Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Mar 31

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 31, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Photon 'afterglow' could transmit information without transmitting energy
- Too many targets: Scientists create model to analyze ceRNA regulation, validate results with synthetic gene circuits
- Researchers find importance of regulatory T-cells generated early in life
- Scientists discover elusive secret of how continents formed
- Discovering missing body parts of ancient fossils
- Memory immune cells that screen intruders as they enter lymph nodes
- Using Twitter to probe political polarization
- Face scans show how fast a person is aging
- Microsoft makes cheaper version of Surface Pro 3 tablet
- 200th anniversary of Tambora eruption a reminder of volcanic perils
- Tiny wasps provide vital clue to avoiding extinction
- Wobbly no more: Work on analogical processing helps children learn key engineering principle
- Score! Video gamers may learn visual tasks more quickly
- Google unveils 'stick' computer with Asus
- Researchers see drop in methane emissions from natural gas local distribution systems

Astronomy & Space news

Image: The tumultuous heart of the Large Magellanic Cloud

A scene of jagged fiery peaks, turbulent magma-like clouds and fiercely hot bursts of bright light. Although this may be reminiscent of a raging fire or the heart of a volcano, it actually shows a cold cosmic clump of gas, dust and stars.

Total lunar eclipse before dawn on April 4th

An unusually brief total eclipse of the Moon will be visible before dawn this Saturday, April 4th, from western North America. The eclipse happens on Saturday evening for Australia and East Asia.

Planck helps to understand the macrostructure of the universe

Designed to detect the fossil radiation of the universe, the Planck satellite, working in tandem with Herschel, can also help to understand the macrostructure of the universe. A just-published experimental study, carried out with the participation of SISSA, has detected astronomical sources that may be precursors to galaxy clusters, the largest dynamically stable structures existing in the universe. These primitive elements have long been sought by astrophysicists since they are crucial for tracing the development of the universe's macrostructures. The classic methods used in the quest for large-scale structures are unfortunately difficult to apply (or just completely inapplicable to these objects). The method used by Planck is based on the predictions put forward in a study conducted by Mattia Negrello in 2005 as part of his PhD thesis at SISSA, in turn based on a theoretical model devised at SISSA and the Astronomical Observator! y of Padova.

Technology news

Colombia transforms old tires into green housing

The highlands around the Colombian capital are scattered with small buildings that look like out-of-place igloos but are in fact innovative houses made from the tires that litter the country's roads.

3-D print technology provides 'robohand' to 7-year-old girl

Seven-year-old Faith Lennox never thought much about putting a prosthetic limb where her missing left hand had once been.

Windows Insiders can try out Project Spartan browser

Microsoft has opened up the (literal) windows, called in creatives, and has been engineering a next-generation browser. Project Spartan is to reflect the general mood of fresh air at Redmond. Although "Project Spartan" carries the word "Project," it is not to be taken as a here-today-gone-tomorrow event; Project Spartan is a big deal, as the new browser which is introduced in Windows 10.

Smarter programming of stoplights could improve efficiency of urban traffic

Sitting in traffic during rush hour is not just frustrating for drivers; it also adds unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.

Battery bounce test inaccurate measure of charge

Don't throw away those bouncing batteries. Researchers at Princeton University have found that the common test of bouncing a household battery to learn if it is dead or not is not actually an effective way to check a battery's charge.

Smartphone face recognition 'improved' by copying the brain

Face recognition security on smartphones can be significantly improved if users store an 'average' photo of themselves, according to new research by scientists at the University of York. 

Microsoft makes cheaper version of Surface Pro 3 tablet

Microsoft is making a cheaper version of its Surface Pro 3 tablet computer in an effort to reach students and budget-conscious families.

Google unveils 'stick' computer with Asus

Google and Taiwan's Asus are launching a "computer on a stick" which can plug into a display to turn it into a PC.

Spy agencies in 'technology arms race', says British chief

Spy agencies are caught in a "technology arms race" with terrorists and criminals, the new head of Britain's MI6 said on Monday in his first public comments since becoming chief.

Facebook moves into 'not fancy' new headquarters

Facebook moved into its new Frank Gehry-designed headquarters in Silicon Valley, with a rooftop park and "the largest open floor plan in the world."

Clinton also used iPad for email; mixed personal, work chats

Hillary Rodham Clinton emailed her staff on an iPad as well as a BlackBerry while secretary of state, despite her explanation she exclusively used a personal email address on a homebrew server so that she could carry a single device, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Taiwan's Hon Hai faces difficult year, despite profit leap: analysts

Taiwan's tech giant Hon Hai Precision Industry, a major supplier to Apple, saw its profit rise 22.34 percent in 2014 due to demand for larger-screen iPhones.

New taxi app challenges Uber in S.Korea

South Korea's top mobile messenger operator launched a new web-based cab-hailing service Tuesday to compete with California-based Uber, whose service has been subjected to crackdowns from state regulators.

Huawei reports 2014 profit up 33 percent

Huawei Technologies Ltd., one of the world's biggest makers of telecommunications equipment, said Tuesday its 2014 profit rose 33 percent, helped by strong sales of smartphones.

