Science X Newsletter Monday, Nov 17

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 17, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Best of Last Week – Philae lands on a comet, new way to generate electricity and long term impact of marijuana use
- Granular model explains unusual behavior in sand
- Scientists reveal weak spots in Ebola's defenses
- Spiral laser beam creates quantum whirlpool
- Simon's algorithm run on quantum computer for the first time—faster than on standard computer
- Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice
- Graphene / nanotube hybrid benefits flexible solar cells
- Study suggests warmth, flowing water on early Mars were episodic
- Major brain pathway rediscovered after century-old confusion, controversy
- Credit score can also describe health status
- Brain response to a 'lost' first language
- Revolutionary solar-friendly form of silicon shines
- Iguanas evolved one-way lungs surprisingly like those of birds, study finds
- Most people would rather harm themselves than others for profit
- Elusive dark matter may be detected with GPS satellites

Astronomy & Space news

	Study suggests warmth, flowing water on early Mars were episodic Ample evidence of ancient rivers, streams, and lakes make it clear that Mars was at some point warm enough for liquid water to flow on its surface. While that may conjure up images of a tropical Martian paradise, new research published today in Nature Geoscience throws a bit of cold water on that notion.
	Images show Philae's historic comet bounce The European Space Agency (ESA)on Sunday unveiled images of the probe Philae after it bounced while making its historic landing on a comet last Wednesday.
	Scientists 'confident' comet lander will wake up (Update) A burst of sunshine in the spring could be just the wakeup call for Europe's comet lander.
	Geologic mapping of asteroid Vesta reveals history of large impacts A team of 14 scientists led by David Williams of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration has completed the first global geologic and tectonic map of the asteroid Vesta. The work reveals that Vesta's history has been dominated by impacts from large meteorites.
	Results from comet lander's experiments expected A first evaluation of the data that comet lander Philae sent to the European Space Center before its depleted batteries forced it to go silent will be released Monday, the German aeronautics and space research center said
	Talking to aliens What do you say to a space alien? This question might not be the foremost puzzle in your life, but it was the subject of a lively two-day conference at California's SETI Institute this week.
	Opinions on space exploration are influenced by a person's religious beliefs Whether you believe the Philae probe's landing on a speeding comet is a monumental advance or a colossal waste might depend on your religion, according to a University of Dayton researcher.
	Savvy media use turned comet mission into tale of space heroics When Rosetta was launched more than a decade ago, it was a dry-as-dust science story—an unmanned spacecraft and its research payload were being launched to investigate a comet.
	SDO sees returning sunspot produce mid-level flare The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 12:48 p.m. EST on Nov. 16, 2014. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly, captured an image of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however—when intense enough—they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
NASA Commercial Crew partners continue system advancements NASA's industry partners continue to complete development milestones under agreements with the agency's Commercial Crew Program. The work performed by Blue Origin, Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation and SpaceX during partnership and contract initiatives are leading a new generation of safe, reliable and cost-effective crew space transportation systems to low-Earth orbit destinations.
	Image: Exploring the world's protected areas from space A new book released this week highlights how the view from space with Earth-orbiting sensors is being used to protect some of the world's most interesting, changing, and threatened places. From space, Egmont National Park in New Zealand shows the benefits and limitations of protected areas. In this Landsat 8 image acquired on July 3, 2014, the park, with Mt. Taranaki at its center, was established in 1900. This isolated island of protected forest (dark green areas) is surrounded by once-forested pasturelands (light and brown green).
	New NASA and NSBRI report on sex and gender differences in adaptation to space flight In the future, as space exploration takes astronauts on longer missions and more female astronauts participate, "The Impact of Sex and Gender on Adaptation to Space" will become increasingly critical to astronaut safety and mission success, as explored in a special collection of articles published in Journal of Women's Health.

Technology news

	Magic tricks created using artificial intelligence for the first time Researchers working on artificial intelligence at Queen Mary University of London have taught a computer to create magic tricks.
	Review: Apple's iOS 8 provides a smarter type I never would have considered writing this review on my iPhone if I hadn't upgraded to Apple's new operating system, iOS 8.
	Facebook preparing new website for office use Facebook is preparing a new office version of its social networking site to compete with other sites like LinkedIn, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
	Turmoil, conflicts cloud global energy future The International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2014, with all its numbers, technical details and geographic breakdowns on oil, gas, coal, and renewables, makes a fundamental point. Advances in technology and efficiency justify optimism, but signs of stress on the energy system's future will not just go away on their own; sustained political efforts are essential if we hope to change energy trends for the better.
	Engineers develop innovative process to print flexible electronic circuits Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) has successfully printed complex electronic circuits using a common t-shirt printer.
	Researchers develop method to measure residual stress in 3-D printed metal parts Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers have developed an efficient method to measure residual stress in metal parts produced by powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing.
	Huge US solar plant lags in early production The largest solar power plant of its type in the world—once promoted as a turning point in green energy—isn't producing as much energy as planned.
	Facebook At Work talk puts pressure on LinkedIn Shares in LinkedIn dived on Monday as talk spread of plans by Facebook to step into its turf with a version of the leading social network tailored for the business world.
US oral history project wins $1 mn TED Prize The founder of a project devoted to capturing stories of people's lives spoken in their own words has won a million-dollar TED Prize that comes with an unfettered wish.
Paris pop-up store immortalises shoppers with 3D printed figurine A new pop-up shop in the hip Marais district of Paris is giving people the opportunity to immortalise themselves with a tiny printed 3D figurine for the not so tiny price of 230 euros ($286).
	Sociologists describe community support for wind farms Harnessing wind as a powerful source of renewable energy in the Midwest means coming to terms with a landscape dotted with wind towers.
	Paving the way for the production of high-performance solar cells Doris Leuthard, a member of the Swiss Federal Council, opened a pilot plant for the production of high efficiency heterojunction (HJT) solar cells at Meyer Burger Research AG in Hauterive, Neuchâtel today. The Swiss solar industry supplier Meyer Burger is aiming to further optimize an innovative cell coating process to industrial manufacturing standards with this pilot plant. The plant was developed together with CSEM and with support from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the Canton of Neuchâtel. This process will produce even more efficient solar cells in the future.
