From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 4, 2014 at 2:30 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Monday, Mar 3
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>
Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 3, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Big stride in understanding PP1, the ubiquitous enzyme- Amazon's canopy chemistry is a patchwork quilt
- Sea surface is a sink for nitrogen oxides at night
- Researchers create stable 2-D electron gas in strontium titanate, open door to new kind of electronics
- The precision of associative memories
- 30,000-year-old virus from permafrost is reborn
- 'Photon glue' enables a new quantum mechanical state
- Instant messaging will get Tor treatment in TIMB
- Physicists propose a device to capture energy from Earth's infrared emissions to outer space
- Scientists explore safeguards for genomic data privacy
- Argonne scientists are first to grow graphene on silver
- Increasing homogeneity of world food supplies warns of serious implications for farming and nutrition
- We want to save water, but do we know how?
- Gut microbes spur development of bowel cancer
- Experimental stroke drug also shows promise for people with Lou Gehrig's disease
Astronomy & Space news
Image: Deploying CubeSats from the International Space Station
(Phys.org) —A set of NanoRacks CubeSats is photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member after deployment by the NanoRacks Launcher attached to the end of the Japanese robotic arm. The CubeSats program contains a variety of experiments such as Earth observations and advanced electronics testing. International Space Station solar array panels are at left. Earth's horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the scene.
Curiosity rover captures spectacular Martian mountain snapshot
Like any good tourist, NASA's rover Curiosity apparently couldn't resist the photobug urge from a gorgeous Martian mountain scene she happened by recently and decided to pull over and enjoy the view.
Power-on and checkout of MAVEN's Electra Ultra High Frequency Transceiver
(Phys.org) —The team operating NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission successfully completed, on Feb. 19, 2014, the initial post-launch power-on and checkout of the spacecraft's Electra Ultra High Frequency Transceiver. This wraps up the initial checkouts of all payloads on the MAVEN spacecraft, with everything performing as expected.
NEOWISE spies its first comet
(Phys.org) —NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft has spotted a never-before-seen comet—its first such discovery since coming out of hibernation late last year.
Deployment of miniature satellites from the International Space Station
The deployment of miniature satellites from the International Space Station continued Thursday, while the onboard Expedition 38 crew prepared for the arrival of a U.S. commercial cargo craft and the departure of three crew members.
Atmosphere models seek clues for rocky exoplanets
When a distant planet appears as a point of light in a telescope, it's hard to imagine what things are like at the surface. Does rain fall? Is the atmosphere thick, or dissipating into space? How constant is the sunlight on its surface?
House panel discuses Mars 2021 manned flyby mission
(Phys.org) —The U.S. House of Representative's Science, Space and Technology Committee has met to discuss the virtues and possibility of asking NASA to assist a private foundation in conducting a manned spacecraft mission to the planet Mars in the 2021.
Medicine & Health news
10 million children in Mideast to get polio vaccine: UN
Millions of children in the Middle East will be vaccinated against polio this month after the crippling disease resurfaced in conflict-hit Syria, the United Nations said Sunday.
US Supreme Court set for death row IQ appeal
A Florida inmate is challenging the US state's use of a rigid IQ number to determine intellectual disability, in a case that spotlights the issue of the mentally ill on death row.
Mandatory arrest in domestic violence call-outs causes early death in victims
New research from a major 'randomised' arrest experiment 23 years ago finds that domestic violence victims whose partners were arrested on misdemeanor charges – mostly without causing injury – were 64% more likely to have died early, compared to victims whose partners were warned but not removed by police.
College athletes often sidelined from healthy lifestyle later in life
An Indiana University study found that elite college athletes—typically the picture of health and vitality—often struggle to stay active in later years, facing limitations to their day-to-day activities in middle age that could be a result of injuries during their athletic career.
Researchers launch website aimed at preventing domestic homicide
Researchers at Western University, in collaboration with the University of Guelph, have launched a new website, taking an important step in developing a national strategy to prevent domestic homicides.
