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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 18, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Please Don't Eat the Daisies: The macroevolution of alternate plant defense strategies- White blood cells found to play key role in controlling red blood cell levels
- Long-term evolution is 'surprisingly predictable,' experiment shows
- Researchers synthesize negative-charge carrying molecular structures that can be a boost to future electronics devices
- Computer models show how deep carbon could return to Earth's surface
- Paleontologists discover fossilized ovarian follicles in three birds from Early Cretaceous
- Eagle-eyeing researchers design swooping quadrotors with claws (w/ video)
- Ocean plankton sponge up nearly twice the carbon currently assumed
- Under California: An ancient tectonic plate
- Oxygen-poor 'boring' ocean challenged evolution of early life, research finds
- Famous supernova reveals clues about crucial cosmic distance markers
- Putting the clock in 'cock-a-doodle-doo'
- Human microbe study provides insight into health, disease
- Web pioneers win inaugural $1.5 mn engineering prize
- Transistor in the fly antenna: Insect odorant receptors regulate their own sensitivity
Space & Earth news
High cesium level found in fish by Fukushima plant
The Japanese utility that owns the tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant says it has detected a record 740,000 becquerels per kilogram of radioactive cesium in a fish caught close to the plant.
Dead pigs in China river exceed 13,000
The number of dead pigs found in a river running through China's commercial hub Shanghai had reached more than 13,000, the government and state media said Monday, as mystery deepened over the hogs' precise origin.
What glows green in space?
While a quest for green beer in space would be difficult, we're happy to report there are other ways you can celebrate Saint Patrick's Day while looking at the night sky. Just check out the nebulae and aurorae in these pictures!
Las Cumbres Observatory: First light at Saao for third one-meter node of global telescope
The first truly global telescope came a significant step closer to completion this month with the installation and first light on three new 1-meter telescopes at the South Africa Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) near Sutherland, South Africa. A team of five Las Cumbres engineers, technicians, and a postdoc, convened at Sutherland for three weeks during late February and early March to achieve this feat.
Antarctica concerns grow as tourism numbers rise
Across most of Earth, a tourist attraction that sees 35,000 visitors a year can safely be labeled sleepy. But when it's Antarctica, every footstep matters.
'Underground Galapagos' excites scientists
Diverse underground ecosystems buried deep beneath the Earth's crust may offer clues to the origins of life on Earth, several recent studies have revealed.
Canadian astronaut floats through chat with kids
The Canadian commander of the International Space Station delighted schoolchildren in a live question and answer session conducted from space on Friday.
Deep trouble: How sea-rise could cause havoc in South Florida
The maps were intended to show how rising sea levels threaten some of Miami-Dade County's most vital facilities.
Tiny plants devour reefs in warming, acidic oceans
(Phys.org) —A world-first scientific study has found that, weakened by microscopic borers, the world's coral reefs will erode more rapidly as the oceans warm and acidify.
Salt marsh restoration could bring carbon benefits
Allowing farmland that's been reclaimed from the sea to flood and turn back into salt marsh could make it absorb lots of carbon from the atmosphere, a new study suggests, though the transformation will take many years to complete.
Survival: Terrifying moments in space flight
Space is a dangerous and sometimes fatal business, but happily there were moments where a situation happened and the astronauts were able to recover.
Kepler team identifies planet impostors that are binary stars in disguise
Observations by the Kepler satellite have advanced our knowledge of stars and their orbiting planets, yielding more than 100 confirmed planets and about 3,000 candidates. However, orbiting planets may not be the source for a fraction of those detections.
Significant contribution of Greenland's peripheral glaciers to sea-level rise
The scientists looked at glaciers which behave independently from the ice sheet, despite having some physical connection to it, and those which are not connected at all.
Reaching ambitious greenhouse gas concentration goals
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that even though it is technically possible to reach ambitious goals to limit greenhouse gas concentrations by the end of the 21st century, the combined effects of limitations in technology availability and uneven global participation to curb emissions will affect costs. In addition, if the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters do not take any action to reduce emissions by the end of the century, those ambitious goals are impossible to reach no matter how much energy technologies improve.
Solar storm near Earth caused by fast CME
On March 17, 2013, at 1:28 a.m. EDT, the coronal mass ejection (CME) from March 15 passed by NASA's Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) as it approached Earth. Upon interacting with the giant magnetic bubble surrounding Earth, the magnetosphere, the CME caused a kind of solar storm known as a geomagnetic storm. The storm initially caused a mild storm rated on NOAA's geomagnetic storm scales as a G2 on a scale from G1 to G5, and subsequently subsided to a G1. In the past, storms of this strength have caused auroras near the poles but have not disrupted electrical systems on Earth or interfered with GPS or satellite-based communications systems.
Space crew returns to Earth from ISS
Three astronauts returned safely to Earth from the International Space Station early Saturday, aboard a Russian capsule which landed on the freezing Kazakhstan steppe, mission control said.
Panorama from NASA Mars rover shows Mount Sharp
(Phys.org) —Rising above the present location of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, higher than any mountain in the 48 contiguous states of the United States, Mount Sharp is featured in new imagery from the rover.
Peering into a gateway opened 50 years ago
Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the quasar - an extremely bright object powered by matter falling into a super-massive black hole lying in the heart of a galaxy.
When it rains these days, does it pour? Has the weather become stormier as the climate warms?
There's little doubt—among scientists at any rate—that the climate has warmed since people began to release massive amounts greenhouse gases to the atmosphere during the Industrial Revolution.
Study finds highly effective communities of bacteria in Mariana Trench
An international research team announces the first scientific results from one of the most inaccessible places on Earth: the bottom of the Mariana Trench located nearly 11 kilometers below sea level in the western Pacific, which makes it the deepest site on Earth.
Striking gold: Earthquakes deposit precious metal
Solid gold can be deposited in Earth's crust "almost instantaneously" during earthquakes, said a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience on Sunday.
Tornado debris study could lead to better warnings
Photos and mementoes that were snatched up and blown hundreds of miles during tornados in the south of the United States two years ago are giving researchers new insight on how debris is carried by the storms and how it could threaten the public.
