Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 28, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Can dark energy be explained by symmetrons?- Fine patterns that combine single-atom-thick graphene, boron nitride point toward 2-D electronic devices
- Earthquakes, glue and grappling hooks: Scientists dissect the movement of bacteria
- Polymer film that gradually releases DNA coding for viral proteins could offer better alternative to vaccines
- Color-tunable photonic fibers mimic the fruit of the 'bastard hogberry' plant
- Researchers break million-core supercomputer barrier
- Genomic research finds significant microorganism populations in middle, upper troposphere
- Researchers unravel mysteries of spider silk
- Cities affect temperatures for thousands of miles
- One in, two out: Simulating more efficient solar cells
- AR glasses are proposed to restore depth perception
- Patients' skin cells transformed into heart cells to create 'disease in a dish'
- Central Valley irrigation intensifies rainfall, storms across the Southwest
- WhatsApp messaging breached privacy laws
- What holds chromosomes together: Researchers elucidate the structure of dna-packaging proteins
Space & Earth news
NASA sees troublesome remnants of Cyclone Oswald still causing problems
Ex-tropical cyclone Oswald doesn't know when to stop causing problems for Queensland, Australia, and now teamed up with a low pressure area, it continues to bring heavy rainfall. NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the remnants and saw Oswald hugging the southeastern Queensland coast.
Io's volcanism controls Jupiter's magnetospheric activity
Jupiter's volcanic moon Io spews out volcanic gas, which reaches its atmosphere and becomes ionized, forming what is known as the Io plasma torus. This plasma torus can interact with Jupiter's magnetosphere, possibly affecting auroral activity there.
Scientist publishes first climate change textbook for college students
Dr. Charles Fletcher, Associate Dean and Professor of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, released this month the first edition of "Climate Change: What the Science Tells Us" (published by J. Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ). Fletcher offers the first real textbook to present the science surrounding climate change at the right level for an undergraduate student.
USGS-NOAA: Climate change impacts to US coasts threaten public health, safety and economy
According to a new technical report, the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of U.S. coastal communities' social, economic and natural systems.
NASA sees Cyclone Garry's strength peaking in South Pacific
NASA's Aqua satellite identified powerful thunderstorms around the center of Cyclone Garry as the storm continued to intensify over warm waters of the South Pacific Ocean. Garry has prompted warnings for the southern group of the Cook Islands.
Japan launches two intelligence satellites
Japan launched two intelligence satellites into orbit on Sunday amid growing concerns that North Korea is planning to test more rockets of its own and possibly conduct a nuclear test.
Measuring the consequence of forest fires on public health
Pollution from forest fires is impacting the health of people with asthma and other chronic obstructive lung diseases, finds a study in Biomed Central's open access journal Environmental Health. This study uses data from pharmacies and dispensaries to measure the increase in drugs needed to alleviate symptoms associated with pollution.
Iran successfully sends monkey into space (Update)
Iran on Monday took a "big step" towards sending astronauts into space by 2020, successfully launching a monkey above the Earth's atmosphere, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state television.
TDRS-K offers upgrade to vital communications net
(Phys.org)—NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, also known as the Space Network, will get an upgrade this month when the agency launches the first of a new generation of communications satellites to connect man of NASA's spacecraft to their control centers and mission data centers.
Opportunity rover starts year 10 on Mars with remarkable science discoveries
9 Years ago, NASA's pair of identical twin sister rovers – christened Spirit & Opportunity- bounced to daunting airbag-cushioned landings on opposite sides of the Red Planet for what was supposed to be merely 90 day missions, or maybe a little bit longer scientists hoped.
Groundwater fate and climate change
(Phys.org)—Simon Fraser University earth scientist Diana Allen, a co-author on a new paper about climate changes' impacts on the world's ground water, says climate change may be exacerbating many countries' experience of water stress.
Forest monitoring technology could help in carbon accounting
Technology developed by CSIRO is providing an unprecedented level of information about the stability of Australia's forests and greenhouse balance.
DEM L50: Stellar effervescence on display
(Phys.org)—This composite image shows the superbubble DEM L50 (a.k.a. N186) located in the Large Magellanic Cloud about 160,000 light years from Earth. Superbubbles are found in regions where massive stars have formed in the last few million years. The massive stars produce intense radiation, expel matter at high speeds, and race through their evolution to explode as supernovas . The winds and supernova shock waves carve out huge cavities called superbubbles in the surrounding gas.
Hubble finds appearances can be deceptive
(Phys.org)—Globular clusters are roughly spherical collections of extremely old stars, and around 150 of them are scattered around our galaxy. Hubble is one of the best telescopes for studying these, as its extremely high resolution lets astronomers see individual stars, even in the crowded core. The clusters all look very similar, and in Hubble's images it can be quite hard to tell them apart – and they all look much like NGC 411, pictured here.
