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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for September 17, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- 'Nanosprings' offer improved performance in biomedicine, electronics- Magical BEANs: New nano-sized particles could provide mega-sized data storage
- Physicists control chemical reactions mechanically
- Giant spiders cast webs over river using super biomaterial
- Asian 'unicorn' photographed for first time in over 10 years
- Physicists cross hurdle in quantum manipulation of matter
- Study finds possible 'persistence' switch for tuberculosis
- 500 million year old fossils discovered on new site
- Gene limits learning and memory in mice
- Tick tock: Rods help set internal clocks, biologist says
- Jupiter making closest approach in nearly 50 years
- Where do supernovae come from?
- Emotional robot pets
- Mechanical logic gate: Could levers replace transistors?
- Predicting nanoparticle interactions in the body
Space & Earth news
A place for carbon sequestration collaboration
A new, computer-based knowledge management system will help scientists collaborate more effectively while using their preferred modeling tools to conduct more comprehensive planning for safe, long-term underground storage of greenhouse gases.
Cosmic ice sculptures: Dust pillars in the Carina Nebula
Enjoying a frozen treat on a hot summer day can leave a sticky mess as it melts in the Sun and deforms. In the cold vacuum of space, there is no edible ice cream, but there is radiation from massive stars that is carving away at cold molecular clouds, creating bizarre, fantasy-like structures.
Airlines chief urges more investment in biofuels
The head of the world's biggest airline association, IATA, berated the oil industry and governments on Friday for investing "peanuts" in cleaner biofuels.
Life beyond Earth 'within our grasp', astronomer says
With a bit of luck and a new space telescope, within five years we could know the answer to a question that humanity has pondered for millennia: Is there life beyond Earth?
Coral disease outbreaks linked to cooler temperatures
For the first time, scientists have linked mild water temperatures during the preceding winter period with outbreaks of coral diseases on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. By studying satellite measurements of unusual sea surface temperatures, the international team of scientists also examined the magnitude of stress upon corals from unusually warm temperatures, particularly in summer, and confirmed a strong relationship with coral disease outbreaks.
Report says internet shopping, working from home could increase carbon emissions
Shopping on the internet or working from home could be increasing carbon emissions rather than helping to reduce them, a new report claims today.
When the Earth mantle finds its core
The Earth's mantle and its core mix at a distance of 2900 km under our feet in a mysterious zone. A team of geophysicists has just verified that the partial fusion of the mantle is possible in this area when the temperature reaches 4200 Kelvin. This reinforces the hypothesis of the presence of a deep magma ocean.
NASA's Armada of Research Aircraft Monitor Hurricane Karl
NASA's armada of research aircraft arrived at Hurricane Karl on Thursday, Sept. 16.
Better coordination needed in US tsunami warnings
(AP) -- The U.S. system to warn about giant waves has improved since the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, but more work lies ahead, according to an analysis that noted at least one instance when alerts from centers in Hawaii and Alaska appeared to contract each other.
NASA sees record-breaking Julia being affected by Igor
Julia is waning in the eastern Atlantic Ocean because of outflow from massive Hurricane Igor, despite his distance far to the west. Satellite imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite showed that Julia's eye was no longer visible, a sign that she's weakening.
NASA's CloudSat satellite and GRIP Aircraft profile Hurricane Karl
NASA's CloudSat satellite captured a profile of Hurricane Karl as it began making landfall in Mexico today. The satellite data revealed very high, icy cloud tops in Karl's powerful thunderstorms, and moderate to heavy rainfall from the storm. Meanwhile, NASA's "GRIP" mission was also underway as aircraft were gathering valuable data about Hurricane Karl as he moves inland.
NASA eyes Typhoon Fanapi approaching Taiwan
Infrared satellite data from NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strong convection and a tight circulation center within Typhoon Fanapi as it heads for a landfall in Taiwan this weekend.
Australian Aborigines 'world's first astronomers': study
An Australian study has uncovered signs that the country's ancient Aborigines may have been the world's first stargazers, pre-dating Stonehenge and Egypt's pyramids by thousands of years.
Scientists urge halt to road through Serengeti
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists have appealed for a halt to plans to build a road through the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in 2012, saying it will be an environmental disaster.
Where do supernovae come from?
