Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for October 29, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists demonstrate more efficient way to connect nanoparticles for single-electron devices- Holometer experiment to test if the universe is a hologram
- Fingers detect typos even when conscious brain doesn't
- Origin of skillful stone-tool-sharpening method pushed back more than 50,000 years
- Study says solar systems like ours may be common
- China boasts world's fastest supercomputer
- Computer scientists make progress on math puzzle
- Ostriches run fast because of 'springy' tendons
- Researchers discover 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly (w/ Video)
- Assassin bugs trap spiders by mimicking prey (w/ Video)
- New cotton fabric stays waterproof through 250 washes
- Canadian researchers 'see' how to capture CO2
- Organic solvent system may improve catalyst recycling and create new nanomedicine uses
- Size of protein aggregates, not abundance, drives spread of prion-based disease
- Insulin-creating cell research may lead to better diabetes treatment
Space & Earth news
NASA prepares for EPOXI mission comet flyby
In one of its final mission trajectory correction maneuvers, the EPOXI mission spacecraft has refined its orbit, preparing it for the flyby of comet Hartley 2 on Nov. 4. The time of closest approach to the comet on that day is expected to be about 7:02 a.m. PDT (10:02 a.m. EDT).
Image: Dark reflections in the Southern Cross
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, captured this colorful image of the reflection nebula IRAS 12116-6001. This cloud of interstellar dust cannot be seen directly in visible light, but WISE's detectors observed the nebula at infrared wavelengths.
Delegates deadlocked as UN nature meet nears end
(AP) -- Delegates from more than 190 countries struggled Friday to break a deadlock on setting ambitious goals to preserve animals, plants and ecosystems, raising the prospect that the two-week U.N. meeting might end in failure.
NM spaceport sets stage for commercial space race
(AP) -- British tycoon Richard Branson has dreamed of going to space since he was a teenager. He'll get his wish when Virgin Galactic begins taking tourists into suborbital space from a specially designed spaceport in the New Mexico desert.
US sets up security zone around BP oil spill site
A security zone has been set up around the site of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to safeguard any evidence of the environmental disaster earlier this year, the Justice Department said Wednesday.
Companies fight to keep global warming data secret
(AP) -- Some of the country's largest emitters of heat-trapping gases, including businesses that publicly support efforts to curb global warming, don't want the public knowing exactly how much they pollute.
Magnetometers for Juno mission delivered by NASA Goddard
Magnetometers developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., for the Juno mission to Jupiter were delivered recently to Lockheed Martin in Denver. Designed and built by an in-house team of Goddard scientists, engineers and technicians, these instruments will map the planet's magnetic field with great accuracy and observe its variations over time. Each of the two vector magnetometers carries with it a pair of non-magnetic star cameras to determine its orientation in space with commensurate accuracy. These were designed and built by a team led by John Jorgensen at the Danish Technical University in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The new home of Envisat
ESA’s Earth-observing satellite Envisat has moved to a lower orbit in order to conserve fuel and extend its life by three years, and is once again delivering invaluable data to thousands of scientists.
Root of the matter: A new map shows life-saving forests' scarcity defies past estimates
Countless people clung to life in the branches of trees hemming the shorelines during the deadly 2004 tsunami that killed more than 230,000 coastal residents in Indonesia, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka. In the aftermath of the disaster, land change scientist Chandra Giri from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) decided to explore to what degree those unique trees – which make up valuable forest ecosystems called mangroves -- safeguard lives, property and beaches during hurricanes, tsunamis and floods.
BP, Halliburton 'knew' oil disaster cement was unstable
BP and Halliburton knew weeks before an explosion tore through a BP rig in the Gulf of Mexico that the cement mix they planned to pump into an undersea BP well was faulty, a probe found.
Space buckyballs thrive, finds NASA Spitzer Telescope
(PhysOrg.com) -- Astronomers have discovered bucket loads of buckyballs in space. They used NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to find the little carbon spheres throughout our Milky Way galaxy -- in the space between stars and around three dying stars. What's more, Spitzer detected buckyballs around a fourth dying star in a nearby galaxy in staggering quantities -- the equivalent in mass to about 15 of our moons.