Giant, magnetized outflows from our galactic center
(Phys.org)—Two years ago, CfA astronomers reported the discovery of giant, twin lobes of gamma-ray emission protruding about 50,000 light-years above and below the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, and centered on the supermassive black hole at our galaxy's core. The scientists argued then that the bubbles were produced either by an eruption from the black hole sometime in the past, or else by a burst of star formation in that vicinity.
Planners for hypersonic SpaceLiner craft propose a 50 year timeline
(Phys.org)—Martin Sippel, project coordinator for the SpaceLiner project has announced that the German Aerospace Center believes it can plan, build and launch a suborbital craft capable of flying from Europe to Australia in just 90 minutes, in as few as 50 years.
Hydrogeologist questions reservoir releases and blasting rock to deepen the Mississippi for barge traffic
(Phys.org)—The Jan. 17 issue of The New York Times celebrated "the remarkable feat of engineering" that kept the Mississippi River open to barge traffic despite extreme drought in the Midwest. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the article said, had dredged, blasted and scraped away rock obstructions along the riverbed, lowering the bottom of the channel at Thebes, Ill., by two feet.
New tools for detecting previously unknown tree mortality will shed light on role of Amazon forests in carbon cycle
The Earth's forests perform a well-known service to the planet, absorbing a great deal of the carbon dioxide pollution emitted into the atmosphere from human activities. But when trees are killed by natural disturbances, such as fire, drought or wind, their decay also releases carbon back into the atmosphere, making it critical to quantify tree mortality in order to understand the role of forests in the global climate system. Tropical old-growth forests may play a large role in this absorption service, yet tree mortality patterns for these forests are not well understood.
Central Valley irrigation intensifies rainfall, storms across the Southwest
Agricultural irrigation in California's Central Valley doubles the amount of water vapor pumped into the atmosphere, ratcheting up rainfall and powerful monsoons across the interior Southwest, according to a new study by UC Irvine scientists.
WISSARD team reaches subglacial Lake Whillans in Antarctica
(Phys.org)—This month is a turning point for ventures through recent years involving scientists trying to learn more about the buried lakes of the Antarctica. A team of scientists have been able to bore down into Lake Whillans, a body of water in the west of Antarctica, and buried almost 1km under the Antarctic ice. As described by the BBC, the lake is less of a lake and more of a dense system of delta-like streams.
Cities affect temperatures for thousands of miles
Even if you live more than 1,000 miles from the nearest large city, it could be affecting your weather. In a new study that shows the extent to which human activities are influencing the atmosphere, scientists have concluded that the heat generated by everyday activities in metropolitan areas alters the character of the jet stream and other major atmospheric systems. This affects temperatures across thousands of miles, significantly warming some areas and cooling others, according to the study in Nature Climate Change.
Genomic research finds significant microorganism populations in middle, upper troposphere
In what is believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers used genomic techniques to document the presence of significant numbers of living microorganisms – principally bacteria – in the middle and upper troposphere, that section of the atmosphere approximately four to six miles above the Earth's surface.
Technology news
Bulgarians vote in referendum on new nuclear plant
Bulgarians voted Sunday on whether to revive plans ditched by the government to construct a second nuclear power plant, in the EU member's first referendum since communism.
Free ticket to ride in Estonia capital
Tallinn is the first EU capital to offer its residents free public transport, and though the move aimed at driving down car pollution is proving popular, visitors feel let down and others are accusing City Hall of a campaign gimmick.
Providence theater experiments with 'tweet seats'
(AP)—Sarah Bertness slipped into her seat at a recent staging of the musical "Million Dollar Quartet" and, when the lights dimmed, started doing something that's long been taboo inside theaters: typing away at her iPhone.
Bulgarian nuclear vote set to fail
Low turnout appears to have scuppered a Bulgarian referendum on whether the former Communist nation should build a second nuclear power plant.
LodgeNet files for Ch. 11, plans sale to Colony
LodgeNet Interactive Corp. says it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a plan to sell itself to investment firm Colony Capital for $60 million.
Powerwave seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Powerwave Technologies Inc., which makes antennas and other equipment for wireless networks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid a steep sales slump.
Apple's Wozniak questions accuracy as Jobs film opens
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak questioned the accuracy of a long-awaited film about Steve Jobs as the movie opened with a red carpet premiere, while its makers stressed it was not a documentary.
Assange: WikiLeaks film script leaked to WikiLeaks
If you're making a movie about WikiLeaks, this is the kind of thing you probably see coming.
Hackers take over US sentencing commission website (Update)
The hacker-activist group Anonymous said it hijacked the website of the U.S. Sentencing Commission to avenge the death of Aaron Swartz, an Internet activist who committed suicide.