Midwifery's re-birth in PNG
A $10 million maternal and child health initiative in Papua New Guinea (PNG), led by the UTS World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development (WHO CC) and funded by the Australian Government, is beginning a new phase this year. While proving highly successful in raising the quality of midwifery education in PNG, it still faces many challenges in helping end our neighbour's high rates of maternal and child death.
A new generation of dialysis devices
Kidney dialysis is a heavy treatment to undergo and has many side effects. Scientist Prof Dimitrios Stamatialis is starting a new research project into the development of new dialysis membranes for longer and better blood detoxification. The project belongs to The Life Science and Health (LSH) Impuls program and is performed in collaboration between industry, the Dutch Kidney Foundation, Maastricht University and the Maastricht University Medical Center (UMC+). Prof Stamatialis is affiliated with the MIRA research institute of the University of Twente.
Ah, spring . . . and a snakebite alert
(HealthDay)—As temperatures rise and spring rains fall, snakes in the U.S. Southwest—including venomous snakes—leave their winter hideouts and become more active. That puts people and their pets at greater risk for painful snakebites, a veterinarian says.
Teeth-whitening challenge gets high court review
The Supreme Court will examine the North Carolina dental regulatory board's claim that only dentists should be allowed to whiten teeth.
Vietnam veterans sue US military over trauma
The U.S. military has failed to upgrade the discharges of Vietnam war veterans who developed post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in stigma and loss of benefits, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday.
As one food allergy resolves, another may develop
Some children who outgrow one type of food allergy may then develop another type of allergy, more severe and more persistent, to the same food. A new study by pediatric allergy experts suggests that health care providers and caregivers carefully monitor children with food allergies to recognize early signs of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a severe and often painful type of allergy that has been increasing in recent years.
Herbal cannabis not recommended for rheumatology patients
Patients with rheumatic conditions are in need of symptom relief and some are turning to herbal cannabis as a treatment option. However, the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana to treat symptoms of rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia is not supported by medical evidence. A new article published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), explores the risks associated with using herbal cannabis for medicinal purposes and advises healthcare providers to discourage rheumatology patients from using this drug as therapy.
Brain stimulation shows promise in treating debilitating balance disorder
(Medical Xpress)—It is not uncommon to take a little time to find your land legs after being on a boat, with the sensation of being off balance or still rocking with the waves lasting for minutes, hours or, at most, a few days. However for some people this feeling lasts for years with debilitating consequences.
Seaweeds high in guluronate inhibit fat absorption
(Medical Xpress)—Scientists at Newcastle University have identified the seaweeds which are most effective at preventing us from absorbing fat, opening up exciting possibilities for making everyday foods healthier.
How a single pathogen could dramatically alter migratory pattern risks today
Cities have always been a magnet to migrants. In 2010, a tipping point was reached for the first time when, according to the World Health Organization, the majority of the world's population lived in cities. By 2050, seven out of 10 people will have been born in – or migrated to – a city. One hundred years ago, that figure was two out of 10.
Using storytelling to combat the prescription opioid abuse epidemic
(Medical Xpress)—In the fight against a nationwide prescription opioid abuse epidemic, Penn Medicine researchers are using storytelling to help doctors recall important, potentially lifesaving national guidelines on how to prescribe these medications.
Bacteria may assist the immune system response against cancer
(Medical Xpress)—Recent research from the University of Otago shows that bacteria may assist the body's immune system response against cancer cells and help fight tumours like melanoma.
History of kidney stones may indicate risk for stroke and heart attack
(Medical Xpress)—A new study from University of Alberta researchers suggests that patients, particularly women, with a history of kidney stones may be at a higher risk for stroke and heart attack.
Fish study aims to uncover novel drugs for human aggression
An international project involving research groups from across Europe and the USA, and including the University of Leicester, is seeking to investigate the causes of aggression – and ways of controlling this behaviour.
Exercising during pregnancy enhances maternal health
(Medical Xpress)—Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of suffering illnesses such as hypertension and gestational diabetes, or of having a premature birth or a birth by Caesarean; furthermore, it also has negative effects on the newly-born and increases the risk of infants being overweight by 30%.
