Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 15, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Sony TVs show high-end color via quantum dot tech- Curiosity rover preparing to drill into first martian rock
- New study gives insight into graphene grain boundaries
- Childhood trauma leaves its mark on the brain
- Chemistry resolves toxic concerns about carbon nanotubes
- Designer bacteria may lead to better vaccines
- Born to lead? Leadership can be an inherited trait, study finds
- Chevy Volt goes upscale in new electric Cadillac (Update)
- Black carbon larger cause of climate change than previously assessed
- Don't read my lips! Body language trumps the face for conveying intense emotions
- Facebook unveils social search feature (Update 2)
- Transmission of tangles in Alzheimer's mice provides more authentic model of tau pathology
- Neuroscientists show how decision-making processes are influenced by neurons
- Researchers create flexible, nanoscale 'bed of nails' for possible drug delivery
- Researchers identify genetic mutation for rare cancer
Space & Earth news
China factory fire hidden by thick smog: media
A factory fire in eastern China went unnoticed for three hours because of the thick smog that blanketed large stretches of the country this week, state media said Tuesday.
International research study to shed light on sources of air-polluting dust in India
A quantitative analysis of dust sources in Delhi by scientists from India, the UK and the USA will provide important new insight into how individual sources of air-borne matter contribute to the overall concentrations measured in the atmosphere.
Amazing map is made up of everyone in the US and Canada
Now this is something different: an interactive and zoomable map of the United States and Canada, made not from political boundaries or geographic landforms but rather of tiny dots—341,817, 095 of them, to be exact—each one representing an individual person counted in the 2010 (US) and 2011 (Canada) censuses. There's no other feature on this map except those dots, each randomly placed within the regional blocks used by the census, yet we still end up with a very recognizable structure.
Environmental impact of insecticides on water resources: Current methods of measurement and evaluation show shortcomings
Common practice for the monitoring of insecticides in water resources reveals shortcomings. This is shown by a current study conducted by the Landau-based Institute of Environmental Sciences of the University of Koblenz-Landau. Until now water samples have mostly been taken on fixed dates, for example once per month. However, insecticides enter water resources very irregularly and, even though their concentrations exceed the threshold levels only for a short time, their harmful effect is present. The consequence: If one bases the evaluation upon the zero values often measured within the scope of regular sampling, the overall evaluation underestimates the actual risks.
Solar forcing effect on climate change 'extremely small': IPCC scientist
Changes in solar radiation, known as solar forcing, have had only a very small effect on climate change, a member of the UN's top panel of climate scientists said today.
Russia plans unmanned moon mission in 2015
The Russian Space Agency says it will send an unmanned spacecraft to the moon in 2015 from a new launch pad in the country's Far East.
Drastic change needed to tackle China smog, experts say (Update)
China has cleaned up its air before but experts say that if it wants to avoid the kind of smog that choked the country this week, it must overhaul an economy fuelled by heavily polluting coal and car use.
Testing time for Proba-V, ESA's global vegetation tracker
(Phys.org)—ESA's Proba-V microsatellite is now assembled and midway through testing to ensure it is fully spaceworthy. The miniature Earth-observer, designed to chart global vegetation every two days, will be launched in April.
'Wicked' problems devastate pristine Coral Reef
(Phys.org)—Human activity - rather than climate change - has been found to be the main cause of catastrophic devastation to a southern Indian Ocean coral reef system similar to Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef.
Seabird activity influences Arctic methane and nitrous oxide emissions
Seabird activity is contributing significantly to methane and nitrous oxide emissions in the Arctic tundra, a new study shows. Methane emissions, which play an important role in the global carbon cycle, and nitrous oxide fluxes, a key element in the nutrient cycle, are predicted to increase in the Arctic and contribute to Arctic warming in the near future.
U.S. cities less susceptible to water scarcity than previously thought
The past few years have seen powerful droughts across the U.S., with water shortages threatening crop production, shipping traffic, energy production, and groundwater stores. Water scarcity issues are particularly relevant for those living in cities, a demographic which now includes roughly 4 out of every 5 Americans.
First direct evidence that breaking waves cause horizontal eddies
As ocean waves pass from deeper water into the shallow coastal regions, they begin to break, churning up the surf zone waters. At the edges of the crests of the breaking waves, horizontally-rotating eddies (vertical vortices) are generated, converting some of the waves' kinetic energy into turbulence. These horizontally-rotating eddies are an important mechanism for dispersing nutrients, larvae, bacteria, sediments, and other suspended objects along the coastline.
Variability of transparent organic particles in Arctic floodplain lakes
In the North American Arctic the Mackenzie River courses into the Beaufort Sea, the outlet of a watershed that drains a vast swath of the western Canadian landscape. At the river's mouth, the Mackenzie Delta is a broad floodplain peppered with roughly 45,000 lakes carved into the permafrost. Depending on their connectivity to the river, these floodplain lakes have different mixtures of organic compounds, and such differences affect carbon cycling and sediment processes in the lakes.
