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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for April 3, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Self-cooling observed in graphene elctronics- 'Good cholesterol' nanoparticles seek and destroy cancer cells
- Nanoparticles offer hope for common skin allergy
- Nurturing newborn neurons sharpens minds in mice
- Search for advanced materials aided by discovery of hidden symmetries in nature
- Common 'chaperone' protein found to work in surprising way
- Potential treatment found for debilitating bone disease in wounded soldiers and children
- Study suggests another avenue for detecting Alzheimer's disease
- Five new genes linked to Alzheimer's
- 'Bionic eye' implant offers hope to the blind
- Team discovers new way to predict breast cancer survival and enhance effectiveness of treatment
- DNA of 50 breast cancer patients decoded
- Sugar-grain sized meteorites rocked the climates of early Earth and Mars
- Declining mangroves shield against global warming
Space & Earth news
Research on satellite imagery aims to advance sustainable agriculture
Irrigating agricultural crops places huge demands on water resources around the globe. In Spain for instance, where agriculture is a major contributor to the nation's economy, 85% of country's total water demand comes from the agricultural sector. The excessive use of irrigation water has resulted in serious environmental concerns in Mediterranean countries, where rising demand has deteriorated groundwater resources, depleted aquifers, and accelerated saltwater intrusion. Scientists in Spain are working on new technologies to classify and monitor irrigated crops with a goal of promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Green industry knowledge center introduced
The nursery and greenhouse industry is big business in the United States, accounting for more than $14.6 billion in agricultural sales. Most of the ornamental plants grown in the U.S. are produced in container-nursery or greenhouse operations. These operations are classified as "intensive agricultural systems" because they use a combination of expensive resources (labor, water, and fertilizers) to produce plants in large numbers on relatively small land areas. Increasing environmental concerns and legislation are prompting industry professionals and students to find sustainable ''best management'' approaches to production techniques in nursery and greenhouse operations. A new online knowledge center provides numerous resources to help nursery and greenhouse professionals and students design and implement more sustainable practices.
Tibetan glaciers melting, says Dalai Lama
(AP) -- The Dalai Lama said Saturday that India should be seriously concerned about the melting of glaciers in the Tibetan plateau as millions of Indians use water that comes from there.
Turkish nuclear plans on Mediterranean raise fears
(AP) -- Turkey plans to build a coastal nuclear power plant close to an earthquake-prone area, dismissing neighbors' fears that Japan's nuclear disaster shows that the new plant could be a risk to the whole Mediterranean region.
Activists call for renewable energy at UN meeting
(AP) -- Citing the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, environmental activists at a U.N. meeting Sunday urged bolder steps to tap renewable energy so the world doesn't have to choose between the dangers of nuclear power and the ravages of climate change.
Tweaking the climate to save it: Who decides?
(AP) -- To the quiet green solitude of an English country estate they retreated, to think the unthinkable.
Sugar-grain sized meteorites rocked the climates of early Earth and Mars
Bombardments of 'micro-meteorites' on Earth and Mars four billion years ago may have caused the planets' climates to cool dramatically, hampering their ability to support life, according to research published today in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
Declining mangroves shield against global warming
Mangroves, which have declined by up to half over the last 50 years, are an important bulkhead against climate change, a study released on Sunday has shown for the first time.
Technology news
Facebook sued for $1 billion over Intifada page
Facebook and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg have been hit with a lawsuit seeking more than $1 billion in damages over a page on the social network which called for a "Third Intifada" against Israel.
Twitter tax deal creates classic San Francisco row
(AP) -- In the shadow of San Francisco's stately City Hall, sidewalks abound with transients, drugs and crime. Into this neighborhood, one of the world's hottest social media companies has promised to stride, offering urban rebirth in exchange for a tax break.
Comcast CEO's 2010 pay package valued at $31.1M
(AP) -- Brian Roberts, the CEO of cable company Comcast Corp., received a compensation package valued at $31.1 million in 2010, up 14 percent from a year earlier as the company worked to complete a deal to become the majority owner of NBCUniversal.
Google founder hopes to prove he's ready to be CEO
(AP) -- Google co-founder Larry Page is known for his vision, passion and intelligence.
Google CEO wanted political donation removed: book
An upcoming book about Google claims that Eric Schmidt, who is to step down next week as chief executive, once asked for information about a political donation he made to be removed from the Internet giant's search engine, The New York Times reported Friday.
Hackers infect websites to dupe Internet users
Computer security firm Websense on Friday was warning that hackers have infected a huge number of websites with malicious code crafted to dupe Internet users.
Obama says cleaner energy will help job creation
US President Barack Obama said Saturday that a transition to cleaner energy will help create more American jobs as he promoted his new initiative designed to reduce US energy imports by a third.
Sweden's Ericsson suing Chinese rival ZTE
(AP) -- Swedish wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson on Saturday said it is suing Chinese rival ZTE Corp. for alleged infringement of several of its patents in handset and network technology.