Professor analyzes online data to predict future fashion trends

In fashion, combining contrasting fabrics, colors and textures is what brings an outfit to life. In Heng Xu's career, combining science and art has brought a new way of interpreting data to life—an innovation that might help consumers understand, follow and afford tomorrow's fashion trends.

Video: Wearable sensors to monitor triggers for asthma, and more

What if you could wear something that would alert you when pollution, such as smog, is about to take its toll on your heart or lungs? That is what's "in the air" at the National Science Foundation- (NSF) supported Nanosystems Engineering Research Center (NERC) for Advanced Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) at North Carolina State University.

Is it possible to circumvent metadata retention and retain your privacy?

There has been quite a lot discussion lately on how to avoid metadata retention, particularly in the context of leaking sensitive information to journalists.

The delivery drones are coming, so rules and safety standards will be needed – fast

Imagine a scenario where tens of thousands of drones are routinely flown across UK airspace. Some of these are very large, more than 100kg – and some are equipped with jet engines that can reach speeds beyond 100mph. If you think this seems unlikely then you're quite wrong: there are already more than 36,000 remote control model aircraft hobbyists in the UK flying small aircraft at more than 800 sites.

Secure payment on Internet?

Now that it has become a common feature on the news to hear about cyber attacks on an international scale, cybersecurity is seen as a first priority by Internet users. There can be no doubt that the web has become a battleground without borders on which to defend political, financial and ideological interests. We are all affected by this struggle, since it is almost impossible to avoid operating through Internet, but, at what price?

Research reduces microprocessor serial link power consumption, improves data center energy efficiency

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers are working to reduce the serial link power consumption, thereby helping data centers and mobile platform operate more energy efficiently.

How Twitter users can work together to defuse social tensions

A report co-authored by a researcher from the University of Leicester has found that social media sites such as Twitter can be useful in keeping the peace and defusing tensions during times of social unrest.

Green energy investments worldwide surge 17 percent to $270 billion in 2014

Global investments in renewable energy rebounded strongly last year, registering a solid 17% increase after two years of declines and brushing aside the challenge from sharply lower crude oil prices.

IBM to invest $3 billion in 'Internet of Things' unit

IBM is investing $3 billion to build an "Internet of Things" division aimed at harnessing the massive trove of data collected by smartphones, tablets, connected vehicles and appliances and using it to help companies better manage their businesses.

Google launches cheapest Chromebooks yet

Google is unveiling its cheapest Chromebook laptops yet, two versions priced at $149 aimed at undercutting Microsoft's Windows franchise and gaining an even stronger hold in school and overseas markets.

Google, Microsoft battle drives down prices for PCs, tablets

Google is releasing its cheapest Chromebook laptops yet, two versions priced at $149 aimed at undercutting Microsoft's Windows franchise and gaining ground in even more classrooms.

Amazon puts home staples on refill button

Amazon moved Tuesday to become an errand service for home staples, introducing a "dash button" to allow consumers to instantly order popular products for home and kitchen.

Cyberattack targets The Seattle Times website

A cyberattack took down The Seattle Times website for about 90 minutes Monday morning.

Acceptance of a semi-public digital life worries privacy advocates

The government can know about your phone calls, your emails, the way you use the Web.

FTC's Google investigation probed by Senate antitrust chief

The chairman of a U.S. Senate antitrust panel will look into the release of a confidential Federal Trade Commission report on an investigation of Google Inc.'s search business, which was closed in 2013 without an enforcement action.

Review: 2015 Chevy Colorado pickup comes with a side of Wi-Fi

I've been driving a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup for the last few days, which is very cool, but you're probably wondering, "Why?"

Traffic court goes digital: Startup fosters settlements

Traffic court is going digital. Michigan startup Court Innovations has developed a software solution that allows drivers to settle traffic violations by negotiating in a virtual environment instead of showing up to court to fight tickets.

Google Maps turns into Pac-Man's chomping grounds

The virtual streets of Google Maps are being transformed into Pac Man's chomping grounds in celebration of April Fools' Day.

Etsy expects IPO to raise as much as $267 million

Online crafts retailer Etsy says it expects to raise as much as $267 million from an initial public offering values the company at up to $1.78 billion.

GoDaddy revs up tech sector with Wall Street offering

GoDaddy, which has built its reputation trying to make Web hosting sexy, storms into Wall Street with a stock offering Wednesday aiming to revive the public markets' appetite for technology.

Goodbye to MP3s: Music listeners are happy with streaming services

In a survey of over 600 young Finns, 76% of respondents listened to music from YouTube every day.

First eBay-Sotheby's sale to be held Wednesday

The first live auction from a collaboration between Sotheby's and online giant eBay was set for Wednesday, bringing together both in-person and virtual bidders.

Charter nabs Bright House in latest pay-TV deal

Charter buying Bright House for $10.4 billion is the latest big deal in the pay-TV industry.

Agents probing drug site accused of taking online currency

Two former federal agents are accused of using their positions and savvy computer skills to siphon more than $1 million in digital currency from the online black market known as Silk Road while they and their agencies operated an undercover investigation into the website.

