الخميس، 8 سبتمبر 2016

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


New perovskite research discoveries may lead to solar cell, LED advances

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

'Promising' and 'remarkable' are two words a scientist has used to describe recent research results on organolead mixed-halide perovskites. Perovskites are optically active, semiconducting compounds that are known to display intriguing electronic, light-emitting and chemical properties.

Battle of the sexes? Not when negotiating with friends

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

Women are as savvy and exacting as their male counterparts when negotiating with or on behalf of friends, finds a new study on women in the workplace.

National education reformers target local school boards

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

Local school board elections increasingly are becoming a national political battleground, as millions of dollars in campaign cash pours in from out-of-state donors in the name of education reform, indicates new research.

Ross River virus battle breakthrough

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:35 AM PDT

A potential new therapeutic treatment for the global battle against mosquito-borne alphavirus infections, including the debilitating Ross River virus and chikungunya virus, has been uncovered by scientists.

Corporate social responsibility can backfire if employees don’t think it’s genuine

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:57 AM PDT

A new study looks at what happens when a company's employees view its efforts related to corporate social responsibility as substantive (perceived to be other-serving and genuinely aimed at supporting the common good) or symbolic (perceived as self-serving and performed primarily for reputation and to enhance profits). Using three samples aggregating more than 1000 working adults, researchers developed and tested a measure of substantive and symbolic corporate social responsibility.

In eastern Tibetan forest, signs of tree growth amid climate change

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:55 AM PDT

Word of mouth from nomadic herders led Lucas Silva into Tibetan forests and grasslands. What his team found was startling: rapid forest growth in tune with what scientists had been expecting from climatic changes triggered by rising levels of carbon dioxide.

Incubating climate change research

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:55 AM PDT

A group of scientists have designed and built an inexpensive incubator that could boost research into how animals and plants will be affected by climate change.

White racism tied to fatal heart disease for blacks and whites

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:55 AM PDT

Living in unabashedly racist communities can shorten the lives of both blacks and whites, according to new research. Researchers compared the racial biases of nearly 1.4 million people nationwide to death rates in more than 1,700 U.S. counties. Their findings suggest that blacks and, to a lesser degree, whites who reside in overtly racist communities are more prone to dying from heart disease and other circulatory diseases.

Thrive or fail: Examining forest resilience in the face of fires

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Scientists outline a framework to help scientists better test, understand and predict when forests are resilient enough to recover from fire or when a combination of conditions could tip the scales, drastically altering forest landscapes.

Risk to small children from family dog often underestimated

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Dog bites suffered by young children are often inflicted by the family dog. Such incidents frequently occur despite the presence of an adult. A survey of dog owners shows that people underestimate risky situations involving the family dog.

Future fisheries can expect $10 billion revenue loss due to climate change

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Global fisheries stand to lose approximately $10 billion of their annual revenue by 2050 if climate change continues unchecked, and countries that are most dependent on fisheries for food will be the hardest hit, finds new research.

Flying the flag for an airship revolution

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

The rise of freight airships could go down like a lead balloon with traditional aircraft companies but could also represent a new high for Asian companies seeking to exploit new ways to reach world markets, according to new research.

New tumor analysis method identifies high-risk prostate cancer

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

A new way to identify which prostate cancer patients are likely to develop aggressive types of the disease, even if their tumors at first appear to be lower risk, has been created by investigators. The new findings could help physicians prescribe the most effective treatments for each patient based on how genes are activated in the individual tumor.

Model maps out molecular roots of learning and memory formation

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

A team of researchers has built a mathematical model that describes the molecular events associated with the beginning stage of learning and memory formation in the human brain. The research paves the way for understanding cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases -- at the molecular and cellular levels.

Antibacterial ingredients in indoor dust could contribute to antibiotic resistance

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as 'superbugs,' pose a major public health threat. Some officials have even warned of a post-antibiotic -- and sicker -- era. To better understand the problem, researchers have been piecing together its contributing factors. Now, scientists report for the first time a link between antimicrobial substances such as triclosan in indoor dust and levels of antibiotic-resistance genes, which can transfer from one bacterial cell to another.

Cognitive function tests reliable for people with intellectual disabilities, research shows

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

A battery of tests appears to have strong potential for measuring cognitive changes over time for people with intellectual disabilities, research concludes. The work could open new doors to research into whether drugs and specialized educational programs or treatments can improve function in people with Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and other causes of intellectual disabilities.

