Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Nov 11

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 11, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Carbon nanotube film restores light sensitivity to blind retinas
- Researchers devise a means for growing near 2-D chemical gardens (w/ Video)
- Controlling genes with your thoughts
- Have you taken the trillion odor challenge?
- Kickstarter Project Mousr: Mouse toy prey for your cat
- Research shows spaced training improves long term memory in mice with fragile X syndrome
- Altered milk protein can deliver AIDS drug to infants
- Ocean acidification affects climate-relevant functions at the sea-surface microlayer
- Geo-researchers making diamonds out of odd materials, including peanut butter
- Tail discovered on long-known asteroid
- Space: The final frontier in silicon chemistry
- Some plants regenerate by duplicating their DNA
- Microtubes create cozy space for neurons to grow, and grow fast
- Bending—but not breaking—in search of new materials
- Study blocks multiple sclerosis relapses in mice

Astronomy & Space news

	'Target locked': Comet mission eyes Wednesday landing European scientists are gearing for the culmination of two decades' work and a 1.3-billion-euro ($1.6-billion) bet with the first-ever landing on a comet on Wednesday.
	Cassini sails into new ocean adventures on Titan (Phys.org) —NASA's Cassini mission continues its adventures in extraterrestrial oceanography with new findings about the hydrocarbon seas on Saturn's moon Titan. During a flyby in August, the spacecraft sounded the depths near the mouth of a flooded river valley and observed new, bright features in the seas that might be related to the mysterious feature that researchers dubbed the "magic island."
	First observations of the surfaces of objects from the Oort Cloud (Phys.org) —Astronomers are announcing today the discovery of two unusual objects in comet-like orbits that originate in the Oort cloud but with almost no activity, giving scientists a first look at their surfaces. These results, presented today at the annual meeting of the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society in Tucson, Arizona, are particularly intriguing because the surfaces are different from what astronomers expected. They give us clues about the movement of material in the early solar system as the planets were assembled.
	First hurdle cleared in checks for comet landing Final preparations for Wednesday's historic landing on a comet were on track after clearing a crucial systems check, the European Space Agency (ESA) said late Tuesday.
	Tail discovered on long-known asteroid A two-person team of Carnegie's Scott Sheppard and Chadwick Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory has discovered a new active asteroid, called 62412, in the Solar System's main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is the first comet-like object seen in the Hygiea family of asteroids. Sheppard will present his team's findings at the American Astronomical Society's Division of Planetary Sciences meeting and participate on Tuesday, November 11, in a press conference organized by the society.
	Jupiter's red spot is likely a sunburn, not a blush (Phys.org) —The ruddy color of Jupiter's Great Red Spot is likely a product of simple chemicals being broken apart by sunlight in the planet's upper atmosphere, according to a new analysis of data from NASA's Cassini mission. The results contradict the other leading theory for the origin of the spot's striking color—that the reddish chemicals come from beneath Jupiter's clouds.
Google signs 60-year, $1 billion NASA lease (Update) Google has signed a long-term lease for part of a historic Navy air base, where it plans to renovate three massive hangars and use them for projects involving aviation, space exploration and robotics.
	Images: Rosetta's comet from 10 kilometers ESA's comet-chasing Rosetta mission spent much of the second half of October orbiting Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko at less than 10 km from its surface. This selection of previously unpublished 'beauty shots', taken by Rosetta's navigation camera, presents the varied and dramatic terrain of this mysterious world from this close orbit phase of the mission.
	Research plants return to Earth after growing in space Researchers at Simon Gilroy's lab in the Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this afternoon greeted a truck carrying small containers holding more than 1,000 frozen plants that germinated and grew aboard the International Space Station.
	Image: Agilkia landing site, 6 November 2014 The Agilkia landing site is seen on this image of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, taken with Rosetta's navigation camera on 6 November, just days before its lander Philae makes its historic descent to the surface.
	A close-up with a comet Even as Tom Economou approached retirement age in 1994, he began planning an instrument for the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission to a comet. He still remembers the reaction of Riccardo Levi-Setti, then director of the University of Chicago's Enrico Fermi Institute, after the latter reviewed the mission timeline, which culminated with a comet rendezvous in 2014.
	Orion's rocket ready for critical December test flight The huge rocket that will blast NASA's first Orion spacecraft into orbit is ready to Rock 'n' Roll on a critical two orbit test flight scheduled for December.
Auroras from space look like green ocean waves in new video Doesn't this make you want to book a trip on the next spaceship? Stunning footage from space here shows what auroras look like from the International Space Station. So many ripples of green. Such awesomeness.
