20 lutego 2015

Fwd: Science X Newsletter Thursday, Feb 19


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 20, 2015 at 2:45 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Thursday, Feb 19
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>


Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for February 19, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Rapidly reconfigurable waveform generator on a CMOS chip could be used for high-speed wireless communication
- Researchers first to observe Higgs boson analogue in superconductors
- New nanogel for drug delivery
- Animals tend to evolve toward larger size over time, study finds
- No need for color correction: Perfect colors, captured with one ultra-thin lens
- Telescopes give shape to furious black hole winds
- Sunlight continues to damage skin in the dark
- Data from RHIC, other experiments nearly rule out role of 'dark photons' as explanation for 'g-2' anomaly
- Researchers build atomically thin gas and chemical sensors
- Evolving a bigger brain with human DNA
- Direct observation of bond formations
- A new view of the solar system: Astrophysical jets driven by the sun
- Group dynamics, not star proteins, drive mechanics of crucial cell process
- New brain mapping reveals unknown cell types
- Study outlines impact of tsunami on the Columbia River

Astronomy & Space news

Telescopes give shape to furious black hole winds

NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and ESA's (European Space Agency) XMM-Newton telescope are showing that fierce winds from a supermassive black hole blow outward in all directions—a phenomenon that had been suspected, but difficult to prove until now.

Does dark matter cause mass extinctions and geologic upheavals?

Research by New York University Biology Professor Michael Rampino concludes that Earth's infrequent but predictable path around and through our Galaxy's disc may have a direct and significant effect on geological and biological phenomena occurring on Earth. In a new paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, he concludes that movement through dark matter may perturb the orbits of comets and lead to additional heating in the Earth's core, both of which could be connected with mass extinction events.

Disintegrating rocky exoplanet could unlock secrets to how our solar system was formed

Exciting new research by astronomers at The Open University (OU) and the Universities of Warwick and Sheffield has opened up the chance to find out what distant planets are made of. The team of astronomers have made observations which can help reveal the chemical makeup of a small rocky world orbiting a distant star about 1500 light years away from Earth, increasing our understanding of how planets, including ours, were formed.

Mars hills hide icy past

A complex network of isolated hills, ridges and small basins spanning 1400 km on Mars is thought to hide large quantities of water-ice.

A new view of the solar system: Astrophysical jets driven by the sun

As the sun skims through the galaxy, it flings out charged particles in a stream of plasma called the solar wind, and the solar wind creates a bubble extending far outside the solar system known as the heliosphere. For decades, scientists have visualized the heliosphere as shaped like a comet, with a very long tail extending thousands of times as far as the distance from the Earth to the sun.

Hubble gets best view of a circumstellar debris disk distorted by a planet

Astronomers have used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to take the most detailed picture to date of a large, edge-on, gas-and-dust disk encircling the 20-million-year-old star Beta Pictoris.

MAVEN spacecraft completes first deep dip campaign

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution has completed the first of five deep-dip maneuvers designed to gather measurements closer to the lower end of the Martian upper atmosphere.

The origin of the magnetic field covering the Sun has been discovered

The magnetic field that covers the sun and determines its behavior –the eleven year cycles no less than such conspicuous phenomena as solar spots and solar storms– also has another side to it: a magnetic web that covers the entire surface of the sun at rest and whose net magnetic flow is greater than that of the active areas. A study led by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) has revealed where the flow that feeds this web comes from.

Why can't we design the perfect spacesuit?

So far, every spacesuit humans have utilized has been designed with a specific mission and purpose in mind. As of yet, there's been no universal or "perfect" spacesuit that would fit every need. For example, the US ACES "pumpkin" suits and the Russian Sokol are only for launch and reentry and can't be used for spacewalks. And the Apollo A7L suits were designed with hard soled boots for astronauts to walk on the Moon, while the current NASA EMU and the Russian Orlan are designed for use in space, but with soft soled booties so as not to damage the exterior of the space station.

