Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Dec 2

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 2, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- SIMP v WIMP: Novel thermal relic mechanism for dark matter creation in the early universe
- Can capacitors in electrical circuits provide large-scale energy storage?
- Leaves of ancient carnivorous plants found in Baltic amber
- Study shows pre-human ancestors adapted to metabolize ethanol long before humans learned about fermentation
- Study finds a barrage of small impacts likely erased much of the Earth's primordial atmosphere
- World's first artificial enzymes created using synthetic biology
- Chemists fabricate novel rewritable paper
- King Richard III—case closed after 529 years: DNA and genealogical study confirms identity of remains
- 'Mirage Earth' exoplanets may have burned away chances for life
- See it, touch it, feel it: Team develops invisible 3-D haptic shape (w/ Video)
- Researchers develop inexpensive hydrolysable polymer
- Researchers tinker with a time-restricted diet in mice and find that it is remarkably forgiving
- Nanotubes may restore sight to blind retinas
- First study of 'Golden Age' mandolins unlocks secrets of their beauty
- Strange galaxy perplexes astronomers

Astronomy & Space news

	Study finds a barrage of small impacts likely erased much of the Earth's primordial atmosphere Today's atmosphere likely bears little trace of its primordial self: Geochemical evidence suggests that Earth's atmosphere may have been completely obliterated at least twice since its formation more than 4 billion years ago. However, it's unclear what interplanetary forces could have driven such a dramatic loss.
	'Mirage Earth' exoplanets may have burned away chances for life (Phys.org) —Planets orbiting close to low-mass stars—easily the most common stars in the universe—are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life.
	New Horizons mission nearing Pluto after nine years in space It took the spacecraft New Horizons, hurtling from Earth faster than any mission before it, a matter of hours to pass the moon's orbit and a year to reach Jupiter's gravity.
	Traces of possible Martian biological activity inside a meteorite Did Mars ever have life? Does it still? A meteorite from Mars has reignited the old debate. An international team that includes scientists from EPFL has published a paper in the scientific journal Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences, showing that martian life is more probable than previously thought.
	Strange galaxy perplexes astronomers With the help of citizen scientists, a team of astronomers has found an important new example of a very rare type of galaxy that may yield valuable insight on how galaxies developed in the early Universe. The new discovery technique promises to give astronomers many more examples of this important and mysterious type of galaxy.
	Scientists accurately quantify dust around planets in search for life (Phys.org)—A new study from the Keck Interferometer, a former NASA project that combined the power of the twin W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii, has brought exciting news to planet hunters. After surveying nearly 50 stars from 2008 to 2011, scientists have been able to determine with remarkable precision how much dust is around distant stars – a big step closer into finding planets than might harbor life. The discovery is being published in the Astrophysical Journal online, on December 8th.
	Orion test flight a critical step on NASA's journey to Mars America embarks on a long-lasting trip to Mars this Thursday. Orion's maiden flight, Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), slated to test spacecraft's crucial systems is a critical first step on our journey to destinations beyond Earth never before visited by humans, like asteroids and Mars. "Everyone is very excited about this mission," Stephanie Schierholz, NASA spokesperson told astrowatch.net. "Orion's flight test is a critical step on NASA's journey to Mars." In the future, Orion will launch on NASA's new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). The rocket will be capable of sending humans to deep space destinations such as an asteroid in the 2020s and eventually the Red Planet.
	History made as 90,000 Earthlings send messages to Mars There's really a more productive way to spend Black Friday instead of going berserk and storming the stores. A really huge crowd of 90,000 people capable of invading every bigger mall during the yesterday's run-and-buy frenzy, has made history sending greetings to our reddish neighboring planet. "Today uwingu.com sent almost 90,000 messages to Mars—first time people's names & messages sent to Mars by radio!" the Uwingu company which crowd funds space projects, said on Twitter. It was a global shout-out event to mark the 50th anniversary of NASA's Mariner 4 - the first mission to Mars.
	Boeing completes first milestone for NASA's commercial crew transportation systems NASA has approved the completion of Boeing's first milestone in the company's path toward launching crews to the International Space Station from the United States under a groundbreaking Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract.
	Satellites helping to assess risk of epidemics Learning about our enemy through satellites is helping us to combat diseases spread by insects and other pests.
	Europe's new rocket set for political launch Members of the European Space Agency (ESA) were hammering out details Tuesday of an eight-billion-euro ($10-billion), 10-year rocket programme with a new Ariane 6 launcher at its heart.
	For life to form on a planet it needs to orbit the right kind of star In the search for life-sustaining planets we must first choose the right host star.
	NASA's Orion capsule poised for first test launch NASA's multi-billion dollar Orion capsule is poised for its first test launch Thursday, in a demonstration flight that aims to propel it higher than any spacecraft meant to carry humans in 40 years.
Mislaunched navigation satellite may get second life: ESA A navigation satellite sent astray by a mislaunch in August, has sent a signal from its faulty orbit, and may yet prove useful, the European Space Agency (ESA) said Tuesday.
Europe to build new-generation Ariane 6 rocket (Update) European nations announced Tuesday they would build a new-generation rocket in a multi-billion-euro (dollar) programme to maintain their grip on the world market for satellite launches.
