Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 21, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- 8th century gamma ray burst irradiated the Earth, study finds- Gold nanoparticles show new way to kill lymphoma without chemotherapy
- Asteroid Vesta more like Earth than realized, study shows
- New evidence indicates auroras occur outside our solar system
- Enzyme helps cancer cells avoid genetic instability
- Give away your money, feel happier?
- Study finds linchpin of skin response to UVA light
- Researchers show how cells' DNA repair machinery can destroy viruses
- Study suggests link between regular aspirin use, increased risk of age-related macular degeneration
- Could chemical in dishware raise your risk for kidney stones?
- In your face: Near-infrared glasses thwart face recognition
- Molecular forces are key to proper cell division
- Physicists looking to test theory of 'cosmic domain walls'
- A hidden genetic code: Researchers identify key differences in seemingly synonymous parts of the structure
- NASA's older Mars rover notches another milestone
Space & Earth news
Philippines: Stranded US Navy ship ignored warnings
A US Navy minesweeper that has been stuck on a World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines since last week ignored warnings to avoid the area, a government official said on Monday.
Brussels urges quick decision on freeze in pollution credits
The EU executive Monday urged a quick decision on a freeze of 900 million tonnes of pollution credits auctioned to firms in 2013-2015 in order to raise the price of carbon and make investment in clean technology worthwhile.
Survival of the fittest: Ocean acidification produces winners and losers
(Phys.org)—As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to increase, the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide. This absorption comes at a cost, since it makes the ocean more acidic. An acid ocean will affect all marine species, but the potential severity of these effects is the subject of debate.
Watery science 'jackpot' discovered by Curiosity
The Curiosity rover hit the science "jackpot" and has discovered widespread further evidence of multiple episodes of liquid water flowing over ancient Mars billions of years ago when the planet was warmer and wetter, scientists announced. The watery evidence comes in the form of water bearing mineral veins, cross-bedded layering, nodules and spherical sedimentary concretions.
Asteroid Vesta more like Earth than realized, study shows
The cold, dead asteroid Vesta might have had a very active inner life early in the solar system's history, according to an unusual analysis of a Saharan meteorite.
NASA's older Mars rover notches another milestone
Opportunity, NASA's other Mars rover, has tooled around the red planet for so long it's easy to forget it's still alive.
Research team discovers third type of volcanic eruption
(Phys.org)—A team of researchers from New Zealand's Victoria University has discovered what its members believe to be, a third type of volcanic eruption. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, they describe a type of eruption that is neither explosive nor effusive.
New evidence indicates auroras occur outside our solar system
University of Leicester planetary scientists have found new evidence suggesting auroras – similar to Earth's Aurora Borealis - occur on bodies outside our solar system.
8th century gamma ray burst irradiated the Earth, study finds
(Phys.org)—A nearby short duration gamma-ray burst may be the cause of an intense blast of high-energy radiation that hit the Earth in the 8th century, according to new research led by astronomers Valeri Hambaryan and Ralph Neuhӓuser. The two scientists, based at the Astrophysics Institute of the University of Jena in Germany, publish their results in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Technology news
Google chief's daughter on 'strange' N.Korea visit
The teenage daughter of Google chairman Eric Schmidt has shed some light on her father's secretive trip to North Korea, writing a first-hand account of the visit to a "very, very strange" country.
ISIS plays key role in efforts to revolutionize military manufacturing
Inventors from across the country can enter a national competition to design a new amphibious infantry fighting vehicle for the U.S. Marine Corps and Vanderbilt University's Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) is playing a key role in the development of the engineering software that makes the challenge possible.
Online crowd powers "Girl Rising" film debut
Tech startup Gathr is putting the power of the crowd behind 'Girl Rising,' a film that poignantly backs the fact that educating girls makes our world a better place.
China's Huawei criticizes US security complaints
Chinese tech giant Huawei on Monday criticized U.S. claims the company might be a security risk as trade protectionism that harms consumers.
