Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 19, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Copper fields: Quantum criticality in high-temperature cuprate superconductors- British group outlines plan for open-access publishing for publicly funded research papers
- Duolingo launches as crowdsourced translation service
- Quantum storage system with long-term memory
- Intel flirts with exascale leap in supercomputing
- Study describes molecular machinery that pulls apart protein clumps
- Paddle vs. propeller: Which competitive swimming stroke is superior? (w/ Video)
- Front-most part of the cortex involved in making short-term predictions about what will happen next
- Moving 3D computer model of key human protein is powerful new tool in fight against cancer
- Carbon scheme in danger of going up in smoke
- Hulk smash? Maybe not anymore: scientists block excess aggression in mice
- Scientists discover how key enzyme involved in aging, cancer assembles
- Oxygen 'sensor' may shut down DNA transcription
- Nissan and Nichicon team up to use Leaf battery to power home
- Population displacement during disasters predicted using mobile data
Space & Earth news
NASA selects low cost, high science Earth Venture space system
NASA has selected an ocean wind study proposal led by the University of Michigan from among 19 submitted to the agency's Announcement of Opportunity for small spaceflight investigations of the Earth system. The proposed mission will make accurate measurements of ocean surface winds throughout the life cycle of tropical storms and hurricanes, which could help lead to better weather forecasting.
Palm oil for India 'destroying Indonesian forests'
Surging demand for palm oil in India for cooking and everyday grocery items is driving tropical forest destruction in Indonesia, Greenpeace said Tuesday.
To ensure safety of offshore drilling and production, government should modify oversight practices
To ensure the effectiveness of recently mandated Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) programs for offshore drilling and production operations, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) should take a holistic approach that modifies some of its existing practices, says a new report from the National Research Council. These should include inspections, operator audits, bureau audits, key performance indicators, and a "whistleblower" program. The report emphasizes using cooperation and consultation to further develop a culture of safety.
In California oasis, ample water leads to waste
An oasis in the California desert, Palm Springs says it is committed to saving water -- but not before filling its swimming pools and tending to its dozens of verdant golf courses.
Poorest countries may adapt better to climate change
(Phys.org) -- The poorest societies may be more able to adapt to the threat that climate change poses to food supplies than their slightly richer peers.
Thawing permafrost increases fertility in subarctic peatlands
(Phys.org) -- A group of ecologists from Umea University's Climate Impact Research Centre (CIRC) and VU University Amsterdam have shown that thawing permafrost increases fertility in subarctic peatlands in northern Sweden. This increased fertility may have impacts on plant productivity and species composition. These findings were recently published in the journal Global Change Biology.
Put a seismometer in your living room
Back in the 1960s, Charlie Richter (PhD '28) installed a seismometer in his living room. It was bigger than his TV set, and it didn't go with the sofa, but it saved him a lot of late-night drives into the Seismo Lab and was a great conversation piece. Now, if you live in the Pasadena area, you can have one, too. Professor of geophysics Robert Clayton will send a wallet-sized seismometer to the first 1,000 volunteers with an Internet connection and a spare USB port. There is one small catch: you have to promise to leave your computer on 24/7.
ESA tests self-steering rover in 'Mars' desert
(Phys.org) -- ESA assembled a top engineering team then challenged them to devise a way for rovers to navigate on alien planets. Six months later, a fully autonomous vehicle was charting its own course through Chile’s Mars-like Atacama Desert.
Soil moisture climate data record observed from space
Soil moisture influences our climate. For the first time, long-term data for the whole world is now presented by ESA, the Vienna University of Technology and the Free University of Amsterdam.
2012 noctilucent cloud season begins
(Phys.org) -- Data from NASA's AIM spacecraft show that noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are like a great "geophysical light bulb". They turn on every year in late spring, reaching almost full intensity over a period of no more than 5 to 10 days--and the bulb is glowing. "They were visible to the north for about 3 hours as we flew between Ottawa and Newfoundland at 35,000 feet" said Brian Whittaker.
