Science X Newsletter Thursday, Nov 20

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 20, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Researchers create 3-D stereoscopic color prints with nanopixels
- Physicists study magnetism with the roles of position and momentum reversed
- Fossils suggest ancestor of horses and rhinos originated on the Asian subcontinent while it was still an island
- Study suggests black hole jets get their power from spin
- Glucose war between brain and brawn—the hidden battle in children that made us human
- Geologists discover ancient buried canyon in South Tibet
- Black hole loses its appetite for gassy cloud
- Improving flash memory: New molecular storage devices could bridge memory gap
- Pluripotent cells created by nuclear transfer can prompt immune reaction, researchers find
- Scientists discover novel metamaterial properties within hexagonal boron nitride
- Signaling molecule crucial to stem cell reprogramming
- New technique allows ultrasound to penetrate bone, metal
- Scientists unveil powerful method to speed cancer drug discovery
- Largest-ever map of the human interactome predicts new cancer genes
- Researchers unwind the mysteries of the cellular clock

Astronomy & Space news

	Study suggests black hole jets get their power from spin (Phys.org) —A team of space scientists working in Italy has found more evidence that suggests the energy needed to emit jets from supermassive black holes comes from the spin of the black hole itself. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes how their survey of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope allowed for comparing two types of emissions from the black holes, which showed a correlation.
	Black hole loses its appetite for gassy cloud (Phys.org) —In a showdown of black hole versus G2 – a cloud of gas and dust – it looks like G2 won.
	Unravelling the mystery of gamma-ray bursts A team of scientists hope to trace the origins of gamma-ray bursts with the aid of giant space 'microphones'.
	Rosetta continues into its full science phase With the Philae lander's mission complete, Rosetta will now continue its own extraordinary exploration, orbiting Comet 67P/Churymov–Gerasimenko during the coming year as the enigmatic body arcs ever closer to our Sun.
	Two new Chandra images of supernova remnants reveal intricate structures left behind A supernova that signals the death of a massive star sends titanic shock waves rumbling through interstellar space. An ultra-dense neutron star is usually left behind, which is far from dead, as it spews out a blizzard of high-energy particles. Two new images from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory provide fascinating views - including an enigmatic lobster-like feature - of the complex aftermath of a supernova.
	Second time through, Mars rover examines chosen rocks (Phys.org) —NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has completed a reconnaissance "walkabout" of the first outcrop it reached at the base of the mission's destination mountain and has begun a second pass examining selected rocks in the outcrop in more detail.
	Scientists record thud of Philae's comet landing Scientists have released a brief recording of the sound that Europe's space probe Philae made when it became the first to land on a comet last week.
	Missing stars: Hubble observations cast further doubt on how globular clusters formed Thanks to the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, some of the most mysterious cosmic residents have just become even more puzzling. New observations of globular clusters in a small galaxy show they are very similar to those found in the Milky Way, and so must have formed in a similar way. One of the leading theories on how these clusters form predicts that globular clusters should only be found nestled in among large quantities of old stars. But these old stars, though rife in the Milky Way, are not present in this small galaxy, and so, the mystery deepens.
	It's filamentary: How galaxies evolve in the cosmic web How do galaxies like our Milky Way form, and just how do they evolve? Are galaxies affected by their surrounding environment? An international team of researchers, led by astronomers at the University of California, Riverside, proposes some answers.
	Estimating the magnetic field of an exoplanet Scientists developed a new method which allows to estimate the magnetic field of a distant exoplanet, i.e., a planet, which is located outside the Solar system and orbits a different star. Moreover, they managed to estimate the value of the magnetic moment of the planet HD 209458b.The group of scientists including one of the researchers of the Lomonosov State University published their article in the Science magazine.
	Meet a real interstellar explorer – but its days are numbered Australia's Mopra telescope, nestled in NSW's Warrumbungle National Park, is earmarked for closure in a year thanks to CSIRO funding cuts. But this one-of-a-kind telescope is well worth saving.
	British-led moon mission to kickstart new generation of lunar exploration A British-led consortium has announced an ambitious space mission named Lunar Mission One that plans to land a robotic probe in the southern polar region of the moon in about a decade. The announcement continues a stream of innovative space developments.
	What is the difference between asteroids and comets? Asteroids and comets have a few things in common. They are both celestial bodies orbiting our Sun, and they both can have unusual orbits, sometimes straying close to Earth or the other planets. They are both "leftovers"—made from materials from the formation of our Solar System 4.5 billion years ago. But there are a few notable differences between these two objects, as well. The biggest difference between comets and asteroids, however, is what they are made of.
	3-D printer powered up on the International Space Station This week, NASA took a big step toward changing the way we plan for long-duration space voyages when astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore successfully installed and prepared the first 3-D printer for upcoming manufacturing operations on the International Space Station.
Astronauts to get 'ISSpresso' coffee machine Ristretto or lungo? Not a question astronauts on the International Space Station normally have to contemplate, but that is about to change thanks to a new zero-gravity coffee machine being delivered this weekend.

Technology news

	Russia hacking site spying webcams worldwide: Britain Britain's privacy watchdog on Thursday called on Russia to take down a site showing hacked live feeds from thousands of homes and businesses around the world and warned it was planning "regulatory action".
	Google to developers: you can get to work on Android Auto Android Auto, intended to become the driver's popular go-to source for audio entertainment and messaging services, is aiming for the driver's seat and developer interest. Simply put, Google wants to bring the Android platform into the car with a user interface that is optimized for driving. To that end, Google earlier this week released its first APIs for building Android Auto-enabled audio and messaging apps.
	Touch-responsive 3-D maps provide independence to the visually impaired These maps are made for talking. And touching. And they're beautiful, too.
	Britain's first poo-powered bus takes to the road Britain's first bus powered entirely by human and food waste took to the road in Bristol on Thursday.