Researchers aim to safeguard privacy on social networks

At the end of 2014, Facebook reported 1.39 billion monthly active users. In the meantime, 500 million tweets were sent each day on Twitter. Indeed, social networks have come to dominate aspects of our lives. But all our social sharing comes with a price. Last year, the Pew Research Center found 81 percent of Americans feel "not very" or "not at all secure" using social media sites when they want to share private information with another trusted person or organization.

Amazon's answer to tricky gadgets: Installation services

Amazon.com is rolling out a new service that makes it easier for customers to buy gadgets and products that are hard to install, such as thermostats or dishwashers.

Pentagon needs to adapt to recruit top talent: Carter

The US military needs to give its troops and new recruits better career options due to increasing competition for talent from private companies, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Tuesday.

Medicine & Health news

Researchers find importance of regulatory T-cells generated early in life

(MedicalXpress)—Originating in the thymus, the autoimmune regulator (Aire) protein controls a key mechanism that prevents the immune system from attacking the body itself. Individual T cells attack different substances; Aire promotes immunological tolerance by producing a repertoire of mRNA transcripts that encode proteins characteristic of the body's differentiated cell types. Peptides derived from these proteins are displayed on major histocompatibility complex molecules on the surfaces of medullary epithelial cells in the thymus.

Intelligent neuroprostheses mimic natural motor control

Neuroscientists are taking inspiration from natural motor control to design new prosthetic devices that can better replace limb function. In new work, researchers have tested a range of brain-controlled devices - from wheelchairs to robots to advanced limbs - that work with their users to intelligently perform tasks.

Symmetry leads to lack of attention

New research has found humans are likely to underestimate the amount of detail in symmetrical compared to random patterns.

Study shows female mammalian phenotype results from repression of male-linked genes by methylation

(MedicalXpress)—A team of researchers with the University of Maryland and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine has found that brain regions in female rodents associated with sexual behavior are feminized by repression of male-linked genes via methylation. In their paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the team describes their study of the ways that rodent brains develop masculine or feminine traits, and what they learned by doing so.

Memory immune cells that screen intruders as they enter lymph nodes

Australian scientists have discovered a new population of 'memory' immune cells, throwing light on what the body does when it sees a microbe for the second time. This insight, and others like it, will enable the development of more targeted and effective vaccines.

Face scans show how fast a person is aging

Every face tells a story, and that story apparently includes hints of how quickly a person is aging, a new study contends.

Wobbly no more: Work on analogical processing helps children learn key engineering principle

Children love to build things. Often half the fun for them is building something and then knocking it down. But in a study carried out in the Chicago Children's Museum, children had just as much fun learning how to keep their masterpieces upright—they learned a key elementary engineering principle.

Score! Video gamers may learn visual tasks more quickly

Many studies show that video gamers perform better than non-gamers on certain visual tasks, like managing distractors and identifying targets, but a small new Brown University study provides gamers with some cognitive bonus points. The study results suggest that gaming not only improves their visual skill but also may improve their learning ability for those skills.

Researchers build brain-machine interface to control prosthetic hand

A research team from the University of Houston has created an algorithm that allowed a man to grasp a bottle and other objects with a prosthetic hand, powered only by his thoughts.

In Alzheimer's mice, memory restored with cancer drug

Memory and as well as connections between brain cells were restored in mice with a model of Alzheimer's given an experimental cancer drug, Yale School of Medicine researchers reported in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Premature aging of stem cell telomeres, not inflammation, linked to emphysema

Lung diseases like emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis are common among people with malfunctioning telomeres, the "caps" or ends of chromosomes. Now, researchers from Johns Hopkins say they have discovered what goes wrong and why.

Sleep apnea during pregnancy is not good for mother or baby

Sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, is a potentially serious condition because it deprives the body of oxygen. It becomes an even more serious condition in pregnant women—who can be more prone to it—because the oxygen deprivation may affect the baby. Researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada observed that female rats that were regularly deprived of air during their pregnancy had pups that could not handle glucose as well, making their pups more at risk for metabolic disease as adults.

Scientists link unexplained childhood paralysis to enterovirus D68

A research team led by UC San Francisco scientists has found the genetic signature of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in half of California and Colorado children diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis - sudden, unexplained muscle weakness and paralysis - between 2012 and 2014, with most cases occurring during a nationwide outbreak of severe respiratory illness from EV-D68 last fall.

Lots of leafy greens might shield aging brains, study finds

(HealthDay)—A single serving of leafy green vegetables each day may help keep dementia away, new research suggests.

Synthetic pot linked to kidney injury

(HealthDay)—New research suggests that synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or Spice, might harm the kidneys.

US pediatricians remain opposed to random drug tests in schools

(HealthDay)—Random drug testing in schools may sound like a good way to keep kids off drugs, but there is little evidence it works, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Processed foods the biggest chunk of calories in US groceries: study

(HealthDay)—Highly processed foods account for more than 60 percent of the calories in products Americans routinely buy in grocery stores, a new study finds.

