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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 14, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Engineers investigate why the cochlea is coiled- Insect-like flying robots self-recover after crash (w/ Video)
- After ten years of trying, researchers measure distance to starburst galaxy HDF 850.1
- Stanford engineers perfecting carbon nanotubes for highly energy-efficient computing
- Superhydrophobic surface helps researchers develop optical displays from water and air (w/ Video)
- Tense film scenes trigger brain activity: New ways to predict how audiences will respond
- Atomic-resolution view of a receptor reveals how stomach bacterium avoids acid
- Plant poison turns seed-eating mouse into seed spitter (w/ Video)
- Frequency comb helps evaluate novel biomedical decontamination method
- Gone fishing: Researchers' imaging technique trolls in quiet cellular seas
- A sea of broken promises: Avoiding empty ocean commitments at Rio+20
- Iberian paintings are Europe's oldest cave art, uranium-series dating study confirms
- Scientists dispel myths, provide new insight into human impact on pre-Columbian Amazon River Basin
- Amazon was not all manufactured landscape before Europeans arrived, scientists report
- Predators have outsized influence over habitats, research says
Space & Earth news
Tackle rising population, consumption: science academies
The world's science academies on Thursday warned the upcoming Rio Summit that Earth faced a dangerous double whammy posed by voracious consumption and a population explosion.
Shell scraps biofuels plan over Brazil native land
A Shell subsidiary that makes biodiesel in Brazil has dropped controversial plans to buy sugar cane grown on land taken from indigenous people, according to Survival International.
GPS technology improves weather forecasting
(Phys.org) -- The satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that guides modern in-car navigation systems is now being used to improve weather forecasts.
Warm climate -- cold Arctic? The Eemian is a poor analogue for current climate change
The Eemian interglacial period that began some 125,000 years ago is often used as a model for contemporary climate change. In the international journal Geophysical Research Letters, scientists from Mainz, Kiel and Potsdam, Germany, now present evidence that the Eemian differed in essential details from modern climatic conditions.
Green grabs: The dark side of the green economy
the rapidly-growing appropriation of land and resources in the name of 'green ' biofuels, carbon offsetting schemes, conservation efforts and eco-tourism initiatives – is forcing people from their homelands and increasing poverty, new research has found.
Single-track sustainability 'solutions' threaten people and planet
The targets, indicators and approaches being used to pursue progress towards sustainable development at Rio+20 are counter-productive, say scientists in a new paper. Three renowned sustainability institutes -- the STEPS Centre, Stockholm Resilience Centre and Tellus Institute -- argue in Transforming Innovation for Sustainability that global and grassroots innovations must be connected to avoid breaching planetary boundaries and reversing progress on poverty reduction.
Cocoa remedy for Amazon deforestation?
A chocolate factory nestled deep in the Amazonian jungle in Brazil's northern state of Para offers a sweet antidote to rainforest deforestation.
Australia to create world's largest marine parks
Australia on Thursday announced plans to create the world's largest network of marine parks to protect ocean life, with limits placed on fishing and oil and gas exploration off the coast.
China prepares to send its first woman into space
Either Wang Yaping or Liu Yang -- both advanced fighter pilots -- is set to become a heavenly heroine to a billion Chinese when one of them becomes the country's first female "taikonaut".
Climate models should include ocean waves
(Phys.org) -- A new field study by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology suggests that the effect of wave activity on oceans should be incorporated in long term climate and weather prediction models.
Secret X-37B mini space shuttle could land today
After more than a year in orbit, the US Air Force’s clandestine mini-space shuttle will likely land at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California sometime this week, with some reports saying it could land as early as today, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. It has been in orbit since March 5, 2011, but like the first X-37B mission that flew in 2010 and spent 224 days in space, the Air Force has not issued any information of what the craft is doing or where it is orbiting. However, amateur skywatchers and amateur satellite trackers have been keeping an eye on where the OTV-2 has been.
Big and Bright Asteroid to Pass by Earth June 14
An unusually large and bright near-Earth asteroid was recently discovered and it will make its closest approach to Earth on June 14 at about 23:10 UTC. The object is so bright, the Slooh Observatory will attempt to have a live webcast showing the object sneaking past Earth at about 5.3 billion km (3.35 million) miles away, or about 14 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. The asteroid, 2012 LZ1 was discovered by Rob McNaught and colleagues on 2012 June 10/11, and is about 502 meters (1,650 feet) wide.
