Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 26, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Better surfaces could help dissipate heat- Scientists find new primitive mineral in meteorite
- Researchers develop technique to focus light inside biological tissue
- Scientists spark new interest in the century-old Edison battery
- UCLA biologists reveal potential 'fatal flaw' in iconic sexual selection study
- Rewriting quantum chips with new laser technique
- Musical robot companion enhances listener experience (w/ Video)
- Rare case of gravitational lensing reported (Update)
- Immediate rewards for good scores can boost student performance
- Study reveals flu-fighting role for well-known immune component
- Nanodiamonds cut through dirt to bring back 'bling' to low-temperature laundry
- Tiny magnetic coils modulate neural activity, may be safer for deep-brain implants
- Toyota to expand eco-friendly tie-up with BMW
- Moderate coffee consumption offers protection against heart failure
- Glucose deprivation activates feedback loop that kills cancer cells: study
Space & Earth news
China's Hu praises astronauts for space advance
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday told the three astronauts aboard a space capsule they had pushed forward China's space programme, after they carried out the country's first manual docking.
Toxic legacy in Malaysia rare-earths village
Thirty years have passed since Japan's Mitsubishi Chemicals opened a rare-earths refinery in the Malaysian village of Bukit Merah, but although the plant is gone, its toxic legacy persists.
Caltech rover team wins second place in Robo-Ops Competition
After designing and building a four-wheeled remotely controlled rover, a team of Caltech students came away with second place in the RASC-AL Exploration Robo-Ops Competition at NASA's Johnson Space Center earlier this month. Despite a weather delay and some wayward sand, the robot operated as designed and managed to traverse different slopes and types of terrain in Johnson’s Rock Yard, picking up four rock targets and an "alien" during the one-hour roving portion of the competition.
Avoiding environmental costs of food production preferable to 'polluter pays' principle
Environmental problems can be tackled more effectively by means of the principle of 'seeking the cheapest way of avoiding costs' rather than the 'polluter pays' principle. This is one of the conclusions drawn in a study by Dutch LEI Wageningen UR examining ways of controlling the negative external effects of food production.
Storm researcher calls for new air safety guidelines
Aircraft turbulence guidelines should be completely rewritten after new research by Centre of Excellence chief investigator Dr. Todd Lane revealed thunderstorms could produce unexpected turbulence more than 100km away from storm cells.
Thailand delays decision on NASA use of air base
(AP) — Thailand will not meet a U.S.-imposed deadline for a decision on whether to allow the American space agency NASA to use a key air base for a climate study that critics fear could be a cover for military purposes.
Houston workshop marks key step in planning future Mars missions
A recent workshop conducted for NASA by the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, marked a key step in the agency's effort to forge a new Mars strategy in the coming decades. A report that summarizes the wide range of cutting-edge science, technology and mission concepts discussed is available online.
Terra satellite spots newborn Tropical Depression Doksuri in W. Pacific
Another tropical depression was born in the western North Pacific, and NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image of the newborn cyclone. Tropical depression Doksuri, known in the Philippines as Dindo, was born during the early hours of June 26, 2012 in the western North Pacific Ocean.
Image: Readying Orion for flight
(Phys.org) -- The NASA team at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has completed the final weld on the first space-bound Orion capsule. The Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) Orion will be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center for final assembly and checkout operations.
Now everyone can build a satellite like NASA -- online
(Phys.org) -- If you've ever wondered what it would be like to build a satellite to peer into a black hole and uncover its secrets, now you can find out thanks to a free new online game from NASA.
How fish food rises from ocean depths
Research by Flinders oceanographer Associate Professor Jochen Kaempf has shed new light on the movement of nutrient-rich water generated in coastal canyons, a process which makes a fundamental contribution to the marine food chain.
SETI on the SKA
Can the Square Kilometer Array - a network of thousands of radio antennas to be based in South Africa and Australia -- be used to hunt for extraterrestrial signals?
Mysterious noctilucent clouds as seen from the international space station
Mysterious “night shining” or noctilucent clouds are beautiful to behold, and this stunning image offers an unusual view of these clouds as seen by astronauts on board the International Space Station. Also called polar mesospheric clouds, these clouds are puzzling scientists with their recent dramatic changes. They used to be considered rare, but now the clouds are growing brighter, are seen more frequently, are visible at lower and lower latitudes than ever before, and sometimes they are even appearing during the day.
Water in a changing world: Experimental watershed provides new insights, rich educational experience
Six years and about 4,000 water samples later, an outdoor experimental watershed laboratory established by University of Delaware faculty members Shreeram Inamdar and Delphis Levia at Fair Hill, Md., is now producing valuable data and novel insights into how water and chemicals move through the forest canopy, soils and watersheds, and how future climate change may impact or alter such responses.
Argonne scientist works to contain mercury, protect fish
(Phys.org) -- If Bhoopesh Mishra had to pick a favorite food it would be seafood. Any type of seafood. Anytime. So when as a postdoctoral scholar he had a choice to pick a research topic, his taste buds had their say.
'Rock clock' survey helps Tristan da Cunha residents prepare for next volcanic eruption
Scientists at the University of Glasgow, the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the British Geological Survey (Edinburgh) have used an advanced rock-dating technique to help residents of the remote volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha make better plans to evacuate in the event of an eruption.
