Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 21, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- High gas prices may be explained by self-organized cartel behavior- Researchers estimate ice content of crater at Moon's south pole
- Study of phase change materials could lead to better computer memory
- Fluorescent nanotube coating can detect strain
- Avian flu viruses which are transmissible between humans could evolve in nature
- Immune system molecule HD6 weaves cobweb-like nanonets to snag Salmonella, other intestinal microbes
- Renewables can fill 80 percent electricity demand in U.S. in 2050
- Flattened nanotubes are full of potential: Researchers reveal details of 'closed-edge graphene nanoribbons'
- Scientists first to observe plasmons on graphene
- Engineers build 50 gigapixel camera
- Iron-based high-temp superconductors show unexpected electronic asymmetry
- Researchers tune the strain in graphene drumheads to create quantum dots
- First observation of the hall effect in a Bose-Einstein condensate
- Daedalus catches cyber-attacks realtime
- Planetrise: Astronomers spy two planets in tight quarters as they orbit a distant star
Space & Earth news
Landmark Rio summit on 'green' economy opens
World leaders open a UN summit Wednesday where they are set to endorse a blueprint for eradicating poverty and protecting the environment that critics insist is a threadbare compromise.
Composite crew module encounters space vacuum
(Phys.org) -- This week, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., moved a Composite Crew Module (CCM) into the Environmental Test Facility vacuum chamber to gauge how well a space structure fabricated with composite materials will react in a simulated space environment. Data gained during this test series will aid in the design and development of future in-space composite habitable structures.
NASA satellites see Tropical Storm Guchol affecting Japan
Tropical Storm Guchol became the first tropical cyclone to hit Japan this year and NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites have captured radar, infrared and visible imagery of the recently weakened storm.
Two NASA visualizations selected for computers graphics showcase
A NASA computer animation that shows how the sun's heat drives the Earth's swirling winds and ocean currents and a series that tours the lunar surface and the evolution of the moon are the scientific visualizations selected by an annual conference that presents and publishes the best in computer graphics and technical research.
A virtual crystal ball: Sustainability for Rio+20 and beyond
From new cars to email messages, from bananas to home-grown tomatoes: everything we buy, produce or consume has an environmental cost that has come to be called a "footprint". And if you want to be a good global citizen, the Internet offers a range of tools that you can use to understand just how big your footprint is – or what your existing lifestyle is doing to the planet.
Rio 20 years later: Pollution up, forests down
(AP) — Since world leaders last gathered in Rio de Janeiro to talk about the state of the Earth, temperatures have climbed and disasters have mounted. As diplomats discuss climate, sustainability and biodiversity, here is Earth by the numbers since 1992:
Cosmic dance produces a new galaxy in NGC 3166/9
A team of astronomers from Queen's University, the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) and their world-wide collaborators have detected what is believed to be a "tidal" dwarf galaxy (TDG). Only a handful of bona-fide TDGs have been identified and this particular candidate is the first that has been discovered by the international research team, using high-resolution follow-up observations of the cold group gas mapped by the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey. This detection places tight constraints on the history of its neighbouring galaxies and gives insight into the processes that drive universal galaxy formation and evolution.
Extremely cool astronomy: Searching for exoplanets from the Canadian High Arctic
The Canadian High Arctic offers continuous darkness during the winter months -- an enormous advantage for astronomers searching for repeating events like planetary transits of stars. Exceptionally clear, arctic winter skies and calm atmospheric conditions also make for excellent conditions for astronomy.
US opens new areas of Gulf of Mexico to drilling
The US government offered up new areas of the central Gulf of Mexico for drilling for the first time since the 2010 BP oil spill and received $1.7 billion in winning bids, officials said Wednesday.
SDO/EVE calibration sounding rocket launch
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) was launched on 11 February 2010, and the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE), one of the three solar instruments aboard SDO, began normal operations on 1 May 2010.
Water mismanagement threatens Moroccan oasis
Tucked away in Morocco's high Atlas mountains the vast oasis of Errachidia, among the most beautiful in the south of the country, is today threatened by bad management.
Colorado's High Park fire: June 20, 2012
Colorado's High Park Fire continues to expand and generate a lot of smoke visible on NASA satellite imagery. NASA's Terra satellite showed winds from the west-southwest blowing the smoke to the north-northeast and into Wyoming and southwestern Nebraska on June 19, 2012.
NASA saw Tropical Storm Guchol's rainfall drench Japan
The first tropical storm of the season to make landfall in Japan was a soaker, and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite captured its large area of rainfall as it moved over the big island.
NASA follows Tropical Storm Talim's heavy rainfall over Taiwan
Tropical storm Talim has produced torrential rainfall over southern Taiwan as it pumped warm moist air from the South China Sea over mountainous terrain. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite called TRMM flew over tropical storm Talim in the Taiwan Strait on June 20, 2012 at 0140 UTC and captured its heavy rainfall.
NASA catches birth of Tropical Storm Chris by the tail
Several hundred miles from Newfoundland, the third tropical storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season was born on June 19, and NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image just before it reached tropical storm strength, and he appears to have a "tail" on satellite imagery.
Waves of Berkeley Lab responders deploy omics to track Deepwater Horizon cleanup microbes
In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago, various strategies were deployed to prevent 4.9 million barrels of light crude oil from fouling the waters and reaching the shores. A team of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) researchers found that nature also played a role in the dispersal process as marine microbial communities responded to the oil plume that made its way from the wellhead at a depth of 5,000 feet to the surface of the water.
Focusing on water for Central Everglades essential to reversing whole ecosystem's continuing decline
Twelve years into a multibillion-dollar state and federal effort to save the Florida Everglades, little progress has been made in restoring the core of the ecosystem, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. Expedited restoration projects that improve the quality and amount of water in this area are necessary to reverse ongoing declines. A new federal pilot project offers an innovative approach to this challenge, although additional analysis is needed to maximize restoration benefits within existing legal constraints.
SwRI building 8 NASA nanosatellites to help predict extreme weather events on Earth
NASA has selected a team including Southwest Research Institute to develop the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), which will provide better prediction capabilities for extreme weather events, particularly the intensification of hurricanes.
Eat less meat and farm efficiently to tackle climate change
We need to eat less meat and recycle our waste to rebalance the global carbon cycle and reduce our risk of dangerous levels of climate change. New research from the University of Exeter, UK, shows that if today's meat-eating habits continue, the predicted rise in the global population could spell ecological disaster. But changes in our lifestyle and our farming could make space for growing crops for bioenergy and carbon storage.
Synchronized probes explore Bermuda Triangle's swirling vortices
(Phys.org) -- Some might say that University of Washington oceanographers did well to only lose one of 21 underwater probes, given that they were deployed near the notorious Bermuda Triangle, where boats and airplanes have been known to disappear without a trace.
In the shadows of Saturn's rings
(Phys.org) -- Titan appears to be strung like a bead on Saturn’s rings, which cast shadows onto the southern hemisphere of the gas giant in this beautiful image from Cassini. Faint but exquisite detail in the gas giant’s upper atmosphere paints a tranquil scene. A thin band of bright white ammonia ice clouds is etched into the planet’s disc towards the top of the image while clouds dotted below are faded scars of a huge storm that raged across the planet through much of 2011.
NASA sees some heavy rainfall in tropical storm Talim
Tropical Storm Talim formed in the South China Sea yesterday, June 18, just south of Hainan Island, China, and NASA's TRMM satellite captured rainfall data right after its birth, revealing some heavy rain.
The origin of life challenge: Searching for how life began
In 2011, retired chemist and entrepreneur Harry Lonsdale announced his plans to fund research on how life originally formed. Of the 76 proposals submitted to his Origin of Life Challenge, Lonsdale and his team of experts selected three to fund for at least the next year, with the potential to continue financial support in the future.
US military launches new satellite into space
The US military launched an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday carrying a top secret satellite into space, officials said.
NOAA: Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' predictions feature uncertainty
A team of NOAA-supported scientists is predicting that this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone could range from a low of approximately 1,197 square miles to as much as 6,213 square miles. The wide range is the result of using two different forecast models. The forecast is based on Mississippi River nutrient inputs compiled annually by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Forecasters predict second-smallest Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone'
A dry spring in portions of the Midwest is expected to result in the second-smallest Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" on record in 2012, according to a University of Michigan forecast released today.
Mercury rising: Greater L.A. to heat up an average 4 to 5 degrees by mid-century
A groundbreaking new study led by UCLA climate expert Alex Hall shows that climate change will cause temperatures in the Los Angeles region to rise by an average of 4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of this century, tripling the number of extremely hot days in the downtown area and quadrupling the number in the valleys and at high elevations.
VLT takes a close look at NGC 6357
(Phys.org) -- ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) has taken the most detailed image so far of a spectacular part of the stellar nursery called NGC 6357. The view shows many hot young stars, glowing clouds of gas and weird dust formations sculpted by ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds.
Euclid mission gets go-ahead to probe Universe's darkest secrets
The first-ever mission dedicated to looking for dark matter and dark energy, two mysterious entities believed to explain the composition of the universe as we know it, will be launched in 2020, the European Space Agency said Wednesday.