	NASA gets new countdown clock just in time NASA has a new state-of-the-art space capsule on the launch pad and a new high-tech countdown clock to go with it.
India joins the Thirty Meter Telescope Project as a full member Today in New Delhi, officials of the government of India signed documents establishing the country as a full partner in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. An international collaboration of institutions in the USA, Canada, Japan, India and China, the TMT project is working towards building a powerful, next-generation astronomical observatory at Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Technology news

	See it, touch it, feel it: Team develops invisible 3-D haptic shape (w/ Video) Technology has changed rapidly over the last few years with touch feedback, known as haptics, being used in entertainment, rehabilitation and even surgical training. New research, using ultrasound, has developed an invisible 3-D haptic shape that can be seen and felt.
	Name that voice: Mathematica catches impersonations Benedict Cumberbatch was recently invited to show off his voice impersonations of celebrities, from Christopher Walken to Taylor Swift. That video evidently inspired Wolfram's Rita Crook, marketing products manager, to ask that, if his impersonation skills of well-known talents such as Michael Caine could fool a listening human ear into thinking it was Michael, could the actor also fool a computer—-namely, could he fool Mathematica's machine-learning capabilities?
	Hawking's speech software goes open source for disabled The system that helps Stephen Hawking communicate with the outside world will be made available online from January in a move that could help millions of motor neurone disease sufferers, scientists said Tuesday.
	Top US court mulls free speech, Facebook threats US Supreme Court justices struggled Monday with the difficult question of whether threats made on Facebook can be prosecuted or are protected free speech.
	Researcher is developing online tools to help users adopt better privacy practices Research shows a growing concern for online privacy, but Internet users give up personal information every day in exchange for the convenience and functionality of a variety of online services.
	Caution over the EU's call for global forgetfulness from Google Just how much information Google should remove from its search results when requested is being tested by the European Union which wants to extend its influence beyond its borders.
	Detecting defects in solar cells Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have developed a new method for detecting defects in solar cells using a technique called 'compressed sensing'.
	Avoid work pain by using computer models of humans Most of us suffer from work related pain at some time. It is estimated that 70% of the working population are affected by problems with muscles or the skeleton in the Western World. Ali Keyvani wants to improve the health for operators in the automotive industry by creating computer models based on human movements. He now presents his thesis "Structuring and use of motion data for computer manikin work task simulations".
	Wheelchair users demand a designer future Too many accessories for wheelchair users still scream diability aid now a team of design students from Brunel University London has teamed up with campaigning website Blue Badge Style to produce stylish accesories. The best chosen by public vote will go forward to prototype stage.
Experts warn Germany will miss electric car target Germany looks set to fail in its ambitious plan to put a million electric cars on the road by 2020.
'Cyber Monday' sales rise after weekend disappointment Online retail sales showed healthy gains on "Cyber Monday," a key kickoff for online shopping for the holiday season, surveys showed.
	Berlin police mull crime-predicting software Police in Berlin are considering deploying software that predicts crimes—and have even dubbed the project "Precobs" in a nod to a term used in "Minority Report", the US sci-film based on a similar premise.
	Automakers expand passenger air bag recalls Under pressure from U.S. safety regulators, two automakers are expanding recalls or adding them to fix potentially faulty passenger air bags in high-humidity states.
	Missing ingredient in energy-efficient buildings: People More than one-third of new commercial building space includes energy-saving features, but without training or an operator's manual many occupants are in the dark about how to use them.
	Fiery risk? Air shipments of batteries questioned Dramatic U.S. government test results raise new concern that bulk shipments of rechargeable lithium batteries carried as cargo on passenger planes are susceptible to fires or explosions that could destroy the airliners.
	Amazon's Bezos to be 'bold' despite failures Amazon founder Jeff Bezos acknowledged Tuesday missteps which have cost the tech giant billions, but said that is the price for taking "bold bets."
	FBI probing Sony hack, as data leaks emerge The FBI said Tuesday it was investigating a cyberattack on Sony Pictures, amid reports that employee information as well as new films were being leaked online.
	Facebook Argentina fined over fake profiles Facebook Argentina was ordered to pay a firefighter one million pesos ($177,000) for failing to comply with an order to delete insulting fake profiles of the plaintiff, the Ministry of Justice said Tuesday.
In emails, Jobs determined to keep iPod Apple-only Jurors in a class-action lawsuit against Apple Inc. on Tuesday saw emails from late CEO Steve Jobs and his top lieutenants that show Jobs was determined to keep Apple's popular iPod music players free from songs that were sold by competing online stores.
	Twitter tries to make it easier to report abuse Twitter is trying to make it easier for victims and witnesses of online harassment to report it.
	Wearable technology may bring health data to doctors Wearable consumer devices used to monitor health and fitness could become important sources of information for medical practitioners and insurance providers if a new project led by UNSW researchers is successful.
	Researcher working to save energy with nanotechnology insulation Mufit Akinc, who has a series of patent plaques hanging high on his office wall, knows all about the challenges of moving inventions out of the lab. But he's determined to see one of his latest projects make it all the way to the marketplace where it can save energy and money.
