Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 13, 2012:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Uncanny Valley robots essay resurfaces 42 years later- Human Microbiome Project: First detailed studies describe diversity, variety, and function of microbes in people
- Where we split from sharks: Common ancestor comes into focus
- Ancient effect harnessed to produce electricity from waste heat
- Textured surface may boost power output of thin silicon solar cells
- New energy source for future medical implants: sugar
- Got mass? Scientists observe electrons become both heavy and speedy
- Alien earths could form earlier than expected
- Research finds planets can form around different types of stars
- Hormones, Elvis, and human emotion: Shedding light on what makes people feel and act the way they do
- Advanced cancers destined to recur after treatment with single drugs that 'target' tumor cells: study
- Methods developed to enable large-scale analysis of malaria parasite genomes from patient blood samples
- Western diet changes gut bacteria and triggers colitis in those at risk
- Scientists complete Bonobo genome
- Lake detected near equator of Saturn's Titan
Space & Earth news
UW website offers suggestions to help reduce wildfire risks
Landowners can reduce wildfire risks to houses, cabins and outbuildings by creating defensible spaces around them, according to wildfire experts.
Space Image: The Veil Nebula
The Veil Nebula, left behind by the explosion of a massive star thousands of years ago, is one of the largest and most spectacular supernova remnants in the sky.
NASA chief views history-making SpaceX capsule
(AP) — Marred by just a few scorch marks from its re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere, the world's first commercial supply spacecraft to visit the International Space Station weathered its maiden voyage well, NASA and SpaceX officials said Wednesday.
Global climate change: Underestimated impact of sea-level rise on habitat loss?
Global climate change is expected to cause sea-level rise of approximately 1-2 meters within this century and studies are beginning to project the consequences for humans and global biodiversity. While the direct consequences of sea-level rise due to flooding and inundation ('primary effects') are beginning to be assessed, no studies have yet considered the possible secondary effects from sea-level rise due to the relocation of human refugees into the hinterland. Researchers from the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, with lead author Florian Wetzel and senior researcher Dustin Penn, collaborated with scientists from the Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Group of Aarhus University, Denmark to assess and project the potential secondary impacts of sea-level rise on habitat availability and the distribution of mammals. They found that in more populated regions secondary effects can lead to an equal or even higher loss of habita! t than primary displacement effects.
NuSTAR opens out-of-this-world view thanks to Livermore Lab technology
For astrophysicist Bill Craig and his team, NASA's NuSTAR will open up a whole new world. In fact, NuSTAR will allow them to observe a new class of objects in space, called extreme objects, which have never been seen.
Magnetic fields slow down stars
Scientists have proved the existence of a magnetic effect that could explain why solar-like stars spin very slowly at the end of their lifetime.
Black hole masses and the evolution of galaxies
Scientists have been studying light from distant objects in the night sky for thousands of years in an effort to understand the Universe. Now European researchers have developed a novel method for estimating the mass of often-obscured black holes that could provide insight into the evolution of galaxies.
NIST launches new website to educate industry about alternatives to mercury thermometers
As part of a larger effort to reduce the amount of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, in the environment, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a new website to help industry scientists and engineers decide the best temperature measurement alternative for their purposes. The website also includes information about myths pertaining to mercury and temperature measurement and how to safely package and recycle mercury-containing products.
NASA poised to launch 'black hole hunter' (Update)
NASA is poised to launch on Wednesday a sophisticated orbiting telescope that uses high-energy X-ray vision to hunt for black holes in the universe.
Tests under way on the sunshield for James Webb telescope
(Phys.org) -- NASA is testing an element of the sunshield that will protect the James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors and instruments during its mission to observe the most distant objects in the universe.
One ring to bring them all: Eclipse enchants audiences
(Phys.org) -- Ever see ringlets of sunlight playing in the shadows of a tree or a fiery ring of light in the sky? These incredible effects are the results of an annular solar eclipse like the one that occurred when the moon passed directly between the sun and Earth on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The event was viewable from Japan all the way across the Pacific Ocean to midway through the United States.
Longest-lived animals reveal climate change secrets
(Phys.org) -- Researchers at Bangor University have used some of the world’s longest-lived animals to look at how the North Atlantic Ocean has affected our climate over the past 1,000 years.
Novel scientific equipment will unlock ocean secrets for decades
(Phys.org) -- Like a seal that dives into the water over and over feeding on fish, sometime in the not-too-distant future sophisticated scientific equipment will start traveling from the ocean's surface to 650 feet deep as often as eight times a day.
Getting to the bottom of the Fijian Ocean
(Phys.org) -- Scientists will soon have a greater understanding of the dramatically spreading, rifting and faulting boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, thanks to research from The Australian National University.
Critical role of granite in evolution of life on Earth revealed in new study
It’s one of the world’s toughest forms of rock, used to create buildings and monuments across the globe, and famously linked with one of Scotland’s main cities.