Recommendations for point-of-care ultrasound in peds ER

(HealthDay)—Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians should be trained in point-of-care ultrasonography, according to a policy statement published online March 30 in Pediatrics.

Eating fruits and vegetables with high pesticide residues linked with poor semen quality

The first study to investigate the relationship between eating fruit and vegetables containing pesticide residues and the quality of men's semen has shown a link with lower sperm counts and percentages of normally-formed sperm.

E-cigarettes are being accessed by teenagers who are both smokers and non-smokers

One in five teenagers in a large survey has accessed e-cigarettes, and of these, 16% have never otherwise smoked, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health. The highest numbers though were regular smokers - of whom over two thirds had accessed them.

Scientists find clues into cognitive dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome

Scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have identified a unique pattern of immune molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that provides insights into the basis for cognitive dysfunction—frequently described by patients as "brain fog"—as well as new hope for improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Ob/Gyn experts recommend 'ultrasound first' for imaging the female pelvis

Ultrasound technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. A group of noted obstetricians and gynecologists maintain that ultrasound is more cost-effective and safer than other imaging modalities for imaging the female pelvis and should be the first imaging modality used for patients with pelvic symptoms. Writing in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and supporting an American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) initiative, they urge practitioners to "put ultrasound first."

Kids allowed to 'sip' alcohol may start drinking earlier

Children who get a taste of their parents' wine now and then may be more likely than their peers to start drinking by high school, according to a new report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Impact of domestic violence on women's mental health

In addition to their physical injuries, women who are victims of domestic violence are also at a greater risk of mental health problems such as depression and psychotic symptoms. These are the findings of a study that was just published by a team of researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London in England, the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM), and the University of Montreal.

Study reveals new information on climate drivers of Dengue fever

Researchers at Upstate Medical University, in collaboration with a team of international investigators studying dengue fever, have discovered new information on climate drivers of the disease and social risk factors that may be contributing to its spread, according to two scientific papers recently published in BMC Infectious Disease and BMC Public Health, open access, peer-reviewed online journals.

Resveratrol found to reduce depression-related behaviors in experiments using rats

Scientists have recently discovered a link between inflammation and depression, which affects approximately 148 million people in the United States. A new study finds that resveratrol—a natural anti-inflammatory agent found in the skin of red grapes—can prevent inflammation as well as depression-related behaviors in rodents exposed to a social stress.

Researchers identify mechanisms that link compulsive binge eating with hypertension

An estimated eight million adults in the U.S. suffer from binge eating disorder. Now, researchers have shown that compulsive binging on foods that are high in fat and sugar can trigger specific molecular changes that can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). While others have studied the effects of binge eating on the brain, this study is the first to look at its molecular effects on the expression of certain proteins in the body.

What the Goldilocks gene means for blood-based cancers

INPP4B is the Goldilocks of genes.

Company developing molecules that bind to more than 60 types of cancer

For all their lethality, cancer cells don't look much different from healthy cells, a simple fact that causes endless pain and suffering. Finding cancer cells that have spread and threaten to grow into metastatic tumors is often a life-and-death matter.

The connection between listeriosis and produce

In the United States and other industrialized nations, consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is considered a key component of a healthy diet.

Study reveals high–cholesterol diet increases spread of prostate cancer

University of Queensland research has shown that a high-cholesterol diet increases the spread of prostate cancer tumours to lymph nodes, lungs and bones.

Pulmonary embolism risk scoring could guide treatment, ease burden on EDs

An analysis led by University of Cincinnati (UC) emergency medicine researchers shows that a simplified severity scoring tool for pulmonary embolism could be used in emergency departments to guide treatment decisions and, ultimately, ease the burden placed on emergency departments and hospitals.

Smartphone app could change how depression is diagnosed

It's common to hear complaints about our near-constant connection to our smart phones, but UConn researchers believe they can use the ubiquity of these devices to better screen for depression.

Teenagers more inclined to repeat 'risky' behaviour

School-age teenagers who have previously engaged in risky online behaviour are much more likely than young adults to repeat such behaviour in the future, according to a new study by Plymouth University.

Should we tax unhealthy foods?

What does a 20-ounce bottle of soda cost? If you said 99 cents, you are only partly right. While that may be the price on the sticker at the store, it doesn't take into account the cost to public health. One study, for example, found for every extra can of soda a person drinks per day, he or she is 30 percent more likely to become obese—increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.

Exposure to ultrafine particles influences cardiac function

The adverse health effects caused by fine particles have been known for some time. In addition, ultrafine particles appear to play a significant role in cardiac function – even if an individual is exposed to these for only a few minutes, as scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München have now been able to show. The results of the study have been published in the journal Particle & Fibre Toxicology.

Understanding fish oil benefits during pregnancy

A study by University of Western Australia has advanced understanding of why children whose mothers take fish oil supplements during pregnancy have greater health benefits.

Southeast England ahead on genetic tests for inherited eye conditions

New research from The University of Manchester published in the Journal of Community Genetics reveals a stark variation in genetic testing services for inherited eye disease in England.

World first study reveals antibodies that may trigger psychosis in children

A world first study revealing the presence of two antibodies in a sub-group of children experiencing their first episode of psychosis affirms a longstanding recognition that auto-immune disorders play a significant role in psychiatric illness.