Leaping lunar dust
(Phys.org) —Electrically charged lunar dust near shadowed craters can get lofted above the surface and jump over the shadowed region, bouncing back and forth between sunlit areas on opposite sides, according to new calculations by NASA scientists.
How a sunset comet came to be
(Phys.org) —For a comet, visiting the sun is risky business. Fierce solar heat vaporizes gases long frozen in the fragile nucleus, breaking up some comets and completely destroying others.
Hubble gazes on one ring to rule them all
(Phys.org) —Galaxies can take many forms—elliptical blobs, swirling spiral arms, bulges, and disks are all known components of the wide range of galaxies we have observed using telescopes like the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. However, some of the more intriguing objects in the sky around us include ring galaxies like the one pictured above—Zw II 28.
Earth's interior cycles contributor to long-term sea-level and climate change, scientists conclude
Ancient rises in sea levels and global warming are partially attributable to cyclical activity below the earth's surface, researchers from New York University and Ottawa's Carleton University have concluded in an analysis of geological studies.
Tenfold increase in hurricane frequency this century, researcher predicts
By examining the frequency of extreme storm surges in the past, previous research has shown that there was an increasing tendency for storm hurricane surges when the climate was warmer. But how much worse will it get as temperatures rise in the future? How many extreme storm surges like that from Hurricane Katrina, which hit the U.S. coast in 2005, will there be as a result of global warming? New research from the Niels Bohr Institute show that there will be a tenfold increase in frequency if the climate becomes two degrees Celcius warmer.
Famous supernova reveals clues about crucial cosmic distance markers
(Phys.org) —A new study using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory points to the origin of a famous supernova. This supernova, discovered in 1604 by Johannes Kepler, belongs to an important class of objects that are used to measure the rate of expansion of the Universe.
Mars rover Curiosity stands down after new problem
Another problem is preventing the Mars rover Curiosity from resuming its science experiments.
Curiosity Mars rover sees trend in water presence
(Phys.org) —NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has seen evidence of water-bearing minerals in rocks near where it had already found clay minerals inside a drilled rock.
Ocean plankton sponge up nearly twice the carbon currently assumed
Models of carbon dioxide in the world's oceans need to be revised, according to new work by UC Irvine and other scientists published online Sunday in Nature Geoscience. Trillions of plankton near the surface of warm waters are far more carbon-rich than has long been thought, they found. Global marine temperature fluctuations could mean that tiny Prochlorococcus and other microbes digest double the carbon previously calculated. Carbon dioxide is the leading driver of disruptive climate change.
Computer models show how deep carbon could return to Earth's surface
Computer simulations of water under extreme pressure are helping geochemists understand how carbon might be recycled from hundreds of miles below the Earth's surface. The work, by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and Johns Hopkins University, is published March 18 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Oxygen-poor 'boring' ocean challenged evolution of early life, research finds
A research team led by biogeochemists at the University of California, Riverside has filled in a billion-year gap in our understanding of conditions in the early ocean during a critical time in the history of life on Earth.
Under California: An ancient tectonic plate
(Phys.org) —The Isabella anomaly—indications of a large mass of cool, dehydrated material about 100 kilometers beneath central California—is in fact a surviving slab of the Farallon oceanic plate. Most of the Farallon plate was driven deep into the Earth's mantle as the Pacific and North American plates began converging about 100 million years ago, eventually coming together to form the San Andreas fault.
Technology news
Mac computers not immune to malware
The biggest vulnerability to Macintosh computers is the belief among their devoted users that Apple's superior operating system makes them immune to malware, experts say.
Google chairman Eric Schmidt to visit Myanmar
Google chairman Eric Schmidt will visit Myanmar next week, highlighting increasing Internet freedom in the former pariah state just weeks after a controversial trip to communist North Korea.
Russian dashcams digital guardian angels for drivers
When a bright meteor streaked across the sky over the Russian Urals last month, it was the film footage captured by hundreds of in-car cameras and hastily uploaded to YouTube by dumbfounded drivers that allowed the world to share the event.
China Premier Li rejects 'groundless' US hacking accusations
China's new premier Li Keqiang on Sunday rejected US accusations of hacking, saying that Beijing did not support cyber spying after President Barack Obama stepped up rhetoric on the issue.
In Twitter era, new pope not a social media maven
(AP)—Pope Francis has 1.2 billion followers in the Roman Catholic Church, but he's not following a single one of them on Facebook or Twitter.
US man faces sentencing in iPad data breach case
A man convicted of illegally gaining access to AT&T's servers and stealing more than 100,000 email addresses of iPad users is facing sentencing.
Built-in wireless sensor to diagnose 'stressed' machines remotely
A*STAR's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and Singapore's Hoestar PD Technology Pte Ltd are working to deploy wireless piezoelectric sensors that will track vibrations and stresses that affect the 'health' of machinery such as motors, pumps and generators. The technology increases productivity by saving time, reducing manual checking and offering precision at detecting defects via its automated remote monitoring.
3-D laser scanning of dhows in Doha
A unique collection of traditional seagoing boats in Doha, Qatar has been recorded for posterity using a 3D scanning process.
New 1 Mbit and 2 Mbit FRAM products released by Fujitsu
Fujitsu Semiconductor today announced the development of two new FRAM products, MB85RS1MT and MB85RS2MT, which feature 1 Mbit and 2 Mbit of memory, respectively, making them the largest density serial-interface FRAM products offered by Fujitsu Semiconductor. The new products will be made available in sample quantities starting end of March 2013.
Collaboration puts natural gas on the road
DOE's Savannah River National Laboratory, in partnership with Ford Motor Company, the University of California-Berkeley, and BASF, has research underway to explore an innovative low-pressure material-based natural gas fuel system for automobiles and other light vehicles.
Indian police set up lab to monitor social media
Mumbai police have set up India's first "social media lab" to monitor Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites, sparking concerns about freedom of speech online.
UM researcher revolutionizing scientific communication, one tweet at a time
University of Miami (UM) doctoral student in Environmental Science and Policy, David Shiffman was invited to tweet updates in real-time, at the International Congress of Conservation Biology, New Zealand, 2011. As a result, more than 100,000 twitter users worldwide saw at least one tweet from the conference, and nearly 200 people from more than 40 countries, on six continents shared at least one tweet from the conference—greatly exceeding the number of conference attendees.