Scientists develop first satellite deforestation tracker for whole of Latin America
An international team of researchers in Colombia, the UK, USA and Switzerland have developed the first ever system to monitor deforestation across Latin America in near real-time using satellite data. Preliminary results from the new system reveal that in parts of Colombia, deforestation has increased by 340 per cent since 2004; and over a million hectares of forest have been lost in the Gran Chaco region of Paraguay.
Researchers calculate size of particles in Martian clouds of CO2 snow
In the dead of a Martian winter, clouds of snow blanket the Red Planet’s poles — but unlike our water-based snow, the particles on Mars are frozen crystals of carbon dioxide. Most of the Martian atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide, and in the winter, the poles get so cold — cold enough to freeze alcohol — that the gas condenses, forming tiny particles of snow.
Carbon scheme in danger of going up in smoke
(Phys.org) -- Australia’s carbon-pricing scheme is a world-leader and shows the way forward for other countries seeking to mitigate carbon emissions, says an expert from The Australian National University. However, political squabbling runs the risk of turning the world’s best carbon pricing scheme into the world’s shortest-lived.
Technology news
Top 5 manufacturers of tablet computers in 2011
In producing its own tablet computer called Surface, Microsoft Corp. is entering a market dominated by Apple Inc. Six out of every 10 tablets shipped are iPads, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.
US chemists Walgreens spends $6.7 bn on 45% of Boots
US-based Walgreens said on Tuesday was spending $6.7 billion (£4.3 billion, 5.3 billion euros) to take a 45-percent stake in European rival Alliance Boots to create the world's largest retail pharmacy chain.
Where to put nuclear waste? Yes to my back yard
Researchers in Finland have found that acceptance of the site of a spent nuclear fuel repository can depend on gender and economic background. Writing in the International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, the team reports that affluent men more often have a positive opinion on the location of such facilities than women or disadvantaged people.
Natural gas discoveries put E.Africa on world energy map
Massive offshore gas discoveries in East Africa are catapulting the region into a major player in the global energy arena, bringing billions in investment that could transform entire economies.
Facebook, GE launch Olympics app
(AP) — Facebook and General Electric launched an Olympics-themed app to get people to share health goals with their friends, from eating better to exercising.
Feds say design flaw led to US nuke plant woes
(AP) — Federal regulators said Monday that a botched computer analysis resulted in design flaws that are largely to blame for unprecedented wear in steam tubes at the San Onofre nuclear power plant, but it isn't clear how the problems can be fixed.
Oracle to buy back $10 billion more in stock
Business software giant Oracle on Monday shook off rumors of a looming management shake-up and announced plans to buy back an additional $10 billion in stock.
Air Canada makes its first biofuel flight
Air Canada's first-ever flight using biofuels headed from Toronto to Mexico City Monday, in an effort to showcase the aviation industry's global commitment to greener transportation.
Barnes & Noble 4Q loss narrows
(AP) — Barnes & Noble said Tuesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the company continues to invest in its Nook e-reader business.
Microsoft's long and tortured history in tablets
(AP) — For decades, the tablet computer was like a mirage in the technology industry: a great idea, seemingly reachable on the horizon, that disappointed as hopeful companies got closer. Microsoft has experienced this cycle of hope and disappointment many times.
Spotify offers free Internet radio in US
Internet music startup Spotify on Tuesday added a free radio service for iPhone or iPad users in the United States in a direct assault on locally loved Pandora.
With tablet, Microsoft takes page from Apple
With its new tablet computer, Microsoft is taking a page from Apple's playbook in an effort to control both hardware and software for computers, in a strategy which carries some risk, analysts say.
Google exec: technology wave leaving many behind
(AP) — Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt on Tuesday warned that vast numbers of the world's population are missing out on the advantages brought by the Internet.