India suspends plans for warnings on cigarette packets

India has suspended plans for bigger health warnings on cigarette packets, the health minister told AFP on Tuesday, after a committee of lawmakers demanded local evidence that smoking causes cancer.

Poor behavior linked to time spent playing video games, not the games played

Children who play video games for more than three hours a day are more likely to be hyperactive, get involved in fights and not be interested in school, says a new study. It examined the effects of different types of games and time spent playing on children's social and academic behaviour. The researchers from the University of Oxford found that the time spent playing games could be linked with problem behaviour and this was the significant factor rather than the types of games played. They could find no link between playing violent games and real-life aggression or a child's academic performance. They also found that low levels of play - under an hour a day - might actually benefit behaviour. The findings are published in the journal, Psychology of Popular Media Culture.

'Gold standard' for pain relief after shoulder surgery may not be 24 karat

Around 10,000 patients undergo shoulder surgery in Ontario every year and most go home the same day. Since it's quite a painful procedure, a lot of effort goes into making sure patients can manage their pain while at home recovering.

Brittle bone disease: Drug research offers hope

New research at the University of Michigan offers evidence that a drug being developed to treat osteoporosis may also be useful for treating osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bone disease, a rare but potentially debilitating bone disorder that that is present from birth.

People in MTV docusoaps are more ideal than real

More midriff, cleavage and muscle is seen in MTV's popular television docusoaps such as The Real World, Jersey Shore or Laguna Beach than in the average American household. Semi-naked brawny Adonises and even more scantily clad thin women strut around on screen simply to grab the audience's attention. In the process, they present a warped view to young viewers about how they should look. Such docusoaps are definitely more ideal than real, say Mark Flynn of the Coastal Carolina University and Sung-Yeon Park of Bowling Green State University in the US. The findings, which scrutinize the stars in reality programs, are published in Springer's journal Sex Roles.

Internet searches create illusion of personal knowledge, research finds

Searching the Internet for information may make people feel smarter than they actually are, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

Online illusion: Unplugged, we really aren't that smart

The Internet brings the world to our fingertips, but it turns out that getting information online also has a startling effect on our brains: We feel a lot smarter than we really are, according to a Yale-led study published March 30 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Restoring IL-17 may treat skin infections related to chronic alcohol consumption

Alcoholism takes a toll on every aspect of a person's life, including skin problems. Now, a new research report appearing in the April 2015 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, helps explain why this happens and what might be done to address it. In the report, researchers used mice show how chronic alcohol intake compromises the skin's protective immune response. They also were able to show how certain interventions may improve the skin's immune response. Ultimately, the hope is that this research could aid in the development of immune-based therapies to combat skin infection in people who chronically consume alcohol.

Researchers see significant reduction in fatal car crashes after increase in alcohol taxes

Increasing state alcohol taxes could prevent thousands of deaths a year from car crashes, say University of Florida Health researchers, who found alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes decreased after taxes on beer, wine and spirits went up in Illinois.

History of depression puts women at risk for diabetes during pregnancy, study finds

A history of depression may put women at risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy, according to research published in the latest issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing by researchers from Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON). This study also pointed to how common depression is during pregnancy and the need for screening and education.

Folic acid may help elderly weather heat waves

Supplemental folic acid can enhance blood vessel dilation in older adults, according to Penn State researchers, suggesting that folic acid supplements may be an inexpensive alternative for helping older adults to increase skin blood flow during heat waves and reduce cardiovascular events.

Exercise largely absent from US medical school curriculum, study shows

Exercise may play a critical role in maintaining good health, but fewer than half of the physicians trained in the United States in 2013 received formal education or training on the subject, according to new research from Oregon State University.

Domestic violence deters contraception

Domestic violence takes many forms. The control of a woman's reproductive choices by her partner is one of them. A major study published in PLOS One, led by McGill PhD student Lauren Maxwell, showed that women who are abused by their partner or ex-partner are much less likely to use contraception; this exposes them to sexually transmitted diseases and leads to more frequent unintended pregnancies and abortions. These findings could influence how physicians provide contraceptive counselling.

Shift to gay, lesbian, bisexual identities in early adulthood tied to depressive symptoms

People whose sexual identities changed toward same-sex attraction in early adulthood reported more symptoms of depression in a nationwide survey than those whose sexual orientations did not change or changed in the opposite direction, according to a new study by a University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) sociologist.

Phone counseling reduces pain, disability after back surgery

Research by Johns Hopkins scientists suggests that having a short series of phone conversations with trained counselors can substantially boost recovery and reduce pain in patients after spinal surgery.

Scientists get one step closer to finding how to repair damaged nerve cells

A team of researchers at the IRCM led by Frédéric Charron, PhD, in collaboration with bioengineers at McGill University, uncovered a new kind of synergy in the development of the nervous system, which explains an important mechanism required for neural circuits to form properly. Their breakthrough, published today in the scientific journal PLoS Biology, could eventually help develop tools to repair nerve cells following injuries to the nervous system (such as the brain and spinal cord).

