From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 3, 2013 at 1:58 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Wednesday, Oct 2
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>
Join the makers of COMSOL Multiphysics at the premier event for simulation and computer aided engineering. Engineers, researchers, and scientists from around the world will gather at the 2013 COMSOL Conference for the chance to showcase their work and share recent ground-breaking discoveries made in modeling and simulation: http://goo.gl/Jaez8O
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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 2, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- The lightness of being: Smaller computer logic components through photon-molecule interaction- Astronomers observe distant galaxy powered by primordial cosmic fuel
- Mars crater may actually be ancient supervolcano, study says
- Juvenile mice secrete a protective pheromone in their tears, blocking adult mating
- Scientists find insect DEET receptors, develop safe alternatives to DEET
- Specialized intestinal cells cause some cases of Crohn's disease
- Seamless photography: Using mathematical models for image stitching
- Resveratrol remains effective against cancer after the body converts it
- New tuberculosis vaccine boosts impacts of old counterpart
- Newly identified biomarkers help predict outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Death of a spruce tree: Study of black spruce forest means trees might store more carbon than thought
- Scientists shed light on body's master energy regulator
- Fear of predators drives honey bees away from good food sources
- Computer scientists develop new approach to sort cells up to 38 times faster
- US official admits testing US cellphone tracking
Space & Earth news
Brazil's natives, blacks demand respect of land rights
Brazil's native tribes and descendants of African rebel slaves protested in Brasilia Tuesday to demand respect of their land rights.
SwRI adds five chambers for deep water simulation testing
Five additional chambers for high-pressure, high-temperature testing are now available for use at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).The deep water ocean chambers are capable of attaining pressures of 30,000 psig at a rated temperature of 650 degrees F. The chambers complement a suite of test facilities in SwRI's Ocean Simulation Laboratory.
BP executive defends spill response tactics
A BP executive who led the company's efforts to halt its massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico testified Tuesday that his decisions were guided by the principle that they shouldn't do anything that could make the crisis even worse.
Brightest beacons
Deep-space missions require precise navigation, in particular when approaching bodies such as Mars, Venus or a comet. How precise?
By Jove! Can climate change lead us to life on other planets?
Thanks to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, we've recently heard a great deal about how the Earth's climate is changing. The IPCC's cautious assessment of the situation is that we now know, with 95% certainty, that human greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming – but did you know that the actions of other bodies in our solar system also have huge effects on our climate?
Government shutdown stops MAVEN work; Threatens NASA Mars launch
The upcoming Nov. 18 blastoff of NASA's next mission to Mars – the "breathtaking beautiful" MAVEN orbiter – is threatened by today's (Oct. 1) shutdown of the US Federal Government. And the team is very "concerned", although not yet "panicked."
Overnight aurora sets sky on fire, more possible tonight
I'm writing this at 1:30 a.m. running on what's powering the sky over northern Minnesota right now – auroral energy. Even at this hour, rays are still sprouting in the southern sky and the entire north is milky blue-white with aurora borealis. Frankly, it's almost impossible to resist going out again for another look.
Early spring warming has greatest effect on breaking bud
The timing of the first leaves on trees and plants can make or break an agricultural season. Too early, and the leaves might be blasted by the last frost. Too late and they miss out on maximizing the growing season.
Quakes rattle Spain, offshore gas storage project blamed
Hundreds of small earthquakes which have rattled Spain's eastern coast were blamed Wednesday by green groups and geologists on a large offshore gas storage plant that started operating in June.
Radioactive shale gas contaminants found at wastewater discharge site
Elevated levels of radioactivity, salts and metals have been found in river water and sediments at a site where treated water from oil and gas operations is discharged into a western Pennsylvania creek.
Making clean drinking water universally available is 'achievable'
(Phys.org) —Making clean drinking water globally accessible is one of the biggest challenges of this century. Yet a new study by Oxford University contends that this goal is achievable if the key elements of good governance and management are adopted.
Death of a spruce tree: Study of black spruce forest means trees might store more carbon than thought
Examining a long-lived forest, researchers have found that Black Spruce trees, which dominate the northern forests of North America, succumb about five years after being weakened by environmental stresses. Without rejuvenating fire, the dead trees aren't being replaced by new ones. The result will help researchers better understand how climate change affects the health of forests, and how forests affect the severity of climate change. The study also suggests trees might be storing more carbon than currently estimated.
