From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 2:04 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Friday, May 31
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>
Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 31, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Cortical microcircuitry: Can we predict function from structure?- New method of producing stereoisomers developed
- Even with defects, graphene is strongest material in the world
- Big asteroid swinging by Earth has its own moon
- Artificial magnetic monopoles discovered
- Lead acts to trigger schizophrenia
- Facebook profiles raise users' self-esteem and affect behavior
- Massive asteroid with moon to pass Earth today
- Circadian rhythms control body's response to intestinal infections
- Study reveals more acid seas could alter early development of Atlantic longfin squid
- Study finds starfish shed arms to protect against overheating
- Theorists apply loop quantum gravity theory to black hole
- Are men better than women at acoustic size judgments?
- Ancient cousin of Triceratops highlights turnover among horned dinosaurs
- Our ambiguous world of words
Space & Earth news
Aldrin: 'After Earth' noisier than space really is (Update)
While astronaut Buzz Aldrin enjoys movies about space, he doesn't always think they get it right.
Solving the climate change vulnerabilities jigsaw
A new tool to assess the interdependency between climate change and socio-economic factors is now available, mainly for professionals in these fields.
Climate change compounds problems for stressed agriculture sector
Climate change will make it even harder to put locally sourced food on our tables if steps are not taken to strengthen the British Columbia (BC) agriculture sector, according to a new report.
Be prepared for severe weather
The tornado that ravaged Moore, Okla., on May 20, 2013, was another reminder that Mother Nature has a temper. Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have said fighting complacency and preparing for what is ahead are important.
Study ties water value among irrigators to forest restoration
At least in the case of Verde Valley, downstream irrigators are willing to pay for restoration of a forest they cannot see to preserve a resource that is currently free.
Chasing down fugitive emissions
In an effort to respond to President Obama's call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent by the year 2020, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have identified ways to cut emissions that will allow the facility to exceed that goal—a decade early.
Subducting oceanic plates carry seawater-like saline fluids underneath island arcs
Slab-derived fluids play an important role in heat and material transfer in subduction zones. Dr. Tatsuhiko Kawamoto, Dr. Masako Yoshikawa, and Mr. Yoshitaka Kumagai of the Graduate School of Science suggest a new model including seawater like saline fluids liberated from downgoing oceanic plates underneath island arcs (Figure).
'Population census' of galaxies buried in dust
A research team led by Bunyo Hatsukade, a postdoc researcher, and Kouji Ohta, a professor, both from the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, revealed that approximately 80% of the unidentifiable millimeter wave signals from the universe is actually emitted from galaxies, based on the observations with ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array). ALMA's high resolving power and sensitivity enables us to pinpoint the locations of those galaxies rich in fine solid particles (dust).
New maps show how shipping noise spans the globe
The ocean is naturally filled with the sounds of breaking waves, cracking ice, driving rain, and marine animal calls, but more and more, human activity is adding to the noise. Ships' propellers create low-frequency hums that can travel hundreds of kilometers or more in the deep ocean. Scientists have now modeled this shipping noise on a global scale. The world-wide maps will be presented for the first time at the 21st International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2013), held June 2-7 in Montreal.
Researchers focus on dairy's carbon footprint
Researchers at the University of Arkansas are attempting to help the U.S. dairy industry decrease its carbon footprint as concentrations of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere reach record levels.
Playing games with the climate
Gábor Kutasi of the Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary, has applied game theory to the problem of climate change to help him analyse the relationships between international players on the world stage, occurrence and effects, attitude towards carbon emissions, the power struggles taking place and the negotiations that are under way between nations, energy companies and the public.
Mighty Eagle gets a new view
(Phys.org) —The Mighty Eagle, NASA's robotic prototype lander managed out of NASA"s Marshall Space Flight Center, recently completed a test series to monitor its systems functionality after coming out of winter storage. This latest series included a test flight that was recorded by the Quad-Copter—a small vehicle also developed at Marshall that was equipped with a video camera allowing for never-before-seen footage of the Mighty Eagle.
Elevated carbon dioxide making arid regions greener
Scientists have long suspected that a flourishing of green foliage around the globe, observed since the early 1980s in satellite data, springs at least in part from the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. Now, a study of arid regions around the globe finds that a carbon dioxide "fertilization effect" has, indeed, caused a gradual greening from 1982 to 2010.