Squashed loft insulation 50 percent less effective
Research from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has shown that by squashing down loft insulation, for example under storage boxes, homeowners almost halve its performance.
Man gets over 3 years in iPad data breach case (Update)
An admitted online "troll" was sentenced Monday to the maximum prison term under federal guidelines—more than three years—for illegally gaining access to AT&T's servers and stealing more than 100,000 email addresses of iPad users.
United Technologies sells Goodrich pump business
(AP)—United Technologies Corp. says it has completed the sale of a pump and engine control systems business owned previously by airline parts maker Goodrich Corp.
US spy agency holds contest to find young hackers (Update)
Bored with classes? One of the U.S. government's top spy agencies and Carnegie Mellon University want to interest students in a game of computer hacking.
New copyright rules hinder ability to 'unlock' phones, critics object
Imagine that the next time you buy a car, it's chock full of electronic gizmos and Web-linked software - cool stuff that, say, instantly warns you about a crash up ahead before you get stuck in traffic.
Monitoring your vitals with a webcam
You may have used a webcam on your computer to make a video call. Someday that same camera - or one like it - might help doctors monitor your health.
Streaming video's rise draws marketers' attention
YouTube, the upstart repository of cover songs, makeup tips and cat videos, is starting to give television a run for its money.
FBI snooping tactic ruled unconstitutional (Update)
A US judge has ordered the FBI to stop its "pervasive" use of National Security letters to snoop on phone and email records, ruling Friday that the widespread tactic was unconstitutional.
Videogame power harnessed for positive goals
Even as videogames come under scrutiny for potential harmful impacts, researchers and developers are touting digital games for positive effects on health, learning and other social goals.
Microsoft facility a space to envision home, office of future
Put a skillet on your stove as you prepare to make a stir-fry, and an interactive chef on the big screen in your kitchen tells you a wok would probably work better.
Idea floated for a startup colony anchored in Pacific Ocean
Even here in the world capital of far-fetched ideas, this one is more outlandish than most. Two Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, frustrated by the shortage of visas that keep some of the world's brightest science and engineering minds from building companies on dry land, have hatched a plan to build a startup colony in the middle of the Pacific.
South Korea's 'Top Gun' cyber warriors
Cheon Joon-Sahng may not look like an elite warrior, but the shy, South Korean high school student has been fully trained for a frontline role in any future cyber battle with North Korea.
Glimmers of hope for troubled US newspapers, study says
The US newspaper industry is seeing some glimmers of hope after being battered for years, a prominent study concluded Monday.
Wireless charging soon available for devices smaller than mobile phones
Wireless charging will soon be available for more and more mobile phones. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is working with the industry's leading technological companies and standardisation bodies to expand the scope of application of wireless charging technology to other, smaller portable devices, such as mobile phone accessories, wrist devices, wireless mice and sensors. This can be done by combining wireless power transmission with NFC connectivity technology, which enables cost-effective and compact design.
Development of single-passenger mobility-support robot "ROPITS" for autonomous locomotion on footpaths
Hitachi, Ltd. today announced the development of a mobility-support robot "ROPITS" equipped with a "specified arbitrary point autonomous pick-up and drop-off function" that can autonomously navigate to a point specified by a portable information terminal. The "specified arbitrary point autonomous pick-up and drop-off function" enables autonomous locomotion to a specified arbitrary point identified on a map on the Reservation/ Operation Screen of a portable information terminal. Using this function, ROPITS is able to autonomously go and pick-up a passenger at any desired pick-up point on a footpath, or deliver a passenger to a specified arbitrary destination.
Six Nations Rugby Union: Were the gloves off?
As the Six Nations Cup reached its patriotic climax, two University of Sheffield engineers were keeping a closely scientific eye on the ball. Experts in tribology—the science of friction—Drs Roger Lewis and Matt Carré are more interested in grip than glory.
Suntech announces default, search for financing (Update)
Suntech, one of the world's biggest solar panel manufacturers, said Monday it has defaulted on a $541 million bond payment in the latest sign of the financial squeeze on the struggling global solar industry.
Friend or foe? Civilian drones stir debate
Drones: A flying technological marvel that could save lives or a sinister robot spy which edges the United States ever closer towards becoming a surveillance society?
Ericsson, STMicroelectronics to cut 1,600 jobs (Update)
Swedish wireless equipment maker Ericsson and Switzerland's STMicroelectronics say they will lay off up to 1,600 workers globally as part of a plan for splitting up their unprofitable joint venture.
Google Maps adds view from Mt. Everest
Google on Monday added views from some of the world's tallest mountains to scenes woven into its popular online map service.
US solar installations soared 76% in 2012
Solar panel installations in the U.S. grew 76% in 2012 as the cost of panels and the surrounding equipment continued to fall, according to an annual report by a solar trade group.
Petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions of automobiles could drop 80 percent by 2050
A new National Research Council report finds that by the year 2050, the U.S. may be able to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent for light-duty vehicles—cars and small trucks—via a combination of more efficient vehicles; the use of alternative fuels like biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen; and strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices. While achieving these goals will be difficult, improving technologies driven by strong and effective policies could make deep reductions possible.
Volkswagen shows all-electric four-seater at Wolfsburg meet
(Phys.org) —The Volkswagen e-up!, an all-electric city car, is not for sale just yet, but this week the first-ever Volkswagen production electric vehicle was "unveiled" at a press and investors gathering in Wolfsburg, Germany, company headquarters. The news that EV watchers will want to know most about this new vehicle, as with any EV announcement these days, will center around practical concerns such as how long does it run before the battery power is depleted, and charging requirements. As for the e-up! it has an 18.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a 93-mile range (150km) and provides the driver with a dual charging system. The battery is integrated under the floor area. A "Combined Charging System" supports AC and DC charging. The advantage of this, said the company, is that the driver can more easily charge the car at any charging station without worrying about the right power source. Also, it can be recharged up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
UAE opens world's largest CSP solar power plant
Oil-rich Abu Dhabi on Sunday officially opened the world's largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, which cost $600 million to build and will provide electricity to 20,000 homes.