Study shows pollution levels in some kitchens are higher than city-center hotspots
Researchers from the University of Sheffield's Faculty of Engineering measured air quality inside and outside three residential buildings with different types of energy use (gas vs. electric cookers). They found that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in the kitchen of the city-centre flat with a gas cooker were three times higher than the concentrations measured outside the property and well above those recommended in UK Indoor Air Quality Guidance. These findings are published online in Journal of Indoor and Built Environment.
Two warmest winter months in Midwest history may have connection
This past March was the second warmest winter month ever recorded in the Midwest, with temperatures 15 degrees above average. The only other winter month that was warmer was December of 1889, during which temperatures were 18 degrees above average. Now, MU researchers may have discovered why the weather patterns during these two winter months, separated by 123 years, were so similar. The answer could help scientists develop more accurate weather prediction models.
Study suggests expanded concept of 'urban watershed'
Within two decades, 60 percent of the world's population will live in cities, and coping with the resulting urban drinking water and sanitation issues will be one of the greatest challenges of this century. A U.S. Forest Service study recently published in Urban Ecosystems proposes an expanded view of the complex world of urban water.
NASA sees bitter cold cloud tops in newborn Tropical Storm Carlotta
Bitter cold cloud tops tell forecasters that a storm has a lot of uplift, and the colder the cloud tops, the higher they are in the atmosphere, and the stronger the thunderstorms. NASA's Aqua satellite data showed that the cloud top temperatures in newborn Tropical Storm Carlotta became colder overnight and continue to grow colder as the low pressure area formely known as System 94E strengthened into a tropical storm. Carlotta is even expected to strengthen further and become a hurricane.
Guchol is a tiny typhoon on NASA satellite imagery
Tropical Storm Guchol intensified into a typhoon and is a compact system. It appears as a strong, small typhoon in infrared NASA satellite imagery today.
New solar active region spitting out flares
An active region on the sun, numbered AR 1504, rotated into view over the left side of the sun on June 10, 2012. The region fired off two M-class flares and two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on June 13 and June 14, 2012. The first flare lasted for a relatively long three hours, peaking on June 13, 2012 at 9:17 AM EDT. The associated CME traveled at approximately 375 miles per second and is directed toward Earth, though due to its slow speed, the effect on Earth is expected to be minimal.
First flight instrument delivered for James Webb
The first of four instruments to fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) has been delivered to NASA. The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) will allow scientists to study cold and distant objects in greater detail than ever before.
Researchers find building seismic strain in Azerbaijan
In 1859, a devastating earthquake ripped through what is now central Azerbaijan, destroying the capital city of Shemakha. Damage from the quake was so extensive that the capital was subsequently relocated to Baku, a coastal city on the Caspian Sea. Since then, Baku has grown into a thriving metropolis, fueled by vast offshore oil reserves. Rapid development of the city’s housing, infrastructure and foreign trade has made Azerbaijan one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
A trick of perspective: Chance alignment mimics a cosmic collision
(Phys.org) -- The Hubble Space Telescope has produced a highly detailed image of a pair of overlapping galaxies called NGC 3314. While the two galaxies look as if they are in the midst of a collision, this is in fact a trick of perspective: the two just happen to appear in the same direction from our vantage point.
A sea of broken promises: Avoiding empty ocean commitments at Rio+20
RIO: World leaders have made pitiful progress on their guarantee to protect global oceans from overfishing and other threats. In a paper published today (June 15, 2012) in Science, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and world renowned researchers have reviewed commitments made by governments to protect the world's oceans and shown that there has been little success over the past 20 years.
Scientists dispel myths, provide new insight into human impact on pre-Columbian Amazon River Basin
A paper published this week in Science provides the most nuanced view to date of the small, shifting human populations in much of the Amazon before the arrival of Europeans. The research, which includes the first landscape-scale sampling of central and western Amazonia, finds that early inhabitants were concentrated near rivers and lakes but actually had little long-term impact on the outlying forests, as if they merely tiptoed around the land far from natural sources of water. In doing so, the new study overturns the currently popular idea that the Amazon was a cultural parkland in pre-Columbian times.
Amazon was not all manufactured landscape before Europeans arrived, scientists report
Population estimates for the Amazon basin just before Europeans arrived range from 2 to 10 million people. The newly reported reconstruction of Amazonian prehistory by Smithsonian scientist Dolores R. Piperno and colleagues suggests that large areas of western Amazonia were sparsely inhabited. This clashes with the belief that most of Amazonia, including forests far removed from major rivers, was heavily occupied and modified. The team's research is published in the June 15 issue of Science.