	Broadband is East Africa's 21st century railway to the world The excitement over the potentially transformative effects of the internet in low-income countries is nowhere more evident than in East Africa – the last major populated region of the world to gain a wired connection to the internet.
	Wearable tech isn't just for humans – dogs, cats and chickens are sporting it too With the likes of Google Glass, Fitbit, and Emotiv wearables are now a familiar concept. Perhaps less known is that animals have been fitted with wearable technology for decades.
	Converting data into knowledge When a movie-streaming service recommends a new film you might like, sometimes that recommendation becomes a new favorite; other times, the computer's suggestion really misses the mark. Yisong Yue, assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences, is interested in how systems like these can better "learn" from human behavior as they turn raw data into actionable knowledge—a concept called machine learning.
	Mapping the crisis of displaced peoples Population displacement is a global problem, one that historically has been insufficiently quantified and analyzed, especially given its wide-ranging effects. Displacement can result from a number of factors, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, medium- and large-scale development projects, resource extraction, and even neighborhood gentrification. And it happens all over the world, even here in the United States.
	We have liftoff: 'hoverboard' takes flight Ever since Marty McFly rode on one in 1989's hit film "Back to the Future Part II," fans have dreamed of having their own levitating skateboard, or "hoverboard."
	New software plug-in enables users to add haptic effects to games, media A library developed by Disney Research makes adding a haptic, or "feel" effect to a video game, movie or virtual simulation simple enough that a novice can do it.
	Spotify joins with Uber to bring music to shared rides The world's biggest music streaming service Spotify will team up with US car-sharing start-up Uber to offer users personalised music during their rides, the Swedish company said on Monday.
Feds say Web privacy firm deceived consumers (Update) Federal regulators said a respected Internet privacy company gave its seal of approval to commercial websites and mobile apps but failed to check whether they were indeed meeting standards for safeguarding customers' data.
	Halliburton buying Baker Hughes in $34.6B deal In a deal that shows just how quickly falling prices can upend the energy industry, Halliburton is buying rival oilfield services company Baker Hughes in a cash-and-stock deal worth $34.6 billion.

Medicine & Health news

	Credit score can also describe health status A credit score doesn't just reduce a person's entire financial history down to a single number and somehow predict their credit-worthiness. It might also be saying something about a person's health status, too, according to a new analysis from a long-term study of the physical and mental health of more than 1,000 New Zealanders who have been monitored continuously from birth to age 38.
	Most people would rather harm themselves than others for profit A UCL-led experiment on 80 pairs of adults found that people were willing to sacrifice on average twice as much money to spare a stranger pain than to spare themselves, despite the decision being secret.
	Scientists reveal weak spots in Ebola's defenses Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have identified weak spots on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, the experimental drug cocktail administered to several patients during the recent Ebola outbreak.
	Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice Triclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical. The study, published Nov. 17 by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through molecular mechanisms that are also relevant in humans.
	Major brain pathway rediscovered after century-old confusion, controversy A couple of years ago a scientist looking at dozens of MRI scans of human brains noticed something surprising. A large, fiber pathway that seemed to be part of the network of connections that process visual information showed up on the scans, but the researcher couldn't find it mentioned in any of the modern-day anatomy textbooks he had.
	Brain response to a 'lost' first language An infant's mother tongue creates neural patterns that the unconscious brain retains years later even if the child totally stops using the language, (as can happen in cases of international adoption) according to a new joint study by scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro and McGill University's Department of Psychology. The study offers the first neural evidence that traces of the "lost" language remain in the brain.
	Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds The adage 'you are what you eat' has been around for years. Now, important new research provides another reason to be careful with your calories.
	Team discovers new type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction For decades, scientists thought drug addiction was the result of two separate systems in the brain—the reward system, which was activated when a person used a drug, and the stress system, which kicked in during withdrawal.
Potential therapy found for incurable pediatric brain cancer Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a new potential drug therapy for a rare, incurable pediatric brain tumor by targeting a genetic mutation found in children with the cancer.
	microRNA silencing provides a successful new model for cancer therapeutics Since the discovery that microRNAs play key roles in regulating human disease, the hope has been that these short non-coding RNA molecules could be translated into a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. But this promising application has been significantly hampered by a number of physiological and cellular barriers that prevent microRNA-based therapies from actually reaching tumor cells.
New research explains how thiazolidinediones work to improve glucose metabolism A research team led by Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) has uncovered surprising new findings that underscore the role of an important signaling pathway, already known to be critical in cancer, in the development of type 2 diabetes. Their results, published in the November 17, 2014 advance online issue of the journal Nature, shed additional light on how a longstanding class of diabetes drugs, known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), work to improve glucose metabolism and suggest that inhibitors of the signaling pathway—known as the MEK/ERK pathway—may also hold promise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
	Cancer researchers identify gene mutations and process for how kidney tumors develop Using next generation gene sequencing techniques, cancer researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified more than 3,000 new mutations involved in certain kidney cancers, findings that help explain the diversity of cancer behaviors.
	Magnetic repulsion suggested as possible means to reduce concussions in football (Medical Xpress)—Neuroscientist Raymond Colello has been testing the idea of reducing concussions in American football by placing small magnets in helmets to produce a repulsive force between two players. He presented his ideas at this past week's annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.
	New genetic cause for progressive form of epilepsy identified An international research consortium has discovered a new gene underlying progressive myoclonus epilepsy, one of the most devastating forms of epilepsy. The study showed that a single mutation in a potassium ion channel gene underlies a substantial proportion of unsolved cases. It is estimated that the mutation is carried by hundreds of patients worldwide. The study utilized modern DNA sequencing technologies, which have revolutionized genetic research of rare, severe diseases.