Earth's fiery past and future modeled by NASA
Wildfires may seem like a fixed and unchanging force of nature. They're not. Over long time scales, research has shown that both the climate and humans have a profound effect on wildfire activity around the globe. Now new NASA research shows that while we have been suppressing this natural force for the past century, we may be, inadvertently, about to put nature back in control.
Algeo tracks evidence of 'The Great Dying'
More than 251 million years ago, at the end of the Permian period, Earth almost became a lifeless planet. Around 90 percent of all living species disappeared then, in what scientists have called "The Great Dying."
New experiments improve accuracy of ozone predictions in air-quality models
A team of scientists led by researchers from the California Institute of Technology and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have fully characterized a key chemical reaction that affects the formation of pollutants in smoggy air. The findings suggest that in the most polluted parts of Los Angeles—and on the most polluted days in those areas—current models are underestimating ozone levels, by between 5 to 10 percent.
NASA trapped mars rover finds evidence of subsurface water
(PhysOrg.com) -- The ground where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit became stuck last year holds evidence that water, perhaps as snow melt, trickled into the subsurface fairly recently and on a continuing basis.
New technique shows 50-year history of toxic algae in Lake Wingra
(PhysOrg.com) -- As public health officials worry about rising concentrations of cyanobacteria - often called blue-green algae - in lakes, scientists are concerned that a warming climate will stimulate the growth of cyanobacteria.
Russia's Kamchatka volcanoes spew giant ash clouds
(AP) -- Two volcanoes erupted Thursday on Russia's far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, tossing massive ash clouds miles (kilometers) into the air, forcing flights to divert and blanketing one town with thick, heavy ash.
Study says solar systems like ours may be common
(PhysOrg.com) -- Nearly one in four stars like the sun could have Earth-size planets, according to a University of California, Berkeley, study of nearby solar-mass stars.
Technology news
New test equipment enhances police traffic surveillance
Police surveillance of seatbelt compliance and speeding receives a boost with the new test equipment. Developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the equipment also measures distance between vehicles, road surface condition and calculates traffic emissions. The test equipment is part of an EU project aimed at improving traffic safety and reducing accidents caused by traffic rule violations. The technical test phase will continue until the end of next year, after which part of the equipment will be ready for production.
China says rare earths not a 'bargaining tool'
(AP) -- China said Thursday it will not use exports of rare earths, exotic minerals required by high-tech industry, as a diplomatic "bargaining tool" while Washington pressed Beijing to clarify its policy following its de facto ban on supplies to Japan.
Singapore group to develop 'next-generation' cars
An international consortium backed by the Singapore government Thursday launched ten research projects to develop technology for "next-generation" vehicles.
NXP announces the first leadless package with tin-plated, solderable side pads
NXP Semiconductors today announced the availability of SOD882D, the industry’s first leadless package with solderable, tin-plated side pads.
Hynix net profit surges to record as sales rise
(AP) -- Hynix Semiconductor, the world's second-largest manufacturer of computer memory chips, said third-quarter net profit more than quadrupled to a record high as increased shipments helped make up for chip price declines.
Yahoo hires former News Corp. exec to fill void
(AP) -- Yahoo Inc. is turning to a former Internet sharpshooter at News Corp.'s media empire to fill a big hole on its management team.
As trial looms, Oracle taking aim at HP's new CEO
(AP) -- Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison is escalating his attacks on his friend-turned-foe Hewlett-Packard Co.
Judge grants injunction vs new Mass. obscenity law
(AP) -- A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction sought by free-speech advocates who argued that a new Massachusetts law aimed at protecting children from online sexual predators effectively bans from the Internet anything that may be considered "harmful to minors," including material adults have the right to view.
Myspace rolls out redesign, targets 'Generation Y'
Social network pioneer Myspace unveiled a redesign on Wednesday targeting the "Generation Y" younger audience as it seeks to regain ground lost to Facebook.
Nintendo sinks into the red for first half
(AP) -- Nintendo sank to a first-half loss, the first in seven years, as a rising yen and long-delayed release for its 3-D gaming machine set the scene for a weak full-year result.
US, Japan to diversify sources of rare earths: Japan FM
The United States and Japan will cooperate to diversify the sources of imports of rare earths needed in high-tech products, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Wednesday.
Internet accounts for 7.2% of British economy: study
The Internet contributed 100 billion pounds (155 billion dollars, 115 billion euros) to the British economy last year, about 7.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), a report showed Thursday.
