From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 1:30 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Thursday, Mar 20
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>
Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 20, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Team finds potential way to make graphene superconducting- HoverBall: Inventor redefines people-ball interactions using quadcopter tech
- Computers see through faked expressions of pain better than people
- Physicists use geometry to understand 'jamming' process
- Surface of Titan Sea is mirror smooth, scientists find
- Researchers develop fully photonics-based radar system (Update)
- Humans can distinguish at least one trillion different odors, study shows
- Important and complex systems may be more controllable than they appear
- Hardy star survives supernova blast
- Pseudogap theory puts physicists closer to high temperature superconductors
- 3-D model links facial features and DNA
- Trash-talking Scrabble player is robot named Victor
- Tiny transistors for extreme environs: Engineers shrink plasma devices to resist radiation
- New semiconductor holds promise for 2-D physics and electronics
- Plankton make scents for seabirds and a cooler planet
Astronomy & Space news
Australia's part in 50 years of space exploration with NASA
Who can forget the hit movie The Dish and Australia's role in beaming the first live television pictures of man's first landing on the moon?
Image: Jupiter's great red spot viewed by Voyager I
At about 89,000 miles in diameter, Jupiter could swallow 1,000 Earths. It is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere.
Researcher says 'We are going to find life in space this century'
Are we alone in the universe? It's a question that has always fired the human imagination. The more we learn, the more unlikely it seems that Earth is a lone miracle inhabiting life amid galaxies of lifeless planets. Many eminent scientists are positive that it is just a matter of time before we find other life in the universe . But exactly how we'll encounter our inter-galactic neighbours, and whether they'll be just a few cells or full-blown ET lookalikes, they are less sure.
NASA orbiter finds new gully channel on Mars
A comparison of images taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in November 2010 and May 2013 reveal the formation of a new gully channel on a crater-wall slope in the southern highlands of Mars.
Dramatic new portrait helps define Milky Way's shape, contents
Using more than 2 million images collected by NASA's orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope, a team of Wisconsin scientists has stitched together a dramatic 360 degree portrait of the Milky Way, providing new details of our galaxy's structure and contents.
The amazing anatomy of James Webb Space Telescope mirrors
When you think of a mirror, there really isn't that much needed to describe it, but when you look at a mirror that will fly aboard NASA's next-generation James Webb Space Telescope, there's a lot to the anatomy of a mirror.
Surface of Titan Sea is mirror smooth, scientists find
New radar measurements of an enormous sea on Titan offer insights into the weather patterns and landscape composition of the Saturnian moon. The measurements, made in 2013 by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, reveal that the surface of Ligeia Mare, Titan's second largest sea, possesses a mirror-like smoothness, possibly due to a lack of winds.
Hardy star survives supernova blast
(Phys.org) —When a massive star runs out fuel, it collapses and explodes as a supernova. Although these explosions are extremely powerful, it is possible for a companion star to endure the blast. A team of astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes has found evidence for one of these survivors.
Medicine & Health news
Choice of GP practice pilot most popular with young commuters and patients moving home
A pilot scheme allowing patients to visit GPs outside the area they live in was most popular among younger commuters and people who had moved house but did not want to change their GP, according to a new report by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Where are we with breast cancer in 2013?
The global burden of breast cancer remains immense in 2013, with over 1.6 million new cases being diagnosed annually. This burden has been increasing at a rate of 3.1% per year, and while the majority of new cases are diagnosed among women in developed countries, the 450,000 deaths per year from the disease are now equally divided between the developing and developed world, the 9th European Breast Cancer conference (EBCC-9) will hear tomorrow.
Hawaii attorney general sues maker of drug Plavix (Update)
Hawaii's attorney general is suing the makers of a widely prescribed blood thinner that he says a significant portion of the state's population has difficulty metabolizing.
Unidentified illness kills 23 in Guinea
A mysterious illness has killed at least 23 people in southern Guinea in six weeks, but the disease has yet to be positively identified, the health ministry announced Thursday.
Welsh "data detectives" use maths to save lives
It's mid-morning on an emergency medical ward. Medics rush; patients wait. The queue grows longer. To the naked eye, it's delay. To hospital managers, it's a potential waste of time and resources. But to mathematicians, it's a challenge.
