Wild cat brains: An evolutionary curveball

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The brains of wild cats don’t necessarily respond to the same evolutionary pressures as those of their fellow mammals, humans and primates, indicates a surprising new study led by a Michigan State University neuroscientist.
Arguably, the fact that people and monkeys…
Source: Wild cat brains: An evolutionary curveball

Three-year results from the EXCEL trial presented at TCT 2016 and published in NEJM

WASHINGTON – October 31, 2016 – A large-scale randomized trial examining percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and low-intermediate SYNTAX scores found that there was no significant…
Source: Three-year results from the EXCEL trial presented at TCT 2016 and published in NEJM

Model expands landscape for signaling protein mutations

Protein pairs that control stimulus response in bacteria maintain a sensitive balance between interaction specificity and promiscuity, according to Rice University scientists.
A computational model developed at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics will help biologists take…
Source: Model expands landscape for signaling protein mutations

Underwater mushrooms: Curious lake fungi under every turned over stone

While fungi are well known for being essential in cycling carbon and nutrients, there are only about 100,000 described species in contrast to the 1.5 to 3 millions, assumed to exist on Earth. Of these, barely 3000 fungi belong to aquatic habitats. In fact, freshwater fungi have been…
Source: Underwater mushrooms: Curious lake fungi under every turned over stone

Complete sanitation of robotic surgical instruments virtually impossible

NEW YORK (October 31, 2016) – It is virtually impossible to remove all contamination from robotic surgical instruments, even after multiple cleanings, according to a study published today in Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of…
Source: Complete sanitation of robotic surgical instruments virtually impossible

Blackstone to buy TeamHealth in $6.1 billion deal

(Reuters) – TeamHealth Holdings Inc TMH.N said on Monday it agreed to be bought by private equity firm Blackstone Group LP BX.N in a deal valued at about $6.1 billion.TeamHealth, a U.S. hospital staffing provider, has been the target of activist funds including Jana Partners LLC.Blackstone will…
Source: Blackstone to buy TeamHealth in $6.1 billion deal

Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to FBI fitness test

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won’t hear a dispute over whether a physical fitness test for FBI special agents is biased against men.The justices on Monday turned down an appeal from an Illinois man who failed the test after completing 29 out of 30 untimed pushups.Jay Bauer said it’s u…
Source: Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to FBI fitness test

Brazil GM mosquitoes to breed out diseases

Piracicaba (Brazil) (AFP) – Scientists in Brazil are preparing to release millions of factory-bred mosquitoes in an attempt to wipe out their distant cousins that carry tropical diseases. The insects’ method: have sex and then die.British firm Oxitec says its genetically modified mosquitoes will…
Source: Brazil GM mosquitoes to breed out diseases

Using, and even just thinking about portable media may disrupt kids’ sleep

By Kathryn Doyle(Reuters Health) – Children and teens with access to tablets and smartphones at night don’t get enough sleep and are sleepier during the day, whether or not they use the devices, according to a new review.The review of 20 previous studies found kids using portable media devices a…
Source: Using, and even just thinking about portable media may disrupt kids’ sleep

Exclusive: Canadian drugmaker Cipher mulls sale

By Carl O’Donnell and John TilakOctober 31, 2016 – Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc , a Canadian specialty pharmaceuticals manufacturer, has hired an investment bank to review strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, people familiar with the matter said.The strategic review comes amid…
Source: Exclusive: Canadian drugmaker Cipher mulls sale

Study: Skin Patch Could Help Kids with Peanut Allergies

A new study shows a wearable skin patch may help children who are allergic to peanuts by delivering small doses of peanut protein.
The National Institutes of Health funded the yearlong study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. It says nearly half of…
Source: Study: Skin Patch Could Help Kids with Peanut Allergies

Women Unclear about Breast Density, Breast Cancer Risks

Women are becoming more aware of the term “breast density,” but they aren’t as familiar with its relation to breast cancer risk or mammograms, according to a small U.S. study.
In particular, African American and Ashkenazi Jewish women, who may be at a higher risk for breast…
Source: Women Unclear about Breast Density, Breast Cancer Risks

Fatal Measles Complication More Common than Thought

 A deadly complication of measles in young children that strikes years after infection may be more common than previously thought, according to a study presented on Friday that stressed the importance of vaccinations against the highly contagious disease.
The risk of acquiring …
Source: Fatal Measles Complication More Common than Thought

Clean Home May Help Kids’ Allergies

Reducing indoor allergens and pollutants can help control children’s asthma, reducing their need for medication, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Many things in the home contribute to asthma symptoms and attacks, said report co-author Dr….
Source: Clean Home May Help Kids’ Allergies

DNA methylation affects superiority of hybrid plants

Hybrid vigor refers to when a crossbreed plant or animal shows superior traits compared to its parents. A research group has discovered that a gene involved in maintaining DNA methylation is closely connected to hybrid vigor in Arabidopsis thaliana. This has potential applications for other…
Source: DNA methylation affects superiority of hybrid plants

The more connected we feel to others, the more socially responsible we are

A crucial factor in someone’s decision to act in a socially responsible manner is the extent to which they believe that their actions make a difference.
In her recent paper, “Yes, I can: Feeling connected to others increases perceived effectiveness and socially responsible behavior” in the…
Source: The more connected we feel to others, the more socially responsible we are

Most British scientists cited in study feel Richard Dawkins’ work misrepresents science

Controversial British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins is well-known for his criticism of religion, but a new Rice University study of British scientists reveals that a majority who mentioned Dawkins’ work during research interviews reject his approach to public engagement and said his…
Source: Most British scientists cited in study feel Richard Dawkins’ work misrepresents science

Advancing our understanding of how the disease lupus is prevented in healthy individuals

A group of researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University(TMDU) have identified a molecule that stops the immune system from mistakenly reacting to a component of the body’s own cells, which could improve our ability to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease associated with…
Source: Advancing our understanding of how the disease lupus is prevented in healthy individuals

Study reveals that adrenergic nerves control immune cells’ daily schedule

Researchers in Japan have discovered that the adrenergic nervous system controls when white blood cells circulate through the body, boosting the immune response by retaining T and B cells in lymph nodes at the time of day when they are most likely to encounter foreign antigens. The study,…
Source: Study reveals that adrenergic nerves control immune cells’ daily schedule

Stents, bypass surgery equally safe and effective for many with left main heart disease

NEW YORK, NY (Oct. 31) – A major international study has found that drug-eluting stents, a less-invasive alternative to bypass surgery, are as effective as surgery for many patients with a blockage in the left main coronary artery.
Findings from the EXCEL (Evaluation of XIENCE versus…
Source: Stents, bypass surgery equally safe and effective for many with left main heart disease