How fungi help trees tolerate drought

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

Specific adaptations in the transcriptome of the most common ectomycorrhizal fungus could help their hosts be more resistant to drought stress, a finding that could be useful in developing more plant feedstocks for bioenergy amidst the changing climate.

Driving or talking? The brain concentrates on one thing at a time

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

When we are busy with something that requires the use of sight, the brain reduces hearing to make it easy for us, concludes a new study. The results give researchers a deeper understanding of what happens in the brain when we concentrate on something.

Snake eats lizard eats beetle: Fossil food chain from the Messel Pit examined

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:20 AM PDT

Scientists have examined a spectacular discovery from the UNESCO World Heritage site Messel Pit: A fossil snake in whose stomach a lizard can be seen, which in turn had consumed a beetle. The discovery of the approximately 48-million-year-old tripartite fossil food chain is unique for Messel; worldwide, only one single comparable piece exists.

En route to better transformers

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Researchers have found a way of looking inside the iron core of transformers. Transformers are indispensable in regulating electricity both in industry and in domestic households. The better their iron cores are magnetized, the less energy they lose and the more efficiently they work. The groundbreaking investigatory method of neutron grating interferometry developed at the PSI has opened up the possibility of observing magnetic domains at work as they establish magnetic fields inside the iron core. This is a significant step towards understanding how transformers work.

Maternal smoking could lead to an increased risk for Tourette syndrome, tic disorders

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

An association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk for Tourette syndrome and other chronic tic disorders has been uncovered by researchers. The link seems especially strong for complex presentations of Tourette syndrome in which two or more psychiatric disorders are present.

New treatment strategy against Alzheimer’s disease?

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

New research suggests that Alzheimer's disease may trigger increased expression of an enzyme called lysozyme, which attempts to counteract amyloid build-up in the brain.

Potential role for vitamin A in pancreatic cancer discovered

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Vitamin A may have a role to play in tackling the commonest form of pancreatic cancer, scientists have discovered. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of malignancy of the pancreas, is extremely aggressive and very difficult to treat. Many scientists are currently investigating the genetic mutations and biochemical signalling pathways that enable cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.

Link between weather, chronic pain is emerging through an innovative national smartphone research project

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Preliminary findings from a mass participation study have indicated a link between weather conditions – specifically rain and lack of sunshine – and chronic pain.

New research supports hep C treatment for people who use drugs

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

Global health experts are today are calling for the removal of restrictions preventing people who use drugs from accessing new hepatitis C cures. So long as these restrictions exist, the goal of disease elimination will remain out of reach, they say.

Computer simulation reveals p53 weak spots, opens new avenues against cancer

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

Using microsecond timescale molecular dynamics simulations, a new study reveals p53 weak spots and sheds light on the protein instability, which is linked to its tendency to aggregate and form amyloid structures.

More evidence that TV ads may influence kids' drinking

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

The more advertising kids see for particular brands of alcohol, the more they consume of those brands, according to a new study. The work adds to evidence linking alcohol advertising to underage drinking. And it suggests that TV ads really do influence the amount of alcohol kids drink.

Overcrowding forces pheasants to cooperate in Hawaii

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

'Survival of the fittest' usually means that animals put their own needs first, but occasionally it pays to work together. A new study describes an unusual example of cooperative breeding in an introduced pheasant population in Hawaii, where young males help care for chicks and defend against intruders rather than striking out on their own.

Migrating birds speed up in spring

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

It turns out being the early bird really does have its advantages. A new study shows that migrating birds fly faster and put more effort into staying on course in spring than in fall, racing to arrive to their breeding grounds as soon as possible to get an edge in raising the next generation.

Factor isolated from babies' cord blood could treat harmful inflammation, sepsis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:39 PM PDT

A factor found in umbilical cord blood could become the basis for developing new drugs to fight harmful inflammation, researchers report. When given to mice, the newly discovered factor countered signs of inflammation and sepsis, such as fever, fluctuations in respiratory rate, and death. The factor circulates in the blood of newborns for about two weeks after birth and is not found in older babies or adults, according to the study.

PSA failure predicts risk of death only in healthy men

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:36 PM PDT

A rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men who have previously been treated for prostate cancer is significantly associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk of death, a new study has found.

New breed of optical soliton wave discovered

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:36 PM PDT

Sharks and minnows: Scientists discover an optical soliton wave that rides with and feeds off of other soliton waves, much like a pilot fish with a shark.