Tropical cyclone waves detected with infrasound sensor array
The strong winds of a tropical cyclone whip up the sea surface, driving ocean waves a dozen meters (about 40 feet) high. When one such ocean wave runs into another wave that has an equal period but is traveling in the opposite direction, the interaction produces low-frequency sound waves that can be detected thousands of kilometers away. Known as microbarom, the infrasound signals produced by interacting ocean surface waves have typical frequencies around 0.2 hertz.
Aftershocks to Philippine quake found within nearby megathrust fault
On 31 August 2012 a magnitude 7.6 earthquake ruptured deep beneath the sea floor of the Philippine Trench, a powerful intraplate earthquake centered seaward of the plate boundary. In the wake of the main shock, sensors detected a flurry of aftershocks, counting 110 in total.
Sensing a disturbance in the forest: New Landsat imagery tool sees insect outbreaks from space
(Phys.org)—A new way of studying and visualizing Earth science data from a NASA and U.S. Geological Survey satellite program is resulting in, for the first time, the ability to tease out the small events that can cause big changes in an ecosystem.
Study finds growing evidence of global warming threat to future food supplies
(Phys.org)—Increasingly hot summer weather could cause a fall in crop yields over the next two decades unless farming techniques are improved more quickly, scientists at the University have found.
Cotton-ball clouds contained: New modeling method captures clouds' shading effects
(Phys.org)—Small clouds equal big impact. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory designed an update to a frequently used computer model that represents the impact of small, puffy, fair-weather clouds on the amount of sunshine reaching Earth's surface. The new method includes variations in temperature and humidity near the surface and their role in forming these small clouds. Their method offers improved climate forecasts and better cloud prediction, including the amount of sunshine the clouds reflect.
Iran renews plan to send monkey into space
Iran will try again to send a live monkey into space after a previous attempt failed in 2011, media reports said Tuesday quoting the space chief, who gave a launch date of before mid-February.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Narelle winding down near western Australia
Tropical Storm Narelle is growing weaker as it continues to track in a southerly direction parallel to the coast of Western Australia. NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites captured visible data and rainfall rates on Narelle and noticed the storm was less intense than it was, however, warnings are still up as Narelle continues moving down the coast.
World warm last year, but not like record US heat (Update)
While the U.S. was smashing heat records last year, the world as a whole barely slipped into the top 10 hottest years ever recorded, two American science agencies said Tuesday.
NASA finds 2012 sustained long-term climate warming trend
NASA scientists say 2012 was the ninth warmest of any year since 1880, continuing a long-term trend of rising global temperatures. With the exception of 1998, the nine warmest years in the 132-year record all have occurred since 2000, with 2010 and 2005 ranking as the hottest years on record.
Infrared NASA imagery shows sinking air, elongation in Tropical Storm Emang
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument that flies on NASA's Aqua satellite provides valuable data to tropical cyclone forecasters, and revealed sinking air, a small area of powerful thunderstorms, and a slightly elongated Tropical Storm Emang.
NASA satellites see Cyclone Narelle torn apart
NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites showed how Tropical Cyclone Narelle has fallen far from being a powerful cyclone in the Southern Indian Ocean. A time series of infrared images from an Aqua satellite instrument provides a clear picture of Narelle's former power and its recent demise, while TRMM 3-D data showed falling cloud heights and weaker rainfall.
Australia heatwave part of global trend: IPCC chief
Australia's extreme summer heatwave, which caused devastating bushfires and saw temperature forecasts go off the scale, is part of a global warming trend, the UN's climate panel chief said Tuesday.
Tree ring sampling shows cold spells in Eastern Europe led to unrest over past thousand years
(Phys.org)—A team of Swiss, Czech, Canadian and German researchers has found that prolonged cold spells in Eastern Europe over the last thousand years has led to wars, plagues and civil unrest. In their paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team compares evidence from tree ring samples taken from the Tatra region in Eastern Europe dating back to 1040 A.D., with archival histories to track human activities during the same period.
Research update: Atomic motions help determine temperatures inside Earth
(Phys.org)—In December 2011, Caltech mineral-physics expert Jennifer Jackson reported that she and a team of researchers had used diamond-anvil cells to compress tiny samples of iron—the main element of the earth's core. By squeezing the samples to reproduce the extreme pressures felt at the core, the team was able to get a closer estimate of the melting point of iron. At the time, the measurements that the researchers made were unprecedented in detail. Now, they have taken that research one step further by adding infrared laser beams to the mix.
Comet ISON shaping up to be a spectacular display
(Phys.org)—Excitement is mounting for astronomers and star gazers the world over as word spreads that Comet ISON may go down in the history books as one of the flashiest ever. First discovered in September of last year by Russian astronomers, Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok, Comet ISON (C/2012 S1) has been drawing attention ever since.
Neon lights up exploding stars
(Phys.org)—An international team of nuclear astrophysicists has shed new light on the explosive stellar events known as novae.