Starfish threatens famed Philippine coral reefs
A coral-killing starfish has begun infesting a channel of water in the Philippines famed for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world, the government said Friday.
Native Ohioans' speaking patterns help scientists decipher famous moon landing
When Neil Armstrong took his first step on the Moon, he claimed he said, "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" – but many listeners think he left out the "a." A team of speech scientists and psychologists from Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing and The Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus is taking a novel approach to deciphering Armstrong's quote by studying how speakers from his native central Ohio pronounce "for" and "for a." Their results suggest that it is entirely possible that Armstrong said what he claimed, though evidence indicates that people are statistically more likely to hear "for man" instead of "for a man" on the recording. The team will present its work at the 21st International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2013), held June 2-7 in Montreal.
Big asteroid swinging by Earth has its own moon
Astronomers getting their first close-up glimpse of a giant asteroid about to whiz by Earth found a surprise bonus rock. A smaller moon asteroid is circling the larger space rock, an unusual but not unheard of space phenomenon.
Answer to opal mystery shows Red Centre's links to Red Planet
(Phys.org) —The dramatic geological events that created opal, Australia's national gemstone, have been described for the first time by a University of Sydney researcher.
Massive asteroid with moon to pass Earth today
An asteroid nearly two miles (three kilometers) wide is set to pass by Earth Friday with no risk of impact, offering scientists a rare chance to study a massive flying object with its own moon.
Catastrophic climatic events leave corals facing a decade-long fight for recovery
Marine conservationists from Plymouth University, and the Universidad Federal da Bahia in Brazil, have spent more than 17 years analysing the diversity and density of coral colonies off the coast of South America.
Study reveals more acid seas could alter early development of Atlantic longfin squid
Acidifying oceans could dramatically impact the world's squid species, according to a new study led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) researchers and soon to be published in the journal PLOS ONE. Because squid are both ecologically and commercially important, that impact may have far-reaching effects on the ocean environment and coastal economies, the researchers report.
Medicine & Health news
Japan-backed fund unveils TB, malaria therapy search
A non-profit group said Friday it was launching a project to comb the catalogues of some of Japan's biggest drug companies in the hunt for treatments for diseases that kill thousands of people every year.
New TCD research on pregnancy loss in rural Ireland
The importance of support networks to mediate the impact of pregnancy loss and minimise the risk of disenfranchised grief has been highlighted in new research undertaken by Trinity College's School of Social Work and Social Policy.
Poor dental health impacting on Aboriginal mums
University of Adelaide researchers are calling for a greater sensitivity towards Aboriginal women in dental clinics and improved accessibility to dental care.
Food insecurity linked to HIV-treated drug users' deaths
Food insecurity increases the risk of death among injection drug users living with HIV/AIDS even when they are receiving life-prolonging antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to a new study involving Simon Fraser University.
Hope sparked by new vaccine for Alzheimer's
Brain research has made unprecedented progress over the years, with Europe at the forefront of scientific advances. But more can be done. This comes from Alzheimer's Disease International who issued their report on the Global Economic Impact of Dementia. They estimate that if dementia care were a country, it would be the world's 18th largest economy, ranking between Turkey and Indonesia.
Shortening the time from medical research to treatment
Chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's have seen an increase across Europe due to higher life expectancy and changes in lifestyle. In principle it is biomedical research that will lead to discoveries, which can offer new therapies and diagnostic solutions. Yet often these stay too long in the laboratory, which creates delays reaching the patients in need.
Study examines non-communicable disease burden in Pakistan
Non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and injuries have become the major causes of disability and death in Pakistan, according to a report by a group of researchers that included Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health professor, Adnan A. Hyder. Furthermore, while rates of death and disability from non-communicable diseases are expected to continue to increase, Pakistan's health care system is unprepared to handle the rising burden. The report suggests that if current trends continue, nearly 4 million people between the ages of 30-69 will die from cardiovascular disease, cancers and chronic respiratory disease by 2025.
Understanding sunscreen choices
As the summer season kicks into gear, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Health Center experts today to urge consumers to make smart decisions about sunscreen use. Effective this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is phasing in new requirements about sunscreen labeling requirements, and Blumenthal is leading efforts to ask the FDA to take additional measures to protect consumers.
Still long delays in diagnosing TB and HIV
It still takes a long time for TB and HIV patients in Uganda to be properly diagnosed. As a result, many patients are infectious without knowing it themselves. These diagnostic delays, and also adherence to therapy, can be explained by a combination of social and health care related factors, such as a lack of awareness about the diseases, the sex of a patient and socioeconomic status. This is one of the conclusions of the PhD research of Ibrahim Sendagire.
Combating loneliness in old age: A virtual friendship coach for elderly persons
Loneliness often comes with old age. Making new contacts and cultivating old friendships is not always easy for many elderly persons. At the same time, many elderly persons are increasingly losing their shyness of computers. Scientists at Graz University of Technology together with international partners have developed concepts for computer applications to reduce loneliness in old age. The "Virtual Coach Reaches Out To Me" programme, in short – V2me, is meant to help the 65+ generation to find new friends, become more socially active, and stay mobile and mentally fit. In initial tests in homes for the elderly, a draft version of the interactive friendship coach enjoyed great popularity. The final evaluation phase of the prototype commenced in May with a broad user study.
Sweet dreams in the North Sea
Some workers in Norway's North Sea Oil industry alternate between night and day shifts, the so-called swing shift. A recent study conducted by Postdoctoral fellow Siri Waage and colleagues at the University of Bergen's (UiB) Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, shows that sleep quality and complaints of insomnia became worse during the offshore work period amongst both these swing shift workers and those who only do day shifts.
Researchers investigate a less toxic radiation treatment for HPV-Positive oropharynx cancer
Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center and other institutions have completed a phase II clinical trial that may help identify those patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who do not require the full radiation dose given in a standard regimen of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Preliminary findings will be presented by Shanthi Marur, first author on the study and an oncologist at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Sunday, June 2.
Researchers narrow the search for biomarkers of drug resistance in head and neck cancer patients
Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center will present data at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 1, which shows the discovery of potential biomarkers that may be used to identify patients with head and neck cancer whose tumors are unlikely to respond to treatment by the targeted therapy cetuximab—a type of monoclonal antibody. The FDA approved the drug, in combination with radiation or as a second-line drug after chemotherapy had failed, in 2006. In 2011, the drug was approved as a first-line treatment for metastatic disease, in combination with chemotherapy.
Remarkable progress in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health
Rapid expansion of programs to prevent HIV transmission to babies and vaccinate children show how results can be achieved in relatively little time.
FDA clears medical device for muscle and joint rehabilitation
The Food and Drug Administration today granted 510(k) clearance to a muscle and joint rehabilitation medical device developed by OHSU Scientist Dr. Paul Cordo, Ph.D., and AMES Technology, Inc.
Where entrepreneurship is at home
Entrepreneurship plays an important role for the prosperity of today's modern societies. Those who want to found a company under their own steam and who want to make it an economic success, need more than a good idea and the necessary expertise. Business founders usually are characterized by a quite specific entrepreneurial personality structure. Great companies with long traditions are proof of this, as well as numerous scientific studies. "People with an entrepreneurial personality structure are more open to new experience, more extravert and conscientious. Moreover, they are less anxious and don't tend to avoid conflicts with others," Dr. Martin Obschonka of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) explains. Such a personality structure doesn't come from nowhere. According to the psychologist it is much rather a result of genetic factors and also of experience.
Indian drugs group eyes $5 bn Swedish deal
Indian group Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is in talks to buy leading Swedish drugmaker Meda AB in what could result in a $5 billion takeover, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Australia urges world to stand up to tobacco industry
Australia on Friday urged governments around the globe to stand up to the tobacco industry, saying it was confident of victory in a new legal battle over its landmark plain packaging rules.
France sees restrictions on e-cigarettes
Health Minister Marisol Touraine on Friday said France would apply the same bans to electronic cigarettes as it does to tobacco but would not completely outlaw the popular smokeless product.
New statement released by anticoagulation forum
(HealthDay)—The Anticoagulation Forum has endorsed a new consensus statement aimed at optimizing the delivery of anticoagulation therapy to inpatients; the statement has been published in the May issue of the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
New method to test breast lesions could better detect cancer, save money by reducing repeat biopsies
A newly developed, single-step Raman spectroscopy algorithm has the potential to simultaneously detect microcalcifications and enable diagnosis of the associated breast lesions with high precision, according to data published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Elite athletes often shine sooner or later—but not both
An Indiana University study that compared the performance of elite track and field athletes younger than 20 and those 20 and older found that only a minority of the star junior athletes saw similar success as senior athletes.
Does Type 2 diabetes really exist?
The term "Type 2 diabetes" is leading medical researchers astray, and resulting in sub-optimal treatment for patients, says a leading diabetes expert in a Viewpoint published in the Lancet.
Is enough being done to make drinking water safe?
There is a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of technologies used to reduce arsenic contamination finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Evidence. More studies assessing the technologies themselves and how they are used in the community are needed to ensure that people have access to safe, clean water.
Good kidney health begins before birth
Researchers have found that conditions in the womb can affect kidney development and have serious health implications for the child not only immediately after birth, but decades later.
Getting better without antibiotics
Given the option, many women with symptoms of urinary tract infections are choosing to avoid antibiotics and give their bodies a chance to heal naturally, finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Family Practice. The research shows that 70% of women with symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infections who did not use antibiotics for a week were cured or showed improvement.
Probiotics prevent diarrhoea related to antibiotic use
Probiotic supplements have the potential to prevent diarrhoea caused by antibiotics, according to a new Cochrane systematic review. The authors studied Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections in patients taking antibiotics and found symptoms of diarrhoea were substantially reduced when patients were also treated with probiotics.
Quitting smoking: Licensed medications are effective
Nicotine replacement therapy and other licensed drugs can help people quit smoking, according to a new systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. The study, which is an overview of previous Cochrane reviews, supports the use of the smoking cessation medications that are already widely licensed internationally, and shows that another drug licensed in Russia could hold potential as an effective and affordable treatment.
Singapore bracing for worst dengue epidemic
Singapore is bracing itself for its worst ever dengue epidemic with infections this year already exceeding the total for all of 2012, official statistics showed Friday.
Technique could identify patients at high risk of stroke or brain hemorrhage
Measuring blood flow in the brain may be an easy, noninvasive way to predict stroke or hemorrhage in children receiving cardiac or respiratory support through a machine called ECMO, according to a new study by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Early detection would allow physicians to alter treatment and take steps to prevent these complications—the leading cause of death for patients on ECMO.
Virtual coach helps Parkinson's patients stick with exercise
New research from Terry Ellis, assistant professor at Sargent College and Director of the Center for Neurorehabilitation, has found that a virtual exercise coach was effective in helping individuals with Parkinson's disease adhere to a daily walking regimen.
Homeless and abused children benefit from animal-assisted therapy
(Medical Xpress)—There were almost 32,000 substantiated cases of severe abuse, neglect and violence in Australia last year with some children dying as a result. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, the age group most likely to be murdered is 0-12 months.
In dating game, narcissists get the girl
(HealthDay News)—Men with high levels of narcissism—an unrealistically positive self-image coupled with feelings of entitlement—have an easier time than others attracting a potential mate, new German research says.
Death toll from SARS-like virus rises to 30
The global death toll from a SARS-like virus has risen to 30, the World Health Organization said Friday after three people died of the illness in Saudi Arabia, which is bearing the brunt of the outbreak.
New Japan malaria vaccine cuts infections 'by 72%'
A team of Japanese researchers say they have developed a vaccine that cuts the risk of malaria developing in humans by more than two-thirds.
Pretesting cervical tumors could inform treatment
(Medical Xpress)—Doctors at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that testing cervical tumors before treatment for vulnerability to chemotherapy predicts whether patients will do well or poorly with standard treatment. The study supports the future possibility of personalized medicine for cervical cancer, a tumor normally addressed with a one-size-fits-all approach.
A DNA-unraveling enzyme in neutrophils essential for deep vein thrombosis
(Medical Xpress)—It takes more than platelets, thrombin and fibrin to build a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Increasingly, researchers are recognizing that neutrophils—cells better known for their role in immune defense—play an active role in DVT formation by releasing platelet-catching nets made of chromatin, a tightly-wound mix of DNA and associated proteins.
Women reject promiscuous female peers as friends, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—College-aged women judge promiscuous female peers – defined as bedding 20 sexual partners by their early 20s – more negatively than more chaste women and view them as unsuitable for friendship, finds a study by Cornell developmental psychologists.
Consumers like olive oil for health and flavor but need more facts, survey finds
Consumers in the United States are enthusiastic about the flavor and potential health benefits of olive oil but still a bit hazy on how to select, evaluate and describe this ancient but increasingly popular food product, according to a new survey released this week by the Olive Center at the University of California, Davis.
Extending the self: Some cold truths on body ownership
"Who are you?" Some might ponder this question philosophically, while others will answer straightforwardly: "I am my body and my personality". But the boundaries of "self" are not as straightforward as we might think.
Research suggests origins of key cells in the thymus
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) allow the thymus to ensure that the body's T cells are able to distinguish between potentially harmful foreign antigens and those that are produced by the body itself. A Swiss-Japanese research team suggests that mTECs do not share a common progenitor with cortical-thymic TECs (cTECs) that produce T cells, but may actually evolve from them.
Give barefoot running the boot?
Barefoot running has been making headlines ever since 1960, when a shoeless Abebe Bikila set a new world-record marathon time at the Rome Olympics. Even manufacturers have muscled in on the trend over the years, with most now offering their own version of 'barefoot' or 'minimalist' shoes.
Study coaxes clays to make human bone
Weak bones, broken bones, damaged bones, arthritic bones. Whether damaged by injury, disease or age, your body can't create new bone, but maybe science can. Researchers at North Dakota State University, Fargo, are making strides in tissue engineering, designing scaffolds that may lead to ways to regenerate bone. Published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, the research of Dr. Kalpana Katti, Dr. Dinesh Katti and graduate student Avinash Ambre includes a novel method that uses nanosized clays to make scaffolds to mineralize bone minerals such as hydroxyapatite.
Walking leads to better health for older men
The more an older man walks, the better his physical and mental health and his quality of life are likely to be, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
Smoking leads to five-fold increase in heart disease and stroke in under-50-year-olds
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by five-fold in people under the age of 50 and doubles risk in the over-60s. The protection of children and adolescents from taking up smoking is essential to the future health of Europeans and stronger measures are needed, according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The warning comes on World No Tobacco Day, held today.
UCLA-led team may have found key to cause of Cushing disease
Cushing disease is a life-threatening disorder most commonly triggered by tumors, often benign, in the pituitary glands, resulting in excess production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The condition is marked by progressive weight gain, excessive fatty tissue deposits and a rounding of facial features, known as "moon face," and can lead to diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity and psychological disturbances.
New therapy is tolerable in lung cancer
A promising new therapy for the most common form of lung cancer appears to produce largely manageable side effects, and an ongoing clinical trial is determining whether the compound treats tumors more effectively than what's on the market, according research that scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center will present at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 1.
Studies link fatigue and sleep to MLB performance and career longevity
Two new studies show that fatigue may impair strike-zone judgment during the 162 game Major League Baseball season, and a MLB player's sleepiness can predict his longevity in the league.
New technique alleviates painful bone metastases
A high-dose of ultrasound targeted to painful bone metastases appears to quickly bring patients relief, and with largely tolerable side effects, according to new research presented by Fox Chase Cancer Center scientists at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Monday, June 3.
Many solid tumors carry genetic changes targeted by existing compounds
Nearly two-thirds of solid tumors carry at least one mutation that may be targeted, or medicated, by an existing compound, according to new findings from researchers Fox Chase Cancer Center that will be presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on June 3. The results suggest that it may one day become commonplace for doctors to sequence tumors before deciding on a treatment regimen.
Bright light therapy may improve sleep and promote recovery in patients with mild TBI
A new study suggests that bright light therapy may improve sleep, cognition, emotion and brain function following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Sleep deprived men over perceive women's sexual interest and intent
A new study suggests that one night of sleep deprivation leads to an increase in men's perceptions of both women's interest in and intent to have sex.
Live and let die: Protein prevents immune cell suicide
A protein called c-FLIP-R is critical to immune cell survival: If this molecule is missing, the cells kill themselves – and are thus no longer able to perform their job fighting off invaders. Now, scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Braunschweig and at the Otto von Guericke University (OvGU) Magdeburg have published their findings in the renowned European Journal of Immunology.
HIV treatment adherence and outcomes improving among HIV-positive transgender people
HIV-positive transgender people are just as likely to stay in care, take their medication and have similar outcomes as other men and women living with the disease, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published online May 30 in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The study—which looked at almost 37,000 patients at 13 HIV clinics from 2001 to 2011 in the US—suggests an encouraging shift from earlier work documenting poor retention in care and drug adherence in transgender people, a high risk group for HIV.
How disease mutations affect the Parkin protein
Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in the United Kingdom have determined the crystal structure of Parkin, a protein found in cells that when mutated can lead to a hereditary form of Parkinson's disease. The results, which are published in The EMBO Journal, define the position of many of the mutations linked to hereditary Parkinson's disease and explain how these alterations may affect the stability and function of the protein. The findings may in time reveal how the activity of Parkin is affected in patients with this rare but debilitating type of Parkinson's disease.
Smartphone apps can make workouts more fun
(HealthDay)—You're jogging at a steady pace, enjoying your favorite music through your headphones. Your breath is short and your heart is pumping. Your legs feel like they couldn't carry you any faster.
ASCO: Cancer patients want to talk about costs with docs
(HealthDay)—Although financial distress is common, even in insured patients, discussion of costs of cancer care with doctors rarely happens, according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from May 31 to June 4 in Chicago.
Antismoking messages in media linked to intention to quit
(HealthDay)—Awareness of antismoking messages in a single media channel or in multiple media channels is associated with intention to quit smoking, according to research published in the May 31 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
Texting proves beneficial in auditory overload situations
During command and control operations, military personnel are frequently exposed to extreme auditory overload – essentially bombarded by multiple messages coming from radio networks, loudspeakers, and live voices in an environment also filled with high-level noise from weapons and vehicles.
Exposure to general anaesthesia could increase the risk of dementia in elderly by 35 percent
Exposure to general anaesthesia increases the risk of dementia in the elderly by 35%, says new research presented at Euroanaesthesia, the annual congress of the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA). The research is by Dr Francois Sztark, INSERM and University of Bordeaux, France, and colleagues.
Difference in arterial health seen in highly active college-age people compared to inactive peers
Indiana University researchers found that people in their 20s already began to demonstrate arterial stiffening—when arteries become less compliant as blood pumps through the body—but their highly active peers did not.
Gaps in health outcomes persist in English youth
(HealthDay)—Despite a government program in England to reduce health inequalities, indicators for health outcomes in deprived youth did not improve between 1999 and 2009, according to research published online May 30 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Patients like commercial programs for weight loss
(HealthDay)—Patients view being overweight in a nonmedical context, and the use of commercial providers to manage weight loss mirrors this perspective, according to research published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Research shows how ritalin affects brains of kids with ADHD
(HealthDay)—Ritalin activates specific areas of the brain in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mimicking the brain activity of children without the condition, a new review says.
Aggressive lowering of BP may up risk of CHD in diabetes
(HealthDay)—Aggressive lowering of blood pressure may be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in black or white patients with diabetes, according to research published online May 20 in Diabetes Care.
Are men better than women at acoustic size judgments?
New research published today in Biology Letters reveals that men are significantly better than women at assessing someone's body size from the sound of their speech.
Lead acts to trigger schizophrenia
Mice engineered with a human gene for schizophrenia and exposed to lead during early life exhibited behaviors and structural changes in their brains consistent with schizophrenia. Scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine say their findings suggest a synergistic effect between lead exposure and a genetic risk factor, and open an avenue to better understanding the complex gene-environment interactions that put people at risk for schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
Facebook profiles raise users' self-esteem and affect behavior
A Facebook profile is an ideal version of self, full of photos and posts curated for the eyes of family, friends and acquaintances. A new study shows that this version of self can provide beneficial psychological effects and influence behavior.
Circadian rhythms control body's response to intestinal infections
(Medical Xpress)—Circadian rhythms can boost the body's ability to fight intestinal bacterial infections, UC Irvine researchers have found.
Cortical microcircuitry: Can we predict function from structure?
(Medical Xpress)—Neuroscientists have sought to explain diseases like schizophrenia and autism in terms of abnormal development of cortical microcircuitry. Before leaping to high level functional conclusions from low level anatomy, it may be a good idea to ask what low level functions can even be inferred from structure. A new perspective paper in Science titled, " Neuronal Birth to Cortical Circuitry," takes stock of new techniques for tracing the development of some of the more colorful players on the cerebral roster. Chief among them are the enigmatic "chandelier cells" that can usurp control over the output of nearly all the pyramidal cells in their vicinity. Chandelier synapses are able to outcompete all comers to command the most highly coveted real estate in all the cortex—the axon initial segment. The ability to electrically patch onto targeted subtypes of developing cortical cells, while imaging the effects of their activity on the surrounding network now offe! rs the opportunity to directly map microscale anatomy to function. Where sterile electron micrographs (EM) previously only hinted at the dynamic storm continually unfolding at every synapse, researchers might now begin to expand the limited notion of static cortical "circuits" under the enlightened understanding that development processes in the brain might slow down, but they never really end.
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