Microsoft offers new version of Kinect for Windows SDK
(Phys.org) —Monday, March 18, for Microsoft goes down in Kinect for Windows history as the day the new Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 arrives for developers, which, according to its team, is the most significant update for the SDK since its first version over a year ago. Developers as of March 18 can download the kit and interface guidelines from the website, said Bob Heddle, director, Kinect for Windows. Heddle made use of Engadget's Expand event in San Francisco to make the announcement last week.
Web pioneers win inaugural $1.5 mn engineering prize
Five engineers who helped create the Internet were on Monday awarded a $1.5 million prize which British organisers hope will come to be seen as equivalent to a Nobel prize for engineering.
Medicine & Health news
UN adopts plan to combat violence against women
(AP)—Conservative Muslim and Roman Catholic countries and liberal Western nations approved a U.N. blueprint to combat violence against women and girls, ignoring strong objections from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood that it clashed with Islamic principles and sought to destroy the family.
Battling AIDS stigma in Morocco's religious heartlands
"I don't have anything," said Asmaa with a sigh as she stepped out of the mobile clinic offering free AIDS tests in Sale, a conservative city in Morocco where the veiled young woman lives.
Final rule in notice of benefit, payment parameters issued
(HealthDay)—The final rule of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2014, which expands on existing standards, has been released.
Hundreds checked for rabies after transplant death
Public health agencies in five U.S. states are assessing the rabies risk for hundreds of people who may have had close contact with an infected organ donor and four transplant recipients, one of whom died, officials said Saturday.
Better outcomes for injured New Zealanders than ill ones
New Zealanders who fall ill experience significantly worse financial and work outcomes than those with a comparable injury, according to new University of Otago research.
Mortality higher in Appalachian coal mining counties compared to non-coal mining areas
West Virginia counties with coal mining activity have higher total mortality rates than their non-coal mining Appalachian counterparts, a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health analysis revealed.
Researchers develop dental polymer technology licensed to 3M
An advanced polymer technology developed at the University of Colorado Boulder was recently licensed to 3M, a diversified technology company based in St. Paul, Minn. The licensed technology, developed by a team led by CU-Boulder Distinguished Professor Christopher Bowman, enables formation of very low-shrinkage composites, improving performance of many materials currently used in dental fillings and sealants, dentures and dental implants.
New study points to the aggressive potential of small kidney tumours, advocates treatment
Small kidney tumours have an agressive potential and should be treated, according to a the results of a large multicentre study presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress in Milan.
Massive funding boost needed to beat TB, UN says (Update)
The global fight against tuberculosis needs a massive financial boost as drug-resistant strains of the disease take hold, two international organisations warned on Monday.
PCa markers improve predictive performance of existing clinical variables
A genetic score based on PCa risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is an independent predictor of prostate biopsy outcomes, suggest the results of a new study conducted by a group from the Department of Urology Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
Incidence and mortality of PCa after termination of PSA-based screening
Men who participate in biennial PSA based screening have a lower risk of being diagnosed as well as dying from prostate cancer up to 9 years after their last PSA test, according to the results of a new study to be presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress in Milan
Epigenetic changes play a key role in development of chemo resistance in BCa
At the 28th Annual EAU Congress currently ongoing in Milan until Tuesday, W. Tan and colleagues presented their study on neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy which showed that epigenetic changes are potential key drivers in the development of chemo resistance in bladder cancer.
Scientists investigate potential markers for a response to sunitinib in patients with metastatic RCC
Markers such as CA9, CD31, CD34 and VEGFR1/2 in the primary tumours might serve as predictors of a good response to a sunitinib treatment in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), according to a new study to be presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress currently on-going in Milan.
Can online chat rooms and 'cyberhugs' help chronic pain sufferers cope?
The more than 100 million Americans living with chronic pain and daily suffering often have limited outlets to talk about their conditions with others who can understand and offer comfort. Online chatrooms may provide a beneficial forum where chronic pain sufferers can openly and safely communicate, as discussed in an article in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Study shows rising rate of propofol abuse by health care professionals
Abuse of the anesthesia drug propofol is a "rapidly progressive form of substance dependence" that is being more commonly seen among health care professionals, reports a study in the April Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
American Academy of Neurology issues updated sports concussion guideline
With more than one million athletes now experiencing a concussion each year in the United States, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has released an evidence-based guideline for evaluating and managing athletes with concussion. This new guideline replaces the 1997 AAN guideline on the same topic. The new guideline is published in the March 18, 2013, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, was developed through an objective evidence-based review of the literature by a multidisciplinary committee of experts and has been endorsed by a broad range of athletic, medical and patient groups.
New evaluation of the Heart Truth professional education materials released
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Yet historically, women have been less likely than men to receive evidence-based medical care for both the prevention and management of heart disease. In 1999 the American Heart Association (AHA) published the first clinical recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. This was soon followed by the implementation of The Heart Truth® campaign for consumers in 2002 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which was expanded in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office on Women's Health to target healthcare providers. Since the initial AHA publication, the clinical guidelines have been updated three times, most recently in 2011.
NYC plan would keep tobacco products out of sight
A new anti-smoking proposal would make New York the first city in the nation to keep tobacco products out of sight in retail stores.
Researchers propose a novel prognostic model for disease-specific survival in BCa patients
A new study from Japan investigated various prognostic indicators, including clinico-pathological and pre-operative hematological factors to develop a novel prognostic factors-based risk stratification model for disease-specific survival (DSS) in bladder cancer (BCa) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC).
Cross-cultural parenting: Reflections on autonomy and interdependence
Boston Medical Center pediatricians Laura Johnson, MD, MPH, Jenny Radesky, MD, and Barry Zuckerman, MD, the Joel and Barbara Alpert Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, have published a paper in the current issue of the journal Pediatrics that addresses how understanding the origins and goals of parenting behaviors can help pediatricians strengthen relationships with families, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and more effectively offer guidance on the challenges of childrearing.