	Growth factor regenerates damaged nerves without sprouting new blood vessels Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found that a growth factor can regenerate damaged peripheral nerves without causing the growth of new blood vessels—making it a unique candidate to treat nerve damage in areas of the body where the proliferation of blood vessels would be a drawback.
	First genetic-based tool to detect circulating cancer cells in blood Metastasis is bad news for cancer patients. Northwestern University scientists now have demonstrated a simple but powerful tool that can detect live cancer cells in the bloodstream, potentially long before the cells could settle somewhere in the body and form a dangerous tumor.
	Anti-leukemia drug may also work against ovarian cancer An antibody therapy already in clinical trials to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may also prove effective against ovarian cancer - and likely other cancers as well, report researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in a study published in the Nov. 17 online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
	With rewards, we remember more than we should A new study provides an illustration of the power that reward has over learning and memory. In an experiment reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, mere sips of apple juice overcame a well-documented phenomenon in psychology known as "retrieval-induced forgetting"—RIF.
Blood vessel receptor that responds to light may be new target for vascular disease treatments A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a receptor on blood vessels that causes the vessel to relax in response to light, making it potentially useful in treating vascular diseases. In addition, researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which blood vessel function is regulated through light wavelength.
	Working the night shift burns less energy and increases risk of weight gain People who work the night shift are likely burning less energy during a 24-hour period than those on a normal schedule, increasing their risk for weight gain and obesity, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder.
	Young vessels rejuvenate aged insulin-producing beta cells A recent study published in the journal PNAS shows that young capillary vessels rejuvenate aged pancreatic islets. The finding challenges prevailing views on the causes of age-dependent impaired glucose balance regulation, a condition that often develops into diabetes type 2. The international research team behind the study now suggests that targeting inflammation and fibrosis in the small blood vessels of the pancreatic islets may offer a new way of treatment for age-dependent dysregulation of blood glucose levels.
	State-of-the-art integrated imaging system allows mapping of brain cells responsible for memory Scientists from Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) in Japan have developed an advanced imaging system to identify cells responsible for storing memory within a tiny worm. Their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, not only offers a new way to identify molecular substrates of memory but may also one day lead to understanding how memory loss occurs in humans.
Creating trust in the time of Ebola One of the key reasons the Ebola outbreak got out of control in West Africa in the early days of the crisis was a lack of trust among community members, frontline health workers and the broader health system, suggests new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research.
Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation Organs can become significantly damaged during transplantation, but a new article published in the BJS (British Journal of Surgery) offers a protective strategy that could keep them safe and allow them to function optimally after the procedure.
Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent Commercially available datasets containing a wealth of information about food and alcohol establishments differ significantly, raising concerns about their reliability as sources of information that could be used to set public policy or conduct scientific research, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health investigation.
Young children take but often barely touch healthy school cafeteria food options You can offer young children healthier food choices in the elementary school cafeteria, but will they actually put it on their trays and eat it?
Preterm birth now leading global killer of young children For the first time in history, the complications of preterm birth outrank all other causes as the world's number one killer of young children.
	Study suggests home cooking is a main ingredient in a healthier diet People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research.
Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections.
A new approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemia develops when a gene mutates and causes an enzyme to become hyperactive, causing blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow to grow rapidly into abnormal cells. The enzyme, Abl-kinase, is a member of the "kinase" family of enzymes, which serve as an "on" or "off" switch for many functions in our cells. In chronic myeloid leukemia, the hyperactive Abl-kinase is targeted with drugs that bind to a specific part of the enzyme and block it, aiming to ultimately kill the fast-growing cancer cell. However, treatments are often limited by the fact that the cancer cells can adapt to resist drugs.
Mapping the future of adolescent substance use treatment Adolescent substance use treatment is at a critical turning point – treatment success is short-lived and the field lacks a definitive best approach. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify the common traits underlying different therapies aimed at reducing substance use and then recommend future directions. Their findings are available as part of an adolescent-focused special issue from Substance Abuse, the official journal of Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA) and a publication from Routledge.
Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet University of Adelaide research has for the first time shown how much of a critical role the natural antioxidant selenium plays at the earliest stages of a woman's fertility.
Researchers develop non-invasive method to detect tumor-causing mutations in saliva Current methods to screen for lung cancer mutations in plasma or blood are complicated, technique-dependent and not readily available. Electric field-induced release and measurement is a reliable method to detect tumor-causing, lung cancer mutations in saliva that would be non-invasive, cost-effective and rapid. Clinicians could also use this technology to adjust their therapeutic strategies in real-time, improving clinical outcomes.
	Cannabis extract can have dramatic effect on brain cancer, says new research The new research by specialists at St George's, University of London, studied the treatment of brain cancer tumours in the laboratory and discovered that the most effective treatment was to combine active chemical components of the cannabis plant which are called cannabinoids.
Molecule for Fragile X Syndrome treatment receives orphan designation The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted "orphan designation" to BMS 204352, a molecule developed by the CNRS to treat Fragile X Syndrome, a rare genetic disease for which there exists no treatment. Protocol assistance will therefore be provided by the EMA to Dr Sylvain Briault at the Centre Hospitalier Régional in Orléans (west-central France) and his team at the Immunologie et Neurogénétique Expérimentales et Moléculaires laboratory - INEM (CNRS/University of Orléans) during the clinical development of the molecule.
New patient-centered recommendations for cholesterol management The National Lipid Association (NLA) has released new recommendations for the prevention of heart disease and stroke. Published recently in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, the guidelines emphasize a "patient-centered" approach to cholesterol management.
Drug lowers high potassium levels associated with potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias Mikhail Kosiborod, M.D., of Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, and colleagues evaluated the efficacy and safety of the drug zirconium cyclosilicate in patients with hyperkalemia (higher than normal potassium levels). The study appears in JAMA and is being released to coincide with its presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow Newly formed B cells take the easy way out when it comes to exiting the bone marrow, according to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
TopBP1 a sweet spot for treatment in multiple cancers A compound called calcein may act to inhibit topoisomerase IIβ-binding protein 1 (TopBP1), which enhances the growth of tumors, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in a report that appears online in the journal Nature Communications.