'Wireless' humans could form backbone of new mobile networks
Members of the public could form the backbone of powerful new mobile internet networks by carrying wearable sensors.
New system for monitoring electricity use heralds greener homes and cheaper bills
During the winter months the days grow colder and the nights longer causing households to use more electricity, often resulting in higher bills. Most households have no way of monitoring how much electricity is being consumed; however, researchers in Pittsburgh believe a new monitoring system may soon be available for residential use. The research is published in a special issue of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology on environmental applications of information and communication technology sponsored by CSC's Leading Edge Forum.
Real-world programming in the classroom
In undergraduate computer-science classes, homework assignments are usually to write programs, and students are graded on whether the programs do what they're supposed to. Harried professors and teaching assistants can look over the students' code and flag a few common and obvious errors, but they rarely have the time coach the students on writing clear and concise code.
Motorola posts 3Q sales jump, first since 2006
(AP) -- Motorola Inc. on Thursday posted its first year-over-year quarterly sales rise since 2006, when its Razr phone was still cutting-edge technology.
Lockheed Martin tests the advanced HULC robotic exoskeleton
Lockheed Martin recently began laboratory testing of an improved next-generation design of its HULC advanced robotic exoskeleton. The testing brings HULC a step closer to readiness to support troops on the ground and others who must carry heavy loads.
Intel, Taiwan to set up cloud computing lab
US microchip giant Intel said Thursday it plans to team up with Taiwan to set up a multi-million dollar Internet computing research laboratory.
Microsoft's Ballmer hypes smart phone, browser
(AP) -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer pumped up unique features in the company's new Web browser and smart phone software at a software developer conference Thursday, the company's annual pep rally for people who will build programs for the Web, Windows computers and phones.
Verizon Wireless to pay $25M for spurious fees
(AP) -- Verizon Wireless has agreed to pay $25 million to the U.S. government and at least $52.8 million in refunds to customers who inadvertently racked up data charges on their phones over the last three years, federal regulators said Thursday.
Ski resorts storm the slopes with new apps
(AP) -- This season, there's more to technology on the ski slopes than the new shapes in skis. As skiers and snowboarders head online to book vacations and then brag about it, Colorado resorts are amping up their social media and smart phone applications to reach them, offering everything from geotagging to automatic Twitter updates.
Facebook lets friends share online memories
Facebook on Thursday launched Friendship Pages at which online pals can stroll virtual memory lanes that chronicle what they have shared at the world's top online social networking service.
App points homeowners toward best low-energy light bulbs
When it comes to buying an energy-saving light bulb, some consumers want to curb their carbon footprint. Even more want to save money.
In dull retail environment, smart phones shine
The 14 million iPhones that Apple sold in its latest quarter are more than a bright flare on one of Silicon Valley's greatest stars. The iconic Apple smart phone also represents the leading edge of a wireless revolution that is finally delivering on the decade-old promise of a mobile Internet.
Microsoft has solid lead in race for state e-mail contracts
Microsoft Corp. has won a series of high-profile contracts to provide e-mail services to government workers in three states, giving it a major boost in its ongoing battle with technology rival Google Inc.
Microsoft earnings rise with business spending
(AP) -- A swell of spending by businesses on new computers, software and servers helped push Microsoft Corp.'s earnings for the most recent quarter past Wall Street's expectations.
Samsung 3Q profit at record high but outlook mixed
(AP) -- Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest manufacturer of computer memory chips, said business conditions are deteriorating due to anemic recoveries in advanced economies even as it reported a 17 percent jump in third quarter profit to a record high.
Nintendo chief rules out Wii price cut for now
(AP) -- Nintendo's president said efforts to boost Wii sales ahead of Christmas will focus on limited deals in cooperation with retailers and special packages that add game software or other products to give buyers a feeling of a discount - not an outright price cut.
University posts info of 40K students
(AP) -- The Social Security numbers, grades and other personal information of more than 40,000 former University of Hawaii students were posted online for nearly a year before being removed this week, The Associated Press has learned.
Siemens lands 466-million-dollar order from US rail
German engineering group Siemens said Thursday it has been awarded a 466-million-dollar contract to build 70 electric locomotives for US rail company Amtrak's busy northeastern routes.