	Gift Guide: Help your selfie with some add-on gear Not all selfies are created equal. Some are blurry, are poorly framed or miss the action entirely because you might be scrubbing your thumb fishing for a virtual shutter button as the moment passes you by.
Apple supplier Hon Hai plans new display facility in Taiwan Taiwan's tech giant Hon Hai said Thursday it plans to invest around Tw$80 billion ($2.6 billion) for a new smartphone display facility on the island, reportedly to manufacture mainly Apple products.
Japanese blueprint sees modern Atlantis spiral deep into ocean Forget colonies in space, one Japanese construction company says in the future human beings could live in huge complexes that corkscrew deep into the ocean.
	Rights groups release anti-surveillance software A coalition of human rights and technology groups including Amnesty International on Thursday launched new software to allow journalists and activists to check if their computers are being spied on.
	Unmanned team of K-Max helicopter and Indago quadrotor demonstrates firefighting capability A team of Lockheed Martin and Kaman unmanned aircraft successfully demonstrated its ability to aid in firefighting operations. During the demonstration, the Indago quad rotor effectively identified hot spots, and provided data to an operator who directed the unmanned K-MAX helicopter to autonomously extinguish the flames. In one hour, the unmanned K-MAX helicopter lifted and dropped more than 24,000 pounds of water onto the fire.
	New technology reduces size of spinal stimulator implants Spinal cord stimulator implants could use less power and be made much smaller as work from Taiwan and Israel eliminates off-chip high-voltage devices from the implant's pulse generator. This will reduce implant-related discomfort for patients using such implants to control chronic pain, and the work could also be applied to other medical devices, including muscle micro-stimulators.
Research promises innovations in secure communications technology Dr Zhang Yixin of Nanjing University, China, talks about his development of a true random number generator using only the camera of a smartphone, with no other specialized equipment. To date, true random number generators have required the use of expensive, dedicated auxiliary equipment, and Dr Zhang's innovations may lead to new, widespread applications in secure communications.
Treats for tweets—the value of the new 'social currency' Australian retailers will soon adopt 'social currency' campaigns to launch new products, penetrate new markets and create loyalty by enlisting your social market friendsand followers to spread the word.
	Tomorrow's degradable electronics When the FM frequencies are removed in Norway in 2017, all old-fashioned radios will become obsolete, leaving the biggest collection of redundant electronics ever seen – a mountain of waste weighing something between 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes.
	Streaming may suffocate the music industry – or save it Taylor Swift's announcement that she was removing her music from the Spotify music service started a debate about the future of music. Swift argued that artists were not receiving appropriate compensation and that a pick-and-choose approach to consuming music undermined value of music as art. Spotify, and similar music services, had been seen as the way of reconciling the interests of musicians, record labels and consumers in the face of rampant illegal downloading.
Protecting personal data in the cloud IBM today announced it has patented the design for a data privacy engine that can more efficiently and affordably help businesses protect personal data as it is transferred between countries, including across private clouds.
NSA Director: China can damage US power grid China and "one or two" other countries are capable of mounting cyberattacks to shut down the electric grid in parts of the United States. That's according to Admiral Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency and commander of the U.S. Cyber Command.
	Don't get hacked! Research shows how much we ignore online warnings Say you ignored one of those "this website is not trusted" warnings and it led to your computer being hacked. How would you react? Would you:
	Amazon offers Washington Post app on Kindle Amazon said Thursday it will offer a free Washington Post app to Kindle users for six months, a move highlighting the digital strategy for the newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos.
	YouTube goes online for second Music Awards The YouTube Music Awards are undergoing an overhaul for their second edition next year, scrapping a star-studded gala and instead looking at videos' online buzz.
	Britain urges Russia to shut down webcam spying site A Russian website offering thousands of live feeds peering into bedrooms and offices around the world by accessing poorly secured webcams should be taken down immediately, British officials said on Thursday.
	Uber hires team to help fix privacy issues Uber on Thursday scrambled to allay fears that executives at the hot car-sharing startup are gunning for journalists and spying on riders.
	Premier US album chart revamped to include streaming The Billboard chart, the benchmark for US music sales, will next week start to include streaming in its measurements to reflect the rapid growth of services such as Spotify.
	Glassmaker Corning toughens Gorilla Glass for smartphone screens US manufacturer Corning said Thursday it was introducing a new, tougher version of its Gorilla Glass used by major smartphone makers in a bid to maintain dominance in the sector.
	Google tests replacing web ads with contributions Google on Thursday began rolling out a way for people to support websites they frequent and, in return, be rewarded with ad-free pages.
	Apple, Xiaomi trade smartphone barbs in China Top executives from US technology giant Apple and Chinese smartphone upstart Xiaomi traded light-hearted barbs on Thursday at a Chinese Internet conference, acknowledging the fierce competition between the rivals.
	Some in NSA warned of a backlash Current and former intelligence officials say dissenters within the National Security Agency warned in 2009 that secretly collecting American phone records wasn't providing enough intelligence to justify the backlash it would cause if revealed.
	China Premier calls for greater role in shaping Web Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Thursday demanded a greater role for Beijing in shaping the global Internet, calling for "order" online as he failed to address his government's censorship of content it deems politically sensitive.
	From cognition to control: Fundamental research continues to advance cooperative robots From disaster recovery to caring for the elderly in the home, scientists and engineers are developing robots that can handle critical tasks in close proximity to humans, safely and with greater resilience than previous generations of intelligent machines.
Square's point-of-sale service goes global Financial services startup Square is taking aim at cash registers across the globe, making its point-of-sale software available internationally in English, Spanish, French and Japanese.
'Call of Duty' blasts past $10 bn in sales Blockbuster military shooter video game "Call of Duty" has blasted past $10 billion in lifetime sales, propelled by demand for the latest installment in the 11-year-old franchise.

