Spokojnie, Kielce: Fwd: Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Apr 27

HOT!

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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 3:39 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Apr 27
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Over 700 technical papers and presentations featuring ground-breaking applications from research, engineering, and industry are now available online. Get instant access here: http://goo.gl/qYDy2G
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Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 27, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Young star V1331 Cygni unveils its violent past
- A new Diels-Alder reaction
- 3-D printed foam outperforms traditional cellular materials in long-term stress
- Intelligent? Brainless slime can 'learn': study
- Brain's 'thesaurus' mapped to help decode inner thoughts
- Scientists discover a surprising central role of darks in brain visual maps
- Team creates a mathematical tool that helps resolve imprecise time estimates
- Scientists uncover new way to grow rare life-saving blood stem cells
- Fireflies light the way to female HIV transmission
- Speakers of two dialects may share cognitive advantage with speakers of two languages
- Deep-sea biodiversity impacted by climate change's triple threat
- Nanoparticles hold promise as double-edged sword against genital herpes
- Antibody shields monkeys from HIV-like virus for months
- SpaceX aims to send 'Red Dragon' capsule to Mars in 2018 (Update)
- Bacteria beneficial to plants have spread across California

Nanotechnology news

	Chemists use DNA to build the world's tiniest thermometer Researchers at University of Montreal have created a programmable DNA thermometer that is 20,000x smaller than a human hair. This scientific advance reported this week in the journal Nano Letters may significantly aid our understanding of natural and human designed nanotechnologies by enabling to measure temperature at the nanoscale.
	How many nanoparticle-based drugs reach tumours? Less than one percent, study shows Targeting cancer cells for destruction while leaving healthy cells alone—that has been the promise of the emerging field of cancer nanomedicine. But a new meta-analysis from U of T's Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) indicates that progress so far has been limited and new strategies are needed if the promise is to become reality.
	Engineers look inside nanoparticles to explore how their shape improves energy storage Many recent big technological advances in computing, communications, energy and biology have relied on very small materials, nanoparticles, with dimensions less than 1/1,000th the thickness of a sheet of paper. However, it can be hard to determine the best nanomaterials for these applications because observing nanoparticles in action requires high spatial resolution in "messy," dynamic environments.
	Researchers create one-step graphene patterning method Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a one-step, facile method to pattern graphene by using stencil mask and oxygen plasma reactive-ion etching, and subsequent polymer-free direct transfer to flexible substrates.
	Two different collective oscillations of electrons occurring on gold nanoparticles observed for the first time The research group of Professor Hiroaki Misawa of Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University and Assistant Professor Atsushi Kubo of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, have successfully observed the dephasing time of the two different types of collective motions of electrons generated on the surface of a gold nanoparticle for the first time in the world, by combining a laser that emits ultrashort light pulses with a photoemission electron microscope.

	Climate change and extreme weather linked to high pressure over Greenland Greenland is one of the fastest-warming regions of the world, according to climate change experts at the University of Sheffield.
	Coral 'toolkit' allows floating larvae to transform into reef skeletons In a study published today, researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM), Rutgers University, and the University of Haifa identified key and novel components of the molecular "toolkit" that allow corals to build their skeletons (called biomineralization) and described when—in the transformation from floating larvae to coral skeleton—these components are used.
	Rainwater may play an important role in the process that triggers earthquakes Rainwater may play an important role in the process that triggers earthquakes, according to new research.
	Contamination in North Dakota linked to fracking spills Accidental wastewater spills from unconventional oil production in North Dakota have caused widespread water and soil contamination, a new Duke University study finds.
New tool puts a consistent value on experts' uncertainty on climate change models Science can flourish when experts disagree, but in the governmental realm uncertainty can lead to inadequate policy and preparedness. When it comes to climate change, it can be OK for computational models to differ on what future sea levels will be. The same flexibility does not exist for determining the height of a seawall needed to protect people from devastating floods.
	Widespread loss of ocean oxygen to become noticeable in 2030s A reduction in the amount of oxygen dissolved in the oceans due to climate change is already discernible in some parts of the world and should be evident across large regions of the oceans between 2030 and 2040, according to a new study led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
	Deep-sea biodiversity impacted by climate change's triple threat A new study found that vulnerability of deep-sea biodiversity to climate change's triple threat - rising water temperatures, and decreased oxygen, and pH levels - is not uniform across the world's oceans.
	Protecting diversity on coral reefs: DNA may hold the key Coral reefs are widely known for their stunning array of color, shape and forms of life, making them a model for extreme biodiversity. Hidden within the multitude of reef inhabitants, but no less important, is their genetic diversity— variability in DNA that gives species the capacity for adaptation, speciation and resilience in the face of stress. Research published today by a team of scientists from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), University of St. Andrews, and University of Melbourne discovered that large areas of intact coral reef with extensive live coral cover, not disturbed by humans or climate change, harbor the greatest amount of genetic diversity.
	Beach buoys deployed to detect beach contamination Beachgoers may soon be able to know in a timely manner if the water is clean enough for swimming, thanks to some new technology developed by researchers from Michigan State University and the U.S. Geological Survey.
	Coal-tar based sealcoats on driveways, parking lots far more toxic than suspected The pavement sealcoat products used widely around the nation on thousands of asphalt driveways and parking lots are significantly more toxic and mutagenic than previously suspected, according to a new paper published this week by researchers from Oregon State University.
	Asia's coasts to experience most extreme weather Over the next 50 years, people living at low altitudes in developing countries, particularly those in coastal Asia, will suffer the most from extreme weather patterns, according to researchers.
	The geology of wine Every day, all around the world, millions of people contemplate a very simple question with a very complex answer: which wine? In this month's issue of GSA Today, Gregory Retallack (University of Oregon) and Scott Burns (Portland State University) examine the link between the taste of wine and soil properties.
How re-using food waste for animal feed cuts carbon emissions EU researchers have found that food waste can safely, and even nutritiously, be used for animal feed.
Landscape ecology must play a role in policymaking The world faces unprecedented environmental transformation. Successfully managing and adapting to a rapidly changing Earth requires the swift action of well-informed policymakers. In a State of the Science report for BioScience, Audrey L. Mayer of Michigan Technological University and her colleagues argue for a major role for landscape ecology in tackling the urgent global issues of climate change, land use-land cover change, and urbanization.

Astronomy & Space news

	Young star V1331 Cygni unveils its violent past (Phys.org)—V1331 Cygni is a young variable star that lies in the constellation Cygnus, approximately 1,800 light years away from our planet. The star is known to have a circumstellar disk surrounded by a flattened gaseous envelope that could reveal crucial information on V1331 Cygni's violent past. A recent study of the motion of these circumstellar structures shows that this star must have undergone an outburst a few thousand years ago. The results appeared in a paper published online on Apr. 15 in the arXiv journal.
	NASA astronauts prepare for flight on commercial spacecraft Five years after the last NASA astronauts flew from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to the International Space Station, a new group is preparing for a trip, this time on a private spacecraft.
	Satellite to test universality of freefall France's Microscope satellite, carrying a set of ESA high-tech thrusters, lifted off last night from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, taking advantage of the same Soyuz launch that took the EU's Sentinel-1B into orbit.
	SpaceX aims to send 'Red Dragon' capsule to Mars in 2018 (Update) SpaceX is shooting for Mars.
	James Webb Space Telescope's golden mirror unveiled NASA engineers recently unveiled the giant golden mirror of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope as part of the integration and testing of the infrared telescope.
	Glitch delays first rocket launch from Russia's new cosmodrome (Update) The first rocket launch from Russia's new Vostochny cosmodrome was put on hold at the last moment on Wednesday in the latest embarrassing glitch for the country's beleaguered space industry.
	Image: Spheroids experiment aboard ISS The Spheroids experiment is looking at how the cells that line our blood vessels react to living in space, by growing them aboard the International Space Station.
	Image: T6 ion thruster firing The eerie blue exhaust trail of an ion thruster during a test firing. A quartet of these highly efficient T6 thrusters is being installed on ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft to Mercury at ESA's ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
	PIPER balloon observatory to showcase pioneering, NASA-developed technologies If scientists prove or even disprove the theory of cosmological inflation with NASA's Primordial Inflation Polarization Explorer, or PIPER, it will be a milestone achievement for three pioneering NASA-developed technologies.
	UVA engineering students to launch cube-shaped satellite into orbit The missions keep getting higher, longer, farther and faster, as Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Christopher Goyne inspires his University of Virginia students to keep pushing the outer edges of the envelope.
	Five human spaceflight missions to look forward to in the next decade From astronauts breaking records for the longest amount of time spent in space to experiments growing food and keeping bacteria in orbit, the past decade of human spaceflight has been fascinating. There has also been an explosion of privately-funded spaceflight companies providing access to space, including delivering supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).
	Complete guide to Mars opposition 2016 Ready to explore the Red Planet? Starting in May, Mars invades the evening skies of the Earth, as it heads towards opposition on May 22nd. Not only does this place Mars front and center for prime time viewing, but we're headed towards a cycle of favorable oppositions, with Mars near perihelion, while Earth is near aphelion.
	Bayesian analysis rains on exoplanet life parade Is there life on other planets, somewhere in this enormous universe? That's probably the most compelling question we can ask. A lot of space science and space missions are pointed directly at that question.
	How to capture the violent tumult of our roiling universe, moment by moment The hustle and bustle of daily life is a stark contrast to the tranquility of the night sky.
	Explainer: What is microgravity? It's easy to assume that astronauts float in space because they are far away from the Earth's gravitational force. But look at the moon. It is much further away than the International Space Station, yet it orbits around the Earth because it is perpetually attracted by its gravitational pull. So if the Earth's gravity can affect the moon, the astronauts cannot be floating because there is no gravity where they are.
	First light for the Four Laser Guide Star Facility on ESO's Very Large Telescope On April 26, 2016, ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile hosted an event to mark the first light for the four powerful lasers that form a crucial part of the adaptive optics systems on ESO's Very Large Telescope. Attendees were treated to a spectacular display of cutting-edge laser technology against the majestic skies of Paranal. These are the most powerful laser guide stars ever used for astronomy and the event marks the first use of multiple laser guide stars at ESO.
Putin slams Russian space failures after delayed launch President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticised Russia's large number of space failures after the first rocket launch from the country's new Vostochny cosmodrome was delayed minutes before blast-off.

Technology news

	3-D printed foam outperforms traditional cellular materials in long-term stress Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) material scientists have found that 3D printed foam works better than standard cellular materials in terms of durability and long-term mechanical performance.
	Encryption row spotlights fears on security, privacy Has encryption technology given the bad guys a way to operate in the dark? Or has the new tech age gifted law enforcement with unprecedented surveillance powers?
	Drive.ai to use deep learning smarts on autonomous cars on the road (Tech Xplore)—Earlier this year, Fortune contributor Kirsten Korosec wrote that "A car's legal driver doesn't always have to be human, according to U.S. vehicle safety regulators—it can also be artificial intelligence."
	US looks into Google edge on Android: report The US is looking into whether free Android mobile software is giving an unfair advantage to other Google offerings such as its search engine, the Wall Street Journal reported.
	When technology bites back From the 1912 sinking of RMS Titanic to the Chernobyl nuclear accident 30 years ago, technology has repeatedly confounded the confidence of its creators.
	Construction is bustling at Florida's first 'sustainable town' With deep pockets and an environmentalist's zeal, retired American football player Syd Kitson dreamed up a plan to build the United States' first solar-powered town on a vast swath of rural land in southwest Florida.
	Technology drive sees 'connected car' link-ups in China China has the youngest premium car buyers in the world, and their tech-savvy demand for "connected cars"—coupled with Communist regulations—is driving international automakers into the arms of the country's Internet giants.
Packing a punch online, Daily Mail moves for Yahoo Shortlisted as a potential buyer of US Internet giant Yahoo, the Daily Mail has made an online empire out of the kind of content readers can't resist clicking on.
	Engineers build Venus flytrap robot Venus flytraps are fascinating, creepy carnivores. They literally trap flies and other insects between two toothy, hairy leaves and then digest bug nutrients.
	Paralyzed by indecision? Forget therapy—you need an algorithm Information overload and "fear of missing out" may rank among the biggest contributors to chronic indecision. But help is at hand.
	Professor explores how cities can switch to low-carbon grid Although many cities across the nation have pledged to improve their energy sources to mitigate climate change, they are often stymied by reliance on an electric power industry fighting new policies at the local, state and federal level. A University of Kansas law professor has authored an article detailing innovative approaches of cities and communities to cut carbon emissions and how the efforts will affect energy governance in years to come.
	Up close and personal—virtual reality can be an instrument for social change Virtual reality (VR) has arrived. It has already been described as "revolutionary" and the "next big thing" in technology.
	Google faces EU competition case over image search US photo agency Getty Images filed a complaint Wednesday with the European Commission accusing Google Inc.'s web search of hurting its business, opening a new front in the Internet giant's anti-competition fight with Brussels.
	Germany to subsidize electric cars to help own auto industry Germany's auto industry risks being overtaken by foreign competitors unless it receives greater domestic support, the country's economy minister said Wednesday, announcing a 1 billion euro ($1.13 billion) plan to subsidize electric cars that are seen as the technology of the future.
	Nintendo sinks into bigger quarterly loss on weak sales Japanese video-game maker Nintendo Co. reported a 24 billion yen ($216 million) loss for January-March Wednesday, bigger than the loss it reported the previous year.
	Qatar's largest bank investigating alleged data breach Qatar's largest bank is investigating a security breach that appears to have exposed sensitive personal data for what could be hundreds of customers, including employees of international broadcaster Al-Jazeera and potentially senior government officials.
Facial expression recognition to improve learning, gaming A computer algorithm that can tell whether you are happy or sad, angry or expressing almost any other emotion would be a boon to the games industry. New research published in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics describes such a system that is almost 99 percent accurate.
	Yahoo staves off proxy war in board deal with hedge fund Yahoo averted a proxy battle for control of the company with a compromise Wednesday that adds four new board members, including a hedge fund chief who has been critical of management.
	In Internet age, pirate radio arises as surprising challenge In the age of podcasts and streaming services, you might think pirate radio is low on the list of concerns of federal lawmakers and broadcasters. You'd be wrong.
	'Pioneer' commuters go electric in polluted Mexico City Martin Vazquez glides silently through the pandemonium of rush hour in Mexico City, drives his sky-blue scooter up to a charging station and plugs it in.
	US court rules Amazon liable for kids' app charges Online giant Amazon must pay damages to consumers billed for app purchases by children on its tablets, a federal court has ruled, in a win for US regulators.
	Toward dissolvable electronics for implants and sensors Tiny electronic sensors and devices that can be implanted in the body and then dissolve almost without a trace are getting closer to reality. Scientists have tested several biodegradable materials, including DNA, proteins and metals, for making transient electronics. Now one team, reporting in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, has taken another step toward this goal. They created a dissolvable device component out of egg proteins, magnesium and tungsten.
Strong interactions with voice-guided vehicles do not result in safer driving With the Tesla 3 on the horizon and its auto-pilot becoming standard, and semi-autonomous features already an option in some cars, it's easy to see a future where computer-guided vehicles become the industry norm. These cars, in essence, are social robots, interacting with drivers for a safer journey. But does a car's perceived personality and voice lead to safer driving? A recent study by researchers at Michigan State University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Stanford University found that giving a car a more personal voice led to more car accidents.
	Spotify acquires CrowdAlbum image platform Swedish music streaming giant Spotify on Wednesday announced the acquisition of CrowdAlbum, a US-based company that created a platform for sharing online photos and videos.
	Segmenting ultrasound video with a wavelet variational model Image segmentation, the process of separating a digital image into multiple sections for individual examination, is frequently used in medical image analysis. For example, segmentation in ultrasound footage helps identify boundaries and regions of interest (ROI) that facilitate image interpretation. Efficient segmentation of ultrasound videos, however, is often complicated by low contrast, shadow effects, and complex "noise" statistics (unexplained variations). In addition, real-time applications such as navigation during operational surgery require efficient algorithms.
	FBI says it won't disclose how it accessed locked iPhone The FBI said Wednesday that it will not publicly disclose the method that allowed it to access a locked iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers, saying it lacks enough "technical information" about the software vulnerability that was exploited.
	Samsung holds lead in flat global smartphone market Samsung kept the top spot in a global smartphone market which showed signs of flattening in the first quarter of 2016, a survey showed Wednesday.
	Facebook profits surge as user base expands Facebook on Wednesday reported a powerful surge in profits as the user base of leading social network continued to climb.
	US House passes email privacy bill US lawmakers Wednesday approved a bill to boost privacy protection for email and other electronic communication, closing key loopholes in digital data protection.
Reducing the transmission of infectious diseases in transport hubs Transport plays a major role in the spread of transmissible diseases. PANDHUB, a project coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, develops ways of reducing the risk of pandemics and managing other high-threat pathogen incidents in transport hubs.
Boosting software security for a connected world Our increasingly connected world is more and more at risk from software vulnerabilities and security flaws. The new security testing paradigm developed in the DIAMONDS project resulted in several European SMEs bringing new products and services into this fast-growing market, and continues to influence international standards.
	Commuters set to take front seat in new project to cut traffic congestion Commuters are set to become the driving force behind a new initiative designed to help reduce traffic congestion in and around Exeter.
	At CERN, eight-inch sensor chips from Infineon could reveal the mysteries of the universe Ninety-five percent of the universe is still considered unexplored. Scientists at CERN, the world's largest particle physics research center, located in Geneva, are working on solving these mysteries. In May 2012, researchers there discovered the so-called Higgs Boson, whose prediction won Peter Higgs and François Englert the Nobel prize in physics. One of the things CERN scientists are researching at the moment is dark matter: Although it may well have five times the mass of visible matter in the universe, this extent can only be indirectly proved. With a bit of luck, CERN will also succeed in generating dark matter.
	The cost of blackouts in Europe Assessing the social and economic impact of power outages caused by extreme weather helps decision makers and grid operators in Europe take adequate measures to ensure future power supply
Comcast beats Street 1Q forecasts, adds subscribers Comcast Corp. on Wednesday reported first-quarter earnings of $2.13 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations with help from an increase in subscriber numbers.
	High product, labor costs lead to decline in Boeing's profit Aerospace giant Boeing Co. saw its quarterly earnings plunge 9 percent compared to last year, with the Chicago-based company posting $1.2 billion in profits.
Utah essential oil company announces third-party data breach Utah-based essential oil company doTERRA is warning customers and distributors that their personal information may have been compromised in a data breach in March.

Chemistry news

	A new Diels-Alder reaction (Phys.org)—The Diels-Alder reaction is a mainstay in organic chemistry. The reaction traditionally involves a diene and a dienophile. The diene has four carbons that are sp2 hybridized to form pi bonds. The dienophile has two sp2 hybridized carbons. The diene and dienophile undergo a cycloaddition reaction to form a cyclohexene. This reaction can be tweaked to make six-membered rings with a higher oxidation state by removing hydrogens from the reactants to make sp hybridized carbons. For example, rather than an alkene and a diene reacting, the reactants could be an alkyne and an allenyne.
	Clothing made from tea byproduct could improve health of fashion industry Rows of shallow plastic bins cover nearly every available space inside one of the textile and clothing labs in LeBaron Hall. The lab is really more of a "greenhouse," but it is far different from the other greenhouses on the Iowa State University campus.
	UK scientists pioneer synthetic forms of 'game-changing' antibiotic Scientists at the University of Lincoln, UK, have successfully produced two synthetic derivatives of Teixobactin – the world's first known antibiotic capable of destroying 'drug resistant' bacteria.
	Researchers list 'seven chemical separations to change the world' Thermally-based industrial chemical separation processes such as distillation now account for 10 to 15 percent of the world's annual energy use. Slaking the global thirst for energy could therefore get a substantial boost from improved technologies for producing fuels, plastics, food and other products with reduced inputs of energy.
	Molecular architects—how scientists design new materials When Thomas Edison wanted a filament for his light bulb, he scoured the globe collecting thousands of candidates before settling on bamboo. (It was years before people were able to make tungsten work properly.) That's our traditional way of getting materials. We picked up stones for axes, chopped wood for housing and carved tools out of bone.
	Cellphone-sized device quickly detects the Ebola virus The worst of the recent Ebola epidemic is over, but the threat of future outbreaks lingers. Monitoring the virus requires laboratories with trained personnel, which limits how rapidly tests can be done. Now scientists report in ACS' journal Analytical Chemistry a handheld instrument that detects Ebola quickly and could be used in remote locations.
	Creating a reduced-fat chocolate that melts in your mouth Chocolate is divinely delicious, mouthwateringly smooth and unfortunately full of fat. But reducing the fat content of the confection makes it harder and less likely to melt in your mouth. That's why scientists are investigating additives that could reinstate chocolate's delightful properties in these lower-fat treats. Now, researchers report in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry an analysis that sheds light on how adding limonene could improve lower-fat versions' texture and ability to melt.
	A molecular switch to better understand signaling In the alphabets of our genomes, a single typo can mean the difference between health and disease. The "words" are molecules, like enzymes, and one group of these called kinases are particularly important. However, it's difficult to pick apart the exact roles of misspellings in various kinases in a disease process. This week in ACS Central Science, researchers report development of a new way to determine this, both in a lab dish and in mice.
	Diagnostics for everyone: A faster and more effective detector of fungal infections Fungal infections are a serious problem in modern health care. A critical factor in their successful treatment is time: the faster they are detected, the more effectively dangerous infections can be prevented. At the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw a chemical sensor has been devised enabling the detection time of fungi to be shortened from the current couple of days to just a few minutes.

Biology news

	Intelligent? Brainless slime can 'learn': study What is intelligence? The definitions vary, but all infer the use of grey matter, whether in a cat or a human, to learn from experience.
	We share a molecular armor with coral reefs Coral reefs face many threats. Ocean acidification, algal takeover caused by overfishing and exploding populations of harmful microbes all jeopardize the health of the world's most productive and diverse marine ecosystems.
	Copepods found to engage in risky behavior after consuming toxic algae (Phys.org)—A small team of researchers from the University of Maine, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Perdue University has found that copepods that eat a certain type of toxic algae react to it by engaging in unusual behavior that ultimately puts them at risk from other predators. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Rachel Lasley-Rasher, Kathryn Nagel, Aakanksha Angra and Jeannette Yen describe a study they carried out of copepods called Temora longicornis off the eastern coast of the U.S. and in their lab and what they discovered as a result.
	Deepness of male voice in primates found to be more likely to intimidate rivals than to attract mates (Phys.org)—An international team of researchers has found that deep voices in primates, including humans, might have evolved more as a means to intimidate rivals than to attract females for mating. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team describes three separate experiments they carried out to test their ideas on the reasons for large differences in the vocal frequency range of male primates.
	Scientists uncover new way to grow rare life-saving blood stem cells Researchers at McMaster University's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute have made significant steps forward in understanding the stem cells of the human blood system after discovering how a key protein allows for better control and regeneration of these cells.
	Peacocks shake feathers to mesmerize mates Call it a shimmy meant to hypnotize. When courting a female, peacocks fan their colorful rear feathers and shake them, but somehow keep their plumes' iridescent circles, or eyespots, nearly still, like a fixed stare.
	Scientists use skin cells to create human sperm Scientists in Spain on Wednesday they had created human sperm from skin cells, a medical feat which could eventually lead to a treatment for infertility.
	Bacteria beneficial to plants have spread across California Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have discovered that a strain of beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria has spread across California, demonstrating that beneficial bacteria can share some of the same features that are characteristic of pathogens.
	An Old World bird in a New World rainforest The Sapayoa, a rainforest bird from Central and South America, is an evolutionary enigma—genetic analysis shows that its closest relatives are bird species living across the ocean in Asia and Africa. Now, new research in The Auk: Ornithological Advances demonstrates for the first time that its natural history links it to its evolutionary relatives thousands of miles away.
	A new scorpion from California reveals hidden biodiversity in the Golden State California is known for its high biological diversity. The state encompasses a wide variety of habitats, from temperate coastal scrub and cool redwood forests to high-elevation conifer forests and grasslands that are home to an equally diverse variety of plants and animals. Biologists have been intensively studying and characterizing the biodiversity of California for centuries.
	New research highlights differences between the tropics and the poles Rivalry between species is common the world over as animals fight for territory and resources such as food. But, according to scientists at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), competition between underwater species at the poles can differ markedly from that at the tropics.
	The survival of species suddenly looks better Findings on Norway spruce show how plants and animals can adapt better to climate change than previously envisaged.
What's the right question to ask about GMOs? I would argue that the source of a transgene and its method of introduction are irrelevant to the safety of the resulting plant. A gene is a gene — it is a sequence of DNA and, as a molecule, DNA has zero chance of harming you. The DNA can be from any organism — literally, any organism — and it is still just a sequence of the same chemical letters, A, T, G, and C. Moreover, the method of transgene introduction, be it by plant breeding or by transformation, has no effect on the action of the gene product in the cell. Either the gene is present and active, or it is not.
	Popular boab tree is fighting fit At 750 years old one could be forgiven for having a few ailments but a recent health check of King's Park's mighty boab tree Gija Jumulu has revealed the popular tourist attraction is in perfect health.
	Baby fish are comforted by the presence of large marine predators Scientists have discovered that the presence of large fish predators can reduce stress on baby fish.‌
	That's amore, ocean drone first to identify grouper mating calls in spawning season Just as the sun begins to set, for just a couple of months, hundreds to thousands of groupers gather at their favorite hangouts along the shelf breaks in the southeast United States, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Basin to spawn - and luckily they're pretty vocal about it, providing vital data on their reproductive behaviors as well as their favorite mating spots.
	Bacterial virulence is stimulated by burns Sepsis constitutes the main cause of disease and death in people suffering from severe burns. This results from the dissemination of pathogens in the body, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the three bacteria most frequently responsible for this complication. This microorganism is all the more fearsome as its virulence and its resistance to antibiotics can be modulated by various factors present in its host.
	Slow worms react quickly to climate change Evolution can go quickly when it has to - at least for small organisms. Researchers exposed a natural setting in Denmark to artificial climate change and discovered that soil just half a degree warmer caused the genome of small worms to change surprisingly quickly.
	Managing global malnutrition: Researchers map micronutrients in white rice Efforts to address chronic malnutrition in billions of people have taken a step forward with Australian researchers defining processing conditions that boost the nutritional value of white rice—the staple food of more than a third of the world's population.
	Analysis of dog genome will provide insight into human disease An important model in studying human disease, the non-coding RNA of the canine genome is an essential starting point for evolutionary and biomedical studies—according to a new study led by The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC).
	Scientists establish first map of the sea lion brain Rio is a California sea lion who can solve IQ tests that many people have trouble passing. In fact, she is so smart that scientists at the Long Marine Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz designed a series of tests that prove she is the first animal besides humans that can use basic logic (If A=B and B=C then A=C).
	Korean dog meat farmers seek fresh start "It's a dying business," Gong In-Young said Wednesday as he watched US activists clear out the cages of the South Korean dog meat farm he has been running for the past decade.
Cute alert: Florida manatee gives birth to twins Scientists say a manatee that swims in waters near Sarasota has given birth to rare twins.
	Crop advances grow with protection Most people are aware of open-source computer programs. These free programs, accessible by anyone, spread technology to distant corners of the world. Cutting-edge innovations, however, come at a price. As a result, many software companies license their work.

Medicine & Health news

	Brain's 'thesaurus' mapped to help decode inner thoughts What if a map of the brain could help us decode people's inner thoughts?
	New look at an old therapy may resurrect individualized lymphoma therapy (Medical Xpress)—A trio of researches at Stanford University has published the results of a study done to take a second look at an approach developed in the 1980's to provide individualized lymphoma therapy to patients. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, graduate student James Torchia, Kipp Weiskopf and physician-researcher Ronald Levy, describe the original technique and a new way of lowering the cost of manufacture of the original drug that could make it inexpensive enough for use in patients.
Researchers find vessel damage may precede diabetic retinopathy A University of Iowa-led study of diabetes-related vision impairment holds good news—and some bad news—for patients with signs of these disorders.
	No time to get fit? Think again—Just one minute of intense exercise produces health benef Researchers at McMaster University have found that a single minute of very intense exercise produces health benefits similar to longer, traditional endurance training.
	Short-term language learning aids mental agility, study suggests Mental agility can be boosted by even a short period of learning a language, a study suggests.
	Experimental drug cancels effect from key intellectual disability gene in mice A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher who studies the most common genetic intellectual disability has used an experimental drug to reverse—in mice—damage from the mutation that causes the syndrome.
	Biologists show how brain cells get the message to develop a signaling network When you think of a neuron, imagine a tree. A healthy brain cell indeed looks like a tree with a full canopy. There's a trunk, which is the cell's nucleus; there's a root system, embodied in a single axon; and there are the branches, called dendrites.
	Scientists discover a surprising central role of darks in brain visual maps Scientists have been studying how visual space is mapped in the cerebral cortex for many decades under the assumption that the map is equal for lights and darks. Surprisingly, recent work demonstrates that visual brain maps are dark-centric and that, just as stars rotate around black holes in the Universe, lights rotate around darks in the brain representation of visual space.
	Fireflies light the way to female HIV transmission Finding the vulnerable points where HIV enters the female reproductive tract is like searching for needles in a haystack. But Northwestern Medicine scientists have solved that challenge by creating a glowing map of the very first cells to be infected with a HIV-like virus.
	Speakers of two dialects may share cognitive advantage with speakers of two languages The ability of children to speak any two dialects - two closely related varieties of the same language—may confer the same cognitive advantages as those reported for multilingual children who speak two or more substantially different languages (such as English and French).
	Nanoparticles hold promise as double-edged sword against genital herpes An effective vaccine against the virus that causes genital herpes has evaded researchers for decades. But now, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago working with scientists from Germany have shown that zinc-oxide nanoparticles shaped like jacks can prevent the virus from entering cells, and help natural immunity to develop.
Antibody shields monkeys from HIV-like virus for months Just one shot of a lab-produced antibody protected macaques against a sort of monkey HIV for nearly six months, said a study Wednesday into a potential vaccine alternative.
	Yoga may have health benefits for people with asthma A new Cochrane Review, published in the Cochrane Library today, suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma, but effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain.
Nearly one in four babies in NICUs receive acid suppressing medication Since 2006, several published studies have associated the use of some acid suppression medications in hospitalized high-risk babies with infections, necrotizing enterocolitis and increased risk of death. Those medications - histamine-2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine (Zantac and others), and proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium and others) - were originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults and older children.
Women have problems sticking to cardiac rehab programs Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of disability globally. Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs is associated with significantly lower death, but evidence suggests that women are significantly less likely to stick to a cardiac rehabilitation program than men, according to investigators writing in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Danish researchers behind vaccine breakthrough A Danish research team from the University of Copenhagen has designed a simple technique that makes it possible to quickly and easily develop a new type of vaccines. The simple and effective technique will pave the way for effective vaccines against not only infectious diseases but also cancer and other chronic diseases.
	China pays price of western lifestyle with soaring childhood obesity China is paying the price of adopting a western lifestyle with soaring childhood obesity, shows a 29 year study in nearly 28 000 children and adolescents published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Less than 1% of children and adolescents were obese in 1985 compared to 17% of boys and 9% of girls in 2014. The authors speculate that boys may be fatter than girls because of a societal preference for sons.
Food allergies of low-income kids are poorly managed Low-income families of children with food allergies spend 2.5 times more on emergency department and hospitalization costs nationally, according to new Northwestern Medicine research.
Young gay and bisexual men six times more likely to attempt suicide than older counterparts Young gay and bisexual men are at significantly greater risk of poor mental health than older men in that group, according to new research published in the Journal of Public Health.
No need to fast before a cholesterol test New research from Denmark, Canada and the US involving more than 300,000 individuals suggests that patients do not need to check their cholesterol levels on an empty stomach. So far fasting has been required before cholesterol and triglyceride measurement in all countries except Denmark, where non-fasting blood sampling has been used since 2009.
Brazil: Zika outbreaks tops 91,000 cases Brazil's outbreak of Zika—which has been linked to the devastating microcephaly birth defect in newborns—has topped 91,000 cases, health officials said on Tuesday.
	U.S. health report card finds racial, ethnic disparities persist (HealthDay)—A report card on Americans' health finds that racial and ethnic disparities persist, with significant gaps in obesity, cesarean births and dental care.
	Don't let sleep apnea take your breath away There are some moments in life that take your breath away, but if those moments are happening while you're asleep, it might be time to see a sleep expert, according to a sleep specialist at Baylor College of Medicine.
'Grand vision' to regulate allergies in food A Manchester scientist has contributed to a review of allergen analysis that aims to improve the situation for those living with food allergies – preventing food fraud and protecting consumers.
	Adding exercise to health education helps treat addiction, say researchers Can you physically outrun an addiction? Of course not.
Drug policy expert discusses how to overcome the global drug problem The United Nations General Assembly recently convened a special session on drugs, marking its first meeting on the topic since 1998. As part of the proceedings, Northeastern University drug policy expert Leo Beletsky spoke at one of the session's side events, delivering a talk to policy makers and academics titled "HIV, Drugs, and the Legal Environment." Throughout his career, Beletsky, associate professor of law and health sciences, has worked to harness the power of the law to help curb substance abuse, prevent the spread of HIV, and improve patient care. Here, he reflects on the historic meeting and the future of drug policy reform.
Study uncovers social-status stigma surrounding pregnancy issues For years, researchers have found the social stigma surrounding infertility has negative health implications for women experiencing it and can serve as both a visible and invisible hardship.
Risk of drug abuse lower for teens prescribed stimulant medications early in life Teens who take prescribed stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta and methylphenidate within a medical context early in life are at lower risk for developing substance use problems in adolescence, according to a new University of Michigan study.
	Hospital patients who miss or eat small meals raise their risk of death Hospital patients who eat less than a quarter of the food they are offered or who are already malnourished are significantly more likely to die within 30 days of admission, research on more than 3000 patients in 56 Australian and New Zealand hospitals has found.
	Working nights is bad for the heart Working at night is unhealthy for the heart and increases the risk of sustaining coronary heart disease, meaning a disease of the coronary arteries. This is the result of a current, and one of the largest American cooperation studies under the management of Eva Schernhammer of the epidemiology division of MedUni Wien, which was published in the top journal JAMA today. First author is Celine Vetter of Harvard University in Boston.
Norovirus is tragically common Noroviruses are among the most common pathogens causing disease in humans. They are the most common cause of gastroenteritis globally and gastroenteritis is one of the most common ailments afflicting humans. Their role as a common cause of disease is also true among certain risk groups. Currently, in developed countries with routine rotavirus vaccination, noroviruses are the most common cause of severe pediatric gastroenteritis requiring medical care. The burden of norovirus disease is great in developing countries, as well. According to one well-designed multisite study of children in Africa and Asia, noroviruses are second only to rotavirus as a cause of diarrheal disease in the first few years of life. Globally, noroviruses are understood to be the most common cause of foodborne disease.