Intel opens biggest ever chip plant in Vietnam
US-based chip maker Intel on Friday opened a billion-dollar plant in Vietnam, the company's biggest in the world, expected to create thousands of skilled jobs as the nation moves from low to hi-tech.
Wikipedia to open first office outside US in India
Wikimedia, the owners of online encyclopedia Wikipedia, plans to open its first non-US office in India as it seeks to take advantage of the country's open Internet culture, the group told AFP Friday.
Without driver or map, vans go from Italy to China
Across Eastern Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and the Gobi Desert - it certainly was a long way to go without getting lost.
Home security is going high-tech to counter housing bust
While almost every other piece of the consumer electronics business has gotten wired and then wireless over the last 10 years, home security systems have remained stubbornly low-tech.
Medicine & Health news
Americans with 'phytonutrient gap' fall short in nutrients that may support immune health
The majority of Americans report getting a cold or flu in the past year, and more than a third say they'll make lifestyle changes to prevent getting sick again this year. However, 40 percent of Americans don't plan to take what is arguably the easiest and tastiest step to help potentially prevent illness this cold and flu season – eat more fruits and vegetables daily. (1)
Multiple sclerosis will become a controlled disease like AIDS
In recent years around 20 genes related to Multiple Sclerosis have been identified. It is expected that in two years there will be about 80 identified genes that will properly define the disease genetic basis. The new technological tools and therapeutic strategies have made possible a more accurate treatment of neuroimmunological diseases, including brain damage caused by inflammation and cancers elsewhere in the body.
Parasite infects poor women's reproductive organs
Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen shows that the parasitic disease, commonly known as snail fever, or schistosomiasis, almost eats its way into women's reproductive organs. Today researchers from all over the world are gathering in Copenhagen to find out what can be done to halt the disease which is affecting millions of women in Africa.
The more someone smokes, the smaller the number of gray cells
Is there a relation between the structure of specific regions of the brain and nicotine dependence? This is the question researchers of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Berlin, Germany, have been investigating lately. The results of these investigations extend and specify those of preceding studies: A specific region of the cerebral cortex of smokers is thinner than that of people who have never smoked in their lives. This region is decisive for reward, impulse control, and the making of decisions. The questions of whether smoking leads to this cerebral region becoming thinner - or whether people who have a thinner cortex region by nature are more frequently inclined to become smokers - can only be clarified by further investigations.
Female cancer patients find hope in fertility breakthrough
University of Adelaide reproductive health researcher Dr. Kylie Dunning was last night named the 2010 Young Investigator Award winner for her work to help preserve the fertility of female cancer survivors.
Tighter ethics rules have reduced industrial relationship of NIH scientists
The 2005 ethics rules that govern relationships between researchers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other industrial companies have significantly reduced the prevalence of such collaborations without affecting standard measures of research productivity, according to a study in the November issue of Academic Medicine. However, this report from the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) also finds that NIH scientists and administrators believe the new rules are too restrictive.
New test measures DNA methylation levels to predict colon cancer
An investigational DNA methylation test could alter the screening landscape for colorectal cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held here Oct. 27-30, 2010.
Small-molecule inhibitors effectively targeted active colon cancer enzyme
Researchers have identified two small-molecule inhibitors that effectively targeted the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), an enzyme present in certain cancers that helps tumors thrive and survive.
Telomere length affects colorectal cancer risk
For the first time, researchers have found a link between long telomeres and an increased risk for colorectal cancer, according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held here Oct. 27-30, 2010.
Jekyll-Hyde microRNA binding variant linked to improved outcome in early-stage colorectal cancer
A variant site linked to poor outcome in advanced colorectal cancer has now been found to predict improved prognosis in early stages of cancer, according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held Oct. 27-30, 2010.
FAK inhibitor effectively blocked colon cancer cell growth and viability
Researchers are one step closer to providing a new therapy for colon cancer, after findings revealed that a small molecule focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor known as Y15 effectively blocked cell viability, promoted detachment and apoptosis, and decreased tumor growth in mice. These findings were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held Oct. 27-30, 2010.
Obese children experience later mortality post liver transplantation
A new study from the University of Washington reported obese children are at increased mortality risk in later years following primary liver transplantation (LT). Pediatric patients who are thin or severely thin, experience an early mortality risk—within the first year post-LT. Details of the ten-year survival analysis are published in the November issue of Liver Transplantation, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).