(PhysOrg.com) -- Supernovae, the explosive deaths of massive stars, are among the most momentous events in the cosmos because they disburse into space all of the chemical elements that were produced inside their progenitor stars, elements essential for making planets and life. One class of supernovae (type Ia) provide yet another benefit: they are thought to be "standard distance candles," and are used by astronomers to estimate the distances to remote galaxies whose supernovae appear faint because they are far away; thus they can calibrate the cosmic distance scale.
Jupiter making closest approach in nearly 50 years
(AP) -- Better catch Jupiter next week in the night sky. It won't be that big or bright again until 2022. Jupiter will pass 368 million miles from Earth late Monday, its closest approach since 1963. You can see it low in the east around dusk. Around midnight, it will be directly overhead. That's because Earth will be passing between Jupiter and the sun, into the wee hours of Tuesday.
Technology news
Warner Bros., Sony offer more 3-D Blu-ray movies
(AP) -- Warner Bros. says it will release six 3-D movies on Blu-ray ahead of the holidays, while Sony Pictures announced one more. That alleviates concerns that studios have tied up too many movies in exclusive release deals with television manufacturers.
LG Electronics replaces CEO over profit slump
(AP) -- South Korea's LG Electronics, the world's third-biggest maker of mobile phones, said its chief executive will be replaced by the brother of the LG Group's chairman after record losses at its handset business.
E-shirt improves physical exercise
Whether you are a professional athlete or just enjoy physical exercise, instant data on your performance can improve your training. With help from ESA, a Spanish firm has developed a smart 'e-shirt' to measure and transmit key body information during exercise.
Research in Motion posts 68 pct jump in 2Q profit
(AP) -- BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. believes it will successfully resolve disputes with India, the United Arab Emirates and other countries over data security and avert their threats to ban services, the company's co-CEO said Thursday.
Microsoft wraps up tools for mobile app developers
(AP) -- Microsoft has taken another step toward a holiday release for its next generation of smart phones.
Yahoo to upgrade e-mail, search results this fall (Update)
(AP) -- Yahoo Inc. wants to prove it has regained its technological stride after years of meandering that have caused the Internet company to lose ground to its rivals.
South Africa mothballs small nuclear plant scheme
South Africa is shelving the development of a cutting-edge nuclear reactor after the programme failed to find private investors or customers abroad, the government said Friday.
Cybercrime is world's most dangerous criminal threat
A crime epidemic is silently sweeping the globe as criminals turn our ever-increasing dependence on computers against us, and even the head of Interpol is not immune.
Dell to boost China spend to $100B over a decade
(AP) -- Dell Inc. is making a $100 billion bet that China will remain one of the fastest-growing markets for personal computers over the next decade.
Interpol chief's identity stolen on Facebook
Criminals stole the Facebook identity of Interpol head Ronald K. Noble and used it to obtain information on an operation by the international police agency, Noble has said.
China 'aims to lead world' in eco-friendly cars
China is drawing up a new plan to become a leader in eco-friendly cars that could include forcing foreign automakers to share key technologies for access to its market, a report said Friday.
Current competition among Internet companies is best path for consumers
The U.S. economy remains weak with high unemployment and sluggish growth, but there is at least one bright spot -- an industry that continues rapidly innovating, bringing new products and services to market. Information technology -- particularly broadband and wireless Internet -- is thriving and gives hope that America's economy can get back on track again.
Digital music pioneer looks for new frontiers
As the buzz surrounding Google Inc.'s efforts to jump into the digital music market rose to a roar late August, one name kept surfacing about the person who might lead it -- Ian Rogers.
Oracle's net swells 20 pct amid Hurd hiring hubbub
(AP) -- Oracle Corp.'s net income swelled 20 percent in the latest quarter as the world's biggest maker of database software prospered from freer technology spending by corporations.
Android gains US smartphone market share: comScore
Google's Android operating system gained US smartphone market share in the quarter which ended in July while Blackberry maker Research in Motion, Apple and Microsoft lost ground, digital tracking firm comScore said.
Major report released by MIT: No shortage of uranium for nuclear energy, more research needed
Uranium supplies will not limit the expansion of nuclear power in the U.S. or around the world for the foreseeable future, according to a major new interdisciplinary study produced under the auspices of the MIT Energy Initiative.
Emotional robot pets
Designers of robot pets are fighting a never-ending battle with consumers to provide entertaining and realistic gadgets that respond to human interaction in ever more nuanced ways, mimicking the behavior of real pet animals or even people. Researchers in Taiwan are now looking at a new design paradigm that could see the development of a robot vision module that might one-day recognize human facial expressions and respond appropriately.