US, Israel made Flame virus to thwart Iran: report
The United States and Israel collaborated to create the Flame computer virus as part of an effort to slow Iran's suspected nuclear weapons drive, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Making it easier to build secure Web applications
Two years ago, a fledgling social-networking site called Blippy accidentally posted the credit card numbers of its users online. While that was a particularly egregious example, such inadvertent information leaks happen all the time: In April, for instance, the Texas attorney general’s office sent civil-rights groups information on 13.1 million registered voters — including, accidentally, the complete Social Security numbers of many of them. Less than a month before, the city of Providence, R.I., accidentally released the Social Security numbers of nearly 3,000 former state employees to a local news organization.
Population displacement during disasters predicted using mobile data
(Phys.org) -- Using data supplied by a mobile operator, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that population movements after the 2010 Haiti earthquake followed regular patterns. This information can be used to predict beforehand the movements of people after a disaster, and thus improves chances for aid to be delivered to the right places at the right time.
Nissan and Nichicon team up to use Leaf battery to power home
(Phys.org) -- Recently Nissan announced its “Leaf to Home” technology, which is a device that attaches to a Nissan Leaf electric automobile allowing power to move both to the car’s battery and from it. Now Nichicon Corporation is announcing that it has built a device in partnership with Nissan, called the "EV Power Station" that takes power from the “Leaf to Home” device and makes it available to the home’s power system. In addition, it also serves as a charger for the Leaf, reducing the time it takes to charge the car’s battery from eight hours to just four.
Paddle vs. propeller: Which competitive swimming stroke is superior? (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- Two swimming strokes -- one that pulls through the water like a boat paddle and another that whirls to the side like a propeller -- are commonly used by athletes training for the Olympic Games. But elite swimmers and their coaches have long argued over which arm motion is more likely to propel an aquatic star toward a medal.
Internet rights champions call for US patent reform
Internet rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) on Tuesday launched a campaign to reform the US patent system, which it argued has been "weaponized" to attack inventors.
Duolingo launches as crowdsourced translation service
(Phys.org) -- A new website wants people to translate the Web for free. The reward is that the website seeks to help the same people doing the translating to learn the language, for free. Duolingo launched today as a new startup, the brainchild of a Carnegie Mellon project. University computer scientists Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker thought up this venture in translating languages on the web by having language students themselves translate it while they simultaneously learn a new language, as a combination free language education website and crowdsourced online translation service.
Medicine & Health news
Texas A&M awarded US biodefense contract
(AP) — The Texas A&M University System will be the home of one of three national biodefense centers to help the U.S. quickly develop vaccines in the event of a pandemic and strategies for responding to bioterrorism.
Vietnam law bans smoking in public
Vietnam has passed a law banning smoking in public places and all tobacco advertising, an official said Tuesday.
Coca-Cola not to blame for US obesity: CEO
Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent insists his company is not responsible for the rise in US obesity despite New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's recent moves to limit the consumption of sugary drinks.
Trial seeks to sniff out lung cancer
Cancer smells different. Past research has shown that dogs can detect lung cancer in a person’s breath with great accuracy. But dogs are tricky to use as a diagnostic tool; what does it mean when a dog barks once compared to barking twice?
Breaking sex education taboos in Africa to tackle AIDS
New research focusing on educating young people about sex and HIV/AIDS in Africa is using innovative techniques – such as ‘photo-voice’ and role-play – to discover what African children know about sex and where they learn it from.
Tracking America's physical activity, via smartphone
“We know that most Americans are too sedentary,” said Northeastern associate professor Stephen Intille, a founding faculty member of the university’s new Personal Health Informatics graduate program with dual appointments in the College of Computer and Information Science and Bouvé College of Health Sciences. “What we need is high quality information about what drives decisions about physical activity so we can design the next generation of health interventions.”
Coronary rehabilitation programs in Europe are underused
Large proportions of European coronary patients are not benefitting from cardiac rehabilitation services, according to results of the third EUROASPIRE survey published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.(1) Yet despite the evidence that cardiac rehabilitation is very effective for patients with coronary heart disease, this latest study shows that services in Europe are much underused, with poor referral and a low participation rate.
Psychopaths not all psychos
Jennifer Skeem’s research requires that she spend time inside the minds of individuals most of us try to avoid: psychopaths.