Mars Odyssey orbiter out of precautionary 'safe mode'
(Phys.org) -- NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has been taken out of a protective status called safe mode. Remaining steps toward resuming all normal spacecraft activities will probably be completed by next week.
Research shows the response of the carbon cycle to climate change
Marine and freshwater environments have the potential to release more carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere in a warmer climate than their land counterparts, scientists at Queen Mary, University of London have found.
Research suggests that ancient granites made advanced life possible
A little less than 2 billion years ago, metals including copper, molybdenum and zinc became available to primitive cells, at the same time that the cells began to become much more complex. Scientists indicate that they have identified the event that introduced these metals, which made it possible for those primitive cells to develop, evolve, and spread.
Researchers build computer simulation that shows a way to detect the birth of the first stars
(Phys.org) -- In the model astrophysicists and astronomers use to describe the history of the universe, the Big Bang is used as the ultimate starting point, which is believed to have occurred some 13.7 billion years ago. After that, things grow a little murkier as at some point atoms were formed, then stars, and then entire galaxies. The timeline for these formations has been difficult to gauge though as there is so little evidence for researchers to look at; still most agree that the first stars likely appeared somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred million years after the Big Bang. Now a team of researchers has found that in creating a simulation on a computer, as they describe in their paper published in the journal Nature, they might have found a way to detect the signature of the very first stars to have formed.
New way of monitoring environmental impact could help save rural communities in China
University of Southampton researchers are pioneering a new way of measuring and monitoring the impact of industrial and agricultural development on the environment.
New deglaciation data opens door for earlier First Americans migration
A new study of lake sediment cores from Sanak Island in the western Gulf of Alaska suggests that deglaciation there from the last Ice Age took place as much as1,500 to 2,000 years earlier than previously thought, opening the door for earlier coastal migration models for the Americas.
Elephant seals help uncover slower-than-expected Antarctic melting
Don't let the hobbling, wobbling, and blubber fool you into thinking elephant seals are merely sluggish sun bathers. In fact, scientists are benefiting from these seals' surprisingly lengthy migrations to determine critical information about Antarctic melting and future sea level rise.
New data and methods paint clearer picture of emissions from tropical deforestation
A team led by researchers at Winrock International, a U.S. environmental nonprofit organization, has developed an estimate of gross carbon emissions from tropical deforestation for the early 2000s that is considerably lower than other recently published estimates.
Arctic climate more vulnerable than thought, maybe linked to Antarctic ice-sheet behavior
First analyses of the longest sediment core ever collected on land in the terrestrial Arctic, published this week in Science, provide documentation that intense warm intervals, warmer than scientists thought possible, occurred there over the past 2.8 million years.
Extensive water in Mars' interior
Until now, Earth was the only planet known to have vast reservoirs of water in its interior. Scientists analyzed the water content of two Martian meteorites originating from inside the Red Planet. They found that the amount of water in places of the Martian mantle is vastly larger than previous estimates and is similar to that of Earth's. The results not only affect what we know about the geologic history of Mars, but also have implications for how water got to the Martian surface. The data raise the possibility that Mars could have sustained life.
Most quasars live on snacks, not large meals
(Phys.org) -- Black holes in the early universe needed a few snacks rather than one giant meal to fuel their quasars and help them grow, according to observations from NASA's Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes.
Researchers estimate ice content of crater at Moon's south pole
(Phys.org) -- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft has returned data that indicate ice may make up as much as 22 percent of the surface material in a crater located on the moon's south pole.
Planetrise: Astronomers spy two planets in tight quarters as they orbit a distant star
A research team led by astronomers at the University of Washington and Harvard University has discovered a bigger version of Earth locked in an orbital tug-of-war with a much larger, Neptune-sized planet as they orbit very close to each other around the same star about 1,200 light years from Earth.
Technology news
Zynga mines arcade games with "Ruby Blast"
Zynga on Tuesday sought to mine the popularity of another arcade style social game with the release of "Ruby Blast" for play at Facebook or at the company's online arena.
S. Korea's SK Hynix to buy US firm for $248 mln
South Korea's SK Hynix said Wednesday it would buy a US-based IT firm for $248 million to strengthen the performance of its flash memory devices, used in smartphones and tablet computers.
Football: Goal-line technology now 'a necessity' - FIFA boss
FIFA boss Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that the introduction of goal-line technology is a must after Ukraine appeared to equalise against England in their final Euro 2012 group match but the referee waved play on.
Via satellite: staying in touch at sea
Working on the high seas can be lonely separated from friends and family for weeks at a time. Communications via satellite close this gap by providing the means to stay in touch. Now, with ESA’s support, contacting shore is easier.
Fujitsu develops world's first compact, high-output, single-chip 10 GHz transceiver using GaN HEMT
Fujitsu Laboratories today announced that it has successfully developed the world's first single-chip transceiver using gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) technology that features an output of 6.3 W and that operates at a frequency of 10 GHz.
NTU start-up launches world's first 3-in-1 water monitoring system
Water companies will be able to cut down two-thirds of their water monitoring operation costs with the latest state-of-the-art water sensing technologies developed at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Cisco CEO hopes to create jobs for Israeli Arabs
(AP) — Cisco Systems Inc. CEO and Chairman John Chambers on Wednesday introduced a campaign to help create 12,000 high-tech jobs in Israel's distressed Arab sector over the next four years.
1,800 British firms to report greenhouse-gas emissions
All 1,800 firms listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market will be required to list their greenhouse-gas emissions from next April, British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said at the Rio+20 summit on Wednesday.
US inventor claims design for BP well cap stolen
(AP) — An inventor claims his design was the basis for the cap used to choke off the flow of oil to the Gulf of Mexico nearly three months after BP's undersea well blew in 2010. And he says it was stolen.
Deals firm Living Social says no plans for IPO
Living Social, the number two US online deals firm, indicated Wednesday it had no immediate plans for an initial public offering, saying it had sufficient funds to expand its operations.
Oracle chief buys Hawaiian island
Oracle boss Larry Ellison has bought a Hawaiian island from a fellow multi-billionaire businessman, the governor of the US Pacific Ocean state said Wednesday.
SKorea sees big demand for fastest mobile network (Update)
(AP) — South Korea is forecasting blistering growth in the use of a network technology that gives the fastest speeds for connecting to the Internet from a mobile device.
Intel survey finds "outlet outrage" and "peeping-techs" are new travel norms
A new survey conducted by Intel Corporation and commissioned by TNS to explore American attitudes towards travel and technology finds U.S. vacationers feel anxious when traveling without their mobile computing device, angry when they cannot access power sources to charge these devices and annoyed when others take uninvited glimpses of their computer screens, potentially compromising their personal information.
US, EU push 'global alliance' against online paedophilia
The European Union and the United States called on the rest of world Thursday to join them in a "global alliance" to combat child sex abuse on the Internet and track down paedophiles.
Cyber scams are getting more personal, thanks to social media
Old high school classmates aren't the only ones making connections on Facebook. The crooks are too.
Facebook to let developers charge subscriptions
(AP) — Facebook is letting app developers charge subscription fees, in addition to existing one-time payments, for games and other applications on its site.
Microsoft tablet risks alienating PC makers
With the unveiling of the Surface tablet, Microsoft is heading into unusual territory: competing with its partners, the very same companies that make Windows PCs. But Microsoft has little to lose, since PC manufacturers have so far had very little success with their own tablets.
China defends curbs on rare earths
(AP) — China on Wednesday defended its export curbs on rare earths used in high-tech products as an environmental measure and rejected a World Trade Organization challenge by the United States, Europe and Japan.
Honda to recycle rare earths to be green
(AP) — Honda Motor Co. said Wednesday it will start recycling rare earths and other key materials in hybrid auto batteries this year — a key innovation in the Japanese automaker's effort to be green.
China's Huawei takes rebranding bid to telecoms fair
China's Huawei Technologies is taking a campaign to transform itself into a global brand and leading smartphone maker to a major telecoms fair which opened in Singapore this week.
Citing sanctions, Google blocks Analytics tool in Cuba
Cuba on Tuesday accused Google of "outrageous censorship" after the US Internet giant blocked access to a web traffic analysis tool to comply with US sanctions against Havana.
Australian media in digital shakeup
A shakeup which will see Australia become the first country in the world with all its flagship newspapers behind an Internet paywall has prompted declarations that the "golden age of newspapers is dead".
Vietnam entrepreneurs find fertile ground online
Vietnam's young, tech-savvy population is turning to the Internet to break out of an economic system stifled by decades of communist rule, leading to a boom in e-commerce.
Mobiles surge in Asia, to overtake PCs: Google
Asia-Pacific is leading a surge in the use of mobile devices as they play a more central role in people's lives and are on track to replace conventional computers, a top Google executive said Wednesday.
NREL helps 'supersize' butanol production
The idea of "supersizing" is no longer embraced when it comes to what we eat. But when it comes to creating renewable fuels, supersizing can be a very good thing.
Trade protectionism stifling IT sector: study
Big emerging markets led by China are increasing protectionist measures in the tech sector, hurting one of the most dynamic parts of the global economy, a US industry study said Wednesday.