Divide the Antarctic to protect native species, propose experts
An international team of scientists have published the first continent-wide assessment of the Antarctic's biogeography, and propose that the landmass should be divided into 15 distinct conservation regions to protect the continent from invasive alien species. The team's findings are published in Diversity and Distributions, while the authors' proposals were outlined today at a lecture to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Hobart, Tasmania.
Big uncertainties in the global water budget
No life without water. Catastrophes like droughts or strong rains reflect our dependence on the water cycle and climate system. Hence, it is important to understand details of the water cycle among the atmosphere, oceans, and land. A study in the Journal of Hydrometeorology now outlines significant differences of global models and measurement data sets. As the network of measurement stations worldwide is shrinking dramatically, uncertainties are increased.
North-East Passage soon free from ice again?
The North-East Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia, is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was made by sea ice physicists of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association based on a series of measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. Amongst experts the shelf sea is known as an "ice factory" of Arctic sea ice. At the end of last winter the researchers discovered large areas of thin ice not being thick enough to withstand the summer melt.
Good news on using recycled sewage treatment plant water for irrigating crops
A new study eases concerns that irrigating crops with water released from sewage treatment plants — an increasingly common practice in arid areas of the world — fosters emergence of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause thousands of serious infections each year. The research appears in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.
NASA's TRMM views forming tropical cyclone
System 94E and System 95E are low pressure areas located off the western coast of Mexico that are being watched by forecasters and by satellites. Each of them has the potential for development into a tropical cyclone, although System 95E has a greater chance. That low was recently spotted by NASA's TRMM satellite, which provided rainfall and cloud height data to forecasters.
Ancient story of Dartmoor tors has an ice-cold twist
Ice extended further across the UK than previously thought and played a part in sculpting the rocky landscape of Dartmoor in South West England during the last Ice Age, according to new research which challenges previously held theories.
Studying soil to predict the future of earth's atmosphere
(Phys.org) -- When it comes to understanding climate change, it’s all about the dirt.
Amateur scientists find niche in locating new planets
Over the past decade, scientists have found evidence of hundreds of planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. A group of volunteers has also joined the search, and they have found several additional planets that initially fell through the cracks.
Measuring the 'other' greenhouse gases: New method for evaluating short-lived pollutants
(Phys.org) -- New research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has found that levels of methane—a potent greenhouse gas emitted from many man-made sources, such as coal mines, landfills and livestock ranches—are at least one-and-a-half times higher in California than previously estimated.
Research finds planets can form around different types of stars
It had previously been thought that planets were more likely to form around a star if the star had a high content of heavier elements. But new research from the University of Copenhagen, among others, shows that small planets can form around very different types of stars – also stars that are relatively poor in heavy elements. This significantly increases the likelihood that Earth-like planets are widespread in the universe. The results have been published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature.
Successful launch for NASA's 'black hole hunter' telescope
A sophisticated orbiting telescope that uses high-energy X-ray vision to hunt for black holes in the universe launched on Wednesday after an aircraft-to-rocket takeoff, NASA said.
Lake detected near equator of Saturn's Titan
(AP) — In a surprise find, scientists say they have spotted hints of a methane-rich lake and several ponds near the equator of Saturn's biggest moon.
'Extremely little' telescope discovers pair of odd planets
Even small telescopes can make big discoveries. Though the KELT North telescope in southern Arizona carries a lens no more powerful than a high-end digital camera, it's just revealed the existence of two very unusual faraway planets.
Alien earths could form earlier than expected
Building a terrestrial planet requires raw materials that weren't available in the early history of the universe. The Big Bang filled space with hydrogen and helium. Chemical elements like silicon and oxygen - key components of rocks - had to be cooked up over time by stars. But how long did that take? How many of such heavy elements do you need to form planets?
Technology news
Zynga launched hot Draw Something game in China
Zynga launched "Draw Something" in China as it moved to get non-English speakers caught up in the craze for the mobile phone game based on representing words with pictures.
Imec evaluates replacement metal gate options for further transistor scaling
Imec is successfully testing and evaluating various options for further transistor scaling using high-k dielectrics and metal gates in a replacement metal gate (RMG) integration schema. Although RMG technology is inherently more complex than gate-first integration, it has a number of advantages that allow increasing the device performance and that widen the choices in terms of high-k and metal gate materials. Testifying to its progress with RMG, imec presented a number of noted papers at the 2012 VLSI Technology Symposium (June 12-15, 2012, Honolulu, USA).
Nist releases final version of revised Bluetooth security guide
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued the final version of the Guide to Bluetooth Security (NIST Special Publication 800-121 Rev. 1). The publication is a revision of the original guide, which was released in September 2008.
Asian electric car consortium in deal to buy Saab
(AP) — An electric carmaking consortium, led by Hong Kong and Japanese investors and chaired by a former Volvo Trucks executive, has penned a deal to buy the better part of bankrupt Swedish automaker Saab, rescuing the ailing brand from insolvency.
Enhanced fuel cell performance with optimized flows
Fuel cells convert the chemical energy in fuels (hydrogen and hydrocarbons such as methane, butane, gasoline or diesel) into electrical energy to power devices. EU researchers developed a simplified computational model simulating flow distribution within the fuel cell stack with the potential to enhance performance and efficiency and thus the widespread implementation of this clean, renewable form of energy.