Study confirms difference in radical prostatectomy outcomes between surgeons
New evidence from Sweden confirms previous studies which suggest that functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy may vary between surgeons, especially in relation to continence. However, the group found no evidence of heterogeneity in potency-related outcomes.
AstraZeneca reorg to cut 1,600 jobs in US, UK
Struggling Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC said Monday that it will eliminate 1,600 jobs, mostly in the U.S. and United Kingdom, as its new CEO starts a major research and development reorganization.
Study examines combo chin, nose plastic surgery
(HealthDay)—For patients considering plastic surgery to correct their facial profile, changing the nose and chin simultaneously may provide the most satisfying results, Italian researchers say.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be costly
(HealthDay)—Workers with rheumatoid arthritis have higher health care and other costs for U.S. employers than workers without the condition, a new study finds.
China performed 330 mn abortions since 1971: data
Nearly 330 million abortions have been performed in China in the 40 years since it first implemented measures to limit population growth in the world's most populous nation, official data showed.
Oral melatonin has no effect on appetite in advanced cancer
(HealthDay)—Oral melatonin does not improve appetite, weight, or quality of life for patients with cachexia due to advanced cancer, according to research published online Feb. 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Nip springtime allergies in the bud
(HealthDay)—The spring allergy season is off to an early start and allergy sufferers need to take action to prevent symptoms, an expert says.
More parents say they won't vaccinate daughters against HPV, researchers find
A rising percentage of parents say they won't have their teen daughters vaccinated to protect against the human papilloma virus, even though physicians are increasingly recommending adolescent vaccinations, a study by Mayo Clinic and others shows. More than 2 in 5 parents surveyed believe the HPV vaccine is unnecessary, and a growing number worry about potential side effects, researchers found. The findings are published in the new issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Study shows community approach effective in fight against diabetes
New research from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that a diabetes prevention program led by community health workers is effective at reducing blood glucose and potentially reducing diabetes over the long term.
Babies of obese mothers at risk for iron deficiency, study finds
A new study has found that obese women are more likely to have babies with lower levels of iron, a mineral that is crucial for nervous system development in the early stages of life.
Food memories can help weight loss
(Medical Xpress)—Research led by a psychologist at the University of Liverpool has found that using memories of recent meals reduces the amount of food eaten later on. It also found that being distracted when eating leads to increased consumption.
Incorporating physical activity in curriculum can boost academic performance, research finds
(Medical Xpress)—Every teacher knows elementary students have energy to burn, but given the increased focus on meeting specific test scores and the challenges of the school day it's not easy to fit in enough time for physical activity. Joseph Donnelly, professor of internal medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is leading a study that helps teachers incorporate physical activity into their existing curriculum. The findings show students who get more motion in their day are achieving better educational outcomes than their peers who do not.
China, India travel boosts risk of antibiotic resistant cystitis
Experts have warned of the growing risk of travellers to India, China and South East Asia bringing home E.coli infections that are immune to treatment with a normal course of antibiotic tablets.
Study finds soft drinks present in the home drive up consumption in school children
(Medical Xpress)—Primary and secondary school students are five times as likely to be high consumers of sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soft drinks, if these drinks are available in their homes, according to a University of Sydney study published in the journal Preventive Medicine today.
New target for Alzheimer's disease treatment
Researchers have found new evidence that insulating cells, the cells that protect our nerves, can be made and added to the central nervous system throughout our lifetime.
First model of how Sydney pollutants may drive childhood asthma
The first study of the effects of Sydney's air pollution on the development of asthma has been carried out at UNSW.
Brain tumour cells killed by anti-nausea drug
(Medical Xpress)—New research from the University of Adelaide has shown for the first time that the growth of brain tumours can be halted by a drug currently being used to help patients recover from the side effects of chemotherapy.
Researchers find that alcohol consumption damages brain's support cells
Alcohol consumption affects the brain in multiple ways, ranging from acute changes in behavior to permanent molecular and functional alterations. The general consensus is that in the brain, alcohol targets mainly neurons. However, recent research suggests that other cells of the brain known as astrocytic glial cells or astrocytes are necessary for the rewarding effects of alcohol and the development of alcohol tolerance. The study, first-authored by Dr. Leonardo Pignataro, was published in the February 6th issue of the scientific journal Brain and Behavior.
Astrocyte signaling sheds light on stroke research
New research published in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that modifying signals sent by astrocytes, our star-shaped brain cells, may help to limit the spread of damage after an ischemic brain stroke. The study in mice, by neuroscientists at Tufts University School of Medicine, determined that astrocytes play a critical role in the spread of damage following stroke.
New database to speed genetic discoveries
A new online database combining symptoms, family history and genetic sequencing information is speeding the search for diseases caused by a single rogue gene. As described in an article in the May issue of Human Mutation, the database, known as PhenoDB, enables any clinician to document cases of unusual genetic diseases for analysis by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine or the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. If a review committee agrees that the patient may indeed have a previously unknown genetic disease, the patient and some of his or her family members may be offered free comprehensive genetic testing in an effort to identify the disease culprit.
Research find links between lifestyle and developing rheumatoid arthritis
Researchers in Manchester have found a link between several lifestyle factors and pre-existing conditions, including smoking cigarettes and diabetes, and an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Pneumonia patients nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression, impairments
The long-term consequences of pneumonia can be more detrimental to a person's health than having a heart attack, according to joint research from the University of Michigan Health System and University of Washington School of Medicine.
Blood levels of fat cell hormone may predict severity of migraines
In a small, preliminary study of regular migraine sufferers, scientists have found that measuring a fat-derived protein called adiponectin (ADP) before and after migraine treatment can accurately reveal which headache victims felt pain relief.
Only one-third of parents follow doctors' orders for kids all of the time
Pediatricians regularly dispense advice to parents of young children during well-child visits, but a new University of Michigan poll shows that many aren't following doctors' orders.
Blood protein able to detect higher risk of cardiovascular events
Higher levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in people with cardiac chest pain that developed as a result of heart disease/coronary artery disease, according to a study published in CMAJ.