Neuroscientist investigates how brain repairs itself after a stroke
A neuroscientist at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech says she hopes that a better understanding of how the brain restores blood flow to damaged tissue following a stroke will offer new treatment clues for a leading cause of death in the United States.
Deaths from breast cancer fall in Europe
Improvements in treatment, as well as enhanced access to care, underlie the sustained decreases in breast cancer mortality seen in 30 European countries [1] from 1989 to 2010. But there are notable variations between different countries that cannot be explained simply by the resources devoted to cancer care, and these differences need to be studied further, according to research to be presented to the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9) tomorrow (Friday).
Obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on cancer outcomes
Both obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on outcomes in breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy as primary treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), according to research to be presented at the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9) tomorrow (Friday). Although a high body mass index (BMI) is known to have a negative impact on cancer development and prognosis, until now there has been uncertainty as to whether having a high BMI had an equal effect on patients with different types of breast tumours.
AIDS: Crimean drug users at risk, says NGO
More than 14,000 injecting drug users in Crimea risk being cut off from life-saving treatment and services prohibited in Russia, an NGO working to halt HIV spread warned on Thursday.
Cognitive function and oral perception in independently-living octogenarians
Today, at the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Kazunori Ikebe, from Osaka University, Japan, will present a research study titled "Cognitive Function and Oral Perception in Independently-living Octogenarians."
Inhibition of oral biofilm and cell-cell communication using natural-products derivatives
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Steve Kasper, SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Albany, will present research titled "Inhibition of Oral Biofilm and Cell-cell Communication Using Natural-products Derivatives."
Resin infiltration effects in a caries-active environment—two year results
Today during the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Mathilde C. Peters, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, will present research titled "Resin Infiltration Effects in a Caries-Active Environment – 2 Year Results."
Breast cancer patients in need of more psychological support
For women who are suffering from breast cancer, concern for their children is the greatest source of worry. A researcher at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has shown this, and believes that women who are at the earliest stage of the treatment should be offered support by a psychologist or a social worker.
As age-friendly technologies emerge, experts recommend policy changes
From smart phones to smart cars, both public and private entities must consider the needs of older adults in order to help them optimize the use of new technologies, according to the latest issue of Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR), titled "Aging and Technology: The Promise and the Paradox." A total of eight articles all from authors affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab are featured.
Interpreting neuroimages: The technology and its limits
Neuroimages play a growing role in biomedical research, medicine, and courtrooms, as well as in shaping our understanding of what it means to be human. But how helpful are they at answering complex questions such as: What is depression? Is a defendant lying? Do we have free will?
NJIT and WebTeam to develop tactile-friendly learning devices for children with autism
New Jersey Institute of Technology and WebTeam Corporation, a New Jersey-based IT company, have signed an agreement to collaboratively design and develop a customizable learning device that will help children with autism spectrum disorder master a range of skills-building lessons contained in the device's embedded educational software.
Combo of overweight, high sodium intake speeds cell aging in teens
Overweight or obese teenagers who eat lots of salty foods may show signs of faster cell aging, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology & Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity & Metabolism Scientific Sessions 2014.
Declines in funding hamper kidney research and other areas of medical study
Medical research funding from public and private sources is at an all-time low. A new Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) article discusses the effects of such funding constraints, with a focus on the plight of kidney research.
Medicaid expansion may help prevent kidney failure, improve access to kidney-related care
States with broader Medicaid coverage have lower incidences of kidney failure and smaller insurance-related gaps in access to kidney disease care. Those are the findings of a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The results point to the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion on chronic disease prevention and care.
Initiation of dialysis for acute kidney injury potentially dangerous for frail patients
The decision to initiate dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) varies depending on different patient factors and there is a lack of robust evidence as to which patients are likely to benefit most and why. A new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that for patients with lower creatinine concentration levels – a sign of reduced muscle mass and weakness – initiation of dialysis could actually be detrimental. The findings are published online first in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Study examines how parents can teach their children to be safer
As parents, we've all been there: Watching our children teeter on a chair, leap from the sofa, or careen about the playground, fearing the worst. And, we all wonder, how can we teach them to be safer?