New software forecasts noise levels in the street
University of Granada researchers are working on the application of neural networks to develop a urban noise forecasting model, which would be very useful to people who is interested in buying a new house.
Dating app suspends teen access after rape reports
A dating app for smartphones has suspended access for teen users after a series of reported rapes of underage users in the United States.
Yahoo ties up with CNBC on financial news
(AP) — Yahoo is taking another step toward original news programming.
Apple maps a path to mobile throne
Apple is mapping a path to the throne of the Internet age mobile lifestyle.
Penn State Erie team wins international 'supermileage' competition
(Phys.org) -- A lightweight, single-seat test car designed and built by students at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, won the Society of Automotive Engineers' 2012 International Supermileage Challenge on June 8. Team members returned with a trophy and a $1,400 check.
Apple bid to stop Samsung smartphone in US stalled
Apple's effort to stop South Korea's Samsung from launching its newest iPhone challenger in the US has been derailed by complex maneuvering in the patent war between the companies.
Solar plane takes off in Morocco on hardest flight yet
The solar-powered plane that last week made the world's first inter-continental flight took off on its most difficult challenge yet on Wednesday, flying in Morocco's desert climate.
2,000 potential new web domains could include .sex, .app and .pizza (Update 2)
Move over .com -- it might have to compete with suffixes such as .sex, .app and .fail and after the body in charge of website domain names unveiled some 2,000 applications for new ones Wednesday.
Gulf states look to the sun for future power
After decades of relying on carbon-emitting fossil fuels to build their cities in the desert, some oil and gas rich nations of the Gulf are now turning skywards to the sun to meet future energy demands.
A safer route to a nuclear future?
By using thorium instead of uranium as fuel, nuclear power could be safer and more sustainable, according to new research.
Citizen scientists to document biodiversity with high-resolution imagery during summer solstice
A high-resolution image of a palm tree in Brazil, which under close examination shows bees, wasps and flies feasting on nectars and pollens, was the top jury selection among the images captured during last December's Nearby Nature GigaBlitz. It's also an example of what organizers hope participants will produce for the next GigaBlitz, June 20-26.
Social-design site Quirky launches US-made product
(AP) — Quirky.com, a website that lets users collaborate on designing household products, is launching its first U.S.-manufactured item, a take on the traditional milk crate, on Wednesday.
Dell eyes more than $2B in cuts over 3 years
(AP) — Computer maker Dell Inc. is planning to trim its expenses by more than $2 billion during the next three years as it tries into move into the more lucrative fields of technology.
Composite materials will lead to greener cars
The use of composite materials is rapidly entering into the automotive industry thanks to a technique developed by the EPFL spin-off EELCEE. This technique promises lighter cars that burn less fuel and, consequently, emit less CO2.
EU watchdog agency warns of privacy issues with smart meters
(Phys.org) -- As utility companies the world over seek ways to wring more use out of the electricity they provide, new technology is introduced to better manage how that electricity is consumed and when. One such example is the idea of a smart grid where smart meters replace conventional meters at home and business sites which are connected to computers at a central site. The idea is that if energy consumption can be monitored in very near real-time, energy companies can better allocate resources and hopefully make the whole system more efficient. Unfortunately, as Giovanni Buttarelli, an assistant supervisor with the independent watchdog group European Data Protection Supervisor, points out in a new report, sometimes good intentions can give way to unexpected side effects and in this case it’s the possibility of smart sensors giving away private information about people as they go about their daily lives.
'No-sleep energy bugs' drain smartphone batteries
(Phys.org) -- Researchers have proposed a method to automatically detect a new class of software glitches in smartphones called "no-sleep energy bugs," which can entirely drain batteries while the phones are not in use.
New energy source for future medical implants: sugar
MIT engineers have developed a fuel cell that runs on the same sugar that powers human cells: glucose. This glucose fuel cell could be used to drive highly efficient brain implants of the future, which could help paralyzed patients move their arms and legs again.
Medicine & Health news
Report: Fewer maternal and child deaths, but too many women and children still dying
Since 1990, annual maternal deaths have declined by almost one half and the deaths of young children have declined from 12 million to 7.6 million in 2010.
When should the doctor call in sick?
(Medical Xpress) -- When should your doctor phone in sick? The question may seem unusual, but it’s an issue that University of Alberta researchers say needs greater regulation to ensure patient safety and provide better protection for physicians as patients.
Stronger focus needed on gender-specific health
There is growing evidence of the need for a separate approach to men's and women's health, according to a men's health expert at the University of Adelaide.
Study shows people with Type 2 diabetes require ongoing and sustained clinical support
Research led by the University of Leicester concludes that people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes need ongoing advice from GPs sustained over a number of years rather than a one-off session when they are first diagnosed.
