Researchers from North Carolina State University have for the first time successfully coated polymer implants with a bioactive film. The discovery should improve the success rate of such implants – which are often used in spinal surgeries.
The polymer used in these implants, called PEEK, does not bond well with bone or other tissues in the body. This can result in the implant rubbing against surrounding tissues, which can lead to medical complications and the need for additional surgeries. (more…)
In what could be an early step toward new treatments for people with osteoporosis, scientists at Michigan State University report that a natural probiotic supplement can help male mice produce healthier bones.
Interestingly, the same can’t be said for female mice, the researchers report in the Journal of Cellular Physiology.
“We know that inflammation in the gut can cause bone loss, though it’s unclear exactly why,” said lead author Laura McCabe, a professor in MSU’s departments of Physiology and Radiology. “The neat thing we found is that a probiotic can enhance bone density.” (more…)
The fibrous threads helping mussels stay anchored – in spite of waves that sometimes pound the shore with a force equivalent to a jet liner flying at 600 miles per hour – are more prone to snap when ocean temperatures climb higher than normal.
Emily Carrington, a University of Washington professor of biology, reported Saturday (Feb. 16) that the fibrous threads she calls “nature’s bungee cords” become 60 percent weaker in water that was 15 degrees F (7 C) above typical summer temperatures where the mussels were from. She spoke at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Boston. (more…)
PASADENA, Calif. — NASA’s Kepler mission scientists have discovered a new planetary system that is home to the smallest planet yet found around a star similar to our sun. (more…)
Minimally invasive surgery may benefit patients previously deemed hopeless
A new endoscopic surgical procedure has been shown to be safer and to result in better outcomes than the current standard medical treatment for patients who suffer strokes as a result of brain hemorrhages, UCLA neurosurgeons have announced.
The findings from their potentially groundbreaking, randomized, controlled phase 2 clinical trial, which was conducted at multiple medical centers, were presented last week at the International Stroke Conference in Honolulu. (more…)
Music and Television Companies Top YouTube Partner Channel Rankings
Tokyo, Japan, February 21, 2013 – comScore Japan K.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of comScore, Inc., today released data from comScore Video Metrix showing that 60 million Japanese internet users watched online videos in December 2012. The top 3 video properties by viewing audience in Japan were Google Sites, Dwango, and FC2, while VEVO, Fuji Television, and Sony Music Entertainment Japan ranked as the most popular YouTube Partner Channels.
FC2 Leads Top 10 Video Properties in Average Engagement
Google Sites, driven primarily by video viewing on YouTube, ranked as the top online video content property in December 2012 with 50 million unique viewers. Dwango Co., Ltd ranked second with 29 million viewers, followed by FC2 with 22 million viewers. DMM, although lower in the rankings with 5.2 million unique viewers, showed a year-over-year increase of 713 percent, the highest growth rate among the top 10 properties. In terms of engagement (Minutes per Viewer), FC2 ranked first among the top 10 with more than 23 hours per viewer while boasting the fastest year-over-year growth of 79 percent. (more…)
Researchers at the UA are studying resistance in pink bollworm in China and working to develop strategies against it
University of Arizona entomologists are joining forces with scientists on the other side of the globe to protect cotton in China from potentially devastating insect pests.(more…)
Farmers should prepare for possible drought conditions through July
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Last summer, the Midwest experienced one of the hottest and driest summers on record. While a few rain showers have occurred across the Midwest the past few weeks, it appears that the region is in for another dry summer. A University of Missouri researcher says that an opposing weather pattern could bring more favorable weather conditions to the Midwest, but won’t be here until after this summer. (more…)
