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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for October 1, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Crystal cantilever lifts objects 600 times its own weight (w/ Video)- Time likely to end within 5 billion years, physicists calculate
- Cancer diagnosis breakthrough
- China launches second lunar probe (Update 2)
- Mobile payments catch on with banks, phone makers
- Student builds solar motorcycle, launches club to push more electric vehicle breakthroughs
- Sony's PlayStation Move can't quite challenge Wii
- Protein provides link between calcium signaling in excitable and non-excitable cells
- Ocean conditions likely to reduce Colorado River flows during this winter's drought
- Research suggests climate change target 'not safe'
- Growth of biofuel industry hurt by GMO regulations: study
- Blue holes a mystery of the deep
- Obscenity, whale snot take top honors at Ig Nobels
- Determining how warm this summer really was
- Predictions of upcoming winners for Nobel Prize in physics
Space & Earth news
URI oceanographer to lead return visit to least inhabited place on Earth
(PhysOrg.com) -- Four University of Rhode Island oceanographers depart next week for an international research expedition to the middle of the South Pacific Gyre - an area that is as far from any continent as is possible to go on Earth's surface - to look for evidence of life far beneath the seafloor.
Why is the harvest moon so big and orange?
Ever wonder why the moon sometimes looks so big and orange? Professor Emeritus John Percy of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics explains the mystery behind the harvest moon:
NOAA provides easy access to historical Atlantic hurricane tracks
An updated NOAA website lets everyone from reporters to city planners track local historical storm activity, review specific storm tracks and obtain information about a particular storm's landfall. NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks website and mapping application generates customized, downloadable maps based on more than 150 years of Atlantic hurricane data.
New study shows extent of land degradation and recovery on western rangelands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a new study by scientists and conservationists showing that non-federal rangelands in the Western United States are productive, but that non-native grasses and shrubs pose a potential threat to the rangelands' productivity.
GOES-13 sees an unholy matrimony: Nicole and low pressure swamp the US East Coast
In a "marriage" that U.S. east coast residents would object to, the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole coupled with an upper level low pressure area have dumped record rainfall from the Carolinas to New England on Sept. 30. The GOES-13 Satellite captured that massive "union" of a system as it begins to push off the northeastern U.S. coast today, Oct. 1.
China launches second lunar probe (Update 2)
China on Friday celebrated 61 years of communist rule with the launch of its second lunar probe -- the next step in its ambitious programme to become the second country to put a man on the moon.
The outbursts of Fornax
(PhysOrg.com) -- The galaxy Fornax A, at a distance of about 74 million light-years, is one of the nearest and brightest galaxies with giant radio lobes. These huge radio lobes -- they span a million light-years -- are immense reservoirs of hot gas glowing brightly at radio wavelengths. They are thought to have been generated by oppositely-pointed jets of particles streaming out from the galaxy's supermassive black hole.
ET machines sought by astronomer
If we ever do receive a message from outer space, we'll want to know what kind of aliens sent it. SETI researcher Seth Shostak says we shouldn't expect them to be anything like us - in fact, they might not be biological at all, but instead, extraterrestrial machines.
Determining how warm this summer really was
An unparalleled heat wave in eastern Europe, coupled with intense droughts and fires around Moscow, put Earth's temperatures in the headlines this summer. Likewise, a string of exceptionally warm days in July in the eastern United States strained power grids, forced nursing home evacuations, and slowed transit systems. Both high-profile events reinvigorated questions about humanity's role in climate change.
Ocean conditions likely to reduce Colorado River flows during this winter's drought
(PhysOrg.com) -- The convergence in the coming year of three cyclical conditions affecting ocean temperatures and weather is likely to create unprecedented challenges for states that depend on water from the Colorado River, a new UCLA study suggests.
Research suggests climate change target 'not safe'
An analysis of geological records that preserve details of the last known period of global warming has revealed 'startling' results which suggest current targets for limiting climate change are unsafe.
Blue holes a mystery of the deep
On the long list of reasons why few scientists have dared plumb the mysteries of the Bahamas' famed blue holes, the toxic swamp gas actually rates pretty low.
Technology news
An alliance formed by design and technology
Designers love state-of-the-art production technologies. This is the story of how a young designer worked with researchers from Fraunhofer to manufacture the Hydra steel tube chair. This chair is not only lightweight, but also sturdy because it takes a cue from natural forms.