Increased intake of fish can boost good cholesterol levels
(Medical Xpress)—Increasing the intake of fatty fish increases the number of large HDL particles, according to a recent study completed at the University of Eastern Finland. People who increased their intake of fish to a minimum of 3-4 weekly meals had more large HDL particles in their blood than people who are less frequent eaters of fish. Large HDL particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases. The results were published in PLOS ONE.
Small molecule fluorescence probe to evaluate potential risk for Parkinson's disease
A team of researchers from National University of Singapore (NUS) have created the first two-photon, small molecule fluorogenic probe that can serve as a useful tool for the rapid assessment of an individual's potential risk for Parkinson's disease. The highly sensitive fluorescence probe can detect with high precision the activity of Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B), an enzyme that is found in elevated levels in patients with Parkinson's disease. This innovation paves the way for the development of less costly non-invasive technologies and devices to help monitor the risk and progression of Parkinson's disease.
Research finds health benefits from free play
Cheap items like crates and buckets encourage children to be more active and creative than expensive play equipment, researchers have found. The findings are the result of a long-term study by RMIT University researchers in Melbourne, Australia, into the play differences of primary school children with access to different playgrounds. Introducing simple, everyday objects during recess and lunchtime can cut sedentary behaviour by half, improve creativity and boost social and problem solving skills, the research shows.
Four women with new wombs are trying to get pregnant (Update)
A Swedish doctor says four women who received transplanted wombs have had embryos transferred into them in an attempt to get pregnant.
The state of mental health treatment in the United States
Mental health is a hot topic these days—and one that intersects with many other contemporary issues, including gun control and federal health-care reform. In November, the Obama administration implemented the final pieces of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The law addresses the fact that mental health care benefits have traditionally been less generous than coverage for medical and surgical procedures. For example, copayments for office visits to a psychiatrist are often higher than those for visits to a cardiologist or other specialist. Additionally, the new rules extend parity to treatment for substance abuse.
Researchers release first risk-assessment predictions for West Nile virus
(Medical Xpress)—Since its introduction to the U.S. in 1999, West Nile virus has spread rapidly across North America, threatening wildlife populations and posing a serious health risk to humans. In 2012, there were more than 5,500 human cases of the disease reported in 48 states, the highest number in more than a decade.
Give offenders with mental disorders more say in care plans, argues new report
Offenders with mental disorders should be more involved in how assessments about the risks they pose and the treatment they receive are drawn up, according to a new policy briefing published today.
Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage saved $1.5 billion a year in first 4 years
A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Illinois at Chicago finds that Medicare Part D prescription coverage significantly reduced hospital admissions and program expenditures totaling $1.5 billion annually.
MMR vaccination campaign messages can 'backfire', research shows
(Medical Xpress)—Messages designed to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can actually have the opposite effect, new research has revealed. Recent outbreaks of measles in the U.S. and Wales have prompted much discussion about highlighting the importance of maintaining high rates of immunisation with the MMR vaccine.
The heath concerns in spending the day sitting
We know that being a couch potato may not be the picture of health. But it's allowed as long as we are physically active, right?
Health warning about body-sculpting drug clenbuterol
The growing number of Australians illicitly using the drug clenbuterol to lose weight and build muscle mass are putting themselves at risk of heart attack, researchers say.
Baby 'sleep machines' could damage hearing, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Some of the "sleep machines" marketed to soothe infants seem capable of generating enough noise to potentially damage a baby's hearing, a new study suggests.
CT scans don't interfere with cardiac rhythm devices
(HealthDay)—Cardiac rhythm management devices should not be a cause for delaying computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures, according to research published online Feb. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Going live with EHR leads to frustrations, productivity hit
(HealthDay)—Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system takes excessive physician and staff time and disrupts practice, according to survey results published Feb. 24 in Medical Economics.
Vaccines prevent millions of infections, save billions in costs: CDC
(HealthDay)—Childhood vaccines have the potential to prevent 42,000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease among Americans born in a given year, according to a new analysis.