Rapid response for inflammation control in songbirds' brains could lead to therapies in humans A biological process in the brains of zebra finches shows that the songbirds respond quickly to trauma and are capable of controlling the natural inflammation that occurs to protect the brain from injury.
Effect of once-daily, low-dose aspirin on CV death and other outcomes Yasuo Ikeda, M.D., of Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, and colleagues examined whether once-daily, low-dose aspirin would reduce the total number of cardiovascular (CV) events (death from CV causes, nonfatal heart attack or stroke) compared with no aspirin in Japanese patients 60 years or older with hypertension, diabetes, or poor cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The study appears in JAMA and is being released to coincide with its presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
Automated reminders improve medication adherence and cholesterol control People who received automated reminders were more likely to refill their blood pressure and cholesterol medications, according to a study published today in a special issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.
	Pharmaceutical industry doing more to improve access to medicine in developing countries The world's leading pharmaceutical companies are doing more to improve access to medicine in developing countries, with a raft of new initiatives, scale-ups and innovations over the last two years. However, the industry struggles to perform well in some practices that matter, according to the 2014 Access to Medicine Index, published Monday.
	Study links ultraviolet filters to pregnancy delays Certain sunscreen chemicals used to protect against ultraviolent rays may impair men's ability to father children in a timely manner, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health and the New York state Department of Health's Wadsworth Center. But the researchers caution that the results are preliminary and that additional studies are needed to confirm their findings.
	Psychologist develops cognitive therapy book for IBS patients Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition affecting up to 10 percent of the population, often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. But most interventions for IBS focus on reducing gastrointestinal symptoms through medication or elimination diets rather than tackling psychological issues that may be a factor.
	Bundle up to stay warm and healthy this winter season As the winter season approaches and outside temperatures start to drop, it's no coincidence that more people seem to have the sniffles and sneezes.
Researchers find kidney gene may play role in blood pressure control Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that a gene abundant in the kidneys may actually play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and hypertension in experimental mouse models.
	Surviving hay fever Three million Australian adults – 15% of the population – struggle through spring and summer with watery eyes, running nose, itchy throat and the hallmark hay fever symptom, sneezing.
New immunological findings provide possible therapy for cardiovascular disease A new immunological mechanism in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease has been presented in a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The study is being published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, and also indicates a possible treatment method for these diseases.
	Thanksgiving week brings driving dangers, according to study Automobile crashes caused by deer, alcohol and bad weather are more common during the week of Thanksgiving than the rest of the year, according to a recent study of traffic data by The University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety.
	Do you need a junk-food intervention? When you tweet about your addiction to sweets or post images of triple-decker burgers, does that say something about your health? A UA team is exploring the connection.
Sickle cell trait in African-Americans associated with increased kidney disease risk, new research finds African-Americans carrying a genetic sickle cell trait face up to a two-fold risk increase for chronic kidney disease, according to a paper published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Readying the neural network Synapse, the name for the signal-receiving site on a neuron, comes from the Greek word for contact. Neuroscientists used to maintain that neurons form one-to-one relationship to contact one another. Yet more researchers are finding evidence that shows how neurons function as part of a network. An incoming excitation does not always provoke an outgoing signal. Some excitations change the state of the neuron, readying the neuron for the next signals. Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University researchers in Professor Gordon Arbuthnott's Brain Mechanism for Behavior Unit have just completed a study where they found neurons receiving signals in the area just outside of their synapses, and those signals changed the way that the neurons interpreted the next signals.
	Dry January leads to less drinking all year round Giving up alcohol completely during January reduces harmful drinking all year round, new University of Sussex research has found.
	Do negative thoughts increase risk of Alzheimer's disease? Researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London have proposed that repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a common symptom of many psychological disorders, may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
	Danger of repeat head injuries: Brain's inability to tap energy source Two or more serious hits to the head within days of each other can interfere with the brain's ability to use sugar - its primary energy source - to repair cells damaged by the injuries, new research suggests.
Study finds increased risk of cardiac events in those with psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis Those experiencing psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular death, according to a multi-institutional study led by Penn Medicine researchers published online last month in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
	Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission A study by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) researchers finds that body mass index (BMI) plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' ability to achieve a sustained remission. Looking at patients who had received an RA diagnosis within the past 12 months, investigators found that those who were significantly underweight or overweight/obese were the least likely to remain in remission.
	Why brain science won't cure poverty Recently I've seen news reports with headlines like this one: "Can Brain Science Help Lift People Out Of Poverty?"
	Is egg freezing an empowering option for women? Katie Hammond, a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology researching the experience of egg donation in Canada, discusses the recent decision by tech giants Facebook and Apple to offer egg freezing to female employees, and why she co-authored a recent commentary on this subject.
Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients When you think of hip replacement surgery, you generally envision an older adult with painful osteoarthritis. But the procedure is also used for younger patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) whose joints have been severely damaged by the disease.
	Study lifts cloud over heart drugs Zetia, Vytorin A major study lifts a cloud around Zetia and Vytorin, blockbuster drugs for lowering cholesterol. The study found that these pills modestly lower the risk of heart attacks and other problems in people at high risk for them—evidence that's been missing for more than a decade as the drugs racked up billions in sales.
	Study suggests genetic link for male homosexuality (Update) A large study of gay brothers adds to evidence that genes influence men's chances of being homosexual, but the results aren't strong enough to prove it.
Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified An international team of researchers from France, Germany, and the US have identified a protein that turns a person's immune system against itself in a form of kidney disease called membranous nephropathy (MN). The new research was presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 in Philadelphia and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Where will big neuroscience take us? We're entering the era of big neuroscience. In a little over a year, the United States, Europe, Japan and Israel have launched brain research projects with big budgets and bold ambitions. Several other countries are expected to follow suit. But what has propelled neuroscience to the vanguard, and what impact will these initiatives have on the field?