Oral estrogen hormone therapy linked to increased risk of gallbladder surgery in menopausal women
Oral estrogen therapy for menopausal women is associated with an increased risk of gallbladder surgery, according to a large-scale study of more than 70 000 women in France published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
Training program leads to police using less force
Researchers with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry designed a one-day training program for the Edmonton Police Service that resulted in officers being more likely to quickly identify mental health issues during a call, and less likely to use physical force or a weapon in those situations. The training resulted in long-term behaviour change in the officers and saved the police force money because mental health-related calls were dealt with more efficiently.
Similar neuro outcomes in preterm infants with low-grade brain bleeding as infants with no bleeding
A new study from researchers at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and other centers suggests that preterm infants with a low-grade bleeding in the brain may have similar neurodevelopmental outcomes as infants with no bleeding. The study appears online at JAMA Pediatrics.
Nurse understaffing increases infection risk in VLBW babies
Very low birth weight infants, those weighing less than 3.25 pounds, account for half of infant deaths in the United States each year, yet a new study released in today's issue of JAMA Pediatrics documents that these critically ill infants do not receive optimal nursing care, which can lead to hospital-acquired infections that double their death rate and may result in long-term developmental issues affecting the quality of their lives as adults.
Researchers find better management needed for use of IVC filters
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that the use of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters for the prevention and treatment of venous thrombotic events (VTE) may result in poor outcomes due to mechanical filter complications—largely due to low filter retrieval rates and inconsistent use of anticoagulants—and high rates of venous thromboembolism. The study, which was conducted at New England's largest trauma center, Boston Medical Center (BMC), currently appears on-line in JAMA Internal Medicine and is believed to be one of the first to retrospectively review retrieval options of IVC filters.
Researchers develop world's first real-time, electronic tool to enhance diagnosis of pneumonia
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City have developed and implemented the first real-time electronic screening tool to identify patients with pneumonia to speed up diagnosis and treatment and improve outcomes.
Study examines outcomes of screening mammography for age, breast density, hormone therapy
A study that compared the benefits and harms of the frequency of screening mammography to age, breast density and postmenopausal use of hormone therapy (HT) suggests that woman ages 50 to 74 years who undergo biennial screenings have a similar risk of advanced-stage disease and a lower cumulative risk of false-positive results than those who get mammograms annually, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Study tracks variation between hospitals in vena cava filter use
The frequency of vena cava filter (VCF) use to prevent migration of blood clots to the lungs in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) appears to vary widely and be associated with which hospital provides the patient care, according to a study of California hospitals published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Close-to-the-heart catheters safer for hospitalized children
Location, location, location. A new Johns Hopkins Children's Center study shows the real-estate mantra also holds true when it comes to choosing correct catheter placement in children.
Heart-healthy lifestyle also reduces cancer risk
Following the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 steps to reduce your risk for heart disease can also help prevent cancer, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Pregnant women's likelihood of cesarean delivery in Massachusetts linked to choice of hospitals
There is wide variation in the rate of cesarean sections performed at different hospitals across the U.S. and one explanation has been that hospitals with higher c-section rates serve greater numbers of women at high risk for the procedure. Now, a new study by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides the strongest evidence to date that it's not just medical need that determines who has c-sections, but also something at the hospital level—in other words, the same woman would have a different chance of undergoing a c-section based on the hospital she chooses.
Millions of people in Asia potentially exposed to health risks of popular herbal medicines
Scientists from King's College London are warning that millions of people may be exposed to risk of developing kidney failure and bladder cancer by taking herbal medicines that are widely available in Asia. The medicines, used for a wide range of conditions including slimming, asthma and arthritis, are derived from a botanical compound containing aristolochic acids. These products are now banned in the USA and many European countries but the herbs containing this toxic acid can still be bought in China and other countries in Asia and are also available worldwide over the internet.
Skimmed / semi-skimmed milk does not curb excess toddler weight gain
Switching to skimmed milk in a bid to curb excess toddler weight gain doesn't seem to work, indicates research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Same signaling enzymes can trigger two different processes in the cell
Stroke, heart attacks and numerous other common disorders result in a massive destruction of cells and tissues called necrosis. It's a violent event: As each cell dies, its membrane ruptures, releasing substances that trigger inflammation, which in turn can cause more cellular necrosis. A new Weizmann Institute study may help develop targeted therapies for controlling the tissue destruction resulting from inflammation and necrosis.
Digital rectal exam remains important part of prostate screening
(Medical Xpress)—The digital rectal exam is an important screening test that can discover prostate cancer that a prostate-specific antigen or PSA test may not, despite the higher sensitivity of the PSA test, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Does Greek coffee hold the key to a longer life?
The answer to longevity may be far simpler than we imagine; it may in fact be right under our noses in the form of a morning caffeine kick. The elderly inhabitants of Ikaria, the Greek island, boast the highest rates of longevity in the World, and many scientists turn to them when looking to discover the 'secrets of a longer life'. In a new study in Vascular Medicine researchers investigating cardiovascular health believe that a cup of boiled Greek coffee holds the clue to the elderly islanders' good health.
Soldiers and families can suffer negative effects from modern communication technologies
As recently as the Vietnam and Korean wars, soldiers' families commonly had to wait months to receive word from family members on the front lines. Now, cell phones and the internet allow deployed soldiers and their families to communicate instantly. However, along with the benefits of keeping in touch, using new communication technologies can have negative consequences for both soldiers and their families, according to a study by University of Missouri researcher Brian Houston. This research could lead to guidelines for how active military personnel and their families can best use modern communications.
Widespread 'test-and-treat' HIV policies could increase dangerous drug resistance
One of the most widely advocated strategies for dealing with HIV/AIDS could double the number of multi-drug-resistant HIV cases in the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in LA County over the next 10 years, cautions a new study.
Third-party blood stem cell transplantation as a factor to impact on poor graft function
When a research team in China evaluated the efficacy and safety of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expanded from the bone marrow of non-self-donors to treat patients experiencing poor graft function (PGF) after receiving transplants of non-self-donated blood stem cells (allo-HSCT), they found that the mesenchymal stem cells were both safe and effective for treating primary and secondary PGF.