Dance of the planets in the evening sky

Armagh Observatory reports that the next two weeks provide a rare opportunity to observe the planets Venus, Mars and Uranus in the western evening sky after sunset, and the bright planet Jupiter rising high in the East about the same time.

New Mexico Senate panel passes on spaceport sale bill

New Mexico lawmakers on Thursday debated the merits of Spaceport America and whether its futuristic hangar, its nearly 2-mile-long runway and the 18,000 acres that surround it will offer a return on taxpayers' nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment.

NASA delays space station spacewalk because of suit issue

A series of upcoming spacewalks at the International Space Station will begin a day late.

Stanford pair helping predict solar storms

Life as a forecaster is not easy. Just ask National Weather Service forecasters who misjudged how a recent winter storm would impact the Big Apple. Now imagine trying to predict weather activity on a burning sphere 1.3 million times larger than Earth and 93 million miles away. That is the task of space weather forecasters, who watch the sun carefully for solar flare activity, knowing it can garble radio communications, cook satellites and shut off the lights for millions.

Image: Polish human centrifuge

How do you prepare for the unique experience of weightlessness on a parabolic aircraft flight? An ESA-led team took a ride on this human centrifuge at Poland's Military Institute of Aviation Medicine.

Why the new moon on February 18th is special

Did you hear the one about last month's 'supermoon?'

Medicine & Health news

Sunlight continues to damage skin in the dark

Much of the damage that ultraviolet radiation (UV) does to skin occurs hours after sun exposure, a team of Yale-led researchers concluded in a study that was published online Feb. 19 by the journal Science.

New clues to causes of birth defects

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found a possible clue to why older mothers face a higher risk for having babies born with conditions such as Down syndrome that are characterized by abnormal chromosome numbers.

Researchers uncover a new role of 'moonlighting' proteins

Although known to regulate fundamental cellular processes in humans, including cell growth, division and programmed cell death, the protein group known as chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) proteins is yet to be fully understood.

New ALS gene and signaling pathways identified

Using advanced DNA sequencing methods, researchers have identified a new gene that is associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that results in the loss of all voluntary movement and is fatal in the majority of cases. The next-generation genetic sequencing of the exomes (protein-coding portions) of 2,874 ALS patients and 6,405 controls represents the largest number of ALS patients to have been sequenced in a single study to date.

New brain mapping reveals unknown cell types

Using a process known as single cell sequencing, scientists at Karolinska Institutet have produced a detailed map of cortical cell types and the genes active within them. The study, which is published in the journal Science, marks the first time this method of analysis has been used on such a large scale on such complex tissue. The team studied over three thousand cells, one at a time, and even managed to identify a number of hitherto unknown types.

Neck pain can be changed through altered visual feedback

Using virtual reality to misrepresent how far the neck is turned can actually change pain experiences in individuals who suffer from chronic neck pain, according to research published in Psychological Science.

Evolution may hold the key to more designer cancer drugs like Gleevec

This is the story of Abl and Src—two nearly identical protein kinases whose evolution may hold the key to unlocking new, highly specific cancer drugs.

Plastics chemical tied to changes in boys' reproductive development

When expectant mothers are exposed to plastics chemicals called phthalates during the first trimester, their male offspring may have a greater risk of infertility later in life, a new study suggests.

Improved health care systems needed to combat obesity crisis

Policy and environmental changes are very important in preventing unhealthy weight gain but may not help people with severe obesity achieve substantial weight loss, according to a report published online February 18 in The Lancet. Instead, innovative new treatments, health delivery strategies and initiatives aimed at improving the care of people suffering from obesity must be deployed to fight what has now become a worldwide epidemic, says the lead author of the study.

More women now using compounded hormones without understanding the risks

From 28% to 68% of women using hormones at menopause take compounded, so-called "bioidentical" hormones, but women don't understand the risks of these unapproved, untested treatments, shows an analysis of two large surveys, which was published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society.

