Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for December 1, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- IBM's breakthrough chip technology lights the path to exascale computing- Human brain to help computers analyze images
- New findings detail how virus prepares to infect cells
- A willingness to be bullied may be inherited
- Super-Earth has an atmosphere, but is it steamy or gassy?
- Discovery triples number of stars in universe
- Review: Nookcolor is best dedicated e-reader
- Biodiversity loss: Detrimental to your health
- Can engineered bugs help generate biofuels? Study holds promise
- Researchers identify protein essential for cell division in blood-forming stem cells
- Researchers describe first functioning 'lipidome' of mouse macrophage
- US cuts access to files after leak embarrassment
- New gene for childhood cancer neuroblastoma discovered
- Plant clock gene also works in human cells
- Researchers discover how worms promote healing
Space & Earth news
Climate science chief sees 'huge gaps' in research
(AP) -- From the methane-laden tundra of the far north to the depths of the oceans, world governments need to spend more on cutting-edge research to "get a handle" on how much and how quickly the world will warm in decades to come, says the head of the U.N. climate science network.
Asia home to glacier melt, human vulnerabilities
A new report prepared by scientists from the Joint Global Change Research Institute, a collaboration of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Maryland, provides recommendations on how to integrate scientific research and monitoring, as well as health, education, the environment and social organizations, to adequately mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Reinventing the wheel
Creating a wheel for some of the worst potholes known to humankind is just one of the extraterrestrial challenges a team of McGill students and professors face in developing and testing a wheel prototype for the new Lunar Exploration Light Rover (LELR).
Mexico sees US emissions target as 'modest'
(AP) -- The host nation of the U.N. climate talks in Cancun on Wednesday called the U.S. pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions "modest," while praising other nonbinding offers made by India and China.
Astronauts drink tea in Moscow before December blast-off
Three Russian and NASA astronauts drank tea Wednesday with the head of the Russian space agency in Moscow as they prepared to blast off later this month to the International Space Station (ISS).
Man, climate combine to erode Cancun's beaches
(AP) -- Cancun's eroding white sand beaches are providing a note of urgency to the climate talks being held just south of this seaside resort famed for its postcard-perfect vistas.
China says 2010 pollution goal met
China has met its 2010 target to cut emissions of key pollutants and is on track to meet its energy efficiency goal, state media on Wednesday quoted the country's top climate change official as saying.
US private rocket readies key demonstration launch
American firm SpaceX readied Tuesday the first demonstration launch of its Falcon 9 rocket to low Earth orbit for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program next week.
Predicting motions and sounds of the ocean
Ocean variability -- the perpetual changing of currents, temperatures, salinity and the contours of the seafloor -- alters the way sound travels through the water. A new analysis of how this variability affects sound waves could make it easier for Navy submarines to evade detection or for remotely operated underwater vehicles, like those used to combat the recent Macondo oil well spill in the Gulf of Mexico, to maneuver more accurately. It could also aid in basic oceanographic and climate research by helping to calibrate systems for using sound waves to measure ocean properties such as temperature and seafloor topography.
Effects of El Nino land South Pacific reef fish in hot water
Unseasonal warm temperatures caused by El Niтo have a profound effect on the fish populations of coral reefs in the South Pacific, scientists have found. An international team of biologists studied the arrival of young fish to the atoll of Rangiroa in French Polynesia for four years and compared their results with satellite and oceanographic data. They found that the El Niтo event caused a sudden collapse in the plankton community and this led to a near absence of the young fish that are required to replenish adult stocks.
Million viewers reached with Mars Rover construction webcam
More than one million people have watched assembly and testing of NASA's next Mars rover via a live webcam since it went online in October.
Spain supplies weather station for next Mars Rover
The first instrument from Spain for a mission to Mars will provide daily weather reports from the Red Planet. Expect extremes.
Willow removal equals water savings
Removing willows growing in the stream bed of creeks and rivers could return valuable water resources to river systems, new CSIRO research has found.
Global sea-level rise at the end of the last Ice Age
Southampton researchers have estimated that sea-level rose by an average of about 1 metre per century at the end of the last Ice Age, interrupted by rapid 'jumps' during which it rose by up to 2.5 metres per century. The findings, published in Global and Planetary Change, will help unravel the responses of ocean circulation and climate to large inputs of ice-sheet meltwater to the world ocean.