Co-founder Page returning to Google helm
Google co-founder Larry Page on Monday takes back the reins of the Internet powerhouse that he and Sergey Brin created as Stanford University students some 13 years ago.
Google profile in China shrinking
(AP) -- A year after a public spat with Beijing over censorship, Google Inc. says its business with Chinese advertisers is growing even as the Internet giant's share of online searches in China plunges.
Medicine & Health news
Thalidomide shows efficacy as adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Thalidomide has shown potential to be used as the first adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to data presented at the International Liver Congress 2011.1
New data show non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will reach epidemic status in the US
According to new data presented today at the International Liver Congress, the United States (U.S.) could soon be faced with an epidemic of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)1, one of the major contributing factors of chronic liver disease (CLD), considered as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The study highlights that if the current rates of obesity and diabetes continue for another two decades, the prevalence of NAFLD in the US is expected to increase by 50% in 2030.
Data suggest liver experts should take care when prescribing novel antiviral HCV drugs
Data presented at the International Liver Congress highlight the fact that new novel antiviral compounds for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) must be prescribed and monitored by experts and specialists to ensure resistance is minimised.1,2,3,4,5,6
Entry inhibitors show promise as drugs with new MOA for treatment of HBV and HDV infection
Promising new viral hepatitis data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM show that entry inhibitors --a new mechanism of action for drugs to treat viral hepatitis -- could provide the first new hepatitis B and hepatitis D treatments for many years.1,2
PegIFN-lambda shows superior virological response and improved safety than PegIFN-alpha-2a
Highly exciting new data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM found Pegylated Interferon-lambda (PegIFN-lambda) shows superior virological response in HCV patients of genotypes 1-4, with improved safety and tolerability, compared to Pegylated Interferon-alpha (PegIFN-alpha-2a), the current standard of care in chronic HCV.1
Combining MEK and PI3K inhibitors appears encouraging in a safety study with early signs of anti-tumor activity
The combination of two compounds that inhibit two of the most frequently mutated cancer pathways is showing promise in an ongoing Phase I trial, according to data presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held here April 2-6.
Target for lung cancer chemoprevention identified
Scientists have identified a biomarker for measuring the success of lung cancer chemoprevention, an emerging frontier in the fight against this disease that has long been stymied by a lack of measureable outcomes. These study results were presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held April 2-6.
Quadruple therapy shows 100 percent SVR for HCV patients previously unresponsive to treatment
Berlin, Germany, Saturday 02 April 2011: Exciting new data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM 2011 show that quadruple therapy in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients suppressed the emergence of resistant variants and resulted in a 100% rate of sustained virological response - undetectable HCV RNA - 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12).1
High-end medical option prompts Medicare worries
(AP) -- Every year, thousands of people make a deal with their doctor: I'll pay you a fixed annual fee, whether or not I need your services, and in return you'll see me the day I call, remember who I am and what ails me, and give me your undivided attention.
New target identified for squamous cell lung cancer
Scientists at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute have identified a mutation in the DDR2 gene that may indicate which patients with squamous cell lung cancer will respond to dasatinib.
Young black athletes with sickle cell trait might be susceptible to sudden death
The sickle cell trait could be a cause—albeit rare—of sudden death in young African-American competitive athletes, most commonly during football training, according to a scientific poster that will be presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions, April 1-3, in New Orleans.
Hypothermia proves successful in younger cardiac patients too
Young adult patients with genetic heart diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), substantially benefitted from therapeutic hypothermia, which could further extend the role for this treatment strategy in new patient populations, according to a scientific presentation at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, April 1-3.
FDA proposes more calorie count information
(AP) -- It could get harder to indulge in a double cheeseburger and fries without feeling guilty.
Debate fumes as Sydney apartments stub out smoking
An Australian apartment block which has banned residents from smoking in their homes has sparked anger from civil libertarians but advocates say it could be the way of the future for high-density living.
Genetic variation cuts bladder cancer risk, protects chromosome tips
A common genetic variation links to both bladder cancer risk and to the length of protective caps found on the ends of chromosomes, scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported today at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting.
New inhibitor prevented lesions, reduced tumor size in basal cell cancer
A new hedgehog pathway inhibitor demonstrated efficacy in preventing and treating basal cell cancer among patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, a rare inheritable disease, according to Phase II data presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held April 2-6.
BATTLE researchers identify new biomarkers for EGFR inhibition
Scientists are continuing their work on the Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination trial — known more commonly as the BATTLE trial — and presented updated results at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held here April 2-6.
Chronic stress of cancer causes accelerated telomere shortening
Results of a study presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held here April 2-6, lend credence to the idea that improving quality of life affects stress-related biological markers and possibly the health of people with cancer.
Antidepressants linked to thicker arteries
Antidepressant use has been linked to thicker arteries, possibly contributing to the risk of heart disease and stroke, in a study of twin veterans. The data is being presented Tuesday, April 5 at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans.