Black carbon larger cause of climate change than previously assessed
Black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming and its influence on climate has been greatly underestimated, according to the first quantitative and comprehensive analysis of this issue.
Curiosity rover preparing to drill into first martian rock
(Phys.org)—NASA's Mars rover Curiosity is driving toward a flat rock with pale veins that may hold clues to a wet history on the Red Planet. If the rock meets rover engineers' approval when Curiosity rolls up to it in coming days, it will become the first to be drilled for a sample during the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Technology news
CNET reporter quits over CBS interference
Technology reviews by website CNET have long been respected for their thoroughness and integrity, but that reputation has come under scrutiny after a top reporter quit over what he says is editorial interference by its parent company, CBS Corp.
China smog bad for health, good for business (Update)
Shares in a Chinese facemask manufacturer soared on Tuesday as investors looked for opportunities to profit from the severe air pollution that has blanketed large swathes of China.
Mobile operators need to embrace open innovation and cloud computing
Mobile network operators are facing inevitable and hard reforms in their business. Although the consumption of mobile data increases rapidly, operators' user revenues have been sinking steadily for years. For now, operators are economically in good shape, but in their current state they run the risk of being left out of the mobile business ecosystem.
NRA triggers furor with its shooting-range app
The National Rifle Association, which blames video games in part for mass shootings, triggered controversy Tuesday after coming out with its own video game for iPhones and iPads.
Virginia Tech engineers awarded $800,000 to improve radio spectrum usage
Cognitive radios, the "intelligent" cell phones or police radios that help determine the best way to operate in any given situation, are becoming the "radio platform of the next generation of wireless communications. They are also expected to play a major role in tactical communications for the U.S. Navy and for the Department of Defense," said Thomas Hou, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.
Hollande calls for more investments in clean energy
French President Francois Hollande called on Tuesday for pumping more investments in renewable energy projects to prepare for the post-oil era and to avoid global warming and very high oil prices.
Disney unveils own 'Skylanders'-like franchise
Captain Jack Sparrow driving Cinderella's carriage? Mr. Incredible swinging the Queen of Hearts' flamingo mallet? Sulley from "Monsters, Inc." galloping around on Bullseye from "Toy Story"? Those are just a few of the silly scenarios that could become a virtual reality with "Disney Infinity," a new endeavor from Disney combining a video game with a toy line.
What's Facebook's secret? Search feature possible (Update)
Facebook's mystery "press event" on Tuesday could reveal a more robust search feature that would intensify the competition between the social networking giant and its rival Google Inc.
China added 51 million Internet users in 2012
China's population of Internet users rose 10 percent last year to 564 million even as communist authorities tightened controls on content, according to data released Tuesday.
Apple stock wilts on worries about iPhone demand
Apple's stock slipped below $500 for the first time in 11 months on Monday as investors reacted to reports signaling the company's latest iPhone is falling further behind a slew of sleek alternatives running Google's Android software.
Alibaba founder Jack Ma stepping down as CEO (Update)
One of the world's most successful Internet entrepreneurs, Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, announced Tuesday he is stepping down as chief executive but will remain chairman.
Rethinking permitting: Regulatory reform needed in the quest for renewable energy alternatives, expert says
(Phys.org)—Amid the economic and environmental realities of fossil fuel dependence in the United States, regulatory processes need immediate reform to allow renewable energy initiatives such as offshore wind to provide alternatives, according to the University of Maine's first School of Economics Visiting Professor of Energy Law and Policy.
Professor works to overcome challenges in harnessing power of multicore computer processors
(Phys.org)—Computer processors that can complete multiple tasks simultaneously have been available in the mainstream for almost a decade. In fact, almost all processors developed today are multicore processors. Yet, computer programmers still struggle to efficiently harness their power because it is difficult to write correct and efficient parallel code.
New system helps deafblind people to communicate
A team of researchers from the Alcoy campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València, together with the companies Innovatec and Indra, has designed a new device to help deafblind people to communicate and surf the Internet. The system called TacTic is currently at prototype stage and is aimed primarily at those who use the Malossi language.
SAP reports sales records in 2012
German software giant SAP said on Tuesday it achieved record sales last year, beating its full-year forecasts, even though acquisition costs hit earnings.
Tax credits for energy efficiency are back
Federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements are back.
Myanmar plans telecoms boom, opens to foreign bids
Myanmar on Tuesday announced plans for a dramatic increase in telephone and Internet access as it opened the door for foreign firms to enter one of Asia's last untapped markets.
App helps catch drunk drivers
Nearly 30 Americans a day die in vehicle crashes that involve drunk drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number is so appalling to Frank Vahid, a computer science professor in the Bourns College of Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, that he plans to spend much of the rest of his academic career helping to eradicate the problem.
NREL launches interactive tool for developing a cleaner energy future
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created an energy analysis tool to help individuals and educators experiment with future energy use scenarios. The interactive Buildings, Industry, Transportation, Electricity, and Transportation Scenarios (BITES) allows users to explore how changes in energy demand and supply can impact carbon dioxide emissions and the current U.S. energy trajectory.