NKorea loosens restrictions on foreign cellphones
North Korea is loosening some restrictions on foreign cellphones by allowing visitors to bring their own phones into the country. However, security regulations still prohibit mobile phone calls between foreigners and locals.
Engineers help space chamber reach cold target at unprecedented efficiency
As the U.S. sweated through its warmest year on record outside, a testing chamber at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston reached its coldest temperatures yet on the inside, cooled by one of the world's most efficient cryogenic refrigeration systems.
Atari US files for bankruptcy to break from parent (Update)
Video game maker Atari's U.S. operations have filed for bankruptcy protection in an effort to separate from their French parent company, which is filing a similar motion separately in France.
Report: Cuba using undersea fiber-optic cable
Cuba apparently has finally switched on the first undersea fiber-optic cable linking it to the outside world nearly two years after its arrival, according to analysis by a company that monitors global Internet use.
Vibrating steering wheel may rescue driver from blinding glare
(Phys.org)—Imagine how jarring the experience can be—blinding light that becomes a visual impairment to the point where the driver cannot manage to drive correctly. In a study titled "Statistical Assessment of the Glare Issue - Human and Natural Elements," Eun-Ha Choi and Santokh Singh wrote that, whether it comes from headlamps or sunlight, the effect of glare affects driving performance. "The challenge for vehicle manufacturers and regulators is to provide the driver with a reasonable level of protection from glare. Empirical research is necessary in order to address this issue," they said.
In your face: Near-infrared glasses thwart face recognition
(Phys.org)—People generally like the idea of facial recognition technology, if they are asked about it in the context of identifying dangerous killers on the loose and people out to spread mayhem. People generally hate the idea of facial recognition technology in the context of their own faces showing up without their permission on social networking sites or on databases designed to boost a company's sales. As law-enforcement and commercial companies explore facial recognition technologies, privacy groups are throwing up red flags.
Medicine & Health news
DNA chip to diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood neuropsychiatric disorder. Yet there is currently no tool that will confirm the diagnosis of ADHD.
New handheld mobile device performs laboratory-quality HIV testing
New research appearing online today in Clinical Chemistry, the journal of AACC, shows that a handheld mobile device can check patients' HIV status with just a finger prick, and synchronize the results in real time with electronic health records. This technology takes a step toward providing remote areas of the world with diagnostic services traditionally available only in centralized healthcare settings.
Scientists increase the success rate of tooth implants
Elderly or people with osteoporosis, smokers, diabetics or people who have had cancer are sometimes not eligible to receive dental implants as their bones are unable to correctly integrate the new prostheses which replace the root. Researchers at the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Castellón have developed an implant coating with a novel biodegradable material aimed at people with bone deficit. It will also increase the overall success rate of implants through an enhanced biocompatibility and reduce the time of osseointegration or bone integration.
Unique software supports behavioural intervention programmes
The internet offers users a cost-effective way of accessing information and advice on any health problem, 24-hours a day. A group of social scientists has taken advantage of this by developing software which enables other researchers to easily create interactive internet-based intervention programmes to support behavioural change. The software, known as LifeGuide, is being used in intervention programmes, for example to quit smoking or manage weight loss.
38 children hospitalised after meningitis shot in Chad
Thirty-eight children from northern Chad have been hospitalised after being vaccinated for meningitis in a government campaign, the health minister said Monday.
Forced treatment for crack addicts in Sao Paulo
About 50 Brazilian health officials and law enforcement agents are rounding up crack addicts in the city of Sao Paulo and forcibly putting them in treatment if deemed necessary.
Kan. case reveals risks of assisted reproduction
(AP)—The case of a Kansas sperm donor being sued by the state for child support underscores the confusing patchwork of laws that govern how assisted reproduction is regulated in the United States.