Astronomers use supercomputer to explore role of dark matter in galaxy formation
From Earth, observers use telescopes to look and learn about the distant luminous spheres. But the telescope often isn't the only instrument used. Karl Gebhardt, professor of astrophysics at The University of Texas at Austin and one of the principal investigators for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) project, makes revolutionary discoveries about dark matter by combining deep-space observations with the powerful Lonestar supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC).
NASA measuring Tropical Storm Debby's heavy rains from space
Tropical Storm Debby continues to be a big rainmaker in Florida and southern Georgia and NASA's TRMM satellite has measured those rainfall rates from space, showing where heavy rain has fallen.
US court upholds agency's global warming rules
(AP) — A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld the first-ever U.S. regulations aimed at reducing the gases blamed for global warming, handing down perhaps the most significant decision on the issue since a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases could be controlled as air pollutants.
New book looks at hotspots around the world for mega-quakes
(Phys.org) -- At the beginning of 2010, Oregon State University geologist Bob Yeats told a national reporter that Port au Prince, Haiti, was a "time bomb" for a devastating earthquake because of its crowded, poorly constructed buildings and its proximity to the Enriquillo Fault.
Lab-on-a-chip detects trace levels of toxic vapors in homes near Utah Air Force Base
A lab-on-a-chip technology that measures trace amounts of air contaminants in homes was successfully field-tested by researchers at the University of Michigan.
NASA satellites see wildfires across Colorado
Nearly half of the United States' airborne fire suppression equipment was operating over Colorado on June 25, 2012, CNN reported, as tens of thousands of acres burned. Fires raged in southwestern Colorado, northeastern Colorado, and multiple locations in between.
Maths formula leads researchers to source of pollution
The leaking of environmentally damaging pollutants into our waters and atmosphere could soon be counteracted by a simple mathematical algorithm, according to researchers.
Tell-tale El Nino signal detectable 18 months ahead
(Phys.org) -- The origins of the El Niño climatic events that usually bring extended hot, dry conditions to much of Australia are detectable up to 18 months beforehand, a new study has found.
Radio galaxies in the distant universe
(Phys.org) -- For over a decade astronomers have been probing a region of the northern sky, not far from the handle of the Big Dipper, that is relatively free of bright stars and the diffuse glow of the Milky Way. The scientists want to take advantage of the clarity of the sky there to peer beyond our galaxy to study remote galaxies in the distant universe. This region, about half the angular size of the full moon, is now known to have over 50,000 galaxies.
Hubble views the globular cluster M10
(Phys.org) -- Like many of the most famous objects in the sky, globular cluster Messier 10 was of little interest to its discoverer. Charles Messier, the 18th century French astronomer, cataloged over 100 galaxies and clusters, but was primarily interested in comets. Through the telescopes available at the time, comets, nebulae, globular clusters and galaxies appeared just as faint, diffuse blobs and could easily be confused for one another.
Researchers create the most detailed map ever of an underwater lava flow
(Phys.org) -- Axial seamount, 480 kilometers (300 miles) off the coast of northern Oregon, is one of the best-studied underwater volcanoes in the world. For 30 years, researchers have explored this volcano using submersibles and monitored its activity using pressure sensors, tilt meters, temperature probes, and seismometers (earthquake detectors). Now MBARI researchers have created the world's most detailed map of an underwater lava flow, showing lava that erupted from Axial Seamount during April 2011. They describe this mapping effort and related geological discoveries in a recent paper in Nature Geoscience.
Rare case of gravitational lensing reported (Update)
(Phys.org) -- Seeing is believing, except when you don't believe what you see. Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have found a puzzling arc of light behind an extremely massive cluster of galaxies residing 10 billion light-years away. The galactic grouping, discovered by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, was observed as it existed when the universe was roughly a quarter of its current age of 13.7 billion years.
Scientists find new primitive mineral in meteorite
In 1969, an exploding fireball tore through the sky over Mexico, scattering thousands of pieces of meteorite across the state of Chihuahua. More than 40 years later, the Allende meteorite is still serving the scientific community as a rich source of information about the early stages of our solar system's evolution. Recently, scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) discovered a new mineral embedded in the space rock—one they believe to be among the oldest minerals formed in the solar system.
Technology news
Sheryl Sandberg joins Facebook board
The woman known for her powerful place at the side of Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Monday took a seat on the leading social network's board of directors.
British police use smartphone App to snare rioters
British police on Tuesday loaded almost 3,000 images onto a smartphone App and invited the public to help them identify people suspected of taking part in last year's London riots.
Russian opposition leader's Twitter gets hacked
(AP) — Hackers broke into a prominent Russian opposition leader's Twitter and email accounts, sending his followers abusive messages.
Atomic time for the Raspberry Pi
A blog post on DesignSpark - an online community for electronic engineers - has described how the Raspberry Pi mini computer can be synchronised with NPL's atomic time scale via the MSF Radio Time Signal.
Condition of bridges, nuclear power plants or roller-coasters monitored with a new system
Researchers are developing an intelligent system to monitor the condition of valuable structures automatically, at times even in real time. The system has the ability to alert users of damage.
Managing floods on nature's terms
Mathematical models describing the interaction between water flow, vegetation and sediments in river basins are being developed at Aalto University. The hydraulic models will be used to create a basis for natural, environmentally friendly flood management.
NXP ships LPC11U30 USB microcontrollers with 128 KB flash
NXP Semiconductors today announced the LPC11U30 series of easy-to-use, very low-power USB microcontrollers based on the ARM® Cortex-M0 processor. Available immediately from major distributors worldwide, the LPC11U30 extends memory options for the award-winning LPC11U00 family with up to 4 KB of EEPROM, 12 KB of SRAM and 128 KB of NXP’s embedded flash with 256 bytes of erase sector. With extra-low active power consumption as low as 110 uA/MHz, the LPC11U30 microcontrollers are ideal for USB 2.0 applications requiring large memory sizes for local storage such as gaming mice and keyboards, glucose meters, and remote-controlled toys.