Little clams play big part in keeping seagrass ecosystems healthy, new study finds
Sometimes it’s the little things that matter most. That’s definitely the case for endangered and threatened seagrass ecosystems according to a new study. Little clams living in the soil of seagrass beds consume toxic sulfides that accumulate in the silty sediments and turn what should be a toxic soup into a healthy aquatic environment where communities of fish, clams and shrimp thrive.
After ten years of trying, researchers measure distance to starburst galaxy HDF 850.1
(Phys.org) -- Back in 1998, researchers studying submillimeter light emissions in the Hubble Deep Field (long exposures of a portion of the sky taken by Hubble in 1995) discovered something really bright, a galaxy that appeared to be producing stars at an unprecedented rate. Unfortunately, scientists weren’t able to figure out how far away it was, which led a few years later to various attempts to measure it, all to no avail. Now, nearly ten years after the effort began, a research team is reporting in their paper published in the journal Nature that they have finally met with success and have found that starburst galaxy HDF 850.1 is 12.6 billion light years away from us.
Technology news
China biomass tycoon leads deal to buy Saab
(AP) — The Asian consortium planning to rescue Swedish automaker Saab Automobile from insolvency is led by a mainland Chinese alternative energy tycoon whose company has close ties with China's State Grid electricity utility.
No more cloudy days for solar
For a country with so much sunlight, some might think Australia has been slow to adapt its electricity generation mix to include solar power. One of the main reasons for this is solar intermittency.
China to trial energy-saving electricity price scheme
China said Thursday that from next month people who use a lot of electricity will have to pay more under a trial scheme aimed at encouraging consumers to save energy.
Time launches digital subscriptions for all magazines
US magazine giant Time Inc. announced Thursday it would offer digital subscriptions for all 20 of its consumer magazine titles for iPad on Apple's Newsstand.
AOL shareholders re-elect all 8 board members
(AP) — AOL Inc. said Thursday shareholders voted at their annual meeting to re-elect all eight directors on the company's board, fending off a takeover attempt by one of its largest investors.
Quest Software gets higher buyout bid of $2.15B
(AP) — Quest Software Inc. has received buyout offer worth about $2.15 billion from an unnamed party, a proposal superior to an existing offer that may create a bidding war for the business software maker.
Facebook stock closes nearly 4 percent higher
(AP) — Facebook's stock is regaining some ground nearly a month after its rocky initial public offering.
US author Thomas Pynchon agrees to go digital
Notoriously reclusive American writer Thomas Pynchon has for the first time agreed that his works can be published digitally, his publishers said Thursday.
Virtual sailing gives competitors the edge
Newcastle University's Yacht and Superyacht Research Group show how virtual simulation can be used to accurately predict how a yacht will behave during a race.
New technology set to 'revolutionize' the identification of disaster victims
Forensics across the world will be better equipped to identify the age of people who die in natural disasters.
Twitter widens window to links in tweets
Twitter added Wednesday to the array of online content people could preview in messages without having to click on links included in tweets.
Nokia cuts 10,000 jobs, streamlines to save costs (Update)
(AP) — Nokia says it will slash 10,000 jobs and close plants as the ailing company fights fierce competition, and gave a grim outlook for most of the year, causing its shares to plummet 18 percent to close at €1.83 ($2.30).
Briton accused of hacking Fox, PBS websites
(AP) — A 20-year-old Briton suspected of links to the hacking group Lulz Security is accused of cracking into websites for a Fox reality TV show, a venerable news show and other sites, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Skype jacks ads into free Internet phone calls
Skype has begun showing callers on-screen ads while they use the globally popular free Internet telephone service.
Germany: film download platform founder sentenced
(AP) — A German court has convicted the founder of an illegal movie downloading platform of breaching copyright laws and sentenced him to four years and six months in prison.
Solar plane team awaits date for new Moroccan flight
The team behind the Solar Impulse, the solar-powered aircraft that was forced to turn back during a desert flight in Morocco, said Thursday they were working on a new date to renew the bid.
London Games to be first social media Olympics
(AP) — Tweet this: The London Games will be the first Olympics told in 140 characters or less.
Microsoft's Bing adds Yelp to power local search
Microsoft's Bing search engine tied up Thursday with the business review firm Yelp to power local search in a move countering similar offerings from Google and Apple.
iPad to drive stronger tablet sales worldwide: study
Demand for tablet computers is growing faster than earlier forecasts, driven by strong demand for the iPad from Apple, according to a survey released Thursday.