	Robot water pipe inspectors The company Breivoll Inspection Technologies has only five employees. Nevertheless, it is working closely with Norwegian municipalities and research centres both in Norway and overseas. The reason for the company's success is its advanced application of ultrasound.
	The aftermath of a tsunami A research background in earthquake engineering seems at first sight like an unusual fit with studying tsunamis. But on her return from Sri Lanka in the wake of the 2004 tsunami, Professor Tiziana Rossetto discovered that very little research had been done into the effects of tsunamis on coastal infrastructure and she wanted to find out more. She will be presenting this research to the public at the TEDx Brussels event on 1 December.
	Aircraft fuels must be sustainable in the future In the near future car traffic will be able to run on electricity but air traffic remains dependent on liquid fuel. The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark aims to develop new and environmentally friendly liquid fuels for aircraft based on biomass from plant material. Innovation Fund Denmark has granted 21 million kroner for the project.
Cutting F-35 manufacturing costs, time earns ONR top award The Office of Naval Research (ONR) today received one of the nation's top manufacturing awards for an innovative, cost-saving method for making advanced cockpit enclosures, or canopies, for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program.
	Paris domain names sell like hot croissants Companies and lovers of the City of Lights snapped up 6,600 ".paris" Internet domain names in a mere two hours on Tuesday, far exceeding expectations.

Medicine & Health news

	Heavier newborns show academic edge in school Birth weight makes a difference to a child's future academic performance, according to new Northwestern University research that found heavier newborns do better in elementary and middle school than infants with lower birth weights.
	Sons' intelligence linked to fathers' criminal history Sons whose fathers have criminal records tend to have lower cognitive abilities than sons whose fathers have no criminal history, data from over 1 million Swedish men show. The research, conducted by scientists in Sweden and Finland, indicates that the link is not directly caused by fathers' behavior but is instead explained by genetic factors that are shared by father and son.
	Alcohol abuse linked to newly identified gene network Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have identified a network of genes that appear to work together in determining alcohol dependence. The findings, which could lead to future treatments and therapies for alcoholics and possibly help doctors screen for alcoholism, are being published this week in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Vitamin supplement successfully prevents noise-induced hearing loss Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and the Gladstone Institutes have found a way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in a mouse using a simple chemical compound that is a precursor to vitamin B3. This discovery has important implications not only for preventing hearing loss, but also potentially for treating some aging-related conditions that are linked to the same protein.
	New molecules to burst malaria's bubble Scientists have released details of a raft of new chemicals with potent anti-malarial properties which could open the way to new drugs to fight the disease.
	Vitamin D deficiency, depression linked in international study Vitamin D deficiency is not just harmful to physical health—it also might impact mental health, according to a team of researchers that has found a link between seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and a lack of sunlight.
	Researchers tinker with a time-restricted diet in mice and find that it is remarkably forgiving These days, with the abundance of artificial light, TV, tablets and smartphones, adults and children alike are burning the midnight oil. What they are not burning is calories: with later bedtimes comes the tendency to eat.
	Mediterranean diet associated with longer telomeres Eating a Mediterranean diet might help extend your lifespan, suggests a study published in The BMJ this week. The diet appears to be associated with longer telomere length—an established marker of slower aging.
Vitamin D reduces lung disease flare-ups by over 40 percent Vitamin D supplements can reduce COPD lung disease flare-ups by over 40% in patients with a vitamin D deficiency - according to new research from Queen Mary University of London. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) includes conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is thought to affect more than 3 million people in the UK.
Perceptions, referrals by medical providers affect mental-health treatment disparities Disparities in mental-health treatment are known to be associated with patients' racial and ethnic backgrounds. Now, a large study by researchers with UC Davis has found one possible reason for those disparities: Some racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to be assessed and referred for treatment by their medical providers.
New cause of child brain tumor condition identified Gorlin syndrome causes an increased risk of developing cancers of the skin and, rarely, in the brain. Around 1 in 30,000 people has the condition.
Antacids linked to better survival in head and neck cancer Patients with head and neck cancer who used antacid medicines to control acid reflux had better overall survival, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
	Why don't children belong to the clean plate club? Whereas most adults are members of the Clean Plate Club, they eat an average of about 90% of the food they serve themselves, this is not true for children.
	Risk-based screening misses breast cancers in women in their forties A study of breast cancers detected with screening mammography found that strong family history and dense breast tissue were commonly absent in women between the ages of 40 and 49 diagnosed with breast cancer. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Even mild coronary artery disease puts diabetic patients at risk According to a new long-term study, diabetic patients with even mild coronary artery disease face the same relative risk for a heart attack or other major adverse heart events as diabetics with serious single-vessel obstructive disease. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Dutch retirement homes offer frat house alternative Ninety-two-year-old Johanna beams at the 20-year-old stepping into her room—not a visiting grandson, but rather a housemate at her retirement home.
Mindfulness helps teens cope with stress, anxiety Students at a Portland high school are enrolled in a for-credit, year-long mindfulness class meant to ease youth anxiety and depression and to prevent violence.