25 percent of children who are homeless need mental health services

A pilot study in Wake County, North Carolina, finds that 25 percent of children who are homeless are in need of mental health services. The study, conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and Community Action Targeting Children who are Homeless (CATCH), highlights the need for more screening and support for the millions of homeless children in the United States.

Stalking a wily foe: Scientists figure out how C. difficile bacteria wreak havoc in guts

Sometimes, science means staying awake for two days straight.

Healthy? No thanks: Diets of people worldwide are worsening

There may be more fruit, vegetables and healthy options available than ever before, but the world is mostly hungry for junk food, according to a study of eating habits in nearly 190 countries.

Unhealthy eating habits outpacing healthy eating patterns in most world regions

Worldwide, consumption of healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables has improved during the past two decades, but has been outpaced by the increased intake of unhealthy foods including processed meat and sweetened drinks in most world regions, according to the first study to assess diet quality in 187 countries covering almost 4.5 billion adults, published in The Lancet Global Health journal.

Sickness and health between men and women

Gender and personality matter in how people cope with physical and mental illness, according to a paper by a Washington State University scientist and colleagues at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

WHO urges billions to fight neglected tropical diseases

The World Health Organization on Thursday urged countries to invest billions of dollars to tackle 17 neglected tropical diseases—including dengue fever, leprosy and sleeping sickness—which kill 500,000 people globally each year.

New study helps explain links between sleep loss and diabetes

Lack of sleep can elevate levels of free fatty acids in the blood, accompanied by temporary pre-diabetic conditions in healthy young men, according to new research published online February 19, 2015, in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Cancer risk linked to DNA 'wormholes'

Single-letter genetic variations within parts of the genome once dismissed as 'junk DNA' can increase cancer risk through wormhole-like effects on far-off genes, new research shows.

Biomarker discovery offers clearer prognosis for bowel and rectal cancer patients

For the first time, a biomarker discovered by Macquarie University and Concord Repatriation General Hospital researchers will allow clinicians to distinguish certain types of colorectal cancer patients who do relatively well after surgery from those who may subsequently die from their disease.

Stillbirth may increase women's long term risk for depression

Women who deliver a stillborn infant—but who have no history of depression—may be at a higher risk for long-lasting depression, conclude researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The depression may last beyond the six months most people require to recover from a major loss and persist for as long as 36 months.

Brains of people with Down syndrome age faster, study discovers

A new UCLA study is the first to demonstrate that Down syndrome accelerates aging in different parts of the body. The researchers showed that the biological age of brain tissue from someone with Down syndrome appeared 11 years older than the person's chronological age. Similarly, the biological age of blood tissue was nearly five years older than the person's chronological age. The UCLA team will next test tissue samples from teens with Down syndrome to pinpoint when aging speeds up in people with the condition.

Disruption in brain signals sheds new light on melancholic depression

UNSW researchers have identified a distinctive brain signature in people with melancholic depression, supporting calls for its classification as a unique mood disorder type.

Study shows rural disadvantages under Obamacare

One year after the launch of Obamacare, some rural residents face significant disadvantages, a new Stanford study shows.

Many LGBT medical students choose to stay 'in the closet,' study finds

A survey of medical students found that about 30 percent of those who are sexual minorities don't disclose their sexual identities during medical school.

Cancer referral targets missed for a whole year

Targets to treat patients referred with suspected cancer were missed during every quarter of the last year, latest NHS England figures show.

Highly processed foods linked to addictive eating

A new University of Michigan study confirms what has long been suspected: highly processed foods like chocolate, pizza and French fries are among the most addictive.

Camel, alpaca antibodies target anticancer viruses directly to tumors

Using antibodies from camels and alpacas, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a way to deliver anticancer viruses directly to tumor cells, leaving other types of cells uninfected.

Dog's successful surgery sets stage for treating humans

Almost five years ago, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever was operated on using a technique eventually patented by Virginia Tech biomedical engineering faculty member Rafael Davalos. The beloved family pet suffer from a cancerous mass in the brain, and all other forms of medical treatment had been exhausted. The operation eradicated the malignant tumor, and follow up examinations proved the procedure's success.