Epson develops new low-power-consumption real-time clock modules
Seiko Epson Corporation today announced development of the RX-4035SA/LC and RX-8035SA/LC real-time clock modules - units designed to be compatible with primary batteries, secondary batteries, capacitors (one type of storage cell) and various other power sources. The company plans to begin accepting orders for these new products from the end of July. Volume production is slated to commence for the RX-8035SA from August, and for the RX-4035SA/LC and RX-8035LC from October.
Graph500 adds new measurement of supercomputing performance
(Phys.org) -- Supercomputing performance is getting a new measurement with the Graph500 executive committee’s announcement of specifications for a more representative way to rate the large-scale data analytics at the heart of high-performance computing.
National Research Council presents long-term priorities for US nuclear physics program
Nuclear physics is a discovery-driven enterprise aimed at understanding the fundamental nature of visible matter in the universe. For the past hundred years, new knowledge of the nuclear world has also directly benefited society through many innovative applications.
News Corp. confirms it's considering split in 2
(AP) — Under pressure to limit contagion from the British phone hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. confirmed Tuesday that it is considering splitting into two publicly traded companies.
Ex-UK minister: Don't adopt French privacy laws
(AP) — A former British government minister brought down by a tabloid kiss-and-tell has told the country's media ethics inquiry that adopting French-style privacy laws would be a mistake.
CEO Interview: Zynga's Mark Pincus, unleashed
(AP) — Mark Pincus — the other Mark of Silicon Valley — helped usher in the Facebook era with catchy games that got people clicking on virtual cows and building virtual cities while staying on Facebook for hours on end.
Facebook draws user ire with email switcheroo
(AP) — In yet another change that upset users, Facebook has replaced the email addresses users chose to display on their profile pages with (at)facebook.com addresses.
No mere flight of fancy: Engineering professor working on experimental plane that could transform air travel
As a child, Robert Liebeck loved tinkering with model airplanes. The UC Irvine adjunct professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering is still at it — but now he's working on a much different kind of model, one that could revolutionize air travel.
Scientist finds telltale noise in altered photos
(Phys.org) -- University at Albany Computer Scientist Siwei Lyu and colleagues, working in partnership with the New York State Center for Information Forensics and Assurance (CIFA), have identified a new method using “noise” to authenticate digital photography. The research is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Making GPS-like localization work indoors
You’re in a hurry. You’ve rushed to the nearest shopping mall during your lunch hour, looking for one item, one item only. It’s a five-minute task, except for finding the store with the right item—and you’re not familiar with the location of the store. Uh-oh.
UK banking software glitch delays payments, bills
(AP) — A British banking group says it has almost fully cleared up a weeklong banking glitch which delayed posting credits and debits to millions of customers with its NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland accounts.
New loo turns poo into power
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a new toilet system that will turn human waste into electricity and fertilisers and also reduce the amount of water needed for flushing by up to 90 per cent compared to current toilet systems in Singapore.
Marine energy doubled by predicting wave power
The energy generated from our oceans could be doubled using new methods for predicting wave power. Research led by the University of Exeter, published (27 June) in the journal Renewable Energy, could pave the way for significant advancements in marine renewable energy, making it a more viable source of power.
24 nabbed in US-led cybercrime finance sting
At least 24 people were arrested in the United States and abroad in a US-led sting operation targeting cyber criminals buying and selling stolen credit card information, officials said Tuesday.
Earnings Preview: Struggling RIM reports for 1Q
(AP) — Research In Motion Ltd. will release first-quarter results after markets close on Thursday as the BlackBerry maker faces the most difficult period in its history.
Americans moving to mobile Internet: survey
A growing number of Americans use their mobile phones to access the Internet, and some use that as their only device to get online, a survey showed Tuesday.
Zynga building hub for mobile gadget game play
Social games star Zynga on Tuesday celebrated its fifth birthday a week early with a peek at a platform designed to let people play with each other no matter what gadgets they use.
Toyota to expand eco-friendly tie-up with BMW
Toyota Motor is expanding a tie-up with Germany's BMW on hybrid and fuel-cell vehicle technology as the global automakers push further into the "green" market, a report said on Monday.
Google to talk tablets, TV, social and more
Google is expected to show off a new champion in the tablet computer wars this week as it courts developers whose fun, hip or functional programs are vital to Internet gadgets or services.
MIT's Media Lab develops 'Infinity-By-Nine' immersive video projection system (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- Daniel Novy and V. Michael Bove of MIT's Media Lab have developed a new way to create a more immersive viewing experience for movie watching or even game playing. Called "Infinity-By-Nine" the system consists of a computer, wall and ceiling panels and a ceiling projector. Together they enrich the viewing experience by adding an enhanced form of ambient lighting, using sampled content, to the viewer’s peripheral vision, causing the viewer to feel more drawn into whatever is happening onscreen.
EBay to power new data center with fuel cells
(Phys.org) -- Proving that it’s serious about becoming greener, EBay has announced that a new data center being built in Utah will run entirely on fuel cells, a move that other giants in the technology sector have been hesitant to take. Currently, those companies using fuel cells to power their data centers use them as a supplemental source of power, clearly worried about relying on a still new and in some ways unproven technology.