Medicine & Health news

	Glucose war between brain and brawn—the hidden battle in children that made us human The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently published a paper that showed a close link between the slow growth of children and the high glucose consumption of their brains. The proposed explanation: by saving on energy that would be spent on growth, children could devote more glucose to their brains. This week the Proceedings published a response which suggested an alternative theory: that slow growth is part of a package of adaptations to prevent skeletal muscle competing against the brain for plasma glucose.
New computer model predicts gut metabolites to better understand gastrointestinal disease Tufts University School of Engineering researchers and collaborators from Texas A&M University have published the first research to use computational modeling to predict and identify the metabolic products of gastrointestinal (GI) tract microorganisms. Understanding these metabolic products, or metabolites, could influence how clinicians diagnose and treat GI diseases, as well as many other metabolic and neurological diseases increasingly associated with compromised GI function. The research appears in the November 20 edition of Nature Communications.
	People experience recurring life crises at the start of each new decade in age, study says (Medical Xpress)—New research from NYU Stern School of Business Professor Adam Alter and UCLA Anderson School of Management Professor Hal Hershfield shows that when adults approach a new decade in age (i.e., at ages 29, 39, 49 or 59), they search for existential meaning and behave in ways that can be constructive or destructive.
	Hand dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets, research finds Modern hand dryers are much worse than paper towels when it comes to spreading germs, according to new University of Leeds research.
	Panel-based genetic diagnostic testing for inherited eye disease proves highly accurate Investigators at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and colleagues reported the development and characterization of a comprehensive genetic test for inherited eye disorders in the online version of the Nature journal Genetics In Medicine today. The Genetic Eye Disease (GEDi) test includes all of the genes known to harbor mutations that cause inherited retinal degenerations, optic atrophy and early onset glaucoma. These disorders are important causes of vision loss, and genetic treatments such as gene therapy hold promise for preserving vision in affected individuals. The GEDi test is offered on a CLIA-certified basis through the Ocular Genomics Institute (OGI) at Mass. Eye and Ear.
	The cellular origin of fibrosis: Team identifies rare stem cells that give rise to chronic tissue scarring Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital have found the cellular origin of the tissue scarring caused by organ damage associated with diabetes, lung disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other conditions. The buildup of scar tissue is known as fibrosis.
	Largest-ever map of the human interactome predicts new cancer genes Scientists have created the largest-scale map to date of direct interactions between proteins encoded by the human genome and newly predicted dozens of genes to be involved in cancer.
	Scientists unveil powerful method to speed cancer drug discovery For decades, researchers have struggled to translate basic scientific discoveries about cancer into therapeutics that effectively—and with minimal side effects—shrink a tumor.
	Brain training using sounds can help aging brain ignore distractions As we age, we have an increasingly harder time ignoring distractions. But new research online November 20 in the Cell Press journal Neuron reveals that by learning to make discriminations of a sound amidst progressively more disruptive distractions, we can diminish our distractibility. A similar strategy might also help children with attention deficits or individuals with other mental challenges.
	HIV/AIDS drugs could be repurposed to treat AMD A landmark study published today in the journal Science by an international group of scientists, led by the laboratory of Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, professor & vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky, reports that HIV/AIDS drugs that have been used for the last 30 years could be repurposed to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as other inflammatory disorders, because of a previously undiscovered intrinsic and inflammatory activity those drugs possess.
	Organovo has 3D-printed liver tissue for drug testing (Medical Xpress)—The commercial release of 3D printed liver tissue was announced earlier this week. Organovo is the company behind the release. The product is intended for use for preclinical drug discovery testing to see if the drugs are toxic or not. This is intended to provide data to help predict liver tissue toxicity or ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) outcomes in later-stage preclinical drug discovery programs. The product is called exVive3D Human Liver Tissue. According to the company, "The durability and functionality of the 3D liver product enable the assessment of the effects of low dose or repeated dosing regimens across a spectrum of biochemical, molecular, and histologic end points."
	Staying ahead of the game: Pre-empting flu evolution may make for better vaccines An international team of researchers has shown that it may be possible to improve the effectiveness of the seasonal flu vaccine by 'pre-empting' the evolution of the influenza virus.
	Running really can keep you young, study says If you are an active senior who wants to stay younger, keep on running. A new study involving the University of Colorado Boulder and Humboldt State University shows that senior citizens who run several times a week for exercise expend about the same amount of energy walking as a typical 20-year-old.
Terrorist attacks decrease fertility levels, says new research A new study published online today in the journal Oxford Economic Papers has found that, on average, terrorist attacks decrease fertility, reducing both the expected number of children a woman has over her lifetime and the number of live births occurring during each year.
Real-time genome sequencing helps control hospital outbreak Pioneering use of whole genome sequencing in real time to help control a hospital outbreak is reported in an article published in the open access journal Genome Medicine. The research corroborates the use of the technique as a rapid and cost-effective way of tracking and controlling the spread of drug-resistant hospital pathogens.
	Only half of patients take their medications as prescribed The cost of patients not taking their medications as prescribed can be substantial in terms of their health. Although a large amount of research evidence has tried to address this problem, there are no well-established approaches to help them, according to a new systematic review published in the Cochrane Library. The authors of the review examined data from 182 trials testing different approaches to increasing medication adherence and patient health. Even though the review included a significant number of the best studies to date, in most cases, trials had important problems in design, which made it hard to determine which approaches actually worked.
Job authority increases depression symptoms in women, decreases them in men A new study finds that having job authority increases symptoms of depression among women, but decreases them among men.