Researchers develop new drug that blocks traumatic memories
Understanding memory is still one of the greatest challenges in science. In recent years, no one doubted the role that neurons played in the formation of cerebral networks. A few years ago however, the scientific world turned to the study of astrocytes with more attention.
New review outlines screening strategies for osteoporosis in young adults
Much of the research defining osteoporosis and fracture risk has focused on older adults, i.e. postmenopausal women and men over the age of 50. While older adults are at highest risk of osteoporosis and related fractures, the disease can also affect younger adults between 20 and 50 years of age. However, the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in young adults is complicated by special challenges, including a complex pathophysiology and the related fact that there is no clear definition of osteoporosis, or of intervention thresholds, in this age group.
Nerve growth factors elevated in pancreatic cancer model
Severe pain is a major symptom of pancreatic cancer. The results of a new study show that four different factors involved in the growth and maintenance of nerves are elevated in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. This is a step forward in understanding the relationship between the development of pain and the progression of pancreatic cancer.
RLIP76 contributes to pancreatic cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy and radiation
Researchers at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center have not only identified a protein that allows pancreatic cancer cells to resist therapy but also developed a way to block it, according to results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference.
Does night work put women's health at risk?
Breast cancer is the number one cause of female mortality. It affects 100 out of 100,000 women per year in developed countries. Each year, more than 1.3 million new cases are diagnosed, 53,000 of these in France.
Detector of DNA damage: Structure of a repair factor revealed
Double-stranded breaks in cellular DNA can trigger tumorigenesis. Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich, Germany, have determined the structure of a protein involved in the repair and signaling of DNA double-strand breaks. The work throws new light on the origins of neurodegenerative diseases and certain tumor types.
Genetic marker in vitamin D receptor gene associated with increased pancreatic cancer survival
Pancreatic cancer patients with a genetic marker linked to increased expression of the receptor for vitamin D have higher rates of overall survival, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
New app lets Swedes test sex with friends, fantasy figures
Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep with a mean film director, a socialite or the guy who does voice-over in movie trailers, or perhaps with one of your Facebook friends?
Biomarker panel to screen for pancreatic cancer may be possible
The development of a highly accurate, blood-based pancreatic adenocarcinoma screen that would be accurate enough to test the general population for this deadly disease may not be far out of reach, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21, 2012.
Adding erlotinib to bevacizumab/chemoradiotherapy regimen for pancreatic cancer safe, tolerable
The addition of high doses of erlotinib to the treatment regimen of bevacizumab and capecitabine with radiotherapy seems to benefit patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, according to results of a phase I study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
Food industry needs more scrutiny from the public health community
In an editorial to launch a major new series on "Big Food," the PLoS Medicine editors and guest editors argue that the multinational food and beverage industry has a growing influence on the global health agenda and a major role in the obesity crisis, but that its activities have not been met with sufficient scrutiny or skepticism.
Private healthcare no more efficient, accountable or effective than public sector in LMICs
A systematic review conducted by Sanjay Basu of the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues re-evaluated the evidence relating to comparative performance of public versus private sector healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Reporting in this week's PLoS Medicine, the authors found that the studies they evaluated do not support the claim that the private sector is usually more efficient, accountable, or medically effective than the public sector; however, the public sector appears frequently to lack timeliness and hospitality towards patients.
Chronic kidney disease patients could be at similar levels of coronary risk to those who have previously had heart attac
Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease could be at as high a risk of coronary heart disease as patients who have previously had a heart attack, according to an article published Online First in the Lancet.
US focuses on toxic side effects with Onyx drug
(AP) — The toxic side effects of an experimental cancer drug from Onyx Pharmaceuticals may outweigh its benefits for patients with a type of blood cancer, federal health regulators said Monday.
46 million Americans lack health insurance: report (Update)
A total of 46.3 million people in the United States do not have health coverage, a trend that has been rising in the past 15 years, said a US survey published Tuesday.