Google team: Self-teaching computers recognize cats
(Phys.org) -- At the International Conference on Machine Learning, which starts today in Edinburgh, participants will hear about Google’s results after several years’ work at their big idea laboratory, Google X. Computers can teach themselves to recognize cats. The neural network had successfully taught itself on its own to identify these animals. The team of scientists and programmers, in their paper titled “Building high-level features using large scale unsupervised learning,” describe how they trained computers on a dataset of 10 million images, each with 200x200 pixels.
Cyber attacks hit global banks for $80 mn: study
A wave of cyber attacks has likely stolen at least $80 million from bank accounts in Europe, the United States and elsewhere, a security report said Tuesday.
Researchers develop technique to focus light inside biological tissue
Imagine if doctors could perform surgery without ever having to cut through your skin. Or if they could diagnose cancer by seeing tumors inside the body with a procedure that is as simple as an ultrasound. Thanks to a technique developed by engineers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), all of that may be possible in the not-so-distant future.
Scientists spark new interest in the century-old Edison battery
Stanford University scientists have breathed new life into the nickel-iron battery, a rechargeable technology developed by Thomas Edison more than a century ago.
Medicine & Health news
Safety fears and agism denying care home residents right to consensual sex
Concerns about safety, and ageism, are needlessly denying elderly care home residents what is often one of their few remaining pleasures - the right to consensual sex - say specialists in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Stress link to Alzheimer's goes under the spotlight
Chronic stress is being investigated in a new Alzheimer's Society funded research project as a risk factor for developing dementia.
EVINCI results could lead to 75 percent reduction of invasive procedures for patients with suspected CAD
Preliminary findings from the EVINCI study show that the prevalence of "significant" coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain symptoms is lower than expected in Europe. In as much as 75% of this population an accurate non-invasive screening could avoid unnecessary and costly invasive procedures. The three year multicentre European trial will define the most cost effective strategy for diagnosing patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
Better, faster, free medical care for Olympians
(AP) — Olympic athletes used to speed won't be disappointed if they need medical treatment during the London Games, organizers say.
Developing novel biomarkers to predict Alzheimer's disease
Scientists from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland have recently discovered a serum biochemical signature which predicts progression to Alzheimer's disease months or even years before the first symptoms of the disease occur. The goal of the new collaboration between VTT and GE Healthcare is to validate this biomarker in a large patient cohort as well as to discover novel biomarker candidates.
Experts say protocols for identifying endocrine-disrupting chemicals inadequate
In a Statement of Principles unveiled today, The Endocrine Society proposes a streamlined definition for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and offers recommendations that will strengthen the ability of current screening programs to identify EDCs.
New invasive imaging technique to monitor brain function
A new video article in JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments, describes a novel procedure to monitor brain function and aid in functional mapping of patients with diseases such as epilepsy. This procedure illustrates the use of pre-placed electrodes for cortical mapping in the brains of patients who are undergoing surgery to minimize the frequency of seizures. This technique, while invasive, provides real-time analysis of brain function at a much higher resolution than current technologies.
US trying out free rapid AIDS test at drugstores
(AP) — U.S. health officials have set up a $1.2 million pilot program to that will offer free rapid HIV tests at pharmacies and in-store clinics in 24 cities and rural communities in hopes that testing for the AIDS virus will become another routine service along with blood pressure checks and flu shots.
Roche closing US site in 2013, cutting 1K jobs (Update)
(AP) — Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG said Tuesday it will close its former U.S. headquarters, a sprawling facility where the groundbreaking drugs Valium and interferon were invented.
Who has power over food?
Addressing the twin crises of malnutrition around the world—hunger and obesity— demands that we ask who has power over food, rather than question just the mere presence or absence of food. This is the argument of Raj Patel, activist, author of Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System and fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Development Studies, in a new Essay in PLoS Medicine this week, which says that "understanding hunger and malnutrition requires an examination of what systems and institutions hold power over food," including the role of gender and the importance of food sovereignty.
EEG test to identify autism in children
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has recently increased to one in 100. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine demonstrates that EEG can distinguish between children with autism and neurotypical controls. Autistic children showed a reduction in short range connectivity indicating poor function of local brain networks, especially in the left hemisphere regions responsible for language. However these children had increased connectivity between regions that were further apart indicating a compensatory mechanism.
Stillbirth rate twice as high among least well off in England
The rate of stillbirths in England is twice as high among the least well off as it is among the most affluent, shows research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Prenatal exposure to common household chemical increases risk for childhood eczema, study says
Prenatal exposure to a ubiquitous household chemical called butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) can increase a child's risk for developing eczema, according to research conducted at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health.
Genetic heart diseases may be responsible for unexplained stillbirths
Genetic researchers have made an important step towards resolving the mystery of the causes of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), or stillbirth, where a baby dies in the womb after the 14th week of gestation. IUFD is responsible for 60% of perinatal mortality and occurs in about one in every two hundred pregnancies in Europe. Up to half of these stillbirths are unexplained. Now scientists from Italy, Germany, and the US have found that up to 8% of these unexplained deaths may be caused by specific genetic heart conditions.
Swine flu likely claimed quarter of a million lives: study
The A(H1N1) "swine flu" 2009 pandemic probably claimed over a quarter of a million lives -- 15 times more than the 18,500 reported, a paper in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal said Tuesday.