New nanotechnology research study turns brain tumors blue
(Medical Xpress)—In an article published this week in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research, researchers from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology have reported the development of a technique that assists in identifying tumors from normal brain tissue during surgery by staining tumor cells blue. This key finding, developed by a team led by Dr. Barun Brahma, M.D., Children's neurosurgeon and biomedical engineer, and Prof. Ravi Bellamkonda, the Carol Ann and David D. Flanagan Chair in Biomedical Engineering at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, could be a critical technique used in hospitals lacking sophisticated equipment like an MRI, which guides in tumor removal, in preserving the maximum amount of normal tissue and brain function during surgery.
Black children less likely to be prescribed antibiotics
(HealthDay)—Black children are less likely to be prescribed antibiotics and to be diagnosed with conditions that require antibiotics, even when treated by the same doctor, according to research published online March 18 in Pediatrics.
CMV-linked eye infections ID'd in patients without HIV
(HealthDay)—Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated posterior uveitis or panuveitis can develop in patients without HIV infection, most of whom have evidence of compromised immune function, according to a study published online March 14 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Key variables examined in gestational diabetes advance
(HealthDay)—For women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), clinical and genetic factors including higher pre-pregnancy body mass index are associated with development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online March 7 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.
Gone but not forgotten: Yearning for lost loved ones linked to altered thinking about the future
People suffering from complicated grief may have difficulty recalling specific events from their past or imagining specific events in the future, but not when those events involve the partner they lost, according to a new study published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Why makeup matters? Psychology reveals new sign of aging in perception research
(Medical Xpress)—The contrasting nature of facial features is one of the signals that people unconsciously use to decipher how old someone looks, says Psychology Prof. Richard Russell, who has been collaborating with researchers from CE.R.I.E.S. (Epidermal and Sensory Research and Investigation Center), a department of Chanel Research and Technology dedicated to skin related issues and facial appearance.
Two new genes linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related disorders
(Medical Xpress)—A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has discovered mutations in two genes that lead to the death of nerve cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and related degenerative diseases.
Depression stems from miscommunication between brain cells, study shows
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine suggests that depression results from a disturbance in the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. The study indicates a major shift in our understanding of how depression is caused and how it should be treated. Instead of focusing on the levels of hormone-like chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, the scientists found that the transmission of excitatory signals between cells becomes abnormal in depression. The research, by senior author Scott M. Thompson, Ph.D., Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was published online in the March 17 issue of Nature Neuroscience.
It's in the cards: Human evolution influences gamblers' decisions, study shows
New research from an international team of scientists suggests evolution, or basic survival techniques adapted by early humans, influences the decisions gamblers make when placing bets.
How some prostate tumors resist treatment—and how it might be fixed
Hormonal therapies can help control advanced prostate cancer for a time. However, for most men, at some point their prostate cancer eventually stops responding to further hormonal treatment. This stage of the disease is called androgen-insensitive or castration-resistant prostate cancer. In a study published March 18 in Cancer Cell, a team led by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) found a mechanism at play in androgen-insensitive cells that enables them to survive treatment. They discovered that a protein called Siah2 keeps a portion of androgen receptors constantly active in these prostate cancer cells. Androgen receptors—sensors that receive and respond to the hormone androgen—play a critical role in prostate cancer development and progression.
Immortality gene mutation identifies brain tumors, other cancers
Newly identified mutations in a gene that makes cells immortal appear to play a pivotal role in three of the most common types of brain tumors, as well as cancers of the liver, tongue and urinary tract, according to research led by Duke Cancer Institute.
Difficulty in recognizing faces in autism linked to performance in a group of neurons
Neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) have discovered a brain anomaly that explains why some people diagnosed with autism cannot easily recognize faces—a deficit linked to the impairments in social interactions considered to be the hallmark of the disorder.
Researchers create map of 'shortcuts' between all human genes
Some diseases are caused by single gene mutations. Current techniques for identifying the disease-causing gene in a patient produce hundreds of potential gene candidates, making it difficult for scientists to pinpoint the single causative gene. Now, a team of researchers led by Rockefeller University scientists have created a map of gene "shortcuts" to simplify the hunt for disease-causing genes.
Human microbe study provides insight into health, disease
Microbes from the human mouth are telling Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists something about periodontitis and more after they cracked the genetic code of bacteria linked to the condition.
White blood cells found to play key role in controlling red blood cell levels
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that macrophages – white blood cells that play a key role in the immune response – also help to both produce and eliminate the body's red blood cells (RBCs). The findings could lead to novel therapies for diseases or conditions in which the red blood cell production is thrown out of balance. The study, conducted in mice, is published today in the online edition of the journal Nature Medicine.
Biology news
'Bonobo heaven': Life at a DR Congo ape sanctuary
Claudine Andre, a 67-year-old Belgian living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has spent the last 20 years dedicated to the protection of the bonobo, an extraordinary species of ape threatened by trafficking and poachers.
First tapeworm genomes give insights into parasite evolution
Tapeworms have no gut or head. They are parasites that cause debilitating diseases, which can be deadly and often don't respond to drugs. Now, scientists have mapped the genetic code of tapeworms for the first time, the journal Nature reports.
Suggestions for a middle ground between unlogged forest and intensively managed lands
It is increasingly recognized that protected areas alone are not sufficient for successful biodiversity conservation, and that management of production areas (e.g. forestry and agricultural land) plays a crucial role in that respect. Retention forestry and agroforestry are two land management systems aiming to reconcile the production of human goods with biodiversity conservation.
Chemical trickery explored to help contain potato pest
If left unchecked, the pale cyst nematode burrows into potato roots to feed, obstructing nutrients and causing stunted growth, wilted leaves and other symptoms that can eventually kill the plant. Now USDA and cooperating scientists are evaluating new ways to control the pest using naturally occurring chemicals called egg-hatching factors.
New restrictions bite Hong Kong shark fin traders
A conservation victory restricting global trade in more shark species will take a fresh bite at Hong Kong's market in fins, which has already been hit hard by persistent attacks from anti-fin campaigners.