Wikipedia group launches online travel guide
The foundation behind crowd-sourced knowledge compendium Wikipedia on Tuesday launched a free online travel guide built collaboratively by volunteers from around the globe.
Google's Ray Kurzweil revs up search focus with AI vision
(Phys.org)—The setting: An intimate gathering at Singularity University's NASA campus in Silicon Valley. This is the place founded by Dr. Peter Diamandis and Dr. Ray Kurzweil, pursuing the idea of a new university that could "leverage the power of exponential technologies to solve humanity's grand challenges." Speaking in an interview is artificial intelligence expert and Google's new Director of Engineering, Ray Kurzweil.
Chevy Volt goes upscale in new electric Cadillac (Update)
General Motors is trying to take the Chevrolet Volt's electric technology upscale with a new Cadillac.
Facebook unveils social search feature (Update 2)
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a new search feature that's designed to entice people to spend more time on its website and will put the social networking company more squarely in competition with Google and other rivals such as Yelp and LinkedIn.
Does everyone think someone else should drive a green car?
The green car market is only inching along in the United States, hampered by high comparative costs and limited ranges on pure electric vehicles, but automakers remain confident their time will come.
Sony TVs show high-end color via quantum dot tech
(Phys.org)—Sony's Bravia LCD TVs, in selected models, have incorporated quantum dot technology to boost sales of these high-end televisions by featuring exceptionally high-end color. The technology is from the Massachusetts-based company, QD Vision, and that technology involves nanoscale particles known as quantum dots. They are to significantly improve color viewing for the new Sony TVs.
Medicine & Health news
New Year fitness resolution broken? It's not too late to start over, expert urges
By now, many New Year's fitness resolutions have likely been broken. But take heart, it's not too late to start over.
NIH urges dilated eye exams to detect glaucoma
The National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, observes Glaucoma Awareness Month each January by encouraging Americans at higher risk for glaucoma to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam and to make a habit of doing so every one to two years. While anyone can get glaucoma, people at higher risk include African Americans age 40 and over; adults over the age of 60, especially those who are Mexican American; and people who have a family history of the disease.
Care homes and NHS need to work together, research finds
Care homes and NHS healthcare services must work more closely together to improve levels of care for older people, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire.
Plumber and spray painter high-risk occupations for asthma
Despite known risks and recommendations for protective equipment, many people are still affected with asthma after exposure to chemicals at work. This is the finding of an international study of 13,000 people carried out at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program use grows in 2011
In 2011, 13 percent of all American households relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the program formerly known as food stamps – with nearly 6.2 million more American households using the program now than five years ago, according to new research from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
REVIVE-IT study to examine earlier device use for patients with heart failure
The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will gain a new partner as it commences its study of earlier device use for patients with congestive heart failure.
Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertions have poorer prognosis
Exon 20 insertions are the third most common family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations found in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Little is known about cancers harboring these mutations aside from their lack of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, impairing the development of effective targeted therapies. A recent study published in the February 2013 issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's (IASLC) Journal of Thoracic Oncology, concludes that patients with EGFR exon 20 insertions have similar clinical characteristics to those with common EGFR mutations, but a poorer prognosis.
EGFR mutation not prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer
Recent studies have demonstrated that molecular-targeted agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), may prolong survival of selected patients based on tumor biomarkers. The presence of mutation in the EGFR gene is known as a predictive marker for the response to treatment. However, whether or not these EGFR mutations are prognostic factors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been known. A recent study published in the February 2013 issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's (IASLC) Journal of Thoracic Oncology, concludes EGFR mutations are not a prognostic factor in surgically resected patients or patients with recurrence treated with conventional therapies. However, after disease recurrence, administration of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors can prolong survival.
The muscle response of footballers depends on their position on the field
Football players display different muscle response parameters depending on the position that they hold on the pitch, according to a study conducted by a team of Spanish researchers which has been published in the Journal of electromyography and kinesiology.
Comparable patterns of failure between SBRT, lobectomy or pneumonectomy for stage I NSCLC
For patients with medically operable clinical stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), lobectomy or pneumonectomy is the standard approach. For patients with medically inoperable stage I NSCLC, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has become a standard of care. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine wanted to compare the patterns of failure (primary tumor control, local control, regional control, and distant control) between each method.
U.S. minorities less likely to get colon cancer screening
(HealthDay)—Minority patients in the United States are less likely than whites to be screened for colorectal cancer, a new study finds.
ACP recommends Stage 3 Meaningful Use focus on measuring improvements in health outcomes
Stage 3 Meaningful Use measures need to focus more on measuring improvements in patient health outcomes rather being than a large and growing collection of functional measures, the American College of Physicians (ACP) says in a letter submitted to the Health Information Technology Policy Committee (HITPC).
Scientists seek out cancer cells hiding from treatment
Scientists hope to improve leukaemia treatment by investigating how cancer cells use 'hiding places' in the body to avoid chemotherapy drugs.