Johns Hopkins doctors remove baby's brain tumor that contained teeth
Doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital have removed a rare tumor that contained several fully grown teeth from a baby boy's brain.
People with sleep apnea may be at higher risk of pneumonia
People with sleep apnea appear to be at higher risk of pneumonia than people without, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Yoga regulates stress hormones and improves quality of life for women with breast cancer undergoing
For women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue, according to research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Experts call for prison health improvements
The very premise of prison invites members of society to think of the people there as walled-off and removed. But more than 95 percent of prisoners will return to the community, often carrying significant health burdens and associated costs with them. In an article in the March issue of the journal Health Affairs, several experts who participated in a scientific workshop convened by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine recommend several steps and ideas consistent with health reform to improve care for prisoners while they are incarcerated and after they return to society.
How ACA affects vulnerable Americans living with HIV/AIDS
A series of papers in the March issue of Health Affairs examines how the Affordable Care Act could affect two sectors of the most vulnerable Americans—those living with HIV/AIDS and people who have recently cycled through jail.
Binge drinking is harmful to older drinkers, may be hidden by weekly average
Numerous studies have highlighted the purported association between moderate drinking and reduced mortality. However, these analyses have focused overwhelmingly on average consumption, a measure that masks diverse, underlying drinking patterns such as weekend heavy episodic or binge drinking. A study of the association between binge drinking and mortality among moderate-drinking older adults has found that those who engage in binge drinking have more than two times higher odds of 20-year mortality in comparison to regular moderate drinkers.
Affordable Care Act brings crucial health coverage to jail population
Under the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 4 million people who have spent time in jail will have better access to health coverage for conditions that might—if left untreated—result in higher health care costs and an increased risk of recidivism. That's the conclusion of an analysis by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS).
International research project: The more available alcohol is, the more likely that people will drink heavily
The International Alcohol Control (IAC) study is a newly developed international collaborative project designed to collect comparative data on alcohol consumption and policy-relevant behaviors in both high- and middle/low-income countries. Initial member countries New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Scotland, and England have recently been joined by Mongolia, Australia, South Africa, Peru, St. Kitts, and Vietnam. This study of the purchasing behavior of respondents in New Zealand – a high-income country – from on- and off-premise outlets, found that heavier drinkers were more likely to buy cheaper alcohol from off-premise outlets, and purchase at later times.
Hangovers do not seem to have much influence on the time to next drink
Many if not most people during their lives have experienced a hangover. Some people believe that hangovers might delay subsequent drinking through pain and discomfort, or perhaps hasten drinking to relieve hangover symptoms, known as "the hair of the dog." A new study has investigated if a hangover following a drinking episode can influence the time to a future drink, finding that the influence is minimal.
Blurred Lines? Sexual boundaries are not really all that blurred
Meeting people within a bar scene is not usually difficult. Unfortunately, not all contact – whether romantic or sexual – is positive or consensual. In fact, sexual aggression has become a common experience, whether it is related to misperceptions in making and receiving sexual advances, or reflects intentional harassment or other sexually aggressive acts. This study uses an objective observational design to examine bar-based sexual aggression, finding that it often reflects intentional sexual invasiveness and unwanted persistence rather than misperceptions in sexual advances.
Blasts may cause brain injury even without symptoms
Veterans exposed to explosions who do not report symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may still have damage to the brain's white matter comparable to veterans with TBI, according to researchers at Duke Medicine and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
New research finds positive health technique for stressed nurses
Within the health care industry and beyond, daily exposure to stress can lead to negative consequences for employees both on and off the job – from apathy and burnout to physical illness or mental impairments. New Open Access research published in Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health suggests the implementation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program can reduce employee stress and burnout.
Catastrophizing can predict low back pain, disability
(HealthDay)—For patients treated for low back pain, catastrophizing may predict the degree of pain and disability, according to a review published in the Feb. 1 issue of Spine.