New design reduces the areal footprint of nanowire transistors by a factor of two
Semiconductor chip makers first began the production of three-dimensional (3D) transistors in 2011. Engineers can pack more 3D transistors onto a single chip because they are much more compact than traditional transistors.
Solar plane to make second Morocco flight bid Thursday
Solar Impulse, the solar-powered aircraft that last week was forced to abandon a bid to fly across the Moroccan desert, will make a second attempt, said a member of the project team Wednesday.
Toyota stays lean to ride out strong yen and grow
(AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. has been hammered by the strong yen, putting extra pressure on the automaker to stay lean and come up with new innovations, but it is determined to ride out the challenge, a senior executive said Thursday.
Struggling BlackBerry maker begins job cuts (Update)
(AP) — Struggling BlackBerry maker Research In Motion said Wednesday it has started laying off employees as part of a restructuring plan aimed at saving about $1 billion this year.
Researchers create the first GPS for the blind
A new application for devices with Android operating systems, called OnTheBus, helps people find their way and move around in large cities. The application is based on universal design principles and is therefore useful for any person interested in travelling around a big city, and especially for people with visual, hearing or cognitive impairments.
Germany might miss electric car target, official says
Germany will miss its target of one million electric cars on its roads by 2020 without more incentives, the country's coordinator on electric transport policy warned on Wednesday.
PlayStation 3 consoles get free shooter game
Sony on Wednesday launched a shooter title PlayStation 3 (PS3) users can play in an unprecedented blend of hard-core console and free casual gaming.
Lexus tops auto quality study as industry improves
(AP) — Lexus makes the best-quality cars in the U.S., and automakers overall are much better at eliminating problems that land vehicles in the repair shop, according to a new survey of car owners.
Microsoft tablet to have little impact in 2012: analyst
Even with its highly publicized launch of a new tablet computer, Microsoft is expected to have little impact this year on the fast-growing market, a research firm said Wednesday.
Facebook and Yahoo! in patent fight truce talks
Facebook and Yahoo! are in patent war truce talks that could end a legal battle between the companies, according to court documents available online Wednesday.
Apple fined $2.29 mln over Australian '4G' iPad
Apple was Thursday fined Aus$2.25 million (US$2.29 million) for "deliberately" misleading Australian consumers about the local 4G capability of its latest iPad.
Asia's digital divide poses challenge for music industry
Technology is the new rock 'n' roll as smartphones and digital services transform the music industry. But for those companies helping change the way music is consumed, Asia presents big hurdles.
Internet life in spotlight at global TED gathering
The TED conference, known for taking an innovative look at cutting-edge issues, will delve into whether the Internet is making the world more open or closed at a gathering in Scotland on Monday.
Google sets out to save dying languages
Google has set out to save the world's dying languages.
Satellite battery could put Nittany Lion paw print in space
(Phys.org) -- On Feb. 3, 2006, astronauts tossed an old spacesuit off the International Space Station. Inside was a transmitter, a temperature sensor and some batteries.
'Brave' features hair-raising animations
Trying to curl hair into perfect spiral curls is difficult enough to do in real life but for the team of scientists and artists at Pixar the quest to create a wild mane of curls for Merida, the redheaded heroine of their latest film "Brave," may have sent them from innocent intrigue to full-blown obsession.
Solar plane starts new bid to fly over Morocco desert
The Swiss-made solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, took off early Thursday from Rabat airport in a fresh bid to cross the Moroccan desert, after being foiled by rough conditions last week.
Windows phones to miss out on new software
(AP) — As it struggles to gain a foothold against the iPhone and Android phones, Microsoft Corp. is planning to issue a dramatic update to its phone software, one that won't be available to current Windows Phones.
'Emulator' servers enable online game piracy
Authorities are discovering an increasing number of emulator servers, through which Internet users can illegally play pirated copies of popular online games.
Researchers advance biometric security
Researchers in the Biometric Technologies Laboratory at the University of Calgary have developed a way for security systems to combine different biometric measurements—such as eye colour, face shape or fingerprints—and create a learning system that simulates the brain in making decisions about information from different sources.
The pop that wasn't: Life after Facebook's IPO
(AP) — It's been a month since Facebook's IPO fell flat and in that time, the market for initial public offerings has collapsed.
Twitter sets off jitters as site goes down (Update)
A hacker group claimed credit Thursday for outages at Twitter after the company said it was affected by a "cascaded bug" which hit the wildly popular website.
UN aims at universal access to clean energy by 2030
UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday outlined plans at the Rio+20 summit to provide universal access to energy by 2030, with tens of billion of dollars in funding from business and investors.
The network's skeleton
(Phys.org) -- Sometimes the distinctive character of a whole resides in just a few of its parts, for example in particular forms and colours of a painting, in the most important ingredients of a dish, or in individual melodies of a symphony. This basic concept is also true of complex networks. Frequently, it takes only a few components to reflect the most important properties of the network. Now, for the first time, an international research team including the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation has developed a reliable method for simplifying complex networks in this way. The results will make it much easier to predict the course of global epidemics such as flu, SARS or EHEC, thereby creating conditions for mitigating their spread. This is attributed to the fact that the research team has shown how the new method allows them to reduce the network of all possible disease propagation paths to just the most important routes.
Toward super-size wind turbines: Bigger wind turbines do make greener electricity
In a study that could solidify the trend toward construction of gigantic windmills, scientists have concluded that the larger the wind turbine, the greener the electricity it produces. Their report appears in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Dutch court rules against Apple in Samsung case
A Dutch court ruled on Wednesday that Apple has infringed on a patent held by South Korean rival Samsung and ordered the US computer giant to pay an unspecified amount of damages.
Microsoft shows off Windows 8 for smartphones
Microsoft on Wednesday ramped up its push to regain ground in the precious mobile computing market by giving developers a "sneak peek" at new Windows software for smartphones.
Gamera II human-powered helicopter team sets new unofficial 35-second flight duration benchmark
(Phys.org) -- On June 20, students on the Gamera II human-powered helicopter team from the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering set a new, unofficial flight duration record of approximately 35 seconds. If verified by the National Aeronautic Association, this new time will supersede the team’s previous world record of 11.4 seconds set last July.
Work starts on fossil fuel free cargo ship set to transform shipping industry
Development is underway to design the modern world's first 100 per cent fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships.
Augmented reality browser Junaio has new look
(Phys.org) -- The new version of the augmented reality (AR) browser Junaio launched this week with more promise of easy immersive browsing with mobile devices. The idea is to merge via smartphone the vastness of the Internet into the real world, or to browse the world as one does the Internet. Metaio, the company behind Junaio, says the new release represents “the most advanced AR browser and open development platform.” The browser is designed to bring AR into the everyday world of experiences such as gaming, finding buildings, ordering off a restaurant menu, and walking in the right direction to the subway. Junaio was first released back in 2009 and has built up adoption among smartphone users and developers. Junaio uses have included scanning Quick Response (QR) codes, navigating environments, and discovering augmented content in print.
Researchers develop new method to measure influence and susceptibility in social networks
In a new paper, published today in Science, Sinan Aral, NYU Stern Assistant Professor of Information, Operations and Management Sciences, and his co-author Dylan Walker, a research scientist at Stern, present a new method to measure influence and susceptibility in social networks.
Tesla's new sedan will make or break the company (Update)
It's a make or break moment for electric-car maker Tesla Motors. Tesla has lost nearly $1 billion selling high-end electric sports cars to the likes of George Clooney. Now it's going to attempt to sell them to the rest of us — and try to make money doing so.
Daedalus catches cyber-attacks realtime
(Phys.org) -- Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has developed a national cyber-attack alert system that can render network attacks as visible in realtime. The system, announced earlier this month and showcased at Interop Tokyo 2012, is called Daedalus, standing for Direct Alert Environment for Darknet and Livenet Unified Security. The system views computers for any suspicious activity and if it spots an attack it can visualize its progression as it moves through the network. It sees how data flows through the network and looks for inconsistencies.
Engineers build 50 gigapixel camera
By synchronizing 98 tiny cameras in a single device, electrical engineers from Duke University and the University of Arizona have developed a prototype camera that can create images with unprecedented detail.
Renewables can fill 80 percent electricity demand in U.S. in 2050
(Phys.org) -- In the United States, renewable energy sources could supply 80 percent of electricity demand in 2050 just by using technologies commercially available today. That is the word from a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Renewable Electricity Futures Study (RE Futures). The report offers a detailed focus on the extent to which U.S. electricity needs can be supplied by renewable energy sources, including biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind.
Medicine & Health news
NHS productivity challenge would be 'undoable', says expert
Asking the NHS to find nearly £50 billion in efficiency savings would be "frankly undoable" says John Appleby, Chief Economist at the King's Fund, in an article published on BMJ website today.
Global collaboration aims to improve mother and newborn health
Researchers from across the world have joined forces to improve the quality of midwifery care and reduce maternal, newborn and infant mortality.
