Fwd: Phys.org Newsletter Sunday, May 18

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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Mon, May 19, 2014 at 2:15 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Sunday, May 18
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 18, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Scientists discover how to turn light into matter after 80-year quest
- Cutoff switch may limit spread, duration of oxygen minimum zones
- Venus Express gets ready to take the plunge
- Illuminating neuron activity in 3-D
- Toronto team's robotic arm control is all in the mind
- Fossils of 'largest' dinosaur found in Argentina (Update)
- Greenland will be far greater contributor to sea rise than expected
- How does snow affect the amount of water in rivers?
- SpaceX Dragon returns to Earth from space station (Update)
- Berlin start-up pioneers fish-farm veggie garden
- Wildfires worse due to global warming, studies say
- Spiders spin possible solution to 'sticky' problems
- New study identifies heart-specific protein that protects against arrhythmia
- Study validates potentially powerful new way to treat HER2-positive breast cancer
- Geneva scientists focus on phone cameras for random number generation

Astronomy & Space news

New GPS satellite launched into space
A Delta 4 rocket has lifted off from Cape Canaveral carrying a GPS satellite.

ESA's new X-ray optics for observing the hot Universe
A new idea to use super-polished silicon wafers as the heart of a telescope is set to reveal more of the hot, high-energy Universe, peering back into its turbulent history.

SpaceX-3 mission to return Dragon's share of Space Station science
April launches bring May research returns. While the splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on May 18 will conclude the company's third contracted resupply mission to the International Space Station, it also serves as a high point for the scientists who have investigations returning to Earth who are eager to complete their analyses.

SpaceX Dragon returns to Earth from space station (Update)
The SpaceX Dragon is back on Earth.

Venus Express gets ready to take the plunge
(Phys.org) —After eight years in orbit, ESA's Venus Express has completed routine science observations and is preparing for a daring plunge into the planet's hostile atmosphere.

Medicine & Health news

Sleeping pills increase CV events in heart failure patients
Sleeping pills increase the risk of cardiovascular events in heart failure patients by 8-fold, according to research from Japan. The study was presented today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014, held 17-20 May in Athens, Greece. The Congress is the main annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

US states move to expand experimental drug use (Update)
Nick Auden didn't live to see the legislation, but the case of the Colorado melanoma patient who died while seeking access to an experimental drug helped inspire a first-of-its kind law.

PARADIGM-HF trial stopped early for benefit
The latest update on the trial, describing the design and baseline characteristics of patients, was presented today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014 by Professor Milton Packer, co-principal investigator. The Congress is the main annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Clinicians urged to consider spironolactone in HFPEF despite TOPCAT results
Clinicians have been urged to consider using spironolactone in their patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) after a post-hoc analysis of the TOPCAT trial showed benefit in patients from the Americas.

AMA proposing specialty care, payment models to CMS
(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) and other specialty societies have created new care delivery and payment models that they expect to be supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a recent AMA news release.

Cognitive behavioral or relaxation training helps women reduce distress during breast cancer treatment
Can psychological intervention help women adapt to the stresses of breast cancer? It appears that a brief, five-week psychological intervention can have beneficial effects for women who are dealing with the stresses of breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. Intervening during this early period after surgery may reduce women's distress and providing cognitive or relaxation skills for stress management to help them adapt to treatment.

New early warning system predicts dengue fever risk during the soccer World Cup in Brazil
For the first time, scientists have developed an early warning system to predict the risk of dengue infections for the 553 microregions of Brazil during the football World Cup. The estimates, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, show that the chance of a dengue outbreak is enough of a possibility to warrant a high-alert warning in the three northeastern venues (Natal, Fortaleza, and Recife) but is likely to be generally low in all 12 host cities.

Methadone programs can be key in educating, treating HCV patients
People who inject drugs and are enrolled in a drug treatment program are receptive to education about, and treatment for, hepatitis C virus, according to a study by researchers at several institutions, including the University at Buffalo.

In US, gay men clash over HIV prevention pill
A single daily pill may help prevent HIV. And in America, gay men who have lost countless loved ones to AIDS can't stop fighting about it.