UN group OKs new video format to save bandwidth
The U.N. telecommunications agency says its members have agreed upon a new compression format that could dramatically cut the amount of Internet bandwidth currently used by video files.
Japan manufacturers make big emissions cuts
Japan's big manufacturers reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 15 percent annually on average over the past five years compared to 1990, according to a survey published in the Nikkei daily.
Push for futuristic guns builds on embattled past
It sounds, at first, like a bold, next-generation solution: personalizing guns with technology that keeps them from firing if they ever get into the wrong hands. But when the White House called for pushing ahead with such new technology as part of President Obama's plan to cut gun violence, the administration did not mention the concept's embattled past. As with so much else in the nation's long-running divisions over gun rights and regulation, what sounds like a futuristic vision is, in fact, an idea that has been kicked around for years, sidelined by intense suspicion, doubts about feasibility and pressure tactics.
Pentagon to boost cybersecurity force
The US Department of Defense has approved a fivefold expansion of its cybersecurity force over the coming years in a bid to increase its ability to defend critical computer networks, The Washington Post reported.
A boost to your mobile signal
When using your mobile phone, it doesn't take much to lose that precious signal - just turning a corner or riding on a train can be enough. EU-funded research is developing new technologies to eradicate those annoying 'black holes' in wireless coverage, while freeing up some mobile network capacity at the same time.
Lane-swapping helps autonomous vehicles avoid collisions, study finds
Autonomous, driverless vehicles look set to hit the streets in the near future and become increasingly common, so UK researchers have investigated algorithms that could help developers include escape manoeuvres to allow such vehicles to quickly and safely switch lanes to avoid collisions with other road users.
World's first 2 tbit/s WDM field trial
Huawei and Vodafone announced the successful trial of 2 Tbit/s optical fiber transmission technologies on Vodafone's live network. The field trial achieved 2 Tbit/s transmission capabilities of over 3,325km. This provides a data highway capacity 20-times higher than current commercially deployed 100Gbit/s systems and has a speed equivalent to downloading 40 HD videos in one second. This marks an important step forward for optical transport technology advances beyond 100G.
Virtual game brings cinema collection into focus
A brand new virtual game involving a group of rebels whose quest is to regain the world of cinema from a futuristic government that has banned all films is being launched by the University of Exeter's cinema museum.
Apple, Android have smartphone 'duopoly', survey finds
Android and Apple smartphones captured a whopping 92 percent of global sales in the fourth quarter, giving the two systems an effective duopoly, a research firm said Monday.
Twitter says government data requests rise
Twitter said Monday that worldwide requests from governments about its users rose nearly 20 percent in second half of 2012 as it sought to raise awareness about "invasive" actions.
Google sued in UK over Safari tracking
A British law firm says that about a dozen Apple customers are suing Internet search leader Google in the U.K. over its alleged secret tracking of their Internet browsing habits.
Vine video porn posts exposed
Twitter's iPhone video-snippet sharing service Vine had concerns about porn exposed on Monday after adult content was bared briefly in an "Editor's Picks" section.
iOS 6.1: Apple updates software for iPhone, iPad
Apple said Monday it was releasing updated mobile software for the iPhone and iPad which makes it easier for users to get on high-speed networks.
Yahoo! shares up and down as profit tops expectations
Yahoo! shares rose and then fell back in after-hours trading Monday as the struggling Internet pioneer topped Wall Street expectations despite a slip in quarterly profit.
US braces for 'six strikes' online piracy program
A new voluntary system aimed at rooting out online copyright piracy using a controversial "six strikes" system is set to be implemented by US Internet providers soon, with the impact unclear.
Recycling entrepreneur stubs out cigarette garbage
Recycling entrepreneur Tom Szaky is stubbing out the world's cigarette problem—one butt at a time.
Wind research study has potential to diversify state's economy, provide energy to California
New transmission and generation infrastructure, relative to power generated by Wyoming's vaunted wind, would help diversify the state's economy with more high-paying jobs—both during the construction and operation phases—while providing economically priced renewable power to California, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Wyoming's Wind Energy Research Center.
Ford, Daimler, Nissan to research hydrogen cars
Ford is joining with Daimler and Renault-Nissan to speed development of cars that run on hydrogen, with hopes of bringing a vehicle to market in as little as four years.
Antigua gets OK to become copyright haven (Update)
Americans call it piracy. Antiguans call it justice. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are threatening to strip intellectual property protections from American goods as part of a long-running trade dispute over the U.S. embargo on the tiny Caribbean nation's online gambling industry.
WhatsApp messaging breached privacy laws
WhatsApp's mobile messaging service used by hundreds of millions of customers worldwide breached privacy laws in at least two countries, a joint Canadian-Dutch probe concluded Monday.