Mount Sinai is first in New York state to perform new Alzheimer's imaging test in clinical setting
The Mount Sinai Medical Center is the first institution in New York State to use in the clinical setting a newly approved imaging technique to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people who are cognitively impaired. Until now, physicians have been limited in their ability to diagnose AD, guided almost exclusively by a patient's mental and behavioral symptoms and family history. The innovative technique—recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is not only expected to play a critical role in the diagnosis of AD, but in drug research, and the design of clinical trials leading to a cure.
Time to act on COPD
As leading figures in respiratory health from across the globe gather in Birmingham for the COPD8 conference ahead of World Spirometry Day, the European COPD Coalition (ECC) is calling on policy makers across Europe to recognise that chronic diseases such as COPD, present as great a threat as the global financial crisis , and is urging collective action.
New treatment for childhood phobias
Australia’s leading support, treatment and research facility for anxiety and emotional disorders, the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University, is trialing a new treatment for childhood dog and spider phobias. This treatment approach could dramatically improve how psychologists treat anxiety disorders.
Study: 21 percent of newly admitted nursing home residents sustain a fall during their stay
One in five short-stay nursing home patients sustains a fall after their admission, and certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing is associated with decreased fall risk, according to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Improving life for those who suffer most from type 1 diabetes
A transplant procedure given only to those with Type 1 diabetes who pass out repeatedly from low blood sugar levels, or ‘hypos’, is likely to become much more effective as a result of a discovery made by a group of Australian researchers.
Many mysteries unsolved in binge-eating disorder
Although cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, as well as the anticonvulsant topiramate, can help patients who binge eat, a magic bullet for the disorder remains elusive.
Scientists publish research on breakthrough treatment for tonsil stones
The June edition of Ear, Nose & Throat Journal will include an article on a revolutionary new treatment that has been developed to treat tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths. Up until now, there has been no good treatment other than a tonsillectomy to get rid of tonsil stones for good. And, in some patients, tonsillectomy can lead to excess bleeding and complications.
Husband-wife team set out to improve breast cancer exams
One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
Food elimination diet identifies causes of difficulty swallowing and swelling of the throat
A six-food elimination diet significantly improves symptoms in adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. In EoE, eosinophils and other inflammatory cells cause inflammation of the esophagus in response to an allergic stimulus. Previously thought to be a rare disease, EoE has become one of the most common causes for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), heartburn and the sensation of "food stuck in the throat" in adults. Similar to children, this study has now shown that food allergens have a causative role in the majority of adults with EoE.
ASMBS: bariatric surgery helps resolve diabetic nephropathy
(HealthDay) -- For patients with diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery there is a significant long-term improvement in diabetic nephropathy, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, held from June 17 to 22 in San Diego.
Mother of world's first test tube baby dies in Britain
The British woman who gave birth to the world's first test tube baby has died aged 64, her family said on Wednesday.
Ethics should drive health policy reform, especially with physician-owned specialty hospitals
The ethical principles that have for centuries shaped the relationship between patient and physician should also guide legislators, regulators -- and justices of the highest court -- charged with crafting U.S. health care policies that demarcate the boundaries of a physician's business practice, an Indiana University professor argues.
Alcohol may be involved in up to 640,000 hospital admissions in England and Wales every year
Alcohol may be involved in up to 640,000 hospital admissions and nearly 2 million visits to emergency care departments in England and Wales every year, suggests research published online in Emergency Medicine Journal.
Traffic noise exposure associated with higher risk of heart attack
Exposure to traffic noise is significantly associated with heart attacks, according to research published June 20 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
CRN assesses current state of scientific research for nutritional supplements
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the dietary supplement industry's leading trade association, today released its comprehensive report, The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements (4th Edition). The updated book, which assesses the current state of the science on the health benefits associated with select nutritional supplements, finds consistent and adequate use of these products contributes to overall health and wellness throughout all age groups, lifestyles, and life stages.
Hepatitis B screening before chemo deemed cost-effective
(HealthDay) -- Universal hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening before chemotherapy for lymphoma reduces costs in most settings, according to a study published online June 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
ASMBS: bariatric surgery improves heart disease markers
(HealthDay) -- In addition to weight loss, over the long term, gastric bypass surgery improves biochemical cardiac risk factors, including an 80 percent drop in C-reactive protein, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, held from June 17 to 22 in San Diego.
As heat builds, take steps to protect yourself
(HealthDay) -- As the first major heat wave of the summer engulfs the continental United States, health experts are urging people to take special precautions when dealing with scorching temperatures and oppressive humidity.
US House sends drug bill to Senate for final vote
(AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a major bill affecting the Food and Drug Administration that will increase inspections of drug manufacturing facilities overseas, while also funding review of new drugs at home.
FDA panel unanimously backs Onyx cancer drug
(AP) — A federal panel of cancer specialists on Wednesday unanimously recommended approval of an experimental drug from Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. for patients with advanced blood cancer.
Older women more prone to workplace injuries: study
(Medical Xpress) -- Although the rate of workplace injuries in Canada has been declining over the past two decades, some workers – older women in health care, for example – are much more vulnerable to serious injuries, researchers at the University of British Columbia have found.
Can cannabinoid drug used for nausea in chemotherapy relieve sleep apnea?
(Medical Xpress) -- No drug treatments exist to treat sleep apnea, a disorder that affects more than 18 million Americans. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing are working to change that.
Report: Health care reform must be local, regardless of court decision
(Medical Xpress) -- Even with an imminent Supreme Court ruling on the health care overhaul law, it's still the primary care physician and the local community that will determine the path of true health care reform. That's the message from "Communities of Solution: The Folsom Report Revisited," a policy paper published online in the May/June issue of Annals of Family Medicine.
Scientists achieve milestone against deadly diseases
Investigators at the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, a multi-institutional collaboration, have determined their 500th pathogen protein structure since beginning in 2007. Scientists at the Computation Institute, a joint effort of the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, contributed more than 200 structures to the CSGID’s effort.
New platelet blocker reduces blood clots, artery-opening procedures
A new investigational platelet blocker reduces the rate of clotted arteries and the need for artery-opening revascularization procedures in the legs in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to new research presented in the American Heart Association’s Emerging Science Series webinar.
Hepatitis B and liver cancer among Asian Americans
(Medical Xpress) -- Liver cancer is expected to become more common in the United States in coming years. “It’s deadly and it’s preventable,” says UCSF physician and researcher Tung Nguyen, MD.
Infection spread: will breathing kill you?
(Medical Xpress) -- Travelling in a car with a person infected with the flu can mean your chance of getting sick is up to 99.9 per cent, a study from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) shows.
Supporting front-line hospital staff leads to safer and happier patients
Hospitals that use supportive management practices across diverse care providers and front-line staff are more likely to deliver quality patient care, according to a new study in Health Services Research.
Drug study shows clubbers have little interest in new wave legal highs
Clubbers show little interest in the subsequent wave of legal highs that have become available since mephedrone was banned, according to a new study published this week in QJ Medical Journal.
Autism Speaks provides strategies to help a child with autism shows difficult behaviors
Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today released An Introduction to Behavioral Health Treatments, Applied Behavior Analysis and Toilet Training parent's guides. These latest tool kits, all developed as part of the work of the Autism Treatment Network through its participation as the HRSA-funded Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), are available for free download on Autism Speaks Tool Kits webpage.
Study examines use of a natural language processing tool for electronic health records in assessing colonoscopy quality
A new study shows that natural language processing programs can "read" dictated reports and provide information to allow measurement of colonoscopy quality in an inexpensive, automated and efficient manner. The quality variation observed in the study within a single academic hospital system reinforces the need for routine quality measurement. The study appears in the June issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Exercise program improved health of lung transplant patients and cut cardiovascular risk
Lung transplant patients who took part in a three-month structured exercise program when they were discharged from hospital improved their health-related quality of life and reduced their risk of cardiovascular problems.
State budgets hinge on SCOTUS health ruling: UMD experts
Maryland and other states have a lot riding on the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), regardless of how the justices rule, University of Maryland experts say.
Low/moderate drinking in early pregnancy has no adverse effects on children aged 5: research
Low and moderate weekly alcohol consumption in early pregnancy is not associated with adverse neuropsychological effects in children aged five, suggests a series of papers published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. However, high levels of alcohol per week were linked with a lower attention span among five year olds.
Belimumab deemed safe for long-term lupus treatment
(HealthDay) -- For patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), long-term belimumab therapy combined with standard therapy is well tolerated, according to a study published online June 5 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Hemoglobin A1C inadequate for postpartum diabetes screening
(HealthDay) -- For postpartum women who have had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the hemoglobin A1c (A1C) test criteria alone or in combination with fasting glucose test criteria does not provide sensitive and specific diagnosis of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism compared with the gold-standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), according to a study published online June 11 in Diabetes Care.
Discount supermarkets tied to rising obesity rates
(HealthDay) -- People who shop at lower-cost supermarkets are more likely to be obese than those who shop at higher-priced stores, according to a new study.
Scientists lead rat race for better PET scan
Scientists in Australia have devised a method of scanning lab rats' brains as they scurry about freely, eliminating the need for anaesthesia or forced restraint, a report said Wednesday.