	Final checks for first-ever comet landing (Update) Scientists were going through a final systems checklist Tuesday for the first-ever landing on a comet, the culmination of a dream to explore the origins of the Solar System.
	After Mars, India space chief aims for the moon India now has its sights set on low-budget missions to land on the moon and study the sun after becoming the first country in Asia to reach Mars, the head of its space agency said Tuesday.
	SpaceX chief Musk confirms Internet satellite plan High-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed that he is working on a web of small, low-cost satellites that could provide wireless Internet around the world.
	Researchers developing tomorrow's space technology "Dr. Fink! It won't stop doing doughnuts!"

Technology news

	Controlling genes with your thoughts Researchers led by ETH Zurich professor Martin Fussenegger have constructed the first gene network that can be controlled by our thoughts. The inspiration for this development was a game that picks up brainwaves in order to guide a ball through an obstacle course.
	Bandwidth-borrowing handsets are in the wings "Given that data usage is predicted to increase by a factor of 12 by 2017, it's time to re-think the way networks work." That is the message from the Austin, Texas-based company M87 along with some more general messages on their site about their solution. They say they have the world's first carrier-grade device-to-device network. "M87 software flips the traditional network's power structure upside down – shifting network intelligence to the mobile device." The result is that the smartphone can always seek the fastest path to the network.
	Wristband uses encryption to grant access to devices A Kickstarter project aims to give you a Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled wristband that replaces keys and passwords. Everykey from the Cleveland, Ohio-based company of the same name, Everykey, is a fashionable band that can be instantly disabled if your Everykey ever gets lost or stolen. You call the team or go online to deactivate it. A message is immediately sent to all of your devices letting them know that they should not unlock for your wristband. The team would overnight you a new wristband at a discount. As the team says in their promotional video, it pretty much "unlocks your life." When the Everykey wristband is within range of a user's device, the wristband will allow the user to bypass that device's password or physically unlock it automatically. When the wristband is out of range, the device automatically re-enables security mechanisms.
	Kickstarter Project Mousr: Mouse toy prey for your cat A team at the University of Illinois known as Petronics has posted a project on Kickstarter named Mousr—it's a toy mouse for your cat that has smarts built in so that your cat won't grow bored with it.
	Hackers could trick way into Apple gadgets (Update) Cybersecurity firm FireEye warned Monday that hackers could trick owners of Apple gadgets into installing applications that steal information.
	Microsoft drops Nokia name with newest Lumia phone Microsoft has unveiled a cheaper smartphone, costing about 110 euros ($135), as it eyes emerging and other low-cost markets for growth.
	Obama steps into divisive debate on net neutrality Let's say President Barack Obama gets his way and high-speed Internet service providers are governed by the same U.S. regulations imposed on telephone companies 80 years ago.
	Study says California solar boom makes the state a national leader, prepares new generation of workers Strong statewide and federal clean-energy policies have positioned California as the nation's solar energy leader in terms of generating new, well-paying construction and permanent jobs while working to curb climate change, according to a new report by UC Berkeley.
	It's possible to write flaw-free software, so why don't we? Legendary Dutch computer scientist Edsger W Dijkstra famously remarked that "testing shows the presence, not the absence of bugs". In fact the only definitive way to establish that software is correct and bug-free is through mathematics.
	Cyber threats at the G20 (and why they don't pose much of a risk) You might have seen reports that the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has issued cyber security advice ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane this weekend. So under the watchful eye of the media and countless security agencies, will the meeting be hacked?
	Next-gen social media analytics is here QUT researchers have developed ground-breaking technology for monitoring social media content and engagement, answering industry calls for better big data analysis.
	Sharing threat information before, during, and after a cyber-attack Time is not your friend when your information systems are under cyber attack, but sharing threat information before, during, and after an attack with a trusted group of peers can help. Not only does it alert the other members of your community to a potential attack, it can provide critical actionable information to speed and bolster your own defenses. Participating in a formal information sharing group can greatly enhance an organization's cybersecurity capabilities.
	Hacker-hit Tibetan monks 'detach from attachments' Buffeted by persistent cyberattacks, Tibetan monks are giving new meaning to their ancient creed: Detach from attachments.
	US fights cybercrime from suburban office parks Ground zero in the nation's fight against cybercrime hides in plain sight, in a nondescript suburban office building with no government seals or signs.
	For video games, a trek to more exotic locales At the beginning of "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare," the recently released installment in Activision's blockbuster military shooter franchise, the player is dumped from the sky in a drop pod onto an urban battlefield, smashing into skyscrapers and landing in a futuristic, war-torn rendition of a city that's rarely depicted in video games: Seoul, South Korea.