Huge 'biobank' for research into major diseases to be set up by Qatar and Imperial College London
A "biobank" of samples and clinical measurements from tens of thousands of people is to be established in Qatar to help scientists understand the causes of major diseases and develop new treatments, it is announced today.
Scientists call for tighter regulations on food adverts during children's TV viewing
Psychologists at the University of Liverpool have called for tighter advertising regulations after a study revealed unhealthy foods are more likely to be advertised during children's peak viewing times than at any other point in the broadcasting schedule.
New clinical test to predict lupus flares moves closer to the market
A discovery made by Lupus Research Institute-funded investigator Emily Baechler Gillespie, PhD, at the University of Minnesota has been licensed to a major clinical laboratory for development and could soon result in a test that quickly and easily enables patients and their physicians to determine when a lupus flare is imminent.
Haiti cholera deaths rise above 300
Haiti's cholera toll rose Thursday above 300, as doctors sought desperately to contain the epidemic as victims overwhelmed the quake-hit nation's crumbling hospitals, spilling into its maternity wards.
National research study to assess new treatment for painful vertebral fractures
Physicians at The Medical College of Wisconsin are conducting the KAST clinical trial at Froedtert Hospital to assess the safety and effectiveness of a new vertebral augmentation treatment (Kiva) for painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) due to osteoporosis.
Clinical trial looks at the effect of common pain cream on the heart
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at UC are looking for patients to participate in a clinical trial that may determine whether or not a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin could be an effective treatment for heart disease.
Numbness, tingling or pain in arms and hands? Peripheral nerve damage could be the culprit
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ignoring persistent pain and disturbing bouts of tingling or numbness in your arms, elbow and hands won't make the problem go away: It's more likely to worsen conditions that are very treatable.
Immigrant Latinos in rural Illinois have unique child care needs
Finding good child care and being able to engage easily in important interactions with your child care provider are critical to any mother's ability to work outside the home.
Low birth weight may lead to poor growth rate in children with kidney disease
The lower the birth weight, the greater the chance of poor growth rate in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Kidney transplant numbers increase for elderly patients
Elderly patients with kidney failure get kidney transplants more often than they did a decade ago, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The results suggest that the chances of receiving a kidney transplant are better than ever for an older patient who needs one.
Judge: McDonald's must pay obese employee $17.5K
(AP) -- A Brazilian court ruled this week that McDonald's must pay a former franchise manager $17,500 because he gained 65 pounds (30 kilograms) while working there for a dozen years.
Tumor suppressor acts as oncogene in some cancers, say researchers
Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida have found that a molecule long believed to be a beneficial tumor suppressor — and thus a potential cancer drug target — appears to act as an oncogene in some lethal brain tumors.
New York noise levels a threat to hearing: study
New York is still such a noisy city that its inhabitants could suffer from significant hearing loss in coming years, a study made public Wednesday has found.
UN probes base as source of Haiti cholera outbreak
(AP) -- U.N. investigators took samples of foul-smelling waste trickling behind a Nepalese peacekeeping base toward an infected river system on Wednesday, following persistent accusations that excrement from the newly arrived unit caused the cholera epidemic that has sickened more than 4,000 people in the earthquake-ravaged nation.
New study suggests most preschool-age children exceed daily screen time recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents limit combined screen time from television, DVDs, computers, and video games to 2 hours per day for preschool-age children. In a study soon to be published in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers found that many children are exposed to screen time both at home and while at child care, with 66% exceeding the recommended daily amount.
Research rejects green tea for breast cancer prevention
Green tea does not protect against breast cancer. A study of data from approximately 54,000 women, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research, found no association between drinking green tea and breast cancer risk.
Many male cancer patients are missing out on sperm banking
whose fertility may be at risk from cancer treatment – are not being offered the chance to store their sperm according to new research published today in the Annals of Oncology.
Exposure to BPA associated with reduced semen quality
Increasing urine BPA (Bisphenol-A) level was significantly associated with decreased sperm concentration, decreased total sperm count, decreased sperm vitality and decreased sperm motility, according to a Kaiser Permanente study appearing in the journal of Fertility and Sterility.
Understanding the benefits of bowel cancer screening
(PhysOrg.com) -- University of Sydney researchers have extended the range of information available on the benefits and harms of bowel cancer screening in order to give Australians an opportunity to make an informed choice about bowel cancer screening, using the faecal occult blood test.