Astronomers observe distant galaxy powered by primordial cosmic fuel
(Phys.org) —Astronomers have detected cold streams of primordial hydrogen, vestigial matter left over from the Big Bang, fueling a distant star-forming galaxy in the early Universe. Profuse flows of gas onto galaxies are believed to be crucial for explaining an era 10 billion years ago, when galaxies were copiously forming stars. To make this discovery, the astronomers – led by Neil Crighton of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and Swinburne University – made use of a cosmic coincidence: a bright, distant quasar acting as a "cosmic lighthouse" illuminates the gas flow from behind. The results were published October 2 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Mars crater may actually be ancient supervolcano, study says
(Phys.org) —A research project led by Joseph R. Michalski, Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, has identified what could be a supervolcano on Mars – the first discovery of its kind.
Medicine & Health news
China's e-cigarette inventor fights for financial rewards
The Chinese inventor who dreamed up the electronic cigarette in a nicotine-induced vision says that despite its global popularity, copycat versions and legal disputes mean he has battled to cash in on his creation.
Alumnus launches allergen-free snack startup
Shortly after they started dating in 2010, Robert Dalton and his wife Nicole had a dinner to remember.
Older people urged to get moving to a new, scientifically researched exercise DVD
While the post-Christmas period usually sees a glut of celebrity exercise DVDs hit the shops, a Birmingham researcher is launching an exercise DVD with a difference for an alternative date – Older Adults Day on Tuesday (October 1).
First ever global 'index' to measure wellbeing of older people
A professor at the University of Southampton working with HelpAge International and an international expert group has developed the Global AgeWatch Index to help highlight the varying quality of life and wellbeing that older people experience in countries around the world.
NIH official says spending cuts pose unprecedented threat to biomedical research
Scientific progress and innovation are speeding along, faster than ever before, but arbitrary spending cuts are posing an unprecedented threat.
Free head, neck cancer screenings have positive impact in urban areas
Offering free head and neck cancer screenings annually to the community not only has the possibility of early detection, but also the opportunity – particularly in an urban city – to increase a person's understanding of risk factors that cause cancer, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Radiofrequency ablation effectively treats Barrett's esophagus
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) leads to remission for 91 percent of patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus, according to new figures published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Dysplastic Barrett's esophagus is the most serious grade of the condition in which precancerous cells are detected in the esophagus.
How the skin of patients with psoriasis protects itself from virus infections
Scientists at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered why patients with psoriasis are less susceptible to viral infections than patients suffering from atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema). The reason for this is the larger quantity of special proteins present in psoriatic skin, which inhibit viral replication. The interdisciplinary team under the direction of Dr. Robert Sabat from the Department of Dermatology and the Institute of Medical Immunology, in collaboration with the Institute of Virology and the Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), has additionally discovered a new function of the immune system. The study is published in the current issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Did you have a good time? We know where you'll store the memory of it
Where do you go for a tasty bite and where the food is not so good? Where are you likely to meet an attractive partner and where you risk damage to your health? For every person – but also for animals – the information about pleasant and unpleasant experiences is of key importance. Researchers from the Nencki Institute in Warsaw discovered how and where nice memories are stored.
In spectrum of ACL injury treatment, new study reveals cost savings for those who need surgery
In late summer and early fall when youth and college sports begin, it's a similar refrain: a star on the varsity basketball team tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is out for the season after surgery. A college football game stopped as a defensive safety hobbles off the field with an ACL injury. Annually in the U.S., more than 200,000 ACL injuries are reported, often by active young adult and adolescent athletes, though they can occur at any age. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include rehabilitation or surgery and rehabilitation, and many patients and their families struggle with treatment decisions.
Does post-traumatic stress disorder increase the risk of metabolic syndrome?
People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death. A new study involving a comprehensive review of the medical literature shows that PTSD also increases an individual's risk of metabolic syndrome. What links these two disorders is not clear, according to a study published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.
Association between high BMI and risk of death due to CVD is stronger among east Asians than south Asians
A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has found that the association between body fat and mortality due to cardiovascular disease differs between south and east Asians, a finding that has important implications for global health recommendations. Cardiovascular disease, a condition in which arteries thicken and restrict blood flow, kills more than 17 million people annually, making it the leading cause of death worldwide.
Regulatory cloud hangs over e-cig revolution
The electronic cigarette is seducing Europe and America, luring millions away from traditional tar-depositing tobacco with a battery-powered alternative that claims to be satisfying and harmless.
Delivering the goods: Sweden's midwives stand test of time
Only one ultrasound in nine months and no need to see the doctor or obstetrician: at first glance, Sweden's pregnancy care appears rather simplistic.
A bumpy first day for new insurance marketplaces
For millions of Americans trying to log in, the online insurance marketplaces that are the center of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul began with a stalled website, an error message or a menu that didn't work.
When diseases have a bad name, change is hard
Some diseases just have a bad name. But even when their commonly known labels glorify Nazi doctors or slander certain ethnic groups, old habits are hard to change, experts say.
Big tobacco pushes into e-cigs
The former Playboy centerfold strikes a sultry pose in a bar, the sleek black cigarette in her hand and a handsome dude at her side.
3Qs: The effect of antibiotic resistant bacteria
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report titled Antibiotic resistance threats in the United States, 2013, that served as a first-ever snapshot of the effect antibiotic resistant microbes have on human health. The report cited estimates that 2 million Americans become infected with resistant bacteria each year, 23,000of whom die from their infections. We asked Betsy Hirsch, an assistant professor in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences' Department of Pharmacy Practice, whose research currently focuses on treating a particular class of resistant bugs through combination therapies, to explain the report's significance.
Short sleepers most likely to be drowsy drivers, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—Federal data suggests that 15 to 33 percent of fatal automobile crashes are caused by drowsy drivers, but very little research has addressed what factors play a role in operating a vehicle in this impaired state. New research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is revealing that short sleepers, those who sleep less than six hours per night on average, are the most likely to experience drowsy driving , even when they feel completely rested. The study is published in the October issue of the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.
Breast cancer research highlights gaps
(Medical Xpress)—Research involving a Newcastle University academic has identified the ten critical gaps that exist in breast cancer research, which if not urgently addressed could see the loss of around 185,000 lives by 2030.
Drinking at work a social tool
(Medical Xpress)—Alcohol can be used for social advantage at work by both young employees and their organisation, new research from Victoria University of Wellington has found.
Music in the making
An investigation into how musicians find creative inspiration has identified four key ingredients needed for creative expression. It also shows that musicians may be at their most inspired when they step away from their instruments and think about music in different ways.
Australian study: Rotavirus vaccine increases the risk of intussusception, but benefits of vaccine outweigh risks
Both of the currently available rotavirus vaccines in Australia are associated with a small increase in the risk of intussusception in young infants, according to new research by the Institute and the National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance, Sydney.
Climate change worry good for planet
A study by psychologists at Bath has found that people who excessively worry about climate change should not be stigmatised.
Researchers report cats may be the key to human HIV vaccine
(Medical Xpress)—Blood from HIV-infected human subjects shows an immune response against a cat AIDS virus protein, a surprise finding that could help scientists find a way to develop a human AIDS vaccine, report University of Florida and University of California, San Francisco researchers.
Injectable opioid treatment for chronic heroin addiction more cost-effective than oral methadone
(Medical Xpress)—Supervised injectable opiate treatments are more cost-effective than optimised oral methadone treatment for chronic heroin addiction, according to new research from King's College London.
Musicians suffering for their art
Most of Australia's finest musicians are suffering for their art, according to new University of Sydney research.
New strategy in the fight against TB?
A new approach to combating the tubercle bacillus, the microorganism that kills some 1.5 million people in the world each year, has been developed by a French-British team including scientists from CNRS, Inserm, the Institut Curie and Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier. The researchers have discovered that an amino acid, aspartate, is essential for the development of the bacillus because it acts as its main source of nitrogen. They have also succeeded in establishing the mechanism by which the bacterium extracts aspartate from its host. These results, published online on 29 September 2013 in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, could make it possible to develop new antibiotics and new vaccines derived from attenuated strains of the bacillus, incapable of supplying themselves with aspartate.
Scientist researches parasite that he removed from his own body
Early one morning in December, Jon Allen had decided that enough was enough. He was up anyway, having taken his young son back to bed after a trip to the bathroom. Allen returned to the bathroom with a pair of #5 super-fine-tip forceps, drew a deep breath, and carefully fished a three-quarter-inch long parasitic worm out of his own mouth.
Researchers launch first-ever phase II safety study of rectal microbicide to prevent HIV
Taking an important step toward the development of a product to prevent HIV infections associated with unprotected anal sex, researchers today announced the launch of a global Phase II clinical trial of a potential rectal microbicide. The trial, led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), is testing the rectal use of a reduced glycerin gel formulation of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir.
Predictors of substance abuse identified among teens with bipolar disorder
A study published in the October 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that approximately one in three teens with bipolar disorder developed substance abuse, for the first time, during 4 years of follow-up. The study also identified several risk factors that predicted who among these teens was most likely to develop substance abuse.
Research shows genetic anti-inflammatory defect predisposes children to lymphoma
New research shows that children with an inherited genetic defect in a critical anti-inflammatory pathway have a genetic predisposition to lymphoma. Results of the study, published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), reveal an important association between the genetic defect, which causes chronic intestinal inflammation and early onset inflammatory bowel disease, and its role in cancer development in infants and children.
Textured images help tactile recognition for the blind
The use of different materials with varied textures improves the recognition of tactile images by young blind people, researchers from the Laboratoire de psychologie et neurocognition (LPNC) (CNRS/Université Pierre Mendès France/ Savoie University) have shown. This result, which was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied was achieved in collaboration with Geneva University's Faculté de psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation and Les Doigts Qui Rêvent (Dreaming Fingers) in Talant (Côte-d'Or, France). Among other factors, the researchers emphasise that early, regular use of tactile material by blind children is necessary to improve recognition through touch.
Proper diet and exercise to limit diabetes epidemic
The number of diabetics worldwide is exploding. In response, the largest study of its kind to date is set to investigate type-2 diabetes prevention through diet, exercise and lifestyle. Eight EU nations, along with New Zealand, Australia and Canada, will participate in an EU-funded project headed by University of Copenhagen researchers.
It may not 'get better' for bisexual teens
The "It Gets Better" Project was launched in 2010 as an attempt to address suicides amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual teens by recording online reminders that their lives will improve as they leave school and transition into adulthood. A new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health finds that this is not necessarily the case for bisexual teens and that a more nuanced approach to counseling might help.
Erectile dysfunction drugs may prevent colon cancer
Erectile dysfunction drugs may be able to help prevent or even treat colon cancer, researchers say.
High-dose statins reduce gum inflammation in heart disease patients
Statins, commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol, also reduced inflammation associated with gum disease in a new study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study suggests that steps taken to reduce gum disease may also reduce inflammation in the arteries and vice versa.
Researchers identify the neural circuits that modulate REM sleep
A team of scientists led by Dr. Antoine Adamantidis, a researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and an assistant professor at McGill University, has released the findings from their latest study, which will appear in the October issue of the prestigious scientific journal Nature Neuroscience.
Study: Technology, not uninsured patients, driving hospital costs
Technology, not uninsured patients, likely explains the steep rise in the cost of hospital care in Texas in recent years, according to Vivian Ho, the chair in health economics at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, a professor of economics at Rice and a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Her findings were reported in an article appearing in the Oct. 1 online edition of the journal Healthcare Management, Practice and Innovation.
New MRI technique can detect genetic condition that attacks the heart, brain and nerves
A genetic condition that attacks multiple organs and usually results in fatal heart problems can be detected using a new MRI technique that was developed at the University of Alberta. The discovery of this new diagnostic tool has resulted in updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease in Canada.
Human skin wound dressings to treat cutaneous ulcers
Researchers from Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine and CHU de Québec have shown that it is possible to treat venous ulcers unresponsive to conventional treatment with wound dressings made from human skin grown in vitro. A study published recently in the journal Advances in Skin and Wound Care demonstrates how this approach was successfully used to treat venous lower-extremity ulcers in patients who had been chronically suffering from such wounds.
Bug vs. bug: Benign C. difficile strains keep fatal strains at bay
In a recent study, two different strains of non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile provided protection against both historic and epidemic C. difficile strains. The research was conducted by researchers at Hines VA Hospital and is published ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
California's new mental health system helps people live independently
A new analysis by Oregon State University researchers of California's mental health system finds that comprehensive, community-based mental health programs are helping people with serious mental illness transition to independent living.
Depression may increase your risk of Parkinson's disease
People who are depressed may have triple the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the October 2, 2013, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Long-term cognitive impairment too common after critical illness
Patients treated in intensive care units across the globe are entering their medical care with no evidence of cognitive impairment but oftentimes leaving with deficits similar to those seen in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) that persists for at least a year, according to a Vanderbilt study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
New class of drugs lowers cholesterol in first human trial
A single dose of the small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) drug candidate ALN-PCS cut levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in healthy volunteers by up to 57%, and 40% on average more than those given a placebo, according to the new research published in The Lancet.
New study shows surgery may be effective treatment option for older epilepsy patients
A recently published study by researchers from Spectrum Health and Henry Ford Hospital suggests that surgery may be an effective treatment for epilepsy in older patients, a finding that runs counter to conventional treatment methods.
'Cupcake bans' rare, but policies may reduce overexposure to sugary treats
Nearly 1 in 3 American children are overweight or obese, but sugary sweets are often on the menu at elementary school classroom parties.
Computer glitches mar health insurance rollout
(HealthDay)—Health insurance exchanges from Florida to Hawaii got off to a rough start Tuesday as many consumers encountered long delays and computer system snafus.
Technological advances in health care for Google, Apple
(HealthDay)—Google and Apple have launched developments in health care technology, according to a report published Sept. 20 in Medical Economics.
Study suggests late-term preemies don't do as well in life
(HealthDay)—Babies born between four and six weeks early are more likely than full-term babies to suffer a lifetime of socioeconomic disadvantages, Finnish researchers report.
Massachusetts health law cut race gap for certain surgeries: study
(HealthDay)—Blacks and Hispanics in Massachusetts became more likely to have minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery on their appendix and gallbladder after the state's 2006 health care reforms expanded insurance coverage, a new study finds.
Skin cancer patients not avoiding sun, study suggests
(HealthDay)—Some people with melanoma aren't cautious about sun exposure, a small new study suggests, even though ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer.
AAP discusses responsibilities, role of pediatric hospitalists
(HealthDay)—Pediatric hospital medicine programs have an established place in pediatric medicine, and the expanded roles and responsibilities of pediatric hospitalists should be recognized, along with their integrated role among community pediatricians, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published online Sept. 30 in Pediatrics.
Study: Most twins can be born without a C-section
Expecting twins? You probably don't need to schedule a cesarean section. Most moms can safely give birth without surgery, a big study finds.
NY state health care website slammed with 30M hits
New York's website to allow the uninsured to shop for health insurance under the nation's new health care law has struggled under the surge of nearly 30 million hits in two days.
Making eye contact doesn't always help your cause
New research shows that making eye contact, long considered an effective way of bringing someone to your point of view, may actually make people more resistant to persuasion, especially when they already disagree.
New bacteria found in human gut
(Medical Xpress)—Call it kin to blue-green algae. Cornell and University of California, Berkeley, researchers have identified a new bacteria found in groundwater and in mammalian guts – including those in humans.
Novel biomarker in saliva linked to stress, resilience
(Medical Xpress)—Concerned about the effect of stress on your health and well-being? If your answer is "yes," then Arizona State University professor Doug Granger is doing research that could impact you. Granger is pioneering the field of interdisciplinary salivary bioscience using saliva.
Researchers find tests meant to predict future violence by psychopaths is less accurate than chance
(Medical Xpress)—A trio of British researchers has conducted a study that has revealed that tests given to jailed psychopaths to predict the likelihood of engaging in future violence, are less accurate than chance. In their paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Jeremy Coid, Simone Ullrich and Constantinos Kallis describe how they interviewed and gave tests to inmates in British prisons and then followed up later to see if they engaged in violent activities after release—they found that tests given to predict such behavior in psychopaths were no better than 50 percent accurate.
Specialized intestinal cells cause some cases of Crohn's disease
Scientists have discovered that Crohn's disease, the inflammatory bowel disorder, can originate from specialised intestinal cell type called Paneth cells. As such, they propose that small intestinal Crohn's disease might be a specific disorder of this cell type, providing a possible new target for treatments. The study, by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Harvard University, was published today in the journal Nature.
Resveratrol remains effective against cancer after the body converts it
A chemical found in red wine remains effective at fighting cancer even after the body's metabolism has converted it into other compounds. This is an important finding in a new paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine by Cancer Research UK-funded researchers at the University of Leicester's Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine.
Newly identified biomarkers help predict outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A Yale-led study has identified a gene expression profile that can predict outcomes and lead to better treatment for one of the most lethal lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study appears in Science Translational Medicine.
New tuberculosis vaccine boosts impacts of old counterpart
A tuberculosis vaccine developed at McMaster University offers new hopes for the global fight against tuberculosis.
Certain type of fat could help humans lose weight
(Medical Xpress)—A diet high in a certain type of fat may actually increase metabolism, according to recent research by Texas Tech University nutrition scientists.
Gene scans solve mystery diseases in kids, adults
They were mystery diseases that had stumped doctors for years—adults with strange symptoms and children with neurological problems, mental slowness or muscles too weak to let them stand. Now scientists say they were able to crack a quarter of these cases by decoding the patients' genes.
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