Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for September 21, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Paper-thin supercapacitor has higher capacitance when twisted than any non-twisted supercapacitor- Two new studies suggest ways of improving traffic flow
- Large Hadron Collider scientists spot potential new discovery: CERN
- Spaceplane that takes off from airport runway could be ready in 10 years
- Animal cells communicate electrically over long distances via nanotubes
- Study shows newborns learn while asleep
- Avoid swimming in interplanetary lakes: Research confirms oily 'water' on Saturn's moon
- New online Google tool shows where services blocked (Update)
- Turning over a new leaf
- The Achilles' heel of tendons
- New fluorescence technique opens window to protein complexes in living cells
- The Joy of sets: For ants and trees, multiple partners are a boon
- Universal, primordial magnetic fields discovered in deep space
- Researchers locate impulse control center in brain
- Psychologist shows why we 'choke' under pressure -- and how to avoid it
Space & Earth news
Rocket with secret satellite launched from Calif.
(AP) -- A rocket carrying classified satellite cargo has been successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California's central coast.
Farm, forest lands being protected -- but not always for farming or forestry
More than 35 years after Oregon began one of the nation's most ambitious land use planning programs, a new study suggests it's still difficult to demonstrate that it has accomplished one of its primary goals - protecting agricultural lands and a thriving forest, farm and ranching industry.
Russia's Arctic holds 100 Bln tons of oil, gas
(AP) -- Russia's Arctic territories are estimated to contain up to 100 billion tons of oil and gas and the nation needs to defend its claim to those riches, a Cabinet minister said Tuesday.
Astronomers hope to answer universe questions with LOFAR telescope
The first major radio telescope to be built in Britain for decades, LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) that will help answer questions such as "are we alone?" and "how did black holes grow in our universe?" has been officially opened by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell at a ceremony at STFC's Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire. (Monday 20 September). The telescope, which is part of the European LOFAR project will 'listen' to the Universe at FM frequencies, helping astronomers detect when the first stars in the Universe were formed, to reveal more about how the Universe evolved.
One of NASA's most widely used sensor networks resides on firm ground
NASA's known best for sending humans to the Moon and rovers to Mars, but one of the agency's most widely used sensor networks resides right here on terra firma. Called the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), it's one of the first places that scientists turn when volcanoes, wildfires, pollution plumes, dust storms and many other phenomena—both natural and manmade—make an appearance.
A less toxic, more efficient dispersant is scientist's goal
After the failure of the Deepwater Horizon oil well last spring, nearly 2 million gallons of dispersant were released into the Gulf of Mexico to contain the spill. While preliminary reports suggest that it successfully dispersed much of the oil, the long-term effect of such a massive volume of dispersant on ecosystems, wildlife and humans remains to be seen.
How heating our homes could help reduce climate change
(PhysOrg.com) -- A radical new heating system where homes would be heated by district centres rather than in individual households could dramatically cut the UK's greenhouse gas emissions.
NASA sends shuttle Discovery to pad for last time
(AP) -- Space shuttle Discovery is headed to the launch pad for the last time.
Thousands of marine animals still in danger from hidden oil in Gulf
University of Georgia oceanographer Samantha Joye, like most scientists, always has a plan. Especially when it involves complex, expensive research cruises.
Science observations resume for Mars orbiter
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter resumed observing Mars with its science instruments on Sept. 18, recovering from an unplanned reboot of its computer three days earlier.
Earth to have closest encounter with Jupiter until 2022
Been outside at midnight lately? There's something you really need to see. Jupiter is approaching Earth for the closest encounter between the two planets in more than a decade -- and it is dazzling.
Scientists find 20 years of deep water warming leading to sea level rise
Scientists analyzing measurements taken in the deep ocean around the globe over the past two decades find a warming trend that contributes to sea level rise, especially around Antarctica.
China's environmental challenges have global implications
Unlike Vegas, what happens in China doesn't stay in China.