'War on drugs' is fueling HIV epidemic: report
A pressure group that includes six former presidents called Tuesday for the United Nations to acknowledge that "repressive drug law enforcement" was driving an HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Glaucoma stent approved
(HealthDay) -- An ocular stent that's designed to reduce inner-eye pressure among people with mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Task force recommends screening all adults for obesity
(HealthDay) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines Monday recommending that doctors screen all of their patients for obesity and when appropriate, refer them to a comprehensive lifestyle-management program to help them lose weight.
E-records linked to fewer malpractice claims
(HealthDay News) -- Malpractice claims dipped dramatically among Massachusetts physicians after they began using electronic medical records, according to new research, although it's not clear whether the record-keeping was connected to the decline in claims.
Thinking of a loved one eases painful memories
(Medical Xpress) -- Here's another reason to keep a photo of a loved one on your desk. After recalling an upsetting event, thinking about your mother or romantic partner can make you feel better and reduce your negative thinking, according to a new Cornell study. Perhaps most important, it also may result in fewer psychological and physical health problems at least a month afterward.
Better treatment for common childhood brain cancer
Children diagnosed with the most common paediatric malignant brain cancer, medulloblastoma, will benefit from more targeted treatment following the identification of genetic mutations in the cancer.
UCI surgeons implant tiny eye telescope in patients with macular degeneration
(Medical Xpress) -- Two UC Irvine ophthalmologists are the first in Orange County to implant a miniature telescope in the eyes of patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. The device restores a portion of vision lost to the disease. UC Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute is the sole facility in Orange County and among only a few nationwide to offer this new technology.
Even after Lyme disease is gone, its remains may perpetuate inflammation
(Medical Xpress) -- Non-infectious proteins of the species of bacteria that causes Lyme disease can remain in the body for a long time after antibiotic therapy, and are capable of causing an inflammatory immune reaction that could contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant arthritis, Yale researchers have found. The study appears in the online Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Bilirubin protects against heart disease
(Medical Xpress) -- There's new hope for the fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease, following breakthrough research identifying a pigment in our bile.
Hearing can be permanently damaged, expert warns
(Medical Xpress) -- Summer can be really fun, but also quite noisy. And with 4th of July coming up, the fireworks can reach 150 decibels. While the pyrotechnic displays are exhilarating to watch, hearing experts hope you'll keep some hearing guidelines in mind.
Individual therapy for all cancer patients
In cancer patients, mortality is generally associated with metastases. The ability to detect “circulating tumor cells” (CTCs) in blood is crucial if we are to uncover the mechanisms that lead to metastases. In the future, it will be possible to screen all cancer patients for CTCs using a new and highly advanced technique known as “the CTCtrap”. The EU has awarded a six million euro grant to an international team led by Leon Terstappen, Professor of Medical Cell Biophysics at the University of Twente, The Netherlands (MIRA Institute). The CTCtrap is expected to be available in about four years’ time. According to Prof. Terstappen “This new technology will bring about a radical change in the treatment of cancer patients.”
Mandate divisions: National survey shows public deeply divided on health insurance mandate
As the United States Supreme Court prepares to rule on the constitutionality of the 2010 health care law, a new National Agenda Opinion Poll by the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication reveals Americans are divided along party and ideology lines on a key provision of the law. Democrats and liberals overwhelmingly favor insurance mandates, whereas large majorities of Republicans and conservatives oppose them.
Study examines federal government payments to separate managed care programs for same patients
An analysis that included 1.2 million veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs health care system and Medicare Advantage plan finds that the federal government spends a substantial and increasing amount of potentially duplicative funds in these separate managed care programs for the care of same individuals, according to a study appearing in JAMA. This study is being published early online to coincide with its presentation at the Annual Research Meeting of AcademyHealth.
Simpler lifestyle found to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals
A lifestyle that features fresh foods and limited use of products likely to contain environmental chemicals has been shown to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as BPA and phthalates, in a small population study. EDCs are linked to a number of adverse health complications including neuro-developmental delays, behavioral issues and fertility problems. They are produced by the millions of pounds per year and found extensively in a range of products that contain certain plastics.
Transgenic technique to 'eliminate' a specific neural circuit of the brain in primates
Japanese researchers developed a gene transfer technique that can "eliminate" a specific neural circuit in non-human primates for the first time in the world.
Tablet computers may interfere with settings on magnetically programmable shunt valves
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that the Apple iPad 2 can interfere with settings of magnetically programmable shunt devices, which are often used to treat children with hydrocephalus. The iPad 2 contains magnets that can change valve settings in the shunt if the tablet computer is held too close to the valve (within 2 inches). Such a change may result in shunt malfunction until the problem is recognized and the valve adjusted to the proper setting. Patients and their caregivers should monitor use of the tablet computer to ensure that no change is made to the valve settings. The results of this study can be found in the article "Programmable shunt valve affected by exposure to a tablet computer. Laboratory investigation," by Strahle and colleagues, published in the August 2012 issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics and available online today.
Exposure to environmental chemicals in the womb reprograms the rodent brain to disrupt reproduction
Prenatal exposure to the environmental contaminants polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, causes long-term changes to the developing brain that have adverse effects on reproductive function later in life, a new study finds. Results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
Phthalate, environmental chemical is linked to higher rates of childhood obesity
Obese children show greater exposure than nonobese children to a phthalate, a chemical used to soften plastics in some children's toys and many household products, according to a new study, which found that the obesity risk increases according to the level of the chemical found in the bloodstream. The study will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
BPA exposure in pregnant mice changes gene expression of female offspring
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical found in many common plastic household items, can cause numerous genes in the uterus to respond differently to estrogen in adulthood, according to a study using a mouse model. The results will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
27 million problem drug users worldwide: UN
Some 27 million people worldwide are problem drug users, with almost one percent every year dying from narcotics abuse, while cannabis remains the most popular drug, a UN report showed Tuesday.