American drivers turn to smaller, better engines
(AP) — Back when gas was cheap, Americans bought cars with V-8 engines like the Big Block, Cobra Jet and Ramcharger. Acceleration was all that mattered, even in family cars that never made it to full throttle.
Microsoft reaches into TV market with Xbox Live ads
Microsoft on Thursday unveiled ads for its popular Xbox Live online entertainment service that combine the interactivity of the Internet with old-school television viewing.
Microsoft sends security patches, urges fix-it for XML Core Services vulnerability
(Phys.org) -- Confirm, warn, patch. Microsoft has had a busy week, this being the week of Patch Tuesday, an event held on the second Tuesday of the month, when Microsoft releases security patches. On this latest Patch event, Microsoft issued seven security bulletins, three of which were termed as critical, warning users of twenty-six vulnerabilities in Microsoft products, a number of them involving Internet Explorer. The patches affect supported Windows versions, the .NET Framework, Remote Desktop, Lync and Dynamics AX. A patch that had been announced for Visual Basic for Applications has yet to be released.
Engineers unveil two-way wireless breakthrough
(Phys.org) -- Groundbreaking two-way wireless technology resulting in vastly superior voice and data services has been developed by a University of Waterloo engineering research team led by Amir K. Khandani, the Canada Research Chair in Wireless Systems.
Medicine & Health news
Low energy levels could predict risk of hospitalisation for people with COPD
Reports of low energy levels or feelings of fatigue could be used to predict risk of hospitalisation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study published online ahead of print in the European Respiratory Journal.
Child care subsidies boost quality of care for some but not all
The federally funded child care subsidy program is among the government's biggest investments in the early care and education of low-income children. A new study has found that subsidies have the potential to enhance the quality of child care low-income children receive, but parents who use the subsidies aren't necessarily accessing the highest quality of care available to them.
Internet led to global 'explosion' of fake drugs
The rapid growth of Internet commerce has led to an explosion of counterfeit drugs sold around the world, with China the biggest source of fake medicines, pharmaceutical experts said Thursday.
New clinical trial design promises to accelerate cancer drug approvals
Patients with early-stage breast cancer usually have to wait years to receive new cancer drugs but new guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) promises to reduce substantially the time and cost of getting new treatments to patients. The approach is based on a trial design being tested in the I-SPY 2 TRIAL, an innovative Phase II breast cancer trial. University of Colorado Cancer Center is a designated study site for I-SPY 2 (Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging and Molecular Analysis 2). The trial evaluates which medical treatments are most effective for different types of breast tumors.
Smoking history not assessed in cancer trials, study finds
Cancer trials typically do not assess smoking history of participants even though studies have shown tobacco use has adverse effects on cancer treatments, researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Yale Cancer Center report in a study published in the Journal of Cancer Oncology.
A desensitized fool can be a little monster
Look at the Lady Gaga photo, how shocking do you find it?
UK research shows dangerously high levels of salt in kids' meals
Children’s meals at some of the UK’s leading pub and fast food chains contain more than a child’s recommended daily salt allowance, research from Queen Mary, University of London has shown.
Why doctors still rely on century-old heart test
Most people might assume that technology first developed in 1928 would be obsolete by now. But from air conditioned buildings to sliced bread, many inventions of that era are still essential to our lives today. That includes the exercise stress test, which is still the most widely used medical test for coronary artery disease.
How many cells can our blood tolerate?
Bioinformaticians of Jena University (Germany) have found out that the optimal value of hematocrit -- which indicates the volume fraction of the red blood cells -- can be calculated with an equation that dates from no less a person than Albert Einstein. The red blood cells form the greatest part of bloods solid components -- all in all around 40 percent of the blood. The percentage of this component is not only similar in all human beings but also in many other vertebrates.
Researchers develop technology to support stroke patients
The University of Southampton, in collaboration with Roke Manor Research Ltd, has pioneered the use of Xbox computer technology to develop the world's first process that measures hand joint movement to help stroke patients recover manual agility at home.
European geneticists condemn use of testing to establish 'racial purity'
The use of genetic testing to establish racial origins for political purposes is not only scientifically foolish, but also unethical and should be condemned, the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) said today (Thursday June 14). The society, which promotes research in basic and applied human and medical genetics and ensures high standards in clinical genetic practice, said that the use by a member of parliament from the Hungarian far-right Jobbik party of a genetic test to attempt to prove his 'ethnic purity' was ethically unacceptable.
