Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Archives of General Psychiatry
Biological link connects childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome
Childhood trauma is a potent risk factor for development of chronic fatigue syndrome, according to a study by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is published in the Jan. 5, 2009 Archives of General Psychiatry.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Contact: Kathi Baker
kobaker@emory.edu
404-727-9371
Emory University
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Neuropsychology
Adult-onset diabetes slows mental functioning in several ways, with deficits appearing early
Adults with diabetes experience a slowdown in several types of mental processing, which appears early in the disease and persists into old age, according to new research. Given the sharp rise in new cases of diabetes, this finding means that more adults may soon be living with mild but lasting deficits in their thought processes.
Contact: Public Affairs
public.affairs@apa.org
202-336-5700
American Psychological Association
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Cancer Cell
'Relocation' plan of metastatic cancer cells uncovered by Stanford researchers
Few things are as tiresome as house hunting and moving. Unfortunately, metastatic cancer cells have the relocation process down pat. Tripping nimbly from one abode to another, these migrating cancer cells often prove far more deadly than the original tumor. Although little has been known about how these rogue cells choose where to put down roots, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have now learned just how nefarious they are.
Contact: Krista Conger
kristac@stanford.edu
650-725-5371
Stanford University Medical Center
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
213th AAS Meeting
Baby Jupiters must gain weight fast
The planet Jupiter gained weight in a hurry during its infancy. It had to, since the material from which it formed probably disappeared in just a few million years, according to a new study of planet formation around young stars.
Contact: David Aguilar
daguilar@cfa.harvard.edu
617-495-7462
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Uncultured bacteria found in amniotic fluids of women who experience preterm births
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and Yale University have made a significant advancement in understanding the cause behind why some pregnant women suffer from inflammations in the inner womb without any signs of an infection. Using gene-cloning techniques, researchers discovered that approximately 60 percent of the bacteria present in women with intra-amniotic inflammations were missed by traditional culture testing -- considered the gold standard for finding bacterial infections.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: Susan Griffith
susan.griffith@case.edu
216-368-1004
Case Western Reserve University
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Medical errors, apologies and apology laws
Apologizing for medical errors is both ethically and professionally responsible and also crucial for improving patient safety and quality of care, write Dr. Noni MacDonald and Dr. Amir Attaran and the CMAJ editorial team.
Contact: Kim Barnhardt
kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca
613-731-8610 x2224
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Nature Biotechnology
Scientists can now differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells
A new study by McMaster University researchers has provided insight into how scientists might develop therapies and drugs that more carefully target cancer, while sparing normal healthy cells.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute of Canada
Contact: Veronica McGuire
vmcguir@mcmaster.ca
90-552-591-402-2169
McMaster University
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Nature Neuroscience
Collagen VI may help protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease
Gladstone scientists have discovered a new type of collagen that may protect neurons against the toxic effects of amyloid beta.
Howard Hughes Medical Institutes, Larry L. Hillblom Fellowship, NIH/National Center for Research Resources
Contact: Valerie Tucker
vtucker@gladstone.ucsf.edu
415-734-2019
Gladstone Institutes
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
New hope for cancer comes straight from the heart
Digitalis-based drugs like digoxin have been used for centuries to treat patients with irregular heart rhythms and heart failure and are still in use today. In the Dec. 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine now report that this same class of drugs may hold new promise as a treatment for cancer. This finding emerged through a search for existing drugs that might slow or stop cancer progression.
Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering
Contact: Audrey Huang
audrey@jhmi.edu
410-614-5105
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
Nutrition and Metabolism
Low-carb diets prove better at controlling type 2 diabetes
In a six-month comparison of low-carb diets, one that encourages eating carbohydrates with the lowest-possible rating on the glycemic index leads to greater improvement in blood sugar control, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.
Robert C. Atkins Foundation
Contact: Debbe Geiger
Debbe.Geiger@duke.edu
919-660-9461
Duke University Medical Center
Public Release: 5-Jan-2009
PLoS ONE
Understanding extinct microbes may influence the state of modern human health
The study of ancient microbes may not seem consequential, but such pioneering research at the University of Oklahoma has implications for the state of modern human health. Cecil Lewis, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, says results of this research raise questions about the microbes living on and within people.
Contact: Jana Smith
jana.smith@ou.edu
405-325-1322
University of Oklahoma
Darwin missed 'earliest' Galapagos species
A bizarre-looking yet ignored species of land iguana might be one of the earliest examples of species diversification in the Galapagos
19:58 05 January 2009
Public Release: 6-Jan-2009
Obesity
Physical activity may not be key to obesity epidemic
A recent international study fails to support the common belief that the number of calories burned in physical activity is a key factor in rising rates of obesity.
Contact: Jim Ritter
jritter@lumc.edu
708-216-2445
Loyola University Health System
Public Release: 6-Jan-2009
213th AAS Meeting
Cassiopeia A comes alive across time and space
Two new efforts have taken a famous supernova remnant from the static to the dynamic. A new movie of data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows changes in time never seen before in this type of object. A separate team will also release a dramatic 3-D visualization of the same remnant.
Contact: Megan Watzke
mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu
617-496-7998
Chandra X-ray Center
Vital Signs
 A Note to the Wise on MySpace Helps
Teenagers often use social networking sites like MySpace to post intimate personal information they come to regret. Enter “Dr. Meg.”When teenagers got a note from “Dr. Meg” warning them about what they had posted, many thought twice about their postings, a new study says.
By ERIC NAGOURNEY
Published: January 5, 2009
Sniff of sickness makes mums prime babies for life
The odour of disease causes pregnant mice to boost their babies' immunity – it is the first proof that environmental cues detected by a pregnant mother can alter traits in her young
IN BRIEF:  09:59 06 January 2009
Cases
The Instincts to Trust Are Usually the Patient’s
Doctors can’t explain it, but every day in medicine there are people who know they are near death, no matter what the tests show.
By SANDEEP JAUHAR, M.D
Second Opinion
Should Patients Be Told of Better Care Elsewhere?
The quality of cancer care at different hospitals is uneven and raises thorny questions about what informed consent should mean.
* Health Guide: Cancer »
By DENISE GRADY
Orbiter, Finishing a Mission, Offers a Peek at Mars’ Wrinkles
Last month, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter wrapped up its two-year primary science phase, and Mars geologists are wallowing in a bounty of data.
* Photographs Slide Show: Postcards From Mars
By KENNETH CHANG
7 January 2009
By Pallab Ghosh BBC News science correspondent
It is said that love is a drug. But is it just a drug?
Public Release: 6-Jan-2009
Journal of Neuroscience
A protein that protects against Alzheimer's?
Research on the mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, to name a few, has taken a step forward thanks to the work of researchers who have successfully demonstrated the protective and reparative role of apolipoprotein D, or ApoD, in neurodegenerative diseases. Their discovery suggests interesting avenues for preventing and slowing the progression of this type of illness.
Contact: Claire Bouchard
bouchard.claire@uqam.ca
514-987-3000
Université du Québec à Montréal
Public Release: 6-Jan-2009
Zitteliana
Four, three, two, one . . . pterosaurs have lift off
Pterosaurs have long suffered an identity crisis. Pop culture heedlessly -- and wrongly -- lumps these extinct flying lizards in with dinosaurs. Even paleontologists assumed that because the creatures flew, they were birdlike in many ways, such as using only two legs to take flight.
Jurassic Foundation
Contact: Maryalice Yakutchik
myakutc1@jhmi.edu
443-287-2251
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Public Release: 6-Jan-2009
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Old gastrointestinal drug slows aging, McGill researchers say
Recent animal studies have shown that an 80-year-old drug once used to treat gastrointestinal disorders can reverse the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. However, scientists had a variety of theories to attempt to explain how a single compound could have such similar effects on three unrelated neurodegenerative disorders. According to researchers at McGill University, clioquinol might actually slow down the aging process. The study was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Contact: Mark Shainblum
mark.shainblum@mcgill.ca
514-398-2189
McGill University
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Polarized light pollution leads animals astray
Human-made light sources can alter natural light cycles, causing animals that rely on light cues to make mistakes when moving through their environment. In the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, a collaboration of ecologists, biologists and biophysicists has now shown that in addition to direct light, cues from polarized light can trigger animal behaviors leading to injury and often death.