Data clippers set sail to enhance future planetary missions
A new golden age of sailing may be about to begin - in space. Future missions to explore the outer planets could employ fleets of 'data-clippers', manoeuvrable spacecraft equipped with solar sails, to ship vast quantities of scientific data to back Earth.
NASA infrared imagery sees tropical depression 14 becomes 12th tropical storm: Lisa
This Atlantic hurricane season has now spawned 14 tropical depressions and 12 of them have strengthened into tropical storms. The latest is now called Tropical Storm Lisa and is in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Lisa when she was still a low pressure area, but showed a center of circulation and banding of thunderstorms circling it, indicating the storm was getting organized.
GOES-11 catches quick birth of Tropical Storm Georgette already moving into Baja California
Tropical Storm Georgette formed pretty quickly and the GOES-11 satellite captured her clouds extending over extreme southern Baja California and western Mexico today. Georgette formed just south of Cabo San Lucas this morning and is headed for a Baja landfall.
Hurricane watches up in Canada as the GOES-13 Satellite sees Hurricane Igor still expanding
Hurricane Igor may be changing into an extra tropical storm and losing his warm core of energy, but he hasn't lost his punch as hurricane watches are up today in eastern Canada. The GOES-13 satellite captured a look at Hurricane Igor this morning, and noticed the storm continues to grow larger and part of that expansion is likely a result of absorbing Julia's remnants.
Avoid swimming in interplanetary lakes: Research confirms oily 'water' on Saturn's moon
Titan, one of Saturn's moons, is the only moon in the solar system with an atmosphere -- ten times denser than the atmosphere of Earth. Five years ago, the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn, a collaboration between the European Space Agency and NASA, sent a probe through Titan's atmosphere, revealing that Titan is home to a landscape that includes hills, valleys and most notably lakes.
Canadian space agency beams northern lights over Web
Skywatchers can turn their gaze to a computer for a glimpse of the northern lights: the Canadian Space Agency on Monday launched an online observatory streaming the aurora borealis live over the Internet.
Mars methane lasts less than a year
A new study indicates that methane in the atmosphere of Mars lasts less than a year. Methane is replenished from localized sources that show seasonal and annual variations. This pattern of methane production raises questions as to whether the methane comes from geological activity - or biological processes.
Parting the waters: Computer modeling applies physics to Red Sea escape route (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- The biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea has inspired and mystified people for millennia. A new computer modeling study by researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) shows how the movement of wind as described in the book of Exodus could have parted the waters.
Universal, primordial magnetic fields discovered in deep space
Scientists from the California Institute of Technology and UCLA have discovered evidence of "universal ubiquitous magnetic fields" that have permeated deep space between galaxies since the time of the Big Bang.
The hot atmosphere of Venus might cool its interior: study
The heat in the atmosphere of Venus, induced from a strong greenhouse warming, might actually have a cooling effect on the planet's interior. This counter-intuitive theory is based on calculations from a new model presented at the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) in Rome on Tuesday 21st September.
Spaceplane that takes off from airport runway could be ready in 10 years
(PhysOrg.com) -- An unpiloted, air-breathing spaceplane that takes off from an airport runway, carries up to 30 passengers, and costs less than one-tenth to launch into space compared to a conventional rocket could be ready to fly in 10 years, according to its developers, Reaction Engines of Oxfordshire, UK. Although the spaceplane is currently in the proof-of-concept phase, the country's new UK Space Agency is hosting a workshop this week to discuss developing the spaceplane commercially. If successful, the spaceplane could be the first single-stage-to-orbit craft to reach orbit.
Technology news
Jackson estate licenses virtual 'Planet Michael'
(AP) -- The man who made the moonwalk famous will soon be getting a planet of his own.
A single application for every device
Led by the German Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, a consortium of major, international companies will develop an open-source platform and software components that will allow cross-platform use of services and technologies that can be operated on multiple screens.
Code Blue: ESA emergency telemedicine system soars to commercial success
'Is there a doctor on the plane?' Piping this request over aircraft speakers is the traditional response to a potential onboard medical emergency. But now the availability of expert medical advice can be guaranteed every time.