Free, user-friendly 'blood pressure cuff' for dementia is reliable and valid: research
A new study shows that a practical clinical tool developed by researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Medicine to measure severity of dementia symptoms is reliable and valid. The Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor is simple, user-friendly and sensitive to change in symptoms.
Sexual minority women are often victims of abuse
Adult lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to report childhood abuse and adult sexual assault than heterosexual women, according to a new study by Dr. Keren Lehavot from the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, USA and her collaborators. Furthermore, the researchers' work shows that women who are more butch report more abuse in childhood, particularly physical and emotional neglect, while women who identify as femme, and have a more feminine appearance, report more adult sexual assaults. The work is published online in Springer's journal, Sex Roles.
9 out of 10 non-elderly Californians will be covered under Affordable Care Act: study
Nine out of 10 Californians under the age of 65 will be enrolled in health insurance programs as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a joint study by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
7 of 10 commuters using Capital Bikeshare forgo helmet use
Cyclists in Washington, D.C. who use Capital Bikeshare for their daily commutes are much less likely to wear helmets than commuters on their own bikes. That is the finding from an observational study conducted by Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies (NHS) researchers that compares the rate of helmet use of casual and commuting Bikeshare riders with private cyclists. The research was published today in the American Journal of Public Health.
Researchers outline plan to end preventable child deaths in a generation
Preventable childhood deaths caused by illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea can be nearly eliminated in 10 years according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Institutes of Health. In a new commentary featured in the June issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers outline a strategy and benchmarks for curbing childhood preventable deaths and recommend a new common vision for a global commitment to end all preventable child deaths.
Researchers use sensor technologies to remotely monitor aging adults' health
Many adults wish to maintain their independence as they age, but health problems often require them to live in assisted-care facilities where they can be observed by medical professionals. Now, technologies developed by University of Missouri researchers could help aging adults stay in their own homes longer while still being monitored by health care providers.
Homelessness linked to poor health among kidney disease patients
Among patients with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), homeless people experience higher rates of premature death and kidney failure, and they use emergency services much more often than impoverished peers with stable housing, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The findings indicate that greater efforts are needed to address the unmet needs of homeless patients with CKD and other chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce public costs.
Genetic discovery will help fight diarrhea outbreaks
Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered unexpectedly large genetic differences between two similar species of the pathogenic Cryptosporidium parasite.
Childhood obesity linked to math performance, researcher says
In a longitudinal study of 6,250 children from across the US, researchers found that, when compared with children who were never obese, boys and girls whose obesity persisted from the start of kindergarten through fifth grade performed worse on the math test, starting in first grade, and their lower performance continued through fifth grade. Their findings are based on data gathered on children's families, interpersonal skills and emotional well-being, weight and measurements, and test performance.
Most older pedestrians are unable to cross the road in time: study
The ability to cross a road in time is one that most of us take for granted. A new study published in the journal Age and Ageing, entitled 'Most Older Pedestrians are unable to cross the road in time: a cross-sectional study', has compared the walking speed of the older population in the UK (aged 65 and over) with the speed required to use a pedestrian crossing. Currently, to use a pedestrian crossing a person must cross at a speed above 1.2 meters per second.
Childhood virus infection linked to prolonged seizures with fever
New research shows that human herpesviruses (HHV)-6B and HHV-7, commonly know as roseola virus), account for one third of febrile status epilepticus (FSE) cases. Results of the FEBSTAT prospective study now available in Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), suggest that HHV-6B may be involved in the development of epilepsy and further research is urgently needed.
Regenerated cells may restore vision after corneal dysfunction
Regenerative medicine, or the use of specially grown tissues and cells to treat injuries and diseases, has been successful in treating disorders of a number of organs, including heart, pancreas, and cartilage. However, efforts to treat disorders of the corneal endothelium, a single cell layer on the inner surface of the cornea, with regenerative techniques have been less effective. Now, a group of scientists has developed a method that enhances the adhesion of injected corneal endothelial cells (CECs), allowing for successful corneal transplantation to repair pathological dysfunctions. Their results are published online today in advance, in the July issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
Marital problems in childhood affect teen adjustment
Marital discord is a significant social problem for children, sometimes leading to problems in health and well-being. A new longitudinal study finds that the impact of marital problems on children in their kindergarten years is long lasting and can lead to emotional problems that contribute to difficulties in adolescence.