AR glasses are proposed to restore depth perception
(Phys.org)—People with impaired depth perception might see better with augmented reality glasses according to a research initiative under way at the University of Yamanashi in Japan. The team involved are working with off the shelf goggles that are aimed at the "bionocularly challenged," referring to people who lack binocular depth perception. The glasses generate a feeling of depth in the partially sighted person's "good" eye via software especially written for the glasses.
Researchers break million-core supercomputer barrier
Stanford Engineering's Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) has set a new record in computational science by successfully using a supercomputer with more than one million computing cores to solve a complex fluid dynamics problem—the prediction of noise generated by a supersonic jet engine.
Medicine & Health news
FDA won't regulate Pa. birth control machine
(AP)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration won't take any regulatory action over a vending machine at a Pennsylvania college that dispenses the morning-after pill.
Only Miss. abortion clinic gets license warning
(AP)—As the nation marks the 40th anniversary of the historic decision to legalize abortions in the U.S., Mississippi's lone abortion clinic says it received notice that the state health department intends to revoke its operating license.
Obama birth control mandates loosens lawsuits
(AP)—The legal challenges over religious freedom and the birth control coverage requirement in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul appear to be moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
New Zealand firm defends milk safety after chemical find
New Zealand's Fonterra, the world's largest dairy exporter, said Monday that its milk was "100 percent" safe to drink despite tests finding trace elements of an agricultural chemical in milk powder.
After tobacco, Turkey bans hookah in public places
After banning smoking in public places, the Turkish government has gone one step further by clamping down on an ancient tradition—the hookah, or water pipe.
Academics research effectiveness of speed awareness courses
Speed awareness courses have a "long term impact" on driving behaviour, reveals a new study carried out by academics at Aston Business School.
Little progress in participation of early-career registered nurses in hospital quality improvement activities
Nurses are the largest group of health care providers in the U.S., and health care leaders and experts agree that engaging registered nurses (RNs) in quality improvement (QI) efforts is essential to improving our health care system, patient care and our nation's health. Unfortunately, despite studies demonstrating the value of nurse-led quality improvement efforts, far too few nurses are involved in these efforts, and the number is not growing, according to a study published in the Journal of Nursing Care Quality.
New national PSA campaign launched to help bystanders recognize and respond to warning signs of stroke F.A.S.T.
Every 40 seconds a stroke occurs in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. To raise awareness about F.A.S.T.—an acronym to recognize and respond to the sudden warning signs of stroke, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Ad Council are unveiling a new, national multimedia public service advertisement (PSA) campaign.
Former WHO chief Hiroshi Nakajima dies at 84
Hiroshi Nakajima, a Japanese doctor and former director-general of the World Health Organization, died at the weekend in France at the age of 84, the UN health body said Monday.
Doctors aim to help stroke patients overcome disability by helping rewire their brains
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are hoping to help victims of stroke to overcome physical disabilities by helping their brains to 'rewire' themselves.
16 sick in 5 states; linked to ground beef recall
(AP)—Federal health officials say at least 16 people in five states have been sickened by salmonella food poisoning linked to ground beef.
Radial access should be first choice for PCI, ESC says
The radial approach for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) was developed 20 years ago and is used for more than 50% of procedures in France, Scandinavian countries, the UK, Spain and Italy. Despite the advantages of radial access some countries in Europe such as Germany use radial access for fewer than 10% of PCI.
Treating constipation in seniors: A review of current treatments
For seniors who are constipated, the use of polyethylene glycol and lactulose are effective, according to a review of current treatments published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). The article reviews the latest evidence on the efficacy and safety of treatments to help doctors treat their patients.
Phone and mailed interventions significantly increase colorectal cancer screening rates
A mailing or phone call to help patients get screened for colorectal cancer significantly increases their chances of actually getting tested, according to a study published in the January issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention by researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
Pandemic controversies: The global response to pandemic influenza must change
'Evil' scientists, deadly viruses and terrorist plots are usually the preserve of Hollywood blockbusters. But when it comes to pandemic influenza, it is the stuff of real life. As controversy about research into the H5N1 bird flu virus continues, a new paper argues for a complete overhaul of current approaches to pandemic preparedness.
Bird flu kills two more children in Cambodia
(AP)—Two more children have died in Cambodia of bird flu, bringing the number of fatal cases to four since the start of this year.
Safeguards needed for tissue donors
vast collections of human tissue samples that scientists hope will lead to new treatments for diseases – have a right to basic information about how their donations may be used, a Michigan State University ethicist argues in a new paper.
Gatorade pulls 'fire retardant' additive
PepsiCo subsidiary Gatorade said Friday it was removing an ingredient from its popular citrus-flavored sports drink that has a second life as a fire retardant.
FDA panel votes for tougher restrictions on hydrocodone
(HealthDay)—A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel met Thursday and Friday to discuss the fate of certain painkillers that contain the opioid known as hydrocodone, concluding in a vote in favor of moving hydrocodone combination products into the more restrictive Schedule II category of controlled substances.