Many coastal wetlands likely to disappear this century
Many coastal wetlands worldwide -- including several on the U.S. Atlantic coast -- may be more sensitive than previously thought to climate change and sea-level rise projections for the 21st century.
Scientists to make stellar observations with airborne observatory
A University of Colorado at Boulder faculty member is one of two scientists who will use data gathered by a world-class telescope flying aboard a modified Boeing 747 to peer at a distant star-forming region during its inaugural science flight this week.
Rainforest conservation needs a new direction to address climate change
Conservation and international aid groups may be on the wrong course to address the havoc wreaked by climate change on tropical rainforests, according to a commentary appearing in the journal Nature on 2 December 2010.
No such thing as free parking: Nationwide study demonstrates high environmental cost
Next time you're searching for a parking space and someone grabs a spot from right in front of you, it might seem like the last space left on Earth, but ponder this: there are at least 500 million empty spaces in the United States at any given time.
Cassini finds warm cracks on Enceladus
New images and data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft give scientists a unique Saturn-lit view of active fissures through the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus. They reveal a more complicated web of warm fractures than previously thought.
NASA creates buzz with 'extraterrestrial' announcement
The US space agency has created a buzz with its announcement of a press conference Thursday to discuss a scientific finding that relates to the hunt for life beyond the planet Earth.
Discovery triples number of stars in universe
Astronomers have discovered that small, dim stars known as red dwarfs are much more prolific than previously thought—so much so that the total number of stars in the universe is likely three times bigger than realized.
Super-Earth has an atmosphere, but is it steamy or gassy?
In December 2009, astronomers announced the discovery of a super-Earth known as GJ 1214b. At the time, they reported signs that the newfound world likely had a thick, gaseous atmosphere. Now, a team led by Jacob Bean (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) has made the first measurements of GJ 1214b's atmosphere. However, the measurements raise as many questions about the planet's atmospheric composition as they answer.
Technology news
Nintendo says Wii sales got boost on Black Friday
(AP) -- In a told-you-so moment for Nintendo, sales of the Wii console are picking up, with 600,000 of them sold in the U.S. last week, according to the company.
IEEE Signal Processing Society offers free educational content via Connexions
Rice University's Connexions and the IEEE Signal Processing Society (IEEE-SPS) today announced the release of a broad collection of free, high-quality lessons that practicing engineers can use for their own education and career growth and that engineering instructors can mix and match to build customized courses, textbooks and study guides. The free material, all of it peer-reviewed to ensure high quality, is available online via the popular education site Connexions (cnx.org), which attracts more than 2 million visits per month.
BP oil spill swamps Yahoo search engine in 2010
(AP) -- It took a man-made disaster to topple a celebrity from the top spot on Yahoo Inc.'s annual list of most popular search requests.
Estonia's rare earth break China's market grip
High-tech firms across the globe have been hit hard by China's slashing of rare earth metals exports but it is turning out to be good news for Estonia's small Silmet factory.
Cyber-crime: bigger than the drugs trade, and growing
Until Eoin Blackwell arrived at his Sydney home from a Christmas party, he had no idea his bank account had been emptied from half-a-world away.
Making 3D avatars the easy way
Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have developed a user-friendly method for creating realistic three-dimensional avatars (graphical representations of computer users) from any digital image.
A 360 degree camera that sees in 3D (w/ Video)
Surround sight has come to the camera. Inspired by the eye of a fly, EPFL scientists have invented a camera that can take pictures and film in 360° and reconstruct the images in 3D.
Governments worldwide censor Web content: study
Where you live in the world largely determines how freely you can access the internet. The level of cyber censorship in different countries around the world is directly related to how authoritarian the governing regime is, according to Barney Warf from University of Kansas. His comprehensive analysis of the geographical nature of Internet censorship is published online in Springer's GeoJournal.
Time ripe to move energy storage idea off drawing board
Need has caught up with Gerhard Welsch's ideas. Welsch, a professor of materials science and engineering at Case Western Reserve University, began patenting designs for a small, light, powerful and reliable capacitor in 2000.