Outcome of routine screening of patients with diabetes for CAD with CT angiography Routine heart imaging screenings for people with diabetes at high risk to experience a cardiac event, but who have no symptoms of heart disease, does not help them avoid heart attacks, hospitalization for unstable angina or cardiac death, according to a major new study.
Diarrhea and candidiasis associated with common antibiotic amoxicillin Diarrhea and candidiasis can result from taking the common antibiotic treatments, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, although harms may be underreported, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Metabolic 'reprogramming' by the p53 gene family leads to tumor regression Scientists have found that altering members of the p53 gene family, known as tumor suppressor genes, causes rapid regression of tumors that are deficient in or totally missing p53. Study results suggest existing diabetes drugs, which impact the same gene-protein pathway, might be effective for cancer treatment.
Study on hospital stays contributes to Hispanic Paradox For nearly three decades, researchers have pondered the Hispanic Mortality Paradox—why Hispanics in the U.S. tend to outlive non-Hispanic whites by several years, despite having, in general, lower income and educational attainment levels that are associated with shorter lives.
74 percent of parents would remove their kids from daycare if others are unvaccinated Most parents agree that all children in daycare centers should be vaccinated, and that daycare providers should be checking vaccine records every year, according to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.
Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered The Malt1 protein is one of the most important control centers in human immune cells and a real all-rounder. Genetic defects in it can lead to the development of lymphatic cancer (lymphoma). A possible therapeutic approach is therefore to specifically block certain functions of Malt1, thus destroying the cancer cells. Now, however, scientists at Technische Universität München (TUM) have shown in a mouse model that such a blockade can cause serious side effects.
Setting family rules promotes healthier behavior in children Who says your kids don't listen to you? An Indiana University study has found that setting specific family rules about healthy eating and sedentary behavior actually leads to healthier practices in children.
	Reprogramming cells, long term Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) researchers, representing five Harvard departments and affiliated institutions as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have demonstrated that adult cells, reprogrammed into another cell type in a living animal, can remain functional over a long period.
	Financial incentives double smoking quit rates Offering small financial incentives doubles smoking cessation rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, according to research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). The findings were published last week in the American Journal of Public Health.
Fatigue, irritability, and demoralization can affect your heart health Fatigue, increased irritability, and feeling demoralized, may raise a healthy man or woman's risk of first-time cardiovascular disease by 36 percent, according to a study led by researchers at Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt hospitals presented on Nov. 17 at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 in Chicago, IL.
Behavioral flexibility impaired after exposure to oxycodone Brief usage of the painkiller oxycodone may impair behavioral flexibility even after that use ends, suggesting impaired decision-making as an enduring consequence of exposure, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published November 17 in the journal Learning and Memory.
New insights that link Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability (ID), as well as the most frequent monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). FXS is caused by the absence or incorrect production of the protein FMRP (Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein). Scientists at VIB and KU Leuven (Belgium), in collaboration with Tor Vergata University (Italy) and VU University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) have pinpointed a novel role that FMRP plays during the embryonic development of the brain cortex. The study reveals that the absence of FMRP leads to a delay in the proper formation of the cortex and shows that FMRP is responsible for transformation of neurons into a "locomotion mode" to reach their final position in the cortex. This delay in the neurodevelopmental program has an effect on the early postnatal life and the fine-tuning of brain connectivity.
	Newly discovered hormone with potential treatment for obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver disease Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered how a previously unknown hormone serves as a messenger from fat cells to the liver and are investigating the potential of developing a new treatment for metabolic disorders.
Fat around the heart may cause irregular heartbeat Obesity is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder.
Physicians prescribe less brand name drugs when EHR default settings show generics first Programming electronic health records to make generic drugs the default choice when physicians write prescriptions may offer one way to reduce unnecessary spending and improve health care value in the face of spiraling U.S. health expenditures, according to a new study from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine, The Wharton School and the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. The study is published in a special issue of Annals of Internal Medicine featuring research from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) clinical scholars on innovative high-quality and high-value health care initiatives.
Small fraction of students attended schools with USDA nutrition components If the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards for school meals and food sold in other venues such as vending machines and snack bars are fully implemented, there is potential to substantially improve school nutrition because only a small fraction of students attended schools with five USDA healthy nutritional components in place from 2008 through 2012, according to a study published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
New advance in cryopreservation could change management of world blood supplies Engineers at Oregon State University have identified a method to rapidly prepare frozen red blood cells for transfusions, which may offer an important new way to manage the world's blood supply.
	Investigational oral drug combo shows promise for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma The investigational drug ixazomib taken orally in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone shows promise in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, according to the results of a phase 1/2 study published in the journal Lancet Oncology.
No racial disparities in development of atrial fibrillation among heart failure patients Black patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure are no less likely than white patients to get atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia), according to a new study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which was presented today at the 2014 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. These findings run counter to previous studies, which have found that black patients with heart failure tend to have less atrial fibrillation problems than white patients.
	Symmetrical knees linked to Jamaican sprinting prowess Why is Jamaica, with a population smaller than that of Los Angeles, home to so many of the world's elite sprinters - runners who compete in the 100, 200, 400 and 800-meter races?
Simple clinical tests help differentiate Parkinson's disease from atypical parkinsonism Two simple tests conducted during the neurological exam can help clinicians differentiate between early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism. By asking patients to perform a tandem gait test and inquiring whether they are still able to ride a bicycle, clinicians can ascertain whether medio-lateral balance is impaired, a defining characteristic of atypical parkinsonism. These findings are published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.
US, German drugmakers team up on cancer medicines Pfizer said Monday that it will partner with German drug and chemical maker Merck in developing potential cancer drugs in a hot new medication class that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer.
	Study examines the effect of regular re-evaluation of antibiotic use on cost and C. difficile infection rates Resistance to antibiotics is an important health concern that affects both the spread of infections, like Clostridium difficile, and the medication budget. Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) examined the effectiveness of adopting an antibiotic "time-out" during treatment, which involves regularly re-evaluating the treatment strategy as the clinical situation evolves. The study, published in this month's issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that structured time-outs, using a locally developed online checklist, resulted in decreased antibiotic costs coupled with decreased use of targeted medications. There was also a small decline in C. difficile infections.