Anti-inflammatory drug counters obesity in mice

Obesity represents a global health problem with limited options available for its prevention or treatment. The finding that a key regulator of energy expenditure and body weight is controlled by a drug-targeted inflammatory enzyme opens new possibilities for pharmacologically modulating body weight. This is the conclusion of a study led by Toshihiro Nakajima of Tokyo Medical University in Japan, reported in The EMBO Journal.

Sibling bullying experiences affect perceptions of peer bullying in study

Sibling rivalry and aggression are part of growing up. It's fodder for sitcoms and family films, because anyone who has siblings most likely survived an occasional noogie or verbal lashing.

Female diet alters the nutrient composition of fluid in the womb

Scientists at the University of Soutahmpton's Faculty of Medicine have discovered that maternal diet affects the nutrient composition of fluid in the womb of women and thus may aid in the development of nutritional interventions to support the very earliest stages of pregnancy.

High-quality, centre-based childcare can prevent difficulties

High quality centre-based childcare appears to prevent the development of language and behavioural difficulties over time, particularly among vulnerable children. The factors that appear to affect children include space for learning activities, staff education, relationships with staff, activities offered, time spent in childcare and group size.

Automatic quantification of heart valves from ultrasound

Siemens has developed software, which uses advanced knowledge based data analytics to efficiently model heart valves from 3D Ultrasound images and quantify geometrical dimensions. Valve geometry features are critical for disease diagnostics as well as surgical and catheter based therapy. Today physicians are performing valve measurement using 2D imaging only, making the decision process time consuming and operator dependent, which reduces its reproducibility.

Changes in work, family affect body mass index of dual-income earners

A study co-written by a University of Illinois labor and employment relations professor shows that clocking extra hours at the office while juggling family demands takes a toll on the body mass index of individuals in dual-earner families.

What is sugar's role in child hyperactivity?

For years, parents have insisted that giving kids a big dose of sugar can amp them up, but the science failed to confirm their instincts. Now, with the rising awareness of sugar's role in our diets and health, scientists are once again asking whether sugar could play a role in the growing number of new ADHD cases in American kids. It still isn't entirely clear on whether added sugar is linked to hyperactivity or clinically diagnosed ADHD. But in some areas, the evidence is building. Here's what we do and don't know about ADHD, sugar and kids.

Delaying children's school entry linked to poor academic performance

Delaying school entry could cause poorer academic performance, according to new research from the University of Warwick and funded by the Nuffield Foundation.

Airport screening misses half of disease cases but could be improved

Scientists have shown that airport screening for disease will often miss half or more of infected travellers, but can be improved by customizing to pathogens. The findings are published in the journal eLife.

Study provides evidence for new approaches to prostate cancer

Monitoring prostate cancer (PC) by active surveillance (AS), with the expectation to initiate treatment if the cancer progresses, is a preferred initial option for men with low-risk PC and a life expectancy of at least 10 years. According to the results of a new study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), there is evidence to also support AS as an initial approach for men with favorable intermediate-risk of PC (men with no evidence of the cancer spreading beyond the prostate, a Gleason score of 3+4 or less and PSA, prostate-specific antigen, under 20). These findings are published online by JAMA Oncology.

Mitochondria adopt a crosswise pathway for decoding their genome

Mitochondria, true energy power plants of cells, are able to release the energy contained in food by means of the oxygen which we inhale. These intracellular organelles possess their own DNA, and proteins derived from these genetic instructions are produced according to a specific process, which is not well known. Misregulation of this process can cause mitochondrial genetic diseases in humans.

People with multiple sclerosis may have lower levels of key nutrients

Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have lower levels of important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as folate from food and vitamin E, than healthy people, according to a new study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.

Risk of unexpected sarcoma being discovered after hysterectomy appears fairly low

Uterine sarcoma - a potentially aggressive type of cancer that forms in tissues in the uterus - was found in 0.22 % of women following a hysterectomy for benign conditions, a new large-scale study by the University of Michigan departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Surgery finds.