	Review: No cash, cards, just mobile pay for a week Attempt at your own risk: For an entire week, I left all my cash and credit cards at home to see how well wallet-free mobile services work in the real world.
	Scientists build a better eye on our world Science begins with observation, and many defining moments in scientific progress followed the introduction of new ways to observe the world, from microscopes and telescopes to X-rays and MRIs.
	New technology could make digital text, images on computer screens easier to see CPrecisely, a Purdue Research Park-based company, is developing technology to allow people to see digital content with increased sharpness on displays like tablets, smartphones and laptops without the need for corrective eyewear, according to a company official.
	Spotify defends payout norms after Taylor Swift withdraws music Spotify's chief executive said Tuesday his company was on the side of musicians after popular US artist Taylor Swift withdrew her music from the online music service over a payments spat.
	Yahoo buys digital ad service BrightRoll for $640M (Update) Yahoo is buying digital video advertising service BrightRoll for $640 million in the Internet company's latest attempt to boost its revenue after years filled mostly with financial futility.
China firm wins order for 30 homegrown passenger planes China's main commercial aircraft company said on Tuesday that it had received a single order for 30 of its C919 passenger jets, bringing the total ordered to 430 planes.
	LED lighting offers a cost-effective solution to protect artwork Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling paintings in the Vatican have been brought to life with innovative light emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new installation, developed by the EU-funded LED4ART project, enables visitors to better appreciate the paintings and frescos, protects the artwork from damage and uses significantly less electricity than conventional lighting rigs.
24 Taiwanese expelled from Vietnam for fraud The Vietnamese authorities on Tuesday expelled 24 Taiwanese suspects arrested in a recent Internet fraud scam targeting people on the Chinese mainland, a senior Taiwanese official confirmed.
	'Halo' series celebrated at HaloFest fan event Master Chief stormed Hollywood. "Halo" fans toasted the sci-fi video game franchise, which centers on super-soldier protagonist Master Chief, during a Monday celebration at the Avalon nightclub and theater. The event featured the debut of the "Halo: Nightfall" live-action series and a preview of the multiplayer mode from the upcoming "Halo 5: Guardians" game.
Survey shows most organizations don't have plan to assess their analytics maturity According to a new INFORMS survey of 230 business, government and academic representatives released today, the concept of "analytics maturity" is important or very important to their businesses (65 percent). Yet, 82 percent of those same respondents admitted they do not have a plan, model, or any other mechanism in place for measuring the efficacy or maturity of their analytics best practices over time.
	Ebola spread boosts British 'Plague Inc' online game The Ebola epidemic has led to a boom in downloads for the online game "Plague Inc", prompting its British developer to launch a charity initiative and offer it as a teaching tool.

Medicine & Health news

	Have you taken the trillion odor challenge? (Medical Xpress)—Butterscotch can be made by heating brown sugar and butter together according to some predefined proportion. Although one might imagine an infinite variety of butterscotches might be crafted through the addition of extra ingredients like salt, vanilla, cream, honey or even rum, the real question is how many unique flavors or scents might we actually experience? Earlier this year, through successful media engagement, the world was led to believe that the human nose might distinguish between something like a trillion olfactory stimuli. Not only that, but the paper claimed that the olfactory system "far outperforms the other senses in the number of physically different stimuli it can discriminate."
	Multiple models reveal new genetic links in autism With the help of mouse models, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the "tooth fairy," researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have implicated a new gene in idiopathic or non-syndromic autism. The gene is associated with Rett syndrome, a syndromic form of autism, suggesting that different types of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may share similar molecular pathways.
	Large-scale study raises hopes for development of E. coli vaccine The largest ever study of the bacterium enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) has raised hopes that a global vaccine can be developed. This bacterium causes 400 thousand deaths and 400 million cases of diarrhoea each year in low- and middle-income countries as well as misery to many travellers to these regions.
	Research shows spaced training improves long term memory in mice with fragile X syndrome (Medical Xpress)—Research on mice with fragile X syndrome (FXS) suggests that multiple, spaced training sessions can enhance learning and long term memory when longer, continuous sessions do not. Christine Gall and colleagues at the University of California Irvine tested mice with FXS on their ability to remember objects and locations and found that multiple training sessions, with 60-minutes breaks, allowed them to perform as well as healthy mice. The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Altered milk protein can deliver AIDS drug to infants A novel method of altering a protein in milk to bind with an antiretroviral drug promises to greatly improve treatment for infants and young children suffering from HIV/AIDS, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
	Virus may affect mental abilities, study reports People with an algae virus in their throats had more difficulty completing a mental exercise than healthy people, and more research is needed to understand why, US scientists say.