Exec: MySpace redesign may lose users initially
(AP) -- The MySpace redesign set to launch in mid-October may be so jarring that the social networking site could lose members at first.
AGs: Backpage.com should to drop adult service ads
(AP) -- Connecticut's attorney general says he and colleagues in 20 states are calling on another classified ads website to its drop adult services section.
Top eBay executive steps down for personal reasons
(AP) -- One of eBay's top executives is stepping down, creating a void in the e-commerce company's largest division.
Company turning a sealed toxic dump into a solar-energy development
Atop a sealed mound of industrial waste on a historically toxic swath of Gloucester County, N.J., Bill Geary sees a sunny future.
Survey says: Consumer satisfaction with PCs rises
(AP) -- Consumers are as happy as they've ever been with their computers, and those with Apple computers are the most pleased, a new survey says.
Cyber rally disrupts US recording industry website
Computer security researchers have said that an unprecedented mass cyber protest was triggered by efforts by film and music trade groups to close online piracy haunts.
Facebook puts brakes on fast-spreading 'clickjacking' ruse
Facebook on Monday put the brakes on "clickjackers" that were duping people with a fake status update about someone getting revenge on an ex-girlfriend.
Charity auction lets you buy celeb Twitter friends
(AP) -- If you've ever wished celebrities like actress Demi Moore or skateboarder Tony Hawk would follow you on short-messaging site Twitter, now's your chance - but you'll have to cough up some cash for the privilege.
Facebook says Asia is fastest-growing market
Asia is the fastest-growing region for new subscribers to social networking site Facebook despite restrictions on access in China, a senior company executive said on Tuesday.
Nokia rejects rumours of new mobile phone delay
Nokia said on Tuesday that reports of a delay in the launch of its new N8 mobile phone, seen as a key product needed to boost the company's fortunes, are inaccurate.
Major wind energy fair opens in Germany
The world's leading wind energy trade fair opened in Germany on Tuesday, organisers said, with close to 1,000 exhibitors from around 70 countries expected to draw some 30,000 visitors.
MetroPCS fires up cutting-edge wireless network
(AP) -- MetroPCS Communications Inc., a regional cell phone company that mainly caters to low-income customers, on Tuesday became the first U.S. carrier to use a new network technology that provides faster data access and is expected to become the industry standard.
Facebook denies plans to make phone, but mobile projects likely
Facebook wants to make mobile phones more social. The world's largest social network has been quietly developing software that would make smart phones look and function more like its online service, according to a source familiar with the project.
EU aims to comply with WTO ruling on tech tariffs
(AP) -- The European Union signaled Tuesday that it was prepared to scrap tariffs on billions dollars (euros) worth of high-tech exports from the United States, Japan and Taiwan, which were ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization last month.
Researchers apply artificial intelligence to the study of Gothic cathedrals
(PhysOrg.com) -- Simply standing before a Gothic cathedral -- say Notre-Dame in Paris -- can be an overwhelming experience. Understanding how all its parts artfully and structurally work together is something else entirely.
USDA report shows improving corn-ethanol energy efficiency
Harry Baumes, Acting Director of USDA's Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, says a report that surveyed corn growers in 2005 and ethanol plants in 2008 indicates the net energy gain from converting corn to ethanol is improving in efficiency.
FCC to expand use of Internet subsidies in schools
(AP) -- The Federal Communications Commission wants to get more bang from the federal dollars that subsidize Internet access in schools and libraries by lifting some of the restrictions that come with the funds.
Zune to go international with Windows Phone 7
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that its Zune digital entertainment service that competes with iTunes will expand internationally with the launch of its next-generation smartphone platform.
Researchers tap into cell power to create building 'skins' that adapt to heat/light of environment
Engineers, design architects and cell biologists from the University of Pennsylvania will use a National Science Foundation grant to utilize the flexibility and sensitivity of human cells as the models for next-generation building "skins" that will adapt to changes in the environment and increase building energy efficiency.