Asbestos and shift work boost work-related cancer deaths to over 8,000 a year
(Medical Xpress) -- Around 8,000 cancer deaths in Britain each year are linked to occupations - especially those where asbestos, diesel engine fumes or shift work is involved - a new study shows today. This equates to around 5 per cent of all cancer deaths in Britain.
What's your name again? Why it might not be your brain's ability but your lack of interest that causes a bad memory
(Medical Xpress) -- Most of us have experienced it. You are introduced to someone, only to forget his or her name within seconds. You rack your brain trying to remember, but can't seem to even come up with the first letter. Then you get frustrated and think, "Why is it so hard for me to remember names?"
Confusion can be beneficial for learning
(Medical Xpress) -- Most of us assume that confidence and certainty are preferred over uncertainty and bewilderment when it comes to learning complex information. But a new study led by Sidney D’Mello of the University of Notre Dame shows that confusion when learning can be beneficial if it is properly induced, effectively regulated and ultimately resolved.
Regional anesthesia reduces complications and death for hip fracture patients
In a study of more than 18,000 patients having surgery for hip fracture, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that the use of regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia, was associated with a significant reduction in major pulmonary complications and death. The new study will be published in the July issue of the journal Anesthesiology.
Study reveals how transcription factor EVI1 contributes to cancer development and tumor invasion
Since its discovery close to 25 years ago, the EVI1 gene has emerged as a major player in many different types of cancer, including leukemia and tumors of the breast, prostate and colon, among other organs. In the US, for example, there is a company called NanoOncology that was founded to develop drugs for blocking this oncogene. Yet, despite all the interest in EVI1, very few of the gene’s downstream targets are known.
Hugs from Mom and Dad, without the wires
(Medical Xpress) -- Anyone who has seen a newborn in a hospital NICU knows the image is shocking. Wires and electrodes designed to monitor vital signals such as heart rate, brain signals and blood oxygen levels are taped over the frail newborn’s head, face and body. Skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby that doctors say all newborns need to develop a sense of security and bonding becomes challenging, if not impossible. Parents seeing their precious baby this way may also feel terrified and helpless.
Creating a stink about traffic pollution
With the World Health Organization categorising diesel fumes as carcinogenic a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) scientist said if fumes had a stronger smell they would be easier to avoid.
Acute severe pain is common in sexual assault survivors in the early post-assault period, but rarely treated
Despite the fact that the majority of women presenting to emergency departments for care after sexual assault experience severe pain, very few receive pain treatment.
MicroRNAs link the pathways that control growth during animal development and in disease
Cellular mechanisms that enable healthy growth can spiral out of control and give rise to cancer. For this reason, signal transduction pathways that underlie cell growth are tightly regulated, with multiple checkpoints and extensive cross-talk in between signal cascades that drive cell division and differentiation. Stephen Cohen and co-workers at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have identified a new link between growth controlling microRNAs and this cellular circuitry.
Novel live-cell imaging technique offers new opportunities to understanding immune responses in the skin
Biologists often use a technique called multi-photon imaging to examine live cells. The technique is unique in that it uses multiple photons of high wavelengths to stimulate fluorescent labels, causing them to emit light. It is superior to more conventional fluorescence imaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy, as it has a higher spatial resolution and enables greater depth of penetration into tissues. Lai Guan Ng at the A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network and co-workers have extended the capability of multi-photon imaging further so that it can now be used to directly visualize immune responses in skin.
Study finds that assessments and incentives for medical faculty productivity improve research
(Medical Xpress) -- Strategies introduced to assess -- and reward -- the productivity of faculty at academic medical centers in the U.S. do improve faculty research productivity, according to a systematic review recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
I want to know where love is: Research develops first brain map of love and desire
Thanks to modern science, we know that love lives in the brain, not in the heart. But where in the brain is it – and is it in the same place as sexual desire? A recent international study is the first to draw an exact map of these intimately linked feelings.
Researchers, with stem cells, advance understanding of spinal muscular atrophy
Cedars-Sinai's Regenerative Medicine Institute has pioneered research on how motor-neuron cell-death occurs in patients with spinal muscular atrophy, offering an important clue in identifying potential medicines to treat this leading genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers.
Mind games: Mental exercises are key to better brain function
Go ahead - do it: Grab a pencil. Right now. Write your name backward. And upside down. Awkward, right?
Future reproductive outcomes for women who have had an ectopic pregnancy
Women who experience an initial ectopic pregnancy—when the embryo implants outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes—are less likely to conceive in the future and if they do, are at increased risk of having another ectopic pregnancy, but are no more likely than first time mothers to suffer complications in an ongoing pregnancy according to a study by a team of Scottish researchers published yesterday in PLoS Medicine.
Prenatal genetic test offers more information, raises questions
The latest advance in prenatal genetic testing purports to offer parents more detailed information than ever about the child they are expecting. But for some, the new answers could lead to another round of questions.
Weight-loss surgery cuts heart risk 7 years later: study
(HealthDay) -- Seven years after they underwent weight-loss surgery, patients as a whole fared better on several measurements of their risk of cardiac problems, a new study finds, and many returned to normal levels.
Indoor tanners rationalize risky behavior, study finds
(HealthDay) -- Young people who use tanning beds rationalize the risky behavior with statements like "everything causes cancer these days," a new study finds.
For combat vets, brain injury symptoms can last years
(HealthDay) -- Lingering symptoms from combat-related traumatic brain injuries -- even "mild" cases -- may persist for years, according to a new study of U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Few migraine sufferers referred for behavioral treatments
(HealthDay) -- Behavioral treatments can prevent migraines in some patients, but many migraine specialists aren't aware of this and don't refer people for therapy, a new study indicates.
Headaches worse with mild head trauma than more severe trauma
(HealthDay) -- People who've had a mild traumatic brain injury have more severe headaches and a greater number of headaches than those who've had moderate to severe brain injury, a new study finds.
Race might play role in success of weight-loss surgery
(HealthDay) -- Black women without diabetes lost about 10 percent less weight than white women after having a weight-loss procedure called gastric bypass surgery, but having diabetes helped increase their weight loss, a new study finds.
Sleep improves functioning in Parkinson's patients, but reasons remain elusive
Some Parkinson's patients report that their motor function is better upon awakening in the morning, which is contrary to what would be expected after a night without medication. This phenomenon, known as sleep benefit, has been studied but no consistent variables have been found and in the last decade there has been little new research. A new study, published in the June issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, assesses a large sample of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and confirms that some patients experience sleep benefit, both overnight and following afternoon naps, but finds no significant variables between those who do benefit and those who do not.
Double the pain: Biologists find the cause of pain in the treatment of fair skin cancer
Apply the ointment, light on, light off – that's how easy it is to cure various forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. However, the majority of patients suffer severe pain during the so-termed photodynamic therapy. Why the treatment with ointment and red light can be so painful has now been uncovered by researchers from the RUB. They identified the ion channels involved and signalling molecules secreted by the cancer cells.
Research provides clue to unexplained excited delirium deaths
The headlines are often filled with this scenario: a person displaying violent, bizarre and agitated behavior is subdued by law enforcement personnel and later dies in custody. It appears to be a case of police brutality – but is it?
Adolescents who have more than four meals a day are thinner
A study carried out in Spain reveals that certain healthy habits, like eating more than four times a day or not eating too fast, are associated with lower body fat levels independently of exercise habits during free time.
A non-antibiotic approach for treating urinary tract infections
A potential new approach for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) — which affect millions of people annually — without traditional antibiotics is being reported in ACS' Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. It involves so-called FimH antagonists, which are non-antibiotic compounds and would not contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance bacteria.
Online weight loss programs that feature successful dieters may help
(Medical Xpress) -- A Web-based program featuring successful strategies of others who have lost weight may be an effective strategy for weight loss, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Proposed drug may reverse Huntington's disease symptoms
With a single drug treatment, researchers at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine can silence the mutated gene responsible for Huntington's disease, slowing and partially reversing progression of the fatal neurodegenerative disorder in animal models.
Respect matters more than money for happiness in life
New research suggests that overall happiness in life is more related to how much you are respected and admired by those around you, not to the status that comes from how much money you have stashed in your bank account.
Periodontitis linked to HPV-positive head, neck tumors
(HealthDay) -- For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) there is an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumors among those with a history of periodontitis, according to a study published online June 18 in the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
U.S. teen pregnancy rate continues to fall
(HealthDay) -- The teen pregnancy rate in the United States dipped to its lowest recorded level since 1976, a new government report shows.
Molecule thought cancer foe actually helps thyroid tumors grow
A molecule widely believed to fight many forms of cancer actually helps deadly thyroid tumors grow, and cancer therapies now being tested in humans might boost the activity of this newly revealed bad guy, researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida say. Their findings are published online this month in the Journal of Cell Science.
Research shows new prognosis tool for deadly brain cancer
A diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is generally a death sentence, but new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison lab of Dr. John Kuo shows that at least one subtype is associated with a longer life expectancy. This discovery could help with better patient prognoses and lead to targeted drug treatments for GBM subtypes.
New drugs, new ways to target androgens in prostate cancer therapy
Prostate cancer cells require androgens including testosterone to grow. A recent review in the British Journal of Urology International describes new classes of drugs that target androgens in novel ways, providing alternatives to the traditional methods that frequently carry high side effects.