Keeping your water safe
Although drinking water is monitored more strictly than almost anything, our water supply network is still not immune to accidents, wear and tear or targeted attacks. A one-minute warning system for toxins and other substances in water hazardous to health could set off alarms in future if there is a danger.
Efficiently utilizing energy carriers
Supplying energy is in the process of metamorphosis because people want to know what is the most intelligent and efficient way to utilize all types of energy carriers. German researchers at Fraunhofer put the most common ideas for heating under the microscope and come up with major potential.
Cyber Monday makes busiest US online shopping day
Cyber Monday, when retailers offer hot deals online following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marked the biggest online spending day ever, data showed on Wednesday.
Verizon Wireless to launch 4G service on Sunday
(AP) -- Verizon Wireless says its new "4G" wireless broadband network will start accepting customers on Sunday in 38 cities.
WikiLeaks website kicked off Amazon's servers
(AP) -- Amazon.com Inc. forced WikiLeaks to stop using the U.S. company's computers to distribute embarrassing State Department communications and other documents, WikiLeaks said Wednesday.
Japan pitches mind-blowing high-tech 3D World Cup
Japan promised a high tech marvel in its final pitch to host the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday by paving 400 stadiums around the world with 3D flat screens to show life size matches thousands of miles away.
Sony develops 'Hybrid FPA', a novel liquid crystal alignment technique for LCD
Sony has developed "Hybrid FPA (field-induced photo-reactive alignment)", a new liquid crystal alignment technique which enables a significantly faster response time for liquid crystal displays.
US cuts access to files after leak embarrassment
(AP) -- The State Department severed its computer files from the government's classified network, officials said Tuesday, as U.S. and world leaders tried to clean up from the embarrassing leak that spilled America's sensitive documents onto screens around the globe.
FCC preparing to vote on network neutrality rules
(AP) -- Federal regulators are moving ahead with a plan to prohibit phone and cable companies from blocking or discriminating against Internet traffic flowing over their broadband networks.
Dwolla a new player in electronic money transfers
(AP) -- Just as plastic rendered paper checks nearly obsolete, gadgets may soon do the same to credit and debit cards.
Google in crosshairs of the wary and watchful
Google's unabashed ascension to the Internet search throne has caused some to doubt the sincerity of its "Don't be evil" motto and made it a prime target for market watchdogs.
US deploys 'game-changer' weapon to Afghanistan
It looks and acts like something best left in the hands of Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo," but this latest dream weapon is real -- and the US Army sees it becoming the Taliban's worst nightmare.
GPS not working? A shoe radar may help you find your way
(PhysOrg.com) -- The prevalence of global positioning system (GPS) devices in everything from cars to cell phones has almost made getting lost a thing of the past. But what do you do when your GPS isn’t working? Researchers from North Carolina State University and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have developed a shoe-embedded radar system that may help you find your way.
FTC proposes Do Not Track tool for Web marketing (Update)
(AP) -- Federal regulators are proposing to create a "Do Not Track" tool for the Internet so that consumers could prevent marketers from tracking their Web browsing habits and other behavior in order to target advertising.
IBM's breakthrough chip technology lights the path to exascale computing
(PhysOrg.com) -- IBM scientists today unveiled a new chip technology that integrates electrical and optical devices on the same piece of silicon, enabling computer chips to communicate using pulses of light (instead of electrical signals), resulting in smaller, faster and more power-efficient chips than is possible with conventional technologies.
Medicine & Health news
CT best at uncovering drug mule payload
According to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the best way to detect cocaine in the body of a human drug courier, known as a mule, is through computed tomography (CT).
Annual breast cancer screening beginning at age 40 reduces mastectomy risk
Having a yearly mammogram greatly reduces the risk of mastectomy following breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 50, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Virtual biopsy may allow earlier diagnosis of brain disorder in athletes
In a study of ex-pro athletes, researchers found that a specialized imaging technique called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disorder caused by repetitive head trauma that currently can only be definitively diagnosed at autopsy. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The hidden impact of aids on South African children
December 1st is World AIDS day. There are 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV, 67per cent in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. In South Africa alone, 5.6 million people are HIV-positive, with only 22 per cent having access to anti-retroviral medication. A pioneering study, funded by Economic and Social Research Council and the South African National Research Foundation, finds that those children who care for parents with AIDS have a higher level of mental illness.