Vegas woman who couldn't stop growing dies at 34
A Las Vegas woman who suffered a rare disorder that made it impossible for her to stop growing has died. Tanya Angus was 34.
Price cap regulations for UK tobacco would raise 500 million every year
If tobacco products sold in the UK were subject to price cap regulation, the system would generate around £500 million (US$750 million) for the government every year, without affecting the price consumers pay, reveals a feasibility study published online in Tobacco Control.
Nations that consume a lot of milk... also win a lot of Nobel prizes
Nations that consume a lot of milk and milk products also tend to have a lot of Nobel laureates among their populations, suggest the authors of a letter, published in Practical Neurology.
Hospital infection surveillance system flawed, say experts
Patients recovering from surgery get infections far more often than is being reported, a new study led by De Montfort University has found.
Low birth weight not associated with asthma risk
Asthma is a serious condition that affects more than 25.7 million Americans, and is responsible for nearly 4,000 deaths annually. While the cause of asthma remains unknown, a study released today in the January issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), has concluded that low birth weight is not associated with asthma risk in young children.
Tamoxifen ameliorates symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
A new study has found that tamoxifen, a well-known breast cancer drug, can counteract some pathologic features in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). At present, no treatment is known to produce long-term improvement of the symptoms in boys with DMD, a debilitating muscular disorder that is characterized by progressive muscle wasting, respiratory and cardiac impairments, paralysis, and premature death. This study will be published in the February 2013 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
Fetal exposure to PVC plastic chemical linked to obesity in offspring
Exposing pregnant mice to low doses of the chemical tributyltin – which is used in marine hull paint and PVC plastic – can lead to obesity for multiple generations without subsequent exposure, a UC Irvine study has found.
High anthocyanin intake tied to lower MI risk in younger women
(HealthDay)—High intake of a specific sub-class of flavonoids, called anthocyanins, is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in young and middle-aged women, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of Circulation.
'Overparenting' trend worries psychologists
(Medical Xpress)—School psychologists and counsellors are concerned that overbearing parents are raising children unable to cope with failure and life outside of home, a new QUT study shows.
Change in PSA levels over time can help predict aggressive prostate cancer
Measurements taken over time of prostate specific antigen, the most commonly used screening test for prostate cancer in men, improve the accuracy of aggressive prostate cancer detection when compared to a single measurement of PSA, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the British Journal of Urology International.
Higher quality rating for Medicare Advantage plan linked with increased likelihood of enrollment
In a study that included nearly 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries who were either first-time enrollees or enrollees switching plans, researchers found a positive association between enrollment and publicly reported Medicare Advantage star ratings reflecting plan quality, according to a study appearing in the January 16 issue of JAMA.
Migraine with aura may lead to heart attack, blood clots for women
Women who have migraines with aura, which are often visual disturbances such as flashing lights, may be more likely to have problems with their heart and blood vessels, and those on newer contraceptives may be at higher risk for blood clots, according to two studies released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013.
Exploring the brain's relationship to habits
(Medical Xpress)—The basal ganglia, structures deep in the forebrain already known to control voluntary movements, also may play a critical role in how people form habits, both bad and good, and in influencing mood and feelings.
Changing advice: Egg-allergic patients should get flu vaccine without delay
New recommendations from a task force of allergy experts advise people with an egg allergy to get a flu vaccine, and not to delay with allergy testing before the vaccine. Patients had previously been cautioned about vaccination because of concerns about adverse reactions to egg protein in the vaccine.
Treatment for cocaine addiction targets relapse
(Medical Xpress)—What is the best intervention window for someone struggling with cocaine addiction? When he or she is in the middle of a drug binge, or after a period of abstinence when there is temptation to fall back into old habits?
Arsenic in your rice: What to do?
Arsenic, a naturally occurring element and industrial byproduct, poses a significant health risk to millions of people worldwide when it leaches into drinking water. It's highly poisonous at high doses, but chronic exposure to lower levels increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as infertility and possibly diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. Though this is often thought of as a major problem only in developing countries, such as Bangladesh, the U.S. has arsenic problems of its own. In fact, it's estimated that over two million Americans drink water from private wells that have high arsenic concentrations. This past year, arsenic made headlines on several occasions for its presence in rice and other foods, too.
New norovirus strain could cause severe gastro epidemic
(Medical Xpress)—UNSW researchers have discovered a new strain of norovirus that they warn could cause a severe epidemic of acute gastroenteritis in Australia this winter.
Popularity an unconscious deterrent
Although popular boys and girls get more attention from their classmates than less popular peers, they are often unconsciously avoided by those same classmates. These were the conclusions drawn by psychologist Tessa Lansu from Radboud University Nijmegen.
Minimally invasive spine surgery using real-time 3-D CT imaging allows patients to recover more quickly
(Medical Xpress)—With demand for unresolved back pain relief growing as the U.S. population ages, Rush University Medical Center is doing more minimally invasive spine surgery procedures that allow patients to return to normal, day-to-day activities faster than if they undergo conventional surgery.