Birth control that uses combined hormones raises heart risk: study
(HealthDay) -- Sweeping new research comparing various forms of hormonal contraception -- including birth control pills, vaginal rings and skin patches -- suggests that the risk for heart attacks and strokes is twice as high among users of combined estrogen-progestin versions.
Poorest bowel cancer patients more likely to die within month of surgery
(Medical Xpress) -- Bowel cancer patients living in the most deprived areas are 24 per cent more likely to die within five years of treatment than their more affluent neighbours and this difference appears to be a result of excess deaths within the first 30 days following surgery to treat the disease.
Skewed results? Failure to account for clinical trial drop-outs can lead to erroneous findings in top medical journals
(Medical Xpress) -- A new University at Buffalo study of publications in the world's top five general medical journals finds that when clinical trials do not account for participants who dropped out, results are biased and may even lead to incorrect conclusions.
Meds can help recovering meth addicts stay sober
(Medical Xpress) -- A drug shown to help break alcohol addiction can also help recovering methamphetamine addicts stay clean, a study led by University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher Dr. Bankole A. Johnson has found.
Folic acid intake associated with reduced risk of autism: study
(Medical Xpress) -- A new study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute suggests that women who consume the recommended daily dosage of folic acid, the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B-9, during the first month of pregnancy may have a reduced risk of having a child with autism.
Racial discrimination lessens benefits of higher socio-economic status (w/ Video)
(Medical Xpress) -- Racial discrimination could lessen the mental-health benefits usually associated with better socio-economic position for African-American men, finds a new study by Darrell L. Hudson, PhD, assistant professor of public health at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Mindful multitasking: Meditation first can calm stress, aid concentration
(Medical Xpress) -- Need to do some serious multitasking? Some training in meditation beforehand could make the work smoother and less stressful, new research from the University of Washington shows.
Taking the party out of ecstasy - a strategy for new Parkinson's disease drugs?
(Medical Xpress) -- The illicit drug ‘ecstasy' is strongly associated with rave culture, but can a drug that makes people want to dance be used to develop medicines that curb involuntary movements in Parkinson's disease? A team led by a medicinal chemist at The University of Western Australia thinks it may be possible.
How a quirky fruit fly gene could help researchers develop new cancer drugs
(Medical Xpress) -- Loyola researchers are taking advantage of a quirk in the evolution of fruit fly genes to help develop new weapons against cancer.
Socialising helps to alleviate symptoms of depression
(Medical Xpress) -- Simply going out for a coffee or chatting to a friend can reduce the symptoms of depression experienced by people with mental health problems, according to a new study by UCD researchers funded by the Health Research Board.
New trial drug a 'Trojan Horse' attacking pancreatic cancer
An investigational drug that acts like a Trojan Horse to deliver cancer killing agents for pancreatic cancer is being studied at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials, a partnership between Scottsdale Healthcare and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) that treats cancer patients with promising new drugs.
Training character strengths makes you happy
Anyone who trains character strengths increases their sense of well-being, a large-scale study conducted by a team of psychologists from the University of Zurich has concluded. It proved for the first time that this kind of training works. The largest impact was evident in training the strengths "curiosity," "gratitude," "optimism," "humor," and "enthusiasm."
Training people to inhibit movements can reduce risk-taking
New research from psychologists at the Universities of Exeter and Cardiff shows that people can train their brains to become less impulsive, resulting in less risk-taking during gambling. The research could pave the way for new treatments for people with addictions to gambling, drugs or alcohol as well as impulse-control disorders, such as ADHD.
Research debunks bodybuilding myth: Growth-promoting hormones don't stimulate strength
New research from scientists at McMaster University reveals exercise-related testosterone and growth hormone do not play an influential role in building muscle after weightlifting, despite conventional wisdom suggesting otherwise.
Report estimates nearly 18 million cancer survivors in US by 2022
The number of Americans with a history of cancer, currently estimated to be 13.7 million, will grow to almost 18 million by 2022, according to a first-ever report by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Lessons learned from the 'ethical odyssey' of an HIV trial
In the battle against HIV/AIDS conditions on the frontlines are constantly in flux as treatment, research and policy evolve. The landmark HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study, which established that antiretroviral treatment in people who are HIV positive decreases the likelihood of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners, was no exception. One year after publication the study serves as a case study of ethical challenges faced at every stage of the research trial process in the new paper "Establishing HIV treatment as prevention in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 052 randomized trial: an ethical odyssey," published in the June 2012 issue of Clinical Trials.
