Fwd: Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 14

HOT!

Cell memory loss enables the production of stem cells

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 15, 2015 at 3:51 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 14
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 14, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: March
- Best of Last Week—An unusual form of quantum mechanics, biologically powered chip and a drug that stops liver fibrosis
- Hubble reveals diversity of exoplanet atmosphere: Largest ever comparative study solves missing water mystery
- Spintronics, low-energy electricity take a step closer: A new class of topological insulators discovered
- How nanoparticles give electrons away
- Isolating water's impact on vibrations within DNA
- Social media news consumers at higher risk of 'information bubbles,' study says
- Brain study shows there's more than meets the eye when making choices
- Chitchat and small talk could serve an evolutionary need to bond with others
- Humans evolved to get better sleep in less time
- Enhanced rock weathering could counter fossil-fuel emissions and protect our oceans
- Taking antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism by 87 percent
- Mountain growth helped spawn fish diversity in New Zealand
- Genes for age-related cognitive decline found in adult worm neurons
- Simple physical mechanism for assembly and disassembly of structures inside cells

Nanotechnology news

	New microscope creates near-real-time videos of nanoscale processes State-of-the-art atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are designed to capture images of structures as small as a fraction of a nanometer—a million times smaller than the width of a human hair. In recent years, AFMs have produced desktop-worthy close-ups of atom-sized structures, from single strands of DNA to individual hydrogen bonds between molecules.
	Nanoscale one-way street for light An optical device at nanoscale which allows light to pass in only one direction has been developed at TU Wien (Vienna). It consists of alkali atoms which are coupled to ultrathin glass fibres.
	How nanoparticles give electrons away Whether it is in catalytic processes in the chemical industry, environmental catalysis, new types of solar cells or new electronic components, nanoparticles are everywhere in modern production and environmental technologies, where their unique properties ensure efficiency and save resources. The special properties of nanoparticles often arise from a chemical interaction with the support material that they are placed on. Such interactions often change the electronic structure of the nanoparticle because electrical charge is exchanged between the particle and the support.

Physics news

	Spintronics, low-energy electricity take a step closer: A new class of topological insulators discovered Topological insulators are materials that let electric current flow across their surface while keeping it from passing it through their bulk. This exotic property makes topological insulators very promising for electricity with less energy loss, spintronics, and perhaps even quantum computing. EPFL scientists have now identified a new class of topological insulators, and have discovered its first representative material, which could propel topological insulators into applications. The work, which was carried out within the framework of the EPFL-led NCCR Marvel project, is published in Nature Materials.
	New results from world's most sensitive dark matter detector The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter experiment, which operates nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in the Black Hills of South Dakota, has already proven itself to be the most sensitive detector in the hunt for dark matter, the unseen stuff believed to account for most of the matter in the universe. Now, a new set of calibration techniques employed by LUX scientists has again dramatically improved the detector's sensitivity.
	Scott Aaronson on Google's new quantum-computing paper In 2010, a Canadian company called D-Wave announced that it had begun production of what it called the world's first commercial quantum computer, which was based on theoretical work done at MIT. Quantum computers promise to solve some problems significantly faster than classical computers—and in at least one case, exponentially faster. In 2013, a consortium including Google and NASA bought one of D-Wave's machines.
	Precise method underlies sloppy madness of dog slurping Stories about lap dogs are everywhere, but researchers at the Virginia Tech College of Engineering can tell the story of dog lapping.
	Portable MRI named Top 10 Breakthrough of 2015 by Physics World magazine Los Alamos National Laboratory's portable MRI was named one of the Top 10 Breakthroughs of the Year by Physics World, the member magazine of the Institute of Physics. Portable MRI, also called Battlefield MRI (bMRI), uses ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging to create images of injured soft tissues, such as the brain.

