Israeli scientists have reported early success with an "electronic nose" device that can detect several forms of cancer through a simple breath test. Chemical variations in the breath allow the sensor to distinguish between the healthy and the cancer-stricken as well as determine what type of cancer it is detecting—lung, breast, bowel, or prostate. Researchers hope the technology will make it easier and cheaper to diagnose cancer early, even before tumors are visible on conventional scans, such as X-rays.
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A geology student in Massachusetts has found what researchers are calling the oldest imprint of a prehistoric insect. Found at a rocky outcrop near a large shopping center in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, the 312 million-year-old imprint shows the creature’s thorax, abdomen, and six legs. Though not a dragonfly, the insect had a similar body structure and may have been some sort of mayfly. A few weeks earlier, the fossilized remains of a wing that may have belonged to another insect of the same species was uncovered.
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According to a recent study, one in every 25 deaths worldwide is linked to alcohol consumption, and men are five times more likely to die from an alcohol-related illness than women. In addition to diseases directly caused by alcohol consumption, like liver disorders, a number of other health effects such as cancer, depression, and stroke have been linked to drinking. Researchers say that while moderate alcohol consumption is believed to have positive cardiovascular effects, the risks of drinking far outweigh the benefits.
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An Italian man who lost his left forearm in an automobile accident was successfully connected to a robotic hand that was controlled by his mind and which allowed him to feel sensations in the artificial limb. At the start of the monthlong experiment, Pierpaolo Petruzziello, a 26-year-old amputee, had electrodes implanted in the nerves of what remained of his left arm. Over time, he learned to wiggle the robotic fingers independently, make a fist, grab objects, and make other movements. Experts say this experiment is a significant step forward in the development of a viable interface between the human nervous system and prosthetic limbs. Discuss
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Scientists believe that sedimentary deposits found in New York and New Jersey prove that a rare Atlantic Ocean tsunami swept across the region 2,300 years ago. Large gravel, marine fossils, and other unusual deposits were found in sediment cores of 20 sites in the two US states. Given the size and distribution of the material, it seems unlikely that a mere storm could have scattered the debris in this manner. The scientists speculate that an undersea landslide or asteroid impact could have triggered the massive wave. Discuss
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People with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a potentially deadly genetic defect, suffer painful blisters on the skin, mouth, and throat because proteins that hold layers of skin together are absent. The slightest trauma can expose the body to infection and, in some cases, an aggressive form of cancer. Though there is currently no cure or treatment for epidermolysis bullosa, in recent trials, researchers partially cured several children with the genetic defect by giving them bone marrow transplants. The trial is believed to be the first to use bone marrow stem cells to treat something other than diseased or damaged marrow.
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On July 1, bungee jumping, ostrich-riding, British charity worker Ben Southall will begin a six month assignment dubbed "the best job in the world." As caretaker of an island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Southall will spend his days swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and blogging about his experiences in the tropical paradise, earning 150,000 Australian dollars (US$111,000) in the process. He was selected from a pool of more than 34,000 applicants in a highly publicized contest that is part of a tourism campaign aimed at promoting the charms of northeastern Queensland.
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The larvae of the European butterfly Maculinea rebeli have learned to infiltrate ant nests and trick adult ants into feeding them. The caterpillars accomplish this feat by mimicking the ants’ young. Not only do the parasitic larvae take food from the ant providers, they earn special treatment by imitating the sounds of an adult queen. In times of food shortage, these ants have been known to feed their own young to their queens, and the crafty caterpillars are thus more likely to survive periods of stress.
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Contrary to popular belief, cell phone radiation may actually be good for the brain. Researchers say that when they exposed mice genetically predisposed to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms to the electromagnetic field generated by a standard phone, their cognitive ability was protected. Furthermore, when mice already showing signs of memory problems were exposed to the radiation, their memory deficits disappeared. The mice were exposed to the radiation for two one-hour periods each day for seven to nine months.
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Researchers have identified two parts of the brain linked to severe anxiety in young monkeys, and they suspect that these same brain areas are involved in the development of anxiety disorders in children. The anxiety-ridden monkeys showed heightened activity in both the amygdala, an almond-shaped brain structure associated with the processing of emotions, and the anterior hippocampus, a brain area associated with memory. If the same is true for humans, then monitoring those areas of children's brains could help experts understand anxiety disorders better and develop treatments for them. Discuss
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