Psychoeducational intervention changes patient attitudes on clinical trials participation
Seeking ways to change cancer patients' perceptions and negative attitudes towards clinical trials participation, researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center conducted a study offering two different kinds of intervention to two groups of adults with cancer who had not previously been asked to participate in clinical trials. They found a multimedia psychoeducational intervention to be more effective in changing patients' perceptions and negative attitudes toward clinical trials than standard educational literature.
Is it constitutional for states to regulate pharmaceutical gifts and meals to doctors?
We've all seen them in the waiting room of the doctor's office—pens, notepads, magnets, and clipboards adorned with the logos of brand-name drugs. These freebies may seem inconsequential, but a large and compelling body of evidence shows that even these small gifts may influence which drug a doctor prescribes.
Researchers design new substances that might help fight Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
University of Granada researchers have tested melatonin analogues in rats that inhibit the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which is involved in the development of the diseases referred above.
Top cardiac electrophysiology congresses join forces
Nice, 13 June 2012: Europe's leading congresses in cardiac electrophysiology have agreed to hold a joint annual Congress during 2014-2017. The official agreement was signed by ESC-EHRA and CARDIOSTIM-REED on 13 June, during CARDIOSTIM 2012 in Nice, France, 13-16 June.
Study finds Massachusetts health reform leads to increased inpatient surgical procedures
Researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health (BUSM, BUSPH), along with the VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, have found inpatient medical procedures increased more among non-elderly, lower- and medium- income populations, Hispanics and whites, after health care reform went into effect in Massachusetts. The findings, which currently appear in Medical Care, suggest improved access to outpatient care for vulnerable subpopulations since health care reform took effect.
Clinical trial of human hookworm vaccine begins at Children's National Medical Center
Today, the Sabin Vaccine Institute, in partnership with the George Washington University and the Children's National Medical Center, began vaccinating participants for a Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel human hookworm vaccine. The trial will investigate the Na-GST-1 antigen developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership (Sabin PDP) to prevent hookworm infections in endemic areas.
Churches overlook women as donors, despite their growing wealth in US, study finds
Many churches are missing opportunities to involve Christian women in philanthropy, with ministry leaders too often speaking "man to man" — despite the fact that women now control more than 51 percent of personal wealth nationally, according to a 2012 national survey.
How alert hospital employees improved hospital's MSRA infection rate
A better way to improve organizations using overlooked employee talent has taken a top award from a notable management group. Marguerite Schneider, an associate professor in NJIT School of Management, is the co-author of "Leadership a Complex Adaptive System: Insights from Positive Deviance." Curt Lindberg, of Complexity Partners, Bordentown, NJ, was her co-author.
Predicting post-traumatic stress disorder before it happens
Most people have intense emotional reactions to traumatizing events like road accidents or combat. But some suffer far longer, caught in the grip of long-term debilitating disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Because doctors cannot predict who will develop these disorders, however, early or preventive intervention is not available. Now, a new project led by researchers at Tel Aviv University seeks to identify pre-traumatic subjects — those who are more susceptible to long-standing disorders if exposed to a traumatic incident.
Web-based tool helps parents improve on kids' asthma treatment
Asthma is the most common chronic illness in adolescents and children, affecting an estimated seven million children up to the age of 17 in the United States. The burden of asthma on children is substantial: kids with asthma have a three-fold greater risk of school absence than children without asthma, and asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15.
Brazil claims successful test of parasite vaccine
Brazilian researchers say they have successfully tested a vaccine against schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms that afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide.
Online treatment beneficial to heart disease patients
Patients with vascular disease are at higher risk of suffering a further event or death. Treatment of vascular risk factors by nurse practitioners is proven to be very effective in reducing this risk although treatment goals are often not reached and it is costly and time-consuming. Previous studies did not show clear beneficial effects but this study looks at one year effect in a relatively large group of patients.
New risk score predicts heart disease in patients with chest pain
A new risk prediction tool can identify patients at high risk of coronary artery disease who might need further diagnostic work, says a study published on BMJ today. The tool is more accurate than existing models and could be easily integrated into electronic patient records or mobile applications.
Investigation questions motives behind post-marketing studies
An investigation published by the BMJ today raises concern about the motives behind post-marketing studies of new treatments for diabetes and calls for better regulation to ensure "a proper balance" between the commercial and clinical functions of these studies.
Newborn screening may miss adrenal-gland disorder
(HealthDay) -- Routine newborn screening failed to identify about one-fifth of infants with an adrenal gland disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a new study has found.
Unhealthy lifestyles have little impact on sperm quality: study
Lifestyle advice given by doctors to men diagnosed with infertility should be radically overhauled according to research published today (Wednesday).
New weekly fertility injections work as well as daily
New long-lasting weekly injections of fertility hormones are as safe and effective as standard daily injections, according to Cochrane researchers. The researchers compared weekly and daily hormone injections in a Cochrane systematic review and found no difference in pregnancies or serious side effects between the two regimens.
