Science X Newsletter Thursday, Sep 18

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 18, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Spacesuits of the future may resemble a streamlined second skin
- Ultrafast spikes carry supra-kilohertz signals in the cerebellum
- A more efficient, lightweight and low-cost organic solar cell
- Nuclear spins control current in plastic LED: Step toward quantum computing, spintronic memory, better displays
- Human sense of fairness evolved to favor long-term cooperation
- Study shows how epigenetic memory is passed across generations
- World population to keep growing this century, hit 11 billion by 2100
- 'Dimmer switch' for mood disorders discovered
- Plant engineered for more efficient photosynthesis
- Physicists provide new insights into the world of quantum materials
- Team reports reliable, highly efficient method for making stem cells
- Scientists uncover the neural basis of confidence in the rat brain
- Stem cells use 'first aid kits' to repair damage
- Peugeot hybrid compressed-air car set for Paris Motor Show
- Montreal VR headset team turns to crowdfunding for Totem

Astronomy & Space news

	Lunar explorers will walk at higher speeds than thought Anyone who has seen the movies of Neil Armstrong's first bounding steps on the moon couldn't fail to be intrigued by his unusual walking style. But, contrary to popular belief, the astronaut's peculiar walk was not the result of low gravity. Wyle Science, Engineering and Technology scientist John De Witt explains that the early space suits were not designed for walking, so the astronauts adapted their movements to the restrictions of the suit.
	NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) prepare astronauts ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen is looking forward to flying to the International Space Station next year but until yesterday he was underwater trying out a handy new device he will use in space.
	What is life? It's a tricky, often confusing question What is life? This is a question that is often asked and typically confused.
	The Great Debate over whether the universe is small or large The visible universe is vast. It is 93 billion light years across, and contains more than 100 billion galaxies. The average galaxy contains about 100 billion stars, and untold numbers of planets. Yet a century ago there was serious doubt among many astronomers that the universe was much more than 100,000 light years across. Arguments about whether the universe was small or large became known as the Great Debate.
	The latest observations of interstellar particles With all the news about Voyager 1 leaving the heliosphere and entering interstellar space you might think that the probe is the first spacecraft to detect interstellar particles. That isn't entirely true, and the latest observations of interstellar particles has found some very interesting results.
	Very Long Baseline Array takes radio image of Voyager 1 The image above is a radio image of Voyager 1. It was taken from the Very Long Baseline Array, which is a collection of 10 radio telescopes scattered from Hawaii to the Virgin Islands. It captures the faint radio signal of the distant probe. That pale blue dot is the most distant object made by humans.
Spaceship designer who helped send Gagarin into orbit dies at 92 A spaceship designer who worked on Yury Gagarin's Vostok spaceship and was the last to shake his hand before liftoff, Oleg Ivanovsky, died on Thursday at 92, the Russian space agency said.
	Everything in moderation: Micro-8 to study regulating pathogens in space Our bodies are breeding grounds for microbes—don't worry, it's a good thing! As scientists have been telling us for years, not all microbes are bad. Many active enzymes and bacteria are merely benign, and, in moderation, are beneficial to humans as an important part of our digestive system or can help regulate our immune system.
	Miranda: An icy moon deformed by tidal heating Miranda, a small, icy moon of Uranus, is one of the most visually striking and enigmatic bodies in the solar system. Despite its relatively small size, Miranda appears to have experienced an episode of intense resurfacing that resulted in the formation of at least three remarkable and unique surface features—polygonal-shaped regions called coronae.
	Buzzing with activity: Fruit flies orbit Earth for science If the International Space Station ever starts a "frequent flyers" program, fruit flies surely would be eligible for platinum status. Recently the orbiting laboratory has hosted increasing numbers of fruit fly research studies. One fruit fly investigation returned from the space station in April, and another is scheduled launch to the station Sept. 20. A third experiment is planned to launch in December.
	France raises heat on decision for next Ariane rocket France's space agency on Thursday unveiled a revised proposal for an Ariane rocket ahead of a tough decision on launchers by the European Space Agency (ESA).
	Hepatitis C virus proteins in space Two researchers at Technische Universität München have won the 'International Space Station Research Competition' with their project 'Egypt Against Hepatitis C Virus.' As their prize, the scientists will see the International Space Station crew perform experiments on the space station. The project involves crystallizing two proteins of the hepatitis C virus under microgravity conditions. The shuttle bringing these proteins to the International Space Station is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 20.

Technology news

	Spacesuits of the future may resemble a streamlined second skin For future astronauts, the process of suiting up may go something like this: Instead of climbing into a conventional, bulky, gas-pressurized suit, an astronaut may don a lightweight, stretchy garment, lined with tiny, musclelike coils. She would then plug in to a spacecraft's power supply, triggering the coils to contract and essentially shrink-wrap the garment around her body.
	A more efficient, lightweight and low-cost organic solar cell For decades, polymer scientists and synthetic chemists working to improve the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells were hampered by the inherent drawbacks of commonly used metal electrodes, including their instability and susceptibility to oxidation. Now for the first time, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a more efficient, easily processable and lightweight solar cell that can use virtually any metal for the electrode, effectively breaking the "electrode barrier."
	Review: Devices, apps act like one under iOS 8 The scores of new features in Apple's software update for mobile devices can be boiled down to one word: unity.
	The oscillator that could makeover the mechanical watch For the first time in 200 years the heart of the mechanical watch has been reinvented, thereby improving precision and autonomy while making the watch completely silent. EPFL researchers have developed an oscillator that turns continuously in one direction, eliminating one of the crucial mechanisms of traditional watches.
	MIT groups develop smartphone system THAW that allows for direct interaction between devices MIT researchers with the Tangible Media Group and the Fluid Interface Group have come up with a smartphone system called THAW that allows a smartphone user to seamlessly interact with other computer devices via their screen.
	Apple's new encryption to lock out government (Update) Apple is rolling out new privacy protections for iPhones and iPads, with a new system that makes it impossible for the company to unlock a device even with a warrant.
	Peugeot hybrid compressed-air car set for Paris Motor Show An 860-kilogram concept city car from Peugeot indicates impressive fuel economy. This latest concept "has its sights set on meeting the French government's goal of putting an affordable 2.0l/100km (141mpg) car into production by 2020," said Jordan Bishop in Auto Express. Peugeot will be showcasing its 208 HYbrid Air 2L at next month's Paris Motor Show. In announcing the car, Peugeot said it was applying skills across the gamut of automotive applications to continuously lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. To lower fuel consumption to 2.0 l/100km, company engineers and project partners used technologies previously reserved for competition and luxury models. Peugeot is showcasing its 208 HYbrid Air 2L technology demonstrator at the Paris Motor Show. The show car is lighter than a standard 208 hatch—the concept is a mix of steel, aluminum and composites, according to HybridCars.com.
	Montreal VR headset team turns to crowdfunding for Totem A challenger in the virtual reality headset marketplace has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get the project off the ground. The headset is called Totem. The company behind Totem is Montreal-based Vrvana. This is a headset with dual on-board cameras and hardware acceleration that delivers an immersive VR experience, said its CEO, Bertrand Nepveu. "It acts like your brain," he said. The Totem connects to any HDMI source (computer, console, Blu-ray, tablet, etc.) that plays Side-by-Side (SbS) 3D video or games. Rahul Sood, GM of Microsoft Ventures and founder of VoodooPC, said that as someone involved in multiple gaming companies and who currently works with startups as part of his day job, he was impressed. "I love the product and I love the fact that it can hook up to any HDMI port and just work."
	Apple iOS 8 software bug affects health apps A bug in Apple's new iOS 8 software for mobile devices is prompting the company to withhold apps that use a highly touted feature for keeping track of fitness and health data.
	Upgrade to iOS 8 now or wait? Apple's iOS 8 software update for iPhones and iPads is worth getting—but not necessarily right away.
With IPO, Alibaba looks to unlock new markets Alibaba's record-setting stock offering due this week gives the Chinese online group a huge war chest that can help its global expansion.
	Amazon unveils new Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers Amazon.com on Wednesday expanded its array of tablets and Kindle e-readers, capping its line-up with a new flagship Fire HDX model boasting 'stunning' display and Dolby Atmos sound.
	Russia's biggest social network VKontakte gets new CEO Russia's biggest social network VKontakte appointed a new chief executive on Thursday after the removal of its maverick founder Pavel Durov earlier this year.
	Ericsson to stop making modems, shed hundreds of jobs Swedish telecom equipment company Ericsson said on Thursday that it would stop developing modems, a decision affecting almost 1,600 employees worldwide which is expected to lead to hundreds of job cuts.
	Apple iPhone lacks 'key' licence in China Apple's iPhone 6 still lacks a key network access licence in China, state media confirmed Thursday on the eve of its global launch, breaking official silence on why sales of the smartphone will be delayed.
	Connected computing offers a new life for blind people, and job opportunities too There are many examples of individuals with different disabilities who excel and accomplish much in their lifetime, rendering physical or mental attributes meaningless – consider Stephen Hawking, Stevie Wonder and Helen Keller, among many others.
Who drives Alibaba's Taobao traffic—buyers or sellers? As Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba prepares for what could be the biggest IPO in history, University of Michigan professor Puneet Manchanda dug into its Taobao website data to help solve a lingering chicken-and-egg question.
	New studies find significant declines in price of rooftop and utility-scale solar The price of solar energy in the United States continues to fall substantially, according to the latest editions of two annual reports produced by the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
	Engineers study bats to improve aviation travel Air travelers today often experience delays as a result of numerous airplanes parked on the ground and in the air at any given moment.
	Transmedia storytelling with apps could expand but also exploit children's stories The app market is estimated to generate US$77 billion (£47.2 billion) in revenue each year – and the segment of children's apps has grown particularly strongly. However, given that developing an app costs between $10,000-70,000 and each only sells for usually around a dollar, an app needs thousands of downloads to ensure a return on investment. Children's app producers find it hard to survive and are desperately searching for a sound business model.
	Alibaba symbol of China's new tech giants Alibaba Group's U.S. stock offering is a wakeup call about an emerging wave of technology giants in China's state-dominated economy.
	Virtual boyfriends (cat ears optional) at Tokyo Game Show Are you disappointed by the man in your life? Tired of his stubbly chin and the way he lies around the house? Or would you just like a boyfriend with cat's ears?
News Corp opposes Google in EU antitrust case The media conglomerate controlled by Rupert Murdoch is joining the fray in Google's protracted European antitrust case, saying the technology company unfairly distorts competition.
	ESA investigates an alternative, environmental-friendly method of corrosion resistance Corrosion resistance and high strength put stainless steel high on the list of essential materials for satellite and rocket designers. Now ESA plans to investigate an alternative, environmental-friendly method of readying this important metal.
	Online piracy thrives in Internet cloud: study (Update) Online piracy of music, films and other content has moved to the Internet cloud, reaping big profits for digital thieves, according to a study released Thursday.
	Alibaba's plan: Today, China. Tomorrow, the world. Amazon and eBay should watch their backs. As Chinese e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba readies what could be the biggest initial public offering ever on the New York Stock Exchange, it is quietly hinting at plans to expand into the U.S. The company controls nearly 80 percent of all e-commerce in China, and founder and chairman Jack Ma has ambitions that go beyond the country's borders.
	Hit 'Just Dance' game goes mobile Sept. 25 Smartphone lovers will get to show off moves almost anywhere with the Sept. 25 release of a free "Just Dance Now" game tuned for mobile Internet lifestyles.
Download woes and HealthKit flaw bite iPhone software Apple's typically adoring fans were grousing on Thursday over having to dump pictures and other digital keepsakes from iPhones to make room for a big, new operating system.
Samsung to release Note 4 'phablet' on October 17 Samsung announced Thursday that its eagerly-anticipated Note 4 "phablet" will be released on October 17.
	Microsoft axes 2,100 as job cuts continue Microsoft on Thursday said that it axed 2,100 jobs in a second round of cuts which were announced earlier this year.
	Larry Ellison steps down as Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison on Thursday stepped down as chief executive of Oracle, handing off the helm of the successful technology company he co-founded in 1977, the company announced.
Researchers develop unique waste cleanup for rural areas Washington State University researchers have developed a unique method to use microbes buried in pond sediment to power waste cleanup in rural areas.
Home Depot says hack affected 56 million cards Home Depot said Thursday the data breach of its systems affected as many as 56 million customer payment cards between April and September.
Google to boost Android encryption, joining Apple Google said Thursday it would beef up encryption of its mobile operating system, so that it would not hold "keys" to devices even if it is served with a warrant.
	'NBA 2K15' drafts 3D face mapping for latest game "NBA 2K15" is angling for a slam dunk with an innovative new feature that allows players to put their game faces on.
Facebook dressed down over 'real names' policy Facebook says it temporarily restored hundreds of deleted profiles of self-described drag queens and others, but declined to change a policy requiring account holders to use their real names rather than drag names such as Lil Ms. Hot Mess and Sister Roma.
Germany's Bayer says will float chemicals division German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer, maker of Aspirin painkiller, said on Thursday it intends to float its chemicals Material Science division to focus on its life sciences activities in human and animal health.
	Sweeping security law would have computer users surrender privacy Parliament is about to consider a range of changes to Australia's security laws introduced by the Abbott government during its last sitting. The most controversial measures in the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (Cth) include stronger anti-whistleblower provisions and a "special intelligence operations" regime that would grant ASIO officers immunity from civil and criminal liability.
	Students trust technology, but have concerns about privacy and robotics, poll shows Purdue University students are optimistic about how technology will improve their lives but have concerns about privacy and the role of specific technologies, according to a poll.
	Apps for electric cars Siemens is equipping electric cars with completely redesigned information and communications technology (ICT). Basically, the idea is to control a variety of vehicle functions on a uniform, centralized computer platform instead of providing every system with its own hardware and software as today. The aim is to simplify the complicated interplay of the many assistance, safety, and infotainment systems. In addition, separating the software from the technology on which it runs facilitates retrofitting new features. In the same way that apps use smartphones' existing technology, such as GPS or cameras for their own purposes, integrated standard components such as proximity sensors, control units, and display elements could be used for new functions in automobiles. The all-new ICT concept was developed by Siemens' global Corporate Technology (CT) department and its partners in the government-funded RACE project.
43 accused of running cybersex ring in Philippines Philippine authorities arrested 43 suspected members of a syndicate that runs a lucrative online cybersex operation catering to clients worldwide, officials said Thursday.
	Sandia pioneers software for smart and sustainable institutions Sandia National Laboratories' Institutional Transformation (IX) model helps the federal laboratory reduce its energy consumption and could help other large institutions do the same.
	Review: Ambitious 'Destiny' lacks imagination Midway through "Destiny," the new science fiction epic from "Halo" creators Bungie, a smug prince is musing on the hero's desire to visit a mysterious site on Mars.
	Indie game developers sprouting at Tokyo Game Show Nestled among the industry giants at the Tokyo Game Show Thursday are a growing number of small and independent games developers from Asia and Europe, all hoping they are sitting on the next Minecraft.

Medicine & Health news

	'Dimmer switch' for mood disorders discovered Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified a control mechanism for an area of the brain that processes sensory and emotive information that humans experience as "disappointment."
	Ultrafast spikes carry supra-kilohertz signals in the cerebellum (Medical Xpress)—One of the challenges in high energy physics is to understand the origin of cosmic rays. The problem is that although these rays continue to be observed at ever higher energies, there is currently no known physical mechanism to fully explain how they attain that energy. The same issue is found in neuroscience. Researchers continue to find neurons that fire spikes at higher and higher rates (>1500 hz) but the models that traditionally have been used to describe them start to break down far below that.
	Wild berry extract may strengthen effectiveness of pancreatic cancer drug A wild berry native to North America may strengthen the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat pancreatic cancer, reveals research published online in the Journal of Clinical Pathology.
	Researchers discover how bacteria resist antibiotics in hospitals Scientists have uncovered a key factor to explain why antibiotic-resistant bacteria can thrive in a hospital setting.
	Scientists pioneer microscopy technique that yields fresh data on muscular dystrophy Scientists at USC have developed a new microscopy technology that allows them to view single molecules in living animals at higher-than-ever resolution.
	How stress tears us apart Why is it that when people are too stressed they are often grouchy, grumpy, nasty, distracted or forgetful? Researchers from the Brain Mind Institute (BMI) at EPFL have just highlighted a fundamental synaptic mechanism that explains the relationship between chronic stress and the loss of social skills and cognitive impairment. When triggered by stress, an enzyme attacks a synaptic regulatory molecule in the brain. This was revealed by a work published in Nature Communications.
Gel-like padding could help cells survive injection, heal spinal cord injuries (Medical Xpress)—A team of Bio-X scientists is developing a gel to help protect cells from the trauma of being injected into an injury site. The work could help speed cell-based therapies for spinal cord injuries and other types of damage.
	Scientists uncover the neural basis of confidence in the rat brain Life is a series of decisions, ranging from the mundane to the monumental. And each decision is a gamble, carrying with it the chance to second-guess. Did I make the right turn at that light? Did I choose the right college? Was this the right job for me?
	Single dose of antidepressant changes the brain A single dose of antidepressant is enough to produce dramatic changes in the functional architecture of the human brain. Brain scans taken of people before and after an acute dose of a commonly prescribed SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) reveal changes in connectivity within three hours, say researchers who report their observations in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 18.
New molecule allows for increase in stem cell transplants Investigators from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Université de Montréal have just published, in the prestigious magazine Science, the announcement of the discovery of a new molecule, the first of its kind, which allows for the multiplication of stem cells in a unit of cord blood. Umbilical cord stem cells are used for transplants aimed at curing a number of blood-related diseases, including leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma. For many patients this therapy comprises a treatment of last resort.
	A new way to prevent the spread of devastating diseases For decades, researchers have tried to develop broadly effective vaccines to prevent the spread of illnesses such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. While limited progress has been made along these lines, there are still no licensed vaccinations available that can protect most people from these devastating diseases.
	New technique uses a genetic tool and light to view and map neuronal circuits For years, neuroscientists have been trying to develop tools that would allow them to clearly view the brain's circuitry in action—from the first moment a neuron fires to the resulting behavior in a whole organism. To get this complete picture, neuroscientists are working to develop a range of new tools to study the brain. Researchers at Caltech have developed one such tool that provides a new way of mapping neural networks in a living organism.
	Major U.S. food makers cut 6.4 trillion calories from products: report (HealthDay)—Sixteen major food and beverage companies have made good on their pledge to cut calories in their U.S. products, a new report finds.
	Doctors promoting transparency with patients (HealthDay)—Efforts to increase transparency among doctors are underway, according to an article published in The Boston Globe.
	12 states now reporting severe respiratory illness that targets kids (HealthDay)—Twelve states now have confirmed cases of Enterovirus D68, the severe respiratory illnesses that may have sickened hundreds of children, U.S. health officials report.
Mystery illness plagues girls in Colombia First their hands and feet feel cold. Then they go pale and cannot move. Some convulse and fall to the floor.
	Asia's rising tobacco epidemic Smoke-filled bars and packed cancer wards reflect decades of neglect of no-smoking policies in Asia, where both high- and low-income countries are belatedly waking up to a growing tobacco-related health epidemic.
Middle school dilemma: Girls' body image affected by older peers The media is highly criticized for contributing to body image issues in adolescents. However, a study out today in Psychology of Women Quarterly finds a different source for body dissatisfaction among young girls: older girls at school.
Rosuvastatin treatments particularly effective among prediabetic patients Cardiovascular disease is the leading causes of death worldwide and high cholesterol plays a major role in accelerating its progression. Medical practitioners have turned to statins as a treatment to decrease cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins such as small dense lipoproteins (sdLDL), considered to be especially harmful. A new study, out today in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics finds that rosuvastatin may be more effective among prediabetic patients than patients with normal glucose levels.
	Stem cells have potential to repair diseased corneas Corneal transplant (keratoplasty) is a known means of successfully treating corneal disease. However, without unlimited donor corneas, researchers say there is a need to study alternate methods of treatment for eye disease and eye trauma.
	Magnets help cure chronic acid reflux Magnets are helping Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center pediatric nephrologist Jens Goebel, MD, and Hoxworth Blood Center clinical lab scientist David Puckett lead healthier lives.
Immune link to stress could help in treating depression Researchers at the University of Adelaide say a new focus on the links between the immune system and stress is needed to help pave the way for improved treatments of severe depression.
	An update on bacterial meningitis and other important vaccine news With school underway and flu season not far behind, vaccinations are on people's minds again, or at least they should be – according to experts such as George DiFerdinando Jr. who keep track of how disease spreads and the best ways to prevent it.
	Declining condom use driving sexually transmitted infections A fall in condom use across the population is driving strong growth in sexually-transmitted infections, according to one of the authors of an annual surveillance report released today.
Computational drug design yields cocaine toxicity treatment (Medical Xpress)—A researcher at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is working to develop the first-ever FDA-approved treatments for cocaine overdose and cocaine addiction.
	Researcher says airborne Ebola transmission is not an impossibility The idea of the Ebola virus becoming airborne is not far-fetched and its ability to enter cells that line the trachea and lungs has been shown under controlled laboratory conditions, a Purdue University virus expert says.
	Bacterial infection models provide clues potentially useful for controlling gastric ailments (Medical Xpress)—Scientists from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt University have made steps toward understanding the immune response involved in Helicobacter pylori infection—a common cause of stomach ulcers.
Researchers corroborate the neuroprotective effects of Sirtuin 1 activation on mice with Alzheimer's disease A study coordinated by the University of Barcelona (UB) has described a mechanism that plays a key role in the evolution of Alzheimer's disease. According to the paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the activation of the protein Sirtuin 1 in a murine model with familial Alzheimer's disease has neuroprotective effects. The study, based on the PhD thesis developed by the researcher David Porquet (UB), first describes Sirtuin 1 pathway in this murine model. Mercè Pallàs, from the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy of UB, coordinates the study. The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) also collaborate in the study.
	Experimental brain tumour therapy considered for NHS fast track A new immunotherapy for a form of brain cancer has become the first in the UK to be designated (link is external) a 'Promising Innovative Medicine' (PIM) as part of a scheme to speed up access to experimental new treatments.
	Spontaneous mutations in key brain gene are a cause of autism Spontaneous mutations in the brain gene TBR1 disrupt the function of the encoded protein in children with severe autism. In addition, there is a direct link between TBR1 and FOXP2, a well-known language-related protein. These are the main findings of Pelagia Deriziotis and colleagues at the Nijmegen Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in an article published by Nature Communications on September 18.
Gestational age is not the only factor that influences survival A new study analyses the survival rates in Spain of newborns with a gestational age under 26 weeks. The results show that survival under 23 weeks is 'exceptional', although other factors such as birth weight and sex also have an influence.
	ER waiting times vary significantly, studies find (HealthDay)—When it comes to emergency room waiting times, patients seeking care at larger urban hospitals are likely to spend more time staring down the clock than those seen at smaller or more rural facilities, new research suggests.
	Internists report considerable EMR-linked time loss (HealthDay)—Use of electronic medical record (EMR) systems is associated with considerable loss of free time per clinic day, according to a research letter published online Sept. 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The war on leukemia: How the battle for cell production could be decisive A key step in understanding the nature of the fight for superiority between mutated genes and normal genes could lead to new therapies to combat leukaemia, say researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University.
Kids eat better if their parents went to college Children of college-educated parents eat more vegetables and drink less sugar, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia. But it's still not enough, the study goes on to say, as all kids are falling short when it comes to eating healthier at school
	Technique to model infections shows why live vaccines may be most effective Vaccines against Salmonella that use a live, but weakened, form of the bacteria are more effective than those that use only dead fragments because of the particular way in which they stimulate the immune system, according to research from the University of Cambridge published today in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
	A second look at glaucoma surgery New research led by Queen's University professor Robert Campbell (Ophthalmology) has revealed using anti-inflammatory medications after glaucoma laser surgery is not helpful or necessary.
	Withdrawal from the evolutionary race In some HIV sufferers, the immune system does not fight off the immune deficiency virus. Instead, the body tolerates the pathogen. A research team headed by ETH Zurich has now determined how strongly patients differ in their tolerance and upon which factors it depends.
Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood worsens musculoskeletal pain outcomes after trauma Individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have worse musculoskeletal pain outcomes over time after stressful events such as motor vehicle collision than individuals from higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods, even after accounting for individual characteristics such as age, sex, income, education, and employment status.
Team explores STXBP5 gene and its role in blood clotting Two independent groups of researchers led by Sidney (Wally) Whiteheart, PhD, of the University of Kentucky, and Charles Lowenstein, MD, of the University of Rochester, have published important studies exploring the role that a gene called STXBP5 plays in the development of cardiovascular disease.
	Bill Gates says progress made on new super-thin condom Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates said Thursday progress is being made on developing a "next-generation" ultra-thin, skin-like condom that could offer better sexual pleasure, help population control and be financed by first-world investors.
New smartphone app reveals users' mental health, performance, behavior Dartmouth researchers and their colleagues have built the first smartphone app that automatically reveals students' mental health, academic performance and behavioral trends. In other words, your smartphone knows your state of mind—even if you don't—and how that affects you.
Study discovers means to free immune system to destroy cancer Research led by Paulo Rodriguez, PhD, an assistant research professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology at LSU Health New Orleans' Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, has identified the crucial role an inflammatory protein known as Chop plays in the body's ability to fight cancer. Results demonstrate, for the first time, that Chop regulates the activity and accumulation of cells that suppress the body's immune response against tumors. The LSU Health New Orleans research team showed that when they removed Chop, the T-cells of the immune system mounted an effective attack on the cancer cells. These findings reveal Chop as a target for the development of new immunotherapies to treat cancer. The research is described in a paper published online September 18, 2014, in Immunity, a Cell Press journal.
	Study: Pupil size shows reliability of decisions Te precision with which people make decisions can be predicted by measuring pupil size before they are presented with any information about the decision, according to a new study published in PLOS Computational Biology this week.
Curcumin, special peptides boost cancer-blocking PIAS3 to neutralize STAT3 in mesothelioma A common Asian spice and cancer-hampering molecules show promise in slowing the progression of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining often linked to asbestos. Scientists from Case Western Reserve University and the Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt, Germany, demonstrate that application of curcumin, a derivative of the spice turmeric, and cancer-inhibiting peptides increase levels of a protein inhibitor known to combat the progression of this cancer. Their findings appeared in the Aug. 14 online edition Clinical Cancer Research; the print version of the article will appear Oct. 1.
	Research yields a game changer for improving understanding of Ebola and great apes A group of international scientists have developed a new method to study Ebola virus in wildlife.
Down syndrome helps researchers understand Alzheimer's disease The link between a protein typically associated with Alzheimer's disease and its impact on memory and cognition may not be as clear as once thought, according to a new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Waisman Center. The findings are revealing more information about the earliest stages of the neurodegenerative disease.