Schools that ban junk food are 18% lighter
(PhysOrg.com) -- Here's some simple math for school officials and parents in the fight against childhood obesity: School lunchtimes minus snack food equals a much lighter student body. Literally.
Oddball tasks and blue-colored humans
Dr. Minami and colleagues at the Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan, investigated the P3 component using an oddball paradigm.
Are texting and Facebook worse for teens than TV?
(AP) -- Let's face it: Teenagers spend hours texting, socializing on Facebook and playing video games. And it's driving their parents nuts.
Hi-tech helps reduce health threat at mass gatherings
Canadian Dr. Kamran Khan looks at a digitised 3-D map of the world at the time of the World Cup last June showing the origins and number of air passengers flying into South Africa that month.
Study identifies flaws in Medicare prescription drug program
Millions of Medicare recipients have been forcibly reassigned to different prescription drug plans because Part D reimbursements to insurance companies covering low-income patients are lower than the actual costs incurred, according to a study released online today by Health Affairs. The report describes how a system designed to encourage competition and to subsidize care for low-income Medicare patients instead has led companies to raise their premiums in an effort to price themselves out of the low-income segment of the Part D market.
Study identifies 5 risk factors for late-stage head and neck cancer
Developing a molecular fingerprint for head and neck cancer tumors could help improve diagnosis and treatment for this deadly and often-times disfiguring form of cancer, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
3 million Californians use health plans with high out-of-pocket costs
Three million Californians are enrolled in high-deductible health plans, insurance policies that offer consumers a lower monthly premium in return for higher out-of-pocket spending for health care services, according to a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Researchers build colony of colon cancer stem cells to test new approach to therapy
University of Pittsburgh researchers have devised a three-dimensional system in laboratory culture that mimics the growth patterns of colon cancer stem cells in patients. Their findings were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held Oct. 27-30, 2010.
Protein preserves delicate balance between immune response and host
The immune system possesses a highly effective arsenal of cellular and chemical weapons that stand ready to defend us from harmful pathogens. However, these same mechanisms that are designed for protection can sometimes wreak havoc on our own body. Now, new research published by Cell Press in the Oct. 29 issue of the journal Immunity, provides insight into the mechanisms that regulate natural checks and balances that optimize the immune response against potential threats while preserving host tissues.
The unhealthy ego: What can neuroscience tell us about our 'self'?
With Election Day right around the corner, political egos are on full display. One might even think that possessing a "big ego" is a prerequisite for success in politics, or in any position of leadership. High achievers–CEO's, top athletes, rock stars, prominent surgeons, or scientists–often seem to be well endowed in ego.
Scientists investigate evolution of new polio virus
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have completed the first major review of diagnostic methods and treatments for a rapidly evolving virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease in children.
A recent IRCM breakthrough impacts cancer research
A team of scientists at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) led by Dr. Jean-François Côté, Director of the Cytoskeletal Organization and Cell Migration research unit, identified a novel molecular mechanism in the control of cell motility. Their findings were published online today in Current Biology, a journal from the Cell Press group. This scientific breakthrough could eventually lead to the development of new cancer-treating drugs that could block the spread of tumours (metastasis).
Social class may impact treatment for depression
(PhysOrg.com) -- Current treatments for depression don't help working-class and poor patients as much as they help middle-class patients improve their ability to function at work, according to a recent University of Illinois at Chicago study.
UM researchers are studying child-mother interactions to design robots with social skills
To help unravel the mysteries of human cognitive development and reach new the frontiers in robotics, University of Miami (UM) developmental psychologists and computer scientists from the University of California in San Diego (UC San Diego) are studying infant-mother interactions and working to implement their findings in a baby robot capable of learning social skills.
People with specific kind of lung cancer respond to new targeted treatment
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows more than half of patients with a specific kind of lung cancer are responding positively to a treatment that targets the gene that drives their cancer.
Newly discovered regulatory mechanism essential for embryo development and may contribute to cancer
Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified a mechanism controlling the function of a protein that binds to DNA during embryonic development and may function to prevent abnormal tumor growth. When the protein, TCF3, is modified by a small molecule called a phosphate, it no longer binds DNA, changing the way the protein signals during development. This discovery identifies a new diagnostic marker (phosphorylated TCF3) that may be associated with cancer and could represent a potential drug target. The results are published in the current issue of Developmental Cell.
