Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 12, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- A 'dirt cheap' magnetic field sensor from 'plastic paint': Spintronic device uses thin-film organic semiconductor- Rutgers granular-slip study documents voltage signals (w/ Video)
- Statistics show people more likely to die on their birthday
- Researchers create mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria
- Quantum computers could help search engines keep up with the Internet's growth
- Woolly mammoth extinction has lessons for modern climate change
- Sensordrone: Sensor-app gateway device turns to Kickstarter (w/ Video)
- Radiation-resistant circuits from mechanical parts can survive in space, damaged nuclear plants
- Badgers inspire 3D tracking tech
- FAIR: New German particle accelerator clears first hurdle
- Spotting ultrafine loops in the Sun's corona
- Selective and effective: silicon nanowires as photoelectrodes for carbon dioxide fixation
- Researchers create powerful new method to analyze genetic data
- WHO's cancer agency: Diesel fumes cause cancer
- US battery maker claims electric car breakthrough
Space & Earth news
Retention forestry now sparing trees and benefitting biodiversity worldwide
The management practice known as retention forestry, which involves deliberately leaving selected trees standing when wood is harvested, has spread to forests over much of the world and is bringing broad benefits to conservation, according to an assessment published in the July 2012 issue of BioScience. The study, by an international group of researchers headed by Lena Gustafsson of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, concludes that the practice can complement reserve-based conservation in landscapes with widely varying histories, by preserving the complexity associated with natural forests. This contrasts with the ecological simplification that usually results from traditional industrial forest management.
Squyres takes another plunge as a NASA aquanaut
(Phys.org) -- Mars scientist Steve Squyres is again learning to walk in space by diving into the sea as a NASA aquanaut.
Image: High Park fire, Colorado
(Phys.org) -- NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the High Park Fire in Colorado on June 10, 2012 at 2030 UTC (4:30 p.m. EDT) and captured this visible image of the thick pall of smoke blowing east, just north of Fort Collins.
Low-carbon farming takes root in Brazil's Amazon
Manoel Jose Leite, a small-scale organic farmer, is set to pioneer low-carbon agriculture in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, which for decades has been destroyed by expanding agribusiness.
One dead as wildfires rage in Colorado, New Mexico
More firefighters were called up on Tuesday to help fight a raging wildfire in the western US state of Colorado, which remains out of control and has claimed one life, officials said.
Why are some people greener than others?
Differences in attitudes and cultural values could have far-reaching implications for the development of a sustainable global society, according to an analysis to be published in the International Journal of the Sustainable Economy.
NASA's undersea mission submerges in the Atlantic
An international crew of aquanauts is settling into its home on the ocean floor, where the team will spend 12 days testing concepts for a potential asteroid mission. The expedition is the 16th excursion of the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO). The crew of four began its mission in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aquarius Reef Base undersea research habitat off the coast of Key Largo, Fla., at 11:04 a.m. EDT Monday.
Aquarius: Ocean salinity pathfinder celebrates one year in orbit
(Phys.org) -- It's been a busy first year in space for Aquarius, NASA's pioneering instrument to measure ocean surface salinity from orbit.
Satellite sees smoke from Siberian fires reach the U.S. coast
(Phys.org) -- Fires burning in Siberia recently sent smoke across the Pacific Ocean and into the U.S. and Canada. Images of data taken by the nation’s newest Earth-observing satellite tracked aerosols from the fires taking six days to reach America's shores.
Climate change will alter risks of wildfire worldwide, some shifts rapid, extensive
(Phys.org) -- A Texas Tech University climate scientist said climate change is widely expected to disrupt future fire patterns around the world, with some regions, such as the western United States, seeing more frequent fires within the next 30 years.
NASA Mars Rover team aims for landing closer to prime science site
(Phys.org) -- NASA has narrowed the target for its most advanced Mars rover, Curiosity, which will land on the Red Planet in August. The car-sized rover will arrive closer to its ultimate destination for science operations, but also closer to the foot of a mountain slope that poses a landing hazard.
NuSTAR to drop from plane and rocket into space
(Phys.org) -- NASA's NuSTAR mission is scheduled to launch from Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean on June 13, no earlier than 8:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT). The observatory, which will hunt for black holes and other exotic objects using specialized X-ray eyes, will be launched from a Pegasus XL rocket carried by an Orbital Science Corporation L-1011 "Stargazer" plane. The plane will take off from Kwajalein Atoll an hour before launch, flying out over the Pacific Ocean.
Climate change linked to unexpected 'blooms' under Arctic ice, research says
(Phys.org) -- Phytoplankton blooms unexpectedly occurring under Arctic sea ice are an indication of how climate change is affecting the Arctic ecosystem, says a study published in the June 8 issue of Science.