	Stressed-out cancers may provide drug target Research at the University of Adelaide has discovered cancer cells may be particularly susceptible to metabolic stress – opening the way for new targeted therapy that won't harm normal cells.
	Cold-related asthma attacks predictable with new test People who have asthma generally suffer worse with colds caused by rhinoviruses than other people do. There are also asthmatics and patients with the severe lung condition COPD in whom the cold virus can trigger serious flare-ups of their condition. A team of researchers from the Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research at the MedUni Vienna has now discovered how this risk group can be filtered out using a blood test.
	Study shows some newborns lose weight much faster than previously recognized Using weights obtained from over 100,000 Northern California babies, a new study is the first to detail the weight loss patterns of exclusively breastfed newborns. The results show that some breastfed babies lose weight faster and for a longer period than was previously recognized.
	Preeclampsia education saves lives It can happen to anyone. It doesn't discriminate. And there's no way to stop it—at least not yet.
	Structure of neuron-connecting synaptic adhesion molecules discovered A research team has found the three-dimensional structure of synaptic adhesion molecules, which orchestrate synaptogenesis. The research findings also propose the mechanism of synapses in its initial formation.
	Does sleep really shorten when we get older? As we age, the quality of our sleep gets gradually worse. People who were able to sleep deeply all night in their twenties become increasingly likely to wake up in the night in their forties. This is a common change to sleeping patterns that can happen to anyone as a result of ageing, and is not abnormal. As we enter old age, our sleep becomes even lighter and we wake up frequently during our sleep.
	Occupational sitting among women linked to obesity You might want to stand up for this. Occupational sitting is associated with an increased likelihood of obesity, especially among black women, independent of occupational and leisure time physical activity, finds a new study from the School of Medicine and the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	Stuck in survival mode: Insights into turning down your stress level A clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine, Julian Ford has spent the past two decades researching stress and trauma. He has edited or authored 10 books, including co-authoring Hijacked by Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over (Sourcebooks, 2013). Here, he offers a glimpse into his work as well as one approach we can all use in managing our own stress.
	Research suggests that men have accurate perception of women's sexual interest, overconfidence is not adaptive Overconfidence sounds like an inherently bad trait to have, but when it comes to natural selection, some evolutionary psychologists have suggested it could be advantageous in finding a mate. Males who overestimate their chances of having sex with a given female partner would fare better in passing on that trait, as the occasional success would outweigh the consequences of being wrong the rest of the time, or so the theory has traditionally gone.
The biology of anxious temperament may lie with a problem in an anxiety "off switch" Persistent anxiety is one of the most common and distressing symptoms compromising mental health. Most of the research on the neurobiology of anxiety has focused on the generation of increased anxiety, i.e., the processes that "turn on" anxiety.
Prognostic role found for miR-21 expression in triple-negative breast cancer "Triple-negative" breast cancer (TNBC) occurs in patients whose cells do not express receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and/or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ER-/PR-/HER2-). Because of the absence of these predictive biomarkers, treatment assignment can be difficult. Now, researchers report that high levels of the microRNA miR-21 in the tumor microenvironment, but not in the tumor epithelia (cancer cells), are associated with worse clinical outcomes for patients with TNBC, thus identifying a possible TNBC prognostic biomarker, according to a study in The American Journal of Pathology.
	Fatal ODs from narcotic painkillers have tripled in US (HealthDay)—The epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse continues to take a deadly toll in the United States, with fatal overdoses involving drugs such as Oxycontin and Vicodin tripling over a decade, a new report shows.
Maternal insulin resistance changes pancreas, increases metabolic disorders risk in offspring A growing proportion of women of childbearing age are among the estimated one in three Americans who have insulin resistance—a metabolic disorder that can be a precursor to a number of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Metabolic changes in the mother during pregnancy have been linked to impaired fetal development and an increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems as children reach adulthood, but the physiological origins of these changes in children are unknown.
	World-first aspirin study reaches new milestone Australia's largest clinical trial is a step closer to revealing in 2018 whether healthy older people should or should not take aspirin to prevent or delay cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), dementia, depression and some types of cancers.
	New approach holds promise for dengue fever Monash University and 60P Australia Pty Ltd (60P), a subsidiary of 60° Pharmaceuticals LLC, have announced today an exclusive partnering deal, with 60P obtaining rights to develop the drug Fenretinide for dengue fever.
	Workplace depression - it's catching Professor Jarrod Haar, from Massey University's School of Management, says the research is the first to explore the emotional crossover process in the workplace.
	Anxiety and insecurity may lead to headaches (Medical Xpress)—A new study has suggested that a person's level of emotional security may be linked to their chance of suffering from headaches.
	Traffic jams can hurt the heart Anyone who has experienced Los Angeles gridlock likely can attest that traffic may cause one's blood pressure to rise. But UC Irvine researchers have found that, beyond the aggravation caused by fellow drivers, traffic-related air pollution presents serious heart health risks—not just for rush hour commuters, but for those who live and work nearby.