New study links healthy muscle mass to healthy bones, finds differences by gender
Researchers have long been aware that the progressive loss of muscle mass and bone density is a natural part of aging. But little work has investigated how muscle tissue affects the inner and outer layers of bone microstructure. A Mayo Clinic study looked at skeletal muscle mass and bone health across the life span and discovered distinct differences in how muscle affects the two layers of bone in men and women. The findings are published in the Journal of Bone & Mineral Research.
Europe tackles ethics of biobanks
Collections of human biological samples used in medical research should be governed by clear rules that safeguard ethics while advancing knowledge, scientists said Wednesday at a Council of Europe symposium.
Novel chemotherapy agent appears to be a promising pancreatic cancer treatment
A novel chemotherapeutic agent, the highly selective MEK1/2 inhibitor BAY 86-9766, may be a promising future treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), according to preclinical results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
High-fat/calorie diet accelerates development of pancreatic cancer
Study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21, strongly suggest that a diet high in fat and calories can hasten the development of pancreatic cancer in humans.
'Brain pacemaker' effective for years against Parkinson's disease
A "brain pacemaker" called deep brain stimulation (DBS) remains an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease for at least three years, according to a study in the June 2012 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Innovative, automated strategies to engage patients at home are key to improving health outcomes
In a Perspective piece published Online First this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania propose a multi-pronged approach to the new practice of so-called "automated hovering" that aims to improve patients' compliance with medication and dietary regimens and other positive health behaviors. These approaches combine newly discovered principles of behavioral economics that offer better ways to motivate patients to improve and protect their own health, technologies such as cell phones and wireless devices, and new reimbursement strategies for health care providers that require them focus more closely on patients' health outside of office visits and hospitalizations.
Drug combo much better than AZT alone at preventing mother-to-infant HIV transmission
Non-breastfed babies born to HIV-positive mothers who didn't receive antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy are routinely given zidovudine, commonly known as AZT, shortly after birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus that causes AIDS.
Findings provide guide to decisions on use of slings for women's prolapse surgery
A multicenter study involving a UT Southwestern Medical Center urogynecologist will eliminate some of the guesswork physicians face about whether to use a sling during vaginal prolapse repair to prevent urinary incontinence.
Long-term study identifies early predictors of sedentary behavior in children
In work published in the open access journal PLoS ONE today, more than 500 8 to 10-year-olds wore activity monitors providing Newcastle University and University of Strathclyde researchers with a very accurate picture of how little time children spent being physically active.
One in eight heart patients suffer post-traumatic stress disorder
One in eight people who suffer a heart attack or other acute coronary event experience clinically significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a meta-analysis of 24 studies led by Columbia University Medical Center researchers. The study also shows that heart patients who suffer PTSD face twice the risk of having another cardiac event or of dying within one to three years, compared with those without PTSD. The findings were published today in the online edition of PLoS ONE.
Apple peel compound boosts calorie burning, reduces obesity in mice
Obesity and its associated problems such as diabetes and fatty liver disease are increasingly common global health concerns. A new study by University of Iowa researchers shows that a natural substance found in apple peel can partially protect mice from obesity and some of its harmful effects.
Omega-3 lowers inflammation in overweight older adults
New research shows that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can lower inflammation in healthy, but overweight, middle-aged and older adults, suggesting that regular use of these supplements could help protect against and treat certain illnesses.
'Master molecule' may improve stem cell treatment of heart attacks
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that a single protein molecule may hold the key to turning cardiac stem cells into blood vessels or muscle tissue, a finding that may lead to better ways to treat heart attack patients.
Study shows role of cellular protein in regulation of binge eating
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have demonstrated in experimental models that blocking the Sigma-1 receptor, a cellular protein, reduced binge eating and caused binge eaters to eat more slowly. The research, which is published online in Neuropsychopharmacology, was led by Pietro Cottone, PhD, and Valentina Sabino, PhD, both assistant professors in the pharmacology and psychiatry departments at BUSM.
Children exposed to HIV in the womb at increased risk for hearing loss
Children exposed to HIV in the womb may be more likely to experience hearing loss by age 16 than are their unexposed peers, according to scientists in a National Institutes of Health research network.
Half of inner city children in deprived areas consuming fast food/drinks at least twice a week
Over half of inner city school-kids in deprived areas may be consuming fast foods/drinks at least twice a week, if the findings from one London borough are applicable elsewhere, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Controversial vaccine trial should never have been run in India, researchers say
Research published today in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine raises further questions about a trial of HPV vaccines in India.
Parents seen as critical stakeholders in expanding newborn screening
Parents must be considered when states decide to expand genetic screening programs for newborns, according to a new study that looked at mandatory testing panels and political pressure by advocacy groups.
Eating disorder behaviors and weight concerns are common in women over 50
Eating disorders are commonly seen as an issue faced by teenagers and young women, but a new study reveals that age is no barrier to disordered eating. In women aged 50 and over, 3.5% report binge eating, nearly 8% report purging, and more than 70% are trying to lose weight. The study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders revealed that 62% of women claimed that their weight or shape negatively impacted on their life.
Researchers uncover new tools for targeting genes linked to autism
UCLA researchers have combined two tools – gene expression and the use of peripheral blood -- to expand scientists' arsenal of methods for pinpointing genes that play a role in autism. Published in the June 21 online edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the findings could help scientists zero in on genes that offer future therapeutic targets for the disorder.
New delivery method improves efficacy of two common Parkinson's disease medications
A new delivery method for levodopa/carbidopa, a common dual-drug Parkinson's disease (PD) regimen, significantly improved the duration of the drugs' effectiveness in people with advanced PD, according to research by Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The new method is continuous delivery of an intestinal gel formulation of the therapies, which are traditionally taken orally. The study found that the continuous gel delivery reduced "off" time—when the medicine's effectiveness wears off—by an average of nearly two extra hours per day. The gel also improved "on" time without involuntary movements when patients enjoyed a good response, compared to people taking standard levodopa/carbidopa.
Quick-reversal method may be at hand for new blood thinner
(HealthDay) -- Newer blood-thinning drugs sometimes have one drawback: In cases where they trigger bleeding, their effects can be tough to reverse compared to the standard anticoagulant, warfarin.
Tumor-Infiltrating lymphocyte grade IDs melanoma survival
(HealthDay) -- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) grade is an independent predictor of melanoma-specific survival and sentinel lymph node (SLN) status in patients with localized primary cutaneous melanoma, according to a study published online June 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
AHS: changes in weather can trigger mild migraines
(HealthDay) -- For patients with migraines, 20.9 percent of incident mild headaches can be explained by temperature changes; and most red-wine-sensitive migraineurs do not experience migraine every time they drink red wine, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society, held from June 21 to 24 in Los Angeles.
Study links carcinogens to cancer stem cells -- but spinach can help
Researchers at Oregon State University for the first time have traced the actions of a known carcinogen in cooked meat to its complex biological effects on microRNA and cancer stem cells.
Pedicle breach rate 6.2 percent with 2D fluoroscopy
(HealthDay) -- A two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic technique is safe for percutaneous placement of pedicle screws during transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), with a pedicle breach rate of 6.2 percent, according to a study published online June 7 in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
Diabetes linked to increased cause-specific mortality
(HealthDay) -- Diabetes is linked with a significantly increased risk of death from many diseases, including specific cancers, in both men and women, according to a study published online June 14 in Diabetes Care.
Accuracy of melanoma detection up in specialized clinics
(HealthDay) -- From 1998 to 2007, the accuracy of melanoma detection improved in specialized but not non-specialized clinical settings, according to research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Alzheimer's blood test - a step forward
(Medical Xpress) -- Australian researchers have found biomarkers in the blood that could help develop a test to identify people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Distraction from negative feelings linked to improved problem solving
(Medical Xpress) -- Brooding, or excessive rumination over negative feelings, is known to interfere with important problem-solving abilities, while immediate distraction from those feelings can increase problem-solving capacity, according to new research by a University of Maine Department of Psychology faculty member and a colleague.
AMA: Health implications of light at night 'serious'
(Medical Xpress) -- The American Medical Association is acknowledging the growing evidence of health problems associated with exposure to artificial light, and is taking action that could lead to more government funding of research in this area.
Misidentified and contaminated cell lines lead to faulty cancer science
Modern cancer therapies start in cells – researchers compare cancer samples to healthy cells to discover how cancer is genetically different, and use cell lines to test promising new drugs. However, a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published this week in the journal Gynecologic Oncology shows that due to a high rate of contamination, misidentification and redundancy in widely available cell lines, researchers may be drawing faulty conclusions.
Repeated exposure to triclosan reduces virulence in S. aureus
Repeated laboratory exposures to triclosan reduced susceptibility to antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus, but probably not sufficiently to render commonly used antibiotics ineffective, according to a paper in the June 2012 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. It also generated less virulent, less fit “small colony variants” of the pathogen.
Researchers determine 3D structure of adeno-associated virus 9: Aim to boost gene therapy
A team of researchers led by the University of Florida, Gainesville, has determined the precise structure of a virus that has promise as a delivery vehicle for gene therapy. The research appears in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of Virology.