	Study blocks multiple sclerosis relapses in mice In multiple sclerosis, the immune system goes rogue, improperly attacking the body's own central nervous system. Mobility problems and cognitive impairments may arise as the nerve cells become damaged.
	Neuroscientists reveal mechanism crucial to molding male brains University of Otago researchers have discovered that neural circuitry they previously showed was vital to triggering ovulation and maintaining fertility also plays a key role in moulding the male brain.
	Behavioral changes seen after sleep learning: Volunteers smoked less after a night of olfactory conditioning New Weizmann Institute research may bring the idea of sleep learning one step closer to reality. The research, which appeared today in The Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that certain kinds of conditioning applied during sleep could induce us to change our behavior. The researchers exposed smokers to pairs of smells - cigarettes together with that of rotten eggs or fish - as the subjects slept, and then asked them to record how many cigarettes they smoked in the following week. The study revealed a significant reduction in smoking following conditioning during sleep.
HIP HOP PSYCH initiative aims to tackle mental health issues through hip-hop The two worlds of hip-hop and psychiatry are being brought together in a unique project led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, which aims to use the lyrics and music of artists such as Nas and Tupac to help tackle issues surrounding mental health.
Guidelines limiting duration of overseas deployment prevent mental health problems in UK troops Prolonged periods of deployment among the UK's armed forces have fallen since the introduction of the "Harmony Guidelines" to limit tours of overseas duty—which might have led to a reduction in mental health problems, new research published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal suggests.
	Link found between textured breast implants and rare cancer New research has revealed that infection by bacteria on the surface of textured breast implants may increase women's risk of developing a rare type of cancer – newly designated as breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
	Controversial medication has benefits for breastfeeding A controversial medication used by breastfeeding women should not be restricted in Australia because of the benefits it offers mothers and their babies, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.
Portugal Legionnaire's outbreak 'major public health emergency': WHO (Update) An outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in Portugal that has killed five people in less than a week constitutes a "major public health emergency", the World Health Organization warned Tuesday.
Researchers find promising therapeutic target for deadliest brain cancer (Medical Xpress)—A multicenter team of researchers has identified an enzyme key to the survival and spread of glioblastoma cancer cells that is not present in healthy brain cells, making the enzyme a promising therapeutic target.
	Africa faces mental health crisis as life expectancy improves University of Queensland researchers warn that many countries in Africa's Sub-Saharan region could be on the verge of a mental health crisis.
	Researchers investigate whether obesity and chronic diseases can be passed down three generations A University of Queensland study is one of the world's first to investigate whether obesity and chronic diseases can be passed down three generations.
	Valencian researchers state that the legionella outbreaks of Alcoy may have multiple sources Researchers have carried out a genomic analysis of Legionella pneumophila strains of 13 legionellosis outbreaks produced in Alcoy during the period from 1999 to 2010.
	Chemical in coffee may help prevent obesity-related disease Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that a chemical compound commonly found in coffee may help prevent some of the damaging effects of obesity.
	Electron-beam technology a better way to sanitize Ebola waste? Dr. Suresh D. Pillai doesn't want to sensationalize the use of electron beam technology by solely talking about using it to sanitize ebola virus contaminated equipment and wastewater.
	Childhood brain tumours linked with parents' activities An Australia-wide case-control study has found men who refuel their cars more than four times per month or use a closed wood heater before their child's birth may increase the risk of their offspring developing brain tumours.
	'One size fits all' approach to treatment may put anxious teenagers' future at risk Teenagers with anxiety problems need more targeted treatment aimed specifically at adolescent issues for the best chance of a symptom-free future, says a University of Reading researcher.
How to stay healthy this winter following Eastern medicine guidelines While mainstream medicine recommends eating right, exercising and getting your flu shot to stay healthy during cold weather months, Eastern medicine takes this advice a step further.
	Asthma patients to docs: Can we talk about cost? Asthma patients concerned about their ability to pay for medical care would like to talk about cost-related concerns with their physicians but often don't get that opportunity, say researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
	New drug could make vaccines more effective in the elderly Early tests in mice carried out by the research team have shown that the compound restores the immune system's inbuilt 'memory', enabling the body to mount a more powerful protective immune response following vaccination.
	Should dying patients have the right to access experimental treatments? In the last six months Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan and, most recently, Arizona have passed "right to try" laws that allow terminally ill patients to access treatments that have only passed FDA Phase I clinical trials. All patients need is permission from a drug company and a prescription from a doctor.