The ryanodine receptor—calcium channel in muscle cells Whenever muscles contract, so-called ryanodine receptors come into play. Calcium ions, which are ultimately responsible for the contraction of muscle cells, are released from storage organs and flow through these ion channels. Defective ryanodine receptors can lead, for example, to cardiac arrhythmias or sudden heart failure.
	Inflammatory discovery sheds new light on skin disease Inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis may result from abnormal activation of cell death pathways previously believed to suppress inflammation, a surprise finding that could help to develop new ways of treating these diseases.
If you are having a severe allergic reaction, you need epinephrine first and fast If you are one of the millions of Americans who experiences a severe allergic reaction to food, latex or an insect sting, you should know the first line of defense in combating the reaction is epinephrine. Unfortunately, not all medical personnel know how important epinephrine is in bringing an allergic reaction under control.
	Rate of prescribing psychotropic drugs to Kentucky kids studied Researchers with the Child and Adolescent Health Research Design and Support Unit (CAHRDS Unit) at the University of Louisville have begun a study to examine one of Kentucky's most vexing children's health issues: the higher-than-average rate of psychotropic medication being prescribed to children in the Bluegrass State.
	CDC: Circumcision benefits outweigh risks (Update) U.S. health officials on Tuesday released a draft of long-awaited federal guidelines on circumcision, saying medical evidence supports having the procedure done despite opposition from advocates who decry the pain, bleeding and risk of infections to newborns.
	Triple-negative breast cancer patients should undergo genetic screening Most patients with triple-negative breast cancer should undergo genetic testing for mutations in known breast cancer predisposition genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, a Mayo Clinic-led study has found. The findings come from the largest analysis to date of genetic mutations in this aggressive form of breast cancer. The results of the research appear in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Celiac disease does not increase clinical consultations for fertility problems Women with celiac disease present with fertility problems no more often than women in the general population, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
	Identifying the cellular origin of fibrosis Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have identified what they believe to be the cells responsible for fibrosis, the buildup of scar tissue. Fibrotic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and failure, lung disease, heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver, are estimated to be responsible for up to 45 percent of deaths in the developed world.
	Tailor-made pharmaceuticals as basis for novel antidepressants The FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is an established risk factor for stress-related psychiatric disorders such as major depression. Drug discovery for FKBP51 has been hampered by the inability to pharmacologically differentiate against the very similar functional counterplayer FKBP52. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich have now developed the first potent and highly selective inhibitor of FKBP51. The so-called SAFit-ligand inhibits FKBP51 enhancing growth of neuronal cell cultures and improving stress-coping behavior in mice. These findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of mechanistically novel antidepressants.
Researchers recreate stem cells from deceased patients to study present-day illnesses Research scientists have developed a novel method to re-create brain and intestinal stem cells from patients who died decades ago, using DNA from stored blood samples to study the potential causes of debilitating illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Health boost for fitness centers Health is high on the agenda in many countries with efforts to get more people exercising in order to reduce the problems associated with obesity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
New study strengthens evidence of the connection between statin use and cataracts Few classes of drugs have had such a transformative effect on the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as have statins, prescribed to reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, some clinicians have ongoing concerns regarding the potential for lens opacities (cataracts) as a result of statin use. In an article in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, researchers report increased risk for cataracts in patients treated with statins. An accompanying editorial discusses the history of statins and positions this new study in the context of conflicting results from previous analyses of purported adverse effects due to statin use.
	A lasting legacy of science (Part 2/2) (HealthDay)—The Salk polio vaccine trial of 1954 proved a momentous event whose impact is still felt today.
	Medicare spine surgery payments vary widely (HealthDay)—There is wide variation in Medicare payments for episodes of spine surgery across hospitals, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
	Too much patient care tied to faculty members' intent to leave (HealthDay)—Spending "far too much/too much" time/effort on patient care is associated with increased intent to leave the institution, according to research published in Academic Medicine.
	Progress detailed in care of cancer-linked lymphedema (HealthDay)—Recent developments are affecting the management of cancer-related lymphedema, according to an article published online Nov. 19 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
	Management of risk factors important in A-fib ablation (HealthDay)—Aggressive management of risk factors improves the long-term outcomes in patients receiving catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to research published in the Dec. 2 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Study: Wake Up and Breathe program benefits ICU patients Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research report that waking intensive care unit patients and having them breathe on their own decreased both sedation levels and coma prevalence. The Wake Up and Breathe program also showed a trend toward reduced delirium in a critically ill population.
	Brain representations of social thoughts accurately predict autism diagnosis Psychiatric disorders—including autism—are characterized and diagnosed based on a clinical assessment of verbal and physical behavior. However, brain imaging and cognitive neuroscience are poised to provide a powerful advanced new tool.
People putting their lives at risk by dismissing cancer symptoms People could be putting their lives at risk by dismissing potential warning signs of cancer as less serious symptoms, according to a Cancer Research UK-funded study* published in PLOS ONE today.
Lung cancer risk model refines decisions to screen A new method for determining lung cancer risk could more efficiently identify individuals for annual screening and catch more cancers early, according to a study published in this week's PLOS Medicine. The study, conducted by Martin Tammemägi of Brock University, Canada, and colleagues, evaluates a lung cancer risk prediction model and identifies a risk threshold for selecting individuals for annual lung cancer screening.