Lab tests and ultrasounds identify children who need surgical treatment for appendicitis

Data from two standard diagnostic tests commonly obtained in children evaluated for abdominal pain—when combined—can improve the ability of emergency department physicians and pediatric surgeons to identify those patients who should be sent to the operating room for prompt removal of an inflamed appendix; those who may be admitted for observation; and those who may safely be discharged home, according to a new study published online as an "article in press" in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). The study will appear in a print edition of the Journal this spring.

Flame retardants found to cause metabolic, liver problems

Chemicals used as synthetic flame retardants that are found in common household items such as couches, carpet padding, and electronics have been found to cause metabolic and liver problems that can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major cause of obesity, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire.

New test to predict the effectiveness of cancer vaccines

Cancer vaccines are designed to turn the body's own immune system specifically against tumor cells. Particularly promising are vaccines that are directed against so-called neoantigens: These are proteins that have undergone a genetic mutation in tumor cells and, therefore, differ from their counterparts in healthy cells. The tiny alteration - sometimes only a single protein building block has been changed - gives the protein on the tumor cell surface novel immunological characteristics that can be recognized as "foreign" by the immune system's T cells. Therapeutic vaccines using a short protein fragment, or peptide, specifically containing the mutated site can then direct immune cells specifically to the tumor.

'Superbug' outbreak raises questions about medical tool

A "superbug" outbreak suspected in the deaths of two Los Angeles hospital patients is raising disturbing questions about the design of a hard-to-clean medical instrument used on more than half a million people in the U.S. every year.

Evidence suggests that possible regulation of cigarettes not likely to significantly change US illicit tobacco market

Although there is insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions about how the U.S. illicit tobacco market would respond to any new regulations that modify cigarettes—for example, by lowering nicotine content—limited evidence suggests that demand for illicit versions of conventional cigarettes would be modest, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.

Editorial issues a call to action for end-of-life care of older adults in nursing homes

End-of-life care for nursing home residents has long been associated with poor symptom control and low family satisfaction. With more than one in four older Americans dying in a nursing home—including 70 percent of Americans with advanced dementia—an editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association calls for bold action to improve the care and support provided to dying nursing home patients and their families.

Breast cancer spread may be tied to cells that regulate blood flow

Tumors require blood to emerge and spread. That is why scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center believe that targeting blood vessel cells known as pericytes may offer a potential new therapeutic approach when combined with vascular growth factors responsible for cell death.

Study shows sensor technology may help improve accuracy of clinical breast exams

Sensor technology has the potential to significantly improve the teaching of proper technique for clinical breast exams (CBE), according to a new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Growth hormone improves social impairments in those with autism-linked disorder

A growth hormone can significantly improve the social impairment associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in patients with a related genetic syndrome, according to a pilot study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published yesterday on Pub Med, a public database of biomedical topics maintained by the National Institutes of Health (study originally published in the December 12 issue of the journal Molecular Autism).

Statins may not lower Parkinson's risk

The use of statins may not be associated with lowering risk for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The findings cast doubts on reports suggesting that the cholesterol-lowering medications may protect against this neurodegenerative brain disorder.

Mobile app with evidence-based decision support diagnoses more obesity, smoking, depression

Smartphones and tablets may hold the key to getting more nurses to diagnose patients with chronic health issues like obesity, smoking, and depression—three of the leading causes of preventable death and disability. Mobile devices loaded with a custom app that prompts clinicians to follow evidence-based guidelines to make treatment decisions and document care plans makes nurses significantly more likely identify these health issues during routine exams, according to a study from Columbia University School of Nursing published in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners.

Researchers wind up a 40 year old debate on betaretrovirus infection in humans

In a new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry have shown that a betaretrovirus which resembles a mouse mammary tumor virus infects patients with the rare liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Researchers study role of hydrogen sulfide in regulating blood pressure

Widely considered simply a malodorous toxic gas, hydrogen sulfide is now being studied for its probable role in regulating blood pressure, according to researchers.