Toxic mix of fast-food outlets in inner city neighbourhoods fuelling diabetes and obesity epidemic New study led by University of Leicester reveals that there is TWICE the number of fast-food outlets in inner city neighbourhoods with high density non-white ethnic minority groups and in socially deprived areas
Researchers publish 'landmark' results for curing hepatitis C in transplant patients A new treatment regimen for hepatitis C, the most common cause of liver cancer and transplantation, has produced results that will transform treatment protocols for transplant patients, according to research published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
New therapy for trauma survivors A newly developed transdiagnostic psychotherapy, called the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), is effective for reducing mental health symptoms among Burmese trauma survivors living in Thailand, according to a study published by Paul Bolton and colleagues from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and University of Washington, USA in this week's PLOS Medicine.
	Tumor-analysis technology enables speedier treatment decisions for bowel-cancer patients Technology developed at the University of Sussex helps hospitals make earlier and more accurate treatment decisions and survival assessments for patients with bowel cancer.
	Federal legislation ignores PTSD toll on civilians Federal laws explicitly addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have overwhelmingly focused on the needs of military personnel and veterans, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.
	Enriched environments hold promise for brain injury patients As football players are learning, a violent blow to the head has the potential to cause mild to severe traumatic brain injury—physical damage to the brain that can be debilitating, even fatal. The long-term effects run the gamut of human functioning, from trouble communicating to extensive cognitive and behavioral deterioration. To date, there is no effective medical or cognitive treatment for patients with traumatic brain injuries.
	Mapping the spread of diarrhea bacteria a major step towards new vaccine Every year hundreds of thousands of people die from diarrheal diseases caused by ETEC bacteria. A study published in Nature Genetics describes how Swedish researchers have mapped the spread of strains of ETEC bacteria around the world. It provides key information about how pathogenic bacteria arise, which will be important for the Swedish diarrhea vaccine currently under development.
Novel molecular imaging drug offers better detection of prostate cancer A novel study demonstrates the potential of a novel molecular imaging drug to detect and visualize early prostate cancer in soft tissue, lymph nodes and bone. The research, published in the November issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, compares the biodistribution and tumor uptake kinetics of two Tc-99m labeled ligands, MIP-1404 and MIP-1405, used with SPECT and planar imaging.
When bone density is good, no repeat tests needed for younger postmenopausal women After menopause and before age 65, women who have normal bone density have a very low risk of fracture, shows a new study from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society. That means these women don't need another bone mass density (BMD) test before age 65.
	Nursing journal finds mothers and babies benefit from skin-to-skin contact Research during the past 30 years has found many benefits of skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns immediately after birth, particularly with aiding breastfeeding. However, in some hospitals, skin-to-skin contact following cesarean birth is not implemented, due to practices around the surgery. A recent Quality Improvement (QI) project demonstrated that women's birth experiences were improved by implementing skin-to-skin contact after cesarean surgery.
	Eye diseases identified by how we watch TV One of the leading causes of blindness worldwide could be detected by how our eyes respond to watching TV according to a new study from researchers at City University London.
Why 'I'm so happy I could cry' makes sense The phrase "tears of joy" never made much sense to Yale psychologist Oriana Aragon. But after conducting a series of studies of such seemingly incongruous expressions, she now understands better why people cry when they are happy.
HIV-infected adults diagnosed with age-related diseases at similar ages as uninfected New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that HIV-infected adults are at a higher risk for developing heart attacks, kidney failure and cancer. But, contrary to what many had believed, the researchers say these illnesses are occurring at similar ages as adults who are not infected with HIV.
Majority of people—including health professionals—struggle to identify obesity The majority of people - including healthcare professionals - are unable to visually identify whether a person is a healthy weight, overweight or obese according to research by psychologists at the University of Liverpool.
	Researchers offer first analysis of new human glucose disorder Glycogen storage disorders, which affect the body's ability to process sugar and store energy, are rare metabolic conditions that frequently manifest in the first years of life. Often accompanied by liver and muscle disease, this inability to process and store glucose can have many different causes, and can be difficult to diagnose. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri who have studied enzymes involved in metabolism of bacteria and other organisms have catalogued the effects of abnormal enzymes responsible for one type of this disorder in humans. Their work could help with patient prognosis and in developing therapeutic options for this glycogen storage disease.
	Salivary mucins play active role to fight cavities Salivary mucins, key components of mucus, actively protect the teeth from the cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, according to research published ahead of print in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. The research suggests that bolstering native defenses might be a better way to fight dental caries than relying on exogenous materials, such as sealants and fluoride treatment, says first author Erica Shapiro Frenkel, of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
	Progress in bipolar disorder Several lines of research have opened exciting new frontiers in scientific understanding and clinical management of bipolar disorder. Recent advances in bipolar disease research are described in this month's special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.