New research improves ability to detect malware in cloud-computing systems
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed new software that offers significantly enhanced security for cloud-computing systems. The software is much better at detecting viruses or other malware in the "hypervisors" that are critical to cloud computing, and does so without alerting the malware that it is being examined.
Hackers exploit Twitter security flaw
Twitter apologized to its millions of users on Tuesday after hackers exploited a security hole and wreaked havoc on the microblogging service.
New online Google tool shows where services blocked (Update)
Google released a new online tool on Tuesday that shows where the Internet giant's services and products such as YouTube are being blocked around the world.
Two new studies suggest ways of improving traffic flow
(PhysOrg.com) -- Two studies have just been published that may help improve traffic flows. The first, presented as a Santa Fe Institute working paper for September, concluded that if traffic lights responded to measured traffic flow instead of being timed. The second, published in a special edition of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, looked at how driver behavior affects traffic flow. Traffic congestion is a growing problem globally, and minimizing it would save money and cut emissions, as well as reducing stress and frustration in drivers.
Medicine & Health news
Duel-energy mammography: Visualizing victory over breast cancer
(PhysOrg.com) -- Duel-energy mammography is the latest imaging technique pioneered by UCI researchers to battle the deadly disease.
Prizes honor studies in vision loss, obesity
(AP) -- Three scientists have won prestigious medical prizes - one for devising a treatment for a major cause of vision loss and two for laying the groundwork for an explosion in obesity research.
MRI could be used for routine surveillance of great vessel stents
Researchers have found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be sufficient for the routine surveillance of some great vessel (primary blood vessels [e.g., aorta and vena cavae]) stents that are commonly used to treat congenital heart defects (a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels that is present at birth) in children and young adults, according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Study examines use of stent with bioabsorbable polymer
Three-year data demonstrated that satisfactory clinical and safety outcomes of sirolimus eluting stents with a biodegradable polymer were sustained in a real world setting. The results were presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.
First in-human study of robotically assisted PCI system demonstrates safety, feasibility
The first in-human study of a robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrated that the technique was safe and feasible. The results of the study were presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.
Data show clinical benefit from mitral valve clip device
A percutaneous mitral valve clip designed to stop mitral valve regurgitation demonstrated clinical benefit as measured by the degree of mitral regurgitation, according to a study presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. Mitral valve regurgitation is one of the most common forms of heart disease.
Paper highlights need for new studies and guidelines around oxygen therapy during MI
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) welcomes a paper published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC )(1) highlighting concerns over the use of oxygen therapy during MI in patients with normal oxygen levels. The publication adds to calls for revision of the STEMI guidelines around oxygen therapy and for a prospective, large scale randomised trials, issues that were both first raised in a Cochrane Review published in June (2).
New stent design demonstrates superiority at 6 months; 1 year data to be presented at TCT 2010
A new drug-eluting stent design demonstrated superiority over a traditional drug-eluting stent at 6 months, according to a study led by Laura Mauri, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA.) The study is being presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.
Nationwide Health Information Network now carries public health data
One hundred and sixty-six years after Samuel Morse used dots and dashes to telegraph "What hath God wrought?" opening up a whole new world of communication, Indiana has become the first state in the nation to use a potentially equally revolutionary tool, the Nationwide Health Information Network, to convey public health information to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Risk of infection after ultrasound-guided procedures is low, study suggests
The incidence of serious infection after common ultrasound-guided procedures, such as biopsy, fine-needle aspiration (a form of biopsy) and thoracentesis (procedure involving needle drainage of the chest cavity) is low, according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
Savvy consumers put a high price on food safety
In the last two weeks, news media have covered stories on an Angus beef recall, oil-tainted Gulf shrimp and salmonella-infected eggs.