Precision medicine to prevent diabetes? Personalized model could steer prevention efforts

How can we keep more people from joining the ranks of the 29 million Americans already diagnosed with diabetes? What if we could tell with precision who has the highest risk of developing the disease, and figure out which preventive steps are most likely to help each of them individually?

Research shows that innovative transfusion approach has the potential save to lives

The University of Maryland School of Medicine is part of a new nationwide, multi-site study that may help save hundreds of lives among trauma patients with major bleeding. The study, which was published earlier this month in JAMA, compared two different methods of blood transfusion, and found that one approach gave patients a significantly better chance of survival within the first 24 hours.

US advisory group makes recommendations on diet

A U.S. government advisory panel of medical and nutrition experts on Thursday recommended an environmentally friendly diet lower in red and processed meats. But the panel would reverse previous guidance on limiting dietary cholesterol. And it says the caffeine in a few cups of coffee could actually be beneficial.

Americans still divided over obamacare

(HealthDay)—The Affordable Care Act remains one of the most significant—and controversial—achievements of President Barack Obama's presidency.

Are too many prostate cancer patients receiving treatment?

(HealthDay)—New research suggests that a wait-and-watch approach for prostate cancer isn't being used often enough, and that more men are being treated than may be necessary.

Low cancer risk with device used to remove fibroids, study finds

(HealthDay)—A small power tool that is sometimes used to remove fibroids in the uterus can end up spreading bits of hidden cancerous tumors throughout the abdomen, but a new study suggests the likelihood is low.

More Americans surviving cancer today than 20 years ago

(HealthDay)—Survival rates are improving for many people with cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, liver and colon or rectum, especially for those diagnosed at younger ages, a new study reports.

More Americans dying from hypothermia, CDC says

(HealthDay)—More people are dying from hypothermia in the United States, a new government report shows, raising fresh worries for a nation that has been pounded by a steady succession of winter storms this year.

Folic acid fortification to prevent birth defects hits FDA roadblock

Preventing certain devastating birth defects has become as easy as pie crust - and bread, cereal, pasta, and other grain products.

HIV vaccine trial launches in South Africa

A clinical trial called HVTN 100 has been launched in South Africa to study an investigational HIV vaccine regimen for safety and the immune responses it generates in study participants. This experimental vaccine regimen is based on the one tested in the U.S. Military HIV Research Program-led RV144 clinical trial in Thailand—the first study to demonstrate that a vaccine can protect people from HIV infection. The HVTN 100 vaccine regimen was designed to provide greater protection than the RV144 regimen and has been adapted to the HIV subtype that predominates in southern Africa. The results of the HVTN 100 trial, expected in two years, will help determine whether or not this vaccine regimen will be tested for efficacy in a large future study in South Africa.

Canada says mad cow born two years after regulations toughened

Canada's food safety organization says a cow discovered on an Alberta farm with mad cow disease was born two years after the government imposed a tougher ban on animal feed to guard against the disease.

Obesity Series exposes 'unacceptably slow' progress in tackling soaring global obesity rates over last decade

Global progress towards tackling obesity has been "unacceptably slow", with only one in four countries implementing a policy on healthy eating up to 2010, according to a major new six-part Series on obesity, published in The Lancet.

FDA issues warning as peanuts found in cumin spice

Hundreds of products are being pulled from store shelves after traces of peanut were found in ground cumin spice—a life-threatening danger to some people with peanut allergies.

Researchers ask if flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A is a reproductive or developmental toxicant

Tetrabromobisphenol A, or TBBPA, is a useful flame retardant used in a variety of consumer products, including electrical equipment and household furniture. Organobromide flame retardants such as TBBPA are widely used due to their efficacy and in order to meet fire safety standards for products on the market, but concerns have been raised due to TBBPA's ability to leach into the environment and produce adverse effects on human health and ecosystems overall (Decherf and Demeneix, 2011).