Fat a culprit in fibrotic lung damage Pulmonary fibrosis has no cure. It's caused by scarring that seems to feed on itself, with the tougher, less elastic tissue replacing the ever moving and stretching lung, making it increasingly difficult for patients to breathe. Researchers debate whether the lung tissue is directly damaged, or whether immune cells initiate the scarring process - an important distinction when trying to find new ways to battle the disease. Now research shows that both processes may be important, and suggest a new direction for developing novel therapies. The work will publish online November 20th in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.
	A new tool for identifying onset of local influenza outbreaks Predicting the beginning of influenza outbreaks is notoriously difficult, and can affect prevention and control efforts. Now, just in time for flu season, biostatistician Nicholas Reich of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and colleagues at Johns Hopkins have devised a simple yet accurate method for hospitals and public health departments to determine the onset of elevated influenza activity at the community level.
Serotonin's early role in the assembly of brain circuits During the development of the cortex, different kinds of neurons must migrate to attain their final destinations, before forming the essential neural circuits necessary for good cognitive and emotional function. But early dysregulation in the serotonin system has been associated with a higher risk of developing psychiatric problems. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have discovered the crucial role of a serotonin receptor in this phenomenon
Researchers pioneer new approach to treating HPV-related cervical cancer A drug that is already well established as a treatment for infection of the retina in people with AIDS has been shown, for the first time, to sensitise cervical cancer to chemotherapy and radiotherapy without an increase in toxic side-effects.
Researchers identify biological indicator of response to new ovarian cancer drug Researchers have found a way of identifying which ovarian cancer patients are likely to respond well to a new anti-cancer drug called rucaparib.
Response to new drug in patients with lymphomas and advanced solid tumors Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas and advanced solid tumours have responded to a new drug that is being tested for the first time in humans in a phase I clinical trial.
New approach for treating ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily kills motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death 2 to 5 years from diagnosis. Currently ALS has no cure. Despite promising early-stage research, the majority of drugs in development for ALS have failed. Now researchers have uncovered a possible explanation. In a study published November 20th in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, researchers show that the brain's machinery for pumping out toxins is ratcheted up in ALS patients and that this machinery also pumps out medicine designed to treat ALS, thereby decreasing the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. The work showed that when these pumps are blocked, the drug becomes more effective at slowing the progression of the disease in mouse models.
Gene therapy provides safe, long-term relief for patients with severe hemophilia B (Medical Xpress)—Gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University College London (UCL) and the Royal Free Hospital has transformed life for men with a severe form of hemophilia B by providing a safe, reliable source of the blood clotting protein Factor IX that has allowed some to adopt a more active lifestyle, researchers reported. The results appear in the November 20 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.
	Video drives home impact of cumulative environmental toxic exposures on children's brain development A new video co-produced by a Simon Fraser University researcher highlights how low-level exposures to prevalent environmental toxicants have adverse life-long effects on children's intellectual and behavioral development.
	Study discovers how rare disease causing cardiovascular and cognitive disorders is triggered A study has discovered the molecular mechanism that triggers homocystinuria, which is a rare disease that causes vascular and ocular disorders, skeletal deformities and mental retardation. It affects 1 in every 250,000 children born in Spain, and it has a mortality rate of 18% before the age of 30. The detection of this disease has recently been included in newborn blood spot screening.
Elite athletes under stress to lose weight Psychology researchers at the University of Adelaide say modern day elite athletes are under so much pressure to lose and maintain weight that they can also lose a sense of self.
Protein mutation alters tissue development in males before birth Case Western Reserve researchers have identified a protein mutation that alters specific gender-related tissue in males before birth and can contribute to the development of cancer as well as other less life-threatening challenges.
Virus discovery could impact HIV drug research A research team led by Portland State University (PSU) biology professor Ken Stedman has unlocked the structure of an unusual virus that lives in volcanic hot springs. The discovery could pave the way for better drugs to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can lead to AIDS.
New technology could 'light up' cancer cells and improve surgical outcomes On Target Laboratories LLC and Purdue University are clinically investigating optical imaging technology that could "light up" cancer cells and help surgeons remove more cancerous tissue than previously possible during surgical procedures.
Variation among preterm infants is the norm One in 10 infants in the United States is born preterm—less than 36 weeks gestation—each year.
Religious denominations friendly to same-sex marriage may protect gay youth from depression Religious affiliation is generally a source of support, fostering resilience during difficult times. But religion doesn't exactly have a reputation as a refuge for young gay people.
	Parental involvement still essential in secondary school Although students become more independent as they rise through grade levels and parent-teacher interactions typically lessen as students age, parental involvement in a child's education during the secondary school years plays an essential role in developing positive academic, behavioral, and emotional outcomes. Relations between parents and teachers are among the factors that can affect a student's success and well-being.
	Parents make bad call with mobile phone use Hypocritical parents who tell their children not to dial and drive but use their mobile phones behind the wheel are setting a bad example for young drivers, according to QUT road safety researchers.
	New guidance aims to improve cancer diagnosis The country's health watchdog has issued new draft guidance on how to spot early signs and symptoms of cancer, which it says could save thousands of lives a year.
	Cancer patients failed by latest breach of '62 day wait' target Experts say that cancer patients are being failed as new figures show waiting time targets for treatment have been missed for the third consecutive quarter.
	New insight can help determine when mouse models are good stand-ins for studying humans For decades, the mouse has been a mainstay for researchers studying human diseases because the two species share many of the same genes. But now, a comprehensive analysis of the inner workings of the DNA in humans and mice has uncovered some striking differences in the way their genes are controlled. While the research also shows many similarities in gene regulation in humans and mice, the differences provide new information to help scientists determine when the mouse is a good stand-in to study human biology and disease and when it may have limitations.
Small cash rewards pay off in weight loss plans People who received small cash bonuses for their degree of participation in an Internet weight loss program shed more pounds than those who were not offered bonuses and they kept much of the weight off, according to a new study out of the University of Connecticut.