	Study identifying cell of origin for large, disfiguring nerve tumors lays groundwork for development UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have determined the specific type of cell that gives rise to large, disfiguring tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, a finding that could lead to new therapies for preventing growth of these tumors.
Autophagy and antidepressants FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51) regulates acute and chronic effects of treatment with antidepressants via autophagic pathways (processes by which cells break down and recycle their components) in mice and is linked to the clinical response to antidepressants in humans, according to a study published by Theo Rein and colleagues from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Germany in this week's PLOS Medicine.
	Next-gen melanoma drug, TAK-733, excels in lab tests A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published online this week in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics reports anti-cancer activity in 10 out of 11 patient tumor samples grown in mice and treated with the experimental drug TAK-733, a small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2. While the drug is conceived as a second-generation inhibitor in patients harboring the BRAF mutation, the study shows drug activity in melanoma models regardless of BRAF mutation status. Treated tumors shrunk up to 100 percent.
Study: Baby boomers will drive explosion in Alzheimer's-related costs in coming decades As baby boomers reach their sunset years, shifting nationwide demographics with them, the financial burden of Alzheimer's disease on the United States will skyrocket from $307 billion annually to $1.5 trillion, USC researchers announced today.
Medical ethics experts outline strategy for overcoming reimbursement barriers for clinical genome sequencing tests Genomic tests using next generation sequencing technologies are increasingly being offered in a range of clinical settings, but these tests may only transform clinical practice if patients and clinicians have access to them, said medical ethics experts from Baylor College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in a commentary published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Heart attack, stroke survivors' care needs may be much greater than experts thought A record number of people are surviving heart attacks and stroke but those who do may experience a sharp decline in physical abilities that steadily accelerates over time, according to a new nationally-representative study led by the University of Michigan.
Helping patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers Researchers at the University of Miami (UM) have developed a family-focused, culturally-informed treatment for schizophrenia (CIT-S). The program is one of the first to incorporate elements of the patient's cultural background as part of therapy. The findings are published online ahead of print, in the Journal of Family Psychology.
	Long-term benefits of popular diets are less than evident Popular commercial diets can help you lose some weight in the short term, but keeping the weight off after the first year and the diet's impact on heart health are unclear, according to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
Administration of Tdap vaccine during pregnancy not linked with preterm delivery Among approximately 26,000 women, receipt of the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of preterm delivery or small-for-gestational-age birth or with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, although a small increased risk of being diagnosed with chorioamnionitis (an inflammation of the membranes that surround the fetus) was observed, according to a study in the November 12 issue of JAMA.
	Study shows vaccination leads to decline in pneumococcal disease and antibiotic resistance Wits University and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) released a new study, led by Wits academics, showing rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) - including cases caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria - have fallen substantially in South Africa following the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in 2009.
Study of Lou Gehrig's disease shifts 'origin' focus to brain's motor neurons Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, might damage muscle-controlling nerve cells in the brain earlier in the disease process than previously known, according to research from the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute. The findings, published in the Nov. 12 Journal of Neuroscience, could shift researchers' attention from the spinal cord to the brain's motor cortex as the disease's initial point of dysfunction.
	Protect yourself in icy temperatures, heavy snow (HealthDay)—As the winter's first big snowstorm hits the Midwest and an Arctic blast barrels toward the East Coast this week, experts are offering tips on how to deal with the cold and snow.
	Worse health-related quality of life for older cancer survivors (HealthDay)—Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is worse for older survivors of selected cancers, specifically survivors of multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Cancer.
	Evidence lacking for widespread use of beta-blockers in CHD (HealthDay)—There is currently insufficient data to support the use of β-blockers for all patients with clinically stable coronary heart disease (SCHD), according to a paper published in the Nov. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Recent increase in reporting of financial conflicts of interest (HealthDay)—Reporting of financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) has increased over time in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and consensus statements (CSs) for the treatment of common solid tumors, according to research published online Nov. 10 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Cardiac prognosis bright for STEMI survivors post-PCI (HealthDay)—Patients who survive the first month after an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have
	Phone counseling helps rural women with cancer gene tests (HealthDay)—Telephone counseling on genetic testing is as effective as in-person counseling for women at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer, a new study finds.
Medicare proposes covering lung cancer screening Medicare may soon begin paying for scans to detect lung cancer in certain current or former heavy smokers.