Among US children, more infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria
Infections caused by a concerning type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in U.S. children, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and available online. Although still uncommon, the bacteria are increasingly found in children of all ages, especially those 1-5 years old, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options.
Partial skull removal may save older patients' lives after massive stroke
(HealthDay)— Removing half the skull is a drastic step, but it's one that can save lives in people over 60 who've had a severe stroke, new research indicates.
Offices with open floor plans tied to more sick days
(HealthDay)—Offices with open floor plans and no individual workstations may take a toll on employee health, according to a study published in the February issue of Ergonomics.
ISICEM: Protocol-based tx doesn't up survival in sepsis
(HealthDay)—For patients presenting to the emergency department with sepsis and severe shock, treatment according to a protocol of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) does not improve survival, according to a study published online March 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine. This research was published to coincide with the International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, held from March 18 to 21 in Brussels.
Data on antibiotic use in non-EU countries should stimulate development of action plans
A new study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, provides the first ever reliable data on antibiotic use in non-European Union (EU) southern and eastern European countries and newly independent states.
Reported 'neuroimage bias' not as strong as first believed
A few years back, there was concern that the developing field of neuroimaging – producing colorful images of brain activity – was potentially biasing scientists and the public alike. A series of well-publicized experiments published in 2008 indicated that members of the public could be swayed to place undue faith in scientific studies based simply on the fact that they were accompanied by neuroimages.
Americans don't want soda tax, size restrictions
(Medical Xpress)—Those hoping to dilute Americans' taste for soda, energy drinks, sweetened tea and other sugary beverages should take their quest to school lunchrooms rather than legislative chambers, according to a recent study by media and health policy experts.
Education, finances affect risk of heart disease more for women than men
(Medical Xpress)—Low levels of education and financial assets have long been linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease. But a new University of Michigan study shows that the association is much greater for middle-aged and older women than it is for men of similar ages.
Lung cancer rates climb by three quarters in women while halving in men
Lung cancer rates in women have risen by a staggering three quarters (73 per cent) over the last forty years according to new Cancer Research UK figures released today.
Building evolution-proof drugs
A new generation of drugs could help combat the growing number of bacterial diseases that are becoming resistant to antibiotics, a study reveals.
Research reveals that fake laughter doesn't fool the brain
As the world celebrates International Day of Happiness today (Thursday, 20 March), can we tell whether people are truly happy just from their laugh?
More mature, confident teen girls less likely to risk sex, study shows
(Medical Xpress)—Girls and young women ages 14-19 who are focused on their futures have higher levels of maturity and more confidence in their beliefs and are less likely to be sexually active, a study by a University of Alabama in Huntsville senior psychology student indicates.
Low levels of oxgen, nitric oxide worsen sickle cell disease
Low levels of both oxygen and the powerful blood vessel dilator nitric oxide appear to have an unfortunate synergy for patients with sickle cell disease, researchers report.
Regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk irrespective of age
Practising sport for more than an hour day reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer, and this applies to women of any age and any weight, and also unaffected by geographical location, according to research presented to the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9). Compared with the least active women, those with the highest level of physical activity reduced their risk of breast cancer by 12%, researchers say
School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss
School hearing tests cannot effectively detect adolescent high-frequency hearing loss, which is typically caused by loud noise exposure, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine.
New data shows spike in smokeless tobacco sales
The number of smokeless tobacco products sold in Massachusetts is soaring, as are the levels of nicotine packed into many of them, according to a new analysis from UMass Medical School and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
Muscular disease research advanced with flies and mice
Indian researchers using flies (Drosophila) and West Australian researchers using mice to study neuromuscular disease are part of an exciting collaboration improving research into muscular diseases and ageing.
Genes play key role in parenting
Scientists have presented the most conclusive evidence yet that genes play a significant role in parenting.
Study finds stem cell combination therapy improves traumatic brain injury outcomes
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), sustained by close to 2 million Americans annually, including military personnel, are debilitating and devastating for patients and their families. Regardless of severity, those with TBI can suffer a range of motor, behavioral, intellectual and cognitive disabilities over the short or long term. Sadly, clinical treatments for TBI are few and largely ineffective.