	Report: Global obesity costs hits $2 trillion The global cost of obesity has risen to $2 trillion annually—nearly as much as smoking or the combined impact of armed violence, war and terrorism, according to a new report released Thursday.
	Oat oil preparation makes you feel fuller Oats contain more fat than other cereals, and oat oil has a unique composition. A new study from Lund University, Härröd Research and Swedish Oat Fiber AB, shows a special oat oil preparation can produce greater satiety.
	'Jekyll and Hyde' molecule is key to new personalised medicine for prostate cancer Researchers who have uncovered the 'monstrous' hidden nature of a molecule involved in prostate cancer say the findings could herald a new form of personalised medicine for patients, with doctors able to use the same molecular target for diagnosis and treatment.
	Could more equal less when it comes to consciousness and pain? Will we ever have a scientific measure of consciousness?
Stem cell researcher pioneers gene therapy cure for children with "Bubble Baby" disease UCLA stem cell researchers have pioneered a stem cell gene therapy cure for children born with adenosine deaminase (ADA)-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), often called "Bubble Baby" disease, a life-threatening condition that if left untreated can be fatal within the first year of life.
	How fallopian tubes carry eggs unidirectionally Researchers in Japan have revealed the mechanism that determines the direction of the transportation of eggs in the fallopian tube.
	Swiss man who found cause of Lyme disease dies The Swiss researcher who gained international recognition for discovering the bacteria that causes Lyme disease has died in Montana.
	Soaring generic drug prices draw Senate scrutiny Some low-cost generic drugs that have helped restrain health care costs for decades are seeing unexpected price spikes of up to 8,000 percent, prompting a backlash from patients, pharmacists and now Washington lawmakers.
Researchers report way to target hard-to-hit site in disease pathway Researchers have successfully targeted an important molecular pathway that fuels a variety of cancers and related developmental syndromes called "Rasopathies."
	Out of danger: A neural basis for avoiding threats Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan have identified a key neuronal pathway that makes learning to avoid unpleasant situations possible. Published online in the November 20 issue of Neuron, the work shows that avoidance learning requires neural activity in the habenula representing changes in future expectations.
Immune cells from the spleen found to control chronic high blood pressure High blood pressure is a leading cause of death around the world, and its prevalence continues to rise. A study published by Cell Press on November 20th in the journal Immunity shows that a protein in the spleen called placental growth factor (PlGF) plays a critical role in activating a harmful immune response that leads to the onset of high blood pressure in mice. The findings pave the way for the development of more effective treatments for this common and deadly condition.
	Reprogramming 'support cells' into neurons could repair injured adult brains The portion of the adult brain responsible for complex thought, known as the cerebral cortex, lacks the ability to replace neurons that die as a result of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other devastating diseases. A study in the International Society for Stem Cell Research's journal Stem Cell Reports, published by Cell Press on November 20 shows that a Sox2 protein, alone or in combination with another protein, Ascl1, can cause nonneuronal cells, called NG2 glia, to turn into neurons in the injured cerebral cortex of adult mice. The findings reveal that NG2 glia represent a promising target for neuronal cell replacement strategies to treat traumatic brain injury.
	Team discovers that a derivative of vitamin B3 prevents liver cancer in mice Liver cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world, and with the worst prognosis; according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2012, 745,000 deaths were registered worldwide due to this cause, a figure only surpassed by lung cancer. The most aggressive and frequent form of liver cancer is hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC); little is known about it and there are relatively few treatment options.
Every step you take: STING pathway key to tumor immunity A recently discovered protein complex known as STING plays a crucial role in detecting the presence of tumor cells and promoting an aggressive anti-tumor response by the body's innate immune system, according to two separate studies published in the Nov. 20 issue of the journal Immunity.
Contact lens discomfort linked to changes in lipid layer of tear film Changes in the lipid layer of the eyes' natural tear film may contribute to the common problem of contact lens discomfort, reports a study in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
	Research finds tooth enamel fast-track in humans Research has discovered a link between prenatal enamel growth rates in teeth and weaning in human babies.
Antiangiogenic treatment improves survival in animal model of ovarian cancer Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive organs, with more than 200,000 new cases and more than 125,000 deaths each year worldwide. Because symptoms tend to be vague, 80 percent of these cancers are not recognized until the disease has advanced and spread to other parts of the body. The standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer includes high-dose chemotherapy, which often results in debilitating side effects and for which the five-year survival rate is only 35 percent.
The STING of radiation A team of researchers led by Ludwig Chicago's Yang-Xin Fu and Ralph Weichselbaum has uncovered the primary signaling mechanisms and cellular interactions that drive immune responses against tumors treated with radiotherapy. Published in the current issue of Immunity, their study suggests novel strategies for boosting the effectiveness of radiotherapy, and for combining it with therapies that harness the immune system to treat cancer.
The American athletics track is still a man's world The limited coverage that American female athletes get in the media is one of many subtle forms of gender biases they have to cope with. The little exposure they do get often focuses more on their attire, or how attractive, sexy or ladylike they are than on their actual athletic prowess. In the long run, this influences their performance in sports. This is the view of Emily Kaskan and Ivy Ho of the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the US, published in a review in Springer's journal Sex Roles.
Education empowers Canadians but raises risks of overwork and work-family stress The higher your level of education, the greater your earnings and your sense of "personal mastery" or being in control of your fate, University of Toronto researchers say. But wait: there's a downside.
	Unstable child care can affect children by age four A new study from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) reveals that disruptions in child care negatively affect children's social development as early as age 4. However, the study also shows that the effects of child care instability are not unduly large—and some types of instability appear to have no negative impact on children.