Contact: Christine Buckley
christine@esa.org
202-833-8773
Ecological Society of America
Alien asteroid dust hints at Earth-like planets
Dust with a similar composition to the Earth has been found swaddling six stars, suggesting rocky planets may be common
17:22 06 January 2009
Rise of the garage genome hackers
A do-it-yourself movement is hoping to open up synthetic biology to anyone with a passion for tweaking DNA
FEATURE:  15:36 07 January 2009
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
Infection, Genetics and Evolution
Avian flu becoming more resistant to antiviral drugs, says University of Colorado study
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study shows the resistance of the avian flu virus to a major class of antiviral drugs is increasing through positive evolutionary selection, with researchers documenting the trend in more than 30 percent of the samples tested.
US Army
Contact: Andrew Hill
andrew.hill@colorado.edu
303-735-0441
University of Colorado at Boulder
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
Geology
Martian rock arrangement not alien handiwork
A new study published in the journal Geology explains how pebble-sized rocks organize themselves in evenly spaced patterns in sand.
Contact: Leanne Yohemas
leanne.yohemas@ucalgary.ca
403-220-5144
University of Calgary
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
Judgment and Decision Making
You can look -- but don't touch
Consumers are often told that if they break an item, they buy it. But a new study suggests that if they just touch an item for more than a few seconds, they may also end up buying it. Researchers from Ohio State University and Illinois State University tested how touching an item before buying affects how much they are willing to pay for an item.
Contact: James Wolf
Jrwolf@ilstu.edu
309-438-5216
Ohio State University
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
National Vital Statistics Report
Preterm births rise 36 percent since early 1980s
Nearly 543,000 babies were born too soon in 2006, according to new government statistics released Wednesday. The nation's preterm birth rate (birth before 37 completed weeks gestation) rose to 12.8 percent in 2006 -- that's a 36 percent increase since the early 1980s.
Contact: Elizabeth Lynch
elynch@marchofdimes.com
914-997-4286
March of Dimes Foundation
Public Release: 7-Jan-2009
Heart valves implanted without open-heart surgery
An innovative approach for implanting a new aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery is being offered to patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Known as the PARTNER (Placement of AoRTic traNscathetER valves) trial, this Phase 3 multicenter study is being led by national co-principal investigators Dr. Martin Leon and Dr. Craig Smith and is focused on the treatment of patients who are at high risk or not suitable for open-heart valve replacement surgery.
Contact: Jennifer Homa
jeh9057@nyp.org
212-305-5587
New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Hormone therapy associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk
The combination of estrogen plus progestin, which women stopped taking in droves following the news that it may increase their risk of breast cancer, may decrease their risk of colorectal cancer, according to a report published in the January issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Contact: Jeremy Moore
Jeremy.moore@aacr.org
267-646-0557
American Association for Cancer Research
Runaway stars carve eerie cosmic sculptures
Hubble has found 14 stars that are shooting through interstellar gas, creating 'bow shocks' that resemble the waves at the bow of a boat
19:54 07 January 2009
SemBioSys begins phase I/II trial of insulin produced in plant seeds
SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (TSX:SBS), a biotechnology company developing protein pharmaceuticals in crop plants, today announced that it has initiated a phase I/II clinical trial of its plant-produced insulin with the first injection of its drug in humans.
CALGARY, Dec. 3 /CNW/
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Current Biology
First Americans arrived as 2 separate migrations, according to new genetic evidence
The first people to arrive in America traveled as at least two separate groups to arrive in their new home at about the same time, according to new genetic evidence published online on Jan. 8 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.