Referral for specialist care varies by age, sex and social deprivation
In the UK, the likelihood of being referred for specialist care varies according to age, sex and socio-economic circumstances, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Joined-up care for people with low back pain saves money
An integrated approach to care for people on long term sick leave because of chronic low back pain has substantially lower costs than usual care, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Report: Mexico's disabled live in squalor, vanish
(AP) -- Mexico has done little over the past decade to improve the squalid living conditions of mentally disabled adults and children who are in institutions, an international advocacy group charged Tuesday.
Surprising AIDS-treatment benefits, prevention strategy in epidemic regions of Africa
Two teams of researchers at UC San Diego and other U.S. and African universities and the World Bank have documented significant spillover benefits of a drug therapy to combat AIDS symptoms and a novel prevention strategy that focuses on girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, an area with two-thirds of the world's HIV infections.
Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness should be assessed separately in Parkinson's
Nearly three-quarters of patients with Parkinson's disease experience fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), but clinicians should assess both problems separately in order to improve the profession's understanding of their distinct, but overlapping, physiology. That is the key finding of a study published in the December issue of the European Journal of Neurology.
People with mental illness receive inadequate mass screening for prevention of medical conditions
Dr Alex Mitchell, of the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine at the University of Leicester, led the study which has been published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry.
Preterm infants may need a boost
A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasitve pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization schedule. The findings are reported in the November issue of the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology.
New results in carotid artery stenosis versus endarterectomy
Doctors have long known that patients with carotid artery stenosis, narrowed blood vessels in the neck, are at significant risk for a stroke. The condition has severe implications. Annually, in the United States, 795,000 patients have strokes that often result in long-term disability or death. For years, however, researchers in North America and Europe have tried to determine the most effective method to treat narrowed or partially blocked carotid vessels. In the December issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, an interdisciplinary team of Mayo Clinic physicians reviewed the most current data available, especially the results of two recent, widely anticipated randomized studies, and provided a new analysis of the two major interventions for carotid occlusive disease.
The end of chronic pain
Patients with constant pain symptoms and extreme fear of this pain can be treated effectively by repeatedly exposing them to 'scary' situations. This is the conclusion of Dutch researcher Jeroen de Jong. Patients with pain conditions such as post-traumatic dystrophy, which can affect all tissues and functions of the limbs, can benefit from this in-vivo exposure therapy. Dr. De Jong obtained his PhD from Maastricht University on 25 November.
Designing safer glucocorticoid drugs
Glucocorticoid drugs are used widely to treat numerous conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, allergic reactions, asthma, and some forms of cancer, and transplant recipients.
Insomnia after myocardial infarction
The heart and the brain appear to be even more closely connected than previously imagined. The damaging effects of myocardial infarction are apparently not confined to the heart, but also affect the brain. In fact, infarction seems to cause neuron loss at the level of the brainstem, which leads to insomnia, notably paradoxical insomnia.
Study finds medical device registries enhance patient safety and quality of care
A detailed and standardized national registry of commonly used joint replacement devices would improve patient outcomes and create clinical and financial efficiencies, according to a Kaiser Permanente research study of 85,000 joint surgeries published in the November issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Omega-3s in fish, seafood may protect seniors' eyes; a new test may catch glaucoma early
Seniors interested in lifestyle choices that help protect vision will be encouraged by a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine study, and people concerned about glaucoma can take heart from work on early detection by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Both studies are published in the December issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Pioneering HIV research recognized
Professor Michael H. Malim, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at King's College London, has been announced as the recipient of the 2010 M Jeang Retrovirology Prize. The prize, which is awarded annually, and is partly sponsored by the Ming K. Jeang Foundation, recognizes groundbreaking research from retrovirologists aged 45-60.
Drug-like compound stops thyroid overstimulation in early NIH studies
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified a compound that prevents overproduction of thyroid hormone, a finding that brings scientists one step closer to improving treatment for Graves' disease.