Testosterone plays modest role in menopausal women's sexual function Levels of testosterone and other naturally-occurring reproductive hormones play a limited role in driving menopausal women's interest in sex and sexual function, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Exercise regimens offer little benefit for one in five people with type 2 diabetes As many as one in five people with Type 2 diabetes do not see any improvement in blood sugar management when they engage in a supervised exercise regimen, according to a new scientific review published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
	US approves new, hard-to-abuse hydrocodone pill (Update) U.S. government health regulators on Thursday approved the first hard-to-abuse version of the painkiller hydrocodone, offering an alternative to a similar medication that has been widely criticized for lacking such safeguards.
	Nearly 30% of world population is overweight: study More than 2.1 billion people globally—or nearly 30 percent of the world's population—are now overweight or obese, with the figure set to rise further by 2030, according to a study published Thursday.
	New study reveals why some people may be immune to HIV-1 Doctors have long been mystified as to why HIV-1 rapidly sickens some individuals, while in others the virus has difficulties gaining a foothold. Now, a study of genetic variation in HIV-1 and in the cells it infects reported by University of Minnesota researchers in this week's issue of PLOS Genetics has uncovered a chink in HIV-1's armor that may, at least in part, explain the puzzling difference—and potentially open the door to new treatments.
	Breakthrough in managing yellow fever disease Yellow fever is a disease that can result in symptoms ranging from fever to severe liver damage. Found in South America and sub-Saharan Africa, each year the disease results in 200,000 new cases and kills 30,000 people. About 900 million people are at risk of contracting the disease.
	Epidemic spreading and neurodegenerative progression Researchers from the Montreal Neurological Institute have used a model inspired by patterns of epidemic disease spreading to map how misfolded proteins propagate within the brain.
	An Ebola virus protein can cause massive inflammation and leaky blood vessels Ebola GP protein covers the virus' surface and is shed from infected cells during infection. A study published on November 20th in PLOS Pathogens reports that shed GP can trigger massive dysregulation of the immune response and affect the permeability of blood vessels
Economic burden of prediabetes up 74 percent over five years The economic burden of diabetes in America continues to climb, exceeding more than $322 billion in excess medical costs and lost productivity in 2012, or more than $1,000 for every American, according to a study being published in the December issue of Diabetes Care that also includes a state-by-state breakdown of the prevalence and costs associated with diabetes. Additionally, increased costs associated with prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes highlight the growing importance of prevention and early intervention.
Tropical rickettsial illnesses associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes A recent study from the Thai-Myanmar border highlights the severe and previously under-reported adverse impact of readily treatable tropical rickettsial illnesses, notably scrub typhus and murine typhus, on pregnancy outcomes, finding that more than one third of affected pregnancies resulted either in stillbirth or premature and/or low birth weight babies.
Pain, magnet displacement in MRI in patients with cochlear implants Pain, discomfort and magnet displacement were documented in a small medical records review study of patients with cochlear implants (CIs) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to a report published online by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
New device reduces scarring in damaged blood vessels When blood vessels are damaged through surgery, it can trigger an endless cycle of scarring and repair.
	Halting the hijacker: Cellular targets to thwart influenza virus infection The influenza virus, like all viruses, is a hijacker. It quietly slips its way inside cells, steals the machinery inside to make more copies of itself, and then—having multiplied—bursts out of the cell to find others to infect.
	Obesity fuels silent heart damage Using an ultrasensitive blood test to detect the presence of a protein that heralds heart muscle injury, researchers from Johns Hopkins and elsewhere have found that obese people without overt heart disease experience silent cardiac damage that fuels their risk for heart failure down the road.
	Team uses evolutionary principles to model cancer mutations Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are taking a unique approach to understanding and investigating cancer by utilizing evolutionary principles and computational modeling to examine the role of specific genetic mutations in the Darwinian struggle among tumor and normal cells during cancer growth.
	Longer work hours for moms mean less sleep, higher BMIs for preschoolers The majority of preschoolers may not be getting the amount of sleep they need each night, placing them at higher risk of being overweight or obese within a year, according to a new study.
	System reveals how our brains and bodies change as we fall asleep Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have developed a system to accurately track the dynamic process of falling asleep, something has not been possible with existing techniques. In their report in the October issue of the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology, the research team describes how combining key physiologic measurements with a behavioral task that does not interfere with sleep onset gives a better picture of the gradual process of falling asleep. In addition to being a powerful tool for future research, the system could provide valuable insight into diagnosing and understanding sleep disorders.
Cost of meeting basic needs rising faster than wages in Washington state A Washington family of four must spend 46 percent more on average to make ends meet today than 13 years ago, according to a new report from the University of Washington.
	Many people who drink a lot aren't alcoholics: CDC (HealthDay)—Most people who drink to excess or binge drink are not alcoholics, a new U.S. government report says.
	Gel implant might help fight heart failure (HealthDay)—Injecting beads of gel into the wall of a still-beating heart has the potential to improve the health of patients with severe heart failure, according to a new study.
	One in five US adults dealt with a mental illness in 2013 (HealthDay)—Nearly one in five American adults—43.8 million people—had a diagnosable mental illness in 2013, federal officials reported Thursday.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation eases vestibulodynia (HealthDay)—Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be useful as an additional treatment in the management of therapy-resistant provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), according to research published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
	Use of drug-eluting stents may cut in-hospital mortality (HealthDay)—Use of drug-eluting stents (DES) rather than bare-metal stents (BMS) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality, according to research published in the Dec. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Sickle cell trait tied to increased pulmonary embolism risk (HealthDay)—For African-Americans, sickle cell trait is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, but not deep vein thrombosis, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Vaccine against Chikungunya successful in phase 1 The induction of neutralizing antibodies by a prophylactic Chikungunya vaccine candidate has now been confirmed by the final results of a phase 1 clinical trial, as well as its tolerability and safety. Detailed information of the trial has been presented at two international conferences. The vaccine candidate was developed under a R&D collaboration between Themis Bioscience GmbH and the Institut Pasteur (Paris, France) based upon a measles vaccine vector technology (Themaxyn). Following this positive trial outcome both parties agreed to broaden the scope of their collaboration.