Adverse cardiac events are rare after a negative cardiac CTA exam, study suggests
Adverse cardiac events are rare one year after patients are admitted to the emergency room with low-to-moderate risk chest pain and are discharged due to a negative cardiac computed tomography angiogram (CTA), according to a study in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Cardiac CTA is a noninvasive heart-imaging test that determines whether fatty deposits or calcium deposits have built up in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
Study reveals: More black women needed for clinical trials
Results from a national clinical trial show that while women do about the same as men when taking an FDA-approved medication used for the treatment of HIV, African-American women did more poorly than white and Hispanic women and were more likely to discontinue treatment early.
Antonio Damasio wins Honda Prize
The Honda Foundation of Japan has announced that its annual Honda Prize, one of the most important international awards for scientific achievement, will go to Antonio Damasio, the David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC.
Study assesses placement of multiple endoscopic stents for postoperative biliary strictures
Researchers from Italy have reported results from more than 10 years of follow-up showing that the placement of multiple endoscopic stents for the treatment of postoperative biliary strictures remains excellent with a low rate of stricture recurrence after this lengthy period of time. When strictures do recur, they can be safely and successfully retreated endoscopically. The study appears in the September issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Updated resource guide for internists released by ACP
An updated practical resource guide for internists on the health care reform law adopted last March 23, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), was released today by the American College of Physicians (ACP). An Internist's Practical Guide to Understanding Health System Reform was developed by ACP's Division of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, a significant player in helping to shape the health care reform law.
Lifelong exercising yields sensational results
Senior active skiers have twice the oxygen-uptake capacity of seniors who do not exercise. This is shown in new research at Mid Sweden University.
What is the relationship of depression and inability to express emotions in middle-aged men?
Alexithymia, a difficulty in recognizing and expressing thoughts and emotions, is more common among men. In this study, a group of Finnish investigators examined whether long-term alexithymia is associated with male aging per se, or to aging-related psychological and somatic symptoms. In addition, they examined whether gonadal hormone levels affect these associations.
Orexin wakes up your brain by self-excitation mechanism
For advanced activities of our daily life (such as driving a car, or seeing a movie), to be awake is important. It has been known so far that neuropeptide in the brain called "Orexin" controls sleep and awakening besides appetite. Here, the research group led by Dr. Akihiro Yamanaka, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), found that orexin-releasing neurons have the self-excitation mechanism that activate each other among them, and maintain awaking. From this result, the application to doze prevention or insomnia treatment can be expected. It is reported in the Journal of Neuroscience of the issue on September 22, 2010.
A crucial test for Alzheimer's
It's painful to watch Peter Kenney take a memory test.
Seagulls harbor antibiotic resistant bacteria
Analysis of seagull droppings has revealed that one in ten carry 'superbug' bacteria, resistant to the last-resort antibiotic Vancomycin. Researchers writing in BioMed central's open access journal Proteome Science investigated 57 migratory seagull samples recovered from an island off the coast of Portugal.
Drink milk and lose more weight: research
A new weight loss study conducted by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers reveals that dieters who consumed milk or milk products lost more weight on average than those who consumed little to no milk products.
Landmark report reveals massive global cost of Alzheimer's: 1 percent of global GDP -- and growing
A landmark report on the Global Economic Impact of Dementia finds that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are exacting a massive toll on the global economy, with the problem set to accelerate in coming years. The World Alzheimer Report 2010 - issued on World Alzheimer's Day by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) - provides the most current and comprehensive global picture of the economic and social costs of the illness. The Report was jointly authored by Professor Anders Wimo of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Professor Martin Prince, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
Report: Obesity hurts your wallet and your health
(AP) -- Obesity puts a drag on the wallet as well as health, especially for women.
NIH study models H1N1 flu spread
As the United States prepares for the upcoming flu season, a group of researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health continues to model how H1N1 may spread.
Researchers identify genetic patterns that may predict osteoarthritis
Scientists from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today findings from a large clinical study to evaluate the role played by genetic factors in the worsening of osteoarthritis.