Research team assesses environmental impact of organic solar cells
Solar energy could be a central alternative to petroleum-based energy production. However, current solar-cell technology often does not produce the same energy yield and is more expensive to mass-produce. In addition, information on the total effect of solar energy production on the environment is incomplete, experts say.
Medicine & Health news
Research looks at cooling off hot flashes
If you've ever watched a woman go from perfectly calm, cool and collected one minute to uncomfortable, red-faced and fanning herself frantically the next, then you've likely witnessed a hot flash. Now imagine having to experience one or dozens of these episodes a day -- from mild to severe -- with limited options for long-term relief.
Lack of access to healthy food may contribute to health disparities in kidney disease
Processed and fast foods enriched with phosphorus additives may play a role in health disparities in chronic kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). Previously, genetics was considered the leading reason blacks are four times more likely to progress to end stage renal disease than whites and have much higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality in early chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Healthy diet rocks when it comes to fighting kidney stones
Certain key ingredients of a diet designed to prevent high blood pressure can ward off kidney stones, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The results suggest how low-fat dairy products and/or plants may have potent kidney stone-fighting properties.
Development aid for maternal, newborn and child health doubled over 5 years
Health experts will today call for a greater prioritization and targeting of aid to save the lives of mothers, newborns, and children in poor countries.
Rising education levels among women save children's lives worldwide
Women are advancing further in school than at any time in recent history, a trend that is having a tremendous impact on child mortality, according to new research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
US face transplant patient promotes organ donation
(AP) -- There is an initial shock upon first glance at Connie Culp, the woman who received the nation's first face transplant nearly two years ago. She taps her way through the hospital waiting room, feeling along the floor with a cane and smiling hesitantly at a visitor, even though she can only make out shadows and shapes.
Attitudes must change if we are to achieve a good death for all, say experts
Society's attitudes towards dying, death and bereavement need to change if we are to achieve a good death for all, say experts in a special series of articles published in the British Medical Journal today in the first BMJ "Spotlight" supplement.
Johnson & Johnson plans to buy Dutch vaccine group
US cosmetics and pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson said on Friday it intended to acquire a Dutch vaccine maker Crucell which is active in developing countries for about 1.75 billion euros.
With growing US support for personalized medicine, a look at ethical dilemmas
As government support for personalized medicine grows, a consumer advocate, a patient, and bioethicists explore ethical controversies. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests, privacy, targeted cancer therapies, and Henrietta Lacks are among topics in a special issue of the Hastings center Report.
Swiss gov't rejects call to ban assisted suicide
(AP) -- The Swiss government has rejected calls to ban assisted suicide groups such as Dignitas but will propose new rules to restrict their work.
Progress against child deaths will lag until family, community care prioritized
Global efforts to tackle millions of preventable child and maternal deaths will fail to extend gains unless world leaders act now to pour more healthcare resources directly into families and communities, according to a new World Vision report launched today.
Women with diabetes having more C-sections and fetal complications: study
Nearly half of women with diabetes prior to pregnancy have a potentially-avoidable C-section and their babies are twice as likely to die as those born to women without diabetes, according to the POWER study.
Native Hawaiians: Vulnerability to early death at all ages
Throughout their lives, Native Hawaiians have higher risks of death than white Americans, according to a University of Michigan study.
Popular supplements to combat joint pain do not work
Two popular supplements taken by millions of people around the world to combat joint pain, do not work, finds research published in the British Medical Journal today.
New blood markers for diabetes may help to identify patients at risk
For the first time, scientists have found that blood levels of some ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) are different among people with type 2 diabetes and those who subsequently develop the disease compared to healthy controls, according to research reported in Circulation Research: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Diet drugs face tough test before FDA
There has never been a magic prescription to help millions of obese Americans lose weight. Whether one is any closer to reality is now under scrutiny.
Postpartum about brain, not just hormones
Women with postpartum depression who viewed pictures of scared or angry faces had less activity as shown by functional magnetic resonance brain imaging than did healthy mothers in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that controls emotional responses and recognizes emotional cues in others. The mothers with postpartum depression also had less communication between this area and the amygdala, the hub of emotional conditioning.
New study says molecule can starve cancer cells
While overcoming an addiction is usually the healthy choice, cancer cells' addiction to the amino acid glutamine is key to their vitality and growth. But Cornell researchers have discovered a molecule that can block cancer cells from using glutamine, thereby inhibiting their growth.