Report: Labor in tub OK but water births unproven
Sitting in a tub of warm water can relieve a mom-to-be's pain during the early stages of labor, but actually giving birth under water has no proven benefit and may be risky, say recommendations for the nation's obstetricians.
Studies of gut flora in infants and toddlers could lead to better health
Breastfeeding until at least nine months of age increases prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, species which are known to contribute to development of a healthy immune system, according to a paper describing the establishment of the intestinal microbiota during the first three years of life. The research was published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Fauci: Robust research efforts needed to address challenge of antimicrobial resistance
Given the evolutionary ability of microbes to rapidly adapt, the threat of antimicrobial resistance likely will never be eliminated. Today, many factors compound the problem, including the inappropriate use of antibiotics and a dwindling supply of new medicines, leading to a global crisis of antimicrobial resistance. This crisis must be addressed with a multi-faceted approach that includes a strong base of basic, clinical and translational research, according to a new commentary in the journal JAMA from Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and colleague Hilary D. Marston, M.D., M.P.H.
Obesity: Not just what you eat—Research shows fat mass in cells expands with disuse
Over 35 percent of American adults and 17 percent of American children are considered obese, according to the latest survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Associated with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even certain types of cancer, obesity places a major burden on the health care system and economy. It's usually treated through a combination of diet, nutrition, exercise, and other techniques.
Future generations could inherit drug and alcohol use
Parents who use alcohol, marijuana, and drugs have higher frequencies of children who pick up their habits, according to a study from Sam Houston State University.
Lifestyle interventions can prevent major depression in adults with mild symptoms
Discussions with a dietary coach to learn about healthy eating were as effective as meeting with a counselor for problem-solving or "talk" therapy in preventing major depression among older black and white adults with mild symptoms of the mood disorder, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland. Their findings were published online recently in Psychiatric Services.
Potential lung cancer vaccine shows renewed promise
Researchers at UC Davis have found that the investigational cancer vaccine tecemotide, when administered with the chemotherapeutic cisplatin, boosted immune response and reduced the number of tumors in mice with lung cancer. The study also found that radiation treatments did not significantly impair the immune response. The paper was published on March 10 in the journal Cancer Immunology Research, an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) publication.
Inhibition of CDK4 might promote lymphoma development, progression
Anticancer agents that inhibit tumor growth by targeting a regulatory protein called CDK4 might actually promote the development and progression of certain B-cell lymphomas, according to a new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
Study links tooth loss to depression and anxiety
Today, at the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, R. Constance Wiener, from West Virginia University, Morgantown, will present a research study titled "Association of Tooth Loss and Depression and Anxiety."
Study reveals a major mechanism driving kidney cancer progression
The shortage of oxygen, or hypoxia, created when rapidly multiplying kidney cancer cells outgrow their local blood supply can accelerate tumor growth by causing a nuclear protein called SPOP—which normally suppresses tumor growth—to move out of the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it has the opposite effect, promoting rapid proliferation.
New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease
Many diseases have their origins in either the genome or in reversible chemical changes to DNA known as the epigenome. Now, results of a new study from Johns Hopkins scientists show a connection between these two "maps." The findings, reported March 20 on the website of the American Journal of Human Genetics, could help disease trackers find patterns in those overlays that could offer clues to the causes of and possible treatments for complex genetic conditions, including many cancers and metabolic disorders.
New type of cell communication regulates blood vessel formation and tumor growth
When tumours grow, new blood vessels are formed that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tumour cells. A research group at Uppsala University has discovered a new type of cell communication that results in suppressed blood vessel formation and delayed tumour growth. The results might explain why healthy individuals can have microscopic tumours for many years, which do not progress without formation of new blood vessels.
Emergency room use rose slightly after implementation of Massachusetts health care law
Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose slightly both during and immediately after implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, a sign that broader availability of insurance may increase use of the ED, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers report in a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Could far-flung mutations in the genome activate cancer-causing genes? Ask an expert
Stowers Institute Investigator, Ali Shilatifard, Ph.D., will take center stage at a Meet-the-ExpertSession at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held April 5th-9th in San Diego. The AACR meeting is the most important international forum for sharing breakthroughs in cancer research. This year's event could attract over 17,000 participants from 60 different countries.