Secret love cheats pose a greater infection risk than those in open sexual relationships
People who were sexually unfaithful without their partner's knowledge were less likely to practice safe sex than those who had other sexual relationships with their partner's consent. They were also more likely to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the encounter.
Link between metabolic disorders and Alzheimer's disease examined
No effective treatments are currently available for the prevention or cure of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most frequent form of dementia in the elderly. The most recognized risk factors, advancing age and having the apolipoprotein E Ɛ4 gene, cannot be modified or treated. Increasingly, scientists are looking toward other risk factors to identify preventive and therapeutic strategies. Much attention recently has focused on the metabolic syndrome (MetS), with a strong and growing body of research suggesting that metabolic disorders and obesity may play a role in the development of dementia.
Ancient heart drug activates body's own protective mechanisms in blood vessels
An ancient heart drug that's inspired the work of herbalists and poets for centuries may treat a condition that plagues millions of overstressed and overweight Americans today.
Take-home methadone maintenance treatment associated with decreased hospital admissions
A recent study conducted by researchers at Boston Medical Center (BMC) shows that patients receiving "take home" methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) were less likely to be admitted to the hospital as compared to those not receiving take home doses. The findings, which are published online in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, demonstrate the potential benefits of successful addiction treatment, including better overall health and decreased health care utilization.
Environmental factors spread obesity, study reports
An international team of researchers' study of the spatial patterns of the spread of obesity suggests America's bulging waistlines may have more to do with collective behavior than genetics or individual choices. The team, led by City College of New York physicist Hernán Makse, found correlations between the epidemic's geography and food marketing and distribution patterns.
Elderly prisoners need better medical care: report
Soaring numbers of older, sicker prisoners are causing an unprecedented health care challenge for the nation's criminal justice system, according to a new UCSF report.
How aging normal cells fuels tumor growth and metastasis
It has long been known that cancer is a disease of aging, but a molecular link between the two has remained elusive.
New study says soft drink consumption not the major contributor to childhood obesity
Most children and youth who consume soft drinks and other sweetened beverages, such as fruit punch and lemonade, are not at any higher risk for obesity than their peers who drink healthy beverages, says a new study published in the October issue of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. The study examined the relationship between beverage intake patterns of Canadian children and their risk for obesity and found sweetened beverage intake to be a risk factor only in boys aged 6-11.
Virtual colonoscopy without laxative equals standard in identifying clinically significant polyps
Computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, administered without laxatives is as accurate as conventional colonoscopy in detecting clinically significant, potentially cancerous polyps, according to a study performed jointly at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, the University of California, San Francisco and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Hidden vitamin in milk yields remarkable health benefits
A novel form of vitamin B3 found in milk in small quantities produces remarkable health benefits in mice when high doses are administered, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and the Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland.
FDA approves infant combo vaccine for meningitis
(AP) — The first vaccine that protects children as young as six weeks against two potentially deadly bacterial infections has won approval from U.S. health regulators.
Many lacked preventive care before health reform law: U.S. report
(HealthDay) -- Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, only about half of U.S. adults received preventive health services such as screenings, consultations and prescriptions, government researchers report.
New peri-op approach accurately IDs melanoma in nail matrix
(HealthDay) -- Intraoperative reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can be used to diagnose melanonychia striata in the nail matrix, according to a study published online June 7 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Unexpected discovery highlights new role for cell death regulator
An unexpected discovery of how the body controls cell death has revealed a potential new therapeutic target.
Study identifies enzymes needed to mend tissue damage after inflammation
A major risk factor for colon cancer — the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States — is chronic inflammation of the colon. Nearly 10 percent of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) eventually develop colon cancer.
Key enzyme plays roles as both friend and foe to cancer
A molecule thought to limit cell proliferation also helps cancer cells survive during initial tumor formation and when the wayward cells spread to other organs in the body, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found.
Gene may link diabetes and Alzheimer's, researchers find
In recent years it became clear that people with diabetes face an ominous prospect – a far greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Now researchers at The City College of New York (CCNY) have shed light on one reason why. Biology Professor Chris Li and her colleagues have discovered that a single gene forms a common link between the two diseases.
Fragile X gene's prevalence suggests broader health risk
The first U.S. population prevalence study of mutations in the gene that causes fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, suggests the mutation in the gene – and its associated health risks – may be more common than previously believed.