UCLA researchers say plan to eliminate AIDS in South Africa flawed
In 2008, Reuben Granich and his colleagues at the World Health Organization published a paper in the medical journal The Lancet that proposed a new strategy for combating HIV in South Africa, a country staggered by the virus, with as much as 18 percent of the population estimated to be infected.
Depression gets pinned with acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture produces significant changes in parts of the brain that regulate emotional states and is a biologically plausible treatment for depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders, UNSW researchers have shown for the first time.
Key genetic players in diabetes identified
Scientists have discovered a network of genes for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and identified a key player that controls the network. This development will help researchers focus their efforts to improve drug treatments for type 1 diabetes and could have an impact on other diseases where inflammation plays an important role.
Teenagers are more sedentary on weekends
The new school year has started and the school routine is back. A European study led by Spanish researchers has shown how the proportion of young people who watch television and play on the computer for more than two hours per day doubles on the weekend. And while boys opt for video games, teenage girls prefer to surf the net.
Research could improve detection of liver damage
Research at the University of Liverpool could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of liver damage.
Integrative medicine: Colic in babies appears to be a bad gut feeling
If you've ever had a colicky baby or you know someone who has, you know how distressing it can be. Colic affects up to 28 percent of newborns and is one of the most vexing problems parents and pediatricians face in the first few months of life.
Scientists re-establish dual toxin importance in C.diff
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at The University of Nottingham have re-established the lethal role of a toxin in the leading healthcare associated infection Clostridium difficile.
Channeling efforts to fight cystic fibrosis
The lab of Kevin Foskett, PhD, the Isaac Ott Professor of Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has found a possible new target for fighting cystic fibrosis (CF) that could compensate for the lack of a functioning ion channel in affected CF-related cells. Their finding appears in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Researchers find drug combination may treat traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States. Recent data show that approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually. While the majority of TBIs are concussions or other mild forms, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability.
Newly identified genetic marker involved in aggressive Alzheimer's disease
An international team of Alzheimer's disease experts, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has uncovered a gene variation that appears to predict the rate at which Alzheimer's disease will progress.
Father absence linked to earlier puberty among certain girls
Girls in homes without a biological father are more likely to hit puberty at an earlier age, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health.
Study finds possible 'persistence' switch for tuberculosis
(PhysOrg.com) -- An examination of a portion of the tuberculosis genome that responds to stress has allowed Rice University bioengineers Oleg Igoshin and Abhinav Tiwari to zero in on a network of genes that may "switch" the disease into dormancy.
Tick tock: Rods help set internal clocks, biologist says
We run our modern lives largely by the clock, from the alarms that startle us out of our slumbers and herald each new workday to the watches and clocks that remind us when it's time for meals, after-school pick-up and the like.
Gene limits learning and memory in mice
Deleting a certain gene in mice can make them smarter by unlocking a mysterious region of the brain considered to be relatively inflexible, scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have found.
Biology news
Detergent keeps pathogen from destroying roses
A major pathogen in roses, the mold Botrytis cinerea, can be easily kept at bay with a dash of chlorine. Dutch researchers discovered this by chance.
Veterinarian says natural foods not always best for pets
While natural food is a rising trend among humans, pet owners should be careful before feeding similar types of food to their pets, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian.
US-born panda gives birth to eighth cub
A giant panda born in the United States gave birth to her eighth cub Friday, a rare feat for the endangered species, which has been notoriously difficult to breed, Chinese state press reported.
Pickle spoilage bacteria may help environment
Spoilage bacteria that can cause red coloration of pickles' skin during fermentation may actually help clean up dyes in textile industry wastewater, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study.
Elusive elephant-shrew found in African forest
Conservationists researching the biodiversity of the Boni-Dodori forest on the coast of north-eastern Kenya were thrilled to capture pictures of the bizarre mammal.
Giant spiders cast webs over river using super biomaterial
(PhysOrg.com) -- The antithesis of the itsy-bitsy spider, Caerostris darwini, a giant orb spider and namesake of Charles Darwin, weaves a web of super strength never before seen, says Dr. Todd Blackledge, Leuchtag Endowed Chair at The University of Akron.
Asian 'unicorn' photographed for first time in over 10 years
For the first time in more than ten years, there has been a confirmed sighting of one of the rarest and most mysterious animals in the world, the saola of Laos and Vietnam. The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (also known as Laos) announced on September15 that in late August villagers in the central province of Bolikhamxay captured a saola and brought it back to their village. The animal died several days later, but was photographed while still alive.
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