New study reveals catastrophic loss of Cambodia's tropical flooded grasslands
Around half of Cambodia's tropical flooded grasslands have been lost in just 10 years according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
Urgent action required to stop irreversible genetic changes to fish stocks
If we are to sustain fish as a global food source, then fisheries and conservation managers need to take account of new evidence showing how overfishing of the larger fish in a population actually changes the gene pool in favour of smaller less fertile fish.
The climb to the pouch begins in utero
Scientists have visualised the short pregnancy of a small species of the kangaroo and wallaby family of marsupials, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), for the first time by high-resolution ultrasound. The study has shed light on a number of developmental events that are likely to be fundamental to all marsupials. These include a very rigid program of embryonic and fetal development with very little variation in pregnancy length, specialised movements of the endometrium that roll the embryo around the uterus prior to attachment, and climbing movements of the tiny fetus up to three days before birth. This latter finding is one of the earliest developmental behaviours observed in a mammal and prepares the immature young for the journey to its mother's pouch.
Blind flies without recycling: How Drosophila recovers the neurotransmitter histamine
In the fruit fly Drosophila, the functions of the three enzymes Tan, Ebony and Black are closely intertwined - among other things they are involved in neurotransmitter recycling for the visual process. Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum researchers from the Department of Biochemistry showed for the first time that flies cannot see without this recycling.
Tiny minotaurs and mini-Casanovas: Ancient pigmy moths reveal secrets of their diversity
Researchers Robert Hoare (Landcare Research, New Zealand) and Erik van Nieukerken (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Netherlands) have named new moths after the Minotaur of Greek mythology and the legendary Italian philanderer Giacomo Casanova in a study of the evolution of southern pigmy moths. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
9 new wasp species of the genus Paramblynotus described from Africa and Madagascar
A newly published article "Revision of the Afrotropical Mayrellinae (Cynipoidea, Liopteridae), with the first record of Paramblynotus from Madagascar" by Dr. Simon van Noort, from Natural History Department, Iziko South African Museum, and Dr. Matthew L. Buffington from the Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA offers the description of 9 remarkable new species of wasps. Mayrellinids are extremely rare wasps, which are under-represented in museum collections. Most species are known from single specimens. The study was published in the open access Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
Where, oh where, has the road kill gone?
Millions of birds die in the US each year as they collide with moving vehicles, but things have been looking up, at least in the case of cliff swallows. Today's swallows are hit less often, thanks to shorter wingspans that may help them take off more quickly and pivot away from passing cars. The findings, reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on March 18, show that urban environments can be evolutionary hotspots.
University of California's unofficial favorite sea slug poised to make a comeback
After almost four decades of absence from local waters, a special sea slug appears to be making a comeback, and marine scientists at UC Santa Barbara are eagerly anticipating its return.
Perks of parasitic plants revealed
Parasitic plants, sworn enemy of many a farmer, can carry surprising benefits for wildlife, according to new research.
New culturing tool reveals a full genome from single cells
(Phys.org) —A new technique for genetic analysis, "gel microdroplets," helps scientists generate complete genomes from a single cell, thus opening the door to understanding the complex interrelationships of bacteria, viruses and eukaryotes that form "microbiome" communities in soil, in humans, and elsewhere in the natural world.
Antarctica's first whale skeleton found with nine new deep-sea species
Marine biologists have, for the first time, found a whale skeleton on the ocean floor near Antarctica, giving new insights into life in the sea depths. The discovery was made almost a mile below the surface in an undersea crater and includes the find of at least nine new species of deep-sea organisms thriving on the bones.
Male lions use ambush hunting strategy
It has long been believed that male lions are dependent on females when it comes to hunting. But new evidence suggests that male lions are, in fact, very successful hunters in their own right. A new report from a team including Carnegie's Scott Loarie and Greg Asner shows that male lions use dense savanna vegetation for ambush-style hunting in Africa. Their work is published in Animal Behavior.
Transistor in the fly antenna: Insect odorant receptors regulate their own sensitivity
Highly developed antennae containing different types of olfactory receptors allow insects to use minute amounts of odors for orientation towards resources like food, oviposition sites or mates. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, have now used mutant flies and for the first time provided experimental proof that the extremely sensitive olfactory system of fruit flies − they are able to detect a few thousand odor molecules per milliliter of air, whereas humans need hundreds of millions − is based on self-regulation of odorant receptors.
Putting the clock in 'cock-a-doodle-doo'
Of course, roosters crow with the dawn. But are they simply reacting to the environment, or do they really know what time of day it is? Researchers reporting on March 18 in Current Biology have evidence that puts the clock in "cock-a-doodle-doo" (or "ko-ke-kok-koh," as they say in the research team's native Japan).
Long-term evolution is 'surprisingly predictable,' experiment shows
(Phys.org) —A protein-folding simulation shows that the debated theory of long-term evolution is not only possible, but that the outcomes are predictable. The Stanford experiment provides a framework for testing evolutionary outcomes in living organisms.
Please Don't Eat the Daisies: The macroevolution of alternate plant defense strategies
(Phys.org) —As is the case in all areas of science, our understanding of evolutionary biology is… well, evolving. Two such areas are macroevolution (any evolutionary change at or above the level of species – that is, on a scale of separated gene pools) and microevolution (any evolutionary change below the level of species, such as the effect of changes in allele frequency on phenotype). Interestingly, macroevolution and microevolution can be seen as describing fundamentally identical processes on different time scales. Through their divergent effects on population genetics, sexual reproduction strategies could significantly influence phenotypic expression – but the impact of mating system transitions has not been well understood. Recently, however, scientists at Cornell University have shown that the repeated, unidirectional transition from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility (increased inbreeding) leads to the evolution of an inducible (a gene whose express! ion is responsive to environmental change) – as opposed to a constitutive (a gene that is always expressed) – strategy of plant resistance to herbivores, as well as a strategy in which the loss of self-incompatibility is associated with the evolution of increased specificity in induced plant resistance. Moreover, they demonstrate that these two defense strategies represent evolutionary alternatives, leading to a macroevolutionary tradeoff whose magnitude is dependent on the mating system. The scientists conclude that the evolution of sexual reproductive variation may have profound effects on plant–herbivore interactions, suggesting a new hypothesis for the evolution of two primary plant defense strategies.
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