Clinical trial first to test heart drug regimen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The first landmark randomized clinical trial for a cardiac drug regimen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is testing whether earlier treatment can stop or slow down heart damage that usually kills people with the disease.
Sleep apnea with polycystic ovary syndrome raises risk of prediabetes
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who also have obstructive sleep apnea have at least three times the risk of having prediabetes compared with women who do not have PCOS, according to a new study. The results will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
Genetic variant is linked to obesity and insulin resistance
A large study in people at risk of diabetes has found a direct association between the presence of a small genetic alteration in a hormone receptor and increased body fat and insulin resistance. The results, to be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston, suggest an adverse role for a previously described genetic variant, the BclI polymorphism.
Facebook makes us feel good about ourselves: study
People love social networks. That's the obvious conclusion from Facebook's 900 million active users and its current standing as one of the most visited sites on the web, second only to Google. New research from the University of Georgia finds what people may really "like" about social networking are themselves.
Hospitals' communication during residency matching may put stress on OB-GYN doctors-in-training
Many hospitals offer residency programs for doctors in training, allowing them to complete the education needed to become practicing physicians. Hospitals find those residents using National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) rules, but a new study finds wide variation in the interpretation of those rules.
Lung nodule matching software dramatically increases radiologists' efficiency
An automated lung nodule matching program can improve radiologists' efficiency almost two-fold, a first of its kind study shows.
Monitored vitamin D therapy safe for patients with high blood calcium levels
Patients with a gland disorder that causes excessive calcium in their blood who also have vitamin D deficiency can safely receive vitamin D treatment without it raising their calcium levels, a new study has determined. The results with one-year follow-up will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
Long-term calcium and vitamin D supplement use may be linked to increased risk of kidney stones
Calcium and vitamin D supplements are associated with high calcium levels in the blood and urine, which could increase the risk of kidney stones, a new study finds. The results will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
Link between brain insulin resistance, neuronal stress in worsening Alzheimer's disease
Rhode Island Hospital researcher Suzanne de la Monte, M.D., has found a link between brain insulin resistance (diabetes) and two other key mediators of neuronal injury that help Alzheimer's disease (AD) to propagate. The research found that once AD is established, therapeutic efforts must also work to reduce toxin production in the brain. The study, Dysfunctional Pro-Ceramide, ER Stress, and Insulin/IGF Signaling Networks with Progression of Alzheimer's Disease, is published in the June 22, 2012, supplement of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
What's the best way to treat problem alcohol use?
Scientists from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have released comprehensive reviews of the most effective treatments for alcohol dependence, one of the most prevalent addictions in Canada.
Reminders of mortality increase concern for environmental legacy
When we turn on the A/C in the summer, our first thought is probably one of relief. If it's 100 degrees in the shade, we're probably not thinking about how our decision might influence the environmental legacy we leave for future generations. It's not that we don't care, it's just that we typically don't think about our behavior in terms of long-term, inter-generational tradeoffs. But new research suggests that reminders of our own mortality may encourage us to keep future generations in mind as we make decisions.
Researchers test drug combinations to prevent graft vs. host disease
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have conducted a clinical trial aimed at preventing graft vs. host disease (GVHD) in patients who have received hematopoietic (blood) cell transplants (HCT). The study, comparing the drug tacrolimus (TAC) in combination with either methotrexate (MTX ) or sirolimus (SIR), found that the sirolimus/tacrolimus (SIR/TAC) combination was more effective in preventing grades II-IV acute GVHD and moderate-severe chronic GVHD after allogeneic blood cell transplantation.
German court rules religious circumcision on boys an assault
Circumcising young boys on religious grounds amounts to grievous bodily harm, a German court ruled Tuesday in a landmark decision that the Jewish community said trampled on parents' religious rights.
Steroid-free regimen post-pediatric renal transplant safe
(HealthDay) -- A steroid-free approach to immunosuppression following pediatric renal transplants is safe and effective, according to a study published online June 13 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Progress in quest to reduce use of radiation in treatment of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma
A multicenter trial showed that nearly half of young patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured without undergoing either irradiation or intensive chemotherapy that would leave them at risk for second cancers, infertility, heart and other problems later.
Study compares effect of three common diets on energy expenditure following weight loss
In an examination of the effect on energy expenditure and components of the metabolic syndrome of 3 types of commonly consumed diets following weight loss, decreases in resting energy expenditure and total energy expenditure were greatest with a low-fat diet, intermediate with a low-glycemic index diet, and least with a very low-carbohydrate diet, suggesting that a low-fat diet may increase the risk for weight regain compared to the other diets, according to preliminary research published in the June 27 issue of JAMA.
Study finds gout and hyperuricemia on the rise in the US
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that the incidence of gout and hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) in the U.S. has risen significantly over the last 20 years and is associated with major medical disorders like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The study, which is published in the American Journal of Medicine, was led by Hyon Choi, MD, DrPH, professor of medicine in the section of rheumatology and the clinical epidemiology unit at BUSM and rheumatologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC).