FDA: Samsca may cause irreversible liver damage
(HealthDay)—Patients who take Samsca (tolvaptan) may be at elevated risk for significant liver injury, according to a Jan. 25 safety alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FDA approves 3 new drugs for type 2 diabetes
(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Friday approved three new medications to help people battle type 2 diabetes.
FDA panel votes for tougher curbs on vicodin, other painkillers
(HealthDay)—A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted Friday to place tougher restrictions on prescription painkillers containing hydrocodone, potentially moving medications such as Vicodin into the same class as narcotics such as Oxycontin and Percocet.
Experts urge action on global obesity 'pandemic'
Obesity has become a global pandemic that could leave more than half of all adults worldwide overweight within two decades, experts said, calling for urgent action beyond just blaming people for lacking willpower.
Stem cells aid recovery from stroke
Stem cells from bone marrow or fat improve recovery after stroke in rats, finds a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Treatment with stem cells improved the amount of brain and nerve repair and the ability of the animals to complete behavioural tasks.
Better survival rates seen with lumpectomy compared with mastectomy for early breast cancer
A new analysis has found that lumpectomy plus radiation for early breast cancer may provide patients with a better chance of survival than mastectomy. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the results provide confidence in the efficacy of breast-conserving treatments even among patients with aggressive, early disease.
First guidelines for brain amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's released
Only recently has it become possible to create high-quality images of the brain plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in living people through positron emission tomography (PET). Even so, questions remain about what can be learned from these PET images and which people should have this test.
French health body probes contraceptive linked to deaths
French health regulator ANSM has launched a probe into the drug Diane-35, used to treat acne and also as a contraceptive, after linking it to four deaths over the past 25 years.
Health apps abound, but usage low, study shows
US consumers are being offered a vast range of smartphone apps to track or manage health, but only a small number of people are using them, according to a survey.
New hope for addicts
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to quickly grasp what a University of Mississippi professor's research could mean to the millions of people addicted to hardcore narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and morphine.
Memories and experiences make a piece of jewellery important for a woman, researcher finds
Women own and wear jewellery for the sake of others. Through their use of jewellery, women indicate belonging to a certain group, such as family or persons with a similar worldview or values. Jewellery is important for women, as it is associated with a number of significant memories and personal experiences.
Study shows unassisted method works best to restore independent breathing in patients on ventilators
(Medical Xpress)—Use of a device that supplies humidified oxygen is more effective than a technique that reduces positive airway pressure delivered to the lungs in helping patients who have been on a ventilator more than 21 days regain the ability to breathe on their own, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Panic attacks troubling, but treatable
Actress Amanda Seyfried says she undergoes therapy for them. They were a staple of the cable TV show "The Sopranos." And in probably the most high-profile occurrence of the past year, pro golfer Charlie Beljan had one on the second day of a tournament, completing the round but leaving the course in an ambulance.
Researchers identify four distinct mechanisms that contribute to gastric cancers
Scientists at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) headed a study that discovered four processes by which gastric cancer is formed. This is extremely important since gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, claiming almost 750,000 lives annually, 60% of which are Asians.
How the bacterium that plays role in spread of MRSA colonises the human nose
A collaboration between researchers at the School of Biochemistry and Immunology and the Department of Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin has identified a mechanism by which the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonises our nasal passages. The study, recently published in the prestigious journal PLOS Pathogens, shows for the first time that a protein located on the bacterial surface called clumping factor B (ClfB) recognises a protein called loricrin that is a major component of the envelope of cells in the nose and skin.
Soya protein can be replaced by rapeseed protein, nutritionists find
Today, more than 500 million people are suffering from a lack of adequate protein in their diet. Each year, the number of human beings increases by 80 million, a figure which is equivalent to the present population of Germany. Thus, providing enough food, particularly sufficient protein for the increasing populace is a challenging task for societies all over the world. On a prospective basis, a progressively smaller proportion of human protein requirement can be provided by animal proteins such as meat, eggs, and milk. "However, by feeding valuable plant protein to animals, almost two third of it is wasted as it is transformed into animal protein," Professor Dr Gerhard Jahreis, nutritionist at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany), says.
Protein family linked to autism suppresses the development of inhibitory synapses
Synapse development is promoted by a variety of cell adhesion molecules that connect neurons and organize synaptic proteins. Many of these adhesion molecules are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders; mutations in neuroligin and neurexin proteins, for example, are associated with autism and schizophrenia. According to a study in The Journal of Cell Biology, another family of proteins linked to these disorders regulates the function of neuroligins and neurexins in order to suppress the development of inhibitory synapses.