International team starts sea-based asteroid drills
An international team of aquanauts has begun training at a lab deep in the Atlantic Ocean for an eventual visit to an asteroid, NASA said.
Potential Iceland eruption could pump acid into European airspace
A modern recurrence of an extraordinary type of volcanic eruption in Iceland could inject large quantities of hazardous gases into North Atlantic and European flight corridors, potentially for months at a time, a new study suggests. Using computer simulations, researchers are investigating the likely atmospheric effects if a "flood lava" eruption took place in Iceland today. Flood lava eruptions, which stand out for the sheer amounts of lava and sulfurous gases they release and the way their lava sprays from cracks like fiery fountains, have occurred in Iceland four times in roughly the past thousand years, records indicate, the most recent being the deadly and remarkable eruption of Iceland's volcano Laki in 1783-84.
NASA tracks tiny Tropical Storm Guchol in western North Pacific
Tropical Storm Guchol appears as a small tropical storm on NASA satellite imagery as it tracks through the western North Pacific Ocean today, June 12, 2012.
Black hole growth found to be out of sync
(Phys.org) -- New evidence from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory challenges prevailing ideas about how black holes grow in the centers of galaxies. Astronomers long have thought that a supermassive black hole and the bulge of stars at the center of its host galaxy grow at the same rate -- the bigger the bulge, the bigger the black hole. However, a new study of Chandra data has revealed two nearby galaxies with supermassive black holes that are growing faster than the galaxies themselves.
Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer: research
Giant volcanic eruptions in Nicaragua over the past 70,000 years could have injected enough gases into the atmosphere to temporarily thin the ozone layer, according to new research. And, if it happened today, a similar explosive eruption could do the same, releasing more than twice the amount of ozone-depleting halogen gases currently in stratosphere due to manmade emissions.
How the Universe escaped its 'dark ages'
(Phys.org) -- An international team of astronomers have uncovered an important clue about how the Universe emerged from its ‘dark ages’ some 13 billion years ago. By looking at nearby galaxies, they can infer what may have happened to the first galaxies of our Universe.
Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behaviour
(Phys.org) -- A stunning discovery by Queensland University of Technology soil scientist Marek Zbik of nanoparticles inside bubbles of glass in lunar soil could solve the mystery of why the moon's surface topsoil has many unusual properties.
Spotting ultrafine loops in the Sun's corona
A key to understanding the dynamics of the sun and what causes the great solar explosions there relies on deciphering how material, heat and energy swirl across the sun's surface and rise into the upper atmosphere, or corona. Tracking the constantly moving material requires state-of-the-art telescopes with the highest resolution possible. By combining images from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and a new generation telescope called the New Solar Telescope (NST) at Big Bear Solar Observatory in Big Bear City, Calif. scientists have for the first time observed a new facet of the system: especially narrow loops of solar material scattered on the sun's surface, which are connected to higher lying, wider loops. These ultrafine loops, and their wider cousins may also help with the quest to determine how temperatures rise throughout the corona.
Technology news
Dutch man charged with stealing US credit cards
(AP) — After an investigation that stretched from a Seattle restaurant to Romania, a 21-year-old Dutch national pleaded not guilty Monday to federal computer hacking charges that include the theft of at least 44,000 credit card numbers.
A new system architecture speeds up the use of mobile phone applications
When a phone is used to scan a smart tag on a concert ticket, the band’s latest music video and interviews appear on the screen. Although the slow speed of data transmission in a phone network and high power consumption have hindered the use of such smart phone applications until now, downloading can soon be possible in just a few seconds. In his dissertation, Iiro Jantunen developed an open system architecture that transmits data from network to telephone at a faster rate.
Airlines, ticket firms battle over booking system
(AP) — A guaranteed aisle seat, special meals, access to the VIP lounge — and tickets to a musical?
Student's 'emergency stretcher' invention could prove a lifesaver
A portable rescue stretcher to allow firefighters to more easily haul unconscious or injured people out of danger has been designed by a University of Derby student - with input from a county fire service.
Peer-to-peer services are transforming the technology and business domains of the Internet
Peer-to-peer (P2P) services are emerging in mobile devices, such as smartphones, equipped with an Internet connection.
United Tech seeks $1 billion for Goodrich deal
(AP) — United Technologies is attempting to raise $1 billion to help finance its purchase of aerospace parts manufacturer Goodrich Corp.
Zynga shares tumble to fresh low on Facebook fears
Shares of the social media games maker Zynga plunged more than 10 percent Tuesday after an analyst note highlighted concerns about the impact on the firm of a shift to mobile Internet.
New Mac OS in July has social-network integration
(AP) — Next month, Apple will release its new operating system for Mac computers.