Antibacterials in personal-care products linked to allergy risk in children
(Medical Xpress) -- Exposure to common antibacterial chemicals and preservatives found in soap, toothpaste, mouthwash and other personal-care products may make children more prone to a wide range of food and environmental allergies, according to new research from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
Chicago woman cured of sickle cell disease
(Medical Xpress) -- Chicagoan Ieshea Thomas is the first Midwest patient to receive a successful stem cell transplant to cure her sickle cell disease without chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant.
Patterns of brain activity in response of emotional faces may help diagnose bipolar disorder
(Medical Xpress) -- Software programmed to recognise patterns of activity in the brain could help doctors diagnose mental illnesses more accurately in the future, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust. In a study published in the journal ‘Bipolar Disorders’, researchers at UCL (University College London) showed that patterns of brain responses to happy faces and to neutral faces are different in people with bipolar disorder or unipolar disorder (major depressive disorder) and healthy individuals.
Alcohol use common in TV music videos
(Medical Xpress) -- An analysis of music videos on New Zealand television shows that the portrayal of alcohol is commonplace.
Short-term memory is more flexible than thought
(Medical Xpress) -- A theory that has been widely accepted for many years can be overturned: our short-term memory does not limit itself to remembering four to seven things at the same time. Groundbreaking research demonstrates that we can remember far more elements at once. However, the more we remember the poorer the quality of the information we retain. NWO researcher Dr. Ronald van den Berg and his supervisor professor Whee Ky Ma conclude this on the basis of various experiments. The researchers recently published their findings in the renowned scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Tea drinkers may be at greater risk of prostate cancer: study
(Medical Xpress) -- Men who are heavy tea drinkers may be more likely to develop prostate cancer, according to research from scientists at the University of Glasgow which is published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.
Study finds that single mothers can reduce stress by playing, engaging with children
(Medical Xpress) -- A group of three Kansas State University researchers is studying ways to help single mothers improve their relationship with their children.
Doctors pioneer heart surgery breakthrough
(Medical Xpress) -- The first trial of a treatment allowing doctors to insert a fully repositionable replacement heart valve without the need for open-heart surgery has been successfully conducted at a Melbourne hospital.
Blogging Relieves Stress On New Mothers
(Medical Xpress) -- New mothers who read and write blogs may feel less alone than mothers who do not participate in a blogging community, according to family studies researchers.
New method generates cardiac muscle patches from stem cells
A cutting-edge method developed at the University of Michigan Center for Arrhythmia Research successfully uses stem cells to create heart cells capable of mimicking the heart's crucial squeezing action.
People with mood disorders are more likely to be re-hospitalized
People with serious mental illness (SMI), such as bipolar and major depressive disorders, have increased mortality and physical illness and use greater health care resources than people without mood disorders.
Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer
High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual's birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
Health of Americans a mixed bag: CDC report
(HealthDay) -- There were both good and bad trends in the overall health of Americans in 2011, a new government report shows.
Could cannabis-derived medicine help type 2 diabetes sufferers?
In an article published in today’s issue of the Society of Biology’s magazine, The Biologist, GW Pharmaceuticals’ Director of Botanical Research and Cultivation, Dr David Potter, discusses how cannabis could be bred to provide raw starting material for a medicine to treat metabolic disorders.
Child welfare investigation predicts mental health problems in young children
A study published in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that young children who have been investigated for maltreatment by child welfare agencies have a higher prevalence of mental health problems and that very few receive treatment for those problems.
A new indicator for breast cancer relapse identified
Researchers at the IMIM (Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar) have proven that the absence of the 14-3-3 protein sigma in breast cancer cells is directly associated with these cells' capacity to activate the signalling of a protein complex called NF-kB, which is related to tumour progression. The activation of NF-kB in tumours was also identified as the best indicator for relapse in breast cancer patients, compared to other parameters currently used, such as the presence of affected ganglions or the tumour's size and degree. The investigators have also described a group of genes that are activated in breast cancer cells and that are also associated with a poor prognosis in other types of tumours.