DNA-repairing protein may be key to preventing recurrence of some cancers
Just as the body can become resistant to antibiotics, certain methods of killing cancer tumors can end up creating resistant tumor cells. But a University of Central Florida professor has found a protein present in several types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer, which could be helpful in preventing tumors from coming back.
Blood pressure, cholesterol most important indicators of heart disease risk in diabetics
For people with diabetes, meeting the recommended guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol is even more important than meeting the guidelines for blood sugar control in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Dual-hormone artificial pancreas is a step closer for patients with Type 1 diabetes
For patients with type 1 diabetes, a dual-hormone artificial pancreas system (also known as a closed-loop delivery system) improved the control of glucose levels and reduced the risk of hypoglycemia compared with conventional pump treatment in a trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Clinical trials with nonblinded outcome assessors have high observer bias
A new study of randomized clinical trials found significant observer bias toward a more beneficial treatment effect in nonblinded trials when the researcher knew the treatment being given to the participant. The study is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Fewer people adding salt at the table
The number of people in England adding salt to food at the table fell by more than a quarter in the five years following a national campaign, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Hospital patient loads often at unsafe levels, physician survey says
Nationwide, more than one-quarter of hospital-based general practitioners who take over for patients' primary care doctors to manage inpatient care say their average patient load exceeds safe levels multiple times per month, according to a new Johns Hopkins study. Moreover, the study found that one in five of these physicians, known as hospitalists, reports that their workload puts patients at risk for serious complications, or even death.
Cardiac disease linked to higher risk of mental impairment
Cardiac disease is associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment such as problems with language, thinking and judgment—particularly among women with heart disease, a Mayo Clinic study shows. Known as nonamnestic because it doesn't include memory loss, this type of mild cognitive impairment may be a precursor to vascular and other non-Alzheimer's dementias, according to the findings published online Monday in JAMA Neurology.
Do TV liquor ads drive kids to drink?
(HealthDay)—Seeing beer and liquor ads on TV may promote drinking as early as seventh grade and lead to alcohol-related problems just a few years later, a new study suggests.
First-ever guidelines issued for treating type 2 diabetes in kids
(HealthDay)—For the first time ever, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes in children and teenagers aged 10 to 18.
Study of human specimen collections in the US offers first look at their huge diversity
Biobanks are organizations that collect, store and share human specimens (e.g., blood, solid tissues, hair) for research purposes. The rise of the human genome project and of large-scale genetics studies have spurred a dramatic increase in the number of biobanks in the last decade, increasing their importance in biomedical research.
Some health benefits of berries may not make it past your mouth
Research has suggested that compounds that give colorful fruits their rich hues, especially berries, promote health and might even prevent cancer. But for the first time, scientists have exposed extracts from numerous berries high in those pigments to human saliva to see just what kinds of health-promoting substances are likely to survive and be produced in the mouth.
Feeling flirty? Wait for the sun to shine
We all know how casual flirtation can lift one's mood, which can be important at this time of year when the winter blues are at their peak. But if you are more serious about your flirting and hope to get that all important phone number, you're better off waiting until it's sunny, according to new French research published in the journal Social Influence.
Male dancers signal their strength to men, women
Heterosexual men pick up clues about other men's physical qualities from their dance moves just as heterosexual women do, say researchers at Northumbria University.
EU drug agency to review safety of new-generation Pill (Update)
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Monday said it would review safety data for third- and fourth-generation birth control pills, responding to French concern that these contraceptives may cause dangerous blood clots.
Islet transplant may slow progression of atherosclerosis
Minimally invasive islet transplantation for patients with type 1 diabetes achieves insulin independence and reverses the progression of atherosclerosis in the first few years after transplant, according to a University of Illinois at Chicago study.
Best friends influence when teenagers have first drink
Chances are the only thing you remember about your first swig of alcohol is how bad the stuff tasted. What you didn't know is the person who gave you that first drink and when you had it says a lot about your predisposition to imbibe later in life.
Soldier who lost four limbs has double-arm transplant (Update)
The first U.S. soldier to survive after losing all four limbs in the Iraq war has received a double-arm transplant.
Community-based study IDs prevalence of HTN in children
(HealthDay)—The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension is lower than previously reported in school-based cohorts, according to a large community-based study published online Jan. 28 in Pediatrics.
Prehospital antiplatelets improve graft intervention outcomes
(HealthDay)—Prehospital use of antiplatelet therapy, either aspirin/clopidogrel or dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), is associated with a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac events after saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention, according to research published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Human breast milk microbiome changes over time
(HealthDay)—The microbiome of breast milk is influenced by many factors, including maternal weight and how the baby was delivered, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Weight counseling declining among primary care doctors
(HealthDay)—From 1995-1996 to 2007-2008, the rate of weight counseling provided by primary care physicians (PCPs) decreased significantly, even for those patients with obesity and weight-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, according to research published in the February issue of Medical Care.
