Fwd: Science X Newsletter Monday, Feb 23

RESPEKT !

Study shows how the brain can trigger a deep sleep

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 2:36 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Feb 23
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for February 23, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Could classical theory be just as weird as quantum theory?
- Nature journal to begin offering double-blind peer review
- Simulating superconducting materials with ultracold atoms (w/ Video)
- Best of Last Week – Observing Higgs analogue in superconductors, mysterious Mars cloud and cancer risk found in soda
- Driverless shuttle will be on the move in UK
- La Nina-like conditions associated with 2,500-year-long shutdown of coral reef growth
- Retracing the roots of fungal symbioses
- Reconstructing topsy-turvy paleoclimate of western US 21,000 years ago
- Brain makes decisions with same method used to break WW2 Enigma code (w/ Video)
- Scientists bring oxygen back to dead fjord
- Customized DNA rings aid early cancer detection in mice, study finds
- Losing 1 electron switches magnetism on in dichromium
- Japanese LED traffic lights just too cool when snow falls
- Learn about Venus, the hothouse planet near Earth
- Colours in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Astronomy & Space news

	Spacewalking 'cable guys' wrap up work outside station (Update) A pair of American astronauts Saturday wrapped up the first of three spacewalks to route cables outside the International Space Station so commercial spaceships carrying crew can dock there in the coming years.
	Quadruplets in a stellar womb More than half of all stars are in multiple systems: binary stars, or even triplets or quadruplets, that orbit one another. No one is quite sure how or why they form, but the effects can be significant, for example influencing the character of their planets. Our Sun is uncommon in having no companion star, perhaps suggesting that its configuration of planets is equally uncommon.
	How can space travel faster than the speed of light? Cosmologists are intellectual time travelers. Looking back over billions of years, these scientists are able to trace the evolution of our Universe in astonishing detail. 13.8 billion years ago, the Big Bang occurred. Fractions of a second later, the fledgling Universe expanded exponentially during an incredibly brief period of time called inflation. Over the ensuing eons, our cosmos has grown to such an enormous size that we can no longer see the other side of it.
	Learn about Venus, the hothouse planet near Earth Venus was once considered a twin to Earth, as it's roughly the same size and is relatively close to our planet. But once astronomers looked at it seriously in the past half-century or so, a lot of contrasts emerged. The biggest one—Venus is actually a hothouse planet with a runaway greenhouse effect, making it inhospitable to life as we know it. Here are some more interesting facts about Venus.
	Colours in the Small Magellanic Cloud Astronomical images often look like works of art. This picture of one of our nearest neighbouring galaxies, the Small Magellanic Cloud, is certainly no exception!
	Spacewalking astronauts route cable in 1st of 3 jobs (AP)—Spacewalking astronauts routed more than 300 feet (90 meters) of cable outside the International Space Station on Saturday, tricky and tiring advance work for the arrival of new American-made crew capsules.
	IXV spaceplane's successful test makes European aerospace company proud On Feb. 11, ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), atmospheric reentry demonstrator, successfully completed its first test flight, ending with a splashdown into the Pacific Ocean and one aerospace company is bursting with pride over the flawless test. "The success of this mission is a source of great pride for us. Thanks to the data collected during the flight, we are paving the way for the development of new-generation reentry vehicles in Europe," Sandrine Bielecki, Thales Alenia Space spokesperson told astrowatch.net.
	Resolving to stay fit in space and on Earth In February, our attention turns to romantic matters of the heart. As American Heart Month, this month is also a time to focus on heart health and a perfect excuse to start working out to improve your physical fitness. Astronauts on the International Space Station are working to keep their hearts healthy too, and at the same time they are generating data to advance knowledge of health and fitness in space and on Earth.

Medicine & Health news

US authorities discover deadly 'Bourbon' virus US health authorities on Friday announced the discovery of a new virus believed to be responsible for the death of a previously healthy man in Kansas last year.
	Small DNA changes separate chimp and human brains Modern humans share about 95 percent of their genetic code with chimpanzees. Yet human brains, and what we do with them, are vastly different.
	Deconstructing mental illness through ultradian rhythms Might living a structured life with regularly established meal times and early bedtimes lead to a better life and perhaps even prevent the onset of mental illness? That's what's suggested in a study led by Kai-Florian Storch, PhD, of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and McGill University, which has been published in the online journal eLife.
	Newborn neurons in the adult brain may help us adapt to the environment The discovery that the human brain continues to produce new neurons in adulthood challenged a major dogma in the field of neuroscience, but the role of these neurons in behavior and cognition is still not clear. In a review article published by Cell Press February 21st in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Maya Opendak and Elizabeth Gould of Princeton University synthesize the vast literature on this topic, reviewing environmental factors that influence the birth of new neurons in the adult hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays an important role in memory and learning.
	Breastfeeding, other factors help shape immune system early in life Henry Ford Hospital researchers say that breastfeeding and other factors influence a baby's immune system development and susceptibility to allergies and asthma by what's in their gut.
	Experimenting preteens may have different brain processes Preteens who experiment or explore new things may have brain processes that work differently than those of preteens who do not, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.
	Baby formula poses higher arsenic risk to newborns than breast milk, study shows In the first U.S. study of urinary arsenic in babies, Dartmouth College researchers found that formula-fed infants had higher arsenic levels than breast-fed infants, and that breast milk itself contained very low arsenic concentrations.
Stopping plaque formation in arteries using amphiphilic nanoparticles Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among Americans. Hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, is one form of heart disease, but can also occur in other arteries within the body. Standard therapy for this is either insertion of a stent or taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, which manages the disease, but does not block the actual mechanisms that cause plaque buildup.
	Study finds mammalian and avian brains share corticosensory microcircuit The canonical cortical microcircuit of mammalian brains governs information flow among the brain's layers and gives rise to complex behaviors. Researchers at Columbia University have proposed that this microcircuit also exists in avian brains, despite the fact that avian brain physiology is not characterized by the same layered architecture as mammalian brains. They have published their results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in a paper titled "Coding principles of the canonical cortical microcircuit in the avian brain."
	3D-printed guides can help restore function in damaged nerves Scientists at the University of Sheffield have succeeded in using a 3D printed guide to help nerves damaged in traumatic incidents repair themselves.
	Discovery of the genetic fingerprint of aggressive colon tumors About 40-50% of all colorectal patients relapse in the form of metastasis. In the last three years, several molecular classifications have been proposed to identify colorectal cancer patients at risk of relapse. Today in Nature Genetics, scientists headed by ICREA researcher Eduard Batlle at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) explain why these classifications work and reveal, in fact, that they can be simplified and improved by looking exclusively at the genes that are expressed in the tissue around the tumour, known as the stroma or tumour microenvironment.
Customized DNA rings aid early cancer detection in mice, study finds Imagine: You pop a pill into your mouth and swallow it. It dissolves, releasing tiny particles that are absorbed and cause only cancerous cells to secrete a specific protein into your bloodstream. Two days from now, a finger-prick blood sample will expose whether you've got cancer and even give a rough idea of its extent.
	Brain makes decisions with same method used to break WW2 Enigma code (w/ Video) When making simple decisions, neurons in the brain apply the same statistical trick used by Alan Turing to help break Germany's Enigma code during World War II, according to a new study in animals by researchers at Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Department of Neuroscience. Results of the study were published Feb. 5 in Neuron.
How brain waves guide memory formation Our brains generate a constant hum of activity: As neurons fire, they produce brain waves that oscillate at different frequencies. Long thought to be merely a byproduct of neuron activity, recent studies suggest that these waves may play a critical role in communication between different parts of the brain.
Study shows how the brain can trigger a deep sleep Scientists have discovered that switching on one area of the brain chemically can trigger a deep sleep.
Epigenome orchestrates embryonic development The early stages of embryonic development shape our cells and tissues for life. It is during this time that our newly formed cells are transformed into heart, skin, nerve or other cell types. Scientists are finding that this process is largely controlled not by the genome, but by the epigenome, chemical markers on DNA that tell cells when to turn genes on and off.
Small molecule might help reduce cancer in at-risk population, study finds Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found that by changing the selectivity of an enzyme, a small molecule could potentially be used to decrease the likelihood of alcohol-related cancers in an at-risk population.
'DNA spellchecker' means that our genes aren't all equally likely to mutate A study that examined 17 million mutations in the genomes of 650 cancer patients concludes that large differences in mutation rates across the human genome are caused by the DNA repair machinery.
Neuroscientists literally change the way we think Does your mind wander when performing monotonous, repetitive tasks? Of course! But daydreaming involves more than just beating back boredom. In fact, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a wandering mind can impart a distinct cognitive advantage.
Eating placentas? US moms swear by health benefits Health trends come and go, but one post-birth fad is gaining a foothold in the United States among some new mothers who extol the benefits of eating their own placentas.
	Measles can rob a child's sight, doctors warn (HealthDay)—In the midst of the current resurgence of measles across the United States, many people may still believe it's a harmless, transient disease.
	Tropical virus symptoms can mimic rheumatoid arthritis, study says (HealthDay)—The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus causes joint pain and swelling similar to rheumatoid arthritis, which can make diagnosis difficult, a new study says.
	Ebola transmitted via cough possible, not likely (HealthDay)—Based on prior evidence, health workers dealing with Ebola primarily have worried about disease transmission from a patient's blood, vomit, and feces, all of which contain high levels of virus as symptoms progress, but health care workers also might need to worry about a patient's cough, authors speculate online Feb. 19 in mBio.
	Patterns of childhood growth may trigger type 2 diabetes (HealthDay)—Certain trajectories of body mass index (BMI) during childhood may increase risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) later in life, according to research published online Feb. 14 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
	Patients say cost matters greatly in choosing doctor (HealthDay)—The number one determining factor for selecting a doctor is whether the physician is in-network, according to a report published by Vitals.
	Revascularization cuts mortality, MACE in coronary CTO (HealthDay)—For patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) and well-developed collateral circulation, revascularization is associated with reduced risk of cardiac mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
	Tobacco giants resist harsh public admissions about smoking Never underestimate the staying power of big tobacco.
FDA knew of design flaw in scope linked to UCLA superbug A commonly used medical scope linked to a deadly bacterial outbreak at UCLA's Ronald Reagan Medical Center may be so flawed it cannot be properly cleaned, federal officials conceded Thursday. But they stopped short of recalling the device or outlining any new sterilization procedures.
In university basement, bats and owls offer clues into brain function What can we learn about attention by studying bats and owls? In one corner of the basement of Ames Hall at the Johns Hopkins University, Cynthia Moss opened the door of a room where about a dozen Egyptian fruit bats dozed inside a milk crate attached to the wall.
Anti-vaccine mothers discuss their thinking amid backlash (AP)—One is a businesswoman and an MBA graduate. Another is a corporate vice president. The third is a registered nurse.
Help is just a call away for mothers with postnatal depression New research reveals that telephone-based peer support may help reduce postnatal depression, also known as postpartum depression, in new mothers. Findings published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing also found that social support from peers may be effective for maternal depression up to two years after delivery. At the start of the study all mothers were moderately depressed, but this dropped after telephone peer support to 8.1% (3/37) depressed at midpoint, rising to 11.8% (4/34) at the end of the study, suggesting some relapse.
Medical practice increases the risk of suicide Patients who have tried to commit suicide with medication, are prescribed more medication after the attempt, not less.
	Why some pain helps us feel pleasure The idea that we can achieve happiness by maximising pleasure and minimising pain is both intuitive and popular. The truth is, however, very different. Pleasure alone cannot not make us happy.
	Garden hose a breeding ground for Legionnaires' disease It is synonymous with an Aussie summer but the humble backyard hose could be a bacterial breeding ground, providing the ideal conditions for the organisms that cause Legionnaires' disease to flourish, UNSW research has revealed.
Half of childcare centres fail cot mattress safety test Public health researchers at the University of Adelaide are hoping to raise awareness among childcare centres of the potentially deadly consequences of using cot mattresses that are too soft.
	Some pathogens use immune systems against us Every moment of every day, our immune systems are battling to keep us healthy against an onslaught from invading organisms. But some of these invaders have evolved to use our very defences against us, writes Dr Stephen Graham, a Sir Henry Dale Fellow.
	Too many food choices exacerbate the battle against obesity, researchers find Some scientists say that when mothers eat poorly during pregnancy, they pass along traits to their children that make them more likely to have poor diets and have related health problems.
Researchers show environment can neutralize lethal proteins Botching a few folds might transform an origami cow into a deer or sheep. When cellular proteins do the same, they can trigger fatal neurodegenerative diseases that turn the brains of these mammals into dysfunctional sponges.
Study builds understanding of hepatitis C virus replication Hepatitis C virus infection is a common cause of liver disease and of liver cancer in the United States. Through a new study that explores one aspect of how the virus hijacks host cell machinery to replicate itself, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have gained insight into the workings of a potential drug target for hepatitis C.
	New assistive equipment to maximize human sensorimotor function A prototype for wearable equipment to support human motion has been developed at Hiroshima University, Japan. This wearable equipment, called the Sensorimotor Enhancing Suit (SEnS), enhances sensorimotor functions by reducing the muscle load of the upper limbs. SEnS is inexpensive because it is made of flexible fabrics using regular cloth and does not include any electronic devices. SEnS assists human sensorimotor functions and improves the quality of life of not only elderly individuals but also healthy people who work under extreme conditions.
	The next generation of antibiotics might be right under our feet The discovery of a new antibiotic called teixobactin was announced by international team of researchers, in January this year. It is the most significant new antibiotic to be discovered in more than 30 years, and it may help combat the growing number of drug-resistant bacteria.
Psychology professor examines the taste system What we view as the sense of taste is actually a combination of smell, taste and texture, with smell playing a major role. A single taste bud can have dozens of receptor cells that send signals of sour, sweet, salty and bitter through nerve channels to the brain. The tongue is covered with them, and the back of the mouth is sensitive to bitter tastes – perhaps as a last-ditch chance to expel something toxic. Taste also plays a role in digestion, preparing the stomach for a meal.
	Worldwide treatment of hepatitis C could be within sight at the right cost Lowering the cost of hepatitis C drugs is possible and key to achieving global access to treatment, according to new research by the University of Liverpool and Imperial College London.
Waiting to start a family could be more problematic than thought, according to study More than a quarter of women and a fifth of men experience fertility difficulties by their late thirties – figures which are considerably higher than traditionally reported, newly published information from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study shows.
	Researchers attach dollar figure to the stress cost of a new baby Research from the University of Melbourne has put a dollar figure of $85,000 on the time pressure and stress experienced by mothers in the first year of a baby's life.
Delving deep into ancestry to help doctors prescribe better hypertension treatments Scientists are investigating whether treatment for high blood pressure can be improved by taking a person's ethnic heritage into account.
Cancer survivors make healthier choices than general population Cancer survivors make healthier diet and lifestyle choices than the general population, according to a new study.
	Neutron analysis of human teeth could assist in the fight against dental erosion A new study carried out at the Institut Laue-Langevin in collaboration with researchers at the Lyons-University based Hospices Civils de Lyon has determined the most accurate microstructure ever obtained of human enamel. The research, published in the journal Materials Research Express, aims to provide greater insight into the chemistry behind the properties of tooth enamel and how it changes during the demineralisation caused by our bad eating habits. The team have been able to identify for the first time the location of critical hydrogen atoms within the enamel, work which will be extremely useful for their future analysis of Biodentine, a new material that could be used as a cement to encourage dental re-growth.
	Avoiding winter health hazards Have you had enough of winter? UConn Today sought out experts at UConn Health for a roundup of common threats to our health and well-being this time of year. Their information won't make spring come any faster, but it may keep you safe.
Health mission urges more Saudi measures to combat MERS An international health mission said Monday more measures are needed to combat the spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia, the country worst hit by the coronavirus.
A standard operation procedure to effectively detect dietetically absorbed plant miRNAs In a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, Chen-Yu Zhang, Xi Chen and Ke Zen's group at Nanjing University systematically characterized the kinetics of plant microRNAs (miRNAs) in human plasma after healthy volunteers drank watermelon juice or ate fruits.
Researchers pin down genetic pathways linked to CF disease severity Mutation of one gene is all it takes to get cystic fibrosis (CF), but disease severity depends on many other genes and proteins. For the first time, researchers at the UNC School of Medicine have identified genetic pathways - or clusters of genes - that play major roles in why one person with CF might never experience the worse kinds of symptoms while another person will battle severe airway infection for a lifetime.
Wisdom teeth stem cells can transform into cells that could treat corneal scarring Stem cells from the dental pulp of wisdom teeth can be coaxed to turn into cells of the eye's cornea and could one day be used to repair corneal scarring due to infection or injury, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings, published online today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, indicate they also could become a new source of corneal transplant tissue made from the patient's own cells.
Study sheds light on a 'guardian' protein of brain function Mitochondria not only are the cell's main power producers, they are also the chief cooks and bottle washers.
Toddler dies as measles outbreak hits German capital A toddler has died of measles in the German capital, health authorities said Monday, amid the country's worst outbreak in years and an intense debate about steps to boost vaccinations.
	Magnetic nanoparticles could stop blood clot-caused strokes By loading magnetic nanoparticles with drugs and dressing them in biochemical camouflage, Houston Methodist researchers say they can destroy blood clots 100 to 1,000 times faster than a commonly used clot-busting technique.
	Troops in middle east may be at risk for lung problems (HealthDay)—U.S. soldiers serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan may be at risk for lung damage from exposure to dust there, a new study suggests.
	Controlled exposure to peanuts at early age shows promise as allergy treatment (HealthDay)—Exposing young children with peanut allergies to small amounts of the legumes shows promise as a treatment, researchers report.
	Skin patch shows promise in easing peanut allergy A wearable patch that safely and gradually exposes the body to small amounts of peanut allergen appears effective in easing the allergy, an early new study shows.
	A little fat, sugar OK for kids if diet is healthy: study (HealthDay)—Cutting junk food from kids' diets is important, but if a little sugar and fat helps them eat their veggies, that's a good trade-off, a leading group of pediatricians says.
	Could a dishwasher raise your child's allergy, asthma risk? (HealthDay)—Hand washing dishes instead of using a machine to wash dishes may reduce children's risk of developing allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema, according to a new study.
Immunization rates improve with centralized reminder system Childhood immunization rates would improve with a centralized notification system that reminded families when immunizations were due, according to a new study, published online by JAMA Pediatrics, developed by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Sauna use associated with reduced risk of cardiac, all-cause mortality A sauna may do more than just make you sweat. A new study suggests men who engaged in frequent sauna use had reduced risks of fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
	Want to get drivers' attention? Use road signs showing more action When a car travelling relatively fast needs to come to an immediate stop, milliseconds matter. Sometimes only a few feet is the difference between life and death.
Sobering effect of the love hormone (w/ Video) Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the 'love' or 'cuddle' hormone, has a legendary status in popular culture due to its vital role in social and sexual behaviour and long-term bonding.
Study nearly triples the locations in the human genome that harbor microRNAs According to the public databases, there are currently approximately 1,900 locations in the human genome that produce microRNAs (miRNAs), the small and powerful non-coding molecules that regulate numerous cellular processes by reducing the abundance of their targets. New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week adds another roughly 3,400 such locations to that list. Many of the miRNA molecules that are produced from these newly discovered locations are tissue-specific and also human-specific. The finding has big implications for research into how miRNAs drive disease.
	Molecular link between obesity and type 2 diabetes reveals potential therapy Obesity causes inflammation, which can in turn lead to type 2 diabetes. What isn't well established is how inflammation causes diabetes—or what we can do to stop it. Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that the inflammatory molecule LTB4 promotes insulin resistance, a first step in developing type 2 diabetes. What's more, the team found that genetically removing the cell receptor that responds to LTB4, or blocking it with a drug, improves insulin sensitivity in obese mice. The study is published Feb. 23 by Nature Medicine.
Interventions lower diabetes risk in women who had gestational diabetes Women with a history of gestational diabetes face a heightened risk of developing Type 2 diabetes for years after giving birth, but intensive lifestyle intervention or a medication regimen can have a protective effect in this population, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Vitamin D deficiency linked more closely to diabetes than obesity People who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have diabetes, regardless of how much they weigh, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
3-D printed, mechanically robust carrier used to deliver immunosuppressive drug, and cells After using a 3-D printer to create a micro but mechanically robust drug and cell carrier for local and sustained delivery of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA), researchers in Korea have shown in tests with animal models that the carrier, a combination of microspheres and hydrogel, maintained robust integrity and delivered a local, sustained load of CsA in an amount that overcame the need for additional drugs to treat immune rejection.
New studies quantify morcellation's link to uterine cancer The dangers of a power tool used in gynecological surgery have been debated for more than a year, with experts offering varying estimates of the chance that an undetected uterine cancer would be spread - and likely worsened - by the tissue-slicing device.