Contact: Cathleen Genova
cgenova@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press
Artificial molecule evolves in the lab
A new molecule that performs the essential function of life – self-replication – could shed light on the origin of all living things
19:00 08 January 2009
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Cancer Prevention Research
Chemopreventive agents in black raspberries identified
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, identifies components of black raspberries with chemopreventive potential.
Contact: Jeremy Moore
Jeremy.moore@aacr.org
267-646-0557
American Association for Cancer Research
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
PLoS Genetics
New clues to mystery childhood illness: Kawasaki disease
A study looking at the entire human genome has identified new genes that appear to be involved in making some children more susceptible to Kawasaki disease, a serious illness that often leads to coronary artery disease, according to a new international study published in PLoS Genetics. This is the first genetic study of an infectious disease to look at the whole of the genome, rather than just selected genes.
Contact: Kim Edwards
kedwards@ucsd.edu
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Epidemiology
Study shows California's autism increase not due to better counting, diagnosis
A study by researchers at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute has found that the seven- to eight-fold increase in the number children born in California with autism since 1990 cannot be explained by either changes in how the condition is diagnosed or counted -- and the trend shows no sign of abating.
Contact: Phyllis Brown
phyllis.brown@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
916-734-9023
University of California - Davis - Health System
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Journal of Neuroscience
Rice University psychologist finds women's brains recognize, encode smell of male sexual sweat
A new Rice University study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that socioemotional meanings, including sexual ones, are conveyed in human sweat.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: David Ruth
druth@rice.edu
713-348-6327
Rice University
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Lancet Neurology
Antipsychotic drugs double risk of death among Alzheimer's patients
The study, funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust, was led by Prof. Clive Ballard's King's College London team and is published in Lancet Neurology on Jan. 9.
Alzheimer's Research Trust
Contact: Andrew Scheuber
ascheuber@alzheimers-research.org.uk
44-774-827-2171
Alzheimer's Research Trust
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Journal of Lipid Research
For fats, longer may not be better
Researchers have uncovered why some dietary fats, specifically long-chain fats, such as oleic acid (found in olive oil), are more prone to induce inflammation. Long-chain fats, it turns out, promote increased intestinal absorption of pro-inflammatory bacterial molecules called lipopolysaccharides.
Contact: Nick Zagorski
nzagorski@asbmb.org
301-634-7366
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
'Climate fix' ship sets sail with plan to dump iron
The largest plan yet to fertilise the oceans and suck CO2 from the atmosphere goes against guidelines, say environmentalists
18:08 09 January 2009
Public Release: 8-Jan-2009
Annals of Neurology
'Stroke Belt' deaths tied to nontraditional risk factors
A new report underscores the notion that stroke risks go beyond geographic and racial differences. University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Vermont researchers report in the Annals of Neurology that non-traditional risk factors must explain the South's higher stroke death rate. What those factors are need further study, but clearly diabetes and hypertension play an important role, the study authors said.
Contact: Troy Goodman
tdgoodman@uab.edu
205-934-8938
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medicinal plants on verge of extinction
A third of the world's medicinal plants are facing extinction – but mobilising local communities could be the key to conserving them
THIS WEEK:  10:00 10 January 2009
Europe 'exporting' measles to poor countries
Many poorer nations had eradicated measles, but due to malnutrition and limited healthcare, the returning virus is far more lethal
UPFRONT:  12:34 10 January 2009
Implant raises cellular army to attack cancer
A cylinder that is irresistible to immune cells and forces them to recruit colleagues to hunt down tumours has achieved impressive results in mice
18:00 11 January 2009
Public Release: 12-Jan-2009
Journal of Lipid Research
Nearly a century later, new findings support Warburg theory of cancer
Pioneering German biochemist Otto H. Warburg's landmark theory about the origin of cancer has inspired debate and controversy for nearly 80 years. New research into mouse brain tumors has finally detailed the elusive biochemical basis for his theory.
NIH/National Cancer Institute, NIH/National Institute on Aging
Contact: Ed Hayward
ed.hayward@bc.edu
617-552-4826
Boston College