Sclerostin linked to vascular disease in type 2 diabetes
(HealthDay)—Circulating levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor sclerostin are higher in patients with type 2 diabetes who also have atherosclerotic disease, according to a study published online Jan. 3 in Diabetes Care.
Modified DASH intervention feasible for African-Americans
(HealthDay)—For African-Americans in an under-resourced community, use of a modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-intervention is feasible, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
When food porn holds no allure: The science behind satiety
New research from the University of British Columbia is shedding light on why enticing pictures of food affect us less when we're full.
Injecting botox into stomach does not promote weight loss
Despite conflicting data in support of the practice, some overweight Americans looking for an easy fix have turned to gastric botox injections to help them lose weight. This month in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, researchers from the Mayo Clinic publish a definitive study finding that Botox doesn't promote weight loss.
Active duty military women may have higher STI risk
As the number of women in the military increases, so does the need for improved gynecologic care. Military women may be more likely to engage in high-risk sexual practices, be less likely to consistently use barrier contraception, and, therefore, more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to research recently released by a physician at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.
Skin, soft tissue infections succumb to blue light
Blue light can selectively eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the skin and soft tissues, while preserving the outermost layer of skin, according to a proof-of-principle study led by Michael R. Hamblin of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Harvard Medical School, Boston. The research is published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Study shows climate change could affect onset and severity of flu seasons
The American public can expect to add earlier and more severe flu seasons to the fallout from climate change, according to a research study published online Jan. 28 in PLOS Currents: Influenza.
Eating deep-fried food associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, study finds
Regular consumption of deep-fried foods such as French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, and the effect appears to be slightly stronger with regard to more aggressive forms of the disease, according to a study by investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
No proof drugs ease kids' migraines, study says
(HealthDay)—Children and teens who get migraine headaches suffer in multiple ways, missing school and fun time with friends while waiting for the debilitating pain to subside.
ACIP announces recommended 2013 adult immunization schedule
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced its recommended 2013 adult immunization schedule that includes important updates to the pneumococcal, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis), and influenza vaccines. Because current vaccination rates are low, ACIP also urges health care providers to regularly assess patient vaccination histories and implement intervention strategies to increase adherence. This recommendation will be published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Poor sleep in old age prevents the brain from storing memories
The connection between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration as we grow older has been elusive. But for the first time, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a link between these hallmark maladies of old age. Their discovery opens the door to boosting the quality of sleep in elderly people to improve memory.
Researchers identify possible drug target in breast cancer metastasis
The spread of breast cancer to distant organs within the body, an event that often leads to death, appears in many cases to involve the loss of a key protein, according to UC San Francisco researchers, whose new discoveries point to possible targets for therapy.
Economic analysis finds penicillin, not 'the pill', may have launched the sexual revolution
(Medical Xpress)—The 1950s were not as prudish as they seemed on the surface, says economist Andrew Francis.
New technique sheds light on RNA: Researchers develop method that could enhance gene sequencing data
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a technique to better understand why RNA may be different in cancer cells than in normal cells. The technique will bring new depth of understanding to tests that sequence a tumor's entire genome.
Neuroscientists pinpoint location of fear memory in amygdala
A rustle of undergrowth in the outback: it's a sound that might make an animal or person stop sharply and be still, in the anticipation of a predator. That "freezing" is part of the fear response, a reaction to a stimulus in the environment and part of the brain's determination of whether to be afraid of it.
Genes behind aggressive endometrial cancer found
In a major breakthrough for uterine serous carcinoma (USC)—a chemo-resistant, aggressive form of endometrial cancer, Yale researchers have defined the genetic landscape of USC tumors, findings that point to new treatment opportunities.
fMRI study uncovers neural mechanism underlying drug cravings
Addiction may result from abnormal brain circuitry in the frontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls decision-making. Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Molecular Imaging Science in Japan collaborating with colleagues from the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University in Canada report today that the lateral and orbital regions of the frontal cortex interact during the response to a drug-related cue and that aberrant interaction between the two frontal regions may underlie addiction. Their results are published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Glial cells assist in the repair of injured nerves
When a nerve is damaged, glial cells produce the protein neuregulin1 and thereby promote the regeneration of nerve tissue.
Power helps you live the good life by bringing you closer to your true self
How does being in a position of power at work, with friends, or in a romantic relationship influence well-being? While we might like to believe the stereotype that power leads to unhappiness or loneliness, new research indicates that this stereotype is largely untrue: Being in a position of power may actually make people happier.
Patients' skin cells transformed into heart cells to create 'disease in a dish'
Researchers use skin cells from patients with an inherited heart condition to recreate the adult-onset disease in a laboratory dish—producing the first maturation-based disease model for testing new therapies.