Apple kicks Google Maps off iPhone, adds Facebook
(AP) — Steve Jobs' vendetta against Google remains alive, eight months after the Apple co-founder died feeling betrayed by a company he once embraced as an ally.
Imec, Kaneka achieve breakthrough in developing next-generation heterojunction solar cells
(Phys.org) -- Kaneka and imec report a large area (6 inch semi-square) heterojunction silicon solar cell with a certified power conversion efficiency of 22.68% with an electroplated copper contact grid on top of the transparent conductive oxide layer. This breakthrough is achieved at Kaneka Osaka lab using Kaneka’s copper electroplating technology which is based on imec’s state-of-the-art copper electroplating knowhow.
Using nature to inspire robotics
Scientists looking to nature for inspiration in solving humanity’s problems gathered at Harvard Medical School (HMS) on Friday to learn how robotics is helping to improve medical care.
Kepler Telescope star data creates musical melody
Why stop at the dark side of the moon to make music when you can look thousands of light years into space? That's what a team of Georgia Tech researchers have done, using data from two stars in our galaxy to create sounds for a national recording artist.
UK reopens investigation into Google Street View
(AP) — Britain's Information Commissioner's Office is reopening its investigation into Internet search company Google over its disputed Street View program.
ComScore study says Facebook ads effective (Update)
(AP) — As investors question just how much Facebook is worth, a study from Internet research firm comScore suggests that marketing on the world's most populous online social network can help increase sales.
Apple enlists TomTom as Siri heads for cars
In-car navigation firm TomTom on Tuesday said it has inked a deal to provide map information to Apple, which a day earlier introduced its own mapping service for iPhones and iPads.
Amazon offers Cloud Player app for iPhone
Amazon on Tuesday released its music player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a move that expands the reach of the Internet retail giant for Apple users.
Solar-powered plane to fly to Moroccan desert
The Swiss sun-powered plane Solar Impulse is preparing to take off Wednesday from Rabat to southern Morocco's desert region in its first, and potentially dangerous, flight in a hot and arid climate.
PC maker Dell to pay dividends
Struggling computer maker Dell announced Tuesday it will use some of its cash stockpile to pay shareholder dividends as it pursues a shift to services.
Internet body to reveal claims to new online addresses
Participants in an Internet land rush will be revealed Wednesday when the agency in charge of website addresses discloses the list of applicants for domain names ranging from .web to .porn and beyond.
New app gives early warning of mean messages
Computer scientists have developed a mobile phone app that can predict the tone of incoming messages before a user reads them so that they are not caught off guard by angry or hostile words.
Internet 'trolls' face being named under new bill
Websites such as Facebook and Twitter will receive greater protection from lawsuits if they identify internet "trolls" accused of defaming others under a bill being debated in Britain's House of Commons on Tuesday.
Badgers inspire 3D tracking tech
(Phys.org) -- Technology originally developed to track badgers underground could soon be used to locate people in an emergency situation such as a bomb attack or earthquake.
US battery maker claims electric car breakthrough
A US manufacturer said Tuesday it had developed a new automotive battery which can perform in extreme temperatures, offering the potential to cut the cost of making electric cars.
Radiation-resistant circuits from mechanical parts can survive in space, damaged nuclear plants
University of Utah engineers designed microscopic mechanical devices that withstand intense radiation and heat, so they can be used in circuits for robots and computers exposed to radiation in space, damaged nuclear power plants or nuclear attack.
Sensordrone: Sensor-app gateway device turns to Kickstarter (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- A Kickstarter project aims to launch one keychain-fitting device for hundreds of sensor applications, a kind of “Swiss Army Knife of sensors.” Called Sensordrone, this is a device that turns your smartphone into a sensor-measuring device as well. Sensorcron is the company behind the Kickstarter project, which is inviting pre-orders now. The concept is to provide just one sensor accessory that can deliver data including temperature, humidity, and color intensity. Sensordrone will communicate the information it finds to the user’s handset via Bluetooth, at which point a Sensordrone-enabled app takes over.
Medicine & Health news
UK group: New embryo methods should be allowed
(AP) — An influential British bioethics group says that couples who face the risk of having a baby with certain genetic diseases should be allowed to use eggs from two women to produce the embryo.
National report on optimal use of vascular laboratory tests for patients with known or suspected arterial disease
(Medical Xpress) -- A new report issued today by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and developed in collaboration with 10 other leading professional societies provides detailed criteria to help clinicians maximize the appropriate use of certain noninvasive vascular tests when caring for patients with suspected or known non-coronary arterial disorders. Emile R. Mohler, MD, professor of Medicine and director of Vascular Medicine at Penn Medicine, chaired the national committee producing the criteria.