Two for one: Radio chip and sensor combine to measure weather
RFID technology is on the advance. But, up to now radio chips primarily supply data for the identification of products. Researchers have now developed a transponder which measures temperature, pressure and humidity. The chip with sensor function could revolutionize the applications market.
Active packaging keeps meat fresh for longer
To date, supermarkets have only been able to keep products on their meat counters for a few days. But now researchers have developed an antimicrobial active packaging film that destroys the microorganisms on the product surface, thereby increasing the shelf life not only of fresh meat, but also of fish, cheese and other cold cuts.
Scalpers swoop as Apple sells out of iPhone 4 in China
US high-tech giant Apple has sold out its iPhone 4 in China less than a week after launching the trendy smartphone on the mainland, creating a flourishing market for scalpers, state media reported.
Holiday concerns in China over 'cyber superweapon'
Computer hackers have warned that a week-long national holiday in China from Friday could leave the country vulnerable to further attack from a potentially lethal computer virus.
Stuxnet worm brings cyber warfare out of virtual world
A mysterious computer worm that has struck Iran has raised the spectre of a cyber attack as a new weapon of war, a danger NATO identifies as a key threat, experts say.
Body language to be read by computers one of new innovative solutions
Can a computer read your body language? A consortium of European researchers thinks so, and has developed a range of innovative solutions from escalator safety to online marketing.
Algae biodiesel production has to be three times cheaper
The cost of producing biodiesel from algae is now three and a half times more than producing it from oil, and twice as much as producing fuel from rapeseed. Investments in biotechnology would however make it feasible for petrol to be produced from algae.
Electronic searching aid for parents
Just a short call and the "Kidfinder" lets you know where your child is right now via SMS. It can be built into a game console and the locating unit even combines GPS position fixing with GSM tracking. In the best-case scenario, it can even locate the person sought within a couple of meters.
HP's new CEO hints that software will be priority
(AP) -- Hewlett-Packard Co.'s new CEO signaled Friday that expanding the company's software business will be a top priority.
Google brings 'Street View' to Antarctica
Google's "Street View" imagery has sparked privacy concerns in some countries but that's unlikely to be the case with its latest destination -- Antarctica, populated mostly by penguins.
Microsoft taps tech leader to head Office division
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. has picked an insider with engineering expertise to head up its Office software division, filling a spot left vacant in September when the most recent president left to become Nokia Corp.'s CEO.
Facebook now second-largest online video viewing platform
Facebook became the second-largest online video viewing platform in the United States in August, leap-frogging Yahoo! but still trailing far behind YouTube, digital tracking firm comScore said.
Ubisoft sends 'Assassins' to Facebook
French videogame titan Ubisoft is expanding the world of "Assassin's Creed" to Facebook, breaking down the barrier between play on consoles and at the hot online social network.
'Fabric' would tighten the weave of online security
(PhysOrg.com) -- As we become increasingly dependent on computers to manage our lives and businesses, our money and privacy become less and less secure. But now, Cornell researchers offer a way to build security into computer systems from the start, by incorporating security in the language used to write the programs.
A future energy giant? India's thorium-based nuclear plans
As part of an ambitious three-stage plan to fulfil its nuclear vision and desire for energy security, India could find itself a leading global exporter of an alternative nuclear technology that is more efficient than today's uranium-plutonium fuel cycle.
Mobile payments catch on with banks, phone makers
Smart phones already enable you to snap photos and bank online. Now banks and credit card companies think it might make sense for your phone to take over the functions of credit and debit cards.
Student builds solar motorcycle, launches club to push more electric vehicle breakthroughs
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Purdue University student who created a solar-powered motorcycle is launching a club to help likeminded students expand environmentally friendly transportation options.
Medicine & Health news
Adjunctive rufinamide reduces refractory partial-onset seizures
Researchers from the Arkansas Epilepsy Program found treatment with rufinamide results in a significant reduction in seizure frequency compared with placebo, for patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures (POS). Details of this study are now available online in Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy.
New lung cancer research finds half of advanced lung cancer patients receive chemotherapy
For the first time to date, research published in the October edition of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) sought to determine the use of chemotherapy in a contemporary, diverse non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population encompassing all patient ages. Prior population-based studies have shown that only 20 to 30 percent of advanced lung cancer patients receive chemotherapy treatment. These studies have previously relied on the Medicare-linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, thus excluding the 30 to 35 percent of lung cancer patients younger than 65 years of age.