	Insulin Rx tied to increased major adverse CV events in DM (HealthDay)—The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events is higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and multivessel coronary artery disease treated with insulin (ITDM) versus those not treated with insulin (non-ITDM), according to a study published in the Sept. 23 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	High mortality, costs with C. difficile after spine surgery (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection is associated with longer, more expensive hospital stays, and increased mortality, according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of Spine.
Professional recommendations against routine prostate cancer screening have little effect The effect of guidelines recommending that elderly men should not be routinely screened for prostate cancer "has been minimal at best," according to a new study led by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.
	New insights on an ancient plague could improve treatments for infections Dangerous new pathogens such as the Ebola virus invoke scary scenarios of deadly epidemics, but even ancient scourges such as the bubonic plague are still providing researchers with new insights on how the body responds to infections.
Research milestone in CCHF virus could help identify new treatments New research into the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a tick-borne virus which causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans similar to that caused by Ebolavirus, has identified new cellular factors essential for CCHFV infection. This discovery has the potential to lead to novel targets for therapeutic interventions against the pathogen.
Two Ebola vaccines to be tested in Switzerland Clinical trials of two experimental vaccines against the deadly Ebola virus are due to begin soon in Switzerland, the country's Tropical and Public Health Institute said on Thursday.
	Exercise boosts tumor-fighting ability of chemotherapy, research finds Study after study has proven it true: exercise is good for you. But new research from University of Pennsylvania scientists suggests that exercise may have an added benefit for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
	Spouse's personality influences career success, study finds As people spend more and more time in the workplace, it's natural for co-workers to develop close bonds—what's often referred to as a "workplace spouse" or an "office wife."
FDA approves Eli Lilly's injectable diabetes drug The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new injectable diabetes drug from Eli Lilly and Co. for adults with the most common form of the disease.
Gun deaths twice as high among African-Americans as white citizens in US Gun deaths are twice as high among African-Americans as they are among white citizens in the US, finds a study of national data, published in the online journal BMJ Open. But the national figures, which have remained relatively steady over the past decade, mask wide variation in firearms deaths by ethnicity and state, the findings show.
PET-CT predicts lymphoma survival better than conventional imaging Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) is more accurate than conventional CT scanning in measuring response to treatment and predicting survival in patients with follicular lymphoma, and should be used routinely in clinical practice, according to new research published in The Lancet Haematology.
Coercion could worsen Ebola epidemic, say experts Coercive measures to stem the deadly Ebola epidemic in West Africa, such as confining people to their homes, could backfire badly, experts say.
'Lather Against Ebola', an 'Ice Bucket' challenge against the virus Bringing a soapy twist to the "Ice Bucket Challenge" that has swept the world in recent weeks, Ivorians are raising awareness about the deadly disease outbreak in west Africa with a new "Lather Against Ebola" campaign.
	Report reveals dangerous gap in understanding of hepatitis C transmission A wide-ranging report by UNSW's Centre for Social Research in Health shows hepatitis C knowledge in young people and gay men is dangerously low.
Nepal adopts jab to boost polio fight Nepal on Thursday launched a drive to eradicate polio by supplementing oral vaccines with an injection that experts say will boost children's immunity against the disease.
Sierra Leone readies for controversial Ebola shutdown Sierra Leone was preparing on Thursday for an unprecedented three-day nationwide shutdown to contain the deadly spread of the Ebola virus in a controversial move which experts claimed could worsen the epidemic.
	Swatting chikungunya Summer days may be waning, but health officials are still on high alert for new cases of chikungunya, a painful mosquito-borne virus that spread to the United States from the tropics earlier this year.
	Non-stop PET/CT scan provides accurate images Siemens is improving PET/CT imaging and data quality while reducing radiation exposure. The Biograph mCT Flow PET/CT scanner is a new positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system that, for the first time ever, overcomes the limitations of conventional bed-based PET/CT with FlowMotion, a revolutionary technology that moves the patient smoothly through the system's gantry, while continuously acquiring PET data.
	Putting dementia carers in control Experts will explore how improved support and powers for people caring for loved-ones with dementia can improve quality of life for both patients and carers around the UK.
Italian army to grow medical marijuana The Italian army is aiming high with its latest weapon on the medical front: marijuana.
	'Baby Buddy' app to support expectant and new parents seeks user feedback The child health and wellbeing charity Best Beginnings is inviting professionals and parents to use and give feedback on a free mobile phone app, the first version of which aims to support young mothers through pregnancy to when the baby is six months old.
Legionnaire's disease kills four in Spain Four people have died from an outbreak of the lung infection Legionnaire's disease in northeastern Spain, regional health authorities said Thursday.
	WHO: 700 more Ebola cases emerge in only one week The World Health Organization says more than 700 more Ebola cases emerged in West Africa in one week, a statistic that shows the outbreak is accelerating.
Decision-support program helps keep seniors out of the emergency room An Emergency Room Decision-Support (ERDS) program can significantly reduce ER visits and hospital admissions among older adults on Medicare. This could have important economic implications, helping to reduce the nearly 33% of avoidable ER visits that contribute to about $18 billion in unnecessary healthcare costs each year. Details of a successful ERDS program that had a positive return on investment are published in an article in Population Health Management.
Americans rate losing eyesight as having greatest impact on their lives Many Americans across racial and ethnic groups describe losing eyesight as potentially having the greatest impact on their day-to-day life, more so than other conditions including: loss of limb, memory, hearing and speech (57% of African-Americans, 49% of non-Hispanic whites, 43% of Asians and 38% of Hispanics). When asked which disease or ailment is the worst that could happen to them, blindness ranked first among African-Americans followed by AIDS/HIV. Hispanics and Asians ranked cancer first and blindness second, while Alzheimer's disease ranked first among non-Hispanic whites followed by blindness.
Ebola death toll climbs to 2,630 out of 5,357 cases: WHO The deadliest Ebola epidemic on record has now infected more than 5,000 people in west Africa and killed around half of them, the World Health Organization said Thursday.
Flu vaccine for expectant moms a top priority Only about half of all pregnant women in the U.S. get a flu shot each season, leaving thousands of moms-to-be and their babies at increased risk of serious illness.
Study provides insight about providing private mental health service to veterans A unique partnership to support private efforts to provide mental health services to veterans and their families could provide a model for similar efforts should federal officials decide to expand privately provided health care as part of reform of the VA health system, according to a new RAND Corporation report.
Fortune 500 employees can expect to pay more for health insurance, survey says Employees working for Fortune 500 companies can expect to pay higher employee contributions for their health insurance, according to a survey of chief human resource officers about the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as PPACA or Obamacare) conducted by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina this past May/June.
	ASTRO issues second list of 'Choosing wisely' guidelines (HealthDay)—The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a second list of five radiation oncology-specific treatments that should be discussed before being prescribed, as part of the national Choosing Wisely campaign.
Anaesthesia additive blamed for Syria measles vaccine deaths Syria's opposition said Thursday that 16 children who died during a measles vaccination campaign in the mostly rebel-held province of Idlib had been given an anaesthesia additive by mistake.
	Health law enrollment now 7.3M The Obama administration says 7.3 million people have signed up for subsidized private health insurance under the health care law—down from 8 million reported earlier this year.
US 'upgrades' plan against antibiotic resistance US President Barack Obama on Thursday issued an executive order to ramp up the national response to the problem of antibiotic resistance and infections that cannot be treated.
	Trial begins for MRI-compatible robot designed to improve accuracy of prostate biopsies A novel robotic system that can operate inside the bore of an MRI scanner is currently being tested as part of a biomedical research partnership program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston with the aim of determining if the robot, in conjunction with real-time MRI images, can make prostate cancer biopsies faster, more accurate, less costly, and less discomforting for the patient. The novel system also has the potential to deliver prostate cancer therapies with greater precision.
Vitamin E, selenium supplements unlikely to effect age-related cataracts in men Taking daily supplements of selenium and/or vitamin E appears to have no significant effect on the development of age-related cataracts in men, writes Author William G. Christen, Sc.D., of Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues.
Cooling of dialysis fluids protects against brain damage While dialysis can cause blood pressure changes that damage the brain, cooling dialysis fluids can protect against such effects. The findings come from a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The cooling intervention can be delivered without additional cost and is simple to perform.

Biology news

	Plant engineered for more efficient photosynthesis (Phys.org) —A genetically engineered tobacco plant, developed with two genes from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), holds promise for improving the yields of many food crops.
	Human sense of fairness evolved to favor long-term cooperation The human response to unfairness evolved in order to support long-term cooperation, according to a research team from Georgia State University and Emory University.
	Study shows how epigenetic memory is passed across generations A growing body of evidence suggests that environmental stresses can cause changes in gene expression that are transmitted from parents to their offspring, making "epigenetics" a hot topic. Epigenetic modifications do not affect the DNA sequence of genes, but change how the DNA is packaged and how genes are expressed. Now, a study by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows how epigenetic memory can be passed across generations and from cell to cell during development.
'Office life' of bacteria may be their weak spot Scientists at the University of Leeds think we may be able to drown deadly bacteria in their own paperwork.
	Species going extinct 1,000 times faster than in pre-human times, study finds (Phys.org) —University of Georgia ecologists John Gittleman and Patrick Stephens are contributors to a major new study that finds that species are going extinct today 1,000 times faster than during pre-human times—a rate an order of magnitude higher than the previous estimate.
	Stem cells use 'first aid kits' to repair damage Stem cells hold great promise as a means of repairing cells in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke or injuries of the spinal cord because they have the ability to develop into almost any cell type. Now, new research shows that stem cell therapy can also work through a mechanism other than cell replacement.
	Team reports reliable, highly efficient method for making stem cells Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have found a way to boost dramatically the efficiency of the process for turning adult cells into so-called pluripotent stem cells by combining three well-known compounds, including vitamin C. Using the new technique in mice, the researchers increased the number of stem cells obtained from adult skin cells by more than 20-fold compared with the standard method. They say their technique is efficient and reliable, and thus should generally accelerate research aimed at using stem cells to generate virtually any tissue. Stem cells are immature or uncommitted cells that are theoretically capable of becoming any cell type.
Scientists find how mysterious 'circular RNA' is formed, claim muscular dystrophy link Our genetic information is stored in DNA, tiny strands of nucleic acid that contain instructions for the functioning of our bodies. To express this genetic data, our DNA is copied into RNA molecules, which then translate the instructions into proteins that perform tasks in our cells.
Researchers study vital 'on/off switches' that control when bacteria turn deadly (Phys.org) —No matter how many times it's demonstrated, it's still hard to envision bacteria as social, communicating creatures. But by using a signaling system called "quorum sensing," these single-celled organisms radically alter their behavior to suit their population. In short, some bacteria "know" how many of them are present, and act accordingly.