Aerosol emissions in East Asia driven by consumption in developed countries

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:35 PM PDT

Much of the influence on climate from air pollution in East Asia is driven by consumption in the developed countries of Western Europe and North America, according to research by atmospheric scientists.

Tuning the instrument: Spider webs as vibration transmission structures

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:35 PM PDT

Two years ago, scientists revealed that, when plucked like a guitar string, spider silk transmits vibrations across a wide range of frequencies, carrying information about prey, mates and even the structural integrity of a web. Now, a new collaboration has confirmed that spider webs are superbly tuned instruments for vibration transmission -- and that the type of information being sent can be controlled by adjusting factors such as web tension and stiffness.

Healthcare corruption taken to task by technology, study shows

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Mobile phone technology could help to beat bad practices in healthcare delivery, research suggests. Innovations such as apps offer opportunities for improving governance in the healthcare sector, particularly in low and middle income countries, the study found.

Throughout history, humans have preferred their pigs to be black, suggests study

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

An international team of researchers studied the mitochondrial DNA and MC1R gene sequences in tissue samples collected from 57 modern feral Hawaiian pigs. They found a novel mutation in all the black-colored pigs which is different to the mutation in European and Asian domestic pigs with black coats. This finding suggests that for thousands of years, humans in different parts of the world have been independently selecting and breeding pigs for their black color.

Simulation study highlights potential driving risk posed by patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

The potential driving risk posed by patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is highlighted in a simulation study.

Research reveals artificial thyroid cancer epidemic

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Doctors around the world are over diagnosing the most common thyroid cancer, creating an artificial epidemic that costs billions of dollars each year in unnecessary medical costs, suggests new research.

Recessions are harmful to health

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

A review of studies investigating the 2008 recession in Europe show it was associated with adverse health outcomes, particularly for suicides and mental health problems, finds a study.

Twins should be delivered at 37 weeks to minimize deaths, say experts

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Twins should be delivered at 37 weeks' gestation to minimize stillbirths and newborn deaths, and there is no clear evidence to support routine delivery before 36 weeks' gestation, finds a large international study.

Irregular heartbeat linked to wider range of serious conditions than previously thought

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

An irregular heartbeat (known as atrial fibrillation) is associated with a wide range of serious events, including heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and sudden cardiac death, finds a large study.

New sensor could help fight deadly bacterial infections

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 03:21 PM PDT

Scientists have built a new sensor that can detect the potentially deadly E.coli bacteria in 15-20 minutes, much faster than traditional lab tests.

Discovery creates future opportunity in quantum computing

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 03:21 PM PDT

Perovskite systems have been shown to be highly efficient at converting sunlight to electricity. Now, scientists have discovered a new use for perovskites that runs counter to the intended usage of the hybrid organic-inorganic material.

Steroid use linked to worse outcomes in Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 03:21 PM PDT

Researchers have found that patients who were prescribed corticosteroids as part of treatment for Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis had worse long-term outcomes of regaining facial function than those who were prescribed antibiotic therapy alone. Based on these findings the researchers urge caution in prescribing corticosteroids to patients with acute Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis.

Corticosteroid use linked to worse outcomes for patients with lyme disease-associated facial paralysis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:58 AM PDT

Patients who were prescribed corticosteroids as part of treatment for Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis had worse long-term outcomes of regaining facial function than those who were prescribed antibiotic therapy alone, new research shows. Based on these findings, the researchers urge caution in prescribing corticosteroids to patients with acute Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis.

New PET scan for prostate cancer patients

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:58 AM PDT

A new effective PET/CT scan for prostate cancer patients can detect the location and extent of cancer that has recurred after initial treatment. Prostate PET/CT scans can detect cancer earlier than either CT scans alone or MRI scans.

A tail of gene expression

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:57 AM PDT

Messenger molecules that convey instructions from DNA to protein factories for protein synthesis require special molecular tails for their stability and function. Now, scientists have found that many messenger molecules in the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea have alternate forms that vary in the lengths and positions of their tails.

Nano-lipid particles from edible ginger could improve drug delivery for colon cancer, study finds

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:57 AM PDT

Edible ginger-derived nano-lipids created from a specific population of ginger nanoparticles show promise for effectively targeting and delivering chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat colon cancer, according to a study.