Mitochondrial technique is ethical
(Medical Xpress) -- An influential independent body has found that a pioneering mitochondrial transfer technique is ethical. Developed by a team at Newcastle University, the technique aims to prevent the transmission of maternally inherited mitochondrial disorders.
Doctors' advice for dad on Father's Day
(Medical Xpress) -- Father's Day brings to mind one of the most important things about being a good dad - staying healthy for his children's sake.
Zurich hosts dignity in death debate
Groups supporting the right to hasten dying will meet in Zurich this week for a global conference on assisted suicide, reigniting the debate on dignified death.
Study identifies main causes of unprofessional behavior among hospitalists
Unprofessional behavior among hospitalists is rare, but those who do behave poorly share common features, according to research published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Liposuction for the management of submental lymphedema in the head and neck cancer patient
Liposuction is a novel and minimally invasive procedure for treating persistent submental lymphedema in patients with previous head and neck cancer, according to an article published in the June 2012 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
A study shows that 'mosaicism' is gaining ground in cancer research
A study recently published in Nature Genetics provides new evidence that the genetic makeup of the embryo may cause the appearance of tumors in adult life. These results bear out the growing theory that some tumors may have an extremely early origin, tracing to the individual's embryonic development, while offering new clues to understand the genetic causes of certain kinds of cancer, and their prevention and treatment.
African-American couples have unmet needs when affected by prostate cancer
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that in African-American families where men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, they have unmet psychosocial needs that affect their survivorship, as well as family and social relationships.
Substance abuse librarians raise the alarm as libraries continue to close
Members of the Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists (SALIS) are calling for urgent action to halt the closure of specialist libraries and databases, before valuable resources and expertise are lost forever.
The first day of development -- a window to successful pregnancy
An article published in F1000 Biology Reports discusses recent important advancements in the development of alternative methods of embryo evaluation and selection that could lead to improvements in the reliability of IVF treatments.
Multi-center clinical study intensifies first strike at high-risk cancer in kids
An experimental treatment that combines intense chemotherapy with a radioactive isotope linked to synthesized neurotransmitter is being tested in newly diagnosed cases of high-risk neuroblastoma – a deadly, hard-to-cure childhood cancer.
Modern mice pose a challenge for medical research
The environment in which laboratory mice are reared can drastically alter the results of experiments and may have major implications for medical research around the world, according to new Australian data presented today at a meeting of The International Behavioral Neuroscience Society.
Smoking costs Indiana billions in productivity, health care
(Medical Xpress) -- As Indiana prepares for a statewide smoking ban on July 1, a new study from Ball State University finds that 21.2 percent of Hoosiers admit to regularly lighting up a cigarette, a habit costing the state nearly $2.6 billion in productivity losses and $2.2 billion in health care costs each year.
South Africa burn survivor gets cloned skin grafts
(AP) — A 3-year-old South African girl who suffered severe burns over 80 percent of her body after an accident at a family barbecue has successfully undergone a rare surgery in Africa that gave her a new layer of cloned skin, her surgeon said Tuesday.
Physicians, public health agencies need shared accountability to improve health outcomes
A first-time joint publication by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and the American Journal of Public Health highlights how the two sectors of public health and primary medicine intersect and the work ahead to achieve true integration. This special supplement complements the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) study released in late March, "Primary Care and Public Health: Exploring Integration to Improve Population Health (www.iom.edu/Reports/2012/Primary-Care-and-Public-Health.aspx)."
Clinical trials need to better protect participants and research integrity as data accumulate
An Essay by Susan Ellenberg from the University of Pennsylvania describes alternative approaches to the evaluation of clinical trials, with the objectives both of preventing undue risks to participants and protecting the integrity of data.
The challenges and opportunities of clinical trials in developing countries
Conducting more clinical trials in developing countries is of benefit because these populations are underrepresented in research, but doing trials in resource poor settings has many challenges. Research sites in developing countries benefit from working with externally sponsored clinical trials including increased capacity development and investment, but locally led research is also challenged by complex trial regulations and administrative burdens. These are some of the conclusions of an Essay by Trudie Lang and Sisira Siribaddana published in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Improving quality of care for sick children in Kenya is cost effective
A cost-effectiveness analysis conducted by Edwine Barasa of the Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Geographic Medicine Research, Nairobi, Kenya and colleagues estimates that a complex intervention aimed at improving quality of care for sick children in district hospitals would be affordable and cost effective in Kenya. The intervention consists of a package of care delivered in the form of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines dissemination, health worker training, job aids, follow-up supervision, and local facilitation by a nurse or diploma level clinician.
Illnesses in Colorado children's hospital prompts discovery of contaminated alcohol pads
A small cluster of unusual illnesses at a Colorado children's hospital prompted an investigation that swiftly identified alcohol prep pads contaminated with Bacillus cereus bacteria, according to a report in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The investigation ultimately led to an international recall of the contaminated products.
Many poor pregnant women with HIV go untreated for depression
It seems logical that programs to screen and manage depression in pregnant, HIV-positive Medicaid patients should already be in place, but they aren't.
Children with asthma marginalized in movies, researcher says
This summer, superheroes like Spider-Man, Batman, and even Snow White will showcase their staggering strengths on the big screen.
Soda wars fizz in New York after proposed ban
A soda war fizzed in New York on Tuesday as the city health department began to consider a proposal by health-conscious Mayor Michael Bloomberg to ban super-sized soft drinks.
Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation reduces pain, improves sexual pleasure
Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation (FGM) appears to reduce pain and restore sexual pleasure in women, according to the first large prospective trial to assess long-term outcomes of a new surgical technique published Online First in The Lancet. Over the past 10 years, between 130 and 140 million women worldwide have been subject to FGM.
Early menopause linked to increased risk of brain aneurysm
The younger a woman is when she goes through the menopause, the greater may be her risk of having a brain (cerebral) aneurysm, suggests research published online first in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.
Dental plaque may increase risk of premature cancer death
Persistent dental plaque may increase the risk of dying early from cancer, suggests an observational study published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Diabetes drug metformin may cut breast cancer risk in older women
(HealthDay) -- A widely prescribed drug, metformin, may lower the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with diabetes, a new study indicates.
Echocardiogram screenings are effective in preventing rheumatic heart disease
Routine screening with echocardiogram can detect three times as many cases of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as clinical examinations, offering a novel approach in preventing this common disease, according to a new study in Circulation. The study, conducted by cardiologists from Children's National Medical Center, is the largest single-population study in Africa. The August issue of Nature Reviews - Cardiology features a summary of the article in its Public Health feature.
With altered brain chemistry, fear is more easily overcome
Researchers at Duke University and the National Institutes of Health have found a way to calm the fears of anxious mice with a drug that alters their brain chemistry. They've also found that human genetic differences related to the same brain chemistry influence how well people cope with fear and stress.
Sleep apnea persisting into teens can impact life skills, study finds
The number of children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) declines as they enter adolescence, but the teen years can be a devastating trial of behavior and learning problems for kids with persistent OSA, new research shows.
PAP therapy improves depressive symptoms in all patients with sleep apnea
Patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center who used positive airway pressure (PAP) to treat their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had improvements in their depressive symptoms, even if they followed the prescribed PAP regimen only partly, a new study reports.
Two new studies show connection between sleepiness and pro-athlete careers
Coaches, owners and fantasy-league traders take note: Sleep researcher W. Christopher Winter, MD, has uncovered a link between a pro athlete's longevity and the degree of sleepiness experienced in the daytime.
Attitude towards age increases risk of dementia diagnosis
Our attitude towards our age has a massive impact on the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia. New research shows that when seniors see themselves as 'older' their performance on a standard dementia screening test declines dramatically; making them five times more likely to meet the criteria for dementia.
Health costs forcing more Americans to skip care: survey
One quarter of Americans report problems paying for medical bills, and more than half say they have skipped or cut back on health care due to the cost, according to a survey released Monday.
ADA: Hypo-hyperglycemia minimizer system feasible
(HealthDay) -- The hypoglycemia-hyperglycemia minimizer (HHM) system, which includes a continuous, subcutaneous insulin infusion pump, continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and software, is able to predict changes in blood glucose and adjust accordingly, and manipulate insulin delivery compared to corresponding basal rates, according to two studies presented at the American Diabetes Association's 72nd Scientific Sessions, held from June 8 to 12 in Philadelphia.
Knee injections for arthritis? Save your money, study says
(HealthDay) -- It's not good news for baby boomers with arthritic knees: Injections of hyaluronic acid have little effect on pain and no effect on function, according to a new analysis.
Newly recognized syndrome keeps patients from full recovery, researchers say
(Medical Xpress) -- University of Florida researchers have identified a medical condition they say keeps many intensive care, heart surgery and burn patients from recovering fully and returning home.
Nevirapine based treatment is effective in African women, but not optimal
(Medical Xpress) -- According to new research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), an anti-AIDS treatment regimen, which includes the WHO-recommended drug nevirapine, is just as effective at suppressing the HIV virus as lopinavir/ritonavir, which is more expensive. The study is published in the June 12 issue of PLoS Medicine.
Study explains fast tumor migration
(Phys.org) -- Bioengineering Professor Sanjay Kumar’s lab at the UC Berkeley today released major new research showing that tumor cells are able to migrate faster through confined spaces in the body.