Blood test for pregnant women could predict risk of having dangerously small babies
Researchers from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) have found a protein in the blood of pregnant women that can predict if they are likely to have a fetus that doesn't grow properly, and thus has a high risk of stillbirth and long-term health complications. The research, led by Dr. Andrée Gruslin, could lead to a widely available blood test and could help develop ways for improving the outcomes of women and their children who face this risk — estimated to be as many as one of every 20 pregnancies.
A better way to help high-risk pregnant smokers
Cigarette smoking among drug dependent pregnant women is alarmingly high, estimated at 77 to 99%. Programs that treat pregnant patients for substance use disorders often fail to address cigarette smoking despite the clear risks to both mother and child, including ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, programs to help people quit smoking do not seem to interfere with drug abuse treatment, and may actually improve drug abstinence rates.
Enzyme offers new therapeutic target for cancer drugs
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have uncovered a new signal transduction pathway specifically devoted to the regulation of alternative RNA splicing, a process that allows a single gene to produce or code multiple types of protein variants. The discovery, published in the June 27, 2012 issue of Molecular Cell, suggests the new pathway might be a fruitful target for new cancer drugs.
Protein may be key to psoriasis and wound care
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder in which skin cells proliferate out of control. For some hard-to-heal wounds, the problem is just the opposite: Restorative skin cells don't grow well or fast enough. In a paper published in the June 21, 2012 issue of Immunity, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine describe a molecule that may lead to new treatments for both problems.
Researchers discover the cause of an inherited form of epilepsy
Researchers at McGill University have discovered the cause of an inherited form of epilepsy. The disease, known as double-cortex syndrome, primarily affects females and arises from mutations on a gene located on the X chromosome. Drs. Susanne Bechstedt and Gary Brouhard of the Department of Biology have used a highly advanced microscope to discover how these mutations cause a malformation of the human brain. The results of their study are published in the journal Developmental Cell.
Study explains functional links between autism and genes
A pioneering report of genome-wide gene expression in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) finds genetic changes that help explain why one person has an ASD and another does not. The study, published by Cell Press on June 21 in The American Journal of Human Genetics, pinpoints ASD risk factors by comparing changes in gene expression with DNA mutation data in the same individuals. This innovative approach is likely to pave the way for future personalized medicine, not just for ASD but also for any disease with a genetic component.
Study shows stagnating life expectancies in US
Despite modest gains in lifespan over the past century, the United States still trails many of the world's countries when it comes to life expectancy, and its poorest citizens live approximately five years less than more affluent persons, according to a new study from Rice University and the University Colorado at Boulder.
Multiple sclerosis patients have lower risk of cancer: research
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients appear to have a lower cancer risk, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Common blood pressure drug linked to severe GI problems
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered an association between a commonly prescribed blood pressure drug, Olmesartan, and severe gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities -- symptoms common among those who have celiac disease. The findings are published online today in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Researchers: Darwin's principles say cancer will always evolve to resist treatment
According to researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, cancer is subject to the evolutionary processes laid out by Charles Darwin in his concept of natural selection. Natural selection was the process identified by Darwin by which nature selects certain physical attributes, or phenotypes, to pass on to offspring to better "fit" the organism to the environment.
Parents -- not TV -- may determine whether kids are active or couch potatoes
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed what we knew all along – children in this country are increasingly sedentary, spending too much time sitting and looking at electronic screens.
Lab-engineered kidney project reaches early milestone
Regenerative medicine researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have reached an early milestone in a long-term project that aims to build replacement kidneys in the lab to help solve the shortage of donor organs.
Stopping and starting cancer cell cycle weakens and defeats multiple myeloma
Weill Cornell Medical College researchers have devised an innovative boxer-like strategy, based on the serial use of two anti-cancer drugs, to deliver a one-two punch to first weaken the defenses of multiple myeloma and then deliver the final knock-out punch to win the fight.
Task force recommends new lung cancer screening guidelines
A lung screening and surveillance task force, established by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and led by medical professionals from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), is strongly recommending new guidelines for lung cancer screening. The guidelines were published this week in the online edition of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (JTCVS).
Cancers with disorganized 'traffic systems' more difficult to treat: research
Medical researchers at the University of Alberta reviewed test results from thousands of patients with various types of cancer and discovered that "disorganized" cancers were more difficult to treat and consistently resulted in lower survival rates.
Research suggests new cause to blame for spinal muscular atrophy
Over 15 years ago, researchers linked a defect in a gene called survival motor neuron -- or SMN -- with the fatal disease spinal muscular atrophy. Because SMN had a role in assembling the intracellular machinery that processes genetic material, it was assumed that faulty processing was to blame.
Study examines the biology of tumor-derived microvesicles
A new paper by Crislyn D'Souza-Schorey, professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, discusses the biology of tumor-derived microvesicles and their clinical application as circulating biomarkers. Microvesicles are membrane-bound sacs released by tumor cells and can be detected in the body fluids of cancer patients.
Preventing or better managing diabetes may prevent cognitive decline, study says
Preventing diabetes or delaying its onset has been thought to stave off cognitive decline -- a connection strongly supported by the results of a 9-year study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the San Francisco VA Medical Center.
Child's scoliosis stresses patients, parents: study
(HealthDay) -- Having to wear a body brace for the treatment of scoliosis (curved spine) causes stress for teen patients and their parents, a new study finds.
IVC filters confirmed effective for patients at embolism risk
(HealthDay) -- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are safe for use in patients at higher risk for venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) while undergoing major spinal surgery, according to research published in the June issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
Roche probed over faulty drug-safety reporting
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche is under investigation over a failure to properly report adverse drug side-effects, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday.
Environmental estrogens affect early developmental activity in zebrafish
Chemicals in the environment that mimic estrogen can strongly influence the development of humans and other animals. New research to be presented at the 2012 International Zebrafish Development and Genetics Conference, held June 20-24 in Madison, Wisconsin, reveals that these substances may act even earlier than previously realized, at the very beginning stages of embryonic development.
First example of a heritable abnormality affecting semantic cognition found
Four generations of a single family have been found to possess an abnormality within a specific brain region which appears to affect their ability to recall verbal material, a new study by researchers at the University of Bristol and University College London has found.
The silent gorilla: Intense concentration leaves us 'deaf' to the world around us
(Medical Xpress) -- Concentrating closely on a conversation can leave us ‘deaf’ to other sounds, reveals Dr Polly Dalton from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Researchers find protein deposits linked to Alzheimer's disease behave like prions
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers from the University of California have found that a peptide that forms deposits in the human brain and is thought to be responsible for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, behaves in ways that are very similar to the way prions behave when propagating through mammalian neurological tissue. In their paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describing their research into the ways amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides form deposits, the team found that they propagate across brain tissue in much the say way prions do when causing ailments such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Opiates' side effects rooted in patients' genetics, study shows
Genetics play a significant role in determining which patients will suffer the most from the disturbing side effects of opiates, commonly prescribed painkillers for severe to moderate pain, according to a new Stanford University School of Medicine study, which pinpoints nausea, slowed breathing and potential for addiction as heritable traits.
Varying drug levels in the body could speed the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria
(Medical Xpress) -- Strains of bacteria able to resist multiple antibiotics pose a growing threat to public health, yet the means by which resistance quickly emerges aren’t well understood.
Researchers identify protein required to regrow injured nerves in limbs
A protein required to regrow injured peripheral nerves has been identified by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
All things big and small: The brain's discerning taste for size
The human brain can recognize thousands of different objects, but neuroscientists have long grappled with how the brain organizes object representation; in other words, how the brain perceives and identifies different objects. Now researchers at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) and the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences have discovered that the brain organizes objects based on their physical size, with a specific region of the brain reserved for recognizing large objects and another reserved for small objects. Their findings, to be published in the June 21 issue of Neuron, could have major implications for fields like robotics, and could lead to a greater understanding of how the brain organizes and maps information.
How humans predict other's decisions
Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI) in Japan have uncovered two brain signals in the human prefrontal cortex involved in how humans predict the decisions of other people. Their results suggest that the two signals, each located in distinct prefrontal circuits, strike a balance between expected and observed rewards and choices, enabling humans to predict the actions of people with different values than their own.
New breast cancer genetic alterations discovered
Breast cancer is not a single disease, but a collection of diseases with dozens of different mutations that crop up with varying frequency across different breast cancer subtypes. Deeper exploration of the genetic changes that drive breast cancer is revealing new complexity in the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide.
Gene sequencing project identifies potential drug targets in common childhood brain tumor
Researchers studying the genetic roots of the most common malignant childhood brain tumor have discovered missteps in three of the four subtypes of the cancer that involve genes already targeted for drug development.
Simple mathematical pattern describes shape of neuron 'jungle'
Neurons come in an astounding assortment of shapes and sizes, forming a thick inter-connected jungle of cells. Now, UCL neuroscientists have found that there is a simple pattern that describes the tree-like shape of all neurons.