Earth news

	Going Dutch to help conquer the rising seas Had nature been left to take its course much of the Netherlands would be a muddy swamp and the tiny coastal nation would never have risen to be the eurozone's fifth largest economy.
	Scientists crack mystery of the Sierra Nevada's age In science, the simplest questions often prove themselves the most difficult to answer. Questions such as what killed the dinosaurs, or how many fish are there in the oceans took decades to solve or remain unanswered.
	Developing a picture of the Earth's mantle Deep inside the earth, seismic observations reveal that three distinct structures make up the boundary between the earth's metallic core and overlying silicate mantle at a depth of about 2,900 kilometers—an area whose composition is key to understanding the evolution and dynamics of our planet. These structures include remnants of subducted plates that originated near the earth's surface, ultralow-velocity zones believed to be enriched in iron, and large dense provinces of unknown composition and mineralogy. A team led by Caltech's Jennifer Jackson, professor of mineral physics has new evidence for the origin of these features that occur at the core-mantle boundary.
	Mountain growth helped spawn fish diversity in New Zealand The growth of mountain ranges on New Zealand's South Island directly influenced the evolution of different freshwater fish species in the region, according to new University of Otago-led research.
	Enhanced rock weathering could counter fossil-fuel emissions and protect our oceans Scientists have discovered enhanced weathering of rock could counter man-made fossil fuel CO2 emissions and help to protect our oceans.
	New research shows Earth's tilt influences climate change Louisiana State University paleoclimatologist Kristine DeLong contributed to an international research breakthrough that sheds new light on how the tilt of the Earth affects the world's heaviest rainbelt. DeLong analyzed data from the past 282,000 years that shows, for the first time, a connection between the Earth's tilt called obliquity that shifts every 41,000 years, and the movement of a low pressure band of clouds that is the Earth's largest source of heat and moisture—the Intertropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ.
	Some gas produced by hydraulic fracturing comes from surprise source Some of the natural gas harvested by hydraulic fracturing operations may be of biological origin—made by microorganisms inadvertently injected into shale by oil and gas companies during the hydraulic fracturing process, a new study has found.
	Slalom course for ski areas facing future without snow As temperatures rise there is less of it or sometimes even none at all—global warming is forcing ski areas to think about the once unthinkable, a future without snow.
	Blankets cover Swiss glacier in vain effort to halt icemelt From afar, the Rhone glacier looks pristine, but on closer inspection the surface is covered with white blankets to slow the melting of the rapidly retreating ice.
	Engineering climate: from pariah to saviour? Once dismissed as dangerous science fiction, schemes to stave off global warming by re-engineering Earth's climate may well gain in traction as a result of the Paris agreement.
	Beijing and Delhi: 2 cities and 2 ways of dealing with smog Two cities. Two very polluted cities. And two very different ways of dealing with twin public health crises.
	Scientists welcome climate pact but still alarmed Climate scientists Saturday welcomed a pact to battle global warming as a major political advance, but warned of a gaping hole—the lack of a detailed roadmap for cutting greenhouse gases that cause the problem.
	As garbage mountains rise, Indonesian capital faces waste crisis Sifting through a mountain of garbage with her bare hands, a thick cloth wrapped around her face to keep out the stench, Patimah recalled her early days scavenging at a dump on the outskirts of the Indonesian capital the size of 120 football fields.
Company plans gravel island to extract Arctic offshore oil Arctic offshore drilling by Royal Dutch Shell PLC drew protests on two continents this year, but a more modest proposal for extracting petroleum where polar bears roam has moved forward with much less attention.
	As Florida Keys flood, property worries seep in Extreme high tides have turned streets into canal-like swamps in the Florida Keys, with armies of mosquitoes and the stench of stagnating water filling the air, and residents worried rising sea levels will put a damper on property values in the island chain.
	Urgent aid needed to fight 'super' El Nino: Oxfam Droughts, erratic rains and frosts brought by a super-charged El Nino are severely impacting the Pacific, with Papua New Guinea worst hit, aid group Oxfam said in a report on Monday.
	A climatological treasure in Nevada opens up new perspectives Devils Hole in the U.S. is a unique place. In this subaqueous cavern, conditions have remained stable for hundreds of thousands of years. In a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, researchers from Innsbruck investigate this valuable climatological archive and, in the process, try to get to the bottom of a mystery.
	Acquiring ice measurements from space The satellite age has revolutionised our understanding of Earth, giving us accurate information to help critical agreements on climate change such as at the current COP21 conference in Paris. Diminishing polar ice is one of the most visible indicators of change, but how much have we learnt over the last decades?
Scientists paint a detailed picture of the chemical structure of oceans 520 million years ago Ocean chemistry has strongly shaped the evolution of life and biogeochemical cycles on the Earth. Although it was known that the early oceans (>520 million years ago) were characterized by strong water-column stratification and limited oxidant availability, the detailed chemical structure of early Earth oceans has remained unclear. Recently, researchers in Wuhan have developed a model of the spatial structure of early-Earth ocean chemistry that significantly advances our understanding of how oceanic conditions influenced the evolution of higher life on our planet.
	Climate scientists focus on extracting the carbon already in our air For decades, most of the strategizing about how to slow down climate change has focused on cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, mainly by shifting away from fossil fuels. Other proposals range from reducing meat consumption (cattle belch massive quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas) to curtailment of chlorofluorocarbons (compounds that both retain heat and destroy atmospheric ozone) in refrigerants and aerosols.
	Size does not always matter for root systems Scientists will dramatically change the direction of their breeding efforts to improve nitrogen uptake by wheat, after the release of findings suggesting wheat genotypes with smaller root systems might be better suited to WA's water and nitrogen leaching soils.
	Scientist develops new way to find age of drinking water It can take days for water to travel from a filtration plant to your tap and the length of time the journey takes could affect water quality.
	Vegetarian and 'healthy' diets are more harmful to the environment Contrary to recent headlines—and a talk by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the United Nations Paris Climate Change Conference—eating a vegetarian diet could contribute to climate change.
	New NASA satellite maps show human fingerprint on global air quality Using new, high-resolution global satellite maps of air quality indicators, NASA scientists tracked air pollution trends over the last decade in various regions and 195 cities around the globe. The findings were presented Monday at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
	Bloc of 134 developing nations also 'happy' with climate pact: spokeswoman The G77 bloc of 134 developing nations, including China, gave the nod Saturday for a hard-fought UN climate rescue pact due to be presented for adoption in Paris.
	Planned UN climate deal blow to fossil fuels: green groups A global accord to tame global warming pending approval at UN talks in Paris on Saturday would be a huge blow to the fossil-fuel industry, Greenpeace and other prominent environment groups said.
	Highlights of the proposed UN climate accord Envoys from 195 nations zeroed in Saturday on a historic climate rescue pact after host France released a final draft for ministers to peruse and adopt.
	Nearly 200 nations pledge to slow global warming Nearly 200 nations adopted the first global pact to fight climate change on Saturday, calling on the world to collectively cut and then eliminate greenhouse gas pollution but imposing no sanctions on countries that don't.
	Key points of the landmark Paris climate agreement U.N. climate talks reached a milestone Saturday when more than 190 countries adopted the first accord asking all countries to join the fight against global warming.
China's efforts on climate deal partly down to its pollution China's push for a global climate pact is partly because of its own increasingly pressing need to solve serious environmental problems, observers said Sunday.
	After Paris: Now what for world climate? After a champagne moment in Paris, where ministers from around the world crafted a pact to fight perilous climate change, comes the hard part.
Now comes the tough part: The world's carbon diet starts The world is about to go on a carbon diet. It won't be easy—or cheap.
	Surveillance secret weapon in China pollution struggle In the future, China will shut down a factory before it even pollutes—or so it hopes, as it deploys big data in the fight against bad air.
	Unclean water supply may contribute to lower life expectancy in remote Australia Lack of access to sufficient, clean, safe water could contribute to the 10-year average life expectancy gap between people who live in many rural and remote areas and those living metropolitan Australia, a QUT public health engineer says.
	Predicting the impact of an Auckland eruption Rangitoto, Mt Albert, Lake Pupuke, Orakei Basin, Mt Eden and One Tree Hill are some of Auckland's most familiar landmarks. But they are also reminders of the city's fiery history and the looming threat of future disasters.
Biochar suitable substrate for soilless hydroponic tomatoes As the use of soilless, hydroponic growing methods becomes more prevalent among crop producers, researchers are looking for new materials that can help growers save money, produce healthy plants, and contribute to sustainable practices. The authors of a study in the October 2015 issue of HortScience say that biochar, a charcoal-like material produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, can help "close the loop" when used as a substrate for soilless, hydroponic tomato production. "This method could provide growers with a cost-effective and environmentally responsible green-waste disposal method, and supplement substrate, fertilizer, and energy requirements," said the study's corresponding author Jason Wargent.
	NASA sees Typhoon Melor make landfall in Philippines As Typhoon Melor approached a landfall in the central Philippines, NASA's RapidScat instrument identified the strongest winds north of the center. As the storm was making landfall in the eastern Visayas and Bicol regions of the Philippines early on Dec. 14, 2015 NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image that showed the extend of the storm.
PNNL talks weather phenomena at AGU Scientists from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will talk about tropical weather, carbon cycle, climate, and more at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, which runs Monday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 18 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.
	Begin climate change action today: UN's Ban Calling the Paris climate deal "a health insurance policy for the planet," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged governments to waste no time in delivering on their commitments to fight global warming.
Record heat sets the tone for year's searing headlines When a devastating heat wave hit India this year, it killed more than 2,500 people and melted the pavement of New Delhi's streets. In California, where an ordinary year sees mountain snow pile 6-feet (1.83-meters) deep or more—supplying much drinking water—surveyors had nothing to measure in some spots but bare grass.

Astronomy & Space news

	Hubble reveals diversity of exoplanet atmosphere: Largest ever comparative study solves missing water mystery Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope to study the atmospheres of ten hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanets in detail, the largest number of such planets ever studied. The team was able to discover why some of these worlds seem to have less water than expected—a long-standing mystery. The results are published in Nature.
	Astronomers recall how they discovered source of dazzling December meteor shower known as Geminids The beautiful Geminids meteor shower is due to light up the heavens this weekend, but the source of the enigmatic cosmic display had eluded stargazers for more than 120 years.
	Ride along with Rosetta through the eyes of OSIRIS Rosetta's OSIRIS camera team has launched a new website to showcase their recent images of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
	Japan asteroid probe enters 'target orbit' in space quest A Japanese space probe successfully entered "target orbit" and is on its way to rendezvousing with a far away asteroid, in a quest to study the origin of the solar system, authorities said Monday.
	Saving NASA's STEREO-B—the 189-million-mile road to recovery On Oct. 1, 2014, NASA mission operations lost communication with one of the two spacecraft of the Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or STEREO, mission, just as the spacecraft was about to orbit around the other side of the sun. Though they haven't heard from the Behind spacecraft, also known as STEREO-B, in over a year, the spacecraft has finally emerged into a region where it can once again receive radio signals. Scientists have a plan to get it back—and their chances only get better with time.
	Planetary influences on young stellar disks A newborn star typically has a disk of gas and dust from which planets develop as the dust grains collide, stick together and grow. Stars older than about five million years lack evidence for these disks, however, suggesting that by this age most of the disk material has either been converted into planets or smaller bodies, accreted onto the star, or dispersed from the system. Transition disks bridge this period in disk evolution: They have not yet been disbursed, and warmed by the star, can be detected at infrared or millimeter wavelengths. Their infrared colors can be used to characterize their properties. They often show inner dust cavities, which astronomers have sometimes interpreted as evidence of the presence of planets that have cleared out their orbits.
	Study finds evidence for more recent clay formation on Mars Recent orbital and rover missions to Mars have turned up ample evidence of clays and other hydrated minerals formed when rocks are altered by the presence of water. Most of that alteration is thought to have happened during the earliest part of Martian history, more than 3.7 billion years ago. But a new study shows that later alteration—within the last 2 billion years or so—may be more common than many scientists had thought.
	A new spin on star-forming galaxies Australian researchers have discovered why some galaxies are "clumpy" rather than spiral in shape—and it appears low spin is to blame.
Russia launches military satellite: ministry Russia on Sunday successfully launched a military satellite from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the defence ministry said in a statement.
	Vega graduates with perfect record Europe's Vega light launcher is entering its commercial life boasting a flawless record and an impressive set of capabilities for a wide range of missions.
	Physicist uses 3D-printing technology to understand how the universe has evolved 3D-printing technology has been used to create everything from iPad stands to guitars to lawnmowers and cars. Now a physicist at the University of California, Riverside is using the technology to understand the universe – its structure, the evolution of cosmic structures within it, and galaxy formation.
	Engineers complete experiment onboard ESA sounding rocket An experiment investigating how metals change from liquid to solid in microgravity has successfully taken place onboard a European Space Agency (ESA) sounding rocket. University College Dublin researchers designed the furnace and made the metal samples used in the XRMON experiment.
	How does the sun produce energy? There is a reason life that Earth is the only place in the solar system where life is known to be able to live and thrive. Granted, scientists believe that there may be microbial or even aquatic life forms living beneath the icy surfaces of Europa and Enceladus, or in the methane lakes on Titan. But for the time being, Earth remains the only place that we know of that has all the right conditions for life to exist.
	Spaceplanes vs reusable rockets – which will win? Launching satellites, spacecraft and people into space is expensive because we only use our launch vehicles once. After delivering their payloads into orbit, our rockets either burn up in the atmosphere or crash into the ocean. Imagine how expensive a transatlantic flight would be if aircraft made only a single flight before being scrapped – this is the situation with the commercial space industry. Rocket fuel accounts for only 1,000th of the total launch cost, with the rest largely accounted for by the one-shot, disposable launch vehicle.
	British astronaut hopes to see new Star Wars movie in space Timothy Peake, the first Briton to represent the European Space Agency aboard the International Space Station, will be away from the planet for six months but looks forward to Earthly pleasures like seeing the new Star Wars movie and having a Christmas pudding.
British astronaut swaps family Christmas for space mission Astronaut Timothy Peake, set to become the first Briton to travel to the International Space Station, said on the eve of his departure that he would look down on Earth at Christmas time and think of his family—hopefully while tucking into some Christmas pudding himself.
	NASA Want Ad: Astronauts needed to help get to Mars Need more office space? How about outer space?
	NASA studies high clouds, Saharan dust from EPIC view From a dusty atmosphere stretching across the Atlantic Ocean to daily views of clouds at sunrise, a new NASA camera keeping a steady eye on the sunlit side of Earth is yielding new insights about our changing planet.

Technology news

	China drives global patent applications to new high China accounted for nearly a third of the world's patent applications last year, once again driving strong global growth, despite a sharp decrease in industrial design filings, the UN said Monday.
	Tech titans pledge $1 bn for artificial intelligence research Several big-name Silicon Valley figures have pledged $1 billion to support a non-profit firm that on Friday said it would focus on the "positive human impact" of artificial intelligence.
	Using ocean plastic, Adidas concept shows shoe rethink In an interesting lemons-to-lemonade development, plastic ocean waste has served as material for a 3D-printed shoe. The makers are Adidas. Together with Parley for the Oceans, a group fighting ocean pollution, the shoe concept was revealed in a well-timed announcement in step with the Paris climate talks.
	Vast desert sun farm to help light up Morocco On the edge of the Sahara desert, engineers make final checks to a sea of metal mirrors turned towards the sun, preparing for the launch of Morocco's first solar power plant.
	Turning poop into plastic at Paris climate talks A small piece of dung was on proud display at global climate-saving talks in Paris, just a few steps away from being transformed into a plastic bottle or fuel for a car.
	Making progress in sheds and attics to rebuild EDSAC In the UK, a group of engineers have been dedicating time in reconstructing the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) and its past and present requirements to do so amount to quite a challenge.
	Twitter issues warnings of 'state-sponsored hacking' Twitter has warned some of its users that their accounts on the messaging platform may be the target of "state-sponsored hackers."
	U mad bro? Researchers measure emotion with your mouse clicks Most people can tell if you're angry based on the way you're acting. Professor Jeffrey Jenkins can tell if you're angry by the way you move a computer mouse.
	System converts stereoscopic 3-D video content for use in glasses-less 3-D displays "Glasses-less" 3-D displays now commercially available dispense with the need for cumbersome glasses, but existing 3-D stereoscopic content will not work in these new devices, which project several views of a scene simultaneously. To solve this problem, Disney Research and ETH Zurich have developed a system that can transform stereoscopic content into multiview content in real-time.
	Social media news consumers at higher risk of 'information bubbles,' study says Indiana University researchers have found that people who seek out news and information from social media are at higher risk of becoming trapped in a "collective social bubble" compared to using search engines.
	Samsung asks Supreme Court to throw out $399M judgment In its patent dispute with Apple, Samsung is asking the Supreme Court to take a digital-age look at an issue it last confronted in the horse-and-buggy era.
	Pandora steps up personalization in streaming battle Internet radio giant Pandora on Monday introduced a feature to improve personalization of musical selections as it hopes to prevent potential defections to on-demand sites.
	Data encryption in sharp focus after deadly attacks With renewed focus on how encrypted messages can be used to plot terrorist attacks, President Barack Obama's administration is stepping up pressure on the tech sector to help in the battle.
	Texas A&M to open $6M research center in Israel Texas A&M University has scrapped plans for a $200 million campus in the Israeli city of Nazareth and instead is launching a $6 million marine research center that's expected to contribute to critical projects Israel is pursuing along the Mediterranean Sea.
	Spain wants to retake lead in renewable energy A former global champion of renewable energy, Spain wants to make up the ground it lost during the economic crisis when it reversed its policy slashing subsidies and decimating the sector.
China's Alibaba pays $266M for influential HK newspaper E-commerce company Alibaba is buying Hong Kong's South China Morning Post for 2.06 billion Hong Kong dollars ($266 million), it said Monday, in a deal that's stirred concern the English-language paper's reporting may be softened under new Chinese owners.
	Using algorithms to make a campaign go viral Marketers want to create buzz, but it's not always so easy. For a marketing message to spread like wildfire, not only does it have to reach the target audience, but it also has to be well-timed and well-placed. SThAR, an EPFL spin-off, has developed algorithms that improve the chances of getting it right.
NRL video refs can still make the call even if they're not at the game A new centralised video bunker is set to be introduced to the National Rugby League (NRL) games next season as part of a A$2 million hi-tech overhaul.
	Wind farms—why their carbon footprints matter as much as their locations Seasonal and daily patterns of electricity consumption follow almost identical forms everywhere. Demand is low in the middle of the night when the bulk of humanity is sleeping and it peaks either in the middle of the day when we switch on our air conditions or at night when we turn on our lights.
	New technology could save millions in energy costs A new technology from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), could help companies and factories cut their energy bills by as much as 10 per cent.
	More telecoms let you watch video without dinging data caps Cellphone and broadband providers are excluding some video from data caps, meaning consumers have more data available for other apps and services.
	US sets drone registration rules, deadline That drone under the Christmas tree? If you are a US resident, you will need to register it by February 19 or face a possible fine.
	12 arrests in Europe for Trojan horse cybercrime The European police agency Europol said Monday it has backed national forces in a two-week crackdown on cybercrime mostly by tech-savvy youngsters, leading to 12 arrests in France, Norway and Romania.
Can technology help with the UK's rising healthcare costs? From diabetes to dementia, from depression to AIDS, large segments of the UK's population are living with conditions that cannot be cured, but must be managed outside of the hospital environment. How technology could transform the future of healthcare will be discussed by Professor Ian Craddock from the University of Bristol at the IEEE World Forum on the Internet of Things (WF-IoT) in Milan, Italy.
Looking for the future of tech We are increasingly joined at the hip to technology. For most of us, it's at its most obvious in that smartphone in our pocket or purse, stringing a live wire between our daily lives and the cloud, coursing through a full menu of apps that connect us to the Internet and to each other.
Uber looks to get commuters out of their personal cars with new fixed route option You hail an Uber for a night out on the town. But to get to work, you're probably still driving a car.
Smaller cities vie to be the next Silicon Valley A tiny light bulb hooked up to a computer lights up, and Antonio Rojas-Rodriguez smiles.
	Apple reportedly will upgrade next-generation Watch in March The Apple rumor mill is churning especially early, with a report saying the company will hold an event in March to unveil the second-generation Apple Watch.
	Fund argues for Yahoo job cuts, ouster of Mayer An investment fund with a stake in Yahoo called Monday for the struggling Internet firm to slash more than 80 percent of its workforce and replace chief executive Marissa Mayer.
	EU lawmakers blast plans to ease diesel pollution limits EU lawmakers on Monday firmly rejected plans by the European Commission to allow diesel car makers to continue to exceed pollution limits.
	Sweden in deal to quiz Assange in London Sweden has reached a preliminary legal agreement with Ecuador that would pave the way for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be questioned over a rape allegation, the Swedish government said Sunday.
UK Tinder users urged to donate organs US dating app Tinder is teaming up with Britain's National Health Service (NHS) to raise awareness among the young about organ donation, it said Monday.
Microsoft's Cortana now works on Google, Apple phones Microsoft's Cortana is now answering requests on Google- and Apple-powered smartphones.
India draws tech dreamers back home Like many Indian engineers, Ambarish Gupta moved abroad to get his piece of the tech dream.

Chemistry news

	Domain size and purity key to efficient organic solar cells As solar energy becomes more popular, the drive to create more efficient, less expensive solar cells increases. Solar energy is abundant, but the devices we use to collect that energy have an efficiency problem – currently, the most efficient polymer-based solar cells operate at a shade under 11 percent efficiency.
	Simple physical mechanism for assembly and disassembly of structures inside cells For the first time, scientists have demonstrated a simple charge-based mechanism for regulating the formation and dissolution of liquid-like structures that lack outer membranes inside cells. The research provides a first step in deciphering how these poorly-understood structures function in the cell and how they may have evolved. The research, conducted by Penn State University scientists, will appear December 14, 2015, as an advance online publication of the journal, Nature Chemistry.
	Designer crystals for next-gen electronics Liquid is often seen as the kryptonite of electronics, known for damaging and corroding components.
	Hybrid material that responds to heat and light presents future potential for 4D-printed adaptive devices Combining photo-responsive fibers with thermo-responsive gels, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering and Clemson University have modeled a new hybrid material that could reconfigure itself multiple times into different shapes when exposed to light and heat, allowing for the creation of devices that not only adapt to their environment, but also display distinctly different behavior in the presence of different stimuli.
	Isolating water's impact on vibrations within DNA In a biological system, the ratio of water-to-non-water molecules, known as the hydration level, influences both the arrangement of biomolecules and the strength of the electric interactions that occur between biomolecules, free ions, and functional groups, which are groups of atoms within molecules that strongly influence the molecules' chemical properties. To isolate the contribution of water to the vibrational fluctuations that occur between DNA, bulk water, and the charged biomolecular interface between the two, researchers at the Max-Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy in Berlin have performed two-dimensional spectroscopic analyses on double-stranded DNA helices at different hydration levels.
Faster, finer filtration The right blend of polymers enables rapid and molecule-selective filtering of tiny particles from water.
	Doped organic semiconductors explored Current semiconductor technology is based on silicon, an inorganic semiconductor material in which impurity atoms are introduced or doped for use in electronic components to increase conductivity and tailor the electronic structure. However, organic solid-state materials made of conjugated molecules or polymers can also exhibit promising semiconducting properties that make their application feasible for organic electronics.
Antibiotic resistance could help find drugs for some of the most intractable diseases Amyloid diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and type-2 diabetes pose a particular problem for drug designers because they do not present a clear target structure to aim at.
	Promising cancer therapy advanced by chemical explanation Radiation therapy: A chilling word that creates images of burn-injuries where the cancer killing ray went through the skin. For decades research hospitals have been investigating the alternative method Hadron therapy, or particle therapy, where runaway cells are bombarded with "naked" atomic nuclei or protons. When the particles pass through sick cells the collision creates chemical reactions preventing further cell division. Now researchers at the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, have discovered an unknown reaction caused by the therapy.

Biology news

	A metabolic pathway in cyanobacteria could yield better biofuels and bioproducts from photosynthesis Scientists from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered that a metabolic pathway previously only suggested to be functional in photosynthetic organisms is actually a major pathway and can enable efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to organic compounds.
Stunning diversity of gut bacteria uncovered by new approach to gene sequencing A collaboration between computer scientists and geneticists at Stanford University has produced a novel technique for mapping the diversity of bacteria living in the human gut.
Researchers create cellular 'ORACLs' to aid drug discovery A team of researchers at UC San Francisco has devised a new approach for early stage drug discovery that uses techniques from the world of computer vision in combination with a powerful new tool: a lineage of genetically modified cancer cells in a dish that change their appearance when treated with drugs targeting common disease pathways.
	Headbanging Aussie bee takes a heavy metal approach to pollination Research has for the first time revealed the heavy metal secret behind an Australian bee's unique approach to pollination: high-speed headbanging.
	Small fish species evolved rapidly following 1964 Alaska earthquake Evolution is usually thought of as occurring over long time periods, but it also can happen quickly. Consider a tiny fish whose transformation after the 1964 Alaskan earthquake was uncovered by University of Oregon scientists and their University of Alaska collaborators.
	Sea lions exposed to algal toxin show impaired spatial memory California sea lions exposed to the algal toxin domoic acid can suffer brain damage that leads to significant deficits in spatial memory, according to a study to be published in the Dec. 18 issue of Science. The new findings suggest that chronic exposure to the toxin, produced by naturally occurring marine algae, causes impairments that are likely to affect sea lions' ability to navigate in their ocean habitat and survive in the wild.
	Scientists say face mites evolved alongside humans since the dawn of human origins Scientists have discovered a universal human truth about our bodies: they all, without exception, have mites. A landmark new study, led by scientists at Bowdoin and the California Academy of Sciences, explores the fascinating, little-known natural history of the face mite species Demodex folliculorum, using genetic testing to link the microscopic animal's evolution to our own ever-evolving human story. By zooming in on a type of genetic material (called mitochondrial DNA) in mite samples from around the world, scientists discovered that different human populations have different mites, that those mites follow families through generations, and that they are not casually transferred between humans.
	Sweet and sticky: Bacteria use sugars to bind to human cells A team at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics has made a scientific discovery that will change the way scientists explore vaccine development and drug discovery for infectious diseases.
	Humans evolved to get better sleep in less time Insomniacs take heart: Humans get by on significantly less sleep than our closest animal relatives. The secret, according to a new study, is that our sleep is more efficient.
New method prevents premature halt in protein synthesis in certain genetic illnesses Improperly formed proteins can cause a host of serious illnesses, from muscular dystrophy to cystic fibrosis. A question of enormous import in research, beyond the challenge of determining how malformed proteins contribute to specific disease processes, is figuring out ways to prevent or reduce the pathologies they cause.
	Cell memory loss enables the production of stem cells They say we can't escape our past—no matter how much we change, we still have the memory of what came before; the same can be said of our cells.
	Chitchat and small talk could serve an evolutionary need to bond with others We think of chitchat and small talk as the things people say to pass the time or kill an awkward silence. New research suggests, however, that these idle conversations could be a social-bonding tool passed down from primates.
	'Trap and haul' program suggested to save endangered sawfish The Kimberley's Fitzroy River seems to be the world's capital for the iconic freshwater sawfish (Pristis pristis) whose distinctive "saws" adorn many a study wall and trophy cabinet.
	Ancient and modern skills unite to count Kimberley "mermaids" Aboriginal rangers have joined forces with scientists to determine for the first time the distribution and abundance of dugongs (Dugong dugon) that inhabit the Kimberley's remote waters and act as a food source for indigenous people.
	Soil provides new microbial sources for natural products The role of the soil as a treasure trove of new, useful, natural products is again confirmed by the discovery of as yet unknown genes in Lysobacter bacteria. Research conducted by Wageningen UR and NIOO shows that these genes or gene clusters probably code for currently unknown antimicrobial substances.
	Dam good research on invasive beavers in Patagonia For three years, Duke student Alejandro Pietrek has bravely grappled with some unusual marauders of the forests and steppes of Patagonia: invasive beavers. A biology graduate student, Pietrek recently presented his dissertation on the "Demography of invasive beavers in the heterogeneous landscapes of Patagonia." Pietrek has studied over two dozen colonies of beavers in order to answer three questions:
	Tramp ant caught globetrotting under false name A century-old mystery surrounding the origin of an invasive ant species was recently solved by an international team of scientists. Since 1893, when it was first discovered as an invasive species in the Canary Islands, entomologists have been debating where this mystery species came from. While some insisted on the Mediterranean, some proposed Arabia and others argued for Africa. The correct answer? Asia.
	Rapid Arctic warming drives shifts in marine mammals, new research shows New hydrophone surveys of migration gateways to the Arctic show that recent extremes in sea ice loss has opened new waters to humpback and fin whales that once ranged through the far north only in summer. And as climate change drives the ice into further retreat, such "summer" species may begin competing with bowhead whales that once had the habitat to themselves, according to research presented at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference in San Francisco this week.
	Researchers find that Australian and New Zealand little penguins are distinct species A team of researchers from New Zealand's University of Otago and the University of Tasmania has discovered that Australian and New Zealand little penguins represent two distinct species, rather than one.
	Optimal conditions for forcing cut pineapple lily The authors of a new study say that bringing new types of cut flowers to market is good for consumers and the floral industry. Alicain Carlson and John Dole published a study in the October 2015 issue of HortTechnology that can help pineapple lilies gain favor with cut flower growers, and may spark interest among floral consumers.
	Bycatch threatens marine mammals, but new protections hold promise for Mexican vaquita Gillnetting around the world is ensnaring hundreds of thousands of small cetaceans every year, threatening several species of dolphins and porpoises with extinction, according to research presented at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's 21st biennial conference in San Francisco this week.
	Extending the growing season for baby-leaf salad greens Ready-to-eat salad mixes have experienced a tremendous increase in popularity and sales over the last 20 years. A study in HortScience reports that supermarket sales of the produce increased from $197 million in 1993 to $2.7 billion in 2008 in the U.S. Looking for ways to meet consumer demand and extend the production season of popular baby-leaf salad greens in the Pacific Northwest, scientists in Washington evaluated salad cultivars for suitability as spring and fall crops.
Consumers' preferences for foliage plant attributes Researchers used eye-tracking technology and rating-based experiments to determine what affects consumers' likelihood of buying indoor plants. The study in the October issue of HortScience offers new insights into consumer purchasing preferences and includes valuable recommendations for plant producers and retailers.
	Plasticulture system offers alternative for cabbage producers In Florida, a major fresh-market cabbage producing state, cabbage production currently relies on bare ground and subirrigation systems. Because of the large volume of water these systems need for irrigation, finding alternative production methods is a pressing need. Researchers at the University of Florida recently determined that plasticulture systems using drip irrigation can be effective for cabbage production in the state.

Medicine & Health news

	Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital show that combining radiation treatment with "suicide gene therapy," a technique in which prostate cancer cells are genetically modified so they signal a patient's immune system to attack them, provides a safe and effective one-two punch against the disease.
	Helping others dampens the effects of everyday stress Providing help to friends, acquaintances, and even strangers can mitigate the impact of daily stressors on our emotions and our mental health, according to new research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
	Research traces cause of organ dysfunction in Down syndrome While most Down syndrome research has focused on the brain, a new report by Johns Hopkins University biologists uncovers how the disorder hampers a separate part of the nervous system that plays a key role in health and longevity.
	Altered cell cycle gene activity underlies brain overgrowth in autistic toddlers Further underscoring the prenatal origins of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine describe for the first time how abnormal gene activity in cell cycle networks that are known to control brain cell production may underlie abnormal early brain growth in the disorder.
	Complex "cocktail" in white blood cells has regenerative effect Hendrik Jan Ankersmit's research group at the Clinical Department of Thoracic Surgery of MedUni Vienna has successfully shown that irradiated white blood cells release substances that reduce the severity of the damage caused by a heart attack or stroke and in spinal injuries and have a positive effect upon tissue repair. However, up until now it wasn't known exactly which particular substances were responsible for these beneficial effects. This has now been discovered.
	Olive and sunflower oil on baby skin weakens natural defences Using olive or sunflower oil on new born babies' skin damages the barrier which prevents water loss and blocks allergens and infections, new research led by The University of Manchester has found.
	Genes for age-related cognitive decline found in adult worm neurons Researchers from Princeton University have identified genes important for age-related cognitive declines in memory in adult worm neurons, which had not been studied previously. The research, published in the journal Nature, could eventually point the way toward therapies to extend life and enhance health in aging human populations.
	How multiple sclerosis can be triggered by brain cell death Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be triggered by the death of brain cells that make the insulation around nerve fibers, a surprising new view of the disease reported in a study from Northwestern Medicine and The University of Chicago. And a specially developed nanoparticle prevented MS even after the death of those brain cells, an experiment in the study showed.
	Team uncovers hard-to-detect cancer mutations New research shows that current approaches to genome analysis systematically miss detecting a certain type of complex mutation in cancer patients' tumors. Further, a significant percentage of these complex mutations are found in well-known cancer genes that could be targeted by existing drugs, potentially expanding the number of cancer patients who may benefit.
	Taking antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism by 87 percent Using antidepressants during pregnancy greatly increases the risk of autism, Professor Anick Bérard of the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine children's hospital revealed today. Prof. Bérard, an internationally renowned expert in the fields of pharmaceutical safety during pregnancy, came to her conclusions after reviewing data covering 145,456 pregnancies.
	Kindness, charitable behavior influenced by amygdala, research reveals The amygdala, a small structure at the front end of the brain's temporal lobe, has long been associated with negative behaviors generally, and specifically with fear. But new research from Michael Platt, the James S. Riepe University Professor in the psychology, neuroscience and marketing departments at the University of Pennsylvania, along with Steve Chang from Yale University and collaborators from Duke, shows this collection of nuclei can also influence positive social functions like kindness and what might be called charitable giving in humans.
	Brain study shows there's more than meets the eye when making choices If you're pondering whether to buy a Galaxy smartphone or an iPhone this holiday season, a part of the brain called the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) might ultimately determine your choice. Results of a new study by Avinash Vaidya and Dr. Lesley Fellows, researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro), suggest that this region of the brain plays a critical role in making choices.
	Flu fighting strategies should be tailored to cities and rural areas In the face of a flu epidemic, a one-size fits all vaccine strategy won't be effective, a York University study has found. Instead, strategies need to change significantly depending on the characteristics of each region in Canada and how easily the particular flu strain spreads.
A cultural revolution in the study of the gut microbiome It's estimated that as many as 1,000,000 Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which cause mild to severe symptoms that at best can be managed and at worst can lead to life-threatening complications. While abnormal immune responses are largely responsible for these diseases, issues relating to gut microbiome, intestinal epithelial cells, immune components and the gut's rhythmic peristalsis motions can also contribute to and exacerbate symptoms. But until now, scientists have been hard-pressed to develop new therapies for treating IBDs due to their inability to replicate the human gut microenvironment in the laboratory.
	Heart structural gene causes sudden cardiac death in animal model The presence or absence of the CAP2 gene causes sudden cardiac death in mice, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In particular, the absence of the gene interrupts the animal's ability to send electrical signals to the heart to tell it to contract, a condition called cardiac conduction disease. The study was published in Scientific Reports.
	Thyroid cancer patients report poor quality of life despite 'good' diagnosis Thyroid cancer survivors report poor quality of life after diagnosis and treatment compared with other patients who are diagnosed with more lethal cancers, according to new research from the University of Chicago Medicine.
	Who's too old for major treatment? Age not always a barrier Irwin Weiner felt so good after heart surgery a few weeks before turning 90 that he stopped for a pastrami sandwich on the way home from the hospital. Dorothy Lipkin danced after getting a new hip at age 91. And at 94, William Gandin drives himself to the hospital for cancer treatments.
	Cancer cell collaborators smooth the way for cancer cells to metastasize At ASCB 2015, Vanderbilt researchers show how metastasizing tumors use non-cancerous fibroblasts to make a migration highway through surrounding extracellular matrix.
Nurofen feels pain in Australia over misleading claims Drug giant Reckitt Benckiser was Monday ordered to pull some of its popular Nurofen painkiller brands off shelves in Australia after a court ruled they made misleading claims.
Researcher discusses the psychology of terrorism Ronald Schouten is the director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Law and Psychiatry Service and an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has been studying the psychology of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks broadened his focus beyond workplace violence. In a conversation with the Gazette, he fielded questions on the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., and the psychology behind both terrorism and the fear it spreads.
	Helicopter parenting at the doctor's office may impact teen health Parents of teens may struggle letting go of the reins when it comes to their children's health checkups, a new national poll suggests.
Coping with stress from others during the holidays For many of us, the holiday season can give rise to extra stress. We may feel the weight of hectic schedules, financial strain and more people crammed into less space. Some may strive for an unrealistic ideal of holiday happiness and feel the stress of falling short. Tragic national and global events may cast a shadow, and we may be unnerved by warnings to exercise caution during this busy travel season.
	Genes that may protect against dementia "Survival of the fittest" is one of the most misunderstood terms in biology. Evoking images of physical prowess, it actually refers to an individual inheriting traits that increase the chances of having fertile offspring, such as brilliant plumage or a high sperm count. But according to an intriguing study published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for we humans, natural selection may favor grandparents who enjoy what appears to be genetic protection against dementia. The reasoning: maintaining cognition and memory well into old age enables elders to impart their wisdom to and care for their grandchildren, while elders with dementia require care themselves.
	Can dogs help us develop better cancer treatments? Will Eward, DVM, MD, works to find better treatments for a cancer called sarcoma. It makes no difference to him that half of his patients walk on four legs and bark at the doorbell.
	New study links short sleep to distracted secondary eating and drinking A recent cross-sectional study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham explored a new pathway between short sleep—less than seven hours—and obesity.
	Are flame retardant chemicals fueling thyroid cancer? Surgeon Julie Ann Sosa, MD, professor of advanced oncologic and GI surgery, is an international authority on thyroid cancer, and right about now her expertise is in great demand. Thyroid cancer is the fastest-increasing cancer in the United States in both men and women. In just three years, the endocrine surgery program that Sosa runs at Duke has grown from one surgeon to four.
	Early childhood exposure to farm animals and pets modifies immunological responses Exposure to farm animals in early childhood modifies the key allergy-related immunological mechanisms, shows a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. The study provides new insight into the role of dendritic cells and cytokine production in particular.
	New research could help to prevent blockages faced by many long-term catheter users New research could lead to new treatments to prevent blockages and urinary tract infections experienced by many long-term catheter users.
	Colorectal cancer risk varies based on Latino subgroup affiliation In a first study of its kind, USC researchers have found that colorectal cancer risk in Californian Latinos vary widely depending on their country of origin.
	Amoebas reveals how human airway cells rally against cigarette smoke damage Everyone knows that cigarette smoke is bad for your lungs. Just how bad can be seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Air pollution and other airborne irritants can be a factor but the National Institutes of Health is unequivocal—cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Despite its prevalence and ongoing research into COPD, there is no cure, current treatments are largely palliative, and new treatment targets are scarce. Now Corrine Kliment and colleagues in Doug Robinson's lab at Johns Hopkins University have found two new targets in a surprising place—amoebas. The researchers will present at ASCB 2015 in San Diego on Monday, December 14.
Brain cancer self-organizes into streams, swirls, and spheres Commonly, we think of cancer as anarchy, a leaderless mob of deranged cells, storming through the body. Pedro Lowenstein, Sebastien Motsch, and colleagues at the University of Michigan and University of Arizona think that cancer is highly organized—self-organized. In brain cancer, the Michigan and Arizona researchers report that glioma cells build tumors by self-organizing into streams,10-20 cells wide, that obey a mathematically predicted pattern for autonomous agents flowing together. These streams drag along slower gliomas, may block entry of immune cells, and swirl around a central axis containing glioma stem cells that feed the tumor's growth. The researchers will present their new work on tumor self-organization on Monday, December 14 at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Diego, CA.
	Overprescribing of opioids is not limited to a few bad apples, study finds Most prescriptions for opioid painkillers are made by the broad swath of U.S. general practitioners, not by a limited group of specialists, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Analysis of neuronal avalanches reveals spatial temporal roadmap of humans higher cognitive function The word 'avalanche' is generally associated with violent and unexpected events—such as rockslides, or the sudden collapse of unstable drifts of snow. But in brain research, avalanches—intermittent cascades of electrical activity—are everyday occurrences that are not only peaceful, but actually reflect stability.
	Timing of first childbirth influences women's health at age 40 A new study finds some surprising ways in which women's health at midlife is connected to when they had their first child and to their marital history.
	Treating colon cancer with vitamin A A leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, colon cancer is famously resistant to treatment. There are many reasons for this, but one has to do with a group of persisting cancer cells in the colon that cause relapses. Conventional therapies against them are mostly ineffective. EPFL scientists have now identified a biological mechanism that can be exploited to counteract colon cancer relapses. The approach activates a protein that is lost in the persisting cancer cells. The researchers were able to reactivate it using vitamin A, thus eliminating the cancer cells and preventing metastasis. The study is published in Cancer Cell, and introduces a new way to treat colon cancer.