Beat the stock market by satisfying customers

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:57 AM PDT

Satisfy your customers and win in the stock market, says a new study by a team of researchers who found positive stock returns on customer satisfaction far out-distance competitive market measures that have been in play for more than half a century.

Consumers may search online for 30 days, but buy close to what they found on the first day

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:57 AM PDT

Retailers and advertisers are keen to influence the search and final purchase through better product recommendations and targeted advertising. A new article studies online search and purchase behavior of consumers in the digital camera category and finds that even though consumers may search for extended periods of time, what they purchase tends to be remarkably close to items they searched and found in their very first search.

Effect of summer melt on Greenland ice sheet

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:56 AM PDT

Operation IceBridge, NASA's airborne survey of polar ice, is flying in Greenland for the second time this year, to observe the impact of the summer melt season on the ice sheet.

Flowers critical link to bacteria transmission in wild bees

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:56 AM PDT

Flowers are a hot spot of transmission of bacteria that end up in the microbiome of wild bees, new research has found. The work shows for the first time that multiple flower and wild bee species share several of the same types of bacteria. Bees therefore obtain both food and bacteria from flowers. These bacteria may play important roles in bee health.

NFL players' careers most affected by surgery to patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and ACL

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:56 AM PDT

The first comprehensive injury database that compares return-to-play rate and performance-based outcomes in NFL players who had orthopaedic surgery has now been released. Nearly 80 percent of the 559 players included in the database returned to play after surgery. Surgery for tendon injuries results in worse career trajectory than with other surgeries, say the authors, emphasizing that understanding performance outcomes may lead to alterations in training regimens and help guide postoperative expectations for an athlete's career

What are the challenges of implementing new TB screening guidelines?

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:56 AM PDT

An editorial accompanies the publication of new US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening recommendations for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in primary care settings. The editorial points out the urgent need for TB-related research to identify new tools and diagnostics that will identify patients who are at high risk from progressing from latent TB infection to active TB disease.

Project investigates malnutrition in children, liver impairments

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:55 AM PDT

A gene, PEX2, has been identified as an essential requirement for the loss of peroxisomes in cells cultured without enough nutrients. The study's findings contribute to a project on novel treatment strategies for severely malnourished children.

New article-level metric measures the influence of scientific research

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:55 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new metric, known as the Relative Citation Ratio, which will allow researchers and funders to quantify and compare the influence of a scientific article. RCR measures a scientific publication's influence in a way that is article-level and field-independent.

Extending primary care hours is linked to fewer emergency department visits

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:55 AM PDT

Keeping primary care practices open for more hours on nights and weekends was linked to a reduction in patient-initiated emergency department visits for minor problems, according to a new study.

Structure of mammalian protein complex of respiratory chain solved at atomic level

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 10:16 AM PDT

The mitochondrial Complex I plays a central role in cellular respiration and energy metabolism. The ~1 Megadalton L-shaped protein complex is the largest protein assembly of the respiratory chain and now the largest asymmetric membrane protein assembly solved to date.

Rumor patterns on social media during emergencies

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 10:16 AM PDT

Chat and social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook have drastically sped up the pace of rumor proliferation during emergencies. This research was conducted in real-time to identify the rumors that had spread on WhatsApp in Israel, but mainly to trace their source and the people disseminating them.

Early study shows malaria vaccine efficacy may improve by changing dosing schedule

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 10:16 AM PDT

Researchers recently published results of a phase II study which demonstrated that by changing the dosing regimen, the efficacy of malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S/AS01, was improved to approximately 87 percent, compared with 63 percent using the current standard regimen.

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News


Humans may be uniquely identified by the proteins in their hair

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 11:31 AM PDT

Unique protein markers in hair could be used alongside DNA profiling for human identification, according to a new study.

High variability suggests glycemic index is unreliable indicator of blood sugar response

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 11:31 AM PDT

The glycemic index value of a food can vary by 20 percent within an individual and 25 percent among individuals, according to the results of a controlled feeding trial in 63 healthy adults. The findings suggest glycemic index has limited value in predicting how foods affect blood sugar levels.

College educated more likely to use e-cigs to quit cigarette smoking

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 10:51 AM PDT

Users of both electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and cigarettes may be more intent on quitting tobacco, but that intention seems to drop off among less educated smokers, according to a study.