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease made possible by analyzing spinal fluid
Researchers have shown that they can detect tiny, misfolded protein fragments in cerebrospinal fluid taken from patients. Such fragments have been suggested to be the main culprit in Alzheimer's disease. The findings reported in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports lend hope that doctors might soon have a way to diagnose the disease while treatments might have a better chance of working—that is, before extensive brain damage and dementia set in.
Scientists, parents join forces to identify new genetic disease in children
Scientists and parents have worked together to identify a new genetic disease that causes neurologic, muscle, eye and liver problems in children. The discovery was unusually fast thanks to a combination of modern gene-sequencing techniques, social media and old-fashioned detective work.
Childhood abuse may impair weight-regulating hormones
Childhood abuse or neglect can lead to long-term hormone impairment that raises the risk of developing obesity, diabetes or other metabolic disorders in adulthood, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Standard IVF medication dose less effective in obese women
Obese women may need a different dose of medication than normal weight women in order to successfully have their eggs harvested for in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Colonoscopy isn't perfect: About six percent of colorectal cancers are missed
About 6 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed within three to five years after the patient receives a clean colonoscopy report, according to a population-based study by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah.
Team discovers a way to potentially slow down Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered a way to potentially halt the progression of dementia caused by accumulation of a protein known as tau.
A braking system for immune responses: Researchers find receptor for uric acid crystals
For the first time, researchers have identified a receptor on human cells that specifically recognizes crystals. It is found on immune cells and binds uric acid crystals, which trigger gout but also control immune responses. The team, led by researchers from Technische Universität München's Klinikum rechts der Isar hospital have published their findings in the Immunity journal.
Big government—or good neighbors—can improve people's health
The nation's left-leaning citizens might be pleased by the findings of a new University of Nebraska study that finds those who live in liberal states tend to be healthier.
Researchers find genetic clue to irritable bowel syndrome
Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) caused by genetics, diet, past trauma, anxiety? All are thought to play a role, but now, for the first time, researchers have reported a defined genetic defect that causes a subset of IBS. The research was published in the journal Gastroenterology.
One-third of kids with obesity 'metabolically healthy,' study shows
Digits on a scale can help determine a child's weight, but their overall health status can be influenced by other factors such as physical activity, diet and screen time, according to new research from the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services.
Bedside optical monitoring of cerebral blood flow promising for individualized stroke care
Using a University of Pennsylvania-designed device to noninvasively and continuously monitor cerebral blood flow (CBF) in acute stroke patients, researchers from Penn Medicine and the Department of Physics & Astronomy in Penn Arts and Sciences are now learning how head of bed (HOB) positioning affects blood flow reaching the brain. Most patients admitted to the hospital with an acute stroke are kept flat for at least 24 hours in an effort to increase CBF in vulnerable brain regions surrounding the damaged tissue. Researchers report in the journal Stroke that, while flat HOB did indeed increase CBF in the damaged hemisphere in most stroke patients, about one quarter of the patients had a paradoxical response and showed the highest CBF with their head at an elevated angle.
Not only is she thinner than you ... her muscles work better, too
We all know the type: The friend or colleague who stays slim and trim without much effort and despite eating the same high-calorie fare that causes everyone else to gain weight. As it turns out, the way the muscles of the inherently thin work may give them the edge.
Genome-wide association studies mislead on cardiac arrhythmia risk gene
Although genome-wide association studies have linked DNA variants in the gene SCN10A with increased risk for cardiac arrhythmia, efforts to determine the gene's direct influence on the heart's electrical activity have been unproductive. Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that these SCN10A variants regulate the function of a different gene, SCN5A, which appears to be the primary gene responsible for cardiac arrhythmia risk. The SCN10A gene itself plays only a minimal role in the heart, according to the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on March 18.
Virtual conferencing effective weight management intervention
A weight management intervention delivered virtually via video conferencing helped participants lose weight, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology & Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity & Metabolism Scientific Sessions 2014.