Nothing fishy about health benefits of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid Increasing the amount of omega-3s in your diet, whether from fish or flax, will likely decrease your risk of getting heart disease, according to Penn State nutritionists.
Race, hospital, insurance status all factors in how lung cancer is treated African Americans, Hispanics, and those who receive care at a community hospital are all significantly less likely than other patients to receive treatment for early stage non-small cell lung cancer, according to a report in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
	Study adds to understanding of how phthalate exposure impacts pregnancy In recent years, scientists have linked chemicals known as phthalates with complications of pregnancy and fetal development.
Young teen smokers may run heightened risk of chronic severe period pain Young teen smokers may run a heightened risk of developing chronic severe period pain, suggests research published online in the journal Tobacco Control.
Bird flu confirmed at Dutch, UK farms The Dutch government on Sunday banned the transport of poultry and eggs throughout the country after confirming an outbreak of bird flu at a chicken farm.
Ebola-infected doctor 'extremely critical' in US A doctor receiving care in the United States after falling ill with Ebola in his native Sierra Leone remains in "extremely critical" condition, the hospital treating him said Sunday.
	'Contagious' bird flu outbreaks on Dutch, British farms (Update) Dutch officials were on Monday checking poultry farms for a highly infectious strain of bird flu following outbreaks of similar strains of the virus in Britain and Germany.
	British, Dutch kill poultry to fight bird flu Chickens were being killed in the Netherlands, and Britain was preparing to kill ducks, after two cases of bird flu were discovered in Europe—but officials insisted Monday that the risk to public health was very low.
Fearing Ebola surge, Mali widens virus watch to 440 people (Update) Fearful of a surge of Ebola cases, Mali placed more than 440 people under surveillance, as a US hospital said Monday it had been unable to save the life of a doctor airlifted from Sierra Leone.
Extended post-stent treatment reduces risk of coronary thrombosis Patients who took two anti-clotting medications beyond the standard 12 months after stent placement were significantly less likely to develop blood clots within their stents or to have a heart attack than those whose treatment followed the standard 12 month protocol, according to late-breaking clinical trial research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
Behavioral researcher conducts Attorney General's state domestic violence homicide report When cases of intimate partner domestic violence appear in national news, University of Kentucky behavioral researcher TK Logan said she often hears the question, "Why don't women leave?"
	Nebraska hospital: Surgeon with Ebola has died A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in his native Sierra Leone died Monday while being treated in a biocontainment unit at a Nebraska hospital, the facility said.
Student seeks understanding of suicide We know a surprising amount about suicide and self-injurious thoughts.
Heart of New Ulm project results show improvement in heart disease risk factors Researchers from Allina Health and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation have presented on the results and implications of The Heart of New Ulm Project on heart disease risk factors at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Ill.
	Actavis to spend $66 billion on Allergan Actavis, which is buying Botox-maker Allergan for $66 billion in one of the biggest acquisitions announced so far this year, plans to stay committed to developing new products.
Egyptian woman dies of bird flu, second this year Egyptian health officials say a woman who was diagnosed with bird flu has died, the second fatality from the H5N1 virus this year in the country.
TNF inhibitors may increase cancer risk in the eye One of the family of drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is called TNF inhibitors. They act by dampening part of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In one of the balancing acts of medicine, the anti-inflammatory action of the drug also increases the risk for other conditions, in this case, a rare form of eye cancer, uveal melanoma. Mayo Clinic researchers make the case and alert physicians in an article in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Complementary and alternative medicine for veterans and military personnel A growing body of research evidence shows that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has health benefits for US military veterans and active duty personnel, according to a special December supplement to Medical Care.
Researchers present highly anticipated IMPROVE-IT results More than a decade ago, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) demonstrated that a high dose statin, which lowered cholesterol further than a regular dose statin, provided better clinical outcomes. But questions remained about whether further reducing cholesterol would be even more effective in reducing cardiovascular-related events.
Red Cross officials: Ebola flaring anew in Africa Red Cross officials helping to lead the fight against Ebola in West Africa said Monday the virus is still spreading, and they're having trouble recruiting health care workers to combat it.
The implications of new cholesterol guidelines on a rural Midwest community At the 2014 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Research Cardiologist Dr. Michael Miedema gave a presentation entitled "The Implications of the Recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol on a Rural Community: The Heart of New Ulm Project."
Pulse oximetry screenings save lives of babies with congenital heart defects Screening for congenital heart defects with pulse oximetry identified newborn babies with previously unsuspected critical congenital heart defects (CCHD), according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014. Babies with undetected CCHD have a significant increased risk of disability or death.
Big city hospitals severely penalized for Medicare readmissions Big city hospitals in the United States have been severely penalized for readmission of patients with heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
Hispanic women with multiple births may face increased risk of cardiovascular disease Hispanic women who have five or more successful births may have a significantly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those with no or fewer births, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
Specialized ambulance increases thrombolysis for stroke patients in 'golden hour' A specialized ambulance staffed with a neurologist and equipped with a computed tomographic scanner helped increase the percentage of patients with stroke who received thrombolysis to break down blood clots within the so-called 'golden hour,' the 60 minutes from time of symptom onset to treatment when treatment may be most effective, according to a study published online by JAMA Neurology.
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members A clinical trial testing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on persistent postconcussion symptoms (PCS) in U.S. military service members showed no benefits over a sham procedure in an air-filled chamber, but symptoms did improve in both the HBO and sham treatment groups compared with a group of patients who received no supplemental air chamber treatment, according to a report published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Africans up to 13 times more likely to drown than Europeans: WHO Africans—and young children especially—are up to 13 times more likely than Western Europeans to become one of the 372,000 people who drown each year, a study by the World Health Organization said Monday.