Like Lance Armstrong, we are all liars, experts say
Although we profess to hate it, lying is common, useful and pretty much universal. It is one of the most durable threads in our social fabric and an important bulwark of our self-esteem. We start lying by the age of 4 and we do it at least several times a day, researchers have found. And we get better with practice.
Survey finds folk remedies often offered during breastfeeding
(Medical Xpress)—Breastfeeding can be a difficult time for both mother and baby, so using cabbage leaves and tea bags to ease pain or eating oatmeal to increase milk production are among the folk remedies that women pass along to new mothers seeking help.
Bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents may also help treat previously undiagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities
(Medical Xpress)—This time of year many people make resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, exercise more, lose weight and eat better. For the adolescents who are extremely obese in this country, diet and exercise alone often are not enough to get their weight down. Some of those teens will require weight loss surgery to improve their overall health. According to a recent study published in the January print issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents also was shown to be beneficial in helping to reverse previously undiagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities believed to be linked to severe obesity.
ADHD medication can slow growth in teenage boys, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Adolescent boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be shorter and slimmer than their same-age peers, according to a new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia today.
One-third of dating teens report violence in their relationships
(Medical Xpress)—Nearly a third of those dating in middle and high school report abusive relationships, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. The dating violence, which the researchers first measured in sixth grade, is a cycle that increases over time.
Blood-based biomarkers may lead to earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition. At present, it is usually diagnosed only when motor features are present. Hence, there is a need to develop objective and measurable biomarkers to improve PD diagnostics during its earlier stage, prior to its motor onset. In this pilot study, researchers identified and tested the first blood-based circulating microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for PD. Their results are published in the latest issue of Journal of Parkinson's Disease.
New technology shows diabetes
A new imaging method for the study of insulin-producing cells in diabetes among other uses is now being presented by a group of researchers at Umeå University in Sweden in the form of a video in the biomedical video journal, The Journal of Visualized Experiments.
Three questions about HPV vaccination
In 2009, more than 30,000 people in the U.S. learned they had cancer linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This virus is best known for causing cervical cancer, but it's also the culprit behind many cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, and genitals. Unlike many forms of cancer, for which we lack the knowledge and tools to prevent, scientists have figured out how to dodge HPV-triggered cancers—by HPV vaccination. Vaccination against HPV thwarts the viruses' spread, wrecking its ability to jump between people. Wiping out HPV could mean shutting down a big source of cancer cases—more than 3 percent of all diagnoses nationwide.
Study: Facebook makes users envious, dissatisfied
In a joint research study conducted by the Department of Information Systems of the TU Darmstadt (Prof. Dr. Peter Buxmann) and the Institute of Information Systems of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Dr. Hanna Krasnova), Facebook members were surveyed regarding their feelings after using the platform. More than one-third of respondents reported predominantly negative feelings, such as frustration. The researchers identified that envying their "Facebook friends" is the major reason for this result. Project manager Dr. Hanna Krasnova, who is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the Humboldt-Universität, explained that, "Although respondents were reluctant to admit feeling envious while on Facebook, they often presumed that envy can be the cause behind the frustration of "others" on this platform - a clear indication that envy is a salient phenomenon in the Facebook context.
Smoke-free law linked to 12% decrease in child asthma hospital admissions, study finds
The introduction of smoke-free legislation in England was immediately followed by a fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with asthma symptoms, a new study has found.
New tool for selecting embryos in fertility treatments
A team of researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València and specialists from the Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe have developed a new tool, a mathematical model to be exact, to help in the selection of embryos for transfer in fertility treatments.
Poorer neighborhoods often have less safe playgrounds
(HealthDay)—Most playgrounds are safe for children, but many of them—particularly those in poorer neighborhoods—need improvement, a Chicago-area survey found.
Longer CPR extends survival in both children and adults
Experts from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were among the leaders of two large national studies showing that extending CPR longer than previously thought useful saves lives in both children and adults. The research teams analyzed impact of duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients who suffered cardiac arrest while hospitalized.