Older, active, confident stroke caregivers are happiest
Stroke caregivers are happier when they continue to enjoy their own hobbies and interests, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
How localized bacterial infections can turn into dangerous sepsis
We carry numerous bacteria on our skin, in our mouth, gut, and other tissues, and localized bacterial infections are common and mostly not harmful. Occasionally, however, a localized infection turns into dangerous systemic disease (sepsis), and scientists have new clues as to how that happens. A study published on March 20th in PLOS Pathogens shows that after intravenous injection of a million bacteria into a mouse, the resulting systemic disease is often started by only a single one of them.
Researchers discover underlying genetics, marker for stroke, cardiovascular disease
Scientists studying the genomes of nearly 5,000 people have pinpointed a genetic variant tied to an increased risk for stroke, and have also uncovered new details about an important metabolic pathway that plays a major role in several common diseases. Together, their findings may provide new clues to underlying genetic and biochemical influences in the development of stroke and cardiovascular disease, and may also help lead to new treatment strategies.
Impavido approved to treat tropical parasitic disease
(HealthDay)—Impavido (miltefosine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with leishmaniasis, a tropical disease caused by a parasite that's transmitted by the bites of sand flies.
Exercise ups mitochondrial biogenesis in adipose tissue
(HealthDay)—Exercise training increases mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, and glucose uptake in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of wild type, but not endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) knockout mice, according to research published online March 12 in Diabetes.
Non-ob-gyns deliver about 14 percent of routine prenatal care
(HealthDay)—Routine prenatal care is often delivered by non-obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) providers, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Can 'love hormone' oxytocin protect against addiction?
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Adelaide say addictive behaviour such as drug and alcohol abuse could be associated with poor development of the so-called "love hormone" system in our bodies during early childhood.
Scientists create stem cells from a drop of blood
Scientists at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) have developed a method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a single drop of finger-pricked blood. The method also enables donors to collect their own blood samples, which they can then send to a laboratory for further processing. The easy access to blood samples using the new technique could potentially boost the recruitment of greater numbers and diversities of donors, and could lead to the establishment of large-scale hiPSC banks.
New computational method exploits the polypharmacology of drugs
(Medical Xpress)—If life were simple, a disease could be treated with one drug that hits one molecular target, like striking a piano key. Instead, researchers wrestle with the fact that most drugs hit multiple targets in the body at the same time, like playing a chord. Often, it's not even clear which targets, struck intentionally or inadvertently, lead to which treatment outcomes or side effects.
Study shows amount of vitamin A during pregnancy affects offspring immunity
(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers working in the Netherlands has found that the amount of vitamin A a woman consumes during pregnancy has a lifelong impact on the immune system of her offspring. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes experiments they conducted with pregnant mice on vitamin A restricted diets and the impact it had on the development of offspring immunity. In a companion News & Views article Gérard Eberl, of the Pasteur Institute provides a history of vitamin A research and the various findings of several research efforts.
Eyes are windows to the soul—and evolution
Why do we become saucer-eyed from fear and squint from disgust?
New approach makes cancer cells explode
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered that a substance called Vacquinol-1 makes cells from glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain tumour, literally explode. When mice were given the substance, which can be given in tablet form, tumour growth was reversed and survival was prolonged. The findings are published in the journal Cell.
Scientists find mechanism to reset body clock
Researchers from The University of Manchester have discovered a new mechanism that governs how body clocks react to changes in the environment.
Cells do not repair damage to DNA during mitosis because telomeres could fuse together
Throughout a cell's life, corrective mechanisms act to repair DNA strand breaks. The exception is during the critical moment of cell division, when chromosomes are most vulnerable. Toronto researchers found out why DNA repair shuts down during mitosis.
Humans can distinguish at least one trillion different odors, study shows
In a world perfumed by freshly popped popcorn and exhaust fumes, where sea breezes can mingle with the scents of sweet flowers or wet paint, new research has found that humans are capable of discriminating at least one trillion different odors. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) scientists determined that our sense of smell is prepared to recognize this vast olfactory palette after testing individuals' ability to recognize differences between complex odors mixed in the laboratory.
3-D model links facial features and DNA
DNA can already tell us the sex and ancestry of unknown individuals, but now an international team of researchers is beginning to connect genetics with facial features, degrees of femininity and racial admixture.
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