New study demonstrates high burden of AFib is associated with lower cognitive function iRhythm Technologies, Inc. announced today that study results presented during the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions showed an association between a high burden of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and lower cognitive function, specifically executive and verbal function. Previous studies have shown a relationship between AFib, cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. However, this study, which was led by researchers at the University of Minnesota, demonstrates for the first time a correlation between high AFib burden - the percent of time a person has AFib - and cognition.
Study examines patients' perspectives on deactivation of ICDs in end-of-life Most patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)—small devices placed in a person's chest to help treat irregular heartbeats with electrical pulses, or shocks—haven't thought about device deactivation if they were to develop a serious illness from which they were not expected to recover. But given changes in healthcare, there may be a new reason to do so. A new study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which was presented today at the 2014 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, investigated patient perspectives on deactivation of these devices at the end of life, especially related to decisions to deactivate devices against patient or family wishes.
Understanding adverse blood vessel remodeling following stenting Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. The narrowing of blood vessels that is caused by atherosclerosis can be treated with angioplasty or stenting to improve blood flow. However, the stenting process induces deleterious remodeling of the blood vessel that can increase thrombosis risk, limiting the use of this strategy.
A noncoding RNA promotes pediatric bone cancer Ewing sarcoma is a cancer of bone or its surrounding soft tissue that primarily affects children and young adults. A hallmark of Ewing sarcoma is a translocation event that results in the fusion of an RNA binding protein, known as EWS, with a transcription factor, such as FLI1. Previous work suggested that the fusion protein EWS-FLI1 promoted cancer by changing gene expression; however, the gene targets were unknown.

Biology news

	Iguanas evolved one-way lungs surprisingly like those of birds, study finds Whether birds are breathing in or out, air flows in a one-directional loop through their lungs. This pattern was unexpected and for decades, biologists assumed it was unique to birds, a special adaptation driven by the intense energy demands of flight.
	80 million bacteria sealed with a kiss As many as 80 million bacteria are transferred during a 10 second kiss, according to research published in the open access journal Microbiome. The study also found that partners who kiss each other at least nine times a day share similar communities of oral bacteria.
	Evolutionary constraints revealed in diversity of fish skulls In the aquatic environment, suction feeding is far more common than biting as a way to capture prey. A new study shows that the evolution of biting behavior in eels led to a remarkable diversification of skull shapes, indicating that the skull shapes of most fish are limited by the structural requirements for suction feeding.
Chemistry trick may herald transformational next-generation RNAi therapeutics aimed at cancer, viral infections Small pieces of synthetic RNA trigger a RNA interference (RNAi) response that holds great therapeutic potential to treat a number of diseases, especially cancer and pandemic viruses. The problem is delivery—it is extremely difficult to get RNAi drugs inside the cells in which they are needed. To overcome this hurdle, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have developed a way to chemically disguise RNAi drugs so that they are able to enter cells. Once inside, cellular machinery converts these disguised drug precursors—called siRNNs—into active RNAi drugs. The technique will publish Nov. 17 in Nature Biotechnology.
	Ferret genome sequenced, holds clues to respiratory diseases In what is likely to be a major step forward in the study of influenza, cystic fibrosis and other human diseases, an international research effort has a draft sequence of the ferret genome. The sequence was then used to analyze how the flu and cystic fibrosis affect respiratory tissues at the cellular level.
	Tiny fish provides giant insight into how organisms adapt to changing environment An Indiana University-Dartmouth College team has identified genes and regulatory patterns that allow some organisms to alter their body form in response to environmental change.
	Snakes in evolutionary arms race with poisonous newt The rough-skinned newt is easily one of the most toxic animals on the planet, yet the common garter snake routinely eats it. How does a newt which produces enough toxin to kill several grown humans almost immediately manage to become prey in the food chain?
	Densovirus named top suspect in devastating sea star wasting disease Since 2013, millions of sea stars native to the Pacific coast of North America from Baja California to southern Alaska have succumbed to a mysterious wasting disease in which their limbs pull away from their bodies and their organs exude through their skin; a disease researchers say could trigger an unprecedented ecological upheaval under the waves.
	'Probiotics' for plants boost detox abilities; untreated plants overdose and die Scientists using a microbe that occurs naturally in eastern cottonwood trees have boosted the ability of two other plants - willow and lawn grass - to withstand the withering effects of the nasty industrial pollutant phenanthrene and take up 25 to 40 percent more of the pollutant than untreated plants.
	Imperfect system is all that protects you from genetic parasites out to destroy your genes We like to think of evolution as a fine-tuning process, one that whittles away genetic redundancies. The only problem is, we are not fine-tuned machines. Our bodies are chock-full of parts that either don't work anymore or are so buggy that our biology has Macgyvered a way to make it work.
	Sashimi trend helps edge Pacific bluefin tuna towards extinction The Pacific bluefin tuna, a fish used in sushi and sashimi dishes, is at risk of extinction as the global food market places "unsustainable pressure" on the species and others, a conservation body warned Monday.
	Boosting butanols role in the biofuel world Butanol is the go-to industrial solvent for products such as lacquers and enamels, but it might also play a substantial role in the production of renewable fuels. Gallon for gallon, it has 30 percent more energy than ethanol and only around 4 percent less energy than a gallon of petroleum-based gasoline.
	Entomologists hope vigilance, research stop newly discovered spotted lanternfly People seeing the spotted lanternfly for the first time are struck by its sometimes-flashy appearance. But don't let its colorful, butterfly-like veneer fool you, caution entomologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
	What's killing Tassie devils if it isn't a contagious cancer? Scientists have been trying to figure out the cause of the deadly cancer affecting so many Tasmanian devils but the research doesn't seem to be providing many useful answers. What if they're looking in the wrong place for a cause and a cure?
	Cave-dwelling pseudoscorpions evolve in isolation Scientists studying pseudoscorpions living in aquifers in north-west Australia have found each aquifer is home to unique species that evolved in isolation, despite having a common ancestor.