	Working out how to stay fit in old age Health and Exercise Science researchers from the University of Stirling recommend resistance exercise, aerobic training and a higher daily protein intake to help stay active and healthy in old age.
	Got good fat? Brown fat cells can burn fat to generate heat. University of Bonn researchers have discovered a new method to measure the activity of brown fat cells in humans and mice. The researchers showed that microRNA-92a can be used as an indirect measure for the activity of energy consuming brown fat cells. They showed that a small blood sample was sufficient. Results were published in Nature Communications.
	How breast cancer cells become more aggressive in response to targeted therapies Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München describe how breast cancer cells challenged with a small-molecule inhibitor targeting specific invasive properties switch to an alternative mode-of-action, rendering them even more aggressive. The results may impair future therapeutic approaches in the TGF-beta pathway and are published in the journal Oncotarget.
	Much healthier low-cost bread possible Bread design could be substantially improved to better protect heart health according to new research. A team at the University of Otago, Wellington studied bread design from the perspective of reducing risk of heart disease, while keeping ingredient costs down.
	Skateboarding mishaps send 176 U.S. kids to ERs every day (HealthDay)—Skateboarding can be a fun and challenging activity, but it also comes with a significant risk of injury, researchers report.
	FDA panel votes against approval of eteplirsen for DMD (HealthDay)—The drug eteplirsen should not be approved for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Monday.
	Scientists teaching machines to make clinical trials more successful Scientists are teaching computers to figure out why people accept or decline invitations to participate in clinical trials. Recruiting sufficient numbers of participants is a current challenge in medical research that can compromise results or stop some studies altogether.
	Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy linked to reduced depressive relapse risk The largest meta-analysis so far of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression has found that MBCT is an effective treatment option that can help prevent the recurrence of major depression. The study used anonymised individual patient data from nine randomized trials of MBCT. It suggests that for the millions of people who suffer recurrent depression it provides a treatment choice and an alternative or addition to other approaches such as maintenance anti-depressants.
Psoriasis associated with diabetes, BMI and obesity in Danish twin study The chronic inflammatory skin disease psoriasis was associated with type 2 diabetes, body mass index and obesity in a study of Danish twins, and the study also suggests the possibility of a common genetic cause between psoriasis and obesity, according to an article published online by JAMA Dermatology.
Emergency general surgical procedures that account for most complications, deaths and costs Only 7 procedures account for approximately 80 percent of all admissions, deaths, complications, and inpatient costs attributable to operative emergency general surgery nationwide, according to a study published online by JAMA Surgery.
	Consumers reveal barriers to brain-training app-iness In recent years there has been an explosion in the number of smartphone apps aimed at 'brain training'. These games often make confident statements about improving our mental performance, but there is little scientific evidence to show that they do.
Sensitive people more vulnerable to online dating scams Sensitive and less emotionally intelligent people are more likely to be vulnerable to online dating scams.
	Even a little air pollution may have long-term health effects on developing fetus Even small amounts of air pollution appear to raise the risk of a condition in pregnant women linked to premature births and lifelong neurological and respiratory disorders in their children, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research suggests.
Silent epidemic? Head injury may be linked to lasting sleep problems People who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may still have sleep problems a year and a half after being injured, according to a study published in the April 27, 2016, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. In addition, people with TBI may also be unaware of just how much their sleep is disturbed.
	Influenza in the tropics shows variable seasonality Whilst countries in the tropics and subtropics exhibit diverse patterns of seasonal flu activity, they can be grouped into eight geographical zones to optimise vaccine formulation and delivery timing, according to a study published April 27, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Siddhivinayak Hirve from the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, and colleagues.
One-fifth of young drinkers report consuming 'jello shots,' study finds About one in five underage youths reported consuming alcoholic jello shots in the past 30 days, and those youths were more likely to binge drink, consume more alcohol, and to have been involved in physical fights related to their drinking than their peers who did not consume jello shots, a study led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher shows.
Probiotics stop menopause-like bone loss in mice Probiotic supplements protected female mice from the loss of bone density that occurs after having their ovaries removed, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia State University have shown.
	Decoding Zika to fight future outbreaks The constant emergence of viral outbreaks has become a permanent threat to human health. Last year, Zika virus infected thousands of people in the Americas. It is also associated to several cases of neurological disorders and has raised worldwide public health alerts. Now due to the urgency, researchers are detailing the characteristics of the virus to find solutions.
	Advocates hold NYC protest over price of pneumonia vaccine Doctors Without Borders protested the price of pneumonia vaccines Wednesday by leading a march through midtown Manhattan and delivering a crib filled with flowers to a pharmaceutical company.
	Dexamethasone for asthma in the ER: Better compliance, nearly equal effectiveness Adults with asthma who were treated with one-dose dexamethasone in the emergency department had only slightly higher relapse than patients who were treated with a 5-day course of prednisone. "Enhanced compliance and convenience may support the use of dexamethasone" is the conclusion of a study that was published online Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
When pornography uses condoms, those watching have safer sex, study finds Men who view more sexually explicit pornography where condoms were used were less likely to have anal sex without a condom themselves. A study by Eric Schrimshaw, PhD, at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, and Martin J. Downing, Jr., PhD, of the Public Health Solutions shows evidence that suggests pornography can have an important protective function by encouraging men to use condoms. Findings are published online in the journal PLOS One.
Study reveals COPD linked to increased bacterial invasion Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common smoking-related lung illness and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Scientists have long believed that inhaling toxic gases and particles from tobacco smoke causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, leading to the development of COPD. However, the theory doesn't explain why airway inflammation and disease progression continue even after the patient stops smoking.
	Exercise genes? Study suggests certain people with depression may benefit from exercise Call it personalized medicine for depression—but the prescription in this case is exercise, which University of Florida Health researchers have found helps people with certain genetic traits.
	Computational model finds new protein-protein interactions in schizophrenia Using a computational model they developed, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered more than 500 new protein-protein interactions (PPIs) associated with genes linked to schizophrenia. The findings, published online today in npj Schizophrenia, a Nature Publishing Group journal, could lead to greater understanding of the biological underpinnings of this mental illness, as well as point the way to treatments.
	'Walk-DMC' aims to improve surgery outcomes for children with cerebral palsy Children with cerebral palsy frequently undergo invasive surgeries—lengthening tendons, rotating bones, transferring muscles to new locations—in hopes of improving their physical ability to walk or move.
	Rosemary aroma can help older adults to remember to do things The aroma of rosemary essential oil may improve ability of people over 65 to remember events and to remember to complete tasks at particular times in the future.
	What dermatologists need to know about African-American hairstyling practices and the risk of traction alopecia In a review of 19 studies, researchers at Johns Hopkins say they can confirm a "strong association" between certain scalp-pulling hairstyles—many common among African-Americans—and the development of traction alopecia, gradual hair loss caused by damage to the hair follicle from prolonged or repeated tension on the hair root. An estimated one-third of African-American women suffer from traction alopecia, making it the most common form of hair loss among that group.
	Faith-based health promotion program successful with older Latinas A culturally sensitive lifestyle intervention showed promise at motivating Latinas living in the U.S. to eat better and exercise more by connecting healthy-living behaviors with the lives of saints and prominent religious figures, new studies found.
Veterans and their partners see less trauma and distress symptoms after intensive retreat Military veterans returning from combat situations face a higher risk—above most other populations—of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms, which may include flashbacks, night terrors, and intense emotional reactions, affect not only veterans, but also the partners of veterans. Previous studies have shown a significant association between PTSD and intimate relationship problems.
	New model for active surveillance of prostate cancer tested Urologists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Genesis Healthcare Partners have tested a new model of care for patients with low-risk prostate cancer. The evidence-based approach uses best practices to appropriately select and follow patients to avoid disease overtreatment. Results of the three-year study are now published online in the journal of Urology.
Sedentary lifestyle associated with coronary artery calcium, researchers find Cardiologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that sedentary behavior is associated with increased amounts of calcium deposits in heart arteries, which in turn is associated with a higher risk of heart attack.
	93 percent of advanced leukemia patients in remission after immunotherapy For Kristin Kleinhofer, two words—"choose hope"—have been a lifeline.
At Harvard's newest center, researchers look for happiness For those mired in the eternal quest for health and happiness, there's some good news. Harvard is on the case.
	Working longer may lead to a longer life, new research shows Working past age 65 could lead to longer life, while retiring early may be a risk factor for dying earlier, a new study from Oregon State University indicates.
	Optimally timed follow-up cuts readmissions after cystectomy (HealthDay)—Detection of concerning symptoms after radical cystectomy can be improved by optimizing the timing and number of outpatient encounters, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Urology.
	Six-minute walk test predicts mortality in TMVR patients (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is independently associated with mortality, according to a research letter published in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Simvastatin / ezetimibe not beneficial in alopecia areata (HealthDay)—Simvastatin/ezetimibe does not appear to be beneficial for severe alopecia areata (AA) in a sample of 20 patients, according to a letter to the editor published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	SLICC/ACR criteria don't ID severe internal disease in SCLE (HealthDay)—Neither the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) nor the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria distinguishes patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) with major internal disease from those without, according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	Interactions for HIV drug combos, immunosuppressants (HealthDay)—HIV-positive transplant recipients and their physicians should be aware of potential interactions between fixed dose combination products used for HIV treatment and immunosuppressant metabolism, according to a case report published online April 18 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
	FDA: Fluconazole linked to increased miscarriage risk (HealthDay)—Doctors should use caution when prescribing the antifungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan) during pregnancy because it may raise the risk of miscarriage, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
	Atomoxetine use doesn't up suicide risk in children (HealthDay)—Treatment with the selective noradrenalin-reuptake-inhibitor atomoxetine is not associated with increased suicide risk compared with stimulant use in children and adolescents, according to a study published online April 26 in Pediatrics.
Synthetic cannabinoids versus natural marijuana—a comparison of expectations An article entitled "Comparison of Outcome Expectancies for Synthetic Cannabinoids and Botanical Marijuana," from The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, studied the expected outcomes of both synthetic and natural marijuana.
Opinion: How limiting women's access to birth control and abortions hurts the economy Reproductive health isn't just about abortions, despite all the attention they get. It's also about access to family planning services, contraception, sex education and much else.
	How diet influences our genes What we eat can directly affect the genetic programs that regulate cellular function. A new EU project, coordinated by an LMU researcher, will explore how the products of metabolism intervene in gene regulation.
	Preventing brain damage with innovative sensors Swiss SME NeMoDevices and its partners have developed and patented two groundbreaking sensors to help doctors save the lives of patients threatened by strokes and other brain injuries. With commercialisation negotiations now underway, NeMoDevices and project partner Creaholic are exploring new applications for their technology.
	Risks of mental health problems in military personnel reduce with length of service The risk of developing a mental health problem among people who have served in the Armed Forces is greatest in veterans who have served for the shortest period of time and becomes less with longer service, according to a study by the University of Glasgow.
Insulating houses keeps children out of hospital A new study from the University of Otago, Wellington has found that retrofitting insulation to current 2008 standards in existing houses reduces hospitalisation rates for all children by six percent. Department of Public Health researchers analysed data from the Warm Up New Zealand programme and found that hospitalisation rates for children in households where any member carried a Community Services Card were reduced by 12 per cent.
English junior doctors hold second day of all-out strike English junior doctors staged an all-out strike for a second day on Wednesday in a bitter row with the government over a new contract, forcing more than 13,000 operations to be postponed.
Expert panel evaluates role of osteoporosis medications in fracture healing In people with osteoporosis, one fracture often leads to more fractures, and potentially a future of pain, disability, and poor quality of life. While studies have shown that such high-risk patients benefit from appropriate medication to reduce future fracture risk, more research is needed on the effect of osteoporosis medications on fracture healing.
Study finds high death rate among people who are or have been incarcerated People recently released from correctional facilities in Ontario had a risk of dying from a drug overdose 56 times greater than the general population, a new study has found.
Intra-ocular pressure measurement in a patient with a thin, thick or abnormal cornea As a fundamental component of the ocular examination, accurate measurement of intra-ocular pressure (IOP) facilitates the management of patients with established glaucoma and the identification of patients with an elevated risk of developing glaucoma. For over 70 years, the most common method of measuring IOP has been by Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT), largely on account of its low cost and ease of use.
	Leading nutrition experts speak up about malnutrition As we better understand the role food plays in our overall health and wellbeing, the closer the connection becomes between nutrition and medicine. Malnutrition is a critical public health problem, affecting many people across the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, the modern day manifestations of hunger are increasingly complex. In an effort to explore this evolving landscape, the May issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers insights from leading registered dietitian nutritionists and other health professionals, providing a comprehensive look at malnutrition.
Cholera outbreak hits Zanzibar, kills at least 45 A Zanzibar health official says a cholera outbreak on the island archipelago has killed at least 45 people since March.
	South Korea reveals Zika-proof clothing for Rio South Korea's Olympic committee on Wednesday unveiled Zika-proof long-sleeved shirts and pants it says will help protect the country's Olympic athletes from the mosquito-borne virus at this year's games in Rio de Janeiro.
Hot melt extruded and injection moulded dosage forms Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) and Injection Moulding (IM) are becoming more prevalent in the drug delivery field due to their advantages over current pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques. HME is a continuous process that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry to increase the solubility of poorly water soluble drugs, through the generation of solid dispersions, and to manufacture dosage final dosage forms. IM, which is usually combined with HME (HME-IM) is a rapid, versatile and continuous manufacturing technique, that is easily scaled up and can be used to manufacture a range of pharmaceutical dosage forms from oral tablets to implantable devices.
Pfizer to pay $785 mn for overcharging US government on drugs US authorities said Wednesday that drug giant Pfizer had agreed to pay nearly $785 million to settle allegations that one of its units overcharged the government for anti-acid drugs.
GSK sees rise in sales of vaccines, healthcare products Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline says higher sales of vaccines and consumer healthcare products pushed up its earnings from core business by 19 percent in the first quarter.
UH Seidman Cancer Center first in the world to apply SBRT University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center physicians have started the world's first clinical trial using a new form of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to deliver radiation to a specific area of the prostate invaded with cancer - instead of the entire gland. The study aims to determine if treating a targeted cancer region within the prostate in early stage prostate cancer can increase treatment options and reduce the side effects of radiation.