Arizona Medicaid considers tax on smokers, obese
(AP) -- Arizona's cash-strapped Medicaid program is considering charging patients $50 a year if they smoke, have diabetes or are overweight. A spokeswoman for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System said Friday that the fee is intended to rein in health care costs by pushing patients to keep themselves healthy.
Scientists identify KRAS rearrangements in metastatic prostate cancer
Scientists have uncovered a genetic characteristic of metastatic prostate cancer that defines a rare sub-type of this disease. These findings are published in Cancer Discovery, the newest journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, which will debut at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held April 2-6.
Heart drug cuts prostate cancer risk; holds potential for therapeutic use
Johns Hopkins scientists and their colleagues paired laboratory and epidemiologic data to find that men using the cardiac drug, digoxin, had a 24 percent lower risk for prostate cancer. The scientists say further research about the discovery may lead to use of the drug, or new ones that work the same way, to treat the cancer.
Census spotlights India's 'missing girls'
The problem of India's "missing girls" has been put under a harsh spotlight by new census data showing the ratio of female to male children at its lowest level since independence in 1947.
Study finds routine periodic fasting is good for your health, and your heart
Fasting has long been associated with religious rituals, diets, and political protests. Now new evidence from cardiac researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute demonstrates that routine periodic fasting is also good for your health, and your heart.
Study supports fixing heart valves without surgery
(AP) -- Many people with a bad aortic valve may soon be able to avoid open-heart surgery and have a new one placed through a tube in an artery instead.
Yoga calms heart pace, cuts anxiety: study
People who suffer from irregular heartbeat could see their episodes cut in half if they do yoga regularly, according to a study released Saturday in the United States.
'Cow valve' heart implant shows promise: study
A new type of heart valve replacement using a bioprosthetic implant made of cow tissue showed similar survival rates as open heart surgery and extended life expectancy, US researchers said Sunday.
'Last resort' antibiotics use on the rise, study shows
A large, multi-year study of antibiotic use in Veterans Health Administration's acute care facilities demonstrates dramatically increased use of carbapenems, a powerful class of antibiotics, over the last five years. These drugs are often considered the last treatment option for severe infections with multi-drug resistant pathogens. The increased carbapenem use, which has also been described in non-VA facilities in the US, is alarming because carbapenem-resistant bacteria are becoming more common. Overuse of these drugs could weaken their efficacy, threatening their effectiveness against these and other emerging infections. The study was presented today at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Study suggests another avenue for detecting Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have determined that a well-known chemical process called acetylation has a previously unrecognized association with one of the biological processes associated with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The findings were published in the latest issue of Nature Communications.
'Bionic eye' implant offers hope to the blind
For a man whose view of the world has slowly faded to black over 30 years, a device that allows him to see flashes of light has enkindled his hope of one day gazing upon his grandson's face.
DNA of 50 breast cancer patients decoded
In the single largest cancer genomics investigation reported to date, scientists have sequenced the whole genomes of tumors from 50 breast cancer patients and compared them to the matched DNA of the same patients' healthy cells. This comparison allowed researchers to find mutations that only occurred in the cancer cells.
Team discovers new way to predict breast cancer survival and enhance effectiveness of treatment
A team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco has discovered a new way to predict breast cancer survival based on an "immune profile" – the relative levels of three types of immune cells within a tumor. Knowing a patient's profile may one day help guide treatment.
Five new genes linked to Alzheimer's
Scientists said Sunday they had uncovered five genes linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, doubling the number of genetic variants known to favour the commonest form of dementia.
Potential treatment found for debilitating bone disease in wounded soldiers and children
Promising new research reveals a potentially highly effective treatment for heterotopic ossification (HO), a painful and often debilitating abnormal buildup of bone tissue. HO comes in two main forms—one that appears in children and is congenital, another that strikes wounded military personnel and surgery patients and is triggered by severe injuries and wounds.
Nurturing newborn neurons sharpens minds in mice
Adult mice engineered to have more newborn neurons in their brain memory hub excelled at accurately discriminating between similar experiences – an ability that declines with normal aging and in some anxiety disorders. Boosting such neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus also produced antidepressant-like effects when combined with exercise, in the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Biology news
Locally grown? It all depends on how you define it
(AP) -- The No. 2 official at the Agriculture Department recently got a real-life lesson in the loose definition of the trendiest word in groceries: "local."
Scientists question claims in biotech letter
(AP) -- The widespread Internet posting of a letter by a retired Purdue University researcher who says he has linked genetically modified corn and soybeans to crop diseases and abortions and infertility in livestock has raised concern among scientists that the public will believe his unsupported claim is true.
Common 'chaperone' protein found to work in surprising way
In the constantly morphing field of protein structure, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute offer yet another surprise: a common "chaperone" protein in cells thought to help other proteins fold has been shown instead to loosen them.
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