	Two studies shed light on stuttering treatment and a neurological deficit potentially linked to the disorder Stuttering—a speech disorder in which sounds, syllables or words are repeated or prolonged—affects more than 70 million people worldwide. That's 1 percent of the global population. Four times as many men as women are afflicted with the disorder and, while the condition is not life-threatening, it is debilitating as it interferes with effective communication and erodes self-esteem and confidence.
Wesleyan says 12 treated after taking drug 'Molly' on campus (AP)—Ten Wesleyan University students and two visitors received medical attention after taking a party drug known as Molly over the weekend on campus, including some who attended a rave music show, school officials said Monday.
	Scientists find a key protein that allows Plavix to conquer platelets Researchers at the UNC School of Medicine have found that the blood platelet protein Rasa3 is critical to the success of the common anti-platelet drug Plavix, which breaks up blood clots during heart attacks and other arterial diseases.
	Small loop in human prion protein prevents chronic wasting disease Chronic wasting disease (CWD)—an infectious disease caused by prions—affects North American elk and deer, but has not been observed in humans. Using a mouse model that expresses an altered form of the normal human prion protein, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have determined why the human proteins aren't corrupted when exposed to the elk prions. Their study, published Feb. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, identifies a small loop in the human prion protein that confers resistance to chronic wasting disease.
Agriculture expansion in Tanzania may greatly increase human plague risk The push to boost food production in East Africa that is accelerating the conversion of natural lands into croplands may be significantly increasing the risk of plague according to a new study published online today in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH).
Resistance to aspirin tied to more severe strokes People who exhibit a resistance to aspirin may be more likely to have more severe strokes than people who still respond to the drug, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.
Advocacy, race affect flu vaccination rates, study finds A doctor's recommendation and a patient's race may influence flu vaccination rates, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
UK 'fit note' linked to fewer people taking long-term sick leave There is some evidence that the UK 'fit note,' which replaced the 'sick note' in 2010 in the UK, is linked to fewer people taking long term sick leave of 12 or more weeks, reveals research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
	VA's 'choice' program for health care off to slow start Far fewer veterans than expected are taking advantage of a new law aimed at making it easier for them to get private health care and avoid the long waits that have plagued Department of Veterans Affairs facilities nationwide.
Liberia: Eight hospital staff under observation in Ebola scare Eight health workers at a hospital in Liberia's capital have been sent home for observation after coming into contact with a patient who later tested positive for Ebola, the country's assistant health minister said Saturday.
In a twist, fight for medical pot goes to Florida Statehouse (AP)—Republicans lawmakers in Florida who once opposed medical pot are now embracing it, motivated by the strong show of support from voters and worried that another constitutional amendment during next year's presidential race could drive opponents to the polls.
Certain factors influence whether cancer patients involve family members in treatment decisions Family members often play an important role in providing care for patients with cancer, but which patients are more or less likely to involve family members in decisions regarding their care is not well known. A new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, provides some insights and may help physicians understand patients' preferences regarding their care.
Criminologist's study shows lack of mental health care for prisoners New research by a UT Dallas criminologist has found that a substantial number of prison inmates have not received treatment for mental health conditions.
Black identity and America's lingering racism What it means to be black in America today lies at the complex intersection of race, class and space, says Tufts sociologist Orly Clerge, who is working on a book about the diversity of black identity in the United States. It compares the black immigrant experience to that of the African American middle class.
New tool rates quality of health apps With more than one million 'health & fitness' mobile applications on the market - and very little research to indicate their effectiveness - how do you know which you can trust?
	Researchers report that the acute use of cannabinoids depresses motor neuron activity Why does the habitual marijuana user have difficulties speaking, breathing or swallowing food? Is it true that people who use marijuana may suffer acute lack of motor coordination? Does the use of cannabis cause muscular weakness? The answers to these and other similar questions are explored by the researchers of the NeuroDegeneration and NeuroRepair Group of the University of Cadiz, directed by professor Bernardo Moreno, and who recently published a study related to this topic in the prestigious journal Neuropharmacology.
	Research says hospital consolidation isn't a cure-all for health care In his new book, America's Bitter Pill, Steven Brill dives deep into the history of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it was passed. He concludes that, although providing more Americans with health insurance is worthy of praise, the ACA does far too little to address the costs of health care.
	Research finds females, males use sexual assault hotlines differently When victims of sexual assault dial a telephone hotline for help, what they ask and how long they stay on the line might very well be related to whether they are male or female, according to new University of Georgia research.