'Halfalogue': Overheard cell-phone conversations are not only annoying but reduce our attention
"Yeah, I'm on my way home." "That's funny." "Uh-huh." "What? No! I thought you were - " "Oh, ok." Listening to someone talk on a cell phone is very annoying. A new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds out why: Hearing just one side of a conversation is much more distracting than hearing both sides and reduces our attention in other tasks.
Brain cell communication: Why it's so fast
Billions of brain cells are communicating at any given moment. Like an organic supercomputer they keep everything going, from breathing to solving riddles, and "programming errors" can lead to serious conditions such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Researchers investigate differences in quality of care delivered by US resident and staff physicians
Research on the quality of US resident physician performance levels has often been limited by lack of a comparison group or strict focus on specific diseases and geographical areas. In order to gain insight on differences in quality of care provided by resident physicians versus staff physicians, Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Palo Alto Medical Foundation researchers investigated performance of physicians in 33,900 hospital-based outpatient visits throughout the US.
Depression hits victims hardest in cyber bullying
Young victims of electronic or cyber bullying — which occurs online or by cell phone — are more likely to suffer from depression than their tormentors are, a new study finds.
Finnish researcher wants DNA test on convicted psychopaths
A simple genetic test can help predict whether psychopaths convicted of violent crimes are prone to be repeat offenders, a Finnish researcher said Tuesday.
Hormone oxytocin improves social cognition but only in less socially proficient individuals
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that the naturally-occurring hormone oxytocin selectively improves social cognitive abilities for less socially proficient individuals, but has little effect on those who are more socially proficient. The study was published today in Psychological Science.
Vitamin D protects against obesity-induced endometrial cancer, researchers say
Findings from an animal study suggest that obese women can reduce their increased risk of endometrial disease if they take vitamin D supplements, say researchers at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Research suggests compound administered during some bone marrow transplants elevates risks
Research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University's Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute may spur debate about the risks associated with administering a specific compound in some forms of bone-marrow transplantation. The research is published in the current edition of Cell Host and Microbe.
Stress before cancer therapy could help deadly cells survive treatment, lead to disease recurrence
Patients who experience physical or psychological stress - including rigorous exercise - one or two days before a cancer treatment might be unknowingly sabotaging their therapy, new research suggests.
Targeted therapy triggers complex mechanism of resistance
In order for targeted therapies against cancer to be effective, scientists need to understand upfront what related proteins in a signaling "network" makes a cancer cell resistant to a drug and selectively target them as well, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Fox Chase Cancer Center.
'Synthetic lethality' strategy improves molecularly targeted cancer therapy
Molecularly targeted therapies can reduce tumors rapidly. However, not all tumors respond to the drugs, and even those that do often develop resistance over time. Looking for a way to combat the problem of resistance, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center hypothesized that hitting already weakened cancer cells with a second targeted agent could kill them—but only if it was the right second agent.
Spare the rod, spoil the child?
Grabbing a child firmly by the arm, yelling and repeatedly punishing him or her may not be without long-terms risks, according to researchers from the University of Montreal. They are studying how this harsh parenting can impair the emotional development of a child, possibly leading to anxiety disorders such as social phobia, separation anxiety and panic attacks.
Long-term use of osteoporosis drugs associated with unusual fractures
(PhysOrg.com) -- Most hip fractures due to osteoporosis follow a pattern: the patient falls, and the bones around the hip joint shatter into pieces. But 2 to 3 years ago, orthopedic surgeons began seeing an increase in unusual breaks that snapped the thighbone in two, often with no warning.
Researchers developing way to distinguish between salmonella strains
(PhysOrg.com) -- As scientists with the federal government search for the source of the salmonella that made thousands of people sick this summer and trace how it spread, researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are developing a new and more accurate method of acquiring the bacteria's identity.
Freshman weight gain: Women with heavy roommates gain less
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new University of Michigan study finds that college women with roommates who weigh more than average gain less weight during their freshman year than women with slimmer roommates: half a pound versus 2.5 pounds.