For our guts, not just any microbiome will do
Gut bacteria's key role in immunity is tuned to the host species, researchers have found, suggesting that the superabundant microbes lining our digestive tract evolved with us—a tantalizing clue in the mysterious recent spike in human autoimmune disorders.
Genomics and African queens: Diversity within Ethiopian genomes reveals imprints of historical events
Researchers have started to unveil the genetic heritage of Ethiopian populations, who are among the most diverse in the world, and lie at the gateway from Africa. They found that the genomes of some Ethiopian populations bear striking similarities to those of populations in Israel and Syria, a potential genetic legacy of the Queen of Sheba and her companions.
Bird flu study published after US terrorism debate
(AP) — The second of two bird flu studies once considered too risky to publish was released Thursday, ending a saga that weighed concerns about terrorism against fears of a deadly global epidemic.
Avian flu viruses which are transmissible between humans could evolve in nature
It might be possible for human-to-human airborne transmissible avian H5N1 influenza viruses to evolve in nature, new research has found. The findings, from research led by Professor Derek Smith and Dr Colin Russell at the University of Cambridge, were published today, 22 June in the journal Science.
Immune system molecule HD6 weaves cobweb-like nanonets to snag Salmonella, other intestinal microbes
A team of researchers led by UC Davis Health System has found that human alpha-defensin 6 (HD6) – a key component of the body's innate defense system – binds to microbial surfaces and forms "nanonets" that surround, entangle and disable microbes, preventing bacteria from attaching to or invading intestinal cells.
Biology news
Animal architecture: Rescued bee colony gets new waterfront home
(Phys.org) -- A massive and thriving colony of bees living in an abandoned industrial site in Buffalo has been moved into a brand new home, designed for them by architecture graduate students in the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning.
CSU veterinarians offer tips for helping pets through trauma, disasters
Trauma affects animals much as it does people, say veterinarians at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, who offer tips on the importance of routines, including play time and meals, and such therapies as pet massage.
Nepal launches drones to combat poachers
Conservationists in Nepal are to send drone aircraft into the skies in the battle to save the Himalayan nation's endangered tigers and rhinos from poachers.
One of the enzymes known to regulate the cell cycle has now been shown to play a key role in mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is a member of the Cdk family of enzymes which control the cell cycle. Philipp Kaldis at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and co-workers have now shown that Cdk1 plays a critical role in cell division. Moreover, the researchers discovered that by inactivating Cdk production, they could prevent tumor formation in mice. The new finding may open up new avenues in the development of cancer drugs and treatment.
Black brant geese show lifetime relationship good for goose and gander
Not all birds mate for life, but for those species that do, wildlife biologists have found a clear benefit to the birds from such long-term relationships: greater longevity and breeding success, according to a study led by University of Nevada, Reno scientists that was recently published in Behavioral Ecology.
Preserved frogs hold clues to deadly pathogen
A Yale graduate student has developed a novel means for charting the history of a pathogen deadly to amphibians worldwide.
Turning down the dial: Ocean energy development with less sound
The rise of ocean infrastructure development to tap energy sources such as tides, offshore wind and natural gas will require more pile driving, the practice of pounding long, hollow steel pipes called piles into the ocean floor to support energy turbines and other structures. But pile driving creates loud, underwater booms that can harm fish and other marine animals.
Discovery increases understanding how bacteria spread
A University of Alberta researcher is moving closer to understanding how infection is caused by the spread of bacteria.
How cheetahs outpace greyhounds
Cheetahs are the high-performance sports cars of the animal kingdom, but how do they outstrip other elite athletes when using the same sprint technique? Penny Hudson, Sandra Corr and Alan Wilson from the Royal Veterinary College, UK, compared the performance of captive cheetahs and greyhounds and found that in addition to increasing their stride frequency, the cheetahs spend longer in contact with the ground, probably to protect their limbs from stress fractures at high speed.
N. Zealand's 'night parrot' brought back from the brink
Flightless, slow-moving and at times more sexually attracted to humans than their own species, it's small wonder New Zealand's kakapo parrot is on the verge of extinction.
Competition for grazing threatens rare zebra species
Five zebras roam the dusty Naibelibeli plains of this protected wildlife area in Kenya as a dozen camels, bathed in afternoon sunlight, feed on thorn trees.
From the mouths of monkeys: New technique detects TB
(Phys.org) -- Tuberculosis can be a serious threat to monkeys and apes. A new technique for detecting the tuberculosis -causing bacteria could help in protecting the health of primate populations. The method can spot TB even among infected primates that show no outward sign of disease, but are still capable of spreading infection to others of their kind.
Climbing out of hiding: With lizard's re-emergence, an opportunity for deeper understanding of evolution
As biological mysteries go, they don’t come much better than the proboscis anole.
Scientists: climate change is causing decline of specialised plant species
Climate change has impacted on upland plants and vegetation over the past half century, new evidence from north west Scotland has revealed.
Changing pigs' diets alters the gut microbiota
Including chicory in cereal-based diets of pigs results in profound changes in gut micro-environment, morphology, and microbial population of pigs, according to a study in the June 2012 Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Some of these changes were health-promoting, says principal investigator Jan Erik Lindberg of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Scientists engage Science in fisheries debate
Three Simon Fraser University scientists are engaging in a verbal battle with the federal government over its budget cuts and legislative changes in departments with environmental responsibilities, on a powerful stage.
Noisy environments make young songbirds shuffle their tunes
iPod owners aren't the only ones who frequently shuffle their favorite tunes. Baby songbirds do it, too, a new study shows.
Mother goats do not forget kids, recognize their voices a year after weaning
Mother goats do not forget the sound of their kids' voices, even a year after they have been weaned and separated, according to scientists from Queen Mary, University of London.
Agents of haemorrhagic fevers often change host
(Phys.org) -- Biologists at the University of York have helped to discover that one of the world's most infectious classes of disease – viral haemorrhagic fevers – can spread much more easily than previously thought.
Researchers rediscover toad thought to be extinct
(Phys.org) -- Researchers working for the Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka have obtained a specimen of the Kandyan dwarf toad (Adenomus kandianus) near a stream in a sanctuary in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Prior to its find the toad had been thought to be extinct as no reports of its existence had been published since its initial description in 1872 with further details added in 1876. The researchers describe their find in a paper published in the journal Zootaxa.
What a lark: Birds of a feather sing together
(Phys.org) -- The lyrebird is the reigning king of karaoke in the animal world, with not even the birds being mimicked always able to tell the difference between the lyrebirds and the real thing, researchers at The Australian National University have discovered.
An underground mozzie that postpones its blood feast
(Phys.org) -- A secretive and exotic species of mosquito, found across much of Australia, has revealed a new twist on the insect's famous 'blood-sucking' reputation to researchers at the University of Sydney.
Pesticides hit bumblebee reproduction
Scientists already knew that neonicotinoid pesticides, which affect insects' nervous systems, can alter bee behaviour, putting these vital pollinators, already threatened by habitat loss and disease, further at risk.
Trouble on the horizon for GM crops?
(Phys.org) -- Pests are adapting to genetically modified crops in unexpected ways, researchers have discovered. The findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring and countering pest resistance to biotech crops.
Melting sea ice threatens emperor penguins, study finds (w/ Video)
At nearly four feet tall, the Emperor penguin is Antarctica's largest sea bird—and thanks to films like "March of the Penguins" and "Happy Feet," it's also one of the continent's most iconic. If global temperatures continue to rise, however, the Emperor penguins in Terre Adélie, in East Antarctica may eventually disappear, according to a new study by led by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). The study was published in the June 20th edition of the journal Global Change Biology.
Out of the mouths of primates, facial mechanics of human speech may have evolved (w/ Video)
The throat and facial movements that twist the air pushing through your vocal cords into words could be rooted in the well-meaning expressions primates exchange with each other, according to two recent studies based at Princeton University.
Structure of RNAi complex now crystal clear
Researchers at the Whitehead Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have defined and analyzed the crystal structure of a yeast Argonaute protein bound to RNA. This complex plays a key role in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway that silences gene expression. Describing the molecular structure of a eukaryotic Argonaute protein has been a goal of the RNAi field for close to a decade.
Chimps self-medicate under human pressure
Chimpanzees living in small fragments of forest close by people and farm animals are turning in increasing numbers to natural remedies in an effort to deal with their stressful and disease-prone existence, a new study suggests.
Researchers solve mystery of long elephant pregnancy
(Phys.org) -- For years biologists have puzzled over how it is that elephants are able to maintain such long pregnancies, which typically run to nearly two years. While many theories have been tossed around, no one really knew. Now a team of researchers working out of research centers in Canada and Germany have finally solved the mystery. As they write in their paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, elephants are able to carry their young so long because they create more of the temporary glands that monitor hormone levels during ovulation and pregnancy.
Top predators key to extinctions as planet warms
Global warming may cause more extinctions than predicted if scientists fail to account for interactions among species in their models, Yale and UConn researchers argue in Science.
Study uncovers rice blast infection mechanism
Scientists at the University of Exeter have made a new discovery that they hope might lead to effective control of rice blast disease. Rice blast is the most serious disease of cultivated rice and affects all the rice-growing regions of the world, causing losses of up to 30% of the global rice harvest.
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