Potential new treatment for deadly nipah and hendra viruses identified
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a potential new treatment for the Nipah and Hendra viruses, two lethal and emerging viruses for which there is currently no treatment or vaccine available. The approach could also lead to new therapies for measles, mumps and the flu. The new research appears in today's edition of the prestigious journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens.
Genetic variants may affect the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA2 mutations
An international study led by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has identified genetic variants in women with BRCA2 mutations that may increase or decrease their risk of developing breast cancer. The study was published today online in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.
High-fructose corn syrup in soda has much more fructose than advertised, study finds
High-fructose corn syrup is often singled out as Food Enemy No. 1 because it has become ubiquitous in processed foods over about the last 30 years -- a period that coincides with a steep rise in obesity. One of the primary sources of high-fructose corn syrup in the American diet is soda -- in fact, many public health advocates refer to soda as "liquid candy."
Not putting the clocks back this weekend will improve health, says expert
Mayer Hillman, Senior Fellow Emeritus at the Policy Studies Institute, argues that the effect of doing so would be to increase the number of 'accessible' daylight hours and thus encourage more outdoor activity throughout the year.
FDA rejects highly-anticipated diet drug Qnexa
(AP) -- Federal health regulators have decided not to approve an experimental diet pill called Qnexa, which had been touted by many experts as the most promising weight-loss drug in more than a decade.
Magnetic test reveals hyperactive brain network responsible for involuntary flashbacks
US scientists have found a correlation between increased circuit activity in the right side of the brain and the suffering of involuntary flashbacks by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers.
Two-sided immune cell could be harnessed to shrink tumors, study shows
(PhysOrg.com) -- A recently identified immune cell that directs other cells to fight infection plays a critical role in regulating the immune system in both health and disease. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered how a stimulatory molecule and a protein found on the membrane of another immune cell make T helper 17 cells multi-taskers of sorts. Th17 cells protect the body against infection and cancer, but are also culprits in some autoimmune diseases and out-of-control, cancerous cell growth.
Halloween Special: The science behind Frankenstein
It has all the makings of a great monster story: an attempt to draw lightning from the sky, a scientist passionate to show that electricity held the secret of life, body parts and, of course, reanimation of the dead.
In response to chemo, healthy cells shield cancer cells
Many times, cancer patients respond very well to chemotherapy initially only to have their disease return, sometimes years later. Now researchers reporting in the October 29th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, have new insight into the factors that allow some lingering tumor cells to resist treatment and to seed that kind of resurgence.
Scientists describe new approach for identifying genetic markers for common diseases
A group of researchers at The Scripps Research Institute and the Scripps Translational Science Institute has published a paper that reviews new strategies for identifying collections of rare genetic variations that reveal whether people are predisposed to developing common conditions like diabetes and cancer.
Size of protein aggregates, not abundance, drives spread of prion-based disease
Mad Cow disease and its human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which are incurable and fatal, have been on a welcome hiatus from the news for years, but because mammals remain as vulnerable as ever to infectious diseases caused by enigmatic proteins called prions, scientists have taken no respite of their own. In the Oct. 29 edition of the journal Science, researchers at Brown University report a key new insight into how prion proteins — the infectious agents — become transmissible: In yeast at least, it is the size of prion complexes, not their number, that determines their efficiency in spreading.
Insulin-creating cell research may lead to better diabetes treatment
Beta cells, which make insulin in the human body, do not replicate after the age of 30, indicating that clinicians may be closer to better treating diabetes.
Researcher may have contracted virus carried by monkeys
It's the stuff of doomsday movies: A new virus jumps from animals to people, with ominous possibilities. At the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis, last year, a newly identified form of virus devastated a monkey colony and sickened a researcher, who likely carried it outside the facility, officials said.
Uncovering the cause of a common form of muscular dystrophy
An international team of researchers led by an investigator from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has made a second critical advance in determining the cause of a common form of muscular dystrophy known as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, or FSHD.
Olive oil protects liver
Extra-virgin olive oil can protect the liver from oxidative stress. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Nutrition and Metabolism exposed rats to a moderately toxic herbicide known to deplete antioxidants and cause oxidative stress, finding that those rats fed on a diet containing the olive oil were partially protected from the resulting liver damage.