Study suggests increased diagnosis rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at health plan
A study of medical records at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan suggests the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis increased from 2001 to 2010, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics.
Hearing loss accelerates brain function decline in older adults
Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than older adults whose hearing is normal, according to a new study by hearing experts at Johns Hopkins.
Nearly half of children under two years of age receive some vaccinations late
In a new study published today in JAMA Pediatrics (formerly Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine), Kaiser Permanente researchers found that 49 percent of children ages 2-24 months did not receive all recommended vaccinations or did not get vaccinated according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices schedule.
Many researchers taking a different view of pedophilia
As a young boy, Paul Christiano loved the world of girls - the way they danced, how their spindly bodies tumbled in gymnastics. In adolescence, as other boys ogled classmates, he was troubled to find himself fantasizing about 7- to 11-year-olds.
New findings on mortality of individuals with schizophrenia
A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that the average life expectancy of men and women with schizophrenia is 15 years and 12 years shorter respectively than for those who do not suffer from the disease. The study has been carried out in collaboration with Stanford University in the US.
'Microbeads' may boost survival in advanced colon cancer patients
(HealthDay News) —For advanced colon cancer patients who have developed liver tumors, so-called "radioactive beads" implanted near these tumors may extend survival nearly a year longer than among patients on chemotherapy alone, a small new study finds.
Interactive decision support system ups breast CA detection
(HealthDay)—Compared with currently used computer-aided detection (CAD) prompts, use of an interactive CAD system, in which CAD marks and their associated suspiciousness scores remain hidden unless queried by a reader, improves the detection of malignant masses using digital mammography, according to research published in the January issue of Radiology.
Benefit designs causing changes in liability lead to anxiety, debt
(HealthDay)—Adults with high out-of-pocket health care expenditures experience considerable anxiety and debt problems, as well as disruption in their medical care, according to research published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Evidence discredits aggressive UTI testing in young children
(HealthDay)—Guidelines recommending aggressive testing of young children with fevers for urinary tract infections (UTIs) should be revisited given the lack of evidence and long-term justification, according to research published online Jan. 11 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Not all 'surviving sepsis' intervention recs are adopted
(HealthDay)—Not all nursing interventions recommended in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) are actually implemented in emergency departments, according to a review published in the January issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
Accelerated cognitive decline seen with T2DM in middle age
(HealthDay)—Middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes show accelerated cognitive decline in information processing speed and executive function, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Diabetes Care.
Ulcerative colitis, not crohn's, deaths down from 1982
(HealthDay)—Over the past 30 years in Denmark, mortality from ulcerative colitis (UC) has decreased, but mortality from Crohn's disease (CD) has remained persistently higher than the general population, according to research published in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Calorie-restricted weight loss restores ghrelin sensitivity
(HealthDay)—In a mouse model, calorie-restricted weight loss reverses the high-fat diet-induced ghrelin resistance that may contribute to rebound weight gain, according to research published online Jan. 10 in Endocrinology.
Overlooked ugly cholesterol causes heart disease
The risk of ischaemic heart disease – a disease affecting some 150,000 Danes – is three times higher in persons with high levels of the so-called 'ugly' cholesterol. This is the finding of a new study of 73,000 Danes, which is shedding light on a long debate on this topic. The results have just been published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Polio virus found in Egypt linked to Pakistan
Pakistani health officials Monday called for infants leaving the country to be issued polio vaccinations at airports after virus samples linked to a southern Pakistani city were discovered in Egypt.
FDA approves first skin patch to combat migraines
(HealthDay News) —A skin patch for the treatment of migraines, and the intense waves of nausea that often accompany these debilitating headaches, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Obese much more likely to die in car crashes than normal weight drivers
Obese drivers are significantly more likely to die in a road traffic collision than people of normal weight, indicates US research published online in Emergency Medicine Journal.