Self-management counseling for patients with heart failure does not improve outcomes
Patients with mild to moderate heart failure who received educational materials and self-management counseling in an attempt to improve adherence to medical advice did not have a reduced rate of death or hospitalization compared to patients who received educational materials alone, according to a study in the September 22/29 issue of JAMA.
Shorter biological marker length in aplastic anemia patients linked to higher relapse, death rates
Among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for severe aplastic anemia (a condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells), the length of telomeres (chromosome markers of biological aging) was not related to the response to treatment but was associated with a higher rate of relapse (return to low blood cell counts) and lower overall survival, according to a study in the September 22/29 issue of JAMA.
Rethinking how hospitals react when a patient's health deteriorates
The growing use of rapid response teams dispatched by hospitals to evaluate patients whose conditions have suddenly deteriorated may be masking systemic problems in how hospitals care for their sickest patients, says a prominent Johns Hopkins patient safety expert.
Doctor's health habits affect patient counseling
Physician's confidence in their abilities to counsel patients on a healthy diet and exercise may be related to their own personal habits, according to a study by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center.
Stroke gene discovered
A Dutch-German medical research team led by Harald Schmidt from Maastricht University, Netherlands, and Christoph Kleinschnitz, University of Würzburg, Germany, has discovered that an enzyme is responsible for the death of nerve cells after a stroke. The enzyme NOX4 produces hydrogen peroxide, a caustic molecule also used in bleaching agents. Inhibition of NOX4 by an experimental new drug in mice with stroke dramatically reduces brain damage and preserves brain functions, even when given hours after the stroke. These findings will be published next week in the online, open access journal PLoS Biology.
Community health workers can effectively manage children with malaria and pneumonia
Anti-malarial drugs are being used inappropriately for sick children in Zambia with fevers and difficulty breathing - a problem that can be addressed by arming community health workers with a simple rapid-diagnostic test and a supply of antibiotics, a study led by a team of Boston University School of Public Health [BUSPH] researchers has found.
Inner voice plays role in self control
Talking to yourself might not be a bad thing, especially when it comes to exercising self control.
Researchers locate impulse control center in brain
Impulsive behaviour can be improved with training and the improvement is marked by specific brain changes, according to a new Queen's University study.
Psychologist shows why we 'choke' under pressure -- and how to avoid it
(PhysOrg.com) -- A star golfer misses a critical putt; a brilliant student fails to ace a test; a savvy salesperson blows a key presentation. Each of these people has suffered the same bump in mental processing: They have just choked under pressure.
Scientists identify a new target for Alzheimer's disease
Neurological researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found a new therapeutic target that can potentially lead to a new way to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The target called neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) is a protein that when activated, can cause a chain of reactions in the cell leading to neuronal death and memory loss.
Study shows newborns learn while asleep
(PhysOrg.com) -- Newborn infants can sleep as much as 18 hours a day. But contrary to popular belief, babies aren't just blissfully dozing in between feedings.
Biology news
Rain shortfall triggers first M-PESA drought insurance payouts for Kenyan farmers
Over 100 farmers in Embu received insurance payouts via M-PESA today, marking the first payouts issued through the mobile phone payment system M-PESA by Kilimo Salama, an innovative micro-insurance program that protects farmers' investments in improved seeds and farm inputs against drought and other extreme weather.
Training the trainers: How to minimize stress when horses are first ridden
The horse was domesticated many thousands of years ago and has been hugely important in the development of human civilization. It is hard to overstate its role in agriculture, in transport and communications and even in military operations. More recently, equestrian sports have gained markedly in popularity, so even though the horse has largely been superseded in modern farming and military practice its connection to man remains as close as ever.
Invaders could devastate Florida avocado industry
Florida's lucrative avocado industry could face a serious blow from a duo of deadly new invaders. Together, the invasive fungus called "laurel wilt disease" and the redbay ambrosia beetle, which carries laurel wilt, represent a significant economic threat to the industry. According to a report published in HortTechnology, direct losses from the invasion could range from $183 million to a remarkable high of $356 million. "The impact on the local economy would be catastrophic", noted Dr. Edward A. Evans of the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center, one of the authors of the study.