	New research finds the first evidence of a rogue protein in multiple sclerosis In a new study published today in the journal Frontiers in Neurology, a team of researchers led by the University of Surrey, have identified a rogue protein in multiple sclerosis, which attacks the body's central nervous system. Researchers believe this finding could pave the way for better understanding of multiple sclerosis and new treatments against neurodegenerative diseases.
	Blows to head damage brain's 'garbage truck,' accelerate dementia A new study out today in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that traumatic brain injury can disrupt the function of the brain's waste removal system. When this occurs, toxic proteins may accumulate in the brain, setting the stage for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
	A novel technique for gene insertion by genome editing Using a novel gene knock-in technique, effective insertion of an exogenous gene was demonstrated in human cells and in animal models, including silkworms and frogs. This strategy universally enables gene knock-in not only in cultured cells, but also in various organisms.
Study finds girls, boys affected differently by witnessing parental violence Witnessing violence by parents or a parent's intimate partner can trigger a chain of negative behaviors in some children that follows them from preschool to kindergarten and beyond, according to researchers at Case Western Reserve University.
WHO warns of knock-on deaths as Ebola hits health systems Ebola-related deaths in west Africa will be higher than the number of people directly infected because of its disruption to already weak healthcare services, the World Health Organization warned Tuesday.
Patients take control of their medical exam records Patients value direct, independent access to their medical exams, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	3-D mammography improves cancer detection in dense breasts A major new study being presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has found that digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D mammography, has the potential to significantly increase the cancer detection rate in mammography screening of women with dense breasts.
Teens turn to text messages for AIDS advice in Zambia The questions teenagers ask about HIV are brutally honest, anonymous—and sent in 160 characters or less over mobile phone text messages.
	Ohio bill would shield doctors who say 'My fault' A proposal in Ohio would allow doctors to acknowledge fault for a mistake to patients or their relatives without fear of the admission being used later in malpractice lawsuits.
WHO lowers Ebola toll by nearly 1,000 after Liberia counting 'error' The World Health Organization on Monday said more than 6,000 people had died from Ebola and not nearly 7,000 as earlier reported, blaming "an error" in numbers out of Liberia.
Probe finds shared needles, poor hygiene in India sterilisation deaths (Update) An independent investigation into the death of 13 women in India after mass sterilisation surgeries found the doctor and his staff used the same needles for all the procedures and never changed their gloves.
	World health systems need to be better in preventing violence against women New research shows how important global health systems are in responding to and preventing violence against women.
	Visions of a vegetarian New Zealand A vegetarian New Zealand is seen as contradictory to our national identity but may create a kinder society, according to Victoria University of Wellington research.
Clitoridectomy and female circumcision in America Clitoridectomy and female circumcision, practices often labeled as female genital mutilations, are not just controversial cultural rites performed in foreign countries.
	Outbreak forecasts sometimes wrong because they work In Nature, SFI Omidyar Fellow Sam Scarpino is among 24 co-authors offering a rebuttal to recent assertions that epidemiological models used to estimate the trajectory of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa missed the mark.
Otsuka to buy US drugmaker Avanir for $3.5B Otsuka Pharmaceutical will spend $3.5 billion in cash to buy Avanir Pharmaceuticals in a deal that expands the Japanese drugmaker's portfolio of neurologic disease treatments.
Ebola response too slow: Doctors Without Borders The international response to Ebola is still too slow and piecemeal, Doctors Without Borders warned Tuesday, as officials said the disease is crippling the economies of the three West African countries hardest hit.
	Is life in America hazardous to immigrants' health? America is a nation of immigrants, drawn from all parts of the world by the promise of freedom and a good life for themselves and their children. But a substantial body of evidence suggests that for the newly arrived, life in the United States can be hazardous to their well-being. When they get here, immigrants are on average healthier than their native-born American counterparts. But the longer they stay, the worse they fare on measures such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and mental health.
	Real-time blood testing using fingertip-penetrating light A research team has developed a prototype spectrometer which provides non-invasive testing of substances in blood by means of gathering weak body-penetrating light effectively.
Dating violence among adolescents seen as health risk More than one of every 10 Indiana adolescents experiences dating violence, and victims are more likely to carry a weapon to school, be injured in a fight, suffer depression, drink excessively or even attempt suicide, says a new report from Ball State University.
Health sciences students help narrow knowledge gap in AIDS research A chapter contribution to the Encyclopedia of AIDS by two Simon Fraser University graduate students is helping researchers to expand their knowledge on HIV/AIDS.
New guidelines to harmonize studies on heat resistance of bacteria Using a common methodology to measure heat resistance of bacteria is crucial, so that the results of different studies can be compared. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has produced a set of guidelines and considerations in the International Journal of Food Microbiology that will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying heat resistance.
	Ebola forecasting uses model developed by EU project Forecasters predicting the spread of Ebola are using one of the most sophisticated modeling systems in the world – the result of an EU research project.
Report: 17 percent drop in hospital patient harm A federal review of hospital medical records and other data has found a 17 percent decline in infections, drug mistakes, bedsores and other preventable complications from 2010 to 2013.