Women still being left out of medical research: report
(HealthDay)—Two decades after the passage of a landmark law mandating that women be represented in government-funded medical research, a new report reveals that the world of science is still ignoring women's unique health issues far more than it should.
CMS: No more delays to ICD-10 implementation deadline
(HealthDay)—There will be no more delays to the Oct. 1, 2014, deadline for implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), according to an article published Feb. 27 in Medical Economics.
DASH diet may lower risk of recurrent kidney stones
(HealthDay)—The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet might be an effective alternative to the low-oxalate diet for reducing risk of kidney stone recurrence, according to research published in the March issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
Patient activation predicts bowel preparation quality
(HealthDay)—Lower patient activation, but not limited health literacy, is an independent predictor of suboptimal colonoscopy bowel preparation quality, according to a study published in the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Study points to new biological mechanisms, treatment paradigm for kidney disease
Prevention and reversal of chronic kidney disease is an urgent public health need. The disease affects 1 in 10 Americans, is debilitating and deadly, and existing drugs, at best, offer only mild delay in progression to end-stage kidney failure. New research led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai investigators has uncovered abnormal molecular signaling pathways from disease initiation to irreversible kidney damage, kidney failure, and death. Results from their preclinical and human research are published online March 3 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Man with first artificial heart dies after 75 days
A septuagenarian man who was fitted with the French biomedical firm Carmat's first artificial heart two and half months ago has died, a hospital statement said Monday.
Lower Medicaid signups seen in health law study
It's one of the most impressive statistics about the new health care law. The Obama administration says more than 8.9 million people have been, quote "determined eligible" for Medicaid from Oct. 1 through the end of January.
TV in child's bedroom tied to weight gain
(HealthDay)—Children who have a TV in their bedroom are likely to gain weight. But kids who play active video games might lose unwanted pounds, according to two new studies.
Doctors call for more study of pot for seizures
A medical group of epilepsy experts is calling on the federal government to reconsider classifying marijuana as a dangerous drug so its impact on seizures can be studied.
Steroids often prescribed for psoriasis, countering guidelines
(HealthDay News)—Although corticosteroid pills are not recommended for the management of psoriasis, new research reveals these drugs are commonly prescribed by dermatologists treating this chronic skin condition.
Psychiatric ills widespread among US soldiers, studies say
(HealthDay)—Three new studies suggest that a sizeable percentage of American soldiers suffer from some type of mental health issue, at rates higher than those seen in the general population.
Female doctors spend more time than male doctors on parenting, household tasks, study finds
A new study finds gender differences in parenting and household labor persist among a group of highly motivated physician-researchers in the early stages of their career.
Improved screening means new targets for pediatric neuroblastoma therapies
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and lethal types of childhood cancers. In a paper published online today in OncoTarget, a researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio unveils the important role of microRNAs in regulating neuroblastoma development, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities.
Study of antibody evolution charts course toward HIV vaccine
In an advance for HIV vaccine research, a scientific team has discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2. Many researchers believe that if a vaccine could elicit potent antibodies to a specific conserved site in the V1V2 region, one of a handful of sites that remains constant on the fast-mutating virus, then the vaccine could protect people from HIV infection. Analyses of the results of a clinical trial of the only experimental HIV vaccine to date to have modest success in people suggest that antibodies to sites within V1V2 were protective. The new findings point the way toward a potentially more effective vaccine that would generate V1V2-directed HIV neutralizing antibodies.
Research reveals first glimpse of brain circuit that helps experience to shape perception
Odors have a way of connecting us with moments buried deep in our past. Maybe it is a whiff of your grandmother's perfume that transports you back decades. With that single breath, you are suddenly in her living room, listening as the adults banter about politics. The experiences that we accumulate throughout life build expectations that are associated with different scents. These expectations are known to influence how the brain uses and stores sensory information. But researchers have long wondered how the process works in reverse: how do our memories shape the way sensory information is collected?