Death certificates confirm non-HIV-attributable diseases cause increase in US PLWHA deaths
During the decade since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), or 1996-2006, mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) sharply decreased in the United States. So, too, did the percentages of PLWHA deaths attributable to AIDS-defining illnesses, just as there was a marked increase in the percentage of deaths attributable to heart, kidney, and liver disease.
AstraZeneca cancer drug carries toxic risks: FDA
An experimental drug developed by AstraZeneca to treat a rare form of thyroid cancer carries "substantial toxicity" risks, the US Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday.
Sleepless soldiers: Study suggests that military deployment affects sleep patterns
A study in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal Sleep found that deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan significantly influenced sleep quality and quantity in a population of 41,225 military service personnel. The study suggests that the promotion of healthier sleep patterns may be beneficial for military service members.
Age-related hearing loss and folate in the elderly
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), one of the four most prevalent chronic conditions in the elderly, is associated with low serum levels of folic acid, according to new research published in the December 2010 issue of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Cancer risk from medical radiation may have been overestimated: researcher
The risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from computed tomography (CT) may be lower than previously thought, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Loud snoring and insomnia symptoms predict the development of the metabolic syndrome
A study in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal Sleep found that loud snoring and two common insomnia symptoms - difficulty falling asleep and unrefreshing sleep - each significantly predicted the development of the metabolic syndrome. The study emphasizes the importance of screening for common sleep complaints in routine clinical practice.
Tricyclic anti-depressants linked to increased risk of heart disease
Research that followed nearly 15,000 people in Scotland has shown that a class of older generation anti-depressant is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study showed that tricyclic anti-depressants were associated with a 35% increased risk of CVD, but that there was no increased risk with the newer anti-depressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The study is published online today (Wednesday 1 December) in the European Heart Journal and was led by researchers from University College London (UCL).
NY pilot expands organ recovery to at-home deaths
(AP) -- Families choosing whether to donate a loved one's organs usually have days to grapple with their decision, all while the patient lies hooked up to machines in a hospital bed.
Finger length predicts prostate cancer risk: study
Men whose index fingers are longer than their ring, or fourth, fingers run a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a study published Wednesday in the British Journal of Cancer.
Blame the environment: Why vaccines may be ineffective for some people
A new discovery may explain why a tuberculosis vaccine is not as effective for some people as anticipated, and potentially explains why other vaccines do not work as well for some as they do for others. In a research report presented in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, scientists from Singapore show that Mycobacterium chelonae, a common environmental bacterium found in soil and water, can decrease the effectiveness of the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis, especially in countries outside of the United States.
MRSA carriage rates vary widely in nursing homes, study finds
A study published in the January 2011 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology finds that a high percentage of nursing home residents carry Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and suggests that some nursing homes could be doing more to prevent the spread of the bacteria, which can lead to hard-to-treat infections.
New prion discovery reveals drug target for mad cow disease and related illnesses
The joy of a juicy hamburger could make a comeback thanks a new discovery by scientists from the University of Kentucky. In a new research report in the December 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal, scientists found that a protein our body uses to break up blood clots speeds up the progress of prion diseases. This substance, called plasminogen, is a new drug target for prion diseases in both humans and animals.
Sleep helps brain sift memories, study shows
Most adults say they can't remember things as well as they used to. But what they really mean is that they can’t remember anything for very long — and poor sleep may be the cause.
Chronic pain sufferers living rurally benefit from technology
New technology to help chronic pain sufferers in rural areas manage their condition is being investigated by Scottish scientists.
Severe form of influenza can be treated more effectively
Flu season is upon us and while getting the nasty bug is bad news, the good news is it's now possible to treat the severe form of the virus more effectively, according to a Ryerson University researcher. Though Canada is not expecting a pandemic flu season this winter Health Canada reports that about 4,000 to 8,000 Canadians die each year from flu-related pneumonia.
Eye movement problems common cause of reading difficulties in stroke patients
Visual problems can affect up to two thirds of stroke patients, but can sometimes go undetected if patients do not recognise them as an after-effect of the condition or if they are unable to communicate the problem to their medical team or families.