UK considers preventative drugs for breast cancer (Update)
Britain's National Health Service may soon offer women at high risk of developing breast cancer drugs normally used to treat the disease as a prevention strategy.
For those with the rarest diseases, genomes can yield answers
For many of us, having our genomes in hand today isn't likely to make any profound difference in our lives, at least not when it comes to our health. But for children and their families affected by rare and mysterious genetic diseases, early indications are that it's a completely different story, thanks to the efforts of two teams of geneticists at Duke Medicine.
Stress makes exhausted women over-sensitive to sounds
Women suffering from stress-related exhaustion exhibit hypersensitivity to sounds when exposed to stress. In some cases, a sound level corresponding to a normal conversation can be perceived as painful. This according to a study from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University's Stress Research Institute which tested sensitivity to sounds immediately after a few minutes' artificially induced stress.
Borderline personality disorder: The "perfect storm" of emotion dysregulation
Originally, the label "borderline personality disorder" was applied to patients who were thought to represent a middle ground between patients with neurotic and psychotic disorders. Increasingly, though, this area of research has focused on the heightened emotional reactivity observed in patients carrying this diagnosis, as well as the high rates with which they also meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and mood disorders.
AAFP, other physician groups request stop to ICD-10
(HealthDay)—The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has joined the American Medical Association and other physician organizations to request that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) halt implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10), in a letter sent Dec. 20.
Certain online behaviors of docs warrant investigation
(HealthDay)—There is high consensus among state medical boards regarding the likelihood of probable investigations for certain online behaviors, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Many more doctors using electronic health records
(HealthDay)—More than two-thirds of family doctors now use electronic health records, and the percentage doing so doubled between 2005 and 2011, a new study finds.
Doctors often miss signs of problem drinking in patients, study finds
(HealthDay)—Doctors fail to diagnose most patients with alcohol problems when they rely solely on their suspicions, rather than using proven screening methods, a new study finds.
US needs more effective flu shots, experts say
In the midst of an early flu season, public health officials are urging unvaccinated people to get a flu shot, as the best step they can take to protect both themselves and their families.
Simple intervention helps doctors communicate better when prescribing medications
When it comes to prescribing medications to their patients, physicians could use a dose of extra training, according to a new study led by a UCLA researcher.
A quantum leap in gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Usually, results from a new study help scientists inch their way toward an answer whether they are battling a health problem or are on the verge of a technological breakthrough. Once in a while, those results give them a giant leap forward. In a preliminary study in a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), University of Missouri scientists showed exactly such a leap using gene therapy to treat muscular dystrophy. The results of the study will be published in the journal Molecular Therapy on Jan. 15, 2013.
Cuba acknowledges 51 cholera cases (Update 3)
Cuba's Public Health Ministry on Tuesday acknowledged 51 new cases of cholera in the capital amid growing concerns about the illness' spread and disappointment in the diplomatic community over the government's lack of transparency.
Major step toward an Alzheimer's vaccine
A team of researchers from Université Laval, CHU de Québec, and pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has discovered a way to stimulate the brain's natural defense mechanisms in people with Alzheimer's disease. This major breakthrough, details of which are presented today in an early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), opens the door to the development of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and a vaccine to prevent the illness.
Youth mentoring linked to many positive effects, study shows
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada (BBBSC) are releasing the first results of one of the largest mentoring studies ever conducted.
ASCO issues guideline for febrile neutropenia in adults
(HealthDay)—The American Society of Clinical Oncology has issued updated recommendations for both the prevention and management of febrile episodes in neutropenic oncology outpatients; the recommendations have been published online Jan. 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Decision support reduces antibiotic usage for bronchitis
(HealthDay)—Decision support strategies can help reduce the over-prescription of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in primary care settings, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Medicare pay cut for doctors not in e-prescribing program
(HealthDay)—Medicare-participating physicians who failed to meet the requirements for Medicare's Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program in 2012 are being informed of their penalty for 2013, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Most newly approved biologics studied in peds population
(HealthDay)—The majority of biologics approved since 1997 include pediatric information in their labeling and have been studied in pediatric trials, according to a review published online Jan. 14 in Pediatrics.
Alkylating agent linked to therapy-related leukemia
(HealthDay)—For patients treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), cumulative doses of alkylating agent (AA) is associated with the risk of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (t-AML/MDS), according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Surgery doesn't up pediatric neuroblastoma outcomes
(HealthDay)—For pediatric patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma, surgery of the primary tumor site has no impact on outcomes, according to a study published online Jan. 2 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Improved driving reaction times after lumbar disc sx
(HealthDay)—Driving reaction times (DRTs), which are increased for patients with radiculopathy, improve after lumbar disc surgery, according to a study published in the November issue of the European Spine Journal.