Detained children risk life-long physical and mental harm

Many refugees and asylum seekers, including children, have experienced conflict, family separation and significant human rights violations, including torture, physical and sexual violence in their countries of origin and transit.

Research says approval of new drugs by NICE is 'doing more harm than good'

Research by health economists at the University of York has, for the first time, estimated the effects of changes in NHS expenditure on the health of all NHS patients.

Unsafe burials increase in Ebola-hit countries: WHO

Ebola-hit Sierre Leone and Guinea saw an increase in the last week in unsafe burials that risk spreading the disease, the World Health Organization reported.

Milk proteins show promise in prevention and treatment of cancer

In a review of existing research, a team of Australian researchers found that milk proteins, consisting of short sequences called peptides, are potential candidates for the development of anticancer agents and can be generated by enzymatic action, such as those experienced during digestion or food processing, including fermentation. Their findings are in the recent issue of Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety published by the Institute of Food Technologists.

US martial arts program helps kids manage cancer pain

The young people who learn martial arts at a studio north of Detroit are not considered students.

Study exposes shocking lack of rabies reporting in countries where risk is greatest

The first global survey of rabies reporting systems, published this week, has uncovered a shocking lack of preparedness against this deadly disease across Africa and Asia. Accurate reporting of rabies cases to authorities is a critical first step in controlling rabies and preventing further outbreaks.

Severe asthma: Gallopamil confirmed as a therapeutic approach

A team of Inserm researchers from the Cardio-Thoracic Research Centre of Bordeaux (Inserm/University of Bordeaux and Bordeaux University Hospital) has demonstrated the clinical efficacy of gallopamil in 31 patients with severe asthma. This chronic disease is characterised by remodelling of the bronchi, which exacerbates the obstruction of the airways already seen in "classic" asthma. In contrast to the reference treatment, gallopamil has proved capable of reducing the bronchial smooth muscle mass. This work is published in the 29 January 2015 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Study finds need for better concussion prevention in youth sports

Dina Morrissey, M.D., M.P.H., research associate for The Injury Prevention Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital, recently led a study that found that while compliance with mandated provisions in youth sports concussion laws was high among Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) high schools, compliance with recommended concussion protocols was very limited. The study, recently published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, suggests that more concussion related standards and protocols need to be written into law in order to raise compliance rates among youth sports groups.

Cyberbullying linked to six-fold increase in depression among female college students

More than 1 in 4 females have experienced cyberbullying in college, increasing their risk for depression. Female college students who acted as cyberbullies were also more likely to report problem alcohol use, according to a new study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

Colorado residents are first to ask feds to block legal pot (Update)

Colorado already is being sued by two neighboring states for legalizing marijuana. Now, the state faces groundbreaking lawsuits from its own residents, who are asking a federal judge to order the new recreational industry to close.

Is health care too important to be left to health departments?

Some governments have decided that health care is too important to leave to their health departments and have made health care a priority for all departments. The concept, called Health in All Policies, or HiAP, has gained traction in some governments but little research has gone into measuring its effectiveness.

Most patients with chronic kidney disease may experience long-term pain

Chronic pain is common in individuals with kidney disease, and in some patients this is associated with improper use of pain medications. The findings come from a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

Why are kidney patients starting dialysis sooner?

Over time, patients with advanced kidney disease have been starting dialysis progressively earlier in the course of their disease, likely because doctors are embracing higher levels of kidney function as being appropriate for dialysis initiation. The findings come from a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

Reynolds American delving deeper into nicotine gum business

Cigarette maker Reynolds American Inc. is partnering with a pharmaceutical consultancy to develop products that help people stop smoking.

Court: Not disclosing HIV before sex is a misdemeanor

New York's highest court says an HIV-positive man who told a partner that they could safely have unprotected sex should face a misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge, not a felony.

Breast milk consumption trending among body builders

(HealthDay)—Some bodybuilders are drinking human breast milk in the mistaken belief it will give a boost to their muscles.


This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list. 

(....)
You are subscribed as pascal.alter@gmail.com


Brak komentarzy:

Prześlij komentarz