Tumor-associated neutrophils boost anti-tumor immune responses Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women, and survival depends on the stage of cancer at diagnosis. An inflammatory response is induced following tumor formation, and the immune cells that are part of this response influence disease progression. In lung cancers, tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) are part of the inflammatory cell population found in the lung tumor microenvironment, but the role of these cells in tumor progression is unclear.
Cervical component protects against infection and preterm birth in mice Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. Maternal infection is one known cause of preterm birth; however, preventative antibiotic treatment has not lowered preterm birth rates. The cervix provides structural support and serves as a barrier for infection during pregnancy and undergoes dramatic remodeling during the birth process. The extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) is increased in the cervix throughout pregnancy and has been thought to contribute to cervical elasticity during birth.
Ten Indian women die, dozens sick after mass sterilisation (Update) Ten women have died in India and dozens more are in hospital, some in a critical condition, after a state-run programme that pays women to undergo sterilisation went badly wrong, officials said Tuesday.
	Building proteins to counteract cancer Karmella Haynes wants to help the body fight cancer by designing proteins to stop the disease.
Liberia, Mali see crucial gains in Ebola fight (Update) Liberia has announced a dramatic drop in new Ebola infections as Mali prepared to lift quarantine restrictions on dozens of people put at risk of exposure to the deadly virus.
	Research shows lung disease case finding in pharmacies could save £264 million Using community pharmacies to identify undiagnosed cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at an early stage could save £264 million a year according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Culturally sensitive, computer-based videos increase clinical trial awareness among Latina breast cancer patients Latina breast cancer patients provided with information about clinical trials in multiple ways, including a culturally sensitive, computer-based video on breast cancer clinical trials, had much greater awareness of clinical trials compared with patients who received usual-care information, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Nov. 9–12.
Why Ebola needs a measured response The poor public health infrastructure in West Africa is what has made the Ebola epidemic so deadly, and quarantines against the disease in the U.S. are counterproductive. Physicians also need to play a more prominent role in assuaging public panic about the outbreak. Those were some of the main points raised last week during a series of discussions at Tufts about the epidemic. The Office of the Provost sponsored the seminars as part of the One Health Initiative, a multidisciplinary effort designed to illustrate the connections between human, animal and environmental health.
Professor helps develop promising Ebola drug As the Ebola crisis in Africa continues and concern ramps up in the United States, a pharmaceutical company with a Corvallis connection is ready to respond with a limited amount of a potentially promising new drug.
Prosthetic and orthotic service in developing countries How well do prosthetic and orthotic services work in countries characterized by poverty and civil war? Lina Magnusson, who became the first female Swedish prosthetist/orthotist with a PhD, wrote her dissertation on this topic at the School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University in Sweden.
	Queensland research helping reduce road fatalities in China Changes to China's drink driving laws are catching the community off guard with more than 70 per cent of people unaware of the blood alcohol limits that could see them face criminal charges, according to new Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research conducted in two Chinese cities.
Uganda declares itself free of Ebola-like Marburg virus Ugandan health officials on Tuesday declared the country free of the Ebola-like Marburg virus after completing a 42-day surveillance period under World Health Organization (WHO) rules.
MSF moves Ebola preparedness training online Medical aid organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Tuesday launched an online training programme aimed at helping aid workers involved in fighting the raging Ebola outbreak.
Study finds traditional healers contribute to HIV care delays If you're a native of rural Mozambique who contracts HIV and becomes symptomatic, before seeking clinical testing and treatment, you'll likely consult a traditional healer.
Last US Ebola patient cured, released from hospital The last known Ebola patient in the United States, a New York doctor who contracted the virus while treating infected people in West Africa, was released from the hospital on Tuesday after being declared cured.
Genes identify transplant rejection Acute rejection after kidney transplantation occurs in about 15%–20% of patients despite immunosuppressive therapy. Rejection is usually heralded by an increase in the patient's serum creatinine (a marker of kidney function), and a kidney biopsy is then performed to confirm whether rejection is taking place. However, elevated creatinine is not sufficiently sensitive to identify all early rejection or specific enough to prevent some unnecessary kidney biopsies, so a noninvasive means of identifying acute rejection is needed.
Mali: No new Ebola cases, family ends quarantine Mali is making headway in preventing the spread of Ebola, as it has not registered any new cases since a toddler traveling from Guinea became the country's first case last month, authorities said Tuesday.
Patients who do not enroll in hospice are more likely to receive aggressive cancer care More patients with cancer use hospice today than ever before, but there are indications that care intensity outside of hospice is increasing, and length of hospice stay decreasing. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) examined how hospice affects health care utilization and costs and found that in a sample of elderly Medicare patients with advanced cancer, hospice care was associated with significantly lower rates of both health care utilization and total costs during the last year of life. Ultimately, those who chose hospice were five times less likely to die in hospitals and nursing homes.