Task force urges routine screening of women for domestic violence
(HealthDay)—Physicians should screen all women of childbearing age for signs of domestic violence and refer them for treatment if necessary, a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says.
Study finds linchpin of skin response to UVA light
Last year, a team of researchers at Brown University discovered that certain skin cells use a light-sensitive receptor found outside of the eye to sense ultraviolet light and quickly begin pumping out melanin to protect against DNA damage. In a new study, lab members identify a key player in that biomolecular chain of events that could someday become a pharmacological target for improving this protective response.
Researchers show how cells' DNA repair machinery can destroy viruses
A team of researchers based at Johns Hopkins has decoded a system that makes certain types of immune cells impervious to HIV infection. The system's two vital components are high levels of a molecule that becomes embedded in viral DNA like a code written in invisible ink, and an enzyme that, when it reads the code, switches from repairing the DNA to chopping it up into unusable pieces. The researchers, who report the find in the Jan. 21 early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, say the discovery points toward a new approach to eradicating HIV from the body.
Study suggests link between regular aspirin use, increased risk of age-related macular degeneration
Regular aspirin use appears to be associated with an increased risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a leading cause of blindness in older people, and it appears to be independent of a history of cardiovascular disease and smoking, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Give away your money, feel happier?
(HealthDay)—Having pots of money doesn't necessarily make you happy, study after study has found. But giving away money—even if you're not rich—is likely to make you feel wealthier, and thus happier, new research contends.
Could chemical in dishware raise your risk for kidney stones?
(HealthDay)—A chemical called melamine that's found in some dishware might raise your risk for kidney stones, a small new study suggests.
Gold nanoparticles show new way to kill lymphoma without chemotherapy
How do you annihilate lymphoma without using any drugs? Starve it to death by depriving it of what appears to be a favorite food: HDL cholesterol.
Biology news
Aquaculture: Helping blue turn green
Producing sea shells and algae alongside fish could provide both an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution to make Mediterranean aquaculture sustainable.
Turtle expert's research reveals animal welfare issues at farm
(Phys.org)—A world-renowned expert on amphibians and reptiles from Murdoch University is among an international team of researchers who are calling for a turtle farm in the Caribbean to be shut down after exposing serious animal welfare issues.
Human-tiger conflict: Are the risks overestimated?
Wildlife conservationists are well aware of the potential conflicts that exist between the endangered species they seek to protect and the human populations which inhabit areas where the animals live. Carnivores, such as tigers, pose a risk to humans and their livestock and can be killed because of this potential risk. Previous research has found that killing of animals can be motivated as much by social and psychological factors, such as perception of danger, as by any actual real risk posed by a species.
Molecular forces are key to proper cell division
Studies led by cell biologist Thomas Maresca at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are revealing new details about a molecular surveillance system that helps detect and correct errors in cell division that can lead to cell death or human diseases. Findings are reported in the current issue of the Journal of Cell Biology.
Scientists find tiny fragments of plastic in the digestive systems of fish pulled from the English Channel
The discovery, by a team from Plymouth University and the UK Marine Biological Association, highlights the growing problem of plastic contamination of marine environments.
Invasive fish enters streams feeding Lake Michigan, but so far, so good
(Phys.org)—Invasive species are known for disturbing their new homes. Whether it's the zebra mussels in the Great Lakes or garlic mustard in native woodlands, their rampant multiplication crowds out native species.
A hidden genetic code: Researchers identify key differences in seemingly synonymous parts of the structure
Harvard scientists say they've solved a mystery that's nearly as old as science's understanding of the genetic code.
Enzyme helps cancer cells avoid genetic instability
Cancer cells are resourceful survivors with plenty of tricks for staying alive. Researchers have uncovered one of these stratagems, showing how cells lacking the tumor suppressor BRCA1 can resume one form of DNA repair, sparing themselves from stagnation or death. The study appears in the January 21st issue of The Journal of Cell Biology.
This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
http://phys.org/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment