From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 2:02 AM
Subject: Phys.org Newsletter Monday, Jun 24
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>
Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 24, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists use electron 'ink' to write on graphene 'paper'- The CORE of the matter: Identifying recurrent genomic regions to determine tumor phylogeny
- New study suggests Voynich text is not a hoax
- Could poor math skills raise your risk for foreclosure?
- Resurrecting ancient proteins, team finds just two mutations set stage for evolution of modern hormone signaling
- Giving children non-verbal clues about words boosts vocabularies
- Addiction relapse might be thwarted by turning off brain trigger
- Plants do sums to get through the night, researchers show
- CoRot: Retirement for planet-hunting space probe
- Chemists moving forward with tool to detect hydrogen sulfide
- Researchers release massive database of molecules that might be useful in organic solar cells
- Brain cancer: Hunger for amino acids makes it more aggressive
- Study reveals uncertainty over the benefits of feeding birds in winter
- New 'biowire' technology matures human heart by mimicking fetal heartrate
- Researchers use nanoparticles to speed up or slow down angiogenesis
Space & Earth news
Palm oil companies behind Singapore smog, Greenpeace says
Forest fires in Indonesia, which have cloaked Singapore in record-breaking smog, are raging on palm oil plantations owned by Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean companies, environmental group Greenpeace said Saturday.
Indonesia fires highlight failure to tackle slash-and-burn
Fires in Indonesia that have cloaked Singapore in record levels of smog highlight the continued failure of efforts to prevent illegal slash-and-burn land clearance in a country with a history of chaotic forest management, activists say.
Climate change altering insurers' risk assessment
Climate change is creating more frequent and more unpredictable extreme weather events, forcing insurers to change how they assess the risk of natural disasters hitting a specific area, the Geneva Association think tank said Monday.
New approach for risk screening of contaminated land
Following a century of industrialisation, contaminated sites lie abandoned or underutilized all over the world. Now there is a rapid new approach for risk screening of each site, according to studies from the University of Gothenburg.
Reducing negative impacts of palm oil plantations
Harmful environmental and social impacts of palm oil plantations in the developing world could be minimised by buffer zones around towns and villages; protection of areas with high ecosystem value and effective consultation with local communities.
Clock ticking for Obama climate change push
President Barack Obama is running out of time to make good on his lofty vow to confront climate change head-on, and Congress is in no mood to help.
Obama to propose 'national plan' on climate change
US President Barack Obama will give a major speech on climate change Tuesday in which he will propose a "national plan" to curb carbon pollution despite resistance from Congress.
US state in new alert over nuclear waste leak
Heightened radioactivity levels were found outside a nuclear waste tank in the US state of Washington, officials said Friday, in a new alert about a site used to make Cold War-era bombs.
Photos: Largest and brightest full moon of year
Stargazers are still abuzz over the biggest and brightest full moon of the year, which graced the skies over the weekend.
Singapore sunny, Malaysia gloomy from Indonesian smog
Singapore woke up to clear blue skies on Monday thanks to favourable winds but Malaysia was still being suffocated by smog from forest fires in Indonesia, where cloud-seeding flights have produced little rain.
NCPA assists US Navy with search for possible IED detection devices
As summer heat drives many people to the beach in search of fun in or near the water, University of Mississippi researchers recently went to Pascagoula Beach to conduct measurements designed to help develop systems to detect buried improvised explosive devices – known as IEDs – around the world.
'Cool islands' could be solution to urban heat islands, say researchers
(Phys.org) —In a recent National Science Foundation article, several sustainability scientists from the Global Institute of Sustainability and ASU's Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) highlight their research on Phoenix's urban heat island effects.
Farming carbon: Study reveals potent carbon-storage potential of manmade wetlands
After being drained by the millions of acres to make way for agriculture, wetlands are staging a small comeback these days on farms. Some farmers restore or construct wetlands alongside their fields to trap nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, and research shows these systems can also retain pesticides, antibiotics, and other agricultural pollutants.
Revealed: The mystery of the gigantic storm on Saturn
We now understand the nature of the giant storms on Saturn. Through the analysis of images sent from the Cassini space probe belonging to the North American and European space agencies (NASA and ESA respectively), as well as the computer models of the storms and the examination of the clouds therein, the Planetary Sciences Group of the University of the Basque Country has managed to explain the behaviour of these storms for the very first time. The article explaining the discovery, the lead author being Enrique García Melendo, researcher at the Fundació Observatori Esteve Duran – Institut de Ciències de l'Espai, of Catalonia, was published in Nature Geoscience.
Russian cosmonauts to take torch to space
Russian cosmonauts will in November take the Olympic torch to the International Space Station and on a space walk ahead of the 2014 winter games hosted in Sochi, Russia's space agency announced Monday.
Changing minds about climate change policy can be done—sometimes
Some open-minded people can be swayed to support government intervention on climate change – but only if they are presented with both the benefits and the costs, a new study suggests.
Chinese astronauts manually dock spacecraft
Three Chinese astronauts on the country's longest manned space mission on Sunday succeeded in manually docking their spacecraft with a module orbiting Earth, state media said.
Melting ice pulls Norway closer to Asia
The town of Kirkenes in northernmost Norway used to be further away from Asia than virtually any other European port, but it suddenly seems a lot closer. The reason: Global warming.
Man-made particles affect hurricane frequency, study finds
Higher levels of air pollution reduced the frequency of North Atlantic hurricanes and other tropical storms for most of the 20th century, a study said Sunday.
Two Russian astronauts tackle chores in spacewalk (Update 2)
Two space station astronauts took care of a little outside maintenance Monday.
CoRot: Retirement for planet-hunting space probe
The CoRot spacecraft built to eavesdrop on the music of the stars and detect distant Earth-like planets, will be retired after a successful mission double as long as envisioned, French space agency CNES said Monday.
Migrating animals add new depth to how the ocean 'breathes'
The oxygen content of the ocean may be subject to frequent ups and downs in a very literal sense—that is, in the form of the numerous sea creatures that dine near the surface at night then submerge into the safety of deeper, darker waters at daybreak.
Stray gases found in water wells near shale gas sites
Homeowners living within one kilometer of shale gas wells appear to be at higher risk of having their drinking water contaminated by stray gases, according to a new Duke University-led study.
Astronomers spy on galaxies in the raw
(Phys.org) —A CSIRO radio telescope has detected the raw material for making the first stars in galaxies that formed when the Universe was just three billion years old—less than a quarter of its current age. This opens the way to studying how these early galaxies make their first stars.
Medicine & Health news
Germany's Merkel: Europe firm on GM food stance
(AP)—German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Europe will defend its restrictions on genetically modified food in talks on a new free trade agreement with the United States.
AMA awards grants for medical education innovation
(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) has awarded funding to 11 U.S. medical schools in response to their proposals regarding educational innovations aimed at transforming how future physicians are trained.
Spine surgeons vary considerably in imaging practices
(HealthDay)—Spinal surgeons show considerable variability in imaging practices for elective lumbar spine surgery, according to a study published in the June 15 issue of Spine.
Arrhythmias White Book contains first European data on lead extraction
The first European data on lead extraction was released by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The information is published in the EHRA White Book 20131, launched at EHRA EUROPACE 2013 in Athens, Greece, during 23-26 June.
Gettysburg offers lessons on battlefield medicine
(AP)—As gunshots ravaged the bodies of tens of thousands of soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg 150 years ago, military doctors responded with a method of treatment that is still the foundation of combat medicine today.
Depression screening in AF Clinics recommended by study
Electrophysiologists (EPs) rate the quality of life of patients with Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly better than the patients themselves do, with the greatest level of disagreement about mental health. The abstract study, presented at the EHRA EUROPACE meeting, 23 to 26 June, in Athens, Greece, found that patients with paroxysmal AF, even in the absence of significant concomitant cardiac disease, showed signs of depression, sleeping disorders and low levels of physical activity.
Low-income uninsured adults less likely to have chronic conditions compared with Medicaid enrollees
Compared with adults already enrolled in Medicaid, low-income uninsured adults who may be eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act were less likely to have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, although those with 1 of these conditions were less likely to be aware they had it or to have the disease controlled, according to a study in the June 26 issue of JAMA. The study is being released early to coincide with its presentation at the AcademyHealth annual research meeting.
Injuries from ocean waves more common than thought
(HealthDay)—A study out of Delaware suggests that injuries to beachgoers caused by ocean waves are more common and severe than previously suspected, and people need to be aware of the ocean's power—even in shallow water.
Pesticides tainting traditional China herbs: Greenpeace
Traditional Chinese herbs are being contaminated with a toxic cocktail of pesticides that poses a threat to consumer health and the environment, campaign group Greenpeace said Monday.
Largest intervention of its kind unravels the myths of exercise
An international team of scientists have embarked on an ambitious study, which is believed to be the biggest research of its kind. The objective is to discover if individualised lifestyle strategies can be developed to fight or prevent metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
Identifying the drivers of breast cancer
Information on what causes breast cancer is sorely lacking, making early detection crucial. The sooner breast cancer is found, the greater the chance of treatment and cure.
Poor eyesight can be rectified through nutrition, say leading eye experts
Blindness in the developed world is most commonly caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Over 15 million Europeans are affected by this condition, a figure that is expected to double over the next decade. But the latest research has proven that certain nutrients can prevent this from happening, dispelling the idea that as we age, our eyesight subsequently deteriorates.
First-hand experiences of cosmetic surgery tourists revealed
A study of the experiences of cosmetic surgery tourists, led by the University of Leeds, challenges widely-held perceptions about the safety and motives of people travelling oversees for treatment.
Texas lawmakers approve abortion restrictions
(AP)—Republicans armed with Bible verses have given preliminary approval to some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country as time runs out on the Texas special legislative session.
Physical education should be 'core academic subject'
Daily exercise for school children is so important that physical education should be made a "core academic subject," says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.
Rates of infection in intensive care units in England show impressive fall—and we can explain why, say researchers
Hospitals across England reduced the rate of serious bloodstream infections in intensive care units (ICUs) during a two-year programme, research has shown.
Benefits available to those exposed to 9/11 toxins
(AP)—New York officials are reaching out to people who may have been physically affected by the 9/11 attacks to tell them they may still be eligible for health benefits.
A prenatal trigger for postnatal obesity
During pregnancy, the health of the mother and the intrauterine environment can have dramatic and lasting effects on the child. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disease that affects 0.5-2% of pregnant women and is characterized by increased bile acid levels in the maternal serum.
Malawi trial saves newborn lives
A five-year programme that mobilised communities to improve the quality of care for mothers and newborns reduced newborn mortality by 30 percent and saved at least 1,000 newborn lives in rural Malawi.
Going to synagogue is good for health and happiness, researcher finds
Two new Baylor University studies show that Israeli Jewish adults who attend synagogue regularly, pray often, and consider themselves religious are significantly healthier and happier than their non-religious counterparts. They also report greater satisfaction with life.
Action needed to help tobacco users quit across the globe
More than half of the countries who signed the WHO 2005 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have not formed plans to help tobacco users quit.
One in ten female German or British tourists holidaying in southern Europe suffers sexual harassment
The European Institute of Studies on Prevention (Irefrea) surveyed more than 6,000 people in various airports in Mediterranean countries during summer 2009 to find out the levels of harassment and sex against one's will that had occurred. According to the experts, one in ten female English or German tourists has fallen victim to these practices while on holiday in southern Europe, as well as one in 15 males, as published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Pediatric practices can offer smoking cessation assistance to parents of their patients
Finally some good news for parents who smoke: you may now be able to get help quitting from an unlikely source, your child's doctor. A study in the journal Pediatrics, which has been posted online, shows that it is feasible for pediatric practices to incorporate into their normal routine efforts to inform patients' parents about services available to help them quit smoking. A research team led by MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) physicians describes how practices implementing a program through which parents who smoke receive assistance in quitting reached nearly half the smoking parents, while a control group not using the program helped only a few parents.
New optical metrics can identify patients on 'fast track' to decreased vision
Sophisticated new optical quality metrics can identify older adults likely to have more rapid age-related declines in vision, suggests a study, "Factors Accounting for the 4-Year Change in Acuity in Patients Between 50 and 80 Years", in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
Starting on three drugs at time of diagnosis benefits Type 2 diabetics
Patients with type 2 diabetes fare significantly better if they are started on three medications at the time of diagnosis than if they are prescribed a single drug and have other therapies added later, a San Antonio researcher said June 22 at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago. The findings, from a study funded by the association, could revise the way physicians manage the endocrine disease.
Hello, electronic medical records? It's me, unintended consequences
Emergency department information systems (EDIS), a significant focus of both federal legislation and U.S. health care reform, may ultimately improve the quality of medical care delivered in hospitals, but as currently configured present numerous threats to health care quality and patient safety. Two physician work groups in the American College of Emergency Physicians assessed the potential harm lurking in EDIS and make recommendations on how to improve patient safety as these systems are implemented across the country. Their findings were published online Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Quality and Safety Implications of Emergency Department Information Systems").
Rural women less likely to get radiation therapy after lumpectomy for breast cancer
Rural women with breast cancer are less likely than their urban counterparts to receive recommended radiation therapy after having a lumpectomy, a breast-sparing surgery that removes only tumors and surrounding tissue, a study by Mayo Clinic and others found. The difference is one of several rural disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment the researchers discovered. The findings are being presented at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting in Baltimore.
700 women with urinary cancers in England missing out on prompt diagnosis every year
Around 700 women in England with symptoms of kidney or bladder cancer are missing out on prompt diagnosis and treatment of their condition every year, reveals research in the online only journal BMJ Open.
Hospital mortality rates may be linked to performance on publicly reported medical conditions
Hospital performance on publicly reported conditions (acute myocardial infarction [heart attack], congestive heart failure, and pneumonia), may potentially be used as a signal of overall hospital mortality rates, according to a study by Marta L. McCrum, M.D., of Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues.
Researchers developing novel method to test for HPV and oral cancers
Research being carried out at the University of Notre Dame and its affiliated Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) may lead to the development of a rapid, cost-effective means of screening for oral cancers and the human papillomavirus.
Saudi announces new death from SARS-like virus
An elderly Saudi man has died from the MERS virus, bringing the kingdom's death toll from the SARS-like infection to 33, the health ministry said.
New estimates suggest that a third of H7N9 patients admitted to hospital have died
A group of researchers at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in Beijing, China and The University of Hong Kong, analysed data on hospital admissions related to H7N9, as well as using surveillance data to estimate the risk of fatality for patients who had been admitted to hospital and the risk of fatality in symptomatic cases.
Finding Murray's magic
Research suggests that it is Andy Murray's ability to manage his goals, as well as his skill, determination and motivation that makes him such a successful athlete. Murray dropped out of the French Open after a back injury this year, missing out on his goal of playing in four grand slam finals in a row. But this decision has allowed him to recuperate in time for Wimbledon this month. According to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), athletes who recognise early when a goal is unattainable and switch their focus to other objectives are the most successful at achieving their main career goals.
Why hard drinking is harder on the body with age
(Medical Xpress)—It's no secret that chronic alcohol abuse can cause a variety of health problems. Along with a greater risk of cancer, cardiovascular and liver disease, and depression, heavy over time drinking leads to changes in body composition – in particular, a loss of muscle mass is observed which leads to impaired locomotion and strength. Previous research has suggested this wasting is primarily caused by a decrease in muscle protein production or synthesis, much like that occurring with aging. Excessive alcohol consumption also promotes premature aging. As the proportion of older individuals in the U.S. population is rapidly growing, and many of these individuals are chronic, heavy drinkers, researchers have not yet explored how alcohol abuse interacts with other effects of aging, such as muscle loss.
Researchers help fight life-threatening pregnancy condition
Aston University researchers may have found a solution of a life-threatening pregnancy condition 'Pre-elcampsia'.
Study reveals smoking is undertreated compared to other chronic conditions
(Medical Xpress)—Yale School of Medicine researchers have found that smoking is drastically undertreated compared to chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or asthma.
Researchers aim to target achilles' heel of moving cancer cells
Cancer Research UK scientists are shedding new light on cancer spread – which could help in the development of new treatments for patients according to a study published in Nature Cell Biology.
Cure for young acute myeloid leukaemia patients increases six-fold since 1970s
Almost half of teens and young adults with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) – a typically aggressive form of leukaemia – are cured thanks to improvements in treatment and care, according to research published in the British Journal of Haematology.
Virtual world to help relieve patients' pain
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers in Birmingham are hoping to use the hi-tech world of virtual reality in a bid to relieve the pain of hospital patients.
Tumour monitoring: Breakthrough in making cancer detection portable
New ultrasound imaging technology that measures the blood flow through a tumour may hold the key to more tailored care for cancer patients and rapidly shorten the time it takes to assess whether treatment such as chemotherapy is working.
'Out-of-body' virtual experience could help social anxiety
(Medical Xpress)—New virtual imaging technology could be used as part of therapy to help people get over social anxiety according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
No evidence of increased risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome following vaccination
Patients are not at increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the six-week period after vaccination with any vaccine, including influenza, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Saudi declares new death from MERS virus
A Saudi man has died from the MERS virus, bringing the kingdom's death toll from the SARS-like infection to 34, the ministry of health said on Monday.
Robo-pets may contribute to quality of life for those with dementia
Robotic animals can help to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, according to new research. A study has found that interacting with a therapeutic robot companion made people with mid- to late-stage dementia less anxious and also had a positive influence on their quality of life.
Findings emphasise importance of vitamin D in pregnancy
Pregnant women pass low levels of vitamin D on to their babies at almost three times the extent previously thought, according to new research carried out at London's Kingston University.
When AIDS viruses are transmitted despite treatment
While antiretroviral drugs offer an efficient means of preventing the replication of HIV in the blood, shedding of HIV may occur in semen, so that other persons can become infected during unprotected sexual intercourse. This occurs in particular if the male genital tract also has other viral infections. That is the conclusion reached by a scientist who is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
New non-invasive method for brain research
Neuroscientists at the University of Tübingen have become the first to record neuromagnetic activity in the millisecond-by-millisecond range while the brain of a human subject was under stimulation by electric current. Electric brain stimulation has successfully been used in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders for many decades. However it remained unclear precisely what happens while electric currents are applied to the human brain, because stimulation-dependent interference impeded reliable direct recording or reconstruction of the brain's electric activity.
Biologist focuses on bloodsucking ticks, disease ecology
Ticks—the eight-legged bloodsuckers that most of us avoid—are fascinating to Assistant Professor of Biology Andrea Swei. She studies how ticks interact with the lizards, birds and mammals they feed on and looks at how those relationships affect the risk of humans contracting tick-borne diseases.
U-shaped curve revealed for association between fish consumption and atrial fibrillation
Moderation seems to be key when it comes to eating fish to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) according to an observational study presented at the EHRA EUROPACE congress held 23 to 26 June in Athens, Greece.
New understanding of why anti-cancer therapy stops working at a specific stage
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in California have achieved a breakthrough in understanding how and why a promising anti-cancer therapy has failed to achieve hoped-for success in killing tumor cells. Their work could lead to new insights into overcoming this impasse.
How cholera-causing bacteria respond to pressure
Cholera remains common in non-industrialized parts of the world today. It persists in part because V. cholera, the bacteria that causes the disease, is able to survive in diverse environments ranging from the intestinal lumen, to fresh water, to estuaries, to the sea. A study in The Journal of General Physiology provides new insights about the membrane components of V. cholera that enable it to withstand otherwise deadly increases in osmotic pressure resulting from changes in its surrounding environment.
New research points to potential treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis
Myelin, the fatty coating that protects neurons in the brain and spinal cord, is destroyed in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Researchers have been striving to determine whether oligodendrocytes, the cells that produce myelin, can be stimulated to make new myelin. Using live imaging in zebrafish to track oligodendrocytes in real time, researchers reporting in the June 24 issue of the Cell Press journal Developmental Cell discovered that individual oligodendrocytes coat neurons with myelin for only five hours after they are born. If the findings hold true in humans, they could lead to new treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis.
Lowering costs for higher-cost medicare patients through better outpatient care may be limited
In an analysis that included a sample of patients in the top portion of Medicare spending, only a small percentage of their costs appeared to be related to preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations, limiting the ability to lower costs for these patients through better outpatient care, according to a study in the June 26 issue of JAMA. The study is being released early to coincide with its presentation at the AcademyHealth annual research meeting.
Modified immune cells seek and destroy melanoma
In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Scott Pruitt at Duke University and Merck Research Laboratories report on a human clinical trial in which modified dendritic cells, a component of the immune system, were tested in patients with melanoma. All cells express a complex known as the proteasome, which acts as the garbage disposal for the cell. There are two types of proteasomes: constitutive proteasomes (cPs), which are found in normal tissues, and immunoproteasomes (iPs), which are found in stressed or damaged cells. In a damaged cell, the iP generates protein fragments that are displayed on the surface of the distressed cells, triggering recognition by dendritic cells and subsequent destruction by the immune system.
New study says a person's physical environment affects their likelihood of dishonest behavior
A new study from researchers at leading business schools reveals that expansive physical settings (e.g. having a big desk to stretch out while doing work or a large driver's seat in an automobile) can cause individuals to feel more powerful, and in turn these feelings of power can elicit more dishonest behavior such as stealing, cheating, and even traffic violations.
Pleasure response from chocolate: You can see it in the eyes
The brain's pleasure response to tasting food can be measured through the eyes using a common, low-cost ophthalmological tool, according to a study just published in the journal Obesity. If validated, this method could be useful for research and clinical applications in food addiction and obesity prevention.
Consider a text for teen suicide prevention and intervention, research suggests
Teens and young adults are making use of social networking sites and mobile technology to express suicidal thoughts and intentions as well as to reach out for help, two studies suggest.
Rare pregnancy condition programs babies to become overweight in later life
Babies born to mothers who suffer from a rare metabolic complication during pregnancy are programmed to be overweight, according to a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Targeted viral therapy destroys breast cancer stem cells in preclinical experiments
A promising new treatment for breast cancer being developed at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM) has been shown in cell culture and in animal models to selectively kill cancer stem cells at the original tumor site and in distant metastases with no toxic effects on healthy cells, including normal stem cells. Cancer stem cells are critical to a cancer's ability to recur following conventional chemotherapies and radiation therapy because they can quickly multiply and establish new tumors that are often therapy resistant.
Kidney cancer progression linked to shifts in tumor metabolism
Investigators in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network have uncovered a connection between how tumor cells use energy from metabolic processes and the aggressiveness of the most common form of kidney cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Their findings demonstrate that normal metabolism is altered in ccRCC tumor cells, and involves a shift from using one metabolic pathway to another. This change – termed a metabolic shift – correlates with tumor stage and severity in some cases.
Kids' sinusitis might not need antibiotics, new guidelines say
(HealthDay)—Doctors don't have to automatically prescribe an antibiotic to treat children who appear to have acute sinus infections, according to new guidelines issued by a leading group of pediatricians.
Minority kids less likely to be diagnosed, treated for ADHD
(HealthDay)—Minority children are significantly less likely than their white peers to be diagnosed or treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research shows.
Vibativ approved for certain bacterial pneumonia
(HealthDay)—The antibiotic Vibativ (telavancin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when other treatments aren't suitable.
US unveils tools to help consumers choose health insurance
(HealthDay)—A new website and toll-free call center to help Americans navigate the new health insurance marketplace—a key component of the Affordable Care Act—were announced Monday by the federal government.
Mortality similar for single and multiple primary melanomas
(HealthDay)—Mortality is similar for patients with single primary melanomas (SPMs) and multiple primary melanomas (MPMs), but relative mortality is considerably higher for patients with thicker SPMs versus thicker MPMs, according to a study published online June 19 in JAMA Dermatology.
Survival of England's national health service questioned
(HealthDay)—Recent criticism of England's National Health Service (NHS) has called its survival into question, according to a perspective piece published online June 19 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Local vancomycin reduces infections in cervical fusion
(HealthDay)—The local application of prophylactic vancomycin significantly reduces the risk of surgical site infections in patients undergoing multilevel posterior cervical-instrumented fusions for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), according to a study published in the June 15 issue of Spine.
AAP calls for formal planning in HIV care transitions
(HealthDay)—Successful transitioning from pediatric to adult HIV care requires formal planning, according to a policy statement published online June 24 in Pediatrics.
Guide issued for tying primary care to regional organizations
(HealthDay)—The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has developed a new guide to help primary care practices to assess readiness for connecting electronic health records (EHRs) to regional health information organizations (RHIOs).
ADA: insulin-pump tx with threshold-suspend beneficial
(HealthDay)—For patients with type 1 diabetes and documented nocturnal hypoglycemia, insulin-pump therapy with a threshold-suspend feature reduces nocturnal hypoglycemia over a three-month period, according to a study published online June 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with presentation at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 21 to 25 in Chicago.
Study sets guidelines for stem cell transplants in older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
A new study by an international team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists provides the first statistically-based guidelines for determining whether a stem cell transplant is appropriate for older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) – the most common blood disorders in people over 60 years of age, and frequently a precursor for leukemia.
Study examines benefits, risks to cognitive function of HRT for women ages 50 to 55 years
Postmenopausal hormone therapy with conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) was not associated with overall sustained benefit or risk to cognitive function when given to women ages 50 to 55 years, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Risk of death from ischemic stroke appears to have decreased in US black children
The excess risk of death from ischemic (due to reduced blood flow), but not hemorrhagic (due to bleeding), stroke in US black children has decreased over the past decade, according to a study by Laura L. Lehman, M.D., of Boston Children's Hospital, and colleagues.
Conversations with teens about weight linked with increased risk of unhealthy eating behaviors
Conversations between parents and adolescents that focus on weight and size are associated with an increased risk for unhealthy adolescent weight-control behaviors, according to a study published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics.
US court rules to protect generic drug makers
Manufacturers of generic drugs cannot be sued for adverse side effects caused by products that they did not themselves design, the US Supreme Court ruled on Monday.
Screen all baby boomers for hepatitis C, expert panel says
(HealthDay)—All adults born between 1945 and 1965—the baby boom generation—should be screened for the hepatitis C virus along with injection-drug users and anyone transfused before 1992, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Liver disease may raise risk of heart problems, study says
(HealthDay)—A new study adds to growing evidence of a link between a common liver disease associated with obesity and high risk for heart disease.
Results of landmark 11-year study on weight loss's effect on heart disease risks published today
A landmark study investigating the long-term effects of weight loss on the risks of cardiovascular disease among patients with Type 2 diabetes has now concluded, with significant results to be published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Team discovers new player critical to unleashing T cells against disease
A major study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology provides new revelations about the intricate pathways involved in turning on T cells, the body's most important disease-fighting cells, and was published today in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.
Sugar solution makes tissues see-through
Japanese researchers have developed a new sugar and water-based solution that turns tissues transparent in just three days, without disrupting the shape and chemical nature of the samples. Combined with fluorescence microscopy, this technique enabled them to obtain detailed images of a mouse brain at an unprecedented resolution.
Researchers identify some of the biological roots of migraine from large-scale genome study
In the largest study of migraines, researchers have found 5 genetic regions that for the first time have been linked to the onset of migraine. This study opens new doors to understanding the cause and biological triggers that underlie migraine attacks.
Dream of regenerating human body parts gets a little closer
Damage to vital organs, the spinal cord, or limbs can have an enormous impact on our ability to move, function – and even live. But imagine if you could restore these tissues back to their original condition and go on with life as normal.
New 'biowire' technology matures human heart by mimicking fetal heartrate
A new method of maturing human heart cells that simulates the natural growth environment of heart cells while applying electrical pulses to mimic the heart rate of fetal humans has led researchers at the University of Toronto to an electrifying step forward for cardiac research.
Brain cancer: Hunger for amino acids makes it more aggressive
An enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of specific amino acids makes brain cancers particularly aggressive. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center discovered this in an attempt to find new targets for therapies against this dangerous disease. They have reported their findings in the journal Nature Medicine.
'Singing' rats show hope for older humans with age-related voice problems
A new study shows that the vocal training of older rats reduces some of the voice problems related to their aging, such as the loss of vocal intensity that accompanies changes in the muscles of the larynx. This is an animal model of a vocal pathology that many humans face as they age. The researchers hope that in the future, voice therapy in aging humans will help improve their quality of life.
Genes involved in birth defects may also lead to mental illness
Gene mutations that cause cell signaling networks to go awry during embryonic development and lead to major birth defects may also cause subtle disruptions in the brain that contribute to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder, according to new research by UC San Francisco scientists.
Addiction relapse might be thwarted by turning off brain trigger
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at UC San Francisco have been able to identify and deactivate a brain pathway linked to memories that cause alcohol cravings in rats, a finding that may one day lead to a treatment option for people who suffer from alcohol abuse disorders and other addictions.
Giving children non-verbal clues about words boosts vocabularies
The clues that parents give toddlers about words can make a big difference in how deep their vocabularies are when they enter school, new research at the University of Chicago shows.
The CORE of the matter: Identifying recurrent genomic regions to determine tumor phylogeny
(Medical Xpress)—Analyzing genome-wide data from organisms, tissues or cells generates lists of genomic intervals – continuous structures on a genomic sequence, such as a chromosome. An interval's meaning is dependent on its genomic context, and can identify a region of cancer-related DNA copy number variations (alterations of a genome's DNA that results in the cell having an abnormal number of copies of one or more sections of that DNA). Recently, scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory devised the computational biology method CORE (Cores Of Recurrent Events) that explains genome-wide data in terms of a small number of cores – that is, recurrent intervals – for studying tumor subpopulations and cancer type copy number aberrations.
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