Role of omega-3 in preventing cognitive decline in older people questioned
Older people who take omega-3 fish oil supplements are probably not reducing their chances of losing cognitive function, according to a new Cochrane systematic review. Based on the available data from studies lasting up to 3.5 years, the researchers concluded that the supplements offered no benefits for cognitive health over placebo capsules or margarines, but that longer term effects are worth investigating.
Diabetes: Tighter control of blood sugar prevents nerve condition, but at what risk?
Aggressive control of blood sugar levels in diabetes can help to prevent a painful condition affecting patients' nerves, according to a new systematic review in the Cochrane Library. However, the review suggests that optimal target levels need to be established to prevent serious complications.
New study shows earlier birth is best for twins
University of Adelaide researchers say women pregnant with twins should elect to give birth at 37 weeks to avoid serious complications.
Sleep apnea linked to increased risk for carbohydrate craving among diabetics
Researchers in New Jersey are encouraging primary care physicians to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. They found that in a small sample of clinic patients, the risk for sleep apnea was high among diabetics compared with non-diabetics, and that sleep apnea appeared to be associated with carbohydrate craving.
CPAP found to improve sexual function, satisfaction in men with sleep apnea
Men who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are seeing another potential benefit from continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or CPAP: improved sexual function and satisfaction in non-diabetic men under age 60.
New research showing how real-life exposure to violence disrupts a child's sleep habits
When violence shatters a child's world, the torment can continue into their sleep, according to researchers in Cleveland. The impact is measurable and affected by the severity of the violence, and the effects can last over time.
Studies show sleep times influenced by race, ethnicity and country of origin
Two studies scheduled for presentation today at SLEEP 2012 are reporting sleep disparities among Americans based on racial and ethnic background.
Obesity, depression found to be root causes of daytime sleepiness
Wake up, America, and lose some weight – it's keeping you tired and prone to accidents. Three studies being presented today at sleep 2012 conclude that obesity and depression are the two main culprits making us excessively sleepy while awake.
Researchers determine pathway for origin of most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor
(Medical Xpress) -- Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered one of the most important cellular mechanisms driving the growth and progression of meningioma, the most common form of brain and spinal cord tumor. A report on the discovery, published in the journal Molecular Cancer Research, could lead the way to the discovery of better drugs to attack these crippling tumors, the scientists say.
Potential biomarker emerging for diabetic neuropathy
An emerging biomarker may eventually lead to new approaches for treating diabetics at risk of developing nerve damage, UNSW researchers have found.
Brits get more sleep while Germans faster out of bed
(Medical Xpress) -- A survey of the nation's sleeping and waking patterns has revealed that on average, we get over 7 hours sleep a night. But we spend 20 minutes in bed after the alarm has gone off while Germans get up more swiftly.
Combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer disappointing
(Medical Xpress) -- A recent clinical trial testing a combination therapy for basal-like (also known as triple-negative) breast cancer demonstrates that a combination of two drugs with promising preclinical results is not as effective as researchers had hoped.
Promising tool to combat cachexia-induced muscle wasting discovered
(Medical Xpress) -- Cachexia, a syndrome characterized by rapid weight loss and muscle deterioration, is a major cause of death among patients suffering from diseases like cancer, AIDS and chronic infection. In fact, 30 per cent of cancer-related deaths are the result of cachexia-induced muscle loss rather than the primary malignancy. And while scientists are making strides in gaining a better understanding of this deadly condition, no effective anti-cachectic therapies exist to date. However, a newly published study by McGill University researchers shows that a low dose of Pateamine A (PatA) is effective at preventing cancer-induced muscle wasting – findings that could someday point to the development of cachexia-fighting drugs.
Fatherly advice: Therapist helps first-time dads experience the joy of fatherhood
(Medical Xpress) -- The transition to fatherhood can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, journeys for dads today, says a Kansas State University marriage and family therapist.
Innovations in anticoagulation for stroke prevention
New scientific findings in anticoagulation for stroke prevention are paving the way for updates to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation.
Blood pressure: Getting it right
Getting your blood pressure measured may seem like a straight-forward thing, like having your height or weight measured. So when you’re given those two numbers and told that they’re normal or elevated or possibly that you have hypertension, you may think that’s that. If only it were that simple. In fact, recent research suggests that blood pressure readings are often not as accurate as they should be and that as a result many people may be misdiagnosed. Usually the results err in being too high, meaning that some people may be put on medication unnecessarily or given doses that are too high.
Music of kindness: Playing together strengthens empathy in children
A year-long study on children’s music-making indicates that playing music in groups on a regular basis greatly improves a child’s ability to empathise with others.
Juveniles build up physical -- but not mental -- tolerance for alcohol in new study
Research into alcohol's effect on juvenile rats shows they have an ability to build up a physical, but not cognitive, tolerance over the short term — a finding that could have implications for adolescent humans, according to Baylor University psychologists.
Early learning about spatial relationships boosts understanding of numbers
Children who are skilled in understanding how shapes fit together to make recognizable objects also have an advantage when it comes to learning the number line and solving math problems, research at the University of Chicago shows.