Saudi MERS death toll rises to 163
Health authorities in Saudi Arabia have reported three more fatalities from the MERS respiratory virus, taking the death toll in the world's worst-hit country to 163.

Negative iron balance predicts acute heart failure survival
Negative iron balance predicts survival in patients with acute heart failure, according to research presented for the first time today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014 in Athens, Greece. The Congress is the main annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Biomarker test for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy could help reduce death after giving birth
Cardiologists have discovered biomarkers that can be used to develop a screening test to detect Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a life-threatening disorder that is the primary cause of mortality in pregnant women in developing countries. The results, which can lead to the immediate treatment of PPCM in new mothers and a significant reduction in mortality, were presented at Heart Failure 2014, which opened the World Congress on Acute Heart Failure in Athens the 17 to the 20 May.

RELAX-AHF and PROTECT studies find targeting WHF may reduce readmissions and save lives
Worsening symptoms and signs of heart failure (WHF) in patients admitted to a hospital is a common sign of treatment failure and can lead to long-term consequences for the patient, including longer length of hospitalization and a higher risk for readmission and death, according to a late-breaking study (RELAX-AHF, PROTECT) presented in Athens at the ESC's Heart Failure Congress 2014

RELAX-AHF: Poor diuretic response associated with worse clinical outcomes
Poor diuretic response is associated with worse in-hospital and post-discharge clinical outcomes, results of the RELAX-AHF trial reveal. The study also found that serelaxin has a neutral effect on diuretic response.

Canada vending machines pop out marijuana
The vending machines at a Vancouver storefront look ordinary—but instead of spitting out gum or snacks, for a few coins they deliver medical marijuana.

Most emergency department 'super-frequent users' have a substance abuse addiction
A vast majority of so-called "super-frequent user" patients who seek care in the Emergency Department (ED) have a substance abuse addiction, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

Silent virus a rare, dangerous risk for the unborn
It's a common, usually harmless virus. But in a rare, unlucky set of circumstances, it can be devastating for infants whose mothers become infected during pregnancy.

Schools seek upgrades to entice healthy eating
School districts across the U.S. have been making upgrades in recent years to try and entice children into healthier eating habits amid higher nutrition standards that emphasize whole grains, fruit and vegetables.

Cardiovascular diseases rise during Greek financial crisis
Hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases increased during the Greek financial crisis, according to two studies from Athens. The research was presented today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014, held 17-20 May in Athens, Greece. The Congress is the main annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

CDC: MERS virus spread in US, but 2nd man not sick
Health officials reported Saturday what appears to be the first time that a mysterious Middle East virus has spread from one person to another in the United States.

Saudi reports five new MERS deaths
Saudi Arabia has reported five new deaths from the MERS respiratory virus, bringing the death toll in the world's worst-hit country to 168.

Bacteria in urine could contribute to overactive bladder
Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile and the bacteria in it may be associated with overactive bladder (OAB) in some women, according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

For pregnant smokers, vitamin C supplements improve lung function of newborn
Supplemental vitamin C taken by pregnant smokers improved measures of lung function for newborns and decreased the incidence of wheezing for infants through 1 year, according to a study published by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Windshield washer fluid a source of Legionnaires
A form of bacteria responsible for respiratory illness, including the deadly pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease, may be able to grow in windshield washer fluid and was isolated from nearly 75% of school buses tested in one district in Arizona, according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Statins fail to reduce mortality rate in sepsis patients with ARDS
Despite previously-reported observational and basic science evidence suggesting the use of statins may improve outcomes in patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a double-blinded clinical trial of rosuvastatin in those patients was futile, and the study was halted.

Study finds limited benefit for vitamin D in asthma treatment
Adding vitamin D to asthma treatment to improve breathing only appears to benefit patients who achieve sufficient levels of the supplement in the blood. Overall, the ability to control asthma did not differ between a study group that received vitamin D supplements and a group that received placebo, according to new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

COPD patients at significantly higher risk of heart failure
As if increased risks of high blood pressure, respiratory infections, lung cancer and even depression weren't enough, researchers say patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have another complication to worry about: heart failure. That's according to a new study from the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, which found the prevalence of heart failure is significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to the rest of the study population. They also found that the risk was especially high among African-American patients with COPD.