Other Sciences news

	Team creates a mathematical tool that helps resolve imprecise time estimates Let's say you're trying to pinpoint when a particular past event occurred, but your best possible estimate puts it only within a span of 10,000 years. Now imagine if something could shrink that window of "when" to just 30 years.
	Hominins may have been food for carnivores 500,000 years ago Tooth-marks on a 500,000-year-old hominin femur bone found in a Moroccan cave indicate that it was consumed by large carnivores, likely hyenas, according to a study published April 27, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Camille Daujeard from the Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, France, and colleagues.
	Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens had different dietary strategies When fluctuating climates in the Ice Age altered habitats, modern humans may have adapted their diets in a different way than Neandertals, according to a study published April 27, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Sireen El Zaatari of the University of Tübingen, Germany, and colleagues.
Families with kids increasingly live near families just like them Neighborhoods are becoming less diverse and more segregated by income—but only among families with children, a new study has found.
Math scores slip, reading flat for nation's 12th-graders The nation's high school seniors are slipping in math and failing to make progress in reading, with just one-third of the 12th graders ready for the academic challenges of college.
The language of persuasion It's not what you say, but how you say it. By analyzing online arguments, Cornell researchers have identified how language and interaction with the other party contribute to winning an argument.
Home movers more likely to be green commuters, study finds A study of 18,000 UK residents has found that people who have just moved house are significantly less likely to travel to work by car, opting for a greener mode of transport instead.
	Locating and leveraging inside sources of consumer insight Most people do not really know why they buy what they buy, eat what they eat, or do what they do! As consumers we can make something up or answer a survey, but we don't know buying trends and behaviors as well as those directly in the field. Sales associates or food service workers, for example, watch dozens— or even hundreds— of consumer decisions every day. These experts are the Inside Sources.
	Polarization may cause climate communication to backfire Political advocates who support action on climate change have long sought "the perfect message" for swaying skeptics. If the issue can be framed correctly, they believe, the battle can be won.
Bosses should maintain goodwill when saying goodbye to ex-employees Even though saying farewell to departing employees is a more frequent occurrence in today's high-turnover industries, researchers suggest that leaders should maintain good relationships with these workers as they exit.
Social media interaction tools might make MOOCs stickier Developers of massive open online courses—or MOOCs—may want to take a page from Facebook to keep more students engaged and enrolled, according to researchers.
	Transforming teaching with Twitter Imagine a teaching tool so effective that students look forward to using it in class and continue to seek out new information with it after the school day ends. New research offers powerful evidence that Twitter, if used properly, can produce these outcomes among middle school students and enhance the way children learn in the 21st century.
Tiny fossil horses put their back into it Modern horses are expert runners. They reach top speeds using a special running gait in which they hold their back stiff as they move. A new study published today reveals that tiny fossil ancestors of modern horses may have moved quite differently to their living counterparts.
Corps determines Kennewick Man is Native American The ancient skeleton known as Kennewick Man is related to modern Native American tribes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday, opening the process for returning to a tribe for burial one of the oldest and most complete set of bones ever found in North America.
	Unlocking innovation in the supply chain Jinchen Hou from the Institute for Manufacturing comments on how members of complex supply chains can form alliances, in order to unlock the innovation that's often hiding within individual companies.
Referendum effect could spell trouble for Tories Just as the Scottish Independence Referendum had disastrous consequences for Labour, June's EU poll could hit the Tories too, say researchers from the British Election Study.
	Study finds relationship between trade-related U.S. job losses and political polarization in Congress In recent years economic studies have illuminated the extent to which global trade agreements, while benefitting many consumers, have also led to significant job losses in the U.S.—particularly due to jobs moving to China after 2001. Now a new study co-authored by MIT economist David Autor (along with non-MIT colleagues David Dorn, Gordon Hanson, and Kaveh Majlesi) identifies a political effect from this economic process. From 2002 through 2010, in U.S. congressional districts particularly affected by job losses due to trade, elected members of the House of Representatives becamemore ideologically extreme, with moderates consistently losing out in both parties. Autor spoke to MIT News this week about the headline-grabbing results.

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28 kwietnia 2016

Fwd: Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Apr 27