Gamma rays in background radiation linked to childhood leukaemia
(Medical Xpress) -- A small but statistically significant link between risk of childhood leukaemia and the gamma rays we are all exposed to from our natural environment has been detected in a very large study led by Oxford University researchers.
Losing money, emotions and evolution
Financial loss can lead to irrational behavior. Now, research by Weizmann Institute scientists reveals that the effects of loss go even deeper: Loss can compromise our early perception and interfere with our grasp of the true situation. The findings, which recently appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience, may also have implications for our understanding of the neurological mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cancer: Kill the messenger
A small molecule developed at the Weizmann Institute prevents a cancer-causing message from entering the cell nucleus.
A father's love is one of the greatest influences on personality development
A father's love contributes as much — and sometimes more — to a child's development as does a mother's love. That is one of many findings in a new large-scale analysis of research about the power of parental rejection and acceptance in shaping our personalities as children and into adulthood.
Alcohol abuse may be cause, rather than effect of social isolation, poor grades among teens
Rather than gaining "liquid courage" to let loose with friends, teenage drinkers are more likely to feel like social outcasts, according to a new sociological study.
Naturally occurring protein has a role in chronic pain
Researchers in France and Sweden have discovered how one of the body's own proteins is involved in generating chronic pain in rats. The results, which also suggest therapeutic interventions to alleviate long-lasting pain, are reported in The EMBO Journal.
A century of learning about the physiological demands of Antarctica
In late 1911, British Naval Captain Robert F. Scott led a team of five Englishmen on their quest to be the first to reach the South Pole. Upon arrival they learned they had been preceded by a Norwegian team, led by Roald Amundsen (which had arrived more than a month before). Scott and his companions died during their journey home as a result of natural causes induced by the extreme physiological stresses they experienced. A century later, our understanding of the effects stresses have on the body, and how it reacts to severe exercise, malnutrition, hypothermia, high altitude, and sleep deprivation has greatly increased. A century after Scott's expedition to the bottom of the Earth, a paper published in the current edition of Physiological Reviews recaps present-day knowledge and contrasts it with the relative ignorance about these issues around the turn of the 20th century.
Avatars may help children with social anxiety overcome fears
A principal standing in the hallway says, "You are one of my favorite students!" In class, a smart girl says, "You are the nicest person in our class!"
CEEP report: Growing obesity epidemic among youth requires direct action by educators
(Medical Xpress) -- The problem of childhood obesity is getting worse across the nation and Indiana, requiring direct action by schools, parents and governmental leaders, according to a new policy brief from the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy at Indiana University. The brief, "Childhood Obesity and Nutrition Issues in the United States: an Update on School-Based Policies and Practices," details the most recent statistics outlining what many health experts denote as a growing obesity "epidemic."
Out of the shadows: Freeing families from mitochondrial inherited disease
(Medical Xpress) -- Mitochondrial inherited diseases (MIDs) can devastate families, but there is hope in the form of new techniques to prevent them passing from mother to child. Anjana Ahuja speaks to the researchers at the forefront of this research, and a family living with the reality of such a condition, to find out why change is so desperately needed.
Fruit flies reveal mechanism behind ALS-like disease
(Medical Xpress) -- Studying how nerve cells send and receive messages, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered new ways that genetic mutations can disrupt functions in neurons and lead to neurodegenerative disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Development of prosthetic hands stagnated for 20 years: study
The development of body-powered prosthetic hands has stagnated for over twenty years. That is the main conclusion of a study by researchers from TU Delft and the University of Groningen into this type of prosthesis, which is published in the American Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development.
Marker distinguishes more-aggressive from less-aggressive forms of chronic leukemia
Researchers have identified a prognostic marker in the most common form of chronic leukemia that can help to distinguish which patients should start treatment quickly from those who can safely delay treatment, perhaps for years.
What's the secret to living past 110?
Is there some secret that lets a human live past the age of 110? A research team collaborating with the University of Tokyo is betting it's in their genes.
Bacteria and people: In it together
Next time your digestive system malfunctions in some embarrassing way, you can always blame man's best friend - not the dog, but the bacterial cells that live in your intestines. Not everyone has a dog but we all have enormous communities of bacteria that help us digest food. They don't always do a perfect job, but without them we'd have a tough time surviving.
Learn two-step method of CPR to save lives
"Anyone can learn CPR - and everyone should!" proclaims the American Heart Association on its website.
Radiation exposure from medical imaging has increased even at HMOs
Concern about overexposure to radiation due to excessive use of medical imaging has come to the fore in recent years. Now, a study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Group Health Research Institute, shows that medical imaging is increasing even in health maintenance organization systems (HMOs), which don't have a financial incentive to conduct them.