FDA expands approval for 'valve in valve' aortic replacement

(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that use of the CoreValve "valve-in-valve" aortic replacement has been expanded to include people at extreme risk for serious complications of traditional open-heart surgery.

Exogenous progesterone increases nuchal translucency

(HealthDay)—Exogenous progesterone seems to increase nuchal translucency (NT), according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Eat right to protect your sight

(HealthDay)—A number of nutrients can help keep your eyes healthy, and some may even improve your eyesight, an eye doctor says.

Benefits of iron supplements unclear for pregnant women, young children

(HealthDay)—Taking iron supplements during pregnancy doesn't appear to significantly change any health outcomes for mom or baby, a new review shows.

New stroke prevention efforts may be paying off

(HealthDay)—Fewer people are being treated in U.S. emergency rooms for strokes caused by blood clots in the brain, which experts read as a sign that current stroke prevention methods are working.

Arsenic metabolism linked to diabetes incidence

(HealthDay)—Arsenic metabolism is prospectively associated with diabetes incidence, according to a study published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.

Androgen deprivation therapy has lasting impact on function

(HealthDay)—For patients with prostate cancer, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has a lasting impact on physical function, according to a study published online March 24 in Cancer.

AAPM: Platelet-rich plasma offers short-term benefit

(HealthDay)—For patients with facet joint arthropathy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a short-term positive impact, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, held from March 19 to 22 in National Harbor, Md.

Opioid-induced constipation significant in pain patients

(HealthDay)—Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is significant among noncancer pain patients, according to a study published online March 20 in Pain Medicine.

Staff attitudes impact extended treatment time on hemodialysis

(HealthDay)—Although most health care staff feel that extended treatment time on hemodialysis is beneficial, many nurses do not recommend it, according to a study published online March 16 in the Journal of Renal Care.

Mayo Clinic unravels a mystery disease for Minnesota lawyer

Greg Widseth didn't know what hit him. The lawyer felt fine as he coached his son's ninth-grade basketball workout last March. He remembers smiling at a young woman as he left the building.

How newest class of drugs could save billions of dollars

Clad in white lab coats, blue gloves and safety goggles, scientists are buzzing around a lab at Hospira in this suburb north of Chicago.

Why drug names are so increasingly weird

Naming a brand drug is a lot harder than it used to be.

Protein may improve liver regeneration

Researchers at UC Davis have illuminated an important distinction between mice and humans: how human livers heal. The difference centers on a protein called PPARα, which activates liver regeneration. Normally, mouse PPARα is far more active and efficient than the human form, allowing mice to quickly regenerate damaged livers. However, the research shows that protein fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can boost the regenerative effects of human PPARα. The findings suggest that the molecule could offer significant therapeutic benefits for patients who have had a liver transplant or suffer from liver disease. The study was published in the journal Oncotarget.

Chronic loneliness in older adults leads to more doctors' office visits, study finds

Experiences of loneliness and social isolation can lead to increased health care use among older adults, according to new research from the University of Georgia College of Public Health.

Experts question election pledges on GP access

As the general election in the UK approaches, experts writing in The BMJ this week question whether the party promises on access to general practice are likely to be achievable.

Physician recommendations result in greater weight loss, research finds

Patients advised to lose weight by their physicians dropped more pounds on average than those who didn't receive a recommendation, according to new research from the University of Georgia published in the journal Economics & Human Biology.

New recommendations for treating patients with high blood pressure and CVD

A new scientific statement issued jointly by three medical organizations and published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension, addresses how low to aim when treating patients with high blood pressure who also have vascular diseases.

Why gastrointestinal disorders afflict women more often

Women are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders than men are. Although this could be because men and women handle the condition differently— "toughing it out" versus getting it checked out—studies suggest that the GI system behaves differently in women because of sex-related features in the brain. Tanja Babic, a researcher at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, found that the nerve cells that control the movement of food through the intestines are more sluggish in response to brain inputs in women than in men.

Blueberries show promise as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder

Up to 8 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the result of witnessing or being the victim of a traumatic event. People with PTSD have been in a situation in which they were at risk of death, serious injury or sexual violence or have seen first-hand loved ones faces such threats. They may experience flashbacks, emotional detachment and jumpiness, among other symptoms that affect their ability to function in everyday life.

2015 match sees high proportion of unmatched seniors

(HealthDay)—About 6.1 percent of U.S. allopathic medical school seniors in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) were not placed into first-year residency positions, with a higher percentage of unmatched seniors than in 2014, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.

Innovative strategies needed to address the US transplant organ shortage

As the United States faces transplant waiting lists that continue to grow longer over time, there is increasing debate about the proper way to incentivize living donations. Transplant professionals are trying to find ways to eliminate any financial disincentives without crossing the line to paying for organs. A new article published in the American Journal of Transplantation highlights possible solutions discussed by leaders within the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) at a recent workshop.

Pharmacists' group discourages providing execution drugs (Update)

A leading association for U.S. pharmacists adopted a policy Monday that discourages its members from providing drugs for use in lethal injections—a move that could make carrying out such executions even harder for states with the death penalty.