Hysterectomy may lead to arterial stiffening in postmenopausal women
Estrogen-deficient, postmenopausal women who have had their uterus removed appear to have stiffer arteries compared to similar women who have not had a hysterectomy, according to new research from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Videogamers no better at talking while driving
No matter how much time you've spent training your brain to multitask by playing "Call of Duty," you're probably no better at talking on the phone while driving than anybody else.
Timing, duration of biochemical bugle call critical for fighting viruses
Researchers have identified the primary player of the biochemical bugle call that musters the body's defenders against viral infection.
Researchers find new cause of cardiac damage after heart attack in type 1 diabetes
After people with type 1 diabetes have a heart attack, their long-term chance of suffering even more heart damage skyrockets. But the reason has long puzzled scientists. Now researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified the misstep that sparks this runaway chronic damage and a promising way to block it.
Sending sexually explicit photos by cell phone -- more common among teens than you might think
A significant number of teenagers are sending and receiving sexually explicit cell phone photos, often with little, if any, awareness of the possible psychological, interpersonal, and sometimes legal consequences of doing so. Even many of those who believe there could be serious legal consequences are undeterred and still choose to engage in 'sexting'. These findings by Donald Strassberg, from the University of Utah (US), and colleagues are published online in Springer's journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Study finds socioeconomic status linked to weight gain and risk of obesity in African-American women
Socioeconomic status across one's lifetime is related to weight gain and risk of obesity in African American women, according to a new study led by researchers from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University. These findings currently appear online in the journal Ethnicity & Disease.
'Hitchhiking' viral therapy deals a double blow to cancer
Scientists have shown how a promising viral therapy that delivers a double blow to cancer can sneak up on tumours undetected by hitching a ride on blood cells.
Caregiver's health is strong predictor of orphan's health
The health of a caregiver is the most important predictor of orphan health, according to a new Duke University study that spans five less-wealthy nations in Africa and Asia. More important than an orphan's geographic location, living conditions or past trauma, the Duke study finds that an unhealthy caregiver likely means an unhealthy child.
Tracking MRSA in real time: Study highlights benefits of rapid whole-genome sequencing
In a new study released today in New England Journal of Medicine, researchers demonstrate that whole genome sequencing can provide clinically relevant data on bacterial transmission within a timescale that can influence infection control and patient management.
Successful transplantation of tissue-engineered vein in a child offers hope
The first biologically tissue-engineered vein grown from a patient's own stem cells has been successfully transplanted into a 10-year-old girl with portal vein obstruction, dramatically enhancing her quality of life. These pioneering results, published online first in the Lancet, could offer a potential new way for patients lacking healthy veins to undergo dialysis or heart bypass surgery without the problems of synthetic grafts (that are prone to clots and blockages) or the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs.
Productivity gains from health IT must await bigger health system changes
Productivity gains that can be achieved by widely adopting health information technology are likely to come from the reengineering of health care and may require new measurement tools to accurately gauge their impact, according to a new analysis from RAND Corporation researchers.
Psychological distress associated with division of domestic work
Women are more likely than men to be responsible for the majority of domestic work in a household, which can lead to higher psychological distress, and new research shows that this correlation is further increased by perceived socioeconomic and gender inequality in the relationship, according to a study published June 13 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Researchers find success with new immune approach to fighting some cancers
A national research collaboration of senior researchers, including a researcher from Moffitt Cancer Center, has found that 20 to 25 percent of "heavily pre-treated" patients with a variety of cancers who enrolled in a clinical trial had "objective and durable" responses to a treatment with BMS-936558, an antibody that specifically blocks programmed cell death 1 (PD-1). PD-1 is a key immune "checkpoint" receptor expressed by activated immune cells (T-cells) and is involved in the suppression of immunity.
Ethics framework urged to manage conflicts of interest in medicine
A recent international study led by researchers from McGill University and the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) examines the complex and controversial interplay of conflicts of interest between physician experts, medicine and the pharmaceutical or medical device industry. The results of the analysis, which are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, aim to advance the management of conflicts of interest in medical guidelines.
London researchers discover novel mechanism involved in key immune response
A team of researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University have identified a novel way that a common virus, called adenovirus, causes disease. In doing so, they have discovered important information on one of the body's key immune responses. Their findings, published today in Cell Host & Microbe, may have implications for infectious diseases and cancer.
In vitro fertilization linked to multiple sclerosis relapse
(HealthDay) -- Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) are at greater risk of relapse after treatment, particularly if they receive gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or if IVF fails, according to a study published online June 11 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Cannabinoid formulation benefits opioid-refractory pain
(HealthDay) -- A novel cannabinoid formulation, nabiximols, is safe and effective for patients with advanced cancer and opioid-refractory pain, especially at a low-dose, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Pain.
Changes in tumor size by RECIST correlate with survival
(HealthDay) -- RECIST categories used to quantify tumor changes during exposure to anticancer therapies correlate well with overall survival (OS) but reflect a more linear continuum without clear inflection points, according to a study published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Physical activity reduces compensatory weight gain after liposuction
Abdominal liposuction triggers a compensatory increase in visceral fat, which is correlated with cardiovascular disease, but this effect can be counteracted by physical activity, according to a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, a publication of The Endocrine Society.
