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SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron Laser demonstrates shortest wavelength and high peak output

A detailed technical introduction to the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron Laser (SACLA) appeared online in Nature Photonics. The attention on the world's second XFEL facility comes in response to its record-breaking size and performance: SACLA boasts the shortest wavelength in the world (0.63 Angstroms), an extremely broad wavelength range (0.63 - 3 Angstroms) and a very high peak output of 10 GW.

30 Jun 2012

New study lessens concerns about dengue vaccine production costs

"Research funded by the Dengue Vaccine Initiative (DVI) involving an economic analysis of producing a tetravalent dengue vaccine shows that the cost could be as low as $0.20 per dose with an annual production level of 60 million doses packaged in 10-dose vials," a Sabin Vaccine Institute press release reports.

30 Jun 2012

Stress during pregnancy increases children's risk for abnormal health conditions at birth

Expectant mothers who dealt with the strain of a hurricane or major tropical storm passing nearby during their pregnancy had children who were at elevated risk for abnormal health conditions at birth, according to a study led by a Princeton University researcher that offers new insights into the effects of stress on pregnancy.

30 Jun 2012

Inclusion of water, sanitation in Rio+20 discussions 'refreshing'

In this post in the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases' "End the Neglect" blog, Helen Hamilton, policy adviser for neglected tropical diseases at Sightsavers, reflects on the Rio+20 conference, "which took place last week in Brazil to discuss how the world can develop more sustainably."

30 Jun 2012

Big challenges from antibiotic resistant bacteria

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing and spreading at an alarming speed. The bacterial evolution is overwhelming our antibiotic defense. More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics resulting in fatal consequences for millions of people. We need common action and responsibility for the development of new effective antibiotics and to stop antibiotic misuse.

30 Jun 2012

Ruling on health care roils the markets

Hospital stocks surged but insurance stocks fell.

30 Jun 2012

Severe sleep loss jolts the immune system into action

Severe sleep loss jolts the immune system into action, reflecting the same type of immediate response shown during exposure to stress, a new study reports.

30 Jun 2012

House Foreign Affairs Committee approves FY13 Foreign Relations Authorization Act

"The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved a $16.2 billion State Department authorization bill after reaching bipartisan consensus," The Hill's "Global Affairs" blog reports, adding, "The bill passed by voice vote in under a minute, in stark contrast with last year's record 30-hour markup where Democrats and Republicans battled on everything from funding for abortion providers to aid to Pakistan".

30 Jun 2012

Genetic mutation that creates Ewing's sarcoma leads to high levels of protein EYA3

Ewing's sarcoma is a bone cancer commonly diagnosed in about 250 U.S. teenagers per year. If early chemotherapy is effective, improvement can be durable. But for children and teens who respond poorly to a first attempt at chemotherapy or if the disease spreads, long-term survival can be less than 10 percent.

30 Jun 2012

How the High Court's decision contributes to Obama's legacy

News outlets report on how the health law, and the Supreme Court's review of it, will be important parts of President Barack Obama's place in history.

30 Jun 2012

Fidelitas introduces dispensing and documentation system for methadone treatment in Canada

Fidelitas Medical IT-Solutions, LP announced today the launch of their product DDS, a dispensing and documentation system for methadone treatment. Their mission, according to the company's CEO, Andreas Kunz, is to increase the safety and efficiency of Methadone Maintenance Treatment programs in Canada. "Methadone is useful in the treatment of opiate dependence, but it requires very careful, accurate and transparent handling."

30 Jun 2012

Unfazed, Republicans ready repeal Redux post-SCOTUS decision

Republicans on Thursday vowed to repeal the health care law after the Supreme Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of the law and are planning a repeal vote in the House on July 11. In the meantime, some states, including Georgia for instance, will hold off on implementing key parts of the law to see if the GOP is successful.

30 Jun 2012

Rapamycin enhances learning and memory in young mice

Cognitive skills such as learning and memory diminish with age in everyone, and the drop-off is steepest in Alzheimer's disease. Texas scientists seeking a way to prevent this decline reported exciting results this week with a drug that has Polynesian roots.

30 Jun 2012

How the Medicaid ruling is playing in the states

State officials offer views on their newfound options regarding the health law's Medicaid expansion. Also, news outlets report on how many people might become eligible for Medicaid and at what cost.

30 Jun 2012

Bees help understand connection between taste perception and metabolic syndromes

Scientists at Arizona State University have discovered that honey bees may teach us about basic connections between taste perception and metabolic disorders in humans. By experimenting with honey bee genetics, researchers have identified connections between sugar sensitivity, diabetic physiology and carbohydrate metabolism. Bees and humans may partially share these connections.

30 Jun 2012

Health system changes move forward

Press reports detail the steps that might happen next in terms of the health law's implementation as well as what the decision might mean for consumers.

30 Jun 2012

Shorter regimen of radiotherapy safe for noninvasive breast cancer patients

Accelerated whole breast irradiation after lumpectomy is an effective treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a very common early stage and noninvasive form of breast cancer, meaning many more breast cancer patients could see their treatment times reduced by half, according to a study in the June issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

30 Jun 2012