Study generates Soviet anthrax pathogen genome from autopsy specimens

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 10:51 AM PDT

A new study used deep DNA sequencing methods to generate the anthrax genome sequence from the victims of the 1979 anthrax outbreak in Sverdlovsk, Russia, when it was part of the USSR.

Antimicrobial chemicals found with antibiotic-resistance genes in indoor dust

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 10:51 AM PDT

University of Oregon researchers have found links between the levels of antimicrobial chemicals and antibiotic-resistance genes in the dust of an aging building used for athletics and academics. One of the antimicrobials seen in the study is triclosan.

Early-life language stimulation, skills may prevent childhood depression

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 10:51 AM PDT

Children who experience low levels of language learning stimulation beginning at three years of age are more likely to experience language delays by first grade and are three times more likely to develop depression by third grade, new research indicates.

Experimental drug could stop melanoma, other cancers, research suggests

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 10:51 AM PDT

An experimental cancer drug works differently than intended and shows significant promise for stopping melanoma and possibly other forms of cancer.

Is sufficient sleep the key to successful antidepressant response?

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT

Antidepressants are necessary for many with major depressive disorder, but response times and remission rates are a problem. Researchers now find sleep might play a part.

Fruit flies yield clues on cancerous tumor hotspots

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT

Scientists have found that the epithelial tissues that line the surfaces of organs throughout the body intrinsically have hot spots for cancerous tumors.They discovered this by examining a common household pest -- the fruit fly.

Scientists identify genes that disrupt response to breast cancer treatment

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT

In breakthrough research on breast cancer, a team discovered that higher levels of the nuclear transport gene XPO1 indicate when a patient is likely to be resistant to the popular drug tamoxifen.

Strong social support is related to shorter stay in inpatient rehab after hospitalization

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:52 AM PDT

A recent study showed that patients with strong social support from family and friends spend less time in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. 'Without the social support of family and friends, patients take longer to return home to the community. We believe that support from loved ones may lead to better recovery and better quality of life,' said the lead author.

Six new groups of molecules could be the key to delaying aging

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

Researchers assess how six previously identified plant extracts can delay aging by affecting different signalling pathways that set the pace of growing old.

Intestinal bacteria influence food allergies

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

Countless microorganisms live in the intestinal tract. Researchers have been able to demonstrate that intestinal bacteria also play a role in determining the strength of anaphylactic reactions to food allergens.

Antidepressant bone loss could be prevented with beta-blockers

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

The antidepressant fluoxetine causes bone loss by instructing the brain to send out signals that increase bone breakdown, but a beta-blocker can intercept the signals, a new study in mice has found.

Acetaminophen not associated with worse asthma in kids

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:40 AM PDT

Children with mild, persistent asthma did not have worse asthma symptoms after taking acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) for pain or fever, compared to using ibuprofen (e.g., Advil), according to the results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

No consensus on how the microbiome affects tuberculosis, review finds

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:40 AM PDT

Inconsistencies across studies and sampling errors remain major barriers to understanding how the lung microbiome changes with tuberculosis, according to a new review.

Probing a mosquito protein for clues in the fight against Zika

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:37 AM PDT

As health departments around the United States boost efforts to combat Zika, scientists are working on new ways to kill the mosquitoes that carry the virus. One approach involves understanding the molecular mechanisms that keep the bugs alive so we can then undermine them. Scientists report that they have revealed new structural insights on a key protein from Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species most often linked to the spread of Zika.

Sugar transforms a traditional Chinese medicine into a cruise missile

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

Chemical biologists report that tests of triptolide in human cells and mice are vastly improved by the chemical attachment of glucose to the triptolide molecule.

Extra physical education classes may benefit bone health in girls, study shows

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

A long-term study carried out in four Swedish schools evaluated whether extra physical education classes (200 minutes weekly as opposed to 60 minutes weekly) would have an impact on bone parameters in growing children. The seven-year study specifically measured the impact of school-based exercise on tibia cortical bone mass distribution, finding that the extra activity time saw significant bone benefits in girls.

Computerized tissue image analysis reveals underlying genomics of ER+ breast cancer

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:36 AM PDT

The number of tubules in tumors may predict which women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer will benefit from hormone therapy alone and which require chemotherapy. A computer program to automatically count the tubules correlated with the scores produced by the current best test differentiating between indolent and aggressive ER+ cancers.

Ross River virus battle breakthrough

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:35 AM PDT

A potential new therapeutic treatment for the global battle against mosquito-borne alphavirus infections, including the debilitating Ross River virus and chikungunya virus, has been uncovered by scientists.