Youngest hip and thigh fracture patients heal just fine with single-leg casts
Challenging a longstanding practice of casting both legs in children with hip and thigh fractures, a new Johns Hopkins Children's Center study shows that such fractures heal just as well in single-leg casts, while giving children greater comfort and mobility.
Proposed testosterone testing of some female olympians challenged by scientists
Proposed Olympic policies for testing the testosterone levels of select female athletes could discriminate against women who may not meet traditional notions of femininity and distort the scientific evidence on the relationship between testosterone, sex and athletic performance, says a Stanford University School of Medicine bioethicist and her colleagues.
Targeted radiation for lung cancer may carry risks
(HealthDay) -- A woman with early-stage lung cancer died recently after highly targeted radiation therapy zapped not just her tumor, but surrounding tissue, fatally damaging her airway.
Plague rare in U.S., surfacing in more affluent areas
(HealthDay) -- Although the plague is typically considered a remnant of the Middle Ages, when unsanitary conditions and rodent infestations prevailed amid the squalor of poverty, this rare but deadly disease appears to be spreading through wealthier communities in New Mexico, researchers report.
Mutant gut bacteria reverse colon cancer in lab models
(Medical Xpress) -- A mutant form of a meek microbe deals a gutsy blow to colon cancer, University of Florida scientists have discovered. The special bacteria halted abnormal inflammation, reduced precancerous growths and reversed progression of severe cancerous lesions in the large intestines of mice. The findings appear June 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Conscious perception is a matter of global neural networks
(Medical Xpress) -- Consciousness is a selective process that allows only a part of the sensory input to reach awareness. But up to today it has yet to be clarified which areas of the brain are responsible for the content of conscious perception. Theofanis Panagiotaropoulos and his colleagues - researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen and University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona - have now discovered that the content of consciousness is not localized in a unique cortical area, but is most likely an emergent property of global networks of neuronal populations.
HIV may have returned in 'cured' patient: scientists
An American man whose HIV seemed to disappear after a blood marrow transplant for leukemia may be showing new hints of the disease, sparking debate over whether a cure was really achieved.
Hormones, Elvis, and human emotion: Shedding light on what makes people feel and act the way they do
The velvety voice of Elvis Presley still makes hearts flutter—and in a new study with people who have the rare genetic disorder Williams syndrome, one of the King's classics is among a group of songs that helped to cast light on part of the essence of being human: the mystery of emotion and human interaction.
Researchers identify new group of proteins in the brains of Alzheimer's patients
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a novel group of proteins that accumulate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. These findings, which appear online in the Journal of Neuroscience, may open up novel approaches to diagnose and stage the progression likelihood of the disease in Alzheimer patients.
Scientists show lack of single protein results in persistent viral infection
Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have shown a single protein can make the difference between an infection clearing out of the body or persisting for life. The results also show where the defects occur in the immune system without the protein and offer the possibility that targeting this signaling pathway could be beneficial for treatment of persistent viral infections in humans. Currently hundreds of millions of people around the world are afflicted with persistent viral infections such as HIV, HCV, and HBV.
Advanced cancers destined to recur after treatment with single drugs that 'target' tumor cells: study
Targeted cancer cell therapies using man-made proteins dramatically shrink many tumors in the first few months of treatment, but new research from Johns Hopkins scientists finds why the cells all too often become resistant, the treatment stops working, and the disease returns.
Clarity begins at exome: Sequencing protein-making part of genome can change diagnosis and patient care
In the June 13 issue of Science Translational Medicine, an international team led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine reports that the new technology of exome sequencing is not only a promising method for identifying disease-causing genes, but may also improve diagnoses and guide individual patient care.
Methods developed to enable large-scale analysis of malaria parasite genomes from patient blood samples
Researchers have developed a new technique to identify hotspots of malaria parasite evolution and track the rise of malarial drug resistance, faster and more efficiently than ever before.
Western diet changes gut bacteria and triggers colitis in those at risk
Certain saturated fats that are common in the modern Western diet can initiate a chain of events leading to complex immune disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in people with a genetic predisposition, according to a study to be published early online in the journal Nature.
Biology news
EU fish discard ban agreed -- for 2019
After 20 hours of talks into the early hours Wednesday, Europe's fisheries ministers finally struck a compromise deal to save the oceans from overfishing -- but failed to satisfy environmentalists.
Culling vampire bats is for suckers, says study
Killing vampire bats in a bid to curtail the spread of rabies to humans and livestock may make the problem worse, scientists said Wednesday.
Scientists see new hope for restoring vision with stem cell help
Human-derived stem cells can spontaneously form the tissue that develops into the part of the eye that allows us to see, according to a study published by Cell Press in the 5th anniversary issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell. Transplantation of this 3D tissue in the future could help patients with visual impairments see clearly.