Female embryos less likely to survive to birth

New research has challenged the prevailing belief that the higher proportion of male babies born in the general population results from a higher proportion of males being conceived. 

More reasons why getting a good night's sleep is important

Not getting enough sleep not only makes our minds less alert, but our bodies too. Studies have suggested that losing several hours of sleep can slow the body's metabolism, but what about losing only a few hours? A team of researchers from the University of South Carolina and Arizona State University found that metabolic effects are seen even when sleep is shortened by two hours.

Why icing doesn't work to heal injuries

Applying ice to a muscle after injury is a commonly prescribed therapy for treating muscle bruises. But does it really speed recovery time and help the muscle to heal?

New resuscitation guidelines for severely hypothermic patients in cardiac arrest

The general rule for treatment of patients in cardiac arrest is that once resuscitation measures have begun, they must be continued uninterruptedly until the patient shows signs of life or is pronounced dead. A new study has shown that in the specific case of severely hypothermic victims with a core body temperature below 28°C, resuscitation can be delayed and periodically interrupted for short intervals during transportation in the mountains without jeopardising survival. The study has just been published in the medical journal "Resuscitation" and was conducted by Cumbrian Mountain Rescue doctors, the Glenfield Hospital, Leicester in the UK, EURAC in Italy, the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria and Stanford University in California, USA.

Diet rich in methionine may promote memory loss

Memory loss has recently been associated with excessive silencing of genes through a process called methylation. Researchers at the University of Louisville investigated the effects of a diet rich in methionine—an amino acid most abundant in eggs, fish and meats—on memory loss. They found that the diet promoted memory loss through increased methylation of netrin, a protein important for maintaining the brain.

Arizona governor signs abortion drug notification mandate

Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill Monday that requires abortion providers in Arizona to tell women they can reverse the effects of a drug-induced abortion and also bars women from buying any health care plan through the federal marketplace that includes abortion coverage.

Moving upstream to promote a healthier nation

The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) proudly announces the publication of a Health Education & Behavior (HE&B) supplement devoted to the latest research and practice on policy and environmental approaches to foster healthy communities. The April 2015 supplement, "The Evidence for Policy and Environmental Approaches to Promoting Health," comprises a dozen peer-reviewed articles and two perspectives examining the state-of-the-evidence on what's working and what's needed at the community, institutional and societal levels to promote good health across diverse sectors.

HIV patients experience better kidney transplant outcomes than Hepatitis C patients

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive kidney transplant patients experienced superior outcomes when compared to kidney transplant patients with Hepatitis C and those infected with both HIV and Hepatitis C, according to a study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published online in Kidney International.

How did he do it? Mayor Bloomberg's public health strategy evaluated

How did former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg succeed in achieving so much of his "comprehensive and far-reaching" public health agenda? Key strategies included harnessing the full authority of the City health department and mobilizing the existing workforce to focus on targeted reforms, according to a study in the March/April issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

Can caffeine be used to treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease?

The proposed link between caffeine and reductions in the beta amyloid plaque accumulation characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest a possible role for caffeine in AD treatment. The latest evidence linking beta amyloid protein to Alzheimer's disease and exploring the relationship between caffeine and beta amyloid are featured in a review article in Journal of Caffeine Research: The International Multidisciplinary Journal of Caffeine Science.

Spain to restore free health care for illegal immigrants

Spain's conservative government said Tuesday it would restore free health care for illegal immigrants, overturning a controversial decision taken three years ago.

'Religiously integrated' psychotherapy is effective for depression

For chronically ill patients with major depression, an approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that incorporates patients' religious beliefs is at least as effective as conventional CBT, suggests a study in the April issue of The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.

A risk score for chronic kidney disease can inform choice of HIV medications

Both traditional and HIV-related risk factors can predict the likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. In the study, Amanda Mocroft, of University College London, United Kingdom, and colleagues developed and validated a risk score model that can help inform choices among antiretroviral drugs for patients with HIV.

Video: What's the difference between sugar and high-fructose corn syrup?

It seems like it's in just about every product on grocery store shelves: high-fructose corn syrup. What is it, and how is it different from regular old sugar? And how did it become such a popular but controversial ingredient?

Governments can prevent tragic death toll of mothers and babies

Governments could substantially reduce the tragic death toll of infants and mothers by making postnatal care services more accessible - especially to impoverished and poorly educated women in rural areas, according to a study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization today.

Study suggests acute injured kidneys can be considered for transplant

The shortage of kidneys needed for organ transplantation in the U.S. can be alleviated in part by using select kidneys with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), resulting in safe and positive outcomes, according to research conducted at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Biology news

Too many targets: Scientists create model to analyze ceRNA regulation, validate results with synthetic gene circuits

(Phys.org)—In the complex, somewhat rarified world of interactions between various flavors of RNA, one elusive goal is to understand the precise regulatory relationships between competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA).

How a deadly fungus evades the immune system

New research from the University of Toronto has scientists re-thinking how a lethal fungus grows and kills immune cells. The study hints at a new approach to therapy for Candida albicans, one of the most common causes of bloodstream infections.