Experimental drugs that change energy supply in cells could slow brain tumor growth Experimental drugs that alter cell metabolism also halted tumor growth and extended survival in mice with cancers linked to changes in the same gene, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center, its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: New Canadian guideline Diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is important to help children and adults, and their families, who have the disorder. A new Canadian guideline published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), provides recommendations for diagnosing FASD, specifically for multidisciplinary diagnostic teams.
Liver protein boosts growth of insulin-producing cells More than a quarter of the 30 million people with diabetes in the United States depend on daily injections of insulin to maintain their blood glucose levels in a healthy range. Scientists are investigating many techniques to help treat or potentially even cure many of these patients by increasing the body's own insulin-producing pancreatic "beta" cells. Now researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a key protein produced in the liver that aids in accelerating the growth of these cells.
Expensive, exploratory research biopsies overused in early studies of new cancer drugs For more than a decade, researchers studying the newest anticancer drugs have taken extra biopsies solely for the purpose of trying to understand the pharmacodynamics—what the drug does to the tumor—of a new anticancer drug. Such biopsies have been incorporated into studies sponsored by both the pharmaceutical industry and the National Cancer Institute. They are often mandatory in government-sponsored phase 1 clinical trials.
	Study shows stroke and TIA patient outcomes best at experienced centers Researchers from Houston Methodist Hospital and five partner institutions used data from a major stroke clinical study to show that medical centers with more experience and expertise in aggressive medical management had a significantly positive impact on patient outcomes. This, according to research published in the Dec. 15, 2015, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Continuous joint use of estrogen and progestin lowers risk of EC in postmenopausal women Adding continuous progestin to estrogen has been shown to lower the risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women according to a study published December 14 in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Altered microbiome burns fewer calories The link between the gut microbiome and obesity seems clear, but just how changes to gut bacteria can cause weight gain is not.
Professor launches web tool to track impact of drugs worldwide Billions of dollars have been spent on developing drugs and supplying them around the world, but which companies' drugs are actually making an impact? The Global Health Impact Index, headed by Binghamton University Associate Professor Nicole Hassoun and highlighted in a new article published Friday in PLOS ONE, addresses this issue by ranking pharmaceutical companies based on their drugs' impact on global health.
Low levels of vitamin D may increase risk of stress fractures in active individuals Vitamin D plays a crucial role in ensuring appropriate bone density. Active individuals who enjoy participating in higher impact activities may need to maintain higher vitamin D levels to reduce their risk of stress fractures, report investigators in The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
	Emotion processing in the brain changes with tinnitus severity, study says Tinnitus, otherwise known as ringing in the ears, affects nearly one-third of adults over age 65. The condition can develop as part of age-related hearing loss or from a traumatic injury. In either case, the resulting persistent noise causes varying amounts of disruption to everyday life.
Election risk: Elected heads of government win greater risk of early death We see it happen all too often: The youthful visage of a candidate becomes, in a few short years, the grizzled countenance of a head of state. But is this oft-observed rapid aging evidence of a statistically significant health impact of being an elected head of state?
	Bodily changes don't always signal 'precocious' puberty in kids (HealthDay)—Children who develop certain signs of puberty at an early age are commonly referred to specialists for an evaluation. But most of the time it's nothing to worry about, says a new report from a leading group of U.S. pediatricians.
	Abuse of prescription painkillers, stimulants ups sexual risks for teens (HealthDay)—Teens who use abuse prescription drugs such as narcotic painkillers are more likely to have sex or to participate in risky sexual behaviors, a new study suggests.
	Study reports childhood family breakups harder on girls' health A childhood family breakup can have long-term negative consequences for the children. Recent University of Illinois research looks at overall health, depression, and smoking as a health-related behavior and finds that, for girls, all three are worse.
	New method of diagnosing deadly fungal lung infection in leukemia patients discovered A team of researchers have discovered a new way for early detection of a potentially deadly fungal infection in patients with suppressed immune systems such as those being treated for leukemia or have had an organ transplant.
Children's ability to detect sugar varies widely Everyone knows that children love sweets, but ever wonder why some kids seem to want more sugary food than others? It could be because they need more sugar to get that same sweet taste. According to new research from the Monell Center, sensitivity to sweet taste varies widely across school-aged children and is in part genetically-determined. The findings may inform efforts to reduce sugar consumption and improve nutritional health of children.
Medication protects fertility and defense system during chemotherapy While targeted cancer treatments have reduced side effects and improved efficacy, chemotherapy remains the backbone of combination therapies for many forms of cancer. Unfortunately, cancer patients may suffer from several side effects from chemotherapy, including infertility and a weakened defense system that makes them susceptible to life-threatening infections.
Scientists uncover process that could drive the majority of cancers The gene p53 has been described as the "guardian of the genome" due to its prominent role in preventing genetic mutations. More than half of all cancers are thought to originate from p53 mutations or loss of function, and now a recent study by VCU Massey Cancer Center scientist Richard Moran, Ph.D., explains why.
	Medial, not lateral, femorotibial cartilage change predictive of OA (HealthDay)—For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage thickness change is associated with radiographic and pain progression, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
	Hepatitis E virus rare among HIV-infected population (HealthDay)—The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is low in HIV-infected (HIV+) women and men, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Hepatology.
	CYP2C19 polymorphisms impacts citalopram metabolism (HealthDay)—For patients with major depressive disorder, certain CYP2C19 polymorphisms contribute to citalopram (CIT) metabolism, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Interaction described between acenocoumarol, levofloxacin (HealthDay)—More frequent monitoring may be required when patients are taking both acenocoumarol and levofloxacin due to the possibility of an adverse interaction, according to a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	America's rural elderly face barriers to health care (HealthDay)—Elderly Americans who live in rural areas are at increased risk for health problems and death because of poor access to health care, a new study finds.
	Burnout affects about one in three gynecologic oncologists (HealthDay)—About one-third of gynecologic oncologists experience burnout, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Program that helps children cope after disasters could benefit refugees, at-risk youth A social and emotional skills intervention developed to help children recover from the trauma of natural disasters is being adapted to help young Syrian refugees heal their psychological wounds.
	Gut damage identified as cause of vaccine failure, malnutrition It has been estimated that if every nutritional measure known to be helpful were applied to every child in the world, global malnutrition would be decreased by only a third. New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the University of Vermont and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh sheds light on why: Damage to the gut from infection explains why food alone is not a solution to malnutrition. To be effective, nutritional therapy will need to include measures to prevent or treat the damage to the gut of infants.
More doctors fail to land residency positions after school Doctors wanting to practice medicine in the U.S. cannot start treating patients on their own immediately after medical school. They typically must go through a residency program that provides additional training under the supervision of experienced physicians.
Babies, mothers possibly exposed to TB at Calif. hospital A Northern California hospital says hundreds of babies, mothers and employees may have been exposed to a nurse with tuberculosis and that the infants will need an antibiotic treatment.
Cancer rates decline in many high-income countries, but rise in lower-income countries Improved screening and detection efforts, combined with decreases in risk factors like smoking, have reduced the incidence and mortality rates from several common types of cancer in many high-income countries. However, many low-and middle-income countries have seen cancer rates rise, partially due to increases in risk factors that are typical of Western countries.
'Grandma's magic remedy:' Mexico's medical marijuana secret When her legs ache, this Mexican grandmother rubs them with marijuana-infused alcohol. She is well aware the homemade remedy defies the country's cannabis ban, but her family has used the concoction to treat ailments since she was a child, handing it down the generations.
	Crunch time again for health law; Tuesday sign-up deadline Rising premiums and shaken faith among insurers have cast a cloud over sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health care law, and now it's crunch time again.
AstraZeneca says in talks with Acerta Pharma British phamaceuticals giant AstraZeneca revealed Monday that it was in discussions over a deal with cancer drug maker Acerta Pharma.
The heat is on – how to survive a long, hot El Nino summer Keep an eye on children's water intake, carry a water bottle wherever you go and avoid travel in the hottest part of the day – that's the advice of QUT health statistician Associate Professor Adrian Barnett as we move into an El Niño weather pattern predicted to be the strongest yet.
Down syndrome research gets a boost with new biobank initiative Nationwide Children's Hospital and research advocacy group DownSyndrome Achieves have joined forces to create the first biobank in the country dedicated to collecting and managing blood samples from people with Down syndrome.
	EORTC-ETOP study opens on pembrolizumab for patients with early stage NSCLC cancer Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide. In 2012, there were an estimated 313,000 new cases in Europe and 1,825,000 worldwide, and, alarmingly, there were 268,000 estimated deaths in Europe and 1,590,000 deaths worldwide.
Physician-assisted death should be listed on medical certificates of death in Canada Physician-assisted death should be recorded on medical certificates of death in Canada in the event that assisted dying becomes legal, according to an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Puerto Rico's community health centers face bleak future An  extraordinary need for publicly subsidized health services amidst an unprecedented economic crisis is putting Puerto Rico's federally funded community health centers in jeopardy, according to a new report.
RNs more likely to identify high-risk medication discrepancies Nearly 66 percent of all adverse events experienced by nursing home residents, such as falls, delirium and hallucinations, could be prevented, in part, by monitoring medication more closely. In nursing homes, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform medication reconciliation, a safety practice during which health care professionals review patients' medications to reduce the likelihood of preventable adverse drug events. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that RNs are more likely than LPNs to identify high-risk medication discrepancies, suggesting RNs are better equipped to assess and identify medication errors that could pose risks to residents' safety. The findings suggest the need to distinguish differences in responsibilities for RNs and LPNs in nursing homes, the researchers say.
	Down to the wire on Obamacare sign-ups (HealthDay)—Health officials are urging Americans considering an Obamacare health plan for 2016 to act quickly to snag coverage and avoid rising penalties for remaining uninsured.
GSA releases most comprehensive textbook on basic biology of aging to date A new e-book published by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) provides a primary resource for detailed overviews of the aging process across multiple organisms—from microbes to humans. This seminal publication, "Molecular and Cellular Biology of Aging," is intended as a textbook for emerging scholars of all levels.
Learning on the job: Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients Academic medical centers that take on community partners to form accountable care organizations face a number of unexpected challenges, says Scott Berkowitz, M.D., M.B.A., medical director of accountable care for the Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians and executive director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine accountable care organization (ACO) known as the Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients (JMAP).