Most suicidal adolescents receive follow-up care after ER visits
For suicidal adolescents, the emergency department (ED) is most often the chosen portal to mental health services. New research, presented Friday, Oct. 1, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco, looks at what happens to the 30 percent of suicidal adolescents who are discharged from the ED and whether they go on to access additional mental health services.
TRUST study data confirms safety and efficacy of erlotinib for advanced lung cancer
Featured in the October edition of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO), data from The Tarceva Lung Cancer Survival Treatment (TRUST) confirms the safety and efficacy profile of erlotinib, a highly potent oral active, reversible inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase (TK) activity in a large heterogeneous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population.
Money could determine parental investment biases in child education
Wealth does affect parents' investment in their children's education, according to new research from the University of Bristol and the London School of Economics, published in Current Anthropology.
Ease into daylight savings time
With winter now behind us and the longer days of summer looming comes the annual switch to daylight saving time.
Using radio signals to prevent heart failure
Increased pressure in the heart is a warning sign - it may indicate heart failure. In the future, a battery-less miniature sensor implanted in a patient's heart could be used to transmit on-demand cardiac pressure readings to their attending physician.
Boston Medical Center research study validates the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale
Boston Medical Center (BMC) doctors have proven the reliability of the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), a tool that assesses the cleanliness of the colon during colonoscopies. This study, published in the October 2010 issue of the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, demonstrates the scale's accuracy and could become an international standardized tool to rate colon cleanliness during colonoscopy.
Proposed dietary guidelines for Americans sharply debated
A special article published today in the journal Nutrition sharply criticizes the recent Report of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). Authors Hite et al. argue the Report fails to conform to the standards of evidence-based medicine, despite its claimed reliance on a newly created USDA Nutrition Evidence Library. The authors call the DGAC to task for failing to consider recent scientific results while at the same time further confusing the American public.
Going from strength to strength: effects of growth hormone on muscle
Growth hormone is used to treat children's growth disorders and has been used by some sports men and women to promote muscle growth and regeneration.
Mayo Clinic review of ethical decision making with end-of-life care
In a review article published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic physicians differentiate the ethical and legal permissibility of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments and accepted comfort measures, specifically palliative sedation, from that of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia.
US apologizes for 1940s STD study in Guatemala
(AP) -- The U.S. government apologized to Guatemala Friday for a study 60 years ago in which American scientists deliberately infected prisoners in that country with syphilis.
Researchers find no difference in drugs for macular degeneration
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the VA Boston Healthcare System have conducted a study that failed to show a difference in efficacy between Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study, which appears currently on-line in Eye, is believed to be the first study to describe one-year outcomes of a prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial directly comparing bevacizumab to ranibizuamab. Last October, these same researchers published early, six month outcomes of the same study, which also failed to show a difference in efficacy between these two drugs for treating AMD.
Is photoscreening the best way to catch 'lazy eye'?
Amblyopia, known as "lazy eye," is a major cause of vision problems in children and a common cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 70 in developed countries. In amblyopia the person's stronger eye is favored and his/her weaker eye gradually loses visual power as a result. When the condition is detected and treated before age 7, more than 75 percent of children achieve 20/30 vision or better, the Amblyopia Treatment Study reports.
Short and long sleep in early pregnancy linked to high blood pressure in the third trimester
A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal Sleep found that getting too little or too much sleep in early pregnancy is associated with elevated blood pressure in the third trimester. The study suggests that improving prenatal sleep hygiene may provide important health benefits.
Flow of empty calories into children's food supply must be reduced
With over 23 million children and adolescents in the US overweight or obese, the risks for many chronic diseases continue to increase. An article in the October issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association examines the diets of American youth and finds some disturbing results.
Researchers identify a new target for breast cancer treatment
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers from the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence - home to UQ's School of Pharmacy - have identified a potential new target for breast cancer therapy.
Lower risk of heart disease in women with great dental care, study shows
A new study led by a University of California, Berkeley, researcher could give women a little extra motivation to visit their dentist more regularly. The study suggests that women who get dental care reduce their risk of heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular problems by at least one-third.
Language delays found in siblings of children with autism
Siblings of children with autism have more frequent language delays and other subtle characteristics of the disorder than previously understood. Girls also may be mildly affected more often than recognized in the past.
Scarless brain surgery is new option for patients
Surgeons at UW Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle and at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine have determined that transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery (TONES) is a safe, effective option for treating a variety of advanced brain diseases and traumatic injuries. This groundbreaking, minimally invasive surgery is performed through the eye socket, thus eliminating the removal of the top of the skull to reach the brain. The findings were published in the September issue of Neurosurgery.