Pig-borne disease most likely jumped into humans when rearing practices changed

Almost every pig carries harmless strains of the S. suis bacterium - such strains are known as 'commensal' strains. However, a more virulent group of strains of the bacteria also exist, which cause disease in pigs worldwide and are a major driver of antibiotic use for prevention. Increasingly, this group of strains is also implicated in serious human diseases such as meningitis and septicaemia.

Scientists reveal unique mechanism of natural product with powerful antimicrobial action

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have uncovered the unique mechanism of a powerful natural product with wide-ranging antifungal, antibacterial, anti-malaria and anti-cancer effects.

Researchers clarify how DNA damage signaling works

The DNA molecule is chemically unstable, giving rise to DNA lesions of various kinds. That is why DNA damage detection, signaling and repair, collectively known as the DNA damage response, are needed. The DNA damage response is immensely important, for example, for ensuring the highest possible quality of DNA before replication prior to cell division. If the damaged DNA is replicated, the risk of cancer and other diseases increases significantly due to mutations. All in all this may lead to the death of a cell itself.

New way to sort cells without limitations of traditional methods

A team of Stanford University School of Medicine researchers has come up with a new way of analyzing individual cell types by applying advanced mathematical analysis to the cells' contents.

Why slimy cheats don't win

Darwin's evolutionary theory predicts survival of the fittest. So why do different survival tactics co-exist, if evolution should always favour the winning strategy?

Researchers discover bacteria propelled by a kind of rotary driver

Harvard researchers, probing the mystery of how some bacteria move across surfaces, have discovered a kind of rotary motor in the bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae.

Tiny wasps provide vital clue to avoiding extinction

The mating behaviour of tiny wasps could provide vital clues to how animals can protect themselves from extinction.

The 'intraterrestrials': New viruses discovered in ocean depths

The intraterrestrials, they might be called. Strange creatures live in the deep sea, but few are odder than the viruses that inhabit deep ocean methane seeps and prey on single-celled microorganisms called archaea.

Researchers discover bacterial genetic pathway involved in body odour production

For many, body odour is an unfortunate side effect of their daily lives. The smell is caused by bacteria on the skin breaking down naturally secreted molecules contained within sweat. Now, researchers from the University of York working with Unilever have studied the underarm microbiome and identified a unique set of enzymes in the bacterium Staphylococcus hominis that is effective at breaking down sweat molecules into compounds known as thioalcohols, an important component of the characteristic body odour smell.

Genome editing poses ethical problems that we cannot ignore

The ability to precisely and accurately change almost any part of any genome, even in complex species such as humans, may soon become a reality through genome editing. But with great power comes great responsibility – and few subjects elicit such heated debates about moral rights and wrongs.

Scientists discover why flowers bloom earlier in a warming climate

Scientists at the John Innes Centre have discovered why the first buds of spring come increasingly earlier as the climate changes.

Rare south-west fish suffers further decline

Researchers have discovered that the range of one of Western Australia's rarest freshwater fishes, Balston's Pygmy Perch, could have declined by as much as 25 per cent.

Japanese company 'makes tear-free onions'

The sobbing of a chef as he chops onions in the kitchen could be a thing of the past thanks to one Japanese company which says it has produced a tear-free vegetable.

Deciphering the origins of cell behavior

Researchers at the Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, have made significant advances in our understanding of cellular biology; providing evidence that the inherent 'handedness' of molecular structures directs the behavior of individual cells and confers them the ability to sense the difference between left and right. This work is published in Nature Cell Biology.

Keeping hungry jumbos at bay

Until now electric fences and trenches have proved to be the most effective way of protecting farms and villages from night time raids by hungry elephants. But researchers think they may have come up with another solution - the recorded sound of angry predators.

Lizard activity levels can help scientists predict environmental change

Spring is here and ectotherms, or animals dependent on external sources to raise their body temperature, are becoming more active. Recent studies have shown that as the average global temperature increases, some lizards may spend more time in the shade and less time eating and reproducing, which could endanger many species. Now, a detailed field study of the Puerto Rican crested anole by a University of Missouri researcher shows that lizards are active over a broader range of temperatures than scientists previously thought—but when temperatures are either too hot or too cold, critical activity levels slow, limiting the abilities of species to cope with climate variability.

Zoologists tap into GPS to track badger movements

Zoologists from Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences are using GPS tracking technology to keep a 'Big Brother' eye on badgers in County Wicklow. By better understanding the badgers' movements and the reasons behind them, the zoologists hope to devise a highly effective TB vaccination programme.

Gardening's new ethos: Help the planet (and look good too)

From the biggest botanical gardens to the smallest backyard plots and terraces, there's a movement underway to make gardens work harder for the environment.

SeaWorld, activists clash on social media over orcas' lot

SeaWorld and animal rights groups clashed on social media Tuesday over the company's treatment of orcas, which star as the main attraction at several marine parks.

Baby 4: Newborn spotted with endangered Puget Sound orcas

The endangered population of killer whales that spend time in Washington state waters is experiencing a baby boom with a fourth baby orca documented this winter.


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.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com

No comments: