Science X Newsletter Thursday, Oct 23

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 23, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Microscopic "walkers" find their way across cell surfaces
- New microscope collects dynamic images of the molecules that animate life
- Team reveals molecular structure of water at gold electrodes
- Flu viruses disguised as waste: Crafty manipulator deceives cellular waste disposal system
- Florida lizards evolve rapidly, within 15 years and 20 generations
- Close encounters: Comet siding spring seen next to mars
- New studies bring scientists closer to combating dangerous unstable proteins
- YEATS protein potential therapeutic target for cancer
- Thyroid cancer genome analysis finds markers of aggressive tumors
- Genomic data support early contact between Easter Island and Americas
- Lucky star escapes black hole with minor damage
- Gene identified for immune system reset after infection
- Top marine scientists call for action on 'invisible' fisheries
- Chemists achieve new technique with profound implications for drug development
- Archaeologists document highest altitude ice age human occupation in Peruvian Andes

Astronomy & Space news

	What does the next generation telescope need to detect life? Almost 2,000 extrasolar planets have been discovered to date and this number is constantly increasing. Yet, we still know little about these alien worlds, especially their atmospheres. The atmospheres of terrestrial exoplanets could betray the presence of life on the planet, sparking NASA's interest in acquiring the spectra that appears as starlight shines through these planetary atmospheres.
	'Eau de comet' is a bit of a stinker Rotten eggs, horse pee, alcohol and bitter almonds: this is the bouquet of odours you would smell if a comet in deep space could be brought back to Earth, European scientists said on Thursday.
	Earth hit by double asteroids 458 million years ago Some 458 million years ago, Earth was whacked in a double asteroid strike, leaving craters visible in Sweden today, space scientists reported on Thursday.
	Lucky star escapes black hole with minor damage Astronomers have gotten the closest look yet at what happens when a black hole takes a bite out of a star—and the star lives to tell the tale.
	OSIRIS images of Rosetta's comet show spectacular streams of dust emitted into space Rosetta's comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is beginning to show a clearly visible increase in activity. While in the past months most of the dust emitted from the body's surface seemed to originate from the neck region which connects the two lobes, images obtained by Rosetta's scientific imaging system OSIRIS now show jets of dust along almost the whole extent of the comet.
	Close encounters: Comet siding spring seen next to mars (Phys.org) —This composite NASA Hubble Space Telescope Image captures the positions of comet Siding Spring and Mars in a never-before-seen close passage of a comet by the Red Planet, which happened at 2:28 p.m. EDT October 19, 2014. The comet passed by Mars at approximately 87,000 miles (about one-third of the distance between Earth and the Moon). At that time, the comet and Mars were approximately 149 million miles from Earth.
	NASA taps Livermore photon scientists for heat-shield research Researchers in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's NIF & Photon Science Directorate are working with NASA Ames Research Center at Moffet Field, California on the development of technology to simulate re-entry effects on the heat shield for the Orion spacecraft, NASA's next crewed spaceship. Orion is designed to carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit to deep-space destinations such as an asteroid and, eventually, Mars.
	NASA ultra-black nano-coating to be applied to 3-D new solar coronagraph An emerging super-black nanotechnology that is to be tested for the first time this fall on the International Space Station will be applied to a complex, 3-D component critical for suppressing stray light in a new, smaller, less-expensive solar coronagraph designed to ultimately fly on the orbiting outpost or as a hosted payload on a commercial satellite.
	The great world wide star count How many stars can you see at night? Right now people all over the world are being asked to go out and count them!
	The formation and development of desert dunes on Titan Combining climate models and observations of the surface of Titan from the Cassini probe, a team from the AIM Astrophysics Laboratory (CNRS / CEA / Paris Diderot University) , in collaboration with researchers at the Paris Earth Physics Institute (IPGP / CNRS / Paris Diderot University) and the Matter and Complex Systems Laboratory - MSC (CNRS / Paris Diderot University), have proposed a new formation and growth mechanism for the dunes on the surface of the moon. This growth mechanism, also seen in some terrestrial deserts and on the planet Mars, appears to be the dominant mechanism in the deserts of Titan, explaining not only the shape of the dunes, but also their orientation and direction of growth, together with their confinement to the tropical belt around the moon. The results of this study have been published in Geophysical Research Letters.
	Assembly complete for NASA's maiden Orion spacecraft launching in December 2014 Technicians at the Kennedy Space Center have completed the final major assembly work on NASA's maiden Orion crew module slated to launch on its first unmanned orbital test flight this December, dubbed Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1)
	Beastly sunspot amazes, heightens eclipse excitement That's one big, black blemish on the Sun today! Rarely have we been witness to such an enormous sunspot. Lifting the #14 welder's glass to my eyes this morning I about jumped back and bumped into the garage.
The search for habitable worlds, from sub-Neptunes to super-Earths During a live Google Hangout, three astrophysicists—Zachory Berta-Thompson, Bruce Macintosh and Marie-Eve Naud—discussed the huge variety of planets discovered so far, how close we are to being able to see other Earth-like planets, and all that remains unknown.
	Researchers highlight acousto-optic tunable filter technology for balloon-borne platforms Narrowband or hyperspectral imaging is a valuable technique used in planetary science for characterizing surfaces and surrounding environments. For example, it can be used to spatially map molecular species of interest on the surface of a solid or icy body, or to sound to different depths in a giant planet atmosphere. However, conducting narrowband or hyperspectral imaging of solar system targets from a balloon-borne platform presents several technical challenges, including mechanical failures and power requirements. These risks can be mitigated with the use of an electronically tunable filter such as an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF).

Technology news

	Fossil fuels at what price? EU analysis looks at energy costs A new report, "Subsidies and costs of EU energy" addresses different forms of energy production. The study was ordered and paid for by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy. Why bother? "The functioning of energy markets and the size and effect of government interventions has been the subject of debate for years," said the European Commission. "To date however, a consolidated dataset for government interventions in the power market of the European Union has been missing. This is why the European Commission has commissioned a study that aims at helping to close the knowledge gap by quantifying the extent of public interventions in energy markets in all 28 Member States." They presented the interim results of the external study on subsidies and EU energy costs earlier this month.
	Sweat and a smartphone could become the hot new health screening A University of Cincinnati partnership is reporting a significant leap forward in health diagnostics that are more accurate than what's available today, yet considerably less invasive than something like a blood screening. It's a lightweight, wearable device that analyzes sweat by using a smartphone.
	Oculus Rift users to see Moon live through robot A group from Carnegie Mellon wants to send a robot to the Moon to beam live pictures of the Moon to Oculus Rift headset users, reported technology reporter Jane Wakefield of the BBC. Andy the robot is intended to swing into action as a robot on a mission to transform education about space. The team has a plan to land the robot on the Moon to act as eyes for those still on Earth. A key component to all this is the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. Andy has motion-controlled vision. With that headset, movements of the user's head will be tracked and sent back to Andy's camera, in order for it to match where the user is looking.
Nokia turnaround since handset unit sale continues (Update) Nokia is showing signs that it has turned around its fortunes following the sale of its ailing cellphone unit to Microsoft.
	Facebook's Zuckerberg wages China charm offensive—in Mandarin Facebook is blocked in China, but its co-founder Mark Zuckerberg appears determined to win over hearts and minds in Beijing—surprising a hall full of students by conducting a Q&A session in Mandarin.
	Apple computer sells for record $905K in NY One of the first Apple computers ever built has sold in New York for $905,000, leading Bonhams auction house to declare it the world's most expensive computer relic.
Mapping drone prompts China to scramble fighter jets: report China deployed more than 1,200 troops and scrambled fighter jets in response to an unauthorised flight near Beijing airport by what turned out to be a mapping drone, state-run media reported Thursday.
	Yahoo CEO defends strategy in face of criticism Signaling her reign has reached a pivotal juncture, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is trying to convince restless shareholders that the long-struggling Internet company is heading in the right direction.
Sk Hynix logs all-time high Q3 earnings SK Hynix, the world's second-largest memory chip maker, reported Thursday a record high quarterly net profit for the three months to September on strong sales and currency earnings.
	Google offers peek into Bhutan with Street View launch (Update) Google provided a sneak peek into Bhutan Thursday by unveiling a Street View project for the remote Himalayan kingdom, featuring panoramic views of its majestic mountains, monasteries and crystal-clear rivers.
	Army collaboration produces new test station for missile warning system The AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) helps protect Army aircraft from attack by shoulder-launched missiles and other threats. To keep this defensive system operating at maximum effectiveness, the Army periodically updates the software on the more than 1,000 AN/AAR-57 units in use around the world.
	How to find a submarine Das Boot, The Hunt for Red October, The Bedford Incident, We Dive At Dawn: films based on submariners' experience reflect the tense and unusual nature of undersea warfare – where it is often not how well armed or armoured a boat is that counts, but how quiet.
Nokia posts higher Q3 profits on one-off tax gain Finnish telecom equipment group Nokia said Thursday its third quarter profits more than quadrupled from a year ago, helped mostly by a one-off tax-related gain.
	Planned cut to renewable energy target 'a free kick' for fossil fuels The federal government's plan to reduce Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET) could jeopardise billions of dollars in investment while giving a boost to the fossil fuel sector, experts have predicted.
	Comcast wins more Internet customers, ad sales up Comcast Corp.'s third-quarter net income jumped 50 percent in the third quarter, helped by a one-time tax settlement, growth in Internet subscribers and fewer defectors from its cable service.
Some online shoppers pay more than others, study shows Internet users regularly receive all kinds of personalized content, from Google search results to product recommendations on Amazon. This is thanks to the complex algorithms that produce results based on users' profiles and past activity. It's Big Data at work, and it's often advantageous for users. But such personalization can also be a disadvantage to buyers, according to a team of Northeastern University researchers, when e-commerce websites manipulate search results or customize prices without the user's knowledge—and which in some cases leads to some online shoppers paying more than others for the same thing.
	'Anti-Facebook' social network gets fresh funding Flush with a reported $5.5 million in fresh funding, upstart social network Ello on Thursday legally changed its corporate standing to back a promise to remain ad-free.
	Google teams with Oxford to teach machines to think Google on Thursday announced a partnership with artificial intelligence teams at Oxford University to teach machines to think like people.
	Facebook goes retro with 'Rooms' chat app Facebook on Thursday released an application that lets people create virtual "rooms" to chat about whatever they wish using any name they would like.
	A blue Christmas for Amazon? It might be a blue Christmas for Amazon. The world's largest retailer gave a disappointing forecast for the crucial holiday quarter. The company also reported a wider loss than analysts expected for the third quarter.
	'Cloud' lifts Microsoft earnings above expectations Microsoft on Thursday reported quarterly profits ahead of most expectations, as revenues got a boost from its Xbox consoles and Internet "cloud" services for enterprises.
Apple's secrets may be revealed through obscure bankruptcy case The bankruptcy of a key Apple supplier may shine a bright light on sensitive business details the personal electronics giant fights to keep out of the public eye.
Netflix to stream new online TV series, 'Bloodline' Fresh from commercial and critical success with hit shows "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black," Netflix on Thursday announced a new online series, "Bloodline," set for release in March.
	Intelligent materials that work in space ARQUIMEA, a company that began in the Business Incubator in the Science Park of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, will be testing technology it has developed in the International Space Station. The technology is based on intelligent materials that allow objects to be sent into orbit without the use of explosives.
Christian Bale to play Apple's Steve Jobs Oscar-winner Christian Bale—best known for his star turn as Batman in the blockbuster "Dark Knight" films—will play Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in an upcoming biopic.
Report: Better shields needed for private tax data Federal investigators say the IRS and the states should improve how they protect the security of confidential tax information of people getting benefits under the 2010 health care law.
US tech firm fined for underpaying Indian workers A Silicon Valley company is paying more than $43,000 in back wages and penalties after labor regulators found eight employees brought from India were grossly underpaid and overworked while assigned to a special project in the U.S.
	ASU grant aims to transform global energy landscape Changing the way the nation generates and consumes energy is at the heart of a multimillion dollar grant awarded to Arizona State University from the Department of Energy.

Medicine & Health news

	Researchers find novel way body defends against harmful bacteria Bacterial infections can cause major problems for people undergoing treatment for cancer and other diseases. The concern is especially acute during hospitalization, when patients often have weakened immune function.
	Stopping anti-CCL2 breast cancer treatment aggravates the disease Mohamed Bentires-Alj and his team at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) together with scientists from the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) show in a study published today in Nature that a promising therapeutic approach for metastatic breast cancer elicits deleterious effects after cessation of the treatment. Stopping CCL2 inhibition paradoxically increases metastasis formation and leads to premature death thus thwarting the initially beneficial effects of the treatment. This has implications for the design of therapies targeting these processes and indicates that therapeutic approaches to inactivate the chemokine CCL2 should be administered with extreme caution.
	Thyroid cancer genome analysis finds markers of aggressive tumors A new comprehensive analysis of thyroid cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network has identified markers of aggressive tumors, which could allow for better targeting of appropriate treatments to individual patients.
	People with type 2 diabetes are physically less able to recover from stress (Medical Xpress)—People with type 2 diabetes are physically less able to recover from stress, finds a study by scientists at UCL and the University of Zurich, funded by the British Heart Foundation.
	Flu viruses disguised as waste: Crafty manipulator deceives cellular waste disposal system Disguising itself as waste, the shell of the flu virus is torn apart by the cell's own disposal system, thereby releasing viral genetic information. For the first time, a research team headed by researchers at ETH Zurich has now managed to show the exact process.
	Music therapy reduces depression in children and adolescents Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have discovered that music therapy reduces depression in children and adolescents with behavioural and emotional problems.
New test could identify infants with rare insulin disease A rare form of a devastating disease which causes low blood sugar levels in babies and infants may now be recognised earlier thanks to a new test developed by researchers from The University of Manchester.
Two days later: Adolescents' conflicts with family spill over to school, vice versa Family conflict and problems at school tend to occur together on the same day. A new study has found that these problems spill over in both directions for up to two days after. The study found that teens with more pronounced mental health symptoms, anxiety and depression, for example, are at risk for intensified spillover. The study followed over a hundred 13 to 17 year olds and their parents over a 14-day period.
'Breath test' shows promise for diagnosing fungal pneumonia Many different microbes can cause pneumonia, and treatment may be delayed or off target if doctors cannot tell which bug is the culprit. A novel approach—analyzing a patient's breath for key chemical compounds made by the infecting microbe—may help detect invasive aspergillosis, a fungal infection that is a leading cause of mortality in patients with compromised immune systems, according to a proof-of-concept study now online in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Children in high-quality early childhood education are buffered from changes in family income While losses in family income predict increases in behavior problems for many children, attending high-quality early childhood education and care centers offers some protection against families' economic declines, according to a new study out of Norway. In Norway, publicly subsidized high-quality early childhood education and care is available to all children, from low-income to affluent, starting at age 1. The study found that children who don't take part in such programs have more early behavior problems when their families' income drops.
Teens whose parents exert more psychological control have trouble with closeness, independence For teenagers, learning to establish a healthy degree of autonomy and closeness in relationships (rather than easily giving in to peer pressure) is an important task. A new longitudinal study has found one reason adolescents struggle with balancing autonomy and closeness in relationships: parents' psychological control. Teens whose parents exerted more psychological control over them when they were 13 had more problems establishing friendships and romantic relationships that balanced closeness and independence, both in adolescence and into early adulthood.
	Dubai cuts profile as Mideast plastic surgery hub Dubai, the emirate known for its celebration of over-the-top glamour and luxury, is racing ahead to dominate the Middle East's plastic surgery market with plans to attract half a million medical tourists in six years.
	US ranks last among wealthy nations in access to health care (HealthDay)—The U.S. health care system ranks dead last compared to other industrialized nations when it comes to affordability and patient access, according to a new survey.
	Americans show distrust of medical profession in survey (HealthDay)—Americans are less trusting of the medical profession than people in many other countries—even though they often like their own doctor, a new report finds.
	Fertility treatments aren't significantly linked to birth defects (HealthDay)—The risk of birth defects is low among children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), according to a new study.