Abnormal gene product associated with prostate cancer generated by unusual mechanism
Researchers have identified a potential new pathway in prostate cancer cells by which cancer-driving gene products can be generated, according to a study published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Inhibiting Hedgehog signaling pathway may improve pancreatic cancer treatment
Combining a new targeted therapy with standard chemotherapy may help defeat pancreatic cancer, according to results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
Long-term cancer survivors struggle to keep regular work hours
Long-term cancer survivors take sick leave more often than their disease-free colleagues, suggesting that they struggle at work despite their ability to work five years after diagnosis. These findings by Steffen Torp, from Vestfold University College in Norway, and colleagues is published online in Springer's Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
Physicians are biased when evaluating medical conflict of interest policies
Medical institutions have been under pressure to develop and implement policies to avoid conflicts of interest between physicians and pharmaceutical companies. In most cases, medical professionals who have a stake in the issues at hand craft the conflict of interest policies.
Study: Willingness to be screened for dementia varies by age but not by sex, race or income
The first study to examine the actual willingness of older adults to be screened for dementia has found that acceptance of screening is pervasive, although it varies by age. However, willingness to be screened for dementia does not differ by sex, race or income level.
Infants can't distinguish between large and small groups: study
Human brains process large and small numbers of objects using two different mechanisms, but infants have not yet developed the ability to make those two processes work together, according to new research from the University of Missouri.
Inhibitors of shuttle molecule show promise in acute leukemia
A novel family of experimental agents that blocks a molecule from shuttling proteins out of the cell nucleus might offer a new treatment for people with acute leukemia, according to a study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Leukemia inhibitory factor may be a promising target against pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, defying most treatments. Its ability to evade therapy may be attributable to the presence of cancer stem cells, a subset of cancer cells present in pancreatic tumors that drive tumor growth by generating bulk tumor cells. Cancer stem cells are notorious for their ability to resist traditional chemotherapies.
A combination of TH-302 and radiation reduced human pancreatic tumor growth in hypoxic xenografts
A combination of the prodrug TH-302 and radiation may provide an effective treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer, according to preclinical results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.
Tai Chi increases brain size, benefits cognition in randomized controlled trial of Chinese elderly
Scientists from the University of South Florida and Fudan University in Shanghai found increases in brain volume and improvements on tests of memory and thinking in Chinese seniors who practiced Tai Chi three times a week, reports an article published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Human insulin suppresses mosquito immune system: Increasing cases of type 2 diabetes could abet malaria's spread
Human insulin suppresses the mosquito immune system, according to a paper in the June Infection and Immunity. And while mosquitoes and malaria might seem to go together like baseball and hotdogs, mosquitoes' immunological resistance to the malaria parasite actually slows its spread among H. sapiens.
Giving makes young children happy, study suggests
If it is indeed nobler to give than to receive, it may also make you happier – even if you're a toddler, according to a new study co-authored by three psychologists at the University of British Columbia.
New study addresses barriers to physical activity counseling
Lack of time, knowledge and training in health promotion and lack of success with changing patient behavior were among the top barriers to including effective physical activity counseling in the primary care setting, according to research by The University of Texas School of Public Health, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).
Metformin treatment caused cancer stem cell death in pancreatic cancer cell lines
Results of some preclinical trials have shown that low doses of the antidiabetic drug metformin may effectively destroy cancer stem cells, a group of cells that are considered to be responsible for tumor initiation and, because they are resistant to standard chemotherapies, tumor relapse.
'Color blind' policies could make diversity harder to achieve
Whether it be growing concerns about bias or recognition of the value of diversity, many organizations and institutions have elected to deemphasize race or remove it entirely from their decision-making processes. Yet new evidence from psychological science research suggests that this color-blind approach may not be as effective as people believe it is.
Study finds HIV-positive young men at risk of low bone mass
Young men being treated for HIV are more likely to experience low bone mass than are other men their age, according to results from a research network supported by the National Institutes of Health. The findings indicate that physicians who care for these patients should monitor them regularly for signs of bone thinning, which could foretell a risk for fractures. The young men in the study did not have HIV at birth and had been diagnosed with HIV an average of two years earlier.