Brain peptide research may lead to promising new treatments for mental illnesses

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 08:33 AM PDT

Recent research points to the importance of a molecule called relaxin-3 in the brain, with effects on various processes and behaviors such as mood, stress, and cognition. Because these are often aberrant in mental illnesses, investigators are studying the potential of relaxin-3-based interventions to treat depression, anxiety, and other conditions.

White racism tied to fatal heart disease for blacks and whites

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:55 AM PDT

Living in unabashedly racist communities can shorten the lives of both blacks and whites, according to new research. Researchers compared the racial biases of nearly 1.4 million people nationwide to death rates in more than 1,700 U.S. counties. Their findings suggest that blacks and, to a lesser degree, whites who reside in overtly racist communities are more prone to dying from heart disease and other circulatory diseases.

Risk to small children from family dog often underestimated

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Dog bites suffered by young children are often inflicted by the family dog. Such incidents frequently occur despite the presence of an adult. A survey of dog owners shows that people underestimate risky situations involving the family dog.

New tumor analysis method identifies high-risk prostate cancer

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

A new way to identify which prostate cancer patients are likely to develop aggressive types of the disease, even if their tumors at first appear to be lower risk, has been created by investigators. The new findings could help physicians prescribe the most effective treatments for each patient based on how genes are activated in the individual tumor.

Model maps out molecular roots of learning and memory formation

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

A team of researchers has built a mathematical model that describes the molecular events associated with the beginning stage of learning and memory formation in the human brain. The research paves the way for understanding cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases -- at the molecular and cellular levels.

Earned income tax credit program is a boon for health, report suggests

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

The Earned Income Tax Credit program is not only good for people's pocketbooks, but also for their health, new research shows. Findings of a new suggest that the program is much more cost-effective than many health interventions and has the added benefit of reversing mortality trends among low-income Americans in some states that have been experiencing increases in mortality in recent years.

Antibacterial ingredients in indoor dust could contribute to antibiotic resistance

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:54 AM PDT

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as 'superbugs,' pose a major public health threat. Some officials have even warned of a post-antibiotic -- and sicker -- era. To better understand the problem, researchers have been piecing together its contributing factors. Now, scientists report for the first time a link between antimicrobial substances such as triclosan in indoor dust and levels of antibiotic-resistance genes, which can transfer from one bacterial cell to another.

Cognitive function tests reliable for people with intellectual disabilities, research shows

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:22 AM PDT

A battery of tests appears to have strong potential for measuring cognitive changes over time for people with intellectual disabilities, research concludes. The work could open new doors to research into whether drugs and specialized educational programs or treatments can improve function in people with Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and other causes of intellectual disabilities.

Maternal smoking could lead to an increased risk for Tourette syndrome, tic disorders

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

An association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk for Tourette syndrome and other chronic tic disorders has been uncovered by researchers. The link seems especially strong for complex presentations of Tourette syndrome in which two or more psychiatric disorders are present.

People in unhappy relationships more likely to have suicidal thoughts

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Being in a relationship does not necessarily, in itself, protect people from having suicidal thoughts. This is the finding of a recent study into the correlation between relationship status and suicidal thoughts.

New treatment strategy against Alzheimer’s disease?

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

New research suggests that Alzheimer's disease may trigger increased expression of an enzyme called lysozyme, which attempts to counteract amyloid build-up in the brain.

Potential role for vitamin A in pancreatic cancer discovered

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Vitamin A may have a role to play in tackling the commonest form of pancreatic cancer, scientists have discovered. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of malignancy of the pancreas, is extremely aggressive and very difficult to treat. Many scientists are currently investigating the genetic mutations and biochemical signalling pathways that enable cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.

Link between weather, chronic pain is emerging through an innovative national smartphone research project

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT

Preliminary findings from a mass participation study have indicated a link between weather conditions – specifically rain and lack of sunshine – and chronic pain.

New research supports hep C treatment for people who use drugs

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

Global health experts are today are calling for the removal of restrictions preventing people who use drugs from accessing new hepatitis C cures. So long as these restrictions exist, the goal of disease elimination will remain out of reach, they say.

Computer simulation reveals p53 weak spots, opens new avenues against cancer

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

Using microsecond timescale molecular dynamics simulations, a new study reveals p53 weak spots and sheds light on the protein instability, which is linked to its tendency to aggregate and form amyloid structures.