Researchers discover genetic changes that make some forms of brain cancer more aggressive
A multi-institutional team led by investigators from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has published a study that provides new insight into genetic changes that make some forms of glioblastoma, the most common type of primary brain cancer, more aggressive than others and explains why they may not respond to certain therapies. The research was led by senior author Eric C. Holland, MD, PhD,--an MSKCC surgeon, researcher and the Director of the Brain Tumor Center--and was published in the October 1 issue of the journal Genes & Development.
Think saturated fat contributes to heart disease? Think again
For the past three decades, saturated fat has been considered a major culprit of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and as a result dietary advice persists in recommending reduced consumption of this macronutrient. However, new evidence shows that saturated fat intake has only a very limited impact on CVD risk -- causing many to rethink the "saturated fat is bad" paradigm.
Research identifies a new bacterial foe in cystic fibrosis
Exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) may be linked to chronic infection with a bacterium called Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which was previously thought to simply colonize the CF lung. The finding that chronic infection with S. maltophilia is independently linked with an increased risk of exacerbations gives clinicians and researchers a new potential measure of the health status of CF patients, as well as a new potential target in fighting their disease.
Gene variations that alter key enzyme linked to prostate cancer
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that variations in a gene for an enzyme involved in cell energy metabolism appear to increase the risk for prostate cancer.
Experts urge making cigarettes non-addictive a research priority
After a major review of scientific information, six leading tobacco research and policy experts have concluded that a nicotine reduction strategy should be an urgent research priority because of its potential to profoundly reduce the death and disease from tobacco use. Their findings were published today in the journal Tobacco Control.
Neighborhoods can have depressing effect on health, study
(PhysOrg.com) -- The nation's poverty rate climbed to 14.3 percent -- the highest level since 1994 -- according to the Census Bureau's annual report on the economic well-being of U.S. households. That means one in seven Americans now live in poverty, and that may have an especially depressing effect on people living in bad neighborhoods, according to two Iowa State University researchers.
Study links cannabis strains with memory impairment
(PhysOrg.com) -- People who smoke potent strains of cannabis that are low in cannabidiol (such as skunk) are putting themselves at far greater risk of acute memory loss than people who smoke other types of the drug, according to new research published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Dental researcher improves a device to help cleft-palate patients avoid surgery
(PhysOrg.com) -- Children with cleft palates may no longer need invasive jaw-widening surgery as an adult.
Specific brain areas for sex, money
A team of French researchers headed by Jean-Claude Dreher of the Centre de Neuroscience Cognitive in Lyon, France, has provided the first evidence that the orbitofrontal cortex (located in the anterior ventral part of the brain) contains distinct regions that respond to secondary rewards like money as well as more primary gratifications like erotic images. These findings, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, open new perspectives in the understanding of certain pathologies, such as gambling addiction, and the study of the neural networks involved in motivation and learning.
Protein provides link between calcium signaling in excitable and non-excitable cells
A calcium-sensing protein, STIM1, known to activate store-operated calcium channels has been found to also inhibit voltage-operated calcium channels, according to researchers at Temple University.
Biology news
Genetically altered trees, plants could help counter global warming
Forests of genetically altered trees and other plants could sequester several billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year and so help ameliorate global warming, according to estimates published in the October issue of BioScience.
South Africa to research mood-lifting plant
(AP) -- For hundreds of years, indigenous South Africans have chewed a plant they say reduces stress, relieves hunger, sedates and elevates moods. Now they have a license to study and market it, and plan to sell it over-the-counter worldwide.
Climate change forcing a 'move it or lose it' approach to species conservation?
What does it take to save a species in the 21st century? The specter of climate change, with predicted losses to biodiversity as high as 35 percent, has some scientists and managers considering taking their conservation strategies on the road.
Study shows real partners are no match for ideal mate
Our ideal image of the perfect partner differs greatly from our real-life partner, according to new research from the University of Sheffield and the University of Montpellier in France. The research found that our actual partners are of a different height, weight and body mass index than those we would ideally choose.
Growth of biofuel industry hurt by GMO regulations: study
Faster development of the promising field of cellulosic biofuels - the renewable energy produced from grasses and trees - is being significantly hampered by a "deep and thorny regulatory thicket" that makes almost impossible the use of advanced gene modification methods, researchers say.
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