Male doctors make $12K more per year than female doctors: study
Male doctors make more money than their female counterparts, even when factoring in medical specialty, title, work hours, productivity and a host of other factors, according to a comprehensive new analysis from researchers at the University of Michigan Health System and Duke University.
Study leads to introduction of rapid syphilis tests to help pregnant women and babies
Pregnant women are benefiting from new rapid tests for syphilis in six countries thanks to influential research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Policies needed to tackle inequalities in deaths from heart disease in England
Although improved treatment uptake for coronary heart disease in England has resulted in a dramatic fall in death rates over recent years, improvements in major risk factors vary substantially between richer and poorer people, according to a study by UK researchers in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Community-acquired MRSA cases on the rise in New York City, study suggests
Hospitalization rates in New York City for patients with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a potentially deadly bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment, more than tripled between 1997 and 2006, according to a report published in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Outdoor physical activity ups quality of life for teens
(HealthDay) -- Over a five-year period, adolescents in the highest tertile of physical activity have a higher health-related quality of life (QoL) compared with their less-active counterparts, while the converse is true for screen viewing time, according to a study published online June 11 in Pediatrics.
Capability of curry component to treat disease merits US patent
A U.S patent issued today to the University of Rochester and two other entities for the use of compounds related to a popular spice in the fight against cancer, acne, baldness, and other medical conditions.
ADA: Salsalate doesn't up endothelial function in T2DM
(HealthDay) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), treatment with salsalate does not improve endothelial function as measured by flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent dilation (FMD), although it is associated with lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and markers of inflammation, according to a study presented at the American Diabetes Association's 72nd Scientific Sessions, held from June 8 to 12 in Philadelphia.
Liquid glucagon formulation discovered for potential use in artificial pancreas systems
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Legacy Health have discovered a liquid glucagon formulation that may be useable in standard diabetes pumps. Such a formulation could broaden the use of glucagon to help prevent hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are treated with insulin. It could also open a path to future-generation artificial pancreas systems that dispense more than just insulin for optimizing glucose control.
Holy glycosylation! New 'bat signal' flags distressed cells in childhood genetic diseases
Just as Gotham City uses the Bat Signal to call for Batman's aid, a new tool developed by scientists from the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla, California, should serve as the cellular equivalent for children with glycosylation disorders, sometimes called "CDG syndromes." In a new report appearing online in The FASEB Journal, scientists describe how they used a green fluorescent protein to identify the presence of genes—known and unknown—associated with a wide variety of glycosylation-related diseases. By being able to identify exactly which genes are defective, researchers can develop treatments and therapies to correct the root causes of these diseases rather than merely treating the symptoms.
BYU engineers conceive disc replacement to treat chronic low back pain
In between the vertebrae of the human spine are 23 Oreo-sized, cartilage-filled discs that hold the vertebrae together and allow for spine movement.
Don't feel like exercise? Scientists find compound that may help you work out harder
As science rushes to develop safe weight loss drugs, a new research report approaches this problem from an entirely new angle: What if there were a pill that would make you want to exercise harder? It may sound strange, but a new research report appearing online in The FASEB Journal suggests that it might be possible.
Group B streptococcal meningitis has long-term effects on children's developmental outcomes
Parents of infants who survive bacterial meningitis caused by group B Streptococcus might have to live with the effects of the disease on their children long after they're discharged from the hospital.
Teaching autistic teens to cope
Teenagers with autism spectrum disorder are in a bind. The disorder is characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction, but it's a continuum, so some teens diagnosed with ASD are considered high functioning and healthy enough to be "mainstreamed" in school.
Older women should not take calcium, vitamin D: task force
(HealthDay) -- A leading U.S. government advisory panel has proposed that postmenopausal women not take low-dose calcium and vitamin D supplements daily to ward off bone fractures.
Modest health care spending rise expected for 2013: report
(HealthDay) -- Health care spending in the United States from 2011 to 2013 is expected to grow 4 percent, which is slightly more than the historic low of 3.8 percent in 2009, government officials said Tuesday.
C-section babies may be more likely to fail first hearing test
(HealthDay) -- Infants delivered by Cesarean section are three times more likely than babies delivered vaginally to fail their first hearing test, which is performed shortly after birth, new research from Israel finds.
Nature or nurture? It may depend on where you live
The extent to which our development is affected by nature or nurture – our genetic make-up or our environment – may differ depending on where we live, according to new research.
Cancer research unlocks 30-year genetic puzzle
(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at the University of Sussex have solved a 30-year genetic puzzle that could help enhance treatment for certain types of “inherited” cancers.