Study describes symptoms and severity of fibromuscular dysplasia
A patient registry is proving invaluable in cataloging the clinical features, symptoms, severity, and outcomes of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a non-inflammatory vascular disease that can cause narrowing of arteries in the carotid (neck) and renal (kidney) arteries, which can result in headache, strokes, and aneurysms. Registry data revealed that 91 percent of patients are women diagnosed in the prime of their lives. As a result, physicians are developing best practices that can lead to early diagnosis and treatment with the goal of improved outcomes and fewer adverse vascular events. The registry results are published in the June 26, 2012 print edition of Circulation.
Stepped-care intervention results in weight loss, at lower cost
Although a standard behavioral weight loss intervention among overweight and obese adults resulted in greater average weight loss over 18 months, a stepped care intervention resulted in clinically meaningful weight loss that cost less to implement, according to a study in the June 27 issue of JAMA.
Clot-busting medicine safe for use in warfarin-treated patients following stroke
The clot-busting medicine, tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), is safe to use in acute stroke patients already on the home blood thinner warfarin, according to researchers from Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). This study helps allay previous concerns that tPA was too dangerous to use in patients on home anticoagulation and would lead to high risk for potentially fatal intracranial bleeding.
US mammograms decline after task force recommendation, study finds
Preventive mammography rates in women in their 40s have dropped nearly 6 percent nationwide since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine mammograms for women in this age group, a Mayo Clinic analysis shows. That represents a small but significant decrease since the controversial guidelines were released, the researchers say. Their findings are being presented at the Academy Health Annual Research Meeting, June 24-26, in Orlando, Fla.
Study suggests touch therapy helps reduce pain, nausea in cancer patients
A new study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center shows that patients reported significant improvement in side effects of cancer treatment following just one Jin Shin Jyutsu session. Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient form of touch therapy similar to acupuncture in philosophy.
Bacterial vaginosis is associated with higher risk of female-to-male transmission of HIV
An investigation led by UCSF has found that the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission is increased three fold for women with bacterial vaginosis, a common disorder in which the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted.
Alzheimer's infects from neuron to neuron
The inexorable spread of Alzheimer's disease through the brain leaves dead neurons and forgotten thoughts in its wake. Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden are the first to show how toxic proteins are transferred from neuron to neuron.
Low and middle income countries are the recent targets of processed food manufacturers
"There is significant penetration by multinational processed food manufacturers such as Nestle, Kraft, PepsiCo, and Danone into food environments in low-and-middle income countries, where consumption of unhealthy commodities is reaching—and in some cases exceeding—a level presently observed in high income countries", according to international researchers writing in this week's PLoS Medicine.
US blood supply dips to 'emergency' level: Red Cross
The blood supply maintained by the US Red Cross has fallen to "emergency levels" as donations have ebbed due in part to an early warm weather spell, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Imaging can detect response to dry mouth toothpaste
(HealthDay) -- In vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging can detect response to dry mouth toothpaste in patients with xerostomia, according to a pilot study published online June 13 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Older mothers more prone to psychological distress
(HealthDay) -- First-time mothers in their early 30s and beyond are more likely to experience psychological distress during pregnancy and after birth than younger women, but only if they have a history of depression, according to a study published online June 18 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Wednesday is national HIV testing day
(HealthDay) -- More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but 20 percent of them don't know they're infected.
New mouse model helps explain gene discovery in congenital heart disease
Scientists now have clues to how a gene mutation discovered in families affected with congenital heart disease leads to underdevelopment of the walls that separate the heart into four chambers. A Nationwide Children's Hospital study appearing in PLoS Genetics suggests that abnormal development of heart cells during embryogenesis may be to blame.
Novel radiation therapy safely treats prostate cancer and lowers the risk of recurrence
A recent Phase I/II clinical trial has shown that a new combination of radiation therapies developed at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center escalates radiation doses to safely and effectively treat prostate cancer and lower the risk of recurrence with minimal radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue and organs.
S. Africa cloned skin recipient to leave hospital
(AP) — Bedtime for 3-year-old Isabella Kruger now includes a bottle and a massage. This ritual has become possible again as the toddler recovers from surgery that transplanted cloned skin onto her body after 80 percent of it suffered burns in a backyard accident.
Pill using ultrasound may replace daily needles
(Medical Xpress) -- For patients who need daily injections to stay on course, being able instead to take their medication orally would help improve patients’ quality of life and perhaps even outcomes. Daily injections have been an unwelcome part of living with certain illnesses for some patients, with few to no alternatives. For diabetics, for example, insulin taken orally would not penetrate tissue fast enough. A new ultrasound development called uPill may replace daily injections and could represent a new class of drugs. Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a company called ZetrOZ are collaborating on the uPill.
Citizen science: Study allows thousands to test gut sense for numbers
(Medical Xpress) -- A first-of-its kind study using the World Wide Web to collect data from more than 10,000 study subjects ages 11 to 85 found that humans’ inborn “number sense” improves during school years, declines during old age, and remains linked throughout the entire lifespan to academic mathematics achievement.
Discovery could help combat chronic pain in diabetics
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered a class of natural compounds found within the body that may someday lead to pain relief for millions of diabetics and others suffering from chronic pain.
Study shows omega-3 fatty acid, curry spice repair tissue damage, preserve walking in rats with spinal-cord injury
UCLA researchers discovered that a diet enriched with a popular omega-3 fatty acid and an ingredient of curry spice preserved walking ability in rats with spinal-cord injury. Published June 26 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, the findings suggest that these dietary supplements help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck.