Study pinpoints protective mutations for type 2 diabetes
An international team led by researchers at the Broad Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has identified mutations in a gene that can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in people who have risk factors such as obesity and old age. The results focus the search for developing novel therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes; if a drug can be developed that mimics the protective effect of these mutations, it could open up new ways of preventing this devastating disease.
Detecting levels of antibiotics in blood paves the way to individualized treatment
A new methodology for rapidly measuring the level of antibiotic drug molecules in human blood serum has been developed, paving the way to applications within drug development and personalised medicine.
In first moments of infection, a division and a decision
Using technologies and computational modeling that trace the destiny of single cells, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine describe for the first time the earliest stages of fate determination among white blood cells called T lymphocytes, providing new insights that may help drug developers create more effective, longer-lasting vaccines against microbial pathogens or cancer.
Ancient Chinese medicine put through its paces for pancreatic cancer
The bark of the Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) has traveled a centuries-long road with the healing arts. Now it is being put through its paces by science in the fight against pancreatic cancer, with the potential to make inroads against several more.
Homing in on cancer with a comprehensive measurement method
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Switzerland. There are many reasons why in the era of cutting-edge medicine it is still difficult to cure this disease. A tumour may, for instance, consist of different tumour cell subpopulations, each of which has its own profile and responds differently to therapy – or not. Furthermore, the cancer cells and the healthy cells in the body interact and communicate with one another. How a tumour then actually develops and whether metastases form depends on which signals a tumour cell receives from its environment. With the development of a new method the team around Prof. Bernd Bodenmiller from the Institute of Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Zurich – in cooperation with ETH Zurich and University Hospital Zurich – has succeeded in comprehensively profiling and visualizing tumour cells from patient samples.
Gut microbes spur development of bowel cancer
It is not only genetics that predispose to bowel cancer; microbes living in the gut help drive the development of intestinal tumors, according to new research in mice published in the March issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Study finds less cooperation among women than among men where hierarchy is involved
It's long been a popular stereotype: Men are hugely competitive, meaning cooperative effort is the exception rather than the norm, while women have a tendency to nurture relationships with others, making them much more likely to cooperate with one another.
Researchers identify 'carbohydrates in a coal mine' for cancer detection
Researchers at New York University and the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells. Their findings, which appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show how these molecules may serve as signals for cancer and explain what's going on inside these cells, pointing to new ways in which sugars function as a looking glass into the workings of their underlying structures.
Experimental stroke drug also shows promise for people with Lou Gehrig's disease
Keck School of Medicine of USC neuroscientists have unlocked a piece of the puzzle in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that robs people of their motor skills. Their findings appear in the March 3, 2014, online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, the official scientific journal of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
New discovery solves problem of anti-inflammatory substance
There have been great expectations regarding the production of a drug to block the enzyme LTA4 hydrolase, which plays a key role in the body's inflammatory response. However, in clinical trials, such molecules have proven to be only moderately effective. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully refined their understanding of why previous substances have been less effective – and in so doing have produced a molecule that gets around the problem. Consequently, there is once again hope of a new anti-inflammatory drug based on the principal of blocking LTA4 hydrolase, which could provide relief in diseases such as COPD, the vascular disease arteriosclerosis and chronic eczema.
Experimental drug helps body fight advanced melanoma
(HealthDay)—An experimental drug that harnesses the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer has helped some patients with advanced melanoma keep their disease in check for several years, a new study indicates.
BPA linked to prostate cancer, study shows
Findings by Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers show that levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in men's urine could be a marker of prostate cancer and that low levels of BPA exposure can cause cellular changes in both non-malignant and malignant prostate cells.
Scientists explore safeguards for genomic data privacy
By now the general public has become aware that mobile phone applications, bank security systems and credit card databases are not immune to vulnerabilities; information thefts happen. Some computer scientists now say it's time to recognize that vulnerabilities in genetic databases need recognition too. Are anonymous genetic profiles truly anonymous? Is data de-identifying technically feasible for genetic data?
The precision of associative memories
(Medical Xpress)—Particular smells can be incredibly evocative and bring back very clear, vivid memories.
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