Biology news
Namibia offers model to tackle poaching scourge
Faced with poachers who are ravaging elephant and rhino populations, African nations could do worse than look to Namibia for a game plan to combat the scourge.
Nearly 500 new species discovered at Senckenberg
In the last two years scientists at the Senckenberg research institutes have discovered and described almost 500 new species. Taxonomy and scientific collections are among the most important focal points of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.
Researchers: How are you authenticating your non-human cell lines?
For human cells, researchers have adopted practices that are currently used for human identification, which are based on the detection of short tandem repeat (STR) markers. For the large volume of research that is performed using non-human cell lines (mouse, hamster, monkey, etc.), there are no STR marker assays that are able to uniquely and unequivocally identify a particular cell line.
Europe fends off alien species
To help decision makers mitigate the consequence of alien plant and animal invasion, an EU-wide database maintains a black list of these unwelcome biological invaders.
With hot air treatment, bacteria fly the coop
Poultry producers can reduce bacterial cross-contamination in poultry cages by treating the cages with forced air that's been heated to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a study by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists.
Biologist: Dolphin in NY canal was sickly and old
(AP)—A marine biologist says an aging dolphin that was stranded in a polluted New York canal and died there was ill and might not have survived anywhere.
Primates too can move in unison
Japanese researchers show for the first time that primates modify their body movements to be in tune with others, just like humans do. Humans unconsciously modify their movements to be in synchrony with their peers. For example, we adapt our pace to walk in step or clap in unison at the end of a concert. This phenomenon is thought to reflect bonding and facilitate human interaction. Researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute report today that pairs of macaque monkeys also spontaneously coordinate their movements to reach synchrony.
Sharksucker fish's strange disc explained
There's an old legend about a fish that attaches itself to ships and has powers to slow them down. The powers may be mythical but the fish is real.
Misconceptions about a popular pet treat: Tasty bully sticks can add calories and carry bacteria
A popular dog treat could be adding more calories than pet owners realize, and possibly be contaminated by bacteria, according to a study published this month by researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the University of Guelph.
Global research team decodes genome sequence of 90 chickpea lines
In a scientific breakthrough that promises improved grain yields and quality, greater drought tolerance and disease resistance, and enhanced genetic diversity, a global research team has completed high-quality sequencing of not one but ninety genomes of chickpea.
EU stops short of insecticide ban
The European Commission said Monday it would draw up "stringent" measures to protect bees from dangers attributed to certain pesticides, but pulled back from an anticipated ban.
Climate change projected to alter Indiana bat maternity range
Research by US Forest Service scientists forecasts profound changes over the next 50 years in the summer range of the endangered Indiana bat. In an article published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, Forest Service Southern Research Station researchers Susan Loeb and Eric Winters discuss the findings of one of the first studies designed to forecast the responses of a temperate zone bat species to climate change.
New study shows stable fisher population in the Southern Sierra Nevada
After experiencing years of population decline on the West Coast, a recent study examining fisher populations found that—at least in the southern Sierra Nevada—the animal's numbers appear to be stable.
Axons' unexpected cytoskeleton structure
(Phys.org)—The plasma membranes that give cells their shapes are typically upheld by linear meshworks of the protein actin. In contrast, Howard Hughes Medical Institute scientists have now discovered that periodic ring-shaped actin arrangements encircle the long axonal fibers of nerve cells.
Climate change endangers elephants, study says
By making new use of historical records, scientists have shown that climate change could have a greater impact on Myanmar's elephants' dwindling numbers than previously thought.
Tooth development and weaning in chimpanzees not as closely related as once thought
For more than two decades, scientists have relied on studies that linked juvenile primate tooth development with their weaning as a rough proxy for understanding similar developmental landmarks in the evolution of early humans. New research from Harvard, however, is challenging those conclusions by showing that tooth development and weaning aren't as closely related as previously thought.
What holds chromosomes together: Researchers elucidate the structure of dna-packaging proteins
To ensure that the genetic material is equally and accurately distributed to the two daughter cells during cell division, the DNA fibers must have an ordered structure and be closely packed. At the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich scientists have now elucidated the structure of a ring-shaped protein complex (SMC-kleisin), which ensures order in this packaging process. Together with their cooperation partners at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, they studied these proteins in bacteria and found structural analogies to the human complex. The findings have now been published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.
Why are there redheads? Birds might hold the clues
Red coloration—historically seen as costly in vertebrates—historically seen as costly in vertebrates—might represent some physiological benefit after all, according to research published in the journal Physiological and Biochemical Zoology.
Earthquakes, glue and grappling hooks: Scientists dissect the movement of bacteria
(Phys.org)—A team led by researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has discovered that microscopic bacteria have a lot in common with earthquakes—when it comes to their jolting movements.
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