	Team-based approach can improve hypertension control (HealthDay)—A team-based approach using evidence-based principles can be incorporated into practice workflow to improve hypertension control, according to a practice story published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
	Seniors should remove dentures at bedtime (HealthDay)—Seniors who wear their dentures when they sleep are at increased risk for pneumonia, according to new research.
Right environment could improve stem cell therapies Stem cell therapies are being hailed as a potential cure for many major health conditions, but there is much still to learn about the highly complex environments needed to optimise these therapies, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.
	Success short treatment against drug-resistant tuberculosis confirmed The result of 10 years of collaboration between the Damien Foundation Belgium and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp (ITM) could revolutionize global tuberculosis control.
Lose the weight, not the potatoes A new study demonstrates that people can eat potatoes and still lose weight." Potatoes, Glycemic Index, and Weight Loss in Free-Living Individuals: Practical Implications" is now available through free access from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the official publication of the American College of Nutrition and a publication from Routledge.
	Psychologist explores how meaningfulness cultivates well-being Time and money spent on meaningful choices is often associated with lasting positive consequences, according to a Stanford professor.
	Popular prostate cancer therapy may be harmful A widely used treatment for prostate cancer may cause more harm than good for some patients, according to Dr. Oliver Sartor, medical director of the Tulane Cancer Center.
Nanoparticle-based invention moves new cancer drugs closer to clinical testing (Medical Xpress)—Penn State College of Medicine researchers have developed a nanoparticle to deliver a melanoma-fighting drug directly to the cancer.
	New insight on why people with Down syndrome invariably develop Alzheimer's disease A new study by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute reveals the process that leads to changes in the brains of individuals with Down syndrome—the same changes that cause dementia in Alzheimer's patients. The findings, published in Cell Reports, have important implications for the development of treatments that can prevent damage in neuronal connectivity and brain function in Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.
'Long tail' thinking can help eliminate health disparities "Long tail" thinking in public health might yield greater progress in eliminating health disparities, according to a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	Doctors must examine own weight bias before treating patients, researcher says In the war on obesity, the medical profession is needed on the front lines. Yet there is mounting concern that some practitioners harbor a negative weight bias.
Gene that once aided survival in the Arctic found to have negative impact on health today In individuals living in the Arctic, researchers have discovered a genetic variant that arose thousands of years ago and most likely provided an evolutionary advantage for processing high-fat diets or for surviving in a cold environment; however, the variant also seems to increase the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, and infant mortality in today's northern populations. The findings, published online October 23 in Cell Press's American Journal of Human Genetics, provide an example of how an initially beneficial genetic change could be detrimental to future generations.
	New study identifies potential targets for personalized cancer vaccines (Medical Xpress)—A team of University of Notre Dame scientists, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Connecticut, have announced the results of a new study on identifying potential targets for personalized cancer vaccines. The paper, "Genomic and bioinformatic profiling of mutational neoepitopes reveals new rules to predict anticancer immunogenicity," was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. The research group at Notre Dame was led by Brian Baker, associate dean for research and graduate studies and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and included Steven Corcelli, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and graduate student Cory Ayers.
Oestrogen possible treatment in menopause also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease A new population study from Karolinska Institutet shows that women with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease may benefit from oestrogen treatment for menopausal problems, something that has so far been advised against. Researchers have studied 41,000 Swedish women who were treated with cholesterol-lowering drugs, and the results are being published in the journal Menopause.
	What monkeys can teach us about pitching in the World Series Storied baseball pitchers are renowned for consistently throwing strike after strike, even under the pressure of the World Series.
Sri Lanka celebrates two years without malaria Sri Lanka has not reported a local case of malaria since October 2012, according to the Sri Lankan Anti-Malarial Campaign. If it can remain malaria-free for one more year, the country will be eligible to apply to the World Health Organization for malaria-free certification. This remarkable success was achieved rapidly and largely during a protracted civil war. As recently as the year 2000, Sri Lanka had over 100,000 cases of malaria.
Medicinal plant market goes untested for health hazards, according to a recent study Herbal medicines such as licorice, Indian rennet and opium poppy, are at risk of contamination with toxic mould, according to a new study published in Fungal Biology. The authors of the study, from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan say it's time for regulators to control mould contamination.
Rapid test to diagnose severe sepsis A new test, developed by University of British Columbia researchers, could help physicians predict within an hour if a patient will develop severe sepsis so they can begin treatment immediately.
Traumatic stress may affect DNA, but psychotherapy may heal it A new study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics for the first time demonstrates that traumatic stress may induce DNA breakage, but psychotherapy may heal it. Previous research reveals an association between traumatic stress and an increased risk for numerous diseases, including cancer. At the molecular level, stress may increase carcinogenesis via increased DNA damage and impaired DNA repair mechanisms. The authors assessed DNA breakage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and measured the cellular capacity to repair single-strand breaks after exposure to ionizing X-radiation. They also investigated the effect of psychotherapy on both DNA breakage and DNA repair.
Changing lifestyle may improve cognitive function in the elderly A randomized controlled trial published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics indicates that modifications in lifestyle may improve cognitive function in the elderly. Since a healthy lifestyle may protect against cognitive decline, the authors examined outcomes in elderly individuals after 18 months of a five-group intervention program consisting of various modalities: physical activity, antismoking, social activity, cognitive activity, alcohol drinking in moderation, and leaning about body mass and a healthy diet.
	New window of opportunity to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases Future prevention and treatment strategies for vascular diseases may lie in the evaluation of early brain imaging tests long before heart attacks or strokes occur, according to a systematic review conducted by a team of cardiologists, neuroscientists, and psychiatrists from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published in the October issue of JACC Cardiovascular Imaging.
	Health checks over the net could signal fewer visits to the doctor Researchers will investigate whether consultations can effectively be conducted by email, text message, telephone or over the internet, based on the experiences of those who have tried it.
Scientists to use tiny particles to fight big diseases Physicians will tell you: They are not winning the war on ovarian cancer. But FIU researchers are crafting a new weapon for that battle. A group of scientists have combined medicine and advanced nanotechnological engineering to create a smarter, more targeted therapy that could overcome the most lethal gynecologic cancer.
	Dispositional mindfulness associated with better cardiovascular health Pay attention to the implication of these new research results: People who pay more attention to their feelings and experiences tend to have better cardiovascular health.
Beetroot beneficial for athletes and heart failure patients, research finds Football teams are claiming it improves their athletic performance, and according to new research from Kansas State University, it also benefits heart failure patients. The special ingredient: beetroot.
	Shorter tuberculosis treatment not a successful alternative A clinical drug trial conducted in five Sub-Sahara African countries shows that a shortened (four month) treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is well tolerated and may work well in subsets of TB patients, but overall could not be considered as an alternative to the current six month standard treatment. The results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cornell chemists show ALS is a protein aggregation disease Using a technique that illuminates subtle changes in individual proteins, chemistry researchers at Cornell University have uncovered new insight into the underlying causes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Many in US have poor nutrition, with the disabled doing worst A new study finds that most U.S. adults fail to meet recommended daily levels of 10 key nutrients, and those with disabilities have even worse nutrition than average.
Team finds key signaling pathway in cause of preeclampsia A team of researchers led by a Wayne State University School of Medicine associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology has published findings that provide novel insight into the cause of preeclampsia, the leading cause of maternal and infant death worldwide, a discovery that could lead to the development of new therapeutic treatments.
Changes at the grocery store could turn the burden of shopping with children on its head Avoiding power struggles in the grocery store with children begging for sweets, chips and other junk foods – and parents often giving in – could be helped by placing the healthier options at the eye level of children and moving the unhealthy ones out of the way.
62 percent of colorectal cancer patients report financial burden from treatment, study finds Nearly two-thirds of patients treated for colorectal cancer reported some measure of financial burden due to their treatment, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Time for change—additional daylight saving could improve public health Having later sunsets may lead to an increase in children's physical activity, according to research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the University of Bristol.
	Team finds sleep difficulties common among toddlers with psychiatric disorders John Boekamp, Ph.D., clinical director of the Pediatric Partial Hospital Program (PPHP) at Bradley Hospital recently led a study that found sleep difficulties - particularly problems with falling asleep - were very common among toddlers and preschool-aged children who were receiving clinical treatment for a wide range of psychiatric disorders. The study, titled "Sleep Onset and Night Waking Insomnias in Preschoolers with Psychiatric Disorders," is now published online in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development.
A gut bacterium that attacks dengue and malaria pathogens and their mosquito vectors Just like those of humans, insect guts are full of microbes, and the microbiota can influence the insect's ability to transmit diseases. A study published on October 23rd in PLOS Pathogens reports that a bacterium isolated from the gut of an Aedes mosquito can reduce infection of mosquitoes by malaria parasites and dengue virus. The bacterium can also directly inhibit these pathogens in the test tube, and shorten the life span of the mosquitoes that transmit both diseases.
Mother's gestational diabetes linked to daughters being overweight later Women who developed gestational diabetes and were overweight before pregnancy were at a higher risk of having daughters who were obese later in childhood, according to new research published today in Diabetes Care.
Genetic causes underlying the disqualification of two elite American Standardbred pacers A DNA mutation that can lead to horses being genetically male, but female in appearance, may explain at least two cases of controversial sexual identity, according to research led by professors from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) and published in PLOS Genetics.
	Costs to treat bleeding strokes increases 10 years later Costs to treat strokes caused by bleeding in the brain may increase significantly 10 years later, according to a study in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Experimental breast cancer drug holds promise in combination therapy for Ewing sarcoma Ewing sarcoma tumors disappeared and did not return in more than 70 percent of mice treated with combination therapy that included drugs from a family of experimental agents developed to fight breast cancer, reported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists. The study will appear in the November 6 edition of the scientific journal Cell Reports.
Cancer exosome 'micro factories' aid in cancer progression Exosomes, tiny, virus-sized particles released by cancer cells, can bioengineer micro-RNA (miRNA) molecules resulting in tumor growth. They do so with the help of proteins, such as one named Dicer. New research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests Dicer may also serve as a biomarker for breast cancer and possibly open up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. Results from the investigation were published in today's issue of Cancer Cell.
	Study finds significant increase in type 1 diabetes rates among non-Hispanic white youth The rate of non-Hispanic white youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes increased significantly from 2002 to 2009 in all but the youngest age group of children, according to a new study published today in the journal Diabetes.
Scientists discover new clues to how weight loss is regulated A hormone seen as a popular target to develop weight-loss drugs works by directly targeting the brain and triggering previously unknown activity in the nervous system, UT Southwestern Medical Center obesity researchers have found.
California's tobacco control efforts losing steam, report finds California's position as a leader in tobacco control is under threat, according to a new report from the UC San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education. Once a highly successful program and international model, the state's anti-tobacco efforts now appear to be waning due to the decreased spending power of the California Tobacco Control Program, a resurgence of the tobacco industry in state politics, and the emergence of new unregulated tobacco products.