	Insect-resistant maize could increase yields and decrease pesticide use in Mexico Although maize was originally domesticated in Mexico, the country's average yield per hectare is 38% below the world's average. In fact, Mexico imports 30% of its maize from foreign sources to keep up with internal demand.
	Lizards and snakes: Less sex + more greens = longer life Doctors tell us that the frenzied pace of the modern 24-hour lifestyle—in which we struggle to juggle work commitments with the demands of family and daily life—is damaging to our health. But while life in the slow lane may be better, will it be any longer? It will if you're a reptile.
	Extinction risk not the answer for reef futures Leading coral reef scientists in Australia and the USA say there needs to be a new approach to protecting the future of marine ecosystems, with a shift away from the current focus on extinction threat.
Fruit flies learn from others Fruit flies do not always conform to the norm. When female fruit flies have to decide where to lay their eggs, they take their lead from what they see most others in their group do. However, some do take their personal preferences into account. So says Marine Battesti of the Université Paris-Sud in France, lead author of a study in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
	Study: Polar bears disappearing from key region A key polar bear population fell nearly by half in the past decade, a new U.S.-Canada study found, with scientists seeing a dramatic increase in young cubs starving and dying.
	Prince William recruits Angry Birds to protect wildlife Prince William teamed up with the makers of Angry Birds to release a new game on Monday that will highlight the dangers of illegal poaching for animal species from elephants to anteaters.
Scientists study stormwater, deadly to salmon A team of researchers is running experiments this fall to understand what happens when salmon are exposed to rain runoff collected from one of Seattle's busiest highways.
Saving Christmas Island's reptiles Environmental scientists are working alongside park rangers to protect Christmas Island's remaining reptilian wildlife from extinction.
	Genes offer new insights into the distribution of giraffes The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), a symbol of the African savanna and a fixed item on every safari's agenda, is a fascinating animal. However, contrary to many of the continent's other wild animals, these long-necked giants are still rather poorly studied. Based on their markings, distribution and genome, nine subspecies are recognized – including the two subspecies Angola Giraffe (Giraffa c. angolensis) and South African Giraffe (Giraffa c. giraffa).
	Interpol seeks public help to catch environmental fugitives Interpol put out a worldwide call to the public Monday to help track down fugitives accused of environmental crimes such as ivory trading and wildlife trafficking.
	Emergency preparedness in zoos and aquariums You need only look at the papers or television news to see the reports. Infectious disease outbreaks, weather emergencies and disasters both natural and man-made. They're all not just threats to human populations – they have the potential to disrupt the daily operations of zoos and aquariums and the lives of their animal inhabitants.
	Three new ornamental dogwoods introduced In the nursery and landscape industries, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), and their hybrids are the most popular and economically significant members of the genus Cornus. The deciduous trees are highly valued for their spring display of pink, red, or white bracts, brilliant red fall foliage, and exfoliating bark. In the United States alone, retail and wholesale sales of dogwoods account for more than $30 million dollars annually.
Stenospermocarpic fruit linked to unmarketable black walnuts Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) is native to much of the eastern United States and is highly valued for its nuts and timber. Black walnut fruit generally reach most of their size by mid-August and mature by late September or early October. The fruit are then harvested, hulled, and dried in-shell before cracking for commercial markets. Walnut growers use the term "ambers" to describe poorly filled, shriveled eastern black walnut kernels. These "ambered kernels" are not marketable, resulting in economic loss to commercial growers. Although researchers have identified the symptoms of ambered kernels, there is limited information available to growers about the cause of this problem.
	Three popular daffodil varieties determined to be highly salt tolerant As the world's diminishing fresh water resources are increasing allocated for human use, agricultural and horticultural production operations must rely more often on the use of brackish, saline, or reclaimed water for irrigation. These saline-rich water sources often contain electrical conductivities that can negativity affect plants' ability to thrive. Salinity is particularly problematic for ornamental plants such as daffodils because of the potential for damage to plants' aesthetics and visual qualities.
Clues to trees' salt tolerance found in native habitat, leaf traits Urban landscape plants are often subjected to environmental conditions well beyond those of their native habitat. Differences in precipitation, along with stress caused by increased salinity resulting from irrigation with brackish reclaimed water, can have devastating impacts on trees and plants. Use of salt-tolerant species and implementation of proper management strategies can reduce the incidence of plant stress and loss. Researchers in Utah looked to plants' native habitats for ways to identify salt tolerance among tree species used in urban landscapes in the arid to semiarid areas of the Intermountain West.
	Ten ways remote sensing can contribute to conservation Scientists from the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), NASA, and other organizations have partnered to focus global attention on the contribution of satellites to biodiversity conservation in a recently released study entitled "Ten Ways Remote Sensing Can Contribute to Conservation," featured in the latest edition of the scientific journal Conservation Biology.
	Businesses can help preserve endangered species, improve employee morale with small landscape changes Raptors, or birds of prey, some of which are endangered species, typically live in environments that provide natural land cover, such as forests and grasslands. Protecting endangered raptor species helps maintain food chain balance and prevents overpopulation of common raptor prey, such as snakes and rodents. As more businesses are built on the edges of urban areas, land where raptors once lived becomes industrialized, which raises concerns about the consequences of habitat destruction on raptor populations. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found that businesses can contribute to raptor preservation efforts by engaging in less development of lawn areas and increased planting or preservation of native grasslands and woodlots.
	20% hike in annual catch agreed for bluefin tuna Fishing nations agreed Monday to a 20-percent annual increase over three years in quotas of bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic, environmental groups said.
	Namibian government dehorns rhino to curb poaching The Namibian government is dehorning most of its endangered black rhinos in order to discourage poachers, a spokesperson said Monday.
	Syngenta faces dozens of lawsuits over GMO seed More farmers are filing lawsuits against agrochemicals giant Syngenta in a legal battle tied to the sale of a genetically modified corn seed.
Wildlife groups sue over imperiled lynx's habitat Wildlife advocates have sued the federal government after it declined to designate some areas in the West as critical habitat for the imperiled Canada lynx.

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