Resveratrol may be a natural exercise performance enhancer: researchers
A natural compound found in some fruits, nuts and red wine may enhance exercise training and performance, demonstrates newly published medical research from the University of Alberta.
Health IT expert says electronic medical records finally catching on
The U.S. Olympic Committee is converting to electronic medical records (EMRs) this month for hundreds of athletes who will be competing in London, as well as thousands of other athletes who have been seen by Olympic Committee doctors in recent years.
Study: No-fat, low-fat dressings don't get most nutrients out of salads
The vegetables in salads are chock-full of important vitamins and nutrients, but you won't get much benefit without the right type and amount of salad dressing, a Purdue University study shows.
Parents say that healthy eating is challenging for youth who play sports
The food and beverages available to youth when they participate in organized sports can often be unhealthy, according to a new study released in the July/August 2012 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. The findings were based on interviews with parents of players participating in youth basketball programs. Common food in youth sport settings were sweets (eg, candy, ice cream, doughnuts), pizza, hot dogs, ''taco-in-a-bag,'' salty snacks (eg, chips, cheese puffs, nachos), as well as soda pop and sports drinks. Parents also reported frequent visits to a fast-food restaurant (eg, McDonald's, Dairy Queen) when their children were playing sports. Parents told researchers they considered these to be unhealthy. Parents said their busy schedules getting to practices and games made them rely more on convenient, but less healthy, foods and beverages.
Lipid-related markers addition linked with slight improvement in cardiovascular disease prediction
Among individuals without known cardiovascular disease (CVD), the addition of certain apolipoproteins and lipoproteins to risk scores containing total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with slight improvement in CVD prediction, according to a study in the June 20 issue of JAMA.
Study finds significantly higher rate of untreated kidney failure among older adults
In a study that included nearly 2 millions adults in Canada, the rate of progression to untreated kidney failure was considerably higher among older adults, compared to younger individuals, according to a study in the June 20 issue of JAMA.
Dog-associated house dust protects against respiratory infection linked to asthma
House dust from homes with dogs appears to protect against infection with a common respiratory virus that is associated with the development of asthma in children. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, present their findings today at the 2012 General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
Asymptomatic rhinovirus infection outnumbers symptomatic infection 4 to 1 among university students
The common cold virus may be more common than previously thought in university students not reporting any symptoms. Rhinovirus, the virus responsible for the common cold was found at some point during an 8-week study period in an estimated 60% of university students that were asymptomatic. Researchers from Canada report their findings at the 2012 General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
The role of dopamine in sleep regulation
A group of Spanish researchers has discovered a new function of the neurotransmitter dopamine in controlling sleep regulation. Dopamine acts in the pineal gland, which is central to dictating the 'circadian rhythm' in humans—the series of biological processes that enables brain activity to adapt to the time of the day (that is, light and dark cycles). The researchers, from the CIBERNED (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas), dependant on the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Carlos III Health Institute, and from the Faculty of Biology of the University of Barcelona, publish their findings 19 June in the open-access journal PLoS Biology.
Soda companies' PR campaigns are bad for health: experts
Health advocates need to organize strong public health campaigns to educate the public and policymakers about the dangers of both sugary beverages and the misleading industry corporate social responsibility campaigns that distract from their products' health risks, according to US experts writing in this week's PLoS Medicine.
Germ-line BRCA1/2 testing recommended in ovarian cancer
(HealthDay) -- Due to the potential survival and treatment response implications of BRCA mutation status, it is recommended that germ-line BRCA1/2 testing be offered to all women diagnosed with nonmucinous ovarian carcinoma, regardless of family history, according to research published online June 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
More mental health woes in college kids who abuse prescription drugs
(HealthDay) -- Prescription drug abuse among American college students is linked to depression and suicidal thoughts, a new study finds.
Biologists take new approach to deciphering the roles of genes associated with autism
Fish cannot display symptoms of autism, schizophrenia or other human brain disorders. However, a team of MIT biologists has shown that zebrafish can be a useful tool for studying the genes that contribute to such disorders.