New collaborative process can help improve management of marine recreational fisheries
In an era when fisheries management is rife with controversy, new research led by a team of University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science fisheries scientists shows that a new, stakeholder-driven process can improve the way we manage fisheries targeted by both commercial and recreational interests.
Rice growers turn to computer for advice, predictions
Figuring out how a rice crop was faring used to be a head-scratching exercise with predictably unpredictable results.
Researchers to study anthropogenic drivers of rabies in vampire bats
(PhysOrg.com) -- Throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina, Common vampire bats transmit infectious diseases such as rabies to animals and humans. Factors that influence the spread of disease within bat populations and transmission to other species are not well understood, making it difficult to predict rabies outbreaks in humans and livestock. Now, a team of researchers, led by associate professor Sonia Altizer of the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology, hopes to close these knowledge gaps with a $580,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a three-year study of rabies in vampire bats in Peru.
FDA considering whether to label engineered fish
(AP) -- Genetically modified salmon for dinner? Diners might not even know it.
Stem cell researchers call for research ethics consortium
Two University of South Florida stem cell researchers propose creating an independent national "Stem Cell Research Ethics Consortium" to provide better guidance on stem cell issues for regulatory agencies, law makers and policy makers.
Promising biotech device bred from undergrad's 'crazy idea'
In Nader Pourmand's bioinstrumentation class, students are encouraged to come up with their own ideas for new biotechnology devices and applications. Sometimes, their "crazy ideas" turn into important research projects.
Consumer groups push for label for modified salmon
(AP) -- Consumer advocates urged the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to ensure that salmon engineered to grow twice as fast as the conventional variety are labeled in the grocery store as genetically modified.
Good luck not letting the bedbugs bite
For anyone hoping there's a quick, easy treatment for bedbugs in the near future, take note of the hesitation in Coby Schal's response.
Research finds salmonella responds differently to tomato varieties, ripeness
University of Florida researchers have discovered that tomato variety and maturity influence the ways salmonella bacteria respond to the fruit.
Anti-depressant Prozac inhibits sex drive in fish: study
The popular anti-depressant Prozac can inhibit sexual activity in fish if it seeps into waterways, according to a Canadian study published Tuesday.
Study offers first explanation of how cells rapidly repair and maintain structure
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have discovered that a protein, zyxin, is necessary for the maintenance and repair of the cell's cytoskeleton, or internal framework, which serves as the muscle and bone of the cell. The research has implications for cancer, as well as other diseases, since alterations in the cytoskeleton are often associated with disease. The research was published in the Sep. 14, 2010, issue of the journal Developmental Cell.
The Joy of sets: For ants and trees, multiple partners are a boon
In the complex world of ant-plant partnerships, serial monogamy can help trees maximize their evolutionary fitness, a new University of Florida study shows.
Genomic 'haircut' makes world's tiniest genome even smaller: research
The world's tiniest nuclear genome appears to have "snipped off the ends" of its chromosomes and evolved into a lean, mean, genome machine that infects human cells, according to research published today by University of British Columbia scientists.
German scientists discover rare ape species in Asia
German scientists said on Tuesday they had discovered a new rare and endangered ape species in the tropical rainforests between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia by its distinctive song.
New research divines structure for class of proteins
(PhysOrg.com) -- Most proteins are shapely, but about one-third of them lack a definitive form, at least that scientists can readily observe. These intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) perform a host of important biological functions, from muscle contraction to other neuronal actions. Yet despite their importance, "We don't know much about them," said Wolfgang Peti, associate professor of medical science and chemistry. "No one really worried about them."
Research sheds light on altruism: Digital evolution techniques help show how species become altruistic
Using digital evolution techniques that give scientists the ability to watch evolution in action, Michigan State University researchers have shed new light on what it is that makes species altruistic.
This email is a free service of PhysOrg.com
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
http://www.physorg.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as mail@joashmabs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment