognitive decline commonly experienced in menopausal women. Results of the study are published online today in the journal Psychopharmacology.

Twitter data may help shed light on sleep disorders

Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and Merck have built the beginnings of "digital phenotype" of insomnia and other sleep disorders based on data from Twitter. This study, published today in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is one of the first to look at relationships between social media use and sleep issues, and—based on assessments the sentiments expressed in users' tweets—gives preliminary hints that patients with sleep disorders may be a greater risk of psychosocial issues.

Interactions between cortical and subcortical regions important in hypersensitivity in ASD

The increased interaction between cortical and subcortical brain regions highlights the central role of hypersensitivity and other sensory symptoms in defining Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is presented in research performed by a team led by Christian Keysers and Leonardo Cerliani at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam. This finding provides a key to understand the often underestimated sensory hypersensitivity in autism and to seed a scientific understanding of how to tackle this hypersensitivity. The research was published in JAMA Psychiatry on June 10.

Daily aspirin could block growth of breast, other cancers

"Take two aspirin and call me in the morning" has been the punchline for countless jokes. Could it also be good advice for cancer patients?

Nearly 10 percent of women live too far from access to gynecologic cancer care

More than one-third of counties in the Unites States are located more than 50 miles from the nearest gynecologic oncologist, making access to specialty care for ovarian and other gynecologic cancers difficult for nearly 15 million women. While most of these "low access" counties are located in the Mountain-West and Midwest regions, the findings of a recent study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania also reveal that 47 states have at least one county located more than 50 miles from the nearest gynecologic oncologist. Results of the study appeared online in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.

ADAMTS family of genes may be the next 'thing' in ovarian cancer treatment

There is the Addams Family. And then there is the ADAMTS family. While one is mindless entertainment, the latter may prove to be a new genetic avenue for designing ovarian cancer treatment.

Scientists identify two mutations critical for MERS transmission from bats to humans

Researchers have identified two critical mutations allowing the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus to transmit from bats to humans. The findings were published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Virology.

Mediterranean diet at risk as globalisation bites

Eating a Mediterranean diet has long been a byword for healthy living, but the very people who coined it are straying from sun-kissed fruits and legumes and their waistlines are paying the price.

Infants' superior perception linked to later autism symptoms

People with autism are often described as "seeing the world differently." They tend to show superior perception for details, like, for example, the autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire's highly accurate representations of cityscapes drawn from memory. Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on June 11 show that those differences in perceptual skill are present very early in infancy, before the onset of clinical symptoms of autism.

Call for help to killer cells improves cancer rejection

Sometimes it takes a long time to solve a puzzle: In 1893, German surgeon G. Reinbach discovered that tumor tissue is often infiltrated by special cells of the immune system called eosinophils. Ever since then, scientists have been trying to figure out if and how these cells, which are part of the innate immune system, are involved in cancer rejection.

Study finds dental implants result in better quality of life for osteoporotic women

With age, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are at greater risk of losing their teeth. But what treatment for tooth loss provides women with the highest degree of satisfaction in their work and social lives?

A viral protein that helps EBV-infected B cells to escape human killer T cells

About 90% of adults worldwide are infected with Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV. The virus infects B cells (the white blood cells that make antibodies) and can contribute to B-cell-derived cancers, but in most people it remains dormant—a state scientists refer to as "latent infection"—for the rest of their lives. A study published on June 11th in PLOS Pathogens sheds new light on why the infected person's immune system cannot eliminate EBV, or the associated cancer risk.

Study finds inadequate hydration among US children

More than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration—probably because they're not drinking enough water—a situation that could have significant repercussions for their physical health and their cognitive and emotional functioning, according to the first national study of its kind from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Connecticut handgun licensing law associated with 40 percent drop in gun homicides

A 1995 Connecticut law requiring a permit or license - contingent on passing a background check - in order to purchase a handgun was associated with a 40 percent reduction in the state's firearm-related homicide rate, new research suggests.

Stroke education helps patients recognize stroke symptoms, encourages fast response

Intense education can help stroke survivors quickly recognize symptoms of a subsequent stroke and seek prompt treatment, according to a study in Stroke, journal of the American Heart Association. Few stroke patients arrive at an emergency department within three hours of symptom onset. The U.S. FDA has approved the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, to be given within three hours of symptom onset, while the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association suggest it can be given up to 4.5 hours in some patients.

Probing ways to convince young women not to use indoor tanning

Messages with images depicting the harsh realities of melanoma are more powerful than the text-only warning required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in persuading women to reconsider indoor tanning. This is according to a new study by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers.

Study affirms link between disjointed care and unnecessary medical procedures

A "look back" study of Medicare fee-for-service claims for more than 1.2 million patients over age 65 has directly affirmed and quantified a long-suspected link between lower rates of coordinated health care services and higher rates of unnecessary medical tests and procedures.

Community acquired pneumonia increases long-term morbidity and mortality

Having had community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) greatly increases the risk of long-term morbidity and mortality compared to the general population who have never had CAP, according to a new study from researchers in Canada, the longest and largest outcomes study of patients with CAP reported to date.

Milk proteins may protect against cardiovascular disease

The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that results in browned foods like seared steaks and toasted bread. When proteins and sugars are mixed together and heated, new chemical compounds are formed. Some are responsible for new flavors and some, according to a new study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, may protect us against cardiovascular disease.

Many US men with depression, anxiety don't get treated, CDC finds

(HealthDay)—Close to one in 10 American men suffers from depression or anxiety, but fewer than half get treatment, a new survey reveals.

Genome-wide data can classify gliomas into subtypes

(HealthDay)—Genome-wide data can help classify subtypes of gliomas, according to two studies published online June 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Length of lookback period important in incident AMI trends

(HealthDay)—The length of the lookback period (LP) affects trends in incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with a greater effect in women, according to a study published online June 9 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Venous thromboembolism rates low after colorectal surgery

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing colorectal surgery, venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates are generally low, according to a study published online June 10 in JAMA Surgery.

Underage drinking down in past decade

(HealthDay)—Underage drinking in the United States is declining. But, alcohol remains the most widely used substance of abuse among American children, federal researchers reported Thursday.

New study recommends minimum 7 hours sleep for adults

Seven hours of shut-eye: That's the minimum amount of sleep that adults need each night for best health, according to new recommendations from a panel led by a University of Washington sleep expert.

Dusty secrets could help asthma sufferers

Researchers in the University of Arizona's BIO5 Institute have entered into a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Consumer & Personal Products and Janssen Biotech Inc. to leverage foundational discovery research aimed at determining environmental factors that underlie asthma and allergies.

Deaths triple from synthetic marijuana in US

Deaths from using synthetic marijuana, or spice, have tripled so far this year and the number of emergency calls to US poison centers have soared, officials said Thursday.

Researchers discover how ovarian cancer halts body's natural defense against tumor

Ovarian cancer shuts down immune system cells that would otherwise act as a first line of defense against the deadly tumor, Weill Cornell Medical College scientists report today. But a therapy that restores the cells' disease-fighting abilities could provide a powerful new strategy to attack the cancer, which kills more than 14,000 women each year.

Implantable antibiotic-laced sponges reduce sternal infections in cardiac surgery

Cardiac surgeons often "crack open" the flat bone that forms the middle front section of the chest, known as the sternum, in order to reach important structures. When a sternal wound infection (SWI) occurs, serious complications and even death may result. Implanting antibiotic-laden sponges between the sternal halves before closure has been adapted to prevent infections. While a recent report questioned this practice, a meta-analysis in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the official publication of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, clearly established that the sponges do work.

Clear, strong stimulation may help prevent apathy for persons with dementia

Nursing home residents with dementia are less likely to be apathetic if they live in an appropriately stimulating environment, according to nursing researchers.

Health officials tell US doctors to watch for MERS

Health officials are advising U.S. doctors to be on the lookout for people sickened by Middle East respiratory syndrome, also called MERS, following an outbreak in South Korea.

Bright light after night shift may enhance alertness and cognitive performance

A new study suggests that bright light at the end of a night shift may have potential as a countermeasure to improve driving performance, particularly for low light work environments and commutes that occur before dawn.

Big Easy Foods recalls some stuffed chickens sold nationwide

A Louisiana food company is recalling some stuffed chickens sold nationwide because the label didn't show wheat, a potential allergen.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit ovulation after just ten days

The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) show that diclofenac, naproxen and etoricoxib significantly inhibit ovulation in women with mild musculoskeletal pain. Of the women receiving NSAIDs, only 6.3 percent (diclofenac), 25 percent (naproxen) and 27.3 percent (etoricoxib) ovulated, compared with 100 percent of the control group.

Low birth weight and childhood infections predict ankylosing spondylitis

The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be predicted by low birth weight, having older siblings and hospitalisation for infection between the ages of 5-16 years. These data suggest that these factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Physical trauma associated with onset of psoriatic arthritis among psoriasis patients

The results of a large population study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) showed an increased risk of developing Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) among psoriasis patients exposed to physical trauma, particularly when the trauma involved bone and/or joints.

New iPad app helps children and young people with JIA communicate their pain experiences

The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) demonstrated the value of a new interactive iPad app that helps young people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) describe their pain. Almost all of the children preferred the new digital tool, aptly titled 'This Feeling', to other conventional methods and felt it was an interesting and engaging way to communicate about their experiences of pain.1

Unique bacterial fingerprint identified in systemic sclerosis

The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a unique bacterial signature in their colon, when compared with healthy people. These findings suggest that changes in the gut ecology could contribute to the clinical symptoms of SSc, and could be used to diagnose the condition, and in the development of alternative treatments.

Women with lupus and APS at risk of reduced fertility and pregnancy complication

New recommendations by EULAR for women's health and pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) were presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015). Developed by expert consensus, these evidence-based recommendations provide crucial guidance to support family planning, assisted reproduction, pregnancy and the menopause in these patients.

Three ethical ways to increase organ donation in Australia

Australia's organ donation levels are low by international standards. At least twenty countries achieve better donation rates than Australia's 16.1 donors per million population (DPMP), including Belgium (29.9 DPMP), the United States (25.9), France (25.5) and the United Kingdom (20.8).

Project Premonition brings researchers together to detect diseases before they become an outbreak

Mosquitoes. They can ruin your backyard barbeque and leave you covered with itchy welts. Or, their bites may also transmit dangerous pathogens. The World Health Organization estimates that mosquito-borne diseases kill more than 1 million people annually. In fact, mosquitoes do more than just transmit pathogens. Their ability to locate and sample the blood of many species of animals means they can be used to monitor pathogens carried by animals in the wild. In a sense, we can view mosquitoes as naturally occurring devices that sample the animal population. This is important, because many diseases—such as Ebola, SARS and MERS—reside in animals and emerge into the human population through complex interactions with animals.

South Korea reports 10th death from MERS virus

South Korea reported a 10th death from the MERS virus on Thursday, although officials say they believe the disease has peaked.

Johnson & Johnson starts project to prevent Type 1 diabetes

Johnson & Johnson has begun a research partnership to find the root cause of Type 1 diabetes and stop the hormonal disorder in its tracks. It's the health care giant's first project under its ambitious initiative to prevent or at least intercept and reduce harm from many diseases.

Gender and personality differences in cancer-related pain severity for geriatric patients

With 75% of cancer patients in the UK over 60, and the costs of innovative drugs soaring, how to best identify and hopefully manage cancer-related pain in the elderly is a key issue. A new study published in the Journal of Gender Studies looks into this complex matter and, in claiming gender and personality significantly affect the experience of suffering, questions a 'one size fits it all' approach to pain management.

Is Theranos procedure a healthcare industry revolution or a marketing phenomenon?

Professor of Clinical Biochemistry Eleftherios P. Diamandis's recently published article in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine shines a critical light on the company's claims.

Neurological changes during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood found in autism spectrum disorder

A study published in the June 2015 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrates that the atypical trajectory of cortical/brain development in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) extends well beyond young childhood and into late adolescence and young adulthood.

Understanding 'defense cascade' may help in treating victims of trauma

The well-known "fight or flight" response is part of the inborn series of defense/fear responses activated in reaction to threats. Understanding the steps of the defense cascade can help in forming effective treatments for patients dealing with persistent aftereffects of trauma, according to a review in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

College students who binge drink have more delayed sleep timing, variable sleep schedules

A new study suggests that students who initiate and/or continue drinking and engage in binge drinking in college have more delayed sleep timing and more variable sleep schedules.

Dementia drug developer Axovant climbs after $315M IPO

Shares of Axovant Sciences nearly doubled in value after the dementia drug developer said its initial public offering raised $315 million, more than Axovant had expected.

Vitamin D supplements may benefit children with kidney disease

Maintaining normal vitamin D levels helps preserve kidney function in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings indicate that vitamin D—which is an easily accessible, safe, and inexpensive nutritional supplement—may be a useful addition to treatments for safeguarding kidney health in children with mild to moderate CKD.

New NICE thresholds for diabetes in pregnancy could miss up to 4,000 women per year in UK at risk of complications

The new threshold for diabetes in pregnancy recently introduced by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) misses a significant number of women at risk of serious complications, a report published today in the Diabetologia shows.

Canada top court rules marijuana cookies, teas legal

Canada's Supreme Court on Thursday expanded the definition of medical marijuana to allow users to bake it into cookies or brew pot leaves for tea instead of only smoking it.

Biology news

How the hawkmoth sees, hovers and tracks flowers in the dark

It's difficult enough to see things in the dark, but what if you also had to hover in mid-air while tracking a flower moving in the wind? That's the challenge the hummingbird-sized hawkmoth (Manduca sexta) must overcome while feeding on the nectar of its favorite flowers.

Wild mongooses avoid inbreeding with unusual reproductive strategy

Researchers studying banded mongooses in Uganda have discovered that these small mammals are able to discriminate between relatives and non-relatives to avoid inbreeding even when mating within their own closely related social group.

Study examines modifications that occur on proteins in natural environments over time

A recently extinct flightless bird is helping molecular paleontologists learn more about not only the species in question, but also about how proteins preserve and degrade in fossils.

Researchers show how cells solve biochemical challenges as they get bigger

In any textbook diagram, a group of red blood cells, skin cells or nerve cells will typically be identical in size. But, just as no two people are quite the same height and weight, in a population of real cells there are larger and smaller individuals.

Socially monogamous birds more promiscuous than previously thought

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Before morning has broken, and some time before blackbird has spoken, songbirds rise for sex. And a clever new experiment reveals just how important it is for male songbirds not to sleep in.

Spider and centipede venom evolved from insulin-like hormone

Funnel-web spider venom contains powerful neurotoxins that instantly paralyze prey (usually insects). Millions of years ago, however, this potent poison was just a hormone that helped ancestors of these spiders regulate sugar metabolism, similar to the role of insulin in humans. Surprisingly, this hormone's weaponization—described on June 11 in the journal Structure—occurred in arachnids as well as centipedes, but in different ways.

To be sperm, or not to be sperm? Discovery of genetic switch that determines germ cell fate

Researchers in Japan have found, for the first time in vertebrates, a genetic switch that determines whether germ cells become sperm or eggs. The gene is named foxl3, and has been identified using a small fish called medaka (Oryzias latipes). In medaka without this gene's functionality, surprisingly, sperm are produced in the ovaries of females. The sperm that are produced function normally, and have been confirmed to produce normal offspring. These results will be announced in the journal Science through Science Express on June 11th.

Hormone that differentiates sugar, diet sweeteners could exist in humans

We've all been there: We eat an entire sleeve of fat-free, low-calorie cookies and we're stuffing ourselves with more food 15 minutes later.

Method reveals what bacteria sense in their surroundings

A new, rapid method is helping detect how bacteria sense and respond to changes in their environment.

Researchers close to controlling the ever-growing invasive fire ant populations

University of Maine researchers are one step closer to controlling the ever-growing invasive fire ant populations, Myrmica rubra, that have been spreading throughout Maine for the last 15 years.

Changes in birds' ranges may greatly affect ecosystems

As changing climate reshapes the geographic range of thousands of bird species in the coming decades, ecosystems across wide swaths of the planet may be compromised, a new study warns.

Hormonal treatment for cows could reduce global warming

New research carried out by The University of Nottingham suggests targeted use of hormone treatments could make the dairy industry more efficient and sustainable in addition to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. 

The scientific practice of identifying and naming species

How many kinds of plants and animals are there in the world? Where do humans fit within the vast fabric of life? Indeed, how did life, including humans, evolve?

Exploring the deep-time roots of plant diversity

The origin of vascular plants, more than 400 million years ago, changed the surface of our planet forever.

Every citizen scientist will soon have the tools of a specialist

Ordinary citizens have become increasingly important to scientific research over the past decade. Today, mobile phone technologies, relatively cheap cameras and almost ubiquitous internet connectivity have opened up new opportunities for conservation organisations to engage with ordinary citizens and encourage citizen science.

'Decoding' gene regulation

Researchers at the Max F. Perutz Laboratories of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna as well as at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna have discovered an entirely new aspect of gene regulation they call exitron splicing. Their findings, recently published in the renowned scientific journal Genome Research, will help to explore the adaptive evolution of gene regulation. Furthermore, the discovery sets a basis for the development of cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Why we still collect butterflies

Who doesn't love butterflies? While most people won't think twice about destroying a wasp nest on the side of the house, spraying a swarm of ants in the driveway, or zapping pesky flies at an outdoor barbecue, few would intentionally kill a butterfly. Perhaps because of their beautiful colors and intricate patterns, or the grace of their flight, butterflies tend to get a lot more love than other types of insects.

'Black box' technology reveals the secret lives of sharks

A study by researchers at the University of St Andrews has shed new light on the hunting behaviour of sharks using 'black box' technology.

The winner doesn't always take all

Theoretically predicted and now demonstrated experimentally for the first time using soil bacteria: weaker organisms can prevail against stronger ones—if they are superior in number. This acts as a driving mechanism in the maintenance of genetic diversity.

Regulation of an embryonic small heat shock protein deciphered

Small heat shock proteins ensure that other proteins do not clot, allowing the cell to survive stress. Defects in these "small helpers" are associated with medical conditions like cataracts and cancer. Now, scientists at the Technische Universität München (TUM) have characterized a small heat shock protein responsible for embryonic development in the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode. Presumably, a similar protein exists also in humans.

Being calm is contagious?

Woodlice are able to calm their excited neighbors according to findings made by Pierre Broly and Jean-Louis Deneubourg of the Free Brussels University (Belgium).

The dispersal of alien species redefines biogeography

It has been hypothesized that globalization of human-mediated dispersal of species may break down biogeographic boundaries. However, empirical tests had been lacking until recently. An international research team has now discovered a comprehensive biogeographic reorganization for 175 species of alien gastropods across 56 countries. The data shows that homogenization is indeed happening. Geographic barriers to dispersal have fallen down but climate still limits how species colonize new areas. The study was published in the prestigious scientific journal Science.

Scientists studying blue whale DNA uncover an epic journey by 'Isabela'

Scientists studying blue whales in the waters of Chile through DNA profiling and photo-identification may have solved the mystery of where these huge animals go to breed, as revealed by a single female blue whale named 'Isabela,' according to a recent study by the Chile's Blue Whale Center/Universidad Austral de Chile, NOAA and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Dozens of penguins wash up dead on coast of Uruguay

Dozens of penguins have shown up dead over the past three days on the coast of Uruguay, a government official said Thursday.

Professors experiment with handheld DNA sequencer

In February, when snowfall closed campus and kept her away from the lab, a Virginia Commonwealth University professor who was stuck at home did the kind of work typically reserved for scientists with ample lab space, large machines and a lot of funding.

Texas farm goes vertical to net tall yields

In an area of Texas known by locals as "East of Weird" because of its proximity to progressive Austin, a farm is yielding many bushels of fruit and vegetables on a space no larger than a parking space.

Researchers planting for 20-year study of sports turf resilience

A rugged expanse of exposed black dirt at an Iowa State University research farm will soon take on the lush emerald color of the outfield of a professional ballpark.

Study shows wildlife density data better predicts conservation success

A recent study published in the journal Conservation Biology makes a strong case for a new approach to conservation planning that uses much more robust data sets in order to better protect birds, plants, and animals.

Researchers look at lower-cost alternative protein source for pig diets

Threonine is an indispensable amino acid, which is often provided in supplement form in swine diets. With U.S. production of crystalline amino acids increasing, more co-products from amino acid production are becoming available, and these co-products can also be fed to pigs. Researchers at the University of Illinois are investigating a co-product of synthetic threonine as a lower-cost alternative protein source to fish meal.

Scientists reveal underpinnings of drought tolerance in plants

Regions all over the globe are suffering from severe drought, which threatens crop production worldwide. This is especially worrisome given the need to increase, not just maintain, crop yields to feed the increasing global population. Over the course of evolution, plants have developed mechanisms to adapt to periods of inadequate water, and as any gardener can tell you, some species are better able to handle drought than others.


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