Transparent larvae hide opaque eyes behind reflections Becoming invisible is probably the ultimate form of camouflage: you don't just blend in, the background shows through you. And this strategy is not as uncommon as you might think. Kathryn Feller, from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, USA, explains that the larval life stages of many marine species are transparent. However, there is one part of the anatomy that most creatures cannot make transparent. Feller explains that the animals with compound eyes have to shield each individual eye unit with an opaque pigment to prevent light leaking between adjacent eye structures. This could blow the larvae's cover and poses the question, how do larvae disguise their conspicuous eyes?
	Seeding plant diversity for future generations (Phys.org) —The Millennium Seed Bank dries, freezes, stores and maintains seeds for future generations to enjoy and use. It aims to save seeds from all the wild plant species of the world and so far, since its founding in 2000, it has banked 14% of them. Scientists from the University of Oxford and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which manages the Millennium Seed Bank, have shown how by using advanced mathematics they can boost the overall diversity of the seed bank by targeting a 'hit list' of particular species. Their paper also includes maps showing where the species are located so they can be efficiently gathered. The findings are published in the journal Conservation Biology.
	Dingo control no harm to wildlife, study says (Phys.org) —Limiting the dingo and wild dog population has no negative effect on wildlife, according to new research.
	Dogs can be pessimists too Dogs generally seem to be cheerful, happy-go-lucky characters, so you might expect that most would have an optimistic outlook on life.
	Mice nest together to confuse paternity and reduce infanticide It is a cruel world out there, particularly for young animals born into social groups where infanticide occurs. This dark side of evolution is revealed when adults – often males – kill offspring to promote their own genes being passed on, by reducing competition for resources or making females become sexually receptive more quickly.
	New research provides understanding that helps control legume viruses Farmers in south-west WA will be pleased to find out that a PhD candidate from The University of Western Australia has made significant advances in our understanding of major plant pathogen Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV).
	Sacrificing agricultural research in the name of biosecurity The image of Australian agriculture is that it is "clean and green" because biosecurity measures operate to keep a vast army of exotic pests and pathogens out of the country.
	Giant jellyfish pops up in the north-west An unusually huge toxic jellyfish has been found off the north-west coast of Western Australia.
	Evolutionary study aids battle against parasitic diseases A University of Stirling study has shed new light on the way parasite lifecycles have evolved and may help scientists develop more effective plans for managing the many diseases they cause.
	Controlling the transition between generations Rafal Ciosk and his group at the FMI have identified an important regulator of the transition from germ cell to embryonic cell. LIN-41 prevents the premature onset of embryonic transcription in oocytes poised for embryonic development, thus ensuring a successful passage between generations. This finding also holds promise for efforts to reprogram differentiated human cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.
	A step into the unmown creates a 'win-win' for wildlife and humans Creating unmown areas in an urban park can significantly increase flowers and pollinating insects while also leading to a greater enjoyment of the space by people, according to a University of Sussex study.
	Tropical fish a threat to Mediterranean Sea ecosystems The tropical rabbitfish which have devastated algal forests in the eastern Mediterranean Sea pose a major threat to the entire Mediterranean basin if their distribution continues to expand as the climate warms, a new study warns.
A new quality control pathway in the cell Proteins are important building blocks in our cells and each cell contains millions of different protein molecules. They are involved in everything from structural to regulatory aspects in the cell. Proteins are constructed as linear molecules but they only become functional once they are folded into specific three-dimensional structures. Several factors, like mutations, stress and age, can interfere with this folding process and induce protein misfolding. Accumulated misfolded proteins are toxic and to prevent this, cells have developed quality control systems just like any other production chain or manufacturing process.
	Japan, neighbors agree to moves to protect eels (Japan has agreed to cut purchases of eel fry from neighboring East Asian countries by 20 percent as part of moves to protect the endangered species.
	X-ray vision puts Nottingham plant and soil sciences on the world stage A multidisciplinary team of scientists at The University of Nottingham are using some of the most advanced X-ray micro Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to learn how to design plant roots so they can interact better with soil and capture water and nutrients more efficiently. This non-invasive technology will help Nottingham unearth some of the answers to one of the biggest challenges facing the world today—global food security.
	Hydraulic architecture in plants towards improving irrigation systems As with the humans, plants have an elaborate circulatory network that supplies water throughout the cellular structure. The study of this network dates back more than 200 years, although some attribute the early research on the complex process that is now called "plant hydraulic architecture" to Leonardo Da Vinci, and among its various applications, it has helped make vineyard irrigation systems more efficient.
	Enhancing European biodiversity by connecting conservation areas While conservation areas have helped European biodiversity to flourish, there needs to be more connection between protected areas, along with greater attention to the needs of individual species. These are some of the key findings of the EU-funded SCALES (Securing the Conservation of biodiversity across Administrative Levels and spatial, temporal, and Ecological Scales) project, a major five-year study that assessed the management of Europe's natural habitats. Completed in the summer of 2014, the project has since issued a final report and made available an online interactive tool for policymakers.
Moroccan city outlaws olive trees A Moroccan city has banned olive trees because of pollen-linked allergies and set an end-of-the-year deadline for residents to remove them, media reports said Thursday.
Whaling meeting votes against Japan's hunt (Update) An international whaling conference voted Thursday against Japan's highly criticized plans to resume whaling in the Antarctic next year, but Japan vowed to go ahead anyway.
	New VertLife project will sprout a forest of family trees A Yale-led effort to bring "big data" to the study of biodiversity has received a $2.5 million boost, courtesy of the National Science Foundation. The grant is part of a new, Genealogy of Life program at the NSF, and will be used to create annotated family trees, computational tools, and a digital database addressing all terrestrial vertebrates.

---

This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com