IU role in Human Microbiome Project exposes battle history between bacteria, viruses in human body
An Indiana University team of researchers has conducted the most in-depth and diverse genetic analysis of the defense systems that trillions of micro-organisms in the human body use to fend off viruses. The work is among a collection of 16 research papers released today by the Human Microbiome Project Consortium, a National Institutes of Health-led effort to map the normal microbial make-up of healthy humans.
Bat bridges don't work: study
Wire bridges built to guide bats safely across busy roads simply do not work, University of Leeds researchers have confirmed.
Next-generation sequencing technology opens doors to discoveries
Discoveries unfathomable only a few years ago are reality today at the Texas AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Service with the acquisition of next-generation sequencing technology on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, said the director of the service.
New report puts real numbers behind history of oyster reefs
In an effort to advance the field of coastal restoration, The Nature Conservancy and a team of scientists from more than a dozen management agencies and research institutions led by the University of Cambridge conducted an in-depth study of oyster reef area and, for the first time, the actual biomass (the "living weight") of oyster reefs in dozens of estuaries throughout the United States.
Unusual microbes could hitch a ride with travellers
A rare and unusual new species of yeast has been identified at three separate locations across the world, reported in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The findings suggest a link between the distribution of specialized microbes and human migrations.
Dissonant music brings out the animal in listeners: researchers
(Phys.org) -- Ever wonder why Jimi Hendrix's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" moved so many people in 1969 or why the music in the shower scene of "Psycho" still sends chills down your spine?
'Facebook for animals' tested on birds
(Phys.org) -- A new way of analysing the social networks that link individual animals to each other has been tested on wild great tits by Oxford University researchers.
Lowland gorillas found to use gesture 'baby talk' with their young
(Phys.org) -- With humans, mothers and other adults have developed a whole separate way of communicating with infants, toddlers and even teens, but that kind of purposeful conversing style is unique; among primates only the rhesus macaque has been found to alter its vocalizations for the young. Now though, two researchers studying captive western lowland gorillas have found the animals use a slightly different form of communication when conversing with their young. After studying many hours of tape, the two: Eva Maria Leuf and Katja Liebal, as they describe in their paper published in the American Journal of Primatology, have found that gorilla mothers use special hand gestures to get their point across to their young and tend to repeat them till the message is understood.
Using the cane toad's poison against itself
(Phys.org) -- An effective new weapon in the fight against the spread of cane toads has been developed by the University of Sydney, in collaboration with the University of Queensland.
Inner ear may hold key to ancient primate behavior
CT scans of fossilized primate skulls or skull fragments from both the Old and New Worlds may shed light on how these extinct animals moved, especially for those species without any known remains, according to an international team of researchers.
Bacterium signals plant to open up and let friends in
Researchers have identified the set of tools an infectious microbe uses to persuade a plant to open the windows and let the bug and all of its friends inside.
Scientists complete Bonobo genome
In a project led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, an international team of scientists has completed the sequencing and analysis of the genome of the last great ape, the bonobo. Bonobos, which together with chimpanzees are the closest living relatives of humans, are known for their peaceful, playful and sexual behaviour that contrasts with the more aggressive behaviour of chimpanzees. The genome sequence provides insights into the evolutionary relationships between the great apes and may help us to understand the genetic basis of these traits.
Pitcher plant uses power of the rain to trap prey (w/ Video)
During heavy rain, the lid of Nepenthes gracilis pitchers acts like a springboard, catapulting insects that seek shelter on its underside directly into the fluid-filled pitcher, new research has found. The findings were published today, Wednesday 13 June, in the journal PLoS ONE.
Anxious mice make lousy dads: study
Normally, male California mice are surprisingly doting fathers, but new research published in the journal Physiological and Biochemical Zoology suggests that high anxiety can turn these good dads bad.
'Magical state' of embryonic stem cells may help overcome hurdles to therapeutics
With their potential to treat a wide range of diseases and uncover fundamental processes that lead to those diseases, embryonic stem (ES) cells hold great promise for biomedical science. A number of hurdles, both scientific and non-scientific, however, have precluded scientists from reaching the holy grail of using these special cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other diseases.
Researchers discover the African cichlid's noisy courtship ritual
African cichlids enjoy an alien, exotic courtship routine. A dominant male attracts choice females to his territory by dancing seductively. If the female is sufficiently impressed, she lays her eggs and immediately collects them in her mouth, where the male fertilizes them. And, in some species, every once in a while, a lower-ranking male will dart into the scene and try to fertilize a few eggs before the dominant male knows what's happened.
Where we split from sharks: Common ancestor comes into focus
The common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates on Earth resembled a shark, according to a new analysis of the braincase of a 290-million-year-old fossil fish that has long puzzled paleontologists.
Human Microbiome Project: First detailed studies describe diversity, variety, and function of microbes in people
Human beings are ecosystems on two legs, each of us carrying enough microbes to outnumber our human cells by 10 to 1 and our genes by even more. Identifying the dizzying numbers of bacteria and other microbes that live in and on our bodies is like exploring a new planet. You need much more than telescopes and charts to map the unknown territory called our microbiomes – and explorers to take a census of the inhabitants.
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