University of Chicago to establish Genomic Data Commons The University of Chicago is collaborating with the National Cancer Institute to establish the nation's most comprehensive computational facility that stores and harmonizes cancer genomic data generated through NCI-funded research programs.
	Combination of autism spectrum disorder and gender nonconformity presents unique challenges The challenges in providing psychotherapy to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who also are struggling with their gender identity are explored in two case studies of high-functioning persons with diagnoses of ASD and gender dysphoria (GD). The authors describe the unique complexities presented by these two diagnoses and offer suggested techniques for helping these individuals explore their gender identities in an article in LGBT Health.
US mulls lifting ban on gay blood donations (Update) A US ban on blood donations by gays could be eased after 31 years, depending on the decision of a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee that began two days of meetings Tuesday.
US officials designate 35 hospitals for Ebola care Health officials have designated 35 hospitals across the United States as Ebola treatment centers.
WHO: More than 17,000 people infected with Ebola The World Health Organization says the number of people infected with Ebola has passed 17,000, as Sierra Leone announced that its 10th doctor has been sickened.
Sierra Leone widens Ebola quarantine Ebola-hit Sierra Leone has quarantined hundreds of thousands more citizens, it said Tuesday, sealing off a sixth district, with more than half of the country's population already under lockdown.
Study examines use of drugs to strengthen bones for men receiving ADT Although some guidelines recommend use of bisphosphonates (a class of drugs used to strengthen bone) for men on androgen deprivation therapy, an analysis finds that prescriptions for these drugs remains low, even for those men at high risk of subsequent fractures, according to a study in the December 3 issue of JAMA.
Why does physical activity during childhood matter? Over the past thirty years, physical activity among children has declined markedly. The public health implications of this decline include a growing prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
	Do concussions have lingering cognitive, physical, and emotional effects? A study of active duty U.S. Marines who suffered a recent or previous concussion(s) examined whether persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) and lingering effects on cognitive function are due to concussion-related brain trauma or emotional distress. The results are different for a recent concussion compared to a history of multiple concussions, according to the study published in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
White House claims progress in Ebola fight The White House says the Obama administration is making strides in the fight against Ebola, citing an expanded hospital network and testing capacity at home and gains confronting the deadly disease in West Africa. To sustain that, President Barack Obama was prodding Congress Tuesday to approve his request for $6.2 billion in emergency spending against the outbreak.
	Green light from FDA for CT lung-imaging software A technology that started in a University of Michigan Medical School lab may soon help lung disease patients around the world breathe a little easier, by helping their doctors make a clearer diagnosis and more individualized treatment plan.
	Stroke researchers link frontal lesions with improved spatial neglect after prism therapy Stroke researchers have found that the presence of frontal lesions predicts better functional improvement in individuals with spatial neglect who received prism adaptation therapy.
Northwestern Medicine surgeons first to treat brain tumor using adaptive hybrid technology It started with numbness on the left side of his face. A few months later, Steve Mores couldn't feel his tongue or chew on the left side of his mouth. TV commercials featuring food or even being in a grocery store made him nauseous. A long time drummer in a popular band, Mores lost 30 pounds and had to find a replacement.

Biology news

	World's first artificial enzymes created using synthetic biology (Phys.org)—Medical Research Council (MRC) scientists have created the world's first enzymes made from artificial genetic material. Their synthetic enzymes, which are made from molecules that do not occur anywhere in nature, are capable of triggering chemical reactions in the lab.
	Study shows pre-human ancestors adapted to metabolize ethanol long before humans learned about fermentation (Phys.org)—A team of researchers in the U.S. has found evidence to support the notion that our pre-human ancestors were able to metabolize ethanol long before our later ancestors learned to take advantage of fermentation—to create alcoholic beverages. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes how they genetically sequenced proteins from modern primates and used what they found to work backwards to discover just how long ago our ancestors have been able to metabolize ethanol.
	Study is decoding blue light's mysterious ability to alter body's natural clock A study funded by the National Institutes of Health is unraveling the mystery of how blue light from residential and commercial lighting, electronic devices and outdoor lights can throw off-kilter the natural body clock of humans, plants and animals, leading to disease.
	Software speeds detection of diseases and cancer-treatment targets Los Alamos National Laboratory has released an updated version of powerful, award-winning bioinformatics software that is now capable of identifying DNA from viruses and all parts of the Tree of Life—putting diverse problems such as identifying pathogen-caused diseases, selection of therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, and optimizing yields of algae farms within relatively easy reach for health-care professionals, researchers and others.
	It's lonely at the top: Stickleback leaders are stickleback loners Research reveals that sticklebacks with bolder personalities are not only better leaders but also less sociable than more timid fish. The behaviour of these bolder fish shapes the dynamics of the group.
	Research pair learn how plague bacterium adapted to help fleas pass on disease (Phys.org)—A pair of researchers with NIH has discovered the evolutionary path that a bacterium that causes the plague took to allow for transmission via fleas. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Iman Chouikha and Joseph Hinnebusch describe how they studied the bacterium and its genes to learn how it adapted to become less lethal to fleas and thus better able to infect more hosts.