Gene clue to drug resistance in African sleeping sickness
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers have identified a gene that controls susceptibility to drug treatment in Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite responsible for African sleeping sickness.
Moving 3D computer model of key human protein is powerful new tool in fight against cancer
A picture is worth 1,000 words when it comes to understanding how things work, but 3D moving pictures are even better. That's especially true for scientists trying to stop cancer by better understanding the proteins that make some chemotherapies unsuccessful.
Hulk smash? Maybe not anymore: scientists block excess aggression in mice
Pathological rage can be blocked in mice, researchers have found, suggesting potential new treatments for severe aggression, a widespread trait characterized by sudden violence, explosive outbursts and hostile overreactions to stress.
Front-most part of the cortex involved in making short-term predictions about what will happen next
Researchers at the University of Iowa, together with colleagues from the California Institute of Technology and New York University, have discovered how a part of the brain helps predict future events from past experiences. The work sheds light on the function of the front-most part of the frontal lobe, known as the frontopolar cortex, an area of the cortex uniquely well developed in humans in comparison with apes and other primates.
Biology news
Photos of rare Amur tiger give hope to NE China's tiger recovery efforts
Photos of a rare Amur tiger, caught on film for the first time in Wangqing Nature Reserve in northeast China’s Changbai mountains, are giving hope to tiger recovery efforts in the region.
Treating mastitis in dairy cattle with vitamin D
A natural remedy that delays and reduces the severity of mastitis infection in dairy cattle is being investigated by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
European researchers crack embryonic stem cells mystery
European researchers discover that embryonic stem cell properties are impacted by the laboratory conditions used to grow them.
Sony announces the development of the 'Spectral' cell analyzer prototype
Sony Corporation today announced the development of ‘Spectral’ cell analyzer, its second ‘flow cytometer’ cell analysis instrument for the optical analysis of cells. Sony will also exhibit its prototype at ISAC (the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry) in Leipzig, Germany, from June 23 - 27.
Restoring streamside forests helps songbirds survive the winter in California's Central Valley
A new study by PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) and the National Aviary finds that restoring floodplain forests in the Central Valley of California helps songbirds survive through the winter, a finding previously substantiated only for summer nesting birds.
Prions can improve the health of fungal populations
(Phys.org) -- Prions, infectious agents composed of proteins with a specific misfolded and transmissible 3D structure that cuases diseases like BSE, can be present in fungal populations on a large scale, preventing the spread of fungal parasites and keeping the population relatively healthy. This remarkable discovery was published in this week’s edition of the scientific magazine PNAS by scientists from Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR. What makes the findings so extraordinary is that many scientists had previously assumed that prions had only a negative effect on the health of their ‘host’.
Schooling fish: Wild zebrafish assess risk through social learning
Sarah Zala and Dustin Penn from the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna investigated whether zebrafish use social learning to assess risk. They found that wild zebrafish, which are more timid than their domesticated counterparts, became emboldened after interacting with domesticated zebrafish. The opposite did not occur, however. The study is published in the current issue of the journal Animal Behavior.
An ant scientist's picnic: The highly diverse ant fauna of the Philippines
Intensive field work by researchers David General of the Palawan State University, The Philippines and Gary Alpert of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University has led to the discovery of nine genera of ants that had never been recorded before in the Philippines. Another two new genera were discovered by other researchers in a remote mountain region. The study was published as the 200th jubilee issue of the open access journal Zookeys.
Research identifies specific bacteria linked to indoor water-damage and mold
Bacterial contamination in water-damaged buildings has been identified as a potential cause of health problems, including infection and respiratory conditions like asthma. Which specific bacteria contribute to these problems, however, has been unknown—making it difficult for public health officials to develop tools to effectively address the underlying source of the problem.
Why environmental science, including human ecology, must drive Rio+20 talks
Twenty years ago, world leaders met at the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and agreed that rising income inequality, environmental destruction, and unchecked human population growth called for a radical shift in how nations approach economic development.
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