Improving the quality of dementia care Healthcare workers and facilitators caring for persons suffering with dementia have expressed their satisfaction with new forms of mobile phone apps which are designed to assist support carers in residential homes to be more creative and reflective in person-centred care for people suffering from dementia.
Three drugs may be better than one for certain patients with advanced colorectal cancer Patients with a form of advanced colorectal cancer that is driven by a mutated version of the BRAF gene have limited treatment options available. However, results from a multi-centre clinical trial suggest that the cancer may respond to a combination of three targeted drugs.
	With immunotherapy physicians avoid diabetes complications What is the difference between the treatment of diabetes under an immune scheme compared to the traditional therapy? The patient gets a diagnosis and receives attention, but is also checked for a systemic immune problem and thereby prevents possible consequences such as diabetic foot, glaucoma, nephropathy and retinopathy.
Should we adjust substance use disorder treatment for depressed adolescents? Although depression and substance use disorders commonly co-occur in adolescents, little is known about how depression influences adolescent substance use disorder treatment retention and outcomes.  With this issue in mind, a team of American researchers reviewed the available scientific literature and suggested four important considerations to maximize the clinical impact of future research regarding adolescent depression symptoms and substance use.  Their review is published in the newest special issue of Substance Abuse journal.
	Snus use in Norway has tripled in five years The increase in Scandinavian snus consumption in Norway is highest among young people, according to a new report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
	Double trouble with rural waiting times for GPs Waiting times to see preferred GPs in the bush are double those of Australia's city dwellers.
Cold front sparks dangerous use of space heaters The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths are caused each year by space heaters. More than 6,000 Americans receive hospital emergency room care annually for burn injuries associated with room heaters.
	Second bird flu outbreak found on Dutch farm Dutch officials have detected a second case of bird flu on a southern Netherlands farm, officials said Thursday, but could not yet say whether the strain was of a highly contagious variety discovered earlier this week.
	WHO: Ebola transmission 'intense' in Sierra Leone The spread of Ebola remains "intense" in most of Sierra Leone even as things have improved somewhat in the two other countries hardest hit, the World Health Organization says.
Don't worry about Ebola—but be very worried about flu Amidst fears about the Ebola virus, the current flu season is gaining steam. And many Americans, while completely safe from Ebola, are in danger of becoming seriously ill with a widespread, highly infectious and potentially deadly virus if they don't get protect themselves with an influenza vaccine.
	New data website helps Nigeria's campaign to achieve Millennium Development Goals Nigeria has launched an innovative, interactive data system to track information about health care, water and education facilities as a tool to guide funding for local projects and help the nation achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
How do teenage boys perceive their weight? Almost one third of male adolescents inaccurately perceive their weight. This can influence their eating habits and, consequently, their health, according to a study led by the UAB and conducted with 600 teenage boys from Barcelona and surrounding areas. Up to 25% of the boys reported trying to lose or control their weight in the past year.
Weight and eating habits in Parkinson's disease Patients affected by Parkinson's disease often show marked changes in body weight: they may gain or lose a lot of weight depending on the stage of the disease, or they may put on up to ten kilos after deep brain stimulation (a treatment to alleviate the symptoms). This situation considerably worsens the quality of life of a person who is already suffering from heavily disabling motor disorders, so it is important to understand what are the factors that cause it.
New FRAX version 3.9 extends fracture risk assessment tool to four more countries The fracture risk assessment calculator FRAX is a widely utilized clinical tool which calculates an individual's 10-year probability of osteoporotic fracture. Developed by the Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield, UK and supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, this freely accessible online tool assists primary health-care providers to better target patients most likely to benefit from osteoporosis treatment.
	Caffeine counters cocaine's effects on women's estrus cycles Women are more sensitive to the effects of cocaine and more susceptible to cocaine abuse than men. Cocaine's ability to disrupt a woman's estrus cycle may explain the sex differences in cocaine addiction, and new evidence that caffeine may be neuroprotective and able to block cocaine's direct effects on the estrus cycle reveals novel treatment possibilities, according to an article published in Journal of Caffeine Research: The International Multidisciplinary Journal of Caffeine Science/
New survey of employers about the health insurance market A new nationally representative survey of employers—the largest purchasers of health care in the country— shows that most are unfamiliar with objective metrics of health plan quality information. The survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, also found that employers are looking to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as they make significant decisions on the benefits they offer, with the costs of health plans as a key consideration. Funding for the survey was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Mali doctor dies of Ebola, taking toll up to seven A doctor in Mali died of Ebola on Thursday after treating an imam who succumbed to the disease, taking the total toll in the west African country up to seven, health authorities said.
US policy that gives priority to prior organ donors who need a transplant is working Prior organ donors who later need a kidney transplant experience brief waiting times and receive excellent quality kidneys, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings indicate that a US policy that gives priority to prior organ donors on the transplant waiting list is working.
Exercise may improve physical function, lessen pain in patients with kidney disease Simple yet structured exercise can significantly improve kidney disease patients' quality of life as well as decrease their pain, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The findings suggest that kidney disease care can and should include exercise as part of an integrative medical approach that emphasizes living well even with chronic illnesses.
Family gets $6.75 million in Botox treatment case A New York couple who said Botox treatment of their son's cerebral palsy left him with life-threatening complications and sued its manufacturer have been awarded $6.75 million.

Biology news

	Bacterial slime may be survivalist solution to catastrophic crop failure If it were the end of the world as we know it, we'd be fine, according to Michigan Technological University professor Joshua Pearce.