Study reveals flu-fighting role for well-known immune component
University of Georgia scientists have discovered a new flu-fighting role for a well-known component of the immune system. Kimberly Klonowski, assistant professor of cellular biology in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and her colleagues found that administering a cell-signaling protein known as IL-15 to mice infected with influenza reduces their peak viral load by nearly three times.
Tiny magnetic coils modulate neural activity, may be safer for deep-brain implants
Magnetic fields generated by microscopic devices implanted into the brain may be able to modulate brain-cell activity and reduce symptoms of several neurological disorders. Micromagnetic stimulation appears to generate the kind of neural activity currently elicited with electrical impulses for deep brain stimulation (DBS) – a therapy that can reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease, other movement disorders, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain – and should avoid several common problems associated with DBS, report Massachusetts General Hospital investigators.
Moderate coffee consumption offers protection against heart failure
While current American Heart Association heart failure prevention guidelines warn against habitual coffee consumption, some studies propose a protective benefit, and still others find no association at all. Amidst this conflicting information, research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center attempts to shift the conversation from a definitive yes or no, to a question of how much.
Glucose deprivation activates feedback loop that kills cancer cells: study
Compared to normal cells, cancer cells have a prodigious appetite for glucose, the result of a shift in cell metabolism known as aerobic glycolysis or the "Warburg effect." Researchers focusing on this effect as a possible target for cancer therapies have examined how biochemical signals present in cancer cells regulate the altered metabolic state.
Researchers show 'neural fingerprints' of memory associations
Researchers have long been interested in discovering the ways that human brains represent thoughts through a complex interplay of elec-trical signals. Recent improvements in brain recording and statistical methods have given researchers unprecedented insight into the physical processes under-lying thoughts. For example, researchers have begun to show that it is possible to use brain recordings to reconstruct aspects of an image or movie clip someone is viewing, a sound someone is hearing or even the text someone is reading.
Biology news
No-one likes a grass, except rabbits
A study by the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences has been used to launch an RSPCA campaign called ‘Hay Fever,’ to highlight the fact many owners do not know what food is best for their rabbits.
Tropical island problem: Too many parrots
(AP) — The green parrots that live on the tropical paradise of Seychelles fly into the bamboo stalks next to Micheleine Georges' 150-year-old farmhouse at dusk. The birds are small and cute. They are also marked for death.
South Korea to ban catching of dolphins for shows
South Korea will ban the catching of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins for use in shows by designating them as protected mammals, the maritime affairs ministry said Tuesday.
Hopes of saving rare tortoise die with 'Lonesome George'
The death of Lonesome George came as a shock to the caretakers who had come to know the 100-year-old giant tortoise, the last survivor of a subspecies decimated by pirates more than a century ago.
Constructing antimicrobials that destroy bacteria
(Phys.org) -- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed a new method to create antimicrobials that kill disease-causing pathogens. These antimicrobials can be used as an alternative to antibiotics.
Ports are hotspots for exotic sea star orgies
Marine biologists have found that port environments are enabling invasive sea stars to breed at a rapid rate.
Machines trump hand-harvest for Sauvignon blanc
The traditional view that hand picking of grapes is needed to produce the best wine is being challenged, with University of Auckland research showing that machine harvesting produces higher levels of the aromas characteristic of award-winning New Zealand Sauvignon blanc.
Researchers develop new method for analyzing cell function
Researchers in Finland and Germany have developed an open-source software that will make it significantly easier to process bioimaging data. The software, named BioImageXD, will help in analysing cell and tissue functions. The work to develop the software has been funded by the Academy of Finland (through the FinNano Research Programme), the European Union and Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. Version 1.0 of BioImageXD has been accepted for publication in Nature Methods.
Prairie cordgrass: Highly underrated
When D.K. Lee and Lane Rayburn, faculty members in the crop sciences department at the University of Illinois, talk about prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) they have difficulty containing their enthusiasm. They are among the very few people doing research on this grass as a potential energy crop.
Magnet helps target transplanted iron-loaded cells to key areas of heart
Optimal stem cell therapy delivery to damaged areas of the heart after myocardial infarction has been hampered by inefficient homing of cells to the damaged site. However, using rat models, researchers in France have used a magnet to guide cells loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles to key sites, enhancing the myocardial retention of intravascularly delivered endothelial progenitor cells.
Stem cell transplantation into mouse cochlea may impact future hearing loss therapies
Researchers in Japan who evaluated the risks and efficacy of transplanting two varieties of stem cells into mouse cochlea have concluded that both adult-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities. However, there is a risk of tumor growth associated with transplanting iPS cells into mouse cochleae. Given the potential for tumorigenesis, they concluded that the source of iPS cells is a critical issue for iPS cell-based therapy.
Romancing the firefly: New insights into what goes on when the lights go off
The twinkling of fireflies heralds summer romance for these magical insects. While courting on-the-wing, male fireflies attract females' attention with bioluminescent flashes.
Researchers discover a new role for RNAi
Organisms employ a fascinating array of strategies to identify and restrain invasive pieces of foreign DNA, such as those introduced by viruses. For example, many viruses produce double-stranded (ds)RNA during their life cycle and the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism is thought to recognize this structural feature to initiate a silencing response.
UCLA biologists reveal potential 'fatal flaw' in iconic sexual selection study
(Phys.org) -- A classic study from more than 60 years ago suggesting that males are more promiscuous and females more choosy in selecting mates may, in fact, be wrong, say life scientists who are the first to repeat the historic experiment using the same methods as the original.
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