Young women with menopause-like condition at risk for depression
Young women with the menopause-like condition, primary ovarian insufficiency, are much more likely than other women to experience depression at some point during their lives, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health. The finding suggests that all women diagnosed with the condition should be evaluated for depression.
Most low birth weight babies become productive adults
Most survivors of extremely low birth weight grow up to become productive adults, according to a study led by a Michigan State University economist.
Fruit and veg unlikely to add protecttion against cancer
There is no convincing evidence that eating more fruit and vegetables can reduce chances of developing cancer, although they are important for maintaining a healthy diet.
Aging gracefully through exercise
Working out can help you shed pounds -- but that's just the beginning. New research from Tel Aviv University has found that "endurance exercises," like a Central Park jog or a spinning class, can make us look younger. The key, exercise, unlocks the stem cells of our muscles.
Attitude and adaptation keys to reaching 100 hundred years of age
University of Georgia research has provided new clues on surviving to be 100 years old, finding that how we feel about ourselves and our ability to adapt to an accumulation of challenging life experiences may be as or more important than health factors.
Protein protects cancer cells from oxidative stress
High levels of a protein called thioredoxin-like 2 helps protect cancer cells from the oxidative stress that they generate as they grow and invade tissues throughout the body, said a consortium of researchers led by those at Baylor College of Medicine in a report in the Journal of Clinical Investigation .
Researcher studies how infants compare quantities
Parents are often amazed at how fast their child grows and develops. New research at the University of Missouri has determined that the ability to quantify – even things that are hard to quantify, such as liquid – may develop much sooner than most parents realize.
What to do if you are bitten by a snake
Should you be the victim of a snakebite, the best thing you can do is get to a hospital as quickly as possible, according to a new review article from the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS). Current medical treatments, including new medications and surgery, if necessary, are far more effective for snakebites than anything you can do on your own.
Study determines bone marrow stromal stem cells may aid in stroke recovery
A research study from the Farber Institute for Neurosciences and the Department of Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University determines bone marrow stromal stem cells may aid in stroke recovery. The results can be found in Cell Transplantation – The Regenerative Medicine Journal, issue 19(9).
Researchers identify gene tied to extremely rare disorder that causes inflammation and loss of fat
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified a gene responsible for a rare disease that results in severe joint stiffness, muscle loss, anemia and panniculitis-induced lipodystrophy, or JMP syndrome.
Buyer beware: Dangerous levels of lead found in used consumer products
The problem of toxic lead in used consumer products is extremely widespread and present at levels that are far beyond safe limits, researchers conclude in a new study.
A third of LGBT youth suffer mental disorders
One-third of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth have attempted suicide in their lifetime -- a prevalence comparable to urban, minority youth -- but a majority do not experience mental illness, according to a report by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell surival signal
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a mechanism by which specific viruses acting as oncolytic agents can enter and kill cancer cells. This finding, which is currently featured in an online edition of the Journal of Virology, could help lead to the development of more targeted treatments against many types of cancer.
Research supports newborn screening and early treatment for rare genetic disorder, MPS I
In a study that supports the need for newborn screening and early treatment for a rare genetic disorder, researchers at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) and Iowa State University found enzyme replacement therapy beginning at birth eliminated almost all of the symptoms associated with mucopolysaccharidosis type I, or MPS I, in animal models.
Suicide rate among young women veterans more than twice that of civilians
Young women veterans are nearly three times as likely as civilians to commit suicide, according to new research published by researchers at Portland State University (PSU) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
Improving Americans' health takes a community
(AP) -- The government's new 10-year blueprint to improve Americans' health aims to help whole communities get in better shape, not just the couch potatoes.
Study shows pregnant mother's diet impacts infant's sense of smell
A major new study shows that a pregnant mother's diet not only sensitizes the fetus to those smells and flavors, but physically changes the brain directly impacting what the infant eats and drinks in the future.
New study suggests that a propensity for one-night stands, uncommitted sex could be genetic
So, he or she has cheated on you for the umpteenth time and their only excuse is: "I just can't help it." According to researchers at Binghamton University, they may be right. The propensity for infidelity could very well be in their DNA.