WHO calls for 'smart' syringes to stem deadly diseases The World Health Organization has called on healthcare providers around the globe to switch to syringes that can only be used once in order to better battle deadly diseases spread by needle sharing.
Liberians rejoice as Ebola curfew is lifted It is the early hours of the morning and bars in the Liberian capital are packed as revellers drink, sing and rejoice their first night of freedom with the Ebola curfew lifted.
India investigates suspected polio in two toddlers Indian health workers are investigating two new suspected cases of polio in the impoverished east, a year after the country celebrated eradication of the crippling virus, an official said Monday.
Group of experts issues recommendations for NIH on diversity of sex in research A diverse group of experts from academia, industry and advocacy is offering recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the federal research institution works to increase the inclusion of female animal models and achieve a balance in the use of male and female cells and animals in preclinical studies. The recommendations, available online now, will be published in the May issue of FASEB Journal.
Researchers find how a drug for osteoporosis is effective to treat a rare disease Researchers at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) have found that the Bazedoxifene acetate, used to treat osteoporosis, is useful to treat a rare disease, the hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which causes bleedings and deteriorates the patient quality of life. The European Medicines Agency has granted an orphan designation to CSIC, which authorises to carry out clinical trials in order to commercialize it. An orphan drug treats low prevalence diseases (affecting 5 in 10.000 people) but has no investment from the pharmaceutical industry because it is not profitable.
New study finds same patient mortality rates for experienced and new surgeons There is no statistical difference between the patient mortality rates of new and experienced surgeons a study using a newly developed statistical methodology and conducted by a research team comprised of medical doctors and statisticians has found.
Why don't more women rise to leadership positions in academic medicine? Even as more women are pursuing careers in academic medicine, and now comprise 20% of full-time faculty in medical schools, they are not rising to senior leadership positions in similar numbers as men. The National Faculty Study evaluated the gender climate in academic medicine and identified several factors related to the current work environment that are contributing to this disparity, and these are described in an article in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
HIV transmission at each step of the care continuum in the United States Individuals infected but undiagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those individuals diagnosed with HIV but not yet in medical care accounted for more than 90 percent of the estimated 45,000 HIV transmissions in 2009, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Houston surgeons separate 10-month-old conjoined twin girls (AP)—Doctors were optimistic 10-month-old conjoined twin girls will survive the surgery that has separated them.
Canada must ensure all orphan drugs are priced fairly to allow patient access In developing an orphan drug policy, Canada must ensure that all orphan drugs for rare diseases—both old and future drugs—should be priced fairly so that Canadians may access life-saving therapy, argue authors of an analysis published in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
One in 4 patients who visited emergency department for chest pain did not receive follow-up care Patients with multiple health issues and who are at higher risk of adverse events are less likely to receive follow-up care from a physician after visiting an emergency department for chest pain, reports a study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal ( CMAJ).
Pace of new US measles cases slows a bit, officials report The number of U.S. measles cases this year has risen to 154, with new cases scattered across five states, although the pace seems to have slowed.
Lawmaker asks if swallowed camera be used for female exam An Idaho lawmaker received a brief lesson on female anatomy after asking if a woman can swallow a small camera for doctors to conduct a remote gynecological exam.
Working in an interventional laboratory may lead to health problems Frequent use of lead aprons to protect medical professionals in the interventional lab and radiology departments from radiation exposure is associated with increased musculoskeletal pain, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Diet high in red meat may make kidney disease worse An estimated 26 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease, which can lead to complete kidney failure. Once the kidneys fail, patients either need to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week or have a kidney transplant to remain alive. In 2013, more than 47,000 Americans died from kidney disease.
Professional associations call for policies to reduce firearm injuries, deaths in US Leaders from the American College of Physicians (ACP), seven other national health professional organizations, and the American Bar Association call for policies to help mitigate the rate of firearm injuries and deaths in the United States. Key principles and consensus-based recommendations are outlined in the paper, Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action from 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association, published today in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Great gaps persist in state safety nets, interactive policy tool shows The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has launched an updated and enhanced edition of its 50-State Policy Tracker, a unique online tool for comparing safety net policies that are critical to the economic security of working families. The tool reveals striking variation among states, showing that state of residence has a major impact on whether low-income working parents succeed in making ends meet.

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