Urine test could help clinicians spot blood clots in at-risk patients
A new study by researchers from California and Canada indicates a simple urine test can indicate the presence of venous thromboembolism, a blood clot that has broken free from its point of origin and which travels through the bloodstream, eventually lodging in a vein. The test evaluates the levels of fibrinopeptide B (FPB), a small peptide that's released when a thrombosis forms and which is removed from the body through urine.

Patients with low pulmonary vascular resistance may benefit from complex procedure for PH
Patients with chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease may benefit from pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), even if the patients don't have severe pulmonary hypertension, according to University of California, San Diego, researchers.

Sleep apnea is common after acute respiratory failure
Clinically important sleep apnea is common among survivors of acute respiratory failure, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Temple-led study finds no benefit in taking statin drugs for COPD exacerbation prevention
A statin drug commonly used to lower cholesterol is not effective in reducing the number and severity of flare ups from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the results of a large multicenter clinical trial designed and directed by Gerard J. Criner, MD, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

Bacteria in mouth may diagnose pancreatic cancer
Patients with pancreatic cancer have a different and distinct profile of specific bacteria in their saliva compared to healthy controls and even patients with other cancers or pancreatic diseases, according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. These findings could form the basis for a test to diagnose the disease in its early stages.

Gum disease bacteria may cause heart disease
A University of Florida study shows that the same bacteria that cause gum disease also promotes heart disease – a discovery that could change the way heart disease is diagnosed and treated. Researchers report their findings today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Painkillers may decrease susceptibility to recurring urinary infections
Women plagued by repeated urinary tract infections may be able to prevent the infections with help from over-the-counter painkillers, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Heart failure hospitalization more than doubles in IBD flares
Heart failure hospitalisation more than doubles during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares, according to a study of more than 5 million Danish people. The research was presented today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014, held 17-20 May, in Athens, Greece. The Congress is the main annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Sepsis involved in high percentage of hospital deaths
An analysis that included approximately 7 million hospitalizations finds that sepsis contributed to 1 in every 2 to 3 deaths, and most of these patients had sepsis at admission, according to a study published by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.

No link found between low sperm count, birth defects
(HealthDay)—Having a low sperm count doesn't seem to determine whether a man's children will be born with birth defects, a new study indicates.

Higher temperatures may cause greater illness among COPD patients
If you suffer from COPD, staying cool this summer may provide much more significant benefits than simply feeling more comfortable. A study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University says it may also keep you healthier. The study found COPD patients who were exposed to warm indoor temperatures had greater disease-related morbidity, including an increase in symptoms, a rise in the use of rescue medications and a decline in lung function. Higher outdoor temperatures were also associated with increased COPD symptoms.

E-cigarettes may boost resistance of drug-resistant pathogens
Despite being touted by their manufacturers as a healthy alternative to cigarettes, e-cigarettes appear in a laboratory study to increase the virulence of drug- resistant and potentially life-threatening bacteria, while decreasing the ability of human cells to kill these bacteria

'Handshake-free zones' may be coming to health care settings
(HealthDay)—Regulations to restrict handshakes in the health care setting, along with more robust hand hygiene programs, may help limit the spread of disease, according to a viewpoint published online May 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Two drugs offer hope for fatal lung disease
(HealthDay)—A pair of drugs offers new hope to patients with a progressive, fatal disease that robs their breath by scarring the lungs, according to clinical trial results.

New study identifies heart-specific protein that protects against arrhythmia
Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have identified a heart-specific form of a protein, BIN1, responsible for sculpting tiny folds in pockets that are present on the surface of heart muscle cells. The study provides the first direct evidence of a previously theoretical "fuzzy space" or "slow diffusion zone" that protects against irregular heartbeats by maintaining an ideal concentration of electrochemical molecules.

Study validates potentially powerful new way to treat HER2-positive breast cancer
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) today report a discovery that they hope will lead to the development of a powerful new way of treating an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Illuminating neuron activity in 3-D
Researchers at MIT and the University of Vienna have created an imaging system that reveals neural activity throughout the brains of living animals. This technique, the first that can generate 3-D movies of entire brains at the millisecond timescale, could help scientists discover how neuronal networks process sensory information and generate behavior.

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