U.S. gives states more time to set up health insurance exchanges
(HealthDay)—The Obama administration is giving states additional time to set up so-called health insurance exchanges, a key element of the 2010 health reform law designed to bring coverage to an estimated 30 million Americans who don't have insurance.
Researchers identify new genetic mutation for ALS
Researchers at Western University in London, Canada, have identified a new genetic mutation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), opening the door to future targeted therapies. Dr. Michael Strong, a scientist with Western's Robarts Research Institute and Distinguished University Professor in Clinical Neurological Sciences at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and colleagues found that mutations within the ARHGEF28 gene are present in ALS. When they looked across both familial and sporadic forms of the disease, they found that virtually all cases of ALS demonstrated abnormal inclusions of the protein that arises from this gene.
Researchers identify ways to improve quality of care measurement from electronic health records
Health care providers and hospitals are being offered up to $27 billion in federal financial incentives to use electronic health records (EHRs) in ways that demonstrably improve the quality of care. The incentives are based, in part, on the ability to electronically report clinical quality measures. By 2014, providers nationwide will be expected to document and report care electronically, and by 2015, they will face financial penalties if they don't meaningfully use EHRs.
Risk to all ages: 100 kids die of flu each year
Twenty flu-related deaths have been reported in children so far this winter—one of the worst tolls this early in the year since health officials began keeping track.
Studies provide new insights into brain-behavior relationships
Approximately half a million individuals suffer strokes in the US each year, and about one in five develops some form of post-stroke aphasia, the partial or total loss of the ability to communicate. By comparing different types of aphasia, investigators have been able to gain new insights into the normal cognitive processes underlying language, as well as the potential response to interventions. Their findings are published alongside papers on hemispatial neglect and related disorders in the January, 2013 issue of.
Choline supplementation during pregnancy presents a new approach to schizophrenia prevention
Choline, an essential nutrient similar to the B vitamin and found in foods such as liver, muscle meats, fish, nuts and eggs, when given as a dietary supplement in the last two trimesters of pregnancy and in early infancy, is showing a lower rate of physiological schizophrenic risk factors in infants 33 days old. The study breaks new ground both in its potentially therapeutic findings and in its strategy to target markers of schizophrenia long before the illness itself actually appears. Choline is also being studied for potential benefits in liver disease, including chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, depression, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and certain types of seizures.
Even small doses of opioids increase risk of road crashes, research finds
Drivers who have taken even a small dose of opioid painkillers have an increased risk of being injured in a car accident, a new study has found.
Inserting breathing tube may not be best for victims of cardiac arrest
(HealthDay)—When a person's heart stops beating, most emergency personnel have been taught to first insert a breathing tube through the victim's mouth, but a new Japanese study found that approach may actually lower the chances of survival and lead to worse neurological outcomes.
'Spot' shortages of flu vaccine, tamiflu reported, FDA head says
(HealthDay)—Sporadic shortages of both the flu vaccine and the flu treatment Tamiflu are being reported, as this year's intense flu season continues, according to a top U.S. health official.
Childhood trauma leaves its mark on the brain
It is well known that violent adults often have a history of childhood psychological trauma. Some of these individuals exhibit very real, physical alterations in a part of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex. Yet a direct link between such early trauma and neurological changes has been difficult to find, until now.
Study documents that some children lose autism diagnosis
Some children who are accurately diagnosed in early childhood with autism lose the symptoms and the diagnosis as they grow older, a study supported by the National Institutes of Health has confirmed. The research team made the finding by carefully documenting a prior diagnosis of autism in a small group of school-age children and young adults with no current symptoms of the disorder.
Information better retained with reinforcing stimuli delivered during sleep, research finds
When you're studying for an exam, is there something you can do while you sleep to retain the information better?
Can we all just get along? Immunological memory learns tolerance
(Medical Xpress)—Immunology researchers at the University of Connecticut Health Center are learning more about memory T cells, which are cells that fight infection from a previously encountered antigen.
Facebook posts: Casually generated, gossipy language in microblogs is particularly memorable
If this were a Facebook post, you would remember it – better than a stranger's face or a line from a published book.
Researchers identify genetic mutation for rare cancer
By looking at the entire DNA from this one patient's tumor, researchers have found a genetic anomaly that provides an important clue to improving how this cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Transmission of tangles in Alzheimer's mice provides more authentic model of tau pathology
Brain diseases associated with the misformed protein tau, including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau pathologies, are characterized by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) comprised of pathological tau filaments. Tau tangles are also found in progressive supranuclear palsy, cortical basal degeneration and other related tauopathies, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to repetitive traumatic brain injuries sustained in sports or on the battle field.
Don't read my lips! Body language trumps the face for conveying intense emotions
Be it triumph or crushing defeat, exhilaration or agony, body language more accurately conveys intense emotions, according to recent research that challenges the predominance of facial expressions as an indicator of how a person feels.