Other Sciences news

	Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: March (ScienceX)—In this new monthly series, we are offering summary articles featuring links to some of the most interesting, intriguing or popular stories that appeared on ScienceX throughout 2015. This is the March 2015 edition.
	Best of Last Week—An unusual form of quantum mechanics, biologically powered chip and a drug that stops liver fibrosis (ScienceX)—It was a big week for physics as a team at Penn State University reported on their investigation of an unusual form of quantum mechanics—called nonassociative, it involves wave functions that do not obey the associative property. A team with members from Universidad Complutense de Madrid – ICMAT, the Technical University of Munich and UCL, proved that a certain quantum physics problem is unsolvable—and it involves an underlying fundamental question in quantum and particle physics.
	Millet: The missing link in prehistoric humans' transition from hunter-gatherer to farmer New research shows a cereal familiar today as birdseed was carried across Eurasia by ancient shepherds and herders laying the foundation, in combination with the new crops they encountered, of 'multi-crop' agriculture and the rise of settled societies. Archaeologists say 'forgotten' millet has a role to play in modern crop diversity and today's food security debate.
	Professor 3-D scans world's oldest ham, peanut Bernard Means, Ph.D, an anthropology professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of World Studies who specializes in 3-D scanning archaeological artifacts, visited the Isle of Wight County Museum in Smithfield, Virginia, this week to 3-D scan two unusual artifacts.
	Skeletons found in pit in France offer evidence of Neolithic warfare (Phys.org)—A small team of researchers from several institutions in France, studying 6000 year-old skeletal remains found in a pit in eastern France is reporting that the remains included a bottom layer of just arm bones and a top layer consisting of the full skeletons of several adults and children. In their paper published in the journal Antiquity, the researchers describe the arrangement of the bones and their condition and offer some ideas regarding how the bones likely came to be in the pit.
African-Americans less likely to get Airbnb room: study People with African-American sounding names are discriminated against when trying to get a room on Airbnb, a Harvard study says, suggesting many who use the website fail to share its vision of a "trusted community."
	Luxury-charity partnerships can help promote retail sales this holiday season Luxury items and the high prices they command may make consumers think twice this holiday season about whether the cost is justified. But if that luxury item is linked to "doing good," does that make it an easier purchase decision? Yes, according to new research forthcoming in the Journal of Retailing, which finds consumers are more likely to buy luxury brands when these brands highlight partnerships with charity organizations at the point of sale.
	Why today's long STEM postdoc positions are effectively anti-mother The fallen leaves remind, once again, that the Hunger Games of securing coveted tenure-track academic jobs have begun. This is my second year serving on the Northwestern University Department of Neurobiology Search Committee, and we've received nearly 300 applications for a single faculty position this time around. Less than a third are from women.
Studying gun violence is the only way to figure out how to stop it – but we don't It seems that not a week passes without a new report of a mass shooting in the United States.
CEO compensation study examines factors in excess returns Of many issues associated with CEO compensation, excess returns are likely among the most controversial. UT Dallas researchers examined how boards face pressures when trying to control this problem.
Universities' messages about socioeconomic diversity can affect academic confidence  When students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds perceive their universities to be "chilly" towards students from their backgrounds, their academic confidence and sense of themselves as high-achievers suffers, according to a new series of Northwestern University studies.
China to loosen stringent urban residency rules China will loosen its stringent regulations on urban residency to allow more people to enjoy public services such as housing, education and health care beginning next year.
Study first to show how law enforcement leaders feel about police wearing body cameras The use of force and police behavior continues to be a prominent topic in the media. Several recent high-profile incidents involving police use of deadly force have resulted in increased scrutiny of officer behavior and police-community relations by the media, policy-makers, civil rights groups, and academics, leading to nationwide interest in police-worn body cameras to increase transparency and accountability.

---

This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list. (....)

You are subscribed as pascal.alter@gmail.com