Tumors bring their own support cells when forming metastases
The process of metastasis requires that cancer cells traveling from a primary tumor find a hospitable environment in which to implant themselves and grow. A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center researchers finds that circulating tumor cells prepare this environment by bringing along from their original site noncancerous cells that support tumor growth. The report has been published online in PNAS Early Edition.
New psychology theory enables computers to mimic human creativity
A dealer in antique coins gets an offer to buy a beautiful bronze coin. The coin has an emperor's head on one side and the date "544 B.C." stamped on the other. The dealer examines the coin, but instead of buying it, he calls the police. Why?
New gene for childhood cancer neuroblastoma discovered
Pediatric cancer researchers have identified variations in a gene as important contributors to neuroblastoma, the most common solid cancer of early childhood. The study team, led by researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, found that common variants in the LMO1 gene increase the risk of developing an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, and also mark the gene for continuing to drive the cancer's progression once it forms.
Researchers discover how worms promote healing
A new study involving a man who swallowed worm eggs to relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis sheds light on how worms promote healing in the intestine. The study, published today in Science Translational Medicine, also identifies potential targets for more conventional ways of treating colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers unlock 30 new genes responsible for early onset puberty
University of Minnesota School of Public Health researcher Ellen Demerath, Ph.D., is among an international group of researchers that has identified 30 new genes responsible for determining the age of sexual maturation in women. Many of these genes are also known to influence body fatness, obesity, and energy metabolism. Prior to the multi-institutional study, only four genes had been identified as contributing to the process.
New study identifies ideal body mass index
A study looking at deaths from any cause found that a body mass index (BMI) between 20.0 and 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoking adults. Investigators also provided precise estimates of the increased risk of death among people who are overweight and obese. Previous studies that examined the risks from being overweight were inconclusive, with some reporting only modestly increased risks of death and others showing a reduced risk. Also, the precise risks for different levels of obesity were uncertain.
Gene duplication detected in depression
A large genetic study of people with major depression has found that a duplicated region of DNA on chromosome 5 predisposes people to the disorder. The gene involved plays an important role in the development of nerve cells, adding to evidence that disruptions in neurotransmission networks form a biological basis for depression.
Human brain to help computers analyze images
(PhysOrg.com) -- Brain-computer-interfaces (BCIs) are most often designed to help people (such as those with disabilities) do things they find difficult on their own, but a joint project by Columbia University and a spinoff company, Neuromatters, LLC, is trying to develop a BCI to help computers to rapidly identify images of interest.
Biology news
Anti-whaling activists launch 'Godzilla' speedboat
Militant anti-whaling campaigners said Wednesday they had launched a new "Godzilla" speedboat to chase Japanese harpooners hunting the giant mammals in Antarctic waters.
3 Questions: Evelyn Fox Keller on the nature-nurture debates
Evelyn Fox Keller, professor emerita in MIT’s Program in Science, Technology, and Society, is a leading historian of biology whose new book, The Mirage of a Space between Nature and Nurture, published this fall by Duke University Press, makes a concise critique of nature-nurture debates. Among other things, Keller asserts, it is mistaken to think that heredity and the environment can be separated when “the entanglement” of these two factors in humans “is not only immensely intricate, but is there from the start.”
Rain gardens are sprouting up everywhere
Rain gardens are increasingly popular with homeowners and municipalities and are mandatory for many communities nationally. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are finding ways to improve rain gardens so they not only reduce runoff, but also keep toxic metals out of storm drains.
Polar bears 'spotted swimming with cubs on back'
(PhysOrg.com) -- Polar bears have been spotted carrying their cubs on their backs while they swim through icy waters, according to an article in UK online newspaper the Telegraph.
Inside the minds of humans and other animals
Plants don't think – but animals do. The difference between the thoughts of humans and the thoughts of other animals – and whether we will ever be able to find out exactly what they are - will be the topic of a public lecture given this evening by a Cambridge philosopher.
The eukaryotic ribosome unveils its structure
One year after the Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded for the discovery of the bacterial ribosome's atomic structure, French researchers from the Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire have determined the first structure of a eukaryotic ribosome, that of yeast. This work, published on 26 November 2010 in the journal Science, puts an end to the frantic international race to discover the structure of this imposing cellular machinery.