Alzheimer's risk gene disrupts brain function in healthy older women, but not men
A team led by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine has found that the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease disrupts brain function in healthy older women but has little impact on brain function in healthy, older men. Women harboring the gene variant, known to be a potent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, show brain changes characteristic of the neurodegenerative disorder that can be observed before any outward symptoms manifest.
Researchers create powerful new method to analyze genetic data
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have developed a powerful visual analytical approach to explore genetic data, enabling scientists to identify novel patterns of information that could be crucial to human health.
WHO's cancer agency: Diesel fumes cause cancer
Diesel exhaust causes cancer, the World Health Organization's cancer agency declared Tuesday, a ruling it said could make exhaust as important a public health threat as secondhand smoke.
Psychologists reveals how brain performs 'motor chunking' tasks
You pick up your cell phone and dial the new number of a friend. Ten numbers. One. Number. At. A. Time. Because you haven't actually typed the number before, your brain handles each button press separately, as a sequence of distinct movements.
When being scared twice is enough to remember
One of the brain's jobs is to help us figure out what's important enough to be remembered. Scientists at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University have achieved some insight into how fleeting experiences become memories in the brain.
Stem cells can be harvested long after death: study
Some stem cells can lay dormant for more than two weeks in a dead person and then be revived to divide into new, functioning cells, scientists in France said Tuesday.
Statistics show people more likely to die on their birthday
(Phys.org) -- Researchers studying mortality rates on over two million people over a forty year time span have found that statistically speaking, people are more likely to die on their birthday, than any other day of the year. Bumping the numbers are suicides by men, who apparently find the ultimate milestone a little too hard to bear. But those deaths aren’t enough to account for the overall fourteen percent increased likelihood that any given person will die on the same day of the years as the day they were born compared to any other day of the year.
Biology news
Madagascan community sets example of saving environment
With his hat pulled down low over his face, Mamy braved the autumnal winds and rain of the southern hemisphere to proudly point to a range of grey granite mountains in Madagascar.
Toxins produced by algae lead to deviant behavior and changes in brain activity in salmon
Salmon exposed to algal-produced neurotoxins show changes in both their brain activity and general behavior.
Dozens of dolphins stranded in Texas since fall
(AP) — The deaths of more than 120 dolphins off the Texas coast has prompted a federal agency to declare the event "unusual" and launch an investigation into whether they were related to a drought-related algae bloom or a more widespread mortality event that has plagued the northern Gulf of Mexico for two years.
Industrial music scares off pesky Sydney bats
A huge colony of fruit bats that live in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens are such a pest that desperate officials have taken to blaring industrial noise and banging sounds to scare them off.
Let it burn: Prescribed fires pose little danger to forest ecology, study says
(Phys.org) -- Fighting fire with fire has been given the green light by a new study of techniques used to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. And with a rise in wildfires predicted in many parts of the country, researchers say controlled burns and other treatments to manage this risk should be stepped up.
Living microprocessor tunes in to feedback
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) – tiny strands of non-protein-coding RNAs – start off as long strands of precursor miRNAs. These long strands get chopped up by a special kind of machinery, the "Microprocessor" complex, to transform them into their shorter functional form. The resulting miRNAs bind to messenger RNA (mRNAs) molecules, inhibiting their protein production capacity and thus regulating the levels of hundreds of different proteins.
Asiatic pear genome sequenced
The first sequencing of the Asiatic pear genome has recently been completed by an international consortium of seven worldwide universities and institutions including the University of Illinois.
Voicemail discovered in nature: Insects receive soil messages from the past
Insects can use plants as 'green phones' for communication with other bugs. A new study now shows that through those same plants insects are also able to leave 'voicemail' messages in the soil. Herbivorous insects store their voicemails via their effects on soil fungi. Researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and Wageningen University (WUR) discovered this unique messaging service in the ragwort plant. The influential journal Ecology Letters will soon publish these results.
Evaluation of microscopy techniques may help scientists to better understand ancient plants
In a paper published in PLoS ONE, scientists at the University of Illinois released their findings on what microscopy techniques are needed to identify the shape and texture of pollen grains. Understanding pollen morphology is important to classifying ancient vegetation.
The basic building blocks of life to be rethought after one discovered to be missing
(Phys.org) -- A gene thought previously to be present in all life on earth has been found to be missing in life near volcanoes.
Butterflies and bats reveal clues about spread of infectious disease (w/ Video)
(Medical Xpress) -- There's a most unusual gym in ecologist Sonia Altizer's lab at the University of Georgia in Athens. The athletes are monarch butterflies, and their workouts are carefully monitored to determine how parasites impact their flight performance.
Researchers create mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria
Mosquitoes bred to be unable to infect people with the malaria parasite are an attractive approach to helping curb one of the world's most pressing public health issues, according to UC Irvine scientists.
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