Life expectancy among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and cirrhosis Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis who attained sustained virological response (SVR) had survival comparable with that of the general population, whereas patients who did not attain SVR had reduced survival, according to a study in the November 12 issue of JAMA.

Biology news

	Odor that smells like blood: Single component powerful trigger for large carnivores People find the smell of blood unpleasant, but for predatory animals it means food. When behavioural researchers at Linköping University in Sweden wanted to find out which substances of blood trigger behavioural reactions, they got some unexpected results.
	Our wine owes a debt to ancient viruses Next time you pour a glass of wine, raise a toast to the 30-milion-year-old viruses that have contributed to the genetic make-up of modern grapes.
	Some plants regenerate by duplicating their DNA When munched by grazing animals (or mauled by scientists in the lab), some herbaceous plants overcompensate - producing more plant matter and becoming more fertile than they otherwise would. Scientists say they now know how these plants accomplish this feat of regeneration.
Call for greater protection at World Parks Congress Thousands of representatives from more than 160 nations meet in Australia this week at the once-a-decade World Parks Congress as scientists warn that countries are failing to care for protected areas.
Nations "failing to save earth's wildlife" The world can dramatically improve the rate at which it rescues imperilled species if it starts choosing the land set aside as protected areas more wisely, international scientists say.
	Endangered green sea turtle recovering from surgery to remove life-threatening tumors An endangered green sea turtle rescued last month in the lower Florida Keys was recovering today after surgery performed Friday to remove potentially life-threatening tumors from its eyes.
	Researchers pinpoint traits that help 'urban' mosquito transmit malaria An international team of researchers led by Virginia Tech scientists analyzed the genome of a mosquito species notorious for transmitting malaria in urban environments and discovered how the mosquito evolves rapidly to withstand a variety of environmental conditions.
	Arctic ground squirrel sheds light on circadian rhythms The Arctic ground squirrel has developed highly specialized adaptations to extreme environments, and it has a lot to teach us about circadian rhythms and biological clocks. This species maintains circadian rhythms throughout the Arctic summer, despite the almost ceaseless daylight during this period. The squirrels' body clocks have evolved to work just fine without the help of the day/night cycle, which is so important to other animals—like humans.
	How mutualisms evolve in a world of selfish genes Reproduction for a female fig wasp can be a nightmarish process. When she is ready to lay her eggs, she leaves the fig in which she was born and became pregnant and searches for another. After she finds it, she enters it by squeezing through a narrow opening built for that exact purpose, often ripping off her wings and antennae in a violent act of motherly devotion.
	First detailed study of the otoliths of extant African annual killifish species The first detailed study of the otoliths of extant African annual killifish species provides vital information that will facilitate the identification of fossil forms of this group and contribute to the elucidation of their evolutionary history.
	Weeds yet to reach their full potential as invaders after centuries of change Weeds in the UK are still evolving hundreds of years after their introduction and are unlikely to have yet reached their full potential as invaders, UNSW Australia scientists have discovered.
	New EU GMO food rules get European Parliament nod (Update) A European Parliament committee took the first step Tuesday towards permitting EU member states to decide for themselves whether to allow the hugely controversial cultivation of Genetically Modified crops (GMOs).
	Bizarre mapping error puts newly discovered species in jeopardy WCS scientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have discovered a new species of plant living in a remote rift valley escarpment that's supposed to be inside of a protected area. But an administrative mapping error puts the reserve's borders some 50 kilometers west of the actual location. Now the new species, along with 900 other plant varieties and 1,400 chimpanzees, are in limbo with no protection and threatened by cattle ranches and forest destruction.
	Attitudes about knowledge and power drive Michigan's wolf debate With both wolf proposals shot down by Michigan voters on election day, the debate over managing and hunting wolves is far from over.
Groups sue to protect walrus from drilling Six environmental groups have asked a judge to throw out a federal agency rule that concluded oil company exploration off Alaska's northwest coast will have a negligible effect on walrus.
	EU extends ban on deep-sea shark fishing EU nations on Monday extended their ban on deep-sea shark fishing for the European fleet for at least another two years, with only Spain and Portugal voting against.
Plant library takes on the global weeds menace At-risk native plants worldwide have gained a new ally in their losing battle against aggressive and insidious feral weeds.
	Historic advances in international shark and ray conservation Twenty-one species of shark and ray have received increased international protection, adding to recent victories for marine conservation.

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