	Study measures breast cancer tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy A Dartmouth study suggests that it may be possible to use Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Tomographic imaging (DOST) to predict which patients will best respond to chemotherapy used to shrink breast cancer tumors before surgery. These findings could eliminate delays in effective early treatment for tumors unlikely to respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The study, "Predicting breast tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Tomography prior to treatment," was published online in Clinical Cancer Research on October 7, 2014.
	Sunshine may slow weight gain and diabetes onset, study suggests Exposure to moderate amounts of sunshine may slow the development of obesity and diabetes, a study suggests.
	Screening questions fail to identify teens at risk for hearing loss Subjective screening questions do not reliably identify teenagers who are at risk for hearing loss, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. The results suggest that objective hearing tests should be refined for this age group to replace screening questions.
	Without swift influx of substantial aid, Ebola epidemic in Africa poised to explode The Ebola virus disease epidemic already devastating swaths of West Africa will likely get far worse in the coming weeks and months unless international commitments are significantly and immediately increased, new research led by Yale researchers predicts.
Progression of age-related macular degeneration in one eye then fellow eye Having age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in one eye was associated with an increased incidence of AMD and accelerated progression of the debilitating disease in the other eye, writes author Ronald E. Gangnon, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, and colleagues.
	FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab ups outcome in metastatic CRC (HealthDay)—For patients with untreated metastatic colorectal cancer, chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) plus bevacizumab improves outcome versus fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus bevacizumab, according to a study published in the Oct. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Schumacher's doctor sees progress after injury A French physician who treated Michael Schumacher for nearly six months after the Formula One champion struck his head in a ski accident says he is no longer in a coma and predicted a possible recovery within three years.
Number of Ebola cases nears 10,000 The number of people with Ebola is set to hit 10,000 in West Africa, the World Health Organization said, as the scramble to find a cure gathered pace.
Ebola sleuths scour DR Congo jungle for source of outbreak Medical sleuths are deep in the jungle of the DR Congo trying to track down the origins of the latest Ebola outbreak in the country.
Poll: Many doubt hospitals can handle Ebola A new poll finds most Americans have some confidence that the U.S. health care system will prevent Ebola from spreading in this country, but they're not so sure their local hospital can safely handle a patient.
New drug naming system unveiled at ECNP in Berlin What's in a name? Doctors have found that the name of the drug you are prescribed significantly influences how the patient sees the treatment. Now in a significant shift, the world's major psychiatry organisations are proposing to completely change the terminology of the drugs used in mental disorders shifting it from symptom based (e.g. antidepressant, antipsychotic etc.) to pharmacologically based (e.g. focusing on pharmacological target (serotonin, dopamine etc.) and the relevant mode of action). This will mean that patient will no longer have the confusion of being prescribed a drug for what appears to be an unrelated condition, but also means that drug names will be more understandable to doctors.
England's NHS appeals for more government funds Leaders of England's state-funded National Health Service (NHS) warned on Thursday that billions of pounds in extra funds were needed to maintain patient care, laying down the gauntlet to politicians ahead of May's general election.
Initiative to emphasize concussions are treatable At a time when the national concussion conversation instills fear and uncertainty among parents and athletes at all levels, the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program is working to change the current discussion where two powerful messages are lost: Concussions can be treated, and there are evidence-based therapies that result in full recoveries every day.
Veterinary research on lambs leads to advances in treatments for respiratory disease in human infants Veterinary research involving lambs at Iowa State University is helping to advance new treatments to a common virus in humans that sometimes poses a serious threat to newborns.
Australian-born parents more likely to supply their teens with alcohol A Deakin University study has found that Australian-born parents living in areas with a high number of bottle shops are the most likely to buy alcohol for their teenage children.
	Vaccination for nicotine addiction being developed A Virginia Tech professor is working on a vaccine that could help smokers conquer their nicotine addiction, making many smoking-related diseases and deaths relics of the 21st century.
Added benefit of vedolizumab is not proven Vedolizumab (trade name Entyvio) has been approved since May 2014 for patients with moderately to severely active Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether the drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy in these patient groups. According to the findings, such an added benefit is not proven because the dossier contained no suitable data for any of the two therapeutic indications.
Poland bans junk food in schools Poland on Thursday banned junk food in schools from January next year to trim rising rates of childhood obesity.
	The Homeless World Cup isn't immune to Ebola fear-mongering Convenience stores in Santiago, Chile still stock Coca-Cola bottles adorned with 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil branding. It's a small reminder of the ubiquity and overhang of the world's largest football event, which played out under some controversy on the eastern side of the continent three months ago.
	Country kids benefit from new burns education program Children in rural Western Australia are the main beneficiaries of a project delivering burns education to clinicians in remote areas.
'Watch' cites concern about flexible reamer breakage during anatomic ACL reconstruction JBJS Case Connector, an online case journal published by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, has issued a "Watch" regarding concerns over flexible reamer breakage during anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Flexible reamers help surgeons achieve optimal femoral-tunnel parameters, but they are prone to breakage in certain situations, as the "Watch" article explains.
Useful markers to predict response to chemotherapy in patients with liver cancer A study led by the researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Isabel Fabregat, could serve to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma unresponsive to most frequently used drug in liver cancer: sorafenib. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer describes how tumor cells that have a less differentiated phenotype (mesenchymal) and expresses CD44, do not respond to Sorafenib action.
Paperwork consumes one-sixth of US physicians' time and erodes morale, study finds The average U.S. doctor spends 16.6 percent of his or her working hours on non-patient-related paperwork, time that might otherwise be spent caring for patients. And the more time doctors spend on such bureaucratic tasks, the unhappier they are about having chosen medicine as a career.
	New, faster therapeutic hypothermia techniques Rapid lowering of body temperature following an acute myocardial infarction (MI) can be an effective therapeutic strategy to minimize damage to the heart muscle caused by the loss and restoration of blood flow to the heart. While hypothermia shows clinical promise, current methods to cool the heart are insufficient. Faster, more effective techniques are needed to realize the full cardioprotective potential of this emerging intervention, as described in an article in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management.
Researchers to test whether Ebola survivors' blood can provide new treatment The University of Liverpool is part of an international research team that will assess whether the blood or plasma of Ebola survivors can be used to treat Ebola patients in West Africa.
After alarm, Lebanese man tests negative for Ebola (Update) A Lebanese man who arrived in Beirut from West Africa believing he may have Ebola was reassured by doctors that he is disease free but was still taken into a hospital quarantine on Thursday as a practice run to check the country's preparedness, a health official said.
Pre-enlistment mental disorders and suicidality among new US Army soldiers Two new studies suggest that while individuals enrolling in the armed forces do not share the exact psychological profile as socio-demographically comparable civilians, they are more similar than previously thought.
People who develop kidney stones may face increased bone fracture risk People who develop kidney stones may be at increased risk of experiencing bone fractures, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The findings suggest that preventive efforts may be needed to help protect stone formers' bone health.
Novel software application can stratify early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients Computer-Aided Nodule Assessment and Risk Yield, is a novel software tool developed at Mayo Clinic that can automatically quantitate adenocarcinoma pulmonary nodule characteristics from non-invasive high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images and stratify non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients into risk groups that have significantly different disease-free survival outcomes.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase immunohistochemistry testing comparable to fluorescence in situ hybridization testing Sixteen institutions across Europe collaborated together to show for the first time that a semi-quantitative anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression test, immunohistochemistry (IHC), is reliable amongst several laboratories and reviewers when test methodology and result interpretation are strictly standardized and the scoring pathologists are appropriately trained on the test.
An over-the-scope clipping device for endoscopic management of gastrointestinal defects is safe and effective An international multicenter study reports that over-the-scope clip (OTSC) placement is a safe and effective therapy for the closure of gastrointestinal (GI) defects, which includes anastomotic leaks, fistulae and perforations. Clinical success was best achieved in patients undergoing closure of perforations or leaks when OTSC placement was used for primary or rescue therapy. The overall clinical success for the closure of perforations and leaks ranged between 90 percent and 73 percent; however, successful closure of fistulae was achieved in less than half of the patients. The type of defect (i.e. perforation or leak) is the best predictor of successful long-term closure. The study appears in the October issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Sierra Leone leader says Ebola 'contained by end-2014' The Ebola virus will be contained in Sierra Leone by the end of the year, the president of the badly affected country told Britain's ITV News on Thursday.
New York hospital tests doctor for Ebola A doctor who recently returned to New York from West Africa was rushed to hospital with a fever on Thursday to be tested for possible Ebola, the city's health department said.
US announces $840M to improve medical care The Obama administration is announcing an $840 million grant program to help doctors and hospitals improve the quality of care delivered to patients.
	Cremation fears leave empty Ebola beds in Liberia Even as Liberians fall ill and die of Ebola, more than half the beds in treatment centers in the capital remain empty, an unintended consequence of the government's order that the bodies of all suspected Ebola victims in Monrovia be cremated.

Biology news

YEATS protein potential therapeutic target for cancer Federal Express and UPS are no match for the human body when it comes to distribution. There exists in cancer biology an impressive packaging and delivery system that influences whether your body will develop cancer or not.
New studies bring scientists closer to combating dangerous unstable proteins Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered a way to decrease deadly protein deposits in the heart, kidney and other organs associated with a group of human diseases called the systemic amyloid diseases.
	Chamber of secrets: How cells organise themselves influences their ability to communicate From basketball to handball, rugby to American football, teams in a variety of sports huddle together to agree tactics in secret. Cells, too, can huddle to communicate within a restricted group, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have found. The study, published today in Nature, is the first demonstration that the way cells organise themselves influences their ability to communicate. The researchers propose that this strategy, which they discovered in developing zebrafish, could be much more widespread, influencing processes like wound repair, organ formation and even cancer.
Precise and programmable biological circuits A team led by ETH professor Yaakov Benenson has developed several new components for biological circuits. These components are key building blocks for constructing precisely functioning and programmable bio-computers.
	Birds roosting in large groups less likely to contract West Nile virus Although it would seem logical that large numbers of roosting birds would attract more mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus and contract the disease when bitten, recent research at the University of Illinois found the opposite to be true. That is, when large groups of birds roost together the chances that an individual bird will get bitten by mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus and subsequently contract the disease actually go down.
	Synthetic biology on ordinary paper, results off the page New achievements in synthetic biology announced today by researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, which will allow complex cellular recognition reactions to proceed outside of living cells, will dare scientists to dream big: there could one day be inexpensive, shippable and accurate test kits that use saliva or a drop of blood to identify specific disease or infection—a feat that could be accomplished anywhere in the world, within minutes and without laboratory support, just by using a pocket–sized paper diagnostic tool.