Tense film scenes trigger brain activity: New ways to predict how audiences will respond
Visual and auditory stimuli that elicit high levels of engagement and emotional response can be linked to reliable patterns of brain activity, a team of researchers from The City College of New York and Columbia University reports. Their findings could lead to new ways for producers of films, television programs and commercials to predict what kinds of scenes their audiences will respond to.
Breast milk kills HIV and blocks its oral transmission in humanized mouse
More than 15 percent of new HIV infections occur in children. Without treatment, only 65 percent of HIV-infected children will live until their first birthday, and fewer than half will make it to the age of two. Although breastfeeding is attributed to a significant number of these infections, most breastfed infants are not infected with HIV, despite prolonged and repeated exposure.
Biology news
Australia mulls crocodile safari hunts
Australia is mulling a plan to allow the trophy hunting of saltwater crocodiles, officials said Thursday, with the controversial idea being thrown open for public comment.
Poor pasture increases risk of Hendra virus infections
Hungry horses could be more susceptible to contracting Hendra virus, according to the findings of a preliminary study into the effect of pasture availability on infection rates.
New smartphone app to track problem plants in UK
The University of Bristol is using technology to help protect the UK’s wildlife thanks to the launch of a new mobile phone app which enables the public to track the spread of invasive plants.
Cougars are re-populating their historical range, new study confirms
American mountain lions, or cougars, are re-emerging in areas of the United States, reversing 100 years of decline. The evidence, published in The Journal of Wildlife Management, raises new conservation questions, such as how humans can live alongside the returning predators.
Still capable of adapting: Researchers study genetic diversity of living fossils
The morphology of coelacanths has not fundamentally changed since the Devonian age, that is, for about 400 million years. Nevertheless, these animals known as living fossils are able to genetically adapt to their environment.
Night shift: nocturnal animals take back the day
(Phys.org) -- Scientists document that overharvesting of predators may make it safe for nocturnal prey to emerge during the day.
Hindcasting helps scientists improve forecasts for life on Earth
Earth's changing environment and rapidly growing population are pushing plants and animals out of their native habitats, but current models that predict how this will affect the ecosystem are little more than educated guesses. And when the models have been tested, they've been wildly inaccurate.
Bird's rare solid wing-bone developed for wooing (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- Males of all species have been known to go to extremes to woo a female, but few have gone so far as the male club-winged manakin, a sparrow-sized bird from the forests of Ecuador and Colombia.
Evolutionary benefits of sex in difficult places
(Phys.org) -- University of Auckland scientists have provided the first experimental explanation of how sexual reproduction helps species adapt in challenging real-world environments, solving a classic conundrum in evolutionary biology.
Orb web spiders found to be better guards after sex
Previously, Daiqin Li and colleagues at the National University of Singapore found that the male orb web spider loses its sex organ, called a palp, due to it breaking off during sex because it allowed the male to continue pumping in sperm even as the male was either eaten by the female or fled the scene. Now new research by the same team has found that for those males that escape the female after mating, the loss of the heavy palp affords the survivors more stamina in warding off other would be suitors, thus helping to ensure that the original male produces offspring. The team has published a paper on their findings in the journal Biology Letters.
Chinese researchers find Bt cotton controls pests while also promoting good bugs
(Phys.org) -- Because they can modify plants to either produce better fruit or in many other cases ward off disease and pests, researchers genetically alter crop plants to increase yields without adding additional costs to the process. One such success story is Bt cotton, a strain developed in the lab and so named because it harbors Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium that produces a chemical harmful to some insects and thus is often used as a pesticide. Farmers in the United States have been using it since 1996, and report that since that time, average yields have been up 5% even as costs have gone down due to use less of other pesticides. Now, researchers in China are reporting that not only does planting Bt cotton reduce losses from pests, it also allows other beneficial insect populations to increase not just in the cotton fields, but in those nearby growing other crops as well. The team has published its findings in the journal Nature.
Plant poison turns seed-eating mouse into seed spitter (w/ Video)
In Israel's Negev Desert, a plant called sweet mignonette or taily weed uses a toxic "mustard oil bomb" to make the spiny mouse spit out the plant's seeds when eating the fruit. Thus, the plant has turned a seed-eating rodent into a seed spreader that helps the plant reproduce, says a new study by Utah and Israeli scientists.
Predators have outsized influence over habitats, research says
A grasshopper's change in diet to high-energy carbohydrates while being hunted by spiders may affect the way soil releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to Yale and Hebrew University researchers in Science.
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