	Unlike humans, monkeys aren't fooled by expensive brands In at least one respect, Capuchin monkeys are smarter than humans—they don't assume a higher price tag means better quality, according to a new Yale study appearing in the open-access journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Unraveling the mystery of DNA transcription, one molecule at a time Before DNA can be transcribed into RNA, an early step in turning the genetic template into protein, the nucleus must first assemble a molecular machine called the pre-initiation complex (PIC), capable of unzipping the double helix and loading the DNA onto the transcription enzyme.
	Computational tools will help identify microbes in complex environmental samples Microbes of interest to clinicians and environmental scientists rarely exist in isolation. Organisms essential to breaking down pollutants or causing illness live in complex communities, and separating one microbe from hundreds of companion species can be challenging for researchers seeking to understand environmental issues or disease processes.
Study finds insects play important role in dealing with garbage on NYC streets In the city that never sleeps, it's easy to overlook the insects underfoot. But that doesn't mean they're not working hard. A new study from North Carolina State University shows that insects and other arthropods play a significant role in disposing of garbage on the streets of Manhattan.
	Pirate viruses caught in their own trap? In order to infect a host cell and proliferate, some viruses, such as the hepatitis C virus, infiltrate the ribosomes, the molecular machines that assemble the proteins present in each of our cells. Viral proteins are thus produced to the detriment of cellular proteins. A group of scientists in Strasbourg has demonstrated that one of the 80 components of each ribosome is essential for infection by certain viruses without being necessary for normal cell functioning. This discovery, which may result in the development of new therapeutic strategies, was made by scientists in the Laboratoire Réponse Immunitaire et Développement chez les Insectes (CNRS) and the Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (INSERM/Université de Strasbourg), with support from the ANRS, among others. It is the subject of an article published in Cell on 20 November 2014.
	Clover genes sprout research possibilities The tremendous genetic diversity of a simple clover is giving scientists the tools to breed new cultivars, each designed to benefit Australian agriculture.
Revealed: How bacteria drill into our cells and kill them A team of scientists has revealed how certain harmful bacteria drill into our cells to kill them. Their study shows how bacterial 'nanodrills' assemble themselves on the outer surfaces of our cells, and includes the first movie of how they then punch holes in the cells' outer membranes. The research, published today in the journal eLife, supports the development of new drugs that target this mechanism, which is implicated in serious diseases. The team brings together researchers from UCL, Birkbeck, University of London, the University of Leicester, and Monash University (Melbourne).
	Nutrition, safety key to consumer acceptance of nanotech, genetic modification in foods New research from North Carolina State University and the University of Minnesota shows that the majority of consumers will accept the presence of nanotechnology or genetic modification (GM) technology in foods - but only if the technology enhances the nutrition or improves the safety of the food.
	New techniques for estimating Atlantic bluefin tuna reproduction Using a new approach for determining the age at sexual maturity for wild stocks of western Atlantic bluefin tuna, researchers led by Molly Lutcavage of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Gilad Heinisch of Israel's Oceanographic and Limnological Research Center, suggest that these fish mature at a considerably younger age than cuurently assumed. These findings could lead to changes in how fisheries scientists estimate the population.
	Fear and caring are what's at the core of divisive wolf debate To hunt or not hunt wolves can't be quantified as simply as men vs. women, hunters vs. anti-hunters, Democrats vs. Republicans or city vs. rural.
	TransCanada halts pipeline terminal over endangered whales Oil company TransCanada suspended construction of a terminal on a major pipeline along the St. Lawrence River after Canadian authorities classified a nearby population of beluga whales as "endangered."
New computing applications expedite animal breeding A doctoral thesis studied new statistical methods for animal breeding, based on which extensive livestock data samples can be analysed, and complex models used, more efficiently. Computing times lasting months can be reduced to weeks.
	Protein kinase R and dsRNAs, new regulators of mammalian cell division The research team of the Center for RNA Research at IBS has succeeded in revealing that the dsRNAs and Protein Kinase R (PKR) regulate division of mammalian cells.
	Fur seal population bounces back while sea lions struggle Studies of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) in Western Australia have revealed their populations are continuing to increase, though at much slower rates than a decade ago.
	Cornwall's mysterious bluefin tuna dissected Researchers from the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus have completed their post-mortem of a Bluefin tuna that washed up unexpectedly on Cornwall's Kingsand Beach last July.
Federal lab to examine birds believed poisoned A federal forensics laboratory will examine the carcasses of birds believed to have been poisoned last week in Portland, Oregon, parks.
Preference for gravid females makes rare iguana consumption unsustainable The Valle de Aguán spiny-tailed iguana is a critically endangered species found in Honduras. A recent survey of people living in the region shows that, although residents are aware of the endangered status of the species, the iguana continues to be hunted for food. Of particular concern is the preference for the consumption of female iguanas that are gravid (carrying eggs in their body).
Agency proposes critical habitat for ringed seals A federal agency has proposed about 350,000 square miles of ocean off Alaska's north and west coasts as critical habitat for the seal that's the main prey of polar bears.

---

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