Natural reforestation in southern Pyrenees favors orchid
A 13-year study has been key to understanding how and why an orchid species (Cypripedium calceolus), which is endangered in some countries in Europe, is surviving and recovering in the Pyrenees. The results suggest that the abandonment of farming and grazing, which is enabling reforestation to take place, is benefiting this orchid.
Longevity breakthrough: The metabolic state of mitochondria controls life span
If you think life's too short, then you're not alone. A team of scientists from Texas set out to find what it would take to live a very long life and they made important discoveries that bring longer life spans much closer to reality. A new research report featured on the cover of The FASEB Journal, describes how scientists "activated" life extension in the worm, C. elegans, and in the process discovered a new metabolic state correlating with long life.
One in ten Finnish species threatened: ministry
One in ten Finnish plants and animals is now threatened as climate change plays a role in speeding up extinctions, the Finnish environment ministry said Wednesday.
Tech innovations fuel biology breakthroughs
New technologies that help drive the blistering pace of discovery in biology were highlighted by a panel of experts Wednesday in a "top ten" list of game-changing innovations.
US court orders GMO beets destroyed
A federal judge has ordered what is believed to be the first-ever destruction of a genetically modified crop in the United States, saying that the altered sugar beets were planted illegally.
Poor stream health imperils fish
"There is a direct relationship between land and water use and the imperilment of fishes," said a Virginia Tech researcher. "It is clear that the conservation of our diverse fish fauna and other aquatic resources faces huge challenges ahead as demands grow to impound streams, divert stream flow, and pump groundwater."
Invasive pest danger closer than you think
In Australia, when crossing from one state to another, travelers may encounter a quarantine stop and may be required to forfeit recently purchased fruits and vegetables as a hedge against invasive pests. But in the U.S., crossing state lines is free wheeling, according to researchers from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, who evaluated the threat of invasive pests to states from within the country.
Biologist illuminates unique world of cave creatures
They are dark, sometimes forbidding landscapes molded by volcanic eruptions or subterranean streams, but caves are also home to a host of creatures strangely adapted to the underworld.
Researchers discover how feathers get their shine, inspire ideas for creating gloss
University of Akron Integrated Bioscience Ph.D. student Rafael Maia, along with postdoctoral researcher Liliana D'Alba and assistant professor Matthew Shawkey, have learned that black birds really are of a different feather.
Researchers identify protein essential for cell division in blood-forming stem cells
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that a protein known to regulate cellular metabolism is also necessary for normal cell division in blood-forming stem cells. Loss of the protein results in an abnormal number of chromosomes and a high rate of cell death.
Biodiversity loss: Detrimental to your health
(PhysOrg.com) -- Plant and animal extinctions are detrimental to your health. That's the conclusion of a paper published in this week's issue of the journal Nature by scientists who studied the link between biodiversity and infectious diseases.
Can engineered bugs help generate biofuels? Study holds promise
The versatile organism Lactococcus lactis, the workhorse bacterium that helps turn milk into cheese, may also be valuable in the understanding of how microbes turn the organic compound cellulose into biofuels.
Plant clock gene also works in human cells
A gene that controls part of the 'tick tock' in a plant's circadian clock has been identified by UC Davis researchers. And not only is the plant gene very similar to one in humans, but the human gene can work in plant cells -- and vice versa. The research is published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Primates are more resilient than other animals to environmental ups and downs
What sets mankind's closest relatives -- monkeys, apes, and other primates -- apart from other animals? According to a new study, one answer is that primates are less susceptible to the seasonal ups and downs — particularly rainfall— that take their toll on other animals. The findings may also help explain the evolutionary success of early humans, scientists say.
White ibis mating habits altered by mercury consumption
When University of Florida researchers began studying the effects of mercury consumption on white ibises, they had a hunch the contaminant might affect the birds' ability to produce chicks.
A willingness to be bullied may be inherited
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study of the behavior of marmots suggests that a willingness to accept some extent of bullying, rather than shying away from interactions that could lead to conflict, may be inherited.
New findings detail how virus prepares to infect cells
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers have learned the atomic-scale arrangement of proteins in a structure that enables a virus to invade and fuse with host cells, showing precisely how the structure morphs with changing acidity to initiate infection.
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