More evidence that TV ads may influence kids' drinking

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:17 AM PDT

The more advertising kids see for particular brands of alcohol, the more they consume of those brands, according to a new study. The work adds to evidence linking alcohol advertising to underage drinking. And it suggests that TV ads really do influence the amount of alcohol kids drink.

Factor isolated from babies' cord blood could treat harmful inflammation, sepsis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:39 PM PDT

A factor found in umbilical cord blood could become the basis for developing new drugs to fight harmful inflammation, researchers report. When given to mice, the newly discovered factor countered signs of inflammation and sepsis, such as fever, fluctuations in respiratory rate, and death. The factor circulates in the blood of newborns for about two weeks after birth and is not found in older babies or adults, according to the study.

PSA failure predicts risk of death only in healthy men

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:36 PM PDT

A rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men who have previously been treated for prostate cancer is significantly associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk of death, a new study has found.

Scientists reverse alcohol dependence in animal models

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:35 PM PDT

The more a person drinks, the more they reinforce activation in the neuronal "circuit," which then drives further alcohol use and addiction. It's as if the brain carves a special path between alcohol and reward. Now researchers report that there may be a way to switch off the urge for compulsive drinking, based on a new study in animal models.

Scientists reveal insights into treatment resistance of metastastic breast cancer research

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:34 PM PDT

A dynamic gene expression in metastatic breast cancer has been discovered that may contribute to disease progression and resistance to treatment experienced by many patients.

Healthcare corruption taken to task by technology, study shows

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Mobile phone technology could help to beat bad practices in healthcare delivery, research suggests. Innovations such as apps offer opportunities for improving governance in the healthcare sector, particularly in low and middle income countries, the study found.

European standards to prevent repeat heart attacks launched today

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

European standards to prevent repeat heart attacks have now been released. The consensus document outlines the steps patients and healthcare professionals can take to prevent recurrent heart attacks.

Simulation study highlights potential driving risk posed by patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

The potential driving risk posed by patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is highlighted in a simulation study.

Research reveals artificial thyroid cancer epidemic

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Doctors around the world are over diagnosing the most common thyroid cancer, creating an artificial epidemic that costs billions of dollars each year in unnecessary medical costs, suggests new research.

Recessions are harmful to health

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

A review of studies investigating the 2008 recession in Europe show it was associated with adverse health outcomes, particularly for suicides and mental health problems, finds a study.

Twins should be delivered at 37 weeks to minimize deaths, say experts

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

Twins should be delivered at 37 weeks' gestation to minimize stillbirths and newborn deaths, and there is no clear evidence to support routine delivery before 36 weeks' gestation, finds a large international study.

Irregular heartbeat linked to wider range of serious conditions than previously thought

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:31 PM PDT

An irregular heartbeat (known as atrial fibrillation) is associated with a wide range of serious events, including heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and sudden cardiac death, finds a large study.

New sensor could help fight deadly bacterial infections

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 03:21 PM PDT

Scientists have built a new sensor that can detect the potentially deadly E.coli bacteria in 15-20 minutes, much faster than traditional lab tests.

Steroid use linked to worse outcomes in Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 03:21 PM PDT

Researchers have found that patients who were prescribed corticosteroids as part of treatment for Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis had worse long-term outcomes of regaining facial function than those who were prescribed antibiotic therapy alone. Based on these findings the researchers urge caution in prescribing corticosteroids to patients with acute Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis.

Corticosteroid use linked to worse outcomes for patients with lyme disease-associated facial paralysis

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:58 AM PDT

Patients who were prescribed corticosteroids as part of treatment for Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis had worse long-term outcomes of regaining facial function than those who were prescribed antibiotic therapy alone, new research shows. Based on these findings, the researchers urge caution in prescribing corticosteroids to patients with acute Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis.

New PET scan for prostate cancer patients

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:58 AM PDT

A new effective PET/CT scan for prostate cancer patients can detect the location and extent of cancer that has recurred after initial treatment. Prostate PET/CT scans can detect cancer earlier than either CT scans alone or MRI scans.

What are the challenges of implementing new TB screening guidelines?

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:56 AM PDT

An editorial accompanies the publication of new US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening recommendations for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in primary care settings. The editorial points out the urgent need for TB-related research to identify new tools and diagnostics that will identify patients who are at high risk from progressing from latent TB infection to active TB disease.