	After 40 years, the first complete picture of a key flu virus machine If you planned to sabotage a factory, a recon trip through the premises would probably be much more useful than just peeping in at the windows. Scientists looking to understand - and potentially thwart - the influenza virus have now gone from a similar window-based view to the full factory tour, thanks to the first complete structure of one of the flu virus' key machines. The structure, obtained by scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Grenoble, France, allows researchers to finally understand how the machine works as a whole. Published today in two papers in Nature, the work could prove instrumental in designing new drugs to treat serious flu infections and combat flu pandemics.
Pluripotent cells created by nuclear transfer can prompt immune reaction, researchers find Mouse cells and tissues created through nuclear transfer can be rejected by the body because of a previously unknown immune response to the cell's mitochondria, according to a study in mice by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and colleagues in Germany, England and at MIT.
Signaling molecule crucial to stem cell reprogramming While investigating a rare genetic disorder, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that a ubiquitous signaling molecule is crucial to cellular reprogramming, a finding with significant implications for stem cell-based regenerative medicine, wound repair therapies and potential cancer treatments.
	Researchers unwind the mysteries of the cellular clock Human existence is basically circadian. Most of us wake in the morning, sleep in the evening, and eat in between. Body temperature, metabolism, and hormone levels all fluctuate throughout the day, and it is increasingly clear that disruption of those cycles can lead to metabolic disease.
	Darwin 2.0: Scientists shed new light on how species diverge Birds that are related, such as Darwin's finches, but that vary in beak size and behavior specially evolved to their habitat are examples of a process called speciation. It has long been thought that dramatic changes in a landscape like the formation of the Andes Mountain range or the Amazon River is the main driver that initiates species to diverge. However, a recent study shows that speciation occurred much later than these dramatic geographical changes. Researchers from LSU's Museum of Natural Science have found that time and a species' ability to move play greater parts in the process of speciation. This research was published today in the print edition of Nature.
Evolution: The genetic connivances of digits and genitals During the development of mammals, the growth and organization of digits are orchestrated by Hox genes, which are activated very early in precise regions of the embryo. These "architect genes" are themselves regulated by a large piece of adjacent DNA. A study led by Denis Duboule, professor at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, reveals that this same DNA regulatory sequence also controls the architect genes during the development of the external genitals.
	Surrogate sushi: Japan biotech for bluefin tuna Of all the overfished fish in the seas, luscious, fatty bluefin tuna are among the most threatened. Marine scientist Goro Yamazaki, who is known in this seaside community as "Young Mr. Fish," is working to ensure the species survives.
Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy genetic testing reveals species of red algae The use of molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy (MAAT) has helped to distinguish species of the Bossiella genus of red algae. Whereas a morphological study showed four Bossiella species in the eastern Pacific Ocean, this genetic screening revealed 17 species groups. With genetic data and further morphological study, these groups could be identified, described, and named, or assigned to existing species.
	What is a heritage turkey? Over 45 million turkeys are eaten by Americans each Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hunters provide some—last autumn, about 24,000 wild turkeys were harvested in Pennsylvania. Vegetarians might serve up a soybean-based alternative, like Tofurky. However, most holiday tables feature a Broad-Breasted White, the breed that makes up over 99 percent of grocery-store turkeys. But with the trend in locally raised food, another option is experiencing a surge in popularity. What's a "heritage turkey"?
	Researchers name new insect for 'Harry Potter' creature The series of "Harry Potter" fantasy books was the inspiration for the naming of a new insect discovered by NDSU researchers. The species of stink bug was named "Thestral incognitus," after the imaginary thestrals created by author J.K. Rowling.
	Great apes facing 'direct threat' from palm oil farming The destruction of rainforests in Southeast Asia and increasingly in Africa to make way for palm oil cultivation is a "direct threat" to the survival of great apes such as the orangutan, environmentalists warned Thursday.
	Breakthrough in understanding wheat virus epidemics improves control options Critical new understanding of the disease cycle of a wheat virus will help farmers around the world protect their wheat crops from a devastating disease and major yield losses.
	Citizen scientists home in on crab menace Perth fishermen have helped stop a 'nasty' crab invading West Australian waters which could have devastated local marine biodiversity.
	How photosynthesis changed the planet Two and a half billion years ago, single-celled organisms called cyanobacteria harnessed sunlight to split water molecules, producing energy to power their cells and releasing oxygen into an atmosphere that had previously had none. These early environmental engineers are responsible for the life we see around us today, and much more besides. Professor of Geobiology Woodward "Woody" Fischer will describe how they transformed the planet.
	Biomarker could provide early warning of kidney disease in cats Researchers from Oregon State University and other institutions have developed a new biomarker called "SDMA" that can provide earlier identification of chronic kidney disease in cats, which is one of the leading causes of their death.
Aggressive conifer removal benefits Sierra aspen A study just published by Point Blue Conservation Science shows the benefits of an aggressive approach to restoring Sierra Nevada aspen stands (Populus tremuloides).
	New mapping project details big game migrations in Wyoming wilderness Designated wilderness areas provide important habitat for five of Wyoming's migratory big-game species, according to a first-of-its-kind mapping project involving wildlife researchers at the University of Wyoming and cartographers at the University of Oregon.
	'Horrific' record 1,020 rhino killed in South Africa A record 1,020 rhinos have been poached in South Africa this year, the government said Thursday, scuppering multiple efforts by authorities to curb the slaughter of the endangered species.
	Study: Volunteering can help save wildlife Participation of non-scientists as volunteers in conservation can play a significant role in saving wildlife, finds a new scientific research led by Duke University, USA, in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society and Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bengaluru.
	Intrepid scientific explorer recounts lifetime of work and adventure in Amazon Drawing on nearly five decades of experience, Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, one of the seminal scientific explorers of the Amazon rain forest in modern times, chronicles some of his most significant and fascinating expeditions in That Glorious Forest: Exploring the Plants and Their Indigenous Uses in Amazonia, now available from The New York Botanical Garden Press.

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