Fingers detect typos even when conscious brain doesn't
Expert typists are able to zoom across the keyboard without ever thinking about which fingers are pressing the keys. New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that this skill is managed by an autopilot, one that is able to catch errors that can fool our conscious brain.
Biology news
'Vertical Farm' envisions tall future for farming
(AP) -- A new book by an urban agriculture visionary aims to change the way people think about farming, offering a look into a future where city skyscrapers - not rural fields - produce the world's food.
Food quality improved with software
Max Planck Innovation GmbH, the technology transfer organization of the Max Planck Society, has awarded an exclusive license for the analysis software TagFinder to Metabolomic Discoveries GmbH, a service provider in biochemical research. The new technology is part of an innovative procedure which makes it possible to measure and interpret virtually all chemical substances within a biological sample. In this way, processes in industrial biotechnology and food quality can be improved.
Helping fish get rid of the 'Ich'
Copper sulfate has emerged as an effective treatment for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, also known as "Ich," a protozoan parasite that appears as white spots on infected fish, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.
Rictor protein offers scientists a new molecular target for cancer therapies
The discovery that a protein called Rictor plays a key role in destroying a close cousin of the AKT oncogene could provide scientists with a new molecular target for treating certain cancers, including breast cancer. Described in the September 2010 issue of the journal Molecular Cell, the study was led by scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).
The chocolate genome, unwrapped
Halloween is about monsters, ghouls and most of all, goodies. Kids might be more concerned about the quantity of treats that drop into their plastic pumpkin baskets than their quality -- but for chocolate, new research promises the opportunity to improve both.
UNH's Fred Short adds seagrass data to major conservation study
A major new study that sounds a conservation alarm for the world's vertebrate species notes that the world's seagrass species are faring somewhat better, says a University of New Hampshire researcher who was a coauthor of the study.
Lizard sex linked to climate
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Tasmanian lizard has evolved to give birth to more male or more female offspring depending on climatic conditions, Oxford University scientists have discovered.
GM safety debate may have new twist
By studying plant-fungi-bacteria interactions at plant wound sites, the team have identified a natural process stimulated by a hormone released by the wounded plant that would allow synthetic genes to move across organisms and out into the wild.
Protein shows how plants keep their mouths shut
Using intense beams of x-rays at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, researchers have uncovered the atomic structure of a protein responsible for closing the “mouths,” or stomata, of plants. These molecular photographs could help scientists understand how plants will respond to environmental changes facing our planet, such as drought and escalating levels of carbon dioxide and ozone. The study, led by researchers at Columbia University and the New York Structural Biology Center, is published in the October 28, 2010, issue of the journal Nature.
Researchers generate iPSCs to further treatments for lung disease
(Boston) A team of researchers from Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Pulmonary Center have generated 100 new lines of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from individuals with lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis and emphysema. The new stem cell lines could possibly lead to new treatments for these debilitating diseases. The findings, which appear in the current issue of Stem Cells, demonstrate the first time lung disease-specific iPSC have been created in a lab.
Chimpanzees too tend to be right-handed: Spanish study
Humans are not the only species to prefer to use their right hand -- chimpanzees also share the trait, according to a new study by Spanish scientists.
Wild Scottish sheep could help explain differences in immunity
Strong immunity may play a key role in determining long life, but may do so at the expense of reduced fertility, a Princeton University study has concluded.
Halloween Special: New world record set for heaviest pumpkin
A new world record was set this month for the heaviest pumpkin ever grown. Taking first place at the Stillwater Harvest Fest in Minnesota -- and beating last year's record by 85 pounds -- this Sasquatch of squashes weighed in at just over 1,810 pounds.
Assassin bugs trap spiders by mimicking prey (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists in Australia have described how assassin bugs lure spiders to their deaths by plucking the silken threads of the spider’s web with their legs to replicate the vibrations made by wriggling prey.
Ostriches run fast because of 'springy' tendons
Australian and U.S. researchers studying the movement of ostriches have discovered the giant flightless birds can store double the elastic energy per step in their tendons than humans can. This considerably reduces the effort needed by the muscles, and enables the ostrich (and perhaps also the emu) to run twice as fast as humans while requiring only half the energy.
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