Neuroscientists show how decision-making processes are influenced by neurons
Whether in society or nature, decisions are often the result of complex interactions between many factors. Because of this it is usually difficult to determine how much weight the different factors have in making a final decision. Neuroscientists face a similar problem since decisions made by the brain always involve many neurons. Working in collaboration, the University of Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, supported within the framework of the Bernstein Network, researchers lead by CIN professor Matthias Bethge have now shown how the weight of individual neurons in the decision-making process can be reconstructed despite interdependencies between the neurons.
Biology news
WWF urges Thai ivory ban to spare African elephant
Conservationists on Tuesday urged Thailand to end its legal trade in ivory to help curb the slaughter of African elephants by poachers cashing in on their highly-prized tusks.
In search of the big questions: Conserving the European Alps
In Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", the world had to wait ten million years to learn the question to the ultimate answer. This might be justifiable for a question of such staggering importance but it would strain the patience of a scientist considering what research to undertake. In fact, one of the hardest things in science is asking the right questions, particular when the issue under debate is as broad as the conservation of biodiversity.
Mycobacteriosis in fish
Mycobacteriosis in fish is a disease that is difficult to detect and therefore often underdiagnosed. For the same reason, information about the effects of this disease on the fish farming industry has been limited.
Kenyan officials impound two tonnes of ivory: police
Officials in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa have impounded more than 600 pieces of ivory, weighing two tonnes, officials said on Tuesday.
Novel approach to track migration of arctic-breeding avian species
A group of scientists led by Prof. Oliver P. Love try to determine how snow bunting populations are linked in space and time. Considering that the snow bunting poses an extra challenge to monitor due to its inaccessible breeding locations, nomadic lifestyle and small body size, they argue, combining multiple sources of data is the most appropriate approach to track patterns of the birds' migratory connectivity.
Cerebral development in chimpanzees: Human intelligence secrets revealed by chimp brain
Despite sharing 98% of our DNA with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), humans (Homo sapiens) have much bigger brains and are as, a species, much more intelligent. A research team led by Reseacher Tomoko Sakai, Primate Research Institute, Emeritus professor Akichika Mikami (Now, professor of Chubu Gakuin University), Associate professor Mie Matsui, University of Toyama, Associate professor Ludise Malkova (Georgetown University), and ProfessorTetsuro Matsuzawa, Primate Research Institute explain why humans have a so much bigger brain than our nearest living relatives do, and provide clues about unique features of human intelligence.
How the protein transport machinery in the chloroplasts of higher plants developed
A research team has studied how the protein transport system of bacteria developed over time to form the system in the chloroplasts of higher plants. They explored the so-called signal recognition particles and their receptors. Bioinformatic and biochemical analysis revealed that the moss Physcomitrella patens has evolutionarily old and new components of the SRP system, and thus represents an intermediate stage in the development from the bacterial transport system to the chloroplast system in higher plants.
Ornamental fish industry faces increasing problems with antibiotic resistance
The $15 billion ornamental fish industry faces a global problem with antibiotic resistance, a new study concludes, raising concern that treatments for fish diseases may not work when needed – and creating yet another mechanism for exposing humans to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Global warming may have severe consequences for rare Haleakala silverswords
While the iconic Haleakala silversword plant made a strong recovery from early 20th-century threats, it has now entered a period of substantial climate-related decline. New research published this week warns that global warming may have severe consequences for the silversword in its native habitat.
Robots, recycling map route to greener French wine
An Earth-friendly future for French wine could include disease-resistant grapes, solar-powered robots, and lighter packaging, as vintners innovate to slash their environmental footprint.
French GM corn-cancer researcher to detail work
A French researcher who claims a link between genetically modified corn and cancer on Tuesday said he would publish his work, the day after the EU, which has cleared the maize, promised to make public its own assessment.
EU asks citizens to join debate on GM food
The European Union on Tuesday took the debate about genetically modified crops to the public with a survey asking citizens to share their thoughts on organic farming.
Chimpanzee birth to be live-streamed
A primate sanctuary in South Africa on Tuesday announced it will live-stream the birth of a baby chimpanzee on the Internet, an online event it claims will be a world first.
New 'Moby Dick' lizard species found in Madagascar
A new lizard species has been discovered in Madagascar and named "Moby Dick" mermaid skink—after the albino sperm whale imagined by Herman Melville—for its flipper-like forelimbs and unpigmented skin, France's National Centre for Scientific Research said Tuesday.
New species of flying frog discovered in Vietnam
An Australian researcher who discovered a new species of flying frog near Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and named it after her mother said it was a rare find so close to such a big city.
Japan scientists breed salmon from surrogates
Japanese scientists have successfully bred a type of salmon using surrogate parents of a different species, in a breakthrough that could help preserve endangered creatures, the chief researcher said Tuesday.
Tiny reef speedster challenges tuna in the ocean sprint
(Phys.org)—Tiny coral reef wrasses can swim as fast as some of the swiftest fish in the ocean – but using only half as much energy to do so, Australian scientists working on the Great Barrier Reef have found.
Designer bacteria may lead to better vaccines
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a menu of 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that may improve the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as flu, pertussis, cholera and HPV.
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