	Top marine scientists call for action on 'invisible' fisheries To protect our oceans from irreversible harm, governments, conservationists, and researchers around the world must address the enormous threat posed by unregulated and destructive fisheries, say top marine scientists.
	Florida lizards evolve rapidly, within 15 years and 20 generations Scientists working on islands in Florida have documented the rapid evolution of a native lizard species—in as little as 15 years—as a result of pressure from an invading lizard species, introduced from Cuba.
	Gene identified for immune system reset after infection When pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella or Staphylococcus invade a host, the host organism should respond by going into a state of high alert, altering its metabolism to defend against the attack.
	Extremely rare footage of a tuatara hatching captured on film (w/ Video) Last to hatch, the egg was one of 23 being incubated in captivity this year as part of a joint initiative that has helped to save a threatened population of tuatara from extinction.
	New tool identifies high-priority dams for fish survival Scientists have identified 181 California dams that may need to increase water flows to protect native fish downstream. The screening tool developed by the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis, to select "high-priority" dams may be particularly useful during drought years amid competing demands for water.
	Study of mitochondrial DNA reveals how the loggerhead turtle reached the Mediterranean To date, it was thought that the loggerhead turtle arrived to the Mediterranean from North America and the Caribbean after the last glacial period. However, latest scientific studies show that this marine species colonized the Mediterranean between 20,000 and 200,000 years ago, so the colonization event took place before the last glacial period. Experts Lluís Cardona, Àlex Aguilar and Marcel Clusa from the Department of Animal Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona (UB), and Carlos Carreras and Marta Pascual (member of IRBio), from the Department of Genetics of UB, participated in these studies.
	Retaining forests where raptors nest can help to protect biodiversity Raptors can affect the distribution of other species and they can also be used to find forests with high biodiversity value.
Sea turtles' first days of life: Scientists follow hatchlings from Cape Verde with tiny acoustic transmitters With new nano-sized acoustic transmitters, scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the Turtle Foundation and Queen Mary University of London followed the pathways of loggerhead turtle hatchlings. According to the study, which was primarily funded by the Kiel Cluster of Excellence 'The Future Ocean,' local oceanic conditions are believed to drive the evolution of some unique swimming behaviors. The results are published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
	Arrested development: Sediment wreaks havoc with fish larvae Sediments associated with dredging and flood plumes could have a significant impact on fish populations by extending the time required for the development of their larvae, according to Australian researchers.
	Team identifies 'molecular scissors' required for successful chromosome separation in sex cells The development of a new organism from the joining of two single cells is a carefully orchestrated endeavor. But even before sperm meets egg, an equally elaborate set of choreographed steps must occur to ensure successful sexual reproduction. Those steps, known as reproductive cell division or meiosis, split the original number of chromosomes in half so that offspring will inherit half their genetic material from one parent and half from the other.
	Scientists uncover how protein ensures reproductive success An international team of researchers from Japan and the UK has discovered how a single protein, called PP4, oversees the processing of DNA during sperm and egg generation for successful fertilization. This protein's activity becomes even more paramount during aging. The study, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, may one day help scientists to understand the mechanisms underlying age-related fertility declines in humans.
How ferns adapted to one of Earth's newest and most extreme environments Ferns are believed to be 'old' plant species – some of them lived alongside the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago. However, a group of Andean ferns evolved much more recently: their completely new form and structure (morphology) arose and diversified within the last 2 million years. This novel morphology seems to have been advantageous when colonising the extreme environment of the high Andes.
	Bodies at sea: Ocean oxygen levels may impact scavenger response An ocean's oxygen levels may play a role in the impact of marine predators on bodies when they are immersed in the sea, according to Simon Fraser University researchers in a new study published this week in the journal PLoS One.
Paper-based synthetic gene networks could enable rapid detection of Ebola and other viruses Synthetic gene networks hold great potential for broad biotechnology and medical applications, but so far they have been limited to the lab. A study published by Cell Press October 23rd in the journal Cell reveals a new method for using engineered gene circuits beyond the lab, allowing researchers to safely activate the cell-free, paper-based system by simply adding water. The low-cost, easy-to-use platform could enable the rapid detection of different strains of deadly viruses such as Ebola.
Veterinarian cautions against using unnecessary over-the-counter drugs If your small dog or cat has discoloration around the eye, be cautious when using over-the-counter medication to clear it up, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian.
	Flu at the zoo and other disasters: Experts help animal exhibitors prepare for the worst Here are three disaster scenarios for zoo or aquarium managers: One, a wildfire lunges towards your facility, threatening your staff and hundreds of zoo animals. Two, hurricane floodwaters pour into your basement, where thousands of exotic fish and marine mammals live in giant tanks. Three, local poultry farmers report avian influenza (bird flu) in their chickens, a primary source of protein for your big cats.
Helping sweet cherries survive the long haul A new study says that cherry producers need to understand new intricacies of the production-harvest-marketing continuum in order to successfully move sweet cherries from growers to end consumers. For example, the Canadian sweet cherry industry has had to modify logistics strategies—from shorter truck or air shipping to long-distance containerized shipping—to accommodate burgeoning export markets. Keeping cherries fresh and consumer-ready during long ocean crossings challenges producers to find new ways to retain fruit quality for weeks. Peter M.A. Toivonen, of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, says that cooling of sweet cherries is an important practice to ensure delivery of good quality at the market place.
	US charges safari owners with illegal rhino hunts Two South African men were charged Thursday by the US government with conspiracy to sell illegal rhinoceros hunts to American hunters, money laundering and secretly trafficking in rhino horns.

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